Hong Kong: Competition unleashes 5G creativity 5G technology is characterised by high-speed connections and low latency, and has applications in everything from smart homes to remote healthcare and virtual shopping. Many young students are curious about what the technology means and how it can be effectively utilised. Students from Nam Wah Catholic Secondary School recently designed a vehicle surveillance buzzer that deploys 5G technology to alert pedestrians to road conditions. Team leader Gary Wong explained how it works. First, the systems camera can identify an approaching vehicle as either a car or someone riding a bicycle. When a car is recognised, the server sends a signal to the buzzer, which then emits an alarm. The project took first prize in the recent 5G Campus Application Competition, organised by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. Team member Alfred Lee said the team had gained a lot of knowledge and familiarised themselves with innovative technologies, especially the advantages and applications of 5G, by taking part in the competition. Vice Principal Shum Ho-yin explained that the school attaches great importance to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. He said the students involved had improved not only their knowledge of innovation and technology but also their collaboration, problem-solving and communication skills. Teacher Ng Wai-hin, who led the students participation, stated that he would continue to assist them with research and improvements to their project, adding that he was hopeful that the vehicle surveillance buzzer might be applied on campus in the future. Inspiring innovation The competition took 5G Campus for Smart Life as its theme. Aimed at increasing students understanding of 5G technology and its applications, it attracted 33 entries from 29 secondary schools. OFCA provided training for participants, teaching them skills related to augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D design and basic programming as well as effective presentation, and helped them to build out their initial concepts. Kingsley Yeung, Assistant Director (Support) at OFCA, said the competition gave students hands-on experience in using 5G applications, allowing them to explore how the technology can have social and environmental benefits and make a difference in everyday life. He added that he hopes they can take their interest in innovative technology further through ongoing learning and practice. The second-placed team in the competition, from Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School, designed a 5G health-monitoring wristband to help the school track the health conditions of students in real-time. Meanwhile, the third-placed team, from Cumberland Presbyterian Church Yao Dao Secondary School, presented a smart greenhouse controller that uses 5G technology to monitor small greenhouses, facilitating observation of plant growth and the development of small creatures such as butterflies. OFCA said it will continue to promote 5G technology and its applications through public education and promotional activities. It will also enhance students understanding of and interest in 5G technology through initiatives such as school talks and drama performances. This story has been published on: 2023-12-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. General Capital, the listed financial services group, today announces the appointment of Anita Killeen as an independent director to the General Capital Board. Anita Killeen is a Barrister specialising in financial crime and fraud, civil and criminal litigation, and governance and dispute resolution. Ms. Killeen has held a variety of governance roles in the legal, financial, local government, education, health and not for profit sectors including having served as Chair of the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board, as Chair and National President of Fertility New Zealand, as Deputy Chair of Ngai Tai ki Tamaki Commercial Investment Board, Deputy Chair of NetSafe New Zealand, Independent Director of the Domain Name Commission, and Director of the SPCA Auckland. She is an alumna of the Auckland University School of Law, the Harvard Business School, the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Institute for Strategic Leadership. General Capital Chair, Mr. Rewi Bugo says the Board is pleased to welcome Ms. Killeen as a director. Anita brings a wealth of experience to General Capital, including a strong legal, academic and governance background. Her skillset is a valuable addition to the Board and business he says. General Capitals Board has determined that Ms. Killeen is an independent director. Her appointment will be effective 1 February 2024. As required by rule 2.7.1 of the NZX Listing Rules Ms. Killeen will retire at the next Annual Shareholder Meeting and be eligible for re-election. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: AFT broadens R&D pipeline with new product candidate ATM - Response to Synlait's market update announcement ENS - NZMDT DETERMINATION TWL and nChain agree to cancel agreement with settlement Accountant gets home detention for wage subsidy fraud BIF acquires shares in NewFish KMD Brands Trading Update NEF - Director Appointment: Neal Barclay FPH announces executive management team changes December 20th Morning Report Quent Capital LLC raised its position in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 13.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,851 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 563 shares during the quarter. Quent Capital LLCs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $207,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BK. Nemes Rush Group LLC bought a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 97.1% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 609 shares of the banks stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 81.29% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Trading Up 0.0 % NYSE:BK opened at $51.63 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $39.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.11. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a 52 week low of $39.65 and a 52 week high of $52.26. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $45.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.63. Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The bank reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.12. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 11.81% and a return on equity of 11.84%. The firm had revenue of $4.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 27th were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.25%. Bank of New York Mellons payout ratio is currently 39.44%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $47.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $52.60. View Our Latest Report on Bank of New York Mellon About Bank of New York Mellon (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quent Capital LLC decreased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 4,349 shares of the companys stock after selling 74 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,336,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,774 shares during the period. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $561,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on LLY. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research note on Friday, October 6th. 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. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $630.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $578.48. Insider Activity In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of LLY stock opened at $572.04 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $543.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 103.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $309.20 and a 1-year high of $629.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $589.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $531.50. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 94.20%. 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. Further Reading 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. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 407 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth $48,000. 85.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNH. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $596.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $585.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $578.05. UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of UNH opened at $531.12 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $491.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $537.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $506.72. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $445.68 and a twelve month high of $554.70. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.79 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Groups revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current year. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th were given a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 32.64%. Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total transaction of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 521,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at $282,084,374.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 192,094 shares of company stock worth $104,507,072. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. UnitedHealth Group Company Profile (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. Further Reading 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. American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AXL Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,350,000 shares, an increase of 22.7% from the November 15th total of 2,730,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,380,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.4 days. Currently, 3.0% of the companys shares are short sold. American Axle & Manufacturing Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSE:AXL opened at $8.82 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -882.00 and a beta of 2.25. American Axle & Manufacturing has a 12-month low of $6.29 and a 12-month high of $10.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.62. Get American Axle & Manufacturing alerts: American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 3rd. The auto parts company reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.04) by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.49 billion. American Axle & Manufacturing had a negative return on equity of 1.46% and a negative net margin of 0.01%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.27 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that American Axle & Manufacturing will post -0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut American Axle & Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, October 1st. Citigroup lowered their target price on American Axle & Manufacturing from $9.00 to $7.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. UBS Group lowered their target price on American Axle & Manufacturing from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on American Axle & Manufacturing from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, Bank of America cut American Axle & Manufacturing from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $9.00 to $8.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Axle & Manufacturing has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.08. Get Our Latest Analysis on American Axle & Manufacturing Institutional Trading of American Axle & Manufacturing Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing by 4.3% in the second quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 151,529 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,253,000 after acquiring an additional 6,265 shares during the period. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in the second quarter worth $615,000. HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing by 230.0% in the first quarter. HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC now owns 760,467 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $5,939,000 after acquiring an additional 530,016 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in the second quarter worth $846,000. Finally, Mirabella Financial Services LLP bought a new stake in shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in the second quarter worth $512,000. Institutional investors own 91.41% of the companys stock. About American Axle & Manufacturing (Get Free Report) American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. It operates through Driveline and Metal Forming segments. The Driveline segment offers front and rear axles, driveshafts, differential assemblies, clutch modules, balance shaft systems, disconnecting driveline technology, and electric and hybrid driveline products and systems for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for American Axle & Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Axle & Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Squarespace, Inc. (NYSE:SQSP Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the fifteen research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $35.62. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on SQSP shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Squarespace from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Bank of America began coverage on Squarespace in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on Squarespace in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. Get Squarespace alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on SQSP Squarespace Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of SQSP opened at $28.68 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.85, a PEG ratio of 8.13 and a beta of 0.38. Squarespace has a 1-year low of $20.10 and a 1-year high of $34.38. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $28.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.93. Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.33). The firm had revenue of $257.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $251.91 million. Squarespace had a negative return on equity of 2.24% and a negative net margin of 25.38%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.07 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Squarespace will post 0.08 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Squarespace In other news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 45,029 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.55, for a total transaction of $1,285,577.95. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,936,894 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $112,398,323.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Squarespace news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 45,029 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.55, for a total value of $1,285,577.95. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,936,894 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $112,398,323.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Atlantic (Sqrs) Lp General sold 6,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.50, for a total value of $177,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 10,627,824 shares in the company, valued at $313,520,808. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 6,205,139 shares of company stock worth $182,847,574. Corporate insiders own 47.14% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Squarespace Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Squarespace by 124.8% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,015,353 shares of the companys stock valued at $203,235,000 after acquiring an additional 3,894,084 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Squarespace by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,774,485 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,984,000 after buying an additional 419,488 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Squarespace by 38.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,427,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $108,117,000 after buying an additional 956,920 shares during the period. Riverbridge Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Squarespace by 3.4% in the second quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 2,378,406 shares of the companys stock worth $75,015,000 after acquiring an additional 77,177 shares during the period. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Squarespace by 2.7% in the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,191,871 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,508,000 after acquiring an additional 31,448 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 43.73% of the companys stock. About Squarespace (Get Free Report Squarespace, Inc operates platform for businesses and independent creators to build online presence, grow their brands, and manage their businesses across the internet. Its suite of integrated products enables users to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, e-commerce, marketing tools, scheduling, and hospitality services, as well as tools for managing a social media presence. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Squarespace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Squarespace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report) by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,452 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 284 shares during the quarter. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $490,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 91,224.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 92,329,444 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,440,613,000 after purchasing an additional 92,228,344 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 42,188,650 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,770,693,000 after purchasing an additional 525,322 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 18.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 25,406,629 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,606,466,000 after purchasing an additional 4,044,744 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 22,796,474 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,577,825,000 after purchasing an additional 480,742 shares during the period. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 45.5% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,114,267 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,755,753,000 after purchasing an additional 5,354,161 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.91% of the companys stock. Get Intercontinental Exchange alerts: Intercontinental Exchange Stock Performance NYSE:ICE opened at $123.10 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $111.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $112.63. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a twelve month low of $94.16 and a twelve month high of $125.02. The stock has a market cap of $68.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.56, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Intercontinental Exchange Dividend Announcement Intercontinental Exchange ( NYSE:ICE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.06. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 13.06% and a net margin of 25.17%. The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.01 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 14th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 13th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.36%. Intercontinental Exchanges payout ratio is currently 38.98%. Insider Buying and Selling at Intercontinental Exchange In other news, CFO Warren Gardiner sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.34, for a total transaction of $56,170.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 15,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,687,908.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CAO James W. Namkung sold 1,171 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $140,520.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 18,677 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,241,240. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Warren Gardiner sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.34, for a total value of $56,170.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 15,025 shares in the company, valued at $1,687,908.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 110,350 shares of company stock valued at $12,466,960 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on ICE. Barclays cut their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $122.00 to $120.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. UBS Group increased their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Intercontinental Exchange in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $125.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Intercontinental Exchange from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities cut their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $168.00 to $154.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Intercontinental Exchange currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $132.83. Read Our Latest Report on ICE Intercontinental Exchange Profile (Free Report) Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ICE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Intercontinental Exchange Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intercontinental Exchange and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,318 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 794 shares during the quarter. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Unum Group were worth $557,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNM. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Unum Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $426,463,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in Unum Group by 401.2% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,639,336 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $78,196,000 after buying an additional 1,312,286 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Unum Group by 39.0% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,481,641 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $136,167,000 after buying an additional 977,334 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,014,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Unum Group by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,681,485 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $746,204,000 after purchasing an additional 836,407 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.37% of the companys stock. Get Unum Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group In other Unum Group news, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 8,188 shares of Unum Group 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 directly owns 54,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,302,540.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on UNM shares. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Unum Group from $59.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. StockNews.com raised Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Unum Group from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unum Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.50. View Our Latest Report on Unum Group Unum Group Trading Down 1.2 % Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $43.55 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.10. The firm has a market cap of $8.49 billion, a PE ratio of 7.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.98. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $36.27 and a twelve month high of $52.15. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) last issued 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 business 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%. Unum Groups revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. Analysts expect that Unum Group will post 7.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Unum Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated 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 repurchase up to 5.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Unum Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 27th were given a dividend of $0.365 per share. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 26th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.59%. Unum Group Company 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. See Also 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. Symmetry Partners LLC lessened its stake in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 6.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,143 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 606 shares during the quarter. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $430,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fiduciary Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 209.4% in the second quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 594 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 89.11% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $872,685.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 197,992 shares in the company, valued at $10,889,560. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $872,685.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 197,992 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,889,560. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.79, for a total value of $581,099.09. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,795 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,578,873.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 254,602 shares of company stock worth $13,330,195 over the last ninety days. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Boston Scientific Price Performance Boston Scientific stock opened at $55.81 on Friday. Boston Scientific Co. has a 52 week low of $44.35 and a 52 week high of $56.90. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $53.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The stock has a market cap of $81.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.06, a PEG ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.02. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 15.46% and a net margin of 8.93%. The business had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.48 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.43 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BSX has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 21st. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. TheStreet upgraded Boston Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Boston Scientific from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $60.95. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Boston Scientific About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:EAGG Free Report) by 3.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,054 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 380 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $546,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in EAGG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 64.8% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,113,774 shares of the companys stock worth $194,047,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617,705 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.5% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,729,554 shares of the companys stock worth $83,826,000 after purchasing an additional 462,830 shares in the last quarter. PFS Investments Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $13,262,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 85.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 128,224 shares of the companys stock worth $6,048,000 after acquiring an additional 59,085 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,491,000. Get iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF stock opened at $47.45 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $45.57 and a 200-day moving average of $46.19. iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $44.07 and a 1-year high of $48.73. iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile The iShares ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (EAGG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of US dollar-denominated bonds from issuers evaluated for favorable ESG practices. EAGG was launched on Oct 18, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EAGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:EAGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC bought a new position in AGCO Co. (NYSE:AGCO Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 4,967 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $587,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of AGCO by 116.7% in the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 74,627 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $9,808,000 after buying an additional 40,194 shares during the period. Delphi Management Inc. MA purchased a new stake in shares of AGCO during the second quarter worth $1,363,000. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL purchased a new stake in shares of AGCO during the second quarter worth $3,430,000. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AGCO during the second quarter worth $14,450,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AGCO by 2.7% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 8,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,171,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.39% of the companys stock. Get AGCO alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently issued reports on AGCO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on AGCO in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a buy rating and set a $160.00 price objective on shares of AGCO in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on AGCO from $142.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Bank of America cut their target price on AGCO from $149.00 to $131.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and set a $153.00 target price on shares of AGCO in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AGCO presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $151.25. AGCO Trading Down 2.7 % Shares of NYSE:AGCO opened at $119.25 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $8.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks 50-day moving average is $116.15 and its 200-day moving average is $122.87. AGCO Co. has a 52-week low of $109.81 and a 52-week high of $145.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.62. AGCO (NYSE:AGCO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $3.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.27 by $0.70. The company had revenue of $3.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.48 billion. AGCO had a return on equity of 29.50% and a net margin of 7.96%. The firms revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that AGCO Co. will post 15.74 earnings per share for the current year. AGCO Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were given a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. AGCOs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.54%. AGCO Company Profile (Free Report) AGCO Corporation manufactures and distributes agricultural equipment and related replacement parts worldwide. It offers horsepower tractors for row crop production, soil cultivation, planting, land leveling, seeding, and commercial hay operations; utility tractors for small- and medium-sized farms, as well as for dairy, livestock, orchards, and vineyards; and compact tractors for small farms, specialty agricultural industries, landscaping, equestrian, and residential uses. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AGCO Co. (NYSE:AGCO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AGCO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AGCO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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The institutional investor owned 5,172 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 852 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $630,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Park Place Capital Corp boosted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 73.4% during the 2nd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 189 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 87.76% of the companys stock. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised Quest Diagnostics from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $140.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $148.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com raised Quest Diagnostics from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. TheStreet downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $147.58. Quest Diagnostics Price Performance Shares of NYSE DGX opened at $135.03 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $132.97. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $119.59 and a 1-year high of $158.34. The firm has a market cap of $15.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.27 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The medical research company reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.19 by $0.03. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.80% and a net margin of 8.21%. The business had revenue of $2.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.36 earnings per share. Quest Diagnosticss revenue was down 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.71 earnings per share for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 16th. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.64%. Quest Diagnostics Profile (Free Report) Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine testing, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DGX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE Free Report) by 21.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,906 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 6,383 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Vale were worth $307,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Vale by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 11,612 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 664 shares during the period. Greenleaf Trust boosted its holdings in Vale by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 30,603 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $483,000 after purchasing an additional 810 shares during the period. Cloverfields Capital Group LP boosted its holdings in Vale by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Cloverfields Capital Group LP now owns 30,407 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $480,000 after purchasing an additional 908 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Vale by 24.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,954 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares during the period. Finally, Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vale by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,460 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. 16.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Vale alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Vale from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $18.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, November 16th. StockNews.com raised shares of Vale from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Citigroup raised shares of Vale from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $14.00 to $16.00 in a report on Monday, October 30th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Vale from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Vale from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $16.67. Vale Price Performance Shares of NYSE:VALE opened at $14.96 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $67.07 billion, a PE ratio of 7.16 and a beta of 0.92. The companys fifty day moving average is $14.26 and its 200 day moving average is $13.85. Vale S.A. has a 52 week low of $12.22 and a 52 week high of $19.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Vale (NYSE:VALE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $10.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.52 billion. Vale had a net margin of 22.84% and a return on equity of 23.82%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.98 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Vale S.A. will post 2.15 earnings per share for the current year. Vale Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 24th were given a $0.1541 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 8.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 22nd. Vales payout ratio is 47.37%. About Vale (Free Report) Vale SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VALE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vale Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vale and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TFI International Inc. (NYSE:TFII Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eighteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and thirteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $152.25. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on TFII shares. Susquehanna cut their target price on TFI International from $155.00 to $140.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of TFI International from $150.00 to $133.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of TFI International from $144.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Desjardins lowered their price target on shares of TFI International from $192.00 to $182.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of TFI International from $153.00 to $133.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Get TFI International alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on TFII Institutional Trading of TFI International TFI International Price Performance Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in TFI International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in TFI International by 1,481.8% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 348 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. acquired a new stake in TFI International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $54,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in TFI International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $257,000. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its holdings in TFI International by 94.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 3,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $315,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.32% of the companys stock. NYSE TFII opened at $118.75 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $116.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $119.91. TFI International has a 1 year low of $98.32 and a 1 year high of $138.16. The company has a market cap of $10.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.73, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.50. TFI International (NYSE:TFII Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.16). TFI International had a net margin of 7.02% and a return on equity of 21.38%. The firm had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.88 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.01 earnings per share. TFI Internationals revenue was down 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that TFI International will post 6.25 earnings per share for the current year. TFI International Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. This is an increase from TFI Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. TFI Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.26%. About TFI International (Get Free Report TFI International Inc provides transportation and logistics services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company operates through Package and Courier, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Truckload (TL), and Logistics segments. The Package and Courier segment engages in the pickup, transport, and delivery of items. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TFI International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TFI International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arden Trust Co lessened its holdings in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 70.3% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,285 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 10,139 shares during the period. Arden Trust Cos holdings in Southern were worth $277,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SO. Prudential PLC increased its position in Southern by 23.4% during the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 19,438 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,409,000 after buying an additional 3,689 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in Southern by 33.5% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,727 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $126,000 after buying an additional 433 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its position in Southern by 63.0% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,902 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $138,000 after buying an additional 735 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Southern by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 49,925 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,621,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Southern by 35.8% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 907,132 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $65,776,000 after purchasing an additional 239,325 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.85% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Barclays decreased their price target on Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Bank of America upgraded Southern from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the company from $67.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Southern from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.00. Insider Transactions at Southern In related news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.23, for a total value of $356,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 106,284 shares in the company, valued at $7,570,609.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.39, for a total value of $693,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at $1,990,868.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.23, for a total value of $356,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 106,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,570,609.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,722,000 over the last three months. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Southern Stock Down 0.9 % SO opened at $70.86 on Friday. The Southern Company has a one year low of $58.85 and a one year high of $75.80. The company has a market cap of $77.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.58, a PEG ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.55. The businesss fifty day moving average is $68.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.21. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.10. Southern had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 11.60%. The company had revenue of $6.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.38 billion. Analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Southern Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 20th were issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 17th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.95%. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 101.08%. Southern Profile (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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). 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. Webster Bank N. A. reduced its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 104,688 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 513 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. accounts for 2.1% of Webster Bank N. A.s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Webster Bank N. A.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $15,182,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Atlas Private Wealth Management increased its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 11.7% during the second quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management now owns 27,106 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,942,000 after acquiring an additional 2,834 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 4.4% during the second quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. now owns 34,079 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,956,000 after acquiring an additional 1,439 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 4.4% during the second quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 39,447 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,737,000 after purchasing an additional 1,652 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 14.0% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 50,991 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,416,000 after purchasing an additional 6,264 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Joseph Group Capital Management boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 7.6% during the second quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management now owns 12,958 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,885,000 after purchasing an additional 916 shares during the last quarter. 68.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance Shares of JPM stock opened at $165.23 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $477.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.86, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The firms 50 day moving average is $149.36 and its 200 day moving average is $147.99. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12 month low of $123.11 and a 12 month high of $165.28. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. The business had revenue of $40.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.63 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 22.79% and a return on equity of 17.97%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s revenue was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.12 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.62 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.07%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently weighed in on JPM shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Odeon Capital Group cut shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $140.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $158.00 price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Friday, September 8th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $167.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.80. Read Our Latest Stock Report on JPM Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total transaction of $5,158,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 131,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,113,920. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile (Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HASTINGS Authorities have released the name of a man killed after a series of explosions destroyed a Hastings home early Sunday. Jeffrey Ponder, 52, died after the incident at 618 S. Boston Ave. in Hastings, authorities said in a release. The explosions were "likely due to explosive/destructive devices." Ponder lived at the home. A preliminary investigation found Ponder was illegally constructing and storing his own destructive devices at the property, the release said. There's no indication Ponder intended to use the devices as weapons against people or property and the explosion is believed to be accidental. Authorities were called to the home around 3:15 a.m. on the report of an explosion inside the residence. As first responders arrived on scene, there were secondary explosions occurring within the home, police said. City of Hastings Public Information Manager Tony Herrman said the timeline from the first explosion to the last was about 10-15 minutes. The explosions caused the collapse of the residence, causing a majority of the first floor to fall into the basement of the home, authorities said in the release. Multiple homemade destructive devices were located within the debris and on the property. The devices and explosive material was disposed of at an undisclosed location on Sunday. Nebraska code defines destructive devices as "any explosive, incendiary, chemical or biological poison," noting that bombs, grenades, rockets with "a propellant charge of more than four ounces," mines, booby traps, Molotov cocktail and bottle bombs fall under the definition. A destructive device is also any "vessel or container intentionally caused to rupture or mechanically explode by expanding pressure from any gas, acid, dry ice, or other chemical mixture" or any similar device, the primary or common purpose of which is to explode." Herrman confirmed an adult and two children live at the house and the children were not home at the time of the explosions. An autopsy on Monday in Omaha determined Ponder as the victim. At the scene around 3 p.m. on Sunday, a construction company was moving the wreckage with heavy machinery. Glass was strewn about nearby yards and the street. Houses on both sides of the home destroyed by the explosions sustained damage, one a blown out window, the other numerous holes on its side. The explosions also blew out the back window of a nearby vehicle. Both homes were unoccupied and no one else was injured in the incident, Herrman said. The house that exploded was a one-story, 1,008 square-foot home, according to Adams County records. It was valued at $87,730 this year. "Our thoughts are with all individuals affected by this tragic incident. Social Media is an excellent platform to be able to disseminate information quickly but can also be a place for very hurtful comments during difficult times," the city said in the release on Monday. "We ask everyone to please be respectful to the family and friends of Mr. Ponder as they mourn the loss of their loved one." Agencies working on the incident are the Hastings Police Department, Hastings Fire & Rescue, Adams County Emergency Management, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Fire Marshal, Hastings Utilities, Hastings Street Department, Hastings Building Inspection, Adams County Attorneys Office and Ben Engel Construction. PHOTOS: Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Wreaths Across America events were held throughout the country on Saturday. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Eon and Taylor Lemburg help their 2-year-old son, Banks, place a wreath on a gravesite Saturday at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery. Eon spent e Grand Island Wreaths Across America Banks Lemburg, 2, placed a wreath on a gravesite Saturday at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery. His father, Eon, spent eight years in the Marines. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Banks Lemburg, 2, placed a wreath on a gravesite Saturday at the Nebraska Veterans Memorial Cemetery, as his mother, Taylor, took a picture. A Grand Island Wreaths Across America Alezaya Flores, left, and Maria Reynoso were two of the Walnut Middle School students who helped with Wreaths Across America on Saturday. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Chambers lays a ceremonial wreath Saturday at Wreaths Across America. Grand Island Wreaths Across America At the end of Saturdays ceremony, wreaths had been placed on 1,400 gravesites at Nebraska Veterans Ceremony in Grand Island. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Fifty Walnut Middle School students attended Wreaths Across America on Saturday. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Bill Keil, with Werner Enterprises, helps to cover more than 3,700 wreaths with tarp at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Matt Maust, with Farm Credit Services of America, stacks wreaths at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska A Werner Enterprises truck is loaded with boxes of more than 3,700 wreaths for delivery at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Volunteers stack wreaths at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. They are to be placed on the graves of veterans for a Wreaths Grand Island Wreaths Across America At the end of Saturday's ceremony, wreaths had been placed on 1,400 gravesites at Nebraska Veterans Ceremony in Grand Island. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Banks Lemburg, 2, placed a wreath on a gravesite Saturday at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery, Grand Island Wreaths Across America Volunteers placed wreaths on 1,400 gravesites Saturday at Nebraska Veterans Ceremony in Grand Island. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Students from Walnut Middle School assisted in Saturday's Wreaths Across America program. Grand Island Wreaths Across America Chief Petty Officer Christopher Holland of Lincoln, a member of the Navy Reserves, prepares to lay a ceremonial wreath Saturday at the Nebrask Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Wreaths are stacked at Omaha National Cemetery in preparation for a Wreaths Across America event on Saturday. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Volunteers stack wreaths at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. They are to be placed on the graves of veterans for a Wreaths Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Ray Dengel helps to stack wreaths at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Wreaths Across America in Nebraska Volunteers unload and carry at Omaha National Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. They are to be placed on the graves of veterans for a Wreat Volunteers honor veterans at Grand Island Wreaths Across America Volunteers placed wreaths atop the gravesites of men and women who served our country. New this year was a group of about 50 Walnut Middle Sch 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 Zip Code According to the foundation, the event will feature brown sugar and pineapple baked ham, corn, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls, and a dessert. The foundation, with support from Molina Healthcare of Illinois, is reportedly providing 300 hams and Christmas dinner fixings to families in need. The giveaway is open to all community members and will be held at the First Presbyterian Annex at 21 West Locus Street. COLUMBIA -- U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, announced Saturday that 20 individuals were charged in federal court in connection with firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, or other firearms offenses after a targeted violent crime reduction initiative in West Columbia. The indictments are a result of a series of coordinated arrests made following a targeted multi-agency operation that spanned several months. In June of 2022, in response to rising violent crime in the West Columbia area, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Columbia launched an advanced, intelligence-based, multi-faceted law enforcement operation. The purpose of the operation was to target criminal entities and groups in the area, specifically those engaged in the illegal use, sale, and possession of firearms and narcotics. ATF established a controlled buy location, and ATF undercover agents and confidential informants began conducting controlled purchases of firearms and narcotics from criminal targets in the area, while local agencies conducted crime suppression operations. Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. Defendants included members of the Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciple street gangs. The joint investigation has led to 20 defendants facing federal charges. Federal agents purchased or seized 210 firearms, including several machine gun conversion devices or "switches" designed to convert a firearm to a fully automatic weapon, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Additionally, law enforcement purchased or seized approximately 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, 500 grams of powder cocaine, 500 grams of powder fentanyl, 280 grams of crack cocaine, 2,826 fentanyl pills, and over 2,100 polydrug pills. Some defendants were charged together, but several others were charged individually. The following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to court documents: * Terrance Myers, a/k/a "Terrance Toomer," 47, of Orangeburg, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. * Dequincy Marquez Jordan, 37, of Florence, was charged with two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. * Joseph Wadsworth, a/k/a "J-Roc," 39, of Gaston, and Curtis Hill III, 33, of Lexington, were charged with multiple counts of distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearms. * Christopher Huntington, a/k/a "Crazy," 32, of Lugoff, was charged with multiple counts of distributing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearms. * Tyrek Carroway, a/k/a "Everything," 24, of Columbia was charged with multiple counts of distributing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. * Marcelleus Robinson a/k/a "Drawdown," 31, of Columbia and Howard Parker, 31, of West Columbia were charged with unlawful possession of a firearms and unlawful possession of machineguns. * Sean Smith, a/k/a "D," 40, of Cayce, was charged with multiple counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearms. * Lamark Gill, a/k/a "Lamont," 47, of Lexington, was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearms. * Ricky Bell Jr., 35, of Columbia, was charged with distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of firearms. * Jordan Deshawn Waden a/k/a "Yayo," 24, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. * Joel Jeremiah Williams, 35, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. * Angela Peterson Black, 51, of Lexington, was charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. * Michael Wright, 45, of Greenville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as six counts of distributing methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. * Kendolius Jones, a/k/a "Duke Brim," 30, of West Columbia, was charged with felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle. * Reginald Pearson, 40, of Columbia, was charged with three counts possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, as well as felon in possession and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. * Everette Wanamaker, 36, of Columbia, was charged with two counts possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, as well as six counts of felon in possession. * Sean Dunagan, 44, of Marietta, Georgia, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, with possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and destruction of evidence. * Gregory Huggins, a/k/a "B-Lo," 30, of Lexington was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. * Davarious Keith, 30, of West Columbia, was charged with dealing in firearms without a license, distribution of crack cocaine, as well as felon in possession and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. * David Smith, 36, of West Columbia, was charged with distribution of crack cocaine. The case was investigated by the West Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff's Department, Richland County Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The South Carolina Attorney General's Office is handling the prosecution of additional defendants facing state charges related to this investigation. The federal cases stemming from this investigation are being prosecuted by a team of Assistant United States Attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's Office, led by Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein. The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. by M. K. Bhadrakumar It is easy at once to exaggerate or underestimate the sensational case of the aborted assassination attempt on Sikh separatist leader and US citizen, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York and its ramifications. At one end is the myopic view that like the proverbial ostrich burying its head in the sand, India can escape Gods wrath. Typically, a commentary by a Delhi-based think tanker estimates that Pannun case will remain a mere blip in surging India-US ties. The feel-good is comforting but on closer look, it is bravado of the sort that brings to mind the think tankers silly book on Afghanistan recommending an Indian military intervention to thrash the Taliban. Happy Days: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L), US President Joe Biden (C) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) at 48th summit of G7, Bavarian Alps, Germany, June 26-28, 2023 The point is, Indian think tankers do not understand the robust institution of the Public Prosecutor in the United States. Make no mistake, Hunter Biden, the US presidents son could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted of three felony and six misdemeanour charges that were included in an indictment last Friday. Axios reported yesterday that Only a few long-serving aides feel free to discuss Hunters situation with the president (Biden), and only at certain moments knowing that it can prompt both fury and dejection. A formal indictment by a Public Prosecutor in the US judicial system alleging criminal conspiracy by a foreign government on American soil is a bloody serious affair. Since the Pannun case involves a major foreign power such as India indispensable partner the indictment would have been vetted by the State Department and the White House. Unsurprisingly, Biden has regretted the Indian invitation to be the Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day (January 26, 2004). Biden is not risking his reputation in a crucial election year, as India may become a toxic issue. Indeed, what is galling is the governments gumption to invite Biden at all when it was crystal clear that the White House coordinated Canadas earlier accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist in June in Vancouver. These are early days and what is in the public domain regarding the Pannun case is only the tip of an iceberg. There will be hell to pay once the court hearing begins, and if Nikhil Gupta, the 52-year-old suspect, who has a background in organised crime, accepts a plea bargain. The US is seeking his extradition from Prague. An investigative report carried by the Intercept magazine recently has quoted verbatim from what it claims to be an actual document. Now, how is that possible at all? The official spokesman gave a knee-jerk reaction that the magazine is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. On the other hand, Intercept was founded almost a decade ago by the famous American billionaire-philanthropist Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay) whose media network has focused on whistleblowing and antitrust activism, who joined Bill Gates and Warren Buffett as a signatory of The Giving Pledge, declaring his intention to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime. Omidyar is a follower of Dalai Lama. MEA should revise its opinion of Intercept being an ISI outlet. This is one thing. Interestingly, Omidyar also happens to be a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and organisations. The Intercept has drawn well-known journalists such as Glenn Greenwald, Jeremy Scahill, Dan Froomkin, etc. It even has a Brazil edition. The point is, there is nothing really sensational about the Intercept piece. If there is difference of opinion between the agencies of the government on some issue or the other, that is nothing new or to be ashamed of or is something that happens only in India. In the final analysis, our highly professional foreign service officers carry out their briefs from headquarters keeping aside their personal reservations, if any. As Counsellor in our embassy in Bonn (West Germany), my ambassador DS Kamtekar summoned me one afternoon to give me a cable which had just arrived from Delhi regrading the decision to deploy the IPKF to Sri Lanka. Kamtekar, an extraordinarily cerebral mind, asked me with a twinkle in his eye that I thought of the GOI decision, since I had only recently completed my 3-year assignment in Colombo as First Secretary (Political). I told the ambassador in brutal frankness that the decision was a monumental folly, as Sri Lankans were sure to close ranks against us and evict us eventually. Nonetheless, we did a fine job and briefed German officials exactly on lines Delhi wanted. That is the wonder that was India. The only sensitive part of the Intercept report that is controversial is its discussion about Indias alleged Global Assassination Program. It is hard to believe that Delhi is following Israeli footfalls. But then, the Intercept is only expanding on a lead that a prominent India hand, Daniel S Markey at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) gave in a recent interview with Rediff: The indictment (in the Pannun case) offers strong reasons to believe that Indian security officials were running and funding all of these operations. If that is true, then it appears to be a reflection of a shift in Indian statecraft, although it is unclear precisely who within the Indian system would have authorised and enabled that shift. Although consistent with assertive rhetoric of the ruling BJP government, I am reluctant to assume explicit endorsement by Indias top leaders of these activities. We will probably never know those facts. Now, that is dynamite. Markey chose his words carefully this was a written interview, by the way. There is reason to believe that a thinking has gained ground in the Beltway that the Indian system has unleashed an assassination campaign against diaspora Sikh dissidents, and the Pannun episode is of a piece with it. Of course, USIP has a reputation of being Track 1.5 diplomacy. How will India counter such unsubstantiated allegations and venomous insinuations? Contrary to the common myth, ostrich does not bury its head in the sand when it senses danger or is simply afraid, but will simply flop to the ground and remain still, attempting to blend in with the terrain. That seems to be what India is doing. Will that help? Eagles are ferocious predators. M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. 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. Trinidad and Tobago has lost a man who blazed a trail like few others before him ever had, and like few others ever will again. These were the words of President Christine Kangaloo as she paid tribute to former prime minister Basdeo Panday at his state funeral, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando, yesterday. 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. It was one of the best tributes (eulogies) I saw or heard, and perhaps the best speech Presi Editorial Amidst geopolitical tensions and adversarial relationships, a quieter yet significant shift in economic dynamics is reshaping the landscape of influence in Southeast Asia. Often overlooked by Western media and overshadowed by political narratives, Chinese investment in Vietnam has witnessed a notable twofold increase this year. Amid the United States grappling with a slowdown in spending and trade, China is seizing the opportunity to solidify its economic presence in the region. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan along with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife meet with the representatives of young Chinese and Vietnamese and people who have contributed to the China-Vietnam friendship in Hanoi, Vietnam, Dec. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) The numbers speak volumes: registered Chinese investment, including Hong Kong, surged to $8.2 billion in the first 11 months of this year, doubling the figures from the previous year. In contrast, US registered investment dwindled to a mere $0.5 billion, ranking 10th behind unlikely contenders like Samoa and the Netherlands. The implications are clear China is becoming the economic linchpin in Vietnam, with profound consequences for the broader balance of power in the region. This shift is not merely about numbers on a balance sheet; it reflects a strategic realignment in global supply chains. The manufacturing hub along the South China Sea is emerging as a pivotal link, integrating Chinese components and catering to US consumers. While President Joe Biden sought a diplomatic upgrade with Vietnam, it appears that China, with President Xi Jinpings recent visit, has taken the lead, emphasizing a shared destiny and potentially signalling a formal upgrade of diplomatic relations. The economic ascendancy of China in Vietnam is, in part, a consequence of US trade policies and the escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. The ripple effect of US-led sanctions on China has accelerated Chinese investment in Vietnam, further emphasizing the unintended consequences of a confrontational approach. Its crucial to recognize that economic influence is not confined to investment figures alone; it extends to trade relationships and the intricacies of global supply chains. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and the United States has faltered, with exports plummeting by 15% to $79.25 billion in the first 10 months of the year. In stark contrast, Vietnams exports to China increased by 5% to nearly $50 billion, underscoring the economic prowess China wields in the region. However, the story is not without complications. Disputes over boundaries in the South China Sea and anti-Chinese sentiment among the Vietnamese populace pose challenges. Striking a balance between economic cooperation and national sentiments is a delicate task that requires nuanced diplomacy. While Western media may not be paying adequate attention to this seismic shift, Chinas economic influence is not limited to Southeast Asia alone. The burgeoning trade between China and Russia, exceeding $200 billion ahead of schedule, reflects an expanding economic partnership. The growth rate in Chinas trade with Russia surpasses that with major partners like the EU and the US, solidifying the two nations commitment to mutual cooperation. The China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline project, a testament to the success of energy trade, underscores the depth of collaboration. Beyond the numbers, it symbolizes a high level of political trust and a commitment to a shared future. As we navigate these changing economic currents, its imperative to move beyond simplistic narratives and recognize the complexities at play. A constructive approach to diplomacy, trade, and international relations is essential to fostering stability and shared prosperity in an interconnected world. The rise of China in Southeast Asia is a wake-up call an opportunity to reassess strategies and build relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. The question remains: Will the world heed this call and embrace a new era of cooperation, or will it continue down the path of confrontation and missed opportunities? The choice is ours to make. At the Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer, intention and appreciation converge with excellence, creating a distinctive culture that enables problem-solvers to thrive. Dedicated to exceeding the expectations of clients and employees alike, the iconic law firm has garnered the award of Tucsons No. 1 Top Workplace in the small employer category for 2023. I think our culture sets us apart. Many companies might say that, but we walk the walk. Because we are a smaller office, our firm has a family-like feel from top to bottom, said Joe Kroeger, managing partner for the Tucson office, which employs around 50 people, including 24 attorneys. The general full-service corporate law firm offers representation in areas including mergers and acquisitions; commercial litigation, real estate; bankruptcy; labor and employment; products liability and more. Clients range from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, as well as individuals and entrepreneurs. Founded in Phoenix in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is renowned for groundbreaking litigation such as Arizona v. California, the U.S. Supreme Court case that secured Arizona water rights from the Colorado River. From its foundation in the Southwest, the company has grown organically to more than 500 attorneys in 16 locations nationwide: Los Angeles; Orange County; San Diego; Denver; Washington, D.C.; Boise; Las Vegas; Reno; Albuquerque; Portland; Dallas; Salt Lake City; and Seattle. It also has an office in Los Cabos, Mexico. The Tucson office marked Snell & Wilmers initial expansion beyond Phoenix in 1988. As the Southern Arizona satellite celebrates its 35th anniversary, Kroeger reflected on the fact that the depth and specialization provided by 200 Phoenix attorneys and an additional 200-plus attorneys nationwide are huge benefits for clients. He emphasized, however, that the mentality is more big family than traditional big law. A seat at the table Law firms are notorious for being challenging places to work in terms of personalities, and we have a No Jerk Rule that I enforce strongly. There is not a mean person in this office. If I get the sense that you are not a team player, you will not be hired. We have all bought into that mentality, said Kroeger, who earned his J.D. from Stanford Law and joined the firm in 2008. Kroeger believes that this philosophy results in employees who are happier and more productive. We work really hard and our clients have high expectations of us. We need to meet those, but to do that, we must be in an environment where we all support each other. That makes this very stressful job much more manageable, he said. Kroeger said a key to creating a strong team culture is to ensure that employees at every level from receptionists and file clerks to legal administrative assistants and attorneys understand they are valued for their contributions. We are all important cogs in the wheel, and unless we do our jobs excellently, we dont get results for our clients. Everyone here truly knows that, Kroeger said. To facilitate a team mentality, Kroeger embraces the idea that leadership is a service position that he doesnt take for granted. He also tries to lead by example. I ask everyone to work hard and do great work, but I wont ask more of anyone than I ask of myself, he said. In the Snell & Wilmer model, value equates to voice, and Kroeger listens when colleagues speak. Employees can share ideas and opinions through a weekly catered lunch. A monthly partner meeting also provides a platform for exchanges of ideas and feedback. Kroeger views these gatherings as meaningful cultural touchstones that literally give each person in the office a seat at the table. I constantly remind people that I dont have a monopoly on good ideas. I welcome feedback on anything that I can do to improve our practice and make our office better, he said. Culture of flexibility Kroeger is particularly gratified that Snell & Wilmer fosters a progressive environment in which everyone can excel. In a field historically dominated by males, more than 50% of law students are now women. While the female to male ratio for associates entering law firms is 50-50, typically that ratio decreases to about 25-75 for partners, according to Kroeger. However, in Snell & Wilmers Tucson office, 75% of the partners are women. We are really proud of that. This is one reflection of the culture and environment that we have built: It is where actions meet words. The fact that we can retain successful women attorneys at that level speaks volumes, Kroeger said. Kroeger said a key attribute of the culture is flexibility, including paid maternity and paternity leave, reduced schedules when necessary and the ability to work remotely and/or hybrid. Even prior to the COVID pandemic, Snell & Wilmer offered attorneys the autonomy to work remotely several days weekly and that opportunity has been extended to staff. as well. We try to look at the big picture. Everyone is different and some young attorneys might dip a bit in hours for a few years, but we have learned that when you have an excellent attorney, you cant be short-sighted. If you want everyone to bill over 2,000 hours consistently every year, you will burn people out and lose what could be decades of incredible legal work, he said. Other benefits include premium health insurance, 401K and employee profit sharing programs, a tuition reimbursement program, discounts for cars and child care and more. Kroeger said the primary goal is to show care and concern for staff and attorneys while simultaneously entrusting and empowering them to do good work. We emphasize how important it is for each employee to be there for their family and to be a whole person. With the structure at Snell & Wilmer, we have others who can support them and pick up the slack when needed, he said. A sustainable model This emphasis on quality of life helped Snell & Wilmer weather a recent talent war in the legal world. Over the last several years, large firms in Los Angeles, New York and other major cities offered associates six-figure signing bonuses, putting pressure on smaller markets. While money is an important motivator, Kroeger points to the fact that four attorneys left briefly and have since returned. We re-emphasized our culture and the fact that many large firms dont care about making associates partners or taking care of them like we do. We try not to lose our people because they are hard to replace, Kroeger said. Ultimately, Kroeger said that the three-part Snell & Wilmer credo creates a working blueprint for the culture of caring: For clients, employees work hard to provide superior legal service and maintain the highest standards of integrity; for colleagues, the firm fosters an enjoyable working environment based on open communication and respect; and for the community, employees and management aim to continue a long tradition of service and leadership. Community service is second nature to the company, which encourages volunteerism in and out of the office. A Community Involvement Committee comprised of staff and attorneys collaborate to create multiple in-office fundraising events for local nonprofits and charitable organizations. Beneficiaries in 2023 include the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, San Miguel High School and more. Associates, partners and staff also donate time, talent and leadership skills to civic and industry-related activities. We understand that we are fortunate to have good clients and successful careers and there is a responsibility to give back to the community that has created this incredible place where we live and work, Kroeger said. Darden Restaurants: Darden Restaurants has helped Feeding America provide 10 member food banks, including the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, with 26-foot refrigerated trucks. The trucks can transport up to 12,000 pounds of food at a time. Each food bank also received $20,000 to use for food and other needs. The gifts are made possible through a $2 million grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and support from partners Penske Truck Leasing and the Lineage Foundation. Coldwell Banker Realty Arizona: The Williams Centre office of Coldwell Banker Realty Arizona hosted a successful seventh annual Toys for Tots Charity Drive, collecting 150 new toys and seven bikes for the Toys for Tots Program. Paul Dias: Tucson McDonalds Owner/Operator Paul Dias hosted the second annual McKicks for Kids event, providing 400 pairs of sneakers to the local community. Dias dedicated the entire year to gather the shoes for the giveaway, receiving support from the University of Arizona. Each pair came with a coupon redeemable for a Happy Meal or Extra Value Meal at any of Dias restaurants across Tucson. Dias also planned to provide shoes to his restaurant crew and their children, as well. Zanes Law: The law firm awarded $5,000 grants to 20 Southern Arizona organizations as part of the 20th anniversary of its Zanes Law Charitable Initiative. Another three organizations received grants of $1,500 each. The organizations receiving the $5,000 grants were: Sunnyside Foundation GAP Ministries Gospel Rescue Mission Cherished Tails Senior Sanctuary Boys and Girls Clubs San Miguel High School Youth On Their Own Pawsitive Friendships Douglas Arc Tu Nidito Candlelighters Habitat for Humanity St. Francis Food Shelter Friends of Pima Animal Care Center Literacy Connects Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona Bens Bells Step Up to Justice Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona Child Language Center, Inc. The honorary $1,500 awards went to: City Psalms Boys to Men Tucson, Inc. Erik Hite Foundation It turns out the University of Arizona has a whole lot more international students than reported in the fall census reports, depending on how you define them. Fall census records showed that over 3,600 international students from 127 different countries were enrolled at Tucsons UA main campus. However, an additional 2,700+ students are earning UA degrees while remaining in their home countries, according to Charlotte MacInnis, the assistant dean of operations and student services at Arizona International. Surely, that gives new meaning to the term international student. The University of Arizonas Microcampus Network, which consists of 16 microcampuses in 12 different countries, has taken the UA worldwide. The university has become a driving force in the internationalization of U.S. higher education. In contrast to universities that build huge and extensive campuses, microcampuses can be done in partnership with other educational or government institutions, said Marc Miller, dean of the James E. Rogers College of Law. That cuts down on costs while also providing an opportunity for collaboration and research between international institutions. Students in the program also benefit by earning dual degrees one from the UA and the other from their home university. The first UA microcampus was launched in 2015 at Ocean University of China (OUC) where students can earn a bachelor of arts in law. There are 500 students currently enrolled in the program. China is the only country of the 12 in the network with more than one UA-partnering university, but each of its four microcampuses offer only one degree. Other countries provide multiple degree options at single locations. Program modalities differ between microcampuses, depending on the regulations of the country and region, or on what the students can afford, MacInnis said. Chinas Ministry of Education requires that UA professors teach in person, so faculty members teach on-site there. Additionally, all the UA faculty who teach at microcampuses in China are English speakers, who teach in English, which was at the emphatic insistence of the Chinese partner universities, Miller said. Students are taught in Mandarin-Chinese while focusing on their Chinese degrees in the first two years, switching to English and their UA degrees in their junior and senior years. According to Miller, over 50% of the students enrolled at OUC go on to pursue graduate or advanced studies in countries like the U.S., UK or Australia. We cant tell if its the language skills or the dual degree training thats doing it but we know that they have been incredibly successful in China and around the world, he said. Microcampuses also increase UAs visibility and influence abroad by serving as a platform for publicity and support outreach activities across the country, strengthening the universitys presence and impact, says Salil Gupta, Arizona Internationals chief advisor for South Asia. Miller, explaining their branding influence in China, said, There are other students in other programs at Ocean University of China who are very aware of the University of Arizona, and because its a unique program in China we get applications from Chinese law students and lawyers for our LLM and JD programs from across China. They are very aware of the program at Ocean, he continued. Its been helpful on multiple fronts. Its just another reason why having some partnership and physical presence in a microcampus is really quite different from simply offering an online degree. Last year, the UA opened its first tribal microcampus in Arizona, serving the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. It is the first microcampus in the U.S., and in partnership with an indigenous tribe rather than a university. The microcampus is housed in a 5,500-square-foot space just east of the Pascua Yaqui reservation, formerly Tucson Unified School Districts Hohokam Middle School. Its more around technical support and linking people to services, Miller explained. Its been quite popular, and the programs continue to grow. I am confident there will be more microcampuses with others of the generally recognized tribes of Arizona, soon, he said. Those are active conversations. PHOENIX The Arizona Department of Child Safety is taking far too many children from their homes and then losing track of some of them, says a veteran state lawmaker who is pushing for more oversight of the agency. Children are being kidnapped, murdered and are being forced into the sex-trafficking world because of state negligence, said Sen. David Farnsworth. If state government uses law enforcement power to forcibly remove children from their parents homes because of unsafe conditions, then state government must also provide those children with a safe haven, both physically and emotionally, the Mesa Republican said. Otherwise, these vulnerable children may be inflicted with more harm than good. Farnsworth said all that is the result of inexperienced caseworkers and a system that seems built on the idea that it is better to err on the side of removing a child rather than keep him or her at home with family. I think the system is overwhelmed, quite frankly, Farnsworth said. They need to slow down and not take quite as many out. This isnt the first time Farnsworth has raised the question of whether DCS is removing too many children and then losing them. I am confident that some children that DCS are losing are ending up in sex trafficking, he told the Arizona Mirror in 2019, though he acknowledged he has no proof. That same year, he told the Arizona Republic he fears children in foster care are being abducted by a worldwide trafficking network and sold into slavery. I have no proof of that, but those are my darkest fears, he said then. And three years ago, in a video on YouTube, Farnsworth detailed the number of children who had been taken by DCS who were listed as either missing or runaways. We need to all be concerned, he said. If DCS cant keep track of their children, they need to stop taking them out of the home. But whats different now is that Farnsworths vow to hold DCS accountable and increase oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of Arizonas children is part of the plan adopted by the Senate Republican majority as its agenda of priorities for the 2024 session. And that gives it the blessing of the Republican lawmakers who control the Senate. There were 28 children through age 17 who had been taken from their homes so far since July 1 in the last full fiscal year who were listed as missing or abducted, says the most recent report from DCS. Another 115 were listed as runaways. That is out of about 9,900 kids in the state who are in out-of-home care. All that, Farmsworth said, is the result of the fact that the minority of children DCS removes from a home are cases of abuse. He puts the figure at 20% of all cases. I think we would all agree that children should not, must not be left in abusive situations, Farnsworth said. However, 80% are taken because of neglect, he said. DCS, in its most recent report, says neglect amounted to about 57% of the calls so far this fiscal year. Most of the balance is physical abuse, with some cases of sexual or emotional abuse. But Farnsworth said that, whatever the numbers, the fact so many are being removed based on claims of neglect is concerning. I would simply ask the question, what is the definition of neglect? That, he said, is apparently left to caseworkers. I think weve got some very diligent people coming right out of college and going into homes, Farnsworth said. And, perhaps, theyve never had a home of their own yet, he continued. Theyre tasked with the responsibility of making a judgment call of whether those parents are appropriate parents or not or whether the state would be more appropriate to take the children. Agency spokesman Darren DaRonco did not address the specific question of whether DCS is removing too many children. Instead, DaRonco said DCS has reduced the number of children in out-of-home care to its lowest level since July 2008. He said the current figure of about 9,900 is half of what it was in 2016. We anticipate building upon these efforts in 2024, DaRonco said. And he said one goal of DCS is to expand access to community resources that meet families needs and improve prevention services so children can remain safely at home without DCS involvement. The agency has been working on right sizing its protective response, said Christian Slater, press aide to Gov. Katie Hobbs. Farnsworth is not alone in the view that how DCS is operating needs to focus less on removal. We need to make sure that as these folks are making their first contacts with DCS that a punitive measure is not the first course of action, said Sen. T.J. Shope. He is the president pro-tem of the Senate and, as such, a member of the GOP leadership team. Whats needed, said the Coolidge Republican, is for better training of caseworkers. We need to make sure that the people we are sending into homes have an ability to educate, especially in cases of neglect, he said, informing parents that what they are doing could fit the legal definition of neglect. Caseworkers should be telling parents, here are some ways to correct it without having to go through that process, said Shope. Once youre in that system, it becomes extremely difficult, not just for the child but for the families who, at that point, may have had an a-ha moment to be able to rectify the situation and get the child back in their home, he said. Still, Shope said its not an easy problem to solve. I cant name a single agency that probably has a tougher job than that agency, he said of the Arizona Department of Child Safety. However, there are significant deficiencies, Shope said, problems that arise when children are removed from their homes. He cited the case of 9-year-old Jakob Blodgett who was taken from his home by DCS after his father, Richard, was arrested in a drug case. Blodgett had diabetes. And Shope said the child died because nobody in the group home that he was in knew how to provide insulin for the child. The way Shope said he sees it, once Jakob was in the system he suffered even further neglect. Relatedly, he also cited the report of the state Auditor Generals Office that found delays in investigating complaints against licensed foster care homes. Those investigations are supposed to be completed within 45 days. But the report said a sample of 30 cases found that half were not finished within that time frame. And in the case of three of the group homes, the completion times were 158, 171 and 406 days, respectively. This isnt the first time lawmakers have debated the question of how quickly or slowly the state acts in removing children from their homes. But it has been, for lack of a better word, a pendulum between extremes. Prior to 2003, state law spelled out that what was then called Child Protective Services was required to give deference to keeping family units together when deciding how best to deal with allegations of abuse and neglect. That emphasis came after lawmakers concluded the state was moving far too often to take children from their homes. That year, however, there were several high-profile incidents of children whom CPS left with their parents ending up injured or dead. That led to changes and increased removals. By 2007, the state had increased the rate it was taking children from homes to the point where the number of youngsters removed by CPS was increasing at a rate 10 times faster than the number of new cases. Farnsworth, in calling for fewer removals, acknowledged that pendulum swing. But he said finding the appropriate balance of when DCS should and should not act in cases of neglect is difficult. I do not have the answer, he said. But when youre taking 80% out because of neglect, that is something we need to carefully define. From his perspective, the answer to fewer removals is to strengthen families. We need to shift the emphasis away from taking the children out to (instead) supporting families, Farnsworth said. And he said more money for the agency to hire more staff is not the answer. DCS has a budget of over $1.2 billion, Farnsworth said, including state and federal dollars. If you divide that between the number of children in cases, thats over $100,000 per child per year, he said. I dont believe thats a money problem. Farnsworth said that is backed up, in his mind, by the decision of state lawmakers, at the behest of then-Gov. Jan Brewer, to take what was DCS out of the Department of Economic Security in 2014 and create the free-standing Department of Child Safety, with a director who reports directly to the governor. All that came after a discovery that 6,500 complaints to CPS of abuse and neglect had never been investigated. No more excuses, no more secrets, no more faceless decision makers, Brewer said at the time. The changes not only restructured how child abuse and neglect cases were handled but also increased funding for new caseworkers. In my opinion, we only made things worse instead of better, said Farnsworth, who was in the Legislature at that time. Its true, he said, that the number of unaddressed cases declined. But thats not necessarily the solution if its done too haphazardly, if its done because theres so much political pressure to get it done, he said. Theyre focused on the number of cases instead of on the children. A set of wide-ranging policies with the goal of reducing generational poverty and increasing wealth in Tucsons underserved communities was approved recently by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The rub: Transforming the wide range of aspirational goals into effective and doable policy. The Prosperity Initiative is the result of an over-year-long study and review by a task force that included representatives from several jurisdictions across the county as well as the Tucson Indian Center. It seeks to tackle issues like poverty, affordable childcare and early education, housing, public health, digital inclusion across the county and improving infrastructure in impoverished communities. The initiative passed with a vote of 3-1 on Dec. 5. Supervisor Steve Christy, the only no-vote, said he didnt want the board to act until a replacement for Sharon Bronson is named. Bronson resigned in November. This is a historic moment for Pima County, Supervisor Chair Adelita Grijalva said at the time of its approval. The Prosperity Initiative Policy calls for collaboration with stakeholders and community to embrace a two-generation approach to reducing poverty. With it, we can create better opportunities and improved outcomes for working families. The Prosperity Initiative will help create a more thriving community for all. In an interview last week Grijalva said while tangible, detailed strategies to make the proposed policies be more than just a piece of paper are far from ready, it cant be a two-generation approach to implementation. The need is there for us to make sure its more than just lip service, Grijalva said. Because if it is, then what an incredible disservice to our community. Since work began in November 2022, the group has met with or presented to more than 800 people, according to a county news release. They also worked with two University of Arizona sociologists, Brian Mayer and Keith Bentele, to review ideas and relevant research. Many communities have high rates of poverty, but the Prosperity Initiative gives us a roadmap based on evidence-based research on how to not just reduce poverty, but build community wealth for generations to come, said Bonnie Bazata, the Ending Poverty Now program manager in Pima Countys Community & Workforce Development Department, who led the task force. District 1 supervisor Rex Scott said at the meeting the adoption of these policies may be the most significant actions we undertake as a county government. I am both proud and enthused to vote in favor of these items today... The challenge of addressing generational poverty, which has so many individual and social costs, should be a priority at all levels of government, he said. We can and should insist that our colleagues at the state and federal levels do their parts to take on all the dire needs and profound concerns associated with generational poverty. The initiative, along with rough implementation ideas for the 13 policies, gives strategies to the county administrators office to begin the implementation process, supervisors say. But dont expect an immediate impact. A shift of perspectives towards targeting resources to impoverished communities is needed, Grijalva said, not necessarily more funding or higher taxes. (Were) not necessarily dedicating more money, its how were utilizing the funds, she said. Do we have all our education programs aligned with the goals of the Prosperity Initiative? If it isnt, then we cant do it anymore. Grijalva says Bazata and her team are currently developing implementation policies. Those are expected to come to the board and leaders in other regional jurisdictions in a few months. But the group is to report back annually and review policy areas twice a year. That means an update to the county should be expected in the summer. Inspired by the Canadian government, the Prosperity Initiative first hoped to place a price tag on how much poverty costs the state. The Canadian formula measures areas like reduced productivity and economic output, increased costs of crime and increased health expenditures. With this approach it was estimated that poverty in Canada has an annual cost equivalent to 5.62% of the nations GDP, the initiative says. Using this formula, poverty costs Pima Countys economy $2.8 billion per year, nearly the size of the economic impact of tourism in Pima County in 2021, according to the initiative report. In Pima County, children have the odds stacked against them, the Initiative states, citing a 2015 article by The New York Times, which found, of the nations 2,478 counties, Pima County is among the worst counties in the U.S. in helping poor children up the income ladder. The 13 policies were developed in three areas: education, critical family resources and asset building and infrastructure priorities. It also included three cross-policy strategies that include more family-focused policies, making a more climate-resistant community and targeting neighborhood crime Two policies focus on education by boosting access to quality early childcare and education and to post-secondary education for children from low-income families. The report says among Arizonas counties, Pima has the lowest rate of on-time high school graduations. Families with children and single parents with children with household incomes below the poverty line are paying up to 54% of their incomes on early childcare and education, Nicole Fyffe, a senior advisor to Pima County administrator Jan Lesher, says in the initiative. To increase access to childcare and early education, it recommended the county do a better job letting people know of free or reduced-cost options and that the county should work with employers to help employees find less expensive childcare options, among others. Six policies fall under the critical family resources umbrella, and includes issues around affordable housing, health and addressing the digital divide. The report cites the UA College of Laws Innovation for Justice program, which estimates evictions cost Pima County over $64 million in 2018 alone. A subsidy program that is especially focused on the underserved communities, like the elderly, disabled and people on fixed incomes, among other recommendations were given. The report says an increase to the supply of long-term or permanently affordable housing on government-owned property is needed. The two policies addressing health issues seek to increase health coverage, reduce medical debt and lower the rate of unintended pregnancies. Among the ideas is boosting enrollment in AHCCCS, the states Medicaid program, by training more community-based organizations in the county. Steps to reduce unintended pregnancies include increasing access to contraception and improving education and knowledge around contraceptive options. The initiative estimates about one-third of all unemployed Pima County residents, about 5,000 people, lack foundational digital skills. This is what theyve defined as part of the digital divide. Finally, five policies focus on helping families build wealth. Ideas include supporting flexible emergency assistance, help more people start their own business, better transportation options for people to get to jobs and making sure pay and benefits with county employees is inline with the market. Grijalva agrees with this sentiment. Pima County, just Pima County (government) alone, has as a 25% unfilled vacancy rate, she said. That has to change for us to provide the services that are needed. After being appointed in 1988, Dan Eckstrom served as a Pima County supervisor for 15 years. Ray Carroll, appointed in 1997, served for almost 20 years. Richard Elias, appointed in 2002, held office for 18 years. And Ramon Valadez, appointed in 2003 to replace Eckstrom, held the seat for 17 years. Once appointed, all went on to win multiple elections and serve for way more than a decade. Thats why the decision the Pima County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to make Tuesday could be big. Theyre poised to pick a replacement for Sharon Bronson, the supervisor serving the west-side District 3 for 27 years, who resigned last month after breaking ribs in a fall at home. Eight people filed to be candidates to replace Bronson: Jen Allen, April Ignacio, Brian Johnson, Matt Kopec, Sylvia Lee, Joe Machado, Kristen Randall, Edgar Soto. Theyre split about evenly between those who just want to serve out Bronsons term and leave office next December, without running for the seat, and those who plan to run for the seat in November. Bronson must be replaced by a Democrat, since that is her party affiliation. But what kind of Democrat? Thats a potentially consequential choice, especially considering Bronsons rightward drift in the last couple of years on the board, which made her probably the second most conservative board member after District 4 Republican Steve Christy. She has surprised fellow board members by, for instance, voting against funding for border water stations, something she previously voted for over many years. If the board doesnt pick a placeholder candidate, it could choose a Democrat who would create a solid new progressive majority for years to come, with the new appointee joining board chair Adelita Grijalva and District 2 supervisor Matt Heinz in this progressive bloc. They would also have District 1 supervisor Rex Scott, a solid Democrat if not really a progressive, mostly on their side. Christy, the boards sole Republican, could become even more isolated. And the Pima County Board of Supervisors, a more moderate political body up until 2020, could look a lot more like the all-Democratic Tucson City Council in its political makeup for years to come. How to make the choice? But first they have to come up with a process for selection, which has not always been easy when the board must pick a new colleague. Heinz suggested using ranked-choice voting as a first step in the process this time, to figure out who the top candidates are. I think the best, most accurate, the cleanest and the fastest, most-efficient way would be to have a ranked-choice process, he told me Wednesday. It also could spare the candidates and the supervisors the angst of repeatedly voting against candidates they like in order to get to a consensus choice. I dont want to be in a position where I have to publicly vote against my second choice, Heinz added. Ranked-choice voting is the process, increasingly common around the country, by which voters rank the candidates from best to worst, and the outcome is determined by weighting and compiling those rankings. The result would be a list of candidates from most to least favored by the four current board members On a bigger scale, ranked-choice voting can be a little complicated, but at this scale it would work quickly to show the supervisors who are the boards favorites. Then they could go on to the formal nomination of candidates and voting on them. Grijalva has asked for legal advice as to whether this is possible under law. What I like about it is that it would avoid unnecessary scenarios such as what happened when Ray Carroll was selected to replace John Even in 1997. He recalled to me last week that it took 27 different motions, some of them with painful impacts, before he was selected. For example, Evens widow Brenda was nominated by motion, but there was no second to the motion and her nomination failed to even garner a vote a cruel situation that is better avoided. In that case, eventually Carroll was chosen through a strange combination: Republican Mike Boyd and Democrat Raul Grijalva voted for him, then clerk of the board Lori Godoshian waded in to cast the winning vote, as is allowed by state law for the replacement of supervisors. Godoshian played the same role in 2002, casting a deciding ballot for Richard Elias to replace Raul Grijalva when the board was split 2-2 along party lines. Melissa Manriquez, the current board clerk, could be thrust into the same position this coming week. Or, potentially, the board could do something like it did when Elias died unexpectedly in March 2020. They picked Betty Villegas to serve out Elias term, then Adelita Grijalva won the seat in the next election. Section break The appointment may boil down to two competing candidates rumored to be the favorites of important figures. Since Kristen Randall resigned as a Pima County constable in early 2022, the talk around the county has been that she would replace Bronson, either by appointment or by running for the seat. But when I asked Bronson, she declined to name a favorite. The district is incredibly diverse, she noted. Clearly we need somebody who has an idea of the complexity somebody who has an idea of how the county is run, somebody with an understanding of the fiscal baskets. Adelita Grijalva also decline to name a favorite, but her father, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, has endorsed Jen Allen, a newcomer to local politics whose career stretches from running the Tucson-based Border Action Network two decades ago to directing the Arizona ACLU in recent years. Thats led people like me to deduce that Adelita Grijalva probably favors Allen for the seat, though its possible she differs from her father on this. In fact, she bristled during the Nov. 21 board meetings at accusations by Bronson that she was trying to rig the process to put her favored candidate in place. I dont want to be accused of trying to manipulate this process in any way, she said. That is absolutely not the case. Leftward move likely Whoever the supervisors choose, the board is likely to move further left, the main question being by how much. When I asked Adelita Grijalva which policies could theoretically be affected by having a progressive majority, she named funding for preschools, affordable housing, and open-space purchases as examples. But she noted that the new member may simply turn some recent 3-2 votes, in which Bronson and Christy were on the losing side, into 4-1 votes. Tighter votes could happen during the upcoming budget process, as the board decides how to spend nearly $2 billion. A new progressive majority could be more wedded to the countys just-passed anti-poverty effort, for example, and direct money that way. Whoever they choose is likely to lean further left than Bronson did in recent years the big question is how much. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: This week Congress passed legislation that fulfills one of its constitutionally enumerated powers: H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is a crucial piece of legislation passed annually to support our men and women in uniform, outline our national security priorities, and ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world. The package achieves two significant goals: strengthening our armed forces and solidifying Arizonas critical role in our nations defense. The bill represents a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to invest in our military so we can continue to quickly and decisively counter current and future threats. That investment nearly $9 billion is one of the largest annual expenditures our government makes. It should be. The threats we face as a nation are real and the NDAA sends a clear message to our friends and foes alike about the priority we place on national defense. It shouldnt come as a surprise that many of those investments will be made in Tucson. As the home of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Morris Air National Guard Base, Tucson is a proud military town. Our close and longstanding relationship with these two facilities helps define our community and drive our economy. According to the recently released Military Economic Impact Report, nearly one out of every 40 jobs in Arizona can be traced to our military installations and their operations. The enormous economic boost provided by DMAFB and Morris to Tucson and Pima County is beyond question. The most recent numbers show that these facilities have an economic impact of over $3.5 billion annually, and DMAFB alone accounts for a large portion of the more than 78,000 jobs that military installations generate statewide. And lets not forget that the men and women stationed at DMAFB and Morris are woven into the fabric of our community. They are our neighbors. Their kids go to school with our kids. They pay the same local and state taxes we do. They root for the Wildcats. They get into the Christmas spirit at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights. In our view, the mutual benefits of the symbiotic relationship between our military installations and our communities goes well beyond economics. Its about something far deeper. And it makes Arizona an example for other states to emulate. While the NDAA helps ensure the continuation of this relationship, it doesnt mean we can kick back and take it for granted. For years, DMAFB was known as the home of the A-10 Thunderbolt, the single-seat attack fighter that has been in service since 1976. Those days are drawing to a close. As this plane is phased out over the next five years, it is critical that we continue to closely coordinate with Air Force leadership and advocate for future missions at DMAFB. The current plan to establish a Special Operations Power Projection Wing at DMAFB, as well as increase the number of rescue assets at the base is very encouraging. But its still just a plan. It is more important than ever that we as a community strongly advocate for its full implementation. The NDAA sets the stage for DMAFBs next chapter. We also shouldnt ignore the provisions in the NDAA that will impact everyone in uniform, regardless of where theyre stationed. These include the largest service member pay raise in 20 years; long overdue investments in military housing and schools for military families; and funding to help the military meet its recruitment and retention goals. As with any piece of legislation, the NDAA isnt perfect. But its passage will put our nation in a much better position to defend our shores, protect our way of life and stand up for our vital strategic interests around the globe. Tucsons role in that effort should be a point of pride for all of us. Unfortunately, two stats come to mind as I write this introduction to our annual list of most memorable stories of the year. One stat says the number of people who follow the news all or most of the time is at 38%, down from 51% in 2016. The second is the number of people who say they hardly ever follow the news. It nearly doubled to 9%. I quote these two stats from the Pew Research Center because its hard to have a thriving community that is engaged enough to solve its problems when so many dont know whats actually going on. Heres an understatement: Theres a lot going on. Every day this year, like the past 118 years, the Tulsa World newsroom went to work to inform our community. If you didnt catch some of these stories the first time, we offer this list with comments from the reporters. Next week, we will share the photos of the year by our staff photographers. Jason Collington, editor Story excerpt: The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa are partnering in an attempt to establish the first religious charter school in the country, and the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is poised to hear their government sponsorship pitch. Right out of the gates, we have led the way on reporting on this major issue before a rather obscure state board with serious, national, long-term legal implications because we recognized the big-time stakes. It will continue to be a story of great significance to Oklahoma taxpayers and the national educational and legal landscape. Staff Writer Andrea Eger Story excerpt: About 12,000 single-family homes are sitting vacant, according to the latest citywide assessment from Housing Solutions. Casey Robinson and his wife, Maggie Robinson, are buying them up, along with distressed multi-family residences that otherwise might remain vacant and abandoned nothing anyone would want to rent. I met Casey Robinson in the r/Tulsa subreddit. He was responding to a post about a local persons housing needs. It didnt take long to find out the Robinsons story was worth telling. After spending an afternoon touring their properties with Casey and his wife, Maggie, I became a convert: solving the citys housing crisis means investing in north Tulsa. Assistant Editor Anna Codutti Story excerpt: Its not Mayor G.T. Bynums decision to make alone, but he said he would be OK with developing the parking lot just east of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center without a grocery store. People care about their supermarkets, it turns out. This story piqued the publics interest for a couple of reasons. The first was that Tulsa leaders have been talking about opening a supermarket downtown for decades, and this time around it seemed like it might actually happen. The other notable feature was that the grocer was to have been Oasis Fresh Market. Staff Writer Kevin Canfield Stories in the series included: The trials and tribulations of convicting the Osage murders; FBI files reveal Tulsa connections to Osage murders; Racism, greed during oil boom created environment for Osage murders; How the Osage Tribe became rich before the Reign of Terror. I enjoy researching and writing about history, so these stories are at the top of my list. I first wrote about the Osage murders more than 15 years ago for a centennial history of the Tulsa World, but this time I was able to spend more time and space on the subject. The FBI files and the newspaper accounts of the trials are a fascinating window on the past, with a view of where we came from. Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel Story excerpt: After two desperate weeks on the move, trying to avoid Russian troops and tanks, the border was finally within sight. But for Olha Hrytsaniuk, it was hard to feel too happy about it. Not everyone in her family, she knew, would be crossing over. One of a number of stories weve done related to Ukrainian refugees whove come to Tulsa since the war began with Russia, this one marks the one-year anniversary. In it, Olha Hrytsaniuk and Dasha Vershylenko tell us what its been like, trying to make a new life with their families while separated from so many loved ones. Staff Writer Tim Stanley Story excerpt: Residents in Tulsa Public Schools District 1 kept their Board of Education representative after board President Stacey Woolley defeated challenger Jared Buswell by a vote of 1,508 to 701. This one stands out in my mind not because of the election results, but because a candidates supporter decided to stand across the street from an elementary school with guns during the morning drop-off period on Election Day. This persons actions did not violate any laws, which had to be explained to a lot of people. However, given that it was one day after Booker T. Washington and a KIPP Tulsa campus had to go on lockdown due to a threat deemed credible by law enforcement, it had me hugging my children more tightly at pickup that afternoon. Staff Writer Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Story excerpt: Seemingly gone in Tulsa are the days of small, grassroots campaigns with a few thousand dollars spent on yard signs and fliers to hand out at PTA meetings and to prospective voters who answer a knock at the front door. Local school board races are the new target of partisan influence, landing in the sights of local political operatives and drawing in national political action committee dollars. Pulling back the curtain on this development is not only illuminating about the political process but also raises questions for Oklahoma voters and the policymakers who work for them about whether out-of-state forces should be involved in the governance of local school board business, such as curriculum, school staffing and spending decisions. Staff Writer Andrea Eger Story excerpt: A federal judge ruled in favor of the state of Oklahoma, nearly 18 years into a lawsuit that blames the poultry industry for pollution in the Illinois River watershed and 13 years after a lengthy trial in the case. U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell found for the state on the trespassing and public nuisance-related claims it leveled against the various poultry companies that operated within the watershed in eastern Oklahoma. After covering the bench trial in 2009-2010, I was beginning to think I wouldnt see how the states pollution lawsuit against the poultry industry in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas would end. That changed in January when the judge who oversaw the case and trial found in favor of the state on most of its claims against poultry companies. It will be interesting to see how the case will play out now that mediation has failed and the judge warned that he would impose his own remedy if the parties could not come up with a compromise. Staff Writer Curtis Killman Story excerpt: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authoritys PlatePay program is on schedule to lose millions of dollars in revenue annually, the agency was told. Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz attributed the projected loss to a variety of reasons. While new technology is great, rollout can have unplanned consequences. Capitol Bureau Chief Barbara Hoberock Story excerpt: Nine months before Ashley Atwell was found dead in her apartment, she told a judge the father of her child strangled her while she was holding their baby in her arms. He was arrested in connection with her slaying. A triple homicide in Tulsa amplified the fear that many domestic violence survivors live with every day. What happens when a relationship ends so badly that someone decides to respond with grave violence? I was moved hearing from the advocates and law enforcement professionals who have domestic violence caseloads that far exceed staff in those agencies. Assistant Editor Anna Codutti Story excerpt: Chronic student absenteeism is up across post-pandemic Oklahoma, and the problem is far worse for students in Tulsa Public Schools and showing no signs of improvement. Educators and experts alike say the latest trend data should serve as a wake-up call for schools and parents alike. Because my coverage of public education goes back more than two decades, it is difficult to shock me with a routine data tracking point because I have seen the rise and fall of these types of indicators over such a long period. But seeing the sharp declines across our state and in local districts while digging into the most recent state report card data on student attendance did just that, and I got right to work on this piece to determine the causes and sound the alarm to parents and state leaders. Staff Writer Andrea Eger Story excerpt: John Hairston was 9 years old when he heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the radio. He saw his father drafted and has had a healthy respect for veterans ever since. The fact that later he, too, put on the uniform only cemented the bond. Korean War veteran John Hairston sat down with us at the Coffee Bunker, a veterans service organization of which he is the longest known member. It was a delight to meet and to talk to the 90-year-old, who shared some stories from his life, including what it was like serving in the military after it was desegregated. Staff Writer Tim Stanley Story excerpt: Fancy sport cars, designer jewelry and over $4 million in cash were among the items seized by federal authorities during a takedown of an alleged catalytic converter theft operation that spanned the nation. The bust of an alleged nationwide catalytic converter theft operation with ties to Tulsa in 2022, led to the largest seizure case in the history of the federal Northern District, which includes Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma. The feds are seeking to seize a list of fancy cars, jewelry, gold bars, homes, boats and over $4 million in cash that they claim was purchased thanks to gains from the sale of stolen catalytic converters. Staff Writer Curtis Killman Story excerpt: For the first time in 36 years, Jim Inhofe does not have Congressman or Senator in front of his name. Nor do any of the appellations mayor, state senator, state representative, candidate by which he has been known for most of the past 57 years still apply. Love him or hate him, no one can deny Jim Inhofe has been one of the most influential figures in Oklahoma over the past six decades. He spent nearly 60 years in elected office, and represented Oklahoma in Congress longer than anyone in the states history. Some might disagree with his positions, but hes worked very hard for what he considered the betterment of the state and in some ways the world. On a personal level, Ive found our conversations sometimes exasperating but always enjoyable and straightforward. Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel Story excerpt: Newly minted Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummonds handling of a high-profile death penalty case set off alarm bells in some prosecutors offices across the state. The story describes how an office usually aligned with prosecutors on death cases took a dramatic step in a death penalty case. Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Barbara Hoberock Story excerpt: The architects, engineers, construction workers and local officials gathering for a topping out ceremony at the site of the new Gilcrease Museum wont see any artwork unless you count the genius of the buildings design and orientation. The project has been in the works for years but is now finally coming out of the ground. City officials believe that when it opens in 2026 it will help attract even more visitors to Tulsa. Just as important, the new facility will provide a proper home for the priceless works of American art that Thomas Gilcrease gifted to the citizens of Tulsa. Staff Writer Kevin Canfield Story excerpt: A longtime grant writer shared with legislative leaders, on both sides of the aisle, claims that State Superintendent Ryan Walters lied to them at a recent public hearing and concerns that current and future federal grant funding for Oklahoma public school students is in jeopardy. Getting beyond political spin and public relations talking points for public employees is a thing of the past. When big changes are occurring in government, it is often former government employees who are the only ones who are willing to speak out. In this case, it was just such a person, with a decades-long, proven track record of bringing back federal dollars to Tulsa and Oklahoma on behalf of public school students. Staff Writer Andrea Eger Story excerpt: Stamped in metal next to his name, home address and ID number, the solitary H is easy to miss. But had Philip Sureck been captured by the Germans, it likely wouldve been spotted immediately. And as a dead giveaway, it might well have cost the young Oklahoman his life The Ritchie Boys were an elite Army counterintelligence unit that proved pivotal in the defeat of Germany during WWII, and included a number of Jewish German-speaking immigrants, many whose families had fled the Nazis. We focus on one of several late Ritchie Boys from Oklahoma, ahead of an event organized to honor them. Staff Writer Tim Stanley Story excerpt: Investigators with the Osage County Sheriffs Office were in Kansas searching property where BTK serial killer Dennis Rader once lived for possible clues into missing and murdered people here. Word that the Osage County sheriff had interviewed BTK serial killer Dennis Rader in prison and searched land where he once lived travels fast. Sheriff Eddie Virden garnered a lot of media attention earlier this year with his claims Rader is a prime suspect in the 1976 disappearance of a 16-year-old from Pawhuska. Virden has since filed a lawsuit against District Attorney Mike Fisher, claiming his involvement in the case had the potential to derail it. Staff Writer Curtis Killman Story excerpt: Peterson is the third Oklahoma teacher to win the award since its inception in 1952, the first national finalist from Union and Oklahomas first finalist since 2019, when Broken Arrows Donna Gradel was among the countrys top four teachers. Although I was on campus for the announcement on CBS This Morning, the homecoming celebration stands out more vividly in my mind. The joy not just from Unions staff and students but from the community as a whole was palpable, as evidenced by the standing room only crowd at Union High School. Staff Writer Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Story excerpt: The decision to close the interior portion of the mall was made by the property owner after the company was cited for fire code violations. Promenade mall has been struggling for years, with the interior of the structure all but hollowed out. That did not keep Tulsans from gobbling up the news that the last of the interior tenants had been informed that they would have to leave the building, several after many years of operating there. Staff Writer Kevin Canfield Story excerpt: In a move that could blow up the current state budget, Gov. Kevin Stitt sued Speaker of the House of Representatives Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, in the Oklahoma Supreme Court after the House cast the final vote to overturn Stitts vetoes of two bills dealing with tribal compacts. This story, written with Capitol Bureau Chief Barbara Hoberock, encapsulates Oklahoma state government. It also demonstrates how large majorities can fracture. In Oklahoma, we have the Democrats, the Republicans and the other Republicans. Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel Story excerpt: The family said the situation represents a failure of the system, and that Jesse McFadden should never have been let out of prison, especially since he was facing charges from alleged activities while still behind bars. We wrote several stories in the wake of an unthinkable murder-suicide that left seven dead, including five children, in Henryetta. This one focuses on 15-year-old Brittany Brewer, one of the victims, and her survivors. Staff Writer Tim Stanley Story excerpt: Mayor G.T. Bynum said that he hated to see the departure of Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist, and he described State Superintendent Ryan Walters handling of the news as not in any way appropriate or professional. Mayor G.T. Bynum has been loath to get into public squabbles with state elected leaders, and the same was true when State Superintendent Ryan Walters began his very public push to shake things up at Tulsa Public Schools. But when TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist stepped down, Bynum did not hold back in assessing how Walters responded to the news. Staff Writer Kevin Canfield Story excerpt: Former President Donald Trumps good friend U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin insisted that Trumps return to Tulsa was strictly about watching the NCAA Division I wrestling finals and showing what this city has to offer. Nearly three years after a tumultuous campaign visit, former President Trump returned to Tulsa and the BOK Center under much different circumstances. I managed to get within a few feet for most of the evening, but not close enough to ask a question. Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton 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 A complaint lodged against Union Public Schools claims that a state agency-approved online class was teaching students how to be social justice warriors. According to documents obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Education via an open records request, the initial House Bill 1775 complaint was filed Sept. 8 through the agencys Awareity platform. However, it was not announced publicly until the Oklahoma State Board of Educations Nov. 30 meeting. Union High School is teaching CRT and indoctrinating children on how to become social justice warriors through its Social Problems class, the complaint reads in part. Adopted in 2021, House Bill 1775 bans teaching that one race or gender is inherently superior. It also prohibits causing a student to feel guilty or uncomfortable because of their race or gender, as well as teaching that anyone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or otherwise. Although the measure does not include the phrase critical race theory, many have construed its provisions as a ban on the concept. The class in question, Social Problems I: A World in Crisis, is part of a web-based program offered by the Oklahoma State Department of Education via a third-party vendor in order to comply with a state statute that guarantees students the right to supplemental online courses. According to the course description published on the OSDE website, students in the class will become aware of the challenges faced by social groups, as well as learn about the complex relationship among societies, governments and the individual. The complaint also claims the class teaches the steps and stages involved with becoming a political activist and that anyone who questions the theories or principles covered in the course is essentially the racist majority. Although general counsel Bryan Clevelands announcement at the Nov. 30 referenced a textbook, no books are listed in the course description; the only required item for the class is a computer. In response to a Tulsa World request for access to the course content, a spokesman for Union Public Schools said Friday that the course materials in question were no longer available because the third-party vendor responsible for the class edited the material after the complaint was announced at the Nov. 30 Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. Neither Union nor its attorney were consulted about the changes, nor were they given advance notice that edits were being contemplated, he said. Neither the courses publisher, eDynamic Learning, nor Horizon: Digitally Enhanced Campus responded to inquiries about the class or its content. The latter is the state agency responsible for maintaining the online supplemental course catalog for Oklahomas public schools. In response to Tulsa World inquiries, an additional vendor listed as the contact for the class, Imagine Learning, provided a written statement that it did not provide the course to Union. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. May 2021 video: Oklahoma governor signs controversial bill that limits in-school instruction on race, gender and history Happy birthday to actor Wes Studi, who turns 76 years old on Sunday. In 2019, Studi received an honorary Oscar, becoming the first Native American to receive an Academy Award for acting. Being recognized by your peers....well, every actor would like to have an Oscar, Studi said in a phone interview with the Tulsa World from his Santa Fe home prior to the ceremony. Its a recognition that your work hasnt gone unnoticed, and its really an overwhelming honor to receive for a body of work. Take a look back at his life and legacy here. Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary 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 During the Trail of Tears, Choctaw women would sow seeds into the hems of their dresses to hide them from the colonists and preserve their traditional fruits, herbs and vegetables. Today, in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, the Choctaw Nation keeps these traditional foods alive through their heirloom seed distribution program, Growing Hope. They wanted us to be totally dependent upon the government, but our ancestors knew we would need to have food to start over in the new lands, said Jacqueline Putman, program coordinator for Growing Hope. The seeds are distributed to Choctaw citizens and surrounding community members. They were even sent to outer space on a NASA shuttle. When the seeds return home to Earth around April 2024, they will be planted at a Native American boarding school Jones Academy in Hartshorne to be observed by students for a scientific experiment. It was the most spectacular thing Ive ever seen, said Putman. Just knowing where the seeds have come from. They walked the Trail of Tears, and now theyre in the heavens, or places we couldnt imagine for our children to put them, even in the forefront of education and science; thats just awesome. Putman also explained that traditional Choctaw produce is in many ways more nutritious than other popular foods in grocery stores, and that health is as important to their nation as food sovereignty. What we have here is our Choctaw sweet potato squash, Putman said during an interview as she counted out seeds. Its high in magnesium, zinc, vitamin A and iron. Its like a superfood. It has everything that over-the-counter flu and cold medicine has, except this has that all naturally. The sweet potato squash resembles a pumpkin, but it is a winter squash that can be kept viable up to a year on a cool, dry shelf in the home. Then we have our Tanchi flour corn that can grow up to 20 feet tall. This corn is traditionally made into a cornmeal dough paste that the Choctaw people put beans in, wrap in corn husks and drop in boiling water, making a delicious meal called Banaha that is similar to tamales. We also have wild lambsquarter. Its actually a weed that grows in the wild and in cow pastures. Its nickname is wild goose foot because the leaves literally look like a gooses foot. It is higher in iron than spinach and has a milder taste. The seeds of wild lambsquarter are harvested around Thanksgiving. Putman said they are higher in protein than peanut butter and are used in Choctaw soups. They can also be cracked with rolling pins and seared in a skillet to give them a flavor similar to coffee or tea. And then we have our Smith peas, Putman continued. They are white peas with beautiful white blossoms. These are really prolific because we get 10-12 pods per plant. Smith peas traveled to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears in 1830 with the ancestors of Ian Thompson, a well-known Choctaw archaeologist. Next we have our Chukfi peas. Chukfi is the Choctaw word for rabbit. These are cute little brown peas that bloom into beautiful lavender blossoms. Theyre so pretty and purple when theyre ready. Theyre very prolific and do great with pollination indoors, so they make a gorgeous house plant, said Putman. Chukfi peas can be planted in a row to create bushes, or they can be planted near corn to create a climbing plant. This is akin to how Choctaw people traditionally plant beans as part of the three sisters technique. In the three sisters technique, Corn is planted to give a stalk for beans to climb up. The beans then are planted to trellis up the corn and give nitrogen back to the soil. Lastly, squash is planted around the base because the big leaves help to keep weeds from growing and shade the stalks from getting too hot. In this way, beans, corn and squash are supporting each other like three sisters. We even have tobacco seeds. The tobacco is used for ceremonial purposes. Choctaws would traditionally partake of tobacco before a big event like a battle or a wedding, or even before they make a big decision. Instead of smoking it, today we just dry out the leaves and our chief gifts them to dignitaries, presidents and so forth in other nations. The Choctaw people perform tobacco planting to repatriate their ancestors, giving back to the earth. Putman said tobacco is an honored plant and is treated with the utmost respect. Applications for the Growing Hope program can be found online. Putman said they plan to start distributing again in January and go through April. Im so happy were opening applications to all community members, not just tribal members. I want everybody to have access to good food. Regardless of whether youre Native or not, I dont care. She said food is what people use to start life, that everyone deserves access to that and everyone should have the sovereignty to grow their own food. We are going to do better than we were treated. We are not going to exclude people from food. We are inclusive, not exclusive. I dont want anybody to be left out. 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 Red Nos: First District Congressman Kevin Hern and the 2nd Districts Josh Brecheen were among the 118 no votes against the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the Senate and House on Thursday. Hern did not offer an explanation but the vote was in line with previous statements and kept intact his credentials with the conferences budget hawks and culture warriors. That would include Brecheen, who said the conference committee report varied too much from the bill passed by the House last summer. That bill, he said in a press release, contained true reform that would fight back against the social engineering that the Biden Administration is injecting into our military. The NDAA that passed today maintains Bidens demoralizing social experiment with our troops that harms our military readiness. Brecheen cited taxpayer-funded abortion travel, taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries, and radical climate alarmism as well as the domestic intelligence surveillance component of the bill and $600 million he said would wind up supporting the Ukrainian military. Hern has no military installations in his district, except for the largely federally funded Oklahoma Air National Guard presence at Tulsa International Airport. Brecheens district includes the Army Ammunition Plant outside of McAlester. The three House members who voted for the the NDAA all have at least one large military base in their districts. Not convinced: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin sounded still unconvinced that U.S. House of Representative Republicans have a viable impeachment case against President Joe Biden. The one thing that the Republican senators have told the House, which is what weve told the House, is give us an airtight case, Mullin said on Newsmax. The House last week voted along party lines to proceed with a formal inquiry against Biden, although to date no evidence of wrongdoing by the president has been made public. If they send us a case, make sure its convictable, said Mullin, who, to be clear, is by no means a Biden apologist. The bar is real high. Its got to be a misdemeanor, high crime, or treason. And it has to be committed while he was in office, the current office he holds. So what he did as vice president, what he did in between the two, may not be impeachable. Mullin also said some more moderate-leaning Democratic senators tell you that if the House sends us over an air-tight case that completely, easily points to the president breaking (the) law that they would try it just like they would any other case. The big deal: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers decision to delay the start of the holiday recess may signal that the White House is ready to make a deal on a supplemental funding bill that includes border security reform and money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Or it may not. U.S. James Lankford, who has been the Senate Republicans lead negotiator on the issue, sounded noncommittal after Schumers announcement on Thursday. The White House has been so slow in coming to the table and working through the issues, Lankford told Fox News. This all has to be right. If the whole system doesnt work, then you cant do a little bit of border security, youve got to actually manage the border. And so at this point, if things dont come together very, very quickly, this moves to January. Opinions on the likelihood of an agreement this week seem to range from unlikely to no chance especially since, as Lankford told NewsNation, The hardest issues, you always save for last. We are at those difficult issues at this point. The White House and some Republicans badly want the supplemental aid for U.S. allies, particularly Ukraine, but Republicans maintain that wont happen without substantive changes to border security policy. Not even a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seemed to have much of an impact. After a meeting with Zelenskyy, Mullin said: We are working through the process and he understood it. He was very respectful. (He) said, I understand it. Im just here to let you know we need you guys. The greatest resistance seems to be in the House. Mullin, who has become a sort of unofficial envoy between House and Senate Republicans, told the Washington Examiner that Speaker Mike Johnsons team was pretty convinced House Republicans would follow their Senate counterparts lead. Im gonna keep working as long as its daylight, and thats the biblical (John 9:4) admonition, Lankford told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday. As long as theres a shot, you just keep working, and then at some point, you realize theyve run the clock out. Tax bill: Hern and Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance introduced legislation to impose a 10% tax on international wire transfers, with proceeds going to border security and immigration agencies. U.S. citizens would be able to recover the charges through refundable tax credits. Hern and Vance said the tax is intended to hit drug smugglers and human traffickers, but it apparently would also apply to any non-citizen sending money home. Food fight: Mullin got into scrape with Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, this time on social media. Mullin and Gaetz have been at it off and on since Gaetz led the revolt that ousted Mullins friend Kevin McCarthy from the speakers chair, and last week it started up again after Gaetz pointed out Mullins net worth has significantly increased in recent years. Gaetz implied this was because of insider stock trading, although most of the windfall seems to be from the sale of Mullins plumbing company. I hear @RepMattGaetz has criticism of hard-earned success he should try building a business that gains value, its more gratifying than living off your daddys money, Mullin responded on X. This brought a snark storm from people aware that Mullin took over the business from his own father in the 1990s. By most accounts, the business was not doing all that well, and that in any Mullin built it up into a multimillion-dollar concern, which he sold in 2022. Dots and dashes: Mullin cosponsored a bill to incentivize U.S. production of rare earth magnets components in many electrical devices which are now made mostly in China. Brecheen introduced legislation to roll back energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans. Fifth District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice fussed to the head of the Smithsonian about what she said were drag shows targeting children. Mullin got his legislation concerning behavioral health data and technology into a Senate bill during markup. The NDAA included fentanyl trafficking legislation co-sponsored by Bice. 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 Im-peachy keen: Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives again called for an impeachment inquiry into state Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters. While the Speaker (Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka) has refused to act on our previous request to create a special bipartisan committee to investigate the State Superintendent, the situation has worsened, Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said in a written statement. Financial mismanagement and the inability to access information to do their jobs has caused essential employees and cabinet-level officials to resign, taxpayer dollars may have been used for campaigning, and Superintendent Walters has vowed to dismantle the very agencies that help fund our public schools. The House Democrats were responding to Walters latest outburst concerning Tulsa Public Schools and revelations he and his department have been slow to process federal grant applications and respond to Republican lawmakers information requests. The request seems unlikely to sway McCall but it does put down a marker ahead of the coming legislative session and the 2024 elections. Next session I will file legislation to require the State Department of Education to submit quarterly reports to the legislature detailing all spending made with state and federal dollars, along with the rationale for those expenditures, said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. We must act now, though, to investigate the possible violations made by State Superintendent Walters. The longer we wait, the worse it gets. BA Bowl: The Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority on Tuesday is expected to approve the $2 million purchase of 41 acres on the citys east side for the planned 12,500-seat amphitheater announced earlier this fall. The land adjoins the Broken Arrow Events Park at 101st Street and the Creek Turnpike. Disaster Boss: Tulsan Annie Mack Vest was named Oklahoma Emergency Management Director by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Vest is currently mitigation and disaster planning lead at Freese and Nichols, an engineering consulting firm whose clients include the cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Vest was previously state hazard mitigation officer for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. She replaces Mark Gower, who left in October. Ethics: The Oklahoma Rural Water Association agreed to shut down its political action committee and pay $12,000 into the states general fund as part of a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The PAC self-reported several records and reporting rules violations. RSVP: Mayor G.T. Bynum didnt bite when asked if the White House event he attended recently with his wife, Susan, started early to accommodate the executive mansions octogenarian occupant. He did, however, say President Joe Biden pulled off the most impressive retail political move Ive ever seen in person. There was this woman there with a baby and (Biden) walked up, cradled the baby in one arm, took her phone and took a selfie of himself kissing the baby. Dropped neither the baby nor the (phone). Really very impressive. More RSVPs: The Bynums were not the only Tulsans invited to the White House this month. Earlier, state Sen. Jo Anna Dossett and Rep. Amanda Swope were among four Democratic lawmakers to attend a gun violence prevention seminar. Separately, State Democratic Party officials, including Chairwoman Alicia Andrews of Tulsa, Vice Chairman Cory Williams, Democratic National Committeewoman Kalyn Free and state Executive Director Scott J. Hamilton attended a White House Holiday Party. Under the dome: Senate Democrats chose Sen. Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City to serve as their leader in the 60th Legislature, which begins in 2025. Current Minority Leader Kay Floyd is term-limited. State Sen. David Bullard filed legislation, described as anti-age discrimination, dropping the minimum age for gun ownership from 21 to 18. The law already includes some exceptions, including for armed forces service. State Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, lauded Walters for working to eliminate all references to American Library Association guidelines in Oklahomas Information Literacy Standards and proposing new standards that are aligned with Oklahoma values. Stitt appointed University of Tulsa law graduate Tommy Humphries district attorney for Canadian, Garfield, Kingfisher, Blaine, and Grant counties. State Rep. J.J. Humphrey, R-Lane, asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to look into administration of the controversial fees collected by district attorney offices from offenders on supervised release. Tough beat: Azerbaijan, which has had a somewhat cozy relationship with Oklahoma political leaders in recent years, is getting international attention for beating and jailing journalists. This fall at least a half-dozen have been detained for reporting about corruption in the administration of President Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded his father as leader of the Caucasus country in 2003. Aliyevs government then accused the U.S. and other western countries of secretly funding independent journalism in the country. Stitt and former 1st District Congressman Jim Bridenstine are among Oklahoma leaders to have visited Azerbaijan, and the Oklahoma National Guard has provided training and technical expertise to the Azerbaijani government for more than 20 years. Check it out: Longtime Tulsa City-County Library administrator Keith Jemison received the citys Humanitarian of the Year Award. Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World In an unprecedented move for Vietnam, two doctors from Ho Chi Minh City have been invited to contribute to one of the most prestigious books on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the world. MSc. Ho Manh Tuong, head of My Duc IVF Center in Ho Chi Minh City, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, head of the faculty of medicine at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, represent Vietnam in compiling a chapter for the esteemed textbook on IVF, 'Textbook of Assisted Reproductive Techniques.' This globally renowned textbook, with a history spanning over 20 years since its inception in 1999, serves as a comprehensive and classic reference in the reproductive support industry. The sixth edition, a two-book set totaling over 900 pages, delves into crucial issues and techniques in assisted reproduction. MSc. Tuong and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lan contribute to a chapter titled 'Use of in vitro maturation of oocytes in a clinical setting -- What is its role in ART?' Tuong elaborates that the chapter extensively presents the developmental history, theoretical foundation, implementation regimen, and outcomes of the in vitro maturation technique (IVM). The chapter not only discusses the advantages and disadvantages of IVM but also addresses barriers to its adoption and methods to overcome them. MSc. Ho Manh Tuong, head of My Duc IVF Center in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: M.C. / Tuoi Tre Tuong emphasizes the significance of this book in the assisted reproductive technology industry thanks to valuable contributions from leading IVF experts. The improved IVM regimen from Vietnam presented in the book is considered a noteworthy recent innovation in the global assisted reproductive technology landscape, potentially influencing practices in the years to come. In Vietnam, My Duc IVF Center stands out for applying and refining innovative IVM protocols in infertility treatment. Tuong notes that although Vietnam was initially lagging behind by 20 years in assisted reproduction, the nation has made continuous strides and is now emerging as a leader in a crucial assisted reproductive technique. His involvement in writing a chapter for this technical book underscores the professional and academic standing of Vietnams reproductive support industry on the global stage. The sixth edition of the book has recently been officially introduced worldwide, with an expected publication date in early 2024. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! CAIRO -- Sixty-one migrants, including women and children, drowned following a shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said. IOM, in a post on social media platform X, quoted survivors as saying the boat, carrying around 86 people, departed the Libyan city of Zwara, about 110 km (68 miles) from the capital, Tripoli. "The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world's most dangerous migration routes," IOM said. Deadly incidents this year included one in June, when a fishing boat packed with hundreds of migrants sank off Greece after departing from Tobruk, Libya. The voyage, which was supposed to end in Italy, resulted in 78 recorded deaths with the fate of 518 others unknown, according to an IOM report. Drowning was the main cause of death on migration routes globally in the first half of 2023, with 2,200 recorded fatalities in the period, according to the IOM report. The central Mediterranean route was the deadliest, accounting for a total of 1,727 deaths and disappearances along its shores in the period, the IOM report said. The majority of the deaths were recorded in Tunisia, followed by Libya, it said. The figures remain an undercount, IOM said in its report. Sea migrant arrivals to Italy have almost doubled in 2023 compared with the same period last year, with around 140,000 people coming ashore so far. Some 91% came from Tunisia, with the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa bearing the brunt of landings. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed that Japan provide Vietnam with new-generation official development assistance (ODA) loans for its key traffic infrastructure projects, including a national express railway, among other cooperation suggestions. PM Chinh made the proposal at his talks with his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio on December 16 in Tokyo, as part of his trip to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Chinh suggested that Japan supply new-generation ODA loans which are offered at an extreme low rate for strategic infrastructure development projects in Vietnam, such as the North-South high-speed railway project, urban railways, supporting industries, new industrial zones, climate change adaptation, digital transformation, green transition, and healthcare, among others. Among these projects, the national express railway is expected to be started in 2030 and completed in 2045, at an estimated cost of US$70 billion, according to Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (VnEconomy) newspaper. Upon reviewing the substantial progress in numerous key cooperation projects between the two countries in recent years, both PMs expressed their appreciation for the significant milestone achieved. They noted that the total value of Japan's ODA loans to Vietnam in 2023 has surpassed 100 billion yen ($703.3 million), marking the first time this threshold has been reached since 2017. Currently, Japan holds the position of the largest ODA lender to Vietnam. According to Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper, citing the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the total loan amount extended by Japan to Vietnam has reached approximately 3,000 billion yen ($21.1 billion) since the initiation of ODA grants in 1954. PM Chinh urged Japan to facilitate Vietnamese businesses engagement in the global supply chains of Japanese businesses, particularly in automaking, electronics, medical equipment, and textiles and garments, among others. He called on both sides to streamline inspection procedures to make conditions favorable for Vietnamese pomelos to enter the Japanese market and for Japanese grapes to earn a market share in Vietnam. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening economic links between the two countries, promoting cooperation to ensure economic security. A meeting between the Vietnamese (L) and Japanese delegations led by Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio, respectively, in Tokyo, Japan, December 16, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency They agreed to establish a joint coordination group between the two governments to promote the progress and effectiveness of a number of economic projects being implemented between the two countries, including the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam. PM Kishida said Japan would continue supporting Vietnam to successfully realize industrialization and modernization, build an independent and self-reliant economy, and further expand international integration. He promised to promote cooperation with Vietnam in energy transition and emission reduction through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative launched by Japan. The Japanese leader agreed with his guest on boosting collaboration in human resource training, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, cooperation between localities, and tourism development. Chinh suggested that Japan continue relaxing requirements for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan and move toward visa exemption for them in the future. Kishida told his guest that Vietnamese human resources, including high-quality workers and skilled interns, are indispensable for Japan's socio-economic development. Both parties reached an agreement to conduct examinations in the near future to identify and select Vietnamese apprentices with specific skill sets. After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of ODA cooperation documents, including the fourth loan agreement for Ho Chi Minh Citys urban railway construction project, the Japan Development Scholarship program, and the equipment supply project worth nearly $300 million for Hanoi-based K Hospital. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, which were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership last month. Presently, Japan not only holds the top position as the leading provider of ODA to Vietnam but also secures the second spot globally in terms of labor cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation. Japan holds the third position among the countries and territories investing in Vietnam and comes fourth among the world's top countries engaged in trade with Vietnam, according to news site VnExpress. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City said on Saturday that they were keeping four 14-year-olds in temporary custody as the teenagers allegedly committed thefts at two local convenience stores on Thursday and Friday. The four were D.D.S., N.T.G.P., P.H.K., and L.D.T., all residing in Thu Duc. They broke into a convenience store on Street No. 6 in Phuoc Binh Ward and another on Tran Thi Dieu Street in Phuoc Long B Ward at dawn before stealing valuable items, such as motorbikes, household appliances, and mechanic tools. They later sold the items for money. At the police station, they pleaded guilty. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know today in Vietnam: Politics -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio in Tokyo on Saturday, as part of his trip to attend the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and take part in bilateral activities in the East Asian country. Society -- Police in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City said on Saturday that they were keeping four 14-year-olds in temporary custody as the teenagers allegedly committed thefts at two local convenience stores on Thursday and Friday. -- A fisherman from Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam detected an object which looks like an unmanned aerial vehicle with foreign language words on its body grounding on the coast of the province on Friday, local border guards reported on Saturday. -- Police in Ha Nam Province, northern Vietnam on Saturday arrested a 23-year-old man who slammed his car into two traffic police officers, thus injuring them, after the traffic policemen asked him to stop for a breath alcohol test on Friday. Business -- During 77 live streams to sell products at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City on TikTok between Monday and Friday, there were over 18,200 orders, fetching total revenue of VND4.2 billion (US$173,100), according to TikTok. Ben Thanh Market is the first traditional marketplace in Vietnam to trial the promotion and trade of commodities through live streams on the short video-sharing platform. Education -- All Vietnamese students competing at Asian, Asia-Pacific, and global Olympiad competitions this year won medals, the Ministry of Education and Training said on Saturday. Lifestyle -- As many as 129 runners took part in an overnight running competition in Ho Chi Minh City with 60- and 100-kiometer distances on Saturday. World News -- Sixty-one migrants, including women and children, drowned following a 'tragic' shipwreck off Libya, Reuters reported, citing the International Organization for Migration in Libya. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in northern Vietnam on Saturday arrested a 23-year-old man who slammed his car into two traffic police officers, thus injuring them, after the traffic policemen asked him to stop for a breath alcohol test on Friday. According to police officers, the case happened on Khanh Hoa Street in Duy Tien Town, Ha Nam Province on Friday night. At the time, local traffic police officers were conducting breath alcohol content testing for suspected DUI drivers when they signaled the car driver, Pham Dinh Huan, a resident of Hanoi, to stop for such a test. Police officers check Pham Dinh Huans car in Duy Tien Town, Ha Nam Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Duy Tien Town Police However, the driver kept steering the car, slammed the vehicle into the two traffic police officers, Nguyen Duy Chinh and Nguyen Van Hai, and escaped the scene. The two police officers were injured, so they were rushed to a nearby hospital. The Duy Tien Town police later hunted the car driver and caught Huan after five hours. At the police station, he admitted his violation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities conducted a preliminary assessment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that had been found washing ashore on a beach in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam by a local fisherman on Friday evening. On Saturday, the Border Guard Station at Sa Ky Port, operating under the provincial Border Guard, affirmed its collaboration with local military authorities in conducting an evaluation of the UAV. At around 6:00 pm on Friday, Tran Thanh, aged 65, stumbled upon what appeared to be a UAV with a body adorned in foreign languages. He made this discovery while fishing along the coastline in Tinh Ky Commune, situated in the provincial capital city of Quang Ngai. The UAV measures some three meters in length, 30 centimeters in diameter, with two 65cm-long wings. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Finding it a bit strange, Thanh asked his relatives to take this pilotless aircraft home for display. Later, Thanh decided to report his discovery of the UAV to the Border Guard Station at Sa Ky Port, as he found that this object had an unusual design and weight. Some details and equipment of the UAV were deformed likely due to having drifted in water for a long time, thereby making the authorities unable to release a detailed assessment. According to their preliminary findings, the three-meter-long object is very likely a UAV, is 30 centimeters in diameter, and has two 65cm-long wings. The nose, tail, and body of the drone featured many numbers and letters in foreign languages, along with propellers. It was handed over to the Border Guard Station at Sa Ky Port for further identification. The UAV has an air intake on its body. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard The UAV's tail has a probable jet engine. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Foreign words are seen on the surface of the UAV. Photo: Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Leader Vladimir Putin is not pleased that Russian forces are losing in Ukraine and blames the generals and military staff for not identifying and dealing with the problems. The generals are reluctant to tell Putin that he is the problem. Putin refuses to believe that Russian forces cannot defeat the Ukrainians. Putin also refuses to believe it is the Ukrainian willingness to fight the Russian invaders, and not just all the military aid sent by NATO nations, that causes this. Putin also doesnt want to hear about Russian soldiers avoiding service in Ukraine, refusing to fight once they got there, and often deserting if compelled to fight. Most junior officers agree with their troops but are much less likely to desert or remind their superiors that the Russian situation in Ukraine has become increasingly difficult. Their subordinates are another matter with large numbers, in one recent case about 60 Russian soldiers, deserting at once. These deserters often leave their weapons behind. This means local police can look for and detain these reluctant soldiers if they can find them. The low morale of the Russian soldiers is not just about the risks of getting wounded or killed. The Ukrainians have destroyed and disabled Russian forces in Ukraine by successfully blocking or destroying supplies and reinforcements sent to Ukraine. Russian troops complain that they are not able to replace losses or obtain supplies needed to maintain morale and prevent desertion or soldiers refusing to fight. Even the elite Russian units, which comprise about ten percent of Russian forces, are taking a beating and not able to persuade their superiors that the situation is very bad and that most Russian forces are on the defensive and too demoralized by troop losses and lack of supplies to change the situation. The growing number of Russian soldiers deserting is widely known in Ukraine but mentioning it in Russia can get you arrested, or at least warned to keep quiet about the desertions because the police have more urgent criminal matters to deal with. That includes the growing incidence of robbery, burglary, and assault. Many of these crimes are committed by criminals who got out of jail by agreeing to sign a six month contract to serve in special assault units that tended to suffer heavy casualties. The few survivors of these units leave the military at the end of their contract and often return to a life of crime. On the other hand, Ukraine presently does not have sufficient forces and munitions to force the Russians out of Ukraine. But there are many ways to reduce the number of Russian troops in Ukraine and the Ukrainians have come up with some clever ways to exploit this desire by Russian soldiers to be anywhere but in Ukraine fighting Ukrainians. Russian soldiers are now taking advantage of the Ukrainian I Want to Live program for Russian soldiers who prefer to sit out the war, even if it is in Ukrainian custody as a prisoner of war. So far over 25,000 Russians have accepted the I Want to Live program and accepted detention for the rest of the war. For the Russian military all these losses due to desertion or eagerly surrendering at the first opportunity are a major embarrassment. Russian leader Vladimir Putin is outraged at this sort of thing but going public about the situation will only give desertion and the surrender program more attention, and even Putin realizes that Russian military age men would prefer to avoid joining the fighting in Ukraine. The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Binh Thuan Province is seeking approval from local authorities to organize a national massage festival, a pioneering initiative in Vietnam; however, the administration is hesitant due to concerns about potential negative public reactions to such an event. The Peoples Committee of Binh Thuan Province in south central Vietnam has recently given written feedback to the said department on the latters proposal to organize a three-day event named Vietnam Massage Festival - Binh Thuan 2024. In the document, deputy chairman of the provincial administration Nguyen Minh asked the department to look into relevant legal regulations and review the nature, purpose, and scale of the expected event in order to determine whether it should be called as festival. the department is tasked with anticipating and assessing potential reactions from both mass media and public opinion regarding the proposed national-scale event, marking a precedent in Vietnam. According to Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper, the outcomes of fulfilling these requirements are required to be reported to provincial authorities before December 25 for further consideration, as stated in the document. Earlier on November 21, the department submitted to the administration a proposal for hosting the festival after consulting other relevant departments and agencies. As per the departments plan, the massage event is slated to occur over three days, from March 22 to March 24, at various selected hotels and beaches. The event is expected to involve over 2,500 massage technicians from different parts of the country. The cost of the fest will be covered by Ho Chi Minh City-based Vietnam Spa Development and Training Joint Stock Company, the department said. The objective of the event is to establish a professional and beneficial platform, fostering the growth of the Vietnamese massage industry. It aims to provide opportunities for massage technicians to engage in exchange, learning, sharing experience, and enhancing their skills, as stated by the department. The agency further believes that hosting such a festival will contribute to enhancing the overall well-being of the community, offering stress relief through professional massage therapies. It is anticipated that the event will attract more tourists to the province, making it an even more appealing destination in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As many as 100 fashion models and college students donned more than 200 stunning silk outfits in a fashion show held in Da Lat City, located in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, on Saturday afternoon to honor the beauty of the upland city. With the theme Da Lat - My Love,' the silk fashion show was aimed at celebrating the 130th anniversary of the establishment and development of Da Lat (1893-2023). The schoolyard of the French-built Da Lat College of Pedagogy, formerly the Grand Lycee Yersin, founded in 1927, was transformed into a splendid outdoor stage to host the show, co-organized by the administration of Da Lat and Vietnam Silk House Company. The collections of these silk outfits were made by seven famous fashion designers. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre The models and local students at the show introduced ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long gown) and modern outfits made of silk originating in the provinces Bao Loc City. These outfits, part of the collections by seven famous fashion designers including Minh Hanh, Cao Duy, and Cong Huan, feature popular destinations and landmarks in Da Lat, such as the Da Lat railway station, the Da Lat College of Pedagogy, Lam Vien Square, and signature flowers of the city, among others. The silk fashion show showcased the synergy between Da Lat and Bao Loc in promoting local specialties to both domestic and international visitors, said Da Lat City chairman Dang Quang Tu. The event was meant to highlight Da Lat as not only a city of music and art but also a city with a rich heritage in the years to come, the chairman added. These designers used fresh flowers as accessories for their collections. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre Aside from this silk fashion show, the city is hosting multiple events in celebration of the 130th anniversary of its establishment and development, with 10 cultural and artistic events set to be held this month to serve locals and visitors alike. On the evening of December 30, the city will host the celebrations for its 130th anniversary, along with a ceremony marking its recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The schoolyard of the French-built Da Lat College of Pedagogy, formerly the Grand Lycee Yersin, founded in 1927, was transformed into a splendid outdoor stage to host the fashion show. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre The fashion items feature scenes telling stories about the establishment of Da Lat City and the origin of silk in Bao Loc City. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre Many models in the show are natives of Da Lat City. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre Visitors enjoy the fashion show held on an open stage. Photo: M.V / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Production is underway in Sydney on the second season of Colin from Accounts for the Foxtel group. Creators, writers and stars Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer return in the romantic comedy as flawed, funny people embracing the chaos of modern life together returns with more relationship misadventures. In Season Two Ashley and Gordon now living together and trying to get their beloved, special needs dog Colin back from his new owners. Returning are Emma Harvie, Genevieve Hegney, Michael Logo, Helen Thomson, Darren Gilshenan, Annie Maynard and Tai Hara with new cast members yet to be announced. Brammall and Dyer said: Season 1 went better than expected so heres hoping we dont mess this one up. We are thrilled to be back playing Ashley and Gordon running amok in the streets of Sydney. We are just sad we had to leave our actual dog in America. Doesnt seem to be in the spirit of the show, but here we are. Executive producers Rob Gibson and Ian Collie of Easy Tiger Productions said: Thanks to our wonderful partners at Binge and CBS Studios, and the millions of Colin fans in Australia and around the world, for another joyous instalment with Harri, Patty and the Colin team. Alison Hurbert-Burns, Executive Director Binge and Commissioning & Content Foxtel Group said: Were rolling! Patrick and Harriet lead a hilarious cast and we are excited to see them return to our screens to find out whats in store for these much-loved characters (and Colin) in season two. Season one of the 8-episode series launched in Australia to widespread critical and audience acclaim, breaking records to become the Foxtel Groups most watched original scripted series of all time. The series has been a global success, premiering across the world including in the UK on BBC and the US on Paramount+ to rave reviews, with a certified fresh score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The hit comedy series also received an outstanding 10 nominations for the 2024 AACTA Awards including Best Narrative Comedy Series, Best Acting in Comedy Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer along with first time nominee Helen Thomson, two nominations for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy, two nominations for Best Screenplay in Television, Best Editing and Best Casting in Television making it the most nominated comedy series this year and one of the most nominated shows. Colin from Accounts is produced by Easy Tiger Productions (Jack Irish, Rake, The Twelve) and CBS Studios with Rob Gibson, Ian Collie, Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer, Trent ODonnell, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh serving as executive producers and Kevin Greene producing. ODonnell returns as set-up director, with Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope taking the reins for three episodes and Madeleine Dyer returning to direct an episode. The series distributed outside Australia and New Zealand by Paramount Global Content Distribution. Karina Carvalho has quit ABC News after 17 years with the broadcaster. Currently presenting for ABC News channel, her final news bulletin will screen on Wednesday. Carvalho began her journalism career in Perth after graduating from the WA Academy of Performing Arts. She headed overseas to London and worked for BBC World News and worked on HARDtalk as a producer. She headed back to Australia and began work at ABC News in Perth in 2007, later becoming Western Australias 7pm ABC News anchor for three and a half years. In 2012 she moved to Melbourne and co-hosted News Breakfast and later in Brisbane became news anchor for 5 years. The ABC will always have a special place in my heart, Ive been able to meet and work with so many talented people, she told The Australian. Now is the right time to venture into the next phase of my career and Im excited to see whats around the corner. I wish my colleagues at the ABC nothing but the best. Are you not a robot? Click on the button to continue: I am not a bot. Continue... SWNS A woman fell in love with a local in Guatemala after just two weeks together and flew back to surprise him. Rose Kodal, 21, met Carlos*, 20, on her first day in Guatemala while on a cultural tour and struck up a friendship. The pair continued to run into each other at the school where Rose was learning Spanish and slowly their romance blossomed through deep chats and adventures. Rose continued her travels in November 2023 but felt a pull to return to the country to see Carlos. She surprised him and they reunited a month later and the pair spent the run up to Christmas exploring and soaking up the culture. Rose flew back to Esbjerg, Denmark, on December 22, 2023 and the pair decided not to commit to a relationship due to their distance. But Rose doesnt regret opening her heart and says the experience was magical. Rose, a student, said: Before I went I said Im definitely not falling for a local while travelling. Its really beautiful you can love someone from a different world. Im open to whatever happens in the future. Rose threw herself into meeting and speaking to locals on her first day in Guatemala in October 2023 and attempted to speak Spanish to Carlos when she first bumped to him on a cultural trip. She said: It was a very basic conversation. I started Spanish lessons the next week and saw him at the school. We spent more and more time together. When Carlos offered to give Rose a ride on his motorcycle she realised her feelings were more than friendship. She said: We drove around some small villages and tried some street food. One evening we went out and it started raining and we went to the park. We were just talking and started having deeper conversations. It felt more special. Id had lots of superficial chats with people. I thought 'this guy is sweet and intelligent'. We had our first kiss not long after that. I was surprised by my own feelings. Rose only had a week left before she was due to travel to Mexico and they spent the last week seeing each other as much as they could. After Rose left the pair continued to FaceTime and said their love grew stronger. She said: We became closer when I was away. Rose knew she wanted to return to Guatemala and decided to surprise Carlos. She said: I thought it would be fun to surprise him. I came up with a plan and said can you go to a market and can you FaceTime me at this time? I went up to him and surprised him. He was very happy and shocked. The couple spent the next few weeks sharing traditional Christmas traditions. Rose said: We both knew I had to go at some point. We decided it was probably not going to be possible to do long distance. Were both going to be busy. I was crying a lot saying goodbye. But it was the happiest Id been in a long time. Rose looks back at her romance with fondness and wouldnt rule out a reunion in the future. She said: Im grateful to get to experience that. Its so much more beautiful to love with your whole heart even if that means getting your heart broken. The whole experience felt quite magical. Its a waste when people are afraid to love and afraid of getting hurt. Dont hold back your love. TOKYO Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao and Cambodian counterparts Sonexay Siphandone and Hun Manet on Sunday agreed to continue enhancing the three countries solidarity in ensuring national security and in the cause of national building and development at their working breakfast on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo. They applauded the flexible form of consultation among the three Prime Ministers on the occasion of attending multilateral activities, thus helping the three countries to review and find ways to remove difficulties and obstacles in cooperation in various fields. The PMs also discussed the establishment of a mechanism for meetings of the three PMs to realise the results achieved at the high-level meeting of the Party chiefs of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam. They agreed to maintain regular high-level meetings, contacts and exchanges on all channels, effectively carry out cooperation agreements and mechanisms, step up information sharing between ministries and sectors, strengthen connectivity of the three economies in terms of both hard and soft infrastructure, and support each other to build an independent and self-reliant economy with extensive and effective international integration. The leaders reached consensus on strengthening security and defence cooperation; closely coordinating in protecting border security and fighting cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking; joining hands to continue building borderlines of peace, stability and development. They also agreed to have more policies and measures to further facilitate and encourage trade and investment, with attention to border trade; open more flights connecting the three countries; and actively implement the action plan to connect the three economies to 2030. They welcomed the Cambodian PM's proposal of organising a tourism ministers' meeting of the three countries in Cambodia to further promote tourism cooperation, especially the development of the One Journey, Three Destinations model. They affirmed the importance of enhancing understanding and solidarity among the young generation; and agreed to promote exchanges and training of youths and young leaders to nurture the future of three-country relations. The three PMs also discussed regional issues of common concern; and agreed to coordinate to maintain ASEANs solidarity, stance and centrality in regional issues. The Lao leader affirmed that the focus of ASEAN 2024 is to strengthen connectivity and resilience of ASEAN, and took the occasion to thank Cambodia and Viet Nam for their active cooperation. PM Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam supports and will provide maximum assistance to help Laos successfully undertake the task of the ASEAN Chairmanship next year. VNA/VNS TOKYO Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed ASEAN and Japan further strengthen strategic coordination and jointly promote the building of an open, inclusive, rules-based regional structure with ASEAN playing a central role. He made the suggestion while addressing the ASEAN-Japan 50th year Commemorative Summit on Sunday in Tokyo. Welcoming Japan's contributions to the construction and development of the ASEAN community and its member countries, including Viet Nam, PM Chinh affirmed that ASEAN - Japan is one of the most successful dialogue relationships in the bloc community. He emphasised that in the context that the world and the region are experiencing many headwinds with unprecedented challenges, the two sides need to strengthen cooperation and strive to make the ASEAN-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership a symbol of international solidarity and cooperation. To realise that goal, it is necessary to promote effective economic connection through digital transformation, green transformation of circular economy, knowledge economy, and jointly research and implement a number of specific cooperation projects that closely connect the vision of Japan, ASEAN, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific region, he said. He hoped that Japan will continue to have a strong voice and action to support ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea). The Prime Minister emphasised that the two sides need to foster investment in human factors, because people are the subjects, goals, driving forces and resources for the development of ASEAN-Japan relations. He proposed the two sides boost economic and trade connections, effectively deploy the revised ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and trade agreements that both sides are members of while expanding cooperation in new fields, especially innovation, digital transformation, green economy, circular economy and smart agriculture, making these fields become new growth engines of the bilateral economic cooperation in the future. He proposed Japan actively support Mekong sub-region countries to effectively respond to non-traditional security challenges and soon restart the Mekong cooperation mechanism. He proposed Japan prioritise promoting projects that support sustainable development for the Mekong sub-region countries with the spirit of leaving no one behind. The Prime Minister said socio-cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange activities between ASEAN and Japan must be restored more quickly and strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic. He welcomed numerous activities that have been organised to celebrate 50 years of friendly cooperation between ASEAN and Japan and more than 500 meaningful activities to celebrate 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan. PM Chinh spoke highly of the common vision statement on ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation and the implementation plan that was approved by the leaders at the summit. At the summit that closed on Sunday, leaders of Japan and ASEAN agreed to deepen their relations in economy and security. In a "joint vision statement" issued after the summit, the leaders pledged to intensify collaboration in maritime security, strengthen supply chains, promote sustainable energy practices and expand people-to-people exchanges in various sectors. The leaders reached consensus on stepping up dialogue and cooperation in the field of maritime security. The statement clearly said that Japan and ASEAN will strengthen dialogue and cooperation to maintain maritime security, safety, and order on the basis of the rule of law, including not hindering freedom and safety of navigation and aviation and commerce. The two sides will improve awareness of the maritime field as well as cooperation between the coast guard and relevant law enforcement agencies, strengthen collaboration in building maritime capacity, and ensure disputes are solved by peaceful means, without using force or threatening to use force in accordance with widely recognised principles of international law. They also agreed to cooperate in disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, aiming for a world free of nuclear weapons. In the socio-economic sectors, they will intensify connectivity through quality infrastructure investment, institutional and human resources development and exchange; and make efforts to improve supply chain sustainability, said the statement. People-to-people exchanges will be enhanced in various fields, including culture and sports. In education, scholarship and student/teacher exchange programmes will be expanded. They also announced the launch of a new initiative for the next-generation car industry aimed at mapping out strategies to enable ASEAN to continue being a major hub of auto production and exports. "Based on strong mutual trust, Japan and ASEAN will tackle new challenges," Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said at a press conference after the summit concluded, adding he is glad that they will take a "new step toward the next 50 years." Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who served as a co-chair of the summit, said Japan and the bloc will maintain peace and stability in the region while adhering to international law. VNS Russia once more increased orders for its Yasen (Graney) class SSGNs (nuclear-powered cruise missile sub) from nine to twelve. The 2019 decision to build nine Yasens was an increase of three over the original plan to build at least six. Yasen production plans were always unpredictable because the sub was designed at the end of the Cold War and then stagnated for more than a decade after the end of the Cold War in 1991. The first Yasen did not enter service until 2013 and the second and third Yasens didnt appear until 2021. The fourth Yesen entered service in 2023 and was considered free of all earlier design problems and technical flaws. This Yasen was the model for all subsequent Yasens. It is normal for the first ship of a new class to reveal a lot of potential upgrades that will be added to the second ship of the class which will be the production model for the next four or more ships. The U.S. and China, the only other navies that build large classes of new ships, use a similar technique. The Yasens were different because they were the first new class of nuclear subs to enter production, in 1993, after the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Soon after that the Russian armed forces quickly shrank to 20 percent of its pre-Soviet personnel strength. Procurement budgets shrank even more for the navy because the post-Soviet Union admirals tried to keep more ships in service than the budget and available personnel could support. By the end of the 1990s most of the Soviet era nuclear subs were out of service and were soon dismantled with the assistance of NATO nations who provided billions of dollars in aid and expertise to safely dismantle these potential nuclear disasters. Early on Russia had just scuttled some older nuclear subs off its northern coast, which put a lot of nuclear fuel underwater where it will remain a danger to aquatic life for centuries. There were other problems with the sharp reduction in nuclear sub construction, mainly that the Soviet era shipyards could no longer get enough qualified workers and managers to build nuclear subs on time and budget or maintain quality standards. Post-Soviet Russia meant skilled workers and managers could no longer be compelled to work where the government wanted them. Shipyard personnel now could seek better paying jobs elsewhere in Russia or, as many did, migrate to the West for better opportunities. For two decades warship construction efforts were a mess, and it was only in the last decade that substantial progress was made in fixing these problems. All nuclear subs are built in one facility on the north coast: the Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk on the White Sea. This operation now employs 30,000 people with fifteen nuclear subs under construction. While the quality problems have been largely solved, it still takes too long to build each submarine and the current goal is to reduce construction time by at least a year. That means new classes of nuclear subs that are smaller and less expensive to build. The successor to the Yasen class is already being developed and will be closer in size to the American Virginia class SSNs, which are currently being produced at the rate of two a year and are still the world-standard for other nations to strive for. Yasen-M has closed the quality gap with the Virginias. Oddly enough, the latest version of the Virginia, the Block 5 is larger than the 22 already in service and similar to what Russia would call an SSGN, like the Yasen. If these Block 5s work well the U.S. plans to eventually build 70 Virginias, most of them Block 5s which are larger (at 10,200 tons) than the 8,600-ton Yasen M. Russia developed SSGNs during the Cold War as carrier killers but the new Yasen-Ms are built to carry a lot of cruise missiles, like American SSNs have been doing since the 1990s. The Russian SSGNs carried fewer but larger anti-ship missiles. The U.S. believes that SSGNs are more effective firepower providing ships than anything on the surface, which are vulnerable to a growing number of surface and air based anti-ship missiles. Russia needs more SSNs to protect its SSBN (nuclear powered ballistic missile) subs and provide an effective defense against foreign SSNs carrying out covert peacetime missions to keep an eye on Russian naval bases and naval exercises. The frequency and effectiveness of these American SSN espionage missions was kept secret throughout the Cold War because the American SSNs were so much quieter than Russian subs and able to evade detection. Russia heard the rumors of such missions before the Cold War ended in 1991, and since then has been making a serious effort to improve submarine detection methods and build quieter nuclear subs so they can snoop on the Americans for a change. The Yasens are quieter and have much better sensors, but they are too large and expensive for this espionage work. The first Yasen replacement is supposed to be in service by the late 2020s and proposed designs are all smaller and similar to Block 1-4 Virginias. Russia plans to build nine Yasens and in mid-2021 five were still being built. Once the Kazen was launched in 2017, and out of its construction shed for fitting out and sea trials, it was noted that it appeared quite different from the Severodvinsk, the first Yassen. Kazen is nine meters (27 feet) shorter than the 139.2-meter (457 foot) Severodvinsk. The bow is a different shape (sharper) and there are eight torpedo tubes instead of ten. The size and shape of the propeller/rudder system have increased. About half the length reduction is at the expense of crew quarters. That is not a major problem because the crew is smaller, at 63 men, than the Severodvinsk. The length and crew reduction were accomplished with the use of more automation and improved electronics that take up less space and require less maintenance. The revisions were not expensive to implement and were apparently planned before the Severodvinsk was completed. While the Severodvinsk cost $1.6 billion the Kazan cost half that and subsequent boats are expected to cost closer to $700 million each. The navy is confident that the changes in the Yasen design will solve a lot more problems than they cause. Russia knew it had some serious problems with the Yasens as the lead boat ran into a seemingly endless series of problems. In mid-2014, after two decades of construction effort and nearly six months of acceptance trials, the Russian Navy finally declared the Severodvinsk into service. This boat set some of the wrong kind of records on its way to the fleet. For one thing, the construction of the Severodvinsk began in 1993, based on a Cold War design and a lot of Cold War technology. Then there were the sea trials, which took two years during which the Severodvinsk was at sea 30 percent of the time (222 days) and submerged over a hundred times. There were at least five live firings of its cruise missiles. Sea trials are not supposed to last that long, but the Yasen SSGNs were special in so many ways. Putting the Severodvinsk into service was delayed twice in 2013. Early on the sea trials revealed that the nuclear reactor did not produce the required power and that the ability of the boat to remain quiet while underwater was not what it should be. An underpowered and noisy sub was not combat ready, and the navy demanded that the builder make it all better before 2014. This proved hard to do because in the 1990s lack of work and money meant that most of the best people left the companies that produced the nuclear subs, and their complex components were gone. Those left behind produced a growing list of embarrassing failures. Earlier, undisclosed problems with the first Yasen postponed it from entering service for years. These problems are not restricted to the Yasens, as other new subs are also encountering numerous construction and design problems. In early 2011, the crew of the Severodvinsk took their boat to sea, or at least around the harbor, for the first time. Sea trials were to begin three months later but first, the sub took baby steps to ensure that everything worked. These harbor trials were seen as major progress. Things went downhill again after that with a growing number of delays as more and more problems were encountered. The second Yasen, Kazan was different. Construction of the Kazan began in 2009 and was not completed until 2017. This was two years longer than expected and apparently the result of implementing the design changes. The third Yasen did not begin construction until 2013 and was launched in 2019. That was two years less than Kazan and the fourth Yasen was expected to take the same amount of time and launch during 2021, which it did. The fifth Yasen began construction a year after the fourth boat and is expected to be launched at about the same time. The Russians appear pretty confident about the redesigned Yasen M, in part because once the Severodvinsk was in service it proved as quiet and capable as expected. The Americans admitted as much when they revealed that, during the first long range cruise of the Severodvinsk in 2018, the U.S. Navy had a very difficult time locating and tracking it. That was unusual for Russian subs, which had previously been noisy enough for U.S. submarine detection systems to keep track of. The Kazan will have its chance to prove it is as quiet and hard to track as the Severodvinsk when, by 2022, it takes a long-range cruise in waters patrolled by American ASW (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft, surface ships, subs and other submarine detection systems. In the end, the Yasen class boats were a major advance in Russian submarine technology. That was remarkable because Russian submarine building has been on life support since 1991. Many subs under construction at the end of the Cold War were canceled, and few avoided spending a decade or more waiting for enough money to resume construction. The first Yasen crew was put together in 2007 and then spent years training and waiting. The crew got their new boat in 2013, but only after record delays and time spent in the shipyard getting tweaked. The Yasens all have eight VLS (vertical launch system) tubes that can carry 32 Oniks anti-ship missiles or forty slower Kalibr (similar to the U.S. Tomahawk) missiles, or the more capable Kn-101 cruise missile, as well as the torpedo tubes. The Oniks missiles are designed as carrier killers because their final approach is at high speed and difficult to intercept. The torpedo tubes were originally supposed to be larger so they could use some new torpedo designs. Those designs did not work out as planned so the standard 533mm torpedo tubes were used with older but proven torpedo designs. The Yasens crew is less than half the 134 needed to run the new U.S. Virginia class boats. The Yasen design is based on the earlier Akula and Alfa class SSNs. Russia had originally planned to build 30 Yasens, but now only nine, recently increased to twelve, are being built and the smaller and cheaper successor is supposed to be produced in large numbers if the procurement budget can handle that. Currently Russia plans to build twelve Yasen-class subs so that six can be stationed with the northern fleet in Murmansk (near the Norwegian border) and the other six on the Pacific coast at a naval base in the Russian Far East. TOKYO Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had bilateral meetings with leaders of Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia on Sunday in the framework of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Following the talks on Saturday, PM Chinh met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in the framework of the summit, during which he proposed Japan help Viet Nam in conducting surveys and construction of, and provide Viet Nam with new-generation official development assistance (ODA) for projects in digital infrastructure, green transition and large-scale strategic infrastructure development, especially the north-south high-speed railway line, with higher preferential conditions as well as simpler and more flexible procedures. He suggested the two countries promote cooperation in high-quality human resources training, asking Japan to receive more Vietnamese workers, early simplify visa procedures towards exempting visas for Vietnamese citizens. PM Kishida Fumio, for his part, affirmed that he attaches importance to PM Chinhs proposals, and will direct competent agencies to study them carefully. Meeting with Thai PM Srettha Thavisin, PM Chinh and his Thai counterpart agreed to coordinate to effectively carry out the action programme to implement the Viet Nam Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the 2022-2027 period, helping raise the two-way trade value to US$25 billion soon. The two PMs concurred to step up cooperation in the areas of both nations potential and strengths, pay due attention to carrying out the Three Connections initiative with focus sharpened on digital transformation, green transition and circular economy, and strive to elevate the bilateral ties to a new height. They also reached consensus on enhancing cooperation in security and defence, and exchanging information on the fight against cross-border crimes. PM Chinh proposed Thailand share experience in tourism development and join hands with Viet Nam to develop cooperation programmes connecting three and four countries in this field. PM Srettha affirmed that Viet Nam is an important partner of Thailand in the region, and both sides hold huge potential to enhance cooperation. He said he will pay an official visit to Viet Nam in 2024, and co-chair the 4th joint cabinet meeting at the invitation of the Vietnamese government leader. Besides, they agreed to strengthen solidarity and unity within the ASEAN bloc, enhance Mekong Sub-regional cooperation, and support ASEANs stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue as well as other regional and international issues of mutual concern. PM Chinh also had a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, during which they agreed to effectively roll out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, bolster cooperation in the areas of the two countries potential and strengths such as agriculture, including rice production to ensure food security. They affirmed the intention to continue cooperation in global issues, such as climate change response, and regional ones including the East Sea issue. The Philippine President said he is glad to make a visit to Viet Nam in 2024 to discuss orientation to further enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries. PM Chinh also had a short dialogue with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in which the two sides spoke highly of the positive developments of the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Brunei. The Vietnamese leader proposed the two sides maintain the close coordination in effectively carrying out the action programme to implement the comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period as well as the results and agreements reached during his official visit to Brunei in February. The Sultan of Brunei showed his support for measures to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and affirmed that he will visit Viet Nam early at a suitable time in 2024. At PM Chinhs meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, the two government leaders agreed that the Viet Nam-Malaysia Strategic Partnership is developing very positively, reflected through the organisation of a wide range of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations this year. The two sides affirmed to maintain their close coordination to effectively implement agreements of their senior leaders, including the results of the Malaysian PMs official visit to Viet Nam in July; increase contact and exchange of high-level and all-level delegations; early hold the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Trade to discuss specific measures to develop bilateral trade in a balanced direction, facilitate import and export, and remove barriers; and effectively exploit cooperation potential, particularly in agriculture, production, agricultural product processing, food, finance and banking. The leaders also agreed to strengthen partnership in new areas such as digital transformation, clean energy, green economy, and circular economy; and create a favourable environment for their businesses and investors and to attract more high-tech investors from other countries. On this occasion, PM Anwar thanked the Vietnamese Government for assisting with the evacuation of Malaysian citizens stranded in Myanmar, and proposed maintaining the hotline between the two Prime Ministers and the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs to solve important issues. VNA/VNS HA NOI Experts discussed pathways towards promoting the application of sustainability standards in achieving biodiversity goals in Viet Nams agriculture sector during a workshop held on Friday in Ha Noi. The workshop 'Applying Sustainability Standards in Achieving Biodiversity Goals' was co-organised by the Centre for Rural Economy Development (CRED), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Helvetas Organization, and the Department of International Cooperation - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The workshop seeks an appropriate legal framework to facilitate the widespread application of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in Viet Nam. VSS are norms and standards used to ensure that products are harvested, produced, processed, or transported following specific sustainability metrics, including environmental impact, basic human rights, labour standards, and gender equality. VSS aims to ensure that international trade and production processes meet a certain level of economic, social and environmental criteria, Sibylle Bachmann, Deputy Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office, said. By applying these standards, companies can improve their competitiveness and access to international markets, while contributing to reducing poverty and supporting livelihoods. Biodiversity loss constitutes a major global threat, as the World Economic Forum (WEF) reported. Unsustainable trade and consumption of products and services derived from biodiversity contribute to this decline of diversity. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identifies international trade as a means of achieving inclusive economic growth and reducing poverty. Currently, there are over 500 VSS that apply to key exports of many countries, such as coffee, tea, bananas, cocoa, palm oil, timber, cotton, and organic agri-foods. VSS are increasingly included in trade agreements to promote sustainable development and good governance. VSS can effectively encourage governments and companies to adopt practices that align with environmental, social, and economic objectives. The presentations and reports at the workshop covered promising practice examples for sustainable agriculture around Viet Nam and provided shared knowledge on international standards as effective tools for biodiversity and livelihood support. Coconut is an environmentally friendly crop that can be grown under polyculture methods to ensure biodiversity, Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, chairman of Viet Nam Coconut Association, said. The discussion also addressed challenges and opportunities for the application of VSS standards and led to a set of recommendations to promote the integration of sustainability standards in supply chains. Experts in the workshop highlighted the importance of ensuring livelihood for farmers to promote the integration of sustainability standards in supply chains. We need to ensure the output of agricultural products to guarantee farmers' livelihoods. Only then will farmers accept to integrate sustainability standards in their supply chains, said Nguyen Thi Lien, Project Manager at the Centre for Rural Economy Development. VNS By Luong Thu Huong Historical landmarks nationwide are attracting multiple visitors who wish to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and learn about the nation's history ahead of the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Peoples Army (December 22, 1944). One such must-see destination is the Safety Zone in inh Hoa Commune in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. In the commune 76 years ago, the then President Ho Chi Minh, along with the Communist Party and the new government of independent Viet Nam, established the Safety Zone, or An Toan Khu (ATK) in Vietnamese, for housing the leadership of the war of resistance against the return of the French colonialists. Embarking on a journey to the historical relic sites within the zone, tourists are transported back in time, immersing themselves in a glimpse of the nation's history. The first impression upon setting foot in the former inh Hoa Safety Zone is the tranquillity and fresh atmosphere of a half-mountain half-plains area, where rolling hills and forests intertwine with crop fields, streams, and the peaceful villages of the Tay ethnic community. The Cho Chu Valley is embraced by towering mountain ranges, resembling steadfast fortresses. When President Ho arrived there on May 20, 1947, he recognised the advantages of the terrain for covert military operations. He said, With good people and a good political foundation, we can advance when it is feasible and retreat if necessary." When choosing Tin Keo Hill in Na Lom Village as the base, President Ho said, "Above, there are mountains; below, there are rivers. We have land to cultivate and open spaces to enjoy. The houses of government staff are spacious, clean, and well-protected, close to the local people but away from the main roads." As the hub of the Safety Zone for the offices of the central government and the Party Central Committee, ATK inh Hoa witnessed important decisions made by President Ho. These included strategic military campaigns such as the Viet Bac counteroffensive, Northeast and Northwest campaigns, the Border campaign, and approving the battle plan and initiating the historic ien Bien Phu campaign. The historical value of the ATK inh Hoa relic site was announced by the state as a Special National Historical Relic site in May 2012. According to Nguyen Khanh Ly, a tour guide at the site, after the National Resistance Day on December 19, 1946, inh Hoa District, along with ai Tu and Phu Luong districts (in Thai Nguyen Province), Cho on and Cho Moi districts (in Bac Kan), and Son Duong and Chiem Hoa districts (in Tuyen Quang), became the Central Safety Zone within the Viet Bac resistance base. Among these, inh Hoa was considered the 'capital city' of the resistance government. Twenty among hundreds of historical relic sites in the Safety Zone recognised as National Relics were closely associated with the images of President Ho and other high-ranking party and government leaders during the arduous resistance war years, such as Khau Ty Hill, Tin Keo Hill, and Khuon Tat Waterfalls. President Ho's first residence in the Safety Zone was located in Na Tra Hamlet, iem Mac Commune on Khau Ty Hill. He lived and worked here until mid-October 1947 and then moved to the foot of the Hong Mountain to continue leading the resistance to victory. "The scenic landscape of the area inspired President Ho to write his famous poem Canh Khuya. It describes a bright moonlit night in the Viet Bac resistance zone in the early years of the anti-French war, thereby expressing his love for nature, sensitive soul, deep patriotism and optimistic attitude," Ly said. "And it was also here that President Ho wrote the book Improving the Way of Working under the pen name X.Y.Z and signed a decision to designate July 27, 1947 as the national War Martyrs and Invalids Day." The remaining relic of the 'Presidential Residence' of President Ho with its immense historical significance was classified as a national historical relic site in 2006. The former Safety Zone enchants not only history enthusiasts but also nature lovers thanks to its pristine landscape and fresh atmosphere. Tourists could visit De Pass and Hong Mountain, which have become famous in poetry and history, or immerse themselves in the natural beauty of palm forests, tea hills, and especially, the magnificent seven-tier Khuon Tat Waterfalls. Tourism In recent years, local authorities have been actively building plans to preserve, restore, and enhance the significant historical value of the special national historical relic site in inh Hoa in association with tourism development. The former war zone has long been a historical relic site to educate young generations about patriotism, as well as a much-loved tourism destination. It is located on a tourism route that encompasses various provinces in the northeastern region of Viet Nam, such as Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Bac Kan. The region offers diverse, rich, and unique experiences by combining historical tourism with ecological beauty, community-based activities, and ethnic cuisine. "The promotion of the historical relics and scenic landscapes in inh Hoa Commune is one of the key tasks of Thai Nguyen Province's tourism development project," said Le Ngoc Linh, deputy director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the province. "We are focusing on upholding the meaning of our historical relics by integrating them with educational activities, in addition to developing community-based tourism to better serve tourists." VNS Xuan ang Christmas is coming, and participating in workshops making scented candles, cookies, and knitting socks can be a great new activity to do in a merry Christmas season. Christmas is more than a week away, and many young people are starting to look for fun and entertaining activities with friends during the holiday. If you like making cookies and scented candles, skills classes in HCM City may be suitable for you. From the end of November, many workshops making pottery, cookies, scented candles, Christmas wreaths, Santa Claus figures from clay, painting wood to make coasters, sewing teddy bears and socks started appearing and accepting registrations until mid-December. At Thom Heaven at 311B Binh Quoi Street, Binh Thanh District, there are workshops on making scented candles and decorations with a Christmas theme. For the holiday, the shop is adorned with different Christmas concepts. The workshop is a big hit among young people in the city hoping to relax by creating scented candles using provided materials such as candle wax, various essential oils, and decorative tools. Nguyen Truong Thinh, 26, from Thu uc City, said this is the second time this month he has come to Thom Heaven's workshop to make scented candles. "I found the shop on the web. It is near my house so I came here to experience the craft with my friends," he said. The two-hour workshop starts with introducing participants to various essential oils, including sweet varieties like orange and strawberry that impart a sense of vitality and refreshment, and woody varieties like agarwood, rosewood, and pine that offer a sense of cosiness and relaxation. Visitors are then instructed on how to measure out the ingredients and mix the oils in a test tube. They then melt down the wax and stir in the essential oils. After the candle hardens, the decoration phase begins. An Ngoc Thien Thanh, founder of the Thom Heaven workshop, told Viet Nam News that the goal of the workshop is to provide the community with basic and advanced art and craft experiences. "We want our customers to feel completely relaxed when participating in our workshops. Customers can forget the stress from workplaces and schools and completely enjoy the creative space and interesting experiences that the workshop brings," Thanh said. Besides scented candles, Thom Heaven also offers other workshops that help participants experience such crafts as making pottery, coasters and teddy bears, she added. "Most of our raw materials are imported from abroad. The wax will be soy wax and beeswax, while the essential oils will also be of natural origin so it will bring the most intimate and relaxing feeling to customers," Thanh said. Wreath-making workshops are also a favourite of many people. And really, its easy to see why people love them so much. These workshops only arrive at a time of year when people are actively seeking out ways to connect, create, and find that extra dose of holiday cheer. If you are looking for something to decorate your home with this Christmas, Bloomia's workshop is the right place for you. Vy Hoa La, founder of the workshop, started her business from a flower shop. You can make different styles of wreaths from classic ribbon designs to modern floral arrangements. Whether you prefer a traditional look or something a little more contemporary, there are also a number of ways to create a customised flower arrangement for any occasion. Wreath making is a fun and simple work that anyone can do; all it takes is a little creativity to transform natural materials into a masterpiece. In this two-hour workshop, you are going to learn how to DIY a beautiful and festive wreath, step by step. The wreath can be used as a decoration on your door, a centrepiece together with candles for your Christmas dinner table, or a very thoughtful gift for your loved ones. "We have started this workshop since the beginning of December and will run it until Christmas," Vy said. "This is an activity that everyone can experience. Many young people have introduced their family members to join with them and had good times with their family. "I want everyone participating in the workshop to have the best experience. That's why we prepare very carefully the materials as well as have staff guide the participants. "We want our customers to experience the most authentic things, so we imported fresh Nobilis pine branches from Denmark. Therefore, the price will be from VN750,000 per person but the experience will be completely worth the price." Nguyen Thi Ai Phi, 47, from Binh Thanh District, said that she joined the class through her daughter's recommendation. "This is the first time I have this experience. I really enjoy it, especially the decoration step. I feel very happy to see a laurel wreath designed by my own hands," Phi said. VNS By Gia Linh Breakfast is indeed an essential for almost every Vietnamese person, and it does not stop at a bowl of pho or a quick grab at a banh mi kiosk. Vietnamese breakfasts have merged into different cuisines and customs to offer more diverse culinary experiences. Irrespective of how enthusiastic you are towards the culinary world, I bet you may have once heard about the word "brunch", a combination of "breakfast" and "lunch". When it was first introduced is unknown, but the concept of "having brunch" has been gaining significant popularity among young Vietnamese or simply morning lovers who enjoy embracing a slow start of the day, hence the concomitant rise of brunch cafes and dine-ins. Standing out from these emerging brunch places is Soko Cake Bake & Brunch (Soko Saigon), which is a perfect spot if you would love to stay in tune with the trend. Soko is more than just a cafe with modern interior design; it is famous mainly for the meticulous dishes that would probably make you gasp once you see them. Soko is nestled in quiet Ho Tung Mau Street in the middle of the hustle and bustle of HCM Citys District 1 a popping, brilliant white three-story building with glass-only windows. With Christmas coming, Soko is filled with pine tree strings and huge red, holiday-ish ribbons. Be it on weekdays or weekends, tables are always filled with locals and expats alike. I must admit that it is a place for photographs that you have to add to your place-for-checking-in list for its minimalistic yet trendy, modern interior design. The white tables and chairs, speaking in the tone of Gen Z, are an aesthetic, with different seating arrangements ready to serve any gathering size. On each corner of the second floor were two large Christmas trees, extravagantly decorated to welcome the holiday season. As a person who loves anything that is beautifully designed and, again, aesthetic, I am surprised by how pretty Sokos menus are. And yes, I wrote 'menu' in its plural form, since I was offered three different ones, including a menu for brunch dishes, one for regular pastries and drinks, and one for Christmas-edition baked goods. My friends and I tried to focus primarily on the brunch menu, but still had a genuinely hard time deciding what I would order. From sweet to savoury, from western to Asian to even fusion options, reading their names and below-listed ingredients made our mouths water. Eventually, we went for three main courses and a Christmas dessert. We were asked to wait for around 20 minutes, but it did not take that much time for all the dishes to be served. We were, honestly, in shock by how beautifully decorated they were, with edible flowers and sprouts and a variety of colourful spinach scattered around the main elements. How Instagram-able! Our meal started with one of Sokos must-tries, Sydney Rosti Eggs Benedict, with a huge portion. You can't go wrong starting off your morning palate with an eggs benedict, and Soko nailed it. I was immersed in the creamy goddess of the poached eggs, fresh avocado, and hollandaise sauce. They were then balanced out by savoury smoked salmon and tangy cashew sour cream. The crunch from fresh sprouts and sprinkled sunflower seeds was a great twist in texture. We chose brioche bread as the base, but you can also opt for hash browns. In contrast to a quite heavy egg benedict was a clean, refreshing Sesame Salmon Poke Bowl. This Hawaiian specialty was simple yet nutrition-packed, which is perfect for a morning meal. It is incredible to have different textures and flavours bundled up in a plate. The chewy cubed raw salmon, the crunchy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, edamame, the soft, fragrant brown rice, and the sweet corn, all merged in with the creamy, tangy sesame dressing. Highly recommended! The Mentaiko Udon Carbonara was a fusion spotlight, being both a must-try and most-favourite on Sokos menu. Although it was a cream-based pasta dish, we did not find it overbearing at all. It was far beyond what we had expected in an udon dish. The chewy noodles were covered in the cream and mentaiko (pollock roe) sauce, and bits of bacon added a crunchy twist to the dish. This was our favourite dish, the ultimate blend between both western and Asian culinary charms. The joke "Asians can not live without rice" is somewhat real for us, since we could not resist wrapping up the meal with a Hearty Bulgogi Rice Bowl. It was a standard option, with brown rice, bulgogi (Korean-style stir-fried beef), stir-fried mushrooms, carrots, and a sunny-side-up on top. The slightly sweet teriyaki sauce was a complementary element to the bowl. This dish is a must to order if you are looking for a filling, whole-hearted option. Although we were so full from the four generous entrees, there would always be room for desserts. The waiters and waitresses were attentive enough to serve our pastry immediately after we finished our main dishes without us asking. We ordered a Rondo, a Sokos signature, which could be simply explained as a circular croissant filled with pastry creme. There were various choices, but we chose the Thai milk tea flavour, expecting to have another Asian-Western bombshell. You could not deny that it was from the special holiday menu for its Christmas-y decoration, with vibrantly red chocolate ganache (a white chocolate and cream concoction) and a cute, Santa-shaped cookie on top. The Rondo was buttery and flaky, with a crunchy outer layer but soft and chewy inside. The amount of Thai milk tea flavour creme was so generous that it burst out as we cut into the cake, and we loved how the fragrance of the tea was accentuated. Apart from the delicate dishes, what we enjoyed about dining at Soko was the friendly atmosphere that it provides, as well as the nice service and attentive servers. Ranging from VN160,000 to 700,000 (US$7.8 to 25) per item, I would opine that this is a totally reasonable price considering the portion, quality, and service. Hence, if you want to save time and combine both your breakfast and lunch into one, or simply to enjoy a place to meet friends and loved ones, visiting Soko should be on your list. Hurry, because the limited Christmas menu will not last long! Soko Bake & Brunch Address: 24 Ho Tung Mau St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, HCM City, and 27A Nguyen Trung Truc St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCM City Opening hours: 9am to 4pm Tell: 0901 109 880 Facebook: sokosaigon Comment: A perfect spot for morning brunch dates with meticulously made dishes and instagrammable design. Nearly 1.7 million Texans have lost their health insurance the largest number of people any state has removed in the months since Texas began peeling people from Medicaid as part of the post-pandemic unwinding. Around 65% of these removals occurred because of procedural reasons, according to the state. Texas Health and Human Services Commission has neared the end of a chaotic and overburdened process to remove people from state Medicaid insurance who became ineligible during the coronavirus pandemic. The state had not unenrolled people before this year because of federal pandemic rules, which forbid states from cutting coverage. As a result, more than 5 million Texans had continuous access to health care throughout the pandemic through Medicaid, the joint federal-and-state-funded insurance program for low-income individuals. In Texas, the programs eligibility criteria is so restrictive, it mainly covers poor children, their mothers while pregnant and post partum, and disabled and senior adults. But the effects of speedrunning this process have reverberated: Still-eligible Texans were kicked off both in error and for procedural reasons, adding to backlogs of hundreds of thousands of Medicaid applications and pushing wait times back several months. Backlogs for SNAP food benefits applications, which the same state agency also manages, also skyrocketed because of the burden. The state handled this with an incredible amount of incompetence and indifference to poor people, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, told The Texas Tribune. Its really appalling. Doggett has repeatedly demanded for changes in the process, most recently sending a letter to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services calling their scrutiny of the state woefully inadequate. He said he also contacted the agency overseeing the nations Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about improving the states food benefit access during this time. He suggested pausing upcoming SNAP renewals so Texas staffers could focus on working through backlogs first. Neither federal agency had responded to him as of Thursday morning, he said. As of Dec. 8, there were 207,465 SNAP applications and 288,939 Medicaid applications waiting to be processed, according to HHSC spokesperson Tiffany Young. Nobody who watched this is surprised about the backlog. We had delays before the unwinding, and then we put a gigantic amount of work on the system that wasnt spaced in any sort of even, realistic way, that was totally front-loaded, said Stacey Pogue, a senior policy analyst at Every Texan. The way the states choosing to do this is one gigantic, long backlog. Thats a choice, and it hurts people in need, she added. But they had other choices to take workload off the system without asking people to wait and wait and wait and wait. The wait time for Texans who now apply for both SNAP and Medicaid has decreased to a little over a month, as they have to wait for their Medicaid application to go through first, Doggett said. Young said a special team processes combined applications at the same time. This is a reduction from a five-month waiting period in place at the beginning of December, Young said. As of October 2023, some previously submitted applications in the queue had been sitting there for as long as four months, HHSC spokesperson Jennifer Ruffcorn said. HHSC is moving 250 eligibility staff from other priority projects to focus on processing applications that request SNAP and another benefit, Ruffcorn said in a statement. Additionally, within the next five months, HHSC will be sending 600 of our newer staff to Medicaid training. This will also increase our capacity to process more SNAP and Medicaid combined applications. For those without food, even a month is a long time. Food banks had already felt a strain before the holidays approached. Its just a difficult time, its sort of a perfect storm, said Celia Cole, CEO of the nonprofit Feeding Texas, earlier this fall. Food banks are seeing higher demand. Theyre struggling to get food in and out the door, and its costing more to do that. And for those without health insurance coverage, options remain limited, often to either stomach thousands of dollars in medical debt or turning to federally qualified health centers, which are required to provide medical care regardless of insurance. Its tragic to think that children are missing their check ups or medications because their Medicaid application is collecting dust in a state office, said Diana Forester, Director of Health Policy at Texans Care for Children, in a Thursday news release. Some of the solutions the state has offered have been bleak. In a cheerfully-toned email from HHSC to its staffers obtained by Doggetts office, leaders suggested employees participate in a 6 Days of Merry Service Challenge where they would work overtime every day through either extending hours or coming in on a Saturday. The email included a prize raffle for employees who worked more than 15 hours of overtime that week. Theres other pathways besides asking an overworked staff to work more, Pogue said of the email. Of all the solutions to pick, thats just the last one on the list. Texas also has made limited use of an automated eligibility checking system, which uses previously submitted data like pay stubs as well as federally provided data about peoples work. Only 6% of Medicaid renewals came through the automated system, according to state numbers. Throughout the process, advocates like Pogue made unheeded calls for a pause so HHSC staffers could catch up on backlogs before sending more eligible people to the back of the line. Now that the state has gotten through most of its cohorts of trying to renew people one million peoples coverage has renewed advocates say the state has an opportunity to fix the system. Texas lawmakers can look forward to like, What kind of system do we want? How hard should it be to get through the Medicaid renewal process? How do we staff our system to process paperwork? Pogue said. Its no longer about how were going to do unwinding. Its: How are we going to run the Medicaid program? Karen Brooks Harper contributed to this report. HOUSTON Its been more than seven months since the Texas Legislature passed a bill allowing public schools to hire school chaplains, but for the Rev. Dave Welch, his work has just begun. Dining last month at the Taste of Texas, a sprawling restaurant and museum on the outskirts of Houston with 750-pound replica cannons made to resemble those from the Battle of the Alamo bolted to its entryway, the longtime conservative Christian activist outlined his two-pronged plan for what comes next. Number one is winning over the leaders currently in the school system, the school boards or changing them, said Welch, who runs the Houston Area Pastor Council. Number two is persuading and winning over enough pastors to see this as a mission field. Strident rhetoric is nothing new from Welch, a seasoned veteran of the culture wars who was once a national field director for the Christian Coalition, a conservative advocacy group. It also echoes the messaging of the National School Chaplain Association, the activist group that helped push Senate Bill 763 the controversial school chaplains bill through the Texas Legislature earlier this year and is now primed for a nationwide push. As NSCA officers engage state legislators we are energized to know that this school chaplaincy bill will pave the way for spiritual care, support, and Biblical guidance for children, teachers, and staff in public schools throughout many states, read an email to NSCA supporters. But the idea that public schools could turn into spaces of overt religious recruitment has worried liberals across Texas ever since Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law. Despite objections from outnumbered Democrats in both chambers of the Legislature, the chaplains bill was approved without outlining a chaplains role or mandating any specific training requirements. Instead, lawmakers required the states 1,200-plus school districts to define those details themselves as they each vote on whether to allow chaplains in their schools by March 2024. The result has been a heated war of words waged in one of Americas most well-trodden political battlegrounds: school boards. According to locals, the fight over school chaplains has tapped into ongoing power struggles over public education and has pit religious voices against each other, with supporters framing the policy as a way to assist student mental health and detractors blasting it as a Christian nationalist attempt to convert children to a specific form of faith. To Cameron Samuels, a 2022 graduate from a school in the Katy Independent School District outside of Houston, the chaplains debate is part of a broader faith-fueled fight over local education that began in the aftermath of the pandemic. Speaking to Religion News Service over the phone, Samuels argued that early conservative pushback against mask mandates slowly transitioned into other political efforts, such as opposition to critical race theory, an academic ideology that became a target of conservative ire in 2021. The trend eventually snowballed, opening the floodgates for an influx of conservative voices on school boards statewide, said Samuels, who heads the activist group Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Samuels recalled attending a November 2021 Katy Independent School District board meeting in which a man named Victor Perez approached the microphone to rail against CRT, decrying it as a fundamentally racist worldview. A few months later, Perez, after endorsements from local Christian magazines, was elected to the Katy ISD board, which he now leads as president. A year later, three more conservative candidates backed by Texans for Educational Freedom a conservative PAC dedicated to opposing critical race theory and other anti-American agendas were elected to the seven-member board. Formed in 2021, Texans for Educational Freedom has already spent more than $500,000 on school board races across the state, often running negative ads against opponents, part of what a recent Texas Observer investigation concluded was a broader push by a constellation of conservative PACs to impact Texas school boards. Were seeing a Christian nationalist extremism takeover of our school district because of these interest groups, Samuels said, noting a measure the Katy ISD board passed in August that requires school staff to inform parents if their children identify as transgender or choose to use different pronouns at school. During a debate over that measure, Amy Thieme, one of the PAC-backed board members, suggested schools could enlist chaplains which the board has yet to approve as a mediator to inform parents. This is one avenue that we could use, Thieme said. But locals in Texas have begun to push back, with the new chaplains bill serving as a galvanizing force. Three hours away, in the more liberal-leaning area encompassed by San Antonios North East Independent School District, the Rev. Cameron Vickrey, a Cooperative Baptist pastor who works for a Christian advocacy and missions organization, is one of several parents who have spoken out against chaplains in their childrens schools. It just baffles me that it feels like a good idea to anybody, said Vickrey, who has three children in North East ISD. It feels to me like an infiltration of the religious right the conservative, Christian religious right into our public schools, which is a trend weve been seeing in almost every area. I would absolutely call all of this Christian nationalism, she added, noting her church recently hosted a panel for Americans United for Separation of Church and State that included discussions of the chaplains bill. The sentiment is shared by Lisa Epstein, who heads the public affairs arm of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. She said her umbrella organization, the Jewish Community Relations Council, has been fighting the chaplains proposal ever since it appeared alongside a slate of religion-related bills at the Legislature, including efforts to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and to require campuses to set aside time for staff and students to pray and read religious texts. When the chaplains bill passed, Epstein said, her group organized Zoom discussions with members across the state, detailing the bill she and others see as negatively impacting Jewish students. Our community members, she said, have been absolutely appalled that the school districts would even consider doing this. And while supporters have pointed out that chaplains could be from any faith, Epstein told RNS her group opposes all public school chaplains on principle, be they Christian, Jewish or otherwise. From the Jewish perspective, we feel like public school should be a place where kids of all sorts of religions are welcome, she said. If you feel like your child needs clergy to counsel them, there are so many clergy in town and frankly, thats up to the parent to make that decision. Pushback has increased over the past few months, as more school districts vote on the school chaplains measure. In August, more than 100 Texas chaplains professionals who work in the military or in health care signed a letter organized by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and others decrying the idea of chaplains in public classrooms, arguing it could be harmful to students. A number have appeared at school board meetings to testify against the policy. The issue has also sparked heated debates among board members with at least one resigning mid-debate over the chaplains policy in early December. But if conservative Christian advocates envisioned a sweeping embrace of school chaplains across Texas, the reality has been more subdued. While some districts have endorsed the idea of paid school chaplains, many have rejected it outright. Others have approved chaplains to serve area schools in a limited volunteer capacity. Katy ISD board members had a preliminary discussion of the bill earlier this month, and while some of the PAC-backed members still seemed supportive of the measure, other board members made faith-based arguments against the bill. As a mom, I dont want a chaplain who doesnt speak and know and study my faith, said board member Rebecca Fox, whose official bio lists her as volunteering at Second Baptist Church nearby. WATERLOO Christine Guevara spent her Saturday paying it forward by pushing around a grocery cart filled with bags of Christmas presents. She was participating in the Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls annual Angel Tree distribution event, which hands out clothing, books and toys to families with children in need in the Cedar Valley. Growing up, her family benefited from similar donation drives. She is now repaying the generosity her family received. (During Christmas) I do a lot of volunteer work because thats what the holidays mean, she said. Its about giving back to your community. This is Guevaras second year participating in the Angel Tree event, but she has volunteered for many years with the organizations Christmas dinner. Guevara, along with a handful of other volunteers, waited for families to drive up to the Salvation Army building on Franklin Street in Waterloo. Once given the families last name, volunteers searched for the large cardboard box that contained gifts for their children. More than 300 families with a total of 807 children registered to receive Christmas gifts. Thats 104 more children than last year, said Grace Fee, social ministries director. Families registered in October, which was announced through fliers sent to Black Hawk County schools, media releases, and social media posts. Any family in the county with children, from newborns to the age of 17, could participate. Parents and guardians provided proof of a childs date of birth, as well as verification of their income. Fee said the organization did not discriminate based on income and looked for need, and not a number. Children in the program had an Angel Tree tag that could be picked by volunteer donors at locations such as Sams Club and Walmart. The tag provided information such as age and gender as well as what the child wants, needs and likes. Fee said only 11 children didnt get picked. When that happens, the Salvation Army still provides those children with gifts. The suggested amount for gifts is $35 to $45 for each child, but many people go beyond that. We live in a very generous community, Fee said. This year the donors got bikes, and we had two families get TVs. We had a child who needed a dresser and the donor bought them a dresser. Almost $23,000 worth of gifts were donated. The Salvation Army also gave out $7,640 in Fareway gift cards. Depending on family size, gift cards were either for $20 or $35. The organization included the gift cards, which expire Dec. 23, in hopes families will use the money for a holiday dinner. Another change this year was what children requested as gifts. Many asked for essentials, Fee said. Even the children are at the point of identifying their wishes as things for survival, she said. People have been struggling more economically. But the families arent in need just during the holidays. A lot of these families who we work with throughout the year need assistance, not just at Christmas, Fee said. (Theyre in need) on April 13th when the water is being shut off and August 8th when the kids are going back to school. Theyre in need throughout the year. 5 adorable Christmas outfits for your dog 2. Dog Christmas Sweaters 3. Front Walking Snowman Dog Costume 4. Dog and Family Matching Christmas Pajamas A letter from John Hancock dated April 18, 1776, is seen in this photo provided by The Raab Collection. Hancock, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who helped stoke outrage at the British, is being remembered as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. (Photo by The Raab Collection via AP) Garcia stresses UK cross-party backing for Gibraltar The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia has met UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty MP in London. He has also held a series of cross-party meetings connected to the ongoing treaty negotiations and to the alternative plan for no agreement (NNO). Dr Garcia held a positive meeting with Labour Shadow Europe Minister Stephen Doughty MP in order to discuss current issues affecting Gibraltar, including an NNO outcome. Mr Doughty, who has already met both the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister several times, again reiterated Labours support for Gibraltar and for a beneficial treaty. Dr Garcia then gave a briefing to Members of the European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons at their request, in a private session, where he was questioned on the details of a potential treaty and on the consequences of not agreeing one. The Deputy Chief Minister also discussed Gibraltar issues with the Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the House of Lords Lord Ricketts, who is a cross-bencher, and with the Foreign Affairs spokesperson of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Lord Purvis. The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said: I was delighted with the cross-part support that continues to exist and for the determination in all quarters to safeguard and protect Gibraltar. This was reflected in all my meetings, in particular with Europe Minister Leo Docherty and also with his Labour and Liberal Democrat counterparts Stephen Doughty and Lord Purvis. The Government considers it important to continue to inform our friends in the UK Parliament, now that the treaty negotiations have resumed, in order that the policy priorities of Gibraltar are understood by decision-makers in London. Deputy Chief Minister with Europe Minister Leo Docherty MP Labour Shadow Europe Stephen Doughty MP with Dr Garcia Garcia with Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Lord Purvis We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form This photo combo shows three hostages who had been abducted from Israeli communities near the Gaza border, from left, Alon Shamriz, Samer Al-Talalka and Yotam Haim. Israeli troops mistakenly shot the three hostages to death Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops have been engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas militants. (Courtesy of the Shamriz, Al-Talalka and Haim families via AP) Law enforcement officers who are members of the Nevada Police Union, including many highway patrol officers, have recently discovered that they are not receiving state employee retention bonuses. @jmmeny explains how the exclusion of longevity payments is impacting state employees across all agencies. Tamboran Progresses Key Pipeline Agreements with APA Group Sydney, Dec 18, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran Resources Limited ( ASX:TBN ) ( TBNNY:OTCMKTS ) has entered into three formal and binding agreements with APA Group ( ASX:APA ) to support the development of the Company's Beetaloo Basin assets, including: - an Early Development Agreement relating to the development of the ~35-kilometre Sturt Plateau Pipeline (SPP) that is planned to connect the proposed 40 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) Sturt Plateau Compression Facility (SPCF) to the Amadeus Gas Pipeline (AGP) and, subject to achieving project milestones and executing further agreements, is targeting an online date as early as H2 2025; - an Early Development Agreement for development of a Beetaloo Basin to East Coast gas pipeline that aims to deliver material volumes (circa 500 MMcf/d or more) into Australia's East Coast gas market and, subject to achieving project milestones and executing further agreements, is targeting an online date as early as 2028; and - a Partnering Agreement under which Tamboran agrees to work exclusively with APA Group and, subject to conditions being met, provides an option for Tamboran to acquire up to 15 per cent of any Beetaloo pipeline projects in the lead up to Final Investment Decision (FID) (excluding the SPP). Since the execution of the Letter Agreement in June 2023, APA has made good progress on the Beetaloo Basin pipeline projects. Under the Early Development Agreements, APA has agreed a process to continue development of the proposed pipelines with early works expenditure of up to A$10 million on the basis that Tamboran continues to progress and achieve agreed milestones in relation to the proposed Shenandoah South Pilot Project. The parties will commence negotiations on a binding Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA) targeting execution in H1 2024 subject to Tamboran achieving certain project milestones. Tamboran Resources Corporation ( ASX:TBN ) Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said: "We are excited to progress our June 2023 Letter Agreement with APA Group into binding early development and partnership agreements that support the development of Tamboran's Beetaloo Basin assets in the Northern Territory. "This is a major milestone to bringing much needed natural gas from the Beetaloo Basin to the Northern Territory and East Coast gas markets. Tamboran and APA have committed to partnering to bring much needed supply to both markets, which are expected to see gas supply shortfalls in coming years. "Under the agreements, APA will commence early development works associated with the SPP and Beetaloo to East Coast gas pipelines, including conditional expenditure of up to A$10 million to progress early work. "The parties have agreed a gas transportation framework that provides Tamboran with a market-based tariff structure on the proposed pipelines. Furthermore, and subject to certain conditions being met, Tamboran has an option to acquire a 15 per cent interest in new pipelines that emanate from Tamboran's Beetaloo Basin acreage, exercisable in the lead up to Final Investment Decision. "I believe the development of the Beetaloo Basin, which has potential to supply gas into the domestic market for the duration of the energy transition, has a major role to play in proving energy security for Australian families. Without local investment in new gas, Australians could be relying on gas imports from other countries at international gas prices. "I also see the basin playing a role in the energy transition by supporting the local uptake of renewable energy, as wind and solar displaces coal fired power. Without natural gas, grid stability would be increasingly more difficult and more expensive." About Tamboran Resources Limited Tamboran Resources Ltd (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Related Companies Cover Images/Roger Wong Celebrity Meek joined Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in signing the bill inside Philly's National Constitution Center and the bill itself reduces the chances for those on probation to be sent back to prison for minor offenses. Dec 17, 2023 AceShowbiz - Meek Mill has made media headlines after breaking down in tears during the signing of a probation reform bill in Pennsylvania. Though he said he didn't know why he got so emotional, the "Expensive Pain" artist admitted that he needed the cry. "I don't know how I cried on the news I ain't even cry in my cell!" the 36-year-old emcee, born Robert Rihmeek William, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "I needed that!" The post arrived after Meek joined Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in signing the bill inside Philly's National Constitution Center. The bill reduces the chances for those on probation to be sent back to prison for minor offenses. At the event, Meek gave a speech about the probation reform bill and revealed he was breaking the law by taking his kid to school in New Jersey while on probation. "I don't want to get emotional because it's a lot," he began while wiping tears from his eyes. "You don't have to clap 'cause I'm at a point in my life like we all grew up in the streets, and we try to be better, but they labeled us felons and sent us back to jail," the rapper added. "I had to fight against that the whole time to gain my respect and be who I am today, and I'm proud of that." Meek himself represented REFORM Alliance at the Thursday, December 14 signing alongside Michael Rubin. The non-profit organization, which also co-founded by Jay-Z, began as a response to his re-imprisonment in November 2017 for a probation violation and he's since become a spokesperson for prison and criminal justice reform. You can share this post! Cover Images/Instagram/FERNANDO LUCENA Celebrity The 'Good Times' actor would love to repair his fractured relationship with estranged daughter Shannon Amos despite alleging she had taken advantage of him. Dec 17, 2023 AceShowbiz - John Amos has said "the love is still there" with his daughter despite accusing her of "elderly abuse" over the summer. In June, the 83-year-old actor alleged Shannon Amos had "taken advantage" of him after she claimed on Instagram he had been a "victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation" before she filed a complaint with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and created a GoFundMe campaign asking for "legal, medical, future housing, and care expenses," which he ordered her to end as he insisted she was more of a problem to his wellbeing than her brother, his son, K.C. Amos. The "Good Times" actor, however, is hopeful they can repair their rift eventually and he is keen for them all to have a "harmonious relationship at some point." "It is his sibling, that is my daughter, my first child. I love her. K.C. loves his sister," John told People magazine in a joint interview with filmmaker K.C. "We just have, I guess, what might be best described in the tabloids is an acrimonious relationship, but everything heals in time, and the love is still there. All families go through trials and tribulations of some sort..." "Right now, it is somewhat acrimonious, but never mind what you might read or hear about in the paper or on this medium or that medium platform. Suffice it to say we are still family, and we love each other, and that's the bottom line." At the time, concerns were raised over John's health after Sharon claimed she had received a "distressing call" from her father and he was a "victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation." But the veteran actor denied the claims and insisted he was "doing well." He said in a statement given to People, "To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life. First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately, and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations." He later alleged in a video uploaded to Instagram by K.C. that Shannon was the one who had "taken advantage" of him. He said, "She would be the primary suspect - if you would. I don't know if that's the right term to use or not. But she's the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It's definitely a case of elderly abuse." In response, a representative for Shannon said she was "disheartened at the continuation of false and defamatory statements being made against her." You can share this post! Celebrity Although he broke multiple bones, the 'Wilde' actor says his injuries could have been worse after he accidentally took a tumble from the stage at London's The O2. Dec 17, 2023 AceShowbiz - Stephen Fry feels lucky to still be able to walk after suffering a horror fall in September. The 66-year-old actor injured his leg, pelvis and several ribs after falling off the stage at London's The O2 in September, but the surgeon who operated on his broken bones told him things could have been much worse. "It was pretty nasty. I broke my leg in two places, my pelvis in four places and a bunch of ribs, so it was really quite serious. I was giving this lecture. When I finished I took my bow and walked off stage not knowing that the bulk of the stage I was walking on had a six foot drop onto concrete. It was grim," he said to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on "Good Morning Britain". "The orthopedic surgeon made it clear that he was dealing with people who had had a fall from lesser heights, who might not walk again. The two things that you don't want to hit are your skull or your spine. And I was very fortunate that I didn't, so there was no suggestion of either cognitive impairment." Fortunately, Stephen is now feeling "whole and healed" thanks to physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, and was grateful painkillers were able to aid in his recovery. He said, "They [painkillers] mean the physio can get you on your feet earlier." "Even though it was the dreaded OxyContin, which has cut a swathe through America in the opioid crisis, it was being dealt to me very properly and I was weaned off it so I didn't get addicted. Because of the painkillers I was able to move earlier than I would otherwise have been able to." "The Morning Show" actor also spoke about raising awareness of prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2018. He said, "I'm very lucky. I prefer to think I am overcoming it. The fortunate position of being in showbusiness is that people are allowed to do so much more." He went on, "It's easier to be open about who you are, whether it's sexuality, whether it's emotions, whether it's illness of the mental kind or the physical kind - people are much more open. So if there is a price to be paid for fame and celebrity and the joy of it - and it's not really a price, it's one willingly paid - it's that you do have an opportunity to share what you are going through." You can share this post! Civil Status and Registration Office relocates Marriage Venue to City Hall as from Friday 15th December The Civil Status and Registration Office (CSRO) has announced a significant milestone in enhancing its services by relocating the venue for marriages to the prestigious City Hall as from Friday 15th December. This strategic move aims to provide a more professional and iconic setting for couples entering the union of matrimony. The new venue, within the historic City Hall, offers a picturesque and culturally-rich backdrop for weddings, aligning with the CSRO's commitment to delivering exceptional service and memorable experiences for its clients. The decision to relocate is part of the Ministry for Culture and Tourism and the CSRO's broader efforts to modernise and elevate the quality of services, which includes plans for future facilities at the Mount. The administrative office for marriages will remain at Joshua Hassan House. The Government invites residents and visitors alike to explore the enhanced marriage registry services at the new City Hall location, further solidifying Gibraltar's reputation as a premier destination for weddings. The Acting Head of the Civil Status and Registration Department, Karl Triay, said: "We are excited to bring marriages to the City Hall, a location that befits the significance of the occasions we celebrate. This move reflects our commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the marriage registration process is conducted in an environment that is both dignified and memorable. We look forward to welcoming couples to the new, beautifully-appointed space and continuing to be part of their special day." The Minister for Tourism and Culture, the Hon Christian Santos, stated: "This relocation enhances Gibraltar's appeal as a premier destination for weddings. The historic significance of City Hall will undoubtedly contribute to making Gibraltar a sought-after location for couples seeking a distinctive and memorable wedding experience." The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo, expressed his total support for this development, stating: "The move of marriages to the City Hall is a testament to Gibraltar's commitment to providing unparalleled services to its residents. City Hall, with its rich history and timeless architecture, will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance to the marriages celebrated within its walls. This relocation underscores our dedication to creating meaningful and unforgettable experiences for couples choosing Gibraltar as their wedding destination." Instagram Music The 'Utopia' rapper is apologetic to his fans for pulling the plug on his scheduled concert in Chicago after spending '24 hours on a runway' because of flight delay. Dec 17, 2023 AceShowbiz - Travis Scott decided to cancel Friday's December 15 Chicago concert because of a flight delay. The 32-year-old rapper was scheduled to bring his "Utopia - Circus Maximus" Tour to Chicago's United Center but had to postpone after his plane was stuck on a runway for "24 hours." "I literally spent 24 hrs on a runway. Craziest [thing] ever," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He added on Instagram, "U ever spent 24 hrs on a runway I have." He promised fans he will be back in January, writing, "To my people in Chicago I was so ready to go crazyyyy. Chicago always been one if my favorite places. To go ham and been waiting for it the whole tour. I will be back the first couple days of January." A message on the venue's X account stated, "Travis Scott's show at United Center scheduled for tonight has been postponed. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced. More information will be posted here and emailed to ticketholders directly when available." A later message added, "Travis Scott Utopia Tour Presents Circus Maximus scheduled for December 15, 2023, has been rescheduled to January 3, 2024. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date. For any questions regarding refunds, please check with your point of purchase." You can share this post! Cover Images/MUNAWAR HOSAIN Celebrity Kayti Edwards wants an investigation launched to further examine the death of the late 'Friends' actor after autopsy revealed the cause of his death is 'acute effects of ketamine.' Dec 18, 2023 AceShowbiz - Matthew Perry's ex-girlfriend has demanded further investigation after it was revealed that his death was caused by "acute effects of ketamine" and drowning. The 54-year-old actor - who was reportedly sober for 19 months before his death - had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression but his final session was over a week before he died, meaning the drug in his system was not from his treatment. Kayti Edwards, Matthew's ex-girlfriend, has urged the authorities to take a closer look into the circumstances of his death. "I'm pretty sure that in Matthew's brain ketamine infusions at a doctor's would count as still being sober," she told The US Sun. "In his brain it's not the same as going on the street to buy crack or heroin. That probably was the stepping stone for him to go back to doing drugs," Kayti added. "I wasn't surprised when the medical examiner's report dropped." "I already knew what it was so it wasn't shocking to me. I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened but I do know Matthew as a person and a friend and I know the patterns that led up to this." "I could see it from a mile away, he didn't seem right during the last couple weeks of his life. The sober people who knew him have never hung out with him when he was getting high so they wouldn't know the signs." Matthew was found face-down and unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28. You can share this post! For years, LGBTQ+ students at Samford University have been asking for protection from discrimination. They say that harassment on campus is frequent for students like them, but that any reports of targeted discrimination on the private, Baptist campus just outside Birmingham will go unheard. We can report stuff to our Title IX office, but theres no infrastructure in place to actually take any action, said Courtney Smith, a 20-year-old junior. Even if you do report something, nothing is going to be done about that, which means there is no layer of protection against harassment for LGBTQ students on campus. On most campuses, Title IX, the federal civil rights law that protects students from sex discrimination, generally prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It requires colleges that receive federal funding comply with the law protecting students. But some religious schools, such as Samford, can claim exemptions, citing their Christian beliefs. In other words, if a school is governed by a religious organization that believes LGBTQ+ identity is a sin, then its exempt from providing some protections against sex discrimination for those students, said Joe Baxter, an interim leader with the Religious Exemption Accountability Project. What this really does is it leaves a gaping hole in protection for students, Baxter said. It puts the students at a great risk of harm. In September, students held a protest on Samfords campus with roughly 60 attendees, including alumni, faculty and clergy members, asking President Beck Taylor and the university administration to formally approve anti-discrimination policies to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Our silence during the duration of convocation hour is a representation of LGBTQ+ students being ignored by Samfords administration, students wrote in a letter to Samford leaders. LGBTQ+ students significantly struggle to feel safe within their learning environment if they have no representation on campus through a recognized LGBTQ+ organization or without an anti-discrimination policy preventing them from experiencing bigotry or prejudice. A group of LGBTQ+ Samford students and supporters held a silent protest in September on the steps of Samford University's Wright Center. (Hannah Denham / AL.com)al.com Scarlet Thompson, the universitys spokeswoman, told AL.com that Samford does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis. The law recognizes Samfords right, as a religiously affiliated institution, to act in accordance with its religious values and beliefs, she added. Samford was founded by Alabama Baptists in 1841. The university has since reduced its funding from the Alabama Baptist State Convention several times, including in 2018 after the convention threatened to cut funding over a proposed LGBTQ+ student organization. The university remains affiliated with the Baptist church and has never officially recognized an LGBTQ+ student organization. Thompson, the Samford spokeswoman, declined to answer questions from AL.com and denied requests for interviews with university president Beck Taylor and Lisa Overton, the Title IX coordinator. But she emailed a statement on behalf of the university. As a community, Samford University is welcoming of all students, the statement reads. Samfords Christ-centered mission, rooted in the Baptist tradition, aims to meet every student where they are, to love them unconditionally, and to provide them opportunities to grow in every aspect of their life. Students choose to enroll at Samford knowing the schools religious affiliation, mission, and values. Every Samford student has equal access to all educational programs, clubs, organizations, and resources formally recognized and supported by Samford University. But LGBTQ+ students and alumni say they havent felt welcome on campus. Smith leads Samford Prism, an LGBTQ+ student group thats been denied official recognition by the university. Because they cant formally organize on campus, the group of undergrads meets for roller-skating or craft nights off campus. Our big thing is trying to get students to find community, Smith said. Especially on a religious campus, it can be really, really hard to find other queer students. Brit Blalock, a Samford alum who lives in Birmingham, leads Safe Samford, a group of LGBTQ+ alumni and allies, to support students on campus. These students are sort of oftentimes stuck in a place where they cant be themselves fully or they feel fearful of repercussions, which doesnt lend itself to a very good learning experience or a very mentally healthy experience, Blalock said. More than half of transgender people say that, while they were college students, their mental health suffered, according to research by the UCLA School of Laws William Institute. More than a third reported that they experienced bullying, harassment or assault. And, a survey by the Proud and Thriving Project found that LGBTQ+ college students experience more depression, suicidal ideation and academic struggles than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. In 2021, the U.S. Education Department affirmed that Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. This came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a county agency in Georgia violated the Civil Rights Act by firing an employee for being gay. Even though the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights maintained its exemptions for religious institutions, the move under the Biden administration prompted a surge in outreach from religious institutions seeking confirmation of their exemption based on a specific tenet of their religious beliefs. Baxter said while those universities asked Education Department officials to promise theyll recognize the exemption, colleges dont have to file paperwork ahead of time to be exempted during a Title IX investigation. Some LGBTQ+ students at Christian schools are fighting the Education Departments exemptions through a lawsuit. The federal case, filed by the Religious Exemption Accountability Project, is a class-action that collected more than 40 plaintiffs who alleged that the religious exemptions violate their rights as students. In January, a federal judge dismissed the case. The plaintiffs filed an appeal in March, and the case is currently active, per court records. Erin Green, the accountability projects other interim leader, said that while there werent any Samford students involved in the lawsuit, the organization is working to help support LGBTQ+ students at Samford. Students at some religious colleges, including Baylor University in Texas, have filed complaints with the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights, alleging the university failed to address homophobic harassment. But Baylor requested an exemption to allegations of sexual harassment, and the Department upheld the request this fall. The Office of Civil Rights has opened investigations into alleged LGBTQ+ rights violations at several other religious colleges over the last few years. Last year, Samfords campus pastor Bobby Gatlin uninvited two campus ministry organizations from campus, citing their LGBTQ+-affirming stances. In response, Taylor, the university president, said he supported the universitys traditional view of human sexuality and marriage in a video message. That frustrated some students and alumni who had met with Taylor and gotten assurances that he wanted LGBTQ+ students to succeed at Samford. Samford students and supporters protest in support of an anti-discrimination policy for LGBTQ+ students. (Hannah Denham / AL.com)AL.com Some faculty members at Samford have been supportive of students, with the majority voting in favor of recognizing LGBTQ+ student organizations several years ago, said Fred Shepherd, a political science professor whos taught at Samford for 30 years. Hes an unofficial faculty advisor to Samford Prism. At a serious university, its very important for a wide variety of people to have the ability to speak, he said. A very important part of the ability to speak is the ability to come together and gather. Despite the years of pushback, Samford students and alumni say that its not a solution to simply tell them to enroll elsewhere. In fact, Smith said, theyre tired of hearing it. There are queer students coming from every walk of life, coming from any circumstance, and there are a thousand reasons why you could end up on a campus like Samford, he said. Those students still deserve to have a loving environment and have a campus that cares about them. Even if it is a religious college, they still deserve to be supported. Common Man is a talented young folk pop duo thats still at the level where they tour in a Honda Civic. This fall the Huntsville-based act did an 18-show tour. After more than a week of testimony from detectives, crime lab workers, relatives, former Lawrence, Massachusetts residents and more, the defense attorney in Marvin Skip McClendons murder trial is expected to start calling their witnesses on Monday. McClendon, 76, is charged with the Sept. 11, 1988, murder of Melissa Ann Tremblay, 11, of Salem, N.H., whose body was found in a Lawrence rail yard. The girl had been beaten, stabbed and killed. Her left leg was severed by a train. Tremblay was known to play in the adjacent neighborhoods while her mother and her mothers boyfriend frequented the LaSalle Social Club at 397 Andover St. She was last seen alive by a railroad employee and a pizza delivery driver, authorities said. Tremblays mother has since died. However, the girl does have surviving relatives and childhood friends living in the area. The case was cold for 34 years prior to McClendons arrest on April 27, 2022, in Cullman County, Alabama, where he had moved after living and working in Massachusetts. He had worked as a handyman and as a Massachusetts prison guard. Prosecutors have said DNA under Tremblays fingernails match McClendon and Tremblays throat was slashed by a left-handed assailant. McClendon is left-handed, according to his relatives. But Henry Fasoldt, McClendons defense attorney, said the entire criminal case is based on assumptions, including leaps made with the DNA, and that McClendon had absolutely no reason to kill Tremblay. Its unclear if McClendon will take the stand in his own defense. Fasoldt has previously described Rebecca Greenwood, 72, McClendons younger sister, as a strong source of support for his client. For much of the trial, Greenwood has sat in the courtroom gallery behind McClendon. However, Greenwood is under a sequestration order, which means she is not allowed to be in the courtroom when certain witnesses testify. Late this week and without jurors present, prosecutors spoke with presiding Judge Jeffrey Karp about Greenwood violating the order by remaining in the courtroom when a state police detective testified and later, when she asked her sister-in-law, Karen McClendon, about her testimony in the courtroom hallway. Greenwood, who lives in Alabama near her brother, was called as a prosecution witness late this week. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick asked her if she or her brother had used her computer and/or cell phone to research Tremblays cold case after her brother was asked to provide a DNA sample in 2021. Greenwood originally said no but later changed her answer testifying she looked up information on her cell phone when she accompanied her brother to a cardiology appointment prior to his arrest. It was one newspaper article I read to him while we were on a car ride, Greenwood said. Other prosecution witnesses during the trial have included: Retired Massachusetts State Trooper Kenneth Kelleher, Retired Lawrence Police Detective Thomas Murphy, State Police Lt. Peter Sherber and Agent Joe Parrish of the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. Daniel Hatch, who was a 13-year-old homeless boy in Lawrence in 1988. He believes he saw Tremblay on the night she was murdered and that she had encountered two men in the area. Numerous male cousins of McClendon who testified they were not in Massachusetts when Tremblay was murdered. Dr. Vincent Tranchida, a forensic pathologist and medical examiner who consults with law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He testified Tremblays throat was slashed from behind by a left-handed assailant. The jury is expected to get the case to start deliberations by Wednesday. If convicted of first degree murder, McClendon faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Staff reporter Jill Harmacinski may be contacted at jharmacinski@gloucestertimes.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill. ___ (c)2023 the Gloucester Daily Times (Gloucester, Mass.) Visit the Gloucester Daily Times (Gloucester, Mass.) at www.gloucestertimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. As bomb threats were made to Jewish congregations across Alabama on Saturday, the states only Jewish lawmaker was among those forced to flee. The threats came just after the end of Hanukkah and amid tension over the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas. This morning during Shabbat religious services the Jewish day of rest we had to evacuate my synagogue in Montgomery, AL due to a bomb threat, State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He posted a video of when the service was stopped for the forced evacuation. This morning during Shabbat religious services the Jewish day of rest we had to evacuate my synagogue in Montgomery, AL due to a bomb threat. This is exhausting. I pray for the day that we can worship and live in peace. pic.twitter.com/qjzvvzmqYe Phillip Ensler (@EnslerPhillip) December 16, 2023 This is exhausting. I pray for the day that we can worship and live in peace. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt expressed outrage over the threats. These threats against Jewish congregations here in Alabama are absolutely reprehensible, Britt said. This type of antisemitic behavior has no place in our state or nation. We proudly stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters across Alabama and America. Ensler, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama and a former aide to Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, was elected in 2022 to the Alabama State House of Representatives, becoming the first Jewish candidate to win a seat in Montgomery in nearly 50 years. After most of the Jewish congregations and facilities in Central Alabama received bomb threats today, I concluded the sabbath at a minyon service with fellow local Jews in which we sung Oseh Shalom which includes the words May the one who creates peace on high bring peace to us and to all who dwell on earth, Ensler posted Saturday night. Montgomerys Jewish institutions received bomb threats during Shabbat services today, Reed posted. MPD and Fire responded quickly and no suspicious devices were found. Appreciative of the swift response and grateful everyone is safe. Hate has no place in Montgomery. The Jewish Federation of Central Alabama reported that Temple Emanu-El in Dothan, Temple Mishkan Israel in Selma, Temple Beth Or in Montgomery, Jewish Federation of Central Alabama in Montgomery, Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem in Montgomery and Congregation Beth Shalom in Auburn each received an email threat. The Mobile police bomb squad was called to Congregation Mayim Chayim on County Road 64 in Daphne after a threat there. Our preliminary investigation has revealed that this threat may be part of a nationwide hoax; however, this incident is still under investigation, the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. We contacted Mobile authorities as well as Secure Community Network immediately on Saturday morning. We are confident they will do everything they can to find the perpetrator and protect our Jewish community in Mobile and fellow Jewish communities across the state, Cassie Morgenstern, Executive Director of the Mobile Area Jewish Federation, told AL.com. Unfortunately, this is not the first time weve received threats, but we are continually grateful for our strong relationship with the community and local authorities who take the safety of the Jewish community in Mobile and Baldwin County seriously. Authorities are searching for a man who they said did not resurface on Saturday after his kayak capsized at Lake Guntersville in north Alabama. Few details have been released by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the man has not been identified. However, ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said the man was duck hunting at the lake when the incident happened around 8 a.m. on Saturday, near Goose Pond Resort in Jackson County. Troopers with ALEAs Marine Patrol Division and Aviation Unit responded and are working with other agencies in a search effort. Assisting are the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Scottsboro and Jackson County Rescue Squads. The search is ongoing, Burkett said. Ben Lerner in Harpers Magazine: At twenty-six, in 2006, the year before the iPhone launched, I found myself driving a red Subaru Outbackthe color was technically claret metallic, the friend whod lent me the car had told me, in case I ever wanted to touch up the painton Highway 12 in Utah. I was heading to the East Bay after a painful breakup in New York. I remember, wrongly, that I was listening to a book on tape, a work by a prominent linguist, as I moved through the alien landscape, jagged formations of red rock towering against a cloudless sky. Consider the metaphorical association of argument and war, the linguist says in my memory, the way we speak of attacking or defending our position. If we frame an argument metaphorically as armed conflict then we will think of our interlocutor as an enemy. But what would happen, the voice asked me as I gripped the wheel with both hands, tense from fifteen hours of continuous driving, having pulled over only for gas and Red Bull and granola bars and Camels since departing Omaha, where Id napped and showered at the childhood home of a college friendwhat would happen if we shifted the metaphorical frame and thought of argument as a kind of dance, as a series of steps undertaken with the goal of mutual expression, satisfaction, even pleasure? More here. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu made headlines this week for hosting a holiday party dedicated to elected officials of color. Attendees at the party included state Sen. Liz Miranda, D-2nd Suffolk, state Rep. Christopher Worrell, D-5th Suffolk, and Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. The party has been a long tradition that the city has held, but an email cast a pall over the celebration for some. On Tuesday, Wus office was accidentally sent out an email to every member of City Council, inviting them to the Electeds of Color Holiday Party, according to NBC Boston, the media outlet that first broke the news. Fifteen minutes later, Wus office sent another email apologizing for the email, NBC Boston reported. The party was intended for elected officials of color, the mayor said. I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow, the follow-up message said, according to NBC Boston. I did send that to everyone by accident, I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so. Wu was quick to explain the email, saying that the Electeds of Color Holiday Party, was a longstanding tradition and one of the many holiday celebrations the city throws each year, according to the Boston Globe. There are many, many events that are private events for all different sorts of groups, so weve clarified that and look forward to seeing everyone at one of the dozens of other opportunities to celebrate the holidays together, Wu told NBC Boston on Wednesday. I think we all have been in a position at one point where an email went out and there was a mistake in the recipients, so there was truly just an honest mistake that happened in issuing the invitation, the mayor added. Wus explanation didnt stop some people from feeling frustrated over a private holiday dinner party. Howie Carr, a conservative columnist for the Boston Herald, described Wus electeds of color holiday party as the mayor celebrating a non-white Christmas. What if the reverse had happened what if a white mayor had held a whites-only party at a city-owned building, after specifically disinviting all the non-white members of the City Council? Carr wrote. City Councilors Frank Baker and Sharon Durkan, who are both white, said they did not take any offense to Wus holiday party, the Boston Globe reported. Its a really busy season! Durkan said in a statement to the Globe. As a new elected official, Ive been inundated with invites to holiday events. Im not the least bit offended to not be included in this long-standing get together. What is new this season is how many elected officials of color represent our City and State. Lets be clear, thats an amazing thing and I hope attendees had a blast last night. In a post, on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo seemed to make fun of peoples outrage. Never let facts get in the way of some manufactured outrage, Ricardo wrote. Electeds of Color has existed for over a decade and the holiday party is an annual tradition. Wait until someone tells them about the Congressional Black Caucus or MA Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. The horror!! A dispute between a customer and a worker at the Pita Stop on Birminghams Southside ended in deadly gunfire Saturday. The shooting happened just after 12 p.m. at the restaurant in the 1100 block of 12th Street South. The preliminary investigation indicates a customer was unhappy with the food and got into a fight with the restaurant owner. The fight got out of control, and the owner then shot the customer. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said the customer was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The owner has been detained. It is the second deadly shooting in the city in Iess than 12 hours. Just before 3 a.m. Saturday, gunfire in Birminghams popular Lakeview District left one person dead and another injured. That shooting happened just before 3 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of 29th Street. This afternoons victim is Birminghams 130th homicide this year. Of those, one was an officer-involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency and nine others have been ruled justified. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 181 homicides, including the 130 in Birmingham. New claims that Alabama is quietly running a labor-trafficking scheme, using prisoners to farm out for fast food and factory jobs, took Darrell Latham back to his time in state custody, when he once sued for similar claims. Latham served a six-year sentence for theft, spending time in Alabama work release centers. But he felt like something was wrong with the situation in 2003, he said, when he and dozens of other inmates spent hours every day inflating and packaging balls for Wilson Sporting Goods for 25 cents an hour. Latham filed a lawsuit in 2003 on behalf of himself and the other inmates, alleging that the company and prison system exploited prison labor to keep down costs. Now he sees similarities between his time at Decatur Work Release and the current allegations against the Alabama Department of Corrections. Ten inmates, the Union of Southern Service Workers, Service Employees International Union and other labor organizations filed a lawsuit on Tuesday saying state officials have denied parole to Alabama inmates to push more of them into work release programs that benefit fast food restaurants and other industries. Its supposed to be the Department of Corrections, but instead its the Department of Corruption, Latham said. Work release inmates must have jobs that pay at least minimum wage, but the department of corrections classified the deal with Wilson as part of the Alabama Correctional Industries program that pays less than $1 an hour. Usually, inmates assigned to prison industries make items that will be used by state agencies. In this case, they worked for a private company that gained a competitive advantage by using cheap prison labor, Latham said. They just had a bunch of pallets of balls that were uninflated and somebody would air them up and they would go down an assembly line, Latham said. Somebody would put them in boxes. Somebody else would load them up on a pallet and then somebody would wrap them up. Then would send them back to Wilson and Wilson sold them on the open market for regular prices. In depositions, officials from the department of corrections said they believed the program qualified for correctional industries because inmates didnt do any of the manufacturing. The goal of work release programs is to help inmates develop good work habits before release. Unfortunately, a tough labor market in Decatur left few jobs for inmates. The arrangement with Wilson would provide skills and experience, they said. Latham and his attorneys alleged the arrangement amounted to exploitation or even slavery, according to the complaint. They sought back wages for roughly 100 inmates totaling at least $425,000. After he filed his lawsuit, Latham said he suffered retaliation by the Department of Corrections. Officials moved him from Decatur Work Release to Limestone Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison. He said other inmates warned him not to go through with the lawsuit, messages that came from prison leadership. Latham pushed on, but a judge ultimately dismissed the lawsuit. By then, Wilson had pulled its operations out of the Decatur Work Release Center. Their parent company did not like the headlines generated by the lawsuit and so forth, said Andrew Farquhar, then-director of correctional industries, in a deposition, the slave connotations put on it, and they demanded that Wilson, you know, stop using our services until the lawsuit was settled. Tonya East worked in restaurants and fast food as an inmate in the Alabama Department of Corrections and said the fees took the majority of her pay.courtesy Tonya East also told AL.com that the current lawsuit reminded her of her experience. After pleading guilty to drug charges and identity theft, she went to Tutwiler in 2020 and Birmingham Work Release in 2022. While she was in Birmingham, East got a job at a local restaurant that required black pants and special shoes. The center didnt provide it, so East had to ask her family for help. East said the job paid inmates less than free-world workers. The Department of Corrections took 40 percent of her paycheck before taxes and another 25 percent for court fees and restitution. Then on top of that, you pay $5 a day van rides, East said. Out of an $800 paycheck, I would get $150 on my books. A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections said she could not comment on specific cases, but said the work release program helps inmates. The Work Release Programs are instrumental to the success of inmates preparing for release back into the community, the spokesperson said. Easts schedule often kept her out past the last dinner time at the prison, so she would also buy her own meals, she said. At one point, East said she became sick with the stomach flu that caused vomiting and diarrhea. She told prison staff she couldnt work and faced disciplinary backlash, she said. She lost her weekend passes to visit family for refusal to work, East said. He informed that I was a 40 percenter and told me I should have got on that van and gone to the job to have them send me back, East said. Although work release is not mandatory for inmates, East said there are incentives for inmates who get outside jobs. Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women, which houses the maximum-security inmates, has no air conditioning, she said, but Birmingham Work Release does. However, she said she experienced parole denial while working at the facility. Her victim, who was her sister, supported her 2022 bid for parole, but the parole board denied her application and she stayed on work release for another year and a half. The way theyre treating the inmates, its wrong, East said. Why are you taking 40 percent of our paycheck? What are you doing with it? I can understand the 25 percent because its going to our courts and our fines. But why take the 40 percent? Who is benefitting? A Florida prosecutor is using a new state law to seek the death penalty for a man charged with sexually abusing a child on video. It marks the first time Florida prosecutors will seek capital punishment for a charge other than murder in modern times, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Joseph Andrew Giampa, who was arrested in November, is charged with six counts of sexual battery of a person under twelve years of age, and three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, said a press release from the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office. Giampa, 36, a resident of Leesburg, a city in Lake County about 45 miles northwest of Orlando, was allegedly depicted on video sexually abusing a young boy. Given the severity of the crime and its impact on the community, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty pursuant to Florida Statutes, said the offices news release Thursday. U.S. Supreme Court rulings bar the death penalty for sexual assault and other non-homicide crimes. A 2008 case, Kennedy v. Louisiana, said the death penalty in such cases violates the Eighth Amendment provision against cruel and unusual punishment. When the law punishes by death, it risks its own sudden descent into brutality, transgressing the constitutional commitment to decency and restraint, the majority justices ruled in that case. DeSantis has called the Kennedy decision, approved by a 5-3 court, an egregious infringement of the states power, and has also said he believes the current Supreme Court will uphold Floridas law. Giampas trial will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty, DeSantis said in a statement on Facebook. The States Attorney has my full support. Before Kennedy vs. Louisiana, six states allowed death sentences for rape, including Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Louisiana, Montana and Georgia. 2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Updated Dec. 19, 2013 to remove financial figures that could not be verified by AL.com. After Alabama Sen. Tommy Tubervilles bought Tesla stock put options the value of the stock rebounded, which likely cost him money, according to various business news websites. Shares of electric vehicle maker Tesla rebounded from a low of $194.07 on Oct. 31 up to $253.50 on Friday, according to public stock quotes. A put option is basically a bet a stock price will decrease. The technique is used to minimize the risk of losing more than a certain amount on a particular stock. A recent stock trade report from Sen. Tommy Tuberville. (Senate finance disclosures)US Senate In November, AL.coms William Thornton reported Tuberville bought three lots of Tesla put options and sold all of the Tesla shares he held on October 17. Tesla stock had been on a downturn since the company reported third quarter results October 18. Tuberville put options each amounted to $1,001-$15,000, with a strike price of $190 and an expiration date of Dec. 15, 2023. On Nov. 16, after seeing news of Tubervilles put option, Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, posted on X/Twitter, the social media platform Musk owns, Theyre gluttons for punishment. Tuberville has in the past said he has long had financial advisors who actively manage his portfolio without his day-to-day involvement. Tubervilles stock trades have prompted some questions. The senator in 2022 called a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks ridiculous, saying it would discourage some people from serving in Congress. The day after Novillee Williams criticized the mayor and argued with a city employee at a council meeting in Tarrant, police showed up at her door with arrest warrants. An officer arrested 79-year-old Williams last week on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment, taking her to the city jail in the town of 6,000 people just northeast of Birmingham. There are some rules for some and then there are rules for others, said Tarrant Councilwoman Veronica Bandy Freeman. I can only go by my experience. When a certain person gets attacked, it is a problem. They went overboard in doing that to Ms. Williams. I am going to fight for her. During the most recent city council meeting on Dec. 4, Williams spoke from her seat in the audience, assailing Mayor Wayman Newton as a corrupt leader. Video on the citys Facebook page shows Williams arguing with Shayla Myricks, a city accountant. Williams pushed Myricks hand away and told the accountant to turn around honey, the video shows. Myricks filed misdemeanor charges against Williams, according to the police report, which alleges that the 79-year-old Tarrant resident did engage in fighting and threatening behavior in a public place. Freeman said arresting Williams was an overreaction, one that she suspects was politically motivated. Tarrant is bitterly divided politically as the mayor and council in the north Jefferson County town spar on the dais and in the courtroom over issues ranging from the budget to who gets to work for the town. Williams is a regular presence at city council meetings where she frequently castigates Mayor Wayman Newton and chastises the council to hold him accountable. Councilwoman Freeman sobbed after learning about Williams arrest. Thats a pity and a shame, Freeman said. And I feel so bad. That could be somebodys grandmama, great grandmama. Freeman, who frequently clashes with the mayor, said council meetings are often raucous. But those exchanges do not rise to the level of breaking any laws, she said. Newton told AL.com that he had nothing to do with the interaction nor the arrest. But you cant go putting your hands on people, he said. I wasnt there, and she was arrested when she put her hands on the city accountant. It was the city accountant who wanted to press charges against her. I didnt even know that it had happened until people started calling me. Tarrant resident Novillee Williams was arrested a day after an exchange with a city employee at the city council meeting.joseph D. Bryant During the meeting on Dec. 4, Williams blasted the mayor in her comments about the ongoing legal battle between the mayor and Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major. Newton suspended Major on Nov. 11, but the council reinstated the chief during their meeting on Nov. 20. The mayor sued in state court, asking a judge to block the council from reversing his decision to suspend the mayor. I believe the mayor is being corrupt, Williams told the council. I believe the mayor needs to be charged for something. Somethings got to be done with this man. Sitting in front of Williams in the audience, Myricks turned around to speak in defense of the mayor. Turn around honey, Williams shot back. If we cant beat him one way well beat him at the ballot box, Williams added. Newton was not in the meeting room during the exchange, as he normally leaves during the public comment period. When Myricks again turned in her seat to face Williams, the video shows, Williams touched the accountants arm and told her to turn around. Dont put your hands on me, Myricks said. Honey, go on, Williams responded. Im a citizen of Tarrant, lady, and I have a right to speak, even though you are in the mayors corner, I can see that. Im not talking to you. Im talking to the city council. Williams briefly stood up from her seat after the exchange, with her hands on her hips. The argument lasted only about three minutes in the final moments of the council meeting during public comment. A few minutes later, the city video shows a Tarrant police officer approach Williams, asking for her drivers license. Williams was arrested the next day, according to documents obtained by AL.com. Documents show Myricks pressed charges against Williams for harassment and disorderly conduct. The police report says Williams did, without lawful authority, direct Myricks to turn around and did shove Myricks, by making physical contact, in an attempt to force her to do so. AL.com efforts to reach Myricks for comment by phone and email were unsuccessful. When contacted by AL.com about the incident, Williams declined to elaborate on her case but said she has an attorney. Everything is well, and I dont have a grudge against Wayman and that young lady, Williams told AL.com after her arrest. I pray for them. Williams appearance at city hall was the latest in a series of animated comments where she showed her ire toward the mayor. During a meeting on Nov. 20, Williams took to the podium to directly address Newton, accusing him of creating a conspiracy to get rid of the police chief over a grudge. A year ago, Tommy Bryant, a Tarrant councilman, punched the mayor outside city hall. Police arrested Bryant, but he was acquitted at trial because a judge determined the mayor had used fighting words when making sexually explicit insults about the councilmans wife. The mayor and council also remain entangled in another legal battle over the hiring of a city manager. The mayor sued, alleging the council does not have the authority to hire a manager to take over many of his duties. Mayor, I ask God to have mercy on your soul, said Williams during the Nov. 21 council meeting. Im sick and tired of people asking Whats wrong with your mayor? Its embarrassing. Gods going to punish you. The Woods County Economic Development Committee (WCEDC) held their quarterly meeting Wednesday noon at Northwest Technology. Chairman Jeremy Eaton opened the meeting with members Dr. Kay Decker, Cale Leeper and Susan Bradford present. Absent were Bo Hannaford, Jack Staats and the recently appointed David Hamil, After Randy McMurphys term expired, Hamil was appointed to that position. Committee members voted to approve his appointment Wednesday. Hamil was unable to attend due to another commitment. Recap of Donor Appreciation Dinner The minutes of the September special meeting were approved. WCEDC Executive Director Jeremy Zeller presented the financial report. He said he had $14,550 to be deposited from pledges received. The pledge drive is going well with a couple of increases. The report was approved. The group discussed the Donor Appreciation Dinner held in early October. The attendance was good considering the Northwestern Foundation alumni dinner was held the same night. A lot of people enjoyed hearing speaker Kenneth Corn from the Oklahoma USDA. Zeller suggested instead of a dinner next year, they hold a less formal meeting with heavy hors doeuvres and perhaps give someone from Americas Oasis the opportunity to speak. Decker recommended the date of the event be moved to September or the first week of October for fewer date conflicts. Overall, everyone heard a lot of positive comments from the people who attended. New Officers New officers were elected for 2024. Zeller said current officers were Eaton as chairman, McMurphy as vice-chair and Decker as secretary-treasurer. Obviously, a new vice-chair was needed. Decker said there wasnt much responsibility involved except occasionally signing checks. She asked Bradford about the position, but Bradford was concerned living in Waynoka would cause check-signing difficulty. It was pointed out they could elect someone who wasnt present. Decker made a motion to elect Staats as vice-chair, seconded by Leeper, and the motion was approved. Then Leeper made a motion to retain Eaton and Decker in their current positions, seconded by Bradford. That motion also carried. 2024 Lt. Governors Turkey Hunt Zeller encouraged committee members to think about whom to invite to the Lt. Governors Turkey Hunt. He has already issued several invitations. Decker said they should invite a decision maker from TSET to the hunt. Were not getting our fair share of TSET money in northwest Oklahoma, she said. Shes disappointed that the City of Alva grant application for the swimming pool project was denied. Decker said they try to highlight the area with swag bags for the hunt. She encouraged the members to think of items made in their area. Bradford suggested beef sticks from Redgates might be appropriate, and Zeller said they would be very popular. About 60 to 70 swag bags are distributed to hunt participants. Decker commented, Its a great way for makers to show off their product to a larger audience. Zeller said the hunt is tentatively scheduled for April 17-19 but not confirmed yet. Decker also said they need to identify landowners in the county who will allow hunters on their land. She asked Bradford from Waynoka and Leeper from Dacoma to help identify possible locations in their areas of the county. Zeller said they definitely want to include a tour of the sand dunes and Americas Oasis in the hunt. Those planning for the event will meet on Jan. 3. Decker said they need to get some younger leaders involved in the event. Zeller said, I think we do it right referring to the Woods County turkey hunt. He said some of the Lt. Governors turkey hunts are alcohol heavy and some are just hunts. Woods County offers tours and other activities. Decker added, I think we have a good balance. Bank Signatures Zeller said with McMurphy off the committee, currently the WCEDC account at Alva State Bank has only two valid signatures. Usually the three officers are designated, but Zeller suggested having all committee members approved to sign checks. Sometimes its difficult to find the required two signatures. Leeper said hed be willing to be added. With the addition of Staats as an officer, that would be four people able to sign checks. The committee approved Eaton, Staats, Decker and Leeper as signatories. Other Discussion Zeller gave a brief report from the Woods County Industrial Development Authority meeting held earlier that morning. He also expanded on his process of contacting those pledging money to the WCEDC and how he follows up. As reported in the Friday Alva Review-Courier coverage of the WCIDA meeting, Zeller has been working on the film-friendly project for the county. He said hed already taken location photos in Freedom and learned how to submit them for addition to the state film website. They love old buildings, especially vacant ones, he said. He said almost anything can be added as long as the property owner gives permission. There should be no cars or people in the photos. Owners can restrict how their property is used such as limiting filmmakers to the outside of the building. Those with questions or ideas for locations may contact Zeller at his office at Northwest Technology Center in Alva or check the website of okfilmmusic.org. To submit photos to the website, Zeller said to choose film from the menu, then industry directory, then locations director, then share your Oklahoma location. Zeller said having a film crew come to your area has a financial impact through increased sales tax. Building owners may be paid for the use of their location. There are also needs for food and local crew members as well as needs for entertaining the film crew. In some cases, the location can become a travel destination for fans, he said, citing the recent Flowers of the Killer Moon film impact. Decker said in January archeological work will be continuing at the site of the Battle of Turkey Springs to the west and north of Alva. They are working to locate artifacts from the Northern Cheyenne and the cavalry that remain from the 1878 battle. While the date is known, the location has not been validated. They found a dated shell casing under a layer of dirt, she said. Decker said others have found artifacts but when those are picked up and removed without proper dating and recording, they cant be validated. One of the most frustrating things about Bill Maher is that he often gets things right. And the reason that this is frustrating is because you know that, no matter how often he figures things out, hell still vote Democrat and urge his viewers to do the same. However, that failing shouldnt blind us to his virtues, and he showed his virtues very loudly and strongly when he told Gazastanians and West Bankians to accept reality and, like all other people in the history of the world, to build a strong society right where they are. The Israelis, he said, arent going anywhere. Given that Maher plays to a leftist crowd, as you watch this video, you may find as fascinating as I did the fact that he got a lot of applause and not a single boo: You probably noted that Maher gets a few details wrong in his monologue, but the main point he makes is a powerful one: The people in Gaza and the West Bank are the only people in the modern world who have remained permanent refugees. What Maher didnt (couldnt? wouldnt?) do was articulate why the Gazastanians and West Bankians are different from all other refugees. There are two primary answers to that. The first is the nature of Islam. Muslims never forgive and never forget. They are still mad at Spain for the Reconquista and have never given up on their push to take over Europe, something stopped at the Gates of Vienna in 1683. Islams prophet was a warlord, and conquest is central to the faith. The Islamic dream is and always has been a global caliphate, with the world submitting to its Muslim overlords, whether through conversion or taxes and slavery. The second answer is the UN. In 1948, the United Nations founded the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Like all bureaucracies, it is the nearest thing to immortality in the modern world. As long as refugees remain, UNRWA staffers keep their sinecures. If the people in Gaza and the West Bank admit that those regions (along with Jordan) are their homes and stop demanding a refugees right of return, UNRWA ceases to have a purpose and, in theory, loses all funding. Therefore, UNRWAs employees can and will do anything possible to stoke grievances. Image by AI. Last week, Hunter Biden blatantly refused to appear before Congress to testify despite having been properly served with a subpoena. It then emerged that Eric Swalwell, who was present for the presser, arranged the entire, well-attended event. According to law professor Jonathan Turley, Swalwells conduct meets Swalwells own definition of an insurrection. Thus, by the Democrats new rules since January 6, 2021, he needs to experience serious consequences. As a predicate to Turleys argument, it needs to be made very clear that Swalwell was an active participant in Hunter Bidens open refusal to honor the subpoena: It seems Rep. Eric Swalwell reserved the spot for Hunter Bidens press conference today pic.twitter.com/547Ku0oOKC Ashley Oliver (@asholiver) December 13, 2023 A congressional hearing, of course, is an official proceeding in Congress. In addition, ignoring a subpoena constitutes contempt of Congress. Bidens DOJ successfully prosecuted Steve Bannon for doing so. Image: Swalwell at the Biden presser. YouTube screen grab. It also needs to be made clear that Swalwell was among the people most loudly proclaiming that what happened on January 6 was an insurrection insofar as it interfered with an official proceeding in Congress and that anyone who engaged in this type of insurrection or who aided and abetted someone else in doing so, must be punished. Turley details Swalwells stance: Of course, Swalwell has argued for the rounding up of anyone who aided and abetted the unlawful conduct during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Indeed, in 2021 Swalwell sponsored a resolution exploring whether dozens of Republican colleagues could be expelled under the 14th Amendment for aiding and abetting an insurrection by making unsubstantiated claims of systematic election and voter fraud. Swalwell justified Hunters refusal to honor the subpoena, as opposed to appearing but pleading the Fifth, by claiming that a closed-door proceeding was outrageous. Of course, the J6 Kangaroo Committee conducted all its discovery behind closed doors. And as Turley points out, Swalwell himself was a participant in other closed-door proceedings: It was also how Swalwell and his colleagues handled the investigation of the Ukrainian telephone call by Trump. Indeed, Swalwell participated in closed depositions and then gave interviews after they were held in private. After explaining why both the closed-door proceedings and the subpoena are legitimate as to Hunter, Turley gets down to the nitty-gritty of why Swalwell needs to be hoist by his own petard: Recently, the House censored Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) for pulling a fire alarm before a major vote. Here Swalwell played a key role in obstructing a major House investigation. Where Bowmans offense was treated as a misdemeanor, Hunters offense is a felony. Swalwell did not simply facilitate a crime, he went out of his way to associate himself with it. Swalwell surely knew that he was helping Hunter in defying a subpoena and obstructing the investigation into Joe Biden. He not only helped set up the press conference but made sure that he was in the camera frame behind Hunter for every network audience. He presumably utilized congressional staff to assist in this effort. In taking these actions, Swalwell encouraged and facilitated the contempt of Congress. While his conduct may not warrant a criminal charge, it certainly warrants action from the House. Game theory says that, when your opponent changes the rules, your best recourse is to use his own rules against him with such ferocity that he cries uncle. Sadly, our quisling, Vichy, weak-kneed, Uniparty GOPers lack the intestinal fortitude and the moral compass to do this. A few conservative stalwarts are already going through the motions, but it wont matter. With only a one-person majority in the Housethanks to Kevin McCarthy gathering up his marbles and leaving in a fit of John McCain-esque pique because his feelings were hurttheres no way Swalwell will face repercussions for his aiding and abetting Hunters contemptuous act of insurrection. Andalusia Labs (formerly known as RiskHarbor), a global leader in risk management infrastructure for digital assets, has successfully raised $48 million in Series A funding round, thus positioning the companys equity valuation north of $1 billion. Prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round with participation from Mubadala Capital, the asset management subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company and existing investors Pantera Capital, Framework Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Digital Currency Group. Other existing investors include industry giant Coinbase, Proof Group, Nima Capital, Naval Ravikant, and founders, general partners, and executives from leading global organizations. In conjunction with the round, Andalusia Labs announced the establishment of its global headquarters in Abu Dhabis Financial Center, Abu Dhabi Global Markets. Founded by Raouf Ben-Har and Drew Patel, Andalusia Labs is a collection of leading technology solutions addressing the security challenges prevalent in the blockchain industry including Karak, a revolutionary risk management infrastructure for digital assets; Subsea, a pioneering risk management marketplace for digital assets; and Watchtower, an institutional security platform for digital assets. For the company, this strategic move underscores its commitment to expanding its global footprint and highlights Abu Dhabi as a leading financial hub for digital assets that nurtures growth and fosters innovation through its progressive regulatory structure, unique connectivity to eastern and western markets, and being home to some of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds providing strong access to institutional capital. "Andalusia Labs is addressing one of the most significant challenges in the blockchain industry today," said Ravi Mhatre, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. "Financial institutions and blockchain companies grapple with the absence of robust risk management technologies to safeguard their assets. Raouf, Drew, and their team are the first to fill this gap by delivering mission-critical risk management infrastructure that not only paves the way for wider institutional adoption by an order of magnitude, but also empowers developers to create novel applications that are inherently safe and secure from day one." "Lightspeed is excited to partner with them as they aim to bring their infrastructure to every institution, developer, and consumer in the industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Leon Vlieger in The Inquisitive Biologist: The road to hell might be paved with good intentions, but the roads to pretty much everywhere else are paved with the corpses of animals. In Crossings, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb explores the outsized yet underappreciated impacts of the, by one estimate, 65 million kilometres of roads that hold the planet in a paved stranglehold. These extend beyond roadkill to numerous other insidious biological effects. The relatively young discipline of road ecology tries to gauge and mitigate them and sees biologists join forces with engineers and roadbuilders. This is a wide-ranging and eye-opening survey of the situation in the USA and various other countries. More here. Fortunately for us, the world is binary. Truth value is binary. Of the four kinds of sentences in the English languagedeclarative, exclamatory, imperative, and interrogatoryonly one, the declarative, has a truth value, and that truth value is always either true or false. Existence itself is binary. Every entity that can be conceived either exists or not. Computer science, too, is binary. Computer science depends upon the fact that electrical circuits are either closed or open. And, of course, human sexuality is binary. Each human being is either male or female. Moreover, every cell in the human body is either male or female. Regarding human sexualitys binary nature, Psychiatrist Miriam Grossman, M.D., writes in Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrists Guide Out of the Madness, Each of the 70 trillion cells making up (the human body) is stamped XX-female or XY-male, (p 224.) Ergo, surgery cannot change a persons sex. Working with that core fact, lets take the logic a bit further. In law, a tort is a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm. Fraud, a form of tort, is an intentional misrepresentation or concealment of an important fact upon which the victim is meant to rely, and in fact does rely, to the harm of the victim. The essence of fraud is intentional deceit. Deceit, in turn, comes in two flavors: misrepresentation and concealment. Imagine the case of twelve-year-old Susie, who, with encouragement from her teacher, wants to be a boy. After Susie starts cutting herself and is clearly and unquestionably deeply unhappy, even to the point of suicide attempts, her parents, at their wits end, take Susie to a psychiatrist. He tries valiantly to deal with Susie but eventually refers Susie to a surgeon, along with offering the parents a stark choice: Do you want a dead daughter or a live son? Image by AI, using a beard png. The top and bottom surgery is expensive and requires informed consent from both Susie and her parents (a hollow act because Susie cannot legally give consent, so her sign-off is meaningless). To obtain this consent, the surgeon gently describes the top and bottom surgery and its pros and cons. Does the surgeon ever tell Susie or her parents that the surgery will make her a boy? Probably not in so many words. Do the parents or Susie ever directly ask, Will this surgery make Susie a boy? Maybe, but if they do, the answer they receive will be equivocal yet tinctured with sufficient assurance to keep alive their spark of hope that this surgery will make Susie a boy, ending this episode of excruciating agony. With this kind of equivocating, its most likely neither Susie nor her parents could later be able to testify in court that the doctor explicitly stated, Susie, we are going to make you into a boy! However, the Cleveland Clinic website comes astonishingly close to that, stating, Gender affirmation surgery refers to procedures that help people transition to their self-identified gender. They say this knowing that most people dont distinguish between sex and genderwhich is reasonable given that the words historically have been understood to mean the same thing. Again, this mush language cleverly moves the parents hands toward the bottom of the consent form while maintaining plausible deniability. After Susie has been put to the horror of top and bottom surgery, only to realize that, cosmetic surgery notwithstanding, shes still a girl, her parents may be inclined to sue the surgeon for fraud. Imagine now that the case goes to trial, and the plaintiffs first witness is the doctor. Susies Attorney: Doctor, before the top/bottom surgery, was Susie a boy or a girl? Surgeon: She was a girl. Susies Attorney: Post-surgery, is she a boy or a girl? Surgeon: She is a girl. Susies Attorney: Doctor, did you ever tell Susie and her parents that, after the surgery, she would be a boy? Surgeon: Certainly not. Susies Attorney: Did you ever tell Susie that, after the surgery, she would still be a girl? Surgeon: Well, perhaps not in so many words. After excusing the surgeon, the attorney then calls Susie to the stand as the next witness: Susies Attorney: Susie, did the doctor ever tell you that, after the surgery, you would still be a girl? Susie: No. So, there we have it. Unless the jurors are in DC or San Francisco, they know that Susie and her parents hoped the surgery would change her sex, that the doctor knew thats what they hoped, and that the doctor knew it was impossible but did not tell them so. He concealed from them the key central fact that suffuses the entire episode, a concealment that constitutes fraud. Leading credulous families to believe that their emotionally fragile child can become something other than his or her biological sex through surgery is fraud and should be treated as such in courtrooms across America. Fiat Justitia! (Let Justice Be Done) It would seem like a no-brainer that the West Bank of Israel, which is Palestinian-controlled, would celebrate Christmas. After all, the little town of Bethlehem sits squarely within it. News accounts, however, said they weren't, and it was for the first time ever. According to the leftist website Middle Eastern Eye: This year, there will be no Christmas lights in Bethlehem, no festive parades in Jerusalem or elaborate decorations in Israel. In Gaza, Palestinians are mourning the loss of over 17,000 killed in Israeli bombings. Bodies are being pulled out from under the rubble, while people continue to search for their missing loved ones amidst wide-scale destruction. The war, which started on 7 October, has come at a time when Christians would usually be preparing for the festive season. However, for the first time since the start of modern celebrations of Christmas, Jesus's birthplace and the Manger Square tree in Bethlehem will not be decorated. Which is sad, and mainly for religious reasons. Surely, the people running Palestines, mostly Muslims, of course, and the Christians who celebrate the holiday could keep it all reverently joyful and focused on the event celebrated. But cancelling to make a political point was easier, and for the fanatics siding with Hamas, obviously something they like. Either cheer the terrorists, or no holiday for you. Now via Twitter map maven Simon Kuestermacher (this fellow likes to collect and share maps), we see what exactly that means on a global map: Image: Office Holidays // screen shot of shareable map It puts into perspective just how draconian this prohibition on Christmas really is. What do we see here? A red zone where nobody's surprised Christmas isn't celebrated, generally -- some are genuinely nasty places, such as China and Iran and Libya and Somalia and Afghanistan. Others are genuinely connected with their own religions such as Thailand and Laos, which practice Buddhism. But there's also a lone red spot showing that the West Bank doesn't celebrate Christmas, but most of the surrounding areas do, even if they have only small Christian minorities. Iraq gets Christmas, Syria gets Christmas. Wow. Officially Israel doesn't, but they certainly don't interfere with Christians celebrating Christmas in that country -- they are, after all, the Jewish state. Others, including countries with very low Christian head counts, often Muslim-majority countries, still get Christmas. Muslim-majority Indonesia gets Christmas, Muslim-majority Malaysia gets Christmas, Muslim Pakistan gets Christmas. Buddhist Burma and Buddhist Nepal get Christmas, India gets Christmas. A few of the countries on the map, such as Turkey, celebrate Christmas by custom on January 1. A few others celebrate it unofficially in a big way, as Japan and Taiwan do. But somehow, the West Bank has put itself in the red zone, joining Afghanistan and Iran, going for the Christmas-free look during the holiday, going mullah-style or Taliban about it. What a sad and wretched picture that is. Nobody in their geographical neighborhood shares that prohibition. They choose darkness when everyone else has light. Image: Office Holidays, shareable map screen shot Leftists, like all totalitarian revolutionaries, view their moment in the sun as Year One. Everything else that came before is relevant only to the extent it can be bent to the will of the new state. In this, they are starkly different from Americas Founders, who considered history the best guide to shaping a governing system that would constrain mens worst instincts and channel their best ones. Nowhere is this ignorance more clear than in the lefts approach to slavery, with Toronto, Canada, as the latest example. A centerpiece of the lefts attack on Western culture is that Westerners were enslavers, a sin so grave that it erases every benefit theyve brought to mankind. This line of thinking is used most effectively against America because America held onto slavery longer than England and other nations in its Commonwealth. (Leftists ignore all the other countries that engaged in the African slave trade, including their indulging in the most ferocious cruelty.) This narrative, of course, ignores three core facts: One. Slavery has existed throughout human history and appeared in all societies, regardless of skin color. Two. Slavery ended only because white Westerners realized that, although the Bible acknowledges the slavery that existed when it was written, it states moral principles that are incompatible with slavery. Three. The African slave trade worked only because Africans enthusiastically participated in it. Westerners never penetrated into Africas center. Instead, the slaves they shipped overseas arrived at the trading ports because African tribesman delivered their captive enemies to those ports. Without African complicity, there would have been no slave trade. Image: The slave trade in Africa in 1893, long after Westerners had bowed out. Public domain. For leftists, though, with their narrow fund of knowledge, those three facts do not exist. The only thing that exists is that white men from the Anglosphere traded in and owned slaves. (Mind you, Im not condoning these mens acts. But they were creatures of their time, living by the only rules known to them. And again, they were not alone.) With that leftist mindset, the step you take to consolidate your culture and political power is to purify your world by ridding itself of all mentions of those evil white slavers. For example, if youre a Democrat administration in America, you destroy a historical sculpture in the Arlington National Cemetery that was created by an ardent abolitionist to bind the nations wounds after the Civil War. Or you could do what they did in Toronto, which is remove the existing name of a world-famous location to erase all mention of someone allegedly connected to the slave trade. And then, because youre an ignorant leftist, you rename it in honor of a distant African tribe that was renowned for providing captive Africans for sale to the West: Toronto city council voted unanimously on Thursday to change the name of Torontos world famous Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square to distance it from Henry Dundas purported connection to the transatlantic slave trade. The word used by the City of Toronto, True North has learned, originated from a tribe known for its role in the slave trade. While Dundas was, in fact, an abolitionist, the Akan people of Ghana, from whom the word sankofa comes, were active participants in the slave trade and imported slaves to develop their own economy. Ronald Reagan famously said, The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that theyre ignorant; its just that they know so much that isnt so. Or, as the old saying goes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. In this case, it creates dangerously ignorant people who erase the culture that abolished slavery and enthusiastically replace it with the culture that fed slavery its slaves. Brian Cox has revealed he turned down an offer to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: I dont know if I want to go down that road. The 77-year-old Scottish actor, known for playing Logan Roy in the hit TV drama Succession, said he is too old to be a contestant on the dancing competition. Appearing on BBC One programme Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, the Emmy award-winning actor spoke about the show and said: Ive actually been asked to be on it. The 77-year-old Scottish actor, known for playing Logan Roy in the hit TV drama Succession, said he is too old to be a contestant on the dancing competition (PA) Asked if he said yes to an appearance, he responded: No, I declined. Well I mean, I like dancing, dont get me wrong I dont know why but I just, I always see that theres a sort of joke element in it. You know, theres almost a character thats going to be getting the elbow and I just thought, I dont know if I want to go down that road. Asked if he could be persuaded, he said: Im getting too old for it anyway. The grand final of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 was on Saturday night, with the glitterball trophy awarded to soap star Ellie Leach and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola. Journalist Kuenssberg discussed the competition with Cox and the programmes other guest panellists, Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid and former cabinet minister Robert Buckland. Cox, broadcaster Susanna Reid and former cabinet minister Robert Buckland (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) Reid, 53, was a celebrity contestant on the show in 2013 and made it to the final, where she competed against Coronation Streets Natalie Gumede and model Abbey Clancy, who won the show. Speaking about this years final she said: Huge congratulations to the winners. She added: Its the most magical, sparkling, fantastic experience to be involved in. It is not real life. So I have to say, any of those contestants who wake up this morning, they will come back down to earth with a bump because its like a completely different planet where you breathe air which is sequin encrusted. The countdown to the next general election has reached a symbolic moment, with exactly a year to go until the current session of Parliament must end. December 17 2024 is the latest possible date by law for proceedings in Westminster to finish, ahead of the country going to the polls. If a general election has not already been called by this date, Parliament will be dissolved automatically and an election must take place within 25 working days. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and the Scottish Bank Holiday on January 2 are not counted when calculating the 25 days. This means the latest possible date for the next general election is Tuesday January 28 2025 although because the convention in the UK is for elections to take place on a Thursday, polling day would likely be January 23 2025. The dissolution date is fixed as December 17 2024 because this is five years since Parliament first met following the most recent general election in 2019. (PA Graphics) However, the Government can choose to call an election before this date. To do this, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak needs to ask permission from the King to dissolve Parliament ahead of schedule. Details of when the next general election must take place are set out in the Dissolution & Calling of Parliament Act 2022. If Mr Sunak chooses to stick with the timetable specified by the Act, with polling day in late January 2025, the election campaign will run right through Christmas 2024 a prospect many candidates would probably not welcome, let alone voters. The Prime Minister is perhaps more likely to exercise his right to choose the date and call an election before the clock runs out, with polling day possibly in late autumn. Under this scenario, Mr Sunak could use the next Conservative party conference, which would typically take place in late September or early October 2024, as a chance to launch his election campaign, with polling day set for late October or early November. This would also give him a chance to reach his second anniversary of becoming prime minister, which falls on October 25 2024. But if he decides to go to the polls even earlier in the year, an alternative date could be Thursday May 2, to coincide with local and mayoral elections in England. (PA Graphics) Another possibility is early June, a month or so after the local elections a pattern preferred by former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher in 1983 and 1987. Were polling day to take place in January 2025, it would mean the biggest interval between UK general elections since the Second World War. The longest period is currently five years and 22 days, between the 1992 and 1997 general elections. An election on either January 23 or January 28 2025 would beat this record, with a period since the 2019 general election of five years and 42 days or five years and 47 days respectively. Scotlands Deputy First Minister has said next weeks Budget will reaffirm the social contract by targeting money to protect people and public services. Shona Robison, who also serves as the countrys Finance Secretary, will lay out her Governments tax and spending plans on Tuesday in Holyrood. Set against the backdrop of a 1.5 billion black hole in the countrys finances, reports this week have suggested Ms Robison could introduce another tax bracket to raise funds. In a statement released on Sunday, Ms Robison did not detail any specifics of the plans and instead stressed the Budget will focus on people and public services, while also laying the blame for the tight economic situation firmly at the feet of the UK Government. In the face of a deeply challenging financial situation, this Budget will reaffirm our social contract with the people of Scotland, she said. The autumn statement was devastating for Scottish finances. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has acknowledged that it will lead to planned real-terms cuts in public service spending. Scotland is facing a 9.8% cut to our capital budget for infrastructure between this year and 2027-28. The 10.8 million additional health consequentials we received from the autumn statement for next year are enough to run NHS Scotland for just five hours, and UK Government funding for justice, housing and communities, net zero, energy, and environment are all being cut in real-terms. All this comes on top of more than a decade of UK Government under-investment that has left our public services with very little resilience. We refuse to follow UK Government spending decisions indeed, we are doing all we can to mitigate them. We are proud that Scotland has a social contract which ensures people are protected by a safety net should they fall on hard times. This contract underpins this Budget, with targeted funding to protect people and public services. We are unashamedly targeting resources at those most in need to support them through the cost-of-living crisis. UK Government real-terms cuts to spending on public services are resulting in a real-terms cut to Scotland's budget. When the UK Government spends less in England, Scotland receives less money through the Barnett formula. The 2024-25 #ScotBudget will be published on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/DNgDorhoxK Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 14, 2023 We are providing funding to deliver the services that people rely on most, along with a 10-year programme of public service reform. We are using all the powers we have to create a thriving economy, while providing funding to achieve our ambitious net zero targets. The Scottish Conservatives have called for a focus on economic growth in the Budget, as well as the scrapping of the planned national care service which could cost up to 2.2 billion according to a Scottish Government estimate saving 126 million next year, and cutting the civil service workforce to 2016 levels, which the Tories estimate would save 411 million. The Tories also urged the Government to cut its external affairs budget, increase the number of police officers by 1,000 at a cost of 53.1 million, bring back 75% business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector mirroring a UK Government policy worth 232 million, and freeze rates for every other firm at a price of 165.8 million. The partys finance spokeswoman Liz Smith said: Already the nationalists are dusting down their usual its Westminsters fault playbook, but that wont wash. The SNP Government, which has received the biggest block grant ever, is responsible for the huge black hole in Scotlands finances, due to its mismanagement of the Scottish economy over many years and its uncosted public sector pay deals and council tax freeze. The measures I am proposing will put economic growth as the top priority and provide much better support for local government two things that the SNP have neglected throughout their time in office, and which are also major contributors to that black hole. The final of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 was watched by an average of 8.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings. On Saturday evening, Ellie Leach and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola were handed the glitterball trophy after beating Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell. Average ratings have fallen since last year, when the shows final drew in 9.2 million viewers. Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola (Guy Levy/BBC/PA) The peak viewings were the same, however, with the 2022 and 2023 final both drawing in a ratings peak of 9.7 million views. In 2021, the series final peaked with 12.3 million and saw Rose Ayling-Ellis make history as the first deaf person to win, alongside her dance partner Giovanni Pernice. Soap star Leach, 22, became Strictlys youngest winner when the 2023 results were announced on Saturday evening. She said: Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now and I cannot believe we have just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023. Its been a life-changing opportunity and Ive had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week. It has been so special and to be able to do it with such a great teacher has made it an experience I will never forget. Thank you so much for that, Vito, and thank you for finding the dancer in me. We couldnt have won without the voting public, so a huge thank you to everyone at home who picked up the phone for us, we appreciate every single one of you! Finally, a big congratulations to all the finalists and all the 2023 cast, who are incredible and came alongside this journey with me. The couples performed three dances on Saturday and Leach and Coppolas first performance was their dramatic paso doble to Insomnia by 2WEI, chosen for them by the judges. Head judge Shirley Ballas told Leach: You, my dear, are the only lady standing and let me tell you, you came down those stairs, you worked that dress, the whole ensemble was spot on. I have to say, that was a woman in control. For their show dance, the couple performed a Jennifer Lopez megamix and Leach was praised for taking a risk with a lift she was unable to execute. Revel Horwood told Leach: Its a terrible shame with the last lift because really that whole dance routine was just flawless up until that moment. Their third and final dance, which they had chosen from their back catalogue of performances, was the American smooth to the song Aint That A Kick In The Head in the style of Robbie Williams. After the dance, Du Beke said he was getting emotional before telling the soap star he was proud of her. A man was shot and killed by police in downtown Austin late Saturday night after trying to enter a bar with a gun. At a press conference on Sunday morning, Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said police were called about the incident around 11:50 p.m. on Saturday. When they arrived a bar employee pointed out the armed man, who had illegally entered the bar with a firearm. Police then approached the suspect, who pulled out his firearm and pointed it in the direction of the officers and bar patrons, Henderson said. Three police officers then fired at the suspect. Multiple attacks: Suspect killed 6, including his parents, in separate Texas attacks, authorities say The suspect sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead. According to Interim Chief Henderson, three people were taken to the hospital with injuries. One sustained critical injuries, and the other two sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The officers involved in the shooting have 9, 11 and 13 years of service with the police department and will be placed on administrative duty, per department protocol. This is a developing story.Check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man who who entered an Austin bar with a gun fatally shot by police Congress often heads home at the end of the year with a long to-do list left undone. But as Washington begins to empty out this week, Congress is set to leave a remarkably long menu of business world items on the table. The House of Representatives is unlikely to return until 2024, while the Senate is set to return next week to search for compromise around border policy. On issue after issue from Big Tech to energy to cannabis and more priorities of the business world that commanded bipartisan support at the start of the year became engulfed by Washingtons infighting over spending levels and two House speakers. While the clashes did succeed in averting the economic damage of a debt ceiling default and government shutdown, there was little in the way of new economic priorities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at a Menorah lighting to celebrate Hanukkah at the US Capitol on Dec. 12. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images) Overpromising and underdelivering from Congress is far from a new phenomenon but was on overdrive this year, especially on key business issues. As of Friday just 22 bills in total have been signed into law so far this year, according to the website GovTrack, a dramatic drop from 2021 and 2022. There were 365 new laws enacted over that 2-year period, according to the same site. Here is a look back at some of the initiatives left on the cutting room floor in 2023: An array of issues that fell by the wayside in 2023 The one issue that was perhaps most in demand by the business world this year was to reform the energy permitting process in the US. That refers to the lengthy procedure currently required to get new things like solar plants or pipelines approved and operational; these yearslong delays are felt keenly by both fossil fuel and clean energy producers as power demands mount. Nearly 80% of CEOs surveyed by the Business Roundtable at the end of the year cited "burdensome regulations" as an important policy priority in 2024 to promote US economic growth. The effort to speed up permitting on energy projects did achieve a limited victory this year, with some provisions in this springs debt ceiling deal, but leaders have maintained a larger effort is needed. Even as the debt ceiling deal was being finalized, powerful Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) promised in May to unveil a larger bipartisan effort in the summer. But the bill hasnt yet come together, with Manchin instead announcing plans to retire from the Senate in 2025. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) talk before a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images) Another issue still lingering is the quest to allow cannabis banking in the US. Marijuana may be legal in many states, but businesses involved in the sector often cant access financial services because of federal laws outlawing marijuana. A potential fix called the SAFER Banking Act passed a Senate committee in 2023 but has yet to receive a full hearing. Another stalled initiative was the effort to rein in pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who manage prescription drug benefits under health insurance plans. That bill was introduced in the Senate in January but has languished since then. Misses in Big Tech Another high-profile missed opportunity had to do with the fast-moving world of technology. The year dawned with a sense that there was momentum for bipartisan compromise on long-simmering issues around Americans data privacy. "We have been waiting a long time for a privacy law," said the Commerce Departments Alan Davidson, one of the Biden administrations leaders on the effort, as the year began. But the wait continues as efforts like the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) a bipartisan bill introduced in 2022 and passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee continue to sit idle. There was also a lot of discussion about the dangers and opportunities of artificial intelligence, as the White House issued a much anticipated executive order on AI and lawmakers convened a series of forums to explore the issue. Nevertheless, legislation still appears to be a ways off even as prominent figures including Tesla CEO Elon Musk (TSLA) suggest that something like a "Department of AI" may eventually be needed. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hosted a Senate bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Insight Forum in September featuring the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and others in the Kennedy Caucus Room on Capitol Hill. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Images) Green shoots Of course, hope springs eternal. There are a series of issues that remain the subject of active negotiations where lawmakers hope for concrete results in early 2024. One key issue is taxes. The CEOs surveyed this month by the Business Roundtable also tagged improvements to the tax system as a top priority for 2024, and there are some glimmers of hope there. Bipartisan talks have taken place in recent week about a possible deal that could combine the reestablishment of some version of the child tax credit with provisions around company deductions for research and development investments that expired in 2022. Those talks are likely now on ice until the new year but with a hope that they could pick up in earnest in January. Another issue likely to remain on the docket in 2024 involves two ongoing cryptocurrency efforts one bill focused on cryptos market structure and another focused on stablecoins. Retiring House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry has signaled he wants to accomplish something on crypto as a legacy item of sorts before he leaves in 2025 but it remains to be seen if Congress has the bandwidth. The same goes for Capitol Hills ongoing response to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other regional banks in 2023. Lawmakers have coalesced behind a bipartisan effort that would "claw back" compensation from bank executives who oversee a failure. The bill notched a significant win in July when it advanced out of the Senates Banking Committee by an overwhelming margin of 21 to 2 but has been waiting for wider Congressional action since then. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) served as temporary House speaker before eventually turning over the gavel to Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) and returning to the House Financial Services Committee to focus on issues like cryptocurrency. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The issue is whether there will be space for these policy actions in 2024 or whether both an election year and another round of government shutdown fights could again blot out the space for action on policy fronts. "The sooner that Congress can figure out what the tax code of the future is going to look like, the better," said Erica York of Tax Foundation. But she acknowledged that the reality of an election year and a key tax deadlines at the end of 2025 may make the window for action there an exceedingly narrow one. 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 By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -A two-and-a-half year corruption trial that exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest echelons of the Vatican closes on Saturday with the key defendant, an Italian cardinal, hoping the court will accept his plea of innocence. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 75, a one-time Vatican power broker, is charged with embezzlement, abuse of office and trying to induce a witness to give false testimony. Becciu, the most senior Vatican official ever to be charged with financial crimes, has denied all wrongdoing, as have the other nine defendants. The panel of three lay judges of the Vatican's criminal court retired at 11:30 a.m. Rome time to consider its verdicts and was expected to announce them on Saturday afternoon. Court President Giuseppe Pignatone, reading a note of thanks to lawyers and the media, acknowledged that the trial had been "particularly complex". The trial, played out in 85 hearings, revolved mostly around a messy purchase of a building in London by the Secretariat of State, the Vatican's key administrative and diplomatic department. Becciu held the number two position there in 2014 when it began investing in a fund managed by Italian financier Raffaele Mincione, securing about 45% of the building at 60 Sloane Avenue, in an upmarket district of the capital. In 2018, by which time Becciu had moved to another Vatican job, the Secretariat of State felt it was being deceived by Mincione and turned to another financier, Gianluigi Torzi, for help in squeezing Mincione out and buying the rest of the building. Torzi also fleeced the Vatican, according to prosecutors who have charged both men with fraud, corruption and embezzlement. Under a cloud of embarrassment, the Vatican sold the building last year, taking an estimated loss of about 140 million euros ($150 million). Becciu, who was fired by Pope Francis from his second job in 2020 for alleged nepotism but who remains a cardinal, has also been accused on charges related to tangential parts of the investigation. The cardinal is accused of funnelling money and contracts to companies or charitable organisations controlled by his brothers on their native island of Sardinia. Another accusation involves his hiring of Cecilia Marogna, a self-styled security analyst, also from Sardinia, as part of a secret project to help win freedom for a nun who had been kidnapped in Mali. Marogna, 46, received 575,000 euros from the Secretariat of State in 2018-2019. The money was sent to a company she had set up in Slovenia and she received some in cash, prosecutors told the court. Italian police said Marogna had spent much of the money for personal use, including luxury brand clothing and visits to health spas. She is charged with embezzlement. The other six defendants include the former president and director of the Vatican's Financial Intelligence unit, the cardinal's former secretary, Father Mauro Carlino, and three former Vatican employees. Four companies associated with individual defendants, two in Switzerland, one in the United States and one in Slovenia, were also indicted. The companies denied any wrongdoing. (Reporting by Philip PullellaEditing by Frances Kerry and Giles Elgood) In this week's "It's Debatable" segment, Rick Rosen and Charles Moster debate whether the United States should withdraw from the United Nations. Rosen retired as a professor from the Texas Tech University School of Law and is a retired U.S. Army colonel. Moster is founder of the Moster Law Firm based in Lubbock with seven offices including Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Rosen - 1 Rick Rosen The United Nations was founded after World War II to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war by maintain[ing] international peace and security . Sadly, the UN has never come close to achieving this objective. The world has witnessed countless conflicts since its formation. Today, prospects for world peace are even more remote considering Russias war with Ukraine, the Israeli-Hamas conflict, numerous civil wars, Chinas pledge to invade Taiwan, Venezuelas threat to take part of neighboring Guyana, Irans vow to eradicate Israel, and North Koreas warning of nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States. As observed nearly 40 years ago: Far from being a help in the effort to ensure peace with freedom and justice, the UN has become the home of a double standard of morals, of a crooked view of world relations. And last September a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace scholar stated: The UN has contributed to dramatic failuresoften as a result of indecision, either when member states cant agree, as in the war in Syria; when their agreement falls far short of whats needed, as in Bosnia or Rwanda; or when they selectively apply, or dont apply, international norms to suit their interests, as in Russias invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, the UN is wholly incompetent in other areas. For example, the UNs World Health Organization helped China cover-up the seriousness of COVID by falsely asserting China had contained the virus and by refusing to declare a public health emergency of public concern. Thereafter, the virus spread worldwide killing millions. The UN has also failed to meet one of its principal tenets: developing friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples. The quintessential illustration is the UNs singular focus on Israel. For example, this year most of the General Assemblys condemnatory resolutions have been lodged against Israel. In October it approved a resolution calling for an immediate Gaza ceasefire, ignoring the fact a ceasefire existed until Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel. At the same time, the General Assembly rejected a resolution condemning Hamas for its Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. While there are calls for United Nations reform, the institution is beyond redemptionit is corrupt, unwieldy, and structurally incapable of accomplishing its mission. Consequently, the United States should withdraw from the United Nations and work with like-minded nations to form an international body capable of addressing threats to peace and stability. Moster - 1 Moster Rick presents many legitimate reasons why the U.S. should withdraw from the United Nations. I suppose that among the many debate columns we have written, this may be one of the most difficult topics to defend. From a macro perspective, the UN has had little or no effect on ending the most severe conflicts particularly involving the members of the Security Council which are each granted the right to veto major efforts to bring about world peace. This is perhaps the greatest systemic failing of the UN. It was clearly in play during the Cold War which has now become exceedingly hot and at its most lethal stage since the dreaded Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 which we seem to be reliving every day. It is abundantly clear that the UN is powerless to end the horrific bloodshed in Ukraine and now Gaza. It has incredulously refused to condemn what only can be described as the most egregious acts of barbarism since the Holocaust. Impotence has been superseded by culpability. It sure seems like Moster is ready to concede this one - but not so fast. Heres my rejoinder: The Great Cosmic Filter looms heavy today. By that, I am referring to the explanation posited by most astrophysicists as to why there has been no proof of intelligent life in the universe since we started listening in earnest over 60 years ago for a stray signal apart from the random static ever present something, well intelligent. Despite the expenditure of millions of dollars and utilization of the most sensitive and sophisticated radio telescopes, nothing has been picked up at all. Not a beep, pop, or ping. It sure is deathly quiet out there and thats the point. The Great Cosmic Filter theorizes that extraterrestrial societies which reach a technological level of sophistication characterized by nuclear weapons invariably annihilate themselves. Thus, all across the universe, civilizations just like ours are committing suicide. This Great Cosmic Filter brought on by high intelligence filters out life itself. The United States and Russia alone possess sufficient nuclear weapons to destroy their respective populations and the rest of the planet in less time than it takes to watch the evening news. The preeminent Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has moved the hands of the fatal Doomsday Clock to but 90 seconds before midnight otherwise known as Armageddon, the closest it has ever been since its debut in 1947. Hey, Im not making this up. So, is this ranting or reason? Heres the simple point. Yes, the UN is malfunctioning, but it is the only alternative we have to global extinction. It has been mostly ineffectual, however, there have been some successful resolution of disputes since its founding in 1948 which are hardly recalled, for example, successful peacekeeping operations in dozens of countries including Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mozambique, Namibia, and Tajikistan. Although rarely in the news, it has fought hard to battle world hunger, eliminate the scourge of disease, and other critical areas of need. These successes are not adaptable to the shallow attention span of the American public and do little to increase the ratings and income of media on both sides of the spectrum whether CNN or Fox News. That said, my major rejoinder and answer to Ricks salvos is existential. If we have any chance to beat the outcome predicted by the Great Cosmic Filter it is under the auspices of the United Nations. Our intellect which brought forth the means of our demise must rise above our petty and destructive instincts. It is the only alternative to suicide. We must remain committed to the idea of the UN because it is the only option we have. Rosen - 2 I do not doubt that the world is closer to a nuclear apocalypse. I also concede that the UN has had some successes. Ironically, one its greatest achievementssecuring South Koreas independence from North Koreawas only made possible by the Soviet Unions boycott of the Security Council meeting approving UN intervention in the conflict. Nevertheless, the UN is generally ineffectual and at times an obstacle to peace. First, the UN is not responsible for averting a nuclear war; the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD) is. MAD is the understanding that a nuclear attack by one nation would be met with an overwhelming nuclear counterattack such that both the attacker and the defender would be annihilated. Preserving a strong, credible nuclear deterrentnot the UNis essential to preventing nuclear war. This is particularly true because the major nuclear powers can veto any Security Council action to preserve or restore international peace. Second, the current Israeli-Hamas conflict demonstrates that the UNs involvement in hostilities is often counterproductive. On Oct. 7, Hamas committed the greatest atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Vowing to launch similar assaults, Hamas fighters returned to their sanctuaries embedded among Gazas civilian population, including in schools, hospitals, and mosquesall constituting violations of international humanitarian law. Hamas recognized that any Israeli response to its barbaric acts would result in civilian casualties; indeed, it counted on civilian deaths to serve its strategic objectives. Hamas knew that a compliant media would dutifully report civilian casualties (whether accurate or not), and the UN would condemn Israel and insist on a ceasefire, thereby giving Hamas time to reconstitute and to break the ceasefire by attacking Israel again (as it did on Oct. 7). Through its Gaza Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN knew about Hamas unlawful terrorist infrastructure but did nothing to prevent or eliminate it. Instead, the UN incentivizes Hamas use of civilians to shield its military operations. Given the strategic advantages Hamas obtains from noncompliance with international law, it has no reason to avoid placing civilians at risk. And it can rely on UN intervention and protection once it instigates hostilities. Sadly, the Israeli-Hamas conflict is only one of many actual or threatened wars, and the UN is singularly inept in preventing or stopping any of them. The United States simply does not have an interest in continuing to support the UN. Moster 2 I cannot dispute the points raised by Rick as to the failure of the UN to bring about world peace, however, that is an exceedingly tall order. Much like an iceberg, the significant accomplishments of the UN are mostly below the public level of perception, unseen, and underappreciated. UN relief organizations such as UNICEF, the World Food Program, and the World Health Organization (WHO), work around the clock to improve the lives of at risk populations around the globe. WHO has been particularly effective with regard to its immunization program to eradicate smallpox, HIV, and other outbreaks such as measles which were reduced by 68%. Given the millions of lives spared, I am hard pressed that anyone including my able debate partner can maintain that the UN has been ineffectual. It clearly has not been. In the same vein, the World Food Program has made amazing strides to eliminate the scourge of hunger from the face of the Earth. Notable accomplishments have been efforts in Nigeria to feed over 1.2 million people annually and sanitation programs in Yemen which improved the health of over 700,000 people. That said, the UN has been unsuccessful on the world stage in advancing international peace. The world is beset with violence and carnage as evidenced by the Middle East. In my view, the greatest systemic failure of the UN is the ability of a single nation in the security council to negate the overwhelming consensus of the world body by casting a singular veto. The elimination of this organizational defect would advance the goal of international stability exponentially. I disagree with Ricks view as to the seeming effectiveness of our nuclear policy, so-called MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction), to abate the very real possibility of all out nuclear war. What he fails to mention is the risk of miscalculation or mistake which would be the likely culprit in precipitating a nuclear exchange. Unknown to most people, there have been numerous incidents in which the U.S and Russia could easily have initiated a nuclear confrontation based on faulty data. A classic example occurred in 1980 when a malfunctioning computer chip falsely reported that 200 missiles were launched en route to the United States. Thankfully, the Secretary of Defense, withheld disclosure of this frightening occurrence to then President Jimmy Carter for a few minutes which allowed the true cause to be determined. If events had unfolded differently, none of us would likely be around to read this debate column. A similar situation transpired in 1995 when a launch of a research rocket by Norway was misinterpreted by Russia as an ICBM launch. For the first and only time in history, the nuclear briefcase of a world leader Boris Yeltsin was activated as he scrambled to decipher the nuclear launch codes. Again, by mere good fortune his delay in implementing this grim protocol, led to the discovery that a mistake had been made. Global catastrophe had been averted. We cannot rely on happenstance to protect all of us from a grisly death. Given the unprecedent mobilization of nuclear forces by the U.S. and Russia we are back to the bad old days of the Cold War and worse by many orders of magnitude. Our only saving grace to avoid extinction is through global cooperation. Yes, the UN is flawed and its deficiencies, particularly of late, are glaring. However, it is the only construct separating all of us and the world from submitting to a death sentence meted out by the Great Cosmic Filter. If we abandon the noble mission of the United Nations, our luck will most certainly run out. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: It's Debatable Should the United States withdraw from United Nations A Florida man indicted on charges of sexually abusing a child faces the death penalty, in what could be the first case of its kind under a new law that expanded capital punishment. The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office announced Thursday that Joseph Andrew Giampa had been indicted on six counts of sexual battery upon a child under the age of 12 and three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child. State Attorney William Gladson said his office would seek the death penalty for the alleged crimes because of the severity of the crime and its impact on the community, according to a news release. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1977 that the death penalty could not be applied to rape cases because it violated the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty was prohibited when the crime did not result in the death of the victim. But this past spring, Florida lawmakers passed a bill that would allow crimes involving the sexual battery of children to be eligible for the death penalty, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The bill states that the Kennedy v. Louisiana decision was wrongly decided and an egregious infringement of the states power to punish the most heinous of crimes. Giampa, 36, of Leesburg, was arrested in November. A police officer said he viewed a video of a man identified as Giampa sexually abusing a young boy, according to an arrest affidavit. Gladson said his decision reflected the gravity of the charges and the State Attorneys Offices dedication to holding criminals accountable for their actions. The State Attorneys Office acknowledges the sensitivity of this matter and the impact it has on the community. Our commitment to ensuring justice and protecting the vulnerable remains unwavering, he said in a news release. Court documents list four reasons prosecutors believe the death penalty is warranted, including Giampas past capital felony conviction, and that the alleged current crime was especially heinous, atrocious and cruel and was committed for pecuniary gain. Gov. Ron DeSantis backed Gladson. It will be the first case to challenge SCOTUS since I signed legislation to make pedophiles eligible for the death penalty, he said in a statement on Facebook. The States Attorney has my full support. Giampas attorney, Morris Dagoberto Carranza, could not immediately be reached on Saturday. Virginia Meister opened the interview by reminding this writer she will be 93 years old just after the first of the year. She is a daughter of the late Jess and Minnie Magsig Riedel. Virginia was the youngest in her family, having one sister (Jeannette) and four brothers (Gerald, Wayne, Calmer and Daryl). Her family resided in New Washington where she attended school and graduated in 1949. She participated in Girls Athletic Association sports to include basketball, softball and track where she chose to run in her bare feet on the cinder track! Virginia fondly remembers twirling baton for the New Washington Town Band. Jobs were not plentiful at the time, but Virginia found her first one at the New Washington Egg Auction, handling and packing eggs. She would hold the egg in her hand while passing it over a lightbulb to make sure it was first quality. New Washington has an extensive history in the egg business. A few years later she met Jim Meister, her future husband, at a Holmes Liberty basketball tournament game. Jim was the son of Otto and Hulda Kurtz Meister. Jim graduated from Holmes Liberty in 1946, and he spent two years in the Army, serving stateside until discharge. Afterwards, Jim and Virginia married and set up housekeeping on a 100-acre farm east of Bucyrus. They milked cows on the farm and Jim went on to Rupert, Indiana, to learn how to be an auctioneer. The couple was active in Good Hope Lutheran Church, and they enjoyed baseball games, card clubs, picnics and hayrides. Virginia Meister shows off one of her knitted hats that adorn a special giving tree at Good Hope Lutheran Church. The hats will be distributed by the Salvation Army to area children in need. Farm and home auctions were very popular at that time. Jim and Virginia were passionate about selling and collecting antiques. In preparation for a particular auction, Jim opened a fishing tackle box looking for fishing lures that can be very collectable. Instead, he found a lot of paper currency. The widow he was holding the auction for had no idea about the money. She was so grateful when Jim handed her the cash. She gave back $100 as a tip for the auction workers to go out for dinner. As Jim and Virginia prepped for auctions, homes were noted to be in variable conditions. Some had stood empty for a time. Virginia has a vivid memory of opening a dresser drawer to find a dead mouse inside a ladys scarf. The smell was unforgettable, and Virginia often wonders how their lungs survived the smell of such things! Jim Gebhardt and Jim Meister auctioneered together for some 20 years. Gebhardts son, Lyle, and Jims wife, Evelyn, were also part of the team along with Virginia. At one auction in Bucyrus, Jim passed out and dropped to the ground while asking for bids; 911 was called and it was later determined he had experienced an allergic reaction to a bee sting. History repeated itself in Crestline and Jim then began to carry an allergy kit. Another auction in Crestline resulted in a tornado warning. The people ran for cover and later returned to finish the auction. Jim and Virginia met many people over the years at auctions, in particular a couple who came from California to Ohio for a month to purchase old farm items to take back home. Virginia loves to cook, make cookies and produce homemade candy for family, friends and neighbors at Christmas. She is currently knitting hats after learning how to knit on a round needle about eight years ago. Her goal is 20 hats, and they will be placed on a special giving tree at Good Hope Lutheran Church with the hats to later be distributed to children in need by the Salvation Army. One knit hat requires 1,600 stitches. Knitting was challenging for Virginia earlier this year when she was healing from a wrist fracture. Virginia considers knitting these hats a labor of love. Virginia has two children. Her daughter is Marlene (Chuck) Siefert, a retired nurse. Tim (Nancy) Meister is her son, and he continues to work as a farmer. Virginia has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Go online for more of Mary Foxs stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com. This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Virginia Meister and her journey from auctions to knitting Editor's Note: For the latest news on the Israel-Hamas conflict, please see our live updates file here. The family of an Israeli man who fled Hamas captivity in Gaza only to be killed by confused Israeli troops buried their hero Sunday, his brothers blaming the government and military for his death. Alon Shamriz, 26, was one of three Israelis who waved white flags at Israeli troops Friday but were shot and killed. The military blamed the heat of battle for the tragedy. Shamriz was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants, one of more than 240 people kidnapped and rushed back to Gaza that day. More than half remain in captivity. Many families have accused the Israeli government of abandoning their loved ones by failing to negotiate their release. "You fled against all odds, and you did what you had to do in order to come home," Shamriz's brother, Ido, said, according to a Times of Israel translation. "The one who abandoned you also murdered you, after you did everything right." Another brother, Yonatan, promised to "shake the country" for failing to prioritize the release of hostages. You came out of the tunnel to the open air, you already saw freedom," he said. "You did everything right, in the face of a ridiculous (Israeli military) chain of command, an irresponsible government, and a barbaric terror group, you overcame everything and you didnt need anyone." Hostages shot: Captives had white flag when mistakenly killed by Israeli military, reports say Developments: Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, said on NBC's Meet the Press that he backs the White House's staunch support of Israel despite the military campaign that has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians. Telecom services were being restored to Gaza after a four-day communications blackout, the longest of several outages that have hampered humanitarian efforts. Israeli soldiers are briefed after coming back from the Gaza Strip at a staging area in southern Israel on Dec. 17, 2023. Bomb threats target U.S. synagogues Several synagogues and Jewish institutions across the U.S. were targeted with bomb threats Sunday as the rise in antisemitism seen since the beginning of the Israeli-Hamas war continued to sweep the nation and world. Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C., said Metropolitan Police followed protocol, evacuating the building and conducting a search before programs were allowed to continue. "We center ourselves with the prayer, 'olam hesed yibaneh,' that we will help to build a world of love and that our communitys connections to each other, our neighbors and the world will not be diminished by threats or disruptions like this," Temple Sinai said in a statement. Salt Lake Citys Congregation Kol Ami synagogue was among multiple sites in Utah receiving the threat. Rabbi Sam Spector told KSL-TV the email said bombs had also been placed in other Jewish centers around Utah and that "we all deserved to die." Among others: Police in South Portland, Maine, told WABI-TV they searched Portland Congregation Bet Haam early Sunday but found no bomb, and a threat prompted cancellation of Sunday morning programs at Mississippis largest Jewish synagogue, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi Today reported. Last week the Anti-Defamation League reported antisemitic incidents nationwide had more than quadrupled since the war began compared to the same time period in 2023. Pressure for truce intensifies after Israel accidentally kills 3 escaped hostages Demands that Israel reach agreement with Hamas militants for a cease-fire were intensifying Sunday inside and outside the country as fallout from the fatal, friendly fire shooting of escaped hostages continued to rock the nation. Three Israelis who had escaped Hamas captivity were fatally shot by Israeli troops Friday despite waving white flags. On Saturday, scores of protesters set up tents outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, pledging to remain there until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril, Raz Ben-Ami, a hostage released during a weeklong cease-fire, told the Associated Press. Israel must offer another hostage-release deal. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, visiting Israel Sunday, called for an immediate truce to allow for the release of more hostages, increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and talks aimed at a long-term solution. Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace, saying unarmed civilians are being bombed and shot at." David Cameron, Britain's foreign secretary, said on social media that Hamas must be removed from power in Gaza but that his nation "supports a sustainable cease-fire. The sooner it comes, the better. The need is urgent." David Barnea, Israels Mossad spy agency chief, met with Qatars Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss renewed talks, Israeli media reported. Israel claims to find largest Hamas tunnel yet Israeli forces in northern Gaza said they discovered the largest Hamas tunnel found since the war began. The tunnel has several branches and includes sewerage, electricity, communication and telephone infrastructures, as well as overhead doors designed to prevent the entry of Israeli forces. The tunnel has room for vehicles to drive inside, and a cache of Hamas weapons were seized, the military said. The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using tunnels under hospitals and other civilian buildings as part of an effort to protect its leadership with civilian human shields. No Israeli military presence at funeral for man killed by friendly fire The funeral for Samar Fouad Talalka, one of three Israeli men killed Friday by Israeli troops after escaping Hamas captivity, took place without any representation from the Israeli government, local media reported Sunday. Talalka, Yotam Haim and Alon Lulu Shamriz had approached the soldiers, shirtless and waving a white flag. Haim and Shamriz were kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza while Talalka was taken from Kibbutz Nir Am, both in southern Israel, the IDF said. The Israeli military, which has said the soldiers mistook the hostages for militants, said the Israeli ground campaign likely provided the opportunity for the captives to escape and could provide more opportunities for hotages to gain their freedom. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel Hamas live updates: Family buries hostage killed by the IDF The Interstate 5 bridge spans the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program was awarded $600 million in federal grant funding. Oregon and Washington estimate the project will need at least $6 billion in funding to replace the bridge that connects the two states on Interstate 5 over the Columbia River. Both states have already allocated $200 million each toward replacing the bridge and making it more safe in the case of a major earthquake. A portion of the bridge is more than a century old. Oregon's legislature committed $1 billion in bonds over the next eight years toward the project during the 2023 legislative session. It is a match of the $1 billion Washington's legislature committed in 2022. The grant money will come from the federal Department of Transportation's Mega program, created through the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. This is a big moment for the Pacific Northwest and demonstrates the national significance of this effort, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement Friday. Replacing the Interstate Bridge is a critical infrastructure investment for our local communities, two states, and the entire West Coast. This project will help advance our goal of reducing emissions through a modern, multimodal bridge and will provide an infusion of federal funds to our region that will support local jobs and broader workforce opportunities. Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler said he was "thrilled" to see strong federal support and said the funding was building on the momentum of the state legislature commitments. Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Interstate Bridge Replacement project gets $600M in federal funding Lord Cameron The foreign secretary has said he would like to see a "sustainable ceasefire" in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Lord Cameron also warned "too many civilians have been killed" in Gaza. More than 18,000 people have been killed, including thousands of children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. His intervention in a Sunday Times article marks a shift in tone from the UK government, but stops short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Penning a joint article with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Lord Cameron said he supported a ceasefire only if it was sustainable in the long term. He said: "Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. "We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable." Earlier this week the UK and Germany abstained over a United Nations resolution, backed by 153 countries, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. On Sunday France, which was among the countries which voted for the resolution, called for an "immediate and durable truce" in the conflict, ahead of a meeting between the French and Israeli foreign ministers in Tel Aviv. Seeking to explain the UK's position, Lord Cameron wrote: "We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward." He added: "Would Hamas stop firing rockets? Would it release the hostages? Would its murderous ideology change? An unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace." Instead the UK and Germany are pushing for further humanitarian pauses to get more aid in and more hostages out. Palestinians inspect damage in the northern Gaza on Saturday Lord Cameron's comments amplify Rishi Sunak's line set out at Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions. "We have been consistent that what we support is a sustainable ceasefire, which means Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel and release all the hostages," Mr Sunak said. Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: "In order for a ceasefire to be sustainable, we have to ensure we remove the threat of Hamas from Israel... "So, that's why we continue to support Israel in its right to self-defence, to remove the threat of Hamas, and at the same time to get those hostages back." Asked if he thought Israel had gone too far, Mr Dowden said: "I wouldn't characterise it as Israel going too far. Israel is dealing with a very difficult situation." He said the UK continued to urge Israel to exercise restraint but added: "If you're going after an enemy that literally hides underneath hospitals, hides amongst the civilian population, you are going to sustain high levels of civilian casualties." The offensive into Gaza, triggered by Hamas's deadly 7 October attack on Israel which killed 1,200 people, has led to vast areas of the territory being flattened. In a sign attitudes are shifting, in the article, the UK and German foreign ministers warned that Israel "should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians". They also said more aid must reach Gaza, amid warnings from the United Nations of a humanitarian catastrophe due to widespread shortages of basic supplies. Israel's main ally the US has also expressed unease over the failure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration to reduce civilian casualties. Deflecting that pressure on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said: "Military pressure is necessary both for the return of the hostages and for victory. Without military pressure... we have nothing." Christina Hendricks attends the MOCA Gala 2022 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on June 4, 2022, in Los Angeles, Calif. Christina Hendricks knows how to rock a period costumeand her latest behind-the-scenes photos from the set of Apple TV's The Buccaneers in Scotland serve as hard evidence. On Sunday, Dec. 17, the actress took to Instagram with a photo dump of gorgeous pictures from Ireland, Scotland and more. "More Irish activities with a little Scottish Buccaneers thrown in from last year," Hendricks captioned her carousel of images. ".Triscuit, Anita came to Ireland!, @slowdiveofficial !, @alessandrarich in Paris!, Small town big story" Viewers who scrolled over a few times were delighted to see Hendricks donning a period costume: a blue dress with teal detailing and cream-colored lace toward the top. Adorably, the actress is holding her dog, Triscuit, in the photo, with a gorgeous, old building in the background. Christina Hendricks @actuallychristinahendricks/Instagram The Buccaneers fans reacted to the behind-the-scenes photo in the comments, praising Hedricks for her flawless look. One Instagram user wrote, "Is it me or are you just looking younger and younger?" Another person commented, "Christina Hendricks, you are glowing more than ever!" Yet another commenter declared, "Obsessed with the black dress you wore to Ashford Castle Plus you look perfect in all the photos." Christina Hendricks @actuallychristinahendricks/Instagram In November, Hendricks treated fans with photos from the filming of Episode 4 of The Buccaneers. "Very proud of this episode and our beautiful camera work, extraordinary costumes and sets," she captioned a series of six photos shared via Instagram. "A feast for the eyes!" View the original article to see embedded media. The Buccaneers, set in 1870s London, hasn't yet been renewed for Season 2 on Apple TV+but for the sake of Hendricks posting more stunning period costumes, we're certainly rooting for a second installment. Next: Christina Hendricks Leaves Fans Drooling With New 'Corset Content' The London mayor said he does not have the legal powers to export Ulez non-compliant vehicles Vehicles eligible for scrappage as part of London's Ulez scheme cannot legally be sent to Ukraine, the mayor's office has said. The Telegraph reported Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko had written to to his London counterpart to suggest the idea as part of the scrappage scheme. However, Sadiq Khan's office said the Labour mayor was legally unable to alter it to allow vehicle exports. Susan Hall, the Tory mayoral candidate, said the response was "absurd". Under the Ulez scrappage scheme, which came into force in August, Londoners with vehicles that fall foul of emission standards can claim up to 2,000 when their non-compliant vehicles is taken to be destroyed. In the letter obtained by The Telegraph, Mr Klitschko said some of the vehicles being scrapped, particularly 4x4s, had "enormous potential" to help the country in a "variety of life-saving and transport roles" to aid its war with Russia. 'Deeply frustrated' BBC News has not seen the full contents of the letter, reportedly sent in September, but a spokesperson for Mr Khan confirmed it had been received. "Unfortunately, altering the Ulez scheme for the purpose of exporting vehicles to Ukraine is not possible within the current limits of the Greater London Authority Act," they said. They said exporting the vehicles to Ukraine would "not meet the legal threshold of the benefit to Londoners from an economic, social, or environmental perspective" as set out within the act. They added that Mr Khan was "deeply frustrated" and had instead set up a website which enabled Londoners with a "suitable non-compliant vehicle to donate their vehicles directly to Ukraine". Owners of vehicles donated directly through a charity will not be entitled to claim 2,000 from the Ulez scrappage scheme. Ms Hall said Londoners who choose to scrap their cars "should have the freedom to decide for themselves if they want their car sent to support Ukraine". Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk Maury Povich and his wife, Connie Chung, are doing date night right! On Friday, Dec. 15, the couple attended the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles. For the outing, Chung wore a hot pink blazer and black pants while Povich opted for a black tuxedo with a white shirt underneath. Maury Povich and Connie Chung (Gilbert Flores / Getty Images) On the red carpet, the couple held hands in a tender PDA moment. Povich was also pictured wrapping his arm around Chung who smiled for the cameras. Maury Povich and Connie Chung (Gilbert Flores / Getty Images) At the event, Povich was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Chung paid tribute to all the late stars Hollywood lost in 2023 when she presented the In Memoriam segment. While taking the stage, she took a moment to honor Barbara Walters, who passed away in December 2022 at age 93. In her remarks, Chung said, "Barbara Walters revolutionized the face of Daytime television with her groundbreaking show 'The View.' Barbara was the creator, the producer, the star the engine behind it. And this was on top of her pioneering career in news and interviews." "She was the icon who paved the way for all women in television news, especially me," Chung continued. "She mom-ed me. And although they would never admit it, she taught the men a thing or two, I cant fathom she is gone. We remember her and all the others who passed, for their contributions to television. Povich and Chung have been married since 1984. In a 2020 interview with People, the two recalled their love story and revealed how they made their marriage a success. Whatever discussions or arguments go on during the day, once the head hits the pillow, its over and not to be continued the next morning. It is not on my mind, Povich said. But weve always respected each others careers and weve always respected each others space and values. Theres no need for any do-overs. Maybe thats the reason why were still married. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Paola Sumoza, center left, co-founder of the Casa de la Cultura Tlanese, leads an effort to promote traditional Mexican dances. This is part of a series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community. Inside the former ARCHES building on Madison St. NE in Salem, Paola Sumoza and her nonprofit are setting down roots for a new home centered around Mexican heritage. Sumoza is a co-founder and director of Casa de la Cultura Tlanese, a family-owned and operated cultural center that began in 2004. The nonprofit offers folkloric and traditional Mexican dance classes organized into six groups. About 50 students are currently enrolled, Sumoza said. Theres a class for children as young as 4 years old and another for adults older than 34. There's also a group of mixed ages dancer who form their most advanced performing group. Local Salem residents have likely seen the group performing at the World Beat Festival. The group learns dances from all across Mexico. "Mexico is very diverse. People tend to focus on, when they think of Mexico, they might focus on mariachi, which is part of our culture, but we have more than that," Sumoza said. Every state has its own culture, its own food and traditions. Casa de la Cultura Tlanese teaches different dances, emphasizing learning the meaning behind the different traditional performances and costumes. Casa de la Cultura Tlanese performs a Sinaloa dance during Viva Salem on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Salem, Ore. The inaugural festival celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Sumoza gives credit to her mother, Maria Victoria Sumoza, known as "Dona Vicky," for working behind the scenes to make sure clothes are accurate and bringing general order to what can be a chaotic endeavor. Sumoza was born in Mexico City. Her family immigrated to Oregon in 1995 when she was six years old. Raised in Oregon, mostly in Salem, she remembers being part of Northwest Ballet Folklorico around 1997. The group disappeared as she and her peers became older, focused on other activities by the time they reached high school. She reconnected with dancers and started organizing performances for school assemblies at North Salem High School. "I've always been passionate about my culture, my identity," Sumoza said. As some of the dancers graduated, they organized performances at Chemeketa Community College, recruiting additional dancers as the years went on. The group got bigger and bigger until Sumoza said they decided to make the organization official in 2004. She was dedicated even as she attended Western Oregon University, the few years she spent away from Salem. Six years ago the organization moved into the space on Madison St. It is still relatively empty, the concrete floors only recently changed. They'll spend the rest of the month adding dance studio mirrors and brainstorming murals to add. Dec 12, 2023, Salem, Ore. "It takes a while. Takes money," Sumoza joked. She joined the Oregon Youth Authority a year ago as its statewide Hispanic Services Coordinator. It is another extension of the work she has been doing for two decades, Sumoza said, working with youth and helping them and the community connect to their culture and learn about where they come from and who they are. "Life puts you where you need to be," Sumoza said about joining the OYA. Suzoma is looking forward to expanding to feature plays in Spanish next year. "Anything that has to do with arts is very important, especially Latino arts. We want to bring more workshops," she said. Last month, they partnered with the Instituto Estatal de la Cultura de Guanajuato from Mexico and hosted a workshop to learn a style of music from Veracruz known as Son Jarocho. In August they also hosted their first dance competition. 29-year-old Rosa Gomez has been dancing with the group since she was 18. Gomez joined, she said, after seeing a performance. At the last World Beat Festival, she was able to dance with her mom on stage for the first time after her mom joined the adult group. Jackeline Perez, 22, and Jessica Perez, 20, are more recent members. Angel Martinez, 28, only joined a year ago, convinced for most of his youth and adulthood that he had two left feet, he joked. They referred to the group as a family, a place for anyone of all ages and for every member of a household to come and dance together. Suzoma said it has been exciting seeing some of the youth who joined Casa de la Cultura Tlanese grow into a new generation of leaders in the group. Board members consist of some of those first students. She said youth like her struggled to find a place in Oregon when the organization first started, but she hopes Casa de la Cultura Tlanese can continue being a space for Latino youth and adults. Her goal is continue nurturing a place they can call "our casa," she said. It will happen "poco a poquito," or little by little, Sumoza said. To learn more about the organization email casatlanese@gmail.com Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Meet our Mid-Valley: Teaching Mexican heritage in Oregon More than 600,000 customers were without power in seven Northeastern states on Tuesday morning as a powerful storm drenched the region. The majority of the outages were in Maine, where about 429,000 customers were without power, followed by Massachusetts, where about 133,000 had lost power, according to poweroutage.us. Thousands of others in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York were without power, according to the site. Residents across the region faced dangerous conditions on the roads due to heavy rain, flooding and strong winds. Up to 6 inches of rain was recorded in some areas. MORE: Holiday travel tips: Best and worst days to fly or drive At least three people died on Monday from the storm. In Plymouth County, Massachusetts, an 89-year-old man was killed by a fallen tree that trapped him in a trailer, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office. In Windham, Maine, a man was struck and killed by a tree while he was on his roof trying to remove debris, Windham police said. In upstate Greene County, New York, a driver died after their car was swept away in floodwaters, according to the Greene County Sheriffs Office. PHOTO: Pedestrians carry umbrellas as they walks through heavy rain in Times Square in New York City, December 18, 2023. (John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock) PHOTO: Cars drive through heavy rain and wind as they approach Tarrytown from the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Dec. 18, 2023. (Seth Harrison/The Journal News/USA Today Network) A flood advisory was issued in New York City, where residents faced power outages, downed trees and flooded roads on Monday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory, urging New Yorkers to stay off the roads and take mass transit. PHOTO: Pedestrians carry umbrellas as they walks through heavy rain in Times Square in New York City, December 18, 2023 (John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock) PHOTO: High winds and rain have caused many trees to fall in Marshfield, Massachusetts, Dec. 18, 2023. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger/USAToday Network) High wind alerts were also issued from North Carolina to Maine. Over 500 flights within, into or out of the U.S. have been canceled Monday. New York City's LaGuardia Airport and Boston Logan International Airport were the hardest hit. Five parked cars are flooded up to the bumpers in Brookline. #wcvbpic.twitter.com/IJIgkwJvmh David Bienick (@BienickWCVB) December 18, 2023 In Essex County, New York, where a state of emergency was declared due to road flooding, several schools closed early. In Worcester County, Massachusetts, dangerous roads and a loss of power has prompted classes to be canceled for the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District. By Monday afternoon, the rain stopped in New York City but was ongoing in New England. On Monday evening, the biggest threat will be strong winds along the coast. Dangerous, hurricane-force winds are possible in northern Maine. PHOTO: A car and a fire truck are submerged in flood water on Lamont Street after a large rainstorm on Dec. 18, 2023, in Elmsford, New York. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images) MORE: How rising sea levels will affect New York City, America's most populous city The storm brought rain to Florida and record-breaking flooding to South Carolina over the weekend. More than 16 inches of rain fell between Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina, flooding neighborhoods and stalling cars. A few areas received about 6 inches of rain in six hours. Charleston measured its highest "non-tropical" tide on record. ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway, Victoria Arancio and Kevin Shalvey contributed to this report. 3 dead, 600,000 without power after monster storm tears up the East Coast originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Ahmed Hagagy, Alexander Cornwell and Phil Stewart KUWAIT (Reuters) -Foreign dignitaries arrived in the Gulf state of Kuwait to offer condolences for the death of emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who was buried earlier on Sunday. Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, Kuwait's day-to-day ruler during much of Sheikh Nawaf's reign due to his ill-health, has succeeded his half-brother as emir. Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani were in Kuwait to separately meet with Sheikh Meshal. The Iraqi prime minister and Iranian foreign minister also offered their condolences. Kuwait was invaded by Iraq in 1990 and occupied by Baghdad until 1991. The Gulf state still has maritime border disputes with both of its neighbours. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived Saturday evening where he was met by Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdallah al-Sabah and Defence Minister Sheikh Ahmed al-Fahad al-Sabah. "On behalf of President Biden, I convey heartfelt condolences," Austin told his Kuwaiti counterpart. Sheikh Nawaf "will be missed but we will build upon his legacy," Austin added. Jordan's King Abdullah, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also visited the OPEC oil producer. Kuwait has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. "Kuwait acts as a stabilizer, providing ballast against the cross-cutting winds of Gulf politics," said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "Its proactive and largely constructive ties with Iraq and Iran have proved helpful in the face of sharp regional disputes." Sheikh Nawaf, whose six-decade career in public service included stints as minister of defence and interior, was buried in Sulaibikhat cemetery in a coffin draped in the Kuwaiti flag, after prayers at Bilal bin Rabah mosque. He died aged 86. The cause of his death on Saturday has not been disclosed. CONTINUITY Sheikh Meshal, who attended the burial and prayers alongside members of the ruling Al Sabah family, had been de facto ruler of the U.S.-allied Gulf state since late 2021, when a frail Sheikh Nawaf handed over most of his duties. As he formally takes the helm of the OPEC member with the world's seventh-largest oil reserves from his half-brother, Sheikh Meshal is expected to preserve key Kuwaiti foreign policies, including support for Gulf Arab unity, Western alliances and good ties to Riyadh - a priority relationship. Kuwaiti academic Bader Al Saif said the new emir was expected to continue government efforts to streamline the public sector, a policy that had been pursued by Sheikh Nawaf. Sheikh Meshal would also likely continue reconciliation efforts, including with its diverse political class, exiled and jailed critics, and within the ruling family, he said The late Sheikh Nawaf was 83 when he became emir in 2020, at the time the oldest ruler to take power in Kuwait. He was known domestically as a consensus-builder who sought to repair a long strained relationship between parliament and government. He also pardoned dozens of dissidents and critics during his reign. Sheikh Nawaf's three-year reign as emir was relatively short by Kuwait standards. His predecessor and brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, reigned for 14 years and shaped the Gulf state's foreign policy for two generations. RESPECTS Abdullah Sabah Al-Mulla, a 56-year-old Kuwaiti professor, said the nation has lost a "great father". "He did not put a barrier between him and anyone. To him, all the people were equal," he told Reuters. Eid Abdullah Al Fraih, a 60-year-old Kuwaiti retiree, said he was captivated by the late emir's humility and compassion and that he believed Sheikh Meshal would continue his predecessors efforts to improve ties between the government and parliament. "Kuwait will be prosperous (under his reign). The (political and economic) situation will improve, God willing," he said. Under the constitution, the emir chooses his successor, the crown prince, but traditionally the ruling family convenes a meeting to build consensus. Parliament also has to approve it. Rulers of other Gulf states such as Saud Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have in recent years picked their own sons as their designated successors. (Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy in Al-Siddeeq, Phil Stewart in Kuwait City, and Alexander Cornwell in Dubai; additional reporting by Nayera Abdullah and Elwely Elwelly in Dubai; Writing by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alison Williams and Alexander Smith) A migrant who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico to the U.S. Lawmakers in Washington met on Sunday to work through legislation that would possibly form a U.S. border security deal to satisfy state leaders, and would also include aid for international partners like Ukraine and Israel. As calls for U.S. immigration reform continue to sound loudly, changes to fix ongoing problems at the U.S. southern border with Mexico were also on the list of demands from leaders on Capitol Hill. There were messages of optimism and pessimism coming from various members of Congress as bipartisan support for the issue at hand felt somewhat out of reach. SEE MORE: Israel finds large tunnel adjacent to Gaza border West Virginia's Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin injected hope into the debate saying over the weekend he was "very optimistic." Manchin said negotiations were progressing "in a very positive way." He said "They understand that the border is broken, that the glass ceiling has been broken and we've got to stop this dangerous immigration that we have coming to our country from all over the world." Some Republicans pushed back on that optimism, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham who said he felt like the GOP was being "jammed" amid the talks. "We're not anywhere close to a deal," he said. Graham signaled he predicts the negotiations will stretch into 2024. Delaware Sen. Chris Coons called the situation at the U.S. border with Mexico a crisis, and said lawmakers need to take "responsible steps that reflect our values." The White House has urged lawmakers to act as aid for the conflict in Ukraine is expected to run out, and could dry up by the end of the year without additional steps from U.S. lawmakers. Some Republicans have not voiced support for additional defense aid for Ukraine after months of conflict and military aid packages. The GOP is using that as part of its bargaining power to push through more actions on U.S. border security. Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales said lawmakers need to act now calling the situation in his district "pure chaos." Rep. Gonzales said his constituents are "upset because their lives have been turned upside down. My district is predominately Hispanic. Many people are first and second generation Americans, but they're tired. They're tired of the high-speed chases, they're tired of their schools going into lockdown." Republican 2024 presidential nominee front-runner Donald Trump delivered controversial anti-migrant remarks over the weekend referencing "blood" purity at a political rally, the Associated Press reported. In nearby Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs ordered the state's National Guard to deploy to the border with Mexico and assist border agents trying quell the flow of migrants into the United States. Hobbs accused the Biden administration of failing to respond to requests for reimbursement of funds used for border security that her state has spent. On Sunday Sen. Rick Scott issued a statement announcing he joined in with at least 14 other GOP lawmakers in the Senate to send a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso requesting a meeting at the start of 2024 on the issue. GOP lawmakers are pushing for talks with President Joe Biden to urge action on border security demands. In a letter endorsed by lawmakers, the members of Congress said, "The American public deserves an open and transparent process which cannot occur until the House returns the week of January 8, 2024." The uneasy relationship between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign and the key strategist at his deep-pocketed super PAC came to an end Saturday night. I cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today, the strategist, Jeff Roe, said in a statement posted to X. They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis. His decision was first reported by The Washington Post, which published an extensive story on the long-running tensions between DeSantis campaign team and the super PAC earlier in the day. Roe has delivered stunning victories in the past but this doesnt seem to be his time, DeSantis donor Dan Eberhart said. Gov. DeSantis wants to head into the final stretch with his loyalists, not necessarily nationally known operatives with presidential campaign experience per se. The writing had been on the wall for some time as people close to DeSantis took more control of the super PAC in recent weeks and dismissed several of Roes lieutenants. In the past month or so, Never Back Down has had three CEOs. Including Roe, four top officials have resigned, and three others, according to The Washington Post, were fired. The chaos has reflected frustration from the governor and his inner circle at DeSantis inability to gain traction against Trump and beat back the rise of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley with some pointing the finger at Roe and his team from his consulting firm, Axiom Strategies. That disappointment led to the creation last month of a second super PAC, Fight Right, to handle advertising particularly to attack Haley. Fight Right is run by three close DeSantis allies. The clashes within Never Back Down spilled into public view last month when NBC News reported that Roe and longtime DeSantis confidant Scott Wagner got into a heated argument while nine board members and some senior staff were discussing budgeting. Wagner is now chairman of Never Back Down. Never Back Down did not return a request for comment. We have full confidence in the NBD ground game and field operation, which is second to none," DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said. "There is a stellar team in place and we appreciate their independent efforts to fight for Ron DeSantis." A pair of Italian sheepdogs, trained to ward off bears and wolves, have helped protect a flock of Christmas turkeys. Farmer George Ford, from Blagdon, uses two Maremma sheepdogs - Bear and Holly - between August and December to guard his 600 free range turkeys. Mr Ford, said: "When Bear was a puppy he would play and try and pick up a bird in his mouth but now we can leave him in with them all day and night." He added without the dogs he would not be able to raise his turkeys outside. Mr Ford, who runs Nempnett Pasture, got Bear three years ago to guard his turkeys which live outside 24/7. He said the large white fluffy Maremma has been bred as a livestock guardian dogs. "It's an Italian sheep guardian dog breed, so they're bred to live up in the Alps with flocks of sheep to protect them from wolves and bears," he said. "Bear's big, he's about 50 kilos and three to four times the size of a fox so he's a real deterrent for foxes, badgers and other predators." Despite his size, Mr Ford said there were no bird fatalities or casualties during Bear's early training. "As soon as we got him we put him in with the birds, behind a poultry net," he said. "There was one chicken that got in to Bears' enclosure and when I saw the chicken on its back with its legs in the air covered in slobber, I thought 'oh no'. "But when I put it back in with the other birds it stood up on its feet and was fine. And it only happened the once." The turkeys, the majority of which have now been slaughtered, were delivered to the farm in August. Eight weeks later, once they were fully feathered they were released outside with the guard dogs. Mr Ford said the turkeys "just love it "being outside "pecking at the grass, pecking at bugs". "We used to put the turkeys in a big building and shut them in at night for protection," he said. "Now there's no shed to house them at night. So the dogs are there to keep predators away." Recently, Bear has been joined by rescue dog Holly, another Maremma. The pair live outside with the chickens from April to August and are split up when the turkeys arrive in the summer. "Holly's not as gentle as Bear, she'll just run through the flocks as if there they're not there but she's very protective," he said. "They [the dogs] stay out the whole time. We provide them with a shelter but they don't use it - only in the summer for some shade - they're built for the Alps." Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk Paul A. Crowley of Waynesburg touches the spot where Jesus was born inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This past Lent I had the privilege of visiting the Holy Land with my fellow Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a papal order of Catholic Knighthood of pontifical status headquartered at the Vatican. The order was established in 1099 by Godfrey de Bouillon in an attempt to protect Christian Holy sites. Today, the primary purpose of the order is to support the Christians in the Holy Land both spiritually and financially. We support the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem whose diocese includes all of Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus. One of the duties of the orders members (which is for both men and women) is to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at least once in a members lifetime. On this pilgrimage, you visit all the towns where Jesus lived and ministered at such places as Nazareth, Galilee, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. I visited these places, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where it is believed to be where Jesus was crucified, died, buried and rose from the dead. A site so sacred to so many Christians from all over the world. Paul A. Crowley of Waynesburg is shown in wearing his Knights of the Holy Sepulcher vestments during a visit to Jerusalem. Another aspect of the pilgrimage is visiting the various works of the order such as Bethlehem University. I was shocked to learn that the student population of Bethlehem University is 78% Muslim women. Bethlehem University is a Catholic university of higher learning. While I was there for lunch, I got to know some of the Christian students who attend. It may interest you to know that while all Palestinians are Arabs, not all Palestinians are Muslims, about 2% of the Arab population are Arab Christians. Most of the Arab Christians that I met can trace their Christian roots all the way back to the time of Jesus. Most of the Christians in the Holy Land live in Bethlehem and now are a shrinking minority. Many Christians have left the region due to civil unrest and tensions, as well as political violence and discrimination against them for being Christians and for economic reasons. While eating lunch at Bethlehem University, I talked with the students about daily life and being a Christian in the Holy Land. They told me of the challenges they face such as turnstiles, checkpoints and high security. Tensions are a normal way of life for them. They sometimes have to apply for a visa just to go to school and there is no guarantee they will get it. I remember going into Bethlehem with no problem. Foreign visitors generally breeze right through with little trouble. Coming out was a different story and experience. I remember seeing on one side Israeli political art and Palestinian political art on the other. At the gate, Israeli troops are stationed and got on our tour bus and wanted to see our visa or passport. It is just everyday life in the Holy Land land where there are so many problems both political and religious and with no easy answers or solutions. After I got home and a week after my pilgrimage was over, I began to think to myself how blessed I am to be an American. If I want to go to another state like Indiana or Pennsylvania, all I have to do is get in the car and go. I dont need to apply for a government visa and have to wait for it to be approved and then there is no guarantee I will get it. I dont have to live with the above-mentioned travel impediments. If I want to go to church, I have no one stopping me from doing so. You might as well say that this Christmas Im even more grateful to be an American. After visiting the Christians in the Holy Land and seeing their daily struggles makes me thankful for all I have and what I dont have. My pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you can say, increased my American patriotism. Yes, we as Americans are not perfect. We struggle and have many disagreements and at times can get at each others throats, however we should be thankful we are able to do so. I think we forget how blessed we are as a nation and take all that we have for granted. We take so much for granted that we forget some people can be jealous of what we have. After my visit to a troubled part of the world and as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us all be thankful to be Americans and remember that some have it worse than us. May we all be prouder Americans this Christmas. Paul A. Crowley lives in Waynesburg. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Paul Crowley writes about his visit to Jerusalem and patriotism By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) -Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin dismissed as complete nonsense remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden that Russia would attack a NATO country if it won the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia had no interest in fighting the NATO military alliance. The war in Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and Biden warned last year that a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia would trigger World War Three. In a plea to Republicans not to block further military aid earlier this month, Biden warned that if Putin was victorious over Ukraine then the Russian leader would not stop and would attack a NATO country. "It is complete nonsense - and I think President Biden understands that," Putin said in an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television, adding that Biden appeared to be trying to justify his own "mistaken policy" on Russia. "Russia has no reason, no interest - no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with NATO countries," Putin said. The U.S.-led NATO alliance was founded in 1949 to provide Western security against the Soviet Union. After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, it was enlarged to include some former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries. Putin has repeatedly cast the post-Cold War expansion of NATO as evidence of the West's arrogant way of dealing with Russia's security concerns. Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, "the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all". Putin said that Finland's entry into NATO in April would force Russia to "concentrate certain military units" in northern Russia near their border. COLD WAR? The failure of Ukraine's counteroffensive this year has raised questions in the West and inside Ukraine about just how realistic the Ukrainian and Western aims of defeating Russian forces in Ukraine are. Officials in Moscow and the West have repeatedly spoken of a "new Cold War", with Russia and China on one side and the West on the other. Asked about how common ground could be found with the West given the rhetoric on both sides, Putin said: "They will have to find common ground because they will have to reckon with us." A senior U.S. State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said last month that Putin would not make peace before he knows the results of the November election in the United States. The West, Putin said, had failed to understand the extent of the changes ushered in by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which he said had removed any genuine ideological basis for a confrontation between Russia and the West. "I really did have a naive impression," Putin, a former KGB spy who rose to power in 1999, said of his impressions of the world in 2000. "The reality is that after the fall of the Soviet Union, they considered that they just had to wait for a bit to completely destroy Russia," Putin said. Putin casts the war as part of a much bigger struggle with the United States, which the Kremlin elite says aims to cleave Russia apart, grab its vast natural resources and then turn to settling scores with China. The West, which presents Russia and China as its main threats, says it has no plan to destroy Russia. Ukraine says it will not rest until every last Russian soldier is ejected from its territory. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Alex Richardson) Jim Allister has confirmed that members of his party were involved in putting up posters saying "stop DUP sell-out" across Northern Ireland. The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader told the BBC's Nolan Show he was aware the posters were being printed. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had accused the party of "shadowy behaviour". One of the posters was erected outside his Lagan Valley constituency office in Lisburn overnight on Sunday. It has since been removed. "If you're negotiating with the British government, who are being hard nosed, and an EU which is being even harder nosed and you find a poster intimidating it doesn't fill one with confidence," said Mr Allister. The DUP, Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, quit Stormont's coalition government 22 months ago over post-Brexit trade arrangements. The posters appeared at the weekend, during speculation on whether the DUP were close to a deal to restore devolution at Stormont. But by Monday morning the party had ruled out the prospect of an agreement before Christmas. Stormont's main political parties met on Monday afternoon at Hillsborough Castle to discuss a 2.5bn financial package for Stormont if devolved government is re-established. 'Huge overreaction' Mr Allister, who is the TUV's sole assembly member at Stormont, said the sellout posters "were a message to the DUP". "I had knowledge that the posters were being printed, I had no idea where or anything else and I know that TUV members were involved and I know that they were involved because we are in touch with the grass roots," he said. He said unionist grass roots were "concerned about being sold out again and that the protocol will not be removed". Mr Allister described the posters as "a bit of political activism to which there's been a huge overreaction". The TUV leader has previously said that if the DUP agreed a deal to return to Stormont, the party would be "betraying" the seven tests on future post-Brexit trade arrangements. What have the DUP said about the posters? Writing on X, formerly called Twitter, Sir Jeffrey said those who put up the posters outside his office were captured on CCTV and that he would not be intimidated. "These cowards will not deter me from doing my job," he added. DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said the posters were "designed to attack and smear Northern Ireland's largest unionist party". This is a poster erected by TUV members captured on CCTV last night outside my constituency office. Like cowards they arrived in the middle of the night and tried in vain to hide their identity but they are known to us. I will not be intimidated or distracted by such shadowy pic.twitter.com/SU8LRSHjHH Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) December 17, 2023 He said some people were focused on "weakening our collective strength as we negotiate with the UK government". UUP leader Doug Beattie said the posters were put up outside the "family homes" of some DUP representatives. "Whether they think its intimidatory or not, it is. "I don't think these posters help in any shape or form," he added. The TUV said on Sunday that the party "has always seen it as its role to apply the brakes on any sell-out of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland". "It is worth remembering that the lead unionist party won its mandate on the basis of solemn pledges on the [Northern Ireland] Protocol," a spokesperson said. Although there is no formal deadline for the talks at Hillsborough, the government had been working to secure agreement before parliament breaks for Christmas on Tuesday. Any possible restoration of Stormont depends on key discussions about the Windsor Framework and how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain. In his email to his party on Saturday, Sir Jeffrey said he had been able to identify "legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives". But he said they would be "measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom". The DUP has been involved in talks to restore the executive, which have also been met with protests by trade unions Where do the other parties stand? As the party with the most seats at Stormont, Sinn Fein would be entitled to the role of first minister which was previously held by the DUP. It has repeatedly called for the DUP to return to power sharing and on Monday its North Belfast MP John Finucane said it was time that Sir Jeffrey "showed political leadership". "If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everybody in this society," he said. Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said there is "no excuse" for the DUP "dragging this process out". Speaking on Sunday, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said "as it stands right now" his party intended to re-enter the executive if a new one is formed, rather than go into opposition. Following poor election results in May 2022 the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) is not entitled to a place in the executive and will instead enter a formal opposition. "If we are there by ourselves we will do the job and we look forward to doing the job," said SDLP Assembly Member Matthew O'Toole. The UK government has promised Tata 500m to keep the Port Talbot site open and to decarbonise its operations there A union says it plans to both defend existing jobs and lobby for creating new ones at a steelworks at risk of thousands of redundancies. Unite, which represents some of the 4,000 steelworkers in Port Talbot, and other unions said they had been told 3,000 jobs at the plant were at risk. The fears were due to plans to cut carbon emissions at the UK's largest steelworks. An expected announcement by owners Tata Steel in November was withdrawn. But unions are now split over plans for the site. The Community and GMB unions have backed a plan which supports decarbonisation, but would "protect more than 2,300 jobs over a decade and would see no compulsory redundancies in Port Talbot". But though it jointly commissioned that plan, the Unite union has now publicly rejected it. In a document shared with Newyddion S4C, Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, called for the expansion of steel production in the UK. She said this could be achieved by the UK "winning a leader's share of the growing market for green steel" and "the support of progressive public procurement policy". She added: "We will not accept the closure of any part of the Port Talbot site unless and until the investment is put in to build alternative production facilities with no loss of jobs." The 22-page document claimed UK steel production could be "at least doubled" by 2035 It also reported the UK "only produced 60%" of the steel it needed last year. The report called for all public contracts to use British steel only, claiming that would put 7 billion into the economy. The union also wants energy price caps and public ownership of the electricity grid, adding Germany and France "have recently introduced major energy subsidy schemes for their industries". It said national investment of 12 billion by 2035 would "ensure growth" and "easily pay back the taxpayer by boosting industry revenue and keeping thousands of people in work". Port Talbot steelworks employs 4,000 of Tata's 8,000 workforce The report claimed that union representatives had unanimously agreed on two proposals for the Port Talbot site at a meeting last month. The first steps included building a new, greener, electric arc furnace by 2027 and keeping a blast furnace open until 2034. The second suggested building more electric arc furnaces, building a lower-carbon iron producing facility and creating a new industrial zone near the existing plant. The Unite plan is independent and therefore outside the UK steel committee, where joint unions discuss plans with Tata. Tata Steel said it was in ongoing discussions with employee representatives and the UK and Welsh governments and all groups were "committed to transitioning to greener steelmaking in the UK". "Those discussions are being held in good faith and are open, honest and helpful," it said. "There are no formal discussions taking place or proposals being considered by the company outside of those through the UK Steel Committee." When asked for a timescale of when a formal announcement on the company's future plans for decarbonisation could be expected, no answer was given. In The Crown, Prince William (Ed McVey) complains to his father about photographers, saying they are who he hates most in the world. In episode five, the show recreates when William and Harry traveled with Charles to Vancouver in 1998. The plot sees Charles (Dominic West) telling his sons they need to do a photo call before their ski holiday can begin. William (Ed McVey) immediately refuses, and Charles tells him, "Willy, that's the way it works: We give them something, and they leave us alone." To which William replies, "You know I hate this stuff... It's already been a thousand times more than I agreed to." Charles tries to say this is something they have to live with, but William continues, "But I hate it. Hate the press, hate the crowds. Why tell us we're going somewhere alone, then put us in front of the people we hate most in the world?" While we do not know young William's feelings on photographers and paparazzi, he has spoken about it (via spokespeople and more indirectly) a few times throughout his life. Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images In one incident, when William and Kate were photographed leaving a club in 2007, a Clarence House spokesperson went on the record. "Prince William was concerned by the threatening behaviour of the paparazzi in London," spokesperson Paddy Harverson said in 2007. "Having already been photographed leaving the club, he and Kate Middleton were then pursued in his car by photographers on motorcycles, in vehicles and on foot. The aggressive pursuit was potentially dangerous and worrying for them. It seems incomprehensible, particularly at this time, that this behaviour is still going on." In Spare, which may not be the most accurate portrayal of William, Prince Harry writes of his brother, "Willy told me that both he and Kate felt trapped, and unfairly persecuted, by the press and by Pa and Camilla, so I felt some need to carry the banner for all three of us in 2015... I didn't understand until months later that there were even more reasons why the press was gunning for Willy. First, he'd got them all worked up by ceasing to play their game, denying them unfettered access to his family. He'd refused sever times to trot Kate out like a prized racehorse, and that was considered a bridge too far." Dan Kitwood - Getty Images In 2017, Prince William and Kate sued Closer, a French magazine, for publishing photos of them on a 2012 vacation. They were awarded $150,000, which the Sydney Morning Herald reported "was among the highest awarded for invasion of privacy in a French court, though it was significantly less than the couple's ambit claim when they fought the case." "In September 2012, my wife and I thought that we could go to France for a few days in a secluded villa owned by a member of my family, and thus enjoy our privacy," Prince William said in a statement at the time. "We know France and the French and we know that they are, in principle, respectful of private life, including that of their guests. The clandestine way in which these photographs were taken was particularly shocking to us as it breached our privacy." He said the photos being published was "particularly painful, because they remind us of the harassment at the death of Princess Diana, twenty years ago, in a pursuit by paparazzi." In 2022, a video leaked of William shouting angrily at a paparazzi photographer filming his family. You Might Also Like WASHINGTON (AP) The top two U.S. military leaders are traveling to Tel Aviv to advise the Israeli government on how to transition from major combat operations against Hamas in Gaza to a more limited campaign and prevent a wider regional war. Their trip comes as Iranian-backed militants on Saturday launched a wave of attack drones against ships in the Red Sea and said they would continue until Israel's aggression ends. One of the American warships assigned to the Ford carrier strike group, the destroyer USS Carney, successfully engaged 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. Britain reported that a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting commercial ships. It was the latest in a series of attacks threatening commercial and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea that have escalated after Israel intensified its response to the Hamas' strike against Israel on Oct. 7. Israel is stinging from the deadliest attack ever on its homefront and has pledged that its offensive will not cease until Hamas is destroyed. U.S. defense leaders are hoping to prevent the risk of wider regional conflict, both through a sustained high level of U.S. military presence and by engaging with the Israelis to get them to move beyond the massive bombardment campaign. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, who are heading to Israel, served in leadership roles as U.S. airpower and ground forces moved from major combat to lower-intensity counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it is not clear how deeply their advice from lessons learned will resonate with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. Their trip highlights the increased efforts by the Biden administration to convince Israel that it should scale back its offensive, which has flattened much of Gaza's northern region, displaced millions and killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Israels push has been complicated by the dense urban population and Hamas' network of tunnels, and the militants are accused of using civilians as human shields. The sustained intensity of Israel's campaign has led President Joe Biden to warn that the U.S. ally is losing international support because of its indiscriminate bombing." U.S. officials have been telling Israel for several weeks that its window is closing for concluding major combat operations in Gaza without risking the loss of even more backing. In a meeting Thursday, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, urged Netanyahu to shift to more targeted operations by smaller military teams hunting specific high-value targets, rather than the sustained broad bombardment that has occurred so far. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his country would continue major combat operations against Hamas for several more months. There are implications for the tens of thousands of U.S. service members deployed in the region. Austin on Friday extended the deployment once more of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and a second warship in order to retain a two-carrier presence in the Mediterranean Sea. The ships are seen as vital to deter Iran from widening the Israel-Hamas war into a regional conflict. The approximately 5,000 sailors aboard the Ford were originally due home in early November. There are 19 U.S. warships in the region, including seven in the eastern Mediterranean. A dozen more stretched down the Red Sea, across the Arabian Sea and up into the Persian Gulf. The missile and drone attacks have led at least two major shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, to order their commercial vessels to temporarily pause transits through the strait. "This is a worldwide problem that affects Israel, too, Gallant said the Houthis blocking shipping in the Red Sea. We are ready to act. We know what to do. And we will find the right timing to act. We are giving a chance, in the maritime issue, to the international system. If we reach a situation where we are the final option, we will know what to do, he said about a possible military response. Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis chief negotiator and spokesman, wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the Houthis would keep targeting Israel-linked vessels until the aggression stops; the siege on Gaza is lifted; and humanitarian aid continues to flow into the Strip. Austin is expected also to visit Bahrain and Qatar and further work toward establishing a new maritime mission to provide increased security for commercial ships sailing in the southern Red Sea. Bahrain is the home of the U.S. Navys Central Command headquarters and the international maritime task force charged with ensuring safe passage for vessels in the region. Qatar has been vital in helping keep what has been a deadly localized war from boiling over into a regional conflict and negotiating hostage release. Earlier in his Army career, Austin oversaw the drawdown of forces in Iraq in 2011. He visited Israel days after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and has spoken to Gallant, his Israeli counterpart, more than two dozen times since then. In his meetings in Israel, he is likely to continue discussions on how Israelis define different military campaign milestones, to be able to assess when they will have sufficiently degraded Hamas to ensure their own security and shift from major combat operations, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters traveling with Austin. - Associated Press writer Sam Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report. I've been zooming off-Cape with some regularity in recent months: stuff like soccer games, college pickups and visits to the epic Hearth Artisan Bread bakery in Plymouth. Of course these vital missions involve thrilling spins over the Bourne and Sagamore bridges, those beautiful, if somewhat antique, canal spanners. Since it seems possible that we'll be seeing replacement bridges at some point in the future, I try to enjoy every crossing. If I have a passenger, I always insist on a full Cape Cod Canal vessel report as we miraculously hop onto the mainland. And I think about the history of the area, from the bridges to the canal and beyond. The Bourne and Sagamore bridges and the Cape Cod Canal. This led to a deep dive into the Sturgis Library's digital newspaper archive, an amazing storehouse of big and little stories about Cape Cod from times past. I figured there must be some odd stories about the bridges and the canal squirreled away in a dusty corner of cyberspace. The answer? Yup. Some of the stories are funny, some are tragic and some are just kinda interesting. Here we go! "The Cape Cod Canal was navigated practically from end to end Sunday for the first time by a swimmer. Crawford 'Fish' Earnhardt, 26-year-old swimming instructor at Oyster Harbors, accomplished the feat, swimming the 8.3 miles between the Bourne and Sagamore bridges in one hour and 29 minutes. "Young Crawford, a native of Daytona Beach, Fla., and graduate of Duke University, made his record swim starting at the new state pier at Buzzards Bay before a large throng. When he ended his test swim at the Sandwich Coast Guard pier, Crawford though chilled and exhausted had enough reserve to aspire to a longer swim and added better than a mile to bring the total distance to 9 miles." This tragedy started when a car broke down in Sagamore and one of the occupants phoned a local hotel for help, back in the days when the Sagamore was a drawbridge. "The proprietor of the hotel, P.P. Cooney, donned his fur overcoat and went in his own car to assist them and Mrs. Starck and Miss Pierson were transferred to his car. They returned over the drawbridge which when they were halfway across opened to let a vessel through. "The car and occupants were hurled into the canal. Miss Pierson was swept toward the bay by the current and when picked up later by a tug was lifeless and although the pulmotor was used at the hospital it was ineffectual. After some difficulty Mr. Cooney and Mrs. Starck were rescued." "Quite a little stir was created one day last week when a pure white whale, possibly the one seen off Gloucester recently, was seen swimming up and down the Cape Cod canal between the eastern entrance and the Sagamore bridge. "The whale was pure white except for a dark spot on the nose and was about 25 feet long." This story has one heck of a headline, "Opening of Two New Bridges Saturday Marks Biggest Day in History of Cape," and perhaps gives us a look at what the party might be like when the Bourne and Sagamore bridges are replaced. "A new chapter in the history of Cape Cod and of southeastern Massachusetts opened last Saturday when Governor Curley Col. John B. Kingman pulled the ribbon to open the Bourne bridge to traffic. A crowd estimated at much over 100,000 made the region near the bridge seem like a big city. "Starting at 4:15 p.m., a three-mile parade, the longest and most brilliant Cape Cod has ever seen ushered across the long line of automobiles. About two hours later Mrs. August Belmont and Colonel Kingman opened the Sagamore bridge, concluding the procession." Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast. 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: Odd history tales from the Bourne and Sagamore bridges on Cape Cod Ruby Franke, the popular YouTube celebrity, pleaded guilty Monday to four of six charges against her in connection with a child abuse case that has garnered national attention. Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, all felonies, at the Washington County 5th District Court in Utah. The other two charges were dismissed, according to the Washington County Attorney's Office. "With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty," Franke responded on the final count. PHOTO: This image from video shows Ruby Franke during a hearing Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in St. George, Utah. (Ron Chaffin/St. George News via AP, Pool) In a statement exclusively sent to ABC News, Franke's attorney said, "Ruby Franke wants to take responsibility for the harm she has caused to her children and to her entire family. She knows that by pleading guilty and accepting the punishment, she is taking a step in the right direction to be accountable for her actions." Franke's business partner and mental health counselor Jodi Hildebrant also faces six counts of aggravated child abuse. Both women were arrested Aug. 30 after Franke's 12-year-old son, who had been staying at Hildebrandt's house, climbed out of a window, ran to a neighbor's home and told the neighbor that he had been abused. Hildebrant has not yet entered a plea to the charges. MORE: Controversial parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke formally charged with felony child abuse Franke is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20, and will remain in jail until that date. She has agreed to serve a prison term, the Washington County Attorney's Office said. She faces 1 to 15 years in jail, prosecutors said. Franke also agreed to testify against Hildebrant, prosecutors said. The Santa Clara-Ivins police in Utah said in a statement that the child "appeared to be emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities." Upon searching the home, police said they found Franke's 10-year-old daughter in the same condition. All of Franke's four minor children were placed into state care, according to police. PHOTO: In this photo posted to the Moms of Truth Instagram page, Ruby Franke is shown. (@moms_of_truth/Instagram) Search warrants obtained by ABC News allege Hildebrandt used cayenne pepper and honey to dress the children's wounds. Both women have remained in custody since their arrest. MORE: Ruby Franke's husband files for divorce as she faces charges of felony child abuse In a statement Saturday announcing Franke would plead guilty, her attorney, LaMar Winward, described Franke as a devoted mother committed to constant improvement. He said his client was a victim of "manipulation." "Initially, Ms. Franke believed that Jodi Hildebrant had the insight to offer a path to continual improvement. Ms. Hildebrant took advantage of this quest and twisted it into something heinous. Over an extended period, Ms. Hildebrant systematically isolated Ruby Franke from her extended family, older children, and her husband, Kevin Franke. This prolonged isolation resulted in Ms. Franke being subjected to a distorted sense of morality." PHOTO: This image from video shows Ruby Franke during a hearing Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in St. George, Utah. (Ron Chaffin/St. George News via AP, Pool) Ruby Franke's attorneys say that since her incarceration, she has been "actively engaged in an introspection that has allowed her to reset her moral compass and understand the full weight of her actions." She is "committed to taking responsibility for the part she played" in the events that led to her arrest, and she is already communicating with family members "to mend relationships and contribute positively to the healing journey of her family," according to the statement from her attorneys. Franke and Hildebrandt were business partners in ConneXions, an organization that promises to "encourage healing and facilitate personal growth through impeccable honesty, rigorous personal responsibility and vulnerable humility," according to its website. Hildebrandt is listed as the founder while Franke is listed as "a certified mental fitness trainer." Franke also operated "8 Passengers," a now defunct YouTube channel that offered parenting advice. Attorneys for Hildebrandt and Kevin Franke did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Kevin Franke filed a petition for divorce last month. In an interview with "Good Morning America" in September, an attorney for the husband said he had been separated from his wife for over a year and had no knowledge of the alleged abuse. YouTube mom Ruby Franke pleads guilty in child abuse case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs I rent and it's expensive, but it could be worse I'm seriously considering leaving the valley if something doesn't give Vote View Results No, don't start searching online for tinkering malaria, as that's not a real thing. It's just a fictitious disease used by the guys over at German custom motorcycle maker Thunderbike to describe the original state of a Harley-Davidson Panhead motorcycle they've recently rescued and transformed. And a very effective term, at least when put in context with how the motorcycle looks now. The Panhead is a golden nugget for custom garages, and one of the most appreciated bikes ever to come out the doors of the Milwaukee bike maker. It's so valuable, in fact, that most of the time the guys converting or restoring these things prefer to keep them close instead of selling them.Panhead is what the Harley-loving community called the bikes made with a certain kind of engine in their frames between 1948 and 1965. An engine whose rocker covers looked like average pans, a common enough item that has somehow inspired generations.Thunderbike does not say exactly what year this Panhead motorcycle was born in, or how big the engine is (it originally shipped as either a 61ci or a 74ci). But that probably matters little in the grand scheme of things.What's important is that not a single bolt was left in place once the Panhead ended up on the workbench, as everything needed to be stripped and repaired or replaced, depending on the condition.The Germans put it back together in a functional form, including by means of welding the engine housing and cylinder heads, patching up the broken exhaust manifolds, and repairing pretty much everything else: the transmission, clutch, primary, forks, wheels, and brakes. Why, even the motorcycle's electrical system had to be remade.That means most of the parts listed above are still on the motorcycle, but the build itself is far from being a Panhead true and true. The German cure for that tinkering malaria mentioned earlier transformed it into a bobber with plenty of custom parts on.Designed as per Thunderbike to be reminiscent of the hot rod style of the 1960s, it features no front fender, but quite a large one at the rear, wrapping around almost half the wheel on its inner side.That fender and the fuel tank have become the central elements of the build, with a creamy butter color made to stand apart by the black flames drawn on them, the tons of black used everywhere else, and the polished aluminum seen here and there.Unlike the way they usually advertise their products, the Germans did not make public the list of custom parts used on the build , now called the Hot Pan. And that also means there's no way for us to get a sense of how much the ride cost to put together in this incredible form. The US automotive landscape is pretty barren these days in terms of passenger cars. Luckily, there are some traditional survivors that dont want to go away without a fight. SUV CVT General Motors, for example, has a few sedans left on its payroll. The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 immediately spring to mind for premium users but if you really want a run-of-the-mill do-everything-on-the-cheap vehicle then the $25,100 mid-size options from Chevrolet the 2024 Malibu is definitely for you.It dares to clash with an entire roster of Asian automakers and still stands proud even as we are currently looking at the latest Toyota novelty presented at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. No, not the 2025 Crown Signia flagship five-seat crossoverthat is coming next year to (sadly) replace the Venza which is both hybrid and quite affordable for its segment.Instead, we are referring to the 2025 Camry, the latest evolution of the best-selling mid-size sedan. According to the rumor mill, Chevrolet may or may not oppose the tenth generation Malibu to this all-new Japanese foe the reports are conflicting: some claim the nameplate will carry on because it has found a niche and other venues say, on the contrary, that it is as doomed as the sixth generation Camaro.The good folks from the Rcars channel on YouTube have some AI-assisted CGI thoughts about the next Chevy Malibu they not only believe that General Motors will allow it to carry on but also their resident pixel master has envisioned the next-gen mid-size sedan ritzier than ever. In fact, it could easily hit some premium notes, if this hypothetical design project was ever real. Sadly, its not although I bet that many customers of Asian mid-sizers would have a change of heart and go American if the real Malibu looked like this.If you still dont want anything other than a Japanese mid-size sedan, the same outlet has another solution for you instead of waiting for the 2025 Camry to arrive with its exclusive hybrid setup, one could dream of Mazda6s return to the United States. And if it looked like this, the Chevy malibu would surely grow jealous and clash with it across imagination land. So, which one would your choice?Remember, though, to take all this with a healthy grain of salt because nothing is official from Chevrolet or Mazda. At the moment, the 2024 Malibu comes with a starting MSRP of just $25,100 in LS, RS, 1LT, and 2LT trims, and only with a 1.5-liter turbo androcking 163 hp and 184 lb-ft. Meanwhile, Mazda doesnt offer the Mazda6 mid-size sedan in its US lineup anymore, so you are left stranded with the Mazda3 as the only four-door sedan option from $24,170. Funny enough, it has a 2.5-liter mill and its more potent (191 hp) than the Malibu! Like with all other things in life, the end result of a custom vehicle job depends heavily on how much work and money goes into it. And that obviously means that when we're talking about thousands of hours and a no expense spared approach toward an idea, the result can't be anything less shiny and impressive than the 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer we have right here. SUV Not long ago we uncovered anfrom this family and of 1972 model year lineage that looked like the most beautiful of its kind we've seen in a long time. Built for Captain Wild Bill Wichrowski of Discovery Channel Deadliest Catch fame, it has everything it takes to make a real splash when it goes under the hammer at the end of January 2024 in Scottsdale.Our belief we won't come across a more beautiful K5 in the time left until the end of the year was shattered this week after we stumbled upon another example of the breed, it too scheduled to sell at the same auction in the same place.A superficial look at the two would have you believe they are twins: almost the same color (in the case of our Blazer here that would be Boxwood Green), the same telltale white bottom stripe (of the Synergy White variety on the 1971 example), the same "I can do" attitude that comes with the massive tires and the suspension lift.The two are not, obviously, twins, nor are they the same car. In fact, they were not even made by the same shop. This one is the frame-off restoration and customization work of Oregon-based Artistic Customs, a shop that's in the business of doing everything from engine upgrades to full custom projects.As one of the most cherished vehicle platforms in the collectors' and customizers' worlds, the Blazer needed to be treated just right, and by the looks of it it was, with nothing left to chance or untreated in some way.The paint job mentioned above was applied over a perfectly straight body, but not before it was acid-dipped. All over the original trim work, including in the wood grain that is to be found on the tailgate, the builders included, by hand, Ochre pinstriping.Other than that, extra care was given to the SUV for it to have all the proper emblems and markings in their right place. A major modification is one that is not easy to spot: Artistic Customs hid the fuel-filler door into the driver-side rear marker light.A restored and immaculately white hardtop hides underneath a simply beautiful interior in bright tan leather, the work of a big name when it comes to custom interiors, Jon Lind. Leather dresses not only the seats of the SUV, but also the dashboard, center console, and door panels.Speaking of the dashboard, this element of the interior houses Dakota Digital instruments, in front of which sits a Flaming Rover tilt steering column.The impressive appearance of the K5 Blazer is more than matched by what was done to the vehicle from a mechanical standpoint.The chassis, the one original to the K5, was completely restored as well, and when it was all done a contrasting black paint was applied all over. Then, the important suspension and braking bits of hardware were added.In this case we're talking about Fox Racing shocks that are backed by a 4-inch lift. These pieces of hardware support Detroit Steel Delray wheels, all four of them sized at 18 inches and dressed in Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tires with massive grooves. What's even more special about the wheels is that they come with the original center caps and steel beauty rings.Behind the wheels there is a Classic Performance Hydrastop braking system, something that's more than required to keep the insane power of the thing's engine in check.The Blazer no longer uses the powerplant it originally had on, and we have no idea which one of the four variants available back when it was made was fitted on it. What matters though is that we're now dealing with an LS3 engine that in this application is rated at an impressive 495 horsepower.The engine works through a 4-speed automatic transmission that sends power further down to the wheels through an NP205 transfer case and 3/4-ton axles. The breathing needs of the engine are taken care of by a TIG-welded exhaust system.As said, this Boxwood Green 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer is selling at auction next month. Barrett-Jackson has been tasked with finding a new owner for it, just like is the case with the Deadliest Catch captain-owned example.Like all cars selling in January, this one too is doing so with no reserve, making it impossible for us to even make an estimate as to how much it might get. It happened in 1963 when the company struck a deal with the government to provide a postal vehicle. Signed by then vice president Byers A. Burlingame, the contract came at a time when Studebaker was struggling financially. The hauler was called the Zip Van, a name inspired by the zip code introduced nationwide in July 1963.Studebaker built the chassis in-house and paired it with bodies made by Met-Pro of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. A cab-over-engine design with right-hand drive, the Zip Van featured a sliding door for the driver and a garage-style tailgate.The vehicle was sparsely equipped, featuring a tiny dash and no convenience features besides a heater and an adjustable seat. The hauler featured two gas pedals. One was used when sitting, and the other was placed lower on the floor to enable the driver to operate the vehicle while standing. The small instrument cluster was sourced from the Transtar pickup, as were some drivetrain components.The 143-inch (3,632-mm) long van drew juice from Studebaker's 170-cubic-inch (2.8-liter) inline-six engine dubbed Skybolt. The mill was introduced in 1961 and found its way into nearly every Studebaker automobile.The USPS contract included a production run of 3,391 vans. The government eventually ordered an additional 847 units, so Studebaker built a total of 4,238 haulers. Production ended in 1966 after the company shut down civilian vehicle manufacturing.The Zip Van was used to deliver mail well into the 1970s, but the vehicle gradually disappeared as newer rigs were ordered by the USPS. Many of them were scrapped when their postal duties ended. It's unknown how many of them are still out there, but a derelict survivor recently surfaced in Kentucky, and it's looking for a new owner.Covered in surface rust with almost no trace of its original red, white, and blue livery, this van was "pulled from the weeds" in 2022. And needless to say, it looks like it's been parked outside for at least 20 years. However, the hauler is still in one piece and surprisingly complete. And amazingly enough, the seller got it running again.According to the ad, the old straight-six got a rebuilt cylinder head, new pushrods and gaskets, and new wires. He also installed a new battery and rebuilt the distributor. However, the engine needs a new starter, a rebuilt carburetor, and a new fuel system to idle and drive. Of course, the brakes are also problematic after so many years of sitting.Granted, this van isn't exactly desirable, and it's probably the least known Studebaker ever built, but it's a quirky classic that deserves a second chance at life. And it will look cute in its original USPS livery. The hauler will probably go for cheap, as the no-reserve auction sits at only $2,475 with just a few hours to go. How much would you pay for this boxy mail truck? 17 December 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more Diplomatic ways of progress can contribute to the prosperous development of life in the South Caucasus, namely concerning Azerbaijan and Armenia. Wishing to find peace, Azerbaijan has rapidly embarked on its realisation. After the completion of the anti-terrorist measure on September 19, only two months have passed since its end and a smooth transition has been made to the achievement of Azerbaijan's goals. The centuries-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has a great possibility of ending either at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2024, and there is evidence of this. We know how the Western community needed this conflict to suppress the development of the countries of the former USSR, and to put pressure on them even after the collapse of the USSR. Economic imbalance, incitement of hatred and enmity between neighbours was also an integral part of the West's plan. While other Western countries were rapidly building up their military, economic, and international power of influence, the post-Soviet countries had to deal with internal and external problems as well as threats. Almost every post-Soviet country had a conflict with a neighbour and faced imminent war, resulting in economic, social and humanitarian imbalances. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries among them to become an independent state and continued to act in the same spirit, striving for independence and escape from the influence of external forces. Today Azerbaijan is getting strengthened day-by-day due to its growing political influence and economic power. The country has resolved conflict issues with Armenia and continues to act in this direction to establish peace in the South Caucasus which is the only guarantee of the countries in the region. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that some politicians in Yerevan have expressed complaints about Russia's efforts to promote Armenian-Azerbaijani normalisation, speculating about the "ineffectiveness" of the 2020-2022 trilateral summit agreements. "We cannot but note several of Yerevan's actions, because of which it has not been possible to fully implement the trilateral agreements. We have already outlined these points. We are talking about the fact that the Armenian side changed its position on Garabagh by 180 degrees at the summit under the auspices of the EU in Prague in October 2022, recognising its belonging to Azerbaijan. The Armenian side's use of the Lachin corridor to supply arms to Garabagh in violation of trilateral agreements and Yerevan's unwillingness to ensure the complete withdrawal of Armenian armed units from the region, which largely led to the clashes in September, also had a negative impact," the Russian diplomat said. Over the past three decades, Armenia, or rather a group of terrorists serving their Western patrons, have turned the Garabagh region into a massive ruin. Having occupied the Azerbaijani territories, the separatist clans being orchestrated by their Western sponsors were tasked to freeze the conflict for many years and to siphon all the fruits and wealth of the Azerbaijani lands from the Garabagh region. Despite huge losses, Azerbaijan managed to untie the knot, overcome many problems, raise the economy and build a new military power. The existing possibility of signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan provides an opportunity for the neighbours of the South Caucasus to strengthen relations and find new ones. There are still the same pro-Western vassals in Armenia and around the world who wish to impose enmity between the neighbours. As we know, Russia has become stricter in its attitude towards Armenia, reducing the consequences of the actions of the ruling authorities in Yerevan to a withdrawal from Russian influence. This can even be viewed in the concern of the Russian authority. "Difficult processes related to Garabagh are taking place in Armenia. But it was not us who gave up Garabagh. It was Armenia that recognised that Garabagh is part of Azerbaijan. And we were not informed that they were preparing to make such a decision. It is just a statement of fact. I don't think it is in Armenia's interest to terminate its membership in the CIS, EurAsEC, or CSTO. In the end, it is still the choice of the state," Putin said. A state within a state, that's how we can characterise the last century for Armenia. We know that France has always acted as a carrot-and-stick for Armenia. Knowing France's policy of colonising many nations and peoples, Armenia in the hands of the Elysee Court has become another experiment in brainwashing and manipulating the public. Azerbaijan told the Armenian authorities to listen less to the advice of the West and, if necessary, to eradicate "Westerners" from Armenia. Having firmly grasped Armenia, the West wants to see Russia's ally (Yerevan) in its "family". Although Armenian-Russian relations are at a turning point, trade relations between the two countries continue, due in large part to Yerevan's assistance in circumventing the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union. It is time to take a broader view of what is happening in the world, as there are forces that want to move chaos to the South Caucasus, through Armenia's arms supply routes via India, France, Iran, the United States and Ukraine. Every country has the right to self-defence when the occasion demands it and has the right to strengthen its military power. So, for what purpose does Armenia now need to buy a military-industrial complex, where its sister country India is a case in point? India's Defence Research and Development Organisation is negotiating with Armenia on the latter's possible sale of missile systems. The missiles in question are the BrahMos and Pralay missiles. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile with a range of up to 290 km and can carry a warhead weighing up to 300kg. Pralay is a short-range ballistic missile (150-500 km). As mentioned above, as long as there are clans of chaos, peace and stability in the South Caucasus will be a slow process, and it may not be without a fight. If Yerevan succeeds in eradicating hatred and reeducating the minds of society in Armenia, it will be possible to do without future bloodshed. On the contrary, the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the exchange of prisoners of war, on reaching an agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the state borders and its security, and the possible opening of railway communication routes and other communications, give great hope for peaceful coexistence between the neighbours and in general in the South Caucasus. "A historic opportunity has been created to settle Armenian-Azerbaijani relations" Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said this at a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was on a visit to Azerbaijan on 14 December. "Azerbaijan and Turkiye believe that neighbours in the region should live peacefully. We expect Armenia to take steps in the same direction," the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister added. Jeyhun Bayramov also touched upon Yerevan's proposal to withdraw troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and called it unacceptable. "The border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not demarcated. Under such conditions, if you withdraw troops, where are the guarantees that these positions will not be occupied by the other side? This Armenian proposal is unacceptable for Azerbaijan." The French are preparing the ground for hatred more than the Armenians. If we do not support Armenia, we will prepare the ground for a new war. This was stated by French MEP Raphael Glucksman in an interview with Armenian media, responding to the statements of the President of Azerbaijan that "France is preparing the ground for a new war by helping to arm Armenia". He said France made the right decision to send arms to Armenia and its example should be followed by other European countries. Of course, expecting something more from the politicians around a state like France, which has kept imperialism alive until the 21st century, is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Because they see victory in armament, provocation and political manipulation. During the conflict, their political positions were completely different - France, Europe, and even the West repeatedly considered the arming of Azerbaijan, which was for ensuring its territorial integrity, as a threat, and some diplomatic representatives expressed concern about this. Why did they not worry about arming Armenia today? Or is this the West's next approach with double standards? "I am convinced that when you face an authoritarian tyrant, the best way to prevent war is to be firm. If you are weak, you encourage belligerent tendencies. We are helping Armenia secure its borders, and the message should be not only to transfer military equipment but also financial support, showing that if it overcomes all this, there is a place for it in the European national family. It is clear from Glucksman's words that the plans of the forces in the West for 30 years have failed. Because currently, the power they are talking about is on the side of Azerbaijan. The strengthening of the Azerbaijani army and economy is already worrying those parties, and for this reason, they are trying to prevent it with excuses or slow down the restoration of relations between the two states by any means. But this is also temporary - although they certainly do not want permanent peace in the region, it will happen sooner or later. --- Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 11:16 (UTC+04:00) The Baku-Nakhchivan flight has been postponed, Azernews informs with reference to Report. The flight J2-251, which was supposed to fly from Baku to Nakhchivan at 07:00, was postponed until 09:30. According to the information, this is related to the current weather conditions in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 13:50 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more The construction of the Rasht-Astara railway corridor between Azerbaijan and Iran will begin in a month and a half, Azernews reports, citing Iranian Deputy Transport Minister Shahryiar Afandizadeh telling at a meeting. "According to the agreement reached, we hope to start the implementation of this project from the beginning of 2024, about a month and a half later," the Deputy Minister said. Efendizade also noted that the 162-kilometer section of the Rasht-Astara railway is currently the most important railway project in Iran. According to the Iranian official, the Rasht-Astara railway project and the representative of the Iranian contractor of the project, namely the Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company, presented a report on the projects physical progress. Note that the AstaraRashtQazvin railway is a transport corridor that connects existing railways of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. The project is carried out within the framework of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor. The purpose of the project is to integrate the transport and information routes of Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and India. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 14:59 (UTC+04:00) The first meeting of the Central Election Headquarters of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) was held on December 17c Azernews reports. After discussions, a decision was made to establish local headquarters and the composition of YAP local headquarters was approved for each administrative territorial unit. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 16:50 (UTC+04:00) A gala concert under the motto "We are Together" dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) has been held at the Headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris, the capital of France, Azernews reports. Nearly 70 artists from 7 countries took part in the concert which raised great enthusiasm among the audience composed of nearly 1500 spectators. The gala concert, co-organized by the Permanent Representations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye and Turkmenistan to UNESCO under the coordination of TURKSOY gathered not only French spectators but also art lovers from the Turkic diaspora living in France. While TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev did not attend the concert due to his health condition, his video message shared with the participants was greeted with applause. The concert was attended by TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, the President of the 42nd UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela. General Conference President Simona-Mirela Miculescu, UNESCO Deputy Director General for External Relations Anthony Kwaku Ohemeng-Boamah, Secretary General of the CIS Ambassador Kubanchbek Omuraliyev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Ambassador Askar Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, Ambassador Kamol Mukhtarov, Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, Ambassador Gulnur Aybet, Permanent Representative of Turkiye to UNESCO, Ambassador Yunus Demirer, Ambassador of Turkiye to Paris and many other guests also attended the event. The celebration event featuring performances of Turkic melodies and folk songs from Central Asia to Anatolia along with local dances of the Turkic world by artists from various countries thereof dressed in colourful traditional garments was strongly appreciated by the audience. The folk song by Neset Ertas and the accompanying local dance performance attracted great attention. Uzbek artists kept rhythm with their traditional instruments and guests clapped to the rhythm of the song with enthusiasm. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev who reminded that this event held in UNESCO Headquarters marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of TURKSOY Abdullayev further added that as an international organization established in 1993 by the ministers of culture of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan TURKSOY has been "shedding light" on the cultural heritage of Turkic-speaking countries with many colourful events and various other cultural activities ever since. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Hungary has warned Bulgaria that it will veto its accession to the Schengen zone if Russia does not reverse its decision to raise the tariff on natural gas transit through its territory, Azernews reports. Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, said in an interview with Pannon RTV. "If this continues for a long time and threatens the security of Hungary's energy supply, we will veto their membership in the Schengen zone," the minister said. The minister said a decision on Bulgaria's Schengen membership could be made soon, while Sofia was thinking about cancelling a law on raising natural gas tariffs that was previously passed by the country's parliament. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 10:50 (UTC+04:00) The head of dummy companies that cheated citizens in India under the name of employment in Azerbaijan was arrested. According to reports, during a two-day operation against illegal recruitment firms by the police and the Defender of Migrants in Kochi's Kalamasseri town, two firms were shut down and one person arrested. According to the information, the companies "Bhuvaneshwari Infotech" and "Manpower Consultancy" were closed on charges of operating without a license. The owner of both companies, 42-year-old Pradip Kumar, was arrested. Seals, notebooks, and contracts with job applicants were seized by the police, mainly from countries such as Azerbaijan, Poland, Ukraine, and Canada. According to the police, both companies defrauded several customers who applied for jobs. Pradip Kumar was produced before the court and remanded in custody. It should be noted that a few days ago members of the group that cheated citizens in Azerbaijan and other countries under the name of employment were arrested. The Crime Branch of the Indian Police has arrested several people, including the mastermind of a fake foreign employment agency caught in West Bengal, and has recovered 482 passports of people from different states of the country. Moreover, 7 people were arrested in connection with the criminal case. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 12:07 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The United States and Georgia have signed an agreement on the extradition of criminals, Azernews reports, citing the US Embassy report. According to the department, the document was signed by the head of the Ministry of Justice Rati Bregadze the chief prosecutor Irakli Shotadze from the Georgian side, and Bruce Schwartz, the US deputy attorney general and secretary for international relations, from the American side. "This is an important moment in the history of Georgia. The last 30 years of effective cooperation between Georgia and the United States is proof of our enduring friendship, and this historic agreement is the culmination of that partnership," Prosecutor Shotadze said. Negotiations on the conclusion of an extradition treaty between the United States and Georgia have been ongoing since January. According to the Georgian prosecutor's office, the agreement will increase the effectiveness of the fight against crime. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 12:58 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre The planet Earth, on which we live and which provides us with all the resources for life, is facing a serious threat. As there are different layers of the earth's surface, the ozone layer, which mainly protects it from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, is considered one of the important elements. Apart from being a curtain layer, the ozone layer also acts as a shield that protects the Earth from harmful rays that can enter from outer space. Recent studies by scientists show that a hole is forming in the ozone layer and that this hole is growing every time, increasing the risk of danger. The hole's size variability is influenced by a strong wind band around Antarctica, a result of Earth's rotation and temperature differences. The band acts as a barrier, isolating air masses over polar latitudes. Professor Parisa Ariya, an expert in chemistry and atmospheric and oceanic sciences at McGill University, told Turkiye's Anadolu how the substances catalytically destroy ozone, posing risks to human health and the environment. Ariya said human-made emitted gaseous and halogenated molecules have caused a significant decrease in the ozone layer, and thereby, the ozone layer's capability to filter the harsh radiation and expose us to stronger radiation with adverse health effects. In 1987, two years after the discovery of the ozone layer, heads of state and government gathered to sign the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, banning the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) -- chemicals that deplete the protective layer. Despite the signing of the Montreal Protocol, Ariya insists that vigilance and updated protocols are imperative. We need to be more aware of these developments and have safeguards by evolving even further the original Montreal Protocol, she said. Ozone, also identified as a greenhouse gas, plays a crucial role in regulating climate by trapping heat, said Ariya. Scientific advancements, including satellite technology and spectrometers, enable accurate monitoring of ozone levels. Ariya reported steady recovery trends but urged continuous vigilance and observation to ensure sustained progress. She emphasized that some of the halogenated compounds that are not yet banned and are used, for instance, in Asia, notably China, for agriculture and other purposes, are emitting and will have adverse effects on the planet and humans. She stressed that several sustainable alternatives exist, however, vigilance is crucial to prevent the release of hazardous materials. Ariya urged a drastic reduction in emissions affecting climate change, air quality and health. To protect the ozone layer, Ariya urged targeted efforts in cities where a significant portion of pollutants is emitted. Advocacy for cleaner cities, sustainable transport and lifestyle changes are essential in reducing human effects. Ariya stressed the importance of long-term protection by bringing stakeholders together. We must remain vigilant and observe for a long time to ensure it will steadily recover in the long term, she said. We also have to adjust the regulation appropriately with the change of emitters and other processes that are linked to ozone transformation in the future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 16:15 (UTC+04:00) More Chinese agencies and government-backed firms across the country have ordered staff to stop bringing iPhones and other foreign devices to work, setting in motion an unprecedented prohibition thats likely to block Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. from parts of the worlds biggest mobile market, Azernews informs via Bloomberg. Multiple state firms and government departments across at least eight provinces including the prosperous coast instructed employees in the past month or two to start carrying local brands, according to people familiar with the matter. Thats a major step-up from around September, when a small number of agencies in Beijing and Tianjin began telling staff to leave foreign devices at home, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential orders. The much broader, coordinated effort marks a dramatic quickening of Beijings campaign to wean itself off American technology, coinciding with the resurgent popularity of homegrown brand Huawei Technologies Co. Xi Jinpings administration this year decided to expand a ban on foreign devices beyond the most sensitive departments a directive that had been in place for years to encompass many more government agencies and even state firms, Bloomberg News reported in September. Apple shares dipped to a session low after Bloomberg reported on the widening bans. The stock fell less than 1% to $197.57 at the close Friday in New York and then declined further in after-hours trading. Apple had reached a record high earlier in the week. While Chinese software and hardware have gradually replaced American products over the years from Microsoft Corp. software to Dell computers and Intel Corp. chips the edict threatens to deal a swift and direct hit to Apples market share. This month, smaller firms and agencies in lower-tier cities have issued their own verbal directives, suggesting a much broader movement is kicking in, the people said. The orders originated from cities across at least eight provinces from prosperous Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Anhui to northern Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning and central Hebei home to the worlds largest iPhone factory. The Chinese government has previously pushed back on reports about iPhone restrictions, while also raising concerns about the security of the device. China has not issued laws and regulations to ban the purchase of Apple or foreign brands phones, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a press briefing in September. Its unclear how many government agencies precisely have issued directives, nor how widespread theyve been. Different organizations will likely vary in how zealously they enforce internal edicts, with some forbidding Apple devices from the workplace and others barring their use entirely. Collectively however, they present a major challenge for Samsung and Apple, which are both struggling to sustain growth in a key market. For Apple, which also uses China to produce the majority of its devices, the country yields about a fifth of its revenue. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 December 2023 20:45 (UTC+04:00) The president of Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC Pierluigi Di Palma on Sunday signed an agreement with his Libyan counterpart Mohamed Shlebikf for the "resumption" "and implementation" of commercial flights between Italy and Libya, Azernewss reports. The document, ENAC said, "consolidates the strong relationship between the two countries, defines the framework for the resumption of commercial air traffic and implements the European clauses in terms of safety, security and recognition of carrier designation, without limitation, and fair competition". "I share the thoughts of the Italian Ambassador to Tripoli, Gianluca Alberini, who recently stressed the importance of the historical presence of Italian companies" in Libya," said Di Palma, adding that "it has already been possible to resume connections with (Malta-based Libyan airline) Med Sky". "With the agreement signed today, new opportunities are also opening up for civil aviation that strengthen connections and are the result of work carried out, on the instructions of the government, by ENAC supported by AISE and the Italian embassy in Tripoli," he added. The joint objective of the two countries is to strengthen trade relations and bilateral cooperation by implementing long-term economic cooperation programmes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Orthodox Georgians today are celebrating the Day of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr who was tortured and killed by her father after she converted to Christianity, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. Georgians celebrate Barbaroba annually with an old folk tradition - baking festive food lobiani, a bread baked with bean stuffing, honouring Saint Barbara. Saint Barbara is considered a special protector and healer of children. Georgians also believe the first person to visit their house on this day as a guest - mekvle which translates as someone who sets the course, or the first-foot - will determine how lucky the following year will be for the family.' The tacklebox bulging with fall bass lures slims considerably for wintertime bass fishing. Topwaters, fast-moving lures, and tons of soft plastics can be eliminated from the tacklebox when winter arrives. Missouri guide Jack Uxa considers winter the easiest season to choose baits for bass fishing. "All of your fast-moving baits are out of the question," Uxa says. "This time of year, you just need a handful of rods in the boat." Water temperatures in Uxa's part of the country drop into the upper 30-degree range throughout winter, and his home waters of Lake of the Ozarks rarely freezes over anymore. The cold water forces Uxa to slow down his lures, but he can still work his baits "fairly fast" in early winter. "One thing about winter fishing is you have to find the schools of bass," Uxa says. "You will definitely find clusters of five to seven bass in an area, which is your goal." The guide fishes with moving baits first to cover water and when he catches a bass or two, he switches to slower-moving lures to pick off the rest of the bass in the school. Uxa's top five picks for wintertime bass fishing are the following lures. Jerkbait Image A jerkbait is an effective lure for catching numbers of suspended wintertime bass. A jerkbait is great for catching a variety of sizes of bass and is good in many different conditions," Uxa says. It is a great bait for mimicking baitfish. It can be twitched to make plenty of flash and paused. Uxa notes the lure is ideal for the deep, clear reservoirs in his region where bass suspend during winter. The flash catches the attention of a suspending bass, and the pause gives even the most lethargic fish a chance to swim up to the lure and eat it. Uxas favorite suspending stickbaits for wintertime bass are the 4 1/2-inch Berkley Stunna and the Tackle HD Fiddle-Styx. He favors white jerkbaits for cloudy days and flashy chrome colors on sunny days. Translucent and natural colors also produce for Uxa throughout the winter. The Missouri angler varies his retrieves depending on the days conditions. "There are times when I am working a jerkbait fairly fast, and there are other times I am deadsticking it," he says. His standard retrieve is a series of two rod jerks, followed by a short pause, then three jerks and a pause. A 6-foot, 6-inch, or 6-09 medium action spinning rod and spinning reel are Uxa's combo for casting a jerkbait, especially on windy days. His reel is filled with a main line of 15-pound Spiderwire braid with a 6-foot leader of 10-pound monofilament line. Alabama Rig The Alabama rig is Uxas wintertime power fishing presentation with a heavy action casting rod and thick line. I want to be able to put my back into it to be able to make long casts and want to set the hook hard, Uxa says. Sometimes the bass will absolutely hammer it, and when they do, I like to hit them back just as hard as they hit me." Uxa favors the rig for wintertime bass because he can cover more water with it, and it usually produces bigger fish than the jerkbait. He claims the A-rig is also great for tricking suspended bass and is easy to see on forward-facing sonar and tell how bass are reacting to his presentation. Image Retrieving an Alabama rig at a slow, steady pace triggers strikes from quality bass in the winter. Alabama rigs equipped with lots of spinner blades, such as the Yum Yumbrella Flash Mob, are Uxa's top pick for most wintertime situations, although he will switch to umbrella rigs without spinners on calm, sunny days. He adorns the rig with 3.5- or 4-inch Tackle HD swimmer swimbaits (white, Tennessee shad, or gray ghost hues) attached to 1/8- or 3/16-ounce jigheads. A slow, steady retrieve produces the best for Uxa most of the time in the winter. "Speed is an important factor when it comes to Alabama rigs," says Uxa, who states he constantly has to remind his clients to slow down their retrieve so the rig stays in the strike zone. Uxa beefs up his gear for his A-rig by using a 7-09 heavy action casting rod and a 6.3:1 gear ratio baitcast reel filled with 20- or 25-pound fluorocarbon line. Jig Jigs are just a versatile lure that you can pitch into some cover and get it behind docks," Uxa says. The tournament veteran opts for jigs to pitch behind docks on steep banks where he can stair-step the lure down any ledges behind the docks. Uxa opts for a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce jig in peanut butter and jelly, brown or black-and-blue colors for his wintertime fishing. His favorite jig trailers for winter bass are green pumpkin Berkley Chigger Craws or a Chompers Possum Tail. Crawling the jig along the bottom, is Uxa's standard wintertime retrieve, although he will occasionally twitch the bait and pause it when fishing around cover. He presents the jig with a 7-0 heavy action casting rod and 8.0:1 baitcast reel spooled with 15-pound test Berkley Trilene Professional Grade 100% Fluorocarbon. Ned Rig The Ned rig definitely has a place that needs to be discussed in the wintertime," Uxa says, It is an absolute fish catcher. Uxa suggests the rig catches a lot of small bass, but there are times when big bass will eat a smaller meal in the wintertime. He proclaims the rig is ideal for fishing during the bright bluebird skies of a cold front. Uxas Ned rig consists of a 1/8-ounce jighead with a wire weedguard combined with a Crock-O-Gator Shortie, a 3.5-inch worm with a floating bulbous tail. Uxa favors a floating worm because it makes the Ned rig stand up better when dragged along the bottom. His color choices for the worm include green pumpkin, black blue, watermelon red, and brown with some blue tint. The Ned rig produces best for Uxa when he lets it sink to the bottom and slowly reels it along the lake's floor. He retrieves the rig with a 7-foot medium action spinning rod and medium-size spool spinning reel filled with a main line of 10-pound braid and a 6-foot leader of 10-pound monofilament. This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff A federal judge has dismissed three separate lawsuits against North Carolina State University involving allegations of sexual abuse by the school's former sports medicine director. One of the suits can proceed only against the man accused of abuse.US District Judge Louise Flanagan issued her rulings Monday in all three cases. In the first, brought by former Wolfpack soccer player Benjamin Locke in August 2022, the judge ruled that the lawsuit could continue against defendant Robert Murphy Jr. But Locke cannot proceed with his suit against the university.The other two cases, filed this year, both involved anonymous plaintiffs listed as John Doe. In both cases, the university was listed as the only defendant. Flanagan dismissed both of those lawsuits and issued final judgments favoring NC State.Locke alleged in the original lawsuit that Murphy had touched his genitals improperly during 75 to 100 massages between August 2015 and May 2017. Locke said he later believed those massages lackedmedical necessity. Locke's suit also alleged that former soccer head coach Kelly Findley told a senior athletics official in February 2016 that Murphy was engaging in contactThe suit alleged that the school took no follow-up action.Flanagan wrote in the order addressing Locke's case.As for the university,Flanagan wrote.Flanagan also ruled that she lacked jurisdiction to hear Locke's complaint that NC State providedThe judge also rejected a Title IX claim against the school.Findley's statements about possible "grooming" did not amount to a report of a specific instance of sexual harassment that would have given NC Stateunder legal standards, Flanagan ruled. The judge also rejected Locke's argument that Murphy's reassignment to an administrative role in 2017 led to anIn the second case, filed in February by awho sought treatment from Murphy for hip pain in 2015, Flanagan ruled again that the plaintiff had failed to show that NC State had receivedof the alleged abuse. In that case, the university was the only defendant.Flanagan wrote.The third case, filed in April, involved aidentified as John Doe 2 who sought treatment from Murphy for hip and groin pain in 2021. As in the previous cases, Flanagan determined that the plaintiff failed to show that NC State had actual notice of the alleged abuse.Because the two suits from anonymous plaintiffs named only the university as a defendant, Flanagan ordered both cases closed. 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. A New Zealand government employee has been arrested for leaking a government database on Covid vaccine deaths that shows an alarming death rate from the jab. The big issue is why the government has kept this database hidden and not made it public themselves. The database tabulated the number of persons vaccinated with each individual batch of the vaccine, and the number of vaccinated people who died from that batch of vaccine. The numbers varied considerably by batch, with the worst batch having 21.38% of those injected die from the vaccine. A total of six batches had death rates from the vaccine of over 10%. Nationwide, throughout the period of Covid vaccination, the government database shows that 0.75% died from the vaccine. That means that getting vaccinated gave a person almost a 1 in 100 chance of dying from the vaccine. And they call THAT safe? The whistleblower, government statistician Barry Young received a standing ovation from the packed public galleries when he made his first appearance in court. https://vigilantnews.com/post/nz-whistleblower-arrested-for-exposing-the-truth-heres-what-they-didnt-want-you-to-see/ Meanwhile, a new study by medical researchers found that one in ten of those injected with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, had the mRNA signals mistranslated where human cells did not make the spike protein intended, but made different proteins, some of which were harmless but others harmful. "Misdirected immunity has huge potential to be harmful," said Dr. James Thaventhiran, lead author of the study. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/pfizer-mrna-vaccine-makes-aberrant-proteins-experts-concerned-about-autoimmunity-events Revolver.com reports: Rumors are rampant online and elsewhere that Democrats are itching to replace Joe Biden. Were not talking about a sinister back-alley plot, but given his latest poll numbers, they might be seriously contemplating it. Although he is the presumptive nominee, Mr Bidens candidacy is not guaranteed until he wins the support of a majority of party delegates to its convention. Most delegates are political activists, local party leaders and the like, pledged to support a particular candidate; the number allocated to each candidate is determined through primary elections and caucuses. The rest are made up of the Democratic Party establishment. Primary season begins with New Hampshire, on January 23rd, and runs until early June. In August delegates will gather at the Democratic convention in Chicago to cast votes on behalf of their state or territory. According to these new abysmal numbers, it seems clear that Democrats have no choice but to knock Biden off the 2024 ticket. The recent numbers are startling. Joe Bidens approval rating has plummeted to a humiliating 33 percent. Frankly, considering the shape of the country, that number seems surprisingly generous. The New York Post: President Bidens job approval rating has plunged to a measly 33%, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday The dismal rating is the lowest that Pew Research has measured since Biden, 81, took office and represents a 2 point drop since the organizations last approval survey in June. The presidents approval rating among registered Republicans and those that lean Republican stayed level at 7%, while his support among Democrats tumbled 4 points from June, to 61%. The pollster notes that Bidens job rating among Democrats has fallen 12 points since October 2022 and is relatively low among most major demographic groups. Only about half of black Americans, 52%, say they approve of Bidens job in the oval office. Meanwhile, Trump leads Biden in every swing state poll coming from Bloomberg. Western Journal: Democrats relentless persecution of former President Donald Trump has backfired. And as their failures have multiplied, their narrative has crumbled. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported the results of its latest swing-state poll, its third in the last three months. In short, the news has grown progressively worse for President Joe Biden. This latest poll of 4,935 registered voters, conducted online Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, showed Trump leading Biden in all seven presumptive swing states likely to decide the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Trump, in fact, polled 5 points ahead of Biden on average. The former president led by 2 in Pennsylvania; 3 in Nevada; 4 in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin; 6 in Georgia and 9 in North Carolina. Aside from North Carolina, the certified results had Trump losing all of those states in the 2020 presidential election. The dilemma for Democrats wanting to sideline Biden is that hes stubborn, arrogant, and unwilling to step aside for the party or the country. Replacing him seems nearly impossible unless he voluntarily steps down. Biden holds the full support of the DNCs financial machine and most donors. Anyone attempting to replace him would face financial hurdles, among other things. The only feasible scenarios for a Biden-less 2024 might involve a scandal, impeachment, or some behind-the-scenes deal to encourage him to walk away. Otherwise, Bidens dwindling poll numbers could spell disaster for the Democrats in 2024. Regardless of the number of mail-in ballots they manage to print, nobodys buying that 81 million number this time around. Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has called on DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste the momentum behind talks on the Governments 2.5 billion package to stabilise finances in Northern Ireland. The Government has offered the lump sum to settle outstanding public sector pay demands and a new fiscal floor for Northern Ireland, but it is dependent on a restored powersharing administration in Belfast. Northern Irelands institutions require the largest unionist and nationalist parties to share power but the Stormont Assembly and Executive have been effectively collapsed for almost two years amid DUP protest action over unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements. Leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (PA) On Saturday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told party members the Government needs to provide much more in its offer for Northern Ireland. He also said his party would not let hype, spin and sometimes ill-founded claims distract it from its own negotiations with the Government to restore Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom and its internal market. Sir Jeffrey told members those negotiations are separate from the ongoing talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris on the regions public finances. Speaking to the BBCs Sunday Politics Northern Ireland, Mr Finucane said it was time for the DUP to join with other parties and seize the moment to return to the Executive. It is clear this week there has been momentum. It is clear that the time is now for Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste the momentum, not to waste the opportunity that is present. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (PA) He added: If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everyone in this society as we face the pain of more and more underfunding. Mr Finucane said there was an absence of a reason why the Assembly and Executive cannot be returned, adding: There is a world outside of the DUP. He said Sinn Fein wants to return to the Executive to tackle issues in the public sector. In the absence of an Executive, in the absence of leadership being shown by Jeffrey Donaldson, we will be at the mercy once again of the Chris Heaton-Harrises of this world who will happily slice away our services to the point where the system certainly with regards to health will collapse. Alliance Party MLAs Andrew Muir and Eoin Tennyson (PA) Alliance party finance spokesman Eoin Tennyson said the public had been more than patient with the DUP as he called on the party to return to powersharing. They (the public) have been looking into yet another Christmas with uncertainty about their pay awards. Theyre languishing on waiting lists. They cant get their children adequate support in schools. Mr Tennyson added: I dont think the public will wear another Christmas where theyre witnessing this kind of pantomime politics where were all traipsing back and forth from Hillsborough Castle for talks; they want their politicians working and delivering for them. He said it was Alliances intention to enter into the Executive, subject to approval from the partys council. UUP leader Doug Beattie (PA) UUP leader Doug Beattie said his partys leadership is intent on going back into Executive. Mr Beattie said he was waiting to see the final make-up of the financial package for the region, how the Executive may be reformed and any programme for government. Asked if it was his personal opinion that the UUP should not return to the Executive, Mr Beattie said that is not where the party stands and rejected an allegation that the partys MLAs were split five to four on the matter. Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA Matthew OToole (PA) SDLP MLA for South Belfast Matthew OToole told the same programme that the party will be in opposition following the results of the election: If we are there by ourselves, we will do the job and look forward to doing the job. If other parties wish to join us, I look forward to working constructively and actively with them. TUV leader Jim Allister said the DUP has no mandate to return to the Executive if they are returning to implement the union-dismantling protocol. That is why the Government is so desperate to get the DUP back so that they can cement the protocol by unionist implementation, he said. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (centre), Gavin Robinson and Gordon Lyons outside Hillsborough earlier this week (Photo by Jonathan Porter/PressEye) The Government is expected to make an enhanced financial offer to support the return of Stormont but sources say that wont be enough to get the DUP back around the Executive table this side of Christmas. Instead, it is understood Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party is awaiting the Government to agree to legislative changes relating to the post-Brexit trading arrangements. Last week London offered a 2.5bn funding package in exchange for the return of the power-sharing institutions a package the political parties say is not enough. The Government indicated the offer was up for negotiation, and now it is expected an improved package will be made. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also told Mr Donaldson in the Commons that he was prepared to introduce such legislation, but only if Stormont was restored. Graphic DUP sources told the Belfast Telegraph a deal before Christmas was highly unlikely, with early January being more realistic. They said the DUP wants legislation around the Irish Sea border to be agreed before it ends its boycott. Mr Donaldson hinted at this in a weekend email to party members. While we know the importance of having our public finances on a secure long-term footing, an adequate financial package from the Treasury does not fix the constitutional and economic issues arising from the protocol, he wrote. In negotiations with the Government across a range of issues, we have been able to identify legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives. This is important work and we will not allow ourselves to be distracted by hype, spin and sometimes ill-founded claims as we seek to deliver long-term solutions, measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom. The email continues: It is only because of the action taken by the DUP there is a focus on all these matters. We are continuing to work to deliver a package of new arrangements that will respect Northern Irelands constitutional position and our entitlement to be a full part of the United Kingdom internal market. Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said he welcomed the constructive discussions with the parties over the last week. The parties have had time to consider the generous package offered by the Government to support Northern Irelands public services in the event that the Executive is restored. I look forward to discussing final details with the parties over the coming days. Speaking on the BBCs Sunday Politics programme, Sinn Feins John Finucane said that there had been momentum towards a Stormont deal in recent days and urged Mr Donaldson to show leadership. It is clear that the time is now for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste that momentum, he said. If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everyone in this society as we face the pain of more and more underfunding. He added: I think its time for him to show leadership, to recognise that there is a world outside the DUP. The cold conditions are causing problems on the roads (stock image) A three car crash on the M2 motorway Belfast bound has been moved to the hard shoulder/bus lane. The crash, which was in the outer lane, occurred near motorway services and junction 4 at Sandyknowes. All traffic lanes are now open but delays are still expected. Meanwhile, the double pedestrian crossing on the Malone Road/Rosemary Park (near House of Sport Roundabout) in Belfast was not working on Thursday morning due to damage in a crash on Wednesday afternoon. Road users are asked to approach with caution, and be watchful for pedestrians trying to cross the road at this location. The graffiti comes in the wake of a series of incidents in an escalating campaign of racial hatred Loyalist paramilitary elements are believed to be behind the latest race hate graffiti to appear in east and south Belfast. Slogans demanding local housing for local people were daubed on walls at Glenvale Street off the Woodvale Road in the east of the city during the week and similar graffiti appeared on Sandy Row on Friday morning. The Sunday World reports the attacks, which have been designated hate crimes by the PSNI, are the work of elements within the UDA and UVF. The east Belfast incident occurred close to the offices of a well-known estate agents. It was named in the graffiti and according to sources was targeted because it has let properties to foreign nationals. The Sunday World contacted the company but no one was available for comment. The Sandy Row graffiti comes in the wake of a series of incidents in an escalating campaign of racial hatred, including the targeting and burning of a shop owned by an Algerian national. Hate crimes across the Sandy Row and neighbouring Donegall Pass areas have doubled in the last five years. According to research carried out by The Detail, Botanic which includes the two loyalist strongholds routinely comes top of the list of areas in Northern Ireland with the highest number of race hate crimes. Of the 880 race hate offences recorded in Northern Ireland in 2022/23, around one in six were recorded in Botanic. Graffiti The area has seen a series of attacks against immigrant-owned businesses over the summer. One shop owner in the area, who is from an immigrant background, revealed loyalist paramilitaries tried to extort money following a race hate attack in November last year. The victim, who was too frightened to be identified, said a man was arrested after he came into the shop and shouted racist abuse. After the arrest, three men approached the owner, told them not to call police in future and tried to extract protection money. Elsewhere, Mohammed Idriss computer shop on Sandy Row in south Belfast was destroyed in an arson attack in September. In recent months several businesses owned by immigrants have been targeted. Mr Idris, who is originally from Sudan, said his premises had been targeted in five attacks over two months all of which were reported to police. His shop had only recently moved to premises on Sandy Row after operating on Great Victoria Street for eight years without any issues. I lost everything, everything in that premises, he said. Mr Idris said he and other business owners from immigrant backgrounds felt unsafe. Last night the PSNI confirmed they had received reports about race hate graffiti. Police received a number of reports of criminal damage in north Belfast on Tuesday, 5th December. Racist graffiti and stickers had been placed on two commercial premises and one residential address in the Woodvale Road / Glenvale Street area. It is believed that the incidents took place between 8pm and 8.30pm on that date. Chief Inspector Hagan said: We are treating these reports as hate crimes. There is no place in our society for this type of behaviour and I would ask anyone with any information to contact police at Tennent Street on 101, quoting reference number 1805 of 05/12/23. Alternatively, you can report online at https://www.psni.police.uk/report or in confidence through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If the DUP returns to Stormont with the Northern Ireland Protocol in place it would be a betrayal, TUV leader Jim Allister has said. Mr Allister was speaking ahead of talks between the Stormont parties and the Government at Hillsborough on Monday. Northern Ireland has been without a fully functioning government since last February, when Paul Givan resigned as First Minister as part of the DUPs protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements, namely the NI Protocol. Three days of talks between the Government and the parties were held earlier this week aimed at restoring the power-sharing institutions. The Government has offered a 2.5bn financial package to support Stormonts return, however the parties have said this is not adequate to put Northern Ireland on a firm financial footing. Speaking on the BBCs Sunday Politics programme, Sinn Feins John Finucane recognised that there has been momentum regarding progress towards a Stormont deal in recent days. It is clear that the time is now for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste that momentum, he said. If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everyone in this society as we face the pain of more and more underfunding. He added: I think its time for [Sir Jeffrey] to show leadership, to recognise that there is a world outside the DUP. That world is struggling badly amid a cost of living crisis. Its a world where public sector workers are having to go on strike. Its a world where people are on waiting lists. Alliance Party MLA Eoin Tennyson said there is absolutely no reason the institutions cannot be restored before Christmas, while TUV leader Jim Allister said the Government is desperate for the DUP to get back around the Executive table to cement the Northern Ireland Protocol in place. He said if the DUP returned to Stormont with the protocol in place it would be a betrayal. If the Assembly returns to implement the protocol through an Executive which has no veto over any of the protocol, then I will be there as a voice of opposition and ensure that those who have performed that betrayal of their own stand will be discomforted, he added. In a message to party members on Saturday, Sir Jeffrey said the Government need to provide much more than what has been offered in terms of financial support for Northern Ireland. He added that the DUP would not let hype, spin and sometimes ill-founded claims distract it from its own negotiations with the Government to restore Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom and its internal market. TUV say posters arent intimidation and the party looks forward to the warning they contain being heeded. Several 'Stop DUP sell out' posters have appeared across Northern Ireland in response to a possible power-sharing deal Several 'Stop DUP sell out' posters have appeared across Northern Ireland in response to a possible power-sharing deal The posers appeared outside DUP constituency offices of MPs and MLAs Paul Givan, Carla Lockhart and Diane Forsythe alongside the party's leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. The posers appeared outside DUP constituency offices of MPs and MLAs Paul Givan, Carla Lockhart and Diane Forsythe alongside the party's leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Several 'Stop DUP sell out' posters have appeared across Northern Ireland in response to a possible power-sharing deal The posers appeared outside DUP constituency offices of MPs and MLAs Paul Givan, Carla Lockhart and Diane Forsythe alongside the party's leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. The leadership of the DUP has accused the TUV of undermining unionist negotiating after posters urging Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons party not to sell out appeared outside several of its constituency offices across Northern Ireland. The placards, which read STOP DUP SELLOUT, were spotted outside the offices of DUP leader Sir Jeffrey, Carla Lockhart MP and Diane Forsythe MLA, among others. Their placement as the DUP prepares to engage in further talks with the Government alongside other political parties over a deal to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The Government has offered a 2.5bn financial package to support Stormonts return, although the parties have said this is not adequate to put Northern Ireland on a firm financial footing. In a post on the social media website X, Sir Jeffrey said TUV members were captured on CCTV outside his constituency office putting up a poster. "Like cowards they arrived in the middle of the night and tried in vain to hide their identity but they are known to us. I will not be intimidated or distracted by such shadowy behaviour any more than similar behaviour I have faced in the past by republicans, the Lagan Valley MP said. So much for the TUV wanting unionists to stand together. Their mission is to divide, vote split and undermine their fellow unionists. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In a post on X, Diane Forsythe posted a screengrab of the CCTV footage from outside her office apparently showing a poster being placed. "The brave TUV men who came in the middle of the night to intimidate a female unionist elected representative outside my Kilkeel office, one of them a failed MLA candidate. Well this woman wont be intimidated. The DUP is determined to protect our place in the Union, she wrote. "The people of South Down are not impressed by these shadowy and cowardly actions. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In a further statement, DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said the party is aware that across the past few days a number of TUV members, including some TUV candidates who were rejected by the electorate in the Assembly election, have been witnessed erecting political posters in parts of Northern Ireland designed to attack and smear Northern Irelands largest unionist party. Sir Jeffrey has said it is "approaching the time" for a decision but party sources said that it would be unlikely it would occur prior to Christmas. The talks are set to resume on Monday. It is very clear that the focus of some is not on restoring Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom, but rather on weakening our collective strength as we negotiate with the United Kingdom Government, in the hope that a successful outcome for Northern Ireland and the Union is not secured and that there are no local Ministers and elected representatives exercising powers in Belfast, said Mr Robinson. "Whilst these political posters have no details indicating who has published or printed them, we were aware from last week of them being in production. "Jim Allister has stressed how important he believes unionism standing together in opposition to the Protocol has been. "Can Jim indicate whether the erection of these posters attacking fellow unionists is an initiative directed and organised by his party or whether individual members of his party are acting unilaterally and without party endorsement? In response to the DUPs statements, a TUV spokesperson said posters arent intimidation and the party looks forward to the warning they contain being heeded. There is no need for the DUP to get angry if they hold to the united unionist pledges made on Ulster Day 2021 that it is their unalterable position that the Protocol must be rejected and replaced by arrangements which fully respect Northern Irelands position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom, he said. The DUP fought two elections on the basis of their Seven Tests. They dont have a mandate for any deal which falls short of those tests. With all the spin in the media and pressure from the powers that be, the concerns of ordinary loyalists are being overlooked. It is not surprising, therefore that unionists have found an outlet to make their feelings clear. TUV has always seen it as its role to apply the brakes on any sell out of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. It is worth remembering that the lead unionist party won its mandate on the basis of solemn pledges on the Protocol. Many of those in council chambers and in the Assembly owe their seats to TUV transfers so the DUP should be cautious about being disparaging about those whose transfers they were grateful for a few months ago. Unionism, not just TUV, expects the DUP to hold fast to their election promises. Posters arent intimidation and we look forward to the warning they contain being heeded. Earlier today, TUV leader Mr Allister had said if the DUP were to return to Stormont with the Northern Ireland Protocol in place it would be a betrayal. He also said he would stand as as a voice of opposition and ensure that those who have performed that betrayal of their own stand will be discomforted. Mr Robinson said the DUP would not be intimidated or influenced by such shadowy behaviour from those afraid to identify themselves. "We have a massive democratic mandate given to us by people right across Northern Ireland and it is that which gives us strength in our negotiations. "Our negotiations with the Government are continuing and whilst progress has been made there remains some further work to be completed. "For those who would dismiss the outcome of a process that is still underway, is further proof that their primary goal is to get rid of Stormont and hand all power back under direct rule to the very people who sold us all out. A still image taken from a video showing the blaze at the Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hit out at the suspected arson attack on a hotel in Co Galway that was earmarked to be used to house asylum seekers from next week. Gardai are investigating what they say is suspected criminal damage after a fire broke out at a historic hotel in Galway that was due to accommodate asylum seekers. The incident at the disused Ross Lake House hotel in Rosscahill, Oughterard, Co Galway, occurred at around 11.35pm last night and fire services brought it under control. No one was inside at the time and the building was extensively damaged. In a statement this evening, Mr Varadkar said: I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in County Galway last night. There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are underway. He also defended Irelands asylum and immigration system. Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection. This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries, he said. I want to assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time. All asylum-seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly. We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered. The response from many communities has been incredible. Weve seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority. I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland. I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own. The Government will continue to listen to communities, recognising the effort they are making and helping them as they manage an unprecedented situation together. Justice Minister Helen McEntee also criticised the apparent attack. I am appalled by the disturbing scenes in Galway last night, she said, adding that there was no justification for arson and appealing for anyone with information to bring it to gardai. In recent times, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here seeking shelter and protection, she said. While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order. These acts do not represent the values of Irish people. Close-up video of the blaze is being shared on social media by accounts supportive of Irelands far right. A garda spokesperson said officers are investigating a criminal damage incident by fire which occurred at the premises in Rosscahill. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will take place later today, they said. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them at Clifden Garda Station 095 22500 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The Department of Integration had said on Friday that it planned to use the building to house 70 international protection applicants from later next week, with a one-year contract. After the news emerged there were protests outside on Saturday, with protesters blockading the entrance to the hotel. It is understood the privately owned hotel has been disused for some time. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman called the news deeply disturbing. "Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it, he wrote on social media. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth condemned any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants and any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. In a statement, a spokesperson said: The Department is working to offer shelter to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and condemns any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants. All those seeking protection have a right to safety while their application is examined. The Department also strongly condemns any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. Acts such as these achieve nothing but endanger people's lives and homes. The incident in Galway is currently under investigation by An Garda Siochana. The building is located in a remote area between Moycullen and Oughterard. Built in 1860 in the townland of Killaguile on an estate of 1,200 acres which was divided amongst local farmers by the Land Commission in the 1920s, the house was converted to a hotel in 1969 and has had a number of owners since, most recently being purchased by an American family. Access to the hotel is a narrow road, off the Galway-Clifden N59, with an tree-lined avenue leading to the hotel and a few houses. The rural community in Rosscahill is estimated at around 300 people. Local Fianna Fail Cllr Seamus Walsh, who was one of the people who attended the protest on Saturday, said there was anger and fear in the community. Its a sad day for the locality that such an iconic building has been brought to this, said Cllr Walsh. He said local people were fearful of the prospect of asylum seekers living at the former hotel. We dont know exactly what happened here but it is a terrible situation that the local people find themselves in. We have young families that will have to run the gauntlet through a wooded area, through an avenue, facing what they dont want to face and the fear in the community is strong and it is a genuine fear, he told Galway Bay FM. However well-founded or ill-founded it is, the fear is there, and the Government have to look hard at these situations because peoples quality of life is being seriously affected. "I dont feel it is a suitable location for such a venture and I dont think the area can sustain it. The amenities arent here, the services arent here, the road network isnt here and the people arent able to take it. The people cant cope with it, the people dont want it. He said the local community feel they are not being treated fairly. No one could condone criminal damage but we have to stand back and look at it and if it was a criminal act, what made that criminal act happen, and it is the senseless policy of the Government, he said. "Oughterard, Rosscahill and Maam Cross have taken their fair share of immigrants. We are good to the people that are here, we have taken it, but we cant be scapegoated, be used as a holding tank. Its just not right what is being done to us. The people are living in fear and if it was done maliciously it is absolutely the fear for the safety and well-being of their families that drove people to this. Local Independent councillor Thomas Welby condemned the fire, but said the Government had questions to answer over the plans to house asylum seekers at the hotel. "The first I knew about this plan to house people was at 12 minutes to three on Friday when I and other elected reps got an email from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about it, he said. "But it wasn't a 'consultation' document, it was more like a 'confirmation' document. This is not acceptable. It is a bolt out of the blue. We were communicated with when it was a done deal. That isn't consultation. "I went up to the blockade yesterday and it was peaceful, but local people are concerned about the plan. He condemned the blaze. "The fire last night has shocked, disappointed and upset people. A local man said it was like a death in the family. Many people locally has memories of family celebrations in the hotel, and of working in it, and they are saddened today to see what happened. They don't feel that the fire was appropriate. "Local people I spoke to are extremely upset that this action was taken. I don't want the local community to be vilified." Senator Pauline OReilly said: "Im disgusted at this fire in my constituency and at the attitude of local politicians over the past couple of days. "I beg of people to show their common humanity. Speaking to This Week on RTE Radio One, the Galway-based politician and Green Party chair said the incident was unacceptable and described the behaviour as bully-boy tactics. "Obviously, there is a criminal investigation underway, but I think that all of the actions that have taken place there are pure intimidation. "I am utterly disgusted by the fire thats broken out. I dont think that this is representative of Galway people, and I think what people have to remember is its not only those that are coming, legally seeking refuge but also all of those that have come to our country and the kind of fear that this instils in people I dont think is in any way acceptable. She added: "There are ways by speaking to your politicians of getting your point across but blockading a place, making people feel unwelcome when they are being legally accommodated somewhere is unacceptable in my view. Ms OReilly said it is her belief that if someplace is vacant then it should be used to accommodate people and we cant discriminate between the types of people that we want to accommodate. She called on politicians to condemn the fire at the hotel, describing it as simply not acceptable in our community. Ms OReilly said the incident was not the way to have that kind of conversation about concerns surrounding the accommodation and services. "This isnt the way to have that conversation. It isnt a conversation, its just bully-boy tactics. Another local councillor, Noel Thomas of Fianna Fail, said the hotel is an iconic building that means a lot to local people. He condemned the fire and said a lot of memories went with the hotel in the fire. "I'm not holding back. A lot of the blame needs to be laid in the lap of the Government. As long as they deal with it [immigration] the way they are dealing with it there will be more of this, he said. In terms of the sudden plan to bring in 70 refugees he said: "Some people are reduced to tears, and they are fearful. They live on quiet country lanes." Asked whether there was any evidence that people should be afraid of those proposed to be housed at the hotel, he said: Nobody knows. Uncertainty brings fear." Local Green Party councillor Alastair McKinstry said: "The hotel is not the ideal place to house people, but we had 200 Ipas [international protection] applicants sleeping out overnight in Ireland, and the hotel is better than the alternative - a tent. "We had in Galway County Council a debate about the new hate speech legislation. What we saw last night is why that legislation is needed. People are stoking up fear. There are people in organised far-right groups using social media to stoke up fear and driving people to these actions." In response to the incident, Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin tweeted: This is not who we are as people. We are so much better than this. "We must not tolerate this hatred. Dublin TD Aodhan O Riordain also said the incident in Rosscahill was absolutely disgusting, adding: What is wrong with this country of ours? Have we completely forgotten who we are? The Labour TD shared a Bible verse from Matthew 25:36-40, adding: The not all men crowd are telling us to be afraid of all immigrant men. The conservative Christian crowd wholl sing about no room at the inn next week are saying theres no room at the inn. Christians who dont know the meaning of the word. Also reacting to the incident on social media, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said this cant be allowed go on, adding: Those who commit these crimes must feel the full weight of the law. Too many times, those whove burnt the tents of migrants, whove harassed library staff, torched buildings have felt no consequences. No more can this be facilitated by our weak (government). As the Government struggles to accommodate asylum seekers and more than 80,000 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, plans to house people in locations around the country such as vacant buildings and hotels have met with opposition in many cases from local people and far right activists. The issue of immigration was also at the forefront of the recent Dublin riots, in which millions of euro worth of damage was done to Dublin city centre and dozens of people were arrested, as violence and looting flared after an Algerian man with Irish citizenship stabbed three of children and a creche worker on Parnell Square in Dublin. Gardai are investigating a fire at a hotel in Co Galway which was to due be used to accommodate asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) Gardai are treating a fire at a hotel which was to due be used to accommodate asylum seekers as a criminal damage incident. The blaze broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, at approximately 11.35pm on Saturday. No-one is believed to have been inside the building at the time, and the fire service brought the flames under control. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination was due to take place on Sunday The hotel has not been in use for several years and had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers in the coming days. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic OGorman (Niall Carson/PA) The Government plan had been the subject of local opposition and demonstrators blocked the entrance to the hotel on Saturday in protest. Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman described the incident as deeply disturbing. He said: Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear-mongering that led to it. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at properties earmarked for accommodating international protection applicants, including in Co Galway on Saturday. He said: There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are under way. Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection. This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries. I want to assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time. All asylum-seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly. We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered. The response from many communities has been incredible. Weve seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority. I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland. I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own. The Government will continue to listen to communities, recognising the effort they are making and helping them as they manage an unprecedented situation together. Justice Minister Helen McEntee (Brian Lawless/PA) The Minister for Justice has said she is appalled by the fire, and urged anyone with information about the suspected criminal damage incident to contact gardai. Helen McEntee said there is no justification for arson and added: In recent times, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here seeking shelter and protection. While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order. These acts do not represent the values of Irish people. Heavy rain hitting the west of Scotland has led to transport disruption, with trains and ferry services affected (File image/PA) Heavy rain hitting the west of Scotland has led to transport disruption, with trains and ferry services affected. But an amber weather warning for rain is expected to come to an end earlier than previously forecast. The alert, which affects parts of the Highlands along with Argyll and Bute, will now end at 6pm on Sunday. A yellow rain warning which covers a slightly larger area ends at midnight. A number of public transport services were hit by delays and cancellations on Sunday. The Met Office said the most severely impacted areas could endure a months rain in a day. The forecaster said: Following persistent and heavy rain over the past 24 hours, rain is expected to continue through Sunday morning before moving south and gradually easing later. It added: This significant rainfall also has the potential to trigger shallow landslides and debris flows, most likely across the south of the Highland region and Argyll. On X, formerly known as Twitter, ferry operator CalMac announced the cancellation of several of its services, warning of possible disruption to other sailings. ScotRail told passengers to check for information on their journeys before setting off. The extreme weather led to speed restrictions on a number of railway lines in the Highlands and west of Scotland. Sepa has issued a flood warning in Strath Oykel, while flood alerts have been issued in Caithness and Sutherland, Argyll and Bute, Easter Ross and Great Glen, Skye and Lochaber, and Wester Ross. Israels government faced calls for a ceasefire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who waved a white flag, added to mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The protesters urged the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gazas Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy. Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week, as Washington has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties even while providing vital military and diplomatic support. The air and ground war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population have fled their homes and are surviving on a trickle of humanitarian aid. Israel said that, from Sunday, UN aid trucks would be able to enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom. In a sign of desperation, dozens of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing on board, pulling boxes down and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas (Menahem Kahana/Pool/AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which triggered the war with its attack on southern Israel on October 7. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Mr Netanyahu has vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Israeli media reported that over the weekend David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad spy agency, met Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss renewed talks. Meanwhile, Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth day, the longest of several outages during the war. Aid groups said they complicate rescue efforts and make it even more difficult to monitor the toll on civilians. In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving towards the beginning of a political solution. (PA Graphics) Earlier, Frances Foreign Ministry said one of its employees was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah last Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the UUK and Germany, meanwhile, called for a sustainable ceasefire, saying too many civilians have been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the UKs Sunday Times. US Defence Secretary Mr Austin is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza attend a rally in Tel Aviv calling for their return (Leo Correa/AP) Israeli and US officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the government resumes hostage negotiations with Hamas. The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril, said Raz Ben-Ami, a hostage released in the last exchange. Israel must offer another hostage-release deal. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released some 100 of the more than 240 hostages captured on October 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief ceasefire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. Russia and Ukraine launched more than a dozen drones at each others territory for a second straight day on Sunday (Valentyn Kuzan/AP) Russia and Ukraine launched more than a dozen drones at each others territory for a second straight day on Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed when drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in south-western Russia, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it claimed was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. A Ukrainian serviceman fires a D-30 cannon towards Russian positions at the front line near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP) Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town further west, but did not mention the air base. He said most of the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He did not comment on damage. Also on Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they are not deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Russias Defence Ministry said on Friday evening that its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraines air force said on Saturday that it had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched by Russia against 11 Ukrainian regions the previous night. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counter-offensive that began in June. Meanwhile, Ukraines foreign minister welcomed what he called a sea change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs EU membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed a change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs bid for EU membership (Virginia Mayo/AP) Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Mr Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he had proposed Mr Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something the Hungarian leader agreed to do. Mr Kuleba told Germanys Bild newspaper: What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The Chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians. He also voiced hope that Mr Scholzs actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears, he said. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then. Thug who repeatedly stabbed householder during raid given extra two months in prison A violent burglar who spent one last Christmas with his dying father instead of returning to prison following a period of temporary release has been jailed for two months. Judge RoseAnne McCormick KC told Emmanuel Henry (31) his case required a significant deterrent sentence. The sentence must be imposed consecutively to the sentence he is already serving, she said, putting his earliest release date back from April to June next year. Henry, from Eliza Street Terrace in Belfast, admitted a single charge of being unlawfully at large from December 22 last year. Antrim Crown Court heard he had been granted temporary release for 28 and a half hours on December 21, but only surrendered himself to police at the end of January. Judge McCormick noted Henrys father had died on January 14, with the funeral taking place on January 18. The burglar told police that having been freed on temporarily release, he found his father in the latter stages of prostate cancer and deteriorating rapidly. When he told him he would not be would not be able to spend Christmas with him because he had to return to HMP Magilligan, his father begged him to stay. Henry said he was likely to be put into solitary confinement and had no prospect of further temporary compassionate leave, so he opted not to return to prison immediately He told the police: I know it was wrong. I didnt want to (do it), but I would not have got out to see my father, and I wouldve regretted that for all my life. I regret doing this but I had to. Henry was jailed for four years in May 2017 for a burglary in south Belfast in July two years beforehand. When confronted by the householder, he smashed a vodka bottle over the mans head and stabbed him repeatedly in the arm and chest with the broken bottle. Inside the so-called animal sanctuary under construction by NI TikTok star Pictures show unfinished huts, dirty water and a wallaby living in a converted oil drum at site in Glenavy Thomas updates followers on his work in progress Christopher Woodhouse Sun 17 Dec 2023 at 09:13 This is inside the animal sanctuary being built by one of the UKs biggest social media influencers. Ten Foundations founder needs urgent surgery for nose tumour Ian with one of the women his charity helped Ian Campbell in the Philippines with some of the people his charity has helped Ian Campbell in one of his charity's shops A Belfast man who has spent the past 11 years lifting people out of poverty now needs funds to save his life. Ian Campbell, who runs the Ten Foundations charity, needs urgent surgery for an advanced form of skin cancer on his face. Unsure how long he would have to wait for an NHS referral, friends launched an appeal on the 77-year-olds behalf to cover the cost of going private. Within days, more than half of the 8,000 target had been reached. Ian has since been offered a surgery slot on Wednesday, but he needs more money to cover the cost of the procedure. Ian Campbell in the Philippines with some of the people his charity has helped He said: (The response has been) a bit overwhelming. Its strange for me to be the subject of an appeal when normally I am the one asking for donations for others, but needs must and I am so grateful for the support so far. A trustee of his charity noticed a small growth on Ians nose last May and suggested he get it checked out. He then saw his GP, who agreed he should be red-flagged for a referral. However, a friend arranged for Ian to see a consultant immediately in Dublin, so he cancelled the NHS referral. He said: My friend in Dublin knows a dermatologist, who he contacted, and the very next day he operated and removed the growth. The growth was tiny and had appeared very quickly. I hadnt really taken any notice of it until he pointed it out to me. It was removed and sent away for biopsy. I thought they would write to me with the results. Months passed, and then two weeks ago my friend asked if I had got the results. I didnt realise I had to ring for them. I rang and was told that it was cancer, that I needed further surgery to remove part of my nose and that it should be done urgently. My GP has red-flagged me but has no idea how long I will have to wait. One of the charitys volunteers decided to set up the GoFundMe appeal, and I have been told by the Kingsbridge Hospital the surgery could be done this Wednesday. I did have pancreatic cancer in my 60s, which I got over, but apart from that I have never been ill and have never had to use the services of the NHS. I am 77, I dont take medication for anything and I am a great supporter of the NHS. Ian with one of the women his charity helped The former businessman set up Ten Foundations 11 years ago after seeing families living in grinding poverty during a trip to the Philippines. It affected him so deeply he couldnt walk away without doing something to improve their lives. Ian decided to raise funds and set up a workshop for women to sew school bags so they had a job and an income. Since then, the charity has sold more than 50,000 bags, mostly to schoolchildren, through a website and two shops one in Castlecourt Shopping Centre and the other on the Lisburn Road, both in Belfast. So far, his efforts have helped lift 70 families out of poverty. Ian has spent most of this year raising funds to help build 50 homes for families living in shacks without toilets, running water or electricity. More than a decade after setting up Ten Foundations, he is a hero to the people his charity has helped, many of whom are now able to feed their children without worry and send them to school for the first time. Now he is facing a more personal battle ahead of major surgery to remove part of his nose and a later skin graft. He also has been told to expect radiotherapy. Despite everything, Ian remains optimistic and grateful for all the support. I am incredibly moved and a bit speechless, to be honest, by how kind everyone has been, he said. One supporter of the charity donated 1,000 to get the appeal going and there is also an anonymous donation of 1,500. I cant thank people enough. Ian in his CastleCourt shop You can make a donation to the appeal by visiting http://tinyurl.com/msuswnuk Work includes full 3D map survey to help measure future damage due to climate change Stormont has unwrapped a 1m-plus Christmas package to help tackle the impact of climate change. The money is being spent to protect against erosion and includes a full 3D survey map of the coastline. The joint project between the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) and Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has gone ahead despite Stormonts tightened purse-strings. Daera said: This work is absolutely essential in informing future sustainable development along our coastline in the context of climate change. The DUPs Sammy Wilson, a climate change sceptic, said: As the MP for a coastal constituency, erosion is a real issue and should not be ignored. My problem with DfI is that they seem to spend more time trying to predict future problems with their climate glasses on, rather than remedying current risks along the coast that a blind man on a galloping horse could see. Take a dander through many of our coastal communities and for the price of a conversation those people will point officials to a litany of examples where coastal walls are collapsed and erosion is setting in. DUP MP Sammy Wilson (Picture by Liam McBurney/PA) Alliance environment spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA said: I welcome the 1m spent on the mapping of coastal change by DfI and Daera. Unfortunately, Northern Ireland has lagged behind our counterparts in GB and the Republic of Ireland in carrying out this work. This delay is despite its significant importance when it comes to planning and development of many areas. The work becomes even more crucial given our changing climate and will be essential to provide the fact-based evidence required to ensure both departments prioritise coastal management programmes and expenditure going forward. Peter McReynolds The Climate Change Committee, which advises the UK and devolved administrations, has recommended Stormont considers bringing forward legislation on managing erosion. Capital budgets have been made available for green growth and climate action and this has enabled us to make significant improvements to the essential evidence base on which future policy and legislation may be developed, it said. To date, just over 1m has been spent on this work. Apart from the 3D coastal survey it includes historical shoreline analysis, a nearshore seabed mapping project, North Coast beach monitoring programme, provision of superficial geology datasets and a NI Coastal Change Information Tool. Desperate for closure, mum and sister say they are prepared to face evil ex to urge him to give up location of her remains The family of murdered Charlotte Murray is willing to meet her killer behind bars to plead with him to finally give up her body. Evil Johnny Miller recently failed in an attempt to overturn his conviction for murdering his former fiancee in 2012. It would mean the world to us all to be able to lay Charlotte to rest, to not have to wake up and wonder every day where her remains are, her sister Sinead told Sunday Life. A grave would be a final resting place and the chance to bury her could possibly bring some closure to the grieving process that we have endured for too many years. It would mean giving Charlotte the burial that she so rightly deserves. Read more Charlotte Murray murderer was a skilled canoeist who could have brought her body out on water Manipulator Miller continues to maintain he didnt kill Charlotte, claiming she left him and the home they shared in Moy in Co Tyrone, disappearing into thin air to start a new life. The chef concocted a cover story, sending Charlotte false text messages to create the impression the 34-year-old was still alive. But the jury at his trial in 2019 didnt believe his web of lies, all designed to cover his tracks. Johnny Miller At his recent appeal, Millers lawyers argued the trial wrongly continued without concrete proof Charlotte was dead. But the appeal judges ruled there was scrupulous fairness at the trial and dismissed all grounds of the challenge, ruling the conviction not unsafe. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said: The judge fairly dealt with all the complicated evidence in a manner which left the fact-finding function to the jury, which is as it should be. The outcome of the appeal was a relief for the heartbroken Murray family mum Mary, Charlottes six sisters, including twin Denise, and her four brothers. But Millers dark shadow still looms large over everything. We feel that it is just further pain and hurt that he is inflicting on our entire family, said Mary. We believe he is still in denial about what he has done. He believed he had got away with it for so long before being brought to justice. Police searching a quarry in Benburb for Charlotte's body What haunts this family is what Charlotte must have gone through in her last moments. While she and Miller lived together and were engaged, the relationship turned toxic. He saw red, deciding to kill her and dispose of her body after he was sent photos of Charlotte with another man. It is absolutely horrific to have those thoughts going through your head every single day, said Sinead. In the vast majority of murder cases, a post-mortem reveals the cause of death. Miller has denied us that too and refused to admit to what he has done, so we dont know what Charlotte went through. That leaves us to imagining the absolute worst. It is mental torture, day after day. Charlotte (right) and her twin Denise During Millers appeal, the police and Charlottes family limited calls for him to give up the location of the body of the woman he once supposedly loved and had been engaged to marry. Now the court process is over, other options are on the table. This is new territory for all involved. Charlottes family would be prepared to travel to prison to have an honest and frank conversation with Miller, who is serving a minimum 16-year sentence for the murder. Sinead said: I would love to have the opportunity to face him. Although there are many questions I would ask, the only one that really matters is, Where is Charlotte? Detective Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan knows this case inside out and knows how killers like Miller tick. There is one person we know with certainty who knows what exactly happened to Charlotte, where Charlotte is, and that is Mr Miller, he told Sunday Life. His appeal has concluded. Why does he wish to remain silent now? I would appeal to him to do the decent thing, to give Charlottes family peace and just do the right thing by himself as well. He was in a relationship with Charlotte. There must have been happier times. Maybe he could reflect on that, do the decent thing by that as well, and tell us where she is. It may be an element of control over Charlottes family, it may be an element of a trophy, but it might also be an element of not wanting to accept what he has done and his family also then knowing what he has done. While he protests his innocence, there may well be people willing to believe that. Charlotte's mum Mary and twin Denise Police will do what is necessary to finally get closure for Charlottes family. Numerous searches down the years of land and water including a quarry in Benburb have so far failed to find her. Detectives are also now ready to visit Miller in prison if legally possible. We are now in a new position that we have never been in before, and there may well be an opportunity for Mr Miller to do the decent thing, the right thing, and let Charlottes family know where she is, said DS Corrigan. Certainly I would be willing to meet him to discuss that. Obviously, Charlottes family would be willing to do that as well. Clearly it would be a challenging conversation for everyone involved, especially Mr Miller because it would be the first time he would be acknowledging his guilt. But these are matters for him to think about. We are in a different phase of our inquiry and our attempts to recover Charlotte. If his failed appeal does not act as a final wake-up call for Miller after all these years, he could find getting parole very difficult in the future with the planned introduction of Charlottes Law, based on a campaign centred on this case. If it goes ahead, it will deny parole to any convicted murderers who continue to conceal their victims body. Asked what she would say to Miller if given the chance, Charlottes sister Sinead replied: A jury found you unanimously guilty, the appeal court rejected your appeal. Youve exhausted all your avenues. There was no support for you in court. Your own family must now realise youre guilty. The only person youre fooling is yourself. Tell us where Charlotte is and stop tormenting us with this living hell. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler speaks during a meeting with members of the Massachusetts Legislature's joint committee on tourism, arts, and cultural development, in this file photo. On Thursday, Butler said direct visitor spending in the Berkshires has increased 7 percent over the past fiscal year, one of several program highlights discussed at 1Berkshire's annual meeting. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter LENOX The prospect of a large commercial solar farm in a residential area of town continues to rankle neighbors, frustrate a developer waiting for a decision since March, and divide a zoning board seeking to balance a solar energy-friendly state law against community concerns. The Zoning Board of Appeals again put off a ruling last week at its fifth scheduled review of the application by PLH Vineyard Sky, the real estate arm of Allco Renewable Energy Ltd. and affiliate Ecos Energy LLC, based in Minneapolis. Several members pushed for a decision next month, while others continued to seek answers on potential noise and groundwater issues, responding to urgent pleas from neighbors to the site off lower Housatonic Street. PLH Vineyard Sky and its affiliates want to build a large, 7.5-megawatt solar farm on 12 acres of a 42-acre parcel. There would be 13,880 panels, senior project engineer Rodney Galton of Ecos Energy LLC told the ZBA members and neighbors on Dec. 6. If approved, the facility would cost up to $10 million to build, Allco Renewable Energys CEO Thomas Melone told The Eagle last June. It could power up to 1,300 homes by connecting to National Grids adjacent transmission lines through underground and overhead wiring. Ecos is Allcos renewable energy development and services company that has developed nearly 40 solar projects in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota, Georgia, Indiana and California. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources allows solar projects on agricultural land. The plan submitted by the developer notes that areas under the solar array would be utilized by a dozen sheep for grazing. There would be a run-in shed for protection from the elements, and a company representative would visit every other day to make sure the sheep had enough water, according to PLH Vineyard Sky. PLH would have to keep the property in agricultural use for the duration of the solar project, according to the application submitted to the ZBA. Town Counsel Joel Bard of KP Law in Boston, citing state law, told the ZBA members and the project applicants that solar energy systems cannot be prohibited or unreasonably regulated except where necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare." Thats the guiding language, he said. He also pointed out that the towns new local bylaw easing regulations on solar installations and clearing the way for more projects in most residential zones, approved at the Nov. 30 special town meeting, is in effect. But it does not apply to the PLH application received in March. In June 2022, the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled in a Waltham solar development case that a dual use solar array on agricultural land is allowed by state law, overriding local bylaws. The Lenox site at 383 Housatonic St., used as a hayfield for several decades, adjoins the town-owned Mountainview Cemetery and the Willow Creek Road industrial zone, home of Casella Waste Systems, Clifford Oil & Propane and a municipal solar installation build atop a capped former town landfill. PLH submitted an outline of its project 13 months ago, a revision of a proposal originally offered soon after the developer acquired the 383 Housatonic St. property for $575,000 from members of the Peters family. The ZBA began considering the application for a variance from the towns local zoning bylaw last summer after a more detailed proposal was received last March, and it has been on the agenda for five meetings in all. The variance would be needed to allow the solar project in a residential zone, since the towns local bylaw in effect at the time limited such projects to the towns industrial and commercial zones. At the recent ZBA hearing, several members voiced concerns about potential noise from the 200 motors powering the solar panels. Were talking about the interests of the community at large, not your operation, but everybody else thats affected by it, so we have to ask these questions, ZBA member Kimberly Duval told Galton and PLH Vineyard Sky attorney James Martin of Robinson Donovan PC in Springfield. Theres proof all over that they make noise, Duval contended, and considering how disingenuous you guys have been through this entire process, for you to tell us theyre not going to be loud and then to have evidence that they are loud means perhaps we have to get someone else to give us that information. ZBA member Albert Harper, a forensics attorney, suggested that it makes a huge difference how long this noise persists. If the neighbors are bombarded all day long by blasts of motors going off, I think that would drive them nuts. Its a very legitimate concern that noise generated by the motors may be so constant during the day that the neighbors simply cant tolerate it. Galton pushed back, asserting that the sound is not constant because the panels dont move all the time, theyre adjusting to track the sun. Attorney Shawn Leary Considine, a longtime ZBA member, proposed that the board hire an audio engineer to assess the potential sound impact. She described data submitted by the developer as very limited. It behooves this board, on behalf of the town, its our responsibility to do what the bylaws allow us to do, to get an expert to weigh in on this, Leary Considine asserted. Otherwise, were not doing our jobs. Martin, the developers attorney, pointed out that sunlight is limited in the winter. He insisted were doing our best, and noted the number of times the project has been on the zoning board agenda. A peer review would put this project off a long time, a substantial delay, he stressed. In response, ZBA Chairman Robert Fuster Jr., an attorney, emphasized that the board has the right to ask questions, raise concerns and if concerns come up, we have the right to act as we feel accordingly. We have a duty and obligation to the public. However, Harper emphasized that he harbored no animosity toward the developer. Most of us are attorneys here, and we know personal animosities just dont count when were evaluating cases, he told Galton and Martin. I dont care about anything that might have caused my colleagues to feel that something has been misrepresented to them. Every contact weve had with you has been more than above board. Harper urged the board to bury the animosity from some perceived grudge a long time ago. He also termed the proposed project as well within the law. Even though we might not like it, it doesnt make any difference. Leary Considine pointed out that the concerns about sound impact are especially significant since the project is proposed for a residential area rather than an industrial zone. But Galton responded that the site is adjacent to an industrial zone on one side and a cemetery on the other. You really cant ask for a much better site for solar than a field like this, with green space in two directions. This is perfect for solar. Martin voiced frustration that an independent review of noise impacts had not been requested previously. James Roche, an immediate neighbor of the site, also raised questions about possible well water contamination. Even if the zoning board approves the project, the proposal still requires Conservation Commission and Select Board approval, Fuster stated. The ZBA will resume discussion of the energy developers application at Town Hall on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. Timeline Key events in the dispute over a proposed commercial solar farm on a residential site at 383 Housatonic St. in Lenox: 2018: Proposed $10 million commercial solar project for 383 Housatonic St. is abandoned by a previous developer amid local opposition. June 2020: The 42-acre hilltop property at the same location on Housatonic Street is sold to PLH Vineyard Sky for $575,000, a steep decline from the prior $3 million asking price. October 2020: Because of wetland issues, the Lenox Conservation Commission denies a requested second curb cut for PLH Vineyard Sky to access the agricultural land at the site. November 2021: Parent company Allco and affiliate Ecos sue the Conservation Commission in Berkshire Superior Court. March 2022: PLH Vineyard Sky files a variance application with Lenox ZBA for the second curb cut. June 1, 2022: After a confrontational Zoom meeting with Allco Renewable Energy chief Thomas Melone, the ZBA defers further discussion and a vote until a future meeting. July 2022: The ZBA approves a second curb cut, but access is limited to agricultural use of the land. For any future solar project, Allco or its subsidiaries would have to apply for a special permit. June 2023: The zoning board opens discussion on a variance application filed in March 2023 from Allco, seeking a 7.5 megawatt solar array on agricultural land where a dozen company sheep would graze on the hayfield. Dec. 6: At its fifth scheduled meeting on the application, the ZBA requested an independent study of potential noise issues at the site and scheduled its next meeting on the project for Jan. 24, 2024. Sources: Eagle files; townoflenox.com BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Paving way for collaborative efforts in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical engineering, and medical research In a significant development, the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), based in Vishakapatnam, has formally joined hands with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT). The collaboration was solidified through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration in the realms of science and technology. The MoU, officially exchanged by GITAM's registrar, D Gunasekharan, and CSIR-IICT's analytical chair scientist, B Jagadeesh, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Dayananda Siddavattam, paves the way for collaborative efforts in various scientific fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical engineering, and medical research. Under this partnership, both institutions have committed to facilitating faculty exchanges, conducting joint research projects, and organising skill development initiatives such as workshops and training sessions. The collaboration will also feature invited lectures on shared interests, project proposals for funding, and opportunities for student internships and research exposure. The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that a class action lawsuit against miner Anglo American brought by victims of alleged historic lead poisoning in Zambia should not go ahead, lawyers for the claimants said on Saturday. The logo of Anglo American is seen on a jacket of an employee at the Los Bronces copper mine, in the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. Source: Reuters/Rodrigo Garrido Victims of the alleged poisoning had accused Anglo's South African unit of negligence in controlling emissions of lead into the local environment at a mine it part-owned 50 years ago in Zambia's Kabwe district. Anglo has previously denied the allegations and vowed to defend itself. "We have stated from the outset that this claim is entirely misconceived and it is clear that the court recognised its multiple legal and factual flaws, deeming it not in the interest of justice for the class action to proceed," an Anglo American spokesperson said. Anglo partly owned the Kabwe lead mine some 50 years ago. The mine was later owned by Zambian state-owned firm ZCCM-IH until 1994 when it was closed. In a statement, lawyers for the claimants said the Johannesburg High Court had ruled in a 126-page judgment delivered on Friday evening that a claim against Anglo American South Africa (AASA) over widespread lead poisoning across Kabwe, Zambia, could not proceed as a class action. The victims will appeal the ruling, the lawyers said. 'Unmanageable' Among the concluding arguments in the ruling, the court said the application was seeking permission to advance an untenable claim that would set a grave precedent. "The precedent is that a business could be held liable half a century after its activities have ceased, to generations not yet born, as a result of being tested against future knowledge and standards unknown at the time," the ruling said. The court also said the class action would be "unmanageable" in that it would take a long time to be completed, after the applicants estimated it would take ten years for their legal team to take instructions from every member of the proposed classes. If this is so, it would take much longer for a South African court to assess the claim of each class member in the second stage. "It bears emphasis that an unmanageable class action is not only adverse to Anglo's interests: It undermines the applicants' access to justice," the court said. "Under the circumstances it is proper and necessary to dismiss the certification application." South African law firm Mbuyisa Moleele and UK-based Leigh Day, acting on behalf of about 140,000 women and children of Kabwe, want Anglo held liable for failing to curb lead emissions from a smelter and waste dumps. They also allege that Anglo was aware, before 1974, of the environmental damage and lead poisoning, including deaths of local children, and had ignored expert advice to remedy the situation before it handed over the assets to ZCCM-IH. What in the world is going on at the Sowetan? Does the paper even know itself? A couple of weeks back, heads rolled over the lackadaisical editing that saw Eric Miyeni's creepy rant against City Press editor Ferial Haffajee make it into print. This week we've had the cop sex video story on Monday's front page that has quickly become such a talking point in South Africa. The story - about a 17-minute video of a police reservist and a correctional services officer having sex in a hospital in Krugersdorp while they waited for a suspect to be treated - ticked all the right titillation boxes and it was a laugh in a tacky sort of a way, but what is it doing on the front page of the Sowetan, which went upmarket a few years back to distinguish itself from the Daily Sun? So patently wrong Not only is this story so patently wrong for the Sowetan's market but putting it on the front page would have more than irritated readers with children who, in our sexed-up day and age, really don't need curious questions from the kids while beating one's way through the traffic on the school run because they've spotted the raunchy pic in the hands of exuberant street sellers. You expect bawdy stories such as this on the front page of the Daily Voice - which is why you buy that paper, no disrespect intended as the paper has its place in our media landscape. In the Sowetan, you'd expect such a story to be inside the paper - just as City Press did on Sunday. And that's the most bizarre part of all of this... the story was already old by Monday and, still, the Sowetan went to town with it the next day. Did the Sunday staff not actually read City Press? But maybe that's for us media luvvies to ponder. What does this matter when the paper sold like hot cakes? How you play it For one, it reminds us when it comes to sex, South Africans are not as conservative as we sometimes think. Secondly, it highlights that it's how you play it that counts. City Press's more straight, sober take on the story didn't cause half the storm the Sowetan has. It's quite possible that the sex video had been touted around town for quite a while before it landed with City Press and the Sowetan. Patrick Conroy, the group head of news at e.tv, told Bizcommunity that the tape was offered to the news channel a few weeks ago and it turned it down because it didn't consider it a story. To me, the most bizarre thing about how the Sowetan played the story was that it amped up the sensationalism but also tried to moralise about the sex romp. "We apologise for publishing material of this nature today. But we hope that you, dear reader, will understand the rationale," the paper explained itself on Monday. "We are doing so reluctantly, albeit with good reason... The seriousness of their conduct lies in complete disrespect for the people of this country." Mmmm. Ja sure, dudes. That's why the paper was flying off the shelves - because everyone was outraged by the cops showing disrespect to their uniforms and, therefore, the country. Shot itself in the sanctimonious foot I'd also say the Sowetan pretty much shot itself in the sanctimonious foot the next day when it trumpeted gleefully how well the paper had sold: "Sowetan was sold out by midday and the newsdesk was inundated with calls from readers who could not find copies of Sowetan," wrote the paper. "Just before lunch time, the full story was uploaded. By late yesterday the articles had received 1290 comments. It was Tweeted 55 times and had 347 comments." No matter how you spin it, South Africans bought Monday's paper in great numbers because this was about voyeurism, titillation and having a bawdy laugh. From an industry point of view, the sex-cop video story was confusing. I'm all for newspapers surprising their readers every now but I wonder if this monster sell-out for the Sowetan will have a long-term cost for its brand and to the loyalty of the middle-class market the paper has been nurturing? New editor Maybe the sex-cop video spells a repositioning for the Sowetan under the new editor, Mpumelelo Mkhabela, who has just taken over after a year at the Daily Dispatch. It's hard to say as Mondli Makhanya, Avusa's editor-in-chief, referred Bizcommunity yesterday to Mkhabela while he did not respond to a request for comment. I don't think any of this bodes well for the Sowetan under its new editor and new publishing team sent in by owners Avusa to put the paper back on track after the Miyeni saga. I've written before that I question Mthabela's suitability as a title editor as he wrote the infamous Sunday Times Transnet story and was one of the reporters on the earlier Land Bank story that led directly to a task team being called in to review the Sunday Times' news processes a few years back. The biggest problem with the sex-cop video is that the public interest is debatable. I think the paper would have a hard time defending it on an ethical basis, if organisations such as the Commission for Gender Equality and the Media Monitoring Africa take their objections further - or if there is a law suit or a complaint to the press ombudsman. Ethical minefield Doing sex exposes are often an ethical minefield if there is no corruption, maladministration or high-level politicians or public officials involved. The two people involved here are low-level officials and he was dumb enough to video it and send it to a buddy. We've seen this kind of thing before - usually with kids, who don't realise how such things go viral. Other issues to consider if you're an editor or news editor with this video in your grubby paws are: Did the woman know that the man was video-ing them having sex? (City Press suggests not.) Knowing how word of mouth works - especially with a story like this - will the woman's identity be protected by changing her name and obscuring her face? The City Press story said that the video was "apparently the talk of the town in Kagiso - where the presumably married female cop lives - and surrounding areas". Which means people already know about it - and possibly her identity. Will you, therefore, cause uncalled-for harm by being sensational and plastering a picture on the front page (rather than inside the paper?) South Africa is a chauvinistic country where terrible, violent things are done to women in the name of "teaching them a lesson". Will this woman be victimised, threatened or physically hurt because of the story if her identity is known? What if the woman has children? Will they be hurt or victimised if her identity becomes known? Were these things thought through at the Sowetan when the staff planned their loud, steamy front page? If not, I suspect there is more weird stuff to come from the paper. I don't have a whole lot of faith in the emergency Avusa team sent in sort out the paper (and sister title Sunday World) and I think the Sowetan has been all over the place since Avusa took over. Why it went up upmarket in the first place seemed like a weak manoeuvre. Why give up the ground and readership so firmly won by former editor Aggrey Klaaste to the Daily Sun so quickly? Succession of weak editors And I think part of the answer lies in a succession of weak editors. A friend and I came up with a set of questions for prospective editors last week. Some were flippant: Will you buy a fancy car when you become editor? (Indicating, we thought, that the candidate was in it for the status rather than the craft.) How often do you go out to lunch? (Editors should be too busy to flounce about restaurants.) Are you a teetotaller? (Always a good thing.) Have you been a political reporter? (Probably not a good thing.) Most important, we decided, was: "Have you run the news desk?" Unless you've done news desk, you can't run a paper as you'll never really know how to balance ethics under pressure with the need to be first and best with the news. In this case, the Sowetan was neither first nor best - and it was on ethically shaky ground. For more: Note: The original Transnet story could not be located in the online archive of the Sunday Times at Times Live but click here to read one of the many aggregated versions of the story. See also: Malakoff Corporation has inked a heads of agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) to identify potential business opportunities through investment and development of solar photovoltaic power plant project development with a targeted aggregate capacity of up to 1,000 MW, and explore other potential renewable energy projects located in Peninsular Malaysia. Through this agreement, both parties will jointly conduct technical and commercial assessments and/or pre-feasibility studies on specific projects that have been identified. The duo will also collaboratively handle the comprehensive tasks and activities involved in the project's development, implementation and management, including the structuring of financing funds. In pursuit of a strategic two-phase implementation, this collaboration aims to significantly enhance Malakoff's renewable energy portfolio, aligning with their unwavering commitment to sustainability and strategically leveraging expertise from both parties for mutual growth and success. The agreement was signed by Malakoffs Managing Director and Group CEO Encik Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib and Masdars CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi at the COP28. Masdar, a pioneer and powerhouse in clean energy, has positioned the UAE to be at the forefront of the global energy transition through its investment commitment to renewable energy projects in more than 40 countries. Masdar had recently signed a MoU with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) for the development of a 10,000 MW projects at an investment of $8 billion in Malaysia. On the strategic collaboration, Abdul Ajib said it is timely when looking at the critical need for sustainable energy solutions amid climate challenges. "This collaboration stands as a testament to Malakoff's robust expansion in renewable energy aligning not only with the global call to action but also resonating with Malaysia's ambitious objective of achieving Net-Zero status by 2050," he stated. It underscores Malakoff's unwavering corporate commitment to making meaningful contributions toward addressing the urgent global imperative for sustainability. Al Ramahi said: "We are very proud to be strengthening our support for Malaysias renewable energy ambitions with this partnership. As a clean energy pioneer with over 17 years of experience in deploying renewable and clean energy projects at scale, we look forward to helping build Malaysias renewable energy capacity with this agreement in support of its Net-Zero targets." To date, Malakoff holds a total of 151 MW of renewable energy generating capacity under its portfolio consisting of projects acquired for large scale solar, rooftop solar and small hydro power generation.-TradeArabia News Service The Washington Post reported that Israel has dropped over 22,000 US-made bombs, including white phosphorus weapons, on Gaza within six weeks. Within the first six weeks of the war, the Israeli army dropped over 22,000 guided and unguided US-supplied bombs on the confined Gaza Strip, according to previously revealed intelligence numbers given to Congress and examined by the Washington Post. Around 15,000 bombs, including 2,000-pound bunker busters, and over 50,000 155mm artillery shells were delivered by the Pentagon during the same period, killing roughly 20,000 Palestinians, more than half of whom were women and children. Washington claims to have asked the Israeli government to adhere to international humanitarian law and take all reasonable precautions to prevent harm to civilians, but the weapons transfers have continued unhindered. The Israeli Ministry of Defense reports that since October 7th, at least 200 cargo flights carrying guns, ammo, and armored vehicles have arrived in Israel from friendly nations. In a speech at the Reagan National Defence Forum in Simi Valley, California Pentagon Chief Lloyd J. Austin III said that Israel could face strategic defeat if Palestinian civilians are not protected. On October 16, white phosphorous was seen falling on the southern Lebanese village of Al-Dhahira, as seen in images and videos that Amnesty International authenticated. Israeli forces continued to shell the town with white phosphorus munitions for hours, trapping residents in their homes until 7:00 AM the next day, locals told the Washington Post, adding that they now refer to that evening as the black night. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reports that since the war started in October, Israel has used white phosphorous on southern Lebanon more than sixty times. White phosphorous is highly dangerous since it can burn at very high temperatures and adhere to the skin. In the days after the attack, residents of Al-Dhahira stated that any remaining banned weapon would catch fire upon contact. Via: The Highwire: A stunning Japanese study that has evolved from preprint to peer-reviewed publication suggests that all COVID-19 variants were engineered in biolabs and intentionally released upon humanity. First released in August 2023, the study, conducted by renowned Japanese virologists Professors Atsushi Tanaka and Takayuki Miyazawa of Osaka Medical University and Kyoto University, affirms that the push to keep COVID around is part of a nefarious deep state scheme to remove our individual freedoms and control us. As their work progressed, they discovered roughly 100 separate Omicron subvariants that could not possibly have arisen naturally. The existence of these variants and the systematic order in which they appeared provide conclusive evidence of large-scale lab creation and release of COVID-19 viruses. Specifically, to determine the order of mutations leading to the formation of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, Tanaka and Miyazawa compared the sequences of 129 Omicron BA.1-related isolates, 141 BA.1.1-related isolates, and 122 BA.2-related isolates, and attempted to clarify the evolutionary processes of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, including the order of mutations leading to their formation and the occurrence of homologous recombination. Surprised by their findings, the scientists remarked: As a result, we concluded that the formation of part of Omicron isolated BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2 was not the product of genome evolution, as is commonly observed in nature, such as the accumulation of mutations and homologous recombinations. Furthermore, the study of 35 recombinant isolates of Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 confirmed that Omicron variants were already present in 2020. The analysis showed that Omicron variants were formed by an entirely new mechanism that cannot be explained by previous biology, and knowing how the SARS-CoV-2 variants were formed prompts a reconsideration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. These results suggest that the establishment of BA.1-0.1 and BA.1.1-0.1 isolates occurred independently. On the other hand, if reversion mutations caused each of these isolates with one amino acid different to the Wuhan-type, these isolates could be detected by examining an astronomical number of isolates. However, these virus strains were detected in the number of sequenced whole genomes (a limited number), rather than in astronomical numbers examined. The fact that most of these mutations occurred without synonymous mutations suggests that none of them arose as a result of trial-and-error random mutations in nature. Two police officers charged with the mass shooting of opposition protesters in Kievs Maidan Square in 2014 have been released after a Ukrainian court determined the fatal shots in the infamous massacre were fired from an opposition-controlled building. On October 18 2023, Ukraines Sviatoshyn District Court determined that of the five officers on trial, one would be acquitted outright, while another was sentenced to time served for alleged abuse of power. The remaining three, who no longer live in Ukraine, were convicted in absentia on 31 counts of murder and 44 counts of attempted murder. This, under a Supreme Court opinion stipulating suspects can be held collectively responsible for the actions of a group deemed criminal. The verdict means no one will face jail time, or be in any way punished for their alleged role in the infamous Maidan massacre, which saw over 100 protesters killed, triggered an avalanche of international condemnation and led directly to the downfall of President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country mere days later. The trial began in Kiev in 2016, but the case languished for years. Matters were further complicated in 2019, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded all five of the accused for prisoners held by Donbas separatists. Two subsequently returned on a voluntary basis to have their day in court. Unsurprisingly, the verdict has triggered outrage among victims families, and prosecution lawyers say they plan to appeal. By contrast, the mainstream media has so far remained eerily indifferent. In an apparent attempt to distort the trials outcome, several outlets including Reuters simply referred to the court sentencing the officers in their headlines. The Kyiv Post went as far as falsely claiming all five had been found guilty of Maidan crimes. But there is more to the story than these outlets have let on. As even the Western-funded Kyiv Independent acknowledged, a former top investigator previously tasked with probing the massacre said the verdict followed years of deliberate sabotage by Ukrainian authorities, who have done their best to make sure there are no real results. The question of why officials in Kiev would seek to sabotage the probe has been largely ignored by legacy media outlets. But the verdict offers some highly revealing clues. Unknown persons behind killing Littered throughout the 1,000,000 word document are passages demonstrating conclusively that the sniper fire emanated from buildings controlled by the opposition to Yanukovych. Collectively, these excerpts strongly suggest the Maidan massacre was a false flag carried out by nationalist elements who aimed to ensure the presidents ouster. The evidence was quite sufficient to conclude categorically that on the morning of February 20, 2014, persons with weapons, from which the shots were fired, were in the premises of the Hotel Ukraina, the court found. Another section reveals Hotel Ukraina was territory not controlled by law enforcement agencies at that time. Numerous video recordings show that before, during, and after the massacre, the building was overrun by the far-right opposition party Svoboda, whose leaders used the premises to coordinate their anti-Yanukovych activities on the streets below. In at least 28 of the 128 shootings considered during the trial, the court ruled that whether due to the lack of information, the incompleteness or contradictory nature of the submitted data, the involvement of law enforcement officers has not been proven, and that other unknown persons cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, the verdict effectively ruled out any involvement of Russian security and intelligence services in the massacre, a conspiracy theory promoted heavily by pro-Maidan elements. The Russian trace was not confirmed after examining the relevant documents, the court found. It concluded that those individuals who were suspected of having ties to Russian intelligence, and were being constantly monitored, did not have any participation in the events on the street. For Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, a University of Ottawa political science professor who has spent years documenting overwhelming evidence of opposition responsibility for the massacre, such findings are a long-overdue vindication of his research. In comments to The Grayzone, he explained that the conviction of three police officers in absentia for the murder of 28 Maidan protesters and attempted murder of 36 was based on a single fabricated forensic ballistic examination. The flawed forensic examination of bullets reversed [the] results of 40 other ballistic examinations taken previously every one of which, Katchanovski notes, showed bullets of Berkut police Kalashnikovs did not match those retrieved from bodies of killed Maidan protesters. In the end, the trial produced an extraordinary volume of evidence proving protesters were shot at from various buildings controlled by pro-Maidan elements, he says, pointing to the over 100 witnesses, including 51 anti-government activists injured during the shooting, [who] testified to having been shot from these areas, or seeing snipers located there. Elsewhere, the verdict rejected a 3D-model reconstruction of the shooting of three Maidan activists, produced by a New York City-based unconventional architecture practice named SITU. This bogus analysis, which was financed to the tune of $100,000 by the Kiev branch of George Soros Open Society Foundations, was heavily promoted by The New York Times and other Western media outlets and held up as definitive proof that Ukrainian security forces were responsible for the deaths. But the SITU model changed the location of victims wounds from the side or back of their body to the front and altered the angles of the bullets trajectory to fraudulently convict police for their murders. As Katchanovski explains, This is deliberate fraud and disinformation. SITUs bogus modeling allowed The New York Times and many others to deny the existence of Maidan snipers, and brand as conspiracy theory any suggestion the massacre was a false flag, he says. But if the Berkhut officers were not responsible for the dozens of deaths that day, the question remains: who was? Maidan killers move to Odessa In August 2023, the New York Times revealed that the Ukrainian gunrunner Serhiy Pashinksy, once openly condemned by Zelensky himself as a criminal, had become the top private supplier of arms to Ukraine. Pashinsky sourced grenades, artillery shells and rockets through a trans-European network of middlemen, then sold, bought and resold the arms until the final buyer, Ukraines military, pays the most. The hustle has enriched him to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Pashinsky, a former Ukrainian parliamentarian, was a central figure in the Maidan coup. As The Grayzone subsequently revealed, he has been accused by three Georgian mercenaries of personally orchestrating the February 2014 massacre, supplying the weapons used and personally picking targets to be shot. When Israeli journalists confronted Pashinsky about these allegations, he threatened to have his associates track them down at home and tear them apart. During the Maidan trial, defense lawyers made prominent mention of those same Georgian mercenary snipers. Along with Maidan leaders, and Western-backed fascist paramilitary Right Sector, the snipers were also implicated in the May 2014 Odessa massacre, a gruesome incident in which scores of Russian-speaking anti-Maidan protesters were forcibly herded into the citys Trade Unions House, which was then set alight. In all, 46 died due to burn injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, and attempts to escape the horrors by jumping out of windows. Non-fatal casualties reportedly totaled around 200. Katchanovski says that as with Maidan, evidence points to the role of an extremely well-organized plot to carry out the Odessa killings: A Georgian sniper who confessed their Maidan massacre role in an Israeli documentary also revealed one of the massacres organizers dispatched them to Odessa right before the attack on separatists there. Post-coup, coverup after coverup From the beginning of the Maidan trial, witnesses and prosecutors were subjected by far-right Ukrainian figures to a campaign of intimidation. During proceedings, Neo-Nazi C14 and Azov activists stormed the courtroom, attacked defendants, and placed tires outside the court in an apparent threat to burn the building down. The presiding judge was even beaten by a Maidan activist. Covert pressure from Zelenskys administration and the far-right is likely much greater than what we have seen publicly, Katchanovski commented to The Grayzone. Ukraines judiciary isnt independent. Zelenskys administration routinely and openly interferes in proceedings, and even dismissed the entire Constitutional Court. Its a very difficult situation for the judges and jury. There were direct threats from the far-right to convict the accused. Accordingly, some wounded protesters who initially testified to the presence of snipers in Maidan-controlled buildings later revoked their accounts. They subsequently admitted the prosecution met with them privately, to discuss what theyd said on the witness stand. For Katchanovski, this is proof the coverup goes to the top of the Ukrainian government. Many Ukrainians, especially in the East, have held this same suspicion since Ukraines post-Maidan nationalist coup government adopted a wide-ranging amnesty law in 2014. That legislation granted Maidan protesters blanket immunity from prosecution for every serious crime imaginable, including murder, terrorism, and seizure of power. The law also prohibited official investigation of any anti-government agitator for these crimes, and ordered the destruction of all relevant evidence that had previously been collected. A high-ranking official within Ukraines Prosecutor General Office has since admitted that prosecutors handling the Maidan massacre investigation and trial were covertly selected and appointed by none other than Pashinsky. Efforts to conduct a parliamentary commission to probe the killings were blocked by Petro Poroshenko, the rabidly anti-Russian President of Ukraine who succeeded the ousted Yanukovych in 2014. The official tampering was understandable, Katchanovski argues, given how fundamental Kievs narrative of the Maidan massacre is to the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government. The false flag mass murder led directly to Yanukovych, justifying the withdrawal of government forces from downtown Kiev, the seizure of government buildings by Maidan activists, and the presidents unconstitutional removal by the Ukrainian legislature. All these developments paved a path to the eight-year-long civil war in Donbas, which claimed the lives of over 14,000 and precipitated Russias invasion in February 2022. For Katchanovski, the link between the false flag massacre and ongoing war in Ukraine is obvious. The verdict, he says, makes that even more clear. As retaliation for his groundbreaking investigations into the Maidan massacre, Katchanovskis home and property were illegally seized by local courts in 2014 with the involvement of senior officials. Yet the professor remains more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the story. One day, the truth of what happened will be officially acknowledged the only question is when, he vowed. Delayed acknowledgment and lack of justice in this case has already cost Ukraine very dearly. There are many conflicts, including the ongoing war, which spiraled from the Maidan massacre. Countless people have suffered needlessly as a result. The time for truth and reconciliation is well overdue. Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has called on DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste the momentum behind talks on the Governments 2.5 billion package to stabilise finances in Northern Ireland. The British government has offered the lump sum to settle outstanding public sector pay demands and a new fiscal floor for Northern Ireland, but it is dependent on a restored powersharing administration in Belfast. Advertisement Northern Irelands institutions require the largest unionist and nationalist parties to share power but the Stormont Assembly and Executive have been effectively collapsed for almost two years amid DUP protest action over unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements. Leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (PA) On Saturday, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson told party members the British government needs to provide much more in its offer for the North. Advertisement He also said his party would not let hype, spin and sometimes ill-founded claims distract it from its own negotiations with the British government to restore Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom and its internal market. Advertisement Mr Donaldson told members those negotiations are separate from the ongoing talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris on the regions public finances. Speaking to the BBCs Sunday Politics Northern Ireland, Mr Finucane said it was time for the DUP to join with other parties and seize the moment to return to the Executive. It is clear this week there has been momentum. It is clear that the time is now for Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste the momentum, not to waste the opportunity that is present. Advertisement Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (PA) He added: If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everyone in this society as we face the pain of more and more underfunding. Mr Finucane said there was an absence of a reason why the Assembly and Executive cannot be returned, adding: There is a world outside of the DUP. Advertisement He said Sinn Fein wants to return to the Executive to tackle issues in the public sector. In the absence of an Executive, in the absence of leadership being shown by Jeffrey Donaldson, we will be at the mercy once again of the Chris Heaton-Harrises of this world who will happily slice away our services to the point where the system certainly with regards to health will collapse. Advertisement Alliance Party MLAs Andrew Muir and Eoin Tennyson (PA) Advertisement Alliance party finance spokesman Eoin Tennyson said the public had been more than patient with the DUP as he called on the party to return to powersharing. They (the public) have been looking into yet another Christmas with uncertainty about their pay awards. Theyre languishing on waiting lists. They cant get their children adequate support in schools. Mr Tennyson added: I dont think the public will wear another Christmas where theyre witnessing this kind of pantomime politics where were all traipsing back and forth from Hillsborough Castle for talks; they want their politicians working and delivering for them. He said it was Alliances intention to enter into the Executive, subject to approval from the partys council. UUP leader Doug Beattie (PA) UUP leader Doug Beattie said his partys leadership is intent on going back into Executive. Mr Beattie said he was waiting to see the final make-up of the financial package for the region, how the Executive may be reformed and any programme for government. Asked if it was his personal opinion that the UUP should not return to the Executive, Mr Beattie said that is not where the party stands and rejected an allegation that the partys MLAs were split five to four on the matter. Advertisement Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA Matthew OToole (PA) SDLP MLA for South Belfast Matthew OToole told the same programme that the party will be in opposition following the results of the election: If we are there by ourselves, we will do the job and look forward to doing the job. If other parties wish to join us, I look forward to working constructively and actively with them. TUV leader Jim Allister said the DUP has no mandate to return to the Executive if they are returning to implement the union-dismantling protocol. That is why the government is so desperate to get the DUP back so that they can cement the protocol by unionist implementation, he said. Cabinet approval for international surrogacy legislation has been described as a "massive step forward" for Irish families with children born through surrogacy. This week, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill will "set out a process for future surrogacy both here in Ireland and internationally" while also providing a pathway for retrospective parenthood. Advertisement Surrogacy in Ireland is currently unregulated. This means that Irish children who are born through surrogacy to either opposite sex couples, same sex couples or couples/individuals who have medical and/or fertility challenges have no legal relationship with their parents once they arrive home to Ireland. To be granted parental rights, the child's genetic father must complete a costly, long court process which can often leave the child legally vulnerable for years. Advertisement The child's mother or non-biological parent currently has no pathway to parenthood and is a legal stranger to their child. Advertisement The new Bill will regulate surrogacy, and give mothers rights, when it becomes law. Irish Families Through Surrogacy (IFTS) spokesperson Sara Byrne told BreakingNews.ie: "There are 234 pages of amendments that have been drafted for this surrogacy legislation, so we haven't had eyes on it yet, but Minister Donnelly met with us and some of the other advocacy groups to give us an overview of what to expect... which we really appreciated. "We're hopeful that the contents of the legislation will reflect what we have been advocating." I didn't think at the start of this she would be starting Junior Infants, and I'm still a legal stranger to her. Advertisement Ms Byrne's four-year-old daughter is starting primary school, and she said "I didn't think we'd still be in this position". "I didn't think at the start of this she would be starting Junior Infants, and I'm still a legal stranger to her. I didn't think we'd still be in this position, but we have to hold on to the fact that progress is happening and this was a really big step forward. Advertisement "We're hopeful that the last few stages will go smoothly. There is good will in government to make sure it progresses. "Please God this will be the last Christmas where my daughter will be unequal in Irish law. Hopefully, by next year it won't be a thought anymore, and we can know we are completely equal and recognised. That will be a massive day. Advertisement "We're so proud the Irish Government has taken this on. It is a complicated area, but every stakeholder involved has been consulted. Ireland has been a leader in this." Ms Byrne said the legislation is also important for domestic surrogacy. The Government believes there are up to 500 families in Ireland that will be able to access the new legislation retrospectively. She stressed that all the Irish families who have received help from IFTS have gone through ethical surrogacy. Advertisement While some people have criticised international surrogacy, Ms Byrne feels some of this comes from a lack of knowledge about it. She said her family remains close to her surrogate, adding that this is common. Supporters and friends of Irish Families Through Surrogacy during a surrogacy rally at Leinster House, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos "We're still in contact with our surrogate weekly and that reflects the experience of a lot of families. It's wonderful that it will be properly regulated for couples who can do it here... and those who need to travel as well. Advertisement "IFTS thoroughly advocate for ethical surrogacy. There are varying levels of contact, but we have nothing but absolute respect and admiration for these women and their incredible acts of kindness. Every family we have dealt with has gone above and beyond to make sure they are treated well. "Hopefully, as surrogacy becomes more normalised, the naysayers will realise the reality of it is so positive." Problems that parents have at the moment include the fact that mothers cannot sign for medical forms or travel. "My daughter is starting primary school, and we'll have to explain the whole situation. I was granted guardianship when she turned two, but a lot haven't done that in the hope this legislation comes through quickly. "You can't sign a form for your child, so many things you'd never think of. "We often have enquiries about people who want to visit family in the UK or further afield. Do they need paperwork if their husband or partner isn't with them? All these things that other families don't even have to think of. "I personally had the situation of being the mother sitting distraught in the hospital carpark when my daughter was unwell, and I couldn't be in there with her." Rosanna Davison with supporters and friends of Irish Families Through Surrogacy at a rally outside Leinster House. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Ms Byrne said the new legislation will help families who are embarking on a surrogacy journey, and those who have already been through it. "A lot of people give out about government and engagement, but our experience has been very positive. We have met with the three ministers involved, Minister Donnelly, Minister McEntee and Minister O'Gorman, and their officials. They've kept us in the loop and listened to our concerns. "A lot of us brought our children to the demonstrations for the people in power to meet them... to show the whole point of this is for these children. They are no different to any other Irish children. "Nobody's story is the same, and it has been a last resort for everybody. Even when it was suggested to my husband and I, it seemed so abstract and unachievable, and it was through meeting couples myself and chatting to them, I saw it was possible... normal people in extraordinary situations." Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate Dail proceedings in the coming week. Refugee supports The Government has announced changes to supports for Ukrainian refugees, and it is likely to be a key topic of Dail discussion. Advertisement The changes, which will come into force at the end of January, will see State accommodation being provided to arriving Ukrainians for a maximum of 90 days, where it had previously been provided without limit. The changes are not opposed in any big way by any of the opposition parties. However, whether they will lead to more homelessness will be a topic of discussion. Speaking on Friday, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien would not clarify whether he expected homeless figures to rise in response to the cut to support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. Advertisement Earlier, Ukraines ambassador to Ireland said she understands the Governments decision to cut support for people fleeing Russias invasion. Advertisement The Government has provided State accommodation to Ukrainians arriving in Ireland for an unlimited amount of time, and a weekly social welfare rate of 220 a week, since the war broke out in February 2022. Last week ministers agreed that from the end of January, State accommodation will only be provided for up to 90 days. During that period, arrivals will be paid a 38.80 subsistence allowance and an additional 29.80 per child per week; once they leave State accommodation they are entitled to apply for social welfare. No changes are being made for the 100,000 Ukrainian nationals who are already living in Ireland. Advertisement Calls for Gaza ceasefire Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was early among EU leaders in calling for a cease in hostilities in Gaza. Speaking after a European Commission meeting this week, he reiterated these calls. Mr Varadkar has said there is a very clear majority but not unanimity in the EU for a ceasefire in Gaza, a day after saying the bloc had lost credibility on the issue. Despite this strong stance, opposition parties, led by Sinn Fein have said the Government has not gone far enough. Advertisement They lost a Dail motion over the expulsion of Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich, while the Government has also dismissed calls to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Abroad British prime minister Rishi Sunak narrowly won a vote on the UK government's controversial Rwanda legislation this week. He faces pressure from the right wing of the Conservative Party, and the opposition, led by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. That will continue, and likely intensify, in the coming week. In the United States, president Joe Biden has started to turn against Israel's relentless bombing of Gaza. He has said their assaults on Hamas need to be more targeted, and the EU's calls for a Gaza ceasefire will likely be on his mind. Israel pressed ahead with its Gaza offensive on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag, raised questions about its conduct in the 10-week-old war that has brought unprecedented death and destruction to the coastal enclave. Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day the longest of several outages over the course of the war, which aid groups say complicate rescue efforts after bombings and make it even more difficult to monitor the wars toll on civilians. Advertisement Israel could come under further pressure to scale back major combat operations when US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza attend a rally in Tel Aviv calling for their return (Leo Correa/AP) Advertisement Washington has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties and the mass displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population even as it has provided vital military and diplomatic support to its close ally. Advertisement The air and ground war has flattened vast swathes of northern Gaza and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and rain-swamped tent camps. Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets in all parts of Gaza. It has vowed to continue operations until it dismantles Hamas, which triggered the war with its October 7 attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel has also vowed to return the roughly 129 hostages still held in Gaza. Advertisement Israel and the US meanwhile remain far apart on who should run Gaza after the war. Washington wants to see a unified Palestinian government in Gaza and the West Bank as a precursor to eventual Palestinian statehood. A two-state solution enjoys broad support from the international community, which views it as the only way to resolve the decades-old conflict. The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, which is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, has said it would only return to Gaza as part of a comprehensive solution that creates an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 war. Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will retain open-ended security control over Gaza after defeating Hamas (Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AP) Advertisement Benjamin Netanyahus government, which is deeply opposed to Palestinian statehood, has rejected that scenario, saying it will retain open-ended security control over Gaza after defeating Hamas. It is also opposed to any withdrawal from east Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move not recognised internationally, or the West Bank, where more than 500,000 Jewish settlers live in scores of growing settlements, and which is home to some three million Palestinians. Hamas, which has pledged to destroy Israel, said the October 7 attack was a response to Israels actions in all three territories. Advertisement Mr Netanyahu said on Saturday that he was proud to have prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state during his more than 16 years in power going back to the late 1990s. Russia and Ukraine launched more than a dozen drones at each others territory for a second straight day on Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed when drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in south-western Russia, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. Advertisement A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it claimed was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Advertisement A Ukrainian serviceman fires a D-30 cannon towards Russian positions at the front line near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP) Advertisement Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town further west, but did not mention the air base. He said most of the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He did not comment on damage. Also on Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Advertisement Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they are not deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Russias Defence Ministry said on Friday evening that its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraines air force said on Saturday that it had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched by Russia against 11 Ukrainian regions the previous night. Advertisement Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counter-offensive that began in June. Advertisement Meanwhile, Ukraines foreign minister welcomed what he called a sea change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs EU membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed a change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs bid for EU membership (Virginia Mayo/AP) Advertisement Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Mr Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he had proposed Mr Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something the Hungarian leader agreed to do. Mr Kuleba told Germanys Bild newspaper: What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The Chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians. Advertisement He also voiced hope that Mr Scholzs actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears, he said. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then. South Koreas military said on Sunday that it has detected that North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile towards its eastern waters, adding to a torrent of weapons tests in recent months that have elevated tensions. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say what type of missile it was or how far it flew. Advertisement 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 programme, and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorises the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons. The United States, South Korea and Japan have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region, and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Mr Kim has condemned as invasion rehearsals. Advertisement North Koreas latest launch followed high-level security talks between American and South Korean officials in Washington over the weekend, where they agreed on plans to incorporate nuclear operation scenarios in their combined military exercises next year to cope with the Norths evolving threats, according to details announced by Seouls presidential office. Shortly after the launch, North Koreas Defence Ministry issued a statement condemning Washington and Seouls move to include nuclear operation scenarios in their joint drills, describing it as an open threat to potentially use nuclear weapons against the North and vowing to prepare unspecified offensive countermeasures. Advertisement The North Korean ministry also criticised the United States for increasingly deploying major military assets to South Korea in a show of strength, including strategic bombers and nuclear-powered submarines, which it claimed amounted to a reckless military threat that was destabilising the region. In the face of North Korean threats, South Korea has been seeking stronger reassurances from the US that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack. The North has test-fired more than 100 missiles since the start of 2022 as Mr Kim used the distraction caused by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine to speed up the expansion of his military nuclear programme, which he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. Advertisement Weapons that North Korea has tested in recent months have included intercontinental ballistic missiles which demonstrated a potential range to reach the US mainland, and a series of launch events the North described as simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea. Advertisement Last month, North Korea also launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Mr Kim described as a crucial for monitoring US and South Korean military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. Washington and its allies have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They fear Mr 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. Less than a week after the resignation of Schwartz Media chair Morry Schwartz, the company has appointed advertising executive Ben Shepherd as its new chief executive officer. Schwartz Media is the publisher of The Saturday Paper, The Monthly and 7am Podcast and is owned and was founded by Schwartz. Shepherd will begin the role next year after the departure of long-time chief Rebecca Costello, who departed in November to join Guardian Australia. Advertising executive Ben Shepherd joins Schwartz Media as CEO. Shepherd will join Schwartz Media after spending just under 12 months at Japanese advertising conglomerate Dentsu as its Australian chief investment officer. It will be his sixth role in five years, a period that has included stints at advertising agencies Thinkerbell and CHEP Network, and roles at PwC and Bain & Company. Review-bombing is also affecting high-profile authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. Three months ago, Gilbert decided to suspend the release of her next novel, The Snow Forest, due out in February 2024, following a backlash on Goodreads from Ukrainian users objecting to the novels Russian setting. Robbie Egan, chief executive of BookPeople, Australias not-for-profit peak body for booksellers, is sceptical of Goodreads and how it can be manipulated. Still, he acknowledges the platform does help sell books and promote writing. He criticises its move to tackle review-bombing by encouraging readers to report it rather than implementing better moderation. That seems, for a trillion-dollar company, pretty lazy to me. Robbie Egan is the CEO of BookPeople, formerly the Australian Booksellers Association. Credit: Simon Schluter While Goodreads has its place, Egan stresses the ongoing relevance of booksellers to getting an authors work to an audience, citing the example of Pip Williams Dictionary of Lost Words. The proportion that sold in independent bookshops was huge, he says. Its very hard in Australia to make a career for an author without independent bookshops being on board. A manager of Readings bookshops in Melbourne from 2010 to 2018, Egan says he would encourage his staff to be sceptical of Goodreads. I would be telling my staff to take reviews with a grain of salt and to check out the content themselves, he says. Madeleine Gray, author of Green Dot, a critic and former bookseller, says that Goodreads is important for getting early buzz for a novel, especially for debut authors such as her. If you can get a strong suite of pre-release reviews saying its good on Goodreads, that builds the hype, and its very helpful for people pre-ordering the book, she says. Madeleine Gray released her debut novel Green Dot earlier this year. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer But Goodreads should not be confused with professional criticism. I say this with love: I would not think of Goodreads as an accurate critical gauge of whether a book is good or not, Gray says. One of my favourite pastimes is to go and read terrible reviews of undeniable classics. Like, you can go and look at The Great Gatsby and someone will be: boring, dropped it after a page, one star. Ultimately, Gray says, the way that books get into the hands of readers is through word of mouth. You can get as many reviews as you want that are good, but unless someones reading the book and recommending it to their friend or their mum, its not gonna go anywhere. Jessie Tu, author of A Lonely Girl Is a Dangerous Thing and book critic for this masthead, says shes deliberately removed herself from the online book community. I just am so anti-social media, she says. She points to its divisive nature, as driven by the algorithm (and described by essayist Jia Tolentino): I just find all of that too insane and too much for my kind of very sensitive way of being, Tu says. As writers, there are different ways to engage with readers and other people, she adds, including author talks and writers festivals. While review-bombing may not currently be widespread in Australia, Tu says the Corrain Goodreads scandal highlights a problem with local literary criticism: the way books by people of colour are reviewed. Jessie Tus debut novel A Lonely Girl Is a Dangerous Thing was released in 2020. Credit: Steve Siewert Not enough of them are reviewed, Tu says. I wish more of their books were pressed into the hands of journalists and celebrities and critics and anyone who has cultural status and influence. Also, I would love to see [that] the pool of critics reflects the spread and diversity of the Australian population. Michael Winkler self-published his first novel, Grimmish, in 2021 before it was picked up by an independent publisher and shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award last year. He didnt find his audience through Goodreads reviews but on Twitter (now known as X), and later through the efforts of booksellers and the acknowledgment of the Miles Franklin. Michael Winkler self-published his debut novel Grimmish in 2021. Credit: Justin McManus Twitter was actually a really important avenue for writers to connect with readers, especially people who were doing things that were experimental or a bit more challenging, he says. For other authors, [Goodreads] is a place where people go for recommendations, and it can be powerful. And thats why it feels like such a nasty betrayal, I think, to have a debut author not just pumping up their own tyres with their own five-star reviews, but actually actively going out there and trying to put down other debut writers. While Australias literary scene is small, and its possible some bad actors are trying to undermine each other through bad reviews, Winkler describes the local industry as overwhelmingly collegial. She said she was concerned about security implications if he had come back to the office to look at files. Asked by Lee if it occurred to her that Lehrmann wasnt necessarily being candid, Brown said: My antenna was up. Brown said she did not recall telling a departmental liaison officer in Reynolds office, Chris Payne, that Higgins had been found in a state of undress in the ministers office, and denied saying she would try to get access to CCTV footage to get to the bottom of what had happened. Payne has given evidence that Brown said words to this effect to him in the days after the alleged assault. During cross-examination by Wilkinsons barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC, Brown denied giving Higgins details of the employee assistance program during a meeting with her later on March 26, after her meeting with Lehrmann, because she had a suspicion Higgins had been assaulted. I reject that, Brown said. She said she believed she would have given the same information to Lehrmann but did not have a specific record. She denied Higgins told her she had been assaulted, but gave evidence that Higgins had said she woke up semi-naked on the couch in Reynolds office. I want to suggest to you that by the end of the day, irrespective of what Ms Higgins told you, you were concerned that shed been assaulted, Chrysanthou said. I didnt think shed been assaulted. I thought she would have told me, Brown said. Brown told the court that Higgins told her two days later: I remember him being on top of me. But she told the court Higgins didnt say it was something she didnt want. Earlier on Monday, Queensland Liberal National Party MP Sam OConnor gave evidence that Higgins revealed to him that she had been raped in Parliament House within days of the alleged assault. I absolutely remember the word rape. Thats not something that you forget, and she absolutely did say he had taken her back to Parliament House, OConnor said. The member for the state seat of Bonney said he had known Higgins for about a year when she told him in a phone call on March 29, 2019, that another Liberal Party staffer had taken her back to Parliament House after a night out drinking with colleagues and had raped her. Queensland Liberal National Party MP Sam OConnor in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone He told the court he did not know the name of the staffer at the time, but Higgins had said he had worked for the former attorney-general George Brandis and was from Toowoomba. Lehrmann had worked for Brandis before securing a job in Reynolds office. Loading The court heard that Higgins had sent OConnor a text message before the call saying that a super f---ed up thing happened a little while ago. He said Higgins had been a real go-getter, her dream job was to be a press secretary, a media adviser, in Canberra, and she loved every minute of that role. But OConnor said that after the alleged assault Higgins absolutely was different. She was testier, he said, and they sometimes had arguments over small things. Veteran news boss initially sceptical Veteran news boss Peter Meakin, who advised Ten on the Higgins interview as an editorial consultant, gave evidence on Monday that he knew the story would be legally contentious. He said in an affidavit filed in court that he was initially sceptical about the story and wanted to see what Ms Higgins said about the matter and what other evidence there was to support her claims. He said watching an edited version of Wilkinsons interview with Higgins, recorded on February 2, 2021, was a factor in changing his view. Meakin agreed he did not watch the uncut two-hour interview. Peter Meakin outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Ive never spoken to Ms Higgins, he said. He agreed that his view of Higgins was shaped entirely by what The Projects producer Angus Llewellyn provided to him or told him. The court heard that Meakin emailed Llewellyn on February 3, 2021, and said he planned to advise that approaches for comment or interviews with third parties would not be made without the approval of Brittany, and that in the case of political figures it wont be until much closer to the transmission date. Meakin told the court it was his intention to keep Higgins advised as part of their duty of care to her. He agreed with Lehrmanns barrister, Matthew Richardson, SC, that it would not be appropriate for Higgins as a complainant or source to dictate who should be contacted for comment, but he said he did not think she did. The court heard that all requests for comment were made after about 2.30pm on Friday, February 12, 2021, and specified a deadline of 10am on Monday, February 15. The Project interview aired that night. Lisa Wilkinson and her legal team including barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, in the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone The introduction to The Project interview referred to a young woman forced to choose between her career and the pursuit of justice. The court has heard that the government said in a statement to Ten that Higgins was told she would be supported if she chose to make a police complaint and there would be no impact on her career. Meakin said that he believed the introduction implied that Ten was believing her [Higgins] story more than the governments. He said he did not believe the governments response was buried at all. Toxicologist gives evidence Forensic toxicologist Dr Michael Robertson, who prepared an expert report at Tens request, also gave evidence on Monday. Forensic toxicologist Dr Michael Robertson. Credit: Edwina Pickles Dr Matt Collins, KC, acting for Ten, had previously told the court that Robertson expressed the opinion that a woman of Higgins age and weight who had drunk 13 vodka-based drinks between 7.25pm and 1.30am with no non-alcoholic drinks and limited food likely had a blood alcohol concentration at 2.15am of about 0.23 per cent. Collins said that was about five times, a bit under five times, the legal limit for driving. Robertson viewed CCTV footage of Higgins at The Dock hotel in Canberra on March 22, 2019, in the hours before the alleged rape. At about 10pm Higgins was shown stumbling, the court heard, and in Robertsons opinion this was consistent with having a blood alcohol level potentially between 0.08 and 0.11. He agreed there were no overt signs of gross intoxication. Lee asked Robertson about his reference in the report to impaired judgment, and when this kicks in. Once the blood alcohol concentration rises, the impaired judgment becomes more and more impacted, Robertson said. Its not black and white, but it is a continuum. He said at 0.1 per cent a person would generally look OK, albeit affected by alcohol, but at 0.15 and then 0.2 per cent the ability of most people to make well-considered decisions becomes more and more impaired. Youre still able to make decisions, he said. Were not talking about confusion; inability to know where you are. Were not talking to that extent. Expert lip-reader Ten has flown the UK-based lip-reader Tim Reedy to Sydney to give evidence as part of its defence, and he will be cross-examined on Tuesday. CCTV showing Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins at The Dock in Canberra on March 22, 2019. Credit: Spotlight, Channel Seven Lee ruled this month that Ten could tender a report in which Reedy expresses an opinion on words spoken by Lehrmann and Higgins at The Dock on March 22, 2019. Reedys opinion is based on an analysis of CCTV footage from The Dock. Lee made clear that his ruling allowing the report to be admitted in evidence was not an indication of the weight he would ultimately place on the opinions expressed in it. The lawsuit Lehrmann is suing Ten and Wilkinson over an interview with Higgins, aired on The Project on February 15, 2021, that he alleges defames him by suggesting he is guilty of raping Higgins in the office of their boss, Reynolds. He has always maintained his innocence. Lehrmann not named Lehrmann was not named in Tens interview and a preliminary issue in the case is whether he was identified because of the details provided in the broadcast, including the fact that the alleged perpetrator had worked in Reynolds office. Meakin said on Monday that we did take advice on how far we could go without being guilty of identifying Mr Lehrmann. Bruce Lehrmann and his legal team leave the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer If the court finds Lehrmann was identified in the interview, Ten and Wilkinson are seeking to rely on defences of truth and qualified privilege. 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. Demand for single-sex schools in Brisbane continues unabated, but when it comes to university, it seems young men and women would prefer to mingle. Before 2020, half of the University of Queenslands 10 residential colleges were single-sex. St Leos College at the University of Queensland in St Lucia is one of only two all-male residential colleges left in Australia. Credit: St Leo's College website But in 2020, Kings welcomed women and Grace became gender-inclusive in 2022, leaving just two womens colleges at the St Lucia campus Womens and Duchesne and only one mens college, St Leos. In contrast, there were 20 single-sex independent schools in Queensland last year, up one from 2017, and the number of Catholic single-sex secondary schools remained unchanged for the past decade. 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 On October 5, underworld figure Mick Gatto offered an unsolicited proposition to veteran Melbourne architect Joseph Toscano. Toscano was told he could sit down with the underworld figure to resolve the architects commercial dispute with building company Cobolt Constructions, which Gatto claimed to be representing. Joseph Toscano. But if Toscano wasnt interested in this meeting, he could face trouble caused by the man infamously caught up in Melbournes gangland wars. We can cause you grief, Gatto told Toscano. And I know you have enough grief in your life already. Gatto hinted he was capable of preventing other building companies from completing Toscanos Melbourne inner-city apartment block development. I can stop anyone doing anything, mate. And I say that respectfully, I dont want to be a smarty, he says in a record of the conversation. Advertisement It is often reported that Gatto is the last man standing from Melbournes bloody gangland wars, but it is less well known he is still going strong in the face of repeated attempts from various authorities to curb his ubiquitous role in the construction industry. Gatto has long cast a shadow over Melbournes construction industry as a self-styled mediator and arbitrator, making the occasional entry into the NSW sector as well. Mick Gatto in June 2022. Credit: Quinn Rooney The fact he is still operating, along with the rare glimpse of how he plies his trade, illustrates how certain construction industry power structures have not only withstood repeated attempts at reform, but continue to flourish. According to Gatto, building companies call on him to sort out contractual or industrial disputes, while the construction union assists him. I have got friends there [in the union] and they support me if things are done the right way, Gatto explained when asked last week about his intervention in Toscanos development dispute. There are plenty of people around like me who deal with the union and consult, but they are not as high-profile as me they do it under the radar. Advertisement For 20 years, Coalition governments, commissions of inquiry, police taskforces and regulators have tried to bring Gatto undone. The hulking, grey-haired ex-boxer has outlasted all of them. The 2002 Cole royal commission exposed Gattos role as an industry fixer (the commission aired allegations Gatto was either a standover man or an industrial consultant). Loading That Coalition government-ordered commission led to the establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which the Albanese government abolished in February. Anecdotally at least, problems are brewing in both Sydney and Melbourne. This masthead has spoken to a dozen industry and union insiders who describe how bikie gangs and Italian and Middle Eastern underworld figures are quietly entrenching themselves in the industry at a scale not seen in years. They would not speak openly over concern about the impact on their professional interests. Its worse now than ever, says one former union official who insists that when he served at the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Unions construction arm, the union saw its role as keeping crooks at bay, at least ensuring they didnt rip off workers or compromise safety. A former Building and Construction Commission official scoffs at this suggestion: Gatto works hand-in-glove with some in the union. He couldnt exist without their support. Advertisement Still, it is building companies not unions that pay his fees, which can range from $50,000 to $1 million per dispute resolution, depending on the client and complexity of the issue. Gatto told one developer recently that he mediates 10 construction industry disputes a week. If Gatto is, as he insists, simply the most high-profile of a small army of industrial relations fixers, it raises old questions about an industry crucial to solving the housing crisis and delivering vital infrastructure projects. Mick Gatto at Shane Warnes memorial service in March. Credit: Getty Images Business records and sources reveal colourful industry players are working on federal or state government projects or have moved into Indigenous labour hire, which makes it easier for them to win contracts due to governments social procurement rules. Gatto is linked to labour hire entity M Group, which set up Indigenous firm Jarrah as part of a joint venture and has won work on several large Victorian projects with CFMEU backing. Gattos company Arbitration and Mediation Services was an original shareholder of the group, before transferring those shares to his daughter. Advertisement Gatto is also paid to sort out the firms union issues and has a CFMEU-endorsed industrial agreement, which is a de facto requirement for scoring work on CBD projects. One of the reasons the involvement of underworld figures in the construction industry remains hard to quantify and dissect is because so few working within the sector are willing to go on the record. Joseph Toscano is a rare exception. Having weathered COVID lockdowns that removed his initial choice of firm, the veteran architect contracted Cobolt Constructions in 2021 to build a 10-storey apartment building in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Collingwood. Their relationship soured over cost, time and quality issues, finally becoming irreparable in January. The development site on Wellington Street, Collingwood. Credit: Penny Stephens The question of who is to blame for this breakdown is mired in claim and counter-claim. Toscano and Cobolts Christian Munn both called in lawyers after Munn suspended his companys services, leaving Toscano with a long list of complaints about Cobolts performance and scrambling for a new builder. Advertisement New Queensland Premier Steven Miles has handed two of his old portfolios to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, in a move he says will streamline the delivery of new stock to the market. Scanlon will this week be sworn in as minister in the portfolios of local government and planning, which Miles until Friday morning the holder of those titles said would be one of the most senior roles in his cabinet. File image of future Premier Steven Miles and Meaghan Scanlon. Local Government and Planning will be added to Scanlons Housing portfolio in the Miles ministry. Miles confirmed Scanlons appointment at Albion on Sunday, where he announced a $3 million grant to find a permanent headquarters for homeless laundry service Orange Sky. Miles said, as planning and local government minister in the Palaszczuk government, he had worked closely with Scanlon to deliver more homes to the private housing market. It did not specify reasons for the talks. A committee of Indian lawmakers will hold discussions with four government-owned banks early next year under banking laws which among other things govern mergers and acquisitions, according to a government document. The meeting will also include "informal discussions" with India's central bank over the law governing its functioning and regulatory supervision, besides separate deliberations with five insurance companies over the country's insurance laws, said the document. Informal discussions will be held with representatives of UCO Bank and Union Bank of India on January 2, 2024 and between Bank of Maharashtra and Bank of India on January 6, 2024 in western cities of Mumbai and Goa, said the document issued on Nov. 16. It did not specify reasons for the talks. A meeting with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, Life Insurance Corporation, SBI Life Insurance, National Insurance Co, Oriental Insurance and the New India Assurance Co is also proposed on Jan. 2. Two Indian finance ministry sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that no proposal to merge the public sector banks is being considered by the government and that the discussions were part of 'routine exercise.' An email sent to the country's federal finance ministry remained unanswered. Indian government, in 2019, announced the merger of 10 state-owned banks into four lenders. Government owned banks still account for over 60% of India's banking system by assets and deposits. Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at a special summit on Sunday marking their 50th anniversary of friendship, adopted a joint vision that emphasises security and economic cooperation while respecting the rule of law amid growing tensions with China in regional seas. Ties between Japan and ASEAN used to be largely based on Japanese assistance to the developing economies, in part due to lingering bitterness over Japan's wartime actions. But in recent years the ties have focused more on security amid China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, while Japan's postwar pacifist stance and trust-building efforts have fostered friendlier relations. The leaders, in a joint statement, called for strengthening their mutually beneficial partnership and working together for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They also called to pursue greater prosperity for the region and to promote people exchanges among the younger generations, Kishida told a joint news conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, this year's ASEAN chair. The leaders adopted an implementation plan for 130 projects. Japan called to step up cooperation in security and defense, while reinforcing support for efforts in climate change and investment, including in the region's automotive industry, he said. As divisions and confrontations deepen and the world faces compounded crises, Japan will tackle the issues together with ASEAN, which is the linchpin of a free and open Indo-Pacific,' Kishida said. Based on our mutual trust, we will tackle new issues, and contribute to peace and prosperity of the region in order to create a world where people can benefit while their dignity is respected. Japan adopted a new security strategy last year and has been rapidly building up its military and expanding its military partnerships to better counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. On Saturday, on the sidelines of the Dec 16-18 summit, Kishida held a series of bilateral talks as Japan seeks to step up bilateral security ties with ASEAN countries. Kishida and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, signed a 400 million yen ($2.8 million) deal to bolster Malaysia's maritime security capability. It is a new Japanese official security assistance programme specifically for militaries of friendly nations to help strengthen their law enforcement and security capabilities. The assistance includes provisions of rescue boats and other equipment to help improve the military capability of Malaysia, which sits at a crucial location on sea lanes connecting the Indian Ocean and East Asia and serves a vital role in warning and surveillance operations for the entire region. Separately on Saturday, Kishida signed a deal with Widodo, offering a grant of up to 9.05 billion yen ($63.7 million) to fund Indonesia's maritime security capability advancement plan and includes a Japanese-built large-scale maritime patrol boat. In November, Japan announced a provision of coastal surveillance radars to the Philippine navy, and the two sides also agreed to start talks for a key defence pact called the Reciprocal Access Agreement designed to smooth their troops' entry into each other's territory for joint military exercises. Later that month, Japan and Vietnam agreed to elevate the status of their relationship to a top-level comprehensive strategic partnership, under which they will discuss details of a possible deal to broaden their defence cooperation. But ASEAN countries are not in lockstep in their stance toward China, with which many have strong ties and are reluctant to choose sides. Japanese officials say they are mindful of the situation and not trying to get them to choose sides. Japan also hopes to push forward energy cooperation with ASEAN leaders at a summit for the Asian Zero Emission Community initiative planned for Monday, when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to join online. J'den Redefining the skyline of Jurong Lake District, J'den sets a new precedent for integrated living. One where you are emboldened to realise the potential of Singapore's next largest business district, providing broadened prospects and golden opportunities for growth. The Indian Air Force Academy in Dundigul witnessed a momentous occasion today with the Combined Graduation Parade, marking the transformation of young cadets into commissioned flying officers. But beyond the crisp salutes and soaring flypasts, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh injected a vital message: the need for balancing time-honored traditions with the lifeblood of innovation. In his address to the newly minted officers, Singh stressed the critical role both traditions and innovation play in maintaining a formidable armed force. Traditions, he acknowledged, are pillars of experience and stability, tested through time and proven worthy. "They remind us of our glorious past, our values, and our unwavering commitment to duty," he stated. However, clinging solely to the past can lead to stagnation, the minister cautioned. "Following traditions without any thinking, there will be stagnation in our system naturally," he remarked. Thus, he emphasized the vital counterpoint: innovation. In an ever-evolving world where threats and challenges morph at lightning speed, the ability to adapt and innovate becomes paramount. "We have to adopt new technologies, new strategies, and new ways of thinking," Singh exhorted. This delicate dance between tradition and innovation, much like a river drawing strength from both its ancient bed and the constant influx of fresh water, was the underlying theme of the minister's message. "If we couple traditions with innovation, it will become a river always providing fresh water," he envisioned. This imagery resonated with the young officers, standing at the precipice of their careers. They are inheritors of a rich legacy, forged in the crucible of history and countless acts of valor. But their paths, and the nation's air defense, depend on their ability to embrace the dynamic tides of technological advancement and strategic ingenuity. The Combined Graduation Parade was not just a celebration of achievement, but a stirring call to arms. It was a reminder that India's skies are entrusted to these young air warriors, equipped not just with flying skills, but with the wisdom gleaned from tradition and the boundless potential of innovation. As they take to the skies, they carry the weight of expectation and the promise of a future where India's airpower soars ever higher, fueled by the potent blend of the tried and true and the yet-to-be-imagined. The Spanish animated feature Robot Dreams received an overwhelmingly positive reaction when it debuted at Cannes earlier this year, where it was quickly snapped up for U.S. distribution by indie powerhouse Neon, which will release the films in U.S. theaters in 2024. Robot Dreams is directed by Spanish auteur Pablo Berger and produced by Arcadia Motion Pictures. The only other animated film Arcadia has ever produced was 2016s Ozzy Bad Dogs, and Berger has never worked on an animated production. Its exceptional, then, that the two teamed to make one of the years most touching animated features that, if distributed well, will live long in the hearts of audiences. Even more so considering the films budget was an extremely modest 5.5 million euros ($6 million). We recently sat down with Berger to talk about making his animation debut, setting up a bespoke animation studio in central Madrid, and the superpower he believes all directors possess. Cartoon Brew: Youve had an outstanding career making live-action films. Blancanieves is a modern Spanish classic and received 10 Spanish Academy Goya Awards and Torremolinos 73 is iconic. That said, this is the first time youve worked in animation. What inspired you to want to take that leap? Pablo Berger: The main reason is right here in my hands; its Sara Varons graphic novel. I collect graphic novels and illustrated books that have no words, and I read Robot Dreams for the first time in about 2010. I was captured by it. It had beautiful graphics; it was fun, surreal, and emotional. So, after I made my films Blancanieves and Abracadabra, I was thinking about what to do next and looking at my bookshelf. I pulled out Robot Dreams and started paging through the book, and I felt the same thing as the first time I read it, but it was more intense this time. Did you know immediately that you wanted to adapt the book as an animated film? I dont want to spoil anything, but when I got to the end of the book, which is much shorter than in the film, it brought tears to my eyes because I was seeing the film in my mind. I think if directors have one superpower, its that we can close our eyes and see a finished film. So, when I saw that in my mind, I realized something new had happened to me. I never, not in a million years, thought I would make an animated film. I love animation, and Im a huge cinephile, but I had never worked in animation before. But the story was so powerful, and the way it talked about themes of friendship, the fragility of relationships, and how we overcome loss by using our memories, I knew I had to make this film. So, where did you start? Did you have connections in the animation industry? On all of my films, I work closely with my crews. I always recruit the best supervisors, executive producers, editors, and musicians. When I started thinking about this project, I reached out to the best producer I knew in the animation business, Ivan Minambres from Uniko. Like me, hes from Bilbao. Hes worked on incredible films like Unicorn Wars and Birdboy and many award-winning shorts. We were both at Madrid Animation Day in 2018, and I pulled him aside and told him I was thinking about making an animated film. I hadnt even told my own producers yet at that point. I started telling him all my ideas, and he said, Look. Before you do anything else, you have to get the best animation director you can find. Theyll be your right hand and your left hand through production. So thats what I did; I went and recruited the wonderful art director Jose Luis Agreda, who previously did Bunuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles, and he was with me from the very beginning. And later, I hired the incredible animation director Benoit Feroumont, who had done The Triplets of Belleville and The Secret of Kells. They both became the leaders of my dream team Were your producers surprised when you finally told them about your plan? Ive worked with the same producer, Arcadia, for years, so they know me well and werent surprised when I told them about my idea. If there is one thing they would all say about me, its that they never know what Ill do next, so theyre always ready for something unexpected. When did you start writing the film? And did that process differ from how you work on your live-action films? On all my live-action films, I prepare extremely detailed storyboards for the entire film, not just the action or dramatic scenes. For me, the final draft of a script is the storyboard. On Blancanieves and Abracadabra, I spent almost a year working on the storyboards. So, without being conscious of it, I was already writing a bit like an animation filmmaker. I think that really helped prepare me to make a film like Robot Dreams. I found the transition so natural. Of course, I was frightened at first, but I think it should be frightening to start any new project, live-action or animation. Because I did Blancanieves, I know what it takes to make a film without dialogue. The main requirement is that the film has to be full of small actions, and it needs thousands and thousands of shots. You really depend on action-reaction. I think Robot Dreams probably has two or three times more shots than any other animated film this year. Did you storyboard all of Robot Dreams? No, it was a team effort. I had a storyboard artist lined up in 2018, but at the last minute, he had another obligation and couldnt join me. So, I took the unusual decision and asked my art director to do the storyboard with me. Hed never done one, but I insisted he was the right person. To help, we hired Maca Gil, an incredible storyboard artist who has worked for Cartoon Saloon. Together, we sat in a circle here in my office, the art director and I would do the thumbnails and then Maca, using them as refence, would draw the storyboard with Storyboard Pro. We also had my music editor, Yuko Harami, with us, who is a major part of all my films and my closest collaborator. We were all in the same space for the entire development of the film, working together every day. It was one of the most satisfying and creative experiences of my life. Later, my editor, Fernando Franco, would revise the storyboard and propose changes to improve it. Can you talk about the films production? Who animated Robot Dreams? We were able to finance the film very quickly, so we immediately started looking for a studio. Around that time, my art director spoke with Nuria Gonzalez Blanco from Cartoon Saloon, and she asked what he was working on. When she heard about our film, she said we had to come to Kilkenny and talk to the Cartoon Saloon team. So, we went to Ireland, and they loved the idea and said they wanted to make the film with us. For a while, Cartoon Saloon was going to be the studio for this film. Then Covid happened, and they had to back out. That meant we had a fully-financed animated project but no animators. We had to make a big decision, so I said, Lets make a studio here. And thats what we did. We set up a pop-up studio near Gran Via in Madrid and another smaller studio in Pamplona. Then, we brought in animators from all over Europe to work on the film. Although this was during the pandemic, it was vital for us that we had a physical studio where everyone could work. It wasnt ideal; we all spent a year wearing masks, but it was worth it in the end. Thats incredible. Can you tell me more about creating a single-use animation studio? We had to buy all the machines used for production. We used Harmony and Storyboard Pro and had to create a pipeline, which was new to me because I had no idea what an animation pipeline was until I started making this film. All of a sudden, we had all these workflows and boxes [to check off], and I was trying to figure out what it all meant. Thats one area where I think it was maybe helpful that Cartoon Saloon had to back out because I would have had to adapt to their pipeline if theyd done the animation. Because we set up our own studio, it was more of a negotiation between the animation team and me. It took time, maybe two or three months of back-and-forth, but it all became pretty smooth once we figured out our pipeline. Of course, I would have loved to work with Cartoon Saloon, but I think, in the end, I could do things more my way. Obviously the look of the film is based on the book, but can you talk a bit about the visual development process? How did you decide what the characters and sets would look like? Because theyre much more detailed than the book. When I was preparing, I noticed that in a lot of animated films, most of the time, the characters in the background arent very sophisticated. Theyre often still; they dont move. Theyre just scenery. I am used to working in live action, and as a live-action director, the protagonists, the supporting actors, and the people in the background and equally important. So, all the extras, all the New Yorkers that appear in the film, have a reason for being there. They all have a story and their own objectives. They also have their own unique designs. If you watch this film over and over, you should notice something new in the background every time. Visually, one of biggest changes from the book is that we also made New York a protagonist. So, the art director and his team had the challenge of creating a realistic 1980s New York. The character design of Robot and Dog evolved from the graphic novel to the film, but probably the biggest changes came when designing the extras, the new Yorkers. There is a common misconception that Robot Dreams is a kids movie. Its appropriate for kids, but the themes of loss and memory are far more relatable for adults who have experienced these types of relationships. What audience were you thinking about when you made this film? For us, it was never a kids movie. Saras book wasnt meant for kids either. Of course, its got kid-friendly designs and colors, and I think kids will enjoy the film, but we never considered adding anything or leaving anything out for kids. For me, the most important audience for any of my films is me. That may sound selfish or egocentric, but I make all of my films with myself as the main target, and after me is the team Im working with. Its been my experience that making films that way has the greatest impact. I made my first short, Mama, in the 1980s, and it was very punk. I didnt know how to make films then, but I did something I knew I would enjoy. It ended up winning many awards and played at the biggest festivals, including Clermont Ferrand. I learned then that I had to make very personal films and that the audience would come later. Sublime with Rome brings blend of reggae and rock to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on April 11 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 On the surface, the idea of receiving an anonymous letter from a secret admirer may seem like a nice, romantic gesture, but by the time youre a teenager, you realize that its just downright unsettling. The thought of someone observing you from afar is rather frightening and will not fail to send shivers down your spine. Plus, the lack of information about the sender will have you constantly watching your back for hints of their identity and what they might want from you. TikToker Sammi (@sincerest_sammi) recently received an eerie email from an anonymous person who introduced themselves as her secret admirer and stated that they had been watching her for a long time. The email began with the sender wishing Sammi a good evening and informing her that she didnt know them. They referred to her as captivating and claimed to know how much she loved the unknown and unexpected. As a result, they decided to bring another aspect of surprise to her life by sending her this email. They continued on with the letter by telling Sammi not to be afraid and revealing a little more detail about themselves. As I said, I have been watching you for a long time. On social media and in person. DONT get freaked out by that; though I might sound like a stalker, I promise you I am not. Im just a person who has a whole lot of interest and investment into you, wrote the sender. They added that Sammi needed to be more careful when she was out and about in public, describing her as not very self-aware. They instructed her not to walk around with headphones on in case something dangerous were to happen, especially since she was a young, attractive woman. Then, the sender told her that no matter how hard she tried to look for them, she would not succeed. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home U.S. Christian parents ask Supreme Court to intervene after CPS removes child from home Indiana parents Mary and Jeremy Cox have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review their case after their trans-identified child was removed from their home by the Indiana Department of Child Services. The Coxes, devout Christians, faced the removal of their child in June 2021 following disagreements over their childs gender identity. The DCS initiated an investigation into the Cox household over the parents refusal to use their son's self-declared female name and pronouns after he decided to start identifying as a girl, according to Indiana Family Institute, which is supporting the parents case. The trial court removed the child from the Coxes custody, citing concerns over the childs well-being in an environment not affirming his self-declared gender identity. This decision was upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which ruled that the restriction on the parents religious instruction was permissible under state and federal constitutions. The Indiana Supreme Court declined to review the case, prompting the Coxes to seek intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court. The petition, filed by IFIs General Counsel Josh Hershberger, argues for protecting parental rights, free speech and the free exercise of religion. The Coxes assert in the petition, No other fit parent should lose custody of their child or face a government muzzle on their deeply held religious beliefs and best judgment. M.C. and J.C. have exhausted every other remedy and are gravely concerned that the state of Indiana will come for their other children. This Courts intervention is needed. The case has sparked controversy in Indiana, a state where trans rights and parental rights are hotly debated topics. The Coxes disagreement with their child, identified as A.C. in court records, allegedly led to a severe eating disorder and self-isolation, contributing to the courts decision, USA Today reported. During a June 2021 hearing, the Coxes showed documents to the court showing they had consulted an eating disorder specialist and were also looking for a new therapist, in addition to enrolling A.C. in a different school. Despite the dismissal of abuse allegations by DCS, the court maintained its stance on not returning the child to the Coxes, citing the potential recurrence of the childs eating disorder and self-isolation if returned home. The Coxes attorney criticized the courts arbitrary and almost absolute power over parental rights, emphasizing the right of fit parents to raise their children according to their beliefs and judgment. The case has also inspired legislation in Indiana, with House Bill 1407 aiming to prevent courts from removing trans-identified children from parents who refuse gender-affirming care. However, the bill did not pass. The Indiana Attorney Generals Office, defending DCS in this case, has requested additional time until February to respond to the Coxes petition. The cases outcome could have significant implications for parental rights in the United States. The Supreme Court is expected to decide by April whether to take the case. The Supreme Court reviews fewer than 1% of the roughly 10,000 petitions submitted annually. The right and responsibility of parentsand not the stateto raise their children according to their beliefs is a biblical, pre-political principle that must be protected in Indiana law, IFI says, quoting Ephesians 6:4, which reads: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Home Politics Christian actor Siaka Massaquoi says 'collective grace' sustained him during recent Jan. 6 arrest ActorSiaka Massaquoi says his Christian faith has sustained him during his years-long battle with the U.S. Department of Justice over his presence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Massaquoi, who is also the first vice chair of the Los Angeles County Republican Party, was arrested by FBI agents at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Nov. 30 upon returning from the Nashville premiere of The Daily Wire's new movie "Lady Ballers," in which he plays a role. The arrest came more than two years after the FBI raided his home in June 2021. Massaquoi was charged with four misdemeanors, including trespassing, disorderly conduct and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building. He spent a night in jail before being released on bond on Dec. 1. In an interview with The Christian Post, he said that during this time, he was encouraged by God's provision, the outpouring of support and the "collective grace" he received from his fellow Christians as he fights what he believes to be political persecution. 'I knew there was something off' When he traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, to attend then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally, Massaquoi remembered that after returning to his hotel room following Trump's speech at the Ellipse, he went to the U.S. Capitol upon seeing news coverage he thought was inaccurate. "I see the news reporting it not like how I saw it when I left," he remembered. "It was peaceful. Everyone was having fun or marching over singing and laughing, so I put on my shoes to go find a camera crew to stand behind them and say that they're lying." After making the 30-minute walk from his hotel to the Capitol, Massaquoi joined a cohort of people peacefully singing the national anthem but also noticed masked men grabbing other men and pushing them forward while not leading the way themselves. "I knew there was something off about that," he said. "I knew there was just something wrong." Massaquoi, who had attended a Trump rally in Beverly Hills weeks earlier during which left-wing protesters clashed with Trump supporters, said he saw Antifa militants from the crowd decked out in Trump gear that day. "I see a few of those kids that I saw before, now dressed in pro-USA Trump stuff, screaming on our side of the partition, screaming at Antifa, calling them names, trying to get us riled up on our side," he said. FBI Director Christopher Wray has denied claims from Republicans and Trump that Antifa infiltrated the crowd on Jan. 6, telling the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2021 that the FBI "have not to date seen any evidence of anarchist violent extremists or people subscribing to Antifa in connection with the 6th." Adamant that he did nothing wrong, Massaquoi said footage he recorded shows him crossing the threshold of a door for 71 seconds after two masked men beckoned him in. He said he cooperated with law enforcement while assisting to direct traffic out the door. Given that mobs had "burned cities to the ground" in 2020 and the fact that so many people had recorded what took place that day, he said it never crossed his mind that the "narrative" of Jan. 6 would become what it has. 'It smells like a persecution' Massaquoi said he believes he has been tracked by federal law enforcement over the past two years and even before. However, he noted that agents waited to arrest him in a dramatic public display at the airport two weeks ago to make a point. Five months after Jan. 6, approximately 20 FBI agents raided Massaquoi's home in California, according to the Los Angeles Times. Massaquoi told CP that agents confiscated his laptop, phone and even his MAGA hats, which suggested to him that "something else was going on." "It smells like a persecution," he said. "I've been getting searched at the airport every single time I fly not once at TSA, but twice at TSA and the gate. They track me. They know my phone calls. They know all this stuff for two years, and then they come and they pull me off the tarmac away from my wife. What else could it be [but political persecution]?" "I'm not a violent person. I've never been a violent person," he said. "I'm not a criminal and have never been charged with a bunch of crimes. But they moved on me in such a way that you would have thought that I was an infamous drug runner. You would have thought that I trafficked children." During the night he spent in jail on Nov. 30, Massaquoi said he loudly recited the Lord's Prayer from his cell and managed to share his faith with the agents who arrested him. Massaquoi grew emotional recounting how, as he was shuffled in chains through the courtroom for his bond hearing the next day, about 15 of his friends were there to support him, including the pastor who married him. Many were from his church at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks and had traveled a long way. He said his friends stood up when he entered the courtroom, which he described as "one thing that visually just blew me away." He said he felt the need to "keep it together" to keep strong for them. "It really just blew me away that Christ's people, when active, can be so powerful," he said. After he appeared before the judge wearing a shirt that says "Jesus Saves," he was released on $1,000 bond, though he still faces restrictions on his travel and is awaiting an arraignment. "They're going all in," he said of the federal government. "So I have to be prepared mentally, emotionally and financially as much as I can to just be ready for them. But most importantly, I just lean continually on the Lord, and He's taking care of me." In addition to the Christians who have rallied around him, Massaquoi also received a torrent of support from figures such as Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing, who wrote: "Siaka is a good man and a huge talent. The FBI arresting a man at the airport three years after the event and after raiding his house and not charging him already and then only charging him with misdemeanors is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard." Actress Gina Carano called Massaquoi's treatment "disturbing and WRONG," and Babylon Bee's Seth Dillon described his arrest as "political persecution [that] can't be allowed to continue." X CEO Elon Musk tweeted simply: "This has gone too far." 'I don't regret it' Despite his ordeal, Massaquoi said he doesn't regret having gone into the Capitol on Jan. 6. He believes the fallout from that day has exposed the tactics of the Democratic Party, drawn him closer to God, and shown him who his true friends are. "It sucks, the things that have happened, but I don't regret it because I'm looking at it and seeing everything [else] that's happened, what it's done," he said. "There are people in my life, my mom included, where it's opened their eyes to a lot of what the Democratic Party is about. And that's a good thing." Recent years have also "pushed me closer to the Word specifically; not just to God, but to the Word itself, so I can hear and see what He's about," he said. Earlier this year, he wed his wife, Charlotte Young Massaquoi, with whom he is expecting their first child. Massaquoi, who has lived in Hollywood since 2004, also noted how readily people in that town will abandon someone at the first whiff of controversy. "The friends that you have disappear, because I've seen it happen," he said. "Then when something like this happens on the other side, the friends that you really have show up, and now I know that. I didn't know that before. None of this happens if I didn't go to the Capitol." Home Church & Ministries Vatican asserts single mothers should be 'encouraged' to receive communion The Vatican's doctrinal office said Thursday that single mothers who have confessed their sins should receive the Eucharist. Theguidance, which was approved by Pope Francies and signed Wednesday by Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, was in response to an inquiry from the Dominican Republic's Bishop Ramon Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera. The bishop asked the Holy See to clarify its teaching for women who "abstain from communion out of fear of the rigorism of the clergy and community leaders." Fernandez wrote that women in such a situation who "have chosen life and who lead a very complex existence because of this choice should be encouraged to have access to the healing and consoling power of the sacraments." Fernandez cited a 2012 homily from Pope Francis when he was cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires and still known as Jorge Bergoglio. "There are priests who do not baptize the children of single mothers because [the children] were not conceived in the sanctity of marriage. They are the hypocrites of today," Bergoglio said at the time. "They have clericalized the Church. They turn God's people away from salvation. And that poor girl who could have sent her child back to the sender but had the courage to bring him into the world goes on pilgrimage from parish to parish to have him baptized." The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith advised that "pastoral work" should be done in local churches to ensure that single mothers who have confessed their sins are not considered ineligible to receive the Eucharist. Referencing the story of the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel of John, the Vatican noted Jesus Christ's emphasis that she "sin no more." "Certainly, Jesus always invites us to change our lives, to respond more faithfully to God's will, and to live with greater dignity," Fernandez wrote. "However, this phrase does not constitute the central message of this Gospel pericope, which is simply the invitation to recognize that no one can cast the first stone." "For this reason, Pope Francis, referring to mothers who must raise their children alone, reminds us that 'in such difficult situations of need, the Church must be particularly concerned to offer understanding, comfort, and acceptance, rather than imposing straightaway a set of rules that only lead people to feel judged and abandoned by the very Mother called to show them God's mercy,'" Fernandez added. Fernandez urged the necessity of remembering Pope Francis' emphasis on what he described as "the feminine and maternal face of the Church." "[The pope] denounced the 'machismo and dictatorial attitudes' of those ministers who 'go too far in their service and mistreat the people of God.' It is up to you to ensure that this type of behavior does not occur in your local Church," he said. The guidance from the dicastery is the latest in a series of recent clarifications to Catholic doctrine in response to "dubia" or questions from bishops worldwide. Inguidance issued last month, Fernandez stipulated that people who have undergone transgender surgical procedures or taken cross-sex hormones can be baptized, provided "there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful." Home Church & Ministries A higher purpose: Christian insurance company gives $150K in grants to 5 church charities A nonprofit established by a prominent Christian insurance company has awarded $150,000 in grants to five church charities that seek to advance the Kingdom of God in their work. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, reportedly the second largest provider of property and casualty insurance to Christian ministries in the United States, announced earlier this week that the awarding of grants through its private nonprofit, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation. The grants were given through the Foundations second annual Kingdom Advancing Grant, in which five out of nearly 400 church programs that applied were selected. Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Director Kathy Bruce explained to The Christian Post that the ministries that received the grants will also be connected to other forms of assistance. We are moving steadily along in developing relationships with our five recipient church program leaders, Bruce said, noting that, with these programs, she saw a higher purpose at play. Each recipient is partnered with two to four church leaders from the Granting Council for mentoring it's idea swapping, resource sharing, and networking. These leaders join a monthly online call with the recipients to discuss the topic of the day. Bruce added that the council members lead large churches with multiple staff, and they have all led new and innovative initiatives of one kind or another. They know how to overcome obstacles and who to call when the mountain is steep. They encourage, brainstorm, and pray for the recipients who are often from smaller teams and have more limited resources. Its often a God-sized moment when the challenge is communicated, and the council members just happen to have a connection to overcome it, she said. The five church ministries that were selected for the grants were Good Laundry of Good Church in Flint, Michigan, that will receive $50,000; The Makers Center of Bible Center Church in Charleston, West Virginia, which will get $25,000; Foster Church, a charity of Citipoint Church in Mount Vernon, Washington, which will receive $25,000; the SMART Academic & Enrichment Program of Shalom Community Christian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, that will get $20,000; and Refugee Employment of Salem Alliance Church in Salem, Oregon, which will receive $30,000. The amounts given in each grant was based on determining the exact needs of each program, with the Granting Council discerning best estimates for the amount of money needed to cover costs. Bruce told CP that the Foundation picked these five programs based on a rigorous application process that includes reviewing the eligibility requirements, gathering documents and filling out a nine-page application. We designed a rubric and selection criteria that help our Granting Council made up of independent church leaders from across the country. The Granting Council narrows the list to 10 semi-finalists, who are then asked to submit a video for the next round, Bruce explained. The Granting Council meets to discuss the semi-finalists, watch the videos and make the final awards. At that time, they volunteer to mentor for projects that best match up to their own expertise or experiences. Or where they know they can connect the recipients to even more resources and people to strengthen the project. Michelle Thompson, executive director of Outreach at Bible Center Church, told CP that being awarded the grant for the Makers Center, which works to help recovering addicts with job training and other skills, was an absolute honor. And receiving the award that is allowing us to expand our programing to help more individuals living in poverty, in the name of Jesus, is even better, Thompson said. Describing West Virginia as ground zero for the opioid crisis, Thompson called the Makers Center a beacon of hope in one of the most economically depressed areas in our city, which is within one of the poorest states in the country. We have used some of the money to hire additional staff which has helped us to assist more individuals in our area, she added. We are in the process of adding a kitchen to our facility so that we can add Food Handler's Safety classes for jobs in the food industry and cooking classes. We have also begun teaching CPR classes and are using grant money to buy additional mannequins. Shalom Community Senior Pastor Eric D. Cole told CP he felt blessed beyond measure to be selected as one of the recipients of the Brotherhood Foundation Grant. Shalom Communitys Science, Math, Arts, Reading, and Technology Academic & Enrichment Program is focused on helping students from low-income families succeed academically. We began the program in 2010 to help low-income families, in particular, address the summer slide many students experience during the summer months. We had just moved into our building that year and knew that God had given us a heart for education as a focus of our ministry, Cole explained. Although academic rigor is a focus of the program, we also provide classes in nutrition, personal finance, and character development. The character development classes use biblical characters to teach principles like forgiveness, kindness, respect and serving others. Shalom Community plans to use their grant money in multiple ways, according to Cole, among them including to help provide opportunities for homeless families to participate in the program. We found that the learning loss during the pandemic still continues to impact students and we are implementing additional training and technology to help address learning needs, he said. We are also partnering with our local elementary schools to offer additional tutoring throughout the school year in addition to summer remediation and enrichment. The tutoring opportunities give us an avenue to address the spiritual needs of the students and their families. Home Opinion 10 heretical views regarding Jesus Having a biblical view of Jesus during this Christmas season is essential. Unfortunately, many people in Christianity have erroneous concepts: some think He was a created being, some think that He was just a good teacher, some think that He was fully divine and not human, and some believe He was fully human and not God. Jesus asked the disciples, Who do men say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-17). It was important to Him that men correctly understood who He was. To know precisely meant a blessing, and not to know indicated you could not be blessed by Father God. The great doctors of the early church who fought erroneous views regarding Jesus made the correct belief of who Christ was of primary importance: The beginning of the text of the Athanasian Creed is as follows: Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. Also, the first three post-apostolic ecumenical councils aimed to grant believers the proper views regarding Jesus so they could be distinguished from heretical beliefs. (By heresy, we refer to a belief or opinion profoundly at odds with established doctrine, especially in a religious context, leading to denial of orthodox tenets. Regarding this, Jude 3 admonishes us to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the Saints.) Nicene Creed (325 AD): Formulated at the First Council of Nicaea, this creed was designed to establish an explicit doctrine of the nature of Christ in response to Arianism. It affirmed the full divinity of Jesus, stating that He is of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father. This creed was pivotal in defining the orthodox understanding of the Trinity and Christs divine nature. Constantinopolitan Creed (381 AD): Expanded at the First Council of Constantinople, this creed refined the Nicene Creed. It further clarified the nature of the Holy Spirit, affirming His divinity and co-equal status with the Father and the Son within the Holy Trinity. It also addressed various heretical views that emerged after Nicaea, strengthening the Churchs stance on the Trinity and the full divinity and humanity of Jesus. Chalcedonian Creed (451 AD): Formed at the Council of Chalcedon, this creed addressed the controversies of Nestorianism and Monophysitism. It defined Christ as having two distinct natures, divine and human, united in one person without confusion, without change, without division, without separation. This creed aimed to balance the understanding of Jesus dual nature, emphasizing that neither nature was diminished by the other. Consequently, Christians should know these councils since history repeats itself, and many of the same heresies are popping up again in the modern-day church. The following are ten heretical views regarding Jesus: 1. Arianism: Arianism, named after Arius, a priest in Alexandria, held that Jesus Christ was created by the Father and thus was not co-eternal or of the same substance as God. This belief challenged the concept of the Holy Trinity by asserting that Jesus was subordinate to God the Father. (Modern-day Jehovahs Witnesses, under the name, Watchtower, are a modern-day version of this heretical view.) 2. Docetism: Docetism, from the Greek dokein, meaning to seem, claimed that Jesus only seemed to have a human body and suffer on the cross. This view denied the true humanity of Jesus, suggesting that his physical form and sufferings were mere illusions. (This was a form of Gnosticism.) 3. Gnosticism: Gnosticism was a diverse set of beliefs; some posited that Jesus was a divine being who came to impart secret knowledge (gnosis) necessary for salvation. This belief often denied the humanity of Jesus, viewing the material world as inherently evil or imaginary. 4. Nestorianism: Nestorianism, associated with Nestorius, Archbishop of Constantinople, emphasized the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It suggested that there were two separate persons in Jesus, one divine and one human, rather than two natures united in one person. 5. Monophysitism: Monophysitism, from the Greek monos (single) and physis (nature), held that Jesus had only one divine nature rather than both divine and human natures. This belief was a reaction against Nestorianism and was seen as undermining the full humanity of Jesus. In this view, the divinity of Christ totally subsumed the human aspect of Jesus, thus diminishing the incarnation 6. Marcionism: Founded by Marcion of Sinope, this belief system rejected the Old Testament and viewed the God of the Hebrew Bible as inferior to that of the New Testament. Marcionism posited that Jesus was the son of the New Testament God, entirely distinct from the Yahweh of the Old Testament and contemporary times. Christians who neglect the Old Testament because they think the New Testament reveals the love of God better than the First Testament have an adopted form of Marcionism. 7. Adoptionism: Adoptionism was the belief that Jesus was born as a mere man and was adopted as the Son of God at his baptism, resurrection, or ascension. This view contradicted the orthodox belief in the pre-existence of Christ and his divine nature from birth. 8. Apollinarianism: Proposed by Apollinaris of Laodicea, this doctrine held that Jesus had a human body and a human sensitive soul, but not a human rational mind, which was replaced by the divine Logos or Word. This view denied the full humanity of Jesus by asserting that his divine nature took the place of what would be the human mind, thus making him less than fully human. 9. Ebionitism: Ebionites were a Jewish Christian sect that viewed Jesus as a mere human and a prophet, but not divine. They rejected the concept of the Virgin Birth and insisted on the necessity of following Jewish law and rites. They saw Jesus as an inspired human messenger but not as God incarnate. 10. Patripassianism: Also known as Modalistic Monarchianism, this belief, held by figures like Sabellius, proposed that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not distinct persons within the Godhead but somewhat different modes or aspects of God. Patripassianism suggested that the Father suffered on the cross as Jesus, thus denying the personal distinctions within the Trinity. The modern-day Jesus only expressions of Pentecostalism are a contemporary version of this view. Christian mother of 5 released on bail after 19 months in Nigerian prison (CP) After being imprisoned for over 500 days in Nigeria, a Christian mother of five has been released on bail and awaits a trial that could land her up to five more years behind bars if she is found guilty of "blasphemy." Devout Nigerian believer Rhoda Jatau is reportedly safe after spending 19 months in prison. According to ADF International, she is currently in an undisclosed location while she awaits trial for allegedly sharing a video that condemned the lynching of Christian college student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, which critics called "blasphemous." Yakubu was a college student who attended a university in the northwestern Sokoto state who was falsely accused of blaspheming Islam after she posted a message on social media thanking Jesus for helping her pass an exam. Following her post, the college student was targeted, set on fire and murdered by classmates for sharing her Christian faith. Outraged by the killing of a Christian college student, Jatau took to WhatsApp to condemn the murder of Yakubu in 2022. In response, a mob targeted the mother of five and had her arrested for "blasphemy." Jatau was put in prison in May 2022. Although she has previously been denied bail multiple times, a judge in Bauchi state recently granted bail to Jatau following an international outcry over her imprisonment. Jatau's trial will likely resume on Dec. 19. But due to holiday schedules, her trial start date might be pushed into 2024. ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group that describes itself as working to "contend for the truth in law, policy and the public square," is supporting Jatau. The Christian mother is being charged under sections 114 (public disturbance) and 210 (religious insult) of the Bauchi state penal code. "We are glad to see that Rhoda Jatau finally has been granted bail after being denied it for so long," Sean Nelson, legal counsel for ADF International, said in a statement. "No person should be punished for peaceful expression, and international religious freedom advocates must continue to speak up on Rhoda's behalf. We will continue to seek justice for Rhoda, and we are hopeful that the unjust charges against her will be dropped completely." A Nigerian ADF International allied lawyer serving as lead counsel on Jatau's case is happy to see Jatau receive bail after 19 months. "We thank all who have been praying for Rhoda, and we ask for your continued prayers as her case continues," the lawyer, whose full name has not been disclosed, said. Considering the prevalence of blasphemy cases like Jatau and Yakhubu in northern Nigeria, United Nations experts issued a letter to the Nigerian government in October warning that blasphemy laws infringe on international human rights standards. The letter came in response to appeals from religious freedom advocacy organizations. In the letter, which is signed by five special rapporteurs, the U.N. emphasized Jatau's imprisonment as being an "unjust violation of human rights." The ADF report also shared that cases such as Jatau's and Yakubu's are not isolated occurrences in Nigeria, especially in the northern regions where there is widespread violence against religious minorities. The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is increasingly severe, with over 90% of the 5,500 Christians who were killed worldwide for their faith last year being Nigerian, according to persecution watchdog Open Doors. "The criminalization of blasphemy in Nigeria carries with it dangerous implications for the country as a whole. In a country of more than 200 million, split nearly evenly between Christians and Muslims, blasphemy laws are a significant driver of societal tensions," ADF summarized in its report. "These laws punish the innocent for expressing their beliefs, silence people from sharing their faith and perpetuate societal violence. Blasphemy laws throughout Nigeria encourage brutal mob violence and inflict severe harm on minority Muslims, Christian converts and others." ADF International is also supporting the legal defence of another Nigerian man, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim musician who was sentenced to death by hanging after sharing song lyrics that were allegedly "blasphemous" on WhatsApp. With ADF International's backing and support, Sharif-Aminu is appealing his case to the Supreme Court of Nigeria with the hope of overturning the death penalty blasphemy laws in Nigeria. Yahaya remains behind bars in a prison as he awaits his appeal. He has been imprisoned for more than three and a half years. "Yahaya's treatment violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international law. No one should be sentenced to death for freely expressing their religious views, and we are working to ensure that Yahaya is released and the blasphemy law ended. It cannot stand," said Yahaya's lawyer in his case, Kola Alapinni, in a statement. The Christian Post Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a "Commit to Caucus" event for his supporters in Coralville, Iowa, U.S., December 13, 2023. The Biden campaign slammed former President Donald Trump for echoing Nazi sentiments with his repeated statements on Saturday night that immigrants are "poisoning the blood" of the United States. "Donald Trump channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong Un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy," Biden-Harris 2024 campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement on Saturday. The Republican frontrunner most recently repeated the anti-immigrant remarks at a New Hampshire rally and in a Truth Social post Saturday night. But Trump has used this language nearly verbatim at least as early as September. "It's poisoning the blood of our country. It's so bad, people are coming in with disease," he said in a September interview with far-right political propagandist Raheem Kassam. In his "Mein Kampf" manifesto, Hitler used similar rhetoric about blood poisoning, declaring it an existential threat to the Aryan race. "President Trump gave a great speech," Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said about the former president's remarks. "Contrast that with mainstream media and academia at-large who have given safe haven for dangerous anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas rhetoric." Trump's inflammatory comments come as Republican hard-liners in Congress refuse to pass a Ukraine-Israel aid package until Democrats agree to stricter border policies. Republicans want to tighten asylum restrictions and have proposed policies like ankle bracelet monitors for people detained at the border. Democrats have rebuked those policies, leading to an impasse that has held up an aid package with billions of dollars of support for Ukraine and Israel in their respective wars. With House members recessed for the holiday break, that funding will likely be postponed until 2024. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday was unfazed by Trump's anti-immigrant remarks, doubling down on his commitment to more stringent border policy. "If you're talking about the language Trump uses rather than trying to fix it, that's a losing strategy for the Biden administration," Graham said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press." White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said Sunday that "echoing the grotesque rhetoric of fascists and violent white supremacists" is an attack on American democracy. In recent weeks, Trump has made several statements that appear to foreshadow his presidential approach in a second term. At the same New Hampshire rally on Saturday night, Trump quoted authoritarian Russian President Vladimir Putin as an apparent character testimony: "Vladimir Putin, of Russia says that Biden's and this is a quote politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy." He has also said that he would rule as a dictator on "day one" of his presidency. Biden has previously called out the fact that the deadlocked Ukrainian aid package serves Russian foreign policy interests. After Republicans voted to block Ukraine aid, Biden quoted a Kremlin propagandist saying, "Well done, Republicans! That's good for us." Luis Alvarez | Digitalvision | Getty Images While some recent reports have painted Generation Z as taking a relaxed "soft saving" approach to retirement, new research finds this generation is the most confident they'll be able to retire. Gen Z women are especially optimistic. Almost two-thirds, 65%, of Gen Z respondents are confident they'll be financially prepared for retirement when the time comes, according to the 2023 Planning and Progress Study by Northwestern Mutual. This is the highest percentage of all the generations, compared with 54% of millennials, 45% of Gen X and 52% of baby boomers. Gen Z women are particularly confident compared with women of other generations. Nearly 6 in 10, or 59%, of women in this age group believe they will be financially prepared for retirement, versus 43% of millennials, 38% of Gen X, and 48% of baby boomers, the study said. The results are based on 2,740 conducted interviews among U.S. adults between Feb. 17 and March 2, the study said. Gen Z includes people born in 1997 or later, according to the Pew Research Center. A positive attitude toward planning is behind this generation's retirement confidence. "This generation almost has no filter," said certified financial planner Veronica Fuentes, a managing director at Northwestern Mutual based in Washington, D.C. "They will say anything that is on their minds and they will ask any questions," Fuentes said. "They're just open to people guiding them in the right direction and they're not scared to ask for help." Asking questions gives Gen Zers 'a leg up' Gen Z investors are open to taking advice from experts and show a willingness to make changes in their financial plan, Fuentes said. Members of Gen Z are also more apt to vet financial information they see online or on social media, according to both Fuentes and certified financial planner Clifford Cornell. Social media "gets the gears turning for people because they're getting exposure to things they otherwise wouldn't have, and then they're able to ask the right question," said Cornell, an associate financial advisor at Bone Fide Wealth in New York. In the age of information, financial education is more accessible to Gen Zers than prior generations. "Our ability to use those tools to our advantage ... really gives our generation a leg up. Older generations didn't really have those tools to use to their ability," said Cornell. How to 'mitigate fear' and stay on track for retirement This openness may help Gen Z women speak more comfortably about their finances and take the steps to keep them on track to retire comfortably, advisors say. "The positivity towards planning is really what drives that," Fuentes said. It's already being done from the level of the presidential campaign to local races. Schuller refers to deepfakes, or AI-generated video, images and audio that did not genuinely occur. He said political campaigns are often a case of "whoever shouts something first sticks," and that political operatives and followers on the margins could certainly create and publish deepfakes putting opponents in inappropriate situations. Sinclair Schuller, co-founder and managing partner of AI implementation firm Nuvalence, who has helped governments integrate AI, can't help but look at the risks of AI in the election space. "We're going to see a lot of fiction being created both for and against candidates," Schuller said. "I think that's where a lot of confusion will emerge as a consequence." Still, because of the ways in which AI can trim the fat off the work, Perez-Allen said staffing campaigns to the brim will no longer be necessary. There's a lot on the campaigning front that AI can replicate, said Perez-Allen. But while information gathering, data analysis and writing are a few categories in which we're seeing this, he added, it "can't replicate people walking districts, can't replicate that in-person voter engagement." Perez-Allen has decades of experience as a political campaign communication professional and has seen campaigning evolve with technology. For instance, ChatGPT is already producing first drafts of speeches and campaign marketing materials, as well as being used in fundraising emails and texts, he said. Kevin Perez-Allen, chief communications officer for nonpartisan health-care advocate organization United States of Care, said AI will help with data analysis of voting patterns, crafting resident messages, and analyzing social media habits. How will AI-assisted elections look over the next year and beyond? With the 2024 presidential election less than a year away, AI has become an active participant in the race, largely inside government agencies and the operations of candidates and elected officials. AI can potentially shift the fate of an election, but given many Americans' distrust of politicians and the lack of AI regulations, these technological integrations are likely to remain behind the scenes, experts say. Even with President Joe Biden's executive order on "safe, secure, and trustworthy" artificial intelligence, regulations to oversee AI may be slow to come. All the while, AI is moving ahead, for better and worse. One area it's seeping into is government and politics itself. During Chicago's February 2023 mayoral primary election, a deepfaked video surfaced of candidate Paul Vallas appearing to approve of police brutality. Vallas ultimately lost the race. It's impossible to say how much of an impact this video had. "We will hopefully reach a spot where if you don't have an authenticated, direct line to the source, then we can't trust it," Schuller said. Meta recently updated its rules about ads during election season. The battle between the falsely generated content and the detection mechanisms that try to eradicate it will surely ramp up. Using AI itself to detect and mark AI-generated content is better than retroactively fact-checking content, Schuller said, because it can be applied during the posting of the content and doesn't wait until people have already absorbed and believed the information. The need to police online content comes after a period when many of the largest tech firm have been cutting staff devoted to fighting misinformation. "The 2024 elections are going to be a mess because social media is not protecting us from false generated AI," Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google who co-founded Schmidt Futures, recently told CNBC. Even Perez-Allen, a self-proclaimed optimist when it comes to integrating AI into the election process, understands this reality. "We're already seeing allegations being used to curry favor one way or another in some of the military conflicts going on right now around the world," he said. "And we're only going to see increases in that type of communication as we lead into the 2024 election." How AI in politics could be a positive AI integration into the election space could lead to a positive trajectory if regulation allows it. Perez-Allen talks about the voter bloc monolith narrative that comes out every cycle. "People tend to move Latinos all into the same monolith bloc, they move Black voters into the same monolith, and they move suburban women to this big monolith as though they all think the same," he said. AI's potential to create hyper-localized, hyper-personalized political campaigns could eliminate that narrative. Meanwhile, it could increase information accessibility. "Instead of just reading someone's policy positions on their website, there would be an AI chatbot with the platform that gives you the answers and, backed by data, makes it feel like having a direct line to the campaign," Perez-Allen said. He thinks of Latinos and others in diverse communities who could get campaign messages available in their own language and dialect. In-booth translation and transcreation, the latter of which considers the nuances of the messaging in translation as a whole rather than just individual words being accurate, could also benefit from AI usage. Of course, none of this is possible without regulation. While Biden's executive order made headlines, there's no straight path to implementation. Jordan Burris, vice president and head of public sector strategy for digital identity verification platform Socure and board member of Identity Theft Resource Center, has thoughts on this. "The directive's lofty goals will result in implementation complexity and paralysis without the right sense of urgency and alignment to execute," Burriss said. "Beyond words on paper, there must be a change in budgets, culture, and practices if we are to be successful in turning the corner." As for Congress' ability to address technology issues, Perez-Allen looks back to their inaction on social media regulation as an example of their collective inability to make sense of emerging and sometimes longstanding technologies. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 remains the most recent regulation on social media. Will Hurd, former CIA officer and Texas congressman, who outlined a plan for AI policy during his 2024 campaign, is out of the presidential race. Perez-Allen has doubts that any of the remaining presidential candidates will seriously discuss it in a public forum "in the absence of a massive AI-caused disaster at home or abroad." Given the criticism voting by mail has faced in recent years, despite being around for decades (many states eased absentee voting restrictions in the 1980s), integrating AI into actual elections right now would cause a "full-blown crisis," Perez-Allen said. Beyond politics, government agencies are already using chatbots to manage simple questions. Julie Su, Biden's Acting Secretary of Labor, recently told CNBC that even with the DoL intent on making sure AI does not displace workers, the department is using AI for certain job functions, such as benefits claims verification, and the department, its workers and the public are seeing gains. "In the next one to maybe two years, we'll see these chatbots attached to systems of record," said Schuller, which could help agencies use AI more complexly, such as for fraud detection in license applications and other use cases. He added that the large language model is "becoming more of a large anything model" that can interpret uploaded charts and other visuals to help guide queries in the right direction. As the 2024 election nears, familiar factors like accessibility, personalization and information from the right sources may look different with AI in the loop. Family members walk behind as soldiers carrying the coffin during a funeral service for Sergeant Ahya Daskal on December 14, 2023 in Haifa, Israel. Amir Levy | Getty Images Israel's government faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who waved a white flag, added to mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The protesters urge the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gaza's Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy. Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week, as Washington has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties even while providing vital military and diplomatic support. The air and ground war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gaza's population have fled their homes. They are surviving off a trickle of humanitarian aid. Israel said that starting Sunday, U.N. aid trucks would be able to enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom. In a sign of desperation, dozens of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing aboard, pulling boxes down and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Read more about the Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel finds large tunnel adjacent to Gaza border Israeli military says it mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza U.S., British navies shot down 15 attack drones over the Red Sea U.S. military leaders to offer advice on shifting to war's next phase Mossad and Qatar officials meet as Israel bombards Gaza Israel bombards northern and southern Gaza, many reported dead Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel "will continue to fight until the end," to eliminate Hamas, which triggered the war with its Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Netanyahu vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Israeli media reported that David Barnea, the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, met over the weekend with Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss renewed talks. Gaza meanwhile remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day, the longest of several outages during the war. Aid groups say they complicate rescue efforts and make it even more difficult to monitor the toll on civilians. Calls for a new cease-fire In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an "immediate truce" aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward "the beginning of a political solution." France's Foreign Ministry earlier said one of its employees was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah on Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said had killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the U.K. and Germany, meanwhile, called for a "sustainable" cease-fire, saying "too many civilians have been killed." "Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful coexistence with Palestinians," British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the U.K.'s Sunday Times. The U.S. defense secretary is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the war's most intense phase. Israeli and U.S. officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. "The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril," said Raz Ben-Ami, a hostage released in the last exchange. "Israel must offer another hostage-release deal." Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. Shootings draw scrutiny 16 December 2023, Israel, Tel Aviv: Israelis and family member of the hostage families protest outside Kiriya military base calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa (Photo by Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images) Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Israel appeared to confirm that new negotiations were under way to recover hostages held by Hamas, after a source said Israel's intelligence chief met the prime minister of Qatar, a country mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference on Saturday the war in Gaza was existential and must be fought until victory. He said Gaza would be demilitarized and under Israeli security control. Israel's offensive in Gaza helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November, Netanyahu said, vowing to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas. He has vowed to destroy the militant Palestinian group, which runs the densely populated strip. "The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing," he said. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a surprise raid into Israel on Oct. 7. Israel's counteroffensive has killed close to 19,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities, and left thousands buried in the rubble. watch now Aid organizations say the destruction of Gaza and the displacement of most of its 2.3 million people - many living in tents and makeshift shelters without food or clean water - is a humanitarian crisis. The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani late on Friday, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, as attention turned to a possible Gaza truce and a prisoner and hostage deal. The meeting in Europe was apparently the first between senior officials from Israel and Qatar, which has been acting as a mediator, since the collapse of a seven-day ceasefire in late November. 'Get them out of hell' Netanyahu sidestepped a question about the meeting but confirmed he had given instructions to the negotiating team. "We have serious criticisms of Qatar," he said, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf state's ties to Hamas and Israel's arch-foe Iran. "But right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages." Hamas said in a statement it "affirms its position not to open any negotiations to exchange prisoners unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all," adding: "The movement communicated this position to all mediators." The accidental killing of three hostages by Israeli forces has put increased pressure on Netanyahu to find a way to secure the release of those held. As Netanyahu spoke, several hundred people staged a protest in Tel Aviv, with some holding placards, including one saying "get them out of hell." A speaker shouted: "Bring them home now!" watch now WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, PHILIPPINES - DECEMBER 10: A Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting a ship on a resupply mission to the communities and Filipino military personnel stationed in the Spratlys, on December 10, 2023, in Palawan, Philippines. Escorted by Philippine Coast Guard ships, civil society and fishing community gathered in El Nido town to embark on a civilian-led resupply and gift mission to residents and military personnel stationed in the far flung islands in the contested area of the Spratlys group of islands as Christmas nears. The mission was cut short as China navy and coast guard ships present in the area prompted the captain of the Filipino supply boat to turn back, against the assurance of the Philippine Coast Guard to push through. China cost guard ships earlier fired water cannons and rammed another civilian boat performing resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal and a government fisheries boat in Scarborough shoal. The Philippines, the only predominantly Christian nation in South East Asia, has been celebrating Christmas for more than 400 years. (Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said tensions in the South China Sea have "increased rather than diminished" in recent months, warning that a "more assertive China" posed a "real challenge" to its Asian neighbours. In an interview with Japanese media on Saturday, Marcos underscored the need to forge strong alliances with like-minded allies, akin to the trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Japan and the United States. "I'm afraid we'll have to be able to say that tensions have increased rather than diminished for the past months or the past years," Marcos said, according to a press release from his office as he attends a Tokyo summit of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A week ago, Manila and Beijing traded accusations over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate. In addition to the Philippines, ASEAN members Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the South China Sea disputed by China, which claims almost all of the sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis, a ruling the United States supports but Beijing rejects. "We have to... continue to counsel peace and continue communication between the different countries - everyone that is involved," Marcos said. Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each other's territories for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in the war in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it claimed was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russia's 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russia's Rostov province, separately reported "mass drone strikes" near Morozovsk and another town farther west, but didn't mention the air base. Golubev said most of the drones were shot down and there were no casualties. He didn't comment on the damage. As of Sunday evening, Kyiv didn't formally acknowledge or claim responsibility for the drone attacks. A major Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda, cited an anonymous source in the security services as saying that Ukraine's army and intelligence services successfully struck the Morozovsk air base, inflicting "significant damage" to military equipment. It wasn't immediately possible to verify this claim. Also Sunday morning, Ukraine's air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the country's occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraine's southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraine's military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they aren't deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June. Russian shelling on Sunday also killed an 81-year-old man in central Kherson. The southern Ukrainian city was recaptured by Kyiv's forces last fall, according to the head of its municipal military administration. Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged fire outside Terebreno, a Russian village just kilometers (miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to Telegram posts by Gov. Vasily Gladkov. He did not provide details, but insisted Russian authorities had the situation "under control." According to Baza, a Telegram news channel set up by Russian journalists critical of the Kremlin, fighting between Russian troops and a "Ukrainian diversionary group" began around 11 a.m. near Terebreno, home to some 200 people, forcing residents to hide in shelters. Hours later, a 69-year-old woman was reported killed in a Ukrainian border village in the northern Sumy region, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Terebreno. According to the Ukrainian regional prosecutor's office, the woman died after a Russian shell flew into her home. It wasn't immediately clear whether her death was linked to the reported clashes. Late on Sunday afternoon, a Ukrainian border force official reported in a video statement that multiple Russian "sabotage and reconnaissance" operatives had crossed into Ukraine's northern Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Andriy Demchenko claimed that Ukrainian border guards and territorial defense units succeeded in pushing them back into Russia. While cross-border raids on Russian territory from Ukraine are rare, the Russian military claimed in May to have killed more than 70 attackers, describing them as Ukrainian military saboteurs, in a 24-hour battle. Kyiv portrayed the incident as an uprising against the Kremlin by Russian partisans. Ukraine's foreign minister, meanwhile, welcomed what he called a sea change in Germany's approach toward Kyiv's European Union membership bid. In an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won "sincere and well-deserved admiration" among Ukrainians for his role in the EU's recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Scholz said that, at an EU summit last week, he proposed that Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something that the Hungarian leader agreed to do. "What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians," Kuleba told Bild. He also voiced hope that Scholz's actions would mark a "broader and irreversible shift" in Berlin's approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. "When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears. 'Germany doesn't want to lead,' experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then," Kuleba said. The Ukrainian government has long cast EU and NATO membership as key foreign policy goals, and the EU's decision to start accelerated negotiations gave Kyiv a major boost although it could be years before it's able to join. NATO leaders, meanwhile, haven't set any clear timeline so far for Kyiv's membership bid, even as Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine led another of Russia's neighbors, Finland, to be accepted into the military alliance in April. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to build military units near the Russian-Finnish border. The Kremlin leader declared, without giving details, that Helsinki's NATO accession would create "problems" for the Nordic country. "There were no problems (between Russia and Finland). Now, there will be. Because we will create (a new) military district and concentrate certain military units there," he told Russian state television on Sunday morning. In this article PFE NOVO.B-DK LLY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT George Frey | Bloomberg | Getty Images Weight loss drugs exploded into the public eye this year, and 2024 will bring more change to the evolving market. The drugs skyrocketed in popularity in 2023 as they helped patients shed significant weight, despite hefty price tags, mixed insurance coverage and a handful of unpleasant side effects. Demand for the drugs is unlikely to slow down in 2024, especially as treatments gradually become more accessible. Much of Wall Street believes the weight loss drug market will only expand, with some analysts projecting that it will be worth $100 billion by the end of the decade. Goldman Sachs analysts expect 15 million U.S. adults to be on obesity medications by 2030. But next year, investors will be watching how the dominant players in the market, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, navigate supply issues plaguing their treatments. Patients have been struggling to get their hands on Novo Nordisk's weight loss injection Wegovy, its diabetes treatment Ozempic, and Eli Lilly's diabetes injection Mounjaro. Analysts expect supply constraints to improve but note that the broader issue will take years to resolve. Outside of supply headwinds and the lack of broader insurance coverage for weight loss drugs, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have a big year ahead of them. Novo Nordisk could win approvals for expanded use of Wegovy in the U.S. and Europe. Eli Lilly's newly approved weight loss drug, Zepbound, could garner more than a billion dollars in sales in its first year on the market. Both companies are also expected to release new data that could show other potential health benefits of their drugs beyond weight loss and diabetes management, which may increase insurance coverage down the line. Next year may mean even more to the other companies hoping to join what's so far been a two-horse race to make weight loss treatments. New drug data from Pfizer and Amgen , and the potential for more buyouts or collaborations between larger companies and smaller makers of obesity drugs, could alter the market's competitive landscape in the coming months. Supply issues could ease but won't go away The supply problems plaguing Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are likely "the biggest thing" investors will watch next year, Guggenheim analyst Seamus Fernandez told CNBC. Some analysts said supply constraints will likely persist for years, but expect them to ease in 2024 as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly work to expand manufacturing capacity for their drugs. George Frey | Reuters Novo Nordisk during its third-quarter earnings call in November said it is "looking at significantly scaling our supply" of Wegovy in the U.S. in 2024. TD Cowen analyst Michael Nedelcovych told CNBC that the company during the call appeared to suggest that such a change wouldn't look like a big jump in supply but rather steady improvements over time. Supply could increase more significantly years from now: Novo Nordisk in November said it would invest $6 billion to expand its manufacturing facilities in Denmark, noting it will finish construction from the end of 2025 through 2029. The company also said it would spend around $2.3 billion to expand another production site in France. Top weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy from Novo Nordisk is a weekly weight loss injection for adults with obesity or who are overweight. The drug mimics a hormone produced in the gut called GLP-1 to suppress a person's appetite. Zepbound from Eli Lilly is a weekly weight loss injection for adults with obesity or who are overweight. The treatment mimics GLP-1 and another gut hormone called GIP to reduce appetite and food intake. Ozempic from Novo Nordisk is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The medication mimics GLP-1 to suppress appetite and help the pancreas make more insulin. Mounjaro from Eli Lilly is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The drug mimics GLP-1 and GIP to curb appetite and stimulate insulin production. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly said during its third-quarter earnings call in November that supply of Mounjaro has improved in the U.S. even as it remains constrained around the globe. Executives also said that Eli Lilly is on track to achieve its goal of doubling production capacity for drugs such as Mounjaro, in part through investments in new manufacturing sites in North Carolina and Indiana. But Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks said on the call that the company is "aggressively planning" further production buildup for Mounjaro and other drugs. He added that "it's a problem we work on every day. So we're not at all happy with the capacity." Zepbound could become a blockbuster Wall Street has high hopes for Eli Lilly's Zepbound, which is already available at U.S. pharmacies. Some analysts expect the medication to earn blockbuster status next year, which is when a treatment's annual sales exceed $1 billion. The FDA approves Eli Lilly's Zepbound, a weight loss drug similar to Ozempic and Wegovy. Courtesy: Eli Lilly Morgan Stanley expects Zepbound to rake in $2.2 billion in sales in 2024, according to a note released after the drug's approval in November. Meanwhile, Bank of America analysts in a November note projected $2.7 billion in Zepbound revenue in 2024. Some analysts expect far more sales growth for Zepbound and Mounjaro beyond 2024. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in both drugs, has a "very strong shot of being the best-selling molecule of all time in the pharmaceutical industry," said Guggenheim's Fernandez. Wall Street is enthusiastic about Zepbound in part because it may cause more weight loss than Wegovy. Studies directly comparing the two, including an ongoing trial from Eli Lilly, would need to confirm that. Results from that trial could come out next year after initial data from separate studies examining Zepbound as a potential treatment for other health conditions, including heart failure. Mixed insurance coverage will likely weigh on sales of Zepbound and other weight loss drugs in 2024, but Eli Lilly has already secured some coverage for the drug. Wegovy could make history again Wegovy made history this year when it slashed the risk of serious heart problems by 20% in people with obesity and heart disease in a late-stage trial. In 2024, the drug could shake up the pharmaceutical industry again if U.S. and European regulators decide to approve it for that purpose. Those potential approvals, which would make Wegovy the first GLP-1 drug to have an expanded use for heart health, are a "foregone conclusion" for Novo Nordisk, Cantor Fitzgerald's Louise Chen told CNBC. Still life of Wegovy an injectable prescription weight loss medicine that has helped people with obesity. It should be used with a weight loss plan and physical activity. Michael Siluk | UCG | Getty Images An FDA approval could potentially increase the uptake of Wegovy, encouraging more obesity specialists, primary care providers and cardiologists to prescribe it to eligible patients, said Dr. Eduardo Grunvald, medical director for UC San Diego's Center for Advanced Weight Management. An approval may also put more pressure on U.S. insurers to eventually cover Wegovy and similar weight loss treatments, opening the door for broader use. Eli Lilly is also studying the cardiovascular benefits of Zepbound in a phase three clinical trial in diabetes patients with increased cardiovascular risk, and results are expected in late 2024. The drugmaker is conducting a similar study in obese patients with heart-health risks, but results may not come until 2027. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk's other treatments could reach their own milestones next year. Novo Nordisk expects to release data in the first half of 2024 from a late-stage trial examining Ozempic as a treatment for kidney failure in diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease. The company hinted that the trial would be a success when it halted the study a year earlier than planned in October based on an interim analysis. Upcoming clinical trial data releases A phase-three trial from Eli Lilly on Zepbound as a treatment for cardiovascular complications in diabetes. A phase-three trial from Novo Nordisk on Ozempic as a treatment for kidney failure in diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease. A phase-three trial from Novo Nordisk on a 25-milligram version of its once-a-day weight loss pill. A phase-three trial on Zepbound as a potential treatment for heart failure in patients with obesity. A phase-three trial on Zepbound as a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is caused by fat buildup in the liver, in patients with obesity. A phase-three trial on Zepbound as a potential treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, or the pause of breathing during sleep due to blocked airways, in patients with obesity. A phase-three trial on IcoSema, a combination of once-weekly insulin and once-weekly semaglutide, in patients with diabetes. Novo Nordisk will also release phase three clinical trial data on a 25-milligram version of its once-a-day weight loss pill, which uses semaglutide, the same active ingredient as in Ozempic and Wegovy. That trial is crucial because Novo Nordisk is waiting to see that data before filing for approval of the oral weight loss drug, said Cowen's Nedelcovych. He added that in the long term, the availability of weight-loss pills could boost capacity for their injectable counterparts. Also in 2024, a study following patients from a previous late-stage trial could potentially generate data supporting Wegovy as a treatment for preventing the development of diabetes, Nedelcovych said. A make-or-break year for Pfizer New data next year will be crucial to determining whether Pfizer gets a piece of the weight loss drug space. The stakes are high: CEO Albert Bourla has said the company hopes to capture $10 billion of that market. Pfizer axed a twice-daily version of the only obesity product in its pipeline earlier this month after patients taking the pill lost significant weight but had trouble tolerating the drug in a mid-stage study. Now, the company is pinning its hopes on a once-a-day version of the pill, known as danuglipron, which it believes may cause fewer adverse side effects. Pfizer said it expects to release more data on that version of the drug in the first half of 2024, which will help the company decide whether to start a late-stage study on the pill. CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty Images However, some analysts have raised questions about whether the once-a-day version will be easier to tolerate. "Despite ongoing work, tolerability still appears to be an issue with the product, and it is not clear to us why this will improve" in a phase three trial or with a once-daily version, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott said in a December note. Barclays analyst Carter Gould said in a December note that it is "increasingly apparent" that the company will have to look externally for an obesity treatment, whether that's through an acquisition or partnership, to capture a slice of the weight loss drug market like it had hoped. Meanwhile, upcoming data will reveal how serious Amgen's weight loss drug portfolio is. In the first half of 2024, Amgen is slated to publish early stage trial data on an oral weight loss medication. In the second half of the year, Amgen plans to release mid-stage trial data on an injectable drug that helped cause up to 14.5% weight loss after 12 weeks in an early study. Watch for buyouts and partnerships Pfizer isn't the only company that could benefit from looking externally for obesity drugs. Larger drugmakers used acquisitions of smaller businesses, or partnerships with them, to carve out space in the weight loss drug market this year. More companies could deploy the strategy next year, analysts said. "There are a bunch of other large-cap pharmas on the list who could do this," said Cantor Fitzgerald's Chen. Swiss company Roche said earlier this month it would buy the privately held U.S. obesity drugmaker Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion. AstraZeneca signed a licensing agreement with Chinese biotech company Eccogene to develop an obesity pill. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have also snapped up smaller obesity drug companies this year to maintain their dominance in the market. Recent weight loss drug buyouts and partnerships Roche in December said it will buy privately held obesity drugmaker Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion. AstraZeneca in November said it signed a licensing agreement with Chinese biotech company Eccogene to develop an obesity pill. Novo Nordisk in August said it will acquire the privately held obesity drugmaker Inversago Pharma for $1.08 billion. Novo Nordisk in August said it will acquire Embark Biotech, which develops obesity and diabetes drugs, for up to $500 million. Eli Lilly in July said it will acquire privately held obesity drugmaker Versanis for $1.93 billion. In this article SIAL-SG Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Modern aircraft, comfortable seats and unflappably pleasant flight attendants. These are factors many rankings consider in determining the world's best airlines. But they overlook a crucial element, according to the passenger rights company AirHelp how airlines treat customers when problems occur. "We believe that an airline should be assessed not just by how they treat their passengers during business as usual, but also by the consideration they show customers when things go wrong," the report stated. To compile its annual "AirHelp Score," the organization evaluated 83 airlines based on punctuality, customer opinions, and how efficiently they handle customers' compensation claims. watch now Each factor was weighted equally in the scoring, said Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO at AirHelp. The best and worst airlines of 2023 Based on data from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 2023, these are the airlines that topped the 2023 AirHelp Score: 1. Qatar Airways 8.38 2. Eurowings 8.27 3. LOT Polish Airlines 8.11 4. Etihad Airways and All Nippon Airways 8.09 (tie) 6. Austrian Airlines 8.07 7. American Airlines 7.97 8. China Airlines 7.92 9. Wideroe 7.89 10. United Airlines 7.88 Qatar Airways has topped every "AirHelp Score" ranking since 2015 but one. In 2016, the Doha-based airline fell to No. 2, behind Singapore Airlines. Thiago Prudencio | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images The 10 lowest-scoring airlines on AirHelp's 2023 list are: 1. Tunisair 4.12 2. British Airways 5.03 3. Frontier Airlines and Pegasus Airlines 5.18 (tie) 5. Czech Airlines 5.20 6. Air Canada 5.68 7. Spirit 5.69 8. TAROM and Azores Airlines 5.71 (tie) 10. Air Austral 5.77 Qatar Airways has topped every "AirHelp Score" ranking since 2015 but one. In 2016, the Doha-based airline fell to No. 2, behind Singapore Airlines. In 2022, it tied for the No. 1. spot with Etihad Airways, Pawliszyn told CNBC Travel. The 2023 full list can be found at AirHelp's website. Best and worst airlines for passenger claims The five airlines that scored the highest on compensation claim processing alone which evaluates how airlines handle claims ("Do they ignore or wrongfully reject claims?") as well as response and payout times, are: China Airlines and Brussels Airlines 8.2 (tie) United Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and airBaltic 8.1 (tie) Stranded passengers crowd an airline counter at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, China on Jan. 4, 2013. Str | Afp | Getty Images Those faring the worst in terms of claims resolution are: British Airways 1 Gulf Air 1.4 Czech Airlines, Aircalin and Vietnam Airlines 1.7 (tie) British Airways may have placed last as a result of being understaffed, said Pawliszyn. "As one of the largest and most popular airlines, they probably handle a large load of claims," he said. In response to CNBC Travel's request for comment, British Airways stated: "We're working hard to improve our response times ... We've recruited an extra 1,500 new colleagues to help and introduced new automated technology to resolve easier claims faster, with the vast majority of cases resolved within seven weeks. The airline added that more than half of outstanding cases relate to EU compensation claims which take time, due to checks that must be performed. Top airlines in other categories Highest on-time scores: Eurowings and Oman Air Highest customer review scores: All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia and Emirates Singapore Airlines, which tops most major airline rankings, came in at No. 26 on the list, dragged down by a claim processing score of 5.4. Another highly regarded airline, Emirates, ranked No. 24 on the list for the same reason. Claims processing is 'crucial' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 16) Miss Philippines Yllana Marie Aduana donned an outfit inspired by Maria Makiling for her national costume in Miss Earth 2023 pageant in Vietnam. Aduana paid tribute to the Philippine mythological goddess that protects the Mount Makiling, which is located at her home province of Laguna. Her national costume was mostly made of recycled materials including food containers that were cut into leaf-like structures. The green skirt-like part of her ensemble resembles the famed mountain in Luzon. A medical technology graduate of Centro Escolar University-Makati, Aduana is a licensed medical laboratory scientist and model by profession. The Siniloan, Laguna-born beauty advocates for using education as a platform to help fight climate change. This is not the first time Aduana wore a gown made from recycled materials. In one of the events of the international beauty pageant, she wowed everyone with her blue evening gown made of zippers. The coronation night will happen on Dec. 22 as Aduana aims for the countrys fifth Miss Earth crown. The reigning Miss Earth is Mina Sue Choi of South Korea. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) A "more assertive" China presents a "real challenge" to its Asian neighbors, which calls for the Philippines and the region to come up with "new solutions," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos told Japanese media on Saturday that the tensions in the South China Sea "have increased rather than diminished for the past months or the past years." "[T]hats why we have tobut we continue to counsel peace and continue communication between the different countrieseveryone that is involved, he added. The president is in Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Marcos also noted the complexity of the South China Sea issue, saying no country in the world wants to start a new conflict, especially in Asia, given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which he called a "tragedy." He further said the Philippines is open to finding "new solutions" to new problems. I cannot say that we have found the answer yet. We are still trying to formulate that answer as we speak. And things are moving very quickly in many parts of the China Sea and so there are changes in terms of approaches, [the aggravations], he added. 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 West Philippine Sea (WPS). Despite this, China still rejects the ruling and harasses Flipino vessels in Manila's exclusive economic zone, drawing global condemnation. Last week, a commissioned Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in WPS sustained "serious engine damage" after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard (CCG). It was the latest in a string of tensions between Manila and Beijing, which the Armed Forces of the Philippines deemed "short of armed attacks." https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/13/china-escalating-actions-wescom-chief.html In at least three instances in August and November, CCG ships fired water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal. On Oct. 22, Beijing attempted to block another resupply trip, which resulted in a collision between a CCG vessel and a Filipino resupply boat. A Chinese military-grade laser was also pointed at a Philippine ship in February. Meanwhile, Marcos lauded the increasing collaboration between the Philippines and Japan, calling it a "very good example of evolution." The Philippines is the first recipient of Japanese Official Security Assistance to boost bilateral defense. Marcos said the trilateral agreement between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines is not enough, and there should be more agreements in place at multilateral and bilateral levels. Leminar Global, a prominent HVAC & plumbing solutions provider in the GCC, has signed a distributor agreement with Calpak, a leading solar thermal water heater manufacturer based in Athens, Greece. This collaboration signifies a significant stride in Leminars commitment to providing comprehensive and sustainable water heating solutions to the Middle East market, emphasising the shared dedication of both entities towards technological advancement and a greener future. Founded in 1976 as a subsidiary of British Petroleum (BP), Calpak swiftly emerged as Europe's pioneer in introducing solar energy for domestic hot water. Top-tier solar thermal collectors Recognised for its technical expertise and groundbreaking research and development, Calpak stands out as a premier producer of top-tier solar thermal collectors and hot water tanks. Leminar will represent Calpaks flagship products, including the Calpak Forced Circulation System and Calpak Xflow Fresh Water Ultratank in the UAE, while Leminar Qatar and Oman will distribute Calpaks full product range, encompassing Thermosiphonic solar water heater systems. Panayis Konstantinidis, Managing Director at Calpak, said: "This collaboration with Leminar represents an exciting leap forward in our mission to introduce our innovative solar solutions to the Middle East market. Our production facility in Athens is recognised as the most technologically advanced in the solar thermal industry, incorporating robotic technology. Together with Leminar, we aim to introduce and expand our cutting-edge solar thermal technology to the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, contributing to the region's sustainable development goals while providing clients with reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions." Extensive range Pramodh Idicheria, Chief Operating Officer of Leminar Global, commented: Calpak is deeply rooted in a legacy of innovation and steadfast dedication to delivering sustainable solar solutions. Our commitment to offering an extensive range of next-generation solar-powered water heating solutions to the GCC market remains unwavering. This partnership signifies a significant stride in our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices, as we continue to provide advanced turnkey solutions to the region, aligned with our shared commitment to making a positive environmental impact and ensuring customer satisfaction.--TradeArabia News Service Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the continued civil war in Myanmar and urged the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the worsening violence. We cannot also discuss peace and stability in our region without recognizing the need to address the worsening violence and the plight of the people of Myanmar through pro-active engagement of all the stakeholders involved, Marcos said Sunday. The president is in Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Marcos said members of the ASEAN should deal with the increasing violence in Myanmar through the Five Point Consensus, the United Nations Mechanism and the AHA Center, or the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management. In September, Myanmar rejected the call of ASEAN members to stop the attacks on civilians, saying that their views are biased and one-sided. Myanmar has been under military control since February 2021. Two years later, at least 3,000 anti-coup activists and civilians were reported killed. The civil war began after the military seized power shortly after the general elections in Myanmars 2020 polls, which Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League for Democracy won by landslide. Her re-election is the result of the countrys second democratic election since the end of military rule in 2011. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) Two persons were killed in a fire that razed three vehicles parked at a bus terminal in Barangay Calumpang, Marikina City, fire authorities reported on Sunday. Five people at the BFCT Terminal were also injured, the Bureau of Fire Protection said. The multi-vehicle fire lasted for at least 30 minutes and reached first alarm. Authorities declared the fire out at 9:44 a.m. Fire investigators reported that the fire started on board the truck which had a cargo of firecrackers. It eventually spread and burned two other vehicles -- a bus and a van. Sad to hear na yung in-charge -- yung parang driver na nagma-manage ng cargo ay kasama sa nasunog at ang kanyang pahinante ay nasunog rin while they are preparing yung mga cargo sa kanilang truck, Eastern Police District Director PBGen Wilson Asueta told reporters. [Translation: Sad to hear that the one in charge -- the driver who also manages the cargo was among the victims of the fire and his assistant was also burned while they were preparing the cargo in their truck.] Asueta added that the cargo truck did not have a permit to transport firecrackers. I think wala itong permit. Itinago lang nila sa loob ng truck [yung firecrackers] na alam naman nila na ang mga kasamang cargos ay mga combustible materials. Ito ay mga tela, mga cardboard, may makina pa sa loob, Asueta said. [Translation: I don't think they have a permit. They just hid the firecrackers inside the truck with combustible materials. There were materials made of cloth, cardboard, there was even an engine inside.] Asueta said fuel from the stowed engine may have sparked the fire. Hindi nila ito pinag-isipan. Bawal ito. We are very lucky na hindi na nangyari while on road or somewhere else na on travel na maraming tao, Asueta added. [Translation: They did not think this through. This is illegal. Were very lucky this did not happen on the road or somewhere where there are many people.] The authorities said they still do not know who owns the truck. Asueta said the truck came from Taytay, Rizal and was only on a pit stop at the Marikina terminal. A biker passing by the scene said he heard loud blasts from the terminal, describing them as those coming from firecrackers. "Pag-akyat namin sa bridge na ito, nagsasabugan na," biker Ariel Marano said. "Panay firecrackers na umaangat, akala mo bagong taon." [Translation: When we reached this bridge, it was already exploding...Firecrackers were shooting up, you would think it was new year's day already.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) One soldier and six suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a firefight in Balayan, Batangas on Sunday, the Philippine Army (PA) said. In a statement issued on Sunday, the PA said forces of the 59th Infantry "Protector" Battalion, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force were conducting combat operations in Barangay Malalay when they ran into an undetermined number of suspected NPA troops, resulting in the clash. The military believed these were members of the SPP [Sangay sa Partido sa Platoon] Kawing from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee's Sub-Regional Military Area 4C. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro offered his condolences to the bereaved family of the soldier who was killed. Three soldiers were also wounded and immediately evacuated for medical care. "We are ensuring that our wounded soldiers will receive the best medical care, and provide all the necessary assistance to the family of our slain soldier during this difficult time," he said." The PA said soldiers have seized rifles, a shotgun, and "subversive documents" and are in pursuit of the suspected rebels who fled the area. 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. Some parts of your body genuinely indicate hidden characteristics about yourself. Examine someones fingernails, cheeks, ear wrinkles, arms or jaw, and you may make all sorts of reasonable assumptions about them, thanks to the near-miraculous field of correlation. Today, though, were not going to talk about the stuff that really indicates anything in particular. Were going to talk about stuff that people say indicates stuff in particular. And by people, we mean nuts. Or con artists. Or nutty con artists. 4 Your Ass Reveals Your Future (According to Sylvester Stallones Mom) Lets say you really like looking at bare butts. But you have a problem: Every time you ask to look at someones butt, they say, Sure, that sounds like a good time for both of us, and that doesnt work for you because you insist on being the only one getting off through this encounter. Clearly, you must convince people that you have some non-sexual reason for examining their butt. It cant be medicine since youre not a doctor. Enter rumpology, the practice of examining the buttocks to reveal someones character and destiny. Obviously, the idea of hiring someone to reveal your character is absurd. You already know what your character is like, so this part of the session is just about flattering you and tricking you into further believing the rumpologist. The idea of their telling the future by examining your crevices would be slightly more useful, if it were possible. The whole thing works similarly to palm reading. That means its nonsense, but some people hear that comparison and think, Oh, so, its legit then. Wren Meinberg/Unslash You can also analyze a rump with your palm. The word rumpology was coined by Jackie Stallone, whom you might know as Sylvester Stallones mother. She worked as a butt reader and astrologer till she died at the age of 98. You can find other rumpologists, too. A blind man in Hamburg named Ulf Buck made a living as a rumpologist (reading via touch, of course, rather than sight) because when youre born with the name Ulf Buck, a blind rumpologist is your most likely path in life. Apple bottoms are charismatic, said Buck, while pear bottoms are patient. Advertisement You can even set up an appointment with a rumpologist over Skype. If youre doing this because youre excited by the thought of mooning some via webcam, be sure not to reveal this. Remember: They need to think theyre deceiving you. Otherwise, its no fun for them. 3 Your Biggest Part Reveals Your Personality (According to Eugenics) Perhaps youve heard of the terms ectomorph and endomorph, referring to peoples body types. It sounds somewhat scientific. Some people absorb stuff, while some other people give off more stuff thats how it goes, right? These words were coined by William Herbert Sheldon, a psychologist. Theyre named after two germ layers, which means layers of cells of the embryo. Ectomorphs are named for the ectoderm, a layer that eventually becomes the skin and other outer organs like that. Endomorphs are named for the endotherm, an embryotic layer that becomes the digestive system. A third group exists as well: mesomorphs. Theyre named for the mesoderm, which becomes the heart and muscles. Granito Diaz Here are the three groups, illustrated fairly flatteringly. Advertisement Advertisement Those germ layers are real that much is true. But almost anytime you try to categorize people into discreet groups, youre going to run into problems. Half a century after Sheldons work, a new formula divided people into the groups he invented, according to mighty math: via Wiki Commons Dont worry, you dont really have to read this. Well, that certainly sounds scientific, doesnt it, an objective formula akin to body mass index? Its called the Carter-Heath formula, and is named for J.E. Lindsay Carter and Barbara Heath, a phys ed professor and an anthropologist respectively. Those arent exactly pseudosciences on the same level as rumpology, but you may still question this attempt to mathematically evaluate each person. If this sounds like BMI, well, note that BMI was devised hundreds of years ago by a eugenicist and no reputable doctor nowadays will defer to just your BMI when assessing your health. Advertisement So, were Carter and Heath modern nuts who perverted William Sheldons good work? Haha, no, just the opposite. Sheldon was a psychologist (thats one step further down the road from hard science) and was nuttier than they were. According to Sheldon, your morphology didnt merely categorize your shape but determined your personality. Ectomorphs are smart and gentle, said Sheldon, and tend to be introverts. Mesomorphs are extroverts and competitive. Endomorphs are also extroverts and tend to be lazy and selfish. Mesomorphs are the most likely to be criminals, said Sheldon. Data does not back this up. McDonalds To be fair, anecdotally, several mesomorphs are criminals. Sheldon was a eugenicist, which is almost as bad as being a psychologist. And when we dismiss people for being eugenicists, thats not just because thats some Nazi shit. Its because this overemphasis on genes shows a limited and unambitious understanding of how people develop. Your genes are responsible for creating your brain, but as for what sort of person your brain turns into, well, thats beyond just your genes. Thats up to everything your brain takes in, everything dished out by the rest of us. Advertisement Advertisement 2 Your Eyes Reveal When Youll Die (According to Iridologists) Can you learn something about people by looking into their eyes? Yes kinda. The genes that determine eye color correlate with other factors, as does peoples ability to maintain eye contact. But if you think you can examine the iris of someones eye and make assumptions about their health, that would make you an iridologist and therefore wrong. Akilah El/Wiki Commons Again, you dont have to read all this, dont worry. The discipline of iridology goes back at least as far as a 19th-century physician named Ignaz von Peczely. Von Peczely noticed that a man with a broken leg bore the same characteristic black mark in his iris as an owl whose leg von Peczely had broken as a boy. If the owl story makes young von Peczely sound more like a budding serial killer than a future pioneer of science, you should know that some say its made-up, and in fact, von Peczely invented the field out of nothing, which is clearly better. Advertisement In reality, we see no evidence that your iris has regions that correspond with parts of your body. If your kidney breaks down, for example, the kidney sector of the iris will not gain any new streaks. For a surer diagnosis, we recommend looking at the kidney. Chevy Chase is mostly famous for playing clumsy idiots in ridiculous movies, like Clark Griswold in the Vacation series, Irwin Fletcher in the Fletch films, and, um, himself in Modern Problems? Despite his penchant for reveling in lowbrow tomfoolery, Chase has worked with some of the biggest names in filmmaking. And because he is, from all accounts, about as easy to work with as an escaped zoo animal, things havent always gone very well. It turns out that Chase has truly enraged some A-list talent behind the camera, such as how 4 John Carpenter Nearly Gave Up Making Movies After Working With Chase Back in 1992, Chase attempted to show off his acting range with the bizarro dramedy Memoirs of an Invisible Man, all about a businessman who becomes invisible due to a freak accident. But unlike some other cinematic invisible men, he doesnt use this amazing scientific breakthrough as a means to creep on female co-workers. The film was directed by the legendary John Carpenter, of Halloween and The Thing fame. It was originally going to be helmed by Ghostbusters Ivan Reitman, but he dropped out due to creative conflicts. Carpenters experience was, reportedly, a tad less than ideal. Chase had to wear extensive makeup, and even contact lenses, for the films visual effects shots, but according to reports, he routinely ruined hours of filming by tearing them off whenever he felt like. Carpenter called the making of the film a horror show (he should know), adding, I really wanted to quit the business after that movie. Not one to mince words, Carpenter stated in 1996 that an unnamed actor, with whom hed recently worked, could burn in hell for all eternity. It says a lot that Carpenter vastly preferred the company of a knife-wielding maniac in a William Shatner mask. 3 John Landis Really Lost It When Chase Joked About His Manslaughter Trial Before he was booted from the trio and replaced with Selena Gomez, Chevy Chase starred with Steve Martin and Martin Short in the musical comedy The Three Amigos. The film was directed by John Landis whos best known for The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf in London and one of the worst tragedies in movie-making history. The helicopter accident that took the lives of actor Vic Morrow and two small children (six-year-old Renee Chen and seven-year-old Myca Dihn) during the making of Twilight Zone: The Movie led to Landis facing manslaughter charges (he was eventually acquitted on all counts). Landis even had to edit Three Amigos on evenings and weekends because he was in court the rest of the time. This wasnt the only time that the notorious tragedy impacted the filming of the comedy; according to Chase, while shooting a scene atop a steep cliff, he made a hideous comment about how Landis didnt care about on-set safety precautions, purely as a joke. What Chevy didnt realize was that Landis A) was very touchy about this subject, and B) could hear everything that Chase was saying because the actors were all wearing microphones. Boy, was he mad, Chase recalled. We almost came to blows. 2 Chris Columbus Quit Christmas Vacation Because Chase Treated Him Like Dirt Chris Columbus has directed some of the most-cherished family movies of all-time from Mrs. Doubtfire, to the first two Harry Potter movies, to Home Alone. Not to mention his more recent Christmas movie in which Santas elves attempt to castrate a teenager with an adorable lil chainsaw. But back when Columbus was still a struggling young filmmaker attempting to bounce back from a box-office bomb, his friend John Hughes helped out by sending him the script for National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Columbus leapt at the chance to direct the film, being a huge fan of Christmas movies in general. But things got off to an inauspicious start when he met Chase and Chase mistook him for an assistant. Columbus later said that Chase treated him like dirt. Columbus still stuck it out and shot some second unit footage that can be seen in Christmas Vacation, but after a follow-up meeting with Chase proved to be even worse, he called Hughes and told him: Theres no way I can do this movie. I know I need to work, but I cant do it with this guy. To his credit, Hughes totally understood, and whipped together another Christmas comedy for Columbus to make instead. At first, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni was dismissed by standard-issue liberals as being on the 'far Right'. In fact, her premiership has generally been mainstream and cautious most notably over the war in Ukraine. She has astutely listened to the concerns of millions of honest citizens, worried by major changes in society over which they were not consulted. And our own Prime Minister, the far-from-extreme Rishi Sunak, has from the start treated her with considerable respect. Indeed, he compared his counterpart's resolve over illegal immigration to Italy to the resolve over other questions of Lady Thatcher. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attend Atreju 2023 Conservative Political Festival on December 16 During his speech the PM warned that Britain faces being 'overwhelmed' by illegal migration which would 'destroy' our democracy He wondered aloud 'I can only guess what first attracted Giorgia to the strong female leader who was prepared to challenge the consensus, take on stale thinking and revive her country both domestically and on the international stage.' This is a considerable accolade, from the leader of the party Margaret Thatcher so successfully led, and it is also a declaration by Mr Sunak of a very firm purpose 'to update our laws and lead an international conversation to amend the post-war frameworks around asylum'. In trenchant terms, he went on to warn that Britain faces being 'overwhelmed' by illegal migration which would 'destroy' our democracy. Undismayed by his own party's failed attempt to melt itself down last week, he made clear that he won't relent on efforts to curb and deter illegal migration. Our PM's speech was also interesting for its praise of the great conservative thinker Sir Roger Scruton, who said 'The real reason why people are conservative is that they are attached to the things they love.' Quite so. This is also the reason why the Tories have no right to give up on the next Election. There is much to defend and much to put right and resolve and purpose, not division and squabbling, are the best ways of achieving this. Why BBC must rein in Lineker for the Election Tory MPs are rightly concerned over the extraordinary political licence granted to the commentator Gary Lineker by his employer, the supposedly impartial BBC. They want it made quite clear that Mr Lineker's Leftist excursions on social media cannot be compatible with his position of influence at the Corporation. Mr Lineker should long ago have been told that he can have one or the other of these things, but not both. His prominence on social media is based on his broadcasting fame, and neither he nor the BBC have any business pretending otherwise. He cannot express open partiality on X (formerly known as Twitter) without involving the BBC in his actions. Gary Lineker presents Match of the Day with the FA Cup Trophy on display in March 2021 The Government's nominee for the BBC chairmanship Samir Shah appearing before a parliamentary committee And there is, for once, good news in this quarter. The Government's nominee for the BBC chairmanship, the interesting and original broadcaster Samir Shah, gave a startlingly firm answer to a parliamentary committee when he was asked about this very question last week. He said recent comments by Mr Lineker appeared to have breached guidelines. Indian-born Dr Shah, 71, also expressed doubts about the BBC's refusal to call Hamas terrorists. These must surely be good signs. He will stand out among BBC folk, as he has for many years run his own successful production business, earning its own money rather than spending other people's. Oddly, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has complained that Dr Shah 'did not sufficiently demonstrate the strength and character that is needed to challenge the executive leadership of the BBC'. We are not so sure, and are inclined to watch with interest to see how he actually performs. A woman who suffers from a rare genetic condition that 'makes her fall in love with everyone' has opened up about what it's really like to live with the unique disorder - and has revealed how she has turned her differences into a booming business. Alexandra Birch, 27, from Louisiana, has something called William Syndrome - which means she is was born without chromosome seven. People who suffer from William Syndrome often have delays in their development and cardiovascular abnormalities - but they are also extremely 'outgoing and friendly,' have 'excessive empathy,' and can face 'difficulty identifying strangers,' according to Cleveland Clinic. Alexandra recently lifted a lid on some of the difficulties that she faced while growing up with the condition during an interview with Truly alongside her older sister, Victoria, 30. A woman who suffers from a rare genetic condition that 'makes her fall in love with everyone' has opened up about what it's really like to live with the unique disorder Alexandra Birch, 27, from Louisiana, has something called William Syndrome - which means she is was born without chromosome seven. She's seen as a kid People who suffer from William Syndrome often have delays in their development - but they are also extremely 'outgoing and friendly' and can face 'difficulty identifying strangers' Alexandra recently lifted a lid on some of the difficulties that she faced while growing up with the condition during an interview with Truly alongside her older sister, Victoria, 30 'William Syndrome is a condition kind of like Down Syndrome but [instead of having an extra chromosome], we're missing chromosome seven,' Alexandra said of her disorder. 'My rare condition means I love everyone.' Victoria added, 'William Syndrome is a super rare genetic condition characterized by cognitive and developmental issues. Victoria explained that Alexandra's affection towards strangers would sometimes put her in risky situations. They're seen together when they were younger 'Along with the developmental delays, they also have very, like, highly social personalities.' Victoria explained that Alexandra's affection towards people that she doesn't know would sometimes put her in risky situations - because not everyone has the 'best intentions.' 'She would wander off and just give anybody a hug, which is sweet and most people don't mind, but you know, some people do mind,' Victoria revealed. 'Not everyone is friendly not everyone has good intentions. It took a while for her to understand that.' Alexandra told the publication that she 'loves to hug people' because it 'makes her happy,' but added that Victoria 'taught her' not to do that anymore. Because of Alexandra's disability, Victoria admitted that she is also often 'worried' about people 'taking advantage' of her sister - but she has vowed to 'always protect' her. 'She would wander off and just give anybody a hug,' Victoria revealed. 'Not everyone is friendly not everyone has good intentions. It took a while for her to understand that' Alexandra told the publication that she 'loves to hug people' because it 'makes her happy,' but added that Victoria 'taught her' not to do that anymore In April 2018, Victoria began sharing Alexandra's story online, and almost immediately, her content went viral. They then decided to use their social media fame to start a business She insisted that Alexandra's endless 'happy energy doesn't feel tiring,' adding, 'She's always been that way, it's always been a consistent in my life.' In December of that year, they began selling shirts that had a drawing of Alexandra's face, donating five per cent of all sales to the William Syndrome Association Victoria explained that Alexandra spent the first years of her life in a regular school, but when she got to the age where 'kids weren't as accepting' anymore, they decided to homeschool her. 'You get to that age where you start forming friend groups, and [that's when people started to notice], "oh she's a little different,"' she said. 'That's something I really I don't think she would have been able to handle.' She added that being homeschooled also meant Alexandra could get the 'one-on-one attention that she needed.' In April 2018, Victoria began sharing Alexandra's story online under a joint account known as The Birch Family, and almost immediately, the content went viral. They soon started to rake in thousands of views, likes, and comments, and together, they decided to use their newfound social media fame to start a business - while also raising money for the William Syndrome Association. The sisters have now amassed more than 142,000 followers on TikTok and have expanded their brand immensely. Alexandra is seen in some of the shirts they sell They now sell a slew of products like T-shirts and long sleeve button-down tops, hoodies, jackets, headbands, stickers (seen), and magnets, among other things The sisters make the clothes together - they visit thrift stores and buy old pieces that they cut up and combine 'I do most of the sewing and Alexandra does the cutting,' Victoria shared. 'When she cuts it's a little jagged but I like that, it just adds some uniqueness to it' In December of that year, they began selling shirts that had a drawing of Alexandra's face, as well as the words 'Normal is boring,' on the front, while donating five per cent of all sales to the organization. The sisters have now amassed more than 142,000 followers on TikTok and 140,000 on YouTube and have expanded their brand to sell a slew of products like T-shirts and long sleeve button-down tops, hoodies, jackets, headbands, stickers, and magnets, among other things. The sisters make the clothes together - they visit thrift stores and buy old pieces that they cut up and combine, and everything they release has to be 'Alexandra approved.' 'I do most of the sewing and Alexandra does the cutting,' Victoria shared. 'When she cuts it's a little jagged but I like that, it just adds some uniqueness to it. 'She likes to have the final say on the designs, all of the designs have been Alexander approved before they go on the website.' 'I'll [finish] something and I'll say, "What do you think about this?" And she'll be like, "No, that's ugly." So then I'll try again,' Victoria joked, while Alexandra interjected, 'I tell her how it is.' Victoria added: 'She likes to have the final say on the designs, all of the designs have been Alexander approved before they go on the website' Alexandra also models most of the clothes for their website and social media accounts Victoria said that while 'everyone' on the internet 'gets trolls,' she is proud to have created a platform that is filled mostly with 'positivity and love' for her sister Most of their products include inspirational sayings like 'Be yourself,' 'Stay weird,' and 'Normal is boring.' '[The message is], if you're weird, that's fine. Embrace how you're unique,' Victoria explained. Alexandra also models the clothes for their website and social media accounts. Victoria said that while 'everyone' on the internet 'gets trolls,' she is proud to have created a platform that is filled mostly with 'positivity and love' for her sister. And she added that Alexandra is completely unbothered by any hate she does get online. 'I was hesitant in the beginning to even put her on social media. I mean, there are things that could get her down but she chooses not to and it makes me proud,' she gushed. 'Just the way that she loves and cares about people is a good reminder for me to just see the world from her point of view.' 'I think our world especially nowadays just needs a lot more of that,' she concluded, before telling her sister, 'I'm always gonna be there for you, that's what sisters are for.' Here, FEMAIL has detailed the most popular Christmas superstitions to abide by But there may be something more to consider over the holiday season this year With Christmas fast approaching, families will be getting ready for the festivities With Christmas fast approaching, many families will be getting ready to decorate the tree, wrap presents and carve turkey. But there may be something more to consider. In recent weeks, Americans have been flooding TikTok with details of their most important holiday superstitions - from always burning your tree to not extinguishing candles on December 24. Here, FEMAIL has detailed the most popular beliefs that people are being told to abide by this festive season. With Christmas fast approaching, many families will be getting ready to decorate the tree, wrap presents and carve turkey - but there may be something more to consider (stock image) Use holly to protect against evil spirits and always burn your Christmas tree US-based content creator Tatiana took to TikTok to share an abundance of superstitions with her 1.4 million followers. Speaking directly to camera, she began: 'These are a list of Christmas superstitions. 'Number one, leaving a Christmas tree without any type of ornaments or decorations will attract evil spirits and negative energy. 'Going along with that, as pretty as it looks to have your tree visible from the outside of your house, this is actually considered extremely bad luck. 'You never want anyone from outside to be able to look into your window and see the tree that you have inside of your house. 'This is going to cause a lot of financial problems.' She continued: 'Number two, holly can be used as protection against witches and dark magic. It is customary for people to purchase this and bring it into their homes around Christmas time. 'Number three, never under any circumstances, should you give shoes around Christmas time. US-based content creator Tatiana took to TikTok to share an abundance of superstitions with her 1.4 million followers She began: 'Number one, leaving a Christmas tree without any type of ornaments or decorations will attract evil spirits and negative energy' 'This will ensure that the person you gift the shoes to will walk out of your life.' The content creator added: 'Going along with number three, people in Greece will actually set their old shoes on fire around Christmas time because this will prevent any misfortunes within the New Year.' Tatiana's video was flooded with comments and she was soon urged to provide more dos and don'ts for the upcoming holiday period. In a follow-up video, she continued: 'This is another list of Christmas superstitions. 'Number one, it is said that a Christmas tree should always be burned once your time with it is done within the home. 'Those who simply just dump the tree outside are opening up their home to unruly spirits and evil creatures. Tatiana's video was flooded with comments and she was soon urged to provide more dos and don'ts for the upcoming holiday period 'Number two, it is believed that a candle lit on Christmas Eve should be left burning all the way until Christmas Day. 'Those who choose to blow it out or the candle just randomly goes out during the night, this is considered a very bad omen for the household. 'Should the candle happen to stay on until it completely burns to the very end, good luck will be bestowed for everyone in the household.' She added a caveat to be safe with unattended candles before concluding with her final superstition. 'It is believed that if a woman happens to crack an egg on Christmas Eve with two yolks inside it, this means that she will have twins within the next upcoming year,' Tatiana said. Try this old wives' tale for welcoming a baby Dozens of hopeful moms-to-be have shared the old wives' tale issued to women wanting to welcome a baby. Most recently, Blanca Hernandez, from Charlotte, North Carolina, documented her efforts as she explained the superstition. She sat cross-legged on the floor as she wrapped up a baby blanket in festive paper before addressing it to her future newborn and placing it under the tree. Blanca added overlaid text which read: 'There's an old wives tale that if you put a baby blanket under the Christmas tree... next Christmas you'll have a baby with you.' Blanca Hernandez, from Charlotte, North Carolina, documented her efforts as she explained the old wives' tale issued to women wanting to welcome a baby Beware of hearing angels and cats meowing on Christmas Day The Bump In The Night Society, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has garnered more than 200,000 followers on the video-sharing platform due to its paranormal content. And, in recent days, to the delight of its fan base, the group has dished on the Appalachian Christmas legends and superstitions. Flashing up a whole host of pointers for the holiday period, the group explained: 'Children born on January 6 are special and often develop powers of healing the sick. 'Animals kneel at midnight on Christmas Eve as they did by the manger when Christ was born. They also talk during this time. However, it is bad luck to catch them speaking.' The Bump In The Night Society, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dished on the Appalachian Christmas legends and superstitions It continued: 'If you sit under a pine tree on Christmas Day, you can hear angels sing. But, beware! If you hear them, you'll be on your way to heaven before next Christmas. 'Bread and cakes baked on Christmas Day have special healing virtues. Some folks preserved them for use in curing illness during the coming year.' But there was yet more to share, as the TikTok explained: 'It is bad luck for a cat to meow on Christmas Day. If it does, evil spirits will visit every day during the coming year.' Lastly, it said, 'A crowing cock on Christmas Eve scares away evil spirits. Shooting off guns and fireworks works also.' A former Jehovah's Witness whose parents were siblings has opened up about their twisted relationship, which saw them having seven children together. Vanessa, from northeast Ohio, appeared on a recent episode of the We're All Insane podcast alongside host Devorah Roloff. The 46-year-old explained how she was 'one of seven children born to a brother and sister' - a fact she found out aged nine. She said: 'I was in third grade. I didn't really understand whether that was right or wrong. I didn't know. My grandmother was happy that her children found somebody to love and it just kind of became normal.' Vanessa, from northeast Ohio, appeared on a recent episode of the We're All Insane podcast alongside host Devorah Roloff The 46-year-old explained during the chat how she was 'one of seven children born to a brother and sister' - a fact she found out aged nine. Pictured is the podcast's promo In the clip, which was shared to YouTube earlier this week, Vanessa dished on the bizarre family dynamic. She began by explaining how her parents got legally married in 1974, adding: 'I guess back then they didn't have to show a lot of ID. 'They had different last names. They did have different fathers... They swore under oath they were no close of kin than second cousin and they walked out with a marriage license.' Vanessa said that her mother was 19 years old at the time and her father was 28. It was around this time that her parents enrolled as Jehovah's Witnesses, which caused friction among the congregation due to the incestual nature of the relationship. 'The entire congregation knew... I know people there didn't like it but if you talk against a decision you're going to get labeled an apostate so they kind of had to deal with it,' she explained. Discussing her relationship with her parents, she said: 'My mom had some anger problems. She was physically abusive and emotionally abusive so I was never really that close to her.' Vanessa's dad moved in and out the house due to the 'rage and anger,' but the couple continued to welcome children together in quick succession. Vanessa concluded: 'So my mother was pregnant by her brother a total of nine times - seven live births and two miscarriages - and still got to be a Jehovah Witness in good standing' One of the couple's sons died at just three months old of walking pneumonia, but within a year they welcomed a fifth child. Vanessa said the congregation advised her mom not to have any more kids at the risk of getting shunned - but she ignored their warnings. Her parents welcomed their sixth child in 1989, when her mom was 40 years old, but the boy suffered a series of health issues from birth. 'There was a problem with him. Apparently he did not have a properly structured urinary system and he had a dead kidney...,' Vanessa detailed. 'He ended up living through everything. He had three surgeries [before he was six months old] and the dead kidney was removed. They were able to fix everything.' Two of her siblings were also born with crossed eyes, which were successfully corrected, as she asserted: 'Other than that none of us kids really had any serious issues.' Vanessa explained that despite her advancing years, her mom still 'wanted more babies.' 'My dad wasn't living there anymore so she was just going out in the evening to his apartment for the sole purpose of having a seventh child,' she said. But after giving birth again despite the warnings she was forced to move congregations to avoid being shunned from the religion. 'She then, at 42 years old, wanted to try for an eighth baby but her brother said no. He was done,' she said. Vanessa concluded: 'So my mother was pregnant by her brother a total of nine times - seven live births and two miscarriages - and still got to be a Jehovah Witness in good standing.' But Vanessa explained: 'She wasn't that motherly. I honestly don't know why she wanted so many children. 'There came a point where I thought the whole thing just became a little like a fetish to her because she liked talking about her love for her brother.... 'By the time I was about fourth grade I knew how my dad performed in bed, I knew what kind of size he was, my mother liked talking about what she did with her brother even to children.' Delving deeper into what it was like being raised as a member of the religion, Vanessa said: 'There's no holidays. There's no Mother's Day, no Father's Day, no Fourth of July. 'They're allowed to celebrate their anniversary and the memorial of Jesus' death. Those are their only things they are allowed to celebrate.' She continued: 'You have to go to Kingdom Hall meetings three days a week and then they want you to preach - I think at least 10 hours a month you are supposed to go knock on doors. 'We weren't really allowed to have friends outside of the religion but I didn't really have friends in the religion either.' She said people got shunned for 'smoking cigarettes and gambling' - among other things - before revealing that she 'didn't get any education after seventh grade.' 'I was grieving my education. I loved school. And now I'm home 24/7. Basically I'm just at home taking care of the babies and that's about it,' Vanessa said. 'I was being forced only to have Jehovah Witness friends but at a point they don't want to be my friend. 'I'm not working towards baptism. I'm a teenager who does not believe in any of it so some of their parents don't want them to hang around me.' It was around this time that a 21-year-old man, who was part of the congregation, 'started taking an interest' in the then 13-year-old Vanessa. 'I felt I was grown in my head anyway... so I kind of soaked it all in. This guy wanted my attention. He liked me and at that time I didn't see anything wrong with it,' she said. She candidly continued: 'Nobody said anything there like that it was wrong or anything. '[One woman who was a Jehovah Witness] walked up on him actually with his hand in my pants - I'm a kid, he's a man - and she didn't kick him out, didn't report him, didn't call the police.' Vanessa said that the older man was eventually brought in for a judicial hearing, but no action was taken, adding: 'In my mind, I thought he was my boyfriend so I was happy they didn't punish him. 'I was kind of happy the elders didn't do what they were supposed to do and didn't have him arrested or anything because I got to be with him longer - which now sounds pretty messed up.' But eventually Vanessa, then aged 15, started getting 'really fed up' of the abuse from her mother and the older man - before making a drastic decision in February 1993. 'I just decided I'm not going to be here anymore one way or another,' she said. 'I decided one night either I'm running away or I'm going take my life and didn't know which because I have a bunch of siblings and I love them a lot so I didn't know what to do.' Vanessa ultimately decided to run away which she described as a very difficult decision: 'My baby brothers were only two and three years old at that time so that was hard on me because I can't take them. 'I'm holding them in my arms before I went out crying and I'm like I don't want to leave them because I know they're going to get abused but I couldn't stay. 'Even though I was thinking suicidal things I didn't want to die. If I stayed I'm going to die because I can't do it so I had to leave the babies.' She later was told about her mother's reaction to her being a runaway: 'She just acted like she she didn't care, like she didn't love [me] at all, she was just mad. 'She wasn't worried. She was mad that [I] embarrassed her, not worried that [I] was safe.' Asked if she thinks that Jehovah's Witnesses covered issues up, Vanessa said: 'With my family they did.... 'They brushed off the relationship I had with that grown man there and then they brushed off my brother when he reported child abuse.' Having run away with a Jehovah Witness from another congregation, who was two years her senior, the pair married and she fell pregnant - all within two months of leaving. Vanessa welcomed two more children by the time she was 20 years old and is now also a grandmother. She explained that in the years that followed she battled a sex addiction, adding: 'I guess a lot of people coming out of that cult end up repressed or probably like me not knowing what to do about sex at all. 'I didn't realize until recently that I actually had my mother's rage. She raged at everybody because of her childhood pain and I was using sex to not feel my rage. 'I couldn't heal, I kept making bad decisions, I didn't even know I was that furious. I had to feel something - something strong - so that's what I did.' Vanessa concluded: 'It's only been probably the last five years that I actually like who I am.' It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - and it means it's time to get cozy and snuggle up with a holiday classic. To help you pick the perfect movie to get into the festive spirit, FEMAIL has consulted IMDb to see what the most popular Christmas movies are out there. At first glance, the films in the top 10 are what we would consider modern-day classics - the oldest movie to make this list was released in 1988. Controversially it's the same motion picture that some holiday purists wouldn't consider a Christmas movie at all. So here are the 10 most popular festive movies, based on IMDb data. Elf has become a holiday classic that families come together to share as a viewing experience come the festive season. Pictured are Will Ferrell and Zoey Deschanel in the film 10. The Polar Express (2004) The Robert Zemeckis-directed animated film has become a Christmas staple for young and old since it was released in 2004. This holiday classic - with Tom Hanks getting top billing for lending his voice to the adventure movie - is based on children's fantasy picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. It tells the tale of a young boy who embarks on an incredible train journey to the North Pole and his adventures on the way. Though it has a lukewarm rating, with the film receiving a 56 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, it has still been able to win the hearts of viewers - despite it's poor visual execution. 'People in Hollywood should never work with children or animals, W.C. Fields once said. Maybe that should be expanded to hyper-realistic computer-generated children and reindeer, too,' The Associated Press's David Germain wrote at the time of its release. But one audience critic, who gave it five stars, said: 'Always a great Christmas movie no matter your age. This came out when my daughter was two, she is now 21 and being able to see it at the theater together this year was a treat! So glad they screened it at our favorite theater Look Cinemas.' 'The movie is pretty good. Great Soundtrack. The Christmas spirit is on it and full of adventures, exploration and action. But the only thing that this movie fails is on the face expression of the characters,' one three-and-a-half star reviewer added. Really proving it's a bit of mixed bag for this movie, one person wrote, despite giving it three-and-a-half stars as well: 'I wanna puke after the CGI characters.' The Robert Zemeckis-directed animated film has become a Christmas staple for young and old since it was released in 2004, and Tom Hanks lent his voice-acting chops to the movie This holiday classic is based on children's fantasy picture book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg 9. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992) For those who are fans of the original, spoiler alert, don't worry it will be making an entry on this list. But the sequel is still a firm favorite with movie-goers. We once again drop in on Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) and his family during the holiday period, but this time it's set in New York City. His sworn enemies, bumbling burglars Marv and Harry are back, and they're dead-set on revenge on the precocious kid. The premise of Home Alone 2 is much the same as the first - but this time Kevin finds himself alone in the Big Apple and he has to fend off the criminal duo with his elaborate - and sometimes violent - traps. Former President and then owner of The Plaza hotel Donald Trump also makes a brief cameo in the movie, giving directions to Kevin in the lobby. It has a 35 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but a 62 per cent audience score. Home Alone 2 picks up with the same characters of Kevin McCallister and his sworn enemies, burglars Marv and Harry - but this time they're taking on the big city The premise of Home Alone 2 is much the same as the first - but this time Kevin finds himself alone in New York City The New York Times's Janet Maslin wrote: 'It's much more violent than the first film's comparable set of dirty tricks. And Kevin, removed from his embattled home, seems much more cavalier, possibly even meaner than his bullying older brother, Buzz (Devin Ratray).' But fans didn't seem to mind the pitfalls pointed out by critics. 'Best Home Alone movie. Does do some things that the first does, but better,' one audience reviewer wrote. 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a delightful sequel that captures the essence of its predecessor's charm (even if it copies the formula too closely). 'Macaulay Culkin reprises his role as Kevin McCallister, once again finding himself in a series of hilarious misadventures - this time, in the Big Apple,' one movie-goer wrote, giving it three-and-a-half stars. 'Culkin's comedic timing and the film's slapstick elements contribute to its nostalgic appeal, making it a must-watch, every holiday season.' 8. Die Hard (1988) Yippee-ki-yay! For the haters out there who moan about this not being a festive movie, I'll tell you what many proponents who firmly declare that it is: it's set during a holiday office party. In fact it appears to be a common opinion these days, The Denver Gazette's Terry Terrones conducted a Twitter poll in 2018 and 79 per cent of the 100 people who voted agreed the Bruce Willis-led film was a Christmas movie. Other reasons the writer listed as for why it deserved this categorization was that the soundtrack heavily features Christmas hits and it was watched by 1.3 million people on Christmas Eve in 2016. And on Rotten Tomatoes, where it has both a critic and audience score of 94 per cent, people agree with this sentiment. For the haters out there who moan about Die Hard not being a festive movie, I'll tell you what many proponents who firmly declare that it is: it's set during a holiday office party Die Hard follows the story of police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) who seeks to save his estranged wife and her colleagues who are taken hostage during their Christmas party For those who don't know, Die Hard follows the story of police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) who seeks to save his estranged wife and her colleagues who are taken hostage during their Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza. One five-star reviewer wrote: 'It's not only an action classic and a Christmas movie, but it's one of the best action movies period. I didn't get to see it on the big screen as a kid and it makes it so much better!' 'Die Hard is an action-comedy classic and is arguably the best Christmas movie ever. Great hero, great villain, great supporting characters. Still holds up and I suspect it always will,' a second fan gushed. Another viewer added: 'Third Best Christmas Movie ever made, right behind A Christmas Carol (Alastair Sim) and A Christmas Story but just ahead of Scrooged and Christmas Vacation!' 7. The Santa Clause (1994) Tim Allen stars as everyday man Scott Calvin who takes the place of Kris Kringle after he falls off a roof. It has a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critics score of 73 per cent, but its audience rating is 66 per cent. With some positive reviews, it's still not a completely rousing success, as one critic writes, The Santa Clause is 'a perfectly watchable yet entirely unmemorable family-friendly' movie. But Jeff Shannon, of the Seattle Times, reflected at the time of its release: 'This is Allen's movie debut, and it's easy to see why his show is a ratings smash. There's an effortless quality to his humor, but it's also got a quietly urgent edge to it.' Tim Allen stars as everyday man Scott Calvin who takes the place of Kris Kringle after he falls off a roof One person sums up why The Santa Clause makes it into the festive viewing rotation: 'This movie is so nostalgic and magical' Meanwhile audience viewers were less enthusiastic about the movie, with one two-and-a-half-star reviewer critiquing: '"The Santa Clause" is a mixed bag of holiday cheer and frustration wrapped in tinsel. 'The whimsical world of the North Pole is pure Disney magic, albeit with elves that resemble pint-sized children sporting elf ears; part of its quirky charm. 'Tim Allen's comedic brilliance shines through, adding a sprinkle of laughter in this Christmas classic. The plot weaves a solid tale, laced with nostalgia for those who grew up watching it. 'The movie's soundtrack hits all the right festive notes, but unfortunately, the annoying child protagonist and the ex-wife's character can land as awful and frustratingly antagonistic. 'While Tim Allen makes a great Santa, the constant focus on the divorced parents' turmoil overshadows the North Pole's potential adventures, leaving a bittersweet taste of missed opportunities. Instead of warmth, the film evokes more sadness and frustration, making it a nostalgic but conflicted holiday watch.' But one person sums up why The Santa Clause makes it into the festive viewing rotation: 'This movie is so nostalgic and magical. The Christmas season just isn't the same without watching this movie. When I was a kid, this movie is what created how I pictured the North Pole. The characters are so lovable and has a great end!' 6. The Grinch (2018) This is the animated movie we're talking about, not the Jim Carrey version. It's actually one of two Grinch films that make this list. Based on the popular Dr. Seuss book, this interpretation has Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones and Pharrell Williams lending their voices to the production. It follows the titular green-haired Grinch whose main mission is to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audience viewers alike were left with an unfavorable impression of the film, despite its place on this list as a popular Christmas classic. Based on the popular Dr. Seuss book, this interpretation has Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones and Pharrell Williams lending their voices to the production But many reviews detailed the reason why it had won them over. One parent wrote about how it was 'a hit for our family.' 'I don't really like the other versions of the Grinch but this one was great for our almost three year old. It was funny, the Grinch wasn't as scary looking, and he is much nicer to his dog throughout (which was important to me). 'We rarely stray from Disney movies but this one was a hit for our family!' the viewer wrote, giving it five stars. A second wrote: 'My children and I love watching this version of The Grinch at Christmas time. While not a perfect movie, it has become part of our tradition and I'm certain we will be watching it at Christmas time for many decades to come.' 5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Coming in hot at number five is the live-action iteration of the Dr. Seuss classic. Like the one mentioned above, it's based on the children's book that has captured the imagination of generations, but this time it stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch and a young Taylor Momsen, of Gossip Girl fame, as Cindy Lou. Again it wasn't critically beloved, according to Rotten Tomatoes, but people still gushed over it. 'One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. Honestly shocked it has such mixed reviews. I love this movie to this day. The grumpy Grinch learns how to love. It's a classic,' one audience viewer wrote. Another simply described it as an 'absolute cinematic masterpiece.' 'Not a Jim Carrey fan but I love his portrayal of the Grinch! We watch it every Christmas,' a third viewer added. 'Unironically one of the greatest movies of all time. It's endlessly entertaining and ultra-rewatchable,' someone else said. Like the one mentioned above, it's based on the children's book but this time it stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch and a young Taylor Momsen, of Gossip Girl fame, as Cindy Lou 4. Elf (2003) Another Christmas movie with a comedic genius - this time in the form of Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf. This true modern-day classic also stars an up-and-coming Zooey Deschanel as love interest Jovie. Buddy has been raised as an elf in the North Pole despite being human, but finds out his biological father (James Caan) lives in New York City. He then embarks on a journey of self discovery to figure out who he really is while trying to learn the ropes and pitfalls of the real world. It has a Certified Fresh score of 86 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79 per cent audience rating. So it's no surprise that viewers give it a spin every holiday season. This true modern-day classic stars Will Ferrell as Buddy and an up-and-coming Zooey Deschanel as love interest Jovie Buddy has been raised as an elf in the North Pole despite being human, but finds out his biological father lives in New York City 'One of the best Christmas movies ever! So funny, and a totally must see every year!' one person wrote. 'This is the definitive Christmas Movie King. Used to attribute that to the old classics, but no more. We can't get enough of this movie even 20 years later. It's Christmas perfection,' another fan raved. 'The story, the writing, the direction, the acting; superb. Every line, every facial expression, every reaction; sublime, perfection. 'The little lines and nuances that add to the flair and feel; perfection. Every single actor's performance; perfection. Even the ones with little roles like the supervisor at Gimbles; perfection. His looks, reactions, responses, repartee; could not be better. This film is solid gold.' 3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Chevy Chase has entered the chat. Also starring Beverly D'Angelo, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation follows the ups and downs of the Griswold family's pursuit of a picture-perfect holiday season. But not everything goes as planned and soon their festive celebrations are thrown into complete chaos. It has a 70 per cent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 86 per cent audience rating. Starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation follows the ups and downs of the Griswold family's pursuit of a picture-perfect holiday season 'I will always be a fan of Clark Griswold's everlasting optimism as a family man, in my opinion though he is far more clumsy in this one. 'The extended family didn't add much to this movie also, but overall it provided some good laughs in what is a classic family Christmas movie,' one three-and-a-half-star reviewer declared. 'An absolute must watch Christmas movie. The entire cast is simply fantastic,' a five-star fan wrote. 'It's a tradition, and I am still laughing after watching it for 30 plus years. Classic Chevy Chase,' one four-star review read. 2. Love Actually (2003) It might not have aged well, but Love Actually still remains a Christmas classic that people continue to return to. The ensemble cast alone is enough to keep bringing viewers back, with Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson starring in the film. It follows the story of eight different couples navigating their love lives in London during the festive season. Written and directed by Richard Curtis, the brainchild behind Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill and Mr. Bean, the movie somehow weaves together these stories well enough for audiences to enjoy time and time again. It might not have aged well, but Love Actually still remains a Christmas classic that people continue to return to. Hugh Grant starred in the film (pictured) It follows the story of eight couples navigating their love lives in London during the festive season, and has a stacked cast - including Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson 'My favorite Christmas movie! Like how the stories intermingle and catch something new every time I watch. You really need to rent and watch on a streaming service to get the real dialogue or too much will be cut. 'This movie will make you laugh and cry several times. A great mingling of rom-coms!' one audience viewer wrote. Another person said: 'Nothing better than an ensemble cast film made up of the best British actors. While the story is overzealous in parts, with too many characters and stories, the caliber of the cast more than makes up for its ambition. Worth a watch every Christmas.' 'This is a holiday favorite for me! There are definitely some magic Christmas vibes and funny, loveable characters! Some of the characters relationships are rather toxic and romanticized as something to strive too,' a four-star reviewer added. 1. Home Alone (1990) There really should be no surprises here. It's the ultimate Christmas movie that captures the magic of the festive season and that childhood nostalgia. A young Macaulay shines in this movie, a prequel to Home Alone 2, as Kevin McCallister who is accidentally left home alone by his family during the holidays. Soon two thieves catch on to his lonely status and decide to case his house, but the clever kid has a few tricks up his sleeve to deter them from carrying out their crime. It made Macaulay a household name and starred Catherine O'Hara as his distressed mother, Kate, and John Heard as his father, Peter. Home Alone is the ultimate Christmas movie that captures the magic of the festive season and childhood nostalgia. Pictured is Macaulay Culkin, Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci and Roberts Blossom A young Macaulay shines in this movie, a prequel to Home Alone 2, as Kevin McCallister who is accidentally left home alone by his family during the holidays Daniel Stern played one of the burglars, Marv, and Joe Pesci portrayed his partner-in-crime, Harry. It has 65 per cent critics score and an audience rating of 80 per cent. 'There is no Christmas movie like Home Alone. A great funny story, a classic. The wish of every kid, being alone at home doing what you want. But is all always that happy when being alone?' one audience viewer wrote. 'Of course the burglars play a significant role, and boy oh boy how fun (almost sadistic) to see for us how they are getting fun-tortured by Kevin. Auch that crowbar! That must hurt! 'Even one may wonder how they are still alive at the end, the warmth combined with action and humor is a balanced blend of everything. A fun film for the entire family!' Another added: 'Easy to understand the appeal: Great performance by Macaulay Culkin with a terrific supporting cast, fun script with many quotable lines, John Williams' wonderful music and - of course - an effective overall balance of humor and heart. Like the 1992 sequel, it's worth a fresh viewing each holiday season.' Residents of a street in London made famous by the film Love Actually have revealed that it is 'annoying' living there because of the steady stream of tourists. The street, 27 St Lukes Mews, Notting Hill, features in one of the most iconic scenes of the entire movie. It is the moment when Mark (Andrew Lincoln) arrives at the flat of his best friend's wife Juliet (Keira Knightly) to declare his love for her. He holds up placards and asks Juliet to 'say it is Christmas carolers' at the door before the two share a kiss down the street. Residents say a steady stream of tourists can make living on the iconic street annoying Jenny Hildreth, who lives on St Lukes Mews where one of the homes featured in the film Love Actually The street was featured in one of the 2003 movie's most iconic scenes, with Andrew Lincoln revealing his undying live for Keira Knightley's character using a series of placards But residents of the plush neighbourhood, where houses can sell for millions, said although they mostly love living there, some said the regular attention from fans of the film can grate. The woman who lives in the pink property used for the cue card scene did not want to give her name. She said she did not know about the property's past before buying it in 2006 and claims she has even had tourists walking into her home. She said: 'I did not know that the house was used in Love Actually before I bought it in 2006. 'But now I get people banging on the door and walking in.' 'I must have one of the most 'Instagrammable' homes in London. 'I get a lot of people doing guided tours to come and look at the house and they are charging them. 'I tried to make a good thing out of it and put out a charity box if people wanted to take a selfie. Beaming: Keira Knightley pictured smiling from the front door of the pink house in Notting Hill Some tourists have even brazenly walked into the home and even asked for coffee thinking it is 'Disney Land' The street became quieter duirng the pandemic but since lockdown restrictions were lifted, tourists often wonder down 'It gets very frustrating with people peering in through the window while I am trying to work from home. It can get very annoying. 'One time I had people asking me why there was no coffee available to buy! People just think it is Disneyland.' Resident Jenny Hildreth, in her sixties, has lived next door to the pink house for 15 years. She said the street is wonderful to live on but that the amount of tourists who visit can get frustrating Jenny said: 'It's lovely living here, it's absolutely wonderful. It's so central and quiet, and very pretty too. I'm very lucky to live here. 'The Victorian architecture is lovely. This really is a vibrant area with Portobello Road nearby and lots of lovely cafes and markets. It's quite artsy. The street features Victorian architecture and a house could sell for several millions of pounds Mark Neilson, 55, a business owner, who lives along the street, said he has seen tourists peering into windows The street attracts guided tour groups and many people come just to take a photo for their Instagram 'You get a lot of people taking photos of the house next door for Instagram. It can get a bit annoying. 'During the pandemic, this all stopped, it was quiet and nobody came by. But more recently you get tourist groups coming through.' Mark Neilson, 55, a business owner, who lives along the street, said: 'I honestly don't mind all the tourists who come here to see the pink house - although I have seen a few people peering into the windows. 'It seems like there are quite a few Spanish tourist groups that come by as well. 'I only moved in here two months ago so didn't realise that Love Actually was filmed here but I am a big fan of the movie!' Joanna Stepp, 35, who works in marketing and who has lived on the street with her boyfriend for two-and-a-half years, said: 'This is a wonderful community with great neighbours. 'It's generally very calm and peaceful, but every week we get many tourist groups and tours walking through to see the pink house. 'It seems to be a Spanish tour, so I think Love Actually must be really popular in Spain - which I didn't realise! 'I like Love Actually, but my all-time favourite Christmas movie has to be The Holiday.' The photographer behind the Prince and Princess of Wales's Christmas portrait has revealed behind the scenes details of the shoot - which was 'relaxed and enjoyable'. Last week, Prince William and Kate, both 41, released a casual family picture with their children Prince George, ten, Prince Louis, five, and Princess Charlotte, eight, in matching white shirts which will be on the front of their festive card this year. Photographer Josh Shinner has now shared an insight into the day of the photoshoot, revealing he learned some brand new jokes from the royal children. Taking to Instagram, he also shared a sketch of the family which he had doodled while trying to work out what poses fit best for the composition. Speaking about the atmosphere on the day, he wrote: 'It was such a pleasure to photograph the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family for the Christmas portrait this year. The Prince and Princess of Wales 's royal photographer revealed the Christmas card shoot was 'relaxed and enjoyable'. Last week, Prince William and Kate, both 41, released a casual family picture with their children Prince George, ten, Prince Louis , five, and Princess Charlotte , eight, in matching white shirts 'Without doubt one of the most relaxed and enjoyable sittings I've ever had, and I now have a whole new set of jokes that are right on my level thanks to the children... 'A huge thanks to the @princeandprincessofwales for having me.' However, when asked what the jokes were, Josh remained tight-lipped, refusing to give away details of the banter he shared with the young royals. 'Keeping those to myself I'm afraid!' he wrote in response to a curious commenter who asked what the 'funniest' joke was. In another post of the sketched composition, the photographer wrote: 'I gave up trying to draw faces long ago, and I felt like attempting to draw the @princeandprincessofwales was something that could only end in dismal failure, but this was the starting point for the final composition' Many rushed to the comments to congratulate Josh on his amazing work with the royal family. One person said: 'Congratulations on such an amazing opportunity!' Another said: 'Such a lovely portrait - huge congratulations Josh.' Photographer Josh Shinner has now shared an insight into the day of the photoshoot, revealing he learned some brand new jokes from the royal children Taking to Instagram, he also shared a sketch of the family which he had doodled while trying to work out what poses fit best for the composition The photographer wrote: 'I gave up trying to draw faces long ago' While a third wrote: 'Thank you sir, for sharing this beautiful photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales with their lovely children.' The monochrome image shows the royal couple smiling alongside their sons Prince George, ten, Prince Louis, five, and Princess Charlotte, eight, who is seated in a chair at the front of the group, with Louis' hand resting on the arm. The image shows the family in matching plain shirts George wearing a Ralph Lauren Polo number with William and the boys in dark trousers. Kate and Charlotte opted for denim jeans. Previews of the cards that will be given to friends, family and staff of the Prince and Princess of Wales were issued on Saturday night - and spoke to the family's love of understated, informal photographs to accompany their festive greetings. And while the proud parents and oldest son George have opted for dark, formal-looking shoes, Louis and Charlotte have been kitted out with matching trainers. The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales at the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey Many rushed to the comments to congratulate Josh on his amazing work with the royal family William, Kate and their children photographed at Windsor earlier this year by photographer Josh, who has shot portraits of famous faces including Florence Pugh, Jodie Comer and Sam Smith. Kensington Palace said of the photo's release: 'The Prince and Princess of Wales are very pleased to share a new photograph of their family.' This year's card, while informal, shows more restraint than some of their previously issued season's greetings. William and Kate's first card as Prince and Princess of Wales was a relaxed affair - showed the couple with George, Charlotte and Louis, all in trainers, on a stroll in Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. Previous cards issued during their tenure as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were similarly relaxed and often colourful affairs, such as their 2018 card, in which they sat on a tree trunk in Anmer Hall in Norfolk. William and Kate's first card as Prince and Princess of Wales was a relaxed affair - showed the couple with George, Charlotte and Louis, all in trainers, on a stroll in Sandringham Estate, Norfolk Kensington Palace said of the photo's release: 'The Prince and Princess of Wales are very pleased to share a new photograph of their family' However in this years card there was also a mystery that puzzled eagle-eyed observers after they focused in on the left hand of Prince Louis, five, and noticed his middle finger appears to be missing. Of course, he seems simply to be spreading his fingers wide. But then a closer look also led some to question what has happened to William's left leg. He appears to have adopted a wide stance but only his right leg is visible. Similarly, only one of Kate's feet is in view behind the chair Princess Charlotte, eight, is perched on. Many speculated the image had been poorly edited or photoshopped, with one social media user writing: 'While it's a nice family photo, as soon as I looked at it, I noticed Louis' hand. He's missing a finger.' Another posted: 'Consider the angle of his [William's] supposed right leg, his left leg should be visible in the chair opening unless he's trying to do a split?' But fear not. All is well with Louis's 'missing' finger, and all the Waleses' limbs have been accounted for. A royal source told the Mail: 'It's not photoshopped. It seems as if he [Louis]... just bent his finger over. He's certainly not lost a finger don't worry about that!' It's a traditional Christmas tipple, but did you know Baileys liqueur could cause very expensive blockages if you dispose of it in the wrong way? Plumbers in the UK have issued a 'serious' warning to those who might be planning on pouring the contents of their old bottles down the sink before opening a fresh one. The Irish liqueur has a very short shelf life, and it is recommended you polish off the bottle just six months after opening it. You may think to pour any leftovers down the sink, but plumbers have warned this could 'wreak havoc' with the pipes underneath, and leave you with a hefty bill. This is due to the high fat content in Baileys, which can stick to pipes and cause trouble in the system. Plumbers in the UK have issued a 'serious' warning to those who might be planning on pouring the contents of their old bottles down the sink before opening a fresh one One tradesman at MyBuilder.com told the Mirror: 'Cream liqueur drinks, such as the popular Christmas favourite, Baileys, can be a problem for your plumbing at Christmas. 'While it may be delicious to drink, it doesn't keep for long and often ends up down the sink. 'However, this sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way. Cream liqueurs have a large fat content and as such fall into the category of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases). The Irish liqueur has a very short shelf life, and it is recommended you polish off the bottle just six months after opening it 'FOG should never go down the sink, as it sticks to pipes and can cause blockages.' Additionally, the tradesmen have warned those cooking Christmas dinner to be careful how they dispose of their turkey fat - which is another FOG. They noted that when this fat cools, it hardens and creates a blockage. Instead, families should opt for disposing of this type of fat in the bin. The NHS is already stretched to breaking point but make sure you go to the GP With Christmas around the corner and reports the NHS is already stretched to breaking point, it's easy to feel that a medical issue can 'just wait' until after the festive break, or to accept it when a healthcare professional gives you the brush-off even though deep in your gut, you know something is wrong. I believe there's a lot to be said for instinct when it comes to our own health or that of someone we love. And, as a doctor, I know there are ways to get your worries taken seriously. Melissa Mead last week told Mail Online how her son William died from sepsis, aged one, a few days before Christmas in 2014. It was impossible to read her story and not feel angry that doctors didn't listen to her concerns. Her desperate attempts to get someone anyone to take her worries seriously are chilling and appalling in equal measure. Doctors and 111 operators repeatedly dismissed her worries, instead deeming William 'non-urgent'. She found him dead in his cot. DR MAX: I believe there's a lot to be said for instinct when it comes to our own health or that of someone we love. And, as a doctor, I know there are ways to get your worries taken seriously (stock image) A 2016 NHS England report into the circumstances of William's death concluded that there had been 16 failings in his care and four missed opportunities to save his life. In the wake of this verdict Melissa and her husband Paul set up the UK Sepsis Trust to raise awareness and the need for urgent action, particularly with children. Their story will resonate with many who have battled to have their concerns taken seriously by professionals. What's so alarming is that the care you receive can be worryingly and dangerously inconsistent seemingly dependent on whichever professional you end up speaking to and when. I've seen patients sent to A&E for the most trifling things such as the time someone was told to come in because they had lost a contact lens (I'm not kidding). Apparently, the 111 operator said it might have got stuck in the eye, despite there being no pain or other symptoms to indicate this, and the patient was convinced it had fallen out! I've also seen incredibly sick people told not to worry, when they were in need of urgent care. I had one patient who'd been told by 111 and his GP to drink fluid and rest as he had a cold. In fact, he had pneumonia. By the time I saw him, he was barely coherent. I insisted he go to A&E where a chest X-ray confirmed my suspicions and he started a course of antibiotics. He was a man in his 30s, so a delay in diagnosis was unlikely to be life-threatening. But had it been a frail elderly lady, she might not have made it through the night. Every doctor or nurse has stories like this. And with children, who can go from being incredibly resilient to terrifyingly fragile in the blink of an eye, having your concerns heard is all the more important. It's true new parents can be a bit neurotic over every cough or sneeze or bump on the head. But it's also true that Mum and Dad often have a sixth sense when it comes to their children. They know them better than anyone else and most paediatricians understand this. Numerous times I've seen cases where a parent has had a 'feeling' things weren't right and, yes, their child was indeed unwell. I'm sure it's because parents are subconsciously picking up on subtle clues. This is exactly what happened to my sister a few years ago with her baby. Putting him to bed one night, she had a feeling something wasn't right. She called her GP but couldn't explain what it was. 'He just doesn't look right' she said. He didn't have a temperature and had no other discernible symptoms. The GP dismissed her as an over-anxious mother. She went to bed but couldn't sleep. She got up and, without even waking her husband, drove her son to A&E. He had meningitis. The doctor told her if she'd left it a few hours longer, he would have died. DR MAX: Numerous times I've seen cases where a parent has had a 'feeling' things weren't right and, yes, their child was indeed unwell We all know the NHS is under tremendous pressure and resources are stretched gossamer thin. But there are times when I think it's reasonable to head to A&E based on little more than a hunch, especially if you feel your concerns haven't been listened to by a GP or 111. For the young and the elderly, especially, others have to advocate for them. Yes, it's a difficult balance and most often a doctor's reassurance is justified. But if you are worried and things don't seem to be getting better, here's my advice: write a list of symptoms and when they started this helps demonstrate things aren't improving or indeed are getting worse. Keep a log of calls and note the person you've spoken to was it a phone operator who might be following an agreed 'tick box' script, or was it a clinician and, if so, was it a nurse, doctor, a physician's associate or a pharmacist? Make it clear that you're worried with good cause. Listen to that niggling voice, trust your instincts and don't take no for an answer. Time to stop judging older mums Its strange that double standards still exist over relationships. While there is little comment on the 17-year age gap between Amal and George Clooney, Sienna Miller, who is 15 years older than her partner, has spoken about the opprobrium heaped on women dating younger men. In an interview with Vogue, she spoke of the criticism shes received for falling pregnant at 41. Men, meanwhile, father children at all ages and rarely come in for any flack. While I wouldnt recommend that women wait until their 40s to have children fertility drops significantly in the mid-30s and they might find themselves struggling to conceive. If they can and do, good luck to them (and as I understand it, in Siennas case, the pregnancy was unplanned and she has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. There are advantages to being an older mother: youre likely to be more financially secure and stable and have a wealth of experience. Plus youve done all your partying. You can focus on the child in a way many younger mums struggle to. While there is little comment on the 17-year age gap between Amal and George Clooney , Sienna Miller , who is 15 years older than her partner, has spoken about the opprobrium heaped on women dating younger men In an interview with Vogue, she spoke of the criticism shes received for falling pregnant at 41 Do you get a good eight hours sleep but still feel tired? Theres evidence to suggest you might have a sleep disorder once considered rare, but according to American research, far more common than previously thought. Idiopathic hypersomnia affects one in 70 people. Idiopathic means we dont know what causes it. In many patients, there will be underlying issues but we havent worked out what they are. Most of the people observed for the study were obese, for example, which we know can affect quality of sleep because it can impact breathing, meaning sleep is disrupted periodically. Could what were really seeing be the consequences of obesity not an explosion in sleep disorders? Do you get a good eight hours sleep but still feel tired? Theres evidence to suggest you might have a sleep disorder once considered rare, but according to American research, far more common than previously thought (stock image) Dr Max prescribes... Its a happy tradition to do a jigsaw puzzle over Christmas. There are other benefits, too: theres evidence they can be good for people with anxiety as they provide a calming activity. They also require people to slow down and focus on the moment. And the sense of accomplishment releases dopamine which gives mood a boost, too. Women of Britain, your votes have been counted, and here we have 2023s brilliant Bargain Beauty Awards champions. You, the true experts, have voted in your droves to come up with the 15 cosmetics that propelled you through 2023, cost-of-living crisis be damned. The weekly column that I pen for you and with you has always included a mix of affordable and more high-end beauty buys. However, British women live for a bargain, and, this year, weve all been relying on them, so it felt right to celebrate this in our honours list. I am my mothers and my still more budget-conscious grandmothers daughter. And, while I will never not adore a dalliance with Chanel, Guerlain or Sisley, I am every bit as devoted to the budget brands I grew up with: Vaseline, Rimmel, Boots No 7 and Batiste. I particularly love that Batiste appropriately born the same year as Glastonbury Festival, in 1970 has taken us from greasy-haired teens to flimsy-haired fiftysomethings, via your hair hero award-winner: Batiste Dry Shampoo & Volume (now 2.83, boots.com). Half a century on from that first grimy Glasto, this great British booster is the worlds No 1 dry shampoo with three cans sold every second. Women of Britain, your votes have been counted, and here we have 2023s brilliant Bargain Beauty Awards champions Tweezerman and Maybelline arrived on these shores in the early 1990s care of entrepreneur George Hammers pioneering Beautique catalogue, to which my mother, sisters, friends and I were all utterly addicted. At the same time, LOreal began to morph into the great, cost-conscious juggernaut it is today. More recently came competitively priced wonders such as Kiko Milano, e.l.f. Cosmetics and Superdrugs cracking Studio London range. Studio London wasnt one of your award-winners, but my moneys on it for next year. Its Flaunt Flawless blusher (5, superdrug.com) will be found in every Christmas stocking Im stuffing. LOreal Paris ranked as highly as one would expect a cosmetic colossus to. Mail readers revealed their canniness by admiring LOreal Age Perfect Collagen Expert Retightening Night Cream (12.99, boots.com) an anti-sagging hit. The French giant can afford to democratise its science stuff, meaning we all qualify as being worth it. CeraVe, creator of your top cleanser, and Maybelline are also LOreal-owned brands. I am with you on its genius. Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara (11.99, superdrug.com) opens up my vanishing, mid-life eyes like no other. Then, a swipe of Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal (4.99) on the inner lid and I appear almost human. Smudge a little into the upper lash for still more emphasis. The creamy, oil-free build of Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (5.99, boots.com) so famously resembles that of last years winner, Narss sterling Radiant Creamy Concealer (25), that the word dupe gets thrown about. Perhaps thats why you chose it? By day, Boots No 7 Future Renew Serum (from 34.95) is your facial care product of choice, which again makes sense. The Future Renew range, launched in April to a riotously record-breaking response, boasts a super-peptide blend 15 years in the researching. This will be at its most potent in the serum, reputed to be one of the most effective and tolerated products on the market. Just add SPF. Kikos eyeshadows are first-rate, while Tweezermans worthy win reminds me to send my old pairs to be sharpened as a January cost-cutting exercise. I will not be alone. The brand renovates more than 5,000 tweezers a month free of charge. Global giants apart, one of the elements of the 2023 line-up that brings me most pleasure is the presence of the small, but no less great, British brand Messiah and Eves Body Cleanser 02 (21, messiahandeve.co.uk). This is not merely because I picked it, but because founder Sarah Sklavenitis deserves every last accolade for launching her cracking company in the wake of the final Covid lockdown in late 2021. A fragrance obsessive, Sarah was determined to give our bodywash the same quality as our face care scented with sophistication, joyously tactile to use, leaving our skin nurtured. Body Cleanser 02 is infused with niacinamide and alpha hydroxy acids to brighten and smooth without the mess of a scrub. Her bespoke aromas are created by a French fragrance house, then tailored depending on the type of product they appear in. Theyre worked and reworked until Messiah and Eve achieves the olfactory nuance and longevity that gives it its cult following. My beloved cleanser 02 uses its Modern Unity scent an extraordinary blackberry, birch tar and guaiac wood concoction that smells ten times as expensive as it is. When I inhale it, life is rendered memorable, magical even worth not merely staggering on with, but living to the full. And that, in the end, is the great beauty of beauty. It sees us through high days and holidays, dark days and everydays, walking tall as we stride womanfully on. For glamour is our superpower. Ruby Hammer MBE Make-up artist and columnist Ruby Hammer launched her own beauty range in 2019 Make-up artist and brand founder Ruby, 62, has been a beauty world go-to since the 1980s, and launched her own range, Ruby Hammer, in 2019. Its always lovely to see the things you recommend resonate with readers, and Im thrilled they love some of my favourites as much as I do. When it comes to foundation, it must match your skin tone perfectly and feel weightless when youve got it on. LOreals True Match Foundation (11, tesco.com) ticks all the boxes. It has got an extensive shade range and is lovely on, so if you dont feel flush you can still get a good result. The same is true of the Kiko Green Me Eyeshadow Palette (14.99, kikocosmetics.com). Dont be scared off by the word green it refers to the natural credentials of the formulations rather than the shades, which are very wearable. There are nine in matte, pearl and metallic finishes, making the palette so versatile whether you want a day-to-day look, or something more glamorous. And finally, its no surprise to me that the readers have embraced the No 7 Future Renew Serum. We all know that the effects of skincare are cumulative, so while its nice to get something as a one-off treat, if you really want results, you need something you can easily buy again and again. Not only is this serum effective, it is also affordable, which is what we all want. Millie Kendall OBE Millie Kendall, who runs the British Beauty Council, has been in the beauty industry for almost 40 years Millie, 56, is the CEO and founder of the British Beauty Council, and has been in the industry for almost 40 years. Its interesting to note that many of the winners this year are heritage brands that have a legacy behind them. And I do think that when money is tight, while we might like experimenting with smaller, niche brands, they simply cant compete on price with the economies of scale that more established brands offer. These bigger brands have the money to spend on research, so theyre not just trading on a reputation. Consumers know that what theyre buying is going to work. And while thats tough if youre a smaller brand, Id far rather people took this route rather than buying dubious dupes or, worse, counterfeit products. This can be tempting when times are tight. Im delighted to see Tweezerman gets the Mail readers seal of approval I have a pair of its tweezers in every handbag and bathroom, by the bed and even in the car. Hold the nib together and you cant see daylight, which is why theyre so good at gripping every hair. You dont get that with tweezers that arent hand-filed. At a time when people are very price-aware and environmentally aware, I can see why these are a well-deserving winner. Emma Gunavardhana Emma Gunavardhana hosts a podcast called The Emma Guns Show which has more than 15million global downloads Beauty journalist Emma, 46, hosts The Emma Guns Show podcast which has had more than 15 million global downloads (instagram.com/emmaguns). I know from my Instagram followers just how important accessibility is we want pro-ducts we can get our hands on during the weekly shop, or on the High Street. Just as important is value for money, and the results of this years awards reflect that. But I think its important to note that, although were talking about affordable, mass-market beauty, that doesnt mean second-rate. Every single one of these products can hold its own against its more prestigious counterparts. I genuinely think Maybelline makes some of the best mascaras on the market which easily stand up against the likes of YSL. And e.l.f. is one of the best beauty brands out there. Its only the slightly cheaper packaging that indicates youre not buying a luxury item, but blind test its range against products that are three or four times the price and I think it would come out on top. Ten years ago nobody really cared about their brows. You shaped them by removing hairs and that was about it. But model Cara Delevingnes brows and Benefits huge range of eyebrow products changed all that, and now were obsessed. I think the entire LOreal Paris Brow Artist collection is fantastic but the Xpert Pencil (from 2.55, amazon.co.uk) is my favourite. The spoolie is strong enough to really define the brow; the pencil is skinny enough to draw in individual hairs as well as fill gaps; and the pigment lasts all day. Lip products have also gone off the scale recently in terms of price, so its great to see an accolade for good old Vaseline. Hugo Toovey was less than a year from graduating an as officer in the army when a phone call to his dad changed his life. The now-32-year-old, from Sydney, asked his dad about a small lump on his testicle who encouraged him to visit a doctor. At just 21 years old Hugo was diagnosed with testicular cancer and embarked on a gruelling journey of years-long treatments and chemotherapy. The scare made him hyper-vigilant about taking care of his health and going to the doctor when he had any concerns so when his bowels started acting up months after he was given the cancer all-clear he went to the doctor straight away. Five years after getting testicular cancer, Hugo was given an unrelated diagnosis of bowel cancer which he's had treated but still suffers health problems from today. Hugo Toovey (pictured) is a two time cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 21 then weeks after going into remission found out he had bowel cancer The now-36-year-old, from Sydney, asked his dad about a small lump on his testicle who encouraged him to visit a doctor. The lump was cancer which had spread to his lymph nodes He wants young people to be aware they are not 'invincible' and being proactive with their health could potentially save their life. On June 18 2013, Hugo called up his dad, Simon, to wish him a happy birthday and before hanging up asked him about the lump he noticed six months previously. 'It was kind of uncomfortable to say but I said, 'Dad, I've got this weird little lump on my testicle', and I was just seeing what his thoughts were,' he recalled. 'He said, 'Why don't you just go check?'. It wasn't until getting that encouragement from my dad where I thought yeah, that's a good point.' Hugo was only 21 at the time and the small pea-sized mass had not been causing him any discomfort or getting in the way of his physically active life training in the army. 'I had tried to forget about it and pretend it wasn't there. I was 21, I was the fittest I've been in my life so supposedly healthy. That's why I didn't go to a doctor,' he said. Just 24 hours after going to the doctor and having an ultra sound, doctors told Hugo he had advanced testicular cancer. On June 18 2013, Hugo called up his dad, Simon (right), to wish him a happy birthday and before hanging up asked him about the lump. Simon encouraged Hugo to go to his GP 'Not only did I have testicular cancer because I'd put it off for a while, unfortunately, it meant the cancer had spread,' he said. Hugo's doctors were optimistic that with the right treatment, he would make a full recovery which gave him hope. He had his right testicle removed, underwent two years of chemo and had another surgery to remove lymph nodes with pre-cancerous cells. Five years after his diagnosis, Hugo had recovered and was excelling in his career in the army. He received the news he was in complete remission. He was 26, living in Brisbane with his now-wife Amber, had just been promoted to captain and feeling like his 'life was back on track'. 'For the first time in a long time I felt a sense of freedom...I could officially close that chapter off,' he said. Just weeks after Hugo was given the cancer all-clear, he started to experience issues with his bowels. He had his right testicle removed, underwent two years of chemo and had another surgery to remove lymph nodes with pre-cancerous cells He started getting abdominal pain, needing to get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet and having more frequent and urgent bowel movements. Hugo had become very proactive about his health due to his experience with cancer and after his condition didn't improve for two weeks, he visited his GP. The doctor sent him to get a colonoscopy which picked up some 'nasty' polyps that were sent off for a biopsy and Hugo was told to by his gastroenterologist, Terry, to come back in two weeks for an update. 'The next day they gave me a call and said the results came back and Terry needed to see me. You get that sick feeling your stomach. I just knew it was something bad,' Hugo recalled. Hugo received the news he had an 'aggressive' bowel cancer, which was completely unrelated to his testicular cancer. 'Hearing that was almost a bit confusing. I remember saying, 'Hang on, I've just been given my five-year all-clear scan a few months ago, how is that possible?',' he said. Five years later, Hugo received the news he was in complete remission. He was 26, living in Brisbane with his now-wife Amber (pictured) and felt like his 'life was back on track' Needing to 'act fast' in case the cancer spread, Hugo soon after underwent a subtotal colectomy where a portion of his colon was removed. Hugo then suffered a twisted bowel and had to have another surgery to remove more precancerous cells but his journey was far from over. To prevent the cancer from spreading to his other organs, Hugo had his entire colon and rectum removed and his recovery was 'touch and go'. 'That was the probably worst I had been or the sickest I had been. I couldn't eat and drink even a sip of water for about three weeks. My stomach had been operated on so many times and it just wasn't working,' he said. Hugo wasn't able to stomach any food or even water and rapidly lost a whopping 22kg in less than a month before he was offered a 'light at the end of the tunnel' when his stomach started functioning again. 'That was the moment where I just thought Okay, I'm going to get through this. I was having all these little small wins and eventually each day, each week got better,' he said. Needing to 'act fast' in case the bowel cancer spread, Hugo soon after underwent a subtotal colectomy where a portion of his colon was removed EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: I went for a routine GP check up at 26 and asked a question that led to an aggressive cervical cancer diagnosis: This is how it saved my life Advertisement Looking back, Hugo realises his testicular cancer may have saved his life. 'There is no way as a young 26-year-old, I would have rushed off to a doctor, I would never have pushed having more test done. I would have probably put all that off,' he said. 'If it wasn't for my testicular cancer, I wouldn't have learnt the importance of early detection. I knew the importance of seeing a GP, of having these checkups and if something's not quite right to go off to your doctor.' Throughout his tumultuous journey, Hugo had constant battles with his mental health behind a brave front he put on for his family. He said the mental battles were sometimes worse than the physical. 'I was just so unhappy and depressed. I'd dose up on pain relief to numb everything. I was just in such a bad way that I was almost over it,' he said. 'My partner and my family we're the ones that kept me going. I would just take each day as it came and slowly but surely, you start to see a small glimmer of hope.' Hugo lived with a stoma bag for eight months which he learned to wear 'proudly' as it was a symbol of everything he has been through and survived. Hugo lived with a stoma bag for eight months which he learned to wear 'proudly' as it was a symbol of everything he has been through and survived Two years ago, he had a reversal surgery to return his bowel function but all the procedures have left him with severe internal scarring and ongoing health issues. While Hugo's health battles seem never ending, he has now turned his focus to his and Amber's son due in April. 'My wife and I are expecting a baby baby boy, it's awesome. I have that distraction, and that's my new priority. I can't wait to be a dad,' he said. 'I was expecting that maybe we wouldn't be able to conceive naturally then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, we got that amazing news. It gave me something to really look forward to.' He is using his experience to help other young people and raise awareness about how common cancer can be in Aussies in their twenties and thirties. Hugo is an ambassador for Movemeber for mental health and started his own organisation 25stayalive, encouraging young Aussies to be proactive when it comes to their health Hugo uses humour as a way to 'get people talking about their health' and his favourite party trick is getting his mates to guess which testicle is real and which is fake. Hugo is an ambassador for Movemeber for men's mental health and started his own organisation 25stayalive, encouraging young Aussies to be proactive when it comes to their health. 'I've heard horror stories where young people in their twenties get turned away from three different doctors then finally find someone to run tests but by that stage have stage-4 bowel cancer,' he said. 'I want to be an advocate young people, making them realise they're they're not invincible they're not bulletproof, that's something I've learned the hard way.' 'It's all about preventative health care and getting these things early. It's about a typical young adult to realise they're not invincible and not to wait until it's too late.' We all know that a weekend lie-in is the perfect treat after five days at work. But research suggests that it does much more than simply recharge your batteries it could actually save your life. Scientists at China's Nanjing Medical University tracked 3,400 people to monitor how sleep cycles affect health. They discovered that those who were sleep-deprived during the week but nabbed an extra two hours' kip on a Saturday or Sunday were 63 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. By contrast, workers who got less than six hours a night during the week and didn't make up for it at the weekend had far higher rates of cardiovascular disease. Scientists at China 's Nanjing Medical University tracked 3,400 people to monitor how sleep cycles affect health (file image) READ MORE: How going to bed at the same time every night is more important than getting seven hours per night Advertisement Adequate sleep between seven and eight hours a night for most people is known to protect against heart problems. It reduces the effect of stress hormones on the body, keeping blood vessels free from inflammation. But the latest research suggests that getting by on less is not a problem as long as you catch up on your days off. However, a recent global survey showed people in Britain manage an average of just 15 minutes extra sleep at the weekend, while in Finland where lie-ins are longest it's still only 26 minutes. Previous studies have found snoozing an extra hour or two at weekends can ward off obesity and depression. But, say the Nanjing researchers, 'Weekend catch-up sleep is [also] associated with a low risk of angina, stroke and heart disease especially in those with short sleep durations during the week. 'Research has shown sleep is not only for physiological rest but also has profound effects on cardiovascular health.' The UK's first vertical spaceport has been given the green light to launch rockets next year. Industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said it was an 'era defining moment' for the 17.5bn UK space sector. SaxaVord would be the first fully licensed spaceport in Western Europe to be able to launch vertically into orbit. The site a former RAF radar station would be permitted to launch 30 rockets per year to take satellites into space. SaxaVord, which is on the north coast of Unst in Scotland's Shetland Islands, is expected to launch rockets in 2024. The first licensed spaceport was in Cornwall, but it launches rockets horizontally carried by an aircraft. CAA space regulation director Tim Johnson said: 'This marks a beginning of a new chapter for UK space.' The future: CGI depiction of a rocket launch at SaxaVord And Frank Strang, boss of SaxaVord Spaceport, said it was a 'historic' moment and places the UK 'firmly at the leading edge of the European and global space economy'. It comes as the UK Space Agency last week announced a further 6.7m of funding for Scottish spaceport projects. A heated land row has broken out over access to a stunning riverbank on the border between England and Scotland. While people living on the Scottish side of the River Tweed can roam freely, those near the village of Cornhill, in England, are restricted by the landowner. The landowner in question was named locally as the Duchess of Richmond, whose main residence is the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, famous for its annual motor racing festival. Although generations of English families have enjoyed the riverside path for years, the Duchess of Richmond has fenced it off in a hugely controversial move. Yet what makes it even more infuriating for concerned residents is that under Right to Roam legislation in Scotland, homeowners who live just metres away on the northern bank of the Tweed have free access to the beauty spot. The English public are not allowed into the wooded area on the left, but just metres away on the other side in Scotland, people can roam wherever they like While people living on the Scottish side of the River Tweed in the town of Coldstream (left) can roam freely, those near the village of Cornhill, in England (right), are restricted by the landowner The area in red is restricted from the public. Locals said the wooded area is owned by the Duchess of Richmond, who lives in West Sussex Although generations of English families have enjoyed the riverside path for years, the Duchess of Richmond has fenced it off in a hugely controversial move The entrance to the riverside path was padlocked with a metal chain when MailOnline reporters visited The move caused outrage among the people of Cornhill, who believe they're being treated unfairly One side of the path is gated off with a private road sign, while the other has been blocked by a wooden fence The Scottish law states landowners are not permitted to exclude members of the public from such areas as long as they behave appropriately. The move caused outrage among the people of Cornhill, who believe they're being treated unfairly. One side of the path is gated off with a private road sign, while the other has been blocked by a wooden fence. Historian Trevor Swan, 75, lives on the Scottish side of the river but has family ties to Cornhill. He said: 'I think it's an appalling situation that they closed off the path. 'Without a shadow of a doubt that path has been used for years. 'When you compare it to the Scottish side where all the paths are open, it's really sad. 'I used it a lot when I was younger. We used to walk from Cornhill around to the nearby plantation site. 'It's sad that people can't use it like I did, and my ancestors before me. 'There never used to be a problem when it was owned by the previous family. Historian Trevor Swan, 75, (pictured) lives on the Scottish side of the river but has family ties to Cornhill. He said: 'I think it's an appalling situation that they closed off the path' The 75-year-old said: 'When you compare it to the Scottish side where all the paths are open, it's really sad. 'I used it a lot when I was younger. We used to walk from Cornhill around to the nearby plantation site' Retired shop worker Morag Pitman also used to regularly walk the land that is now closed off. The 70-year-old said: 'I find it very disappointing because it was a beautiful walk to do' He added: 'We made our mouth go at the time but nothing came of it. We heard the excuse that people weren't cleaning up dog mess but I didn't believe that' 'The local people in Cornhill are missing out. People have tried their hardest to get it open but without any success.' Retired shop worker Morag Pitman also used to regularly walk the land that is now closed off. The 70-year-old said: 'I find it very disappointing because it was a beautiful walk to do. 'It's been shut from both sides now which is such a shame. 'We made our mouth go at the time but nothing came of it. We heard the excuse that people weren't cleaning up dog mess but I didn't believe that. 'I sometimes go down the steps at Coldstream and I walk along that bit, but I can't walk on my side of the river which doesn't make sense. 'I can't remember ever receiving a proper valid reason as to why it had to shut.' No one visits that side of the river anymore and walkers have had to go elsewhere in England, or cross into Scotland instead Another person from the area said: 'We were told there was drug taking going on but there's nobody but pensioners here' An English local, who wished to remain anonymous, explained: 'They barricaded one end of the path with boards and the other with locked gates. 'It's a well-used track which dates back hundreds of years. 'It came to a head several years ago when we were told we couldn't use it anymore because the Duchess of Richmond decided against it. 'I wrote to her and said we felt it was very unfair that we had no access to the riverbank. 'She then allowed villagers to use the path again. But it wasn't long before we got another letter saying she rescinded that move. 'We were told there was drug taking going on but there's nobody but pensioners here. 'There's only a handful of walkers around here. It shouldn't be a problem to walk there. 'People now have to drive over to Coldstream if they want to walk along the riverbank. 'You then have to look across at the path we're not supposed to walk on. 'They have the right to roam in Coldstream but we have nothing. 'It doesn't affect the Duchess but it affects everyone in the village.' He added: 'People now have to drive over to Coldstream if they want to walk along the riverbank' Another local, who didn't want to be named, added: 'I'm from Scotland so I found it a big surprise when I moved here. I walk everywhere but once I came to Northumberland, the limits are completely different despite it being around the corner' The restricted path has one of its entrances by the bridge over the Tweed towards Coldstream The resident added: 'We're only two fields away from the Scottish borders and we tend to think ourselves as part of Scotland. 'Our doctors, pharmacists and shops are in Coldstream so our lives are spent a lot over the border. 'But yet it feels like a feudal system with the way we're treated. 'I won't rest until we get it sorted.' EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The Iron Wall of Somerset will NOT fall: Defiant farmer whose 300ft metal corridor has kept ramblers and dog walkers off his land for a decade insists they 'brought it on themselves Advertisement A friend of the resident, who moved up in the 1990s from London, added: 'My son used to camp down there when he was a teenager and he never needed permission. 'Nobody would ever say anything because there's no harm in using it. 'We're in the middle of the countryside, it's not as though we have lots of crime. 'You can go anywhere you like on the Scottish side as long as you respect it. 'The anti right to roam people argue that their local beauty spot would get full of rubbish at the weekend. 'But we only have access to eight per cent of outdoor land therefore millions of people congregate on the tiny bit of land. 'If everywhere was free access then people would spread out. 'I don't think the trespassing law is actually all that punishable, but people here just don't want the hassle.' Another local, who didn't want to be named, added: 'I'm from Scotland so I found it a big surprise when I moved here. 'I was very used to being able to have the freedom to go where I wanted to. 'I don't like having these limitations. I walk everywhere but once I came to Northumberland, the limits are completely different despite it being around the corner. The Duchess of Richmond and her family did not respond to a request for comment. In the Autumn of 1942, in the middle of the war, a black metal trunk initialled with the letters MHG arrived at Buckingham Palace. Nothing much to look at, the box was addressed to Queen Elizabeth, Queen Consort of George VI (and later the Queen Mother). There was perhaps a small clue in the decidedly upmarket address, 'Polesdon Lacey, Dorking', marked upon the trunk. Even so, the contents must surely have caused an intake of breath from whoever had the pleasure of lifting the lid. For inside the tin box lay a collection of jewels so beautiful that, today, several of them rank among the most frequently worn pieces in the possession of the Royal Family. This black metal trunk initialed with the letters MHG arrived at Buckingham Palace in the Autumn of 1942 Queen Camilla wears an early 20th century (devant de) corsage at the annual Diplomatic Corps Reception last Tuesday, sometimes described as a stomacher. It has now been confirmed as part of the Greville bequest to the late Queen Mother Queen Elizabeth II wearing Queen Mary's 1920 (devant de) corsage at Windsor Castle to mark her Golden Jubilee with The Queen of Denmark and Queen of the Netherlands in 2002 - the last time a stomacher had been seen on a member of the Royal Family Honourable Mrs Ronald Greville painted by Hermann Schiemchen in 1888 or 1889 William McEwan, politician, brewer and father of Margaret Greville Margaret Greville photographed in pearls at a London studio in 1900 The sparkling contents were all the more remarkable for what they represent - a happy end to a story marred by Victorian prudery. And for having their origins in bottles of McEwen's beer. As it happens, the collection has also served up the answer to the riddle of the mysterious 'stomacher' or corsage worn by Queen Camilla at the recent diplomatic reception at the Palace. Jewellery experts were stumped, but I can reveal that this piece, almost certainly Cartier, was among the many fished out from the trunk in 1942. The source of the legacy had been the late Margaret Helen Greville, a friend of Queen Mary, mother-in-law to Elizabeth, Queen Consort and grandmother to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Margaret Greville had also been great friends with Alice Keppel, mistress to Edward VII. She was godmother to Sonia Keppel Queen Camillas grandmother. Today, she is remembered as a philanthropist, yet her rise through the social hierarchy had been far from smooth. Indeed, King George V had been unhappy at his wife's connection with Margaret Greville, an unease provoked by her complicated and decidedly unorthodox personal history. Margaret Grevilles wealth was first acquired by her father, William McEwan, the Scottish brewer whose company made the bottles of beer still bearing his name today. Yet ignominy had beckoned when he fathered a child with a servant girl called Helen Anderson. True, McEwan was a bachelor had had no family to betray, but the child was out of wedlock and this was the 19th century. So, McEwen paid for a brewery employee helpfully named William Anderson to pretend to be Helen's husband and, in 1863, a daughter was born in London . She was named Margaret. After the birth, Anderson went back to his wife and children in Edinburgh and his job in the brewery. Helen and baby Margaret remained in London until an appropriate interval had passed and it was judged appropriate to return north, Helen as a widow. Unlike many such stories of the time, this one had a happy ending for, when the child reached the age of 21, the former servant girl, her mother, married the wealthy brewer. Margaret became his 'step-daughter' and sole heiress - as he happily told all who mattered. In the late 1880s, the McEwens moved to a large townhouse between Park Lane and Piccadilly and Maggie became engaged to the dashing Ronald Greville, son of Lord Greville, Gladstone's Private Secretary - and a friend of the gregarious Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. Despite a beginning of great difficulty, she led a gilded life - literally so, in some respects. The April 1891 issue of Vanity Fair listed wedding presents including a tiara composed of three riviere necklaces, with five diamonds the size of sixpences set down the centre and a diamond aigrette (a head piece designed as egret's feathers) measuring 18-inches and set with nine brilliant-cut diamonds. Captain Ronald Greville with his wife Mrs Ronald (Margaret) Greville Newly married, the Duchess and Duke of York enjoy their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey, home of Margaret Greville King Edward VII, centre right, visits The Priory, Reigate, as guest of Captain and Mrs Ronald Greville. The King is seen surrounded by close friends including Mrs Keppel, back row second from the right, and Lady Sarah Wilson. Mrs Ronnie Greville is seen on the King's right. Polesden Lacey house in Surrey. Today it belongs to the National Trust This was merely the beginning of Maggie Greville's spectacular collection. Soon, she would be an important client of Boucheron in Paris which made, for example, what we now know as the Greville Tiara In 1887, Boucheron bought at auction, a large quantity of jewellery which had once belonged to the French Royal Family. In 1901, made the first version of this majestic piece. Originally created to be worn as a crown on the centre of the head with a papyrus leaf design, it was underwent two major changes. In 1919 it was enlarged so could be worn lower on the head. Then in 1921, it was completely dismantled to be reset in the fashionable Art Deco geometric style we recognise today. In 1929, Margaret Greville visited Cartier London for a two-row diamond necklace. Nine years later she ordered a matching three-row necklace to make it even more magnificent and what we now know as The Greville Festoon Necklace. Francesca Cartier Brickell, author of The Cartiers and granddaughter of Jean-Jacques Cartier, told me that the 1930s with its Royal Jubilee and coronation was a decade of big necklaces for Cartier London. Cartier also made Maggie's fabulous Chandelier Earrings, worn by the late Queen Elizabeth on a number of occasion and worn by the Princess of Wales at last week's diplomatic reception. Margaret Greville bought emeralds that had belonged to Empress Josephine, diamonds from Marie Antoinette and a diamond ring that had belonged to Catherine the Great. She had pearl necklaces that would be restrung annually, and, according to Pam Burridge's biography, she once boasted she would buy the whole of Piccadilly. By the time of her death in 1942 and her bequest, Margaret Greville had already mended her relationship with George V. Queen Elizabeth wearing the Greville Chandeliers earring with the George VI Festoon necklace for a 1983 visit to Sweden. The tiara is The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, bought by public subscription for her grandmother, Queen Mary The remarkable Greville Festoon Necklace and Greville Tiara worn by Camilla in Kampala, Uganda in 2007 Princess of Wales wears the Cartier Chandelier earrings from the Greville bequest at last week's Palace reception for the diplomatic corps Dame Margaret Greville, friend of Queen Mary, popular society hostess, chatelaine of Polesden Lacey. She bequeathed her magnificent collection of jewels to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother No doubt it helped when, at one point, she promised to leave her spectacular house, Polesden Lacey in Surrey, to their second son Bertie, the then Duke of York (who became George VI). In the end, the house was left to the National Trust as Bertie, by now King George VI, hardly wanted for property. But what woman ever claims to have too much jewellery? Certainly not Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, or those who have followed her in enjoying - and displaying - the generosity of Margaret Greville. It's one of the stranger lots of Royal memorabilia to be put on sale - a lock of the King Charles's hair snipped when he was a schoolboy, plus the barbers scissors that did the job. They had once belonged to George Crisp, the Royal Familys personal barber from 1929 to 1971 and are now being auctioned online. Hair is a very serious matter, of course, as generations of royal know all-too-well - the women in particular. And such is the level of skill and judgment involved that the professionals they trust can become minor celebrities in their own right. A glossy haired Prince Charles on the eve of his 18th birthday in 1966. The portrait was taken in the Balmoral library George Crisp The late Mr Crisp first trimmed the hair and beard of Charless grandfather, George VI, but was kept on by Queen Elizabeth after her fathers death in 1952. During the 1960s, he regularly made the short walk from Trumpers in Mayfair, the noted barbershop where he worked, to Buckingham Palace to attend to the young princes dark locks. Prince Charles as a carefully coiffed 12-year-old. He is pictured leaving Euston Station by car after travelling overnight from Aberdeen with his parents Trumpers of Curzon Street was first 'discovered' by George V. He has since been followed by George VI, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent and the Duke's heir the Earl of St Andrews, pictured here as a five-year-old Paul Fraser, of Paul Fraser Collectibles, which is selling a number of Charles-related items including a Christmas card from the prince, told The Sun newspaper that: No piece of Charles III memorabilia gets you closer to the real man than his hair.' Ian Carmichael The late Queen's loyal hairdresser of nearly 25 years, Ian Carmichael. The Scottish crimper has always kept schtum The Late Queen Elizabeth was adored by her hairdresser, who somehow created a perfectly symmetrical style. She is pictured in 2017 after a reception at The Army & Navy Club The late monarch had her hair washed at home via a stand-up attachment to a sink and before her death last year, had never had a blow dry, according to reports. But such indiscretions never came from her fiercely loyal hairdresser of nearly 25 years, Ian Carmichael. The Scottish crimper kept schtum about how he created the Queens perfectly symmetrical style and whether they chatted about her holidays during appointments. Visiting her at her homes around the UK twice a week, Mr Carmichael also accompanied Her Majesty on foreign visits to make sure she looked the part. Granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment in 2012, Mr Carmichael was then made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 2017. He called his most famous client by far my favourite. Amanda Cook Tucker Amanda Cook Tucker or Mandy to her friends, has been the Princess of Wales hairdresser since 2012 Kate, attends a reception for British nationals in Bhutan with a glossy head of hair Shes been styling the most scrutinised royal head for more than a decade and was one of the very first people to meet Prince George following his birth in 2013. Amanda Cook Tucker or Mandy to her friends, has been the Princess of Wales hairdresser since 2012 when she accompanied Kate and the Prince of Wales to the Far East on a Diamond Jubilee tour. Described by sources as indispensable after giving Kate heat-proof hair that defied the humid Asian weather, Ms Cook Tucker has been on hand every six to eight weeks ever since. Charging a reported 300 per day, she is said to be an expert at the full glossy blow dries that hold that Kate loves. No stranger to Royal circles, the stylist has been cutting William and Harry's hair since they were children. George Northwood George Northwood was part of Team Sussex when it landed in Sydney in 2018 Northwood, was king of the done-undone style. He regularly teased the Duchess of Sussex's tresses while she was a working royal. Meghan is pictured in Sydney 2018 It was the look that saw search terms on Pinterest rise by more than 1,000 per cent and inspired endless hair tutorials on YouTube. The effortless messy bun Meghan Markle wore for the evening do following her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, was created by her friend, celebrity hairdresser George Northwood. King of the done-undone style, he regularly teased the Duchess of Sussex's tresses while she was a working royal. Last year, he jetted out to the Netherlands to create at least five different styles for her over the course of the three-day Invictus Games event. In 2014, Mr Northwood created Alexa Chungs must-have bedhead bob, which caused an internet sensation and him to get a RSI in his thumbs from snipping 18 clients a day. Joey Wheeler Joey Wheeler, gave William a hair-do widely reported to have cost 180 during a visit to Kensington Palace Prince William's 'buzz cut' in 2018 completely transformed the royal's image As a teenager, his floppy blond fringe was a signature look. But the following years brought teasing about a growing bald patch - first from his brother and then his wife, who in 2014, suggested an alpaca toupee was the perfect solution during a tour of Australia. Prince William was persuaded to take action. After receiving advice from Kates long-time hairdresser Richard Ward, William caused a sensation by appearing in 2018 with a number one buzzcut. Mr Wards protege, Joey Wheeler, gave him the infamous do widely reported to have cost 180, during a visit to Kensington Palace, Mr Wheeler has worked under Mr Ward for some 17 years and is understood to have used his specialised scissor over comb freehand technique for the royal cut. Richard Ward Celebrity hairstylist, Richard Ward Kate's half up and half down was perfected by Richard Ward's team including James Pryce If theres one man the Princess of Wales can rely on to deliver her signature BBBD (Big Bouncy Blow Dry), its Richard Ward. The London-based cutter has been styling Kates hair for 20 years and was instrumental in her demi-chignon look for 2011 wedding to Prince William. At the time, he revealed her one rule was that by the time she got to the end of the altar her husband must recognise her. Ward, whose salon is in Chelsea, also counts Kates mother, Carole Middleton, and sister, Pippa, as clients. Having royal connections has certainly been good for business. Before re-opening his salon during the pandemic, Ward revealed he had 4,000 pre-booking requests valued at 1m. Denise McAdam Denise McAdam has dealt with several members of the Royal Family and received the Royal Victorian Medal Ms McAdam styled the Duchess of Yorks hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew in 1986 Before attempting Princess Annes famous beehive, Denise was told not to look her in the eye There arent many Royal heads Denise McAdam hasnt worked on. In 2010, she received the Royal Victorian Medal and a handwritten note of thanks from every member of the Royal family - including Anne, whom Ms McAdam has dubbed the scary one. She remained silent while snipping the late Queens locks and before attempting Princess Annes famous beehive, was told not to look her in the eye. She styled the Duchess of Yorks hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew in 1986 and once said Kate Middletons hair was fabulous if occasionally overdone. Of the bouffant worn by Princess Anne for the past five decades, she told Radio Times: I just used to go in, close my eyes and do it as quickly as possible. Other clients have included Grace Kelly, Joan Collins and Kylie Minogue. James Pryce The Duchess of Cambridge's hairdresser James Pryce, left, arrives at Macdonald-Cartier airport in Ottowa for the start of the royal visit to Canada Kate's hair was blow dried by James on the Canada tour in 2011 After styling Carole Middletons hair for several years, James Pryce was introduced to the Princess of Wales, her father, Michael and sister, Pippa while working at Richard Ward. Pryce recalls Carole one day calling him out of the blue in 2010 and asking if he could do her hair for Kates engagement pictures. Things snowballed from there. He was part of the team who got the Princess ready for her wedding to Prince William the following year after testing and retesting her now famous half up, half down look. After falling out with his mentor, Richard Ward later that year in the war of the hairdryers, six months later he was styling Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Now at Larry King in Chelsea, Pryce said earlier this year he had peaked early with Kate. Jo Hansford Jo Hansford the 'top tinter' who persuaded Queen Camilla to go a lighter blonde Queen Camilla shows off her blonde hair this month at a Clarence House reception Camilla's hair is coloured a perfect shade as she waited outside for the invited children Jo Hansford, famous for her skill with colour, has dealt with many famous names down the years, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow. But it is for her work with her long-term client The Queen that she will be best remembered. 'I remember seeing her for the first time,' she told the Daily Telegraph. 'Her brown hair had a few lights in it and she had this shaggy fringe. 'I saw her bright blue eyes and knew immediately that she had to be blonder.' Seven years later, she would be preparing Camilla to marry Charles; 18 years later she watched Camilla crowned Queen. The US Army is facing a TikTok mutiny as Gen Z recruits are taking to social media to whine about low pay, 'sh***y' food and fitness tests. The brazen posts - by uniformed troops on US bases - represent an audacious challenge to top brass amid a recruitment crisis. The Army fell short of its target by 25 percent last year. One of the posts by military influencer Anthony Laster slams Army life for having 'No Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!' and has been viewed more than 600,000 times. Laster, from Chicago, has more than a million followers on TikTok and made the public comments in uniform while on mission in the desert. In another post he claimed he spent his whole day watching TikToks while supposedly fighting the Taliban. It gives a woeful impression of America's fighting forces to potential recruits, which is likely to cause further animosity toward TikTok from critics. Politicians from both sides have concerns about the platform's links with China and accuse it of pushing subversive anti-US propaganda. Anthony Laster (pictured) slams Army life for having 'No Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!' Dana Estrella (pictured) makes content to advise those considering signing up to think again The Army expects to end up about 15,000 short of its target of 65,000 recruits for 2023. Similarly, the Navy expects to fall short by 10,000 personnel and the Air Force is projected to miss its goal by 10 percent. The traditional allure of military recruitment is failing to register with Gen Z. Last year only 9 percent of young people ages 16-21 said they would consider military service, according to Pentagon data, sliding 13 percent from before the pandemic. The military has faced criticism for using 'woke' advertising campaigns focused on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as drag shows for troops, to appeal to Gen Z. The Army is in the middle of a five-year plan to become a 'model example of diversity, equality and inclusion', with the blessing of the White House. However, with focus elsewhere it is in the grips of a fitness crisis. Around 23 percent of soldiers registered as obese in 2021, according to a recent study of data from the Military Health System Data Repository. Not only are recruits not fit enough to join, their fitness is also declining once they're in the ranks leaving officials scrambling to install weight loss and exercise regimens. Now disgruntled rank and file officers have found an outlet on TikTok to advise those considering signing up to think again, according to videos viewed by DailyMail.com. Among the major criticisms, the young soldiers complain about having to remain below a certain weight, harsh treatment from their superiors and having to perform menial tasks instead of engaging enemies on the battlefield. One young recruit, Shemar Williams, in uniform and appearing to be on base, looks into the camera and tells his 34,000 followers his 'top five reasons not to join the military'. Echoing Laster's grievances, Williams bemoans that 'we do not get paid enough to perform the mission that is tasked to us,' lack of autonomy and sacrifices in family life. According to federal data, more than 20,000 active-duty troops are on food stamps to make ends meet. Discontent is bubbling over from young rank and file officers who have found an outlet on TikTok Young recruit Gammage filmed herself in her uniform with a clearly identifiable name badge Gammages' grievances include being blamed for injuries incurred while serving in the military Sergeant Barber (pictured) has posted videos of himself in uniform on what appears to be a military base More worryingly for recruitment, Williams also adds to his list complaints about things the military attempts to sell to potential recruits as perks, notably 'schooling'. 'Now I know you think 'woah that is a benefit', Williams explains, 'but there are requirements you have to meet first to get to that schooling. So if you're thinking of joining because of schooling, just go to school.' Sergeant Barber, 25, filming himself in his uniform admits that he has already been 'counseled because of a TikTok video' nonetheless tells his 68,000 followers 'before you head to the recruiting office, watch this video If you don't like your freedom being suppressed a little, not really, then I wouldn't join the military.' As well as cautioning against fantasies of getting rich in the army, Barber also says life in the military is 'mopping those floors 99 percent of the time' rather than war combat. 'Even if you deploy you probably won't see combat today in this world so if that's your mindset. Don't join!' Female recruits have also contributed to the anti-military advice offered on TikTok. One young recruit, Shemar Williams, in uniform and appearing to be on base, tells his 34,000 followers his 'top five reasons not to join the military' One young recruit who could only be identified as Gammage from the name on her uniform, tells those considering a life in the military: 'Don't join the Army until you're mentally prepared to be told you're going over/under weight, treated like you're not a good soldier if you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less - oh and you can't get injured either cause then it's your fault'. Health is a barrier to recruitment as well as an issue once recruits are enrolled. More than half (56 percent) of American 18 to 25-year-olds are overweight or obese, according to Johns Hopkins researchers, meaning they can't enlist. Fitness within the army is also at crisis point, with generals terming it a threat to national security. Injury and healthcare are also a concern for a young recruit who identified himself as Treull. He advises against joining the Army because 'this is very physically demanding, the army don't give a f**k if you f***ed up you better see the PT [personal trainer].' Treull also complains that commanding officers are 'on a power trip and you can't do nothing'. Concluding: 'In the military you're their b***h, if they want to do something to you you're going to do it.' Treull (pictured) complains that commanding officers are 'on a power trip' A defense official told DailyMail.com: 'DOD Components are required to review and approve non-official mobile applications for use on government-issued devices. 'The DoD never authorized the use of TikTok, and several organizations have already banned its download onto its mobile devices. Users are required to sign a user agreement when the device is issued. 'The agreement informs them of the proper device use requirements and their responsibilities for the appropriate use and download of unmanaged applications. Additionally, all DoD personnel are required to take the Annual Cyber Awareness Challenge which has modules specific to mobile devices, social media, and geolocation capabilities. Adding: 'DoD Mobile Application policy requires DOD Components to review and prohibit the use of applications that pose potential risk. DoD is currently updating its mobile application security policy to establish a process for prohibiting the installation of any application that DoD believes is inappropriate to be downloaded to a government device as well. 'In accordance with Division R, Section 102 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, U.S. Cyber Command acting through Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, directed all combatant commands, military services, defense agencies, and DoD field activities to remove TikTok from all government-funded equipment and prohibit users from downloading or accessing the application on government-funded equipment.' Genetic genealogists have revealed how their groundbreaking forensic tech identified a long-lost victim of the infamous 'Scorecard Killer' - using a similar technique that was used to track accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger. Aided through investigative genealogy non-profit Project Justice, last month California investigators identified the remains of Michael Ray Schlicht, 17, almost 50 years after he was found murdered in 1974. A stored DNA sample from his remains were sent to Othram, a private laboratory, which worked with Project Justice and law enforcement to collate a family tree based on commercial and criminal databases that led them to his long-lost relatives. Project Justice founders Justin Woo and Lydia Ansel told DailyMail.com the discovery is just the tip of the iceberg as genetic genealogy could revolutionize police investigations and potentially solve thousands of cold cases. The organization has so far identified over 80 murder victims since 2020, providing answers to families 'to feel like they haven't been forgotten and to give these people back their names,' Ansel said. In a stunning development, it is believed the tech could someday allow cops to identify a killer's DNA directly from a crime scene instantly, even if they are not in criminal databases. Schlicht is believed to be a victim of serial killer Randy Kraft (pictured in a Santa Ana court in California on June 27, 1989), who was convicted in 1989 of 16 murders and is feared to have killed as many as 100 Michael Ray Schlicht, 17, lay unidentified in an unmarked grave for almost 50 years until genetic genealogy allowed investigators to give answers to his family last month Justin Woo (left) and Lydia Ansel (right), the founders of genetic genealogy non-profit Project Justice, told DailyMail.com the technology could revolutionize investigations into cold cases When investigators first comb through a crime scene, one of their first hopes of catching the perpetrator is getting a match on fingerprints to the criminal database. But when the perpetrator has no criminal record, detectives may turn to genealogy databases - including from some commercial companies that trace family lineage - to find a suspect's relatives. Notably, police typically use a short tandem repeat (STR) comparison test on a criminal database that samples against only 20 DNA markers, while commercial genealogy companies are more powerful and can search for up to 1 million DNA markers. Through this, forensic investigators are able to construct a family tree, and cross reference linkages to narrow down DNA to a single suspect. In recent years, genetic genealogy has been used to arrest several infamous serial killers who got away, including the Golden State Killer and the 'Grim Sleeper', after samples from crime scenes were linked to their unsuspecting relatives. Forensic experts believe genetic genealogy could bring justice to a number of similar cases that had long-gone cold, including the recent discovery of Schlicht's identity in California. Investigators were able to track down his mother in Kansas City, Missouri, last month and deliver her the news they had identified her son almost 50 years after she last saw him. 'It was heartbreaking that a 17-year-old child was in an unmarked grave for so long,' Ansel said. 'His family was never aware of what happened.' Joseph James DeAngelo, now 77, a former cop who eluded authorities for years as the Golden State Killer, was convicted of a slew of murders, rapes and burglaries from 1974 to 1986 after investigators used genetic genealogy Lonnie Franklin Jr., a convicted serial killer known as the 'Grim Sleeper,' pictured at his sentencing in Los Angeles Superior Court. He was convicted in 2016 through DNA traced from decades-old crime scenes, and died in 2020 at the age of 67 in prison Schlicht was known to hitchhike around as a teenager, and left home in Iowa in April 1974 for a trip. His remains were found that September by the side of a trail in Orange County, California by a pair of off-roaders. The body remained a mystery for almost 50 years, until genetic genealogy delivered a stunning breakthrough when the case got another look in November 2022. The sheriff's office submitted tissue samples from the body for further testing, with Project Justice's efforts and funding helping to develop a DNA profile after months of waiting. Schlicht's death was originally ruled as an accident caused by a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol, before the circumstances were found to eerily match the MO of notorious serial killer Randy Kraft. Following Kraft's arrest in 1983 and later conviction for 16 murders, investigators came to fear his true number of victims could be as high as 100. Kraft became known as the 'Scorecard Killer' after a list of 67 names and monikers were found in a notebook in the trunk of his car when he was arrested during a traffic stop, with 43 nicknames so far linked to homicides of young men during the killer's reign of terror. Kraft became known as the 'Scorecard Killer' after a list of 67 names of potential victims were found in his car when he was arrested during a traffic stop in 1983 Investigators had long suspected Schlicht was one of Kraft's earliest victims, with a name in the notebook cited only as 'Iowa' thought to potentially represent the 17-year-old. But because Schlicht's fingerprints failed to yield any results at the first efforts to identify him, the case went cold, and he was interred in an unmarked grave at El Toro Memorial Park. Project Justice decided to step in to crack the half-century-old case and tissue samples from Schlicht's then-unidentified remains were sent to Othram laboratory. Intended to construct a full DNA profile, a nearly-year-long wait for results finally came to fruition as the forensic investigation identified Schlicht's potential grandparents earlier this year. A woman believed to be Schlicht's mother was then tracked down to Kansas City, Missouri, in November, and through her DNA, they were able to confirm his long-lost identity. Project Justice noted that they have over 100 active DNA identification searches running concurrently, and expect a slew of identifications to come through in the coming months. In the weeks after Schlicht was found, the initiative also worked with the San Diego Police Department to identify the remains of Elaine Armstrong, a 51-year-old who was stabbed and set on fire in 1981. Lydia Ansel, who is also a world renowned electric violinist, said her focus on cold cases came through seeing how helping grieving families is an 'opportunity to make an impact' On Oct 16, 1981, remains of an unidentified woman were found behind Vics Office Supply, 1753 Garnet Ave. She was beaten, stabbed, and set on fire. 1/6 pic.twitter.com/9EvWU8uwFr San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) December 12, 2023 Woo said genetic genealogy is out of reach for many budget-strained police departments due to the expenses involved, typically costing $7,500 per sample through their genealogy system. Much of the funding comes from private donors, with federal funding one of the key next stages to the tech being used widely. Once it is, Woo said it could dramatically help 'get live killers off the streets', and could be used in urgent situations in the future as the tech advances. 'What's important to us is moving through these cold cases and into newer cases,' he said, as Ansel added that one long-term objective is to target a city's cold cases and systematically clear them. She said their focus on cold cases comes from seeing important stories kept 'in storage for years', and 'while they're never forgotten they don't become as much of a priority when something happens today.' Woo and Ansel have been involved in a number of eclectic business ventures, from owning restaurants to DJing and philanthropy. Cold cases, they said, are an 'opportunity to make an impact.' 'It's heartbreaking to think there will never be closure,' she said. 'To provide answers, hopefully a touch of peace is given to (the families).' The growing importance genetic genealogy plays in law enforcement also led to one of the highest profile arrests in recent memory, that of accused University of Idaho quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger. Accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 after investigators used genetic genealogy to construct a family tree of a suspect's DNA left at a crime scene Kohberger allegedly murdered Kaylee Goncalves (bottom left), Madison Mogen (top left), Ethan Chapin (center) and Xana Kernodle (right) The suspected killer was tracked throughout December 2022 as investigators worked to identify his distant relatives through genetic genealogy databases. A sample of Kohberger's DNA was collected from a knife sheath found at the scene, however because the university criminology lecturer had no prior criminal record, his DNA was not stored in any law enforcement database. In an interview with DailyMail.com, CeCe Moore, Chief Genetic Genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs and the founder of DNA Detectives, said it would have been easy for Kohberger to accidentally leave his DNA at the scene if he was there. This is because the crazed knife attacks that killed students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves would have left it 'almost impossible' not to leave a sample, she said. 'Even if he was suited up like Dexter,' Moore added. When Kohberger's DNA failed to show up on a previous offender database, investigators were able to construct a family tree from his sample by using commercial genealogy companies. Prosecutors say Kohberger's DNA was found on a knife sheath in the off-campus University of Idaho (pictured) home where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were killed in November 2022 A blood-soaked mattress is pictured being carried away from the Moscow, Idaho home Investigators from the Idaho State Police on the scene of the grisly murders Because of the powerful cross-matching capabilities of such databases, Kohberger's matches were likely from second, third and fourth cousins, according to Moore - not his close relatives. In most criminal cases, she said the suspect who is eventually identified has likely never met most of the people he or she shares DNA with. 'You get a match list which will have hundreds or even thousands of people on it and most will only share tiny amounts of DNA,' she said. 'You're looking for patterns and commonalities and you need to find that one person who is related to all of the people at the top of the list. 'Before we find who they are, we need to find what all the other people on the list have in common and who they have in common. 'Then, you work forward from that and build out the family tree.' While genetic genealogy has already become vitally important to investigations across America, Woo and Ansel said the recent successes are only the tip of the iceberg over its potential. 'These technologies have proven to be extremely effective, to the point where you get the feeling that it's a matter of funding versus the technology,' Ansel said. 'As we continue to fund cases, they get solved, so it's very exciting.' It is hoped that in the near future, investigators will be able to employ genetic genealogy on a brand-new case, someday preventing almost any from going cold. 'It's exciting for the future of investigations,' Woo concluded, feeling that as the technology continues to improve, 'you could be able to map out DNA and get an identification instantly.' Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, used $670,000 of taxpayers' money to renovate his official residence, despite cancelling an Australia Day event at the mansion because of the cost. Stoke Lodge, Mr Smith's lavish home in London, is worth about $100million, and previous High Commissioners have used it to host up 150 events per year to promote Australia. But Mr Smith, a former Labor minister who was a captain's pick by Anthony Albanese for the plum job, has held just 30 functions there this year. Earlier this week the High Commissioner chose to scrap the date for an annual Australia Day event in London citing 'sensitivities' around January 26. He later changed his story, however, saying high costs, not the commemoration of the date the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove in 1788, was the reason for his decision. Mr Smith said the $55,000 cost to run the black-tie gala event, previously attended by the likes of Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem and Tim Minchin, was the reason for the cancellation. Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith (pictured outside the British Prime Minister's house), used $670,000 of taxpayers' money to renovate his official residence in London Kylie Minogue is pictured at the Australia Day Gala Dinner at Australia House in London in 2015, the event now scrapped on the national day by High Commissioner Stephen Smith His backtracking was compounded when acting Prime Minister Richard Marles intervened to say there will be an Australia Day function in London, though not necessarily the gala event. George Brandis, who preceded Mr Smith as the High Commissioner, hosted an average of three events a week when he was in the job. The Coalition's Foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said there was 'little point refurbishing (residences such as Stoke Lodge) if they aren't being effectively used to get outcomes for Australia'. 'Australian taxpayers fund embassies, commissions and residences so that they can be used in our national interest, including hosting events that secure jobs and investments for Australia,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Hot on the heels of his cancelling a traditional Australia Day event, these further reports will have many wondering whether Anthony Albanese's personal pick for London is actually doing the job he's paid to do.' Stoke Lodge (pictured), the High Commissioner's home in the UK capital, is worth about $100million The then Australian High Commissioner George Brandis bows to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey, London on April 25, 2022 Opposition leader Peter Dutton called the decision to move the date of the charity gala 'crazy' and 'utterly unacceptable' and called for Mr Smith to resign. 'How can we have a High Commissioner who is ashamed of Australia Day? Australia Day is a celebration of our history and our heritage,' Mr Dutton said. 'I think the vast majority of Australians will be celebrating Australia Day and I think the High Commissioner in London, if he's not prepared to celebrate Australia Day, if he's ashamed of Australia Day, then frankly I think he should be looking for a new job.' Earlier this year, Mr Smith said he wanted to end a culture of 'parties without purpose' at the High Commissioner's residence. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said: 'The High Commissioner has hosted over 30 events at the official residence Stoke Lodge in 2023, corresponding to the High Commission's security and economic priorities. 'A wide range of guests from Australia, the UK and other nations attended those events.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Smith for comment. NSC-131 is part of an 'international' white supremacist movement which advertises to local men on social media The lawsuit lists numerous attacks on drag queen story hour events and protests outside emergency shelter hotels for migrants The secretive neo-Nazi group, NSC-131 is accused of a 'campaign' of violent protests and attacks on LGBTQ and non-white people A New England neo-Nazi group is being sued over a 'campaign of unlawful conduct' that has 'terrorized' Americans they dub 'enemies of our people'. The Massachusetts Attorney General has brought a civil lawsuit against NSC-131, known as the Nationalist Social Club, and its leaders, Christopher Hood and Liam McNeil, accusing them of a series of 'violent and otherwise unlawful Club actions'. The lawsuit is unique in that it points to specific actions allegedly conducted by the group that go beyond their right to free speech - including storming a drag queen story time event and harassing migrants outside emergency shelter hotels. NSC-131 has around 30 members - thought to all be local white men - and captures its 'violent protests' on video to use as marketing to attract new members, as part of a growing 'international' white supremacist movement. Self-proclaimed Nazi-hunter, and founder of anti-fascist veterans group, Task Force Butler, Kristofer Goldsmith told DailyMail.com the group is motivated 'by a deep desire to hurt people... it's all about causing fear'. The NSC-131 promotes its activities widely on social media in an attempt to gain new recruits Founder of NSC-131 Christopher Hood appearing in court after a protest at a drag queen story time event last summer - he was later found not-guilty when a judge ruled the prosecutor had not provided enough evidence He said: 'The route into it for so many is they simply just want to hurt people and believing in conspiracy theories about a 'great replacement' for example, is just a convenient excuse to justify their desire to cause harm to people.' NSC-131 are just one of a growing number of white supremacist groups in the US and beyond - just last month, two neo-Nazi groups organized protests outside a synagogue in Georgia and Disneyland in Florida. And last year at least 50 different white supremacist groups flooded the country with record amounts of racist propaganda, including fliers, banners, graffiti and laser projections, according to watchdog the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The new NSC-131 complaint was filed on December 7 at Suffolk County Superior Court and seeks 'injunctive relief' and 'monetary awards' for damages and victims. It is unclear if Hood, McNeil and the neo-Nazi group have legal representation. DailyMail.com contacted NSC-131 for comment. The latest lawsuit alleges that between July 2022 and January 2023, the group 'repeatedly targeted' Drag Queen Story Hours, children's events which promote LGBTQ inclusivity, in Massachusetts. NSC-131 allegedly stormed the events and 'attacked members of the public; engaged in other threatening, intimidating and coercive behavior; and unlawfully interfered with access to event spaces in public libraries'. Photos from the suit show members attacking two people outside a library in December, shoving one against a wall and stomping on another when they fell to the floor. When NSC-131 members entered a drag queen story event on January 14, one of them 'raised his hand in the shape of a gun and made a shooting gesture in the direction of parents and the performer' At another library event in December 2022, NSC-131 members allegedly charged the library and attacked two people blocking the entrance They allegedly punched one person in the face and stomped on another who fell to the ground Reports at the time said attendees were left terrified, with one telling the Herald News: 'It was most unsettling thing Ive seen with my own eyes in a really long time.' Photos shared by NSC-131 of the 'protests' show around 20 people on the sidewalk dressed in black with masks covering their faces and a banner reading 'drag queens are pedophiles!' A drag queen that was targeted in Jamaica Plain last year, Patty Bourree, told GBH News after the event: 'There was fear - it was something I felt I needed to discreetly make a retreat from, being the object of their aggression.' A criminal lawsuit was brought against founder Christopher Hood following an altercation outside a story hour in Jamaica Plain last summer - but he was found not guilty when the judge ruled the prosecution had not provide enough evidence. Goldsmith says the new lawsuit remedies this, as it links all of the incidents together to provide 'context', showing that the individual events are a 'pattern of activity' from what he calls 'an organized criminal street gang'. His organization has investigated NSC-131 for years and compiled a 300-page dossier of evidence on their alleged illegal activity. He said: 'NSC-131 has throughout New England terrorized big cities like Boston and small towns throughout a bunch of different states - so for local law enforcement it feels like a one time incident, they don't have the context.' But the new lawsuit, filed on December 7, brings all of the incidents together, accusing the defendants of public nuisance, trespassing and civil conspiracy to seek 'injunctive relief, damages, civil penalties, costs and fees.' In September, uniformed NSC members marched onto hotel property - where migrants were staying in emergency shelter - and lined up in the driveway opposite the main entrance The Club members allegedly burned flares, displayed a banner that read 'Invaders Go Home,' and shouted slogans such as 'Refugees Go Home' As well as the story time incidents, the lawsuit alleges that on at least five occasions between October 2022 and October 2023, NSC-131 targeted hotels providing emergency shelter to recently arrived immigrants. It says the group organized 'violent protests', branding migrants 'invaders' and saying their arrival was part of a 'white replacement' plot. The complaint reads: 'During the incidents, NSC-131 members trespassed on hotel property and engaged in other unlawful conduct to intimidate and threaten employees and guests and interfere with the operation of the hotels.' Video from the incident shows the group holding an anti-immigrant banner, lighting flares and chanting xenophobic slurs. Goldsmith says that NSC-131 is just a 'local manifestation of an international movement across the Western world'. Since January 6 2021 - when Trump supporters and extremists stormed the Capitol - Goldsmith said larger national groups, like the Proud Boys, have shifted to a 'leaderless local model' which markets itself to local men. NSC-131 uses its New England roots to attract new members, marketing itself on social media with targeted adverts saying: 'We have an eventful year planned, now is the time to sign up and get active with your local Nationalist Social Club'. Goldsmith said the group also go in person to Trump rallies to find and draw-in older members. He said that the pandemic, the rise of Donald Trump and the 'interference of Russia' trying to sow dissent have all 'congealed into a toxic soup' of white supremacism. He said: 'During the Covid pandemic, people throughout the world found themselves in online spaces and immersed in disinformation and conspiracy theories.' Photos shared by the group on their Telegram channel show members making a Nazi salute at a 'Members Ceremony' The group also get together to burn LGBTQ flags and film themselves for promotional content The membership of NSC-131 is white, young to middle-aged men from the local area and its presence is growing, with some of the photos and videos shared by the group gaining thousands of views. In response to the lawsuit the group has put a call out for support and donations, telling followers: 'Those in power wish to restrain us with legal persecution, threats, and steep financial penalties.' They also promise that 'like all of the rest before her, [Attorney General Andrea Campbell] will be beaten and embarrassed in court and in the public forum.' But nonetheless, Goldsmith is hopeful. He said: 'I believe this lawsuit will be the end of Americas most open and hateful neo-Nazi group in the country. 'It shows we don't have to simply stand in shock and watch as these white supremacists prowl around the streets and act with impunity.' When Nikki Haley was governor of South Carolina she condemned Donald Trump's plan to ban Muslims from travelling to the United States. Then she took a job in his administration. Now she finds the former president and his huge poll lead standing between her and the Republican 2024 nomination, and she has reverted to her critical stance. Up to a point. 'Let me just say this, you know, anti-Trumpers, don't think I hate Trump enough,' she told CNN's Dana Bash last week. 'Pro-Trumpers, don't think I love Trump enough. What you see is what you get. I just call it like I see it and wouldnt it be nice if you werent gauged on whether you love or hate somebody, and instead where you think the country should go?' Nikki Haley said this week: 'Anti-Trumpers, don't think I hate Trump enough. Pro-Trumpers, don't think I love Trump enough.' It reflects the dilemma facing Republican candidates Trump and Haley in happier times. They are seen her conferring before a meeting during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2017 Her comments reflect the dilemma facing her and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as they campaign to unseat Trump as the likely 2024 Republican nominee: How do you score points against the former president without alienating his huge base of support? Haley has been on the move in recent weeks. The former United Nations ambassador has seen her poll numbers improve on the back of impressive debate performances. And a string of key endorsements last week it was the popular governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu has given her a momentum boost as the clock ticks towards the Iowa caucuses in 30 days time, and the first chance for Republicans to pick their preferred candidate. Yet it is her stance on Trump that frequently dominates headlines, much to her apparent irritation. 'The media loves to sit there and say, "But you're not hating them enough" or "Youre not loving him enough." Look, at the end of the day, I look at it policy by policy,' she said. 'I don't look at the personal side. I don't look at the political side. I look at what's going to get the country back on track.' The latest Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll showed her and DeSantis polling in the teens, but still far behind Trump. The former president is far ahead with the support of 51 percent of likely caucusgoers. Haley is in third place with 16 percent, three points behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A poll this week showed Haley beating Joe Biden by 17 points in a head-to-head election match-up. But she is still far behind Trump in the Republican primary race A string of endorsements and strong debate performances have seen Haley pick up steam She was one of the rare survivors of the Trump administration, leaving with her reputation intact. Trump accepted her resignation in October 2018 Her rise put her on the receiving end of attacks during the fourth Republican debate, as DeSantis sought to portray her as a creature of Wall Street and the establishment. But she managed to get in some attacks on Trump too, on the national debt and China. 'He would give them technology that would build up their military and hurt us,' she said on stage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 'He allowed the Chinese infiltration for them to buy up farmland, to put money in our universities, and to continue to do things that were harmful for America. 'We now have a spy base in Cuba and police stations and Trump didnt do anything about it.' She continued the theme in the week after the debate, and set out what has become a careful mantra of praising Trump's past work while warning about a potential second term. 'I think President Trump was the right president at the right time,' she said. 'I agree with a lot of his policies, but chaos follows him. Rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him. 'We can't afford four more years of chaos and survive it. It is all rather transparent to Trump and his supporters. As long ago as 2021, the former president called out her cake-and-eat-it-approach. 'Every time she criticizes me, she uncriticizes me about 15 minutes later, he told Vanity Fair. 'I guess she gets the base.' Donald Trump's campaign thinks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ruined his chances of a future in politics by 'tainting his name' during the 2024 presidential campaign. 'He did this to himself,' Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told DailyMail.com, referencing DeSantis' poll demise and his decision to turn on the ex-president on the campaign trail. DeSantis is trailing Trump for second place in the primary race by several dozen points with the ex-president leading the rest of the field with usually around half of the support from voters. So what would DeSantis do if he's not in politics after his gubernatorial term ends in Florida in 2024? Cheung says there are two options: 'Pizza delivery driver or Democrat surrogate for Joe Biden, since he's acting like one of them already.' Trump helped propel DeSantis to victory in his 2018 gubernatorial primary race and ultimately garnered him national prominence, which was only furthered when Florida became one of the leading states in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions. Former President Donald Trump's campaign claims that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ruined his chances of having a future in politics or public office because of his 'truly disgusting and abhorrent' behavior on the campaign trail Trump believes that DeSantis running for president against him is disloyal. An email from the campaign writes: 'At this rate, the entire DeSanctus name will be tainted from ever running for political office ever again' But Trump thinks it was 'disloyal' and 'traitorous' for DeSantis to run for president this year instead of waiting until he is no longer in the running. A campaign spokesperson for DeSantis dismissed the criticism when reached by DailyMail.com, and pointed to the fact that the ex-president has repeatedly refused to show up for a debate in the 2024 primary cycle so far. While the Florida governor was a Trump ally for years, the two have turned against each other in bitter displays from the campaign trail. Trump has dubbed his 2024 competitor 'DeSanctimonious' and DeSantis has slammed the ex-president for not keeping good on his 2016 campaign promises. DeSantis also claims that Trump is wrong to skip out on debating the rest of the GOP field, claiming no one is 'entitled' to the Republican presidential nomination. '[How] he's conducting himself on the campaign trail is truly disgusting and abhorrent, and the voters will never forget,' Cheung said of the Florida governor. In a statement on Tuesday, Cheung pointed to recent polling that show DeSantis in a 'downward spiral' with just five weeks until the Iowa caucuses kick off the Republican primary contest on January 15. 'Ron DeSanctimonious must have a real fixation for being embarrassed and disrespected for the entire world to see. He must really like it or he's just along for the ride,' Cheung wrote in the emailed statement. 'Either way, his epic flameout will be studied by political scholars for generations and will be a case study on how not to run a campaign.' Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung (pictured) told DailyMail.com that DeSantis could have a future as a 'pizza delivery driver or Democrat surrogate for Joe Biden, since he's acting like one of them already' Gov. DeSantis (pictured with wife Casey in Iowa on December 9) is in a distant second place to Trump in the 2024 Republican primary in nearly every poll DeSantis participated in a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday where he spoke with caucus-goers in the Hawkeye State in a bid to convince them to back him over Trump. But the latest Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll released on Monday shows Trump with a 32-point lead ahead of DeSantis, who came in second with 19 percent. At 51 percent support, Trump has a historic lead in Iowa this close to the caucuses. Cheung's reproving email called Ron a 'crying schoolchild' and said that latest polling in DeSantis' home state of Florida is an 'embarrassment'. 'At this rate, the entire DeSanctus name will be tainted from ever running for political office ever again,' he wrote. It was an iconic tree thought to be among the most photographed in the world - and when it was mysteriously chopped down it caused national outrage. But now the stump of the so-called Sycamore Gap tree has become an unlikely tourist attraction in its own right, MailOnline can reveal, with hundreds of people flocking to the site daily. The lone tree, which stood in Sycamore Gap, and featured in the 1991 movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves', was cut down in September and there were fears its loss would damage Northumberland's tourist industry. But it would appear the tragedy has sparked fresh interest in the area with comparable numbers arriving to see the stump as when the lone tree still stood. MailOnline visited to ask some arrivals why they had come. Graeme Philips, 62, walked to the gap with this partner Sally Williams to celebrate her 61st birthday. They had driven 220 miles up north from Rugby, Warwickshire, especially to visit the tree stump. The Sycamore Gap, in Northumberland, was mysteriously chopped down in September but the remains have become an unlikely tourist attraction Spaniard Carmen Zurbano, 60, and her Dutch partner Christoffel Klepper, 60, popped to see the world famous Sycamore Gap having read about it in the papers in Holland Nationwide Building Society call handler Sally said: 'We have come here specially for my birthday treat. 'It's been a bit of a pilgrimage, neither of us had been to see the tree when it was standing. 'Having seen the stump now, we just think it is really sad. READ MORE: Ex-lumberjack arrested on suspicion of cutting down Sycamore Gap tree faces no further action after being cleared by police Advertisement 'Whoever took a chainsaw to that has acted in a very selfish way.' HGV driver Graeme said: 'We knew about the tree before the vandalism, but it obviously became more famous after it was cut down by some idiot. 'They should chop his legs off, see how he feels,' joked Graeme, 'I don't know what goes through somebody's head to do such a thing. 'Sycamore Gap is still a beautiful site and we are glad we visited. We were in the area and we felt we should do.' Spaniard Carmen Zurbano, 60, and her Dutch partner Christoffel Klepper, 60, popped to see the world famous Sycamore Gap having read about it in the papers in Holland. Carmen said:'The tree getting cut down made international news and I read about it 'It is upsetting that it happened. It is incredible and something I don't understand.' Christoffel said:'This is a beautiful area and I hope the tree can grow back from what is left.' Judith Painter, 44, and her husband David, 45, had driven from Oldham to walk the stretch of the Roman wall to Sycamore Gap. The Sycamore tree stump is behind fencing and sightseers are asked to keep their distance Graeme Philips, 62, walked to the gap with this partner Sally Williams (right) to celebrate her 61st birthday, while twin brothers Alex and Andrzew Wilson, 41, (left) were also on their way to Sycamore Gap A bunch of flowers rests against the stump in memory of the Sycamore Gap tree with a tribute which reads: 'You shine out to everyone like a star' Hospital nurse Judith said: 'I came her as a young girl on a school trip and it had always been a lovely memory. It is heartbreaking to see what some idiot has done to such a beautiful tree. 'We've not touched the twigs that that have been left behind, but I saw one of two people taking them. I suppose they just want to keep them as a memory, I suppose they are doing no harm, they were not clambering on the stump or anything.' Taxi driver David said: 'I've never been before, but when Judith learned it had been cut down, she was quite upset. 'We decided to come and see what is left and it is still a lovely spot, thought tinged with a but of sadness now.' Twin brothers Alex and Andrzew Wilson, 41, were also on their way to Sycamore Gap. Alex, who lives local to the area, said: 'Everyone knows who has chopped it down, it is all over the internet. 'He's an angry man who has the means and the motive, everyone knows he has done it. He is bright enough to have done it and cover his tracks under darkness and he has got rid of the chainsaw.' Andrew was visiting his brother from Southport and had never been to Sycamore Gap before. 'I thought I would like to see the gap,' said Andrzew. 'The event itself, the chopping down of the tree, is now part of the history of the site. 'I'm guessing that is half the motivation for him cutting the tree down, he gives himself some kind of narcissistic legacy in the process.' The Sycamore Gap before it was cruelly chopped down. It was one of the world's most photographed trees An aerial view of the felled tree in September which caused national outrage and an outpouring of heartfelt tributes and memories Workers stand near a log as sections of the Sycamore Gap tree, that was felled by a vandal, are removed from the area Work begins to the remove the felled Sycamore Gap tree as a crane picks up some of the chopped up tree The National Trust has left a framed sign beside the fenced off stump which reads: 'This tree stump is still alive. If we leave it alone it might sprout new growth, please respect the barrier' The Sycamore tree stump is behind fencing and sightseers are asked to keep their distance. It is hoped that next Spring will see fresh growth from the 200 year old stump. The National Trust, who own the land, have stated on a sign:'This tree stump is still alive. If we leave it alone it might sprout new growth, please respect the barrier.' Workers have removed the vast trunk and branches of 50ft tree have been removed, but twigs - some with green buds on them - remain at the site and some sightseers are collecting them as keepsakes. In November, two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and bailed. A boy, 16, and a man aged in his 60s had previously been held, following the felling of the tree. Several residents in Spanish village of La Vinuela have been hit by inflated bills Ex-patriot Brits who were hit will huge water bills of up to 46,000 in Spain have been told by the local mayor: 'You can afford to pay' - despite the town hall admitting faulty meters were giving dodgy readings. One couple said they had 'penny-pinched' since the moment their children flew the nest in order to retire to their amazing hilltop location in southern Spain. The quantity surveyor and primary school teacher sacrificed for over a decade to stump up the 300,000 asking fee for the stunning three-bed villa near Malaga and the Costa del Sol. 'We immediately fell in love with La Vinuela and the lake, where the light changes constantly,' Howard Kilduff, 69, said. 'We have a 270 degree horizon of the landscape, with such silence and solitude - it stirs the soul.' But what Howard and his wife Jane, also 69, had not counted on was receiving a phone call from their bank in September telling them a water bill of 6,000 was going out of their account. Expat Lee Talbot (pictured), 63, from Canterbury, was stunned with a demand of 43,000 from the third trimester of 2022 - now standing at 53,000 after further bills were added Howard Kilduff, 69, and his wife Jane, also 69, receiving a phone call from their bank in September telling them a water bill of 6,000 was going out of their account Retired mechanical engineer and unofficial 'Vinuela water bills' spokesperson Paul Rouse (pictured right with his wife Jules) is adamant the bills are an error Now, all their plans to further renovate the finca they bought in 2018 and refurbish the kitchen have been put on hold. They are even facing the crippling possibility of their bank accounts and then homes being embargoed if they don't pay up. They are not alone. A truculent town hall has slammed around two dozen other residents - mostly Brits - with unfathomable water bills in the tens of thousands of euros, without warning and a year late. The village's mayor has, not unexpectedly for Spain, put on his tin hat and dug a deeper trench. Insisting there is nothing wrong with the council's billing system, he insisted the residents, mostly northern European expats, can 'afford to pay'. The dispute has seen clouds of resentment gather over the lush green hills of La Vinuela and its once-great reservoir, now little more than an alarming puddle after years of drought. Protests have been called, but incredibly, the case has not yet come to the boil. It soon will, as we discovered on a trip to the area this month. 'It saddens me that this has the potential to sour relationships in the village,' Howard added. The first many residents knew about the saga was when the bills, often five-figure direct debits, came out of their bank accounts. Thus the stage was set for a showdown between mayor, Jose Jiminez - affectionately known as 'Juani' - and the town's expat residents who occupy dozens of wonderful rural properties located around the lake. Another expat, Lee Talbot, 63, from Canterbury, was stunned with a demand of 43,000 from the third trimester of 2022 - now standing at 53,000 after further bills were added. Absolutely adamant he didn't use this water, he is refusing to pay and has turned off the mains supply to his six-bed property, and now ships in his own supply privately. 'Hardly cheap, but better than continually receiving water bills in the thousands from the town hall,' he said. As if to prove exactly how ridiculous the situation has become, he even received a bill of 3,600 last month - despite the valves being nailed completely shut. 'In total it works out at 1,500 a month in water usage - that's like having another mortgage!' Talbot is one of the few residents to make a formal legal complaint to the town hall, who duly took his water meter away for testing, only to return a few days later conceding there was a small error in the reading - and knocking 600 off the total. Howard Kilduff - a quantity surveyor - and his primary school teacher wife sacrificed for over a decade to stump up the 300,000 asking fee for the stunning three-bed villa near Malaga and the Costa del Sol. The bills mean they cannot continue with their renovation plans The dispute has seen clouds of resentment gather over the lush green hills of La Vinuela and its once-great reservoir, now little more than an alarming puddle 'Now pay up the rest,' is basically what they told me,' continues the property developer, who has an office in Marbella. 'It was like checkmate. But they never released the actual report into this investigation they claimed to have done,' he continued. 'We still don't know how they made their calculations. It's shocking.' This experience has deterred other victims from having their meters 'tested', fearing that it is just a means for the town hall to rubber stamp their bills. The reluctance of the town hall and the mayor to address the issue or even reassure its residents has slowly introduced 'a poison' into the community. This wouldn't be happening 'if it were the Spanish getting the bills', is the grumble that was first whispered, but is getting louder and louder. La Vinuela town hall has still not published its accounts for 2022 - as it is legally obliged to do - and it sat on the huge water bills for months before sending them out. This was apparently due to a 'technical glitch' in their computer systems, an excuse that has been greeted with scepticism. It also paves the way for a fresh round of exorbitant water bills to hit residents, like a green and verdant game of Russian roulette. And it has prompted some to wonder out loud if the town hall is deliberately passing on huge costs to 'los guiris' in order to shield the rest of the village. Jimenez infamously said in a newspaper interview that 'if the residents used the water, they must pay - and they can pay.' Yet the actual Spanish locals we spoke to this month were keen to impress that they got along very well with their foreign neighbours and that the community was actually well-integrated. But one woman's face hardened when asked if she sympathised with those hit with the bills. 'If they used that much water, they have to pay for it,' she said. Yet the conspiracy theories have been tampered by the knowledge that a handful of Spanish residents also count among the victims. La Vinuela town hall (pictured) has still not published its accounts for 2022 - as it is legally obliged to do - and it sat on the huge water bills for months before sending them out Local goat farmer Jose Antonio received an assurance from the mayor that he would resolve the issue. 'Then they hit me with a bill for 17,000 without warning. I only found out I'd been charged when I saw it in the bank. It is basic robbery.' He continued: 'In other villages, if a huge bill arrives they would ring the person and explain what is going on. They needed to warn us before sending out the bills.' Theories to get to the bottom of the matter abound, with the most prevalent being that air is entering the pipes and causing the meters to spin wildly and inflate the count. Retired mechanical engineer and unofficial 'Vinuela water bills' spokesperson Paul Rouse is adamant that this occurs when the water pumps are switched off and on again. But this was dismissed as a 'bad theory' at the town hall amid a finger-jabbing conversation when we were finally able to confront someone at the town hall. The mayor was 'on holiday' for most of the week. 'If that was the case, then all the properties in the same road would have the high bills,' the official - who demanded he was not named - pointed out. 'But it's not the case. You have houses next to each other with very different bills.' The town hall continues to insist that each case is different and it is just a coincidence with no common cause - despite the high bills all coming in the same quarter and being followed by two quarters of low bills. 'Such huge bills are almost impossible to justify,' the former expat mayor of neighbouring Alcaucin, Mario Blancke, said. 'Something has clearly gone wrong there.' The real estate boss, from Belgium, holds the distinction of being the only expat to become mayor in the region. 'La Vinuela used to get most of its water from a borehole in Alcaucin free of charge in exchange for paying the electricity bill on the pump and maintaining it,' he explained. However, Blancke added that the electricity costs each month came to 10,000 a month. In an ironic twist, it was a bill that Jiminez and the town hall ultimately found exorbitant themselves. In a series of back door deals that were never written down, according to the Belgian ex-mayor, the two town halls negotiated a new deal to just charge for the water going through the pipes from Alcaucin to La Vinuela. Pictured: The town of Vinuela in Malaga, Spain He also added that recent water bills include a 50% surcharge tax by the Junta which are going towards new sewage stations in the region. But it still does not explain the mystery of the shocking water bills. 'In Alcaucin we offered residents the option to have a second meter installed to give two readings, at a cost of 120.' Perhaps this is a simple measure that could help head off future problems in La Vinuela , but what is needed is a solution now. A family of farmers have described the military-style operation they had to launch to snare a depraved man who was having sex with their cows. Ian and Tracey Farwell suspected something underhand was going on in their cowshed late at night as the calves were regularly in a state of distress at morning feeding time. Over a six month period the couple found surgical gloves, a discarded cow rope and a pair of trousers scattered around their fourth generation farm in Burton, near Christchurch, Dorset. Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, they installed several CCTV cameras in the cowshed and devised a plan to catch the culprit. Liam Brown, pictured outside Poole Magistrate's Court, was caught on CCTV sexually molesting calves on Ian and Tracey Farwell's farm in Dorset Ian and Tracey Farwell, pictured, set up CCTV cameras to monitor their herd after the death rate among young calves had dramatically shot up On one evening, the family spotted an intruder having sex with one of their calves. When they switched on the barn lights, they saw Liam Brown, 25, with his trousers around his ankles. He said he had 'f***** up', when discovered. At just before midnight one summer evening last year, their son Ralph heard the sound of a calf in distress. He checked the CCTV on his mobile phone and saw a mysterious figure in the pen with the calves. This prompted four family members to quietly rush outside and surround the cowshed, blocking off every exit. They waited five minutes to give everyone time to find their spot, then one of them turned the lights on. To their horror they were greeted by the sight of a young man with his trousers down wiggling behind one of the calves. He immediately pulled his trousers up and tried to escape. He hurdled a fence but startled cows in the next door pen and was trampled by them. Brown, pictured outside Bournemouth Crown Court this week. He escaped a prison term after he was convicted of one count of sexual penetration with a living animal and a further charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal The Farwell family surrounded the warped intruder and they quickly realised it was Liam Brown, the son of their former farmhand, who they had known since he was five-years-old. The 25-year-old was sobbing on the floor and telling them 'sorry, I've f****d up'. This week Brown came face to face with Mr and Mrs Farwell again as he was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court for one charge of sexual penetration with a living animal and one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He avoided jail and was given a community order, banned from keeping livestock for 10 years and told to pay the farmers 600 compensation. The Farwells say his 'depravity' had put a huge emotional toll on them. Ian Farwell, 59, said: 'We started finding surgical gloves and clothing on the farm in January 2022 which wasn't ours. 'We contacted the police, but there was nothing they could do. 'As time went on we noticed more and more of our calves getting ill and we were trying to figure out why. Mr and Mrs Farwell, pictured outside Bournemouth Crown Court said they initially thought they had been doing something wrong because of the death rate among cows on their farm The family recovered discarded rubber gloves which had not been used on the farm 'We took them to the vets to see if they had germs and wondered if we were doing something wrong with them. 'Looking back, I think someone was going into the pens three or four times a week but did not know what they were doing. 'We came up with a plan where we would catch them in the act, it was the only way to stop it. 'That night, Ralph was outside and heard a distressed sound from a calf, so he checked the CCTV on his phone. 'He could see someone was in the cowshed so we gave each other five minutes to get into position and turned the lights on. 'When the lights went on, we saw this man behind a calf with his trousers down. It was obvious what he was doing. 'He jumped a fence and tried to leg it but some cows trampled him and we surrounded him. 'When we got closer we recognised it was Liam and he was crying and saying he'd f***d up. 'We called the police and waited with him. They did DNA samples and proved what he had done. Bournemouth Crown Court heard Brown's father had worked at the farm as a farmhand, and had been a regular visitor when he was younger The CCTV monitors were able to alert the family that there was an intruder on the premises 'I was told that when police reviewed the CCTV it was so shocking that some of the female officers cried. 'We knew Ian when he was five-years-old and he had been in our house, his dad worked for us. 'Because he knew the farm so well he knew the exits and could avoid getting caught. 'My wife and I have been farmers all our adult lives and throughout childhood. 'Our work is hard and the rewards are few, but the one thing that keeps us going is the privilege of working with and caring for our animals. 'The effect upon us, but particularly my wife Tracey, is catastrophic. 'We almost feel responsible for this outrage and it has had a severe effect on our health. Mr Farwell said 20 calves had died prematurely before Brown's arrest in June 2022 - compared to three in the 18 months since 'Tracey can barely enter the cowsheds without huge emotional strain.' Mr Farwell said 20 calves had died prematurely before Brown's arrest in June 2022 - compared to three in the 18 months since. But he said: 'We can't prove it 100 per cent it was because of him, they could have been ill. But since it stopped last year we have only had two or three die. It has cost us tens of thousands.' The court heard that Brown had no qualifications but was working with an agency and had been doing night shifts stacking shelves. Judge Keith Cutler sentenced him to a three-year community order with rehabilitation requirements and 150 hours of unpaid work. The Farwell family have run their cattle farm for 144 years and have about 400 cows. Tracey Farwell, 60, still checks the cattle pen every morning as, since Brown is not behind bars, she fears he might strike again. She said: 'You never think that somebody could be so depraved. 'It was my job to feed the calves. They would be fine when I left them at night and then I would find them ill in the morning and struggling to breathe. 'I thought they had pneumonia so I was trying to treat them for that but it was actually because he was strangling them with his belt. 'He took his belt off to tie the calf to the gate. 'He should have gone to prison.' Melania Trump's friendship with US Archivist Colleen Shogan led to her speaking at Friday's naturalization ceremony for new citizens, where she talked about her journey from her childhood in Slovenia to her time in the White House. Shogan personally invited the former First Lady to attend, a spokesperson for the National Archives said. During Trump's time in the White House, Shogan worked alongside her and her East Wing staff on numerous projects in Shogans roles with the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission and at the White House Historical Association. Ironically, Shogan's swearing-in ceremony as archivist was attended by Jill Biden. Shogan was appointed to the archivist position by President Joe Biden in the summer of 2022 - shortly after the FBI raided Donald Trumps home and seized thousands of pages of documents amid investigations into whether he took classified material from the White House after his presidency. Former First Lady Melania Trump stands alongside Judge Elizabeth Gunn (left) and Archivist of the US Colleen Shogan (right) as they pose for photographs with a newly-sworn in citizens following a Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives Melania Trump talks with Colleen Shogan when she was first lady in 2020 But there was no shop talk at Friday's ceremony where the former first lady described her journey from her childhood in Slovenia to a new life in the United States, along with the sense of pride she felt at becoming an American. 'The pathway to citizenship is arduous. I was born and raised in the picturesque country of Slovenia where my parents taught me the importance of strong work ethic and pursuing my dreams,' Melania Trump said. The values they instilled in me at an early age passion my modeling career and brought me to Paris and Milan. While working internationally, it's headed shares of trials and tribulations, it was not until I moved to New York City in 1996 that the system truly tested my determination. 'My life turned into organizing paperwork,' she said of her citizenship process. 'Patience and preservence became my constant companions,' she said. 'For me reaching the milestone marked the sunrise of certainty. At that exact moment, I forever discarded the layer of burden connected whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you have similar feelings of comfort right now.' She said becoming a citizen gave her 'a tremendous sense of pride and belonging.' Melania arrived in American from Slovenia in 1996 and became a U.S. citizen 10 years later. She is only the country's second foreign-born first lady. In her childhood, Melania's father Viktor was a Communist Party member under Yugoslav dictator Marshal Tito, and as Melania grew up the family lived in a string of modest apartments. A car parts salesman, Viktor drove a Mercedes, and by the time young Melania was 16 he had built the house in the small town of Sevnica population 4,500 as a weekend retreat for the family. The property is on the banks of the River Sava. Meanwhile, Melania's mother Amalija worked as an executive in a textile factory. She would come back from business trips to Milan and Paris with tales that would inspire her daughter to make her name in international fashion first as a designer before embarking on the modelling career that would lead to her meeting Donald Trump. Melania Knauss Trump - center bottom row - as a school girl in Slovenia in 2015 Melania Trump on Donald Trump's inauguration day - January 20, 2021 She started modeling in Europe and, in 1996, moved to New York City. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006 and then sponsored her parents to become American citizens. Melania, her parents and sister moved to an apartment in Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, when she was about 14, and she started at the city's Secondary School of Design and Photography. But her family retained their links with Sevnica, building their own white-painted house with a balcony and staying there at weekends. Her parents, who have lived in New York in recent years, still own the house and return once or twice a year. It even has a US-style mailbox. Melania was 16 when she was spotted by fashion photographer Stane Jerko in Ljubljana and he invited her to pose for him. He said: 'I saw this tall girl with long hair and long legs so immediately introduced myself. She was a little self-conscious when I first photographed her, but she learned very quickly and relaxed.' After modeling in Western Europe, she moved to New York in 1996. Two years later she met then-real estate mogul Donald Trump at a party. The two became engaged in 2004 and married the next year in Palm Beach, Florida. In 2006 she had their son Barron. She also became a US citizen and then later sponsored her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, in a process known as chain-migration. Friday's naturalization event comes nearly two years after the National Archives and Record Administration asked the Justice Department to investigate Donald Trump's handling of documents from his tenure in the White House. The probe led to an indictment of the former president who has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges. The trial in this case is expected to start in Florida in May. Donald Trump has pledged a widespread expansion of hardline immigration policies if elected again in 2024 that would restrict both legal and illegal immigration. During the Trump administration, Melania did not appear to be involved in immigration issues - particularly after her controversial visit to a migrant detention center on the southern border in 2018 when she wore her now-infamous 'I really don't care, do u?' jacket. Melania Trump was born in Slovenia in 1970 and came to the U.S. in 1996 Melania Trump made a rare appearance last month at the funeral for Rossalyn Carter, joining former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton As first lady, Melania Trump visited migrant detention center on the southern border in 2018 where she wore her now-infamous 'I really don't care, do u?' jacket Melania Trump has largely avoided the public eye since leaving Washington in January 2021. She has been seen in social media posts from guests visiting the Trump clubs at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida; and in Bedminster, New Jersey. She made a rare appearance last month at the funeral for Rossalyn Carter, joining former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton. Notably, Melania Trump hasn't been by Donald Trump's side as he fights his many legal battles in New York, Georgia, and federal courts. And while Melania Trump has said she supports her husband's bid for a second term in the White House, but she hasn't appeared at one of his campaign events in more than a year - not since he announced his 2024 bid at Mar-a-Lago on November 15th, 2022. In September, Donald Trump suggested his wife would soon join him on the trail. Trump suggested his wife might join him on the campaign trail in the near future. 'When it's appropriate, but pretty soon,' he said on NBC's Meet the Press. 'She's a private person, a great person, a very confident person and she loves our country very much. And honestly, I like to keep her away from it. It's so nasty and so mean.' Scotlands King of Fish has been officially classified as an endangered species, prompting calls for urgent action to save it. An internationally recognised conservation body last week added the Atlantic salmon to its red list of species at risk of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned that numbers are in steep decline and set to fall yet further. It raises the prospect that Scotlands great angling rivers could one day be empty of the leaping salmon for which they are world famous. The IUCN reclassified Atlantic salmon as endangered alongside the Siberian tiger, the blue whale, the Komodo dragon and the mountain gorilla after a major study. It is predicted the population in Scottish rivers will have fallen by 63 per cent between 2010 and 2025. Will Darwall, lead researcher on the salmon study, said: Things are looking really bad for salmon. When I was young you used to be able to go down to the river and see them jumping, but you would be lucky to see that now. Scottish Salmon has been officially classified as an endangered species in a move that has prompted calls for urgent action to save it. The Komodo dragon is also on the endangered list An endangered high mountain gorilla eating in the forest If nothing changes and we keep going in this direction, then the salmon is heading for extinction. We hope the decline can be reduced. Salmon hatch in freshwater streams then make their way to the ocean as adults, before finally returning to their birthplace to reproduce. Their journeys can be thousands of miles long. Researchers found Atlantic salmon populations fell by 23 per cent between 2006 and 2020, with the species categorised as near threatened globally. However, the situation here is far more concerning and this led to the Atlantic salmon being reclassified as endangered in British waters. Mr Darwall said: We know what is going on in rivers the salmon is being impacted by issues such as blockages, loss of habitat and pollution. Fewer fish that go to sea are coming back to their rivers and its not clear exactly why. Some theories include climate change altering ocean currents and moving their feeding grounds. Farmed salmon can also damage the wild variety if they escape or infect them with sea lice. Traditional threats to wild salmon such as overfishing are also a concern. But Mr Darwall said most rivers have a policy of putting salmon back, although some fishing boats could take them as bycatch. Angling organisations have already reported a fall in numbers and salmon are said to have become extinct on the River Balgy in Wester Ross as long ago as 2016. Peter Pollard of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which manages the risk to wild salmon, said: Sepa plays a key role in working to remove barriers to salmon migration in rivers. From 2024 well go further, with protection zones and powers to manage interaction between wild salmon and sea lice from fish farms. The SNP is getting ready to unveil a Budget that Shona Robison, the Finance Secretary and Deputy First Minister, has already said will require tough choices. Its now painfully clear what the Nationalists mean by that namely, that they intend to punish hard-working Scottish households even more than is the case just now. It is widely reported that Humza Yousaf will try to plug the big black hole in the SNPs public finances by introducing another tax band. If true, this will hit middle and higher-earning workers really hard. That wouldnt just be disastrous for Scottish taxpayers who are already the hardest-hit in the UK it would also be a sure way of discouraging people from wanting to live, work and invest here. Widening the tax gap which could mean Scottish-based workers paying thousands more than someone on the same salary elsewhere in the UK will drive away exactly the kind of workers that are crucial for Scotlands future economic growth and the delivery of more efficient public services. Doctors, dentists and entrepreneurs exactly the people we need to attract, but who are not currently moving to Scotland will all have an even greater incentive to relocate elsewhere if these tax increases go ahead. This further increase in the tax burden will lead to behavioural change. That is even a concern shared by some in the SNP, who are very aware of the damage that this is likely to wreak on the economy. Finance Secretary Shona Robison is keen to blame Westminster for 16 years of failure by her party Liz Smith, Scottish Tory Finance spokesperson They know only too well that the analysis undertaken by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute shows that the money raised by this additional tax burden would be a drop in the ocean compared with the scale of the budget shortfall. Despite all this, and some dissent within its own ranks, the SNP has decided to opt for disincentives rather than accept the importance of promoting growth, which is the number one ask of business and industry. There could be no clearer sign that the SNPs rhetoric about a reset relationship with business, much-touted immediately after Humza Yousaf was installed as First Minister, was hogwash. There were already strong indications of that last year, when the Scottish Government failed to pass on the significant sums provided by Westminster to enable them to match the business rates relief offered in other parts of the UK. As a result, Scottish firms particularly those in the struggling leisure, hospitality and tourist sectors have been operating at a disadvantage. Instead of taking steps to correct that, the SNP introduced (or attempted to introduce) a whole raft of regulations and costs from the alcohol advertising ban to the disastrous short-term lets legislation to make the lives of businesses even more difficult. It is therefore essential that, in this Budget, the Barnett Consequentials from business rates relief in the rest of the UK are passed on to Scottish business. This short-sighted hostility towards business, which is compounded by the SNPs alliance with the openly anti-growth Greens, is at the root of the problem. The 1 billion black hole in our public finances that Shona Robison had to admit to earlier this year, and to which another 500 million appears to have been added, is largely as a result of the SNPs dismal record on growth over a long period of time. Since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister in 2014, Scotlands GDP growth has been around half that of the UK as a whole, starving the economy of billions of pounds. Rhetoric about a reset relationship with business was hogwash It is that persistent failure to stimulate economic growth which lies beneath so many of our problems the lack of money for local government frontline services, for education, policing and transport, and for crucial infrastructure projects, including the SNPs long-standing promise to dual the A9, which remains undelivered. Then there are other self-inflicted wounds. Nothing has been done to improve efficiency or make savings and reforms in the public sector something the Scottish parliaments own finance committee has called for, along with Audit Scotland. It seems that the Scottish Government just will not accept the necessity for reform. But another component of the current financial mess was Humza Yousafs last-minute U-turn on council tax two months ago. Without any consultation with Cosla, or even with his own Cabinet, he announced a freeze without explaining where the money would come from. That may be exactly the kind of irresponsible approach to government that characterises the Nationalists but it will have devastating impacts for the long-term sustainability of council services. Instead of accepting that the decisions they have taken come with a hefty price tag, the SNP always lays all of the blame at the door of Westminster, austerity or the Tories. All responsibility for failure despite the fact that most powers are devolved and the SNP has been in government for more than a decade and a half can be disowned. And the answer to everything, naturally, is independence. Over the same period that the SNP has been in government, the UK Government has supplied the largest block grants in history. This year that stood at 42 billion, even before Barnett Consequential payments from the Budget added 320 million, and the Autumn Statement resulted in another 545 million. Millions of pounds have been needlessly squandered over the years Much of the enormous shortfall in the Finance Secretarys arithmetic could have been made up by money that the SNP has needlessly squandered over the years. The millions spent on the ferries fiasco, botched nationalisations and failed business deals such as BiFab and the Lochaber smelter, plus a string of doomed and pointless court cases, would have come in handy next week. But its too late for that. It seems certain that we are in for further savage cuts to Scotlands infrastructure and public services, many of them affecting local government, which provides so many public services on which we depend. Little wonder that a report last week warned that a quarter of Scotlands local authorities are in danger of bankruptcy. During any Budget process, the opposition parties have a duty to spell out what they would do differently and how they would reallocate spending. The Scottish Conservatives will do that and we will begin by repeating our demands that the SNP scraps its highly contentious and very expensive proposals for a National Care Service. No fewer than four Holyrood committees have expressed concerns about this proposed legislation, the price tag for which now seems to be close to double the original estimate of 1.26 billion. No one least of all Shona Robison is going to be able to fix overnight the abysmal mess that the SNP has made of Scotlands finances, or instantly undo the damage that it has inflicted over 16 years in power. But there are substantial savings that would make a start. The chief priority must be to encourage growth, productivity and enterprise. We must back Scottish businesses, support local government, and prevent an even greater tax differential between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Sadly, all the indications are that the SNP is preparing to introduce measures that will do exactly the opposite. She was Britains loneliest sheep, stranded all by herself on a rocky beach for more than two years. But now Fiona the ewe whose plight touched the hearts of the nation has been reunited with the woman who was instrumental in getting her rescued from a life of solitude. Jill Turner was sea-kayaking in the Cromarty Firth in 2021 when she spotted the sheep trapped at the foot of cliffs. When she returned to the same spot in October this year and saw the animal was still there, she raised the alarm prompting a daring rescue mission. Last month, after Fiona was winched 800ft to safety by a team of animal lovers, her lonely ordeal was over and she was rehomed with other animals at Dalscone Farm, near Dumfries. And last week Ms Turner visited Fiona for a heartwarming reunion. As though saying thank ewe, the sheep nuzzled Ms Turners hands as the kayaker knelt beside her. In her comfy and more sociable new home, Fiona seems to give a thank-you nuzzle to Ms Turner Jill first raised concerns about the plight of Fiona when she kayaked past on two consecutive years Fiona spent more than two years in solitude at the bottom of a cliff Ben Best, of Dalscone Farm, said: It was really nice to see them together. It was lovely for the story to come full circle. The country was captivated when Ms Turner shared a picture of Fiona looking extremely shaggy. As revealed in The Scottish Mail on Sunday last month, Fiona was saved from her solitary existence on the beach in Easter Ross by a five-strong daredevil rescue team led by Ayrshire farmer Cammy Wilson, who abseiled down to the beach. After finding Fiona in a cave, the rescuers were able to winch her up. The team named her after a character from the animated film Shrek a princess called Fiona. Since leaving her beach she has been enjoying life with new friends at Dalscone Farm, cared for by Mr Best and his team. Ms Turner hailed the rescue as brilliant news and contacted the farm after hearing where Fiona was being looked after. Mr Best said: Jill got in touch to see how Fiona was getting on and introduce herself as the person that first saw her and raised the alarm, bringing the worlds attention to her. I invited her to come down and she did, which was really nice, and gave her some closure too. He said Fiona has only been used to the male farmers around her but took to Ms Turner after a few minutes and even ate out of her hand. Mr Best said Fiona has settled in at the farm, adding: She just chews her cud and has her wee bed of straw she likes to lie in. Shes loving life. If there is one child in Britain who needs a Christmas miracle, it's three-year-old Ralph Tatham. Diagnosed with an ultra-rare but potentially curable form of liver cancer, his parents Katie and Graham have just days to raise 1 million to fly him to America for a triple transplant operation. Surgeons at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital are backing the couple's desperate bid to save their son, saying that Ralph who has been top of this country's liver, bowel and pancreas transplant list since May could die if he waits any longer for the organs to become available in the UK. Today the chemotherapy holding his cancer at bay is failing with every round and his tumour markers are rising fast. Katie and Graham, both 35, now have no option but to beg for public help to fund treatment in the US where there's a much bigger pool of organ donors. Ralph Tatham, 3 pictured with mum Katie, 35. They live at Chingford in East London Ralph could die if he waits any longer for the organs to become available in the UK Surgeons at London 's Great Ormond Street Hospital are backing the couple's desperate bid to save their son If they succeed, Ralph stands every chance of being well enough to return to their home in North London in the New Year. If they succeed, Ralph stands every chance of being well enough to return to their home in North London in the New Year. 'With this operation, by next Christmas he could be starring in his school Nativity play,' said Katie. 'We have been waiting since May but no organs have come up and we do not have much time left. 'Ralph can't afford to wait another six months. If we're going to go to America, we have to go now while there's still time. If the cancer spreads then it'll be too late. 'Going public is not a decision we have taken lightly but it looks like the only way to save Ralph's life. Our doctors have said to us, 'if you can go to America, then you should' because there's a much higher chance of receiving donated organs there. We're talking days rather than months or years. 'At the outset we were optimistic the operation could be done here in the UK. It would be performed by the NHS and Ralph is a priority case. He has been since May. It's just the pool of donors is so small here. The wait has been excruciating, and as the days have turned into weeks and the weeks into months, our hope fades. 'I will do anything to save my son what mother wouldn't? I cannot let him die. If that means asking people, charities, companies, to help me save Ralph, then I'll do it. We have to fundraise now. If we start in a couple of months it'll be too late. 'So we need 1 million before Christmas, certainly in January. It's the price of my son's life.' Diagnosed with an ultra-rare but potentially curable form of liver cancer , his parents Katie and Graham have just days to raise 1 million to fly him to America for a triple transplant operation Heartbreakingly, it was last Christmas when Ralph fell ill Heartbreakingly, it was last Christmas when Ralph fell ill. Katie, an accountant, and Graham, who works in life sciences, thought their under-the-weather toddler had picked up a winter bug at nursery. But by January he had still not shaken it off and was complaining about a sore and swollen tummy. After repeated trips to the GP and a failed course of antibiotics, he was referred to their local hospital for a scan. It was only meant to be a precautionary measure, but medics discovered tumours on his liver. Further tests diagnosed heptoblastoma, a rare cancer which affects just two out of every million children in the UK annually. 'I don't think any of us believed anything was wrong. Who thinks a sore tummy in a three-year-old is cancer?' asks Katie. 'I get post-traumatic stress disorder thinking back to that moment when he was diagnosed nobody suspected anything sinister at all. 'Ralph is just a little boy who loves spaghetti bolognese, his Hot Wheels cars and going to the beach in Cornwall to watch his Daddy try to surf. I had a great pregnancy with him, he had three years of good health and then this. It's cruel beyond belief. 'Now he thinks that having a Hickman line [a tube in the chest joined to a major blood vessel] is normal. He thinks that having your bloods taken twice a week is normal. And he thinks spending so much time in hospital is normal. 'When he's well enough, he comes home and it's a joy, because that is actually normal. And that's all we want. Ralph is a funny, sunny, kind little boy with blond hair and a gorgeous giggle. 'I often think back to when he was born, holding him in my arms and thinking I'll never love anything as much as this. How could I have known he was going to go through this horrible diagnosis, this treatment and the worst is yet to come.' Initially it was hoped that Graham could donate part of his liver to his son, as he was a match. Before that however, another liver became available from someone who'd died. 'With this operation, by next Christmas he could be starring in his school Nativity play,' said Katie Ralph was taken into the operating theatre, but when surgeons opened him up they discovered the cancer had spread into the veins which supply his liver. It was a localised spread, but it meant he could not survive with a liver transplant alone. 'That was our second devastating blow,' said Katie. 'The thought of him having to undergo a liver transplant was horrendous, but we knew it had to happen. Then to be told Graham couldn't donate, and that Ralph had to have a multi-organ transplant, it was almost unbearable. We knew the odds of being given all three organs were much slimmer. 'His chemotherapy continued, but each round isn't holding his cancer back for as long as it used to. He hasn't got many more rounds left. 'There are other sorts of chemotherapy Ralph's medical team can try but there's no guarantee another one will work, and he is reaching his maximum levels of toxicity. Small children are resilient, but it's getting harder every time.' Despite their anguish, the couple have spearheaded an NHS drive to increase rates of organ donation, using Ralph's story on television, in cinemas and on social media to highlight the plight of the 230 children in the UK currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The nationwide campaign is called Waiting To Live, but it has not been enough to save their own son yet. Katie and Graham met as undergraduates at Cambridge University when they were just 19 and always hoped to become parents. 'I wanted to be a mum more than anything, so having Ralph was something I never took for granted,' said Katie. 'He was so precious when he was born we felt like a lovely little family.' By the time of his diagnosis, Katie was already pregnant with Ralph's brother Albie, putting her under a huge amount of physical and mental stress when she was at her most vulnerable. She remembers spending nights in bed comforting Ralph, or sitting with him in intensive care, while cradling her growing bump. 'Albie is five months old now and he's as much a blessing as Ralph, albeit one which came at the wrong time. 'Because of Ralph's illness he has not had the childhood he deserves, the attention he needs. We try our hardest but the past few months have not been the best.' Surgery could change that in a matter of hours. The triple organ transplant sounds dangerous and complex but is considered a routine operation in America. It is performed at a number of hospitals in the States, including medical centres in California, Boston, Miami and Nebraska. Katie and Graham hope they will somehow be able to raise 1 million in the coming days and take their boy for treatment. When they get home with him they plan to continue their efforts to promote organ donation, in which the UK lags behind many other countries. 'It's not a subject people really want to talk about, especially not when it concerns children,' said Katie. 'We need to change that, not just for Ralph but for all families because you never know when this could happen to you.' Ralph Tatham, 3 with brother Albie, age 5 months. He needs a multi organ transplant to save him from an incredibly rare liver cancer called heptoblastoma - that has spread around his body. It only affects 2 in a million children She is clear the 1 million target is simply to cover Ralph's medical bills, and it won't pay for them in full, nor cover their transport and living costs in America. The family are privately funding all they can. 'We have to try to go. I don't want to jinx things, but the outcomes for this operation are very good. I have spoken to other mums whose children have had this surgery and they are doing well. They're back at school and the biggest thing they have to worry about is their homework. That's how it should be for Ralph, who has a very real prospect of a complete cure. 'His cancer could start to spread any day, and then it will be too late. We have an amazing team of doctors here in the UK who have supported us this far but we are running out of time. Ralph has been so brave, waiting for his transplant through 11 rounds of chemotherapy. He's been sick and exhausted but he has bounced back. 'He needs and deserves this it's his last chance. We will do everything in our power to make it happen. So my plea, as a mum, as Ralph's mum, is this: help us to save him before Christmas.' A spokesman for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children said: 'Ralph is a brave little boy whose parents want to do everything they can to give him the best chance to get the multi-organ transplant he desperately needs. Despite the incredibly generous gift by many donors there are still not enough organs to meet the needs of patients waiting for transplants. 'Our team will continue to work with NHS partners to support Ralph and his family as they explore all possible options.' To donate to Ralph's cause visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ralphs-campaignlifesaving-transplant-for-cancer?utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer As the acclaimed Royal biopic The Crown moved towards its denouement last week, the directors opted for a nightmarish unless your name is Peter Mandelson or Alastair Campbell finale. A bemused Queen Elizabeth is pictured walking unrecognised through the streets of London as her former subjects joyously celebrate her enforced abdication, and prepare for the upcoming coronation of King Tony Blair. The camera cuts and we see a stony-faced Prince Charles gritting his teeth as our all powerful New Labour monarch rises from his throne, while the choir of Westminster Abbey regales him with a heavenly verse of Things Can Only Get Better. The whole thing proves to be nothing more than a feverish dream. But if those Tory MPs intent on unseating Rishi Sunak and destroying his Rwanda plan get their way, it may provide a prescient foresight into Britain's political future. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister saw off his rebels and secured a second reading for his Safety of Rwanda Bill. In the Netflix show The Crown, a bemused Queen Elizabeth is pictured walking unrecognised through the streets of London as her former subjects joyously celebrate her enforced abdication, and prepare for the upcoming coronation of King Tony Blair (Pictured) The choir of Westminster Abbey regales him with a heavenly verse of Things Can Only Get Better as the powerful New Labour monarch rises from his throne in the Netflix series The Crown According to the Electoral Calculus website, Sir Keir Starmer and his party are on course for a majority of 268 seats Yet it will provide only temporary respite. As the consigliere of one of the 'Five Families' the Cosa Nostran nickname given to the numerous groups of backbench Tory rebels explained to me: 'We had 30 people abstain on Tuesday, and another 15 to 20 who agreed reluctantly to support the Bill so we could try to make changes in committee. 'We'll wait to see what No10 offer us in the New Year. But if they don't come up with anything significant, we've got enough votes to kill it.' To No10 and their allies, this is the cry of a bunch of crazed ideologues. 'They are not actually interested in stopping the cross-Channel boats, or getting a working immigration system in place,' one Minister complained. 'They're too far gone. They hate the EU, they hate the courts, and they just want a fight to the death.' A number of the rebels would not entirely disagree with that view. To them, the Rwanda battle is as much as one of principle as it is of political practicality. They believe the primacy and sovereignty of the House of Commons is at stake. In their eyes, the will of MPs is being defied by a motley cabal of unelected peers, liberal judges and meddling Eurocrats. Episode six opens with the Queen having a dream about Tony Blair being crowned King at Westminster Abbey with his wife Cherie The late Queen elizabeth II walking along Downing Street with Prime Minister Tony Blair after a service at Westminster Abbey commemorating her golden wedding anniversary As leading rebel MP Sir John Hayes intoned: 'The real divide is between those people, very largely on the Opposition benches, who believe that international law trumps the supremacy of this place, and those who believe that the reason the Commons is supreme is that our legitimacy is derived from the people.' But Sir John and his colleagues should be careful what they wish for. Because as The Crown writers have graphically if hyperbolically demonstrated, a country in which politicians assume absolute power is not necessarily one in which the people are well represented. Or safe. Consider, for example, the mess the Prime Minister and the Tories have already got themselves into with the Rwanda Bill. Initially, Sunak was clear. He would not, he pledged, allow 'foreign courts' to interfere in the removal of migrants from Britain. But the legislation given preliminary approval by the Commons last week specifically allows the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to retain jurisdiction. What's more, it does so as Sunak and his Ministers have asserted because the Rwandan government insisted that international legal protection be retained. So this is what 'parliamentary sovereignty' looks like in practice. The British Government formally reasserting the right of the ECHR to retain influence over UK legislation because a foreign state demanded it. Tory rebels have vowed to overturn this ridiculous contradiction. But to replace it with what? They hold that the sole arbiters of our rights as individual citizens should be themselves. The Lords should be shunted aside. The courts domestic and international neutered. The ultimate guarantors of our liberty should be a group of legislators currently luxuriating in self-descriptive comparisons with the Mafia. Thanks, but no thanks. Not a week seems to pass without another politician being subject to a recall-ballot for some form of impropriety. Bullying. Sexual misconduct. Perverting the course of justice. Fake expenses claims. There now appears to be a daily cavalcade of abuse and corruption parading through Westminster. And yet those leading it are the same people we are seriously supposed to look to safeguard our most basic rights? In Britain's uncodified constitution, the House of Commons has a vital role in providing necessary checks and balances. But it is not, and cannot, be the sole regulator. Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in conversation At the moment, Tory MPs are doing a pretty good job in ensuring Sir Keir Starmer is elected Britain's next Prime Minister The Rwanda rebels are currently revelling in holding Rishi Sunak's floundering executive to account. But time is running out for them. Next year, there will be a General Election. And the predicted outcome is not in dispute. According to the Electoral Calculus website, Sir Keir Starmer and his party are on course for a majority of 268 seats. What sort of checks and balances do recalcitrant Tory MPs think they would be in a position to provide then? Maybe they don't think they'd need to. They may place absolute faith in Sir Keir and his colleagues. Perhaps they feel that such an unassailable majority would automatically bestow great wisdom and statesmanship. Well, I don't share their confidence. Not because I believe Starmer and his Shadow Ministers are closet Marxists, or reckless adventurers. The stifling caution that has characterised their advance on Downing Street would not be discarded with a dramatic cry of 'Fooled you suckers! We are the masters now!!!' But I still remember the night of Thursday, June 8, 2017, when Jeremy Corbyn came within 2,227 votes (based on analysis of marginal seats) of being able to form a coalition government. How many checks and balances would we have enjoyed amid that coalition of chaos? Starmer is no Left-wing radical. But that doesn't mean he would necessarily be immune to temptation. A majority anywhere close to the size currently predicted would see him under intense pressure to march off stridently to the Left. Property rights. Protection from retrospective wealth redistribution. Press freedom. Protected spaces for biological women. How many of these rights, and others, could be guaranteed in a scenario where parliamentary supremacy is gifted to a political party of any persuasion that enjoys such a potentially unassailable majority? We all know the answer. I had a close-up view of the 1997 Labour government. I remember well its promise that 'things can only get better The Labour Party's past and present leaders Sir Keir Starmer (Pictured Left) and Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair (Right) I had a close-up view of the 1997 Labour government. I remember well its promise that 'things can only get better'. And then watching as a Commons super-majority of 160 was deployed to send British troops to the deserts of Iraq, signing the death warrant of 179 of them, along with 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians. Yes, the peers, judges and the eurocrats remain maddeningly obstructive. The barriers they place in the way of the will of the people presents its own constitutional issues. We do, indeed, need to find a way to stop the boats. But stripping away all of our other legal and legislative protections, and replacing them with what amounts to an elected dictatorship is not the answer. And in a desire to hand illegal migrants a one-way plane ticket to Kigali, we are now in danger of doing the same with our most basic freedoms and protections. At the moment, Tory MPs are doing a pretty good job in ensuring Sir Keir Starmer is elected Britain's next Prime Minister. If they're not careful, they risk guaranteeing his coronation to a much more powerful post. Pressure was last night mounting on the BBC over Gary Lineker's political bias after Tory MPs called for him to be gagged during the forthcoming General Election. Amid growing anger in Downing Street and rifts within the BBC itself over the Match Of The Day presenter's partisan opinions, some MPs argued that the Corporation risked breaching election law if it continued to allow its highest-paid star to publicly criticise Government policy and mock candidates in the run up to polling day. Last week Mr Lineker suggested to his 8.9 million followers on X/Twitter that Tory MP Jonathan Gullis could not read and that Lee Anderson, the party's deputy chairman, would need to take a job with Walkers Crisps after the election. He also mocked Defence Secretary Grant Shapps for having once used a pseudonym to run his business and has repeatedly criticised the Government's plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda. Samir Shah, the incoming BBC chairman, admitted to a cross-party group of MPs that the broadcaster's guidelines appeared to have been breached by Mr Lineker and could have to be rewritten. The Match Of The Day presenter's political comments have triggered anger in Downing Street and among Conservative MPs Posts by Gary Lineker online about Defence Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to breach BBC guidelines, incoming corporation chairman Samir Shah told a cross-party group of MPs Mr Lineker had mocked the Defence Secretary for having once used a pseudonym to run his business Under BBC social media guidance updated in September, 'flagship programme presenters' are advised not to 'attack a political party' or 'criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK'. They are also told not to comment 'on any issue that is a matter of political debate during the election period for UK general elections'. Last night, Mr Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, told The Mail on Sunday: 'The incoming BBC chairman thinks that Gary Lineker has breached the social media guidelines. 'The BBC must be willing to take him off air for the next General Election.' Tory colleague Tom Hunt agreed, saying: 'Gary Lineker should have been shown the red card by the BBC months ago.' Ipswich MP Mr Hunt added: 'His position as a publicly funded presenter has clearly become untenable and he should have been sacked long ago. 'The feebleness of the BBC leadership over this issue will further erode support for the licence fee.' And Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford said: 'At the very least, Gary Lineker should undertake not to tweet his opinions for the duration of the General Election campaign. Failing that, the BBC should itself impose a strict social media ban on the presenter for that period.' It was reported yesterday that BBC colleagues of the presenter, who is paid 1.35 million for the Premier League highlights show, were becoming increasingly irritated by his behaviour. One was quoted as saying: 'People are sick of it. He doesn't care that the BBC has more important things to deal with. Personal brands count for so much more now.' It was also claimed that his outbursts risked damaging the BBC's standing with MPs at a time when it had been handed a lower-than-expected licence fee rise which will leave a 90 million hole in its budgets. Another BBC employee said: 'He is tweaking the tail all the time. People are frustrated and feel as if they have been through it all before. They are saying that it makes us look daft when everyone else is obeying the rules. 'The BBC has so many more important things to do. 'It doesn't need this at a time when the licence fee is much less than it thought and it needs to get out there and argue its case. 'It's a complete distraction.' The BBC has declined to comment on 'individuals or indeed individual tweets'. But a spokesman added: 'While the guidance does allow people to talk about issues that matter to them, it is also clear that individuals should be civil and not call into question anyone's character.' Under review is whether the BBC breached the Freedom of Information Act The BBC could face a criminal probe over claims it concealed damning documents linked to Martin Bashir's controversial interview with Princess Diana. In an extraordinary intervention, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) last night said its criminal investigations team is reviewing a complaint that the BBC breached the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). If the Corporation is successfully prosecuted, it would be facing an unlimited fine. The development comes a week after The Mail on Sunday revealed a judge has ordered the BBC to hand over a cache of thousands of emails which could unveil an ongoing cover-up of what executives knew about the deception Bashir used to secure his 1995 Panorama interview. The ICO's statement is yet another blow to the BBC's hopes of drawing a line under its biggest scandal. The BBC could face a criminal probe over claims it concealed damning documents linked to Martin Bashir 's controversial interview with Princess Diana The Information Commissioner's Office last night said its criminal investigations team is reviewing a complaint that the BBC breached the Freedom of Information Act In October 2020, following a Freedom of Information request, the BBC sent journalist Andy Webb a 67-page dossier which detailed its internal investigation into Bashir's methods Bashir obtained his landmark expose in which Diana famously said 'there were three of us in this marriage', referring to Charles's then-mistress Camilla by spinning an elaborate web of deceit. He lied that Prince William's watch had been bugged to record her conversations and then had bank statements faked to draw the vulnerable Princess into his trust. In October 2020, following a Freedom of Information request, the BBC sent journalist Andy Webb a 67-page dossier of memos and minutes from 1995 and 1996 which detailed its internal investigation into Bashir's methods. The broadcaster, however, withheld a string of incriminating documents because it said Bashir was 'seriously unwell' and it was unable to 'discuss this matter with him'. But emails later emerged from bosses at the time being in regular contact with their former reporter. And while the BBC withheld damning documents from Mr Webb, it did make public a memo that made a false and highly defamatory claim that Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, colluded with Bashir. The allegation has been emphatically denied by the Earl. In a complaint to the ICO, Mr Webb claimed the BBC had breached Section 77 the FOIA, which makes it a criminal offence if an individual 'alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or conceals' information to stop it being disclosed by a public authority. And in a major blow to the BBC, the ICO last night confirmed it was examining Mr Webb's objection. Ex-ITN boss Professor Stewart Purvis, formerly of Ofcom, said: 'It's most unusual possibly unprecedented for the BBC to be the subject of such an inquiry' The BBC said 'all relevant documentation' in its possession was passed to an inquiry into the Bashir scandal led by former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson A spokesman said: 'Mr Webb's case has been referred to the criminal investigations team who are reviewing the material provided.' Mr Webb said: 'I've long suspected that what the BBC has done is more than a betrayal of trust. Now we may learn if this is true.' Ex-ITN boss Professor Stewart Purvis, formerly of Ofcom, said: 'It's most unusual possibly unprecedented for the BBC to be the subject of such an inquiry.' The Corporation said 'all relevant documentation' in its possession was passed to an inquiry into the Bashir scandal led by former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson, which published a damning report in 2021. A spokesman said: 'We reject these allegations entirely, including any suggestion the BBC has acted unlawfully. We have repeatedly set out to Mr Webb that Martin Bashir's significant health issues prevented us from disclosing documentation in 2020, as we were unable to consult him on the substantive issues.' The MoS revealed last weekend how a leading judge had questioned the BBC's honesty after it fought a two-year campaign to keep thousands of emails, sent by BBC managers between September and November 2020, underwraps. The broadcaster said it accepts 'mistakes have been made' and that it is considering the ruling. Ministers are facing growing international pressure to accept the return of 'jihadi brides' who fled Britain to join Islamic State. The moves, which are being led by the US government, could lead to the return of 'dozens' of brides such as Shamima Begum one of three British schoolgirls who left their homes in East London and travelled to Syria eight years ago. It has caused heated discussions in Whitehall, with former Home Secretary Suella Braverman leading opposition to the move in the weeks before she was sacked by the Prime Minister last month. Ms Braverman is understood to have objected to pressure from the Foreign Office then headed by her successor as Home Secretary, James Cleverly on the grounds that the women would present a security risk if they were allowed to come back. A source said: 'We think there could be dozens of these women, and each one would need to be monitored 24/7 by a team of specialist police officers, which would be a massive drain on resources.' Ministers are facing growing international pressure to accept the return of 'jihadi brides' who fled Britain to join Islamic State (pictured ISIS bride Shamima Begum) The moves, which are being led by the US government, could lead to the return of 'dozens' of brides such as Shamima Begum one of three British schoolgirls who left their homes in East London and travelled to Syria eight years ago According to UK charities that are trying to repatriate the women, there are an estimated 20 British jihadi brides and about 40 children still in Middle East refugee camps after the collapse of Islamic State. But while security sources admit the matter is a 'live issue', they dispute that it involves a significant number of potential returnees. Diplomatic sources say that Washington has been pressing the British to repatriate UK citizens who are languishing either in Kurdish prisons or in refugee camps in northern Syria. After Islamic State was uprooted in Syria by Kurdish forces with American support in 2019, male fighters including British men were sent to prisons in the north of the country. But women and children were detained in two refugee camps called Roj and Al-Hol, also in northern Syria. The Americans have repatriated most of their citizens and have then prosecuted them for giving 'material support to terrorism'. American pressure has already led to European countries including France and Germany taking back their nationals. Washington argues that leaving them in place will lead to the radicalisation of their children, and possible escapes from the camps followed by a clandestine return to Europe. The Government has traditionally been reluctant to comply, with Home Secretaries from Theresa May onwards preferring to strip British citizenship from Islamic State men and women, leaving them stranded in Syria. Ms Begum, 24, has been the best known case, with Sajid Javid, when Home Secretary, removing her citizenship on national security grounds. She has been fighting to regain it, saying that she was trafficked into Syria by Islamic State as a 15-year-old. Peter Neumann, a professor of Security Studies at King's College, London, said that it was easier for the Americans to return their own citizens as their numbers were fewer to begin with. Prof Neumann believes the Government is reluctant to bring back jihadis because the threshold for burden of proof is higher in British courts than in American ones. In the cases of some of the women, it is more difficult to prove they were members of IS and not just gullible wives who followed their husbands. Dr Shiraz Maher, director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College, London, said: 'The US is known to have exerted pressure on the UK and European countries to repatriate and prosecute their citizens. Their view is that we're more than capable of managing the risk posed by such individuals once home.' The SNP stands accused of squandering 2.7 billion as Scotlands middle-class households are set to be hammered with tax rises in this weeks Budget. Finance Secretary Shona Robison is widely expected to announce a hike in income tax which will see thousands of Scots forced to hand over more of their hard-earned cash. However, a dossier compiled by the Scottish Conservatives shows tax increases would not be needed if the Scottish Government had handled public finances properly. Instead, the Tories claim, an obsession with independence, gross mismanagement of key projects and the introduction of misguided policies have all contributed to what they call a scandalous misuse of public funds. Their research provides examples of money thrown away, including on over-budget ferries, hiring extra staff to cover NHS shortages, delayed capital projects and failed legal bids. Last night the UK Government demanded the SNP spend wisely and take responsibility for its self-inflicted budget black hole. Glen Sannox is millions over budget, five years late and still not in service 9 million was handed to the firm set up to run the Deposit Return Scheme which later collapsed owing 86 million. Finance Secretary Shona Robison is widely expected to announce a hike in income tax The Tories claims were echoed yesterday by Sir Tom Hunter, one of Scotlands richest men, who urged First Minister Humza Yousaf to curb his governments reckless spending rather than impose tax hikes. Ms Robison, who unveils her first Budget on Tuesday, has already blamed Westminster for a lack of cash, amid questions over how the Scottish Government will manage to fund the council tax freeze Mr Yousaf promised at his party conference in October. But the Tory analysis accuses the SNP of creating a financial mess through gross incompetence, with failed projects including two long-overdue ferries which some fear will never sail, the botched census and the delayed National Care Service. Other examples of waste include 9 million handed to the firm set up to run the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which later collapsed owing 86 million. The critique of the wasted billions comes as Ministers struggle to balance the books ahead of the Budget with a 1.5 billion shortfall predicted. Last night the Tories warned against tax rises for thousands of Scottish families. Business spokesman Murdo Fraser said: The Scottish Conservatives research makes it clear the SNP are on course to continue their scandalous misuse of public money. That is all the more galling when Ministers have record funding from the UK Government at their disposal. This squandered fortune could have been spent on supporting public services and growing our economy. Instead, its disappeared into an ever-growing financial black hole thats the product of SNP incompetence and mismanagement. The way they have wasted money can be seen across Scotland and now taxpayers look set to foot the bill via higher taxes. The analysis suggests 2.7 billion which equates to 500 for every man, woman and child in Scotland has been wasted during this parliamentary term, which began in 2021. It highlights 41.7 million paid to agency workers for social care in the past financial year and 36 million on overtime all to cover staff shortages. Almost 60 million went on NHS overtime while from 2021-24 nearly 112 million will go on tackling delayed discharge. Also included is a 300 million overspend on the replacement for Barlinnie prison, a 27.6 million delay to the botched Scottish Census and 230,000 in legal costs on a doomed bid to save the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. More than 250,000 was wasted on the failed Supreme Court bid for a second independence referendum. Meanwhile, 2.88 million was spent on mobile phones for prisoners while 7.44 million in criminal/justice fines remains uncollected. In addition the Scottish Government spent more than 9 million in one year on nine overseas offices. A UK Government spokesman said: We are providing a record block grant of 41 billion a year, the highest since devolution, plus additional funding in Barnett Consequentials. We are also investing 2.7 billion to level up and support growth in Scotland growing our economy with Freeports and Investment zones, and boosting infrastructure such as the A75 and the Corran ferry. The Scottish Government needs to spend that money wisely not millions on independence papers and ferries which have yet to carry a single passenger and take responsibility for its spending choices and the resultant self-inflicted budget black hole. Billionaire Sir Tom expressed concern about waste in public spending across the 60 billion budget, citing the collapse of the DRS and the 360 million bill for the two delayed ferries being built by the nationalised Ferguson yard. He said: We need to look at whether we are getting value for money. The Scottish budget is huge but everyone is saying we have no money. How much are we wasting? Could they spend it more wisely rather than saying we have no money and we need to raise tax? An Aussie man killed in a horror motorcycle crash on a remote road in Bali was a keen photographer who travelled the world. South Australian man Bradley Semmens, 33, was struck by another motorcycle on the popular holiday island at about 3.30pm on Tuesday. He was riding a Honda Scoopy along the Persinggahan Highway, near the border of KlungKung and Karangasem regencies, on the Indonesian Island's southeast coast. Klungkung Police spokesperson Agus Widiono said the motorcyclist travelling in the opposite direction crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with Mr Semmens and then left him for dead on the side of the road. South Australian man Bradley Semmens (pictured), a keen photographer, was killed on Tuesday when his motorcycle clashed with another on a remote road in Bali Police said a motorcyclist travelling in the opposite direction crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with Mr Semmens and then left him for dead on the side of the road It is understood Mr Semmens was an avid photographer and lived in Adelaide but also spent time in Western Australia, according to The Advertiser. His Instagram page is full of travel pictures from adventures in Australia, Asia and the US over the past three years. His most recent post is a black and white portrait of a streetscape in Vietnam. 'I am enjoying my time in vietnam (sic),' he wrote alongside the photograph. 'It's magical! The food, the people, the culture and nature! It has it all. The streets make the best b&w shots.' Friends of Mr Semmens have set up a GoFundMe to support his devastated family. Loved ones have already donated more than $4000 in the last three days to the fundraiser. A haunting photo of Mr Semmens looking relaxed and carefree while sitting on a motorbike has since emerged following his tragic death. An eerie photograph of Mr Semmens riding a motorcycle has emerged since his tragic death Mr Semmens was flung from his motorcycle and suffered a head injury before dying at the scene. '(Police) are now carrying out investigations to find out the identity of the motorbike driver who was involved in the accident with the victim,' Widiono said. Wayan Toya Arnawa, a witness, told police the road was relatively quiet at the time of the crash. Despite locals swarming to the crash site to come to Mr Semmens' aid, there is no description of the perpetrator. 'Because they were busy helping the injured person, the perpetrator was not identified and had already fled to the east,' Widiono said, according to Coconuts. Police and ambulance arrived at the scene shortly after and pronounced Mr Semmens dead. His body was taken to the Klunkung General Hosopital to be officially identified, where it remains awaiting 'official embassy procedures' according to Widiono. The 145 million Covid Inquiry could face a legal challenge amid claims it has failed to question the use of draconian lockdowns. A parents' campaign group, Us For Them, says the official investigation is not properly considering the impact that isolation had on children, who were the group least likely to die from the virus but suffered most from lockdowns and school closures. In a damning legal letter, Us For Them suggests the inquiry has already decided that ordering people to stay at home was 'necessary, proportionate and justified' and so is 'almost exclusively' focusing on whether lockdowns should have been imposed harder and sooner. The correspondence to former Court of Appeal judge Baroness Hallett, who chairs the inquiry, also raises questions about the 'fairness' of proceedings more generally. The Mail on Sunday understands the group, which has more than 13,000 followers on Facebook, could issue a legal challenge, via a judicial review, early next year if the inquiry does not change its course. The correspondence to former Court of Appeal judge Baroness Hallett, who chairs the inquiry, also raises questions about the 'fairness' of proceedings more generally Pictured: Former health secretary Matt Hancock giving evidence at Dorland House in London, during its second investigation (Module 2) exploring core UK decision-making and political governance Pictured: Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking during a virtual press conference to update the nation on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the Downing Street briefing room in central London on January, 4, 2022 The Covid Inquiry issued a statement this weekend strenuously denying the group's accusations. But the row will fuel mounting concerns at the inquiry's approach and its eye-watering costs. Molly Kingsley, founder of Us For Them, said: 'Worse than just a huge waste of money, the inquiry risks setting us up to repeat catastrophic errors. It must either correct course or be abandoned.' The group claims the inquiry has repeatedly focused on deaths from Covid-19 as the sole measure of whether the Government's response was successful, which 'grossly underweights' the toll on children. During Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's appearance at the inquiry last week, Hugo Keith KC, the lead counsel, shut him down when he mentioned research suggesting the lockdown may have been more damaging than the virus itself, which Us For Them says gave the impression of wanting 'to avoid any discussion of the possibility that locking down was not justified'. A spokesman for the inquiry said: 'The inquiry rejects any suggestion it has predetermined its findings. It will be considering important issues such as the impact on children and young people, the care sector and business in due course.' It can be a dog's life being a human rights lawyer, as Sir Keir Starmer found when he appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to get a reprieve for a death row inmate a pet alsatian called Dino. When Sir Keir was making his name as a Left-wing barrister in 2002, the now Labour leader who last week exploited Tory divisions over whether international human rights laws should stop Britain sending migrants to Rwanda agreed to fight a destruction order made against Dino. The saga started in January 2001 when Dino was being walked in Grangewood Park, Northampton, and attacked a five-year-old terrier called Ralph. Elizabeth Coull, who was walking Ralph, tried to pull the animals apart, but Dino bit through the palm of her right hand and the knuckle of her left hand, damaging tendons. Magistrates ordered Dino to be destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, and fined the owner, Bryan Lamont, 100, plus 2,552 in compensation. It can be a dog's life being a human rights lawyer, as Sir Keir Starmer found when he appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to get a reprieve for a death row inmate a pet alsatian called Dino Insisting Dino had a good temperament 'apart from that one incident', he launched an appeal that ended up lasting more than three years and costing 65,000 Insisting Dino had a good temperament 'apart from that one incident', he launched an appeal that ended up lasting more than three years and costing 65,000. After the case was heard and dismissed by magistrates, Northampton Crown Court, the High Court and the House of Lords, Mr Lamont turned to Sir Keir who asked the European Court of Human Rights to overturn the destruction order. Extraordinarily, after it decided it could only enforce human rights, Dino was spared when the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred the case back to crown court, where a 12-minute video saved him. The film showed Dino, then seven, playing harmlessly with other dogs. Animal expert Roger Mugford told Northampton Crown Court: 'A death sentence is a bit extreme. The dog is substantially reformed. He has passed those teenage years.' Judge Patrick Eccles said: 'A dog will have his day, said the Bard and Mr Lamont's devotion has allowed Dino to have his day.' A man who made millions suing an Oregon resort after a mountain bike accident died of an overdose while awaiting a different DUII case against him. Rendered a paraplegic, Gabriel Owens was subsequently awarded more than $10million during the 2016 civil trial, and died on October 11 due to a lethal dose of fentanyl, an attorney representing late paraglider Kyle Haston has now revealed. Haston, 36, died on September 8 in a crash involving Owens, 44, on the Southeast Jennifer Street railroad overpass, where Owens 2022 Tesla sedan collided head on with Haston's 2005 pickup. Owens, meanwhile, walked away relatively unscathed, but was quickly accused of being high and drunk behind the wheel. He posted $250,000 in bail. Accused of manslaughter, Owens entered pretrial proceedings on the streets, before missing his first check-in with prosecutors, who then sought to return him to jail. It's now been revealed that within weeks, Owens, after being allowed to avoid incarceration, overdosed on the same pills he was suspected of popping. Gabriel Owens, 44, died on October 11 due to a lethal dose of fentanyl, an attorney representing late paraglider Kyle Haston has revealed Haston, 36, died on September 8 in a crash involving Owens, 45, on the Southeast Jennifer Street railroad overpass Owens 2022 Tesla sedan - seen here - collided head on with the Aloha residents 2005 pickup, killing her and severely injuring her dog 'Its a tragic story for both families,' said Kyle Haston, the brother of the victim of Owens' latest - and last - automotive accident, after court filings in Clackamas County revealed the case against Owens has effectively ended. 'Im glad hes removed himself from the streets of Clackamas County, for everyones safety,' the relative continued, offering the remarks to OregonLive. 'But it came at such a high cost.' The comments refer to to the array of reports the publication had published in the past few weeks, revealing how former mountain biker had racked up a series of traffic violations over the years. The offenses include three DUIIs and are topped off by a 2019 incident where Owens was sentenced to 10 days in jail for spitting on a Clackamas County Sheriffs deputy. Records further show how out of those three DUII offenses, earned in 2001, 2006 and 2014, Owens only did a total of 10 days in jail - all after his third offense. The first case and second cases, meanwhile, were diverted to treatment programs - as a police report obtained by the Oregon newspaper also revealed how Owens, in September, told officers he was buying hundreds of $1 fentanyl pills from dealers in downtown Portland in the weeks leading up to the crash. 'Its dangerous as hell, every time I take one it scares me,' the deceased - who had been operating his Tesla with a medical device designed for people with paraplegia - told officers, according to the report. The admission was also riddled with expletives, officers wrote - before revealing how when Owens was loaded into an ambulance, he called out to a barely alive Haston: 'Ill see you in hell!' 'Its a tragic story for both families,' said Kyle Haston, the brother of the victim of Owens' latest - and last - automotive accident, seen here paragliding in an undated photo 'Im glad hes removed himself from the streets of Clackamas County, for everyones safety,' the relative continued as reports revealed the extent of Owen's DUII history. 'But it came at such a high cost' Haston's rescue dog Risby (seen here) was propelled from the vehicle, sustaining 'serious' injuries but surviving Owens sister and Owens former criminal defense attorney reportedly did not respond to the Oregonian's requests for comments this past Thursday, after becoming the first to report that Owens had died. Moreover, the paper revealed that Owens died out of custody, after posting bail on September 14. Previous reports had already indicated how Owens - after receiving his Mt. Hood Skibowl lawsuit money in 2022 - was likely going back behind bars around September 18, after never showing up for a GPS tracker and sobriety monitor. However, court papers aired by the Oregonian Thursday revealed attorneys for Owens successfully swayed a judge by claiming their client had been hospitalized for an infection, and had hired a sober monitor to ensure he followed pretrial rules. The jurist obliged and added more release conditions that allowed him to stay out of custody, culminating in his death about three weeks later, as confirmed this week in court filings filed by Haston's attorney Jon Friedman. On Thursday, he said he believes at least half of Owens' lawsuit money - a $10.5 million settlement secured by arguing the sign he hit at the ski resort should have been collapsible - remains. 'It appears the bulk of his money is in a brokerage account,' the lawyer told OregonLive, after the unearthed report revealed that Owens told cops that he consumed several alcoholic 'buzzballs' - a mix of fentanyl and booze - the night before of the crash. He had been awarded his riches in a civil trial after he suffered injured in a mountain biking crash on Mount Hood. Owens' spine was broken below the navel while riding a double-black-diamond trail in 2016 Kyle Haston, the brother of Kira Haston (pictured), is now considering suing the estate of Owens, as Owens had no children and no will The paraplegic told cops he hadnt had any fentanyl that day, according to the report, but officer wrote he was stumbling over his words and showed what they called 'obvious' signs of impairment. Clackamas County Sheriffs deputies initially responded to the scene about 1 p.m., finding Owens 2022 Tesla sedan totaled, along with Aloha resident Hastons 2005 Mazda pickup. Hastons rescue god, a Labrador named Ridby, was ejected from the vehicle, and sustained 'serious injuries' though barely survived. A blood sample from Owen afterwards turned up positive for fentanyl and benzodiazepines, a powerful depressant, as well as trace amounts of alcohol, leading to his arrest. He posted a quarter-million bail days later, after his mother rushed to his aid at the crash site. His death now leads to a battle over his estate, as Owens had no children and no will. Comes as the IDF launched probe into the accidental shooting of three hostages An IDF sniper allegedly shot a mother and child sheltering in a church in Gaza The Israeli military killed a Christian mother and daughter sheltering in a Catholic church in Gaza City on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has claimed. Nahida and her daughter, Samar, were shot 'in cold blood' by a sniper as they walked to the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the patriarch said in a statement, adding that the holy site had been struck three times by projectiles fired by an Israeli tank. 'One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety,' the statement continued, adding that seven others were wounded by gunfire as they tried to protect others. The projectiles fired from the tank knocked out the building's generator and fuel supplies, rendering the building housing dozens of disabled people uninhabitable, according to the patriarchate. 'The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive.' The IDF yesterday took responsibility for the accidental deaths of three hostages revealed to have been shouting 'help' in Hebrew and waving white flags when they were gunned down earlier on Friday morning. Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Fouad Talalka, 22, and Alon Lulu Shamriz, 26, were killed in Gaza after Israeli troops mistakenly identified them as a 'threat', according to the IDF, one soldier believing the men moving towards him were trying to lure them into a trap. Both pro-Palestinian protestors in Europe and the families of hostages in Israel have mounted calls for a ceasefire. More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, when Gaza's de facto governing authority, Hamas, launched its bloody incursion into southern Israel killing nearly 1,200. Christian worshippers arrive to attend Christmas day mass at the Roman Catholic Church of Holy Family in Gaza City on December 25, 2017 Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Saturday, December 16, 2023 Palestinians check a half destroyed building following Israeli bombardment on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on December 15, 2023 Israeli army Merkava battle tanks deploy along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on October 13, 2023 According to the Vatican press agency, citing Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, the victims of the church attack were an elderly woman and her daughter. Christian families have been taking refuge in the Sister's Convent since the conflict erupted in October, they explained. READ MORE: Fury on the streets of Tel Aviv over IDF shooting of Israeli hostages: Families of civilians kidnapped by Hamas stage demo after army admitted killing three it mistook for terrorists in Gaza fighting Advertisement Approached for comment, the Israeli army said it was looking into the incident, which took place on the grounds of the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church. The patriarchate said no warning was given before the shooting started, adding: 'They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents.' Italy's top diplomat, Antonio Tajani, issued a 'heartfelt appeal to the Israeli government and army to protect Christian places of worship'. 'That is not where the Hamas terrorists are hiding,' he said on X, formerly Twitter. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, it is a war crime to 'intentionally direct attacks against protected objects, namely buildings dedicated to religion'. Civilian buildings - like hospitals - can lose their protected status if there is evidence they are being used for military purposes. The IDF separately acknowledged the deaths of three Israeli hostages in Gaza yesterday, expressing its 'deep remorse over the tragic incident' in a statement and saying it had launched an immediate investigation. Yotam Haim, Samer Fouad Talalka and Alon Lulu Shamriz, were shot dead as they surrendered with makeshift white flags on Friday morning around 10am. According to a senior official in the IDF's southern command, the incident began after a soldier from Bislamach Brigades 17th Battalion identified three suspicious figures leaving a building. A preliminary IDF investigation revealed the men were shirtless, wielding white flags and calling out for help in Hebrew. An IDF soldier, believing it was a trap, opened fire and shouted 'terrorists!' to colleagues. IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: 'This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility. This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.' Protestors took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel last night to call for another ceasefire and the safe return of hostages. Earlier today, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched on the home of the Israeli ambassador to the UK following her comments opposing a ceasefire earlier this week. Hundreds gathered outside the Camden home of Tzipi Hotovely and chanted 'de-decolonise' and 'ceasefire now', with passing cars honking their horns in support. One man with a megaphone in north London said: 'Many of you have seen the ambassador of Israel and concluded she is not a very nice person. 'So she may not be a very nice person but what we object to is that she is calling for a genocide.' LEFT: Yotam Haim. CENTRE: Samer Fouad Al-Talalka. RIGHT: Alon Lulu Shamriz. The three Israeli hostages were shot dead by the IDF on Friday Sabina Fernandez, five, holds a banner during a demonstration to show support for Palestinians and solidarity with children in Gaza, in Madrid, Spain, December 16, 2023 Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside the residence of Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely after she made comments rejecting the two-state solution, December 16, 2023 Protestors called for a ceasefire outside the Camden home of Ms Hotovely this evening In late November, 78 Israeli and dual-national hostages were released as part of a Qatar-mediated deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel in turn released 240 Palestinian prisoners. A total of 110 hostages have now been released - including those freed as part of separate deals with the Thai government and as a gesture to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Many families of captives have urged their government to do more to ensure their return. During a meeting with the Prime Minister and the War Cabinet last Tuesday, one former hostage warned against Israel's proposals of flooding Hamas' underground tunnels with sea water. 'He was taken to the tunnels, and you talk about washing the tunnels with seawater. You prioritize politics over the hostages!' she was reported as saying. 'My husband hurt himself every day until he bled because [the situation] was hard for him to bear, and now he is alone, god knows in what conditions. A Michigan law clerk vomited in court after she was showed horrifying pictures of her emaciated disabled son who she starved to death. Shanda Vander Ark, 44, was on trial for the murder and torture of Timothy Ferguson, 15, who died at their home on July 6, 2022 weighing just 69 pounds. An autopsy found he died from malnourishment and hypothermia. Prosecutor Matt Roberts showed pictures of the teenager's frail body to Vander Ark in court on Thursday afternoon and she began to throw up. She tortured Timothy, who had autism with speech and motor impairment, by feeding him only bread covered in hot sauce, deprived him of sleep and forced him into ice baths as punishment. Vander Ark did not turn up to the trial on Friday due to a 'medical issue' but a jury found her guilty of first degree murder and first degree child abuse in her absence. She is due to be sentenced on January 29 and faces life in prison. Michigan law clerk Shanda Vander Ark, 44, vomited in court after she was showed horrifying pictures of her emaciated disabled son who she starved to death She was on trial for the murder and torture of Timothy Ferguson, 15, who died at their home on July 6, 2022 weighing just 69 pounds. A jury found her guilty of first degree murder and first degree child abuse Vander Ark is said to have covered the house and the tiny closet Timothy was sleeping in with motion sensors, alarms, and live feed cameras Vander Ark tortured him by feeding him only bread covered in hot sauce, deprived him of sleep and forced him into ice baths as punishment Vander Ark took the witness stand on Thursday and began hyperventilating and showing signs of a mental breakdown. Prosecutor Roberts handed her pictures of Timothy's emaciated body and asked: 'Did he look like that when you put him the bathtub? She immediately began retching, before vomiting out of view of the jury. She then apologized to court, asked for a moment and started to cry. The next day, Vander Ark, who has five biological children including a nine-year-old boy, was found guilty of torturing and murdering Timothy. Timothy's older brother Paul, 20, has also been charged with first degree child abuse, but testified against their mother in court. 'I'd say it's something close to Stockholm Syndrome,' Paul said on the stand. 'I desire to find a role model that, due to my own low self-esteem, I would do anything to make them proud of me. She claimed she locked up the family's fridge, freezer and pantry because Timothy tried to eat frozen food and uncooked meat Vander Ark took the witness stand on Thursday and began hyperventilating and showing signs of a mental breakdown Timothy's older brother Paul, 20, has also been charged with first degree child abuse but he testified against their mother in court The property where Timothy was starved and tortured 'That's not an excuse, I know, but I feel like I'm glad I was at least able to realize it, so I could correct it.' Vander Ark, who was a law clerk at Newaygo County Circuit Court, previously testified she had purchased spicy hot sauce online after Paul thought it would be a good idea to punish Timothy. A text message exchange between the pair also showed her questioning whether they should drop the hot sauce on the young boy's genitals. 'I wonder how it would feel to have that hot sauce on your private parts. I'm not saying touch him there, not at all, but dripping a little bit there, is that horrible,' she asked. Her lawyer argued she did not understand the harm she was causing her son and did not know he was starving. She also claimed she locked up the family's fridge, freezer and pantry because Timothy tried to eat frozen food and uncooked meat. Vander Ark is said to have covered the house and the tiny closet Timothy was sleeping in with motion sensors, alarms, and live feed cameras. Prosecutor Roberts said she tortured the child by feeding him hot sauce and punishing him with ice baths. 'She killed him. She starved him to death,' he said. Vander Ark did not legally have custody of Timothy, according to authorities and he had been in West Michigan since May 2021. Prosecutor Roberts said she should not have had the child to begin with and that an investigation by the Oklahoma Child Protective Services between 2009 and 2012 resulted in a recommendation to terminate her parental rights. Vander Ark agreed to relinquish custody in 2012 to avoid a permanent severing of parental rights. Court document show Timothy, Paul, Nolan, 23, and daughter Millie, 19, were granted to their father Eric Ferguson and she was ordered to pay child support. Vander Ark got remarried to Adam and was living with him at the property until he suffered a stroke and had to move in with his parents. She claimed this was a catalyst for Timothy acting out. 'There was a couple situations when Tim actually intentionally kept everyone in the house awake,' she said in court. 'He would intentionally set off the motion detectors, he would make noise.' Hours before Timothy died, Paul allegedly put him in an ice bath for nearly nine hours. Paul told the jury that he had abused his brother at his mother's instruction. Experts are in a disagreement over claims that an Indonesian pyramid could be more than 25,000 years old. Gunung Padang, a 98-ft-deep 'megalith' submerged within a hill of lava rock, is said to be the oldest known man-made stone structure of its size, according to a group of archaeologists who have been researching the ancient site. They claim in a research paper that it is more than twice as old as the current frontrunner, the Gobekli Tepe 'megalith' discovered in Turkey, which is thought to be aorund 11,000 years old. However, following its publication last month, other scientists have now contested their findings, saying that the data provides 'no support' for such a conclusion. Instead, critics argue that the structure was only built around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, making it just older than Stonehenge which is said to have been built about 5,000 years ago. Experts are in a disagreement over claims that an Indonesian pyramid (pictured) could be more than 25,000 years old Gunung Padang, a 98-ft-deep 'megalith' submerged within a hill of lava rock, is said to be the oldest known man-made stone structure of its size, according to a group of archaeologists who have been researching the ancient site But critics argue that the structure was only built around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, making it just older than Stonehenge (pictured) which is said to have been built about 5,000 years ago Geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency led the crew of archaeologists, geophysicists and geologists in finding out more about Gunung Padang between 2011 and 2015. They used ground penetrating radars to take subsurface images, core drilling and 'trench' excavation techniques, to probe down into the very first layers of Gunung Padang which lay over 9 stories (98 feet, or 30 meters) below its surface. At the pyramid's core, the team found what they described as 'meticulously sculpted' and 'massive' lava-stone structures made of andesite, a fine-grained kind of igneous rock. This inner-most chamber, dubbed Unit 4, 'likely originated as a natural lava hill...before being sculpted and then architecturally enveloped during the last glacial period,' sometime between 16,000 to 27,000 years ago, they wrote in the journal Archaeological Prospection. 'Evidence from Gunung Padang suggests advanced construction practices were already present when agriculture had, perhaps, not yet been invented,' they claim. But others have now hit out at the extent of the claims and agree that while the chamber may be over 20,000 years old, there is no proof it was built by humans. Flint Dibble, an archaeologist at Cardiff University, told the Observer: 'The data that is presented in this paper provides no support for its final conclusion that the settlement is extraordinarily old. 'Yet that is what has driven the headlines.' Geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency led the crew of archaeologists, geophysicists and geologists (pictured) in finding out more about Gunung Padang between 2011 and 2015 They used ground penetrating radars to take subsurface images, core drilling and 'trench' excavation techniques, to probe down into the very first layers of Gunung Padang which lay over 9 stories (98 feet, or 30 meters) below its surface He added: 'If you went to the Palace of Westminster and dropped a core seven metres into the ground and pulled up a soil sample you might date it as being 40,000 years old,' 'But that does not mean the Palace of Westminster was built 40,000 years ago by ancient humans. 'It just means there's carbon down there that's 40,000 years old. It is extraordinary that this paper has been published.' The backlash has prompted Natawidjaja, who is also the paper's main author, to invesitgate his team's research further. He said last week: 'The investigation ... addresses concerns raised by third parties regarding the scientific content of our paper. We are actively engaged in addressing these concerns.' RBA Governor Michele Bullock has been slammed as 'absurd' after she questioned whether businesses should charge fees to Australians who use cash. LNP Senator Gerard Rennick, who initiated and sits on a Senate committee conducting an inquiry into bank closures, said Ms Bullock was 'way of touch' for touting the idea. At a conference on Tuesday Ms Bullock raised the question whether Aussies should be charged a fee for using cash, before admitting it would likely lead to backlash. 'Having said that it is also true that as economists you want people to face the prices of using particular services that reflect the cost of those services,' she said. RBA governor Michele Bullock said at a conference this week that ideally the cost of using cash would be passed directly onto customers 'What is going to happen and what does happen at the moment is that the costs end up embedded in the costs of the financial institutions that are providing the services and people don't face them. 'I think it would be a very big challenge to get people to face the costs of cash.' When asked if banks should charge fees to use cash, Senator Rennick was adamant. 'Absolutely not,' he told Daily Mail Australia. READ MORE: ANZ outrage after major bank ditches cash at several branches - with coin deposits no longer accepted and a limit put on notes Advertisement 'It's legal tender and that's just absurd to say you should pay fees.' Senator Rennick accused Ms Bullock of being 'way out of touch'. 'She should be representing the interests of the Australian people,' he said. 'This is the problem of having a so-called independent reserve bank, that over the years it has shifted its focus from protecting the people to protecting the banks. 'The RBA is technically saying the banks don't have a social licence whatsoever and that's not on.' Social media users were left up in arms following the suggestion they could soon be charged for not paying with a card. 'I would think that would be straight out illegal, you're using base currency, so it would be very hard to set a charge against that,' one wrote. 'If they do, just keep boycotting these businesses as long as we can.' Another added: 'Banks are making record profits. How come all of a sudden they cant afford to handle cash?' 'If I pay a fee to use a credit card and I pay a fee to use cash then my money is not really my own...' a third wrote. While Senator Rennick said part of the RBA's role was to ensure stability in the banking sector big businesses were pushing people away from cash so they can charge for electronic transactions. Ms Bullock did admit because of the 'community, public service sort of aura attached' to cash charging people to use it would lead to backlash 'They charge transaction fees, they charge commissions on credit cards so they are clipping the ticket,' he said. Senator Rennick pointed out that during Covid banks were leant an enormous amount of money at extraordinarily cheap rates by the RBA under the Term Funding Facility to 'support their customers and help the economy through a difficult period'. 'They got $188billion in cheap loans at 1% some of which still haven't rolled off,' Senator Rennick, who is a former banker, said. 'This netted the banks over $30billion in reduced lending costs, which has all been paid for by the taxpayer.' ANZ announced this week that staff will no 'longer handle cash' at several of its branches in a move that outraged customers. Bank customers claimed they were unable to make deposits or withdrawals of coins and $5 notes in some branches. One customer claimed their local bank no longer accepted coins through tellers and has since placed a limit on the number of notes that can be deposited. An ANZ spokesperson said that at 'full service branches and business cash hubs, we accept deposits and issue withdrawals of all Australian denominations of coins and notes' but that 'at some of our branches our staff will no longer handle cash'. Previously ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott told a Senate hearing into branch closures in regional areas in September that owners of small businesses were the people predominantly visiting physical branches to deposit cash. 'They're using them because it's still a way in which they can access or make transactions with cash,' Mr Elliott told the inquiry. The number of bank branches in Australia has fallen by about 30 per cent in the past five years with many regional and rural areas losing their branches. LNP Senator Gerard Rennick called the RBA Governor 'out of touch' for considering the idea of charging fees to use cash ATMs have decreased even more, with figures showing that they have fallen from a high of 14,000 in 2017 to around 6,000 as of last year. The Reserve Bank estimated just 13 per cent of transactions in late 2022 were in cash, a halving in just three years since the start of the Covid pandemic. Senator Renick said even if the use of cash was diminishing banks still needed to keep regional branches and ATMs open to provide money without charge. 'We've got immigrant communities who aren't familiar with the use of language. 'We've got small business groups that need cash. We've got volunteer groups that need cash on weekend plus they need to change their signatories every year.' 'You all have to go the bank at the same time and do your signatories. 'In WA community groups have to drive 300km together and all arrive at a town at a same place at a town 200km to change the signatories on their joint accounts for community groups,' he said. Senator Renick said supermarkets were operating in some places as 'defacto ATMs' but that was not their job. 'I have always thought if you need to get cash go to the bank,' he said. Rishi Sunak has warned that Britain faces being 'overwhelmed' by illegal migration which will 'destroy' our democracy if radical measures are not taken now. In his strongest words yet on the challenges posed by porous borders, the Prime Minister used a speech in Italy to demand a 'Thatcherite' approach to curbing illegal migration and to call for international human rights laws to be changed to stop them being exploited. Meanwhile, Labour has been accused of hypocrisy after The Mail on Sunday discovered one of its Election candidates organises children's holidays to Rwanda a nation party chiefs maintain is too unsafe to send illegal migrants to. Sam Rushworth, who has been picked to stand in the target seat of Bishop Auckland, founded a travel firm called African Dreams, which describes Rwanda as a 'safe and supporting environment' where children as young as 13 can enjoy an adventure holiday. However, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is 'shameful' to send asylum seekers there. Following a turbulent week in which Mr Sunak faced down a Commons revolt over his Rwanda plan, he told a conference in Rome: 'If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, speaking at event in Rome, said that it was time for a 'Thatcherite' approach to illegal migration as it would 'destroy' British democracy if left unchecked Mr Sunak, who recently faced down a substantial parliamentary rebellion on his flagship Rwanda plan, said: 'If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow' Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is 'shameful' to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, an authoritarian state in east Africa 'It will overwhelm our countries, and our capacity to help those who actually need our help most. The costs of accommodating these people will anger our citizens, who won't understand why their money should have to be spent on dealing with the consequences of this evil trade. It will destroy the public's faith not just in us as politicians but in our very systems of government.' He raised the spectre of not just criminal gangs but hostile states exploiting failure to tackle illegal migration, saying: 'Our enemies will see how unable we are to deal with this and so they will increasingly use migration as a weapon: deliberately driving people to our shores to try to destabilise our societies.' Mr Sunak also flattered his host, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, by suggesting that she shared qualities with Margaret Thatcher. The two leaders have formed such a close political bond and sparky personal rapport as they try to devise solutions to the Europe-wide migrant crisis, that their meeting this weekend was described as a 'love-burst' summit. Referring to a visit by Ms Meloni to Downing Street earlier this year, Mr Sunak said: 'We had the opportunity to look through some of Margaret Thatcher's personal papers together. And what struck me as we looked at them was not just her radicalism, her boldness, but her seriousness too. 'She understood that ideas only mattered if you could implement them. 'She was as serious about governing as she was about political philosophy... Margaret Thatcher never shied away from hard choices and big issues.' Adding that he could 'only guess what first attracted Giorgia to the strong female leader who was prepared to challenge the consensus, take on stale thinking and revive her country', he said: 'Today, there is no issue to which we need to apply Thatcher's radicalism and drive to more than illegal migration.' Admitting he was likely to be voted out at the next Election if he does not tackle the problem, Mr Sunak went on: 'It is a fundamental tenet of sovereignty that it is us who should decide who comes to our countries, not criminal gangs. 'If we cannot deliver on that, our voters will lose patience with us and the way in which their countries are run and rightly so. We simply must have control of our borders.' Insisting that the only way to stem the flow was to introduce a 'credible' deterrent, Mr Sunak said: 'Both Giorgia and I are prepared to do that. Giorgia is planning to send asylum seekers to Albania to be processed and I am passing legislation so that we can send illegal migrants to Rwanda. We are both determined to break the business model of these criminal gangs.' And he suggested ripping up international laws such as the European Convention on Human Rights to stop migrants from exploiting them to stay in the UK. Mr Sunak said: 'If that requires us to update our laws and lead an international conversation to amend post-war frameworks around asylum, then we must do that. Because if we don't fix this problem now, the boats will keep coming and more lives will be lost at sea.' Mr Sunak has developed a close relationship with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with the leaders sharing a similar approach to migration Mr Sunak also met Albanian counterpart Edi Rama at the Chigi Palace during his visit to Rome Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta has said that 'without lawful behaviour by the UK' his country would pull out of its proposed role in the UK government's asylum plan The meeting of Mr Sunak and Ms Meloni this weekend has been described in Italy as a 'love-burst within the context of geopolitics'. It follows a 'spritz summit' between the pair at the G20 Summit in India in the autumn when Ms Meloni drank an Aperol spritz while discussing ways to forge a joint approach to illegal migration. Teetotal Mr Sunak stuck to water. The deal struck between the Italian and Albanian governments is seen as having been partly inspired by Britain's Rwanda policy. A Downing Street spokesperson said yesterday: 'The leaders welcomed the strong co-operation between the United Kingdom and Italy across a range of areas, including on tackling illegal migration. They committed to continuing to strengthen the collective effort to fight criminal people-smuggling gangs and ensure control of Europe's borders.' Meanwhile, Conservative chairman Richard Holden criticised Labour following today's revelations about candidate Sam Rushworth's holiday company offering trips to Rwanda. He said: 'The level of sheer hypocrisy from Sir Keir Starmer's hand-picked Labour candidate is utterly staggering. 'Labour have voted more than 60 times to block our plans to tackle illegal immigration with flights to Rwanda, pretending it's not safe yet one of their top candidates is selling children's holidays there.' Yesterday's summit came as Tory MPs start to plan amendments to the Rwanda Bill ahead of another Commons showdown in January. The Prime Minister has warned MPs on the Right of his party that pushing to quit the European Convention on Human Rights would 'collapse the entire scheme' as Rwanda would not agree to it. Marco Longhi, who is part of the New Conservatives group and who abstained in last week's key vote, said: 'This was a claim which surprised many colleagues. The fact Rwanda could 'collapse' the deal is a very new and surprising ingredient that nobody had raised prior to last week. One has to question why.' Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta has said that 'without lawful behaviour by the UK' his country would pull out of the partnership. Santa and his reindeer have saved Christmas for an Iowa fire department after their nativity scene was removed following complaints that the display violates the U.S. Constitution. The quaint nativity display in the central Iowa city of Toledo has been put up year after year for the last 15 holiday seasons, but last week it had to be taken down and moved to a retired firefighter's nearby lawn after a complaint was received from an atheist group based in Wisconsin. The Freedom From Religion Foundation raised concerns that the Christian depiction at the public fire station violated the First Amendment's prohibition of government agencies favoring one religion over others. The letter argued the display violated the laws requiring the separation of church and state. But the city has now found a workaround that suddenly makes the display legal - simply by adding Santa Claus and his sleigh. A nativity scene outside the Toledo Fire Department in Iowa was removed last week after out-of-state atheists complained about the display The display has since returned with the addition of Santa after the city received a complaint from the group 'We write to request that the City remove this nativity display from public property out of respect for the First Amendment and the diversity of the Toledo community,' the FFRF group wrote. FFRF say they are 'a national nonprofit organization with more than 40,000 members, including members in Iowa.' 'Our purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism,' the group explained in a lengthy letter to the council. 'We received a report that a nativity scene is on display in front of the Toledo Fire Department. It is our understanding that the yard in front of the Department is public land owned by the City of Toledo. 'We write to request that the City remove this nativity display from public property out of respect for the First Amendment and the diversity of the Toledo community,' the letter went on. The nativity scene has been in front of the fire station for the holidays for the last 15 years but the display was removed after the city received a complaint The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious displays are fine on government property, but only if they include a secular display as well 'The First Amendment's Establishment Clause prohibits the government from showing favoritism towards religion.' In 1984 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that manger scenes are allowed on government property depending on the context of the displays during the Christmas season and whether they have a secular purpose. 'Nativity scenes on public property are unnecessary, inappropriate, and divisive. It is irrefutable that the nativity is a religious, Christian symbol. The best solution is to remove this nativity scene and discontinue hosting religious displays on public property altogether,' the atheist group suggested. 'Further, this nativity display needlessly excludes community members who are among the nearly 30 percent of adult Americans who are religiously unaffiliated, as well as the additional six percent of Americans adhering to non-Christian faiths.' The group even boldly suggested the 'favoritism' shown by the Fire Department towards the Christian faith might even prevent someone in need from calling them. 'Citizens often interact with the Fire Department during some of the most frightening and vulnerable moments of their lives. The City should ensure that its Fire Department does not host displays that alienate community members who do not share a particular faith or any faith.' The display is now 'compliant' with the addition of the secular images of Santa and reindeer The display sits on what is termed 'government property' directly outside the Toledo Fire Dept By adding a secular holiday symbol in Santa Claus and his reindeer to the scene, the display now becomes constitutional and is legally able to be on government property During a City Council meeting on Monday, 75 fans of the decade-and-a-half long nativity tradition showed up suggesting the Toledo Fire Department need simply add a Santa figure in order to restore the display while making it compliant and allowing it to be kept on public ground. The city confirmed that the nativity scene, plus Santa, indeed fulfilled the requirements and is now back up at the station. By adding a secular holiday symbol in Santa Claus and his reindeer to the scene, the display now becomes constitutional and is legally able to be on government property. On social media locals were appalled the fire department caved into the demands so quickly. In a letter, the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised concerns that the Christian depiction at the public fire station violated the First Amendment's prohibition of government agencies favoring one religion over others 'It's too bad the fire department was so intimidated by a faction who probably does not even live there, and who are, like the gentleman said, just looking for a fight, something to pick on. Well, it works both ways, as far as lawsuits go,' wrote Mafrugal. 'Keep the Nativity Scene....Christians have rights too', urged another. 'Pretty sad when someone is offended by a Nativity scene. A lot more want the display left where it is. The 'offended' party will survive and be offended by something else next week...,' stated one online user. 'The Nativity is not a religion it's a FACT! Santa Claus is a cartoon as displayed in obvious comparison there,' explained another. Eastern Iowa Atheists founder Justin Scott said he's satisfied with the decision - even if it's not historically accurate. 'I don't believe there's any ill intent by the city of Toledo,' Scott told Des Moines station KCCI. 'I think it was just something that was nice, it was a nice gesture by a nice family. They put it up and nobody bothered to notice that it was actually a constitutional violation.' Russian soldiers have carved swastikas into the foreheads of Ukrainian prisoners of war, a doctor has claimed. A Ukrainian soldier named only as Serhiy was found mutilated and with psychological trauma upon returning to his home country from Russian captivity. Dr Olexandr Turkevich said he has been treating Serhiy, who told him how Russian soldiers threatened to 'take him apart piece by piece' while in their care. 'I want your children to know that you're fascist. That's why I am cutting deep,' a Russian soldier allegedly told Serhiy, who was blindfolded, while carving into his face. Russia maintains that its 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine is a de-Nazification effort aimed at defending Russian-controlled territories in the east and south. President Vladimir Putin has instructed his armed forces with propaganda claiming Ukraine had been committing genocide against Russian speakers in the region and that the government was organised by neo-Nazis under western influence. Doctors believe the Ukrainian prisoner of war was mutilated with a knife in Russian captivity Serhiy has received laser surgery to reduce the scarring of wounds he suffered last year According to Dr Turkevich: 'These photographs.show what kind of creatures our men are dealing with at the front,' said the medic. Serhiy 'had a swastika carved into his forehead by these pig-dogs 'He told how, when they cut his forehead, they said: "If you were an Azov man, I would take you apart piece by piece"' The Azov assault brigade - which played a key role in the defence of Mariupol - is seen by Russians as having far-right links or Nazi links. Serhiy was left with nothing to clean up the gaping wound he suffered and refused medical treatment as a prisoner of war. The swastika carved with a knife is 'direct evidence' of genocide by the Russians, Dr Turkevich said. He was 'infinitely proud' of the work he was able to do to remove the Nazi branding from the man's forehead, which doctors believe was carved with a knife. The medical procedure is under the Neopalymi aesthetic medicine initiative which aims to help Ukrainian servicemen who have suffered disfiguring injuries or torture in the war. There are now two known Ukrainian soldiers being treated for swastika brandings. They have received laser treatment in order to reduce scarring. 'Badges of shame' have been used since ancient times. Prisoners, those accused of adultery and religious groups have been branded over the years by different sects as an act of punishment. Quentin Tarantino's 2009 film Inglorious Basterds famously followed the story of fictitious US soldiers in World War II as they branded Nazi soldiers with swastikas. Serhiy was captured by Russian forces last December in the occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. He was taken to a processing centre and endured two weeks of torture, locked in a basement without food and brought up only to be beaten unconscious, The Telegraph reports. Serhiy was eventually transferred to Chechnya, a republic of Russia, and released five months after in a prisoner swap. The soldier still struggles to talk about his experience, according to The Telegraph. The body of a Ukrainian rape victim, pictured pixelated, shows an exposed torso covered in bruises, with a large Swastika symbol burned and scratched into the skin Bodies lie on a street in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, as Russian forces made a "rapid retreat" from northern areas around Kyiv and the city of Chernigiv, on April 2, 2022 Graves of unidentified people killed by Russian soldiers during occupation of the Bucha town, are seen at the town's cemetery, March 30, 2023 People walk through debris and destroyed Russian military vehicles on a street on April 6, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine In April last year, a woman was found branded with a Swastika, a Ukrainian MP claimed. Lesia Vasylenko, a parliamentarian for the liberal Holos party, shared an image on Twitter of what she said was the 'tortured body of a raped and killed woman'. The horrifying picture showed an exposed torso covered in bruises, with a large Swastika symbol burned and scratched into the skin. 'Russian soldiers loot, rape and kill... Women with swastika shaped burns. Russia. Russian men did this,' Ms Vasylenko said at the time. Russia has been accused of committing multiple war crimes during its campaign in Ukraine. Images from the cities of Bucha and Irpin last year showed the bodies of hundreds of civilians left lying in the streets and buried in mass graves. Amnesty International concluded that Russian forces had unlawfully killed civilians in Bucha, Andriivka, Zdvyzhivka, and Vorzel. 'All those responsible for war crimes should be held criminally responsible for their actions. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, hierarchal superiors... who knew or had reason to know about war crimes committed by their forces, but did not attempt to stop them or punish those responsible, should also be held criminally responsible,' it said in a statement at the time. At a meeting in London this March following the issuing of an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, spoke of 'ruthless' attacks and 'atrocities' by Russian soldiers against civilians and territories. 'Russia acts with a clear plan to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainian identity,' he said at the time. 'The deportation and transportation of thousands of Ukrainian children, including from orphanages and care homes to Russia. 'Simplifying their illegal adoption process and confirming their citizenship of an aggressive state is very clear evidence of this plan, this is done to cut ties with Ukraine and alter their Ukrainian heritage. A dead civilian is seen next to his bicycle on a road near the forest in Bucha, April 2, 2022 'My office has already launched investigations into over 72,000 incidents of war crimes. 'Isolated and sporadic attacks, we see how Russian foot soldiers are meticulously implementing unlawful orders given by the Kremlin.' The International Criminal Court's 123 member states are now obliged to detain and transfer Putin if he sets foot on their territory. An Aussie family are being forced to move into a tent after getting an eviction notice as the nation's housing and cost of living crises continue to intensify. Queensland couple Kate and Adam moved into a rental property in Toowoomba, 125km west of Brisbane, three months ago with their three children. They had to leave the capital behind as they couldn't afford the skyrocketing rents. Now in a cruel twist of fate, their landlord is forcing the young family out. Kate and Sam (pictured) have been forced to move into a tent after their landlord kicked them out of their rental property 'They didn't give us a reason on why they're doing it. They literally just told us you got to vacate,' Adam told A Current Affair. Kate said she was devastated and had pleaded with the landlord to change his mind. 'I begged him, I was crying on the phone,' she said. 'When I found out I got a notice to leave I said how are we meant to live?' The young family have struggled to secure another rental in the current property market so are bracing to move into a tent to keep a roof over their heads. Adam is an ex-serviceman currently employed as a window cleaner, while Kate works in aged care. Another Queensland man, Chris, moved into a tent city in Musgrave Park in Brisbane's south after he was priced out of the private rental market. 'I was desperate to find accommodation, I couldn't compete with those 52 people getting a lease on my own,' he said. Aussies are increasingly moving into 'tent cities' as the nation's housing crisis continues to bite (pictured are tents in Brisbane) Tamika Smith has developed one possible solution to the state's housing crisis by making affordable, pre-fabricated homes in factories. Ms Smith says her construction company My Bella Casa's services can easily be scaled up to help those in need but says her proposals to the government have fallen on deaf ears. 'There is enormous demand right now and I think that's the critical point that we're seeing is that there is currently no incentives for supply across the country but there is more and more pressure placed on demand,' she said. Australia's vacancy rate in November remained at a record low for the third month in a row, at just 0.8 per cent. 'A chronic undersupply of rental stock coupled with strong overseas migration and rising property prices against increasing demand are driving the competitive nature of the rental market,' according to property site Domain. He's probably Ireland's most famous cultural export, but a plaque outside a house where James Joyce lived in Paris has raised hackles for years by describing him as a British writer. Now the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned the Irish Embassy in Paris has contacted the authorities there with a view to having the wording on the plaque changed. Although Joyce famously lived at many addresses in Dublin, Paris, Trieste, Zurich and beyond, the apartment at 71 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, in the city's Latin Quarter, is regarded as especially important, as it's where he wrote a large part of his masterpiece, Ulysses. The plaque reads: 'James Joyce, British writer of Irish descent, welcomed by Valery Larbaud [famous French writer], completed his novel 'Ulysses' here, a major work of 20th century literature.' Ironically, the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris is just 300 metres from the address. He's probably Ireland's most famous cultural export, but a plaque outside a house where James Joyce lived in Paris has raised hackles for years by describing him as a British writer Now the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned the Irish Embassy in Paris has contacted the authorities there with a view to having the wording on the plaque changed The new cultural officer at the Irish Embassy in Paris, Hugh Farrell, this weekend vowed to take action over the plaque. He told the MoS: 'We are, of course, aware of the plaque and its inaccurate description of Joyce's nationality. 'The embassy has informally raised the correction of the plaque with the competent authorities, the Mairie [city hall] of the 5th arrondissement, and intends to make further representations on the matter.' The MoS understands the description of Joyce as a British writer was at the request of his grandson and literary executor, Stephen Joyce, who died in 2020. A spokeswoman for the James Joyce Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland, also said this week that the inscription on the plaque at the apartment is 'just wrong'. The spokeswoman told the MoS: 'He would never have described himself as a British writer.' The apartment is the only one of Joyce's 18 addresses in Paris that has a plaque in his honour. The French writer and poet, Valery Larbaud, who was independently wealthy, lent the Paris apartment to Joyce, his wife Nora and their two teenage children, Giorgio and Lucia, from June to September 1921, as Joyce was nearing the end of writing Ulysses. In a letter to a friend that year, Joyce wrote: 'Valery Larbaud, the French novelist and translator of Samuel Butler, who is raving about Ulysses, has given us a charming furnished flat to use for the summer.' Joyce thought the apartment roomy and well-furnished, and he was also impressed that it had a 'maid servant'. The plaque at Rue du Cardinal Lemoine states that Joyce finished Ulysses at the apartment but in fact, he carried on writing the book after he left the property on October 4, when the family returned to live at a hotel on the nearby Rue de l'Universite. A British man accused of allegedly defrauding investors of nearly 80 million with a fake luxury wine scheme has pleaded not guilty in a US court. Stephen Burton, 58, was extradited on Friday to New York from Morocco, where he was arrested in 2022 after using a fake Zimbabwean passport to enter the country, authorities said. Federal prosecutors said that Burton, along with a co-defender James Wellesley, 56, ran Bordeaux Cellars, a company which they said brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors. Burton was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on Saturday and pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He has been detained without bail pending his next court hearing on January 22 and could face up to 20 years in prison for the charges. Stephen Burton, 58, is accused of allegedly defrauding investors of nearly 80 million with a fake luxury wine scheme Burton was extradited on Friday to New York from Morocco, where he was arrested in 2022 after using a fake Zimbabwean passport to enter the country Federal prosecutors said that Burton, along with a co-defender James Wellesley (pictured), 56, ran Bordeaux Cellars, a company which they said brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors Burton and Wellesley allegedly solicited just over 78 million ($99 million) from investors in New York and other areas from June 2017 to February 2019, approaching them at places including conferences in the United States and overseas. The men told lenders that the loans would be backed by wine they stored for wealthy collectors and promised profits through interest payments, prosecutors alleged. However, these collectors 'did not actually exist and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans,' the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement on Saturday. Instead, officials said, Burton and Wellesley used loan money provided by investors for themselves and to make fraudulent interest payments to other investors. 'With the successful extradition of Burton to the Eastern District of New York, he will now taste justice for the fine wines scheme alleged in the indictment,' U.S. Attorney Breon Peacesaid in a statement. 'This prosecution sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud that you can run from law enforcement, but not forever.' Burton's lawyer, John Wallenstein, said: 'These are all allegations, and we will defend them vigorously. 'Were going to wait for the discovery and examine the evidence very carefully.' Wellesley is also a British citizen and is currently awaiting extradition in the United Kingdom. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. If convicted, the defendants could each face up to 20 years in prison for charges of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. A woman, whose mum and sister died in a horror crash allegedly caused by a driver fleeing police, is desperately lobbying the government to bring in tough new laws. Claudine Snow's sister Steffi, 35, and her mum Susan Zimmer, 70, died when their car crashed with a vehicle allegedly driven by Uiatu 'Joan' Taufau at Bonogin in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30, 2022. Her mum's 79-year-old former partner Chris Fawcett was also in the car and died in the crash. Police charged Taufua with manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evade police and drive without a driver's license. Taufua, who is the mother of Brisbane Broncos NRL star Payne Haas and Gold Coast Titans player Klese Haas, has been in police custody since the crash and has yet to enter a plea deal. Claudine Snow (right) is calling for Queensland to change its laws after her mother Susan Zimmer, 70, (left) and her 35-year-old sister Steffi were killed in a fiery crash by a driver who fled police Claudine Snow's sister Steffi, 35, and her mum Susan Zimmer, 70, died when their car crashed with a vehicle allegedly driven by NRL star's mum Uiatu 'Joan' Taufau at Bonogin in the Gold Coast hinterland on December 30, 2022 (pictured) pictured, the aftermath of the fiery crash Ms Snow is now calling on the Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan to introduce compulsory jail time for drivers found guilty of fleeing the police. Evading the police is a criminal offence under Queensland law, with those found guilty either receiving a fine or time behind bars. However, Mrs Snow wants to see the law changed so that drivers who are found guilty of evading police are slapped with a compulsory term of imprisonment. She added Queensland could follow NSW after the state introduced Skye's Law, which was named after toddler Skye Sassine who was killed in 2009 by a driver fleeing police. In a letter written to Mr Ryan, she suggested the Queensland law could be dubbed 'Susan's Law' in honour of her mum. 'I have often wondered what would my mum do if I had died in that crash and she survived?' she wrote, the Courier Mail reported. 'She would be advocating for change. Unless something changes, nothing changes.' Mrs Snow said she understands not every driver obeys the law but hopes that the change would prompt drivers to think twice before fleeing police. 'This creates a scenario where a potential offender may view stopping for police as the lesser of two evils,' she wrote in her letter to the minister. 'This is why I write to you seeking an audience to follow the inspiration of NSW, where Skye's Law makes it crystal clear that as much as an offender may not want to stop for police, consequences for the alternative are far more serious.' Uiatu "Joan" Taufua, mother of Brisbane Broncos player Payne Haas and Gold Coast Titans player Klese Haas, has been in police custody since the crash. It's alleged she was driving erratically and then sped off when a patrol car tried to intercept her vehicle Mrs Snow has penned a letter to Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan calling for drivers found guilty of fleeing police to serve a compulsory jail term (flower tributes for Steffi, Susan and Chris Fawcett) Pictured, Stephanie and Susan Zimmer Mrs Snow said she understands the law will not change every driver's behaviour but claims that 'one life saved is better than none'. Police allege Taufua was seen driving a Mercedes wagon erratically through the suburb of Bonogin before speeding off when a patrol car activated its lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Officers did not give chase but came across the horror crash site down the road a short time after trying to intercept the car. Taufua, who was pulled from the fiery wreckage by witnesses, was the sole survivor of the crash and there is no suggestion either of the Haas brothers had any involvement. Advertisement A woman raced into the arms of her soldier after he touched down at a Nebraska Air Force Base. The exhilarating moment was caught on camera by the Nebraska National Guard as soldiers with Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron were reunited with their loved ones on the tarmac at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lincoln ahead of the holidays. For the woman who spots her soldier among the troops coming off the plane, she can wait no longer, and races at full speed towards her beau. The soldier barely has time to react and quickly manages to take off his backpack and put it on the ground while bracing himself to catch her in his arms. A woman raced into the arms of her soldier after touching down on at a Nebraska Air Force Base For the woman who spots her soldier among the group coming off the plane, she can wait no longer and races at full speed towards her delighted beau The soldier almost topples backwards as he holds his love in his arms Soldiers with Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron were reunited with their loved ones on the tarmac at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lincoln, Nebraska The solider can be seen beaming with delight as she rushed into his arms. He momentarily loses his balance and is forced to take a couple of steps backwards to prevent himself from toppling. The heartwarming hug was seen by dozens of soldiers family members, many of whom could be heard cheering as they celebrated the return of their loved ones back on home soil. The soldier was one of 91 returning from the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The troops deployed last February and have been stationed in various parts of the Middle East but mainly Kuwait, where they performed security operations and training with allied forces. Families, friends and community leaders welcome home 91 Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers with Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron The Beatrice-based cavalry troop returned from a 10-month overseas deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait One little girl appeared excited to see her father who was returning from a deployment Daddy and daughter are finally reunited after ten months apart Mothers and daughters were also reunited One of the soldiers coming home for the holidays was Matias Domingo who was meeting his baby girl for the very first time after his wife gave birth two months ago. 'I was definitely counting down the days,' Domingo told KLKN. 'It's a feeling that I can't explain right now, but I am definitely very excited to be back home.' His wife Brianne agreed: 'It's just nice that he gets to spend time with her now and get that bond with her.' 'I'm just excited to be back and missed both of them a bunch,' another solider, Chase Adams said while holding his little girl. 'Lots of things have changed and ready to pick up our life back.' Families waited patiently on the tarmac for their loves ones to arrive back home safely The troop returned back to Nebraska just in time to celebrate the holidays A Florida man has been sentenced to life in jail for murdering his gay rights activist roommate and dumping his body in a landfill site. Steven Yinger, 38, was convicted of killing Jorge Diaz-Johnston, 54, by a jury at Leon County Courthouse on Friday after four hours of deliberation. He strangled his roommate to death in January 2022 before treating him 'like a piece of garbage' and putting him in the trash can. Diaz-Johnston was unknowingly picked up by trash crews and taken to a landfill site in Baker where he was discovered. Yinger then stole the victim's BMW, sold his cellphone for a few hundred dollars and went shopping with his credit card. Diaz-Johnston, who sued to end Florida's same-sex marriage ban to marry his husband, had allowed Yinger to move into his apartment in October 2021 shortly after he was released from prison. Steven Yinger, 38, has been sentenced to life in jail for murdering his gay rights activist roommate and dumping his body in a landfill site He was convicted of killing Jorge Diaz-Johnston, 54, (pictured) by a jury at Leon County Courthouse on Friday after four hours of deliberation Yinger strangled his roommate to death in January 2022 before treating him 'like a piece of garbage' and putting him in the trash can. Diaz-Johnston was unknowingly picked up by trash crews and taken to a landfill site in Baker where he was discovered Yinger was found guilty of first-degree murder, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with physical evidence and criminal use of personal identification information. Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper then immediately sentenced him to life in prison. Diaz-Johnston, the brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, ordered Yinger to move out on January 3, 2022 after he allowed a meth addict to stay in the apartment and items went missing. Yinger then strangled him to death and dumped his body in the trash can outside before wheeling it away. His body was picked up by a trash crew and discovered in a landfill site. Assistant State Attorney Adrian Mood told jurors Diaz-Johnston was treated 'like a piece of garbage' and showed the court the bin Yinger shoved him in. After killing Diaz-Johnston, Yinger used the victim's bank cards to withdraw cash and buy clothes, food and beer. One of his purchases included a $45 Chicago Bulls hat which he wore during a long interview with police. Yinger also stole Diaz-Johnston's blue BMW vehicle, phone and his 4K television. Diaz-Johnston's husband was among family and friends who attended the three-day trial and read out victim impact statements. Yinger stole the victim's BMW, sold his cellphone for a few hundred dollars and went shopping with his credit card Diaz-Johnston, pictured with his husband Don Diaz-Johnston, ordered Yinger to move out on January 3, 2022 after he allowed a meth addict to stay in the apartment and items went missing Yinger then strangled him to death and dumped his body in the trash can outside before wheeling it away 'What Jorge did was genuine Christian love to try to give this man a leg up and an opportunity,' Don Diaz-Johnston told the Tallahassee Democrat. 'And Jorge knew that that level of kindness and generosity can thaw the coldest of hearts. But the truth is it can't turn the blackest of hearts.' He received a phone call from a woman at Diaz-Johnston's office on January 7 to say he had not shown up for work for several days, so he reported him missing. Their friend Rahim Dantzler went to Diaz-Johnston's apartment that night to check on him and Yinger had answered the door. 'I just got a bad feeling,' Dantzler told jurors. '[Yinger] kept asking me, "Why are you looking at me like that for? I didnt do nothing to Jorge."' A detective confirmed that Diaz-Johnston's phone was use to send an email to his workplace to say he would not be in. But the wording was 'uncharacteristic of him' and alerted police to 'really suspicious activity.' Don received a phone call from a woman at Diaz-Johnston's office on January 7, 2022 to say he had not shown up for work for several days and he reported him missing Diaz-Johnston and his husband Don were one of six gay couples who sued the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court in 2014 for the right to get married 'I am so angry. After all those years of trying to get my husband back, to have him ripped from me for such an utterly senseless reason,' Don told CNN affiliate WPLG last year. He added that Diaz-Johnston knew Yinger from an alcohol recovery program and took him at a time when the couple were separated. 'Jorge didn't charge him rent, never had expectations, until he could get a job and support himself, and that's who Jorge was,' Don added. Yinger has had multiple arrests and convictions in Florida and Alabama for burglary, grand theft and drugs. He was in and out of Leon County Detention Facility more than 12 times and was in state prison three times. Diaz-Johnston and his husband Don were one of six gay couples who sued the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court in 2014 for the right to get married. They were were among the first to get married the following year. A Utah man who killed his wife and in-laws in a botched murder-suicide has been sentenced to life in prison - defying his wish for execution by firing squad. Jeremy Lake Bailey, 34, shot and killed his wife Anastasia Stevens, 36, at their home in Layton, 20 miles north of Salt Lake City, on May 19. He then turned his gun on her father Donald Stevens, 73, and Donald's wife Becky Stevens, 61 - Anastasia's stepmother. Bailey also shot and killed three of the family's dogs. Minutes after their murder, he logged onto Anastasia's Facebook profile and posted a message saying what he had done. He called it a 'massacre suicide,' claiming he 'just killed everyone' and killed 'three of the dogs.' He then rang 911 to say he had killed them, and that there would be a murder-suicide. Jeremy Bailey, 34, is seen in court on Tuesday for his sentencing on three counts of murder Bailey murdered his wife Anastasia Stevens, 36, at their Layton, Utah home on May 19 Bailey also killed his wife's father Donald Stevens, and his wife's stepmother Becky Stevens, who were visiting from Nevada But when police arrived at the Layton home, Bailey handed himself in. Bailey told them he had an argument with his wife before killing her and her parents, and asked if he could be executed by firing squad. The last execution in Utah was carried out in 2010, when Ronnie Lee Gardner was killed by firing squad for the 1984 murder of attorney Michael Burdell during Gardner's failed escape attempt from a Salt Lake City courthouse. Bailey's wish was not granted, and on Tuesday a judge in Salt Lake City sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences. 'Your life has been spared,' said Judge Michael DiReda. 'You were extended mercy that you were unwilling to extend to your wife and her parents. Here you are the beneficiary of that very mercy.' Judge Michael DiReda is seen on Tuesday sentencing Bailey to three consecutive life sentences Jeremy Bailey and his wife, Anastasia Stevens. He killed her and told police he intended on carrying out a murder-suicide, but then backed out of killing himself The couple, who lived in Layton, Utah, had argued before he opened fire Relatives of the three victims made emotional statements about their loss. Wes Chisnall, half brother to Anastasia Stevens and son of Becky Stevens, paid tribute to their kindness. 'I will never forget the childhood that I had because of Becky and Anna,' he said, according to NBC News. Chisnall's wife added: 'His cowardice took the lives of a mother, a father and a sister. In the blink of an eye, he left my husband without his family. 'He stole the innocence of my children's youth; his actions have created a ripple in their life that will be forever felt.' Donald Stevens' sister, Tami Seipert, told the court: 'We all are in pain for something that we had nothing to do with.' Bailey's attorney, Jonathan Nish, said the sentencing was fair. 'This was a serious case that could have been a lot worse than it is now,' he said. A major retail centre in Sydney's west has been evacuated due to a fire, disrupting thousands of Christmas shoppers. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said firefighters attended Penrith Westfield about 1.20pm on Sunday after a fire broke out at a food court inside the popular shopping destination. It is understood as many as 3000 people were evacuated as firefighters attempted to manage the blaze. One person was reportedly treated by ambulance for smoke inhalation. A fire broke out in a food court at Penrith Westfield on Sunday afternoon with up to 3000 shoppers evacuated Fire and Rescue NSW said nine fire trucks and 28 firefighters attended the blaze The fire was extinguished about 1.50pm. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. FRNSW said nine fire trucks and 28 firefighters attended the scene. More to come. A two-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a car while while standing next to his dad waiting to cross the road. The pair were standing in the bike lane on Stud road in Dandenong North, Melbourne, at about midday when the toddler was hit. Police said CPR was performed on the two-year-old but he died at the scene. It's understood the dad was waiting for the car to turn before crossing the road but instead the car entered the bike lane and struck the little boy. A two-year-old boy had been killed after he was struck by a car while standing next to his dad waiting to cross the road in Dandenong North, Melbourne (pictured, McFees Road) The little boy's aunty said her nephew was on his way home with his dad after the pair spent the day together in Cranbourne. Emergency services are redirecting traffic on the corner of Mcfees and Stud roads. The driver of the vehicle stopped to help the toddler and has since been assisting police. Police have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the horror crash. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has information or dashcam and CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. An ex-adviser to Melania Trump has claimed the former first lady's speech at a National Archives Naturalization Ceremony was too sympathetic to migrants An ex-adviser to Melania Trump has criticized the former first lady's recent speech at a National Archives Naturalization Ceremony as a feigned sympathy grab amid the current migrant crisis. Trump, 53, on Friday assured new arrivals that they 'are American' and thus should be 'proud' and 'stand [their] ground' - spurring the angry response from former staffer Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. In comments to CNN, Winston Wolkoff - who once served as an unpaid advisor to the Slovenian national - called the spot 'repulsive,' and a 'publicity moment.' The 52-year-old went on to accuse the mom-of-one of being 'almost deceitful', for celebrating 25 new citizens from 25 countries in the ceremony in Washington, DC. The comments from the fashion executive come some four years after she resigned after the extent of her firm's compensation for organizing inaugural festivities came into question, claiming she was 'scapegoated' over a misspent $26million. She claimed only $1.6million of the sum went to her personally, and that it was divided among 15 employees. Reps for Trump - who had long been friends with the ex-Sotheby's lobbyist - later said she 'had no involvement' in the party planning. Scroll down for video: In comments to CNN, Wolkoff - who for two years served as an unpaid advisor to the Slovenian national - called the spot 'repulsive,' and labeled it a 'publicity moment', citing the former first lady's previous disinterest in helping migrants Trump, 53, on Friday assured new arrivals that they 'are American' and thus should be 'proud' and 'stand [their] ground' - spurring the angry response from her former staffer Melania Trump's former aide @SWinstonWolkoff blasts the former First Ladys deceptive immigration remarks at a naturalization ceremony at The National Archives pic.twitter.com/oqEfeDdt9a Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) December 16, 2023 Hours after her old boss's appearance Friday, Winston Wolkoff proceeded to tear into Trump, citing what she viewed as her previous disinterest in helping the demographic. She told CNN NewsNight host Abby Phillip of the speech: 'Unfortunately, I find it to be really deceptive, almost deceitful, and quite honestly, I find Melania Trump's words to be lacking of any real meaning.' She went on to state how Trump, as the second first lady of the United States to hail from another, 'had the opportunity to make such a difference in the lives of so many', but failed by blindly supporting her husband. 'I mean, it was the American dream,' she said of the Slovenian's unlikely ascension to the peak of American political power, eventually adding: 'And to squander that opportunity, to show up today, to try and make a difference in something that her husband is so against, which is immigration, as we all know, really is meaningless.' The declaration was followed by another that questioned Trump's motives while on the podium, and her 'intent on doing the right thing matters in America.' Winston Wolkoff - who in 2020 published the scathing tell-all Melania and Me about her time in the Trump camp - also asked aloud if Trump was not publicly seeking 'attention,' before answering herself: 'That is why she is there today.' She explained: 'It is the attention she receives, it is what brings Donald the ability to bring more people to the forefront of what he is discussing about immigration. 'And for her to really talk about and be there under the guise that she cares about America and democracy,' she added, 'is untruthful.' Hours after her old boss's appearance Friday, Winston Wolkoff proceeded to tear into Trump, citing what she viewed as her previous disinterest in helping the demographic. She told Abby Phillip of the speech: 'Unfortunately, I find it to be really deceptive, almost deceitful, and quite honestly, I find Melania Trump's words to be lacking of any real meaning' Trump, 53, on Friday assured new arrivals that they 'are American' and thus should be 'proud' and 'stand [their] ground' - spurring the angry response from her former staffer She went on to claim that '[u]nfortunately, people keep giving [her] this out, this reason to believe that Melania should be freed from Donald. 'But Melania is complicit,' she then declared, before comparing Trump to her husband. 'Melania is, you know, side by side with the showmanship and she is exactly like Donald - just, unfortunately, in a skirt and high heels. 'Showing up today,' she added, 'was just another way for her to have some camera time.' Asked whether Trump would 'reappear in the coming months' to help her husband's campaign, Winston Wolkoff replied affirmatively - stating: 'I do feel strongly that Melania Trump isn't going anywhere.' She explained: I believe that Melania will stay by Donald's side. Throughout all of this, she is his partner in crime.' Toward the end of the interview, Winston Wolkoff declared, 'I find [the speech] to be really quite repulsive', while billing it as yet another 'publicity moment' by the former model. Hours before, while dressed in a black pantsuit, Trump told onlookers how she had determinedly pursued her own American dream after moving to New York City in 1996 and eventually meeting Donald. She said reaching the 'milestone of citizenship' had marked the 'sunrise of certainty' in her life. 'You are American,' she told the new citizens, adding that they should be 'proud' and to 'stand your ground'. Toward the end of the interview, Winston Wolkoff declared, 'I find [the speech] to be really quite repulsive', while billing it as yet another 'publicity moment' by the former model A day after his wife appeared on at the ceremony, her husband quoted Adolf Hitler to a crowd in Rhode Island while speaking about migrants - claiming they are coming from 'all over the world' and 'poisoning the blood of our country' Meanwhile, the migrant crisis continues to worsen, with more than 100,000 arrivals over the past year since Trump's Title 42 was rescinded. Migrants are seen linking up for processing by US Border Patrol in Lukeville, Arizona, last week, as entry points spread away from Texas Melania arrived in American from Slovenia in 1996 and became a U.S. citizen 10 years later. She spoke as her husband campaigns for a second term in the White House although she made no mention of him in her remarks. Should he win, Donald Trump would enact an extreme expansion of his first-term crackdown on immigration, the New York Times reported last month, that would sharply restrict both legal and illegal immigration. His plans include using the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out sweeping raids across the country and return to his ban of entry by people from certain Muslim-majority nations, and re-imposing a Covid 19-era policy of refusing asylum claims. A day after his wife appeared on at the ceremony, the politician quoted Adolf Hitler to a crowd in Rhode Island while speaking about migrants - claiming they are coming from 'all over the world' and 'poisoning the blood of our country'. The comments echoed some of the defamatory ones issued by the Republican during his first campaign about Mexicans and other migrants, which landed him in hot water but also saw him gain a great deal of news coverage in the buildup to the 2016 election. He eventually won a close, somewhat unexpected decision over Hillary Clinton, with many crediting the publicity he received as a deciding factor. When he assumed the Oval Office, Melania tapped the former director of special events at Vogue Winston Wolkoff as her senior adviser, after which the ex-fashion director used a company she ran out of Marina Del Rey to secure $26million for 'event production services' during the inauguration. When Donald Trump assumed the Oval Office, Melania tapped the former director of special events at Vogue Winston Wolkoff as her senior adviser. The two had a falling out in 2018 over Winson Wolkoff's alleged misspending of funds, and have not been seen together since When confronted with the spending, she told the Times that most of the $26 million went to subcontractors, and that the $1.62 million was divided among 15 of her own staffers . Trump went on to cut ties with Winston Wolkoff in February 2018, claiming in a statement that she 'had no involvement' in the inauguration planning and had 'no knowledge of how funds were spent.' The two - who had been friends during Trump's first two decades in the Big Apple - have not been seen together since. Winston Wolkoff's book, which bashed both Melania and her husband, was released two years after her resignation. Meanwhile, the migrant crisis continues to worsen, with more than 100,000 arrivals over the past year since Trump's Title 42 was rescinded, which allowed border agents to more freely send migrants back across the border. Migration numbers in states like Texas have increased drastically as a result, with Arizona - the state with the second-most land along the Southern Border - serving as a sort of lesser known casualty. According to federal data released earlier in the year - when monthly border crossings reached a record 218,763 encounters - an average of 1,000 people have been sent back across the border each month since Title 42 ended, compared with 3,000 the month before. The spike, seen in September, came after a summer that saw 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border in August, up 37 percent from July but little changed from August 2022. Numbers have dipped slightly since October, which historically has been the case regardless of the year. A surge in Arizona has also been occurring for the past four months, with the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector recently stealing the distinction from towns in Texas as the busiest corridor for migrant encounters. The traffic is somewhat uncharacteristic for a passage that typically sees less traffic than other sectors like the Rio Grande Valley, and shows the constantly evolving state of the country's continued border crisis as Biden tries to deflect to Congress. A photo of a father and son who were tragically killed in a freak plane crash has emerged showing the pair in the cockpit with broad smiles. Experienced pilot Lane Kokshoorn, aged in his 30s, and his primary-school-aged son, were travelling in a Highlander Rotax 914UL before it clipped powerlines and nose-dived onto a property near the Clarence River close to the Nymboida National Park about 8.30 am on Tuesday. Police confirmed the aircraft burst into flames after the impact with the pair declared dead at the scene. On Thursday, grieving family members shared a photo on social media of the two doing what they loved best - flying together in the light plane. Mr Kokshoorn is seen grinning in the cockpit, wearing red sunglasses and a black cap, with his beaming son in the passenger seat. Lane Kokshoorn, aged in his 30s, and his primary-school-aged son were travelling in a Highlander Rotax 914UL before tragedy struck The haunting image sparked and outpouring of love and support online as the family prepare to hold a funeral for the pair on December 22. 'A celebration of their lives,' the invite reads, 'Two beautiful souls shall soar the sky's (sic) forever.' The doomed aircraft left the Gold Coast on Sunday night, with the father and son in good spirits when they left the Southport Flying Club at about 9am on Monday. Police believe the pair stopped for the night before departing on Tuesday morning. The light plane crashed just a few hours later. The light aircraft clipped powerlines before crashing on the banks of the Clarence River Mr Kokshoorn (pictured) was an experienced pilot who flew Boeing 787's for All Nippon Airlines - one of Japan 's biggest airlines operating out of Tokyo 'A recreational aircraft clipped a powerline, as a consequence of that then crashed onto the banks of the Clarence River,' Acting Inspector Aaron van Schaik said. 'Unfortunately, the plane caught fire after the impact.' The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is not investigating the crash. However, NSW Police are continuing investigations with assistance from Recreational Aviation Australia. A popular fast-food chain could be on the brink of collapsing as its owner has personally filed for bankruptcy protection. Boston Market has had its headquarters seized over $329,000 in unpaid sales and payroll taxes, stores have been evicted and employees and vendors left unpaid. Its owner Jignesh Pandya has personally filed for bankruptcy protection which leaves the future of the company in doubt, according to The News Tribune. Although his potential personal bankruptcy does not spell the end for the fast-food chain, it has suffered a rocky six months. Boston Market, which began in Newton, Massachusetts, once had over 1,200 restaurant locations but this has now fallen significantly to 300. Popular fast-food chain Boston Market could be on the brink of collapsing as its owner has personally filed for bankruptcy protection It has had its headquarters seized over $329,000 in unpaid sales and payroll taxes, stores have been evicted and employees and vendors left unpaid The company's owner Jignesh Pandya has personally filed for bankruptcy protection which leaves the future of the company in doubt, according to The News Tribune Fast-food giant McDonald's previously owned Boston Market for seven years until it sold it to a private equity firm in 2007. Boston Market grew rapidly as it enjoyed a successful period of business but it has been on a steep decline. Its stores have slipped by more than three quarters and keeps falling every day. The company's immediate future has been cast into doubt following Pandya's personal filing for bankruptcy protection. Boston Market stores have been getting evicted and its employees and vendors have not been paid. Its headquarters were seized back in May by the Colorado Department of Revenue due to $329,00 in unpaid sales and payroll taxes. Companies which do not have a central authority often decline quickly and this has been echoed with Boston Market as its stores have been closing at a rapid rate. All of its restaurants in Connecticut and South Florida were shut down in recent weeks. Most of the closures are due to formal evictions because of unpaid rent. Boston Market is also facing a lawsuit from one of its key vendors US Foods over claims it is owed around $11million. The company is also the subject of a federal investigation over unpaid wages from vendors and employees, according to Restaurant Business Online. Boston Market, which began in Newton, Massachusetts, once had over 1,200 restaurant locations but this has now fallen significantly to 300 It has been sued more than 140 times in different states and federal courts since the current ownership took over in 2020. The brand has some value and a new owner, or a company it owes money to, could try to keep it going. However, a fast-food chain which does not pay its rent or vendors won't be able to operate for long and the remaining Boston Market restaurants could be at risk of shutting too. Bankruptcy court could allow for workers to be paid and deals to be struck with vendors but the high volume of lawsuits mean making that happen quickly is unlikely. Boston Market is still sharing job posts on its LinkedIn page. DailyMail.com has contacted the company for comment. One of the ABC's best-known newsreaders is about to walk out on the public broadcaster on after 17 years, joining an exodus of high-profile resignations. Karina Carvalho, who works with the ABC's 24-hour TV news channel in Sydney, has become disillusioned at many aspects of the ABC's culture, sources claim, and will sign off for the final time on Wednesday. She has become concerned about the ABC's editorial direction and that some fellow journalists have become 'activists', rather than being neutral in their reporting, the Australian reported. Former 7.30 host Leigh Sales has repeatedly slammed activist journalism, saying in October that 'Too often, too many journalists, at all media organisations, are abandoning values espoused by people like Andrew Olle, for various reasons. 'One is that some reporters prefer to be activists and crusaders rather than fact-finders or straight reporters,' she told the audience at the Andrew Olle Lecture audience. Karina Carvalho (pictured), one of the ABC's best-known newsreaders is about to walk out on the public broadcaster on after 17 years, joining an exodus of high-profile resignations Carvalho (pictured), who works with the broadcaster's 24-hour TV news channel in Sydney, has reportedly become disillusioned at many aspects of the ABC's culture Major star quits after more than three decades at the ABC Advertisement Olle was an Australian radio and TV presenter who mostly worked for the ABC, whose work is honoured in an annual lecture. But in August, Sales was herself accused of activism when ABC distributed a step-by-step guide she wrote on how to quash suggestions the Uluru Statement from the Heart was not a 'one-page document'. Carvalho, who was born in Sri Lanka and moved with her family to Perth when she was aged 4, has worked with the ABC across Australia. She presented the 7pm news in both Perth and Brisbane and co-hosted ABC News Breakfast with Michael Rowland from Melbourne. Despite the alleged dissatisfaction with the broadcaster, she said 'The ABC will always have a special place in my heart, I've been able to meet and work with so many talented people. 'Now is the right time to venture into the next phase of my career and I'm excited to see what's around the corner. I wish my colleagues at the ABC nothing but the best,' she told the Australian. Commercial networks, where Carvalho (pictured) would likely earn a lot more money, are said to be courting the departing star Commercial networks, where Carvalho would likely earn a lot more money, are said to be courting the departing star. The ending of her tenure at ABC comes just days after radio star Richard Kingsmill announced he was leaving the broadcaster after more than three decades. It also follows the departure of Stan Grant, Tom Switzer, Mary Gearin, Stacey Lee and Josh Szeps. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Carvalho for comment. The ABC declined to comment. Record flooding has smashed parts of far north Queensland with a major airport underwater and residents forced to wait on the roofs of their homes to be rescued. Heavy rain from ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper has caused flash flooding across Cairns with the city now cut off due to inundated roads. Cairns Airport has been forced to close with parked planes on the runway photographed underwater. The area was hit with totals of more than a metre of rain with water levels expected to break 1977 flood records when levels reached 3.8m. Flooding in parts of Cairns have already exceeded record levels with up to 20mm of rain forecast for Monday with showers expected to last well into Tuesday. Rescue vessels have been deployed and the navy has been called in to assist as towns continue to be besieged by more flooding. Cairns Airport has been forced to close because of severe flooding, with extraordinary images showing multiple aircraft submerged in a rising torrent on the runway James Cook University geo-hydrologist Professor Jonathan Nott told the ABC the flood is the largest ever recorded in Cairns 'by a substantial amount'. 'It's a very, very serious flood,' he said. Professor Nott said the rainfall would flow through the Barron River catchment which could flood several areas downstream. Residents have been urged to seek shelter with emergency flood warnings issued for Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob and parts of Trinity Park. An emergency alert has also been issued for Wujal Wujal where major flooding from the Bloomfield River was affecting properties. Evacuations and rescues have been carried out, mostly at Mossman, Douglas, Gordonvale and Innisfail, and homes in low-lying areas have been inundated. Roads including the Bruce Highway were cut off and several bridges were severely damaged. Emergency services including , surf lifesaving and water police have been evacuating residents in low lying areas with dozens stranded in their properties access to communities cut off by the water. Some locals made their way onto roofs to escape the floods with authorities forced to wait until before it was safe to rescue residents. Pictured is the view of Cairns Airport carpark underway Two men were left stranded on the rooftop of their remote ranger station near Battlecamp Rd in Melsonby Homestead without supplies on Saturday following rising floodwaters (Pictured: flooding in residential neighbourhoods in far north Queensland) The floods have thrown Christmas travel plans into chaos with officials at Cairns airport working with authorities to inform customers about flights that have been cancelled. 'This decision has been made as we continue to work closely with authorities and stakeholders, including our airline partners,' Cairns Airport said in a statement. 'Please contact your airline directly for information about specific flights. Another update will be published following the review at 6pm.' Earlier emergency crews were forced into a desperate wait to rescue two men who were left stranded on the rooftop of a remote Cape York property. The pair had been forced to climb to the top of their ranger station near Battlecamp Rd in Melsonby Homestead, northwest of Cooktown, on Saturday evening following torrential rain. Emergency services were alerted to the men's location about 11.40pm when a member of the public reported the situation. The duo do not have mobile reception and have been communicating to a friend, the police informant, via Wi-Fi. 'Last night it was too dangerous to get the helicopter out. The plan was to get there this morning, but the helicopter cannot deploy due to dangerous weather. The earliest crews can deploy is midday,' a police spokeswoman told the Cairns Post. 'They are still on the roof and have been since 3am.' '(It's been reported) they have no shelter, no water and no food.' The urgency of the situation was escalated at 9.55am on Sunday morning due to an increased threat to the men's lives. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed they are aware of the situation, readying water rescue crews and the helicopter pilot to locate and rescue the men. Wild weather and 'life-threatening' flooding aren't expected to ease for days with multiple rescues and evacuations having been carried out over the weekend, mostly at Mossman, Douglas, Gordonvale and Innisfail. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed they are aware of the situation, readying water rescue crews and the helicopter pilot to locate and rescue the men (pictured: Clifton Beach experiencing severe flooding) This comes following multiple rescue and evacuations in the state's north as Cyclone Jasper rips through the region (pictured: Landslip on Palmerston Hwy) READ MORE: Shock update after child was struck by lightning and left fighting for life during wild storms in southeast Queensland A man in his 60s was on Saturday afternoon struck by lightning at Biggera Waters on the northern Gold Coast (stock image pictured) Advertisement Ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper is lashing the north of the state, with areas between Daintree to Ingham receiving more than 450mm of rain. The Bureau of Meteorology said more than 20 rain gauges in the region had recorded more than a metre of rainfall, with the water levels expected to break 1977 records. 'It's important to note with this scenario that flash-flooding and riverine flooding can change very quickly,' meteorologist Laura Boekel said on Sunday. 'This is very much an evolving situation,' she warned. There was a 'very high likelihood' conditions won't ease until Tuesday afternoon. Emergency warnings are in place across the state, as thousands of people are urged to move to higher ground. People at the Blue Water Estate in Trinity Park were urged to leave the area immediately at 1pm due to a dangerous flooding and to seek shelter in a high place. Roads were closed throughout the Cairns area due to 'life-threatening flash-flooding', a Queensland Police spokeswoman said. Homes, buildings, roads and bridges have been inundated while authorities also warned of landslides and the risk that vital services like power, water, sewerage and telephone services could be cut off. Residents have been urged not to drive, to take shelter inside and stay up high with people in the Barron catchment and Machans Beach particularly at risk. Major flood warnings have been issued elsewhere in far north Queensland including for the Daintree River, Mossman River, Herbert River, Johnstone River Catchment, Mulgrave River, Russel River and Tully River. Emergency warnings are in place across the state, as thousands of people are urged to move to higher ground (pictured: Pictures of Cairns Regional Council's floodmaps from 11am Sunday, December 17) Cairns airport also shut down on Sunday afternoon, with flooding levels predicted to exceed 3.8 metres. 'A further assessment will take place at 6pm,' the airport said in a statement. 'This decision has been made as we continue to work closely with authorities and stakeholders, including our airline partners.' Jasper has now reached the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria as a low after dumping as much as a metre of rain on parts of the state over a four-day period. The category 2 system hit the coast north of Cairns on Wednesday night before weakening to a tropical low. The category 2 system hit the coast north of Cairns on Wednesday night before weakening to a tropical low (pictured: Flooding from the Mulgrave River at Goldsborough) It hovered over far north Queensland including the Cape York Peninsula on Saturday and led to more rain falling on already sodden regions. The system is slowly moving west and there is a chance Jasper may redevelop into a cyclone from Wednesday as it moves north, according to Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology. Emergency services are pleading with people to take care in the wet weather and to prepare their properties, with the SES reporting it has responded to hundreds of requests for help. Disaster relief for people impacted by Jasper has been widened to include Yarrabah council with up to $900 available to cover the cost of essentials for large families and extra help reconnect with utilities. Collins, 31, has been moved to the prison as a reward for 'good behaviour' Ferne McCann's violent ex-boyfriend has been moved to a cushy new jail as a reward for 'good behaviour', it has been reported. The former TOWIE star, 33, was pregnant with her daughter Sunday when then boyfriend Arthur Collins threw corrosive acid over a crowd on the dance floor at Mangle E8 in Dalston, within weeks of their pregnancy announcement. Ferne McCann, 33, was pregnant with her daughter Sunday when Collins launched the brutal attack He is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of carrying out the brutal acid attack in 2017, leaving 16 people with serious injuries. Collins, 31, was previously being held in Category A HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, but has since been moved to HMP The Mount in Hertfordshire which prepares prisoners for release by teaching them barista skills. Collins, 31, was previously being held in Category A HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, but has since been moved to HMP The Mount in Hertfordshire A source told The Mirror that Collins was moved to the prison for 'good behaviour' after just six years. They said: 'This is a quick turnaround for someone given 20 years to be in such a sedate Category C prison. 'He will have the opportunity to be involved with making coffee, which is likely to give him a skill on the outside.' HMP The Mount provides coffee for 'Redemption Roasters', which in turn provides the professional barista training in the prison. The source told The Mirror: 'The scheme is aimed at readying people for the outside, which might alarm his victims as he should have 14 years of his sentence left.' The man was seen appearing to smoke on two Tube trains in the space of a week This is the jaw-dropping moment a man appears to smoke crack cocaine in a packed Tube in front of travellers and children. Video of the shocking scene, which has been shared widely on social media, shows the man slouched in his seat lighting a glass pipe while holding a bag of white powder. In the footage fellow passengers can be seen looking away from him as he appears to inhale smoke on a Victoria line train. Since then a second video has also been shared online appearing to show the same man doing the same thing on a less crowded train on Saturday morning. British Transport Police has said it is investigating the first incident. MailOnline has contacted it and Transport for London (TfL) for comment regarding both videos. Video shows the man appearing to inhale from a glass pipe while surrounded by passengers on the Tube The first video, which was posted on TikTok on Thursday, sparked shock when it was shared to X (formerly known as Twitter) the same day. The person who shared the video on X wrote: 'Thought I had seen it all'. One commenter wrote: 'I know Londoners don't like to make eye contact or talk to anyone whilst on the tube but when you're breathing in second hand crack smoke, something should be said.' Another wrote: 'I think it's time Londoners stop minding their own business. What do you mean you're inhaling second hand crack?' Conservative MP Neil O'Brien replied 'so much needs to change' on seeing the footage. In response to the post British Transport Police wrote: 'We're aware of this incident and officers are making enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040, quoting ref 241 of 15/12/23.' Since then another person has posted a video appearing to show the same man on a different train. This newer footage appears to show the man filling a glass pipe on a Victoria line train on Saturday morning. Posting it online and quoting the original video, the woman who took the latest footage wrote: 'On my way to work this morning. 7am. He don't rest.' A TfL spokesperson said: 'We are working with the British Transport Police to investigate this urgently. 'If anyone has any information about this matter, please contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040, quoting ref 241 of 15/12/23' A BTP spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We're aware of videos showing a man smoking on London Underground trains. 'Enquiries into these incidents are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 241 of 15/12/2023.' In the footage fellow travellers can be seen looking away from the man as he holds a glass pipe A second video apearing to show the same man doing the same thing was shared a day later Crack cocaine is a Class A drug, which means it's illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. People found in possession of it can be jailed for up to seven years and be given an unlimited fine, while those who supply it can be jailed for life as well as being fined. The drug emerged in the Americas in the late 1970s as a relatively cheap and transportable form of cocaine that could be more easily distributed than the powdered variety. Cocaine acts stimulant and produces a 'high' for the user, but crack is more potent than powdered version because of the immediacy, duration, and magnitude of its effect, as well as the typical frequency and amount used. There are concerns over the long-term effects of cocaine in all its forms, and it has been associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric changes - including depression, anxiety and paranoia - as well as damage to the heart and lungs. The risk of dependence among users of crack cocaine has also been estimated to be two to three times greater than among powder cocaine users. The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) has announced that it has achieved a key milestone by earning the prestigious international accreditation for ISO 17025:2017, specifically in the domains of pearl identification, gemstone identification, diamond identification and grading in addition to weight and measurement calculations. This esteemed accreditation was bestowed by the National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body based out of the US, which accredits over 3,000 organizations in around 80 countries. With this recognition, Danat solidifies its position as the world's first pearl testing laboratory to achieve such a distinguished milestone. This accomplishment stands as a testament to the consistent support that Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat extends to its Bahraini portfolio companies such as Danat, said a statement from the company. It also mirrors the significant strides made by the laboratory in delivering dependable, precise, and internationally recognized measurement and calibration outcomes, thereby bolstering its reputation, it stated. Operating on a global scale, the laboratory reaffirms its dedication to upholding the highest standards and best practices in areas such as management system efficiency, staff proficiency, laboratory equipment quality, environmental conditions, examination and calibration methods, sample collection and handling procedures, material management, result quality documentation, and the issuance of reports and certificates, it added. On the key achievement, Chairman Yaser Alsharifi said: "We take great pride in reaching this milestone, marking the culmination of our dedicated efforts at Danat Laboratory. Achieving this milestone signifies our commitment to upholding the finest international standards and practices, and it stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team, highlighting their diligence and hard work in attaining unparalleled levels of quality and reliability in the gemmological services we offer." "Looking ahead, we are enthusiastic about our ongoing pursuit to gain the trust of both our local and international clientele, aiming to establish ourselves as the world's premier pearl testing laboratory," he noted. According to him, the international accreditation certificate was granted to Danat Laboratory following a comprehensive process. "This involved a meticulous technical evaluation of the laboratory's operations, thorough audits of all testing procedures to guarantee efficiency and adherence to global accreditation standards, and verification of the laboratory equipment's compliance with international benchmarks in the pearl and gemstone industry," he explained. Alsharifi said: "Receiving this ISO accreditation establishes a fundamental assurance for parties engaging in our testing and measurement services. It signifies that all our testing procedures adhere to standardized conditions, employ authorized technical methodologies, and are administered by qualified personnel." "This accomplishment not only presents us with a strategic opportunity to expand our footprint in both regional and international markets but also bolsters our global competitive advantage. Furthermore, it underscores the Kingdom of Bahrain's role as a preeminent and dependable global center for pearl and gemstone testing services," he stated. Danat CEO Noora Jamsheer, lauding the entire team, said this distinguished achievement would not have been possible without their dedicated efforts and cooperation over the years. "Achieving global recognition and efficiency in just six years since the institute's establishment reflects the unwavering commitment of the institute management and team to delivering exceptional services and solidifying the institute's leadership in the pearls, gemstones, and jewellery sector," remarked Jamsheer. "While many laboratories take years to attain such a milestone, we take immense pride in the fact that Danat has accomplished it in record time," she0 stated. "This achievement is a testament to our relentless pursuit of elevating the quality of all our services, ensuring the highest standards of work performance, and verifying that our services adhere to international specifications and standards, and reaffirms our position and competitiveness in the global pearl and gemstone sector," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Detectives are preparing to speak with Alex Batty about his alleged kidnap and escape from life in a 'nomadic' commune in France, as the teenager wakes up in the UK for the first time in six year The 17-year-old flew from France's Toulouse Blagnac airport to Amsterdam yesterday before finally touching down in Manchester last night, escorted by police officers. The teenager, who vanished when he was 11, was seen walking off the plane with a skateboard tucked under his arm before being whisked away for an emotional reunion with his grandmother, whom it is understood he will live with. Susan Caruana, who lives in Oldham, has been searching for her grandson since he allegedly kidnapped by his mother, Melanie Batty, and grandfather, David Batty after failing to return from a pre-agreed trip to Malaga. Alex's return to British soil marked the end of a long journey after he was found on Wednesday by a delivery driver escaping life in a 'spiritual community' in the French Pyrenees. Alex Batty, from Oldham, was 11 when he did not return from a holiday to Spain with his mother Melanie, then 37, and grandfather David, then 58, in 2017. He was found earlier this week Alex (pictured left) with his mother Melanie (centre) and grandfather David (right) six years ago Yesterday evening, Greater Manchester Police said they were yet to speak with Alex about his disappearance. The force said it would speak with the boy 'at a pace that feels comfortable with him' to determine 'how he may have been doing, and where he has been, over his years missing'. French authorities, who have spoken with Alex, confirmed that he had been 'accompanied by British police officers' on a KLM flight via Amsterdam on Saturday before being taken to his Mrs Curuana so she could confirm his identity. On Friday, the teen's grandmother spoke of her 'relief and happiness' that her beloved grandson had finally been found after years of desperate searching. 'I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again,' Mrs Curuana said in a statement released by police on Friday. 'I can't wait to see him when we're reunited. The main thing is that he's safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child.' Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police confirmed Alex's 'safe return back to the UK after six years'. Since September 2017 Alex is thought to have been living in a 'spiritual community' in the French Pyrenees with his mother, then 37, and grandfather, then 58. Alex Batty's Grandmother Susan Caruana answers her door to reporters at her home in Oldham, Greater Manchester on Friday Assistant chief Matt Boyle speaks at Greater Manchester Police Headquarters after Alex Batty arrives back in the UK, in Manchester, Britain, December 16, 2023 French authorities said on Friday Alex had attended a spiritual memorial ceremony to honour his grandfather. French cops said on Friday that Alex said his mother had decided to flee the mountain community to Finland following the death of his grandfather six months ago. Assistant Prosecutor Antoine Leroy said: 'When his mother indicated that she was going to leave with him to Finland, this young man understood that this had to stop. 'So then he decided to leave the place where he was with his mother and walked for four days and four nights.' Police said last night they had not yet been able to locate Ms Batty who could be in Finland. Neighbours living near to the isolated farmhouse where Alex was said to have been living have given contradictory reports, however, claiming that his grandfather - known to locals as Peter - was alive. They claimed they saw Peter seen mowing the lawn of the Gite de la Bastide in the hamlet La Bastide, about an hour's drive south of Carcassonne. A neighbour, who gave his name only as Sebastian, said: 'Peter is not dead. I saw him a week ago, maybe ten days. He was mowing the grass in front of the Gite. 'I know this because my mum's dog loves him. She is a white border collie and he throws a stick for her.' Some of Alex's friends on Facebook include people who appeared to live off-grid, practicing rituals, meditation and yoga. This is a picture one of them posted to social media Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle speaking to the media about British teenager Alex Batty at Greater Manchester Police Force Headquarters in Manchester, Saturday December 16, 2023 Sebastian said that Alex - known to locals as Zak - had lived in the Gite with his grandfather part of the time and spent the rest of the time with his mother somewhere in the neighbouring department of Ariege. Alex was found on a deserted countryside road heading towards Toulose on Wednesday at 3am by 26-year-old Fabien Accidini, a student and delivery driver from Marseilles. The exhausted teen was seen carrying a skateboard, a flashlight and a rucksack on his back when he was picked up by Fabien. Fabien told La Depeche newspaper of the moment he discovered the teenager: 'He was walking while the rain fell in heavy drops. The second time I passed him, I decided to offer to drop him off somewhere. 'He was quite tall and blond, and dressed in black jeans, a white sweater and a backpack. He also carried a skateboard under his arm and a flashlight for lighting. His attitude gave me confidence. He ended up getting into my van.' Fabien said that Alex seemed tired and stressed when he picked him up, but was 'really fine physically'. He added: 'During the first few minutes, he seemed a little shy. We tried to speak in French but I noticed that he had not mastered the language. Alex Batty disappeared with his mother Melanie Batty and grandfather David Batty in 2017 Gite de la Bastide, remote part of the Pyrenees where teenager Alex Batty was living with his Grandfather David Batty 'I decided to communicate in English. When I asked him his name, he pretended his name was Zach, and then we continued chatting.' Fabien said that Alex told him he had been living with his mother and grandfather in a 'spiritual commune' after they kidnapped him. Alex then went on to tell the driver that his mother was 'a little crazy' and 'in some bizarre delirium when he was talking about spirituality' but insisted that she had never imprisoned him and he could 'leave when he wanted'. 'He had no animosity towards his mother but he really wanted to find his grandmother. He really missed his loved ones,' Fabien said. 'We talked for over three hours! Very quickly, he gave me his real identity Alex Batty before telling me his story. 'He said his mother kidnapped him when he was 12 years old. Since then he had lived in Spain in a luxury house with around ten people for three years. 'He arrived in France around 2021. In the middle of the weekend, he decided to leave his mother to join his family in England. He had been walking for more than four days.' Alex told Fabien that he now plans to go back to school to become an engineer, Afp reported. Fabien took Alex to the police in Revel, near Toulouse. Alex told detectives he had pent time in the spirtual community that focused on 'work on the ego, meditation and reincarnation', French prosecutors said. Alex's cousin Stephen Devine said: 'Alex's mum was involved in a cult. His grandma became his guardian but then his mum Melissa and grandfather offered to take him on holiday for a week and they were never seen again. 'It is going to be a big adjustment for him (to be home). He's probably grown up without a formal education.' At the time of his disappearance, his grandmother said she though her daughter and ex-husband had taken him abroad after falling into a cult-like lifestyle Speaking about Alex's condition when he was checked over by officials, French officers said: 'This young man was described by the police who have seen him and by the doctors who examined him as 'tired' but overall in good health. 'He's said to be intelligent even though he's never been to school in this entire period.' Alex told detectives that his mother and grandfather had an 'obsession' with solar energy and they moved from house to house while taking the solar panels with them. 'The mother experienced a sort of obsession with solar panels, so they were travelling to house to house with solar panels,' Leroy said. 'They only used car-sharing, they didn't have their own vehicle.' Alex remained in the care of social services in Toulose with his passport application being 'expedited' so he could return to the UK quickly. Detectives from Greater Manchester Police then flew out to the Ariege region in France this week, which is known for hippy camps, conspiracy theorists, sects and cults, to bring Alex back home. The officers from GMP are not currently being sent out to join the hunt for his mother and grandfather, it is understood, with detectives liaising with their French counterparts on the ground. The mayor of one rural hamlet in the Pyrenees, La Bastide, who knows the teenager, described Alex as a 'happy and polite' young man, but added: 'He'll be happy to be back with his grandmother.' Upon Alex's return last night, assistant chief Boyle added: 'Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family in partnership with other local agencies to ensure they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his reintegration with society is as easy as possible. 'We are yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, understand that this may be an overwhelming process. He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person.' Rishi Sunak personally intervened to prevent the RAF from scrapping a 40million helicopter flight despite criticism over his use of the official aircraft to travel around the UK. Then defence secretary Ben Wallace announced in July the contract for two private helicopters was being axed, after the Prime Minister was criticised for using them taking trips to places like Southampton, a short rail or road trip from Westminster. But the decision was reversed in September at the behest of Mr Wallace's successor, Grant Shapps. The U-turn was revealed by the in-house newspaper at RAF Northolt, where the helicopters are based with No32 (Royal) Squadron under a VIP operation in place since 2006. In comments picked up by the Sunday Times today, Squadron Leader Tom Woods, the commander of 32Sq, wrote in the autumn-winter edition of RAF Northolt Approach: 'In mid-September 23, the new secretary of state for defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, reversed the decision at the request of the prime minister. 'There was frenetic activity to rapidly ensure all the key elements required to allow [the helicopter] to continue service were in place.' Then defence secretary Ben Wallace announced in July the contract for two private helicopters was being axed, after the Prime Minister was criticised for using them taking trips to places like Southampton, a short rail or road trip from Westminster. In comments picked up by the Sunday Times today, Squadron Leader Tom Woods, the commander of 32Sq, wrote in the autumn-winter edition of RAF Northolt Approach: He wrote: 'In mid-September 23, the new secretary of state for defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, reversed the decision at the request of the prime minister.' He also suggested that when the temporary contract comes to an end there would be a tender for a new permanent one. That five-year deal was previously advertised as being worth 30million-40million Mr Sunak has been criticised previously for his use of RAF planes and private helicopters to travel around the UK on official and party political business when there are cheaper and less polluting alternatives. In May he flew 70 miles from London to Southampton instead of driving or using the train. He was previously accused of behaving like an 'A-list celebrity' after he used an RAF jet to fly 250 miles to northern England to promote 'levelling up' funding in January. That was the third time he had used an RAF aircraft in ten days for trips within Britain. In March, it was revealed the PM had spent more than 500,000 of taxpayers' cash on private jets to take him on foreign trips totalling eight days. In August it was revealed he had used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights once every eight days since entering No10, it has been revealed. According to new data, the Prime Minister has boarded RAF aircraft for journeys within the UK more frequently than his three immediate predecessors. Since he took office on 25 October and up to April this year, Mr Sunak has taken 23 domestic flights on official planes and helicopters over 187 days. This is an average of one flight every eight days, which puts the PM ahead of Liz Truss (one flight every 12 days on average), Boris Johnson (one flight every 20 days) and Theresa May (one flight every 13 days). A No10 spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister regularly uses all forms of travel. His travel plans will vary and are always decided with consideration to the most efficient and best use of his time, and the interests of the taxpayer, in full accordance with the ministerial code and in line with established practice.' Israeli troops claim to have captured holiday homes belonging to numerous Hamas leaders, including a property that the terror group's chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, vacations in. Dubbed 'Gaza's Bin Laden', Sinwar was elected leader of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, and is considered to be one of the masterminds behind the bloody October 7 attacks. He was raised in Khan Younis and is believed to have had multiple properties in the southern city, which Israel's forces have been increasingly focusing on as their offensive shifts south. The Israeli Defence Forces shared footage of one of its battalions pushing further into the city, which it said showed them storming houses, a commander's offices and engaging Hamas fighters in gun battles as they go. Israel has said in recent days that it is inching closer to uncovering Sinwar's whereabouts, with a senior US official this week warning the Hamas boss that 'his days are numbered'. Dramatic video shows IDF soldiers pushing further into the southern city of Khan Younis in Gaza Smoke billows over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip during Israeli bombardment on December 17, 2023 The Israeli troops operating in Khan Younis this weekend uncovered some 30 Hamas tunnels, the IDF said Yahya Sinwar was elected leader of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, and is considered to be one of the masterminds behind the bloody October 7 attacks Before that, Israel revealed that its troops had surrounded Sinwar's Khan Younis home, saying: 'His house may not be his fortress and he can escape but it's only a matter of time before we get him.' Hamas's Gaza chief has been in hiding ever since, and while there was no indication of whether he was in his Khan Younis home, Israel has called him 'a dead man walking'. During the search for Hamas leaders who Israel has vowed to root out, the IDF said it also found weapons stockpiles, useful intelligence, and uncovered some 30 tunnel shafts including in Hamas leaders' properties. Colonel Elad Tzuri, whose brigade is battling Hamas in the Khan Younis area, said: 'We found weapons, tunnels inside vacation homes of senior Hamas officials. We see a lot of tunnel shafts here, still encountering the enemy but gaining operational control of the area.' It comes after the IDF released dramatic bodycam footage showing the moment an Israeli soldier throws a hand grenade down a tunnel shaft as he comes face-to-face with Hamas fighters in the north of the Gaza Strip. Bitter fighting continues between Israel's Defence Forces and Hamas despite growing international and domestic pressure to scale back the offensive in the besieged enclave. In a still from a video released by the IDF of the operation in Khan Younis, an Israeli soldier is seen in a tank Smoke pours out of a bombed building in the southern city of Khan Younis Bodycam footage shows Israeli troops in action in the field during an operation which saw them storm Hamas leaders' holiday homes Israel's air and ground assault has seen it target some 200 targets in the past day, including several apartments used by Hamas in the Gaza City suburb of Shejaiya, where it said paratroopers found stockpiles of weapons. During its operations in the area, a soldier in the IDF's 188th Brigade filmed himself tentatively approaching a tunnel shaft before a terrorist breaks cover to shoot at him and his comrades from inside. They start to return fire before the soldier tells the others to hold off as he pulls the pin on a grenade, throwing it into the tunnel. The IDF said the close-quarters combat was successful and that its troops 'neutralized the terrorist and destroyed the tunnel shaft.' The soldier recording the bodycam footage tells the others to hold fire as he pulls the pin on a grenade Israeli soldiers walk around what the army says is the entrance to a tunnel shaft in which a Hamas fighter is hiding and firing from Smoke pours out of the shaft as the two sides exchange fire before an Israeli soldier throws a grenade into the tunnel Israel is pressing ahead with its offensive today after it emerged yesterday that three hostages were killed by IDF troops. The men, all in there 20s, were shirtless and waving a white flag. The incident has raised questions about its conduct in a 10-week-old war that has brought unprecedented death and destruction to the coastal enclave. Naama Weinberg, whose cousin Itai remains in captivity, shared her concerns about the safety of the remaining hostages. 'We don't need dead bodies. We need people alive,' she told the BBC. Injured Palestinians, including children, are brought to Nasser Hospital to receive medical treatment following Israeli attacks in Khan Younis A wounded boy yells out in pain as he is treated following Israeli attacks on the southern city of Khan Younis Protests in Israel continue as loved ones of those still being held captive say the only way to bring them home is through a deal with Hamas. Israel is thought be in negotiations to get hostages returned, with talks reportedly being brokered by Qatar and Egypt, following a temporary ceasefire last month, which saw dozens freed. But Benjamin Netanyahu has been firm that Israel must continue to apply military pressure on Hamas, vowing that his country will continue the war 'until absolute victory'. At a press conference last night, he spoke about Israel remaining 'relentless' in its military and diplomatic efforts 'to bring back all the hostages home safely.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, Israel on December 17 Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Saturday, December 16 Israeli soldiers on top of a pile of rubble as they operate in the Gaza Strip amid a major ground offensive An Israeli soldier looks on from Merkava tank during operations in the Gaza Strip Civil defense teams carry out search and rescue operations under debris of destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza on December 17 Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day - the longest of several outages over the course of the war, which aid groups say complicate rescue efforts after bombings and make it even more difficult to monitor the war's toll on civilians. The situation is becoming increasingly desperate for hospitals struggling to get supplies amid an overwhelming flow of casualties. The emergency department at Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is 'a bloodbath' and 'in need of resuscitation', the World Health Organization said today . As the civilian death toll mounts, Israel has come under significant pressure to scale back major combat operations, with France today calling for an 'immediate and durable' truce. And in a landmark change in the UK Government's stance towards the conflict in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary David Cameron has called for a 'sustainable ceasefire' between Israel and Hamas. Lord Cameron published a piece in The Sunday Times today along with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock saying they 'share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on'. A Palestinian child looks on at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip A heartbreaking picture shows small children, looking on distraught at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip The pair advocated for an 'end the endless cycle of violence', but stated they were not calling for an 'immediate' ceasefire. The pressure could be piled on further when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. Washington expressing growing unease with civilian casualties and the mass displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians - nearly 85 per cent of Gaza's population - even as it has provided vital military and diplomatic support to its close ally. The air and ground war has flattened vast swathes of northern Gaza and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Foreign Secretary David Cameron has called for a 'sustainable ceasefire' between Israel and Hamas Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets in all parts of Gaza. Its onslaught has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's Hamas government. Despite the growing international pressure, Israel has vowed to continue operations until it dismantles Hamas, which triggered the war with its October 7 attack into southern Israel, in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israeli soldiers walk over tank tracks on a beach in the Gaza Strip as they continue operations An Israeli military vehicle drives down a road as it retreats following a raid at the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees near the northern city of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank on December 17, 2023 Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has successfully rescued one hostage. There is growing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try to reach a new deal with Hamas for the release of at least some of the hostages. More than 120 people remain in captivity. An Islamist preacher has called for 'the final solution' and for Muslims worldwide to unite and establish an army to defend Islamic countries against the West. Speaking at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, south-western Sydney, on Friday, a man known as Brother Muhammad raged about the ongoing war in Gaza. 'This is the barbarity, this is the inhumane nature of this Israeli-Zionist state,' he told worshippers in a video seen by Daily Mail Australia. The Israel-Palestine conflict 'has to be a spark for the umma (Muslim community) and a spark to the final solution,' Brother Muhammad said. The term 'the final solution' was used by the Nazis during World War Two to describe their policy of exterminating Jewish people. Speaking at the Al Madina Dawah Centre (pictured) in Bankstown, south-western Sydney on Friday, a man known as Brother Muhammad raged about the war in Gaza READ MORE: Dramatic moment Israeli soldier lobs grenade into tunnel shaft as he comes face-to-face with Hamas fighters Advertisement In the sermon the preacher called for the Muslim world to unite 'under one leader, the khalifa, the imam, the sultan, that implements the sharia of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala and he sends Muslim armies to defend the lands of Islam'. The radical cleric also compared what is happening in Gaza to other conflicts which involve or did involve Muslim populations, such as those in Syria, Chechnya and Bosnia. 'The final solution is we must be united as one state under a Muslim government,' he said. 'All these lands must be united under one leader who implements the Koran and sunnah way of life: it will use its resources, its oil, its army to defend its people. 'The Muslim community needs a Muslim army to defend it and the lands of Islam to fight for them and protect them. 'This is the only solution everyone has to work for this cause in any way that they can.' Brother Muhammad said countries such as the US, UK and France 'were frothing at the mouth (over the war in Gaza) - they couldn't wait until the butchering began'. He said Western countries were 'falling over themselves' to back Israel and that the conflict in the Middle East was the latest act in a 1,000-year war to destroy the 'ummah' (worldwide Muslim community). The preacher also claimed Israel was using artificial intelligence (AI) to kill children. 'They (Israel) put information in, the computer crunches the numbers, it gives them some targets, they press the buttons, and hundreds of civilians and children are killed in one go,' he said. Islamist cleric Brother Muhammad (pictured) has called for 'the final solution' and for Muslims to unite with an army to defend Islamic countries and societies against the West State and federal police have dropped investigations into various anti-Semitic sermons in Sydney, saying the preachers' calls for jihad did not meet the criminal threshold. The Islamic centre in Bankstown also made headlines last month when another Muslim cleric gave a sermon telling followers to 'kill Jews'. He used the name Abu Ousayd, but was revealed to be well known extremist Wissam Haddad, who runs the Al Madina Dawah Centre. In a speech in November, he said he was an 'Ustadh' (teacher) and that Jews were 'scheming' to pit Muslim against Muslim because it was 'good for their business'. He previously ran the al-Risalah Islamic Centre, also in Bankstown, which gained a reputation for promoting extremist ideology and recruiting Australian Muslims to fight in Syria. At least one sheikh who lectured at that centre was tied to high ranking figures in terrorist group al-Qaeda, while two prominent members of ISIS who fought in Syria were regular visitors and personally known to Haddad. Abu Ousayd, aks Wissam Haddad, delivers his lecture on Jews at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in south-western Sydney That centre was investigated and later raided by Australian authorities in September 2013, closing a month later, which Haddad blamed on being unfairly targeted by ASIO and the media. Haddad's sermons inciting hate have again brought him under scrutiny. In his most recent speech, he said: 'Peace is bad for the Jew. '(They say) "there is no business for us. There goes our media, there goes our Hollywood blockbuster films." 'They need the fighting and the infighting of the Muslims to continue in order to thrive, in order to grow.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Al Madina Dawah Centre for comment and clarification as to what Brother Muhammad meant by 'the final solution'. An inferno ripped through a 19th Century Georgian country hotel last night in Galway, as police confirm they are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire. It comes just hours after protesters gathered outside the Ross Lake House hotel, Rosscahill, amid concerns about migrants in the area. The elegant hotel has not been used in a number of years, but was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week. An inferno ripped through a 19th Century Georgian country hotel last night in Galway A Google image of the Ross Lake House Hotel, in Rosscahill, Co.Galwa Fire crews brought the fire under control and a technical examination of the site is taking place later today The fire broke out at approximately 11.35pm and nobody was inside the building when it was engulfed in flames. Fire services brought the fire under control and a technical examination of the site is set to take place later today. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, for Dublin West, described the incident as a 'disgraceful act.' He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Deeply disturbing news from Galway last night. Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it.' The Minister took to X to condemn the 'disgraceful' act The sentiment was shared by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, of the Irish Muslim Council who said: 'There is NO justification for burning a hotel, especially amidst a #HousingCrisis. 'The fire in #Roscahill, Galway, targeting potential refugee housing, is a shameful act committed by an extremist minority. 'This does NOT represent the true values of the Irish people. 'Such actions not only tarnish our nation's image, but also hinder the crucial conversations about real immigration concerns. 'Let's engage in constructive dialogue instead of succumbing to hate and destruction. #UnityNotHate' Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri took to X to call out the 'shameful act', noting that it 'does not represent' the true values of the Irish people Micheal Martin posted on X to 'condemn the criminal destruction' at the Ross Lake House Hotel Micheal Martin, who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence in Ireland, posted on X: 'I utterly condemn the criminal destruction at Ross Lake House Hotel in Galway. Martin, who is the Tanaiste, or Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, wrote: 'There is never any excuse or place for violence, hatred or intimidation. 'Those responsible for this criminal act do not speak for their community or this country.' The Irish Refugee Council, which advocates for refugees and people seeking protection, issued the following statement regarding the fire. 'This fire fits a clear pattern of arson attacks of locations where protection applicants were due to be accommodated or actually living. 'There must be a full investigation. 'Our unswerving solidarity and support is with all people seeking protection and refugees at this fearful time. 'Leadership, local and national is more important than ever. 'The actions of a small minority will never succeed but they cannot be underestimated and this must be a turning point. 'Let us also not forget that they are in contrast to the proud history of welcome that communities across Ireland, including in Galway, have shown over the last 30 years.' Hours before, protesters formed a blockade outside the entrance to the hotel in opposition to the Government's plans to house asylum seekers there. Protesters could be seen gathered outside the hotel just hours before the fire broke out A map showing the location of the fire which started last night at 11.35pm It comes one month after riots broke out in Dublin following a horrifying knife attack that saw three children and a woman injured. The attacker was confirmed to be a man, originally from Algeria, who acquired Irish citizenship and has been living in the country for the last 20 years. As many as 500 thugs gathered close to some of the city's most iconic locations, some waving flags and brandishing signs reading 'Irish Lives Matter'. Shocking scenes saw police officers attacked, with around 50 sustaining injuries, while buses and a tram were torched, with one driver punched and dragged from his cab. Shocking scenes saw police officers attacked, with around 50 sustaining injuries, while buses and a tram were torched, with one driver punched and dragged from his cab Tributes placed at the scene where a horrifying knife attack saw three children and a woman injured A fire was started on the ground floor of a Holiday Inn Express following rumours that migrants were staying there. The Mail recently revealed there were more than 50,000 asylum seekers in roughly 400 hotels in the UK as of June 2023, costing 8.2 million a day. The UK Home Office had 215,518 asylum cases 'in progress' at the end of June, up 30 percent year on year. It included more than 41,000 failed asylum seekers awaiting removal. This year 26,168 migrants have arrived in 552 small boats 30 per cent fewer than the 37,603 that had crossed by this time last year. The Border Force had forecast that 65,000 migrants would cross the Channel in small boats this year, compared with 45,755 in 2022. In an attempt to slash the massive bills footed by the taxpayer, sources told The Mail that Channel arrivals would no longer be housed in luxury hotels. Instead, the UK Government proposed moving migrants to cheaper motel-style properties as part of a programme to permanently close 100 migrant hotels by the end of March 2024. Gardai, Ireland's National Police and Security Service, say they are investigating this as an incident of criminal damage. A spokesperson for Gardai police said: 'Gardai are investigating a criminal damage incident by fire which occurred at a premises in Rosscahill, Co.Galway on Saturday, 17th December 2023. 'The incident happened at around 11.35pm and afterwards fire services brought the fire under control. 'There were no persons inside the building at the time of the incident. 'The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will take place later today. 'Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them at Clifden Garda Station 095 22500 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station'. Advertisement A criminal gang of airport workers who stole almost 1.7million worth of goods from passengers' suitcases has been busted at a Spanish holiday hotspot. Police arrested 14 people and are investigating another 20 following a spike in complaints at Tenerife South Airport concerning thefts from checked bags. Among the carriers that fly to the airport are Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways. The group of crooks loaded and unloaded checked luggage at a slower pace so they had time to open the cases in the hold. They would puncture the zippers to open them up, remove any valuables from inside, then close the zip again, leaving no indication of tampering. Their crimes were sometimes hidden from view by other suitcases, but they also exploited the rigid tarpaulins used to stop luggage sliding around in the hold. Among the stolen items were jewellery, mobile phones, watches and electronic devices, which were hidden in their lockers or in clothes with specially-made seams. In footage of the police raid, officers open a locker to find a pair of aviation ear defenders with a golden ring stashed in one earpiece. The group loaded and unloaded checked luggage at a slower pace so they had time to open the cases in the hold The total value of the stolen objects is estimated at 1,953,571 (1.68million) Photos of the seized loot shows stacks of cash, a Playstation 5 and Nintendo Switch, plus phones and designer watches. The total value of the stolen objects is estimated at 1,953,571 (1.68million). In a statement, Spain's Civil Guard said: 'We carried out several searches, both at the lockers of these airport workers and in their private vehicles and homes. 'In total, we seized 29 high-end watches, 120 pieces of jewellery including gold and precious stones, 22 high-end mobile phones, electronic devices, 13,000 euros in cash and a high-end vehicle.' The gang was carefully organised, police said, with each person having an assigned role. 'The members of this criminal group were perfectly structured, with functions defined in a hierarchical manner,' the statement said. Among the stolen items were jewellery, mobile phones, watches and electronic devices Spain's Civil Guard said they seized 29 high-end watches Police arrested 14 people and are investigating another 20 following a spike in complaints Those arrested face charges of belonging to a criminal group 'Each one was in charge of one of the parts of the commission of the crime. 'Choosing the flight, hiding the stolen effects, removing them from the airport facilities, selling them in jewellery stores or through the internet, distribution of profits, etc.' Police are also investigating 27 jewellery stores in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, after many of the objects were sold through physical and virtual second-hand stores. Those arrested face charges of belonging to a criminal group, robbery with force, damages and money laundering. Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways have been contacted for comment. A mother who 'enabled' the sexual abuse of her 12-year-old daughter had asked her doctor to prescribe her the contraceptive pill because she was 'sexually active'. The South Australian woman was found to have allowed her partner, the child's stepfather, to abuse the girl between the ages of 12 to 16 before becoming involved in the abuse herself. The couple, who were both sentenced to lengthy stints behind bars in the District Court, cannot be named for legal reasons. 'Instead of protecting her you first enabled the sexual abuse of her permitting (the stepfather) to assault her and then you joined in his exploitation by engaging in sexual contact with him and (the girl),' Judge Emily Telfer said, according to the Advertiser. 'It is difficult to imagine a more gross breach of trust between a mother and daughter.' The mother (pictured) was found to have 'enabled' her partner, the child's stepfather, to abuse the girl between the ages of 12 to 16 before becoming involved in the abuse herself The stepfather (pictured) was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison and set a non-parole period of eight years and seven months The couple had previously been found guilty of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child. Judge Telfer jailed the mother for 10 years and three months with a non-parole period of seven years. She had maintained her innocence in an appointment with a psychologist. The stepfather was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison and set a non-parole period of eight years and seven months. The daughter previously told the court: '[I] wanted to be treated like a daughter. 'I remember staring out the window having tears roll down my face just wanting it to be over and done with, but there was no use fighting it because then I would get treated like crap again.' Judge Telfer noted that it's 'impossible to properly summarise the destruction' the pair had wrought on the girl's life. 'Despite what you did to her she is becoming a strong, smart and driven young woman.' A teenage girl has allegedly been sexually assaulted on Rottnest Island, a tourism destination located 30kilometres off the coast of Western Australia. The alleged assault happened in a toilet block on Saturday night amid the arrival of tourists, many of them teenagers, in the first week of the school holidays. Daily Mail understands that another teenager is assisting police with their inquiries. Officers from the sex crime squad travelled from Perth to the island on Sunday afternoon to investigate what allegedly happened to the 15-year-old. The toilet block where the alleged assault happened is close to the Hotel Rottnest on Bedford Avenue, near the island's ferry jetty. A teenage girl has allegedly been sexually assaulted on Rottnest Island (pictured), a tourism destination off the coast of Western Australia British MP Layla Moran has said members of her family are 'days away from dying' as they are trapped inside a church in northern Gaza where an elderly woman and her daughter were killed yesterday. Two women, named as Nahida and Samar, were shot dead 'in cold blood' by an Israeli sniper while inside the grounds of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said. It said in a statement that a gunman had killed the pair at around midday on Saturday, revealing that 'one was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety'. They had been given no warning and were killed as they were walking towards a convent 'inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents,' the church said. It added that seven more people were shot and wounded yesterday as they 'tried to protect others inside the church compound'. Christian families have been sheltering in the complex since the war erupted, with members of Ms Moran's extended family - a grandmother, her son, his wife and their 11-year-old twins - among the dozens taking refuge as battles rage outside. Liberal Democract MP Layla Moran said her family have been staying on mattresses along with dozens of others in the Holy Family Church since the early days of the war Two women, named as Nahida and Samar, were killed 'in cold blood' by an Israeli sniper, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said File image shows a man decorating a Christmas tree outside the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City on December 20, 2020 Ms Moran said her family have been staying on mattresses along with dozens of others in the Catholic church for more than 60 days. A sixth member of her extended family in Gaza City - a grandfather - reportedly died last month after he was unable to reach hospital for medical treatment. MP Layla Moran's family Layla Moran is Britain's first ever Palestinian MP. Her immediate family are Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, while she has extended family members in Gaza City. She has spoken about her family members being trapped in Gaza - and how she and her sister are trying to get news from their relatives every day as they run out of food and have been reduced to drinking water. Ms Moran's mother Randa is Palestinian while her father James is British. He joined the EU Commission when she was one and the family moved to Brussels. Her mother's family are originally Greek but they moved to Palestine and then Jordan after the diaspora in the 60s. Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who wrote memoirs about Palestinian life under Ottoman and British rule. Advertisement 'I'm now no longer sure they are going to survive until Christmas,' Ms Moran, who has been in contact with her family over the weeks, told the BBC yesterday. The British-Palestinian MP has been sharing regular updates about the dire situation on social media. On Sunday, she said she had been told that 'a tank has taken position outside the church and the building opposite has been taken. The people inside have died. 'There are snipers at every window pointing into the church. Still shooting anyone emerging from buildings to use eg toilets. Still no food or water.' She said earlier this week that her relatives had told her that two men - a janitor and bin collector - were killed by gunmen as they walked to and from the building. Terrified of being killed themselves, people inside the church have reportedly been unable to collect the bodies, which have remained decaying in the street for days. The Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon has been drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians trapped in Gaza amid Israel's unrelenting bombardment of the enclave. She has spoken in Parliament about her extended family in Gaza City having their house bombed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), staying in a church and being 'too old' to flee the 25-mile strip. The latest reported deaths will add to fears for Christian Palestinians trapped in the church, and there has been outrage from around the world following Saturday's attack. Italy's top diplomat Antonio Tajani issued a 'heartfelt appeal to the Israeli government and army to protect Christian places of worship,' writing on X: 'That is not where the Hamas terrorists are hiding.' Hammam Farah, a family friend of Nahida and Samar said on X: 'This is a targeted death campaign during the Christmas season on the world's oldest Christian community.' A view of partially destroyed building belonging to Beshir family and located on Salah al-Din Road after Israeli attacks in Gaza City, Gaza on December 16 Civil defense teams carry out search and rescue operations under debris of destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza on December 17 Gaza's Christians are among the oldest established communities in the Middle East, with their origins dating back to the first century. But there numbers have dwindled since Hamas took complete control of the territory in 2007, falling from 3,000 to around 1,000, Al Jazeera reports. The IDF has been approached for comment. A new Benidorm-style beach resort is being built in North Korea at the request of Kim Jong-Un - and Brits will be welcome to visit. The dictator wants the holiday destination built in Wonsan Kalma on the west coast, up and running within months. The resort will be kitted out with water parks, hotels and an airfield. Kim's inspiration came after his officials were left 'amazed' during a research trip to Spain's Costa Blanca in 2017. The project, which seeks to bring in foreign money and kick start the country's tourism industry, began three years ago but was put to a halt at the beginning of the pandemic. Photos from before 2020 showed the despot grinning looking at high-rise hotels and sea view villas with 150 villas said to be built along the peninsula. The dictator wants the holiday destination, being built in Wonsan Kalma on the west coast, up and running within months. Pictured: A general view of the Wonsan Kalma tourist zone The project, which seeks to bring in foreign money and kick start the country's tourism industry, began three years James Finnerty, of Lupine Travel, which runs tours to the state, said it is not 'quite what people imagine' adding that Wonsan is 'a little more relaxed' compared with the capital Pyongyang. North Korea expert Michael Madden told The Sun: 'Provided the Foreign Office does not have such restrictions, if the Wonsan Kalma resort is complete and the DPRK resumes issuing tourist visas then, yes, UK tourists will be able to visit the resort. 'It is safe to assume that some North Korean tourism companies will market specialist tours of the country's beaches.' Most countries, however, advise against travel to North Korea. The UK Foreign Office advise against 'all but essential travel' to North Korea. Kim's inspiration came after his officials were left 'amazed' during a research trip to Spain 's Costa Blanca in 2017 Photos from before 2020 showed the despot grinning looking at high-rise hotels and sea view villas with 150 villas said to be built along the peninsula It says: 'While daily life in the capital city Pyongyang may appear calm, the security situation can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities. This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents.' Americans are even banned from travelling to the region unless they get an exemption from the Department of State. Dr Edward Howell, a lecturer at the University of Oxford who specialises on contemporary North Korea, added that the country has been slow to reopen its border since the pandemic. 'It will be some time before tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels,' he added. A series of incredible underwater images showcase the world's deepest underwater photoshoot which used a model who could hold her breath for six minutes. The record-breaking project took place 100ft below the surface of the famed Georgian Bay in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada. Photographer Steve Haining, 34, captured stunning pictures of model and free diver Ciara Antoski on September 19 at the bow of the abandoned Niagara II Shipwreck. The entire attempt lasted 30 minutes long, including cleanup, equipment removal and safety stop, while the photoshoot itself lasted just 16 minutes long, according to Guinness World Records. 'The real hero of the shoot, every time we do something like this, is the model,' Haining said. Photographer Steve Haining, 34, captured stunning pictures of model and free diver Ciara Antoski on September 19 in the Georgian Bay The photoshoot broke a new world record for the deepest shoot conducted underwater at 100ft below the surface One of the biggest challenges the team faced was the bitter 44 degrees Fahrenheit water temperature. Everyone but Antoski was able to wear wet suits to keep them warm. As Antoski donned a white and pink dress instead, she was more likely to suffer from the extreme conditions, but Mareesha Klups and Mario Medarevic, two experienced dive trainers, kept a close eye on her and the rest of the crew. Haining said that Antoski 'loves pushing the limits creatively with me' as the pair have worked together in past shoots. Antoski is no stranger to daring scenarios as she performed in the underwater escape act for American magic act Penn & Teller. In the 16 minutes it took to capture the pictures, Antoski experienced spasms in her diaphragm from the cold water. Haining then made the call to end the shoot in order to keep her safe. The photographer went on to say that he knows that he could've shot the project in warmer waters like the Caribbean, but he chose the cold water in the Great Lakes to 'make it as challenging as possible.' The breathtaking shoot officially passed the previous world record that took place, but Haining said that the entire expedition was 'about safety and having fun.' 'When we beat the record I felt like it was an honor to be recognized but my team and I really wanted to set the bar as far as the record goes and that's why we chose to go much deeper, colder, darker and over all more challenging and exciting as a personal goal,' Haining said. Antoski is a model and a free diver that was able to hold her breath for six minutes under water for the shoot She was not able to wear a wetsuit to stay warm in the freezing 44 degree water as she wore a white and pink dress instead Antoski posed at the bow of the abandoned Niagara II Shipwreck The same team held the previous world record after they conducted another deep dive during the Covid pandemic at 30ft deep. Everyone involved in the shoot had to be advanced open water trained, and in preparation for the deep dive they conducted reconnaissance of the site, multiple rehearsals, and learned a series of hand signals. The signals were used for the team to properly communicate underwater, so they could tell each other when they were out of air, needed to go up, or if they felt that they were done. Everyone wore underwater masks with tanks, and between shots, Antoski was given a mask as a breathing aid that helped her stay in the water for as long as she did. Everyone wore underwater masks with tanks, and between shots, Antoski was given a mask as a breathing aid Antoski is no stranger to daring scenarios as she performed in the underwater escape act for Penn& Teller- two American magicians The entire attempt lasted 30 minutes long, including cleanup, equipment removal and safety stop 'Ultimately it was a reason for the team to all come back together and do something really fun again,' Haining said. 'It's just really exciting to have the efforts officially recognized. But having those challenges and limitations and then getting the end results we did is so incredible the location we shot at 30 meters is a place we have all dove before and love so to be able to incorporate the passion of diving in Tobermory with my professional work in photography is really special.' The newest record that the team set is five times the old one. All of the pictures with Antoski were taken during the practice run, and the record-setting photos were captured the day after. The two photos of Antoski at the bottom of the sea, with the sand and ship behind her were the images that certified the new Guinness World Record for the deepest underwater model photoshoot. Haining said: 'Ultimately it was a reason for the team to all come back together and do something really fun again. It's just really exciting to have the efforts officially recognized.' A South Carolina couple have been arrested after allegedly burning a cross outside their black neighbors' home in what police believe was a racially-motivated crime. Worden Butler, 28, and Alexis Paige Hartnett, 27, of Conway, Horry County, have been charged with second degree harassment over the shocking incident, which officers say made retired couple Shawn and Monica Williams fear for their lives. On November 24, the Caucasian couple allegedly erected a burning cross facing the Williams' home on Corbett Drive, prompting Horry County Police and Fire Departments to rush to the scene. Hartnett, who works as a crystal healer according to her social media profiles, is accused of 'using racial slurs, threatening bodily harm and referencing having killed a black woman in the past' on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Butler allegedly shared the address of the Williams - who are also both veterans - on Facebook, saying he was 'summoning the devil's army' to their home. A South Carolina couple have been arrested after allegedly burning a cross outside their black neighbors' home in what police believe was a racially-motivated crime Worden Butler, 29, and Alexis Paige Hartnett, of Conway, Horry County, have been charged with second degree harassment over the shocking incident which officers say made their black neighbors fear for their lives. (Pictured: the accused couple) Alleged victims Monica and Shawn Williams (pictured together speaking with WCNC) said their neighbors had repeatedly called them the N-word and made them fear for their lives Hartnett and Butler live in a run-down bungalow (pictured) on Corbett Drive, according to the police report about their shocking alleged hate crimes After being taken into custody at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on November 30, Hartnett appeared expressionless in her booking photo, while Butler looked dazed and disheveled. The alleged incidents unfolded on November 23 when Butler began speaking with Monica Williams about work she was having done on her family home. Butler entered the property with Hartnett to 'try and intercede into the work being done', before 'yelling racial slurs' at Williams 'in reference to her being black', according to the police report. Williams asked why he was calling her names and Butler responded by calling her 'crazy', before forcing Hartnett back into their own bungalow next door, according to the warrant. But the following night tensions escalated when the crazed couple 'erected a cross' in their yard facing the Williams' home. When Horry County Police and Fire Department responders turned up, Hartnett 'repeatedly used a racial slur towards the victims' family' which was caught on police bodycam footage, according to the warrant. Police say her words 'intended to cause the victims the fear of assault, bodily injury and/or death' and that the couple's behavior was becoming 'more frequent and threatening'. On November 24, Butler also shared a photograph of Williams' mailbox on Facebook, with their address clearly legible on it. He wrote in the caption that he was 'summoning the devil's army and I don't care if they and I both go down in the same boat'. 'I'm about to make them pay,' Butler said in the sinister spiel. 'They come on holidays to start a fight with me,' he added, referencing them staying in their property as a retirement home. Hartnett and Butler have been granted bail. The alleged victims, who must continue to live alongside them, described the pair as 'dangerous' and slammed their release pending trial as 'unbelievable' Hartnett (pictured) who works as a crystal healer according to her social media profiles, is accused of 'using racial slurs, threatening bodily harm and referencing having killed a black woman in the past' on Thanksgiving this year, according to her arrest warrant The couple are both charged with second-degree harassment, while Hartnett faces an additional charge of third-degree assault and battery, according to online records Monica Williams said Butler and Hartnett had used 'the N-word over and over' against her and her husband, telling them they 'need to get out of here'. 'Its been traumatic for my whole family because they had to witness this,' she told WCNC. The distressed homeowner described Butler as 'dangerous', describing the decision to grant the couple bail as 'unbelievable'. 'We feel like he means business when he wants to do harm,' she said, adding that the couple behaved like they lived in 'the dark ages'. Shawn Williams said they bought their home as a retirement residency two years ago, but they've been plagued by constant torment from their neighbors to the point where they're considering moving away. 'It's a place Im supposed to be able to relax, but I cant relax in an environment where I have to be constantly aware,' he told WCNC. 'I don't want it to happen to anyone, on any side of the fence,' he added. 'The issue of safety and security has been broken; the issue of fear and intimidation is now in play.' South Carolina is one of two states in the US without a law allowing extra punishment for hate crimes, which are leveled against people based on their race, religion, gender, or other background. Horry County Police Department Chief Joseph Hill slammed the alleged actions of Butler and Hartnett as 'appalling and unacceptable'. The Williams spoke with WCNC Charlotte about the 'traumatic' experience. Monica Williams said Butler and Hartnett had used 'the n-word over and over' against them, telling them they 'need to get out of here' 'The actions of the perpetrators of the incident over Thanksgiving weekend are appalling and unacceptable,' Hill said. 'Such hate and harassment will not be tolerated in Horry County. 'The individuals responsible will be held accountable for their actions and the hurt they have caused the victims and the greater Horry County community. 'In concert with our local and regional partners, we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law. 'We will continue to support the victims and stand with them against such indecency. Hate and harassment have no place in Horry County'. The couple are both charged with second-degree harassment, while Hartnett faces an additional charge of third-degree assault and battery, according to online records. A Los Angeles plastic surgeon who dubbed himself 'Mr Laguna' has been hit with a series of scathing accusations by patients who claim his work left them with scars and life-threatening infections - while some believe they were filmed naked while unconscious. Dr. Arian Mowlavi promised hourglass figures and perfect 'pop' butts at his Laguna Beach plastic surgery clinic. He even described himself as 'one of the top body sculptors around the world,' in his book, High Definition Liposuction. The UC Berkeley graduate, who has over 80,000 followers on Instagram, is facing a slew of accusations - from negligence to botched jobs - from dozens of patients, backed up by former staff who reported his concerning behavior in the practice. Dozens of his former patients now allege, in a total of five malpractice lawsuits, that he was conducting botched surgeries, leaving them with unexpected scars and infections, and also recorded them while unconscious without their consent. Mowlavi would allegedly make women strip completely nude for examinations, before touching their bodies without permission. Dr. Arian Mowlavi promised hourglass figures and perfect 'pop' butts at his Laguna Beach plastic surgery clinic. Dozens of his former patients now allege, in a total of five malpractice lawsuits, that he was conducting botched surgeries, leaving them with unexpected scars and infections, and also recorded them while unconscious without their consent In December 2021, more than 30 patients filed a class action lawsuit against Mowlavi - claiming that some were left with life-threatening infections and permanent altercations, some made without their consent. One patient claims in a lawsuit that Mowlavi failed to remove her leaking breast plant capsules, leading her doctors to find silicone granulomas in her lymph node and lungs. The ordeal has left the woman with serious health problems. Another patient alleged that Mowlavi came to her, moments before her 'mommy makeover' surgery, and told her that she needed a more extensive procedure. The lawsuit claims that she was left 'little to no time to consider her options or to question the change.' A third woman found out that Mowlavi had removed more of her breast tissue, without discussing the procedure with her, when she ended up in the emergency room feeling sick one day after seeing Mowlavi, the suit claims. One woman, identified in the class action lawsuit as B.C, claims she went to Mowlavi for a breast lift and a mini tummy tuck - but the doctor started talking about her labia, saying: 'Doesn't that bother you? We are just going to cut the lips and stitch it up.' One 60-year-old woman, who had an appointment with the doctor in November 2020, told the Daily Beast that he pressured her to get more procedures done when all she wanted was lipo under her bra line. She was left in excruciating pain after the procedure - and she collapsed days later. The woman was experiencing multi-system organ failure in her kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. Plastered all over his Instagram stories are his patients' bodies - who are still lying on operation beds, with procedure scars, heads covered, and arms sprawled out while under anesthesia and unconscious One woman claims she went to Mowlavi for a breast lift and a mini tummy tuck - but the doctor started talking about her labia, saying: 'Doesn't that bother you? We are just going to cut the lips and stitch it up' Some victims, who make up the numerous lawsuits filed against the doctor, claim that they did not give consent to be filmed and posted Another victim, who is identified in legal filings as C.S.J., suffered a collapsed lung and required hospitalization after her surgery with Mowlavi. One 16-year-old girl was left with severe burns - while three other women developed MRSA, the suit said. Chalene Johnson, a social media influencer with more than 780,000 followers on Instagram, went to Mowlavi for surgery - and soon after, she started chronicling her 'plastic surgery nightmare' online. She is also part of the class action lawsuit. She claimed that Mowlavi had made her to 'get naked' for examination and 'aggressively' grabbed her body without permission in 2021. She said she was left with a hip-to-hip scar. As a result of her speaking out, Mowlavi sued Johnson for defamation, seeking $1million. He accused her of having a 'goal of destroying Dr. Mowlavi's career.' The lawsuit said: 'Johnson has become 'obsessed' with Dr. Mowlavi's practice of medicine and with utilizing a false, sensationalized version of eventswhich she exaggerates and progressively changes with contradiction, apparently to keep creating new social content for her public platform and podcast.' California Medical Board has accused the doctor, who charges tens of thousands of dollars for procedures, of not even performing some of them himself. They claim Mowlavi had unlicensed technicians do some liposuctions for him. Court documents claim that two unlicensed technicians performed liposuction on a patient, Irlanda Swarthout, in 2018. She passed out five hours after the procedure, and was later found unresponsive at her Orange County home. She was rushed to the emergency room, and died two days later. According to the board, her cause of death was internal bleeding that caused her heart to stop, cutting off oxygen to her brain. Swarthout's family sued in 2019, saying that he 'negligently, carelessly, recklessly' performed the liposuction on her. Two years later, the board also sued. Irlanda Swarthout was identified and named in court records but not in the medical boards documents, LA Times reports. Mowlavi responded by claiming that the woman died because she didn't 'exercise due care' after the surgery. He settled with the family, paying them $1million. California Medical Board has accused the doctor, who charges tens of thousands of dollars for procedures, of not even performing some of them himself. They claim Mowlavi had unlicensed technicians do some liposuctions for him In December 2021, more than 30 patients filed another class action lawsuit against Mowlavi - claiming that some were left with life-threatening infections and permanent altercations made without their consent In the class action suit, one woman identified as K.M said that neither Mowlavi nor his staff ever told her about being photographed or filmed. But she found her before and after-surgery body plastered over his social media afterward. Mowlavi recorded her, saying 'this woman had no magic, no pop, had a square masculine shape,' before showing her transformation. She said she did not consent to being filmed, 'much less be insulted,' the suit claims. Plastered all over his Instagram stories are his patients' bodies - who are still lying on operation beds, with procedure scars, heads covered, and arms sprawled out while under anesthesia and unconscious. The allegations have not just come from patients. A series of sworn declarations submitted to court by his former staff and other medical professionals have painted a picture of 'Dr Laguna' as severely inept and negligent. One sales representative who used to work for the doctor said she saw Mowlavi call a patient 'so hot,' and then slap her butt twice while she was under anesthesia. A registered nurse who worked briefly at Mowlavi's clinic said in court documents that he saw Mowlavi 'rip out [a patient's breathing] tube and throw it across the room' during surgery because he was frustrated with the patient. 'I was extremely disturbed by Dr. Mowlavi's behavior' and yelled at him. Court documents claim that two unlicensed technicians performed liposuction on Irlanda Swarthout (pictured) in 2018. She passed out five hours after the procedure, and was later found unresponsive at her Orange County home. She was rushed to the emergency room, and died two days later Chalene Johnson, a social media influencer with more than 780,000 followers on Instagram, went to Mowlavi for surgery - but soon after, she started chronicling her 'plastic surgery nightmare' Jason Vance, a registered nurse, said he saw the doctor rip out a patient's breathing tube and throw it across the room mid surgery. Vance said: 'At any other institution, this would be grounds for immediate termination.' Another former employee claimed they heard Mowlavi make inappropriate comments about patients, including when the doctor said he would 'do some crazy things to those lips,' as the patient was lying on the operating table. Harmony Williams, who worked as a surgical coordinator for Mowlavi in 2018, told the Daily Beast: 'At first, I thought maybe this was how plastic surgery was. But it didn't take me very long to figure out, no, this doesn't feel right. This isn't right. This is not normal. 'I actually nicknamed it the chop shop, because I was trying to deal with working there. I can't stay in this chop shop. I have to go.' Millie Martini, a patient of Mowlavi who has filed her own lawsuit, told the Daily Beast: 'I'm disgusted and sad that this monster is still out there and still butchering people. The allegations have not just come from patients. A series of sworn declarations submitted to court by his former staff and other medical professionals have painted a picture of 'Dr Laguna' as severely inept and negligent 'I'm mad that the state allows him to continue to destroy lives physically, mentally, and financially. Arian Mowlavi, just turn yourself in and face your victims.' Martini went to the doctor in July 2022, wanting a mommy makeover - which includes a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. As she was lying on the operating bed, she said that Mowlavi demanded heavy metal music be played, the outlet said. When she was eventually roused from the surgery, she found herself slumped in a wheelchair - rather than in a hosptial bed. She was covered in bandages, but Mowlavi told her there had been complications during the procedure. She found her nipples were black and oozing. Martini told the outlet: 'I freaked the hell out about my nipples. They were not even attached, they were half off.' Martini went back days later for a post-op appointment. Instead, the plastic surgeon whisked her under again, and when she finished the second unplanned procedure, she had no nipples at all, she claims. She said: 'I looked down, and there was blood coming out of my ACE bandage on my chest. When I went home, I took off the ACE bandage, and I saw that I had no nipples.' Dr. Robert Kachenmeister is the chief plastic surgeon at Mission Hospital who has seen several of Mowlavi's patients after he saw them Martini then went to hospital, where she was told that she would have died if she hadn't come sooner. She was suffering with acute sepsis, left leg cellulitis, and acute blood loss anemia, the Daily Beast reports. In September 2022, the California Medical Board suspended Mowlavi's license for 90 days and placed him on probation for 10 years following a list of formal accusations made against him, including gross negligence. With the mounting lawsuits heading his way, in February 2022, Mowlavi filed for bankruptcy. But his troubles didn't end there. In June, the Orange County district attorney's office filed its own suit against Mowlavi - seeking millions in damages. The DA also alleged that Mowlavi transferred $13 million in assets and property to his wife before filing for bankruptcy. This is on top of accusing him of unlawful and unfair business practices, false advertising and allowing an unlicensed technician to perform surgeries. Despite all the allegations, Mowlavi is still actively courting new patients. He is not required to disclose his legal challenges to potential new clients. Dr. Robert Kachenmeister, who is the chief plastic surgeon at Mission Hospital who has seen several of Mowlavi's patients after he saw them, said in a declaration submitted to court: 'Dr. Mowlavi is a danger to the community and his plastic surgery patients. 'The frequency of complications and poor results by Dr. Mowlavi's procedures are unacceptable and not within the standard of care. 'My understanding based on my own conversations with the patients is that they were being pressured and persuaded by Dr. Mowlavi to perform these procedures even though they were not in the patient's best interests.' Dr. Arian Mowlavi's office did not respond for comment. Donald Trump still has a head start in New Hampshire, but his lead is shrinking with a new poll showing Nikki Haley closing the gap with the ex-president while also overtaking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for second place. The former United Nations Ambassador is not only ahead of DeSantis by 18 points in New Hampshire, but she is also only trailing Trump by 15 percent, according to a new CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday. Twenty-nine percent of likely Republican primary voters in the Granite State prefer Haley, with 55 percent of the electorate describing her as 'likable' compared to 37 percent who say the same about DeSantis and 36 percent who say that about Trump. DeSantis is only 1 percentage point ahead of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who as the only anti-Trump candidate remaining has focused all of his attention on clinching the New England state and has not yet stepped foot in Iowa for his campaign. Donald Trump still holds the lead in New Hampshire with 44% support with less than 40 days until the primary election but Nikki Haley has skyrocketed to second place ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by 18% Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has skyrocketed to second place in New Hampshire and closed the gap with Donald Trump, only trailing the former president by 15% Trump has remained in first place in every national and state-wide poll in the Republican presidential primary race despite refusing to participate in the debates. And the numbers released on Sunday show that there's still a chance for other candidates to close the gap before the Iowa caucuses kick-off the primary contests on January 15. New Hampshrie holds the second primary contest with its elections on January 23 and the more liberal New England state is showing a leaning away from Trump. In Iowa, Trump still leads the field of likely caucus-goers with 58 percent support, followed by DeSantis with 22 percent and Haley in third place with 13 percent, the CBS poll conducted December 8-15 shows. The survey took a sampling of 1,054 registered voters in Iowa and 85 in New Hampshire. Several previous Iowa polls have shown DeSantis and Haley tying for second place, but that latest shows a boost in the Hawkeye state for the Florida governor, who is ahead by 9 percent. DeSantis received some boosts in Iowa by earning key endorsements from the likes of Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats. He also completed the 'full Grassley,' meaning he visited every single Iowa country before caucus day. This has likely kept him in a solid second place for the majority of the primary contest so far. Moving over to New Hampshire, Trump's first place lead significantly shrinks with only 44 percent support in the Granite State, compared to Haley's 29 percent and DeSantis' mere 11 percent. DeSantis has seen a major drop-off in New Hampshire polls throughout the primary election season, most likely due to the fact many Republican New Hampshire voters are not as socially conservative as the Florida governor. DeSantis has seen a drop-off in New Hampshire as Republicans in the New England state don't identify as much with his social conservative agenda. But in Iowa, DeSantis is still in a solid second place ahead of Haley Haley who has expressed more moderate social views, including on abortion was able to overtake DeSantis in New Hampshire. The former South Carolina governor has also made significant headway with those who described themselves as more moderate or independent. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy had some early boosts in Iowa and New Hampshire, but has fallen off following some controversial positions and personal attacks levied at two separate debates in Miami, Florida and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In Iowa, Ramaswamy is in fourth place with 4 percent and in New Hampshire in fifth place with 5 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has not made the debate stage since the first showdown in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is earning around 1 percent or less in the early primary states. A gentle lie-in came to a dramatic end for one Washington couple when a badly beaten woman hammered on their door claiming she had escaped a kidnapper. Gary and Robin Marcello were still asleep when the 27-year-old woman arrived barefoot and bleeding at the door of their home in Gig Harbor at 10am on a Saturday morning last month. Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment first responders arrived at the house and helped the injured woman to a nearby ambulance before closing in on the attacker's home. 'Gary brought her inside and closed the door to just kind of protect us for a minute,' Robin said. 'And she just kept saying 'he's gonna kill me. He's gonna kill me'.' Paramedics helped the badly beaten kidnap victim from her rescuers' home Gary and Robin Marcello were still asleep when the 27-year-old woman arrived barefoot and bleeding at the door of their home in Gig Harbor, Washington State The first responders attempted to find out what had happened to the young woman 'There was so much blood, I couldn't really tell where exactly it was coming from. 'It was coming from her head and her ears.' Their peace was shattered when their doorbell started to ring incessantly and Gary went to the door. 'Came out, by the time I got out here, there was nobody here,' he told Kiro7. 'And I walked out and looked to my left and there's a young lady there. 'Turned around and her face had blood all over it. 'And it was 'get in the house.' We brought her in. My wife took over from there.' The woman told them she had run from the house a quarter-mile away as the couple called 911. 'It was obvious she was bleeding from her head and her ear and I couldn't really tell all where she'd been hit,' said Robin who has first-aid training. 'But when I tried to hold her and move her because she started to slump forward, it was hurting her to hold her arms, to hold her. 'And then she went into shock and fell to the floor.' Robin Marcello who used her own first-aid training to help the woman watched on from he doorstep as she was taken away to hospital from her home The woman had run a quarter-mile in bare feet to the couple's home in Gig Harbor after escaping her kidnapper's home nearby The barely-conscious woman was able to tell her rescuers where she had been held captive Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey said the woman had been abducted days earlier and held captive by David Paul Ruffier, 66. 'As she tried to flee the house, he tried to prevent her from doing that,' he added. 'And he hit her several times with a piece of furniture, a chair leg, or something like that. 'She was heavily injured, she'd had lacerations to her head, and she was panicked.' The video shows paramedics carrying the injured woman out of the Marcello's paramedics and trying to glean some details of the attack as she is stretchered off to an ambulance. 'Can you tell me who did this to you?' one asks. 'You don't know? Was it a family member? Do you live near here? Where do you live? 'We want to go talk to this guy. Can you tell me how to find him?' The woman raised a finger to point towards her attacker's home. 'Which way? That way,' the paramedic confirmed. The video then shows police arriving at Ruffier's home before pounding at the door. 'You see the blood drops?' one remarks grimly, 'Those aren't from us.' Inside they found Ruffier dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and the home was filled with smoke and the smell of chemicals. Police found blood on the porch of David Ruffier's home when they arrived moments later Inside they found Ruffier had attempted to set the home on fire before shooting himself dead 'It's tough because the victim in this case really doesn't have a lot of recollection, she doesn't even recall where she met the man or how long she had been at this location, that's becoming a little tough,' said Chief Busey. The woman was later released from hospital after treatment for her injuries. 'It kind of shakes you that you didn't know that was going on, you didn't know that person was capable of that and we're just here going about our lives, Gary told KING. 'We hope that anybody who has something like that happen, that they do the same thing,' added Robin. These are the final moments before Hamas terrorists kidnapped and slaughtered a Tanzanian agriculture student. Joshua Mollel, 21, was one of three agriculture interns from Tanzania living and working on a dairy farm in Kibbutz Nir Oz when Hamas launched its surprise incursion on Black Saturday. Israeli authorities found he was 'immediately killed after being kidnapped by Hamas,' Tanzania's foreign ministry said earlier this week, confirming his death. New footage, too graphic to publish, reveals Hamas gunmen shot his dead body several times after he had died. An unidentified man carrying a rifle stands on his chest and shoots him eight times, as several more people, all of them armed with rifles or knives, scream 'Allahu Akbar' over and over again. Around half-a-dozen armed Hamas fighters manhandling Joshua Mollel whose face is covered in blood that appears to have come from a wound at the top of his face Footage, too graphic to publish, revealed Hamas gunmen shot his dead body several times after he had died Joshua, the oldest of five children, had finished a diploma in agriculture studies in Morogoro, and had arrived in Israel in September, the first time he had left his home country EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: British mother describes the horror of losing her daughter during Nova festival terror attack where she was shot as she tried to flee Advertisement Other footage taken shortly before his death, also too graphic to publish, shows around half-a-dozen armed Hamas fighters manhandling the young student, whose face is covered in blood that appears to have come from a wound at the top of his face. Israel said in a post to X: 'Joshua Mollel (21) from Tanzania was on an agricultural exchange program in Israel, when Hamas terrorists murdered him on October 7th. 'They filmed his final moments, before brutally stabbing him, standing on his chest and spraying his body with bullets. 'Barbaric monsters. May Joshua's memory be a blessing.' Joshua, the oldest of five children, had finished a diploma in agriculture studies in Morogoro, and had arrived in Israel in September, the first time he had left his home country. Joshua was staying t Kibbutz Nir Oz (pictured), where he was an intern at a dairy farm 1,200 people were killed by Hamas on Black Saturday Hamas targeted several Kibbutzim on Black Saturday in the early hours of the morning He had plans to open his own agriculture business, and was on an internship at the Kibbutz Nir Oz dairy farm to learn more about farming. READ MORE: Hundreds attend funeral of Israeli man Alon Lulu Shamriz who was held hostage by Hamas for 70 days before he was mistakenly shot by IDF forces Advertisement On the day of the October 7 attack, he and two of the other Tanzanian students on the exchange programme, Ezekiel Kitiku and Clemence Mtenga, scrambled to get to their closest shelters after hearing sirens warning about the attack. As they were working different shift patterns and at different farms, they were not together, and had to communicate using WhatsApp, which seemingly cut off at around 10am. Ezekiel told the BBC that after this, he did not hear any news about the others until he found out that Clemence, originally taken hostage, was declared dead on November 18, and had his body sent back to Tanzania. Weeks after the October 7 attack, Joshua's father, Louito, said he last spoke to him two days before Hamas' attack. 'I said, "Be on your best behavior because you're somewhere new, and make the most of the internship you're there to do",' he said. Israeli forces here have stepped up raids on alleged militants, police have clashed with protesters, and there has been a rise in violent attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers As the IDF have pressed into Gaza as part of their campaign to defeat Hamas, they have highlighted the militant group's extensive tunnel network as emblematic of the way the group embeds itself and its military activity in civilian areas Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel 'My son wants to make his fortune in agribusiness and become one of Tanzania's most successful farmers,' his father said at the time. 'We can't eat or sleep when I go to the market people ask me why I'm losing so much weight,' said his father weeks after the attack. He told AFP in late October, 'I feel bad all the time because my son is not a warrior. He just went for training but is now in troubl e.' He described his son as 'polite, obedient and serious' about his work. Louito told the BBC that Joshua's younger siblings 'ask me every morning and night: "Dad, we want to talk to our brother".' President Joe Biden continues to face declining poll numbers as Donald Trump and Nikki Haley are both shown beating the incumbent in hypothetical general election match-ups outside of the margin of error. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, would tie with Biden, both earning 47 percent if they went head-to-head, according to a new Fox News poll released on Sunday. Perhaps most surprising of the results is that Haley holds the biggest lead over Biden with a 6 percent gap. It follows another Sunday poll showing Haley massively closing the primary election gap with Trump in New Hampshire, where she holds second place only 15 points behind the former president. If the general election were held today and it were a rematch between Trump and Biden 50 percent of voters say they would cast their ballot for the former president, while 46 percent prefer the current president. President Joe Biden would lose to Donald Trump and Nikki Haley if he faced either in a general election match-up today Meanwhile, Haley holds 49 percent compared to Biden's 43 percent support. Having two Republican candidates polling ahead of Biden, and outside the 3 percentage point margin of error, is concerning for Democrats as voters are already expressing increased concern with the president's age and fitness for office. The survey was conducted among 1,007 registered voters from December 10-13. The latest results come on the back of polling last week that shows Biden also trailing Trump in seven main swing states key to winning in the 2024 election. Nearly 5,000 voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Nevada reveal the ex-president could re-flip states that went against him in 2020. While the swing states are vastly different ranging in class, race demographics and political leanings they have one thing in common in the lead-up to the next presidential election; they all prefer Trump over Biden. On average, 47 percent of voters in the battleground states would cast their ballot for Trump if a general election against Biden were held today compared to the president's 42 percent support, according to a Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll released on Thursday. With just weeks until the primary contests kick-off, former Amb. Haley has seen a massive spike in polls. She moved into second place in New Hampshire with just 15 points separating her with frontrunner Donald Trump, and has the biggest lead against Biden in the latest Fox poll Trump is still consistently placing first in national and state polls, but saw some of his closest gaps yet with Haley moving to second place in New Hampshire Looking over to the primary election in the Fox News poll, Republican voters still put Trump in first place, with the latest poll widening his lead nationwide against the rest of the field by 7 points since November and a massive 26 points since February. With 69 percent support, Trump is the far frontrunner with second place DeSantis earning just 12 percent a whopping 57 points behind the ex-president and once-ally. Haley comes in at third place with 9 percent, meaning both her and DeSantis lost 1 percent since November. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy comes in fourth with 5 percent losing 2 percent since the last poll in November and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is in fifth with just 2 percent. Among Republican voters, there is a margin of error of 4.5 percent. A letter believed to show that UK naval hero Lord Nelson was a racist supporter of slavery is a forgery, the author of a new book has claimed. Chairman of the Nelson Society Chris Brett argued the letter was created by opponents of the abolition of the slave trade who used the reputation of one of Britain's greatest naval commanders in a bid to further their cause. Nelson was accused of being a 'white supremacist' who used his seat in the Lords to 'perpetuate the tyranny, serial rape and exploitation organised by West Indian planters' in a Guardian article in 2017. This ignited calls from activists to have his column in Trafalgar Square taken down. It came just before leading Nelson expert Martyn Downer then claimed a letter linked to some of the allegations was forged. Mr Brett has now claimed he has discovered a second letter was forged, showing how Caribbean plantation owners were using the naval commander's status to poison opinion against anti-abolitionists, The Telegraph reported. A letter believed to show that Lord Nelson was a racist supporter of slavery was forged, the author of a new book has claimed Lord Nelson was accused of being a 'white supremacist' who used his seat in the Lords to 'perpetuate the tyranny, serial rape and exploitation organised by West Indian planters' in a Guardian article in 2017 Mr Brett contended they copied a legitimate letter from Nelson and altered the wording to show he would not have supported the Bill to abolish the slave trade. The author discusses how forgeries of this kind still continues to trick people today in his book Nelson And The Slave Trade. He said: 'I have read hundreds of books on Nelson and when accusations of racism and support for slavery were made against him, I was surprised that no one had ever mentioned it before. 'Even after Martyn Downer found that a letter of Nelson's which had been quoted by his detractors had been forged, the accusations didn't stop. 'Then I remembered a screenshot I'd taken of a purported 'Nelson' letter from an auction catalogue several years earlier, and when I went back to look closely at it I saw it was also a forgery.' The letter Mr Brett says is a forgery is dated June 1805, less than five months before the figure's death. In the letter Nelson asks Simon Taylor, a plantation owner in Jamaica, to find work for a friend of his. The letter was changed by the forgers to remove vital context, according to Mr Brett. 'If Nelson's original letter showed support for slavery it wouldn't have needed to be amended. But forgers changed words, added parts and circulated copies to influential people, and Nelson was not around to make his position clear,' said Mr Brett. Nelson And The Slave Trade is available to watch on Amazon. A couple spent 38 days in a German prison after 'staff' at a Brazilian airport put their luggage tags on suitcases packed with drugs. Katyna Baia and Jeanne Paolini, both in their forties, were arrested in Frankfurt on suspicion of international drug trafficking after officers discovered 43kg of cocaine in luggage with their names on. An investigation in Brazil found the innocent couple were caught up in a international gang swapping baggage at the Sao Paulo International Airport, The Sun reported. Horrifying CCTV footage appears to show the moment airport staff took off the couple's checked-in bags from the carousel before removing the labels and attaching them to the luggage stuffed with drugs. When Ms Baia and Ms Paolini got to Germany they were wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for 38 days on suspicion of drug trafficking. Katyna Baia and Jeanne Paolini, both in their forties, were arrested in Fankfurt on suspicion of international drug trafficking Horrifying CCTV footage appears to show the moment airport staff took off the couple's checked-in bags from the carousel before removing the labels and attaching them to the luggage stuffed with drugs The staff can be seen briefly looking at the CCTV camera before switching the labels The pair had planned an almost three-week trip to Europe, travelling from where they live in Goiania, Brazil, to Berlin, with connecting flights in Sao Paulo and Frankfurt. Ms Paolini, a vet, told The Sun: 'This entire experience was an enormous shock for both of us and our families. 'I was taken to a windowless room, and as soon as I entered he asked me to put my hands on the wall and handcuffed me saying I was under arrest. 'I obviously started to ask why he was arresting me but I could only understand the word 'cocaine' as he was speaking German.' The woman was reunited with her partner at a police station within the airport. An investigation in Brazil found the innocent couple were caught up in a international gang swapping baggage CCTV footage shows staff removing labels and attaching them to the drug-filled luggage 'It took us at least four hours to finally understand what happened as they [police] had to call a translator in,' said Ms Paolini. 'It was at that moment that we learned about the 43kg of cocaine in the bags.' She added: 'It was at that moment that we learned about the 43kg of cocaine in the bags.' The two women spent a day in prison before being transported to a hearing, after which they were taken to a female prison for 38 days on the outside of Frankfurt. 'At night, I'd hear all those women crying, not knowing if Jeanne was one of them as we were in separate cells,' Ms Baia said. 'We also lost count of how many times we went through strip searches, it was extremely humiliating.' Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie claims that Donald Trump is only getting 'crazier' through the 2024 election and says Nikki Haley 'should be ashamed of herself' for not condemning him. And while Christie isn't ruling out working with Haley to defeat the ex-president in the primary, he is worried that she is 'enabling' him by saying he is fit to serve another term. 'He gets worse and worse by the day, Jake, and voters better start paying attention to exactly what he's saying,' the anti-Trump candidate said Sunday when speaking with CNN State of the Union host Jake Tapper. Specifically, Christie was disgusted with Trump quoting Russia President Vladimir Putin during a campaign rally speech in New Hampshire on Saturday evening. 'Donald Trump realizes the walls are closing in,' Christie said Sunday. 'He's becoming crazier. And now he's citing Vladimir Putin as a character witness, a guy who is a murderous thug all around the world.' 'It's time to send Donald Trump back to Mar-a-Lago permanently,' he insisted. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slammed Donald Trump as 'disgusting' and said his GOP colleagues are to blame for endorsing his 2024 bid He's disgusting. .@GovChristie reacts to Donald Trumps comment in New Hampshire that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country in an interview with @jaketapper. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/jfjOCFT4c9 State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) December 17, 2023 Christie tore into fellow presidential candidate Nikki Haley for 'enabling' Trump by saying he is fit to serve another term and refusing to rule out running as his vice president on a 2024 ticket During those same rally remarks, Trump went after the former New Jersey governor asking 'does he have nothing better to do' than run for president despite his dismal polling numbers. Speaking to a crowd member who yelled out during the rally, Trump sarcastically quipped: 'Please do not call Chris Christie a fat pig, okay? It's not appropriate, because you're not allowed to use the word fat. You can use the word pig.' Christie went after fellow 2024 competitor Haley, who is in second place in New Hampshire with just 15 points separating her and Trump. But Christie claims Haley is not going hard enough against Trump and should be condemning him harder. 'He's disgusting,' Christie said, claiming that the ex-president is blaming economic stressors and recent world conflicts 'on people from areas that don't look like us.' 'The other problem with this is the Republicans who are saying this is okay,' the Republican candidate added. 'Almost 100 members of Congress who've endorsed him, Nikki Haley, who this week said he is fit to be president. You're telling me that someone who says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country, someone who says Vladimir Putin is a character witness, is fit to be President of The United States was the right place at the right time?' 'Nikki Haley should be ashamed of herself and she's part of the problem because she's enabling him,' he continued. 'She's enabling him by saying to people, it's okay. Let me be really clear. I'm in this race to let people know it's not okay. It's not okay for an American president to be saying these things. And she should be ashamed of herself.' Haley has not ruled out running as vice president on a 2024 Republican ticket with Trump. During rally remarks in New Hampshire on Saturday, Trump quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Christie said was 'crazy' Meanwhile, Christie has made his mark in the primary race as the most staunchly anti-Trump candidate and has repeatedly slammed him for refusing to debate. 'I'm working on defeating Donald Trump and I'm the only one in the race who is working on defeating Donald Trump,' Christie told CBS News Face the Nation program when asked Sunday morning if he would ever work with Haley to defeat Trump. 'When she hasn't ruled out being his vice president, I don't think you could take her as a serious contender against him,' he continued. 'Ron DeSantis and I have both ruled out accepting the vice presidency from Donald Trump. Nikki Haley has not. That's why she's not saying strong things against Donald Trump, why she's saying he's fit to be president of the United States.' Hundreds of mourners have today attended the funeral of Israeli man Alon Lulu Shamriz who was held hostage by Hamas before being mistakenly shot by IDF forces. The 26-year-old computer engineering student was one of three Israelis killed this week by his own country's soldiers sparking angry demonstrations on the streets in Tel Aviv. Today Shamriz, of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, was buried at Shefayim, where his mother Dikla emotionally told how he had 'survived 70 days in hell' after being being snatched by the terrorist group on October 7. Israel Defense Forces admitted earlier this week they had accidentally killed Shamriz, Yotam Haim, 28, and Samer Fouad Talalka, 22, in Gaza after mistaking them as a 'threat' during their ongoing ground invasion. They had escaped capture and were shirtless, waving white flags, and speaking Hebrew as they walked towards Israeli soldiers. Alon Lulu Shamriz, 26, a computer engineering student, was one of three Israelis killed this week by his country's soldiers sparking angry demonstrations on the streets in Tel Aviv Shamriz, of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, was buried at Shefayim, where his mother Dikla emotionally told how he had 'survived 70 days in hell' after being being snatched on October 7 Pictures taken at the funeral showed an outpouring of grief as Shamriz's tearful brother Ido was seen bent over with his head in his hands as he is comforted by another mourner. Others show a man holding his heartbroken elderly grandmother in a wheelchair who is hooked up to an oxygen tank. READ MORE: Families of civilians kidnapped by Hamas stage demo after army admitted killing three it mistook for terrorists in Gaza fighting Advertisement 'Those who abandoned you also murdered you after all that you did right,' Shamriz' brother Ido said at the funeral, reported Times of Israel. Shamriz's mother Dikla said in her eulogy: 'You survived 70 days in hell. Another moment and you would have been in my arms. 'We will continue to live for you.' Israeli media reported that Talalka was buried yesterday, while the funeral for Haim was scheduled to take place tomorrow. The deaths of the three men sparked protests in Tel Aviv as demonstrators demanded that the authorities offer a new plan for bringing home the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Military spokesman Richard Hecht said the deaths were being investigated and what the soldiers did was 'violation of the rules of engagement'. A person looks on as friends and family mourn Shamriz. The deaths of the three men sparked protests in Tel Aviv as demonstrators demanded that the authorities offer a new plan for bringing home the remaining hostages There was an outpouring of grief at the funeral as Shamriz's tearful brother Ido (pictured) was seen bent over with his head in his hands as he is comforted by another mourner Dikla (centre) and Avi (left), mother and father of Shamriz. Dikla gave a eulogy at the service where she said 'another moment and you would have been in my arms' A man holds onto Shamriz's heartbroken elderly grandmother, seen in a wheelchair hooked up to an oxygen tank A tearful mourner looked at the floral tributes in memory of Shamriz. Military spokesman Richard Hecht said the deaths were being investigated and what the soldiers did was 'violation of the rules of engagement' Samer Fouad Al-Talalka, who was killed by the IDF during fighting near Gaza City today Yotam Haim, who was killed by the IDF in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip The army's chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israeli troops found the hostages and erroneously identified them as a threat. He said it was not clear if they had escaped their captors or been abandoned. The IDF expressed its 'deep remorse over the tragic incident' in a statement and sais it had launched an immediate investigation. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Hagari said: 'This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility. This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.' The deaths occurred in the (northern) Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops have engaged in fierce battles against Hamas in recent days. The Israeli military said it will be 'reviewing the incident immediately' adding that 'immediate lessons' have also been learnt. The force said it's mission remains to 'locate the missing and return all hostages home'. Relatives and supporters of hostages held by Palestinian militants demonstrate outside the Israeli ministry of defence in Tel Aviv on December 15, 2023 An Israeli flag is covered in red paint as relatives of hostages held by Palestinian militants demonstrate outside the Israeli ministry of defence in Tel Aviv on December 15, 2023 People use bullhorns as they protest following an announcement by Israel's military that they had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023 Some 250 people were taken hostage when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to updated Israeli figures. Vowing to destroy Hamas and bring back the hostages, Israel launched a massive military offensive against the Palestinian Islamist movement which has left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins. The territory's Hamas government says the war has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children. At least 129 hostages are still held captive in the Gaza Strip. Massive security detail trailed Musk and his son as they played tourists Elon Musk, 52, was surrounded by massive security detail as he took his young son to visit the ancient tomb at the Pantheon in Rome, Italy on Saturday. The CEO of Tesla tried to get some sight seeing in with his three-year-old son X A-12, who goes by 'X' while in town for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's political event ATREJU. The father-son duo took in the intricate art at the Borghese Gallery and Museum together as Musk snapped some pictures. He was also accompanied by a large group of bodyguards who stayed by his side the entire time. He took his son around the museum and frequently paused at the tomb of Raffaello Sanzio and then stopped in front of the chapel of San Giuseppe in the Holy Land. Elon Musk, 52, went on a site seeing trip with his three-year-old son X A-12, who goes by 'X' The father and son were constantly surrounded by massive security detail as they toured the Patheon in Rome The owner of X (formally known as Twitter) also posted pictures of him with his son, and pictures of the art they saw on social media. He shared a picture of the Bernini's Apollo and Daphne marble sculpture and a picture of him with X A-12 as they gazed at another piece. As the dotting dad walked around, his little one, who he also calls 'Lil X' wrapped his arms around his father's neck and took in the art and scenery. At one point, it looked as though Musk and his son received special gifts from the museum. X A- looked interested in some of the pieces, but at some point he started to look a bit grumpy and tired. Musk shares X A- with Claire Elise Boucher, who also goes by Grimes, along with two other children- one-year-old daughter Exa Dark Siderl, known affectionately as 'Y' and their newest edition- Tau Techno Mechanicus. The billionaire has had a total of 11 children, including his first-born with ex-wife Justine Wilson, who tragically died in infancy of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. At one point, it looked as though Musk and his son received special gifts from the museum Musk stood tall with his son wrapped around his shoulders as took a picture The pair is seen taking in the wonderous art pieces as Musk took a trip to Italy for the ATREJU political event Musk welcomed twins with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis in November 2021, just weeks before Musk and Grimes had their second child via surrogate. The father and son seemed to be sightseeing alone, and it is unclear if anyone else tagged along with them on the trip. The annual ATREJU political festival was held from Friday to Sunday and is hosted by the family of the European Conservative and Reformist Party. This year, Musk was the star guest a the conference and in a video on he posted on his X account, Musk said: 'Italy is an incredible country, incredible culture. I love visiting. I love Italian people. Italia,' as he saluted a wine glass in the air. In another clip, Musk is heard saying: 'Go humans! Team humanity!' According to CNN, the billionaire frequently spoke about the human population while at the conference as he encouraged the crowd to 'make more Italian to save Italy's culture.' In other recent news, Musk was accused of promoting anti-Semitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war after he agreed with a post that claimed that Jewish people have been 'pushing hatred against whites.' Since his comment went viral, he went on to apologize for his actions as he said that that was 'one of the most foolish' things he's done on the platform. Musk is seen arriving in a white Tesla on the streets of Rome, surrounded by security guards A large group of security is seen surrounding the billionaire as he plays tourist in Rome X seemed to have moments where he was excited and interested in the art, and other moments when he looked cranky and tired Musk and 'Lil X' as the toddler covers his face with the hood of his black jacket and his dad looks into the camera He also went on to tell advertisers 'Go f**k yourself' after many of them fled the platform. X and Musk have been under fire for what some claim is rampant antisemitism on the site. It has even led to major companies such as Apple and Disney to pull advertisements from the platform. Andy Cohen's after show for 'Watch What Happens Live' just recently pulled from the platform in an effort to stop their content from appearing alongside anti-Semitic posts. A source told Page Six that WWHL production worried about their content 'living adjacent to inappropriate, hateful or antisemitic advertising or content' and that 'staffers wanted the content to live in a safe place.' Cohen, who is Jewish and the executive producer of the late-night show, was reported to have been involved in the decision. SaxaVord Spaceport, a former RAF radar station, is Scotland's first spaceport The UK's first vertical launch spaceport has been granted a licence to operate on the Shetland Islands. SaxaVord Spaceport, which is on the island of Unst will be the site of launches from next year after getting approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Scotland's first spaceport will see around 30 rockets blast off a year carrying payload and satellites into space. Full orbital launches could start from 2025, but it is hoped that sub-orbital launches could be conducted as soon as next August by German firm Hylmpulse. SaxaVord, formerly an RAF radar station, was purchased 15 years ago by Frank and Debbie Strang who initially planned to turn the site into an eco-tourism attraction, the BBC reported. The UK's first vertical launch spaceport has been granted a licence for launches on the Shetland Islands. Pictured: A CGI mockup of a launch SaxaVord Spaceport on the small island of Unst is Scotland's first spaceport It could host the first ever rocket launched by a British company on UK soil A map shows SaxaVord on the island of Unst, at the northern tip of the Shetland Islands The spaceport could also host the first ever rocket launch by a British company on British soil, after Skyrora, a firm based in Edinburgh, expressed interest in operating from the site. Two other German groups, Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems and Rocket Factory Ausburg, also hope to launch rockets at SaxaVord, along with the Government's Pathfinder launch. Tim Johnson, the CAA's director of space regulation said: 'Granting SaxaVord their licence is an era defining moment for the UK space sector. 'This marks the beginning of a new chapter for UK space as rockets may soon launch satellites into orbit from Scotland. 'We are undertaking vital work to make sure the UK's space activities are safe and sustainable for all.' The former RAF radar station was bought by Frank and Debbie Strang 15 years ago and was originally earmarked as an eco-tourism site Then UK prime minister Boris Johnson at SaxaVord Spaceport's stand at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow Mr Strang, who is the spaceport's CEO, described the decision as both 'historic' and a 'fantastic achievement'. He said: 'The award of our spaceport licence is both historic for Shetland, Scotland and the UK and places us firmly at the leading edge of the European and global space economy. 'Our team is very proud that the Government has entrusted us with operating a complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-launch spaceport and we all take this responsibility very seriously.' Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, hailed the move as a signal of UK's growing space industry, which is worth an estimated 17.5bn and employs over 48,000 people, and added that the new site would boost the island's economy. 'Todays historic announcement will boost Shetlands economy and put the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation', he said. A woman who bought a London council flat for 78,000 has been left devastated after being told, just weeks later, that the entire block is up for demolition. Jamila Farah, 51, who lives with her 24-year-old son Galid, bought her two-bedroom home in Edmonton, north London on May 14, after living there for 20 years. Ms Farah now wishes she 'never bought the flat' after local authorities declared, just weeks after the large purchase, that the entire block on the Shires estate, would be knocked down and flattened. Residents in the two 17-storey blocks on the estate - Cheshire House and Shropshire House - comprising 204 homes, face rehousing following a gas leak in November last year, with fears that the building could collapse any time and was deemed too dangerous to live in. But despite the gas supply being cut and talks of demolition notices being served by the council, Ms Farah, who originally comes from Somalia, was approached with the opportunity to buy her flat - only to have the hopes of securing a permanent roof over her head snatched away from her. Jamila Farah, 51, who lives with her 24-year-old son Galid, bought her two-bedroom home in Edmonton, north London on May 14, after living there for 20 years Ms Farah has complained of ailing health that has contributed to the uncertainty of her future, telling MyLondon: 'It would be very hard for me to rent this house now. I'm aging, and I don't know how much longer I can work to be able to pay the rent'. Enfield Council will now has to pay her 230,000, after councillors agreed on a 'timely buy-back' of properties owned by leaseholders based off market value, plus an extra 10 per cent in home loss compensation. Effectively, this means that 152,000 of taxpayers' money has been unnecessarily wasted by the local authority, with the total cost of the buy-back plan reaching an eyewatering 13.8million. Enfield Council estimated that repair work to the 1960s building would cost 53 million to bring these blocks up to standard in the short term, and that leaseholders would also be obliged to make significant contributions. Ms Farah fears that she will be forced to move out of the area in her search for affordable housing. Ms Farah, who moved into the flat in 2003, told MyLondon: 'I'd still be in a normal council house, and then they would have to rehouse me. Now I'm a private tenant so they won't offer anything and I can't afford somewhere new.' The healthcare workers, who is employed by North Middlesex Hospital, bought the council flat with the help of a neighbour who lent her 30,000, with the hopes for more stable finances, that would come from not forking out of her stretched budget for rent. Ms Farah added: 'I just want a similar place to live, I'm not even fussed about the money now. I'm struggling with daily life. They still should look after us.' Residents in the two 17-storey blocks on the estate - Cheshire House and Shropshire House (pictured) - comprising 204 homes, face rehousing following a gas leak in November last year Enfield Council (pictured) will now has to pay her 230,000, after councillors agreed on a 'timely buy-back' of properties owned by leaseholders Enfield Council's Leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: 'Following overwhelming backing of moving from the estate, our priority is to ensure all residents at Cheshire and Shropshire Houses get the quality home they deserve. 'A full refurbishment of the blocks, just to maintain them to an acceptable standard, would have been expensive and disruptive, so we have listened to the community at The Shires Estate who do not want to go through several months of disruption. 'Decanting the blocks will also enable the Council to put its limited resources towards improving the rest of our council homes. 'This is why we are recommending decommissioning the tower blocks, which will enable us to move residents out as soon as soon possible into decent and safe alternative accommodation. 'The safety and comfort of our residents is our priority, and this decision will ensure that residents are able to quickly access the decent housing they deserve.' Enfield Council has also promised that there will be access to legal and surveying costs associated with buybacks for leaseholders, and they too will be supported to move. British MP Layla Moran says 'Israeli snipers' targeting a Gaza church, where members of her family are trapped inside, are 'making a mockery of the IDF's claims they don't target civilians'. Relatives of the UK's first MP of Palestinian descent were among the 300 who have sought sanctuary inside the Holy Family Church, in Gaza City, yesterday. The Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon fears they will not survive before Christmas with them being just 'days away from dying' after the last generator pumping water to the church stopped working. An elderly woman and her daughter, named as Nahida and Samar, were shot dead 'in cold blood' by an Israeli sniper while inside the grounds of the Catholic church, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said. It said in a statement that a gunman had killed the pair at around midday on Saturday, revealing that 'one was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety'. British MP Layla Moran told ITV 'Israeli snipers' targeting people inside a Gaza church are 'making a mockery of the IDF's claims they don't target civilians' The Liberal Democract MP said her family have been staying on mattresses along with dozens of others in the Holy Family Church since the early days of the war Ms Moran told ITV today that anyone moving between rooms are 'being shot at'. 'It's a week to Christmas Eve, these are Christians in a church who went there to seek sanctuary,' she said. 'This is making a mockery of the assertion by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) that they do not target civilians. MP Layla Moran's family Layla Moran is Britain's first ever Palestinian MP. Her immediate family are Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, while she has extended family members in Gaza City. She has spoken about her family members being trapped in Gaza - and how she and her sister are trying to get news from their relatives every day as they run out of food and have been reduced to drinking water. Ms Moran's mother Randa is Palestinian while her father James is British. He joined the EU Commission when she was one and the family moved to Brussels. Her mother's family are originally Greek but they moved to Palestine and then Jordan after the diaspora in the 60s. Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who wrote memoirs about Palestinian life under Ottoman and British rule. Advertisement 'They have known for two months that these are civilians. If they thought Hamas were there, they would have come earlier. There were no leaflets dropped, there was no prior warning nothing. We are terrified for them, we don't know if they are going to last until Christmas.' They had been given no warning and were killed as they were walking towards a convent 'inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents,' the church said. It added that seven more people were shot and wounded yesterday as they 'tried to protect others inside the church compound'. Christian families have been sheltering in the complex since the war erupted, with members of Ms Moran's extended family - a grandmother, her son, his wife and their 11-year-old twins - among the dozens taking refuge as battles rage outside. Ms Moran said her family have been staying on mattresses along with dozens of others in the Catholic church for more than 60 days. A sixth member of her extended family in Gaza City - a grandfather - reportedly died last month after he was unable to reach hospital for medical treatment. 'I'm now no longer sure they are going to survive until Christmas,' Ms Moran, who has been in contact with her family over the weeks, told the BBC yesterday. The British-Palestinian MP has been sharing regular updates about the dire situation on social media. On Sunday, she said she had been told that 'a tank has taken position outside the church and the building opposite has been taken. The people inside have died. 'There are snipers at every window pointing into the church. Still shooting anyone emerging from buildings to use eg toilets. Still no food or water.' She said earlier this week that her relatives had told her that two men - a janitor and bin collector - were killed by gunmen as they walked to and from the building. Terrified of being killed themselves, people inside the church have reportedly been unable to collect the bodies, which have remained decaying in the street for days. I am desperately worried for my extended family in Gaza City. They have no electricity, no water, no food, and now a sniper is inside the Church compound where they are sheltering. My family are not collateral damage. We need an immediate bilateral ceasefire now. pic.twitter.com/zQVpLSdtgN Layla Moran (@LaylaMoran) December 17, 2023 Two women, named as Nahida and Samar, were killed 'in cold blood' by an Israeli sniper, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Palestinians attend the Roman Catholic Church of Holy Family in Gaza City on Christmas Day on December 25, 2017 File image shows a man decorating a Christmas tree outside the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City on December 20, 2020 The Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon has been drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians trapped in Gaza amid Israel's unrelenting bombardment of the enclave. She has spoken in Parliament about her extended family in Gaza City having their house bombed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), staying in a church and being 'too old' to flee the 25-mile strip. The latest reported deaths will add to fears for Christian Palestinians trapped in the church, and there has been outrage from around the world following Saturday's attack. Italy's top diplomat Antonio Tajani issued a 'heartfelt appeal to the Israeli government and army to protect Christian places of worship,' writing on X: 'That is not where the Hamas terrorists are hiding.' Hammam Farah, a family friend of Nahida and Samar said on X: 'This is a targeted death campaign during the Christmas season on the world's oldest Christian community.' Gaza's Christians are among the oldest established communities in the Middle East, with their origins dating back to the first century. But there numbers have dwindled since Hamas took complete control of the territory in 2007, falling from 3,000 to around 1,000, Al Jazeera reports. The IDF said: 'The IDF takes claims regarding harm to sensitive sites with the utmost seriousness - especially churches - considering that Christian communities are a minority group in the Middle East. 'When reviewing incidents that may have taken place in the vicinity of churches in Gaza, it was found that an incident took place during yesterday afternoon in another area in Gaza, near the Latin Church in the Shejayia area. A view of partially destroyed building belonging to Beshir family and located on Salah al-Din Road after Israeli attacks in Gaza City, Gaza on December 16 Civil defense teams carry out search and rescue operations under debris of destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza on December 17 'An initial review suggests that IDF troops, who wee operating against Hamas terrorists in the area, operated against a threat that they identified in the area of the church. The IDF is conducting a thorough review of the incident. 'Yesterday, a letter from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem was received describing a tragic incident that took place in the Holy Family Parish which is located in the Rimal area in the Gaza Strip. Yesterday morning, representatives of the church contacted the IDF regarding explosions that were heard near the church. 'During the dialogue between the IDF and representatives of the community, no reports of a hit on the church, nor civilians being injured or killed, were raised. A review of the IDFs operational findings support this. 'The IDF only targets terrorists and terror infrastructure and does not target civilians, no matter their religion. 'The IDF takes vast measures to avoid harm to uninvolved civilians, while fighting against a terrorist organization which does everything to put civilians at risk - including by using civilians and holy sites as human shields for its terror activities.' Prison officers are being asked to use gender neutral language and take the needs of 'breast feeding people' into consideration under new guidelines. The guidance was published in a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) document to ensure prison officers are working in line with equality laws. It encourages the officers to use 'gender neutral' language and consider how 'pregnant or breastfeeding people' are being cared for in prison. The MoJ document sets out ways to ensure staff, inmates and visitors to prisons aren't discriminated against based on nine protected characteristics. These include age, sex, race, sexual orientation, and pregnancy. A group of mothers, midwives and campaigners at a Breastfeeding protest outside the Ministry of Justice in June last year Breastfeeding mothers protested outside the Ministry of Justice to demand an end to prison for pregnant women and new mothers last year Published on April 20 2023, the document asks officers if the language used is gender neutral, using 'they' instead of he/she. Under the 'gender reassignment' section, it then asks staff to consider: 'If you are going to be based in a physical site: have you considered physical changes to the environment? 'For example: gender neutral toilet facilities, showers, changing rooms, gender neutral uniforms.' The Government announced plans in August to make single sex toilets the default for public buildings. This is due to privacy concerns about mixed and gender neutral toilets. Announcing the plans at the time, Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities, said: 'It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. 'Yet the move towards 'gender neutral' toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls. 'These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of all.' Kemi Badenoch announced plans for a ban on gender neutral toilets in public buildings The MoJ guidance also asks: 'How are breastfeeding people catered for when working/visiting a prison? and tells officers to 'consider that men in same-sex couples and single men may have a child.' Under 'sexual orientation', the framework questions whether the 'workplace culture' at the prison supports staff and inmates to be open about their orientation. It reads: 'Does the workplace culture support and encourage individuals to be open and transparent about their sexual orientation? 'That is: supportive of LGBT+ events, flying the flag, including reception of offenders/new starters/visitors into establishments/offices/aps. READ MORE - Ministers push forwards with plans to reverse the move towards gender-neutral toilets in bid to protect single-sex spaces Advertisement 'Are your job descriptions written in a way that doesn't discourage members of the LGBT+ community from applying? That is: inclusive terminology such as the LGBT+ community instead of 'gay community'?' Under the section on sex, it reads: 'Sex is defined as male and female. 'However, as an inclusive organisation, we would also consider the needs of people who identify as non-binary, gender fluid, and so on. 'Consider this in relation to other protected characteristics, such as age [and] race.' Maya Forstater, the executive director of Sex Matters, told The Telegraph: 'This fanciful and alarming official policy is hardline trans activism and suggests that fellow employees and prisoners exist to validate the trans-identified person's identity. 'The guidance on sex says it is defined as male and female, but then it immediately undermines this by saying that some people are 'non-binary, gender fluid, and so on'. It also refers to 'pregnant people' instead of women. 'It is very concerning that blatantly politicised language made it past officials and ministers. The Ministry of Justice's senior officials, including the permanent secretary Antonia Romeo, must act decisively to stop this happening again. 'This guidance needs urgent revision if the Secretary of State plans to ensure that gender ideology is fully rooted out from prison operations.' A spokesperson for the MoJ said: 'No prisoners have access to gender neutral toilets. 'This mandatory guidance ensures staff comply with the law as every public body must,' The Telegraph reported. The Senate hearing room where a staffer was recently caught filming amateur gay porn has been the scene of several historic events. Even before the latest sex scandal, if the walls could talk they'd have a lot to say - from recalling former FBI director James Comey's testimony about Trump to the 9/11 hearings. On Saturday, Democrat congressional aide Aidan Maese-Czeropski, 24, was fired by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin after the emergence of his tapes, which were reportedly filmed in Hart Senate Office Building room 216. The room is steeped in history, including being the site of a series of Supreme Court Justice confirmation procedures for judges who have gone on to shape America's legal landscape. But it was the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, know colloquially as the 9/11 Commission, which was perhaps the most poignant procedure to unfold in Hart 216. On Saturday, Democrat Aidan Maese-Czeropski (pictured), 24, was fired by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin after the emergence of his tapes The Congressional staffer is accused of filming an amateur gay porn video inside Hart Senate Office Building room 216 National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice is sworn in to testify under oath before the 9-11 commission in the Hart Senate office building on Capitol Hill in Washington April 8, 2004 Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill June 8, 2017 in Washington, DC It was launched to investigate the deadliest terror attack in world history, with a death toll of 2,996 people, and to set out how the US government could be better prepared to prevent it happening again. The landmark case heard testimony from then-President George Bush, vice president Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and former president Bill Clinton. More recently, Hart 216 heard testimony from former FBI director James Comey about his interactions with Donald Trump. Comey savaged the former president in his 2017 testimony, detailing allegations of attempted corruption and repeated requests for him to pledge his 'loyalty' to him and to let go of certain FBI investigations. The following year in September, Trump-nominee Brett Kavanaugh became a Supreme Court Associate following a fiery confirmation hearing in the same room. His acceptance was anything but certain - it came after he faced allegations of sexual misconduct which he angrily denied during explosive statements to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On October 6, the full Senate confirmed Kavanaugh by a slim majority, with a vote of 5048, despite the accusations made by Christine Blasey Ford and three other women. Since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2020, Kavanaugh has come to be regarded as holding the pivotal vote on the court. He was also the target of an abandoned assassination attempt by a psychologically-disturbed suspect who was outraged by the court's plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. Another Supreme Court Associate who was influential in the major overhaul of abortion rights, Justice Samuel Alito, also had his confirmation hearings in the same room 12 years earlier. The World Trade Center was an idea for decades that finally became a design of two 110-story towers in the 1960s. Built for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the 16-acre 'superblock' with its own zip code would have seven buildings First responders work at ground zero after the September 11 attacks in New York Hart 216 is steeped in history, including being the site of a series of Supreme Court Justice confirmation procedures for judges who have gone on to shape America's legal landscape Alito was the judge who penned the 2022 majority vote for the Supreme Court to overturn its 1973 abortion rights decision, and he was reportedly the driving force behind the other justices voting for it. He'd worked to craft legal strategy against abortion rights since his time as a Regan administration lawyer, according to sources and internal documents seen by the New York Times. Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, who sided with Kavanaugh and Alito in the historic abortion vote, also had their confirmation hearings in Hart 216. Confirmation hearings for Obama-era appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan also took place in the same room, in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Liberal judge Sotomayor is the third woman, first woman of color, the first Hispanic, and first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court. Also on the liberal wing, Kagan has clashed with conservatives like Kavanaugh, and along with Sotomayor she was one of the three judges who voted to uphold Roe v Wade. Justice Stephen Breyer was the third judge who voted alongside them, and he stepped down last year to be replaced by Biden's appointee Ketanji Brown Jackson, who also had her confirmation hearings in Hart 216. Kentanji Brown Jackson became the first black female Supreme Court justice in June 2022. Donald Trump Jr. said the congressional staffer who filmed a gay porn video in a Senate office building is proving that the Democratic party thinks they are 'beyond reproach' because there is no one to 'countermeasure to this insanity.' The ex-president's eldest son also lamented to a conservative crowd in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday about Hunter Biden refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena last week. The two instances last week were proof for Don Jr. that Democrats are increasingly exhibiting 'insanity' and, in seeming to advocate for his father's reelection, said that 'decency is on the ballot' for the 2024 presidential election. He also said that young progressive Democrats, like the staffer who shared the gay porn video, are now running the party. Aidan Maese-Czeropski, 24, was fired by Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin for filming a gay sex tape in a Senate hearing room. The congressional aid is also facing possible criminal charges after the X-rated film shook the internet. Donald Trump Jr. says 'decency is on the ballot' in 2024 as he slammed the Democratic staffer who filmed a gay sex tape in a Senate hearing room and said it was 'personal' for him that Hunter Biden skipped out on congressional testimony Aidan Maese-Czeropski, a now-fired staffer for Sen. Ben Cardin, could face a criminal investigation after a clip of two men filming themselves having sex in the US Senate went viral. Don Jr. says that the porno was a 'power play' from Democrats claiming they are 'beyond reproach' The lewd video was circulated Friday and depicted two men having sex in a room where Supreme Court justice nominees are usually questioned by senators during their confirmation processes. Just two days before the porno was exposed by media, Hunter Biden held a press conference on Capitol Hill where he openly discussed his act to not comply with a congressional subpoena for closed-door testimony. 'Senate staffers are filming gay pornos in a Senate hearing room,' Trump Jr. said at Amfest. 'What's going on?' 'Decency, right? The adults are back in charge,' he said in mocking Democrats who claim when they regained power in the White House that they were bringing 'decency' back. 'But they can do this because they realize there's no one actually there as a countermeasure to this insanity, right?' Don Jr. continued. 'It wasn't just a young guy, being a young guy. That's a power play, right? 'We're going to turn off all the videos in here and we're going to do this. We're going to share it because we're beyond reproach.' 'If you think the radicals are the leaders in Congress the Nancy Pelosi's no, no, no. It's these 20-something-year-olds that have never been told no, that are told there's 9,476 genders and that's gospel, that believe in convenient science that's made up on the spot to fulfill whatever political narrative they have.' Amfest is a multi-day speaker and workshop series hosted by conservative Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona. Hunter Biden delivered remarks on the steps of Congress on Wednesday where he discussed defying a congressional subpoena to testify behind closed-doors instead calling Republicans 'shameless' in their impeachment efforts against his father and claiming he would only testify publicly The footage of the porn video in the Senate was reportedly intended to be shared to a private group of gay individuals in Washington, before it surfaced online and circulated rapidly Don Jr.'s partner Kimberly Guilfoyle is also speaking at the event that runs from December 16-19 and includes remarks from the likes of biotech entrepreneur and 2024 hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, Senate candidate Kari Lake, Trump lawyer Alina Habba, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and Cory Mills. During the younger Trump's speech, he said he 'takes it personally' when he talks about how President Joe Biden's son Hunter has yet to face consequences for defying a congressional subpoena last week. 'Decency is on the ballot,' the Trump Organization co-executive vice president repeated. 'We've got Hunter Biden this week talking about decency. The Republicans because they had the gall to ask him to come in and do a deposition, discussing one of thousands of instances of him selling out this country, enriching his family.' 'I mean, I used me as the example, we've done this one before. I take it a little bit personally because I did 50 hours of congressional testimony,' he added. Hunter Biden refused last week to appear for his closed-door congressional subpoena and instead made a five-minute speech on the steps of the Capitol where he declared his father is innocent of corruption allegations. He accused Republicans of their 'shameless' impeachment attempts against President Biden. Instead of closed-door testimony, Hunter Biden has said he would appear for public questioning. Advertisement Kate couldn't stop giggling as Bradley Walsh opened the Royal Variety Performance show with an awkward joke about being snubbed for an MBE and OBE at the star-studded show. The show's host Mr Walsh opened the event with a few jokes, one of which was about him not being included on the King's honours list. Addressing Prince William, he said: 'I have worked for your greatnan, your nan, your granddad, your dad, and now I'm working for your Sir and Madam. 'And I must say - ask me if I've got an MBE. Nah, ain't got one. Ask me if I've got an OBE - nah, ain't got one of them. Ask me if I've got a CBE - no!' He went on to say 'they've probably run out' of those honours because 'they give them all to people who row boats' and 'people on telly who bake cakes'. Mr Walsh said he 'entertained troops in the Falklands' and was 'happy to make it out alive' while others got commended for their 'victoria sponge' cakes. Kate couldn't stop giggling as Bradley Walsh opened the Royal Variety Performance show with an awkward joke about being snubbed for an MBE and OBE at the star-studded show Mr Walsh's (pictured) awkward joke started with him greeting the 'royal highness, or royal highnesses', with him pretending to stumble over the word several times William and Kate entered the event with beaming smiles (pictured) before they settled into the balcony with the Swedish royals He also told an anecdote of meeting his two-year-old grandson, who he 'promised' that he would ask Prince William for knighthood so the little boy could use the his grandfather's title during 'show-and-tell' in nursery. Earlier Mr Walsh had greeted the 'royal highnesses', with the camera switching to William and Kate as they laughed away. He pretended to stumble over the word 'highnesses' several times. 'It doesn't sound right, your royal highnessesses? There's too many "ssessess", innit? Your royal highness... your royal highnessesses?,' he said. 'It should be like cactus, cactussess, cacti. Your royal highness, highnessess and highni. That's it. I've got it. Your royal highni.' Meanwhile Kate and William were seen laughing at the awkward joke. People on X, formerly known as Twitter, branded his opening sketch 'cringe-worthy' and 'boring'. One user said: 'Bradley Walsh completely embarrassing at the beginning not funny at all begging to be given a cbe obe etc.' The Prince and Princess of Wales stood up for the national anthem God Save the King The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London yesterday The show was opened with an amazing rendition of God Save the King by Samantha Barks William says farewell to Princess Victoria of Sweden after watching the show together The Prince and Princess of Wales laugh with Paloma Faith during the evening at the Royal Albert Hall The Prince and Princess of Wales applaud during the Royal Variety Performance The Princess of Wales waves in her striking blue dress as she steps out alongside Prince William at the show in London The Princess of Wales beamed and looked effortlessly elegant as she attended the event William and Kate appeared to put drama behind them as they headed home looking like they'd had a great evening Another added: 'Bradley Walsh's just not funny! Cringe-worthy start to show. Think he's just gone to back of the list #RoyalVariety.' This notion was echoed by another user who commented: 'Agreed, normally love Bradley Walsh, but begging for gong is embarrassing.' 'Bradley Walsh. Stand-up comedy isn't for you,' a third urged. One user also wrote: 'What a bore Bradley Walsh is.' Real tears of laughter were shed during Tom Allen's performance, when Prince William wiped away tears during the hilarious stand-up act at the Royal Albert Hall. The Princess and Prince of Wales attended the event at the Royal Albert Hall with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, who were in the UK on an official visit. The event, which was filmed on November 30, is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, which supports members of the entertainment industry with a nationwide grants scheme, to help those who've worked professionally in the entertainment industry during this very difficult economic climate. William and Kate entered the event with beaming smiles before they settled into the balcony with the Swedish royals while the crowd was giving them a standing ovation. Kate wore a show-stopping gown which featured flared sleeves and statement shoulders, plus a gem-encrusted high-neck. The Prince of Wales talking to a Cher who was among the stars at the Royal Albert Hall last night The Prince and Princess of Wales shake hands with members of McFly during the Royal Variety Performance The couple share a joke with Hannah Waddingham during the Royal Variety Performance Prince William speaks to Rick Astley at last night's glamorous evening event at the Royal Albert Hall She donned a chunky gem bracelet with matching earrings, carried a sparkling clutch bag and wore her thick brunette locks in bouncy curls. Meanwhile Prince William looked sharp in a black tuxedo, and he acted as the perfect gentleman as he held out his hand for his wife as they took to the red carpet. On arrival they met ITV executives before being introduced to Daphne Selfe, who at 95 is the world's oldest supermodel. Excited crowds gathered outside the hall to peer through the windows for the royal arrival. Speaking to Ms Selfe, Prince William said: 'You're modelling at 95, that is incredible,' before adding: 'They don't make you travel about too much do they?' The Prince of Wales meeting Bradley Walsh during the Royal Variety Performance The Prince and Princess of Wales beamed as they arrived at the venue The Prince and Princess of Wales put on a business-as-usual attitude as they attended the Royal Variety Performance 2023 The Prince of Wales looked smart in a tuxedo with a black velvet jacket and a bow tie at the event The British royals and their Swedish counterparts stood for a rendition of God Save the King, perofrmed by Samantha Barks The royal couple appeared impressed by the performances as they watched on from the royal box As she arrived at the Royal Albert Hall, the Princess of Wales was presented with a bunch of flowers Kate smiled as she accepted the flowers, presented to her by a young girl in a pretty burgundy dress The Princess of Wales told Ms Selfe that she 'loved' her dress, which had red feather tassel sleeves, to which she replied that Kate was very tall. The Princess then joked: 'I'm quite tall and I have high heels on, so I'm cheating.' Prince William added: 'I don't have high heels on.' The Princess of Wales and the Princess of Sweden were then presented with floral bouquets made from English & Swedish national flowers. Before the performance started Prince and Princess of Wales were welcomed in the royal box with a rendition of 'God Save the King' performed by West End star Samantha Barks, who plays Elsa in the musical Frozen. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also gracefully accepted a posy of flowers as she arrived at the performance Crown Princess Victoria was dressed in a black feathered frock from Swedish brand Toteme, while her husband Prince Daniel was dapper in a tuxedo The Swedish royals stood in the foyer of the Royal Albert Hall ahead of the 2023 performance, on their visit to the UK Following Samantha's performance, who is currently playing Elsa in Frozen on the West end, the royals applauded Ahead of the performance Prince William greeted Daphne Selfe, a 95-year-old supermodel William appeared to share a comical moment with the model, who has been photographed bu David Bailey and appeared in the pages of Vogue during her career Kate looked effortlessly elegant as she arrived at the Royal Variety Performance in a teal gown from Safiyaa Bradley Walsh, who hosted the show, said it was 'an honour' to serve the monarchy and present the Royal Variety Performance - but joked that he would be grateful for a CBE. There was also a brief appearance from Simon Cowell, who came on stage wearing Bono-esque yellow-tinted glasses for his 'terrible eyesight' to introduce Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn. The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared to particularly enjoy a sketch from West End magician Simon Lipkin, where Bradley Walsh played the role of a servant. Pointing at Their Highnesses Mr Walsh said: 'If I don't get a knighthood after this there's no justice,' causing the Prince and Princess to laugh together. After the show Their Highnesses met performers including Cher, who had performed her new Christmas single, DJ Play a Christmas Song. Prince William said: 'It's an energetic song isn't it!' Their royal highnesses also met with Vicki Michelle ahead of the performance, who is best known for her role as Yvette Carte-Blanche in 'Allo 'Allo The royal couple beamed as they stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet ahead of a night of entertainment Windswept Kate! The Princess of Wales looked elegant amid a gust of wind that blew her hair up Kate, 41, opted for natural make-up with a touch of eyeliner, a nude lip, some blusher and bronzer Kate stunned as she debuted the gown which featured statement shoulders and flared sleeves The couple shared a sweet moment as William held out his hand for Kate Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel were the guests of Kate and William yesterday evening The Prince of Wales took his wife's hand as they walked along the red carpet into the Royal Albert Hall Kate looked elegant despite what was likely a bitterly cold gust of wind as she braved freezing temperatures They then spoke to performers including McFly, Mel C and Paloma Faith. Faith, who was still barefoot from her performance, said the Prince and Princess of Wales were 'really nice and very relaxed'. She added: 'They said they didn't mind that I wasn't wearing shoes as I seemed more comfortable that way. They just put you at ease, which is a real skill.' Among those performing at the show were Rick Astley, McFly, BGT winner Viggo Venn and Cher. There was also a celebration of Disney's centenary and a tribute to theatre impresario Bill Kenwright. The Florida GOP has voted to strip its chairman of authority and reduce his salary to $1 after he was accused of raping a woman, who had previously joined the married couple for a threesome. An emergency meeting with 40 board members on Sunday kickstarted the process of removing Christian Ziegler, who is facing fierce accusations after a woman said he raped her after she canceled plans to have sex with him and his wife Bridget. The board will formally consider whether to remove Ziegler as chair next month. Sarasota police are investigating the unnamed woman's claim that Ziegler attacked her after she backed out of sex when she learned Bridget would not be present. Ziegler, 40, previously said he and his wife are being targeted because they are 'such loud political voices' - and added that he will not resign over the allegations. Florida Republican Party chairman Christian Ziegler has said he is innocent following a woman's claims that he raped her after she cancelled plans to have sex with him and his wife Police are investigating the allegations and have not charged Ziegler with a crime. Despite the lack of criminality found so far, insiders say that they want Ziegler out because the allegations have ruined his reputation in GOP circles, making him an ineffective fundraiser in the run-up to the 2024 election. Jack Brill, GOP chair of Sarasota County, said: 'These are serious issues. [This] is uncharted territory for the great majority of everybody.' Evan Power, the vice chair who will take over Ziegler's powers, said today: 'Today, we took an appropriate action to bring accountability to one of our members. It was a hard moment for many of us. But the charges against him are serious in nature. And we cannot move forward as an organization without a new leader.' 'Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office,' the partys motion to censure Ziegler said, according to a document posted on the social media platform X by Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thomason. Thompson said Ziegler tried to defend himself during the closed-door meeting, but the party board quickly took the action against him. 'Ziegler on soap box trying to defend himself, not working,' Thompson posted before confirming the votes. A search warrant revealed that Bridget admitted to police that the couple had a sexual encounter with the accuser last year. Ziegler told detectives that he did have sex with the woman but that it was consensual. Ziegler claimed he filmed the October 2 encounter before deleting the video and saving it on a Google Drive, according to police documents. In a letter to supporters, Ziegler wrote: 'We have a country to save and I am not going to let false allegations of a crime put that mission on the bench as I wait for this process to wrap up.' 'My family is rock solid. My wife is behind me 150 percent and we have methods in place to protect our (three) children, just as we have with all previous attacks that we have faced.' The longtime GOP activist ascended to the state party's top post in February. Police records saying that the Ziegler had group sex with a woman have led Democrats and gay rights leaders to accuse the couple of hypocrisy, given that an organization Bridget Ziegler co-founded - Moms for Liberty - has joined DeSantis and the Florida GOP in pushing back against LGBTQ+ causes. Bridget Ziegler is also an elected member of the Sarasota County school board and was appointed by DeSantis to the board that now oversees Walt Disney Worlds land development. The rape accusation against Ziegler became public after the Florida Center for Government Accountability, an investigative news organization, obtained a police report and the search warrant affidavits detailing the allegations. The accuser's name is redacted in the documents. Pictured: Christian and Bridget Ziegler. Christian Ziegler, 40, is facing fierce accusations after a woman said he raped her after she canceled plans to have sex with him and his wife The accuser, who has known Ziegler for 20 years, told police that when Bridget backed out of the plan to have sex, she texted Christian saying: 'Sorry, I was mostly in for her,' according to an affidavit. Later that evening, the woman claims that as she went to leave her apartment, she discovered Ziegler outside in the hallway - and alleges he then entered her property and raped her. Weeks later, detectives began to monitor calls and messages sent by Christian Ziegler to the accuser, according to the affidavit. 'Where r u? Wanna meet and chat? Worried about you. You are my friend,' Ziegler allegedly wrote in one message via Instagram. 'Hell no not after what you did to me,' the woman responded. 'Do you not understand I am terrified of you?' A 911 call, obtained by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, made by a friend of the alleged victim revealed she confided in the friend about being raped. 'She told me she was raped,' the friend informed the dispatcher on October 4. 'She's saying she's scared, that the person who raped her came to her house, so she's scared to leave... I'm worried about her right now,' the friend explained. In text and phone conversations monitored by investigators, Ziegler offered the woman 'financial help' before becoming suspicious that they were being recorded. A tragic incident unfolded Friday evening in northern Los Angeles when a man shot a gun into a family's car on the freeway, killing a four-year-old boy. The child was seated in the back of his family's car when he was struck by gunfire in the upper body, The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department says. His parents rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, KTLA reported. Police say the fatal shooting was an instance of uncontrolled road rage. Law enforcement officers from the Lancaster sheriff's station responded to reports of a shooting at an intersection on the Sierra Highway just before 7.30pm Friday night. Investigators began working on the case and located the suspect's vehicle close to the crime scene. The tragic incident unfolded on Friday night near the SIerra Highway in Lancaster A vehicle pulled up alongside the family's car and started firing bullets, one of which struck the four year old in the upper torso Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris called the killing 'unimaginable' Two people, who were not identified, were arrested on suspicion of murder. They were described as a 29-year-old black man and a 27-year-old white woman. There are no other suspects and no one else was injured in the incident, police say. Authorities say that the car the suspects were driving cut off the family's car near Sierra Highway and East Avenue J in Lancaster. The move apparently began a chase that spanned several side streets in the area. As they were being followed, the driver of the family's car slowed the vehicle down, allowing the suspects to pull up alongside the passenger door side of the car and begin shooting. The victim's name was not immediately released following his death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is working no an autopsy report. Anyone with additional information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris called the killing 'unimaginable.' 'This could have been any of our families. It could have been any of us,' he told a local news station. Meteorologists have revealed what Aussies can expect from the weather this Christmas Day as an extreme heatwave grips large areas of the country. Weatherzone Meteorologist Felix Levesque told Daily Mail Australia that most of the southeast won't enjoy a 'balmy summer's day' on December 25. Showers and cool temperatures are forecasted for Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, while Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, and Perth will remain mostly dry and warm. Heatwave warnings lasting until Tuesday remain in place for large areas of WA, southeastern Queensland, coastal and northern NSW, and parts of the NT. Daily Mail Australia gives you a wrap-up of the weather you can expect in your city this Christmas. Weatherzone Meteorologist Felix Levesque told Daily Mail Australia that most of the southeast won't enjoy a 'balmy Summers day' this Christmas (pictured, Bondi Beach in 2022) Sydney A southerly breeze brought by a low-pressure trough will bring cool temperatures and the chance of rain to the Harbour City on Christmas Day. Sydney will receive cool temperatures of lows of 20C and highs of 26C with the day to remain mostly grey due to lingering cloud cover. The state's northeast will receive the brunt of thunderstorms that are forecast throughout the Christmas long weekend. Brisbane Brisbane will receive warmer weather than the rest of the southeast with temperatures to reach lows of 22C and highs of 32C. As the city is sitting on the northern opposite end of the low pressure trough it won't receive the cooler temperatures forecast for the southeast. Mr Leveseque said it will feel muggy and humid throughout most of Queensland on Christmas Day, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms. Brisbane will receive warmer weather than the rest of the southeast with temperatures to reach lows of 22C and highs of 32C Melbourne Further south, weather will remain cloudy and grey in Melbourne with initial forecasts of highs of just 19C and lows of 15C. The same low-pressure system bringing cool winds and showers to Sydney will also impact the Victorian capital keeping temperatures low. Cool southerly winds will impact the city for much of the lead-up to Christmas. Perth Mr Levesque said the west coast should be seeing some hotter temperatures with lows of 21C and highs of 33C this Christmas Day. The meteorologist said a low pressure heat trough will linger over Western Australia bringing heat to the state this week and next. Christmas Day will likely remain dry in Perth. Canberra There is a higher than average chance of showers and thunderstorms in the nation's capital this Christmas with lows of 13C and highs of 25C. However, Canberra is expected to be less impacted by the wet weather than other cities due to its location on the southern end of east coast storms. Hobart The island state will also dodge scorching temperatures with forecasts of lows of 11C and highs of 20C on Christmas Day. Hobart will remain mostly dry however, with some cool winds and grey clouds. The lead-up to December 25 will also remain relatively cool. A southerly breeze brought by a low-pressure trough will bring cool temperatures and the chance of rain to Sydney on Christmas Day Showers and cool temperatures are forecast for Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra while Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth will remain mostly dry and warm Adelaide Adelaide is also expected to be impacted by the cooler, wetter weather this Christmas with lows of 13C and highs of 24C. While there will be some southeasterly winds, the chance of break-through sunshine in Adelaide is looking better than the rest of the southeast. The day will be mostly sunny despite higher than average rainfall across the state. Darwin Mr Levesque said forecasts show that most of the heat this year will be centered over Darwin this year as the city enjoys more stable weather. Christmas Day falls before the arrival of the wet season, with residents able to enjoy the holiday during the 'build up period'. Darwin can expect lows of 27C and highs of 35C with the chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. A Los Angeles church built in 1981 has been destroyed by a massive blaze early Sunday morning. The second-alarm fire engulfed the Victory Outreach Church in Pomona, just outside of Pasadena around 2.45am, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Dozens of firefighters worked to fight the inferno that spanned across the 12,000 square-foot building. The Rev. Robert Garcia rushed to the scene and was told by fire officials that they believe the church will be a 'total loss.' No injuries were reported and the flames was contained by 7am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Victory Outreach Church in Pomona, Los Angeles went up in flames around 2.45am on Sunday The 12,000 square-foot building was built in 1981 and was supposed to host a community outreach toy drive on Sunday evening 'Pastor, when it's all said and done, the building is going to be burned down, but the church is still going to be standing, because we're the church,' a member of the congregation told Garcia. Many congressional members made it to the scene of the fire to support one another and pray. An outreach event was planned for Sunday evening inside the church to give 500 toys to local children in need According to a Facebook post by the Victory Outreach Pomona, that event is still set to take place, but in the parking lot across from the burnt building. The intensity of the fire was so strong that at one point firefighters had to step back from the flames in case the old building collapsed. 'When they arrived on scene they had heavy smoke and fire showing through this old church,' Capt. Sheila Kelliher Berkoh with Los Angeles County Fire said. Berkoh went on to say that firefighters were in there for about 20 minutes before the roof started to collapse and the flames thickened. 'So they had to go into defensive mode and defensive operation,' Berkoh said. A GoFundMe page was also created to hep raise money to rebuild the church. The massive blaze was contained around 7a.m. and no injuries were reported Dozens of firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on scene. Capt. Sheila Kelliher Berkoh said that the flames were so intense that the roof started to collapse A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise donations to eventually rebuild the church 'Since 1981 this church has helped bring families and the community of Pomona together,' the page organizer, Monica Rivera said. 'It now needs the prayers and the help of the community to help rebuild together.' Over 8,000 has been raised out of $500,000 donation goal. 'Even though we know in the end that something positive is going to come out of it, there's a process,' Rev. Garcia told KTLA5. Another disastrous fire broke out on Monday night at The California yacht Club in marina del Ray and left two Los Angeles firefighters injured. The Rev. Robert Garcia rushed to the scene and was told by fire officials that they believe the church will be a 'total loss' The California Yacht Club was founded in 1922 and built in 1967. The clubhouse burned down on Monday night, but the many boats surrounding the club were intact When crews arrived at the scene, thick smoke and flames engulfed the two-story building that was founded in 1922 and built in 1967. The two male firefighters who were hurt suffered mild injuries while they battled the flames. They were taken to a local hospital, Los Angeles County Fire Department PIO Fred Fielding said. Pictures revealed the now charred perimeter of the clubhouse, which according to the California Yacht Club, was where the fire damaged. The many boats surrounding the club were intact, and the roof of the clubhouse also appeared to be untouched by the flames. The government 'missed warnings' on the rise of e-cigarettes and now Britain's youth have sleepwalked into a vaping epidemic, experts claim. Smokers aged 18 and over are encouraged by the NHS and the Government to use vaping to help get off cigarettes and they are seen as a key tool for the UK to become smoke-free by 2030. Yet it is out of step with other countries across the world with Australia recently announcing it was banning imports of disposable vapes from January as it tries to fight off a nicotine addiction in children. Experts have raised questions about Britain's keenness to promote e-cigarettes while other countries remain cautious with one musing 'we are either the smartest group of people on the planet or a bunch of idiots'. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled bold plans in October to stamp out the child vaping epidemic and is looking at banning child-friendly flavours and packaging which is encouraging kids to pick up the habit. Smokers aged 18 and over are encouraged by the NHS and the Government to use vaping to help get off cigarettes Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled bold plans in October to stamp out the child vaping epidemic and is looking at banning child-friendly flavours and packaging Professor Andy Bush, an expert in respiratory disease in children, wondered why the UK had been so keen to adopt vaping without as many restrictions as many countries. Everything you need to know about e-cigarettes How much nicotine is in an e-cigarette? There are many different brands of e-cigarettes, containing various different nicotine levels. The legal amount of nicotine in an e-liquid capacity in the UK is 20mg/ml equating to between 600 and 800 puffs. The Elf Bar 600, one of Britain's most popular vapes, is advertised as coming in nicotine strengths of 0mg, 10mg and 20mg. How many cigarettes are 'in' an e-cigarette? The Elf Bar 600 contains the equivalent to 48 cigarettes, analysts say. It delivers 600 puffs before it needs to be thrown away, meaning, in theory, every 12.5 puffs equate to one cigarette. Experts say for many e-cigarettes, 100 puffs equate to ten normal cigarettes. Elf Bars are a brand of e-cigarettes often sold in snazzy colours and with child-friendly names and flavours, like blue razz lemonade and green gummy bear Is vaping better for your health than cigarettes? Vaping products are considered to be better than cigarettes as users are exposed to fewer toxins and at lower levels, according to the NHS. The health service adds that vaping instead of smoking cigarettes reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease and diseases of the heart and circulation, such as strokes and heart attacks. Public Health England, which is now defunct, published an expert independent review in 2015 concluding that e-cigarettes are around 95 per cent less harmful than cigarettes. However vaping is not risk-free, as while levels in tobacco-products are much higher, e-cigarettes still contain harmful toxins, according to a study by researchers from the Medical University of Silesia in Poland. And Dr Onkar Mudhar, a London dentist who posts videos on TikTok, said Elf bars can cause gum inflammation, swelling and bleeding. He said this is because nicotine dries out your mouth and reduces saliva, causing irritation from a build-up of bacteria and food that can't get washed away. Nearly 350 hospitalisations due to vaping were logged in England in 2022, which are thought to be mainly down to respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, lung inflammation and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. Advertisement He told The Times: 'The UK is pretty much out of step with the rest of the world. 'Which either means were the smartest group of people on the planet or a bunch of idiots.' In 2018 Public Health England (PHE) - now The UK Health Security Agency - was accused of 'complacency' by three British paediatricians after the rise in popularity of vaping in US high schools and warned of risking 'a further epidemic of devastating lung disease'. But the UK's health organisation appeared not to heed the warning and went on to say it had some of the 'strictest regulation for e-cigarettes in the world'. A blog in 2018 - updated in February 2019 - said it had found no evidence that vaping would lead young people into smoking. In July this year it was reported that kids as young as eight are vaping. The shock data, collated by a Trading Standards branch, was shared at a Lancashire County Council meeting last week. It also revealed that one in six teens there are now regular vapers almost triple the proportion in 2020. Members of the Tory-led council slammed 'unscrupulous businesses' selling brightly coloured and fruity vapes to children for 'pocket money prices'. Doctors fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age. Only last month figures showed two dozen children have been hospitalised due to vaping over the past two years. Hospital admission rates for 'vaping-related disorders' in under-20s in general have risen six-fold over the same period, amid an exploding e-cigarette epidemic among youths. Usage rates among teens have almost doubled in a decade, leading the Government to promise a crackdown on vapes being sold and marketed to minors. Since the start of 2022, there have been 24 vaping-related hospitalisations for children aged under ten. Dr Mike McKean, vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: 'Just as bold action is needed to tackle smoking, so too is it needed to tackle the rise in youth vaping. 'We would once again remind the Government that nothing short of a ban on these unsustainable products will adequately protect our children.' Professor Nicholas Hopkinson, of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: 'Although this isn't on the scale of passive smoking, which causes around 5,000 children to be admitted to hospital every year in this country, any hospital admission is a concern. 'The simple message is growing lungs need to breathe clean air. 'In young people, vaping can cause irritation to the airways in the lung and aggravate asthma. We know what worked to bring down smoking rates in early teens. At the beginning of this year Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, called for a major clampdown on firms who get kids hooked on colourful flavoured e-cigarettes. Sir Chris told MPs in February that there is 'no doubt' companies are designing vapes to appeal to children and branded their actions 'appalling'. Giving evidence to the Commons health and social care committee, he said officials must do 'everything we can' to reduce vaping among youngsters. Research published last year found the proportion of children using e-cigs is on the rise, with many being influenced by social media sites including TikTok. Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost ten times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting Prime Candy on Oxford Street, where in April MailOnline found huge vape displays alongside many different types of American sweets MailOnline discovered dupe vapes mimicking Chupa Chups, Skittles, Jolly Rancher, Rubicon and Calypso (pictured), with near-identical branding to the popular sweets and drinks in other stores along Oxford Street Newer, disposable e-cigarettes are increasing in popularity, in part because they cost around 5 each and come in a wide range of colours and fruity flavours. Prof Bush told MailOnline in April 'we are sleepwalking into an existential crisis for children' in response to this news outlet's investigation into vaping and said our dossier was 'scary' proof firms are desperately trying to lure kids in, sentencing them to a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Tackling the rise in vaping among children was highlighted by Mr Sunak in October as a Government priority. 'We must act before it becomes endemic so we will also bring forward measures to restrict the availability of vapes to our children, looking at flavours, packaging and disposable vapes,' he said. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Vaping is rightly used by adults as a tool to quit smoking, but the health advice is clear: if you don't smoke, don't vape - and children should never vape. That's precisely why we have already taken action and consulted on ways to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children and young people. 'Research shows consumer vapes are the most effective approach to quitting smoking in England, leading to an estimated 50,000 more people quitting every year. We are also funding a world-first 'swap to stop' scheme to offer a million adult smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.' The mother of an IDF reservist who was killed on-duty by a Palestinian sniper has said she would be happy to see her son's killer freed from jail if Hamas' hostages were freed. Robi Damelin's son David was killed when he was just 28 in 2002 when a Palestinian sniper, hiding in the hills behind the Ofra settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, shot him, six other soldiers and three civilians. Tha'ir Kayid Hammad, Robi's son's killer, was arrested two years after the shooting and was sentenced to life behind bars. But Robi said the justice of having her son's killer locked up behind bars was far outweighed by the anguish felt by the families of the hostages still being held by Hamas. 'I think about that sniper who is in jail for killing him along with nine other soldiers and civilians. I say free him if it will bring back even one of your loved ones,' she wrote for the Haaretz newspaper David Damelin (pictured) was killed when he was just 28 in 2002 when a Palestinian sniper, hiding in the hills behind the Ofra settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, shot him, six other soldiers and three civilians Robi Damelin (pictured) said the justice of having her son's killer locked up behind bars was far outweighed by the anguish felt by the families of the hostages still being held by Hamas Around 19,000 Palestinians have been killed by the IDF, according to Gaza health officials, since October 7 'He is not my prisoner to hold on to. The pain he caused me [will] be with me forever. 'So will the pain of imagining him living freely again, as it will be for the families of the other Israelis he killed,' she added. The seven-day temporary truce deal saw Hamas release 105 of the 240 hostages it took from Israel on October 7, in exchange for Israel releasing 240 Palestinian prisoners from jail. The truce also allowed some humanitarian aid into Gaza after much of the coastal territory of 2.3 million people was reduced to wasteland in the Israeli assault. She said she'd be happy to see her son's killer, as well as other Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for the remaining 135 prisoners, as there was no way of knowing that they would re-offend again. 'Who are those people against such a deal who became experts overnight, and somehow know all the statistics and just how many Israelis will be attacked in the future by Palestinian prisoners set free? The seven-day temporary truce deal saw Hamas release 105 of the 240 hostages it took from Israel on October 7 The truce also allowed some humanitarian aid into Gaza after much of the coastal territory of 2.3 million people was reduced to wasteland in the Israeli assault Israel has come under intense criticism after it was revealed that IDF troops killed three Israeli hostages who spoke in Hebrew and held white flags 'There is real risk, it is not "fair" they might be returned, but I think to myself: do they have any idea what it is like to not know where their beloved child, or wife or father or mother or brother is?' Israel has come under intense criticism after it was revealed that IDF troops killed three Israeli hostages who spoke in Hebrew and held white flags. Yotam Haim, 28, Alon Shamriz, 26, and Samer El-Talalka, 22, were tragically gunned down during Israeli operations in Gaza City. The hostages were fired upon against Israel's rules of engagement, the official confirmed. The Israeli military said a soldier saw the hostages emerging tens of meters from Israeli forces in the area of Shejaiya. The IDF previously said the three men had been wrongly identified as a threat. 'They're all without shirts and they have a stick with a white cloth on it. The soldier feels threatened and opens fire. He declares that they're terrorists, they (forces) open fire, two are killed immediately,' said the military official. The third hostage was wounded and retreated into a nearby building where he called for help in Hebrew. 'Immediately the battalion commander issues a ceasefire order, but again there's another burst of fire towards the third figure and he also dies,' said the official. 'This was against our rules of engagement,' he added. Around 19,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, since October 7 when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and captured 240 hostages in their incursion. One of Britain's most eminent haematologists has been banned from practising as a doctor for three months after a disciplinary hearing held in secret. Prof Edward Tuddenham was found to have repeatedly prescribed medication to a woman with whom he had a 'close personal relationship'. During his 55-year career, he is credited with revolutionising treatment of the blood condition. But a tribunal said his 'dishonest' behaviour put the woman's life at risk due to his 'persistent breaches' of the 'fundamental tenets' of the profession. Prof Tuddenham, 79, told investigators he was 'totally disgusted and ashamed of himself', later admitting he was guilty of 'a very bad example of misuse of power'. But the medication he prescribed, the condition she had and the nature of her relationship with the married doctor remain veiled in secrecy as his lawyer asked for the hearing to take place behind closed doors. Prof Edward Tuddenham was found to have repeatedly prescribed medication to a woman with whom he had a 'close personal relationship' This was allowed by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, despite its 'default position' that hearings should be in public. It has released a heavily redacted 28-page document setting out its findings against Prof Tuddenham, who is Emeritus professor of haemophilia at Royal Free London Hospital and gave evidence at the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal. It said the woman called only Patient A was seeing a GP after she was diagnosed with 'XXX'. She wanted more of one medicine than her GP would give so bought some online. But in 2016, said the panel, she asked the professor to write a prescription when she ran out, without the GP knowing. 'He said that he reluctantly agreed, believing it would be a 'one-off'.' But this ended up being monthly and over four or five years he wrote around 50 prescriptions, each for 28 tablets. In 2021, after suffering black-outs Patient A was admitted to hospital where a consultant became concerned at the medicines she was taking and the professor was reported to the General Medical Council. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said he was no longer an employee. Sen. Lindsey Graham pushed back on those critical of Donald Trump's language when describing illegal immigrants, claiming he's more worried about the border crisis being amended than using politically correct terminology. It comes as Democrats accuse Trump of invoking Adolf Hilter by calling migrants a 'poison' on U.S. society. Additionally, a new Fox News poll released on Sunday shows that 32 percent of Americans believe that it is an 'emergency at the southern border. Graham agrees, and said the focus needs to be on mitigating that disaster rather than focusing on words used by the former president, who the South Carolina senator has endorsed in his reelected bid. 'You know, we're talking about language,' Graham told NBC News Meet the Press host Kristen Welker. 'I could (sic) care less what language people use as long as we get it right.' 'You know, I think the president has a way of talking, sometimes, I disagree with,' Graham added. 'But he actually delivered on the border.' Sen. Lindsey Graham said he doesn't care about the language Donald Trump uses to described illegal immigrants, saying the ex-president was successful is addressing the crisis Comes after Trump was accused of inciting language used by German dictator Adolf Hitler when saying migrants are 'poisoning the blood of our country' WATCH: Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC (R-S.C.) says he "could care less" what language Trump uses to describe migrants, as the Biden campaign accuses Trump of parroting Hitler. "You're talking about Donald Trump's language as you allow the country to be invaded" via the border. pic.twitter.com/ICYxpy1zaP Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) December 17, 2023 'People are looking for results. If the only thing you want to talk about on immigration is the way Donald Trump talks, you're missing a lot.' Graham said that the problem are terrorists and drug dealers making their way over the border due to a lack of security. 'I understand why people want to come to America. But we have chaos, and we need to create order,' he said. During a rally in New Hampshire on Saturday, Trump said of migrants: 'They're poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done.' He said illegal immigrants 'poisoned mental institutions and prisons all over the world'. The words appear borrowed from Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf, which Democrats quickly jumped on. 'All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning,' the German dictator wrote in his 1925 manifesto. Trump also told his followers: 'We've got a lot of work to do - you know, when they let, I think the real number is 15, 16 million people into our country. When they do that - we've got a lot of work to do.' It's unclear where he got this figure from because the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that 3 million migrants have crossed the border in 2023 - not 15 or 16 million, as Trump claimed. Trump said immigrants are 'pouring into our country' from Africa, Asia and all over the world. He even claimed that 'nobody is even looking at them, they just come in'. The former President then incoherently ranted: 'The crime is going to tremendous, the terrorism is going to be, terrorism is going to be... and we built a tremendous piece of the wall and then we're going to build more and the election was rigged. 'We didn't do it but I figured they'd just throw it up - it was all built, it was all ready to be just hoisted up. The exact wall that the border patrol who are incredible, Brandon Judd and all of the people at border patrol - that's exactly what they designed.' By the time Biden took office in January 2021, approximately 450 miles of wall had been built with 40 miles of brand new construction most of it replaced old fencing. Trump told his MAGA groupies that migrants from 'all over the world' are 'poisoning the blood of our country' - a phrase he copied from Hitler's, who wrote in Mein Kampf: 'All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning' This isn't the first time Trump has been likened to the leader of the Nazis - Hillary Clinton made a direct comparison between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler as she claimed the former president winning in 2024 would lead to 'almost unimaginable wreckage' for America. She drew parallels between how the Nazi leader became a dictator and what she claimed were Trump's 'dictatorial, authoritarian tendencies' which would lead to the 'end of our country as we know it'. Trump used the same phrase back in October - prompting former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera to denounce the former President for claiming migrants are 'poisoning the blood of our country,' and expressing his shock at the 'extraordinary, hateful, Hitler-like quote.' Trump drew astonished backlash from critics after making the remark in an October video interview where he repeated his prior claims that migrants are criminals, insane, terrorists and diseased. 'Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from. We know they come from mental institutions and insane asylums. We know they're terrorists,' Trump said in the interview with The National Pulse, a right-leaning website. 'It's poisoning the blood of our country. It's so bad, and people are coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have,' said Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination. Rishi Sunak is being 'outflanked on the Right' by Labour, a minister has warned. Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker said Downing Street must 'wake up' to the risk posed by Labour shifting to the right on key issues such as health, welfare and the economy. The warning was underlined when Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting said the NHS should brace itself for reform rather than expect a cash injection if Labour wins the next general election. Mr Baker, a former chairman of the European Research Group, is seen as one of the most influential figures on the Tory Right in Westminster. His comments will add pressure on the Prime Minister to go further in setting out a distinctly Conservative agenda in areas such as tax, crime and education. Sir Keir Starmer speaks to Tony Blair inside St James's Palace last year Rishi Sunak is being 'outflanked on the Right' by Labour, Steve Baker has warned In a policy document co-authored by Mr Baker and aimed at allies, the 'Risk and Opportunity' group warns that Sir Keir Starmer has dusted off Tony Blair's strategy from the 1990s. This positioned New Labour to the right of the Tories on a string of issues leaving the Tories looking 'out of touch and somewhat bewildered' when they tried to portray him as an 'unreconstructed Marxist'. The paper said: 'Starmer has already outflanked the Conservatives on the Right. 'Today, Labour is openly talking about controlling public expenditure whilst complaining that both taxes and immigration are too high.' The document, which was leaked to the Sunday Telegraph, said that the Conservative Party took a decade to get to grips with Sir Tony's strategy. It also warns that the Tories cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that shut them out of power for years. The paper asks: 'How long will it take this time? How much ground and outflanking must occur before No 10 wakes up to what their adversary is actually doing?' Mr Streeting acknowledged that the Labour leadership is taking regular advice from Sir Tony. He played down suggestions that the former leader could return to government as a minister in the Lords, but told Sky News: 'We can call on Tony's advice any time we like, and we often do. 'But it's no surprise to any of us that he doesn't fancy returning to the House of Lords and returning to Parliament.' In a policy document co-authored by Mr Baker and aimed at allies, the 'Risk and Opportunity' group warns that Sir Keir Starmer has dusted off Tony Blair's strategy from the 1990s The paper said: 'Starmer has already outflanked the Conservatives on the Right' Mr Streeting also reinforced Mr Baker's point by setting out a tough agenda for the NHS. He said the 'disaster' in the public finances means that Labour will not be able to 'just turn the taps on' to resolve issues in the health service such as long waiting lists for care. READ MORE - Sir Tony Blair says he has no interest in 'doing a Cameron' amid speculation Keir Starmer could make him a Lord and bring him back to Labour cabinet Advertisement Mr Streeting also suggested that much of the extra NHS investment seen in recent years had been wasted. 'Pouring ever increasing amounts of taxpayers' money into a broken system is wasteful in every sense. It's a waste of money we don't have,' he said. 'It's a waste of time that isn't on the NHS side, and it's a waste of potential because I believe from the bottom of my heart that the NHS as a public service free at the point of use can exist for the next 75 years. But we've got to modernise and change in order for it to be sustainable in the longer term.' In a further sign of Labour's shifting tactics, it emerged the party has left the way clear for the Liberal Democrats to take on the Conservatives in scores of seats where it has traditionally fared badly. It has drawn up a list of 211 'non-battleground' seats where it will put up only a minimal fight in order to focus resources on its key targets. Mr Sunak is expected to launch a new push to highlight dividing lines with Labour next year, including those on immigration and tax. Last week, he said that he is planning a 'gear shift' on cutting the tax burden, which has risen to a record high since the pandemic. Will Rishi Sunak have had his knuckles rapped by his wife, Akshata, on his return from a conference in Rome? Yesterday's papers were full of pictures of Rishi kissing or being kissed by the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and of the two embracing with a degree of enthusiasm seldom, if ever, seen between national leaders. Rishi and Giorgia first bonded in April when (as Rishi put it on Saturday) they 'looked through Margaret Thatcher's papers' in No 10. The Italian prime minister is a great fan of the Iron Lady, as she is of several British writers, including the novelist J.R.R. Tolkien and the late conservative philosopher, Sir Roger Scruton. I've no doubt Mr Sunak gave a good account of himself to his wife and explained why his attendance alone among Western European leaders at Meloni's political festival was so vital to his own cause. Rishi has found an ally. He spotted that, despite constant reminders by the Left that Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has 'fascist roots', the Italian prime minister is a pragmatic and surprisingly effective centre-Right politician. Both leaders also share a preoccupation with illegal immigration. Rishi and Giorgia first bonded in April when (as Rishi put it on Saturday) they 'looked through Margaret Thatcher's papers' in No 10 Roughly 140,000 migrants have arrived in Italy from North Africa this year, about four times the number of those crossing the Channel in boats (File Image) Roughly 140,000 migrants have arrived in Italy from North Africa this year, about four times the number of those crossing the Channel in boats. Illegal immigration is probably even more hotly debated in Italy than in Britain and Meloni's promise to do something about it largely explains her rise to power. Her latest idea is to send migrants to Albania, where their claims will be processed. In contrast to the migrants the Government dreams of dispatching to Rwanda, Meloni's won't stay long in Albania as they won't be offered the option of settling there. They will either be granted asylum and return to Italy or be deported. Ms Meloni has alone among Western leaders commended the British scheme. Incidentally, we can be sure that two people particularly upset by the Sunak/Meloni love-in will be Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and President Macron of France. Following the bitterness of Brexit, EU doctrine abhors the rapturous embrace of any British Tory leader. How did Rishi do? Having been praised to the skies by Meloni, and facing an enthusiastic audience, he let his hair down. In fact, at times he sounded like the outspoken Suella Braverman, whom he removed from the Home Office last month. His warning that Britain faces being 'overwhelmed' by illegal migration recalled Mrs Braverman's phrase 'the hurricane of mass migration', which she used at the Tory Party Conference in October. Mr Sunak was apparently thinking about illegal migration, whereas Suella was seemingly talking about both the legal and illegal sort. Nonetheless, what Rishi said will have pleased the Tory Right. In particular, he suggested there might be a need to 'amend post-war frameworks around asylum'. This seems to be a reference to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the 1953 European Convention on Human Rights. Radical talk. By the way, if a white politician talked about immigration being 'overwhelming' or a 'hurricane', there would be an outcry. There certainly was in 1978, when Thatcher said that 'people are really rather afraid that this country might be rather swamped by people with a different culture'. But it is difficult, if not positively idiotic, to accuse either Mr Sunak or Mrs Braverman of being racist. As the children of immigrants, they're obviously not anti-immigrant. They just want the flow of people into this country to be properly regulated. And here we come to the nub of Rishi's challenge. In Italy, at the weekend, he set out his stall on immigration more robustly than ever before. He did so, at least in part, because he believes that on this issue he can create clear blue water between the Tories and Labour. The PM knows that, for all Sir Keir Starmer's sniping over the Government's Rwanda policy, the Labour leader hasn't come up with a single persuasive policy for reducing illegal migration or legal, come to that, which, as I never tire of pointing out, was about 16 times greater last year. More than 29,000 people have crossed the English Channel to reach the UK so far this year - more than the same time in 2021, but fewer than last year If Mr Sunak can go the polls having further reduced the number of illegal migrants, he would have a good story to tell The PM knows that, for all Sir Keir Starmer's sniping over the Government's Rwanda policy, the Labour leader hasn't come up with a single persuasive policy for reducing illegal migration Labour hasn't got a plan. It simply bellyaches. We know that many voters, perhaps especially in the Red Wall, are concerned about uncontrolled immigration. If Mr Sunak can get over the idea that this is an area where the Tories should be trusted more than Labour well, he could help spur a Conservative resurgence. There's one problem with this strategy, though, which is that immigration has soared to record levels under this Government. It's going to be hard to convince the electorate that the Tories suddenly deserve to be trusted. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE - Tory rebel Mark Francois apologises to the Chief Whip after being accused of intimidating behaviour towards female staff before the vote on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill Advertisement But it might still be possible. As far as legal immigration is concerned, the Government hurriedly announced a host of measures two weeks ago which it claims will reduce last year's highest ever net immigration figure of 745,000 by some 300,000. Whether this is enough is highly questionable since legal immigration would still be far greater than it was before Brexit. It's a start, though, and by the time of the election (which I'm assuming will take place next autumn) voters may see conclusive proof that the Government has finally got a grip. Illegal migration represents a bigger problem. It shouldn't do, because it is so much smaller, but the Prime Minister has made stopping the small boats one of his five pledges. And I think many people feel particularly exercised by it because it seems to them so unfair. It's true that the number of people crossing the Channel has fallen by about a third this year compared to last, largely because the Government has made an agreement with Albania. As a result, migrants from that country, who at one time in 2022 were accounting for almost 40 per cent of the total, have dwindled to almost nothing. If Mr Sunak can go the polls having further reduced the number of illegal migrants, he would have a good story to tell. But will he? The worry is that, even if the Rwanda Bill gets through Parliament, the numbers being sent to that country will be so small as to make little discernible difference. Moreover, it remains possible that the Rwanda Bill won't become law or, even if it does, will be subject to legal challenges that will have the effect of delaying any flights to central Africa beyond the election. In such an event, all Rishi's promises would come to nought. Even one flight to Rwanda might have a beneficial effect I accept that. But the danger for the Prime Minister is that he'll be seen to be all talk and no action. Whatever happens, he mustn't stake everything on his Rwanda scheme. Being lionised in Rome by Giorgia Meloni and her supporters must have been a very pleasurable experience. But Rishi won't be appreciated by British voters unless he delivers. In a vast barn on a farm near York, a small team of volunteers can be found beavering tirelessly away. They are sorting out second-hand wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames, hospital beds, mattresses, mobility scooters, commodes, stretchers and prosthetic limbs. This equipment donated by the public, firms and charities must be checked, sorted, repaired and packed for shipping to countries in need. My friends think Im barmy coming here every week to a freezing barn, but I dont like waste said former nurse Chris True, 78. She is one of many volunteers, all retirees, who give their free time to PhysioNet, a small Yorkshire charity set up to supply people in developing countries with disability aids that are considered surplus or redundant here. Pictured: volunteers at PhysioNet load a lorry full of reclaimed NHS equipment to be sent to Ukraine In recognition of its crucial work, PhysioNet a recipient of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 has received 9,000 from Mail Force, the charity founded by the Daily Mail and General Trust during the Covid pandemic and to which our generous readers have donated a staggering 37million in three years. Mail Force is now focusing on its Ukraine Appeal to provide food, shelter and clothing for those affected by the war. The grant to PhysioNet has funded two 55ft containers packed with equipment for Ukraine. The number of people with disabilities has increased dramatically, both among the soldiers and civilians caught up in the bombing and shelling, with many amputees. With everything thats going on in the world, Ukraine has fallen off the news agenda. But there are no shortages of requests from there, said PhysioNet founder Peter Thompson. One truck was sent in October and another this month, the seventh to Ukraine this year. PhysioNet was launched in 2008 by Peter, 89 a retired agricultural consultant. Today, there are 60 volunteers working across its hubs in Scotland, East Anglia, the South East and the West Country, who have provided vital equipment to 32 developing countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Fortunately, we can reuse about 95 per cent of the stuff we get in, Peter tells me. PhysioNet has funded two 55ft containers full of equipment for Ukraine The charity has a lot to be proud of, shipping out 144 containers in the 15 years of operation and 19 truckloads this year. Its the most weve ever sent, Peter told me proudly. The countries we deliver to usually help pay towards some of the cost. But we dont ask Ukraine for any money because theyre at war. Were delighted and grateful that Mail Force stepped in to help. See www.mailforcecharity.co.uk to learn about Mail Force. To learn more about PhysioNet, donate or volunteer, email Peter.thompson@physionet.org.uk. Few things are more likely to frustrate people than the political correctness, nitpickery and downright wastefulness that pervade the public sector. The notion that the Civil Service, government agencies, health trusts and local authorities might focus on serving the public now reads like some kind of joke. Infected by woke ideology, and hamstrung by needless working practices, their performance in key areas which affect everyday life is frequently abject. The only area these bodies excel in is squandering the billions we pay in taxes. So what right-thinking person would not applaud Esther McVey's manifesto, launched in the Daily Mail today, to end the idiotic waste and bureaucracy that sap our institutions of effectiveness. Esther McVey's manifesto, launched in the Daily Mail today, vows to end the idiotic waste and bureaucracy that sap our institutions of effectiveness Hell would freeze over before Sir Keir did anything to upset Labour's voting bloc in the sclerotic public sector The 'Minister for Common Sense' is determined to bring pragmatism to the public sector to benefit everybody. Cracking down on lavishly paid non-jobs in diversity and inclusion stopping councils using taxpayers' money to meet the heating bills of staff who work from home making hospitals register a baby's sex at birth, not their so-called gender. Every recommendation resounds with common sense. And in today's politics, that's a pretty rare quality. By actively investigating the problem, Ms McVey can get a better sense of its scale, meaning the Government can deal with the issue. Of course, the minister will have an almighty fight on her hands. The box-ticking, virtue-signalling industry is deeply entrenched and will not go quietly. But with an election looming, this could draw a killer dividing line against Sir Keir Starmer. Hell would freeze over before he did anything to upset Labour's voting bloc in the sclerotic public sector. This belated conversion to common sense is welcome. If only the voice of reason hadn't taken so long to filter through to ministers. Tough on migration The Left is in a frightful lather after the Prime Minister warned that Britain risked being 'overwhelmed' by illegal immigration unless radical action is taken. Predictably, these hand-wringers accuse Mr Sunak of stirring up racial tensions. But it is right for him to speak candidly about one of our most deep-seated problems. People are angry at seeing illegal migrants in small boats jump the asylum queue. That is why it is so important his Rwanda deterrent is given a chance to work. The Left is in a frightful lather after the Prime Minister warned that Britain risked being 'overwhelmed' by illegal immigration unless radical action is taken But securing our borders does not mean just stopping Channel crossings. These barely make a dent when net migration was already 745,000 last year, placing a huge strain on public services. Mr Sunak seems ready to make immigration a key battleground at the next election. That's little surprise when Sir Keir Starmer, who has said all immigration laws are 'racist', has no policy to speak of. But to get voters on side, the PM must show he is willing and able to significantly reduce the numbers coming here. Or, as he himself has said: 'Whatever it takes.' An unworkable truce? In a major intervention on Israel's war with Hamas, Lord Cameron has called for a 'sustainable ceasefire' as a prelude to peace. Putting pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to end the bombardment of Gaza, the Foreign Secretary warned that 'too many civilians have been killed'. In a major intervention on Israel's war with Hamas, Lord Cameron has called for a 'sustainable ceasefire' as a prelude to peace But how would this ceasefire work in practice? There was one in place on October 7, but the terror group broke it murdering 1,200 Israelis. Israel is well within its rights to hunt down the perpetrators. In any case, the barbarians in Hamas have made clear they will not lay down their arms until the Jewish state is wiped off the map. The only hope of a 'sustainable' ceasefire is the complete eradication of Hamas. An eminent historian has called for the barge which bore Sir Winston Churchill's coffin along the Thames to be saved as foreign buyers eye up the national treasure. Niall Ferguson, a Mail contributor, today joins former prime minister Boris Johnson and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby in urging a British buyer to come forward and save the Havengore. Owner Chris Ryland, 75, bought the 85ft vessel for 780,000 in 2006 but put it on sale 18 months ago for 2million, recently knocking the price down to 800,000. There are fears the barge could be bought by an international businessman and turned into a party ship. In 1965, the Havengore carried the body of Sir Winston after a state funeral when London's dockers lowered their cranes in respect. In 1965, the Havengore carried the body of Sir Winston after a state funeral when London's dockers lowered their cranes in respect Niall Ferguson, a Mail contributor, today joins former prime minister Boris Johnson and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby in urging a British buyer to come forward and save the Havengore Owner Chris Ryland, 75, bought the 85ft vessel for 780,000 in 2006 but put it on sale 18 months ago for 2million, recently knocking the price down to 800,000 Professor Ferguson said: 'At a time when Churchill's critics receive far too much airtime and column inches, I would welcome an effort to keep Havengore in this country. 'Churchill was this country's greatest leader. And Havengore symbolises the centrality of the River Thames to our national history.' Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, a former captain in the Royal Green Jackets, said: 'This is absolutely part of our history and we should be able to celebrate it across the world but crucially from Britain. 'We do need to be more robust in protecting what is important to us. This has heritage value and it would be a sad day if something as symbolic of our greatest prime minister were to depart our shores.' Historian Hugo Vickers added that the funeral had been of huge importance to the nation. The Mail's Eden Confidential diary first raised the issue of the fate of the Havengore last year. Oliver Dowden yesterday vowed the Government will spend 'whatever is required' to deport Channel migrants to Rwanda - as he extended an olive branch to the Tory Right on the issue. The Deputy Prime Minister said the flagship scheme was a vital measure in the UK's bid to break the business model of the 'vile' people smuggling gangs. The Mail revealed this month that total payments to Rwanda are on course to double to 290 million next year, despite court delays preventing any flights from taking off. But, speaking during a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Dowden suggested the government would press on with the scheme even if costs rise further. 'We will spend whatever is required to make sure that we can control this vile trade,' he said. 'We need to stop this and we need to restore confidence in our immigration system now. We've made progress with a controlling legal migration. It's down by a third. But this is an important part of our plan to make sure we restore control to our migration system.' Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden vowed on Sunday to spend 'whatever is required' to send Channel migrants to Rwanda In an olive branch to potential rebels, Mr Dowden said that the Government was prepared to listen to Tory MPs who have criticised the plan Mr Dowden also hinted that ministers are prepared to listen to Tory rebels who have complained that new legislation designed to overcome legal challenges is likely to fail unless it is strengthened. Almost 30 Tory MPs, including former home secretary Suella Braverman and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, abstained on the legislation last week - as rebels warned they could vote it down last year unless it prevents migrants from lodging individual appeals against deportation at the European Court of Human Rights. Mr Sunak has said his proposals are already so tough it is not possible to move an 'inch' further. But Mr Dowden suggested some changes could be made before the legislation returns to the Commons next month. 'Of course we don't rule out amendments and of course we will engage with that - that's what happens with any piece of parliamentary legislation,' he said. 'What I would say, though, is that the Prime Minister is a pretty rigorous person, he's looked through this very carefully, turned it upside down, shaken it around, he's pretty sure this is the best thing we can get. 'But, of course, if there are other ways of improving it, we'll be open to doing that.' Meanwhile, the Home Office insisted it had 'robust plans' for flights to Rwanda, following reports airlines have refused to sign contracts to take part in the flagship asylum policy. The Home Office insisted that there were 'robust plans' for flights to Rwanda, despite reports that airlines are refusing to sign up to the scheme over fears of reputational damage. Pictured: The short term holding facility for migrants in Manston, Kent The Sunday Times reported that firms have so far declined to sign up over fears of damage to their reputations from taking part in the plan. According to the paper, ministers have since appointed an agent to source a commercial aircraft supplier willing to ferry migrants to the African nation if and when the scheme becomes operational. A failure to do so raises the prospect of the Ministry of Defence and the RAF stepping in. Home Official officials insist that if and when the Rwanda legislation becomes law, there will be flights available. A Government spokesman said: 'The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to stop the boats and get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.' Anastasia Synn is in the Guinness World Records as the most implanted human In 2017, Anastasia Synn had been performing magic for a decade when she made a decision that would eventually put her in the Guinness book of Records. The native Canadian living in California decided to get an implant into her body a small magnetic chip in the little finger of her left hand. Fast-forward just six years and she's officially the person with the most technological implants in the body a grand total of 52. Although a unique record holder, she's part of a whole global community of 'biohackers who make alterations to the body with technology to make life easier. Speaking from her home in the Californian mountains, the stunt performer told MailOnline that her daughter played a large part in getting the first one done. Anastasia Synn has got her name in the Guinness World Records as the person with the most technological implants in the body - a total of 52. Here, Ms Synn pushes a needle through her arm during the 2016 Amazing Magic Live party in Las Vegas Functions of the tiny objects include opening locks, finding magnetic objects and even triggering shortcuts on a smartphone. This x-ray of her arm shows the locations of some of them including a heart-shaped locket containing her late husband's ashes READ MORE The world's ultimate cyborg! California woman has 52 implants Functions include opening locks, finding metal objects, calling phone numbers, and performing magic tricks, while one in her hand even vibrates Advertisement 'She came up to me when she was probably about 16 and said, "I want to get this microchip, there's this gamer girl online and she can unlock her computer with her microchip so nobody else can get into it". 'So I said, "Listen, I don't know if it's safe or not so how about I get it and we'll see how it works out", because I thought it was pretty cool when she told me about it.' It was about a year after she bought the first implant that it was actually inserted to her left hand, along with an NFC chip. 'I was afraid of it, I'm not going to lie I saw it sitting in the package at my desk and I thought, "What if it causes cancer?" I didn't know enough about it.' Along with a couple of friends, she got them put in while sat at the dining room table of her home an event which turned into something of an 'implant party'. 'My daughter watched but didn't get one of course.' In her words, Anastasia then 'went down the rabbit hole' of biohacking after reading about 'pioneers' such as British engineer Professor Kevin Warwick, whom she describes as 'the modfather'. Another of her inspirations was Tim Cannon, founder of a Pittsburgh firm called Grindhouse Wetware, which makes implantable devices designed to 'augment human abilities and senses'. Anastasia Synn, magician, stunt performer and biohacker, performs a terrifying fire eating act while in the bath. She had been performing magic for a decade before realising implants could be part of her performances Mrs Synn's first two insertions - a magnet and an NFC chip in her left hand - were actually fairly recent, in August 2017 READ MORE: The most bizarre 'biohacks' ever Would you get Tesco clubcard on your arm? Advertisement Among Grindhouse Wetware's devices is the 'Bottlenose', which uses an implanted hand magnet to transmit information to the user through haptic feedback along the nerves. 'With your eyes blindfolded and a sensor on your wrist you could put your hand towards objects on a table and tell which object was which because of the sensors that were vibrating with haptic feedback,' Anastasia said. 'I thought immediately the applications for magic with something like this are amazing.' In a relatively short time just six years Anastasia has gone from no implants to the record figure of 52. Functions of the tiny objects include opening locks with the wave of a hand, finding magnetic objects and even triggering shortcuts on a smartphone. 'One thing I like about my implants is you can't really see any of them you don't know where they are. 'So you wouldn't think I'm this hardcore, implanted person.' And although she never set out to become 'the most implanted person', she admits her last procedure had 11 put in at once, partly to secure the record. As the saying goes, records are meant to be broken, and she doesn't sound totally protective over her Guinness title. 'Honestly, I look forward to meeting the person who breaks my record it's there to be taken.' Synn said: 'I can officially announce that I'm the world's most technologically implanted human! Since it's a first, they had to create a new record category' READ MORE Farewell to the 'Freddy Krueger of comedy' 'The Amazing Johnathan' died at the age of 63 following a battle with heart disease Advertisement Her implants not only make life easier and let her perform magic tricks, but memorialise her late husband, The Amazing Johnathan, who died in February 2022 from heart failure. Dubbed the 'Freddy Krueger of comedy', he was famed for his gory tricks including appearing to swallow his own eyeballs and skewering his own tongue. Anastasia now has part of his ashes inside a heart-shaped locket implanted in her arm, while an NFC chip in her hand tells Johnathan's favourite joke when scanned. But one of Anastasia's most treasured chips is the NFC-scannable microchip that initiates a call to his phone. 'I dont think I'll ever change it,' she said. Anastasia does have ideas for more insertions, including an NFC scanner in her leg and NFC tags inside playing cards. In a game of poker, she'd be able to run the cards over her leg to read them with her eyes closed without other players knowing. In 2014, Anastasia Synn married the Amazing Johnathan, self-described as the 'Freddy Krueger of comedy' for his use of gore and wild tricks But there's one thing she wouldn't get inserted a battery implant, largely due to the threat of it exploding or catching fire. 'A lot of people I know with these battery devices still have them and they have not exploded in their body, which is great. 'However, I'm not willing to take that risk. 'I don't have anything with a battery implanted and I think it'll stay that way.' Albert Lin might hunt for lost cities, and occasionally wear a wide-brimmed hat, but he and Indiana Jones couldn't be more different in their methods. While Indy had to make do with nothing more high-tech than his whip, this real-life explorer is bringing the best tech out there. Using cutting-edge tools, Albert has uncovered hidden cities of the past everywhere from Scotland to Sudan. But searching the world for ancient ruins isn't always easy or safe. Speaking to MailOnline, Albert revealed how he was inches away from being crushed by a boulder while searching for a mysterious civilization in Israel - surviving only thanks to his prosthetic leg. Slide me Albert and Indiana Jones might share a taste in hats and adventure but their techniques couldn't be more different Albert Lin is a real-life Indiana Jones who has searched the world to uncover the lost cities and civilizations of the past Who is 'real-life Indiana Jones' Albert Lin? Albert Lin is a National Geographic Explorer who uses technology to rediscover lost cities. He is also a research scientist at UC San Diego and has a PhD in engineering. He got his first exploration grant from National Geographic to hunt for the lost tomb of Genghis Khan in Mongolia. The technology he created for the search has since been used in projects ranging from search and rescue to humanitarian and environmental monitoring. Albert Lin is a real-life Indiana Jones Advertisement While Indiana Jones might always get to ride off into the sunset, in the real world, the dangers of exploration have real consequences. Speaking ahead of the release of his new documentary series, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Albert recalls one event that brought these consequences into sharp focus. Albert and his team were filming in Israel while searching for the lost city of Canaanites, a mysterious civilization that survived a biblical-era climate apocalypse. Their expedition had brought them to a cliff face in the desert - a serious scramble, but nothing to concern an experienced climber like Albert. Although he lost his leg in a Jeep crash years earlier, Albert strongly believes in showing other amputees the limits of what's possible, and so was soon scaling the rock-face. 'I'm climbing up the side of a cliff, and as I'm going up, the boulder that I'm on starts to open like a door and I feel my body falling back,' he told MailOnline. The boulder, loosened by rain, peeled away from the cliff wall and sent Albert tumbling down with a few hundred pounds of rock coming down after. He said: 'I jump as far as I can off the side of the cliff and I'm waiting for the boulder to kill me.' When the dust settled, it seemed like he'd escaped with nothing more than a few cuts and bruises. But as he went to stand, Albert realised that the boulder hadn't missed him after all - Albert's leg had been crushed to pieces beneath the stone. However, in what could either be a case of amazing or terrible luck, the rock landed on the leg he had lost years earlier. It was his prosthetic leg which had been smashed while everything else was unhurt. On an expedition to Israel in search of the Canaanite Kingdom Albert was almost killed by a falling boulder Albert has made it through his latest adventures unscathed, even though his prosthetic leg was crushed during the climbing accident 'That was rough, just seeing that trauma again in the form of losing a leg. As far as I know, I'm the only amputee who's lost the same leg twice,' he said. 'But you've got to dust those things off right? That was a very intense moment, but at the same time this just doesn't feel like work to me, this feels like something bigger. 'We're trying to uncover stories of our ancient past and each story might reveal something about our shared humanity. 'To me, that's worth these extreme experiences.' In the latest season of his series 'National Geographic, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin', Albert travels the world on the hunt for the lost cities of the past. His journey brought him across the world from the forgotten Pictish settlements of Scotland to the Peruvian Andes in search of the lost Chachapoya kingdom. Using the same techniques he developed in Mongolia years earlier hunting for the lost tomb of Genghis Khan, Albert employs cutting-edge tech to bring these settlements to life. Drones equipped with LiDAR scanners scour vast areas for disturbances caused by underground structures. This technique bounces lasers off the ground to create an exact map of the ground, revealing minute raised areas that betray hidden structures beneath the earth. Ground penetrating radar and satellite imagery then refine the search further, revealing vast complexes where there was once thought to be nothing. His search has since brought him to Oman, Peru and Scotland (pictured) to look for signs of the world's forgotten civilizations READ MORE: Declassified images from American Cold War spy satellites reveal HUNDREDS of lost Roman forts across Syria and Iraq Advertisement Albert says that, ever since his first expedition in Mongolia, he has been looking for a way to put a new lens on history. 'The invention of the microscope or telescope shifted the world in terms of the way that we can see things,' he said. 'This moment is the same for archaeology with the invention of things like LiDAR.' These tools have opened up a whole new era of archaeological discovery. Only recently, a treasure trove of cold-war satellite images allowed researchers to find hundreds of previously lost Roman forts. Likewise in the uncharted jungles of East Mexico, archaeologists used laser scanning to uncover an ancient Mayan City with 50-foot pyramids. Albert says: 'These lenses allow us to see things like that there were actually thousands of pyramids hidden in the jungle that we didn't know about, or that there is something just beneath the sand that you can only see with ground penetrating radar.' 'Each time we find a new story through research we find a new way of looking at it. 'It feels like we're uncovering part of the shared book of human history. Each city has a chapter or a page and when you put all those pages together you get to the present day.' Albert believes that uncovering these stories helps us find the 'essence of humanity that existed in each one of those different chapters.' He said: 'When you look at them as a whole you get this bigger picture of the essence of what's inside you no matter where you're from.' Albert says that his discoveries help us understand what is common across humanity and across time As someone who is 'literally part technology', Albert says the past can help us reflect on our relationship with technology today As someone who is 'literally part technology', Albert says that looking to the past can help us understand our relationship with technology today. Originally trained as an engineer, Albert calls himself 'a die-hard optimist'. However, he also feels that our march towards progress is bringing us to a point of no return. 'I think that we're at a flux moment in our human history where our connectedness is more than we've ever had before,' Albert said. 'Distance has been remade and we're truly living in a global village but we're still struggling with the echoes of this tribalism that we grew up with.' Likewise, as AI becomes more and more a part of our daily lives Albert says it is becoming even more important to reflect on our shared history. Albert and his team have discovered evidence that, even during the world's worst calamities, people have come together to party and cooperate 'Maybe it's important, in this moment when we face a confrontation with our own co-evolution with AI, that we think about what it is that truly makes us human, what it is that we're fighting to preserve in the face of this existential mirror,' he said. On that same expedition to Israel where Albert nearly died, he also made a discovery that he thinks resonates today. Over 4,000 years ago, some scientists believe the Earth went through a devastating decades long drought called the '4.2-kiloyear event'. Albert says that this event may well have led to the collapse of the old kingdoms of Egypt and Mesopotamia. But in an ancient Canaan, while the world around faced the greatest climate disaster in human history, he found that people had brought together supplies and resources from all across the ancient world. 'This was the collapse of the great civilization of our past, but what you see in this one village is huge piles of thousands of wine jugs and artefacts from all over the world,' Albert says. 'People came together to party essentially, but they also came together to commune and work together to face that global moment.' Albert says his journeys through time have led him to believe in the power of human cooperation and calls himself a 'die-hard optimist' So, as we turn to our own chapter in the human story, Albert believes that there are important lessons to learn from our collective history and the lost cities of the past. Albert says: 'I've had a career where I've been able to bounce around the world, and I've also been able to go through time back to the origins of our human evolution. 'I think what I've observed across humanity and through time is that we have a choice, and what has always worked really well for us is when we work together. 'Having been born in the Bay Area while the .com era unfolded, I think the great hope of the innovators that created that was that we could come together, and now it's a matter of us deciding to do that.' Lost Cities with Albert Lin airs Sundays at 6pm GMT on National Geographic, commencing 17th December with The Barbarian Kingdom. If you have any questions for Albert or have a suggestion for where he should explore next you can find him on Instagram at @exploreralbert. The saying goes that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is - and that's certainly the case when it comes to online dating. Research by ExpressVPN has revealed that a staggering 22 per cent of Britons have fallen victim to catfishing in their lifetime. While catfishing can occur on almost any online platform, Tinder remains one of the key apps where perpetrators prey on unsuspecting victims. One person who knows all too well how easy it is to get tricked on the dating app is Cecilie Fjellhoy, who was famously duped by the 'Tinder Swindler'. Now, Ms Fjellhoy has spoken to MailOnline about her experience, in the hopes of stopping anyone else from being conned. One person who knows all too well how easy it is to get tricked on the dating app is Cecilie Fjellhoy, who was famously duped by the 'Tinder Swindler' Ms Fjellhoy, 34, is a user experience designer from Norway, and was one of many women who was fooled into thinking Shimon Heyada Hayut (pictured), from Israel, was the son of a billionaire diamond merchant after meeting him on Tinder READ MORE: The Tinder Swindler leaves viewers hooked Advertisement Ms Fjellhoy, 34, is a user experience designer from Norway, and was one of many women who was fooled into thinking Shimon Heyada Hayut, from Israel, was the son of a billionaire diamond merchant after meeting him on Tinder. The convicted conman would use the money he acquired from other victims to impress single women with an expensive lifestyle and lavish gifts. Incredibly, it's believed he conned women out of around 7.4 million in total. Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Fjellhoy said: 'As far as my experience goes - we met on Tinder and frankly fell in love. 'Lovely dates, and hundreds of amazing messages and videos. 'We met up several times in person, as he was traveling around the world as the CEO of a big diamond company.' Ms Fjellhoy says that there were early warning signs his business wasn't the most secure. 'After a while he told me he was in danger from threats from his competitors and could be hurt if he used any of his own credit cards,' she explained. 'As a result, he asked if he could use my cards, and also wanted me to take out loans to fill these up. 'He promised he'd pay me back as soon as it was safe. Ms Fjellhoy has spoken to MailOnline about her experience, in the hopes of stopping anyone else from being conned While catfishing can occur on almost any online platform, Tinder remains one of the key apps where perpetrators prey on unsuspecting victims 'He was a multimillionaire, after all, so I trusted him. 'But in the end, I was swindled out of close to $200,000 it left me feeling humiliated, ashamed and regretful.' While you might think that Ms Fjellhoy's case sounds unique, a survey of 2,000 Britons by ExpressVPN revealed just how rife catfishing really is. Twenty-two per cent of respondents said they'd fallen victim to catfishing in their lifetime - a quarter of who had spoken to their perpetrator for more than a year before realising they were a catfish. What's more, 12 per cent of victims said they had been scammed out of money or gifts. 'The positive is that since I have spoken out about my story on The Tinder Swindler, so many people both men and women have come forward with similar stories,' Ms Fjellhoy said. 'It's quite shocking to see how often this is happening.' Ms Fjellhoy has now revealed the red flags to look out for to avoid falling victim to a romance scam. 'Firstly, if someone sounds too good to be true, then it is highly likely that they don't really exist,' she said. 'We all have imperfections in one form or another there really is no such thing as the "perfect profile".' On a more practical level, Ms Fjellhoy recommends doing a reverse image search on the photos of anyone you think might be a catfish. 'This is an easy way to see if the photos of the person you are talking to are actually of someone else,' she added. Finally, Ms Fjellhoy says she'd used a VPN to add an extra layer of protection. '[A VPN] ensures your IP address is masked at all times protecting your location and privacy and ensuring you can stay safe online,' she said. Advertisement Forgotten churches, an apocalyptic car show room, barren boutiques and tower blocks being reclaimed by nature. These haunting photographs capture the once-booming beach resort of Varosha, located on coastline known in bygone times as the Riviera of the Eastern Mediterranean. Varosha lies in a UN buffer zone that separates Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus, and is under the control of the Turkish military. The Greek Cypriot residents fled in 1974 when Turkey invaded - and Varosha has been a ghost town ever since. The spellbinding pictures were taken by Dimitri Bourriau, who specialises in capturing the beauty of abandoned buildings - relics of a past world, frozen in time. The French photographer, who has 58,000 followers on Instagram, turned his lens towards lost-in-time destinations ten years ago. His work has taken him to countries such as Morocco, Greece, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and the U.S. Asked what inspired the Cyprus project, Dimitri, 40, told MailOnline Travel: 'Man is capable of building fascinating things. Unfortunately, some places are falling into oblivion. I try to remember the places before they disappear. My photos are almost a work of memory in certain cases.' French photographer Dimitri Bourriau explains that Varosha (pictured) has been 'guarded by the Turkish army for more than 50 years' after Turkey invaded in 1974 An old school in Varosha that has been left to decay. 'The interior seemed interesting to me but I couldn't find any way of getting in,' Dimitri explains Signs pointing to Varosha's Town Bazaar are still in place at the eerie 'ghost town' Dimitri wanders the streets of Varosha and photographs its crumbling buildings The Varosha district has 'a long and tragic history', Dimitri comments, adding: 'Nothing could stop nature from reclaiming its rights over the area's various buildings' Pictured: An old Toyota dealership on the resort's main avenue has been left to decay Dimitri captures what strikes him as an 'impressive cascade of vegetation' on the front of the Angolis Hotel Flats, one of several large hotel 'ghosts' in the area The vegetation has spread most rampantly in the northern quarter (pictured), Dimitri explains Dimitri says he was drawn to the Brutalist architecture of this old Orthodox church situated in the north of Varosha Plants are taking over an abandoned hotel in the above picture, which shows tangled vines twisting their way up the front of the building and wrapping round its balconies Here lies the outer shell of what was once a bustling high-street shop, according to Dimitri This abandoned apartment building casts far-reaching shadows on the ground (left). On the right is a deserted hotel once bustling with tourists visiting nearby beaches LEFT: Nature is reclaiming a former women's clothing store RIGHT: 'This little street is very interesting,' says Dimitri of this photograph. 'In the distance, we can see another Orthodox church in the forbidden zone' Lost in time: A small deserted house now covered by vegetation Taken in north Varosha, this image shows a deserted hotel standing empty next to two palm trees - a reminder of the area's former identity as a popular beach resort Some of the letters have fallen off the shopfront of this supermarket, which once served the local residents and passing tourists of Varosha A rusty security grille is still in place at Varosha's Bank of Cyprus, despite it being abandoned with no cash machines in sight He documents his swims on TikTok, with his videos earning him 21.9million likes The idea of taking a dip in freezing water would leave most people cold. But for Swedish TikTok sensation Erik Fellman, it's a case of icy come, icy go. He plunges himself into icy water almost every day, every winter, in his local partially frozen swimming lake. He even relaxes during his dips with rubber ducks and sucks on ice lollies. What's more, he wears only shorts and a T-shirt on the snowy 15-minute walk there. Erik documents his swims on TikTok, with his shockingly cool videos earning him a total of 21.9million likes on the app and over 310,000 followers. 'Welcome to Sweden,' the 38-year-old says in one popular clip as he emerges from the glacial waters. Speaking to MailOnline Travel about his icy adventures, he says: 'I feel the cold. I'm just not freezing.' Erik Fellman, 38, enjoys year-round dips in a partially frozen lake just outside Stockholm and documents his swims on TikTok. He spoke to MailOnline Travel about his icy adventures Erik relaxes during his dips with rubber ducks and sucks on ice lollies. His shockingly cool TikTok videos have earned him a total of 21.9million likes on the app and over 310,000 followers Erik reveals he can spend up to 20 minutes in the frigid waters at Huvudsta Strandbad, a communal swimming lake outside Stockholm. He even swims there at night - and lights candles on the ice. Erik explains that he's 'always had a lifetime tolerance to the cold', but says he began cold dipping five years ago as he wanted to swim all year round. Dr. Naheed Ali from www.sleepbubble.com explained that cold immersion 'retrains our physiology for resilience and promotes deeper sleep'. Erik reveals that it does indeed help him sleep at night, but adds: 'People say there are a lot of health benefits to ice swims and there might be but Im not sure. I hope there are but even if there weren't I would still do it anyway.' How long should you stay in there? Erik says: 'You shouldnt try to break any records.' He continues: 'Just get to know your own body and how it reacts when it gets in the cold water.' Erik sometimes brings candles to accompany his night-time swims Erik walks to his local swimming lake in shorts and a T-shirt. He reveals that the icy swims help him sleep at night Sharing some tips to first-time ice-bathers, he says: 'Don't do it alone and make sure to bring a lot of clothes with you. 'And the best way to get warm afterwards is to move around. I get my temperature up by walking home. If you sit still you wont get as warm.' For more from Erik, visit him on TikTok here - www.tiktok.com/@fellman85 One of the greatest thrills when travelling is undoubtedly booking economy on a plane and having a spare seat next to you. This turns a cattle-class seat into a budget business-class berth, with the option of angling your feet to one side and using the companion seat for storage. It's a scenario that travel expert Nicky Kelvin reveals he's well used to when flying with British Airways because he's guaranteed a spare companion seat. Every time (well, almost). How? The Points Guy Editor-at-Large revealed all in an Instagram post and added further explanation in an email to MailOnline Travel. The secret? Tier status. Nicky Kelvin, the Points Guy Editor-at-Large, revealed in an Instagram post why he's guaranteed to have a spare next to him when he flies economy with British Airways Nicky wrote: 'I fly for work a lot, and often in economy. I worked hard earlier this year to re-earn gold status in the British Airways Executive Club. 'Alongside the usual benefits of first-class check-in, first-class lounges, extra baggage allowance and more, a largely unknown benefit is that British Airways has a system of blocking seats next to gold members to give them a chance of a free seat next to them, and only releasing those seats when they have to. 'So, unless a flight is completely full, you will often have a free seat next to you, greatly improving your economy flight experience.' Wondering if this status is out of reach? Nicky explained that it's actually easier than ever. He continued: 'It's become easier to earn status with British Airways these days due to the double-tier points offer on British Airways holidays, which was one of the tactics I used to achieve status quickly. Nicky wrote: 'I fly for work a lot, and often in economy. I worked hard earlier this year to re-earn gold status in the British Airways Executive Club. Alongside the usual benefits of first-class check-in, first-class lounges, extra baggage allowance and more, a largely unknown benefit is that British Airways has a system of blocking seats next to gold members' 'For those that spend large amounts on credit cards, you can now earn an extra 200 tier points every year by using the British Airways Premium Plus American Express card. 'Another tactic is to find cheap flights in premium cabins on British Airways or one of their partner airlines and doing as many segments as you can. 'You can often find these cheaper flights by starting your flight in different European airports such as Amsterdam, Oslo, Sofia, or Bucharest. 'I aim to earn tier points at a cost of less than 2 per tier point. That would mean gold status would usually cost somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000.' For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. Netflix viewers have flooded the internet with an abundance of praise for a new Flemish-Dutch show, branding it a '10/10'. Directed by Anthony Van Biervliet, High Tides (Knokke Off) follows a group of young people in their bid to find love, friendship and who they really are. But if you think this series is all about a group of twenty somethings happily frolicking on the Belgian coast all summer - then you would be sorely mistaken. When Louise Basteyns (Pommelien Thijs) and her boyfriend Alexandre "Alex" Vandael (Willem De Schryver) arrive with their friends in the quaint coastal town, they think they are set for a calm and easy Summer. But despite their enviable lifestyle and extravagant soirees, the group just can't seem to shift the looming grey cloud of their wealthy families' expectations. Netflix viewers have been blown away by new Flemish-Dutch drama - High Tides (Knokke Off) (Pictured left to right: Kes Bakker who plays Matti and Willem De Schryver who portrays Alex) The show follows a group of rich youngsters as they set of to the Belgian coast for the summer (pictured: Pommelien Thijs as Louise) As the summer continues, the mask of their seemingly perfect lives begins to slip away, as the youngsters are forced to face their issues head on. Alex - who has been scarred by his father Patrick's (Geert Van Rampelberg) affair with his mother's best friend - is quick to anger, constantly at odds with his inner thoughts. His girlfriend, Laura is struggling to come to terms with her bipolar disorder, weighing up if she needs her pills or not. And if the chic coastal town of Knokke wasn't quite complicated enough, Daan (Eliyha Altena) and his mother Melissa (Anna Drijver) arrive, spinning everything on its head. Daan quickly becomes entangled in a love triangle with Louise and Alex after meeting them and their braggadocious crew at the surfing club he works at. Louise develops an interest in Daan as soon as she locks eyes on him, which her boyfriend is not too pleased about. Fans have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter to gush over the stellar Netflix show, with one writing: 'Dont know what Netflix put in knokke off but its really good.' A second wrote: 'High tides on Netflix 10/10..' Netflix fans gushed about the new show on Netflix, with one viewers even confessing they finished the whole series in only one night 'Knokke Off (High Tides) was surprisingly good. Maybe should think about a season 2!' Poll Are you a fan of High Tides (Knokke Off) on Netflix? Yes No Haven't watched it yet Are you a fan of High Tides (Knokke Off) on Netflix? Yes 18 votes No 9 votes Haven't watched it yet 60 votes Now share your opinion 'High tides on netflix??? This show is so messy omg lol,' another raved. 'High tides on Netflix is actually good and Im only on episode 4 One penned: 'Omg guys watch Knokke Off on netflix!!!!' An eager fan of the show wrote: 'Knokke Off was online for 2 hours on Netflix and I finished it in 1 night.' Looking for more must-see shows on Netflix? Many viewers have taken to X to gush over a brand-new Japanese action drama, branding it the 'best show'. Described as 'Kill Bill meets Yentl' by co-creator Amber Noizum; Blue Eyed Samurai follows a mixed race master of the sword named Mizu (Maya Erskine), as she leaves a bloody trail of revenge in her wake. It quickly comes to light that Alex has a short fuse, constantly at odds with his own inner thoughts and determined not to follow his father's adulterous path Alex's father, Patrick (Geert Van Rampelbergh, pictured left) has been having an affair on his wife, Eleanor with her best friend Christina. Eleanore (Ruth Becquart, pictured right) is seemingly unaware about her husband's extramarital affair Alex's girlfriend, Louise also find herself in a jam. Not only is she debating whether or not to take her medication for her bipolar disorder, she creates a messy love triangle between herself, newcomer Daan and Alex (pictured: Alex and Louise) In secluded 17th century Japan, outsiders are a rare sight except in the occasional occurrence of illegal trading. Mizu is in the pursuit of revenge for her white father who gave her blue eyes and made her a 'creature of shame.' The protagonist is aware there were only four white men in the Japan at the time of her birth, and she is certain one must be the father she ever-resents. But her path to revenge is not smooth sailing, as she must camouflage her gender and ocean blue eyes in her quest for vengeance. The new animation series has not only blown fans away - it has also enamoured critics, bagging a perfect Rotten Tomato score of 100 percent. Bradley Walsh recently took to the stage to host the star-studded Royal Variety show, attended by The Prince And Princess Of Wales. Although he appears bubbly on stage, behind-the-scenes, the presenter, 63, has been secretly battling an eye condition. While it is undetectable on TV, The Chase host suffers from the debilitating eye condition blepharitis. The television personality previously opened up about the health condition on This Morning in 2021, where he shared that he'll need surgery to treat the condition, which causes inflammation of the eyelids, and has been told he'll need surgery. Bradley is on medication to control the symptoms and takes a pill everyday to subside any flare-ups. Bradley Walsh is one of the most beloved presenters on British TV, but The Chase frontman has been battling a debilitating eye condition (pictured last month) While it is undetectable on TV, the Chase host suffers from the eye condition blepharitis, which causes his eyes to flare up and become swollen, itchy and red (pictured in April) 'People don't realise I have seriously bad blepharitis. I have to take one pill a day for it or I really struggle,' he said. Revealing he's expecting to have surgery on his eyes because of it, Bradley continued: 'I am going to need my eyes operated on at some point to sort it out. 'So many times people have commented on how I look, but they don't realise. If I take medication, though, I'm fine,' he insisted. It is unknown whether the star has undergone the operation yet, or whether it will still be necessary in the future. According to the NHS, blepharitis can be caused by bacteria living on the skin or a skin condition like dermatitis. Symptoms include sore eyelids, as well as itchy eyes and a 'gritty' feeling in the eyes. It can be treated by cleaning the eyelids daily, as well as with prescribed antibiotic creams or drops. While blepharitis isn't usually considered serious, the condition can lead to conjunctivitis, dry eyes and cysts if not treated properly. Bradley said: 'I am going to need my eyes operated on at some point to sort it out,' but it is unknown whether the star has undergone the operation yet (pictured last month) The star recently revealed he is also colour blind after he got caught out with a Scrabble question during an episode of The Chase During a flare up, Bradley revealed he can suffer from swollen eyes, with his eyes usually becoming itchy and red. The star revealed he is also colour blind after he got caught out with a Scrabble question during an episode of The Chase on Monday. The question asked 'Which of these colours scores the most in a game of Scrabble?' with 'Red, White and Blue' listed as the possible answers. Looking at the question confused, Bradley said: 'I didn't even know there was red, white, and blue in Scrabble'. Contestant Liz then had to explain to the host, 'It's the letters, the value of the letters,' while Chaser Paul Sinha added: 'Which of these words...the letter's values in the word add up to the highest number'. As the penny dropped, Bradley exclaimed: 'Oh, because I'm colour blind I thought it was the colour of the squares you sit them on - double word, triple word. That's what I thought.' After revealing the answer to be white, he then apologised for his revelation: 'I apologise, I apologise, people at home are probably thinking "what's he talking about? He must be really dim", but no it's my colour blindness.' Bradley hosted The Royal Variety performance which will air on television on December 17, after the star's flocked to the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall on November 30 for the annual event. The show is now watched by over 152 million TV viewers worldwide and this year will see William, Kate in the royal box, along with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel. This year's event promises to showcase 'international stars, world-class theatre, sensational and hilarious comedy' in the presence of its royal attendees. King Charles was not be present as he was at the COP28 climate summit held this year in the United Arab Emirates. Bradley hosted The Royal Variety performance, which will air on television on December 17, after stars flocked to the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall for the annual event Bradley was seen chatting with both Prince William and Kate before the event began Controversial rapper Kanye West has been accused of using the cover art of his new album to pay tribute to convicted murderer and neo-nazi Kristian Vikernes - a controversial black metal artist from Norway. West, 46, released his latest album Vultures on Friday after weeks of scandals involving the promotion and content of the release. The album's artwork depicts a black and white out of focus landscape with scarecrows sticking out of the ground. Users on social media have say that the artwork bears striking similarities to the artwork from Vikernes' own band Burzum - which released similarly grim covers. Vikernes, a black metal musician and writer known as Varg, was convicted in 1994 of stabbing a rival musician to death in Oslo and burning down several churches. Controversial rapper Kanye West has been accused of using the cover art of his new album to pay tribute to a convicted murderer Kristian Vikernes, a black metal musician and writer known as Varg, was convicted in 1994 of stabbing a rival musician to death in Oslo and burning down several churches West's album's artwork depicts a black and white out of focus landscape with scarecrows sticking out of the ground - and looks similar to ones used by Vikernes' band Burzum Some on social media questioned where Kanye had received his inspiration He was released from jail in 2009 and moved to France with his wife and three children but was arrested again and convicted of inciting racial hatred in 2014. Police had initially arrested him and his wife on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism as they had bought four assaults rifles - however these charges were dropped. In the past, he received a copy of a manifesto from Anders Breivik, the far-right militant who killed 77 people in 2011. Breivik killed 77 people in a bombing in central Oslo and a shooting spree on a nearby island in July 2011. He was imprisoned in 2012 for a maximum term of 21 years. Breivik's 1,500-page manifesto outlined his planned crusade against Muslims, who he said were taking over Europe and could only be defeated through a violent civil war. Commenting on the similarities, one X user said: 'Just so you are all aware, Kanye Wests new album cover is inspired by Varg Vikernes a.k.a. Burzum who is infamous for being a neo-nazi. 'I think its pretty obvious thats not why ye did this. hes been spreading antisemitism for a while now.' Another said: 'Kanye has sampled songs from that specific album before so im not surprised tbh.' One said: 'Don't really care I'm just here to listen to music stop worrying about everything.' Vikernes once received a copy of a manifesto from Anders Breivik (pictured) the far-right militant who killed 77 people in 2011 On Tuesday, West wore a black Ku Klux Klan type hood at an event promoting the album On Tuesday, West hosted a controversial album listening event which saw the star branded a 'disgusting human being' by fans after the rapper wore a black Ku Klux Klan type hood. The artist put on a fabric head covering featuring a point at the top at an overnight listening event with collaborator Ty Dolla Sign as they performed their controversial track Vultures which features vile lyrics about a Jewish woman. Vultures features the 'offensive' lyrics: 'How am I anti-Semitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****.' He was slammed by Jewish organizations who branded him 'pathetic and sad' over vile lyrics about a Jewish woman in his latest song. The lyrics prompted a furious backlash among some fans at the time and has now prompted condemnation from the American Jewish Committee among others. 'To fuel the flames of antisemitism and promote such bile to his millions of followers, especially at this fraught and dangerous time for the Jewish community, is unforgivable,' spokesman Richard Hirschhaut told TMZ. He added that the West's choice is unsurprising however, given his previous antisemitic remarks. There'll be no dancing this Christmas for Ellie Bamber as the 26-year-old has injured her foot and is hobbling around in a boot. Here's hoping The Serpent star, who displayed her new footwear on Instagram, recovers in time to walk the red carpet for her role as Kate Moss in the upcoming film Moss & Freud, about the relationship between the model and artist Lucian Freud. There'll be no dancing this Christmas for Ellie Bamber as the 26-year-old has injured her foot and is hobbling around in a boot Here's hoping The Serpent star, who displayed her new footwear on Instagram, recovers in time to walk the red carpet for her role as Kate Moss in the upcoming film Moss & Freud, about the relationship between the model and artist Lucian Freud Santa Paws is coming... Happy Howl-idays! And for dog-owners who want to indulge their four-legged friends this festive season, French fashion brand Celine has just released a range of eye-wateringly expensive pet accessories. The collection includes a 590 studded calfskin lead, above, a 300 soft chew toy, a 1,350 leopardprint dog bowl and even a 1,550 leather bag helpfully labelled 'Dog' so no one gets their designer holdalls mixed up. Fronting the campaign is Elvis,the beloved labradoodle of Celine's creative director Hedi Slimane, who models alongside Police and Eloise, the faithful companions of Princesses Caroline and Alexandra of Hanover, Grace Kelly's daughter and granddaughter. French fashion brand Celine has just released a range of eye-wateringly expensive pet accessories. The collection includes a 590 studded calfskin lead, above, a 300 soft chew toy, a 1,350 leopardprint dog bowl and even a 1,550 leather bag helpfully labelled 'Dog' so no one gets their designer holdalls mixed up Fronting the campaign is Elvis,the beloved labradoodle of Celine's creative director Hedi Slimane, who models alongside Police and Eloise, the faithful companions of Princesses Caroline and Alexandra of Hanover, Grace Kelly's daughter and granddaughter No safari here Did someone forget to tell Game Of Thrones actress Jazzy De Lisser and Rita Ora's sister Elena to bring their khaki shorts for their safari? Jazzy, 32, the daughter of the Marchioness of Bute, and Elena, 35, were on a trip to see the endangered gorillas of Uganda not that you would know it from their choice of outfits. The pair shared this snap Elena is in blue and Jazzy is in red at the Nkuringo Bwindi safari lodge. I hope they know a good dry cleaner Did someone forget to tell Game Of Thrones actress Jazzy De Lisser and Rita Ora's sister Elena to bring their khaki shorts for their safari? A lucky househunter can now call the King a neighbour. A three-bedroom house on the Monarch's Sandringham Estate has just been snapped up after being advertised on the Norfolk property's official website. The new tenant is paying 1,100 a month for the privilege but is not allowed to keep a cat. A ban on moggies dates back to the late Queen, who is said to have introduced it to protect game bird chicks bred at the estate. Prospective tenants with dogs, however, are considered on a 'case by case basis'. Are we now safe to hazard a guess on where the King stands in the mutts vs moggies debate? They've continued to dominate the breakfast TV ratings even after the retirement of Sunrise mainstay David 'Kochie' Koch. But now Natalie Barr and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington are set to embark on their next TV challenge: prime-time. The Sunrise duo will host this year's Carols In The Domain, broadcast nationally on Seven on Saturday, 23 December from 7.30pm. In a statement, Shirvo said he'd watched Carols in the Domain 'with my family since I was a boy, so to now be on stage hosting for the first time is quite surreal.' 'It's pure joy and that's why Australians have loved it for so many years. I can't wait,' added Barr. Natalie Barr and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington are set to embark on their next TV challenge: prime-time. Both pictured at Carols In The Domain Among the onstage talent on show this year are The Wiggles, Dami Im, Lucy Durack, Casey Donovan and Silvia Colloca. Carols In The Domain will be broadcast nationally on Channel 7 and 7plus. The news comes after Seven bigwigs recently suggested they weren't always convinced the 45-year-old former Olympian was the right choice to replace retiring veteran David 'Kochie' Koch. Speaking to industry blog Mediaweek, Sarah Stinson, Seven's director of morning television alluded to the network's reservations. 'We've been absolutely thrilled and relieved,' she said of the show's continued ratings dominance. Among the onstage talent on show this year at Carols In The Domain are The Wiggles, Dami Im, Lucy Durack, Casey Donovan and Silvia Colloca Sunrise bigwigs have admitted they're 'relieved' Shirvington has worked out as David Koch's successor as the hit program remains Australian TV's top breakfast show They also revealed they're delighted 'Shirvo' has clicked with co-host Natalie Barr. 'He and Nat have such natural chemistry, and that's come across on air,' said Stinson. While taking a few rare losses in the ratings against arch rival Today on Channel Nine last month, Sunrise is predicted to end 2023 as Australia's most watched breakfast show. David Koch (pictured left, with Natale Barr) who was the longest-serving breakfast TV anchor in Australian history, stunned viewers and the industry in May by announcing he was leaving the program after 21 years And Stinson has described the hit program as being 'more than a television show' for its fans, since viewers no longer have to catch the show on Seven's main channel. The program is expanding its reach via social media and streaming and can be viewed on mobile devices. 'Sunrise now is beyond a television show,' Stinson declared. Speaking to industry blog Mediaweek Sarah Stinson, Seven's director of morning television said that the chemistry between co-host Natalie Barr and Shirvington has worked for fans Meanwhile, Sunrise executive producer Sean Power told the publication that while Sunrise has dominated the breakfast TV ratings for twenty years, it's still out to take chances. 'We never take the fact that there's such extraordinary dominance for granted,' he said and has promised fans some surprising segments for the new year. 'Some of the things on the whiteboard are outrageously huge,' he declared. Shirvington, who shares teenage daughters Siena and Winter and a five-year-old son named Lincoln with wife Jessica, was announced as Koch's replacement in June, after being with Seven since 2020 Pictured: Shirvington at the Sydney Cricket Ground last week Koch, the longest-serving breakfast TV anchor in Australian history, stunned viewers and the industry in May by announcing he was leaving the program after 21 years. Shirvington, who shares teenage daughters Siena and Winter and a five-year-old son named Lincoln with wife Jessica, was announced as Koch's replacement in June, after being with Seven since 2020. Nine's Today, meanwhile has struggled to gain ground over Sunrise in recent years, partly due to the revolving door of presenters on the Nine show. Despite recent setbacks, Seven Network executives are no doubt eager to pop the champagne corks after the end of the upcoming ratings season, with Sunrise presumed the overall winner. This will be Sunrise's 20th year of winning first in its timeslot, after taking out the top spot in the overall ratings survey last year. According to the 2022 OzTam survey year, Sunrise had an average national daily audience of 397,000 viewers. Seven said it was '31 per cent bigger than its nearest competitor'. A row has broken out after British rapper Slowthai was put forward for three BRIT Awards whilst facing two charges of rape. The 28-year-old has made the long lists for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act respectively ahead of the ceremony in March. He was included in the long list as he has released music within the eligibility period. Tyron Kaymone Frampton, also known as Slowthai faces trial before July 1 having been accused of raping a woman twice in September 2021 following a concert that took place in Oxford during a UK tour. The Northampton-born rapper appeared before the city's magistrates in May. He has 'categorically denied' the claims, however, he was removed from the Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds Festival line-ups after his court appearance. Tyron Kaymone Frampton, also known as Slowthai faces trial before July 1 having been accused of raping a woman twice in September 2021 British rapper Slowthai was put forward for three BRIT Awards whilst facing two charges of rape His stage name originates from his childhood nickname Frampton had a speech impediment which caused him to speak slowly and with a drawl. The rapper, whose first album Nothing Great About Britain was nominated for a Mercury prize in 2019 and reached the Top 10, was charged with oral and vaginal penetration of a woman without her consent in Oxford in September 2021. The BRIT Awards Committee has the power to deem any artist ineligible if it judges that they have brought the awards 'into disrepute'. The 28-year-old Brit has 'categorically denied' the claims, however, he was removed from the Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds Festival line-ups after his court appearance Women's Aid said organisers should 'think carefully' about how nominating Slowthai and to keep in mind the feelings of rape and sex assault survivors. A spokeswoman said: 'For many survivors of abuse, his inclusion on the list will already be a sign that rape is not taken seriously. 'With the awards before the court date, organisers should consider that if this man wins a category, how women who have survived rape will feel watching an alleged rapist being celebrated in such a public way.' Showthai, who is charged alongside Alex Walker, 25, from London, who denies rape and sexual assault, wrote on Instagram: 'I am innocent and I am confident my name will be cleared.' A BRIT Awards spokeswoman and another for sponsor Mastercard did not comment when approached. Sharon Stone was agelessly radiant as she stepped up onto the stage at the United Nations Awards Gala in New York on Friday. She was being honored that evening with a Global Citizen Of The Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association. The 65-year-old Casino star remained a blonde bombshell, though there were streaks of grey in her slicked-back flaxen locks. For her latest glamorous public appearance, she draped her still enviably petite frame into a glittering gold dress that fell flatteringly over her curves. Sharpening her features with naturalistic makeup, including nude lipstick, the Basic Instinct star framed her glowing complexion with an extravagant pair of earrings. Sharon Stone was agelessly radiant as she stepped up onto the stage at the United Nations Awards Gala in New York on Friday She was presented with her gong by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who before his present eminence was Prime Minister of Portugal. Sharon flashed her megawatt smile to the audience and proudly held up her trophy as Antonio led the room in a round of applause for her. One day before she got her award, cementing her status as a grandee, she gave an interview looking back on her early days in the chaotic world of 1970s modeling. When she was 15, she had graduated high school and gotten a scholarship to study creative writing at Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania. But her plans were derailed after her brother Michael went to jail after being arrested with 2lbs of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Michael had been dealing, and his associates in the criminal underworld began menacing his family in order to prevent him from giving up their names. In her new interview, Sharon said that she left town 'Because my brother was in trouble. He went to Attica. I was 19 when I went to Italy on my own.' Sharon, who also told her life story in a memoir two years ago, set the scene in her conversation with Artnet: 'It was intense because it was the late '70s.' She was being honored that evening with a Global Citizen Of The Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association She was presented with her gong by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who before his present eminence was Prime Minister of Portugal The 65-year-old Casino star remained a blonde bombshell, though there were streaks of grey in her slicked-back flaxen locks She recalled: 'It was a very wild time to be a kid on your own in New York, Italy, Paris, and Germany - the whole Studio 54 period.' The Quick And The Dead star noted: 'Fortunately for me, because my brother was already that guy, I was no longer interested. I was the person who would go to Studio 54 and just drink Cokes and dance all night.' Said she: 'It was really a fun time, but it was very crazy. There were a lot of dangerous things that happened. I was able to navigate through the majority of them.' She acknowledged: 'Still, certainly a number of awful things happened, and a number of young girls that I worked with died. There were no guardrails at all. Really young girls were wildling in those days without supervision.' Tom Cruise has reportedly been pulling out all the stops to woo new love Elsina Khayrova as he treated her to a 'loved-up' dinner date in London recently. The Mission Impossible actor, 61, who was first spotted with the 36-year-old ex-wife of an oligarch last week, is said to have hired out an entire floor of exclusive Mayfair eatery Novikov for the romantic meal for two. According to The Sun, Tom, who is worth 500M, splashed out on a 500 dinner for of lobster and sushi for the couple. A source told the publication: 'Tom seemed very loved up and was hanging on every word Elsina was saying. They seemed physically very close. 'They were joined by his American security guard, who stepped in when a member of staff asked for a picture. She was dressed to the nines in a sparkly dress and black fur coat. Tom Cruise, 61, has reportedly been pulling out all the stops to woo new love Elsina Khayrova, 36, as he treated her to a 'loved-up' dinner date in London recently The Mission Impossible actor, who was first spotted with the ex-wife of an oligarch last week, is said to have hired out an entire floor of exclusive Mayfair eatery Novikov for the romantic meal for two Tom, who is worth 500M, splashed out on a 500 dinner for of lobster and sushi for the couple (Novikov restaurant pictured) Before adding: 'Tom was very generous and tipped the staff 100, before he and Elsina slipped out the side door into a waiting getaway car'. MailOnline have contacted Tom's reps for comment. Tom was seen getting cosy with the socialite at a party with friends saying the Hollywood A lister is 'besotted' with her and that the pair are 'inseparable'. The former model, who is a British citizen, was previously married to Russian tycoon Dmitry Tsetkov, with whom she shared a 22million mansion on the Wentworth estate in Surrey as well as houses in London worth 18million. The couple also owned properties in both Dubai and Cyprus alongside their car, jewellery and art collections worth millions of pounds. Their very acrimonious divorce hit the headlines in the summer after Miss Khayrova was accused of hiding substantial assets from her ex-husband, including her 1million handbag collection. But her ex-husband has warned the actor that his new love interest is difficult to please and claims he spent an astonishing 10million on clothes and another 2million on handbags during their tumultuous 11-year marriage. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline from his 27million Surrey mansion, tycoon Mr Tsetkov said: 'Irrespective of whoever she's with, Tom Cruise or anybody else, they should be aware that she likes the finer things in life and has expensive and luxurious taste. Tom should keep his eyes and wallet wide open.' A source said: 'Tom seemed very loved up and was hanging on every word Elsina was saying. They seemed physically very close' Going on to say: 'They were joined by his American security guard, who stepped in when a member of staff asked for a picture. She was dressed to the nines in a sparkly dress and black fur coat' But, he added: 'I'm happy for her, I wish her all the best.' Dmitry, 43, who made his fortune in diamonds and mining, claims that his acrimonious three-year divorce battle cost him 150million. He says he watched his fortune dwindle from 200million while he was with his wife to just 50million afterwards as he was forced to sell off his assets to pay legal fees or hand them over to his wife. He was even awarded the contents of her expensively assembled wardrobes with designer labels and handbags, all of which she received as part of the divorce settlement. Dmitry revealed that he has not spoken to Ms Khayrova's about her relationship with Cruise, who also happens to be his favourite actor. Her ex-husband Dmitry Tsetkov (pictured) has warned the actor that his new love interest is difficult to please and claims he spent an astonishing 10million on clothes and another 2million on handbags during their tumultuous 11-year marriage He said: 'I haven't spoken with Elsina about this because our preferred method of communication is through our lawyers. She's 36, she's beautiful, financially independent and loves life. 'Tom Cruise is my favourite actor, he's one of the best I have ever seen. I have watched a lot of his movies. I first heard about him when I was 13 from my English teacher who came back from the US and told us that she lived next door to him.' Ironically, Dmitry who is on the Kremlin's most wanted list, revealed that only three months ago he was in talks with a Hollywood producer interested in making a film about his life and he insisted that he only wanted Cruise to play him. He said: 'I told the producer that the only actor who could play me is Tom Cruise. We're about the same height and weight and I would be honoured if that could happen. I couldn't think of anyone better to play me than Tom. I'm hoping that I'll be able to meet him one day to discuss this project.' Bobby Brazier's grandmother Jackiey Budden has claimed Jade Goody would have been 'looking down from heaven with pride' as Bobby competed in Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing final. Despite being banned from attending the show amid an ongoing feud with Bobby's dad Jeff Brazier, Jackiey made sure she still showed her support for her grandson. Jackiey, 66, told The Sun: '[Jade] would have been so proud of him, as am I, and a lot of other people are too. 'He always wears his mums bracelet, so she is always with him and he knows shes always looking down on him.' Bobby Brazier 's grandmother Jackiey Budden has claimed Jade Goody would have been 'looking down from heaven with pride' as Bobby competed in Saturday night's Strictly final Jackiey has revealed she is full of pride for her grandson - who performed a dance in tribute to Jade on the show with his professional partner Dianne Buswell Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother's Day in March 2009 (pictured in 2006) Bobby's dad Jeff, 44 (centre), single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19 (left), with the pair both shedding tears as they watched Bobby from the audience She added she is 'due a catch-up' with Bobby and his brother Freddie, 19, after not seeing them in over a year, saying: 'I cant wait to see him and give him a huge hug.' Bobby was cheered on in the Strictly studios by dad Jeff, stepmother Kate Dwyer and Freddie. During the final, Bobby's emotional tribute dance to his late mother left his family sobbing. Actor Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother's Day in March 2009. He chose to perform the routine again with his professional partner Dianne Buswell, 34, in this weekend's final after it was first shown on the show last month, with the screen star also leaving judges Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse close to tears as they gave their comments. It comes after Jack Tweed said Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year. Jade's ex-husband added that Jackiey had 'an absolute right' to watch her grandson after she was banned amid her feud with Jeff - who she said had been a 'c**k for nine years' in an interview with Mail Online earlier this month. Jack, 36, who helped bring up Bobby with mum Jade before she died of cancer aged just 27, has now called for Jackiey to be allowed to watch. He told MailOnline: 'I think it's only right Jackiey can go to the final. She has played a big part in Bobby's childhood. 'I know it's what Jade would want. She would want peace and everybody to get along. Jackiey had 'an absolute right' to watch her grandson at the Strictly final, her ex-husband husband told MailOnline (Jackiey pictured at her daughter's grave on Wednesday) Jack Tweed said Jade would want her mum to be at the studio to watch Bobby dance on one of the biggest television events of the year (Jack and Jade pictured in 2008) 'I know Jackiey can be outspoken. She speaks before she thinks and Jade was exactly the same. 'That will never change and it never has. She is who she is and we all know that. 'But she has an absolute right to be there. It'd be very sad if she isn't. 'She is Bobby's nan at the end of the day. Jackiey would not claim and has never claimed to be perfect.' Jack urged Bobby to let her watch, as he added: 'I think it's the right thing. 'I think there's a good chance he will win on Saturday night and it would be very special if she could be there.' Jackiey refused to comment when approached on Friday. But was pictured looking heartbroken as she visited Jade's grave at a cemetery in Epping Forest, Essex earlier this week. Jackiey sobbed as she polished the headstone and lay images of the reality star with Bobby and his younger brother, Freddie, 19. One of the images she placed on the grave showed Bobby and dance partner Diane, 34, dancing on Strictly with the words: 'Doing Jade proud' laid on top, while she also left childhood shots of the boys. Because of her falling-out with TV presenter Jeff, maternal grandmother Jackiey has watched him from her home in Bermondsey, south London. Tensions flared after Jackiey has repeatedly slammed Jeff calling him a 'c***' when watching Bobby pick up a gong at the NTA's and later in an exclusive chat with MailOnline. Speaking outside her flat earlier this month, Jackiey fumed: 'When I came out for the NTA Awards, I'm loud and it's the drink and someone went 'oh I bet you're really proud' and 'how do you get on with Jeff Brazier' and I said 'he's a c**k'. Strictly and EastEnders star Bobby with dad Jeff after he won an award at the NTA ceremony Jackiey at Jade's home in Essex with her grandchildren Freddie and Bobby in 2009 'Next minute I'm on the internet and all over the papers. As I came out of the O2, someone overheard me say it, so they sold the story.' When asked if she said it and why, Jackiey fumed: 'Of course I said it. I haven't got a problem with (calling him that). 'He's been a c**k for f****** nine years. 'Bobby doesn't need that stress on his head. He's my grandson.' But Jack, who was married to Big Brother star Jade when she died, said his ex-wife would have been horrified by the comments. He said: 'Jade would not want that. She would just want peace for everybody. That is what is important.' Unlike Jackiey, Jack, who now shies away from the limelight and works as an electrician with his dad, enjoys a good relationship with Jeff. He said: 'I get on with Jeff. We're not close mates and we don't speak all the time but it's all very civil and that is the main thing.' Jack is still in touch with Bobby and Freddie who he spent time with as children before their mother Jade passed away in March 2009. He gushed: 'Bobby is absolutely amazing. I see a lot of Jade in him. He has fantastic stage presence and lights up the room and the television when he is on. 'He has that unique and cheeky personality that Jade had. He's smashing it and I am very proud of him. 'It's the first time I have ever watched Strictly. Jade would be over the moon to see him do so well and would be at every show I am sure. 'It's great to see. She would be immensely proud. In the house when he was very young, the music was always on, Jade was always dancing and I am sure he picked up some of it from that. 'He's a very confident lad and always has been and I can see Jade in him a lot. He looks like her and carries himself like she does in a cheeky and loveable way. 'He lights up the room you can tell.' But Jack has issued a warning to Bobby about life in the limelight after drawing on his own experience and those of Jade. The pair entered Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 and Jack said 'snakes' tried to get close to Jade. Bobby's grandmother Jackiey has been banned from Strictly after a fierce row with his dad Jeff Brazier (pictured, Jeff with Jade in 2002) He described show business as a 'rough game'. Jade and Jack outside her home in Waltham Abbey, Essex on February 2009 Jade and mum Jackiey when they appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 He added: 'I would say to Bobby to be careful, especially the more successful he gets. 'I know he has good people around him and he has a good head on his shoulders and his dad Jeff is looking after him. 'It's very hard to trust people in that industry. I found people constantly trying to turn you over and out to get you for their own benefit. 'It's the nature of the beast. A lot of people were going behind Jade's back to make money from her. 'It's about greed. That world is full of snakes. Bobby I am sure will be careful of that. It is a rough game and I have told him that. 'Jade had a lot of fake people around her. They were trying to be her mates but did not have her best interests at heart at all. 'Bobby needs to be careful of that. But he has good people around him and that is what is important. He has the world at his feet.' Rolling Stones legend Sir Mick Jagger was caught cheekily poking fun at Sir Paul McCartney in the studio as the Beatle recorded a track for the latest Stones album Hackney Diamonds. Jagger, 80, can be heard giving McCartney a ribbing over his accent on Bite My Head Off, the fourth track on the album released in October by the legendary band. Producer Andrew Watt said: 'Paul hit the switch during his bass solo and Mick literally goes, in a Liverpool accent, "Come on, Paul, let's hear something". You can't make it up. It was the Stones and the Beatles. And the smile on Paul's face kept getting bigger and bigger.' Watt told Rolling Stone magazine: 'It wasn't heavy for them, it was a blast. We did three or four takes. Everyone was on fire. We did another tune because we were having so much fun. When I was walking Paul out, he literally was like, "I just played bass with the Stones and I'm a Beatle". These guys were like they were 18 again and you can hear it in the recording. It's ferocious.' The groups have been rivals since the sixties. McCartney, 81, once called the Rolling Stones 'a blues cover band' while guitarist Keith Richards said the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a 'mishmash of rubbish'. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones attends the Hackney Diamonds album launch event on September 6, 2023 in London Paul McCartney performs in concert at American Airlines Arena on July 7, 2017 in Miami, Florida The Stones became the first band to have a number one album in six different decades with Hackney Diamonds. It was their 14th UK album chart topper, with the record-holding Beatles two in front. In October, Keith Richards claimed Jagger is still 'an a**hole' as he admitted he 'still talks' to the late Charlie Watts in a rare interview. Ahead of the release of Hackney Diamonds, the legendary guitarist, 79, discussed the band's new chapter. Richards and Jagger, once nicknamed The Glimmer Twins, have endured many rifts over the years, but Richards insisted that no love has ever been lost for the 'unbelievable frontman'. Speaking to The Sun, he explained: 'People only hear about the downs. After 60 years, if you had a brother, you'd have had a few ups and downs, too, and ours is usually concerned with work. 'I say, "That's too schlocky", and he says, "I love it", and I go, "You're an a**hole!" But the abrasiveness is minor compared to the harmony that goes on all the time. Of course I love him.' The Rolling Stones pose as they arrive to attend a launch event for their new album, Hackney Diamonds at Hackney Empire in London on September 6, 2023 Hackney Diamonds marked the first album by the Rolling Stones since the death of beloved Watts, and Richards admitted that the loss 'hit him hard'. 'I still have conversations with the man, which I fully expect to continue,' he added. In September, the Rolling Stones paid tribute to Charlie as they announced the release date of Hackney Diamonds, during a special live event with Jimmy Fallon in London. Speaking on stage, Richards reflected on Watts' passing, saying: 'Ever since Charlie has been gone it's different, he's number four.' The guitarist continued: 'He's missing, of course he's missed incredibly, but thanks to Charlie we have Steve Jordan who was his recommendation if anything should happen to him. 'He's been a friend of ours so he was a natural progression. It would have been a lot harder without Charlie's blessing.' The Rolling Stones have released a special live edition of their album Hackney Diamonds performed in New York City. The band performed seven tracks at the launch event on October 19 at Racket in Manhattan, including the debut performance of Shattered, Tumbling Dice, Jumpin' Jack Flash and Sweet Sounds Of Heaven alongside Lady Gaga. Heavily pregnant Georgia Fowler put on a leggy display on Saturday as she stepped out in a simple but gorgeous black sun dress. The Victoria's Secret fashion model, 31, who is expecting her second child with husband Nathan Dalah, was spotted with daughter Dylan, two, on her hip. With the sleeves of her short, stylishly wrinkled frock falling down, the brunette beauty attempted to juggle her child and a huge carry bag. Hiding her eyes behind a pair of dark shades and a large straw hat, Georgia elevated her accessories with a black Valentino designer bag worth a shocking $4,180. Meanwhile, a young Dylan clung to her mother as she squinted against the sun with her baby fine hair twisted up into two pigtails. Heavily pregnant Georgia Fowler, 31, (pictured) put on a leggy display on Saturday as she stepped out in a simple but gorgeous black sun dress Garbed all in pink, Georgia's first child looked adorable in her long dress as her famous mother carried her to their car. Once Georgia secured Dylan in the back seat, she pulled off her hat and let her dark, curly locks tumble free down her back. Stepping into a pair of black slides, the Australian model opted for a completely bare face as she spent the day running errands. The Victoria's Secret fashion model who is expecting her second child with husband Nathan Dalah, was spotted with daughter Dylan, two, on her hip With the sleeves of her short, stylishly wrinkled frock falling down, the brunette beauty attempted to juggle her child and a huge carry bag Hiding her eyes behind a pair of dark shades and a large straw hat, Georgia elevated her accessories with a black Valentino designer bag worth a shocking $4,180 Meanwhile, a young Dylan clung to her mother as she squinted against the sun with her baby fine hair twisted up into two pigtails Garbed all in pink, Georgia's first child looked adorable in her long dress as her famous mother carried her to their car Georgia announced in September she and partner Nathan are expecting a baby boy, who will be their second child. She shared the exciting news alongside a stunning photo shoot in which she was seen cradling the couple's daughter Dylan, who they welcomed in September, 2021. 'Baby brother brewing,' she wrote in the caption. Once Georgia secured Dylan in the back seat, she pulled off her hat and let her dark, curly locks tumble free down her back Stepping into a pair of black slides, the Australian model opted for a completely bare face as she spent the day running errands Georgia announced in September she and partner Nathan are expecting a baby boy , who will be their second child Georgia shared the exciting baby news alongside a stunning photo shoot in which she was seen cradling the couple's daughter Dylan, who they welcomed in September, 2021 It's been a big year for Georgia and Nathan, with the lovebirds tying the knot during a gorgeous countryside ceremony in January this year Georgia and Nathan exchanged vows at Hopewood House in the township of Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands It's been a big year for Georgia and Nathan, with the lovebirds tying the knot during a gorgeous countryside ceremony in January this year. They exchanged vows at Hopewood House in the township of Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands. Among the attendees were the couple's fashion friends, including model Tahnee Atkinson, fashionista Rey Vakili and designers Sophie Coote and Nikki Campbell. Also attending was Patrick Johnson, an 'Australian Tailor to the Stars', and his wife Tamsin Johnson, an interior designer. Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left shocked to see famously stony-faced Craig Revel Horwood break down in tears during Saturday's live final. The judge, 58, who has appeared on the panel since it's premiere in 2004, choked back tears as he complimented eventual winner Ellie Leach. But some viewers were convinced Craig was actually emotional as they claimed it was a clue he was preparing to quit the show, after he recalled the very first series in his critique. The choreographer struggled to keep it together after Corrie star Ellie, 22, made mistakes during her second dance and slipped from partner Vito's shoulders during a tricky lift. Comforting her, Craig said: 'I'm so pleased that you did take a risk. And I think back, actually, to series one and I was imagining Natasha Kaplinksy doing that and how far this programme has come'. Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left shocked to famously stoney faced Craig Revel Horwood, 58, break down in tears during Saturday's live final The judge choked back tears as he complimented eventual winner Ellie Leach With tears in his eyes he added: 'You're amazing' prompting fellow judge Motsi Mabuse to place a hand on his shoulder. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one asked: 'Does anyone feel like this is Craig's last night as judge? He seems super emotional and normally he doesn't give a s***'. While a second said: 'Why did I get farewell vibes from Craig tonight? He's not leaving is he?'. And: 'I feel like Craig might be leaving or something. I hope he doesn't'. Someone else mused: 'I wonder if Craig is considering leaving Strictly Come Dancing given his emotion and his "when I think how far the show has come" comment after Ellie's showdance'. While another fan said: 'the way Craig got all emotional talking about thinking back to season 1 of Strictly Come Dancing is making me wonder if this is his last season? he's mentioned it a few times this year and i'm worried he's leaving...' Despite the hiccup Ellie and Vito were crowned this year's winners following the glitzy live final. At 22-years-old she became the show's youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to the post after each couple performed three dances for the judges. The choreographer struggled to keep it together after Corrie star Ellie, 22, made mistakes during her second dance and slipped from partner Vito's shoulders during a tricky lift But some viewers were convinced Craig was actually emotional due to the fact he was preparing to quit the show, after he recalled the very first series in his critique, making the final his last appearance (L-R) Bruno Toniloli, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Craig during first season The emotional star referred to Natasha Kaplinsky who won the show's first season (pictured with partner Brendan cole) Viewers took to social media gutted at the suggestion he would be saying farewell Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience. The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 'I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,' a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry. 'This is for you!' Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the 'cherry on the top' before branding her a 'diamond'. They raised the glitterball trophy as pyrotechnics sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors. Despite the hiccup Ellie and Vito were crowned this year's winners following the glitzy live final At 22-years-old she became the show's youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to the post after each couple performed three dances for the judges Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item , were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth. The final of the three bagged them full 40 marks with the judges gushing over the actress' 'growth' and blossoming confidence during her time on the show. The routine was branded 'flawless' and saw Craig, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all score it 10 points each. Later speaking with co-host Claudia they struggled to contain their emotions with Vito saying: 'For me, Ellie is Strictly' before he wrapped his arms around her and said: 'She is my winner anyway!'. Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the sizzled in skimpy costumes earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points - as well as standing ovation. Again the judges were full of praise as they revelled in the former soap stars improvement throughout the series Maria Shriver and Katherine Schwarzenegger spent some quality mother-daughter time this weekend in Montecito. The Northern California town in Santa Barbara County holds a special place in Schwarzenegger's heart, considering it's where she and husband Chris Pratt got married in 2019, and have lived at least part time since tying the knot. On Saturday, the two ladies spent part of their afternoon shopping together, which included a successful pitstop at the Wendy Foster boutique that boasts a 40-plus year history of 'setting the tone for style' in the celeb-loved area. Shriver, 68, and Schwarzenegger, 34, were both beaming with joy while browsing around the store with their phones in hand. In fact, they both seemed glued to their iPhones, all the while never losing a step in their search for that perfect holiday item. Maria Shriver, 68, and daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger, 34, spent quality time together out holiday shopping in Montecito, California on Saturday It looks as though Schwarzenegger made the decision to leave her two daughters, Lyla, three, and Eloise, one, at home with her husband or a sitter so she could get in some uninterrupted time with her mother. The always stylish author opted for a casual but still fashionable look for her shopping day in blue jeans and a green button-down sweater over a white T-shirt. She accessorized with several necklaces and cool sunglasses that at times were used to help keep her long dark locks back off her face. The oldest of the Schwarzenegger children seemed to be on the phone a good portion of the time they were browsing around the popular clothing boutique, which was likely due to having two young kids at home. Shriver looked to be in fine form in black pants and a matching fleece, as she carried a white-patterned sweater in her hand. The former First Lady Of California opted to wear her dark brown tresses long, straight and flowing over her shoulders and down her back several inches with a part on the left. While making her way around the store, the longtime news anchor and reporter also couldn't resist using her phone to assist in her shopping. In June, Schwarzenegger and Pratt celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary by returning to the location of their intimate nuptials in Montecito, and documenting it with photos on their respective Instagram pages. 'Came back to the place where it all happened happy anniversary to my love angel face. I love life with you,' the author of Rock What You've Got: Secrets To Loving Your Inner And Outer Beauty From Someone Who's Been There And Back wrote in the caption. They both seemed glued to their iPhones, all the while never losing a step in their search for that perfect holiday item. The Northern California town in Santa Barbara County holds a special place in Schwarzenegger's heart, considering it's where she and husband Chris Pratt got married in 2019, and have lived at least part time since tying the knot The two ladies spent part of their afternoon shopping together, which included a successful pitstop at the Wendy Foster boutique Shriver looked to be in fine form in black pants and a matching fleece, as she carried a white-patterned sweater in her hand In June, Schwarzenegger and Pratt celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary by returning to the location of their intimate nuptials The children's book author and Instagram Live host also gave her fans and followers a look at the idyllic setting of the region in Santa Barbara County Schwarzenegger's husband Chris Pratt would also share a series of snaps for their fourth wedding anniversary that they spent in Montecito Katherine's husband has plenty to talk about with her father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, considering they're both A-list actors with a flare for the action flick Several of the photo showed the happy couple flashing big smiles while at the beach, while several other images captured the idyllic setting. The Jurassic World leading man, 44, shared a few solo pictures of his wife through the years, and several others of them out and about with one of their daughters. 'Happy Anniversary to my strong, gorgeous, smart, lovely, organized, tough, kind, compassionate, wife,' the actor gushed. 'I'm a lucky man. God is so good. The kids and I are so grateful to have you. You do so much to better our lives. Thank you. I love you. We love you!' The couple started dating in 2018, one year after Pratt and Anna Faris confirmed they were going their separate ways after eight years of marriage. Pratt and Schwarzenegger were married in a lavish ceremony at the luxe San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, just one year after hitting it off. The Guardians Of The Galaxy star also has a son Jack, 11, with his ex-wife, whom they both co-parent. James Packer has denied claims he and his decades-long pal Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman. The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged the top lieutenants in his inner-circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship. Now, rumour is circulating that tensions rose between the schoolyard buddies after Packer 'took a shining' to a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley's. However, the Australian investor is adamant he and Ben are only 'taking a break' and are still friends, reported The Daily Telegraph on Sunday. 'Ben and I are still friends. We are just taking a break from one another for a while,' he told the publication. James Packer, 56, (pictured) has denied claims he and his decades-long pal Ben Tilley had a falling out over a woman Nevertheless, insiders have claimed Packer's newest romance, who has been described as an 'American model, actor and dancer', had a fling with Tilley first. Packer and Tilley have been close mates since they shared classes together at Sydney's upscale Cranbrook school. Tilley was often spotted alongside Packer on board his $250million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clientele. The billionaire businessman, 56, recently purged the top lieutenants in his inner-circle , including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship. Pictured L to R: Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic Most recently, Tilley project-managed the construction of Packer's grand $50million estate in the Mexican luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas. In June 2021, Tilley spent $8.9million on a ritzy apartment in the Crown Sydney tower, just a few floors above Packer's luxurious residence. However, it seems Tilley wasn't the only one to be ruthlessly purged from Packer's tight-knit inner circle, with two other associates finding themselves on the outer. Now, rumour is circulating that tensions rose between the schoolyard buddies after Packer 'took a shining' to a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley's. Pictured with with ex-fiance Mariah Carey It is understood Guy Jalland left his position as chief executive of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Packer's multibillion-dollar private investment company, ending a 35-year business relationship. CPH finance director Mike Johnston is also believed to have departed after 20 years. In his biography, Packer described Johnston as 'a good friend' who had shown 'complete loyalty to me and my family'. Both Jalland and Johnston were key figures in the 2020 Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority's (ILGA's) probity inquiry into Packer's $6billion Crown Resorts casino group. Dakota Johnson appeared to be enjoying the holiday season when she stopped by a friend's place in scenic Malibu on Saturday. The actress, 34, was spotted just as she left the residence, which is tucked away within the greenery of the region, looking stylish in embroidered black floral pants. She also donned a black sweater over a matching top, along with chunky black leather boots, and her dark brown locks styled long and straight halfway down her back with her trademark bangs. The Fifty Shades of Grey star also wore cool dark sunglasses as she carried a lovely purse over her right shoulder. The daughter of A-list actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson finds herself in the aftermath of the promotional phase for the documentary The Disappearance Of Shere Hite, for which the actress serves as narrator and executive producer. Dakota Johnson appeared to be enjoying the holiday season when she stopped by a friend's place in scenic Malibu on Saturday The documentary, which follows the life of American-born German sex educator feminist Shere Hite, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival last January, but only just debuted on November 17. Director Nicole Newnham focuses on the renowned sex researcher and author of The Hite Report, the mega-bestseller published in 1976 that 'liberated the female orgasm by revealing the most private experiences of thousands of anonymous survey respondents,' according to Deadline. 'The opportunity to come on board to not only be the voice of, but also support and amplify the stunning work and message of the formidable Shere Hite was a no brainer,' Johnson said in a statement about the movie. 'We couldnt think of a better time for her story to be told.' Hite, who passed away at the age of 77 in 2020, spent the last decades of her life living in Europe, after having been subjected to relentless attacks by conservatives in the U.S. who were upset by her work that 'challenged restrictive conceptions of sex and opened a dialogue in popular culture around womens pleasure.' During that time, in the wake of each subsequent bestseller, Hite also engaged in explicit debates about sexuality, all while suffering the backlash her controversial findings provoked. Johnson's also gearing up for the promotional push for her upcoming superhero film Madame Web, where she plays the title role of Cassandra 'Cassie' Webb, alongside such co-stars as Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, Isabela Merced and Tahar Rahim. The cast also includes the likes of Emma Roberts, Adam Scot, Zosia Mamet and Mike Epps. The documentary, directed by S. J. Clarkson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Claire Parker, Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, from a story by Kerem Sanga, Sazama, and Sharpless, is intended to be the fourth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe. The actress, 34, was spotted just as she left the residence, which is tucked away within the greenery of the region, looking stylish in embroidered black floral pants She also donned a black sweater over a matching top, along with chunky black leather boots, and her dark brown locks styled long and straight halfway down her back with her trademark bangs Johnson is gearing up for the promotional push for her upcoming superhero film Madame Web, where she plays the title role of Cassandra 'Cassie' Webb, alongside such co-stars as Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, Isabela Merced and Tahar Rahim Madame Web is scheduled to be released in the United States on February 14, 2024. Johnson made her film debut at age ten with a minor role in Crazy in Alabama (1999) with her mother. After some more small roles, the Austin, Texas native had her breakthrough playing the lead of Anastasia Steele in the erotic Fifty Shades film series (2015-2018). Johnson is also known for the films Black Mass (2015), A Bigger Splash (2015), How to Be Single (2016), Suspiria ( (2018), Bad Times At The El Royale (2018), The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) and The Lost Daughter (2021). Perth Nova FM star Natalie Locke underwent an incredible weight loss journey this year, losing 'just north of 41kgs', but she has one surprising regret. The radio host achieved the huge transformation by getting gastric band surgery in December last year, and on Sunday, she penned a lengthy article on her experience. After having the band for a year and achieving her weight loss goals, Nat wrote in Perth Now saying she only regretted 'not getting the surgery sooner'. 'I procrastinated about it for several years, mainly because I didn't gel with the first surgeon that I consulted, and now it feels like I wasted those interim years,' she said. 'I also regret getting excited in the first few months and buying a lot of new clothes, because now those clothes are too big for me.' Perth Nova FM star Natalie Locke (pictured) underwent an incredible weight loss journey this year, losing 'just north of 41kgs', but she has one surprising regret Nat updated her listeners on her weight loss journey in October when she spoke with her team on Nova 93.7's Nathan, Nat & Shaun about it. Co-host Shaun McManus said, 'It was December last year, wasn't it?' when Nat mention she was 'feeling really good' at the 10-month mark. 'It was, and so weight wise, I've lost just north of 41 kilos,' she responded. The radio host achieved the huge transformation by getting gastric band surgery in December last year, and on Sunday, she penned a lengthy article on her experience. Pictured before the procedure After having the band for a year and achieving her weight loss goals, Nat wrote in Perth Now saying she only regretted 'not getting the surgery sooner' She continued: 'People say, "Oh, do you have more energy?" It's like, nah, I still have to get up at 4am. So that's a real energy vampire. 'But when we're on holidays, I feel like a million bucks, it's really good. [The number] of people who've hit me up on social media is amazing. 'People have said to me, "Oh, I've had that done, but I've never really spoken about it." 'Yeah, because there's been a real stigma about it. And I don't think that there should be. It should stay a health decision.' At this meeting, the Holy Father blessed the crew and welcomed a painting of the Peruvian sailing training ship. It begins the commemorative program for the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Peru and Italy dated December 23, 1874. This was a milestone in diplomatic and friendly relations between both countries, which will be celebrated throughout the year 2024 featuring various activities. Prior to the latest event, the Peruvian training ship was welcomed with chords from the Italian Navy band and a large delegation of students from the Galileo Galilei School in Civitavecchia. A 'Marinera' dance on the dock, made up of two young Italian-Peruvian couples, was greatly celebrated by the Union's crew before descending to the ground. Furthermore, the crew will participate in important protocol and social outreach events in Rome and the Vatican City, highlighting among them a Papal Audience and the placing of a wreath at the foot of the Giuseppe Garibaldi monument. The stopover at the Port of Rome marks the completion of the first stage of the Union's circumnavigation. The changeover of all naval cadets will take place in Civitavecchia. The arrival has sparked interest throughout southern Italy, which is reflected in extensive coverage on social media, inviting the general public to visit this training ship. The BAP Union will set sail from the coast of Lazio region on December 17 and continue its journey by visiting the Port of La Spezia from December 19 to 22. Tripulacion bendecida!???? Durante su arribo al puerto Civitacecchia, Italia????, los cadetes navales de nuestro B.A.P. Union???, participaron de una comitiva en la audiencia general con el papa Francisco, quien dio su bendicion a la dotacion y recibio un cuadro del buque escuela???? pic.twitter.com/sSfiKpbGpo Elisabeth Moss was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Friday. The 41-year-old actress put on a casual display as she sported a baggy, gray T-shirt and black nylon sweatpants as she took a break on the set of her latest project. As she walked around set and headed to her trailer, she was preoccupied with her phone and was seen rubbing her belly. The Handmaid's Tale star who wore a T-shirt and comfy pants during the shoot on Thursday wore a pair of peach-colored sneakers with green stripes. She also had her blonde tresses pulled back into a loose updo and appeared to be fresh-faced on set. Elisabeth Moss was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Friday The 41-year-old actress put on a casual display as she sported a baggy, gray T-shirt and black nylon sweatpants as she took a break on the set of her latest project Prior to this shoot, the producer had not been publicly pictured since earlier this year in May when she was working on the FX miniseries, The Veil, in England. She tends to be very private about her love life and has only gone public with two of her relationships in the past. Previously, the Mad Men vet was married to comedian and actor Fred Armisen for eight months between 2009 to 2010. At the time, she was 26 and he was 42 when they tied the knot. She had met the Saturday Night Live star in 2008 when her Mad Men co-star was hosting the sketch comedy show. Moss officially filed for divorce in September 2010, citing irreconcilable differences, before it was legally finalized in May 2011. After that time, she described the marriage to Vulture as a 'traumatic' and 'horrible' experience. In 2012, she started dating the Australian cinematographer Adam Arkapaw after they met on the set of the Top of the Lake miniseries filming in New Zealand. The Handmaid's Tale star who wore a T-shirt and comfy pants during the shoot on Thursday wore a pair of peach-colored sneakers with green stripes. She also had her blonde tresses pulled back into a loose updo and appeared to be fresh-faced on set Even during her break, she was busy on her phone and was listening to wireless earphones She was jovial as she chatted to someone on set at one point She was spotted with only her phone in her hand as she walked around on set She was seen heading into her trailer as she busily typed away on her phone Their relationship was confirmed by DailyMail.com at the time. The pair went on to date for three years before calling it quits in 2015. Over the years, she has been spotted on dates with 'mystery men', but she's yet to take another serious relationship public. Speaking to Marie Claire in May 2018, Elisabeth admitted that she finds dating 'difficult' due to her hectic work schedule and got candid about opening up to the idea of becoming a mother after initial uncertainty. Amy Dowden posted sweet snaps with her Strictly co-stars behind the scenes as she returned to the show for Saturday's final amid her breast cancer battle. The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment. But she returned to the final and looked to be having a great time as she caught up with all her pals int he dressing rooms amid the show. She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell, as well as dancers Nancy Xu and Gorka Marquez. Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka and also shared a snap with fellow pro Carlos Gu. Amy Dowden posted sweet snaps with her Strictly co-stars behind the scenes as she returned to the show for Saturday's final amid her breast cancer battle (seen with Dianne Buswell) She shared snaps with finalist Dianne Buswell, as well as dancers Nancy Xu (pictured) and Gorka Marquez Strictly viewers were moved to tears as Amy made her return to the show's dance floor during this year's final on Saturday. While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final. But on Saturday she took to the dance floor once again, opting to go without a wig having lost her hair following her chemotherapy. The moment left viewers feeling emotional, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing her on screen. One viewer wrote: 'Tearing up at seeing Amy Dowden dancing in the #StrictlyFinal Let's have her back on #strictly soon!' Someone else shared: 'That Amy Dowden reveal was a MOMENT.' '@AmyDowden is dancing!!! Oh my gosh that's so good to see. Leaky eyes moment,' shared another viewer. While someone else posted: 'OMG #Strictly A minute in and bawling seeing gorgeous #AmyDowden dancing.' Amy looked stunning in a baby blue dress as she shared the mirror selfie with Gorka as she penned: 'Who is final ready???' She also shared a snap with fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu while contestant Zara McDermott was seen in the background Another show fan commented: 'Amy Dowden dancing without a wig is the energy everyone needs.' While someone else shared: 'Great to see Amy Dowden in the opening routine!!' Amy bowed out of this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent a course of chemotherapy, which she completed in November. However, earlier this week, the star appeared on ITV's This Morning where she admitted that her cancer journey is far from over. The chemo caused neuropathy, meaning she temporarily lost feeling in her hands and feet, causing her to land on her foot at a strange angle and break her metatarsal. And just weeks after breaking her foot, Amy was rushed to hospital after suffering another health blow. The professional dancer was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung but is now thankfully recovering well with the help of blood thinning injections. Amy explained: 'I'm taking every day as it comes. I though once I rang that bell I would be fine but it's not been like that, I find it mentally a lot tougher now. The journey isn't over yet. 'I've had what I love the most taken away from me and I just find that so cruel.' As Women's Health UK's December cover star, Amy spoke about the life-changing ordeal she has faced since her cancer diagnosis in May. The dancer insisted: 'I just want to be treated as normal. When I'm walking outside and I've got my headscarf on, I don't want looks of sympathy or feeling sorry for me I'm Amy. 'Sometimes, people don't know how to address it. Just ask how I am I will answer you. We don't want you to feel sorry for us. We're embracing it. Stand strong with usDon't give me that pity look I don't need it!' Speaking of her husband and former dance partner Ben Jones - who has been there from the start with her Crohn's diagnosis - she added: 'Nothing will ever break us now!' Ellie Leach became the youngest winner of Strictly Come Dancing with her professional dance partner Vito Coppola on Saturday The 22-year-old TV star beat two other couples - Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin. Strictly viewers were moved to tears as Amy made her return to the show's dance floor during this year's final on Saturday While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two, she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July (seen in hospital) Upon winning the glitterball trophy, the former Coronation Street star said: 'I actually, genuinely cannot believe this.' 'For once, you're crying more than me,' she told Vito. She added: 'This is for you, this is for you.' Talking about their win, Vito said: 'I mean this is like the cherry on the cake.' He turned to Ellie: 'You have been so amazing, you are Strictly, you represent Strictly. You are finally, you know, the diamond I was talking (about).' Ellie Leach is predicted to be banking a million pounds by her 24th birthday and hosting top jobs thanks to her 'savvy' decision to take part on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Coronation Street actress, 22, took home the Strictly Glitterball on Saturday evening after beating Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams in the final. Ellie won the hearts of viewers with her energetic routines and her steamy moments with partner Vito Coppola have set tongues wagging, with the two rumoured to be in a secret relationship. The soap star, who went into the final as the hot favourite, emerged victorious and the youngest ever winner of the popular BBC ballroom show. And according to an expert, her future is looking just as starry, as he predicts she has 'all the makings of a huge star on stage and screen'. Ellie Leach is predicted to be banking a million pounds by her 24th birthday and hosting top jobs thanks to her 'savvy' decision to take part on Strictly Come Dancing The former Coronation Street actress, 22, took home the Strictly Glitterball on Saturday evening after beating Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams in the final Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, told The Sun that Ellie and Vito could be 'the next Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson after meeting on the show and could take their dancing partnership to do personal appearances and performances. According to Nick, Ellie leaving Corrie ahead of her Strictly stint was a 'shrewd' move as she could move into West End performing or other acting roles, like former contestants Ore Oduba and Kimberley Walsh. He said: 'They say when one door closes another one opens - and for Ellie this door is huge and covered in glitter, with movie star lights all around it'. Nick also predicted that Ellie's star could also take her to fronting BBC shows, similar to Helen Skelton who now hosts Morning Live. Nick said: 'Ellie's become a household name and the BBC won't want to let her go, so I can imagine a show like Morning Live will snap her up to get the younger demographic watching, as she's only 22. 'I can see her earning over half a million in a year with brand deals, personal appearances and presenting and TV roles.' Ellie has barely put a quickstep wrong during her time on the show and never scored less than 30, with several of her routines scoring 40 and 39. She had no previous experience but fans have fallen for the actress, who played a teen mother named Faye Windass on Coronation Street. Ellie won the hearts of viewers with her energetic routines and her steamy moments (pictured) with partner Vito Coppola have set tongues wagging, with the two rumoured to be in a secret relationship Ahead of her time on the show, Ellie split from her boyfriend, and said at the time she was looking forward to building her confidence. She told Hello! magazine: 'It's been really nice to throw myself into something new. This is all about me now. I just want to give 100 per cent of myself to Strictly. 'I'm really excited to enjoy myself and hopefully get a little bit of extra self-confidence.' Ellie, who was on Corrie for 12 years, said she was keen for people to know the real her rather than a character. She said at the time: 'People have seen me grow up on Corrie and might still think that I am still that schoolgirl, but hopefully people can see that I am grown up now. I want people to know me for me rather than as a character.' Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience. The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 'I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,' a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry. She had no previous experience but fans have fallen for the actress, who played a teen mother named Faye Windass on Coronation Street (pictured on set) Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, told The Sun that Ellie and Vito could be 'the next Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson after meeting on the show and could take their dancing partnership to do personal appearances and performances 'This is for you!' Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the 'cherry on the top' before branding her a 'diamond'. They raised the glitterball trophy as pyrotechnics sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors. The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth. The final of the three bagged them full 40 marks with the judges gushing over the actress' 'growth' and blossoming confidence during her time on the show. The routine was branded 'flawless' and saw Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all score it 10 points each. Later speaking with co-host Claudia they struggled to contain their emotions with Vito saying: 'For me, Ellie is Strictly' before he wrapped his arms around her and said: 'She is my winner anyway!'. Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the sizzled in skimpy costumes earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points - as well as standing ovation. Again the judges were full of praise as they revelled in the former soap star's improvement throughout the series. But the evening was smooth sailing for the pair after their Show Dance proved a little less unsuccessful that saw the pair make few mistakes and a fail lift. As Ellie tried to leap onto the Italian's shoulders Ellie slipped, leaving him to save her before she hit the floor. She looked upset at the mistake, with Vito putting his arms around her and repeatedly kissing her on the cheek in a bid to comfort her. 'Do you know what's amazing' judge Shirley said of the tumble, 'How how you saved it, you didn't panic'. As the couple then joined host Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the scores they were awarded 36 out of 40. Advertisement Joel Edgerton has claimed that Hollywood superstar George Clooney gave him Covid. The Australian actor was appearing on The Sunday Project this weekend when he said that he and the entire cast of his latest film The Boys in the Boat, which Clooney directed, contracted the illness at a party which he described as a 'Petri dish' 'The legendary cast dinner. I thought post COVID was a thing of the past,' the 49-year-old began. 'It was George, so we held it in this private, in a really tiny cellar door kind of room. An incubator,' he said. 'Within three weeks every member of that dinner had COVID except for one, I think, who'd previously had it.' Joel Edgerton has claimed that Hollywood superstar George Clooney gave him Covid. Pictured together recently Joel said that George accused him of being the one who had Covid first, but he insists it was actually Clooney who spread the bug. 'George decided in the last year I'm patient zero. But I've been going around telling everyone George Clooney gave me Covid,' Joel joked. He added that he thought it 'sounded cool' to have caught the illness from the celebrated actor. Joel stars in the new Clooney-directed drama The Boys in the Boat which tells the true story of nine student athletes. The Australian actor was appearing on The Sunday Project this weekend when he said that he and the entire cast of his latest film The Boys in the Boat, which Clooney directed, contracted the illness at a party which he described as a 'Petri dish' Joel stars in the new Clooney-directed drama The Boys in the Boat (pictured) which tells the true story of nine student athletes The film follows the University of Washington crew team that represented the United States at the 1936 Summer Olympic games in Berlin. It is based on the 2013 book of the same name by Daniel James Brown and also stars Callum Turner. The film is scheduled to be released by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States on December 25. It then comes to Australian cinemas on January 4th 2024. 'George decided in the last year I'm patient zero. But I've been going around telling everyone George Clooney gave me Covid,' Joel joked Maya Jama and Stormzy looked more loved-up than ever as they watched a UFC fight together in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Love Island host, 29, put on a raunchy display with her rapper boyfriend, 30, as she licked his face while filming themselves on her phone. Stormzy looked delighted by the public display of affection, as he returned her gesture with a sweet kiss on the cheek. In the clip, Maya leaned in to kiss Stormzy before changing tact and licking his face as they larked about together on the night out. The couple were joined by one of Maya's pals at the UFC 89 event, where Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett fought Tony Ferguson. Maya Jama and Stormzy looked more loved-up than ever as they watched a UFC fight together in Las Vegas on Saturday night The Love Island host, 29, put on a raunchy display with her rapper boyfriend, 30, as she licked his face while filming themselves on her phone Earlier in the evening, Maya showed off her outfit to her fans, as she flaunted her sensational figure in a black PVC top with baggy trousers. She styled the outfit with a leather biker jacket and kept her look glam with a full face of make-up and sleek, straight hair. Meanwhile, Stormzy looked equally stylish in an embossed black leather Louis Vuitton jacket and cap from the brand. Maya later shared a snap from the back of a taxi with her pal where she threw up a wad of dollar bills, suggesting they had been hitting the casinos. Maya and Stormzy's romantic videos on her Instagram Stories come after they finally went social media official, seven months after rekindling their romance. They looked smitten in a snap Maya shared on her social media as she posted about hosting the British Fashion Awards earlier this month. In the snap Maya looked incredible in a black and silver off-the-shoulder gown as she gazed adoringly at her partner. The pair reconciled back in summer of this year after splitting in 2019 and were then seen on a romantic Greek holiday in August. The couple were joined by one of Maya's pals at the UFC 89 event, where Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett fought Tony Ferguson Earlier in the evening, Maya showed off her outfit to her fans, as she flaunted her sensational figure in a black PVC top with baggy trousers. She styled the outfit with a leather biker jacket and kept her look glam with a full face of make-up and sleek, straight hair At the fashion awards Stormzy looked dapper in a white ensemble as he supported his girlfriend. Her fans went wild in the comments as she shared the snap with him, as one said: 'The last pic though. That man is never letting you go again!' Another said: 'Last slide is what we've been waiting for', as a third said: 'That last photo! What the world has been waiting for!' Maya confirmed her relationship was Stormzy was back on in August as they were seen strolling hand-in-hand during a holiday in Greece. The couple dated for four years before parting ways in 2019, with the rapper publicly declaring he has 'never loved anyone how I've loved her'. He has always denied any infidelity in the relationship but admitted he had to learn some hard lessons about his behaviour, describing it as 'disrespectful'. Speaking to Louis Theroux on his interview series, the rapper admitted to making mistakes during their four-year relationship but revealed he has since grown. He explained: 'My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. It was like, OK, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you. 'That's probably the biggest loss a man can have, isn't it? Away from someone passing away, that's the biggest loss you can have.' Maya leaned in to kiss Stormzy before changing tact and licking his face as they larked about together on the night out Penelope Cruz has candidly discussed her own experiences as a young actress in Hollywood. The Spanish star, 49, revealed she turned down her first big break in America, when she was 20-years-old, after discovering she would have to strip off for sex scenes. She has since went on to film steamy sex scenes with Emile Hirsch in 2012 drama Twice Born. Speaking on the Five Things With Lynn Hirschberg podcast, Penelope explained: 'The first opportunity I had to do a casting the director said, "You need to sign this clause that says you will do a couple of sex scenes"'. 'I was very shocked by that because it was not in the script before. I was in LA alone and I said, "I don't understand because I had this script for a year and that was not there"'. Penelope Cruz has candidly discussed her own experiences as a young actress in Hollywood The Spanish star, 49, revealed she turned down her first big break in America, when she was 20-years-old, after discovering she would have to strip off for sex scenes She continued: 'I didn't like that game, I didn't like that I was not told before I got on that 14-hour flight. 'I said, "No I am not signing'. They said, "OK, you're not doing the screen test". I went into the room and I spoke very little English, but for some reason that day I could speak English. 'I said, "Listen, my values that my parents taught me mean a lot to me and this is a test. It's not right or wrong to do those scenes. The problem is the ethical issue that you didn't tell me before I got on the plane and you sent me a different script. But I want to do the test for the script that you sent me a week before"'. 'I knew from their faces that they were going to let me do the screen test because they knew what I was telling them was true. 'And I knew I was not going to get the movie because the director was very angry that I didn't sign.' Penelope claims it was the best decision she ever made: 'It was a power thing and I had zero power but I had my dignity and my values. It was very sad. I remember, on the flight back to Spain, I knew I had done the right thing. 'It was the time in my life I felt most proud of something I had done in my career.' She added: 'I had to do other scenes that were love scenes or sex scenes, nothing hardcore, but at that moment I was not ready and it was a proud moment for me. 'It made me best friends with myself. I didn't get the part and I didn't care.' Speaking on the Five Things With Lynn Hirschberg podcast, Penelope explained: 'The first opportunity I had to do a casting the director said, "You need to sign this clause that says you will do a couple of sex scenes"' It comes after Penelope made rare comments about her sister Monica who looks just like her. The Oscar-winning star has designed a capsule collection for Geox with her 46-year-old sister for the spring or summer next year. When asked whether she and her sister influenced each other's styles, Penelope said: 'Yes, a lot, to the point of, you know, taking a lot of clothes from each other's closets. 'Sometimes wearing exactly the same thing when we were little girls.' Cruz then said that she and Monica would hide 'in the bathroom together and sitting on the floor with magazines and drawing on top of the designs and changing the designs.' Cruz - who used to date Tom Cruise - added, 'So that was always our main game and a fantasy.' Monica looks so much like Penelope, she stood in for her during scenes for Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2010. Penelope then gushed about the brand, and having the opportunity to work with her sister on something they are so passionate about. She said: 'I am also very grateful that I can do another collection with my sister, because we have done this on and off, with different brands, over the last 20 years. 'It is something that keeps happening here and there. So, we are very grateful because we continue to learn from these great brands.' Penelope made rare comments about her sister Monica who looks just like her. Seen in a Mango ad from 2008 The sisters have previously designed a collection of jewelry and handbags for Japanese fashion house Samantha Thavasa. Cruz and her sister created two collections for Swiss retailer Charles Vogele in 2010 and 2011. The Spring/Summer 2011 collection, titled Biaggini Violett became available in Europe. The pair teamed up again 2013 to design a lingerie line titled L'Agent for British lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur. She also modelled for Agent Provocateur's Autumn/Winter 201213 campaign. In November 2012, the sisters signed a three-year endorsement deal with Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe, and appeared in advertising campaigns and designed a handbag for the brand. In 2018, she launched a jewelry collection titled Rock Star for Majorica. Monica is a Spanish actress and dancer. She has appeared in the films The Inquiry, Last Hour, Jerry Cotton and Iron Cross. Cruz also said she believes her star sign is the most important factor in her fashion decisions. When Stylist asked the actress whether creativity or comfort were more important to her outfits, Penelope spilled that her style choices are often written in the stars. The Oscar-winning star has designed a capsule collection for Geox with her 46-year-old sister for the spring or summer next year. When asked whether she and her sister influenced each other's styles, Penelope said: 'Yes, a lot, to the point of, you know, taking a lot of clothes from each other's closets'; seen in 2016 The Vanilla Sky star - who was born on April 28, 1974 and is a Taurus - said: 'It's a combination. As a good Taurus, we are very visual, so we admire beauty. 'The combination of that with comfort. 'Especially, I think, if you have children. My life is running around all day with them and also my work, I think that becomes very important. 'Of course, I will always like some heels, but it's not my everyday life, you know. 'I am very happy with the sneakers that we designed [for Geox]. I think they are cool, but they are going to be very comfortable.' The 49-year-old actress has son Leo, 12, and daughter Luna, 10, with her husband Javier Bardem. Amanda Abbington did not attend the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night after quitting the competition early in the series. The actress, 51, was partnered with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice but left in week five, citing medical reasons for her departure. It was reported last month the actress had turned down her invitation to attend the final. In Saturday's final all the rest of the stars of the year's series that had previously been eliminated came together to do a group dance and celebrate with the winner. A source told The Mirror of why she wouldn't be there: 'They wanted to position her as still very much part of the Strictly family, but Amanda's response to the invitation was she'd not be back. Amanda Abbington did not attend the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night after quitting the competition early in the series The actress, 51, was partnered with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice but left in week five, citing medical reasons for her departure 'It's a shame, because her exit has been a sour note to the series this year.' The Strictly insider added her snub has been 'difficult' and upsetting for Giovanni as he doesn't want people to see it 'as a reflection on him.' They added whilst the pair sometimes 'clashed' Giovanni wishes her all the best. The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. Yet while Amanda decided not to return for the final she sent a message of support to the three finalists. Taking to Instagram Amanda shared a snap of the three finalist couples standing with the glitterball trophy as she wrote: 'Good luck tonight to these six beautiful humans.' During her time on the show, reports emerged the actress clashed with Giovanni, 33. Giovanni and Amanda, 49, were said to have been at loggerheads for weeks, with screen star Amanda 'left shaken' by the pro's 'militant and aggressive' training style. The actress noticeably snubbed the pro dancer from her exit statement which she posted on Instagram. In Saturday's final all the rest of the stars of the year's series that had previously been eliminated came together to do a group dance and celebrate with the winner (group dance pictured) Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola were crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday's final A source told The Mirror of why she wouldn't be there: 'They wanted to position her as still very much part of the Strictly family, but Amanda's response to the invitation was she'd not be back' Amanda quit after her time on the show was 'plagued by difficulties' She wrote: 'It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue. 'It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside. 'I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It's a wonderful bunch of people and I'll miss all of them. 'I'm so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx'. It Takes Two confirmed Amanda's exit and released a statement that read: 'Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. 'The show wishes her all the best for the future.' A montage of Amanda's best moments on the series was shown, before host Fleur East added: 'Amanda we are sending you all of our love'. A Strictly insider told Mail Online: 'This has been something that Amanda has been unfortunately having to consider making since late last week. The actress noticeably snubbed the pro dancer from her exit statement which she posted on Instagram She wrote: 'It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue' While the pair sometimes 'clashed' Giovanni, 33, wished her all the best 'It has been a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey has been plagued by difficulties but she just didn't think there was any other option. 'As hard as it has been, there was a chance they could have won.' Giovanni later took to his Instagram to break his silence after the news broke, sharing a backstage photo with Amanda during Movie Week. Captioning the snap, he wrote: 'Amanda ..I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love'. Derek Draper had 'been doing well really well' before suffering a major heart attack which has left him fighting for his life once again. Kate Garraway's husband Derek, 56, has been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020 and is now said to be in critical condition after being taken dangerously ill last Monday. Following the heartbreaking turn of events it has been reported that Derek was 'in great spirits' and looking forward to Christmas with his family. A source told The Sun: 'It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family. 'This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Derek Draper had 'been doing well really well' before suffering a major heart attack which has left him fighting for his life once again (pictured in ITV documentary Kate Garraway: Caring for Derek) Following the heartbreaking turn of events it has been reported that Derek was 'in great spirits' and looking forward to Christmas with his family (pictured together in 2018) 'Kate has been utterly incredible by his side while being an amazing mum to Darcey and Billy, and trying to manage their expectations of a family Christmas.' Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 56, is said to be holding a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and has cancelled all work commitments while his family 'pray for a miracle'. Derek has been in and out of hospital after he fell seriously ill with coronavirus at the very start of the pandemic in March 2020, and was left with lasting damage to his organs. Doctors put him in a medically induced coma and he became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital, apart from Kate and their two children - Darcey, 16 and Billy, 13. However, he has readmitted several times with numerous health issues, including kidney failure, brain inflammation and liver damage. Kate recently revealed her family are 'adjusting to a new normal' as Derek battles to get better and shared a 'promising' update on Derek's health, hoping it could lead to an improvement. Speaking to OK! magazine, Kate shared: 'Derek's in hospital having some treatment. It's not an emergency thing, it's not a dramatic rush back into intensive care, thank goodness. It's something that started last year that we hope will lead to improvement. 'I've managed to get it in before the end of the year. It's something we were trying to do in the summer, but there are referrals and time and all of those things. Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 56, is said to be holding a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and has cancelled all work commitments while his family 'pray for a miracle' 'Every day we wait and see. There isn't a dramatic improvement but touch wood things haven't gone backwards either. So we're just adjusting to a new normal.' While Kate tries to stay as positive as she can, she also feels like Derek is never 'safe'. Earlier this year, Kate revealed she was planning to take Derek to Mexico for a second bout of experimental treatment in a desperate bid to save him from the devastating effects of Covid. Following a previously 'gruelling' trip to Mexico at the beginning of 2022, Kate shared her hopes at flying Derek back for an additional round of treatment. Kate told The Sun: 'The effort required to get him there is extraordinary, and obviously we are relying on the grace of these specialists to help him. 'I can't thank all those involved in getting him to Mexico enough because without them he wouldn't have the chance of this potentially life-changing treatment.' She added: 'The plan is to go back for another round of treatment and continue the trial in a way that is financially viable.' Although Kate insisted that they'd had 'wonderful treatment' from the NHS, which were essential in keeping her husband alive, the foreign trips offer 'potentially life saving treatment'. As well as the trip, the Smooth Radio presenter has had to spend 'tens of thousands of pounds' adapting the family home in London for Derek, which included the installation of ramps, a downstairs wet room and a makeshift downstairs bedroom. Due to the severity of his illness and length of time spent in hospital he remains unable to walk and has developed debilitating symptoms. Derek, 56, has been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020 and is now said to be in critical condition after being taken dangerously ill last Monday (pictured in April) Doctors put him in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator and he was in hospital for 13 months before being discharged in April 2021. However, he has been readmitted several times Kate was recognised with an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity (pictured with Kate's parents Marilyn and Gordon) In summer last year Derek developed sepsis and was again rushed to hospital, where the severe condition nearly killed him. She shared the 'heartbreak' she feels over Derek's health while on new podcast Emotionally Speaking with host Peter Leonard. She explained: 'He is living in the world of the unknown, when he wakes u pin the morning it is heartbreaking because it feels as though you are watching someone who may have been inhabiting his old life in his dreams and then he wakes up and you see the cloud descend of the battle he has ahead. 'But if you look back, there is some progress, he has more words now and his voice is stronger. You occasionally get a little bit of a Chorley accent in there so it feels like he is more present, but he still can't sit up without assistant and his life isn't his own. 'His brain had always been his allay and friend, but now it is his enemy. I think he's had a big emotional struggle. Kate added: 'One of the challenges with Derek is we've never felt like he is safe, so every infection and rush back to hospital might be the moment he is taken from us. We are still hopeful he will improve but we have no clear timeline on this. It comes after Kate appeared on Heart Breakfast in September alongside Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston where she spoke about her husband's health problems and how it impacts the family. Kate and Derek share daughter Darcey, 17, and son William, 14. Jamie asked: 'How are the kids feeling, that adjustment must be tricky especially at their age?' Kate spoke about how her and Derek's daughter Darcey, 17, and son William, 14, are dealing with their father's illness, gushing that they were 'navigating it brilliantly' (pictured in 2021) Kate appeared on Heart Breakfast in September with Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston where she spoke about her husband's health problems and how it impacts the family Kate replied: 'Well, yeah I think it's been quite interesting. I think some of what I've been writing about in the book, is the fact that you have adrenaline, don't you, when something dramatic happens. 'I talk about what I think is adrenaline, it's a bit of a frenemy. One level it's fantastic, it gets you through the crisis, and then as time goes on, it's not great for your own health. 'Derek himself has been living on a version of adrenaline as well. And the kids have too in their own way, so I think the last year and a half really, has been coming to terms with the fact that we're not in a 'one week' 'two week' 'three month' drama. 'Were in something ongoing and I think weirdly, thats how it's felt for everybody beyond the pandemic. 'We still dont know, just how much better Derek can get, or worse. So really every time he has a rush into hospital, were still in that adrenaline phase of 'is this the moment where he could be taken from us'. 'But also, theres so many spikes of progression, that no ones giving up hope that there isnt going to be a movement forward, so its managing that rollercoaster. Sorry that wasnt particularly clear.' 'But also, theres so many spikes of progression, that no ones giving up hope that there isnt going to be a movement forward. So its managing that rollercoaster.' Kate has made two documentaries detailing her life as Derek battles the long-term effects of Covid-19, with both winning National Television Awards in the authored documentary category. She was recognised with an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity. 09:27 | Lima, Dec. 17. Andres Garrido, minister counselor and head of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Embassy of Peru in the United States, inducted Dr. Krogel into the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services in the Grade of "Grand Officer" on Dec. 5 during an on-campus ceremony. For the last 22 years, Krogel has worked to make visible and advocate on behalf of Quechua-speaking Peruvian sheepherders living in Colorado and Wyoming. Two of Krogel's most recent Andean Studies projects include a trilingual digital Quechua poetry platform called "Musuq Illa and a digital humanities and museum exhibition project called "The Aspen Archives: Sheepherder Testimonies." "I feel incredibly honored and humbled that the Peruvian Government has recognized my Andean and Quechua Studies research and service with an Order of Merit," Krogel said. "The country and people of Peru have given me so much throughout my life, that I have always been motivated to do what I can to share and celebrate the beauty and complexity of Quechua and Andean cultural and literary traditions with a variety of audiences in the U.S. and abroad," she added. Krogel is currently a professor of Spanish with a specialization in Andean and Quechua literary and cultural studies in the Department of Spanish Language, Literary & Cultural Studies at the University of Denver Tom Steinfort and his wife Claudia Jukic welcomed their second child earlier this month. And the 60 minutes star was every inch the doting dad this weekend as he and Claudia welcomed family to their home to meet new daughter Lotte. The 36-year-old went shirtless in the steamy summer heat and carried the couple's older child on his hip. Claudia meanwhile cuddled the pair's newborn as the pair welcomed visitors to their house. Tom later dressed to receive guests, putting on a white dress shirt and jeans, as well as a cap and sunglasses. Tom Steinfort (pictured) and his wife Claudia Jukic welcomed their second child earlier this month The 60 minutes star was every inch the doting dad this weekend as he and Claudia welcomed family to their home to meet new daughter Lotte. Pictured His wife appeared to have on minimal makeup and looked chic in a loose white shirt dress. Tom shared the happy news of the new arrival on Instagram earlier this month, posing alongside the pair's older child. 'Welcome little Lotte,' he old wrote in a caption alongside sweet images of his family and the tot. 'Mama was amazing, sister is smitten, and dada is increasingly outnumbered by his gorgeous girl gang,' he added. The 36-year-old went shirtless in the steamy summer heat Claudia meanwhile cuddled the pair's newborn as the pair welcomed visitors to their house His wife appeared to have on minimal makeup and looked chic in a loose white shirt dress The accompanying images showed the delighted couple cuddled up with the newborn, as well as little Lotte in her crib. Claudia and Tom welcomed their first child together in November 2021, a little girl called Frederikke. In 2018, he announced his engagement to Claudia during a vacation in Dubrivnik, Croatia. Tom and Claudia married at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Hvar, Croatia in 2019. Tom shared the happy news of the new arrival on Instagram earlier this month, posing alongside the pair's older child 'Welcome little Lotte,' he old wrote in a caption alongside sweet images of his family Tom previously revealed that he popped the question on a boat they'd hired for the day, but his big moment was almost ruined when they sailed past a nudist beach. Recalling the proposal, he told 9Honey in April that he discreetly showed the boat's captain the engagement ring so he would give the couple some privacy. Tom then asked his girlfriend, 'Will you marry me?' and she immediately burst into tears of joy before replying, 'Yes.' The couple are believed to have met in 2017, when they were introduced through mutual friends. Tom, who is a former Weekend Today host, has since joined the cast of long-running Channel Nine current affairs show 60 Minutes. Ellie Leach has broken her silence on her Strictly Come Dancing win as she paid an emotional tribute to her rumoured boyfriend and dance partner Vito Coppola. The former Coronation Street actress, 22, became the show's youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to the post after each couple performed three dances for the judges. Speaking about what it was like to secure the glitterball trophy, the soap star said: 'Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now and I cannot believe we have just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023. 'It's been a life-changing opportunity and I've had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week. 'It has been so special and to be able to do it with such a great teacher has made it an experience I will never forget. Ellie Leach has broken her silence on her Strictly Come Dancing win as she paid an emotional tribute to her rumoured boyfriend and dance partner Vito Coppola Vito gushed: 'This is unbelievable, thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we love you and it means the world to us! Ellie, my Lulu, I am SO so proud of you.' 'Thank you so much for that, Vito, and thank you for finding the dancer in me. We couldn't have won without the voting public, so a huge thank you to everyone at home who picked up the phone for us, we appreciate every single one of you! 'Finally, a big congratulations to all the finalists and all the 2023 cast, who are incredible and came alongside this journey with me.' Vito gushed: 'This is unbelievable, thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we love you and it means the world to us! Ellie, my Lulu, I am SO so proud of you. I have seen how hard you have worked, the dedication and determination you have shown and how much you have grown as a person these past 3 months. 'We've had the best time dancing together, and I've enjoyed every second of it! Thank you for being the best dance partner and thank you to everyone who has supported us each week and voted for us!' Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience. The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman . 'I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,' a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry. Ellie and Vito were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience 'This is for you!' Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the 'cherry on the top' before branding her a 'diamond'. They raised the glitterball trophy as pyrotechnics sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors. The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth. The final of the three bagged them full 40 marks with the judges gushing over the actress' 'growth' and blossoming confidence during her time on the show. The routine was branded 'flawless' and saw Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all score it 10 points each. Later speaking with co-host Claudia they struggled to contain their emotions with Vito saying: 'For me, Ellie is Strictly' before he wrapped his arms around her and said: 'She is my winner anyway!'. Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the sizzled in skimpy costumes earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points - as well as standing ovation. Again the judges were full of praise as they revelled in the former soap star s improvement throughout the series. The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth (pictured) Fellow finalists Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell (right) and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin (left) watched on as Ellie took the crown But the evening was smooth sailing for the pair after their Show Dance proved a little less unsuccessful that saw the pair make few mistakes and a fail lift. As Ellie tried to leap onto the Italian's shoulders Ellie slipped, leaving him to save her before she hit the floor. She looked upset at the mistake, with Vito putting his arms around her and repeatedly kissing her on the cheek in a bid to comfort her. 'Do you know what's amazing' judge Shirley said of the tumble, 'How how you saved it, you didn't panic'. As the couple then joined host Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the scores they were awarded 36 out of 40. Earlier this month, it was claimed Ellie and Vito been seeing each other for over a month. The pair have been under the spotlight after being accused of faking their romance in order to help win votes, but a source close to Ellie revealed they have been together for a few weeks. But the evening was smooth sailing for the pair after their Show Dance proved a little less unsuccessful that saw the pair make few mistakes and a fail lift (pictured) Things between the screen actress and the dancer are 'genuine' - a source told the Mirror. Vito reportedly has visited Ellie's home several times outside of training while she has confided in friends about her new relationship with him. 'Initially, they were friendly but as the weeks went on, their relationship changed. Ellie has made it clear to friends how happy she is with Vito,' said the friend. 'She's not the kind of person to fake something like that for votes. Putting on a showmance isn't her style what you see with her is what you get. When Ellie started Strictly, she was self-conscious and unsure. Now she's radiating confidence, which is lovely.' Maura Higgins has confirmed that she is dating Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton. The former Love Island star, 33, revealed she had found love again on The Late Late Show on Saturday night. Host Patrick Kielty said: 'Last time you were on this show, you were single and ready to mingle.' Maura proudly responded: 'I am no more single. Very happy relationship' as the audience cheered. She then revealed her boyfriend was sitting in the studio audience to support her, saying: 'He is. He's there somewhere.' Maura Higgins has confirmed that she is dating Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton The former Love Island star, 33, revealed she had found love again on The Late Late Show on Saturday night Bobby and Maura were first romantically linked after they were first spotted on a date in London in May Patrick then teased: 'He's a good looking devil, I'm not going to lie' leading Maura smirk: 'Oh he is.' Bobby and Maura were first romantically linked after they were first spotted on a date in London in May. The couple were then seen enjoying several passionate kisses while on holiday together in Ibiza in June. They have been regularly posting flirty comments to each other on their respective Instagrams as well. Bobby is a successful stuntman, performing in several movies and regularly playing Chris Hemsworth's stunt double for a decade. Speaking to Hit Mid North Coast's Krysti and Bodge in 2020 Bobby revealed what the Thor star is really like. The UK-based athlete told the Australian radio hosts that he has 'a great relationship' and 'understanding' with Chris. 'The actors I work with work really hard, especially Chris,' Bobby said. The couple were then seen enjoying several passionate kisses while on holiday together in Ibiza in June They have been regularly posting flirty comments to each other on their respective Instagrams as well Bobby went on to reveal how Chris does most of the stunts, unless a dangerous move could see the actor risk an injury, leading to a delay in production. He explained: 'Chris will say, "Bob, you jump in and do this", because if Chris was to pick up an injury by doing it, it's not that he can't do it, it's if he picked up an injury by doing it, then it would mean the production would have to stop. 'That obviously costs a lot of money so it's a knock-on effect.' According to his website, Bobby has performed as a stunt double in 50 full feature films, including opposite Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Robert Downey Jr, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron and Leonardo DiCaprio. Back in 2018, he told Daily Mail Australia just how far he pushed himself while filming several Hollywood blockbusters. 'During [films] Green Lantern and Thor Ragnorak, I ruptured my [spinal] L4, L5, S1 discs which caused drop foot on both sides [an inability to lift the front part of the foot],' Bobby explained. Bobby began his career as a gymnast and competed as a National Squad Member and National Gold Medalist. Maura has previously dated Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice, as well as her Love Island co-stars Christopher Taylor and Curtis Pritchard. Bobby is a successful stuntman, performing in several movies and regularly playing Chris Hemsworth's stunt double for a decade (pictured left with Chris centre) Speaking to Hit Mid North Coast's Krysti and Bodge in 2020 Bobby revealed that he has 'a great relationship' and 'understanding' with Chris Mark Wahlberg, Jared Leto and Theo Von led the stars in attendance at the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday evening. The stars were there to watch Leon Edwards defend his welterweight title against Colby Covington. Mark, 52, cut a casual figure in a grey camouflage jumper, while accessorising with a black cap and silver chain. Jared, 51, looked dapper in a plunging black blazer and white shirt as he sat beside comedian Theo, 43. Donald Trump, who was wearing a blue suit and red tie, sat alongside the celebrities at the event. Mark Wahlberg , Jared Leto and Theo Von led the stars in attendance at the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday evening Jared, 51, looked dapper in a plunging black blazer and white shirt as he sat beside comedian Theo, 43 Colby Covington has outrageously claimed the judges at UFC 296 went against him because they hate him supporting Donald Trump Trump, who has been closely tied with 'Chaos', was cageside to watch him lose against Leon Edwards by unanimous decision. The ex-president was given a thunderous reception but the crowd turned on Covington after he offered very little threat or action during his five-rounder against the Brit. In the post-fight press conference, Covington said: I rate my performance a five out of 10 and I could sit here all day making excuses, I should have zigged when I zagged and so on but that's not the cloth I'm cut from.' But having said he would not offer any excuses for falling short, moments later he made a gigantic and far-fetched excuse. He went on: 'I thought I'd done enough, I thought the third, fourth and fifth were mine easily. Mark, 52, cut a casual figure in a grey camouflage jumper, while accessorising with a black cap and silver chain Donald Trump, who was wearing a blue suit and red tie, sat alongside the celebrities at the event The stars were there to watch Leon Edwards defend his welterweight title against Colby Covington In the post-fight press conference, Covington said: I rate my performance a five out of 10 and I could sit here all day making excuses, I should have zigged when I zagged and so on but that's not the cloth I'm cut from.' He went on: 'I thought I'd done enough, I thought the third, fourth and fifth were mine easily.' 'In the third he didn't put any damage on me, he got a couple of low kicks but I started checking them at the end. 'I thought I had the win, I thought I did enough but the judges never favour me, they hate me because I support Trump and everybody hates Trump in this building so it is what it is, life goes on.' Covington continued: 'I haven't had a chance to talk to him (Trump) yet. I'll probably be able to talk to him afterwards and thank him so much for coming out and making this a spectacle.' The controversial American enraged Edwards on Thursday for saying he'd see his late father in hell. 'Rocky's' dad was murdered when he was 13 and Covington then doubled down on Friday, accusing Edwards Sr of being a 'sex trafficker, drug lord and killer'. Colby Covington (right) lost a unanimous decision against Leon Edwards (left) Donald Trump was in the crowd and Colby claimed it swayed judges against him When asked if this was all just part of his character created to sell fights and whether he regretted his words, Covington said: 'I'm not a character, I say whatever I want, whenever I want, that's what bosses do. 'In the lead up he say everything is a character. I don't play a character I'm just myself, I don't give a f*** what people think of me, why would I care what you guys think about me. 'All my haters in the world are not doing better than me. I'm up here selling PPVs, getting the most famous person on planet earth to support me so why would I give a f*** what any of you say or think of me.' Strictly Come Dancing finalists Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams are at the centre of a TV battle over tell-all documentaries, according to reports. They have both apparently been approached by production bosses to make documentaries about the struggles they have faced in their lives. Despite losing out on the Glitterball trophy to winner Ellie Leach, the future still looks bright for the runners-up who are set to be signed for big money deals. According to The Mirror, independent production companies who make films for broadcasters including the BBC, want to sign them both in the wake of the show. The publication have said that Bobby, 20, has been approached for a documentary exploring parental loss, after the tragic death of his mother Jade Goody. Strictly Come Dancing finalists Bobby Brazier (pictured) and Layton Williams are at the centre of a TV battle over tell-all documentaries, according to reports They have both apparently been approached by production bosses to make documentaries about the struggles they have faced in their lives While Layton, 29, would investigate what can be done to stop homophobia online after suffering severe trolling during his time on the show. A source said: 'Bobby and Layton haven't just won the hearts of the public, they have caught the eye of TV bosses with their emotional journeys on Strictly. 'There is already competition between terrestrial channels and it's likely to spark a bidding battle.' They would follow the likes of former winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf champ on the show and later created a documentary called Signs For Change. The show's first disabled contestant - Ellie Simmons - also went on to make a documentary, called Finding My Secret Family, which followed her attempt to find her birth mother. MailOnline have contacted representatives for further comment. It comes as Ellie broke her silence on her Strictly Come Dancing win as she paid an emotional tribute to her rumoured boyfriend and dance partner Vito. The former Coronation Street actress, 22, became the show's youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby and Layton to the post, after each couple performed three dances for the judges. Despite losing out on the Glitterball trophy to winner Ellie Leach (pictured), the future still looks bright for the runners-up who are set to be signed for big money deals Speaking about what it was like to secure the glitterball trophy, the soap star said: 'Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now and I cannot believe we have just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023. 'It's been a life-changing opportunity and I've had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week. 'It has been so special and to be able to do it with such a great teacher has made it an experience I will never forget. 'Thank you so much for that, Vito, and thank you for finding the dancer in me. We couldn't have won without the voting public, so a huge thank you to everyone at home who picked up the phone for us, we appreciate every single one of you! 'Finally, a big congratulations to all the finalists and all the 2023 cast, who are incredible and came alongside this journey with me.' Vito gushed: 'This is unbelievable, thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we love you and it means the world to us! Ellie, my Lulu, I am SO so proud of you. I have seen how hard you have worked, the dedication and determination you have shown and how much you have grown as a person these past 3 months. 'We've had the best time dancing together, and I've enjoyed every second of it! Thank you for being the best dance partner and thank you to everyone who has supported us each week and voted for us!' Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star's family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience. The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman . 'I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,' a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry. Strictly Come Dancing viewers have insisted that the 'real winner' of the show was 'robbed' after Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola were crowned the 2023 champions. Ellie and Vito beat fellow finalists Layton Williams and his partner Nikita Kumzin, as well as Bobby Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell. While many were delighted that Ellie, 22, secured the win, some suggested that 'the most talented contestant ever' lost out on lifting the Glitterball. Fans claimed that Layton should have won the competition, arguing that he scored higher and topped the leaderboard with 119 points, just one point off a perfect score. However, during the final the judges' votes don't count for anything unlike the rest of the series, so the winner is entirely down to the public vote. Strictly Come Dancing viewers have insisted that the 'real winner' of the show was 'robbed' after Ellie Leac h and Vito Coppola were crowned the 2023 champions Ellie and Vito beat fellow finalists Layton Williams and his partner Nikita Kumzin, as well as Bobby Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell (pictured) Reacting to the news on social media after the results, one person said: 'Ellie is a deserving winner but my god Layton was robbed. 'Possibly the most talent contestant that Strictly has EVER had.' Another person agreed, and said: 'Great final and I have nothing against Ellie and Vito but Layton and Nikita were robbed. Such a shame..' One other said: 'Layton was robbed. Haven't been this livid since Faye from Steps was robbed. This is why you can't trust the British public to vote.' Another said there was reason behind it, after Layton suffered homophobic trolling during the series, writing: 'Layton was robbed of the trophy. Just shows homophobia is alive and kicking in the UK!! Why am I NOT surprised...' One other said: 'Layton was robbed! A true star (as he has been since Beautiful People tbh).' Another said: 'Layton and Nikita were ROBBED. They're the real winners and danced the best tonight. Rigged rigged rigged.' A different person, wrote: 'Although Ellie and Vito were great, you were robbed Layton. We've watched you ever since Beautiful People. What are star you are.' Another person referenced Ellie's slip up, writing: 'Layton and Nikita getting robbed of the Strictly Glitterball when Ellie messed up one of her lifts and still won, disappointing.' Layton pictured leaving the after party on Saturday night after the show Reacting to the news on social media after the results, one person said: 'Ellie is a deserving winner but my god Layton was robbed However it's not all disappointment for Layton, after it was claimed and and Bobby are at the centre of a TV battle over tell-all documentaries, according to reports. They have both apparently been approached by production bosses to make documentaries about the struggles they have faced in their lives. Despite losing out on the Glitterball trophy to winner Ellie, the future still looks bright for the runners-up who are set to be signed for big money deals. According to The Mirror, independent production companies who make films for broadcasters including the BBC, want to sign them both in the wake of the show. The publication have said that Bobby, 20, has been approached for a documentary exploring parental loss, after the tragic death of his mother Jade Goody. While Layton, 29, would investigate what can be done to stop homophobia online after suffering severe trolling during his time on the show. A source said: 'Bobby and Layton haven't just won the hearts of the public, they have caught the eye of TV bosses with their emotional journeys on Strictly. 'There is already competition between terrestrial channels and it's likely to spark a bidding battle.' However it's not all disappointment for Layton, after it was claimed and and Bobby are at the centre of a TV battle over tell-all documentaries, according to reports The publication have said that Bobby, 20, has been approached for a documentary exploring parental loss, after the tragic death of his mother Jade Goody They would follow the likes of former winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf champ on the show and later created a documentary called Signs For Change. The show's first disabled contestant - Ellie Simmons - also went on to make a documentary, called Finding My Secret Family, which followed her attempt to find her birth mother. MailOnline have contacted representatives for further comment. She never shies away from an attention-grabbing outfit. And Jessica Alves turned heads once again as she enjoyed a festive night out in London this week, before heading home to San Paulo in Brazil for Christmas. The reality personality showcased her incredible figure in a gem-encrusted jumpsuit, which highlighted her eye-popping curves. Jessica accessorised with a pair of glitzy stilettos and a silver Dior bag, while keeping her look extra glam with a full face of make-up. The former Celebrity Big Brother star wore her platinum blonde locks in a loose, sleek style and completed the look with a red manicure. Jessica Alves turned heads once again as she enjoyed a festive night out in London this week, before heading home to San Paulo in Brazil for Christmas The reality personality showcased her incredible figure in a gem-encrusted jumpsuit, which highlighted her eye-popping curves The outing comes after Jessica revealed that she was robbed by a person speeding past her on a moped as she stood outside Harrods in central London. The TV personality said she had been shopping for a new pair of Christian Louboutin shoes before the shocking incident. However, Jessica revealed that the 2,000 shoes were quickly stolen from her as someone on a moped snatched her bag, which also contained make-up and a second pair of shoes, while she was giving someone directions. She admitted she was really 'scared' at the time and said she was 'shaken up' afterwards and was in bed all day after the shocking incident. On Friday, Jessica took to her Instagram Stories to share videos of herself picking out the bright pink Louboutin heels from the designer during the shopping trip. She exclusively told MailOnline: 'I was shopping for 2,000 Christian Louboutin shoes at Harrods and when I left the department store, I stopped to give someone directions. 'Then, my shopping bag with my new shoes in was stolen by a person driving past on a moped, it was really scary and I was very shaken up. 'Straight after, my driver arrived and I got in the car pale with shock, I couldn't believe this was happening to me. Jessica accessorised with a pair of glitzy stilettos and a silver Dior bag, while keeping her look extra glam with a full face of make-up The former Celebrity Big Brother star wore her platinum blonde locks in a loose, sleek style and completed the look with a red manicure The outing comes after Jessica revealed that she was robbed by a person speeding past her on a moped as she stood outside Harrods in central London 'I was lying in bed all day after it happened and I don't want to go back there now without bodyguards with me, it was shocking. 'Tonight I must attended at event at Metropolitan Casino as I'm expected to be there and I'm pulling myself together to go.' 'I just want to raise awareness about what happened, I hadn't expected it at all.' Jessica recently told how she had been suffering 'sleepless nights' when her Instagram was banned, leaving her unable to interact with her followers or earn a living as an influencer. The star told MailOnline how she suffered much 'anxiety' and 'sleepless nights' because of the ban of her account, which has since been restored. She said: 'This week, all of a sudden, and without warning my account has been suspended. 'This has led to me suffering a lot of anxiety and sleepless nights. It feels like the end of the world to me now, with the damage to my image and my professional standing in the influencer community. Most important is the damage to my emotional and mental health. 'I never realised before how dependent on the app I had become, and how important it is to my life until now that it is no longer there, and I have no way to communicate with my millions of followers.' Jessica now has her account back and boasts over seven million followers. Karen Hauer was spotted leaving the Strictly Come Dancing final with a mystery man on Saturday following her split from her husband Jordan Wyn-Jones earlier this year. It emerged Karen had split from husband Jordan in October, with the professional dancer appearing on Strictly with comedian Eddie Kadi just hours after the news was reported. This weekend professional dancer Karen, 41, was seen sitting in the back of a car with blacked out window as her male friend sat in the front. The pair were being driven away from Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire by her fellow show professional and good friend Gorka Marquez after Ellie Leach was announced as this year's winner. It is claimed the unidentified man left the hotel in which the Strictly stars and pros were staying early in the morning on Saturday before he later arrived at the studios where he was lead to Karen's dressing room. Karen Hauer was spotted leaving the Strictly Come Dancing final with a mystery man on Saturday following her split from her husband Jordan Wyn-Jones earlier this year It is claimed the man left the hotel in which the Strictly pros were staying early in the morning on Saturday before he later arrived at the studios where he was lead to Karen's dressing room This weekend professional dancer Karen, 41, was seen sitting in the back of a car with blacked out window as her male friend sat in the front MailOnline has contacted a representative for Karen for comment. Karen and her estranged husband Jordan married last year, describing the ceremony as a 'fairytale' at the time, but sources claimed the pair had gone their separate ways after a 'tough time'. Of their split, a source told the Mirror: 'Karen and Jordan have had a tough time in the past few months and decided to split. It's obviously very sad for both of them. 'But there's no ill-will whatsoever. The split is amicable, and they wish each other the best.' Karen's estranged husband Jordan later told how their relationship crumbled just 16 months after their wedding day as Karen waltzed off to rehearsals leaving him at home. He told The Mail on Sunday: Its a bit of a love story, a sad story. Im incredibly sad not to be in Karens life, and not be on this journey with her but were not right for each other in terms of her career. I will always admire her for her career but it took her away from me a lot. Shed be away and Id be at home on my own. Central to their break-up was that his wish to start a family clashed with Karens commitment to the show as its longest-serving professional. Having talked about having children, they moved from Karen's home in Wimbledon, South West London, to the North of England where they settled in the countryside with their four dogs. The pair were being driven away from Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire by her fellow show professional and good friend Gorka Marquez (left) It emerged Karen had split from husband Jordan in October after they married last year, with her describing the ceremony as a 'fairytale' at the time But instead of cosy nights in, Jordan says their relationship became a series of video and phone calls as his wife, an American-Venezuelan ballroom champion, travelled around the country. 'Karen's dedicated to her career, which she has worked really hard for,' Jordan said. 'She's amazing and I admire her for it. That's one of the reasons I wanted to marry her because of how powerful she is. 'But we wanted different things. There was a plan about having children but then there wasn't a plan. 'When we first met, we discussed it. You do say things like, 'I want to have kids'. And she'd mentioned to me that she wanted to have kids with me. But in the interview, Karen said 'kids aren't the future' which did make me sad. I've always wanted to be a father. 'I wouldn't say it was a shock but I knew subconsciously in the back of my head... why would she want to have a child with me? 'I'd become vacant in our relationship. I was loving and so caring for her but I was vacant because of the situation that we found ourselves in.' Jordan said they broke down crying as they admitted their marriage was over: 'There were tears on both sides. A lot of tears and sadness. We didn't want to let go of each other but we're also not right for each other. 'If we'd stayed together and we didn't have a family, I felt I would have ended up resenting her. This is the perfect moment for us to love each other and leave each other.' Karen put on a brave face as she performed on the show in October as it emerged she'd split from her husband Jordan (Karen pictured on Strictly with her celebrity dance partner Eddie Kadi) In August this year Karen revealed she and Jordan were having counselling to help them with their relationship. She told Hello! magazine: 'Counselling. You know what I think communication is massive but learning how to communicate, you know, so we get outside help. 'So whenever we're having tricky moments or anything like that, it's just seeing the vulnerable side of each other and understanding it and knowing that both of us are working on things because nobody is perfect.' She added: 'There is no such thing as a happy marriage or a happy relationship with the perfect couple. 'It's about dealing with things the right way and not just running away from things, and I guess that's what makes us tick even better and understand one another.' This summer, Karen said she hadn't decided if she wanted children with her husband Jordan. She told Hello! magazine: 'There's always the possibility but right now I'm really happy living in the moment with my husband and with the dogs. 'Nothing compares to a love of a dog. No matter how you wake up, the dogs are always happy to see you with their tails wagging. Karen, who was paired with comedian and radio presenter Eddie Kadi (left) on Strictly this year, attended the Pride of Britain Awards without her wedding ring in October There was no wedding ring visible on her finger as she attended the glitzy Pride of Britain Awards 'I know it's going to sound weird but it's like having a child but it's a furry child.' Karen, who is paired with comedian and radio presenter Eddie Kadi on the current series of Strictly, was married to former show professional Kevin Clifton from 2015 to 2018. Although they parted ways that year, they continued to work together until Kevin left Strictly in 2020. Prior to her relationship with Kevin, she was married to Matthew Hauer for nine years before they split in 2009. Karen married fitness professional Jordan in an intimate ceremony in Hampshire in June last year. At the time, she described the ceremony as a 'fairytale' and gushed about how special it was to bring their families together. Karen's estranged husband Jordan later told how their relationship crumbled just 16 months after their wedding day as Karen waltzed off to rehearsals leaving him at home Speaking to Hello! magazine, she said: 'I haven't seen my family for the last two years so it's really touching to bring them here and be able to share this amazing moment with them.' Karen and Jordan got hitched at the five-star Chewton Glen hotel, an 18th century country house bordering the New Forest. The couple went public with their relationship in 2021 when Jordan shared a post asking how he could 'get so lucky' as to be with Karen. He wrote: '32 years definitely worth all that life could throw at me so that I could have you in my arms. How can a donut like me get so lucky to have met my person. Can't wait to have you home.' She's never shied away from catching the eye with her looks. And Katie Price came dangerously close to suffering a wardrobe malfunction after donning a busty costume to make her stage debut in pantomime. The glamour model, 45, transformed into the iconic villain Carabosse for a performance of Sleeping Beauty at Liverpool's M&S Arena. Showing off her famous cleavage, Katie caught the eye in a daring thigh-split dress adorned with sequins and pink feathers. Her look was teamed with Carabosse's famous horned headpiece, a wand and racy thigh-high boots. Katie Price, 45, came dangerously close to suffering a wardrobe malfunction after donning a busty costume to make her stage debut as Carabosse in pantomime Katie will star in the panto until December 30, finishing her run at the 11,000-capacity venue just before the beginning of 2024. Earlier this year, she took to social media to share her delight at landing the role, writing: 'I'm beyond excited for this Catch me as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool over Christmas.' Katie previously shared that she would be spending much of Christmas away from her children because she was starring in two panto shows over the festive period. As well as starring in Sleeping Beauty, she's also set to play Queen Rat in the adults-only Big Dick Whittington and his Pussy. Speaking about her plans on her podcast The Katie Price Show, she and sister Sophie revealed her parents were planning to move in with her over the Christmas holidays. Katie quipped: 'So what the f*** am I doing Christmas Day you b****?' Sophie replied: 'You'll be with all the kids and in panto, won't you? 'We said in January we'd have our own Christmas Day because [their brother] Dan's in Thailand, you're in Liverpool and next year we must do a Christmas all together.' Showing off her famous cleavage, Katie caught the eye in a daring thigh-split dress adorned with sequins and pink feathers Earlier this year, she took to social media to share her delight at landing the role, writing: 'I'm beyond excited for this' Katie shares son Junior, 18, and daughter Princess, 16, with her first husband Peter Andre. She is also mum to Jett, 10, and Bunny, nine, from her marriage to Kieran Hayler, and also has son Harvey, 21, whose dad is Dwight Yorke. Earlier this month Katie branded all three of her ex-husbands as the 'worst mistake' of her life during a TikTok for a Q&A with her fans, according to The Sun. One social media user asked the TV personality 'what is your worst mistake' to which she replied 'Eurovision and my ex-husbands. That's my worst mistakes.' After Peter, Katie moved on to cage fighter Alex Reid - they wed in 2010 but split in 2012, and her most recent marriage was to Kieran Hayler in 2013, who she didn't divorce until 2021. During the live recording, she didn't mention the time she avoided jail after flipping her car in a crash and admitting drink-driving while disqualified. Katie instead decided her 2005 performance, where she wore a bright pink leotard and sang Not Just Anybody, was at the top of the list along with her dating history. An Antiques Roadshow guest was left in tears after she discovered the huge value of her childhood teddy bear, that been kept for years in a carrier bag. Sunday's Christmas special featured only toys as members of the public and experts shared their favourite play things from the past. And one lady brought in a bear which turned out to be incredibly rare and made by Steiff, now known for making teddy's for luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Revealing how she came to own the item the lady explained: 'It belonged to my great aunt and when she passed away it went to my mum and now I'm the custodian of it at the moment.' The furry bear also housed a water battle and left expert Bunny Campione almost speechless when she clapped eyes on it. An Antiques Roadshow guest (L) was left in tears after she discovered the huge value of her childhood teddy bear, that been kept for years in a carrier bag. (pictured with expert Bunny Campione, right) One lady brought in a bear which turned out to be incredibly rare and made by Steiff, known known for making teddy's for luxury brand Louis Vuitton Saying: Well, I must admit, I hope I didn't give too much of a shock when I saw you coming to my table. I think I screamed didn't I?' An excitable Bunny then went on to praise the item before eventually giving her jaw-dropping valuation. 'So, we are talking about a Steiff teddy bear, circa 1904, incredibly rare colour, a rare size because most of them were smaller than this, and a value wise, 15,000'. Totally in shock and awe the guest asked 'What 15?' before admitting: 'Its just been put in a bag in the wardrobe'. It comes after another guest was previously shocked when she discovered the value of an old broken watch her father picked up at an army surplus store for just 20. One episode saw members of the public bringing their worldly good to Powis Castle in Wales, with one woman eager to learn more about the timepiece from expert Richard Price - who branded it the 'rarest of items' The lady explained how she believed it to be a World War II pilot's watch and was relieved to discover she had been right. Richard explained the item had fact been used by Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, and would have had a large leather strap - which was now missing. An excitable Bunny then went on to praise the item before eventually giving her jaw-dropping valuation of 15,000 Totally in shock and awe the guest asked 'What 15?' before admitting: ' Its just been put in a bag in the wardrobe' Going on to say that if it were a made by A. Lange & Sohne, a German company which provided time pieces to the Nazis, it would increase the price significantly. He then opened the watch and said: 'Joy of joy it's A. Lange & Sohne the one [all collectors] want'. Richard then concluded the item was from 1941 and said the reason it was so rare and in such high demand was that the company's factory was bombed in 1945. The lady, flabbergasted by the news, said how her father picked it up in Weymouth for 20 in the early 1970s and that he loved 'poking about' in old shops. Before asking: 'Was it a good buy?'. 'Pretty good buy' Richard exclaimed, 'I think i would be very happy if I had paid 20'. He again referred it was the 'rarest of items' that 'all collectors want' before revealing it to be worth between 8,000 and 10,000. In total shock the lady joked: 'I might not take it home to [my father]. Barry Humphries' daughter Emily has broken her silence on rumours she boycotted his state memorial on December 15 because Richard Wilkins was the MC. Weekend Today star Wilkins, 69, forged ahead with emceeing the late comedian's public farewell at the Sydney Opera House, despite alleged objections from loved ones. However, the youngest daughter of the comedian, who died aged 89, revealed on Facebook this week her absence from the memorial had nothing to do with Richard. 'I want to be loud and very clear. I am grateful to both Richard and the organisers for their part in this send-off,' she said. 'Despite some complexities in my relationship with my father, I was proud of his achievements and think a public send-off important for both him and his public.' Barry Humphries' (left) daughter Emily (right) broke her silence on rumours she boycotted his state memorial on December 15 because Richard Wilkins, 69, was the MC She continued: 'Privacy and intimacy were missing elements in my relationship with him so public comments have really bothered me. That they are inaccurate and hurtful to another fired me up.' Emily went on to say she didn't attend her estranged father's state memorial because 'they're not my thing' and she was 'away working on a film project in Sri Lanka'. However, she assured her followers she did attend Barry's private Bowral funeral, at the home of artist Tim Storrier, in April with her stepmother Lizzie Spender, sister Tess, brothers Oscar and Rupert, and the comic's grandchildren. Weekend Today star Wilkins, 69, (pictured) forged ahead with emceeing the late comedian's public farewell at the Sydney Opera House, despite alleged objections from loved ones Emily, who is Barry's second child with his second wife Rosalind Tong, reportedly only recently 'patched things up' with her father before his death after they were estranged from one another for 20 years. The late comedian's state memorial was held at Sydney Opera House on Friday, December 15, at 11am following his tragic death in April. Lifelong friend, Professor Ross Fitzgerald, who was mates with Barry for 60 years, made headlines in the weeks leading up to the event when he claimed Channel Nine star Richard was the 'wrong choice' to MC the farewell. However, the youngest daughter of the comedian, who died aged 89, revealed on Facebook this week her absence from the memorial had nothing to do with Richard 'Like a number of Barry's friends, I was amazed and aghast that Channel Nine personality Richard was chosen to be the MC at this important event,' he told The Daily Telegraph at the time. 'I am also very puzzled how this happened. I had someone contact the NSW Premier's department, who said that everything had been run past Lizzie Spender and the children and had their approval.' However, just days later, a defiant Richard told Daily Mail Australia he had no intention of stepping down as MC, and 'was honoured and humbled to be asked by Barry's family to perform the role'. 'I had the enormous pleasure of spending a great deal of personal and professional time with Barry over many decades and developed profound love and respect for him,' Richard said in a heartfelt statement. Simon Brodkin has been blasted by furious viewers after making a 'sick and insensitive' Covid joke at the Royal Variety Performance. The comedian has previously been known for attention-grabbing stunts, including throwing money at FIFA President Sepp Blatter during a press conference and handing Theresa May a P45. Opening his set at the prestigious event, Simon quipped that he 'broke into a lab in Wuhan in 2019' in reference to the supposed origins of the deadly coronavirus. He told the audience: 'I am the guy that did all the stunts and people always want to kow if my stunts ever go wrong. Occasionally, late 2019 I broke into this laboratory in Wuhan. Sorry.' While Simon's joke earned plenty of laughter from the audience, many viewers watching at home took offence, and slammed the jibe. Simon Brodkin has been blasted by furious viewers after making a 'sick and insensitive' Covid joke at the Royal Variety Performance One posted: 'HOW dare you make a DISGUSTING joke about the pandemic? I will be making a complete Ofcom about this you should be ashamed of yourself.' 'The Wuhan joke was very poor taste. Many lost loved ones, or remain poorly - not funny,' a second added. A third posted: 'Sorry, but jokes about Covid are in poor taste, we lost a family member to it. I'm a nurse and worked through it too, terrible times.' 'Very distasteful and insensitive joke about the Wuhan Labs. Many people lost their lives to Covid!' one user posted. One shared: 'Was Simon Brodkin making a joke about Covid?? The joke about him breaking to a laboratory if so that's not funny that's sick!!' Covid spread worldwide in 2020, and has lead to at least 232,000 in the UK alone. Simon's escapades have landed Britain's Greatest Prankster in custody, in court and on the receiving end of disturbing death threats, after he handed Theresa May her P45, hijacked Kanye West's Glastonbury appearance, breached Donald Trump 's security, made a holy fool of Simon Cowell and showered former Fifa president Sepp Blatter with banknotes. He previously told Event Magazine: 'They're deserving targets. Opening his set at the prestigious event, Simon quipped that he 'broke into a lab in Wuhan in 2019' in reference to the supposed origins of the deadly coronavirus While Simon's joke earned plenty of laughter from the audience, many viewers watching at home took offence, and slammed the jibe 'It's a sad day when you're feeling sorry for these seriously powerful people being made to look a little silly. If they get upset, that's their problem.' but Brodkin remains resolute in his mission 'to make people laugh while unnerving a few so-called untouchables. Getting a chuckle is the reason I do it'. Elsewhere host Bradley Walsh opened the Royal Variety Performance show with an awkward joke about being snubbed for an MBE and OBE at the star-studded show. The show's host Mr Walsh opened the event with a few jokes, one of which was about him not being included on the King's honours list. Addressing Prince William, he said: 'I have worked for your greatnan, your nan, your granddad, your dad, and now I'm working for your Sir and Madam. 'And I must say - ask me if I've got an MBE. Nah, ain't got one. Ask me if I've got an OBE - nah, ain't got one of them. Ask me if I've got a CBE - no!' He went on to say 'they've probably run out' of those honours because 'they give them all to people who row boats' and 'people on telly who bake cakes'. Bradley said he 'entertained troops in the Falklands' and was 'happy to make it out alive' while others got commended for their 'victoria sponge' cakes. He also told an anecdote of meeting his two-year-old grandson, who he 'promised' that he would ask Prince William for knighthood so the little boy could use the his grandfather's title during 'show-and-tell' in nursery. Earlier Mr Walsh had greeted the 'royal highnesses', with the camera switching to William and Kate as they laughed away. He pretended to stumble over the word 'highnesses' several times. 'It doesn't sound right, your royal highnessesses? There's too many 'ssessess', innit? Your royal highness... your royal highnessesses?,' he said. 'It should be like cactus, cactussess, cacti. Your royal highness, highnessess and highni. That's it. I've got it. Your royal highni.' Meanwhile Kate and William were seen laughing at the awkward joke. People on X, formerly known as Twitter, branded his opening sketch 'cringe-worthy' and 'boring'. One user said: 'Bradley Walsh completely embarrassing at the beginning not funny at all begging to be given a cbe obe etc.' Another added: 'Bradley Walsh's just not funny! Cringe-worthy start to show. Think he's just gone to back of the list #RoyalVariety.' This notion was echoed by another user who commented: 'Agreed, normally love Bradley Walsh, but begging for gong is embarrassing.' 'Bradley Walsh. Stand-up comedy isn't for you,' a third urged. One user also wrote: 'What a bore Bradley Walsh is.' Suzanne Gdovic wanted to send her friend's daughter a gift card that she could spend freely in Target. It was a gift for a baby shower, and she wanted her friend's daughter to be able to splurge $200 on whatever she needed ahead of the newborn's arrival. Instead, she ended up sending her a card with zero balance. Suzanne, 64, from Arvada, Colorado, is one of many who have been victims of a 'card draining' scam - which leads to people being given totally worthless gift cards. Sneaky crooks are temporarily stealing batches of gift cards from stores - sometimes hundreds at a time - so they can make a note of the card number, as well as the PIN or activation code. At this point the cards are worthless as customers are yet to load any money onto them. But criminals then return them to store shelves - knowing shoppers will eventually load them up with funds up to $500 - and steal the money before the recipient is able to spend it. Suzanne Gdovic accidentally gave a worthless gift card as a present after it was targeted by criminals - which should have been worth $200 Police are warning about an uptick in this scam during the holiday season as last-minute shoppers look for gifts for family and friends. Fraudsters know that the recipients of gift cards are unlikely to try to spend them until Christmas Day. By that time, the gangs will have spent the money loaded to them, leading to confused recipients getting gift cards with a $0 balance. But this crime does not only affect shoppers at this time of year. A recent Better Business Bureau study found reports of gift card scams have increased by 50 percent this year alone. Suzanne bought the $200 Target gift card - which she did not realize had been tampered with - from her local store back in September. It was then a couple of weeks later when she received a text from her friend's daughter, who she had gifted it to, saying that it had a $0 balance. A message had also popped up on the cashier's screen saying that the gift card was connected to someone else's account. 'It was embarrassing,' Suzanne told DailyMail.com. 'And I felt bad for her. You're ready to spend $200 and then all of a sudden it's not there. And then of course she had to pay for it.' Suzanne immediately went to Target to find out what was going on. The manager of her local store told her that they were aware of a scam where criminals come in and scrape off the protective metallic strip and access the activation number on the card - before expertly putting the strip back on. The $200 gift card was rendered worthless after being targeted by the 'card draining' scam A message popped up on the cashier's screen saying that the gift card was connected to someone else's account when the recipient tried to use the card Not only was Suzanne angry about losing the money, but she did not want the same thing to happen to anyone else. 'I asked for all the cards to be removed from the shelves, as people were buying them as I spoke to the manager,' said Suzanne. 'Target has my money, and the crook has the gift!' She got in touch with Target's corporate office, and finally received her money back in November - two months after originally buying the gift card. 'In the letter that came there was no recognition or acknowledgement that they were replacing this because of the scam,' said Suzanne. 'The retailers have to start helping us out. I feel bad for people that don't get their money back.' A Target spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the prevalence of gift card scams and take them very seriously. Our cyber fraud and abuse team uses a multi-layered, technical approach to help protect guests and prevent scams from occurring. 'We also provide continued education to our team members about common scams and encourage them to look for guests purchasing high dollar amounts or large quantities of gift cards, or tampering with gift cards in stores.' The company urges anyone who thinks they might have been a victim of a scam to visit Target's security and fraud page. But Target is not the only retailer which is being targeted by criminals - who are using a variety of tactics to dupe shoppers. Police are warning Americans about a rise in a scam dubbed 'card draining' - that leads to people being given totally worthless gift cards In some cases, fraudsters are even subtly opening the sealed envelopes cards are stored in and cutting off and keeping the part of the card with the activation code. They are then putting the cut card back in the envelope - with the bar code still visible for a teller to scan and add funds - which they can then can steal. Earlier this week, DailyMail.com reported how authorities across the country have been warning about this scam - which is also affecting Apple, Amazon and Visa Vanilla gift cards among others. Victims from across the country got in touch - explaining how they had lost as much as $650 - and mistakenly handed over totally worthless gift cards to loved ones. HOW TO AVOID 'CARD DRAINING' SCAMS Make sure a card has not been tampered with - including scratches or scuff marks near the bar code on the back of the card Make sure the gift card is sealed and any protective cover on the pin code or activation code is intact Check to see that the full card is in the covering, and the activation code has not been cut off Keep the store receipt in case you discover the card has been compromised If you discover the card has been tampered with, report it to the gift card company and request the funds are frozen and a refund is issued Advertisement Dina Swartz, from Texas, said how she was left 'embarrassed' after she sent a friend's daughter a gift card which had been wiped of its $100 value. 'I bought a gift card for my friends daughter who had a newborn baby,' she said. 'I bought the gift card in San Antonio, Texas, and mailed immediately to my girlfriend's daughter in Austin, Texas. When she tried to use it, it had a zero balance.' Dina filed a complaint with Target - and eventually the company reissued the card and sent it directly to her friend's daughter. 'I felt embarrassed that my friend's daughter - who is a young mother with a newborn - had to go through this process,' she said. Greg C told DailyMail.com how he had bought two $500 Visa Vanilla cards in a Walgreens store in Manhattan, New York City. When he went to spend them, he saw that $650 had been drained from the cards combined, and some of it had been spent on online Amazon purchases. He said he had kept the packaging, and noticed that there were glue dots on the bottom of the sealed envelope where one of the cards had been - indicating that it had been tampered with. Another victim, Sonja Neilson, said she had also been scammed out of $100 on a Visa Vanilla card - and would never buy one in-store again. Cops are warning shoppers to check for any signs that a card has been meddled with - such as scratches or scuff marks or parts of the card missing - before purchasing. This is because - to get the numbers - the crooks typically will have scratched off the silver security foil. They then replace this with a near identical sticker or more foil, which is sold online on sites like Alibaba. Damage to the card or foil is a tell-tale sign that fraudsters have obtained the card's details - putting any funds added to the card at risk of being stolen. In 2023, Americans are expected to spend $29.3 billion on gift cards, according to the National Retail Federation. Police in Pinole, California, warned of something else to look out for - after officers spotted a variation on the scam. They detailed the alternative tactic being used by scammers in an Instagram video. Police in Pinole, California, warned shoppers about the scam in an Instagram video They said crooks were stealing gift cards, removing them from sealed envelopes and then cutting off the activation code, which is hidden beneath the sealed envelope in the store. 'What we're advising to do, is if you are buying a gift card, feel for the entire card, which should be the same size as a credit card,' Pinole Police Department's Sergeant Duggan said in the video. 'Or with the permission of the store, when you go up to purchase these, remove them from the sealed envelope and make sure that the whole card is there.' Earlier this month, Ningning Sun was arrested and accused of tampering with gift cards in a Target store in Sacramento Earlier this month, a man was arrested and accused of tampering with gift cards in a Target store in Sacramento, according to the County Sheriff's Office in California. Under a Facebook post by the Sheriff's Office warning of the scam, one person wrote: 'Last Christmas, we received a Target gift card with zero balance and but was a sensitive subject to bring it up with the senders. That probably explains why the gift card was zero in balance.' Police said Ningning Sun was seen stealing gift cards and replacing them on the rack with another set of seemingly identical ones. It is thought he was putting a batch of cards that he and his gang had obtained details for back on shelves. Detectives then discovered over 5,000 gift cards from Target and Apple in his possession. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said their investigation found Sun was part of a gift card scam spanning California and several regions across the country. 'Sun was part of a scam that tampered with gift cards, scanned the bar code, and stole money from the gift card as money was loaded on them,' a statement read. 'Victims are completely unaware it is happening, and the money is often siphoned to an off-shore account within seconds. These operations are very sophisticated and modifications to the gift cards are often virtually undetectable, even to the trained eye,' it continued. India stands ready to walk together with Bangladesh in realising Dhaka's vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation, the Indian envoy here has said as he underlined that the 1971 Liberation War remains the bedrock for ties between the two countries. "It is time for us to cherish our friendship and reiterate the commitment to preserve and promote the spirit of 1971 that remains the bedrock of our (Bangladesh-India) ties," Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was quoted as saying by Bangladesh's national news agency BSS. Conveying his warmest wishes on Victory Day, Verma on Saturday said the Liberation War and the triumph of the people epitomise the two countries' shared sacrifices for Bangladesh's freedom and stand testimony to the time-tested friendship between Delhi and Dhaka. "As nations whose destinies are as connected as our geographies and historical roots, we are today at the cusp of realising the promise of a Sonali adhyay (golden chapter) in our ties," he said. The Liberation War in 1971 broke after the sudden crackdown at midnight on March 25, 1971 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by the Pakistani troops and ended on December 16. The same year Pakistan conceded defeat and unconditionally surrendered in Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian soldiers. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines inaugural flight from Dhaka to Chennai at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here, Verma said the level and scope of partnership and the engagement between Bangladesh and India has grown at a rapid pace in recent years and connectivity has been one of the major manifestations of this transformation in the relationship. In terms of air connectivity alone, he said, there are more than 120 flights linking Dhaka with five major Indian cities every week, besides a Delhi flight linking Chattogram with Kolkata. "Whether for tourism, for business, for health care or education, our people-to-people connect is a thriving, living foundation of our bilateral relations," Verma said, adding that the number of people travelling to each other's country is only going to grow in the coming years. "The new transport links which are being constantly added to enhance our cross-border linkages, and the rising number of our people travelling to each other's countries reflect a new era of our growing engagement and a new momentum in our people-to-people relations," he said. During the last financial year, the envoy said, they issued over 15 lakh visas to Bangladeshi citizens visiting India, and the number is going to be surpassed this year. "We do indeed want this number to grow because we believe that people-to-people relations are what makes our relationship special," he said. The envoy said that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is constantly endeavouring to improve its resources to better handle the huge volume of visa requests from Bangladeshi nationals. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali and Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim were present on the occasion. Biman Bangladesh board of directors chairman Mostofa Kamal Uddin, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain and HSIA's Executive Director Captain M Kamrul Islam were also present. The inaugural flight operated by Boeing 737 carrying 161 passengers took off from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 12.50 pm (local time). Initially, Biman will operate 3 flights weekly on this route on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday with departure from Dhaka at 12:50 pm (local time) arrival at Chennai at 3:20 pm (local time) and return flight departure from Chennai at 4:15 pm (local time) and arrival at Dhaka at 7:30 pm (local time). India and Oman on Saturday reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral ties here during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The two nations firmed up a vision document to significantly expand bilateral cooperation in around 10 key areas and pushed for concluding a trade pact as early as possible during their productive talks. Modi and Tarik also discussed the situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict and the challenge of terrorism as well as the larger need to try and achieve a two-state solution to the Palestine issue as a way forward. At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra described the discussions between Modi and the visiting leader as comprehensive and constructive. He said Modi and Omans Sultan adopted a joint vision document to lay the pathway for bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including maritime sphere, connectivity, green energy, space, digital payments, health, tourism and agriculture and food security. Kwatra said the two leaders also gave strong impetus and push to conclude the India-Oman comprehensive economic partnership agreement as early as possible. The Sultan of Oman arrived in Delhi on a state visit on Friday - his first trip to India as the top leader of the influential Gulf nation. Today is a historic day in India-Oman relations as the Sultan of Oman is on a state visit to India after 26 years... I am sincerely welcoming you on behalf of all the people of India, Modi said in his opening remarks at the delegation-level dialogue. India and the Sultanate of Oman are strategic partners and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two nations has been on an upswing in the last few years. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhis historic Tilak Swaraj Fund in 1920-21, the Congress on Saturday announced to launch on December 18 its nationwide Donate for Desh crowdfunding campaign ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It said the initiative aims to empower the party in creating an India that is rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities. The campaign will be launched by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. During a Press conference at the Congress headquarters, party general secretary KC Venugopal and Treasurer Ajay Maken said Indians above the age of 18 can donate a minimum of `138 or in multiples of ten, such as `1,380. Our inaugural campaign Donate for Behtar Bharat commemorates the 138-year journey of the Indian National Congress. Embracing our history, we invite supporters to donate in multiples of `138, symbolising the partys enduring commitment to a better India, Venugopal said. The party has created two online channels for the crowdfunding campaign a dedicated portal at donateinc.In and the official Congress website at inc.In. All Pradesh Congress Committee presidents will raise awareness about the campaign through press conferences and social media, he said, adding it will primarily online until December 28, the partys foundation day. After that, ground campaigns, including door-to-door visits by volunteers, targeting at least 10 houses in every booth for contributions of at least Rs 138 from each, will be launched. Venugopal said state-level office bearers, elected representatives, District Congress Committee presidents, PCC chiefs and AICC officials will be encouraged to contribute at least Rs 1,380 each. For the campaigns effectiveness, all PCC presidents will identify potential donors, he said. Venugopal also announced a mammoth rally in Maharashtras Nagpur on December 28 to mark the partys 138th foundation day. He said at least 10 lakh people will attend the historic rally. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday informed members of the House he has formed a high-powered committee to review various aspects of security in the Parliament complex and formulate an action plan to ensure that the December 13 incident is not repeated. In a letter to Lok Sabha members, Birla also said the report of the high-level inquiry committee set up by the Union Home Ministry will soon be shared with the House. In addition, I have also constituted a High Powered Committee which will review various aspects of security in the Parliament Complex and formulate a concrete action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur, he said in the letter. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Cell intensified its crackdown on the accused involved in the Parliament security breach. On Saturday, they arrested the sixth accused, identified as Mahesh Kumawat. Police sources said Kumawat has been charged with the destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy. Sources said all five accused will be taken to their native places for evidence recovery and interrogation. Additionally, the police plan to record the statement of BJP MP Pratap Simha, in whose name authorisation was issued to two intruders. Furthermore, the police are planning to recreate the crime scene inside the Lok Sabha. During court arguments for remand and further interrogation, the Delhi Police informed the court that the custody of the accused was required to find the actual motive behind the attack and his association with an enemy country and terrorist organisations. The prosecutor told the court that Kumawat had been in contact with other accused persons in hatching the conspiracy for the last two years. He assisted the mastermind, Lalit Jha, in destroying the mobile phone to eliminate evidence and hide the larger conspiracy. The prosecutor added Kumawat needs to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy. Kumawat had voluntarily come to a police station with Lalit Jha on Thursday night, and both were handed over to the Special Cell. He has been under questioning since then. The police revealed he was a member of the now-deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page created by the accused. The initial investigation by Delhi Police has revealed that one of the two intruders involved in the security breach and dramatic protest in the Lok Sabha on December 13 had travelled and lived in Cambodia for a brief period, reportedly working as an aid work volunteer after dropping out from an engineering course. It has been revealed that Manoranjan Devaraj, 33, a resident of Mysuru and one of the main intruders, had traveled to Cambodia via Bangkok around 2014 to work as a volunteer, as per his international travel records. His travel details are being verified by investigating agencies. The police are also checking if there is a foreign funding angle in this case. Sources said that the five accused revealed that they explored self-immolation and distribution of pamphlets before settling on the plan to jump into the Lok Sabhas chamber with smoke canisters. A Delhi Police official said, Before finalising this plan (to jump into the Lok Sabha chamber), they (the accused) had explored certain ways that could be impactful in sending their message to the government. They first explored immolating themselves by covering their bodies with fireproof gel but dropped this idea. They also considered distributing pamphlets inside Parliament but finally went ahead with the plan they executed on Wednesday, the official said. Furthermore, the police will be taking all five accused to their native places for evidence recovery and interrogation. Lalit Jha will also be taken to Rajasthan, where he had fled after the incident. The police will seek Parliamentary approval to recreate the incident that took place on the anniversary of the 2001 attack. The sources also said they may record the statement of BJP MP Pratap Simha, in whose name authorisation was passed to two intruders. Apart from this, the accused had also planned to start a political outfit. However, for this, they wanted to garner media attention. They felt that by breaching the security of Parliament, their purpose would be met, one of the accused informed the police. The four accused Neelam, Amol, Sagar Sharma, and Manoranjan had arrived with seven smoke cans to carry out the incident. Notably, Sagar, along with another accused, Manoranjan D, had allegedly popped the canisters carrying yellow smoke in the Parliament on December 13, the day the country observes the anniversary of the 2001 Parliamentary attack. The Indian Navy swiftly responded to a maritime incident in the Arabian Sea involving the hijacking of a Malta-flagged vessel with 18 crew members on board. The Navys maritime patrol aircraft undertaking surveillance in the area and its warship on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden were deployed to locate and assist the vessel MV Ruen after receiving a distress call from it, Navy officials said here on Saturday. The hijacking attempt was reported on Thursday and the Indian Navy sent its mission deployed platforms to the area of the incident early on Friday, officials said. The Navy said its aircraft flew over the hijacked vessel and it has been continuously monitoring movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, the Indian Navy diverted its naval maritime patrol aircraft undertaking surveillance in the area and its warship on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden to locate and assist MV Ruen, officials said. The aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on early morning of December 15 and the aircraft has been continuously monitoring movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia, they said. Officials said the Indian Navys warship deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrol also intercepted the MV Ruen on Saturday morning. The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies in the area, he said. The Indian Navy remains committed to being a first responder in the region and ensuring safety of merchant shipping, along with international partners and friendly foreign countries, the official said. MV Ruen, the vessel, reportedly lost control on Thursday, in a first significant piracy incident recorded after 2017. The attack has highlighted a major lapse in the ongoing anti-piracy efforts in the Arabian Sea. In response to the incident, the UK Marine Trade Operations issued a warning, urging vessels to exercise caution while traversing the Arabian Sea near Somalia. The Indian Navy is now on high alert in the region. Meanwhile, it has also advised ships to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his commitment begins where hope from everyone else ends, emphasising that the development of smaller cities is central to his vision of making India a developed country. Addressing the beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra through video conferencing, the Prime Minister remarked, With the resolve for a developed India, Modis guarantee vehicle is reaching every corner of the country. In just one month, the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has reached thousands of villages and cities, with a focus on small towns, he added. Modi highlighted that his government is working to alleviate the challenges faced by all, treating them like family members. Our government has assisted the poor, farmers, small businesses, and various other sections of society. Modis guarantee comes into play when hope from everyone else ends, he affirmed. The Prime Minister acknowledged that for a long time after independence, the benefits of development were confined to a few big cities. However, his government is now concentrating on the development of smaller cities, which will fortify the foundation for a developed India. He encouraged everyone to take advantage of various government schemes. Although Modi initiated the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra, he noted that today, the countrymen have taken charge of the journey. At a point where the journey pauses, people from other villages or cities start leading it, he stated. Modi also launched the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram, where recent Assembly elections were held. The yatra, initially launched in other States, faced delays in these five States due to the model code of conduct during the elections. During the event, Modi interacted with beneficiaries from various States who have availed themselves of various government schemes. He praised the atma nirbhar women of the country, highlighting their role in sustaining themselves and becoming a boon for others. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that everyones work is now expedited as the people of the country have become Modijis VIP. Modi, who has called for making India a developed nation by 2047, engaged with the beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing. Thousands of beneficiaries from across the country participated in the event, joined by a large number of Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and local representatives. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra aims to achieve the saturation of flagship government schemes by ensuring their benefits reach all targeted beneficiaries in a time-bound manner. Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah died on Saturday, aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming power in the US-allied Gulf oil producer. Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, 83 was named as Sheikh Nawaf's successor. According to the Kuwait News Agency, the emir was admitted to hospital late last month due to an emergency health problem but said that he was in a stable condition. The Kuwait's Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, chaired an extraordinary cabinet meeting following the passing away of His Highness the Emir, mourned the late Emir and paid tribute to his achievements. "With great sorrow, the Council of Ministers expresses deep condolences with the passing away of our father, leader of our march His Highness the Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who passed away following a journey of dedication and loyalty to his nation and its people," His Highness the Prime Minister said in a sombre tone. The Council of Ministers recalled sacrifices of the deceased during his life for the sake of the development of the nation in all fields and in the services of the country and people. Kuwait announced 40 days of mourning and a three-day closure of official departments. Australians have been left stranded in the Pacific on the tiny island nation of Tuvalu after it was left without any international flights when its main runway was left damaged by heavy rain. Fiji Airways, the only international carrier to service the country, says it was forced to cancel flights due to the damage and was monitoring repairs that are now underway. The airline told Yahoo News Australia it is hoping to resume international flights from Monday after initial repairs, however when normal service will resume is unclear. "Because of the nature of the damage and the restricted repairs, these services will operate at a reduced weight. As a consequence some booked guests will be unable to travel as intended," it said, apologising for the disruption caused. South Australian resident Craig Bradbrook works in Tuvalu helping families access early childhood programs. He was due to fly back to Australia for surgery on Thursday before his flight was cancelled, while his rebooked flight for Saturday was also scrapped. Craig Bradbrook says up to 140 Australians are trying to get out of the country. Source: ABC He estimates he is one of about 140 Australians trying to leave the country and there are growing fears the problems will extend to Christmas. "Unfortunately, there has been no information on flights coming in and out at all, so we haven't received information from Fiji Airways as to when flights may begin or continue here," he told the ABC. He said the rain that damaged the runway was described locally as the "heaviest downpour Tuvalu has ever experienced". "It was really a quite unusual rain event. From all the discussions I've had with locals, they just hadn't experienced that amount of rain before, so we could probably look toward climate change for the background as to why that went down." The damaged runway is the only one that facilitates international flights. Source: Google Earth Tuvalu vocal on impacts of climate change Tuvalu has been vocal about the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. Foreign Minister Simon Kofe went viral in 2021 when he addressed COP26 knee deep in the ocean at a location that was once above water. Story continues Earlier this month, he called out Australia over its lack of urgency over the problem facing its neighbours. "It is frustrating to see countries not taking strong enough climate action. I think it's even hypocrisy to some extent," Kofe told Yahoo News Australia. Bradbrook said there are fears from tourists that they will run out of money on the island which is a cash-based society without ATMs. The Australia High Commission Tuvalu is currently monitoring the situation while the Department of Foreign Affairs told the ABC it is ready to assist Australians seeking help. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. As the nation eagerly awaits the grand consecration of the Ram Lalla at Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to orchestrate a nationwide celebration, aiming to infuse the spirit of Ram across the entire country. A myriad of programmes are scheduled throughout the nation, with Delhi at the forefront of this grand initiative. The BJPs vision for this day is to encourage 10 crore families to light lamps, fostering a sense of unity and devotion, a senior BJP leader said here on Saturday. As part of the festivities, special prayers and rituals will be conducted at various temples in the country, amplifying the religious significance of the day. The party has outlined an elaborate roadmap for various events, underscoring its commitment to making this celebration a resounding success. In anticipation of the grand occasion, BJP officials will convene a meeting on December 22-23, where strategic discussions and planning for the upcoming programme will take place. The agenda encompasses a diverse range of activities, showcasing the partys dedication to cultural and spiritual enrichment. All the temples, and houses across Ayodhya will also light earthen lamps at their homes on January 22. The residents of Ayodhya will celebrate Diwali that day literally, Kamlesh Srivastava, BJP Mahanagar president said. With the ambitious goal of transforming the entire nation into a symbol of the Ram Rajya on January 22, the BJPs celebration aims to resonate with millions, uniting people in a collective celebration of faith and cultural identity. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the food allowance given to the dependents of armed forces personnel in the pre-recruitment training will be increased from Rs 80 to 255 per candidate. He said that the Soldier Welfare department will provide free of cost training of 56 days for the dependents of armed forces personnel in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. The CM was addressing a programme organised to mark the Vijay Diwas at Gandhi Park on Saturday. Speaking on the occasin, he said that in addition to being Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand is also the land of valour and sacrifice. He said that in the Indo-Pak war of 1971, 255 soldiers of Uttarakhand laid down their lives. A total of 74 soldiers from the State were conferred medals for showing exemplary courage and valour in the war. Dhami said that Vijay Diwas is the day to celebrate the bravery, valour and courage of the brave soldiers of the Indian army. Terming the 1971 war as the war in which justice prevailed over injustice the CM said that more than 93,000 soldiers of Pakistan surrendered before the Indian army. Dhami said that the surrender was the biggest surrender after World War II. He said that the construction of Sainya Dham in Dehradun is in full swing which as per the wish of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the fifth Dham of Uttarakhand. The Sainya Dham will be a tribute for the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. He said that the Sainya Dham will act as a divine source of inspiration for the future generation. Dhami said that the morale of the soldiers has increased under the leadership of PM Modi. He averred that our soldiers are equipped with best weapons and world class support equipment is also provided to them. The morale of our soldiers is so high that now they are able to teach lessons to the enemy by pushing into his territory. The CM said that the State government is committed for the well being of families of armed forces personnel. He said the government has increased the one time grant given to the personnel honoured with bravery awards. The pension of the dependents of the personnel who participated in World War II has been increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month. The pension of freedom fighters and their widows has been increased from Rs 21,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. In the programme the CM laid a floral wreath at the martyrs memorial. He also felicitated the ex -servicemen and widows of martyrs on the occasion. The Soldier Welfare minister Ganesh Joshi, MLA Khajan Das, secretary Deependra Chaudhary, Dehradun district magistrate Sonika, director of Soldier Welfare brigadier (retd) Amrit Lal, rear admiral (retd) OPS Rana, armed forces veterans and others attended the programme. The leaders and workers of Uttarakhand Congress paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war between India and Pakistan on Saturday. Addressing a programme organised at the Congress Bhawan on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara said that December 16 is a golden letter day in the history of India. He said that the Indian soldiers not only secured victory in this war which was foisted on the country by the neighbouring country but also gave a message to the world that they are ready to defend the country under any circumstances. He said that the Indian army has always given a fitting reply to the enemy. Mahara said that the brave soldiers of Uttarakhand have always shown exemplary bravery in defending the country and the war of 1971 many brave hearts of the State gave their contribution. He said that there is rarely any house in Uttarakhand which remained unaffected by the sacrifice done by the soldiers for the nation. The PCC president said that on this day in 1971, the Indian army during the tenure of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi forced the Pakistani general AA Khan Niyaji to surrender with his 93,000 troops in East Pakistan. He added that Pakistan paid the price for one misadventure in the form of creation of a new nation, Bangladesh. The vice president (organisation) Mathura Dutt Joshi, general secretary Navin Joshi, State president of Mahila Congress Jyoti Rautela, chief spokesperson Garima Dasauni and others attended the programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will be a developed country by the year 2047. This is an objective of Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Let us all do good and make the country better. Everyone should make efforts so that the benefits of all government schemes reach out to everyone through Sankalp Yatra. Modi Ki Guarantee vehicle following the Sankalp Yatra will give inform about benefits of every scheme. Prime Minister Modi on Saturday virtually flagged off the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra in 5 states including Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav was specially present at the state level programme organized at Ujjain. Prime Minister Modi also interacted virtually with the beneficiaries of various schemes. Prime Minister Modi said that where the hopes of others end, Modi's guarantee begins. The government is not only guaranteeing food, health, housing etc. to every person, but is also providing social security. Along with the development of villages, cities are also being developed at a fast pace. Earlier only big cities witnessed development, now two-tier and three-tier cities of India are also developing. There are 6 crore small cities in India. These are also being developed holistically through schemes like Amrit Mission and Smart City Mission. In cities, attention is being paid to water supply, drainage, sewage, CCTV, cleanliness as well as ease of living, ease of doing business, ease of travel. Under the Pradhan Mantri Swa-Nidhi Yojana, small businessmen of cities are being given loans for business on the guarantee of the government, out of which 45 percent are women beneficiaries. Prime Minister Modi said that during the Covid crisis, the government gave assistance in the accounts of 20 crore women. Everyone was vaccinated for free. Free ration scheme was started. Prime Minister Modi said that join the pension and security schemes of the government. Take advantage of Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana. Through these schemes, Rs 17 thousand crores have reached the accounts of the beneficiaries. So far, free treatment worth Rs 1 lakh crore has been provided to the beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Medicines are being made available through Jan Aushadhi Kendras at 80 percent lower prices. Prime Minister Modi said that the government takes full care of the people who come from villages to cities for work. Ration can be obtained anywhere through One Nation-One Ration Card Scheme. Prime Minister Modi said that the government is making arrangements for a permanent roof for every family. More than 4 crore houses have been built under the housing scheme in the last 9 years. Special complexes are being built for the rental house scheme. Full care is being taken of the poor and middle class in cities. The public transport system is being modernized. Prime Minister Modi said that one month has passed since the Sankalp Yatra started in India. Till now this journey has reached thousands of villages and about one and a half thousand cities. Due to the code of conduct, this journey is starting from today in 5 states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Mizoram. Expand this journey rapidly in your state. The people of the country are excited about the journey. People are becoming ambassadors of developed India by downloading 'NaMo App'. We are increasing our knowledge of ourselves and others through question-answer competitions. Sankalp Yatra vehicles are giving information and benefits of every scheme to the public. After a long wait, when a lift at the Community Centre at the Green Park Extension here was installed in August, elders in the locality hoped to use the recreation facilities available at the first floor without the hassle of climbing the stairs. The much-needed lift was inaugurated by the Area Lok Sabha MP and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi with much fanfare at an event attended by senior officials from the municipal bodies. However, three months on and the lift has remained non-functional due to reasons best known to the authorities. This has left the senior citizens aghast as they are being forced to use the stairs. Some of them are 80 to 90 years old who are unable to climb the stairs. Says JR Gupta, Chairperson of the Confederation of Senior Citizens Association of Delhi, we have approached concerned authorities such as Commissioner South Delhi Municipal Commissioner, our MP Lekhi and Electrical Department of the Delhi Government. But to no avail. The safety certificate to the lift was issued by the Labour Department of the Delhi Government on September 1, 2023. But we do not know where this lift has got stuck, he said. About 100 senior citizens aged between 79 to 90 years are daily visiting the recreation centre of the Senior Citizens Council of Delhi at the first floor of the community centre to avail free facilities such as homeopathic dispensary, physiotherapy, blood sugar test, computer training, yoga classes, library, newspapers, and television and carrom board among others. At times, discourses on various topics such as on spirituality and health are also organized at the centre, said the complaint by the Association to Gyanesh Bharti, Commissioner, SDMC. Whats the use of such facilities when older adults who often suffer from various chronic diseases are unable to access the care resources, lamented Gupta. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will leave for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course next week. Kejriwal will leave for the course to an undisclosed location on December 19, a day after the winter session of the Delhi Assembly is concluded as per the schedule. Vipassana is an ancient Indian meditation technique in which practitioners abstain from any communication, either by talking or via gestures, for an extended period to restore their mental well-being. Sources said it was not clear whether he would attend the INDI Alliance meeting on December 19 or not. The chief minister has been practising Vipassana for a long and has been to several places, including Bengaluru and Jaipur, in the past years to practise the ancient meditation system. Every year, Kejriwal goes for a 10-day Vipassana course and this year he will do so from December 19 to 30, the officials said. Meanwhile, the AAP has appointed its MP Raghav Chadha as the leader of the party in Rajya Sabha in place of Sanjay Singh. In a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the AAP party leadership has said that in the absence of Sanjay Singh, who has health issues, Raghav Chadha will henceforth be the partys leader in the upper house. AAP MP Sanjay Singh is currently behind bars in the Delhi liquor policy case. Sources in the Rajya Sabha secretariat confirmed that a letter has been received from the AAP regarding appointing Chadha as its floor leader. The letter is with the RS Secretary General for implementation. Chadha is one of the youngest members of Rajya Sabha. The AAP has a total of 10 MPs in the Upper House currently. The AAP has the fourth largest strength in Rajya Sabha after the BJP, the Congress and the TMC. An alleged murderer left the scene of a murder barefoot which aroused the suspicion of the police. The man was arrested for allegedly murdering his friend following an argument. The Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh informed the media that Kalsi resident Akshay Bhatt had informed the police on November 23 that a mans body was hanging in a farmhouse on the banks of the Amlawa river. The police reached the farmhouse where the dead person was identified as Sandeep, a resident of Haripur area of Kalsi. The police found the death suspicious and informed the family members of the deceased, in addition to which the field unit team was also called to the scene. Based on the complaint submitted by the family members of the deceased, the police lodged a case under section 302 of the IPC. The SSP formed different teams to solve the case. The teams collected information from the local people and checked the footage from about 25 CCTV cameras in the area. While checking the CCTV camera footage, the police saw a friend of the deceased coming on a scooty but while returning, this man was not wearing his shoes. The police found this suspicious and took Shiv Singh Rana into custody for questioning. On being questioned sternly, Rana confessed that he had killed Sandeep and hung his body from a fan. He was arrested and presented in the court. The SSP said that during questioning, the accused said that Sandeep was his friend but he used to comment often about his relationship with his sister in-law in front of other people. This had led to a dispute between the two men in the past too. On the day of the incident, Sandeep met Rana at the farmhouse situated on the banks of the Amlawa river. Rana said that on that day Sandeep again started commenting on his relations with his sister in-law which led to a heated argument. The altercation turned violent with Rana beating Sandeep unconscious after which the accused hung him from a noose tied to a ceiling fan. The accused told the police that his shoes had the victims blood on them from the violent altercation so he washed them in the river and hid them on the banks of the river. After the crime, the accused put a lock on the farmhouse gate from outside and attempted to make the murder appear like a case of suicide. The shoes of the accused were also recovered by the police. Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday responded to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, refuting allegations of halting the Farishtey Scheme calling it a pre-meditated exercise of hubris aimed at shirking responsibilities. In a communique to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday declined to issue any direction or order on the Faristey scheme as the matter is sub judice. This comes after the Supreme Court sought a response from Delhi lieutenant governors office and others on a plea filed by the AAP government seeking release of funds for its Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme providing free treatment to accident victims. Since the matter is now sub-judice before the Supreme Court, it would not be proper for me to issue any direction/order/opinion in the instant matter at this stage. It is surprising that instead of obtaining full facts and circumstances of the matter from the concerned administrative department and coordinating with Delhi Arogya Nidhi / Finance Department of Delhi government, the Minister (Health / Finance) has preferred to file a writ before the Supreme Court. It appears that, what is being played out is nothing but that characteristic game of disowning ones own failures, ineptness and inefficiency and creating a public perception that one is not being allowed to work, LG said in his communique. In fact, I am informed that the total number of beneficiaries under the RTA (Farishtey) Scheme during 2022-23 was 3698 and the same stands at 3604 in 07 months, till October 31 during FY 2023-24. The payments done to private hospitals for the same in FY 2022-23 stood at Rs. 4,85,46,973 and the same till October this year stands at Rs. 3,54,35,230. These figures, prima facie neither indicate a halt in the Scheme, nor do they support allegations of non-payment, made by the Minister and endorsed by the Chief Minister - in fact they belie the claims, he said. Saxena further said that he was informed that the said Scheme is a component of the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK), a society constituted vide a Cabinet Decision in 2011. Its component include (i) Financial Assistance to EWS patients; (ii) Free High End Radiological Diagnostic Test Scheme; (iii) Cashless Specified Surgeries Scheme; (iv) Road Traffic Accident (RTA) schemc; and (v) Cashless Dialysis Scheme. It is essential to underscore that while the Chief Minister may refer any proposals or matters of administrative importance, these proposals, as per Rule 23(viii) of the Transactions of Business Rules, 1993, are mandated to follow the prescribed route through the Chief Secretary. As the proposal in question did not adhere to this specified route, I deemed it necessary to refer the matter to the Chief Secretary with the purpose to obtain a factual report before considering any action on the proposal, reads the communique. Atishi in her has made certain allegations, such as non-payment of pending bills, raised by some private hospitals who had treated victims of road accident under Farishtey scheme. The Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme encourages people to rescue those who have met with road accidents. Under it, the government foots the hospital bills of those who have met with accidents in the city. A demolition operation was executed by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to combat the illegal colonisation of agricultural land in Near Ram Rahim Chowk in Jahangirpuri area of north Delhi. The operation took place under the jurisdiction of Bhalaswa Dairy Police Station. According to a MCD Press statement, the MCD squad, equipped with JCB machinery and a dedicated workforce, initiated the demolition action at the location. The operation proceeded solely with the involvement of MCD. The targeted area, measuring approximately 4000 square yards in Khasra No. 444, Near Ram Rahim Chowk, had witnessed unauthorized development by certain colonizers/builders. They had undertaken the plotting of the land, erecting boundary walls, constructing rooms, and laying plain cement concrete roads. During the operation, the entire colonys plain concrete roads and boundary walls, along with rooms, were systematically dismantled, eradicating any traces of the illegal colonization. The action sends a clear message about the authorities commitment to preserving agricultural land and upholding land use regulations. Reacting on Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxenas letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Farishtey scheme, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said after the scheme was launched in 2018, the number of beneficiaries started increasing with increasing awareness about this scheme. The number reached 6131 in the year 2020-21 and then it declined to 5456 in year 2021-22. However, in 2022-23 it further declined to 3698 and this is when this matter was very seriously taken up by the then Health Minister Manish Sisodia. The similar declining trends are also reflected in the expenditure by the Health Department on Farishtey scheme. LG saab has been misinformed that a payment of Rs. 3.54 crore has been made till October this year, however the truth is that only Rs. 2.08 crore has been paid. The Health Department in its reply to Vidhan Sabha Question has also informed that there is a pendency of Rs. 8 crore for the Farishtey Scheme, he said. Tourists have captured on camera the incredible mid-air moment two eagles appear to fight it out over a snake at one of Australia's top tourist destinations. In the video from K'gari, two white-bellied sea eagles can be seen flying alongside a beach. The one in front has the snake's long body dangling from its claws when suddenly the second bird grabs the reptile and makes off with it. The clip, which was filmed from a vehicle travelling along the sand, then captures both birds as they dive down into the bushes. But just as you think the first eagle is about to steal back its breakfast, the second bird drops down to the ground and the first keeps on flying out of the shrubs empty handed. Tourists on K'gari captured the moment a juvenile white-bellied sea eagle snatched a snake out of the claws of an older bird. Source: A. Cipak Theory behind fascinating behaviour Professor Richard Kingsford, Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science at UNSW and a bird ecologist, believes we're witnessing a parent teaching moment. "It would be interesting to know whether those two birds actually had a relationship because it could be an adult male or adult female with the white on it [the first bird] and then the immature bird with the brown feathers [the second bird] might be one of their chicks that's grown up," he told Yahoo News Australia. "So it would be used to being fed by the adults and it could be that it's coming in to get the food that one of its parents has just got, and taking it away." However, Kingsford added the pair seemed to be swapping the snake, indicating that maybe there's a bit of competition going on. "The adult could be saying, 'Look, you're old enough to go out and get your own food, I'm not gonna feed you anymore and I had it first, but the younger one may still be at that stage where it's happy to take food from its parents," he explained. Story continues "When they get to that sort of age where they need to go out and get their own food and territories, the adults basically kick them out of the nest, and there's quite a bit of competition between parents and offspring then." What was for brekky? As for what the pair of birds were fighting for, Kingsford believes it could have been a python. "There are many birds of prey, including eagles and falcons, that will take snakes and they're quite capable of doing that," he said. "It's a really useful food resource for them if they can find them." He added that sea eagles will also take other birds and small mammals if they get a chance "because they're such big birds". Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Students organization members held a symbolic silent demonstration at 4 pm on Friday in protest against the registration of a robbery case against ABVP workers who snatched the keys from the driver of a judge's car in an emergency to save the life of the Vice Chancellor of a university traveling in a train in Gwalior. This information was given by the organization's provincial minister Sandeep Vaishnav in a press conference organized at Chhatra Shakti Bhawan, the headquarters of ABVV in Bhopal on Friday. He said that the Honorable Court should show sympathy in the matter and withdraw the case registered against both the workers. Sandeep said that from Saturday ABVP will start a campaign to close the college in Gwalior. National Minister of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Shalini Verma, State Minister Sandeep Vaishnav and Bhopal Metropolitan Minister Prabhakar Mishra were present in the press conference. Sandeep Vaishnav said that we welcome the effort to save VC's life. We will make continuous efforts to provide justice to ABVP workers. Even if we have to adopt an aggressive attitude in the future, we will continue our efforts. Actually, the health of the Vice Chancellor of a University of UP had suddenly deteriorated. Since an ambulance and no other vehicle was available in time, the university students spotted a car. The students immediately pushed the driver of the car aside and made the Vice Chancellor lie inside. After this he directly reached Jayarogya Hospital. The Vice Chancellor died here. Here, the judge's driver complained to the police about snatching the car, under which these students are being prosecuted. Vice Chancellor was going from Delhi to Jhansi by train Ranjit Singh Yadav, vice chancellor of a university in Uttar Pradesh, lived in Dwarka sector of Delhi, he was going from Delhi to Jhansi by Dakshin Express on December 10. As soon as the train left Agra, he had a heart attack near Dholpur. As soon as he left Agra, his health started deteriorating. By the time he reached Morena, his condition deteriorated considerably. The students sought immediate medical care from the Railways in Morena, but it was not available. Railway officials told them that the ambulance remains alert 24 hours outside Gwalior station. From here they can be taken directly to the hospital. When we came out at Gwalior station, no ambulance was found there. The condition of the Vice Chancellor was very critical. Here the students saw a car (the judge's car). He put the Vice Chancellor in the car and pushed the driver and drove towards the hospital. However, Ranjit Singh died after reaching the hospital, after which the students came back and returned the car. In this matter, the police registered a case against the students. National Minister of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Shalini Verma said that ABVP will run 'Campus Chalo Abhiyan' from January to ensure that all students reach the campus. Under the leadership of Vidyarthi Parishad, the students of the country will celebrate Deepotsav on the day of Shri Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha. Uttar Pradesh has bagged the Achiever state status for the second year in a row in LEADS-2023 (Logistics Ease Across Different States) survey. Uttar Pradesh had bagged the achiever state status in landlocked state category in 2022 as well. The LEADS report, released by the Union Ministry of Commerce, is based on evaluation of logistics infrastructure, services, and human resources in the state. UP has been declared an Achiever in the landlocked states category in the LEADS-2023 report. LEADS is an indigenous data-driven index to assess logistics infrastructure, services, and human resources across all 36 states and union territories. This report is prepared on the basis of international standards like the Logistics Performance Index in States and Union Territories. Under this, rankings are issued for all the states of the country, which are classified into four categories. Different states are ranked in three categories: Achievers, Fast Movers and Aspires for Coastal states, Landlocked states, North Eastern states, and Union Territories. According to the 2023 LEADS Survey report, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been recognised as Achievers in the coastal category. In the landlocked category, Achievers include Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. Similarly, the North East category includes Assam, Sikkim and Tripura, while the Union Territory category recognises Chandigarh and Delhi as Achievers. In the coastal category, Kerala and Maharashtra are Fast Movers, while the landlocked category includes the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Similarly, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland fall under the North East category, while Andaman Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Puducherry are designated as Fast Movers Union Territories. Likewise, in the coastal category, Goa, Odisha and West Bengal have been listed under the Aspires category. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand are included in the landlocked category. In the North East, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram have been placed in the list, while in the Union Territory category, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are designated under the Aspires list. A wreath laying ceremony was organised by the Uttarakhand sub area command of the Indian Army at Shaurya Sthal to mark the 52 anniversary of the Vijay Diwas on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, the governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh said that the Vijay Diwas is a symbol of valour, courage and bravery of the Indian army. He said that the Indian army wrote a new saga of its bravery and sacrifice on December 16, 1971. The governor said that an indebted nation remembers the extraordinary bravery exhibited by the armed forces on this day. The saga of valour of our armed forces makes every countryman proud, he added. General Officer Commanding, Uttarakhand Sub Area major general R Prem Raj, rear admiral LS Pathania, Indian Navy and armed forces veterans paid homage to the fallen soldiers on the occasion. The ceremony was also attended by serving officers, JCOs and other ranks of the Dehradun station who resolved to emulate the heroic soldiers for the honour of the country. The day marks historic victory of Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war. On December 16, 1971, Indian armed forces under the dynamic leadership of general SFHJ Manekshaw, the then COAS, gave a crushing defeat to the Pakistan army and paved the way for liberation of East Pakistan to form the new country of Bangladesh. Both sides stand accused of violating international humanitarian laws, committing war crimes against civilians. Hamas use of human shields and attacks on non-combatants raise ethical concerns. Meanwhile, Israels failure to follow rules on combatant liability, proportionality, and military necessity reflects immorality The eruption of war between Hamas and Israel, which has claimed thousands of lives and caused massive destruction, raises several insoluble questions to ponder. Following what has been called a terror attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, the retaliation by the group has resulted in more than 10,000 casualties and unprecedented destruction in the Gaza Strip. The two extremes, with Israel declaring itself at war and Hamas cheering the motionless hostages paraded in Gaza, make the chances of a possible ceasefire weak. At a time when international communities are divided on taking sides, the (un)ethical questions surrounding the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel merit discussion. Should Hamas attack on Israel be justified? Should Hamas attack be ignored since Israels counterattack exceeds the death and destruction? Should Israel be blamed absolutely for its ruthless retaliation? These questions can possibly be addressed by appealing to standard ethical principles of regular and irregular warfare. Accordingly, the (un)ethical dimensions of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war can be interrogated through both traditional just war theory and contemporary irregular warfare tenet. The rationale for engaging through the above-mentioned theoretical positions can be predicated upon the status of the warring parties: Israel as a nation-state (as seen through the dominant perspective) and Hamas as a non-state actor (although Hamas participates in legislative processes in Palestine). Despite their contrarian fundamentals, the striking similarity between the above-mentioned theoretical positions is that they come to a consensus on the necessity of a just cause (Jus ad Bellum) to initiate a war; nonetheless, they vary in characterising the just cause. According to traditional war theory, the just cause includes a cluster of aspects such as: a reason that inhibits unjust injury; the right intention that should be delimited to attain the goal of inhibiting unjust injury; likelihood of success, where the possibility of success must be greater than the failure; proportionality, which refers to morally expected advantages overshadowing the morally estimated evil from the war; and the war as the last resort left to achieve the end. On the contrary, the contemporary asymmetric warfare notion defines just because as that it may permissibly be pursued by means of war, and that the reason why this is so is at least in part that those against whom the war is fought have made themselves morally liable to military attack. The moral liability to be harmed is acquired through satisfying the purpose, i.e., if that harm is in use to prevent further misconduct or compensation for the victims of previous wrongdoing. The liability to be harmed is not present in the lack of such a goal. Thus, it can be fortified that the liability of people to be harmed in a war is based on thwarting the attainment of an unfair cause and protecting people from injuries by unjust combatants in their endeavour to attain an unfair cause. Accordingly, the liability of a person to harm is qualified by the same objective, and thus, the attribution of liability to harm is regulated by the prerequisite of necessity. The internal relation between necessity and liability confirms that if harming a person is unnecessary for the achievement of a relevant type of goal, that person cannot be liable to be harmed. Thus, the moral liability to harm relies on the moral liability to be harmed if it prevents the person from achieving an unjust goal. It is also plausible to invoke the moral principles that are to be followed during the war (Jus in Bello). It includes a set of principles such as differentiation, which demands segregation between combatants and non-combatants; proportionality, which must be upheld between unintentional military harm and military benefits attained; and military necessity, which expects the lowest amount of death and destruction to be aimed for using the least detrimental military means. Given these moral prescriptions, the attack by Hamas on Israel demands moral accountability. A fundamental question that can be raised is whether Hamas attack precedes a just cause. The liability of Hamas to kill thousands and take hostages of hundreds can be verified by the objective that involves preventing the attainment of unjust goals, such as deterring future misconduct or compensating the victims for former delinquency. However, Hamas outrightly fails to qualify this condition since those civilians are neither aimed at future misconduct nor are they culprits of some other victims for whom the former is supposed to pay compensation. They are innocent civilians and noncombatants and thus seek immunity to be protected from any attack. Hence, Hamas lacks the moral liability to harm Israelis and thus is unethical. However, according to UN Article 51 (grounded in Just War theory), a war can be initiated on the account of immediate self-defence. Accordingly, the counterattack by Israel may qualify the necessary condition to have a just cause to retaliate against Hamas. Because it is also compensation for the victims who have been harmed by Hamas and can be a deterrent to prevent future delinquency. Thus, Israel might secure its moral stance to this extent. Nonetheless, there are certain prescribed humanitarian rules (Jus in Bello) that should have been followed by Israel in waging a war on Hamas. It is evident that Israel ignores following those rules in terms of undiscriminating combatant liability and noncombatant immunity; disproportionality between aimed military benefits and unintentional military harm; and military non-necessity that causes intensive death and destruction, including displacements, by using the most harmful military means. The war is unethically of Israel as is reflected in blocking the supply of food, water, and other essentials for the civilians in Gaza. Accordingly, it can be safely argued that both sides violate International Humanitarian laws in terms of not protecting civilians through humane treatment and thus commit war crimes. Killing civilians and non-combatants through unanticipated attacks, taking them hostages, and using them as human shields are the war crimes committed by Hamas, which is unethical. However, although Israel satisfies the necessary condition (Jus ad Bellum) to initiate the war, it fails to qualify Jus in Bello and thus lapses into immorality. Apart from anthropomorphic issues, there is a necessity to ponder upon environmental pollution caused by war because nature is already alarmed to reflect upon it and its dire consequences. Thus, any war, whether regular or asymmetric, precedes a meditative rumination about the awful consequences of it. (The writer is a former Ethical Consultant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.) Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) had its price target raised by BMO Capital Markets from C$17.00 to C$18.00 in a research note released on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$12.20 to C$11.70 in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$15.50 to C$16.50 in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Cormark lowered their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$22.50 to C$20.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Stifel Canada raised shares of Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$16.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$17.53. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Report on ELD Eldorado Gold Price Performance Shares of TSE ELD opened at C$16.93 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of C$3.43 billion, a PE ratio of 42.33, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$15.30 and a 200 day moving average of C$13.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.04, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 4.00. Eldorado Gold has a one year low of C$10.69 and a one year high of C$18.30. Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported C$0.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.02 by C$0.21. The company had revenue of C$329.04 million during the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 5.88% and a return on equity of 1.70%. As a group, research analysts predict that Eldorado Gold will post 0.7177585 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other Eldorado Gold news, Senior Officer Lisa Marie Ower sold 39,621 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$15.50, for a total value of C$614,125.50. In other Eldorado Gold news, Senior Officer Nicolae Stanca sold 4,635 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$15.95, for a total value of C$73,932.42. Also, Senior Officer Lisa Marie Ower sold 39,621 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$15.50, for a total transaction of C$614,125.50. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 61,813 shares of company stock valued at $996,636. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Eldorado Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru gold mines located in western Turkey; Lamaque gold mines located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AB Electrolux (publ) (OTCMKTS:ELUXY Get Free Report) and SEB (OTC:SEBYF Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares AB Electrolux (publ) and SEBs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get AB Electrolux (publ) alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AB Electrolux (publ) -2.26% -18.06% -2.36% SEB N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares AB Electrolux (publ) and SEBs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AB Electrolux (publ) $13.38 billion 0.22 -$130.81 million ($2.10) -9.81 SEB N/A N/A N/A C$3.49 30.87 Institutional & Insider Ownership SEB has lower revenue, but higher earnings than AB Electrolux (publ). AB Electrolux (publ) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SEB, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. 18.4% of SEB shares are held by institutional investors. 5.0% of AB Electrolux (publ) shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for AB Electrolux (publ) and SEB, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AB Electrolux (publ) 0 4 1 0 2.20 SEB 0 0 0 0 N/A Summary SEB beats AB Electrolux (publ) on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About AB Electrolux (publ) (Get Free Report) AB Electrolux (publ), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells household appliances in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers various appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, cookers, dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, room air-conditioners, microwave ovens, floor-care products, vacuum cleaners, water heaters, heat pumps, and other small domestic appliances, as well as consumables and accessories. It also provides hobs, ovens, and hoods; and tumble dryers. The company offers its products under the Electrolux, AEG, and Frigidaire brands through retailers, buying groups, and independent stores. AB Electrolux (publ) was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. About SEB (Get Free Report) SEB SA designs, manufactures, and markets small domestic equipment worldwide. It offers kitchen electrics including electrical cooking products, such as deep fryers, rice cookers, electrical pressure cookers, informal meal appliances, waffle makers, grills, toasters, and multicookers; beverage preparation products, which includes filter and pod coffee makers, espresso machines, electrical kettles, and home beer-taps; and food preparation products comprising blenders, soy milk makers, cooking food processors, kitchen machines, mixers, and beaters. The company also provides home and personal care, which includes linen care, such as irons and steam generators, and garment steamers; canister vacuum cleaners with or without dust bag, steam and upright vacuum cleaners and sweepers, and versatile vacuums, and robots; home comfort products, such as fans, heaters, and air purifiers; and personal care products including hair care appliances, depilators, electrical beard trimmers and hair clippers, and bathroom scales. In addition, it offers cookware comprising frying pans, saucepans, woks, pressure cookers, bakeware, kitchen utensils, food storage containers, vacuum flasks, and mugs. The company provides its products under various consumer brands including Aron, Asia Vina, Calor, Clock, EMSA, imusa, Kaiser, Krupus, Maharaj Whiteline, MIRRO, Moulinex, OBH NORDICA, PANEX, Rochedo, Rowenta, Samurai, Seb, SUPOR, Tefal T-fal, umco, and WearEver brands. Further, it offers under premium brands, which includes All-Clad, Krampouz, Lagostina, Silit, and WMF brands; and professional brands, such as HEPP, Schaerer Coffee ProCare, Wilbur Curtis, and Zummo brands. The company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Ecully, France. Receive News & Ratings for AB Electrolux (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AB Electrolux (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bartlett & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:GBF Free Report) by 185.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 5,390 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,500 shares during the quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLCs holdings in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF were worth $539,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GBF. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 144.5% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 175,686 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,025,000 after purchasing an additional 103,839 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 134.5% during the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 117,855 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,673,000 after purchasing an additional 67,596 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 627.6% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 57,772 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,886,000 after purchasing an additional 49,832 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 249.4% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 18,631 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,722,000 after purchasing an additional 13,298 shares during the period. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 21.2% during the 2nd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 70,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,310,000 after purchasing an additional 12,278 shares during the period. Get iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF alerts: iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:GBF opened at $104.82 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $100.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $101.90. iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $96.03 and a twelve month high of $107.08. About iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the United States dollar-denominated government, government-related and investment-grade the United States corporate bonds. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Barclays U.S. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GBF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:GBF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bartlett & Co. LLC increased its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 35.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 275,840 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 71,609 shares during the quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $46,513,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CVX. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC boosted its position in shares of Chevron by 247.8% during the 2nd quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 3,400 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 5,700 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Chevron during the first quarter worth $36,000. HBC Financial Services PLLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Nvwm LLC increased its stake in shares of Chevron by 73.8% in the 1st quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 252 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Chevron during the 2nd quarter worth $50,000. Institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Price Performance Shares of NYSE CVX opened at $149.35 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market capitalization of $281.94 billion, a PE ratio of 11.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $149.87 and a 200 day simple moving average of $156.61. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $140.72 and a twelve month high of $187.81. Chevron Announces Dividend Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). The business 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%. Chevrons quarterly revenue was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.56 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.28 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were paid a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.04%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 44.84%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have issued reports on CVX shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 target price on shares of Chevron in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Chevron from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and cut their target price for the company from $184.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $190.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen 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 target price of $186.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Chevron Chevron Company 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. Recommended Stories 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. Colombia Energy Resources (OTCMKTS:CERX Get Free Report) and Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings for Colombia Energy Resources and Peabody Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Colombia Energy Resources alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Colombia Energy Resources 0 0 0 0 N/A Peabody Energy 0 0 3 0 3.00 Peabody Energy has a consensus target price of $31.67, indicating a potential upside of 33.61%. Given Peabody Energys higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Peabody Energy is more favorable than Colombia Energy Resources. Insider & Institutional Ownership Profitability 82.3% of Peabody Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Peabody Energy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Colombia Energy Resources and Peabody Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Colombia Energy Resources N/A N/A N/A Peabody Energy 22.47% 28.76% 17.36% Volatility and Risk Colombia Energy Resources has a beta of 9.13, meaning that its stock price is 813% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Peabody Energy has a beta of 1, meaning that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Colombia Energy Resources and Peabody Energys gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Colombia Energy Resources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Peabody Energy $4.98 billion 0.62 $1.30 billion $7.57 3.13 Peabody Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Colombia Energy Resources. Summary Peabody Energy beats Colombia Energy Resources on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Colombia Energy Resources (Get Free Report) Colombia Energy Resources, Inc. engages in the exploration and development of coal mines in the Republic of Columbia. The company holds 10 coal mining concession contracts to exploit coal deposits in 10,455 hectares in the Boyaca and Santander districts of the Republic of Colombia. It also has an option to purchase a coal mining concession contract with 1,550 hectares in the Boyaca district. The company was formerly known as Colombia Clean Power & Fuels, Inc. and changed its name to Colombia Energy Resources, Inc. in November 2011. Colombia Energy Resources, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is based in San Francisco, California. About Peabody Energy (Get Free Report) Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal Mining, Seaborne Metallurgical Mining, Powder River Basin Mining, and Other U.S. Thermal Mining segments. It is involved in the mining, preparation, and sale of thermal coal primarily to electric utilities; mining bituminous and sub-bituminous coal deposits; and mining metallurgical coal, such as hard coking coal, semi-hard coking coal, semi-soft coking coal, and pulverized coal injection coal. The company supplies coal primarily to electricity generators, industrial facilities, and steel manufacturers. It also engages in direct and brokered trading of coal and freight-related contracts, as well as provides transportation-related services. The company was founded in 1883 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Receive News & Ratings for Colombia Energy Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colombia Energy Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 273,700 shares, an increase of 17.8% from the November 15th total of 232,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 132,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently commented on CHCT. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $44.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Community Healthcare Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Evercore ISI cut shares of Community Healthcare Trust from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and cut their price target for the stock from $36.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $50.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Three investment 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.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $39.00. Get Community Healthcare Trust alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on CHCT Community Healthcare Trust Stock Performance Shares of Community Healthcare Trust stock opened at $26.22 on Friday. Community Healthcare Trust has a 52-week low of $25.18 and a 52-week high of $43.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $714.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 119.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a fifty day moving average of $27.54 and a 200-day moving average of $31.29. Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.63 by ($0.52). Community Healthcare Trust had a net margin of 7.69% and a return on equity of 1.66%. The business had revenue of $28.74 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $28.77 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.63 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Community Healthcare Trust will post 2.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were paid a $0.455 dividend. This is a boost from Community Healthcare Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 8th. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.94%. Community Healthcare Trusts dividend payout ratio is 827.31%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Community Healthcare Trust A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,862,191 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $160,550,000 after buying an additional 217,326 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,878,051 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $121,483,000 after buying an additional 85,404 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,569,816 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $51,835,000 after buying an additional 39,430 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,061,674 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,008,000 after buying an additional 8,827 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,057,058 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,276,000 after buying an additional 10,517 shares during the last quarter. 89.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had investments of approximately $1.05 billion in 191 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a sales-type lease and one property classified as held for sale). Read More Receive News & Ratings for Community Healthcare Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Healthcare Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Savers Value Village (NYSE:SVV Get Free Report) and AiAdvertising (OTCMKTS:AIAD Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Savers Value Village and AiAdvertisings top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Savers Value Village alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Savers Value Village $1.44 billion 1.82 $84.72 million N/A N/A AiAdvertising $6.74 million 0.83 -$8.49 million N/A N/A Savers Value Village has higher revenue and earnings than AiAdvertising. Insider & Institutional Ownership Profitability 98.8% of Savers Value Village shares are held by institutional investors. 16.3% of AiAdvertising shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Savers Value Village and AiAdvertisings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Savers Value Village 2.40% 34.22% 2.35% AiAdvertising -77.61% N/A -325.43% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Savers Value Village and AiAdvertising, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Savers Value Village 0 0 9 0 3.00 AiAdvertising 0 0 0 0 N/A Savers Value Village currently has a consensus target price of $27.63, suggesting a potential upside of 69.37%. Given Savers Value Villages higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Savers Value Village is more favorable than AiAdvertising. Summary Savers Value Village beats AiAdvertising on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Savers Value Village (Get Free Report) Savers Value Village, Inc. sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates stores under the Savers, Value Village, Village des Valeurs, Unique, and 2nd Avenue banners. The company purchases secondhand textiles, including clothing, bedding, and bath items; shoes; accessories; housewares; books; and other goods from non-profit partners, then processes, selects, prices, merchandises, and sells them in its stores. It serves retail and wholesale customers. The company was formerly known as S-Evergreen Holding LLC and changed its name to Savers Value Village, Inc. in January 2022. Savers Value Village, Inc. was founded in 1954 and is based in Bellevue, Washington. About AiAdvertising (Get Free Report) AiAdvertising, Inc. provides digital advertising solutions worldwide. The company develops solutions that help clients to acquire, engage, and retain their customers by leveraging digital strategies and artificial intelligence. It focuses on artificial intelligence, digital marketing, creative design, and web development areas. The company was formerly known as CloudCommerce, Inc. and changed its name to AiAdvertising, Inc. in August 2021. AiAdvertising, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in San Antonio, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Savers Value Village Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Savers Value Village and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 833,300 shares, an increase of 19.1% from the November 15th total of 699,600 shares. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 206,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days. Crane Stock Performance Crane stock opened at $110.36 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $99.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $91.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.27 billion, a PE ratio of 14.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. Crane has a one year low of $67.28 and a one year high of $112.24. Get Crane alerts: Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.16. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. The company had revenue of $530.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $509.32 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.86 EPS. Cranes revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Crane Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 30th were issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 29th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.65%. Cranes dividend payout ratio is presently 9.54%. A number of analysts have issued reports on CR shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Crane in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $118.00 price target on the stock. CJS Securities started coverage on Crane in a research note on Monday, October 30th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on Crane in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Vertical Research started coverage on Crane in a research note on Monday, November 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock. Finally, TD Securities reissued a hold rating on shares of Crane in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $103.83. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Crane Insider Activity In other news, CFO Richard A. Maue sold 27,527 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 67,071 shares in the company, valued at $7,051,174.23. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Max H. Mitchell sold 22,542 shares of Crane stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total transaction of $2,399,595.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 322,628 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,343,750.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Richard A. Maue sold 27,527 shares of Crane 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 sale, the chief financial officer now owns 67,071 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,051,174.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Crane Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Money Concepts Capital Corp bought a new stake in shares of Crane in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Crane by 99.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 287 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Amundi acquired a new position in Crane during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Crane by 77.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 338 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the period. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Crane by 768.3% during the 2nd quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 356 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares during the period. 85.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Crane Company Profile (Get 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. Read More 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. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 128.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,302 shares of the natural resource companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,293 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc.s holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $86,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 105,191,820 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $4,303,397,000 after buying an additional 2,667,362 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 63,242,717 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,529,709,000 after purchasing an additional 887,136 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 59,495,524 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,379,818,000 after purchasing an additional 3,630,991 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.7% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 54,842,377 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,193,695,000 after purchasing an additional 895,617 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.5% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 25,980,753 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,036,045,000 after buying an additional 642,288 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.96% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance Shares of NYSE FCX opened at $41.50 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.04 and a beta of 2.02. The firms 50-day moving average price is $36.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.40. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52-week low of $32.83 and a 52-week high of $46.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 2.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The natural resource company reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $5.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 9.50%. The businesss revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.26 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.54 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Investors of record on Friday, October 13th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 12th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 20.27%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on FCX. StockNews.com lowered Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 20th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $43.38. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Freeport-McMoRan About Freeport-McMoRan (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 801 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $74,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 213,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,806,000 after acquiring an additional 20,104 shares during the period. Aspen Grove Capital LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter. Aspen Grove Capital LLC now owns 4,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $470,000 after acquiring an additional 547 shares during the period. Berger Financial Group Inc increased its position in 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 acquiring an additional 113 shares during the period. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $232,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Philip Morris International by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 120,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,802,000 after acquiring an additional 1,764 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International In other 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 transaction of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,703,629.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently issued reports on PM. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. UBS Group dropped their price target on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $112.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted 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. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a research report on Friday, September 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.27. View Our Latest Report on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Stock Performance PM stock opened at $94.46 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $91.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.23. The firm has a market cap of $146.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.34, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.77. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $87.23 and a 1 year high of $105.62. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the firm posted $1.53 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. 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 5.50%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%. Philip Morris International Company 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. Read More 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. WBH Advisory Inc. boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV Free Report) by 12.5% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,360 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 594 shares during the period. WBH Advisory Inc.s holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF were worth $315,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 112.1% in the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 507 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Spotlight Asset Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Get Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:SPLV opened at $61.81 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $9.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.69. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a one year low of $57.17 and a one year high of $65.29. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $60.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $61.10. About Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Free Report) had its target price upped by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $116.00 to $161.00 in a report released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the construction companys stock. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on OC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Owens Corning from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $130.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Owens Corning from $135.00 to $115.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Owens Corning from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $113.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Owens Corning from $168.00 to $155.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Owens Corning from $153.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $145.87. Get Owens Corning alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on OC Owens Corning Stock Performance Owens Corning stock opened at $152.43 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 2.16 and a quick ratio of 1.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $129.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $131.88. Owens Corning has a 52-week low of $83.98 and a 52-week high of $155.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.51. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The construction company reported $4.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.89 by $0.26. Owens Corning had a return on equity of 25.59% and a net margin of 12.31%. The company had revenue of $2.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.54 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.57 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Owens Corning will post 13.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. Owens Corning Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 5th. This is a boost from Owens Cornings previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Owens Cornings payout ratio is 16.02%. Insider Activity In other news, Director W Howard Morris sold 350 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.05, for a total transaction of $42,717.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 41,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,009,542.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.89% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Owens Corning Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in Owens Corning by 20.5% in the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 982 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $265,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its stake in Owens Corning by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 41,121 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $5,366,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its position in shares of Owens Corning by 10.2% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,768 shares of the construction companys stock worth $883,000 after purchasing an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Owens Corning by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,406,427 shares of the construction companys stock worth $183,904,000 after purchasing an additional 5,517 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.22% of the companys stock. About Owens Corning (Get Free Report) Owens Corning engages in manufacture and sale of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composite materials in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and other specialized products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Owens Corning Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owens Corning and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its position in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 61.5% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 9,649 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,673 shares during the quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,388,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 99,734.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 253,081,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,402,583,000 after purchasing an additional 252,827,976 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,752,321,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of 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 grew its holdings in shares of 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. 63.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PG has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They set a buy rating and a $177.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $161.00 to $151.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. StockNews.com raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.41. Procter & Gamble Stock Down 0.5 % Procter & Gamble stock opened at $143.96 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $135.83 and a 12-month high of $158.38. The firms fifty day moving average is $148.95 and its 200 day moving average is $150.30. The company has a market capitalization of $339.30 billion, a PE ratio of 23.37, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.46. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.12. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 18.30% and a return on equity of 33.49%. The company had revenue of $21.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.57 EPS. Procter & Gambles quarterly revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 20th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.61%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 61.04%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 575 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 transaction of $83,357.75. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,498 shares in the company, valued at $1,086,985.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Procter & Gamble news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 188 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $27,921.76. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 626 shares in the company, valued at $92,973.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total transaction of $83,357.75. Following the transaction, the insider now 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 have sold 79,382 shares of company stock worth $11,988,690. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. 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. Further Reading 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. Paragon Capital Management Ltd boosted its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 41.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,527 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,610 shares during the quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltds holdings in Chevron were worth $932,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Chevron in the 2nd quarter valued at $648,000. Tsfg LLC boosted its holdings in Chevron by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $586,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Chevron by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,255,000 after acquiring an additional 1,661 shares during the last quarter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA boosted its holdings in Chevron by 13.4% during the 2nd 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 acquiring an additional 9,477 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kooman & Associates boosted its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes CVX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Bank of America raised shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $200.00 in a report on Monday, October 30th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Chevron in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $190.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 12th. 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.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.50. Chevron Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of Chevron stock opened at $149.35 on Friday. Chevron Co. has a 52-week low of $140.72 and a 52-week high of $187.81. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $149.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $156.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $281.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.25. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by ($0.65). Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The firm had revenue of $54.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $51.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.56 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Chevron Co. will post 13.28 EPS for the current year. Chevron Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.51 per share. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.04%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 44.84%. Chevron Company 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 Stories 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. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG Get Free Report) Director Philip F. Maritz sold 1,651 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.65, for a total transaction of $375,850.15. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,522 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,484,733.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Asbury Automotive Group Trading Down 0.5 % NYSE:ABG opened at $233.17 on Friday. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $157.47 and a 52 week high of $256.39. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $208.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $220.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 2.07. The firm has a market cap of $4.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.57 and a beta of 1.13. Get Asbury Automotive Group alerts: Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $8.12 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $8.44 by ($0.32). Asbury Automotive Group had a net margin of 6.13% and a return on equity of 24.10%. The business had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.72 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. will post 33.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Asbury Automotive Group Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new position in Asbury Automotive Group in the first quarter valued at about $778,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its holdings in Asbury Automotive Group by 9.7% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 11,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,717,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Kensico Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in Asbury Automotive Group in the second quarter worth $14,257,000. Covestor Ltd increased its position in Asbury Automotive Group by 3.7% in the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,340 shares of the companys stock worth $563,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Epoch Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 0.5% in the second quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 76,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,510,000 after buying an additional 383 shares during the period. Several analysts have recently commented on ABG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Asbury Automotive Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $245.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Asbury Automotive Group in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. View Our Latest Stock Report on Asbury Automotive Group About Asbury Automotive Group (Get Free Report) Asbury Automotive Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts, and collision repair services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Asbury Automotive Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asbury Automotive Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Senseonics (NYSE:SENS Get Free Report) and BICO Group AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:CLLKF Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Senseonics and BICO Group AB (publ)s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Senseonics alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Senseonics $16.39 million 22.52 $142.12 million ($0.09) -7.76 BICO Group AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Senseonics has higher revenue and earnings than BICO Group AB (publ). Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Senseonics 1 0 1 0 2.00 BICO Group AB (publ) 0 0 0 0 N/A This is a breakdown of current ratings for Senseonics and BICO Group AB (publ), as provided by MarketBeat. Senseonics presently has a consensus target price of $1.25, indicating a potential upside of 78.88%. Given Senseonics higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Senseonics is more favorable than BICO Group AB (publ). Profitability This table compares Senseonics and BICO Group AB (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Senseonics -158.75% -111.66% -28.88% BICO Group AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership 16.6% of Senseonics shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.2% of Senseonics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Senseonics beats BICO Group AB (publ) on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Senseonics (Get Free Report) Senseonics Holdings, Inc., a medical technology company, develops and commercializes continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for people with diabetes in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's products include Eversense, Eversense XL, and Eversense E3 which are implantable CGM systems to measure glucose levels in people with diabetes through an under-the-skin sensor, a removable and rechargeable smart transmitter, and a convenient app for real-time diabetes monitoring and management for a period of up to six months. It serves healthcare providers and patients through a network of distributors and strategic fulfillment partners. The company has a collaboration agreement with the University Hospitals Accountable Care Organization. Senseonics Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Germantown, Maryland. About BICO Group AB (publ) (Get Free Report) BICO Group AB (publ) operates as a bioconvergence company in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Bioprinting, Biosciences, and Bioautomation. The Bioautomation segment offers products in precision dispensing, sample preparation, multiplex analysis and assay miniaturization, and diagnostic and medical device manufacturing for life science and diagnostic industries. The Biosciences segment provides user-friendly instruments that enable handling of cells and rare samples, and rapid transfer of liquids and reagents, as well as downstream analysis platforms. The Bioprinting segment offers products, solutions, and services that proliferation of 3D cell culture and 3D printing of tissues and organs. It primarily serves medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The company was formerly known as Cellink AB (publ) and changed its name to BICO Group AB (publ) in August 2021. BICO Group AB (publ) was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Receive News & Ratings for Senseonics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Senseonics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citing "significant interest" in the former Bombardier plant on Auburn's west end, the deadline to submit offers has been extended by two months. An updated flyer lists Feb. 15, 2024, as the deadline for potential buyers to submit offers. The original deadline was Friday, Dec. 15. Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert said Alstom, which owns the 15.7-acre property at 151 Orchard St., and Pyramid Brokerage Co., a commercial real estate firm, decided to extend the call for offers "due to significant interest and the needs of potential bidders." The former Bombardier factory has been vacant since it closed in 2006. There was little movement toward finding a new use for the site until Alstom, a rail transport manufacturer, acquired Bombardier Transportation. After the acquisition, the company learned it now owns the shuttered Auburn facility. Following conversations with local officials, Alstom agreed to market the property. The Cayuga Economic Development Agency revealed in March there was interest in the plant. The city of Auburn applied for a $10 million grant from the state's Restore NY Communities Initiative, which provides aid to municipalities for redeveloping commercial and residential properties. In May, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the city would receive $8.5 million to renovate the vacant plant. Another major development came in October, when the former Bombardier site was listed for sale. Paul Mackey, one of the real estate agents handling the sale of the property, told The Citizen that there isn't a list price. Parties interested in buying the property may tour the site and will receive additional information once they sign a non-disclosure agreement. "The property has been a nonperforming asset and that's been the case for 17 years," Mackey said in October. "Our goal was to understand better what the community was hoping to see happen and try to match the community's needs along with what Alstom's goals are." The flyer detailing the property highlights its proximity to Route 5 and the New York State Thruway as well as other features, including an on-site substation and access to rail. In addition to the $8.5 million state grant, the site is eligible for additional funding because it is located within a state Brownfield Opportunity Area and an Environmental Justice Area. City officials are encouraged by the progress and hopeful that it will help Auburn capitalize on Micron's planned investment in the Syracuse area. The semiconductor chip manufacturer will invest $100 billion over 20 years to construct a massive facility in neighboring Onondaga County. One possible use of the former Bombardier plant is to house a supply chain company that will support Micron's operations in central New York. However, there have been no announcements about what, if any, businesses could buy the property. Shares of SAF-Holland SE (ETR:SFQ Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as 15.39 ($16.55) and last traded at 15.20 ($16.34), with a volume of 101019 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at 15.12 ($16.26). SAF-Holland Trading Up 0.5 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 155.96, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 2.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $689.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 2.00. The company has a 50 day moving average price of 13.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of 12.54. SAF-Holland Company Profile (Get Free Report) SAF-Holland SE manufactures and supplies chassis-related assemblies and components for trailers, trucks, semi-trailers, and buses. The company offers axle and air suspension systems, fifth wheels, hweel systems, coupling systems, kingpins, and landing gears, as well as ball races, braking and EBS systems, lighting systems, and disc brakes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for SAF-Holland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SAF-Holland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. lessened its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 11.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 30,947 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 3,985 shares during the quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,026,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of PFE. RB Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 6.7% during the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 5,446 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $282,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares in the last quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 36,081 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,868,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. United Bank grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 46,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,416,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 136.3% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 36,766 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,903,000 after purchasing an additional 21,209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 6.4% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,337,418 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $69,238,000 after purchasing an additional 79,887 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on PFE shares. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 16th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Pfizer from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $44.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $40.35. Pfizer Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PFE opened at $26.63 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $150.36 billion, a PE ratio of 14.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.61. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $30.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.03. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $25.76 and a one year high of $53.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a current ratio of 2.38. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.15. The business had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.77 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year. Pfizer Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.31%. This is a positive change from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 89.62%. 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. Read More 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. President Droupadi Murmu. (PTI) Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the city for her annual southern sojourn on Monday, which will also mark her first visit to the state since the Congress government took charge. Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with Cabinet ministers, will receive the President at the Hakimpet Air Force Station. The Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolaram, where the President will stay, is also geared to receive her, with city police heightening security arrangements for Murmus visit till December 23. Visitors to the Nilayam were banned from December 11 and will continue till December 25. Around 1,500 police personnel will be deployed at Rashtrapati Nilayam, in addition to personnel from Central forces. The police said all arrangements are being made as per the Blue Book, which specifies the provisions for the same. Advance security liaison was already completed and coordination meetings were held with other departments to ensure foolproof security, officials said. The traffic wing is also working to ensure hassle-free movement during the Presidents visit by imposing restrictions on a need-to basis, officials said. Prez itinerary According to a Rashtrapati Nilayam communique, President Droupadi Murmu will attend a host of functions during her southern sojourn starting Monday. Dec. 19: Centenary celebrations of Hyderabad Public School Society. Dec. 20: Visit to handloom and spinning unit, and theme pavilion of the textiles ministry at Pochampally, along with interaction with weavers. Golden jubilee celebrations of MNR Educational Trust in Secunderabad. Dec. 21: Inaugurate various projects at Rashtrapati Nilayam. Dec. 22: At-home reception. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' via video conferencing, Friday, Dec. 16, 2023. (PTI) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the vital role that hundreds of small cities play in achieving Indias goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He stated that the government is actively enhancing basic facilities in these urban centres to improve the quality of life. During the ongoing Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, where the Prime Minister interacted with beneficiaries of central schemes, he expressed the governments commitment to helping urban families save money. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat health insurance and housing for all are designed to assist citizens in their financial well-being. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, a mega outreach exercise, was flagged off by the Prime Minister, covering states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. Launched on November 15 in Jharkhand, the yatra has reached 2.5 crore people across villages and cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need to ensure that government scheme benefits reach every individual, particularly in villages and slum clusters. "Whatever development took place for a long time after Independence, its scope was limited to some big cities of the country. But today we are focusing on the development of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities," he said. "Hundreds of small cities of the country are going to strengthen the grand edifice ofdeveloped India," Modi said. He highlighted the significance of small cities in Indias development, mentioning initiatives such as the AMRUT Mission and Smart City Mission that are upgrading basic facilities in these areas. "These upgrades are directly impacting ease of living, ease of travel and ease of doing business. Poor, neo-middle class, middle class or rich people, all are getting the benefit of these enhanced facilities," he said. The Prime Minister urged people to enroll in government pension schemes, providing assurance and support through the outreach vans involved in the yatra. He highlighted the success of schemes like PM SVANidhi Yojna, Atal Pension Scheme, and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. Modi stressed the government's commitment to saving money for urban families through measures like income-tax exemptions and affordable healthcare. The inclusion of urban poor in the Ayushman Bharat initiative has reportedly saved around Rs 1 lakh crore on medical expenses. Additionally, Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide medicines at an 80 per cent discount, resulting in savings exceeding Rs 25,000 crore for the poor and middle class in cities. A male farmworker was airlifted for treatment after being injured by a cow Thursday in the town of Genoa. King Ferry Fire Department public information officer Guy Van Benschoten told The Citizen that the man was kicked in the chest by the cow at about 10 Thursday night at Belltown Dairy on Mahaney Road. Southern Cayuga Instant Aid also responded to the incident. Because responders were unsure whether the worker also hit his head, they called for a medevac helicopter. LifeNet of New York 7-12, of Seneca Falls, airlifted the man to Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, Van Benschoten said. He did not have any further information on the man's condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 22 people in the U.S. are killed by cows each year. Noting the rarity of such accidents due to farm safety practices, Van Benschoten called Belltown "a good community neighbor." The farm lets the fire department use its property for training, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated, and called for no squabbling over the issue amid the Opposition's protests over it in Parliament. In an interview to Hindi daily 'Dainik Jagran', Modi said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. The newspaper said he described the breach as "painful and a matter of concern". "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," he said. "The gravity of the incident which happened in Parliament should not be underestimated," the prime minister said, adding that the Speaker has also been taking necessary steps with all seriousness. Two persons jumped from visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, with opposition parties, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. Some members have also sought Shah's resignation. The government has insisted that the security in Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. It has also cited numerous such violations in the past, accusing the opposition of politicising the issue. To a question about the BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Modi said the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. Taking a jibe at those questioning the BJP's choices, he said it has been the country's misfortune that a big section of people who influence the society are bound to a trite and narrow mindset. "This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention irrespective of their talent and hardwork. A similar thing happens in politics," he said. The media's focus for some decades has unfortunately been the most on a few families and due to this, talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed, he said. "That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he added. The BJP leadership has picked Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, looking over the claims of former CMs Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhra Raje. On the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370, Modi said the top court has put its stamp on the abrogation of Article 370, and added that "no power in the universe can bring it back". Citing the BJP's stupendous show in the recent assembly polls, he said it has shown that the party is set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said opposition parties should introspect as to why people do not accept their claims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated.(PTI) New Delhi: Days after two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated and called for the end of squabbling over the issue amid Opposition's protests. In an interview with a Hindi daily, the Prime Minister said that the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370 has put its stamp on the abrogation of Article 370. He added: "No power in the universe can bring it back." During the interview, the Prime Minister described the Parliament security breach as "painful and a matter of concern". He said that the probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of the people behind it and their motives. "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue. The gravity of the incident that happened in Parliament should not be underestimated," he said, adding that the Speaker has also been taking the necessary steps with all seriousness. On December 13, two persons from the visitors' gallery jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber while the House was in session. Calling it a serious breach, the Opposition parties have been demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Some members have also sought Mr Shah's resignation. On its part, the government has been insisting that the security in the Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. It has also cited numerous such violations in the past, accusing the Opposition of politicising the issue. To a question about the BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, Mr Modi said that the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. Taking a jibe at those questioning the BJP's choices, Mr. Modi said that it has been the country's misfortune that a large section of people who influence society are bound to a trite and narrow mindset. "This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If, in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention, irrespective of their talent and hard work. A similar thing happens in politics," he said. The Prime Minister stated that the media, for some decades, has unfortunately been focusing on a few families. As a result, the talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed. "That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he said. The BJP leadership has picked Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav, and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, respectively, ignoring the claims of former chief ministers Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Vasundhara Raje. Citing the BJP's stupendous show in the recent Assembly polls, Mr Modi said that it has shown that the party is set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said the Opposition parties should introspect why people do not trust their claims. Chief Minister M K Stalin (Image Source: X.com) Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday launched the distribution of Rs 6,000 cash assistance to families affected by cyclone Michaung-induced rains and flood. Stalin gave away the cash dole to women heads of families at Velachery, one of the badly affected areas due to heavy inundation, marking the launch of disbursal of flood relief to people in Chennai and nearby areas falling under the districts of Chengelpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. The exercise of distribution of tokens, specifying the date and time of cash distribution at jurisdictional ration shops, started a couple of days ago. Those who have not received the token may submit applications at fair price shops to avail the cash assistance, a government press release said. Jitu Patwari Madhya Pradesh PCC president (ANI) Bhopal: In a major shakeup, Congress on Saturday replaced veteran leader Kamal Nath with former minister Jitu Patwari, who belongs to OBC, as Madhya Pradesh PCC president, besides appointing tribal leader Umang Singhar as partys legislature wing head in the state. The AICC also appointed Hemant Katare, a Brahmin, as deputy leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP). AICC general secretary K C Venugopal informed about the new appointments while issuing a press release. The move has indicated that the party leadership in Madhya Pradesh has now gone to the second generation of leaders in Congress. Mr Patwari lost the November 17 assembly polls from Rau Assembly constituency, while Mr Singh won the polls from Gandhwani seat. Both the leaders were considered close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. While Mr Patwari is considered a bitter critic of Mr Nath, Mr Singh is known to be an adversary of veteran Congress leader Digvijay Singh. Mr Singhar has however recently apologised to Mr Singh four hurling corruption charges at him a couple of years ago. Mr Naths ouster from the post of state party chief has raised questions about his political future. He had entered into state politics in 2018 when he was made state Congress president. He had led the party to victory in 2018 Assembly polls in MP, bringing it to power in the state after a gap of 15 years. The AICC leadership on Saturday also appointed former Union minister Charan Das Mahant, an OBC leader, to head the CLP in Chhattisgarh. Mr Mahant is considered a protege of Congress veteran Digvijay Singh. The party leadership however retained tribal leader and Lok Sabha member from Bastar Deepak Baij as president of Chhattisgarh unit of Congress. Mr Baij lost the recent Assembly elections from Chitrakot seat under Bastar Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh. Congress has suffered severe drubbing in the recently held Assembly elections in both the states. The Chief Minister Revanth Reddy earlier extended a warm welcome to Dr Rajan and presented a shawl and memento. (Image: Twitter) Hyderabad: Former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan on Sunday suggested to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy that the government explore ways of increasing revenues without burdening the people to pay for the welfare schemes. In an informal meeting with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who also holds the finance portfolio, at the CMs residence, the eminent economist observed that there would always be scope for arresting wasteful expenditure and improving tax revenues by keeping pilferage in check. "As you cannot go back on the poll promises, the only way is to raise revenues to meet the expenditure of the welfare and development initiatives," he is said to have pointed out. Dr Rajan, sources said, offered to study and make suggestions for the successful implementation of the state governments welfare initiatives and the Six Guarantees. Maintaining that he was not aware of the actual financial position of the state government, Dr Rajan said he would go through the details and make suggestions if required. Dr Rajan is presently a full-time professor at a US university. He is touring several cities to promote his latest book. The Chief Minister earlier extended a warm welcome to Dr Rajan and presented a shawl and memento. IT and industries minister D. Sridhar Babu, finance special chief secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and CMs secretary V. Seshadri were present. Defence minister Rajnath Singh presents Sword of Honour to Flying Officer Atul Prakash at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (S. Surender Reddy/DC) Hyderabad: Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the armed forces must maintain their traditions while simultaneously adopting innovation, striking a balance between the two, for efficient operations. Speaking at the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, he said that while tradition was time-tested, following it mindlessly would lead to a state of inertia. "To avoid this situation and keep pace with the constantly evolving times, there is a need to innovate," he said. Addressing the gathering, he urged the armed forces to not, in any circumstance, lose their openness towards new ideas, innovative thinking and idealism. "If we follow only tradition, we will be like a dead lake. We need to be like a flowing river. For that, we will have to bring in innovation along with tradition. Keep flying and touch greater heights, but maintain your connection with the ground," he said. A total of 213 Flight Cadets, including 25 women, were commissioned into various branches of the Indian Air Force, marking the successful culmination of their training. He also conferred the President's Commission on the graduating cadets. Singh was received by the Chief of the Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari. The graduating officers, after being awarded their stripes, were also administered the oath by the Commandant of the academy. A highlight of the parade was a synchronised fly-past by trainer aircraft Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, Hawk and Kiran, besides Chetak helicopters. The defence minister also presented awards to trainees for excellence in multiple disciplines. Flying Officer Atul Prakash was awarded the President's Plaque and Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour for standing first in the overall order of merit in the pilot course. Flying Officer Amrinder Jeet Singh was awarded the President's Plaque for standing first in the overall order of merit among ground duty branches. The parade culminated with the newly commissioned officers marching out in two columns, slowly, to the notes of Rabindranath Tagore's Anandaloke. An enthralling aerobatic show by Su-30MKI, and synchronous aerobatics by helicopter display team Sarang and SuryaKiran Aerobatic Team marked the finale. Portside Wealth Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 10,792 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $666,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sierra Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 10.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sierra Capital LLC now owns 195,031 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $12,033,000 after acquiring an additional 19,044 shares during the last quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF during the 1st quarter worth $384,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,846 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $299,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc purchased a new position in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF during the 1st quarter worth $1,078,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 10.8% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 337,225 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $20,554,000 after purchasing an additional 32,805 shares during the period. Get Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Stock Down 1.1 % VGK opened at $63.48 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $59.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.36. The company has a market capitalization of $19.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.10 and a beta of 0.95. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF has a 52 week low of $54.92 and a 52 week high of $64.44. About Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Vanguard European Stock Index Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by Companies located in the markets of Europe. The Fund on focuses indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) Zacks Research increased their FY2023 earnings per share estimates for KBR in a research note issued on Wednesday, December 13th. Zacks Research analyst S. Mukherjee now expects that the construction company will post earnings of $2.86 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $2.85. The consensus estimate for KBRs current full-year earnings is $2.86 per share. Get KBR alerts: KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The construction company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.02. KBR had a positive return on equity of 25.18% and a negative net margin of 2.82%. The business had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Several other brokerages have also weighed in on KBR. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on KBR from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Citigroup dropped their target price on KBR from $75.00 to $74.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. StockNews.com lowered KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on KBR from $75.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, KBR currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.50. Read Our Latest Analysis on KBR KBR Stock Performance Shares of KBR stock opened at $53.30 on Friday. KBR has a 1-year low of $47.70 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The company has a market capitalization of $7.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.02. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $54.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.49. KBR Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.135 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $0.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -34.18%. Insider Transactions at KBR In related news, CFO Mark W. Sopp purchased 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The stock was bought at an average price of $51.53 per share, for a total transaction of $257,650.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 147,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,584,082.34. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of KBR Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in KBR during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $23,701,000. Putnam Investments LLC raised its holdings in KBR by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 278,478 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $15,330,000 after acquiring an additional 7,643 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in KBR by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 400,865 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $22,068,000 after acquiring an additional 5,430 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in KBR by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,987,624 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $129,315,000 after acquiring an additional 6,899 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boothbay Fund Management LLC raised its holdings in KBR by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC now owns 261,804 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $14,412,000 after acquiring an additional 5,589 shares in the last quarter. KBR Company Profile (Get Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equities researchers at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of New Concept Energy (NYSE:GBR Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Sunday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the stock. New Concept Energy Price Performance NYSE:GBR opened at $0.99 on Friday. New Concept Energy has a 12 month low of $0.91 and a 12 month high of $1.51. The businesss 50-day moving average is $1.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.13. Get New Concept Energy alerts: New Concept Energy (NYSE:GBR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 9th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.04 million during the quarter. New Concept Energy had a return on equity of 0.63% and a net margin of 16.86%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On New Concept Energy About New Concept Energy Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in New Concept Energy by 129.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 24,068 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 13,576 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in New Concept Energy in the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in New Concept Energy in the first quarter worth about $95,000. (Get Free Report) New Concept Energy, Inc engages in real estate rental business. The company owns approximately 190 acres of land located in Parkersburg West Virginia. It also provides advisory and management services for an independent oil and gas company. The company was formerly known as CabelTel International Corporation and changed its name to New Concept Energy, Inc in May 2008. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for New Concept Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Concept Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Portside Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in Integer Holdings Co. (NYSE:ITGR Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 8,052 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $713,000. A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ITGR. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Integer by 420.6% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 328 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming boosted its holdings in shares of Integer by 129.5% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 840 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 474 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Integer by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 775 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of Integer during the 4th quarter valued at $96,000. Finally, Strs Ohio boosted its holdings in shares of Integer by 83.3% during the 2nd quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 1,100 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $97,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the companys stock. Get Integer alerts: Integer Stock Performance ITGR stock opened at $97.58 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $84.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.51. Integer Holdings Co. has a 1-year low of $61.85 and a 1-year high of $98.34. The company has a current ratio of 3.00, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $3.25 billion, a PE ratio of 39.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.08. Analysts Set New Price Targets Integer ( NYSE:ITGR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.22. Integer had a return on equity of 10.27% and a net margin of 5.30%. The firm had revenue of $404.69 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $376.70 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.95 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Integer Holdings Co. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current year. Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Integer in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $93.83. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ITGR Integer Company Profile (Free Report) Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through Medical and Non-Medical segments. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, urology, and gastroenterology procedures. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITGR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Integer Holdings Co. (NYSE:ITGR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Integer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Integer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE Free Report) Investment analysts at KeyCorp cut their Q4 2023 EPS estimates for Apple Hospitality REIT in a research report issued on Tuesday, December 12th. KeyCorp analyst A. Wurschmidt now forecasts that the real estate investment trust will post earnings of $0.30 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.31. The consensus estimate for Apple Hospitality REITs current full-year earnings is $1.59 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Apple Hospitality REITs Q2 2024 earnings at $0.49 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $1.59 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $0.35 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.50 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.47 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $1.63 EPS. Get Apple Hospitality REIT alerts: A number of other research firms have also commented on APLE. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $17.00 price objective (down from $18.00) on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Apple Hospitality REIT from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.00. Apple Hospitality REIT Trading Down 1.6 % NYSE APLE opened at $17.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a PE ratio of 24.49 and a beta of 1.12. Apple Hospitality REIT has a one year low of $13.66 and a one year high of $18.22. The firms fifty day moving average is $16.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.57. Institutional Trading of Apple Hospitality REIT Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.7% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 102,845 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,578,000 after acquiring an additional 674 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 2.9% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 24,208 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $366,000 after purchasing an additional 679 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 92,924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,467,000 after acquiring an additional 739 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.2% in the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 61,947 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $950,000 after purchasing an additional 749 shares during the period. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC raised its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.5% in the first quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 52,034 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $935,000 after purchasing an additional 786 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.53% of the companys stock. Apple Hospitality REIT Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 30th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 29th. Apple Hospitality REITs dividend payout ratio is currently 137.14%. Apple Hospitality REIT Company Profile (Get Free Report) Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Apple Hospitality's portfolio consists of 223 hotels with more than 29,400 guest rooms located in 87 markets throughout 37 states as well as one property leased to third parties. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Apple Hospitality REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Apple Hospitality REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,016 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $92,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Western Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Consolidated Edison by 1.6% during the second quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,133 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $916,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 45.7% in the second quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 908 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $82,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the second quarter valued at approximately $452,000. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,482,000. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 275.3% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 124,024 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $11,212,000 after buying an additional 90,980 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.53% of the companys stock. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ED. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $95.00 to $88.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Argus cut their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $104.00 to $93.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Consolidated Edison from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $96.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $77.00 to $73.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $88.08. Consolidated Edison Price Performance ED opened at $89.85 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 52-week low of $80.46 and a 52-week high of $100.92. The company has a 50 day moving average of $89.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $90.54. The company has a market cap of $31.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.31, a P/E/G ratio of 9.39 and a beta of 0.38. Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.04. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 15.57% and a return on equity of 8.16%. The company had revenue of $3.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.82 billion. On average, analysts expect that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.01 earnings per share for the current year. Consolidated Edison Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a $0.81 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.61%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.00%. Consolidated Edison Company Profile (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ED? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PSNI Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary at residential premises in the Rossbay area of Clooney, Derry in the early hours of Sunday, 17th December. Detective Sergeant Chambers said: We received a report that three men, described as wearing dark clothing with hoods up and faces covered, had gained entry to a house in the area at around 4.00am this morning by smashing a pane of glass in the rear door. "A woman in her 90s was alone in the property and was prevented from leaving her bedroom by one of the men while the other two ransacked her home. At this stage, it is not believed that anything was stolen. "Before leaving empty-handed, the men cut the internal wire to the phone to prevent the woman from seeking assistance, leaving her unable to raise the alarm until 7.00am. Detective Sergeant Chambers continued: "This intrusion was undoubtedly a frightening experience, although we are thankful that the woman was physically unharmed. "It's particularly abhorrent that the actions of these criminals left an older person in such a vulnerable position, unable to seek help from her family. "Our enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident. We have reason to believe that this burglary may be linked to three other suspected attempted break-ins in the area overnight. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or who may have relevant doorbell or CCTV footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 401 of 17/12/23. "Everyone has the right to feel safe and protected in their own home. If you have any concerns around your security, please contact police and ask to speak to your local Crime Prevention Officer. We would also appeal to our local community to keep an eye on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours." A report can be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport . Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Marie Curie is calling for people in Derry to help bring care, comfort and joy this Christmas by fundraising for its Christmas Appeal. Marie Curie believes everyone experiencing death, dying or bereavement should be able to have the best Christmas possible which is why it is encouraging people to host a get-together this Christmas. Whether it be a hosting a Christmas quiz, carol-oke session or a cosy hot chocolate or mince pies morning coffee break by raising money they will be helping to raise much-needed funds to help Marie Curie support people facing the toughest of times this festive season. The charity is dependent on fundraising and public donations so that Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide expert care, whatever the illness, Marie Curie helps people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimers (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinsons, and advanced cancer. Throughout Northern Ireland, Marie Curies Hospice Care at Home team of nurses and healthcare assistants care for people in their own homes whilst our companions provide the emotional and practical support people need at home, in hospice or over the phone. The money raised also funds the charitys free support line and webchat, which is available to anyone with an illness theyre likely to die from and those close to them. It offers practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support. Over the next five years Marie Curie aims to double the number of people across the UK being cared for and supported in homes, its hospices and through its free information and support services. Nurse Catrina Rafferty said: Our nurses and healthcare assistants and their support staff will be working throughout the festive period in peoples homes, and our hospice to bring care and comfort to people at the end of their lives and their family members. We know that while its an extremely distressing time for the patients and their families, our work helps the person and their loved ones cope at one of the most critical times in our lives. We appreciate your continued support of our nursing care and support. Sheena Havlin, local Marie Curie Community Fundraiser, added: We hope you to get together with your communities, whether that be friends, family, or colleagues to share some festive joy whilst raising funds, for a vital service. You can organise something intimate like a coffee morning or Christmas lunch or get your whole gang together for a party to show off your best festive jumpers. Christmas can be challenging for many, and we know many homes are affected by the cost of living. We appreciate every donation, of any size. If you are interested in fundraising for Marie Curie this festive season whatever the idea, wed love to hear from you! To find out more about how you can give care, comfort and joy this Christmas visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or contact your local Community Fundraiser, Sheena Havlin on 07747 776440 or email sheena.havlin@mariecurie.org.uk Visit: mariecurie.org.uk/christmas to donate to Marie Curies Christmas Appeal. 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. (Baonghean.vn) - During his working trip to New Delhi, India, Mr. Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Central Party Committee, Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee worked with representatives from Adani Group. Mr. Ashok Wadhawan - CEO of Adani PLR Co, representing the Adani Group welcomes the delegation from Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Duy Mr. Ashok Wadhawan - CEO of Adani PLR Co, representing the Adani Group, met and worked with the delegation. Also present at the meeting was Mr. Nikhil Kanodia Chairman of the Northern region, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Adani is one of India's largest conglomerates engaged in various sectors such as seaports, transportation, logistics, energy, digital technology, cement production, mining, etc., operating in over 50 countries worldwide, with a market capitalization of about USD 200 billion. An overall view of the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy Particularly in the seaport investment sector, Adani is among the top 5 fastest-growing companies globally and is a leading enterprise in India in developing, operating ports, and integrated logistics systems, accounting for 25% of India's port capacity. During the meeting, Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy provided information about the situation, characteristics, investment environment and business landscape of Nghe An, emphasizing the sectors and industries the province is seeking to attract investment. Nghe An's working delegation takes a photo with the leadership of Adani Group. Photo: Thanh Duy Notably, it is known that Adani Group is highly interested and committed to long-term investments in Vietnam, with a total investment of about USD 10 billion, not only in seaports, logistics but also in energy and digital technology sectors. Specifically, Adani aims to build a seaport ecosystem' towards greenization and invest in wind and solar power plants in Vietnam, with a total investment of around USD 3 billion, aligning with Vietnam's development strategy. The investment goals of Adani Group align with Nghe An's investment attraction orientation. Therefore, through Mr. Ashok Wadhawan, Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy invited the leadership of the Group and companies within the Adani ecosystem to research and invest in Nghe An, especially in seaport development, logistics, renewable energy, among others, as part of their specific investment strategy in Vietnam. These are sectors in which Nghe An holds advantages and is actively seeking investment. According to Forbes, Adani Group is the largest airport operator in India and also controls Mundra Port, India's largest port, in the Gujarat state. Moreover, it is the second-largest cement producer in India as of 2022, following the acquisition of Holcim's assets in India from Switzerland for USD 10.5 billion. As of December 14, 2023, the Chairman of Adani Group, Mr. Gautam Adani, holds a total wealth of USD 73 billion, ranking 16th globally and 2nd in Asia according to Forbes' rankings. Mr. Ashok Wadhawan - CEO of Adani PLR Co, representing the Adani Group, expressed pleasure in welcoming the high-level delegation from Nghe An for the visit and work. Simultaneously, he provided an overview of the group's ecosystem. After learning about the information and potential of Nghe An along with the sectors the province is interested in attracting investment, Mr. Ashok Wadhawan stated that the group will gather information and discuss to consider investing in Nghe An as part of its business strategy in Vietnam. THE Lord Mayor of Cork has said the time for consultation on the Morrisons Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project is past and now it is time to drive on the works. Councillor Kieran McCarthy made his remarks as the group Save Cork City released an artists impression depicting cyclists and pedestrians mingling among market stalls beside restored limestone walls along Georges Quay and Fr Mathew Quay. The group described the image as how the city could be cared for if it is to keep up with European neighbours who capitalise on the unique nature of their historic coastal cities. However, Mr McCarthy said all viewpoints had already received a fair hearing on the issue of flood relief in the city and the works now needed to begin. The Morrisons Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project had long been stalled by legal challenges, but a Supreme Court decision last December cleared the way for works to commence. A council spokesperson told The Echo last month that tender submissions will be assessed and approved in the first quarter of next year, with works, which are expected to take over 20 months, anticipated to begin on site in the second quarter of 2024. Weve been through the consultation, weve been through the courts, been through the official planning circuit, weve had votes in council chambers, and the general sentiment of the traders of the city and the people who occupy many of the buildings that are affected in the city centre want to drive it on, Mr McCarthy said. As a local historian, Im happy that there is a conservation focus, and I know myself and other councillors have been making sure that compromises have been arrived at, and Im happy that we just need to go ahead with the building process. Mr McCarthy said he appreciated the work that Save Cork City had done, and he said that as a result of that work compromises had been achieved through consultation. At this moment in time, the political side of the council wants the job to go ahead on Morrisons Island, everybody now has had a fair hearing and were not going back to the drawing board, there has been a fair hearing of different ideas and different perspectives, everything from votes being taken, to going through the planning side of this country, all the way to the courts system. Cork deserves better than mandated flood WALLs that wont work and would severely damage our environment and economy Let your local representatives know and vote them out if they support the OPW WALLs Scheme Councillors have been forcing the OPW WALLs for years#LOVEtheLEE pic.twitter.com/NiS8tT4r58 Save Cork City (@savecorkcity) December 9, 2023 It needs to drive on now, and I think that by this time next year we will be half-way through the construction of the Morrisons Island project, Mr McCarthy said. The Morrisons Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project is a Cork City Council-led public realm scheme, with flood defence elements part-funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is being pursued as a separate project to the wider Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme (LLFRS). John Hegarty of Save Cork City said the group believed that the people of Cork had made up their minds about the project, and they were not in favour of it. Time has passed and we all need to review where we are now, and we need to reconsider what the proposals mean for the city, what is best for the economy of the city and what is best for the well-being of people, Mr Hegarty said. CORK city was a sea of white kites on Saturday in an emotional display paying tribute to the children of Gaza. The kites were flown during a 1,000-strong march and die in for Palestine in Cork city. The kites were flown in memory of the Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer who asked for kites to be flown in the event of his passing as a symbol of hope for children in Gaza. The event followed his death in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. The march, rally, and die-in was organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC). It was the 10th demonstration of its kind to be organised in solidarity with Gaza. The march featured young children flying white kites and concluded with a die-in on Grand Parade that saw participants lie down on the ground. This was to symbolise the thousands of children, women, and men killed in Gaza as a result of recent unrest. Recordings from the bombardment of Gaza were also played to recreate the horrors of such atrocities. March organisers expressed anger at Israels indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza. They also acknowledged what they perceived as failure on the part of the Government to oppose it. Speaking at the rally, CPSC co-chairman Martin Shiel said that protesters were appalled by the war and vehemently opposed Americas funding and supply of weapons to Israel. From the moment Israel commenced its bombardment of Gaza weve been told that president Biden, though publicly supportive of Israels war, has been privately counselling against its continuation, he said. Americas veto of the two United Nations motions calling for a ceasefire makes it clear that Biden and the US will back Israel in its devastating war until the bitter end. A MAN declared I will f***ing kill you to security staff as he was put out of The Old Oak pub in Cork city, a court has heard. Recently at Cork District Court, Ali Faizi, who lives at an apartment on Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a source of danger during the incident. The incident happened at 1.45am on November 19 when it was reported that the 39-year-old had become aggressive to security staff at the premises on Caroline Street. Gardai arrived and arrested Faizi on public order charges. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the accused was previously given 150 hours of community service in a similar case in March 2021. Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said: He is a 39-year-old Afghani national who has been here since 2016/17. He has substantially lost contact with his home country. He is a highly skilled tailor and his employer rang me out of concern for him saying that this man does make a positive contribution to society. Despite the view on alcohol in his home country, Mr Buttimer said that Mr Faizi acknowledges that he has an alcohol difficulty. He avoided alcohol for one and a half years, but last month he fell into some company and took it to excess, said Mr Buttimer. He should not have taken it at all. It looks like he was required to leave the premises and he was verbally abusive. He feels he let him himself down and let down people who have good regard for him. I dont think you will be seeing him again. Judge Mary Dorgan said: I will put him on peace bond for 12 months. The ball is in his court now. A motorist who said he forgot his wallet promised garage staff he would return to pay for 42 worth of petrol but he never did and now he has been jailed for three months. That was the sentence imposed by Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court. 22-year-old Timmy OReilly of bay 1 Williamstown Way, Airport Road, Waterford, pleaded guilty to the petrol theft at Maxol on Glanmire Road, Cork, on April 6 2023. Defence solicitor, Killian McCarthy, said it was the young mans intention to pay but that he received bad news in relation to the health of a relative and was overtaken by events to that extent and he failed to return to pay for the petrol. God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay... ITS an old Christmas carol to which we hear at least the tune at this time of year, if not in church than certainly as we sashay around shopping centres. For years, however, I made the decision not to send Christmas cards where the printed greeting was Merry Christmas, but to stick with Happy Christmas, or possibly Blessed or Peaceful. It must have been a streak of puritanism I didnt know I possessed, but merry always sounded rather like a Christmas office party where the drink was in over-abundant supply. However, Im not entirely devoid of curiosity. I was curious to understand why merry should have become part of a customary greeting for Christmas, certainly since Victorian times. After all, we dont usually wish anyone a merry Easter or a Merry birthday. I discovered merry is actually an old word and, in its origins, a much more serious one than happy. Happy has an element of luck or chance - good fortune - about it. Merry, as it was originally understood, had resonances of joy and of harmony and even of something that is beyond human time or emotion. We might go so far as to say that merry implied something that touches the eternal; that takes us outside human time because the sheer joy of what we experience is such that we do not even notice time passing. If you think about it, there is a connection between merry and things going quickly because they are so pleasurable. We can still speak, even if a little pompously, about something moving along at a merry pace. So, Merry Christmas is an old, relatively serious festive greeting. One of its earliest uses we know of was nearly 500 years ago. In an unsafe time in the history of England, Bishop of Rochester, John Fisher, sent seasons greetings to King Henry VIIIs principal advisor Thomas Cromwell, an extremely dangerous individual, in 1534 - And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas. It might be added that much good it did Fisher, as six months later Cromwell had him executed for his opposition to the King. So what are we to make of a favourite Christmas carol, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen? The first thing to remember, after we have overlooked the inappropriate gendering, is that we mentally place the comma in the right place, after merry rather than before it - its not about merry gentlemen returning from the pub who want nothing more than some decent rest! The carol is the appeal that Christmas may be a time that gives us joy and exhilaration centred on the events of the first Christmas, which are outlined in the remaining verses. Being rested was to be held secure, so the carol is a reminder of the basics of the Christmas story, and also that they brought tidings - messages - of comfort as well as of joy that lifts an authentic Christmas out of the ordinary, out of the limitations of time and place. If we concentrate on the carols words, it reminds us the reason why Christmas can indeed be merry is not because it is a time of escapism from reality but rather the reverse. There is no part of life on this earth where God does not have a place, or from which he can or will absent himself, or that he will ever leave. God does not do exit strategies from the earth. And nor should we seek the solace of escapism from the realities of life either. Christmas is not just a heart-warming little tale to fill in a few days in the depths of winter. What we believe when we say we believe in the Incarnation is that God came to be within the world, that he is within the world, not simply looking down at us. There is nothing in human longing, sorrow, pain, or aspiration that he does not know from INSIDE. This is the God we worship at Christmas and that should make us merry in its original sense. In 1843, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was printed, with a reference to God rest you merry, gentlemen (albeit without the necessary comma in the first line). It comes early in the story, before Scrooge painfully learns the lessons of humanity and of charity. The owner of one scant young nose, gnawed and numbed by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped down at Scrooges keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol: but at the first sound of God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay! Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost. Dickens is said to have changed the way people thought about Christmas. We know he cared deeply about the dreadful conditions in which many lived (and sadly, many people still live on this island as elsewhere). And Scrooge learns rather dramatically that Christmas is about generosity, about seeing needs and pain in others and responding, its about humanity, about a truly costly compassion to others. So, as Tiny Tim is able to say at the end of A Christmas Carol, thanks to the new-found generosity of Mr Scrooge, A merry Christmas to everybody; God bless us, everyone! This story appears in this year's Holly Bough, which contains 164 pages packed with great stories about Cork and Christmas. On sale now in shops and at hollybough.ie - 6. (Logo: CDA)CDA logo The right-wing surge in the recent Netherlands elections has crippled the once-dominant Christian parties, analysts say. Geert Wilders, who follows a similar style and drumbeat to Donald Trump, campaigned on traditional identity and anti-Muslim rhetoric, and divided believers as Dutch society has secularized further, Christianity Today reported. Anti-Islam Wilders hailed a "Patriotic Spring" following Donald Trump's election victory and the vote for Brexit when Britain voted to leave the European Union while calling for a revolution in Europe, the Independent reported. The populist Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) Party leader had called the shock result of the U.S. election a "historic victory" and a "revolution". "The people are taking their country back, so will we," he wrote on Twitter, using the hashtag #MakeTheNetherlandsGreatAgain. The PVV won 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament, more than doubling its 17-seat result in 2021. The Associated Press commented the day after the election on Nov. 23, "If ever the hard right in Europe needed a set of jumper cables to rev up their electoral engine again in the wake of last month's major setback in Poland, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands provided it. "Congratulations rolled in Thursday from all sides where the far right holds some sway on the continent after anti-Islam firebrand Wilders scored an election victory as unexpected as it was massive. His party more than doubled in size in parliament to tower over mainstream parties that long specialized in marginalizing him." PVV MAKES BIG GAINS Winning a substantially larger share than the runner-up LaborGreen-Left coalition with 25 seats, the PVV, led by Wilders in singular authority, giving him a strong chance to form a government. The PVV clearly benefited from the brutal October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, demonstrating that extremism breeds radical responses not only in Israel but also in Dutch elections. Three denominationally based Christian Democratic parties dominated Dutch politics from the early 20th century, claiming 76 seats in 1965. ETHICAL REVIVAL SLOGAN In the 1970s, they campaigned using the slogan of "ethical revival," advocating a return to Christian norms and values in politics. And from their 1980 merger into the modern Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) Party until 1994, no government could form without their participation. Christianity Today noted that support for parties on the left continued declining. In 1998 the Labor Party, Green-Left Party, and non-coalition Socialist Party together received 61 seats. The same parties declined to 30 seats in 2023. [ ] 2023-12-16 16:07:55 . Clarice Beckett, 1887-1935, Australian, a great female artist almost lost to oblivion, is now often quoted as "one of the leading female Australian artists". But I think the term "female" can be dropped for she is not inferior to any of her male counterparts. I came across her works in a very brief Youtube clip this summer, it was love in first sight, but it took a while to fully recognize the quality that made her works great: besides the true minimalism and the rather plain (and charming) tonalism, it is the imagination so naturally borne in her colors, which appears so accurate and innocent that it easily escapes your inspection. Only in comparisons with others of more or less similar styles her superiority becomes clear. So, this post is intended to bring attention to her colors. Beijing on Wednesday morning issued an alert for geological disasters as a rainstorm is ngannou game odds best wazdan gamesforecast to soak the capital from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. At 9:25 a.m., Beijing Municipal Bureau of Land and Resources and Beijing Meteorological Bureau jointly issued the yellow alert for possible geological disasters of mud-slides, cave-ins and landslips in mountainous areas in the districts of Fangshan, Mentougou, Huairou, Pinggu and Shijingshan, as well as Miyun county. The yellow alert is the third highest warning level in Chinas five-tier color-coded geological disaster warning system. According to latest meteorological data, from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning, Beijing will receive heavy rains with average precipitation of 30 to 50 millimeters, said Zhang Linna, chief forecaster of Beijing Meteorological Station. The eastern part of Beijing will receive rainstorms with average precipitation of over 50 millimeters, said Zhang. A massive downpour, the worst to hit the city in 61 years, battered Beijing on Saturday, leaving 37 people dead and causing significant damage. At 11:50 a.m., Beijing Meteorological Station released a blue alert for the rainstorm, the lowest warning level in Chinas four-tier color-coded weather warning system. Affected by Saturdays rainstorm, the soil water contents in Beijings mountainous areas are saturated, which could lead to floods and geological disasters, said Sun Jisong, chief forecaster of Beijing Meteorological Bureau. Beijing has entered into its main flood period, which is featured by concentrated heavy rains and rainstorms. Zhang Linna said Beijing is expected to brace for another round of substantial rainfall from Friday to Saturday. Xinhua Beijing issued yellow alert for geological disasters as more rain to peltadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Owners of properties adjacent to the site of the $950-million MGM Springfield urged city officials to set certain conditions that would prevent them from facing traffic problemsand other issues the construction of the casino may bring. The owners testimony took place on Wednesday during a second-day hearing which was held at Springfields City Hall and during which city officials were presented with site plansfor the multi-million-dollar project, including the proposed design changes. Owners of neighboring buildings voiced concerns that the casino complex and its new design would cause traffic circulation issues and conflicts between their tenants and the traffic to and from MGM Springfield. However, they pointed out that they do not oppose the project in general. Those who raised concerns explained that the new design puts them in the middle of a rotary.According to them, Springfields East Columbus Avenue is already crowded and the construction of the casino resort would create further dangerous traffic conditions. After the public testimony, the City Council asked MGM Springfield officials questions about their project. Another hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday, January 25. Thus, more questions are to be asked regarding the new site plans and design changes. City Council President Michael Fenton said that questions can be poised to city officials, city consultants, MGM Springfield representatives, and the public. During the Wednesday hearing, residents of Springfield were also given the opportunity to comment on the matter. Edward Pikula, City Solicitor, said that some of the conditions that adjacent property owners requested have actually been covered by the Massachusetts Gaming Commissions requirementsand have been proposed as conditions by Springfield officials. However, the said conditions still need to be voted on. During the Tuesday hearing, MGM Springfield officials presented the casinos marquee sign. Thousands of drivers will see it on Interstate 91 every day. After the hearing, CEO Michael Mathis told local media that construction is underway and that they were given the green light for some demolition while city officials are reviewing the design changes. MGM Springfield officials recently introduced new site plans for the $950-million hotel and casino venue. The biggest change was the elimination of the 25-story hotel towerand its replacement with a 6-story building, spreading over a larger area. China on Tuesday urged all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance political mutual trust,gw99 play online raptors game odds promote national reconciliation, resolve differences through dialogue in order to achieve greater progress in all areas. Wang Min, Chinese deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the call when addressing an open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. China respects the independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the choice made by its people for the future of their country, Wang said. We hope that all ethnicities in Bosnia and Herzegovina will proceed from the well-being and long-term interest of the country, adopt practical measures to enhance mutual political trust, promote national reconciliation and resolve their differences through dialogue, implement comprehensively Dayton-Paris Peace Accord, and work towards greater progress in all areas, he said. Wang noted that the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very complex and sensitive, urging the international community to exercise prudence when dealing with the issue and listen attentively various views and concerns of relevant parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Chinese diplomat also expressed the hope that the European Union Force Althea (EUFOR) will increase its support for the capacity building of the armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enable the government to take over the full responsibility of maintaining national sovereignty, security and stability at an early date. Xinhua China calls for national reconciliation in Bosniaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China on Thursday voiced its grave concern over Israels large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip,blackjack bicycle free hit it rich urging Israel to maintain maximum restraint. We are highly concerned with the operation and strongly condemn any action that causes civilian casualties, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said while commenting on the massive airstrikes launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, which caused deaths and injuries of people, including Ahmed al-Jaabari, head of Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, an armed group under Hamas. Hong urged all relevant parties, especially Israel, to maintain maximum restraint to avoid an escalation of the tense situation. The conflict between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has been escalating in recent days. On Saturday, Palestinian militants fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli Defense Forces patrol jeep, wounding four soldiers. In retaliation, the Israeli Air Force carried out several airstrikes on Palestinian targets in Gaza. Hamas launched more than 150 rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel in return. The current regional situation highlights the importance and urgency of resolving the Palestinian issue. The international community should attach high importance and make greater efforts to this end, Hong said. Xinhua China voices grave concern over Israeli military operation in Gazaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The AP story used in the Hitler-Bush assignment is titled, Bush: Iraq War Justified Despite No WMD, which ran in October 2003. A Democratic activist named Tom Connolly later revealed to the AP that he was the source. According to the AP, as of October, there were only four people still alive who be affected by this legislation. Police officials told the AP that they came out with guns blazing. That allows you to get at what most people were reading, which was the wire service stuff, the AP and the UPI stuff. The Real Legacy of Richard Nixon|Scott Porch|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST Mubagrung ang awtu kun mupik-ap na, The car zooms the moment it picks up speed. A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff But whether Dafydd Dafis sang much as he worked, or worked a little as he sang, remained an open question. Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions A puff of low-blown smoke showed where Dafydd Dafis was giving a boat a coat of tar. Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions Dafydd paid their wages, and they had built a hearth near the mortar heap for the cooking of their dinners. Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions Chinese national flag and the flag of the HKSAR are flown across streets in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in June 2022 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland. Photo: IC As the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened on Sunday in Beijing, people of all walks of life in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are not only paying more attention to the event that carries historic political significance for the entire Chinese nation, but also intently studying the important political agenda of the CPC with great interests, in a marked shift from previous years.For a long time, the image of the CPC has been distorted, demonized, and slandered by anti-government groups in the HKSAR along with hostile outside forces with ulterior motives, leaving little room for Hong Kong residents to learn about the Party in the objective way that led 1.4 billion people to achieve China's economic miracle over the last few decades and has taken the country on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. But over the past three years, as the CPC's leadership role became increasingly prominent in advancing the One Country, Two Systems and in helping the HKSAR overcome turmoil and restore order, the Hong Kong society's understanding of and interests in the Party also increased immensely.On the opening day of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu shared a photo of himself watching the live-stream of the opening on his Weibo account, warmly welcoming the holding of the Congress. The report delivered by Xi Jinping to the 20th CPC National Congress mentioned the One Country, Two Systems policy and the work on Hong Kong and Macao affairs, which has far-reaching and great significance, fully showing that the central government attaches high importance to the One Country, Two Systems and the work therein, Lee said.While the last decade has been the most critical period for the practice of the One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong and the city's governance and development have ushered in an important turning point, Hong Kong residents have also had a deeper understanding of the CPC, and some representatives from different sectors of Hong Kong society shared their thought with the Global Times. Particularly, the decisive implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020 drew a bottom line for safeguarding of national security, while the CPC celebrated its centenary in 2021, which are considered to be two important turning points, some noted."Before 2020, although Hong Kong residents knew the CPC, they did not truly understand it. Some even thought that it was mysterious," Wendy Hong Wen, a legislator who was born on the Chinese mainland, told the Global Times in a recent interview, adding that many did not even see the prominent role of the CPC, before the CPC's centenary in 2021 was widely celebrated in Hong Kong.In the eyes of Hong Kong political elites and observers, the CPC had kept a low-profile in Hong Kong society in the past. Though the Party pioneered, advanced and upheld the One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong-related policies had been mostly carried out through the central government or the National People's Congress rather than directly through the identity of the CPC. Western and local anti-government forces took advantage of this to smear the CPC and poison the city's ideological front.In the past, our general public opinion actually avoided topics related to the Party, leaving a vacuum in their perceptions of the Party, which led to misunderstandings and speculations, Victor Chan Chi-ho, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Young Commentators, told the Global Times. "Certain fears and negative sentiments toward the Party still exist in Hong Kong society today, which makes open and positive communication about the Party all more necessary."Hong, the lawmaker who has lived both on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, said there were generally three groups of people when it comes to how to perceive the CPC in Hong Kong. "Some people were not interested in learning about the Party. With the high degree of autonomy guaranteed by the One Country, Two Systems, they didn't care about the situation on the mainland and the Party seemed [too distant].""The second group openly rejected and opposed the CPC. In the past, when political confrontation in Hong Kong escalated, the opposition camp took the opposite side to the CPC in terms of ideology as they fully accept Western values and ideas, and the Western political system and the Western parties were often taken as a reference with which to evaluate the CPC," she said.Hong further pointed out that the third group didn't have the capability to learn about the Party in an objective way, as those people were easily influenced by the opposition groups and mass media. A giant screen displayed on the streets of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong shows "warmly welcome President Xi Jinping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland." Photo: IC In June 2021, a forum, under the title of "CPC and One Country, Two Systems," was held in Hong Kong to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, during which Luo Huining, director of the liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong stressed the leadership of the CPC in advancing the cause of the One Country, Two Systems.Now, the CPC was front and center in Hong Kong and more local residents began to learn about the great achievements made by the CPC such as fighting corruption and poverty alleviation. For instance, a rare sight on Hong Kong television networks - No Poverty Land - a Hong Kong-produced documentary series about poverty alleviation on the mainland won high praise from viewers in Hong Kong in 2021.This week, some Hong Kong residents also paid high attention to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, highly anticipating Xi's report to the Congress, which is believed to lay out the future direction and guidelines to be taken by the development of the nation and also the city. Some Hong Kong residents also noticed that local media sources and public opinion have paid greater attention to the Party's major event by covering it with analyses, columns, and features, as it's also an event of great significance with China's visions and experience on state governance being all summed up.Despite Hong Kong residents beginning to know the Party, there's still a long way to go for them to form a correct understanding of it. Some political elites and lawmakers suggested that Hong Kong society first needs to deeply reflect on where the One Country, Two Systems comes from, why the Party can make such achievements that are also great contributions to the world, and why a Chinese path to modernization has won such overwhelming support from the Chinese people, which is the level of support that Western political groups can't match.Lawrence Tang Fei, the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, told the Global Times that there are two ways to improve the understanding of Hong Kong residents, especially among the young generation, about the CPC both inside and outside the campus. "We have to improve our school curriculum first," he said. "For a long time in the past, we only mentioned the country's system or the system of government by avoiding mention of the CPC," Tang said.If students ask what the 20th National Congress of the CPC is, and if those contents are not mentioned in textbooks, how can teachers better explain the event's significance? Such shortcomings must be tackled by introducing the CPC's organization and structure as well as its history into our curriculum for the teaching of Chinese history and citizenship education, he said. A bus tour in Hong Kong to celebrate the 20th National Congress of the CPC that opened on October 16 in Beijing Photo: IC Since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and electoral reform, I believe that more and more Hong Kong residents now share such feelings about the policies directly advanced by the CPC and understand that the Party's decisions are intrinsically tied to the future of the city, said Chan, who also represents a Hong Kong youth alliance."The basic thing we should know is that the CPC is positioned at the core of China's political system, both from the constitutional aspect and as a political reality. And its core leadership is also underscored in the practice of the One Country, Two Systems that more Hong Kong residents need to know," he said.In the report, Xi stressed that upholding and improving the policy of One Country, Two Systems. He said the policy is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The policy must be adhered to over the long term, Xi said."We will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao," Xi said.Observers believe that in the future, on issues related to social turmoil, safeguarding national security and interests and ensuring the correct implementation of One Country, Two Systems policy, the CPC has to provide strong leadership. However, in promoting the overall recognition of the CPC in Hong Kong society, this must be handled with care and patience. The general principle is to let Hong Kong residents know that the CPC is a Party of prestige and ability, and also a strong and necessary political force that aligns with the interests of Hong Kong residents, and earnestly contributes to the welfare of the Chinese people and to the building of a prosperous and strong China. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on the House floor on Thursday that she would not seek a leadership rolein the next Congress. Thegrand rush no deposit bonus codes 2021 following is a transcript of her remarks, as recorded by The New York Times. NANCY PELOSI: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as we gather here, we stand on sacred ground: the chamber of the United States House of Representatives, the heart of American democracy. I will never forget the first time I saw the Capitol. It was on a cold January day when I was 6 years old. My father, Thomas DAlesandro Jr., was about to be sworn in for his fifth term in Congress representing our beloved hometown of Baltimore. I was riding in the car with my brothers, and they were thrilled and jumping up and down and saying to me, Nancy, look, theres the Capitol. And I keep every time Id say: I dont see any capital. Is it a capital A, a capital B or a capital C? And finally, I saw it. A stunning white building with a magnificent dome. I believed then, as I believe today, this is the most beautiful building in the world because of what it represents. The Capitol is a temple of our democracy, of our Constitution, of our highest ideals. On that day on that day, I stood with my father on this floor as he took the sacred oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. All of us who have served in this House have taken the hallowed oath of office. And it is the oath that stitches us together in a long and storied heritage. Colleagues who served before us are all our colleagues. Colleagues like Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Webster, Shirley Chisholm, Patsy Mink and our beloved John Lewis. Personally, it binds me as a colleague to my father, a proud New Deal congressman and one of the earliest Italian Americans to serve in the Congress. And this is an oath we are duty bound to keep, and it links us with the highest aspirations of the ages. In this room, our colleagues across history have abolished slavery; granted women the right to vote; established Social Security and Medicare; offered a hand to the weak, care to the sick, education to the young and hope to the many. Indeed, it is here, under the gaze of our patriarch, George Washington, in the peoples House, that we have done the peoples work. My colleagues, I stand before you as speaker of the House, as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a devout Catholic, a proud Democrat and a patriotic American, a citizen of the greatest republic in the history of the world which President Lincoln called the last best hope on Earth. Indeed, in the words attributed to another of our colleagues, the legendary Daniel Webster, he said: Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution of your country and the government established under it. Miracles do not cluster. That which has happened but once in 6,000 years cannot be expected to happen often. Indeed, American democracy is majestic. But it is fragile. Many of us here have witnessed its fragility firsthand tragically, in this chamber. And so democracy must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm. Following the 2022 midterm elections, Democrats maintained control of the Senate while Republicans flipped the House. Pelosi Steps Aside: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the face of House Democrats for two decades and the first woman to serve in the post, announced that she would leave leadership in January but will remain in Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the face of House Democrats for two decades and the first woman to serve in the post, announced that she would leave leadership in January but will remain in Congress. G.O.P. Leadership Battles : After a midterms letdown, Representative Kevin McCarthy and Senator Mitch McConnell faced threats to their power from an emboldened right flank. After a midterms letdown, Representative Kevin McCarthy and Senator Mitch McConnell faced threats to their power from an emboldened right flank. Divided Government: What does a split Congress mean for the next two years? Most likely a gridlock that could lead to government shutdowns and economic turmoil. Last week, the American people spoke, and their voices were raised in defense of liberty, of the rule of law and of democracy itself. With these elections, the people stood in the breach and repelled the assault on democracy. They resoundingly rejected violence and insurrection, and in doing so gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. And now we owe to the American people our very best, to deliver on their faith. To forever reach for the more perfect union the glorious horizon that our founders promised. The questions before this Congress and at this moment are urgent. Questions about the ideals that this House is charged by the Constitution to preserve and protect. Establish justice. Ensure domestic tranquillity. Provide for the common defense. Promote the general welfare. And secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Our posterity. Our children. Babies born today will live into the next century. And our decisions will determine their future for generations to come. While we will have our disagreements on policy, we must remain fully committed to our shared fundamental mission, to hold strong to our most treasured democratic ideals, to cherish the spark of divinity in each and every one of us, and to always put our country first. In their infinite wisdom, our founders gave us their guidance: e pluribus unum. From the many, one. They could not have imagined how large our country would become or how different we would be from one another. But they knew we had to be united as one. We the people. One country. One destiny. Its been with great pride in my 35 years in the House I have seen this body grow more reflective of our great nation, our beautiful nation. When I came to the Congress in 1987, there were 12 Democratic women. Now there are over 90. And we want more. The new members of our Democratic caucus will be about 75 percent women, people of color and L.G.B.T.Q. And we have brought more voices to the decision-making table. When I entered leadership in 2002, there were eight of us. Today, there are 17 members of the leadership. When I first came to the floor at 6 years old, never would I have thought that someday I would go from homemaker to House speaker. In fact, I never in fact, I never intended to run for public office. Mommy and Daddy taught us through their example that public service is a noble calling and that we all have a responsibility to help others. In our family, my brother Tommy then became mayor of Baltimore also. But its been my privilege to play a part in forging extraordinary progress for the American people. I have enjoyed working with three presidents, achieving historic investments in clean energy with President George Bush; transformative health care reform with President Barack Obama; and forging and forging the future from infrastructure to health care to climate action with President Joe Biden. Now we must move boldly into the future, grounded by the principles that have propelled us this far and open to fresh possibilities for the future. Scripture teaches us that for everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. My friends, no matter what title you all, my colleagues, have bestowed upon me speaker, leader, whip there is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of San Francisco. This I will continue to do as a member of the House, speaking for the people of San Francisco, serving the great state of California and defending our Constitution. And with great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress. For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect. And I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility. Madam Speaker, standing here today, Im endlessly grateful for all of lifes blessings, for my Democratic colleagues, whose courage and commitment, with the support of your families, have made many of these accomplishments possible. In fact, could not have been done without you. For my dear husband, Paul, who has been my beloved partner in life and my pillar of support, thank you. Were all grateful for all the prayers and well wishes as he continues his recovery. Thank you so much. For our darling children, Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul and Alexandra, and our grandchildren, Alexander and Madeleine; Liam, Sean and Ryan; Paul and Thomas; Bella and Octavio. They are the joys of our lives for whom we and we are so very, very proud of them and a comfort to us at this time. And for my brilliant, dedicated and patriotic staff, under the leadership of Terri McCullough, together, working together, the finest group of public servants the House has ever known. Thank you all so much. And again, for those who sent me here, for the people of San Francisco, for entrusting me with the high honor of being their voice in Congress. In this continued work, I will strive to honor the call of the patron saint of our city, St. Francis. Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. In this House, we begin each day with a prayer and a pledge to the flag. And every day I am in awe of the majestic miracle that is American democracy. As we participate in a hallmark of our republic the peaceful, orderly transition from one Congress to the next let us consider the words of, again, President Lincoln, spoken during one of Americas darkest hours. He called upon us to come together, to swell the chorus of the union, when once again touched as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature. That again is the task at hand. A new day is dawning on the horizon, and I look forward, always forward, to the unfolding story of our nation, a story of light and love, of patriotism and progress, of many becoming one. And always an unfinished mission to make the dreams of today the reality of tomorrow. Thank you all. May God bless you and your families. And may God bless continue to bless our veterans and the United States of America. Thank you all so much. Advertisement Continue reading the main story USO ramps up operations to help service members, families celebrate the holidays closeVideo USO CEO and President J.D. Crouch II discusses USO's operation to help service members and their families celebrate the holidays on 'Fox News Live.' Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, has shared a message exclusively with Fox News Digital about giving back to others ahead of the Thanksgiving season. "There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than giving back," he said in comments to Fox News Digital this week, ahead of the holiday. "While it's easy to dwell on what divides us," he added, there "are some ways to serve friends and neighbors as we enter the holiday season." NATIONAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY, DEC. 17: REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN VETERANS DURING THE HOLIDAYS This is a tough period of time for many Americans, who may be dealing with higher food and gas costs, battling health challenges, living on fixed incomes and/or facing a lack of affordable and nutritious food. Sen. Lankford's message highlights the ways in which Americans can help other Americans. Bless people who are alone Among his points: Host others in your own home. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma shakes the hand of an American veteran. There are many ways Americans can help each other during this Thanksgiving and holiday season. (Lankford Press Office) "Celebrating with family is a blessing, but some people aren't able to join their family this year," the senator says in his Thanksgiving message. He suggests that people "offer an extra plate at your table as a way to bless people who are alone." Prepare their pantry Another idea: Think about donating to a local food pantry or food bank in order to help those who don't have enough to eat. ON VETERANS DAY, NEW YORK TEEN HONORS WWII VETERAN WITH MEMORIAL AND PERSONALIZED CREATIONS This may include those who are working two jobs yet still don't have the ability to fully provide for their households. Sen. Lankford shared these holiday tips and ideas for giving and for thoughtfulness toward fellow Americans. (Lankford Press Office) "Thanksgiving," says the senator, "is a great time to donate nonperishable items to a local food bank." There are other ways as well Serve by shopping It's not easy for those who can't drive, or who don't have other means of traveling, to get out to the store to buy what they need. Sure, they can order deliveries to their homes but they may not be able to afford all that they need. "Look for service opportunities in your community, such as serving a Thanksgiving meal, or buying gifts for those in need." (iStock) So, "ask your neighbors if you can serve them by making an extra stop at the store," says the senator. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP For additional ideas on how to help others who may benefit from a thoughtful and helping hand, Sen. Lankford also suggests giving of your time. Families can get the kids involved, too. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER He also advises checking with your church or other house of worship to see how else you may be able to help those in your community. Maureen Mackey is managing editor of lifestyle for Fox News Digital. This is why the Supreme Court ruling on concealed carry matters closeVideo Concealed carry instructor tells 'The Ingraham Angle' that today was a great day for gun ownership and empowerment for people to be able to defend themselves. A federal appeals court on Tuesday temporarily reinstated parts of New York's new concealed carry law after a judge last week blocked some provisions that restrict the carrying of firearms in certain public spaces. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals issued the temporary injunction while a legal challenge filed by a Second Amendment-rights group makes its way through the courts. "Defendants-Appellants seek a stay pending appeal, and an emergency interim stay, of the preliminary injunction issued by the district court on November 7, 2022," Tuesday's ruling states. "IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a temporary stay is granted pending the panels consideration of the motion." STRICT GUN BILL ON OREGON BALLOT WILL CAUSE 'GREATER RISK OF VIOLENCE,' HARMFUL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, CRITICS WARN New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul was "served a plate of humble pie" from a New York district court judge last week, Second Amendment group says. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court issued a temporary stay against the earlier ruling. (Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit) On Nov. 7, District Court Judge Glenn Suddaby said New York's conceal carry law invoked "unprecedented constitutional violations" and granted a partial preliminary injunction in favor of Gun Owners of America (GOA), forcing the state to cease enforcement of parts of the law, which was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in July. Suddaby ruled the state can still prevent people from carrying guns in Times Square, public playgrounds, libraries, nurseries and preschools. However, mental hospitals, places of worship, public parks, zoos, theaters, conference centers, protests and bars were no longer off limits for people with a concealed carry permit. A sign zip-tied to a utility pole at the intersection of East 47th St and Avenue of The Americas declares Times Square is a gun free zone. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court issued a temporary stay against the earlier ruling. (Karlo Pastrovic/Fox News Digital) Tuesday's ruling blocks Suddaby's order. "New York has once again defied the Constitution and the Supreme Courts Bruen decision," GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt said in response to Tuesday's ruling. "And this brings us just one step closer to standing before SCOTUS, where we know that Justice Clarence Thomas is waiting to slap down NY lawbreakers once again!" Video CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The GOA lawsuit came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that a state law requiring citizens to show "proper cause" for self-defense to obtain a concealed carry permit was unconstitutional. New York lawmakers made changes to the concealed carry law after the decision. Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. China Monday called on the international community to strengthen communication and coordination in further combating Somali piracy. Wang Min, Chinese deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement at an open meeting of the Security Council on piracy. Wang said that over the recent years, the international cooperation in fighting piracy has achieved remarkable results with less successful piracy attacks. We hope that the international community will continue to be guided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant international laws, enhance communication and coordination to further fight piracy through taking coordinated actions, he said. China noted that in relevant activities, the international community should fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned. We support the coordination role played by the UN in this regard, Wang said. It is important to enrich and improve cooperation mechanism, enhance information sharing, effectively prosecute and bring those involved in piracy to trial so as to form synergy in our fight against piracy. China also supports the initiatives taken by the countries of the Gulf of Guinea, which include formulating national strategy, improving international legal regime, strengthening good governance and beefing up naval, judicial and law enforcement capacities in order to play a better role in preventing and combating piracy, according to the diplomat. We appeal to the international community to actively support the capacity building of relevant countries and regional organizations and to provide more fund and technical support, he said. Wang pointed out that as far as Africa is concerned, poverty and economic and social underdevelopment are the root causes leading to the problem of piracy. We call upon the international community to double its efforts, provide more assistance to the African countries and the least developed countries in order to play a positive role for relevant countries in maintaining national stability, eradicating poverty and realizing economic and social sustainable development, he said. The Chinese navy started to dispatch escort warship to the Guild of Aden and the Somali waters in January 2009, Wang said. By the beginning of this November, China had dispatched 13 batches of 34 warships to engage in escort missions for 4,901 vessels in 515 batches, more than half of which are foreign vessels. The escort missions are 100 percent successful, he added. China is willing to continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation with relevant parties and play an active and constructive role in international fight against piracy, Wang stressed. Xinhua China calls for more intl cooperation in combating Somali piracyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Michael J. Gerson,lemacau bet live casinos near me who as George W. Bushs chief speechwriter and one of his closest advisers composed many of the presidents signature addresses and wielded outsize influence on his domestic and foreign policies, and who later, as a regular columnist at The Washington Post, became a sharp critic of the Trump administration, died on Thursday in Washington. He was 58. Peter Wehner, a close friend and former colleague, said the death, at a hospital, was caused by complications of kidney cancer. Like President Bush, Mr. Gerson was an unabashed evangelical Christian who believed in the importance of faith in public life. And while the two men could not have been more different Mr. Gerson was cerebral, reserved and fidgety; Mr. Bush was folksy, outgoing and relaxed they shared an almost psychic connection, especially when it came to putting their shared values into words. Rather than trying to bury Mr. Bushs casual vocal mannerisms under flowery phrases, Mr. Gerson yoked them with concise, plain language, peppered with alliteration and religious references. He wrote major speeches well ahead of time, often escaping the bustle of the White House to write in a nearby Starbucks. People were in Washington passing by this guy who looks like a graduate student at George Washington, frantically scribbling on a pad and a pencil, and have no idea that hes crafting words that will change the course of history, Karl Rove, another of Mr. Bushs closest advisers, said in a phone interview. Mr. Gerson spent seven years with Mr. Bush, starting with his first presidential campaign, in 1999. He wrote many of Mr. Bushs most celebrated lines, like his 2000 denunciation of the soft bigotry of low expectations in education policy. When another speechwriter, David Frum, came up with the phrase the axis of hatred for the presidents 2002 State of the Union address, Mr. Gerson tweaked it to the more memorable axis of evil. Mr. Gerson played an equally central role as a policy adviser, for which observers compared him to Theodore C. Sorensen, a speechwriter and close confidant of John F. Kennedy. Before the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Gerson focused on domestic policy, in particular education and faith-based initiatives. After the attacks, he became more involved in foreign policy, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the push for democratic reform in the Middle East, as well as medical and economic assistance to Africa. Mr. Gerson suffered a mild heart attack in December 2004, and though he was back on the job within two weeks he had Mr. Bushs second inaugural address to write, after all he decided to slow down. He continued to contribute to speeches but took on a more formal advisory role, moving from the White House basement to a plum spot two doors away from the Oval Office. He left the White House in June 2006. He wrote briefly for Newsweek before being named a twice-weekly columnist for The Washington Post, where he worked alongside one of his journalistic heroes, George F. Will. Image Mr. Gerson on Meet the Press in 2014, after he had become a twice-weekly columnist for The Washington Post.Credit...William B. Plowman/NBC Universal, via Getty Images Always a political centrist, Mr. Gerson was among Donald J. Trumps earliest and loudest critics within the Republican Party. He used his column to unify fellow never-Trumpers and to excoriate those in the party who did not rise to his moral standard. Whatever his political future, he wrote in June, Representative Kevin McCarthy who will most likely be the next speaker of the House will be remembered as his generations most pathetic, unprincipled and contemptible political figure. Despite his Republican affiliation, Mr. Gerson was never much for partisan infighting, his political views often mixed ideas from the left and the right. I think the reality here is that scrubbing public discourse of religion or religious ideas would remove one of the main sources of social justice in our history, Mr. Gerson told The New York Times in 2005. Without an appeal to justice rooted in faith, there would have been no abolition movement, no civil rights movement, no pro-life movement. Image In 2004 Mr. Gerson reviewed the State of the Union address with Mr. Bush, as Condoleezza Rice, the National Security Adviser, looked on. Mr. Gerson wrote in concise, plain language peppered with alliteration and religious references.Credit...Eric Draper/White House, via Getty Images Michael John Gerson was born on May 15, 1964, in Belmar, N.J., to Michael Fred Gerson, a dairy scientist who developed ice cream flavors, and Betty (Buckler) Gerson, an artist. When Michael was 10, he, his parents and his brothers, Victor and Chris, moved to St. Louis. His brothers survive him, as do his wife, Dawn (Miller) Gerson, and his sons, Michael and Nicholas. His household was evangelical Christian and politically blended his father was a Republican, his mother a Kennedy Democrat and Michaels first political hero was Jimmy Carter. Even as a White House speechwriter, he listed Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Woodrow Wilson, all Democrats, as his favorite presidents. But he became a Republican, he said, over the issue of abortion, and in 1984 he campaigned for Ronald Reagans re-election. He attended Georgetown University for a year, then transferred to Wheaton College, an evangelical institution outside Chicago, where he majored in philosophy and biblical studies. After graduating in 1986, he worked for Charles Colson, the disgraced former adviser to President Richard M. Nixon who later founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, and then for Senator Dan Coats, a Republican from Indiana. It was in Senator Coatss office that Mr. Gerson first began to develop his ideas about compassionate conservatism, mixing the free-market orthodoxy then dominant in Washington with domestic policy ideas aimed at helping poor communities lift themselves up, often with the help of religious organizations. During the 1996 presidential campaign he wrote speeches for Senator Bob Dole, the Republican nominee, and his running mate, Representative Jack Kemp. He then jumped the fence to work as a journalist. James Fallows, the editor of U.S. News & World Report and himself a former speechwriter, for Mr. Carter, hired him to cover politics. He was still there in 1999 when the Bush campaign identified him as a potential speechwriter. Mr. Bush interviewed him for less than an hour before offering him the job. Almost immediately, he brought discipline and polish to the presidents previously shambolic, malapropistic speaking style. He provided the words, and also added advice about poise and delivery, most of which Mr. Bush took without question. Image Mr. Gerson in 2001. After the attacks of Sept. 11 that year, he became more involved in foreign policy.Credit...Tim Dillon/Associated Press George W. Bush didnt start out being a very skillful deliverer of set speeches, which is its own particular craft, Mr. Fallows said in a phone interview. He became good at that. And I think that a lot of it was his relationship with Michael. Journalists took notice of the leveling up of Mr. Bushs oratorical skills. Frank Bruni, who covered the White House for The New York Times, called Mr. Gerson the Cyrano beyond the spotlights edge. Mr. Gerson was at his home in Northern Virginia on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, writing a speech about communities of character for the president to deliver in Cleveland. When he heard about the attack on the World Trade Center, he jumped in his car and drove toward Washington. He was approaching the city just in time to see American Airlines Flight 77 headed toward the Pentagon. The attacks transformed his role. He received a White House security upgrade. Instead of writing about tax cuts and faith-based policy, he was charged with writing words that would rally the country behind Americas first war of the 21st century. Mr. Gerson wrote the speech that the president delivered on Sept. 20, 2001, before a joint session of Congress. It is widely regarded as one of Mr. Bushs best, thanks to classically Gersonian lines like Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them. He wrote in a similarly idealistic vein for the second inaugural, which is remembered for Mr. Bushs full-throated defense of interventionist foreign policy, even as the war in Iraq deteriorated. All who live in tyranny and helplessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors, Mr. Gerson wrote. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. Long after many in the party began to abandon Mr. Bush and the national-greatness conservatism he espoused, Mr. Gerson remained loyal. He defended the president in his 2007 book, Heroic Conservatism: Why Republicans Need to Embrace Americas Ideals (And Why They Deserve to Fail If They Dont), and in City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era (2010), which he wrote with Mr. Wehner. Mr. Gerson also began to speak openly about his struggles with major depressive disorder, including in a sermon at the National Cathedral in February 2019. Had he given the speech a few weeks earlier, he said, he would have been considerably less interesting, because I was, at that point, hospitalized for depression. Or maybe it would have been more interesting, though less coherent. His last column for The Post appeared on the morning of his death. In it he reflected on the emotional pain of sending his younger son to college, and what being a father had taught him about life. Parenthood offers many lessons in patience and sacrifice, he wrote. But ultimately, it is a lesson in humility. The very best thing about your life is a short stage in someone elses story. And it is enough. Advertisement Continue reading the main story A visitor admires hydroponic vegetable and flower technology at the CIIE on November 6, 2022.Photo:VCG American snack giant Mondelez, also the parent company of Oreo, officially launched two Oreo frozen cheesecakes at the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.Mondelez will take the opportunity of the cake launch to tap into the large, fast-growing baked food sector in China, said Joost Vlaanderen, president of Mondelez Greater China.With the boom of China's internet, logistics and cold chain technologies, the country's snack food industry has entered the fast lane of development.Data from the China National Food Industry Association showed that the sector had a compound growth rate of nearly 12 percent from 2013 to 2018. In 2020, the size of China's snack food market reached 1.25 trillion yuan ($173 billion). Such a huge market has lured food giants from various countries.The partner of the newly launched Oreo frozen cakes is Fonterra, a New Zealand dairy raw material supplier, which also attended this year's CIIE."Chinese consumers' demand for healthy and delicious products has continued to accelerate, so we are looking forward to this product pushing the cooperation between Mondelez and Fonterra to a new height," Dai Junqi, vice president of Fonterra Greater China, said.At this year's CIIE, major food brands brought their latest products and cutting-edge food production technologies, hoping to satisfy the tastes of Chinese consumers and enter the vast Chinese market."The CIIE is not just about China's domestic market anymore," said Larry Chan, chairman of Liwayway (China) Co, adding that through the CIIE, Liwayway could bring its international products into China, and the event also allowed the company to forge partnerships with international players.Chan said the Chinese market currently accounts for 40 percent of Liwayway's global business, and the company has long-term development plans in China.As China has entered a new stage of consumption upgrading in recent years, Chinese consumers' demand for imported high-quality fruits has also been rising.From more than 50 exhibits in the first CIIE to 82 exhibits this year, Dole, a fresh fruit and vegetable company, has participated in the annual event for five consecutive years. This year, the company signed orders worth $170 million at the CIIE."The CIIE is a catalyst to transform exhibits into commodities and products into top-selling items," said Vivian Wang, marketing director of Dole China. "Our Dole Sweetio banana and Dole Sweetio pineapple, as star products from the CIIE, have been sold to Tibet and Xinjiang."According to Wang, sales of Dole Sweetio pineapples soared after its debut at last year's CIIE, exceeding expectations by more than 10 times in 2022."Meanwhile, the CIIE is an excellent stage for new product launches. The global influence of the CIIE has helped Dole establish a good brand image," Wang said.The promotion of localization has become an important way for foreign enterprises to compete for the "big cake" of China's food market.In recent years, Dole has ramped up its investment in China, building new distribution centers in the cities of Guiyang, Chengdu and Chongqing, and it plans to continue expanding into the southwestern market."In a market as competitive as China, you need to deeply understand what consumers want," said Joost Vlaanderen, president of Mondelez Greater China."That's why in Suzhou, we have a world-famous research and design center where we develop and design products. We make our products here so that we can deliver to consumers what they want at the speed of China," he added.Xinhua What Is a Layoff?bet365 casino login crocos casino A layoff is the temporary or permanent termination of employment by an employer for reasons unrelated to the employee's performance. Employees may be laid off when companies aim to cut costs, due to a decline in demand for their products or services, seasonal closure, or during an economic downturn. When laid off, employees lose all wages and company benefits but qualify for unemployment insurance or compensation. Laid-off employees often do not lose their investment in company retirement plans such as a 401K and may be entitled to a severance package. Key Takeaways A layoff is an involuntary separation from work through no fault of employees, often initiated by the employer for economic reasons to cut costs. A layoff differs from a firing for cause such as unacceptable workplace behavior, which generally does not qualify the fired worker for unemployment insurance. Mass layoffs can damage the economies of the surrounding communities, especially those dependent on a single employer or industry. Some employers may offer severance agreements to laid-off workers. Understanding Layoffs Layoffs typically affect groups of workers from several to thousands, as a result of an employer's effort to cut costs. That effort may be prompted by an economic downturn or corporate restructurings such as bankruptcy or a leveraged buyout by a private equity firm. Layoffs are understandably unpopular with workers whether employers call them "downsizing," "rightsizing," or "smart sizing." Layoffs may also be termed a "workforce reduction" or a "reduction in force." Employees in a late-career layoff may be offered "early retirement," replacing a paycheck with retirement benefits. Companies seeking to avoid or minimize layoffs may also offer longer-tenured workers a buyout as an inducement to leave voluntarily. In some cases, employers conduct layoffs even when their businesses are thriving, either to increase profits or amid a shift in markets served or operations. Layoff vs. Furlough vs. Firing A layoff is distinct from a furlough, in which workers are idled for a time as a result of plant repairs or another event requiring a temporary work halt. In contrast with laid-off workers, furloughed employees keep their job titles and employee benefits with the expectation that they will eventually return to work. Furloughs may also affect government employees when legislators are unable to agree on the appropriations required to pay their salaries. During a government shutdown, non-essential workers are typically furloughed, while workers in essential services may have to work with pay delayed until a funding agreement is reached. Furloughed workers may be eligible to collect unemployment insurance benefits depending on their state's eligibility requirements. An employee may be fired or terminated on the grounds of unsatisfactory performance, malfeasance, or breach of duty. If terminated for unacceptable workplace behavior, an employee generally does not qualify for unemployment insurance. Example of Mass Layoffs U.S. employers resorted to mass layoffs amid a drastic downturn in demand during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, as restrictions and contagion fears halted travel, shut restaurants, and idled many other service industries. U.S. employers cut more than 20 million jobs in April 2020 alone, and 22.4 million over two months ended the same month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). To preserve jobs, the U.S. government offered the Paycheck Protection Program, loans subsidizing businesses' payroll costs that would be forgiven under certain conditions. The program encouraged businesses not to lay off workers during the pandemic. Layoff Statistics Because financial markets participants care most about total employment, they tend to overlook layoff statistics in favor of the fresher monthly data on nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate The monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), also from BLS, provides a combined count for layoffs and dischargesinvoluntary separations from employment, whether as a result of layoffs or for cause. In June 2022, BLS reported layoffs and discharges declined by 170,000 to 1.2 million in April 2022, the lowest monthly total in series history dating back to December 2000. In April 2022, layoffs and discharges affected 0.8% of the labor force. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a provider of career outplacement services, publishes a monthly report on layoffs announcements. In May 2022, it tallied 24,286 announced job cuts by U.S. employers in April 2022, a 14% increase from March and a 6% rise from a year earlier. Despite the increase, the nearly 80,000 job cuts announced by employers during the first four months of 2022 represented the lowest January through April total in the history of the survey dating back to 1993. Special Considerations While laid-off workers bear the brunt of layoffs, losing wages and benefits along with the satisfaction, purpose, and sense of security work can impart, mass job losses can also hurt the workers who remain, their communities and the broader economy, and even the employer. For example, layoffs understandably disturb even the workers whose jobs are spared, increasing their anxiety and insecurity while lowering productivity and morale. Diminished employee productivity as a result of layoffs can in turn erode the cost savings from a layoff. According to some economic studies, layoffs "are more costly than many organizations realize," and companies that reduce their workforce without other changes are unlikely to see long-term improvement. Large layoffs can also inflict economic damage on the area where laid-off workers live, lowering demand for other goods and services and lowering tax revenue, especially if the area relies on a single employer or industry. What Should You Do When You Get Laid Off? The first step after a layoff is to carefully review your contract of employment, as well as any severance package your former employer may offer. This may include provisions on severance payments, employee benefits, and healthcare insurance. Employers may attach conditions to severance agreements, such as requiring you not to claim unemployment insurance. It may be a good idea to negotiate your severance agreement and have an attorney review any paperwork before you sign. What Happens to Your Health Insurance When You Get Laid Off? In most cases, your employer will stop paying for health insurance if you are laid off at the end of the month. After that, the federal COBRA program allows you to receive continued insurance for a term of 18 to 36 months, under certain conditions. COBRA coverage is significantly more expensive than employer-provided health insurance, so it may be better to seek coverage through one of the plans offered under the Affordable Care Act. How Long After Being Laid Off Can I File for Unemployment? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you should file for unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible if you become unemployed. To be eligible for unemployment insurance, you must be laid off or fired through no fault of your own, and meet certain wage and work requirements, such as length of time at your previous job. Some states may have additional requirements. What Happens to My 401(k) After a Layoff? Depending on the size of your 401(k), you may be able to leave it with your former employer. However, it may be a better idea to transfer plan proceeds either to a new employer (if they offer a similar plan) or into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). It is essential to transfer the balance through a direct transfer between financial institutions rather than allowing the administrator of your former employer's 401(k) plan to cut you a check. Otherwise, you may incur an avoidable tax liability. Who Gets Laid Off During a Merger? Following mergers or acquisitions, many companies seek to eliminate redundancies in their expanded workforce. This will typically affect the C-suite and any other area where the new company has two departments performing similar functions. Since it's hard to predict which workers will be laid off, mergers are a common source of employee anxiety. The Bottom Line Layoffs are a painful but expected fact of life in a market economy exposed to competition and trade. Layoffs can be damaging psychologically as well as financially to the affected workers as well as their families, communities, colleagues, and other businesses. Government programs providing unemployment insurance and retraining can assist the newly unemployed. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Photo:VCG UK Prime Minister Liz Truss,who has been in office for just about 40 days, is fighting for her political survival as more than 100 members of parliament (MPs) belonging to her Conservative Party are threatening to force her to step down as early as this week, amid the discontent over her chaotic economic strategy and pressure from the opposition Labour Party.Chinese analysts said that the chaotic political situation in the UK underscored that the country's governance system is becoming increasingly inadequate for coping with a confluence of social and political challenges. The UK's national interests have been hijacked by the self-interests of politicians and political parties, and its institutional problems cannot be solved just by ousting Truss, they added.Quoting unnamed sources, the UK's Daily Mail reported on Sunday that more than 100 MPs are ready to submit a letter of no confidence in Truss to Graham Brady, the head of the Tory's 1992 Committee, which organizes the leadership contest.The MPs, some of whom have held a secret discussion on ousting Truss, are expected to urge Brady to tell Truss that "her time is up" or to change party rules to allow an immediate vote of confidence in her leadership, UK media reported. Under current rules, the prime minister cannot be challenged by no-confidence vote within a year of taking office.One former cabinet minister said they thought it was "50/50 whether she will make it till Christmas," according to a Guardian report. A Tory MP, who has backed Truss since the leadership contest, told the Guardian that Truss' authority is "shattered" and "people want it done this week."In response, Downing Street warned that ousting Truss could trigger a general election, at a time when the opposition Labour Party is performing better in opinion polls.Truss, who won the contest to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and prime minister in September, sacked her finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday and scrapped parts of her economic package on tax cuts, which has proved to be a failure and drawn a huge wave of opposition.Truss then appointed Jeremy Hunt, a former foreign and health secretary who had backed Rishi Sunak over her, to replace Kwarteng, after weeks of financial turmoil and doubts over the recently proposed mini-budget. Analysts viewed the move as Truss attempting to find a balance among Tories, according to BBC.Experts said that Truss' chaos has put the Tories in a dilemma, as frequent changes of leader would further undermine their popularity among the public, but the absence of a no-confidence vote to oust Truss could also be harmful for the Tories' popularity in the long run.The UK has lost three prime ministers since it left the European Union in 2016. All of them are Conservatives (David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson).Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that such a practice in the UK has become problematic for the country.No party in the UK has had a long-term or structural plan for dealing with the country's considerable problems, even when Johnson was prime minister and the Tory had a majority in Parliament, Cui noted.Zhang Bei, assistant research fellow at the Department for European Studies of Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that the UK's pragmatism was widely acknowledged, but in recent years it has put a strong emphasis on ideology, not only in foreign policy but also in elections, as evidenced by Truss' recent victory.Many of Truss' propositions were strongly populist and she used slogans to cater to supporters, but politicians don't want to take responsibility when things go wrong, Zhang said.In the UK, where party politics prevails, politicians pursue personal interests rather than the national interest. In fact, the national interest has been hijacked by the personal interests of political parties and politicians, which is a prominent problem, Zhang said.Experts noted that there is no guarantee that Truss' successor will do any better in such a populist environment, given that politicians' personal character and ability to govern reveal many problems, and that the UK system does not work well for transitions. It was a dose of dazzle for a talented offense that has seemed staid in spots this season. Any stall of any possession seemed lethal given the opposition ready to take the football and dazzle. The shows musical elements, including several full-song performances in each hour, dazzle. As you put it, Kates charm is less about dazzle and more about sheen. But he did speak to the issue of the razzle-dazzle camera moves, at least indirectly. Alfred Hitchcocks Fade to Black: The Great Directors Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST That kind of behavior would be in keeping with somebody who had been slipped a date rape drug such as Midazolam, aka Dazzle. Alleged U.Va. Abductor Accused of Rape at Christian College|Michael Daly|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST Movies are meant to dazzle, and American Hustle does just that. American Hustle Is Overrated|Kevin Fallon|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST There was a kinetic energy, a vibrancy that leapt off the screen that did, indeed, dazzle. American Hustle Is Overrated|Kevin Fallon|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST But it was too late, as critics and audiences had already written it off once the show failed to dazzle them from the outset. Sound of Music Star Laura Benanti Is About to Be One of Your Favorite Things|Kevin Fallon|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST He supposed they had scoured all Jursa for a real beauty to dazzle him; but they would discover that it would not work. The Envoy, Her|Horace Brown Fyfe But to do this I must dazzle him into giving me a great pleasure. The Hermit Of ------ Street|Anna Katharine Green (Mrs. Charles Rohlfs) There lay his wife in all the finery she had arrayed herself to dazzle her fashionable acquaintances, a speechless corpse! The Mysteries of Montreal|Charlotte Fuhrer It did not dazzle me, however; it simply filled me, and gave me a sensation of peculiar buoyancy. Unveiling a Parallel|Alice Ilgenfritz Jones and Ella Marchant Genres : Horror Director : ? Tsutomu Hanabusa Plot Synopsis Kosuke Nitta has been toiling away on a 50th anniversary DVD box set of the classic anime TV series Humanoid Monster BEM. While hunting for a new special feature to attract more buyers, the timid advertising employee finds himself falling into the maw of madness after he discovers the original cut of Bem's final episode. At the same time, a tragedy has left a local high school reeling in the aftermath. What's the connection between these harrowing events? A mysterious girl by the name of Bela. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (Tokyo Revengers, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!) reminds us why some final episodes are best left on the cutting room floor in this wildly unpredictable horror flick. Bela stabs her way onto Blu-ray in 1080p high definition with the original Japanese language and English subtitles! Dialogue among different civilizations is ravencoin casino poker winner cardsof great importance, a senior UN official said Saturday, calling for harmony amid world diversity and replacement of confrontation with dialogue. I believe that dialogue on world civilizations is of crucial importance. We must replace confrontation with dialogue, said Wu Hongbo, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs. Through dialogue on an equal footing, we should seek harmony amid world diversity, he said. Wu made the remarks in his message, delivered by Jerry Hultin, president of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, to the New York Forum on World Civilizations held at UN headquarters. He also noted that dialogue among different cultures has entered a new era with clearer purpose, better organization, larger scope and greater sustainability. The paradigm of dialogue among civilizations requires that we give up cold war mentality and power logic, and build a new culture of peace, empathy, compassion and understanding, he added. The New York Forum on World Civilization is organized by China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC), a non-governmental and non-profit Chinese think-tank registered in Hong Kong, which has special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Titled Harmony based on shared values beyond national identities and beliefs: a dialogue between Confucianism and Christianity, the forum aims at promoting shared values from both civilizations and providing a good opportunity to enhance understanding between them. Xu Jialu, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China, said in his opening speech to the forum that if people analyze the origins of various beliefs by historical study, they may find out that all humankind shares the same wishes and goals. This is the beginning of finding a way to solve problems, he said, adding that from this starting point, people can achieve peace and cosmopolitism in the world. The forum will last two days, during which dozens of religious leaders, scholars and experts from different countries will discuss the relations and relevancy of Confucianism and Christianity in the modern age. Xinhua Senior UN official highlights importance of dialogue among civilizationsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thetop australian online pokies total of confirmed cases of human infection of the H7N9 avian influenza in China has risen to 49, as six new cases, including the first one in Beijing, were reported on Saturday. During the 24-hour period ending 5 p.m. on Saturday, China confirmed six new infections, with one each in Beijing and Shanghai, and two each in eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, authorities said. Citing test results from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention early Saturday, Beijing authorities announced that a seven-year-old girl from the citys northeast suburbs district of Shunyi was confirmed as infected by the H7N9 bird flu virus. The child is being treated at Beijing Ditan Hospital and is in stable condition, according to officials at a press briefing. The girls parents, the only ones she has had close contact with, have been placed under medical observation and have not shown any flu symptoms. The couple were engaged in live poultry trade in Shunyi. This is the first time the H7N9 virus has been found in a human outside east China. China officially confirmed the first human infections of the H7N9 virus late last month. Shanghai and the three provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui had been the only locations of infection until the Beijing case. In Shanghai, a 56-year-old patient surnamed Gu, whose wife died of the H7N9 bird flu on April 3, was confirmed on Saturday as infected by the virus. There has been no sufficient evidence to indicate that Gu acquired the virus from his wife, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission in an update on the countrys H7N9 cases. Wu Fan, director with the Shanghai Municipal Disease Prevention and Control Center, also said no evidence showed that the virus is capable of transmissible among humans. So far, a total of 21 cases have been reported in Shanghai. The neighboring Zhejiang Province on Saturday confirmed two men aged 65 and 38 respectively as H7N9 cases, bringing the total in the province to 11. Two cases were also confirmed the same day in the Jiangsu Province, where the total number of infections has reached 14. Elsewhere, Anhui Province has reported two cases. The new bird flu has killed eleven people in east China, with seven in Shanghai, two in Zhejiang and one each in Jiangsu and Anhui, according to official figures. Those who have had close contact with people infected by H7N9 have been placed under medical observation and have exhibited no abnormal symptoms, according to officials. Xinhua H7N9 infections total rises to 49, as Beijing reports first caseadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China hopes the World Trade Organizations panel will lead to the proper settlement of its trade disputes with the United States about the latters countervailing probes into Chinas exports, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday. The panel was appointed on Monday by the WTO, after the United States failed to resolve Chinas concerns in a consultation held between the two countries on Nov. 5, said Shen Danyang, a spokesman for the MOC. On Sept. 17, China filed a complaint to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on the United States amendment to the Tariff Act of 1930, or the GPX bill, that passed earlier in the year. The bill allows for a retroactive application period that goes back to 2006, when the United States started to launch more than 30 countervailing probes against China without legal support, the MOC said. The practices have landed Chinese enterprises in an uncertain legal environment and violate WTO rules, Shen said. Xinhua China eyes WTO panel to settle disputesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China has welcomed the UN special envoys visit to Syria and wishes him a positive trip,zulu prediction correct score a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday. At a daily press conference, Hua Chunying said, China appreciates and supports the active efforts made by special envoy [Lakhdar] Brahimi. We will pay close attention to his visit and look forward to positive results. The comments were made as Brahimi, UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria, arrived in the country to talk with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. China is gravely concerned about the Syrian situation, Hua said,urging all Syrian parties to take into account its peoples fundamental and long-term interests and take actions to support Brahimis mediation efforts. She also called on both the Syrian government and opposition to follow the consensus of the Action Group Geneva Communique on peacefully settling the Syrian issue, open inclusive political dialogue, negotiate and set the roadmap for political transition, establish a transitional body of broad representation, and put an early end to the Syrian crisis. Xinhua China welcomes UN special envoys visit to Syriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Biden's border failures forced Arizona to build its own wall, Yuma official says closeVideo A Yuma County Supervisor explained how the shipping containers the Governor used to fill gaps in the U.S.-Mexico border wall have limited migrant crossings YUMA, Ariz. The shipping containers used to fill the border wall's gaps in Arizona have forced migrants to enter the U.S. through legitimate ports of entry, which has eased the strain on an overwhelmed Border Patrol, a border town official told Fox News. "We had thousands of people coming through this area on a daily basis," a Yuma county supervisor, Jonathan Lines, told Fox News. "They would be in a residential neighborhood within less than a mile of crossing in this area." "Because of the governor's action we dont have that anymore," Lines said. "Not very many people are excited about trying to scale the containers, especially with the barbed wire over the top of it." WATCH A YUMA OFFICIAL EXPLAIN HOW ARIZONA'S SHIPPING CONTAINERS LIMIT MIGRANT TRAFFIC: Video WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE Gov. Doug Ducey plugged gaps in the border wall with shipping containers over the summer and argue that the move was necessary because of the White House's inaction on immigration. The Biden administration accused Ducey of trespassing and ordered the Arizona Republican to remove the containers. The governor filed a lawsuit in response. The container wall has allowed Border Patrol to focus its manpower elsewhere and has given the agents an"operational advantage," Lines told Fox News. BIDEN ADMIN ACCUSES ARIZONA OF TRESPASSING BY BUILDING BARRIER ON US-MEXICO BORDER SEE WHAT ARIZONANS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE BARRIERS ALONG THE BORDER: Video "Had the administration done its job, then Gov. Ducey would not have had to have acted with the legislature using state resources instead of the federally funded wall that we had already paid for," Lines said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP President Biden halted the construction of the border wall in January 2021, leaving border wall unfinished. "I don't want to speak for Gov. Ducey, but he is committed to keeping those containers in place until the federal government steps up and does its job," Lines said. Katie Hobbs, the state's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, said she would remove the containers if she wins her election. Hobbs leads her Republican opponent, Kari Lake, 50.5%-49.5% with 93% reporting in the undecided race, according to the Fox News Decision desk. To hear more from Jonathan Lines on the effectiveness of the shipping containers filling the wall, click here. Megan Myers is an associate producer/writer with Fox News Digital Originals. China once again urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),best welcome bonus casinos the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to enhance dialogue and cooperation with Iran to resolve the countrys nuclear issue. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was responding to a question about the UN nuclear watchdogs latest report, which said Iran is expanding its nuclear capacity by installing more centrifuges at an underground enrichment plant. According to the report, which was released on Friday, nearly 2,800 centrifuges have been installed at the Fordow fuel enrichment plant, deep inside a mountainous region, near the city of Qom. This is an increase of about 644 centrifuges identified in a previous report, released in August. The report highlights concerns about activities at Parchin site, a military base, where UN investigations were banned by Iran. The report stressed that the ongoing activities at the site would seriously undermine IAEAs verification. Noting the report Hua said, China has always considered that dialogue and cooperation is the only right way to properly resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. The spokesperson said the top priority is that the five permanent members and Germany stick to talks and the IAEA enhances cooperation with Iran to achieve progress at an early date, so as to seek a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution. China hopes all parties concerned could make constructive efforts to this end, Hua said. Xinhua China reiterates dialogue, cooperation to solve Iranian nuclear issueadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline A contradiction has tugged at American presidential history for 130 years. Donald Trumps announcement on Tuesday night that he would again seek the highest office threatens to exacerbate this Cash Vault IIdisjuncture in the nations self-understanding. In short: If Trump wins back the White House, we may be even more confused over just how many presidents there have been. Thats because our nomenclature is misleading. Joe Biden is the 46th president, but just the 45th personto be president. This numbering lawlessness stems from Grover Cleveland, who was elected, lost re-election and then ran again and won making him both the 22nd president and the 24th president. And so one consequence of a second Trump term would be that we are all thrown off a little more: Whoever then succeeded him would be the 48th president, but just the 46th holder of the job. This quirk is not exactly a matter of national security, but it is worth pausing over, because it relates to the fact that Trump could become only the second president, after Cleveland, to serve nonconsecutive terms. This is a larger and more meaningful distinction. As much as Trump proved his first time around that he was a unique political figure, Clevelands presidential precedent might offer clues to what a second Trump term would look like. I think once presidents are elected, if they were elected nonconsecutively, they are reacting to much different things than before, said Michael J. Gerhardt, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law and the author of The Forgotten Presidents: Their Untold Constitutional Legacy. He added, And they govern differently. But first: Is it really true that Trump, if he won again, would be the 47th president soon after having been the 45th? Yes. Americans have numbered presidents this way since Cleveland became the 24th president in 1893, eight years after becoming the 22nd and four years after ceding the White House to the 23rd, Benjamin Harrison. The White House website uses this numerology, in which Cleveland is identified as two different presidents. (Similarly, many English-language sources have reported that Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will soon become Brazils 39th president after serving as its 35th from 2003 to 2010.) Numbering Cleveland this way derived from early Americans practice of referring to presidencies rather than presidents, according to the historian Michael Beschloss. The former president, whose historically divisive time in office shook the pillars of the countrys democratic institutions, is seeking another term. Ignoring Concerns: Donald J. Trumps announcement of a third bid for the White House comes as many Republicans blame him for their weak showing in the midterms. Donald J. Trumps announcement of a third bid for the White House comes as many Republicans blame him for their weak showing in the midterms. Allies Are Inching Away : Within hours of Mr. Trumps announcement, some of his former aides, donors and staunchest allies shunned his attempt to recapture the White House. Within hours of Mr. Trumps announcement, some of his former aides, donors and staunchest allies shunned his attempt to recapture the White House. A Work in Progress : Though Mr. Trump has talked of a third presidential bid since before he completed his term, the rollout of his 2024 campaign has been surprisingly slapdash. Though Mr. Trump has talked of a third presidential bid since before he completed his term, the rollout of his 2024 campaign has been surprisingly slapdash. Fact Check: Mr. Trump announced his third bid for the presidency in a speech that was like many others that have come before it: packed full of falsehoods. In other words, George Washington presided over the first presidency, he said. The problem is we no longer have that antique way of saying it, so it gets to this odd thing where it sounds like youre talking about Cleveland being two different people and Trump, should it come to that. This semantic oddness frequently leads to confusing statements. When Barack Obama declared in his first inaugural address, minutes after his swearing-in, that forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath that was, well, not true (the accurate number was 43). Image Grover Cleveland delivering his inaugural address to a crowd on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol in 1885, for his first term.Credit...Library of Congress One person who thought this system was ridiculous was Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president. Why dont you number all the second terms of other presidents and the third and fourth terms of President Roosevelt, and where will you be? he once said. He concluded defiantly, I am the 32nd president. The point can seem pedantic the equivalent of insisting that the new millennium began on Jan. 1, 2001. There may even be good, or less-bad, reasons for counting as we do. If we must be slightly inaccurate, said Alexis Coe, a presidential historian, I would rather amplify Barack Obama by one person than reduce Benjamin Harrison to a nonentity. Tevi Troy, a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and the director of its Presidential Leadership Initiative, said he expected that if Trump were elected again, he would be known as both the 45th and 47th president. But Troy added that one portrait would suffice. Trump has already put himself in rare company as a president running for a third time. Should he win the Republican nomination, he would join figures like Cleveland, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon (who lost in his first try) as presidents who were major-party nominees three times. Cleveland whose wife, Frances, is said to have asked the White House staff upon her first departure to preserve the furniture for her return is the best comparison for Trump, historians suggested. Though they were quite different personalities, there are provocative parallels between Trump and Cleveland. The election of 1888 the one Cleveland lost produced a rare split between the Electoral College and the popular vote, making him the only president other than Andrew Jackson and Franklin Roosevelt to win the popular vote three times. (Trump lost the popular vote twice by significant margins. The Electoral College put him over the top in 2016, but not in 2020.) For the three presidential elections that Cleveland was in, the country was very closely divided, Beschloss said. If you look at those three elections as showing a phenomenon where the country was divided roughly half-and-half, you might see the same phenomenon with Trump. In the four years between his two terms, Cleveland operated like a Trump of his time in terms of campaigning, Coe said. He gave nearly a dozen speeches a year as he tried to defy tradition and continue leading his party after defeat though he did not focus on maligning Harrison. And Martha Joynt Kumar, a professor of political science at Towson University, noted archly that unlike Trump in 2020, Cleveland accepted his loss in 1888. In his third bid, Cleveland and the Democratic Party replaced his previous running mate with his former loyal, active assistant postmaster general. Once victorious, he narrowed his inner circle, appointing his former private secretary as secretary of war and his former secretary of state as ambassador to Britain. It could be argued that Cleveland deserves to be considered as two presidents because of the divergence in how he governed during his two terms. Cleveland was quite different as president each time radically different, Gerhardt said. He was overly passive the first time, overly active the second. In his first term, from 1885 to 1889, Cleveland failed to marshal Congress behind his chief policy priorities of reducing tariffs and promoting gold-backed currency. (He did set the record for vetoes, with 414, nixing many private bills written to benefit individuals.) In his second term, by contrast, Cleveland successfully backed the repeal of a law mandating purchases of silver and, absent Congresss help, turned to J.P. Morgan to finance money for gold. He became much more aggressive and belligerent, almost a distant personality, Gerhardt said. He was strong-arming people, trying to intimidate them. A signal moment in Clevelands second term came in 1894, when he dispatched federal troops to bust up striking railroad workers in Chicago, even over the objections of the Illinois governor, a fellow Democrat. If it takes the entire Army and Navy of the United States to deliver a postcard in Chicago, Cleveland said at the time, that card will be delivered. Gerhardt questioned whether having had four years to sit there thinking about it during his interregnum influenced Clevelands perhaps overly proactive governing style after he returned to the White House. We all might wonder the same about another once and maybe future president. Image What to read Its early, but several deep-pocketed Republican donors are signaling that they want to move on from Donald Trump. In Trumps heads-I-win-tails-you-lose world, Jonathan Weisman writes, all successes accrue to him, and any failings are someone elses fault the 2018 midterms, his presidential loss in 2020, and now the 2022 disappointment for Republicans. Twelve Senate Republicans joined Democrats to advance the Respect for Marriage Act, putting federal protections for same-sex marriages on track to become law in the twilight of the Democratic-held Congress. Annie Karni has the details. Image Thank you for reading On Politics, and for being a subscriber to The New York Times. Blake Read past editions of the newsletter here. If youre enjoying what youre reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here. Browse all of our subscriber-only newsletters here. Have feedback? Ideas for coverage? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Image Advertisement Continue reading the main story Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with delegates to the 1st China-Latin America high-level defense forum on Tuesday. Liang hailed the increasingly close relations between China and Latin American countries in recent years,platform nft reels of joy casino noting that the two sides have enjoyed frequent high-level visits, deepening political mutual trust, strengthening communication and cooperation, as well as effective coordination on major international affairs. He said the forum shows that China attaches great importance to developing military relations with Latin American countries. The forum has provided a platform for the two sides to communicate at the senior official level and will increase friendship and trust between the military leaders of both sides so as to develop future China-Latin American military relations, Liang said. On behalf of the delegates, Pedro Siqueira, Uruguayan commander in chief of the army, said the forum has given Latin American countries more knowledge about China and it has also helped enhance communication between the militaries of both sides. He expressed the hope that the Chinese military will pay more visits to Latin American countries in order to increase mutual understanding. Xinhua Chinese defense minister meets with Latin American guestsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has rolled out the next generation travel documentation and verification system which supports contactless travel and enhances the passenger experience. To achieve this, Timatic has undergone a complete redesign, setting a new benchmark in travel compliance solutions. Building on the success of its predecessor, Timatic AutoCheck offers a streamlined and interactive experience enabling travellers, airlines and travel professionals to easily access accurate and clearly worded immigration information. The entire document checking process has been automated with tailored instructions for each passenger. With passenger traffic set to double by 2040, the optimization and enhancement of airport processes will need to continue. Verifying passengers travel documentation is one of the more time-consuming tasks which will benefit from further automation, said IATA in a statement. Moreover, the new features of Timatic AutoCheck will also play an essential role in supporting the industry in the move towards contactless travel. IATAs most recent Global Passenger Survey (GPS) revealed that complex visa requirements deter travellers who want a convenient, digital online visa process. Moreover, many are willing to share their travel document information for faster airport immigration procedures. *36% of travelers said they have been discouraged from traveling to a particular destination because of the immigration requirements. Process complexity was highlighted as the main deterrent by 49% of travelers, 19% cited costs and 8% privacy concerns. *Where visas are required, 66% of travellers want to obtain a visa online prior to travel, 20% prefer to go to the consulate or embassy and 14% at the airport. *87% of travelers indicated they would share their immigration information to speed up the airport arrival process, representing an increase from the 83% reported in 2022. On the new product, Frederic Leger, IATAs Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, said: "Taking advantage of traveller willingness to use online processes and share information in advance, Timatic AutoCheck enables airlines, ground handlers, departure control systems and travel agents a customer friendly online solution, through which travellers can check that they comply with all immigration requirements before setting off to the airport," Timatic AutoCheck can easily be integrated into airline reservation and departure control systems (DCS) as well as distribution systems used by travel agencies and online booking platforms and features the following product enhancements: *Simplified Regulatory Content: Timatic AutoCheck includes simplified and more user-friendly worded travel regulations, making them easier to understand. Travelers no longer need to know terminologies or read through complex regulations as the information is now provided in a concise manner. *Interactive Data Driven Approach: Leveraging the power of data, users will now be guided through each step of the compliance process, ensuring they possess all required documents and meet the entry requirements. Users can input their travel details and receive personalized responses. *Practical Recommendations: Timatic AutoCheck offers more than just information; it provides responses. Whether checking visa requirements, health regulations or entry restrictions, users now receive instructions on how to proceed and comply with regulations so they can promptly address any issues they may encounter. *Enhanced Automation: The latest automation features make self-service check-in even easier. Airlines have the option to incorporate the new Timatic AutoCheck into their systems enabling passengers to independently verify their travel documents and compliance status through the various check-in options on offer. "Timatic AutoCheck represents a further milestone in the pursuit of efficiency and convenience within the travel industry. By effortlessly navigating regulations, travelers can embark on their journeys with confidence and peace of mind," said Leger. "In addition, this innovation also enables airlines, ground handlers and travel agents to enhance customer satisfaction, integrate travel documentation verification into the contactless travel experience and streamline their operations," he added. Major DCS providers like Amadeus, Hitit and Sabre, along with various airlines and Star Alliance are already working with IATA to upgrade to the new Timatic AutoCheck, taking the next step towards a seamless travel experience and contactless travel. According to IATA, Timatic has been providing users with reliable and real time information on the required documentation for international travel since its inception in the 1960s. "For this, IATA relies on a variety of sources, including governments, airlines, or airports. The accuracy of this data is key to ensuring that the correct information is provided to airlines and passengers alike. Annually, more than a billion passenger document checks are performed through Timatic," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Republican front-runner for President, Donald Trump, once again leaned heavily on white supremacist themes to court his adherents. At a campaign event in New Hampshire, out-on-bail real estate fraud Donald Trump raged out about bloodlines and foreigners. How this has anything to do with anything truly challenging our country today is beyond me. This shit just feeds replacement theory weirdos precisely what they are looking for. Former President Donald Trump doubled down on language condemned for its ties to White supremacist rhetoric, saying at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Saturday that immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country." Trump told a crowd gathered in Durham, New Hampshire, on Saturday that immigrants "from all over the world" are "pouring into the country," reiterating a phrase he used previously that sparked outcry from the Anti-Defamation League. "They're poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done," Trump said. "They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America but all over the world. They're coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, all over the world." Following Trump's use of the phrase in October, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt linked his language to ethnically motivated massacres in Pittsburgh in 2018 and El Paso, Texas, in 2019. CNN Core to what defines today's Republicans is ignoring what needs to be done in favor of offering up a few angry race or gender-based attacks. About 30 minutes. Thats how long 17-year-old Cedric C.J. Lofton was pinned to the floor with multiple adults holding him down at a youth carceral facility in Kansas. It may have been closer to 40. Theweb poker slot games win money medical examiner ruled his death on Sept. 26, 2021, a homicide resulting from [c]omplications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position, but the DA concluded that he would not charge the employees of the facility where C.J. died. Even though an officer changed his answer on an intake form in a way designed to ensure C.J. would stay at the county Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center instead of a mental-health facility, even though C.J. was restrained for more than 30 minutes, and even though the center had allegedly ignored recommendations set down by the Kansas Department of Corrections years before, no one has been held accountable for his death. Instead, the system rushed to blame C.J. himself for his death, with both the sheriff and the DA raising the possibilitylater found to be utterly unsubstantiatedthat drugs were to blame. The DA defended his decision by pointing to Kansas stand your ground law and maintained that employees at the facility acted in self-defense. According to the DA, an unarmed child who weighed approximately 135 pounds posed an imminent threat of death or bodily harm to the multiple adults who forced him face-down into a prone position. C.J.s case is far from isolated and illustrates how the juvenile justice system in the U.S. harms children. The past decade alone has taken a grim toll. Loyce Tucker, Cornelius Frederick, Gynnya McMillen, and Elord Revolte are among those who died in youth facilities at the hands of adults or while entrusted to their custody. Suicides in youth carceral facilities have included a 17-year-old in North Carolina, a 13-year-old in Texas, and a 16-year-old transgender boy housed in a girls unit in Maine. There has been institutional negligence associated with the deaths of Andre Sheffield, 14, and Robert Wright, 17. Finally, there are the deaths in youth carceral facilities that remain unsolved or receive little attention: the 16-year-old girl in Georgia, the 16-year-old boy in California, the 16-year-old in Texas. In this May 18, 2004 photo, inmates sit in one of the cottages at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility in Circleville, Ohio. A report released Friday April 23, 2021 that looked at the death of 17-year-old Robert Wright in August of 2020, indicated that two juvenile prison guards slept while on duty. One of them failed to properly conduct overnight rounds, and two others failed to conduct timely CPR on the Ohio youth found unresponsive who later died, according to an investigation into the youth's death. Tim RevellThe Columbus Dispatch/AP Even when youth do not die in youth carceral facilities, they are at risk of abuse and neglect by adult staff. In California, probation staff have been accused of sexually assaulting young girls. There have been horrific allegations of an officer permitting a fight game in Georgia, guards putting bounties on imprisoned youth in Tennessee, and security guards using excessive force in Texas. In Colorado, staff have reported other staff for alleged violations including drug smuggling and harassment. Youth facilities have been grossly understaffed since the pandemic began, a problem that continues in states like Louisiana and Texas. Notably, in some facilities, youth had to use water bottles and lunch trays as toilets because there was no one to take them to the restrooms. Moreover, many youth are detained and confined in private facilities, which are not subject to open record laws in the same ways as public ones. However, even employees of public facilities are often protected by the system. These devastating harms to detained youth are a major reason that so many states, including California, Maine, and New Hampshire, are considering closing all youth carceral facilities or significantly reducing reliance on them. Carceral facilities blame lack of staffing and increasingly violent children for these incidents. But it is not that. Its not bad apples or agencies, understaffing, or solely the position in which Gynnya McMillen, Cornelius Frederick, and C.J. Lofton were restrained that is to blame for their deaths. It is a carceral system that is committed to treating youth like criminals instead of recognizing that youth in crisis need care and resources. To solve this problem, we need to listen to those most impacted by the systems, those who have experience within those systems: youth of color, youth with disabilities, queer and gender non-conforming youth, youth in foster care, medically vulnerable youth, and especially those at the intersections of multiple oppressions (e.g., queer youth of color, disabled youth of color) who are more likely to become incarcerated. Currently and formerly incarcerated youth are telling us, with the backing of research, that the youth carceral system does not deliver racial justice, safety, or quality education. Instead carceral systems compound the violence youth have experienced in their personal lives, making them subject to violence by systems run by the state. It doesnt have to be this way. There are alternatives to detention and confinement that we know work. There are restorative pathways connecting youth with community resources that make youth less likely to reoffend than those that go through the courts. There are crisis response teams that respond to mental-health issues, like the one C.J. had, while reducing police violence and saving money in cities like San Francisco, but they are severely underfunded. We need to abolish the youth carceral system, and all carceral systems, because they do more harm than good, are extremely costly, and do not keep us safe. Instead, we need to move the resources that we currently commit to carceral facilitiesmoney, time, and peopleinto systems that focus on care and support for youth in need of help. A year after C.J. Loftons death, there was a protest at the facility where he died, organized, in large part, by formerly incarcerated youth and C.J.s family who are demanding #JusticeForCJ. Formerly incarcerated youth know how terrifying it is to be transferred to a carceral facility while in distress, to face armed police officers and guards who suddenly have control of every aspect of their lives, to be under constant surveillance with the threat of violence if they do not comply no matter how unfair the request, to be met only with punishment even when in crisis. Formerly incarcerated youth know that C.J.s Black life matters so they are fighting for C.J. We need to fight too. We owe that to C.J., to the formerly incarcerated youth fighting for him, and to all youth who deserve to be cared for instead of criminalized. How many more can we lose? A strong cold front is triple fortune dragon unleashedexpected to clear up lingering smog in Beijing on Tuesday night, the citys meteorological bureau said Monday. The Chinese capital has been shrouded in heavy smog for five straight days. As the citys air quality has hovered at hazardous levels, the public has been advised to stay indoors and to avoid strenuous exercise. The density of PM2.5 airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less that can deeply penetrate the lungs reached over 900 micrograms per square meter at some monitoring stations on Saturday evening. The municipal meteorological bureau continued to issue the highest alert on smog Monday morning, as the citys downtown and southern areas reported PM2.5 levels of over 250 micrograms per square meter. Zhang Dawei, head of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, attributed the poor air quality to heavy pollution in Beijing and its surrounding areas, a greater use of coal to fight the coldest winter in 28 years and a lack of wind. Beijing implemented its emergency response plan for hazardous pollution for the first time on Sunday. A total of 58 high-polluting companies were ordered to halt operations, and 41 others cut their emissions by 30 percent on Sunday. Work was also suspended at 28 construction sites, said Li Hong, a deputy director of the municipal commission of economy and information technology. The cold front will sweep most of China starting Wednesday and disperse the fog that has shrouded a large portion of central and eastern China in recent days, the National Meteorological Center said Monday. Xinhua Cold front to clear Beijing airadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline ORLANDO,32red casino uk ncaaf lines week 2 Fla. Three billionaire donors have moved on and others are actively weighing their options. A number of former allies are staying on the sidelines. A long list of potential rivals from popular governors to members of Congress are seriously assessing their chances for 2024. Even his own daughter has declined to get involved. Within hours of Donald J. Trump announcing his third presidential bid on Tuesday, some of his former aides, donors and staunchest allies are shunning his attempt to recapture the White House, an early sign that he may face difficulty winning the support of a Republican Party still reeling from unexpected midterm losses. While Mr. Trump has long faced opposition from the establishment and elite quarters of his party, this round of criticism was new in its raw bluntness, plainly out in the open by Wednesday and focused on reminding voters that the Trump era in Republican politics has led to the opposite of the endless winning Mr. Trump once promised. The message he delivered last night which was self-serving, which was chaotic was the same one that lost the last election cycle and would lose the next, said Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, a Republican and Trump critic who spoke Wednesday from Iowa, where he is testing the waters for a presidential run in 2024. We need alternatives. A growing chorus of Republican officials, lawmakers and activists blame the former president for their failure to regain control of the Senate and for what will be a narrow margin in the House. The scope of the Republican losses has prompted some of his allies to publicly voice complaints they have long kept private about the former presidents ability to win the White House. For those who have been more vocal, their concerns have morphed into far more direct attacks as they try to seize what they see as a chance to move past Mr. Trump and embrace a new class of party leaders. At an annual gathering of Republican governors in Orlando, donors and lobbyists mingled with governors past, present and future while weighing ways to wrest Mr. Trump from the partys base. Their main complaint was not over policy or even style, but losses the party has taken since Mr. Trump won the White House in 2016. Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, a Republican often mentioned as a potential 2024 candidate, said she did not believe Mr. Trump offered the best chance for the party in 2024. If we narrow our focus there, then were not talking to every single American, Ms. Noem said in an interview as she sat across a mahogany table from her political adviser, Corey Lewandowski, who served as campaign manager for an early portion of Mr. Trumps 2016 bid. Our job is not just to talk to people who love Trump or hate Trump. Our job is to talk to every single American. Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, a former Trump ally who spoke at the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, put it more bluntly in a phone interview: In 2020, there was no other option. In 2024 we will have candidates who are vastly superior and will do much, much better competing against the Democrat nominee than the loser Donald Trump has proven himself to be. Image A Trump rally in Illinois in June.Credit...Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times Whether the complaints filter down to a Republican Party base that has long stuck by Mr. Trump remains to be seen. Predictions of his demise among the partys rank and file have long been undone by primary results, particularly in this years Senate contests. Officials who are closest to the partys base state legislators and county G.O.P. leaders loyal to Mr. Trump said Wednesday that they had not seen the sort of defections predicted by the Republican elite gathered in the swanky conference rooms of a Waldorf Astoria hotel within a stones throw of Disney World. I havent had anybody express their dissatisfaction with Trump since the midterms, said Terry Brand, the Republican chairman in Langlade County in rural northern Wisconsin. The people that supported Trump in 2016 and 2020, the real supporters, theyre going to support him again. The Aftermath of the 2022 Midterm Elections Card 1 of 6 Card 1 of 6 A moment of reflection. from New York. Advertisement Continue reading the main story The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has fined and chastised several gaming operations across the state after identifying violations of different nature, it emerged this week. The regulator has issued a total of $284,000 in fines to Boyd Gaming, Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, and Sugarhouse Gaming. In addition, the agency has undertaken non-monetary punitive actions against Snow Shoe Travel Plaza and Pit Stop Travel Plaza. Boyd Gaming was slapped with the largest fine among the above-mention operators that were sanctioned by the Keystone States gambling watchdog. The casino operator was hit with a $150,000 fineover its failure to notify PGCB members of all pertinent facts regarding the surrender of a principals license in 2020. The companys failure to provide the necessary information hindered the regulators suitability determination, it became known. Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing, the Penn National Gaming subsidiary that operates Hollywood Casino, was issued a $70,000 fineafter an individual, who was on the Gaming Control Boards self-exclusion list, was able to gain entry to the propertys gaming floor. They were served alcoholic beverages which resulted in intoxication and damage to other patrons vehicles parked in the propertys vicinity. Mountainview Thoroughbred faced a separate $50,000 finedue to incidents that saw two former employees willfully funnel payments to gaming service providers to provide inaccurate disclosures to the regulatory agency and its licensing bureau of lower payment amounts needed to determine the classification of some of the propertys vendors. In other words, those inaccurate disclosures resulted in lower license fees. More Sanctions In addition, Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, the organization that operates Valley Forge Casino Resort, received a $14,000 penaltyfrom the state gambling regulator for failing to prevent an underage visitor from accessing its casino floor. The young gambler was aged 20 and was able to gamble at the venues table games. Rush Street Gaming subsidiary Sugarhouse HSP Gaming, which operates Rivers Casino Philadelphia, was not imposed a fine but was ordered to implement additional security measures and enhance the propertys surveillanceafter an individual left two children, aged two and four, in a parked vehicle in the gambling venues parking lot. Snow Shoe Travel Plaza and Pit Stop Travel Plaza also avoided a monetary punishment, but were ordered to surrender two video gaming terminal establishment licenses and two principal licenses for failing to adhere to various requirementsfor holding licenses from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Pennsylvanias licensed gambling operators generated revenue of $413 millionin May, up from $404 million in April, according to the latest data from the state Gaming Control Board. Their properties were closed during the same month a year ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The reported May 2021 figure represented a 42% increase from May 2019 when revenue totaled $290.8 million. Source:Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issues penalties totalling $284,000, SBC Americas, June 17, 2021 Online gambling operator Unibet announced today that it is to launch an overhauled version of its online gaming brandMaria later this month. The company said that the overhaul would include a fully responsive front-end site as well as a new brand tonality. Thus, the it would be diversified in a bid to become more appealing to both female and male gambling customers. Unibet purchased Maria Holdings Ltd. back in 2007 for the amount of 54 million. It will now be rebranded as Maria Casino in all the markets it operates by mid-February. The launch is to take place in three phases. The overhauled website went live on February 8 in Estonia. It is to be launched in the UK on February 15 and will go live in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden a day later. What is more, it will shift its offering from online bingo to casino games as the latter have proved to be more popular among gambling customers. Thus, the brand will be able to target both male and female players. The online casino games will be offered across all available channels. The Maria Casino website will have its logo and branding revamped. New personalization features and dashboard will also be introduced. Dersim Sylwan, Head of Marketing for Maria, explained that although the website will always be one with a feminine touch,they are now aiming at expanding their customer base so that it include both male and female gambling customers. As for the shift from bingo to casino, the executive noted that they will now have to update the brand in a manner that reflects that shift as well Marias customer demographics. Bingo will keep on being an important partof the brands product offering, with the latest bingo client launched back in 2015 showing more than excellent results. Following its revamp and rebranding, Maria Casino will also have a new brand character that is expected to engage existing customers more deeply in what the website is offering and would provide grater loyalty from them. An exciting marketing campaign will mark the rebranding and revamp. It will be distributed across all channels so that both existing and potential new players will be reached and introduced to the new brand characterand the revamped website. TV ads will run in the companys core markets, other related content will also be spread across different channels, with radio, print, and mobile being among those. A social media campaign will be launched to inform players about the upcoming changes. What Is Hubris?time square menlyn maine hotel Hubris is the characteristic of excessive confidence or arrogance, which leads a person to believe that they may do no wrong. The overwhelming pride caused by hubris is often considered a flaw in character. In the financial world, hubris is considered a dangerous quality that emboldens an investment professional to take risks beyond what is appropriate for their situation. While such risks may pay off at times, any person who shows such behavioral flaws can easily find their gains erased by dramatic losses. Hubris can cause short-sighted, irrational, or harmful behavior since the person does not stop to examine their behavior or consider the opinions of or effects on others when behaving. Hubris often causes humiliation to whom it is directed. Key Takeaways Hubris is an excess of confidence or arrogance in oneself that often leads to a lack of self-awareness and harmful or self-defeating behaviors. Hubris is often found in very successful individuals, due to the nature of their positions. When hubris becomes all-consuming, it frequently leads to an individual's downfall. Overcoming hubris is possible with practical techniques and increased self-awareness. Humility is an important tool to combat hubris and should be evaluated/implemented frequently. wsfurlan / Getty Images How Hubris Works When aiming to be successful, most individuals utilize a meaningful process of thought and execution. A person affected by hubris will jump into a situation without questioning their methods. The lack of adequate processing and planning often ends in eventual failure. Hubris may be developed after a person encounters a period of success. Corporate executives and traders overcome by hubris may become a liability for their firms. A manager might start making business decisions without fully thinking through the consequences, or a trader may begin taking on excessive risk. In many cases, people overcome by hubris will bring about their downfall. Chief executive officers (CEOs) and very successful business people who are overcome with hubris tend to be difficult to work in team settings. They lack the ability to consider the opinions of others when they conflict with their own. This inconsideration is because they believe they always know best. Bad for Investing Investors and traders can also experience hubris with detrimental effects. A lot of investors are overconfident and think they know better than the experts or even the market. Just being well-educated and/or clever does not mean you wouldn't benefit from good, independent advice. Also, it doesn't mean you can outwit the pros and a complex system of markets either. Many investors have lost fortunes by being convinced that they were better than the rest. Hubris may come in the form of overconfidence in 1) the quality of information and 2) the perceived skill or ability to act at the right time for maximum gain. Indeed, studies show that overconfident traders trade more frequently and fail to appropriately diversify their portfolios. One study analyzed trades from 10,000 clients at one discount brokerage firm. The study wanted to ascertain if frequent trading led to higher returns. After backing out tax-loss trades and others to meet liquidity needs, the study found that the purchased stocks underperformed the sold stocks by 5% over one year and 8.6% over two years. In other words, the more active the retail investor, the less money they make. This study was repeated numerous times in multiple markets and the results were always the same. The authors concluded that traders are "basically paying fees to lose money." It is essential to differentiate hubris and confidence from one another. Having a realistic amount of confidence in oneself is crucial to long-term success, while hubris can be detrimental. Hubris vs. Self-Confidence Hubris and self-confidence can be confused as to some they appear the same however they are quite different. Some may say that all those who exhibit hubris are full of self-confidence and that is true. However, not all those who have self-confidence exhibit hubris. One of the most important differentiating factors between the two is that those who show hubris are arrogant. They believe that cannot fail because they are too skilled or lucky for that to happen. Those with self-confidence believe they have the skills or luck, but that is backed up by evidence proving so. They are not blind to risk or adversity as those with hubris are. Those who show self-confidence usually show an additional trait that those with hubris do not: humility. Humility can be a very useful tool for not only CEOs but any type of person as it can not only keep arrogance in check, but will provide a much clearer picture of that individual's skills, successes, and failures when compared to the blinders that are on when someone is full of hubris. Special Considerations It is crucial to overcome hubris in oneself to avoid damaging professional relationships. To overcome hubris, seek out knowledge that will assist in doing so, such as books and self-help guides. Reforming thought patterns by considering the consequences hubris causes to others is an effective way to initiate positive changes. Hubris can be quelled by adequately bestowing praise and credit when working in a group setting. It is of utmost importance to stay self-aware during periods of success. Be vigilant in remembering that current accomplishments do not mean that future hardships can not occur. Examples of Hubris in Literature Hubris exists everywhere, but it is often best exemplified through literary works. A well-known example of Hubris occurs in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein. The protagonist of the story is Victor. Victors hubris is demonstrated in his venture to become a scientist who is unrivaled by any other. In the end, his hubris leads only to catastrophe. In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the character of Mr. Darcy has an exorbitant amount of pride in his social status and himself. His hubris leads him to unfairly judge his eventual love interest Elizabeth, to the point where he nearly loses her. Only after a transformation of self is Mr. Darcy able to overcome his hubris and win Elizabeths heart. Outside of fiction, there are (and have always been) several examples of academics and scholars of finance at the best universities who really are brillianttechnically speaking. Their purported stature in the field and brilliance, however, can delude them into thinking that the pickings are easy out there in the real world. Some really do cut it, but others are in for a rude awakening beyond the ivory tower. Odd as it may sound, someone with a Ph.D. in finance may, in fact, lead you in the wrong direction, while someone with no more than a high school diploma may have an amazing feel for the market and make a fortune. Examples of Hubris in Investing One of the most famous examples of hubris in investing is the saga of Nick Leeson. Nick was a head derivatives trader for Barings Bank and was operating in Singapore. Nick was assigned to make arbitrage trades for the bank and because he was so successful in the past, he was given a very powerful position with no oversight. Making such trades requires placing bets on both sides of the trade in order to hedge against losses. However, Nick thought he understood everything about arbitrage trading in the markets he was involved in, so he only placed bets on one side of the trade, not both. By doing so, he left himself wide open to enormous losses. Eventually, these losses occurred and not only was Nick arrested, but the bank he worked for, Barings Bank, was bankrupted as a result. On a larger scale, Enron Corp. believed they would be able to fool both investors and regulators when they hid the true nature of their financials through sophisticated accounting schemes. When the company was finally outed and was forced to report the true financial picture of the company, the stock imploded in a spectacular fashion, dropping from over $90 to just over $0.25. What Is the Difference Between Arrogance and Hubris? The two are closely related and are synonyms of the other. Arrogance tends to be one's excessive pride relating to how they are better than others, whereas hubris is extremely self-belief in one's abilities, and may have nothing to do with others at all. What Is Hubris in a Person? Hubris is defined as "excessive pride or self-confidence," and is seen most commonly in people who believe they are able to complete a task they are not skilled enough to do. There is a lot of crossover between hubris and arrogance, but hubris tends to be more related to one's extreme self-confidence in their abilities. What Is an Example of Hubris? An example of hubris in everyday life can be a CEO thinking that because they invented one great product that they cannot fail, a lawyer who thinks they can't lose a case, or a doctor who refuses to listen to patients because they believe they know everything and the patient nothing. Icarus, from Greek mythology, is a classic example of hubris. Icarus flew too close to the sun and his wings melted, and he fell to earth. Is Hubris Positive or Negative? Hubris is a negative trait. Those exhibiting or imbued with hubris will be seen as extremely arrogant and usually out of touch. Who Was Hubris in Greek Mythology? Hubris was not the name of the spirit but rather "Hybris," whose name changed over time to what it is now. Hubris was not a person but Hybris, the Greek goddess, personified insolence, hubris, violence, reckless pride, and arrogance. The Bottom Line Hubris is not a useful trait. Many powerful people believe that due to their past successes they are not able to fail. This mindset almost inevitably leads to their downfall, and it can be traced back through history touching many different leaders in both business and politics. WASHINGTON Republicans managed to make their victory in the House seem like a loss by underperforming so badly. But while they did not win control by anywhere near the margin that they anticipated,bingo canada no deposit bonus codes they did win. And in the House, even the barest majority can work its will if it can hold together to produce 218 votes. The main question going forward is whether Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, who was nominated on Tuesday to lead the new Republican majority, can achieve the unity necessary to perform fundamental tasks such as funding the government, or whether unyielding far-right members will make the new speakers life miserable and the House an unmanageable mess. The likely single-digit-seat victory will allow Republicans to claim power including subpoena power set the agenda, run the committees and try to hold President Bidens feet to the fire with a string of promised investigations. Despite their underwhelming showing, Republicans are unlikely to be chastened into cooperating with Mr. Biden and no doubt will plunge ahead aggressively once they get their hands on the gavels. For many, that was the point of the election. Their agenda is investigative, not legislative. We must be relentless in our oversight of this administration, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 House Republican, wrote in a letter to colleagues. From the politicization of the Justice Department to the job-crushing regulations coming from every agency, we need to shine a bright light on the actions and policy failures of this administration. The Aftermath of the 2022 Midterm Elections Card 1 of 6 Card 1 of 6 A moment of reflection. What does a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic-run Senate mean for the next two years? Most likely a return to the gridlock and brinkmanship that have defined a divided federal government in recent years. For Mr. McCarthy, his partys win came in the worst possible way. The much thinner than expected majority means fewer Republicans from swing districts who might be averse to provoking chaos, making him more reliant on the fire-breathing hard-right members who triumphed in safe, ruby-red districts on the promise of political warfare against Mr. Biden. Image Representative Kevin McCarthy, who was nominated on Tuesday to lead the new Republican majority.Credit...Anna Rose Layden for The New York Times At the same time, he will need to protect the less incendiary freshmen, such as the newcomers from New York who will be the top targets of Democrats beginning almost immediately. The margin and the mix could combine to make the House all but ungovernable. It is going to be hard, said Representative Fred Upton, a retiring Republican centrist from Michigan, about the task ahead for the new leaders, who are already contending with demands from the right to agree to restrictions that would severely limit their power. It is going to be really hard, especially when it comes to producing results. The only results that interest many in the House majority are those that inflict political pain on Mr. Biden and congressional Democrats, as demanded by their MAGA constituents. In a closed-door meeting of Republicans on Monday, right-wing lawmakers including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia extracted a promise that their leaders would investigate Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Justice Department for their treatment of defendants jailed in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. But the new leadership cannot do only investigations. They still have to find some yes votes to approve spending bills and other legislation that must pass to keep the government running, when many of their members are very accustomed to voting no on just about everything. Republicans have shut down the government over spending disputes and faced down Democratic administrations over raising the federal debt limit since the rise and fall of Newt Gingrich in the House in the 1990s. In the past, more government-minded Republicans such as Mr. Upton could be relied upon to step up and supply the votes needed to resolve a crisis. But the ranks of pragmatists have been severely depleted, replaced by lawmakers who would like nothing more than a game of fiscal chicken, no matter the risks to an already shaky economy. Already, House Republicans are pushing the incoming team to agree to rules changes that could hamstring the leadership in their ability to bring bills to the floor, an approach that could threaten necessary legislation, such as an increase in the debt limit. Republican leaders could and probably would be forced to seek votes from Democrats, but too many concessions or too much cooperation across the aisle will likely spark a rebellion from within. Not to mention that House Democrats, feeling good about their own election showing, will not be in a big hurry to rescue Republican leaders from their own troops without getting something for it. The Democratic majority in the Senate will only make the House speakers life more difficult. Democrats are emboldened by the fact that they were able to hold and potentially increase the Senate majority in the face of historical trends. They want to flex those muscles by pushing ahead on legislative initiatives like the ones they believe led them to victory. Democratic control of the Senate also means that committees in the chamber will not be running parallel investigations into the administration as Republicans had hoped. Image Senator Mitch McConnell has already faced a mini-rebellion in his own ranks.Credit...Al Drago for The New York Times Senator Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat who will remain as majority leader, has invited Republicans to try to work with Democrats on legislative initiatives, but it seems unlikely that House Republicans will want to take advantage of his offer. The divide is just too wide. The gulf between Republicans and Democrats just expanded a bit in the Senate as well. When the Senate convenes in January, the G.O.P. ranks will not include Senators Rob Portman of Ohio, Roy Blunt of Missouri or Richard M. Burr of North Carolina veteran mainstream Republicans upon whom Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, could rely to cast difficult votes on must-pass bills. They will be replaced with Senators-elect J.D. Vance of Ohio, Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Ted Budd of North Carolina, each of whom received the enthusiastic endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump. The Senate newcomers will be joined by, among others, Senator-elect Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a congressman who belongs to the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, and potentially Herschel Walker of Georgia, another Trump acolyte, should he prevail in the Dec. 6 runoff. At the same time, Mr. McConnell is likely to be under constant attack from Mr. Trump, who has called repeatedly for his ouster. He already faced a mini-rebellion in his own ranks, with a leadership challenge from Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who oversaw the Senate Republican campaign arm. Although Mr. McConnell prevailed, his actions will continue to be under great scrutiny as the Republican Party battles over its identity. The election results are still being microscopically analyzed by both parties to discern the messages from voters, which could inform how party leaders proceed over the next two years with a presidential contest on the horizon. But one thing is already clear: With an almost nonexistent majority in the House, Republicans are in for a rough ride, and it will be a challenge to get even the most basic work of Congress done. Advertisement Continue reading the main story President Xi Jinping and his slot deposit 30 bonus 30 usdc addresswife, Peng Liyuan, pose for a photo on Tuesday with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife, Iriana Joko Widodo, before a welcoming dinner for world leaders at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. JU PENG/XINHUA Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, met with Indonesian first lady Iriana Joko Widodo in Bali, Indonesia, on Wednesday afternoon, calling for strengthened exchanges between China and Indonesia to promote public welfare. Upon arrival, Peng was welcomed by young local people playing in a gamelan, a traditional Indonesian orchestra. Iriana Joko Widodo received Peng warmly and posed for a photo with her. Peng was accompanied by Iriana Joko Widodo during her visit to an exhibition of traditional Indonesian culture, art and craftwork, and talked to young local girls who welcomed her by preforming traditional pendet dance. Peng said she appreciated the refinement of Bali's handmade silk work. She had tea with the Indonesian first lady, and the two engaged in casual conversation and listened to music. Peng praised Iriana Joko Widodo for her enthusiasm in promoting public welfare, and spoke to her about China's policies and achievements in treating and preventing tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Peng said she hoped that the two countries will enhance exchanges in the field of public welfare and work together to improve people's well-being. Students of the Tourism Confucius Institute of Udayana University sang an Indonesian folk song in Chinese before Peng departed. Praising the students' voices and expressing her appreciation for the musicians' accompaniment, Peng talked with the students about their studies and lives. Someone among the students called out "mother Peng", and Peng responded with delight. Peng encouraged the students to continue to learn Chinese, and encouraged more young Indonesians to visit China, learn about the culture and become envoys for China-Indonesia cooperation. What Is a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC)?grande vegas no deposit coupon code A passive foreign investment company (PFIC) is a corporation, located abroad, which exhibits either one of two conditions, based on either income or assets: At least 75% of the corporation's gross income is "passive"that is, derived from investments or other sources not related to regular business operations. At least 50% of the company's assets are investments, which produce income in the form of earned interest, dividends, or capital gains. Key Takeaways A foreign corporation is a deemed passive foreign investment company (PFIC) if 75% or more of its gross income is from non-business operational activities (the income test). Or, if it has at least 50% of its average percentage of assets held for the production of passive income (the asset test). PFICs are subject to strict and extremely complicated tax guidelines by the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. investors who own shares of a PFIC must file IRS Form 8621. Identifying holdings in PFICs closes tax loopholes that allowed some U.S. individuals to avoid taxation on that foreign income. Understanding a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) PFICs first became recognized through tax reforms passed in 1986. The changes were designed to close a tax loophole, which some U.S. taxpayers were using to shelter offshore investments from taxation. The instituted tax reforms not only sought to close this tax avoidance loophole and bring such investments under U.S. taxation but also to tax such investments at high rates, to discourage taxpayers from following this practice. Typical examples of PFICs include foreign-based mutual funds and startups that exist within the scope of the PFIC definition. Foreign mutual funds typically are considered PFICs if they are foreign corporations that generate more than 75% of their income from passive sources, such as capital gains and dividends. Investments designated as PFICs are subject to strict and extremely complicated tax guidelines by the Internal Revenue Service, delineated in Sections 1291 through 1298 of the U.S. income tax code. The PFIC itself, as well as shareholders, is required to maintain accurate records of all transactions related to the PFIC, such as share cost basis, any dividends received, and undistributed income that the PFIC may earn. The guidelines concerning cost basis provide an example of the strict tax treatment applied to shares in a PFIC. With virtually any other marketable security or another asset, a person who inherits shares is allowed by the IRS to step up the cost basis for the shares to the fair market value at the time of the inheritance. However, the step up in cost basis is not typically allowed in the case of shares in a PFIC. Additionally, determining the acceptable cost basis for shares in a PFIC is often a challenging and confusing process. U.S. investors who hold shares of foreign mutual funds, investment trusts, ETFs, or holding companies, may be subject to PFIC taxation. PFICs and Tax Strategies U.S. investors who own shares of a PFIC must file IRS Form 8621. This form is used to report actual distributions and gains, along with income and increases in QEF elections. The tax form 8621 is a lengthy, complicated form that the IRS itself estimates may take more than 40 hours to fill out. For this reason, PFIC investors are generally advised to have a tax professional handle completion of the form. In a year where there is no income to report, they do not need to worry about specific tax penalties. However, failure to register may render a whole tax return incomplete. There are some options for an investor in a PFIC that can reduce the tax rate on the shares. One such option is to seek to have a PFIC investment recognized as a qualified electing fund (QEF). However, doing so may cause other tax problems for shareholders. U.S. investors who own shares of a PFIC acquired before 1997 are not subject to the tax and interest regime for their shares. PFICs and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act PFIC rules were modified by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The changes involved an exception relating to the insurance industry. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the PFIC insurance exception provides that a foreign corporations income attributable to an insurance business will not be considered passive incomeunless the applicable insurance liabilities constitute more than 25% of its total assets as reported on the corporations applicable financial statement. In December 2018, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department proposed changes to the guidelines for taxing PFICs. If approved, the new regulation will reduce some of the existing rules from the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and will more precisely define an investment entity. More proposed changes were later released in July 2019, seeking to clarify the above insurance exception. What Is a Considered a PFIC for U.S. Tax Purposes? The IRS defines a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) as a non-U.S. entity that either earns 75% or more of its gross income from non-business operational activities (the income test); or, if it least 50% of its assets are held for generating passive income (the asset test). Is PFIC Income Taxable? Yes. Gains and distributions received from a PFIC are treated as ordinary income and must be declared on IRS Form 8621. How Can I Avoid PFIC Status? U.S. investors who wish to diversify globally can avoid PFIC status and taxation by looking to domestic mutual funds and ETFs that hold foreign assets. For example, a U.S. mutual fund that specializes in emerging markets stocks or else in global sovereign debt. What Are Examples of Passive Income? Passive income is defined by the IRS as any earnings from a rental property, limited partnership, or other business in which a person is not actively involved in the business. Common forms of passive income include rents, royalties, interest, dividends, and capital gains. The Bottom Line Prior to the mid-1980s, American investors could avoid taxation by investing in foreign business entities that generated passive income, such as rental real estate, foreign mutual funds, and global holding companies. Since then, however, this tax loophole has been closed and U.S. investors holding such foreign assets must declare this income in passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), which are taxed as ordinary income. In order to meet PFIC status, a foreign firm must have 75% of their gross income be categorized as passive, or more than half of their assets held for passive income generation. Developer and supplier of online casino content NetEnt is set to venture deeper into virtual realityand exploit the opportunities the technology holds for the iGaming sector. The company itself made it known today that it will develop and release its first real-money VR slot. A VR version of the highly popular Gonzos Questtitle will come as part of the Swedish providers strategy to respond to a growing trend within the international gambling industry. According to NetEnt, the WebVR technology will mature enough in 2017/2018 to support VR game-play at least at a basic level. During last years ICE Totally Gaming show, the Swedish developer talked about five concepts it would further focus on in future and virtual reality was one of them. Through a free-to-play demo version of its popular slot Jack and the Beanstalk, the company demonstrated how drastically the new technology could change the online gambling landscape. NetEnt will be showcasing a prototype of its Gonzos Quest VR game at this years ICE Totally Gaming. One of the biggest iGaming-dedicated shows to be annually taking place began today and will be running through February 9 at ExCel London. Virtual Reality and the iGaming Industry Virtual reality has been an area many have explored and tried to achieve progress in over the past decades. And the most significant recent advancement in that field came last year when the Oculus Rift and other VR headsets were released. Sensing the potential the VR technology holds, it is not a surprise that iGaming developers have been showing deep interest in it. The online gambling industry has been on a constant quest for innovation and it is believed that virtual reality will prove to be a big innovation driver. As VR is expected to further establish itself as an important trendnot only within iGaming, but in general, more and more players will be looking for an opportunity to bask into the alternative gambling experience the technology offers. According to a recent report by research firm Mobile & Online Gambling: Casinos, Lotteries, Betting & VR 2016-2021, the virtual reality casino industry is poised to grow into a 500-million oneby the end of the reviewed period. DEC 17, 2023 What to know about the week ahead PVS-CDI Chemicals, a subsidiary of PVS Chemicals, wants to replace a 5,400 square-foot wood-frame building at 20 Stetson St. that is more than 100 years old and is unheated with a new pre-engineered steel warehouse, chemical packaging and employee break-room building of the same size. No chemical processing would be done at the light industrial site, which is part of the company's larger 6.3-acre main complex at 46-80 Metcalfe St. The company is seeking approval from the Buffalo Planning Board on Monday. If cleared, the $800,000 project would begin in March and finish by next September. PVS-CDI is a subsidiary of PVS Chemicals, and was formed after Detroit-based PVS bought the 70-year-old Chemical Distributors in 2022. PVS also operates its primary local site at 55 Lee St. in Buffalo. Separately, Solar Solutions of Upstate NY wants to construct a second solar farm in North Buffalo on a large property next to a planned apartment project. To facilitate the three separate ventures, the company, along with Anthony LoRusso's Elmwood Forest, is asking the Planning Board to break up an 11-acre parcel at 2030 Elmwood Ave. into three pieces. The most western portion would be combined with 127 Clayton St., which LoRusso owns, and on which he is constructing the two-story, 48-unit apartment building, with a 50-space parking lot. The remaining two pieces that are owned by Solar Solutions would be used for power farms, with a 0.75-megawatt solar array already built on the easternmost 3.9 acres, and a second one of 1.75 megawatts now planned for the middle portion, totaling 5.33 acres. And a Westchester County developer, 319 Connecticut LLC, wants to tear down a vacant single-family home at 325 Connecticut as part of its renovation of the adjacent three-story building at 319 Connecticut into a first-floor restaurant with apartments on the second and third floors. Project plans already approved by the city call for an outdoor dining area and pavilion for the restaurant, which would now include part of the house property. According to a letter to the Planning Board from architect Tommaso Briatico, the developer asked his firm to explore if the 1,618-square-foot wood-frame house could be repaired and renovated into a small cafe. But the costs were too high compared to the benefits, he said, so that plan was abandoned in favor of demolition. However, the masonry garage next to the house would be retained for now, and later converted into a first-floor office suite and second-floor apartment. Finally, the Buffalo Planning Board also will consider a special-use permit for Troy Fossett to reopen a bar and restaurant at 1388 Broadway as The New Spot, with capacity for 100 people. In Niagara County, Alpine Construction is proposing construction of a two-building apartment complex in North Tonawanda, including a four-story building with 40 units and a combined four-story and one-story building with 32 units. The proposed development would be located on 3.1 acres at 235 River Road and 190 Main St. Additionally, DLC Management Corp. is asking the Town of Lockport to approve construction of a one-story, 2,600-square-foot Starbucks coffee shop with a drive-thru on a 0.9-acre site at 5795 S. Transit Road. Also, Heinrich Services wants to construct an 8,000-square-foot steel building on 15 acres at 178 Oakhurst St. in the City of Lockport, while Christine Opera is seeking an area variance in the Town of Cambria to put up a 1,200-square-foot pole barn at 4074 Ridge Road. All will be reviewed by the Niagara County Planning Board on Monday. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNews.com. THE LATEST The PSC says National Fuel's investment plan needs work. Apartments planned for Old Editions bookstore building. Roswell Park is expanding its feeder network. SUNY - Erie Community College wants to move on from its South Campus. Ellicott Development is planning a pair of affordable housing projects in Buffalo. Lake Shore Savings has its third COO in a year. The takeover of Computer Task Group is complete. A Wheatfield electronics manufacturer is getting tax breaks for an expansion. An Arcade manufacturing plant is closing. Elmwood Taco and Sub and striking workers are taking their fight to the street. What caused a deadly Mercy Flight helicopter crash? A developer is back with a new plan for a big site on Wehrle Drive. Five Star Bank is cutting jobs in a reshuffling. The state is facing a power crunch. More townhomes are in the works in Amherst. Kistler Instruments plans to expand. The flu is on the rise across Western New York. Take a look inside the new Barcalo Living complex. Attorney general says health insurers aren't helping mental health patients enough. Delaware North turned to fans for tips on improving KeyBank Center food. John Persons honored for community outreach at Tops. SUNY Fredonia outlined its plan to cut costs and programs. More apartments are coming to Amherst. Why Elmwood Taco and Sub workers staged a walkout. H&M is closing a local store. The state's crackdown on illegal cannabis shops targeted a Buffalo store. Lockport seeing surge of health care projects as 'latest battleground of competition' in WNY. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. The Buffalo Niagara housing market cooled in 2023. Will 2024 be any different? 2. With New York's cannabis market clear of legal roadblocks, legal dispensaries rush to hire. 3. How KSL Diagnostics took a troubled lab and made it grow. 4. Legal cannabis stores are rushing to open and fearful of another legal halt. 5. Take a closer look at the Silo City development. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week. Chinas sustainable development has contributed to the global recovery and growth,free money online pokies high ranking Chinese officials said Saturday in Moscow. Attending the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 (G20) here, Finance Minister Xie Xuren and Governor of the Peoples Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan outlined key points of the Chinese governments economic policies. China will keep implementing positive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy this year, Xie said during the meeting. The Chinese government will strive to improve the quality and efficiency of its economic growth, expand domestic demand and strengthen efforts to reshape economic structure, said the official. Meanwhile, the government will safeguard and improve peoples well-being, boost domestic sources of growth so as to achieve sound and sustainable development, said the senior official. Enhancing recovery, growth and employment should remain priorities for G20 policy makers, Xie said, urging all members to take feasible macro-economic polices and speed up structural reforms. G20 members should fight against all forms of protectionism, ensure open and free trade investment environment, Xie added. Developed countries should properly handle the relations between fiscal austerity and economic recovery, reduce the spillover effect of loose monetary polices, Xie said. Zhou said Chinas economic restructuring and domestic demand expansion policy has yielded fruits and contributed to the global rebalancing. Zhou called for G20 members to study the deep roots of different deposit levels among various countries and seek for efficient ways of saving-investment conversion. Meanwhile, he urged relevant countries to make further steps to implement the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quota and governing reforms and ensure the 15th general quota supervision to be completed in time. Zhou expressed hopes that the IMF could effectively implement and supervise the new decisions and strengthen supervision on the spillover effect of certain countrys fiscal and monetary policies. During the two-day meeting, finance officials from the G20 members discussed major economic challenges facing the world and possible solutions. Participants issued a joint communique following the closed- door meeting, pledging to reduce global imbalances and continue structural reforms so as to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Xinhua Chinas sustainable growth contributes to global prosperity: officialsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo applauded China-Africa relations on Saturday,lucky duck casino no deposit bonus while also vowing to back the African Unions (AU) role in African affairs. China highly values its ties with the AU and will continue to support the significant role played by the AU in African affairs, Dai said in his meeting with visiting AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. He also pledged that China will actively work to facilitate the process of African integration and development. Calling Africa a reliable friend of China, Dai noted that Chinese people will never forget the support and help given by the African people. We firmly believe that Africa will remain on the right track of development, as long as African countries can remain stable and united, Dai stressed. Dlamini-Zuma, who is here for the fifth China-AU strategic dialogue, spoke highly of Chinas contributions in promoting African peace and development, vowing to expand future cooperation with China in a bid to further development. She is visiting China from Feb. 14-17 as a guest of the Chinese government. Xinhua Chinese state councilor applauds China-Africa relationsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs China assisting Cambodia to improve and upgrade its naval base comports with the domestic laws of both countries,with international laws and customary practices and it does not target any third party, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday, urging countries outside the region to view the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia as they are.The ministry's remarks came as a response to the "concerns" raised by the US. According to a White House statement, US President Joe Biden raised concerns regarding the situation at Ream Naval Base and underscored the importance of full transparency about activities by the PRC military at the base in a meeting with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday on the sidelines of an international summit."China and Cambodia are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. Our cooperation in various sectors is open, transparent, legitimate and justified", said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a Monday press conference.The upgrade of the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia assisted by China is a normal activity of providing assistance to Cambodia and it is aimed at strengthening the Cambodian navy's capability of defending its maritime territorial integrity, Mao emphasized.Biden's "concerns" over Chinese activities at the naval base didn't appear in the statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.The Ream Naval Base is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Cambodia's southwestern province of Preah Sihanouk. In June, China started assisting Cambodia to expand and upgrade the naval base.At the project's opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said the renovation project is an achievement of mutual respect and equal communication between China and Cambodia, rejecting Western media reports that China is building a military base in Cambodia and firmly opposing some countries' moves to smear normal exchanges between Cambodia and ChinaWang said that the Chinese military would continue to provide assistance to the Cambodian side and promote the two countries' military cooperation.Experts pointed out that Biden's concerns exposed the US' double standards and prejudiced views through "tinted glasses" on China-Cambodia cooperation, as the US has hundreds of overseas military bases while China has never built any such bases.China has never enhanced its military presence at the Ream Naval Base, but has only conducted facility renovation based on bilateral national interests, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.Mao said that the Cambodian side has made clarifications about this on multiple occasions, urging countries outside the region to view the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia as they are.Global Times Texas school board adopts new policy making students use bathrooms according to gender assigned at birth closeVideo The Frisco Independent School Board voted in favor of a new policy that requires transgender students to use bathrooms and changing rooms that align with their birth gender. A Texas school district changed its rules to require students to use bathrooms and changing rooms that align with their gender assigned at birth. However, the policy explicitly states that it would not prohibit the district from making accommodations for students or parents upon request. Trustees said accommodations will be made for students who ask to use private bathrooms. The Frisco Independent School District school board passed the updated policy at a meeting on Monday night. The Frisco Independent School District changed its rules to require students to use bathrooms and changing rooms that align with the gender assigned at birth. (iStock) Parents and community members spoke for and against the policy during public comment. Some remarked in support for the updated policy, saying, "God created only two sexes at birth." BIDEN ADMIN HOLDING SCHOOL LUNCH MONEY 'HOSTAGE' TO FORCE TRANSGENDER POLICIES, ACTIVIST PARENT SAYS Advocates for the transgender community disagreed with the move, saying it was unnecessary and unfairly targets a small handful of students. "According to recent studies, 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school. Having to ask for and use a special bathroom requires the trans student to draw attention to themselves and may require them to run across the entire campus to tend to their bodily functions. That is not inclusive, or kind," parent Ellie Patel told Fox 4. Gov. Greg Abbott told state school boards to develop standards to ban books with "overtly sexual" content in schools across Texas. (iStock) The board also approved new library book policies in connection to books that are being reviewed or challenged due to their content. That move comes as Texas Republicans put pressure on schools to get rid of books deemed sexually explicit. On Nov. 1, newly re-elected Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in a letter asking the state's association of school boards to "ensure no child is exposed to pornography or other inappropriate content in a Texas public school." CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER BOASTS 'QUEER LIBRARY' WITH MATERIAL ON ORGIES AND BDSM/KINK Abbott said that parents have the right to shield their children from certain content in schools and that public schools shouldn't have "pornographic or obscene material." He asked the organization to determine the extent to which such material exists and remove it. "A growing number of parents of Texas students are becoming increasingly alarmed about some of the books and other content found in public school libraries that are extremely inappropriate in the public education system," he wrote. "The most flagrant examples include clearly pornographic images and substance that have no place in the Texas public education system." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The letter did not provide any specific examples of such content. Sarah Rumpf is a Fox News Digital Production Assistant. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Monday,high noon casino no deposit codes the first company which adopts a weighted voting rights with dual-class shares after Hong Kongs major listing regime reform in 25 years. We would like to thank the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission, Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, said at the listing ceremony. We are an internet company and from Day 1 we have set up a weighted voting rights structure with dual-class shares, he added. Lei said without the innovation of the Hong Kong capital markets, it would be difficult for Xiaomi to be listed in Hong Kong. He believed more high-quality internet companies would come to Hong Kong for listing in the future. Xiaomi offered about 2.18 billion shares priced at 17 HK dollars each (2.17 U.S. dollars). Its stocks opened at 16.60 HK dollars (2.11 U.S. dollars) per share on Monday. Xiaomi is an internet company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an IoT platform at its core. Xinhua Smartphone maker Xiaomi debuts on Hong Kong stocksadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Jay Leno suffers burn injuries after car fire: Report closeVideo Fox News correspondent Christina Coleman on reports the 72-year-old comedian was rushed to a burn center after one of his cars 'erupted' in flames. Comedian and classic car collector Jay Leno was injured on Sunday while working on one of the vehicles in his Big Dog Garage in Burbank, California. Leno was hospitalized with burns to his face, but is expected to recover. "I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet," Leno told Fox News Digital. Leno's long-time mechanic George Swift told Access Hollywood that "he got sprayed with some gas" while working on one of his steam-powered cars. JAY LENO SAYS HE LIKES DOMESTIC CARS BECAUSE IM AMERICAN' Jay Leno was working on a White steam car when he was burned. (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank) Leno owns several of the archaic vehicles, including several Stanley Steamers, a 1925 Doble E-20, and a 1907 White that TMZ reported that the car involved in the incident. But where does the gasoline come in? Steam engines are also known as external combustion engines, because fuel is burned outside the cylinders that drive them. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Typically, a boiler full of water is heated by a burner, similar to how a home heating system works, but creates high pressure steam that is directed into a set of reciprocating pistons. The Doble's boiler is located under the car's hood. (Colin Creitz/The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images/Getty Images) As the steam enters one end, it pushes the piston in the opposite direction, then steam is introduced into the other end to push it back. Steam is created as the water is heated by a burner below the tank. (Colin Creitz/The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images/Getty Images) The engines operate smoothly and produce a lot of torque, which is why larger versions were common in industrial applications a few of which Leno also has in his garage but internal combustion engines eventually became more efficient, powerful and easy to operate, contributing to steam's demise in automobiles. ULTRA RARE 1963 CHRYSLER TURBINE CAR SOLD TO MYSTERY BUYER The burner needs fuel to operate, of course, and while kerosene was often used because it is less volatile than gasoline and burns cleaner than some other fuels, early Stanley Steamers were designed primarily for gasoline, and Whites and Dobles could run on either. Jay Leno once received a speeding ticket in a Stanley Steamer car. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Leno was reportedly trying to unclog a fuel line when it sprayed fuel that was ignited by a spark. Like many of his cars, Leno does not just leave the steam vehicles in his garage. He keeps them in running condition and is often seen around the Los Angeles area driving them. And not always slowly. He was once famously caught speeding in a Stanley Steamer. "I have the record for the oldest vehicle to be done for speeding. It was a 1912 Stanley Steamer, and I had it cranked up to 75mph on a freeway," Leno told Visor Down in 2010. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I'm kind of proud of that, especially considering the engine is steam-powered and makes less than 10 bhp. The cop who issued the citation was remarkably straight-faced and unimpressed with my feat, which I thought was a little unimaginative of him. How could you seriously issue a speeding ticket to something with the same engine as a small steam locomotive?" Gary Gastelu is Fox News Digital's automotive editor. BANGKOK Themgm grand las vegas nv young priest, always something of a misfit, chose an unconventional spot to start his preschool: a former pigsty near a slaughterhouse in one of Bangkoks poorest neighborhoods. For a fee of a penny or two a day, the Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. Joseph H. Maier, took in children from the most destitute families, teaching them to spell their names in Thai script and feeding them what was often their only meal of the day. He also lived nearby, his neighbors the castoffs in Thailands capital: butchers, scavengers, street vendors, professional beggars, thieves and prostitutes. Wooden planks formed walkways over the neighborhoods muddy ground, which turned into polluted swamps during the rainy season. Fifty years later, Father Joe, as the American priest came to be known by his neighbors, is still there, ministering to the residents of what remains one of the Thai capitals poorest neighborhoods as Bangkok has transformed itself into a modern metropolis. He initially came to the neighborhood, Klong Toey, as a sort of exile, he said, shunned by the church because of his boorish behavior. Nobody wanted me around, he said in a recent interview. I was drunk; I was always angry about something, an angry young man. I didnt fit in. But in Klong Toey, Father Joe, now 82, found his place in the world, an outcast among outcasts. That tiny, threadbare preschool was only the beginning of Father Joes lifes work as a socially engaged priest, as interested in peoples material well-being as in their spiritual growth. Image The Human Development Foundation in the Klong Toey neighborhood of Bangkok. The foundation includes a network of more than 30 schools that have taught more than 30,000 children.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Image Father Joe in Klong Toey, where he has lived for 50 years.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times In the years that followed, he started the Human Development Foundation and its related Mercy Center. The foundation has grown to include a network of more than 30 schools that have taught more than 30,000 children; a home for abandoned mothers and children; and an AIDS hospice that evolved into a home care system. For me, he is more than Father Joe, said Nitaya Pakkeyaka, 52, who was one of the first children to attend his preschool and now works as a member of his staff. I can say he is my everything, he is my dad, he is my grandpa, Ms. Nitaya added. Every time I have a problem its always him to hold my hand. He is always on my side, whether good or bad, sad or happy. But even now, Father Joe said, after gaining international recognition, a masters degree in human settlements, two honorary Ph.D.s, honorary citizenship of Bangkok and a lifetime achievement award presented by Queen Sirikit of Thailand, the queen mother, he still has not shaken off his feeling of not belonging. Ive always been an outsider, always on the margins, he said. Ive always been, as the Irish say, walking on the edges of the tin on the periphery of society, as he explained it. Image A commercial street in Klong Toey in September.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Image A well-known figure in the neighborhood, the priest is greeted by people of all faiths with a Hello, Father Joe!Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Born in Longview, Wash., on Oct. 31, 1939, he was abandoned by his father, a house painter and farmer, whom his mother repeatedly took to court in fruitless attempts to gain child support. He wasnt abusive; he just left us, and it hurts so badly, he said. Thats the essence of it all: I wanted to become a priest to help other kids so they wouldnt suffer and hurt like I did. While still a boy, he left home to join Roman Catholic Redemptorist seminaries in Oakland, Calif., and in Oconomowoc, Wis. After ordination, he recalled the thrill of preaching his first sermon in a tiny wooden church in South Dakota that had been built by his Irish relatives and seated just 40 people. Thats a very important moment for a priest, he said, pointing to a small framed black-and-white photograph of the church hanging on a wall above his dining table. When he arrived in Thailand in 1967, on his assigned mission by the Redemptorists, he was first dispatched to the far northeastern part of the country and to Laos. Returning to Bangkok in 1971, after war came to Laos, he was reassigned to Klong Toey, almost as far out of sight as if he had been in the distant highlands. The priest there was drunk, he said, and I replaced him there, as a drunk and a priest. In Klong Toey, he met a Catholic nun, Sister Maria Chantavarodom, now 92, who led him through the narrow lanes and joined him in founding the tiny school in a former pigsty. Sister Maria was always the heartbeat, always the holiness, he said. It was always her and its still her, Father Joe said, perhaps embracing the humility that befits a priest. Its never been me. I just stumble along. Image Afternoon nap time at the Mercy Center kindergarten.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Image Students praying before lunch at the Mercy Center. The students are free to pray in whatever religion they choose, Father Joe said.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Soon after he arrived there, he had an opportunity to escort Mother Teresa around Klong Toey during her visit to Thailand. He was so taken with her charisma and saintliness that he says he remembered exclaiming: I want to be like this. Wow! Following her example, he said that for 23 years he visited the inmates at a maximum-security prison and an immigration jail. During Holy Week, he carried out a ritual of washing prisoners feet. For decades, Father Joe lived in a shack, like his neighbors. In 2001, an American philanthropist, John M. Cook, donated money to build a compound for the Mercy Center that includes dormitories, classrooms, a chapel and a comfortable apartment for the priest. For all his good works, Father Joe can be demanding and abrupt, according to the centers staff, and five decades after his arrival in Thailand, his relations with the church hierarchy remain strained. The church wants nothing to do with me, and the cardinal kind of ignores me, which is fine, he said, apparently referring to Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit, the archbishop of Bangkok. Jesus was never accepted for doing good; they killed him. The new pastor of the local Redemptorist mission, the Rev. John Wirach Amonpattana, said that it was only the higher levels of the church that are still wary of Father Joe, who celebrates Mass at his Holy Redeemer church every weekend. He is like a prophet with his work, Father Wirach said. Catholics are a tiny minority in Klong Toey, and in Thailand over all, but Father Joe says that he has always embraced the Buddhists and Muslims he lives among, and that the respect is mutual. We are in total unity with the Buddhists and Muslims, he said. We pray together. Image The compound at Mercy Center includes dormitories, classrooms, a chapel and a comfortable apartment for the priest.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times Image A statue of the Virgin Mary and the Buddha on display at the center.Credit...Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times The religious differences are no big deal, he added. They accept me as one of them. Im treated like a monk, behaving with politeness, kindness; dont get angry, dont show off. Caring for the welfare of his flock has always been his top priority, he said. Conversions to Christianity were never on his agenda. Every Saturday, Father Joe offers Mass for the children of the center, and they are free to pray in whatever religion they choose. But in the midst of the Buddhist prayers, he said, we make sure to slip in a Hail Mary. As with Catholic priests, Buddhist monks in Thailand are not expected to be vegetarians, but Father Joe still gave it a shot. I tried, but I couldnt do it, he said. I ate a lot of chicken noodle soup and instant noodles on the side. But as a religious figure in Klong Toey, he was motivated, he said, to be pure as snow, adding, I couldnt do anything stupid, like getting drunk. At the beginning, it was hard to be pure. I was a hypocrite, he said. I drank privately. When he had a younger mans legs, he wandered Klong Toeys passageways and food stalls. When he does get out now, people still greet him, Hello, Father Joe! as if they were Catholics themselves. Hed walk along and talk to everybody, even though his Thai wasnt that good: How are you doing today? Are you selling well? said Amphorn Iamphorn, 58, who has been selling grilled toast with butter and sugar here for 23 years. For me, it has nothing to do with religion; hes just a good man. Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Visitors are seen at the 19th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning,where to buy wax cryptocurrency south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Lu Boan) PHNOM PENH, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- From Cambodian rice, Thai fragrant coconut to Vietnamese passion fruit and durian, a growing number of agricultural products from the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) now have easier access to the Chinese market since the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In the eyes of many agricultural business owners in ASEAN countries, the gradual implementation of RCEP rules has significantly reduced intra-regional trade costs and further facilitated trade, bringing tangible benefits to them. TRADE FACILITATION IMPROVED As RCEP took effect early this year, agricultural businesses in ASEAN countries have benefited from lower import costs and more export opportunities due to lower tariffs. Under the agreement, more than 90 percent of trade in goods within the region will eventually be tariff-free, greatly boosting cross-border trade. "We are no longer worried about export orders as before. The industrial chain adjustment brought about by RCEP has boosted our product sales in the Chinese market," said Narongsak Chuensuchon, chairman of NC Coconut, a company in Thailand's Ratchaburi Province. Narongsak's company gained access for its products to the Chinese market in 2013, and sales have increased several times in just a few years. China has become a major export market for the company's coconut products, he said. Since the beginning of this year, Vietnamese passion fruit and durian have been approved to enter the Chinese market. "This is good news for Vietnam, which has rich fruit resources," said Do Thi Thu, a lecturer at the Vietnamese Banking Academy, hoping that more Vietnamese agricultural products could be exported to China in the future, so as to give full play to the complementary advantages of resources between the two countries and make full use of RCEP to push forward bilateral trade relations. "The general reduction of import duties under RCEP is great news for Cambodia's agricultural development," Chen Qisheng, general manager of China Certification and Inspection Group (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., also said. CROSS-BORDER CARGO ON THE RISE Since late October, Cambodia's jasmine rice has entered its harvest season. Cargo ships loaded with the fragrant rice depart from Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh, and arrive at Shekou Port in the city of Shenzhen, China within a week. After going through inspection and quarantine of customs at the port, the rice sized 5 kg per bag can directly enter the retail market, while the larger packages of 25 kg or 50 kg will go to the wholesale link to supply large grain users, or be put on the market after being repackaged into smaller sizes by rice-processing enterprises. China is one of Cambodia's largest rice export markets. Cambodia exported more than 230,000 tonnes of rice to China in the first 10 months this year, accounting for nearly half of its total exports, data from the Cambodia Rice Federation showed. In recent years, major projects such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Laos Railway, as well as improved infrastructure such as cold chain and cold storage, have made it increasingly convenient for agricultural products from ASEAN countries to enter the Chinese market. Taking Thai durian as an example, in addition to air transport to the Chinese market, there are also land transport options, as well as marine transport from Thailand's Laem Chabang Port to China's Qinzhou Port in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangzhou Port and Nansha Port in Guangdong province, among others. In the first 10 months of this year, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor saw 621,026 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers transported by the rail and sea, up 19.7 percent year on year, the latest data showed. At present, more than 640 categories of items can be transported by the rail and sea through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Statistics from China Railway's Kunming bureau showed that the total quantity of freight transported by the China-Laos Railway had exceeded 10 million tonnes as of Nov. 7, with the cross-border cargo transportation volume topping 1.8 million tonnes and its value hitting 12 billion yuan (about 1.7 billion U.S. dollars). So far, 25 provincial-level regions in China have operated international freight trains on the China-Laos Railway, and freight transportation has covered countries including Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. The cargo has expanded to more than 1,200 categories, including chemical fertilizers, electronic and photovoltaic products, and cold-chain fruits. TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES UPGRADED For Narongsak, RCEP can drive the formation and expansion of emerging industries in the region and promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. "While China is our largest export market, we pay more attention to improving product quality and enhancing competitiveness," he said, adding that the company now exports coconut jelly and bottled coconut water to China in addition to fresh coconuts. "In the past, when we planted durians, we watered or fertilized them based only on our experience, and sometimes got frustrated because the trees did not grow well," Malaysian durian orchard owner Leong Pui Sam told Xinhua. Sam, who plants the famed Malaysian Musang King durian, said that ever since his farm adopted a smart farming system co-developed by Regaltech and Alibaba Cloud, planting durians is now much more cost-and-time efficient with smart data collection and analysis. Ouyang Jianbin, general manager of Zhong Bao (Cambodia) Food Science&Technology Co., Ltd., said RCEP is conducive to the industrial construction and adjustment of Chinese agricultural enterprises in Cambodia. The traditional mode was importing raw materials first then processing, now it has largely been changed to processing raw materials at the place of origin first, then the products will be traded, which has not only optimized the regional economic form but also reduced unnecessary waste, the general manager said. Biden and Xi meet at G-20 summit amid rising US-China tensions closeVideo Retired Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis shares his key takeaways from President Biden and China's Xi Jinping on Monday on 'Your World.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Mondays meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place in the shadow of the G-20 economic conference in Indonesia, revealed troubling aspects of a coming new world order Chinese style and just how wrongheaded and weak Biden is when it comes to understanding the communist Chinese threat. The first indication of a problem was the optics when the two presidents came face-to-face at the summit. Biden was seen smiling with his hand extended as he anxiously walked toward his Chinese counterpart who by contrast appeared dour, almost dismissive of the American. The scene could be likened to that of a young subordinate who just saw his boss and hurried his pace to welcome him, while the boss looked down his nose at the young upstart. BIDEN MEETS CHINA'S XI JINPING AT G-20 SUMMIT IN INDONESIA, RAISES US CONCERNS ABOUT TAIWAN, HONG KONG, PUTIN Its safe to say that the scene revealed much about the two men and our emergent relations as global powers. Xi has just came from the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress which granted him an unprecedented third term as chairman, making him the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong. Xi intends to aggressively press toward his goal of world dominance and as he told the 20th Congress, "the East [China] is rising while the West [the U.S.] is declining." U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque) By comparison, Biden came to the Xi meeting weakened by the likely loss of his partys majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and a host of troubling issues at home including a deeply divided citizenry and a military arguably in decline. Besides the optics at the summit, what Biden said at the post-meeting press conference on Monday evening demonstrates his priorities and failure to truly understand the Chinese leaderships intentions. Biden claimed his conversations with President Xi were "open and candid" and his "intentions and priorities" were made clear to the dictator. PUTIN TO SKIP INDONESIA G-20 SUMMIT DUE TO ASSASSINATION FEAR: REPORT Further, he indicated that he told Xi that he "would defend American values, human rights and compete vigorously," and he promised the communist leader that Americas China policy hasnt changed regarding the issue of Taiwans status. Video Biden failed to mention whether he pressed the Chinese leader on important issues such as the regimes maligned economic behaviors like its failure to abide by trade agreements, its military aggression in the South China Sea, the supply of precursors used to make fentanyl which annually kills tens of thousands of Americans, the origins of COVID, the rampant stealing of our intellectual property, and whether it will dial back on its well-documented human rights violations. The president allowed only four questions after his remarks at the press briefing. He was asked whether a Cold War with China is avoidable. "There need not be a new cold war" with China, said Biden. Rather, we are in "competition" with China. That response ignores the contrary history of "unrestricted warfare" China is waging against the West using all Chinese instruments of power such as economic, military, ideological, geopolitical and technological. CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER On the issue of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province, Biden said he does not anticipate "any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan," even though two weeks ago President Xi vowed to "reunify" the mainland with Taiwan and he would "never promise to renounce the use of force." Video Biden said he "made it clear" to President Xi that our Taiwan policy "has not changed at all." Yet, on multiple occasions over the past two years, the president confused that policy by promising to defend Taiwan against any communist assault. Yet, Biden insisted that Xi "understood exactly what I was saying." Perhaps most distressing is the presidents promise to set up more meetings with Chinese officials to discuss our differences. He took the same approach a year ago in June with Russias Vladimir Putin and that didnt end so well, ask the Ukrainians. Russia President Vladimir Putin. (Alexander Demyanchuk, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Unfortunately, President Biden is out of his element when dealing with tyrants like Putin and Xi. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said about Biden, he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades. Unfortunately, when it comes to Bidens actions regarding China, we have good reason to be skeptical and arguably fearful. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS Robert Maginnis is a retired U.S. Army officer and the author of "Alliance of Evil: Russia, China, the United States and a New Cold War." His latest book "Kings of the East: Chinas Plan to Eliminate America and Impose a Communist World Order," will be published in September. What Is the American Dream?betway fnb deposit shiba inu floki The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society in which upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American dream is believed to be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance. Key Takeaways The term "American dream" was coined in a best-selling book in 1931 titledEpic of America. James Truslow Adams described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." The American dream was aided by a number of factors that gave the United States a competitive advantage over other countries. Homeownership and education are often seen as paths to achieving the American dream. Though the definition of the American Dream has changed to mean different things to different generations, it's undoubtedly part of the American ethos, and likely always will be. American Dream Understanding the American Dream 1:31 The term was coined by writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his best-selling 1931 book Epic of America. He described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." Adams went on to explain, "It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motorcars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." The idea of the American dream has much deeper roots. Its tenets can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. In a society based on these principles, an individual can live life to its fullest as they define it. America also grew mostly as a nation of immigrants who created a nation where becoming an Americanand passing that citizenship to your childrendidn't require being the child of an American. Advantages and Disadvantages of the American Dream Advantages Achieving the American dream requires political and economic freedom, as well as rules of law and private property rights. Without them, individuals cannot make the choices that will permit them to attain success, nor can they have confidence that their achievements will not be taken away from them through arbitrary force. The American dream promises freedom and equality. It offers the freedom to make both the large and small decisions that affect ones life, the freedom to aspire to bigger and better things and the possibility of achieving them, the freedom to accumulate wealth, the opportunity to lead a dignified life, and the freedom to live in accordance with ones valueseven if those values are not widely held or accepted. The books of post-Civil War writer Horatio Alger, in which impoverished but hardworking teenage boys rise to success through pluck, determination, and good fortune, came to personify realizing the Dream. The American dream also offers the promise that the circumstances of someone's birthincluding whether they were born American citizens or immigrantsdo not completely determine their future. Disadvantages Terming it a "dream" also carries with it the notion that these ideals aren't necessarily what has played out in the lives of many actual Americans and those who hope to become Americans. The criticism that reality falls short of the American dream is at least as old as the idea itself. The spread of settlers into Native American lands, slavery, the limitation of the vote (originally) to white male landowners, and a long list of other injustices and challenges have undermined the realization of the dream for many who live in the United States. As income inequality has increased substantially since the 1970s, the American dream has begun to seem less attainable for those who aren't already affluent or born into affluence. According to U.S. Census family income data, real family income began to grow much more among the top income group than among other segments of American society. These realities, however, do not diminish the luster of the American dream as an ideal and a beacon to all nations. The American dream promises freedom and equality. The ideals of the American dream are motivating, including the freedom to be in charge of one's own life. The reality of the American dream often falls short of the idea itself. As income inequality has increased, the American dream has seemed less attainable. How to Measure the American Dream ProsCons Today, homeownership is frequently cited as an example of attaining the American dream. It is a symbol of financial success and independence, and it means the ability to control ones own dwelling place instead of being subject to the whims of a landlord. Owning a business and being ones own boss also represents the American dream fulfillment. In addition, access to education and healthcare have been cited as elements of the Dream. Homeownership has steadily increased over time in the U.S., reflecting a key aspect of owning your own property as a sign of achieving the American Dream. For example, the homeownership rate at the end of 2020 was 65.8%, reflecting an increase of 0.7% higher than the previous year. Entrepreneurship has always been important to the U.S. economy too. In 2019, small businesses created 1.6 million net jobs alone. Owning property, one's own business, and carving a life of one's own making is all part of the American dream, and the U.S. as a first-world country also offers the benefits of pursuing these passions, without having to worry about basics such as accessing good education and healthcare. Special Considerations In her book Spreading the American Dream: American Economic and Cultural Expansion, 1890-1945, sociologist Emily S. Rosenberg identifies five components of the American dream that have shown up in countries around the world. These include the following: The belief that other nations should replicate America's development Faith in a free market economy Support for free trade agreements and foreign direct investment Promotion of a free flow of information and culture Acceptance of government protection of private enterprise The American dream was aided by a number of factors that gave the United States a competitive advantage over other countries. For starters, it is relatively isolated geographically, compared to many other countries, and enjoys a temperate climate. It has a culturally diverse population that businesses use to foster innovation in a global landscape. Abundant natural resourcesincluding oil, arable land, and long coastlinesgenerate food and income for the country and its residents. The American Dream has always been about the prospect of success, but 100 years ago, the phrase meant the opposite of what it does now. The original American Dream was not a dream of individual wealth; it was a dream of equality, justice, and democracy for the nation used in the early 1900s The phrase was repurposed by each generation, until the Cold War, when it became an argument for a consumer capitalist version of democracy. Our ideas about the American Dream froze in the 1950s. Today, it doesnt occur to anybody that it could mean anything else. What Is the Original American Dream? The phrase American dream was often used by Progressive-era reformers of the 1900s. Rather than exalting the pursuit of wealth, they sought to tame monopoly capitalism and protect workers and communities from robber barons. This concept was popularized by writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his best-selling 1931 book Epic of America. He described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." What Are Examples of the American Dream? Examples of the American Dream include owning your own house, starting a family, and having a stable job or owning your own business. Is the American Dream Still Achievable? It's widely debated if the American Dream is still achievable, and what that achievement even entails. Indeed, today, many people wonder if they can keep up with rising housing costs and interest payments on loans needed to purchase things like homes and cars. Moreover, American's need to save for their own retirement and pay large out-of-pocket costs for healthcare and higher education, which can leave families saddled with high-interest debt that is hard to crawl back from. What Is the American Dream in Dr. Martin Luther King's Speech? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech referenced the concept of the American dream by stating: "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.'" Since the early 1960s, Dr. King had pondered and preached about how African Americans didn't get a chance to access the reality of the American dream because they were not truly equal to white men and women. Ultimately, Dr. King's "American dream" was equality. How Has the American Dream Changed? Over time, the American dream has shifted from an ethos of equality and solidarity to one of individualistic competition to succeed materialistically, fueled by consumption. In the 1990s and early 2000s, mortgage company Fannie Mae began promulgating the notion that buying a home was a cornerstone of the American Dream, and use the term prominently in ads selling home loans. This ideology led to the housing boom and ultimate bubble that popped ultimately, leading to the 2008-09 financial crisis. The Bottom Line The concept of the American dream is still one of the most uniquely "American" idealsthe ultimate idea that any individual should be able to pursue their dreams and build the life they want if they put in the hard work. This motivating drive influences the economy with entrepreneurship and individual ambition, infusing a romantic notion to anyone trying to be successful in the United States. Though the definition of the American Dream has changed to mean different things to different generations, it's undoubtedly part of the American ethos, and always will be. The skeleton of a rat hangs from a noose inside the Outlaws Motorcycle Club clubhouse on Northumberland Avenue. But that is not the only reminder against ratting out fellow members who prize loyalty to the club. Patches, stickers and T-shirts say snitches are a dying breed and snitches get stitches. Those items were among the weapons, cash and signed swastika flag found by federal agents who recently searched biker clubhouses and members homes as part of a federal investigation into witness tampering in the Pharaohs strip club case. John Ermin, the clubs president and one of four bikers now facing charges as a result of the searches, doesnt even need to wear a shirt to drive home a stark message. He has tattooed on his stomach the abbreviation for God Forgives, Outlaws Dont. The imagery and club credo help explain why former exotic dancer Crystal Quinn feared for her safety, a federal prosecutor said, after she agreed to cooperate in the federal governments sex- and drug-trafficking case against Peter Gerace Jr., who has employed members of the Outlaws at his Pharaohs Gentlemens Club in Cheektowaga. Prosecutors have long been concerned about witness tampering in the case, especially since one cooperator was assaulted in 2019 and then later someone left dead rats on two cars outside the Depew home where Quinn was staying. Quinns death from an overdose of fentanyl last summer in Wellsville ratcheted up the investigation and triggered the search warrants for the biker clubhouses and homes. Quinn, 37, died in Simon P. Gogolacks Wellsville home under what federal authorities call highly suspicious circumstances. Gogolack told authorities that Howard Hinkle Jr. told Quinn days before she died that there was money on her head. Gogolack and Hinkle have been detained on narcotics and firearms charges stemming from the searches of their homes, with Gogolack facing additional kidnapping and witness tampering charges. Items seized from the Outlaws clubhouse and homes lead to the unmistakable conclusion that members of the club will harm informants, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi said in court last week. You know, one of the things Crystal Quinn stated before she died, while she was a government cooperator, was that she was afraid the Outlaws would kill her as a result of her cooperation, Tripi said. It seems like her fears ... were well founded. Silence any witness Ermin, the general manager of Pharaohs, was charged with possessing 15 firearms while being a user of a controlled substance. Three others were charged after the searches: Scott J. Barnes, who lives at the Northumberland clubhouse and has been described by prosecutors as a national enforcer for the Outlaws, was charged with unlawfully possessing a loaded Glock 17 pistol. Michael Roncone, president of the Rare Breed Motorcycle Club in Wellsville, was charged as an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm after FBI agents found 29 firearms and cocaine in his Lancaster home and the Wellsville clubhouse. Paul Raslawsky, a member of the Outlaws and a cook at Pharaohs, faces a charge of using a controlled substance in possession of a firearm based on a 2021 search of his Cheektowaga home. The criminal complaints against them do not mention Pharaohs. But federal prosecutors have said in previous court filings that the Outlaws Motorcycle Club provides security at Pharaohs. At a detention hearing Wednesday, Tripi connected the motorcycle club members to the federal case against Gerace and Joseph Bongiovanni. Federal authorities accuse Gerace of bribing Bongiovanni, at the time a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, and conspiring to engage in drug- and sex-trafficking at the Cheektowaga strip club. 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. Prosecutors charged the now-retired Bongiovanni with accepting $250,000 in bribes from drug dealers whom he thought were associated with Italian organized crime and shielding them from arrest, as well as providing them with information about investigations and cooperating sources. Both have pleaded not guilty. There are allegations of corruption, drug distribution, sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion, Tripi said about Pharaohs during Ermins detention hearing. Mr. Ermins employed at Pharaohs as the manager and several other Outlaws are employed there as well. So they have a very significant interest in anyone who might incriminate them vis-a-vis the conduct occurring at Pharaohs or elsewhere. This defendant was highly motivated to potentially silence any witnesses against Mr. Gerace, Tripi said of Ermin. Tripi warned U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. that Ermin poses a danger to witnesses in the Pharaohs case. But Ermins lawyer said the government has not offered proof of that. Have they pointed to this court one single witness that my client has intimidated? asked attorney George Muscato. No, they havent, because they know he hasnt. Prosecutors lack proof connecting Ermin to Quinns death, Muscato said. They just want to throw it out there and say thats good enough that you should detain him for that, Muscato told the judge. Schroeder did not order Ermin or Barnes detained, but allowed both to be released with restrictions. Schroeder, however, stayed his orders for one day, giving the U.S. Attorneys Office time to appeal them to U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr., which it did. Sinatra has stayed both releases until he can review Schroeders orders. A good Pharaohs manager Tripi described the Outlaws Motorcycle Club as a racist, paramilitary organization that is highly structured and dangerous. The club has been involved for decades in racketeering, murders, drug trafficking and prostitution, Tripi said. Ermin and Barnes are particularly dangerous, he said. Theyre not just any regular criminals charged with a (firearms) offense, he said. They are ranking members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. You have a national president at the very top, and right under that you have a national enforcer. A signed swastika flag that hangs on a wall in the Northumberland Avenue clubhouse includes Ermins signature, Tripi said. Muscato, the defense lawyer, offered a less-menacing portrayal of Ermin. Pharaoh's trial likely to be delayed again as judge deals with '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 owner of Pharaoh's strip club who is awaiting trial on charges of bribing a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and witness tampering. Ermin has no criminal record. They want to say to you, well, hes dangerous, Muscato told the magistrate judge. Hes a flight risk. Hes this, hes that. So they throw everything out at this court in an effort to try to convince you that this man is something other than what he is. Ermin has a legal right to possess his firearms, mostly shotguns, which he uses for hunting, he said. The FBI agents found gummies infused with marijuana and a small amount of leafy marijuana, legal in the state, he said. Ermin has managed Pharaohs for about 10 years, working his way up to that job after years of doing maintenance work and other jobs there for $10 an hour, Muscato said. He went to work at the strip club to get off Social Security disability after a motorcycle crash seriously injured him on May 12, 2000. Ermins then-37-year-old wife, Doreen, died from her injuries in the crash just outside Pittsburgh. He went on Social Security disability, but he doesnt want to be a slug in this world, Muscato said. He went and got a job that paid him enough money, and hes been a good manager over all these years at Pharaohs. As for as being leader of what the U.S. Justice Department called a transnational criminal organization, he must be a lousy president because he has absolutely no criminal record, Muscato said. Where is the bad-guy stuff that he did? Muscato asked. They dont have anything here. Tripi said Ermin has managed Pharaohs for a very good chunk of the time it has been maintained as a drug premises, that theres been sex trafficking occurring there and theres been Outlaws selling drugs there as will be shown at a federal trial. Guilt by association Barnes, 55, is a union electrician who moved to Buffalo from New Hampshire in 2021. Thats shortly after Gerace was charged in the superseding indictment and after it became clear that law enforcement had a spotlight on Pharaohs, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Cooper said in court. Cooper pointed to the Nazi and white supremacy stuff all over the clubhouse as an indication of the danger Barnes poses. Barnes was injured last spring when he fell off his motorcycle after hitting a pothole, said attorney David Cotter, who represents Barnes. He has had two wickedly major back surgeries within the past nine months, Cotter said. The FBI began surveilling the Outlaws clubhouse on Nov. 6 and arrested Barnes on Dec. 7. What is missing from the criminal complaint is any allegation of any other criminal activity by Mr. Barnes during that period of time, Cotter said. As for the pistol that agents found in the clubhouse, the criminal complaint says it was near his belongings. It doesnt say its in his pocket, Cotter said. It doesnt say it has his DNA. The magistrate judge declined to detain Ermin and Barnes as their cases proceed, saying most of what he heard dealt more with Pharaohs than their charges. Its almost an argument of guilt by association, said Schroeder. Online casino content supplier Yggdrasil Gaming today announced that it has inked a deal to boost the online gambling offering of major operator William Hill. The agreement has been signed through Yggdrasil Gamings newly established Gibraltar business. William Hill said that it has opted for a direct integrationso as to be able to take advantage of the providers popular slot titles as well as performance boosting tools, including the in-game promotional product BOOST and the social media sharing BRAG. The William Hill deal has been Yggdrasil Gamings fourthsince it established its Gibraltar office. The company was awarded a license by the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority in June 2016. Signing major gambling operators, including William Hill, and securing licenses from different regulated jurisdictions has been an important part of the suppliers growth strategy. Apart from Gibraltar, Yggdrasil Gaming currently holds licenses from the gaming authorities of the UK, Romania, and Malta where the companys head office is located. Earlier this month, the gaming supplier also received a regulatory nod to enter Italys regulated iGaming market. First Yggdrasil Gaming titles are expected to go live in the local market in the second quarter of the year. William Hills Bid to Boost Its Online Gaming Division The addition of online casino content by an innovative and rapidly growing provider can certainly be seen as an attempt for William Hill to bolster its online offering. The operators digital division has had tough time over the past several years. Last spring, William Hill issued a profit warning, making it known that the underperformance of its online businessand the operator-unfriendly results at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival would result in full-year profit failing to meet original expectations. In a trading update from January 9, 2017, the gambling operator confirmed that full-year profit was at the bottom end of the 260-280 million rangeannounced after the profit warning. William Hill pointed out that its online business started improving in the second half of 2016, a trend that was maintained until the very end of the year and the first days of 2017. It is yet to be seen whether the operators efforts to boost its digital branch, including the addition of Yggdrasil Gaming content, will yield the desired results. Ph.D., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University M.A., Psychology, Fielding Graduate University B.A., Film Studies, Cornell University Positive psychology is a relatively new subfield of psychology that focuses on human strengths and the things that make life worth living. Psychologist Martin Seligman is considered the father of this branch of psychology after he led the charge to popularize it in 1998. Since then, positive psychology has garnered a great deal of interest, generating attention from both psychologists and the general public. Key Takeaways: Positive Psychology Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and well-being. While positive psychology has received a great deal of attention, it has also been criticized for a number of reasons, including neglecting individual differences, blaming the victim, and being biased towards a Western, white, middle-class perspective. Martin Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology because he introduced it as the theme for his term as president of the American Psychological Association in 1998. Origins and Definition of Positive Psychology While psychologists have studied topics like happiness, optimism, and other human strengths for decades, positive psychology wasnt officially identified as a branch of psychology until 1998 when Martin Seligman was elected president of the American Psychological Association (APA). Seligman suggested that psychology had become too focused on mental illness. While this had yielded valuable treatments that enabled psychologists to treat a number of pathologies and dysfunctions that helped people become less unhappy, it meant that psychology was neglecting what was good about lifeand what the average person could improve. Seligman called for research into what makes normal peoples lives positive and fulfilling, and suggested that the field should develop interventions that could make people happier. He stated that psychology should be just as concerned with nurturing the good things in life as it was with healing the bad. From these ideas positive psychology was born. Seligman made positive psychology the theme of his term as APA president and used his visibility in that role to spread the word. From there the field took off. It received a great deal of attention from mainstream media outlets. Meanwhile, the first Positive Psychology Summit was held in 1999, followed by the first International Conference on Positive Psychology in 2002. Interest in positive psychology has remained high ever since. In 2019, 1,600 individuals attended the World Congress of Positive Psychology, research in the field has generated tens of thousands of academic papers, and a quarter of the undergraduate students at Yale University enrolled in a course devoted to the subject of happiness in 2018. While Seligman is still the name most closely associated with positive psychology, numerous other well-known researchers have contributed to the subfield, including Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Barbara Fredrickson, Daniel Gilbert, Albert Bandura, Carol Dweck, and Roy Baumeister. Today, positive psychology is sometimes confused with self-help movements, like positive thinking. However, like all of psychology, positive psychology is a science, and therefore, uses research based on the scientific method to reach its conclusions about what causes humans to thrive. Psychologist Christopher Peterson also pointed out that positive psychology is meant to serve as a complement and extension of the areas of psychology that focus on mental illness and human weakness. Positive psychologists dont wish to replace or discard the study of human problems, they simply wish to add the study of whats good in life to the field. Important Theories and Ideas Since Seligman first brought widespread attention to positive psychology, several theories, ideas, and research findings have come out of the subfield, including: Flow and mindfulness can help encourage optimal human functioning. People tend to be pretty happy and resilient. There are different forms of happinesshedonism, or pleasure, and eudaimonia, or well-being. Eudaimonia has been found to be more important than hedonism to a satisfying life. Strong relationships and character strengths can help counter the negative impact of setbacks. Money doesnt impact happiness past a certain point, but spending money on experiences will make people happier than spending it on material things. Gratitude contributes to happiness. There is a genetic component to happiness; however, anyone can improve their happiness through practices like optimism and altruism. Critiques and Limitations Despite its ongoing popularity, positive psychology has been criticized for a number of different reasons. First, humanistic psychologists have argued that, with positive psychology, Seligman is claiming credit for work previously done in humanistic psychology. And indeed, humanistic psychologists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow focused their research on the positive side of the human experience years before Seligman turned his attention to positive psychology. Maslow even coined the term positive psychology, which he used in his book Motivation and Personalityin 1954. On the other hand, positive psychologists insist their research is based on empirical evidence while that of humanistic psychology is not. Despite positive psychologists' testaments to the scientific nature of their findings, some have said that the research produced by the subfield is invalid or overstated. These critics believe the field has moved too quickly from research to practical interventions. They argue that positive psychologys findings arent strong enough to support real-world applications, and as a result, it is getting subsumed by self-help movements and pop culture. Similarly, some claim that positive psychology fails to take individual differences into account, instead presenting findings as if they will work for everyone in the same way. For example, psychology professor Julie Norem has pointed out that positive psychology strategies like increasing optimism and cultivating positive emotions could backfire for individuals she dubs defensive pessimists. Defensive pessimists guard against anxiety by considering every negative outcome that could come out of a situation. This causes them to work harder to avoid those possibilities. In contrast, when these individuals are pushed to focus on optimism and positive emotions, their performance declines. In addition, when people with low self-esteem repeat a personally affirming statement (e.g., Im a lovable person), it makes them feel worse than people with low self-esteem who didnt repeat the statement. Another criticism of positive psychology is that its too individualistic, which has led to victim blaming. These critics argue that the field's messages imply that if an individual cant use positive psychology techniques to make themselves happy, its their own fault. Finally, some have suggested that positive psychology is limited by cultural bias. Not only has the majority of research in the field been conducted by Western scholars, positive psychology's findings has often come from a white, middle-class perspective that ignores issues such as systemic inequality and poverty. Recently, however, attempts have been made to expand the findings in positive psychology to incorporate perspectives from non-Western countries and a diversity of backgrounds. Sources Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday urged China and the United States to interact positively in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese and U.S. efforts to build new relations should start from the Asia-Pacific region,fish games online real money where the two countries have the most converging interests and interact most frequently, Wang said in talks held with visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Wang called on both sides to step up dialogue and cooperation, flesh out a new type of relations between big countries and translate their leaders agreements into tangible actions, so as to assure the two peoples and the countries in the region. Wang urged both countries to send positive signals to the region and discourage attempts to cause trouble between the two. President Xi Jinping also met with Kerry on Saturday. Kerry is on his first visit to China since taking office in February. China is the second leg of Kerrys four-day east Asia tour, which has also taken him to the Republic of Korea. He will fly to Japan on Sunday. Xinhua Chinese FM eyes positive China-U.S. interaction in Asia-Pacificadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline What Is Landlocked?best online gambling in canada canadian casino club Landlocked in the context of real estate refers to a piece of property that is inaccessible via public thoroughfare, except through an adjacent lot. A vacant lot that is located behind a strip mall and can only be reached by walking through the mall qualifies as this type of lot. Landlocked property is locked up, meaning it's surrounded by other property. Key Takeaways Landlocked in the context of real estate refers to a piece of property that is inaccessible via public thoroughfare, except through an adjacent lot. Landlocked property is locked up, meaning it's surrounded by other property, and only accessible through the property that surrounds it. Landlocked parcels are typically the result of subdivisions or the division of a larger parcel of land into smaller parcels, which are sold off individually. Owners of a landlocked property can obtain an easement, which grants the right to cross over neighboring land to access the public road. Understanding Landlocked Landlocked parcels are typically the result of subdivisions or the division of a larger parcel of land into smaller parcels, which are sold off individually. Ideally, the smaller parcels would each have access to a public right-of-way, but sometimes thats not possible. For example, a seller might wish to subdivide a large square parcel with a landscape feature in the center, such as a mountain, thats unsuitable for development. Rather than carving out a gerrymandered parcel that gives road access to the mountain, it might be left landlocked. Landlocked real estate properties can occur when land that's been in a family for many years is divided up between family members. Eventually, when properties are sold, there becomes a need for the properties to be separately owned. Accessing the landlocked property might not have been an issue when the surrounding properties were owned by the same family; however, once the ownership changes for some of the properties, access to the landlocked real estate can become an issue. Advantages and Disadvantages of Landlocked Real Estate Landlocked property typically has a lower value than the surrounding properties, due to its inaccessibility; however, that doesn't mean the landlocked real estate is worth nothing. In addition, because it has a lower value, it may be a better value in expensive neighborhoods for prospective buyers. This may allow these buyers access to a community that they would otherwise be priced out of. Obtaining a loan or mortgage for a landlocked property, however, can be difficult since banks may not finance a landlocked property. The lack of access to the property for public services, such as medical and fire personnel, can make banks and prospective buyers pass on dealing with a landlocked property. Easement Access to a landlocked property or parcel can be challenging for the owner; however, state and federal laws protect the right of property owners to productive use of their land, which means, in general, the right to gain access to a public road. An easement, which grants the right to cross over neighboring land, is used to provide such access. There are various types of easements, some easier to acquire than others. But, savvy buyers who understand the rules can find good investments in landlocked property. The stress-free way to get an easement is through a friendly negotiation with a neighboring landowner. They might be tempted to grant a verbal promise, which allows a landlocked owner to cross their land, but buyers are advised to get the promise in writing. A written easement created by a real estate lawyer, and registered with the local deed office provides security for the landlocked property owner. With a verbal arrangement, the neighbor could change their mind, or sell their land to a less hospitable owner. Finally, the neighbor's word wont carry much weight when the landlocked parcel goes up for sale again. A permanent easement in writing avoids all of these potential problems. Easement by Necessity If a neighbor balks at signing a friendly easement or asks for unreasonable compensation, it may be necessary to obtain an easement by necessity. An easement by necessity is a court order granting the landowner legally entitled access to their property. The catch is that the landlocked owner must prove through a deed and title search that both the landlocked property and the neighboring property were at one time owned by the same person. The court is essentially ruling that when the property was subdivided, the owner neglected to provide the necessary road access. Its important to note that filing for an easement by necessity will entail legal costs. Also, it may leave the landlocked owner with an angry neighbor who can appeal the ruling. There are exceptions to an easement by necessity, such as land patents granted by the federal government, even those dating back hundreds of years. To avoid being embroiled in legal battles over a landlocked property, buyers should consult an experienced real estate attorney. Can You Deny Access to Landlocked Property? No, you cannot deny access to landlocked property. There are federal and state laws in place that allow access to landlocked property even though direct access is not possible. One of the best ways to allow access to landlocked property is through an easement or easement by necessity. Why Should I Invest in a Landlocked Property? There are many reasons why a person would want to invest in a landlocked property. Landlocked properties are lower in value so they might be an entry point into an otherwise expensive neighborhood that would be out of the person's budget. If a landlocked property is next to a business or area of business that is likely to expand in the future, then holding onto a landlocked property and selling it in the future for a higher price when the business area expands is also another reason to purchase such property. What Is Severance of Unity? "Severance of unity" is one of the items that the owner of a landlocked property must prove when trying to obtain an easement by necessity. It proves that the initial owner of the land subdivided the property and part of the division was transferred to the claimant. Leaders of BRICS countries hailed the outcome of their first-day summit on Tuesday, when four major agreements were signed in key economic areas. The BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is holding its sixth summit on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brazils northeastern coastal city of Fortaleza. The first day of the two-day summit saw the signing of such documents as agreements on establishing the New Development Bank (NDB) and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation among BRICS Export Credit and Guarantees Agencies, and the Cooperation Agreement on Innovation within the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism. South African President Jacob Zuma said during his speech at the summit that the four agreements marked BRICS countries strengthened cooperation in financial and economic domains, which would produce tangible results and impact on the lives of their people. BRICS countries have started a journey of forging strategic cooperation through embarking jointly on tangible projects with key deliverables that will impact positively on their growth and development, Zuma added. Meanwhile, the South African leader said a proposed BRICS-Africa Council could add an additional dimension to augmenting trade and investment between BRICS members and countries on the African continent. Zuma said he was looking forward to working with his BRICS colleagues more closely as his country was implementing the National Development Plan, in the spirit of the BRICS partnership for development and progress. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the setting up of the NDB and CRA, saying that they would help not only BRICS countries themselves, but also many other developing countries. Putin said the two financial institutions would help developing countries reduce the negative impact of economic fluctuation while implementing their economic policies more effectively. The Russian president proposed closer contacts in areas such energy safety, mining, culture and education. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BRICS countries have their own advantages and are complementary to each other, describing the BRICS bloc as a unique and crucial platform for the five emerging economies. The group has great influence not only over the five member countries, but also the rest of the world, especially the developing countries, since it addresses common concerns faced by the world, such as poverty, food security, and climate change, Modi said. He called on the BRICS countries to learn from each other while promoting exchanges of different levels and increasing people-to-people contacts, especially between the youth. Xinhua BRICS leaders hail outcome of first-day summit after 4 major deals signedadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Russia and China hold a unified position on Syria, in which both parties are opposed to foreign intervention and violent change of power, said the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin. Liu stressed that Moscow and Beijing insist on an immediate cessation of violence in Syria and the establishment of political dialogue with the opposition government. The spokesperson also said that both Russia and China believe the crisis in Syria should be resolved through consultation between the parties involved in the conflict. This approach meets the basic interests of the Syrian people. He added that Russia and China in their own way played a positive role in resolving the situation in Syria. Earlier, Moscow and Beijing blocked the adoption of UN Security Council resolutions that called for tougher sanctions against Syria. An armed confrontation between supporters of incumbent President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and the opposition continued for over a year. According to the UN, the war has killed at least 10 thousand people. China and Russia have a common position on Syriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline A bird's eye view of the Qinling Mountains in Shangluo,coin slot machine clip art Shaanxi province. [Photo/IC] The China Meteorological Administration will set up a national climate observatory in the Qinling Mountains in Shangluo in Shaanxi province, to carry out scientific research on climate, according to a notice released earlier this month. The observatory will assess solar energy resources and monitor extreme weather events in the region. The Shaanxi Meteorological Service plans to finish building the observatory in 2027. It will serve as the only observatory in the climate zone along the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River. The Qinling Mountains run west to east across the country and divide not only northern and southern China, but also their climates, fauna and flora. To date, there are 26 national climate observatories in China. Three local homes share one thing in common and it isnt a thing that any homeowner wishes for. All three became targets of forfeiture cases recently filed by federal prosecutors in connection with drug investigations. One is a stately mansion at 5061 Rockhaven Drive, purchased last year for $800,000, in the upscale Spaulding Lake development in Clarence. Another is a home near the shores of the Niagara River in Lewiston. Homeland Security investigators allege that the home at 4240 Wolf Run Drive was used as a landing and takeoff spot for drones carrying illegal drugs from Canada. The third is 7122 Larry Drive, the Wheatfield residence of a nurse practitioner who was arrested in October on charges that he illegally sold opioids to some of his patients. In all three cases, federal agents and the U.S. Attorneys Office allege in court papers that the property was in some way linked to drug trafficking. Government attorneys are seeking to take the homes away from the owners, sell the properties and use the proceeds to help crime victims or police agencies. In a forfeiture case, the government has to establish that the property was used for storage or sale of drugs, or that it was purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking, said Joseph M. LaTona, a Buffalo defense lawyer since 1975. Becoming a target of a forfeiture action can be very stressful for anyone, said LaTona, who has battled with the government over forfeitures in the past but is not involved in any of the three recent cases. Basically, the government is telling you, Not only do we want to put you in prison, but we want to take your home away from you and your family, LaTona told The Buffalo News. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Buffalo used criminal and civil forfeiture actions to obtain more than $36 million in 2022. Most of the forfeiture actions were connected to investigations into fraud, drug-trafficking and other crimes, the office said. Buffalo prosecutors use forfeiture to deter and punish property owners who use their homes to facilitate drug crimes, or those who use drug profits to buy property, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross said. Court documents provide some of the details on the three recent cases examined by The News. According to documents filed by prosecutors, the Larry Court home in Wheatfield is the residence of Michael Ostolski, 55, a nurse practitioner who worked out of a medical office in Lockport. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents charged him in early October with felony conspiracy to sell oxymorphone, an opioid. DEA agents said Ostolski over-prescribed the drug to a select group of patients with the understanding they would sell oxymorphone pills for a financial profit. He is alleged to have prescribed more than 13,000 of the pills, over a two-year period, to his co-conspirator patients. Ostolskis home was property involved in money laundering transactions or distribution of narcotics, a prosecutor alleged in court papers. Ostolski pleaded not guilty and his attorney declined to comment on the case to The News. The Wolf Run home in Lewiston was the scene of an unusual drug bust early on the morning of Sept. 21, 2022. Around 1:30 that day, the Border Patrol spotted a drone launched from a location near the Niagara River. Police monitored the drone as it crossed the Niagara into Canada and landed at 1:38 a.m. near a winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, court papers stated. About 15 minutes later, the drone carrying a package that someone attached to it launched from the site near the winery and headed back into American airspace, landing in the backyard at the Wolf Run home, according to court filings. Officers from the Border Patrol and New York State Parks Police pursued the drone into the yard. They said a man named Edvin Yug Deng ran into the house, where he was arrested. He was charged with felony importing and possessing almost 3,000 grams of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, that was carried by the drone. Authorities said the ecstasy had a street value of $110,000. They said the home had almost no furniture inside and alleged that the home was used to facilitate felony drug transactions. They said the home was purchased for $630,000 last year by a Long Island company called Y&L Beauty Nail Inc. Witnesses told Homeland Security investigators the home was rarely occupied, but added that people would show up in expensive cars about once a month and stay for several days. Dengs attorney did not respond to a phone message or email sent by a News reporter. Federal prosecutors filed a forfeiture action Nov. 27 seeking to acquire the home on Rockhaven Drive in Clarence. According to court papers, the home is owned by a company called 5061 Rockhaven Drive LLC, and the corporation has a business address at 173 Pleasant View Drive in Lancaster. That Lancaster address, according to government records, is the former home of David A. Zale Jr., 29, who faces drug charges filed against him by the Erie County District Attorneys Office and Cheektowaga police in February. Police charged Zale with criminal possession of 15 pounds of cannabis and more than 2 pounds of concentrated cannabis. He pleaded not guilty. Zale did not respond to an email or a note left for him by a News reporter who went to the Spaulding Lake home. A woman there identified herself as Zales fiancee and said she was not aware that prosecutors are trying to forfeit the home. His attorney handles all that, she said. In federal court papers, a prosecutor said the Spaulding Lake home has allegedly been linked to money laundering offenses and drug investigations. Zale owns a chain of stores where customers last year could purchase stickers priced between $10 and $300 and receive a commensurate gift of marijuana. Buffalo attorney Phil Modrzynski represents Zale on his drug charges, but Modrzynski told The News he does not represent Zale on any federal cases and was not aware of the forfeiture action. Forfeiture actions have been a valuable law enforcement tool in Buffalo for decades, said Dennis C. Vacco, a former U.S. attorney and former state attorney general, and Richard D. Kaufman, a former supervisor of federal forfeiture cases in Buffalo. Forfeiture has been very helpful to law enforcement, but the power to do this has to be used in a careful and judicious way to avoid hurting innocent parties, Vacco said. I do think that prosecutors, at times, are over aggressive in the use of forfeiture laws. Now in private practice, Vacco sometimes represents people who are targeted in forfeiture actions. I represent a businessman in Utah who has a $7 million forfeiture case. It was filed against him there because he borrowed money from another individual who was prosecuted for tax fraud, Vacco said. My client was not involved with the fraud, and was not charged with any crime To me, this is the wrong way to use this law. On October 25, presidents of five military academies of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and presidents of eight military academies from Japan, South Korea, the United States and France gathered in PLA University of Science and Technology (UST) to attend the discussion and exchange activities on the topic of cultivating army officers of the informationization era . It is reported that the three-day discussion and exchange activities adopted a combination of keynote speech and special topic symposium, during which presidents of both domestic and foreign military academies made exploration and discussion on the topics including Tasks and development trends of Chinese military academic education institutions, Cultivating military leaders of informationization era, Education system and training mode of army officer academy, and Training system of military cadet quality and leadership capability. They also visited the related Chinese military institutions. Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese PLA, participated in discussion and exchange activities and met with presidents of domestic and foreign military academies. A total of 60 people attended the event, including presidents of five Chinese military institutions such as National University of Defense Technology, PLA Information Engineering University, PLA UST, PLA Army Officer College, and PLA Armored Force Engineering Institute, presidents of eight foreign military institutes such as the Japanese Defense University, the South Korean Army Officer University, the Turkish Army Officer Academy, the French Saint-Cyr Military Academy, the German Federal Defense Force Command College, the United States Military Academy (West Point), Canada Royal Military College and Australian Military Defense Academy, leaders of related PLA institutions, leaders of relevant departments of the leading organs of the PLA general headquarters/departments, and entourage of foreign military academies. Liu Fengan and Ma Shengwei Chinese Mil Presidents of 13 domestic and foreign military academies meet in Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline WASHINGTON,coin slot machine clip art Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mitch McConnell was re-elected as Republican leader in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. A longtime Senate Republican leader from Kentucky, McConnell defeated U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida reportedly in a 37 to 10 vote. McConnell, 80, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that he's honored to have been re-elected to lead Republicans in Senate. He vowed to fight what he called "Democrats' recklessness" and "promote our commonsense conservative vision." McConnell's reelection came days after Democrats were projected to retain majority status in the upper chamber after the 2022 midterm elections. Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Chuck Schumer on Tuesday accused Republicans of running with "extreme MAGA candidates" in the Nov. 8 races. MAGA stands for Make America Great Again, a political campaign slogan popularized by former U.S. President Donald Trump. A Republican, Trump announced Tuesday night that he would run for the White House again in a speech that critics said was full of false and misleading claims. McConnell, who has had a tense relationship with Trump, told reporters on Wednesday that he's going to "stay out of" the 2024 presidential primary season. "I think it's going to be a highly contested nomination fight with other candidates entering," he predicted. All 435 seats of the U.S. House of Representatives were contested this year, with the control of the lower chamber still undetermined. Republicans have won 217 seats, only one seat away from securing the House majority, versus 207 for Democrats with 11 seats still too close to call, according to media projections. House Republicans nominated Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California congressman, on Tuesday to be the chamber's speaker next term. It remains unclear who will lead House Democrats in the coming two years. The new Congress will convene for the first time on Jan. 3, 2023. In this year's midterm elections, 36 out of 50 states, as well as three U.S. territories, elected governors. Numerous other state and local elections were also contested. What Is a Landlord?best gpu for mining 2021 The term landlord refers to a property owner who rents or leases that property to another party in exchange for rent payments. Landlords can be individuals, businesses, or other entities. Landlords typically provide the necessary maintenance or repairs during the rental period, while the tenant or leaseholder is responsible for the cleanliness and general upkeep of the property. Specific duties and obligations of each party are normally outlined in a lease agreement. Key Takeaways A landlord is a person or entity which owns real property and then leases it out to tenants in return for rent payment. A landlord can rent to either residential or commercial tenants depending on zoning restrictions and type of property. Landlords and tenants are bound by a lease agreement, which is a legal contract specifying the rights and responsibilities of each party. Being a landlord can generate passive rental income, but can also come with unforeseen costs and unique legal and financial risks. Landlords are not allowed to discriminate (based on things like race or sexuation orientation), enter the property without proper notice, evict a tenant improperly, and raise rents without notice. Understanding Landlords As noted above, a landlord is anyone who owns property and rents it out to someone else. This party is called the tenant or leaseholder. Landlords invest in real estate as a source of financial profit. By owning property and leasing it out, a landlord can earn a steady stream of income along with the potential for appreciation of their properties. Landlords may be individuals, businesses, or other entities, such as government agencies. Similarly, the types of properties they own can also vary. That means that the types of properties they own aren't limited to just homes. In addition to single-family residences, their real estate portfolios may include: Multi-family residential dwellings, such as multi-family homes, apartment buildings, and condominiums Land and empty lots Vacation properties, such as cottages and villas Commercial properties, such as standalone business properties, shopping malls, office buildings, or mixed-use buildings Landlords typically use leases when they rent out their assets. A lease is a legally binding contract that outlines the terms under which one party agrees to rent property from another. It guarantees the lessee or tenant the use of an asset and guarantees that the lessor (the property owner or landlord) is entitled to regular payments for a specified period in exchange. Special Considerations There are some landlords who own property but aren't actually located on or near the property. These entities are called absentee landlords. Being an absentee landlord can be risky for the property owner. Damage or a complete loss due to negligence or tenant misbehavior is an ongoing worry. Squatting situations can also arise without adequately monitoring, and the eviction of tenants can be problematic. Security deposit management is also a critical obligation for any landlord. While landlords have the right to charge tenants a security deposit to cover both property damage, as well as unpaid rent, the deposit does not ever actually belong to the landlord. Rules and laws governing security deposit amounts and how they must be maintained. These rules vary from state to state. Landlords who breach these laws could face legal consequences. Landlord Rights and Responsibilities Landlords have specific rights and responsibilities that vary from state to state, however, there are general laws, common to all states. Property owners also have the right to collect rent, as well as any prearranged late fees. They also have the right to raise the rent as defined in the tenant-landlord lease agreement. When tenants do not pay rent, landlords have the right to evict them. The process of eviction also varies from state to state. Most states provide landlords with the ability to collect back rent as well as legal costs. Property owners must: responsible for maintaining their rental properties in habitable condition managing security deposits ensuring that a property is clean and empty when a new tenant moves in The landlord must also follow all local building codes, perform prompt repairs, and keep all vital services, including plumbing, electricity, and heat, in working order. Click Play to Learn All About Landlords Types of Landlords 1:54 Just as the types of properties a landlord can own can vary, so too do the types of landlords. They may be individuals, corporations, or other entities, such as government agencies. Individuals may own one or more properties and rent them out to supplement their incomes or as a way to diversify their investment portfolios. For instance, a middle-aged couple may decide to purchase a second home and rent it out as a way to increase their monthly income, Keeping the property rented out during retirement can help these individuals supplement any money they receive from Social Security benefits or other investments. Other landlords, such as corporations, may actually be in the business of purchasing properties for the express purpose to rent them out. For example, a real estate corporation may purchase office buildings and rent them out to different businesses for monthly rent. Municipal governments, especially those in large cities, often own housing corporations. These agencies own, rent out, manage, and maintain affordable or subsidized housing rentals to those in need. Rental payments are commonly determined based on a tenant's income for these dwellings. Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Landlord Landlords have financial advantages and disadvantages when investing in a rental property. Among the benefits, a landlord may leverage borrowed funds to purchase a rental property, thereby needing a smaller portion of the total property cost, to gain the rental income from the structure. The rental property can secure this debt, freeing up other assets belonging to the landlord. Most costs associated with rental properties are tax-deductible. If there is no net profit after expenses, rental income is essentially un-taxed income. As the rental property mortgage is paid down, landlords increase their ownership percentage of their property and gain access to the appreciation of value. However, when a landlord sells a property, they will pay taxes on any capital gains unless they roll over the money into another rental property. This process, called a 1031 exchange, has specific requirements. The new property must be identified within 45-days of the sale, and the full transfer must take place within 180 days. Use of leverage to purchase the property Tax-deductible costs Income stream Potential for appreciation Various responsibilities of maintaining and managing the property Taxes on capital gains Tenant-related hassles Unforeseen costs Unique legal liabilities Special Considerations Advantages of Being a LandlordDisadvantages of Being a Landlord In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement statewide rent control, placing a limit on rent increases and limiting a landlords' ability to remove tenants without cause. What Are Things a Landlord Cannot Do? Here is a list of four main things a landlord isn't allowed to do: Discriminate:Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, the law strictly forbids landlords from denying a lease to someone based on: race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, or gender. Enter without proper notice: Unless it's for an emergency situation such as a fire or leak, landlords must give proper notice before entering a property. Laws vary by state, but many statutes require at least 24-hour notice. Evict tenants improperly:A landlord may evict a tenant for several reasons, but they must always go through the proper legal channels. Failure to follow proper protocol puts the landlord in a precarious legal position. Raise rents without notice:Landlords must give ample notice before increasing a tenant's rent (typically that means a minimum of 30 days). And depending on the state, rent control laws might prevent landlords from raising rents above a certain limit; even when the lease is up for renewal. How Can You Become a Landlord? You don't need a specific license, degree, or certification to be a landlord. When you purchase a rental property, you essentially becomethe landlord. That said, it makes sense to learn about landlord-tenant laws, state regulations, and property management best practices in order to run the property as headache-free as possible. How Much Notice Does a Landlord Have to Give a Tenant to Move Out? In most states, landlords must give a tenant 30 days' notice to end a month-to-month lease. What Does Landlord Insurance Cover? Landlord insurance generally covers three types of losses: Property damage: Damage to the home due to perils like fire, wind, hail, or snow. Liability: Protects the landlord legally if a tenant is injured on the property. Loss of rental income:If the property can't be rented out due to covered damage, landlord insurance may also cover the loss of rental income. How Long Does a Landlord Have to Make Repairs? Landlord-tenant laws vary from state to state. But generally speaking, a landlord has three to seven days to fix critical issues (such as no heat or running water) and 30 days for less serious problems. How Do I Report a Landlord for Negligence? In most cases, you must first notify the landlord of any issue(s) before you file a complaint. If there is no response or the landlord doesn't rectify the situation, you may file a complaint with: the local health department the Rental Protection Agency the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Multifamily Housing Complaint Line the local police How Much Can a Landlord Raise the Rent? The amount a landlord can increase the rent depends on local laws. In areas without rent control, rent increases vary by state. For example, in California, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 provides a rent cap increase for areas within California that do not have a rent control in place. New Jersey man raises money for homeless veterans with cross-country walk closeVideo Tommy Pasquale of Randolph, N.J., shared with Fox News Digital that he's on a mission to support America's veterans by walking to Venice Beach, California. A New Jersey man is walking across the country for a very good cause. Tommy Pasquale of Randolph, New Jersey, is on a mission to trek all the way to Venice Beach, California, from New Jersey to raise money for the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. The 24-year-old left Brielle Road Beach in Manasquan, New Jersey, on Sept. 19, 2022, with the goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean by April 2023. Pasquale said that the 38,000 veterans who go to sleep homeless across the United States is an "unacceptable" number especially in a country "as great as the United States." VETERAN OF US ARMY REGAINS ABILITY TO MOVE FINGERS WITH NEW PROCEDURE, PROSTHETICS: HOPE FOR NORMAL FUTURE "I think its not too much to ask that when they get home, they have a good place to live and rest their hat at the end of the day," he said. Pasquale revealed to Fox News Digital that his mission is a journey "from sea to shining sea" in true American fashion. Tommy Pasquale is on a mission to walk from Manasquan, New Jersey, to Venice Beach, California, to raise money for America's homeless veterans. (Tommy Pasquale) Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was forced into lockdown, Pasquale said that it's been a dream of his to "do something crazy" such as walk across the country. "I decided if theres ever a point where Im going to do it, the time is now when Im young, Im strong and Im healthy," he said. MILITARY RECRUITS RECEIVE FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO ROTC SCHOOLS AT NEW YORK JETS GAME: TRULY GRATEFUL "So, I went for it and Im glad I did, although its definitely a little crazy." Pasquale quit his job he worked in software sales in New York City. He also sold his car, using the money hed saved to take the trip. Tommy Pasquale of Randolph, New Jersey, walks with his cart as he leaves Manasquan, New Jersey on Sept. 19, 2022. (Tommy Pasquale) "It should last me until I get there," he said. "But currently, I have no income." Pasquale decided to pair the cross-country walk with the "good cause" of fighting veteran homelessness. He has several veterans and active-duty military in his own circle. ON PTSD AWARENESS DAY, IMPORTANT HELP FOR VETERANS, MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS IN SEARCH OF BETTER SLEEP "Ive always been passionate about helping out veterans in any way I can because theyve given so much to us," he said. Pasquale is calling the journey "Tommy Walks America" and he's been keeping his followers in the loop through social media. Before the trip, Pasquale trained by walking every day. Although he was fit enough for the job, he realized the journey would be physically and mentally tough. "I knew it was going to be challenging," he said. "Im not quite sure if I realized how challenging it was going to be until I got out here." NEW YORK JETS PAY TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S MILITARY, VETERANS WITH ANNUAL SALUTE TO SERVICE GAME "I was definitely nervous. I was excited, cautiously optimistic but until you go out there and take the first step and start doing it, its all unknown." He added, "Sometimes you just got to send it." Tommy Pasquale takes a final walk on one of his "favorite beaches" in New Jersey before leaving for his cross-country trek on Sept. 19, 2022. (Tommy Pasquale) Pasquale said he walks at least 20 miles each day, following county highways and small back roads, while pushing a shopping cart full of essentials such as clothes, non-perishable food, toiletries, water, a journal, books and chargers. The traveler spends most nights in a tent with a sleeping bag that hes brought along with him. But hes been able to bunk with friends, too and even people hes met along the way who live en route. Since traveling about 925 miles to Nashville, Pasquale revealed that his trusty pairs of New Balance and HOKA sneakers are just about spent. Tommy Pasquale walks down the street in Manasquan, New Jersey, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Tommy Pasquale) "They have served their purpose," he said. "Definitely need some new sneakers now." Pasquale has received "a lot of support" so far from people he knows, as well as from strangers, he said including country music star Parker McCollum, who offered Pasquale tickets to the Country Music Awards while he was in Music City on Nov. 9. GOLD STAR FAMILIES LOVE AMERICA PASSIONATELY: LESSONS FROM NONPROFIT'S COMMEMORATIVE JOURNEY "Any time I get to stop and see something cool or stop in a cool city like Nashville, I definitely want to take my time and enjoy it," he said. While Pasquale is a third of the way through his journey as of right now, he revealed that hes learned a lot about himself and the world around him, especially in a nation that seems so divided. Twenty-four-year-old Tommy Pasquale poses with his new cart after the first cart broke filled with essentials for his walk across the U.S. on day six of the trip in Pennsylvania. (Tommy Pasquale) "There are so many good people that are out there still like, genuine, good people," he said. "At the end of the day, most Americans just want to help out their fellow Americans any way they can, and I think its a pretty special thing." SECRETS OF GETTING INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT THIS YEAR: GIVE BACK TO OTHERS He also said, "Different parts of this country are so different, but people are genuine wherever you go." Tommy Pasquale stops at American Legion Post 330 in Culpeper, Virginia, as he walks across America on behalf of America's homeless veterans. (Tommy Pasquale) Pasquales goal is to raise $100,000 for the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, but he believes hell be able to raise much more. "I dont think its out of the question to think that we could raise $1 million," he said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER He added, "Any time you get the chance to meet a veteran, make sure you shake their hand and give them a hardy thank you for what they do for this country." Pasquale said that 100% of all donations he receives will go to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Pasquale added that he plans to fly back home to New Jersey once he makes it to his final destination in California. "When I get home, I might park it on the couch and not take any steps for about a month," he said, laughing. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Donations can be made at GoFundMe and the Tommy Walks America info page at linktr.ee/tommy_pasquale. Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital. AMSTERDAM A Dutch court on Thursday convicted three men with ties to the Russian security services and sentenced them to life in prison over the downing of a passenger jet above eastern Ukraine in July 2014,qqslot888 during a Moscow-backed separatist uprising that foreshadowed Russias full-scale invasion of the country. The court found that an antiaircraft missile system provided to separatist forces by the Russian military brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, commonly known as MH17, on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 people aboard. The crash was by far the biggest loss of civilian life in the conflict up to that time, eliciting global outrage. Some of the victims families have suggested that the Wests failure to punish Moscow back then is in part responsible for the invasion of Ukraine and the Russian war crimes that have become a part of everyday life in the country today. Ive always said that our family members were the first non-Ukrainian people that were the victims of a war that started eight years ago, said Piet Ploeg, the chairman of the MH17 Flight Disaster Foundation, representing most family members of the crash victims. And the fact that the convictions came only after eight years of painstaking investigation and judicial proceedings marked by Moscows stonewalling highlights the formidable challenges that prosecutors will face again as they try to hold more recent Russian war criminals accountable. Thursdays verdict offered a bare measure of justice for the victims relatives, as the three men convicted are believed to be living in Russia or Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, where they are unlikely to be apprehended. But the judges did clearly highlight the Kremlins role in the crash it armed separatists in eastern Ukraine and instigated their uprising and emphasized Russias responsibility for the tragedy against the backdrop of the current war. The judges found two Russians Igor Girkin, a former colonel in Russias Federal Security Service, and Sergei Dubinsky, a former Russian military intelligence officer guilty of murder and downing a plane. A Ukrainian citizen, Leonid Kharchenko, who led a Russian-backed separatist military unit, was convicted on the same charges. A fourth defendant, Oleg Pulatov, also a former Russian military intelligence officer, was acquitted because he was considered insufficiently involved in the episode. Image Ria van der Steen, who lost her father and stepmother in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, after the court's verdict.Credit...Patrick Post/Associated Press Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, praised the important court decision, but in a message posted on Twitter said that the masterminds behind the attack must also face trial, as the feeling of impunity leads to new crimes. Explosion in Poland: A Ukrainian air-defense missile not a Russian weapon most likely caused a deadly explosion in a Polish village, a top NATO official and Polands president said, easing fears that the military alliance would become more deeply embroiled in the war. A Ukrainian air-defense missile not a Russian weapon most likely caused a deadly explosion in a Polish village, a top NATO official and Polands president said, easing fears that the military alliance would become more deeply embroiled in the war. Retaking Kherson: On Nov. 11, Ukrainian soldiers swept into the southern city of Kherson, seizing a major prize from the retreating Russian army and dealing a bitter blow to President Vladimir V. Putin. Days after the liberation, evidence and accounts of torture are emerging. On Nov. 11, Ukrainian soldiers swept into the southern city of Kherson, seizing a major prize from the retreating Russian army and dealing a bitter blow to President Vladimir V. Putin. Days after the liberation, evidence and accounts of torture are emerging. Infrastructure Attacks: In a relentless and intensifying barrage of missiles, Moscow is destroying Ukraines critical infrastructure, depriving millions of heat, light and clean water. For Ukraine, keeping the lights on as winter looms has become one of its biggest battles. In a relentless and intensifying barrage of missiles, Moscow is destroying Ukraines critical infrastructure, depriving millions of heat, light and clean water. For Ukraine, keeping the lights on as winter looms has become one of its biggest battles. Beta Testing New Weapons: Ukraine has become a testing ground for state-of-the-art weapons and information systems that Western officials predict could shape warfare for generations to come. During the trial, prosecutors presented extensive evidence against the defendants and took the unusual step of publishing some of it online. They relied on a Dutch-led international investigation that gathered missile fragments, cellphone intercepts and witness accounts to establish that the Buk surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down the plane was trucked in from Russia at the request of the separatists and returned the same night. On Thursday, the court said there was very convincing evidence that the Buk missile had been deliberately fired from an agricultural field near Pervomaiskyi, a city in eastern Ukraine. Even if separatist forces had intended to shoot down a Ukrainian military aircraft and not an airliner, the court said, the strike was nevertheless premeditated and constituted a crime. The prosecution also produced recordings of conversations on July 16 and 17, 2014, in which the suspects allegedly discussed the need for a Buk and determined the location to launch it. The conversations captured the suspects initial enthusiasm over the strike and how that changed when they realized that they had shot down a passenger flight. The downing of MH17 occurred against a backdrop of vicious fighting between the separatists and the Ukrainian military after an uprising that deposed the countrys Russian-aligned president in February. Ukrainian warplanes had been operating in the area. The crash scattered bodies and wreckage across fields of wheat and sunflowers, in scenes both harrowing and poignant. Many of the victims were still belted into their seats, and here and there lay a picture book or toy belonging to some among the 98 children on board. Most of the victims were Dutch, but the flight also carried passengers from Australia, Britain, Malaysia and several other countries. Image Wreckage from the downed flight in a sunflower field in Ukraine in 2014.Credit...Mauricio Lima for The New York Times Despite mounting evidence of Russias culpability, efforts to hold the Kremlin accountable were met with a series of implausible counter-explanations and conspiracy theories that focused largely on blaming Ukraine and attacking the legitimacy of the investigation. Among those was an assertion that the C.I.A. had crashed a planeload of bodies into eastern Ukraine to frame Moscow. On Thursday, the court said that these alternative scenarios belonged to the realm of fantasy, and that evidence presented by Russia was repeatedly shown to be forged or false. In a statement, Russias Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the trial had been politically motivated, adding that it has every chance of becoming one of the most scandalous in the history of legal proceedings with its extensive list of oddities, inconsistencies and dubious arguments of the prosecution. With Russia having vetoed an effort to form a United Nations tribunal for the case, the trial was held at a local criminal court on the outskirts of Amsterdam, in a high-security judicial complex right next to the sprawling Schiphol airport from which MH17 departed in 2014. Coming out of the courthouse shortly after the verdict, Paul Guard, a 44-year-old Australian who lost his parents, Jill and Roger, in the crash thanked prosecutors and the court for what he described as a very meticulous investigation. Truth matters, thats the main message here, he said. As for many of the bereaved, Russias invasion of Ukraine this year looms large for Mr. Guard. The war, he said, brought back difficult memories and a sense that the crash was among the first of many unspeakable tragedies in a now eight-year conflict. It breaks my heart, Mr. Guard said. Every day the war keeps going on, there are more people, innocent people that are no less innocent than my parents, who are just trying to live their lives, who are being killed. Image Judges and lawyers view the reconstructed plane at an air base in the Netherlands last year.Credit...Pool photo by Peter Dejong The day before the verdict, Mr. Guard and his daughter went to a memorial for the MH17 victims in a park a few miles from the courthouse. There, 298 trees, one for each of the dead, have been planted in a ribbon-shaped layout. So many trees there, Mr. Guard said. So many lives that were lost. Several family members said they hoped the verdict would also serve as a form of condemnation of the Russian invasion. Part of justice and part of accountability is the world holding the Russian Federation to account for the atrocity of MH17 and the continued atrocities for the invasion of Ukraine and the war crimes committed against thousands more people, said Jon OBrien, an Australian citizen who lost his son in the crash. Whether the trial could set an example for possible prosecution of Russian war crimes is unclear, however. Marieke de Hoon, assistant professor of international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam, said that the fact that the Dutch court had clearly concluded that Russia had overall control over the breakaway regions from mid-May 2014 onward something that Russia denies is very important for legal proceedings by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia in various international courts. In July 2020, the Netherlands submitted a complaint against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over its involvement in the crash. The European court is expected to rule on the admissibility of this complaint later this year. Ms. de Hoon noted that new types of evidence used in the trial, including open-source information that helped show the movement of the Buk missile launcher through separatist-controlled territory, could emerge as critical tools for prosecutors in subsequent trials. Hopefully, this trial is just the start of something, because we have to prosecute all of those war crimes, Mr. Guard said. And there are many, many, many more war crimes than what weve seen with MH17. Advertisement Continue reading the main story News / Local by Staff reporter THE people of Bulawayo have been waiting since 2016 for the completion of the Egodini terminus, a project that promises to transform the city's transport and vending sectors.However, their hopes have been dashed again and again, as the contractor, Terracotta Trading (Pvt) Limited, has failed to meet the opening deadlines four times.The latest setback came yesterday, when the opening of the first phase of the project, which includes the taxi terminal, the ablution facilities, and the vendors' stalls, was postponed to around mid-January next year. The second phase will see the opening of the mall.The contractor claimed that the first phase was 98 percent complete, with only minor issues such as electricity on the sheds remaining. However, this did not convince the public, who have grown weary of the endless excuses and delays.Due to various challenges, such as funding, design, and weather, the contractor has been forced to push the date of the opening many times. Each time, the contractor assured the public that the project was on track and that good progress was being made. However, each time, the public was left disappointed and frustrated.The project has also been shrouded in secrecy and controversy. Yesterday the media was barred from touring the site, apparently without the knowledge of the mayor, Councillor David Coltart. The mayor, who was part of the tour, said he was sorry to hear that the media was not invited and that he thought the communications department would have contacted them."I am sorry to hear that, it was not my wish. I thought our communications department would have contacted you. The tour happened this morning," said Councillor Coltart.The mayor also said that he was generally impressed with the work done to date and that he hoped the opening would be January."Good progress is now being made. I think the opening will be in mid-January but that is not a confirmed date," said Councillor Coltart.The contractor, who engaged a South African company, McCormick Property Development, to speed up the progress and redesign the vendors' bays and the taxi terminal, blamed the rains for the latest delay."We have completed the first phase of the project. The phase involved the construction of the taxi rank, the vending bays as well as the ablution facilities. The rank and the ablution facilities are now 100 percent complete while the vending bays are now 98 percent complete."We are now putting final touches to the facilities which were however disturbed by the rains we received yesterday," said Otis Tshabalala, one of Terracotta's directors.Once completed, the first phase of the project will accommodate 1 100 informal traders and 110 taxis, with a capacity of over 30 000 public transport users daily, along with social amenities. The objective of the first phase is to address the chaos in the city centre caused by the limited space for transport and vending.The applicants for the stalls and bays are required to provide a police-certified national ID copy, a valid informal trader's license, and proof of residential address. They will also have to pay US$100 monthly rentals, which may be too high for some vendors.The second phase of the project, which will involve the construction of the shopping centre, will commence after the completion of the first phase.However, the public may not hold their breath for the completion of the project, as they have been let down too many times by the contractor. The Egodini terminus and mall has become a symbol of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams for the people of Bulawayo. Chinese government on Monday reiterated its support for Irans right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes within the framework of talks on Irans nuclear program between Tehran and the 5 +1 Group comprising the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany. Iran is part of The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, said the spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hong Lei. The NPT aims to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, countries that already have nuclear power have to provide help to countries that do not have it if they choose to use this energy for peaceful purposes. China believes that dialogue and cooperation are the only effective means to resolve the conflict over Irans nuclear program, the spokesman added. On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will give up enriching uranium if the European countries will provide the nuclear fuel it needs. From the beginning, the Islamic Republic has made clear that if European countries provide Iran with enriched fuel, Iran will not have to enrich the nuclear material to that level, said Ahmadinejad, quoted on the website of the Presidency. In return, the 5 +1 group has considered offering Iran fuel for experimental research reactor in Tehran and to offer support for civil nuclear cooperation, including to acquire a modern research reactor, nuclear safety and nuclear fusion research or to provide medical isotopes, according to European sources. The Group 5 +1 also offer cooperation to Tehran in areas of interest such as fight against drug trafficking and piracy. China reiterated its support for Irans right to enrich uraniumadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline What Is Queuing Theidn slot between the cxzvory? Queuing theory is a branch of mathematics that studies how lines form, how they function, and why they malfunction. Queuing theory examines every component of waiting in line, including the arrival process, service process, number of servers, number of system places, and the number of customerswhich might be people, data packets, cars, or anything else. Real-life applications of queuing theory cover a wide range of businesses. Its findings may be used to provide faster customer service, increase traffic flow, improve order shipments from a warehouse, or design data networks and call centers. As a branch of operations research, queuing theory can help inform business decisions on how to build more efficient and cost-effective workflow systems. Queuing theory is the study of the movement of people, objects, or information through a line. Studying congestion and its causes in a process is used to help create more efficient and cost-effective services and systems. Often used as an operations management tool, queuing theory can address staffing, scheduling, and customer service shortfalls. Some queuing is acceptable in business. If there's never a queue, it's a sign of overcapacity. Queuing theory aims to achieve a balance that is efficient and affordable. How Queuing Theory Works Queues can occur whenever resources are limited. Some queuing is tolerable in any business since a total absence of a queue would suggest a costly overcapacity. Queuing theory aims to design balanced systems that serve customers quickly and efficiently but do not cost too much to be sustainable. At its most basic level, queuing theory involves an analysis of arrivals at a facility, such as a bank or a fast-food restaurant, and an analysis of the processes currently in place to serve them. The end result is a set of conclusions that aim to identify any flaws in the system and suggest how they can be ameliorated. The origin of queuing theory can be traced to the early 1900s in a study of the Copenhagen telephone exchange by Agner Krarup Erlang, a Danish engineer, statistician, and mathematician. His work led to the Erlang theory of efficient networks and the field of telephone network analysis. To this day, the fundamental unit of telecommunications traffic in voice systems is called an "erlang." The Parameters of a Queue In queuing theory, the process being studied is broken down into six distinct parameters. These include the arrival process, the service and departure process, the number of servers, the queuing discipline (such as first-in, first-out), the queue capacity, and the size of the client population. Queues are not necessarily a negative aspect of a business, as their absence suggests overcapacity. Benefits of Queuing Theory Queuing theory as an operations management technique is commonly used to determine and streamline staffing needs, scheduling, and inventory in order to improve overall customer service. It is often used by Six Sigma practitioners to improve processes. The Psychology of Queuing The psychology of queuing is related to queuing theory. This is the component of queuing that deals with the natural irritation felt by many people who are forced to queue for service, whether they're waiting to check out at the supermarket or waiting for a website to load. A call-back option while waiting to speak to a customer representative by phone is one example of a solution to customer impatience. A more old-fashioned example is the system used by many delis, which issue customer service numbers to allow people to track their progress to the front of the queue. Supositorio offers free online queuing theory calculators with a choice of queuing models. Example of Queuing Theory A paper by Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Lawrence Wein et al. used queuing theory to analyze a variety of possible emergency responses to an airborne bioterrorism attack in a public place. The model pointed to specific actions that could be taken to reduce the wait time for emergency care, thus decreasing the potential number of deaths. Queuing theory is useful, if not quite so urgent, in guiding the logistics of many businesses. The operations department for a delivery company, for example, is likely to use queuing theory to help it smooth out the kinks in its systems for moving packages from a warehouse to a customer. In this case, the "line" being studied is comprised of boxes of goods waiting to be delivered to customers. By applying queuing theory, a business can develop more efficient systems, processes, pricing mechanisms, staffing solutions, and arrival management strategies to reduce customer wait times and increase the number of customers that can be served. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about queuing theory. How Do You Use Queuing Theory? Queuing theory is used to identify and correct points of congestion in a process. The queue may consist of people, things, or information. In any case, they are being forced to wait for service. That is inefficient, bad for business, and annoying (when the queue consists of people). Queuing theory is used to analyze the existing process and map out alternatives with a better result. Who Invented Queuing Theory? Agner Krarup Erlang, a Danish mathematician, statistician, and engineer, is credited with creating not only queuing theory but the entire field of telephone traffic engineering. In the early 20th century, Erlang was head of a technical laboratory at the Copenhagen Telephone Co. His extensive studies of wait time in automated telephone services and his proposals for more efficient networks were widely adopted by telephone companies. What Are the Basic Elements of Queuing Theory? A study of a line using queuing theory would break it down into six elements: the arrival process, the service and departure process, the number of servers available, the queuing discipline (such as first-in, first-out), the queue capacity, and the numbers being served. Creating a model of the entire process from start to finish allows the cause or causes of congestion to be identified and addressed. What Does It Mean to Be Queued? Americans stand in line for service (except for New Yorkers, who stand "on line"). British people queue. The word queue comes from an old French noun for an animal's tail. The computer age has introduced a new usage. An email provider may indicate that your message has been "queued." This means that there is a delay in delivering it but it will be sent ASAP. Queuing and queueing are both acceptable spellings of the word. What Are Agency Costs?make money on online casino An agency cost is a type of internal company expense, which comes from the actions of an agent acting on behalf of a principal. Agency costs typically arise in the wake of core inefficiencies, dissatisfactions, and disruptions, such as conflicts of interest between shareholders and management. The payment of the agency cost is to the acting agent. Key Takeaways An agency cost is an internal expense that comes from an agent taking action on behalf of a principal. Core inefficiencies, dissatisfactions, and disruptions contribute to agency costs. Agency costs that include fees associated with managing the needs of conflicting parties are called agency risk. An agent-principal relationship exists between a company's management (agent) and its shareholders (principal). Agency Costs Understanding Agency Cost 1:13 Agency costs can occur when the interests of the executive management of a corporation conflict with its shareholders. Shareholders may want management to run the company in a certain manner, which increases shareholder value. Conversely, the management may look to grow the company in other ways, which may conceivably run counter to the shareholders best interests. As a result, the shareholders would experience agency costs. As early as 1932, American economists Gardiner Coit Means and Adolf Augustus Berle discussed corporate governance in terms of an agent and a principal, in applying these principals towards the development of large corporations, where the interests of the directors and managers differed from those of owners. Principal-Agent Relationship The opposing party dynamic is called the principal-agent relationship, which primarily refers to the relationships between shareholders and management personnel. In this scenario, the shareholders are principals, and the management operatives act as agents. However, the principal-agent relationship may also refer to other pairs of connected parties with similar power characteristics. For example, the relationship between politicians (the agents), and the voters (the principals) can result in agency costs. If the politicians promise to take certain legislative actions while running for election and once elected, don't fulfill those promises, the voters experience agency costs. In an extension of the principal-agent dynamic known as the "multiple principal problems" describes a scenario where a person acts on behalf of a group of other individuals. A Closer Look at Agency Costs Agency costs include any fees associated with managing the needs of conflicting parties, in the process of evaluating and resolving disputes. This cost is also known as agency risk. Agency costs are necessary expenses within any organization where the principals do not yield complete autonomous power. Due to their failure to operate in a way that benefits the agents working underneath them, it can ultimately negatively impact their profitability. These costs also refer to economic incentives such as performance bonuses, stock options, and other carrots, which would stimulate agents to execute their duties properly. The agent's purpose is to help a company thrive, thereby aligning the interests of all stakeholders. Dissatisfied Shareholders Shareholders who disagree with the direction management takes, may be less inclined to hold on to the companys stock over the long term. Also, if a specific action triggers enough shareholders to sell their shares, a mass sell-off could happen, resulting in a decline in the stock price. As a result, companies have a financial interest in benefitting shareholders and improving the company's financial position, as failing to do so could result in stock prices dropping. Additionally, a significant purge of shares could potentially spook potential new investors from taking positions, thus causing a chain reaction, which could depress stock prices even further. In cases where the shareholders become particularly distressed with the actions of a companys top brass, an attempt to elect different members to the board of directors may occur. The ouster of the existing management can happen if shareholders vote to appoint new members to the board. Not only can this jarring action result in significant financial costs, but it can also result in the expenditure of time and mental resources. Such upheavals also cause unpleasant and exorbitant red-tape problems, inherent in top-chain recalibration of power. Real-World Example of Agency Costs Some of the most notorious examples of agency risks come during financial scandals, such as the Enron debacle in 2001. As reported in this article on SmallBusiness.chron.com, the company's board of directors and senior officers sold off their stock shares at higher prices, due to fraudulent accounting information, which artificially inflated the stocks value. As a result, shareholders lost significant money, when Enron share price consequently nosedived. Broken down to its simplest terms, according to the Journal of Accountancy, the Enron debacle happened because of "individual and collective greed born in an atmosphere of market euphoria and corporate arrogance." WELLINGTON,parx online casino pa login Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Less than one third of alcoholic beverages sold online in New Zealand display mandatory health information and warnings, according to a new study from the University of Auckland. New Zealand law requires that manufacturers display specific health information on their products to meet the relevant food standards code, but there is currently no obligation for retailers to make this information visible to customers, according to the study published on Friday in the journal of Drug and Alcohol Review. Researchers said this is a significant policy gap that needs to be addressed, and noted that voluntary health warnings, such as those relating to drink-driving and pregnancy, were rarely visible online. Given the individual and societal harm caused by alcohol, alcohol beverages in many countries are required to display health information and warnings on all product packaging, said Natalie Walker, an associate professor of the University of Auckland, who was the author of the study. This study examines the presence, type and location of mandatory and voluntary health information and warnings consumers are exposed to when entering online alcohol retail shopping environments in Britain and New Zealand, Walker said. Using an observational study design, 1,407 randomly sampled alcoholic beverages from 14 online alcohol retailers (7 per country) were reviewed to ascertain the visual presence or absence of mandatory and voluntary health information and warnings, she said. The result showed that British online alcohol retailers were more compliant than New Zealand retailers in showing mandatory health information. For instance, alcohol by volume percentage was visible on 92 percent of alcoholic beverages sold online in Britain, compared to 31 percent in New Zealand. Online retailers in both countries had a low proportion of alcohol products with viewable mandatory information, and voluntary health warnings were rarely present or viewable, according to the study. "Mandatory health information and warnings for alcoholic beverages are not fully adhered to within the Britain and New Zealand online retail environments, impacting the ability of consumers to make informed purchase decisions," Walker said. Alcohol policies in both countries need to stipulate that mandatory health information and warnings should be "clearly viewable on the product page and product imagery of online alcohol retailers," the study suggested. China considers its trade with Argentina is fair, despite the trade deficit for the South American country, said diplomatic sources of China. The trade balance is fair. Argentina has some deficit, but not much. The important thing is to grow the volume of trade, said Chinas ambassador to Buenos Aires, Yin Hengmin () today at a press conference, giving details of Chinese premier Wen Jiabaos coming visit to Argentina on Monday. According to the official figures from Argentina, last year China exported to Argentina for 10573.3 million dollars, 38 percent more than in 2010. Meanwhile, Argentine exports to China amounted to 6176.2 million dollars, up 7 percent. This made Argentinas trade deficit with China went from 1,850 million dollars in 2010 to 4,397 million dollars in 2011. There will be more trade, said the Chinese ambassador, who avoided discussing the import restrictions. On the visit of Wen Jiabao, the diplomat said the Chinese premier is scheduled to meet with the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez next Monday, to review the development of bilateral relations in all fields, especially since 2004, when Argentina and China signed a strategic partnership agreement. According to the Chinese diplomat, Wen Jiabao and Cristina Fernandez also plan the future development of bilateral relations and exchange views on international situation. Hengmin Yin noted that Wen Jiabao will be the first official visit of a Chinese premier to Argentina in 27 years and is of special significance for the fortieth anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, which began in February 1972. The bilateral relationship is at its best, said ambassador Yin Hengmin. China says its trade with Argentina is fairadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Whooper swans are seen at Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve in Weihai,play free poker games Shandong province on Sunday. [Photo by Li Xinjun/For chinadaily.com.cn] More than 5,000 whooper swans have arrived at Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve in Weihai, Shandong province, to spend the winter, the reserve said on Sunday. To make sure the swans have enough food, workers spread corn for them every day. The swans stay for about five months at the bay in Rongcheng, making it one of the largest wintering grounds for whooper swans in the world. 1 2 3 4 5 Next >>| 1/5 Next Fox News Flash top headlines for November 15 closeVideo Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. It's just one cable meant to bring electricity from an offshore wind farm to a former coal-burning power plant in southern New Jersey, but it symbolizes a big challenge facing the renewable energy industry. The cable has been fought over for nearly three years, with no end in sight in a state whose officials are eager to get offshore wind power up and running. Thousands of wind turbines have been proposed for areas along the U.S. coastline as the nation tries to meet an ambitious goal of deploying enough of them offshore by 2030 to power 10 million homes. POWER RELIABILITY ISSUES LOOM AS WESTERN US STATES RAMP UP RENEWABLE USAGE So far, just one project is up and running, in Rhode Island, while another is under construction off Virginia, where two of an expected 176 turbines are operating. But obstacles like the single contentious cable in New Jersey show the challenge the offshore wind energy industry must overcome quickly if it is to come anywhere close to meeting its goals. Josh Kaplowitz, a vice president with American Clean Power, a federation of renewable energy companies, said offshore wind is crucial to addressing climate change, generating electricity and creating new jobs. But before any of that can happen, the energy needs to reach land. "The fact is, realizing these benefits requires the construction of onshore infrastructure that allows the power to come ashore and feed into the electrical grid," he said. Plenty of people in Ocean City, a popular beach community south of Atlantic City, are dead-set against a project proposed by Orsted and PSEG that still needs state approval to bring a power line onshore. "We don't want this here in any way, shape or form," said resident Suzanne Hornick, a leader of local opposition to the plan. She cites concerns about damage to the environment, the possibility of higher rates being charged to consumers, and the general lack of certainty about what is a brand new industry in this country. The U.S. has 27 wind farm projects in development, with an additional five locations up for auction in California next month, according to the Business Network for Offshore Wind, a nonprofit dedicated to helping develop the offshore wind industry. If even a small portion of them were to face protracted legal or regulatory challenges, it could pose a serious obstacle to the industry. Sam Salustro, a vice president with network, said the industry needs to use as few cable landings as possible if it wants to meet its ambitious goals. "Cable landings have become a focal point of opposition to offshore winds progress," he said. "Avoiding these conflicts in the first place should be a top industry priority." That can be done through long-term planning of transmission projects, and the federal government should encourage cooperation among states and transmission authorities, he added. Wind turbines in Atlantic City, N.J., Locals in nearby communities have come out in opposition to the construction of similar offshore developments. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File) Anticipating such opposition, New Jersey changed its law to effectively wrest control of offshore wind projects from local governments, empowering its state Board of Public Utilities to approve them when the locals balk. Nine Jersey Shore towns are challenging the cable plan, which would come ashore under a popular beach and then run underground along a highway to connect to the electrical grid at the site of a former fossil fuel-burning power plant that has been shut down. Maryland has similar language in its offshore wind law exempting underground power cables coming ashore from a prohibition on construction work on beaches in a certain zone. In August 2021, a group of citizens filed a lawsuit opposing wind development off the coast of Massachussetts over concerns it would reduce endangered whale species. Fishing groups are suing over proposed projects in Massachusetts and New York. GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS FACE STARK ENVIRONMENTAL, LOCAL OPPOSITION NATIONWIDE David Stevenson, a former DuPont executive who served on the Trump administrations Environmental Protection Agency transition team, has been fighting offshore wind projects off the Delaware coast. He said local opposition prevented a power line from coming ashore in a state park. Stevenson formed a multistate group last year called the American Coalition for Ocean Protection that wants a permanent exclusion zone on any wind projects closer than 33 miles (53 kilometers) to shore along the country's entire East Coast. Many of the proposed wind farms would be located between 10 and 15 miles (16 and 24 kilometers) offshore, which would make them visible from the beach on clear days. "I and many others assume both state and federal agencies will ignore us," Stevenson said. "So we make public comments and created the Ocean Environment Legal Defense Fund, assuming we will win in the end suing over violations of a list of protective federal acts and regulations." Offshore wind companies are throwing money at the shoreline; some of the payments are required by law but others are voluntary. Orsted and PSEG say they'll pay $205,000 for the impact on just over a half-acre of public land in Ocean City that is preserved for open space and recreational use 13 times the appraised value of the land. On Tuesday, oil companies Equinor and bp created a $5 million community grant fund in New York. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Offshore Wind Ecosystem Fund will provide grants for job education and training, provide historically marginalized communities access to workforce and small business opportunities, and assist minority and women-owned business enterprises in New York City to foster innovation that contributes to the growth of the offshore wind industry. News / Local by Staff reporter THE mass recall of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators and councillors has pushed party leader Nelson Chamisa to come out of his shell as he is expected to address a major rally in Chitungwiza today.CCC has been left deeply divided after self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu started recalling the party's MPs and councillors as he claimed that they were no longer members of the party.Tshabangu has been working with some former MDC Alliance MPs and other activists who are mainly from Bulawayo, but the fallout has seen some of Chamisa's longtime allies such as Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube being targeted by CCC activists, especially online.Biti and Ncube have repeatedly disassociated themselves from Tshabangu, but this has not stopped the trolls from hounding them amid indications that their relations with Chamisa are now seriously strained.It has since emerged that the 45 year old leader is now under pressure to publicly state his position on the two and the future of CCC.Chamisa was expected to address the rally at Chibuku Stadium amid revelations that he is insisting that CCC did not inherit MDC Alliance leadership structures while defending the sidelining of the opposition stalwarts.The former ICT minister led the formation of CCC last year after losing control of the MDC Alliance to his former ally, Douglas Mwonzora.The CCC has not held any elective congress and all officials who previously held senior positions in the MDC Alliance are considered ordinary members.Insiders said this fuelled divisions in the CCC cockpit, which have now burst out into the open.Disgruntled members accuse Chamisa of creating a 'kitchen cabinet', which he consults in the day to day running of the party.A kitchen cabinet is a group of unofficial or private advisers to a political leader and also refers to a group of trusted friends and associates.Recently, Biti accused Chamisa of creating fake social media accounts to attack him.Disgruntled CCC members, some who are close to Chamisa, told The Standard of their increasing discomfort about being sidelined and reduced to mere spectators."He has surrounded himself with a kitchen cabinet made up of lawyers like one particular one who operates from the Advocates Chambers who doubles up as a motivational preacher and seems to survive on motivational tweets (X posts)," said one insider."He has also relied on lan Makone and Jameson Timba to run strategy and elections, the same people who were in the late Morgan Tsvangirai's kitchen cabinet who were known for causing rifts."Some of Chamisa's trusted lieutenants include organising secretary Amos Chibaya and deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziva.Another disgruntled member said: "Our president Nelson Chamisa believes that he was sent by God to help Zimbabwe."He believes he is the chosen one; that he is the solution and that belief has led him to jettison from structures and constitutionalism.""He is now the CCC chief who has combined all roles into one, and into his office."All posts were "abolished" when Chamisa unveiled the CCC.Tshabangu's recalls have been targeting elected representatives believed to be loyalists of the leader of the country's biggest opposition party.Last week, Ncube, the party's former vice president, was questioned by party supporters about his silence over the recalls with some even accusing him of being the brains behind Tshabangu.Ncube responded by saying he did not have an official platform to criticise Tshabangu, a statement insiders said exposed how the old guard and other senior officials felt sidelined.CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi yesterday said Chamisa was aware of disloyal people in the CCC."Both allegations are false and baseless. Infact, for a long time the president has been surrounded by disloyal people," Mkwananzi said."We want the president to be surrounded by people who share his vision for a great Zimbabwe not by people who want to be MPs or councillors and when they fail they go berserk trying to burn the whole house."We want the president to have a dynamic team of young and old, reflecting our multifaceted societal composition."A top CCC member in Chamisa's circle added: "Honestly speaking, how does it happen where some people want to import the MDC or People's Democratic Party (PDP) culture and structures into the CCC?"The CCC is a new baby with its own leader and structures."Biti was the leader of the PDP after he broke away from the late Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T, but returned to the fold, alongside Ncube and others at the formation of the MDC Alliance ahead of the 2018 elections.The two were instrumental in shielding Chamisa in the leadership tussle that followed the death of Tsvangirai ahead of the elections.On Friday , Chamisa used the social media platform (formerly Twitter) to accuse his critics of spreading falsehoods to discredit, vilify and malign him.Mkwananzi said today's rally was an end of year interface with the citizens to provide direction on the way forward." What Was China's One-Child Policy?idn poker via ovo max win 138 slot The one-child policy was a rule implemented by the Chinese government mandating that the vast majority of couples in the country could only have one child. This was intended to alleviate the social, economic, and environmental problems associated with the country's rapidly growing population. The rule was introduced in 1979 and phased out in 2015. Key Takeaways The one-child policy was a Chinese government policy to control population growth. According to estimates, it prevented about 400 million births in the country. It was introduced in 1979 and discontinued in 2015, and enforced through a mix of incentives and sanctions. The one-child policy has had three important consequences for China's demographics: it reduced the fertility rate considerably, it skewed China's gender ratio because people preferred to abort or abandon their female babies, and resulted in a labor shortage due to more seniors who rely on their children to take care of them. Understanding China's One-Child Policy The one-child policy was introduced in 1979 in response to explosive population growth. China has a long history of encouraging birth control and family planning. By the 1950s, population growth started to outpace the food supply, and the government started promoting birth control. Following Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward in 1958, a plan to rapidly modernize Chinas economy, a catastrophic famine ensued, which resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of Chinese. However, by the late 70s, China's population was quickly approaching the 1 billion mark, and the Chinese government was forced to give serious consideration to curbing the population growth rate. This effort began in 1979 with mixed results but was implemented more seriously and uniformly in 1980, as the government standardized the practice nationwide. There were, however, certain exceptions, for ethnic minorities, for those whose firstborn was handicapped, and for rural families in which the firstborn was not a boy. The policy was most effective in urban areas, where it was generally well-received by nuclear families, more willing to comply with the policy; the policy was resisted to some extent in agrarian communities in China. Initially, the one-child policy was meant to be a temporary measure and is estimated to have prevented up to 400 million births since it was instituted. Ultimately, China ended its one-child policy realizing that too many Chinese were heading into retirement, and the nation's population had too few young people entering the labor force to provide for the older population's retirement, healthcare, and continued economic growth. The government-mandated policy was formally ended with little fanfare on Oct. 29, 2015, after its rules had been slowly relaxed to allow more couples fitting certain criteria to have a second child. Now, all couples are allowed to have two children. Enforcement There were various methods of enforcement, both through incentives and sanctions. For those who complied there were financial incentives, as well as preferential employment opportunities. For those who violated the policy, there were sanctions, economic and otherwise. At times, the government employed more draconian measures, including forced abortions and sterilizations. The one-child policy was officially discontinued in 2015 and the government attempted to replace it with a two-child policy. The efficacy of the policy itself, though, has been challenged, as it is true that populations, generally, naturally taper off as societies get wealthier. In China's case, as the birth rate declined, the death rate declined, too, and life expectancy increased. One-Child Policy Implications The one-child policy had serious implications for China's demographic and economic future. In 2017, China's fertility rate was 1.7, among the lowest in the world. China now has a considerable gender skewthere are roughly 3-4% more males than females in the country. With the implementation of the one-child policy and the preference for male children, China saw a rise in female fetus abortions, increases in the number of baby girls left in orphanages, and even increases in infanticide of baby girls. There were 33 million more men, with 116 boys for every 100 girls, as compared to women in China. This will have an impact on marriage in the country, and a number of factors surrounding marriage, for years to come. Lower numbers of females also mean that there were fewer women of child-bearing age in China. The drop in birth rates meant fewer children, which occurred as death rates dropped and longevity rates rose. It is estimated that a third of China's population will be over the age of 60 by 2050. That means more elderly people relying on their children to support them, and fewer children to do so. So, China is facing a labor shortage and will have trouble supporting this aging population through its state services. And finally, the one-child policy has led to the proliferation of undocumented, non-first-born children. Their status as undocumented makes it impossible to leave China legally, as they cannot register for a passport. They have no access to public education. Oftentimes, their parents were fined or removed from their jobs. One-Child Policy FAQs Does China Still Have the One-Child Policy? No. China reverted to a two-child policy after its one-child policy ended in 2015. While restrictions had been gradually loosened over time. What Caused Chinas One-Child Policy? China's one-child policy was implemented to curb overpopulation that strained the country's food supply and natural and economic resources following its industrialization in the 1950s. What Are the Effects of China's One-Child Policy? Gender imbalance, an aging population, and a shrinking workforce are all effects of China's 1979 policy. To this day, China has the most skewed sex ratio at birth in the world, due to a cultural preference for male offspring. Who Ended the One-Child Policy? The Chinese government, led by the Chinese Communist Party's Xi Jinping, ended the controversial one-child policy in 2015. What Happened If You Broke the One-Child Policy? Violators of China's one-child policy were fined, forced to have abortions or sterilizations, and lost their jobs. Here we have two popular phrases that get confused with each other every now and then, mostly among speakers. But, anticipating that this confusion might someday make its way into peoples writing, I want to take the time to write a preemptive post discussing this phrase. So, how doesthe phrase go? Is it flesh out or flush out? And what is being fleshed out or flushed out? Well, its not that one choice is incorrect and the other is correct, they are just two different phrases with different meanings. In this post, I want to talk about these phrases, their meanings, and how to use them in a sentence. At the end, I will also give you a trick to remember the difference. After reading this post, you wont ever mix up flesh out vs. flush out again. What Does it Mean to Flesh Out? The phrase to flesh outmeans to put flesh on bare bones. When taken literally, this phrase can be a bit graphic, but its usually used in a figurative sense to indicate the further development of a project or idea. It will be interesting to watch Mrs. Clinton flesh out her ideas. New York Times He utilized his band to help him flesh out the songs in the studio, whereas on his first album, he mainly recorded all the parts. Wall Street Journal He said the department can also try to recoup money to cover the borrower claims, and plans to flesh out the details through the rule-making process. Washington Post If you are working on a school project that is still in its infancy, you might need to flesh out some of the details. In other words, you need to work through the details and give them some flesh, some meat, some substance. You need to put some meat on the bones of your project. You get the idea. What Does it Mean to Flush Out? The phrase to flush outmeans to bring someone out in the open for examination. It is commonly used in discussions of police investigations and wartime strategies. The Prime Minister unveiled proposals to unmask the owners of British properties bought through foreign companies in order to flush out criminals. Telegraph Chad has sent thousands of soldiers and police to install checkpoints and patrol the area, but it is a challenge to flush out the militants, says Brahim. Newsweek The metaphor originates from bird hunting, where it is common to use a hunting dog to shoo out birds from hiding. The dog flushes out the bird into the open. Remember the Difference As I said above, both to flesh outand to flush outare their own phrases with different meanings. Its not as if one is right and one is wrong. They just mean different things, and heres how you can keep track of flush out vs. flesh out. To flesh outis to put flesh, or meat, on bare bones. Imagine a bare skeleton that a sculptor adds clay flesh to build out. So when you think of this phrase, think of bare bones and flesh. To flush outis to bring something out in the open. Imagine something clogging a pipe in your kitchen but it being flushed out in to the open. Summary So is it flush out or flesh out? As usual, it depends on the context of your sentence. To flesh outis to add substance to an idea, project, theory, etc. To flush outis to bring something out into the open for examination. African leaders and independent groups are pressing China to prioritize sustainable development in its trade with African countries. In Beijing, officials say they increasingly recognize the importance of sound environmental practices for building strong relations with the continent. During meetings this month as part of Beijings China-Africa forum, World Wildlife Fund Director General Jim Leape said the growing trade between China and Africa presents a chance to create a new model of development in emerging economies. We see through this collaboration the opportunity to bring to life the idea of a green economy, the idea of sustainable development, he said. China is Africas largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two economies exceeded $100 billion in 2008. Chinese investments in environmentally sensitive sectors, including forestry, agriculture, fishing, oil and gas, have spurred anti-Chinese sentiment in many African countries. Chinese mining projects have also caused serious environmental problems, and demand in Asia for rhino horn and ivory has spurred the illegal wildlife trade in Africa. As Chinese investments grow, environmentalists say sustainable development is essential to maintaining and improving ties with Africa. Jiaman Jin, executive director of the Global Environmental Institute, says Chinese government leaders are taking notice. In my opinion the government listens to our advice, Jin says. All of us regard the issue of investing abroad as a very serious problem. But I think, for the Chinese enterprises, they havent regarded it as a problem. To raise awareness among Chinese businesses investing abroad, Chinas Ministry of Commerce and the State Forestry Administration issued voluntary guidelines for the timber trade in 2009. Jin says more such environment guidelines are needed. She says, At first [opposition to] these kinds of projects are about environmental dangers, but then that effects the diplomacy, politics and even the relationship between the two countries. The World Wildlife Fund has developed 40 such recommendations for China on how to create sustainable development. They include ways to responsibly source and trade timber; increase access to renewable and clean energy sources and stop poaching of endangered animals. Leape says such guidelines are critical for agrarian-based communities in Africa that are dependent on the environment for their survival. These landscapes are of surpassing importance to the people who live there, he said. It is that natural infrastructure which supports the development and economy of those societies. So this is very much a conversation about the future of Africa. Anthony Nyong is manager of the Compliance and Safeguards Division at the African Development Bank, which sometimes works with Chinese investors. We are currently developing what we refer to as an integrated safeguard system for the bank, and our safeguard system says basically do no harm, said Nyong. Do no harm to the people. Do no harm to the environment. You can actually develop without creating harm. If you cant avoid it completely you can minimize it, and that is very important for us as a continent. Some African leaders are putting environmental protection higher on their governments agendas. In May, ten African governments signed a declaration to integrate the value of natural capital into corporate and national accounting. And, earlier this year, Central African countries agreed on a plan to combat illegal wildlife trade. In dealing with Chinese investors, Nyong says developing aggressive negotiating skills may be the most important factor in ensuring environmentally responsible development. What we are committed to also doing is to strengthen the capacities of African countries to be able to negotiate properly, said Nyong. Nyong says that the continents future development depends not only on outside investment, but on African countries ability to ensure that outside investment is sustainable and beneficial to locals. Shannon Van Sant Africans urge China to help create sustainable developmentadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo:fmprc.gov.cn Spreading disinformation and using it to suppress Chinese firms has become a common practice of the US,Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday, in response to remarks from the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who alleged that TikTok posed national security concerns.Mao's response came after Reuters and other media outlets reported on Tuesday that FBI Director Chris Wray said the US operations of Chinese-owned TikTok raised national security concerns, alleging that "the Chinese government could harness the video-sharing application to influence users or control their devices."Mao noted that China firmly opposes those comments, and urges the US to take a more responsible and practical approach and abide by fair, open and non-discriminatory international rules.In 2020, former US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to ban TikTok operations in the country, citing "national security concerns." Later, the company took legal action against the order.After Joe Biden took office, he revoked the Trump directive in 2021, asking the Treasury Department to examine "security concerns" associated with the app.TikTok is just one of a number of Chinese companies to be targeted by the US government. On November 8, the White House announced a continuation of the so-called "national emergency" policy, which prohibits US investors from investing in Chinese companies that have "military ties".The US executive order was intended to "deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the US constituted by the threat from securities investments that finance certain companies of China," the statement read.Experts noted that the US has reneged on the basic spirit of free market, which is a sign of regression. They urged the country to stop repeating mistakes that will harm the legal rights and interests of Chinese businesses and those of global investors. Taylor Swift is 365 bet site game make money realgoing on tour for the first time since 2018. In that time, the global superstar has released four albums: Lover, Folklore, Evermore, and Midnights, along with two re-releases of her past projects: Fearless (Taylors Version)and Red (Taylors Version), each featuring new songs from the vault. So when Swift announced The Eras Tour in November, set to kick off in 2023 and highlight the distinct sounds across her discography, the race to get tickets began. But Swifties looking to attend the stadium tour are having major problems securing tickets due in large part to a system from Ticketmaster. Called Verified Fan, the system was implemented to prevent scalper bots from buying up an already limited amount of tickets and reselling them. As Swift and other artists like Bruce Springsteen, Paramore, and Blink-182 plan tours for 2023, the limited number of tickets available through Verified Fan has resulted in soaring prices and rising anxiety among prospective concertgoers. Read more: Lets Break Down the Easter Eggs and Influences of Taylor Swifts Midnights Per Ticketmaster, Verified Fan has been able to combat resellers creating skyrocketing prices after presales. For big events, more than 30 percent of tickets might end up being resold, Ticketmaster executive president David Marcus told POPSUGAR. But with [Harry Styless 2017] tour, we saw less than five percent of tickets being resold for the shows, and thats a huge improvement. Tickets for the Eras tour went on presale Nov. 15, and the Ticketmaster website crashed 30 minutes before the sale was supposed to go live. Ticketmaster uploaded a statement to their website explaining what happened during the sale. While the Verified Fan codes were supposed to help manage traffic, the problem was a mixture of a staggering number of bot attacks as well as fans who didnt have invite codes, which caused unprecedented traffic on our site, resulting in 3.5 billion total system requests 4x our previous peak. With this, Swift broke the record for most tickets sold by any artist in a single day, with over two million tickets. Heres why fans are so frustrated with Ticketmaster and some of the ways that Swifties can attempt to grab tickets. What is a verified fan? In 2017, Ticketmaster introduced Verified Fan, a program that requires users to input their personal information within a registration window. Before tickets go on sale, verified fans will get a notification telling them whether theyve been selected to get access to a presale code or whether they were waitlisted. Anyone buying tickets for a major artist knows that getting access to the presale is the best chance to get good seats and avoid steep prices at the hands of resellers. Read more: Why Everyones Mad at Ticketmaster Right Now But since its implementation, ticket buyers have noted issues with Verified Fan, saying they have not been able to get tickets to the shows they want to attend. Why has Verified Fan been causing a problem for concertgoers? Many fans are not able to get verified. According to Ticketmaster, Verified Fan is supposed to combat the ever-growing number of bots on the site that buy up large quantities of tickets and then resell them for high prices. The company claims in a statement that artists are losing money to resellers who have no investment in the event going well or any of the people working behind the scenes to bring the event to life. They continue, As such, Event Organizers have looked to market-based pricing to recapture that lost revenue. Although the new system was meant to make the ticket-buying process more streamlined, many fans are saying they are not able to get verified and cant get tickets to the presale. They either have to find tickets from resellers or just not go at all. The problem has the attention of national politicians including President Joe Biden and New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, who have spoken out in support of customers. In a letter to Live Nation, Ticketmasters parent company, Pascrell demanded the company be more transparent on the sale, pricing, and distribution of live-event tickets. The verified pre-sale of tickets each morning has caused high levels of stress and frustration for our constituents as they see tickets disappear from the primary marketplace website as if purchased, only to reappear at higher prices, his wrote. Biden promised that he would be going after hidden junk fees that Ticketmaster adds to a buyers purchase. What is your best chance of snagging a ticket? Along with waiting to see if youre one of the few chosen to be given the coveted Verified Fan presale code, Capital One cardholders (debit or credit) have the opportunity to immediately be granted access to an exclusive verified presale starting Nov. 15 to Nov. 17. (The presale was later postponed to Nov. 16.) If you didnt sign up for the presale or dont have a Capital One card, you can wait in the ticketing line queue the day of the general sale or purchase tickets from secondary markets where the prices may be higher than on Ticketmaster. The general sale begins on Friday, Nov. 18. Other than that, youre on your own kid. Correction, Nov. 15 The original version of this story misstated how Capital One cardholders can get access to the presale. They can register at any point; they did not have to preregister by Nov. 9. CCB's booth is sbo slot 335th scseen during an expo in Beijing in September 2021. [Photo provided to China Daily] China Construction Bank announced it has upgraded its mobile lending service application specifically targeting small businesses into a comprehensive service platform, which connects government agencies and service providers focusing on niche market segments, to better serve the real economy. The Beijing-based large State-owned commercial lender released version 3.0 of the application, called "Hui Dong Ni" on Tuesday. The upgraded application will build public infrastructure for financial inclusion. With the help of the app, CCB will make greater contributions to the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises while promoting high-quality economic development, said Cui Yong, executive vice-president of the bank. Financial inclusion means individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs in a responsible and sustainable way, according to the World Bank. Launched in September 2018, the CCB app specifically targeting micro and small enterprises, self-employed individuals and farmers has gathered 8.5 million certified businesses at present. Accumulated loans issued via the app amounted to nearly 5 trillion yuan ($709.84 billion), and the current balance of loans is 1.19 trillion yuan, said Guo Chaojing, leader of the app update project. Version 3.0 of the app has introduced new lending service functions, such as allowing existing borrowers to get a higher credit limit and automatically recommending loan products to clients based on a more precise understanding of their needs. Apart from lending services, CCB will provide wealth data visualization, income-expenditure analysis and customized wealth management services to small businesses. It will also cooperate with government agencies and other service providers to jointly build an ecosystem that will satisfy the needs of small businesses in many areas, including express delivery, financial management and legal consultation, Guo said. The app has been upgraded from a financing platform to a comprehensive service platform. By building a platform-based ecosystem through open and shared development and win-win cooperation, CCB will allow more participants to better serve small businesses and enable such businesses to sustain long-term growth. The updated app provides new ideas for the development of digital financial inclusion, said Yin Youping, deputy director of the financial consumer protection bureau at the People's Bank of China. The PBOC, China's central bank, is guiding financial institutions to deepen the development of digital financial inclusion, which has become an effective way to help small businesses overcome financing difficulties, Yin said. As of the end of September, the balance of loans to micro and small enterprises that have a total credit line of up to 10 million yuan per borrower reached 23.16 trillion yuan in China, up 24.6 percent year-on-year. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu In a pivotal development underscoring President Mnangagwa's diplomatic doctrine of engagement and re-engagement, Zimbabwe stands on the brink of a historic return to the Commonwealth in early 2024. This prospective reintegration is strategically timed to precede the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for October in Samoa, where Zimbabwe aims to participate as a full member.The meticulous orchestration of this diplomatic maneuver has been facilitated by the Commonwealth secretariat, presently engaged in the finalization of official formalities heralding Zimbabwe's readmission into the esteemed 56-member grouping, predominantly composed of former British colonies.The imminent return to the Commonwealth marks a significant milestone in President Mnangagwa's foreign policy initiative, aimed at fostering international collaboration and dismantling the barriers that have isolated the nation in the past. A peaceful, free, and fair election in August of this year served as the catalyst, earning Zimbabwe commendation from the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission for the efficient management of the plebiscite by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, with decades of diplomatic experience, expressed confidence in Zimbabwe's readmission, stating, "We have been engaging with certain countries, re-engaging with those who were members of the Commonwealth in 2000, and engaging with others that have since joined as members." Ambassador Shava highlighted ongoing discussions and collaborations with the Commonwealth secretariat, foreseeing a verdict on Zimbabwe's readmission by early to mid-2024.The diplomatic landscape has evolved since Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the Commonwealth in 2003 during heightened tensions between Harare and London over the land reform program. Former President Robert Mugabe announced the withdrawal following the Commonwealth summit in Nigeria, leading to the country's indefinite suspension.In a notable departure from previous policy, the government, in 2018, submitted a formal application for readmission, initiating the Commonwealth's comprehensive four-step assessment process. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has been instrumental in steering high-level discussions on Zimbabwe's prospective re-entry, engaging in several meetings with President Mnangagwa.Reflecting on Zimbabwe's diplomatic strides, Ambassador Shava acknowledged the consolidation of regional relationships within the SADC region, exemplified by the support received during the election results. Furthermore, Zimbabwe has cultivated ties with other African nations and navigated a nuanced stance in response to global conflicts, distinguishing itself from the geopolitical struggles in Ukraine and expressing concerns over the situation in Gaza. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is planning to proceed with its project for the construction of a gambling venue in Mackinaw City, even though the village board rejected the proposal last week. Mackinaw City officials voted 4-3 against the establishment of a Class III casino in the village. According to them, a facility of this kind was not the right fit for their village. However, local media reported that the tribe is determined to build a Class II gambling venue on Nicolet Street instead. Under the current casino regulations, the construction of a Class III facility requires an approval from the officials of the place where the said facility is to be located. If the village board had approved the launch of a Class III casino, the tribe would have contributed 2% of its revenue to Mackinaw City and 6% to Michigan. However, if the tribe eventually opens a Class II gambling venue, it will not need to share a portion of its gaming revenue neither with the village, nor with the state. What is more, the property does not need to be approved by the village board. Eric McLester, General Manager of Odawa Casino, said that they will keep on being a good neighbor to the Mackinaw City. The official further noted that they are extremely excited to move forward with their project, even though they consider it a bit unfortunate that they were not offered the necessary supportfor a Class III gaming facility, which would have been beneficial for the tribe, the village, and the state as a whole. It was also revealed that construction works on the casino are expected to commence some time next month. Under a five-year development plan, the tribe is to build its venue at the site of the former Thunderfalls Water Park. The casino is expected to feature 64 gaming machines at first. An RV park is to be developed in 2017. The gambling venue would be turned into a 200-machine one in 2018. More machines may be added in the years to come. However, tribal officials said that the plan could be carried out completely only if the casino becomes a popular gambling destination. What Is an Order?moneyline bucs chiefs An order consists of instructions to a broker or brokerage firm to purchase or sell a security on an investor's behalf. An order is the fundamental trading unit of a securities market. Orders are typically placed over the phone or online through a trading platform, although orders may increasingly be placed through automated trading systems and algorithms. When an order is placed, it follows a process of order execution. Orders broadly fall into different categories, which allow investors to place restrictions on their orders affecting the price and time at which the order can be executed. These conditional order instructions can dictate a particular price level (limit) at which the order must be executed, for how long the order can remain in force, or whether an order is triggered or canceled based on another order, among other things. Key Takeaways An order is a set of instructions to a broker to buy or sell an asset on a trader's behalf. There are multiple order types, which will affect what price the investor buys or sells at, when they will buy or sell, or whether their order will be filled or not. Which order type to use depends on the trader's outlook for the asset, whether they want to get in and out quickly, and/or how concerned they are about the price they get. Understanding Orders Investors utilize a broker to buy or sell an asset using an order type of their choosing. When an investor has decided to buy or sell an asset, they initiate an order. The order provides the broker with instructions on how to proceed. Orders are used to buy and sell stocks, currencies, futures, commodities, options, bonds, and other assets. Generally, exchanges trade securities through a bid/ask process. This means that to sell, there must be a buyer willing to pay the selling price. To buy there must be a seller willing to sell at the buyer's price. Unless a buyer and seller come together at the same price, no transaction occurs. The bid is the highest advertised price someone will pay for an asset, and the ask is the lowest advertised price at which someone is willing to sell an asset. The bid and ask are constantly changing, as each bid and offer represents an order. As orders are filled, these levels will change. For example, if there is a bid at 25.25 and another at 25.26, when all the orders at 25.26 have been filled, the next highest bid is 25.25. This bid/ask process is important to keep in mind when placing an order because the type of order selected will impact the price at which the trade is filled, when it will be filled, or whether it will be filled at all. Order Types On most markets, orders are accepted from both individual and institutional investors. Most individuals trade through broker-dealers, which require them to place one of many order types when making a trade. Markets facilitate different order types that provide for some investing discretion when planning a trade. Here are some basic order types: A market order instructs the brokerage to complete the order at the best available price. Market orders are generally always executed unless there is no trading liquidity. A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stock at a specific price or better. Limit orders ensure that a buyer pays only a specific price to purchase a security. Limit orders can remain in effect until they are executed, expire, or are canceled. A limit sell order instructs the broker to sell the asset at a price that is above the current price. For long positions, this order type is used to take profits when the price has moved higher after buying. A stop order instructs the brokerage to sell if an asset reaches a specified price below the current price. A stop order can be a market order, meaning it takes any price when triggered, or it can be a stop-limit order wherein it can only execute within a certain price range (limit) after being triggered. A buy stop order instructs the broker to buy an asset when it reaches a specified price above the current price. A day order must be executed during the same trading day that the order is placed. Good-'til-canceled (GTC) orders remain in effect until they are filled or canceled. If an order is not a day order or a good-'til-canceled order, the trader typically sets an expiry for the order. Immediate or cancel (IOC) means that the order only remains active for a very short period of time, such as several seconds. An all-or-none (AON) order specifies that the entire size of the order be filled, and partial fills will not be accepted. A fill-or-kill (FOK) order must be completed immediately and completely or not at all and combines an AON order with an IOC order. Order types can greatly affect the results of a trade. When trying to buy, for example, placing a buy limit at a lower price than what the asset is currently trading at may give the trader a better price if the asset drops in value (compared to buying now). But putting it too low may mean the price never reaches the limit order, and the trader may miss out if the price moves higher. One order type isn't better or worse than another. Each order type serves a purpose and will be the prudent choice depending on the situation. Example of Using an Order for a Stock Trade When buying a stock, a trader should consider how they will get in and how they will get out at both a profit and loss. This means there are potentially three orders they can place at the outset of a trade: one to get in, a second to control risk if the price doesn't move as expected (referred to as a stop-loss), and another to eventually trade profit if the price does move in the expected direction (called a profit target). A trader or investor doesn't need to place their exit orders at the same time they enter a trade, but they still should be aware of how they will get out (whether with a profit or loss) and what order types they will use to do it. Assume a trader wants to buy a stock. Here is one possible configuration they could use for placing their orders to enter the trade as well as control risk and take profit. They watch a technical indicator for a trade signal and then place a market order to buy the stock at $124.15. The order fills at $124.17. The difference between the market order price and the fill price is called slippage. Image by Sabrina Jiang Investopedia 2020 They decide that they don't want to risk more than 7% on the stock, so they place a sell stop order 7% below their entry at $115.48. This is the loss control, or stop-loss. Based on their analysis, they believe they can expect a 21% profit from the trade, which means they expect to make three times their risk. That's a favorable risk/reward ratio. Therefore, they place a sell limit order 21% above their entry price at $150.25. This is their profit target. They will reach one of the sell orders will be reached first, closing out the trade. In this case, the price reaches the sell limit first, resulting in a 21% profit for the trader. What Is Insider Trading?seneca casino sportsbook Insider trading involves trading in a public company's stock or other securities by employees with non-public, material information about the company. Insider trading can be either illegal or legal depending on when the insider makes the trade and the laws of the country the person is in. In the U.S., insider trading is illegal when the material information is still non-public, and those who commit it face harsh consequences. Key Takeaways Insider trading is the buying or selling of a publicly traded company's stock by someone who has non-public, material information about that stock. Material nonpublic information is any information that could substantially impact an investor's decision to buy or sell the security that has not been made available to the public. This form of insider trading is illegal and comes with stern penalties including both potential fines and jail time. Insider trading can be legal as long as it conforms to the rules set forth by the SEC. Insider Trading Understanding Insider Trading 1:43 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines illegal insider trading as: The buying or selling a security, in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence, on the basis of material, nonpublic information about the security. Material information is any information that could substantially impact an investor's decision to buy or sell the security. Non-public information is information that is not legally available to the public. The question of legality stems from the SEC's attempt to maintain a fair marketplace. An individual who has access to insider information would have an unfair edge over other investors, who do not have the same access and could potentially make larger, unfair profits than their fellow investors. Illegal insider trading includes tipping others when you have any sort of material nonpublic information. Legal insider trading happens when directors of the company purchase or sell shares, but they disclose their transactions legally. The Securities and Exchange Commission has rules to protect investments from the effects of insider trading. It does not matter how the material nonpublic information was received or if the person is employed by the company. For example, suppose someone learns about nonpublic material information from a family member and shares it with a friend. If the friend uses this insider information to profit in the stock market, then all three of the people involved could be prosecuted. The best way to stay out of legal trouble is to avoid sharing or using material nonpublic information, even if you overheard it accidentally. Examples of Insider Trading Martha Stewart Directors of companies are not the only people who have the potential to be convicted of insider trading. In 2003, Martha Stewart was charged by the SEC with obstruction of justice and securities fraudincluding insider tradingfor her part in the 2001 ImClone case. Stewart sold close to 4,000 shares of biopharmaceutical company ImClone Systems based on information received from Peter Bacanovic, a broker at Merrill Lynch. Bacanovic's tip came after ImClone Systems chief executive officer (CEO), Samuel Waksal, sold all his shares of the company. This came around the time ImClone was waiting on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a decision on its cancer treatment, Erbitux. Shortly after these sales, the FDA rejected ImClone's drug, causing shares to fall 16% in one day. The early sale by Stewart saved her a loss of $45,673. However, the sale was made based on a tip she received about Waksal selling his shares, which was not public information. After a 2004 trial, Stewart was charged with lesser crimes of obstruction of a proceeding, conspiracy, and making false statements to federal investigators. Stewart served five months in a federal corrections facility. Amazon In September 2017, former Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) financial analyst Brett Kennedy was charged with insider trading. Authorities said Kennedy gave fellow University of Washington alumni Maziar Rezakhani information on Amazon's 2015 first-quarter earnings before the release. Rezakhani paid Kennedy $10,000 for the information. In a related case, the SEC said Rezakhani made $115,997 trading Amazon shares based on the tip from Kennedy. Legal Instances of Insider Trading The term "insider trading" generally has a negative connotation. Legal insider trading happens in the stock market on a weekly basis. The SEC requires transactions to be submitted electronically in a timely manner. Transactions are submitted electronically to the SEC and also must be disclosed on the companys website. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was the first step to the legal disclosure of transactions of company stock. Directors and major owners of stock must disclose their stakes, transactions, and change of ownership. Form 3 is used as an initial filing to show a stake in the company. Form 4 is used to disclose a transaction of company stock within two days of the purchase or sale. Form 5 is used to declare earlier transactions or those that have been deferred. Has Insider Trading a Negative Connotation? The term "insider trading" generally has a negative connotation that is based on the perception that it is unfair to the average investor. Essentially, insider trading involves trading in a public company's stock by someone who has non-public, material information about that stock. Insider trading can be either legal or illegal depending on whether it conforms to SEC rules or not. When Is Insider Trading Illegal? Insider trading is deemed to be illegal when the material information is still non-public and this comes with harsh consequences, including both potential fines and jail time. Material nonpublic information is defined as any information that could substantially impact the stock price of that company. Obviously, being privy to such information could influence an investor's decision to buy or sell the security which would give them an edge over the public who do not have such access. Martha Stewart's 2001 ImClone trading is a prime example of this. When Is Insider Trading Legal? Legal insider trading happens in the stock market on a weekly basis. The question of legality stems from the SEC's attempt to maintain a fair marketplace. Basically, it is legal when company insiders engage in trading company stock as long as they report these trades to the SEC in a timely manner. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was the first step to the legal disclosure of transactions of company stock. For example, directors and major owners of stock must disclose their stakes, transactions, and change of ownership. What Is Know Your Client (KYC)?vegas slots 7780 Know Your Client (KYC) is a standard in the investment industry that ensures advisors can verify a client's identity and know their client's investment knowledge and financial profile. Three components of KYC include the customer identification program (CIP), imposed under the USA Patriot Act in 2001, customer due diligence (CDD), and ongoing monitoring or enhanced due diligence (EDD) of a customer's account once it is established. Key Takeaways Know Your Client (KYC) are standards used in the investment and financial services industry to verify customers and know their risk and financial profiles. Three components of KYC include the customer identification program (CIP), customer due diligence (CDD), and enhanced due diligence (EDD). The SEC requires that each new customer provide detailed financial information before opening an investment or banking account. Understanding Know Your Client (KYC) The Know Your Client (KYC) rule is an ethical requirement for those in the securities industry dealing with customers during the opening and ongoing maintenance of accounts. It is implemented at the onset of the customer-broker relationship to establish the essential personal profile of each customer before any financial recommendations are made. The customer is also made aware of the need to comply with all the laws, regulations, and rules of the securities industry. KYC Requirements Customer Identification Program CIP requires that financial firms must obtain four pieces of identifying information about a client, including name, date of birth, address, and identification number. Customer Due Diligence CDD is a process in which all of a customers credentials are collected to verify their identity and evaluate their risk profile for suspicious account activity. Enhanced Due Diligence EDD is used for customers that are at a higher risk of infiltration, terrorism financing, or money laundering and additional information collection is often necessary. KYC Compliance Two rules governing KYC include Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2090 (Know Your Customer) and FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability). FINRA Rule 2090 states that every broker-dealer uses reasonable effort when opening and maintaining client accounts and are required to know and keep records on the profile of each customer, as well as identify each person who has authority to act on the customers behalf. FINRA Rule 2111 notes that a broker-dealer must have a reasonable belief that a recommendation is suitable for a customer based on the clients financial situation and needs. This rule assumes that the broker-dealer has completed a review of the current facts and profile of the customer, including the customers other securities and investments before making any purchase, sale, or exchange of a security on the client's behalf. AML and KYC The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires both customers and financial institutions to comply with KYC standards to prevent illegal activity, specifically money laundering. AML, anti-money laundering, is a term for the range of measures and processes used to achieve regulatory compliance. KYC is a component of AML. FinCEN requires financial institutions to understand the type and purpose of the customer relationship and develop a customer risk profile, used as a baseline for detecting suspicious customer activities. Financial institutions must also maintain current and accurate customer information and continue to monitor accounts for suspicious and illegal activities. When detected, they are required to promptly report their findings. KYC and Cryptocurrency The cryptocurrency market is praised for providing a decentralized medium of exchange that promotes confidentiality. However, these benefits also present challenges in preventing money laundering. Criminals see cryptocurrency as a vehicle to launder money and as a result, governing bodies are looking for ways to impose KYC on cryptocurrency markets. Requiring cryptocurrency platforms to verify their customers would aline with financial institutions, and although not yet required, many crypto platforms have implemented KYC practices. Fiat-to-crypto exchanges facilitate transactions involving fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Since fiat currency is the official currency of a nation, most of these exchanges employ a measure of KYC and financial institutions would have vetted their customers according to KYC requirements. $60 million The penalty assessed against Bitcoin mixer Larry Dean Harmon for violating anti-money laundering laws. In early 2021, FinCEN proposed that cryptocurrency and digital asset market participants submit, maintain, and verify customers' identities. This proposal would classify certain cryptocurrencies as monetary instruments, subjecting them to KYC requirements. What Is KYC Verification? The Know Your Client (KYC) verification is a set of standards and requirements used in the investment and financial services industries to ensure brokers have sufficient information about their clients, their risk profiles, and their financial position. What Is KYC in the Banking Sector? KYC in the banking sector requires bankers and advisors to identify their customers, beneficial owners of businesses, and the nature and purpose of customer relationships. Banks must also review customer accounts for suspicious and illegal activity and maintain and ensure the accuracy of the customer accounts. What Are KYC Documents? Account owners generally must provide a government-issued ID as proof of identity. Some institutions require two forms of ID, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, social security card, or passport. In addition to confirming identity, the address must be confirmed. This can be done with proof of ID or with an accompanying document confirming the address of the client. The Bottom Line Know Your Client (KYC) are a set of standards and requirements investment and financial services companies use to verify the identity of their customers and any associated risks with the customer relationship. KYC requires customers to provide a personal identification profile and KYC ensures investment advisors are aware of their client's risk tolerance and financial position. What Is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?slot deposit 25 bonus 25th term In the U.S., a political action committee (PAC) is a political committee that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. PACs are typically formed to represent business, labor, or ideological interests by individuals who wish to privately raise money to donate to a political campaign. The first PAC was formed in 1944 in order to raise money for the re-election of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Key Takeaways In the U.S., a political action committee (PAC) is a political committee that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. Political Action Committees (PACs) are typically formed to represent business, labor, or ideological interests. The first PAC was formed in 1944 in order to raise money for the re-election of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. How a Political Action Committee Works At the federal level, an organization is considered a PAC when it receives or spends more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election. There are many types of restrictions that guide how PACs are able to fundraise for and donate their contributions to political campaigns and/or causes. They can contribute $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general, or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, PAC, or party committee per calendar year. A PAC must register with the U.S. Federal Election Committee within 10 days of its formation, and it must provide the name and address for the PAC, its treasurer, and any affiliated organizations. For the purpose of contribution limits, all affiliated PACs are treated as one donor. PACs are also required to disclose information about all individuals who contribute to them. However, sometimes these names are not disclosed until after the election (when votes have already been cast). Types of Political Action Committees (PACs) There are many categories of PACs, including separate segregated funds (SSFs), nonconnected committees, Super PACs, and Leadership PACs. Separate Segregated Funds (SSFs) Corporations, labor unions, membership organizations, or trade associations can establish separate segregated funds (SSFs). Once established, these committees can only receive contributions from individuals that are associated with that connected or sponsoring organization. Nonconnected Committees Unlike SSFs, nonconnected committees are not sponsored by a specific entity or organization. As a result, they can accept contributions from the general public. Super PACs Super PACs can receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor unions, and other PACs. Hybrid PACs A hybid PAC can act as both a PAC and a Super PAC. Hybrid PACs must maintain segregated bank accounts for their unlimited Super PAC activities and their normal PAC fundraising and contributions, which are subject to the same statutory limitations as a regular PAC. Leadership PACs A leadership PAC is a PAC that is established by a candidate or an individual holding federal office. It is common for members of Congress and other political leaders to establish leadership PACs in order to support candidates for various elected offices. Leadership PACs can only contribute up to $5,000 per election to a federal candidate committee. PACs vs. Super PACs Super PACs were created in 2010 after the U.S. Court of Appeals' decision in SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Committee. This decision allowed for a greater level of deregulation as to how political funds are raised and distributed. While Super PAC funds cannot be donated directly to a campaign, Super PAC managers and political candidates are permitted to collaborate and discuss strategy. Since the inception of Super PACs, they have quickly grown to be a hugely influential force in American politics. In fact, it is estimated that during the 2012 Republican primaries, Super PACs spent more money during the election cycle than the individual candidates' campaigns did. The majority of this money was donated by individuals rather than businesses. Special Considerations Corporations cannot contribute directly to a campaign; however, a 2010 Supreme Court decisionCitizens United v. Federal Election Committeemade it legal for corporations to support a PAC. The decision overruled the 2002 Campaign Reform Act, which prevented corporations, unions, and other entities from donating money to political campaigns. The new laws allow these entities to contribute a limited amount of money to a PAC, which can, in turn, be donated to a campaign. In the case of Super PACs, a corporation can contribute an unlimited amount of money. Even though this money can't be directly given to a campaign, it can be spent to indirectly influence an election. By 2016,beta carotene recommended dose Chinese government will invest 138.4 billion yuan in Tibet to build a series of infrastructure projects, said the official Xinhua news agency. This investment includes 226 construction projects totaling 330.5 billion yuan. These projects include the construction of buildings for public services in the region, transport infrastructure such as railways, roads, airports and power plants. The announcement came during the visit of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Tibet, who came to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the peaceful liberation of the region. Central Government to Invest 138.4 Billion Yuan in Tibetadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Facebook B.S., Texas A&M University Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law that provides foreign diplomats with a degree of protection from criminal or civil prosecution under the laws of the countries hosting them. Often criticized as a get away with murder policy, does diplomatic immunity really give diplomats carte blancheto break the law? While the concept and custom are known to date back over 100,000 years, modern diplomatic immunity was codified by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1961. Today, many of the principles of diplomatic immunity are treated as customary under international law. The stated purpose of diplomatic immunity is to facilitate safe passage of diplomats and promote amicable foreign relations between governments, particularly during times of disagreement or armed conflict. The Vienna Convention, which has been agreed to by 187 countries, states that all diplomatic agents including the members of the diplomatic staff, and of the administrative and technical staff and of the service staff of the mission should be granted immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving [S]tate. They are also granted immunity from civil lawsuits unless the case involves funds or property not related to diplomatic assignments. Upon being formally recognized by the hosting government, foreign diplomats are granted certain immunities and privileges based on the understanding that similar immunities and privileges will be granted on a reciprocal basis. Under the Vienna Convention, individuals acting for their governments are granted diplomatic immunity depending on their rank and need to carry out their diplomatic mission without fear of becoming entangled in personal legal issues. While diplomats granted immunity are ensured safe unfettered travel and are generally not susceptible to lawsuits or criminal prosecution under the laws of the host country, they can still be expelled from the host country. Waiver of Immunity Diplomatic immunity can be waived only by the government of the officials home country. In most cases, this happens only when the official commits or witnesses a serious crime not related to their diplomatic role. Many countries are hesitant or refuse to waive immunity, and individuals cannotexcept in cases of defectionwaive their own immunity. If a government waives immunity to allow the prosecution of one of its diplomats or their family members, the crime must be serious enough to make prosecution in the public interest. For example, in 2002, the Colombian government waived the diplomatic immunity of one of its diplomats in London so he could be prosecuted for manslaughter. Diplomatic Immunity in the United States Based on the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the rules for diplomatic immunity in the United States are established by the U.S. Diplomatic Relations Act of 1978. In the United States, the federal government may grant foreign diplomats several levels of immunity based on their rank and task. At the highest level, actual Diplomatic Agents and their immediate families are considered immune from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. Top-level ambassadors and their immediate deputies can commit crimes from littering to murder and remain immune from prosecution in the U.S. courts. In addition, they cannot be arrested or compelled to testify in court. At the lower levels, employees of foreign embassies are granted immunity only from acts related to their official duties. For example, they cannot be forced to testify in U.S. courts about the actions of their employers or their government. As a diplomatic strategy of U.S. foreign policy, the United States tends to be friendlier or more generous in granting legal immunity to foreign diplomats due to the comparatively large number of U.S. diplomats serving in countries that tend to restrict the individual rights of their own citizens. Should the U.S. accuse or prosecute one of their diplomats without sufficient grounds, the governments of such countries might harshly retaliate against visiting U.S. diplomats. Once again, reciprocity of treatment is the goal. How the US Deals With Wrongdoing Diplomats Whenever a visiting diplomat or other person granted diplomatic immunity living in the United States is accused of committing a crime or faces a civil lawsuit, the U.S. Department of State may take the following actions: The State Department notifies the individuals government of the details surrounding the criminal charges or civil suit. The State Department may ask the individuals government to voluntarily waive their diplomatic immunity, thus allowing the case to be handled in a U.S. court. In actual practice, foreign governments typically agree to waive diplomatic immunity only when their representative has been charged with a serious crime not connected to their diplomatic duties, or has been subpoenaed to testify as a witness to a serious crime. Except in rare cases such as defections individuals are not allowed to waive their own immunity. Alternatively, the accused individuals government may choose to prosecute them in its own courts. If the foreign government refuses to waive their representatives diplomatic immunity, the prosecution in a U.S. court cannot proceed. However, the U.S. government still has options: The State Department can formally ask the individual to withdraw from his or her diplomatic post and leave the United States. In addition, the State Department often cancels the diplomats visa, barring them and their families from returning to the United States. Crimes committed by members of a diplomats family or staff may also result in the diplomats expulsion from the United States. But, Get Away With Murder? No, foreign diplomats do not have a license to kill. The U.S. government can declare diplomats and their family members persona non grata and send them home for any reason at any time. In addition, the diplomats home country can recall them and try them in local courts. In cases of serious crimes, the diplomats country can waive immunity, allowing them to be tried in a U.S. court. In one high-profile example, when the deputy ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Georgia killed a 16-year-old girl from Maryland while driving drunk in 1997, Georgia waived his immunity. Tried and convicted of manslaughter, the diplomat served three years in a North Carolina prison before returning to Georgia. Criminal Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity Probably as old as the policy itself, abuse of diplomatic immunity ranges from non-payment of traffic fines to serious felonies like rape, domestic abuse, and murder. In 2014, New York City police estimated that diplomats from more than 180 countries owed the city over $16 million in unpaid parking tickets. With the United Nations housed in the city, its an old problem. In 1995, New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani forgave over $800,000 in parking fines rung up by foreign diplomats. While possibly meant as a gesture of international goodwill designed to encourage favorable treatment of U.S. diplomats abroad, many Americans having been forced to pay their own parking tickets did not see it that way. On the more serious end of the crime spectrum, a foreign diplomats son in New York City was named by police as the prime suspect in the commission of 15 separate rapes. When the young mans family claimed diplomatic immunity, he was allowed to leave the United States without being prosecuted. Civil Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations grants diplomats immunity from all civil lawsuits except for those that involve private immovable property. This means that U.S. citizens and corporations are often unable to collect unpaid debts owed by visiting diplomats, like rent, child support, and alimony. Some U.S. financial institutions refuse to make loans or open lines of credit to diplomats or their family members because they have no legal means of ensuring the debts will be repaid. Diplomatic debts in unpaid rent alone can exceed $1 million. The diplomats and the offices they work in are referred to as foreign missions. The individual missions cannot be sued to collect overdue rent. In addition, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act bars creditors from evicting diplomats due to unpaid rent. Specifically, Section 1609 of the act states that the property in the United States of a foreign state shall be immune from attachment, arrest, and execution In some cases, in fact, the U.S. Department of Justice has actually defended foreign diplomatic missions against rent collection lawsuits based on their diplomatic immunity. The problem of diplomats using their immunity to avoid paying child support and alimony became so serious that the 1995 U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women, in Beijing took up the issue. As a result, in September 1995, the head of Legal Affairs for the United Nations stated that diplomats had a moral and legal obligation to take at least some personal responsibility in family disputes. Diplomatic Passports Along with diplomatic immunity, diplomats and other high-ranking government officials may be given special diplomatic passports allowing them to travel internationally with more ease. The United States, for example, typically issues diplomatic passports to its diplomats who are stationed overseas. Holders of diplomatic passports are allowed to can cross international borders while bypassing a lot of the typical travel regulations that must be followed by regular passport holders. However, the use of a diplomatic passport implies that the holder is traveling on official government business only, and in certain instances, security officials can compel them to prove they are doing so. To ensure smooth passage, the requirement for a visa is often waived. British diplomatic passport holders, for example, get visa-free entry to China. Only persons who have diplomatic status can be issued diplomatic passports. They are not documents that can be applied for by anyone. Traveling internationally with this type of travel document affords the holder certain benefits that those with a regular tourist passport do not have. While it differs depending on the destination country and its specific immigration regulations, a diplomatic passport generally allows the visitor numerous privileges not enjoyed by those with a regular tourist passport. Assumed to be traveling on official government business, holders of diplomatic passports are exempt from certain airport security protocols, such as bag searches and identity checks. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks in Buenos Aires with Argentine President Cristina on June 25. Premier Wen said that China is ready to work with Argentina to enhance mutual political trust, China supports Argentinas claim to sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. Wen Jiabao said China is implementing the 12th Five-Year Plan, Argentina has developed a 2020 development strategy, a bilateral cooperation will bring the great potential for both countries. The two sides decided to launch a joint action plan between the two governments for the development of bilateral relations. Christina said Argentina is willing to learn from Chinas development experience, strengthen strategic communication with China and expand the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields such as economic, trade, agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy, hydropower, transportation and mineral resources. Argentina welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Argentina and actively participate in large-scale construction projects. Wen: China supports Argentinas claim to sovereignty over the Malvinas Islandsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline News / National by Staff reporter Botswana parliamentarians have unequivocally expressed their opposition to the proposed removal of passports for travel between their country and Zimbabwe.Responding to a statement made in the National Assembly by Labour and Home Affairs minister Annah Mokgethi, Members of Parliament from both ends thrashed the proposed arrangement, which would see citizens of both countries use national identity cards instead of passports at entry points.Botswana already has a similar arrangement with Namibia and is now looking to tie a similar deal with Zimbabwe.But while the Namibian arrangement, which came into effect in February, faced no opposition, legislators told Mokgethi that's they don't agree with the government's move on Zimbabwe.Earlier this month, while in Gaborone, President, Emmerson Mnangagwa announced he had reached an agreement with his Botswana counterpart, Mokgweetsi Masisi to abolish the use of passports at entry points.But due to public backlash, Mokgethi was forced to read a statement in Parliament, arguing the agreement was not yet in place.It read in part, " I wish to make this statement to clarify and to set the record straight that there is no signed agreement to effect this initiative."Given this background Batswana are assured that by a concept being appreciated by the two leadership does not mean the people of the two countries can now use their IDs to cross into their countries."There are processes and procedures to be undertaken to ensure and qualify validity of all necessary requirements for travel, locally, regionally, and internationally before implantation can take place."Most importantly upon adoption of acceptance of regulatory standards, the two countries will enter into a memorandum of agreement that has clauses including cancellation or exit in the event, concerns of violation arise during implementation."The leader of opposition Dithapelo Keorapetse said it was surprising that the deal was announced without due consultations."We don't know who President Masisi was representing when he reached this agreement with Mnangagwa or the government of Zimbabwe," Keorapetse said.Francistown MP Wynter Mmolotsi said it would not be ideal to allow the arrangement to proceed as the country, in particular, areas closer to the border, were already bearing the brunt of the influx of Zimbabweans."The health system in Francistown is already overburdened by Zimbabweans," Mmolotsi said."Some come here to illegally mine gold. If we open up, without even knowing it, we will have more Zimbabweans than the entire Francistown population."Some MPs like Unity Douw wondered how the use of machine-readable identity cards will not be as cumbersome as the use of passports.The cost of obtaining a passport in Zimbabwe is prohibitive and some are forced to skip the border driven from their homeland by scarce job opportunities.Some MPs said they would rather have other countries like South Africa and Zambia negotiate a passport-free travel arrangement ahead of Zimbabwe. What Is Article 50?grand ivy live casino Article 50 is a clause in the European Union's (EU) Lisbon Treaty that outlines the steps to be taken by a country seeking to leave the bloc voluntarily. Invoking Article 50 kick-starts the formal exit process and allows countries to officially declare their intention to leave the EU. The United Kingdom was the first country to invoke Article 50 after a majority of British voters elected to leave the union in 2016. Key Takeaways Article 50 is a clause in the European Union's Lisbon Treaty that outlines how a country can leave the bloc voluntarily. The article states: Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. The article became a subject of serious discussion during the European sovereign debt crisis of 2010 to 2014 when Greece's economy appeared to be in trouble. The United Kingdom became the first country to invoke Article 50 after a majority of voters elected to leave the bloc. How Article 50 Works Article 50 is part of the Lisbon Treaty, which was signed and ratified by all 27 member states of the European Union in 2007 and came into effect in 2009. The article outlines how a member nation may leave the EU voluntarily. As noted above, the article states: Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. According to the article's text: Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament. The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the member of the European Council or of the Council representing the withdrawing Member State shall not participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it. A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 238(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49. Algeria left the European Economic Community after gaining independence from France in 1962, while Greenland left through a special treaty in 1985. Special Considerations Article 50 became a subject of serious discussion during the European sovereign debt crisis of 2010 to 2014 when Greece's economy appeared to be spiraling out of control. In an attempt to save the euro and perhaps the EU from collapsing, leaders considered expelling Greece from the eurozone. The problem they encountered with Article 50 was that there was no clear guidance for pushing a member state out against its will. Nor was it necessary to remove Greece from the EUjust from the eurozone. Greece was eventually able to reach agreements with its EU creditors. Origins of Article 50 The European Union began in 1957 as the European Economic Community, which was created to foster economic interdependence among its members in the aftermath of World War II. The original bloc comprised six European countries: the Netherlands, France, Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy. They were joined by the U.K., Denmark, and Ireland in 1973. The EU was formally created by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, and by 1995 the bloc expanded to 15 members covering the whole of Western Europe. From 2004 to 2007, the EU experienced its largest-ever expansion, taking on 12 new members that included former Communist states. The Lisbon Treaty was drafted with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action. The treaty was signed and ratified by all 27 member states in 2007 and came into effect in 2009. The treaty is divided into two partsthe Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It has 358 articles in total including Article 50. The author of the provision did not originally see it as being necessary. "If you stopped paying the bills and you stopped turning up at the meetings, in due course your friends would notice that you seemed to have left," the Scottish peer Lord Kerr of Kinlochard told the BBC in November 2016. He saw Article 50 as being potentially useful in the event of a coup, which would lead the EU to suspend the affected country's membership: "I thought that at that point the dictator in question might be so cross that he'd say 'right, I'm off' and it would be good to have a procedure under which he could leave." Example of Article 50 The first country to invoke Article 50 was the United Kingdom, which left the EU on Jan. 31, 2020. It came after a majority of British citizens voted to leave the union and pursue Brexit in a referendum on June 23, 2016, leading British Prime Minister Theresa May to invoke the article on March 29, 2017. The process was mired by missed deadlines, extensions, negotiations, and stumbling blocks put forth by both British and EU leaders. May's attempts for an agreement were rejected by parliament. Negotiations were renewed by Boris Johnson, who became prime minister after May resigned. The country began an 11-month transition period immediately after its departure from the bloc. After leaving the Union, there were no British officials in the European Parliament, and the U.K. lost its veto right within the EU. But the two parties still had to work out a new trade agreement. There were still many issues to resolve during the transition period, including: Issues related to pensions How both parties would handle law enforcement and security cooperation Access to shared fisheries Customs and border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland Tariffs and other trade barriers One big cause for concern was the issue of EU nationals migrating to the U.K. or vice versa. Prior to Brexit, an estimated three million EU nationals lived, worked, or studied in the U.K., while one million U.K. nationals did the same in the rest of the EU. Nationals were allowed to cross borders during the transition period but were afterward subject to visa requirements. Negotiations continued during the transition period, despite many halts and roadblocks. On Dec. 24, 2020, the two sides finally announced a trade deal that would replace the EU's single market and its customs union with respect to the United Kingdom. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed on Dec. 30 and provisionally entered force on Jan. 1. However, it was not fully ratified until the following April. The new trade agreement fully entered force on May 1, 2021. Thedavid niven james bond Government of Xinjiang on Wednesday has risen the death toll to 18 14 troublemakers, two officers and two hostages during the assault on a police station on Monday. China called the incident that killed 18 people in the region inhabited by the Muslim minority a grave terrorist attack and denies that there was a peaceful protest before the riots. It was obviously a terrorist attack and was long-planned against the police, said Hou Hanmin, head of the Information Office of the region. The attackers were not against a specific ethnic group, Hou said, adding that there were deaths have both Chinese and Uighurs, but noted that the rioters shouted slogans showing theyre religious extremists. To attract the attention of the police within the building, rioters first attacked two people near the police station, said Hou. The local governments initial investigation indicates that 18 troublemakers into the city on Saturday and bought or manufactured knives, explosives and other weapons later used in the attack on the police station, where armed police killed the attackers in 90 minutes. In that operation, police rescued six people trapped by the troublemakers, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. According to the official, there were four wounded, including a policeman and a security guard, recovering in the hospital and their lives are in danger. Hotan (), where the incident occurred, has a population of a 96.3 percent of Uighurs and 3.5 percent of Han Chinese. The ethnic conflict came two years after another more serious that caused over 200 deaths and 1,700 injured in the regional capital, Urumqi, according to Chinese official count. 18 People Died in the Assault on a Police Stationadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline What Is a Multinational Corporation?giardia and cryptosporidium A multinational corporation (MNC) is a company that has business operations in at least one country other than its home country. By some definitions, it also generates at least 25% of its revenue outside of its home country. Generally, a multinational company has offices, factories, or other facilities in different countries around the world as well as a centralized headquarters which coordinates global management. Multinational companies can also be known as international, stateless, or transnational corporate organizations or enterprises. Some may have budgets that exceed those of small countries. Key Takeaways Multinational corporations conduct business in two or more countries. Some consider a multinational company to be one that generates 25% or more of its revenue outside the home country. An MNC can have a positive economic effect on the countries in which it operates. Some believe outsourcing U.S. manufacturing to a foreign country has a negative effect on the U.S. economy. Investing in a multinational corporation is a way to add international exposure to a portfolio. Multinational Corporations How a Multinational Corporation Works 1:24 A multinational corporation is an enterprise whose business activities occur in at least two countries. Some may consider any company with a foreign branch to be a multinational corporation. Others may limit the definition to only those companies that derive at least a quarter of their revenue outside of their home country. Multinational companies can make direct investments in foreign countries. Many are based in developed nations. Advocates say they create high-paying jobs and technologically advanced goods in countries that otherwise would not have access to such opportunities or goods. However, critics of these enterprises believe multinational corporations exert undue political influence over governments, exploit developing nations, and create job losses in their own home countries. The history of the multinational company is linked with the history of colonialism. Many of the first multinational companies were commissioned at the behest of European monarchs to conduct international expeditions. Some of the colonies not held by Spain or Portugal existed under the administration of some of the world's earliest multinational companies. One of the first was The East India Company, established in 1600. This British multinational enterprise took part in international trade and exploration, and operated trading posts in India. Other early examples of multinational companies include the Swedish Africa Company, founded in 1649, and the Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670. Characteristics of a Multinational Corporation Some of the characteristics common to various types of multinational corporations include: A worldwide business presence Typically, large and powerful organizations Business conducted in various languages A complicated business model and structure Direct investments in foreign countries Jobs created in foreign countries, potentially with higher wages than found locally Seeks improved efficiencies, lower production costs, larger market share Has substantial expenses associated with navigating rules and regulations of foreign countries Pays taxes in countries in which it operates Reports financial information according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sometimes accused of negative economic and/or environmental impacts in foreign markets Sometimes accused of negative economic impacts in home country due to outsourcing jobs U.S. multinational corporations employed 43.9 million workers throughout the world in 2019. 4 Types of Multinational Corporations Multinational corporations can be viewed as four main organizational types. A Decentralized Corporation A decentralized corporation maintains a presence in its home country and has autonomous offices and other facilities in locations around the world. This type of multinational company has the capability to achieve more, faster because it's decentralized. Each office manages the local business itself, making its own decisions. A Centralized Global Corporation A centralized global corporation has a central headquarters in the home country. Executive officers and management located there oversee the global offices and operations as well as domestic operations. They, rather than managers at local offices in foreign countries, make the key business decisions. The offices typically must report to and obtain approval from headquarters personnel for major activities. An International Division Within a Corporation An international division is that part of the multinational corporation that has been made responsible for all international operations. This structure facilitates business decision-making and general activities in local, foreign markets. However, operating independently can pose problems when overall corporate consensus and action is required. Maintaining and presenting the carefully nurtured, enterprise-wide brand image established by the multinational may also be a challenge. A Transnational Corporation A transnational corporation involves a parent-subsidiary structure whereby the parent company oversees the operations of subsidiaries in foreign countries as well as in the home country. Subsidiaries can make use of the parent's assets, such as research and development data. Subsidiaries may be different brands, as well. The parent usually maintains a management role directing the operations of its subsidiaries, domestic and foreign. Examples of multinational corporations include IBM, Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Walmart. Nestle S.A. is an example of a transnational corporation that executes business and operational decisions in and outside of its headquarters. One of its subsidiaries is Nespresso. Advantages and Disadvantages of Multinational Corporations International operations present a variety of advantages and disadvantages to multinational companies, consumers, and a workforce. Advantages Developing an international presence can open up new markets and sales opportunities unavailable or not feasible when operating just domestically. For example, a presence in a foreign country such as India can allow a corporation to meet widespread Indian demand for particular products without the transaction costs associated with long-distance shipping. Corporations can establish operations in markets where their capital can be used most efficiently and wages have less impact on the bottom line than they did in the home country. By producing the same quality of goods at lower costs, multinational companies can reduce prices and increase the purchasing power of consumers worldwide. Multinational companies can also take advantage of lower tax rates available in countries eager for their direct investments and the jobs that they'll create. Note, however, that the European Union has a plan to implement a minimum tax of 15% on corporate profits, to become effective in 2023. Other benefits include a direct financial investment in foreign countries and job growth in their local economies. Disadvantages A trade-off of globalizationthe price of lower pricesis that domestic jobs move overseas. This can increase unemployment in the home country and make it difficult for longtime employees in outsourced industries to find new jobs. Those opposed to multinational corporations point to the potential they may have to develop a monopoly (for certain products). This can drive up prices for consumers, stifle competition, and inhibit innovation. Multinational corporations are also said to have a detrimental effect on the environment because their operations may encourage land development and the depletion of local and natural resources. Multinational companies may also cause the downfall of small, local businesses. Activists have also claimed that multinational companies breach ethical standards. They accuse them of evading laws to advance their business agendas. What Makes a Corporation Multinational? A multinational corporation is one that has business offices and operations in two or more countries in the world. These companies are often managed from a central office headquartered in the home country. Simply exporting goods for sale abroad does not make a business a multinational company. Why Would a Business Want to Become a Multinational Company? Usually, the primary goal of a business is to increase profits and growth. If it can grow a global customer base and increase its market share abroad, it may believe that opening offices in foreign countries is worth the expense and effort. Companies may also see a benefit in certain tax structures or regulatory regimes found abroad. What Are Some Risks That Multinational Corporations Face? Multinational corporations are exposed to risks related to the different countries and regions in which they operate. These can include regulatory or legal risks, political instability, crime and violence, cultural sensitivities, as well as fluctuations in currency exchange rates. People in the home country may also resent the outsourcing of jobs. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and unionized workers who have been locked out at an Ontario-located casino and two local racetracks for more than three weeks now reached what was described as a tentative agreement. Almost 1,000 workers at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Sudbury Downs in Chelmsford, and Casino Brantford, all three operated by OLG, endured a three-week-long lockoutat the said properties after negotiations with the gambling operator broke down on September 19. OLG recently announced a modernization plan, under which casino workers were no longer eligible for their original pension plan. Discussions over the terms of the new pension plan have taken place for quite some time but an agreement was reached only this weekend. The protesting workers are part of Unifor, known to be the largest private sector union in Canada. It represents more than 300,000 people, casino workers included. Bob Orr, Assistant to Unifors Secretary-Treasurer, said last night that the employees at the three gambling venues were determined to protect their retirement security.He further noted that their efforts have met strong public support and that they hope they have reached the best possible deal. However, both parties refused to reveal more details about the settlement itself until the workers at the two racetracks and Casino Brantford cast their vote on the proposal. Dave Reston, President of Brantfords Unifor Local 504, said in a Sunday interview with local media that they consider it a big relief to have eventually solved the issue. He also pointed out that Unifors bargaining committee recommends the approval of the proposed agreement. Mr. Reston explained that all involved parties have been losing something due to the work stoppage the three gambling sites have been losing customers and their employees have been losing their pay. This is why they all expressed hopes for a positive outcome. Rui Brum, spokesman for OLG, said that the gambling operator is happy with this turn of events and hopes for a positive vote at all three venues. If the casino workers vote in favor of the agreement, this will put an end to the lockout. No date for the ratification vote has been announced, however. Furthermore, it is still unclear when operations at the three gambling venues would return to normal. File photo: George Hatem treats leprosy patients. Photo: Courtesy of Zhou Youma In October 1949,a foreigner was invited to the Tian'anmen Rostrum for the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The foreigner was George Hatem, known as Ma Haide in China, the first Westerner to ever become a CPC member and later obtain Chinese citizenship.In November 1933, Hatem, who had received his doctorate in medicine, heard about a tropical disease that was raging in Shanghai, which determined his decision to come to China from the US to relieve people of their suffering. In Shanghai, he met Soong Chingling and some Communist Party of China (CPC) revolutionaries. Under their influence, Hatem was actively involved in the CPC's revolutionary activities, his clinic often becoming a place for Party members to contact and meet.In June 1936, recommended by Soong, Hatem arrived in northern Shaanxi where he saw the real CPC and witnessed this extraordinary people's army with his own eyes.Hatem was impressed by the indomitable Red Army soldiers and their solidarity in the face of tremendous hardships. Once, during the march, the troops suffered from a severe shortage of necessities, and bouts of hunger and exhaustion. Seeing that Hatem was too tired to proceed, an old soldier fumbled in his pocket for a while and emerged with a small piece of rock candy, unwrapped it and gave it to Hatem.Against all odds, the army and the people were united as one. Such optimism was rarely seen in other places at that time in China. It inspired Hatem to remain in China for the rest of his life, as he believed that only such people could change the future of the country.In October 1936, after conducting interviews in Yan'an, Edgar Snow decided to leave, but Hatem decided to stay on, choosing northern Shaanxi as his base, and gave himself the Chinese name Ma Haide.After the three main forces of the Chinese Red Army converged in October 1936, Hatem, who had been appointed as public health advisor to the Central Military Commission of the CPC, stayed with the troops. On the battlefield, Hatem saw soldiers who braved all dangers on the front line, and who held their guns tight even after death. He saw high-ranking Red Army officers such as Zhu De and He Long offer their own horses to the injured. Young soldiers laid down their lives for the noble lofty ideal about a new China. Deeply moved, Hatem made another important decision in his life: He applied to join the CPC. His application was soon approved by the Party.In February 1937, Hatem officially joined the CPC. He said that he felt extremely delighted to be able to participate in this great cause of liberation and to be truly and centrally involved rather than being on the sidelines.In 1950, Hatem officially became a Chinese citizen, and was appointed Medical Consultant of the Ministry of Health of the PRC. He helped to establish the Central Dermatovenerology Institute, and devoted himself to the prevention and treatment of and research on venereal diseases and leprosy.Global Times Photo taken on Sept. 25, 2022 shows a "flower basket" at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China. The 18-meter-tall display in the shape of a flower basket is placed at Tian'anmen Square as a decoration for the upcoming National Day holiday.(Photo: Xinhua) The following is the full text of the foreword written by Xi Jinping, titled "Forging Ahead on the Journey to National Rejuvenation," to the Revitalization Library:Forging Ahead on the Journey to National Rejuvenation-Foreword to the Revitalization LibrarySeptember 20, 2022Xi JinpingFor thousands of years, the Chinese nation has the tradition to document historical records and compile classic works, so as to draw on the lessons of history and civilize the people through cultural development. It is a major cultural project approved by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee to compile this series of books. As our Party leads the people setting off on the new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, the publication of this classic is of great significance for us to boost confidence in our history, grasp the trend of the times, follow the Chinese path, and promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.The Chinese nation is a great nation, and has made indelible contributions to the progress of human civilization. Since the start of modern times, however, the Chinese nation suffered unprecedented disasters. It has become the greatest aspiration of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation ever since to realize the national rejuvenation. Countless noble-minded patriots never changed their minds to seek a way out for the country, and they explored and continued their struggles with strong will. After its founding, the CPC, pressing ahead against all odds, has united and led the Chinese people through arduous struggles. Staying committed to the guidance of Marxism, the Party has found the right path to realizing the national rejuvenation. Through tireless efforts in different historical periods of revolution, socialist construction, reform and opening up, the Chinese nation has achieved the transformation from standing up to growing rich and becoming strong, writing the most magnificent chapter in the development of the Chinese nation. The prospects of the national rejuvenation have never been so bright. What has been achieved has proved and will continue to prove that, under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people will be able to keep firmly in our own hands the destiny of the country's development and progress as long as we stay committed to the scientific theoretical guide and the right path and rally the strength of all the Chinese people.In the historical process of realizing the great national rejuvenation, the explorations, struggles, sacrifices and creations by generations of progressives and outstanding descendants of the Chinese nation have left behind a large number of precious documents of historical value and epochal significance. By compiling and publishing the Revitalization Library, which collects documents on important thoughts since the modern times, the pioneering endeavors of our ancestors will be recorded, so as to inspire the Chinese people for future pursuits.History is the best textbook. We will move forward, but we shall never forget what we have experienced. No matter how far we will have gone towards a bright future, we should not forget the past. As the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and China's journey to its national rejuvenation enters a critical period, it is all the more important for us to draw on the lessons of history, reflect on the past, look to the future and press forward.Based on the foundation of a sound understanding of the Party's history, we should learn the history of modern China and the history of China, to gain a clear grasp of where we come from and where we are going, get a clear understanding of what we Chinese communists are for, what we have done and what we are going to do, and clearly see why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future. We should bolster confidence in and raise awareness of our own culture, pass on the revolutionary culture, develop the advanced socialist culture, and promote the creative transformation and development of the fine traditional Chinese culture, so as to build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. We need to digest the essence of the history, promote theoretical innovation, and better advance academic studies. We should develop theories of our own, communicate our thoughts and continue to adapt Marxism to the Chinese context and our times. We should be firm in our ideals and convictions, consolidate our inner strengths, and more effectively uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, so that we can contribute our wisdom and efforts to the great national rejuvenation and make achievements and create glories of our own generation. SHARM EL-SHEIKH,slots of vegas 300 no deposit Egypt, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will continue building on its close relationship with China, joining hands with China to bring wide-ranging benefits for global climate action, the UAE climate envoy said at the ongoing UN climate conference. UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change Sultan Al Jaber told Xinhua in an interview at the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change being held in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh. He said that as a responsible supplier of oil and gas, and an aggressive "first mover" on renewable energy, the UAE believes that advancing climate action helps to diversify economies and create new industries, and energy transition is one of the examples. The UAE has emerged as a "trusted" partner with China in energy supply, and the two countries are also working closely on developing renewable energy, the minister noted. "Regardless of whether it's developing biotechnologies, renewable energy solutions, or other sectors enabled by advanced technologies when our countries collaborate to innovate, costs come down, economic opportunities go up, and society benefits," Al Jaber told Xinhua. He took solar stations as a sample of China-UAE collaborative innovation. In 2017, China and the UAE came together to build the world's largest single-site solar power plant, Noor Abu Dhabi. With 3.2 million solar panels installed across 8 square kilometers, Noor Abu Dhabi came online in 2019 with an installed capacity to produce 1.2 gigawatts of clean electricity. Based on this achievement, the two countries will soon set a new benchmark in the renewable energy sector with the Al Dhafra Solar Project, which will be almost twice the size of Noor Abu Dhabi, according to Al Jaber. "A successful energy transition must make progress with economic and climate action in tandem," the minister stressed, adding "I see many more opportunities for collaboration with China as we continue to build and adapt to clean-energy solutions." As to the loss and damage issue, which is of the most concern to developing countries, Al Jaber pointed out that considerable gaps are remaining in the climate finance architecture to address loss and damage. While countries have overwhelmingly agreed on this issue, the exact financing arrangements are still under discussion. The term "loss and damage" in UN climate negotiations refers to expenses already incurred as a result of climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels or extreme heat waves. While current climate funding focuses on cutting carbon emissions to prevent climate change in the future, establishing a "loss and damage" fund means compensating countries that can't avoid or adapt to the changes that have already happened. "At the same time, climate science tells us that there are hard limits to adaptation, and even if all emissions stopped today, there would still be future loss and damage," he said. As a result, the world must look for a collective response that is not only limited to financing but builds a range of solutions for addressing loss and damage. The UAE's climate envoy also expressed his hope for COP28 in 2023, which will be held in his country. He stressed that although COP27 and COP28 are both taking place in the Mideast region which is particularly attuned to the effects of climate change, the UAE strongly believes that climate solutions can, and should, come from everywhere. "As we prepare to host COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference next year, it is important to understand the priorities of all the nations, and that is one of our key tasks into the next year," he added. COP28 will mark the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake, a progress report of how countries have performed based on their pledges made in the COP21 Paris Agreement in 2015. "This will be an important outcome for COP28 and a critical milestone as we move towards making COP28 an inclusive and solutions-oriented climate summit," the minister said. The conference in 2023 will focus on the empowerment of youth and women, accelerating climate finance, enhancing global access to advanced climate technologies and deploying them at scale, and supporting indigenous and vulnerable communities, according to Al Jaber. "We believe that by working together for climate action, the world can unlock vast economic growth opportunities," said the climate envoy. News / National by Staff reporter THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says its recalled legislators and councillors will tomorrow file papers to contest the February 3 by-elections as indepedents amid threats of recall by self-proclaimed secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu.The nomination court will sit tomorrow to confirm candidates that will contest in six constituencies that fell vacant following the recalls of CCC legislators by Tshabangu.The six constituencies that will hold by-elections are Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North.The nomination court will sit at Tradegold Building in Bulawayo, Marondera magistrates court, Chinhoyi magistrates court and Gweru magistrates court.Last week, the country held by-elections to fill other vacant seats but recalled CCC members were barred from contesting the polls after Tshabangu approached the High Court challenging their participation.He argued that the recalled MPs could not participate in the elections under the CCC banner because they had been expelled from the party.The High Court ruled in Tshabangu's favour in a ruling delivered in the middle of the night on the eve of the elections last Saturday on December 9.CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi yesterday said this time their candidates would contest the upcoming by-elections as independents."We are CCC and our leader is Advocate Nelson Chamisa. We are contesting in the elections and we are winning," said Mkwananzi.In November, Harare High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi issued an interim interdict stopping Tshabangu, from recalling the opposition party's legislators and councillors pending the finalisation of court cases on the ownership of the CCC.There are several court matters over the ownership of the CCC that Chamisa unveiled last year after his former ally-turned opponent, Douglas Mwonzora, snatched the MDC from him.Eyebrows have also been raised after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission cancelled a gazetted by-election set for Victoria Falls on Tshabangu's orders.Last month, Tshabangu axed four CCC Victoria Falls councillors paving way for by-elections.But in a dramatic turn of events, Tshabangu rescinded his earlier move prompting Zec to cancel the polls that were set for February 3.Zec deputy chairperson Rodney Simukai Kiwa said the electoral body acted within the confines of the law, but legal experts said the move was illegal."The commission received a letter from the (Victoria Falls) town clerk explaining that they have been recalled by error," Kiwa told The Standard yesterday."Further the ( Local Government minister Winston Chitando) also sent a letter to that effect."Lawyer Dumisani Dube said Zec's move was illegal and unconstitutional as there were certain protocols to be followed before cancelling the polls."I think it's irregular for ZEC as an administrative authority to cancel a gazetted election before the election date in the absence of extraordinary circumstances such as death or a natural disaster," Dube said."It's a violation of administrative rights in the constitution and Administrative Justice Act and the Electoral Act and that conduct is irregular, unprocedural and unconstitutional and smacks of bias, unfairness and illegality."Another lawyer Jeremiah Bamu said the electoral body exposed its double standards as opposed to how it acted in the past by-elections."Zec has no power to cancel the by-election," Bamu said. "In this instance it was not up to Tshabangu to say he made an error, if he had made an error."He should have gone to court and said I have made an error and only then a court order would intervene."Bamu added: "It is the same as what took place in Chegutu West when Gift Konjana won the election, Zec announced the wrong results and recognised its error and it went on to say it has noticed and accepted its error, but it can do nothing more except report."Bamu said Zec should act in the same manner it did in the Konjana case and allow the by-elections to go ahead. Theparlay bets today jalen green cavs Embassy Chef Challenge returned to Washington, D.C. Thursday night after a two-year COVID hiatus. Chinese chefs won the top prize in the Judges' Choice Award. They featured fish flavored shrimp balls and mapo tofu with Chinese tea and baijiu. 01:27 Over 40 embassy chefs participated from around the world. With food and drink pairings, chefs showcased the unique flavors of their home countries. Hundreds of locals and visitors flocked to taste the world. They also voted for best dish to determine the People's Choice Award winner. The first place in the People's Choice Award went to the Embassy of the Philippines. The Embassy Chef Challenge is an annual event celebrating global food and culinary diplomacy. (Click left or right arrow to see more) For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report. China has welcomed the Libyan National Transitional Councils peaceful handover of power to its newly elected national assembly. A press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted spokesman Qin Gang as saying the move on Aug. 8 marked an important step in the countrys political transitional process. Qin said the Chinese side hoped Libya will achieve stability and prosperity as soon as possible. China is presidential betting odds 2024ready to join hands with Libya to promote continuous development of the two nations bilateral friendly relationship of cooperation. After the handover, the national assembly elected former opposition leader Mohammed Maqrif as its president on Aug. 10. He is scheduled to pick his government, pass laws and steer Libya to full parliamentary elections after a new constitution is drafted next year. Xinhua China welcomes peaceful power handover in Libyaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday met with Bouthaina Shaaban, the Syrian presidents special envoy and political and media advisor, on the current situation in Syria. During the meeting, Yang said China is deeply concerned about the situation in Syria, which has become more and more severe recently. China urges the Syrian government and parties concerned to implement UN Security Council resolutions, Annans six-point proposal and the Geneva communique agreed by the Action Group meeting of major world powers on June 30, immediately cease fire, stop violence and launch political dialogue, the foreign minister said. He said China calls on the Syrian government and the opposition to start dialogue at an early date, initiate and push forward a political process led by the Syrian people so as to bring the nation out of its difficulties. The international community and other parties involved need to play a positive role on the issue, according to Yang. The Syrian government must take substantial measures to meet the reasonable needs of the Syrian people to seek reform and safeguard their own interests, he added. China hopes the Syrian government and the opposition coordinate with the international mediation efforts, Yang said. He also briefed Shaaban on contact between China and the opposition groups in Syria and those dialogues mediation efforts, as well as Chinas humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees. Shaaban introduced the current situation in Syria. She said Syrias government will coordinate with international mediation efforts, and is ready to work with relevant parties to seek ways to make the government forces and the opposition forces stop violence at the same time. She said the Syrian government is willing to launch an inclusive dialogue with the opposition so as to promote a Syria-led political process and restore security and stability in the country. Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also met with Shaaban on Thursday. Xinhua Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi meets Syrian presidents special envoyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline HAIKOU,bet365 bonus code nj Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- In an Indonesian-style restaurant decorated with special wood ceilings, jelly-like desserts with green layers lure many foodies visiting from across China. "I definitely like the coconut rolls with pandan leaf juice," said a tourist surnamed Zhang, from northeast China. "I have ordered some to take home for my friends." The snack shop is located in Xinglong Town of Wanning, a coastal city in the tropical island province of Hainan in south China. It offers a variety of products, such as coffee, herbal tea and cakes, all mixed with green pandan leaf juice. The snacks are captivating for customers eager to have a taste of the distinctive flavor of Southeast Asia, said shop owner Zhan Shumin, 38. "My granny was born and raised in Indonesia, and since I was a little girl, I begged her to teach me how to make snacks with pandan leaf juice," she said. Pandan is a tropical plant with fragrant leaves frequently used in food as flavoring in both Southeast Asia and South Asia. In the 1950s, some Chinese returned from overseas and introduced the plant to Xinglong, and desserts made with pandan leaf juice gradually gained popularity in the area. Wanning has agreeable weather, with an average annual temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius and average annual precipitation of 2,100 millimeters. Average humidity is 86 percent while average annual sunshine is up to 2,200 hours, making it a perfect place for pandan cultivation. The introduction of pandan plants has translated into quite a business in Wanning, with locals currently growing more than 333 hectares of this fragrant herb in the city, according to the latest government figures. "Pandan plants grow very well in areas with abundant water resources -- of which Xinglong has many -- and that is why Xinglong is great for the cultivation of this plant," Zhan said. Given her family connection with Indonesia, Zhan decided to keep some of this culture alive through dessert-making, she said. "Handmade desserts using pandan leaves really represent that culture well," she said, adding that women in her family all know how to make such snacks. "You collect pandan leaves, clean them, mix and blend them with water," she said. "Then it is important to filter the green juice three times to make concentrate, mix the concentrate with cassava flour, sugar and salt, before steaming the mixture for at least 50 minutes. Every step is essential." She started selling the desserts in 2014 as a street vendor. Sales went so well that she expanded her business into a big snack shop within just two years. "Many customers come from far away just to have a taste," she said. "Currently, the shop consumes about 50 kg of fresh pandan leaves a day." The most popular desserts are pandan cakes and pandan rolls with durian sauce, Zhan said. Pandan rainbow rolls featuring multiple colored layers are also popular. "My personal favorite is, of course, the pandan coconut rolls, which have sliced coconut on the surface," she said. Her shop -- Xinglong Nanyang Flavor -- has become a must-visit venue in the tourist city, garnering a high score and thousands of comments from customers on Dianping, the Chinese version of Yelp. "I am just so happy that people enjoy the desserts that we make," she said. This success story resulted in many other locals jumping on the bandwagon, and in Xinglong alone, scores of similar snack bars have sprung up. The cash crop is taking root in Wanning and other Hainan cities such as Qionghai and Danzhou, according to Chen Deran, an official in charge of rural revitalization in Wanning. "Pandan plants are easy to grow, take about 10 to 12 months to reach harvesting maturity, and can be harvested for many years to come," Chen said. In Qiaobei Village, for example, about 90 percent of villagers grow these plants, after local authorities gave them free seedlings and scientists taught them planting techniques. "I think the future of pandan cultivation is bright," said Chen. Authorities in the southern Mozambican province of Gaza said that a group of Chinese businessmen is bitcoin miner roblox script pastebin 2022investing 250 million U.S. dollars in agriculture in the Limpopo Valley. The investors are from the Chinese Hubei province, and working on agricultural project covering 20,000 hectares on lower Limpopo Irrigation System, Radio Mozambique reported on Monday. According to the provincial government, the project is to be developed in three phases. According to Armando Ussivane, chairperson of the Board of Lower Limpopo Irrigation System, the dynamism in the project guarantees a good agricultural campaign for food production in Gaza in the coming months in the first phase of the implementation of the scheme. The first phase of the project covers 6,000 hectares in the lower Chicumbane region. Ussivane said at least 30 km of a drainage system for agricultural irrigation has been completed and that more than 15 km of roads along the irrigation area have been built. The Lower Limpopo Irrigation System was not operating for more than 30 years due to lack of funds and the civil war, waged by former rebels of Renamo. Now, conditions are ripe to revive the project, said Ussivane. He said working with the Chinese agronomists is very important, because Mozambicans are to learn the Chinese technology on agricultural production. The lower Limpopo has a fertile potential and conditions for water for irrigation, he said, calling on Mozambican farmers to make use of the presence of the Chinese in the project, aimed at producing more food to fight hunger in Gaza. For Ussivane, the involvement of the Hubeis agronomists strengthens cooperation between Mozambique and China. The lower Limpopo is meant to produce rice, vegetables and potatoes, according to Ussivane. Xinhua Chinese businessmen invest 250 mln USD in the Limpopo Valley in southern Mozambiqueadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Photo shows Chinese structural biologist Yan Ning. (Screenshot Photo) Biologist Yan Ning announced that she will leave the US and return to China. Her announcement,made on Tuesday, aroused lasting attention and discussion. Yan Ning said she will resign from Princeton University and join the establishment of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) in Shenzhen. She called her return to China her "third dream" after the joint efforts of several generations, Shenzhen will occupy an important place in the global biomedicine field in 10 or 20 years. She also hopes to "create a platform to support more outstanding scholars" and "make truly original breakthroughs."This is Yan's "second return to China." For the domestic public, Yan Ning's reputation has long transcended scientists' circle, and is well known by the public. Yan Ning, known as the "Goddess scientists," is a person who "doesn't take the usual path." She became Tsinghua's "youngest doctoral supervisor" in 2007. Ten years later in 2017, she accepted an invitation from Princeton University to be appointed as the Shirley M. Tilghman Professor of Molecular Biology and was elected as academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. A series of extraordinary experiences have made Yan a focus of public opinion many times.For a scientist, it is normal and reasonable to choose the most suitable research environment to achieve innovation and breakthroughs in the professional field. We believe that Yan Ning has her own reasons for making various choices at different stages of her life, which should be respected. China's policy regarding talent always stresses "free movement." Some people made a fuss about Yan's teaching abroad five years ago, but this exactly shows the openness and tolerance of China as a big country.China has always insisted on "gathering talent from all over the world and utilizing them." It creates an environment where talent are recognized, respected and used, and the opening toward talent from abroad has been continuously broadened. In recent years, more and more overseas Chinese scientists have chosen to return home. In 2021, more than 1,400 Chinese scientists gave up their jobs in US academic institutions or companies and returned to China, a 22-percent increase from the previous year. There are also many top scholars who came to China from Britain, Japan and other countries. The reason why talent "return" is that they are attracted by China's overall environment that encourages innovation. When the soil is more fertile and the sunshine is more abundant, the vitality displayed by the whole forest is naturally more vigorous.At the same time, the research environment in the field of innovation in the US is deteriorating. According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, "an increasingly hostile political and racial environment" is one of the reasons that drive a growing number of Chinese American scientists and engineers to give up their positions at top US universities and return to China or elsewhere. Washington's wrong policy decision to push decoupling with China has forced itself into certain kind of vicious cycle. The huge uncertainty of its policy and the chilling effect triggered by malicious investigating and suppressing Chinese scholars have made more and more scientists feel uneasy.The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that China will move faster to build world hubs for talent and innovation. It can be expected that the Chinese society will further promote a good atmosphere to encourage and tolerate bold innovation. More talent willingly choosing to return to China shows that China's environment is attractive to talent in many ways. This is a mutual choice. The country which supports innovation and provides opportunities for talent to realize their ideals will be a good stage. Just like Yan Ning's reason for choosing to go to Shenzhen: "Shenzhen is young and vibrant, and there are infinite possibilities." In the new era, China's more active, open and effective talent-related policy will definitely attract more talent, reach higher innovation standard and make more dreams come true.Finally, we welcome Yan Ning back to China, and also welcome high-end talent from all over the world, and wish them success. Online casino games provider Kalamba Games is set for a Spanish and Latin American debut thanks to a recent partnership with platform provider Emara Play. The recently penned deal between the two companies will see Kalamba integrate its ever-growing portfolio of online slots onto Emara Plays platform. The integration will happen via Kalambas Remote Gaming Service Bullseye. As a result, Emara Play operator partners and their players will soon gain access to the studios hugely popular titles, including Blazing Bull, Ducks Till Dawn, and the Jokergames series, among others. Kalamba Games was founded in 2016 by a team of industry veterans with hefty experience in both the B2B and B2C segments of the global online gambling market. The company is headquartered in Malta and has a development studio in Krakow, Poland. Its team of game developers deploys advanced gameplay mechanics and compelling themes in every title it crafts so that they all appeal to a wide range of demographicsacross a number of global online casino operators. The content supplier has grown significantly its presence across key markets in recent years and its partnership with Emara Play will enable it to enter several more important regulated territories, including Spain, one of Europes largest regulated markets, and Latin America, one of the industrys hottest regions. Deal Further Emphasizes Kalambas Commitment to Regulated Expansion Commenting on their newly formed relationship with Emara Play, Kalamba Head of Sales and Account Management Tamas Kusztos said that their new partner is one of the most dynamic companiesworking in Spain and LatAm todayand that they are really pleased to be providing local players with the opportunity to play their games. The official went on to say that this deal further emphasizes their commitment to regulated markets and significantly enhances the reach of their slots library. Emara Plays online casino games aggregation platform currently includes more than 400 titles and player engagement toolsfrom some of the industrys leading suppliers. Its partnership with Kalamba follows a similar deal with online slots and table games maker Habanero that was announced just a couple of weeks ago. Of their alliance with Kalamba, Emara Play CEO Daniel Rubio said that working with the supplier means that they can now offer some of the most innovative and engaging slot games on the marketto their operators and players. Mr. Rubio went on to say that the team running Kalamba understands and meets the needs of a wide range of player demographicsand is always striving to be at the forefront of slot designand that they are always really happy to welcome content providers like this one on board. A Chinese icebreaker continued its Arctic voyage on Sunday while sailing along a high-latitude seaway, the first by a Chinese vessel in the Arctic Ocean. The icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, started to head northward from the west of Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic, and reached the edge of ice sea 81 degrees north latitude Friday. There are, till now, two sea routes through the Arctic: the Northwest Passage and the Northeast Passage, both connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Whether and when the high-latitude route could be used depend on the melting pace of the sea ice in the region. The Xuelong has completed its first trip through the Northeast seaway after channeling through five marginal seas of the Arctic from July 22 to Aug. 2: the Chukchi Sea, the East Siberian Sea, the Laptev Sea, the Kaka Sea and the Barents Sea. It is the first such voyage by a Chinese vessel which opened an Arctic route connecting the Pacific and the Atlantic for future Chinese science expeditions. The Xuelong, an A-2 class icebreaker capable of breaking ice 1.2 meters thick, will travel 17,000 nautical miles (27,000 km) before returning to Shanghai on Sept. 29. Xinhua Chinese icebreaker continues Arctic voyage on high-latitude seawayadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline News / National by Staff reporter A Harare man says he is regretting sending his ex-wife to school as he accused her of being too greedy and not grateful.This emerged at the Harare magistrate court last week where Brian Ngwana told magistrate Ayanda Dlamini that he could not afford his ex-wife's demands.Isabel was demanding US$900 for the upkeep of their four minor children.Ngwana, however, offered US$100 saying that was enough since he had helped her get a qualification to secure a job."I also acquired a housing stand and built a house that she and the children are living in," he submitted. But Isabel said she was unemployed."He used to take care of us but things changed a few years back when he started having an affair with another woman," she added.Dlamini ordered Ngwana to pay US$300 for the upkeep of their children as well as their school fees. What Is Administrative Services Only (ASO)?scientific calculator casio online Administrative services only (ASO) refers to an agreement that companies use when they fund their employee benefit plan but hire an outside vendor to administer it. For example, an organization may hire an insurance company to evaluate and process claims under its employee health plan while maintaining the responsibility of paying the claims itself. An ASO arrangement contrasts with a company that purchases health insurance for its employees from an external provider. Key Takeaways ASO-based, self-funded benefit plans are common among large firms because they can spread the risk of costly claims over a large number of workers and dependents. Because employers with ASOs take full responsibility for claims made to the plan, many also establish stop-loss arrangements. ASO agreements were designed for larger companies that prefer to outsource payroll, workers' compensation, health benefits, and human resources functions, but also want to fund their own health plan. ASO insurance generally includes short-term disability, health, and dental benefits. Traditional administrator plans are arrangements where the insurance company provides administrative services, as well as assumes the risks of claims. Understanding Administrative Services Only (ASO) Plan specifics for administrative services only (ASO) vary depending on the agreement a company establishes with insurance companies and third-party administrators (TPA). In ASO arrangements, the insurance company provides little to no insurance protection, which is in contrast to a fully insured plan sold to the employer. As such, an ASO plan is a type of self-insured or self-funded plan. The employer takes full responsibility for claims made to the plan. For this reason, many employers using ASO plans also establish aggregate stop-loss policies in which the insurance company takes responsibility for paying claims that exceed a certain levelfor example, $10,000 per insured person in exchange for a premium. Aggregate stop-loss insurance policies will protect the employer if claims are greater than expected. To reduce financial risk, these policies are especially advisable for companies that choose self-funded benefit plans. ASO insurance plans typically cover short-term disability, health, and dental benefits. Occasionally, they cover long-term disability for larger employers. ASO services are gaining popularity as many employers, particularly larger ones, explore the potential financial advantages that this type of plan can provide. An ASO may allow an employer to take greater control of benefit costs to meet the organization's needs. However, ASO arrangements may not be suitable for all companies, and they come with certain risks. Traditional Administrator vs. Administrative Services Only (ASO) A traditional administrator agreement is an arrangement whereby an insurance company fully administers claims. The insurance company is responsible for the services to maintain and manage plans, including making decisions on and covering the costs of claims. Alternatively, under the ASO, the insurance company only provides administrative services for plans. The insurer serves as a third-party administrator to the employer, who assumes the duty to cover claim costs. 67% The percentage of employees who were covered by an ASO plan in 2020. Under the traditional administrator agreement, premiums are fixed and reviewed annually. This arrangement makes it difficult for employers to know the impact of claims until premiums are assessed for the next year. With ASO arrangements, employers can, in real-time, keep track of fluctuating costs and plan accordingly. Considering costs, when they exceed what was expected, premiums increase the following year with the traditional administrator. If costs are less than expected, the surplus remains with the insurance company. On the other hand, with an ASO agreement, the surplus is reinvested with the employer. Advantages and Disadvantages of Administrative Services Only (ASO) The costs for fully insured plans depend on an insurer's evaluation of anticipated claims for a given year. For an ASO, however, annual funding levels are based on actual paid claims. If there are fewer claims than anticipated, then employers keep the surplus and reinvest the reserves. The surplus can translate into employers offering additional benefits, many of which would not be ordinarily covered by conventional health plans. The total costs for an ASO are typically lower than those for a traditional administrator as the employer pays a negotiated fee to the third party rather than salaries and benefits to dedicated staff. These cost savings can offset rises in claims and be used to help the company grow. Alternatively, if claims consistently exceed forecasts, the cost for ASO may exceed that of a traditional administrator plan. On the other hand, employers would be responsible for any deficit if claims exceed budgeted amounts. Catastrophic claims or sudden and unexpected events are of particular concern as they can exceed projected budgets and erode profits. Employers often invest in a stop-loss insurance policy to provide an additional level of protection in the event of these cases. In some cases, an ASO arrangement may not be suitable for life insurance and extended healthcare benefits. Employers need to weigh the risks and benefits of how different ASO arrangements might affect their organizations. Cost savings are retained by the employer. Additional benefits may be offered to employees. Stop-loss insurance protects the employer from large, unforeseen expenses. Losses erode profits. Deficits are realized by the employer. Traditional administrator plans may be more cost-efficient. Administrative Services Only FAQs What Is a Recommended Stop Loss Level for an ASO Plan? ProsCons A common stop loss level for an ASO plan is $10,000 per eligible employee. Is Self-Funded Healthcare the Same as Administrative Services Only? Self-funded healthcare and administrative services only (ASO) are the same. These terms indicate an insurance arrangement in which the employer or organization assumes full responsibility for the cost of covered claims. Who Keeps the Profits in Fully Insured Coverage? Under a fully insured plan, the insurance company retains profits. Gas leak at Nord Stream 2 as seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor on Bornholm,spinning wilds slot sa game slot Denmark, Sept 27, 2022. [Photo/Agencies] Almost a month later, the now-corroborated sabotage of Russia's Nord Stream pipelines is back in the spotlight. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday: "According to the obtained data, UK Navy representatives took part in planning, organizing and carrying out the terrorist act in the Baltic Sea on Sept 26, 2022 to blow up the Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines." The UK was quick to deny it, so the mystery still lingers. In late September, underwater explosions caused leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines channeling natural gas from Russia to European countries, crippling their functions and prompting a gas price hike and a scramble for alternative sources of fuel. At that time, even when there wasn't an iota of circumstantial evidence to associate the sabotage with Russia, some Western officials and media were quick to start pointing fingers groundlessly, going so far as to fabricate "sources" to make their accusations sound plausible, despite Russia's vehement and public denials. For some Western officials and media, demonizing Russia was politically justified against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine. It was convenient for them to reject rationality and objectivity and indulge in conspiracy theories, betting the truth could be forever buried beneath the waters of the Baltic Sea. They were savvy enough to know that the Nord Stream pipelines were one of the most powerful means of leverage Russia could use to elicit concessions from some Western countries, and damaging it would take that leverage out of Russia's hand. Not to mention, Russian state company Gazprom is the majority shareholder in Nord Stream 1 and sole owner of Nord Stream 2. So who was behind the sabotage, and why? The answer lies in a thorough and apolitical investigation. But with escalating tensions between the West and Russia, it has been almost impossible to carry out a non-politicized investigation. Some countries in the vicinity of the explosions and leaks like Denmark, a formal NATO member, and Sweden, currently a NATO membership applicant, have finished their preliminary underwater investigations without making their findings public. Sweden claimed on Oct 14 the information was too sensitive to share with other EU members. This has only deepened international concerns the investigation might be at the mercy of political pressure from the US and its NATO allies, given the fact Russia has been denied access for the on-site probe. Had the findings confirmed their suspicion of Russia's involvement, they would have been quick to make the information public to the international community so as to hold Russia accountable. Since Sweden's investigation the Western media have collectively been silent on the matter making it look like everything about the sabotage has been swept under the rug, while US natural gas exporters have been raking it in by selling to European countries at much higher prices. From a strategic point of view, European countries' dependence on the US has been further entrenched. It is widely known since the start of the conflict in Ukraine the US and UK have been trying to prevent European countries from making concessions to Russia in exchange for continuous energy supply through these pipelines. The trickier part is the US warned several European allies over the summer, Germany in particular, the Nord Stream pipelines could face threats and even be attacked, without clarifying who might be responsible for any attacks on the pipelines or when they might occur. Back in February, when addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden said: "If Russia invadesthen there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it. I promise you, we'll be able to do that." Does this look like a prophecy self-fulfilled? Wang Junrong is an assistant researcher at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Shanghai Jiaotong University. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily. If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at [email protected], and [email protected]. Chicago corn, wheat and soybeans futures all rose in trading on Wednesday, as the continued hot and dry weather conditions supported the grains. The most active corn contract for December delivery rose 16 cents, or 2 percent, to close at 8.165 U.S. dollars per bushel. September wheat gained 10.25 cents, or 1.15 percent, to settle at 8.9925 dollars per bushel. November soybeans rose 15.5 cents, or 0. 99 percent, to close at 15.8125 dollars per bushel. Agricultural commodities reversed their losses from the previous session, and all closed moderately higher on Wednesday, as particular strength in the corn market helped boost trading in other crops. Corn posted a new high at the close, as traders continued to worry about heavy crop losses due to U.S. drought conditions. Fridays U.S. Department of Agriculture report will show the latest projected crop yields, and some traders fear the corn crop yield could be as low as 127 bushels an acre. Soybeans also saw some support from weather concerns, as early August is a crucial period for the crop to set its pods. Insufficient rainfall could push the soybean crop quality down to new lows, and with temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit predicted for parts of the U.S. Midwest next week, soybeans broke a two-session losing streak and rose on the session. Wheat also gained from the recent weather conditions. Traders believe the high corn prices are driving farmers away from using corn as a feeder crop, which will make wheat a substitute. Ideas of this increased demand pushed wheat to close just short of nine dollars a bushel. Wheat also continued to see support from hot and dry weather conditions in the Black Sea region and Australia, which would boost demand for the U.S. crop. Xinhua Agricultural commodities up amid weather concernsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline I attended the National Book Awards last night in formal wear and in meatspace for the first time since 2019 and while everyone mingled before the official ceremony got underway,paradice casino I kept hearing snippets of conversation along the lines of Its such a great book. Thats not surprising, really. This was a book event filled with bookish people celebrating books; there were bound to be good recommendations bandied about. Still, it was heartening. Those overheard snippets are the same ones that stop me in the course of a normal day and entice me to linger, waiting to catch the title in question, equally prepared for the thrill of discovery or the thrill of recognition. You can see the list of last nights winners here. Meanwhile, we have our own list of titles to recommend each of them, for its own reason, such a great book. Happy reading. Gregory Cowles THE SONG OF THE CELL: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human Siddhartha Mukherjee Following excellent books on the history of cancer and the gene, Mukherjee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning oncologist, here turns his considerable storytelling gifts to the cell. His subject may be physically tiny but its medical implications are vast. Credit... I was repeatedly dazzled by his pointillist scenes, the enthusiasm of his explanations, the immediacy of his metaphors. ... Mukherjee has found an especially roomy subject for his roving intelligence. From Jennifer Szalais review Scribner | $32.50 GET EM YOUNG, TREAT EM TOUGH, TELL EM NOTHING Robin McLean The characters in this collection face ordeals from managing domestic clashes to hanging quite literally off the edge of a cliff, but they press on with humor and unstinting energy in freewheeling stories set all over the country. Credit... Really, everyone here is on the edge of some kind of cliff, and McLean unsentimentally renders their various precipices with incredible energy and humor. ... Her prose moves with muscle and rhythm, the dialogue swift and captivating. From Aimee Bender's review And Other Stories | Paperback, $17.95 COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER: A Literary Education on West Sixty-Seventh Street, Manhattan Darryl Pinckney Pinckneys elegant memoir of his long friendship with the critic and novelist Elizabeth Hardwick doubles as a poignant elegy to a bygone world: that of New York intellectuals of the 1970s and 80s, when thinking, reading, talking and writing were everything. Credit... A delight to read, full of deft character sketches and delicious gossip. ... I read and reread this book joyfully, catching many of Pinckneys references, looking up others and letting the rest wash over me like lyrics from a half-forgotten song. From Maggie Dohertys review Farrar, Straus & Giroux | $32 GILDED MOUNTAIN Kate Manning Set in a Colorado mining town in the early 1900s, Mannings immersive third novel stars an impressionable young woman named Sylvie who is troubled by the disparity between the haves and the have-nots. A rousing yarn about family, feminism and loyalty, its also a crash course in the history of labor relations. Credit... There are views to admire, mysteries to be solved and love stories to escape into, but through it all Sylvies commitment to free speech and safe working conditions remains as solid and as awe-inspiring as the stone beneath her feet. From Elisabeth Egans Group Text column Scribner | $28 THE REVOLUTIONARY: Samuel Adams Stacy Schiff This enthralling biography is a persuasive exercise in rehabilitation. Through stylish prose and a close reading of Adamss career as a canny propagandist, Schiff suggests that he may have done more than any other founder to prime colonists for armed rebellion and deserves to be better known. Credit... This brisk narrative of the outsize role that Adams played in colonial Massachusetts during the messy, anarchic, provocative years before the Revolution places the reader at the center of the action. ... Schiff writes beautifully and lyrical passages provide a great deal of reading pleasure. From Amy S. Greenbergs review Little, Brown | $30 LATE SUMMER ODE Olena Kalytiak Davis These poems capture the crisis that comes afterthe onset of the middle years, casting a retrospective glance (or wince) at choices made and compromises absorbed from the vantage of that wilderness between ones fruitful 40s and the early signs of geriatric decline. Credit... The balance of rigidity, rhyme and ruin ... makes an Olena Kalytiak Davis poem extraordinarily distinct. Even when shes alluding to Dante and Rilke and Chekhov, her voice is like no one elses. From Jeff Gordiniers review Copper Canyon | Paperback, $17 THE ESCAPE ARTIST: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World Jonathan Freedland Freedland, a journalist and novelist, tells the riveting story of the first man to successfully escape Auschwitz and his fruitless attempts to make the world act. Credit... The Escape Artist includes harrowing details about Auschwitz that still have the power to shock. ... Vrbas story teaches us to be aware of the human minds propensity to allow itself to be deceived, when confronted by facts that seem too horrible to believe. From Ruth Franklin's review Harper/HarperCollins | $28.99 WHOS RAISING THE KIDS? Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children Susan Linn In this passionate, compassionate and alarming call to arms, a child psychologist argues just how bad tech is for our kids and just how cynically theyre being targeted. Credit... Play is profound; it is an activity that fosters growth and is essential for the development of empathy. Its power lies in its unstructured nature. Linn argues for strangeness and silence, for uncharted exploration. ... Tech companies destroy such play and replace it with device addiction. From Zephyr Teachout's review New Press | $27.99 IS MOTHER DEAD Vigdis Hjorth The Norwegian novelist Hjorth is something of a specialist in mordant, exacting depictions of familial estrangement; her latest novel, translated by Charlotte Barslund, recounts the increasingly obsessive efforts by a middle-aged painter to reunite with her mother, whom she has not spoken to for decades. Credit... Hjorth deftly conveys the psychological warfare of familial conflict in circuitous, searching sentences. ... Childhood, the source of our earliest wounds, leaves enduring rivalries and rifts the stuff of precise and affecting novels. From Naomi Huffman's review Verso | $26.95 Advertisement Continue reading the main story NANNING,jumba casino app sure daily 2 odds Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- When Gill Toh first came to China to pursue his flute dream, the Malaysian man had never expected that his dream could take root in China. On the stage, Toh, 36, is a Chinese bamboo flute performer. Offstage, he is a teacher of Chinese bamboo flute at Guangxi Arts University. Toh's love for the Chinese bamboo flute began in elementary school when his elder brother joined the Chinese orchestra in middle school to learn to play the musical instrument. "The clear sound of the bamboo flute guided me onto the road of flute learning," he said. As he got older, Toh went to Singapore for further study. "Back then, I thought it would be a path with few travelers, like a concert without fellow musicians," he said. According to Toh, there were few professional Chinese bamboo flute teachers in Malaysia, and the environment for cultivating bamboo flute players was limited. In 2005, Toh made a bold decision. He applied for retention of his admission qualifications to the university he was already enrolled in, and set off for Beijing. "I decided to apply for the Central Conservatory of Music," he said. A new chapter of his life thus began. "The masters that I once saw from videos stood right in front of me," Toh said, adding that studying in China has broadened his horizon, enlightened him with a new level of performance, and encouraged him to keep going on. After getting his bachelor's degree, Toh started to teach Chinese bamboo flute in Malaysia and Singapore. "It felt that I could see the end of the life at a glance," he recalled. His desire to improve his performance skills and his yearning for knowledge drove him back to the Central Conservatory of Music for postgraduate studies. Toh had planned to return to Malaysia after graduation, but upon graduation, Guangxi Arts University offered him a job. "At that time, it was rare for Chinese universities to hire foreigners as folk music teachers. The job offer gave me a chance to stay in China," he said. "Guangxi and ASEAN countries are geographically close and culturally connected. The university also has many students from ASEAN," he said. Since 2012, the China-ASEAN Music Festival, sponsored by Guangxi Arts University, has been held. Over the past decade, there were shows of operas, symphonies and orchestras, as well as ASEAN folk songs and dances. "I can feel the charm of cultural openness and communication," Toh said. During his stay in China, he has also joined teams and performed in countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia. "We tried to combine Chinese bamboo flute and local musical instruments in an ensemble," Toh said. "Communication and innovation promoted the development of diverse art culture and enriched the cultural connotation and layers of art." In recent years, Toh would return to Malaysia during holidays to promote the art of Chinese bamboo flute. "When I was young, I was a flute performer on the stage. Years later, I have the opportunity to pass on my experience to children who share the same love for bamboo flute," he said. Having been in China for more than a decade, Toh's love for the country has long been rooted in his heart, and he is looking forward to the prosperity and development of cultural industries in China. "China's opening up has given me great opportunities in my career, and I love my current work and life here," Toh said, hoping that in the future, more young people from ASEAN countries will seize the opportunities of China's opening up and realize their self-value in China. Thewin money instantly no deposit All-China Womens Federation has granted 10 women the title of Role Model for March 8th Red Banner Holder, a national honor granted to those who are regarded as role models for all Chinese women to follow, the federation announced on Wednesday. Zhang Lili, a middle school teacher in northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province who lost her legs while saving two students from an oncoming bus, topped the list. The runner-up was Lu Xinning, a reporter for the Peoples Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC). She received the award for her notable achievements in news reporting. The third was Qian Aling, the head of a microcredit company in east Chinas Jiangsu province who has who helped small business owners get through financial difficulties. Other recipients include a genetics researcher, a local-level doctor, a philanthropic businesswoman and a farmer who has engaged in agricultural innovation. Another 300 individuals received the honorary title of March 8th Red Banner Holder in addition to the ten women, while 200 institutions were given the title of March 8th Red Banner Collective, according to the federation. The awards were first given out starting in 1960 but were halted during the decade-long Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). In 1979, the awards were restored to encourage women to take part in Chinas reform and opening-up drive. A special exception was made last year, when the federation announced that it would bestow a special title on Liu Yang, Chinas first female astronaut. She received the title of Role Model for March 8th Red Banner Holders, making the total number of recipients 11 instead of 10. Liu and male crew members Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang entered space aboard the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft on June 16. The crew successfully conducted both automatic and manual space docking procedures with the Tiangong-1 orbiter. Xinhua China honors female role modelsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thearti sweet bonanza vp2 video poker ongoing visit of Honorary Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan has positive significance to mainland-Taiwan exchanges and high-level interaction, according to a mainland spokeswoman. A new consensus between the two sides has been established during the visit, Fan Liqing, the spokeswoman for Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference Wednesday in Beijing. Fan said that both sides fully recognized the major progresses gained in cross-Strait relations since 2008 and the shared belief in a promising future. More consensus was reached on paraphrasing the framework of the one China principle, which would have significant and positive effects in further consolidating and deepening mutual political trust, said Fan. The spokeswoman also noted that both sides had agreed in expanding exchanges and cooperation in economic, cultural and educational fields, while encouraging non-governmental think tanks on both sides to discuss political issues. In addition, the blood bond between the mainland and Taiwan compatriots and the shared duty in realizing the Chinese dream the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation were also highlighted during Liens meeting with mainland leaders. Lien arrived in Beijing on Sunday and has met Xi Jinping, Hu Jintao and Jia Qinglin, respectively, in the last two days. The visiting delegation headed by Lien consists of representatives from a wide range of sectors on the island, including business, education,cultural and religious circles. Xinhua Mainland hails Lien Chans visitadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline JERUSALEM A festive family gathering in the Gaza Strip celebrating a birthday and a graduation turned deadly on Thursday night,eurogrand william hill when a fire broke out and engulfed a multistory building, killing all 21 people at the party, an official said. The blaze, in the northern Gaza neighborhood of Jabaliya, was one of the deadliest episodes in Gaza in recent memory beyond the violence from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gazas Interior Ministry said that gasoline stored inside the apartment where the victims had been celebrating had fueled the blaze and the high death toll. An investigation was underway into the cause of the fire. Preliminary investigations showed that the storage of a large amount of gasoline inside the burning house contributed to the massive escalation of the fire and the occurrence of this number of deaths, said Iyad al-Bazim, a ministry spokesman. The family had gathered in the third-floor apartment of a retired physiotherapist, Dr. Faraj Abu Raya, to celebrate the graduation of his son, who had received a doctorate from a university in Cairo, said Dr. Medhat Abbas, a health ministry spokesman and a friend of Dr. Abu Rayas. Dr. Abu Raya and his son, Maher Faraj Abu Raya, who had returned to Gaza from Egypt hours before the party, were among the 21 who perished. All of them died, Dr. Abbas said. Gazas Health Ministry initially put all hospitals in the region on alert to be ready to receive the wounded from the fire. But hours later, it announced that there were no injured. Videos from the scene showed firefighters battling the fire, which engulfed the entire building. They managed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings. A longtime neighbor of the family, Husam Ali, 30, said he was going home when he saw flames coming from a window and heard screams. He and other neighbors tried to get into the apartment building, but the metal front door was locked, he said. Using a metal tool, they pounded against the door for nearly 30 minutes until they broke through and ran up to the third floor. There, Mr. Ali said, they found another locked door and spent another 30 minutes breaking through. But the heat from the fire was too intense and they ran back outside and waited for the Fire Department, he said. Once outside, Mr. Ali said, he saw a woman and two children on the floor where the fire broke out, holding onto metal bars covering a window in the burning building. Metal bars over windows are common throughout Gaza as a safety measure to prevent children from falling out. An 18-year-old resident of the neighborhood said the woman was gripping a cellphone in one hand and repeatedly yelling, Save us! Save us! As the fire intensified, the woman and children lost their grip on the bars and disappeared from view, the teenager said. A college student, he declined to give his name because he was leaving Gaza soon and did not want trouble at the border. Mr. Ali said that once the fire was extinguished, he went back into the building and saw children lying beneath windows and people piled on top of one another. In a statement released by the Abu Raya family, relatives of the dead said they had received the news with great sadness and sorrow. We highly appreciate the great state of sympathy expressed by our honorable Palestinian people from the first moment of the tragedy, as our people tried to help extinguish the fire that broke out in the house, and the civil defense crews worked very hard to put out the fire despite the weak capabilities, the statement said. Officials from Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza, said at a news conference that they held Israel responsible for the deaths because of the 15-year blockade imposed on the coastal enclave, which Hamas said affected the speed with which firefighters were able to battle the fire. Israels blockade restricts or bans many imports into Gaza, including certain equipment and machinery. The Israeli government had no immediate response when asked about the allegation. Gazas health care system has also deteriorated under severe land, air and sea blockades by Israel and Egypt, restricting what can come into the impoverished enclave and limiting how many of its roughly two million residents can leave. Patients needing advanced care must seek treatment in the occupied West Bank or Israel, but need special permission to traverse the northern Erez border crossing. In the wake of the fire on Thursday, the Palestinian Authority urged Israel to open the border crossing in order to transport critically wounded patients outside the Gaza Strip if necessary. A spokeswoman for the Israel civil administration said on Thursday that Israel would help with the evacuation of any injured residents through the crossing as needed. At least 10 people were killed and 60 others injured after a fire broke out at a market in central Gaza in March 2020. And in January 2013, a married couple and their four young children died in a fire 12 hours after Palestinian electricity workers cut off power to a building because of nonpayment by a tenant one in a series of house fires, most started by candles. Advertisement Continue reading the main story News / National by Staff reporter The Bulawayo City Council has extended its water rationing schedule from 96 hours to 120 hours a week as the city grapples with a worsening water crisis linked to a host of factors including the decommissioning of Umzingwane Dam.The tough measure comes as water levels in the city's dams have dipped below 43 percent.Mayor David Coltart announced Thursday they were now moving to a 120 hours water rationing schedule to try and manage the situation as the threat of an El Nino-induced drought also looms.Only the Central Business District and the industrial areas have been spared the tough measures."The City of Bulawayo at its Special Council meeting held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, resolved to introduce the 120-hour water shedding programme from Thursday, December 14, 2023," the local authority said in a statement."The interruption of water supplies will be implemented throughout the city, with the exception of the industry and Central Business District (CBD) areas."Coltart has said the city's water crisis can be eased by increasing pumping and the capacity of pipelines from Mtshabezi Dam and Insiza Mayfair Dam which are 74 percent and 59 percent full respectively."Although we have a reasonable amount of water in Insiza and Mtshabezi dams we urgently need to duplicate the pipelines from those dams so that we can use more of the water they hold. This is our immediate short term priority," he said. Top Chinese security official on Saturday made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, the first one by a Chinese leader in nearly half a century. Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived at Kabul airport late in the afternoon. The four-hour visit had not been announced by Beijing due to security concerns. It followed a two-day trip of Zhou to Singapore, where he met Singaporean leaders on bilateral ties. Zhou, who is in charge of security and justice affairs, had planned to go to Turkmenistan. It marked the first time in 46 years that a Chinese leader set his foot on the soil of Afghanistan, a war-torn country neighboring China. The last visit was made by late Chinese leader Liu Shaoqi in 1966 when he was the President of China. During the past half century, Afghanistan was afflicted with series of military coups and two major wars commenced by the former Soviet Union and the United States respectively. The country is still the front line in the U.S.-led war against terrorism and undergoing daily bombing and bleeding. In Kabul, Zhou held a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. It is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples for China and Afghanistan to strengthen a strategic and cooperative partnership, which is also conducive to regional peace, stability and development, Zhou was quoted as saying in a written statement released by the Chinese delegation upon his arrival. Zhou said the Chinese government fully respects the right of the Afghan people to choose their own path of development and will actively participate in Afghanistans reconstruction. China and Afghanistan established diplomatic relations in 1955. The two countries decided in June to upgrade their ties to the level of a strategic and cooperative partnership at a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Karzai in Beijing, marking a new step for the development of bilateral relations. Xinhua Top Chinese security official makes surprise visit to Afghanistanadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Hanover-based Maryland Live! Casino hosted on Wednesday the semi-annual Minority Outreach Fair, at which 650 registrants representing women-, minority-, and veteran-led businesseswere given the chance to meet a number of prime companies interested in working with the above-mentioned entities. The event was organized by Maryland Live! Casino owner The Cordish Companies, together with the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association. Similar events have been held over the past several years and have gathered together owners of prime entities, with Maryland gambling venues and government agencies being among those, and women-lead, small, and minority businesses. As already mentioned, the latest Minority Outreach Fair was attended by 650 minority representatives. What is more, about 45 prime companies took part, with Casino at Ocean Downs, Hollywood Casino, Rocky Gap Casino & Resort being among the prominent attendees. Representatives for the Maryland Department of Human Resources and the state Lottery and Gaming Control Agency were also present. Commenting on the latest minority outreach event, Wayne Frazier, President of the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association, said that they are proud of their long partnership with The Cordish Companies, which have been providing minority groups with business opportunities that no other casino or private company has ever done in Maryland. Mr. Frazier also praised Maryland Live! Casino and its owner for their creativity and inclusiveness of minority- and women-led businesses. Cordish Companies COO Zed Smith told media that they have long been committed to being the leader in providing minority-, women-, and veteran-led businesses with numerous economic opportunities. Mr. Smith added that their goal is not only to offer direct opportunities to their businesses but also to contribute to the communitys strengthening. The executive pointed outed that The Cordish Companies are looking forward to expand their connections with minority-, women-, and veteran-owned companies and that they hope they will be able to hold more such outreach events in future. According to media reports, as of December 2015, more than 3,000 minority businesses and prime companies have connected their operations through the semi-annual outreach fairs held at Maryland Live! Casino. In other words, about 30% of the registered minority-ledbusinesses have found partners and have benefited considerably from attending the events. What is proper etiquette for airplane seats? closeVideo Fox News correspondent Matt Finn discusses if passengers that recline their seat are seen as rude on Fox News @ Night. An airline passenger has sparked debate on social media after he shared his experience of being seated in the middle seat between two parents and their infant child. Sam Neve, who on Twitter calls himself a "former journo" and says he's presently "building digital stuff" in London, expressed his confusion at the seating arrangements when he boarded his flight. "Just boarded a flight and I'm sat with a couple and their baby, but the husband refused to give up his aisle seat so now I'm just in the middle of them?" the man tweeted. AIRPLANE PASSENGER YELLS, DEMANDS WATER FROM FLIGHT ATTENDANT, ALL CAUGHT ON VIDEO The tweet was retweeted over 300 times and received nearly 2,000 replies. Neve did not say where he was traveling either to or from but said in the replies that the flight lasted a couple of hours and that there was "no harm done." Neve tweeted that the man "refused to give up his aisle seat." (iStock) He added that the husband ignored his wife and child the entire flight, saying that "he stuck his headphones in, ate an entire pack of Haribo and didnt talk to her for the entire two-hour flight." PASSENGER'S RECLINED PLANE SEAT SEEN IN TIKTOK VIDEO REAWAKENS DEBATE: 'BANE OF MY EXISTENCE' Many people were confused as to why the man would force his wife and child to sit next to a total stranger. Others noted that the couple probably booked the seats hoping the middle seat would go unsold. "Let me guess, the mom is taking care of the baby while the husband uses you as a shield so he can chill out?" one Twitter commenter said. (iStock) "Let me guess, the mom is taking care of the baby while the husband uses you as a shield so he can chill out?" one person wrote. "My husband and I ended up separated on a flight with our baby girl. After the flight took off, I walked over and handed him the baby, then went back and took a nap." AIR TRAVEL CONTROVERSY: PASSENGERS WHO RECLINE THEIR SEATS ON FLIGHTS ARE SEEN AS RUDE Another person commented, "People can be quite strange. I once had a window seat and the man on the aisle seat refused to let me go to the loo. The wonderful steward saw this and whisked me off into first class and gave me the full VIP treatment. Top babe." The man in aisle seat reportedly ate an entire pack of Haribo during the flight and did not speak to his wife. (Reuters) Neve said in another tweet that it was a "very busy, full flight," apparently indicating that he could not be moved to a different seat on the airplane. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Other people defended the husband, suggesting that perhaps he was claustrophobic, afraid of flying or needed the additional space provided by the aisle seat. One person wrote, "Why should he give his seat up for some nonentity he doesnt know?" (iStock) Others said that perhaps the couple just wanted that specific seat arrangement. "He has a right to keep it and not move to the middle. Always you people who think your entitlement comes first. YOU bought the middle seat," posted one commenter. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Another said, "Why should he give his seat up for some nonentity he doesnt know?" Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital. As the one-year anniversary of the Talibans takeover in Afghanistan has come and gone,free crypto family puzzles about 100 Afghan youth remain in United States government custody without their parentsthe majority of whom are placed in shelters and other congregate care settings. This number reflects both great progress in releasing hundreds of Afghan youth to sponsors over the past year and significant issues that plague the system serving unaccompanied minors. Afghan children fled to the U.S. hoping to find security and freedom after unexpectedly having to leave their lives and families behind. But for too many of these children, one unimaginable trauma was replaced with another: After escaping the brutal Taliban regime, Afghan youth who have yet to be reunited with family have languished for months in highly regimented settings ill-suited to meet the needs of children with complex trauma. As attorneys representing children in federal immigration custody, we have traveled around the country over the past year, interviewing detained Afghan youth and hearing first-hand about their experiences in U.S. custody since the fall of Kabul. One young man shared his harrowing journey from Kabul to Qatar to Michigan to New York; his fears that he and his Afghan brothers were being forgotten and that no one was working on their cases; his sadness that he could not speak to his family in Afghanistan more often; his frustration over not being able to go to a real school or be part of American life; and his feelings of complete isolation as he and the other Afghan youth often spent 23 hours a day in the same building, apparently due to rigid rules, staff shortages, and the cold New York winter. These stories are absolutely devastating, but for us, all too familiar. Children in federal immigration custody face a restrictive care system that all too often fails to meet the needs of children that do not have family to whom they can be released. Read More: A New York Mosque Becomes a Refuge for Afghan Teens Who Fled Without Their Families As we have spoken with Afghan youth, we have consistently heard them describe regimented settings where children cannot leave the facility except for limited field trips, move around on their own or even visit other childrens rooms, hug one another, take a walk outside alone to get some fresh air, or possess a cell phone or other technology to be in touch with family and friends. One 17-year-old Afghan girl noted that we feel like prisoners because they dont let us take even one step outside our trajectory. We, girls, are quiet and try to obey the rules, but we need some room to breathe. Most children live with constant anxiety about the safety of their families in Afghanistan but face strict limits on how often they can speak with their familiesoften just two 10-minute phone calls per week. One 16-year-old Afghan boy said he participated in a hunger strike to secure more phone time, explaining We were really struggling mentally with how little we were able to talk to our families. It really helps our mental health to be able to speak to our families and make sure that they are okay. Childrens hopes of continuing their education in the U.S. have also been frustrated. Classes that are provided are geared toward children with brief stays rather than an entire school year. Children with longer stays generally do not receive transferrable school credits and often find the curriculum repetitive and basic. One 13-year-old Afghan boy expressed his deep desire to learn English and said, I also want to be exposed to the outside world to learn about how to live outside this place. I came to the United States in hopes of making my life better, but I feel like I have wasted so much time here, and it is time for me to go to real school. Unsurprisingly, prolonged stays in government custody and separation from their families has led many Afghan children to experience deteriorating mental health. Multiple children have been transferred to more restrictive psychiatric facilities, allegedly because their mental health needs could not be met in the shelter setting. Childrens frustration and trauma can also manifest in what staff considers aggressive or defiant behavior, often leading to punitive action rather than solutions that address the root cause of distress. One 17-year-old Afghan boy told us, I am worried they will keep me here until I go crazy and then they will send me to a mental institution. Afghan children and other youth in government custody who dont have family in the U.S. desperately need placements in home-like settings through the ORR Long-Term Foster Care and the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) programs. As another Afghan girl who hopes to become a womens rights lawyer expressed, I just want to live with real people with real lives and go to school. Yet neither foster care program has sufficient available placements to accommodate the number of eligible children, leaving children to remain on opaque waitlists for months on end, with no updates on if or when they will be placed. Perversely, in our experience, the children with the highest levels of trauma who are struggling the most in institutional care are the least likely to secure one of the limited URM or Long-Term Foster Care spots. We can and must do better for vulnerable children who arrive without family supports. It serves nobodys interest for children to deteriorate in shelters for months at government expense when they could be living with families, attending school, and building new futures in the community. The federal government must act now to significantly invest in Long-Term Foster Care, URM placements, and therapeutic family foster care. The failure to do so will mean children will continue to unnecessarily suffer in government custody when they could be living with families in the community. China invested 8.4 million U. S. dollars in the first half of this discount code for the poker storeyear, according to state television TVM. The station said China surpassed South Africa to become No. 1 investor in Mozambique. The Chinese investment mainly went to the areas of construction, road and bridge building and cement production. China has built most of the new government buildings, such as the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center, the Constitutional Court and High Courts and the ministries of foreign affairs and tourism. The Asian country has also rehabilitated the Maputo International Airport, while planning to build a bridge over the Indian Ocean to link the capital Maputo and Katembe, involving more that 70 million dollars.. China is among others building Maputos circular roads to ease traffic jams the capital has been facing in the past years. Xinhua China invests 8.4 mln USD in Mozambique in first half of 2012added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline In the early 1800s, the impoverished and rapidly-growing rural population of Ireland had become almost totally dependent on one crop. Only the potato could produce enough food to sustain families farming the tiny plots of land the Irish peasants had been forced onto by British landlords. The lowly potato was an agricultural marvel, but staking the lives of an entire population on it was enormously risky. Sporadic potato crop failures had plagued Ireland in the 1700s and early 1800s. In the mid-1840s, a blight caused by a fungus struck potato plants across all of Ireland. The failure of essentially the entire potato crop for several years led to unprecedented disaster. Both Ireland and America would be changed forever. The Irish Potato Famine The Irish Potato Famine, which in Ireland became known as "The Great Hunger," was a turning point in Irish history. It changed Irish society forever, most strikingly by greatly reducing the population. In 1841, Ireland's population was more than eight million. It has been estimated that at least one million died of starvation and disease in the late 1840s, and at least another one million immigrated during the famine. Famine hardened resentment toward the British who ruled Ireland. Nationalist movements in Ireland, which had always ended in failure, would now have a powerful new component: sympathetic Irish immigrants living in America. Scientific Causes The botanical cause of the Great Famine was a virulent fungus (Phytophthora infestans), spread by the wind, that first appeared on the leaves of potato plants in September and October of 1845. The diseased plants withered with shocking speed. When the potatoes were dug up for harvest, they were found to be rotting. Poor farmers discovered the potatoes they could normally store and use as provisions for six months had turned inedible. Modern potato farmers spray plants to prevent blight. But in the 1840s, the blight was not well understood, and unfounded theories spread as rumors. Panic set in. The failure of the potato harvest in 1845 was repeated the following year, and again in 1847. Social Causes In the early 1800s, a large part of the Irish population lived as impoverished tenant farmers, generally in debt to British landlords. The need to survive on small plots of rented land created the perilous situation where vast numbers of people depended on the potato crop for survival. Historians have long noted that while Irish peasants were forced to subsist on potatoes, other crops were being grown in Ireland, and food was exported for market in England and elsewhere. Beef cattle raised in Ireland were also exported for English tables. British Government Reaction The response of the British government to the calamity in Ireland has long been a focus of controversy. Government relief efforts were launched, but they were largely ineffective. More modern commentators have noted that economic doctrine in 1840s Britain generally accepted that poor people were bound to suffer and government intervention was not warranted. The issue of English culpability in the catastrophe in Ireland made headlines in the 1990s, during commemorations marking the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine. Britain's then-Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed regret over England's role during commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the famine. The "New York Times" reported at the time that "Mr. Blair stopped short of making a full apology on behalf of his country." Devastation It is impossible to determine precise numbers of the dead from starvation and disease during the Potato Famine. Many victims were buried in mass graves, their names unrecorded. It has been estimated that at least half a million Irish tenants were evicted during the famine years. In some places, particularly in the west of Ireland, entire communities simply ceased to exist. The residents either died, were driven off the land, or chose to find a better life in America. Leaving Ireland Irish immigration to America proceeded at a modest pace in the decades before the Great Famine. It has been estimated that only 5,000 Irish immigrants per year arrived in the United States prior to 1830. The Great Famine increased those numbers astronomically. Documented arrivals during the famine years are well over half a million. It is assumed that many more arrived undocumented, perhaps by landing first in Canada and walking into the United States. By 1850, the population of New York City was said to be 26 percent Irish. An article titled "Ireland in America" in the "New York Times" on April 2, 1852, recounted the continuing arrivals: On Sunday last three thousandemigrants arrived at this port. On Monday there were over two thousand. On Tuesday over five thousand arrived. On Wednesday the number was over two thousand. Thus in four days twelve thousandpersons were landed for the first time upon American shores. A population greater than that of some of the largest and most flourishing villages of this State was thus added to the City of New York within ninety-six hours. Irish in a New World The flood of Irish into the United States had a profound effect, especially in urban centers where the Irish exerted political influence and got involved in municipal government, most notably in the police and fire departments. In the Civil War, entire regiments were composed of Irish troops, such as those of New York's famed Irish Brigade. In 1858, the Irish community in New York City had demonstrated that it was in America to stay. Led by a politically powerful immigrant, Archbishop John Hughes, the Irish began building the largest church in New York City. They called it St. Patrick's Cathedral, and it would replace a modest cathedral, also named for Ireland's patron saint, in lower Manhattan. Construction was halted during the Civil War, but the enormous cathedral was finally finished in 1878. Thirty years after the Great Famine, the twin spires of St. Patrick's dominated the skyline of New York City. And on the docks of lower Manhattan, the Irish kept arriving. Source "Ireland in America." The New York TImes, April 2, 1852. News / National by Staff reporter We would like to inform you that our Rally which was scheduled for tomorrow at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza has been postponed. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused. pic.twitter.com/jqu3RnAGEy Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) December 16, 2023 Nelson Chamisa's rally in Chitungwiza scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled.In a statement on it's X account (formerly Twitter), the party did not provide any specific reasons for the postponement but apologised for any inconvenience caused.The leader of Citizens Coalition for Change was expected to discuss various topics, including the recent elections and court rulings on political matters."We would like to inform you that our Rally which was scheduled for tomorrow at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza has been postponed."We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused."In a statement promoting the rally, the party invited all citizens to join them at Chibuku Stadium to hear the former ICT Ministers speech. Said the party:"President Nelson Chamisa will be addressing the citizens this Sunday at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza. Join us to hear about the partys direction amidst Zanu PFs attempts to undermine the genuine alternative party through the courts, ZEC, imposters, and other state institutions. The Citizens Movement is resilient and unstoppable. Come and listen to him speak as he shares the vision of the movement.The impasse between ZANU PF and the CCC began after the August 2023 elections, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner. The CCC rejected the election results, alleging that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) colluded with ZANU PF to rig the elections in Mnangagwas favour. They pointed out various irregularities observed by local and international monitors, including voter intimidation and delays in ballot paper distribution.The situation worsened when Sengezo Tshabangu, claiming to be the interim Secretary-General of the CCC, recalled numerous CCC MPs and councillors, claiming they no longer belonged to the party. Chamisa and other CCC officials accused Tshabangu of working with ZANU PF to weaken the opposition and consolidate ZANU PFs grip on power.The CCC called for fresh elections to be conducted by an impartial body like SADC, the African Union, or the United Nations. However, SADC advised the CCC to seek legal recourse through local courts, which the CCC claims are biased towards ZANU PF.Amidst this standoff, President Mnangagwas spokesperson, George Charamba, warned the CCC against resorting to mass protests, cautioning that it could have dire consequences for the party and its leader. He said:"I have been reading stories on Chamisas so-called CNA meeting which took place yesterday. Among statements, which purport to be resolutions, released after the meeting, coupled with subsequent interviews with the media, Triple C, it would appear, is toying with the idea of mass action, ostensibly to force ZANU PF to the negotiating table!"A key principle in politics is understanding your customer; there is no clue anyone in Triple C, least of all Chamisa, works with this elementary political principle which informs what does and cannot do. Politics is the art of the possible.Charambas statement implied that the governments security forces would forcefully suppress any mass protests organized by the CCC. In the past, soldiers and police officers were deployed to prevent opposition rallies and disperse peaceful demonstrators. This has led some people to believe that demonstrations are effectively prohibited in Zimbabwe, even though they are a constitutional right. What Is the Piotroski Score?blackjack basic strategy wizard The Piotroski score is a discrete score between zero and nine that reflects nine criteria used to determine the strength of a firm's financial position. The Piotroski score is used to determine the best value stocks, with nine being the best and zero being the worst. The Piotroski score was named after Chicago Accounting Professor Joseph Piotroski, who devised the scale, according to specific aspects of company financial statements. Aspects are focused on the companys accounting results in recent time periods (years). For every criterion met (noted below), one point is awarded; otherwise, no points are awarded. The points are then added up to determine the best value stocks. Key Takeaways The Piotroski score is a ranking between zero and nine that incorporates nine factors that speak to a firm's financial strength. It was named for Joseph Piotroski, a Chicago Accounting Professor who created the scale, based on certain aspects of a corporation's financial statements. The nine aspects are based on accounting results over a number of years; a point is awarded each time a standard is met, resulting in an overall score. The Piotroski score is a favorite metric used to judge value stocks. If a company has a score of eight or nine, it is considered a good value. If a company has a score of between zero and two points, it is likely not a good value. Understanding the Piotroski Score The Piotroski score is broken down into the following categories: Profitability Leverage, liquidity, and source of funds Operating efficiency Profitability Criteria Include: Positive net income (1 point) Positive return on assets (ROA) in the current year (1 point) Positive operating cash flow in the current year (1 point) Cash flow from operations being greater than net Income (quality of earnings) (1 point) Leverage, Liquidity, and Source of Funds Criteria Include: Lower amount of long term debt in the current period, compared to the previous year (decreased leverage) (1 point) Higher current ratio this year compared to the previous year (more liquidity) (1 point) No new shares were issued in the last year (lack of dilution) (1 point). Operating Efficiency Criteria Include: A higher gross margin compared to the previous year (1 point) A higher asset turnover ratio compared to the previous year (1 point) Reading the Score If a company has a score of 8 or 9, it is considered a good value. If the score adds up to between 0-2 points, the stock is considered weak. Piotroski's April 2000 paper "Value Investing: The Use of Historical Financial Statement Information to Separate Winners from Losers," demonstrated that the Piotroski score method would have seen a 23% annual return between 1976 and 1996 if the expected winners were bought and expected losers shorted. As a starting point, Piotroski suggested investors begin with a sample of the bottom 20% of the market in terms of price-to-book value. Of course, with any investment system, looking at past results doesn't mean it will work the same way in the future. Those interested in learning more about the Piotroski Score and other financial topics may want to consider enrolling in one of the best investing courses currently available. Scoring With the Piotrosky Method As an example of the Piotrosky scoring method in action, note the following criteria calculations for Foot Locker, Inc. (FL) for fiscal year 2020. The profitability calculation was as follows: Net income ($323,000,000) (Score:1 point) ($323,000,000) (Score:1 point) ROA (4.7%) (Score: 1 point) (4.7%) (Score: 1 point) Net operating cash flow ($696,000,000) (Score: 1 point) ($696,000,000) (Score: 1 point) Cash flow from operations($696,000,000) > net income($323,000,000) (Score: 1 point) The leverage calculation was as follows: Long-term debt ($110,000,000) versus prior year's long-term debt ($120,000,000) (Score: 1 point) ($110,000,000) versus prior year's long-term debt ($120,000,000) (Score: 1 point) Current ratio (1.7) versus prior year's current ratio (2.0) (Score: 0 points) (1.7) versus prior year's current ratio (2.0) (Score: 0 points) No new sharesissued in 2020 (Score: 1 point) The efficiency calculation was as follows: Gross margin (28.9%) versus prior year's gross margin (31.8%) (Score: 0 points) (28.9%) versus prior year's gross margin (31.8%) (Score: 0 points) Asset turnover ratio (1.11) versus prior year's (1.54) (Score: 0 points) Foot Locker's total Piotrosky score in 2016 was a 6 out of 9, which could make it an average value proposition going into 2022, according to the Piotrosky method. What Is the Ichimoku Cloud?best online slots canada reddit The Ichimoku Cloud is a collection of technical indicators that show support and resistance levels, as well as momentum and trend direction. It does this by taking multiple averages and plotting them on a chart. It also uses these figures to compute a cloud that attempts to forecast where the price may find support or resistance in the future. The Ichimoku Cloud was developed by Goichi Hosoda, a Japanese journalist, and published in the late 1960s. It provides more data points than the standard candlestick chart. While it seems complicated at first glance, those familiar with how to read the charts often find it easy to understand with well-defined trading signals. Key Takeaways The Ichimoku Cloud is composed of five lines or calculations, two of which comprise a cloud where the difference between the two lines is shaded in. The lines include a nine-period average, a 26-period average, an average of those two averages, a 52-period average, and a lagging closing price line. The cloud is a key part of the indicator. When the price is below the cloud, the trend is down. When the price is above the cloud, the trend is up. The above trend signals are strengthened if the cloud is moving in the same direction as the price. For example, during an uptrend, the top of the cloud is moving up, or during a downtrend, the bottom of the cloud is moving down. TradingView. The Formulas for the Ichimoku Cloud The following are the five formulas for the lines that comprise the Ichimoku Cloud indicator. Conversion Line (tenkan sen) = 9-PH + 9-PL 2 Base Line (kijun sen) = 26-PH + 26-PL 2 Leading Span A (senkou span A) = CL + Base Line 2 Leading Span B (senkou span B) = 52-PH + 52-PL 2 Lagging Span (chikou span) = Close plotted 26 periods Lagging Span (chikou span) = in the past where: PH = Period high PL = Period low CL = Conversion line \begin{ aligned}&\text{ Conversion Line (tenkan sen)} = \frac { \text{ 9-PH} + \text{ 9-PL}}{ 2} \\&\text{ Base Line (kijun sen)} = \frac{ \text{ 26-PH + 26-PL}}{ 2} \\&\text{ Leading Span A (senkou span A)} = \frac{ \text{ CL + Base Line}}{ 2} \\&\text{ Leading Span B (senkou span B)}= \frac{ \text{ 52-PH + 52-PL}}{ 2} \\&\text{ Lagging Span (chikou span)} = \text{ Close plotted 26 periods} \\&\phantom{ \text{ Lagging Span (chikou span)} =} \text{ in the past} \\&\textbf{ where:} \\&\text{ PH} = \text{ Period high} \\&\text{ PL} = \text{ Period low} \\&\text{ CL} = \text{ Conversion line}\end{ aligned} Conversion Line (tenkan sen)=29-PH+9-PLBase Line (kijun sen)=226-PH + 26-PLLeading Span A (senkou span A)=2CL + Base LineLeading Span B (senkou span B)=252-PH + 52-PLLagging Span (chikou span)=Close plotted 26 periodsLagging Span (chikou span)=in the pastwhere:PH=Period highPL=Period lowCL=Conversion line How to Calculate the Ichimoku Cloud The highs and lows are the highest and lowest prices seen during the periodfor example, the highest and lowest prices seen over the last nine days in the case of the conversion line. Adding the Ichimoku Cloud indicator to your chart will do the calculations for you, but if you want to calculate it by hand, here are the steps: Calculate the Conversion Line and the Base Line. Calculate Leading Span A based on the prior calculations. Once calculated, this data point is plotted 26 periods into the future. Calculate Leading Span B. Plot this data point 26 periods into the future. For the Lagging Span, plot the closing price 26 periods into the past on the chart. The difference between Leading Span A and Leading Span B is colored in to create the cloud. When Leading Span A is above Leading Span B, color the cloud green. When Leading Span A is below Leading Span B, color the cloud red. The above steps will create one data point. To create the lines, as each period comes to an end, go through the steps again to create new data points for that period. Connect the data points to each other to create the lines and cloud appearance. What Does the Ichimoku Cloud Tell You? The technical indicator shows relevant information at a glance by using averages. The overall trend is up when the price is above the cloud, down when the price is below the cloud, and trendless or transitioning when the price is in the cloud. When Leading Span A is rising and above Leading Span B, this helps to confirm the uptrend and the space between the lines is typically colored green. When Leading Span A is falling and below Leading Span B, this helps confirm the downtrend. The space between the lines is typically colored red in this case. Traders will often use the Ichimoku Cloud as an area of support and resistance depending on the relative location of the price. The cloud provides support/resistance levels that can be projected into the future. This sets the Ichimoku Cloud apart from many other technical indicators that only provide support and resistance levels for the current date and time. Traders should use the Ichimoku Cloud in conjunction with other technical indicators to maximize their risk-adjusted returns. For example, the indicator is often paired with the relative strength index (RSI), which can be used to confirm momentum in a certain direction. Its also important to look at the bigger trends to see how the smaller trends fit within them. For example, during a very strong downtrend, the price may push into the cloud or slightly above it, temporarily, before falling again. Only focusing on the indicator would mean missing the bigger picture that the price was under strong longer-term selling pressure. Crossovers are another way that the indicator can be used. Watch for the conversion line to move above the base line, especially when the price is above the cloud. This can be a powerful buy signal. One option is to hold the trade until the conversion line drops back below the base line. Any of the other lines could be used as exit points as well. The Difference Between the Ichimoku Cloud and Moving Averages While the Ichimoku Cloud uses averages, they are different than a typical moving average. Simple moving averages take closing prices, add them up, and divide that total by how many closing prices there are. In a 10-period moving average, the closing prices for the last 10 periods are added, then divided by 10 to get the average. Notice how the calculations for the Ichimoku Cloud are different. They are based on highs and lows over a period and then divided by two. Therefore, Ichimoku averages will be different than traditional moving averages, even if the same number of periods are used. One indicator is not better than another; they just provide information in different ways. Limitations of Using the Ichimoku Cloud The indicator can make a chart look busy with all the lines. To remedy this, most charting software allows certain lines to be hidden. For example, all of the lines can be hidden except for Leading Span A and Leading Span B, which create the cloud. Each trader needs to focus on which lines provide the most information, then consider hiding the rest if all of the lines are distracting. Another limitation of the Ichimoku Cloud is that it is based on historical data. While two of these data points are plotted in the future, there is nothing in the formula that is inherently predictive. Averages are simply being plotted in the future. The cloud can also become irrelevant for long periods of time, as the price remains way above or way below it. At times like these, the conversion line, the base line, and their crossovers become more important, as they generally stick closer to the price. What Does Ichimoku Mean in English? In Japanese, "ichimoku" translates to "one look," referring to the fact that support and resistance levels can be gauged in just a glance. What Are the Tenkan Sen and Kijun Sen? The Japanese terminology for the moving average lines used in the Ichimoku cloud are called the Tenkan and Kijun Sen. The Tenkan Senis the average of the highest high and the lowest low calculated over the previous nine periods. The Kijun Senis the average of the highest high and the lowest low over the past 26 periods. What Are the Senkou Spans Used in Ichimoku Clouds? The Senkou Spans form the "cloud" of the Ichimoku cloud. Senkou Span Atakes the average of the Tenkan Sen and the Kijun Sen plotted 26 periods ahead of the current price action. Senkou Span Baverages the highest high and the lowest low taken over the past 52 time periods and then plotted 26 periods ahead. What Is the Chikou Span in Ichimoku Clouds? The Chikou Span is meant to measure market sentiment, using the most recent closing price and plotted 26 periods behind the price action. The Bottom Line In order to create a "cloud" to show where prices may find future resistance or support, the Ichimoku Cloud plots multiple averages on a chart. This shows not only support and resistance but also trend direction and momentum, all of which appear as a group of technical indicators. While there are some limitations to the Ichimoku Cloud, it is neither better nor worse than existing technical indicators such as moving averages. It simply represents information in a different way. Crown Resorts Melbourne casino has been slapped with a record A$1 million fine by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) for failing to properly vet junket operators. Junket operators or junkets can best be described as a mixture of a travel agency, a VIP hospitality service, and a banking firm. These companies main purpose is to reach out to Asian high rollers and provide them with tailored offers to lure them into gambling at a particular casino. The Victorian gambling regulator launched a probe into Crowns casino in Melbourne after bombshell 2019 media reports alleged junket operators the company worked with had links to Asian organized crime. The damning allegations also prompted the 18-month Bergin Inquiry in New South Wales, which in February rendered the Australian casino giant unfit to operate a casinoat its newly developed luxury complex in Sydney. Royal commissions into Crowns licenses in Victoria and Western Australia have also been launched. In addition, Australias federal financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, is probing into casino junket tours. Crowns board is currently assessing an A$8 billion takeover offerfrom US private equity giant Blackstone Group and is working closely with New South Wales gambling regulators as it seeks to restore regulatory confidence in its operations, as recently pointed out by the companys executive chair, Helen Coonan. Multiple Failures In its own investigation, the VCGLR established that Crown failed to collect the necessary information to make an informed decisionabout its junket partners and the people involved in these companies. The casino operator was further found to have failed to check or verify information with the junkets it worked with. The companys other violations included a failure to maintain appropriate recordsin relation to junket operators. According to the VCGLR, this particular failure meant it was unclear how Crown reached certain decisions relating to its junket partners and whether those decisions were made with due regard to Crowns regulatory obligations. The A$1 million fine is the maximum that the regulatory agency can issue under the states Casino Control Act. The VCGLR said that the penalty reflected the seriousness of Crowns violations and the fact that those occurred over an extended period of time. The company has also been banned from working with junket operatorsuntil its processes and procedures have been improved in a way that satisfies the local regulator. Crowns executive chair said they have already ceased working with junkets as part of a wider reform agendaand that the changes it plans to implement will be aimed at delivering the highest standards of governance and complianceand at mending the companys reputation and restoring public and regulatory confidence in its operations in the state. Source:Crown Casino fined record $1 MILLION by gambling regulator, 7News, April 27, 2021 LONDON Thefree online casinos no downloads gold factory artist Sutapa Biswas has works in the Tate collection and was the subject of two major retrospectives last year. But, she said recently, one of the highlights of her career was a piece that few people will ever see: an abstract mural of a night sky in a London psychiatric hospital. Commissioned by the British nonprofit Hospital Rooms and finished last month, the deep blue work depicts a cascade of falling stars and covers an atrium wall at Springfield University Hospital in South London. At moments when mental health patients could be feeling trapped, Biswas said in an interview, her mural might give them a sense of wonderment, a bit of hope. Image Biswas has work in the Tate collection and was the subject of two major retrospectives last year.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image She worked with technicians in October to create the hospital mural.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image Biswas was inspired by a Giotto mural in the Scrovegni Chapel, in Padua, Italy. Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Art therapists and early-career artists have long worked in Britains psychiatric hospitals, running classes and painting murals to aid patient recovery. Hospital Rooms takes that to the next level by commissioning internationally famous contemporary artists including Anish Kapoor, Tschabalala Self and Julian Opie to produce art for display, often on high-security wards. Most artists also run workshops with patients to involve them in the creative process. Founded six years ago by the couple Tim A. Shaw, an artist, and Niamh White, a curator, the organization is turning British psychiatric wards into spaces that could rival some museums. At Springfield this year, Hospital Rooms is undertaking its biggest project yet, commissioning 19 artists including Biswas, the painter Hurvin Anderson and the multimedia artist Harold Offeh for a new building that is scheduled to open next spring. Hospital Rooms is reintroducing humanity to spaces that are actually quite frightening, Biswas said. Bigger and Better : While the Covid-19 pandemic forced museums to close for months, cut staff and reduce expenses, several of them have nevertheless moved forward on ambitious renovations or new buildings. While the Covid-19 pandemic forced museums to close for months, cut staff and reduce expenses, several of them have nevertheless moved forward on ambitious renovations or new buildings. A Tribute to Black Artists: Four museums across the country are featuring exhibitions this fall that recognize the work of African and African American artists, signaling a change in attitude and priorities. Four museums across the country are featuring exhibitions this fall that recognize the work of African and African American artists, signaling a change in attitude and priorities. New and Old : In California, museums are celebrating and embracing Latino and Chicano art and artists. And the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is working to engage visitors about the realities of climate change. In California, museums are celebrating and embracing Latino and Chicano art and artists. And the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is working to engage visitors about the realities of climate change. A Cultural Correction: After removing all references to Columbus from its collections the Denver Art Museum has embraced a new exhibition on Latin American art. After removing all references to Columbus from its collections the Denver Art Museum has embraced a new exhibition on Latin American art. More From the Special Section: Museums, galleries and auction houses are opening their doors wider than ever to new artists, new concepts and new traditions. That didnt mean simply creating calming decor, though, White said: It was important to not patronize patients by dumbing down. One work at Springfield, for example, is a puzzling collage by Michelle Williams Gamaker that depicts an ape overlaid with clusters of fruit, flowers and Greek statuary. If art matters anywhere, it matters in these spaces, White said. Image A section of Company Amongst Ferns, a mural at Springfield by the painter Alvin Kofi. These places have to feel like home, he said.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image The Hospital Rooms founders Tim A. Shaw and Niamh White. They had the idea for the nonprofit after Shaw visited a friend in a dull, unwelcoming psychiatric hospital.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image Hope for a Better World by the British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, in a Springfield atrium.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times The idea for Hospital Rooms came just hours after Shaw first visited a psychiatric ward. In 2014, one of the couples friends tried to take her own life and was admitted for treatment at a London hospital. When Shaw went to visit, he said, he was immediately struck by how inhumane the ward felt. All the walls were painted the same dull white, and there were only a few tatty posters for decoration. It felt like the environment was doing the complete opposite of what youd want it to, Shaw added. Itd make you feel unloved and unwanted. Once they had the idea, it took almost two years to convince a hospital to work with them, Shaw said, with some hospital administrators raising safety concerns. The artists were easier: Shaw and White emailed some they knew, and messaged others out of the blue. The couple could only offer a nominal fee a few thousand pounds, at most, paid with funds raised from donors but Shaw said most artists they approached agreed to take part after they were assured the project aimed to create intellectually stimulating and challenging work. (Hospital Rooms pays for the artists materials, as well as technicians to install the works.) Now, Hospital Rooms has more secure funding, including donations from some major art-world institutions. In April, Hauser and Wirth, the commercial gallery, committed to raising 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) for the organization by 2025 through regular auctions. In interviews, some of the artists involved said they had personal reasons for taking part. Biswas said she felt a duty to help Britains National Health Service at a time when it was suffering from funding cuts. Alvin Kofi, a portrait painter, said he knew people who had been treated in institutions like Springfield. These places have to feel like home, he said. Image Technicians putting the finishing touches on Connections, a mural by Harold Offeh.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image Springfield Eternal, a work by Michelle Williams Gamaker.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Image Depictions of the night sky made by Springfield patients in a workshop that Biswas led in August.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Yet the barriers to installing art in psychiatric wards are high, Shaw said. Hospital administrators vet everything to ensure it does not pose a patient safety risk, or contain triggering images. The installation of the works, and running of the workshops, can pose challenges too. In some psychiatric settings, patients are not even allowed to have pencils, which pose a risk for self harm. Yet many Hospital Rooms projects require paintbrushes, power tools and other potentially dangerous objects. Getting permission from hospital administrators required a lot of negotiation and form-filling, Shaw said. A patient once tore a print by the photographer Nick Knight off the wall, hours after it had been installed, Shaw said, although he added that the charity quickly learned to fasten works in place with stronger glue. To stop any cash-strapped hospitals from taking works down to sell at auction, Hospital Rooms tells them that artists will not authenticate anything for sale. The value of the work is quite an interesting idea within that space, Shaw said, because each piece was simultaneously worth a huge amount, and nothing. Shaw has made several Hospital Rooms murals himself, and said that some of the patient distress he witnessed while working on them used to make him wonder if he was doing the right thing. Id think, Isnt this ridiculous? he said: Painting seemed like a trivial activity when people were in crisis. Now, he had no doubts, he said, because hundreds of patients had told Hospital Rooms that art had helped in their treatment. Im totally convinced by the value of it, he added. Image Biswas installing her work at Springfield. Hospital Rooms was reintroducing humanity to spaces that are actually quite frightening, she said.Credit...Suzie Howell for The New York Times Biswas said she was also sure of the benefits, and had heard similar feedback from nurses. In 2017, she painted a tropical landscape in a ward for women with Alzheimers, and was told afterward that patients chose to spend much of their time in that space, because they found it so soothing. I find it really profound, Biswas said, that these works provide a sanctuary space, a space of hope and a space of connection. A few weeks before she began work on the Springfield mural, Biswas went to the hospital and led a workshop for five patients with obsessive compulsive disorder, partly to show them a design and get their feedback. In the session, Biswas showed them how to paint a night sky, and the patients spent an hour carefully making their own scenes, brushing blue, yellow and red paint across thick paper, and using stickers for stars. Oh, thats gorgeous, Biswas said to one patient as they worked. I love the energy, she said to another. Annalise, a patient who asked The Times not to publish her last name to protect her privacy, said she loved the paintings and murals on the ward. In here, you can be very trapped in your mind, she said, but art was a distraction, its expression. She sat back in her chair and admired her work. Once the paint was dry, she said, she would put it on the wall in her room. Advertisement Continue reading the main story What Is a Hostile Takeover?okay play 777 slot machine learning activity The term hostile takeover refers to the acquisition of one company by another corporation against the wishes of the former. The company being acquired in a hostile takeover is called the target company while the one executing the takeover is called the acquirer. In a hostile takeover, the acquirer goes directly to the company's shareholders or fights to replace management to get the acquisition approved. Approval of a hostile takeover is generally completed through either a tender offer or a proxy fight. Key Takeaways A hostile takeover occurs when an acquiring company attempts to take over a target company against the wishes of the target company's management. An acquiring company can achieve a hostile takeover by going directly to the target company's shareholders or fighting to replace its management. Hostile takeovers may take place if a company believes a target is undervalued or when activist shareholders want changes in a company. A tender offer and a proxy fight are two methods in achieving a hostile takeover. Target companies can use certain defenses, such as the poison pill or a golden parachute, to ward off hostile takeovers. Hostile Takeover Understanding Hostile Takeovers 1:41 Factors playing into a hostile takeover from the acquisition side often coincide with those of any other takeover, such as believing that a company may be significantly undervalued or wanting access to a company's brand, operations, technology, or industry foothold. Hostile takeovers may also be strategic moves by activist investors looking to effect change on a company's operations. The target company's management does not approve of the deal in a hostile takeover. This type of bid occurs when an entity attempts to take control of a firm without the consent or cooperation of the target firm's board of directors. In lieu of the target company's board approval, the would-be acquirer may then: Issue a tender offer Employ a proxy fight Attempt to buy the necessary company stock in the open market When a company, investor, or group of investors makes a tender offer to purchase the shares of another company at a premium above the current market value (CMV), the board of directors may reject the offer. The acquirer can approach the shareholders, who may accept the offer if it is at a sufficient premium to market value or if they are unhappy with current management. The Williams Act of 1968 regulates tender offers and requires the disclosure of all-cash tender offers. In a proxy fight, opposing groups of stockholders persuade other stockholders to allow them to use their shares' proxy votes. If a company that makes a hostile takeover bid acquires enough proxies, it can use them to vote to accept the offer. The sale of the stock only takes place if a sufficient number of stockholders, usually a majority, agree to accept the offer. Defending Against a Hostile Takeover To deter the unwanted takeover, the target company's management may have preemptive defenses in place, or it may employ reactive defenses to fight back. Differential Voting Rights (DVRs) To protect against hostile takeovers, a company can establish stock with differential voting rights (DVRs), where some shares carry greater voting power than others. This can make it more difficult to generate the votes needed for a hostile takeover if management owns a large enough portion of shares with more voting power. Shares with less voting power also commonly pay a higher dividend, which can make them more attractive investments. Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) Establishing an employee stock ownership program (ESOP) involves using a tax-qualified plan in which employees own a substantial interest in the company. Employees may be more likely to vote with management. As such, this can be a successful defense. However, such schemes have drawn scrutiny in the past. In some cases, courts have invalidated defensive ESOPs on the grounds that the plan was established for the benefit of management, not shareholders. Crown Jewel In a crown jewel defense, a provision of the company's bylaws requires the sale of the most valuable assets if there is a hostile takeover, thereby making it less attractive as a takeover opportunity. This is often considered one of the last lines of defense. Poison Pill This defense tactic is officially known as a shareholder rights plan. It allows existing shareholders to buy newly issued stock at a discount if one shareholder has bought more than a stipulated percentage of the stock, resulting in a dilution of the ownership interest of the acquiring company. The buyer who triggered the defense, usually the acquiring company, is excluded from the discount. The term poison pill is often used broadly to include a range of defenses, including issuing additional debt, which aims to make the target less attractive, and stock options to employees that vest upon a merger. Other Strategies Sometimes a company's management will defend against unwanted hostile takeovers by using several controversial strategies, such as the people poison pill, a golden parachute, or the Pac-Man defense. A people poison pill provides for the resignation of key personnel in the case of a hostile takeover, while the golden parachute involves granting members of the target's executive team with benefits (bonuses, severance pay, stock options, among others) if they are ever terminated as a result of a takeover. The Pac-Man defense has the target company aggressively buy stock in the company attempting the takeover. Hostile Takeover Examples A hostile takeover can be a difficult and lengthy process and attempts often end up unsuccessful. For example, billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn attempted three separate bids to acquire household goods giant Clorox in 2011, which rejected each one and introduced a new shareholder rights plan in its defense. The Clorox board even sidelined Icahn's proxy fight efforts, and the attempt ultimately ended in a few months with no takeover. An example of a successful hostile takeover is that of pharmaceutical company Sanofi's (SNY) acquisition of Genzyme. Genzyme produced drugs for the treatment of rare genetic disorders and Sanofi saw the company as a means to expand into a niche industry and broaden its product offering. After friendly takeover offers were unsuccessful as Genzyme rebuffed Sanofi's advances, Sanofi went directly to the shareholders, paid a premium for the shares, added in contingent value rights, and ended up acquiring Genzyme. How Is a Hostile Takeover Done? The ways to take over another company include the tender offer, the proxy fight, and purchasing stock on the open market. A tender offer requires a majority of the shareholders to accept. A proxy fight aims to replace a good portion of the target's uncooperative board members. An acquirer may also choose to simply buy enough company stock in the open market to take control. How Can Management Preempt a Hostile Takeover? One of the ways to prevent hostile takeovers is to establish stocks with differential voting rights like establishing a share class with fewer voting rights and a higher dividend. These shares become an attractive investment, making it harder to generate the votes needed for a hostile takeover, especially if management owns a lot of the shares with more voting rights. Companies may also establish an employee stock ownership program. ESOPs allow employees to own a substantial interest in the company. This opens the door for employees to vote with management, making it a fairly successful defense against being acquired. What Is a Poison Pill? A poison pill, which is officially known as a shareholder rights plan, is a common defense against a hostile takeover. There are two types of poison pill defenses: the flip-in and flip-over. A flip-in allows existing shareholders to buy new stock at a discount if someone accumulates a specified number of shares of the target company. The acquiring company is excluded from the sale and its ownership interest becomes diluted. A flip-over strategy allows the target company's shareholders to purchase the acquiring company's stock at a deeply discounted price if the takeover goes through, which punishes the acquiring company by diluting its equity. What Are Other Defenses to a Hostile Takeover? Companies can use the crown-jewel defense, golden parachute, and the Pac-Man defense to defend themselves against hostile takeovers. In a crown jewel defense, a company's bylaws require its most valuable assets to be sold in the event of a takeover. This can make the company less desirable to the acquirer. A golden parachute provides the top executives of the target with substantial benefits when the takeover is completed, which can deter acquirers. A Pac-Man defense involves the target company turning the tables and aggressively purchasing shares in the acquirer's company. Jinling Library in Nanjing,trik menang main slot pragmatic capital of East China's Jiangsu province.[Photo/Official website of Jinling Library.] The first "Window of Chinese Books" in Europe was launched on Tuesday, with an online book donation ceremony from China's Jinling Library to Malta Libraries. The two libraries also signed the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of public libraries between China and Malta. The online event was held at the Central Public Library in Floriana, Malta, the most well-stocked of 57 around the country. More than 200 books were donated by Jinling Library in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province. They cover fields such as ancient Chinese literature and art, history, geography, and contemporary Chinese politics, economy, culture, tourism, and food. Maltese Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, and Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai welcomed the collaboration. They also expressed hope that the donated books will open a new window of understanding of Chinese culture, history and social development for the Maltese people. Books are a crucial conduit for the cultural exchange between two countries, said Xia Jun, deputy director of the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, at the ceremony. Malta and China have developed vibrant cultural relations, said Sharon Scicluna, deputy director of the Maltese Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, adding that the opportunities arising from the signing of the MoU will further enhance cooperation. Malta Libraries has been collaborating with the China Cultural Centre since 2018, when a Chinese collection was established at the Central Public Library. The books donated on Tuesday not only provide a mini encyclopedia of Chinese culture and tourism, but are also a precious gift of friendship from the people of Nanjing to the Maltese people, said Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta. Jinling Library has always focused on using books as a bridge to understanding of Chinese culture for global citizens, said the Library's director Jiao Xiang. The book donation event was co-hosted by the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the China Cultural Centre in Malta. Jinling Library, founded in 1927, established its first "Window of Chinese Books" overseas in Nigeria in 2013. There are now 11 around the world. What Is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?playluck Personally identifiable information (PII) is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify an individual. PII may contain direct identifiers (e.g., passport information) that can identify a person uniquely, or quasi-identifiers (e.g., race) that can be combined with other quasi-identifiers (e.g., date of birth) to successfully recognize an individual. Key Takeaways Personally identifiable information (PII) uses data to confirm an individual's identity. Sensitive personally identifiable information can include your full name, Social Security Number, drivers license, financial information, and medical records. Non-sensitive personally identifiable information is easily accessible from public sources and can include your zip code, race, gender, and date of birth. Passports contain personally identifiable information. Social media sites may be considered non-sensitive personally identifiable information. Understanding Personally Identifiable Information Advancing technology platforms have changed the way businesses operate, governments legislate, and individuals relate. With digital tools like cell phones, the Internet, e-commerce, and social media, there has been an explosion in the supply of all kinds of data. Big data, as it is called, is being collected, analyzed, and processed by businesses and shared with other companies. The wealth of information provided by big data has enabled companies to gain insight into how to better interact with customers. However, the emergence of big data has also increased the number of data breaches and cyberattacks by entities who realize the value of this information. As a result, concerns have been raised over how companies handle the sensitive information of their consumers. Regulatory bodies are seeking new laws to protect the data of consumers, while users are looking for more anonymous ways to stay digital. Sensitive vs. Non-Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information Sensitive PII Personally identifiable information (PII) can be sensitive or non-sensitive. Sensitive personal information includes legal statistics such as: Full name Social Security Number (SSN) Drivers license Mailing address Credit card information Passport information Financial information Medical records The above list is by no means exhaustive. Companies that share data about their clients normally use anonymization techniques to encrypt and obfuscate the PII, so it is received in a non-personally identifiable form. An insurance company that shares its clients information with a marketing company will mask the sensitive PII included in the data and leave only information related to the marketing companys goal. Non-Sensitive PII Non-sensitive or indirect PII is easily accessible from public sources like phonebooks, the Internet, and corporate directories. Examples of non-sensitive or indirect PII include: Zip code Race Gender Date of birth Place of birth Religion The above list contains quasi-identifiers and examples of non-sensitive information that can be released to the public. This type of information cannot be used alone to determine an individuals identity. However, non-sensitive information, although not delicate, is linkable. This means that non-sensitive data, when used with other personal linkable information, can reveal the identity of an individual. De-anonymization and re-identification techniques tend to be successful when multiple sets of quasi-identifiers are pieced together and can be used to distinguish one person from another. Regulating and safeguarding personally identifiable information (PII) will likely be a dominant issue for individuals, corporations, and governments in the years to come. Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Multiple data protection laws have been adopted by various countries to create guidelines for companies that gather, store, and share the personal information of clients. Some of the basic principles outlined by these laws state that some sensitive information should not be collected unless for extreme situations. Also, regulatory guidelines stipulate that data should be deleted if no longer needed for its stated purpose, and personal information should not be shared with sources that cannot guarantee its protection. Cybercriminals breach data systems to access PII, which is then sold to willing buyers in underground digital marketplaces. For example, in 2015, the IRS suffered a data breach leading to the theft of more than a hundred thousand taxpayers PII. Using quasi-information stolen from multiple sources, the perpetrators were able to access an IRS website application by answering personal verification questions that should have been privy to the taxpayers only. Safeguarding PII may not always be the sole responsibility of a service provider. In some cases, it may be shared with the individual. How PII Is Stolen Many thieves find PII of unsuspecting victims by digging through their trash for unopened mail. This can provide them with a person's name and address. In some cases, it can also reveal information about their employment, banking relationships, or even their social security numbers. Nowadays, the Internet has become a major vector for identity theft. Phishing and social engineering attacks use a deceptive-looking website or email to trick someone into revealing key information, such as their name, bank account numbers, passwords, or social security number. It is also possible to steal this information through deceptive phone calls or SMS messages. Tips on Protecting PII While it is not possible to fully protect yourself, you can make yourself a smaller target by reducing the opportunities to steal your PII. Experian, one of the top three credit agencies, lists several steps that you can take to reduce your surface area. For example, a locked mailbox or PO box makes it harder for thieves to steal your mail and removing personal identification from junk mail and other documents makes it harder for identity thieves to associate a name with an address. Also, avoid carrying more PII than you needthere's no reason to keep your social security card in your wallet. Likewise, there are some steps you can take to prevent online identity theft. Data leaks are a major source of identity theft, so it is important to use a different, complex password for each online account. Always encrypt your important data, and use a password for each phone or device. It is also a good idea to reformat your hard drive whenever you sell or donate a computer. Personally Identifiable Information Around the World The definition of what comprises PII differs depending on where you live in the world. The following are the privacy regimes in specific jurisdictions: United States In the United States, the government defined "personally identifiable" in 2020 as anything that can "be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity" such as name, SSN, and biometrics information; either alone or with other identifiers such as date of birth or place of birth. Europe In the European Union (EU), the definition expands to include quasi-identifiers as outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that went into effect in May 2018. The GDPR is a legal framework that sets rules for collecting and processing personal information for those residing in the EU. Australia Personal information is protected by the Privacy Act 1988. This law regulates the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of personal information, whether by the federal government or private entities. Later amendments regulate the use of healthcare identifiers and establish the obligations of entities that suffer from a data breach. Canada The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act regulates the use of personal information for commercial use. This is defined as information that on its own or combined with other data, can identify you as an individual. Personally Identifiable Information vs. Personal Data Personal data encompasses a broader range of contexts than PII. For instance, your IP address, device ID numbers, browser cookies, online aliases, or genetic data. Certain attributes such as religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or medical history may be classified as personal data but not personally identifiable information. Example of Personally Identifiable Information In early 2018, Facebook Inc. (META), now Meta, was embroiled in a major data breach. The profiles of 30 million Facebook users were collected without their consent by an outside company called Cambridge Analytica.Cambridge Analytica got its data from Facebook through a researcher who worked at the University of Cambridge. The researcher built a Facebook app that was a personality quiz. An app is a software application used on mobile devices and websites. The app was designed to take the information from those who volunteered to give access to their data for the quiz. Unfortunately, the app collected not only the quiz takers' data but, because of a loophole in Facebook's system, was able also to collect data from the friends and family members of the quiz takers. As a result, over 50 million Facebook users had their data exposed to Cambridge Analytica without their consent. Although Facebook banned the sale of their data, Cambridge Analytica turned around and sold the data to be used for political consulting. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO, released a statement within the company's Q1-2019 earnings release: We are focused on building out our privacy-focused vision for the future of social networking and working collaboratively to address important issues around the Internet. The data breach not only affected Facebook users but investors as well. Facebook's profits decreased by 50% in Q1-2019 versus the same period a year earlier. The company accrued $3 billion in legal expenses and would have had an earnings per share of $1.04 higher without the expenses, stating: We estimate that the range of loss in this matter is $3.0 billion to $5.0 billion. The matter remains unresolved, and there can be no assurance as to the timing or the terms of any final outcome. The following day, on April 25, 2019, Meta announced it was banning personality quizzes from its platform. Companies will undoubtedly invest in ways to harvest data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), to offer products to consumers and maximize profits. Still, they will be met with more stringent regulations in the years to come. What Qualifies as PII? Personally identifiable information is defined by the U.S. government as: Information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individuals identity, such as their name, social security number, biometric records, etc. alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked or linkable to a specific individual, such as date and place of birth, mothers maiden name, etc. What Is Not PII? Personal data is not classified as PII and non-personal data such as the company you work for, shared data, or anonymized data. What Is a PII Violation? PII violations are illegal, and often involve frauds such as identity theft. Violations may also stem from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of PII. Failure to report a PII breach can also be a violation. What Must You Do When Emailing PII? Because email is not always secure, try to avoid emailing PII. If you must, use encryption or secure verification techniques. What Laws Protect PII? Various federal and state consumer protection laws protect PII and sanction its unauthorized use; for instance, the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. The Bottom Line Personal Identifying Information (PII) is any type of data that can be used to identify someone, from their name and address to their phone number, passport information, and social security numbers. This information is frequently a target for identity thieves, especially over the Internet. For that reason, it is essential for companies and government agencies to keep their databases secure. What Is a Routing Transit Number?virgin slots login A routing transit number is a nine-digit number used to identify a bank or financial institution when clearing funds for electronic transfers or processing checks in the United States. A routing transit number is also used in online banking and clearinghouses for financial transactions. Only federally chartered and state-chartered banks that are eligible to maintain an account at a Federal Reserve Bank are issued routing transit numbers. Key Takeaways A routing transit number is a nine-digit number used to identify a bank or financial institution when clearing funds or processing checks. The American Bankers Association (ABA) established routing transit numbers in 1910. These numbers are also used in online banking and clearinghouses for financial transactions. Routing transit numbers are often used when setting up a wire transfer or direct deposit. Whereas SWIFT or IBAN numbers are used for international transactions, routing numbers are often required for domestic transfers. How Routing Transit Numbers Work A banks routing transit number is located at the bottom of a check and is the first nine digits on the far left. The first four digits designate the Federal Reserve Bank of the district where the institution is located. The next four digits denote the bank itself, while the last digit is a classifier for the check or negotiable instrument. The numbers following the routing transit number on a check are the account number and check number for the bank from which the funds are to be drawn. All checks written on state or federally chartered banks will have routing transit numberson the bottom. How Routing Transit Numbers Are Used Routing transit numbers are often used when setting up a wire transfer relationship with ones personal or business bank. A wire transfer is an electronic funds payment across a network administered by hundreds of banks worldwide. While no physical currency moves among financial institutions during a wire transfer, information does pass between banks, including the recipient's account information, the receiver's bank account number, and the amount of the transfer. As a result, a correct routing transit number is critical to ensure sensitive information is directed to the appropriate receiving party and that the transaction goes through smoothly. Routing transit numbers are also involved in direct deposits of money from employers paying employees and income tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A direct deposit allows a sender to deposit funds directly into the receivers bank account electronically instead of issuing a paper check. 9 Digits Routing numbers are nine digits long, while bank account numbers often vary in length. In addition, your routing number will always begin with a 0, 1, 2, or 3. Routing Number vs. Other Banking Numbers There are a few terms that are synonymous with "routing transit number," including "routing number," "transit number" and "ABA number." ABA is an acronym for the American Bankers Association, which established these numbers in 1910. The terms "routing," "transit," and "ABA" are often used interchangeably. Routing numbers were originally established for checking accounts but have since evolved to include identifying banks during electronic transactions as well. A SWIFT code is a similar identification code used for facilitating banking transactions, though SWIFT codes are mainly used for international transfers. Alternatively, an international bank account number (IBAN) is a lengthy alphanumeric code that identifies the country, check number, bank code, bank branch code, and bank account number of a transaction. It is also mainly used for international transactions. Special Considerations Before the invention of the internet and the widespread use of computers, check fraud was a major issue. Fraudsters could falsify a routing number on a check and attempt to cash the check at a local bank. Without the banks being on an interconnected computer system, it was difficult to verify checking account routing numbers, leading to instances of fraud and theft. LexisNexis Risk Solutions it he official registrar of routing numbers, and newly organized financial institutions must apply to have a routing number assigned to them. A single financial institution may have multiple routing numbers for different payment methods. For example, a bank may have a routing number specific for ACH transfers, paper transactions, or wire transfers. What Is a Routing Number? A routing number is a series of nine digits used to identify an institution. Banks use routing numbers to process transactions, as the routing number tells all parties involved which institutions are involved and which parties are receiving or distributing funds. Where Can I Find My Bank's Routing Number? Your bank's routing number can be found on the bottom of a paper check. Alternatively, you can often find the routing number when you log into an online banking portal. The routing number is often reported in the same location as your account number. Which Numbers on a Check Are Routing Numbers? When looking at a check, the furthest-left numbers is your bank's routing number. The left-most nine digits are the routing number, while the right-most numbers are your account number and check number. The check number at the bottom of a check will correspond to the check number in the upper right corner. How Are Routing Numbers Used? Routing numbers are used by financial institutions to communicate between banks. It is the number that identifies the institution you use so the transacting parties know where you account is located. China sent off the second batch of policemen on Friday night to the Republic of South Sudan for United Nations (UN) peace-keeping missions. The 13-member team was composed of policemen in a range of sections, including anti-terror department, entrance and exit administration, regimental and patrolling police, border checking, and fire case investigation. All of them came from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China. Four members had participated in previous UN peace-keeping missions, and the team leader, Wen Long, had served in three peace-keeping missions before the current one. After passing examinations by local and central public security authorities, the team had received training on international laws, first aid know-how, driving, English, shooting as well as orientations on the situation of the task region. The first team of policemen from southwest Chinas Chongqing Municipality began their peace-keeping mission in South Sudan on Nov. 11, 2011, and they were scheduled to return on Nov. 13 this year. Since 2000, China has dispatched 1,786 peace-keeping policemen to eight task regions, including Timore-leste, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liberia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti, and South Sudan, according to the Ministry of Public Security. Xinhua Chinese peace-keeping police set off to South Sudanadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Fox News Flash top headlines for November 15 closeVideo Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. An Ohio man pleaded guilty on Monday to federal gun and drug crimes related to a shootout in West Virginia in 2021. Austin Bruce Jeffreys, 28, of Chesapeake, Ohio admitted to using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Austin Bruce Jeffreys of Chesapeake, Ohio admitted to federal gun and drug charges following a shootout in West Virginia. (West Virginia Division of Corrections) Jeffreys, according to court documents and statements made in court on June 14, 2021, communicated with an inmate at the Western Regional Jail by phone, and each time, the calls were recorded. HOUSTON RAPPER THE BREADMAN GETS 23 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING The U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release that when Jeffreys spoke to the inmate, he agreed to go to a residence in Huntington to pick up the inmates suboxone. At the time, the suboxone was with another person, so Jeffreys said he would go to the residence carrying a loaded .380-caliber pistol. Man in prison hands of behind hold Steel cage jail bars. (iStock) When Jeffreys arrived at the residence, the DOJ said, he and another person got into a shootout before Jeffreys could get the drugs. TEXAS INMATE FACES DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES RELATED TO DRONE DROPS IN PRISON YARD Jeffreys then called the inmate, once again on a recorded line, and spoke about the shooting and his knowledge of the drugs being intended for distribution, the DOJ said. Jeffreys is expected to be sentenced on Feb. 13, 2022, and faces up to life in prison and a $500,000 fine. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The inmate, Jacob Benjamin Loper, 21, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on May 9, 2022, after pleading guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute the suboxone and conspiring to use a firearm in a drug trafficking crime. Video Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. The rise of Chinas middle class will change every aspect of the Australian economy, James Packer, billionaire businessman said Wednesday at the Leadership 2012 Tourism, Aviation and Transport Infrastructure Summit in Canberra. According to his analysis, the Chinese middle classes want luxury travel, quality hotels, signature restaurants and high-end retail. Packer said Australia must build relationships with Asia through languages, culture, education, sport and commerce and called for a new view of China. We need to stop viewing China like its the Cold War and start viewing it as a modern member of the industrialised world, he said. Packer said those who had not been to China did not appreciate how much it had changed and how much the country was doing to lift its people out of poverty. It should be almost compulsory for all senior executives and government officials to make the trip to China and gain appreciation of how the country has changed. Xinhua James Packer: Chinas middle class to change Australian economyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline File image: Migrants from Eritrea, Libya and Sudan are crowded in the hold of a wooden boat before being assisted by aid workers (Associated Press) More than 60 people are feared dead after a ship carrying migrants, including women and children, capsized after leaving Libya, the International Organization of Migrants said on Sunday. Sixty-one migrants including women and children drowned following a tragic shipwreck off Libya. According to the survivors, the boat with around 86 people left the Libyan shores from Zwara, the UN agency said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the worlds most dangerous migration routes, it added. Most of the victims who perished on Saturday were from Nigeria, Gambia and other African nations. Around 25 survivors have been transferred to a Libyan detention centre and are receiving medical support. The northern Africa country serves as the main exit point for migrants looking to cross the Mediterranean in a perilous journey on poorly maintained boats and enter Europe, providing land and sea routes which see thousands of deaths of migrants every year. Italy is the final destination for migrants leaving Libya. More than 2,250 people have lost their lives in the central part of the Mediterranean this year, said an IOM spokesperson for the region. A dramatic number which unfortunately demonstrates that not enough is being done to save lives at sea, spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo said on X. Around 84 per cent of those who perished or drowned along the sea routes remain unidentified, leaving desperate families in search of answers, the agency said earlier this year. In a similar tragedy in June this year, at least 78 people died and another 100 were rescued after their attempt to cross the sea failed and their fishing boat sank off southern Greece. The death toll of migrants this year is close to the highest ever seen on record in 2016 when more than 3,100 migrants died on the route, drowning or suffocating in overcrowded holds. The year is believed to be the deadliest ever year for refugees trying to reach Europe. At least 529 migrants were reported dead and 848 others missing off Libya last year, according to the the IOM. More than 24,680 people were intercepted by the Libyan coastguard as they tried to leave, and brought back. What Is a Fund?downtown grand hotel pool A fund is a pool of money that is allocated for a specific purpose. A fund can be established for many different purposes: a city government setting aside money to build a new civic center, a college setting aside money to award a scholarship, or an insurance company that sets aside money to pay its customers claims. Key Takeaways A fund is a pool of money set aside for a specific purpose. The pool of money in a fund is often invested and professionally managed in order to generate returns for its investors. Some common types of funds include pension funds, insurance funds, foundations, and endowments. Funds are also used by individuals and families for personal financial matters, such as emergency funds and college funds. Retirement funds are common funds offered as a benefit to employees. How Funds Work Individuals, businesses, and governments all use funds to set aside money. Individuals might establish an emergency fundalso called a rainy-day fundto pay for unforeseen expenses or a trust fund to set aside money for a specific person. Individual and institutional investors can also place money in different types of funds with the goal of earning money. Examples include mutual funds, which gather money from numerous investors and invest it in a diversified portfolio of assets, and hedge funds, which invest the assets of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and institutions in a way that is designed to earn above-market returns. Governments use funds, such as special revenue funds, to pay for specific public expenses. Types of Funds The following are examples of funds commonly used for personal ventures: Emergency funds are personal savings vehicles created by individuals used to cover periods of financial hardship, such as job loss, prolonged illness, or a major expense. The rule of thumb is to create an emergency fund that contains at least three months' worth of net income. are personal savings vehicles created by individuals used to cover periods of financial hardship, such as job loss, prolonged illness, or a major expense. The rule of thumb is to create an emergency fund that contains at least three months' worth of net income. College funds are usually tax-advantaged savings plans set up by families to allocate funds for their childrens college expenses. are usually tax-advantaged savings plans set up by families to allocate funds for their childrens college expenses. Trust funds are legal arrangements set up by a grantor who appoints a trustee to administer valuable assets for the benefit of a listed beneficiary for a period of time, after which all or a portion of the funds are released to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. are legal arrangements set up by a grantor who appoints a trustee to administer valuable assets for the benefit of a listed beneficiary for a period of time, after which all or a portion of the funds are released to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. Retirement fundsare savings vehicles used by individuals saving for retirement. Retirees receive monthly income or pensions from retirement funds. In the realm of investments, some types of funds include: Mutual funds are investment funds managed by professional managers who allocate the funds received from individual investors into stocks, bonds, and/or other assets. are investment funds managed by professional managers who allocate the funds received from individual investors into stocks, bonds, and/or other assets. Money-market funds are highly liquid mutual funds purchased to earn interest for investors through short-term interest-bearing securities, such as Treasury bills and commercial paper. are highly liquid mutual funds purchased to earn interest for investors through short-term interest-bearing securities, such as Treasury bills and commercial paper. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds but are traded on public exchanges (similar to stocks). (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds but are traded on public exchanges (similar to stocks). Hedge funds are investment vehicles for high-net-worth individuals or institutions designed to increase the return on investors pooled funds by incorporating high-risk strategies such as short selling, derivatives, and leverage. are investment vehicles for high-net-worth individuals or institutions designed to increase the return on investors pooled funds by incorporating high-risk strategies such as short selling, derivatives, and leverage. Government bond fundsare for investors looking to put their money away in low-risk investments through Treasury securitiessuch as Treasury bondsor agency-issued debtsuch as securities issued by Fannie Mae. Both alternatives are backed by the U.S. government. The government also creates funds that are allocated for various reasons. Some government funds include: Debt-service funds are allocated to repay the governments debt. are allocated to repay the governments debt. Capital projects fund resources are used to finance the capital projects of a country, such as purchasing, building, or renovating equipment, structures, and other capital assets. resources are used to finance the capital projects of a country, such as purchasing, building, or renovating equipment, structures, and other capital assets. Permanent fundsare investments and other resources that the government is not allowed to cash out or spend; however, the government normally has the right to spend any revenue these investments generate on appropriate functions of government. How Do You Start a Fund? Depending on what type of fund you want to start will depend on how you start it. If it is an emergency fund, a simple way to start one is to set aside a small portion of money every week or month in a separate bank account. If you are interested in starting an investment fund, this is more complicated. You would first need to have a professional background, raise money to start the basics of a fund, such as incorporating it and any trading equipment, then you would need to decide on an investment strategy, then attract investors willing to invest capital into your fund. What Is the Purpose of a Fund? The purpose of a fund is to set aside a certain amount of money for a specific need. An emergency fund is used by individuals and families to use in times of emergency. Investment funds are used by investors to pool capital and generate a return. College funds are usually set up by parents to contribute money to a child's future college education. What Is an Example of a Fund? An example of a fund is a mutual fund. Mutual funds accept money from investors and use that money to invest in a variety of assets. Mutual funds have managers that manage the fund, which they charge a fee to investors for. Investors allocate money to mutual funds in hopes of increasing their wealth. The Bottom Line A fund is a pool of money that has been created for a specific reason. There are different types of funds for different purposes. An emergency fund is created by individuals and families for emergency expenses, such as medical bills or to pay for rent and food if someone loses a job. An investment fund is an entity created to pool the money of various investors with the goal of investing that money into various assets in order to generate a return on the invested capital. Individuals, governments, families, and investors all use funds for very different purposes but the essential goal remains the same: to set aside a certain amount of money for a specific need. A Chinese construction worker was on Friday shot dead in Nigerians northeastern city of Maiduguri by gunmen. Thegrand falls casino phone number Chinese, according to witnesses, was shot dead at a construction site around the Lagos street at about 1 p.m. local time. The man was brought to the hospital (University of Maiduguri Teaching) mortuary dead from gun shots, a staff at the hospital confirmed. The attack came barely three weeks after a Chinese cook working with a construction company and a Nigerian employed by the Chinese firm were killed in the troubled city of Maiduguri. Xinhua One Chinese worker shot dead in northern Nigeriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline What Are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)?ruby slots casino 0 no deposit bonus codes 2021 march zodiac movie Key performance indicators (KPIs) refer to a set of quantifiable measurements used to gauge a companys overall long-term performance. KPIs specifically help determine a company's strategic, financial, and operational achievements, especially compared to those of other businesses within the same sector. Key Takeaways Key performance indicators (KPIs) measure a company's success versus a set of targets, objectives, or industry peers. KPIs can be financial, including net profit (or the bottom line, gross profit margin), revenues minus certain expenses, or the current ratio (liquidity and cash availability). Customer-focused KPIs generally center on per-customer efficiency, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. Process-focused KPIs aim to measure and monitor operational performance across the organization. Generally speaking, businesses measure and track KPIs through business analytics software and reporting tools. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Understanding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 1:40 Also referred to as key success indicators (KSIs), KPIs vary between companies and between industries, depending on performance criteria. For example, a software company striving to attain the fastest growth in its industry may consider year-over-year (YOY) revenue growth as its chief performance indicator. Contrarily, a retail chain might place more value on same-store sales, as the best KPI metric in which to gauge its growth. At the heart of KPIs lies data collection, storage, cleaning, and synthesizing. The information may be financial or non-financial and may relate to any department across the company. The goal of KPIs is to communicate results succinctly to allow management to make more informed strategic decisions. Key performance indicators (KPI) gauge a company's output against a set of targets, objectives, or industry peers. Categories of KPIs Most KPIs fall into four different categories with each category having its own characteristics, timeframe, and users. Strategic KPIsare usually the most high-level. These types of KPIs may indicate how a company is doing, although it doesn't provide much information beyond a very high-level snapshot. Executives are most likely to use strategic KPIs, and examples of strategic KPIs include return on investment, profit margin, and total company revenue. Operational KPIsare focused on a much tighter timeframe. These KPIs measure how a company is doing month-over-month (or even day-over-day) by analyzing different processes, segments, or geographical locations. These operational KPIs are often used by managing staff and are often used to analyze questions that are derived from analyzing strategic KPIs. For example, if an executive notices company-wide revenue has decreased, they may inquire as to which product lines are struggling. Functional KPIshone in on specific departments or functions within a company. For example, the finance department may keep track of how many new vendors they register within their accounting information system each month, while the marketing department measures how much clicks each e-mail distribution received. These types of KPIs may be strategic or operational but provide greatest value to one specific set of users. Leading/Lagging KPIsdescribe the nature of the data being analyzed and whether it is signaling something to come or signaling that something has already occurred. Consider two different KPIs: the number of overtime hours worked and the profit margin for a flagship product. The number of overtime hours worked may be a leading KPI should the company begin to notice poorer manufacturing quality. Alternatively, profit margins are a result of operations and are considered a lagging indicator. Types of KPIs Financial Metrics Key performance indicators tied to the financials typically focus on revenue and profit margins. Net profit, the most tried and true of profit-based measurements, represents the amount of revenue that remains, as profit for a given period, after accounting for all of the company's expenses, taxes, and interest payments for the same period. Financial metrics may be drawn from a company's financial statements. However, internal management may find it more useful to analyze different numbers that are more specific to analyzing the problems or aspects of the company management wants to analyze. For example, a company may leverage variable costing to recalculate certain account balances for internal analysis only. Examples of financial KPIs include: Liquidity Ratios (i.e. current ratio which divides current assets by current liabilities): These types of KPIs measure how well a company will management short-term debt obligations based on the short-term assets it has on hand. (i.e. current ratio which divides current assets by current liabilities): These types of KPIs measure how well a company will management short-term debt obligations based on the short-term assets it has on hand. Profitability Ratios (i.e net profit margin): These types of KPIs measure how well a company is performing in generating sales while keeping expenses low. (i.e net profit margin): These types of KPIs measure how well a company is performing in generating sales while keeping expenses low. Solvency Ratios (i.e. total debt to total assets ratio): These types of KPIs measure the long-term financial health of a company by measuring how well a company will be able to pay long-term debt. (i.e. total debt to total assets ratio): These types of KPIs measure the long-term financial health of a company by measuring how well a company will be able to pay long-term debt. Turnover Ratios(i.e. inventory turnover): These types of KPIs measure how quickly a company is able to perform a certain task. For example, inventory turnover measure how quickly a company can convert an item from inventory to a sale. Companies strive to increase turnover of activity to generate faster churn of spending cash to later recover that cash through revenue. Customer Metrics Customer-focused KPIs generally center on per-customer efficiency, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. These metrics are used by customer service teams to better understand the service that customers have been receiving. Examples of customer-centric metrics include: Number of New Ticket Requests: This KPI counts customer service requests measures how many new and open issues customer are having. This KPI counts customer service requests measures how many new and open issues customer are having. Number of Resolved Tickets: This KPI counts the number of requests that have been successfully taken care of. By comparing the number of requests to the number of resolutions, a company can assess its success rate in getting through customer requests. This KPI counts the number of requests that have been successfully taken care of. By comparing the number of requests to the number of resolutions, a company can assess its success rate in getting through customer requests. Average Resolution Time: This KPI is the average amount of time needed to help a customer with an issue. Companies may choose to segment average resolution time across different requests (i.e. technical issue requests vs. new account requests). This KPI is the average amount of time needed to help a customer with an issue. Companies may choose to segment average resolution time across different requests (i.e. technical issue requests vs. new account requests). Average Response Time: This KPI is the average amount of time needed for a customer service agent to first connect with a customer after the customer has submit a request. Though the initial agent may not have the knowledge or expertise to provide a solution, a company may value decreasing the time a customer is waiting for any help. This KPI is the average amount of time needed for a customer service agent to first connect with a customer after the customer has submit a request. Though the initial agent may not have the knowledge or expertise to provide a solution, a company may value decreasing the time a customer is waiting for any help. Top Customer Service Agent: This KPI is a combination of any metric above cross-referenced by customer service representatives. For example, in addition to analyzing company-wide average response time, a company can analyze who the three fastest responders are and who the three slowest responders are. This KPI is a combination of any metric above cross-referenced by customer service representatives. For example, in addition to analyzing company-wide average response time, a company can analyze who the three fastest responders are and who the three slowest responders are. Type of Request: This KPI is a count of the different types of requests. This KPI can help a company better understand the problems a customer may have (i.e. the company's website gave incorrect or inaccurate direction) that need to be resolved by the company. This KPI is a count of the different types of requests. This KPI can help a company better understand the problems a customer may have (i.e. the company's website gave incorrect or inaccurate direction) that need to be resolved by the company. Customer Satisfaction Rating: This KPI is a vague measurement, though companies may perform surveys or post-interaction questionnaires to gather additional information on the customer's experience. KPIs are usually not externally required; they are simply internal measurements used by management to evaluate a company's performance. Process Performance Metrics Process metrics aim to measure and monitor operational performance across the organization. These KPIs analyze how tasks are performed and whether there are process, quality, or performance issues. These types of metrics are most useful for companies with repetitive processes such as manufacturing firms or companies in cyclical industries. Examples of process performance metrics include: Production Efficiency: This KPI is often measured as the production time for each stage divided by the total processing time. A company may strive to spend only 2% of its time soliciting raw materials; if it discovers it takes 5% of the total process, the company may strive for solicitation improvements. This KPI is often measured as the production time for each stage divided by the total processing time. A company may strive to spend only 2% of its time soliciting raw materials; if it discovers it takes 5% of the total process, the company may strive for solicitation improvements. Total Cycle Time: This KPI is the total amount of time needed to complete a process from start to finish. This may be converted to average cycle time if management wishes to analyze a process over a period of time. This KPI is the total amount of time needed to complete a process from start to finish. This may be converted to average cycle time if management wishes to analyze a process over a period of time. Throughput: This KPI is the number of units produced divided by the production time per unit. This is the average amount of items produced in a given amount of time and how fast the manufacturing process is. This KPI is the number of units produced divided by the production time per unit. This is the average amount of items produced in a given amount of time and how fast the manufacturing process is. Error Rate: This KPI is the total number of errors divided by the total number of units produced. A company striving to reduce waste can better understand the quantity of items that are failing quality control testing. This KPI is the total number of errors divided by the total number of units produced. A company striving to reduce waste can better understand the quantity of items that are failing quality control testing. Quality Rate:This KPI focuses on the positive items produced instead of the negative. By dividing the successful units completed by the total number of units produced, this percentage informs management a KPI of its success rate in meeting quality standards. Marketing Marketing KPIs attempt to get a better understanding of how effective marketing and promotional campaigns have been. These metrics often measure conversation rates on how often prospective customers perform certain actions in response to a given marketing medium. Examples of marketing KPIs include: Website Traffic: This KPI tracks the number of people who visit certain pages of a company's website. Management can use this KPI to better understand whether online traffic is being pushed down potential sales channels or if customers are not being funneled appropriately. This KPI tracks the number of people who visit certain pages of a company's website. Management can use this KPI to better understand whether online traffic is being pushed down potential sales channels or if customers are not being funneled appropriately. Social Media Traffic: This KPI similarly tracks the views, follows, likes, retweets, shares, or other measurable interactions between customers and the company's social media profiles. This KPI similarly tracks the views, follows, likes, retweets, shares, or other measurable interactions between customers and the company's social media profiles. Conversation Rate on Call-To-Action Content: This KPI centers around focused promotional programs that ask customers to perform certain actions. For example, a specific campaign may encourage customers to act before a certain sale date ends. A company can divide the number of successful engagements by the total number of content distributions to understand what percent of customers answered the call to action. This KPI centers around focused promotional programs that ask customers to perform certain actions. For example, a specific campaign may encourage customers to act before a certain sale date ends. A company can divide the number of successful engagements by the total number of content distributions to understand what percent of customers answered the call to action. Blog Articles Published Per Month: This KPI simply counts the number of blog posts a company publishes in a given month. This KPI simply counts the number of blog posts a company publishes in a given month. Clickthrough Rates:This KPI measures the number of specific clicks that are performed on e-mail distributions. For example, certain programs may track how many customers opened an e-mail distribution, clicked on a link, and followed through with a sale. IT A company may desire operational excellence; in this case, it may want to track how its internal technology department is operating. These KPIs may encourage better understanding of employee satisfaction or whether the IT department is being adequately staffed. Examples of IT KPIs include: Total System Downtime: This KPI measure the amount of time various systems must be taken offline for system updates or repairs. While systems are down, customers may be unable to place orders or employees are unable to perform certain duties (i.e. when the accounting information system is down). This KPI measure the amount of time various systems must be taken offline for system updates or repairs. While systems are down, customers may be unable to place orders or employees are unable to perform certain duties (i.e. when the accounting information system is down). Number of Tickets/Resolutions: This KPI is similar to the customer service KPIs. However, these tickets and resolutions relate to internal staff requests such as hardware or software needs, network problems, or other internal technology problems. This KPI is similar to the customer service KPIs. However, these tickets and resolutions relate to internal staff requests such as hardware or software needs, network problems, or other internal technology problems. Number of Developed Features: This KPI measures internal product development by quantifying the number of product changes. This KPI measures internal product development by quantifying the number of product changes. Count of Critical Bugs: This KPI counts the number of critical problems within systems or programs. A company will need to have its own internal standards for what constitutes a minor vs. major bug. This KPI counts the number of critical problems within systems or programs. A company will need to have its own internal standards for what constitutes a minor vs. major bug. Back-up Frequency: This KPI counts how often critical data is duplicated and stored in a safe location. In accordance with record retention requirements, management may set different targets for different bits of information. Sales The ultimate goal of a company is to generate revenue through sales. Though revenue is often measured through financial KPIs, sales KPIs take a more granular approach by leveraging non-financial data to better understand the sales process. Examples of sales KPIs include: Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): This KPI represents the total amount of money that a customer is expected to spend on your products over the entire business relationship. This KPI represents the total amount of money that a customer is expected to spend on your products over the entire business relationship. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): This KPI represents the total sales and marketing cost required to land a new customer. By comparing CAC to CLV, businesses can measure the effectiveness of their customer acquisition efforts. This KPI represents the total sales and marketing cost required to land a new customer. By comparing CAC to CLV, businesses can measure the effectiveness of their customer acquisition efforts. Average Dollar Value for New Contracts: This KPI measures the average size of new agreements. A company may have a desired threshold for landing larger or smaller customers. This KPI measures the average size of new agreements. A company may have a desired threshold for landing larger or smaller customers. Average Conversion Time: This KPI measures the amount of time from first contacting a prospecting client to securing a signed contract to perform business. This KPI measures the amount of time from first contacting a prospecting client to securing a signed contract to perform business. Number of Engaged Leads: This KPI counts how many potential leads have been contacted or met with. This metric can be further divided into mediums such as visits, e-mails, phone calls, or other contact to customers. Management may tie bonuses to KPIs. For salespeople, their commission rate may depend on whether they meet expected conversion rates or engage in an appropriate amount of leads. Staffing Companies may also find it beneficial to analyze KPIs specific to its employees. Ranging from turnover to retention to satisfaction, a company may have a wealth of information already available on its staff. Examples of human resource or staffing KPIs include: Absenteeism Rate: This KPI is a count of how many dates per year or specific period employees are calling in sick or missing shifts. This KPI may be a leading indicator for disengaged or unhappy employees. This KPI is a count of how many dates per year or specific period employees are calling in sick or missing shifts. This KPI may be a leading indicator for disengaged or unhappy employees. Number of Overtime Hours Worked: This KPI tracks the amount of overtime hours worked to gauge whether employees are potentially facing burnout or if staffing levels or appropriate. This KPI tracks the amount of overtime hours worked to gauge whether employees are potentially facing burnout or if staffing levels or appropriate. Employee Satisfaction: This KPI often requires a company-wide survey to gauge how employees are feeling about various aspects of the company. To get the best value from this KPI, companies should consider hosting the same survey every year to track changes from one year to the next regarding the exact same questions. This KPI often requires a company-wide survey to gauge how employees are feeling about various aspects of the company. To get the best value from this KPI, companies should consider hosting the same survey every year to track changes from one year to the next regarding the exact same questions. Employee Turnover Rate: This KPI measures how often and quickly employees are leaving positions. Companies can further break this KPI across departments or teams to determine why some positions may be leaving faster than others. This KPI measures how often and quickly employees are leaving positions. Companies can further break this KPI across departments or teams to determine why some positions may be leaving faster than others. Number of Applicants:This KPI keeps count of how many applications are submit to open job positions. This KPI helps assess whether job listings are adequately reaching a wide enough audience to capture interest and lure strong candidates. Examples of KPIs Let's take a look at electric vehicle-maker Tesla (TSLA) for a few examples of KPIs in real life. These numbers are all from their Q4 2021 earnings release. Vehicle Production During the quarter, Tesla produced a record 305,840 vehicles and delivered 308,650 vehicles. Production is a big deal for the company because it has consistently been criticized for being bad at ramping up. Increased manufacturing scale means more market share and profits for Tesla. Automotive Gross Margin For the quarter, Tesla's automotive gross margin expanded to 30.6%. Gross margin is one of the best measures of profitability for Tesla because it isolates its vehicle production costs. Tesla managed to expand its gross margin in Q4 even as sales of lower-priced models outpaced its higher-margin models. Free Cash Flow Tesla's free cash flow clocked in at $2.8 billion during the quarter. That represents a vast improvement from the $1.9 billion free cash flow in the year-ago period. Tesla's current level of free cash flow production suggests that the company is reaching a scale of profitability without the help of regulatory credits. KPI Levels Companies can use KPIs across three broad levels. First, company-wide KPIsfocus on the overall business health and performance. These type of KPIs are useful for informing management of how things are going. However, they are often not granular enough to make decisions. Company-wide KPIs often kick-off conversations on why certain departments are performing well or poorly. At this point, companies often begin digging into department-level KPIs. Department-level KPIs are more specific than company-wide KPIs. These types of KPIs are often more informative as to why specific outcomes are occurring. Many of the examples mentioned above are department-level KPIs as they focus on a very niche aspect of a company. If a company chooses to dig even deeper, they may engage with project-level or sub-department-level KPIs. These KPIs are often specifically requested by management as they may require very specific data sets that may not be readily available. For example, management may want to ask very specific questions to a control group about a potential product rollout. When preparing KPI reports, be prepared to "drill down". Begin by showing the highest level of data (i.e. company-wide revenue), but be prepared to show lower levels of data (i.e. revenue by department, then revenue by department and product). Developing KPI Reports With companies seemingly collecting more data every day, it can become overwhelming sorting through the information and determining what KPIs are most useful and impactful for decision-making. When beginning the process of pulling together KPI dashboards or reports, consider the following steps. Step 1: Discuss goals and intention with business partners. KPIs are only as useful as the users make them to be. Before pulling together any KPI reports, understand what you or your business partner are attempting to achieve. Step 2: Draft SMART KPI requirements. KPIs should have restrictions and be tied to specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound metrics. Vague, difficult to acertain, or unrealistic KPIs serve little-to-no value; instead, focus on what information you have that is available and meeting the SMART acronym requirements. Step 3: Be adaptable. As you pull together KPI reports, be prepared for new business problems to appear and further attention to be given to other areas. As business and customer needs change, KPIs should also adapt with certain numbers, metrics, and goals changing in line with operational evolutions. Step 4: Avoid overwhelming users. It may be tempting to overload report users with as many KPIs as you can fit on a report. At a certain point, KPIs start to become difficult to comprehend, and it may become more difficult to determine which metrics are actually more important to focus on. Advantages of KPIs A company may wish to analyze KPIs for several reasons. KPIs help inform management of specific problems; it's data-driven approach provides quantifiable information useful in strategic planning and ensuring operational excellence. KPIs help hold employees accountable. Instead of relying on feelings or emotions, KPIs are statistically supported and can not discriminate across employees. When used appropriately, KPIs may help encourage employees as salespeople may realize their numbers are being closely monitored. KPIs are also the bridge that connects actual business operations and goals. A company may set targets but without the ability to track progress towards those goals, there is little to no purpose in those plans. Instead, KPIs allows for companies to set objectives, then monitor progress towards those objectives. Limitations of KPIs There are some downsides to consider when working with KPIs. There may be a long time frame required for KPIs to provide meaningful data. For example, a company may need to collect annual data from employees for years to better understand trends in satisfaction rates over long periods of time. KPIs require constant monitoring and close follow-up to be useful. A KPI report that is prepared but never analyzed services no purpose. In addition, KPIs that are not continually monitored for accuracy and reasonableness do not encourage beneficial decision-making. KPIs open up the possibility for managers to "game" KPIs. Instead of focusing on actually improving processes or results, managers may feel incentivized to focus to only improving KPIs tied to performance bonuses. In addition, quality may decrease if managers are hyper-focused on productivity KPIs, and employees may feel pushed too hard to meet specific KPI measurements that may simply not be reasonable. Informs management of how a company is performing in countless ways Helps hold employees accountable for their actions (or lack of) May motivate employees who feel positively challenged to meet targets Allows a company to set goals and measure progress towards those objectives Results in potential time commitment to consistently gather data over long periods of time Require ongoing monitoring for accuracy and reasonableness in data May encourage managers to focus on only KPIs instead of broader strategy May discourage employees if KPI targets are unreasonable What Does KPI Mean? ProsCons KPI is an abbreviation for key performance indicators, data that has been been collected, analyzed, and summarized to help decision-making. KPIs may be a single calculation or value that summarizes a period of activity such as "450 sales in the month of October". By itself, KPIs do not add any value to a company. However, a company can use this information to make more informed decisions about business operations and strategy. What Is an Example of KPIs? One of the most basic examples of a KPI is Revenue Per Client (RPC). For example, if you generate $100,000 in revenue annually and you have 100 clients, then your RPC is $1,000. A company can use this KPI to track its RPC over time. For example, a company may notice its RPC has doubled in the past three months. A company may choose to change their company's business approach if it wants minimize the amount of revenue per client or wants to continue minimizing the number of clients it revenue is earned from. What Are the 5 Key Performance Indicators? KPIs vary from business to business, and some KPIs will be more suitable for some companies compared to others. In general, five of the most commonly used KPIs include: Revenue growth Revenue per client Profit margin Client retention rate Customer satisfaction How Do You Measure KPIs? It depends on the actual KPI being measured. Generally speaking, businesses measure and track KPIs through business analytics software and reporting tools. This includes everything from the collection of data via reliable sources, the safe storage of information, the cleaning of data to standardize it format for analysis, and the actual number-crunching. Last, KPIs are often reported using visualization or reporting software. What Makes a KPI Good? A good KPI provides objective and clear information of progress towards an end goal. It tracks and measures factors such as efficiency, quality, timeliness, and performance while providing a way to measure performance over time. The ultimate goal of a KPI is to help management make more informed decisions. The Bottom Line KPIs offer an effective way to measure and track a companys performance on a variety of different metrics. By understanding exactly what KPIs are and how to implement them properly, managers are better able to optimize the business for long-term success. What Is Organized Labor?sign up unibet betonline poker apk Organized labor is a strategy of workers joining together to engage in collective bargaining for higher wages, job benefits, or better working conditions.Organized labor associations are also known as unions. Key Takeaways Organized labor is a strategy where workers join unions to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. Organized labor has been credited with higher wages, fewer hours, and improved benefits for workers in many industries. In most countries, union formation is regulated by a government agency, such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the United States. In most countries, workers seeking to unionize must collect a set number of signatures before holding a union election in their workplace. Many companies try to discourage workers from joining unions because they will increase the cost of labor. How Organized Labor Works Workers participate in organized labor by joining a union that negotiates with their employer on their behalf. Because unions represent a large number of workers, they are able to extract higher salaries and benefits than most workers could get by negotiating alone. In most countries, union formation is regulated by a government agency, such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the United States. Employees who want to organize their workplace must first sign a union card granting the union the right to represent them. Once a workplace has enough signatures, workers can file for a union election in that workplace. If a majority of non-management employees vote for the union, it will be given the power to negotiate with management on behalf of all employees. There are two types of unions: the horizontal union, in which all members share a common skill, and the vertical union, composed of workers from across the same industry. The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor union in the United States, with nearly three million members. Its goal is to advocate for education professionals and unite its members to fulfill the promise of public education. Federal law prohibits employers from punishing or retaliating against any employee for union activities. History of Organized Labor Organized labor grew out of the industrial revolution. As production shifted from agriculture to increasingly-large factories, the pursuit of higher profits led to strenuous working conditions and long hours. In the early days of industrialization, it was not uncommon for employees to be on the job seven days a week, working shifts of twelve or even fourteen hours. Since workers could be easily replaced, they could not demand better working conditions and were often fired if they were injured on the job. Child labor, wage theft, and other unfair practices were also common. 14 million There were 14 million unionized workers in the United States in 2021. That's 10.3% of the total workforce. The first successful unions in the United States organized skilled laborers, such as railway workers. The American Federation of Labor, founded in 1881, sought to bring together the country's nascent trade unions under a single association. At the same time, radical unions like the Industrial Workers of the World sought to organize all workers, regardless of their skill. Employers fiercely resisted unionization efforts, often using strikebreakers and lockouts to prevent workers from organizing. In some cases, government and police authorities used violence to quell labor unrest. Ultimately, organized labor was able to win significant improvements, such as the eight-hour day, paid weekends, and job security. The Wagner Act, signed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1935, enshrined the rights of workers to organize and form unions. Advantages and Disadvantages of Organized Labor Organized labor plays an important role in protecting workers' rights. Advocates claim that workers in unionized industries typically enjoy higher salaries, longer vacations, and better benefits than those who are not represented by a union. Even workers who are not members of the union tend to have higher salaries as a result of union activity. Naturally, companies are less enthusiastic about organized labor. Some say that the increased cost of a unionized workforce increases the price of their products, ultimately making their companies less competitive on the world market. Many point to the decline of the U.S. auto industry, as companies were unable to pivot effectively due to the cost of adhering to their union contracts. Some companies, such as Starbucks or Amazon, have each spent millions of dollars to defeat union organization efforts. Walmart, for example, claimed that the increased costs of a unionized workforce would require them to increase their prices. Other retailers used Walmarts example as leverage to renegotiate with their unions, claiming that they would have to cut salaries or eliminate jobs to remain competitive with Walmart otherwise. This is known as the Walmart effect. Organized Labor Pros and Cons Unions can negotiate higher salaries and benefits than most workers can negotiate on their own. Union negotiations can result in higher salaries, even for those who are not union members. High union salaries increase the cost of company products. Unionized companies may have to reduce employment numbers in order to remain competitive. What Is the Main Purpose of Organized Labor? ProsCons The main purpose of organized labor is to improve the conditions and economic power of the working class. Unions can negotiate on behalf of their members for higher wages, better benefits, or protection from termination. In addition, they also lobby for better labor laws with legislators and politicians. Was Organized Labor Successful? In the United States, organized labor successfully improved the lives of millions of workers in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. By 1979, union membership was considered a fast ticket to the middle class, and there were over 20 million union members in the United States. What Caused the Decline of Organized Labor? In the United States, organized labor began to decline in the 1980s due to anti-union government policies and increased competition from abroad. One of the first acts of the Reagan administration was to fire all 11,300 air traffic controllers who were on strike against the Federal Aviation Administration. In the following decades, free trade agreements and globalization made it easier for companies to outsource their operations to foreign labor markets, thereby reducing the bargaining power of domestic unions. The Bottom Line Organized labor represents a major political force for the working class. By joining together to advocate for their shared goals, unionized workers can negotiate for better wages and working conditions. However, the strength of organized labor has declined in recent decades, largely due to increased competition from low-wage workers abroad. The longterm viability of any business is not entirely achieved by making strong executive decisions, rather it boils all the way down to ensuring the employees of such business know they are valued assets. Understanding how to retain employees is one thing, but effectively implementing strategies to do such is entirely different. Amidst an everchanging workforce in the State of Montana, business owners are forced to find creative solutions when it comes to recruiting and retaining employees. What is Employee Retention? According to the Society for Human Resource Management, employee retention involves taking strategic actions to keep employees motivated and focused so that they choose to remain employed and productive for the benefit of the organization. It aims to reduce turnover and its related costs and contributes to the organizations productivity and overall business performance. Strategies used to retain employees at some businesses often fall short of anything beyond monetary wage increases or bonuses, which Small Business Development Center State Director Chad Moore explained is just the beginning. The SBDC is a subset of the Montana Department of Commerce and supports ten centers throughout the state and provides oneonone business advising services to entrepreneurs free of charge. Although monetary compensation certainly improves an employees quality of life at and away from work, there are several other untapped strategies that would prove inexpensive to a business yet invaluable to an employee. Money is a big thing, but its not everything, Moore said. I think there are different ways you can approach things. How much do employees cost? Although unable to provide a specific dollar amount as the extent of recruitment and retention efforts will vary from business to business, Moore noted such costs can include advertising and marketing for open positions; expenses for listing a job on different platforms; attending career fairs; and promotional activities. On the retention side, costs often include employee trainings; bonuses; benefits packages; and many more. There are a lot of costs that go into (recruitment and retention), Moore said. Youve got multiple miscellaneous costs that I probably havent even touched on. Not only are there obvious costs associated with hiring and maintaining employees, there are also inadvertent costs not often generally considered when a position is left unfilled. When you dont have somebody in that position thats producing, then youre missing out on potential income and thats a cost to your business too, Moore said. If youve got somebody in the medical field that performs a certain skill, lets say theyre really good at the weight loss side of things, and you lose that, well all of a sudden your weight loss clients are diminished, so youre not bringing that into the business. What does employee retention look like? Employee retention is achieved in a variety of methods, but maintaining a positive workplace culture appears paramount. Spika Design & Manufacturing is one of countless businesses in Montana focused on fostering a culture its employees enjoy. Spika Design & Manufacturing is an industrial company based in Lewistown that fabricates access platforms for various purposes. We focus a lot on culture, Spika Director of Sales and Marketing Bekhi Spika said. People care about where they work and who they work with and how they feel when they come to work. I dont think company culture can be understated, Moore noted. One strategy Spika implemented some time ago that meets employees and clients alike at the door is allowing dogs in the workplace. We are dog friendly which is quite important to some people, Spika said. To me it is, I love having my dog at work with me. Other small, yet impactful, benefits Spika Design & Manufacturing provides its employees include compensation for half the monthly cost of a gym membership and free ice cream year round, to name a few. Those are silly little benefits, but its (things) that just help to contribute to the culture that were trying to facilitate, Spika said. It feels like a family. Spika Design & Manufacturing also encourages employees to contribute time beyond the bounds of the company by setting aside one day each year to do a day of service, a day when all 50 Spika employees are sent out to help various nonprofit organizations in Lewistown. We do have a love for our community of Lewistown. They supported us and we want to give back as much as we can, Spika said. Another retention strategy commonly used by companies nowadays is what is known as a 4/10 work schedule; a full 40hour work week packed into four days in order to give employees a threeday weekend. Moore noted it is important for employers to recognize the importance of that healthy worklife balance, adding it is often a determining factor for employees who consider whether to remain or leave their positions. Unlike many companies, Spika compensates its employees for enacting time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act, providing financial stability through periods of time that can prove personally challenging at times. Spika pays up to six weeks of leave and then they (employees) can take another six weeks unpaid for FMLA, Spika said. A lot of companies you can take the (FMLA) time off, but you dont get compensated for it, so thats a huge thing. In addition to the benefits provided to Spika employees once on the job, Bekhi explained employee retention also starts before they are even hired. Moving to a new community or starting an unfamiliar job is sometimes intimidating, which is why the leaders at Spika make every effort to communicate its expectations to a prospective employee from the moment they turn in an application. One of the big things we have to communicate is what its like to live in Lewistown, Bekhi said. A lot of people want to move to Montana now, but they dont understand ... exactly how small (Lewistown) is. These are all methods of employee retention that Moore commends and encourages all businesses to either pursue them in a similar fashion as Spika or implement other creative incentives for employees. I think its a big deal if you feel like you fit in and you enjoy going to work and (the companys) culture basically meets your standards, youre more likely to stay there longer, Moore said. For more information about possible employee retention strategies and other business development advice, call Moore, or any of the other local SBDC centers, at (406) 8412747. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Snow showers. High -7F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.. Tonight Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low -24F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. New cases of bluetongue have brought the total number to 22 since the initial outbreak last month, but there is still 'no evidence' the virus is circulating, Defra says. However, the UKs chief veterinary officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue serotype 3 after five new cases were confirmed this weekend. There is currently a wide temporary control zone (TCZ) in Kent following the initial outbreak of the virus in November, the UK's first case since 2007. Last week, a case of bluetongue was detected in sheep in Norfolk, marking a leap in the virus since it was first detected. There is also a TCZ in Norfolk. Defra said in a new update: "Following active surveillance in the north-east Kent TCZ, a further 3 cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified in the Sandwich Bay area from the same herd as the 5 positives confirmed on 15 December. "All animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. The TCZ is not being extended and movement restrictions continue to apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants in the zone. "This brings the total number of cases to 22 on 8 different holdings. There is currently still no evidence that bluetongue virus is circulating in Great Britain." The bluetongue virus is usually transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas. Midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus. Impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly some show no symptoms or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals. Christine Middlemiss, the UKs chief veterinary officer, has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus following the latest news. Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause productivity issues," she said. This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action and it is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the midge activity season. Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA. BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301. Farmers in and around the TCZ can also call Ruminant Health & Welfare's (RH&W) bluetongue hotline on 024 7771 0386 for advice. Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. No one believes that country music legend Johnny Cash shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die. When Cash in 1968 released Folsom Prison Blues, a ballad about shooting and killing a man for no apparent reason, it was deemed controversial by some. The song was largely recognized for its dark, macabre humor part of the Grammy-winning country music rebels famed songwriting style. Its an example used by advocates to illustrate the contrast in how the genres are treated in the justice system. When a rapper faces trial, its not uncommon for prosecutors to label their lyrics as an accurate detailing of events. The use of lyrics in the courtroom has again surfaced in the ongoing high-profile trials of two rappers in Florida and Georgia. The prosecutions of YNW Melly and Young Thug. The lead prosecutor in YNW Mellys double murder case recently filed court documents that show the state plans to admit 55 songs, four album covers and 18 audio files into evidence. Among the proposed evidence is double platinum song Murder on My Mind, which features a grim retelling of an unintentional homicide over a blend of emotional piano riffs and hip-hop beats. READ MORE: Could lyrics be used against YNW Melly in double murder retrial? Prosecutors will try Throughout Mellys first trial, which ended in a hung jury, the rappers persona as an artist was a prevalent theme in evidence and testimony presented. Melly was caught on surveillance video leaving a Fort Lauderdale recording studio with two of his childhood friends, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, just before they were gunned down. Jamell Maurice Demons, known professionally as YNW Melly, left and attorney Stuart Adelstein, a member of his defense team, take notes during opening statements at the rappers double murder trial on Monday, June 9, 2023, in a Fort Lauderdale court. While prosecutors shied away from quoting lyrics in Mellys first trial, references to the Florida rappers blossoming music career, lifestyle and financial success emerged. The artist, whose real name is Jamell Demons, was often referred to as Melly during the trial. Hip-hop is at the heart of Grammy winner Young Thugs case. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that Thug is a gang leader cosplaying as a rapper and that his record label YSL, Young Stoner Life or Young Slime Life, is a criminal enterprise. They have been dissecting the artists lyrics and citing them as evidence that he violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Story continues Young Thug attends a hearing on the YSL case in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 2022. Hip-hop lyrics have, for years, been weaponized in U.S. courtrooms. As rap celebrates its 50th anniversary, the genre also marks a lengthy history of having its artistic expression viewed through a criminal lens in the justice system. There are almost 700 cases in which rap lyrics have been quoted in courtrooms since the 1990s, according to professor Erik Nielson, who has led the Rap on Trial project for a decade. The documented cases are the tip of the iceberg, Nielson says, because they are mainly the ones that go to trial. The fact that weve identified 700 really ought to get peoples attention because you definitely should be adding some zeros to that, he said. The average defendant in such cases is usually a Black or Latino man between the ages of 18 and 25. Florida has the second highest number of rap-related cases, only trumped by California, which has since banned the use of lyrics in trials under most circumstances. In one of the first prominent examples of rap lyrics entering a courtroom, Miami-based 2 Live Crew had their risque, over-the-top music banned in South Florida in 1990. Luther Campbell, right, leader of rap group 2 Live Crew, and lawyer Bruce Rogow, center, speak to reporters outside the courthouse. Prosecutors quoted the groups lyrics in a criminal trial that ended with a jury finding the artists, including rap legend Uncle Luke, not guilty of obscenity. Three decades later, the criminalization of rap continues to be a reality, and not just in the United States. In the United Kingdom, more than 240 people mostly young Black men have had their music used against them since 2020. Jamell Demons, better known as rapper YNW Melly, reacts after the judge declared a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Demons, 24, is accused of killing two fellow rappers and conspiring to make it look like a drive-by shooting in October 2018. While some states have taken action to curb the practice, others, such as Florida, grant prosecutors and judges discretion as to whether to quote lyrics or not at trial. Are lyrics weaponized? There are three main ways prosecutors approach rap lyrics in court cases, said Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond and a co-author of the 2019 book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America. As confessions, if written after the crime As proof of motive or intent, if written before the crime As threats, when the lyrics are viewed as the crime The most common tactic is for prosecutors to point at lyrics as evidence of some underlying crime, said Nielson, a scholar in Black creative expression who began researching the intersection of hip-hop and the criminal justice system in 2012. If a defendant is charged with a shooting, for instance, a prosecutor will likely dig into their music for lyrics that mention guns and shootings. The least common approach is when the lyrics are considered the crime, seen as a threat toward others. True threats, a form of speech that leads someone to believe they will be seriously harmed, arent protected by the First Amendment. Only about 2% of rap-related cases involve white defendants, and the bulk of those concern lyrics as threats. Jury box Prosecutors sometimes get creative with how they approach rap lyrics, Nielson said. Gang experts, for example, frequently dissect lyrics in court allowing prosecutors to link a gang affiliation to a crime through a gang enhancement, which could get a defendant more time. Nielson testified in a death penalty sentencing in which prosecutors brought in lyrics to argue that the defendant was smart enough to memorize lines despite his IQ being below average. Usually, they use the lyrics to make these guys look like stupid savages, Nielson said. But prosecutors are clever and so in this case, they actually use the lyrics in order to establish his intelligence so that hed be fit for execution. In front of a jury, hip-hop lyrics can activate stereotypes about the genre and the artists, who are mainly men of color, said Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California at Irvine. If it wasnt effective, we wouldnt see as many cases as we see where this is happening, she said. Kubrin, who co-authored a legal guide that provides tips for lawyers to counter lyrical evidence, has also been testifying as an expert witness in rap-related cases since 2011. A gorgeous courtroom bench in an American courthouse. She said her testimony isnt to argue for a defendants innocence. On the stand, she tries to provide examples of very similar if not identical lines from famous rappers songs. My goal is simply to not have prosecutors use lyrics in a way that bamboozles the jury into believing the claims that the prosecutor is making, which is that if someone could write these raps, they could do these things, she said. this video is so funny bro was lying for no reason pic.twitter.com/Y5Iug3j3iM kira (@kirawontmiss) April 24, 2023 Nielson says playing a music video in which a defendant is swearing, covered head-to-toe in tattoos and waving weapons easily prejudices a jury, even as the defendant sits feet away in a suit and tie. What youre doing is compromising that defendants right to a fair trial by using a fictional persona as somehow evidence of the actual defendants guilt or motivations, he said. Why the focus on rap? Hip-hop was birthed in inner cities and urban areas that have been criminalized and overpoliced, which has contributed to how it is used in courtrooms, said Donald Jones, a law professor at the University of Miami and author of Fear of a Hip-Hop Planet: Americas New Dilemma. Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a shooting involving an officer from Miami-Dade Police Department on Dec. 1, 2023, in the Gladeview area of northwest Miami. Rap is a way out for many. Artists, equipped with their imagination and hopes for the future seek to envision a world beyond what theyve experienced in growing up, Jones said. They create a ... universe in which they affirm their dignity and identity, he said. Its a powerful, revolutionary art form, which has everything to do with living out identities ... that are cultural and political at the same time. The genre rebels against their reality, he said, with rappers projecting personas that are large and in charge. Hip-hop artists in lyrics are much like a film writer, or novelist, he said. The genre of hip-hop requires you to create a character which expresses the values of street culture. Jones says race is at the center of the judicial systems attack on hip-hop. Black art hasnt been viewed or respected as art for most of history. Hip-hop has even been called Black noise. Rap singer Calvin Broadus (a.k.a. Snoop Doggy Dogg), center, is escorted into the Los Angeles Criminal Courts building Friday, Feb. 9, 1996, where he and a former bodyguard are on trial for a 1993 murder. The district attorney is expected to finish his rebuttal today after which the case would be turned over to the jury. Hip-hop represents the apotheosis of otherness, of evilness, of badness, of dangerousness, he said. It means something different to be Black in south-central LA than it would to grow up in Coral Gables. What do defense attorneys think? For years, Brad Cohen has been shielding his clients from their lyrics being used against them in state and federal courts across the U.S. The South Florida-based defense attorney has represented dozens of rappers, including Drake, Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. When it comes to rap lyrics, everyone believes whatever is in [them], he said. You will find, very infrequently, if any other artist gets charged, that they would use their medium of art against them. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 8, 2023 - Rapper NLE Choppa, whose real name is Bryson Potts, center, shakes hands with his attorney, Brad Cohen, right, as he talks to a co-defendant in the case, left, before Judge Barbara Duffy in courtroom 6900 at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida However, Cohen said he believes most judges will prevent prosecutors from quoting lyrics unless they refer to a specific weapon, location or time associated with the crime. But thats not always the case. Quoting lyrics, Cohen said, is a useful weapon because it easily helps prosecutors dirty up the defendant. While using lyrics is a growing strategy, Nielson said some courts are starting to become weary of the art form as evidence. He highlighted how, after his testimony, two Arizona federal court judges ruled that rap lyrics wouldnt be allowed in a trial. Those types of decisions in the past would have been very rare, Nielson said. But I do think that they will start to set precedents for future decisions. Much of the practice, Cohen said, preys on the preconceived notions about the lifestyle in the hip-hop world. Thats why, he said, rappers have been targeted for years. Theyre hoping that a jury will be like: OK, this is a rapper. He must be carrying a gun or he must be doing illegal activities. Are prosecutors divided? Young Thugs music is shaping up to be key evidence in his ongoing trial, which centers around whether or not his record label YSL is a criminal enterprise. Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis staunchly defended using the rappers lyrics against him at a 2022 news conference. If you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, Im going to use it, she told reporters. I have some legal advice: Dont confess to crimes on rap lyrics, if you dont want them used. Or at least get out of my county. A 2004 guide written by the American Prosecutors Research Institute sheds light on how prosecutors approach the practice in gang cases. The guide argues that the most crucial element of a successful prosecution is introducing the jury to the real defendant and urges prosecutors to use photographs, letters, notes and lyrics to uncover the real defendant. Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, makes his first appearance at the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta on Dec. 15, 2022. By the time the jury sees the defendant, he will have taken on the aura of an altar boy, the guide says, though the real defendant is a criminal wearing a do-rag and throwing a gang sign. But not all prosecutors are gung-ho about rap as evidence. Melba Pearson, a former prosecutor and director of Prosecution Projects at Florida International University, has never tried a case using lyrics but said she would approach them carefully, if she did. A prosecutor should listen to the music, read the lyrics and compare them to evidence to see if and where theres overlap, she said. All of those nuances give you more of a picture of what the song is about, Pearson said. Hip-hop in the pre-social media world, Pearson said, used to be referred to as the Black CNN because it reported about conditions in marginalized communities around the country. But the genre, she said, has morphed into a lot of bravado. It became less, in my opinion, about current events ... versus now more so, bragging about being involved in these instances, she said. However, just because an artist gets on a track and says something doesnt mean its true, Pearson said. If there is not enough overlap, I would refrain from introducing it because there is very much a danger, she said. You have to be conscious of issues of race. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. When hip-hop lyrics emerge in courtrooms, jurors biases may surface. Thats why Pearson said prosecutors should question potential jurors about their attitudes toward rap, if lyrics may play a role in the proceeding. A prosecutor should want the jury to make a decision based on the facts and evidence presented not due to some of their preconceived notions. You dont want people coming on and assuming just because you are a hip-hop artist that you must be guilty of murder, Pearson said. Thats not justice. Arnold Schwarzenegger hands out Christmas gifts at a youth centre every year. Arnold Schwarzenegger has given Christmas presents to a local youth centre for over 30 years The 76-year-old actor offers presents to those less fortunate during the festive period and on Saturday (16.12.23) he was seen at the Hollenbeck Youth Center in LA as he explained that the tradition was inspired by his first Christmas as an immigrant in the U.S having moved there from his native Austria. He wrote on Instagram: "There is a reason I have been handing out presents at the @hollenbeckyouthcenter in Boyle Heights for over 30 years. When I first came to America, my friends at Golds Gym were so generous. They brought me in during Christmas time and made me feel so happy and included." The 'Terminator' star went on to add that he will "never forget" the kindness he received during his first holiday season in the U.S as he explained it makes him "feel good" to continue to be able to give something back after more than three decades. He added: "I love being able to give back and see the smiles on the kids faces when they get their gifts. Merry Christmas. I will never forget that kind of sweetness and kindness and inclusion, so I wanted to do the same thing when I had the money. So this is why for the last 30-something years Ive been coming out here.. "It makes me feel good that I can share the kindness and inspire other people to do the same thing." The former governor of California previously spoke out about his desire to move to the U.S during his days as a bodybuilding champion. He said: "I came because the United States was the greatest country with the best opportunities, and now it was my home, I wanted to keep it that way and make it even better." Gwyneth Paltrow's ski collision trial has been turned into a new stage show. Gwyneth Paltrow won her ski collision trial The 51-year-old actress won her high-profile case earlier this year, after she was accused of causing a collision between herself and Terry Sanderson on a ski slope in 2016, and Linus Karp, of Awkward Productions, has now confessed to being captivated by the "ridiculousness" of the trial. Linus told Sky News: "An Oscar-winning actress, Goop's founding queen, put in a courtroom in Utah having this man who is quite far from a Hollywood celebrity accusing her of these things the silliness of it in a courtroom where everything is taken so seriously. "The ridiculousness of it just made it so captivating." Joseph Martin - who plays Sanderson - thinks the trial represented "solid gold for theatre". He said: "In the world of 24-hour rolling news, social media and television cameras being in courtrooms like that, every moment is an instant meme. "It's clicked instantly online, which gives you so much theatrical material to dive into." Gwyneth was awarded $1 in damages after a jury found that Sanderson was "100 percent" at fault for the accident. Following the verdict, the actress admitted that she was "pleased" with the outcome. Gwyneth said in a statement: "I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. "I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case." More recently, Gwyneth explained that she was determined to "do the right thing" during the trial. The Hollywood star told PEOPLE: "I found myself in that situation and it was really important to me to go there and try to do the right thing." 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. Aquaman 2: Aquaman & the Lost Kingdom, starring Hollywood action star Jason Momoa, is releasing next week on December 22. The highly anticipated superhero movie based on DC's comic character is a sequel to the 2018 superhit flick of the same name. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman was originally a billion-dollar hit and established Jason as a solo star. The sequel is the 15th and final installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and after much delay, the film is set for its release. So, ahead of its release, let's see some details from the making of Aquaman. Who is Aquaman? Actor Jason Momoa, who plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman is a half-Atlantean and half-human character inspired by an American comic strip superhero. He is a defender of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and a sometime member of the superhero consortium Justice League of America. 1- Jason wanted Temuera Morrison Jason Momoa, after finding out that his onscreen father would feature prominently in Aquaman, specifically requested the film producers cast New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison in the role. Morrison is one of Momoa's idols as an actor and is an internally celebrated actor known for playing Jango Fett in the Star Wars prequels. From Bollywood Queen to Hollywood Icon: The Unstoppable Rise of Priyanka Chopra 2- Actor Karl Urban Was Considered for the role of the Ocean Master The Ocean Master is the main villain in Aquaman, and another New Zealand actor, Karl Urban, was considered for the part. Urban has been a part of several superhero films, like Dredd and Thor: Ragnarok. However, the role ultimately went to Patrick Wilson, who previously worked with James Wan on the Insidious and The Conjuring franchises. 3- Several Black Manta scenes were cut Another antagonist character, Black Manta, originally had a lot of screentime, but several scenes of the character were chopped off in the final cut. In the original script, its role was fleshed out, but later, when the test audiences thought that it was too much in the film, director James Wan focused more on the Ocean Master conflict in the first part of Aquaman. 4- Nicole Kidman said yes to the role when she was to play a 'Mermaid Warrior' Actress Nicole Kidman, who plays princess Atlanna in Aquaman, accepted the role as soon as James Wan told her that the character was a "mermaid warrior." 5- Batman was supposed to have a cameo In the early stages of development, Aquaman intended to provide a more detailed portrayal of the Atlantean invasion of the surface world. A particular sequence, which was initially storyboarded but later omitted, involved Batman arriving in a jet to defend Sydney against the invaders. Animal Box Office Day 17: Ranbirs Film To Cross 500Cr; Will It Cross Gadar 2 Lifetime Collection In 3rd Week? About Aquaman 2 Aquaman 2 will see actors Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and others reprising their roles. The film's synopsis reads, "After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis. Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction." Pave Bank launches a new programmable bank at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Having secured a banking license, they have built the bank from the ground up catered to global businesses in the new economy. Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2023) - Launching today, Pave Bank is the world's first programmable bank giving businesses access to new technologies so they can bank more efficiently and access the new economy. Pave Bank founder: (L to R) Simon Vans Colina, Salim Dhanani and Dmitry Bocharov To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10203/191323_a2fa033cd4f53bd7_001full.jpg Pave Bank comes out of stealth with an approved digital banking license from Georgia and a US$5.2M seed funding round led by 468 Capital with participation from Quona Capital, FT Partners, BR Capital, w3.fund, Daedalus and angel investors. Pave Bank is the world's first fully regulated commercial bank where clients can not only get the best in class business banking products (such as multi-currency operating accounts, global payment connectivity, and treasury management solutions) but will also have access to multi-asset custody, virtual IBANs, safeguarding accounts and PaveNet, which is a multi-asset, always instant and always on network of Pave Bank customers. Pave Bank is the world's first programmable bank giving businesses access to these new technologies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10203/191323_a2fa033cd4f53bd7_002full.jpg Pave Bank promises an ironclad level of trust and confidence in all their products. In honouring this commitment they are a full reserve bank, which means that all deposits and funds held with the bank are always there, never lent out and never invested. Salim Dhanani, Co-Founder & CEO of Pave Bank commented: "We have set out to address limitations of today's financial system that lacks transparency, remains restricted to certain time-windows (clearing and settlement, for example) and is riddled with intermediaries. All of this increases costs, management complexity and also limits the products and services which can be accessed by the majority of businesses and especially, for those operating globally. In parallel, we have seen a number of innovative products that have been created in the digital asset space, but sometimes with a lack of regulation and safety for users. We are championing a new path where Pave Bank customers will get access to the financial products that they are used to, but also a range of digital asset enabled products which will help them bank more efficiently within a regulated and secure environment." As programmability in financial services takes off, Pave Bank offers a fresh, secure and regulated platform for businesses to transact in stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and tokenized Real World Assets (RWAs). Salim Dhanani added: "There are two major trends that led us to create Pave Bank. Firstly, blockchain is being integrated into the traditional financial system - with stablecoins, CBDCs included, and tokenized RWAs. We are seeing the financial system be built on new operating languages for the first time in over fifty years. Secondly, regulation is here, it's here to stay, and for the better. We are seeing this narrative evolve around the world - in Singapore, Hong Kong, Georgia, UAE, UK, across the EU and the green shoots in the USA, amongst many others. As a fully regulated digital bank with a proprietary technology stack, we are right at the swell of the programmable financial system wave." Pave Bank has started the regulatory journey with a digital commercial banking license in Georgia and plans to continue to build its regulatory infrastructure globally. Georgia is strategically positioned between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with close ties to the European Union. Its robust and transparent regulatory architecture has attracted a large number of businesses as it seeks to become a financial services hub in the region. Pave Bank was founded by established banking executives turned fintech operators Salim Dhanani (CEO), Simon Vans-Colina (CTO) and Dmitry Bocharov (COO). Salim was at the World Bank before moving to Carta Worldwide and then co-founded fintech lender and payments business BigPay in Southeast Asia. Simon was at Citibank and Vocalink before moving to set up Starling Bank. He left to build Monzo as a member of the founding team. Dmitry was a member of the management team at Ferratum, a DAX-listed bank operating across Europe. Nine years ago, he moved to Vietnam and assumed the role of Chief Digital Officer at VP Bank, where he successfully led a digital transformation. Guilherme Steinbruch, Partner at 468 Capital commented: "Pave Bank is offering the world a glimpse into what we believe to be the future of banking and financial services. Ultimately, we are witnessing a major shift in banking and Pave Bank stands out by enabling a whole range of products and services that can be brought to businesses globally." Steve McLaughlin, Founder & CEO at Financial Technology Partners commented: "Our ongoing partnership with visionary repeat founders like Salim is a testament to our dedication in guiding and supporting their strategic journey. We take pride in having supported their journey so far and eagerly anticipate the continuation of our partnership through their upcoming fundraising endeavors." The Pave Bank team believes that as the traditional financial world transforms with digital assets and the decentralised space transforms with regulation, regulated financial institutions will need to adapt to continue offering the most competitive products and services to their clients. This shift is not a user experience shift, it is a change of the very nature of money and value, for which Pave Bank is built. FT Partners was the exclusive financial and strategic advisor to Pave Bank on this transaction. About Us: About Pave Bank Pave Bank is the world's first fully regulated commercial bank offering customers multi-asset business banking products. Pave Bank is reimagining how a bank is built, how it operates and how businesses interact with their bank. With the future of banking rooted at the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, Pave Bank is building a new operating system or layer for how money or assets are linked globally. For more information please visit https://pavebank.com/en or follow via LinkedIn. Contact Info: Name: Bilal Mahmood Email: b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Organization: Pave Bank Phone: +447714007257 Website: https://pavebank.com/en To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/191323 Orbex, a Forres, UK-based orbital launch services company, has been awarded 3.3m in funding. The amount was provided by the UK Space Agency as part of the European Space Agencys (ESAs) Boost! initiative. The initiative, which is part of ESAs Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support programme, is designed to further the development of world-leading space launch technologies. The company will use the funding to undertake activities to build the Ultra-Green Launch Complex at Sutherland Spaceport, located on the north coast of Scotland. The site will see the launch of up to 12 orbital rockets per year, with several commercial launch contracts with satellite manufacturers already secured. Sustainability is also a core driver in the design of the companys advanced, low-carbon, high-performance micro-launcher, Orbex Prime. Prime is a 19-metre-long rocket designed to launch small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. It has been carefully engineered to leave zero debris in orbit and is fueled by a renewable form of propane (bio-propane), meaning it has a carbon footprint up to 96% lower than traditional satellite launch vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Led by Martin Coates, CEO, Orbex is a spaceflight company with headquarters, production and testing facilities in Scotland, and design and testing facilities in Denmark. The company is funded by the Scottish National Investment bank, two of the UKs largest venture capital funds, BGF and Octopus Ventures, Heartcore Capital and the High-Tech Grunderfonds, as well as strategic investors Elecnor, parent company of Deimos Space, and Jacobs, the largest services supplier to NASA. The company has won more than a dozen R&D contracts from a wide variety of bodies, including the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme. FinSMEs 17/12/2023 The chairman and managing director of JSW Group, Sajjan Jindal, has refuted the charges of rape levelled against him. Mr. Sajjan Jindal denies these false and baseless allegations. He is committed to providing full cooperation throughout the investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from commenting further at this stage. We kindly request you to respect the privacy of the family, Sajjan Jindal said in his statement. On December 13, 2023, the Bandra Kurla Complex Police Station received a First Information Report (FIR) from the Mumbai Police Department against Jindal. The complainant, a 30-year-old Mumbai resident, claims in it that the event happened on January 24, 2022, at a penthouse in the BKC premises of JSW Group. IPC 376 (rape), IPC 354 (assault or criminal force to women with intent to insult her modesty), and IPC 503 (criminal intimidation) are the charges against Jindal. The complainant stated in the FIR that she first met Sajjan Jindal on October 8, 2021, in Dubai, after exchanging phone numbers in order to further discussions for real estate. She allegedly went to Mumbai police on February 16, 2023, to lodge a FIR against Sajjan Jindal, according to the statement in the FIR. But on December 5, 2023, she moved to the Bombay High Court after months had gone by and Mumbai Police had still not filed her FIR. On December 12, 2023, the court issued an order registering the FIR. The Mumbai police has refuted claims that it took longer to file the FIR. Gurcharan Das is a rare gem, a unique Indian author. He studied philosophy in the early 1960s at Harvard and was well set to pursue a PhD in philosophy at Oxford. Instead, he took to selling Vicks VapoRub on the dusty streets of Indian cities. And when, at the age of 50, he left his flourishing career as a top corporate honcho at the multinational firm Proctor & Gamble (P&G). He left it all to enter the uncertain career of a full-time writer and author. The self-depreciating Gurcharan, takes everything in life seriously but still lives lightly, in a long, one-hour forty-five-minute candid conversation with Akhileshwar Sahay, bares it all about his life, life influencers, love, career choices, and his latest memoir, Another Sort of Freedom. Excerpts: Sahay: What are the key messages from the 81-year life story of Gurcharan Das? Das: Overall, what I have learnt is to learn to live an examined life. I was like most others, who sleepwalk through life. I got lucky one day and learned to pause and ask myself, is this life all about? And so, I stumbled on the purpose of life. I have learned to find the meaning of life through three Sanskrit words Moksha, Laghima and Leela all of them have helped me to live lightly. This is why I have dedicated my memoir Another Sort of Freedom to the happy few who dont take life too seriously. Sahay: Which moments of your life, you cherish most and what are your life regrets, episodes which you wish had not occurred? Das: The moments I cherish most are related to the major changes that came about in life giving up a promising academic career to turn a businessman; in my early twenties, taking to a weekend writing career; and becoming an accidental CEO before I turned 40. But the most profound moment was when my mask fell and I decided I was done with selling Vicks, Ariel, Olay, Pantene, Pampers all good products. And at the age of 50, I left a thriving corporate career when I was Managing Director, P&G Worldwide (Strategic Planning) to become a full time writer. My biggest regret is Meera, my sister, the brightest in our family, who while studying Mathematics at Princeton turned severely mentally ill and could not carry on. My regret is that I did not do more to help her. Even today, I do look after her, but I feel helpless because I cannot really help her. And this reminds me of Tolstoys opening line in Anna Karenina: Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Meera is the real tragedy of our family. Sahay: You write early in your memoir: One day I discovered that I could run, and I have been running ever since. It was the happiest of childhoods, until the partition of India, when our world collapsed. The lunacy of Partition people ready to kill cheerfully in the name of their God initiated me early into the modern idea of the absurd. Can you elaborate on the modern idea of absurd? Das: Well in my early readings at Harvard, I was introduced to existential philosophers including Camus, who says, the world has no meaning, the world inherently is absurd. And when people who were neighbours for hundreds of years, suddenly were ready to kill each other in the name of religion, what can be more absurd than this? Partition was the biggest absurdity that achieved nothing. Sahay: Kindly tell readers about the two incidents that had great impact on your young mind: First, the punishment meted out in a Lahore school to your poor Muslim friend Ayan for no fault of his (the fault was all yours), and second, the senseless killing of a Muslim police officer by two Sikh teenage boys at Jalandhar railway station during the madness of Partition. Das: It was February 1947. I was five years old, in KG in Model Town , Lahore. We all had a two-anna pencil box, except a poor Muslim boy, Ayan, who had none , and a rich boy who had two, including a shining red one which was imported from the UK. One day with class in recess, I put the rich boys red pencil-box on Ayans desk. When the class resumed, the rich boy shouted, Who stole my pencil-box? The teacher made us all stand-up and asked one by one who stole the pencil-box. Ayan on his turn said there was a pencil-box on his desk, but he did not steal it. When my turn came, I remained frozen and silent, while poor Ayan was punished. I have yet to get closure of the incident which even now gives me nightmares. The second incident is in August 1947, when we were fleeing Lahore to save our lives and were in a train at Jalandhar station. There was a handsome police officer standing on the platform when two teen-age Sikh boys suddenly stabbed him in the back with their kirpans. The police officer fell and died. The boys kept shouting Musalman! Musalman! Both these incidents were what I call temporary insanity, complete absurdity of human life. Sahay: You write in your memoir: As I try to make sense of early days, I feel a certain unruliness was innate in me. It may have been an early sign of my lifes script. My life would be an unending struggle for moksha or liberation from social fetters and expectations, like a horse without harness. Please elaborate on your struggle for moksha, including the type of moksha you have been chasing and whether you have achieved or are about to achieve it. Das: My mother kept a diary. When I was one, she wrote that I was a restless baby. Soon I had turned into a difficult child at age 2, and I was a troublemaker at age three. As I asked too many questions in school, the teacher changed my name from Ashok Kumar to Nahin Kumar. The guru of my grandmother later changed it later to Gurcharan Das (which is another story). All these adjectives above explain something in me trying to break out, away from expectations of family, friends, society and my own expectations. It was a pursuit to become nobody from somebody. But I say this in hindsight, I had not realised it till I started reliving life by connecting the dots. Perhaps, it was the first stirrings of a struggle for moksha. My struggle for moksha is still a work in progress. I am still unable to subdue my ego. I still keep wanting premium treatment in life. I became a writer to become a good person. After 25 years, I have realised that businessmen are better human beings. They depend on others for their success customers, suppliers, employees. writers live in a bubble and dont need anyone else. Sahay: Your life for a long time was a duet between the pursuit of making a living (the wish of your mother) and making a life (mantra of your father). At what point in life did you decide to make a living? Which one of your parents had the greater impact in your life? Das: When I was five years old in KG, one evening I rushed home flashing a Green Report Card and my mother asked, Did you stand first? My father said, It is the wrong question. Ask him what he likes in school. For my middle-class Punjabi mother, good marks were a must for Making a Living while my father was more interested in my Making a Life. Both my parents had an impact on my life. Romancing the liberal arts in college was making a life; so was becoming a weekend writer. Finally, quitting the corporate life to become a writer was making a life. Sahay: Your first love, Alisha (a pseudonym), both in her rejection, subsequently in acceptance, and later in moving away, had some impact on the shaping up of early Gurcharan Das. What was her impact on your persona? Das: It indeed had an impact. She was my first love at age 12, and she rejected me. I wanted to woo her with flowers and chocolates. But I had no money. I asked for money from my mother who refused. It gave birth to my first entrepreneurial venture, staging the play Hamlet in the neighbourhood, and charging tickets from parents. I used the money collected to buy flowers and chocolates for Alisha, but she scorned me. I had also invited her to the play, but she did not come. Later when I was working at Bombay we met again, became friends and intimate but soon due to family pressure Alisha settled for an arranged marriage. We met again when we were both grandparents and the chemistry was the same, and she had a deep impact. At the end of the evening, Alisha and I went our separate ways. Although we did run into each other from time to time after that and each time with mutual delight we observed Kamasutras sensible advice. It is natural, says Kamasutra, for a man to be attracted to a beautiful woman. It is equally natural for a woman to be attracted to a handsome man. But after some consideration, the matter goes no further. Sahay: In 1959, it was impossible for a middle-class Indian boy to get inside the precincts of a top US university. But you got into the three best Harvard, Princeton and Yale with full scholarship. How did you feel particularly after the initial taunt of your vice principal. In the US, coloured boys are not supposed to grow too big for their boots. Das: Admission to Harvard, Princeton and Yale with full scholarship and the Washington Post carrying page-3 article on me, was my revenge on the Vice Principal who had humiliated my mother. When she found that I was way ahead of my class, she prayed to shift me from vocational section (that trained for blue-collar jobs) to prep section (that prepared for white-collar jobs). Looking at my brown skin, the Vice Principal said, Coloured boys are not sposed to get too big for their boots in America. He said that if I worked hard and stayed out of trouble, I would graduate with a vocational certificate and would surely get a factory job. I chose Harvard out of three. Sahay: Students join Harvard University to get the Harvard stamp. But you got deeply immersed in the classical liberal education. You entered to study engineering and majored in philosophy. In between you dabbled in Greek Tragedy, Renaissance Painting, the Russian Novel, Economic History and Sanskrit. What was your biggest learning from Harvard as a seeker? Das: Initially, I went to prepare to make a living (my mothers mantra) and ended in making a life (my fathers mantra). When my mother learned that I was studying Sanskrit, she lamented a dead language, and wondered if only the dead will give him a job. But my father prevailed. I totally forgot my mothers advice as per whom I studied only useless subjects at Harvard. Sahay: A major in philosophy from Harvard on the way to obtaining a PhD in philosophy from Oxford, suddenly starts selling Vicks VapoRub in the dusty bazaars of Indian cities. What made Gurcharan take up a mundane job and how difficult was the transition? Das: When I returned from Harvard and was waiting to go to Oxford, I asked myself one evening: Do I really want to spend the rest of my life at that stratosphere of abstract thought? I wanted a life of action. And then there was the embarrassment of my mother to answer nosy neighbours about the presence of a grownup unemployed son at home. I started hunting in job advertisements in newspapers. The very first I found in Times of India, was a firm manufacturing Vicks, looking for trainee officers. Not knowing what it meant I applied and was selected. Probably my Harvard degree did the trick. And so from a High Thinking Brahmin I had turned into a Money Grabbing Bania. But my mother was in stratosphere with my salary of Rs 750 per month, becoming her talking point to neighbours and relatives. When I joined, I didnt know how long I would last. But as karma would have it, I began to enjoy the rough and tumble of business life. Nonetheless, soon I started missing the intellectual life of Harvard, then my father gave me the mantra of using my weekends to make a life. And so one Sunday I sat down to write my first play, saying to myself that it must be one such a morning when Shakespeare too must have begun to write Hamlet. Sahay: Early in your career, you met Kamble, a night guard in your office, whom you got lifted (without taking credit) from the station of his birth. Of your own volition, Unassuming Kamble, with his lightness of spirit, taught you that self-forgetting was the path to high performance and happiness. Tell us about Kemble and what made him your role model. Das: Kamble came to us as a night guard from a village in Akola, and by his sheer presence enlightened the office. He was one of those persons who was happy to do his job without caring who got the credit. Unassuming Kamble taught me the big life lesson that self-forgetting is the path to high performance and happiness. I havent been able to achieve it, but the aspiration has been liberating a marker in my moksha journey. What drew me to Kamble especially was his lightness of spirit. He became my role model. Sahay: How did you become a weekend writer? Tell us about your early literary forays Larins Sahib and Mira, particularly the portrayal of Mira off Broadway. Das: I was strolling in a bazaar in Hyderabad bazaar chewing paan after dinner when I bumped into an uneasy thought. Id been reading all these years, taking in knowledge. Wasnt it time to take something out? Maybe I could take it out by writing. A way to pay back. And Sunday morning, sitting in Sri Krishan Lodge, in Jalandhar, I began to write my first play, Larins Sahib. I told myself, Shakespeare too must have sat down one such morning to write Hamlet. Larins Saheb won a big prize, was published and was produced on the stage and now I had a second career as a weekend writer. And soon I wrote my second play Mira, and to my amazement it was not only staged in India but also off Broadway to rave reviews in The New York Times and other papers. Sahay: Your memoir is full of catchy one liners. Can you explain some of them: First, I like things as they are, imperfect and uncertain; second, Love makes you recover the present, bringing you alive to the present moment with your whole being. I had found in love a new state of awareness and finally third, Love a temporary insanity, curable by marriage. Das: I would just say I like imperfections in human beings and the world. I would not barter them for boring perfections. I am happy to be what I am, imperfect and living in an imperfect world. As regards love, a flaw in us humans is that we mostly live in the future, sometimes in the past, but seldom in the present. The Roman poet Seneca, advisor to the emperor said beautifully When I was busy life passed me by. Life is not in the past and future, its beauty lies in the present. And the moment of love between two connected people is beautiful because it is in the present. Life and love exist in the fullness of the present. As regards the last one liner it is an epithet at the end of chapter of the book, yes love is insanity of a kind, where often one gets irrational, but marriage brings us to the mundane and cures love. Sahay: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and your friend Mati Lal both were Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford. But few know about Mati Lal. Tell me about his contribution to philosophy and also about his impact on your life. Das: Mati Lal was a great philosopher particularly in the field of epistemology and Nyaya-Nyaya. Also, when I was writing the book The Difficulty of Being Good his book on Ethics in Mahabharata had a great impact on me. Indubitably, though he died young, Mati Lal is one of the greatest philosophers of India. Sahay: Gabriel Garcia Marquez the Colombian writer says, everyone has three lives: a public life , a private life, and a secret life, But it was not clear to you where this third life was heading or if it was heading anywhere at all.Will you kindly elaborate? upon it? Das: All of us have different layers in our life. Many of us have both public and private lives. In my case, my business life was my public life, and my life as a weekend writer was my private life. My secret life emerged because of the voices I began to hear, and which led me to the pursuit of my reflective consciousness and that led me to the pursuit of a secular moksha. Sahay: Business leaders consider Harvard Business Review their bible. Few are aware, there are four case studies on Gurcharan Das by Harvard Business School. Also, your piece Local Memoirs of a Global Manager was published in HBR in 1993, merely three years after Core Competency of Corporation by the management guru C K Prahlad. Still in your memoir, except passing reference to your article you are conspicuously silent. Is it a pursuit of self-forgetting by you? Das: (Smiles) 1993 article in Harvard Business Review was product of a short sabbatical in Harvard before taking up a higher role in P&Gs US Headquarters. Sahay: Your four books are about Artha, Dharma, Kama and Moksha, it just happened that way or you consciously started on that path. Das: It happened that way. I did not one day decide to sit and write about the four Purushartha. It was not consciously planned that way; it was rather part of a journey of self-realisation, where I write to educate myself. Sahay: What is the central message of Another Sort of Freedom to the readers? Das: This book ends a quarter-century-long search for a rich, flourishing life based on the classical Indian ideal of four goalspurusarthas. Prior to this book, I had written about artha or material wellbeing, in my first book India Unbound while in the second The Difficulty of Being Good, I examined the goal of dharma, moral well-being. My third The Riddle of Desire was a biography of kama, the third goal of desire and pleasure. And finally, Another Sort of Freedom, the fourth of the quartet, although a memoir, is about the fourth aim of moksha, offering an all-natural, non-religious, non-transcendental view of freedom. Think of these goals as human capabilities. Fulfilling these capabilities is the road to a flourishing life. Sahay: You have written about the mental illness of your sister, a genetic liability of mental illness in your mothers side of the family, sadness the health of your sister has brought to the family and the difficulty and despair of handling it. With 16 percent of Indians suffering from one or other mental illness at any given point of time what is your message to sufferers and their caregivers? Das: Beyond asking for absolute compassion for the sufferer and exemplary patience for caregivers I feel helpless to give any other message. The interviewer, a keen watcher of changing international scenarios, is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with action bias and an India-based International Impact Consultant. He is an avid reader and independent book Reviewer. Sahay works as President of Advisory Services in consulting company Barsyl. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. We are living amidst a clash of civilisations. A war of ideas that defined the better part of the 20th century and is still permeating all facets of life after the turn of the millennium. On one side are the constructive forces doing everything possible to maintain order in the society, to uphold the constitutional values and to foster cooperation among diverse individuals. On the other side, there are disruptive elements inseminating radicalisation, ensuing chaos, and recruiting young minds into terror outfits. This clash of civilisations is not confined to geographical boundaries but is a global phenomenon, playing out in the realms of politics, culture, technology, and beyond. While it is commonly asserted that lack of education can contribute to terrorism by fostering ignorance and susceptibility to radical ideologies, the relationship between education and extremism is complex and multifaceted. While education undoubtedly plays a crucial role in enlightening individuals and promoting critical thinking, it is not a foolproof antidote to radicalisation. Recent links of engineering graduates and PhD students from all over the country to the terror outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) shows something much more sinister is at play. Penetration of ISIS in India The penetration of ISIS in India goes as long back as the existence of ISIS itself with many young minds being misled by promises of rewards in the hereafter. Even though the percentage of terror recruits from among Indian Muslims is very low as compared to the absolute population, even one ISIS terrorist on the Indian soil is one too many. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is at constant vigilance; orchestrating raids at the suspicious locations, arresting individuals and simultaneously working on de-radicalisation programs. On December 9, 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted multiple pre-dawn raids in Maharashtra and Karnataka, resulting in the arrest of 15 operatives affiliated with the banned terror outfit ISIS. Among those detained were a PhD scholar and former lecturer residing in Bhagyodayanagar, Kondhwa Khurd, and an IT professional with a rented accommodation in the old Tyani industrial area, Kondhwa Budruk. The NIA seized incriminating documents, laptops, and cellphones during the searches. Notably, the Pune-based lecturer had a prior connection to the 2002-03 Mumbai blasts, having been arrested by the Mumbai police. NIA has been at the forefront This was, however, not the first time NIA caught whiff of suspicious activities within the Indian borders this year. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been at the forefront of ensuring the safety of Indians by actively countering terrorism and apprehending individuals who, despite having good educational backgrounds, succumbed to radicalisation and joined the terrorist groups. In October 2022, the NIA arrested a highly radicalised 24-year-old man engaged in recruiting Indian youths for ISIS. Similarly, in July 2023, a 19-year-old student of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was arrested for being a member of ISIS, actively involved in radicalising individuals and planning violent actions. Another significant operation took place in August 2023, where the NIA arrested two operatives in Karnataka involved in the Shivamogga ISIS conspiracy case. The accused had radicalised their associates and received funds through crypto-wallets for terrorist activities. In September 2023, following up on the arrest of an AMU student, the NIA conducted raids across six states, leading to the arrest of Rahul Sen aka Omar, involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda for recruitment and radicalization. It is shameful that the students of educational institutions like Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) defamed their alma mater and associated it with such heinous activities. Moreover, the NIAs consistent efforts highlight its commitment to safeguarding the nation, recognising that they need to win every time, while terrorists only need to succeed once. During the raid at his residence in Kondhwa, Pune, Adnan Ali Sarkar, a well-known anaesthesiologist, was apprehended by NIA operatives. The raids indicated that the accused, along with their associates, had recruited and trained young individuals in the construction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and weapons. The accused had also exchanged materials, including Do it Yourself kits (DIY), for the production of IEDs and the crafting of small arms such as pistols. Additionally, at the behest of their ISIS handlers abroad, the accused generated provocative media content, which was subsequently published in the Voice of Hind magazine, aligning with the banned outfits agenda of promoting terror and violence. Way forward These incidents, when they come to light, together contribute to the feeling of Islamophobia amongst other communities. In the age of information, living in denial only aggravates the situation instead of mitigating it. Addressing and acknowledging a problem is the first step towards harbouring a solution. The reality of a large number of educated, well-off, gifted individuals, with no personal history of oppression, going down the route of radicalisation begs the question: What is the way forward? First, the process of radicalization does not come to pass in a day; it is the harbouring and nurturing of certain ideas over years, sometimes decades that finally culminates in a person picking up arms. One cannot turn a blind eye from stage 1 to stage 9 and then act surprised when the culmination happens at stage 10. Radicalisation is best nipped in the bud, increasing screening over what young children are being taught at the madrasas, promoting critical thinking and bringing them into the mainstream. Second, the average Muslim needs to understand that these individuals build a perception of the community which makes them looked at with suspicion and makes it difficult for them to, for example, find a house on rent. The biggest cause of Islamophobia is Jihadist terrorism and a radical Muslim is the biggest enemy of a moderate Muslim, the sooner the moderates understand this, the better. Third, the Indian Muslim community set a beautiful example post 26/11 when groups such as the Indian Muslim Council refused to bury the gunmen in Muslim cemeteries because they had defamed the religion. The same example needs to be set again and again, disowning such individuals, distancing from them and publicly naming and shaming them. This also needs to be noticed that the forces in constant clash with terrorist organisations like ISIS, etc., are also Muslims. Whether its the Iraqi civilians fighting ISIS, or Palestinian civilians facing brutalities at the hands of Hamas; the war is not between the believer and non-believer, its a war between those who believe in terrorism and those fighting against it. While it is true that there have been instances of hate speeches, mob lynchings and extrajudicial arrests, but it is essential to not let the terror outfits use these instances as recruitment drives. There are constitutional safety nets, legislative checks and balances and a strong civil society in India to impede things worsening on the ground. When it comes to the choice between those who believe in terrorism and those fighting against it, Indian Muslims have a clear way ahead of them. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. 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. In an interview this week with CNN, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson described as a travesty the civil lawsuit that led 10 Republican fake electors last week to retract an official-looking document claiming former President Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin. These folks did nothing different than what many Democrats have done in many states throughout our history, Johnson said in Mondays interview. Democratic electors have done that repeatedly. When CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins asked the Oshkosh Republican to back up that claim, Johnson said he wasnt prepared to do so in the moment but promised to provide examples later. On the social media platform X, Johnson later did just that, although the examples he provided were of Democrats denying elections. Only one involved Democratic electors falsifying a states Electoral College votes. In the 1960 presidential election, Hawaii Democratic electors signed a certificate stating John F. Kennedy Jr. won the state despite the governor certifying Richard Nixon as the winner. The Democrats signed the documents during a recount that would eventually confirm Kennedy as the winner. In 2005, 31 Democratic U.S. representatives objected to certifying Ohios electoral votes because they said Ohios voting process unfairly disadvantaged minorities. In 2016, Democratic electors in two states sought to rally Republican Electoral College members not to vote for Trump despite his winning the election. In 2017, seven Democratic representatives objected to the counting of electoral votes in 10 states Trump won. All the objections were dismissed. As noted, only the 1960 Hawaii election involved Democrats improperly casting Electoral College votes. But that situation differed from the one in Wisconsin in 2020 in a few ways. Hawaii election results that year initially showed Nixon up by 141 votes, leading Hawaiis acting governor to certify the initial results and hand the states three Electoral College votes to Nixon. But a judge called for a recount to verify the contests results. That recount was still underway on the day electors were required to cast their ballots. Both the Republican and Democratic electors met in Hawaii that day to cast their votes for their respective nominees despite Nixons win already being certified. Just over a week later, the recount showed Kennedy had won the election. But instead of using the document first signed by the alternate slate of electors, Hawaiis new governor certified Kennedys victory and sent to Washington, D.C., an updated document signed by the same three Democratic electors who signed the earlier uncertified one. While the outcome of the election in Hawaii was still in doubt when that states Democratic electors met in 1960, the Republican electors in Wisconsin met more than two weeks after recounts affirmed Joe Biden had defeated Trump in the 2020 election. The Republican Wisconsin electors said they signed the document as a contingency plan in case courts overturned the election in Wisconsin. Courts would eventually reject every lawsuit by the Trump campaign seeking to overturn the election. The false Wisconsin certificate was then sent to Washington, D.C., where Johnson tried to pass it to former Vice President Mike Pence as Pence prepared to certify the election. The vice presidents office declined to accept the document from Johnson. So whats the rest of the story? It is true that both Hawaiis and Wisconsins alternate slates of electors convened amid election disputes. But while Hawaiis alternate slate signed the document amid a recount that would reverse the states initial results, Wisconsins GOP electors met after recounts and courts acknowledged Bidens win, although Trumps campaign would later appeal a case to U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn Wisconsin's election results. Republicans in six other states Biden won would go on to file similarly false statements, although electors in Pennsylvania and New Mexico specified the certificates were to be used only in the event legal challenges overturned the results in their states. The Hawaii example, which has long been cited by Republicans to justify the 2020 fake elector campaign, also amounts to one case. In his CNN interview, Johnson falsely said that Democratic electors have done that repeatedly. Johnsons subsequent citations on X of cases in which Democrats objected to electoral votes, while not the same as falsifying votes, also overlooks the eight Republican U.S. senators and 139 representatives who objected to the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania. For a more charitable reading of Johnsons claim that Democrats repeatedly falsified Electoral College votes, one would have to reach back to before 1887. Thats when Congress adopted the Electoral Count Act, which established the legal framework for casting and counting Electoral College votes. After the 1876 presidential election, dueling slates of electors met in Oregon, South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida amid disputes over who won in each of those states. A commission made up of senators, representatives and U.S. Supreme Court justices eventually awarded each of those states votes to Republican former President Rutherford B. Hayes. It all started with a wobbly table at The Boathouse. It was a rare Sunday of 2006. For, the overwhelming morning rush at the river-side restaurant in Melbourne had resulted in the celebrity chef, Gary Mehigan, coming to work on the day. Amid all the chaos and panic, walked in a towering (literally) food critic. Matt Preston for The Age. Quite a Casablanca moment! Of all the days in all the restaurants in all of the world, Preston walks into Mehigans. And, of all the tables It was chaos everywhere. I step into the kitchen and wonder what is going on! I am angry, and the restaurant manager comes and tells me Matt Preston is here, and I went nooooo, Mehigan holds his head reliving the origin of the story. And then they put him on the only wobbly table in the restaurant. The current Preston is all praise for the quick fix that followed. Isnt that what a good restaurant is all about? he says. But as the critic then would choose to mention the table in his review, the chef would choose to tread with caution. He advised the same to fellow tradesman George Calombaris at the start of MasterChef Australia (2009). I remember saying to George, I think we should be careful around that one, Mehigan admits. Calombaris nods. A little frosty is how Preston would later term the relationship in his memoir Big Mouth, released this November. It was like the relationship between a cobra and mongoose, says the English critic who came to Australia chasing love. He lost the love, but found Australia. His fellow countryman, Mehigan, who moved to Melbourne in 1991, says that though they knew each other there was always that professional distance that is between a hard-working restaurateur and a critic. Preston, after all, as he admits in his familiar inexhaustible joie de vivre, made the most of the opportunities that knocked on his door to go from a DJ, punk rock musician, to a journalist, critic, TV celebrity and author. It was the scarf, he quips of his inclusion in the MasterChef show, which was originally planned to have two judges. So again, thats a quiet knock, isnt it? Mehigan joins in. The relationship quickly thawed too. And, as the episodes and seasons of one of the most-watched reality cooking show progressed, the two chefs and the critic formed a special bond, working together, enjoying boys weekends, the best meal together revelling in the pleasure of a little brioche bun in Barcelonas Disfrutar, and much more, while judging many talents. That was the most difficult part being the judge, Calombaris says of the many hats they have donned among them over the years chef, critic, judge, author, reality show participant, TV series anchor. And, that is despite both Calombaris and Mehigan having endured their share of challenges as restaurateurs. While the former had been vocal about the Australian governments policies vis-a-vis businesses like running a restaurant, the latter discouraged his daughter from becoming a chef to save her the pain (Jenna is a practising nurse now). The industry is a tough one, they both say in unison, the Covid times were the most difficult for the hospitality sector, and it needs to keep reinventing now. Still, the task of making or marring a dream is the toughest for them. It is emotional (the task of judging), Calombaris adds. In my restaurant, I can be brutal to my chefs No, not brutal. Lets delete that. You demand high standards, Mehigan is quick to the rescue. But I feel judging can be really hard because it is going to hurt people, Calombaris continues. But, as Preston puts it, it is heartening when they see the winners from previous seasons becoming the judges now, or the original MasterChef talent becoming another Gary, George, or Matt in the food or media industry. Their 11 years at MasterChef Australia (2009-2019) not only meant that the trio became global celebrities, their approach, a far cry from the then prevailing aggression towards the participants in other shows, also made them peoples favourites. So much so that every time they would put together, the social media would go into a frenzy, speculating and requesting their return. But they would embark on their exclusive, and sometimes overlapping, journeys. The three finally came together in India in the last week of November for a Grand Reunion touring Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to relive the MasterChef era all over again. After nine months of preparation and collaboration with the food community platform, Conosh, the trio not only held their Masterclass in the three cities but also helmed the kitchens for exclusive dinner experiences. So, is this reunion a signal of something more permanent? Who knows! says Mehigan. Never say never, quips Preston. And, Calombaris just gives his characteristic wide-eyed silence with a hint of a smile well contained. But it has to be something special, something that provides hope, Preston adds. Something that brings joy, is free flowing, and meaningful, Mehigan. Something like he is doing, Preston says of Mehigans Indias Mega Festivals series with the National Geographic channel. India, is indeed, special for them. Mehigan has been to the country more than 15 times now. He can not only list the young chefs to watch out for but also immaculately recount the standout preparations of the many acclaimed restaurants here. His social media equally celebrates the food of Indian streets and corners. India has so many cuisines. And, the food that is coming out from some of these restaurants is beautiful, celebrating tradition, but with innovation, local ingredients, sustainable with all the right messaging, he says. That was the reason Matt and I were happy with Gary finalising the menu for this trip, Calombaris points out as they all admit to looking forward to another trip to India soon. Who knows! That just might be the definitive to that something. 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. Authorities in Australia advised thousands of residents in the state of North Queensland to relocate to higher ground on Sunday due to the risk of flooding from heavy downpours. Major flooding, according to Queensland authorities, was occurring in some suburbs of Cairns, a popular tourist destination with 170,000 residents that is located 1,700 kilometers (1,060 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital. With the impending high tide and ongoing rain, properties in these areas may continue to flood. One of multiple emergency alerts for areas of north Queensland was posted on the website by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, advising residents to evacuate immediately to higher ground. The flooding came with heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which hit the region this week, leaving tens of thousands without power and forcing evacuations. Australias weather forecaster predicted dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in Cairns a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and said water levels later on Sunday could exceed a 1971 record flood peak of 4.1m (13.45 feet). Cairns Local Disaster Management Group said homes, buildings, roads and bridges had been inundated. Power, water, sewerage and telephone services could be lost in the area, the agency said in a statement. There was also flooding about 120 km north of Cairns in the tourist town of Daintree Village, where around 350mm (13.8 inches) of rain had fallen since 9 a.m. on Saturday (2300 GMT on Friday), the weather forecaster said. A spokesperson for the forecaster, Dean Narramore, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp the weather system had stalled but that it could move west overnight, which would ease rain in Cairns and surrounding areas. Frequent flooding has hit Australias east in recent years including once in a century floods that inundated neighbouring Northern Territory in January during a multi-year La Nina weather event. Australia is now enduring an El Nino weather event, typically associated with extreme events such as wildfires, cyclones, droughts and heatwaves such as the one that baked parts of the country on Saturday. (with inputs from Reuters) In an effort to further normalise relations between the two nations, Australia stated on Sunday that it was very confident that China would remove the import restrictions on Australian wine that it put in place three years ago in 2024. China has already done the same with other products. I would be very confident that early in the new year we will get a favorable result from the Chinese authorities to lift the ban on Australian wine, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell told Sky News on Sunday. It is not a unreasonable prediction, according to Farrell, to anticipate China to reduce the remaining tariffs on Australian exports next year. He also expressed optimism that the tariffs on Australian lobster will be lifted sometime in the near future. China, Australias largest trading partner, raised taxes on a variety of Australian goods in 2020 after the government of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19. These products included wine, coal, barley, lumber, and beef. Australia and Chinas bilateral relations became strained in 2017 due to a number of issues, including Canberras barring of Chinese corporations from 5G services in 2018 and Australian rules prohibiting foreign meddling. However, since Labors Anthony Albanese came to office in May 2022, trade and political connections between Australia and China have improved. Beijing has been easing trade restrictions against Australia; the most recent move was to stop importing meat products from three of the nations sizable slaughterhouses. According to official figures, Australia sent goods worth AUD 6 billion ($4.02 billion) to China between January and August after the Asian nation imposed blockades on the exports. China and Australia came to an agreement in October, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, to settle their trade problems within the World Trade Organisation. (With agency inputs) Chileans will once more go to the polls to choose whether to amend their constitution, which was written during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. After widespread, fervent, and occasionally violent protests against inequality swept the country in 2019, Chile decided to replace its current text for the second time in as many years. Left-wing forces controlled the first assembly that was chosen to draft a new text, but the people overwhelmingly rejected their draft, which concentrated on social, indigenous, environmental, and gender rights, last September. The electorate swung right for the second draft and voters elected an assembly dominated by conservative parties. That text is now up for a vote on Sunday, and it is considered to be more conservative and market-friendly than the 1980 constitution it could replace. The proposed version places private property rights and strict rules around immigration and abortion at its center. For months, polls have showed that voters are likely to reject this proposal too, but the gap tightened in the lead-up to the referendum. Pollster Cadems last survey on Dec. 1 before a 15-day poll blackout showed 47% planned to vote against the text (-3 points from Nov. 10) versus 38% who plan to approve it (+6 points). Nicholas Watson, a managing director at Teneo Consultancy, a global CEO advisory firm, said in a report that regardless of the result, theres a chance for greater public disillusionment with the political establishment. That leaves the causes of the 2019 protests largely unresolved, with all the risks that implies still latent, Watson said. If the new text is approved, the report said it could further hinder leftist President Gabriel Borics agenda of progressive tax and pension reforms. But while a no win would provide Boric with a boost, it would not be transformative since he would still have failed on one of his core objectives to replace the 1980 constitution, the report said. Polls will open at 8 a.m. local time (1100 GMT) and will close at 6 p.m. (2100 GMT). Results are expected at about 8 p.m. (with inputs from Reuters) The Israeli attack in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, left one of the foreign ministrys employees dead, according to the French ministry. According to a ministry statement released late on Saturday, the man was seeking asylum in the home of one of his colleagues from the French consulate along with two other colleagues and several members of their families. It claimed that our agent had died as a result of his wounds. The house was hit by an Israeli air strike on Wednesday evening, which seriously hurt our agent and killed about 10 others, it said. The statement said France condemned the bombing of a residential building. We demand that the Israeli authorities shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing, as soon as possible, it said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military when approached for a response. Israel says it seeks to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, according to international law, though critics and even its closest ally, the U.S., say it needs to do more. (with inputs from Reuters) According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, an Israeli strike on Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians. According to the government, Israeli soldiers shot and killed two people on Sunday. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, an additional Palestinian has passed away on Sunday due to injuries he had acquired following an Israeli attack in the West Bank city of Jenin a few days prior. According to the Israeli military, operations targeting militant Palestinian organisations in the West Bank have been intensified. Israel stated on Thursday that it had killed more than 10 individuals it considered terrorists during raids in Jenin, which is home to a number of militant organisations. (with agency inputs) On December 17, amid rising worldwide appeals for a ceasefire and cries from distraught family to free their loved ones, Israel continued its deadly raids on the besieged Gaza Strip. Now in its third month, the bloodiest-ever Gaza conflict has left most of the Palestinian enclave in ruins and aroused international concern. It began with the Hamas attacks on October 7. 24 Palestinians were murdered this morning in the Jabalia camp by an Israeli bombing, according to the health ministry in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas. Many remain missing beneath the debris. Additionally, it stated that at least 12 people had perished in attacks on Deir al-Balah, the capital of Gaza, and witnesses claimed that Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis, had been bombarded. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, declared once more that we will fight until the end. Well succeed in all of our objectives, including taking down Hamas, releasing all of our hostages, and making sure Gaza never serves as a haven for terrorist activity. The most recent foreign envoy to visit Israel, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, emphasised that too many civilians are being killed and demanded a immediate and durable truce that would lead to a permanent ceasefire. In a joint Sunday Times piece, her German and British colleagues, David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock, expressed disapproval of the fighting but also lamented the high civilian casualty rate. The pair wrote that they support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward. It ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms. On October 7, Hamas militants launched the most devastating attack on Israel ever by breaking through Gazas heavily guarded border fence. This marked the beginning of the Gaza War. According to recent Israeli numbers, they killed roughly 1,140 individuals, largely civilians, and kidnapped 250 others; of those, about 129 are still thought to be in custody after many were released and others were slain. Hamas claims that 18,800 Palestinians, largely women and children, have been killed by Israels retaliatory onslaught, which included a ground invasion and more than two months of continuous aircraft bombing. With the two further deaths on Sunday, the Israeli army reported that there have been 121 troops killed in Gaza since military operations started in late October. A breakdown of civil order has been warned by the UN, which estimates that 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced by Israels shelling of the enclave, which has left most of it in ruins. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN also raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after touring Al-Shifa, the citys main hospital, some weeks after Israeli soldiers invaded it in an attempt to apprehend Hamas fighters. The WHO reported that the emergency room was a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured people inside and fresh patients entering every minute. The team that was touring the facility described it as such. The families of the captives as well as the United States, the countrys main ally, have increased pressure on the Israeli government to reduce, halt, or terminate the military assault. Following the armys admission that it had erroneously killed three hostages in Gaza, relatives of the hostages once more gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an immediate agreement to release them. Nevertheless, after a week-long ceasefire last month that made it possible to exchange detainees for hostages, negotiations including mediator Qatar have reportedly resumed towards another ceasefire. The news outlet Axios reported that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who assisted in negotiating the previous ceasefire, and Israeli espionage chief David Barnea met on Friday in an undisclosed location in Europe. (With agency inputs) After hearing from a source that Israels intelligence head had a meeting with the prime minister of Qatar, a nation mediating the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Israel seemed to confirm that fresh discussions were underway to free the hostages held by Hamas. At a news conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the war in Gaza was existential and that it had to be waged to the end. He declared that Israeli security would rule Gaza and that it would be demilitarised. Netanyahu stated that Israels offensive in Gaza contributed to the partial hostage-release agreement that was reached in November and vowed to keep up strong military pressure on Hamas. He has sworn to annihilate the heavily populated strips terrorist Palestinian faction. The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing, he said. On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a surprise attack into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 captives. According to Gaza health authorities, Israels counteroffensive has killed about 19,000 people and left thousands more trapped under the debris. Humanitarian organisations claim that the devastation of Gaza and the majority of its 2.3 million inhabitants, many of whom are living in tents and other temporary shelters without access to clean water or food, represent a humanitarian crisis. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, David Barnea, the chief of Israels Mossad espionage service, visited Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, late on Friday as talk moved to a potential truce in Gaza and a deal including hostages and prisoners. Following the breakdown of a seven-day ceasefire in late November, the meeting in Europe appears to have been the first between top officials from Israel and Qatar, which has been serving as a mediator. Although Netanyahu acknowledged that he had given the negotiation team instructions, he sidestepped a question regarding the meeting. We have serious criticisms of Qatar, he said, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf states ties to Hamas and Israels arch-foe Iran. But right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages. Hamas said in a statement it affirms its position not to open any negotiations to exchange prisoners unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all, adding: The movement communicated this position to all mediators. Three hostages were accidentally killed by Israeli forces, which has raised pressure on Netanyahu to find a means of securing their release. (With agency inputs) During military activity at a Gaza hospital, the Israeli army announced on Saturday that it had found weapons and detained about 80 Hamas members. Hamas called this a horrific massacre. At the Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza City, Israeli forces fired at patient rooms and detained staff members during a siege that lasted several days, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Hamas-controlled health ministry. On the same day, the hospital director and roughly seventy other medical staff members were reported to be detained in an unknown location outside of the hospital by the UN humanitarian agency OCHA. It stated that although there had been reports of ill-treatment of those who had been detained, Israeli forces had freed five doctors and female employees. On Saturday, the Israeli army said it had completed its activity in the area of the Kamal Adwan hospital, which it charged had been used by Hamas as a command and control centre. The troops apprehended approximately 80 terrorists destroyed terror infrastructure in the area and found numerous weapons, the army said. Troops also questioned the hospital workers, it said. The workers confessed that weapons were hidden in incubators that were supposed to be used to treat premature babies, the army claimed. In a statement Saturday, Hamas accused Israeli troops of having carried out a horrific massacre inside the hospital and said they had destroyed with bulldozers the tents of the displaced people sheltering there, causing a number of deaths. The Hamas government has said that at least 18,800 people have been killed in the territory since the outbreak of the war, which was triggered by the groups bloody attack on Israel on October 7. That attack left around 1,140 people dead, according to official figures. (with inputs from AFP) In a regrettable incident near Gaza City, three Israeli hostagesYotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26were mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers. Despite holding a white cloth, they were shot dead, violating the rules of engagement, according to an Israeli military official. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the press, asserted that the military operations would not ease, emphasising the necessity of military pressure for both the hostages return and overall victory. Hamas has refused negotiations for hostage release until aggression ceases. Reports say, an Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, detailed the unfortunate event, revealing that initial investigations suggested a misunderstanding, led to the fatal shooting. The incident has intensified pressure on Israeli authorities to secure the release of over 120 captives still in Gaza. Families in Israel anxiously await developments as the conflict against Hamas continues. Wichian Temthong, a freed Thai hostage who shared captivity with the deceased Israelis, expressed shock and sadness at their deaths, describing how they communicated through hand signals during their time together. Families of hostages, demanding a new truce, gathered in Tel Avivs Hostages Square, urging for the safe return of their loved ones. The plea for a ceasefire resonated with thousands chanting, Bring them home now. Despite international pressure and grief, Prime Minister Netanyahu remains resolute in continuing the offensive against Hamas. The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks, has resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement in Gaza, prompting warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe from the United Nations. Israeli authorities maintain that the offensive aims to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages. Having lost her son last year to an overdose, Ruckersville-area resident Tonya Shifflett recently placed a Christmas tree at the Greene County Sheriff's office to commemorate the toll of the ongoing drug epidemic. "It's to remember the ones we lost and to honor those who are still out there fighting," she told The Daily Progress. Shifflett's 21-year-old son, Austin Wayne Harlow, died from fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that's lethal in extremely small doses. The man who supplied him the drug was later convicted of trafficking and sentenced to 20 years. In 2022, the year Harlow died, there were 29 synthetic opioid deaths in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. There were 1,967 statewide, nearly twice the number of automobile fatalities, creating a death rate of 23 per 100,000 residents. The drug is so potent and its death toll so high that fentanyl poisoning now accounts for more than 70% of American overdose deaths. It is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18 and 45, according to a nonprofit group called 4ThemWeFight. Shifflett has fought her own fight against addiction and regrets that her son did not win his. "He didn't get the chance that I got to get clean," she said. Choosing a red ornament to honor her son as a symbol of her own broken heart, Shifflett said she welcomes others who have lost a loved one to drugs or know someone caught in the grip of addiction to place an ornament on the tree. "If we can save one life," she said. Israel launched more strikes on Gaza on Sunday, as pressure mounted on its leaders to secure the release of captives still detained in the Hamas-run enclave more than two months after the October 7 attacks. On Saturday, family of hostages protested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for an urgent accord to ensure their release after the army confessed unintentionally murdering three prisoners in Gaza. According to the most recent Israeli government data, the trio was among an estimated 250 persons held captive during Hamass October 7 assaults into Israel, which also murdered around 1,140 people. According to Hamas, Israels retaliatory onslaught in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 18,800 individuals, the most of whom are women and children. At a protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, relatives of hostages gathered to plea with the government for a deal. Take us into consideration and come up with a plan now (for negotiation), said Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, at the protest. More than 100 of the Israelis and foreigners seized by Hamas and other militants on October 7 were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners during a week-long truce last month, mediated by Qatar. Netanyahu doubled down on his war effort on Saturday, telling reporters of the three hostages deaths: It broke my heart. It broke the whole nations heart. With all the deep sorrow, I want to clarify: the military pressure is necessary both for the return of the kidnapped and for achieving victory over our enemies, he added. On Sunday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 12 people were killed in Israeli strikes on the central city of Deir al-Balah. Witnesses also reported Israeli air and artillery strikes on the southern municipality of Bani Suhaila east of Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strips second city. Also on Saturday, Netanyahu appeared to address Qatari efforts towards a new truce. We have serious criticisms of Qatar, about which I suppose you will hear in due course, but right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages, he said. In a statement, Qatar reaffirmed on Saturday its ongoing diplomatic efforts to renew the humanitarian pause. But Hamas said on Telegram it was against any negotiations for the exchange of prisoners until the aggression against our people ceases completely. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Saturday he was travelling to Israel, Bahrain and Qatar to highlight Washingtons commitments to strengthening regional security and stability. News platform Axios said Israeli spy chief David Barnea met Friday in an unspecified European location with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who helped negotiate the earlier truce. Hunger, disease, weak immunity Israels bombardment of Gaza has left much of the territory in ruins, with the UN estimating 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced by the war. The UN said this week that hunger and desperation were driving people to seize humanitarian aid being delivered to Gaza, warning of a breakdown of civil order. International aid organisations have struggled to get supplies to desperate Gazans. I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity, said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The agency reported a prolonged communications blackout across Gaza that started on Thursday night and has continued over the past 48 hours. US President Joe Biden, whose administration provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, has voiced growing concern over civilian deaths. UK Foreign Minister David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock wrote in The Sunday Times that the need is urgent for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. In the face of mounting international pressure, Israel announced a temporary measure to allow aid deliveries directly to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Fierce fighting raged in Gaza on Saturday, with the Israeli army saying it had raided two schools which it said were Hamas hiding places in the northern Gaza City. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said a Christian mother and daughter were shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of the Gaza Strips only Catholic church. Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sisters Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety, the patriarchate said in a statement. In the city of Khan Yunis, dozens of journalists took part in a funeral for Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa, who was killed in an Israeli strike, according to his news organisation. More than 60 journalists and media staff have died since the war began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Red Sea disruption The war continues to be felt across the Middle East and has raised fears of a broader conflict. Israel has exchanged regular fire with militants, mainly the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah, across its northern border with Lebanon. The Israeli army said on Saturday a soldier was killed and two others wounded in the Margaliot area on the Lebanese boundary. A spokesperson confirmed to AFP the casualties were caused by a hostile aircraft. The conflict has also caused major disruption to the key Red Sea shipping lane between Asia and Europe, with two more major firms announcing they were redirecting their vessels following repeated attacks by Yemeni rebels allied with Hamas. The action by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM follows similar moves on Friday by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. It comes after Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels launched repeated attacks on passing vessels in recent days. The rebels also launched a wave of 14 one-way attack drones on Saturday, all of which were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries, the US militarys Central Command said. After a source stated Israels main negotiator met Qatars prime minister, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to confirm on Saturday that new Qatar-mediated negotiations to recapture hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were started. During a news conference, Netanyahu dodged a question regarding a meeting in Europe on Friday between his senior negotiator, Mossad chief David Barnea, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He did, however, disclose that he had sent instructions to the negotiation team. We have serious criticisms of Qatar, about which I suppose you will hear in due course, but right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages, he said, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf states ties to Hamas and Israels arch-foe Iran. Axios first the news of a new round of discussions after Israels military revealed that troops had inadvertently murdered three captives who approached them with a white flag after escaping their kidnappers in Gaza on Friday. Netanyahu stated that he would not provide any information of the meeting. There is one mistake that we can make, which is to relay our calculations to Hamas, to the world, he said. We shall not be getting into the details of the negotiations. The Gaza war, triggered by a shock Hamas killing and kidnapping spree in south Israel on Oct. 7, has shaken regional and world powers as the Palestinian civilian toll spirals. While pledging to destroy Hamas, Israel has also sought to recover hostages held by the Iranian-backed Islamist group. Netanyahu vowed to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas in Gaza. The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing, he said. Mossad chief Barnea met Al Thani in Europe on Friday, a key mediator in the conflict in Gaza, a source told Reuters, while sources from Egypt suggested Israel appeared to be more open to a new deal with Hamas. Get the hostages back alive Qatar and Egypt were mediators between Israel and Hamas in a deal that led to a week long truce at the end of November during which Hamas released more than 100 women, children and foreigners it was holding in exchange for 240 Palestinian women and teenagers freed from Israeli jails. Axios said the Friday meeting was the first between Barnea and Al Thani since the November truce. The source who spoke to Reuters said Barnea returned to Israel early on Saturday to brief Netanyahu. Two Egyptian security sources said Israeli officials appeared more willing, in calls with mediators, to strike a fresh deal for a Gaza ceasefire and release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the recovery of hostages. The Egyptian sources said Israeli officials appeared to have changed their mind on some points that they had previously refused, but did not go into further detail. There was no immediate response from Netanyahu government spokespeople to the Egyptian assessment. Israel believes that another 20 or more of the 130 hostages still held in Gaza are dead. Families of the hostages held a rally on Saturday, demanding that Israel consider releasing senior Palestinian militants from jail in any new swap deal. The Israeli government needs to be active. They need to put an offer on the table, including prisoners with blood on their hands, and put the best offer on the table to get the hostages back alive, said Ruby Chen, father of 19-year-old hostage Itay. We dont want them back in bags. Hamas exiled leader Osama Hamdan said it would only release soldiers held captive in Gaza until the entire aggression is stopped. He said that would have to happen through a negotiated deal according to the conditions set by the the resistance. In an apparent effort to sway Israeli public opinion, Hamas also released a video showing slain hostages and ending with the Hebrew warning: Time is running out. Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed a unified vision on Sunday to honour their 50th anniversary of friendship, emphasising security and economic cooperation while maintaining the rule of law in the face of rising concerns with China in regional seas. Ties between Japan and ASEAN used to be based mostly on Japanese help to developing economies, owing in part to lingering resentment over Japans wartime conduct. However, as Chinas aggressiveness in the South China Sea has grown, the relationship has been more focused on security, while Japans postwar pacific attitude and trust-building initiatives have created closer relations. In a joint statement, the presidents urged strengthening their mutually beneficial alliance and cooperating for Indo-Pacific peace and stability. They also urged increased prosperity for the region and greater intergenerational contacts, according to Kishida, who spoke at a joint news conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, this years ASEAN chair. We affirm the shared view to promote a rules-based Indo-Pacific region that is free and open (and) embraces key principles such as ASEANs unity and centrality, inclusiveness (and) transparency, according to the joint statement. The leaders stressed respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means and renunciation of the threat or use of force, but without identifying China. The leaders adopted an implementation plan for 130 projects. Japan called to step up cooperation in security and defense, while reinforcing support for efforts in climate change and investment, including in the regions automotive industry, he said. As divisions and confrontations deepen and the world faces compounded crises, Japan will tackle the issues together with ASEAN, which is the linchpin of a free and open Indo-Pacific,' Kishida said. Based on our mutual trust, we will tackle new issues, and contribute to peace and prosperity of the region in order to create a world where people can benefit while their dignity is respected. Japan adopted a new security strategy last year and has been rapidly building up its military and expanding its military partnerships to better counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the region. On Saturday, on the sidelines of the Dec. 16-18 summit, Kishida held a series of bilateral talks as Japan seeks to step up bilateral security ties with ASEAN countries. Kishida and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, signed a 400 million yen ($2.8 million) deal to bolster Malaysias maritime security capability. It is a new Japanese official security assistance program specifically for militaries of friendly nations to help strengthen their law enforcement and security capabilities. The assistance includes provisions of rescue boats and other equipment to help improve the military capability of Malaysia, which sits at a crucial location on sea lanes connecting the Indian Ocean and East Asia and serves a vital role in warning and surveillance operations for the entire region. Separately on Saturday, Kishida signed a deal with Widodo, offering a grant of up to 9.05 billion yen ($63.7 million) to fund Indonesias maritime security capability advancement plan and includes a Japanese-built large-scale maritime patrol boat. In November, Japan announced a provision of coastal surveillance radars to the Philippine navy, and the two sides also agreed to start talks for a key defense pact called the Reciprocal Access Agreement designed to smooth their troops entry into each others territory for joint military exercises. Later that month, Japan and Vietnam agreed to elevate the status of their relationship to a top-level comprehensive strategic partnership, under which they will discuss details of a possible deal to broaden their defense cooperation. But ASEAN countries are not in lockstep in their stance toward China, with which many have strong ties and are reluctant to choose sides. Japanese officials say they are mindful of the situation and not trying to get them to choose sides. Japan also hopes to push forward energy cooperation with ASEAN leaders at a summit for the Asian Zero Emission Community initiative planned for Monday, when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to join online. The rainforest between Colombia and Panama, once practically impenetrable for migrants moving north from Latin America, has this year become a fast but still perilous route for hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. Migrants from China to Haiti decided to brave three days of deep mud, rushing rivers, and robbers because of economic issues, government repression, and violence. Locals who were entrepreneurial offered guides and porters, set up campsites, and sold goods to migrants, using color-coded wristbands to keep track of who paid for what. By mid-December, more over 506,000 migrants nearly two-thirds Venezuelans had crossed the Darien jungle, thanks to social media and Colombian organised crime, more than doubling the previous years record of 248,000. Prior to last year, the previous high was just 30,000 in 2016. Dana Graber Ladek, the Mexico chief for the United Nations International Organization for Migration, said migration flows through the region this year were historic numbers that we have never seen. It wasnt only in Latin America. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean or the Atlantic on small boats to reach Europe this year has surged. More than 250,000 irregular arrivals were registered in 2023, according to the European Commission. A significant increase from recent years, the number remains well below levels seen in the 2015 refugee crisis, when more than 1 million people landed in Europe, most fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Still, the rise has fed anti-migrant sentiment and laid the groundwork for tougher legislation. Earlier this month, the British government announced tough new immigration rules aimed at reducing the number of people able to move to the UK each year by hundreds of thousands. Authorized immigration to the UK set a record in 2022 with nearly 750,000. A week later, French opposition lawmakers rejected an immigration bill from President Emmanuel Macron without even debating it. It had been intended to make it easier for France to expel foreigners considered undesirable. Far-right politicians alleged the bill would have increased the number of migrants coming to the country, while migrant advocates said it threatened the rights of asylum-seekers. In Washington, the debate has shifted from efforts early in the year to open new legal pathways largely toward measures to keep migrants out as Republicans try to take advantage of the Biden administrations push for more aid to Ukraine to tighten the U.S. southern border. The U.S. started the year opening limited spaces to Venezuelans as well as Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians in January to enter legally for two years with a sponsor, while expelling those who didnt qualify to Mexico. Their numbers dropped somewhat for a time before climbing again with renewed vigor. Venezuelan Alexander Mercado had only been back in his country for a month after losing his job in Peru before he and his partner decided to set off for the United States with their infant son. Venezuelas minimum wage was the equivalent of about $4 a month then, while 2.2 pounds (a kilogram) of beef was about $5, said Angelis Flores, his 28-year-old wife. Imagine how someone with a salary of $4 a month survives, she said. Mercado, 27, and Flores were already on their way when in September the U.S. announced it was granting temporary legal status to more than 470,000 Venezuelans already in the country. Weeks later, the Biden administration said it was resuming deportation flights to the South American nation. Mercado and Flores hiked the well-trod trail through the jungle, managing to push through in three days. Flores and their son, in particular, got very sick. She believes they were infected by the contaminated water they drank along the way. There was a body in the middle of river and the zamuros, those black birds, were eating it and picking it apart all of that was running in the river, she said. For Mercado and Flores, the journey accelerated once they left the jungle. In October, Panama and Costa Rica announced a deal to speed migrants across their countries. Panama bused migrants to a center in Costa Rica where they were held until they could buy a bus ticket to Nicaragua. Nicaragua also seemed to opt for speeding migrants through its territory. Mercado said they crossed on buses in a day. After discovering that Nicaragua had lax visa requirements, Cubans and Haitians poured into Nicaragua on charter flights, purchasing roundtrip tickets they never intended. Citizens of African nations made circuitous series of connecting flights through Africa, Europe and Latin America to arrive in Managua to start travelling overland toward the United States, avoiding the Darien. In Honduras, Mercado and Flores were given a pass from authorities allowing them five days to transit the country. Adam Isacson, an analyst tracking migration at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras grant migrants legal status while theyre transiting the countries, which have limited resources, and by letting migrants pass legally the countries make them less vulnerable to extortion from authorities and smugglers. Then there are Guatemala and Mexico, which Isacson called the were-going-to-make-a-show-of-blocking-you countries attempting to score points with the U.S. government. For many that has meant spending money to hire smugglers to cross Guatemala and Mexico, or exposing themselves to repeated extortion attempts. Mercado didnt hire a smuggler and paid the price. It was very difficult to get through Guatemala, he said. The police kept taking money. But that was just a taste of what was to come. Standing outside a Mexico City shelter with their son on a recent afternoon, Flores recounted all of the countries they had traversed. But they dont rob you as much, extort you as much, send you back like when you arrive here to Mexico, she said. Here the real nightmare starts, because as soon as you enter they start taking a lot of your money. Mexicos immigration system was thrown into chaos on March 27, when migrants held in a detention center in the border city Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, set mattresses on fire inside their cell in apparent protest. The highly flammable foam mattresses filled the cell with thick smoke in an instant. Guards did not open the cell and 40 migrants died. The immigration agencys director was among several officials charged with crimes ranging from negligence to homicide. The agency closed 33 of its smaller detention centers while it conducted a review. Unable to detain many migrants, Mexico instead circulated them around the country, using brief, repeat detentions, each an opportunity for extortion, said Gretchen Kuhner, director of IMUMI, a nongovernmental legal services organization. Advocates called it the politica de desgaste or wearing down policy. Mercado and Flores made it all the way to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where they were detained, held for a night in an immigration facility in the border city of Reynosa and then flown the next morning 650 miles (1046 kilometers) south to Villahermosa. There they were released, but without their cell phones, shoelaces and money. Mercado had to wait for his brother to send $100 so they could start trying to make their way back to Mexico City through an indirect route that required them to travel by truck, motorbike and even horse. In late November, they had just made it back to Mexico City again. This time Mercado was unequivocal: They would not leave Mexico City until the U.S. government gave them an appointment to request asylum at a border port of entry. It is really hard to make it back here again, he said. If they manage to send me back again I dont know what I would do. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the 86-year-old Emir of Kuwait, was buried today in a private ceremony, according to Al Jazeera. He passed away on Saturday. Only members of the royal family attended the prayer ritual in Kuwait Citys Bilal bin Rabah mosque and the emirs funeral procession to Sulaibikhat cemetery on Sunday, which was televised on state television. Only Parliament Speaker Ahmed al-Sadoun was allowed to attend the prayers in the mosque, apart from the al-Sabah family. According to Al Jazeera, Kuwaits next emir, Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, 83, was seen at the ceremony escorting his half-brothers coffin, which was draped in a Kuwaiti flag. The public will offer condolences to the new emir on Monday and Tuesday. The government has declared a 40-day period of mourning and has closed its offices for three days, till Tuesday. Over Kuwait City, flags were flown at half mast, while enormous digital billboards featured pictures of the deceased monarch. Al Jazeera reports that Kuwaits Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. With great sadness and sorrow, wethe Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the friendly peoples of the worldmourn the late His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away to his Lord today, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, said in a statement on Saturday as it aired on state television. Following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, in the United States at the age of 91, Sheikh Nawaf took the oath of office in September 2020. His brother and predecessor, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, ruled for fourteen years and played a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of the Arab state. At the age of 91, he passed away in September 2020, according to Al Jazeera. Before taking the throne, Sheikh Nawaf held influential positions for many years. He was proclaimed heir presumptive in 2006, and in 1990, he was serving as interim minister of defence when Iraqi forces invaded the oil-rich emirate. He was also the interior minister in response to threats from armed groups. In observance of the deceased leader, the Indian government said Sunday that the entire nation would be in state of mourning. The Indian Tricolour is being flown at half-mast on all buildings across the nation as part of the state of mourning. Additionally, the Indian Tricolour is flown at half-mast in all Indian high commission, embassy, consulate, and India House facilities worldwide. In the press release, the Ministry of External Affairs said, In the demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir. He was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care, it added. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of the Emir of Kuwait. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. We convey our deepest condolences to the Royal family, the leadership and the people of Kuwait. (With agency inputs) Cydney Wallace, a Black Jewish community activist, never felt compelled to travel to Israel, though Next year in Jerusalem was a constant refrain at her Chicago synagogue. The 39-year-old said she had plenty to focus on at home, where she frequently gives talks on addressing anti-Black sentiment in the American Jewish community and dismantling white supremacy in the U.S. I know what Im fighting for here, she said. That all changed when she visited Israel and the West Bank at the invitation of a Palestinian American community organizer from Chicagos south side, along with two dozen other Black Americans and Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders. The trip, which began Sept. 26, enhanced Wallaces understanding of the struggles of Palestinians living in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. But, horrifyingly, it was cut short by the unprecedented Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas militants. In Israels ensuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, shocking images of destruction and death seen around the world have mobilized activists in the U.S. and elsewhere. Wallace, and a growing number of Black Americans, see the Palestinian struggle in the West Bank and Gaza reflected in their own fight for racial equality and civil rights. The recent rise of protest movements against police brutality in the U.S., where structural racism plagues nearly every facet of life, has connected Black and Palestinian activists under a common cause. But that kinship sometimes strains the more than century-long alliance between Black and Jewish activists. From Black American groups that denounced the U.S. backing of Israels occupation of Palestinian territory to Black protesters demonstrating for the Palestinians right to self-determination, some Jewish Americans are concerned that support could escalate the threat of antisemitism and weaken Jewish-Black ties fortified during the Civil Rights Movement. We are concerned, as a community, about what we feel is a lack of understanding of what Israel is about and how deeply Oct. 7 has affected us, said Bob Kaplan, executive director of The Center for Shared Society at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Antisemitism has to be seen as a reprehensible form of hate as any form of hate is, he said. Antisemitism is as real to the American Jewish community, and causes as much trauma and fear and upset to the American Jewish community, as racism causes to the Black community, or anti-Asian feeling causes to the Asian community, or anti-Muslim feeling causes in the Muslim community. But, he added, many Jews in the U.S. understand that Black Americans can have an affinity for the Palestinian cause that doesnt conflict with their regard for Israel. According to a poll earlier this month from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Black adults were more likely than white and Hispanic adults to say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel 44% compared to 30% and 28%, respectively. However, Black Americans werent any more likely than others to say the U.S. is not supportive enough of the Palestinians. Generational divides also emerged, with younger Americans more likely to say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, according to the poll. Even within the Jewish American community, some younger and other progressive Jews tend to be more critical of some of Israels policies. Black American support for the Palestinian cause dates back to the Civil Rights Movement, through prominent left-wing voices, including Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael and Angela Davis, among others. More recent rounds of violence, including the 2021 Israel-Hamas war and now Israels unprecedented bombing campaign against Gaza shown live on social media have deepened ties between the two movements. This is just the latest generation to pick up the mantle, the latest Black folks to organize, build and talk about freedom and justice, said Ahmad Abuznaid, the director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. During a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas as part of the recent deal to free dozens of hostages seized by Hamas militants, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Many were teenagers who had recently been picked up in the West Bank for minor offenses like stone-throwing and had not been charged. Some Black Americans who watched the Palestinian prisoner release and learned about Israels administrative detention policy, where detainees are held without trial, drew comparisons to the U.S. prison system. While more than two-thirds of jail detainees in the U.S. have not been convicted of a crime, Black people are jailed at more than four times the rate of white people, often for low-level offenses, according to studies of the American judicial system. Americans like to talk about being innocent until proven guilty. But Black folks are predominantly and disproportionately detained in the United States regardless of whether anything has been proven. And thats very similar to Israels administrative detention, said Julian Rose, an organizer with a Black-run bail fund in Atlanta. Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, invited Wallace and the others to take part in the trip called Black Jerusalem an exploration of the sacred city through an African and Black American lens. They met members of Jerusalems small Afro-Palestinian community Palestinians of Black African heritage, many of whom can trace their lineage in the Old City back centuries. Our Black brothers and sisters in the U.S. suffered from slavery and now they suffer from racism, said Mousa Qous, executive director of the African Community Society Jerusalem, whose father emigrated to Jerusalem from Chad in 1941 and whose mother is Palestinian. We suffer from the Israeli occupation and racist policies. The Americans and the Israelis are conducting the same policies against us and the Black Americans. So we should support each other, Qous said. Nashashibi agreed, saying: My Palestinian identity was very much shaped and influenced by Black American history. I always hoped that a trip like this would open up new pathways that would connect the dots not just in a political and ideological way, he said, but between the liberation and struggles for humanity that are very familiar to us in the U.S. During the trip, Wallace was dismayed by her own ignorance of the reality of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. At an Israeli checkpoint outside the Western Wall, the Jewish holy site, Wallace said her group was asked who was Jewish, Muslim or Christian. Wallace and the others showed IDs issued for the trip, but when an Israeli officer saw her Star of David necklace, she was waved through, while Palestinians and Muslims in the group were subjected to intense scrutiny and bag checks. Being there made me wonder if this is what it was like to live in the Jim Crow-era in America, Wallace said. Kameelah Oseguera, who grew up in an African American Muslim community in Brooklyn, New York, also said the trip opened her eyes. At the entrance to the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem in the West Bank, Oseguera noticed a massive key a Palestinian symbol of the homes lost in the 1948 creation of Israel, referred to as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Many kept keys to the homes they fled or were forced out of a symbol signifying the Palestinian right to return, which Israel has denied. Oseguera said the key recalled her visit to the door of no return memorial in Senegal dedicated to the enslaved Africans forced onto slave ships and brought to the Americas. As a descendant of enslaved Africans, it brought thoughts of what the dream of my return would have meant for my ancestors. Returning to home, she said, is a longing that is transmitted through generations. Israels Law of Return grants all Jews the right to settle permanently in Israel and acquire Israeli citizenship a concept that drew support from many Black American civil rights leaders, including A. Phillip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Dorothy Height, Shirley Chisholm and Martin Luther King, Sr., the father of the slain civil rights leader. Over the last decade, however, Black Americans and the Palestinians have also found growing solidarity. In 2020, the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer resonated in the West Bank, where Palestinians drew comparisons to their own experiences of brutality under occupation, and a massive mural of Floyd appeared on Israels hulking separation barrier. In 2014, protests in Ferguson, Missouri, erupted after the police killing of Michael Brown, a Black teenager, which gave rise to the nascent Black Lives Matter movement. While police officers in Ferguson fired tear gas at protesters, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank tweeted advice about how to manage the effects of the irritants. In 2016, when BLM activists formed the coalition known as the Movement for Black Lives, they included support for Palestinians in a platform called the Vision for Black Lives. A handful of Jewish groups, which had largely been supportive of the BLM movement, denounced the Black activists characterization of Israel as a purportedly apartheid state that engages in discrimination against the Palestinian people. There tends to be this doubt or astonishment that Black people care about other oppressed people around the world, said Phil Agnew, co-director of the national advocacy group, Black Men Build, who has taken four trips to the West Bank since 2014. It would be a mistake, Agnew said, to ignore significant numbers of Black and Jewish Americans who are united in their support for the Palestinians. None of the members of the Black Jerusalem trip anticipated it would come to a tragic end with the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and about 240 taken hostage. Since then, more than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israels blistering air and ground campaign in Gaza, now in its third month. Violence in the West Bank has also surged. Back home in Chicago, Wallace has navigated speaking about her support for Palestinians while maintaining her Jewish identity and standing against antisemitism. She says she doesnt see those things as mutually exclusive. Im trying not to do anything that alienates anyone, she said. But I cant just not do the right thing because Im scared. Three Israeli hostages killed by mistake by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip were flying a white flag and were shirtless at the time, military authorities claimed Saturday, in Israels first admission of injuring any hostages in its assault against Hamas. In a countrywide address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killings broke my heart, broke the entire nations heart, but he indicated no change in Israels aggressive military assault. We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages, he said. Anger at the erroneous killings is likely to put more pressure on the Israeli government to continue Qatar-mediated talks with Hamas about exchanging more of the remaining hostages, which Israel claims number 129, for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas leader, reaffirmed that no further hostages will be released until the war ends and Israel agrees the militant groups criteria for an exchange. Israel, according to Netanyahu, would never acquiesce to such demands. Israels description of how the three hostages were slain sparked concerns about the conduct of its soldiers. Palestinians have claimed that Israeli soldiers opened fire on civilians fleeing to safety on many occasions. Without providing evidence, Hamas has claimed that other hostages had been killed by Israeli fire or aircraft in the past. An Israeli military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to brief reporters in line with military regulations, said the hostages likely had been abandoned by their captors or had escaped. The soldiers behavior was against our rules of engagement, the official said, and was being investigated at the highest level. The hostages did everything they could to signal they werent a threat, but this shooting was done during fighting and under pressure, Herzi Halevi, chief of the militarys general staff, said in a statement. Halevi added: There may be additional incidents in which hostages will escape or will be abandoned during the fighting. We have the obligation and the responsibility to get them out alive. The hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. They had been among more than 240 people taken hostage during an unprecedented raid by Hamas into Israel on Oct. 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians. Speaking at a rally in Tel Aviv, Rubi Chen, father of 19-year-old hostage Itay Chen, criticized the government for believing hostages can be retrieved through military pressure. Put the the best offer on the table to get the hostages home alive, he said. We dont want them back in bags. The Israeli military official said the three hostages had emerged from a building close to Israeli soldiers positions. They waved a white flag and were shirtless, possibly trying to signal they posed no threat. Two were killed immediately, and the third ran back into the building screaming for help in Hebrew. The commander issued an order to cease fire, but another burst of gunfire killed the third man, the official said. Israeli media gave a more detailed account. The mass circulation daily Yediot Ahronot said that according to an investigation into the incident, soldiers followed the third man and shouted at him to come out, and at least one soldier shot him when he emerged from a staircase. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the soldiers who followed the third hostage believed he was a Hamas member. Local media reported that soldiers earlier saw a nearby building marked SOS and Help! Three hostages but feared it might be a trap. Dahlia Scheindlin, an political analyst, said it was unlikely the killings would massively alter public support for the war. Most Israelis still have a strong sense of why it is being fought and believe Hamas needs to be defeated, she said. They feel like theres no other choice, she said. The killings emphasized the dangers hostages face in areas of house-to-house combat like Shijaiyah, where nine soldiers were killed this week in one of the wars deadliest days for Israeli ground forces. The military has said Hamas has booby-trapped buildings and ambushed troops from a tunnel network it built under Gaza City. On Saturday, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum asserted that another hostage, 27-year-old Inbar Hayman, had been killed in Gaza. The group gave no details. Hamas released over 100 hostages for Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Talks on further swaps broke down. Hamas seeks the return of all Palestinian prisoners. As of late November, Israel held nearly 7,000 Palestinians accused or convicted of security offenses, including hundreds rounded up since the war began. The war has flattened much of northern Gaza and driven 85% of the territorys population of 2.3 million from their homes. Only a trickle of aid has been able to enter Gaza. Israel has said it would open a second entry point at Kerem Shalom to speed up deliveries. The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Thursday. It does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. It was the ministrys last update before the latest communications blackout in Gaza. Now 48 hours and counting. The incident is likely to limit reporting and visibility to events on the ground, said Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, a group tracking internet outages. The war has been deadly for journalists. Mourners held funeral prayers for Samer Abu Daqqa, a Palestinian journalist working for broadcaster Al Jazeera who was killed Friday in an Israeli strike. The Committee to Protect Journalists said the cameraman was the 64th journalist to be killed in the conflict: 57 Palestinians, four Israelis and three Lebanese. In devastated Gaza City, resident Assad Abu Taha reported violent bombardment Saturday. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem asserted that two Christian women at a church compound in Gaza City were killed by Israeli sniper fire and that seven other people were wounded. The women were identified as a mother and daughter. Gaza has a small Christian community consisting of about 1,000 people. There was no immediate Israeli comment. The United States, Israels closest ally, has expressed unease over Israels failure to reduce civilian casualties, but the White House continues to offer support with weapons shipments and diplomatic backing. Israel and the US remain far apart on who should run Gaza after the war. Washington wants to see a unified Palestinian government in Gaza and the West Bank as a precursor to eventual Palestinian statehood. A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict enjoys broad international support. Netanyahu reiterated Saturday that Israel will retain security in a demilitarized Gaza and that a Palestinian state would pose a threat to Israel. I am proud to have prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state, he said. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was traveling to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for winding down the wars intense combat phase. But Netanyahu and military leaders vowed to continue until complete victory, which the prime minister noted will take time. It is estimated that over sixty migrants perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The UN agency reported on Saturday that the ship departed Zuwara with about 86 people on board, citing survivors. High waves reportedly overflowed the boat, and 61 migrantsincluding childrenwere reported missing and thought to have perished. One of the main places from which migrants attempt to enter Europe by crossing the Mediterranean is Libya. It is one of the worlds most perilous migration routes; according to IOM estimates, over 2,200 people have drowned while trying to cross this year alone. According to the agency, the majority of the victims in the most recent incident were from Nigeria, the Gambia, and other African nations, as reported by the AFP news agency. Additionally, it stated that 25 survivors had been moved to a detention facility in Libya and were receiving medical attention. An IOM representative described this years death toll as a dramatic number which unfortunately demonstrates that not enough is being done to save lives at sea in a post on X, the former Twitter platform. A fishing boat sank off the coast of southern Greece in June, resulting in at least 78 fatalities and another 100 rescues. Numerous migrants are regularly crammed onto boats that are too small to safely hold them during the Mediterranean crossings. Most of the people traveling hope to arrive in Italy before continuing on to other European nations; some are fleeing persecution or conflict, while others are looking for employment. The UN refugee agency reports that over 153,000 migrants have crossed into Italy this year from Tunisia and Libya. On December 18, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding member Akbar S. Babar will present his appeal against intra-party polls to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to a report by ARY News, a five-member court of the ECP will hear the appeal to resolve the objections and concerns expressed regarding PTIs intra-party polling, according to ARY News. Notable individuals who submitted a protest against the PTI intra-party elections were Raja Tahir Nawaz, Naureen Farooq, and Akbar S. Babar. PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has been called before the ECP regarding the intra-party election matter. The partys main election commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, Umar Ayub, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Yasmin Rashid, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Sardar Masroof of the RO central secretariat have also been summoned by the electoral watchdog. Additionally, according to an ARY News source, notices have been sent to Returning Officers Sardar Masroof Khan of the Central Secretariat and Ansar Mahmood of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Central Secretariat. The intra-party elections, according to Akbar S. Babar, are a drama. Babar claimed that PTI had put the party and its poll symbol, the bat, in jeopardy in a video statement. Notably, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been replaced as the new chairman of the PTI by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who was elected without opposition. PTI intra-party votes were carried out on Saturday in accordance with the directives issued by ECP. According to ARY News, voters used an online app to participate in the election. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, nominated by the PTI founder a few days earlier, took up the top leadership role without opposition. Following his election as PTI chairman, Gohar stated in his statements that he will continue to carry out this duty on behalf of Imran. Dawn, a Pakistani news outlet, reported. According to him, there are 175 political parties in Pakistan, and since 1960, each one has been giving the ECP information about its internal polls. However, none of these polls have been scrutinised as closely as those of the PTI. People are seeing this and will block the oppression, he said. (With agency inputs) The Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump, warned on Saturday that undocumented immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country, repeating terminology that has previously been criticised as racist and reminiscent of Nazi speech. Trump made the remarks at a campaign speech in New Hampshire, when he lamented the high number of people attempting to breach the border illegally. If re-elected to a second four-year term, Trump has promised to crack down on illegal immigration and limit legal immigration. Theyre poisoning the blood of our country, Trump told a rally in the city of Durham attended by several thousand supporters, adding that immigrants were coming to the U.S. from Asia and Africa in addition to South America. All over the world they are pouring into our country. Trump used the same poisoning the blood rhetoric in an interview with The National Pulse, a right-wing website, in late September. The Anti-Defamation League, directed by Jonathan Greenblatt, condemned the rhetoric as racist, xenophobic, and despicable. Trumps persistent use of similar terminology, according to Jason Stanley, a Yale professor and author of a book on fascism, is hazardous. He claimed Trumps statements recalled Nazi leader Adolf Hitlers warning in his political dissertation Mein Kampf against Jews poisoning German blood. He is now employing this vocabulary in repetition in rallies. Repeating dangerous speech increases its normalization and the practices it recommends, Stanley said. This is very concerning talk for the safety of immigrants in the U.S. In October Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung had dismissed criticism of the former presidents language as nonsensical, arguing that similar language was prevalent in books, news articles and on TV. When asked for comment on Saturday, Cheung did not directly address Trumps remarks and instead referred to the controversies over how U.S. colleges are handling campus protests since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, saying media and academia had given safe haven for dangerous anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas rhetoric that is both dangerous and alarming. The poisoning the blood of our country language was not in Trumps prepared remarks distributed to media prior to Saturdays event, and it was not clear whether his use of that rhetoric was planned or adopted on the fly. Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican Partys 2024 presidential nomination and has made border security a major theme of his campaign. He is vowing to restore the hardline policies from his 2017-2021 presidency, and implement new ones that clamp down further on immigration. President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, has sought to enact more humane and orderly immigration policies but has struggled with record levels of migrants, a problem seen as a vulnerability for his re-election campaign. On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly used inflammatory language to describe the border issue and slam Bidens policies. On Saturday he recited the lyrics of a song he has repurposed to liken immigrants to deadly snakes. If re-elected, Trump promised to stop the invasion of our southern border and begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. When it comes to school, zeros are usually not a good sign of performance. But when it comes to Piedmont Virginia Community Colleges newest building, net zero is the goal. Based on the designs of locally based Tiger Solar and VMDO Architects, the future Woodrow W. Bolick Advanced Technical and Student Success Center at PVCCs campus outside Charlottesville will be the first higher education facility in Virginia and one of the few community college buildings in the country to achieve net-zero energy. Plans for the two-story, 45,000-square-foot building began to come together in the spring of 2020, when then-Gov. Ralph Northam released his 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act mandating that utilities based in the commonwealth, such as Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, produce 100% clean energy by 2050. However, the original draft for the Bolick building did not include the 1,000 solar panels or battery-supported backup system that Tiger Solar and VMDO have planned for the building now. The panels lining the roof as well as canopies over windows and a carport will ensure that the building runs entirely on clean energy, according to Tiger Solar President Russ Edwards. The push for a net-zero structure arose from the faculty and staff at PVCC, according to Dean of Student Affairs Andrew Renshaw. The faculty and staff of the college underlined how important this issue was to them, Renshaw told The Daily Progress. It was a grassroots effort on their part to ensure this new building had these new features. Local legislation and the president at the time were very supportive in digging up the additional funding to help with the net-zero drive. The center will become an academic, administrative and social nucleus for PVCC when it opens to students in the fall of 2024. Construction is projected to finish in June and the school will spend the summer moving operations into the building. At full capacity it will host offices for admissions, advising and career services, new student onboarding, student organizations, collaboration spaces, a veterans resource center and cafe. The PVCC faculty, staff and students are committed to a clean energy future for Virginia, said PVCCs former president, Frank Friedman, in a statement released by VMDO in June 2021. We are so pleased to be leading the way by constructing this net zero energy building which will become the centerpiece of our beautiful campus. Most of the $26 million that was invested into the building came from the commonwealth, though the school put up $2 million, according to Scott Jeffries, PVCCs vice president of finance and administrative services. A key role the building will play is spelled out in the name, as it will host PVCCs advanced technical training department. The building will provide students with access to state-of-the-art manufacturing, robotics, cybersecurity and forensics labs driven in part by some of the colleges partnerships with local industries. We have a good relationship with some of the industry leaders in the region, said Jeffries. We want to create and carve out a unique pipeline where our students are getting top-of-the-line educational opportunities here while meeting the needs of the local workforce. Were preparing them for successful, high-paying jobs that benefit them and our region. PVCC students will have the opportunity to learn and practice on equipment being used in a range of manufacturing, defense and architectural corporations such as defense contractor Northrop Grumman, architectural millwork firm Gaston & Wyatt, provider and manufacturer of headspace analysis platforms and measurement services Lighthouse Instruments and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Students will get to train on equipment that is being used in a high-paying, high-demand industry, said Renshaw, who added the impact of the center will only add to the economic vitality of the community. Following Finlands entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning about problems with the country, CNN reported. In an interview on Sunday, Putin said, Finland was seized by the West and forced to join NATO! Why were there disagreements between us and Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature in the middle of the 20th century, have all been resolved long ago. With Finland joining NATO, the security environment in northern Europe underwent a notable change, with the alliances border with Russia expanding by more than 1,300 kilometres (830 miles). It was also a setback for President Putin, who has long opposed NATO expansion. Additionally, Putin labelled US President Joe Bidens comments earlier this monthwhich implied that Russia might eventually attack a NATO ally and involve US forces in combat as complete nonsense. Biden had warned Putin that he would keep going if he gained control of Ukraine. According to Putin, Moscow has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political, nor military, to fight with NATO countries, and it also has no territorial rights in said alliance. (With agency inputs) A Ukrainian soldier named Serhiy, returning from Russian captivity, has reportedly been found mutilated with swastikas carved into his forehead, as disclosed by Dr. Olexandr Turkevich, who is treating him. The soldier, blindfolded during the ordeal, claimed Russian soldiers threatened to dismember him, citing accusations of fascism. Despite Russia framing its actions in Ukraine as a Special Military Operation for de-Nazification, President Putins propaganda alleges Ukrainian genocide against Russian speakers and links the Ukrainian government to neo-Nazis. Dr. Turkevich emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the swastika carvings are direct evidence of Russian-perpetrated genocide. The Neopalymi aesthetic medicine initiative has been instrumental in treating disfiguring injuries and torture suffered by Ukrainian servicemen, including the removal of Nazi branding. Serhiy, one of two soldiers treated for swastika brandings, received laser treatment to reduce scarring. The brutality extends beyond Serhiy, with reports of a woman allegedly tortured, raped, and killed, bearing a swastika branding. Russia faces accusations of war crimes during its campaign in Ukraine, with documented civilian deaths and mass graves in cities like Bucha and Irpin. Amnesty International has accused Russian forces of unlawfully killing civilians, demanding accountability for war crimes. The International Criminal Courts member states are now obligated to detain and transfer Putin if he enters their territory, following an arrest warrant issued in March. At a meeting in London, Ukraines prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, spoke of ruthless attacks and atrocities by Russian soldiers, emphasising a deliberate plan to destroy Ukraine and its identity. Investigations into over 72,000 incidents of war crimes have been initiated, revealing a grim picture of the impact of Russias actions in Ukraine. The situation underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. According to a media report on Sunday, smugglers in Singapore have been soliciting Indian migrant workers who are returning home through Changi Airport to serve as gold mules by carrying valuables in exchange for a price. Passengers who express interest in being a gold mule are led to a private area within the airport, where a transaction is finalised. The courier is promised during talks that a syndicate runner will take the gold jewels from him upon his arrival in India, according to The Straits Times. While taking precious metals, such as gold, outside of Singapore is lawful, couriers who fail to register the gold they are bringing into India run the danger of breaching the law there, according to the source cited. Male citizens of India are allowed to enter the country with up to 20 grammes of duty-free gold worth a maximum of Rs 50,000 (SGD 800). In terms of weight and value, the restriction is doubled for female Indian nationals. Any excess gold jewellery beyond these thresholds will be subject to customs charges. According to Bilal, using mules to smuggle gold has been a tradition for many years. According to the article, those involved in gold smuggling at Changi Airports Terminal 1 want the mules to transport jewellery weighing between 25 and 30 grammes of gold, which is slightly over the permitted amount. According to the article, customs officers and other Indian authorities are keeping an eye out for tourists who are posing as gold mules. This follows an increase in the smuggling of gold into the nation, and there have been tales of syndicates preying on tourists at airports in the Gulf and Asia, namely Malaysia and Singapore, where the metal is less expensive than in India. Travellers are not limited in weight when it comes to the quantity of gold and other precious metals they can carry out of Singapore, according to a report from the Singapore Police Force. SGD 99 (about Rs 6,177) is the price of one gramme of 24 carat gold in India, the country that consumes the second most gold globally. (With agency inputs) A Democratic congressional aide who was fired for recording a gay sex tape in the Senate which surfaced online may face criminal charges. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland fired 24-year-old Aidan Maese-Czeropski on Saturday afternoon, less than a day after it was revealed that a lewd video had shown two men having sex in a Senate hearing room. As per the reports, the sex act, which took place in the same room where senators grill prospective justices of the Supreme Court, is currently being looked into by the Capitol Police. The assistant, who starred alongside Joe Biden in a 2020 campaign video, has already provoked criticism after he posted a statement on LinkedIn on Friday night, claiming that he is being attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda. While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace, he said. Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters. The troubled employee says he is thinking about filing a lawsuit, but Capitol Police might accompany him since they are allegedly investigating whether or not he broke any laws. These might include obscenity and trespassing. Magdalena Rivera Maese, the mother of Maese-Czeropski, hinted that her son was upset by what had happened on Saturday morning, just before his dismissal was officially confirmed. She said, You dont want to know how hes doing. However, things could get worse for him because there is a report that the videowhich was first allegedly shared in a closed group chat for gay men on The Hillis the subject of an investigation. Attorney Jonathan Turley claims that several laws might have been violated, including the question of whether using the hearing room informally constituted trespassing. He said that if the video was recorded in a public space to generate income or if it contained explicit, lewd, or obscene material, the employee might find themselves in legal hot water. Its also said that there is doubt about whether he mishandled or harmed official property. A youthful-appearing male employee is seen hunched over a conference room in the Hart Senate Office Building in video footage of the affair that was first made public by the Daily Caller. Behind him is another man who is filming the sex act in X-rated detail. In a different photo, the staff member is shown in the nude and on all fours seated at a table where senators frequently take seats to ask questions during hearings. The video reportedly surfaced on a since-deleted account on X and was shared in a private group for gay men in the political scene. The owner describes himself as a young, attractive gay man, or twink, who enjoys having sex with his older partner, a bear. Maese-Czeropski, whose LinkedIn profile states that he has been employed at Cardins office since October 2021, has held positions as a climate researcher for Friends of the Earth and a field organizer for the Democratic Party in Virginia. Cardins office has not responded to the charges against his employee, and he declared his retirement in May, the month his current term ends. Contact attempts were not immediately answered by Maese-Czeropski. Over the Red Sea on Saturday morning, a US destroyer took down a swarm of Houthi drones, according to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom). On X, the social networking site that was formerly known as Twitter, Centcom claimed that the USS Carney, a guided missile destroyer, had successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The tweet further stated that no harm or injuries were inflicted by the interception and that the drones were found to be one-way attack drones. The target of the drone wave was not specified by Centcom. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have been firing ballistic missiles and drones into Israel since November 9. All failed to reach their objectives or were intercepted by US or Israeli air defence systems. Houthi rebels can also pose a threat to Red Sea shipping from bases along Yemens coast since they can cross the Bab el-Mandeb Straits, a tiny waterway that connects Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the worlds oil travels from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal via this strait. The Houthis recently declared that they would attack any ship in the Red Sea headed towards Israel, no matter who owned it. The Galaxy Leader is among the spacecraft they have harassed or assaulted. The 25-person crew of the cargo ship is being kept captive in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. (With agency inputs) The recent skirmishes between Sudans army and paramilitary groups endanger civilians and relief work, the US warned on Saturday, urging fighters to avoid an assistance hub housing tens of thousands of people. According to UN data, about 500,000 displaced individuals have taken asylum in Sudans Al-Jazirah state, with more than 86,000 of them residing in the states capital, Wad Madani. However, fighting between Sudanese armed troops and the paramilitary Rapid Support troops (RSF) overran the city on Friday, prompting the United Nations to halt relief activities in the state until further notice. Wad Madani has become a safe haven for displaced civilians and is an important hub for international humanitarian relief efforts. A continued RSF advance risks mass civilian casualties and significant disruption of humanitarian assistance efforts, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. We urge the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan to cease their advance in Gezira State immediately and to refrain from attacking Wad Madani, Miller said. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, the fight between army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, began in April and has killed more over 12,190 lives. According to UN data, about 5.4 million people are internally displaced, while approximately 1.3 million have migrated abroad. For weeks, RSF forces had been moving down the highway from Khartoum to the north, 110 miles (180 kilometres). The United States has warned North Korea that any nuclear attack against the nation or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of the (Kim Jong) Un regime, a joint US-South Korean statement said on Saturday. The U.S. side reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response, the statement said. The second U.S.-Republic of Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) convened in Washington on Friday for talks on nuclear deterrence as part of a commitment by the two countries to share more insight into planning in the event of conflict with North Korea. Pyongyang has developed and tested a range of ballistic missiles that can reach targets in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. mainland. Kim Tae-hyo, South Koreas deputy national security adviser said on Friday that North Korea may test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile this month, which was considered a nuclear threat regardless of its range because it can carry a nuclear warhead. The third NCG will be convened in Korea next summer. Members of the Hindu American community have organised an automobile rally in a suburb of Washington, DC, to kick off the month-long celebrations leading up to the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya next month. For the event on Saturday afternoon, a number of locals gathered at the Shri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple in Ayodhya Way, close to Frederick City, Maryland. The date of the Ram Temples grand opening in Ayodhya is January 22, 2024. The organisers said that the event marked the beginning of Indias month-long Ram Mandir celebrations. After 500 years of struggle by Hindus, Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir is being inaugurated and so we are organising a historic celebration of the same in the Washington, DC area on January 20 next year with about 1,000 American Hindu families, said Mahendra Sapa, the president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America DC chapter. The celebration will include Ram Leela, stories of Shri Ram, Hindu prayers to Shri Ram, bhajans (devotional songs) to Bhagawan Shri Ram and his family, he added. The celebration will feature the enactment on the life of God Shri Ram by kids of various ages for about 45 minutes in a manner understandable to kids born in America. Premkumar Swaminathan, a co-organizer and prominent member of the Tamil Hindu community in the area, performed a hymn honouring Lord Shri Rama in Tamil and extended invites to all families for both the January 20 celebration in the USA and the official inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22 of the next year. Other organisers discussed the significance of Bhagawan Shri Ram, who serves as an inspiration to Hindus worldwide, in Kannada, Telugu, and other languages. All followers of Shri Ram were invited by the rallys organiser, Krishna Gudipati, to celebrate the Ayodhya Mandir with a larger car and motorcycle rally. Ankur Mishra, a prominent local Hindu, elucidated the significance of commemorating the momentous opening of Ayodhya Mandir for numerous Hindu families and generations to aspire to become exemplary members of American society. The Ram temple at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, which is located on the banks of the Sarayu River, is now under construction thanks to a 2019 Supreme Court decision. On August 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lay the temples foundation stone. (With agency inputs) Five Republicans will be on the ballot for Virginias March 5 presidential primary on Super Tuesday, said Rich Anderson, chairman of the Virginia Republican Party. The five are former President Donald Trump, former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. The deadline for filing petitions was Thursday, and political parties have until next Tuesday to verify signatures. To be on the ballot, candidates must gather 5,000 valid signatures of Virginia voters, with at least 200 from each of the states 11 congressional districts. While Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Dallas megachurch pastor Ryan Brinkley filed petitions, the state party did not certify their petitions. Scott formally dropped out of the race last month. While five Republicans filed for the Virginia primary, the GOP field could narrow before March 5, particularly if one candidate prevails in multiple key early voting states, such as Iowa on Jan. 15, New Hampshire on Jan. 23 and South Carolina on Feb. 24. Trump leads his closest GOP rivals by more than 30 percentage points in Iowa and more than 25 points in New Hampshire. He also faces multiple indictments. The judge has set a trial date of March 4 in Trumps election interference case, but that trial date could get delayed. Larry Sabato, head of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said its unlikely all five Republicans will still be in the race by March 5, but you cant rule it out until you see the results in Iowa and New Hampshire. The Democratic Party must still verify signatures on petitions from President Joe Bide,; Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and self-help book author Marianne Williamson, all of whom filed petitions by the Thursday deadline. Virginia is one of 14 states in the GOPs contest on March 5. The others are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. Alaska will hold its Republican primary on March 5, as well. In addition, Utah will hold a Democratic primary on that date, while Republicans will run candidate selection caucuses then. Republicans in Alaska vote in their primary. In 2012, only two candidates qualified for Virginias Republican presidential primary former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. State lawmakers subsequently cut the signature requirement for ballot access in half to 5,000 statewide and at least 200 per congressional district. The reduction applies only to presidential primaries. Virginia needs to boost spending on water quality, including more funds for Richmonds combined sewer overflow project, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday. But while his proposed boost of more than $500 million to state spending on natural resources includes $50 million for the Richmond clean water effort, that sum is less than the $100 million the General Assembly dropped in this years long-delayed budget. Youngkin will present his proposed two-year budget to the General Assemblys money committees Wednesday. In recent days, he has rolled out a number of proposals including funds to boost behavioral health, fuel medical research and combat antisemitism. As part of an effort to limit social media abuse of youth, he said this week that he will propose legislation to restrict access to TikTok for children under 18. This would be part of a package that includes legislation banning social media companies from targeting ads at minors, selling minors data and creating marketing profiles of minors without their parents consent. The combined sewer overflow project is a multi-decade, multi-hundreds of millions of dollars effort to make sure heavy rains do not push sewage through Richmonds street drains into the James River. The citys effort, which dates to the 1980s, is now under a General Assembly mandate to complete the pipes, water-flow regulators and bacteria-zapping necessary to clean up city runoff by 2035. The funding increase Youngkin proposed would address water quality, flooding, parks, dam safety, land preservation and habitat restoration. As Virginians, we are blessed to be surrounded by an abundance of treasured natural resources, Youngkin said. We are prioritizing funding to further advance Chesapeake Bay goals, support vulnerable communities at risk of flooding, and bolster state parks, he added. More than $250 million of the money would go to address water quality issues. In addition to the money for Richmonds combined sewer overflow program, Youngkin is proposing a boost of more than $200 million for efforts to help farmers cut the flow of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment in streams and rivers that eventually feed into Chesapeake Bay. Nitrogen and phosphorus feed the algae that create the oxygen-starved dead zones that emerge every summer. These zones, which affect hundreds of billions of gallons of bay waters, kill fish and shellfish. Sediment clouds the water and kills the underwater plants that generate oxygen and shelter young juvenile and crabs. Youngkin also proposed a $100 million boost for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund that finances large flood prevention projects as well as $73.8 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project and $25 million for the Resilient Virginia Revolving Loan Fund that focuses on smaller flood control projects. In addition, his proposal includes an $8.2 million boost for state parks and conservation staff and operations, as well as $6.1 million more for dam safety work. Youngkin also proposed $5 million for the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund. bohlah at 17-12-2023 06:56 AM (3 weeks ago) (m) Hike in the cost of living, particularly the cost of housing in Istanbul, Turkey, has forced Hafize Gaye Erkan, the new head of the nations central bank, to move back in with her parents. Hike in the cost of living, particularly the cost of housing in Istanbul, Turkey, has forced Hafize Gaye Erkan, the new head of the nations central bank, to move back in with her parents. The 44-year-old, who took up her post in June after two decades in the United States, told the Hurriyet newspaper she has been priced out of Istanbuls property market by rampant inflation. We havent found a home in Istanbul. Its trribly expensive. Weve moved in with my parents, she said. Erkan previously worked at firms including Goldman Sachs and First Republic Bank and is now getting a crash course in the soaring prices that have seen many young people struggling to find lodgings. Is it possible that Istanbul has gotten more expensive than Manhattan? she said. Year-on-year inflation stood at 61 percent in November as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has allowed the lira currency to weaken while promising that a new team of economists with Wall Street experience would tackle years of economic crisis. To quell growing anger, officials also capped rent increases at 25 percent though experts say that has only amplified the housing tensions, as owners try to push out occupants, sometimes fraudulently, in order to set new and higher rents. The central bank last month pushed up benchmark lending rates to 40 percent in a bid to get inflation under control. Were nearing the end of our monetary tightening measures, Erkan told the paper. The 44-year-old, who took up her post in June after two decades in the United States, told the Hurriyet newspaper she has been priced out of Istanbuls property market by rampant inflation.she said.Erkan previously worked at firms including Goldman Sachs and First Republic Bank and is now getting a crash course in the soaring prices that have seen many young people struggling to find lodgings.she said.Year-on-year inflation stood at 61 percent in November as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has allowed the lira currency to weaken while promising that a new team of economists with Wall Street experience would tackle years of economic crisis.To quell growing anger, officials also capped rent increases at 25 percent though experts say that has only amplified the housing tensions, as owners try to push out occupants, sometimes fraudulently, in order to set new and higher rents.The central bank last month pushed up benchmark lending rates to 40 percent in a bid to get inflation under control.Erkan told the paper. Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 17-12-2023 06:56 AM (3 weeks ago) | Addicted Hero Last year, SG Aerospace and Gas employees celebrated when some of their handiwork launched into outer space as part of a successful NASA mission. This month, the Grand Junction-based company was celebrated by NASA and its Colorado aerospace business peers for that accomplishment. On Dec. 5, the Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) held its pre-Roundup dinner ahead of its annual Roundup Conference at Wings Over the Rockies in Denver. With more than 175 industry, government and academic guests in attendance, Lockheed Martin Orion Project Manager Michelle Butzke presented SG Aerospace with a plaque from NASA to recognize the Western Slope small business for its work on the Artemis I mission, the first mission in NASAs 2020s-spanning plan to return humankind to the moon. SG Aerospace President Michael Sneddon accepted the award, which included a mission patch flown aboard the unmanned Orion capsule on its 1.4-million-mile journey around the moon and back. We were very humbled, Sneddon said. Theres many different suppliers that have been a part of this. We were just humbled to be a part of it and to be a part of the space program with where its at right now. Contracted by Lockheed Martin, SG Aerospace and Gas had been building Orion spacecraft components, such as brackets, since 2017. The Artemis program provided the company its first opportunity to work with the federal government and the space industry. As soon as next November, SG Aerospaces work is slated to be a part of more history, as the Orion spacecraft will return to space as part of the Artemis II mission this time carrying human beings. The flight, projected to last 10 days, will be NASAs first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft. Their orbit around the moon will pave the way to land the first woman on the moon on the Artemis III mission. The Artemis II crew of astronauts consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Its important for us to be a part of that and to make sure that theyre all safe and successful, Sneddon said. We look at that as just another step toward Artemis to help them be safe. Thursday Night Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 15F. Winds light and variable. The next emir is Sheikh Meshal, the half-brother of the late ruler, who had already assumed most of his predecessor's key tasks in 2021 Dan Gibbs, left, is the executive director of the Department of Natural resources. JT Romatzke took a shot at Gibbs in his retirement email to Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff. Dan Prenzlow, right, was once the director of CPW, but was forced to resign after a comment to a Black employee was found to have violated agency policies during an investigation. Operation Iron Swords - Day 71 - 16 December 2023 In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UAS were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries. Regional Red Sea partners were alerted to the threat. This doesn't mean all of them were shot down with SM-2s or long range SAMs. There's EW, 127mm gun (which is capable of shooting down aerial threats). There's also Quad packed ESSM (4 missiles in 1 cell) w ranges of upto 50km. Carney is nowhere near being out of interceptors. HMS Diamond has shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea - destroying the target with a Sea Viper missile. At approximately 0700, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA, a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it. The Houthis directed the vessel to turn around and proceed south. Although there were no U.S. ships in the area, U.S. forces maintained direct communications with the vessel, and the ALANYA continued north. It is believed to be traveling safely at this time. At approximately 0900, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), a UAV launched from Houthi held territory struck the Liberian flagged Motor Vessel AL JASRAH as it was travelling south in the Red Sea. The AL JASRAH immediately broadcast a mayday signal that said the crew was fighting a fire caused by the attack. The fire has since been extinguished and the crew has since determined that no further assistance is needed. Then, at approximately 1300, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), Houthi forces launched two ballistic missiles towards the international shipping lanes in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. One of these missiles struck the Liberian flagged MV PALATIUM 3, which broadcast a mayday call and reported that the vessel was on fire. The USS MASON has responded to that request. The other missile likely missed any ships. No injuries have been reported by any of the three ships attacked, but this latest round of attacks is yet another demonstration of the great risk to international shipping caused by these Houthi actions. French Maritime Transport CMC GM announced it suspended its operations to ship containers through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, similar to the two groups Danish Maerskand German "Hapag-Lloyd", following Houthi attacks on a number of ships. Italian-Swiss Shipping suspended the transit of its ships in the Red Sea after they were attacked on 15 December 2023, in a move similar to other groups in the maritime shipping sector. The company explained in a statement that its ships will not usethe Suez Canal until passage through the Red Sea becomes safe, and that the attack did not result in any casualties. One of its crew members, and did not add any other information about the nature of the attack. For its part, the Association of German Shipping Companies called for the formation of an international military coalition to protect civilian maritime transport in the Red Sea, following the attack on a German cargo ship. The association's CEO described the step as necessary to protect commercial shipping ships and their crew members, noting that there is a proliferation of ships belonging to the American, French, and British navies in the region. Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian, the Times Of Israel military correspondent, noted "IDF provides new details of yesterday's tragic incident in Gaza City's Shejaiya neighborhood, during which three Israeli hostages who managed to escape Hamas captivity were shot dead by troops. According to a senior officer in the Southern Command, citing an initial probe, the incident began after one soldier stationed in a building identified three suspicious figures exiting a building several dozen meters away. All three were shirtless, with one of the figures carrying a stick with a makeshift white flag, according to the investigation. "The soldier, who believed the men moving toward him was an attempt by Hamas to lure IDF soldiers into a trap, immediately opened fire and shouted "terrorists!" to the other forces. According to the probe, that soldier killed two of the men, while the third, who was hit and wounded, fled back into the building from which he came. "At that stage, the commander of the battalion, who was also in the building where the soldier shot from, went outside and called on the forces to halt their fire. Meanwhile, sounds of someone shouting "Help" in Hebrew were heard by the troops in the area. Moments later, the third man came out of the building to which he fled, and another soldier opened fire at him, killing him. The battalion commander then realized that the appearance of the third man was unusual, and it was revealed to be an Israeli hostage. All three bodies were collected and taken to Israel to be identified. "The soldier who immediately opened fire upon identifying the three men did so against protocols, as did the second soldier who killed the third man, according to the officer."" The incident occurred in the Shuja'iya neighborhood, which a few days ago witnessed the killing of the commander of the 13th battalion in the Golani Brigade and a number of soldiers, and the wounding of the commander of the 12th battalion. The occupation of Shuja'iya is considered one of the difficult and complex combat zones. The area witnessed violent fighting between the resistance and the occupation forces last week, and a number of the resistance fighters were wearing civilian clothes. IDF Spokesman, Major General Daniel Hagari: "We will continue To investigate the event to the end, the war calls for complex situations. The conclusions of the investigation were forwarded to the fighting forces in the Gaza Strip as a whole. We were not prepared for the scenario that the abductees would go towards the soldiers. What succeeded in causing the abductees to escape - is the ground operation". According to the Israeli media, a paper was distributed to the occupation soldiers containing new instructions that must be taken into account when similar incidents occur, including that there is a possibility that the prisoners may have been abandoned or escaped, and soldiers must also pay attention to some indicators in the event of an incident. Similar to speaking Hebrew, raising hands and clothes. The new instructions stressed that a senior officer must be informed of the situation in the field to take the appropriate decision. Colonel Al-Shuja'iyya and military expert Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, in statements to Al-Jazeera, questioned the Israeli story, pointing out that it contains many gaps and question marks. Al-Falahi pointed out how there were prisoners who were not at least handcuffed. He also wondered, Where did they get the flags from, and How can prisoners walk around freely? He said that the dead may be from other sectors that penetrated the regions and were not prisoners. According to him. The military expert expected that there is a different story among the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and that it may explain the matter and how the incident occurred. Al-Falahi explained that this incident has consequences and may be a way out for the Israeli government to stop the war and begin the negotiation process to release prisoners held by the resistance. Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a post on Telegram that the enemy is gambling with the lives of its captured soldiers, and that yesterday he deliberately executed 3 of them. Al-Qassam broadcast a recording containing scenes of a number of Israeli prisoners who were killed in Gaza, with the phrase Time is running out at the end. Operational Update The Al-Qassam Brigades announced the targeting of many Israeli tanks and vehicles throughout the Gaza Strip. It also targeted an Israeli force east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, with anti-personnel devices, and another force while searching a house west of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. Al-Qassam broadcasted scenes of a qualitative operation carried out on Friday, where it said that its fighters eliminated 10 Israeli soldiers in Juhr al-Dik, east of the central region. The brigades said they targeted 3 Merkava tanks. The occupation forces fired Al-Yassin 105 missiles. East of the city of Khan Yunis, before talking about its destruction of the Merkava tank. With a guerrilla action bomb northeast of Khan Yunis, in addition to its fighters targeting an Israeli foot force stationed in one of the houses there with an anti-personnel missile, leaving it dead and wounded. Al-Qassam also announced that one of its fighters attacked a group of Israeli occupation soldiers with a hand grenade, leaving them dead and wounded. In the Beit Lahia project in the northern Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera obtained pictures of violent clashes between the Al-Qassam Brigades and the occupation forces west of Gaza City. The Brigades added - in a statement - that they targeted two tanks and two bulldozers of the occupation with Al-Yassin 105 shells. It was able to snipe two Israeli soldiers in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, noting that it bombed a gathering of incursive vehicles east of Khan Yunis with mortar shells, and an Israeli bulldozer with a Tandom shell. The military media broadcast of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades-the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) - A video clip showing scenes from Phalange fighters attacking Israeli occupation soldiers in their tents in the Juhr al-Dik area in theGaza Strip. The scenes shown by Al Jazeera showed Al-Qassam fighters storming the position of the occupation soldiers in the Juhr al-Dik area and killing all the soldiers present in the place. According to the video, the fighters were able to infiltrate a place where the occupation soldiers were gathered and targeted it with a missile against the fortifications, and they were able to clear the site and the guard tents. The scenes also showed one of the occupation soldiers lying on the ground, and Al-Qassam Brigades fighters also found an M-16 weapon. The forces of the IDF 4th Brigade Combat Team yesterday raided a row of operational apartments in the Khan Yunis area. The fighters found in the apartments many weapons and underground infrastructure used by the terrorists. The reserve fighters of the 551st Brigade Combat Team detected the movement of a number of Hamas terrorists on the roof of a building from which shots were fired at the forces in the Jabaliya area. The forces directed an Air Force aircraft, which attacked and destroyed the structure. The forces of the 188th Brigade Combat Team, in cooperation with the Armored, Engineering, Army and Air Force forces, completed the takeover of the headquarters of the Shagaiya battalion of the terrorist organization Hamas. During the operation, the fighters eliminated terrorists and destroyed a tunnel shaft containing a terrorist who tried to throw a bomb at our forces. The complex was destroyed by air force aircraft, tanks and engineering forces. Also, the fighters of the 414th collection battalion made the first use of a drone of the "stronghold" type, as part of which they uncovered and attacked a terrorist cell in the area. In the last day, the combat teams of the commando formation and the 7th brigade raided terrorist infrastructures in the heart of the city of Khan Yunis, eliminated many terrorists and located tunnel shafts of the terrorist organization Hamas. In addition, the fighters located a tunnel shaft with motorcycles inside it that were used by the Hamas terrorists in the murderous attack on October 7. In addition, an Air Force fighter jet attacked a building that was used as a hiding place for terrorists and an aircraft eliminated three terrorists who tried to attack Israeli forces. Two Palestinians were killed by the occupation army's bullets near the cities of Tulkarm and Hebron in the north and south of the West Bank, bringing the death toll in the West Bank to 290 martyrs since October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health announced the martyrdom of Aziz Abdul Rahim Aziz Khalil (20 years old) from abdominal wounds in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and before that it announced the martyrdom of Salim Nasser Salim Hajar (25 years old) near Tulkarm. The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem said that an Israeli army sniper assassinated two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish. In Gaza, it is the only Catholic church in the Strip, where the majority of Christian families have sought refuge since the beginning of the war. According to a statement by the Patriarchate, Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot dead while they were going to the nuns monastery, and 7 other people were shot while trying to help others within the walls of the monastery. The Houthis announced that they targeted the city of Eilat on the Red Sea with drones, as part of pressure on Israel to stop its aggression against the Gaza Strip. The military spokesman for the groupAnsar Allah al-Houthis in Yemen, Yahya Al-Sarii, announced that the groups fighters targeted the city of Eilat on the Red Sea with drones today, Saturday. In the context of pressuring Israel to stop its aggression against the Gaza Strip. Sarie said that the Air Force carried out a military operation against sensitive targets in the Umm al-Rashrash area (Eilat) in southern occupied Palestine with a large batch of drones. He added that their forces will continue their operations against the Zionist entity until it stops its aggression against Gaza. The targeted locations or the extent of losses are not yet clear. Three launches from Lebanese territory towards Israeli territory were detected. The IDF attacks the source of the shooting with artillery. Also, IDF fighters identified and attacked a number of suspects in a known area of Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. Air Force fighter jets attacked a series of Hezbollah targets, including military buildings, launch sites and terrorist infrastructure. Also, a number of launches from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory were detected. The IDF attacked with artillery in Lebanese territory. In addition, IDF fighters attacked two suspects who were operating in a known launch area of Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. Air defense fighters intercepted a hostile aircraft that crossed from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory. Also, another hostile aircraft was detected that crossed the territory of Lebanon and fell in the Margaliot area. The IDF attacks with artillery in Lebanese territory. Also, the IDF forces attacked with the means of combat "steel sting" A launch site from which launches were made towards the territory of Israel. Following the alert that was activated in the Shatula area, several launches were detected that crossed the territory of Lebanon. A combat helicopter and air force aircraft attacked and destroyed several Hezbollah targets. Among the targets that were destroyed, a launch position and a military position from which launches were made towards the territory of the north of the country earlier today. Following the warnings in the north of the country, a number of launches were identified that crossed the territory of Lebanon towards different areas in the territory of the north of the country, some of which were intercepted according to policy. Also, earlier today the air defense fighters successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target from the territory of Lebanon before it crossed into the territory of the country. In addition, a drone that crossed over Lebanese territory fell near an IDF outpost in the Manara area. IDF forces attacked the sources of the shooting. Since the beginning of the war and at the same time as the fighting on the northern border, the IDF regular and reserve forces have been conducting training to increase their competence for additional possible scenarios on the northern border as part of the "Precious Time" program. The purpose of the "Precious Time" program is to train the fighting forces in reserve at the same time as the various defense missions during an emergency. The program is a significant part of the readiness of the forces, with an emphasis on the reserve forces. As part of the program, the forces carry out day and night training, training for the use of rifles, the authorization of different and varied weapons, training in built and open terrain, from the platoon level to the battalion combat teams, in order to simulate in the best way the multi-armed integration in combat, this alongside the realization of all Defense missions on the northern border. Also, at the initiative of the Northern Command, a trainer's camp was built, which includes shooting trainers, a fire-launching mobile and shooting training with all the weapons. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel Salam confirmed that his group had begun talks with international parties, which he did not name, to stop the escalation through the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman, indicating that the Houthis will continue to target Israeli ships and ships heading to Israel until the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted, and the flow of Continuous humanitarian aid to the Strip. Abdel Salam said that any real steps that respond to the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Gaza by bringing in food and medicine would contribute to reducing the escalation, according to the statement. The "Islamic Resistance" announced In Iraq, two US Army bases were attacked with drones in the Al-Omar and Koniko fields deep in Syria, indicating that the attack resulted in direct casualties. She said in a statement: Our mujahideen attacked with drones two basesof the American occupationin the Al-Omar and Koniko fields deep in Syria, and we achieved direct hits. About a month ago, the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" announced in its statement, last November 14, it targeted an American base in the Koniko oil field in Syria. Its statement said: In response to the crimes committed by the enemy against our people in Gaza, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted the American occupation base in the Koniko oil field in Syria, with a missile salvo, hitting its targets directly. Maps All maps are lies. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. Thes processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Bystanders In an "unusual and clear" message From Saudi Arabia, Tel Aviv considered it directed at it. Riyadh confirmed that it wants the Palestinian Authority to assume power there in the Gaza Strip and believes that it is capable of doing so. The i24News website stated that while the battles continue inthe Gaza Strip, attention is turning to the "next day" After the war, and in light of this, Saudi Arabia sent an unusual and clear message. That the Kingdom wants the Palestinian Authorityto assume power there. The website indicated that Riyadh "believes that it (the authority) is capable of doing so".. and through this message, Riyadh refers to Israel They are closely monitoring everything that happens and expect her to act. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, had stated publicly yesterday, Friday, in a manner that we had not seen before since the beginning of the war in Gaza. He conveyed in a firm voice the Kingdoms position regarding future control of the sector. He said during a press conference: The Palestinian Authority is capable of managing Gaza. Everyone knows its ability and strength to manage the West Bank, and it did a wonderful job despite the challenges, according to the Israeli website. He added: There is no justification for not calling for aceasefire in Gaza, adding, If there is a path to a state Palestinian, the Palestinian Authority is more than capable of providing it with the necessary powers. In light of the statements made by the Saudi Foreign Minister, a Saudi official close to the Royal Palace told N12 on Saturday and confirmed that Saudi Arabia and the United States are pressing for the Palestinian Authority to take control in terms of sovereignty and security in Gaza after the war. Saudi Arabia is open to dialogue, but adheres to the two-state solution. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of the worsening levels of hunger inthe Gaza Strip. besieged, amid increasing cases of starvation deaths in the Gaza Strip. The Agency's Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed in a press conference his concern about the spread of hunger that the Gaza Strip had never witnessed before, stressing that all residents of the Strip suffer from despair, hunger and panic. He said that residents stop the aid trucks, take food from them, and eat it immediately, and this indicates their desperation and hunger, as he put it. He added that he was horrified by what he called smear campaigns. Which targets the Palestinians and those who help them, considering that UNRWA is also one of the targets of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. Lazzarini also denounced the "ever increasing levels of inhumanity" And the lack of global sympathy towards what the people of Gaza are experiencing. The occupation authorities control the number of aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip from the Rafah crossing, as they must be subject to inspection in Israel before entering, while Thousands of tons of humanitarian aid are piled up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. Director of the Office of the Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York, Craig Mokhiber, charged United States is the biggest obstructionist in punishing those who violate international humanitarian law. He said that this was evident in its support for the likely genocide in Gaza, and it is the largest advocate of racial discrimination in the world. This was stated in a lengthy interview with Moukheiber conducted and published by the Mondus website. The American News Service, beginning by identifying Mukhaiber as the man who resigned from his position on October 28, accused the United Nations of failing in its mission to prevent genocide in Gaza. Moukheiber said in his response to a question about the reason behind Americas support Israel in its violations of international law, which could constitute genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. He was not surprised by Americas position, which conflicts with that of The American people. He explained that the American position serves the interests of a narrow group, namely arms manufacturers, technology companies, and Israeli lobbyists, who use all their influence, and pressure with carrots and sticks, to ensure that the American administrations in Washington remain fully allied with the Israeli ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip. He said that US President Joe Biden is doing what every Democrat and Republican has done for decades, and the difference between him and his predecessors is that he does not even care about what the American people think. He added that opinion polls showed that the vast majority of Americans - Republicans and Democrats - oppose the Israeli attack on Gaza and want a ceasefire and a reduction in aid to Israel. He added that there is a long tradition of American disdain for international law, and it has the worst records of ratifying international human rights treaties. Every country in the world has ratified the treaty that protects the human rights of children, with the exception of America, commenting that this symbolizes Americas general position on international law. He said that the United States refuses to ratify theRome Statute, and opposes efforts to hold accountable the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and violations Serious human rights violations by international mechanisms if the perpetrator is an American or a friend of them."" He added that Congress has already passed a law called the Hague Invasion Law, which states that the United States is authorized to use military force to attack the Criminal Court. International in The Hague to "liberate" Anyone Washington does not want to be tried there. Moukheiber continued to say that there is a myth that America is a leader in the field of human rights in the world, but personally, and during 40 years of working in the field of human rights at the United Nations, I have not seen evidence of that. He pointed out that America actively opposes any measure to combat racism. Moukheiber strongly attacked the International Criminal Court, saying that it was established to try to provide a chance for justice for those who are victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, but instead, it has become a mechanism that is only willing to focus on the countries of the South, prosecute African leaders and a few others, and refuses to do anything. Something the West might not like. He added that the most prominent example of what he argues against this court is the speed with which it acted with regard to the allegations of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, and its reluctance to act to avoid taking any action regarding Israeli violations in Palestine despite the fact These cases were filed years ago. He said the current problem is that the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, whom he described as completely politically corrupt, is undermining the reputation of the entire court, because of his bias and submissive service to Western interests. He added that if Israel gets away with widespread war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the message from that will be that the rules that were put in place after World War II do not apply to the United States and its allies, and that would be the beginning of the end of the entire international framework. Mokheiber expressed his belief that Israel is currently accelerating its work to complete its original goal of ethnic cleansing Gaza and later the West Bank and East Jerusalem to implement the larger project that began in 1947, describing this as a historical moment in which Israel wants to make as much progress as possible to strengthen its settlement Colonial ethno-nationalist project. He added that Israel will try to implement as much of its major project as possible in the next few weeks, and will try to prevent any meaningful reconstruction or return, with the intention of forcing survivors to choose between remaining in southern Gaza in miserable and unsustainable conditions or passing across the border. In Rafah to live in tents in Sinaior to send them in the diaspora to other countries until The ethnic cleansing of Palestine is being pushed much further. After Gaza, and the talk is still according to Mukhaybar, they will begin, as they have already begun, to accelerate the persecution in the West Bank. They have already ethnically cleansed a number of villages, locked many in prisons, and imposed increasingly unbearable conditions in the hope of expelling more and more people from the West Bank so that their vision of an apartheid state, supremacy, settler colonialism, and ethnic nationalism from the river to the sea would be reinforced. He said that Israel is escaping punishment because of the complicity of the United States,the United Kingdom and a number of countries in Europe, and because of the failure of international legal structures and international institutions such as The United Nations, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and none of these structures will suddenly stand up and take a principled position, which means that the hope of preventing Israel from escaping punishment Genocide, and the hope of ending Israelis' powerful dream of an ethnocentric, oppressive and exclusive nation-state rests with ordinary people in Israel, Palestine and around the world. Axis of Resistance Osama Hamdan, a leader in The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said that the movement will not release the Israeli prisoners unless the war stops and the conditions of resistance are accepted. Hamdan confirmed, during a press conference from Beirut, that Israels political and military leadership is pushing its forces into Gaza knowing that it will not win, and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuAnd his army leaders do not care about the lives of their soldiers and officers. He added that Israel's account of the killing of the three detainees by its forces indicates that they are moving from failure to failure in Gaza, as he put it. Hamdan showed a video of the bombing operations in which the occupation army killed a number of prisoners and detainees in Gaza. He reiterated that restoring the Israeli prisoners alive will not happen except by stopping the aggression and entering into a negotiating deal on the conditions of resistance. He said that the occupation bulldozers buried dozens of displaced and wounded people alive in Kamal Adwan Hospital, stressing that what happened was a massacre that revealed the extent of the occupiers sadism and brutality, which far exceeded all Nazi crimes. He added, "The steadfastness of our people, the valor of our resistance, and its victories force many countries in the world to change their positions, and push many politicians to move away from the narrative of Israel that is stained with the blood of innocents." Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said that the Israeli aggression against Gaza did not achieve its goals during 71 days, moving from failure to failure. He added during a press conference that there is no trust The Hamas movement is in the administration of US President Joe Biden, which is considered the Israeli occupations partner in the massacres. He also confirmed that 45% of the martyrs in southern Gaza were displaced persons, which belies the occupations claims of the existence of safe areas. Hamdan also touched on the occupations aggression against Kamal Hospitalaggression in the northern Gaza Strip, and said that it representsA new massacre". Hamdan stressed that the occupations direct targeting of journalist crews is Zionist terrorism that will not succeed in concealing the truth of crime and massacres. Likewise, Hamdan stressed that the Nazi army that declared war to liberate the prisoners is the one that kills its prisoners, and that its continued violations will not give it legitimacy on our land. The Houthi spokesman, Muhammad Abdel Salam, announced that communication is continuing with international parties regarding the operations of the Yemeni armed forces in the Red Sea and stressed that Yemens position with Gaza is firm and not subject to any bargaining. Abdul Salam said that Yemeni assurances in this regard were repeated in more than one meeting, explaining at the same time that we cannot stand idly by. Abdul Salam pointed out the existence of Omani mediation with the Houthis regarding the operations of "Ansar Allah" In the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. He said on his social media account: Under the auspices of the brothers in the Sultanate of Oman, communication and discussion continue with a number of international parties regarding the Red Sea and Arabian Sea operations. In this regard, he added: We have assured everyone that the operations in Yemen are to support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and that we cannot stand idly by. In response to the aggression and siege that the Strip is being subjected to, as there is no food, medicine, or even drinking water, the enemy entity has cut off it. Abdul Salam made statements a few days ago in this regard when he talked about receiving some communications following the Yemeni naval forces implementation of operations in the Red and Arab Bahrain, and he said We received communications from active countries confirming their support for the ceasefire in Gaza, and their commitment to working to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Allied for Democracy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during a press conference for the leaders of the War Council that Israel is communicating with Egypt and Qatar regarding negotiations to release the hostages. This came after the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that the government was considering submitting a new proposal to release the hostages. Israeli Radio also reported that the leaders were considering moving towards a new deal after the incident of the killing of the three detainees in Shujaiya. Netanyahu stated that Israel will not repeat the Oslo mistake, and the Gaza Strip will not be ruled by extremist parties. Such as "Fatah" and "Hamas" - the two are arguing about how to eliminate Israel. The Gaza Strip, or as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it during a public address in "Tel Aviv" on Saturday, "Hamastan", will not be run by the Palestinian Authority, or as he said, "turn into Fatahstan", going against the wishes of the Israeli occupation's closest allies, the United States. The Israeli premier underlined that he wanted the Gaza Strip to be demilitarized, or rather pledged that it would be so, and added that the Israeli occupation forces would "be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip." His explanation for wanting to demilitarize Gaza instead of keeping it Palestinian or doing as the US wishes, i.e., handing it over to the Palestinian Authority is a survey conducted in the West Bank, wherein 82% of Palestinians said they supported Operation al-Aqsa Flood carried out by the Palestinian Resistance against the Israeli occupation forces on October 7. In a closed discussion held in the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of the occupation, Knesset members asked Netanyahu about the possibility of an alternative scenario wherein the Palestinian Authority's security forces would aim their rifles at the occupation forces in the West Bank, as part of possible cooperation with Hamas. Netanyahu, according to Israeli Channel 2, said the "coup scenario is familiar and is up for discussion," adding that in the case this scenario is realized, the IOF would respond within minutes. Moreover, he completely dismissed any diplomatic solution and justified the ongoing genocide by saying that "only military pressure" got the captives out of Gaza during the ceasefire reached in November, going on to say that only that would secure the release of the remainder of the captives. "Without it, we have nothing," he maintained. Talking about Hamas' conditions for a deal that would see the captives released, Netanyahu said: "They have all kinds of demands" including that "the war end and [the occupation's] troops are booted out The minute we capitulate to that, Hamas wins. And we are obligated to eliminate [Hamas] and to get all the hostages back." He added that he "inherited the Oslo Accords," noting that "the decision to bring the PLO from Tunis and plant it in the heart of [the West Bank], and in Gaza, was a decision made and implemented before I became prime minister. I thought it was a terrible mistake and I still do." He told a reporter who asked him why he did not withdraw from the aforementioned agreement if he was so critical of it "You and your journalist friends have been blaming me for almost 30 years for putting the brakes on the Oslo Accords and preventing the Palestinian state. That's true". The Israeli premier boasted that he "prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state" adding that everybody today "understands what the Palestinian state could have been now that we've seen the little Palestinian state in Gaza." In the aforementioned discussions that took place earlier in the week, Netanyahu said, "The Oslo Accords were a disaster that resulted in the same number of casualties as the October 7 attack but over a longer period." He said about the agreement signed between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Authority under the auspices of the United States "The Oslo Accords are a fundamental mistake; they caused the largest number of casualties". The Israeli premier maintained "The Palestinian Authority will not be able to control Gaza under any circumstances". Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant confirmed that the army is fighting against evil and we must win, stressing that the war will be long and that they will pay difficult prices in exchange for achieving their goals. Gallant said, trying to justify the Israeli army's killing of Israeli hostages yesterday in Shujaiya, in a press briefing: There are explosive toys, ambushes, and the sounds of childrens cries to lure soldiers. We must understand the conditions in which our soldiers are. He added: This incident is one of the difficult tragic events that happened to me. We were close to victory. The prices we pay every day in Gaza are difficult in exchange for the goal of achieving complete victory in this war. The Israeli minister continued: I believe in the sincerity of our path as we fight in this most just war that we are fighting against evil and the evil organization. We must win... There are great achievements in the military operation, which is the great pressure to eliminate the saboteurs and their leaders. He added: There is no force preventing us from reaching anywhere in the Gaza Strip. Our forces reach into the tunnels from above and below the ground, and this pressure is what enabled us to reach an agreement to return 110 kidnapped persons to their families. Galant stressed that war has costs. These are difficult hours for the warriors in the Gaza Strip, and I encourage them to continue until they reach a decisive victory, dismantle Hamas, and return the kidnapped people. This war will be long and continuous in order to eliminate those who represent evil. Gallant stressed that the Shujaiya neighborhood is a terrorist neighborhood in which we fought before and fought difficult battles. We have always faced difficult battles there in previous wars. Israeli war council member Benny Gantz vowed to remove Hezbollah from the northern border if the world did not act on it. For his part, Knesset member Yuli Edelstein revealed that Israel is working diplomatically to remove Hezbollah from its northern borders and that the alternative to the agreement will be war. For his part, a Lebanese official, who refused to reveal his name, said that American and French officials visited Beirut to discuss the security situation in the south. In exchange for the threat of Israeli officials with the option of all-out war, the US Congress adheres to the need to ensure that the scope of the conflict does not expand in the region and to commit to calm. Once Hamas is "destroyed," as Netanyahu put it, the Israeli occupation will turn its focus to the north and "deter Hezbollah". Either there will be a diplomatic situation on the northern border, "or there will be a different way" to solve the situation, he claimed. He added that there were talks about the issue with the United States, which is likely to be all in for a "diplomatic solution". Israeli media highlighted the frustration experienced by residents of northern Israeli settlements due to the Israeli government's handling of the tense situation along the border with Lebanon. David Azoulay, the head of the "Metula" settlement council, told the Israeli Channel 13 that a situation under which a heavy presence of Israeli soldiers is present in "Metula" cannot be tolerated, implying that settlers "cannot enter" under such circumstances. Azoulay underlined that having Israeli soldiers within the settlements is not a solution, nor does it provide security or a sense of security amid the ongoing situation. He continued, "I want and ask the Israeli government to tell us only what it intends to do and when. This is what we want to know," adding, "We are frustrated." A couple of days ago, the same Israeli official confirmed that all "civilian" infrastructure in Israeli settlements within 4 kilometers of the border with Lebanon is not operational due to ongoing Hezbollah attacks. In a related context, the head of the Israeli occupation Regional Council in Upper al-Jalil, Giora Zaltz, commented on the fact that Islamic Resistance operations continue in the direction of northern occupied Palestine, criticizing the conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This comes as the fighters of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance - Hezbollah continue to carry out operations against Israeli occupation forces on the borders with occupied Palestine in support of the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, amid the ongoing Israeli brutal war on the Strip. The incident of the killing of 3 Israeli prisoners in Gaza by occupation soldiers is another failure for Israel in addition to its failure to confront the Palestinian resistance attack on October 7. As experts and analysts say, this incident reflects the confusion of the Israeli army leadership. According to the military and strategic expert, Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, the issue of killing the three detainees indicates a real problem among the occupation army at the level of planning, implementation and management of military operations. He said that this case - and not the first for the Israeli army - indicates a very great confusion among the leadership of the Israeli army as a result of the fierce battles that its forces fought with the Palestinian resistance in the previous period, in addition to the many ambushes in which these forces fell and the terror and fear that gripped them under The huge losses made it anticipate everything and hit everything that moved. In the same context, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, described the behavior of the occupation army as vile and immoral, and it is not new to him, as he has always used it with the Palestinians. They beat and insulted a disabled Palestinian young man and then shot him. From zero distance, they also shot Al Jazeera journalist Sherine Abu Aqla. He recalled what the occupation did in the 1967 war, when it buried Egyptian prisoners after they surrendered, as well as part of the Jordanian soldiers, and concealed this crime that was revealed later. Al-Barghouti added - and he was speaking during the daily analytical stand on Al Jazeera channel, Gaza... Whats next? - that the occupation armys killing of its prisoners indicates its confusion and fear of the Palestinian resistance, as it is losing the war due to its inability to uproot the resistance from its roots, and its inability to restore detainees, as well as extending its control over areas including northern Gaza. He said that the occupation is facing a guerrilla war similar to what happened in Vietnam against the Americans. The military and political leaders in Israel - adds Albar Guthi - are facing a real dilemma, and there are demonstrations in Tel Aviv that are chanting the downfall of Netanyahu, who does not care about the lives of Israeli detainees. Regarding this impasse, Ihab Jabareen, an expert on Israeli affairs, says that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to flee forward and cling to the blood of prisoners and soldiers. To save himself and his rule, he pointed out that pressure is accumulating on him from the Israeli public, especially from the families of the detainees, and from the American administration, which has set a time limit for the war on the Gaza Strip, because You do not want to enter the next elections under these conditions. According to Jabareen, Israel entered the war in order to achieve two goals: breaking the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and returning the detainees, but what it achieved was It killed detainees and killed Palestinian civilians, and even failed to market its propaganda to give legitimacy to its war, as the speaker highlights. Regarding the possibility of renewing efforts to conclude a deal between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation, military and strategic expert Karim Al-Falahi expected this matter to happen if losses continued among the ranks of the Israeli army, stressing that the current stage is decisive and severe for both parties, and the issue of profit and loss in wars is measured. By achieving the goals, Israel did not achieve its goals. Rather, it added another failure to the failure of last October 7, in reference to the Al-Aqsa Flood battle launched by the resistance to the occupation. For his part, the expert on Israeli affairs, Jabareen, said that in the midst of the losses suffered by the Israeli army and its failure to recover detainees held by the Palestinian resistance, the Israeli street will press to go to a deal now with the Palestinians. Mahmoud Al-Rantisi, Palestinian researcher and writer, noted that until a few days before the start of the temporary truce between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance, led by the Hamas movement, the families of Israeli prisoners - held by the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip - continued their marches in front of the Israeli Ministry of Defense building in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, with the participation of tens of thousands in order to put pressure on the Prime Minister. The Israeli forces kept repeating that their forces would continue their war on Gaza until these prisoners were forcibly liberated. According to its confessions, the occupation lost more than 70 soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, and it is expected that the real number of deaths is several times this number, in addition to thousands of wounded and hundreds of destroyed vehicles. The greatest loss - for the families of the detainees - was the killing of many detainees during the Israeli bombing operations on homes in the Gaza Strip, as the resistances statements indicated that 60 of them were killed during the Israeli bombing. This result, alone, indicates the failure of the option of liberating the prisoners by force in Gaza. Of course, the truce - which lasted for 7 days since November 24 - was practical evidence of the collapse of the process of liberating detainees in Gaza by force, after the Israeli occupation forces practically failed to do anything, and all their narratives and information that promoted that the detainees and the leadership of the Hamas movement failed. They are located in headquarters under Al-Shifa and Al-Rantisi hospitals, which has been proven false in front of the whole world. On a practical level, the occupying state - historically - has not been able to succeed in liberating prisoners held by Palestinian organizations or even Arab countries, except through negotiations. Throughout history, there have been many failed attempts to liberate prisoners, and the matter did not stop there. Rather, these attempts led to adverse results. The first was the infliction of deaths and injuries on the attacking party, sometimes more than the number of prisoners who were being attempted to be liberated, and in most cases the prisoners themselves were killed. Attempts to free prisoners by force also increase the possibility of escalation of the conflict and loss of trust. Which leads to things getting out of control. For example, in World War I, Russian forces tried to free prisoners of war from German concentration camps. Which led to the Battle of Kursk. Which ended with the defeat of the Russian forces. In the American Civil War, federal forces tried to free prisoners from Confederate concentration camps. Which led to the Battle of Springfield. In which the federal forces were defeated. In view of the scientific results on this subject, a Harvard University scientific study found... 2015 - based on statistical analysis - the success rate of liberating prisoners by force is only 20%. While a study by the University of Cambridge demonstrated: In 2017 - based on a dedicated case study - the success rate of liberating prisoners by force was only 15%, while a study at Oxford University found that In 2019, titled: Freeing Prisoners by Force: A Cost-Benefit Analysis, it was stated that freeing prisoners by force often leads to escalation of the conflict and increased human casualties. On a practical level, the occupying state has not been able - historically - to succeed in liberating prisoners held by Palestinian organizations or even Arab countries, except through negotiations, the last of which was the temporary truce in November 2023, and the Gilad Shalit deal on October 18, 2011. With Hamas, and the Nawras deal In 1983 with the Popular Front General Command, and before that another deal with the Popular Front in 1979. For example, the use of a definitive negotiation method led to the failure of an exchange deal for the Israeli pilot Ron Arad, who was captured in 1986. Contact with the captors was cut off to this day, and everyone who captures Israeli soldiers - to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for them - continues to remind the occupation of its treatment. With the case of Ron Arad. This incident has a special dimension to the current Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevy, who was involved in the kidnapping of the leader of the Amal movement. Mustafa Al-Dirani in 1994 to obtain information about Ron Arad, but the occupation did not obtain anything. Rather, Al-Dirani left in 2004 in an exchange deal. In 1992, then Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin refused to release Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in exchange for the release of soldier Nissim Toledano, and after the expiration of the Qassam Brigades ten-day deadline, the soldier was killed. By the way, the occupation government deported 415 leaders of the Hamas movement to Marj al-Zuhur. In response to this process, the result was completely the opposite, as the deportation process provided a unifying meeting for the Hamas movement, which contributed to the unification of the movements thought and decisions and its cohesion. In 1994, the Israeli occupation government refused to deal with the demands of the Hamas movement, which captured soldier Nahshon Wachsman. In the end, the soldier was killed, and a number of Israeli soldiers who tried to free him by force were killed and injured. This incident is still stuck in the mind of the decision-maker of the occupation government, specifically Herzi Halevy, who was a member of the Seret Metkal unit, which was surrounding the house where the soldier was located. In 2014, Hamas captured soldiers Aaron Shaul and Hadar Goldin in a military ambush. In 2016, the Al-Qassam Brigades captured Abraham Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayyid, and the occupation is still delaying achieving an exchange agreement regarding them. Which made their fate closer to that of Ron Arad. The only case in the history of the conflict in which the occupying state succeeded, relatively speaking, in liberating hostages was not in Palestine, and was not, in fact, a success in the overall outcome. It came after two Palestinians from the Popular Front hijacked a passenger plane with 103 Israelis on board in 1976 and took it off. Athens Airport to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. One of the reasons for the successful liberation by force was to make the two captives believe that it was negotiating with them and was about to respond to their demands to release 53 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli commandos killed 20 Ugandan soldiers, and officer Jonathan Netanyahu, Benjamins brother, was also killed during the operation. Netanyahu, in addition to 3 other Israeli detainees. Thus, relations between Uganda and Tel Aviv were severed, and the attackers killed 3 Israeli hostages, one of whom remains engraved - in particular - in the memory of Netanyahu himself, who today leads the decision-making process regarding the liberation of Israeli detainees and prisoners in the Gaza Strip. Thus, we can say that if studies in 3 prestigious universities have proven that the rate of liberating prisoners by force reaches 15-20%, then the success rate of the Israeli occupation in liberating prisoners inside Palestine by force - specifically from the hands of the Qassam Brigades - is zero. If some consider the Entebbe operation to be an example of a successful operation to liberate prisoners by force, then the severing of diplomatic relations with Uganda, the killing of a senior attacking officer, and 3 Israeli detainees as a result of this operation, cast doubt on the success of this example to a great extent. In fact, the occupation is in great trouble when it comes to the issues of the families of its soldiers and settlers. In both cases, it will inevitably lose. Whether by accepting the demands of the Palestinian resistance forces and implementing exchange deals, or by being stubborn and arrogant, and seeking to liberate the prisoners by force; Which causes him losses that may exceed his calculations, and results that scientific and practical experience have proven will not be in his favor in the end. Al-Rantisi concluded that according to historical and scientific experience, the occupation will not obtain any of its prisoners from the hands of the resistance, except by agreeing to the terms of the resistance, and it is sufficient for Netanyahu and Halevy - in particular - to forget the possibility of achieving any success that would cover up their current and previous failure. An academic conference was held in the city of Haifa which discussed the Israeli war on Gaza, which continues for the 71st day, from a political, intellectual, and strategic perspective, scenarios for the conduct of the war, and its repercussions on the Palestinian issue. An elite group of Palestinian and Israeli academics and intellectuals participated in the conference sessions - which is considered the first of its kind to be organized inside Palestine since the start of the war on Gaza, in cooperation between Mada Al-Carmel (the Arab Center for Applied Social Studies), the Arab Youth Association (Baladna), and the Arab Culture Association. Al Jazeera Net attended a session entitled The Israeli War on Gaza, while the titles of the rest of the sessions were Two Months after the War... Political, Intellectual, and Strategic Readings, The Tribe Israel... Its Internal and External Borders, and The History of Gaza and its Territory. Urban, cultural, political readings. The speakers unanimously agreed that the sudden attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) by launching the Al-Aqsa Flood battle " On October 7, it is a product of the policies of successive Israeli governments, and reflects the political goal of Benjamin Netanyahu's undeclared war of war, which is to displace the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The speakers agreed that the results of the war on Gaza will determine the fate and future of the Palestinian issue, and therefore they believe that what is happening in Gaza is a war on the Palestinian people and not a war on Hamas, as the Israeli establishment promotes. In a political, intellectual and strategic reading from an Israeli perspective of the future of Gaza and the Palestinians the day after the war, sociology researcher Dr. Walid Habas said, Israel seeks to impose sovereignty and control on the Palestinians through a policy of punishment and reward and a return to the policy of military rulers in all of historic Palestine. . On the basis of these rules, Habas says, Israel seeks to establish a policy of siege and mass closure and adopt a policy of forced displacement and internal displacement in the Gaza Strip, and even in the West Bank a i=2>, with the aim of separating the Palestinians from the land and converting it to expand the settlement project, and looking to find Palestinian figures to manage the local affairs of the population under the umbrella of the occupations civil administration. The sociology researcher believes that Israel failed to implement this model in the Gaza Strip, which produced a local Palestinian administration that refuses to submit to Israeli dictates, resists the policy of punishment and reward, and continues to resist until liberation and independence from the occupation. Accordingly, Israel launches war on the Strip because Hamas refused to submit to the ruling system. Military and civil administration. The same reading was reviewed by the Israeli researcher in sociology, Yehuda Shenhav, who described the war on Gaza and its repercussions as a tragedy. On the future generation in historic Palestine, on Jews and Palestinians alike, noting that this common place, which was a kind of alliance to live together, is no longer so. He explained that what is happening in Israeli society in light of the unprecedented consensus on war reflects the collapse of the proposal of the Green Line that formed the dividing border with the Palestinians in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1976, as at the center of this debate regarding deleting the dividing border in particular are those who previously called for a settlement. Conflict under the two-state solution. The researcher pointed out that the Hamas attack is the result of the policies of successive Israeli governments, and that the scenario of a comprehensive Israeli war on Gaza was expressed by many indicators and signs and the train of normalization, which was a stop for bypassing the Palestinians, harming the Palestinian issue, and seeking to liquidate it by Israel. With regard to the reality forthe Palestinians of the 1948 in light of the state of emergency and war, Shenhav explained that the war on Gaza proved that citizenship is not a safety net for the Palestinians of the 1948. He views them as enemies, not as citizens with rights, saying that Israeli society, in light of the war, declared clearly that there is no Palestinian people, and there is no citizenship...either friend or enemy, so what is happening now is a repetition of the scenes of the first Nakba in 1948. In a session entitled Israel the Tribe... Its Internal and External Borders, the researcher on Israeli affairs, Antoine Shalhat, explained that the development of Israel in the last two decades has produced the new right that now rules Israel and is trying to achieve the following goals: free economy, governance, nationalist extremism, and preserving the Jewish character of Israel. Shalhat pointed out that the new Israeli right - whose initial features began to take shape with Netanyahu's return to power in 2009 - is completely different from the traditional Israeli right whose features were formulated by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, saying that "what happened in Israel before October 7 and the pursuit of amendments... On the judiciary, they represent the mentality of the new Yemen. He pointed out that the doctrine of the new Israeli right is summed up by devoting the principle of governance, that is, clinging to power and ruling at all costs and regardless of what happens, saying that Israel, with the formation of the current Netanyahu government, is moving towards the rule of the religious, that is, giving the religious character to civil authority, which paves the way for hegemony. Religious people are in power. In the Israeli war on Gaza, Shalhat says, The dominance of religious people was evident even over the army, which frequently resorted to religious and biblical texts to justify the war, as the phenomenon of religiosity expands in the Israeli army, which is divided into the official army and the armed militia that is established in Israeli towns. In turn, political science researcher Dr. Muhannad Mustafa reviewed the goals of the undeclared war on Gaza in the absence of a political horizon, pointing out that the goal was to exploit the war for the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Sinai, which means a new Nakba, a plan that was foiled due to... The steadfastness of the Gazans, as well as the Egyptian rejectionist position, which surprised the Israeli establishment. Mustafa highlighted the reality of the Palestinian issue before October 7, which was not present internationally, regionally, Arably, or Islamically, as it was absent and sought to be overcome under the cover of normalization agreements. He pointed out that the Palestinian issue was also forgotten and marginalized, whether by the Israeli establishment or by Israeli society, as over many years the Palestinian was absent from Israeli consciousness. Mustafa pointed out that Israels attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue came through building a strategy based on the deal of the century in 2020, which relied on three components: expansion of the settlement project, displacement of Palestinians and annexation, and strengthening the Palestinian geographical, political and organizational division between the West Bank and Gaza, saying that the results of the war On Gaza, it determines the status and future of the Palestinian issue. 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 more than 19,088 martyrs. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. United Nations experts announced reports that the Israeli bombing of Gaza since October 7 led to the death of about 12,000 women and children. The number wounded was about 54,450. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said many 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 496. Since last October 7, in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Ministry of Health said that 288 citizens were martyred and 3,450 were injured, including at least 535 children, and 84 other citizens Lebanons Health Ministry released an official casualty numbers in fighting, saying 77 people were killed and 251 wounded since the start of the war on Gaza. 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. The IDF acknowledged the death toll to 124 between an officer and a soldier since the start of the ground incursion, while the number of wounded since the beginning of the ground operation rose to 652, including 146 seriously injured. This brings the total number of dead officers and soldiers whose names the Israeli army allowed to be published to 449 since the Palestinian resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th. At least 10,157 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV. The IDF updated the number of soldiers injured in the war and attacks on October 7 to 1,683. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had 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 Israeli army announced that 35 soldiers were injured during the last 24 hours, and its spokesman said, We are going through difficult and complex times, and there are things that we have not been exposed to before. Hostages Israel estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 19 out of 135 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive. Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had 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 held 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 had released 110 hostages so far 86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals. 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. 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. Palestinian institutions concerned with prisoners affairs announced that the Israeli authorities have arrested 4,520 Palestinians in the West Bank and the 1948 territories since last October 7. Israel had earlier 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. The Israeli army announced that it had verified the killing of another Israeli female detainee in the Gaza Strip and that it had informed her family about it. Army Radio said that Amber Hayman (27 years old), who was captured during a concert near the Re'im settlement in the Gaza Strip on October 7, was killed, without additional details. Pressure is mounting from the families of the hostages, who organized a new demonstration in front of the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, demanding an end to the fighting and the start of negotiations. Israeli media said that members of the war council will discuss the possibility of concluding a new deal with Hamas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address COLUMBIA FALLS, ME and ARLINGTON, VA, Dec. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- December 16, 2023 National Wreaths Across America Day took place at over 4,225 participating locations across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery. Volunteers remembered our nations heroes as they said their names aloud, honoring over three million veterans this year. Wreaths Across America would like to thank the communities, dedicated volunteers, and generous sponsors for coming together in unity and supporting those who have protected our freedom. Each person has played a part in the year-long mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. What I love most about this day, and this mission, is that it is so much more than just the placement of a wreath. The wreath is the catalyst, it brings together communities - families and strangers -- to learn about those who have served and sacrificed, said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. We have more than three million volunteers across the country and a third of them are children. This mission and the events happening today provide the opportunity to teach kids about what freedom is. For centuries, fresh evergreens have been used to symbolize honor and a living tribute renewed annually. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When volunteers say the name of a veteran aloud while placing a wreath, it ensures they live on in our hearts and memories and are always remembered. For more information about the year-long mission and ways to get involved in your own community, please visit www.wreathacrossamerica.org. National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, December 14. # # # About Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery began in 1992. The organizations mission Remember, Honor, Teach is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org . Attachments SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: Mar. 9, 2023 Aug. 17, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Dec. 19, 2023 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FTCH Contact An Attorney Now: FTCH@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH) Securities Fraud Class Action: The litigation focuses on whether Farfetch misrepresented growth and concealed problems with key partnerships, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. The complaint alleges Farfetch misrepresented and omitted to disclose that: (1) Farfetch was experiencing a significant slowdown in growth in the U.S. and China; (2) Farfetch also faced onboarding challenges impacting the launch of its Reebok partnership; and (3) Farfetch downplayed challenges it faced with respect to, and/or overstated its ability to, manage its supply chain and inventory. Investors learned the truth on Aug. 17, 2023, when Farfetch reported dismal Q2 2023 financial results and slashed its FY 2023 revenue guidance, causing the price of Farfetch shares to crash about 45% lower on Aug. 18, 2023. Since the filing of the suit, Farfetch has experienced a staggering drop in its stock value, hitting record lows. Sell off ensued when Richemont (CFRHF) announced that it had no intention of investing in or loaning money to Farfetch. More fuel was added to the fire when Farfetch delayed its Q3 earnings report and related conference call. The companys financial challenges were further highlighted by two credit downgrades earlier this month and reports of a potential sale of Browns, a subsidiary, as Farfetch seeks to raise funds. Based on recent developments, we are investigating whether the alleged fraudulent period should be expanded, says Kathrein. If you invested in Farfetch and have significant 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 Farfetch case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Farfetch 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 FTCH@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. The Board of Directors at Nilfisk announces the appointment of Jon Sintorn as new CEO, after conducting a thorough search process over the last six months. Jon Sintorn, a Swedish national with extensive leadership and CEO experience joins Nilfisk from Nobia AB, where he has served as President & CEO since 2019, leading a transformation of the company. Nobia AB is a European leader in designing, producing, and selling kitchens to consumers and professionals, serving seven main markets with 5,500 employees, delivering an annual revenue of around 14 bn SEK. Previously, Jon served as President & CEO of Permobil AB for 9 years. During his tenure, the company grew from a small niche player to a global leader increasing revenue from SEK 1 bn to SEK 4 bn. Peter Nilsson, Chair of the Board of Directors in Nilfisk comments: "I am very pleased to announce Jon Sintorn as CEO of Nilfisk. Jon has a proven track-record with transforming companies to maximize their value creation potential across different industries. In addition to his strategic business skills and deep technological insight, Jon has a strong people focus and extensive experience with leading global companies meeting customer needs worldwide. These qualities are key to ensure that Nilfisk becomes the recognized market leader within the professional cleaning equipment and services industry. Jon Sintorn says about his new appointment: Nilfisk has a rich legacy in innovation and engineering, aiding its customers by pushing the boundaries for mechanical and autonomous cleaning for nearly 120 years. I am truly excited to take on this task. Together with the team, building on Nilfisks strong foundation and with Business Plan 2026 as our platform, we will move Nilfisk even further in becoming a true market leader and continue to raise the bar for sustainable product innovation. Rene Svendsen-Tune will stay on as Interim CEO of Nilfisk until Jon Sintorn assumes the role, which will be no later than July 1, 2024. For further information, please contact Elisabeth Klintholm, VP, Head of Investor Relations & Group Communications, +45 2555 6337 Nynne Jespersen Lee, Head of Communications & Media Relations, +45 4231 0007 Attachment Cardinal found guilty of embezzlement in Vatican trial of the century BBC International News Dec - 16 - 2023 , 21:19 A Vatican court has sentenced Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former adviser to Pope Francis, to five-and-a-half years in jail for financial crimes. Becciu, 75, was the most senior Vatican official ever to face such charges and once seen as a papal contender himself. The trial centred on a London property deal that ended in huge losses for the Catholic Church. He strongly denied charges including embezzlement and abuse of office. Cardinal Becciu's lawyer said his client was innocent and would lodge an appeal. He was on trial with nine other defendants. All were convicted on some counts and found not guilty on others. The trial, which exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest Vatican ranks, had been going on for two-and-a-half years. After three judges spent more than five hours considering the verdict, Court President Giuseppe Pignatone announced that Cardinal Becciu had been convicted of embezzlement. The others, who included financiers, lawyers and ex-Vatican employees, were accused of various crimes, including fraud, money laundering and abuse of office. They all denied wrongdoing. "We reaffirm Cardinal Angelo Becciu's innocence and will appeal," stated Becciu's lawyer, Fabio Viglione, after the verdict. "We respect the ruling, but we will definitely appeal." The case - the first of a Cardinal standing trial in a Vatican court - was the stuff of intrigue and skulduggery. It involved allegations of financial impropriety at the top of the Vatican, cloak-and-dagger activity of the kind that has often characterised the secretive world of the Holy See. It centred around a building not in the Vatican, or even in Rome, but a thousand kilometres away in London - 60 Sloane Avenue in affluent Chelsea, a former warehouse belonging to the department store Harrod's. In 2014, the Vatican spent more than 200m ($220m; 170m) acquiring a 45% stake in the building, which was planned to be converted into luxury apartments. By 2018, the Vatican's Secretariat of State had decided to buy the property outright, sinking a further 150m euros into the purchase. Allegedly signing off on the whole deal was Cardinal Becciu, who was at the time the Vatican's Substitute for General Affairs - in effect chief of staff to the Pope. The money, part of which was intended to be used for charitable works, had been paid into a trust run by a London-based Italian financier Raffaele Mincione, who orchestrated the purchase. When the Secretariat later sought financial help from the Vatican's own bank, it sparked concern - and a raid by Vatican police that led to the charges against Becciu, Mincione, and eight others. But the investigation into Becciu's affairs wasn't limited to the London property deal. The cardinal was also accused of funnelling vast sums of money to his home diocese of Sardinia, some of which reportedly benefited his family. And it was alleged he paid almost 600,000 to another of the accused, Cecilia Marogna, to help free a nun kidnapped in Mali. Prosecutors said she instead spent much of the money on luxury goods and holidays. Marogna, who had offered her services to the Vatican as an intelligence expert, visited Becciu's residence on several occasions. Both denied claims of a sexual relationship. The charges against Becciu made him the first cardinal ever tried for financial crimes. It also prompted Pope Francis to strip him of rights including that of voting in a future conclave to select Francis's successor. After he was removed from office by the Pope in 2020, he gave a news conference to plead his innocence. "Until 6:02 p.m. on Thursday I felt like a friend of the Pope, a faithful executor of his will," Cardinal Becciu said. "Then the Pope says he no longer has faith in me." The whole affair became a test case for Pope Francis's aim of clearing up the Vatican's finances, which were long plagued by scandal, bedevilling the papacy of Francis's predecessor, Benedict XVI The result of the case could have significant implications for Francis's legacy as a reformer. credit: BBC Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan withdrew VND1 quadrillion (US$44 billion) from lender SCB over a decade, using a variety of tactics to conceal the illicit movement of funds, according to prosecutors. Between 2012 and October 2022, Truong My Lan orchestrated the disbursement of 2,500 loans totaling VND1 quadrillion through the Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), as detailed by the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam amid charges of bribery, banking regulation violations, and embezzlement against her. The sum of over VND1 quadrillion represents a colossal 93% of the total loans issued by SCB during this period. This amount equates to 22.6% of Vietnam's GDP as of the end of September. It triples the investment budget of the mega Long Thanh International Airport and also seven times greater than that of the 12 high-speed expressways spanning from northern to southern Vietnam. Repayment status remains uncertain, but records as of October of 2022 show that Lan, along with her cohorts, were responsible for at least 1,284 unpaid debts at SCB, amounting to VND677 trillion. Out of this sum, VND525 trillion has been confirmed as dispersed. Lan retained control of 88% of the disbursed funds, which were either transferred to different banks or withdrawn in cash. The remainder, amounting to 12%, was allocated in part to settle SCBs outstanding debts and in part was circulated among various SCB accounts. While specifics of the fund's utilization by Lan were not disclosed by the prosecutors, they noted that the funds were frequently circulated within accounts belonging to individuals and entities integrated into Van Thinh Phats corporate network, a tactic employed to evade financial scrutiny. Lan managed approximately 1,000 untraceable entities, dubbed "ghost" companies, registered both within the country and internationally, all operating under the Van Thinh Phat umbrella. These entities served as conduits for the continuous flow of loaned funds. The cash was frequently transported to either Lan's residence or the Van Thinh Phat headquarters, both located in Ho Chi Minh City. The prosecutors have formally accused her of misappropriating VND304 trillion from SCB. Additionally, she faces charges of obstructing government inspections by allegedly offering bribes totaling $5.2 million to Do Thi Nhan, who previously led the Department of Inspection and Supervision at the State Bank. According to police reports, from the end of 2011, Lan began using other individuals' names to acquire majority ownership in the joint-stock commercial banks Saigon Commercial JSC, Vietnam Tin Nghia, and De Nhat. Investigation findings indicated that Lan's family members occupied senior positions at these banks, which essentially functioned in her interest. On January 1, 2012, Lan orchestrated the merger of these three banks into SCB. From that point, SCB effectively operated as a financial arm for Lan, channeling funds into Van Thinh Phat's activities. While Lan did not hold a direct executive role in the bank, she controlled a significant 91.5% of SCB's shares. Adopt ADR to solve issues rather than the courts - CJ Yaa Kuffour Senyah Dec - 16 - 2023 , 08:50 The Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has urged citizens to adopt the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve issues rather than resorting to the traditional court system. That, she said, was to help reduce the time and financial cost incurred by individuals when they sought to resolve issues through the traditional court proceedings. Justice Torkornoo explained that most individuals who tended to seek justice were most of the time physically and emotionally drained, thus opting for ADR for issues such as disputes could go a long way to reduce the burden on such individuals. She further advised them to avoid paying unauthorised fees or giving money in forms of tokens to judicial officers to help them with cases as it was unethical. All judicial officers are paid by the government hence it is very unethical to pay any amount of money to judicial officers. Apart from filing fees no individual is obliged to pay any amount to any officer, Justice Torkornoo emphasised. Event Justice Torkornoo was addressing residents of Ayawaso Central in Accra last Wednesday as part of a community sensitisation programme. Embarked under the initiative of the Chief Justice, it was to help demystify the operations of the judiciary and instill confidence by engaging directly with the public while assuring them of transparency and fairness in the delivery of justice at all times. It was to also strengthen the trust and confidence of the people in the judiciary by providing information on its functions at the local and district levels, while educating people on the existence of a Public Complaints Unit, among other interventions by the service. It was under the theme Improving justice delivery through community engagement. Justice Torkornoo had earlier inaugurated a modern District Court for the Ayawaso Central Municipality as part of efforts to improve the access justice delivery by quipping most municipalities with district courts. Courts The Chief Justice noted that the court was established through the District Assemblies Common Fund as part of a project by the government to build over 100 courts and 150 bungalows for the judiciary. She noted that in recent years, the judicial system had undertaken reforms by incorporating measures such as the computerisation and automation of courts. These efforts aim to establish effective and accountable institutions at all levels, advocating justice and equal rights for all. Justice Torkornoo, therefore, urged the judicial officers to exhibit a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties as she called on citizens to take advantage of the facility as the first point of justice to right wrong and correct offences. Timely The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly, Archibold Amuasie Cobbina, stated that one of the hallmarks of civilised societies and a prerequisite for peace and development was ready access to courts well equipped to dispense justice among its citizenry. Thus the inauguration of the court was timely in addressing the major challenge the municipality had faced in the dispensation of justice and the unavailability of courts to administer justice timeously whenever the need arises. Mr Cobbina therefore gave the assurance that the municipality would put in place all the necessary mechanisms to ensure that the first ever court within the municipality was properly maintained to serve the purpose for which it was built. Woman dies from stray bullet during Police anti-robbery operation in Pigfarm GraphicOnline Dec - 17 - 2023 , 07:43 In a sombre press release dated December 16, 2023, the Public Affairs Directorate of the Police Headquarters has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of a lady who lost her life during an anti-robbery operation conducted in Pigfarm, a suburb of Accra. The operation, aimed at apprehending a criminal gang responsible for a series of robberies, took a tragic turn on Saturday, December 16, 2023. During the operation, which resulted in the arrest of two gang members, an unfortunate incident occurred when a stray bullet accidentally struck a lady in the vicinity. Efforts were made to promptly transport her to the hospital, but, regrettably, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. In adherence to procedural protocols, the body has been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy. The Police leadership has shown its commitment to supporting the bereaved family during these difficult times, as emphasized in the press release. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, expressed the sincerest and deepest condolences of the Police Service to the grieving family. The anti-robbery operation, which has been ongoing for some time, seeks to apprehend the remaining members of the criminal gang. The Police Service assured the public that the operation will continue until all members are brought to justice. In light of this unfortunate incident, the Police Service acknowledged the gravity of the situation and reiterated its commitment to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the lady's tragic demise. The release emphasizes the Police's dedication to transparency and accountability in all its operations. As the community grapples with this tragic loss, the Police urged calm and cooperation while promising a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The statement concluded with the Police Service expressing its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family affected by this regrettable event. NPP aspirant seeks support for needy students Samuel Kyei-Boateng Politics Dec - 16 - 2023 , 10:03 A parliamentary aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Akyem Swedru Constituency in the Eastern Region, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, has stressed the need for affluent individuals and organisations to support the education of brilliant needy students in society. He emphasised that education was the cornerstone of progress, and that nurturing the minds of the youth was an investment in the future of the nation. Mr Kwaning-Bosompem, who is the Controller and Accountant-General, was speaking as the guest of honour at the launch of a GH2 million scholarship endowment fund by the Heritage Christian University College at Amasaman in Accra for brilliant needy students at the institution last Thursday. He commended the university college for its remarkable commitment to not only imparting knowledge but also fostering the entrepreneurship spirit among its students. "The initiative to provide over GH400,000 in startup capital for their businesses lends credence to the university's foresight in equipping students not just with academic skills but with the practical tools necessary for them to thrive in the competitive world of entrepreneurship," he stated. Dedication Mr Kwaning-Bosompem noted that the dedication to train the students to be technology savvy and ethical in their dealings was an invaluable investment in shaping the future leaders of the society. He said the university college was charting a course that went beyond traditional education by preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of knowledge and entrepreneurship while upholding ethical standards, adding "this is an exemplary model that deserves our applause and support." Mr Kwaning-Bosompem said the launch of the heritage scholarship endowment fund was a testament to the commitment of the university college to inclusivity and access to quality education, an initiative which was not merely an act of generosity but also a strategic move that aligned with the broader goal of fostering entrepreneurship. He called on all philanthropists and well-wishers to join hands in the noble endeavour so that together they could empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, shape the future of the nation and fulfil the vision of the university college. The President of the university college, Dr Samuel Twumasi-Ankrah, said the institution was committed to training ethical leaders who would combine entrepreneurship and technological skills to impact the church and the world by creating employment and serving with principles of servant leadership and giving back to society. The Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, Dr Victor Boadu, said for the past seven years, the university college had been able to support its students with scholarship packages that had made it possible for many of them to continue their studies successfully. With burn scars covering 80% of her body, Nguyen Thi Thu Dao never believed shed find love until Michael French proposed to her. Dao and French celebrating at the wedding of Frenchs son July, 2023. Photo courtesy of Dao and French Born on a cold winter day in 1983 in the southern Binh Dinh province, Daos mother often placed the newborn in a hammock over a charcoal brazier for warmth. The hammock unfortunately flipped one day, and the infant Dao fell into the fire, suffering burns over 80% of her body. She survived but was left disfigured, with her left hand losing all of its fingers, scars spreading across her chin, and her left arm atrophied. As a schoolchild, Dao often ran home crying and pleaded with her mother to let her quit school because she got bullied there so much for her looks. "I wished I didn't exist," Dao recalls. "The idea of being looked at scared me, so I always shrank back and covered my mouth with my hand when encountering strangers." Socially-isolated Dao studied tailoring after completing high school. She still felt pity for herself whenever someone said: "Who would hire someone disabled?" Daos parents earned a modest living as farmers and thus couldnt afford to pay for their child to get any rehabilitation procedures. They had to wait until 2005, when a charity medical that conducted operations for those with disabilities went to Binh Dinh General Hospital and was able to provide Dao with surgery. Though the procedure was completed in one day, she asked to stay with the team for two additional days as a volunteer. Then she met French, a doctor from California and member of the team. French said he was drawn to Dao as he saw her busy feeding and changing diapers for children post-surgery, despite her disfigured left arm. The two started talking and became friends. "I was moved by her kind heart," French says. Dao (second from L), French, and their children at a friends house in California, the U.S. June, 2023. Photo courtesy of Dao and French Frenchs subsequent return to the U.S did not prevent him from keeping in touch with Dao. He frequently checked up on her health and her work. Meanwhile, Dao merely considered him a benefactor and did not allow herself to think any further. The American man traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, where Dao was working for a tourism company, five years later. The two scheduled a meeting, during which they walked around the citys District 1, and French bought Dao a Vietnamese ao dai when they passed a fabric shop. Dao said her heart beat so fast hearing French praise her looks. He then asked to hold Daos stunted left hand as they strolled. The two then dropped by a bar and French took her to dance a song together. For the first time in her life, under the yellow lights and with gentle music playing, Dao felt she was a beautiful woman. Frenchs proposal, "marry me," which slipped out of his mouth one fateful 2015 evening, surprised her, and made her feel like she was in a dream. "I was happy," Dao says. "But I was scared at the same time, fearing that he might be insincere." French then gained Daos trust when he visited her family in her hometown. With Dao acting as an interpreter, French formally asked her family to let him marry her, to which they approved. That winter, Daos mother tearfully sent her daughter to the U.S. with French. The interracial couple life was not easy for either partner at first. Coming from a reserved Asian culture, Dao was shocked by Americans casual physical contact, making her and French frequently argue over jealousy. The misunderstandings were gradually resolved, partly thanks to Frenchs patience. French also assisted Dao in improving her English skills and helped her sign up for an accounting course. Dao has been working at his dental clinic since completing the courses. Dao, French, and their children at Frenchs class reunion in June, 2023. Photo courtesy of Dao and French Dao was introduced to Frenchs two kids from his previous marriage during her first year in the U.S. The relationship between the Vietnamese woman and the kids could not be considered "perfect" at first. Frenchs children respected Dao but were unhappy about their fathers remarriage, which made her sad, but she did not take it personally. Still, she kept preparing food for the kids and secretly giving them money whenever they dropped by as she understood their financial struggles. "I love my husband," Dao explains. "So, I love his children in a Vietnamese mothers way," Her genuine nature gradually convinced the children, and they began to see Dao as their mother. They also came to understand why their father fell for a Vietnamese woman who weighed only 39 kg and had one stunted hand. As time passes by, Dao has gotten more familiar with life in the foreign country. She and French have had three children together, and French has always taught them that their mother is a beautiful and optimistic woman. Whenever she is hugged and kissed on the scars by the kids, and whenever her left arm is held by French as they walk on the street (which he always does when they go out together), Dao says she feels like she has left all of her insecurities behind in the past. The American mans love has also motivated Dao to return to Vietnam every year for charity work as a way to express her gratitude for life. "Love makes me feel complete," Dao says. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close More than 200 graduates of the University of Guam celebrated the end of their studies at the Fanuchanan Commencement on Sunday. Valedictorian Haley Mae Carreon said the graduates experienced a transformative journey molded by the obstacles they overcame, the knowledge theyve gained, and the connections made at UOG. Today is not just a culmination of years of hard work, but it also is a celebration of self-discovery, resilience and growth, she said. Her years as an undergraduate at UOG was marked with the COVID-19 pandemic, long study sessions, a trip to Bali and the pressures of academic life. Here we are at the brink of a new chapter, proof to the unwavering resilience that each of us possess. By withstanding your own storms of adversities your presence here today is a testament to your perseverance and tenacity, Carreon said. She said the graduates accumulated years of hard work to arrive at this pivotal moment. As we reflect on our journeys of college let us take a moment to recognize the depth of what we have achieved as it is no easy feat, Carreon said. She reminded graduates of the power they hold after graduating from UOG. Each of us has the potential to contribute to society by using the skills and knowledge we have obtained here during our college years to address the challenges that lie ahead and shape a world that awaits our impact, she said. Carreon thanked everyone who helped her on her journey at UOG and said while post college life is uncertain, there is a world of opportunity in front of the graduates. Our island home has not only nourished roots but has provided us wings for us to soar, she said. May the road ahead be filled with experiences that enrich our understanding of the world and most importantly of ourselves. Be proud of yourselves. Your efforts have led you to achieve this huge milestone in your journey, she added. Challenges UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez congratulated the 218 graduates for their achievements in finishing their studies at the university. All of you entered our doors with your own unique expectations and along the way encountered many unexpected challenges and opportunities, she said. Enriquez said graduates had to deal with three years of the COVID-19 pandemic which included social distancing and remote learning and this year experienced water and power outages due to Typhoon Mawar. She said almost one-third of graduates are the first to graduate from their family which will help not only transform their lives but the lives of their family. The graduates will join about 20,000 UOG Triton alumni who have and are making their mark in the world, she added. She challenged graduates to propel forward in unison with the community they have been an important part of. Wherever your voyage takes you, remember to give back to your alma mater, your University of Guam, and share the values of respect, compassion and community. To pay it forward and to transform lives and to advance the communities in which you live, work and play in, she said. Your turn to hold the hose Samuel Dr. B Betances, an internationally renowned, persuasive and entertaining speaker and workshop presenter, was the commencement speaker. Betances was a high school dropout who beat the odds and completed a masters degree and Doctorate in Education from Harvard University. Betances said graduates couldnt have picked a better time to graduate. If we ever needed people to finish their degrees, this is the moment, he said. Guam is experiencing many challenges including high rates of suicide, crime, homelessness and drug dependency. Professions exists to solve problems. And weve got a lot of problems in our region and in our islands, so welcome, because the fires are raging and its your turn to hold the hose, Betances said. He was the first person in his family to graduate high school and said one of the biggest challenges is helping those like him who didnt have the support to finish their education. Many of the graduates had a support system that helped them achieve their goals, but for those who dont have the support system its important to hire people that will boost them, he said. Betances shared how a mentor encouraged him to read about people who had greater struggles than him which helped him grow his vocabulary and finish his education. He told graduates that they should seek mentors who will take an interest in their capacities and talent so they can serve more effectively to solve problems. I challenge you to look upon this moment as a wonderful moment by which you can redefine your destiny. Continue to study, continue to collaborate and above all else remember that you may not know what the future holds, but you can get to know who holds the future, he said. Help someone who needs you and together you will be able to excel and make our island safer, freer, stronger than when we found her. Quakers Big Chewy granola bars are one of multiple Quaker products recalled due to possible health risks. A full list of recalled products is available on guampdn.com. The Guam National Wildlife Refuge celebrated its 30-year anniversary Sunday with a reopening to the public, but for the families of the original landowners of Ritidian it was a day of mourning. Ritidian families gathered Sunday at the refuge to remind visitors celebrating the day that CHamoru families who called the place home for many years have rights to the land. With signs saying, Stolen land, We will never give up! and Where are the endangered species? families and supporters stood by the road to educate those visiting the refuge. One man driving down the road stopped to show support to the Ritidian families and said he hoped his familys land would be returned too. Several people walking down the road also stopped by to show their support and learn more about the families who have claim to Ritidian land. Lou Flores Bejado, the granddaughter of former landowners Benigno Leon Guerrero Flores and Dolores Martinez Flores, who owned nearly 70,000 square meters of land at what is now part of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge Ritidian Unit, said it was an emotional day. The families brought photos of their ancestors which they held in their hands which Bejado said was important because their spirits are with them. Sixty years ago, her family received the condemnation papers to vacate their land from the U.S. Navy with the promise that if the military didnt need the land, it would return it to the original landowners. That promise was not kept because although the military deemed Ritidian property excess, it was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host the refuge to protect endangered species, she said. Bejado said its been 30 years since the land was taken for the refuge and the Ritidian refuge should be flourishing with endangered species, but it isnt. Where are the koko birds? Where are the fanihi? she asked. Land back Bejados daughter Maria Hernandez May said it was time for the U.S. to give back the land to CHamoru families who are good stewards since they are indigenous to the island. May shared how her tata instilled in the family to only take what you needed and that has been passed down through generations. We are just one of many CHamoru families who still hold out hope to one day return home. Today, one-third of land in Guam is still occupied by the Department of Defense, May said. She also pointed out that the refuge is being sued for failing to protect the habitat for 23 endangered species in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Its been thirty years of its failed program. There are no koko, sihek, or totot birds. There are no fanihi. There is nothing to celebrate, May said. Janet Pangelinan Leon Guerrero, daughter of Alfonso Pangelinan, whose family owned the land the refuge is on, shared how she grew up coming to Ritidian. The family often camped, ate fresh fish and gathered with each other. It was a wonderful experience, and she has fond memories of Ritidian. She said she cant have the same experience with her grandchildren because the family has to follow the limited hours the refuge is open. Its so sad Im not able to show my grandchildren, Leon Guerrero said. Closed May also shared concerns that Ritidian was closed since Typhoon Mawar in May and it was unacceptable it was closed for six months. The original landowners and traditional healers had no access to the land during this time. She said Ritidian original landowners requested access to Ritidian in October, and that request was denied by refuge staff who imposed a limit on the number of people allowed on the land at one time. Requests to access our land are often met with many conditions that we are forced to negotiate. Federal agencies have too much control over CHamoru land, May said. Access will be further restricted from operations of the U.S. Marine Corps range. Our people have given enough. Its time to stand up against federal control of our lands, she said. CHamoru lands belong in CHamoru hands. Land is life. Reopened The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reopened the Guam National Wildlife Refuge at Ritidian, including Ritidian Beach, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. In a release, the Service said Ritidian had been closed due to physical and species recovery efforts after Typhoon Mawar in May. The refuge held a 30th-anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the main beach parking at Ritidian. Attendees were able to go to the Ritidians caves and also create holiday eco-crafts. The refuge will resume Ritidians normal operational hours for the public Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Dec. 20. The refuge is closed on federal holidays, including Christmas and New Years Day, and during hazardous ocean conditions. Barrigada Mayor June Blas and Vice Mayor Jessie Bautista and residents commemorate one of the sites of suffering and execution during the 79th Guam Liberation Day memorial. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head north to face the Green Bay Packers in a battle of 6-7 teams. A three-game win streak came to an end for the Packers as the New York Giants delivered a 24-22 upset during Week 14. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, come off a crucial 29-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, which bumped Tampa Bay to first in the NFC South. If the playoffs were to begin today, both teams would make the cut. The Buccaneers hold the fourth seed, and the Packers possess the third Wild Card seed. The matchup is a must-win for both teams, as a loss will at least temporarily kick the losing team out of the playoff picture. While Tampa Bays offense has come alive, Green Bays has taken a hit with injuries. Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, and Dontayvion Wicks are listed as questionable, while Christian Watson is doubtful to play. The Packers enter the matchup as 3.5-point favorites, per Dimers.com. First quarter 9:02 -- Buccaneers 3, Packers 0 Baker Mayfield leads a productive opening drive, finding Chris Godwin, Deven Thompkins and Rachaad White for gains. Kenny Clark sacks Mayfield for a loss of 6, forcing the Buccaneers to opt for a field goal. 2:25 -- Buccaneers 3, Packers 0 Jones shows no sign of injury as he hustles for a 20 yard run. Jordan Love leads the Packers on an 11-play, 71-yard drive. The Packers go for it on a 4th & 2, but they come up short with an incomplete pass. The Buccaneers gain possession on their own 4-yard line. 1:48 -- Buccaneers 3, Packers 0 Mayfield is sacked for a loss of 6 and fumbles. Kingsley Enagbare recovers the ball, and the Packers offense takes the field at the 4-yard line. :49 -- Buccaneers 3, Packers 7 The Packers take advantage of a fumble recovery. Love connects with Tucker Kraft for a quick 5-yard touchdown, and the Packers take the lead. Second quarter 12:21 -- Buccaneers 10, Packers 7 Godwin and Evans carry the drive with multiple receptions. Mayfield finds Evans for a 19-yard receiving touchdown, the duos 11th score of the season. 7:09 -- Buccaneers 10, Packers 10 The Packers answer back with an 8-play, 57-yard drive resulting in a 36-yard field goal. Midway through the second quarter, the Packers tie it up. 5:31 -- Buccaneers 10, Packers 10 The Buccaneers follow up a Packers field goal with a three-and-out. 2:13 -- Buccaneers 10, Packers 10 Thanks to a pair of delay of game calls, the Packers punt 43 yards. Mayfield and Co. take the field at the 11-yard line. :14 -- Buccaneers 13, Packers 10 A sack and offensive holding call temporarily put the Buccaneers out of field goal range. Mayfield finds Godwin for a 24-yard pickup, putting Chase McLaughlin in prime positioning for a 46-yard field goal. Halftime -- Buccaneers 13, Packers 10 Third quarter 14:21 -- Buccaneers 13, Packers 10 The Packers open the half with a three-and-out. 10:55 -- Buccaneers 20, Packers 10 A strong outing for Godwin continues with a series of gains to kick off the half. Mayfield finds White for a 26-yard receiving touchdown, and the Buccaneers pull ahead by 10. 1 can really do it all : #TBvsGB on CBS pic.twitter.com/qR7MjpIYex Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 17, 2023 4:18 -- Buccaneers 20, Packers 17 Love leads a nearly seven-minute touchdown-scoring drive. Jayden Reed scores a 17-yard touchdown to put the Packers back in striking range. :20 -- Buccaneers 27, Packers 17 The Buccaneers answer back as Mayfield finds Ko Kieft for a 2-yard touchdown. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers lead by 10. Fourth quarter 10:04 -- Buccaneers 27, Packers 20 The Packers close in on the Buccaneers with a successful 33-yard field goal. With 10 minutes left, the Packers trail by a touchdown. 6:30 -- Buccaneers 34, Packers 20 Mayfield finds David Moore for a 52-yard touchdown. After an official review, the ruling on the field stands. 4:28 -- Buccaneers 34, Packers 20 Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David sack Love for a loss of 19 yards and force a fumble. The Buccaneers recover the ball at Green Bays 49-yard line. 2:41 -- Buccaneers 34, Packers 20 Todd Bowles decides to go for it on a risky 4th & 2. The gamble pays off and White converts on the first down. Ahead of the two-minute warning, the Buccaneers gain a crucial first-down. Final -- Buccaneers 34, Packers 20 How to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. the Green Bay Packers Who: The 6-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Wisconsin to face the 6-7 Green Bay Packers When: 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 Where: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin; watch on CBS or stream on NFL+, Paramount+, and YouTube TV Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter. Stay logged in Lost password Contact BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Flights J2-251, J2-255 and J2-265 of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), planned on the Baku-Nakhchivan route, are delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions (heavy fog) at their destination, the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC told Trend. Flight number J2-253, which was supposed to fly from Baku to Nakhchivan, was connected to flight J2-251. Flight safety is always the top priority for AZAL. Passengers on delayed flights will be provided with necessary amenities, including drinks and meals, in accordance with the airline's regulations. The departure of these flights will be carried out immediately after weather conditions at Nakhchivan airport improve. If any additional questions arise, passengers can contact the call center by email [email protected] or WhatsApp number +994(55) 204 65 54. 12:32 (GMT+4) Azerbaijan Airlines flights J2-251 and J2-253 on the Baku-Nakhchivan route are delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions (heavy fog) at their destination, the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC told Trend. The departure of these flights will be carried out immediately after weather conditions at Nakhchivan airport improve. According to the airline's rules, if necessary, passengers of delayed flights waiting for their flight at the airport will be provided with food and drinks. If any additional questions arise, passengers can contact the call center by email [email protected] or WhatsApp number +994(55) 204 65 54. This holiday season , Finnish homes are once again being adorned with millions of traditional Christmas flowers cultivated across approximately 50 commercial greenhouses in the country. The top picks for the festive season remain the poinsettia, amaryllis, and hyacinth, reflecting Finland's strong Christmas traditions. While poinsettias, amaryllises, and hyacinths are the perennial favorites, other varieties are also available for those seeking something different. The peak season for Christmas flower sales is now, with many consumers preferring to buy their flowers close to Christmas, even though they are available much earlier. Rantala recommends early purchases, particularly for hyacinths and amaryllises, to ensure full bloom by Christmas. This year, Finland is set to cultivate about 1.5 million poinsettias, with the majority being the traditional red variant. However, the market for unique colors like light pink, cinnamon, peach, and even yellow is steadily growing. Rantala dispels the myth of poinsettias being toxic, clarifying that they are only mildly irritating if consumed. Hyacinths, known for their delightful fragrance, will see approximately 2.5 million flowers enter the market. These flowers have been a part of Finnish Christmas traditions since the 1840s. With a range of colors including light pink, white, and blue, light pink hyacinths are the most cultivated, accounting for about 40% of production. Amaryllises, another Christmas staple since the 1970s in Finland, will see around 900,000 flowers available for the holiday season. Predominantly cultivated in red, white variants are also popular, followed by light pink and other specialty colors. Rantala suggests using amaryllis as a striking table centerpiece if the stem becomes too tall. These festive flowers not only add to the aesthetic appeal of Finnish homes during Christmas but also contribute significantly to the country's horticulture industry, showcasing a blend of tradition and innovation in festive decorations. HT A FAMILY candle-making business in Charvil is offering a pine-scented spray for people with artificial Christmas trees who miss the scent of a real one. Simply Nevaeh created the Christmas Tree fragrance to bring fake trees to life. It is the brainchild of sisters Jo McNamara, 56, and her sister Donna, 44, their mother Kathy McNamara, 77, and their sister-in-law Emma Street, 52, who together recently launched the business selling candles, diffusers and car sprays. The Christmas tree candles and air sprays have been among the best-sellers at recent festive fairs, including one at Shiplake College and another at Invesco in Henley. The two other most popular fragrances are lemongrass and ginger and black plum and rhubarb. The sisters were inspired to set up the business after attending a candle-making workshop together earlier this year. Jo said: We decided to go as a girly, sisterly thing. Weve always liked scents but have often been disappointed. We like nice things and we thought we could bring a nice product thats affordable, looks great and smells good. At the workshop, they learned the correct way to make candles, including how to stir the fragrance so it is mixed evenly through the wax, and the correct temperature to heat it to so that it has a smooth and glossy appearance. The sisters experimented with different oils before finally settling on a blend of coconut and rapeseed oil. You get a really nice scent throw, said Jo. It held the fragrance much better and its kinder to the environment. We also tested boxes, wicks, containers and we decided on Italian glass. We wanted something we would not be ashamed to have in our own. The blend of black and white goes with every interior. The pair started off with five fragrances and now have more than 40 from Tom Ford and Jo Malone-inspired scents and others including buttery croissants and pain au chocolat. Their products range from car sprays for 10 to 1.7kg candles made to order for 90. They have been pleased by the success of the Christmas tree scent, which they sell alongside a ceramic ornament they designed that can be sprayed with it to hold the fragrance for longer. Jo said: Lots of people have artificial Christmas trees but would still like the smell of a real Christmas tree, so we decided to do a spray, candle and diffuser. Donna added: Its just so piney, the fragrance. All the candles are made in their mothers kitchen and she has earned the title chief mixer. Emma, who is known as the creative one, is in charge all the fair displays. Jo said: She comes up with lots of amazing ideas and shes got the gift of the gab. Shes so sociable. Donna is in charge of merchandising, printing off labels that she designs using PhotoShop and updating their website and social media. Jo, who previously worked as cabin crew for British Airways, is head of sales. Its been a huge learning curve and not easy, said Donna. It has taken us most of a year to get to this stage. They werent quite right or the scent throw wasnt right but now were really happy with the products. As a family, weve come together. Not that its without its tears and tantrums but weve all got different strengths so it works. Weve always a been close-knit family. Im on the phone to my mum five times a day. Donnas partner, Carl, lends the team his van, and ideas are contributed by her son, Ryan, 26, and Jos partner Ian, 65. The business is named after Donnas nine-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, which spells heaven backwards. Donna had previously suffered from a very late miscarriage and a still birth of two boys. She is now a maternity support worker at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, where she is part of the bereavement maternity support team. Donna said: Neveah was the blessing we needed. We lost our dad the year I was pregnant. She just occupied all of us. Jo described her niece as the most gorgeous little girl. She says: We wanted something simple for a name and the smells from the candles are simply heavenly. The family have also been selling their wares at parties for families and friends, where they can smell and test their products. Jo said: Theyre a bit like the old Tupperware parties. Its a social event. Its nice to get people together, not just at this time of year, but any time. For more information, email simplynevaehhelp@gmail.com New Delhi: Two decades ago, the Indian Navy prepared a war doctrine for 2025, which talked about Indians sending expeditionary forces to different parts of the globe. The doctrine prepared by an Indian Navy Vice Admiral, as it turned out, was, unfortunately, a rehash of the US expeditionary forces doctrine and was subsequently trashed as India in the late 1990s was hardly capable of launching carrier strike forces against the then global superpowers. Albeit promoted by the then Navy Chief, the doctrine was thrown out of the Naval Headquarters. PM Narendra Modi inaugurating the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Rajkot on December 4, 2023 Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscoring the need to decolonize the Indian mindset as part of Paanch Prans announced on 2022 75th Independence Day, the Indian strategic mindset is hugely influenced by Western terminology. This has not only permeated into the training institutions of the Indian Armed Forces and is reflected in the term papers even at the level of higher command courses. The downside of this is that future Indian warriors have a Western approach towards a problem with the regional/civilizational context not appreciated well enough and dismissed as baggage of Indian history or archaic past. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Even in top-level national security institutions or war colleges, words like Maximalism, Gradualism , Global Commons, Kinetic and non-kinetic weapons and Multilateralism are very much part of the lingua franca as they are in US think tanks. In higher defence institutions, the most often quoted war strategists are Chinese Sun Tzu or Prussian general Carl Von Clausewitz with or without context not Indian strategist Chanakya aka Vishnugupt of the Mauryan era. The heavy reliance on Western war models and phraseology of US-UK-based think tanks has actually stunted Indian strategic growth as we are more than happy to ape Western solutions to inherent Indian problems. It is in this context that Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Indian Navy to host the Navy Day at Sindhudurg of Chhatrapati Shivaji to highlight the Indian maritime legacy. It is for this very reason that the seal of the Maratha Emperor was included in the Indian Navy flag and in Shivaji-inspired epaulettes for Indian Navy personnel. All this is part of shedding the vestiges of the colonial era for a maritime force that used to flaunt the colonial St Georges Cross till the commissioning of INS Vikrant aircraft carrier in 2022. It was this Cross that was replaced by the seal of the Maratha Emperor, who had a maritime vision like Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola in the past centuries. Since India has ambitions to sit on the global high table, it has to develop original strategic thinking and solutions in the context of India and not merely ape Western concepts. Atmanirbhar Bharat should not be limited to making India a military-industrial power, it should also trigger original strategic thinking. Michael OLeary, the chief executive officer of Ryanair Holdings Plc, is likely to get a bonus of 100 million euros if he meets a market-linked condition. According to a report, the low-cost airline's share prices just need to keep rising to meet a 2019 condition. Michael OLeary OLeary, 62, will earn share options worth 100 million euros (over 905 crore) if the Irish company's shares remain at the price of 21 euros for 28 days. The payout would come in the form of options to purchase 10 million shares at 11.12 each, Bloomberg reported. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here This dream could become a reality. According to reports, the shares gained 50 percent this year. On Friday, they were trading at 18.84. According to the news agency's analysis, the shares will rise further at an average price of 24.10 euros over the next 12 months, making O'Leary eligible for the whopping payout. The incentive plan was extended till 2028. Last year, the shares were below 13 euros. Another way of earning the incentive is if the carrier reports a profit of over 2.2 billion after tax. Ryanair said in November that full-year profit will be in a range of 1.85 billion to 2.05 billion. Who is Michael O'Leary? He is based in Dublin, Ireland. He has been the CEO of the low-cost airlines since 1994. He started his career as an accountant at KPMG after studying at Trinity College. He later became the financial advisor of Tony Ryan, the founder of the airline. In 1988, he was hired as the deputy chief executive. In 2018, his net worth was over 1 billion dollars. He owns several racehorses. In 100 days since Honda's Elevate SUV launched in India (September 4), more than 20,000 units of the car have already been sold, the company has announced, adding that of the automaker's total sales over the past three months, more than 50% came through Elevate. Takuya Tsumura, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Cars India Ltd. gestures during the world premier launch of the new Honda Elevate SUV in New Delhi on June 6, 2023. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) Speaking to HT Auto, Yuichi Murata, Director of Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India Limited, noted how the manufacturer is thrilled to witness the remarkable success of Elevate,' saying it has 'surpassed our expectations. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The 20,000 sales milestone in the first 100 days of launch is a proud moment for us, and reflects the trust and preference of our valued customers, making us a notable contender in the industry, he further said. Murata also revealed that Honda has maximised the production of Elevate to serve the waiting buyers as early as possible. Honda Elevate: Price The four manual variants of this mid-size SUV are priced between 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and 14.9 lakh (ex-showroom), while the automatic ones range between 13.2 lakh (ex-showroom) and 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The rates, however, are valid till the end of December, following which the new prices will be announced. Honda Elevate: Engine The model is equipped with a powerful 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that comes paired with 6-speed MT and 7-speed CVT automatic transmissions. Honda Elevate: Features It has features such as an ADAS (advanced driver assistance system), a floating touchscreen infotainment system (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), LED headlights, electric sunroof, and more. Honda Elevate: Rivals In a highly crowded segment, Elevate competes with Astor (MG), Creta (Hyundai), Grand Vitara (Maruti Suzuki), Kushaq (Skoda), Seltos (Kia), Taigun (Volkswagen), Urban Cruiser Hyryder (Toyota), and others. BJP leader and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said that he wouldnt allow Congress to rename the Mysuru airport as Tipu Sultan airport. He said that a name has already been proposed to the union government earlier for the airport and alleged that the Congress is trying to create an issue out of everything. MP Pratap Simha slams Congress for pitching Tipu Sultan name for Mysuru airport Also Read - Who is BJP MP Pratap Simha who gave Lok Sabha passes to intruders? What he said Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Simha said, The previous government led by former CM Basavaraj Bommai had already proposed to name Mysuru airport after Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The union government will soon make an official statement about the name, and it is in the final stages. It is unfair for Congress to create such confusion among people by passing unruly statements. The BJP MP also alleged that Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is trying to appease a section of people in Mysuru region. It is not new for Siddaramaiah to indulge in appeasement politics. Even in the past, he was behind organizing Tipu Jayanti when the people of Mysuru were against it. Who is he trying to appease by elevating Tipu Sultan as a heroic figure? asked Simha. Earlier in the assembly, Congress leader and Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA Abbayya Prasad said that the Mysuru airport must be named after Tipu Sultan. He said, Proposing Tipu Sultan name for airport has nothing to do with appeasement politics. Tipu Sultan was a great king and people do believe that. He was the one who brought the land reforms act which helped many dalit people in the region to get their share of land. I am undoubtedly his fan. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 17. Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan totaled $542.057 million from January through October 2023, Trend reports. Data from Kyrgyzstan's National Statistical Committee indicates an 11.7-percent increase in trade turnover compared to the same period in 2022, which stood at $485.241 million. Uzbekistan's share in Kyrgyzstan's overall trade turnover amounted to 4.4 percent. Uzbekistan became Kyrgyzstan's third-largest trading partner within the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Russia led the chart with 17.9 percent of the country's total trade turnover, followed by Kazakhstan with 9.1 percent. Kyrgyzstan's exports to Uzbekistan during this period amounted to $231.996 million, marking a 24.2-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($186.812 million). Its share in Kyrgyzstan's exports was 9.5 percent. Simultaneously, Kyrgyzstan imported goods worth $310.061 million from Uzbekistan, reflecting a 3.9-percent year-on-year increase from $298.428 million recorded from January through October 2022. Its share in Kyrgyzstan's imports accounted for 3.1 percent. Kyrgyzstans trade turnover reached $12.297 billion from January through October 2023, increasing by 24.9 percent compared to $9.845 billion in the same period of 2022. Exports from Kyrgyzstan totaled $2.443 billion during the 10 months, which is a 29.6-percent increase compared to $1.885 billion recorded from January through October 2022. Imports into Kyrgyzstan amounted to $9.854 billion during this period, reflecting a 23.8-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($7.959 billion). A day after a prisoner of Ambala Central Jail, who was brought to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chandigarh for treatment, escaped from police custody, he was arrested on Friday. The Ambala Central Jail inmate had been brought to GMCH) in Chandigarh for treatment. (HT File) The jail inmate, Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Ambalas Jatwar village, was arrested near Shambhu village of Patiala district by the CIA staff of Shahzadpur police. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The accused had allegedly ingested glass pieces in jail, where he was confined in a case of causing hurt and damage to public property from November 18. When he was taken to GMCH for treatment, he had escaped from the custody of Haryana Police by pushing cops and jumping from the first floor in a handcuffed state. CIA staff in-charge Balkar Singh said Gagandeep was arrested near Shambhu and admitted to the district civil hospital for treatment. In his address during a programme here to celebrate the success of Silkyara rescue mission, Dhami commended the agencies of the Central and state governments involved in the evacuation of 41 workers from the tunnel. HT Image The patience shown by the workers in this difficult time will always serve to inspire all of us, he said at the event organised by labour organisations. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took updates on the rescue mission from him every day and helped expedite delivery of the equipment and other help required for the operation. A team of the Prime Minister's Office was constantly stationed at the the spot while Union Minister of State V K Singh was also present in Silkyara throughout the operation, he added. The chief minister added that the restraint and courage of the family members of the trapped workers in challenging times cannot be praised enough. Dhami said that when the evacuation was getting delayed due to several failed attempts, the labourers showed courage and told the rescuers they were not deterred by the setbacks and urged them to prioritise safe evacuation of all. These words of the workers boosted the morale of those engaged in the rescue operation, he added. The chief minister said the labour workforce in the country are laying the foundation of a better and prosperous India, while keeping in mind the mantra of 'Shramev Jayate' (only hard work triumphs). He added that the Central and state governments are continuously committed to the welfare of the workers. The 41 workers, who were trapped in the tunnel from November 12, were rescued on November 28. They had got trapped after the collapse of a portion, around 200 metres from the entrance, of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued a notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) after it found dark spots at several bus stops in east Delhi after conducting an inspection, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday. The commission said that it has asked PWD about the details of officials responsible for maintaining these lights and action taken against them. They have also sought details of complaints received since January 1, 2022 regarding dark spots at these bus stops and streets, and action taken on each complaint. (HT Archive) The commission has asked PWD to cite reasons for lack of lights at bus stops and roads and demanded an action taken report in this connection, they added. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said, Even after 12 years of horrific ordeal (of December 16 gang-rape victim), Delhi remains unsafe for women and girls. The bus stops that I inspected were just near Akshardham. If such a central area remains pitch dark, one can only imagine what must be happening in the outer areas. I have issued notice to PWD and will take strict action in the matter. The government must ensure that bus stops and streets are made safe for women and girls. Maliwal was referring to the incident that took place on December 16, 2012 when a paramedical student was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a private bus in south Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital. In a statement, DCW said that Maliwal and a member of the commission, Vandana Singh, inspected a few bus stops in east Delhi on Friday evening to assess the safety concerns for women and girls. During the visit to Ramesh Park bus stop at 6:45 pm, the commission was shocked to find that there were no lights there. Also, the street lights on that stretch were non-functional. There was a deserted area even behind the bus stop. The entire place was shrouded in darkness and unsafe for women and girls boarding or alighting from buses there, the statement added. They also inspected the stretch of Pushta Road from Ramesh Park Bus Stop to Lalita Park, officials said. The road was absolutely dark as none of the street lights were functioning. It was observed that many poles did not even have a streetlight, rendering the road pitch-dark and unsafe. The commission also found Lalita Park bus stop to be pitch-dark, officials said. The statement added that when the commission interacted with women there, they were reportedly informed that the stretch and the bus stop have remained dark for several months, which makes it extremely unsafe for them. Officials said that Maliwal also travelled in buses and spoke to women regarding their safety concerns. The women who frequently travelled in buses mentioned that they often feel unsafe at deserted bus shelters, they added. The commission said that it has asked PWD about the details of officials responsible for maintaining these lights and action taken against them. They have also sought details of complaints received since January 1, 2022 regarding dark spots at these bus stops and streets, and action taken on each complaint. They have also enquired about the urgent steps taken to ensure that the bus shelters and street lights are immediately lighted, it added. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday said party members would go door-to-door across the city and invite people to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya after its ceremonial opening. Ram temple in Ayodhya is nearing completion. (File photo) The newly built temple in Ayodhya would be opened for devotees after the consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla on January 22, which Sachdeva said, would be celebrated as 'Ram Utsav' by the party. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Addressing an organisational meeting of Delhi BJP, Sachdeva said, "We will go door to door giving invitations from January 1 to January 15 and will also talk to the temple committees to decorate all the temples where party leaders and workers will listen to the prime minister's speech at Ayodhya." ALSO READ| AI technology will help my voice reach the masses: PM Modi says in Varanasi Large LED screens will be set up to attend the live broadcast of the inaugural ceremony at Ayodhya and Delhi's markets will also be decorated on the occasion for which traders bodies are being consulted, he said. Arrangements will also be made in every ward of the national capital so that devotees can visit Ayodhya's Ram temple after the opening, the Delhi BJP chief added. The meeting was also addressed by senior BJP leaders including national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh and national vice-president and Delhi unit in-charge Baijayant Panda. Santhosh said it would be easier for the BJP to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections than 2019 but there is no scope for carelessness in preparations for the polls. "Today, the challenges before us are not only from the political parties but also the ideological forces which are helping the opposition parties in their attempt to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added. The BJP leaders also asserted during the meeting that all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi would be won for the third time in a row in the 2024 elections. The party's ongoing campaigns and special occasions such as the e-Vistarak Yojana, Samarpan Nidhi Yojana, Good Governance Day and Veer Bal Diwas, apart from the awareness campaign on Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, were discussed in the meeting. Santhosh urged workers of all 13,000 party booths in Delhi to strive for the success of the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' and booth empowerment campaigns. He asked the party workers to decorate their houses with lamps and visit any temple with their family on the consecration day of Ayodhya's Ram temple. Panda said the BJP's win in the recent assembly elections in some states has created a positive atmosphere for the party and there should be no doubts about the result of the coming Lok Sabha polls. "We are winning all the seven seats of Delhi but we will have to make efforts to increase the victory margin, for which we will have to contact the beneficiaries of the Central government schemes and talk to them," he said. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case, the police said. HT Image The police received a tip-off on Saturday about a girl being confined in a house, following which a police team raided the house in north Delhi's Sadar Bazar and and rescued the girl, they added. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The girl told the police that she was allegedly abducted by one Irshad (30) five months ago from her native place in Bihar's Araria district, a police officer said. The teenager was initially kept at different locations here before recently being shifted to the house of Hasibul (45) and his wife Saniari (36) in Sadar Bazar, the officer said. The police said the accused trio have been arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act at the Sadar Bazar police station. As the girl is orphan, the police produced her before the child welfare committee before sending to a shelter home, the officer said. The information about the blaze was received at about 12.42 pm and 23 fire tenders were pressed into service, an officer from Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said HT Image The fire broke out at the ground floor of the building, he said, adding that efforts are on to douse the blaze. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here No casualties were reported, he said. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated, and called for no squabbling over the issue amid Opposition's protests over it in Parliament. HT Image In an interview to Hindi daily 'Dainik Jagran', Modi said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The newspaper said he described the breach as painful and a matter of concern. "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," he said. The gravity of the incident which happened in Parliament should not be underestimated, the prime minister said, adding that the Speaker has also been taking necessary steps with all seriousness. Two persons jumped from visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, with opposition parties, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. Some members have also sought Shahs resignation. The government has insisted that the security in Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. It has also cited numerous such violations in the past, accusing the opposition of politicising the issue. To a question about the BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Modi said the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. Taking a jibe at those questioning the BJP's choices, he said it has been the country's misfortune that a big section of people who influence the society are bound to a trite and narrow mindset.\ "This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention irrespective of their talent and hardwork. A similar thing happens in politics," he said. The media's focus for some decades has unfortunately been the most on a few families and due to this, talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed, he said. "That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he added. The BJP leadership has picked Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, looking over the claims of former CMs Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhra Raje. On the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370, Modi said the top court has put its stamp on the abrogation of Article 370, and added that no power in the universe can bring it back. Citing the BJP's stupendous show in the recent assembly polls, he said it has shown that the party is set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said opposition parties should introspect as to why people do not accept their claims. A 35-year-old woman died on Saturday after coming under a Delhi Metro train at Inderlok Station on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. Reena had come under the train after a part of her saree got stuck between the Metro doors as they closed. The incident took place at Delhi Metro's Inderlok Station.(File) "An incident took place at Inderlok Metro station on Thursday where prima facie it appears that a woman passenger's clothes got entangled in a train leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital on Saturday," Delhi Metro's chief public relations officer Anuj Dayal was quoted as saying by the news agency. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Dayal added that the commissioner of Metro Railway Safety will hold a probe into the incident. An unidentified official of the Delhi Police said no case has been registered in connection with the incident. "Police are probing it and if needed, legal opinion shall be taken," the officer added. Vicky, a relative of the woman, said she was going to Mohan Nagar from Nangloi in west Delhi when she met with the accident, PTI reported. "When she reached Inderlok Metro Station and was changing the train, her saree got stuck. She fell down and got seriously wounded. She was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in a critical condition. On Saturday evening, she died," he said. Reena is survived by a son and a daughter. Her husband died around seven years ago. The Centre has stopped funds for West Bengals medical schemes because it wants all health centres to be painted saffron, chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Sunday before leaving for Delhi where she is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demand the release of Central funds for various social welfare programmes. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File Photo) The Prime Minister has given me an appointment at 11am on December 20. They (Centre) have stopped funds for the health department. They want all health centres to be painted saffron. Why should we do that? Blue and white is the official colour of our state. These are not political colours, Banerjee told the media at the Kolkata airport. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here In Bengal, all government buildings, bridges and even road dividers are painted blue and white. Owners of private buildings are offered a deduction on property tax if they use these colours. Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee said: Do we have to use the BJPs colour everywhere? They will decide what people will wear and what they will eat. They will change syllabi and put rubbish in it. All this is part of a well-devised plan to disturb the minds of people. We are raising our voices. We will raise these issues. Also Read: Parliament security breach serious matter: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Reacting to Banerjees accusation, Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, If she sees BJP in the saffron colour then tomorrow she may make the same accusation against the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. The Centre wants uniformity in health services across the county and it is not limited to the colour of the buildings. The Centre has set strict guidelines and rules as well. Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson, said she will attend the meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition of opposition parties in Delhi on December 19. They (Centre) stopped funds for the Banglar Bari housing scheme after sanctioning 11,00,000 (1.1 million) houses. They are not giving us our share of GST. I met the Prime Minster earlier also to discuss these. Abhishek Banerjee staged agitations in Delhi. I staged an agitation at the state legislative assembly, she added. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing scheme for the poor has been named Banglar Bari by the TMC government triggering objections from the Centre. TMC general secretary and Mamatas nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, with several other party leaders and workers, had in October staged a two-day protest in Delhi against the denial of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and housing scheme funds to the West Bengal government. They do not give the entire money. We bear part of it too, Mamata said. The Bengal CM also attacked the Centre over the Parliament security breach. There was a security lapse. The (Union) home minister has admitted that. It is a serious matter. We do not compromise on security issues. Speaking about the suspension of MPs from the Rajya Sabha Mamata said that they were suspended because they raised the issue of security breach. Our members of Parliament have already raised it and thats why Derek OBrien and many MPs from DMK [Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] and other parties have been suspended, she said. Although it has been found that Lalit Jha, one of the alleged conspirators, used to live in Kolkata with his family, Banerjee said Bengal has no link to the incident as alleged by BJP. This has no Bengali link. Investigations are on. They (police) have gone to Jharkhand and other states. Unlike them (BJP) we dont talk nonsense. We make statements based on facts, she said. The TMC government has been demanding the release of Central funds for projects such as MGNREGA and PMAY. These were suspended following allegations of mismanagement and corruption. During her recent tour of north Bengal districts, Banerjee repeatedly accused the Centre of marginalising the state. Addressing people in Siliguri on December 13, she said, The Centre has stopped funds for rural employment projects, village roads and health schemes. What crime has Bengal done? They are not giving our share of funds for schemes that help backward classes and minorities. MUMBAI: A complaint of rape was registered against Sajjan Jindal, managing director of the JSW Group, on Wednesday at the BKC police station. The complainant, an actress, said the crime had taken place in January 2022 in the penthouse atop the companys head office at the Bandra-Kurla Complex. She also claimed that the BKC police paid no heed to her complaint earlier this year, and she was forced to approach the court, which ordered the police to register the complaint. Actor registers rape complaint against JSW MD Sajjan Jindal As per the complainant, she first met Jindal in October 2021 in Dubai when the two were in the VIP box of a stadium, watching an IPL match. After that, they met in Jaipur at the wedding of MP Praful Patels son. The actress said Jindal began getting personal and handsy after their meeting in Mumbai, and after repeated propositions, forced himself on her. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here We had exchanged numbers and met in Mumbai because he had expressed interest in buying property from my brother who is a real estate consultant in Dubai, said the complainant. He started addressing me as babe and baby, and described all the problems in his marriage when we first met alone, which made me very awkward. She added that overtures like hugs and flirting from his side also made her feel uncomfortable. Also Read | JSW's Sajjan Jindal to own 45-48% of MG Motor India, company to become Indian entity: Report The complainant said that during their subsequent interactions through text messages, Jindal expressed romantic feelings for her despite being married. He also tried to kiss me and talked about getting physically intimate, which I shot down, saying that could happen only after we were married, she said. In January 2022, when the actress was in the companys headquarters for a meeting, Jindal took her to the penthouse. She said that despite her constant protests and refusals, Jindal forced himself upon her. The complainant said she tried to maintain a friendship with him even after the incident, but he stopped responding to her and later blocked her number. Before blocking my number in June 2022, he threatened me with dire consequences if I approached the police, she said. In February 2023, she made a written complaint to the BKC police. The police paid no heed to her repeated complaints, which is why she approached the court, which ordered the BKC police to register the complaint. Also Read | JSW Group plans to invest Rs. 1 lakh cr in Karnataka An official from the BKC police said that based on the actress statements, the accused was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman, intending to outrage her modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation in the matter is under way, he said. A spokesperson for JSW Group did not respond to calls and messages from HT seeking response to the allegations made by the woman. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Russia and Uzbekistan discussed various cooperation matters, including trade, investment, and energy, during their 24th Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Moscow, Trend reports. The meeting, led by Denis Manturov, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, and Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojaev, emphasized the dynamic growth in bilateral trade, reaching 11.5% in the first nine months of 2023. Both sides agreed to continue successful initiatives like the 3rd Forum of Interregional Cooperation, where nine commercial documents were signed, amounting to over 28 billion rubles. The meeting also addressed collaborative projects in transport, industry, petrochemicals, and energy. The parties signed agreements, including a roadmap for supporting investment projects and a memorandum of understanding for the creation of an Expert Center for Strategic Initiatives. The police recently nabbed the accused when he arrived to visit the girl who was admitted to Bhabha Hospital in the western suburb of Bandra, the official said. HT Image The accused, who hails from Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, had befriended the 16-year-old victim while he was working in the city and was in a physical relationship with her from August 2022 till September this year, he said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The girls family found out that she was pregnant and approached the police, the official said. The accused has been arrested under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act (POCSO), he added. Maharashtra minister and OBC leader Chaggan Bhujbal on Sunday accused Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange of issuing open threats and also took on his own government in the state. Maharashtra minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal (HT Photo) Addressing a rally of the Other Backward Classes in Bhiwandi in Thane district, he said the state government was bending to accommodate Jarange, which was making him more aggressive. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Jarange is issuing threats to him, Bhujbal alleged and showed clippings of newspapers to underline his claim. "However, when I speak on this issue, I am told to have patience," said Bhujbal, who is part of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party that joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2. Bhujbal told the gathering they must give a befitting reply to those who have opposed OBCs. Jarange has said the Marathas must be given reservation in jobs and education by recognising them as Kunbis, which is part of the Other Backward Classes segment in the state. However, OBCs groups, led by leaders like Bhujbal, have opposed this move, saying Marathas must be given quota without affecting benefits of the OBCs. Jarange has given December 24 as the deadline to the state government for giving quota to the Maratha community. Three friends were burnt to death while two others are also injured in Rajasthans Ajmer when their car hit a divider and caught fire late on Saturday night, police said. Police said the reason of the fire is yet not clear and further investigation is underway. (Representative Image) The station house officer (SHO) of the Chritianganj police station, Ravindra Singh Khinchi, said, The incident took place near Lohagal road on Saturday when the speeding car carrying five friends returning from Pushkar hit a divider. The locals, however, could save the two before that car caught fire but the rest of the three, including the one on the steering, were burnt to death on the spot. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The three deceased were identified as Shakti Singh, Jai Sakhla, and Sohail Khan while the two injured were identified as Krishna Murari and Umesh Kumar. Shakti was the one behind the wheel, said the SHO. Khinchi also added that a few passers-by reached at the car for their rescue when the accident took place. They were able to take Krishna and Umesh out of the car by breaking its window glass. However, they had to run off when the tyres bursted causing the car catching fire. The rest of the three friends, including the driver, Shakti were burnt alive inside the car. However, they tried to extinguish the fire by spreading water and later rescued the rest three friends, said police. All the five were rushed to the local JLN hospital where the three were declared dead while other two were referred to Jaipur for better treatment considering their critical condition, said SHO. Khinchi also said, The reason of the fire is yet not clear. Further investigation is underway. The committee which was tasked to probe the rape of a minor girl by a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable, has suggested action against 18 railway employees for misconduct. The assistant security commissioner of RPF has submitted an inquiry report which has been sent to the security commissioner of central railways (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) The assistant security commissioner of RPF has submitted an inquiry report which has been sent to the security commissioner of central railways. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Government Railway Police (GRP) on November 1, booked accused Anil Pawar attached to the RPF as constable, on the charge of repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh confined in a railway quarter room on the Tadiwala Road between September 12 and 17. Pawar was running an NGO from the railway quarters named Sidharth Multipurpose Society. The girl had run away with a friend from Chhattisgarh and arrived at the Pune railway station on September 12. It is reported that Pawar came across them. Deceptively offering assistance under the guise of an NGO, he guided them to the railway quarters situated on Tadiwala Road. It is alleged that at this location, both the constable and his associate forcibly confined and sexually assaulted the minor girl. The girl had returned to her hometown in the Bemetara district and lodged a zero FIR with the police there. The Bemetara police reached Pune for inquiry and registered a formal FIR and launched an investigation. While Pawar is still at large, some employees have been transferred immediately by the RPF and railway administration. The inquiry report of the incident has been submitted and the role of the 18 staff members will be investigated, said a senior RPF officer requesting anonymity. The GRP has arrested two persons involved in this case identified as Karan Rathod (30) and Sushmita Kasbe (24). Shreyas Talpade suffered a heart attack in Mumbai on Thursday after shooting for his upcoming film Welcome To The Jungle and had to undergo angioplasty. Now, in an interview with The Times of India, Shreyas friend, filmmaker Soham Shah, said that the actor is 'recovering well'. Sharing an update about when Shreyas will be discharged from Mumbai's Bellevue Hospital, where he has been admitted since Thursday, Soham said it could be 'Sunday night or Monday morning'. Also read: Shreyas Talpades family shares health update after his heart attack Actor Shreyas Talpade has been a part of films such the Golmaal franchise and Om Shanti Om (2007). 'Big relief to see Shreyas smiling' Sohan, who has directed Hindi films, including Ajay Devgn-starrer Kaal (2005), told the portal, In all likelihood, he (Shreyas Talpade) is likely to be discharged Sunday night or Monday morning... I visited him on the same night he was taken to hospital and I was there today (Friday). It was a big relief to see Shreyas smiling and talking with me, being back to himself." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Shreyas and Deepti 'felt divine intervention' Further speaking about how Shreyas Talpade's wife Deepti Shreyas Talpade played a crucial role in ensuring Shreyas got the medical attention he needed at the right time after suffering a heart attack, Sohan said, "He was filled with gratitude and blessings that he was timely taken care of. Thanks to his wife Deepti, who had amazing presence of mind and took the right decisions at the right time. They both have felt divine intervention that he was revived back, as it was a very challenging time to reach the hospital battling the traffic. Thank God he's recovering well and everyone's best wishes are with him." Deepti on Shreyas' heart attack Earlier on Friday, Deepti had shared in a statement issued via Instagram that her husband was in a stable condition and has been recovering well from the surgery. He had to undergo angioplasty after suffering a heart attack. She wrote, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming concern and well-wishes following the recent health scare my husband experienced. Im relieved to update everyone that he is now in stable condition and will be discharged in a few days. The medical teams exceptional care and timely response have been instrumental during this time, and we are grateful for their expertise." She had added, "We kindly request respect for our privacy as he continues his recovery. Your unwavering support has been a tremendous source of strength for both of us. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Big Bang Theory fame, Mayim Bialik is known for a lot of talents, being a neuroscientist, TV star, author, editorial writer, veganism advocate and others. Social media users began to find the actress's views toxic when it came to topics she covered like science, sexuality, gender, health and most importantly, parenting.(AP) After executive producer Mike Richards resigned as the new host of Jeopardy! and a rake of allegations of employment discrimination were highlighted, the powerholders of the show decided that the interim host had to be someone with a positive personality. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here After appointing Mayim Bialik, a TV star and neuroscientist with a considerable following, it seemed they had picked the correct option. However, the tables turned for the worse when social media users began to find the actress's views toxic when it came to topics she covered like science, sexuality, gender, health and most importantly, parenting. Here's a look at her past of controversial statements: Criticism of vaccines In a 2009 interview with People magazine, the American actress revealed that hers was a non-vaccinating family, adding, We based our decision on research and discussions with our pediatrician, and weve been happy with that decision." Then in a blog on Kveller she endorsed Dr Bob Sears who at one point drew similarities between the persecution of parents who dont vaccinate to that of Jews in Nazi Germany. He subsequently apologised for the statement. Dangerous contraceptives It seems conspiracy theories appeal to Mayim. In 2020 alongside Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein she began a crowdfunding project to make a documentary film based on the book Sweetening The Pill which questioned how safe the contraceptive pill really is and made allegations of it being used to allow the Big Pharma companies to keep women in their grips. She said in the video: It is a powerful drug with a lot of side effects and it is not a mood regulatormany women experience staggering depression, emotionalability, and something Im concerned about is the stereotyping of women and their moods and even about PMS may actually be reflecting the hormonal manipulation of our systems. Home births and C-sections The 48-year-old firmly believes in home births and when quizzed about the need for c-sections for babies who wouldn't survive home births she told writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner that: There are those among us who believe that if the baby cant survive a home labor, it is OK for it to pass peacefully. I do not subscribe to this, but I know that some feel that if a baby cannot make it through birth, it is not favored evolutionarily. Victim Shaming In her oped in the New York Times in 2018, the actress caused a frenzy by suggesting that Harvey Weinstein's victims invited sexual assault by dressing inappropriately. She reasoned that she had avoided being assaulted or targeted by predators herself because she dressed modestly and did not act flirtatiously with men. In a perfect world, women should be free to act however they want. But our world isnt perfect. Nothing - absolutely nothing - excuses men for assaulting or abusing women. But we cant be naive about the culture we live in." After initially claiming her comments had just been taking out of context she went on to apologize to victims of sexual assault saying: You are never responsible for being assaulted I am truly sorry for causing so much pain, and I hope you can all forgive me, she wrote. The highly anticipated teaser for Bagheera is out. On the occasion of actor Srii Murali's birthday on December 17, the makers have released the 26-second-long action-packed teaser. Produced under the Hombale Films banner, Bagheera's teaser gives viewers an insight into the dark world of the upcoming film and also introduces the raw and riveting drama that the film promises. (Also read: Salaar advance booking: Prabhas film collects over 1 crore, sells more than 51K tickets across India) A still from Bagheera teaser. About Bagheera teaser On Sunday, the teaser for Bagheera was released by Hombale Films. The post on X (formerly Twitter) read, "When society becomes a jungle... only one predator roars for justice... (fire emoticon) Presenting #BagheeraTeaser to you all. Wishing our 'Roaring Star' @SRIMURALIII a very Happy Birthday." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The teaser for the upcoming Kannada film shows a glimpse of the world enveloped by injustice, violence and uproar. It is then when Bagheera emerges from the dark to fight these misusers of power. The teaser promises jaw-dropping action and stunning camerawork. It ends with Srii Murali's character standing atop a building looking at the city in front of him. Fan reactions Reacting to the teaser, a fan wrote, "Kannada industries are growing much faster than other film industry!" Another said, "It is not just a teaser, it's an emotion for Murli Anna fans. Goosebumps." A comment read, "Roaring star is back on track! Great teaser. That final BGM is mental! Congrats to the whole team." Another said, "This is the redemption Kannada film industry needed since a long time....look at the visuals and BGM.. literally gives Hollywood vibes." "I was excited but wasn't expecting the teaser would be so intense bang on (fire emoticons) Sri Murali as usual Roaring!" read another comment. Bagheera, which is helmed by Hombale Films, known for backing blockbuster films like KGF 1, Kantara, and the upcoming Prabhas-starrer Salaar, is directed by Dr. Suri, who makes his directorial comeback after a decade. It is written by Prashanth Neel. B. Ajaneesh Loknath has composed the music of the film. Bagheera is set to release in mid 2024. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. On Jeopardy!'s December 6 episode, a clue about Matthew Perry appeared in the category Celebrity Tell-Alls. The clue read 'Friends, lovers, and the big terrible thing': He revealed that future editions of his memoir will not include Keanu Reeves. Netizens found the question insensitive considering Perry died in October. After facing major backlash from fans, Jeopardy! producers addressed the incident on the podcast, Inside Jeopardy. FILE PHOTO: Cast member Matthew Perry attends the premiere of the film "17 Again" in Los Angeles April 14, 2009. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/File Photo(REUTERS) What did Jeopardy! producers say about Matthew Perry clue? Contestants Kyra Sedgwick, 58, Mo Rocca, 54, and Amanda Seales, 42, competed to answer the question. The solution to the clue was who is Matthew Perry? The fact that future editions was a part of the clue, didn't sit well with viewers due to the Friends star's tragic demise. Producer Sarah Foss and co-host Buzzy Cohen revealed that the episode was filmed on October 11 while Perry died on October 28. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here They explained that what goes on after the show airs cannot be predicted. However, the caption on the screen was intended to remind the viewers that the episode was filmed weeks before Perry's death. During the podcast, Sarah said, One note on this celebrity game is that you can't anticipate that things are going to be happening. And of course, we tape our shows well in advance. She continued, In the category: 'Celebrity Tell Alls,' we did have a clue about Matthew Perry. So we decided we wanted to indicate on the screen, it had been previously recorded before his passing; a clue about his memoir, Sarah added. Matthew Perry's autopsy report The 17 Again actor's cause of death was confirmed through toxicology reports on Friday. The report stated Perry died of acute effects of ketamine. During his time in Swiss rehab, Perry used to receive ketamine infusions. Back in 2022, he acknowledged the side effects of the drug in his memoir and wrote it made him feel as if he were dying. While Perry claimed that he was getting better and was on his sobriety journey, at the time of his death, he had 3,540 ng/ml of ketamine in his system. Such an amount of the drug falls into the same range as general anaesthesia. Congress MP and leader of the party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday wrote a letter to Speaker Om Birla over the suspension of the 13 opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Winter session saying that the members were pressing for an explanation from the government over the Lok Sabha security breach incident. Opposition MPs including suspended MPs stage a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue over the suspension of 14 MPs for the remainder of the Winter Session of Parliament.(ANI) In the letter addressed to Birla, Chowdhury wrote, "As the Speaker, Lok Sabha, under whose authority and control, the security "of the precincts of Parliament House" rests you have rightly and justly constituted a high level inquiry Committee to cause an in-depth investigation of the brazen, and in a way, bizarre act of breach of security in Parliament House that happened on 13th December, 2023." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here He also urged the speaker to revoke suspension of the opposition MPs as they were demanding an explanation from the centre and expect corrective measures to be taken urgently. "Since the seriousness of the matter lies in this fact, which relates to our own security, Members of the Opposition are duty bound to demand an explanation from the Government and expect corrective measures to be taken urgently. Considering the fact that the Members who have been suspended on account of "unruly conduct" were pressing for an explanation from the Government on very troubling issues, to me, it appears to be appropriate to hear them on their concerns and points of view. Considering the factors that led to the suspension of 13 members in the recent days, I would urge that the matter be re-looked into holistically and appropriate action taken for revoking the suspension and restoring order in the House", he wrote further. In his letter he also mentioned Sonia Gandhi calling on the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then home minister Lal Krishna Advani during the 2001 Parliament terror attack. "It may be recalled that when the dastardly incident of 13th December, 2001 happened, it was Smt. Sonia Gandhi, then President of Indian National Congress who was the first to call on the then Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister Shri Lal Krishna Advani to enquire about their well-being. In the present instance too, it is appropriate for the Home Minister to make a Statement in the House on the incident," he wrote. He also urged the Speaker to investigate and take appropriate action in the Lok Sabha security breach incident. "There is an urgent need to not only to investigate and take corrective action in regard to the security apparatus of the Parliament House Estate, but the factors that led that the youth to indulge in such a brazen act and put themselves, their families and friends into a situation of misery also need to be looked into", he wrote. "I sincerely trust that my letter will be taken in right earnest and all sections are given a fair hearing. Maintaining the dignity and decorum of our Democratic institutions is a common endeavor in all sections of the House," he added. The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a resolution to suspend 13 members for the remainder of the winter session of the parliament for disregarding the chair's direction and disrupting the house proceedings. Earlier, five Congress Lok Sabha members were suspended from the Lok Sabha. Shortly after, nine more opposition MPs were suspended from the Lower House for the same period for "unruly conduct". The suspended MPs are Benny Behanan, VK Sreekandan, Mohammad Jawed, PR Natarajan, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, K Subbarayan, S Venkatesan, Manickam Tagore, Dean Kuriakose, Hibi Eden, TN Prathapan, Jothimani Sennimalai, and, Ramya Haridas. Meanwhile, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for unruly conduct in the upper house of the parliament. The Opposition was raising a chorus for a statement by home minister Amit Shah in the wake of Wednesday's security breach in which two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor's gallery and set off smoke cans. With inputs from ANI New Delhi: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday claimed the Centre was withholding funds belonging to Punjab to stall the development work his party's government had been carrying out in the state. He was in the state to take part in the Vikas Kranti rally. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the flagging off ceremony of 500 new electric buses at IP Depot, in New Delhi on December 14.(Hindustan Times) He said the Akali and Congress governments didn't want the welfare of Punjab. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here He claimed his political rivals asked the central government to stop the Punjab government's finds. "All the parties are upset and they have turned against us. They came together and approached the Centre, asking it to do something to stop our work. (They told the Centre) do not allow them (AAP) to work. If they (AAP) do so much work, then we (rival parties) will be doomed," said Kejriwal. "All these parties went to the Centre, which did the dirty work. They stopped Punjab's funds for health," he added. Kejriwal is the second INDIA leader to have alleged that the Centre had stopped funds for state governments. His INDIA ally Mamata Banerjee had been fighting a protracted battle against the Centre claiming it had stopped West Bengal's funds for MNREGA. Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently said the central government must provide funds for social welfare schemes in the state or step down. The Centre is not giving our share of GST (goods and services tax). It is not giving us funds for housing and rural employment schemes. Either you release our funds or leave the chair. I will be in Delhi with some MPs on December 18, 19 and 20. I have sought time from the Prime Minister. I hope the Prime Minister will give me time, she said last week. Also read: Release Bengals funds or step down: Mamata Banerjee tells Centre Banerjee is currently in the national capital to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged fund freeze. Kejriwal further slammed the Centre for withholding 5,500 crore of rural development funds for constructing roads in mandis. The Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP have been loggerheads in Delhi and Punjab over a host of issues. In Delhi, where AAP has been in government since 2013, Kejriwal has levelled allegations of the Centre stopping its development work through the Lieutenant Governor. Two of the party's key leaders -- Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh -- have been in jail in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Kejriwal's AAP is the BJP's biggest political rival in Delhi and Punjab for the upcoming 2024 general elections. With inputs from PTI BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 18. The Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Abat Fayzullayev, met with the President of the National Consortium of Italian Planter Associations (CIVI Italia) Giandomignico Consalvo, Trend reports. They discussed agricultural reforms and the development of horticulture in Uzbekistan. The initiative to establish an international nursery center in the Surkhandarya region received a positive assessment, and CIVI Italia expressed readiness to support the project, provide expertise, and assistance in horticulture, including the creation of virus-free nurseries and certification systems. The possibilities of engaging Italian companies and conducting trials of new fruit varieties suitable for local conditions were also discussed during the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI). While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at Namo Ghat, he called AI technology "a new beginning" and expressed hope that it will help his voice reach the masses more easily. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI) "Today, use of new technology has taken place here through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a new beginning and hopefully, it will make it easier for my words to reach you," PM Modi said at Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here ALSO READ| Supreme Court's decision on Article 370 not God's verdict: Mehbooba Mufti Addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi, he hailed the successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which has benefited four crore families. "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is my examination. Through this, I want to know from you if what I promised was fulfilled or not, whether people got houses or not, whether people lacking a house got houses. In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I felt that the most important thing for the country to pay attention to is that the schemes of the government should reach people at the right time without any problems. If there is a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, then the houses should be built with the help of the government. There is no need to run after the government. The Govt should work from the front and since you have given me this work, about four crore families have got permanent houses," said PM Modi. Development initiatives during Modi's Varanasi visit During his two-day visit, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 19,150 crore in Varanasi. He will also inaugurate completed projects like New Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar-New Bhaupur Dedicated Freight Corridor Project which has been built at a cost of around 10,900 crore. During his visit, he will also flag off 2nd Vande Bharat Express train for Varanasi. Parts of the mobile phones belonging to five accused in the Parliament security breach case have been recovered from Rajasthan, news agency ANI reported citing Delhi Police sources. All the phones, which the alleged 'mastermind' Lalit Mohan Jha had taken hold of, were found in burnt condition, ANI added. All the phones, taken away by the alleged 'mastermind' Lalit Mohan Jha from the other accused, were found in burnt condition. Police have added IPC sections related to destruction of evidence to the FIR against the accused, news agency PTI reported Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Delhi police sources earlier revealed that Lalit Jha had destroyed five mobile phones before coming to Delhi and was misleading the investigating team. According to the Delhi police, Lalit Jha destroyed not four but five mobile phones after fleeing to Rajasthan's Kuchaman, said the police sources. Investigation has revealed that Lalit first destroyed the phones of the four accused and before coming to Delhi he destroyed his own phone also. According to the sources, Lalit was continuously misleading the investigation team, ANI reported citing the police sources. The investigation team has written a letter to the cellular company seeking information about Lalit and the remaining four accused. The Delhi Police on Saturday said earlier said the five accused arrested in the December 13 Parliament security breach case have revealed they explored the idea of self-immolation after applying fire-resistent gel on their body to create more dramatic scenes without hurting themselves and get media attention. However, they later dropped this idea, settling on the plan to jump into the Lok Sabha chamber with smoke canisters, they said. Two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday described anti-national narratives as a Covid virus and said they have to be neutralised. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar (ANI Photo) He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of 8th three-day international seminar on 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam: Shrimad Bhagwadgita & Global Unity' organised by Kurukshetra University and Kurukshetra Development Board. The event was organised in Kurukshetra as part of the ongoing International Gita Festival there. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Dhankhar said either in a planned way or due to lack of understanding, a few people take pleasure in floating anti-national narratives. "It should not happen. You blunt it (such narratives). It is like a Covid virus that has to be neutralised," he said. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand, and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi were also present at the event. The philosophy of Gita is the bedrock of Indian civilisation, its culture and in the present times the soul of India's governance with an emphasis on objectivity, transparency, equity and commitment to universal brotherhood, said the vice president. He said today India is making rapid progress in varied fields. "..We are a world power, we stand for peace, we stand for global stability. We want to take our Bharat in 2047 at peak when we will be into centenary celebration of our Independence," he said. Referring to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflict, Dhankhar said, "After the World War II, the world has not seen this much pain as it is seeing today." "We are virtually sitting on a volcano. World's two 'configurations' -- one Israel-Hamas and another Ukraine-Russia -- are well known," he said, while adding Gita's philosophy is as relevant today as never before. "And India's Prime Minister has made two historic statements in the past. First one was nearly one-and-a-half years back that 'we are not living in an era of expansion'. In saying so, the PM took pride this country never in its history has thought of expansion. We have suffered invasions, incursions of all kinds, but we have never believed in expansion policy," he said. When there were two big issues before the world, PM Modi taking guidance from the Gita said that every possible effort should be made to avoid war, through dialogue and diplomacy, Dhankhar said. Making a reference to the Mahabharat era, he said no effort was spared by Lord Krishna to ensure that there be no war. "But once this becomes inevitable, even then Lord Krishna gave 'gyan' to Arjuna which we need to ponder upon today," he said, adding Lord Krishna told Arjuna never to leave path of duty. "...And today India's PM Modi is doing so," he said. Dhankhar said the fundamental of democracy is that all are equal before law. "Earlier some people thought they are above law. But a big change came and today no one is outside the ambit of law, this is the ground reality. I can assure you to achieve this is not easy. It was a formidable challenge, challenge from those who were established, those who had a great support system -- in the system and outside. But today we can hold our head high and say Gita governance is there and all are equal before law," he said. Without naming anyone, the vice president said if one gets notice as per law, the procedure under law should be followed. But the new culture that "we will take to roads if we get notice as per law" is not what Gita taught us, he asserted. In his memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny', Naravane, providing a rare insight into the deadly Galwan Valley clashes, says Chinese President Xi Jinping will not forget June 16 any time soon as China's People's Liberation Army suffered "fatal casualties" for the first time in over two decades in the fighting. HT Image Naravane, one of the foremost Arrmy Generals, provided a gripping account of the India-China confrontation before and after the deadly Galwan Valley incident, India's overall response to the Chinese action and how it served as a catalyst to firm up the Army's combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "It was one of the saddest days of my entire career," says Naravane, recalling the death of 20 Army personnel in the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. His tenure as the Army Chief from December 31, 2019 to April 30, 2022 was primarily marked by the Chinese challenges along the contested border as well as the rolling out of long-term reform measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the force. "June 16 is (Chinese President) Xi Jinping's birthday. This is not a day he will forget any time soon. For the first time in over two decades, the Chinese and the PLA had suffered fatal casualties," Naravane writes. "They had been following wolf-warrior diplomacy and salami-slicing tactics everywhere with impunity, browbeating smaller neighbours like Nepal and Bhutan, while staking their ever-increasing claims in the South China Sea, without having to pay any costs, especially in terms of human lives." "It took India and the Indian Army to show to the world that enough is enough and to challenge the neighbourhood bully." 'Four Stars of Destiny' published by Penguin Random House India will hit the stands next month. Delving into the overall situation along the frontier, Naravane, at the same time, suggests having a "non-aggression" pact between the two countries pending the settlement of the overall boundary dispute, saying it would go a long way in restoring confidence and pave the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces. On the Galwan Valley incident, Naravane says it occurred in view of the Chinese PLA refusing to remove two tents that it had erected in Patrolling Point 14 (PP-14), adding following the adversary's refusal, the Indian Army decided to pitch its own tents in the same general area. The eastern Ladakh border row began in May 2020. Naravane says flag-level meetings had been continuing at other locations then, including at PP-15 and PP-17A, where troops fell back over agreed distances, thereby reducing the chances of violent face-offs. "At PP-14, however, whenever we asked the PLA to remove their tents, they kept changing their stance. From 'some more time was needed', to 'we will check with our superiors', to it 'being beyond the mandate of the talks'." "From this stonewalling, it became evident that there had been no intention of removing those tents in the first place. To counter this, we also decided to pitch our own tents in the same general area," he writes. Naravane says when Indian Army personnel went to pitch the tents, there was a violent reaction from the Chinese side. "Col Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 BIHAR, went forward with a small party of troops to attempt to defuse the situation but the PLA were in no mood to relent and attacked the CO's party too," he says. "Thereafter, it became a free-for-all. With darkness setting in, both sides rushed in additional troops and a see-saw engagement continued throughout the night," he recounts. Although armed, neither side opened fire, instead using batons or clubs and throwing or rolling down stones on each other's positions, he says. The former Army Chief says due to better connectivity on their side, the PLA were able to move troops forward in armoured personnel carriers which changed the balance in their favour. Naravane says he told then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi during a phone call at 1:30 am on June 16 that the Army must hit back and make the PLA pay the price for their misadventure. "Daylight revealed a not-so-favourable situation." "Five jawans had died of injuries in the melee. The next morning, as the head count was taken, we realised many were missing. As tense negotiations began, many of our boys, who had either got disoriented or had been briefly detained by the PLA without food or medical aid, returned to base," he says. "However, 15 of them succumbed to the combined effects of their injuries and hypothermia. It was one of the saddest days of my entire career." "We are in a profession where death is always lurking around the corner. Every patrol or ambush can be your last. As a Company and Battalion Commander, my unit had suffered casualties, and I was always stoic in the face of adversity or bad news. Yet, losing 20 men in a day was hard to bear," he writes. About the casualties on the Chinese side, Naravane says it was evident that they "too suffered substantially". "Our men who were in Chinese hands had been kept out in the open and they had seen several bodies being fished out of the river. Whenever that happened, they were subjected to a fresh round of beatings," Naravane writes. "The sheer savagery of their response was in itself indicative of the losses they had suffered. Initially, they did not admit to any casualties at all; then many months later, admitted to four or five killed, including the CO on their side," he says. Naravane also mentioned a report by a group of Australian researchers that put the figure of Chinese fatalities to at least 38. A separate Russian (TASS) report put the figure closer to 45 killed, which was consistent with other intelligence reports, including those from the US, he says. Naravane says the time is ripe for the resumption of the special-representative level talks to settle the border question between the two sides. "Pending the settlement of the boundary dispute, which is likely to be time-consuming, articulation of a 'non-aggression' pact between the two countries would go a long way in restoring confidence, paving the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces from Tibet/Ladakh," he says. "Such a pact would be somewhat akin to what China and the ASEAN countries are attempting to formalise," he says. The former Army Chief says the crisis in eastern Ladakh served as a catalyst for the Army's rebalancing to the northern front. The Army moved many key units to the northern front from other parts following the Chinese aggression. "Though still inadequate, the increase in force ratios on the Northern Front will definitely make the PLA think twice before embarking on any misadventure, especially now that we have the offensive capability to take the battle into Chinese territory," Naravane says. "In our posture against China, we have moved up from dissuasive deterrence (defensive) to credible deterrence (offensive defence). With these developments, the PLA must have realised that a military solution to the border problem is improbable," he adds. The Congress has convened a meeting of its working committee on December 21 to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party aims to formulate a plan that will enable it to swiftly launch its campaign and effectively contend with the Bharatiya Janata Party in next year's polls. The primary focus of the meeting is expected to be on seat-sharing and campaign strategies. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.(HT File) The CWC meeting is also anticipated to delve into the prospect of Rahul Gandhi embarking on a yatra ahead of the 2024 elections, with a key emphasis on addressing issues such as unemployment and rising prices, reports said on Sunday. The proposed yatra, spanning from east to west and incorporating a hybrid mode, including on-foot segments, is under consideration, and a final decision is imminent. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The meeting is also expected to scrutinise the recent assembly poll results, especially the defeats in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, as well as the victory and government formation in Telangana. The party's loss in Mizoram will be examined, and discussions will focus on understanding the reasons for the defeat and strategizing for the 2024 elections. Before the Congress Working Committee meeting, the 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA bloc parties is scheduled for 3pm on December 19 in New Delhi. The primary challenges facing the opposition INDIA bloc, including formulating a "core positive agenda," addressing seat-sharing issues, and planning joint rallies, will be discussed at this gathering. The opposition parties aim to project a unified front with the theme "Main Nahin, Hum" (We, Not Me) ahead of the 2024 polls. Earlier, a meeting of the INDIA bloc was called off after its key leaders decided to skip the December 6 huddle. At the December 6 meeting, which was supposed to be held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi the leaders were likely to chalk out the final strategy to take on the ruling BJP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. (With inputs from PTI) Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday alleged that drug tablets in Punjab jails are being sold under the watch of chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Sidhu's remark came amid Punjab and Haryana governments pulling up the state governments on steps taken to check drug trafficking. He claimed that he would leave politics if he is proved otherwise. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu(ANI) "Law and order, drug mafia, jail. The High Court asked for a policy within a week. CM Bhagwant Mann is the jail minister. What did he do?... Drug tablets are being sold inside the jails... If I am proven a liar, I will leave politics," Sidhu said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The high court sought status reports from both the Punjab and Haryana governments on steps taken after the Border Security Force (BSF) gave the names of 75 individuals to Punjab Police suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. "The State of Punjab is directed to file a status report with respect to the steps being taken in pursuance of the report given to it by the BSF. The State of Haryana will also file a status report regarding the steps being taken in the state in the matter," the court said. BSF has seized around 755 kg of narcotics this year so far, according to the report submitted by the security forces. 95 drones were shot down, 36 Pakistani nationals were arrested and recovered 15 rifles and 38 pistols during this period. Nine Pakistani nationals trying to cross the border illegally have been killed, the report said. New Delhi: Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday hinted that the Opposition's impasse with the government over the Lok Sabha security breach will continue until home minister Amit Shah makes a statement in the Parliament. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first comments on the security breach, he accused him of running away from a debate on the incident in order to save BJP MP Pratap Simha, whose office had issued access passes to the two intruders. Congress general secretary and in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh.(ANI) In his first reaction, PM Modi told a national daily there was a need for a probe into the incident, not a debate. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Opposition has been demanding a statement from home minister Amit Shah in the Parliament on the breach. On Thursday, 14 MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session of Parliament for "unruly" behaviour. "The Prime Minister has finally broken his silence on the extraordinary events in the Lok Sabha on December 13th. He says probe is needed and not debate and that such a probe is on. All that INDIA parties are asking for and will continue to press for is a statement by the Home Minister on what happened on December 13th and how exactly it happened," Ramesh said in a post on X. "The PM is running away from a debate for a very simple reason. Questions will be raised on the role of the Mysuru BJP MP Pratap Simha in facilitating the entry of the intruders into the Lok Sabha on December 13th," he added. Also read: PM Modi's first reaction to Parliament security breach: Very serious Two men had jumped into the chamber of the House from the visitors' gallery and caused commotion with their smoke cannisters. They were later overpowered by the members of the parliament. 5 people have been arrested over the incident. PM Modi, in an interview with Dainik Jagran, said probe agencies are investigating the matter and taking stringent action against the perpetrators of the security scare. "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," he said. "What happened is very serious," Modi said in his first comments on Wednesday's breach. "There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this," he added. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said he should speak in the Parliament. "PM Modi should also speak in the Parliament on security breach like he is speaking to a newspaper and Union Home minister is speaking to a TV channel," she told ANI. Hyderabad: Stating that the people of Telangana have given a clear verdict against the dictatorial family rule of Bharat Rashtra Samithi in the just- concluded assembly elections, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday said the new Congress government will restore the democratic atmosphere and let people freely express their views. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy eddy said his government would try to undo the undemocratic and authoritarian policies of the BRS administration in the past one decade. (PTI) The people have broken the barriers of Pragati Bhavan, a fortress of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. During the KCR regime, the common man had no entry into Pragati Bhavan. Even popular balladeer Gaddar had to wait for hours to enter the premises, Reddy said in his hour-long speech in the assembly, replying to the discussion on the motion of thanks to governor Tamilisai Soundararajans address. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here As soon as the Congress came to power, it had removed all barricades and allowed the people in, he said. If you see the surge of crowds at the Praja Bhavan to present their grievances to the government, one can understand how much they had suffered in the last 10 years, the chief minister said. Reacting to BRS working president and former minister K T Rama Raos comments that the governors speech was full of lies and Telangana had emerged as No. 1 state in the country in several fields, Reddy said it was unfortunate that the BRS had not learnt a lesson despite the people giving a clear verdict against the family rule of KCR. Reddy described KT Rama Rao as an NRI leader, who had entered politics under the management quota. He has no knowledge about the values of democracy, the chief minister said. If he continues to brag that only the KCR family can save the state, he is disrespecting the peoples verdict, Reddy said. That is why they have shown the family its place. KTR took strong exception to Reddys comment. In fact, you have got the chief ministers post through management quota by managing Delhi leaders. We give our full support to the good policies of the Congress government, but we would definitely fight for the cause of people, he said. Reddy said his government would try to undo the undemocratic and authoritarian policies of the BRS administration in the past one decade. You have ruled for 10 years, and we will be here for another 10 years. You are going to see how we shall implement our election promise of six guarantees to people, the chief minister said. He promised to bring in a democratic atmosphere in Telangana where basic rights like holding protests were denied. We will give freedom to people to protest and freely express their views. We will implement social justice and do justice to all those who fought for Telanganas statehood, Reddy said. Quoting from National Crime Records Bureau data, the chief minister said more than 8,000 farmers had committed suicide in the past 10 years. Yet, the previous BRS government claimed that it was farmer friendly. In terms of per capita income of the farmers, Telangana is in 25th position, he said. There would not have been so many suicides of farmers had the BRS government implemented the crop insurance scheme, Reddy said. It only tried to appease farmers by providing 5 lakh under Rythu Bima to the families of farmers who had committed suicide, he criticised. The chief minister also accused the previous BRS government of encouraging the sand mafia, promoting drug culture in the society, harassing Dalits and betraying the unemployed youth by allowing leakage of question papers of recruitment tests. The BRS should first apologise to the people for all its misdeeds, he said. KTR sought to launch a counter attack. I felt ashamed of being a member of this house after listening to the speech of the governor. It was like a fox taking a vow not to deceive anybody and a tiger promising not to eat meat hereafter. The Congress had never kept its promises in the past nor can it do in the coming days, he said. Stating that Telangana had seen all-round progress in the past 10 years, the BRS leader said, History cannot be erased just because somebody will cover KCRs name plate at Pragati Bhavan with mud. Bengaluru: A group of students, all belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, were allegedly forced to clean a septic tank purportedly used for human waste disposal, at a residential school in Kolar district of Karnataka, prompting the state administration to suspend the principal and three staffers of the school, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he has ordered a detailed report, assuring stringent action against the culprits. (Image for representation) The incident at Morarji Desai Residential School in Yaluvahalli in Malur taluk, came to light after videos purportedly shot by a teacher on a mobile phone went viral on social media. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here A responsible organisation cant employ children for such work. It is highly condemnable. As soon as I came to know about this, I called the principal and suspended the principal, warden and other officials, the states social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa said in an order on Sunday. The minister also ordered a detailed investigation by the department into the undated incident. Also Read | 443 died cleaning sewers, tanks in over 5 years: Govt Principal Bharathamma, teachers Muniyappa and Abhishek, and hostel warden Manjunath only single names of the four were mentioned in the order were suspended. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he has ordered a detailed report, assuring stringent action against the culprits. I have come to know about the incident and I have sought a report. Will take strict action based on the report, he added. According to people familiar with the matter, state legal services authority chairman, Sunil Hosmani, visited the school and conducted an inspection. Executive director of Karnataka Residential Education Institutions Society (KRIES), Naveen Kumar Raju, and joint director of the social welfare department, R Srinivas, also held inspections at the site. In the purported videos, five to six students in classes 7 to 9 were made to enter and clean the septic tank, in the presence of the principal and a teacher. The students are also seen sharing their distress and describing the harsh conditions they endure at the school. The students also allege of being subjected to punishment, including kneeling outside the hostel at night, and physical abuse. HT could not independently verify the veracity of the videos. All the affected children are Dalits, one of the people cited above said, declining to be named. Though school officials attempted to downplay the incident, claiming the pit was part of a cleanliness drive and not a waste disposal chamber, a teacher, requesting anonymity, confirmed the pit contained excrement. Parents have also expressed outrage over the incident. Using school students for this work is wrong; we will initiate action against school authorities, district child protection unit officer Nagaratna, who also visited the school, told HT. I have visited the school and recommended disciplinary action against erring school staff, Kolar district social welfare department joint director R Srinivas said, adding the department will not allow such incidents to take place in the future. The incident also triggered a political row, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacking the Congress-led state government over the heinous incident against Dalit students. It is an alarming development that people belonging to SC communities are being subjected to violence and exploitation. Malur incident where children were subjected to physical abuse by putting them in a pit of feces is a very heinous incident. The Karnataka BJP strongly condemns it, state BJP chief BY Vijayendra said in a post on X, formerly twitter. Calling for strict action against the culprits, Vijayendra demanded that minister Mahadevappa should take moral responsibility for the incident and resign. New Delhi: The government will soon create an online repository called IKS Wiki to provide information on topics related to Indias traditional knowledge and culture to the general public, which will also involve students through an internship programme to contribute and engage with it, an official said. To be sure, Wikipedia, the worlds largest free online encyclopedia, has extensive entries on Indian civilisation, religion, philosophy and culture.(Pixabay) It will be an authentic library for Bharatiya gyan parampara, or Indian knowledge systems, which will be accessible to everyone in the world, said Ganti S Murthy, national coordinator of the Indian Knowledge Systems division of the education ministry. With that intent, the division has also launched an internship programme for students to contribute and be involved in the development of IKS Wiki. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The IKS division was established by the ministry as an innovation cell at the All India Council for Technical Education in 2020 to promote interdisciplinary research on aspects of indigenous knowledge. The idea behind starting the IKS Wiki is to provide information in a simplified language that can be understood by the common people, the official said. It will carry articles in multiple Indian languages as well as in English, Murthy said. To be sure, Wikipedia, the worlds largest free online encyclopedia, has extensive entries on Indian civilisation, religion, philosophy and culture. There are other such repositories as well, such as Bharatpedia, which is curated by a private foundation. IKS Wiki, however, would be the first such state-sponsored initiative. During the internship, students can also contribute in the form of the artwork, including pictures, sketches, multimedia, including cartoons, graphics for use by the IKS community and common readers at large, the division said in a document released earlier this week, in which oral traditions of Bharat will receive priority. The IKS Internship programme is designed to encourage and enthuse youth to take up deeper study of various topics related to IKS, preferably in Bharatiya bhashas (Indian languages). IKS Wiki must be an important tool for it, the document said. Therefore, the focus of this internship programme is to create opportunities for students to contribute and be involved in development of IKS Wiki during the summer breaks or anytime during the year. Each intern will be paid 1,000 per article upon their acceptance, it added. Under the project, only topics related to the systematized knowledge that is created by Indians in the Indian subcontinent over millennia and has been transmitted through oral traditions, manuscripts, texts and traditional practices will be accepted, the document stated. Articles solely based on modern knowledge systems and modern scientific methods and analysis do not qualify as IKS projects, an official at the division said, seeking anonymity. The last date for the students to apply for the internship is December 25. The names of those selected will be announced on January 5. Ukrainian rapper Oleksandr Yarmak, who has been serving in the Armed Forces, was robbed on the Dnipro-Kyiv train while he was sleeping. The thief entered the star's compartment and took his backpack with personal belongings. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, other passengers, including foreigners, suffered from the unknown person's illegal actions in the neighboring carriage. The artist wrote about this in his blog. The defender was returning from a rotation with a backpack carrying a laptop and a GoPro camera. They contained important footage he had shot at the front line. "It feels like this video was recorded in '98, but unfortunately, it's 2023, and this is the service provided by Ukrzaliznytsia. This is not the first time I have heard of such cases. Yesterday on this train, a soldier had all his belongings stolen, and he got off with just shoes, pants and a T-shirt," the rapper was outraged. He urged passengers to keep a close eye on their belongings and asked Ukrzaliznytsia to take measures to avoid such unpleasant incidents. The artist, who is the commander of the drone control unit, was most upset that he would not be able to recover the data on the stolen media. ADVERTISIMENT "Advice for the military: all the information you record on various devices - phones, GoPro, tablets, laptops - should be transferred to some kind of secure media that is in a safe place. The most valuable thing I have lost today is information, and unique footage from various historical events at the front, which, unfortunately, I will not be able to restore in any way. All that remains is what was on my phone," Yarmak said. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the National Police of Ukraine. The rapper left a mark on his official account and advised them to "work better." ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Yarmak explained how Russia's cultural propaganda affects the course of the war. The artist also drew attention to Ukrainian bloggers who still promote pro-Russian values to the masses. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday hinted that the Opposition's impasse with the government over the Lok Sabha security breach will continue until home minister Amit Shah makes a statement in the Parliament. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first comments on the security breach, he accused him of running away from a debate on the incident in order to save BJP MP Pratap Simha, whose office had issued access passes to the two intruders. In his first reaction, PM Modi told a national daily there was a need for a probe into the incident, not a debate. Dig Deeper Jairam Ramesh(Hindustan Times) The Centre has stopped funds for West Bengals medical schemes because it wants all health centres to be painted saffron, chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Sunday before leaving for Delhi where she is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demand the release of Central funds for various social welfare programmes. The Prime Minister has given me an appointment at 11am on December 20. They (Centre) have stopped funds for the health department. They want all health centres to be painted saffron. Why should we do that? Blue and white is the official colour of our state. These are not political colours, Banerjee told the media at the Kolkata airport. Dig Deeper Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Latest News Heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu next week, warns IMD. Dig Deeper Parliament security breach serious matter: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Dig Deeper Some specific things: Jaishankar draws distinction between US, Canada charges. Dig Deeper India News Maharashtra SIT to probe bureaucrat's son trying to mow down girlfriend with car. Dig Deeper Surat Diamond Bourse launch: 5 trillion10 trillion dollar economy, PM Modi shares govt's next 25-year plan. Dig Deeper Punjab: Three arrested after exchange of fire with police in Moga. Dig Deeper Global Matters US teacher threatens to behead student over her comments on Israeli flag. Dig Deeper France condemns residential building bombing as worker killed in Israeli attack. Dig Deeper Vatican trial: Will Cardinal Becciu go to jail? Not any time soon but...Dig Deeper Sports Goings Team India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has pulled out of the squad for the impending two-match Test series against South Africa as he has flown back home due to personal reasons. BCCI have named KS Bharat, who is currently in South Africa as India 'A' skipper, as his replacement. The development comes just two days after fast bowler Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the contest owing to his ankle injury. "Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad. The men's selection committee has named KS Bharat as a replacement," BCCI said in a statement. Dig Deeper Lifestyle and Health Dogs are loyal companions and lovable friends. With their selfless and boundless affection, they win our hearts every day. Adopting a pet comes with a great responsibility and commitment for life. It is crucial to choose a breed that best suits your home environment, lifestyle and requirements. Different dog breeds remained in news for different reasons this year- some for their friendliness, some for their looks and personality and others for their social skills. We are not here to judge the superiority of one dog breed to another. Like every individual comes with their share of goodness and shortcomings, so do dogs. However, that does not mean that one dog breed deserves more love than the other says Devanshi Shah, Founder and CEO, Petkonnect. Dig Deeper Charan Das Mahant, former speaker of Chhattisgarh assembly, will be leader of the Congress legislative party in the central Indian state after the party high command cleared his appointment on Saturday. Charan Das Mahant was speaker in the assembly between 2018 and 2023 (Agencies) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved a proposal to appoint Mahant as the leader of the opposition in Chhattisgarh with immediate effect, general secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement. Kharge also approved a proposal to continue with Deepak Baij as president of the state unit of the party. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The new Congress lawmakers in Chhattisgarh met on Wednesday and passed a resolution authorizing Kharge to decide on the next party leader in the state assembly. Mahant, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and former minister Umesh Patel were the top contenders for the post. Mahant was speaker in the assembly between 2018 and 2023. He was Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance between January 2013 to May 2014. In the 2023 assembly elections, Mahant defeated Khilawan Sahu of the Bharatiya Janata Party by over 12,000 votes. From 2004 to 2013, Mahant, on various occasions, held the post of working and full-time Congress state president, but was unable to bring his party to power in both the 2008 and 2013 assembly elections. As most senior leaders, including TS Singh Deo, Ravindra Choubey, Muhammad Akbar, and Jai Singh Agarwal lost elections, there was not much choice in front of the state Congress, a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. Notably, barring Kawasi Lakhma and Anila Bhedia, all cabinet ministers of the Baghel administration lost in the elections. Baghel was reluctant to be the leader of the opposition, while two-time party president Mahant was eager for the post, party functionaries said. Mahant was trying hard for the post, a Congress MLA said, declining to be named. Some MLAs and leaders were of the view that Baghel should be given the post because of his image as an aggressive leader in opposition. Baghel ji was not interested in the post and he has told everyone that he doesnt want any post in the party for some time after the assembly elections result, said a close aide of Baghel, wishing to remain unnamed. Mahant appointment will help the Congress in the coming times, a political commentator said. With Baghels denial, Congress was left only with Mahant, as he is the senior leader and carries vast experience, said Harsh Dubey. Also, Congress has no tribal face other than Baij. His reappointment as (state) party president confirms it. With this decision of making Charan Das Mahant the leader of the opposition and continuing with Deepak Baij as the PCC (pradesh Congress committee) president, who could not save his own seat, the party appears to have taken a decision in haste, a Congress leader said, seeking anonymity. Needless to say, the party could have pondered a little more, as this elections loss was completely unexpected and required some major thinking and analysis. In the just- concluded assembly elections, the BJP won 54 of the 90 seats. The Congress, which had won 68 seats in 2018, was reduced to just 35 seats. The Gondwana Gantantra Party won one seat. New Delhi: With Iran-backed Shia Houthi militia coming out in support of Hamas terrorists in Gaza and randomly targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Somalian Pirates playing havoc off the Gulf of Aden, major shipping companies are avoiding Bab El-Mandeb chokepoint as a result of which shipping costs and insurance have gone up. MV Ruen vessel While Houthi militia are targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with cruise missiles and missile-firing drones to deter them from proceeding to the Israeli port of Eilat, Somalian pirates have taken control of Malta-flagged MV Ruen and are currently proceeding towards Mogadishu in Somalia. The Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi is in the vicinity of the hijacked ship but the Japanese destroyer JMSDF Akebono has detached itself from the pursuit and has left the vicinity. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here It is quite evident that the owners of MV Ruen will have to pay ransom to the Somali pirates to get their ship released from captivity as any armed intervention will lead to loss of lives of the hostage crew. The Somalian pirates boarded MV Ruen around the island of Socotra off the coast of Aden and proceeded towards the Somalian coast. None of the 18 crew has Indian nationality with the injured among them in stable condition. It is understood that Spanish Frigate Victoria had also joined the pursuit to deter the pirates but the status of the ship is not known now. Although US and NATO warships are trying to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks, the Shia rebels at the instigation of Iran have opened a sea front of the coast of Yemen just as another Iranian terror proxy Hezbollah has opened a land front with Israel in South Lebanon. More than one-sixth of global commercial shipping traffic passes through the Red Sea and any disruption like the current one spikes the trade costs. With Israel in no mood to let the Hamas terrorist group off the hook for the October 7 massacre, it is quite evident that sea lanes of communication in this part of north Arabian Sea will remain disrupted unless pressure is put on Houthi handlers in Tehran to back off. And till such time, the Somalian pirates will make huge amounts of ransom money at the cost of this disruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India will become a 'Viksit' (developed) nation by 2047 if all the countrymen would take the resolve to work for its development. PM Modi addresses Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi(X/ @ANI) Addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi, he appealed to the people to make up their minds and resolve to make India a developed country. He said, If the 140 crore countrymen take a resolve to make the nation developed, then India will surely become 'Viksit' by 2047. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Emphasizing government schemes reaching to the people, he said that the yatra is his examination and wanted to know if the promises he made were fulfilled or not. "Viksit Bharat Sankalp yatra is my examination. Through this, I want to know from you if what I promised was fulfilled or not, whether people got houses or not, whether people lacking a house got houses. In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I felt that the most important thing for the country to pay attention to is that the schemes of the government should reach people at the right time without any problems. If there is a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, then the houses should be built with the help of the government. There is no need to run after the government. The Govt should work from the front and since you have given me this work, about four crore families have got permanent houses," he said. PM Modi further said that he is attending the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra as an MP of Varanasi. "All the people of the country associated with the government, politics and social work are giving their time to make this Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra a success. So as the MP of Varanasi, I also had a responsibility that I should also give time to this program," he said. Earlier on Saturday, he interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing. He said that Modi's guarantee begins after hope from everyone else ends. He also flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. PM Modi arrived in his Lok Sabha constituency for a two-day visit on Sunday to launch 37 projects worth over 19,000 crore for the development of the region. He held a roadshow in the temple town and visited the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition at Cutting Memorial Inter College. He also interacted with the beneficiaries of government schemes including PM Awas, PM SWANidhi, and PM Ujjwala among others. Later, he will now inaugurate Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat and will flag off a second Vande Bharata train between Varanasi and New Delhi. On Monday, he will visit the Swaraveda Mahamandir and will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme at Barki Gram Sabha of Sewapuri development block. He will aslos inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various projects including roads and bridges, health and education, police welfare, smart city and urban development projects, railways, and airports.(With inputs from PTI, ANI) The Indian government on Sunday conveyed its deepest condolences to Kuwait on the death of its Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and declared state mourning across the country on December 17 as a mark of respect. Kuwaits Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (File) Sheikh Nawaf died on Saturday at the age of 86, according to the royal court, just a little more than three years after assuming power in the West Asian country. The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed. The Amir was admitted to hospital in November due to an emergency health problem. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwaits de facto ruler since 2021, was named as Sheikh Nawafs successor. The external affairs ministry said in a statement that petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri would visit Kuwait as the prime ministers special envoy to pay condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. Puri would deliver personal letters of condolences from the president and prime minister to Sheikh Meshal. In the demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir, the statement said. Sheikh Nawaf was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of India and Kuwait, according to the statement. The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care. India stands united in mourning with the leadership and the people of Kuwait, it added. Kuwait is hometown about one million Indians, the largest expatriate community in the country. The expatriates include professionals such as engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, technicians and nurses, though a large proportion consists of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. The West Asian state is also among Indias key energy suppliers and there was close cooperation between the two sides during the Covid-19 pandemic. An Indian medical team was sent to Kuwait in a special aircraft in April 2020 to help fight Covid-19. Kuwait established an air and sea bridge during the second wave of the pandemic to supply oxygen and medical supplies to India. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday launched yet another frontal attack at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying the latter's "deliberate" actions "precipitate the breakdown of constitutional machinery" in the state. The latest salvo came in reaction to the SFI's move to put up black posters and banners outside the Calicut University guest house, where Khan had been staying. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.(PTI) Miffed with a banner put by the student's group calling him 'Sanghi', Khan shot off a strongly worded letter squarely blaming Vijayan for the row. In a statement, he said "this cannot happen without the direction of the chief minister". Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has taken serious note of the action of the State Police, on the direction of the Chief Minister, in placing posters defamatory to the Governor in the campus of Calicut University. The black banners and posters have been placed inside the campus, just outside the University Guest House where the Governor is staying. The Hon'ble Governor feels that this cannot happen without the direction of the Chief Minister and that this clearly is the beginning of the collapse of the constitutional machinery in the State. He said that such deliberate actions of the Chief Minister precipitate the breakdown of constitutional machinery," a Raj Bhavan statement read. Also read: I am not a rubber stamp or yes man: Kerala Governor on holding back certain bills Pinarayi Vijayan attacks Khan Meanwhile, Vijayan said Khan was distrubing Kerala's peace. "Arif Mohammad Khan is making a move to destroy the peaceful ambience of Kerala," he said. Drama in Calicut University Dramatic scenes played out inside the university. According to news agency PTI, the governor lashed out at the police for not being able to remove the poster. "How come this (banner) is here? I am asking you (police) if CM was staying here, would you allow this? You want to insult me? Enough is enough. You are trying to make a mockery of law and order. If not now, in 3-4 months you will have to reply. This CM is not going to remain forever. Don't think you will go unaccountable. Don't be under that impression. You will not go unaccountable," an incensed Khan shouted at the police. He also called the police shameless. He said the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), was running the university. "Shameless people. SFI is running the university. They will put the banners outside the guest house and you (police) will have them there?" he asked. He returned to the guest house after the police pulled down the banner, it reported. Also read: Agents of lawlessness: Shashi Tharoor slams LDF over assault on Kerala governor's car Khan has also sought an explanation from the Vice Chancellor of the Calicut University over the banner. The Left-affiliated group has been staging protests against the governor claiming attempts to install BJP nominees to the senate of various universities in Kerala. Earlier this month, Khan said SFI activists attacked him. He was on his way to the Thiruvananthapuram airport when SFI activists allegedly attacked his car. Governor Khan had accused Vijayan of conspiring to physically harm him. The Kerala government and the governor have been at loggerheads over a host of issues, including delayed response on bills ratified by the assembly. Last week, CPIM claimed Khan was pushing the agenda of the Sangh Parivar and had been running a campaign against the state government. With inputs of PTI Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday targeted Congress' new crowdfunding campaign titled Donate for Desh and hit out at the party by calling it the Donate for Dynasty scheme. He said the campaign was introduced to bear the expenses of the Gandhi family and criticised the grand old party for the recovery of over 350 crore following I-T raids at one of its MPs' premises. Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju(PTI) With the money heist of their MP being caught, Congress comes up with a new Donate for Dynasty scheme to sustain lifestyle costs of a dynasty never used to living without excessive luxury, other peoples wealth and uncontrolled power, Rijiju wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Congress announced an online crowdfunding campaign aimed at empowering the party to create an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities. The Indian National Congress is proud to announce the launch of its online crowdfunding campaign, 'Donate for Desh'. This initiative is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's historic Tilak Swaraj Fund' in 1920-21 and aims to empower our party in creating an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said at a presser. Meanwhile, Congress faces criticism after the Income Tax department unearthed 353 crore cash from liquor firms in different towns of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal associated with party MP Dhiraj Sahu. After facing flak, the Jharkhand MP said the money does not belong to the party." I have been in active politics for the last 30-35 years. The money that was seized was not meant for the Congress or other political parties, but proceeds of the sale of liquor, he said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Amritpal Singh, a key accused in the 102kg heroin seizure case who was absconding since April 2022, the agency said on Saturday. The seized heroin was valued at nearly 700 crore, the federal agency said Terming this as a major breakthrough in the case in which investigating agencies had seized the huge haul at the Attari border in 2022, the NIA said Singh was part of a cross-border smuggling racket. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The accused, a resident of district Tarn Taran, Punjab, was taken into custody by the NIA on Friday. He is the third person to be arrested in the case. Investigations have revealed him to be the handler of cash and launderer of drug proceeds through banking and hawala channels, a NIA spokesperson said on Saturday The seized heroin was valued at nearly 700 crore, the federal agency said. The seizures were made in two tranches, on April 24 and 26, 2022, by Indian Customs when the drugs arrived in the country from Afghanistan via Attari, Amritsar. The drugs had been concealed in a consignment of licorice roots (mulethi). Amritpal Singh was detained by immigration officers on December 12, 2023, while trying to flee to Dubai from the Amritsar international airport. The immigration officers detained him on the basis of orders passed by the competent authority on December 7, 2023, in view of the lookout circular issued against by him by the NIA, the spokesperson said. Singhs role in the conspiracy came to light after the interrogation of two men arrested in the case and also while tracing the bank accounts linking Singhs monetary transactions with the other arrested people, agency officials said on condition of anonymity. NIA investigations revealed Amritpal Singh to have been involved in the larger conspiracy hatched by a global drug cartel. As part of the drug network, he was the conduit for circulation of drug money to various distributors in India as well as the main accused settled abroad. Amritpal Singh used his travel agency and money transfer business to transfer the proceeds of drugs, as per the investigations, the NIA spokesperson said. Based on the disclosure of the associates of the accused, the NIA on October 22 conducted searches at Singhs residential and official premises, leading to the recovery 13,412,000 in cash. It was found that Amritpal Singh had, at the behest of Dubai-based absconding accused Shahid Ahmed, alias Qazi Abdul Wazood, transferred huge amounts generated as proceeds of drugs into his (Shahids) bank accounts and also to the latters India-based associate Razi Haider Zaidi and some others, the NIA said in a statement, adding that on November 8, Singhs property was also sealed. The seized drugs was sent to India by Afghanistan- based co-accused Nazir Ahmed Qani, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif. It was supposed to be delivered to accused Razi Haider Zaidi in India for distribution in various parts of the country, the NIA said. Last year, the NIA had filed a charge sheet against four men Shahid Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood, Nazir Ahmed Qani, Razi Haider Zaidi and Vipin Mittal. While Mittal and Zaidi, both residents of Delhi, were arrested in August 2022, Shahid and Nazir, who are based out of India, have been declared absconding. New Delhi: Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Sunday took a sharp jibe at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal saying he sent half of his Cabinet to jail. She made the remark at a public meeting in the national capital in the presence of party colleague Manoj Tiwari. BJP leader Smriti Irani (File) "I know you (BJP leader Manoj Tiwari) and the district president have no expectations from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government. The person who has already sent half of his cabinet to jail, there is no guarantee on how long he (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) will stay out," Smriti Irani was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in jail over money laundering allegations linked to the Delhi liquor policy case. Last year, Delhi L-G VK Saxena had ordered a probe into the new Delhi liquor policy alleging corruption. Following the complaint, the AAP government withdrew the policy. In November, Kejriwal was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning over the case. He, however, refused to appear before the agency saying the summons were illegal and politically motivated. Also read: Menstruation not handicap, no need for paid leave policy: Minister Smriti Irani Kejriwal and his associates have said on many occasions that he will be arrested. This month, AAP ran a campaign asking the people of Delhi if Kejriwal should step down from the post of chief minister if he is arrested or run the government from jail. AAP is planning to contest the 2024 general elections on the plank of alleged witch hunt by the BJP against Kejriwal and other leaders. Also read: After Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal accuses Centre of withholding funds "This witch hunt by the BJP government at the Centre to weaken the AAP by creating hurdles in the Delhi government's functioning and framing party leaders, including Kejriwal, in fake cases and sending them behind bars will be a major poll plank during campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections," AAP leader Gopal Rai said earlier this month. The BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in 2019. However, since then, the AAP has scored landslide victories in the assembly elections and Delhi municipal polls. It also won the assembly elections in Punjab. The Delhi Police has arrested Mahesh Kumawat, a resident of Rajasthan's Nagaur and a sixth accused in the December 13 Parliament security breach case, who was allegedly in contact with the other accused for the last two years for hatching the conspiracy and had destroyed their mobile phones to get rid of the evidence. Mahesh Kumawat, a resident of Nagaur district in Rajasthan, was arrested on Saturday after being questioned for two days in connection with the major security breach in Parliament (HT) The police have already arrested Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, Neelam Devi and Lalit Mohan Jha in the Parliament security breach case. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D had jumped into the Lok Sabha's chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media. Kumawat is likely to be confronted with the other accused during his questioning. Parliament security breach: Who is Mahesh Kumawat? After Mahesh Kumawat was arrested following his questioning and produced in court on Saturday, police sources said he was part of a Parliament security breach plan where he had to stand on another gate with canisters but he could not come on December 13, the day of the incident. Kumwat was in contact with other accused persons in hatching the conspiracy for the last two years. He helped the mastermind accused, Lalit Jha, in the destruction of mobile phone to destroy evidence and to hide the larger conspiracy, the prosecutor told a Delhi court. The prosecutor said Kumwat was required to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy. The police sought his custody for 15 days. The defence counsel opposed the police application, claiming that the Kumawat was arrested without any reason in a violation of his fundamental rights. During the arguments, the prosecutor told the court that the custody of the accused was required "to find the actual motive behind the attack and his association with enemy country and terrorist organisations". The Delhi Police said Kumawat has been arrested on charges of destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy. He was also a member of the now-deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page created by the accused. It is suspected that Kumawat, a resident of Kuchaman city, helped Jha stay in Nagaur where he fled after the Wednesday incident. Kumawat had come on his own to a police station along with Lalit Jha on Thursday night and both were handed over to the Special Cell. He was being questioned since then, the police said. His Instagram account suggested that he was "highly inspired by Bhagat Singh and Chhatrapati Shivaji. On his profile, he wrote slogans like 'inkalab zindabaad', and 'agar desh mein kranti lani hai to khud krantikaari hona chahiye'". (With inputs from agencies) Another Russian media personality went to war to terrorize Ukrainians under the guise of "patriotic" intentions. Alexander Zadoinov, a 39-year-old star of the Dom-2, Pole Chudes and other projects, signed a contract with the occupying army and claimed that he wanted to protect "Russia's sovereignty". ADVERTISIMENT However, the wife of the newly-drafted terrorist and father of many children revealed on social media that he was motivated not by "noble" motives but by a desire to profit from the deaths of Ukrainians. Zadoinov himself told the propagandists that he wanted to "continue the work of his grandfathers." The former participant of the scandalous show signed the contract in Nizhnevartovsk, although he lives in Moscow and Sochi, and is originally from Yaroslavl. He said that it was here that "you can feel the professional attitude towards volunteers." "Now it's my time to go and continue the work of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. We must not forget history, otherwise, every time some 'scums' will attempt to encroach on our sovereignty and try to rewrite history," the terrorist was quoted as saying by the Russian media. ADVERTISIMENT This news came as a surprise to many fans of the Dom-2 star as he had his own business in Sochi, raised children from different marriages, and ran a blog with almost 500,000 followers. Only his wife Ksenia has a different opinion about her husband's intentions. On social media, she stated that Zadoinov's only motive was material profit. "He didn't go to make money for the family, he went to make money for himself to cover his needs and his debts," said the woman, who was left with a small child in her arms. ADVERTISIMENT The occupier's older children and his ex did not dissuade him from this idea. To recap, Zadoinov first appeared on television in 2007. He was a member of the Dom-2 show several times, where he built relationships with different women. The Russian was once kicked out because of his addiction to online poker. After that, the TV star went to the army, worked as a presenter and a journalist, ran a restaurant, and tried to find himself in other professions until he settled on building real estate in Sochi and shooting commercials on his rather large blog. By the way, the occupier did not tell his subscribers about his intentions to fight, although he did not hide his pro-war views and paid tribute to his "grandfathers" every year. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Russian actor Mikhail Mamayev, who is fighting against Ukrainians, complained about a bad meeting in Moscow. The occupier was humiliated on the Privet, Andrey show. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India will be among the worlds top three economies in his third term as the prime minister of the country. He said this after inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) which is hailed as the worlds largest office annexe spanning over 67 lakh square feet of floor space. He said SDB showcases the abilities of Indian designs, designers, materials and concepts and it is a symbol of new Indias capabilities and resolutions. Surat Diamond Bourse, located in Khajod village near Surat city, is spread in a sprawling 35.54 acres and built at 3,400 crore. (ANI) Surat has contributed significantly to Gujarat and the country, but in my opinion, it has even greater potential. According to me, this is just the beginning, and we need to move forward. As you all know, in the last 10 years, India has risen above the tenth position in global economic strength and is now ranked fifth in the world. Now, your Prime Minister Modi guarantees that in his third innings, India will definitely be among the top three economies in the world, he said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Modi assumed office in 2014 and secured a second term after the BJP-led alliances victory in the 2019 elections. With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections next year, Modi is eyeing re-election. The government has also set targets for the next 25 yearswhether its a $5 trillion or $10 trillion goal, we are working towards all of them. We are also working on taking the countrys exports to record heights. In this regard, the responsibility of Surat, especially its diamond industry, has increased manifold. All the industry leaders of Surat are present here, and the city should decide how it can contribute to the countrys growing exports, he said. The newly constructed SDB, located in Khajod village near Surat city, spread in a sprawling 35.54 acres and built at 3,400 crore, is positioned to be a global centre for rough and polished diamond trading. Surats diamond industry, currently generating a business of 2 lakh crores, is anticipated to double to 4 lakh crores with the realisation of the Diamond Bourse. The extensive 65 lakh sq. ft. Bourse features a spacious entrance, reception area, security surveillance and control room, trading hall, self-deposit vault, museum, food zone, bank, customs office, amphitheatre, money transfer desk, travel desk, retail zone, and auction facilities. The Bourse comprises a total of 9 towers with a ground floor, 15 additional floors, and 2 basements. One more diamond is added to Surats grandeur. The diamond is not small but the worlds best. Even the biggest buildings of the world look pale before the shine of this diamond. Whenever one talks about this diamond bourse in the world, Surat and India will be mentioned, the PM said. Surat stands as the worldwide hub for diamond production, with 8 out of 10 diamonds globally cut, polished, and processed in the city. Gujarat contributes to 80% of Indias total diamond exports, and 90% of Gujarats diamonds undergo cutting and polishing in Surat. These days, you must be hearing a lot about the discussion regarding Modis guarantee. In recent days, with the election results, this discussion has gained even more momentum. However, the people of Surat have known Modis guarantee for a long time. The hardworking people here have witnessed Modis guarantee transforming into reality. An example of this guarantee is the Surat Diamond Bourse, he said. The Prime Minister in his speech recalled that years ago, members of the diamond business community, including craftsmen and entrepreneurs, expressed concerns about travel distances for minor issues and challenges in international trade. Specifically, viewing and buying rough diamonds abroad posed difficulties, he said adding that supply and value chain issues affected the entire industry. In this environment, in 2014, the World Diamond Conference was held in Delhi. It was during this event that I announced the establishment of a Special Notified Zone for the diamond sector. This laid the foundation for realising the dream of the Surat Diamond Bourse. We also made amendments to the law. Now, today, Surat Diamond Bourse stands as a major centre for international trade. Whether its rough diamonds, polished diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, or ready-made jewelry, every type of business is now possible under one roof. Surat Diamond Bourse is a one-stop centre for workers, artisans, and businessmen alike. Here, there are facilities for international banking and secure vaults. For retail jewelry business, there is a jewelry mall here. Surats diamond industry already provides employment to over 8 lakh people. Now, with Surat Diamond Bourse coming up there is going to be further employment generation for more than 1.5 lakh companions, said Modi. Modi highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by the countrys diamond and gems sector. He said while the country is already leading in diamond jewelry exports, be it in cut diamonds, silver or lab-grown diamonds, in the overall gems and jewelry sector Indias share is only about three per cent of the worlds total exports. If Surat takes the lead, we can soon see double-digit growth in gems and jewelry exports. I assure you that the government is with you in every effort you make, he said adding that the government is already focused on promoting the export of this sector as a designated area. This includes encouraging patented designs, diversifying export products, collaborating with other countries for better technology, and promoting lab-grown or green diamonds. A special budgetary provision has been made to encourage green diamonds, PM Modi said. You should make the most of all these efforts. The overall global feeling you experience today, as you travel around the world, is in favor of India. Indias reputation is high worldwide. Made in India has become a strong brand. This is a significant advantage for your business and the jewelry industry. Therefore, I urge all of you to make a resolution and achieve it, he said. Additionally, the Prime Minister unveiled the new terminal at Surat Airport, an international airport project with a total cost of 353 crore. This terminal, designed with a blend of heritage aesthetics and sustainability features, is aimed at facilitating seamless trade and travel, according to a press release. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the new terminal building of Surat Airport today. He will also inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse which is also pegged as the world's largest office complex with over 67 lakh square feet of floor area. The new building is designed keeping the local culture and heritage in mind.(Narendra Modi/X) The Union Cabinet has recently approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an international airport. This will enable seamless export-import operations for the diamond as well as textile industries along with providing a gateway for international travelers. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Follow Live update on PM Modi in Surat Built at a cost of 353 crore, the new integrated terminal building of Surat Airport will be capable of managing 1,200 domestic and 600 international passengers hourly during peak hours, with a provision to increase the capacity to 3,000. Outside view of the Surat Airport(Narendra Modi/X) The new building is designed keeping the local culture and heritage in mind, and the airport has been given a heritage building look by taking inspiration from the old Kashta houses of Rander. It is also equipped with sustainability features including a double-insulated roofing system, a low-heat gain double-glazing unit, canopies for energy saving, sewage treatment and water treatment plants among others. Interior of the new terminal.(Narendra Modi/X) The terminal will also have a display of Brocade and Rogan art forms and wooden carvings as well as a show of kite festival through Mozaic. It has 20 check-in counters, an in-line baggage handling system with conveyor belts and five aerobridges. It also has a parking area with a capacity for 475 cars. The interior is designed with traditional art forms.(Narendra Modi/X) The expansion of the airport will increase the passenger handling capacity to 1,800 per hour and 35 lakh per year. With the expansion of 17,046 sq.metres on both sides of the existing terminal, the total area will increase up to 25,520 sq.metres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated and called for no squabbling over the issue amid Opposition's protests over it in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(ANI) In an interview with Hindi daily Dainik Jagran that published on Sunday, Modi said probe agencies were investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Modi also called for a detailed investigation into last week's major security breach at the Parliament. "What happened is very serious," Modi said in his first comments on Wednesday's breach. "There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this. Read | Investigators probing larger plot behind breach to embarrass govt Modi said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was taking necessary steps with utmost seriousness into the incident. Investigative agencies are probing rigorously. It is important to know who all are behind this and what plans they have. We should also seek solutions with a single mind. Everyone should refrain from debate, controversy, or resistance on such matters," Modi said. Two men Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media. Police have recovered broken and burnt cellphones that Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind of Wednesdays Parliament security breach, tried to destroy in Kuchaman, officials aware of the development said. Jha had fled to the city near Nagaur in western Rajasthan after the incident. Rajasthan Police recovers burnt phone parts of Lalit Jha, who is an accused in the recent Parliament security breach incident on Sunday. (ANI) The remains of at least four damaged phones were recovered on Saturday near a guest house in Kuchaman (where Jha stayed overnight) by a team of the Delhi Police special cell that interrogated Jha after he was arrested on Thursdayand taken to locate the place where he broke and tried burning the phones. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Jha and his associates have been booked under sections 16 and 18 of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections 186,353,452,153,34 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 201 and other relevant IPC sections have been added to the first information report in view of the destruction of evidence by the arrested, the officers said. Jhas personal mobile phone is yet to be found. Jha (35) had earlier told police that he destroyed his phone as did his five associates Sagar Sharma (27), Manoranjan D (34), Amol Shinde (25), Neelam Singh (37) and Mahesh Kumawat (32) who were allegedly part of the conspiracy to breach Parliaments security. Investigators suspect he has been misleading them by making false claims regarding his phone, the officers said. The process of sending the recovered parts of the burnt and damaged phones to the forensic lab has been started, a police officer said. Forensic experts will try their best to retrieve data from the phones. That will be crucial evidence against the arrested people in establishing the entire conspiracy apart from ascertaining if they were influenced by someone to execute the security breach incident in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. On December 13, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, Sharma and Manoranjan walked past three layers of security before jumping into the Lok Sabha and spraying coloured smoke inside the chambers. At the same time, Shinde and Singh shouted slogans outside Parliament and sprayed coloured smoke from canisters before being taken into custody by security personnel. Jha was present outside Parliament, holding Sharma, Manoranjan, Shinde and Singhs cellphones. He recorded a video of the protest by Shinde and Singh on his cellphone and shared it with some people, who were part of the now-deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page, allegedly created on social media by the accused. After the incident, Jha took a bus to Jaipur, where he stayed a night in a hotel before heading to Kumawats house in Nagaur. The two, along with Kumawats brother Kailash, returned to Delhi by bus on Thursday and went straight to Kartavya Path police station. While Jha was arrested shortly after he surrendered to police and sent to seven-day police custody the next day, the two siblings were handed over to Delhi Polices special cell for questioning, said another police officer aware of the development in the case. The counter-intelligence team of the special cell probing the case arrested Mahesh Kumawat and secured seven days custody from a Delhi court to probe his alleged role in the conspiracy. He has also been accused of allegedly helping Jha in destroying the mobile phones and helping him secure a shelter in Kumawats home town. Interrogation of the arrested people revealed that they, excluding Kumawat, had reached Parliament on December 13 early in the morning, a senior police officer said. Their original plan was to enter Lok Sabha together. However, they could arrange only two passes, forcing them to change their plan and send only Sharma and Manoranjan inside. The two entered the Lok Sabha early, as they wanted to secure seats in the front row of the visitors gallery so that they could easily jump down into the place where members of Parliament were seated, the officer added. The arrested people revealed that they were inspired by the ideology of Bhagat Singh. However, when grilled in detail about the ideology, it was found that none of them were much aware of it, the officer said. It has given investigators reasons to believe that the ideology the arrested people are talking about is just a ploy to mislead them for the original motive behind the incident, he said. New Delhi: A holistic constitutionally governed society must be willing to look beyond the binary of public and private spaces to battle discrimination in terms of gender, caste, class and disability, Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said on Sunday, emphasising that the constitutional promise of equal protection of law will fail if the law looks the other way in the name of the sanctity of the household, or the sanctity of marriage, in cases of rights violations. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud with justice BV Nagarathna during the inaugural Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture, in Bengaluru on Sunday. (PTI) According to the CJI, who was delivering the inaugural Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture organised by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) at Bengaluru, laws ought to act as powerful tools in opening our public spaces as well as curbing private discrimination while addressing power imbalances regardless of their locations. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The legal landscape must evolve, weaving a tapestry that accommodates differences, eradicate biased and ensures substantive equality, he said. Also Read | All judges equal for us, CJI tells lawyers over arbitrary listing allegations Justice Venkataramiah served as the CJI for six months in 1989. His daughter, justice BV Nagarathna, is presently a judge in the Supreme Court and is poised to take over as Indias first woman CJI in 2027. On Sunday, justice Nagarathna delivered the welcome address for the incumbent CJI, justice Chandrachud. Justice Chandrachud was speaking on the topic of Constitutional imperatives of the State navigating discrimination in public and private spaces, as he raised concerns over the idea of complete insulation of laws, in particular those protecting rights to equality and privacy, in private spaces inside a household. If the hierarchies persist in a private space and the law looks the other way in the name of the sanctity of the household, or the sanctity of marriage, we will be failing the promise of equal protection of law and qualifying it with a caveat, based on the location of the wrongdoing. This will be a diluted understanding of what privacy entails, said the CJI. Highlighting that hierarchies and prejudices travel beyond the public-private binaries, the judge underscored the reality that although households provide a private sanctuary to the inhabitants, it may not be simply an equitable space for many. The basis of the public-private divide and the perception that courts and laws apply differently to both spaces is inaccurate. The aged notion that what men do is public, what women do is private has no application in societies governed by Constitutions, he asserted. The CJI pointed out that our laws and policies choose to treat people based on the physical location of their actions even as this dichotomy between what is private and what is public has formed the basis of the feminist and economic critiques of our laws and policies for several years. For freedom of expression to truly exist, it must exist in both these spaces. It cannot exist in one and not in the other...There is, therefore, a need to look beyond this binary and search for the grievances that underlie both these spheres, he added. The household, which is understood as a private space, said the CJI, is a site of economic activity by a homemaker who is not remunerated for it while in public spaces, women are consigned to distinctively feminine, service-oriented and often sexualized occupations. Thus, both sites involve rights and their infringement. However, if the law chooses that it will interfere only in the latter, perhaps because of its visibility, the law would be unjust. The framers of our Constitution did not envisage such a geographical application of the law. There is increased percolation between these two locations whose oppressive biases and prejudices have transcended the boundary between the public and the private. Therefore, fixating on the public-private rather than identifying both of their common problems furthers stereotypes about gender, ableism, and many such identities. These stereotypes create a self-perpetuating loop of who belongs where and entrench the unjust outcomes of both, said justice Chandrachud. As the division between the two spaces evaporates, the judge said, it becomes imperative to assess the preparedness of the judiciary to secure the rights of the people in this new realm, which is neither wholly public nor wholly private. Our laws and procedures must expand beyond this binary and identify the oppression and the oppressed, wherever they may be. When a private home is a site of employment for a house-help- does the law protect their economic and personal rights as much as it does the rights of a corporate office employee? The purpose of the law would have to be extended to safeguard the interests of the conventional and unconventional participants of both these, he underlined. Moga (Punjab) [India], December 17 (ANI): Three miscreants were arrested after an exchange of gunfire with police in Punjab's Moda on Sunday, officials said. HT Image According to police, the accused have been identified as Shankar Rajput, Jashav and Navdeep. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The police said that the gangsters surrendered following an exchange of fire, adding that one of them also sustained minor injuries. "During checking, three people came on a motorcycle, police asked them to stop but they tried to run away, police chased them and they fired at the police. In retaliatory firing by police, they surrendered before the police," DSP Moga Harinder Singh Dodd said. "A police personnel suffered minor injuries, and one of the accused also sustained minor injuries," he said. A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the arrested accused, he added. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday asserted that the Supreme Court's decision to uphold centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 is "not God's verdict". She said that her party PDP will continue its struggle for the restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir former CM Mehbooba Mufti (HT File) "We don't have to lose heart. We will continue our struggle. The Supreme Court is not God. The same Supreme Court had earlier said that Article 370 cannot be amended without recommendation of constituent assembly. They were also learned judges. Today some other judges passed the ruling. We cannot treat it as God's verdict," Mufti said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Mehbooba also said that she will not lose hope and continue her fight in this regard. We do not have to lose hope. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have struggled for several years in which we have suffered losses. They want us to lose hope, accept defeat and sit back at home. This will not happen," she said. The PDP leader had earlier described the verdict as a "death sentence" not only for Jammu and Kashmir but also for the idea of India. She urged the people not to lose hope, emphasising that the struggle in the region has been a political fight spanning decades. National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah had also expressed his disappointment over the ruling and vowed to continue the struggle. "Dil na-umid to nahin nakam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai (I grieve but I do not despair, the dusk of sadness is long, but it's just a dusk, that's all)," the National Conference leader said. The Supreme Court upheld the government's decision to abrogate Article 370, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and said steps should be taken to conduct the election to the Union Territory's Assembly by September 30 next year. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant unanimously endorsed the Union governments August 2019 decision, calling it as the culmination of the process of integration of the erstwhile state into the Union of India. External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday compared the United Nation's Security Council with an old club, saying that the latter is not keen to admit more member states and they don't want to let go of their control. EAM S Jaishankar(ANI) Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, the union minister said, Security Council is like an old club, where there are set members who don't want to let go of the grip. They want to keep control over the club. Not very keen to admit more members, not keen to have their practices questioned. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Notably, the UN Security Council, which has primary responsibility for international peace and security, comprises five permanent nations namely-France, China, Russia, the UK and the US. Further taking a dig at the council, Jaishankar said that the UN is failing and getting less effective as on several key issues including the Israel-Hamas war, it failed to achieve any consensus. "In a way, it's a human failing. But I think today it is harming the world. It is harming the world because, on key issues confronting the world, the UN is getting less and less effective. And I can also tell you the global sentiment. I mean, today, if you ask 200 countries in the world, do you want reform or don't you want reform? A very large number of countries would say, yes, we want reform," he said. Also read: Top US official in India, discusses alleged plot to kill SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun The minister had earlier called on the UN to make reforms to stay relevant in the modern world and said that the issue cannot remain "indefinite" and "unchallenged". While addressing the 78th UNGA in New York, he said, "In our deliberations, we often advocate the promotion of a rules-based order. From time to time, respect for the UN Charter is also involved. But for all the talk, it is still a few nations that shape the agenda and seek to define the norms. This can't go on indefinitely nor will it go unchallenged. A fair, equitable and democratic order will surely emerge once we all put our minds to it. And for a start, that means ensuring that rule-makers do not subjugate rule-takers." Notably, there have been several calls for reforms and more balanced and responsive representation in the five-membered council. Earlier this week, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis said that there is a need for a Security Council which is more balanced, more representative, more responsive, more democratic, and more transparent. "The Security Council - whose primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security - however, seems caught in a concerning state of paralysis," he said. After more than nine weeks of the Israel-Hamas war, the UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a resolution calling for a ceasefire. After Israel launched its ground offensive strikes against Hamas in Gaza, the Security Council had voted on four resolutions, all of which had failed. For a resolution to pass, it must receive at least nine affirmative votes and not be vetoed by a permanent member. All five permanent members wielded their veto, revealing deep fractures in addressing the crisis. New Delhi: Referring to the recent allegations of plots to murder pro-Khalistan elements in the United States and Canada, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the two issues weren't the same. He said the Americans "told us some specific things". External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar(ANI file photo) Drawing a distinction between the allegations, he said India is always ready to look into specific issues raised by other countries. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "If any country, not just Canada, if any country has a concern and gives us some input or some basis for that concern, we are always open to look at it. This is what countries do," he said. "The point was when Americans brought up some issues...and the two issues are not necessarily the same. When they brought up that issue the Americans told us some specific things. What happens in international relations from time to time such challenges can arise. So we very sincerely have told the Canadians saying that look it's up to you, I mean your choice whether you would like us to pursue it, further look into it or not," he said at an event in Bengaluru. The United States has asked India to assist in a probe in an unsuccessful alleged plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Sing Pannun. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an indictment against a man named Nikhil Gupta, accusing an Indian government employee asking him to hire hitmen to kill the pro-Khalistan separatist. In response, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) expressed concern about one of its government officials being linked to the alleged plot, from which it dissociated itself, as being against government policy. Earlier this month, India said it would investigate the concerns raised by the United States. Both the countries have had multiple discussions over the issue. The Central government has formed a probe committee into the matter. The US government earlier this month briefed five India-American lawmakers on the indictment of Gupta. "We welcome the Government of India's announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot, and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again," it lawmakers later said. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30 at the request of the US, PTI reported. Canada had accused Indian agents of planning the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, leading to an unprecedented low in the diplomatic relations between India and the north American country. India has rubbished the allegations and said Canada hasn't backed its allegations with evidence. On China, Jaishankar said India wants better relations with China. "I know there are some neighbouring relationships which are a problem, but I would suggest to you that the one with Pakistan is actually an exception... I would say each one of our neighbours today actually has a lot of good experiences and a lot of good things to say about India. It's also natural with neighbours that there will be issues of difference. I think we should not expect that all our neighbours will agree with us on all issues every day... In China,...we would certainly like our relationship with China to be better than what it is today. But if things have taken a turn for the more difficult in the last three years, it's not because of us. It is because they have chosen not to observe the agreements on the border. But again, diplomacy is, however difficult your neighbours, however challenging they are, you never give up," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with a student at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition in Varanasi. The child showed the Prime Minister her exhibit showcasing green plants and the process of photosynthesis. She also recited a poem to explain the process. PM Modi also posted a video of her reciting the poem on his Instagram handle. My friend in Varanasi knows her science well and is also a great poet, the prime minister wrote on Instagram. PM Modi interacts with child at Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi. On the first day of his visit to Varanasi, the PM interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition. He also flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Speaking at the public meeting after witnessing the exhibition, Modi appealed to the people to make up their minds and resolve to make India a developed country. If the 140 crore countrymen take a resolve to make the nation developed, then India will surely become 'Viksit' by 2047, the prime minister said. READ | In Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi, PM Modi talks about 2047 goal Modi added that the yatra was his examination and that he wanted to know if the promises he made were fulfilled or not. Viksit Bharat Sankalp yatra is my examination. Through this, I want to know from you if what I promised was fulfilled or not, whether people got houses or not, whether people lacking a house got houses he said. Prime Minister Modi made a two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday to inaugurate 37 projects with a combined value exceeding 19,000 crore aimed at fostering regional development. During the visit, he conducted a roadshow in the temple town and toured the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition at Cutting Memorial Inter College. (With inputs from agencies) The TV was turned to the news as the smell of bacon wafted from the kitchen after the sheriffs police entered Michael Hallmons South Shore apartment on a chilly November morning. Inside the two-bedroom apartment sat a pile of clothes and shoes, along with a stack of bikes and a lawn chair made up as a bed. A computer monitor on a cluttered desk had a Microsoft Teams chat pulled up, and the kitchen counter was full of groceries. A greasy pan sat on the stove. Advertisement Hallmon, 47, was surprised to see the Cook County sheriffs office on his doorstep. He said he filed documents in court requesting a jury hear his eviction case. The sheriffs office, which was there to enforce the eviction, said he filed the wrong paperwork. This is ridiculous. Who does this? Hallmon said after he and his roommate were removed from the apartment. I have places to go, but I shouldnt have to when Im doing everything the right way. Advertisement Hallmon was one of nearly 6,600 people evicted this year in Cook County, according to data through Dec. 5 from the Cook County sheriffs office. While the number of eviction filings have been at pre-pandemic levels since 2022, this is the first year the number of enforced evictions those that are carried out by the sheriffs office under a court order at residential rental properties in Cook County have caught up to 2019. Michael Hallmon outside his South Shore building after members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit performed a court-ordered eviction at his apartment on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Tenants and landlords attorneys say evictions are up because many property owners are unwilling to take a second round of government rental assistance from tenants who have already received aid. Some tenants are also ineligible for money under the states program, which caps support at $25,000 or 18 months of rent whichever comes first. More broadly, significant rent increases in recent years are boosting eviction levels as many tenants are unable to pay higher monthly rents. Property owners say rent increases are unavoidable because of their own rising costs. And while government legal aid programs put in place since the pandemic to help prevent evictions have assisted both tenants and landlords, they can only do so much, experts say. A tremendous strain Marlene Tambourine, 78, has gone through the eviction process this year with the residents of her two-flat in Gladstone Park. She and her husband started renting out the two-flat in 1985 to help subsidize their mortgage payments after they moved to Northbrook when they had children. Renting out the two-flat was the only way they could afford the move, Tambourine said. Tambourine said her familys monthly fixed income is around $4,000, not counting the income she brings in from her small business or from the rental properties she owns. The mortgage payment for their Northbrook home is $2,700 a month, with the two-flat still having monthly payments as well, she said. As of October 2022, Tambourine said her tenants, a mother and daughter, were behind about $6,000 for their $1,425 a month two-bedroom unit. She said she gave them the required five-day notice before filing for eviction, and they paid her. Members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit enter a multi-unit building in Chatham to perform a court-ordered eviction in an apartment on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) After that, Tambourine said she tried to help her tenants of four years by reducing their rent to $1,100 for six months so they could afford to stay until they found a place to move to by the end of May 2023. Come May 31, they didnt move and stopped paying rent, she said. Advertisement [ Cook County program touted as one of the top eviction prevention innovations has drawn praise, pushback ] It has put a tremendous strain on our finances, Tambourine said. I have to constantly, every month, liquidate whatever assets I have to be able to keep the mortgage payments current because otherwise we are going to lose the house. Now, she says, the daughter is still living there, while the mother is out of the house . I went out of my way when they were running into financial problems to try to help them, Tambourine said. And I gave them that extra time, and I kept sending them emails and text messages saying Find an apartment that you can afford. You cant afford this apartment. On Dec. 8, Tambourine received a default judgment against her tenant from a Cook County judge since her tenant did not appear in court. Now, she waits for the sheriffs office to enforce the eviction, one that might not happen until the end of January due to the holiday moratorium that goes into effect from Monday until Jan. 3. Cook County has had an eviction diversion program in place since November 2020 to help renters and small landlords avoid adverse court rulings like the one Tambourines tenant faced. The program launched when court systems across the country were strategizing how to help administer billions of dollars in federal rental assistance. Attorneys attributed the notable decline around 2,000 fewer evictions in enforced evictions in 2022 to the program, which offers free legal aid, mediation services and connections to rental assistance. Members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit inside a Chatham apartment just after performing a court-ordered eviction on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) The program has significantly changed the eviction process in the county. Before the pandemic, it could take just a few weeks for a tenant to be evicted. Now it takes at least a couple of months. The slowdown, tenants attorneys have argued, is necessary to ensure everyone, including landlords, gets the help they need. But the extra time leads to financial distress for property owners, landlords attorneys have argued. Advertisement Bob Glaves, executive director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, which manages the countys eviction diversion program, said the process was slower at the beginning because there werent enough legal aid attorneys and paralegals to meet the demand as eviction filings rose in 2021 and 2022 once COVID-19 eviction moratoria ended. Glaves said the number of attorneys they have now is very close to the capacity they estimate is needed to match the current volume of eviction cases and should allow people to get more timely connections to legal aid and help them reach more settlements. Also, with a right to counsel ordinance introduced earlier this year in City Council, more legal help for tenants facing eviction may be on the way by 2027. In 2023, most evictions in the city took place on the South and West sides in majority Black and Latino communities, trends that match years past and line up with national data showing racial minorities are more likely to face eviction. The pandemic disproportionately affected minorities, who were more likely to experience hardships such as job loss and illness. The pandemic issues compounded with the issue of lagging generational wealth among families of color compared with white families because of historical racial discrimination. Tenants attorneys involved in Cook Countys eviction diversion program say they are seeing a variety of reasons for why people are facing eviction this year. There are people who have mental health challenges and arent receiving the care they need; others are victims of domestic violence or are distrustful of the court system because of past mistreatment. Advertisement Belongings are left behind after members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit performed a court-ordered eviction on a South Shore apartment on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Some people are withholding rent due to poor conditions in their apartment but dont properly inform their housing providers of what they are legally allowed to do under the local Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and, in turn, face eviction. And there are residents who catch up on their rent payments but are still behind on the monthly late fees, and landlords who refuse to work out payment plans with their tenants. [ As evictions tick back up in Cook County, new proposal aims to help renters who land in court ] Since the beginning of the pandemic, hundreds of millions of dollars in rental assistance has been disbursed in Illinois, with over 100,000 Chicago and suburban Cook County residents receiving aid. Nationally, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development research credits emergency rental assistance and other forms of household aid for preventing an increase in homelessness in 2020 and 2021. Yet, attorneys say rental assistance is good for people experiencing short-term crises but not necessarily for those who are chronically unable to pay rent. Landlords also dont have to participate in the rental assistance program. Robert Kahn, an attorney for landlords who owns buildings throughout Chicago, said he thinks eviction levels are ticking up because a lot of landlords are unwilling to take rental assistance repeatedly for the same tenant. The person is not showing any effort to pay rent on their own, he said. I am still getting a lot of cases dismissed because of rental assistance, which is great, but its a joke, Kahn said. COVID is over. There are tons of jobs out there. People are choosing not to get them. Property owner Robert Kahn stands near a house he rents out in Chicago on Dec. 10, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Dennericka Brooks, an attorney and director of housing at Legal Aid Chicago, said there are still people falling behind on rent payments because they are affected by COVID-19 and the countrys challenging economic conditions. Advertisement Prices of everything are going up, and it is difficult for people to maintain, Brooks said. Even though, as a community we think that COVID is over, its not. People are still trying to catch up. When you have fallen behind before, especially if you are low-income, it is so hard to catch up. Ripped from your life On the day Hallmon was evicted, the sheriffs police attempted to enforce 13 evictions, though most people had vacated their units by the time officers got there. The few people who did answer were surprised to see the sheriffs department at their door, telling them they had to leave the property with only their most valuable belongings until they could arrange with the property manager to retrieve other items later. Members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit prepare to perform a court-ordered eviction in South Chicago on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Evictions restarted in fall 2021 after the roughly yearlong, pandemic-induced moratoria were lifted. The part of the city with the most enforced evictions so far this year about 400 was the 60649 area code, an area of South Shore that included Hallmons apartment. Hallmon later told the Tribune he fell behind on rent after his father, who lived out of state, died, and Hallmon had to take care of his fathers affairs. After getting evicted, Hallmon said he stayed with his ex-wife and children while looking for an apartment. Think about being ripped from your life, with no other options, Hallmon said. You dont even know where you are going to go because you are emotional; you are distressed; you are vulnerable. Advertisement Hallmon and the property management firm have conflicting accounts of what led to his eviction. Hallmon said he made partial rent payments until catching up earlier this year, while WPD Management said in a statement he hadnt paid rent in eight months. Hallmon blamed poor record-keeping for the discrepancy. A spokesperson for WPD Management said, all means to prevent this situation have been exhausted. Unfortunately, we were left with no choice except to move forward with the eviction process. Since 2007, the sheriffs office has had a social services division that attempts to contact every person who receives an eviction judgment in the weeks leading up to the eviction to see if they can connect residents to resources. The sheriffs office said through November of this year, it has helped more than 1,500 people in over 700 unique eviction cases. Sheriff Tom Dart said the program helps housing providers too because it may expedite the move-out process. Members of the Cook County sheriffs office eviction unit finish performing a court-ordered eviction on a South Shore apartment on Nov. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) But, the overpowering factor at play driving eviction levels is that rents are too high for many people to keep up, as wages have not risen at the same pace. In 2021 and 2022, Chicago saw double-digit rent increases compared with the years prior. [ What does it take to afford a 2-bedroom rental in Chicago? New report finds wages still lagging. ] In November, rents were up 5.3% over the same month last year, with the typical rental property costing $1,933 per month in the Chicago metro area, according to Zillow. The real estate website estimates a household would need to make $77,300 to afford the typical rent in Chicago. Advertisement Kahn, the landlords attorney and property owner, said rents are going to increase as long as the costs to maintain a building are increasing, including the costs to evict someone. More housing needed As for the future of local efforts to avoid evictions, the county allocated $6 million toward the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt program, which includes the eviction diversion program, in its fiscal year 2024 budget. The county is also having discussions with state, federal, private and philanthropic entities regarding future options for rental assistance, according to Nick Mathiowdis, spokesperson for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkles office. The Illinois Housing Development Authority, the entity in charge of doling out the rest of the federal rental assistance dollars, told the Tribune it expects its rental assistance program to conclude by summer 2024. Samira Nazem who leads the eviction diversion initiative at the National Center for State Courts and previously worked at the Chicago Bar Foundation as the group set up Cook Countys eviction diversion program works with 22 courts across the country to model different eviction diversion methods. Nazem said the initiatives goal is not only to prevent evictions, but also to get more tenants to engage in the court process, more time to move out and fewer judgments from the court demanding payment, which she and local experts are seeing happening. I think that eviction diversion programs are a wonderful part of trying to promote housing stability and financial stability in our communities, Nazem said. They are not magic fixes that are going to alleviate the lack of affordable housing and the double digit rent increases that we are seeing across the country. Advertisement [ Chicagos rental market is stabilizing but seeing some of the fastest price increases in the US ] Lorraine McNeal, 53, is struggling to find affordable housing. McNeal had never faced eviction prior to the pandemic but has faced it twice since then and worries she may face it again. Shes been getting calls, texts and emails from her management company about her overdue rent balance, she said. In the past, she received help through the citys Right To Counsel Pilot Program aimed at connecting more renters with legal aid and has received rental assistance to pay off her debt and stay housed. Lorraine McNeal stands near family pictures in her South Shore apartment on Sept. 26, 2023. McNeal faced eviction earlier this year and had a legal aid lawyer represent her in court. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Now, she is having difficulties paying her rent again since the payments are greater than her Social Security disability insurance, her primary source of income since she lost her job during the pandemic. She told the Tribune in October that the pandemic and her disability made it hard to find work. She lives with her daughter, who is also disabled, and pays $1,295 monthly rent for her three-bedroom South Shore apartment. McNeal said it has been rough trying to find a new apartment she can afford. Many of the buildings she is looking at are at capacity a common issue in the colder months of the year when fewer people move or only accept people 62 and older. She said she has put her name on housing voucher waitlists throughout the country, all the way from San Francisco to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as she is desperate to move herself and her family. Here I go again on the hamster wheel, looking, looking, looking, trying to decipher through some of these programs, McNeal said. And believe me, they are out there; I just havent hit the jackpot. Advertisement ekane@chicagotribune.com A green "ghost" once appeared over the Mediterranean Sea behind a storm cloud. Witnesses claimed that the strange phenomenon looked like a jellyfish. After many attempts to determine the origin of the "atmospheric ghosts," scientists finally managed to find a possible explanation. ADVERTISIMENT The green color of the phenomena was previously explained by the influence of atmospheric pressure. The details were reported by Inverse. When lightning strikes, it sometimes causes the emission of strong optical radiation at an altitude of 50 to 90 km above a storm cloud. These phenomena, lasting milliseconds, are called transient light events (TLEs). These conditional "ghosts", scientists say, can look like jellyfish. They are known as sprites. Other forms of TLEs resemble halos. Sprites are red due to the presence of nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere. They turn green due to the influence of atmospheric pressure. They also begin to darken to blue at lower altitudes. By the way, they were first called "green ghosts" by Hank Schyma from Oklahoma, who noticed a strange emerald-colored spot in the sky. The idea behind the name was that since oxygen is associated with the green tones of the aurora, the gas creates "ghosts". ADVERTISIMENT A team of researchers led by Maria Passas Varo used a special instrument called the GRASSP (GRAnada Sprite Spectrograph and Polarimeter) to clearly see the "ghost". Passas Varo, a telecommunications engineer, spectroscopist, and atmospheric electricity researcher working at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia in Spain, has been tirelessly searching for a new "ghost". "We analyzed more than 2,000 spectra with the naked eye, one after another. We found only one good spectrum of the 'ghost'," the scientist said. ADVERTISIMENT On September 21, 2019, she managed to find a worthy "ghost" that was emitting from a storm cloud in the Mediterranean. It was the best "candidate" for spectrographic analysis. The team peered into the light from the ghost to learn about its composition and found a surprise. Oxygen, as they expected, was in the radiation, but the scientists also found evidence of iron. Iron is present in Earth's upper atmosphere and comes from interplanetary dust particles that enter our atmosphere. But Passas Varo says it is usually found at much higher altitudes. The reason for the ghost's appearance could be a combination of different phenomena, and iron may provide a particular clue. One possible explanation for the appearance of "ghosts" is that the sonic boom we know as thunder somehow pulls iron down from its normal height. Gravitational waves on Earth, which are vertical, can also play a role in creating "ghosts". ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that a giant star flow was discovered in space. It is ten times larger than the Milky Way. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance during his roadshow in Varanasi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance during his roadshow in Varanasi.(X/ @ANI) As per the video clip shared by news agency ANI, the prime minister's convoy slowed down its speed and gave way for the ambulance to pass. Once the ambulance passes by, the convoy resumes again and continues the journey. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here In a similar incident in September last year, PM Modi's convoy halted during his roadshow in Gujarat to make way for an ambulance. Similarly, in November 2022, PM Modi stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance after returning from a rally in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra. PM Modi arrived in Varanasi for a two-day visit on Sunday. During his visit, he will launch 37 projects worth over 19,000 crore for the development of the region. After his arrival in the temple town, the PM's cavalcade was showered with flower petals by people as it left the airport. On the first day of his visit, PM Modi will launch the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the Namo Ghat. He will also flag off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, which will ply between Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari and Varanasi. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which will be held from December 17-31, will witness the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and are scheduled to visit Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, according to an official statement. The Union Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for the event with participation from the ministries of culture, tourism, railways, textiles, food processing, MSME, information and broadcasting, skill development and entrepreneurship, IRCTC and related departments of the Uttar Pradesh government. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam encompasses lectures covering literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda. Additionally, seminars are planned on innovation, trade, knowledge exchange, edutech, and next-gen technology. On his second day on Monday, PM Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme at Barki Gram Sabha of Sewapuri development block. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 37 projects worth 19,155 crore including roads and bridges, health and education, police welfare, smart city and urban development projects, railways, and airports in Varanasi and the Purvanchal region at the event, according to the press release. A dedicated freight corridor project worth over 10,000 crore, connecting New Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay to New Bhaupur will also be launched. PM Modi will also inaugurate the Lahartara-Phulwaria-Shivpur four-lane road, built at a cost of 166 crore. Chances are that by the time youve read this, youve already seen a dozen holiday gift guides. Or maybe you were one of the diminished crowd in London who finished their holiday shopping on Black Friday. Still, for most people, theres always at least that one remaining gift to pick up. One thats sure to please involves food and/or wine. Around the UK, hampersa basket full of goodies that highlight a shops top productsare a perennial favorite. And this year, there are notable new options, including one from the fashionable Toklas Bakery, whose founders, Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, are also founders of the Frieze art festival. Around the UK, hampersa basket full of goodies that highlight a shops top productsare a perennial favorite(Freepik) Also in the mix: engaging bottled cocktails from the groovy subterranean bar Discount Suit Co. The basket includes offerings such as Negronis inspired by the beloved Christmas candy Terrys Chocolate Orange. And for anyone whose pantry shelves and drink carts are already stocked full, theres a new years worth of classes from the acclaimed Bread Ahead bakery. One of its updated offerings this year is a New York City baking class that teaches students how to make classics like braided challah and cheesecake. Its the closest you can get to the city without heading to the airport. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Without further ado: 13 of the best food and drink gifts for the holiday season available in the UK. A Newt Christmas Hamper Send a Christmas hamper with a slew of products crafted at the Newt, the property that won the best boutique hotel trophy at the inaugural Worlds 50 Best Hotel awards in September. This includes showpiece items from its massive estate, including an easy-drinking homemade hard apple cider, Christmas cake, West Country cheeseboard and small-batch apple gin. Prices start at 40 ($51) Toklas Bakery Premium Hamper The stylish Toklas Bakery has been around for two years, serving sweet and savory pastries to people in the vicinity of the Strand. Its first Christmas hamper features an array of house specialties such as pastry chef Janine Edwards chewy ginger cookies, fruit-studded stollen and honey and olive oil granola. There are also jars of marmalade, made with citrus from the Valencia, Spain-based farm of Vicente Todoli, former director of the Tate Modern. 150; a more modest version goes for 60 Koffiracha Hot Sauce Catalyst is one of the citys premier coffee roasters, with carefully sourced beans that are roasted in London and served to customers at a corner shop on Grays Inn Road in Holborn. What makes the purveyor stand out further in the citys great coffee scene is their Koffiracha hot sauce, a thick, dusky orange condiment made with Scotch bonnet chiles, garlic, vinegar and a generous helping of ground coffee. The peppery sauce has bright new packaging; it will make you forget all about the sriracha it pays homage to. 9 Rare Tea Co.s Women in Tea Gift Set Since 2004, Henrietta Lovell, known to fans as the Rare Tea Lady, has sourced notable teas from around the world. This year, Lovell highlights four blends from women-led businesses. One reason is because most of the approximately 13 million people who work in the tea industry are female. This selection includes Lost Malawi English breakfast from southern Africa, which has the flavor of burnt sugar, and subtly fruity Indian cloud from the Himalayan foothills. 50 Bread Aheads New York Baking Workshop The Bread Ahead bakery is almost as well known for its classes as it is for the doughnuts that cause around-the-block lines at Borough Market. This year, the company has expanded its roster of classes to include a hybrid pizza-tiramisu course, as well as one specializing in hand-rolled pasta and foccacia. Most importantly for fans of Big Apple classics, the New York baking workshop has been updated to include lessons on the crafting of braided challah, potato knishes and good old cheesecake. 190 for a daylong class Peninsula London Festive Tea The Peninsula was one of this years buzziest new hotel openings, with costs to build it totaling more than 1 billion. Short of booking a room, one of the best ways to experience the five-star hospitality is to take the opulent afternoon tea in the new lobby. The festive offering includes a glass of sparkling wine and savory sandwiches such as duck confit and berry. The dessert includes chestnut and clementine mont blanc, as well as a rich chocolate mousse. 120 per person Pophams Home Cheese Knife Set During the pandemic, Pophams, the North London bakery that made marmite-filled pastries a reality, introduced a line of housewares including ceramics, glassware and linens, most made by London artisans. This year, it opened its first bricks-and-mortar home store. Among the new offerings is one geared toward cheese fans: a set of three knives, made from hammered, forged steel. The handsome implements are perfect for cutting through an array of soft and semisoft fromage from triple creme to reblochon and goat cheese rounds. 45 St. John Wine Tasting Apparel The pioneering restaurant St. John, known for its nose-to-tail menu, is also praised for its wide-ranging, all-French wine list and its accessible house line of vintages. Now it has introduced adorable apparel dedicated to the art of tasting it: soft tees and sweatshirts emblazoned with a squiggly illustration done by co-founder Fergus Henderson. 28 for T-shirt and 38 for sweatshirt Pomello Bottles This new aperitif is created using pomelos from California, alongside Swedish elderflower for a sweet cocktail base. Pomello is the brainchild of Malin Spano, who worked in hospitality brands in London like the luxe Birley clubs and spent summers making elderflower cordial with her mother in Sweden. It can be served on its own with soda or tonic; for a festive spritz, mix with a liberal amount of rose Champagne and add a wintery herb sprig. 36 Fifty One Degrees North by Gusbourne This newly released sparkling wine is a showcase for the best of British bubbly. Its called Fifty One Degrees North for the latitude of its vineyards in the English counties of Kent and West Sussex, and its served in elite restaurants such as Ynyshir in Wales and at the Four Seasons Hampshire. You can send a bottle to a loved one (or yourself!) to ring in the new year in style. 195 Umbrella Projects Christmas Cocktail Gift Box These Christmas cocktails are from the team behind the buzzy Shoreditch bar Discount Suit Co. and come in festive flavors including Chocolate Orange Negroni reminiscent of the famed Christmas candy and a Gingerbread Irish Whiskey Old Fashioned. The gift box comes with two bottles, and each contains enough for three to four servings. 28 These Delicious Things This lovely volume from Jane Hodson, Lucas Hollweg and the social media star Clerkenwell Boy (from Pavilion Books/Harper Collins) has contributions from dozens of food stars. Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, Yotam Ottolenghi: check, check, check. Among the recipes, theres Stanley Tuccis potato croquettes, chef Anita Cheungs Cantonese healing chicken soup and writer Felicity Spectors rhubarb cobbler with custard. An added bonus: 100% of the proceeds go to Magic Breakfast, which supports children living in food poverty. 25 Slow Food, Fast Cars Massimo Botturas Osteria Francescana topped the Worlds 50 Best list in 2016 and 2018. In his new book, published by Phaidon, he and his wife (and business partner) Lara Gilmore chronicle life in and around their high-style guest house, Casa Maria Luigia in Emilia-Romagna, home to Parmigiano-Reggiano and Ferrari. The recipes are mostly simpleskillet-roasted peaches and white chocolate as well as sage muffinsbut primarily the book is great armchair traveling. 40 Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a real-time artificial intelligence-based tool Bhashini during his address at Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Sunday. He referred to it as a new beginning in simplifying his communication with the public. 'Bhashini' operates as an AI-driven language translation system, facilitating conversations between speakers of different Indian languages.(PIB) Today, the use of new technology has taken place here through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a new beginning and hopefully, it makes it easier for me to reach you, PM Modi said at Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Bhashini was tailored to serve the Tamil-speaking audience specifically during the event in Varanasi on Sunday. It operates as an AI-driven language translation system facilitating conversations among individuals speaking different Indian languages. More about Bhashini -Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Digital India Bhashini during the inauguration of Digital India Week in Gujarat in 2022. This initiative aims to enhance internet accessibility and digital services in Indian languages, incorporating voice-based functions and promoting content creation in these languages. -'Bhashini' operates as an AI-driven language translation system, facilitating conversations between speakers of different Indian languages. It allows individuals to communicate in their native language, bridging language barriers. The platform is available through dedicated Android and iOS apps. -The platform serves as a pivotal element in the Digital Ecosystem, a significant stride toward achieving the objectives of a Digital Government. -The government outlines 'Bhashini's journey across four tracks: Foundation, Contribution, Innovation, and Grand Challenge. These tracks aim to mark crucial milestones in the platform's progress. -The platform has devised a roadmap to enable easy access to digital content in Indian languages, focusing on enhancing accessibility for citizens. -Bhashini's Bhasa Daan section encourages individuals to contribute to various crowdsourcing initiatives. The mission strives to empower citizens by engaging them in the country's digital initiatives in their preferred language, promoting digital inclusivity. Bhasha Daan Bhasha Daan serves as an initiative within Project Bhashini, focusing on gathering language inputs across multiple Indian languages. Its goal is to create extensive datasets for these languages, aiding in training AI models for various stakeholders to develop products and services beneficial to society. Contributions to this initiative can be made anonymously, with the overarching aim of establishing an open-source repository accessible to everyone. Categories within Bhasha Daan: -Suno India: Contribute by typing out audio content or validating transcriptions made by others. -Bolo India: Enrich your language by donating your voice through sentence recordings. Validate audio recordings contributed by others. -Likho India: Contribute by translating provided text. Validate translations submitted by others. -Dekho India: Enrich your language by typing text seen or labelling images. Validate images contributed by others. The initiative encourages diverse forms of contributionsbe it through transcription, voice recordings, translations, or image labellingin an effort to collectively enrich and develop Indian languages. A shocking poll revealed that most young Americans think Israel should cease to exist and be handed over to Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza. Sabina Fernandez, five, holds a banner during a demonstration to show support for Palestinians and solidarity with children in Gaza. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes (REUTERS) The Harvard-Harris poll, conducted this week, showed that 51% of Americans aged 18 to 24 supported the radical solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which would entail the end of the Jewish state and its replacement by a Palestinian entity under Hamas rule. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Only 32% of the same age group favored a two-state solution, which would create an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, and a mere 17% suggested that other Arab countries should take in the Palestinians. This view was drastically different from the older generations, who overwhelmingly preferred a two-state solution. Only 4% of Americans aged 65 and above agreed that Israel should be ended. ALSO READ| Hostages' families want Israel to stop war or we'll only receive dead bodies Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) expressed his alarm at the poll results, quoting to the New York Post, These individuals siding with evil over democracy should be a wake-up call. Ideological rot among young Americans, driven by woke values and victim culture, has gotten so bad theyve convinced themselves to sympathize with actual terrorists who hate America. What does the poll have to say? The poll also found that 60% of the 18-24 age group justified Hamas Oct 7 terrorist attack, which killed 13 Israelis, as a response to the Palestinian grievance. This was more than double the percentage of Americans overall who held the same view (27%). Moreover, 58% of the young Americans acknowledged that Hamas wanted to commit genocide against the Jews in Israel, but 60% of them also accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Only 37% of Americans overall shared this accusation. Additionally, 53% of the young Americans said that students should have the right to call for the genocide of Jews without facing any consequences. The poll also showed that 67% of the 18-24 age group believed that Jews should be seen as oppressors, a stance that 73% of Americans rejected as a false ideology. ALSO READ| Is Israel more open to new Hamas truce in mediator talks? Egypt says The poll indicated a sharp divide between young and old Americans on their support for Israel or Hamas. While more than 80% of Americans overall sided with Israel, the 18-24 age group was evenly split at 50-50. The poll also revealed that Americans of all ages were following the conflict closely, with 69% saying they were paying very close or somewhat close attention. This figure increased to 81% for the 18-24 age group. The poll confirmed previous studies that showed young Americans were more pro-Hamas than other groups. According to a Cygnal poll taken shortly after the attack, 57% of American Muslims said they believed Hamas attack against Israel was justified. Americans' view to false narratives Pollster Mark Penn attributed the young Americans views to the influence of false narratives. The truth is that false narratives have been allowed to fester and sink into large numbers of Generation Z students, he said. ALSO READ| 'Bring them back': What Israeli hostages families said before mistaken killings Several theories have been proposed to explain why young Americans are more sympathetic to Hamas, such as the impact of woke professors and TikTok. The social media platform, owned by China, has been criticized for promoting self-harm and glorifying Osama Bin Laden. Hate preacher Abu Hamza launched a fresh bid to return to the UK ten years after he was jailed for a slew of terrorist offences. The convicted terrorists wife called for his release from the maximum security jail where he is being held in the US to come back home to his family where he belongs. Abu Hamza is seen. (File) His second wife Najat Chaffe wrote to a New York judge asking for his return to the UK from the prison in Colorado. He has been kept in solitary confinement for eight years in ADX Florence supermax jail. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The yearning to have him back in our lives has only intensified over time, she wrote last month in a letter, adding, To witness his reunion with our precious grandchildren and to enjoy quality time together as a family would be a dream come true. Who is Abu Hamza? Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, also known as Abu Hamza, is an Egyptian cleric who was the imam of Finsbury Park mosque in London. Hook-handed Abu Hamza was jailed in 2015 for terror offences following his extradition from the UK. The cleric was jailed in the UK in 2006 after being found guilty of inciting violence. In 2012, he was extradited to the US and found guilty of 11 terror offences. Has he tried to return to UK before? It is not the first time Abu Hamza has tried to return to the UK. In 2017 he complained about the inhuman and degrading conditions at the US jail which he argued were a breach of his human rights. Court documents stated that he was confined within a cell-sized cage during the hour of recreation time he is given each day. His cell is unsuitable for the double-amputee, who is blind in one eye, he claimed, adding, The stumps in both arms are subject to regular outbreaks of infection, which have been increasing in severity. What has Abu Hamza's lawyer said? His lawyer said that Abu Hamza "would go back to Belmarsh in a second if he could. We strongly believe that the conditions of his confinement violate the expectations of the European Convention on Human Rights and the promises that were made by the US government to the [British and European] courts as part of the extradition process. Major international film festivals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have warmed up to a movie that has chillingly captured a violent occupation and an unsettling hostage situation on the big screen only a month before the Israel-Hamas war began. Palestinian-British director Farah Nabulsi, whose debut feature film, The Teacher, is winning awards at festivals in the Middle East and North Africa region. Shot in the West Bank of Palestine last year, The Teacher had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, before Hamas invaded Israel on October 7 and took hundreds of hostages. Over 19,000 people have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza since then and 1,200 people were killed in Hamas incursion into Israel. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Directed by Palestinian-British director Farah Nabulsi, the film tells the story of Israeli occupation and settler colonisation of the West Bank inspired by several real-life incidents. The film also has a hostage drama about a fictional Israeli soldier, the son of an American-Jewish couple, in the custody of Palestinian resistance. Shot in the West Bank last year, The Teacher was the opening film of a ten-film Window on Palestine section at the ongoing El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt this week. As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, The Teacher has returned to the film festival circuit, winning audiences and awards, especially in the MENA region. At the just-concluded Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the film won the Jury Prize and the Best Actor award for the celebrated Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri for his lead role as an English teacher sharing loss and grief with one of his students. Following its win in Saudi Arabia, The Teacher was bestowed the opening film status at the Bosphorus Film Festival in Istanbul, Turkey, held from December 8-16. It was also the opening film of a Window on Palestine special section at the ongoing El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza. "It just happens that some of the elements of the story I have written are playing out in real-time right now," Nabulsi told Hindustan Times after the film's screening at El Gouna festival, which was postponed to December from its original October schedule because of the Israel-Hamas war. "We shot the film in the West Bank last year." Nabulsi, who would cycle around London's Hyde Park as a 15-year-old supporting Palestinian charities, was an investment banker in the world's commercial capital before a visit to her roots in Palestine caused a shift in career. "I went to Palestine many times as a child, but ten years ago I went there for the first time as an adult. I saw with my own eyes the extent of injustice, discrimination and oppression taking place," she says. "My parents are Palestinians. They never shied away from their children knowing our origins, heritage and identity. I was always kept aware that a gross injustice had been done and there was a military occupation and a settler colonial enterprise that had been taking place in our historical land. But the difference was I wasn't compelled to take further action in my life until I visited Palestine." "A few years ago, I wanted to express myself creatively and tell these human stories. I have always loved cinema and theatre. I decided to throw caution to the wind," recalls Nebulsi, who never attended a film school. "(American director) Stanley Kubrick said the best education in film is to make one. I thought, okay." "The reason I became a filmmaker is if I can't compel millions of people to fly to Palestine, actually millions of people won't be allowed to go to Palestine, let me bring Palestine to them. Cinema is one of the mostpowerful means of meaningful human communication the world has ever known. So if I can bring Palestine to people in a dark room for two hours where they really connect and understand, that is an incredible thing." While she wrote and produced three short films, including Today They Took My Son, which received a screening at the United Nations in 2017, her directorial venture, The Present, a short film made in West Bank about a father and daughter negotiating Israeli checkpoints to carry a gift to her mother, was a turning point. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Live Action Short and won the BAFTA award for Best Short Film in 2021. "The Teacher is my debut feature film. Many people who knew me as a teenager say I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I have always believed what the Italian artist Davide dormino said -- True art always has a role and responsibility to take a stance." "It just takes a few people of courage to lead the way and show others to be courageous. If you lose your job for calling an end to the occupation, a massacre of people, an entire population prevented from receiving food and medical aid, then you are working with the wrong people. If you are afraid that you will lose followers, then those are the wrong followers." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said he mourns the death of three Israeli hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. He, however, said Israel will continue its offensive in Gaza until the Palestinian group Hamas is destroyed, reported news agency Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.(AP) "It (the killings) broke my heart. It broke the hearts of the nation," Netanyahu said in a nationwide address. We are fighting for our existence... and we have to continue until victory. Follow Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The hostages Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka and Alon Shamriz were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. All of them were in their 20s. Israeli military officials said three had been waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were killed. The victims were among more than 240 people taken hostage during an unprecedented attack by Hamas into Israel on October 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians. In response, Israel declared war against Hamas and bombarded Gaza from the air, imposed a siege and launched a ground offensive, killing over 17,000 people. In November Hamas released over 100 hostages for Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire after Qatar mediated negotiations. New negotiations underway? In his address on Saturday, Netanyahu appeared to confirm on Saturday that new negotiations were underway to recover hostages held by Hamas. He said Israel's offensive in Gaza had helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November and vowed to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas, according to Reuters. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel on December 16.(AP) "The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing," he said. The statement came after the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, reportedly met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe late on Friday. Meanwhile, Hamas, in a statement, said the group affirms its position not to open any negotiations to exchange prisoners unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all. It added, The movement communicated this position to all mediators. Alex Batty, a British teen who went missing six years ago and was found in France earlier this week, has arrived back in the United Kingdom, news agency AFP reported citing the police. An undated still image shows Alex Batty, from Greater Manchester, Britain, who went missing in 2017, and has been found in France. (Reuters) "It gives me great pleasure to say Alex has now made his safe return back to the UK after six years," Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police told reporters. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Boyle said Batty was accompanied from France by British police officers and a family member. "This moment was undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones, and we are glad that they have been able to see each other again after all this time," he added. Batty disappeared after going on holiday with his mother and grandfather in Spain in 2017. The teen was found in the middle of the night by a delivery driver on December 14 in southwestern France after he had walked along a road for four days. Batty will now stay with his maternal grandmother, with whom the British justice system had entrusted his custody before his mother abducted him. A view shows the D16 road where Alex Batty, an adolescent from Britain, who disappeared six years ago in Spain was picked up by a delivery driver in Chalabre, France on December 15.(Reuters) "I can't wait to see him when we are reunited," Alex's grandmother Susan Caruana said in a statement, according to AFP. Earlier, Toulouse assistant prosecutor Antoine Leroy said that the teen's mother, Melanie Batty, is yet to be found and could be in Finland. According to doctors who examined the teen, he is in good health and does not appear to have been abused in the years since his abduction. Alex Batty's disappearance In 2018, Caruana told the BBC that she believed Batty's mother and grandfather David Batty took him to live with a spiritual community in Morocco. She said that the two were seeking an alternative lifestyle and did not want Batty to go to school. For six years, including two in France, Batty lived a "nomadic" life in a "spiritual "community", never staying more than several months in the same place. Batty told investigators that he had spent time in a spiritual community centre focused on work on the ego, meditation and reincarnation, before moving to the French Pyrenees, along the border with Spain. This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows French student Fabien Accidini during an interview.(AFP) Leroy said that the teenager decided to escape when his mother announced she was going to go to Finland. The delivery driver, Fabien Accidini, who found Batty on Wednesday said he saw the teenager walking along a road in the foothills of the Pyrenees. "He explained that he had been walking for four days, that he set off from a place in the mountains, though he didn't say where," Accidini told earlier. I typed his name into the internet and saw that he was being looked for. Accidini told AFP that he was a bit suspicious at first, but added that as the boy helped him with his deliveries to local pharmacies, he began to open up. "When he told me he'd been abducted, I made him say it again it was crazy!" said Accidini. He then lent him his mobile phone so he could contact his grandmother in England through Facebook to tell her he wanted to come home, and then he got in touch with the police. (Inputs from agencies) Former US president Donald Trump said that people will leave the country if he is reelected because he will crack down on immigration. The frontrunner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary said at a rally in New Hampshire that some Americans would opt to move out of the country if he took office again. Donald Trump On Immigration: Former US president and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally.(AFP) What Donald Trump said in New Hampshire "As soon as we win, you know what's gonna happen. People are gonna flood out of the country. They're gonna flood out before we even do anything. They're gonna leave the country because they're gonna understand that I will immediately restore and expand the Trump travel ban on entry from terror-plagued countries," Donald Trump said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here He continued, And I will implement strong ideological screening for all illegal immigrants. If you hate America. If you want to abolish Israel, if you sympathize with jihadists, then we don't want you in our country. We don't want you. Earlier in 2020, Donald Trump joked at a rally that if Joe Biden won the US presidency he would leave the county. "Running against the worst candidate in the history of presidential politics puts pressure on me. Could you imagine if I lose...Maybe I'll have to leave the country? I don't know," he had said then. On his time in the White House, Donald Trump said, Under the Trump administration, you were better off, your family was better off, your neighbors were better off, your communities were better off, and our country was better off. America was stronger, richer, safer, and more confident than ever when you had me behind that desk in the Oval Office. Donald Trump's travel ban in 2017 Donald Trump's travel ban was first introduced in an executive order by the former president in January 2017. It barred the entry into the US of people from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, all of the countries which have a majority of Muslims, as well as North Korea and Venezuela. The ban expanded in January 2020 to include Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Sudan. But Joe Biden signed an executive order rescinding the travel ban in 2021. Two Egyptian security sources said on Sunday that Israel and Hamas are both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, although disagreements remain on how it would be implemented. Smoke rises from damaged buildings, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, (REUTERS) Hamas is insisting on setting the list of hostages to be released unilaterally, and demanding that Israeli forces withdraw behind pre-determined lines, the sources told Reuters. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here ALSO READ| Israel finds 4km long biggest Hamas tunnel under Gaza: Yahya Sinwar is' While Israel agreed on Hamas setting the list, the sources said it had asked for a timeline and to see the list in order to set the time and duration of the ceasefire. Israel refuses to withdraw, the sources added. The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) has suspended the status of an international war sponsor for the Austrian banking group Raiffeisen Bank International. This was demanded by the Austrian government, which blackmailed Ukraine by refusing to vote for the 12th package of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia. ADVERTISIMENT This is evidenced by data from the War and Sanctions portal, which is maintained by the NACP and the Ministry of Justice. As of the morning of December 17, Raiffeisen Bank is on the list of international sponsors of the war, but with the note "status suspended for the period of bilateral consultations with the involvement of representatives of the European Commission." According to Reuters, in response, Austria agreed to vote for the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Prior to the NACP's decision, Austria insisted on removing the bank from the list of international war sponsors, threatening to block new sanctions against Russia. ADVERTISIMENT "Austria's sanctions warning has been lifted," an EU diplomat told the agency on condition of anonymity. It is noted that although the NACP blacklist is not a legal entity, it is important "symbolically." Being on the list increases public pressure on Raiffeisen to leave Russia. Back in October, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg openly criticized the NAPC list at a meeting of European ministers in Kyiv. Moreover, representatives of Raiffeisen Bank met with NAPC representatives to discuss how to remove the group from the list of war sponsors. Why Raiffeisen Bank became an international war sponsor Raiffeisen Bank Group was included in the list of international sponsors of war back in March 2023. The NACP noted then that the Russian division of Raiffeisen pays huge amounts of taxes to the Russian budget, and this money is used to finance the war against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the Russian Raiffeisen Bank was involved in a scandal. It turned out that the Russian subsidiary of Raiffeisen officially recognizes the so-called LPR and DPR and calls the Russian war against Ukraine a "special operation" on the website and in the documents of its Russian representative office. The bank also directly assists the Russian occupiers by offering loan repayment holidays and preferential loans to mobilized Russians. This has even put the bank on the radar of the US authorities. It was assumed that this could lead to the imposition of US sanctions against the bank. However, this scenario did not happen. Raiffeisen Bank International itself assures that it intends to leave the Russian market completely. However, this step has already been postponed twice. The head of the banking group, Johann Strobl, justified the delay by saying that leaving Russia is "very difficult." ADVERTISIMENT "We had previously informed you of a possible date of December 31, which seems very unlikely today," Strobl said in November 2023. Prior to that, the bank planned to leave Russia by the end of September. As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, the EU reached a political agreement on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia. It is expected to be introduced by the New Year. Thus, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, together with the European Commission, proposed to: impose sanctions on more than 120 individuals and legal entities for their role in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity; adopt new import and export bans; raise the oil price ceiling; strengthen counteraction to the circumvention of EU sanctions. It is not yet known for certain whether the list of trade bans will include an embargo on Russian diamonds. This measure has caused a lot of controversy in the European Union. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The French foreign ministry said one of its workers had died as a result of wounds sustained during an Israeli attack in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip (Representational picture)(AP) The man was seeking refuge in the house of a colleague from the French consulate alongside two other co-workers and a number of their family members, the ministry statement issued late on Saturday said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "The house was hit by an Israeli air strike on Wednesday evening, which seriously hurt our agent and killed about 10 others," it said, adding he had later died of his wounds. ALSO READ| Vladimir Putin derides Finland's NATO membership: 'There will be problems now' The statement said France condemned the bombing of a residential building. "We demand that the Israeli authorities shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing, as soon as possible," it said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry declined to provide further details on the name, nationality and age of the worker. "We're waiting for clarification (from Israel)," said French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna shortly after meeting her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in Tel Aviv on Sunday. She called for an "immediate truce" between Hamas and Israel to allow for a humanitarian ceasefire. Israel says it seeks to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, according to international law, though critics and even its closest ally, the U.S., say it needs to do more. An old video of Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni was widely shared on social media in which the premier scoffed at Islamic culture and said that there is no place for it in Europe. I believe that there is a problem of compatibility between Islamic culture and the values and rights of our civilization," she can be heard saying. Giorgia Meloni on Islam: Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni is seen. (AP) The premier added, "The Islamic cultural centers in Italy are financed by Saudi Arabia where Sharia is in force. In Europe there is a very Islamization process distant from the values of our civilization!" Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here This week the Italian prime minister hosted a political festival organised by her far-right party- the Brothers of Italy- in Rome which was attended by British prime minister Rishi Sunak. In his speech, Rishi Sunak said that he would push for global reforms to the asylum system while warning that the threat of growing number of refugees could "overwhelm" parts of Europe. He warned that some "enemies" were deliberately "driving people to our shores to try and destabilise our societies". "If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who actually need our help the most," Rishi Sunak said, adding, "If that requires us to update our laws and lead an international conversation to amend the post-war frameworks around asylum, then we must do that." At the annual gathering, Elon Musk marked a rare appearance as he met world leaders. Immigration isnt enough to combat population shrinking, he said, explaining, There is value in cultures, we dont want Italy as a culture to disappear, we want to maintain a reasonable cultural identity of those countries or they wont be those countries, Musk added. Italys birth rate hit a historical low last Iran launched a spree of executions targeting activists and ethnic minorities, rights groups and campaigners said. Iran has executed at least 229 people as the regime in Tehran is targeting protesters following the uprising after the death of Mahsa Amini. Iran said it had executed a man who was sentenced to death after being convicted of working with Israels intelligence services. Iran Executions: An Iranian flag flutters.(Reuters) He was found guilty of collecting and providing classified information to the Mossad spy service with the aim of disrupting public order, it said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here What UN has said on executions in Iran? In November, the UN warned that Iran was carrying out executions at an alarming rate." At least 419 people had been sentenced to death in the first seven months of the year, a 30 per cent increase from the same period in 2022, the agency said. Kurdish and Baluchi minorities have been among the major victims of the killing spree. Among the executions there are also two women and one child, who were killed in November. What rights groups have said on Iran executions? Shahin Gobadi, spokesman for opposition group the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), said that Iran is engaged in a war with the people of Iran itself to prevent another uprising inside the country- referring to September 2022 protests after Mahsa Aminis death in the custody of Tehrans morality police. In the protests, more than 500 civilians were reportedly killed while thousands more were arrested arbitrarily, according to Iranian activists. Shahin Gobadi said, The mullahs want to prevent the resurgence of the uprising with a wave of executions, including the secret killing of political prisoners, and by intensifying repression, especially against the activists of the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK) and the Resistance Units affiliated to the MEK." It is time for the UK, the EU, its member states and the US to take practical steps instead of simply verbally condemning the gross violation of human rights in Iran, he said. According to a report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights, 604 people have been executed in the first ten months of this year, the highest number in eight years. In 2022, the rights group recorded 582 executions, with the highest recent records being 972 in 2015. Ireland could become the first country in the European Union to include rights of nature into its national constitution as the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action recommended the government to advance a referendum on protecting biodiversity. With this, nature in the country would get rights comparable to those of people. Ireland: The move would see nature bestowed with rights comparable to those of people.(AFP) What does this move mean? The decision will come after a movement which has grown in recent years- the Rights of Nature movement which seeks to have elements of nature, such as trees, mountains and rivers, recognised as entities with rights. It also recognises the right of any person or organisation to defend, protect and enforce those rights on behalf of nature. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights appeared before the Joint Committee in October to testify about why the rights of nature needed to be recognised, as per BBC. The team was supported by Dr Peter Doran of the Queen's University Belfast School of Law. Executive director Mari Margil welcomed the committee's recommendation, saying, "We congratulate chairperson Brian Leddin and the Joint Committee for its work and taking this important step forward toward enshrining the rights of nature within Ireland's constitution. Further, we look forward to the government and parliament's next steps to protect the rights of nature, and offer whatever assistance we can in this process." Additionally, senior counsel Thomas Linzey said that direct citizen involvement was "essential" to protect the natural environment. What happens next and when will the move be applicable? If the Irish parliament puts forward a national referendum on the rights of nature and it is approved by the people, Ireland would be the first country within the European Union to make such a right part of its national constitution. Have other countries done the same? New Zealand has granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River. Countries in South America have also made similar declarations. Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed that his country will continue its ongoing war with Hamas, despite international pressure, and fight until victory is achieved. Humanitarian aid trucks wait in line to be inspected at the Kerem Shalom crossing(via REUTERS) Netanyahu's assertion came at a press conference on Saturday, a day after Israeli forces mistakenly killed three of the more than 100 hostages still in Hamas' captivity, more than two months after the conflict began on October 7, when the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, launched a series of attacks inside the Israeli territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded, and the fighting has been on since then, except for a brief period last month, when a humanitarian truce came into effect. The conflict has claimed several thousands lives on both sides, with scores injured and displaced. Israel said on Sunday it had hit weapons launch sites and facilities belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon in response to cross-border fire, while the Iran-backed group said it had attacked Israeli army targets. Israel-Hamas War: A picture taken from the outskirts of south Lebanon's village of Aitaroun shows smoke billowing after a raid carried out by Israeli warplanes.(AFP) Israel and Hezbollah fighters have been trading fire along the frontier on an almost daily basis since the war in Gaza erupted more than two months ago, in the worst hostilities since a 2006 conflict. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The violence, which has largely been contained to the border area, has killed more than 130 people in Lebanon, including 94 Hezbollah fighters and 17 civilians. In Israel, the hostilities have killed eight soldiers and four civilians. Israel's military said it had responded to Hezbollah attacks with artillery, tank fire and airstrikes at launch sites, an observation post of the Lebanese group and what it called a "terrorist cell." Hezbollah said it had fired at a range of Israeli military targets along the border, including what it said was a barracks, a command centre and an army crane installing surveillance equipment. Israel did not report any casualties resulting from the attacks that set off rocket sirens in areas of northern Israel. Israel's army said that it had found a vast Hamas tunnel as it carried on its offensive in Gaza despite international pressure for a ceasefire. The Israeli army said that it had uncovered the biggest Hamas tunnel so far near the border crossing at Erez. The tunnel was large enough for small vehicles to use, news agency AFP reported. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli soldiers operate in what Israel's military says is an iron-girded tunnel designed by Hamas.(Reuters) Israel said the tunnel cost millions of dollars and took years to construct. It included rails, electricity, drainage and a communications network. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here This massive tunnel system branches out and spans well over four kilometers (2.5 miles). Its entrance is located only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez Crossingused by Gazans on a daily basis to enter Israel for work and medical treatment in Israeli hospitals. This tunnel system was a project led by Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and the commander of Hamas Khan Yunis Battalion, Israel said. This comes as Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, amid massive international pressure and stringent warning from US president Joe Biden, again vowed we will fight until the end. We will achieve all of our aims- eliminating Hamas, freeing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will not again become a centre for terrorism. Meanwhile, France called for an "immediate and durable" truce stressing that too many civilians are being killed followed by UK and Germany who also regretted the massive civilian toll in the war. "Calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent... ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms," UK and Germany said in a statement. In Gaza, authorities said that more than 18,800 people, mostly women and children, have been killed while Hamas' October 7 attack in Israel left 1,139 people, mostly civilians, dead as the militant group abducted around 250, according to updated Israeli figures. Israel's bombardment has left much of Gaza in ruins, with the UN estimating 1.9 million Gazans- about 80 per cent- have been displaced by the war. "I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said. World Health Organisation described the territory's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, as a "bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute". "Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor while tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter amid a severe shortage of water and food, the WHO said. ". Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital's emergency department has been devastated by Israeli bombardments and is "a blood bath" which is "in need of resuscitation", the World Health Organisation (WHO) said after a team from the global health body and other United Nations agencies delivered medical supplies to the hospital. Al-Shifa is the largest medical facility in the Palestinian territory. Israel-Hamas War: Palestinians gather outside one of the departments of the Al-Shifa hospital complex in Gaza City.(AFP) In a statement the WHO said that "tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter. There is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. The emergency department is a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute," the organisation said. Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor... (and) no pain management is available, it added. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The hospital is functioning at a minimal scale as WHO said that critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries while operating theatres are not working due to a lack of oxygen and supplies. It is a hospital in need of resuscitation, WHO warned as only 30 patients can receive dialysis daily in the facility amid Israel's attacks. The WHO said it would reinforce Al-Shifa "in the coming weeks" in order for it to resume basic services and up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, as well as post-operative care services, can be activated if provided with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water. State of health facilities in Gaza amid war All health infrastructure in the Gaza strip has been hard hit by bombardments carried out by the Israeli army since the October 7 attack by Hamas which saw about 1,140 people killed, mostly civilians, and 240 hostages taken. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 18,800 people, mostly women and children. Tel Aviv has long accused Hamas of running command centres below hospitals despite repeated denials from hospital officials and Hamas itself. In the northern region of Gaza Strip, only Al-Ahli Arab hospital is partially functioning, while three facilities- Al-Shifa, Al Awda and Al Sahaba Medical Complex -are functioning at a minimum. Before the war, there were 24 operational facilities, it was reported. The King is feeling deeply nervous about talking to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are facing a lot of hostility from the royal family, according to a royal insider. King Charles' dream of reunion crumbles amid Prince Harry and Meghan Markle controversy(AP) Vanity Fair reported that the King is concerned about the possibility of the Sussexes leaking their conversations, which would make things very difficult. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The insider also said that there is no chance that Prince Harry and Meghan, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, will be invited to spend the holidays with the royal family, despite rumours that they want to visit the UK. The insider also revealed that the King would love to reunite with his sons and grandchildren at Christmas, but that the situation is complicated by the hostility that Prince Harry and Meghan have provoked, especially from the Prince and Princess of Wales. This comes after a backlash following the publication of Omid Scobies book in November, which revealed the names of the royals who allegedly made racist remarks about Archies skin colour before he was born. ALSO READ| Meghan Markle 'could return' to the royal family under this condition Vanity Fair reported that William and Kate said that they have no desire to be around Harry and Meghan, and that they would not even spend Christmas with them. The King would love nothing more than to have Christmas with his sons and all his grandchildren, but its not that simple and there is no chance the Sussexes will be coming, the royal insider revealed. It would make things very difficult because there is still so much hostility towards Harry and Meghan, particularly from the Prince and Princess of Wales. Charles is also deeply nervous about the risks of conversations being leaked by the Sussex camp, which is why there have been very few of them, the insider added. Christmas plans for the Royals' William and Kate will follow the tradition and join the royal family for Christmas day, and then celebrate a second Christmas at Anmer Hall with the Middleton family. This year, the Queens children from her second marriage, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and their families, will also be part of the royal Christmas. ALSO READ| Prince Harry vows to continue legal battle against UK media: The mission continues In the past, the Queen used to leave Sandringham after Christmas dinner to host her own family dinner at Ray Mill, her house in Wiltshire. Because of the increased number of guests, Christmas dinner will be served in the white drawing room instead of the dining room where the late queen used to hold the festive meal. As usual, the royal family will go to church on Christmas morning and greet the public afterwards. The King will also stay in Norfolk for New Years Eve. He normally spends the New Year in Scotland, but reports say he will prolong his Norfolk stay and go to the Highlands later in January. Mark Zuckerberg's latest island getaway is no ordinary beach shack. It's a $100 million fortress of tech-infused luxury, complete with an escape hatch, blast-proof doors, and much more. However, Hawaii's citizens, who are still healing from the terrible and catastrophic Maui fires that struck the city on August 8 and 9, seem to have taken offense at the Meta CEO. Locals and netizens expressed their views on Zuckerberg's actions on social media, issuing a warning to never forget what occurred in Maui. Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Meta Platforms Inc. introduced its latest lineup of head-worn devices, staking fresh claim to the virtual and augmented-reality industry just ahead of Apple Inc. pushing into the market. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) Also read: 51% young Americans vote for Hamas rule, propose Israel's dissolution: Harvard-Harris poll Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Zuckerberg's Hawaii complex faces criticism from residents While visitors enjoy Hawaii's beautiful waters and volcanoes, locals have a different story. Mark Zuckerberg's $100 million compound, with a hidden bunker and eleven treetop sanctuaries, sparks concerns about displacement and lost paradise, especially on islands like Maui. Netizens are expressing questions and concerns about the sudden need for a bunker. Additionally, numerous reports have mentioned that influential figures like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos also own property on the same island. According to Wired, hundreds of employees are allegedly driven to and from the site and are not allowed to discuss the specifics of their projects. They are banned from taking photos or discussing with other teams while they are on the field by strict non-disclosure agreements. A user wrote Worried about a nuclear war? The fires did not do enough damage? Hide from the next virus and mandated vaccines? Shelter for undocumented kids? Organ harvesting operation? New Senate intern playground, another commented Deep State. They all already have underground bunkers, hoping to survive in the event of a nuclear war. That is why they so boldly provoke wars around the world. That's not sus. When billionaires start doing weird shit like this, they either know something or they know something. Btw Warren Buffet just sold over 28 billion dollars worth of stock. More aboutMark ZuckerbergsHawaiian bunker The ongoing construction project is known by the codename Koolau Ranch. Wired unearthed the social media tycoon's covert doomsday plot following a thorough investigation on the Kauai island location. This design creates a shelter with living quarters and a mechanical area by joining two main mansions via a tunnel. A steel and concrete door that is blast-resistant protects the building. German customs has warned that, according to EU rules, it may confiscate gifts sent from Russia. The restrictions are related to the European trade sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggressive war in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in an announcement on the official website of the German customs. The warning was issued on the eve of the Christmas and New Year holidays. "The import of a wide range of goods from Russia is prohibited. Sanctioned goods may be arrested or confiscated by customs," it said. A number of goods that are typical for gift parcels are also subject to sanctions. In particular, these are: pulp and paper; wood and wood products; stones and precious metals cigarettes plastics and chemicals, including cosmetics. Such rules are stipulated by EU Regulation No. 833/2014 of July 31, 2014, the statement said. They apply even to shipments from one private person to another, the German customs explained. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in early fall 2023, the EU banned Russian citizens from importing cars, smartphones, jewelry, laptops and other items into the bloc. At that time, the European Commission officially confirmed this interpretation of the sanctions legislation against Russia. The issue of gifts is a logical extension of this interpretation. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! South Koreas military said that it had detected a North Korean ballistic missile which was fired toward its eastern waters. The latest launch comes after a torrent of weapons tests in recent months that has elevated tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't immediately say what type of missile it was or how far it flew. A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.(AP) Japan said that the missile had landed outside its EEZ, as per news agency Reuters. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years owing to the pace of North Korean weapons demonstrations and South Koreas combined military exercises with Japan. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here The weapons North Korea tested this year included intercontinental ballistic missiles that demonstrated potential range to reach the US mainland. North Korea also tested simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea. All of North Korea's ballistic missile activities are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang defends the tests as its sovereign right to self defence. What North Korea said on the launch North Korea's defence ministry condemned what it called reckless military moves by "thugs" in the United States and South Korea, minutes after the launch, state news agency KCNA reported. Citing the arrival of the US nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri in South Korea, North Korea said that it was the latest act from the US that proves Washington is contemplating nuclear war. The British royal family has some very, very bizarre traditions and one of them dictates that men and women eat separately on Christmas morning. We aren't joking! While Christmas remains a busy holiday for the royal family as they send out cards to the public, traditionally spend their time at Sandringham House, attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene, followed by a lively game of charades after lunch, strange traditions are also a part of the celebrations. Prince William and Kate Middleton attend the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London with their children.(AFP) According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, Christmas morning is usually subject to a gender divide, owing to which Prince William and Kate Middleton will be sipping their coffee in separate rooms. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here On Christmas Day, the ladies generally opt for a light breakfast of sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast, and coffee delivered to their roomsthe Queens tray is delivered at exactly 9:00 a.m., Darren McGrady said as per a UK media report. The male royals, meanwhile, come downstairs to the dining room for a hearty breakfast at 8:30 a.m., with eggs, bacon and mushrooms, kippers, and grilled kidneys, to set them up for the 11:00 a.m. church service at St Mary Magdalene. When they return, its straight into pre-lunch drinks," the ex-royal chef added. The tradition may sound like old-fashioned gender separation but the Mirror reported that this tradition may have arisen because women were taking more time to get ready in the morning, which would explain why they ate breakfast in their rooms. On what royals do during Christmas, Darren McGrady said, "The first time the Royals congregate on Christmas Eve is for afternoon tea at 4pm, often in the ornate Sandringham saloon under its exquisitely painted ceilin. It involves a large cake, usually a ginger cake or honey and cream sponge; a fruit cake would clash with the following days Christmas cake. Small cakes and scones feature alongside finger sandwiches (crusts off, served in squares) filled with ham and English mustard, Sage Derby cheese and Branston Pickle or Coronation chicken, with a pot of Earl Grey tea." FOR MOST countries, a 10% drop in the currencys dollar value in just over five months would be cause for alarm. For Turkey, it is a respite. After years of reckless lending and spending, the countrys new economic team, appointed after President Recep Tayyip Erdogans election victory in May, is putting the house in order. The central bank , which previously stoked inflation with cheap money, has raised interest rates by a whopping 31.5 percentage points since June. Economic growth has dipped as a result, but the inflation forecast has improved. Prices in November were 62% higher than a year earlier, but the monthly inflation rate has been falling, from a white-hot 9% in July and August to somewhat over 3% in recent months. The Turkish lira, which lost nearly 30% against the dollar in the first half of the year, continues to depreciate, but much more slowly. Things have also improved in other areas. Turkeys new interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, has launched a belated crackdown on organised crime. The evening news regularly features footage of police commandos smashing in doors and pinning down suspected drug barons, arms dealers and human traffickers, many of them foreigners. Awkwardly, this has exposed Turkeys role as a magnet for crime syndicates from the Balkans to South America. Turkish democracy shows no sign of improvement. Many of Mr Erdogans political opponents still languish in prison, particularly Kurds, journalists and civil society activists. But the economic reforms have won cautious plaudits abroad. So have improved relations with Greece, highlighted by Mr Erdogans visit to Athens on December 7th. In a report in late November, the European Commission and the blocs foreign-policy chief recommended opening talks with Turkey on an upgraded customs union, to replace the one established in 1995. (There are strings attached: for one thing, Turkey must first get serious about resuming peace negotiations with Cyprus, which it partially occupies.) EU leaders will discuss this during a two-day summit starting on December 14th. But the reformist current faces three big impediments: Mr Erdogans strongman instincts, his pact with Turkeys nationalists, and his governments relationships with Russia and Hamas. Relations with America, which had improved this summer after Turkey pledged to drop its veto of Swedens accession to NATO, are frosty again. Mr Erdogan initially held up Swedens membership to press the country to go after Kurdish residents whom Turkey considers terrorists. He is now doing so to get an ironclad guarantee from America to sell Turkey 40 new F-16 fighter jets. On December 6th Mr Erdogan suggested that Turkeys parliament and Americas Congress should move in tandem, with one assembly ratifying Swedens NATO membership while the other signs off on the $20bn F-16 deal. The Americans seem uninterested. Mr Erdogan and his Justice and Development (AK) party may eventually realise they have nothing to gain by keeping Sweden on ice, and put accession to a vote, possibly before Christmas. But they may also decide to keep moving the goalposts, further eroding Turkeys standing in NATO and with America. A vote in parliament on Swedens membership could expose cracks in Turkeys governing coalition. Mr Erdogan can count on his own party to vote as instructed. But he has no such control over his main ally, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which opposes ratification. On December 8th Devlet Bahceli, the MHPs leader, announced that his party would back Swedens accession only once the Palestinians have a state and Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is on trial in The Hague. That may be a while. Tensions between AK and the MHP have already begun to come to the surface. Insiders say the governments war on organised crime has ruffled feathers in the MHP, which has links to some notorious mob bosses. Mr Erdogan does not want a public spat over Sweden, with municipal elections coming next spring. The bloodshed in the Middle East may poison Turkeys relations with the West even further. Many Turks are seething over Americas support for Israels bombing of Gaza. In much of Europe and America, meanwhile, Turkeys government has come under fire for its links to Hamas. Brian Nelson, a senior American treasury official who visited Istanbul last month, said he was profoundly concerned about the groups ability to raise funds in Turkey. Mr Erdogan stands by Hamas, which he calls a liberation group rather than a terrorist organisation. On December 6th he warned Israel would pay a very heavy price should it try to assassinate Hamas members based in Turkey. A few months ago a visit by Mr Erdogan to the White House seemed to be in the cards, but his embrace of Hamas has nixed that. The EU and America are also increasingly worried about Turkeys business dealings with Russia. Western officials have pleaded with Turkey to stop turning a blind eye to companies selling Russia dual-use goods, which can be used to produce weapons. Exports of such products, mostly through intermediaries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, surged to $158m in the first nine months of 2023, compared to an average of $28m before Russias invasion of Ukraine. Turkeys economy is not yet out of the woods, but it is on the right track. After a long hiatus, foreign portfolio investors are starting to trickle back. But long-term investors will not return as long as Mr Erdogan courts new problems with the West. Politics in Turkey need to follow the economys lead. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com The foreign ministers of the UK and Germany jointly called for a sustainable cease-fire in the Gaza Strip in a letter published in the Sunday Times. Israel-Hamas War: Smoke rises above Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.(Reuters) Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock warned that too many civilians have been killed during the Israeli Defense Forces assault on Gaza. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Their comments come days after US President Joe Biden called Israels recent bombing of Gaza indiscriminate. The diplomats said they understand that demanding an immediate end to hostilities isnt the right approach. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations, Cameron and Baerbock wrote. We therefore support a cease-fire, but only if it is sustainable. Israels campaign started after the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people in towns, kibbutzim, army bases and at a music festival in the desert. About 240 people were taken hostage and over 100 remain captive in Gaza. The US is pressing Israel to shift the war, now into its third month, from a crushing air and ground assault to an operation focused on targeting leaders of Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union. In their letter, Baerbock and Cameron highlighted the humanitarian plight of children in the rubble of their destroyed homes, not knowing where to find food or water, not knowing where their parents are. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful coexistence with Palestinians. they wrote. They have a right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. But too many civilians have been killed. The pair also condemned hateful acts of extremist settlers in the West Bank, who they said were seeking to sabotage steps toward a two-state solution. Jewish settlers in the West Bank enjoy an unprecedented level of support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, and have become increasingly aggressive since the Oct. 7 attacks. From Oct. 7 through Dec. 4, 236 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, with another eight killed by Israeli settlers, and another two killed by one or the other, according to United Nations data. Four Israelis, three of them soldiers, were killed by Palestinians, according to the same source. The US has taken action in this area this month when Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals linked to undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank. Former US President Donald Trump has once again used inflammatory and divisive language to attack immigrants and his political opponents. Speaking at a rally in Durham, New Hampshire, on Saturday, he repeated his claim that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, a phrase that has been widely denounced as echoing the rhetoric of white supremacists and Nazis. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha)(AP) They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America but all over the world. Theyre coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, all over the world, he said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Trump, who is facing 91 criminal charges, had previously used the same phrase in October, when he also called sections of American society he dislikes vermin and vowed to root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections. ALSO READ| Watch| Melania Trump's immigration speech mocked: Her husband wants His remarks were condemned by the current president Joe Biden, who said Trump was using language that was heard in Nazi Germany. Trump also recently talked about, The blood of America is being poisoned Again, echoes the same phrases used in Nazi Germany, Biden said at the time. Classic Trump Trump, who has not conceded his defeat in the 2020 election, has been campaigning for a comeback in 2024. According to CNN, he plans to implement even more draconian immigration policies than he did in his first term, when he separated children from their parents at the border and put them in cages. His new proposals reportedly include detaining undocumented immigrants who already live in the US in camps, allegedly to prepare them for deportation. The former president also said he would restore and expand his travel bans to the US, which he imposed in 2017 on several Muslim-majority and African countries, and that he would implement strong ideological screening for all illegal immigrants. ALSO READ| Will Trump's criminal charges affect his candidacy for President? Poll reveals shocking results His latest speech drew criticism from the journalist Mehdi Hasan, who said on Saturday, Classic Trump- say something crazy outrageous, neo-Nazi-like and it gets headlines, creates outrage." So wait a little. Then say it again, no one notices, no coverage, and it gets normalized and mainstreamed." Lets be clear- migrants poisoning the blood is Hitler rhetoric, he added. The Covid-19 pandemic sparked the rise of Moms for Liberty, a right-wing group that opposed school closures and mask mandates, and also advocated for policies that critics labeled as anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Sarasota County School Board chair Karen Rose introduces a non-binding resolution asking for the resignation of school board member Bridget Ziegler, who is also co-founder of conservative parents group Moms for Liberty, during a school board meeting in Sarasota, Florida, U.S. December 12, 2023. REUTERS/Steve Nesius(REUTERS) But the group faced a major scandal when one of its co-founders, Bridget Ziegler, admitted to the police that she and her husband, who is accused of sexual assault, had a threesome with another woman. This revelation triggered a backlash from the public, who demanded that she step down from her position on the Sarasota County School Board. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Most of our community could not care less what you do in the privacy of your own home, but your hypocrisy takes center stage, said Sally Sells, a local parent and one of the many speakers who denounced Ms. Ziegler and Moms for Liberty at a heated school board meeting this week. ALSO READ| Donald Trump claims rally immigrants are 'poisoning the blood' of America Ms. Ziegler, whose husband has denied any wrongdoing, remained silent and refused to resign. Decline of Moms for Liberty The uproar over the Zieglers scandal highlighted the prominent role that Moms for Liberty played in the most divisive issues of the pandemic era, especially in the field of education. The group quickly gained clout and influence, becoming a sought-after endorsement and a required stop for Republican politicians. The group turned education issues from a low-profile topic to a core part of the G.O.P. agenda. However, the groups power seems to be waning as it struggles to recover from the scandal. The group suffered a series of defeats in key school board races in 2023, raising doubts about the future of education issues as a driving force in Republican politics. Donald Trump, the clear front-runner for the partys nomination, barely mentions parental rights the slogan of the groups cause in his campaign speeches. Issues such as school curriculums, transgender students rights, and teaching about race received less attention in the three Republican primary debates than abortion rights, foreign policy, and the economy. And the most prominent supporter of conservative views on education Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has failed to rally conservatives behind his floundering presidential bid. ALSO READ| Jeff Bezos pumps in $42 million for construction of 10,000-year clock: Report John Fredericks, a Trump ally in Virginia, said the issues that Moms for Liberty focused on - policies banning books they considered pornographic, limiting the teaching of L.G.B.T.Q. issues and controlling how race is taught in schools had lost relevance for many voters. You closed schools, and people were upset about that. Schools are open now, he said. The Moms for Liberty really have to aim their fire on math and science and reading, versus focusing on critical race theory and drag queen story hours. As US congressional negotiators worked deep into the weekend in a bid to craft an urgent deal linking aid to Ukraine and Israel to new border security, one top Democrat said he was "very optimistic" about a resolution. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., flanked by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., speaks to reporters as they criticize President Joe Biden's policies on the US-Mexico border, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Senate Republicans blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine to broker a deal on Ukraine aid. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP) "I'm very encouraged. I'm very optimistic they're moving in a very positive way," Senator Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here He said he had been in touch with negotiators from both parties, as well as the White House, and "they understand that the border is broken" and needs to be fixed. Three Senate negotiators -- independent Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat Chris Murphy and Republican James Lankford -- met Saturday and were to meet again Sunday in search of a compromise that would also include aid for Taiwan. All three cited progress after the Saturday talks, Politico reported. But at least one senior Republican senator, Lindsey Graham, sounded a more cautious note on Sunday, suggesting that some lawmakers were bridling at the pressure for a quick deal. "The bottom line here is we feel like we're being jammed," Graham told NBC's "Meet the Press." We're not anywhere close to a deal. It'll go into next year." The Biden administration has stressed the urgency of getting new aid, particularly as Ukraine faces another winter under Russian attack. Democrats support a proposed $61 billion package of military, humanitarian and macroeconomic assistance. But Graham and other Republicans insist that Congress must first shore up border security to stem a continuing influx of migrants. He said a compromise was possible, but warned Democrats that "I will not help Ukraine, Taiwan or Israel until we secure a border that's been obliterated." Lawmakers had been due to go into recess Thursday evening. But Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer said Thursday that the chamber would return on Monday, giving negotiators time to reach "a framework agreement." Any deal reached in the Senate would also need to pass the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has begun its holiday recess. Its members can in theory be recalled to Washington to vote if an agreement is reached. A teacher in the United States was arrested for threatening to behead a student for her comments on the Israeli flag. According to a report by ABC News, the student said she was offended by the Israeli flag in his classroom. 51-year-old Benjamin Reese is listed as a seventh-grade social studies teacher on Georgia's Warner Robins Middle School website. (X(formerly Twitter)) 51-year-old Benjamin Reese is listed as a seventh-grade social studies teacher on Georgia's Warner Robins Middle School website. On December 7, another teacher reported him shouting at three students in a hallway. Reese allegedly yelled "you motherf---ing piece of s---! I'll kick your a--! I should cut your motherf---ing head off!" toward students. His inappropriate and threatening words were overheard by several teachers, staff members and students, according to the police officer who responded to the incident. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here ALSO READ| France condemns residential building bombing as worker killed in Israeli attack According to the girl student who was the target of Reese's outburst, the incident happened after she "pointed at the Israeli flag and told Reese that she has a question about it." As per the report, she reportedly questioned him why the Israeli flag was hanging there. To her question, Reese reportedly responded that he was Jewish and has family members that still live there. As per the girl student, she told Reese she found the flag offensive. However, in his defense, Reese rejected the allegations that he spoke to anyone in the hallway. He mentioned that a student came to his classroom telling him that she found the Israeli flag offensive. To which he responded that she was being antisemitic. "He went on to say that he has not said anything racist" stated the report by the officer. Surveillance footage of the hallway had no audio of the incident, revealed the police. However, the footage showed Reese in the hallway and the students involved walking away from him, with one turning back to look at him. Reese was later released on bond. However, he has not visited the school since the day of the incident, according to a statement by the Houston County School District. None of the six people who received jail sentences at end of the Vatican's big corruption trial on Saturday will likely be spending behind bars anytime soon and some perhaps not ever, according to legal and security experts. Cardinal Angelo Becciu (REUTERS) Several, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, and London-based Italian financier Raffaele Mincione, already have announced appeals. Others are expected to join them. All the defendants had denied wrongdoing. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here A new trial would likely not start before the end of next year and take at least another year to conclude. The court is not expected to publish its lengthy report explaining the reasoning for its decisions before April, legal experts said. Normally, those awaiting appeals in Vatican cases, whose incarceration procedures closely mirror Italy's, are allowed to remain free unless they have committed violent crimes or are a flight risk. Becciu is the only Vatican citizen among them. He lives in an apartment inside the tiny city-state, which Pope Francis allowed him to keep after he was abruptly fired in 2020 on accusations of nepotism. Becciu denied them then and during the trial. The pope has already stripped Becciu of his right to enter a conclave that would choose the next pope after Francis's death or resignation. As supreme monarch, Francis could pardon Becciu for the financial crimes and mete out some other, symbolic punishment, such as ordering him to leave the Vatican and to return to his native Sardinia, one expert said. In 2012, the late Pope Benedict pardoned his butler, Paolo Gabriele, who was convicted of leaking sensitive documents and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. DOES THE VATICAN HAVE A PRISON? Gabriele spent about three months in the barracks of the Vatican police, which has about four rooms that are used as cells. They have bars on the windows and re-enforced steel doors. Apart from Gabriele and few other cases, the cells are usually used to hold briefly those caught for petty crimes such as pickpocketing or vandalism on Vatican territory, including St. Peter's Square of the Vatican Museums. They are handed over to Italian police and, if they are foreigners, they are usually expelled. An Italian priest was held in one of the cells while awaiting trial on pornography charges in 2018. Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop and papal ambassador to the Dominican Republic, was held while awaiting trial on criminal charges of paying for sex with minors and possessing child pornography. He died before it began. Some of the Vatican's policies on prisoners are regulated by the 1929 Lateran Pacts between Italy and the Holy See that recognised the Vatican as a sovereign city-state. As part of that pact, those convicted in the Vatican can be sent to Italian prisons to serve their terms, but usually not the other way around. Since the Vatican is a sovereign monarchy, a complicated process of international arrest warrants and extraditions must be followed, even concerning any eventual arrests in Italy. It has not always worked out in the Vatican's favour. In 2021, Cecilia Marogna, one of the defendants who was convicted by the Vatican court on Saturday, was arrested by Italian police in Milan acting on an international warrant from Vatican prosecutors. She was released after about two weeks and never attended any of the trial's 86 sessions. Gianluigi Torzi, a London-based financier who was also convicted on Saturday, entered the Vatican in 2020 to talk to prosecutors. He was arrested and held for about 10 days. Torzi also never attended any of the trial sessions. In 2021 a London court revoked an earlier order that had frozen Torzi's funds in the British capital, saying that Vatican prosecutors had made "appalling" misinterpretations in its initial request. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alison Williams) Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of "problems" with neighbouring Finland after it joined NATO earlier this year, saying Moscow will create a new military district in north-west Russia in response, in an interview published Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin (via REUTERS) Finland, which shares a 1,340 kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia, joined NATO in April this year in the midst of Moscow's Ukraine offensive. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here "They (the West) dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones in the mid-20th century, have long been solved," Putin told a state TV reporter. "There were no problems there, now there will be, because we will create the Leningrad military district and concentrate a certain amount of military units there." ALSO READ| 51% young Americans vote for Hamas rule, propose Israel's dissolution: Harvard-Harris poll The comments come as Finland again shut its border with Russia this week, accusing it of orchestrating a migrant crisis on its border. Moscow has warned of counter-measures to Helsinki's NATO accession. Putin also said Russia had no reason to be at war with NATO countries, after US leader Joe Biden said this month that Moscow "won't stop" in Ukraine if it is successful there. "It is rhetoric to justify false policy on Russia," Putin said. He said Moscow had "no interest -- either in geopolitical, economic or military terms -- to fight with NATO countries." The Kremlin's Ukraine campaign has reawakened fears of Russian aggression in the eastern flank of NATO. The Earth will probably have a chance of not dying in 5 billion years, when the Sun begins its journey to inevitable death and turns into a red giant. This theory is supported by the distant planet 8 Ursae Minoris b, or Galla, which was discovered in 2015 when it should not have existed. ADVERTISIMENT According to New Scientist, if we are not as lucky as the distant planet, there are two other scenarios that will give humanity (if it still exists) hope for the future. However, this future may turn out to be even more terrible than dying in the fire of the Sun. It is known that in about 5 billion years, our Sun will burn up all the hydrogen reserves that support its life and expand by about 200 times, turning into a red giant and swallowing Mercury, Venus, and the Earth. Over the next billion years, the Sun will shrink again and become a stellar corpse called a white dwarf. During the red dwarf phase, the Sun will not only expand, but also become hotter as nuclear reactions in its core leak outward in search of fresh sources of hydrogen fuel closer to the solar surface. This will eventually lead to the temperature of the Earth's surface, even before absorption, becoming high enough to evaporate all the oceans. This will cover the planet with salt flats and dunes. The disappearance of water will also cause plate tectonics to stop, and at some point it will become hot enough to melt rocks. ADVERTISIMENT That is, even if the Sun does not swallow the Earth, it will fry it and make it unfit for life forms. At least, life forms like humans. But there is good news. If the situation on Earth becomes truly critical, we may not need to run for our lives. Scientists assume that the expansion of the Sun will cause the inner part of the system to turn into hell, but the currently cold outer part will become habitable. "When the Sun becomes a red giant, the habitable zone will expand. We know that there is a lot of water on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, so a second generation of habitable planets may appear within our solar system," said University of Chicago astronomer Rafael Luque. Scientists have evidence that gas giants like Jupiter can survive the death of their parent star. Astronomers observed one such planet in 2021 in orbit around a white dwarf near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. A study at the time found that the star and this planet formed around the same time. That is, this world experienced not only the red giant phase, but also the death of the star when it became a white dwarf. ADVERTISIMENT But, as scientists suggest, there is also a possibility that we won't even have to flee the Earth. Shreyas Wissanapragada of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts suggests that the Earth may survive the Sun's transformation into a red giant, due to the fact that the increased solar wind will push the planet out of its existing orbit and "blow it away" to a safe distance. But even without the solar wind, we may have hope, as evidenced by the discovery of a planet known as 8 Ursae Minoris b, or Galla. According to Mark Hong of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, this world was discovered in 2015 and everything pointed to the fact that it should not have existed, as its parent star, Peculiar, had passed the red giant stage and should have absorbed, burned, or vaporized the planet. ADVERTISIMENT However, there is a silver lining. If the Earth ends up in the orbit of a white dwarf, it will still be in danger. In November 2022, Abigail Elms from the University of Warwick in the UK and her colleagues discovered a white dwarf system 90 light-years away, which was littered with the remains of dead planets. It turned out that white dwarfs have extremely strong surface gravity, which creates extreme tidal forces on the nearest surviving planets that can literally tear them apart. The orbiting material then spirals down on the white dwarf. If this fate befalls the Earth, it will mean that it has managed to avoid death by fire, but is now being torn apart. Earlier, OBOZ.UA told about what will happen when the Milky Way crashes into Andromeda and whether humanity will have a chance to survive. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments. Russian president Vladimir Putin promised to make Russia a "sovereign, self-sufficient" power in the face of the West in his first campaign speech. The Russian leader has been in power since 2000 and will stand for president in March with no real opposition expected. This means that Vladimir Putin would be able to prolong his rule until at least 2030. The elections come just over two years since Moscow launched Ukraine offensive prompting huge rounds of Western sanctions on Russia. Vladimir Putin new: Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the exhibition of achievements "Russia" prior to the United Russia party congress in Moscow.(AFP) "We must remember and never forget and tell our children: Russia will be either a sovereign, self-sufficient state, or it will not be there at all," Vladimir Putin said. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here I will make sovereignty one of the key aims of his fifth term in the Kremlin, he said, adding, We will only make decisions ourselves without foreign tips from abroad. Russia cannot -- like some countries -- give away its sovereignty for some sausage and become someone's satellite. Accusing the West of wanting to "sow internal troubles" in Russia, the Russian leader said, But such tactics did not work. The longtime Kremlin leader said "we still have a lot to do for the interests of Russia" and that the country faced "historic tasks." Earlier, Vladimir Putin also clarified that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO countries, describing claims by US president Joe Biden that Moscow poses a threat to members of the defense alliance as complete nonsense. Joe Biden had said that if Putin takes Ukraine, he wont stop there. If he keeps going and then he attacks a NATO ally. Russia has no reason or interest, either geopolitical, economic or military, to fight with NATO countries, Vladimir Putin said, asserting, We have no territorial claims against each other, no desire to spoil relations with them. We are interested to develop relations with them. The United Nations has declared 2024 the International Year Of Camelids. The decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of people across the world. Llamas(AP) According to the official website of the Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO), camelids influence the lives of millions of households in more than 90 countries. As a group Camelids include alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, vicunas which together help in ensuring food security, nutrition and economic growth especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here ALSO READ| US teacher threatens to behead student over her comments on Israeli flag Importance of Camelids Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations. Camelids are a source of milk and meat which helps people fight hunger. They also provide fibre which can be used for clothing and shelter. Camelids are also used by people as a means of transportation. They also provide organic fertiliser which can be used in agriculture. Moreover, Camelids are known to survive in harsh conditions. In the highlands of Andes mountain ranges and in the arid and semi-arid lands in Africa and Asia, camelids play a major role in the livelihood of the inhabitants. Camelids can thus be ambassadors to raise awareness about climate change. Objective of The International Year of Camelids 2024 "The International Year of Camelids 2024 aims to build awareness of the untapped potential of camelids and to call for increased investment in the camelid sector, advocating for greater research, capacity development and the use of innovative practices and technologies," reads a statement on FAO website. As many as 61 migrants, including women and children, drowned after a "tragic" shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said on social media platform X on Saturday. Image used for representational purpose (Photo | AP) The IOM quoted survivors as saying the boat, carrying around 86 people, departed the Libyan city of Zwara, news agency Reuters reported. Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here Libya, which has had little stability or security since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, is a major launching point for people seeking to reach Europe by sea. People-smuggling networks are mainly run by military factions that control coastal areas. In recent months, security forces in Libya have reportedly cracked down on migrants with detentions and deportations. In a similar incident, at least 79 migrants drowned in June and hundreds more were missing and feared dead after their overloaded boat capsized and sank in open seas off Greece, in one of Europe's deadliest shipping disasters in recent years. A media report said the boat left from Libya, and a shipping ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said most of those on board were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan. In February, 96 people died when their wooden boat smashed into rocks on Italy's Calabrian coast during a storm. Greek state broadcaster ERT said the boat was en route to Italy from the Libyan town of Tobruk, which lies south of the Greek island of Crete. Greek authorities did not confirm the vessel's departure port. Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. But since the previous conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis introduced tougher controls at the country's migrant camps, more people have chosen to make a longer, riskier sea journey from Turkey to Italy via Greece. The Greek migration ministry blamed international smuggling networks for putting migrants' lives at risk, while Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called on governments to work together on creating safe pathways for people fleeing poverty and war. A simple test: try to imagine the process of human aging in a linear fashion at different stages of life: from infant to toddler, then from child to teenager, and from adult to elderly. You probably pictured this process schematically: a baby on the left, an adult on the right. ADVERTISIMENT At first glance, this may seem like a "natural" way of organizing things, but not everyone would agree with you. Scientists have explained that people can perceive time differently depending on their native language. The details were reported by Ifl Science. Most languages, including all European languages, use a left-to-right reading and writing pattern. Native speakers of these languages perceive time in a linear fashion, from left to right, while those who speak Arabic or Hebrew perceive time from right to left. Some researchers argue that people who read East Asian characters perceive time as a substance that flows down vertically (although other researchers say that this is a rather arbitrary and not entirely correct gradation). An interesting example comes from the Pormpuraaw language, which is spoken by the Aboriginal community in Australia. It does not have the words "left" or "right" at all, but only designates parts of the world: "north", "south", "east" and "west". Studies have shown that the stories told by pormpuraaw use a flow of time that seems very unusual to us: "time flows from left to right when a person is facing south, from right to left when a person is facing north, "towards the body" when looking east, and "away from the body" when looking west." ADVERTISIMENT Psycholinguists argue that our mental representations of time are indeed influenced by language. These ideas are similar to the events in the 2016 movie Arrival: aliens have landed on Earth, and people are trying to make contact with them. Eventually, people realize that the aliens do not have a linear perception of time, which actually allows them to sense the future. Researchers say that the language themes in the movie are "not far removed from reality." In most languages, the past is explained as something behind, and the future is ahead. However, for the Aymara indigenous people of South America, their language indicates that the past is ahead and the future is behind. In 2017, linguists conducted a study that showed that bilinguals can perceive time differently depending on the language they use. ADVERTISIMENT Prof. Panos Athanasopoulos, a linguist at Lancaster University who authored the study, said: "When you learn a new language, you suddenly tune into a perception that you were not previously aware of. The fact that bilinguals effortlessly and unconsciously shift these different ways of judging time is consistent with a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the ease with which language can penetrate our basic senses, including our emotions, our visual perception, and now it appears, our sense of time. There is also a linguistic theory of relativity, the so-called Sepir-Whorf hypothesis. According to this theory, the language a person speaks can influence their perception of the world and cognitive processes. Earlier, OBOZ.UA told how to learn a new language quickly. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. David & Joyce Milne Public Library Board of Trustees Chair Micah Manary and outgoing Library Director Pat McLeod Williamstown Library Director Retires With Laurels WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. It won't be easy for the next director of the David & Joyce Milne Public Library to write the sequel to Pat MacLeod's tenure. MacLeod, leaving after 25 years, has accomplished much during her tenure, having brought the library online, completed multiple phases of building remodeling, adjusting library services and collections to meet changing needs and compensating library staff with salaries that were woefully out of line with the rest of the town's. "It was like a forgotten stepchild," she said of the library when she came on in 1998. "There were 6-inch shelving units handed down from other libraries and the [Williams] College shelves not wide enough to shelve many of the books properly. They were using the old card system for circulation, where the people's names who had checked out the books were right on the card in the book." It was the turn of the 21st century and the library needed to be brought up to date with automated systems for cataloging books and circulation. Early on, she worked with a town manager who thought the library was too big but MacLeod could always see the need and opportunity to make it bigger. Fortunately, more recent town managers have worked closely with the library board of trustees and MacLeod on many improvements, she said. Current Town Manager Robert Menicocci worked diligently with library trustees and MacLeod to ensure library staff salaries were brought into line with the rest of the town employees' salaries. Board of Trustees Chair Micah Manary believes this final modernization of salaries is among MacLeod's greatest accomplishments. "That is her swan song. It's a huge success," he said. MacLeod agreed, "Getting fair wages was a big deal. Working in a lovely environment doesn't make it better if wages are not fair." Now a beloved community member and leader, MacLeod was not local when she arrived in 1998, though she had been living in Southern Vermont for several years. Growing up with five brothers in New Jersey, she attended schools in Tennessee and Massachusetts before earning a bachelor in fine arts and then a master of library science from Rutgers University. Her career includes covering the Lake Placid Olympics for ABC Sports, a decade working with the Somerset County Library System in New Jersey and then in the State University of New York's Office of Library Services, and time spent as library liaison for Ingram Books. When asked what has changed in the library field during the past 25 years, MacLeod pointed out "increased homelessness and other issues have made libraries official warming and cooling centers. Intellectual freedom fights are increasing. School libraries are getting so much less funding. There's a lot of fundraising to do, too. There's been an exodus of librarians leaving the field. It's an interesting time for libraries." MacLeod has been careful to avoid controversial issues in Williamstown, noting the lawsuits brought by Richard Kreimer , a homeless man, against public and private facilities, including the Morristown, N.J., library when it barred his entrance. A New Jersey court in 1992 found that the library violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments as well as similar legislation at the state level. Remembering how the American Library Association, the town nor her own board had supported Morristown's librarian Barbara Rice, MacLeod has worked to ensure her library has solid, board-approved policies in place to guide library operations. Building renovations, increased programming and focused collection development have made her tenure at the library ever-challenging, ever-changing and ultimately quite successful. "We are well-positioned for opportunities. It's exciting we've made it to this point," said Manary. "We are reimagining the library as a place to meet, not just a bookshelf." There's one more change library users will see, hopefully before MacLeod leaves her office for the last time. A gazebo is being installed in the courtyard, supported financially by the Friends of the Library. This will create an outdoor space for reading. "With the right clothes, a person could enjoy the space in three seasons," she said. MacLeod expressed gratitude for the people she's worked with, too, from staff and trustees and town managers to volunteers. The volunteers are vital to daily operations, she said, mentioned them repeatedly as she described her accomplishments and how they succeeded. Her retirement starts on Jan. 5 and an acting director will be appointed until a new director can be hired, probably in March. Candidates for the post, all of whom are from out of town, will have preliminary interviews in December but the in-person interviews will not take place until January. Manary said he looks forward to good community engagement and multifaceted programming to continue and grow under the future director. As for MacLeod, she'll be reading books by day and her Kindle by night. She wishes there was a pill you could take to completely forget a really good book, so you could read it again and enjoy it for the first time again. She still has some of her books from childhood and enjoys rereading classics, but she'll be reading darker things, too she enjoys nonfiction about disasters, Icelandic fiction and books by Jon Krakauer to name a few. And she looks forward to this new chapter in her own story. She will be enjoying her family, her cat, and her home, as well as doing some traveling. Governor Nominates Members of Probate and Family Court BOSTON Governor Maura T. Healey today nominated Manisha Bhatt, Bernadette Stark and Michelle A. Yee for Probate and Family Court Justices. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor's Council for confirmation. These three attorneys have all shown a profound commitment to helping families and children over the course of their careers," said Governor Healey. Their work has come with the highest praise from colleagues across the state, and they each share an innate ability to navigate difficult cases with respect and consideration. We look forward to hearing from the Governor's Council as they consider these nominations." The Probate and Family Court Department handles court matters that involve families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills. The Probate and Family Court Department's mission is to deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable, and efficient forum to solve family and probate legal matters and to help and protect all individuals, families, and children impartially and respectfully. Earlier this year, Governor Healey recommended Stephanie L. Everett, Esq. as Suffolk Register of Probate and Family Court. About the Nominees: Manisha Hemendra Bhatt has represented indigent clients in probate and family matters for the last 22 years as an attorney for Greater Boston Legal Services. In this role, she worked on divorce, paternity, guardianship and abuse prevention matters, often for limited English-speaking immigrants in communities throughout Massachusetts. Attorney Bhatt has taught and lectured for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) and served on committees for the Trial Court on Probate and Family Court issues. As the daughter of South Asian immigrants, she has been a leader in the South Asian legal community. Attorney Bhatt served as President of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston and continues to serve on its Advisory Board. She was instrumental in creating their award-winning grassroots access to justice initiative, the Know Your Rights" program. The program is a twelve-session, two semester, legal educational seminar for leaders in the South Asian Community intended to give such leaders the knowledge about fundamental legal rights they need to assist members of their communities. Attorney Bhatt has a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. Bernadette Stark has both substantial probate and family court experience and a broad background in civil litigation. Attorney Stark has represented private clients in complex financial matters, first at Goulston & Storrs as a corporate associate and later in private practice as a founding partner of Dinsmore Stark, Attorneys At Law, where she practiced primarily in the areas of domestic relations and immigration law. Attorney Stark also represented indigent clients over many years as part of Western Massachusetts Legal Services (now known as "Community Legal Aid"). She now represents student organizations and students as Director of the Student Legal Services Office at UMass Amherst, where she is also "Of Counsel" to the student governance bodies at the University. She is the recipient of Senior Partners for Justice's 2010 Gideon's Trumpet Award in honor of her extraordinary commitment to access to justice for all, as has earned recognition for her work and experience from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Super Lawyers 40 Under 40" and Boston Magazine. Attorney Stark brings significant lived experience to the role, making her especially well prepared to confront many of the difficult issues facing the probate and family courts. Attorney Stark was born and grew up in a neighborhood in New York City impacted by gang violence and drugs. Her mother immigrated from Puerto Rico and her home was multigenerational. As a result, she was often called upon to translate for her grandmother, who did not speak English, in interactions with government agencies and service providers. Motivated by her early experience, Attorney Stark has devoted much of her career and many pro bono hours to helping families who find themselves lost in a court system they don't understand at a critical moment of personal or family crisis. Attorney Stark has a B.A. from Binghamton University and a J.D. from Cornell Law School. Michelle A. Yee has been a valuable part of the Probate and Family Court system for more than 18 years. She currently is the Senior Program Manager in the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court, where she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Pathways Case Management Initiative in all 14 divisions of the court. Attorney Yee was previously the Judicial Case Manager in the Essex divisions, where she was responsible for the management of the daily court operations. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Judicial Case Manager, Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC") Magistrate, Sessions Clerk, and Judicial Law Clerk in the Essex and Norfolk divisions. She also worked as an associate at a small firm prior to working for the Probate and Family Court. Attorney Yee has a B.S. from the University of Miami and a J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law. She is the daughter of Filipino and Chinese immigrants, and she grew up in Minneapolis, MN. She lives in Peabody with her husband of 22 years and two sons. Funds generated from these stamps have helped restore and improve important wetlands, and the actual stamps have become collectors' items. Duck stamps are one of the most successful wildlife restoration efforts in the history of this nation. MasssWildlife: Junior Duck Stamp Since 1938, the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp or "Duck Stamp" has been required to hunt ducks or geese, although anyone can purchase a duck stamp. Funds generated from these stamps have helped restore and improve important wetlands, and the actual stamps have become collectors' items. Duck stamps are one of the most successful wildlife restoration efforts in the history of this nation. Conservation through art The Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) program, modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp, launched in 1991. Its goal was to grow awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. In 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service printed the first ever Junior Duck Stamp. They used the funds to provide awards, incentives, and scholarships to students, teachers, and schools. This dynamic program teaches wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation. Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, students communicate visually what they have learned by creating an entry for the contest. The pairing of these subjects brings new interest to both science and art and teaches greater awareness of natural resources. The art is judged in four age categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national competition. Entries must be postmarked by February 15 of each year. In Massachusetts the Junior Duck Stamp Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Junior Duck Stamp Curriculum Nationally, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program reaches more than 27,000 students each year, giving them the opportunity to learn scientific principles, connect with the natural world, and artistically express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity and interdependence of wildlife. A redesigned educational curriculum has been developed to spark student interest in habitat conservation and careers in natural resources through science, art, math, and technology. The curriculum guides meet a number of national education standards, including the National Science Education Standards, North American Association for Environmental Education Standards and National Visual Arts Education Standards. Get more information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Support JDS by purchasing a stamp Annual 1753 House Carol Sing WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The 1753 House Committee invites the community to the annual 1753 House Carol Sing at 7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 21. The Carol Sing is a free, ecumenical event for all ages Deborah Burns will lead the a cappella singing beside a roaring blaze in the fireplace. Hot mulled cider, donated by Provisions, and carol books will be provided. There is no heat or electricity in the 1753 House, so dress warmly and bring a light (flashlight or cell phone) to see by. The 1753 House is a historical replica of a regulation settler's home first constructed in 1953 in celebration of Williamstown's Bicentennial by local volunteers. It's located on Field Park by the Milne Public Library at the northern intersection of Routes 2 and 7. Parking is available at the Library. Poland wants to increase trade restrictions on Ukraine. In particular, the new government has already started talking about closing the Polish agricultural market to Ukraine for 20 years after our country joins the EU. Moreover, farmers are demanding a complete ban on sugar imports from Ukraine to Poland. The reason is competition: the Poles believe that Ukrainian supplies allegedly threaten local businesses. ADVERTISIMENT The proposal to fence off the Polish agricultural market from Ukraine was voiced in an interview with RMF24 by Polish Deputy Minister of Agriculture Michal Kolodziejczak. He was elected to the Sejm on the list of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition. "We need to protect our interests, for example, as Germany did when Poland joined the EU. The labor market for Poles was frozen for 8 years back then. Today we have to say that agriculture products from Ukraine, both raw and processed, should not enter Poland, for example, for 20 years after Ukraine joins the EU," Kolodziejczak said. The official has already promised to take appropriate measures after Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially approves him as a deputy minister next week (December 18-24). "There are certain processes that we, the Poles, will not be able to stop on our own. It will be a long-term process, and we have to prepare Poland and the EU for it," Kolodziejczak added. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Association of Polish Sugar Beet Producers called for an immediate embargo on sugar from Ukraine. The organization appealed to the new Minister of Agriculture of Poland Czeslaw Sekerski. "Since the temporary suspension of duties and quotas on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, sugar imports from Ukraine to the EU have increased several dozen times... In recent months, Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have seen a significant drop in sugar prices, which puts Polish industry and agriculture in a less competitive position with partners from Western Europe," the Polish association said. They believe that the European Union should not continue to cancel quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products at all. This is essentially another discriminatory requirement in the context of free trade between Ukraine and the EU. In addition, the position of Polish farmers contradicts Ukraine's agreements with the European Commission. ADVERTISIMENT It should also be borne in mind that Poland will ban imports of Ukrainian agricultural products starting in spring 2023. The European Commission's decision in September of the same year to impose restrictions on the import of Ukrainian products did not affect the position of the Poles and other neighbors of Ukraine. Thus, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary have imposed unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian imports. The World Trade Organization (WTO) will deal with this issue as a complaint has been already filed by the Ukrainian side. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Poland also wants to re-block the largest cargo checkpoint on the border with Ukraine. So far, Yagodyn-Dorohusk remains open, despite the court's decision on the legality of the blockade. The mayor of Dorohusk, who canceled the strike of Polish carriers, may still appeal. However, on December 18, Polish carriers may resume the blockade. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Russian President Vladimir Putin has again complained that he is being "fooled" by everyone. He called himself "naive" in his assessment of the real aspirations of Western countries, saying that he had "seen the light" only recently. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Russian dictator, after the collapse of the U.S.S.R., the West dreamed of "uprooting Russia," dividing it into five parts and "subjugating them to use their resources." Putin revealed his conspiratorial stream of consciousness in an interview with the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin.propaganda program. In particular, Putin, a longtime KGB officer, called himself "quite naive" because he had a misconception about the West and its intentions towards Russia until recently. "A certain naivete was present. You know, I'll tell you absolutely sincerely, looking back. Even though I had worked in the security and foreign intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union for twenty years, even though I was later deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, director of the FSB, secretary of the Security Council, and even prime minister, I still had a naive idea that the whole world, especially the so-called 'civilized' world, understood what had happened to Russia and that it had become a completely different country. That there is no longer any confrontation, and therefore no ground for confrontation," he said. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the dictator accused the West of numerous "intrigues" against "peaceful and gentle" Russia. However, Putin assured people that he personally attributed these "dirty tricks" to the same "inertia." "In particular, the support for separatism and terrorism on the territory of Russia was obvious. I saw it as the FSB director. But I naively believed that it was just the inertia of thinking and action. They got used to fighting the U.S.S.R. and continue to do so. There is a certain middle class in the special services and in the media, a middle class that is used to fighting the Soviet Union. And they have nowhere to go. They act in the usual way, and that's it. I thought it was due to the inertia of the movement," the Russian president said. But then, Putin says, he "saw the light". ADVERTISIMENT "It was a naive idea of the realities. And the reality is that after the collapse of the U.S.S.R., [the West] it believed that we had to be patient for a while. Saying something about tearing up Russia for good. Such a country, which is still quite large by European standards, with the largest territory in the world and a rather large population compared to other European countries, is generally not needed; it is better, as a well-known political figure in the United States, Brzezinski, suggested, to divide it into five parts. And to subordinate these parts separately and use the resources," Putin could not resist the temptation to mention the main "staples" of the Russian Federation: size, oil and gas. At the same time, the Russian dictator believes that Western countries have allegedly encroached on the "independent weight" of these hypothetical fragments of the Russian Federation. And they sought to deprive fragmented Russia of "the opportunity to defend its national interests": this is how Putin's "new language" refers to Russia's ability to wage wars against neighboring states and occupy foreign territories. ADVERTISIMENT "They acted from the assumption that everything would not have an independent weight, an independent voice, and would not be able to defend its national interests in the way a unified Russian state does. Only later did this realization come to me. And the initial approach was quite naive," the president of the aggressor state said. Earlier, the ISW explained what was behind the Kremlin head's statements during the "direct line". According to analysts, by outlining the "goals of the SMO," Putin confirmed his maximalist goals. He seeks to overthrow the legitimate government in Ukraine (calling it "denazification"), deprive Ukraine of the ability to resist Russian troops (the so-called "demilitarization"), and impose a "neutral status" on our country, forcing it to abandon its course to join not only NATO but also the European Union. ADVERTISIMENT 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 trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai over charges of colluding with foreign forces is expected to begin on Monday, in a legal process that has been heavily criticised by the British government and described by his family as a show trial. The founder of now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be tried in one of a number of landmark cases brought since new national security legislation was passed in Hong Kong in 2020. Lai, a 76-year-old British citizen, faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for allegedly publishing seditious material. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Other senior journalists and executives from Apple Daily who were arrested have pleaded guilty, but the circumstances around their prosecution remain unclear. The trial represents a potential new diplomatic flashpoint and will be closely watched by foreign envoys, legal scholars and Hong Kongs business community. It will also be a key test for Hong Kongs judicial independence from the Xi Jinping administration in Beijing. The trial is expected to continue for 80 days until March next year. The British government says Mr Lai has been deliberately targeted, with a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson saying the legal case had become highly politicised. British national Jimmy Lais case is a priority for HMG [His Majestys Government], which has been raised on multiple occasions with the Chinese government, most recently when the foreign secretary spoke to Wang Yi this week, the spokesperson told The Observer. They added: Mr Lais prosecution has been highly politicised he and others are being deliberately targeted to silence criticism under the guise of national security. His son, Sebastien Lai, said he had not seen his father in three years since his arrest and that he missed simple things like family dinners. He criticised the fact that the trial will take place in front of three government-appointed judges, rather than a jury. Theres actually no anxiety involved once you think about it because its a complete show trial. The result is already predetermined, said Sebastien Lai, who lives in the Taiwan capital Taipei. On the eve of the trial, Mr Lai was described as one of the most notorious anti-China elements by the Chinese foreign ministry last week. His son said that as far as he knew, Mr Lai was doing OK. Hes 76 years old and has been in solitary confinement for the last three years, so I cant imagine what that does to a person physically and mentally, Sebastien Lai added. I always go back and forth would I rather my father was with me instead of standing up for the freedom of others? And my conclusion is Im tremendously inspired by him and Im very proud hes my dad. Human rights and press freedom groups have criticised Mr Lais case as an attack on freedom of expression by the authorities in Hong Kong, with media organisations around the world including The Independent backing a campaign for his release earlier this year. This case has been an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression from the very start, said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for China. The Hong Kong authorities must release Jimmy Lai immediately and unconditionally and expunge his criminal convictions. No one should be prosecuted solely for exercising their human rights. Lai is the most high-profile public figure prosecuted under Hong Kongs National Security Law, and the world will be watching. His trial epitomises the rapid decline of rule of law in Hong Kong, she said. The prosecution of Jimmy Lai, she added, shows how Hong Kongs repressive National Security Law is being used to stifle press freedom and crush civil society. He has already been arrested for his newspapers journalism, denied the right to bail and prevented from choosing his own lawyer. Now he faces a sham trial presided over by a judge handpicked by Hong Kongs chief executive, Ms Brooks said. This comes on top of separate politically motivated convictions over unauthorised assemblies and fraud, and after more than a year of delays that have taken the start date of this trial past Lais 76th birthday. The proceedings will provide an insight into the workings of Hong Kongs security law, said Maya Wang, associate director at the Asia division of Human Rights Watch. I think in the end, Jimmy Lai will be imprisoned. The question is for how long, Ms Wang told Al Jazeera. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter 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 Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The last time John Lennons one-time lover May Pang was visited by his ghost, it was while she was watching an episode of Law & Order. But when you talk about stuff like this, people think youre imagining it or are a little crazy, the 73-year-old says. So I dont ever talk about it. For someone so savvy, Pang is astonishingly innocent. Or maybe its the other way round. She grew up loving The Beatles and met Lennon in 1970, when she was 22 (he was 10 years older). A receptionist for Allen Klein, she was a year later working as a personal assistant for both Lennon and his avant-garde artist wife Yoko Ono while they lived at New Yorks Dakota Building. Lennon and Ono were having problems in their marriage; its a matter of record that Ono decided Pang would be a useful distraction. Having encouraged Lennon to make a move on Pang, she ordered Pang to comply. Pang had her doubts, but was too junior (and, once Lennon kissed her, dazzled) to demur. A new documentary on the pairs relationship titled The Lost Weekend: A Love Story explores what happened next. Pang and Lennon lived together in LA and New York. They spent time with Lennons young son, Julian, who he had with his first wife, Cynthia Powell, and whod been kept at arms length by Ono. They also hung out with Paul, George and Ringo and did ordinary boyfriend and girlfriend stuff (if being taught to play guitar by a musical legend counts as ordinary). Over Zoom from her home in New York, Pang has the air of someone determined to age disgracefully: shes wearing purple lipstick, has purple streaks in her grey hair and is given to naughty chuckles. She holds up her hands. I dont have the fingers for it, but Johns teaching me how to play Aint that a shame, she says. He said, This is what my mum taught me, on the banjo. And Im like, Is this good? Cos it doesnt sound good! For both she and Lennon it was a genuinely creative period. He wrote a song about Pang, called Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) on the album Walls and Bridges (which contains Lennons only solo No 1 US single, Whatever Gets You Thru the Night). Pang helped produce the album and also provided backing vocals on the track #9 Dream. While they were in LA, Lennon drank like a fish, was frequently moody and could be violent. But, according to Pang, they had a blast on the whole. Then, in January 1975 just before a planned trip to see Paul and Linda McCartney in New Orleans, and days after making an offer on a Long Island, New York house Lennon returned to the Dakota. And Yoko. He gave interviews in which he described the 18 months hed spent with Pang as a lost weekend. He said of Pang, she always knew the score. Pang was horrified, though didnt (and still doesnt) blame Lennon. I understand why he did it, she tells me. Id worked at the Dakota, remember? He wasnt happy about saying it. He was just appeasing Yoko. I was asking [his spirit], Will things work out with the film? I wanted him to give me a sign One of the biggest revelations in the new documentary is that Lennon and Pang remained close in the five years that followed. They were sexually intimate. But, undeniably, Pangs role had changed. She [Ono] said to him that he needed to live at the Dakota because of his immigration status, she says. That was his weak spot: he wanted to live in America. He said, We dont want the government to say, Youre running all over the place. So I said to him, What happens to us? He goes, Nothing, I can still see you! And I said, That doesnt make sense to me. I didnt accept it, but I had to accept it, if you know what I mean. After Yoko learnt she was pregnant, Lennon went to Pangs flat and told her that it would be a Scorpio baby and that he knew how to handle that. Pang smiles. That was an in-joke, because Im a Scorpio. Then he said, Dont you wish it was yours? I mean, ours? I wish it was! And I just had to mentally walk away from that statement. Heres Yoko pregnant and hes saying he wishes it was me. And Im saying, Well, it isnt! Thats all I said. Tender moments: Lennon and Pang at a party together during their romance (Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment) She resists the idea that Lennon was just stringing her along throughout their relationship. But even when they were officially an item, Lennon never met Pangs mother. Surely that was a red flag? Pang shakes her head and says it was Lennons insecurity that made him hide whenever her mother came round. One night, Pang called up her mother. She adopts a teenagery voice. I said, Im hungry. Mom, can you make fried rice? Pang grins. She made the best fried rice and she says, fine, cos she lived close by. So then my mom comes to the door and she says, Everything OK? Johns still saying hes not ready to meet her, so hes in the other room. Mom just says, Here [the rice] is and walks away. Later, when we were not quote together, me and John were in the apartment, eating Chinese food, and John says, I really wish now that Id met your mom! Pang sighs. I was glad he mentioned it to me. That he thought about it. My mom offered unconditional love, which is something John didnt get from his family. He lost his mom. His dad was not around for years, then all of a sudden was saying in the newspapers, My son doesnt care for me! John was so conflicted about his own personal life. She shrugs. Its what he and Yoko had in common. Happiest place on Earth: Lennon and Pang visit Disneyland in 1974 (Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment) It drives Pang mad when she and Ono are conflated. Lennon has often been described as someone who liked Asian women. When I bring this up, Pang pulls an Im-about-to-barf face. Nor is she impressed by journalists who put the hostility between she and Ono down to in-fighting. They think we didnt get on because she was Japanese and Im Chinese. These people dont do their homework! For Pang, class is more important than race: We come from two different backgrounds. She growls: I dont come from a privileged background. Shes willing to acknowledge that Ono, viewed by some fans and much of the press as the woman who broke up The Beatles, has been the victim of a hideous amount of racism and misogyny. Honestly, though, its not a line of thought Pang is interested in pursuing. In case you cant tell, she thinks Ono wielded immense power and rarely used it well. Pang shudders when I mention the famous Annie Leibovitz photograph of Lennon, taken on the day he was murdered, in 1980. It shows Lennon naked and curled up like a baby, next to a fully-dressed Ono. I hated that photo! exclaims Pang. She was supposed to get naked but at the last minute said no. I just thought he didnt have to show that side of him. He didnt have to look that vulnerable. I thought it was horrible. After Lennons death, Pang moved on with her life (she has two children from her marriage to cult music producer, Tony Visconti, who she divorced in 2000). But whenever she ran into Ono, things were fraught. In 2010, Pang attended an exhibition of Julians photos. Ono and her son with Lennon, Sean, were there, too. I was not allowed to be photographed anywhere near them, she says. The other person who wasnt allowed to be photographed was Pattie Boyd [George Harrisons ex and a former crush of Lennons]. We were just ignored. Though most critics have given The Lost Weekend: A Love Story a thumbs up, practically every reviewer has commented on its bias against Ono. Let me put it this way, says Pang, everybody says its unfair to her but it works both ways. If you go back in the past, shes erased me, like I didnt exist. Pang clutches her pendant necklace and looks flushed. Its not her movie. I put in things that happened to me. And if it isnt flattering to her, what am I supposed to do? John Lennon and Yoko Ono in March 1975, shortly after Lennon publicly renounced his relationship with May Pang (Shutterstock) Ono will be 91 in February. Isnt it time to give peace a chance? Pang shakes her head, wearily. No. Everything that needed to be said has already been said. She feels differently when it comes to Sean. If Sean wanted to have a conversation with me, if he wanted to reach out, I would be here, absolutely. Im not opposed to him. When it comes to the situation between his mother and myself, hes an innocent party. Pangs proud of the fact that her film is an indie project, adding that she stayed away from big studios because of how Warner Bros treated her when she wrote her 1983 memoir, Loving John. They wanted it to be as salacious as that book about The Doors [Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugermans biography, No One Here Gets Out Alive.] They kept adding words. It was really more their book than mine. Even so, she questioned whether The Lost Weekend was a wise investment of her time. Enter Lennons ghost. A few months ago, Pang was watching Law & Order and, at the same time, talking to John in her head. I was asking him, Will things work out with the film? I wanted him to give me a sign. I look up and a character says, You know, its whatever gets you through the night! Pang bounces in her chair. And Im like, OK! Got it! May Pang in 2021: Everything that needed to be said has already been said (Shutterstock) She says she felt Lennons presence from the second he was shot dead outside the Dakota, but, initially, brushed it off. Then my friend calls and she says Johns been trying to reach you! Im like I know! Shes like, Well, try and answer him! Nowadays, Pang loves the little messages from Lennon. Its not necessarily every day that he comes to me. But its like Julian says, he knows his fathers thinking of him when he sees a white feather. We all have our little moments. Peter Jacksons Get Back documentary released to raves in 2021 put fire in the belly of Beatlemania. Last month, the AI-enhanced Now and Then, hyped as The Beatles final song, made history when it became a UK No 1. Pang views it as good closure for Paul and Ringo and seems to have made peace with the fact that closure, for herself, is out of reach. Instead shes embraced a ghost who will never leave her. In her mind, at least, shes still living the dream. The Lost Weekend: A Love Story is available to watch on the Icon Film Channel and, from 18 December, on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter 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 Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Stormzy and Maya Jama spent Saturday night ringside at a UFC fight in Las Vegas, where they looked happier and more loved-up than ever. Jama, 29, and Stormzy, 30, rekindled their romance earlier this year when they got back together following a four-year split. On Saturday (16 December), the couple were photographed holding hands as they arrived together for the UFC 296 mixed martial arts (MMA) event between Paddy The Baddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson at the T-Mobile Arena. The Love Island presenter from Bristol shared snippets from their date night on Instagram, as Jama gave fans a look at their hotel room and asked for their help picking an outfit for fight night. She also shared a video of her and Stormzy getting an in-room IV drip service, popular for treating hangovers. In the end, Jama picked a black PVC top, paired with a vintage leather jacket and trousers from Italian fashion label, The Attico, for the match, as she and Stormzy were photographed holding hands when they arrived at the venue. In one video shared on her Instagram, Jama could be seen giving Stormzy real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr a kiss on the cheek, before licking his face. The Own It rapper then returns Jamas kiss, before they focus their attention back on the UFC match. Maya Jama officially confirmed her relationship with Stormzy relationship was back on track in October (Getty Images) They spent the rest of their night out at the newly-opened Fontainebleau resort and casino. Jama and Stormzy dated for four years before breaking up in 2019. Amid rumours that Jama and Stormzy had rekindled their romance, they were photographed together on holiday in Hydra, Greece, earlier this year. In an interview with British Vogue, the Grammy-winner said the paparazzi pictures were due to a lapse in judgement while explaining he and Jama wanted to keep their relationship private because we were so public the first time round. Jama officially confirmed their relationship was back on track in October much to their fans delight when the Love Island presenter shared a sweet video of Stormzy picking her up from the airport. Jama was returning from Fiji, where she was filming the Love Island spinoff show Love Island Games, which she hosts. Jama and Stormzy first met at the Red Bull Culture Clash festival in 2014 and began dating in January the following year. While neither has commented on the reason for their 2019 split, both Jama and Stormzy have noted how young they were at the start of the relationship. We were so young when we met, just beginning our careers, Jama told The Sunday Times in January. I was starting at MTV. Hed not even released a single at that point. We were just little babies. Last month, they made their first red carpet appearance as a couple since getting back together, when Jama and Stormzy wore matching black outfits as they attended British Vogues Forces For Change event in Londons Mayfair on 25 November. 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 }} In the wake of her husband Garrys murder, Helen Newlove endured a gruelling 10-week trial as the drunken teenage thugs who kicked him to death were finally brought to justice. She declared Britain is broken after the father-of-three, 47, was attacked in front of his daughters as he tried to confront teen vandals in 2007 later earning herself a peerage for her campaigning and the job of victims commissioner, holding the office from 2013 to 2019. Sixteen years after the murder, with the last of her husbands three killers eligible for parole in the New Year, Baroness Newlove is still fighting to level the playing field for victims of crime. In a key speech on Monday, she will tell the House of Lords that the governments long-awaited Victims and Prisoners Bill is too weak and needs more teeth to ensure victims are treated fairly in our justice system. In one of her first major interviews since she was reappointed as interim victims commissioner in October, she has called for: The victims code which spells out how victims of crime can expect to be treated to be enshrined in law, with police answerable to the victims commissioner for breaches of the code Victims of distressing antisocial behaviour to be entitled to support, even if police believe complaints have not met the criminal threshold Tougher rules to protect the privacy of rape and sexual assault victims whose medical history and background is often scrutinised in court, with free legal advice for victims Baroness Newlove has been campaigning for a victims bill since 2015. But she said the draft legislation published earlier this year was a sheer disappointment, as she called for it to be strengthened to deliver real change for victims of crime. Its a disappointment for victims because they have been waiting many, many years, with many promises, she told The Independent, insisting that it needs much more work to ensure victims voices are heard. Its great that its out there but its not ambitious. Its weak, it needs more teeth. Garry Newlove was kicked to death by a gang in 2007 (PA) But she vowed to finish what she started during her year-long return to the post, which had been left vacant after Dame Vera Baird dramatically quit last September, declaring the justice system was in chaos. I left the position but I never left the arena. I still get lots of emails from victims for advice and support, Baroness Newlove said. I always said when Garrys trial ended that he would never be a statistic. Its about the human life thats been lost, never mind just pieces of evidence, its about that human loss of life. My daughters lost their father at a young age. And if I can help other people and change it all, I will. Im not going to go away. Although she has returned to a criminal justice system buckling under record court backlogs, a shortage of judges and a prison system at capacity, she is still focussed on ensuring victims have the confidence to report their crimes. We have got to make people feel that if they go in and report a crime that they feel they are taken seriously and the justice system follows their journey and it brings them along. Calling for guaranteed victim rights not favours she said enforcement of the victims code, which sets out a minimum level of service for victims in the criminal justice system, is too weak under the current draft Bill with no repercussions for those who fail to comply. The Victims Code is guidance. And unless its in law professionals wont see that as anything but guidance. Theres got to be better compliance, accountability and we have got to move away from agencies marking their own homework, she said. Instead, she wants to see the code enshrined in statute on the front of the Bill, with her office to compile an annual compliance report on how agencies perform. The 63-year-old also wants to see those subjected to antisocial behaviour to be granted access to victim support services, even if police believe it hasnt crossed the criminal threshold. Baroness Newlove has written to Rishi Sunak and the Government (PA) She said the impact of persistent antisocial behaviour can be devastating and the behaviour can escalate with terrible consequences as the Baroness knows all too well following the murder of her husband. I attended community meetings and said they wont take it seriously until somebody loses their life. Little did I know that would be Garry, she added. She also called for the Bill to introduce tougher rules to protect rape and sexual assault victims from the torment of third party material including medical and counselling notes from being used in evidence without their permission. You are treating them like the offender. You put kid gloves round the offender. You dont mention the antecedents do you, which is the character and then you have got the professionals dissecting evidence about the victim. I dont see why the victim should have to go through that. Its torment enough. She told The Independent she had been left scarred by the sight of freezers filled with thousands of DNA samples from sexual assault victims who had decided not to pursue their attackers in the courts. If we are going to rip into the background of a victim, people are not going to come forward and we are going to have dangerous people going unpunished. How is that safe for the public? 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 }} Hate preacher Abu Hamza has launched a fresh bid to return to the UK nearly ten years after he was jailed for a slew of terrorist offences. The convicted terrorists wife is calling for him to be released from the maximum security jail where he is being held in the US to come back home to his family where he belongs. Hook-handed Hamza was jailed in 2015 for a variety of terror offences following his extradition from the UK, where he was an imam at Finsbury Park mosque in north London. Najat Chaffe, his second wife, has written to a New York judge asking for his return to the UK from the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado, where he has been kept in solitary confinement for eight years. Abu Hamza is being held in the US The yearning to have him back in our lives has only intensified over time, she wrote last month in a letter, seen by The Sunday Telegraph. To witness his reunion with our precious grandchildren and to enjoy quality time together as a family would be a dream come true. The Egyptian cleric was jailed in the UK in 2006 after being found guilty of inciting violence. In 2012, he was extradited to the US and found guilty of 11 terror offences. It is not the first time Hamza has tried to return to the UK. In 2017 he complained about the inhuman and degrading conditions at ADX Florence, which he argued were a breach of his human rights. Court documents submitted under his real name, Mostafa Kamel Mostafa, stated he was confined within a cell-sized cage during the hour of recreation time he is given each day, The Sunday Times reported. It also said his cell is unsuitable for the double-amputee, who is blind in one eye, adding: The stumps in both arms are subject to regular outbreaks of infection, which have been increasing in severity. The 242-page appeal said when he was fighting extradition while in Belmarsh maximum security prison, Hamza was seen by a doctor or nurse up to five times a week and could mix with other inmates. His lawyers argued his treatment at ADX Florence breached Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Michael Bachrach, one of his appeal lawyers, told the paper: He would go back to Belmarsh in a second if he could. Mr Bachrach, who is a specialist on terrorism cases, added: We strongly believe that the conditions of his confinement violate the expectations of the European Convention on Human Rights and the promises that were made by the US government to the [British and European] courts as part of the extradition process. 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 }} Former home secretary Suella Braverman was duped into accepting a comedy shows D*ck of the Year award while launching a small boat in her constituency. Pranksters invited the Tory MP to officially launch Fareham Fishing - a bogus angling company - as part of a segment for Channel 4s Last Leg programme. Ms Braverman, unaware, accepted the invitation from YouTube pranksters Josh Pieters and Archie Manners. As she cuts a red ribbon with her head turned, the two pranksters unveil a sign saying, The Last Legs D*ck of the Year 2023, Suella Braverman. Ms Braverman, unaware, accepted the invitation from YouTube pranksters Josh Pieters and Archie Manners. (The Last Leg, Channel 4) The duo then personally gives Ms Braverman the prize before walking off the pier. After an awkward few moments, a slightly stunned-looking Ms Braverman can be seen looking toward her staff before saying: Im not sure what that is all about. Each year the Last Leg gives the award to an unwitting public figure, who is chosen by viewers and the shows hosts. Ms Braverman was sacked as home secretary last month after she accused Metropolitan Police chiefs of bias in their handling of the pro- Palestine protests. Relations between the Fareham MP and No 10 had become strained after she claimed that being homeless was a lifestyle choice. Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman attacks Rwanda plan in parliament (PA) She has been critical of the prime minister and his flagship illegal migration policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda after leaving office. Earlier this month she denied trying to oust Mr Sunak from office by spreading poison in the Tory party, as the PM was left reeling from the shock resignation of immigration minister Robert Jenrick , who quit over the Rwanda plan. In a bruising interview on BBC Radio 4, the sacked home secretary defended her outspoken attacks on Mr Sunak and piled further pressure on him by insisting his Rwanda deportation legislation is doomed to fail . Ms Braverman said she was merely being honest and would not shy away from make further controversial comments. If that upsets polite society I am sorry about it, she said. The right-winger who has claimed Mr Sunak is weak was challenged by Today programmer interviewer Nick Robinson, who told her: You are a headline grabber and you do it by spreading poison, even within your own party. Ms Braverman replied: Sometimes honesty is uncomfortable, but Im not going to shy away from telling people how it is and from plain speaking, and if that upsets polite society, then Im sorry about that. 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 }} New foreign secretary Lord Cameron has added to mounting international pressure on Israel as he called for a sustainable ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. In a joint intervention with Germany, the former prime minister signalled a significant shift in the governments tone warning too many civilians have been killed. He also told the Israeli government it would not win its war on Hamas, which killed 1,200 people in a series of terror attacks on 7 October, if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians. The warning comes just a day after Israeli troops killed three Israeli hostages being held by Hamas as they carried a white flag. It also follows the White House which has expressed concern about the failure of Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce devastating civilian casualties. Writing in the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron said: Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable. Both Lord Cameron and his German counterpart foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. There are fears that isolating Israel on the world stage could harden opinions within its leadership and prolong the conflict. We know many in the region and beyond have been calling for an immediate ceasefire, the article said. We recognise what motivates these heartfelt calls. It is an understandable reaction to such intense suffering, and we share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on. That is why we supported the recent humanitarian pauses. Lord Cameron returned to frontline politics last month (PA Wire) The conflict has so far left thousands dead and driven 85 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million from their homes. In a warning to Israel, the two foreign ministers said: Israel has the right to defend itself but, in doing so, it must abide by international humanitarian law. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians. They have a right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. But too many civilians have been killed. The Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives. Mr Netanyahu is facing growing anger inside Israel over his governments stance, especially from the families of hostages. In a nationwide address on Saturday, the Israeli prime minister said the killings broke my heart, broke the entire nation's heart, but he indicated no change in the country's military campaign. We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages, he said. 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 }} Former Tory peer Baroness Mone has admitted she lied and lied again as she conceded she stands to benefit from 60million in profit over a PPE contract at the height of the Covid crisis. She said she was sorry for publicly denying her links to the firm involved, which is being investigated by the National Crime Agency. However, a defiant Baroness Mone added: I don't honestly see there is a case to answer. I can't see what we have done wrong. She claimed she was not trying to pull the wool over anyones eyes and that she and her husband had been made scapegoats on the issue. In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, she claimed her life had been destroyed by allegations about their PPE profits, even though we've only done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved. She said that was not a crime, adding, No one deserves this. Both admitted that a 30 per cent profit had been made on the contract, around 60 million. But she denied she had bought a yacht with the money and insisted the cash was her husbands money. Its not my yacht, Its not my money, she said. That cash is my husbands cash, its just like my dad going home with his wage packet on a Friday night and giving it to my mum. So shes benefiting from that as well, but that cash is not my cash and is not my childrens cash. If one day, God forbid, my husband passes away before me then I am a beneficiary as well as his children and my children. But she insisted if he divorced her she would receive nothing. The astonishing interview came days after Baroness Mone appeared to fight back tears in a film about the case funded by the company at the centre of the scandal. Two leading experts who appeared in the film have since come forward to say they would not have taken part had they been told its focus or funding. David Oliver, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, told the Sunday Times he had been "used. It was called The Interview: Baroness Mone and the PPE Scandal and presented and produced by Mark Williams-Thomas, a former detective and award-winning investigative journalist. Defending the programme he told the paper it was split into "two distinct parts", the first on the governments handling of PPE and the second half on PPE Medpro and Mone. PPE Medpro was awarded government contracts worth more than 200 million to supply personal protective equipment after she recommended it to ministers. In response to her BBC interview, Labours Wes Streeting hit out at those he said had wanted to make a quick buck at someone elses expense during the Covid crisis. Referring to Labours plans for a Covid corruption commissioner if it wins the next election, he said his partys message is We want our money back and on potential wrongdoers he said, Dont worry, we will find them. Other guests on the programme also criticised Baroness Mone. Succession actor Brian Cox said: To take advantage of a situation like that, there is something obscene about that. ITVs Susannah Reid referred to Ms Mones claim she had lied over fears of press intrusion for her family, said: She thinks she is the victim because of the press intrusion [it is] utterly remarkable she does not see how sensitive this is for people. The Conservative peer and Ultimo bra tycoon has been at the centre of controversy over so-called VIP lane contracts. She has repeatedly denied that she had profited from the deal, which she first discussed with government ministers including Michael Gove. But she told the BBC: If one day, if God forbid, my husband passes away before me, then I am a beneficiary, as well as his children and my children, so yes, of course. The Department of Health and Social Care has since issued breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 deal on the supply of gowns. Millions of gowns supplied by the company were never used by health services. Baroness Mone, who was made a peer by Lord David Cameron in 2015, has claimed she is being used as a scapegoat for the governments Covid failings. During the interview, her husband Doug Barrowman also repeated his claim he was asked by a government official if he would pay more money for the NCA investigation to be called off. Asked why he did not take the allegation to the police, he said: I take the advice of my legal team, and the legal team at that point in time suggested that we park that one for now. Scotland's deputy first minister called for absolute clarity from ministers. Shona Robison said: I think there are not just questions for Michelle Mone, but I think there are questions for UK government ministers. What they knew and when. And I think we need to hear from them absolute clarity of everything that was known. All of the interactions, what was said, what was promised, what was known. I think we need to have all of that laid out. She added that people would be astonished at the 60 million profit, describing it as an eye-watering figure. Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said there were no favours or special treatment involved in PPE procurement and said it was categorically not the case that cronyism was involved in the VIP lane. The government's intention in respect of that was to make sure that if legitimate claims came forward, we'd process them quickly, he said. There were no favours or special treatment. Too many civilians have been killed. That is the stark warning from David Cameron to Israel. It came amid a significant shift in the UKs tone on the conflict in Gaza as it called for a lasting sustainable ceasefire in the Middle East. The move is a step beyond the humanitarian pauses Rishi Sunak previously advocated. But it stops short of a demand Israel immediately halt the fighting. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that the aggressor country, Russia, does not intend to fight NATO and does not want to spoil relations with the North Atlantic Alliance. However, Russia's chief war criminal threatened Finland with "problems" immediately after. ADVERTISIMENT The Kremlin leader revealed that Finland would face problems if it joined NATO. Putin told Russian propaganda media about this. The Kremlin's leader said that Russia and NATO have no territorial claims against each other. He also added that the terrorist country of Russia has no desire to "spoil relations" with the West. "Russia has no reason and no interest - neither geopolitical, nor economic, nor political, nor military - to fight with NATO countries," the war criminal said. At the same time, the dictator commented on Finland's accession to NATO and immediately threatened the country with "problems." Putin said that the Russian occupation army now intends to create a so-called "Leningrad military district". "They dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature, were resolved long ago in the middle of the 20th century. We have the kindest, most cordial relations," the Russian dictator said. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that the length of the Finnish-Russian border is about 1,300 kilometers. As a reminder, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo explained why his country closed the border with the aggressor country Russia. The reason for this was hybrid attacks by Russia, which targeted the sovereignty of Finland and the European Union. Earlier, it was reported that the Finnish government had published a decree stating that the country was breaking off bilateral border cooperation with the aggressor country Russia. Moscow announced this step a month before. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Finland became a member of the North Atlantic Alliance on April 4, 2023, and this affected the lives of its citizens. Three months after this historic decision, most Finns say they now feel more secure. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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 }} More than 60 people are feared dead after a ship carrying migrants, including women and children, capsized after leaving Libya, the International Organization of Migrants said on Sunday. Sixty-one migrants including women and children drowned following a tragic shipwreck off Libya. According to the survivors, the boat with around 86 people left the Libyan shores from Zwara, the UN agency said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the worlds most dangerous migration routes, it added. Most of the victims who perished on Saturday were from Nigeria, Gambia and other African nations. Around 25 survivors have been transferred to a Libyan detention centre and are receiving medical support. The northern Africa country serves as the main exit point for migrants looking to cross the Mediterranean in a perilous journey on poorly maintained boats and enter Europe, providing land and sea routes which see thousands of deaths of migrants every year. Italy is the final destination for migrants leaving Libya. More than 2,250 people have lost their lives in the central part of the Mediterranean this year, said an IOM spokesperson for the region. A dramatic number which unfortunately demonstrates that not enough is being done to save lives at sea, spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo said on X. Around 84 per cent of those who perished or drowned along the sea routes remain unidentified, leaving desperate families in search of answers, the agency said earlier this year. In a similar tragedy in June this year, at least 78 people died and another 100 were rescued after their attempt to cross the sea failed and their fishing boat sank off southern Greece. The death toll of migrants this year is close to the highest ever seen on record in 2016 when more than 3,100 migrants died on the route, drowning or suffocating in overcrowded holds. The year is believed to be the deadliest ever year for refugees trying to reach Europe. At least 529 migrants were reported dead and 848 others missing off Libya last year, according to the the IOM. More than 24,680 people were intercepted by the Libyan coastguard as they tried to leave, and brought back. 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 }} A British man has been charged with running a Ponzi scheme which defrauded investors out of almost $100m over fine wines. Stephen Burton, 58, was arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn on Saturday morning before US Magistrate Judge Taryn A Merkl. He is charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company that he operated. Mr Burton was extradited on Friday to the Eastern District of New York from Morocco where he was arrested in 2022 after entering the country using a false Zimbabwean passport. His co-defendant, James Wellesley, 56, remains in extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom. If convicted, both men face up to 20 years in prison. The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February 2019, Mr Birton and Mr Wellesley solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the United States and overseas. The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine. Bordeaux Cellars allegedly had custody of thousands fewer wines than loan documents reflected, including wine from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti in Burgundy and Chateau Lafleur in Bordeaux, court papers obtained by Reuters showed. Prosecutors said Mr Burton and Mr Wellesley both used multiple aliases and used loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors or for personal expenses in the scheme. The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding. With the successful extradition of Burton to the Eastern District of New York, he will now taste justice for the fine wines scheme alleged in the indictment, stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. This prosecution sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud that you can run from law enforcement, but not forever. Mr Peace thanked Moroccan authorities for their assistance with the arrest and extradition of Mr Burton. 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 }} A Georgia teacher has been arrested after allegedly threatening to beat and behead a Muslim student who told him an Israeli flag in his classroom was offensive. Benjamin Reese, 51, a seventh grade teacher at Warner Robins Middle School, was arrested earlier this month on charges of terroristic threats and cruelty to children, according to the Houston County Sheriffs Office. An incident report from the sheriffs office, obtained by NBC, lists 18 juvenile witnesses and multiple teachers and adults who overheard Mr Reeses alleged comments on 7 December. Witnesses reportedly overheard Mr Reese abusing the female student, telling her he would kick her f****** ass, slit her goddamn throat and drag her ass outside and cut her head off. According to NBC, a teacher said they heard Mr Reese yelling about a flag and calling a student antisemitic. The educator also confirmed having also heard the verbal threats. Mr Reese subsequently posted a $7,500 bond and was released from the Houston County Detention Center on Sunday, according to a representative of the facility. He requested a public defender, but no attorney had filed to represent him as of Friday, according to the district attorneys office in Houston County, NBC reported. According to the incident report, the student who was the focus of Mr Reeses alleged tirade said that she and two friends were walking past his classroom when she noticed the Israeli flag. The three students went into the classroom to ask about the flag because she found it offensive, the incident report said. Warner Robins Middle School, in Georgia (Google Maps) Mr Reese reportedly told the student he had the flag because he was Jewish and has family members that still live there. The student then told Mr Reese she found the flag offensive because Israelis are killing Palestinians. The teacher then began asking if she denied the right of Israel to exist and called the student antisemitic, the incident report said, per NBC. The students then left the classroom and were followed by Mr Reese who shouted vulgarities at them in the hallway, according to the incident report. When confronted by the schools principal as he was preparing to leave his classroom, Mr Reese reportedly said he called the student antisemitic. He went on to say that he has not said anything racist, the incident report stated. When the officer began questioning Reese, he stopped talking about his alleged comments, the report said. The alleged incident comes more than two months from the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. Since then, there have been many alleged anti-Arab and alleged antisemitic attacks reported throughout the US. Following news of Mr Reeses arrest, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) said: "We welcome the swift action against Benjamin Reese including the charges and arrest in connection with the horrific threats he allegedly made to a child. The Houston County School District said that Mr Reese has not returned to the middle school since the incident. In a statement shared with NBC it said district teachers are required to follow a code of ethics, and if there is an accusation the code was broken, the district investigates and responds appropriately. Safety and the well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority, the statement said. 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 }} The Quaker Oats Company has recalled over 40 granola products across the US following concern over potentially deadly salmonella contamination. The company, which is owned by PepsiCo, made the announcement on Friday, advising consumers to check their pantries for affected products. A full list of the recalled items was published online. Among the affected products were several varieties of Quakers Chewy bars. A total of 36 granola bar types were affected and eight types of granola cereal. The Quaker Oats Company announced the recall of specific granola bars and granola cereals because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, a statement on the company website read. The products impacted are sold in outlets throughout the United States. Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. The company is owned by PepsiCo (Getty Images) According to CBS, Quaker Oats said it hasnt received any confirmed reports of people getting sick after eating the recalled products. The company said it has informed the Food and Drug Administration of the recall. The CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the US every year. Symptoms of Salmonella illness can include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The illness can occasionally be so severe that people need to be hospitalised. Close Donald Trump calls civil fraud trial terrible witch hunt ahead of closing arguments Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over Donald Trumps civil fraud trial in New York, reportedly suffered a bomb threat at his home on Thursday morning. That followed the defendants latest attack on the justice on Truth Social for not allowing him to deliver his own closing argument at todays hearing. Mr Trump alleged that Judge Engoron and state attorney general Letitia James are working together to screw him, accusing them of election interference for scheduling Thursdays session so close to the Iowa caucuses on Monday and labelling the trial rigged and unfair. The Republican front-runner appeared on a Fox News town hall broadcast from Des Moines last night rather than join GOP rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis for a CNN debate and tried to backtrack on his earlier declaration that he would be a dictator for the first day of his next term, should he win Novembers presidential election. Were going to do two things the border, were going to make it so tight you cant get in unless you come in legally, he said. And the other is energy. Were going to drill, baby drill. After that, Im not going to be a dictator. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rudy Giuliani used to be a familiar presence inside Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. He appeared in drag as an Italian grandmother, boxed with Will Ferrell (as Janet Reno), and beat up Joe Pesci with a stickball bat when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1997. He made several other cameo appearances on the sketch comedy series over the years, including a solemn moment on 29 September 2001, when he stood alongside first responders on the mainstage for SNLs first episode after 9-11. Appearances from the former New York City mayor in the years that followed were limited to impressions among cast members, ridiculing his descent into election conspiracy theories and loyalty to Donald Trump. After he was ordered to pay more than $148m to a pair of election workers he defamed in the volatile aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, SNL reduced him to the Mayor of 9-11, because thats all thats left in his bank account. In a segment on Weekend Update, co-anchor Colin Jost ripped into Mr Trumps former lawyer. After being found liable for defamation against two Georgia election workers, Rudy Giuliani was ordered yesterday to pay the hilarious sum of $148m, Jost said. You might as well just make it a billion, cause theres no way he can pay it. At this point they only call Giuliani the Mayor of 9-11 because thats all thats left in his bank account, he said. Jost spoke next to a photograph of Mr Giulianis infamous image of his hair dye leaking down his face during a 2020 press conference amplifying bogus statements about voter fraud. Amazingly, seen here in better times, Jost said. During the trial, US District Judge Beryl Howell asked Mr Giuliani directly about inflammatory statements he made about the plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss outside the courthouse. He told her it was an accident. Theres a lot of accidents going on, Judge Howell said. On Weekend Update on Saturday, Jost said Mr Giuliani replied: Oh, you could smell that? Judge Howell had already found Mr Giuliani liable for defamation claims in a pretrial judgment earlier this year, stemming from a years-long lawsuit from the mother-daughter pair of election workers who continue to endure racist abuse and threatening messages after Mr Giuliani lied about their work at a ballot-counting centre in Georgia. Following a four-day trial in a federal courtroom in Washington DC on Friday, an eight-member jury found Mr Giuliani owes them $16.2m and $16.99m respectively in compensatory damages, an additional $20m each for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a further $75m in punitive damages. The stunning verdict adds to Mr Giulianis mountain of other legal battles, including a criminal case in Atlanta that also involves the same lies. He is charged alongside the former president and more than a dozen other defendants who allegedly joined a criminal enterprise to unlawfully overturn the states election results. I dont regret a damn thing, Mr Giuliani told reporters outside the courthouse on Friday. The absurdity of the number underscores the absurdity of the entire proceedings, he said. I am quite confident when this case gets before a fair tribunal, itll be reversed so quickly, itll make your head spin. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley has had notable momentum as she fights to become her partys 2024 nominee, but her chances of surpassing Donald Trump still seem slim to none. The recent influx of donors and endorsements could be a game-changer. Polls show the South Carolina Republican now neck-and-neck with Florida Gov Ron DeSantis but both are significantly lagging behind Mr Trump. Her rise in the polls so far has run parallel to her debate performances; every time she takes the stage, her ratings seem to soar. During the December debate, she quickly became the target of attacks from the other three candidates. I love all the attention, fellas, she retorted. Shes undoubtedly garnering attention on and off the debate stage, as shes seen a rush of support from notable donors and endorsements in recent weeks. Ms Haley seems well-equipped for the fast-approaching Iowa caucuses, but will she be able to pull ahead of her GOP competitors, including Mr Trump? Endorsements Ms Haley has racked up a number of high-profile endorsements. This week, New Hampshire Gov Chris Sununu endorsed Ms Haley. He leads the nations first primary state. She also scored the coveted Koch network-backed super PAC Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action on 28 November. In a memo, AFP Action wrote that Haley offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November. The backing is particularly significant, as this is the first time the organisation has engaged in a presidential election, according to the super PAC. High profile endorsements demonstrate momentum in the press, Rob Godfrey, Gov Haleys former deputy chief of staff, told The Independent. However, they dont seem to sway voters. A December Des Moines Registerpoll showed that 71 per cent of likely GOP caucus-goers said the AFP Action endorsement doesnt matter. Similarly, more than half of those polled also said endorsements for Mr DeSantis Family Leader president Bob Vander Plaats and Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds dont matter. Donations, on the other hand, could create pathways to influence voters, strategists say. Donor boost In addition to key endorsements, Ms Haley has seen a flood of donations. Shes still got a long way to go in the polls, conservative strategist Chip Felkel told The Independent, but, money is the mothers milk of politics. Reid Hoffman, a Democrat and LinkedIn co-founder, gave the Haley super PAC a whopping $250,000 earlier this month. The donation came after Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, encouraged Democrat donors to put cash into Haleys campaign coffers as the alternative to Mr Trump. The AFP Actions endorsement means that the organisation would give Ms Haley access to its expansive grassroots resources, the memo stated; these funds would go toward mail and TV campaigns to advance its on-the-ground efforts. Mr Godfrey said if he had the choice between new endorsements or new donors, he would choose new donors every time. The influx of cash allows the candidate to fund the infrastructure and paid media efforts it takes to win a campaign, he added. That infrastructure, Mr Godfrey said, includes direct mail efforts and knocking on doors to reach voters in every corner in every early primary state. Debate performance Consistently, Ms Haleys poll numbers have risen following each debate. The debates have always been a strength for Ms Haley, dating back to when she was running for governor, Mr Godfrey said. At the latest debate, the former UN ambassador quickly became a target for the other three on stage, putting her in a more defensive stance than usual. But no matter how well a candidate performed, each debate is suspect, seeing as Mr Trump isnt participating. Any debate without all of the candidates is an incomplete discussion, Mr Godfrey said. Mr Trump has robbed candidates of a chance to present serious and concrete contrast in style and policies to the frontrunner, he added. By drawing contrast, Mr Godfrey continued, each candidate can give voters a reason to peel off of the frontrunner. Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, told The Independent that blasting Mr Trump could backfire for Ms Haley because, he added, she will still have to face him as the nominee. Despite his absence, the 2024 candidates on the debate stage except for Chris Christie refused to take a swing at Mr Trump. During the debate, Mr Christie even mocked that the other three were dodging any talk of he who shall not be named. Mr Seawright similarly described this decision as Ms Haley running away from Trump while embracing Trumpism. He accused her of having cuddled and played footsie with extremists every step of the way while appealing to moderates. The former New Jersey governor later went so far as to accuse his opponents of positioning themselves for 2028. When asked why Ms Haley might not be attacking the absent Mr Trump, Mr Felkel opined that she might be trying not to burn bridges in case she plans to run again in the future. When asked if he thought Ms Haley was trying to make a play for 2028, Mr Godfrey immediately waved off the idea. Knowing her, he said, she got into this race because she thinks she can win it. Momentum Her star may be rising as she vies for second place, but, Mr Seawright said, second place doesnt matter in a Republican primary. Mr Felkel took a different view, agreeing with Mr Christie. He said that she has to take advantage of the momentum she has generated to reshape her strategy: to become the Trump alternative. To do that, he argued. She needs to take the same tack that Christies taking. Mr Felkel advised that she should present [Trump] as unacceptable and get people to see him as the threat that he is. He called her reluctance to slam Mr Trump a misconceived strategy in thinking that his base will be swayed. Instead, he said she should be focused on convincing disaffected Republicans, Independents, and Democrats to cast their vote for her. Mr Felkel remarked again on her momentum. This would be the moment to become more forceful in taking on the frontrunner, he said: She was walking, now shes jogging, and shes got to start running. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ron DeSantis has said that Donald Trump will insist that he has been cheated if he loses any of the upcoming Republican primary elections. The Florida Governor said his rival for the Republican presidential candidacy nomination would seek to delegitimise any results that were not in his favour. It comes ahead of the Iowa caucuses, the first-in-the-nation Republican contest, next month. According to polling by FiveThirtyEight, Mr Trump currently leads in Iowa with 47.7 per cent. Mr DeSantis sits in second place on 19.1 per cent, followed by Nikki Haley on 15.9 per cent. Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, Mr DeSantis said: "If Trump loses, he will say its stolen no matter what, absolutely. "He will try to delegitimise the results. He did that against Ted Cruz in 2016." Ron DeSantis during a meet and greet event in Iowa on 7 Dec 2023 (Charlie Neibergall/AP) In the 2016 Iowa caucuses, Mr Cruz beat Mr Trump by a small margin of 28 per cent to 24 per cent. The former president claimed that the Texas senator had illegally stolen the victory. He continues to dispute his loss to president Joe Biden in 2020. Mr DeSantis continued: "I dont think theres been a single time hes ever been in competition for something, where he didnt get it, where he has accepted [it]. He also referenced Mr Trumps complaints after his NBC business show The Apprentice failed to win an Emmy Award. But Mr DeSantis added he was confident that Mr Trumps potential complaints about the election outcomes would be rejected by the GOP electorate. "I think that thats to be expected, but I dont think people are going to buy it," he said. The former president is also ahead by a large margin in national polls, leading the field with 62.4 per cent of support, per FiveThirtyEight. Mr DeSantis also in second place nationally, on 12.3 per cent, though is closely followed by Ms Haley, on 10.9 per cent. 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 }} A major fire broke out at a hotel in Galway after protesters blocked the entrance over plans to house asylum seekers at the site. The Gardia has launched a criminal damage investigation after the blaze at the Ross Lake House hotel in County Galway at around 11.35pm on Saturday. Fire crews attended and the blaze was brought under control. No one was inside the building when the fire started and there were no injuries. The hotel in Rosscahill, which has been out of use for several years, was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week, RTE, Irelands national broadcaster, reported. The accommodation was due to be used under a one-year contract to house international protection applicants from Thursday. It led to protests on Saturday, before the fire, when people formed a blockade at the entrance of the hotel to show their opposition to the governments plans. Following the fire, a cordon was put up at the scene as investigation were carried out to establish the exact cause of the fire. The hotel in Rosscahill, which has been out of use for several years, was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week (RTE) Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach, said: I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in County Galway last night. Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection. This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries. I want to assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time. All asylum-seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly. We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered. Some 11,850 people have applied for asylum in Ireland this year, according to the most recently available government figures. This is down slightly from the record 13,651 logged in 2022 and in addition to the more than 70,000 Ukrainian refugees who have fled the Russian invasion of their country. Ireland, a small island with a population of just over 5 million, is not used to dealing with such numbers and services have been put under pressure due to the large influx of people. Earlier this month the government said it had run out of accommodation to place asylum seekers amid a severe housing crisis in the country. The International Protection Accommodation Service, a government agency, was forced to offer tents, sleeping bags and extra money to new arrivals who faced sleeping on the streets 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 }} A former adviser to the Pope who was once tipped for the Catholic Churchs top position himself has been jailed after being convicted of financial crimes. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, was found guilty of fraud and embezzlement. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison. Fabio Viglione, the Italian prelates lawyer, insisted that his client was innocent and that an appeal would launched. Cardinal Angelo Becciu attends a consistory inside St. Peters Basilica, at the Vatican, on 27 Aug, 2022 (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Becciu, who lives in the Vatican, was expected to remain free for the time being. In all, 10 defendants were accused of crimes including fraud, abuse of office and money laundering as part of the scandal. All denied wrongdoing. It took court president Giuseppe Pignatone 25 minutes to read all the verdicts and sentences. Becciu, like most of the other defendants, was convicted on some counts and acquitted of others. Only one, Beccius former secretary, father Mauro Carlino, was acquitted of all charges. The trial, which exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest echelons of the Vatican, lasted for 86 sessions over two-and-a-half years. It revolved mostly around the purchase of a building in London by the secretariat of state, the Vaticans key administrative and diplomatic department. Becciu, then an archbishop, held the number two position there in 2013 when it began investing in a fund managed by Italian financier Raffaele Mincione, securing about 45 per cent of the building at 60 Sloane Avenue, in an upmarket district of the city. Mincione was found guilty of embezzlement and money laundering and given the same sentence as Becciu. The court said Becciu had been irresponsible and "highly speculative" to invest more than $200 million with Minciones fund between 2013-2014, noting this was about a third of the holdings of the Secretariat of State at the time. In 2018, with Becciu in another Vatican job, the secretariat of state felt it was being deceived by Mincione and turned to another financier, Gianluigi Torzi, for help in squeezing Mincione out and buying the rest of the building. Torzi also fleeced the Vatican, according to prosecutors. He was found guilty of fraud and extortion and sentenced to six years. The Vatican sold the building last year, taking an estimated loss of about 140 million euros ($150 million). Becciu, who was fired by Pope Francis from his next job in 2020, but remains a cardinal, was also found guilty of embezzlement for funnelling money and contracts to companies or charities controlled by his brothers on their native island of Sardinia. Another accusation involved his hiring of Cecilia Marogna, a self-styled security analyst, also from Sardinia, as part of a secret project to help win freedom for a nun who had been kidnapped in Mali. Marogna, 46, received 575,000 euros from the Secretariat of State in 2018-2019. The money was sent to a company she had set up in Slovenia and she received some in cash, prosecutors told the court. Italian police said Marogna had spent much of the money on luxury clothing and health spas. Both she and Becciu were found guilty of aggravated fraud related to the transfer of money and Marogna was ordered to return the money to the Vatican. Enrico Crasso, a banker who managed funds for the Secretariat of State, was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to seven years. Fabrizio Tirabassi, who worked in the Secretariat, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years. The court ordered Becciu, Mincione, Tirabassi and Crasso to repay a total of more than 100 million euros to the Vatican. Nicola Squillace, a lawyer who worked with both Crasso and Tirabassi, was given a suspended sentence of a year and 10 months. Rene Bruelhart, a Swiss lawyer and former president of the Vaticans Financial Intelligence Unit, and its director, Italian Tommaso Di Ruzza, were convicted of administrative omission and ordered to pay small fines. The aggressor country of Russia has once again claimed that Ukraine has allegedly attempted to attack its territory with aircraft-type drones. They claim that on the night of December 17, they shot down all such targets, which numbered as many as three dozen. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Russians announced a possible hit near the airfield in the Rostov region, where frontline bombers are based. They posted a video of the explosion online. Residents of the Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd regions of the Russian Federation reported a loud night this Sunday. In the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry assured that "33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles" were "destroyed and intercepted" over the above regions. The aggressor country's defense ministry assured that it was an attempt by "the Kyiv regime to launch a terrorist attack with the help of UAVs" on their territory. However, he did not go into the details of the attack, as well as did not name the type of drones or show photos of the "downed" vehicles. They did not say anything about the likely consequences or victims. ADVERTISIMENT However, Russians who witnessed the "repulsion" of the attack could not hide their panic. Judging by comments in local channels, the unknown drones reached one of the Russian military airfields in the city of Morozovsk, Rostov region. Residents reported a loud explosion and a bright flash in the area. According to open sources, the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment (military unit 75392) is based at the airfield, and Russian frontline bombers Su-24, Su-24M, and Su-34 are stationed there. Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev confirmed that on the morning of December 17, Russian air defense forces "destroyed most" (but obviously not all) of the drones flying over the region, particularly in the area of Morozovsk and Kamensk-Shakhtynsky. ADVERTISIMENT "There were no casualties," he emphasized. As OBOZ.UA reported, on December 16, it was noisy in the Russian city of Taganrog, where residents noticed a column of black smoke after the explosions. Helicopters were immediately sent into the sky, but the authorities did not comment on the emergency in the city, which Russia uses to redeploy military equipment to the front in Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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 }} Vladimir Putin has decided he will run as an independent candidate in next years heavily stage-managed presidential election, a faux-democratic process that will see him maintain his grip as Russias leader. Mr Putin has been at the centre of power in the Kremlin either as president or prime minister for more than two decades, and throughout that time has stood for his ruling United Russia (UR) party. The 71-year-old politician has twice had the constitution amended so he could theoretically stay in power until hes in his mid-80s. Mr Putins decision to run as an independent is likely to be an effort to present himself as a unifying force at a time when his full-scale invasion of Ukraine has isolated Russia from the world and put unprecedented strain on the countrys economy. I will not hide the fact that at different times I had different thoughts. Now you are right this is a time [when] the decision needs to be made. I will run for the post of president of the Russian Federation, Mr Putin said last week. Sergei Mironov, a senior Putin ally and leader of the A Just Russia party which supports him, confirmed Putin would run as an independent candidate and that signatures would need to be gathered for this. More than 700 politicians and figures from across the sporting and cultural community met on Saturday where they endorsed Mr Putins candidacy, Russian news agencies reported. United Russia will continue to back the president, said Andrei Turchak, a senior party official. More than 3.5 million party members and supporters will actively take part in the election campaign, he said. Russias decision to stage an election comes in contrast to Volodymyr Zelensky, who has delayed Ukraines vote saying it is not the right time to hold a democratic process while the country is at war. The result of Marchs election is seen as a formality, with Putin having total control of the countrys state and media and having criminalised mainstream public dissent. His most high profile critic and opponent, Alexei Navalny, is currently missing after a prison transfer, and has been banned from participating in polls. Igor Girkin, an ultranationalist who led Russian separatist militias in eastern Ukraine prior to the full-scale invasion last year, and who had announced his intention to run for the presidency prior to his arrest this year, also had his detention extended by six months as he awaits trial on extremism charges. The Putin critic is unlikely to be listed on the ballot. In a daring move, allies of Mr Navalny in the Anti-Corruption Foundation on Thursday placed anti-Putin billboards disguised as New Years greetings that said Russia and Happy New Year in several major cities. But a large QR code on the signs led to a website titled Russia without Putin. Putin is already the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin. He first became acting president on New Years Eve in 1999 when Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned. He was elected to his first term in March 2000, and while he had a brief stint as prime minister from 2008 to 2012, he maintained his grip on the country while his close aide Dmitry Medvedev held the presidency. 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 }} Russia and Ukraine launched over a dozen drones at each others territory for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed after drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it claimed was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town farther west, but did not mention the air base. Golubev said most the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He did not comment on damage. Also Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they arent deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Russias Defense Ministry on Friday evening said its anti-aircraft units destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraines air force on Saturday said it had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched by Russia against 11 Ukrainian regions the previous night. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June. Ukraines foreign minister, meanwhile, welcomed what he called a sea change in Germany's approach toward Kyivs EU membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he proposed that Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something the Hungarian leader agreed to do. What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians, Kuleba told Bild. He also voiced hope that Scholz actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then, Kuleba said. - Associated Press writer Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report. Close Kyiv suffers largest ever drone attack by Russia leaving five wounded 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 }} A Russian strike on a hotel in Kharkiv has injured 13 people as it has been claimed Vladimir Putins exhausted troops have been hitting their own towns. Two Russian missiles struck a hotel late on Wednesday in the centre of Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synehubov wrote on Telegram. Kharkivs prosecutors office said that among the 13 wounded is a 35-year-old man who was seriously injured and two Turkish journalists covering the war. Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has claimed Russian forces have been accidentally bombing territories in their own country, or in occupied Ukraine. In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said the likelihood of these accidents had increased due to inadequate training and crew fatigue. It comes as Ukrainian shelling injured three people in the Russian region of Belgorod late on Monday and air defences downed 10 RM-70 Vampir rockets, Russian officials and the defence ministry said. Belgorod has come under repeated attack from Ukrainian forces in recent weeks. A missile and drone attack late last month killed 25 civilians, including five children. 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 }} A Ukrainian lorry driver has died at the border with Poland, the third such incident in a month since Polish truckers started blocking entry to their country in protests triggered by the Russian war against Ukraine. The driver fell ill at the Krakivets-Korczowa crossing, one of the four border points between Ukraine and Poland, and died while being rushed to the hospital, said Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster, on Saturday. Pickup trucks and lorries bound for Ukraine have been stuck in a miles-long queue at the border with Poland for weeks. The Polish protesters have said their livelihoods are at stake after the European Union relaxed some transport rules and say Ukrainian truckers are undercutting their business. At least two truckers died in the last month amid the blockade, which is also hampering the delivery of components needed to build drones for the Ukrainian military. 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 blockade at all four border crossing points began on 6 November, creating lines that stretch for more than 30km (19 miles) and last up to three weeks in freezing temperatures. They have gathered to demand that the European Union reinstate a system requiring Ukrainian companies to secure permits to operate in the EU bloc and also for the European truckers to enter Ukraine. Officials in Kyiv have said the volume of their wartime traffic makes a truck permit system impracticable. The protesters insist that they are not stopping military transports or humanitarian aid into Ukraine. One of the crossing points Jahodyn Dorohusk was reopened to allow the movement of traffic this week but the respite could be short-lived as a court ruled that a Polish mayor could not ban truckers from holding a protest in his commune. The protests on the border crossing will likely resume from Monday. Slovak truckers staged similar protests at border points this week, but ended their action on Friday. Despite Poland and other bordering countries being some of Ukraines biggest supporters in the war with Russia, 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 also underscores the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU, if the move is approved. 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 }} Houses, medical facilities, schools, shops, water, electricity and fuel. Basic building blocks of everyday life that have been obliterated in many areas of the Gaza Strip as the Israeli bombardment following Hamas deadly 7 October attacks stretches into its third month. With US president Joe Biden this week pointedly calling out the Israel militarys indiscriminate bombing, many Palestinians feel that whatever happens next may be too little too late. Experts and aid agencies say Gaza has become unliveable' following months of assaults (AP) The damage is done, says Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu, former legal adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). Gaza is now beyond repair. The physical damage cannot be fixed. Ms Buttu, who worked with the PLO and Israeli governments during the final Israeli-Palestinian peace talks between 2000 and 2004, believes the conflict has reached a point of no return. Lets assume the bombing stops tomorrow, she said. Most homes are uninhabitable where do you send all these people? How do you provide for them? Where are the shops, the schools, the universities, the hospitals? It will take years to even get to a place resembling a life, where do people go in the meantime? More than 50 per cent of housing units are said to have been destroyed (AFP via Getty) The United Nations said on Tuesday it had used its satellite analysis agency UNOSAT to determine that 18 per cent of Gazas infrastructure had been destroyed since the October attacks. This includes at least 60 per cent of all housing units according to the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and 50 per cent of all infrastructure in the north of the strip. This infrastructure includes homes, hospitals, schools, universities and mosques. More than 77 per cent of Gazan hospitals are now non-operational according to the World Health Organisation and nine out of 10 Palestinians do not eat every day according to the World Food Programme. More than 85 per cent of the population, some 1.9 million people, are believed to have been displaced. And the breakdown of civilian infrastructure is bringing with it an impending breakdown of Palestinian society, it has been warned. The World Food Programme reports nine out of 10 Palestinians do not eat every day (Reuters) We are witnessing the beginning of the breakdown of civil order, an UNRWA spokesperson told The Independent. People are extremely anxious, extremely hungry, extremely scared. People have been going into one of our main food distribution shelters in Khan Yunis and fending for themselves. That speaks volumes about their level of anxiety but also that it isnt possible anymore to conduct a proper, organised humanitarian operation. People are too scared, upset, angry and distressed everyone is in survival mode. Men holding raised weapons are led out by Israeli soldiers near Kamal Adwan hospital in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip (via Reuters) The Israeli Defence Forces have been adamant its military objectives are to eradicate Hamas, arguing the group uses Palestinian civilians as human shields in hospitals, homes and schools and that it is essential to ensure the national security of Israel. Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Thursday: The idea that Israel is somehow indiscriminately carpet bombing Gaza, this is simply just not true. A spokesperson for Israeli human rights organisation BTselem said: Everything weve seen in the last two months, we havent seen before. The scale and intensity of everything in Gaza and the West Bank as well as the intensity of Hamas crimes on October 7. Some of our Jewish and Israeli staff lost loved ones. A lot of people across the region are handling trauma and mourning right now. All of this is worse than weve ever seen, theres no question about it. But we cant go back to where we were before, which was an apartheid state. Palestinians walk past a burnt motorcycle following a three-day incursion by the Israeli army on the Jenin camp in the occupied West Bank (AFP via Getty) Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and various UN officials have concluded Israel as committing apartheid in their investigations, a claim that Israel vehemently denies and has called antisemitic. But the question of what Palestinians will come back to remains. Juliette Touma, a Director at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency told The Independent that Gaza is becoming unliveable. She said: This is the most challenging moment in the history of the UN for a number of medical reasons, but for UNRWA its the most challenging moment in the 75-year history of the agency. People in Gaza have reached their darkest hour. Its not even comparable to any of the conflicts that Gaza has had. This is no place for children, no place for human beings. They are living in a hellhole. 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 }} Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel remains as committed as ever to the war with Hamas, as he addressed the nation on Saturday after it emerged that Israeli hostages were mistakenly shot dead by their own military in the Gaza Strip. The hostages were killed in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops have been engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas in recent days. One of the hostages was waving a makeshift white flag and another called for help in Hebrew when they were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Gaza who mistook them for militants, a military official said. The killings broke my heart, broke the entire nations heart, Mr Netanyahu said, while adding that the incident will not change Israels military campaign which has claimed thousands of lives. We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages, the Israeli prime minister said. Mr Netanyahu called the mistaken deaths an unbearable tragedy and vowed to continue with a supreme effort to return all the hostages home safely. Mr Netanyahu repeated his view on Saturday that Israel must take control of security matters in a demilitarised Gaza, and that the existence of a Palestinian state would pose a threat to Israel. "I am proud to have prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state," he said. The Israeli prime minister and military leaders have vowed to continue the war with Hamas until complete victory, which Mr Netanyahu said will take time. He added that Hamas was seeking a withdrawl of Israeli troops from Gaza and an end to the fighting. The minute we capitulate to that, Hamas wins. And we are obligated to eliminate [Hamas] and to get all the hostages back, he said in a joint presser at the defence ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, reported The Times of Israel. Police in California carried out an air rescue after a car plunged off a cliff in Sonoma County on Friday afternoon (15 December). Emergency services said that a passer-by waved down police on Highway 1 near Jenner, where a vehicle was found lying upside-down in a ravine. A Sonoma County Sheriffs Office helicopter was launched in response, with crews using a 100ft line in order to reach the car and hoist the driver up, who was taken to an ambulance. Armed police swooped on a gang of men who imported more than 1m worth of cocaine hidden on broom handles, dramatic footage shows. A newly-released video from 25 October 2021 shows authorities arresting the men at Darent Industrial Park, Kent, where the shipment from Colombia was being unloaded. Drugs were imported by "coating broomsticks in a lacquer containing cocaine, shipped in a container via legitimate means", the Metropolitan Police said. Six men were jailed for a combined total of 135 years at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday (14 December) after being charged with conspiracy to import cocaine. Western-made components are still finding their way to Russia Irish goods are making their way into Russia via countries where there is a risk of circumvention of sanctions. Exports to these markets remain vastly elevated above historical levels. A Sunday Independent analysis of trade figures from the CSO reveals the level of exports to a group of countries in Russias orbit including Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were almost 170m from the beginning of the year to the end of September. The export figure for this year so far is almost 50m ahead of the value of exports seen over the whole of 2021, before Russias war in Ukraine led to a swathe of sanctions against Putins country. The figure was 134pc above the value of exports in 2019, before the pandemic. Moscow uses companies in countries that can access goods Russia is shut out from Exports to these markets have already edged ahead of last years total level of 165m, which was already up 43m on 2021 and 92.8m on 2019. Countries that previously had very little trade with Ireland before the Russian invasion of Ukraine have reported significant increases so far this year. Exports to Kyrgyzstan this year were over 4.5m almost 5,000pc ahead of trade in 2021, before the war. In 2022, the year the war started, trade to Kyrgyzstan grew from 89,000 to 3m. Trade to Armenia was also well up this year at 10m a 1,030pc increase on 2021. Following Putins invasion of Ukraine, the EU launched sanctions against Russia, targeting key sectors. Several firms with products not covered by sanctions also announced publicly and privately that they would not sell to Russia while it was waging war. To get around the trade issues, Moscow began the process of parallel imports, using companies in countries that can access goods and services that Russia is shut out from. In a resolution last month, the European Parliament voiced its alarm over loopholes in the EU sanctions regime against Russia. MEPs spoke about the lack of proper enforcement of sanctions, and decried attempts to undermine EU efforts to strategically weaken Moscows ability to wage war. MEPs highlighted how Western-made components needed by Russia are still finding their way to that country, via trade with the likes of China, Turkey, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Serbia. They also expressed deep concerns regarding ongoing trade in sanctioned war-critical goods between EU member states and Moscow, and over reports that countries such as Azerbaijan are whitewashing Russian gas for export to the EU. Exports to Kyrgyzstan this year were almost 5,000pc ahead of trade in 2021 Last week, the US sanctioned over 250 entities in China, Turkey and the UAE, alleging their continued support for Russia had been crucial to sustaining its invasion of Ukraine. In response to a previous article written in September by the Sunday Independent about Irish exports to markets where there is a risk of circumvention of sanctions, the Department of Enterprise said the countries were not subject to EU restrictive measures meaning Irish companies selling to these markets are not breaking the rules. The department said a package of sanctions imposed around that time allowed the EU to restrict the sale of specified goods to third countries, where there was thought to be a high risk of circumvention. More than 300 Irish companies are already exporting to Canada, with exports reaching an all-time high last year at 452m, growing by 25pc in the last three years. Canada is now the ninth-largest market for non-food Irish exports. Not only that, but a recent report produced by economist Jim Power for the Ireland-Canada Business Association also forecast that Irish exports to Canada have the potential to double in five years. Last month, 21 Enterprise Ireland client companies discovered more about the extensive opportunities in Canada when they took part in a trade mission to Toronto and Vancouver. Those participating represented 11 counties and included companies such as Combilift, Aryza, Enterpryze, Moffett Automated Systems, Kent Stainless, Diona, Flex Manager, Fenergo, DAA International, Swoop and Vaultree. Led by Trade Promotion Minister Dara Calleary and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the joint Enterprise Ireland and IDA trade mission focused on sectors such as fintech, Digital technologies, high-tech construction and material handling. In construction, for example, there is vast untapped potential for Irish companies to supply the Canadian sector, especially as there is a large Irish diaspora across all levels. The Irish and Irish-Canadians are more than willing to open doors to the right Irish company at the right time. To support bridge-building, the trade mission also saw the launch of a Canada-Ireland Construction Network. The minister and those involved made the most of the trade mission to promote Irelands position as a leading digital economy in Europe. This activity included holding high-level round table meetings where client companies could discuss and share insights into innovation and market trends with senior decision-makers in Canadian partners and customers. The trade mission also saw business networking events involving local chambers of commerce in Vancouver and Toronto. Both were attended by well over 100 people, despite the early hour evidence of the keen interest in learning more about what innovative Irish companies can offer. During the four-day trade mission, recent EY Entrepreneur of the Year winner Sam Moffett announced he had signed a multimillion-dollar deal between the Canadian company Ya Ya Foods and his automated material handling business Moffett Automated Systems. That deal means Moffett will set up a direct presence in Canada next year, joining the 25 Irish companies that have done the same in the past three years. Overall, Irish companies employ 7,500 people across Canada. Its also worth noting that for the 900 Irish-owned companies already exporting to the US, Canada offers an excellent opportunity to further extend their North American operations. Enterprise Ireland is here to assist companies with that ambition. Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It requires a thoughtful review of market entry costs and to think province by province in establishing distribution, operations, and identifying customers. Firms succeeding here ensure they have boots on the ground with a local presence and are mindful of the cultural nuance of doing business in Canada. David McCaffrey, Canada country manager, Enterprise Ireland On the afternoon of December 17, local authorities in the Belgorod region complained that a small arms battle between Ukrainian soldiers and Russian occupiers was taking place near one of the settlements. As a result of the shooting, power lines were damaged in several villages. ADVERTISIMENT The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that the village of Terebreno in the Krasnoyaruzsky district was allegedly under fire. He said this on Telegram. The Russian official used the traditional Kremlin propaganda rhetoric to claim that "the relevant departments are keeping the situation under control." At the same time, Gladkov complained that several villages had damaged power lines. He also noted that emergency and operational services would be able to start eliminating the consequences only after approval from the Ministry of Defense of the terrorist country of Russia. The propagandists claimed that a Ukrainian sabotage group had allegedly infiltrated the territory of Belgorod Oblast and engaged in combat with Putin's army. The Russian media also claimed that the battle began around 11:00. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the propagandists said that about 200 people live in the village of Terebreno, but people were not evacuated, so they are hiding in basements. As a reminder, a car carrying officials hit a mine in the Belgorod region of Russia. As a result of the explosion, the passengers of the vehicle were seriously injured. In particular, the deputy head of the Krasnoyaruzsk administration, Igor Borodayenko, had his legs blown off. Earlier it was reported that the Russian occupiers once again complained about a nighttime UAV attack and claimed that they had allegedly shot down the drones. However, within a few hours, photos appeared on the network confirming another lie of the Russians. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! At the date of the sale, the Pembroke units had a portfolio of more than 120 aircraft on lease to 30 airlines. Stock image Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, the Irish company that has been sold by Standard Chartered to AviLease, paid a near $50m (46m) dividend to its parent in advance of the sale, accounts for the business show. Standard Chartered completed the sale of its global aviation finance leasing business last month. Avilease paid $700m in cash for the business, which includes the Ireland-based Pembroke arm, and funded the repayment of about $2.9bn of net intra-group financing from the Standard Chartered group. Standard Chartereds leasing business comprised entirely of Pembroke units based in Ireland and other jurisdictions including China. At the date of the sale, the Pembroke units had a portfolio of more than 120 aircraft on lease to 30 airlines. Accounts for Pembroke Aircraft Leasing Holdings in Dublin show that it recorded net operating income of $72.8m in 2022, down from $138.4m in 2021. Its lease revenue last year hit $338.2m, which was virtually unchanged from the $335.7m it recorded in 2021. At the end of 2022, the Irish unit owned 93 aircraft and had bought 10 and sold four during the year. The accounts also confirm the payment of the near $50m dividend. No dividend had been paid in 2021. Ireland-registered AviLease is backed by the Saudi governments Public Investment Fund (PIF). AviLease was established last year and is headed by chief executive Ted OByrne. He resigned in 2021 as managing director and co-head of aviation at Carlyle Aviation Partners. Prior to joining Carlyle in 2010, he was chief investment officer at Dublin-based AerCap. The acquisition by AviLease brought its total aircraft portfolio to 167, with its owned assets worth $6bn. AviLease intends to expand its portfolio to 300 aircraft valued at about $20bn by 2030. Mr OByrne said in August that AviLease expects to secure an investment-grade credit rating by the end of next year. He also said that Saudi Arabia is likely to see quite exceptional passenger growth over the next 10 years. AviLease wants to grow its customer base to 100 airlines, up from 47 currently, and is in constant discussions with operators in the region, Mr OByrne told The National newspaper in August. We are friendly neighbours and want to grow the Middle East as an aviation centre, he added. We do have exposure to flydubai and we want more exposure to flydubai and Emirates. West Cork Distillers has invested 15m in a major expansion of its distillery in Skibbereen, Co Cork, as it expects to report record results for 2023. Speaking with the Sunday Independent, John OConnell, a co-founder and director of West Cork Distillers, said the companys expansion at the distillery would provide it with a capacity to produce almost 22.5million litres of pure alcohol. The growth has helped the business add another 50 jobs in the past year. OConnell, who co-founded the whiskey, gin and vodka-producing firm alongside friends Denis and Ger McCarthy in 2003, said the expansion was exclusively for whiskey production as demand grows across its branded and white label businesses. Its West Cork Whiskey brand is growing at around 60pc year-on-year, with the white label part of the group also gaining traction. We are seeing a lot of growth in Asia and America is in good growth too, OConnell said. Eastern Europe is performing well, obviously with the exception of Russia. At West Cork, we just take it day by day. We just increase to match market demand. It is very organic. OConnell said the expansion was close to being fully completed and was currently going through commissioning. He hopes to have it fully up and running by mid-January. West Cork Distillers recently released its financial results for last year, showing the company recorded sales of over 51.7m, down slightly from 54.2m the previous year. The business also recorded a fall in profit, which went from 3.8m to almost 893,000. However, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (ebitda) was almost 9.3m. It employed a monthly average of 114 staff across 2022. On the companys results for 2022, OConnell said branded and new-make alcohol sales went really well, but there had been a dip in the hard seltzer ingredient part of the business. We would see that rebounding strongly in 2024, he said. He said depreciation and capital expenditure were drivers of the lower profit. This year, OConnell said, had already been a record year for the business. He said 2023 sales were almost 75m, with an ebitda of 18m. According to OConnell, the branded business, new-make sales and a rebound in its ingredients business helped to drive the performance this year. In the year ahead, OConnell is expecting a 30pc growth in turnover and ebitda. He said the ingredients part of the firm and Asia were both areas we are very excited about for 2024. Photographer Rob Cross: Ive had messages from people who use the book to communicate with their parents who might have dementia The architect and snapper has a second volume of colourised photographs of ye olde Ireland. Here he explains how the process brings fascinating hidden details to the fore A colourised photograph of Tipperary Emily Hourican Sun 17 Dec 2023 at 03:30 I have a love of history, says Rob Cross, architect, photographer and author of The Colour of Ireland photos of Ireland of long ago, colourised and replenished with the kind of detail that gets lost in black and white now into its second volume. Patients arriving by ambulance at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) last week faced up to three hours wait to be triaged due to overcrowding in the emergency department, its been claimed. A source revealed that the crisis-hit hospital was running out of trolleys to put patients on as huge numbers attended the ED during the week. This comes as a vigil was held at UHL today in remembrance of all those affected by the trolley crisis. Elderly patients taking up hospital beds to be moved to next available nursing home to ease winter trolley crisis Its absolutely dire, theyre running out of trolleys, they (paramedics) have to wait to hand over to a nurse, that could take three hours sometimes, a source told the Sunday World. Theyre waiting at least two hours just to get the patient triaged. A local source working in healthcare added that older people are now afraid to attend the hospital due to the ongoing overcrowding. They said: Its never-ending. Most of the elderly patients will not go into A&E. Theyre refusing point blank. About 50pc of people coming into the treatment centres, they wont go to A&E. Thats the situation. Last Monday, December 11, almost 750 people were waiting nationwide to be admitted to a hospital bed, with the largest numbers waiting at UHL. The vigil outside UHL today. Picture: Mid West Hospital Campaign A total of 109 people were lying on trolleys on Monday, with the figure rising to 113 by Thursday, December 14. The Mid West Hospital Campaign group estimate that 2,701 people waited for a bed at UHL in November alone. These figures are collated from the official Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) Monday to Friday Trolleywatch count with Saturday and Sunday figures calculated as an average of the previous five days as there is no weekend count. A remembrance vigil organised by the Mid West Hospital Campaign for those affected by the overcrowding was held at UHL today at 2pm. A spokesperson said: This vigil is to remember the thousands who have spent time in the emergency department lying on trolleys, sitting on chairs in an overcrowded and dysfunctional emergency department. "There are increasing concerns over the developments in our health provision in the region which is not being reflected other than in local media and from those who have no choice but to attend the emergency department at UHL. "Despite the promises made to the population of over 400,000 from Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, the numbers on trolleys have increased throughout the year. Political parties both in Government and Opposition have not and will not commit to reopening our emergency departments as evidenced by their own words in the media, at committee meetings including the recent appearance of this campaign at the Petitions and Ombudsman Committee. People gathered at the vigil today. Picture: Mid West Hospital Campaign In recent weeks we have witnessed UHL group (management) attempt to dismiss research which has been validated by IAEM (an organisation of doctors working in Emergency Medicine (EM), including consultants in EM, doctors in training in the specialty and other doctors involved in or with an interest in EM) on the number of deaths as a direct result of delays in emergency departments. A spokesperson for the HSE said: "Our acute hospitals have been busy this week with significant numbers of patients on trolleys awaiting an in-patient bed. The HSE regrets that any patient has a bad experience while waiting to access our services including those who have to wait in emergency departments beyond an acceptable timeframe. "In particular, the HSE acknowledges that long waiting times are very difficult for older people and those who find themselves in vulnerable situations and we remain committed to trying to ensure that their care and comfort will be a priority even when some waiting is unavoidable. "This year has seen some improvement on the position over last year and we intend to pursue that continuously in the coming weeks. "As we did with critical periods during the year we have made available additional supports to all hospital and community services where the support is directly linked to ED avoidance, a better management of flow in ED, a speedy flow in hospital and a fully supported discharge into the Community. The HSE is urges the public to consider all care options, including their GPs, pharmacists, local Injury Units and out of hours services before presenting at emergency departments (EDs). "As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. We urge those in target groups to avail of the vaccines available against flu and Covid-19. Aoife Johnston death: Consultant refused to attend A&E as teen lay dying Review of Aoifes care suggests she should have been administered a sepsis bundle within an hour - this did not happenBy 10pm the department was overrun and an emergency department consultant was one of two called to come in and support the staff One consultant obliged. The second consultant declined to attend According to the review, the consultant said in an interview that it was not the function of an emergency consultant to sort out overcrowding Aoifes father said he gave a roar of distress, pleading for his child to be assessed by a doctor, review says Aoife Johnston death: Consultant refused to attend A&E as teen lay dying Maeve Sheehan Sun 17 Dec 2023 at 03:30 Two days before she died, Aoife Johnston arrived with her parents at an emergency department in chaos. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hit out at the suspected arson attack on a hotel in Co Galway that was earmarked to be used to house asylum seekers from next week. Gardai are investigating what they say is suspected criminal damage after a fire broke out at the disused Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Oughterard, Co Galway, about 11.35pm yesterday Fire services brought the blaze under control but the building was extensively damaged, although luckily no one was inside at the time. In a statement this evening, Mr Varadkar said: I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in Co Galway last night. There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are under way. He also defended Irelands asylum and immigration system. Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here seeking protection. This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries, he said. Gardai at the scene of the blaze at the Ross Late Hotel in Galway. Photo: Arthur Carron I want to assure people we have a rules-based system and are processing applications in record time. All asylum-seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their request for asylum are examined thoroughly. We aim to treat them with dignity and respect while their applications are considered. The response from many communities has been incredible. Weve seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority. I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland. I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own. The Government will continue to listen to communities, recognising the effort they are making and helping them as they manage an unprecedented situation together. Justice Minister Helen McEntee also criticised the apparent attack. I am appalled by the disturbing scenes in Galway last night, she said, adding that there was no justification for arson and appealing for anyone with information to bring it to gardai. In recent times, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here seeking shelter and protection, she said. While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order. These acts do not represent the values of Irish people. Close-up video of the blaze is being shared on social media by accounts supportive of Irelands far right. A garda spokesperson said officers were investigating a criminal damage incident by fire at the premises in Rosscahill. The Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will take place later today, they said. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them at Clifden Garda Station 095 22500 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The Department of Integration had said on Friday that it planned to use the building to house 70 international protection applicants from later next week, with a one-year contract. After the news emerged, there were protests outside on Saturday, with protesters blockading the entrance to the hotel. It is understood the privately owned hotel has been vacant for some time. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman called the news deeply disturbing. "Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it, he wrote on social media. A still image taken from a video showing the blaze at the Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth condemned any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants and any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. In a statement, a spokesperson said: The department is working to offer shelter to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and condemns any violence or intimidation towards international protection applicants. All those seeking protection have a right to safety while their application is examined. The department also strongly condemns any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. Acts such as these achieve nothing but endanger people's lives and homes. The incident in Galway is currently under investigation by An Garda Siochana. The building is located in a remote area between Moycullen and Oughterard. Built in 1860 in the townland of Killaguile on an estate of 1,200 acres that was divided amongst local farmers by the Land Commission in the 1920s, the house was converted to a hotel in 1969 and has had a number of owners since, most recently being bought by an American family. Access to the hotel is a narrow road, off the Galway-Clifden N59, with an tree-lined avenue leading to the hotel and a few houses. The rural community in Rosscahill is estimated at around 300 people. Local Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Walsh, who was one of the people who attended the protest on Saturday, said there was anger and fear in the community. Its a sad day for the locality that such an iconic building has been brought to this, said Cllr Walsh. He said local people were fearful of the prospect of asylum seekers living at the former hotel. The Ross Lake Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway We dont know exactly what happened here but it is a terrible situation that the local people find themselves in. We have young families that will have to run the gauntlet through a wooded area, through an avenue, facing what they dont want to face and the fear in the community is strong and it is a genuine fear, he told Galway Bay FM. However well-founded or ill-founded it is, the fear is there, and the Government have to look hard at these situations because peoples quality of life is being seriously affected. "I dont feel it is a suitable location for such a venture and I dont think the area can sustain it. The amenities arent here, the services arent here, the road network isnt here and the people arent able to take it. The people cant cope with it, the people dont want it. He said the local community felt they were not being treated fairly. No one could condone criminal damage but we have to stand back and look at it and if it was a criminal act, what made that criminal act happen, and it is the senseless policy of the Government, he said. "Oughterard, Rosscahill and Maam Cross have taken their fair share of immigrants. We are good to the people that are here, we have taken it, but we cant be scapegoated, be used as a holding tank. Its just not right what is being done to us. The people are living in fear and if it was done maliciously it is absolutely the fear for the safety and well-being of their families that drove people to this. Local Independent councillor Thomas Welby condemned the fire, but said the Government had questions to answer over the plans to house asylum seekers at the hotel. "The first I knew about this plan to house people was at 12 minutes to three on Friday when I and other elected reps got an email from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about it, he said. "But it wasn't a 'consultation' document, it was more like a 'confirmation' document. This is not acceptable. It is a bolt out of the blue. We were communicated with when it was a done deal. That isn't consultation. "I went up to the blockade yesterday and it was peaceful, but local people are concerned about the plan. He condemned the blaze. "The fire last night has shocked, disappointed and upset people. A local man said it was like a death in the family. Many people locally has memories of family celebrations in the hotel, and of working in it, and they are saddened today to see what happened. They don't feel that the fire was appropriate. "Local people I spoke to are extremely upset that this action was taken. I don't want the local community to be vilified." Senator Pauline OReilly said: "Im disgusted at this fire in my constituency and at the attitude of local politicians over the past couple of days. I beg of people to show their common humanity. Speaking to This Week on RTE Radio One, the Galway-based politician and Green Party chair said the incident was unacceptable and described the behaviour as bully-boy tactics. "Obviously, there is a criminal investigation under way, but I think that all of the actions that have taken place there are pure intimidation. "I am utterly disgusted by the fire thats broken out. I dont think that this is representative of Galway people, and I think what people have to remember is its not only those that are coming legally seeking refuge but also all of those that have come to our country and the kind of fear that this instils in people I dont think is in any way acceptable. She added: "There are ways by speaking to your politicians of getting your point across but blockading a place, making people feel unwelcome when they are being legally accommodated somewhere is unacceptable in my view. Ms OReilly said it was her belief that if someplace is vacant then it should be used to accommodate people and we cant discriminate between the types of people that we want to accommodate. She called on politicians to condemn the suspected arson at the hotel, describing it as simply not acceptable in our community. Ms OReilly said the incident was not the way to have that kind of conversation about concerns surrounding the accommodation and services. "It isnt a conversation, its just bully-boy tactics. Another local councillor, Noel Thomas of Fianna Fail, said the hotel was an iconic building that meant a lot to local people. He condemned the fire and said a lot of memories went with the hotel in the fire. "I'm not holding back. A lot of the blame needs to be laid in the lap of the Government. As long as they deal with it [immigration] the way they are dealing with it, there will be more of this, he said. In terms of the sudden plan to bring in 70 refugees he said: "Some people are reduced to tears, and they are fearful. They live on quiet country lanes." Asked whether there was any evidence that people should be afraid of those proposed to be housed at the hotel, he said: Nobody knows. Uncertainty brings fear." Local Green Party councillor Alastair McKinstry said: "The hotel is not the ideal place to house people, but we had 200 Ipas [international protection] applicants sleeping out overnight in Ireland, and the hotel is better than the alternative a tent. "We had in Galway County Council a debate about the new hate speech legislation. What we saw last night is why that legislation is needed. People are stoking up fear. There are people in organised far-right groups using social media to stoke up fear and driving people to these actions." In response to the incident, Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin tweeted: This is not who we are as people. We are so much better than this. "We must not tolerate this hatred. Dublin TD Aodhan O Riordain also said the incident in Rosscahill was absolutely disgusting, adding: What is wrong with this country of ours? Have we completely forgotten who we are? The Labour TD shared a Bible verse from Matthew 25:36-40, adding: The not all men crowd are telling us to be afraid of all immigrant men. The conservative Christian crowd wholl sing about no room at the inn next week are saying theres no room at the inn. Christians who dont know the meaning of the word. Also reacting to the incident on social media, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said this cant be allowed go on, adding: Those who commit these crimes must feel the full weight of the law. Too many times, those whove burnt the tents of migrants, whove harassed library staff, torched buildings have felt no consequences. No more can this be facilitated by our weak (government). As the Government struggles to accommodate asylum seekers and more than 80,000 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, plans to house people in locations around the country such as vacant buildings and hotels have met with opposition in many cases from local people and far right activists. The issue of immigration was also at the forefront of the recent Dublin riots, in which millions of euro worth of damage was done to Dublin city centre and dozens of people were arrested, as violence and looting flared after an Algerian man with Irish citizenship was accused of stabbing three of children and a creche worker on Parnell Square in Dublin. Caitriona Lucas died after the boat she was crewing on capsized off the Clare coast A former head of the Irish Coast Guard has said he believes staffing cuts by the sections parent department compromised safety and were contributory factors in the deaths of Caitriona Lucas and the four Rescue 116 helicopter crew. Chris Reynolds, who led the Coast Guard from 2007 to 2016 and now works with the UN, believes the States search and rescue section is being blamed unfairly for the deaths due to a failure to appoint a safety systems manager recommended by consultants four years before the two incidents. Reynolds was commenting after Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara called earlier this month for a statutory inquiry into Lucass death. Addressing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dail on December 6, McNamara said he believed the Coast Guard and the Department of Transport have a lot of questions to answer and referred to Limerick coroner John McNamara noting at the inquest that evidence was still missing. Ms Lucas (41), a mother of two and an advanced coxswain with Doolin Coast Guard, died after the rigid inflatable boat (Rib) she was crewing on with the neighbouring Kilkee unit capsized off the Clare coast on September 12, 2016. The inquest returned a verdict of misadventure and made seven recommendations relating to Coast Guard safety, management and training. During the inquest, the Coast Guards failure to appoint a safety systems manager recommended in 2012, four years before Ms Lucass death, was cited by her familys legal team, as were internal difficulties within the Kilkee unit that had led to crewing shortages. The inquest heard that Ms Lucas, who had gone to help the Kilkee unit in a search for a missing man, was conscious for 17 minutes in the water after the Rib capsized. Having lost her helmet on impact, she sustained a head injury and lost consciousness. The inquest also heard that a second Rib with the Kilkee unit could have effected a rescue within10 minutes if two of three crew available to launch it had not left the scene. Reynolds told the Sunday Independent he had asked to be interviewed by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) and the HSA, both of which had investigated Ms Lucass death, but was not given the opportunity. He said he had also hoped to give evidence to the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) inquiry into the Rescue 116 crash off Blacksod, Co Mayo, on March 14, 2017. The separate MCIB and AAIU reports were both critical of aspects of the Irish Coast Guards safety management. I had run the Coast Guard for a decade and I felt that root cause issues were worth looking at, such as staffing cuts, Reynolds said. He believes it is unfair to blame the transport ministers when Coast Guard staffing was the responsibility of the department secretary general. A Department of Transport spokesperson said: Following Ms Lucass death, the HSA and the MCIB conducted reviews and the Irish Coast Guard has worked to implement the recommendations. A Dublin company that has customised phones for celebrity sports stars including Lionel Messi and Conor McGregor has been hit with a judgment of 180,000 by the Revenue Commissioners. iDesign Gold, which sells gold iPhones for thousands of euro, was founded by Ben Lyons, who has been accused of laundering money for the Kinahan organised crime gang. The judgment against the company was registered on December 4 for 180,856 by the Collector General. School stab suspect was seen in area hours before attack that sparked city riots Five-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition It's 'not right' for people to connect crime with migration - Leo Varadkar on Parnell Square stabbings Maeve Sheehan Sun 17 Dec 2023 at 03:30 The chief suspect in the stabbing of three children and a creche worker outside a school on Dublins Parnell Square last month was reported to have been hanging around the area on the morning of the attack. The Education Minister was urged to control mobile use in primary schools, with one parent saying they were like a pacifier for impressionable children and another writing of how they were bombarding kids with pornography and other unsuitable material. Amid a high-profile public debate over phone usage, Minister Norma Foley received more than two dozen pieces of correspondence from concerned parents, political colleagues, teachers, and school principals about use of mobiles. In one, a psychotherapist said she was deeply concerned about how her young children would grow up in a world where they would be exposed to highly-sexualised material online from as early as five or six years of age. An email said: What is the Government plan to protect our children from this terrible threat? This country has a bad record when it comes to protection of women and children. Another parent pleaded that the department give our kids back their childhood, saying their access to smartphones needed to be curtailed. Im not suggesting an outright ban of phones, but a reduction in hours where kids can access them would help, they said. Not all correspondence was in favour of controlling use, however, with one person writing about how smartphones were in some cases used to control medical devices for health conditions. Another teacher with 40 years of experience said they had never seen a primary school child with a phone in a classroom and that a ban would achieve nothing. Let parents and principals work this out together we are not living in a dictatorship. I think its a very unwise move even though I hate phones as much as everyone else. Another said that lower-tech phones should be facilitated for organising school pick-ups and other urgent communication. We are lagging behind, they wrote, I know its been mentioned but can we get it over the line sooner rather than later? One email claimed that Irelands unnecessarily long school closures during the pandemic had already affected the mental health of younger people here. On banning mobile phones, they wrote: Please dont leave it to the next government to take this much needed action, as it will be too later for many teenagers who are struggling. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris also wrote about what he called the brilliant community initiative at a school in Greystones in his Wicklow constituency to reduce mobile use among youngsters. Meanwhile, one parent said it was somewhat hypocritical for schools to be discouraging use of phones and social media while themselves having their own Facebook and Instagram pages. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said its recent initiative to discourage parents from buying smartphones for primary school kids had involved working closely with experts as well as schools and parents. She said: Discussions took place with the National Parents Council, with school leaders involved with similar initiatives, including those underway in Greystones and Wexford, and other stakeholders. The primary focus is on supporting parents outside of school, through an approach that will be led by parents associations in collaboration with the respective schools. Schools are being asked to facilitate the initiative through distributing relevant materials, and schools also have expertise in the area that will no doubt be of benefit to their parents. Hong Kong: Families make scarves for elderly At an event hosted by the Education Bureau today, around 360 parents and children made scarves for elderly citizens by stitching crochet squares together. The squares used by participants in the Positive Parent Campaign Activity Day & Prize Presentation Ceremony were made during an earlier parent-child activity organised by the bureau, Warm Stitches, Grateful Hearts. More than 10,000 crochet squares were submitted by some 3,000 students and parents from over 90 schools. During visits arranged by the bureau, the scarves will be sent to elderly people residing in Tung Wah Group of Hospitals care homes, or to senior citizens living alone. Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin congratulated parents on creating happy memories through organised parent-child activities, and encouraged them to help their children thrive and shine by fostering a healthy and happy environment for their development. She added that the bureau will continue to promote positive parenting education. At the ceremony, prizes were presented to award-winning schools, students and parents participating in the crochet activities and various parent-child games. This story has been published on: 2023-12-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt, whose abstract work includes the Ida B. Wells monument in Bronzeville and centerpieces at the Art Institute and in a Smithsonian museum, and whose art can be seen across the country, has died. He was 88. He died at home Saturday in Chicago, according to a statement on his website, which did not specify a cause of death. Advertisement Hunts work has been recognized for the mark it has made on Chicago and the world. In Chicago, in addition to the Light of Truth Ida B. Wells National Monument, Hunt recently completed the sculptural model for a monument to Emmett Till, titled Hero Ascending, to be installed in 2024 at the Woodlawn home where Till lived with his mother before he was murdered during a 1955 trip to Mississippi. Hunts Jacobs Ladder fills the foyer at the Woodson Regional Library in the Washington Heights neighborhood. At the Art Institute, his Hero Construction (1958) is displayed in the Grand Staircase. Advertisement According to Hunts website, the sculptor attended Tills funeral when he was 19; the moment shaped both his artistic work and his commitment to civil rights. His work has memorialized Martin Luther King Jr. (a sculpture in Memphis, Tennessee, called I Have Been to the Mountaintop) and African American educator Mary McLeod Bethune (From the Ground Up in Washington, D.C.). His bronze piece titled Swing Low hangs prominently at the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington as a monument to spirituals. His artwork, primarily metal sculpture and large-scale public works, made such an impact that at age 35, Hunt became the first African American sculptor to have a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1971. Author Jon Ott spent time with Hunt while writing the 2022 book Richard Hunt with LeRonn Brooks, Jordan Carter, Adrienne Childs and John Yau a book considered to be the definitive volume about his career. Theres so much love for Richard, its hard to be sad because everybodys talking about how much they love Richard, Ott said late Saturday. He said two things stood out for him about Hunt, his work ethic and how he tried to express the idea of freedom: His whole life can be seen in a way of making metal as something that could ascend, impart movement into metal and impart life into sculpture. His focus on this concept of freedom artistic freedom and political freedom, meaning freedom from slavery and segregation, really preoccupied him. He expressed all of that through his work. Hunt was born on Chicagos South Side on Sept. 12, 1935. According to the biography on his website, he was the descendant of slaves; his father was a barber, and his mother was the first Black librarian in Chicago. He grew up in Woodlawn and Englewood and had an interest in art from an early age, particularly in welded metal after seeing the exhibition Sculpture of the Twentieth Century at the Art Institute in 1953. He also credited the 1967 Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza as an influence. Hunt received a bachelor of arts degree from the School of the Art Institute in 1957 and traveled to Europe, marrying SAIC classmate Bettye Hunt in Florence. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. Their daughter, Cecilia, was born in 1962, though they divorced in 1966. Once MoMA acquired one of his early pieces, Hunt became a young American artist to watch. He was the first African American visual artist to serve on the National Council on the Arts (the governing body of the National Endowment for the Arts), appointed in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. Advertisement He essentially conquered the art world as a young man, Ott said. Hes 35 years old and he got the first retrospective at MoMA for an African American. Then he conquered the public art space. ... If you look at his impact on the art and artists and his support for arts organizations, including the International Sculpture Center, which he was a board member of, and played such a critical role in their development, he was constantly giving of himself. An abstract sculpture in honor of activist and journalist Ida B. Wells, created by sculptor Richard Hunt, is unveiled in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on June 30, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Asked by the Tribunes Darcel Rockett in August how he represents a figure such as Ida B. Wells in an abstract metal form, Hunt said, I would say it comes forward to me as Im working on it. Rockett interviewed Hunt when he was honored by the Chicago Public Library. Asked about a favorite piece, Hunt replied, When youve done a lot of things, its hard to say well, this is it. Im very interested to be doing the Emmett Till piece. He was prolific as well as visionary. In addition to his work in Chicago, Hunts public art is displayed in 24 states and Washington, D.C., as well as in museums across the world. His Light of Truth sculpture was unveiled in 2021 in Bronzeville on the former site of the Ida B. Wells Homes, a curling form in bronze standing 30 feet high. According to a Tribune story at the time by Christopher Borrelli, its title was taken from Wells, who said, The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. Wells great-granddaughter Michelle Duster led the long-running campaign to get the sculpture built and raised its $300,000 cost. Hunt described the piece as being about ascendence, and said his parents spoke of Wells as a model of an African American woman who made headway. Advertisement In 2022, former President Barack Obama commissioned Hunt to create the work Book Bird as an anchor for the Obama Presidential Center. Ott told the Tribune that Obama visited Hunt on Dec. 11. Obama sat down next to him and told him how much that he and Michelle respected and admired him as a man and his work, Ott said. Having Obama show up at your bedside is pretty extraordinary. Artist and activist Theaster Gates was also an admirer. I am saddened that we cant share smiles on this plane anymore, but thankful for everything hes given us all, he said. Richard made because he had to. His drive and singularity is from another time. Im thankful for the intimate encounters weve had over the years. Amanda Williams, a celebrated Chicago artist also known for her public works and large-scale pieces that consider racial issues and architectural spaces, said late Saturday that she didnt spend much time with Hunt until the last few years. But what struck me about him was, even at that late time in his career, how productive he was he was more productive than me! she said. I remember asking him if he slowed down his work at all during the pandemic and he said, Oh yeah, I did. I closed (my studio) at 5 p.m. on Sundays. He had become a kind of ambassador for Chicago, making all these public works, and its mind-boggling to me how he was able to navigate so much bureaucracy and all the agencies involved for decades. The dignity it takes. You gave to get around, get along, persuade, and he did it with (the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation), the Obama Foundation and so many others. Advertisement The photographer and MacArthur Fellow Dawoud Bey told the Tribune Sunday that Hunt was a close friend. Richard Hunt was one of my heroes, and I never missed an opportunity to shower him with love and respect. One of the best things for me about moving to Chicago was that I got to know Richard and to have a warm friendship with him, Bey said. He forged an expressive and nondidactic vocabulary for his sculptures, finding a way forward while broadening the forms available for Black expressive culture. In November, the international contemporary art gallery White Cube announced it would represent the artist. Sukanya Rajaratnam, global director of the gallerys strategic market initiatives, said Hunt has been a giant hiding in plain sight for decades. White Cube will host a solo exhibition in spring 2024 in New York. According to Ott, the exhibit will focus on the first two decades of his career, primarily works from his collection from the 1950s and 60s. Most of them havent been seen for 50 years, Ott said. A few of them have been seen in the 2014 Chicago Cultural Center exhibition. But, certainly not his full private collection has never been on view. He wanted to live with those pieces during his lifetime, but then he was ready to part with them and think about his legacy. Sculptor Richard Hunt at work in his Chicago studio on Aug. 11, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) The Getty Research Institute acquired Hunts archives, including sketchbooks, blueprints and wax models, in 2022. Hunt also established the nonprofit Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation, launched this month to advance public awareness of his art. The lasting legacy of Mr. Hunt will obviously live on through the impressive and vast body of work he leaves behind adorning our city and the world, said Michelle Boone, president of the Poetry Foundation. But his true legacy will be found in the lasting impression he left as a human being. He was a gentle soul but was fiercely committed to work, hard work. He inspired generations of artists with his work ethic and sense of community. He elevated the meaning of public art to new levels and our neighborhoods and communities are all the richer for it. Advertisement New Hunt sculptures slated to be installed in 2024 include Hero Ascending and a piece titled Rise Up that was inspired by the murder of George Floyd. Ott said that work is going to be installed at Morehouse College in Atlanta. And a piece titled Rising Opportunities is to be installed in new Chicago headquarters for the Discovery Partners Institute. He let his work speak for himself, Ott said. He wasnt bombastic. He was intellectual. He was humble, but he knew what he was doing was important. Hunt is survived by daughter, Cecilia, an artist, and his sister, Marian, a retired librarian, both of whom live in Chicago. A public memorial will be held in the spring, on dates to be announced later. All Ukrainians' travels across their homeland begin in megacities: Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa. But what do you do next when you've traveled to all the known locations and visited them twice or even three times? Of course, to travel further. After all, other regions of our country are no worse than the publicized places. ADVERTISIMENT We offer to take tickets to places you may not have been to yet. And we'll tell you exactly where. Zhytomyr The first thing that comes to mind when you think of the city is the Zhytomyr Hosiery Factory and its high-quality socks. But this is not the only thing the region can boast of. In fact, there is a lot to see and do here, even despite its small size. We recommend starting your exploration with a walk along the main street. This is a small pedestrian alley dotted with many beautiful houses built not long after the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays, it is home to cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a cup of delicious and aromatic coffee. Walking along the cobblestone streets, we advise you to stop near the city council, which is decorated with a tall clock. It's not a simple clock, it plays the melody "And the flax is blooming" every hour. Next, head to the Cathedral Church of St. Sophia, the oldest building in Zhytomyr. It dates back to 1737. Old icons are kept inside, and the walls are decorated with paintings and stucco moldings. You can also listen to organ music here. ADVERTISIMENT Don't miss the Local History Museum, the house of Sergiy Korolev, the Filippov Mansion, the Flat Building, and Gagarin Park. Khmelnytsky The city is known for its clothing market, where people from all over Ukraine come to shop. But in addition to the market stalls offering a variety of goods, there are many other places worth visiting. So where to go? We recommend starting your journey with the oldest street, Stometrivka. All the main events take place here: fairs, holiday exhibitions, street concerts. Admire the old buildings and then visit a cozy restaurant. By the way, not only the capital has Independence Square. There is a square with the same name in Khmelnytskyi. It is located in front of the regional state administration. Every year, a Christmas tree and illuminations are set up here. ADVERTISIMENT Be sure to visit the pharmacy of Ludwig Derevoed. This building used to be the tallest in the region, as it had three floors at a time when only one-story houses were built. Also, be sure to visit the city's house of culture. It has an unusual design because it was originally built as a theater. Don't forget to visit the main locations: The Proskuriv Underground Museum, the Scythian Mound, and the monument to Bohdan Khmelnytsky. Ternopil Let's move on! Our next stop is the "nice city". This is how it is known among Ukrainians. People rarely go on vacation here because they don't know where to relax and what to see. Now we will correct this misunderstanding. There are indeed many interesting locations here. ADVERTISIMENT We recommend starting your walk from the pedestrian Valova Street, a favorite route of local artists and musicians. It's very nice and beautiful here now - the old facades of the houses were restored in 2012. You walk along the cobblestone streets and for a moment are transported back to the past centuries. Then head to the Theater Square, the heart of the city. Concerts, exhibitions, and charity events are constantly taking place here. Also go to Shevchenko Park and walk along the Champs Elysees. Yes, it turns out that there is a piece of France hidden in Ternopil. And let's be honest, it's no worse than the real thing. Don't forget to take a walk along the waterfront, where you can see an ancient castle dating back to 1548. Unfortunately, only the inner palace has survived to this day. But it hasn't lost its beauty. Its stone walls are still impressive. ADVERTISIMENT Ivano-Frankivsk It is a city of contrasts, old buildings and new buildings. When you come here for the first time, you will think that you are in a modern exhibition hall. There is a lot here that is incomprehensible, but so fascinating and interesting. From the train station, head straight to the Main Square and the City Hall, built in the style of constructivism. Be sure to climb up to the roof for an incredible view. Also, take a walk down the smallest and narrowest Ivan Trush Street. It is only 65 meters long and 6 meters wide. The road itself is paved with cobblestones and lined with houses built in the past centuries. ADVERTISIMENT For those who like to read, there is a gallery-bookstore "Pid Lilikom". In the 90s, famous artists gathered there to discuss literary novelties. Now the coffee shop of the same name is out of business, but you can still buy a coveted collection of short stories or a novel here. Finally, we advise you to look at the door. No, we're not joking now, we're being quite serious. More than 20 ancient gates have been restored in Ivano-Frankivsk recently. So there are plenty of things to see and places to take pictures. No two cities in Ukraine are alike. So don't be afraid to plan your trip to unpopular regions of our country. We have listed only a small number of locations worth visiting. In fact, there are many more. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you about small cities in Ukraine that you should know about. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A cabinet minister had to abandon a flight on the government jet last week, after technicians discovered a fault with the aircrafts batteries just before it was due to take off. The Learjet had been scheduled to take Higher Education Minister Simon Harris to an event in Brussels late last week departing from Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin. However, after technical checks, the Air Corps said the aircraft was not fit for flight and no alternative was in place, meaning the minister had to leave by car. The latest Learjet fiasco caused a flurry of activity during the week, with the Department of the Taoiseach saying it needed to activate the contingency framework that allows for the hiring of costly charter aircraft for an official flight that was already scheduled. Three other flights had been pencilled in between Monday and Friday two involving Tanaiste Micheal Martin and one for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with concerns being raised over whether the Learjet could be trusted for any of them. The Tanaiste ended up travelling to Brussels on Monday on an Air Corps Pilatus aircraft, even though the Learjet was once again officially and technically serviceable. Micheal Martin had also been due to travel to the UK on Wednesday. An Air Corps Pilatus was again tasked with the mission. For Taoiseach Leo Varadkars trip to Brussels on Wednesday, the Department of Defence had to hire a charter aircraft to take him there. This has already happened on at least half a dozen occasions over the past two years, due to the Learjets reliability. The charter planes cost anywhere between 3,000 and 7,000 per hour of use. Last week, a Canadair Challenger 350 was hired from the international aviation company Vistajet, which is based in Malta. On websites, the average hourly flying cost for that type of plane is listed at around 5,400. The government jet a Learjet 45 was bought in 2004 for 8m. Government has invited tenders for a new 45m aircraft to replace it, though defence sources said the process is unlikely to be completed for at least two years. The Department of Defence said it was looking for a plane with no less than 10 seats, a range of at least 4,000 nautical miles, and the capability of being fitted with a defensive aid suite if required. It had been hoped the Learjet would remain serviceable until the new aircraft was bought. But there is a growing reluctance to use it especially in the Department of the Taoiseach because of a number of incidents where politicians were left stranded abroad when it broke down. Green Party TD Brian Leddin will bid to become the first directly-elected mayor of Limerick next year, the Sunday Independent can reveal. The Oireachtas Environment Committee chairman is the first candidate to officially declare his bid for the Limerick City and Council mayoral office ahead of the vote on June 7, the same day as the local and European elections He said the new mayors office will have a mandate to represent 200,000 people and will be an incredibly strong voice for the region by promoting Limerick and the mid-west as an economic counter-balance to Dublin. The way its been set up is very much like a minister a minister for Limerick and that is powerful in itself, he said. Ministers in the Irish system do have huge power and they would be making the case for Limerick in every conversation at a national level. Under proposed legislation setting up the office, the mayor will have executive functions on policy and strategy in areas including housing, road transport and safety and environmental services. The mayor will also propose the local development plan and the budget, on which councillors will vote. Mr Leddin wants to push projects including offshore wind energy and public transport infrastructure in Limerick. He said he had insisted on including a commitment to develop a plan for offshore wind power along the Atlantic coast in the Programme for Government. This offshore wind plan is going to make the mid-west one of the major energy hubs of Europe in time, and I have got that rolling, he said. He also said he had been instrumental in developing the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. Nobody in 2020 would have seen that it was realistic that there would be a plan to build multiple train stations around Limerick to connect Shannon airport to the railway network, to reopen the Limerick to Foynes railway line, he said. Despite the Greens poor poll ratings nationally, Mr Leddin believes the party enjoys stronger support in Limerick, and he can transcend voters party loyalties. He would 100 per cent be prepared to criticise the Government, including his own party. The role is to fight for Limerick, he said. An engineer by profession, he is steeped in Limerick politics. His parents served in the largely ceremonial mayoral office in Limerick city, with his father a Fine Gael councillor and his mother later an independent councillor. Two years ago, Mr Leddin became embroiled in controversy over comments made in a private WhatsApp group about a Limerick councillor, Elisa ODonovan. He apologised at the time . Mr Leddin also defended fellow Limerick man JP McManus, whose tax exile status was criticised by Labour and the Social Democrats after he donated 1m to every GAA county board. It goes way beyond sport. JP funded the oncology unit in the hospital, he said. There are hundreds of people who are alive today because of JP McManus. The treatment they get in that ward is phenomenal. Maureen Sweeney, at just 21, prevented the loss of thousands of soldiers lives on the beaches of Normandy Maureen Sweeney, who unwittingly helped to save the world by pinpointing a storm which could have devastated the D-Day landings, has died aged 100. On June 3, 1944, the night of her 21st birthday, Ms Sweeney was taking pressure and temperature readings at Blacksod weather station on Ireland's west coast as part of her duties as a post office assistant. The readings from Mayo were crucial as they were the first sign of weather coming across the Atlantic two days in advance. General Eisenhower had planned D-Day for June 5, but it was delayed after Maureen reported a dramatic drop in pressure pointing to a coming storm over the beaches. Maureen's updated readings were passed to Eisenhower, who gave the signal to invade on June 6. Critically, the Germans' information was not as accurate. A notice on RIP.ie said Maureen died peacefully in her 101st year, surrounded by her loving family at a nursing home in Belmullet. Her funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Aughleam, on Friday at noon followed by burial in Faulmore Cemetery. Four-year-old waited more than three hours to be seen by a doctor as medical staff missed signs of severe infection A review into the death of a four-year-old girl just 12 hours after she had been discharged from a hospital in Dublin a year ago found a series of shortcomings which led to the medical staff failing to recognise she was displaying symptoms of a serious bacterial infection. The report into the care provided to Ahana Singh at Childrens Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, said they had resulted in a lost opportunity and a failure to comprehensively investigate indicators that she might have been suffering from sepsis. Ahana, who had arrived in Ireland with her parents from India two months earlier, died at her home in Venetian Hall, Killester, Dublin, on December 3 last year after spending almost 10 hours in Temple Street the previous night. The CHI report found that discharging her at a time she had abnormal vital signs represented a missed opportunity to investigate and treat a serious illness. A verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at an inquest at Dublin Coroners Court last week. The CHI review panel, which compiled the report, said the care provided to the girl in multiple regards was not of the standard they would have expected and different treatment would probably have resulted in a more favourable outcome. Solicitor Rachael Liston, for Ahanas parents, Varun and Nalini Singh, has welcomed the reports findings as well as the endorsement of its findings by Coroner Clare Keane. Ahana was a beautiful little girl who should have been celebrating her sixth birthday last Friday, Ms Liston also said. The girl, who had been attending St Brigids Girls National School in Killester for just two weeks, had no significant previous medical history and her parents had described her as a very active child. The report, commissioned by CHI chief executive Eilish Hardiman, identified an overcrowded A&E, a shortage of nursing staff and post-triage monitoring processes as problematic. Although Ahana was categorised as a patient who should have been reviewed clinically within an hour following triage, she had to wait three-and a-half hours before being seen by a doctor. The report also claimed local working conditions in the hospital with two doctors making decisions on up to 61 patients in A&E as well as a breakdown in effective communications between health professionals were other contributory factors in the failure to treat the patient for sepsis. It confirmed there was no language barrier in communications between Ahanas parents and hospital staff. She was brought to the hospital after being sick for five days. Her illness began with a cough, but developed into a fever with some neck pain. The report said the nurse who triaged Ahana on her arrival in the hospital on the evening of December 2 last year had no immediate concerns about her. Although one nurse told the CHI review panel it was standard practice to inform doctors about children with a high heart rate, the registrar who examined Ahana had no recollection if she had been told before discharge that the girl had a persistent, severe high heart rate known in medical terms as tachycardia. The doctor said she had sent Ahana home following her second examination of the girl as she was more comfortable with a better colour and less coughing. However, she said the patient would have been kept in hospital for blood samples if they had known she had a fast heart rate. Although Ahanas parents described their daughter experiencing worsening pain in her limbs and abdomen in the hospital, no further investigations were carried out, although other children were being sent for chest X-rays and getting bloods done. The post-mortem showed she died of invasive group A strep infection with a rapidly-evolving, severe form of pneumonia. The report recorded that Ahanas parents also claimed there had been poor communications with them about a care plan for their daughter as well as poor information about her diagnosis with no information about further tests. They also complained about a lack of parental support in the waiting room which appeared linked to a lack of healthcare staff as well as a low level of empathy. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Mr Singh was forced to wait outside A&E for most of the night as children could only be accompanied by one parent. The review panel claimed the patients persistent severe tachycardia recorded at 8pm on December 2 last year should have resulted in further investigation. It found that the combination of severe tachycardia without a fever, which was recorded eight hours later, should have alerted hospital staff to the possibility of sepsis and arranging appropriate treatment. Additionally, parental concerns regarding Ahanas condition did not appear to have been appreciated by clinical staff, it noted. The review panel, which was chaired by Michael Barrett, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at CHI at Crumlin, observed that Ahanas parents had reported she had never vomited previously, which made it very unusual. It also noted they had reported that she was complaining of pain in her legs and chests, but this was not recorded in medical notes or recalled at staff interviews. The report observed that due to staff shortages the skills mix in A&E on the night was inexperienced. The review panel acknowledged that the challenge for staffing working in an A&E department is that sepsis presents with non-specific signs in its early stages and can mimic many common viral conditions. However, the panel also highlighted that persistent tachycardia as an early indicator of sepsis was widely recognised. It revealed that pain score measurement was performed at triage, but there was no record of any further measurement during Ahanas stay in the hospital despite her experiencing worsening pains. The review panel made a series of recommendations including ensuring all staff were educated in sepsis recognition, documenting of pain scores and the monitoring and escalating of abnormal vital signs. Other recommendations related to improved staffing levels and the introduction of a more detailed sepsis checklist for parents on discharge. CHI indicated that most of the proposed changes were due to be in place by the end of March next year. It also issued a sincere apology to Ahanas parents for the identified shortfall in care as well as for the significant delay in completing the report itself as well as offering condolence on the untimely passing of their daughter. CHI said it would ensure improvements and learnings would follow from the reports findings and stated it was committed to using them to improve safety for all children. Commenting on the report, Ms Liston said ongoing training of medical staff in the recognition of sepsis was essential. However, she said there were so many missed opportunities in Ahanas care that there was a real need for a public awareness campaign to educate the general public about the signs and symptoms of sepsis. After weathering some financial hits, the new podcast duo have landed a lucrative deal to talk politics Last seen on Virgin Medias Tonight Show in 2020, the Matt Cooper-Ivan Yates double act is back after the duo landed what Cooper claims could be the biggest sponsorship deal ever done for an Irish podcast. Cooper had the idea for their new political podcast, Path to Power, while sick in bed with pneumonia. He told me he was calling from his death bed, says Ivan Yates of the phone call that ultimately got the band back together. What prompted the call? I felt if I want to talk and argue politics and not have a dull conversation then this is the guy to do it with, Cooper says. Both men feel 2024 will be, as Yates puts it, a year of seismic political change. I get a sense this is building since 2020, and Im intrigued by a younger generation who are emerging with something different to say than their parents and theyll vote differently too. The sponsorship deal, with aviation leasing company AerCap, was negotiated by Ryan Tubridys agent Noel Kelly, who has long acted for Cooper and Yates. Will the podcast duo reveal the extent of their new pay packet? Agent Noel Kelly and Ryan Tubridy. Photo: PA No! they chime, but Yates, who spent 21 years in the Dail and three as agriculture minister, quips that the deal is massive of such largesse that he is embarrassed by it. Over the next hour, their laughter gives way to an insight into the world of Irish commercial broadcasting and unflattering comparisons with the national broadcaster when it comes to financial rewards. They will have matching pay packets for the new podcast they also had equal pay when co-presenting The Tonight Show. In fact, says Matt. Ivan got me to negotiate the fee with Virgin Media and then he f**ked me out of it for not getting him enough money. Thats true, his co-host confirms. Recalling their time together on TV, Yates says he never met anyone who worked harder than Matt. He says the show could wrap at midnight and Cooper would then sit down to crank out his newspaper column. Yates describes Kelly, the agent who hit the headlines this summer, as pragmatic and commercial... very straight to deal with. Cooper had pitched him the idea of the podcast before news of the RTE scandal broke. While other Kelly clients jumped ship once the storm broke, the pair stayed loyal. We took the view that this was very much RTEs issue and there was no reason for us not to continue to work with Noel, Cooper says. I think his company was quite damaged by RTE and Id be very interested to see where thatll end up. Ill put it this way: if I was in his position, I would be actively considering it [litigation], Yates adds. While he describes Kelly as a pal, the agents relationship with Cooper is strictly business: Ive never had a pint with him. Ive never been to his house. So what cut is Kelly taking? As a rule of thumb, and I deal with four different agents, Id say 15pc, Cooper says. This leads us back to the days when both men suffered setbacks. In 1991 Cooper was a young broadcaster presenting Marketplace on RTE TV. The programme went so well that they moved it from RTE2 to RTE One, and when they moved it, they decided and I remember the quote that I didnt have enough weight or experience. But they had a replacement lined up. They got this little-known woman from the BBC, called Miriam OCallaghan. Apart from the odd documentary, that was the end of his relationship with RTE. In 2003, after six years as Sunday Tribune editor, he took over from Eamon Dunphy on The Last Word on Today FM. The numbers went down and I was almost despondent. In the middle of 2004 it looked like I was going to fail. I was in my late 30s and had three young children at home. So I was deeply, deeply worried. But I worked through it and I worked at making myself better. I had to build back up my confidence and it has come together. Yatess woes, which led to bankruptcy in 2012, are well documented, but he has recovered since those dark days. He now does 70 corporate gigs a year. The first question he asks clients is about their budget. If they utter the words pro-bono meaning no fee he tells them: I dont speak Latin. So how do the pair feel about the RTE pay cap? Yates bats the question to his co-presenter. Is it a restraint of trade? Cooper muses. I suppose always in the commercial sector there are times when there might be a little bit of envy. Its a tough one. I mean, Im happy with what I am paid. Where does envy come into it? I dont want to comment on any individual salaries, not even in the top 10, but there are cases where people deserve to be paid well because they do bring the audience. Then there are other cases where you could argue the audience would be there anyway... Lets move it away from presenters. I think thered be a lot of envy at lower-paid levels, among researchers and producers because people from Today FM and Newstalk and people out in Virgin Media would all be paid less than their counterparts in RTE, and they have less job security. Though theres an awful lot of insecurity in RTE now, he concedes. People are worried about their future. Ill tell you whos underpaid. Kevin Bakhurst [RTE boss]. There isnt another person running a major organisation in the country with the same burden trying to rescue RTE who would do it for the pay hes on. Yates, not surprisingly, has his own take on RTEs top talent. Patrick Kielty. Photo: Andres Poveda I think some people were overpaid and my attitude is good luck to them. Someone could decide with Patrick Kielty tomorrow morning: No, were not giving him another season. Cooper agrees: I actually couldnt believe Kielty would do The Late Late Show for a quarter of a million a year. I think maybe he should have invited Noel Kelly to get him a better price. Yates jumps back in: Lets be clear about this. All media salaries over the last 20 years have gone south and thats because the business model of the media is fragmented. Cooper: Ive never got back to what I was paid in 2009. Yates: I found in my time in radio that I had more ratings and less money and it actually facilitated my move out of media. Cooper: Twice under Communicorps ownership of Today FM, we had our salaries cut without any discussion. Even though we were contractors. On the first occasion, in 2009 there was a 10pc cut immediately. Yates: During Covid it was cut 25pc. Cooper: For six months and it was more or less, If you dont like it, f**k off! Now thats not the way it has been done in RTE. What does he mean by that? It means some people are in the commercial sector and others arent, says Cooper, with the last word. The first episode of Path to Power is out now, with episodes every Friday A 17-year-old girl who was missing since Thursday has been found safe and well. Gardai issued an appeal after Charlotte Conway was last seen in Limerick City at around 5.30pm on Thursday, December 14 after travelling from Waterford. Gardai have confirmed that she has since been located safe and well. The Catholic diocese of Clogher has introduced its first lay funeral ministers who will be able to lead the liturgy when a coffin arrives at the church as well as the rite of committal at the graveside. The new funeral ministers are part of Bishop Larry Duffys plan to move from a model that is clergy-dependent to one where lay people are carrying out many of the roles traditionally performed by a priest. In a pastoral letter read out at masses across Cloghers 37 parishes on Sunday, Dr Duffy stressed that the lay funeral ministers would not be a lessening of service to families and loved ones at the time of a death but rather, a strengthening of the local parish commitment to accompany people at such a difficult and sensitive time. Traditionally, Catholic funerals are led by a priest as the ceremony usually includes Mass, which can only be said by a priest. However, due to the decline in vocations and the lack of priests in Ireland, the church is introducing new lay ministries and adapting services to offset the lack of manpower. The 40 funeral ministers in Clogher will operate in 12 parishes. Other parishes in the diocese, which has a wide geographical spread, encompassing all of Co Monaghan, most of Co Fermanagh along with portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan, have indicated their willingness to nominate people for another training course for lay funeral ministers in the Spring of next year. Clogher currently has 37 parishes and 85 churches, with 44 priests and two deacons in ministry. Last July, Bishop Duffy wrote to the people of his diocese warning them that the figures indicated that in less than 20 years there will be fewer than 10 priests covering all of its parishes and churches and at most, there will be just one priest ordained in the next seven years. Encouraging lay people to embrace a different way of doing things where laity and priests work together, he warned, We cannot afford to wait any longer! Earlier this year, Bishop Donal McKeown warned that very soon it might no longer be the norm for every individual to have a Mass as part of their funeral. He said lay people would begin leading prayers at the graveside or in crematoria in some parishes in the Diocese of Down and Connor in response to the shortage of priests. A survey carried out by the Association of Catholic Priests last year showed that 547 priests of the 2,100 working priests in the Irish Church are aged between 61 and 75 and nearly 300 or 15pc of working priests are aged 75 or over. In the 1960s the Church in Ireland introduced lay readers or Ministers of the Word. In the 1980s it introduced Ministers of the Eucharist. Most Irish dioceses are currently introducing new formation programmes for lay people so that they can perform a range of functions such as presiding at funerals, marriages and baptisms in the years ahead when there are no longer priests available. A pharmacist who provided an antibiotic for a four-week-old boy at 10 times the prescribed dose has been found guilty of poor professional performance. An inquiry by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland was told that the dispensing error resulted in the boy being admitted to and kept in overnight in hospital. Andrea Palfi a registered pharmacist with Sam McCauley Chemists in the Kilkenny Shopping Centre in Loughboy, Kilkenny faced two allegations over her handling of a prescription for the boy on May 12, 2019. The inquiry by the PSIs Professional Conduct Committee was told the direction on the label of the medicine prepared by Ms Palfi advised a dosage of an antibiotic, Monotrim, that was 10 times that prescribed by the patients doctor. The prescription was also for a period of six months. The inquiry was held on foot of a complaint made by the boys mother in February 2020. The PSI claimed that providing the patients mother with Monotrim was not in accordance with the prescription and was done without any or adequate counselling and advice. The regulatory body also maintained the prescription was not clinically appropriate. As a consequence of her mistake, Ms Palfi was also accused of failing to comply with the pharmacy's standard operating procedures, which related to the labelling and checking of prescriptions. Counsel for the PSI, Hugh McDowell BL, said the allegations amounted to poor professional performance because of Ms Palfis failure to meet the standards of competence that could be reasonably expected of a registered pharmacist. Ms Palfi, who is Hungarian, has been working as a pharmacist in Ireland since July 2017. The inquiry was told that Ms Palfi accepted she had made an error and apologised at the time of the incident after the superintendent pharmacist at McCauleys Pharmacy in the Kilkenny Shopping Centre, Geraldine Ramage, carried out her own investigation. Ms Palfi also undertook to use continuous professional development to reflect on her practice and to ensure she would not make a similar dispensing error again. The boys mother gave evidence that she had not given the medication to her son on the first night but when she tried to give it to him the following day, she realised the amount was too much for an infant and stopped. The inquiry was told she sought advice from the paediatric ward at St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny. The woman confirmed to the inquiry that her son had not suffered any long-term consequences from what happened. An expert witness for the PSI, Caroline Hogg, said Ms Palfi had failed to label the dispensed medicines in accordance with the prescriptions dosing instructions which were clear, unambiguous and easy to interpret. Ms Hogg said she considered the error a serious failure. The witness stressed that extra precautions should be taken when prescribing for young children where it is very easy for a dose to be inappropriate or toxic. It is quite a significant error to dispense a product with ten times the prescribed dose, said Ms Hogg. While she acknowledged that everyone could make a mistake, she said there had been a requirement under McCauley's standard operating procedures to check the dosage with a pharmacist in another pharmacy. Ms Palfi, who was not legally represented, said it was a shock to see that the label on the prescription had been incorrect. She said she had since ensured that all possible steps had been taken to ensure there would be no recurrence. The inquiry found the allegations against Ms Palfi proven but accepted that she had provided some advice to the boys mother about the prescription but that it was inadequate. The committees chairperson, Dermott Jewell, said a number of opportunities to identify the error had been missed. Mr Jewell said the committee still had a concern that there was a gap in the pharmacists insight regarding the extent of the incorrect dosage, the patients age, his admission to hospital and the potential for harm. He also noted that they felt Ms Palfi was somewhat dismissive about the fact that the prescribed medication was an antibiotic. However, Mr Jewell said the committee accepted her evidence that it was an honest error for which she had apologised and there had been no previous issue with regard to her work. The committee noted she has a very impressive CV and is very committed to enhancing her professional practice. On foot of a report on the inquiry, the PSIs Council decided to sanction Ms Palfi in the form of an admonishment. The committee had recommended that the pharmacist should be subject to a higher form of sanction censure as it did not believe admonishment was sufficient to meet the seriousness of the findings. Heres a thought to hold on to when day-to-day problems drag you down It is hard to believe that today is the 120th anniversary of the first powered flight by the Wright brothers. It is harder still to believe that less than two generations after that first flight, human beings landed on the moon. In northern Poland, in the city of Malbork, there is a mysterious castle that is twice as big as Buckingham Palace and is considered the largest in the world. It covers an area of 21 hectares and is famous for its Gothic stone style, rooms that are off-limits even to employees, and the legend of a 20-kilometer long long-distance passage. ADVERTISIMENT The castle is supposedly haunted, but guard dogs are afraid to enter some rooms. Interestingly, Malbork was built over 132 years from the beginning of the 14th century. An employee of the palace under the nickname ArdArt decided to tell us more about the building on Reddit. He admitted that he had not been to all the rooms of the castle. Many rooms are closed, and some are forbidden to enter even for employees. "I have been in every room that is accessible to tourists and some that are not. There are many others that I have not seen and I doubt I ever will. I don't think I have a favorite room, but if I were to choose a place to spend a lot of time, I would choose the moat because it surrounds the castle, so you can see it from all sides," the employee admitted. ADVERTISIMENT Asked by commentators whether he had any ghost stories, the employee recalled rumors that the German shepherds of the guards "are afraid to enter certain areas when checking the castle at night." Many places in the building are closed to tourists. For example, above the main gate, there is a door 2 to 3 meters high, and to get there, you need a ladder, which is not available. According to legend, there is a hidden 20 km long underground passage between the castle and the nearest two towns to Malbork. "I have no opinion on its existence. I have heard some people say that it is just a legend, while others have said that they have seen a part of it blocked up in the forest," ArdArt writes. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that the castle had an interesting heating system, thanks to which the technology of underfloor heating already existed in the XIV century. But now the palace is heated using modern methods. "I'm not sure about the exact temperature, but there was a huge room that was filled with hot stones from time to time. The room was connected by ventilation holes to the most important rooms of the castle, so they had floor heating. Now the castle is heated by electricity," the worker said. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, ArdArt highlighted a fact that it considers the most interesting in the history of the palace. It is the name of the toilet tower, because it is named after a neighboring city. "Gdanisko is the name of the tower, Gdansk is the name of the city. If I were a citizen of this city, I would not be proud," the employee summarized. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about which Baltic countries you can go on vacation and what is worth visiting there. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Dorcha Lee: Israel needs another Yitzhak Rabin, a man who took risks for peace Since the killing in 1995 of Israels former PM, no leader has emerged who can end the violence Yitzhak Rabin Dorcha Lee Sun 17 Dec 2023 at 03:30 As we watch the tragic events in Gaza unfold, it is hard not to look back over 75 years of the Arab-Israeli conflict and wonder at the opportunities missed to conclude a lasting peace. The first anniversary mass for the late Aoife Johnston the young woman who died of meningitis in University Hospital Limerick, after waiting 12 hours in an overcrowded emergency department, before being belatedly diagnosed with and treated for sepsis took place yesterday. A year on from her tragically avoidable death, Aoifes family and friends gathered at SS John & Paul Church in Shannon on what was a bleak midwinter evening to remember a vibrant young woman whose death still shocks and angers her community. Clear failures in clinical and wider governance at UHL led to the death of the much-loved Leaving Certificate student. That much is evident from a damning review into her death which is as yet unpublished. Aoifes family was recently provided with a report into her death, which this newspaper revealed established serious failings in the care of a teenager. UHL has been described as inhumane and a national basket-case Today we also tell how her family were at their wits end on the night in question, constantly demanding that their daughter be treated. Also today, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirms he has received a copy of the review and says he is seeking assurances that similar failures cannot occur again. That is the least he can do. But it is not enough. Anybody familiar with the hospital concerned is aware that this was a tragedy effectively waiting to happen. In recent years, UHL has been described as inhumane and, most strikingly, a national basket-case such has been the chronic overcrowding which led to record levels of trolley counts there over a sustained period. Difficult winter conditions at hospitals may have become commonplace across the country but doctors, campaigners and health oversight bodies have been highlighting specific concerns at UHL for some time. Successive health ministers, therefore, have been watching an escalating crisis for at least a decade and they have done little or nothing to address the core issues at the heart of the problem. The minister has now requested a detailed response from the HSE as to how it intends to implement the recommendations of the review into Aoifes death and the very serious concerns identified, including the management of overcrowding in the emergency department. The Health Ministers response comes too late for Aoife and her family Specifically, he has asked about the hospitals failure to implement the escalation/full capacity protocol on the weekend of her death. He has also asked how the HSE intends to implement the reviews recommendation of a zero tolerance approach to admitted patients being boarded in the emergency department and how it fits with the existing emergency department escalation protocol. While the minister is, no doubt, asking the appropriate questions now, the fact remains that the response is too late for Aoifes family. UHL is the same hospital which has had to apologise to the people of the mid-west for overcrowding in the recent past and, on occasion, even asked them to avoid attending the hospital. It is understood that staff flagged concerns about the worsening situation in the emergency department in the days before Aoife presented. They were not acted on. The death of Aoife Johnston is a scandal that must not peter out in exhausted outrage. Lessons have to be learned, changes must be made, and consequences must be applied, too, where appropriate. Conor McDonald (The Ballagh GPA) and Colin Travers (The Wexford Barn Owl project) with Gismo and one of the new nest boxes which will be erected in The Ballagh area at The Ballagh GPA Barn Owl project event held in The Ballagh National School. Leon Sludds and Gizmo the barn owl with Colin Travers (The Wexford Barn Owl project) at The Ballagh GPA Barn Owl project event held in The Ballagh National School. Conor Breen and Gizmo the barn owl with Conor McDonald (The Ballagh GPA) and Colin Travers (The Wexford Barn Owl project) at The Ballagh GPA Barn Owl project event held in The Ballagh National School. They got to meet, hold and learn about one of Irelands most iconic birds, the Barn Owl. Once widespread across the countryside Barn Owl numbers have suffered in recent times due to lack of suitable nest sites and through secondary poisoning from rodenticides such as rat poison. Current estimations put the owls numbers at just 500 pairs remaining nationwide. Luckily, in The Ballagh, there have been a number of confirmed sightings of Barn Owls and members of the local Game Preservation Association have teamed up with The Wexford Barn Owl project to erect a number of barn owl boxes in the area. To promote their conservation project The Ballagh GPA organised and sponsored Colin Travers of The Wexford Barn Owl project to visit each class in the local school. All of the girls and boys got to meet Gizmo the barn owl and learned about what the owls like to eat and where they like to nest. They also learned about barn owl nest boxes and how the birds are vulnerable to secondary poisoning from poison placed out for rats and mice. The most interesting fact that they all heard was that a family of barn owls can eat up to 2,000 rodents a year so if you are lucky enough to have them in your area there is no need to put down poison. The children also got to meet a Harris Hawk, a Tawny Owl, a Little Owl, a Great Grey Owl and a White Faced Scops Owl. There was great excitement amongst the pupils and staff as Gizmo the barn owl flew from Colin to the teacher in each of the rooms. It was lovely to see children enthused about their local nature and wildlife. The Ballagh GPA aim to erect a number of nest boxes in suitable areas around the parish this winter to help maintain the numbers of this beautiful bird. This is just a part of their wider nature conservation efforts in the parish. If you are interested in erecting a barn owl nest box on your property or would like to help out you can contact the club via email theballaghgpa@gmail.com or get in touch with them via Facebook @The Ballagh GPA. Lorna Fitzpatrick has been selected as the new Labour candidate for local elections. Labours Lorna Fitzpatrick representing the Gorey area has urged all workers and particularly young workers to know their rights and join a union in the run-up to the busy Christmas period. Lorna was recently selected by the Labour Party as its candidate for the upcoming local elections in June 2024. She is committed to community welfare and a vision for an even more prosperous Gorey. As the final few days of preparing for Christmas approach, I encourage people to Shop Local and support local businesses whenever they can. We know it is the busiest time of the year for many retailers and hospitality businesses, but it can never be an excuse to treat workers unfairly, said Lorna. Lorna urges workers to join a union to ensure their rights are protected and believes sub-minimum wage should not be allowed. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Employers have clear obligations to protect their workers, irrespective of the time of year. I urge all workers, particularly those in the retail and service industry, to remind themselves of their rights. Workers must stand up against unreasonable requests like skipping breaks and they must ensure they are paid adequate overtime. Many of the workers who are busiest during the holiday season are some of the lowest paid across the economy. And we know that young workers aged 19 and under are only entitled to discriminatory sub-minimum wages set below the National Minimum Wage, said Lorna. Lorna addressed the new figures disclosed recently by the ESRI that around 25% of young workers between 15 to 19 years old are paid the subminimum rate. Labour have been calling for an end to the sub-minimum rates, we need equal pay for equal work. Young workers are too often used and abused in low-paid jobs. As a former president of the Union of Students in Ireland, I heard all too often of the unfair treatment of young workers who are often struggling with the cost of living. The very minimum that this Government could do for them is end the two-tier rates of pay for people doing the exact same work, said Lorna. Catriona Whelan and Caroline Syme at Enniscorthy Red Cross Christmas Dinner in The Courtyard, Ferns. Breda Coughlan-Nolan and Damien Dinneen at Enniscorthy Red Cross Christmas Dinner in The Courtyard, Ferns. Declan Byrne, Caroline Kavanagh and Aine Byrne at Enniscorthy Red Cross Christmas Dinner in The Courtyard, Ferns. Bruce and Olive Lett at Enniscorthy Red Cross Christmas Dinner in The Courtyard, Ferns. John Kavanagh, Sally Flynn and Tom Shortt at Enniscorthy Red Cross Christmas Dinner in The Courtyard, Ferns. THE Enniscorthy branch of the Red Cross held their Annual Christmas dinner on Friday December 1. The dinner took place in the Courtyard in Ferns and marked the end of an extremely successful and busy year for the organisation. In attendance were members from Enniscorthy and Gorey Red Cross as well as some of their partners. The night was a great Christmas celebration out after a very busy year with many duties covered along with first aid courses, hospital transfers and helping with the hospital fire. On the night some members received badges commemorating their participation in the first national volunteer services parade in Wexford town earlier this year. The parade saw a flurry of uniforms make their way down Trinity Street and along Wexfords quayfront to mark National Services Day. Taking place on September 2, the day saw a full static display and live demonstrations from the emergency services on the quayfront. As well as Red Cross members, members of the Irish Coast Guard and Air Corps rescue helicopters, the Civil Defence, Defence Forces, An Garda Siochana, National Ambulance Service, RNLI, Order of Malta, Blood Bikes, Irish Water Safety, UN Veterans and ONE also took part in the parade. A south Kilkenny man who died suddenly in Australia was laid to rest in his native hometown on Friday after mourners heard he has given the gift of life to people through being an organ donor. Robert Murphy from Newtown, Graiguenamanagh died at St. Vincents Hospital, Sydney, on Sunday November 12, after a sudden illness. Late of Graiguenamanagh and Cork, Robert is survived by his heartbroken parents, Marion and Bob; beloved partner Martina; cherished siblings Sarah, Rebecca, Jennifer and Matthew; adored godson and nephew Conor; aunts; uncles; cousins and a wide circle of friends and relatives. At his funeral mass in Duiske Abbey, his brother Matthew paid a heartfelt tribute to a man who made friends wherever he went. He said Robert travelled to Australia six-and-a-half-years ago to work on some of the countrys landmark buildings. While there he met a woman named Martina who would become a very special part of his life. Robert travelled around the country before settling in Sydney, where he did slate roof work on the University of Sydney and other heritage buildings. Always one to keep in touch with family back home, Robert loved getting daily videos of the family dog, Holly, from his mother. A person of great kindness, compassion and wit, Robert left a positive mark everywhere he went, Matthew said, adding: Your legacy will live on. When someone is so full of life it's impossible to see them any other way. Although we must go on without you, you are home now. Rest easy Robert, you honoured life. As symbols of Roberts life were brought to the altar, one of his sisters spoke of the amazing gift of life her brother has given to others by being an organ donor. As Robert's passport was placed down, she said: The passport represents Robert's love of adventure. It is a poignant reminder of how Robert in donating his organs - gives a passport to other lives. Other gifts included sand from Bondi Beach representing Roberts love for the outdoors and a hammer and piece of slate symbolising his work on heritage buildings with Slate Roofing Australia, Robert taking great pride in bringing the talent passed down from his father to the country. A cap was also presented, while an amazing poem Robert wrote as a 5th Class pupil - called The Magic Box was read out. Fr Mark Townsend said people were tuning in to the mass from around the world, including Australia. We keep in our prayers Robert who has died. His life at such a young age has ultimately been cut short and ended by his sudden illness. We offer our sympathies to Robert's loved ones today. We are numbed by Roberts sudden death, this terrible, horrendous loss for Robert's loved ones today, he said, adding that Robert's family and friends have many happy memories to draw on. Fr Townsend said everyone had many questions around why someone so young could die so suddenly. "We have no answers, he said, thanking the staff at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney for their excellent care of Robert during his illness. After the ceremony, Robert was laid to rest in Calvary cemetery. The shoreline of Tramore provided a wonderful backdrop to a recent south east regional sharing and learning event for social prescribing link workers, service users, funders, supporters and associates of the social prescribing movement. Social prescribing recognises that health is heavily determined by social factors such as poverty, isolation and loneliness. The theme of the event was Exploring Social Prescribing Innovations Prescribing for Youth, Blue and Green Ways. Themes explored on the day in respect of youth, blue and green prescribing highlighted how people from environmental health, social innovators and healthcare fields need to work together to open doors and create opportunities for social prescription and health and wellbeing gain for all. Social Prescribing in Wexford is funded under the HSE Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme and the host partner for rolling out social prescribing in Wexford is Wexford Local Development. WLD is a community-based organisation working for County Wexford and is one of 48 Local Development Companies in Ireland. It is committed to making a positive impact across the county by promoting employment, inclusion, supporting enterprise and addressing inequality. WLD also delivers a range of interlinked programmes on behalf of local and national Government to address the needs of individuals and communities across the life cycle within County Wexford. The Social prescribing service offered by WLD sets out a referral pathway for non-clinical activities to promote health and wellbeing for all involved in this service. The contribution from Wexford Social Prescribing to the event on Sept 29th highlighted the theme of Blue Prescribing. Caitriona Carlin and Gesche Kindermann NUI Galway, authors of The NEAR Report- provided context for the evidence base of blue prescription for health and wellbeing. Dr Yvonne Byrne, Rural Consultant based in Wexford described how working in an integrated way builds capacity, transfers knowledge, and develops opportunities within our local natural environments that have such a pivotal role in supporting health and wellbeing of society. She also explored the value of blue prescription in terms of return on social investment. Social Prescribing Link Worker Deirdre Earle together with participant Phillip Doyle presented a video testimonial on Phillips experience of engaging with blue prescribing creatively, which can be viewed on WLD social media. Philip generously contributed his original artwork to the Wexford Service. As highlighted at the event, nature and the environment have a pivotal role in helping society to maintain and restore health. Participants on the day availed of fresh air, sea, and blue skies to apply their learning in the moment. 2 Johnnies star Johnny McMahon had to be brought to hospital after a stunt went wrong at a gig in the 3Arena on Saturday night. McMahon, known as Johnny Smacks, sustained an injury at the duo's gig at a packed 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday night. The hurling-mad Tipperary pair were playing to almost 15,000 people at the Dublin venue when a Garth Brooks-esque guitar smash went wrong. Roscrea native Smacks was seen feeling the effects and subsequently attended hospital where it appears he has a fracture in his right hand. Johnny B took to the 2 Johnnies Instagram page to update fans on Saturday night. "Hes ok! Smashed guitars and broken bones. What's a 2 Johnnies gig without a few broken hurleys," he said. "Thanks a million to everyone who came tonight, unbelievable scenes," he added. Fans were quick to compliment the 2FM stars, who recently completed their Late Night Lock-in series on RTE on their show, and wish Johnny Smacks a speedy recovery. One fan wrote: "Poor Smacks, thought he was just being dramatic. Great show lads." Another added: "You're going soft lad!!! Pull hard and pull Often. Speedy recovery, thanks for a great show." Amy Dowden has said she felt like herself for the first time since her cancer diagnosis when she was reunited with her fellow Strictly Come Dancing professionals to perform during the live final. The 33-year-old dancer was unable to have a celebrity partner on the BBC One show this year after her diagnosis and treatment for stage three breast cancer. Dowden, who finished her last bout of chemotherapy in November, fractured her foot shortly after and said in an Instagram post that she was heartbroken as it meant her plans to return to the Strictly ballroom were no longer possible. In a surprise appearance, however, the Caerphilly-born dancer returned to the stage on Saturday night when the professionals opened the grand final with a high-octane routine, wearing black and white outfits. On Sunday, Dowden wrote about the final in an Instagram post and said: Strictly 2023 thank you! Congratulations to our fabulous winners and finalist but also to every member of the team! Its truly a dream team! My aim this year was to be able to dance in some way and after breaking my foot the plans had to change but as always the incredible team still made it happen. Last night I got to be part of the opening number. To have that adrenaline rush from performing in front of an audience, to be back with the gang made me feel like Amy again (the first time since my diagnosis). Thank you @bbcstrictly for helping me through these past few months. Youve helped me more than you will ever know! This show certainly brings joy to the nation. Its bitter sweet coming to the end for me as this has been my only bit of normality the past few months and given me the distraction and focus to be there on Saturdays when I could with the team. My heart couldnt be more full than it is for this show and everyone involved. So proud to be part of the magic! Thank you! At the end of the show, soap star Ellie Leach and her professional partner Vito Coppola were announced as the winners of Strictly 2023 and were handed the glitterball trophy. Even though Dowden was unable to perform in a couple this year, she made a surprise appearance on the BBC flagship show in October, appearing to read out the shows terms and conditions. Emerging from behind a golden fringe wall and sporting a shaved head and white glittery dress, she told host Claudia Winkleman that she was over halfway through treatment. Later, in an episode of spin-off programme It Takes Two, Dowden said the support of fellow dancers and staff on the show allowed her to feel liberated to not wear a wig when she appeared on the programme. The dancer, who joined Strictly in 2017, announced her cancer diagnosis in May after finding a lump in her breast in April, the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones. In November she thanked people for their love and support when she posted a video to social media which showed her ringing a bell that signalled the end of her chemotherapy. Teenager Alex Batty, who has been found in France six years after he disappeared, wanted to return to the UK and find identity documents to enable him to start school. The youngster went missing aged 11 in 2017 after his mother, who was not his legal guardian, took him on a pre-arranged trip to Spain with his grandfather. The attack on the night of December 17 on the Morozovsk military airfield in Rostov region was carried out jointly by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The target was not chosen by chance when developing the plan of the special operation: the 559th Bombardment Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces is stationed there. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZ.UA learned about this from its own sources. According to the information we received, the attack was successful: enemy equipment was destroyed. According to our sources, the attack on the Morozovsk airfield was carried out as part of a joint operation by the SSU and the Armed Forces. The sources claim that the target was not chosen by chance: the 559th Bomber Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces is stationed there. At the time when the Ukrainian drones arrived at the airfield, there were up to 20 SU-34 fighter-bombers there. In addition, the occupiers deployed 3 radar stations and other equipment at Morozovsk. ADVERTISIMENT "The airfield was attacked by drones. Although Russia has traditionally claimed that all the UAVs were shot down, in reality, the Service and the Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted significant damage to the enemy's equipment," the source said. As a reminder, on the morning of December 17, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a massive night attack by "Ukrainian" UAVs on three Russian regions at once: Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd. The invaders boasted that they had allegedly shot down 35 Ukrainian drones on the night of December 16-17. ADVERTISIMENT Meanwhile, Russian media outlet Astra noted that the target of the night attack on the Rostov region could have been the Morozovsk military airfield, where Su-24, Su-24M and Su-34 bombers are stationed. Later, the Main Directorate of Intelligence confirmed the drone attacks on Russian regions and announced the defeat of a number of targets identified for destruction, without specifying which ones. At the same time, the military intelligence denied any involvement in the attack on Morozovsk, where the occupiers found fragments of drones. The governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, was more reserved than the Russian Defense Ministry. He confirmed that drones had attacked Morozovsky and Kamensky districts in Rostov Oblast. There, the official assured, "most of the drones were destroyed." However, he was silent on what happened to those that were not shot down. ADVERTISIMENT The Irish divorce: Why the arrangement of celebrity couples like Jada Pinkett and Will Smith is not unusual to us Image credit: UNI New Delhi/IBNS: In his first remark on the Parliament security breach last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident was "very serious" and that a "detailed investigation" should be carried out. However, the PM ruled out the need to debate on this matter. "The seriousness of this incident should not be downplayed. The (Lok Sabha) Speaker is taking all the necessary steps. Probe agencies are investigating the matter. It is important to find out which elements are behind this and what their objectives are. There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this," he told Dainik Jagran newspaper in an interview. Earlier, he asked his ministers to take the incident "seriously" without getting involved in "politicking". "Take this incident seriously. Dont indulge in politicking. We have to all take precautions," Modi said as quoted by ABP News. The Union Home Ministry has formed a panel to probe into the shocking Parliament security breach that happened last Wednesday when the proceedings of the Lok Sabha were on. The incident coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on Parliament. Triggering panic and chaos in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, two men carrying smoke canisters jumped into the chamber of the Lower House from the visitors' gallery. Both the intruders were immediately apprehended and taken into police custody. Six people were involved in the planning and execution of the incident. All the accused have been arrested and sent to police custody. Amid massive Opposition uproar over Parliament security breach, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments of proceedings. As many as 14 MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha for their alleged misconduct for the remainder of the ongoing winter session. In Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek OBrien was also suspended for the same period for his 'ignoble misconduct'. Among those MPs suspended from Lok Sabha include DMK's Kanimozhi and Congress' Manickam Tagore. Image credit: UNI Imphal/IBNS/UNI: Three Naga militants were killed in a clash between two of its militant groups in Noney district of Manipur on Sunday. Police said a gun battle ensued between suspected ZUF and NSCN (IM) cadres resulting in the death of two ZUF and one NSCN IM cadre. The clash occurred at Lamdangmei village, Noney District. A police team from Khoupum police rushed in to enquire into the incident. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Gopalganj (Bihar): A priest, who was brutally murdered, and his mutilated body was recovered in Bihar's Gopalganj district by police on Saturday, days after he went missing, media reports said. According to an India Today report, victim Manoj Kumar, a priest of a Shiva temple in Danapur village of the district, had gone missing for nearly six days. His perpetrators shot him dead, gouged out his eyes and cut his genitals, police said. Locals alleged that the police deliberately delayed the investigation even after the victims family had reported his sudden absence. Irate locals clashed with the police, during which two police officials sustained minor injuries. His brother Ashok Kumar Shah is a former divisional president of the BJP. The police said Manoj Kumar went missing when he went to the temple from his house. The police had started investigating but were unable to trace his whereabouts. Despite starting an investigation, police were unable to locate him. Later, on Saturday, the police discovered the victim's body in the village bushes. As this news surfaced, the locals accused the police of negligence. This led to skirmishes between police and locals, with villagers hurling stones at the police and setting a patrol vehicle ablaze on the highway. The victims brother, Suresh Shah, said the district administration had assured a speedy investigation. However, after six days, police could only recover his mutilated body. He said the family was unaware of how and why the murder took place. Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia.org New Delhi: Six people have been arrested for the Parliament security breach on December 13, which coincided with the anniversary of the 2001 attacks. All the arrested accused have been remanded to police custody for seven days. On Sunday, the police retrieved charred parts of mobile phones, clothes, and footwear belonging to the accused involved in the Parliament security breach. According to the police, Lalit Jha, the mastermind, had possession of all the accused's phones. He first dismantled the phones before setting them ablaze. The alleged mastermind behind the Parliament security breach, Lalit Mohan Jha, arrested on Thursday, had travelled to Kuchaman in Rajasthan after the incident. During police interrogation, it was learned that Lalit met Mahesh Kumawat in Rajasthan, who arranged a room for Lalit to stay overnight. Allegedly, Jha destroyed of all evidence before voluntarily surrendering at the Kartavya Path Police station. Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, the two men involved, leaped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour. They released yellow smoke from canisters, chanted slogans, and were subsequently subdued by Members of Parliament. On Saturday, the Delhi Police arrested, Mahesh Kumawat, after ascertaining that he was part of the conspiracy. He was remanded to seven days' custody for further interrogation. The accused told the police that they initially explored the idea of self-immolation by applying fire-resistant gel on their bodies to create more drama and draw media attention, a media report said. However, they later dropped the idea and opted for a plan to jump into the Lok Sabha chamber with smoke canisters, according to their statements. Initially, they also contemplated distributing pamphlets inside the Parliament premises, but ultimately, they proceeded with the executed plan on Wednesday, an official said, according to the report. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left for New Delhi on Sunday for a series of official and political programmes, including a December 20 meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention in getting the state's dues including MGNREGA funds. Sources told UNI Banerjee, who took the 3 pm Delhi flight from the NSCBI airport here, is scheduled to preside over a meeting of the TMC MPs of both Houses of Parliament on Monday at Banga Bhawan. On the same day, she will meet some national leaders of the opposition parties. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress Chairperson, will participate in the fourth meeting of the I. N. D. I. A bloc leaders on December 19. There is some speculation that Banerjee will be accompanied by a Trinamool parliamentary delegation, including her nephew and party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, when she calls on the PM on December 20. Banerjee in recent meetings has raised the pitch against the BJP-led Central Government for alleged "withholding" of funds for the100 days work programme (under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). "We are not begging as the 100 days work fund is our constitutional right and I am going to Delhi for this on December 18, 19 and 20 as I had already written a letter to the PM and sought his appointment on any of these three days," she said. Banerjee alleged the Centre has stopped its share of funds for health, Banglar Ghar (housing scheme) as also the rural road scheme. They are not giving their share of funds. Yet we have not discontinued any welfare and development schemes. They are not even paying the MGNREGA dues, she reiterated. (With UNI inputs) Photo courtesy: PIB Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stopped his convoy during his roadshow in Varanasi to allow the passage of an ambulance. This is not the first instance by the Prime Minister stopped his convoy to make way for an ambulance. On September 30 of the previous year, while travelling from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar in Gujarat, PM Modi's convoy made way for an ambulance on the main road. On November 9, 2022, after a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, the Prime Minister once again paused his convoy to give right of way to an ambulance. In Varanasi, PM Modi participated in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra today. He took a walkthrough of the stalls and visited the Viksit Bharat Yatra Van and Quiz event. The Prime Minister also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes and also addressed them on the occasion. During the program, the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Oath was also administered. Prime Minister Modi is set to launch and inaugurate 37 projects totalling over Rs 19,000 crore for Varanasi and Purvanchal during his two-day visit to Varanasi this year. These projects span various sectors, including roads and bridges, health and education, police welfare, smart city and urban development projects, railways, and airports. On the first day of his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam in the evening at Namo Ghat. The event will include the flag-off of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, which will operate between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, scheduled from December 17-31, will see the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, visiting Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya, as per an official statement. Photo Courtesy: PIB Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that if 140 crore citizens resolve to take the country forward then India will surely become a developed country by 2047. While addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme here in Varanasi, the PM said, "To make a developed India, every citizen should make his mood, mind and resolve and once the mind is made up then the destination is not far away." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers were present on the occasion. He said, "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is the work of the country. It is not the work of any political party and whosoever is doing this he is doing a pious work. Those who are sitting on the fence should realise that they are missing their chance." Modi said that several governments came, numerous schemes were formulated and a lot of things were said. "The crux of what I felt is that the most important work on which maximum concentration should be laid is that the schemes should reach the people for whom they have been formulated, achieve the purpose for which it is formulated and should reach the beneficiary at the right time without any hassle," he said. He said, "If there is a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna there then permanent houses of those living in huts and kutcha houses should be constructed. And for this they should not take the round of the government, instead the government should step forward and work." The PM said that since the public has assigned the work to him around 4 crore families have got permanent houses. "Still at times reports are received that some person somewhere has been left out. Therefore we decided to move around the country and take feedback about the government schemes for the beneficiaries, what they got, how they received it and whether they faced any problem in geting it," he said. He said, "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is my examination. I wanted to hear from you whether the work has been done in accordance with the expectation, whether it has been done for the person for which it was intended and whether the work which was supposed to be done has been accomplished or not." Modi said that during interaction with some beneficiaries, he met some people who got serious ailments treated with the help of Ayushman card. "I get blessings for all this, but the government employee and officers, who formulate the scheme on the files and even devolve the funds, feel satisfied when he hears that people are getting benefits. His enthusiasm to work increases many fold," he said. He said that therefore wherever this Sankalp Yatra has been done so far it has created a positive impact on the government employees and officers as they feel satisfied. "There are very less people who realise the power of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra," he said. Modi said, "Some say what difference does the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra make? But one of my sisters said that it has ended the difference between the poor and the rich. When a poor person says that the difference between the poor and rich has ended after having a cooking gas it means a lot." He said, "I want that every person should feel that the railways, hospital, office is mine and above all this country is mine. And when this sense develops the feeling to do something for the country also increases. When the people get the information about the government schemes they feel that this is their right. And when 140 crore people realise that this is the right time the country is all set to move ahead." The PM said that the Yatra is a big dream and resolve which we have to fulfill with our efforts. "The seed which is being sown today will turn into such a 'Vatvriksha' that the country will become developed India by 2047 and our children will start getting its fruit," he said. Earlier, the PM visited an exhibition organised on various schemes of the government and interacted with the beneficiaries. (With UNI inputs) Russia is going to hold presidential elections in March 2024, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The occupiers have every opportunity to create the appearance of total support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. ADVERTISIMENT Moscow plans to use this fake "support" to legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories. This is stated in a new report by the UK Ministry of Defense. The British defense ministry reminded that on December 11, the Russian Central Election Commission announced the presidential elections not only in the legal territories of Russia but also in the partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which Russia added to its constitution as "subjects of the Russian Federation" last fall. The occupiers have already held "regional elections" in these territories in September 2023. However, we cannot even speak of a relative "expression of will" in the occupied territories. "As in the case of the regional elections, it is almost certain that voting in the presidential elections in the Russian-controlled regions will be neither free nor fair. The Russian authorities almost certainly see the 'right' results in these regions as a priority as they want to create the impression of legitimacy for Russia's invasion," the British Ministry of Defense noted. ADVERTISIMENT To achieve the appearance of allegedly total support for the current Russian president and Russia in general, the occupiers, according to the British Defense Ministry, will use all available tools. "The Russian administration will almost certainly use all available methods, including significant election fraud and voter intimidation, to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin wins in regions with a significant advantage," the British Ministry of Defense summarized. Earlier, British intelligence assessed the consequences of the hacker attack on Kyivstar. According to the UK, it has become one of the most destructive cyberattacks since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Not only millions of civilian subscribers were affected by the failure of the operator's equipment but also government resources and emergency services. ADVERTISIMENT British intelligence noted that the cyberattack disrupted the operation of air raid alerts, some banks, ATMs, and retail terminals. However, no personal data was compromised during the attack. Narendra Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023. Photo Courtesy: PIB Modi flagged off the Kanyakumari Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition and witnessed a cultural program. Kashi Tamil Sangamam aims to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi two of the countrys most important and ancient seats of learning. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed everyone not as guests but as his family members. He underlined that arriving in Kashi from Tamil Nadu simply means traveling from one abode of Lord Mahadev to the other namely Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Vishalakshi. Highlighting the unique love and connection between the people of Tamil Nadu and Kashi, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the hospitality of the citizens of Kashi. Along with the blessings of Lord Mahadev, the Prime Minister emphasized that the participants will return to Tamil Nadu with Kashis culture, delicacies and memories. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence in real-time translation of his speech in Tamil for the first time and reiterated its usage in future events. The Prime Minister flagged off the Kanyakumari Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. Quoting Subramania Bharathi, the Prime Minister said that vibrations of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam are spreading throughout the country and the world. Modi noted that lakhs of people including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals have become part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception last year and it has become an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas. He expressed satisfaction on the joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University and IIT, Chennai where IIT, Chennai is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative. These recent developments, the Prime Minister said, are proof of the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister said that Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. This spirit was behind the organization of Kashi Telugu Sangamam and Saurashtra Kashi Sangamam, he said. The spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat got further strength from the new tradition of celebration of other statehood days in all the Raj Bhavans of the country. PM Modi also recalled the establishment of the sacred Sengol in the new Parliament under the supervision of the Aadinam saints reflecting the same spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. This flow of spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat is infusing the soul of our nation today, he said. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Indias diversity has been moulded in the spiritual consciousness as signified by Great Pandian King Parakram Pandian who had said that every water in India is Gangajal, and every geographical location of the country is Kashi. Reflecting on the time when the centers of faith in Northern India were constantly under attack by foreign powers, the Prime Minister highlighted King Parakram Pandians efforts to keep the heritage of Kashi alive with the construction of Tenkasi and Sivakasi temples. Modi also recalled the fascination of the dignitaries taking part in the G20 Summit towards Indias diversity. The Prime Minister said that in other countries, nation has been defined in political terms whereas India, as a nation, is constructed out of spiritual beliefs. India, PM Modi said, has been unified by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanjuam. The Prime Minister also recalled the role of yatras of Aadina saints to Shiv Sthans. "Due to these Yatras, India has remained eternal and unwavering as a nation, Modi added. Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction with the peaking interests of the countrys youth towards ancient traditions as he observed that a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu are travelling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites. Darshan of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, who established Rameshwaram along with Lord Mahadev, is divine, the Prime Minister said, noting that special arrangements are also being made for Ayodhya visit of those attending the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for knowing each others culture as this increases trust and develops rapport. Giving an example of the two great temple cities, Kashi and Madurai, Shri Modi said that Tamil literature talks about both Vagai and Gangai (Ganga). When we come to know of this heritage we feel the depth of our relations, he said. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the confluence of Kashi - Tamil Sangamam will continue empowering Indias heritage, and strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister hoped for a pleasant stay for those visiting Kashi and also thanked renowned singer Shriram for captivating the entire audience with his performance. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Security forces arrested a hybrid terrorist of Jash-e-Muhammad (JeM) and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from his possession in Jammu Kashmirs Pulwama district, police said on Sunday. Police identified the hybrid terrorist as Rohail Abdullah, a resident of Nully Poshwari Shopian, who was missing from his home since December 8, 2023, was arrested from Naina Batapora. The operation is a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in the region, police said. During the arrest, the security forces recovered Ak 56 Rifle 1 , Magazine AK 56 2 , AK Ammunition 60 rounds , Chinese grenade 5 , Pistol glock 1, Pistol magazine 1 & Pistol live ammunition 26 rounds from the terrorist's possession, they said and added the recovery has undoubtedly prevented potential acts of violence and ensured the safety of innocent civilians. Police are conducting further investigations into the activities of the arrested terrorist. This is an essential step towards dismantling the terrorist (s) network and ensuring the long-term safety of the region, police said. Photo Courtesy: UNI Washington: The US State Department approved a potential $59 million sale of Sidewinder Missiles to Japan, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $59.03 million, the statement said on Friday. Japan requested to buy 44 Sidewinder Missiles, as well as 29 training units, the statement said. The sale would support US foreign policy and national security goals, the statement said. The sale would neither alter the basic military balance of the region nor adversely impact US defense readiness, the statement said. (With UNI/SPUTNIK inputs) Photo Courtesy: UNI Isfahan: A fire broke out on Saturday morning at a crude oil processing station of an oil refinery in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported. The fire started at the inlet pipes of the unit, and firefighting teams are currently trying to localize it, the news outlet reported, citing the Crisis Management Authority for Isfahan Province. There has been no reported injuries or fatalities as of yet, the news agency said. (UNI/SPUTNIK) Image credit: UN Website Geneva/IBNS/UNI: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), reiterated his call on Friday for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Tedros appealed at an annual press conference organized by the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations in Geneva. The director-general hailed as "significant" the resolution adopted at the special session of the WHO Executive Board on the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, which called for immediate, sustained, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief in Gaza, including medical personnel. The resolution also called on Tedros to continue reporting on the crisis's public health implications, assess the crisis's mental health impacts, increase technical and material assistance, and strengthen the health agency's work with partners. However, these tasks are almost impossible in the current circumstances, Tedros said. "The only real remedy is an immediate ceasefire," he said. This year, there were over 1,200 documented attacks on health workers, patients, hospitals, clinics, and ambulances, across 19 countries, resulting in nearly 700 deaths and over 1,100 injuries, according to the head of WHO. Tedros denounced attacks on health as a violation of international humanitarian law, saying health must never be a target. More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed amid the ongoing Gaza conflict since Oct 7, with 70 percent of them women and children, the health ministry in Gaza said on Thursday. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The International Federation of Journalists records that 94 journalists and media workers, including 9 women, have been killed in 2023. Since 7 October, more than one journalist a day has lost their lives during the war in Gaza, a scale and pace of loss of media professionals lives without precedent. Publishing ahead of International Human Rights Day, on the 10th December, the IFJ insists that far greater action is required from the international community to safeguard journalists lives and hold to account their attackers. This year, like 2022, was marked by the deaths of journalists in war. In 2023 Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip have been the victims of indiscriminate bombing by the Israeli army. The IFJ calls on international authorities to ensure that international law is respected and to put an end to the massacre of journalists in Gaza. The international community, and more particularly the International Criminal Court, must face up to its responsibilities and thoroughly investigate, and where appropriate bring prosecutions to those who have ordered and carried out attacks on journalists, says the IFJ. The war in Gaza has been more deadly for journalists than any single conflict since the IFJ began recording journalists killed in the line of duty in 1990. The IFJ has recorded 68 journalists killed since the Hamas attack on 7 October. This year, 72% of journalists killed worldwide have been killed in the Gaza conflict, the Federation records. Sixty-one Palestinian journalists were killed in the Gaza strip. Four Israeli journalists were killed in the first hours of the Hamas attack on 7 October: two during the Supernova music festival and two were murdered in the kibbutzes of Nahal Oz and Kfar Aza. Three Lebanese journalists were killed on 13 October and 21 November in Israeli shootings while filming a report on the border between the two countries. Elsewhere in the Middle East, the IFJ counts 3 media workers killed in Syria. In Europe, Ukraine remains a dangerous country for journalists. This year three journalists and media workers - Ukrainian (1), Russian (1) and French (1) - have been killed in the Ukrainian war. In the Asia-Pacific region, the murders of journalists are concentrated in the same countries as in previous years. Even if the number of journalists killed remains lower than in 2022, the IFJ is concerned about the safety of journalists on the continent. Whether in Afghanistan (2), the Philippines (2), India (1), China (1) or Bangladesh (1), the Federation denounces the failure to hold the perpetrators to account.. The IFJ calls on governments in the region to investigate these murders and to put in place measures to ensure the safety of journalists. The IFJ notes a real decrease in the number of journalists killed in North and South America; 29 journalists lost their lives in 2022 just seven did in 2023. Three Mexicans, one Paraguayan, one Guatemalan, one Colombian and one American died while investigating armed groups or embezzlement of public funds. Many other crimes against journalists remain unpunished in the region, the Federation warns, for example, 95% of attacks on journalists in Mexico do not result in prosecutions. In Africa, the IFJ deplores four particularly shocking murders in Cameroon (2), Sudan (1) and Lesotho (1) which have failed to be fully investigated to date. IFJ President Dominique Pradalie said: "In 2023, 94 journalists lost their lives. The IFJ demands urgent global action to halt this bloodshed. The surge in fatalities, particularly in Gaza, necessitates immediate attention. The IFJ insists that international law is applied, particularly in the Gaza war, where journalists have been targeted by the Israeli army. With 72% of global journalist deaths occurring in the Gaza war, the requirement for decisive action is urgent. The imperative for a new global standard for the protection of journalists and effective international enforcement has never been greater." 393 journalists and media workers jailed In 2023, the IFJ's list of imprisoned journalists casts light on a continuum of political repression in countries, from China to Belarus, from Egypt to Iran, including Myanmar, Turkey and Russia with a significant increase of jailed journalists recorded in the last three years. Such judicial bullying is clearly designed to silence the media and suppress demonstrations in favour of freedom. Journalists continue to be among the first victims of this repression, with a record of 393 journalists and media workers currently behind bars. China and Hong Kong top the list with 80 journalists in jail, followed by Myanmar (54), Turkey (41), Russia and occupied Crimea (40), Belarus (35), Egypt (23), Vietnam (18), Saudi Arabia (11), India (10) and Syria (9). Photo Courtesy: Simon Cheng X page The US and the UK have condemned Hong Kong authorities for putting a bounty on several self-exiled activists. According to reports, Hong Kong authorities said all five individuals, who now live abroad, would be pursued "till the end" as they offered HK$1,000,000 ($128,000) bounties for help catching them. After Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020, all five people fled the city. "The National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force today (December 14) said that Police have put five persons who have absconded overseas and are suspected to have committed offences under the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) on wanted list," Hong Kong Police said in a statement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected Hong Kong's attempt to threaten and harass those advocating for freedom and democracy. "The United States denounces Hong Kong authorities announcement of a new bounty list targeting overseas democracy advocates, including a U.S. citizen. We reject this attempt to threaten and harass those advocating for freedom and democracy," he posted on X. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the move and said in a statement: "We strongly condemn the egregious actions taken by Hong Kong authorities in announcing national security law changes and a new bounty list targeting democracy advocates overseas." "That shows blatant disregard for international norms, for democracy and human rights," he said. Miller said: "We deplore any attempt to apply the Beijing-imposed national security law extraterritorially and reiterate that Hong Kong authorities have no jurisdiction within United States borders, where the advocates for democracy and freedom will continue to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights." British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "The Hong Kong police have again targeted individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression." "We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK. This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights," he said. One of the wanted activists Simon Cheng, who currently stays in the UK, posted on X: " Being hunted by China (Hong Kong)'s secret police, under a one-million-dollar bounty, is a lifelong honour. If the government deems the quest for democracy and freedom a crime, we embrace the charges to reveal the genuine face of social justice, unyielding to authority." The Hong Kong Police said its officials arrested two men and two women, aged between 29 and 68, in various districts in Hong Kong who were suspected of committing the offence of "providing pecuniary assistance for the commission of secession by other persons" under the National Security Law. Investigations revealed that between December 2020 and November 2023, the four arrested persons were suspected of providing pecuniary assistance via online crowdfunding platform to two wanted persons, who have engaged in secessionist activities and absconded overseas, and the amount involved ranged from some $10,000 to $120,000. The four arrested persons are being detained for further enquiries. Son of veteran actor Mr Ibu, Vincent Okafor, has explained why his father hasnt been sent abroad for additional medical care, he also discussed his recent amputation of a leg and the actual illness the actor is afflicted with. News that made the rounds yesterday had alluded that the actor had performed another surgery and another leg amputated, following an amputation already done in November. Mr Ibus son, Vicent clarified in a statement release on behalf of the family that an amputation was done on same leg, and not another leg being amputated, as is widely thought by the public. The amputations were necessary because, contrary to general belief, Mr. Ibu, his father, had a blood vessel disease that frequently results in blood clots. He further said that the reason why his father is yet to be flown out of the country is because the doctors have declared him Not Fit to Fly. READ MORE: Why I Refused To Honour Police Invite VeryDarkMan His statement read We wish to Express our sincere gratitude to well meaning Nigerians and the general public for your immense contributions, physically, spiritually and most above all financially on getting our daddy Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu) back on his feet again. We wish to correct some misconceptions making rounds on social media concerning the current state of our Ne fathers health. attleio First we will like to state that our daddy wasnt amputated on both legs but only one. The first amputation didnt completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to go ahead to amputate same leg further to ensure we didnt loose him. Daddys cause of sickness is also not diabetes but hes had constant clotting of the blood in his leg ( diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges posing risk to his life , therefore the need for the amputation. Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country till date is cause the doctors have tagged him Not Fit to Fly.. This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him.. Daddy is currently admitted at one of the biggest and best hospital weve got in Nigeria as of today and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals. As Daddy is recuperating we urge his friends, colleagues, fans and Nigerians at large to keep him in thier prayers and peddle down on unconfirmed reports concerning our dads health.. Thank you Nigerians you all have been very supportive this period. God bless you all Valatine Okafor on behalf of the family. See photo below Nigerian rapper, Eva Alordiah, has disclosed how she taught her former partner how to please her and how appreciative his future wife would be of the advice he received from her. The rap star who has been on a hiatus from music, said that she taught him how to use his finger as though it were a magic wand to please her. She noted that her ex was immensely grateful once he understood it, adding that his future wife would no doubt be grateful for what her man learned from her. READ MORE: Tiwa Savage Acquires London Apartment, Shows Off Its Interiors Her words read, I taught my Ex how to turn his fingers into a magic wand and unleash the Niagara falls from my womb. I still remember his bright smile that stretched from ear to ear when he finally figured it out. Baby! Thank you so much for teaching me this, he kept moaning his appreciation as he nibbled my ears. Success was proven in the way my cries for more crescendoed beyond the walls and how drenched the sheets had become under our bodies. Amongst many things, I taught him how to fetch wet water and unbridled pleasure with his fingers. He will never forget it. To his future wife, youre welcome! Check out post The Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged the negative impact of the economic crisis facing the citizens of the country. Tinubu assured that his administration is not folding its hands on the matter but practical steps are being taken to make life better for the citizens. In an interview with The Nation on Sunday, President Tinubu urged Nigerians not to exploit the situation for abnormal profit. He said: As your president, I am deeply aware of the economic crisiss severe impact on Nigerians, and we are part of a global challenge with the rising costs of living. To help our people, my administration is taking proactive steps. Moreover, we urge all Nigerians to be mindful of the current economic situation and avoid exploiting it for abnormal profits. READ MORE: Tinubu, Jonathan Celebrate Buhari At 81 I am steadfast in my belief in the efficacy of our cash transfer initiatives. These initiatives are a crucial part of our strategy to target and provide relief to the most vulnerable segments of our population, especially during the last three months of the year when the prices of basic items typically rise. This is not just about providing temporary support; its about strategically delivering assistance when its needed most. We continue to work closely with all key stakeholders including state governments, civil society groups, international partners, and private sector entities like telcos and fintechs to refine these programmes. Russian terrorists are dismantling the main torture chamber and filtration center in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. The invaders began demolishing the building where they committed crimes against Ukrainians on Metallurhiv Avenue. ADVERTISIMENT Russian troops are repeating their tactics with dramatic theater: they are simply covering up the traces of their cynical war crimes. This was reported on Telegram by Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol. According to him, it is a part of the premises of the Central District Police Department. It was here that the main filtration point, where Russians subjected Ukrainians to brutal torture, was located. At the same time, Andriushchenko noted that Russian invaders continued to torture Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. He noted that the FSB torture chamber operates in the Prymorskyi district near a park and a mosque. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, activists of the resistance movement blew up the car of a Russian officer in the Prymorskyi district of Mariupol. The occupant of one of the Caucasian units of the Russian occupation army was also injured in the explosion. Earlier, it was reported that on December 14, explosions occurred in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. Powerful explosions near the concrete plant were heard throughout the city, and a fire broke out afterwards. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Labour Party (LP) has withdrawn its petition challenging Governor Siminalayi Fubaras victory in the Rivers State March 18 election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Tonye Cole and his LP counterpart, Beatrice Itodo. Recall that the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State on November 28 affirmed the Governors victory in the election. The LP governorship candidate confirmed the partys decision to drop the case in a Saturday chat with Channels Television in her Ogbakiri country home of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. Because of the current happenings in River State, we feel that the interests of the state are far more paramount than every one of our expectations or feelings, the LP chieftain said. She also promised to support Fubaras government for the progress of Rivers State. So, we are looking at it from the angle of the people. People have said, Let us allow the government to move on, let there be good governance and there cannot be good governance without peace. READ ALSO: Wike Ignored My Counsel, Ganduje Planning To Deal With Him APC Chieftain, Eze On Rivers Crisis And so we looked at the whole scenario and we said Enough is enough. Let us go back and ask our lawyers to withdraw the suit so that we can join hands with the present government to see how we can move the state forward.' Meanwhile, Fubara has been involved in a running battle with his godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over the structure of the State. There were moves by members of the State House of Assembly to impeach the Governor in October. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubus intervention has failed to salvage the situation with the Assembly splitting into two factions supporting the Governor and Wike. At least 27 members of the House loyal to the FCT minister dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC) last Monday. Also, nine out of the 17 members of the State Executive Council have resigned from the government since the crisis began. President Bola Tinubu has congratulated his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, on his 81st birthday. This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. The statement partly reads: President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our Fatherland. The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration. He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay. READ MORE: Jonathans Govt Initiated VPs Residence Project Presidency Knocks Obi Meanwhile, Former President Jonathan, in a goodwill message he personally signed yesterday, Dr. Jonathan commended ex-President Buhari for his service and commitment to the progress of Nigeria. He said: I am pleased to join your family, friends, well-wishers and other Nigerians to congratulate you on the occasion of your 81st birthday. You are a determined leader who has been resolute in national service and commitment to the progress of our country. As you celebrate, I salute you for your faithful stewardship to Nigeria. On behalf of my family, I wish you good health, peace and joy. Following their controversial congressional committee testimony earlier this month on antisemitism, the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology all relative newcomers to their jobs faced calls for their resignation. But, at least so far, only Penns Liz Magill is no longer in her leadership role. One major difference at Harvard was a letter signed by more than 650 faculty calling on the university to keep Claudine Gay; its board announced last week that she would remain. A group of current and former MIT faculty leaders also issued a letter of support for their president, Sally Kornbluth, and the board of trustees there also backed her, according to the Washington Post. READ MORE: Penn president Liz Magill has resigned following backlash over her testimony about antisemitism Advertisement But faculty at Penn wrote no such letter for Magill, a former University of Virginia provost and lawyer who had begun her tenure less than 18 months earlier. Now, however, the faculty senate is circulating a letter to the board of trustees, already signed by more than 880 faculty members, that opposes all attempts by trustees, donors, and other external actors to interfere with our academic policies and to undermine academic freedom. Heres why more support for Magill didnt materialize, according to interviews with a more than a half-dozen Penn faculty members. Gay had longstanding ties to Harvard. Gay, who earned her doctorate at Harvard, started on the faculty there in 2006, giving her 15 years to build ties. Harvard professor Gary King, her thesis mentor, publicly advocated for her, shooting down allegations that she plagiarized portions of her thesis. Magill, by contrast, had just arrived at Penn on July 1, 2022. READ MORE: University of Virginia provost will replace Amy Gutmann as Penns next president She barely had a chance to wipe her feet on the welcome mat and this blew up, said Kathleen Brown, a history professor. A lot of us really dont know her. Problems at Penn were festering longer. At Penn, problems started before Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The Palestine Writes literature festival held on campus drew criticism from some for inviting speakers with a history of making antisemitic remarks. That unleashed a backlash from donors that grew following the Hamas attack. What that did is super-charge all the emotions around Oct. 7 in ways that are greater than they were at Harvard and MIT, said Jonathan Zimmerman, a Penn professor of the history of education, who has ardently defended free speech. READ MORE: Critics in an uproar over speakers at this weekends Palestine Writes literature festival held at Penn Penn also experienced several antisemitic acts this semester, including the drawing of a swastika inside Meyerson Hall and vandalism at Penn Hillel. Complaints also surfaced after pro-Palestinian protest messages the university called antisemitic were projected on several Penn buildings, including Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall and Irvine Auditorium. Meanwhile, a petition signed by more than 500 academics and writers from inside and outside the United States called on Penn to defend its students, faculty, and staff against targeted harassment for speaking in support of Palestinians. What was needed, some faculty said, were statements acknowledging the abomination of the attack in Israel, while also acknowledging the poor treatment of Palestinians before and since the war in Gaza. Magill also needed to defend the university as a place where heated debate and controversial views are shared without fear of punishment and to take action only when that speech truly crosses into harassment or incitement to violence, faculty said. But even if she had struck the right note, its unclear whether the outcome would have changed. One wonders if a more deft handling of the public statements after the Hamas attack would have made any difference for her, honestly, Brown said. The racial and religious identities of the presidents played a part. In her testimony, Kornbluth noted that she is Jewish. Gay is Harvards first Black president. Magill is Penns first Catholic president, so says Zimmerman, who noted he confirmed that with a university archivist. And those identities, he said, matter. Accusing a Jewish president of antisemitism is different from accusing a Catholic president of it, he said. And more than 800 Black alumni penned a letter of support for Gay for her commitment to fighting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism, according to CNN. Black faculty also wrote a letter of support, in addition to the letter by faculty overall, according to the Washington Post. President Gays commitment to free speech and the safety and protection of all her students, as well as her leadership at Harvard as a Black woman, are critical and deserving of the opportunity to coalesce and take shape, said the letter, posted on X, previously known as Twitter, and signed by Concerned Black Alumni and Allies. I do not think its a coincidence that the lone president who had to walk the plank was the white Catholic, Zimmerman said. The faculties at Harvard and MIT also had the benefit of seeing the fallout of Magills resignation, an ominous sign of what could happen on their campus if they didnt act, several Penn faculty members pointed out. Faculty on those campuses penned their support letters after Magills resignation. The divisions in faculty made a united response difficult. In her first couple of statements, Magill referenced antisemitism but didnt mention other types of hate, including Islamophobia, and that angered some faculty, they said. Others were upset over her response to antisemitism. At the end of the day, when the board turned against her, she basically was in a lonely place, said Harun Kucuk, former director of Penns Middle East Center and associate professor of history and sociology of science. Some faculty were relieved that Magill resigned. Adam Grant, a professor of psychology and management at Wharton, who has been consistently recognized as the business schools top-rated professor, said on X that he appreciated she took the right course of action. No matter what title you have, once youve lost the trust of your followers, you can no longer be a leader, he wrote. But Magill probably had more support than was evident, said one faculty member who followed events closely, but asked not to be identified. There was a large silent majority, squeezed in the middle, who thought she was an inspiring and principled leader, the faculty member said. That silent majority, where I would include myself, was looking forward to Magill implementing the new [strategic plan], the result of a year of consultation with members of the community, and that highlighted climate change and democracy, as two priorities areas, for instance. READ MORE: Penn leadership upheaval could have a chilling effect on college presidencies and university operations nationally But given the division, it would have been hard for the faculty leadership at Penn to put out a letter in support of Magill, the faculty member said. Some coordinated sectors were already against Magill for her early statements, others did not want to ignite more division among the faculty ... , the faculty member explained. I wish the faculty had coordinated around a letter of support for Magill, the faculty member added, although realistically, [given Gov. Josh Shapiros criticism of Magill] ... among others, I am not sure it would have made a difference. Kucuk said that, in retrospect, he thinks Magill probably would have gone on to be a fine president, and he blamed the problems on the board of trustees. I have criticized Magill, he said. A lot of other people have criticized Magill. But when you look at a lot of the actors on the other side of the curtain, you wonder if she could have done any better, if anyone could have done any better. But now, he said, its more important than ever for faculty to have a strong voice and advocate for shared governance. READ MORE: Penn faculty fear the donor who started the effort to oust Liz Magill is attempting to set the agenda for trustees Kucuk supports the faculty senate letter which unambiguously reject(s) the view that the Board of Trustees, the Schools Boards of Advisors, alumni, or donors should determine Penns academic priorities or governance as the beginning of a stronger faculty voice. (The letter was written after Marc Rowan, the billionaire donor who started the effort this fall to oust Magill from her job, in an email to trustees on Tuesday attempted to set the agenda for the board, questioning the universitys instruction, faculty hiring and political orientation.) The faculty handbook, the faculty letter says, makes clear that trustees delegate management of Penn to the president and the decision-making process to the shared governance of faculty, staff, and students. This letter from the faculty senate, Kucuk said, will create the foundation for future mobilization. Investigators were unsure Sunday where the fumes originated. Read more Three flight attendants working for Spirit Airlines were hospitalized early Sunday after inhaling fumes at Atlantic City International Airport, according to police. New Jersey State Police troopers responded to the airport at 5:47 a.m. to assist medics, according to Detective Jeffrey Lebron. The source and nature of the fumes were unclear Sunday afternoon. Lebron said he was unable to provide any additional information, including which hospital the three women were taken to and their current conditions. The flight attendants were on a plane departing Atlantic City for Fort Myers, Fla., according to federal flight tracker information. That flight was scheduled to depart at 6:35 a.m. but was delayed because of the medical emergency by three hours. Spirit did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter Another Sunday, another storm due to arrive in the afternoon. A flood watch is in effect for the entire region from 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday. The Inquirers Tony Wood says this rain-and-wind storm will be a bit different from last Sundays. A new era of the Philadelphia school board started with a bang last year, with the district taking the unprecedented step of suing the city administration that created the board. But board president Reginald Streater and vice president Mallory Fix-Lopez believe that 2024 will bring smoother sailing and continued progress for the school system. The Inquirer sat down with Streater and Fix-Lopez this month to discuss the future of Phillys schools. Our lead story brings you the highlights of that interview. Paola Perez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) Advertisement If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Deep academic challenges, an uncertain financial future, and the possible reconstruction of the school board itself under a new mayor. These are just a few obstacles facing the school district in the months ahead. Below are some key points that Streater and Fix-Lopez touched on in their chat with The Inquirer. What were some bright spots of 2023? I think the year started with challenges, Streater said. He mentioned the lawsuit, as well as asbestos concerns and the displacement of students. But, he said, the district is moving in the right direction in most key indicators. Whats on the horizon for next year? In 2024, theres going to be some tough things to grapple with, Fix-Lopez said. Among them: a looming financial crisis, expiring contracts, deteriorating facilities, and empty seats. What about the upcoming mayoral transition? This is new territory; it will be the first mayoral transition since the district returned to local control in 2018. But both Streater and Fix-Lopez say theyre in it for the long haul, and Streater said that he has a laser focus on ensuring that this transition, that [Cherelle Parker], is successful, period. Keep reading to get a look ahead at whats in store for Philly schools under their leadership. A holiday arms race has been brewing in Phillys bar scene in recent years. Before, bars and restaurants would decorate to make things a little cozier and more jolly than usual. Now, they make a concerted effort to go all out and deck their halls (and menus). This year, bar-goers have more than a dozen themed venues to choose from. Some spots are wall-to-wall booked, while others hit the cozy-winter mark. But is it worth it to plan your day around a holiday bar crawl? Are they magic, or maddening? We visited four holiday bars, two ski lounges, and one all-pink popup bar to figure out if the holiday-drinks crowds are worth the hassle The Inquirers Jenn Ladd was determined to find out. Follow along with her as she stops by seven of them across the city. What you should know today Pop quiz A Philadelphia native and rapper appeared alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro at the National Constitution Center after he signed criminal justice reform bills into law last week. Who was it? A) Freeway B) Meek Mill C) Beanie Sigel D) Lil Uzi Vert Think you know? Check your answer here. Unscramble the anagram Hint: One of the citys five watershed parks now offers maps in seven languages COPY KNACKER RATE Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if youd like. Email us if you know the answer. Cheers to Nancy Gale who correctly guessed Fridays answer: Polar bear plunge. Photo of the day For todays Sunday track, were listening to: A warm December, our hearts will see / A world where men are free. Thanks for starting your morning with us. Stay dry and take care. We have started a progressive movement here in Pennsylvania. Its not going away. This isnt over. This is not how our story ends. John Fetterman on April 26, 2016, after finishing third in a Democratic U.S. Senate primary. This is how that story ended last week, more than seven years later. Now having achieved his dream of election to the U.S. Senate, and after becoming a leading national figure in the Democratic Party, Fetterman flatly declared in an NBC News interview: I am not a progressive. And the man who once anointed himself leader of the Keystone States left-wing movement he now rejects has been busy gathering the receipts to back up that statement. In the same interview. Fetterman who burst onto the state political scene in 2016 with bold pro-immigration statements, backed by the story of his wife Giseles coming to America as a young undocumented migrant from Brazil said he now supports restrictions on the flow of migrants. Fetterman told NBC News that immigration is still near and dear to me but that it makes sense for Democrats to make a deal with right-wing Republicans demanding tougher policies at the U.S. southern border as the price for aid to Ukraine and Israel. Its a reasonable conversation until somebody can say theres an explanation on what we can do when 270,000 people are being encountered on the border, not including the ones, of course, that we dont know about, he said. Advertisement Some progressive voters who might be turned off by Fettermans new take on immigration were already furious with the senator over the ongoing war in Gaza. That conflict has seen the first-term Democrat not only join most people in condemning the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas but also become one of Israels most zealous defenders, refusing to discuss Palestinian civilian casualties and brushing off hundreds of calls to his office and noisy protests begging him to call for a cease-fire. In fact, he has seemed to mock protesters, waving an Israeli flag at one gathering. All this after Fetterman, who started his rise as the mayor of tiny Braddock in Western Pennsylvania, introduced himself to statewide voters by openly comparing himself to left-wing icon Sen. Bernie Sanders in that 2016 race and then telling progressives again as he successfully ran for lieutenant governor in 2018 and for a year or two after that he was one of them. Chip in whatever you can to help us take this progressive momentum all the way to the ballot box on May 15, Fetterman asked supporters on Twitter, now X, during that 2018 race. That was one of a number of times he explicitly said he was a progressive or endorsed progressive policies or values. In return, core Democrats fueled his decadelong rise from obscurity to Capitol Hill with thousands of small donations, or by knocking on neighbors doors. Now, some of those early supporters say they were betrayed, or even feel lied to. I tried to reach Fetterman this weekend by direct-messaging him on X/Twitter, but have not heard back, at least yet. I wanted the senator to tell me if hes changed, or if he thinks times have changed or if something else inspired last weeks declaration. For now, Ill have to cite his top aide Adam Jentleson, who insists Fetterman is just being consistent. He spent the entire campaign referring to 2022, when Fetterman adopted some more centrist stances like support for fracking telling people he wasnt a down-the-line lefty. I asked Pennsylvania voters on social media how they felt about his anti-progressive jab, as well as his positions on Gaza and immigration. A few praised him as an iconoclast, someone whos willing to buck the conventional wisdom. He is not afraid to be his own man with his own opinions, Elen Snyder, just elected as a Democratic supervisor in Newtown Township, responded. I dont care what his label is supposed to be as far as progressive or not. His words and actions say it all. X user Donna L agreed that I like him no matter what he calls himself. But I heard from a lot of Fetterman 2022 backers who feel, in the words of one, duped, and who have no interest in donating or volunteering for him ever again. Mike Doyle, a Democrat who once ran for a state House seat in Northeast Philly, backed Fetterman in the 2022 general election but now said: We contributed a LOT of money (for our income bracket) and I now regret every single penny we contributed. Added an X user who goes by Kumquat Gasket: I worked my butt off to get him elected. I canvassed every weekend, helped with rallies for him in South Philly, ran a training to help combat the Republican attacks on him. I feel betrayed. I totally get it. As an opinion journalist whos covered Fetterman since that 2016 race, the senator has not been the man I once thought he was, even by the lowered expectations of his moves toward the center in beating back New Jerseyite Mehmet Oz last year. I do applaud when politicians buck partisan politics for a moral center and Fetterman has done this, as with his call for indicted colleague Sen. Bob Menendez to resign. But ignoring the plight of slaughtered civilians in Gaza and dropping the pro-immigrant vibe that drew people to him in the first place? That feels like any moral center has caved in. READ MORE: Is Gaza becoming Joe Bidens Vietnam? | Will Bunch Newsletter This feels deeply troubling for reasons that go beyond Fetterman. In embracing Israels bombastic response to Oct. 7 while not fighting to overturn Donald Trumps inhumane border policies that in many ways have continued, President Joe Biden is basically Fetterman without the Carhartt hoodies or shorts. Fettermans not on the ballot in 2024 but Biden is, and many of those progressives vowing to stop donating to their senator arent super happy with their president, either. This is particularly true of young voters who buffeted by student debt and unaffordable rents, facing a future ruled by climate change have trended more to the left than generations who came before them. Voters under 30 were critical to narrow victories for Biden in 2020 and for Democrats including Fetterman in the 2022 midterms, but their mood has seriously soured. A Harvard poll earlier this month found the age 18-29 cohort so put off by a likely rematch between Biden and Trump that fewer than half are even planning to vote, which would be a disaster for the Democrats. This is the part of the column where, as a boomer, Im supposed to hector the callous youth for not seeing the threat of fascism under a second Trump White House. That threat is all too real which is why the people who need hectoring are the Democratic elites like Fetterman who think they can ignore the people who got them there, or tell them to swallow their bitter brand of political porridge, who think that yelling Save democracy! but offering nothing else is a strategy. Now top Democrats are using the threat of Trump as a cudgel to quash any sign of intraparty dissent, as happened this weekend when national party leaders forced Pennsylvania Democrats at their Harrisburg confab to abandon a vote against school vouchers that might embarrass Gov. Josh Shapiro. How are young voters supposed to feel when one party has become an authoritarian cult taking away their rights, and yet the other party wont fight for the things that truly matter to them? Young idealists thought Fetterman might actually be different before he turned out to be more of the same, just with funnier tweets. Young people disapprove of Bidens pro-Israel tilt in the war (nearly 70%), want to prioritize climate over the economy (nearly 60%), and dont support curbing legal immigration (just 27%) yet struggle to find candidates wholl stand up for them. This isnt the first time Ive seen progressives in a state of existential despair. I graduated from college the year Ronald Reagan was elected president, and liberal became a dirty word for more than a generation. But the 2010s brought real hope to folks who believed that America can change for the better Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, the Sanders campaign in 2016 that somehow got overwhelmed by a pandemic and now a prospective dictator. Last week, my two favorite New York Times columnists Michelle Goldberg and Jamelle Bouie showed up almost simultaneously with pieces trying to explain the current deep ennui of the American left. Goldberg wrote that leftists are suffering a crisis of faith in the possibility of progress while the dark visions of the far right manage to give people on that side something to actually get excited about it; Bouie lamented that Democrats lack a vision beyond beating Trump, writing: We need to fight political despair everywhere we find it, which means this country needs an overhaul of its economic system, its political institutions and its public life. Many voters want exactly that, but there is no charismatic figure offering a vision of the future that people can get excited about. Thats kind of been the Democratic Partys brand since the Reagan beatdown years, and shame on me for ever thinking Fetterman might be different. It would have taken hard work and real courage for Fetterman to pull off his 2016 promise of leading a progressive movement. Its a lot easier to be a funny contrarian crank. The senator doubled down on that recently when he hired disgraced ex-Congressman George Santos to film a Cameo video trolling the also-indicted Menendez. If there was any irony in hiring a politician who told voters he was one thing and turned out to be something else, Fetterman didnt seem to see it. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter A man holds the iPhone SE. Voters in Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District will receive phone calls from an AI caller named Ashley. Washington Post photo by Melina Mara. Read more Pennsylvania congressional candidate Shamaine Daniels has a new campaign staffer named Ashley who has made thousands of calls to voters. Theres one catch: Ashley isnt a real person. Ashley is an artificial intelligence character, and the companies that developed her say Daniels campaign is the first in the world to use AI-powered interactive campaign calls customized to each recipient. The robots creators say they will soon offer the technology to more political candidates a move that could shake up campaigning by streamlining voter outreach but would also bring concerns about the potential for ethical issues and misinformation. Advertisement Daniels, a Democrat and three-term Harrisburg City Council member, said the AI tool makes it easier for candidates who dont get large donations to do voter outreach. It makes reaching voters much more affordable, she said. It also makes you able to communicate with voters much earlier on in the process, as youre developing your policies, as youre thinking about issues. But using AI to contact voters is a really, really double-edged sword, said AI expert Wasim Khaled, CEO and co-founder of Blackbird.AI, which helps companies protect themselves from artificial intelligence. Daniels is one of several Democratic primary candidates hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, who represents Central Pennsylvanias 10th District, in 2024. Perry, a leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus and a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, is seeking a seventh term. Daniels won the Democratic nomination but lost the general election to Perry in 2022. Getting campaign calls from a robot After weeks of testing, Daniels campaign began making AI calls to likely Democratic primary voters last weekend, her spokesperson Joe Bachman said. Ashley has already made thousands of calls, according to Ilya Mouzykantskii, the cofounder of Civox, which made the tool in partnership with Conversation Labs. The robot can answer questions about Daniels platform. It speaks multiple languages and discloses that its an AI tool and that the call is being recorded. The calls can help recruit volunteers and get donations and feedback that can direct campaign messaging. If Ashley doesnt have the answer to a question, it gives an option for a real person to contact them, according to Daniels. Daniels campaign staffers can access transcripts of the conversations to identify common themes, Bachman said, and can read the conversations and reach out to the constituent afterward. Mouzykantskii said he expects to take on more Democratic and progressive candidates as clients soon. At this point, we have far more demand than we have supply, Mouzykantskii said. Ashley was developed specifically for Daniels campaign, and other campaigns will have their own characters. While Daniels and the companies that created Ashley emphasized the affordability of the technology, neither would disclose how much the tool costs. We are significantly less expensive than human-paid phone bankers and we are more expensive than making dumb robocalls, Mouzykantskii said. Concerns over the use of AI as a campaign caller Daniels said she and Civox both want to use AI as more of a democratizing tool rather than a disinformation tool or a tool for other nefarious reasons. Mistakes are inevitable, but Ashley keeps a record of why each decision was made throughout its conversations to help developers understand mishaps, Mouzykantskii said. Tools like Ashley learn and improve as theyre used. And as AI technology has rapidly developed, regulations lag behind, causing concerns surrounding misinformation and privacy. Daniels acknowledged the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. We have to make sure that we are promoting responsible use because, whether I use it or someone else uses it, the technology is here, its going to be used broadly, and we can either wait for my Congressman Scott Perry to develop ethical frameworks for dealing with AI or we can go ahead and do it ourselves, she said, and hopefully make sure that voters are starting to familiarize themselves with the technology so that way they are not taken advantage of. Khaled, of Blackbird.AI, said the technology has value if used by good actors, but also great potential for harm. Even when developers train the model on what to talk about or avoid, its impossible to think of all the cases that could come up and be immune to hacker groups who want to make a campaign look bad, Khaled said. Khaled said that its important for people to keep in mind that AI gives the most probable answer to the sequence of words that you gave it, that is likely to be approximately correct. It doesnt reason and think, similar to Googles autofill guessing the rest of your search when you start typing, he said. There is just a huge potential for getting this kind of thing wrong because everything is moving so quickly, Khaled said. And there is an arms race right now for campaigns spending money to get their candidates the most exposure. HARRISBURG The Pennsylvania Democratic Party declined to endorse in the crowded race for attorney general, leaving the primary open to the five-candidate field. Democrats want to maintain their control of the states top law enforcement office, which is widely seen as a springboard to higher office. They also want to flip the two other row offices auditor general and treasurer, which they lost in the 2020 election as part of down-ballot wins for Republicans that year. The party made history in its endorsement of State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D., Philadelphia) for auditor general. Kenyatta is the first openly gay Black man endorsed by the party for a statewide office. He received more than 90% of the committees vote to get the endorsement over Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley. (Former House Speaker Mark Rozzi, the third candidate in the race, did not attend the Saturday meeting and no one nominated him to be endorsed by the party.) Its critical that we have somebody in statewide office who is from Philadelphia, whos putting not only our values forward, but who understands the real concerns of the folks who need government to work, to show up in their lives, and the ways that can be transformative, Kenyatta said in an interview after his endorsement. Advertisement Kenyatta said he hopes to approach the auditor general role, which is the states top fiscal watchdog, in a similar way to New Yorks public advocate role. For example, he wants to complete a comprehensive audit of all the environmental and deferred maintenance needs on Pennsylvanias schools building on some of the work state House Democrats achieved earlier in the week. For treasurer, the party endorsed State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D., Erie) over former congressional candidate Erin McClelland. The party also unanimously endorsed President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, both Scranton natives. Whoever wins the primary election will challenge the Republican incumbents: Auditor General Tim DeFoor and Treasurer Stacy Garrity. The seat for attorney general is open, as Attorney General Michelle Henry finishes out the rest of former Gov. Josh Shapiros second term. The Pennsylvania GOP plans to endorse virtually in that race ahead of its winter meeting in February. While the party declined to endorse in the attorney general race, the endorsement votes offer an early look into who Democrats may favor going into the primary, about four months out from Pennsylvanias election on April 23, 2024. Eugene DePasquale, the former auditor general and attorney general candidate, was the top candidate on two ballots to endorse in the race. DePasquale picked up some votes on the second ballot, but still did not meet the two-thirds threshold to get the partys endorsement. To get 52% of the vote on the second ballot, I feel it shows I have strength in all areas of the state, DePasquale said after the meeting. People know that Ill take on tough fights, and that really helped carry the day. Philadelphias former top public defender Keir Bradford-Grey and former Bucks County solicitor Joe Khan were neck-and-neck on the second ballot as the partys second-favorite pick. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, who already received the coveted Philadelphia Building Trades endorsement, came in fourth on the first ballot, with Rep. Jared Solomon (D., Philadelphia) following in last place. The Democratic primary for attorney general will likely shift to whether a Democratic attorney general would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate SEPTA crimes, which is a new power for the states top law enforcement officer under a new law signed this past week. MAPS Public Benefit Corp. filed an application on Tuesday with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the psychedelic drug MDMA also known as Ecstasy in combination with therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, in what would be the first treatment of its kind. The filing is a milestone in researchers quest to move psychedelic drugs from tightly restricted substances into mainstream medical treatments that are widely accessible to patients. It comes after decades of studies have demonstrated the promise of psychedelics including psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, and ketamine to treat mental health disorders. "If approved, MDMA-assisted therapy would be the first psychedelic-assisted therapy, which we hope will drive additional investment into new research in mental health," Amy Emerson, chief executive of MAPS, said in a statement Tuesday. MAPS is seeking a priority review from the FDA that could yield a determination within six months. FDA approval, while by no means assured, could raise tricky issues for regulatory authorities. The FDA doesn't regulate the practice of medicine, which is generally left to state licensing boards. It isn't yet clear to what extent authorities will address who is authorized to provide therapy and the question of doctors potentially prescribing MDMA for different conditions, known as off-label use. Advertisement Emerson said in a September interview that she expected that, if the treatment is approved, an FDA label would say the treatment needs to be implemented in the way it was studied with a therapy component. If the FDA approves the application, it could impose strict rules around who can prescribe MDMA and what pharmacies or facilities can dispense the drug, said Mason Marks, a senior fellow at the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation at Harvard Law School. Facilities could also be required to provide space and supervision for a certain period for a patient taking MDMA, he said. "I imagine there will be some significant restrictions" imposed by the FDA, said Marks, who also noted the potential for controversy surrounding the drug. "I don't think it will be a quick turnaround," Marks said. To support its application, MAPS conducted two late-stage trials that showed benefits in scales that assess the symptoms of PTSD. The organization said no serious adverse events were reported from subjects who received MDMA in the studies. In conjunction with taking the drug, subjects engaged in psychotherapy also known as talk therapy along with other supportive services. MAPS envisions licensed health-care professionals providing the therapy, which could include those with a range of credentials, Emerson has said. Other experts agree with that notion. "You need somebody with a license on the line to be accountable for patient safety," said Dominic Sisti, a professor of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania who also consults pro bono for MAPS. The FDA approved a variation of ketamine in 2019 that remains the only psychedelic approved to treat depression. Since then, companies developing psychedelic drugs or services have raised more than $560 million from venture capital firms, according to the data provider PitchBook. MDMA and psilocybin have obtained "breakthrough" status from the FDA, a designation that expedites development for drugs that show "substantial improvement" over available therapies. MAPS Public Benefit Corp. is a for-profit arm of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a pioneering nonprofit that has raised more than $130 million since its founding in 1986. The organization has focused its efforts on MDMA, a synthetic compound, to treat PTSD in combination with therapy. MAPS has faced controversy in the past. A former investigator for a MAPS-sponsored clinical trial acknowledged that he had a sexual relationship with a participant after the trial concluded in 2015, according to the organization. MAPS said the investigator and his wife and co-therapist violated its code of ethics and were barred from becoming providers of MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA is in the most restrictive category of drugs regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which classifies it as having "no currently accepted medical use" and a high potential for abuse. If the FDA approves MAPS's application, the DEA would be required to reclassify a version of MDMA so that it could be prescribed to patients. The FDA has increasingly acknowledged the growing push for psychedelic treatments, publishing guidance for running clinical trials for such drugs in June. That alone "is a policy landmark and reflects shifting attitudes toward controversial substances," concluded an opinion piece in the New England Journal of Medicine published last month. Voters in Oregon legalized psilocybin in 2020, and the state has licensed facilities providing such care, while Colorado passed a ballot measure last year that will allow adults to use psilocybin in licensed facilities starting next year. Voters in D.C. decriminalized certain psychedelic drugs in 2020, joining cities including Denver and Oakland, Calif. MAPS has exclusive rights to the data supporting MDMA, preventing competition from generics for at least five years. Emerson, CEO of the public-benefit subsidiary, has said it will make money on the sale of the drug but not the therapy. The latter will require the creation of a medical code for therapists to bill for their services - which could be expensive. The treatments in MAPS's clinical trials consisted of three eight-hour sessions, spaced about a month apart. Some estimates have ranged from $13,000 to $15,000 per round of treatment. Some mental health experts are skeptical about MDMA's potential. Allen James Frances, a Duke University professor emeritus of psychiatry, has criticized the methodology of the studies that led to the new drug application and said few will benefit. "Most people in the world won't be able to afford these clinics," he said. Because of the high price and hype generated by FDA approval, Frances said, people with psychiatric problems will turn to knockoff MDMA bought on the streets. Counterfeit MDMA pills could be unsafe and laced with dangerous drugs such as fentanyl, Frances said. MAPS is also considering other potential treatments beyond PTSD. "We will be looking at other indications as we go forward where trauma is at the root of the issue," Emerson said in the September interview. For now, MAPS is focused on getting FDA approval for the PTSD-assisted therapy. "We're very aware that we're setting a precedent." Laurie McGinley contributed to this report. The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed a drone attack on Russian regions on December 17. It was part of the "planned work of the Main Directorate of Intelligence". ADVERTISIMENT The intelligence officials assured that the occupiers' statements about the alleged downing of all drones are somewhat exaggerated: targets were hit. This was reported by Hromadske with reference to an intelligence source. "There are targets hit. This is a planned work of the Main Directorate of Intelligence," the source said. It is currently unknown what targets were hit and where exactly. At the same time, OBOZ.UA's intelligence sources confirm that the Main Directorate of Intelligence drones attacked three Russian regions at night and in the morning of December 17, but deny involvement in the attack on the Morozovsk military airfield in Rostov region. Earlier, Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels began to circulate images of drone wreckage found on the airfield. The photos also show at least one damaged Russian military aircraft. It is likely to be a Su-34 bomber. ADVERTISIMENT Meanwhile, in the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a massive night attack by "Ukrainian" UAVs on three Russian regions at once: Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd. The invaders boasted that they had allegedly shot down 35 Ukrainian drones on the night of December 16-17. Meanwhile, the Russian media outlet Astra noted that the target of the night attack on the Rostov region could have been the Morozovsk military airfield, where Su-24, Su-24M, and Su-34 bombers are stationed. The governor of the region, Vasily Golubev, was more reserved than the Russian Defense Ministry. He confirmed that drones had attacked the Morozovsk and Kamensk districts in Rostov Oblast. There, the official assured, "most of the drones were destroyed." However, he remained silent on what happened to those that were not shot down. ADVERTISIMENT The long-delayed implementation of the next phase of the EU Brexit trade deal with Britain will deliver more costs for Irish exporters, with safety and security controls, and sanitary and phytosanitary controls at British borders applying to imports of live animals, germinal products, animal products, as well as plants and plant products. Similar requirements were introduced in Ireland and the rest of the EU for British goods at the end of Brexit transition period in January 2021, and the British will now introduce theirs on a rolling basis from the end of next month. Import customs declarations will have to be declared for goods imported directly from Ireland across the Irish Sea to Britain. The new requirements will add significant new administrative burdens and costs particularly on Irish agri-food exporters, while hauliers will have to produce export health certificates for designated high and medium risk goods. The British market remains very important for Ireland and accounted for almost 5.5bn in Irish food and drink exports last year. CSO figures show the introduction of post-Brexit border controls at Irish ports led to a significant reduction in imports from Britain, because exporters had not done their preparations. It took a while for imports from Britain to bounce back. We do not envisage a similar dramatic fallout for Irish exporters at the end of January, but everything possible must be done to plan for the British controls. From an Irish exporter perspective, it is reasonable to query the readiness of the competent authorities to assist traders by issuing the required export health certificates in a timely and efficient manner. The Department of Agriculture advises that "it is vital that businesses engage with their supervising competent authority to bring their certification ask within core business hours". The volume of new export health certification will mean that the demand for these services will multiply, creating potential issues for dispatching goods. The complexities Here's some idea of the complexities: A 24-hour pre-notification of imports from Ireland into Britain will have to be registered on the so-called UK Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System. The registration has to be carried out by a British-based agent prior to the arrival of the goods at Irish ports, including Dublin or Rosslare which handle the bulk of Irish trade with Britain. Moreover, hauliers will need to register for a Goods Vehicle Movement Service, with a Movement Reference Number in order to generate a Goods Movement Reference, or GMR, code. And the people responsible for the loads are required to make import notifications for the movement of animal products into Britain from Ireland. Hauliers will need to provide a GMR for all trucks and trailers moving directly from Ireland. Ferry operators in Dublin and Rosslare have been advised not to allow trucks to board ferries moving from Ireland to Britain without a valid GMR. That means that unless drivers have received customs clearance they will not be released from the port. It is not expected that the additional costs will deter potential export growth but it still presents some challenges. The most important issue for business is certainty of the rules and that when implemented that there will be a level playing field. Irelands exporters are well placed to be prepared for the changes, albeit they know that after so many false starts, there is a certain air of apathy within supply chains about the new requirements. It is prudent for all businesses in the export of agri-foods to ensure they are suitably prepared and attend webinars hosted by the Department of Agriculture and by others to understand the classification of high, medium, or low-risk goods. Firms will also have to know who is responsible for registering the export details on the British system that generate the GMR numbers for hauliers to board the British-bound ferry. Brexit is continuing to deliver red tape and additional costs that will ultimately be paid for by the consumer, but at the heart of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement is the pledge to develop a meaningful relationship to help reduce the need for even more checks at British and EU ports. Aidan Flynn is chief executive at the Freight Transport Association Ireland The Russian government said on Sunday it would step up oil export cuts in December by potentially 50,000 barrels per day or more, earlier than promised, as the world's biggest exporters try to support the global oil price. Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's two biggest oil exporters, called this month for all Opec+ members to join an agreement on output cuts after a fractious meeting of the producers' club. Russian president Vladimir Putin visited Riyadh shortly after the meeting of Opec+, which brings together the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other allies. Russia had pledged to a cut of 300,000 daily barrels compared with the May-June exports and to keep at that level until the end of the year. In December, Russia agreed to deepen those cuts to 500,000 daily barrels in the first quarter of 2024. It comes after the price of global crude oil has increased last week, but only after a number of weeks of consecutive declines as traders expressed scepticism about the producers' group chances of imposing output cuts to support oil prices. The price of Brent crude was trading at just below $77 a barrel late last week, up in the past week. Traders have also been focusing on forecasts of demand for oil next year as the world economy continues to struggle amid still-high levels of inflation and interest rates. Meanwhile, Russias Gazprom said it has set a new daily record for gas deliveries to China this weekend, underscoring the importance of its giant neighbour after it all but lost the European market over the war in Ukraine. While it did not disclose the volume of gas sent to China, Gazprom said it is working to ramp up supplies to Beijing via the Power of Siberia pipeline. An addendum to the gas supply contract with Chinas CNPC allowed the Russian state-owned company to increase flows from mid-November. Officials from the companies also discussed potential gas supplies via the planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline via Mongolia at a meeting in Beijing. Russia expects an agreement between Gazprom and CNPC on a contract to supply gas through Power of Siberia 2 will be reached as soon as possible, deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said. The great wind down to the big day has begun. Automatic email replies have started to kick in and hard deadlines are being replaced by the tacit acceptance that there is a new year only around the corner. For the next few days, Christmas will sweep most of us along in a deluge of parties, parcels and pints and dump us like puppies onto Christmas Day couches where we can sit down and relax after a slap-up meal for the ages. While most of us will welcome December 25ths pleasant inertia, there will be thousands of workers right around the country keeping the place ticking over. Venerable Andrew Orr with his wife the Very Reverend Susan Green The spirit of the season For the Venerable Andrew Orr, Christmas morning will be hectic but its a hectic he very much enjoys. I have two services, a ten oclock in Castlemartyr and then half past eleven in Youghal," says the 57-year-old. "Lots of children, lots of families and its always great fun and a great atmosphere. There are small congregations in the parish. In total we would have about one hundred and fifty families, so for each service youd be expecting maybe sixty to eighty, which is big for The Church of Ireland. Andrew, who originally hails from Belfast, is almost thirty years in the business of spreading the good word. Along with his wife, the Very Reverend Susan Green, he has been giving that message to Corks Church of Ireland members since 2018. The couple met at theological college where Susan was one of the first women to arrive in the ministry. Their relationship has been rooted in service to God and their community and this is a particularly important time of the year. For us, Christmas is at the very heart of the Christian message, says Andrew. God becoming a baby. Its just such good news and I know all the wonderful things around it and we enjoy the festivities but right at the heart of Christs birth, is that message of peace and good news, we believe, for the whole world. Of course, there will be many children in the congregation who will have plenty of good news of their own and Andrew says he always looks forward to hearing their exciting stories particularly about any comings and goings in the parish the night before. By lunchtime, things will have calmed down. Once my second service is over, I go back home back to where my wife is taking her services in Cloyne and Midleton, says Andrew. The afternoon is for family then. We have three adult children who will all be at home with us. Our daughters partner and our grandson will be there as well, so it will be a busy household this year. Luckily, our children are at that stage to have a good chunk of the dinner done and ready to go. The afternoon is very relaxing. Perhaps for fear of the ghost of Martin Luther knocking on his door, Andrew wouldnt be drawn on whether the family would watch Father Ted or The Vicar of Dibley post their turkey, ham and, that old Cork staple, spiced beef. He is sure that at some stage, some board games will be dusted off. Either way, it is a day to be enjoyed. Its such a part of what weve been for thirty years and there's such a buzz from it, he says. Its such a high point for the year so I love working on Christmas Day. Kealon Coward will be working Christmas Day at the Applegreen Station in Lemybrien, Waterford. Keeping us trucking along Just as Andrew finishes buying Shrewsbury Road on his Monopoly board, Kealon Coward will be checking over his roster at the Applegreen Station in Lemybrien, Waterford, to see who is coming in to take his place this year. The 26-year-old has worked with the company for over six years, having begun his career as a store assistant when studying Law at the former Waterford Institute of Technology. He has worked his way up the ranks and now heads a team of forty-one key members at the station. Ive done about five Christmas Days at this stage, says the Dungarvan man, and I dont really mind them at all, to be honest. I always volunteer to do it. I dont have kids and I think the people that have kids deserve the time off. It does take time away from my own family but we always make up for it on the other side. Kealon says that a key focus of Applegreens ethos is to serve the community. It is a community that has changed radically since he was a little boy. Not everyone celebrates Christmas the way many people who grew up here do, he says. Some people dont celebrate it at all. Not everyone has someone to call on on Christmas Day either so at least they can pop down to the shop, see somebody and have a coffee. So its good that they have somewhere thats open. Its surprisingly busy. The first year I did it I was surprised. There are a lot of people travelling; your truck drivers bringing food around still have to do their thing, the emergency services need to refuel and the Gardai are on duty too of course and theyll drop in for a coffee and a chat just to see if everything is OK. Then there are the real emergencies. The people who really need us are the kids who have the new toys but cant play with them because there are no batteries, says Kealon, or somebody has forgotten to get the sliced pan and milk the day before. So when people come in they really do appreciate it. There's a good atmosphere around. Geraldine McNamara Health Assistant, will be working Christmas day. Bring the Christmas magic door to door For Geraldine McNamara, Christmas Day will be somewhat more subdued. The 66-year-old is a Community Healthcare Assistant based in Tipperary Town. I go from house to house looking after peoples personal care, she explains. Its mainly older people in their own homes. I should have retired last year but I dont know what else Id do if I retired and I love meeting people. For Christmas Day they do ask families to step in to allow staff to have time with their own family but that's not always possible. In between calls, Geraldine will duck back to the house to prepare the Christmas meal. Her sons, twin boys she adopted from Romania, are now grown men and can help out but in the early days of their lives, Christmas Day was something of a juggling act. When my kids were growing up, you were trying to manage the day, she says. You might put on a turkey early in the morning, go out and see a patient, then come back check the turkey, peel some spuds or get the vegetables on and go out again for a lunchtime call. Then youre back, you have your dinner and then youre watching the clock to go out again to do an evening call. So you had very little time with your family. Her tone is matter-of-fact. She has been in the job since 1984 and it gives her a unique perspective on her particular Christmas Day circumstances. There are some people who have nobody and you feel terrible sympathy for them, she says. Youre going to houses and youre the only person they see on Christmas Day. Inevitably, you end up giving them a bit of extra time, trying to make it a bit Christmassy for them, putting on Christmas jumpers and hats and giving them a bit of the spirit of Christmas. Geraldines final call will probably end as the first of the late-night Christmas movies begins and the last of the Cadburys Roses are unwrapped. With any luck, both she and the thousands of others who keep the country ticking over on Christmas Day will get back home in time to indulge in just a little of the Christmas spirit for themselves and maybe get their hands on the final Golden Barrel. Several properties and a TDs car have been damaged by fire, or the target of attempted arson, since 2018 arising out of disputes over the housing of asylum seekers or Ukrainian refugees. They include: November 2018 A fire breaks out in the Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville just hours before a meeting to arrange a welcome party for asylum seekers is held. It causes substantial damage to the hotels reception area and smoke damage throughout the building. One person is injured. The Shannon Key West Hotel in Roosky, which was damaged by fire in 2019. File Picture: Brian Farrell February 2019 A second blaze breaks out at the Shannon Key West Hotel in Roosky, on the Roscommon-Leitrim border, which is due to house asylum seekers, a month after a smaller fire. All residents of the hotel, which includes security personnel and a foreman, are evacuated and no-one is injured. Gardai express concern at the level of determination shown by those involved in the fires. October 2019 Against the backdrop of local opposition in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim over plans to house asylum seekers in a 25-unit apartment complex at Rock Centre, Sinn Fein TD Martin Kennys car is burned out outside his home nearby. November 2019 The High Court grants an injunction preventing protesters from interfering with works to complete the 25-unit apartment complex for asylum seekers. The court is told that there was an attempt to burn down a Tesco store attached to the apartment building the previous month. January 2023 Rawlton House in Dublin 1 is targeted in a suspected arson attack after false statements are circulated on social media that the building is being renovated to house international protection applicants. The Department of Children and Integration confirms afterwards that the building had not been examined for such use. July 2023 A former primary school in Ballincollig, Cork, which had lain vacant for several years and which is being renovated to house Ukrainian refugees, is targeted by arsonists. Three people wearing balaclavas are seen running from the scene. Fire crews arrive quickly and the blaze causes minor damage. May 2023 The remains of a camp in Sandwith Street, Dublin, following a protest in May where it was dismantled and later set alight. File Picture A makeshift refugee camp in a laneway on Upper Sandwith Street in Dublins south inner city is burned out following a tense, angry and violent protest in the area. The incident focuses national attention on rising levels of hostility towards immigrants. May 2023 Fireworks are thrown towards an open window at The Sailors Rest accommodation centre in Buncrana, Co Donegal, which is home to 50 asylum seekers. It followed a social media campaign against the presence of refugees, which included threats to burn the building. Just days earlier, fire causes significant damage to a building in Lisfannon, outside Buncrana, that was earmarked as an accommodation centre for Ukrainian refugees. August 2023 The vacant building, Ridge Hall, on Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack, Dublin, which anti-immigrant protesters believe is being earmarked for refugees, is damaged in a suspected arson attack. Locals are told that while house had been identified as a potential site to accommodate refugees. the owners of the property have an existing rental agreement in place with a private third party and that it is not being progressed through the refurbishment programme to house refugees. November 2023 At least two premises for asylum seekers and refugees are targeted during the Dublin riots. In Finglas, a petrol bomb is thrown through the front of a premises earmarked for refugees. The Dublin City Dorms premises on Parnell Street in the city centre, which was used to accommodate asylum seekers earlier this year, is also targeted, with rioters smashing its windows. December 2023 Gardai examine anti-asylum seeker sentiment as a possible motivation for a suspected arson attack on the site of the former Great Southern Hotel in Rosslare, Co Wexford, which is being developed into an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre to accommodate about 170 asylum seekers. Homes in Cork are being petrol bombed in suspected drug-related intimidation cases, with many Cork gangs newly emboldened by links to Dublin gangs, a TD has warned. Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said that drug-related intimidation is a major, but often silent, problem for families across Cork and nationally. A lot of families live in fear. I know families who have had to get loans, go to the credit union," he said. I know people who have had their homes attacked, cars and vans vandalised. People have had to leave their homes. A number of houses have been petrol bombed this year due to gangs and intimidation. And now a lot of the Cork gangs are tied to the Dublin gangs and they have become a lot more brazen. Its gone to a different level. Drug-related intimidation drove one family to leave their beautiful family home in Cork which they had spent years improving and where they had raised their family, he said. Debts often range from 5,000 to 15,000 but they can be more, Mr Gould said. 'A lot of families live in fear. I know families who have had to get loans, go to the credit union,' said TD Thomas Gould. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins People feel they have to bail their kids out," he said. They [drug dealers] let people build up debt knowing the family will pay it off. Its intentional when they know the family has money. And debts dont die when a person passes away. I've heard of dealers pursuing families for money the deceased person owed." Mr Gould appealed to people to contact gardai about drug-related intimidation as the force has specialised units in place. Detective Superintendent Se McCormack of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said people can come forward to gardai assured of full confidentiality, with a Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme now established in every Garda division. Detective Superintendent Se McCormack said hundreds of thousands of euros are being extorted from people across the country in drug-related intimidation. Picture: Moya Nolan Hundreds of thousands of euros are being extorted from people across the country in drug-related intimidation, Det Supt McCormack said. There were 226 reported crimes where the motive was believed to be drug-related intimidation in the first seven months of this year, according to Garda figures. Crimes committed include assault, burglary, criminal damage, threats to kill or cause serious harm, and blackmail or extortion. The majority of crimes occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) followed by the Eastern region then the North-Western region, with the lowest number of incidents occurring in the Southern region. The violence and misery caused by intimidation is fuelled by Ireland's drug use, he said. Read More Spectacular cocaine seizure shows us the level that drug gangs operate on A lot of people may say I just smoked a joint or I just had a tablet or some cocaine. But there's a little bit of profit on each transaction. And there is a direct link from individual personal use to wealth at cartel level. Whether that drug use is up in Montenotte in Cork or in Dublin 4 or it's in Sheriff St or in Knocknaheeny. All the trouble and difficulties may arise in the more disadvantaged areas. But the fella or girl who's doing a few lines at a party in so-called upper-middle-class areas, they are contributing to the problem of drug-related intimidation and violence. I'd appeal to people to consider that," he said. "Its against the law and there are consequences: Legal consequences, health consequences, and social consequences." Hidden issue Drug-related intimidation is often a hidden issue because of the stigma associated with drug use, he said. But the impact on people's lives can be devastating. We've had people's windows put in. We've had people assaulted at their door. We've had people assaulted in their place of business. They may not have been the drug user, but they might have been a family member or a close associate of the drug user who has run up a debt on a small scale or a grand scale. And it's also criminal damage from I'm going to key your car to I'm going to burn out your car, to break your windows, to burn your house. If you can think of a nasty crime and a nasty way of delivering the nasty crime, then it has happened in relation to drug-related intimidation. Drug debts can be genuine, or they can just be empty allegations, Det Supt McCormack said. We'd encourage people to be aware that they can contact the gardai in confidentiality about drug-related intimidation if they're a victim of it." Awareness of the problem is growing, Det Supt McCormack said. The Drive project, an inter-agency response to drug-related intimidation and violence, has seen more than 1,000 people attend public and online engagement forums over the last 18 months. For more information, go to Driveproject.ie Serbias populist President Aleksandar Vucic is seeking to further tighten his grip on power in an election on Sunday that has been marred by reports of major irregularities during a tense campaign. The main contest in the parliamentary and local elections is expected to be between Mr Vucics governing right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, and a centrist coalition that is trying to undermine the populists who have ruled the troubled Balkan state since 2012. The Serbia Against Violence opposition list is expected to mount the biggest challenge for the city council in Belgrade. An opposition victory in the capital would seriously dent Mr Vucics hardline rule in the country, analysts say. Members of the electoral commission prepare a polling station for the parliamentary and local elections in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Opposition coalition leader Dragan Djilas said after casting his vote in Belgrade: Changes in Serbia have started and there is no force that can stop that. We, as the strongest opposition list, will defend peoples will by all democratic means. Several right-wing groups, including pro-Russian parties and Socialists allied with Mr Vucic are also running for control of the 250-seat parliament and local councils in some 60 cities and towns, as well as regional authorities in the northern Vojvodina province. The election does not include the presidency, but governing authorities backed by dominant pro-government media have run the campaign as a referendum on Mr Vucic. Although he is not formally on the ballot, the Serbian president has campaigned relentlessly for the SNS, which appears on the ballot paper under the name Aleksandar Vucic Serbia must not stop! The main opposition Serbia Against Violence pro-European Union bloc includes parties that were behind months of street protests this year triggered by two back-to-back mass shootings in May. Serbian opposition coalition leader Dragan Djilas casts his ballot in Belgrade (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) The Serbian president has been touring the country and attending his partys rallies, promising new roads, hospitals and one-off cash bonuses. His image is seen on billboards all over the country, though he has stepped down as SNS party leader. Even before the vote started on Sunday, campaign monitors reported pressure on voters, fearmongering and abuse of public office and institutions fostered by the authorities. There have also been reports of vote-buying and voter-bribing. Serbia, a Balkan country that has maintained warm relations with Vladimir Putins Russia, has been a candidate for EU membership since 2014 but has faced allegations of steadily eroding democratic freedoms and rules over the past years. Both Mr Vucic and the SNS have denied allegations of campaign abuse and attempted vote-rigging, as well as charges that Mr Vucic as president is violating the constitution by campaigning for one party. Hardly any of the complaints or recommendations by local and foreign observers have resulted in changes in the voting process. A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Belgrade (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP) Mr Vucic called the December 17 snap vote only a year and a half after a previous parliamentary and presidential election, although his party holds a comfortable majority in parliament. Analysts say Mr Vucic is seeking to consolidate power after two back-to-back shootings triggered months of anti-government protests, and as high inflation and rampant corruption fuelled public discontent. The president has also faced criticism over his handling of a crisis in Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008, a move that Belgrade does not recognise. His supporters view him as the only leader who can maintain stability and lead the country into a better future. I think its time that Serbia goes forward with full steam, pensioner Lazar Mitrovic said after he voted. That means that it should focus on its youth, on young people, education and of course discipline. Major polling agencies have refrained from publishing pre-election surveys, citing fear among Serbias 6.5 million eligible voters and high polarisation. Russia and Ukraine launched more than a dozen drones at each others territory for a second straight day on Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed when drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in south-western Russia, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it claimed was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. A Ukrainian serviceman fires a D-30 cannon towards Russian positions at the front line near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Libkos/AP) Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town further west, but did not mention the air base. He said most of the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He did not comment on damage. Also on Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they are not deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Russias Defence Ministry said on Friday evening that its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraines air force said on Saturday that it had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched by Russia against 11 Ukrainian regions the previous night. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counter-offensive that began in June. Meanwhile, Ukraines foreign minister welcomed what he called a sea change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs EU membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed a change in Germanys approach towards Kyivs bid for EU membership (Virginia Mayo/AP) Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Mr Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he had proposed Mr Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something the Hungarian leader agreed to do. Mr Kuleba told Germanys Bild newspaper: What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The Chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians. He also voiced hope that Mr Scholzs actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears, he said. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then. The brother of an Israeli hostage mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza strip earlier this week has hit out at the Israeli army for having "abandoned and murdered him." "Those who abandoned you also murdered you after all that you did right," Ido Shamriz told mourners at the funeral for his brother, Alon, on Sunday. Alon Shamriz, 26, was one of the three Israeli hostages shot dead by soldiers during an operation in the Gaza City suburb of Shejaiya on Friday, even as they carried a white flag and cried for help in Hebrew. Israeli troops opened fire after mistaking Mr Shamritz, Yotam Haim, and Samer El-Tagala for a threat. This combination image of three undated photos provided by courtesy of the Shamriz, Al-Talalka and Haim families shows Alon Shamriz, from left, Samer Al-Talalka and Yotam Haim. Israeli troops mistakenly shot the three hostages to death Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in a battle-torn neighborhood of Gaza City. (Courtesy of the Shamriz, Al-Talalka and Haim families via AP) "You survived 70 days in hell," Mr Shamriz's mother, Dikla, said at his funeral. "Another moment and you would have been in my arms." According to Israeli media, Samer El-Talalqa was buried on Saturday. The funeral of Mr Haim is scheduled for Monday. Israel faces new ceasefire calls after hostage killings raise alarm over conduct Israels government faced calls for a ceasefire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after the shooting of the three hostages, mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The protesters urged the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gazas Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy. An Israeli tank is seen next to a destroyed building during a ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. The army is battling Palestinian militants across Gaza in the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week, as Washington has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties even while providing vital military and diplomatic support. The air and ground war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population have fled their homes and are surviving on a trickle of humanitarian aid. Israel said that, from Sunday, UN aid trucks would be able to enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom. In a sign of desperation, dozens of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing on board, pulling boxes down and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which triggered the war with its attack on southern Israel on October 7. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Mr Netanyahu has vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Israeli media reported that over the weekend David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad spy agency, met Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss renewed talks. Meanwhile, Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth day, the longest of several outages during the war. Aid groups said they complicate rescue efforts and make it even more difficult to monitor the toll on civilians. In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving towards the beginning of a political solution. Earlier, Frances Foreign Ministry said one of its employees was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah last Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the UUK and Germany, meanwhile, called for a sustainable ceasefire, saying too many civilians have been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the UKs Sunday Times. US Defence Secretary Mr Austin is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Israeli and US officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the government resumes hostage negotiations with Hamas. The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril, said Raz Ben-Ami, a hostage released in the last exchange. Israel must offer another hostage-release deal. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released some 100 of the more than 240 hostages captured on October 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief ceasefire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria have agreed to sign a trilateral agreement on de-mining the Black Sea. The militaries of these countries have also agreed to take measures to clear the reservoir of explosive ordnance. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by Turkey's Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, TRT Haber reports. According to him, the document is to be signed on January 11, 2024. It is known that it was the Turkish authorities who led this trilateral initiative. All three countries agreed to counteract the mine threats in the Black Sea that have arisen because of Russia's war against Ukraine. Last month, on November 22-23, delegations from the three countries held the third round of the Black Sea Mine-Sweeping Force meeting at the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The signing ceremony is scheduled for January 11 in Istanbul with the participation of the three countries' defense ministers. ADVERTISIMENT "Restoring peace and stability in the Black Sea is important for the whole world, especially for the littoral states. We are carefully, responsibly and impartially implementing the Montreux Convention, which ensures balance in the Black Sea, and we are determined to fulfill it," Yasar said. Commenting on the event, Serhii Bratchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army South, noted that the military of the three countries was ready to go out to the sea to carry out demining. He called it a "security indicator". We would like to add that the units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received demining equipment from Japan, meaning dozens of special vehicles and mine detectors. In addition, 10 special demining vehicles were donated to Ukraine by the government of South Korea, and Switzerland plans to donate 60 such vehicles. ADVERTISIMENT Ukraine is currently the most mined country in the world. Almost a third of our country's territory, which is about 174 thousand square kilometers, is considered potentially dangerous. The government has announced its intention to return 80% of these territories to economic use in 10 years. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the UK and Norway are planning to create a maritime coalition to ensure the safety of Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea. As part of this initiative, the partners will give our country two Sandown minesweepers from the British Navy. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Delegates from Russias ruling party have unanimously backed President Vladimir Putins bid for re-election at a conference in Moscow, state agencies reported. The move came just a day after the Kremlin leaders supporters formally nominated him to run in the 2024 presidential election as an independent. A little-known Russian presidential hopeful who calls for peace in Ukraine also inched closer towards formally registering as a candidate, securing a nomination from a group of more than 500 supporters in the Russian capital. Dmitry Medvedev, United Russias chairman and a former Russian president and prime minister, called on fellow party members to mobilise all activists and supporters in support of Mr Putin before the vote, scheduled for March 15-17, according to reports by Russian state agencies. Russian Security Council deputy chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev (Ekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik Pool Photo via AP) In a speech at the conference, Mr Medvedev referred to Mr Putin as our candidate, and asserted that his re-election for a fifth term as head of state should be absolutely logical, legitimate and absolutely indisputable. We must mobilise all activists, all supporters in order to prevent any disruptions during the election campaign, stop any attempts to influence the course of the campaign from the outside, arrange provocations, disseminate false, harmful information or violate public order, Mr Medvedev said. Analysts have described Mr Putins re-election as all but assured, given the tight control he has established over Russias political system during his 24 years in power. Prominent critics who could challenge him on the ballot are either in jail or living abroad, and most independent media have been banned within Russia. On Saturday, a group including top officials from the United Russia party, prominent Russian actors, singers, athletes and other public figures formally nominated Mr Putin to run as an independent. The nomination by a group of at least 500 supporters is mandatory under Russian election law for those not running on a party ticket. Independent candidates also need to gather signatures from at least 300,000 supporters in 40 or more Russian regions. Hours before United Russia delegates announced their endorsement of Mr Putin on Sunday, a former journalist and mother-of-three from a small town in western Russia cleared the initial hurdle, according to Telegram updates by Sota, a Russian news publication covering the opposition, protests and human rights issues. Yekaterina Duntsovas candidacy was formally backed by a group of 521 supporters at a meeting in Moscow, Sota reported. A former local legislator who calls for peace in Ukraine and the release of imprisoned Kremlin critics, Ms Duntsova has spoken of being afraid following the launch of her bid for the presidency, and fears that Russian authorities might break up the supporters meeting set to advance it. According to Sota, electricity briefly went out at the venue where Ms Duntsovas supporters were gathered, but the meeting was otherwise unimpeded. The Kremlin leader has used different election tactics over the years. He ran as an independent in 2018 and his campaign gathered signatures. In 2012, he ran as a United Russia nominee instead. At least one party A Just Russia, which has 27 seats in the 450-seat State Duma was willing to nominate Mr Putin as its candidate this year. But its leader, Sergei Mironov, was quoted by the state news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday as saying that Mr Putin will be running as an independent and will be gathering signatures. Under constitutional reforms he orchestrated, the 71-year-old is eligible to seek two more six-year terms after his current term expires next year, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036. South Koreas military said on Sunday that it has detected that North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile towards its eastern waters, adding to a torrent of weapons tests in recent months that have elevated tensions. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say what type of missile it was or how far it flew. 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 programme, and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorises the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons. The United States, South Korea and Japan have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral partnership in the region, and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Mr Kim has condemned as invasion rehearsals. North Koreas latest launch followed high-level security talks between American and South Korean officials in Washington over the weekend, where they agreed on plans to incorporate nuclear operation scenarios in their combined military exercises next year to cope with the Norths evolving threats, according to details announced by Seouls presidential office. Shortly after the launch, North Koreas Defence Ministry issued a statement condemning Washington and Seouls move to include nuclear operation scenarios in their joint drills, describing it as an open threat to potentially use nuclear weapons against the North and vowing to prepare unspecified offensive countermeasures. The North Korean ministry also criticised the United States for increasingly deploying major military assets to South Korea in a show of strength, including strategic bombers and nuclear-powered submarines, which it claimed amounted to a reckless military threat that was destabilising the region. In the face of North Korean threats, South Korea has been seeking stronger reassurances from the US that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack. The North has test-fired more than 100 missiles since the start of 2022 as Mr Kim used the distraction caused by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine to speed up the expansion of his military nuclear programme, which he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. Weapons that North Korea has tested in recent months have included intercontinental ballistic missiles which demonstrated a potential range to reach the US mainland, and a series of launch events the North described as simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea. Last month, North Korea also launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Mr Kim described as a crucial for monitoring US and South Korean military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. Washington and its allies have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They fear Mr 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. None of the six people who received jail sentences at the end of the Vatican's big corruption trial on Saturday will likely be spending time behind bars anytime soon and some perhaps not ever, according to legal and security experts. Several, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, and London-based Italian financier Raffaele Mincione, already have announced appeals. Others are expected to join them. All the defendants had denied wrongdoing. A new trial would likely not start before the end of next year and take at least another year to conclude. The court is not expected to publish its lengthy report explaining the reasoning for its decisions before April, legal experts said. Normally, those awaiting appeals in Vatican cases, whose incarceration procedures closely mirror Italy's, are allowed to remain free unless they have committed violent crimes or are a flight risk. Becciu is the only Vatican citizen among them. He lives in an apartment inside the tiny city-state, which Pope Francis allowed him to keep after he was abruptly fired in 2020 on accusations of nepotism. Becciu denied them then and during the trial. Pope Francis arrives for an audience with sick people and Lourdes pilgrimage operators in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Thursday, December. 14. Picture: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino The pope has already stripped Becciu of his right to enter a conclave that would choose the next pope after Francis' death or resignation. As supreme monarch, Francis could pardon Becciu for the financial crimes and mete out some other, symbolic punishment, such as ordering him to leave the Vatican and to return to his native Sardinia, one expert said. In 2012, the late Pope Benedict pardoned his butler, Paolo Gabriele, who was convicted of leaking sensitive documents and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. Does the Vatican have a prison? Gabriele spent about three months in the barracks of the Vatican police, which has about four rooms that are used as cells. They have bars on the windows and re-enforced steel doors. Apart from Gabriele and few other cases, the cells are usually used to hold briefly those caught for petty crimes such as pickpocketing or vandalism on Vatican territory, including St. Peter's Square of the Vatican Museums. They are handed over to Italian police and, if they are foreigners, they are usually expelled. An Italian priest was held in one of the cells while awaiting trial on pornography charges in 2018. Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop and papal ambassador to the Dominican Republic, was held while awaiting trial on criminal charges of paying for sex with minors and possessing child pornography. He died before it began. Some of the Vatican's policies on prisoners are regulated by the 1929 Lateran Pacts between Italy and the Holy See that recognised the Vatican as a sovereign city-state. As part of that pact, those convicted in the Vatican can be sent to Italian prisons to serve their terms, but usually not the other way around. Since the Vatican is a sovereign monarchy, a complicated process of international arrest warrants and extraditions must be followed, even concerning any eventual arrests in Italy. It has not always worked out in the Vatican's favour. In 2021, Cecilia Marogna, one of the defendants who was convicted by the Vatican court on Saturday, was arrested by Italian police in Milan acting on an international warrant from Vatican prosecutors. She was released after about two weeks and never attended any of the trial's 86 sessions. Gianluigi Torzi, a London-based financier who was also convicted on Saturday, entered the Vatican in 2020 to talk to prosecutors. He was arrested and held for about 10 days. Torzi also never attended any of the trial sessions. In 2021 a London court revoked an earlier order that had frozen Torzi's funds in the British capital, saying that Vatican prosecutors had made "appalling" misinterpretations in its initial request. - Reuters Ukraine is counting on Congress to approve about $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. In particular, the Ukrainian army desperately needs weapons. ADVERTISIMENT However, the country's military and political leadership is also preparing for a worst-case scenario, when the army will have to defend itself against enemy attacks: three lines of defensive fortifications are currently being built. This was stated by Oleksandra Ustinova, MP, head of the Temporary Special Commission (TSC) of the Verkhovna Rada on monitoring the supply of weapons, during a telethon. She expressed hope that the US Congress would eventually continue to provide assistance to Ukraine. "I hope that the aid will be voted for. First of all, it concerns the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Because we understand that the key thing we need now is weapons," Ustinova said. The budget request submitted to the Congress by US President Joe Biden includes more than $20 billion out of a total of $60 billion for weapons supplies. Another $11.8 billion, if the request is approved, will be used for direct budgetary funding. ADVERTISIMENT "And the 800 million that the United States plans to allocate are the balances that were on the accounts and that remained from the previous budget that Congress voted for us," Ustinova added. However, the MP emphasized that regardless of the results of the vote in Congress, the situation with weapons for the Ukrainian army will not be easy. Therefore, Ukraine is now preparing for the fact that the war may enter a new phase. "If there are no weapons, we are already preparing. We are preparing fortifications in three lines. We understand that if we have to move to a defensive war now, especially in winter, and not go on the offensive, as it was before, and we understand perfectly well that even when the money is allocated, the world is running out of ammunition," Ustinova stated. Earlier, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called on Congress to approve aid for Ukraine. She emphasized that the new aid would enable Ukraine's troops to continue fighting Russian aggression. ADVERTISIMENT The diplomat emphasized that the aid should be delivered as soon as possible: it is in the interests of both Ukraine and the United States. Reddit Email 34 Shares The U.S. government says it stands for justice and the rule of law. So why wont it stand by those principles for Palestinians? By Farrah Hassen | ( Otherwords.org ) If I must die, you must live to tell my story, wrote Dr. Refaat Alareer, a 44-year-old Gazan poet and literature professor. A few weeks later, Alareer was killed while sheltering in his sisters apartment, along with six family members. In the densely populated Gaza Strip, the loss of life is staggering. Israels two-month bombardment has killed at least 18,000 Palestinian civilians there, including nearly 9,000 children. Another 25,000 children have lost one or both of their parents. President Biden has repeatedly assured the public that Israel is following international law. Yet Israeli forces have deliberately targeted Palestinian civilians and civilian infrastructure, in direct violation of international humanitarian law. With 90 percent of those killed in Gaza being civilians, only now is Biden finally admitting that Israel is bombing indiscriminately. Homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, refugee camps, and government buildings have all been reduced to rubble. Israeli troops have forced Palestinian men to strip and parade through the streets. There are disturbing eyewitness allegations of torture and summary executions of civilians. Palestinian human rights groups and many international experts, including Israeli scholars of the Holocaust, have warned that Israels actions meet the legal standard of genocide. Article 2 of the 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as specific acts taken with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Some of these acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Gaza Guernica 13: University, by Juan Cole, Digital (Dream/ IbisPaint), 2023. The mass killing of Palestinians in Gazas schools, medical facilities, shelters, and residential areas are all evidence of likely genocidal acts. As are the forced relocation of over 1 million Palestinians out of northern Gaza and Israels frequent bombing of civilian evacuation routes. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its complete siege of Gaza, depriving Palestinians of food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies. Starvation and infectious disease are rampant. Gazas health care system has completely collapsed from ongoing Israeli strikes, according to Doctors Without Borders. Proving genocidal intent can often be difficult. However, experts have pointed to dehumanizing statements by Israeli leaders that hint at it including calling Palestinians human animals and children of darkness. Others are more explicit. An Israeli lawmaker called for a Nakba an Arabic reference to the violent mass displacement of Palestinians that will overshadow the Nakba of 1948. The defense minister declared we will eliminate everything in Gaza. And a recent investigation by the Israeli +972 Magazine found that Israels bombing of non-military targets is calculated. Many experts believe these actions and statements of intent are evidence of an unfolding genocide. Due to the crimes gravity, all parties to the Genocide Convention including the U.S. have a legal duty to prevent it from the moment they learn of a serious risk that a genocide will be committed. Instead, the U.S has vetoed UN Security Council ceasefire resolutions and expedited lethal arms to Israel on top of the annual aid we already provide. Far from preventing a genocide, a lawsuit by the Center for Constitutional Rights argues, the U.S. is complicit in one. The October 7 attacks by Hamas fighters on Israeli civilians were reprehensible crimes, but they dont provide legal or moral justification for the collective punishment of Gazan civilians. Nor can genocide ever be justified. No government is above the law and free to commit mass slaughter. The U.S. government often claims to stand for justice and the rule of law. But is it willing to stand by those principles for the Palestinian people? At this dire moment, with the world watching, the U.S. not only has the ability but the obligation to secure a permanent ceasefire and save innocent lives. Reddit Email 200 Shares Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) On Saturday, Muhammad al-Bakhiti, a member of the Politburo of the Helpers of God (Houthi ) government of northern Yemen, announced that it had completely closed off shipping to Israel via the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. Actually, the Helpers of God have more or less closed Red Sea shipping to everyone. He said that the Houthis had managed to idle the Israeli port of Eilat, referring to it by its pre-1948 name of Umm al-Rashrash. He pledged that the Houthis would expand their activities in the Red Sea and continue to strike at Israeli shipping and shipping headed for Israel, as well as at the Israeli navy. He also said that his government would not allow any American shipments to Yemen, and called on other Arab countries to boycott not only Israeli but also American trade in the region. The Gaza conflict has several theaters. There is the Israeli war of genocide on the Palestinians of Gaza, which has killed over 18,000 people and wounded tens of thousands, the vast majority of them innocent noncombatants, and destroyed or damaged about half the regions housing stock along with other essential infrastructure and buildings. It has also left the civilian population without sufficient food or water and exposed to deadly infectious diseases. Then there is the tense Israeli-Lebanese border, where Israel has bombed from fighter jets and Hezbollah has fired rockets, necessitating the evacuation of some of northern Israel. There have been Shiite militia attacks on US personnel in Syria and Iraq, with more threatened. And then there is the really important Red Sea front, where the Houthi government has targeted commercial vessels it says are ferrying goods and supplies to Israel, though it seems also to be hitting just any old merchant ship. The Houthis are Zaydi Shiites and form part of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance to Israeli political dominance in the Levant and the occupation of the Palestinians. The Houthis survived an eight-year war with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, wealthy oil states allied with the United States that either recognize Israel (in the case of the UAE) or are considering it (the Saudis). Yemen is a rugged country of impenetrable highlands and wildernesses. Ive been there several times. The winding mountain roads outside Sanaa made me carsick. The Yemenis gave me khat for the nausea. The country sits athwart the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the 20-mile-wide Bab al-Mandeb or Mandeb Straits through which traffic between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean passes. The UAE and its allies control the southern coast along the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, but the Houthis control some of the Red Sea coast and use their window on the sea to threaten shipping for their geopolitical purposes with drones, including Iran-made KAS-04 unmanned aerial vehicles. The Houthis have hit several container ships and a Norwegian oil tanker. The Houthi government announced Saturday that it had launched a large number of drones toward the region of Eilat, Israels port city on the Gulf of Aqaba just off the Red Sea. At the same time, the United States Central Command announced that its destroyers in the Red Sea had shot down 14 one-way attack drones. The British Navy also weighed in, saying that a Sea Viper missile from the HMS Diamond had taken out a Houthi drone that threatened merchant shipping. CBS News: Houthis target ships in Red Sea, U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria face daily attacks As a result of the ongoing Houthi drone attacks on freighters, some of the worlds biggest and most important shipping corporations have announced that they will avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal for now. They are not only fleeing danger but also the dramatically spiking cost of insuring any vessels that ply those waters. The companies include Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), whose MSC PALATIUM III freighter was taken out of commission by a Houthi drone attack on Friday. They also include CMA CGM of France, Maersk of Denmark, and Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, according to the BBC. Israeli shipping costs have shot up over 250%, and some insurers are refusing to insure their vessels. The US plan to form a naval task force to escort container ships and protect them from the drones wont work, because it wont push down insurance costs. They could try to strike the Houthis, but 8 years of Saudi and UAE bombing of them did no good, so I wouldnt hold my breath that lashing out would be effective. Moreover, the Biden administration doesnt want the Gaza conflict to spread throughout the region and further destabilize it. Some 10 percent of world trade goes through the Suez Canal on 17,000 ships a year. Nowadays, about 12% of the petroleum shipped by tanker goes through the Suez Canal, along with Liquefied Natural Gas shipments. These ships will now have to go around the Cape of Good Hope and skirt the west coast of Africa, adding over 10,000 nautical miles (over 12,000 landlubber miles) and 8 to 10 days to the journey, with all the consequent extra expenses of fuel and provisions. The shipping companies will be hurt by this change, as well as the countries along the Red Sea such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. The detour will contribute to supply chain shortages and cause an increase in the price of imported goods for many countries in Europe. Reddit Email 78 Shares By Jon King | U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) speaking at Ceasefire Now rally in Washington D.C. 12/14/23 ( Michigan Advance ) U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) on Thursday joined with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain in Washington, D.C., in calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the war in Gaza. Joined in front of the Capitol building by fellow progressives, U.S. Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Tlaib spoke of her familys connection to the labor movement and its commitment to social justice. Im a proud daughter of a UAW worker, and I know my Yaba (father), if he was here, he would be so proud, she said. The UAW taught him he deserved human dignity, even though he only had a fourth-grade education, even though he was Palestinian, even though he was Muslim. On that assembly line, he was equal to every single human being on that line. Who did that for him? The United Auto Workers did that for him. Tlaib, along with Bush, introduced a Ceasefire Now Resolution on Oct. 16. Why arent over 18,000 Palestinians killed enough for my colleagues to say the words, Ceasefire now? Why arent over 7,000 children killed enough for my colleagues to call for a lasting ceasefire for an end to this war? The American people are demanding to be heard saying, We choose life over death. Tlaib said that while President Joe Biden has called himself the most pro-union president in American history, he is ignoring the voices of working people across the country who are demanding human dignity, not only for their own families, but for families in Gaza and around the world. Biden helped negotiate a temporary ceasefire last month, but it broke down amid negotiations to free more female Israeli hostages. Fighting between Israel and Hamas has since begun again. Fain, fresh off the ratification of historic contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, called Tlaib and Bush a couple of the most badass representatives in Congress, and said the UAW stood with them in a call for a ceasefire. This is a product of our belief in humanity that innocent civilians must be protected, said Fain. We cannot bomb our way to peace. The only path forward to build peace and social justice is through a ceasefire. Fain said the UAW takes pride in its history of standing up for justice both at home and around the globe while also speaking up for both civil rights and human rights. The world has seen enough slaughter and devastation, he said. Peace is the only path forward. While we call for a ceasefire, we also condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism, all of which are growing in our nation at this moment and must be stopped. As union members, we know we must fight for all workers and suffering people around the world. We must fight for humanity. That means we must restore peoples basic rights and allow water, food, fuel, humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. We must also call for the release of all hostages. The Associated Press reports that the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military response to the Oct. 7 surprise terrorist attack. The Hamas militants killed as many as 1,400 people, mostly civilians. They also took about 240 people hostage, approximately 100 of whom were released during a week-long truce that ended on Dec. 1. However, Israel said earlier this week they believe at least 19 hostages have died while in captivity. Eight Americans are also among those still being held in Gaza. On Tuesday, the United Nations passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire amid warnings about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.S. and Israel were among only 10 nations that voted against the measure, saying it would only benefit Hamas. Biden, however, has warned Israel it is losing international support because of its indiscriminate bombing of civilians. That was a message Fain echoed. Its what the global community is currently standing together for at the United Nations, he said. Its what the majority of nations called for. And right here in America, its what the majority of American citizens want. Other union officials also spoke at the Thursday rally, including those from the American Postal Workers Union and United Electrical Workers, who said the labor movement was solidly behind the call for a permanent ceasefire. Tlaib ended her remarks thanking the coalition of union members and others who supported their effort, including an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor and peace activist she met in front of the White House. We paused a moment, and she was holding a sign saying, Not in our name. Im so grateful for each and every one of your voices in this movement to save lives. And Im proud to stand alongside you all. So today we raise our collective voice to say, Enough is enough. Ceasefire now. The defenders of Ukrainian skies repelled another Russian attack that had been ongoing since the evening of yesterday. They managed to destroy all 20 Shahed-136/131 type kamikaze drones, as well as an X-59 guided missile. ADVERTISIMENT Another missile launched by the occupants did not reach its target. The details of the enemy attack as of the morning of December 17 were reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is noted that before nightfall, Russian terrorists attacked our country with an Iskander-K cruise missile from the temporarily occupied Crimea and an X-59 missile from the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region. At the same time, the enemy launched 20 attack UAVs from the areas of Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia) and Cape Chauda (Crimea). Anti-aircraft missile units and mobile firing groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces were engaged to repel this air attack. Thanks to the coordinated combat work, the defenders shot down all two dozen drones and an X-59 missile. These air targets were neutralized in the skies over Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Khmelnytskyi regions. ADVERTISIMENT According to the military, the missile launched by the occupiers from the Iskander-K system did not reach its target. As reported by OBOZ.UA, last night, on December 16, the defenders of the sky shot down 30 out of 31 Shahed drones. Among other things, the occupiers tried to strike military and civilian targets in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. Eight of the 14 neutralized UAVs were shot down by soldiers of mobile fire groups. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Mendonco family from left Marisa (Spourle), Brandon, Carlos and Maryanne is celebrating 50 years in business at 1204 Main Street in Penticton. Their shop started out as the Penticton Food Market before rebranding into La Cucina European Market and Delicatessen. Donald Trump, the 2017-2021 US President, quoted Russian dictator Vladimir Putin during his latest speech aimed at denigrating White House Chief of Staff Joe Biden. Trump said that the current US president is a "threat to democracy." ADVERTISIMENT Moreover, the odious Adolf Hitler-style politician said at a campaign event that immigrants "poison the blood of our country." This was reported by CNN. In an address to his supporters at a rally in New Hampshire, Trump called Biden a "threat to democracy" and added that Russian dictator Putin was of the same opinion. Trump also praised two other authoritarian foreign politicians, calling Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban "very respected." And North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un received a "very nice" compliment from Trump. Analysts noted that such statements by Trump are consistent with the pattern of expressing sympathy for foreign politicians who take anti-democratic measures to maintain power. At the same time, journalists pointed out that Trump stepped up his rhetoric after he tried to dodge questions about whether he would act like a dictator if re-elected to the US presidency. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Ammar Moussa, a spokesman for Biden's campaign, said that Trump "repeated Adolf Hitler" in his speeches in New Hampshire. "They are poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done. They're poisoning mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America ... but all over the world. They come to our country from Africa, from Asia, from all over the world," Trump said of immigrants. According to a representative of Biden's campaign headquarters, Trump demonstrated his role models with his remarks, repeating Hitler, praising Kim Jong-un, and quoting Putin. Moussa emphasized that a politician like Trump threatens American democracy. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, at the end of the 45th President of the United States of America Donald Trump's term in office, a folder with highly classified data on the Russian Federation's interference in the 2016 US presidential election disappeared from the White House. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, there is growing concern among some European Union governments about the US presidential election to be held in November 2024. They fear that if Donald Trump is elected, NATO will be threatened with destruction. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! By David Awori A soldier belonging to the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has been killed by suspected smugglers in Sofia B Village, Busia municipality, while a policeman who was with him survived death with severe injuries. Corporal David Asasira, attached to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement unit, was killed as he reportedly tried to intercept a truck carrying suspected smuggled goods. Sources say Asasira was fatally overrun by a Kenyan-registered truck loaded with motor vehicle tyres, which he attempted to impound as it entered Uganda through Sofia B Village early Saturday morning. Read more Kilkenny buildings are to be lit up again this year as Samaritans mark the Longest Night of the year to remind those struggling to cope that its helpline is open during their darkest hours this Christmas. Civic buildings will be lit up, and also joining to date are the Leftbank, Biddy Earlys , The Village Inn , The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny Castle, St Canice's Cathedral, The Creamery House Castlecomer, St Lukes Hospital, and Market Cross Shopping Centre. Volunteers in Kilkenny will be among 100 listening volunteers on duty across Ireland on Christmas Day, providing vital emotional support to people struggling to cope. Volunteers answered more than 33,000 calls to Samaritans 24-hour freephone number (116 123) last December, including almost 1,000 calls on Christmas Day alone. The mental health charity is asking landmarks and public buildings across the country to light up in green to mark the Longest Night on Thursday, December 21st, to show people Samaritans are here for them during the long dark nights especially over Christmas. Anne Lennon Volunteer Branch Director at Kilkenny Samaritans, said: We know from our callers that Christmas can be particularly challenging and not the happy time often perceived on television or in ads at this time of year. Bereavement, loneliness, relationship and family problems, addictions, abuse and mental health issues can all feature heavily in people's lives throughout the festive break. It is really important that people know that whatever they are going through, whenever they are going through it, Samaritans are here to listen day and night. We urge anyone in need of support to reach out and call freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie. Anne added: It is fantastic that so manysites across [town/county] are lighting up in green on the Longest Night to show people that Samaritans are there for them during their darkest hours. We urge as many companies as possible to light up and show their support on the night and register via www.samaritans.ie/ longestnight. Migrants, mainly from Central America, who were traveling to the U.S. inside a tractor-trailer, are detained by Mexican immigration agents and National Guard members in Veracruz, Mexico, July 23, 2023. (Felix Marquez/AP) MEXICO CITY Once nearly impenetrable for migrants heading north from Latin America, the jungle between Colombia and Panama this year became a speedy but still treacherous highway for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. Driven by economic crises, government repression and violence, migrants from China to Haiti decided to risk three days of deep mud, rushing rivers and bandits. Enterprising locals offered guides and porters, set up campsites and sold supplies to migrants, using color-coded wristbands to track who had paid for what. Advertisement Enabled by social media and Colombian organized crime, more than 506,000 migrants nearly two-thirds Venezuelans had crossed the Darien jungle by mid-December, double the 248,000 who set a record the previous year. Before last year, the record was barely 30,000 in 2016. Dana Graber Ladek, the Mexico chief for the United Nations International Organization for Migration, said migration flows through the region this year were historic numbers that we have never seen. Advertisement It wasnt only in Latin America. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean or the Atlantic on small boats to reach Europe this year has surged. More than 250,000 irregular arrivals were registered in 2023, according to the European Commission. A significant increase from recent years, the number remains well below levels seen in the 2015 refugee crisis, when more than 1 million people landed in Europe, most fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Still, the rise has fed anti-migrant sentiment and laid the groundwork for tougher legislation. Earlier this month, the British government announced tough new immigration rules aimed at reducing the number of people able to move to the U.K. each year by hundreds of thousands. Authorized immigration to the U.K. set a record in 2022 with nearly 750,000. A week later, French opposition lawmakers rejected an immigration bill from President Emmanuel Macron without even debating it. It had been intended to make it easier for France to expel foreigners considered undesirable. Far-right politicians alleged the bill would have increased the number of migrants coming to the country, while migrant advocates said it threatened the rights of asylum-seekers. In Washington, the debate has shifted from efforts early in the year to open new legal pathways largely toward measures to keep migrants out as Republicans try to take advantage of the Biden administrations push for more aid to Ukraine to tighten the U.S. southern border. The U.S. started the year opening limited spaces to Venezuelans as well as Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians in January to enter legally for two years with a sponsor, while expelling those who didnt qualify to Mexico. Their numbers dropped somewhat for a time before climbing again with renewed vigor. Venezuelan Alexander Mercado had only been back in his country for a month after losing his job in Peru before he and his partner decided to set off for the United States with their infant son. Advertisement Venezuelas minimum wage was the equivalent of about $4 a month then, while 2.2 pounds (a kilogram) of beef was about $5, said Angelis Flores, his 28-year-old wife. Imagine how someone with a salary of $4 a month survives, she said. Mercado, 27, and Flores were already on their way when in September the U.S. announced it was granting temporary legal status to more than 470,000 Venezuelans already in the country. Weeks later, the Biden administration said it was resuming deportation flights to the South American nation. Mercado and Flores hiked the well-trod trail through the jungle, managing to push through in three days. Flores and their son, in particular, got very sick. She believes they were infected by the contaminated water they drank along the way. There was a body in the middle of river and the zamuros, those black birds, were eating it and picking it apart all of that was running in the river, she said. For Mercado and Flores, the journey accelerated once they left the jungle. In October, Panama and Costa Rica announced a deal to speed migrants across their countries. Panama bused migrants to a center in Costa Rica where they were held until they could buy a bus ticket to Nicaragua. Advertisement Nicaragua also seemed to opt for speeding migrants through its territory. Mercado said they crossed on buses in a day. After discovering that Nicaragua had lax visa requirements, Cubans and Haitians poured into Nicaragua on charter flights, purchasing roundtrip tickets they never intended. Citizens of African nations made circuitous series of connecting flights through Africa, Europe and Latin America to arrive in Managua to start travelling overland toward the United States, avoiding the Darien. In Honduras, Mercado and Flores were given a pass from authorities allowing them five days to transit the country. Adam Isacson, an analyst tracking migration at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras grant migrants legal status while theyre transiting the countries, which have limited resources, and by letting migrants pass legally the countries make them less vulnerable to extortion from authorities and smugglers. Then there are Guatemala and Mexico, which Isacson called the were-going-to-make-a-show-of-blocking-you countries attempting to score points with the U.S. government. For many that has meant spending money to hire smugglers to cross Guatemala and Mexico, or exposing themselves to repeated extortion attempts. Advertisement Mercado didnt hire a smuggler and paid the price. It was very difficult to get through Guatemala, he said. The police kept taking money. But that was just a taste of what was to come. Standing outside a Mexico City shelter with their son on a recent afternoon, Flores recounted all of the countries they had traversed. But they dont rob you as much, extort you as much, send you back like when you arrive here to Mexico, she said. Here the real nightmare starts, because as soon as you enter they start taking a lot of your money. Mexicos immigration system was thrown into chaos on March 27, when migrants held in a detention center in the border city Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, set mattresses on fire inside their cell in apparent protest. The highly flammable foam mattresses filled the cell with thick smoke in an instant. Guards did not open the cell and 40 migrants died. The immigration agencys director was among several officials charged with crimes ranging from negligence to homicide. The agency closed 33 of its smaller detention centers while it conducted a review. Advertisement Migrants in Chicago Weekly By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Unable to detain many migrants, Mexico instead circulated them around the country, using brief, repeat detentions, each an opportunity for extortion, said Gretchen Kuhner, director of IMUMI, a nongovernmental legal services organization. Advocates called it the politica de desgaste or wearing down policy. Mercado and Flores made it all the way to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where they were detained, held for a night in an immigration facility in the border city of Reynosa and then flown the next morning 650 miles (1046 kilometers) south to Villahermosa. There they were released, but without their cell phones, shoelaces and money. Mercado had to wait for his brother to send $100 so they could start trying to make their way back to Mexico City through an indirect route that required them to travel by truck, motorbike and even horse. In late November, they had just made it back to Mexico City again. This time Mercado was unequivocal: They would not leave Mexico City until the U.S. government gave them an appointment to request asylum at a border port of entry. It is really hard to make it back here again, he said. If they manage to send me back again I dont know what I would do. __ Advertisement AP writers Maria Verza in Mexico City, Juan Zamorano in Panama City and Renata Brito in Barcelona contributed to this report. Stuff reports: A teenager who raped a woman he had never met at knifepoint in Albert Park has been sentenced to two years and two months in jail. The now-18 year-old appeared at the Auckland District court on Friday having earlier pleaded guilty to charges of rape, threatening to kill and two charges of aggravated robbery. The teenager's lawyer asked for discounts amounting to 110% and an end sentence of home detention, so her client can continue with sex offender rehabilitation. How can you ask for 110% discount? Does that mean they actually get rewarded for raping someone? But Judge Claire Ryan refused on the basis it would be too lenient. While she granted discounts of 77%, she sentenced him to prison and called his offending disgusting and disgraceful. A 77% discount is massive. national plans to change the law to maximise discounts to 40%. She started with a sentence of 11 years and one month but provided a total discount of 77%, taking time off for early guilty plea, previous clean record, efforts at rehabilitation, youth, remorse and time on electronically monitored bail. From 11 years down to barely two years. There will be more victims. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy skies with a few snow showers this afternoon. High 24F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Watching a potential winter storm. Snow. Winds will be gusty at times this evening. Low 12F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 5 to 8 inches. Egypt's zero-customs car import initiative has seen an influx in demand in the first two months of its second phase. Registration applications increased over three-fold compared to the same period in the initial phase, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait stated on Thursday. Democrats and Republicans will not be able to strike a deal on US southern border policy changes this year, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said December 17, following weeks of negotiations over tying tighter immigration restrictions to supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel. Part of South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida, is seen covered in water on December 16. A strengthening storm is pummeling Florida with heavy rains and powerful winds as it makes its way up the East Coast, threatening floods, dangerous surf, power outages and travel disruptions. This was first published in the Missouri Independent, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering state government, politics and policy, and is reprinted with permission. Neste Oyj (OTCMKTS:NTOIY Get Free Report) and Parkland (OTCMKTS:PKIUF Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, dividends and valuation. Dividends Neste Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Parkland pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Neste Oyj pays out 45.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Parkland pays out 134.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Get Neste Oyj alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares Neste Oyj and Parklands top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A $0.54 33.41 Parkland N/A N/A N/A $0.75 42.68 Analyst Ratings Neste Oyj is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Parkland, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Neste Oyj and Parkland, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Neste Oyj 1 0 5 0 2.67 Parkland 0 0 1 0 3.00 Parkland has a consensus price target of $50.33, suggesting a potential upside of 58.03%. Given Parklands stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Parkland is more favorable than Neste Oyj. Profitability This table compares Neste Oyj and Parklands net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A Parkland N/A N/A N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.0% of Neste Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.3% of Parkland shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Parkland beats Neste Oyj on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Neste Oyj (Get Free Report) Neste Oyj provides renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in Finland and other Nordic countries, Baltic Rim, other European countries, North and South America, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Renewable Products, Oil Products, Marketing & Services, and Others. The Renewable Products segment produces, markets, and sells renewable diesel, renewable jet fuels and solutions, and renewable solvents, as well as raw material for bioplastics based on its technology to wholesale markets. The Oil Products segment produces, markets, and sells diesel fuel, gasoline, aviation and marine fuels, light and heavy fuel oils, and gasoline components, as well as special fuels, such as small-engine gasoline, solvents, liquid gases, and bitumen. This segment serves retailers and distributors, oil majors and trading companies, petrochemicals companies, and companies marketing lubricants and solvents. The Marketing & Services segment markets and sells cleaner fuels and oil products, and associated services to private motorists, industry, transport companies, farmers, and heating oil customers through a network of service stations, as well as direct sales. The Others segment offers engineering solutions. The company was formerly known as Neste Oil Oyj and changed its name to Neste Oyj in June 2015. Neste Oyj was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. About Parkland (Get Free Report) Parkland Corporation operates food and convenience stores in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company's Canada segment owns, supplies, and supports a coast-to-coast network of retail gas stations, electronic vehicle charging stations, frozen food retail locations, convenience stores, cardlock sites, bulk fuel, propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers; transports and distributes fuel through ships, rail, and highway carriers; and stores fuel in terminals and other owned and leased facilities, as well as engages in the low-carbon activities. This segment sells its products under the M&M Food Market, On the Run / Marche Express, Ultramar, Esso, Chevron, Pioneer, Fas Gas Plus, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brand names. Its international segment operates and services various retail service stations under the Sol, Esso, Mobil, Shell, and Texaco brand names; and owns the Sol Shop, a convenience store, as well as sells refined crude oil to commercial, industrial, and aviation businesses. The company's USA Segment delivers fuel, lubricants, and other related products to commercial and wholesale customers; operates a network of retail fuel and convenience stores under the On the Run, Arco, Cenex, Chevron, Conoco, Exxon, and other brands, as well as cardlocks under various brands; and operates terminals, storage facilities and trucks, contracts with pipeline, storage facilities, and third-party carriers to support its network. Its Refining segment refines fuel products, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel; co-processes bio-feedstocks and blends low-carbon-intensity fuels with gasoline and diesel to produce greener fuels. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. Parkland Corporation was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Neste Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neste Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:RYCEY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 170,000 shares, an increase of 13.6% from the November 15th total of 149,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 8,388,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS RYCEY traded down $0.19 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $3.64. The stock had a trading volume of 3,561,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,140,613. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has a 1 year low of $1.03 and a 1 year high of $3.92. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.52. Get Rolls-Royce Holdings plc alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rolls-Royce Holdings plc A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Renaissance Group LLC purchased a new position in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the third quarter worth approximately $6,640,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the first quarter worth $385,000. OLD National Bancorp IN increased its stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc by 256.5% during the second quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 149,468 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 107,543 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the second quarter worth $217,000. Finally, Fulton Bank N.A. acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the third quarter worth $122,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.05% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on RYCEY. Barclays raised Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley upgraded Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $97.50. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RYCEY Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LCC plans to launch first flight to Paris in June By Lee Min-hyung Tway Air has high hopes for stronger earnings growth next year, fueled by potential expansion into Europe in place of the nations two mega carriers which may merge, according to the company's CEO. Our target sales are forecast to hit 1.8 trillion won ($1.38 billion) in 2024, if we are granted permission to operate air routes from Korea to major European cities, Tway Air CEO Jeong Hong-geun said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. The European Commission (EC) is still reviewing whether Tway Air is qualified to operate four air routes from Korea to Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, after Korean Air decided to give up the traffic rights for its high-stakes acquisition of Asiana Airlines. The decision is part of a tradeoff offered by Korean Air to seek approval for the long-delayed deal. But the head of Tway displayed confidence that the antitrust watchdog will give the green light to the deal. We will create new opportunities by launching our first European air routes, he said. If Korean Airs ongoing takeover of Asiana makes smooths progress, we will be able to lease five A330 passenger jets from Korean Air. Under the optimistic scenario, Tway is ready to launch our first air route to Paris sometime around June next year. Jeong has spent more than three decades in the aviation industry after starting his career at Korean Air in 1986. He is one of the most renowned sales experts in the industry, having taken on executive roles in sales at Korean Air and Jin Air, before joining Tway Air in 2013. Under his leadership, Tway succeeded in generating record earnings for the three quarters combined this year. According to the airline, the company chalked up sales of 990.1 billion won during the same period. Its operating profit also soared to a historic high of 135.9 billion won between January and September. This enabled Tway to become the nations second-largest low-cost carrier (LCC) by sales this year. Jeong gave the credit to the firms boldness to take risks even at a period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most LCCs returned their leased aircraft during the pandemic, but we introduced more at a discounted price, in a preemptive move to brace for the post-pandemic era, he said. The strategy generated tangible outcome this year when flight demand was on track for rapid recovery. Another key factor for the airlines eye-catching earnings rebound is its push to diversify air routes with a focus on long-haul routes. Tway introduced the A330 passenger jet last year and has since expanded more long-distance routes from Incheon to Sydney, Bishkek the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolias Ulaanbaatar. Jeong identified Central Asia as a region with huge growth potential for the airline. Central Asia looks very attractive, as competition for flights to the region is less intense than other major tourist attractions in other Asian markets, he said. We particularly focus on targeting demand from students who choose Central Asia as a layover destination on their way to other regions. They choose to do so due to the high ticket prices of national flag carriers. He expressed his vision to attract more foreign tourists, to maximize and stabilize the carrier's revenue areas. Sales from foreign customers account for around 20 percent for most LCCs here, with the rest coming from domestic travelers. Our top priority is localization when we attract foreign customers, he said. For instance, we contact online travel agents abroad and ask what customers from each country want. We gradually raise awareness of our brand identity there by reflecting their appetite. After we possibly launch our flights to Europe, we will engage in the same process for deeper penetration into the untapped territory. Tway Air is also stepping up its marketing efforts to build its loyal customer base. The airline launched a subscription-based membership service, Tway Plus, for the first time in the local aviation industry in March. This is different from typical mileages offered by most carriers. One key difference is that the service provides users with more diverse benefits by giving them ticket discount coupons or opportunities to access early bird promotion events. New training center Tway Air also promoted its new training facility set up on the first floor of its office at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul. We invested 12 billion won for the construction of the training center, as part of efforts to enhance our in-flight safety, he said. I believe safety comes from repeated training. The facility comes with various separate training booths for pilots and flight attendants to repeatedly train for emergency situations. Our fire-fighting simulator equipment is the only one in Korea, he said. The center is also used for our corporate social responsibility activities, as we invite a group of students and offer special education courses on how to ensure in-flight safety. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. New Delhi, December 17: Customs at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital have arrested one person and seized 12 gold chains worth Rs 2.78 crore, officials said on Sunday. The passenger arrived at the IGI airport from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. "On the basis of intelligence developed, Customs at IGI Airport have seized 12 gold chains weighing 4684 grammes valued at RS 2.78 Crore brought by one passenger who arrived from Tashkent. The passenger has been arrested under the Customs Act, 1962," the official statement from Customs read. Gold Worth Rs 2.73 Cr Seized at Delhi Airport; 2 Held. Further investigations are underway. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 17 (ANI): About 286 grams of gold in paste form was seized from a passenger at Mangaluru airport by customs officials. Based on the profiling done by the officers of Mangaluru Customs, the passenger, who was travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru by an Indian carrier-operated flight, was intercepted on Thursday. Also Read | Maharashtra Blast: Nine People Killed in Explosion at Explosives Manufacturing Factory in Nagpur (Watch Video). "While personally checking and scanning the trouser worn by him, dark image appeared and on further open examination of the said trouser, yellow-colored paste material concealed inside layers of trouser was found," as per officials. After extraction by heating process, gold of 24 carat purity weighing 286 grams (net) valued at Rs 17.7 lakh was recovered from the passenger, the officials added. (ANI) Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates New Terminal Building of Surat Airport in Gujarat (Watch Video). (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal, Dec 17 (PTI) Two male cheetahs were released in the tourist zone of the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, an official said. The cheetahs Agni and Vayu were released in the Parond forest range, which falls under the Ahera tourism zone of the national park, an official release issued by the chief conservator of forest (tiger project) stated. Also Read | Uttarakhand Shocker: 15-Year-Old Girl Taken Out of Child Protection Home by Two Women Employees in Nainital, Raped. Tourists can now catch a glimpse of the cheetahs, it stated. Fifteen cheetahs (seven male, seven female and a cub) were kept in bomas (enclosures) in the KNP since August this year as a team of veterinarians monitored their health. Also Read | Supreme Court Ruling on Article 370 Not Gods Verdict: Mehbooba Mufti Vows to Continue Struggle (Watch Video). Six adult cheetahs have died since March due to various reasons, taking the total death count of felines, including three cubs, to nine. Under the Cheetah Reintroduction Project, eight Namibian cheetahs five female and three male were released into enclosures at the KNP on September 17, 2022. In February this year, 12 more cheetahs arrived at the national park from South Africa. In March, four cubs were born to a Namibian cheetah named Jwala, of which three died in May. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Egypts Journalists Syndicate condemned, as premeditated murder and full-fledged war crime, Israel's killing of Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa late Friday, while reporting its airstrike on a school shelter in the south of the besieged Gaza Strip. In a statement on Saturday, the syndicate also condemned the targeting of Wael Al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeeras chief correspondent in Gaza, who also suffered severe injuries to his arm and shoulder during the attack. Al-Dahdouh, who had lost four members of his family in an Israeli airstrike in late October, was able to flee bleeding from Farhana School in Khan Yunis, south of the strip, following the attack on Friday. Abu Daqqa, 45, was forced to wait bleeding for hours, as no ambulance was allowed to reach the school amid the heavy Israeli shelling in the area until a civil defense crew found him dead. The Egyptian syndicate stressed its readiness to join all international efforts to prosecute the perpetrators of the crime against Abu Daqqa and more than 90 journalists who were also killed while on duty by Israel before the International Criminal Court as war criminals. The syndicate also asserted that leaving Abu Daqqa to bleed for six hours is premeditated murder and a full-fledged war crime, adding that the perpetrators must be held accountable, according to the statement. The targeting of Abu Daqqa and Al-Dahdouh is part of a broader, brutal crime against the Palestinian people as well as press and media workers, who strive to convey the truth on the Palestinian lands, it affirmed. Over almost two months, Israel killed around 90 journalists and media workers, targeted dozens of their families, destroyed more than 50 Palestinian media outlets, and arrested 18 colleagues to obliterate the truth, the statement noted. The syndicate urged press freedom organizations to push for allowing journalists from all over the world to cover the war on the ground, for exposing the genocidal crime against a people whose only crime is defending their freedom against one of the most heinous settler occupations in modern history. On Friday, Al Jazeera said it held Israel accountable for systematically targeting and killing its journalists and their families. Dozens of journalists took part in Abu Daqqa's funeral on Saturday. Abu Daqqas body was carried through a crowd in Khan Yunis city before being buried in a grave dug by fellow journalists. His mother Umm Maher Abu Daqqa accused Israel of targeting journalists, especially those working for Al Jazeera. Search Keywords: Short link: Mumbai, December 17: Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those who were killed in a blast at Nagpur's solar explosive company on Sunday, the Chief Minister's office said in a statement. According to officials, nine people died and three were left injured in the explosion which occurred today in the solar explosive company near Bazargaon village. In a post on X, CMO Maharashtra said, "The Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed deep grief over the deaths in the explosion incident at a factory in Nagpur. Expressing condolences to the deceased and their families, the Chief Minister has also announced an aid of five lakh rupees to their kins of those who died in the incident." Maharashtra Blast: Nine People Killed in Explosion at Explosives Manufacturing Factory in Nagpur (Watch Video). "He has also given instructions to authorities to provide timely and quality treatment to the injured in this unfortunate incident," the Chief Minister's office added. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid condolences to the families of the deceased and said that the state government stands firmly with them on this sad occasion. "It is very unfortunate that 9 people including 6 women died in the explosion at a Solar factory in Nagpur. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. The Nagpur Collector and Superintendent of Police are in constant touch and the IG, SP, and Collector are at the spot. The state government will give assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kins of those who died in this incident," Deputy CM said. Nagpur Blast: Five Killed in Explosion at Explosives Manufacturing Company in Bazaargaon Area. On the incident, Harsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural) said, "This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company." (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 17 (PTI) A 22-year-old IIT Delhi student allegedly tried to end his life by jumping before a Delhi Metro train on Sunday, officials said. The incident was reported around 6:40 pm from the Tilak Nagar metro station. Also Read | DU Recruitment 2023: Vacancies Notified for 51 Assistant Professor Posts, Apply Online at colrec.uod.ac.in. The man was standing on platform no 2 of the station and jumped before a Dwarka-bound train when it was coming to a halt, they said. The passenger suffered an injury on his head and he was soon rushed to a nearby hospital. Also Read | SBI CBO Recruitment 2023: Registration for 5,280 Posts of Circle Based Officers Ends Tomorrow, Apply Online at sbi.co.in. The student is a resident of a south Indian state and was pursuing a B.Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, as per the officials. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka, Dec 17 (PTI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League on Sunday decided to give 26 out of 300 parliamentary seats to the Jatiya Party (JAPA), in an effort to persuade the opposition party to participate in the January 7 general elections, being boycotted by the main opposition BNP. "The Awami League nominees have withdrawn their candidature from these seats, the ruling party said in a statement on the last day of the withdrawal of the candidature under the Election Commission schedule. Also Read | England: Church Blesses Same-Sex Couples for the First Time, but They Still Cant Wed in Church. The development came after a day-long dramatic behind-the-scenes interaction as the JAPA was reluctant to contest the elections, while it is officially or technically the main opposition in the current parliament in the absence of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The JAPA's reluctance to participate in the polls had posed the ruling party a major challenge of legitimising the polling and ensuring its participatory nature, amid a boycott by BNP of ailing former premier Khaleda Zia. Also Read | Flu Infections in Japan Soar to Warning Level at Fastest Pace in 10 Years, 166,690 Cases Reported in a Week. The Awami League has also left six seats to its partners in the 14-party ruling alliance - three seats to the left-leaning Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASOD), two to the Workers Party and one to another Jatiya Party faction called JP. According to the seat-sharing arrangements, JASOD and Workers Party will contest the polls with Awami League's boat symbol like the ruling party candidates and JAPA nominees will be on the race with their own logo plough against independent candidates. Unlike previous elections, the Awami League allowed its rebel leaders and activists to contest the elections as independent candidates, promising that they would not face any disciplinary actions in its efforts to make the polling participatory. JAPA's Secretary General Mujibul Haque told reporters that the party has decided to take part in the elections as the government and the Election Commission assured them that the polls would be free and fair. He said JAPA would contest 283 seats and in some cases it has forged a strategic arrangement with the ruling Awami League. But did not ally with Awami League, Chunnu said. JAPA Chairman GM Quader earlier said their party would not join the general elections under the Awami League government but some analysts said that under the seat-sharing arrangement, the party would become the biggest beneficiary. The BNP has repeatedly been saying no election under Awami League would be fair. The party has been demanding the government's resignation to pave the way for an interim non-party-neutral government to conduct the polls. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal earlier said that despite the need for a congenial atmosphere for a smooth election, for a long time, there exist differences of opinions among political leaderships on the question of election, particularly over the institutional method of the polling. In a veiled reference to BNP and its allies, Awal said his office invited all registered political parties who were reluctant to take part in the upcoming polls for dialogues with the Commission but they rejected the invitation. President Mohammad Shahabuddin Ahmed on Sunday gave his consent to call out army troops to maintain law and order in aid of civil power on an Election Commission's proposal. The BNP had boycotted the 2014 election but took part in 2018 polls. With the BNP boycotting the elections, and no other credible opposition party against it, Hasina's party is likely to gain an upper hand and likely to form the government for the fourth consecutive term. The US and other major Western countries called for dialogue between the ruling Awami League and particularly with the BNP to ensure an inclusive and credible election. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jalna, December 17: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said if the state government fails to fulfil the reservation demands, the community will chart its next course of action at a meeting in Beed on December 23. Speaking to reporters during a meeting at Antarwali Sarati village of Jalna district, Jarange said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde is scheduled to make a statement in the assembly, whose winter session is underway in Nagpur, on December 18. The activist claimed that state minister Uday Samant phoned him in the morning to assure that the chief minister and the deputy CMs were committed to granting reservation. Maratha Quota: Manoj Jarange-Patil Begins Another Hunger Strike, Says Government Is Not Serious About Our Plea for Reservation. The government had sought "one month to pass the act", but if it fails to comply, he said the next strategy will be decided on December 23 at Beed. Jarange announced that the agitation would continue if the government failed to fulfil the demand for reservation and urged it to issue Kunbi certificates to Marathas for their inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and pass the act accordingly. The state government has found 54 lakh records of Kunbi, and it should pass a legislation for the inclusion of the Maratha community in the OBC category, he said. The activist concluded his hunger strike on November 2 and gave the ruling dispensation time till December 24 to fulfil the demands made by the community seeking reservation in education and government jobs. Jarange pointed out that the state government has not withdrawn cases against Marathas who participated in the protests for reservation. He also called for a halt in job recruitment until reservations were granted to the Marathas. Manoj Jarange Patil Hospitalised: Maratha Quota Protest Leader's Health Deteriorates, Rushed to Ambajogai Thorat Hospital in Beed (Watch Video). The government should prioritise the appointment of 13,000 Maratha youths who have been selected for various departments, he said, warning of "consequences" if the government did not stop recruitment till the reservation is implemented. Jarange urged Marathas not to indulge in infighting and to remain united and said the community would soon get reservations as the fight is at its peak. On his two-day visit to his constituency, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate 37 projects worth over Rs 19,000 crore for Varanasi and Purvanchal. He will also flag off a new train from Kanyakumari to Varanasi. Nine Allentown community groups will get a total $718,149 to continue their work in 2024. These grants come from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquencys Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The money is used to fund nonprofit organizations, including faith-based institutions within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents, as identified by the FBIs Hate Crime Statistics publication. The money, which was made available through the states commission on crime and delinquency, will go toward funding the citys police department and increasing security at multiple local group locations, lawmakers said in a statement. This funding will be used to provide the support needed for these communities, so they are well-equipped to deal with any hate that comes their way, not only in the purchasing of new technology, but also keeping the police departments in the community well-staffed, said state Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Allentown. Allentown received $200,000 in state funding to staff and fund its police department. More than 90 local nonprofits that could be targets for hate crimes will be receiving $5 million in total funding, and 20 law enforcement agencies will receive more than $1 million in recruitment grants, the state announced. This is the sixth cohort of Nonprofit Security Grant Program awards approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Nearly $20 million in funding has been dispersed to 488 organizations since 2020, the state reports. Approximately four million people across the Commonwealth have been impacted by this funding to date, the state estimates. Valley Youth House, a nonprofit group offering financial, personal and educational support to children and teens across the Lehigh Valley, was also selected to receive $25,000. Valley Youth House is located in Northampton County. See a full list of this years grant recipients from Allentown below: Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley - $150,000 Allentown Central Catholic High School - $100,000 Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center - $100,000 Jewish Community Center of Allentown, Pennsylvania - $75,000 Asbury United Methodist Church - $33,348 Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley - $25,000 Jewish Student Center Allentown Inc. - $24,116 Congregation Sons of Israel - $10,685 The next batch of applications is being accepted until Monday. Applicants wanting to learn more and apply can find more information on funding requirements by visiting the PCCD website. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter. A 35-acre lot in Palmer Township proposed to be converted into two truck terminals and a billboard this year is now up for sale. The property at 1492 Van Buren Road is listed for $16 million, according to the real estate listing website Loopnet. The site is owned by Abe Atiyehs Exchange 12 LLC. Atiyeh has submitted at least five applications to redevelop the property, records show. The developer initially pitched the site as a two-warehouse development in 2018, then proposed 496 apartments instead. In April 2022, he again proposed construction of a 128,900- and 138,700-square-foot warehouse and distribution center buildings before proposing to construct two truck terminals later in the year. Planners denied a recommendation on a proposal to construct a 51-foot billboard earlier this year. Atiyeh did not respond immediately to a request for comment about the decision to list the property. Its unclear whether the latest development proposal will be scrapped. Township officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Residents who would live near any potential development of the property have been adamant vocal opponents of Atiyehs proposals since 2018. Residents of the Highlands of Glenmoor, a 50-and-over residential community, say theyre concerned what potential development could do to the Schoeneck Creek flood zone that bisects the property between Route 33 and Van Buren Road. Harry Graack, a property owner just south of the 1492 property, threatened to leave the township last year if a proposal for two truck terminals were approved. This plan here defies description because its far worse than the warehouse plan. I didnt think it was possible, he said at the time. According to the listing on Loopnet, Atiyehs company Pennsylvania Venture Capital could also include engineering plans for two warehouses with any potential agreement of sale. In the last two decades, Palmer Townships warehouse boom has redefined the area, totaling roughly 6 million square feet, on land long used to grow corn. Thats enough square feet to fit 37 PPL Centers, The Express-Times/lehighvalleylive.com and The Morning Call/mcall.com reported in December. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter. Egyptian pharmaceutical company APEX Pharma has announced plans to pump EGP 4 billion ($130 million) in investments to establish two state-of-the-art pharmaceutical factories in Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the coming year, Chairman Magdy Elba said on Sunday. Elba added that the plan involves constructing a new factory in Egypt with an initial investment of over EGP 1 billion, which is projected to reach between EGP 2 billion and EGP 3 billion within three years. APEX Pharma is currently focusing on implementing the first phase of its new factory in the Industrial Valley of King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, with investments totalling SAR 300 million (EGP 2.5 billion), the chairman stated during an interview with AlArabiya Business. "APEX's goal currently is to complete all necessary procedures and have the Saudi factory operational by mid-2024, although the process has encountered delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic," he noted. The final date for the factory's operation will be determined once the company obtains a license from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Elba indicated. He further mentioned that the primary objective of the Saudi factory's initial phase is to produce a wide range of pharmaceutical supplies, including tablets, capsules, and powders for the treatment of common diseases such as diabetes. "This venture marks a significant milestone for APEX Pharma as it becomes the first Egyptian pharmaceutical company to establish a factory outside the country's borders," Elba said. Per PEX Pharma's statement, the company's expansion plan will pave the way to penetration of the Arab Gulf markets, particularly Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq. In 2018, APEX Pharma signed an agreement to establish a pharmaceutical factory in Saudi Arabia, encompassing an area of 50,000 square meters, with an estimated first-phase area of 15,000 square meters. Elba emphasized APEX Pharma's commitment to expanding its presence in the Egyptian market, despite the challenges it faces, such as difficulties in procuring raw materials and the high costs of production. Egypt's pharmaceutical market ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2023, with a market value of $56.6 billion, according to Informa Markets. The pharmaceutical and medical exports sector in Egypt is predicted to experience growth, with exports projected to reach $5 billion by 2030, an increase from $964 million in 2022, as shown in a study by study by the Egyptian Senate. Search Keywords: Short link: Two years after decriminalizing public drinking for young people under 21, New Jersey is on the verge of reinstating penalties because too many minors have been flouting the law. On Thursday, a state Senate panel approved a bill that would impose a $50 fine on people under 21 found with booze or marijuana in the state, and for police to notify parents or guardians of those under 18. The measure (S3954) would repeal a controversial part of the laws legalizing marijuana for people 21 and older in 2021. Lawmakers at that time downgraded marijuana and alcohol possession offenses for minors, out of concern that Black people are three times as likely than whites to be arrested for drug possession, even though rates of consumption are the same. Social justice advocates urged lawmakers to shield minors from this disproportionate treatment, as well. The law says police officers could only issue written warnings to youth under 21 found with marijuana or alcohol but not notify their parents unless there was a subsequent offense. The law also threatened police officers caught searching a minor for weed or alcohol with a criminal charge of deprivation of civil rights. It carries fines and prison time of three to five years. Lawmakers, many of them parents, were never quite comfortable with the law. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved the bill by an 8-0 vote with four abstentions, just a week after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved it by 9-2 vote. The measure, which passed the state Assembly without any no votes in June, needs to clear the full 40-member Senate before it goes to the governors desk for his approval or veto. Suburban kids are flouting this. If we dont do something we might as well say you can drink openly as a teenager, said Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, the committee chair. The bill would also limit the scenarios under which an officer may be charged with depriving someone of their civil rights. The officer would have had to act with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against the underage person or group of persons in order to be guilty of the crime, according to the measure. But social justice advocates warned the committee that undoing the 2021 law, imposing fines and requiring a minor appear in municipal court would unnecessarily burden low-income families and thrust young people of color into the criminal justice system. It has been shown time and time again with youth and substances this is not the first time they have seen each other, said Austin Edwards, senior policy counsel for Salvation and Social Justice, a community nonprofit. The fines and fees dont necessarily deter youth from engaging with these substances. It makes more sense to emulate his organizations work with Trenton city officials to address the root causes of substance abuse on the neighborhood level, he said. Charlene Walker, executive director for Faith in New Jersey, said parents have told her they cannot afford the $50 fine and the loss of a days pay that comes with appearing in court. This is something that is really going to set back Black, brown and poor families across this entire state, she said. Robert Nixon, a lobbyist for the State PBA, the largest police union in New Jersey, said the changes were necessary to protect both youth and police officers just trying to do their jobs. He suggested lowering the fine if that was a sticking point. These children are not stupid, Nixon said. They know what the law is. They know the officers have their hands tied. He urged the committee to pass the bill, for the interest of not only these kids safety and health, and the reality you need to unshackle the police just to come in and protect those kids. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. By Ann D. Bieber and David A. Ruth Nearly six months into the fiscal year, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and Pennsylvanias 13 other community colleges have yet to receive operating funds authorized in the states FY 2023-24 budget. In fact, community colleges are the only public higher education institutions in Pennsylvania still awaiting state payments. The state budget included a 2% operating fund increase for the community colleges, but legislation has not been passed by the General Assembly authorizing the funds to be released. This has needlessly put LCCC, NCC and the states other community colleges in a precarious position, forcing detrimental measures to be taken to prevent employees and students from being impacted. At Lehigh Carbon Community College, we have had to remove monies that have been invested, resulting in an approximate loss of interest income of $250,000. With this loss of interest income, it is a real possibility that we would have to cut services to students. At NCC, the situation has forced the college to tap into financial reserves to make up for the related operating budget shortfalls. That has resulted in a loss of interest income to the college of about $250,000, a number that grows larger the longer payment delays continue. Ultimately, that loss of income mitigates our ability to support students and fund college operations. Interest expenses and/or unrealized investment income realized by these measures may very well exceed the increase allocated in the state budget as early as this spring. In other words, the delay in state payments is translating into a net funding cut. Collectively, Pennsylvanias community colleges are the largest provider of public postsecondary education and workforce training in the Commonwealth. At more than 80 campus locations and sites across the state, the colleges educate more than 230,000 students across all 67 counties. LCCC serves nearly 11,000 students in three counties Lehigh, Schuylkill and Carbon; while NCC serves nearly 30,000 students primarily from Northampton and Monroe counties. Students served by Pennsylvanias community colleges come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Across the state, 42% of community college students are from minority or other underrepresented populations. The colleges serve more first-generation students and low-income students than any other sector of higher education. Seventy-five percent of the community colleges programs align with High Priority Occupations in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, public safety and cybersecurity. In fact, the colleges award three out of every four associate degrees in nursing in the state. The colleges also partner with more than 2,100 Pennsylvania employers to address workforce needs and provide contracted training to more than 87,000 workers annually. Making this essential postsecondary education and workforce training possible for Pennsylvania is more than 17,600 hardworking individuals who are employed by Pennsylvanias community colleges including nearly 700 full- and part-time employees who work at LCCC, and more than 1,300 who work at NCC. It is critical that the General Assembly pass legislation authorizing release of state funds to Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and the other state-funded community colleges without further delay. Our students, employer partners and employees are counting on it. Ann D. Bieber is president of Lehigh Carbon Community College. David A. Ruth is president of Northampton Community College. A man who headbutted a garda sergeant at Portlaoise Train Station was given time to gather compensation. Sam Garvey, 25, of 156 The Park, Sallins Road, Naas, Kildare appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of intoxication, threatening and abusive behaviour and assault on March 4, 2022. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Garda Sergeant Niall Quinn, who is now serving in Limerick, suffered some discomfort after the incident. He received a headbutt to the forehead, Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. He said the public order incident was linked as the man was intoxicated and refused to leave the station. He said the defendant has two previous convictions for public order offences. Judge Andrew Cody noted the man was working in a drug treatment centre. I am a facilitator, I hold my own meetings, the defendant explained. Judge Cody noted the probation report was very positive but he also stressed the seriousness of an assault on a garda. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said compensation had been mentioned at a previous hearing. If he was given time to put his best foot forward he would certainly be in a position, he said. Judge Cody said the report was very positive. I would be happy to strike out both the public order, he has done very well, said Judge Cody. Headbutting a garda would take a bit more, he said. He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on April 4 for payment of 500 to Garda Quinn or a charity of his nomination. Judge Cody said he would strike out the charges if this was done. A turkey farm worker effectively turned his life around since being caught in possession of drugs, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court heard. Michael Fitzpatrick, 24,of 6 Park Lane, Portarlington was found with cannabis at the Link Road, Portarlington and at his address on 19 March 2021. He was also accused of public order offences and found in possession of cocaine at Main Street in Portarlington on June 4, 2022. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said cannabis had been an issue for the defendant at the time of the offending and he was effectively clearing a debt by holding the drugs. He said he came to the attention of gardai during a public order incident and was found in possession of cocaine for personal use. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant was found in possession of 3,680 of cannabis. Judge Andrew Cody said the probation report on the defendant was very positive and the defendant had effectively turned his life around. He noted the man was employed at a turkey farm. Busy job at this time of the year for poor turkeys, said Judge Cody. He fined the man 200 for the public order charges, 200 for possession of cocaine and struck out the cannabis charges. He ordered the destruction of the drugs. A Laois Greenway is one of the priorities of a Green Party representative who is planning to make a historic election breakthrough next year. Rosie Palmer's bid to become the first ever Green Party Laois councillor got underway in Abbeyleix. The launch was attended by Ministers Pippa Hackett and Malcolm Noonan, party members as well as members of local community groups, local business owners, and family and friends. Ms Palmer, who is contesting in the Portlaoise Municipal District, said she wants healthy futures with clean air, inclusive health care and safe public spaces with accessible amenities. She also committed to tackling vacancy and dereliction. I want to be a councillor in the community, for the community, she said, inviting attendees to share their visions for a Green councillor. My priorities are your priorities, from the smaller ones, right up to getting a Greenway in Laois. As one of the last remaining counties not to draw down Greenway funding, this is certainly one issue I am committed to working to change she said. Minister Hackett, said the candidate has the experience and knowledge. Ms Palmer will face stiff resistance in her bid to claim one of the seven seats on offer in the Portlaoise area where most of the sitting councillors are town-based. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Rosie is my Parliamentary Assistant; not only is she already working in the field, but she has been an active volunteer in her community for several years, so she knows what the community wants to see delivered locally. She is enthusiastic, collaborative and understands the need for hard work, conversation and compromise, said the Senator. Minister Noonan, who has responsibility for Nature, Biodiversity and Election Reform, noted that Abbeyleix was a fitting location for the launch as a heritage town with much to offer. MORE BELOW PICTURE. In 2024, the Green Party will run over 150 candidates in the Local Election. We need to populate every local authority in Ireland with Green councillors, because they can make a significant difference at a local level and I know that Rosie does exceptional work for her area, he said. Sinn Fein is also targeting a gain in the town and launched a record-sized team recently for all Laois districts. Dunamase College in Portlaoise is celebrating a lovely award for its welcoming ethos to different cultures around the world. The young Irish English bilingual secondary school, patroned by Laois Offaly Education and Training Board, has been awarded certification as a Champion School of Sanctuary. School of Sanctuary Ireland gave the honour, which makes Dunamase College the first school in Laois to receive such an accolade, highlighting its commitment to inclusivity and creating a welcoming environment for all. A school celebration was held on Wednesday, December 13th, when the School of Sanctuary Ireland monitoring team visited Dunamase College to witness firsthand the remarkable efforts made by the students and staff to foster inclusivity. Henry Ncube reciting his poem at Dunamase College. The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Deputy Principal Claire Fitzgerald, setting the tone for a day filled with inspiring presentations from the Le Cheile committee. A standout moment occurred with a request from the monitoring team for Dunamase College students, to stand up and say hello and welcome in their native languages to show the cultural diversity in the school. The Le Cheile committee took center stage, presenting a comprehensive portfolio showcasing the school's commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive space. The committee's dedication to fostering unity and understanding was highlighted through various activities, including a captivating traditional Indian dance performance. The festivities reached a poignant conclusion with Henry Ncube reading his winning My ETB Creative Multimedia Learner poem, 'Our Little Community' encapsulating Dunamase College's commitment to building a close-knit and supportive community. As the monitoring team explored the school premises, students proudly showcased the Welcome Corridora vibrant display adorned with flags representing the school's diverse nationalities, a multilingual Wall of Welcome, and a World Map illustrating the global reach of the school community. The monitoring team then posed questions to the Le Cheile committee, seeking insights into what distinguishes Dunamase College as a School of Sanctuary. The articulate responses and genuine enthusiasm resonated, ultimately leading to Dunamase College being bestowed with the title of Champion School. The school principal is Dympna Kelly. "The entire Dunamase College community is so proud of this significant achievement, a testament to our dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. "We all look forward to continuing its journey as a beacon of diversity and understanding, setting an inspiring example for other schools across Laois and beyond," she said. Founded only seven years ago, Dunamase College / Colaiste Dhun Masc, is rapidly growing with 580 pupils, using three tempororary buildings in Portlaoise town centre. Their first ever Leaving Cert class celebrated results this year. A new school is planned by the Department of Education to be built on the town's outskirts on the Timahoe Road with capacity for 1,000 pupils. 2 Johnnies star Johnny McMahon, known as Johnny Smacks, sustained an injury at the duo's gig in Dublin's 3Arena on Saturday night. The Tipperary pair were playing to almost 15,000 people at the Dublin venue when apparently a Garth Brooks-esque guitar smash went wrong. Roscrea native Smacks was seen feeling the effects and subsequently attended hospital where it appears he has a fracture in his right hand. Johnny B took to the 2 Johnnies social media pages to update fans Late last night. "Hes ok! Smashed guitars and broken bones. What's a 2 Johnnies gig without a few broken hurleys," he said. "Thanks a million to everyone who came tonight, unbelievable scenes," he added. Fans were quick to compliment the pair on the show and wish Johnny Smacks a speedy recovery. One fan wrote: "Poor Smacks, thought he was just being dramatic. Great show lads." Another added: "You're going soft lad!!! Pull hard and pull Often. Speedy recovery, thanks for a great show." Leading electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure company Weev has enhanced EV charging provision for drivers with the installation of two new rapid EV charging hubs in Leitrim. A 150kW charger in Carrick-on-Shannon and a 120kW charger in Manorhamilton allows drivers to charge up within a matter of minutes and marks a significant step towards accessibility of sustainable energy solutions for local residents as well as those travelling to and through Leitrim. The installation comes as part of the FASTER Project - an initiative by Louth County Council and East Border Region - aimed at encouraging sustainable transport use and ensuring the swift and easy transition to electric vehicles across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Western Scotland. Having already established a strong public charging network across Northern Ireland, Philip Rainey, Chief Executive of Weev, expressed enthusiasm in the company's role in advancing EV infrastructure in Ireland, stating: At Weev, our goal is to enhance electric vehicle infrastructure across the island, and this initiative enables us to achieve precisely that objective. Undoubtedly, the border counties have been notably underserved in terms of EV support to date, but in collaboration with Louth County Council and East Border Region Ltd, we can rectify that. Through the delivery of the FASTER project, we aim to propel County Leitrim towards heightened access to rapid EV charging and support the widespread adoption of EVs. After a competitive tender process to find the best fit provider, Weev was appointed by Louth County Council and East Border Region, alongside M&M Contractors, to deliver 25 charge-points. The FASTER project received 6.4 million EU funding under the INTERREG VA programme and is supported by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract by Louth County Council and East Border Region who are aligned with our goal to deliver the best-in-class EV infrastructure for the border region, Philip added. The installation of public EV chargers in County Leitrim is an exciting step in our journey towards creating an all-island EV network and we look forward to exploring further opportunities within County Leitrim moving forward, he said. East Border Region Chief Executive Pamela Arthurs stated: The FASTER Project is an example of how cross border collaboration can make a positive contribution to sustainable transport infrastructure across the Border Region. With financial support from the EU INTERREG VA Programme, supported by the Special EU Programmes Body, the project has successfully delivered 75 rapid EV Chargers across Northern Ireland, the Border Counties of Ireland, and Western Scotland. Cllr. Terry Andrews, Chairman of East Border Region concluded: East Border Region is delighted to be Lead Partner on the FASTER Project and is delighted to see the project reach a successful conclusion. I would like to commend Weev and M&M Contractors for their efforts to ensure the charge-points were delivered across the Border Counties within a very challenging timeframe. Alongside two rapid charging hubs in County Leitrim, Weev will be installing a further 23 EV charge-points across counties Cavan, Louth, Monaghan, Meath, Sligo, and Donegal by the end of the year. IT WAS A labour of love, so I dont even feel I deserve the medal, says Denis Dee Dennison from Abbeyfeale, who was awarded for his contributions to the Church by Pope Francis. Being the conductor of his churchs senior choir for more than 40 years, Dee caught the attention of Pope Francis, as he was awarded with a Benemerenti Medal on recommendation of Bishop Leahy of Limerick. Now in his 70s and a retired maths and technical graphics teacher, Dee says that because he enjoyed working with the church choir, he doesnt feel worthy of such an honour. I was involved with the choir in Abbeyfeale for 44 years. I enjoyed every minute of it and had a great rapport with all in the choir - they were excellent in that they attended practices and were enthusiastic about singing, Dee said. It was just a pleasure, so, obviously, I didnt want or expect a medal from the pope. Bishop Leahy recommended that Dee should be nominated for the religious medal back in April and described him as being a modest gentleman. Saying that he was involved with the Irish music organisation Carthanas Cois Feile and he worked closely with a priest from Kerry for many years, Dee explained that was how the idea to form Abbeyfeale senior choir came about. I was involved with an Irish music group Carthanas Cois Feile and worked with the late Fr Tom Hickey, who was a brilliant man to work under. We did the shows and from the shows, I started a small singing group, and from there, the parish priest at the time had asked me if I would be interested in starting a choir. By the time I had finished up, Abbeyfeale church choir grew to its full capacity of a four-piece choir. THE OWNERS of a well-respected family hardware store in Limerick city centre have been honoured by Limerick Tidy Towns. The group has given the final bi-monthly award for 2023 to Dalys Hardware, located in William Street. Maura ONeill of the Tidy Towns team said: We usually select our November-December winners specifically for their Christmas decor, but Dalys ticks far more boxes than that. Not only do they have gorgeous Christmas window displays at this time of year, but their signage, lighting and beautifully painted exterior also looks great all year round. Dalys Hardware was founded in 1957 by Joe Daly, a member of a family steeped in hardware expertise for generations. Right up until his sad passing in July this year, he could often be seen in the store welcoming customers. Dalys Hardware and Electrical is Limerick City Tidy Towns sixth and final winner of 2023, and is in with a chance to be the overall winner for 2023 at next years annual event. Staff there will face competition from other winners this year - Dolans, Rift Cafe, The Flower Studio, OMahonys Booksellers, and the French Table. Limerick Tidy Towns volunteers meet to stage a clean-up of the city every Sunday morning outside The White House pub at 11am. Paramilitary forces established a base Sunday in the formerly safe city of Wad Madani in war-torn Sudan, an AFP correspondent reported, sending thousands fleeing, many of them already displaced. Thousands have sought to escape the former aid hub since the war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reached Wad Madani on Friday, according to the United Nations. But they faced prohibitive costs and other hurdles, according to AFP's correspondent. Previously, the city had been "one of Sudan's few remaining sanctuaries", according to the Norwegian Refugee Council's Sudan director William Carter. Echoing the brutal urban warfare in the capital Khartoum, 180 kilometres (110 miles) north, fighter jets flew overhead as the sound of explosions echoed across the Wad Madani, according to an AFP correspondent who said the RSF had set up a base in the city's east. American ambassador John Godfrey urged the RSF to "cease their advance" on Al-Jazirah state, where nearly half a million displaced people had sought refuge, and to "refrain from attacking" state capital Wad Madani. "A continued RSF advance risks mass civilian casualties and significant disruption of humanitarian assistance efforts," Godfrey said in a statement Sunday. Regional bloc IGAD's executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said he was "extremely concerned by the resurgence of conflict" and called for the cessation of hostilities. Wad Madani alone houses more than 86,000 displaced people, according to figures from the UN, which has suspended all humanitarian field missions in Al-Jazirah state. More than 270,000 of the city's 700,000 residents had been dependent on humanitarian aid, the UN said. The war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has destroyed the country's already fragile infrastructure, economy and health care system. By early December, it had killed at least 12,190 people, according to a conservative estimate by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Over 5.4 million people are internally displaced, while about 1.3 million have fled abroad, according to UN figures. Families scrambled Sunday to once again flee to safety but found bus tickets had quadrupled to $60 a head, and many had nowhere to go. "A continuous flow of people, many of them who already ran for their lives just a few months ago, are now rushing towards already heavily burdened and resource-depleted cities in neighbouring states," the NRC's Carter said. "We are also extremely worried for highly vulnerable families in Wad Madani who have been crammed into displacement sites in schools for months and have nowhere to hide from violence, no means to escape and nowhere else to flee," Carter added. Sudan's doctors' union said Sunday the situation in the city has become "catastrophic" after pharmacies were forced shut. Both forces have been accused of indiscriminate firing on residential areas, as well as targeting civilians, activists and healthcare personnel. Search Keywords: Short link: Footage has emerged of the overnight fire at a hotel in Galway which was to house 70 asylum seekers. Gardai are treating the fire at a hotel as a criminal damage incident. The blaze broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Go Galway, at approximately 11.35pm on Saturday. No-one is believed to have been inside the building at the time, and the fire service brought the flames under control. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination was due to take place on Sunday The hotel has not been in use for several years and had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers in the coming days. Breaking : Word coming in that Ross Lake House Hotel, Rosscahill, Oughterard, Co. Galway Is now on Fire, It was going to be used as a DP Center, but it looks like this is not going to happen now, END pic.twitter.com/WwBBVMULGM Keira Connnolly (@keira_con) December 17, 2023 The Government plan had been the subject of local opposition. The incident has been described as worrying by many including former Government minister Charlie Flanagan TD who condemned the suspected actions. For almost a decade, Tony Sanchez III was the epitome of a shale-boom CEOfuriously drilling oil wells, piling on debt and hunting quail and nilgai with fellow executives near his familys ranch in South Texas. Then tumbling oil prices and heavy debt helped send his company, Sanchez Energy, into bankruptcy in 2019. Now Sanchez is starting a second act as a CEO, but not in oil and gas. Instead, like many of his peers, he is joining a new-energy boomthis one in climate-friendly businesses that range from building solar farms and manufacturing sustainable jet fuel to cleaning up emissions generated from the use of coal, gas or oil. In the latest sign of the shifting energy landscape, the annual United Nations climate summit, which ended last week in Dubai, for the first time called for a transition away from fossil fuels as well as a tripling of renewable power capacity in order to keep global warming in check. Sanchezs new company, OneNexus, is offering what he calls life insurance for oil wellspolicies that pay out money needed to shut down and cap wells after they expire. Currently, many struggling oil-and-gas companies abandon their wells without capping them, leading to tens of thousands of so-called orphan wells that leak methanea potent greenhouse gasas well as other toxic fumes. After the bankruptcy, I was thinking about what I wanted to do as the next phase [of my career], including getting back into oil and gas," Sanchez says from a Houston office where visitors are greeted by a photo of a red-and-white oil rig in front of an enormous full moon. The opportunities in new-energy businesses looked more enticing, and the prevention of orphan wells was pressing, he says: I wanted a big problem to solve." As the world ramps up efforts to curb climate-warming emissions, more oil-and-gas veterans who rode a wave of U.S. shale-boom money in the 2010s are now jumping to a new bonanza in clean energy. Some executives, such as Sanchez, need new jobs after hundreds of companies failed during oil-and-gas slumps during the past several years. Others are selling assets now that share and fuel prices are higher, amid industrywide consolidation. In the past, oil-and-gas entrepreneurs who closed one drilling venture often started another. Today, money has gotten tight for many new fossil-fuel projects in the U.S. as the productivity of wells wanes and climate-conscious investors shy away, industry executives say. Although many big fossil-fuel companies are spending billions on acquisitions to increase production, the amount of money private investors are committing to funds that invest in oil-and gas-related assets has roughly halved so far this year versus a recent peak of $102 billion in 2016, according to investment data tracker Preqin. The capital available for new oil-and-gas businesses is significantly more discriminating and theres a lot less of it," says Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Houston-based energy investment and advisory firm, Pickering Energy Partners. Concerns over climate change are also lessening the attractiveness of the oil-and-gas industry. In the U.S., around 235,000 fewer people were employed in activities that pump oil and gas out of the ground early this year than during the shale-boom peak in 2014, a 38% drop, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. Though the share prices of many renewable companies have suffered lately, green energy continues to attract investment. Private investors put nearly five times as much money into renewable energy this year through November as they did into conventional energy, Preqin found. Sanchez, who hails from the city of Laredo, on the border with Mexico, has deep roots in the Texas oil industry. His ancestors founded the city in the 18th century, and his father and grandfather, Tony Sanchez Jr. and Sr., started the familys oil-and-gas company in 1972, eventually buying oil leases in what would become one of the most productive shale-oil formations in the U.S. As shale boomed, the family decided they needed more money to drill wells. They listed Sanchez Energy in 2011 and tapped Tony III as CEO. Within a few years, Sanchez Energy had spent more than $600 million on new assets, doubling the companys reserves and drilling more than 100 wells a year. It was all about growth, growth, growth and the cash flows will come later," Sanchez recalled. Then oil prices tanked, and the company started to crumble under its debt, especially after another big oil-lease acquisition in 2017. Two years later, Sanchez Energy filed for bankruptcy. Sanchezs current business, OneNexus, is staffed largely by oil-and-gas veterans. But unlike his drilling outfit, the new company has no debt, he says. So far, it has been funded by millions of dollars in personal savings, he says. OneNexus offers oil producers policies that pay out only when their wells are capped, ensuring the companies have money set aside to do that, says Sanchez. The rates are determined by actuarial models that were adapted from human life-insurance calculations, and the policy is structured to survive even if the oil producer, or OneNexus, goes bankrupt, he says. Drillers in Texas are legally required to set aside money to cap wells, but the amount is typically far short of what is needed and the number of orphaned wells continues to grow. It would have been impossible a decade ago to convince oil producers they should buy insurance policies for aging wells, but the growing attention to clean energy is changing things, Sanchez says. During the past few years, there has been a change worldwide around ESG, sustainability, transition," he says. I think that our industry is more ready for it today than it was 15 years ago." Many former fossil-fuel executives are heading to new-energy businesses where a lot of the funding and excitement is, says Les Csorba, a partner in recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles who focuses on the energy industry. You follow the money," he says, rattling off examples of oil executives who have defected to clean energy startups. The capital over the last four or five years has been flowing to new-energy startups." There is a groundswell of oil-and-gas producers who want to stop what they are doing and get into cleaner-energy businesses, says Martijn Dekker, a 25-year veteran of Shell who last year set up a company that proposes to help owners do just that. Dekkers firm, ZeroSix, would help shutter marginally producing wells early by selling carbon offsets tied to the amount of emissions they would have generated had they stayed open. More than 30 companies are interested, he says. Write to Phred Dvorak at phred.dvorak@wsj.com HONG KONGThe retail world used to cater to Chinese tourists. Luxury shops opened wherever they went, and Parisian department stores hired Mandarin speakers. Mom-and-pop stores in Hong Kong were replaced by vendors offering products Chinese tourists demanded, such as milk powder and medicines. Now, after being grounded for three years during the pandemic, Chinese travelers are taking to the skies again. But they dont look or spend the same. The new wave of traveling shoppers is dominated by people under 40, and they are forging less of a well-traveled path, eschewing the big bus tours that drop off tourists at malls and shopping districts. Many use an app called Xiaohongshu, nicknamed Chinas Instagram" and translated as Little Red Book." It helps them find new spots to visit and take selfies. That is affecting companies that have made big bets on travel retail," or operating stores in tourists favorite destinations. The cosmetics company Estee Lauder saw its shares drop sharply on Nov. 1 after a profit warning that was primarily driven by expected pressures on its Asia travel retail business and a slower-than-expected recovery in mainland China. The company has invested in stores at various checkpoints of travelers journeys: at airport gates, border shops, shopping malls in popular tourist destinations and duty-free zones. Last month Shiseido, a Japanese rival, cut its full-year profit forecast by 36%, citing weakness in its China and travel-retail segments. Luxury companies such as Frances LVMH have been downgraded by analysts, including Barclays, because of softer demand from Chinese consumers. In late November, the luxury department store Harvey Nicholswhich sells brands such as Oscar de la Renta, 3.1 Phillip Lim and REDValentino, along with beauty lines such as Chanel and some of Estee Lauders productssaid it would be closing one of its two stores in downtown Hong Kong. Chinese tourists coming to Hong Kong are no longer focused on shopping as they used to be before the pandemic," Dickson Concepts, the operating company for Harvey Nichols, said in a regulatory filing. This has now been provendespite the reopening of the borders in February," it said. The company also pointed to the significant growth of e-commerce during the pandemic, the rapid development of the luxury brands presence in China and the narrowing of price differences between China and Hong Konga trend mirrored in other favorite Chinese-tourist destinations. Estee Lauder said it expects travel retail to continue reaching new consumers globally in the long term. Shiseido and LVMH didnt respond to requests for comment. Dickson Concepts declined to comment. Yu Jin Huan, a 24-year-old export executive from Guangdong province, was on a day trip to Hong Kong on a recent Saturday. Armed with advice from Xiaohongshu, the social-media app, she and a friend were posing for photos along the waterfront in the citys Kennedy Town neighborhood. The spot has become so popular with touristssome step into traffic to get the perfect shot of the sunsetthat the government put up signs along the road: Do not stay and take photos on carriageway. Offenders are liable to prosecution." Like many tourists from the mainland these days, Yu is less interested in shopping and more interested in punching in," or daka" in Mandarina term many use to represent the bingolike drive to visit as many trendy spots as possible. For many tourists, sometimes armed with professional cameras, getting that image of themselves in a coveted destination has become the ultimate souvenir. I can buy anything I want online in China," said Yu, who used to come to Hong Kong on day trips just to buy cosmetics. Now Im seeking different things on my tripsI want to get an authentic experience." After taking their waterfront photos, Yu and her friend were planning to go on one of many city walks recommended by the app. Social-media apps such as Xiaohongshu have played an important role in shaping the behavior of young, relatively wealthy and educated tourists, said Jian Lin, a media scholar who studies digital platforms and cultures at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Lin himself has visited the app to find interesting places and cafes, using it on a recent trip to Dali, a cultural city popular with tourists in Chinas southwestern Yunnan province. On Xiaohongshu, which also features beauty, pets and relationship advice, influential users pose for photos in famous places. Shopping, though, is no longer as popular a traveling activity, data show. Young Chinese travelers have emerged as the main force in outbound tourism, taking the lead in shaping the preferences and consumption patterns of the market, said Subramania Bhatt, who heads up China Trading Desk, which tracks travel data through its own quarterly survey. Around 63% of the travelers are under 40 years old, according to the companys data, while its most recent survey suggests that there is a growing inclination toward creating personal travel narrativesand that shopping is taking a back seat. Part of that is related to a weakened Chinese economy that is digging into discretionary budgets, while many Chinese are increasingly shopping at home, Bhatt added. Some signs point to the appetite for travel coming back. During the recent Double 11 shopping festival, more than 400,000 ticket packagesincluding all-you-can-fly passes and nearly 2.5 million accommodation packageswere sold, according to Fliggy, a travel platform owned by the Alibaba Group. Fliggy particularly highlighted the preferences toward more-flexible travel options. While domestic sales in China for the luggage maker Samsonite have accelerated in recent months, purchases by Chinese tourists abroadfor example, those buying luggage in Europe to bring home their shopping haulsare still catching up. Based on data Samsonite tracks, including credit-card information on country of origin of purchases at its stores, the company estimates that Chinese outbound travel is still about 50% of prepandemic levels. Samsonite expects sales from these customers to continue rising, in recent months launching its biggest ad campaign in cities across China. We think Chinese tourists will really be back by the end of 2024," said Kyle Gendreau, the companys chief executive. We are ready for the comeback." Write to Natasha Khan at natasha.khan@wsj.com The Indian equity market is currently navigating dynamic trends, presenting investors with both challenges and opportunities. One of the key considerations for investors is the choice between small-cap and large-cap stocks, each offering distinct potential for returns. To better understand the dynamics and possibilities, let's delve into the current scenario, starting with small-cap stocks . Small-cap stocks represent companies with relatively smaller market capitalization, often in the early stages of growth. While they carry higher risk due to their size and volatility, they also present the potential for substantial returns. Over the last year, small-cap stocks have surged by approximately 40%, outperforming their larger counterparts. The dynamics of these companies can lead to rapid growth, making them attractive to investors seeking higher returns. However, the crucial aspect to consider is that the small-cap segment has already seen a significant increase of around 40% in the past year. Consequently, the upside potential is now more limited than it was a year ago. Long-term investors realise the value of investing in undervalued stocks with untapped market potential. While small caps were a relatively cheaper option a year ago, the current rally has made them more expensive, potentially limiting future returns. Moving on to large-cap stocks, these represent companies with significant market capitalization, often leaders in their respective industries. Large-caps are traditionally perceived as safer investments, providing stability and consistent returns. However, in the current scenario marked by increased competition and innovation, some large companies are facing challenges. The Nifty has not delivered returns comparable to mid-cap and small-cap categories, registering around 10 to 12% in the last year. Unpacking the potential for high returns involves considering market conditions, economic indicators, global trends, domestic policies, and the influence of foreign and domestic institutional investors. A sectoral analysis is crucial to identifying sectors with growth potential and understanding how small-cap and large-cap stocks within those sectors are positioned to deliver returns. Effective risk management is paramount, regardless of the chosen segment. Diversification through research and a clear understanding of individual company fundamentals can help mitigate the risks associated with both small-cap and large-cap investments. It's essential to note that small-cap funds inherently carry higher risk than large-cap funds due to the stability of larger companies with technology, cash reserves, and established track records. While small caps have shown high returns in the current scenario, investors must assess their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals before choosing between large-cap and small-cap funds. Understanding how long they can hold the portfolio, the desired return and the proximity to their financial goals should guide investors in making informed decisions in the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian equity market. Market conditions play a pivotal role in determining the potential for high returns in the Indian equity market. The performance of both large-cap and small-cap stocks is influenced by prevailing market conditions, economic indicators, global trends, and domestic policies. Additionally, the activities of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) can significantly impact the market. Being cognizant of these factors is crucial for investors looking to optimise their portfolios for maximum returns. Sectoral analysis further enhances investors' ability to unpack the potential for high returns. Conducting a thorough analysis of sectors helps identify those with growth potential. Understanding how small-cap and large-cap stocks within these sectors are positioned and what kind of growth they can deliver is vital information for investors. This knowledge allows them to make well-informed investment decisions based on the specific dynamics of different sectors. Risk management is a key factor regardless of the chosen investment segment. Effective risk management involves diversification through research and a clear understanding of individual company fundamentals. It is important to recognize that small-cap funds inherently carry higher risk than large-cap funds. Large-cap companies are typically more stable, with established technologies, substantial cash reserves, and a proven track record. While small caps have the potential to outperform in a declining scenario, the higher risk associated with them should be carefully considered by investors. In a nutshell, investors in the Indian equity market face the ongoing choice between small-cap and large-cap funds, each offering unique potential for returns. While small caps have demonstrated impressive growth in the past year, the significant increase in their value raises concerns about future potential returns. On the other hand, large caps, traditionally perceived as safer investments, have faced challenges in the current competitive and innovative landscape. Unpacking the potential for high returns requires a thorough understanding of market conditions, sectoral analysis, and effective risk management. Investors must carefully assess their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals before deciding on the appropriate mix of small-cap and large-cap funds for their portfolios. In the ever-evolving Indian equity market, informed decision-making is the key to unlocking the true potential for high returns. Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. This article does not recommend investing in mutual funds or other assets. Please consult your financial advisor before investing. Soumya Sarkar is Co-Founder, Wealth Redefine 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! A 35-year-old woman who had got under a metro train at Inderlok Station succumbed to wounds on Saturday at Safdarjung Hospital, an official from the transporter said as reported by news agency PTI . The incident took place on 14 December when the woman, identified as Reena, came under the train after her saree got stuck in the door. According to an The Indian Express report, the woman was dragged along a platform for almost 25 metres, before hitting with a track access gate and falling onto the tracks. The Delhi Police has said that it has taken action under the Section 174. "A woman was dragged for several metres along the platform after her saree got stuck in the metro at Delhi's Inderlok Metro Station. She later died during treatment. The incident happened on December 14. Action has been taken under section 174 CrPC, Delhi Police as quoted by news agency ANI. Describing the incident, Vicky, the victim's relative said that she was going to Mohan Nagar from Nangloi in west Delhi when she met with the accident. "When she reached Inderlok Metro Station and was changing the train, her saree got stuck. She fell down and got seriously wounded. She was admitted to Safdarjung hospital in a critical condition. On Saturday evening, she died," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. As per Vicky, Reena's husband died around seven-year-ago and she is survived by her son and daughter. Speaking about the accident, Delhi Metro's Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal, An incident took place at Inderlok Metro station on Thursday where prima facie it appears that a woman passenger's clothes got entangled in a train leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital on Saturday," as quoted by PTI. Furthermore Dayal also added that the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety will hold an inquiry into this incident. (With PTI, 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! Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul has recommended the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Jammu and Kashmir. These bodies aim to heal divided societies and end conflicts. But some say their efficacy is limited. Mint takes a look at the evidence: What exactly did Justice Kaul say? In his concurring but separate opinion on the abrogation of Article 370, Kaul recommended the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir to investigate and report on rights violations by both State and non-State actors at least since the 1980s and recommend measures for reconciliation. Kaul said that such a commission would encourage dialogue and could help resolve the distrust and tension that has built up in J&K over decades. Kauls recommendation was positively received by attorney general R. Venkatramani and attracted public interest. What are these commissions? They are typically established to uncover evidence of oppression and violence in societies that have been riven by long and bitter conflicts. They encourage both victims and perpetrators to come forward and say their piece. This methodology exposes all members of society to the facts of violence and oppression and creates a widely accepted narrative of the truth", which then prevents denialism. Perpetrators voluntarily confessing their crimes leads to forgiveness and reconciliation. In some cases, perpetrators are allowed amnesty. Thus, both perpetrators and victims are able to move forward together. Have such truth commissions been set up elsewhere? In over 40 countries, including Sierra Leone, Canada, South Korea and Chile, but most famously in South Africa at the end of apartheid. Led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africas TRC used large, televised public meetings to hear from victims and oppressors, capturing worldwide attention. Kaul repeatedly cited South Africa in his Article 370 judgment. How effective are these TRCs? Some experts believe TRCs have achieved remarkable success in helping societies move forward. Others disagree, saying many among South Africas white minority saw the exercise as a witch-hunt. Victims did not receive reparations in many cases and scores of oppressorsthose that did not receive amnestydid not face timely justice. TRCs also do little to alter structural inequalities. South Africa, for example, remains one of the most racially unequal and divided societies because of its history. How would it operate in Kashmir? Kaul recommended that it should be set up expediently" and be time-bound. He stressed the TRC should not be a criminal court and focus instead on dialogue. Kaul left the specifics of the formation to the government, saying, It is my view that it is for the Government to devise the manner in which this should be set up, and to determine the best way forward for the commission". While the attorney general welcomed Kauls suggestion as a watershed", senior political figures are yet to weigh in on the matter. JSW Energy Chairman and MD Sajjan Jindal denied allegations of rape against him, calling them "baseless" on Sunday. An official statement issued on Sunday read, Mr. Sajjan Jindal denies these false and baseless allegations." He is committed to providing full cooperation throughout the investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from commenting further at this stage. We kindly request you to respect the privacy of the family," the statement read. According to reports, a complaint of rape was filed by an actress against Sajjan Jindal on Wednesday at the BKC police station. The complainant said the crime had taken place in January 2022 in the penthouse atop the companys head office at the Bandra-Kurla Complex, the Hindustan Times reported. She also alleged that the BKC police paid no heed to her complaint earlier this year. She said she was forced to approach the court, which ordered the police to register the complaint. ALSO READ: My last name should not give me the right to run JSW cos As the incident came to light, a BKC police official said that based on the actress statements, the accused was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman, intending to outrage her modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation in the matter is under way," he was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying. ALSO READ: Sajjan Jindal, SAIC finalising terms of alliance for MG Motor What the actress alleged? In her complainant, the actress said he had first met Jindal in October 2021 in Dubai when the two were in the VIP box of a stadium, watching an IPL match. After that, they reportedly met at the wedding of MP Praful Patels son in Jaipur. The actress alleged that Sajjan Jindal began getting personal and handsy after their meeting in Mumbai. ALSO READ: JSW Steel reports 2,773 crore profit on strong domestic demand "We had exchanged numbers and met in Mumbai because he had expressed interest in buying property from my brother who is a real estate consultant in Dubai," the complainant," the complainant was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying. He started addressing me as babe and baby, and described all the problems in his marriage when we first met alone, which made me very awkward," she alleged. According to the report, the actress said Jindal had expressed romantic feelings for her despite being married. "He also tried to kiss me and talked about getting physically intimate, which I shot down, saying that could happen only after we were married," she was quoted as saying. ALSO READ: JSW Energy: The making of a powerhouse She alleged Jindal forced himself upon her in January 2022, when she was in the companys headquarters for a meeting. She said Jindal had taken her to a penthouse back then. The complainant said she tried to maintain a friendship with him even after the incident, but he stopped responding to her and later blocked her number. Before blocking my number in June 2022, he threatened me with dire consequences if I approached the police," she said. JSW ENERGY 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! Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said that the state government is monitoring the situation and appealed to stay vigilant about the sub-variant (COVID-19 sub-strain JN.1). As reported by ANI, George said, No need of any worry. That is a sub-variant (COVID-19 sub-strain JN.1). Now it is detected. Two or three months back it was detected in Indians when they were tested at Singapore airport. It is existing in other parts of India. Kerala has detected it." JN.1 was first detected in September 2023 in the United States. She noted that Kerala's health system is so good, and we could detect it through genomic sequencing. No need to worry. We are keenly monitoring the situation. But we should be alert. People with comorbidities should be taken care of." Meanwhile, as reported by ANI, the Union Ministry of Health has initiated preparedness measures after a case of the JN.1 subvariant of COVID has been identified in Kerala as part of the ongoing routine surveillance conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), said a government release on Saturday. Also Read: COVID subvariant JN.1 in Kerala raises concerns; expert says 'markedly different from prior versions...' Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), confirmed this development during a press briefing in New Delhi. A mock drill is underway in health facilities across states, evaluating public health and hospital readiness. This exercise, overseen by district collectors, commenced on December 13 and is scheduled for completion by December 18, 2023. Also Read: China detects 7 infections of COVID subvariant JN.1; is this a variant of concern? Here are the details Although most cases in Kerala are reported as clinically mild, health authorities stress the need for continuous vigilance and readiness to efficiently address the developing situation associated with COVID-19 variants. The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a network of genomic laboratories, remains actively engaged in monitoring the genetic aspects of COVID-19 in India. Meanwhile, China on December 15 detected seven infections of the COVID subvariant JN.1, reported news agency Reuters, quoting the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration. Chinese authorities claimed that the prevalence level of JN.1 is currently 'very low' in that country. However, they refused to rule out the possibility of it becoming the dominant strain in China due to factors including imported cases, as per the report. (With inputs from agencies) 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! New Surat airport: In a significant development for Surat Airport, Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has announced that the airport's overall capacity will see a threefold increase with the inauguration of its new terminal building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to unveil the terminal during his day-long visit to Surat on December 17. Speaking ahead of the inauguration, Chairman Sanjeev Kumar highlighted the strategic importance of the new terminal, stating, "The capacity of Surat airport will increase three times once this new terminal becomes operational. Prime Minister Modi ji has given this airport the status of an international airport, and the Union cabinet has approved it. Surat is one of the biggest business hubs globally, and this new terminal will connect people across the globe...Also, in the process, the Surat city will get further facelift." Also Read | Surat Diamond Bourse LIVE updates: PM Modi to inaugurate world's largest diamond hub, new Surat Airport terminal today The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an international airport. This move is expected not only to make Surat a gateway for international travelers but also to streamline export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile industries. Also Read | Surat Diamond Bourse: PM Modi inaugurates world's largest workspace, even bigger than Pentagon. 5 things to know The Surat Airport expansion, undertaken at a cost of 353 crore, aims to meet the growing demands of passenger traffic and cargo operations. Currently connected to 14 domestic cities and internationally via Sharjah, the airport handles over 252 passenger flight movements per week. Kumar addressed the reasoning behind the airport's expansion, stating, "The new airport terminal has been built keeping in mind the passengers' needs, ample space, enough parking, multiple entry gates to the facility, and more number of check-in gates." Also Read | Surat airport to get international tag as Cabinet clears proposal, may be named after Morarji Desai Surat, recognized for its flourishing textile industry and as the 'Diamond City' responsible for cutting and polishing 90% of the world's diamonds, has seen remarkable economic and industrial growth. The new terminal, equipped to handle 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours, is designed to reflect the local culture and heritage of Surat. Features include sustainability measures such as a solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, and the use of recycled water for landscaping. The inauguration by Prime Minister Modi is set to boost regional development and provide a crucial impetus to Surat's economic prowess. The airport's international designation is expected to further facilitate trade and connectivity, positioning Surat as a key player in India's aviation landscape. (With Inputs from ANI) 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! External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar drew a distinction between the concerns raised by the US and Canada with India over an alleged plot to murder Khalistani separatists on their soil. He said on Sunday, "...the two issues are not necessarily the same." "When they brought up that issue, the Americans told us some specific things. What happens in international relations from time to time such challenges can arise. So we very sincerely have told the Canadians, saying that look it's up to you, I mean your choice whether you would like us to pursue it, further look into it or not," Jaishankar said at an event in Bengaluru on Sunday. He said that not just Canada, if any country has a concern and gives us some input or some basis for that concern, we are always open to looking at it. This is what countries do." A recap of Canada, US issues Jaishankar's comments came days after the US Justice Department claimed that an Indian government employee recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly carry out the assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. ALSO READ: US is Indias optimal choice as a partner, says Jaishankar Meanwhile, in September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed this allegation as absurd." Jaishankar had said earlier in December that India instituted an inquiry committee to look into the inputs received from the US in the case as the matter has a bearing on national security. He, however, told the Rajya Sabha that there will be "no equitable treatment" to Canada's allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani extremist as no specific evidence or inputs were provided to India by Ottawa, PTI reported. "Insofar as the US is concerned, certain inputs were given to us as part of our security cooperation with the United States. Those inputs were of concern to us because they (were) related to the nexus of organised crime, trafficking and other matters," he said. Asked why there was no equitable treatment with regard to charges made by the Canadian government, Jaishankar said: "Insofar as Canada is concerned, no specific evidence or inputs were provided to us. So the question of equitable treatment to two countries, one of whom has provided input and one of whom has not, does not arise." According to Bloomberg, sources said that Canadian officials had shared evidence with New Delhi, including communications and phone numbers, before Trudeau went public with the allegations. 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! Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, to leverage Washington's influence over Israel to persuade it to cease its attacks on Gaza and engage in diplomatic negotiations aimed at achieving a two-state solution, SkyNews reported, citing a Turkish diplomatic source. Fidan told Blinken the situation in Gaza and the West Bank is worsening due to the brutal Israeli aggression, the source said. "Fidan underscored the importance of compelling Israel to engage in negotiations at the table, following the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire. The goal is to initiate a process focused on achieving a just and enduring peace through a two-state solution," the Turkish source added. On Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told President Joe Biden that the US had a historic responsibility to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. The Gaza Strip has been hard hit by bombardments and ground operations carried out by the Israeli occupation army since Hamas's October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood Operation against Israel. According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israel's aggression on Gaza has killed at least 18,800 people, two-thirds of them women and children. Search Keywords: Short link: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the Namo Ghat in Varanasi and flagged off an express train (Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express) between the city of Kashi Vishwanath and Kanyakumari. While inaugurating the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Prime Minister Modi said Today, use of new technology has taken place here through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a new beginning and hopefully, it makes it easier for me to reach you." The prime minister was referring to the simultaneous Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Tamil translation of his speech done through Bhashini for those in the audience who understood Tamil. Also Read | JSW MD Sajjan Jindal denies rape charges against him as 'baseless' He also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Varanasi and Kanyakumari. At the Kashi Tamil Sangamam PM Modi said, ...You all have come here as members of my family more than being just guests. I welcome you all to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam..." "Going to Varanasi from Tamil Nadu means going from Mahadev's one home to another. That's why the bond between people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi is special," he said. Crediting Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and other ancient philosophers for creating the idea of India as a nation, the prime said, "In other countries of the world, the nation has been a political definition, but India as a nation is made up of spiritual beliefs. India has been united by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya, who awakened the national consciousness of India through their travels," PM Modi added. He further said, I am happy that the Banaras Hindu University and IIT Madras have collaborated to make the Kashi Tamil Sangamam a success. The IIT Madras has started the 'Vidya Shakti' initiative to help students from Kashi in maths and science. These things show that the relationship between Kashi and Tamil Nadu is special." Chile National Plebiscite 2023: In a democratic spirit and the celebration of civic engagement, Google has adorned its homepage with a vibrant and symbolic doodle to commemorate the Chile National Plebiscite 2023, on December 17, 2023. The doodle, a temporary alteration of the Google logo, serves as a visual tribute to the significance of the plebiscite in Chilean history and its impact on the country's democratic journey. Significance of Chile National Plebiscite 2023 The National Plebiscite in Chile holds immense historical importance, marking pivotal moments in the nation's path towards democracy. Chileans are holding a plebiscite today, December 17th, 2023, to decide whether or not to approve a new proposed constitution. The push to rewrite the constitution that dates back to the 1973-1990 rule of General Augusto Pinochet was born out of fiery protests four years ago sparked in part by deep inequality that many blamed on that framework. The mandatory plebiscite is the countrys second attempt at drafting a new charter. The first attempt was written by a body elected by popular vote and dominated by left-wing voices. It granted far-reaching environmental protections and guaranteed a wide slate of social rights. But for many Chileans it was too radical and it was rejected in September 2022 by voters, according to Reuters. History of Chile National Plebiscite 2023 Chile's history spans from pre-Columbian indigenous cultures to Spanish colonization, leading to independence in 1818. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw political instability, and the 1973 coup by General Pinochet marked a period of authoritarian rule until 1990. The transition to democracy followed, emphasizing economic stability and social policies. Recent years have witnessed social protests, prompting discussions on constitutional reform and addressing social inequalities. Chile remains a stable democracy facing ongoing challenges related to various issues, including environmental concerns and calls for social justice. 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! Elon Musk, founder of electric car maker Tesla has stated that oil and petrol should not be demonised in the medium term, but stressed about the need to cut carbon emissions in order to protect the environment. Musk was speaking at a right-wing political gathering organised by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party. During the gathering, he said, "Climate change alarm is exaggerated in the short term," adding that the environmental movement may have gone too far, causing people to lose faith in the future. At this month's COP28 climate summit, representatives from nearly 200 countries agreed to begin reducing global consumption of fossil fuels to avert the worst of climate change, signalling the eventual end of the oil age. Musk said he considers himself an environmentalist and added that it is important that, in the long run, industries reduce the billions of tons of carbon they take from the earth and release into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. "We should not demonise oil and gas in the medium term," he added. When he was asked whether his companies would invest in Italy, Musk said he was worried about the country's declining birth rate. "I think Italy is a great place to invest, but I do want to emphasise that I worry about a low birth rate. If the workforce declines than who will work in the country?" he said. He also called for the Italian government to create incentives for families to have more children, adding that a country could not rely only on immigration flows to fill the gap. Italy has earmarked around 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) in next year's budget to tackle the country's demographic crisis. Births in Italy last year fell for the 14th year in a row and were the lowest since the country's unification in 1861. Speaking about social media site X, Musk played down concerns about a fall in advertising on the platform. The platform is "already seeing advertisers return", he said. (With inputs from Reuters) 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! On the 72nd day of the Israel-Gaza war, Israeli military officials stated on Saturday that three Israeli hostages, mistakenly shot by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip, were killed despite waving a white flag and being shirtless, as reported by AP. It is to be further noted that this marks Israel's first acknowledgement of causing harm to hostages in its conflict with Hamas. Here are the top ten updates about the Israel-Gaza war: 1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationwide address that the killings broke my heart, broke the entire nations heart," but he indicated no change in Israels intensive military campaign. We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages," he said. 2. The heightened displeasure resulting from the accidental killings is likely to intensify the pressure on the Israeli government to resume Qatar-mediated talks with Hamas. The discussions would center around exchanging more of the remaining 129 captives for Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons. Also Read: Israel-Gaza War: Enormous humanitarian crisis, India supports urgent ceasefire, votes in favour of UNGA resolution 3. Israeli soldiers conducted multiple days of raids on a hospital in northern Gaza this week, as depicted in video footage that reveals a path of destruction with rubble and upturned earth on the hospital grounds and around the damaged entrance, Reuters reported. 4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to confirm on Saturday that fresh negotiations were in progress to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, after sources told Reuters that Israel's intelligence chief had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, a country actively mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Also Read: Israeli attack kills Al Jazeera journalist in southern Gaza: Report 5. Canadian authorities in Ottawa have filed "terrorism" charges against a youth, as said by the police on Saturday. The charges are related to the alleged targeting of the Jewish community, and this development comes amid growing concerns about increased antisemitism stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. Also Read: Israel-Hamas War Highlights: No winners in war where thousands of children are killed, says UN committee 6. The suspect was charged with "facilitation of a terrorist activity by communicating instructional material related to an explosive substance" and "knowingly instructing, directly or indirectly, a person to carry out a terrorist activity against Jewish persons," officials said in a statement on Saturday. 7. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday said that it is involved in a collaborative United Nations mission. The mission aimed to deliver health supplies and evaluate the conditions at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. 8. The team delivered medicines and surgical supplies, orthopaedic surgery equipment, and anaesthesia materials and drugs to the hospital which was "currently minimally functional," the WHO said. Also Read: US heralds new phase of Israel-Hamas war, says not right to occupy Gaza long-term 9. Israeli troops conducted multiple-day raids on a hospital in northern Gaza this week, as depicted in video footage revealing a path of destruction with rubble and upturned earth on the hospital grounds and around the damaged entrance. Conflicting reports surround the events. 10. An Israeli soldier on Saturday, allegedly shot a Christian mother and her daughter within the premises of a Catholic church in Gaza City, as reported by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, AFP reported. Around noon (1000 GMT) today... a sniper of the IDF (Israeli army) murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza," where Christian families have been sheltering since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, the patriarchate said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) 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! Third-party candidates are emerging as a potentially crucial obstacle to reassembling Joe Biden s winning 2020 election coalition, particularly younger voters, in the battleground states likely to decide the US presidency. Interest in independent candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the offspring of a celebrated Democratic political dynasty, and possibly moderate West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who is considering a run, is the highest in at least 20 years, according to a Gallup Poll. That appeal is strongest among key Democratic constituencies such as the young, union households and urban residents, according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of registered voters in seven swing states. Overall, Biden 2020 voters are more drawn to third-party alternatives while more of Donald Trumps 2020 supporters stand by their man: 16% say they would vote for Kennedy or another independent candidate compared to 11% of Trump 2020 supporters, according to the swing-state poll, conducted Nov. 27 to Dec. 6. The question presented a scenario in which Biden and Trump are the major-party nominees while Kennedy, Cornel West and the Green Partys Jill Stein also run for the presidency, all of whom have announced bids. The same poll showed the Biden coalitions openness to an alternative outside the two major political parties is even greater: 41% said they are very or somewhat likely to consider such a candidate next year versus 35% of Trump 2020 voters. us threat to Bidens reelection bid, said Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican political strategist who has been conducting weekly focus groups with voters. Also Read | 'India will remain lower middle income till 2047...': Raghuram Rajan Independent candidates can do tremendous damage by peeling off core, small margins" Longwell said. This is an election thats going to be decided by small margins." The addition of a nominee running on behalf of the No Labels centrist group, a choice that wasnt offered in the Bloomberg poll but is a possibility that organization is considering, would further hinder a Biden reelection, she said. People for whom a third party is appealing are the sort of soft GOP voters, the right leaning independents, who made up the margins for Joe Biden," Longwell said. Manchin, who separated from the Democratic Party and decided not to seek reelection to his Senate seat, is involved with No Labels. The group is laying the groundwork for a possible third-party campaign and Manchin is set to go on a cross-country tour to listen to Americans concerns, a way that presidential hopefuls often explore a run. Running without major-party backing presents serious obstacles for a candidate, including collecting enough signatures to get on a state ballot. Still, independent campaigns may have influenced the outcome of recent presidential elections. In 2016, Green Party nominee Steins vote total exceeded Trumps margin of victory in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin three states that together would have swung the election to Democrat Hillary Clinton if she won them. In 2000, independent Ralph Naders vote in Florida and New Hampshire was larger than the victory margins of George W. Bush in both states. Bush won that election only after a US Supreme Court ruling secured his victory in Florida. Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked on Bidens 2020 campaign, said there is no question" that third-party campaigns could play a decisive role in delivering a Trump victory next year. But she said support for third-party candidates is often overstated and just a way for voters to express dissatisfaction. When it becomes clear that its a Trump and Biden contest," Lake said, that helps consolidate a lot of the third party-vote back to Joe Biden. But he has to lay the groundwork, as he is." Younger voters, who overwhelmingly backed Biden in the last election, are especially drawn to alternative candidates, with 51% of under-35-year-olds and 47% of 35- to 44-year-olds saying they are likely to consider such a candidate this year, according to the Bloomberg swing-state poll. Union households, LGBTQ voters and urban residents all groups Biden did well with in his last election also express out-sized interest. A plurality of swing-state Generation Z voters those born in 1997 or later say Biden is not doing enough to address the burden of student loan payments, even after he has erased $127 billion in such debt in initiatives that are widely thought to be aimed at locking in that key demographic. Those voters are especially amenable to independent candidates but also fertile ground for a targeted Biden campaign to win them back, Lake said. Young Americans are very Democratic in their policy preferences, but theyre not necessarily that attached to the Democratic candidate," she 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! Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah passed away Saturday, after being admitted to hospital last month for an emergency health problem. Even before assuming power in September 2020, Sheikh Nawaf was already thought to be in poor health and had made frequent trips abroad for treatment. His death is unlikely to change Kuwaits oil strategy. The country is one of the worlds biggest exporters of crude and a key member of OPEC, usually acting in lock-step with the cartels de facto leader, Saudi Arabia. Expressing grief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. We convey our deepest condolences to the Royal family, the leadership and the people of Kuwait. Several people complained about slow internet services in Pakistan on Sunday evening, ahead of a virtual jalsa (meeting)" organised by the political party of the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan. A Pakistani journalist took to social media to inform that he was facing "trouble accessing Twitter/X and other social media platforms. "Overall internet seems slow as well. Anyone else in Pakistan facing the same?", he asked. Tens of people responded to his post on X, saying that they were facing a similar situation. Some people said the internet was working fine for them after turning on the VPN. Few others alleged a deliberate internet shutdown by the fascist regime" ahead of the "first-ever virtual jalsa" organised by Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday. Reacting to US President Joe Biden's remark that Russia would attack a NATO country if it wins the war against Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said, Russia has no reason, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with NATO countries." In addition to rejecting Biden's remark he called the US President's remark complete nonsense" and regarded it as an attempt to justify his mistaken policy" on Russia, reported Reuters citing an interview published by Rossiya state television on Sunday. Notably, the war in Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Amid the deepening crisis, US President Joe Biden had warned last year that a confrontation between NATO and Russia would trigger World War Three. US President Joe Biden had made these remarks in a plea to Republicans to convince them not to block further military aid earlier this month. In the plea, Biden had warned that if Putin was victorious over Ukraine then the Russian leader would not stop and would attack a NATO country, reported Reuters. 'Complete Nonsense': Putin on Joe Biden's remark on Russia On being asked about the US claim on the Kremlin's plan to attack NATO in the interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, It is complete nonsense - and I think President Biden understands that." He also added that Biden appeared to be trying to justify his own "mistaken policy" on Russia. "Russia has no reason, no interest - no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with NATO countries," Putin said. The U.S.-led NATO alliance was founded in 1949 to provide Western security against the Soviet Union. After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, it was enlarged to include some former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries. Will make Russia sovereign and self-sufficient Putin vows before fifth Kremlin term On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to make Russia "sovereign and self-sufficient" in the face of the West, in his first campaign speech before a March vote to extend his long rule until at least 2030, according to an AFP report. Putin is all set to fight the election for his fifth term with no real opposition that will come just over two years since he launched war against Ukraine. The 71-year-old came to power in 2000, with a whole generation in Russia unable to remember life without him. He is expected to secure another term for at least 2030 and firm his chances to stay in power until 2036. "We must remember and never forget and tell our children: Russia will be either a sovereign, self-sufficient state, or it will not be there at all," Putin said during a congress of the ruling United Russia party, reported AFP. 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! Israel Defence Forces (IDF), amid increasing international pressure for a ceasefire, Sunday said it has uncovered a vast Hamas tunnel system located only 400 meters from the Erez Crossing. The tunnel has a length of over four kilometres and is large enough for small vehicles to use, news agency AFP reported. Israel said the tunnel cost millions of dollars and took years to construct. It included rails, electricity, drainage and a communications network. The biggest Hamas terrorist tunnel discovered. This massive tunnel system branches out and spans well over four kilometres (2.5 miles). Its entrance is located only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez Crossingused by Gazans daily to enter Israel for work and medical treatment in Israeli hospitals," Israels army said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter.) Also Read | 'India will remain lower middle income till 2047...': Raghuram Rajan This tunnel system was a project led by Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and the commander of Hamas Khan Yunis Battalion," it added. This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, amid a stringent warning from US President Joe Biden, again vowed We will fight until the end. We will achieve all of our aims- eliminating Hamas, freeing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will not again become a centre for terrorism." Meanwhile, France called for an "immediate and durable" truce stressing that too many civilians are being killed" followed by the UK and Germany who also regretted the massive civilian toll in the war. "Calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent... ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms," UK and Germany said in a statement. In Gaza, authorities said that more than 18,800 people, mostly women and children, have been killed while Hamas' October 7 attack in Israel left 1,139 people, mostly civilians, dead as the militant group abducted around 250, according to updated Israeli figures. Also Read | Budget 2024: Interesting facts about the Budget presentation "I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, said. World Health Organisation (WHO) described the territory's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, as a "bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute". Also Read | Budget 2024: A quick guide on how to read the Budget document "Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor while tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter amid a severe shortage of water and food, the WHO 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! The US Supreme Court will decide in 2024 whether more restrictions should be placed on mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen for abortion. Although mifepristone doesnt seem to be at risk of being yanked from the market entirely, if the Court sides with the Fifth Circuit, it would hamper abortion access. Mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions in the US in conjunction with a second drug, misoprostol. If the Court agrees with the Fifth Circuit, it would turn back the regulatory clock on mifepristone to 2000, when the drug was approved. That would restore barriers to accessing the drug and discard more than 20 years of medical knowledge guiding the safe and effective use of the medication. In accepting the case, the court seems to have narrowed the issue to the pills restrictions rather than its approval. Thats welcome news, but the stakes of the narrower case are still high. Expanded access to mifepristone has become essential for abortion care, says Ushma Upadhyay, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco. When mifepristone was first brought to market, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laid out strict guidelines for how it could be used. Only physicians (not a pharmacy) could dispense it, and only when a patient visited their office in person. Over time, the FDA has slowly loosened those rules in recognition of the drugs safety and efficacy. If the rules revert to their original 2000 form, the most obvious loss will be the use of telehealth to prescribe mifepristone. Virtual care has become a cornerstone of the Herculean effort to maintain abortion in states with bans. Upadhyay recently published data showing that even before Dobbs was overturned, telehealth significantly improved access to care. Of more than 1,500 telehealth patients surveyed, 43% said virtual service allowed them to receive a timely abortion. And 2% of responders said without it, they wouldnt have been able to get an abortion at all. And theres every reason to believe that there will be more reliance on telehealth in a post-Dobbs era. According to a recent study by the WeCount project at the Society of Family Planning, the number of abortions provided by virtual-only clinics increased from 4,045 per month before Dobbs to an average 6,950 per month in the first year after the ruling. But telehealth isnt all thats on the line. So is the ability of nurse practitioners to prescribe the drug, something clinics in haven states have come to rely on to handle increased demand and allow physicians to focus on more medically complex procedures. But if 2000-era restrictions on mifepristone are restored, it will mean only physicians can prescribe and dispense the drug. If the US Supreme Court chooses to walk back mifepristone to its 2000-era curbs, misoprostol, the other part of the two-drug regimen, could continue to be prescribed via telehealth and used on its own to end a pregnancy. Robust data show that misoprostol can be safely used up to 12 weeks of gestation. But while a backup plan is always welcome, the reality is the combination of the two drugs has fewer side effects and is somewhat more effective. The irony here is [that] a case premised upon patient safety would force providers to use a less-effective medication abortion regimen and force people probably into the informal markets for trying to find mifepristone," says Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and expert on abortion and the law. There are other ways the ruling could force women to receive suboptimal care. The decision could revert mifepristones label to its 2000 form. That would walk back advances in the ideal dosage. In 2016, the FDA label was changed to formally decrease the dose of mifepristone and increase the amount of misoprostol. That modification has improved the chances of completing the abortion without needing further medical intervention. While doctors are free to prescribe drugs beyond the labels advice, some might worry about straying. A law in Ohio that went into effect in 2011 requires physicians to follow FDA protocol for mifepristone, which could relegate women in that state to subpar care. That law could also mean they arent able to get the drug past seven weeks (the original gestational limit set by FDA), rather than up until 10 or even, as the WHO advocates, 12 weeks. Decreeing that the last 23 years of medical knowledge on mifepristone are irrelevant would not only reduce abortion access, but also undermine the FDAs regulatory authority. That could have implications beyond mifepristone, jeopardizing the availability of any approved drug thats taken to court. Doctors and scientists should decide how to prescribe drugsnot lawyers and judges. bloomberg Egypt received medical aid from Germany on Saturday for injured Gazans being treated at Egyptian hospitals, the German Embassy in Cairo confirmed. German Ambassador to Cairo Frank Hartmann received the delivery from a Luftwaffe aircraft at Cairo International Airport. According to a statement from the German embassy, the shipment includes incubators for premature infants, artificial respiratory devices, and patient monitoring screens. More German aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians is expected to arrive in Arish in the coming days, the statement added. "It is a pleasure for me that through this shipment, we can support Egypt's dedicated commitment to providing humanitarian assistance, especially Egypt's commitment to medical care for patients and the injured from the Gaza Strip," Ambassador Hartmann said. "We agree that the suffering of the people in Gaza must end as soon as possible. Our emergency aid can only be a small step. At the same time, Germany is working tirelessly internationally to create prospects for a political process. Like our Egyptian partners, we are convinced that a two-state solution alone can achieve lasting peace." According to the embassy, Germany has doubled its humanitarian support to the Palestinian territories, providing a total of 179 million in 2023, including 106 million since 7 October. Search Keywords: Short link: I am trying to understand why I am unable to accord any importance to the incident in Parliament on 13 December. In theory, two people jumping off the visitors gallery into the chamber while the House is in session and releasing a yellow gas should be a serious event, but I am unable to take it seriously. Nor do you, I suspect. It is not only the sort of people who read this newspaper who might be unaffected, but from what I gather, most Indians. The intruders said they were protesting their unemployment and I believe that is all there is to it. The incident, of course, is a serious breach in security," but nothing else about it is serious. One newspaper report said that the incident shocked" the nation and I am baffled by the word. The nation was far from shocked." Not because it is a common occurrence, which it is not. But because it was oddly insignificant. In fact, as the news media keeps referring to one man as the mastermind" of the incident, all I can think of is that mastermind is an excessive word to describe the ring leader of some unemployed activists. For most of India, a reason why the incident did not have any gravity is that none of the people involved had a Muslim name. If the intruders were Muslim, the nation would have gone crazy for a few days. In any case, in the new India, no sane Muslim is likely to protest unemployment in that manner. Had it happened, at least one TV channel would have explained how he was trained by Lashkar-e-something in Pakistan. Without that connection, the incident was just a lame andolanjeevi" protest. There was something European in the lamenesson par with sanctimonious activists defacing art or throwing desserts at powerful men. In Europe, unarmed people raiding a parliament would be a low-stakes stunt, but in India, it is self-destructive. The circle of activists who were involved face a harsh future. They appear the sort who wish to do well in their lives. So that lends a bit of sorrow to their plight. Ironically, their only chance at surviving lndia from now on might be through professional politics. Another reason why the incident did not have any gravitas is that, in my view, no one likes politicians very much. Even people who vote for politicians do not generally like them. So a security scare for politicians does not move people the way other things can. Just imagine what would have happened if two intruders had broken into a school and released a harmless yellow gas as a sign of protest against the educational system. More hell would have broken lose than if the Parliament intruders had been Muslim. But a breach in security that could have actually been deadly for politicians if the intruders had violent intent does not enrage Indians, from what I can tell. Politicians are only popular within the context of politics. They are not like other famous people who are so loved that people have an interest in their safety. Actually, the intruders probably connect with the average Indian in ways that Members of Parliament dont. In looks, age and whining, the intruders seemed more representative than ageing men in Nehru jackets that are not called Nehru jackets anymore. Some of those elders were seen thrashing one of the intruders. In that moment, they looked like village headmen, which is what most politicians are, some literarily and others metaphorically. A video clip of Indian lawmakers beating up an intruder was the first sign to me that this was not a serious event. If there were any hint of real danger, my bet is that they would have fled. The intruder who was so beaten seemed more innocuous than the men who were beating him. Also, the circle of activists who planned this silly stunt had meant no bodily harm to anyone. To convey this, they had held their gas canisters in their hands instead of flinging them. The activists have explained why they protested in this manner, and their story is persuasive. They wanted to draw attention to the fact that India is shining for only some people. They wanted to express their disenchantment by raiding the place where lawmakers sit. They knew the Prime Minister was not going to be present, and they planned to project his absence as a metaphor for his absence from their lives. They wanted to perform the stunt a day earlier, in their telling, but did not get permission to enter. So even the fact that the date of the incident coincided with the anniversary of the deadly terror attack on Parliament in 2001 was a coincidence. They may not have known the significance of 13 December. The mastermind," before he had surrendered, released an image of himself with a portrait of Bhagat Singh, who had attacked colonial rulers with something more potent than a yellow gas. Bhagat Singh has somehow become a mascot for those who want to convey that they are only attacking the government and not India. Hours after the incident, a TV journalist held a canister in his hand and claimed it was the source of the yellow gas. Other TV journalists tried to get hold of the evidence" and he ran about to evade them. He had a slight smile on his face. It can be said that on most days, it is terrible what TV journalists have to do to pay off their home loans, but their behaviour is also a good indicator of how serious a piece of news really is because they stand at ground zero and most of them are lousy actors. If they are amused by whats going on, then the news is amusing, no matter what their mouths say when the cameras roll. CoP-28 attracted over 84,000 participants to Dubai, more than twice the previous high at CoP-26. The officials actually engaged in negotiating the final text were far fewer. The others were individuals from NGOs, scientific institutions and think-tanks, philanthropies and the international corporate sector. The climate fest atmosphere may have helped focus international attention in that week on the very serious threats posed by climate change. Whether it also contributed to solving the problem is another matter. UN resolutions are traditionally littered with clauses recognizing," noting" and reiterating" what earlier statements have said. The UAE Consensus is no exception. The question to ask is whether, after cutting through the clutter, there is forward movement. The answer is mixed. CoP-28 was truly unique in one respect. It was the first of the global stocktakes" mandated by the Paris Agreement to take place every five years to record the state of progress on climate action and to serve as a ratchet" to accelerate action if needed. The UAE Consensus has delivered fully on this score. It recognizes that the world is not on track to meet the target of limiting global warming to below 2 C and ideally 1.5 C" above pre-industrial levels by 2100. If countries implement only their unconditional pledges, expected global warming will be +2.9 Celsius by the end of this century! If all countries actually took the actions needed to achieve their stated net-zero pledges, global warming would still be around 2.1 Celsius. Experts have said this for some time, but the Consensus now makes it the official view of all signatory countries. The ratchet mechanism has also been triggered because all countries have been asked to consider committing to stronger steps in the new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due by 2025 . Much has been made of the fact that phasing out of fossil fuels is mentioned for the first time, albeit in the convoluted form of transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems." This is less of an advance than made out to be, because all countries had, in CoP 26, committed to reach net zero by different years around mid-century. It was known that this could only be done by phasing out fossil fuels very substantially. Cop-28 can be credited with some other important developments. A group of countries has agreed to treble renewable energy capacity by 2030 and to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The Consensus also called for accelerated action in areas previously agreed, such as reducing non-carbon dioxide emissions, particularly methane by 2030. The significance of these developments will only be known when new NDCs are submitted by 2025. This draws attention to the fact that the current system, in which NDCs are set voluntarily, is fundamentally flawed. It has helped galvanize some action thus far, but it will be less helpful in future because it gives individual countries no guidance on what they must do that would be consistent with a just transition. The basic problem is that the remaining global carbon budget" (i.e., the additional GHGs that can be added to the atmosphere) is limited. Ideally, the NDCs adopted by a country should be calibrated to its fair share of the remaining carbon budget. CoP meetings have routinely talked of the need for a fair and just transition, consistent with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities," but they never discussed how to apply it in practice. If there were some way we could agree on a fair share for every country in the global carbon budget, countries could be required only to live within this share, while being left free to determine how to do it. Net zero dates would be irrelevant. A country should have the choice of reaching net zero later if it is willing to live within its budget. It is difficult to see how agreement could be reached on a fair share for each of 198 countries. Can we perhaps reduce the scale of the task by considering whether it can be determined for the G20 countries? This group accounts for 81% of total global emissions and its composition includes fossil-fuel exporters and importers. A solution acceptable to the G20 could provide the basis for fixing shares for all countries and be accepted at a future CoP. Perhaps the G20 troika, comprising Brazil as its current president and India and South Africa as the previous and next presidents, respectively, could propose setting up an international expert committee to suggest credible ways of distributing the remaining carbon budget among G20 countries. It will not be easy to achieve such an agreement, but if the G20 cant do it, we will have to reconcile ourselves to moving from one CoP to another with little more than just general exhortations on the need for determined action. Another dimension for judging the UAE Consensus is what it says about financial assistance to developing countries. The Consensus mentions the historical inequity facing developing countries because developed countries have used up a disproportionate share of the available global carbon budget. Providing adequate financial assistance is obviously one way of correcting this inequity. Unfortunately, the Consensus has little to offer in this area. It acknowledges that the $100 billion per year by 2020 promised 14 years ago is yet to be achieved and urges that this commitment be met at the earliest. It also acknowledges contributions and commitments made to various UN climate-related funds, including the new Loss and Damage Fund that was agreed upon in principle a year ago at CoP-27. However, the amounts involved in these UN funds are small. While they assure some flow of resources to specific areas, we cannot judge whether they actually represent additional resources or only a redistribution from an inadequate total. The UAE Consensus notes the very large scale of additional investment that developing countries will have to undertake. But it does not offer any indication of the scale of financial assistance to be made available. It only states that the investment needed will have to be financed by a combination of domestic and international sources. The latter in turn will be a mix of private and public international flows. The details are left to the sixth meeting of the Committee of Parties to the Paris Agreement which will be held in 2025. Developing country negotiators have their work cut out in the run-up to that meeting. A concluding part focused on climate finance is to follow in early January. OVER A THOUSAND MILES from Gaza, a naval crisis is unfolding that could transform the war between Israel and Hamas into a global affair with implications for the world economy. Since December 15th four of the worlds five largest container-shipping companies, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk and MSC have paused or suspended their services in the Red Sea, the route through which traffic from the Suez Canal must pass, as Iran-backed Houthi militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, escalate their attacks on global shipping flows. As one of the worlds major trade arteries suddenly closes, America and its allies are ramping up naval activity in the Middle East, and may even attack the Houthis , in order to re-establish free passage. Bab al-Mandab is a narrow strait between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula through which an estimated 12% of global trade by volume normally flows, and perhaps 30% of global container traffic. It has become a no-go zone as the Houthis, based in Yemen, attack shipping, ostensibly in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. The strikes have been going on for weeks but have now escalated sharply. On December 15th the Houthis threatened to attack one ship, struck another one with a drone and launched two ballistic missiles at the MV Palatium III, one of which hit the vessel. The attack on the Palatium III was the first ever use of an anti-ship ballistic missile. All the ships were Liberian-flagged. On December 16th the American naval vessel, USS Carney (pictured), shot-down 14 drones over the Red Sea while a British ship, HMS Diamond, destroyed another. Faced with a soaring risk of ships being crippled and their crews killed, the global shipping industry is switching into emergency mode. On December 15th Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd paused their services. On December 16th CMA CGM followed, as did MSC, the owner of the Palatium III, which said that its ships would not use the Suez Canal in either direction until the Red Sea passage is safe", and that some vessels would be rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope. Together these four companies account for 53% of the global container trade. Smaller container operators, as well as dry-bulk carriers and oil tanker firms, may now follow their lead. The crisis has two big implications; one for the world economy and the other regarding the risks of military escalation in the Middle East as Western countries try to re-establish order. Start with the economy. Revenue from the Suez canal is a major source of income for Egypt, which is already in the midst of a financial crisis. Israel will be less affected, with only about 5% of its trade passing through Eilat, its Red Sea port. For the world economy a prolonged closure of the Suez route would raise the costs of trade as shipping is rerouted around Africa, taking more time, and insurance premiums soar. Short-term supply-chain snarls could also result from wide-scale rerouting of trade: in 2021 the Ever Given , a Taiwanese-operated ship, ran aground and blocked the canal for six days, amplifying a global supply-chain crunch. If the Red Sea security crisis is perceived to threaten shipping in the nearby Arabian Sea, through which perhaps one-third of global seaborn oil supply passes, the economic costs would be dramatically higher. These risks are why America and its allies will be inclined to act. But the Houthi threat is a daunting and complex one. The militant groups motto includes the exhortation Death to Israel. A curse upon the Jews," and it claims that it is targeting all ships heading to Israeli ports" until food and medicine are delivered to Gaza. But most of the ships being attacked neither are headed to Israel nor have Israeli ownership. Countries from around the world are affected: one of the vessels attacked by the Houthis was sailing under a Hong Kong flag. The apparent incoherence of the Houthis stated aims should not be confused with ineffectiveness: for years, Iran has trained, armed and supported the group in its successful insurgency within Yemen and in a war against Irans regional rivals, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The sophistication of some of the weapons involved is high. The Houthis have a giant anti-ship missile arsenal at this point," says Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a think-tank in London, including those with ranges of up to 800km. Western officials are unclear as to whether Iran is directing individual attacks. Israeli intelligence is not yet convinced the latest strikes were sanctioned by the Corps 6000, a unit of Irans expeditionary Quds Force that works with the Houthis in a joint command centre. However, the group is thought to receive intelligence on shipping from Irans surveillance ships in the Red Sea. And the broad campaign against shipping fits with Irans strategy of calibrated pressure, avoiding an all-out attack on Israel while drawing on its regional proxies to harangue Israel violently from all sides. The danger now is that Iran does not have perfect control over Houthi attacks and the strikes are dragging in a far wider range of countries. It is possible that diplomacy might help de-escalate the crisis. In 2015 Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened in Yemens civil war in favour of the internationally recognised government. In March 2022 the Saudis agreed to a ceasefire, leaving the Houthis in control of the capital, Sanaa, and the strategic western coast. They may soon announce a road map to make the ceasefire permanent and end the war. Commitments to cease maritime attacks might conceivably be part of any talks. Nonetheless, a bigger military response to the Houthi threat is now likely. A multinational task force, currently led by Americas navy, is already operating off the Yemeni coast in order to try to deter the Houthis from forcibly boarding shipsa raid was disrupted in Novemberor firing missiles. It includes both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In recent weeks American, British and French warships have all intercepted Houthi drones and missiles, and America has asked Australia to send a warship, too. But this defensive armada has struggled to keep the crisis under control. The Houthis have demonstrated that a few drones and missiles are always likely to get through. One potential next step involves armed escorts for merchant shipping, which America used during the so-called tanker war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s. But these are resource intensive, requiring a very large number of warships, according to naval sources involved in the debate. The main alternative is to strike the Houthis and their arsenal directly. America and Israel have both developed plans to attack Houthi depots and launchers. America will be loth to broaden its involvement in the Middle East: the Biden administration had been focused on expanding the Red Sea task force and putting diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran. Israel does not want a new conflict: it is already facing pressure from America to wind down this phase of the Gaza war, and is concerned about Hizbullah, the Lebanese militant group, which has been firing missiles at Israel almost daily. Yet if Iran and its Houthi proxies continue attacks that keep one of the worlds major trade routes closed, escalation may be inevitable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the gravity of the security breach in Parliament, urging for a united approach to addressing the issue. He cautioned against engaging in unnecessary disputes, especially amid the Opposition's protests on the matter within the Parliament. In an interview with the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, Modi said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," PM Modi told Dainik Jagran. Also Read: Parliament Security Breach: What if accused could not enter the Lok Sabha? There was Plan B | Read here The newspaper said he described the breach as painful and a matter of concern," adding, The gravity of the incident which happened in Parliament should not be underestimated. The Speaker has also been taking necessary steps with all seriousness." On December 13, two individuals leapt from the visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber, prompting opposition parties to call for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. Certain members have additionally demanded the resignation of Amit Shah in connection with the incident. The government has asserted that the Lok Sabha secretariat is accountable for the security within the Parliament complex, and it has been adhering to the directives issued by the Speaker. Also Read: Delhi Police reveals fresh details about Parliament security breach | Read here Additionally, the government has pointed out several previous instances of similar breaches, accusing the opposition of politicizing the issue. Meanwhile, ANI reported citing sources that the components of the phones belonging to the accused in the Parliament security breach have been located in Rajasthan. Notably, all the recovered phone parts were in a burnt condition. It is important to note that the Delhi police are still in the process of retrieving Lalit Jha's phone. Also Read: Top news this week: Article 370 verdict, Parliament security breach, Rohit Sharma replaced as MI captain and more ANI reported that Delhi police sources revealed earlier that Lalit Jha, the accused in Parliament security breach incident, destroyed five mobile phones before arriving in Delhi, and was misleading the investigating team. In a recent development, the Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted the Police a seven-day custody of Mahesh Kumawat, who is the sixth accused in the Parliament security breach case. Also Read: Parliament security breach: Amit Malviya charges at Congress, calls Neelam Azad andolanjeevi The Delhi Police had requested a 15-day custodial remand for Mahesh Kumawat, who is the latest individual arrested in connection with the incident. Earlier, the court had also granted a seven-day custody of Lalit Jha, one of the accused in the Parliament security breach, and five other individuals have already been taken into police custody. (With inputs from agencies) 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! Two years earlier, NATO missiles had hit the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, killing three Chinese citizens. Then the spy plane crisis of April 2001where a Chinese plane collided with a U.S. jet near Chinas coast, killing the Chinese pilotratcheted tensions up even more. Many thought that the relationship would keep souring and become a major source, perhaps the major source, of global instability in the coming years. Yet by late 2001, these forecasts seemed foolish or at least premature. Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and U.S. President George W. Bush exchanged smiles at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting. They appeared pleased to be in each others company at that Shanghai summit, and agreed to work together on combatting terrorism. The parallels with 2023 are striking. The year began with tensions running high. Another airborne surveillance incidentthe February downing of a Chinese spy balloon that had traversed the U.S.sent a chilly relationship into deep freeze. Once again, it was thought, a downward spiral in relations was inevitable. The idea that a new Cold War between the countries was under way and getting fiercer gained traction. The notion that this could spill over into a devastating hot war even started seeming less far fetched. There were also internationally rooted causes of concern, such as Washingtons frustration at Chinas coziness with Moscow despite Russias invasion of Ukraine, and Chinas increases in military maneuvers meant to intimidate Taiwan. But then came a November seismic shift. At the San Francisco APEC summit, President Biden and Xi Jinping had a cordial exchange and smiling photo ops. There were at least modest steps forward made on some issues (fentanyl, climate, militaryhotlines, AI), even if there was silence or discussion but no movement on many others (Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, the chip industry, and so on). And both leaders conveyed a sense that the countries were moving back from a precipice, returning to a steadier course after moving along a globally dangerous path. What history teaches us This is not to suggest that nothing ever changes in U.S.-China relationsnor that history ever repeats itself exactly. But it does suggest that even in the chilliest times, there are still many factors that make the relationship between Beijing and Washington markedly different from that between Moscow and Washington during the Cold War. China may be a nominally Communist country and certainly has Leninist features (single-party rule, a love of anti-imperialism rhetoric even while seeking to extend its reach and influence in imperialistic ways), but it is enmeshed in global capitalist structures in a way the Soviet Union never was. And China remains a place filled with consumers that U.S.-based multinational corporations want to get to buy their products, and a place where many of those products are made, even at a time when some manufacturing is moving to new locales. Beltway talk of decoupling" and Chinese state media talk of the evils of American capitalism aside, a lot of business kept being done across the divide in 2023 as in previous years. One thing that should not have surprised us in November was that U.S. CEOs wanted to meet with Xi and that Xi wanted to speak to them. Not exactly parallel Still, there are important then-and-now contrasts between 2001 and 2023 to keep in mind, lest the parallels between the years seem even greater than they are. In 2001, for example, there were a small set of U.S.-China issues to navigate, now there are many. China in 2001 had a rapidly growing economy but wasnt yet the second biggest in the world. In addition, at the 2023 summit, the last thing Xi wanted was for Xinjiang to come up. The U.S. rightly sees China as responsible for committing terrible human rights abuses against that territorys Uyghurs. Beijing dismisses all talk of this as misleading propaganda. In 2001, by contrast, Jiang wanted Xinjiang on the agenda. He saw Bushs War on Terror" as offering an opportunity to get international support for his drive to have a specific small organization of Uyghurs (a largely Muslim ethnic group) designated as terrorists. He succeeded. This was one factor that has led to the repression of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs with no ties to that or any other organization. In addition, while in 2001 a meeting between Jiang and Bush was important, it wasnt in a totally different category than bilateral exchanges between other high-level officials. Much more now rides on Xis meetings with heads of state, for he is much less the representative of a collective leadership group than Jiang was. Jiang, like Xi, was both Communist Party General Secretary and Chinas president, but he was expected to cede the former postthe most powerful one of allto Hu Jintao in 2002, and the latter to that same designated successor in 2003. And he did. By contrast, Xi could well be leader for life. His premiers have been lower profile and less powerful than Jiangs were. And he has been more pre-emptory in dismissing officials, as the recent mysterious falls of the defense and foreign ministers illustrate. The nature of Xis rule, unconstrained by term limits and accompanied by a growing personality cult, brings an added new dimension of instability to relations between China and all other countries, including the U.S. The ultimate lesson And yet, placing 2001 and 2023 side by side reminds us of an enduring feature of the U.S.-China relationship: Unexpected events tangentially related, or not related at all, to that relationship can always affect it. Its easy to fall prey to the idea that the only thing that matters is how powerful people in each capital see each other, and that incidents that involve just the two countries are still all that matters. But it isnt true. The 2001 Summit would have been different, for instance, had 9/11 not taken place and altered Bushs policy priorities. It also mattered that China was focused in 2001 on its bid to host the 2008 Olympics and join the World Trade Organization. This put a check on how strong a line Beijing would take on the spy-plane incident. Similarly, factors extraneous to the relationship kept the fallout from the early 2023 dirigible debacle in check. Bad economic news for Xi as the post-Covid recovery stalled, and difficult diplomatic times for Biden with major wars in Europe and the Middle East, were factors shaping both sides priorities in San Francisco. Neither was in the mood to pick a fight. What does this mean for the U.S.-China relationship in 2024 and beyond? The past never provides a blueprint for the future, and the prospect of a second Trump presidency is the wildest of wild cards. But we will likely keep seeing a mix of conciliatory moves, strains, hyperbolic predictions. And periodic surprises. What would be most surprising of all would be if the relationship in the years to come did not continue to be influenced as much by domestic developments in the U.S. and China and global events as it is by the leaders themselves and their teams of diplomats. Jeffrey Wasserstrom is Chancellors Professor of History at UC Irvine, the author of Vigil: Hong Kong on the Brink," and the editor of The Oxford History of Modern China." He can be reached at reports@wsj.com. View Full Image Why the U.S.-China Relationship Isnt as Predictable as It Sometimes Seems The recent resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill was a rarity in higher educationoutside forces had stormed up the ivory tower and dethroned a leader. It was an uprising years in the making. The events that unfolded were, on their face, about inconsistently applied free-speech protections and antisemitism, after the presidents of Penn, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology failed to say unequivocally that calls for genocide of Jews would violate their schools harassment policies during disastrous congressional testimony. The skirmishes were part of a wider battle between academia and its critics that has been simmering for a half-century as scholarship and teaching have broadened beyond classical Western thought and shifted leftward. Conservatives, many situated outside academia, contend schools indoctrinate students in echo chambers. That environment discourages freedom of thought and embraces a view of the world that ignores the successes of Western civilization and capitalism, they argue. The seeds of the debate were planted in the 1960s and 1970s, when antiestablishment faculty and more racially diverse students flooded into colleges and ushered in the rise of critical theory, the predecessor to critical race theory. Generations of students began deconstructing the systems of power largely controlled by white, European men. Faculty launched departments in subjects like gender studies and African-American studies to focus on the history and experiences of marginalized communities. Tenure committees rewarded scholars with left-leaning politics and over generations those sensibilities saturated departments. By 2018, the ratio of Democrats to Republicans was 70 to 1 among faculty who taught religion, 48 to 1 in English, 17 to 1 in philosophy, history and psychology and 8 to 1 in political science, according to a study of the political affiliations of faculty at 51 of the top liberal-arts colleges. More than three quarters of Harvards faculty of arts and science now characterize their political leanings as liberal or very liberal, while less than 3% identify as conservative or very conservative, according to a Harvard Crimson survey. The nations faculty are now the most politically homogeneous since the 1800s, when universities were divinity schools, according to Jonathan Haidt, a professor of ethical leadership at New York Universitys business school who co-founded Heterodox Academy, which advocates viewpoint diversity on campus. Student tolerance for opposing ideas declined and attempts to disinvite or cancel speakers on campuses increased about fourfold since the year 2000, according to a database maintained by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. A majority of the speakers canceled have been conservative. Today, 46% of college students agree that it is sometimes appropriate to shout down or disrupt a speaker on my campus," according to a 2023 Buckley Institute survey. A widespread view on campuses now is that the world is made up of people who fit into one of two categoriesoppressed and oppressor, said Samuel Abrams, a professor of political science at Sarah Lawrence College. Universities hired hundreds of administrators to administer new diversity, equity and inclusion guidelines. Students at hundreds of schools can now anonymously report one another for exhibiting discrimination or bias. In response, conservative politicians and free speech advocates have stepped up their criticism of the academic world, arguing that faculties have given priority to social justice above the pursuit of truth, which should be central to any educational mission. Diversity has become the most important thing to universitiesbeyond inquiry," said Tom Ginsburg, law professor and faculty director of the University of Chicagos Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression. The purpose of the university has nothing to do with truth, it has to do with your ability to give the right answer." A few years ago, alumni of some of the nations most prestigious schools concluded that their alma maters were choking off viewpoint diversity. They started taking action. In 2021, for instance, Princeton University alum Edward Yingling, a former president and chief executive of the American Bankers Association, heard that conservative students who disagreed with the prevailing orthodoxy on campus were being ostracized by classmates and blackballed by prospective employers. He helped to start Princetonians for Free Speech. The organization now has chapters on 25 campuses. The groups began trying to leverage their power as donors to demand more free speech protection and viewpoint diversity on campus. University critics struck their most piercing blow shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. At the time, harassment of Jewish students on campuses had been ticking up, as condemnation of Israel spread on the left and Zionists were reclassified by some as part of a white, settler-colonial oppressor class. The attacks by Hamas, and the subsequent counteroffensive by Israel in Gaza, bifurcated college campuses. Some students sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians forcefully railed against Israel. Jewish students reported an uptick in acts of perceived antisemitism, with many saying they feared for their safety. Some universities like Harvard and Penn failed to immediately condemn calls for the eradication of the Jewish state and declared their loyalty to free speech on campus. The controversy boiled over the ivory tower walls. Former Harvard President Larry Summers blasted Harvard President Claudine Gays initial statement after the Hamas attack, urging her to explicitly condemn the protesting students and more forcefully express outrage at Hamass actions. Big-name donors threatened to pull their money if schools didnt make changes. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) became the leading voice in Congress, grilling Gay, Magill and MIT President Sally Kornbluth at a congressional hearing Dec. 5 to shine a light on the schools positions. All three university leaders stumbled in their responses to questions about antisemitism on campus. After the hearing, Harvards board rebuffed calls for Gays resignation. But Magills fall and the realization that the Ivy League had been breached, has sent waves of anxiety through faculty across the country. If higher education gets co-opted by outside forces, were turning into an authoritarian state," said Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors. A democracy cant function in a country where the government tells you what you can learn. The government tells you what you can research. The government tells you whats true, the government tells you what to believe." Conservative forces have been emboldened by Magills resignation and will likely attack more colleges in the future, ushering in a second era of McCarthyism, said Arthur Levine, president emeritus of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, and president emeritus of Columbia Universitys Teachers College. They drew blood. They won," he said. Several states are already picking up on the moves against woke universities," a campaign Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made central to his presidential bid. Whether it leads to broader change on university campuses is an open question. Yingling of Princetonians for Free Speech thinks future efforts to introduce greater viewpoint diversity on campuses will mostly fail because the faculty and diversity, equity and inclusion bureaucracies at many elite schools are too far gone." He anticipates that over time prospective students will vote with their feet, especially if some employers stop hiring from certain universities because they dont believe students are exposed to a range of views and are free to engage in open debate. The elite schoolswill become known as schools of indoctrination and not true universities," said Yingling. A Harvard degree will no longer be a ticket to success, it will be a scarlet letter." Write to Douglas Belkin at Doug.Belkin@wsj.com TOKYOWhen Keiko Takemiya made her manga debut in 1968, her publisher told her that her original drawings for the comic books could be thrown out. She insisted on getting them back, stamping Please return this to me" on each page. More than half a century later, she has a collection of 26,000 drawings from the 180 manga titles she has published, including pioneering works in the genre of manga for girls. The drawings are piled up in her house in southern Japan. Takemiya was on to something. What people in the business used to consider no more than wastepaper is now seen by many around the world as high art. Some drawings are exhibited in museums such as the British Museum, where a 2019 show included work from Takemiyas science-fiction manga Toward the Terra." At a Paris auction in 2018, one of the drawings for the classic sci-fi manga Astro Boy" by Osamu Tezuka sold for 269,400, equivalent today to about $290,000. Now some in Japan, awakened to the countrys cultural heritage, are taking steps to prevent manga drawings from ending up overseas. They are recalling the late 19th century, when Europeans and Americans encountered ukiyo-e woodblock printspictures of the floating world" by artists such as Hiroshige that depicted courtesans, the theater and Mount Fuji. Japanese people considered the prints cheap and disposable. Today, some of the finest ukiyo-e collections are found in U.S. museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Smithsonians Freer Gallery of Art. Takemiya, 73, said it was important to keep the drawings in a story together. What worries me the most is a situation where the pages of story manga get scattered in all directions as happened with ukiyo-e," she said. She is looking for a museum or library that will preserve and showcase her works after she is gone. Manga comics are a big business that is growing internationally, spurring publishers to think more about their role in Japanese culture. In 2022, manga sales accounted for over 40% of Japans total publishing market. Many of the popular ones are made into anime programs for television or streaming services such as Netflix. This year, 15 Japanese manga publishers established an organization called the Manga Archive Center that plans to preserve at least 360,000 sheets of original manga drawings over the next five years. The Japanese governments Agency for Cultural Affairs this year for the first time requested budget money to collect original manga drawings and materials for animated films. Takashi Oishi, the archives representative director, said many artists who created Japans postwar manga culture are passing away, leaving their loved ones with thousands of drawings that they have no idea what to do with. Some end up throwing them away. That means a loss of our culture," said Oishi. The core of our work is to save as many of these drawings as possible." The original manga drawings have traditionally been created by cartoonists with pen and ink. They are used to make plates for printing, and only one set of drawings is made for each manga book. Typically the drawings themselves belong to the artist and are separate from the publishers rights to the book. In the original drawings, you can see the artists passion that is poured into the delicate touches of the pen," said Takemiya. Another preservation effort is under way at a manga museum in northern Japans Akita prefecture, home to Akita dogs. The museums centerpiece is a collection of 45,000 original drawings by the late artist Takao Yaguchi, a local native known for his manga about fishing and nature themes, but since a renovation in 2019, it has been expanding to hold other artists work as well. The museum now houses more than 450,000 drawings, according to Oishi, who also serves as its director. The preservation includes taking high-resolution digital images and recording any stains or notes on the artwork. Drawings from each book are kept together in a climate-controlled storage room. The year before his death in 2020, Yaguchi wrote, The original manga drawings are drawing attention from people overseas. What would happen if they suffer a similar fate as ukiyo-e?" Others are less troubled by the emergence of a global trade, saying collectors also help preserve and share the works. Enrique Alonso Saiz, a collector in Spain who sells manga drawings on eBay, said a drawing is a unique piece of art that is affordable for many collectors." While some might wish for all the drawings in a book to be preserved together, he said that wasnt realistic for fans who want to frame a drawing from a cherished work and show it off to friends. At home, I cant frame a complete episode," he said. Auction sites in Japan offer a variety of works, often single sheets from larger works, for sale at prices ranging from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. One of the biggest is operated by a company called Mandarake. Its chairman, Masuzo Furukawa, once worked as an assistant to a manga artist and opened a small bookshop in 1980 selling used manga. He built his company into a supermarket for manga and anime collectibles that is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Two decades ago, Furukawa started online auctions of original manga drawings his company obtained from artists and others. Furukawa said the site auctions the drawings as they are received, whether in a set or as a single sheet, although the latter tends to be more lucrative. He said prices started to shoot up about a decade ago, and credited his auctions with helping to establish the importance of works that were once considered low-status. To prove these things are valuable, I felt I had to assign a value to them, which means putting on a price tag," he said. The good things go to those who crave them the most." Publishers are looking for other ways to cash in on foreign art collectors interest. Shueisha is the publisher of Eiichiro Odas megahit pirate adventure manga One Piece," which was recently made into a Netflix live-action movie. The original Oda drawings arent for sale, but Shueisha sells limited-edition prints from high-resolution digital versions of original drawings by Oda and others, pricing them at thousands of dollars for a sheet or pair of sheets. Oishi, of the manga archive, said there were probably tens of millions of manga drawings in Japan, but the number might not rise much higher. Most artists nowadays make their drawings digitally, rather than with pen and paper. Pen-and-ink drawings may already be in the realm of relics," said Takemiya, the manga artist. 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A Georgia teacher is accused of threatening a student in a dispute over an Israeli flag Sheriff's officials say a middle school teacher in Georgia was arrested after he threatened to cut off the head of a student who objected to an Israeli flag in his classroom Egyptian Air Defense Forces forces intercepted a flying object that crashed early Saturday into Egyptian territorial waters approximately one and a half kilometres off the coast of Dahab city, eyewitnesses reported to Al-Qahera News. Egyptian Air Defense Forces identified the flying object and successfully intercepted and shot it down, reliable sources confirmed to the channel. According to the sources, Egyptian investigation teams rushed to the site of the flying object's crash off the coast of Dahab city. Search Keywords: Short link: A jury has awarded $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation over lies he spread about them in 2020 that upended their lives with racist threats and harassment Bought for $3.99 from a Virginia thrift store, this vase just sold for over $100,000 The delivery of a slipway for river users in Ballymahon is being kept on the agenda by Cllr Pat O'Toole. The matter was raised at a recent local authority meeting when Waterways Ireland (WI) officials briefed councillors on a number of pertinent local matters. Cllr O'Toole asked the representatives why the slipways were not included as part of the works undertaken at the Red Bridge. The Red Bridge marks the end point of navigation on the River Inny under WI jurisdiction. When the eight berth jetty at the Red Bridge was constructed a little over two years ago there was an expectation that a slipway for smaller boats would be provided. Cllr O'Toole explained the necessity of the marine infrastructure: We have quite a few people around Ballymahon who have small fishing crafts. They're are also a lot of Kayaking enthusiasts. This would be an avenue for them to access the water in the environs of Ballymahon town. Cllr O'Toole raised the issue with senior staff in the State body at the end of last month: I put it to Waterways Ireland that when the eight berth jetty was being developed there was an understanding there would be a slipway at the time. When Brian Treacy, Waterways Ireland's North Shannon Senior Engineer, recently addressed the council I raised it again to get it back on the agenda. The Ballymahon councillor is hopeful that there will be movement on the slipway: Hopefully in 2024 it will be looked at again. There is lots of space, there's a grand carpark. At present anyone in the Tang, Forgney, Ballymahon area who wants to go fishing has to go to Barley Harbour. It is lovely down there, but the roads can get congested, so it would be a great benefit to the area to have a slip way there, he said. Cllr O'Toole believes that there will soon be a solution: They did acknowledge it should have happened when the work was being done on the jetty. Their reaction was reasonably favourable, I intend to follow up on it. Armand, Herve, Aime and Jose Leonard were executed by the Nazis on the border between Luxembourg and Belgium. Eighty years later, locals are working to keep their story from falling into oblivion The death of the Leonard brothers, a family tragedy long shrouded in silence Andre, the eldest brother (the tallest, behind his parents), was the only one not to be executed. Andre, the eldest brother (the tallest, behind his parents), was the only one not to be executed. Photo credit: Arquivo pessoal da familia Leonard Andre, the eldest brother (the tallest, behind his parents), was the only one not to be executed. Photo credit: Arquivo pessoal da familia Leonard February 1946 was particularly rainy in the Ardennes. Following a spate of dry months, the deluge upended land long undisturbed, resulting in a boot emerging from the ground 60 metres from Luxembourgs northern border, in the Belgian commune of Gouvy. A Luxembourg policeman discovered the shoe on 6 March 1946, resulting in a gruesome find: four apparently young men buried in four graves. The Grand Duchy does not keep any records on the case as the find was in Wallonia, but local authorities raised suspicions at the time over the identities of the dead bodies. Christiane Leonard, niece of the four brothers murdered by the Nazis, in the house where they were captured during the Battle of the Bulge. Photo credit: Antonio Pires My uncles had been arrested on 6 January the previous year by the Belgian military who were collaborating with the Nazis. They had been missing ever since and everyone thought they were being held in a prison camp in Germany, said Christiane Leonard, 68. My grandparents were called to recognise the bodies and confirmed that they were the four youngest children. Only one survived, my father, who hid in time on the night of the capture. I cant imagine my grandmothers suffering at the time, but I know it was a subject she never spoke about again in her life. Jose (17), Herve (18), Aime (19) and Armand Leonard (20) were shot in the back of the head, a common method of execution among Nazi troops. The graves they were buried in were shallow, less than two metres deep. This is a very strong sign that they dug their own graves, said Gregory Dubru, a 38-year-old Belgian-Luxembourger who chairs the League of Former Combatants of Gouvy. He is an aficionado of the history of the Battle of the Bulge, and in particular the case of the four Leonard brothers. Armand was 20, Herve 19. Aime was 18 and Jose 17. They were executed the same night Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family The discovery of the four brothers bodies shocked people on both sides of the border. Christiane Leonard, their niece, keeps family photos of the funeral that took place a few days later, on 20 March. Hundreds of people attended the farewell. But within the family, it was always a taboo subject, she said. I think the pain was too great. 1 / 4 The memorial is just 60 metres from the Luxembourg border. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 2 / 4 It was here that the four brothers were murdered. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 3 / 4 Gregory Dubru looks after the memorial. History is important. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 4 / 4 Steinbach cemetery, where the boys were buried. Photo credit: Antonio Pires Resistance or death Leopold Leonard, the father of the family, never hid his hatred of the Nazis. He had fought in the trenches of the Battle of l'Yser in the First World War. When the Germans annexed Luxembourg in 1940 and entered Belgium, he was furious, said his granddaughter. Together with his wife Clementine, whom he married after returning from lYser, Leopold had five sons. A sixth child died at birth. In 1930 the family bought a farm and some cows in Steinbach, a village in the Gouvy municipality. They were neither rich nor poor; they got by. The children all learned to read and write, with Aime and Jose advancing in their education under their local teacher, Madame Dessency. Memories of the war are still present in the region. Photo credit: Antonio Pires In 1930 the family bought a farm and some cows in Steinbach, a village in the Gouvy municipality. They were neither rich nor poor; they got by. The children all learned to read and write, with Aime and Jose advancing in their education under their local teacher, Madame Dessency. On 10 May 1940, Hitlers troops took Luxembourg. After 18 days, Belgium capitulated. Leopold Leonard in hushed tones passed on to his children the anger he felt towards the Reich - and even more towards the Belgian collaborators who supported the invader. Refugees poured in from Luxembourg. They ended up taking in a family for weeks and hiding them, my father told me many years later, said Christiane Leonard about her ancestors. Even today I dont know if they were of Jewish origin, but I suspect they were. I know they stayed in the cellar hiding for a long time, so as not to be caught by the Nazis. 1 / 2 The family home, then and now. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family 2 / 2 The family home, then and now. Photo credit: Antonio Pires Jews but also young Luxembourgish men who refused to join the Wehrmacht, fled across the border to Belgium, finding refuge or help for onward travel, said war expert Dubru. Unlike Belgium, Luxembourg was annexed by the Reich and therefore considered German territory. Young Luxembourgers were forced to join their occupiers armed forces. In total, 12,000 men from Luxembourg served in the Nazi army. More than a quarter of them lost their lives in combat. The photo that the resistance took and that ended up framing the four brothers. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family Armand with a rifle in his hand, in the days of the resistance. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family On the Belgian side of the border, the youngest were forced to go to the German Labour Front, to work in arms and munitions factories, said historian Matthieu Billa, director of the Bastogne War Museum. A secret army of objectors emerged. Thats also why the Leonard brothers joined the Resistance. A picture of resistance fighters taken after the Normandy landings shows three of the five Leonard brothers, weapons in hand. The group had successfully carried out several sabotage missions: blocking the railway line; delaying the arrival of troops, ammunition and supplies; and cutting telephone lines. Matthieu Billa, director of the Bastogne War Museum. Photo credit: Antonio Pires A picture of resistance fighters taken after the Normandy landings shows three of the five Leonard brothers, weapons in hand. The group had successfully carried out several sabotage missions: blocking the railway line; delaying the arrival of troops, ammunition and supplies; and cutting telephone lines. What nobody expected was that Hitler's troops would have one last hurrah in the Ardennes. At the end of 1944, after being forced to retreat, the Germans advanced rapidly westwards and took the Allied troops by surprise. Shared history The Battle of the Bulge explained at the War Museum in Bastogne. Photo credit: Antonio Pires Today, Gouvy is still a rural commune that lives mainly from forestry. It has 5,404 inhabitants, a third of whom work in Luxembourg. We have a common history, said mayor Veronique Leonard, who, despite the shared surname, does not share a family history with the Leonard brothers. Veronique Leonard, mayor of the commune of Gouvy. Photo credit: Antonio Pires We have a common history, said mayor Veronique Leonard, who, despite the shared surname, does not share a family history with the Leonard brothers. There was a deep silence on the subject, which has only begun to be lifted in recent years. Those who lived through the conflicts, and even their children, kept quiet about the trauma. Now its the grandchildren who want to know more, she said. This shared history is being honoured. On 11 November, Armistice Day, children from the villages of Gouvy visit one of the places of remembrance in the area and explain what happened on the land where they live today. The memorial to the four Leonard brothers, built 60 metres from the border where they were found, is one such place of pilgrimage. Another is the house of Victor Bissen, a Belgian from Limerle who brought dozens of Luxembourg boys fleeing the Wehrmacht to the Secret Army camp on goat paths. In 1961, Luxembourgs Grand Duchess Charlotte honoured him with the Order of the Resistance. 1 / 4 Gregory Dubru in the private war museum he built in his garage. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 2 / 4 The president of the League of Former Combatants shows the resistance camps. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 3 / 4 A photo of Degrelle and Hitler in Gregory's private museum. Photo credit: Antonio Pires 4 / 4 Dubru's collection is made up of finds from the region. Photo credit: Antonio Pires The region experienced its greatest ordeal during the Battle of the Bulge. After landing in Normandy in May 1944, the Allied troops advanced through France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg with relative ease and many people believed that the war would be resolved before Christmas, Billa said. But in September, Hitler announced a plan to his officers. To advance through the Luxembourg and Belgian Ardennes and try to control the port of Antwerp. It was a surprise that nobody expected. On 16 December 1944, 200,000 German soldiers advanced in a line westwards between Monschau and Echternach. Behind them followed another 100,000 men, who not only served as a rear-guard to the first line of combat, but were accompanied by Gestapo officers who tried to punish all those who had resisted the Nazis, explained the Bastogne War Museums director. The funeral of the four brothers on 20 March 1946 drew hundreds of people from both sides of the border. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family Lines set up by American soldiers in the Luxembourg-Belgium border region fell quickly and by 18 December, the whole commune of Gouvy was once again occupied. Few families managed to flee westwards in direction of Namur and Brussels. The majority had no choice but to bide their time and attempt to hide and escape revenge. Its hard to imagine what was going on here, but it must have been a real horror film. Maybe that's why people don't talk about it, Dubru said. Around 81,000 US soldiers lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge, compared to 75,000 Germans. The original of the speech given by the mayor of Limerle on the day of the brothers funeral. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family Its hard to imagine what was going on here, but it must have been a real horror film. Maybe that's why people don't talk about it, Dubru said. Around 81,000 US soldiers lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge, compared to 75,000 Germans. The Belgian collaborators, who had been humiliated over the previous months, returned and settled in. With them came Leon Degrelle, an avowed supporter of Hitler. At the end of December, he took up residence in nearby Steinbach castle and ordered a search of the village. The Leonard family were taken by surprise. The secret services had had access to photographs of the resistance and there were three of the Leonard brothers, said Dubru. The oldest, Andre, was out of the house, hiding in the woods with the Secret Army. The other four were immediately arrested. The village teacher, Madame Dessenoy, apparently begged Degrelle to let the boys go, He wouldnt give in. Dessenoy offered herself in exchange for the two youngest, Aime and Jose. Again, without success. On 6 January 1945, the boys were seen alive for the last time. Their bodies were found a year and two months later. Well never know the whole truth, said Billa. The people of Gouvy believe that it was Degrelle who killed them, because it was he who arrested them. But the truth is that by 10 January the Nazis were already retreating and he had to flee to Berlin - and from there to Francoist Spain. There are signs that it could have been the Germans themselves, on the run, who had to solve the problem at hand. The moral authority of the crime has been resolved, but the perpetrators have not. The burial in Steinbach in 1946. That was the end of the story. Photo credit: Personal archive of the Leonard family What appears certain is that on a winters night, the four brothers were forced to dig the grave where they would be buried. They were then shot in the back of the head. We have an obligation not to forget what radicalism, intolerance and war do, so that we never have to live through something like this again, said the niece who never knew them, Christine Leonard. (This story was first published in Contacto. Translated and edited by Cordula Schnuer.) A group of migrants exit a bus after traveling from Texas in the West Loop neighborhood Tuesday Dec. 5, 2023 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Migrants are no longer being dropped off at the citys landing zone on buses from the southern border, causing people to wander with no direction looking for shelter, according to an aide to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, said the lack of communication is directly correlated with the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals from the southern border. She suspects bus companies are finding other ways to get migrants into the city. As of Saturday, more than 25,900 migrants had arrived in Chicago since August 2022, according to city records. Advertisement Under revised rules Wednesday, buses face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators will also be subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees. [ Migrant boy, 5, dies during shelter stay after medical emergency, police say ] The city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St. Wednesday night. Advertisement Obviously, theyre trying every way to work around this, Pacione-Zayas said. Since weve instituted the ordinance and the amendment, we have lost all communication with the border. Theyre not sending us any notices. [ Migrants arriving by busload in Rosemont and Cicero are sent away, but welcomed in Oak Park, as suburbs respond differently to crisis ] On Friday, she said city officials found migrants in various locations around the city City Hall, Christkindlmarket and Union Station. According to Pacione-Zayas, migrants reported that bus drivers bought them Ventra cards and Amtrak tickets to get to Chicago. She said a suburb municipality received a bus Friday and directed it to go to the landing zone, and instead it took off toward the Indiana border. The deputy chief of staff suspects bus drivers drop off migrants at train stations outside of the city and buy them train fares to get downtown. Bus companies are facilitating their transfer into the city, she said. It sends us scurrying. [ What to know about Chicagos migrant crisis ] In October, a delegation from the city went to Texas to try to talk to officials there to coordinate bus drop offs. Buses at the time were coming at all hours of the day and night, without warning. The city implemented rules in mid-November requiring drop-offs to occur on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The city also limited bus arrivals to two per hour and designated the location in the West Loop to unload passengers. The loading zone helps the city have a better on-the-ground transport plan and know if families or singles are coming to place them in appropriate shelters. Advertisement But since the harsher penalties Wednesday, the landing zone hasnt received nearly as many buses. The city received notice that two were expected Saturday, but only through an email communication on which they were accidentally copied, Pacione-Zayas said. Migrants in Chicago Weekly By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Folks are just kind of being dropped off at different points. Theyre wandering to police stations. Or theyre wandering to shelters, she said. [ As police stations are cleared, some migrant families are separated, volunteers and migrants say ] The city has been actively clearing migrants out of police stations into shelters, and reported Saturday morning that there were none staying overnight at stations, down over 2,000 a few weeks ago. On Saturday evening, however, there will be a warming bus at the Near West station (12th District), which covers much of the Little Italy and University of Illinois at Chicago neighborhoods, to respond to the uncoordinated arrivals. The citys Office of Emergency Management works with the contracted national employment firm Favorite Staffing to pick migrants up and get them to the warming bus or into shelter beds if there is availability. Pacione-Zayas said she is just asking Texas officials for more communication. Advertisement When they come without notice and coordination, it starts to undermine what were trying to do, she said. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each others territories for a second straight day Sunday, one of which targeted a Russian military airport. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in the war in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it said was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town farther west, but didn't mention the air base. Golubev said most of the drones were shot down and there were no casualties. He didn't comment on the damage. As of Sunday evening, Kyiv didn't formally acknowledge or claim responsibility for the drone attacks. A major Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda, cited an anonymous source in the security services as saying that Ukraine's army and intelligence services successfully struck the Morozovsk air base, inflicting significant damage" to military equipment. It wasn't immediately possible to verify this claim. Also Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they arent deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June. Russian shelling on Sunday also killed an 81-year-old man in central Kherson, the southern Ukrainian city that was recaptured by Kyiv's forces last fall, according to the head of its municipal military administration. Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged fire outside Terebreno, a Russian village just kilometres (miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to Telegram posts by Gov. Vasily Gladkov. He did not provide details, but insisted Russian authorities had the situation under control. According to Baza, a Telegram news channel set up by Russian journalists critical of the Kremlin, fighting between Russian troops and a Ukrainian diversionary group began around 11 a.m. near Terebreno, home to some 200 people, forcing residents to hide in shelters. Ukraine's military security agency, the GUR, said on Sunday evening that Russia-based armed opponents of the Kremlin regime" were responsible for what it called armed clashes near Terebreno. The online statement didn't say whether the GUR or other Ukrainian bodies had any involvement in or prior knowledge of the fighting. Hours later, a 69-year-old woman was reported killed in a Ukrainian border village in the northern Sumy region, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Terebreno. According to the Ukrainian regional prosecutor's office, the woman died after a Russian shell flew into her home. It wasn't immediately clear whether her death was linked to the reported clashes. Late on Sunday afternoon, a Ukrainian border force official reported in a video statement that multiple Russian sabotage and reconnaissance operatives had crossed into Ukraine's northern Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Andriy Demchenko said that Ukrainian border guards and territorial defence units succeeded in pushing them back into Russia. While cross-border raids on Russian territory from Ukraine are rare, the Russian military said in May that it had killed more than 70 attackers, describing them as Ukrainian military saboteurs, in a 24-hour battle. Kyiv portrayed the fighting as an uprising against the Kremlin by Russian partisans. Ukraines foreign minister, meanwhile, welcomed what he called a sea change in Germany's approach toward Kyivs European Union membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Scholz said that at an EU summit last week, he proposed that Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something that the Hungarian leader agreed to do. What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians, Kuleba told Bild. He also voiced hope that Scholzs actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then, Kuleba said. The Ukrainian government has long cast EU and NATO membership as key foreign policy goals, and the EU's decision to start accelerated negotiations gave Kyiv a major boost, although it could be years before it's able to join. NATO leaders, meanwhile, haven't set any clear timeline so far for Kyiv's membership bid, even as Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine led another of Russia's neighbours, Finland, to be accepted into the military alliance in April. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to build up military units near the Russian-Finnish border. The Kremlin leader declared, without giving details, that Helsinki's NATO accession would create problems for the Nordic country. There were no problems (between Russia and Finland). Now, there will be. Because we will create (a new) military district and concentrate certain military units there, he told Russian state television on Sunday morning. Search Keywords: Short link: In a startling revelation, a congressional staffer is reportedly implicated in the creation of explicit gay pornography featuring another young man within the confines of the Senate. According to reports, the Senate staffer has been fired from his post as a direct consequence of the episode, although that has only been declared by a number of online sources. Whilst Politico ran with the story of the staffer being dismissed, a video, acquired by the Daily Caller, exposed the duo engaging in intercourse, seemingly within a conference room located in the Hart Senate Office Building. A distinct photograph accompanies the footage, portraying the young man positioned on all fours, donned in a jockstrap, precisely where senators convene to pose inquiries. The explicit video commences by showcasing the intimate encounter between the two individuals before panning towards the interior of the Senate, providing a disconcerting juxtaposition of private acts within a public political space. How did the video get leaked? Allegedly, the video found its way into a WhatsApp group chat designated for gay men working in the realm of politics. The young man involved purportedly identifies himself as a 'twink' on X, a platform where he openly shares explicit content featuring his 'older' bear partner. The disseminated pictures and videos are reported to be explicitly sexual in nature, unmasking his facial identity in the process. Congressman Mike Collins has weighed in on the controversy, expressing his astonishment at the unfolding events. "Heck of a week for the Left. Gay porn in the Senate, swearing-in ceremony on child porn in Virginia, t****y tap dancers in the White House, and Satanic statues in Iowa. What else am I missing?" This revelation underscores the intersection of personal and professional realms, raising questions about the appropriateness of engaging in explicit activities within the esteemed halls of government. The incident has sparked discussions not only about the individuals involved but also about the broader implications for the culture and decorum within political institutions. In the predawn darkness and chill of downtown Northampton, several hundred people gathered to begin a 25-mile march from the Pleasant Street district office of U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, to the downtown Springfield offices of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, D-Mass., demanding that lawmakers support a full cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and stop what some called genocide of the Palestinians who live there. The 25-mile March for Palestine was originally scheduled for last Sunday but was postponed because of predicted heavy rains and high winds, a far cry from the clear skies and mild temperatures greeting marchers Saturday. Organizer Molly Aronson, a member of the Western Mass. chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, said the 25-mile length of the march is a direct reference to Gaza. Twenty-five miles is the length of the Gaza Strip, she said, and we are marching that 25 miles to call for a permanent cease-fire and in solidarity with the Palestinians who have been forced to evacuate their homes and to walk some of those 25 miles, as well. While McGovern has indicated his support for a permanent cease-fire, Aronson said, neither Warren nor Markey have not indicated support for stopping the ongoing Israeli military reprisal against Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group based in Gaza. Israeli Defense Forces advanced into Gazan territory after a Hamas terrorist strike into southern Israel on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 people, with another 240 people taken as hostages. The fighting between Hamas and the Israeli military in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Gazan civilians, many of them children, and displaced as many as two million. What we know is that since the brutal attack of Oct. 7, 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, and almost 8,000 children have died, Aronson said. Data shows that 61 percent of those people were civilians. We know there is no military solution to this violence. The only way to save lives, both Palestinian and Israeli, is a full permanent cease-fire. Aronson said more than 300 people had formally signed up online to join the peace march in Northampton, and more than that turned out for the 6 a.m. jump-off. Still more people joined the march as it made its way along Route 10 to Easthampton, then south to Holyoke for a stop at Veterans Park. After a rest in Holyoke, marchers continued south on Route 5 to a candlelight vigil on the common in West Springfield. A candlelight procession crossed over the North End Bridge to a final demonstration at 1550 Main St. at 6 p.m. Joanna Rosen stood in front of McGoverns district office Saturday morning, waiting to get the march started. She said she felt compelled to join the demonstration. I think we as Americans, and particularly as Jewish Americans, need to speak up and stop the siege of Gaza, she said. I am heartbroken and outraged on a daily basis by the scale of death and destruction and displacement that I see. I do not think it is going to bring about safety for anyone. McGovern joined House colleagues Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Greg Casar, D-Texas, Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and Jesus G. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., in releasing a statement on Oct. 17, calling for an immediate cease-fire, or at minimum, a temporary cessation of all hostilities in Israel and Gaza to save civilian lives. Let us be clear: Our call for a ceasefire should not be mistaken as a lack of support for the protection of the people of Israel, the statement read. To the contrary, it is because of our dedication to the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians that we seek a path forward without further escalating the toll of civilian dead and injured. According to The Associated Press, Israel continues to ignore pleas for a cease-fire. Israel has drawn international outrage and rare criticism from the United States over the killing of civilians. More than 18,400 Palestinians have been killed, according to Hamas Health Ministry. Israel says 113 of its soldiers have died in the Gaza ground offensive it launched after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7. The Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory does not differentiate between civilian and military casualties. March co-organizer Kaia Jackson told the crowd that the 25 miles they marched will be a collective 25 miles. Not everyone walked the whole distance. I think it is important to note that we are collectively marching these 25 miles, Jackson said, which means we want to respect everybodys particular bodies and accessibility needs. In all, more than 700 people committed to walking at least some part of the 25-mile route. One man, who introduced himself as Harrison Ford, traveled from Watertown to make the 6 a.m. start time to take part in the march. He said he made a quick decision last night after seeing a notice for the march on Instagram. He called the Israeli response to Hamas genocide of the Palestinian people. I think the scale of whats happening, the numbers are changing all the time, but 20,000 people in Gaza dying, millions being displaced, he said. When you look at the scale of the reaction with what Hamas did on Oct. 7, the scale does not seem equal. Obviously, the numbers are way out of balance. Holyoke police vehicles with flashing blue lights bracketed the long line of marchers, as the mobile demonstration made its way down Route 5 north of the city proper, providing a safety barrier. A stop at the Land of Providence conservation area off Route 5 came at sundown with a brief Muslim prayer, before the final demonstration. When someone overdoses on an opioid, their lips turn purple. Sometimes, their fingernails turn bluish-black. Blood drains from their face and their skin gets pale and clammy as they become trapped in a sort of sleep. Then, their breathing grows shallower and shallower until it stops. Last year, enough people to fill a large classroom, 27, died like this in Holyoke. That was up from six people dying in 2015, according to state data. Compared to 10 cities of similar size, Holyoke has the second-highest number of people dying from overdoses, behind Pittsfield. These cities are far from alone. Statewide, 2,310 people died from drug overdoses last year, according to the state Department of Public Health, including disproportionate numbers of Black and Hispanic people. If we allow this to continue, more than 20,000 Massachusetts people will be gone in 10 years. State legislators are considering a bill that could save some of these lives. The bill will allow cities and towns to opt in on the creation of consumption sites where people can use drugs. Medical professionals would help anyone who overdoses. Holyoke already has several consumption sites. Theyre just unsupervised and illegal. People use drugs in abandoned buildings, parks and alleys. These are the places people die. I recently visited one of these illegal injection sites. Its an alley a block away from the Holyoke Public Library. A man on a mountain bike was riding down the muddy leaf-scattered path littered with tiny plastic vials, used condoms and other trash, including a childs stuffed animal. This alley near the Holyoke Public Library is used as an illegal drug injection site.Patrick O'Connor photo Almost every person here uses, said the man after stopping and pulling a scarf from his face. He quit using heroin over five years ago, he said. I was a little different than everyone else around here, he said, explaining how he was able to manage his use. I did it like a prescription, every four to six hours. The man, who did not want to give his name, was able to stop by weaning himself off the drug. He decided to quit because so many people were dying from fentanyl. Its not even dope anymore, he said. Its all mixed with fentanyl and that horse tranquilizer stuff thatll kill you dead. He also quit because he was going to lose his home in Chicopee. Losing my house was the main reason, but the fentanyl was the kicker, he said. A block from the alley, Carlos Torres was trying to get warm in the library. The 31-year-old man graduated from Holyoke High School. He was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Holyoke with his mom when he was five. A family member was an abusive alcoholic. When I was 16, he tried to stab my mom, he said from a bench in front of the library. I had to jump in and take the knife. Torres started using heroin four years ago after breaking up with his partner and falling into a depression. Hes now in a methadone program. Which is helping, he said. Now Im working on trying to get out of being homeless. As he spoke, a light snow fell. Sometimes Ill sleep in the park. Wherever I can, he said. I dont know where Im going to stay tonight. Risks upon release Some people with drug issues find shelter in jails. According to state data, there were 6,410 drug possession crimes statewide in 2022; in Holyoke, 237. Today, there are about 100 people in the custody of the Hampden County Sheriffs Office for drug-related crimes, a quarter of them for drug possession. In the alley, the 58-year-old man said users face dangers when theyre released. Their immune systems are down, he said, agreeing that people sometimes overdose because their tolerance drops while being jailed. A study in North Carolina found that former inmate are highly vulnerable to opioids and need urgent prevention measures. In the 15 years the study covered, 1,329 former inmates died from an overdose. Locally, the Hampden County Sheriffs Office tries to stop such overdoses. To reduce the risk of overdose upon release, and ensure that the people in our custody and care have the best chance at working toward long-term recovery, we offer a variety of addiction-treatment paths, including medication-assisted treatment, Robert Rizzuto, senior public information officer for the Hampden County Sheriffs Office, said in an email. Rizzuto said about one-third of people in custody receive medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, which affects a persons brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. This year in Holyoke, Emergency Medical Services responded to 262 calls related to opioid-related emergencies, according to state data. A better way To stop more deaths, the Legislature is considering a bill that would give municipalities the authority to establish overdose prevention centers, also called injection or consumption sites. The bill asks for a 10-year pilot program establishing the centers, where there will be medical professionals to prevent overdose deaths. Graffiti in a Holyoke alley known for drug use.Patrick O'Connor photo These will be hygienic spaces where participants may consume pre-obtained controlled substances, according to the state bill. These centers would provide sterile injection supplies and ensure that hypodermic needles and syringes are disposed of properly. According to a Beacon Research poll, 70 percent of Massachusetts voters support this. Back at the library, Torres said he supports legal consumption sites. I think its a good idea. It will keep drugs away from schools or parks with children, he said, as students were being dismissed for the day across the street at H.B. Lawrence Elementary School. It will be safer. Less people will overdose. He agreed that consumption sites can keep people alive long enough to get healthy. Luckily, Torres has not overdosed or seen anyone who has. Not yet, he said. I lived in the greater Springfield area back in the 1970s and back then, untreated, raw sewage often found its way into the Connecticut River as a result of a storm, from Bondis Island as well as elsewhere to the detriment of the poor river and its inhabitants. I moved back to the area eight years ago and, sad to say, nothing has changed, as evidenced by a recent modest rainstorm of less than one inch. Holyokes system was overwhelmed and an estimated 6,302,890 gallons of raw sewage was released into the river, according to a news report. Evidently its become so common an event that there wasnt one iota of outrage or even concern in that TV report. They put it out there matter of factly, as they would if doing a movie review, or announcing the opening of a new restaurant. Isnt it about time that significant pressure be brought to bear on the towns and cities responsible for the continued abuse of this beautiful river? Incidentally, I noticed that the count of spawning shad was significantly down this year. Is that perhaps a cause and effect? DOUG JOHNSON, Feeding Hills One mans tally on Biden wins A recent letter-writer (Squad is not serving America, Nov. 26) accused the Biden administration of the following: a failed foreign policy, not believing in peace through strength, and a feeble approach to dictators through appeasement. The letter reminded me of Lewis Carrolls Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There. Alice climbs through the looking glass to see the world beyond it. What she finds is a world where everything reflects her world in reverse. To say that Bidens foreign policy is one of failure and appeasement is to climb through the looking glass and view the world from an alternative reality. Here is the Biden foreign policy record: - Strengthened the NATO alliance and reestablished American leadership in the organization. - United the NATO allies in providing military support for democratic Ukraine against an autocratic and expansionist Russia. - Supported the administration of Finland and Sweden into NATO. - Supported Israel in defending itself against Hamas while pressuring Israel to consent to humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza. - Actively engaged in hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. - Sent two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean region and increased U.S. troop presence in the region to deter Iran and its proxies. - Authorized airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups for targeting U.S. bases in the region. - Increased our military presence in Asia, particularly in the Philippines to deter China. Worked to increase military ties with Australia, Japan and India to deter China. - Cemented our relationship with Japan and South Korea to deter China and North Korea - Authorized the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia to deter China. In contrast, one needs only to revisit Trumps capitulation to Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, concerning Russian interference in the 2016 election to grasp the true meaning of appeasement. MICHAEL CAMEROTA, Westfield Life simpler back in 50s As we once again await yet another gun control bill to come roaring down the pike, one must ask: Is this really about the safety and well-being of the citizens or just another step toward totalitarian rule. I come from a time and place (small town America of the 1950s) where a 16-year-old could walk into any sporting goods store and buy his catchers mitt and a shotgun from the same clerk. Even the general store down the road would have a few shotguns and rifles for sale. As we roamed the woods and hillsides on a pleasant autumn day, there were always a few cars in the high school parking lot with shotguns lying across the back seat or a group of 12- to 15-year-olds walking down the road with their shotguns or .22-caliber rifles. Yet we didnt shoot each other. Nobody had heard of a mass shooting. It was a different time, a polite society; there was a sense of right and wrong. Today, we have thousands upon thousands of gun laws, rules and regulations and new controls being proposed on a regular basis. And yet we have an ever-increasing rate of gun crime and violence. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, the safest states all have in common very few gun laws. California, with the most extreme gun laws in the nation, has the highest gun homicide rate. It doesnt take an IQ more than a few points above a carrot to realize that guns are not the problem. Would it not make more sense to do the hard work of ferreting out and addressing the real problems with society, or is this just another step toward controlling the people. RICHARD S. CAHALAN, South Hadley Keep Sundays free of hunting Why should the 99% of Massachusetts residents who do not hunt have to give up our last bastion of weapons-free rural recreation from October through December? Hunting and gun enthusiasts cite the archaic origins of the Sunday hunting ban as a reason for overturning it, pointing out that most other states have already done so. But Massachusetts has always set its own course, often a higher one. We were the first state to legalize gay marriage and to mandate universal health coverage. Not all centuries-old prescriptions would be automatically dismissed. The Constitution comes to mind. It feels more urgent than ever now, with conflicts raging in the Middle East and Ukraine, when mass shootings and gun violence have become a new and terrible norm, to move away from not toward an increased tolerance for lethal violence. Assault weapons cant be used for hunting here, but high-powered rifles are almost as deadly. And kids as young as 12 are allowed to use them. The fact is that even one armed person in the woods can deter folks who want to enjoy a peaceful autumn straw. A tiny minority should not be allowed to take away such a precious thing from the rest of us. Lets urge our state representatives to keep Sundays off limits to hunting to keep Massachusetts and island of sanity in a gun crazy world. JACKIE COMPTON & JOHN KUZEJA, Williamsburg Christmas deserves to get more respect Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus but there isnt any Merry Christmas. Although we are in the midst of the Christmas shopping season, all we hear today is happy holidays or a slew of Merry Xmas connotations in the media. It may not seem like a Merry Christmas this year, with all the atrocities occurring throughout the world. Christmas is a time for love and peace, not a time for scorn and hatred. Christmas is considered to be the most revered holiday of the year. Yet it is being subjected to the Rodney Dangerfield syndrome. I am extending a Merry Christmas to all the true believers in this joyous time of the year. And a Bah, humbug to all you nonbelievers to have a happy holiday while youre decorating your holiday tree. For Christs sake, keep Christ in Christmas. ED JOHNSON, Springfield Tools available to protect children online A recent article in the business section of The Republican (Lawsuit says Facebook fails to protect children from sexual predators, Dec. 7) reminded me of my online teaching experience during the pandemic. I had to learn the Zoom platform and fast as well as stay one step ahead of 35 10-year-olds on a daily basis. They used all kinds of tricks to make it look like they were participating. Parents dont have it any easier, but suing Facebook is not the answer. During my teaching career, parents told me about discovering their 7-year-old on their tablet at midnight, children sneaking into their parents room at night to retrieve game controllers and kids turning the wi-fi on after their parents had gone to sleep. Whats a parent to do? Obviously, parents need their sleep, but there are ways to keep kids safe online. Parental controls are easily implemented on electronic devices. A quick online search resulted in several sites with many helpful, step-by-step ways to limit who, what, and how a child can communicate with others on the Internet. Parental controls start with vigilance and an open dialogue. Vigilance is a frequent check of a childs search history and news feed, watching for inappropriate and negative content. This will also reveal any cyberbullying. Open dialogue is explaining that although the child is trusted by the parent, it is the parents job to keep them safe and letting them know they will be looking through their device on a regular basis. Its not just Facebook that is the problem. Having unlimited and unsupervised access to the Internet is the culprit. Limiting access from the moment a parent puts a device in their childs hands is the first step in keeping them safe in this digital age. PATRICIA BESSETTE, West Springfield Human rights a yearlong cause On Human Rights Day this past Sunday, I recognized and supported those who work for human rights in this nation and around the world. The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in Oslo, Norway, to Narges Mohammadi, jailed Iranian human rights activist, for fighting against womens oppression in Iran and advocating for human rights. The Iranian regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison. Mohammadi, 51, worked as an engineer and columnist for various newspapers following her studies. She was first arrested in 2011 for assisting jailed activists and their families. Mohammadi is the deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which is led by the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Iranian Shirin Ebadi. In an interview with Time, Mohammadi said: Our struggle to abolish mandatory hijab is a fight against the dictatorship of the religious state, which has now led to the formation of a great and revolutionary movement. In my belief, democracy and human rights are impossible without the realization of womens rights and it is the realization of womens rights that guarantees democracy. I am very hopeful and this hope demands more action, effort and struggle from me and propels me forward. Hope increases my motivation for resistance and fighting on. I know too well that victory is not easy, but it is certain. May each of us support all those who work for human rights, day in and day out, not only on Human Rights Day. ROBERT LOESCH, Springfield Share Harvest needs a tweak MassWildlifes Hunters Share the Harvest Program is a generous and practical effort to distribute venison to food pantries and other hunger relief agencies. Over 1,500 organic protein meals were donated to needy families in its pilot year of 2022. Hunters can choose to donate a portion or all of their deer. Some processing and packaging fees are covered through a monetary donation fund. Deer hunters also provide an ecological service. Because there are few natural predators, exploding deer populations lead to starving deer, deer killed by vehicles and a decline in a forests biodiversity. If a forest has too many deer, its replenishing seedlings and saplings get eaten up. Still there is one dangerous oversight that needs to be addressed. Venison needs to be checked for lead before it is distributed. Lead is highly toxic and even the low levels of lead in residue left by fragmenting ammunition can lead to a host of poisoning effects, especially in children. No gift to children should include poison. There are states that require testing venison for lead and a few where lead ammunition has been outlawed in some habitats. MassWildlife and responsible hunters should be working for this to happen in Massachusetts. The lead ammunition sprayed all over our wildlands is toxic to every species of wildlife, especially scavengers and birds of prey. Wildlife rehabilitators in recent years have seen 35% of the bald eagle population with acute lead poisoning. People who would like to see this addressed can contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlifes deer and moose project leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov or reach out to their state legislators. MARY METZGER, Westfield Conduct was an abuse of priestly duty The Republicans article regarding the Springfield diocese (Will a new day dawn for adult victims of clergy abuse, Dec. 10) was a moment, for this reader, of Oh no, not again. Let me first say the Springfield Diocese has become quite adept at wordsmithing, doublespeak, word salad or any or such description. Almost 30 years ago, the Rev. Savage abused his higher moral authority to egregiously prey upon a person with issues. Despite any compensation, money does not erase psychological devastation. Was Ms. Nancy A. Dunn a consenting adult, as the diocese says? Please spare us this nonsense. What rationale can we now expect from the diocese? Half consent by either party as a permissible church-sanctioned action? I look forward to the current Liberation Theology pontiff issuing an encyclical to the effect that the faithful should Move On, There Is Nothing More to See Here. That should provide clarity and closure to those remaining faithful. M.A. WANIEWSKI, East Longmeadow How to reach Catholics group Thank you for running the Most Rev. William Byrnes welcome to the LGBTQ+ community (Extending a welcome to the Valleys LGBTQ+ community, Dec. 10) As a member of Catholics for Inclusion, the local group that co-wrote the essay with the bishop, I wish to correct the listing of our groups email address. It is catholicsforinclusionwmass@gmail.com. We hope that those who are interested will contact us at this address. TONY GIARDINA, Florence The Red Sox have met with Japanese superstar free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, MLB.coms Mark Feinsand reported. Feinsand wrote, Yamamoto has been meeting with a number of teams, all of whom hope to add the talented right-hander to their respective rotations. The Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Blue Jays and Red Sox have all met with Yamamoto, who must sign before his posting window expires on Jan. 4, and who could make his decision in the next few days. Yamamoto turned 25 on Aug. 17. The righty went 75-30 with a 1.72 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 986 strikeouts and 216 walks in 188 games (967 innings) over seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes. He went 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 176 strikeouts and 28 walks in 171 innings in 2023. He averaged 9.3 strikeouts and 1.5 walks per nine innings. BET ANYTHING GET $250 BONUS ESPN BET CLAIM OFFER MASS 21+ and present in MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, CO, AZ, IL, IA, IN, OH, MI. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. He mainly throws a four-seam fastball, splitter and curveball but also occasionally mixes in a cutter, sinker and slider. Yamamoto is likely to receive $300 million or more in guaranteed money. Egypts exports to Africa surged 13 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $6 billion between January and October, Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir stated on Sunday. Top Egyptian exports to Africa were marble, cement, polyethene, and phosphate fertilizers, Samir added during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The recent figures superseded expectations by the Egyptian Chamber of Chemical Industries at the Federation Of Egyptian Industries (FEI), which estimated exports to Africa to $5.5 billion. In June, the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries reached $4.3 billion in 2022, President El-Sisi revealed in June. Egypts trade deficit declined by 23.59 percent during the fiscal year 2022/2023, primarily due to a significant decline in non-oil imports. Search Keywords: Short link: SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea on Sunday fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea, South Korea said, in a possible display of defiance against the latest steps by Washington and Seoul to tighten their nuclear deterrence plans against North Korean threats. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was fired from an area near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang at around 10:38 p.m. and flew 570 kilometers (354 miles) before landing in the sea. The South Korean military said it was sharing the launch information with the United States and Japan to further analyze the details while maintaining readiness against the possibility of additional North Korean military activities. It criticized the launch as a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban North Korea from using ballistic technologies. 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, South Korea and Japan 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. North Koreas latest launch followed high-level security talks between American and South Korean officials in Washington over the weekend, where they agreed on plans to update their nuclear deterrence and contingency strategies and incorporate nuclear operation scenarios in their combined military exercises next summer to cope with the Norths evolving threats. Shortly after the launch, North Koreas Defense Ministry issued a statement condemning Washington and Seouls move to include nuclear operation scenarios in their joint drills, describing it as an open threat to potentially use nuclear weapons against the North and vowing to prepare unspecified offensive countermeasures. The North Korean ministry also criticized the United States for increasingly deploying major military assets to South Korea in a show of strength, including strategic bombers and nuclear-powered submarines, which it claimed amounted to a reckless military threat that was destabilizing the region. The ministry did not mention the missile launch. South Korea has been seeking stronger reassurances from the United States that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack. The North has test-fired more than 100 missiles since the start of 2022 as Kim used the distraction caused by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine to speed up the expansion of his military nuclear program, which he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. The weapons that North Korea tested in recent months included intercontinental ballistic missiles that demonstrated a potential range to reach the U.S. mainland, and a series of launch events the North described as simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea. Last month, North Korea also launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Kim described as a crucial for monitoring U.S. and South Korean military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. Washington and its allies have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia. They worry that 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. - Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to the report. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image) Controls - all media types Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device. Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen. < and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys. < and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys. > in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys. ? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key. Other keyboard shortcuts: 1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons Scalebar If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. 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The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control. Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways: - without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method - with stereoscope - with anaglyph glasses. - on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system) For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them. Controls - photo comparison mode If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu. Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder. Summary of all keyboard shortcuts The Mariners have interest in first baseman Rhys Hoskins, according to a report from MLB Networks Jon Morosi. Hoskins is considered unlikely to return to his longtime club in Philadelphia after the Phillies shifted Bryce Harper to first base full time earlier this offseason. Hoskins, 31 in March, missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL but was one of the leagues premiere power hitters since his first full-season as a major leaguer back in 2018. Over that time, Hoskinss 130 homers tied with slugger J.D. Martinez for 15th among all MLB hitters while his isolated slugging ranks 24th, just below the likes of Giancarlo Stanton and Matt Olson while clocking in just ahead of players like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Juan Soto. That sort of prodigious power production would surely help the Mariners, particularly after the club saw Teoscar Hernandez depart for free agency while parting ways with Eugenio Suarez, Jarred Kelenic, and Mike Ford. Those departures have left Seattle in position to improve their contact rate relative to last season, but short on power. The four aforementioned players combined for 75 of the clubs 210 home runs last season, leaving Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh as the lineups only reliable sources of power. Hoskins could improve the clubs power potential while also offering a palatable career strikeout rate of 23.9% that wouldnt conflict with their goal of a more contact-oriented offense in 2024. That said, the fit between the Mariners and Hoskins isnt perfect, as the club currently has Ty France as their everyday first baseman. France was one of the Mariners better contact hitters in 2023 as he struck out at a clip of just 17.6%, but the 29-year-olds 104 wRC+ indicates that his overall production left something to be desired, particularly given his offense-first position of first base. If Hoskins were head up north to Seattle, its possible that France, who has logged occasional time at second and third base throughout his career, could pitch in all around the infield while also spelling Hoskins at first base, allowing him to ease back into an everyday role with DH starts after his lengthy absence due to injury. Of course, its also worth noting that the club fielded trade offers on France in the run-up to the trade deadline last summer, though its unclear if any such conversations have occurred this winter. Hoskins isnt the only power hitter the Mariners have been attached to in recent weeks, as free agent sluggers Jorge Soler and Martinez have both been rumored as potential targets for Seattle as well. Martinez is a somewhat questionable fit for a team looking to prioritize contact, as he posted a strikeout rate north of 30% in 2023, but Soler could prove to be an even better fit for Seattles needs than Hoskins given their dearth of outfield depth. Hoskins also has more suitors beyond Seattle, as hes been connected to the Nationals in recent weeks while also reportedly discussing multiple potential contract frameworks with the Cubs. Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes for Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 Todays Birthday (12/17/23). Fortune favors your work and health this year. Your nurturing home thrives on daily rituals. Modify physical practices around winter challenges, before springtime changes affect your team. Summertime ignites the flames of passion. Anticipate autumn home adaptations before sweet connections with friends and family. Youre strong, motivated and energized. To get the advantage, check the days rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 6 Privacy suits your mood. Focus on keeping old commitments. Review your priorities before advancing. Take a refreshing pause to work out your strategies. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 Friends are very helpful. Examine opportunities for growth. Many hands make light work. Restore integrity where its missing. Inspire your team with a powerful mission. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 Work takes priority. Assume more responsibility and more successes. Resolve any lingering doubt through research. Let go of preconceptions or assumptions. Disciplined action wins. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7 Opportunities arise in investigations, classes, seminars or workshops. Prepare for upcoming adventures. Find useful and practical applications for what youre learning. Share your discoveries. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is an 8 Align for common cause. Focus on basic shared financial priorities. Handle basic account maintenance tasks. Keep cash flow positive with steady attention and contribution. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8 Listening can be more powerful than speaking. Consult a good strategist. Share support for a common dream. You dont have to do it all. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8 Profit from meticulous service. Fulfill the promises youve made. The details are important. Choose stability over illusion. Get your heart pumping. Practice to improve. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 9 Creative ideas flower. Discipline with passion projects advances in great strides. Luck follows your own initiative. Charm and be charmed. Have fun together. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7 Enjoy domestic arts and home organization. Get into a household project. Combine two old ideas into a new one. Create comforting spaces, flavors and music. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 9 Good fortune follows your disciplined work. Review and edit carefully before publishing. Polish the presentation. Express your creative vision. Capture it in notes and visuals. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 9 The next phase is ripe with lucrative potential. Tap favorable markets. Have faith in your own capabilities. Stick to your budget. Keep it simple. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 Take charge of your destiny. Youre ready to make changes for the better. Youre getting stronger. Assertiveness works well now. Advance personal plans. Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blacks legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todays Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com. 2023 Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Friday, 8 December, was a very sad day for humanity: once again the US decided to use its veto power at the UN Security Council to block a resolution tabled by the United Arab Emirates, and seconded by 97 nations, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to end the insane, unprecedented intentional daily killing of Palestinians in Gaza by the Israeli army. With this shameful vote, the US proved it was not only complicit in Israels murder of Palestinians but actually a partner in crime. To say that nearly 18,000 people have been killed and 50,000 wounded in a little over 60 days might be a difficult statement to absorb or comprehend, especially when the majority of those killed are innocent civilians, mostly women and children. Nor is this an earthquake or a natural disaster. It is an intentional, reckless revenge spree aimed at all Palestinians, undertaken in the belief that such war crimes will forever end the Palestinian aspiration to be free of occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state. Yet this is the reality the US administration, led by President Joe Biden, has decided to disregard, in opposition to the entire world, giving Israel even more time to take more innocent lives. This is not the first time the US has used its veto power to shield Israel from sharp condemnation by the vast majority of the world for its continuing violations of all sorts of UN and human rights conventions in order to maintain its racist occupation of Palestine since 1948. This was US veto number 46 in Israels favour, affirming the isolation of the Jewish state and the double standards and hypocrisy of consecutive US administrations when it comes to Palestinian and Arab rights. Even the US poodle, the British government, sought to avoid harsh criticism from its own people for backing Israels criminal war, and decided to abstain. For Arabs and developing nations in general, the UN Security Council has rarely been a forum to seek justice, knowing the balance of power among its five, veto-yielding countries. After all, that body tasked with maintaining international peace and security did not manage to stop the illegitimate war launched by former US president George W Bush to invade and occupy Iraq in 2003, or force Israel to respect dozens of Security Council resolutions calling for an end to the occupation or the building of illegal settlements in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Yet this time the case is different by all standards. It was the Western media, after all, that pointed out that nowhere on earth has witnessed such a heavy-handed campaign of bombardment against a tiny enclave such as Gaza where more than 2.3 million live in miserable conditions. Comparisons have been made to the Allies bombing of Dresden, Germany during World War II, noting that the total weight of bombs dropped by Israel on Gaza may be equal to the two atomic bombs the United States used against Japan in the same war. Besides the heavy human losses among Palestinian women and children, which invoked the brave UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to use Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since 1971 to call for the intervention of the Security Council to stop the war, was the fact that far many more people could die of hunger and disease due to the miserable human conditions in Gaza since Israel started its revenge war. Guterres said he invoked Article 99 because there is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza. The UN anticipates this would result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt, he warned. Gaza is at a breaking point, he said, and desperate people are at serious risk of starvation. Guterres said Hamas attack against Israel on 7 October can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The UN chief had earlier provoked Israels wrath and call for his resignation when he reminded the world in an earlier Security Council meeting that the Hamas attack did not happen in vacuum, and came after more than 56 years of Israels occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, denying Palestinians their basic human rights, topped the right to self determination. Guterres detailed the humanitarian nightmare Gaza is facing, citing intense, widespread and ongoing Israeli attacks from air, land and sea that have reportedly hit 339 educational facilities, 26 hospitals, 56 health care facilities, 88 mosques and three churches. Over 60 per cent of Gazas housing has reportedly been destroyed or damaged, some 85 per cent of the population has been forced from their homes, the health system is collapsing, and nowhere in Gaza is safe, Guterres added. Yet, all these facts seemed to ring hollow for the US representative at the Security Council meeting, who reiterated the same meaningless arguments about how stopping the war now would allow Hamas to launch more attacks against Israel in the future. Echoing Israels prime minister, US officials said they supported the illusion of eliminating Hamas, while knowing that this was practically impossible. Both Israel and the Biden administration insist on ignoring the fact that the only way to prevent future attacks against Israel and end all violence is the termination of Israels racist occupation. Even if Hamas theoretically disappeared, this would not prevent the rise of new Palestinian resistance groups as long as the suffering of Palestinians under occupation and an apartheid system continued. Thus, instead of using the same old arguments about protecting Israels security and right to exist, the alternative strategy should be to stop putting Israel above all international laws. By using its veto to prevent an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the US administration has lost many good friends in the Arab region, as well as all over the world, and lost any credibility in claiming that human rights have any place in its foreign policy agenda. * A version of this article appears in print in the 14 December, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Alfreda Rooks professional training may be rooted in health care administration, but her work has taken her far beyond the walls of a hospital. And, for that, the director of Michigan Medicines Community Health Services is being recognized as the United Way for Southeastern Michigans 2024 Washtenaw Woman of the Year. When I think about the women who had the award before me, I feel humbled and privileged to be in that circle, said Rooks, an Alabama native who spent her formative years in southeast Michigan. It seems kind of surreal because Im just doing what my job is. What is that job? Rooks department houses the University of Michigan health systems outward-facing and community-embedded programs that address social needs in seven Michigan counties and, in the case of one initiative advising health centers on establishing adolescent-friendly environments, in 40 states across the nation. There are efforts to increase food security for older adults through home deliveries from the departments Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels initiative. There are school-based health centers that offer mental health support, primary care and, in the case of an Ypsilanti High School clinic, vision care and free eye glasses to students. And theres work directly with doctors and health care providers on a culturally-sensitive approach to patients. Thats just the beginning. Theres a theme. Everything that I do is about service to others, finding solutions to a myriad of problems, being innovative, thinking outside the box, Rooks said. I once described myself to somebody as being more like an architect or construction worker. I build relationships on behalf of the institution in community. Rooks will be honored at the March 20 Power of the Purse event by the the United Way for Southeastern Michigans Women United group, held at Washtenaw Community College. Alfreda exemplifies what the Power of the Purse initiative is about: women taking action to address community issues, said Pam Smith, a senior advisor with the fundraising organization, in a statement. Alfredas caring spirit and generous commitment have changed our community for the better. Rooks says she moved to Washtenaw County 35 years ago when she began working in the UM health system. For more than two decades, she ran Michigan Medicines Comprehensive Gender Services Program, one of the oldest academic-based initiatives in the nation helping transgender, gender nonconforming and non-binary adults access medical care. Now, she says she spends much of her time working to create support structures for partnerships between the hospital system and the surrounding communities in her role at Community Health Services. I am not bringing things to community to do things to community. I am coming into community with services that theyve told me that they need, she said. In real world terms, for example, that has looked like community flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics hosted in church parking lots or camps for migrant laborers, Rooks said. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rooks worked with hospital leaders and public health officials on how to creatively get services to residents who couldnt travel to a medical facility, she said. Rooks is especially proud of a grant program she helped establish that provides financial support for community-based groups to invest in issues identified in community health needs assessments, with recent initiatives from groups like Ypsilantis Corner Health Center, Hope Clinic and The Womens Center of Southeastern Michigan meant to increase the number of mental health appointments in the community, she said. The program is powered by the recognition that those organizations working in the community have the best ideas for tackling health problems they see every day, she said, and the efforts resulted in close to 7,000 appointments in recent years alone. Rooks has served for the last three years as a co-chair for the United Ways workplace campaign at UM, coordinating fundraising efforts from the health systems employees. Its a tradition that stretches back to her time in the 1990s as a volunteer for Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services. As a member of the United Way speakers bureau, she would take the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, showing up to canvass manufacturing plants and talk with overnight workers about the importance of donations to United Way, she said. Its an ethos thats only continued into the present. I feel like Im living my purpose, Rooks said. This is what I was drawn to do. Its (always) been about helping and supporting others. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. DETROIT, MI -- Michigan State Police troopers are asking for help as they investigate a fatal crash that happened on Friday, Dec. 15, as a homicide. The Detroit Regional Communication Center received calls between 11:45 p.m. and midnight on Friday about a crash on southbound M-39 near Plymouth Road, according to police. Troopers confirmed a 49-year-old male Detroit driver was dead at the scene. Several witnesses shared the driver lost control of his truck, struck a second vehicle, drove up an embankment and struck a concrete wall where he was ejected from the vehicle. The truck then rolled down onto the freeway and caught fire. The driver of the second vehicle was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. However, upon investigation, troopers found a bullet hole in the 49-year-olds truck along with several shell casings and a ShotSpotter activation in the area, which is an acoustic gunshot detection technology system. There is currently no information on the shooter or shooters or the vehicles they were in, and the situation is currently still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 855-MICH-TIP or Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAK-UP. FLINT, MI -- Mott Community College has been awarded a $2 million grant to help address the nationwide nursing shortage. Using these funds, Mott Community College will create a program to help people with associate degrees in nursing to complete bachelors of science degrees in nursing. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- A Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer was recognized for helping an Ottawa County man who suffered from a stroke in May. Steve Orange has been a conservation officer since 2004 and recently was honored with a DNR Lifesaving Award at the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting at Lansing Community College on Thursday, Dec. 14. Orange was on the phone with Rich Dawkins, a volunteer hunter safety education instructor, before he began to notice Dawkins was having difficulty speaking, according to a news release. The conservation officer in Kent County called 911 to have emergency responders check on Dawkins in Ottawa County. Within minutes, an ambulance along with Grand Haven Public Safety showed up and determined Dawkins was having a stroke. Cpl. Oranges training kicked in and he was able to identify by sound that there was an immediate medical emergency, said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. He knew the appropriate steps to connect with local emergency responders to ensure Mr. Dawkins received quick help and showed true dedication. Dawkins received medical care within 45 minutes of the onset of his symptoms and he was able speak again hours later. He fully recovered from his stroke within weeks, according to a news release from the Michigan DNR. Beyond calling 911, Orange even made his way to the hospital to check on the volunteer hunter safety education instructor for himself. During that time at the hospital, I was very shocked and surprised to see Orange walk into the room to check on my well-being to make sure I was OK, Dawkins said. Without the quick thinking and action of Cpl. Orange, it could have been a very bad day to be me. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI An investigation is underway after two men showed up to area hospitals with gunshot wounds, Van Buren County sheriffs deputies reported. Details about the reported shootings on Saturday, Dec. 16, were limited. No suspects have been arrested as of Sunday morning. An Emirati ship carrying 4,016 tons of humanitarian supplies arrived in Arish port in Egypts North Sinai governorate on Saturday for Gaza, the official Emirati News Agency (WAM) announced. According to WAM, the ship was received by UAE Ambassador to Egypt Mariam Khalifa Al-Kaabi, North Sinai Governor Major General Mohamed Abdel-Fadil Shousha, and officials from both countries. The ship, which departed from Fujairah, carried 3,465 tons of food, 420 tons of shelter, as well as 131 tons of medical aid provided by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, in addition to the Emirates Red Crescent. On Saturday, the UAE delivered two cargo planes of medical and other humanitarian aid to Arish airport. One of the planes carried 10.35 tons of aid, including medical supplies, food, and two cranes. The other plane carried 6.38 tons of aid, including medical supplies, medications, solar panels, and flashlights, WAM added. Saturdays delivery is part of the UAEs Operation Gallant Knight 3 to support the Palestinian people. The UAE has already provided more than 7,523 tons of aid bound for Gaza via 111 aircraft loads and more than 63 truckloads. Search Keywords: Short link: Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,870,000 shares, a decrease of 6.5% from the November 15th total of 4,140,000 shares. Approximately 6.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,720,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days. Institutional Trading of Burlington Stores A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BURL. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in shares of Burlington Stores by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,222,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores during the 1st quarter valued at about $246,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Burlington Stores during the 1st quarter valued at about $751,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 1,538 shares of the companys stock valued at $280,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Get Burlington Stores alerts: Burlington Stores Stock Performance NYSE:BURL traded down $4.85 on Friday, reaching $183.05. 2,204,868 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,287,744. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The firm has a market cap of $11.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36. Burlington Stores has a 52 week low of $115.66 and a 52 week high of $239.94. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $144.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $152.19. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Burlington Stores ( NYSE:BURL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 21st. The company reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. Burlington Stores had a return on equity of 42.95% and a net margin of 3.18%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Burlington Stores will post 5.74 earnings per share for the current year. Several analysts have recently commented on BURL shares. Gordon Haskett downgraded shares of Burlington Stores from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $137.00 target price for the company. in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $167.00 to $182.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $200.00 to $190.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Sunday, August 27th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $213.00 to $211.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $203.11. Check Out Our Latest Report on Burlington Stores Burlington Stores Company Profile (Get Free Report) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded apparel products in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Consolidated Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 114,302 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,781 shares during the period. Bank of America accounts for about 1.7% of Consolidated Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding. Consolidated Capital Management LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $3,130,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.5% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 135,764 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,596,000 after acquiring an additional 2,013 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 150.3% in the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,985 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,192 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 4.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 405,098 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,698,000 after acquiring an additional 16,319 shares during the period. First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the first quarter worth about $586,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the first quarter worth about $534,000. Institutional investors own 68.06% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes BAC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Bank of America from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Bank of America from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.58. Insider Transactions at Bank of America In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 17,769 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.94, for a total value of $176,623.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Bank of America Trading Down 1.0 % BAC stock traded down $0.34 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $33.60. 83,771,808 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,839,246. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.83. The business has a 50 day moving average of $28.63 and a 200-day moving average of $28.98. Bank of America Co. has a 52-week low of $24.96 and a 52-week high of $37.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $265.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.40. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.07. Bank of America had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 18.69%. The firm had revenue of $25.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.86%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is 26.89%. About Bank of America (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. Recommended Stories 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. Davide Campari-Milano (OTCMKTS:DVDCF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,703,600 shares, a decrease of 20.6% from the November 15th total of 9,699,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 158,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 48.7 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DVDCF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Davide Campari-Milano to 13.80 ($14.84) in a report on Friday, September 8th. Morgan Stanley downgraded Davide Campari-Milano from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Get Davide Campari-Milano alerts: Read Our Latest Report on DVDCF Davide Campari-Milano Stock Performance About Davide Campari-Milano Shares of Davide Campari-Milano stock remained flat at $10.95 on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 93 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,809. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $11.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.47. Davide Campari-Milano has a fifty-two week low of $9.90 and a fifty-two week high of $14.45. (Get Free Report) Davide Campari-Milano N.V., together with its subsidiaries, markets and distributes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It offers a range of spirits categories, including aperitif, vodka, liqueurs, bitters, whisky, tequila, rum, gin, and cognac, as well as champagne and non-alcoholic aperitif under various brands, such as Aperol, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Appleton Estate, Wray & Nephew Overproof, and other brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Davide Campari-Milano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Davide Campari-Milano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:FSPKF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,424,000 shares, a growth of 8.9% from the November 15th total of 1,307,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1,017.1 days. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Price Performance OTCMKTS:FSPKF remained flat at $14.11 during trading on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1 shares, compared to its average volume of 700. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.57. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has a 52-week low of $12.00 and a 52-week high of $16.69. Get Fisher & Paykel Healthcare alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Fisher & Paykel Healthcare from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and sells medical device products and systems worldwide. It also provides its products for use in acute and chronic respiratory care, and surgery, as well as the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the home and hospital. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a decrease of 11.1% from the November 15th total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days. Kansas City Life Insurance Stock Up 8.6 % Kansas City Life Insurance stock traded up $2.62 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $33.00. 4,097 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 990. The company has a market cap of $319.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.73 and a beta of 0.45. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $28.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $25.85. Kansas City Life Insurance has a 12-month low of $20.00 and a 12-month high of $32.50. Get Kansas City Life Insurance alerts: Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $122.63 million for the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance had a negative net margin of 2.33% and a negative return on equity of 2.33%. Kansas City Life Insurance Dividend Announcement About Kansas City Life Insurance The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 2nd were paid a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.70%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 1st. Kansas City Life Insurances dividend payout ratio is currently -47.06%. (Get Free Report) Kansas City Life Insurance Company provides insurance products and services in states and the District of Columbia. It offers a portfolio of individual insurance, annuity, and group life and health insurance; and traditional life insurance, immediate annuities with life contingencies, supplementary contracts with life contingencies, and accident and health insurance. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kansas City Life Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kansas City Life Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 121,150,000 shares, a decrease of 17.4% from the November 15th total of 146,740,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 60,970,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes PLTR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an underperform rating and set a $5.00 target price on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. TheStreet upgraded Palantir Technologies from a d rating to a c- rating in a report on Friday, September 29th. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Monday, September 18th. Morgan Stanley cut Palantir Technologies from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $8.00 to $9.00 in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on Palantir Technologies in a report on Friday, September 15th. They set a hold rating and a $16.00 target price for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Palantir Technologies presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $13.25. Get Palantir Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Report on PLTR Palantir Technologies Stock Performance Shares of PLTR traded down $0.01 on Friday, reaching $18.20. The stock had a trading volume of 93,307,116 shares, compared to its average volume of 59,793,887. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 303.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 2.77. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.51. Palantir Technologies has a 12-month low of $5.84 and a 12-month high of $21.85. Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.02 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $558.16 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $554.61 million. Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 2.72% and a net margin of 6.93%. On average, analysts expect that Palantir Technologies will post 0.1 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Palantir Technologies news, Director Alexander D. Moore sold 21,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.70, for a total value of $321,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,721,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,301,919.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Alexander D. Moore sold 21,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.70, for a total transaction of $321,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,721,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,301,919.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Heather A. Planishek sold 13,196 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.27, for a total value of $280,678.92. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 748,810 shares in the company, valued at $15,927,188.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 989,677 shares of company stock worth $19,328,329 in the last ninety days. 13.96% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quilter Plc bought a new position in Palantir Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,568,940,000. Truvestments Capital LLC increased its position in Palantir Technologies by 74.9% during the 3rd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group bought a new position in Palantir Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new position in Palantir Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Howard Capital Management Group LLC bought a new position in Palantir Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.21% of the companys stock. Palantir Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community in the United States to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Palantir Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Palantir Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Israeli war on Gaza entered its 72nd day with renewed Israeli airstrikes on civilian targets in the strip and fierce battles against Palestinian resistance factions reported. 22:30 In a recent massacre in the northern Gaza Strip, more than 30 civilians were killed, and numerous others sustained injuries during Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia town tonight, as reported by local and medical sources. Sources told Palestinian news agency WAFA that the airstrikes specifically targeted a residential block in Jabalia town, resulting in the killing of at least 30 people and leaving dozens more injured. Additionally, there are reports of several people missing, adding to the gravity of the situation. Tragically, in another distressing attack, at least eight more people were killed, including two children and a woman, and numerous others sustained injuries during Israeli aerial raids. These airstrikes specifically targeted the home of a family in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Additionally, several people were killed and others injured in an Israeli bombardment that targeted a residence owned by a family, also situated in the Nuseirat camp. Israeli warplanes conducted attacks on multiple locations within the al-Maghzazi refugee camp, as well as areas in the al-Tuffah neighbourhood in northern Gaza. Furthermore, the Israeli military recommenced its artillery shelling, focusing on central and eastern areas of Khan Yunis city in the southern Strip. In this renewed assault, the artillery shells targeted a residence in Deir al-Balah in the central Strip. 19:30 The Karm Abu Salem border crossing between Israel and Gaza opened on Sunday for aid trucks for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, a move intended to double the amount of food and medicine reaching the enclave. The crossing had been closed since October 7, and aid was being delivered solely through Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, which Israel said could only accommodate the entry of 100 trucks per day. Two sources in the Egypt Red Crescent told Reuters that trucks were starting to enter on Sunday through the Karm Abu Salem crossing on their way into Gaza. One said there were 79 trucks. Karm Abu Salem, on the border of Egypt, Israel and Gaza, is one of the main transit points for goods in and out of Gaza, allowing much faster transit than the Rafah passenger crossing a few kilometres away. Israel approved the entry of aid last week. "Starting today (Dec.17), UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and be transferred directly to Gaza via Karm Abu Salem, to abide by our agreement with the US," COGAT, the branch of the occupation military which coordinated humanitarian aid with the Palestinian territories, said in a statement. 18:00 Israeli forces bulldozed injured and displaced Palestinians who were sheltering on the grounds of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in north Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 20 and injuring more, according to eyewitnesses. Doctors, local journalists, and other witnesses said the Israeli army bulldozed displaced Palestinians sheltering in tents on the hospital grounds, crushing many to death and injuring others. "They raided the building, and they took all the employees for investigation, also the injured people were being investigated," said Ahmed Al Kahlout, a doctor at the hospital. A video uploaded by Al-Jazeera videographer and reporter Anas Al-Sharif showed scenes of the destroyed courtyard, including what appeared to be human remains buried under bricks and rubble. In the video, Al-Sharif explained that Israeli forces had withdrawn, but that a major despicable act occurred at Kamal Adwan. Showing what appeared to be the partially buried limb of one victim to the camera, he said: This is the body of an injured refugee who was in the hospital the Israeli bulldozers ran him over. We cannot describe the situation tens of bodies run over by Israeli bulldozers, Al-Sharif said as the camera panned around the yard, showing body parts amid heaps of rubble. Ahram Online could not independently verify the videos and images captured at Kamal Adwan in the aftermath of the Israeli raid. pic.twitter.com/fE09XfVHh6 Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) December 16, 2023 Read the full Ahram Online report on the Kamal Adwan attack 16:30 Gaza's main telecoms company said Sunday that mobile and internet services had gradually been restored in the centre and south of the besieged Palestinian territory, after the latest service disruption. "We would like to announce the gradual restoration of telecom services... our field teams were able to reach and repair the main damaged site after numerous attempts in the past days", PalTel said after announcing communications were cut on Thursday. 15:30 Six fuel trucks and 40 aid trucks crossed Egypt's Rafah border crossing into the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Al-Qahera News. In addition, four injured Palestinians arrived in Rafah, coming from the besieged strip, to receive treatment in the Egyptian hospitals. On Friday, Israel approved the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem crossing, following pressure from the United States. Israel undertook this step during a visit by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to the occupied Jerusalem, who pressed officials to reopen the crossing. Before the war, the Karm Abu Salem crossing, located in the southern corner of Gaza, at its border with Israel and Egypt, had been the primary commercial route for goods entering and exiting Gaza. On Tuesday, Egypt announced that it will start using the Karm Abu Salem border crossing for processing aid into the strip under an agreement with Israel. Since the start of the war, Egypt has called on the international community to pressure Israel to keep the Rafah border crossing to Gaza open permanently to deliver aid to the strip. International aid organizations say Gaza needs hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks daily as 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza face near-starvation conditions due to an all-out Israeli blockade on the strip since 7 October 14:30 Israels military said on Sunday that two more Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip, bringing the official number of soldiers who have died since Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza to 121. Military officials acknowledged on Saturday that three Israeli captives were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops. It was Israel's first such acknowledgement of harming its captives in a war that it claims is largely aimed at rescuing them. The three hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Palestinian resistance fighters. 13:30 The emergency department at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is "a blood bath" and is "in need of resuscitation," the WHO said. In a statement, the WHO said that "tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and shelter grounds," and that there is "a severe shortage" of drinking water and food. "The WHO team described the emergency department as a 'bloodbath', with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute," the organization said, adding that "patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor... (and) no pain management is available". The hospital is functioning at a minimal scale with very few staff and the WHO said "critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries." Israel besieged and bombarded Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, for weeks before raiding the facility and ransacking it. WHO delivers health supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, appeals for continued access to address urgent needs in north #Gaza WHO staff participated in a joint UN mission to Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza on 16 December to deliver health supplies and assess the situation in the pic.twitter.com/gIa3tG97mC World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 16, 2023 12:30 French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna arrived in Israel Sunday where she was due to press for an "immediate and durable" truce in the Gaza war. Colonna will meet her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in Tel Aviv. Paris on Saturday condemned an Israeli strike in Gaza that killed a French foreign ministry employee, demanding that "light be shed" on the circumstances. Colonna is also due to meet the families of French captives still held in Gaza and to call for an "immediate and durable new humanitarian truce," according to a foreign ministry statement. The truce should lead to a lasting ceasefire to release all hostages and deliver aid to Gaza, it said. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take part in a rally in front of the US embassy in Jakarta on December 17, 2023. AFP 11:45 UK foreign minister David Cameron and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Saturday said the "need is urgent" for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza. The two ministers have published a joint article under the title 'Calling for a truce is easy. The details will be the tough part' in The Sunday Times in the UK and Welt am Sonntag in Germany, calling for a sustainable ceasefire, saying the goal must be peace-lasting generations." The article reads: Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, and generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable." We know many in the region and beyond have been calling for an immediate ceasefire. We recognise what motivates these heartfelt calls." It is an understandable reaction to such intense suffering, and we share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on. That is why we supported the recent humanitarian pauses. The article marked a significant shift in tone for the two European powers toward the Israeli war on Gaza. In the early days of the conflict, both the UK and German prime ministers visited Tel Aviv to demonstrate unconditional solidarity with Israel in its announced war objectives against Hamas. Building on this stance, in the following weeks, both London and Berlin vehemently opposed all calls for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, in recent weeks, both the UK and German governments have come under increasing domestic pressure to withdraw their support for the Israel war on Gaza. In the UK, hundreds of thousands have been joining mass weekly protests in London and other major cities demanding 10 Downing Street call for an immediate ceasefire. In Germany, thousands have defied a ban on pro-Palestinian protests, joining demonstrations across the country. 10:00 At least 47 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting civilian houses in the town of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, and in the Deir el-Balah refugee camp in the central province of Gaza, according to WAFA. Further south, Israeli artillery fired a shell in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, resulting in injuries to at least two young men. Additionally, Israeli naval forces targeted several areas north of Khan Younis and its western coastline, local sources told WAFA. The ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 19,000 Palestinians, including nearly 8,000 children and 5,000 women. It has also resulted in the displacement of over 80 per cent of the population of Gaza. Meanwhile, Saraya Al-Quds, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, said its fighters pounded Israeli army formations in Jabalia with mortar rounds. 09:00 An Emirati aid ship carrying 4,016 tonnes of humanitarian supplies bound for Gaza arrived at Arish Port in North Sinai on Saturday. The ship, which departed from the port of Fujairah, brought 3,465 tons of food supplies, 420 tons of shelter materials, as well as 131 tons of medical aid that was provided by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the Emirates Red Crescent, according to WAM. Earlier on Saturday, two Emirati cargo planes carrying medical supplies and other humanitarian aid bound for Gaza arrived at Arish Airport. Search Keywords: Short link: Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE:PKE Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 185,100 shares, a decline of 20.1% from the November 15th total of 231,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 58,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days. Approximately 1.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Park Aerospace Stock Down 1.1 % PKE traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $14.98. 120,545 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 112,476. The firm has a market capitalization of $303.35 million, a P/E ratio of 28.81 and a beta of 0.49. Park Aerospace has a 1-year low of $10.80 and a 1-year high of $16.92. The firms 50 day moving average price is $14.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.53. Get Park Aerospace alerts: Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 5th. The semiconductor company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $12.48 million for the quarter. Park Aerospace had a return on equity of 7.14% and a net margin of 19.01%. Park Aerospace Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 2nd. Park Aerospaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 96.15%. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PKE. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Park Aerospace by 60.2% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,028 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 762 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in Park Aerospace by 277.2% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,139 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,572 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new stake in Park Aerospace during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Park Aerospace during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Park Aerospace by 390.5% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,364 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,882 shares in the last quarter. 77.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Park Aerospace from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Get Our Latest Research Report on Park Aerospace About Park Aerospace (Get Free Report) Park Aerospace Corp., an aerospace company, develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the aerospace market in North America, Asia, and Europe. It offers advanced composite materials, including film adhesives and lightning strike protection materials that are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircrafts, military aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles, business jets, general aviation aircrafts, and rotary wing aircrafts. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Park Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Park Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Regal Rexnord Co. (NYSE:RRX Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 790,000 shares, a decline of 17.5% from the November 15th total of 957,000 shares. Currently, 1.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 510,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Insider Buying and Selling at Regal Rexnord In other news, Director Theodore D. Crandall bought 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $100.77 per share, with a total value of $201,540.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $625,479.39. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.98% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Get Regal Rexnord alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regal Rexnord Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RRX. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at about $978,777,000. Capital World Investors acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at about $793,975,000. State Street Corp acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at about $266,837,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in shares of Regal Rexnord by 98,060.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,203,448 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,211,000 after buying an additional 1,202,222 shares during the period. Finally, Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Regal Rexnord by 168.4% in the 1st quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,848,402 shares of the companys stock valued at $260,126,000 after buying an additional 1,159,687 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.67% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. KeyCorp cut their price target on Regal Rexnord from $184.00 to $148.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. StockNews.com began coverage on Regal Rexnord in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Wolfe Research upgraded Regal Rexnord from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $151.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. TheStreet downgraded Regal Rexnord from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Regal Rexnord in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Regal Rexnord presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on Regal Rexnord Regal Rexnord Stock Performance Regal Rexnord stock traded down $2.30 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $146.46. 954,537 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 450,039. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 2.58 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The firms 50 day moving average price is $120.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -813.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.06. Regal Rexnord has a 1 year low of $97.18 and a 1 year high of $166.00. Regal Rexnord (NYSE:RRX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.50 by ($0.40). The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.73 billion. Regal Rexnord had a negative net margin of 0.20% and a positive return on equity of 9.92%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 24.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.66 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Regal Rexnord will post 9.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. Regal Rexnord Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.96%. Regal Rexnords dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -777.78%. About Regal Rexnord (Get Free Report) Regal Rexnord Corporation manufactures and sells industrial powertrain solutions, power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems worldwide. It operates in four segments: Commercial Systems, Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions, and Motion Control Solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Regal Rexnord Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Regal Rexnord and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RINO International Co. (OTCMKTS:RINO Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 23,200 shares, a decrease of 25.4% from the November 15th total of 31,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11.6 days. RINO International Price Performance Shares of RINO remained flat at $0.00 during trading hours on Friday. 1,750 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 187,586. RINO International has a 1-year low of $0.00 and a 1-year high of $0.07. Get RINO International alerts: About RINO International (Get Free Report) Featured Articles RINO International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an environmental protection and remediation company in the People's Republic of China. The company engages in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wastewater treatment and flue gas desulphurization equipment primarily for use in the iron and steel industry; and anti-oxidation products and equipment for use in the manufacture of hot rolled steel plate products. Receive News & Ratings for RINO International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RINO International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 15th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of 0.10 per share by the real estate investment trust on Tuesday, January 16th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. RLJ Lodging Trust has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 55.0% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 2 consecutive years. RLJ Lodging Trust has a dividend payout ratio of 142.9% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities analysts expect RLJ Lodging Trust to earn $1.58 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 25.3%. Get RLJ Lodging Trust alerts: RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Down 1.3 % RLJ Lodging Trust stock opened at $11.56 on Friday. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 1-year low of $9.06 and a 1-year high of $12.92. The stock has a market cap of $1.80 billion, a PE ratio of 37.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 3.59 and a quick ratio of 3.59. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.11. Insider Activity Institutional Trading of RLJ Lodging Trust In related news, Director Nathaniel A. Davis sold 39,594 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.87, for a total transaction of $390,792.78. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 43,423 shares in the company, valued at approximately $428,585.01. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the companys stock. Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Walleye Trading LLC purchased a new position in RLJ Lodging Trust during the third quarter worth about $102,000. Walleye Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in RLJ Lodging Trust by 12.5% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 414,656 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,059,000 after acquiring an additional 45,964 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in RLJ Lodging Trust by 24.3% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 79,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $779,000 after acquiring an additional 15,542 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,057,976 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $49,518,000 after purchasing an additional 32,318 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.77% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently weighed in on RLJ. StockNews.com cut RLJ Lodging Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, Oppenheimer upgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $13.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, RLJ Lodging Trust currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on RLJ About RLJ Lodging Trust (Get Free Report) RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE:FUN Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,200,000 shares, a decline of 6.8% from the November 15th total of 2,360,000 shares. Approximately 4.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 243,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 9.0 days. Institutional Trading of Cedar Fair Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FUN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Cedar Fair by 169,595.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 256,240 shares of the companys stock worth $14,042,000 after purchasing an additional 256,089 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 49.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 20,616 shares of the companys stock worth $1,130,000 after buying an additional 6,850 shares during the period. Ancora Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 34.6% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 2,139 shares of the companys stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 550 shares during the period. UBS Group AG grew its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 112.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,407,705 shares of the companys stock worth $77,142,000 after buying an additional 745,056 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 117.9% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,226,084 shares of the companys stock worth $67,190,000 after buying an additional 663,373 shares during the period. 61.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Cedar Fair alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on FUN shares. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Cedar Fair from $46.00 to $42.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Cedar Fair in a research note on Friday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup upgraded shares of Cedar Fair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $40.00 to $46.00 in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Cedar Fair from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, B. Riley reduced their target price on shares of Cedar Fair from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $49.27. Cedar Fair Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of Cedar Fair stock traded down $0.16 during trading on Friday, reaching $38.78. The companys stock had a trading volume of 147,094 shares, compared to its average volume of 221,038. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $37.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.92. Cedar Fair has a one year low of $34.04 and a one year high of $47.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.33 and a beta of 1.44. Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $4.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by $0.51. The business had revenue of $842.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $821.16 million. Cedar Fair had a negative return on equity of 22.33% and a net margin of 8.19%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Cedar Fair will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Cedar Fair Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 5th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.09%. Cedar Fairs dividend payout ratio is currently 41.24%. About Cedar Fair (Get Free Report) Cedar Fair, L.P. owns and operates amusement and water parks, and complementary resort facilities in the United States and Canada. Its amusement parks include Cedar Point located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo in Sandusky, Ohio; Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles, California; Canada's Wonderland near Toronto, Ontario; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina; Kings Dominion situated near Richmond, Virginia; California's Great America located in Santa Clara, California; Dorney Park in Pennsylvania; Worlds of Fun located in Kansas City, Missouri; Valleyfair situated near Minneapolis/St. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cedar Fair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cedar Fair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cementos Argos S.A. (OTCMKTS:CMTOY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,900 shares, a growth of 16.7% from the November 15th total of 4,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.9 days. Cementos Argos Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:CMTOY remained flat at $7.00 during midday trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 1 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,857. Cementos Argos has a 52-week low of $1.60 and a 52-week high of $7.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.50. Get Cementos Argos alerts: Cementos Argos Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th were paid a $0.0823 dividend. This is a positive change from Cementos Argoss previous dividend of $0.08. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 1st. Cementos Argos Company Profile Cementos Argos SA offers cement, concrete, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and hydrated lime products in Colombia, the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States. The company also engages in the reinsurance; property management; transport; and seaports operation businesses. In addition, it exports its products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cementos Argos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cementos Argos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Magna International Inc. (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,630,000 shares, a drop of 16.8% from the November 15th total of 10,370,000 shares. Approximately 3.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,110,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 7.8 days. Magna International Stock Performance MGA traded down $1.92 during trading on Friday, reaching $56.66. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,040,579 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,149,212. Magna International has a 52-week low of $46.71 and a 52-week high of $68.92. The companys fifty day moving average price is $53.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.57. The company has a market capitalization of $16.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 1.11. Get Magna International alerts: Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.12. Magna International had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 12.36%. The company had revenue of $10.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.43 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Magna International will post 5.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Magna International Dividend Announcement Institutional Trading of Magna International The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were issued a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.25%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.97%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MGA. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Magna International by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 4,548,469 shares of the companys stock valued at $243,661,000 after purchasing an additional 451,684 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its stake in shares of Magna International by 0.7% during the first quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 1,902,371 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,720,000 after acquiring an additional 12,819 shares in the last quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Magna International by 29.6% during the second quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC now owns 134,322 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,581,000 after acquiring an additional 30,667 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Magna International by 5.7% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 956,958 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,277,000 after acquiring an additional 51,286 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Magna International by 13.6% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 648,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,621,000 after acquiring an additional 77,520 shares in the last quarter. 62.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analyst Ratings Changes MGA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. TD Securities raised their price target on Magna International from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Evercore raised their price target on Magna International from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. CIBC raised their price target on Magna International from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Friday, September 8th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Magna International in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James raised their price objective on Magna International from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with 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 a consensus target price of $66.43. View Our Latest Stock Report on Magna International Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Olstein Capital Management L.P. trimmed its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 2.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,000 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. Olstein Capital Management L.P.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $7,442,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 69.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on GS shares. StockNews.com started coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. HSBC started coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. They set a buy rating and a $403.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $329.00 to $333.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Citigroup cut their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $400.00 to $380.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $393.99. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:GS traded down $2.96 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $380.51. 4,522,310 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,374,045. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.77. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $289.36 and a 52-week high of $386.20. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $327.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $329.82. The company has a market capitalization of $124.09 billion, a PE ratio of 18.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.44. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The investment management company reported $5.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.42 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $11.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 7.37% and a net margin of 7.77%. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.25 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 22.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 30th will be given a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 53.24%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Ericka T. Leslie sold 1,376 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.15, for a total value of $461,166.40. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,471 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,509,355.65. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Ericka T. Leslie sold 1,376 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $335.15, for a total value of $461,166.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,471 shares in the company, valued at $3,509,355.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 72,874 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.71, for a total transaction of $51,740.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 397,954 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $282,547.34. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE:UHT Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 7th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 19th will be given a dividend of 0.725 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, December 29th. This represents a $2.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.45%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 18th. This is an increase from Universal Health Realty Income Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. Universal Health Realty Income Trust has increased its dividend by an average of 1.5% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 38 years. Get Universal Health Realty Income Trust alerts: Universal Health Realty Income Trust Stock Down 0.8 % Universal Health Realty Income Trust stock opened at $44.98 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $44.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $621.76 million, a P/E ratio of 35.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 6.49 and a current ratio of 6.49. Universal Health Realty Income Trust has a one year low of $37.00 and a one year high of $57.52. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Realty Income Trust Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al acquired a new stake in Universal Health Realty Income Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $304,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in Universal Health Realty Income Trust by 8.1% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 18,245 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $738,000 after buying an additional 1,374 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its stake in Universal Health Realty Income Trust by 26.5% during the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 9,145 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $370,000 after buying an additional 1,914 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in Universal Health Realty Income Trust by 112.7% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,127 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $126,000 after buying an additional 1,657 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Realty Income Trust during the third quarter valued at about $313,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.29% of the companys stock. Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Realty Income Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. View Our Latest Stock Report on Universal Health Realty Income Trust About Universal Health Realty Income Trust (Get Free Report) Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust, invests in healthcare and human-service related facilities including acute care hospitals, behavioral health care hospitals, specialty facilities, medical/office buildings, free-standing emergency departments and childcare centers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Universal Health Realty Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Universal Health Realty Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 207,463 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 2,984 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 0.8% of Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $8,135,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 108,287.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 296,468,035 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $11,556,324,000 after acquiring an additional 296,194,508 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 95,537.3% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 21,317,545 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $867,198,000 after purchasing an additional 21,295,255 shares during the period. Bishop & Co Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 3,959.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bishop & Co Investment Management LLC now owns 8,353,413 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $205,344,000 after purchasing an additional 8,147,634 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 42,213,094 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,460,972,000 after buying an additional 8,015,875 shares during the period. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $284,663,000. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance VWO traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $41.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,128,717 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,968,754. The businesss 50-day moving average is $39.63 and its 200-day moving average is $40.32. The stock has a market cap of $73.52 billion, a PE ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a fifty-two week low of $37.46 and a fifty-two week high of $43.22. About Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF 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! Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Israeli forces bulldozed injured and displaced Palestinians who were sheltering on the grounds of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in north Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 20 and injuring more, according to eyewitnesses. Doctors, local journalists, and other witnesses said the Israeli army bulldozed displaced Palestinians sheltering in tents on the hospital grounds, crushing many to death and injuring others. "They raided the building, and they took all the employees for investigation, also the injured people were being investigated," said Ahmed Al Kahlout, a doctor at the hospital. A video uploaded by Al-Jazeera videographer and reporter Anas Al-Sharif showed scenes of the destroyed courtyard, including what appeared to be human remains buried under bricks and rubble. In the video, Al-Sharif explained that Israeli forces had withdrawn, but that a major despicable act occurred at Kamal Adwan. Showing what appeared to be the partially buried limb of one victim to the camera, he said: This is the body of an injured refugee who was in the hospital the Israeli bulldozers ran him over. We cannot describe the situation tens of bodies run over by Israeli bulldozers, Al-Sharif said as the camera panned around the yard, showing body parts amid heaps of rubble. Ahram Online could not independently verify the videos and images captured at Kamal Adwan in the aftermath of the Israeli raid. pic.twitter.com/fE09XfVHh6 Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) December 16, 2023 Ahram Online was able to confirm the identity of the buildings in the Al Jazeera video by matching them to footage published by the Israeli army only days earlier, showing them arresting numerous people, and to pre-war pictures of the hospitals main gate. In tandem, images posted by Palestinian journalist Mahmoud Sabah after the bulldozer attack at the same angle as the Israeli footage confirm that the damage visible in the Al Jazeera footage was done during the interceding period. . # pic.twitter.com/bg1E1oWXH8 Yasser (@Yasser_Gaza) December 16, 2023 Ahram Online was also able to geolocate the footage using commercially available satellite imagery from 2022, confirming which areas were attacked. Kamal Adwan - Satellite image - 2022 - courtesy of Google Earth The Al Jazeera footage shows two distinct areas, marked X in the overhead imagery, which were reportedly destroyed by Israeli bulldozers: the hospitals northeast courtyard facing the main street, and a rear parking lot, both of which appear to have housed displaced people. In addition to flattening tents, the Israelis reportedly bulldozed vehicles, light structures, and a low building on the southern edge of the parking lot. Last resort Since 7 October, Kamal Adwan has treated thousands of injured Palestinians and served as a shelter for many more fleeing indiscriminate Israeli bombardment. The burden on the hospital increased after the Israeli army ransacked the nearby Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the largest hospital in the strip, and knocked it out of service. Today, the hospital is one of only 11 medical facilities operating in the whole strip and one of a few still operating in the north as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians defy Israeli pressure to move south. Deliberately targeted Several Palestinian eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera that the Israeli bulldozers deliberately targeted civilians on the hospital grounds. People were buried alive using bulldozers. Who could do that? All those who committed this crime should be brought to justice and taken to the international criminal court, a witness said. The bulldozer destroyed a great deal of the hospitals facilities, reported Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud from Rafah on Sunday. It crushed people and their tents in the courtyard and some 20 people were crushed and buried under the rubble, he added. BREAKING: Horrific scenes after Israelis drive over & crush tents with bulldozers in the yard of Kamal Adwan Hospital, killing all who were sleeping inside. They literally buried them alive. The Minister of Health in Gaza is calling for an international pic.twitter.com/TaLr5xH4F4 Megatron (@Megatron_ron) December 16, 2023 Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila called for the international community to investigate the tragedy, urging them to take it seriously and not remain silent about reports of war crimes coming from the Gaza Strip. Alkaila explained that the occupation forces deliberately removed the wounded from Kamal Adwan Hospital into the open in extremely cold weather and assaulted medical staff, posing a serious threat to the lives of the wounded and patients. She pointed out that the Israeli army destroyed the southern part of the hospital, and 12 infants are still inside the incubators in the hospital without water or food. The Israeli army has reportedly prevented their evacuation, according to medical staff testimonies. Israeli army opens fire at live press conference On Sunday, the Israeli army opened fire as doctors and medical staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital held a live press conference urgently pleading with the international community to pressure Israel to stop its war on medical facilities in the strip. After ducking from Israeli fire, the doctors regrouped at a different location on the hospital grounds and completed their press conference. ##_ # pic.twitter.com/Bhqqhz6M3E (@AJArabic) December 17, 2023 Search Keywords: Short link: Faizal Khan is an independent journalist who writes on art. Check Free Credit Score on Moneycontrol: Easily track your loans, get insights, and enjoy a 100 cashback on your first check! Danish Khan is a London-based independent journalist and author of 'Escaped: True Stories of Indian fugitives in London'. He is researching Indian capitalism at University of Oxford. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. Alcander Salas shown on the left in a March 2021 booking photo. The right photo is from surveillance footage taken in April. People wait for arriving passengers near flight status signage at Ben Gurion Airport on Oct. 9, 2023, in Lod, Israel. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images/TNS) Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Durham, New Hampshire. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images/TNS) Ukrainian servicemen of the 72nd mechanized brigade listen to a prayer during the sacred liturgy before the upcoming Christmas at the frontline near Vuhledar, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Valentyn Kuzan/AP) KYIV, Ukraine Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each others territories for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. Advertisement A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in the war in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it said was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town farther west, but didnt mention the air base. Golubev said most the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He didnt comment on damage. Advertisement As of Sunday evening, Kyiv didnt formally acknowledge or claim responsibility for the drone attacks. A major Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda, cited an anonymous source in the security services as saying that Ukraines army and intelligence services successfully struck the Morozovsk air base, inflicting significant damage to military equipment. It wasnt immediately possible to verify this claim. Also Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they arent deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June. Russian shelling on Sunday also killed an 81-year-old man in central Kherson, the southern Ukrainian city that was recaptured by Kyivs forces last fall, according to the head of its municipal military administration. Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged fire outside Terebreno, a Russian village just kilometers (miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to Telegram posts by Gov. Vasily Gladkov. He did not provide details, but insisted Russian authorities had the situation under control. According to Baza, a Telegram news channel set up by Russian journalists critical of the Kremlin, fighting between Russian troops and a Ukrainian diversionary group began around 11 a.m. near Terebreno, home to some 200 people, forcing residents to hide in shelters. Ukraines military security agency, the GUR, said on Sunday evening that Russia-based armed opponents of the Kremlin regime were responsible for what it called armed clashes near Terebreno. The online statement didnt say whether the GUR or other Ukrainian bodies had any involvement in or prior knowledge of the fighting. Advertisement Hours later, a 69-year-old woman was reported killed in a Ukrainian border village in the northern Sumy region, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Terebreno. According to the Ukrainian regional prosecutors office, the woman died after a Russian shell flew into her home. It wasnt immediately clear whether her death was linked to the reported clashes. Late on Sunday afternoon, a Ukrainian border force official reported in a video statement that multiple Russian sabotage and reconnaissance operatives had crossed into Ukraines northern Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Andriy Demchenko said that Ukrainian border guards and territorial defense units succeeded in pushing them back into Russia. While cross-border raids on Russian territory from Ukraine are rare, the Russian military said in May that it had killed more than 70 attackers, describing them as Ukrainian military saboteurs, in a 24-hour battle. Kyiv portrayed the fighting as an uprising against the Kremlin by Russian partisans. Ukraines foreign minister, meanwhile, welcomed what he called a sea change in Germanys approach toward Kyivs European Union membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Advertisement Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he proposed that Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something that the Hungarian leader agreed to do. What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians, Kuleba told Bild. He also voiced hope that Scholz actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then, Kuleba said. The Ukrainian government has long cast EU and NATO membership as key foreign policy goals, and the EUs decision to start accelerated negotiations gave Kyiv a major boost although it could be years before its able to join. NATO leaders, meanwhile, havent set any clear timeline so far for Kyivs membership bid, even as Moscows all-out invasion of Ukraine led another of Russias neighbors, Finland, to be accepted into the military alliance in April. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to build up military units near the Russian-Finnish border. The Kremlin leader declared, without giving details, that Helsinkis NATO accession would create problems for the Nordic country. Advertisement There were no problems (between Russia and Finland). Now, there will be. Because we will create (a new) military district and concentrate certain military units there, he told Russian state television on Sunday morning. ___ Vanessa Gera contributed to this report from Warsaw, Poland. Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Medics care for an injured youth at Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023 Medics care for an injured youth at Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023 Medics care for an injured man at Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Medics care for an injured man at Gaza s Al-Shifa hospital on December 10, 2023. AFP Vatican City State Court President Giuseppe Pignatone (C), Director of the Department of Law at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" Professor Venerando Marano (L) and Professor of Criminal Procedural Law at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" Professor Carlo Bonzano (R), announcing the verdict in the trial of Senior cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine others for alleged financial wrongdoing in The Vatican, Vatican City, 16 December 2023. A Vatican tribunal on Saturday convicted a cardinal of embezzlement and sentenced him to five and a half years in prison in one of several verdicts handed down in a complicated financial trial that aired the city states dirty laundry and tested its justice system. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal ever prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, was absolved of several other charges and his nine co-defendants received a mixed outcome of some guilty verdicts and many acquittals of the nearly 50 charges brought against them during a two and a half year trial. Beccius lawyer, Fabio Viglione, said he respected the sentence but would appeal. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi said the outcome showed we were correct. The trial focused on the Vatican secretariat of states 350 million euro investment in developing a former Harrods warehouse into luxury apartments. Prosecutors alleged Vatican monsignors and brokers fleeced the Holy See of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions and then extorted the Holy See for 15 million euros to cede control of the building. Becciu was accused of embezzlement-related charges in two tangents of the London deal and faced up to seven years in prison. In the end, he was convicted of embezzlement stemming from the original Vatican investment of 200 million euros into a fund that invested in the London property. The tribunal determined canon law prohibited using church assets in such a speculative investment. He was also convicted of embezzlement for his 125,000 euro donation of Vatican money to a charity run by his brother in Sardinia and of using Vatican money to pay an intelligence analyst who in turn was convicted of using the money for herself. The trial had raised questions about the rule of law in the city state and Francis power as absolute monarch, given that he wields supreme legislative, executive and judicial authority and had exercised it in ways the defense says jeopardized a fair trial. The defense attorneys did praise Judge Giuseppe Pignatones even-handedness and said they were able to present their arguments amply. But they lamented the Vaticans outdated procedural norms gave prosecutors enormous leeway to withhold evidence and otherwise pursue their investigation nearly unimpeded. Andrea Tornielli, the Vaticans editorial director, said the verdicts showed the defense had ample space to present their case and that the defense rights were respected. The outcome of this trial tells us that the judges of the tribunal, as is right, acted with full independence based on documentary proofs and witnesses, not pre-confectioned theories, he wrote in an editorial in Vatican News. Prosecutors had sought prison terms from three to 13 years and damages of over 400 million euros to try to recover the estimated 200 million euros they say the Holy See lost in the bad deals. In the end, the tribunal acquitted many of the suspects of many of the biggest charges, including fraud, corruption and money-laundering, determining in many cases that the crimes simply didnt exist. But it nevertheless ordered the confiscation of 166 million euros from them and payment of civil damages to Vatican offices of 200 million euros. One defendant, Beccius former secretary Monsignor Mauro Carlino, was acquitted entirely. The trial was initially seen as a sign of Francis financial reforms and willingness to crack down on alleged financial misdeeds in the Vatican. But it had something of a reputational boomerang for the Holy See, with revelations of vendettas, espionage and even ransom payments to Islamic militants. Much of the London case rested on the passage of the property from one London broker, Raffaele Mincione, to another in late 2018. Prosecutors allege the second broker, Gianluigi Torzi, hoodwinked the Vatican by maneuvering to secure full control of the building that he relinquished only when the Vatican paid him off 15 million euros. For Vatican prosecutors, that amounted to extortion. For the defense and a British judge who rejected Vatican requests to seize Torzis assets it was a negotiated exit from a legally binding contract. In the end, the tribunal convicted Torzi of several charges, including extortion, and sentenced him to six years in prison. Mincione was convicted of embezzlement for the original London investment but was absolved of, among other things, of inflating the cost of the building when the Vatican bought into it. It wasnt clear where the suspects would serve their time, if the convictions are upheld on appeal. The Vatican has a jail, but Torzis whereabouts werent immediately known and it wasnt clear how or whether other countries would extradite the defendants to serve any sentence. The former heads of the Vatican financial intelligence agency, Tommaso di Ruzza and Rene Bruelhart, were absolved of the main charge of abuse of office. They were convicted only of failing to report a suspicious transaction involving Torzi to prosecutors and fined 1,750 euros apiece. They had argued they couldnt tip off Vatican prosecutors to the transaction because they had initiated their own cross-border financial intelligence-gathering operation into Torzi after Francis asked them to help the secretariat of state get possession of the property. A Vatican official, Fabrizio Tirabassi, was convicted of extortion along with Torzi and a money-laundering charge. The Vaticans long-time financial adviser, Enrico Crasso was convicted of several charges including embezzlement and sentenced to seven years in prison. The original London investigation spawned two other tangents that involved the star defendant, Becciu, once one of Francis top advisers and himself considered a papal contender. Prosecutors accused Becciu of embezzlement for sending 125,000 euros in Vatican money to a Sardinian charity run by his brother. Becciu argued that the local bishop requested the money to build a bakery to employ at-risk youths and that the money remained in the diocesan coffers. The tribunal acknowledged the charitable ends of the donation but convicted him of embezzlement, given his brothers role. Becciu was also accused of paying a Sardinian woman, Cecilia Marogna, for her intelligence services. Prosecutors traced some 575,000 euros in wire transfers from the Vatican to a Slovenian front company owned by Marogna and said she used the money to buy luxury goods and fund vacations. Becciu said he thought the money was going to pay a British security firm to negotiate the release of Gloria Narvaez, a Colombian nun taken hostage by Islamic militants in Mali in 2017. He said Francis authorized up to 1 million euros to liberate the nun, an astonishing claim that the Vatican was willing to make ransom payment to al-Qaida-linked militants. The tribunal found both guilty and sentenced Marogna to three years and 9 months in prison. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Hong Kongs activist publisher to stand trial this week under Beijings crackdown on dissidents View Photo HONG KONG (AP) The trial of Hong Kongs most famous activist publisher who was arrested under Chinas crackdown on dissidents will start Monday after being delayed for over a year. Jimmy Lai, 76, broke into the citys once freewheeling media world about three decades ago, armed with the belief that delivering information is equal to protecting freedom. Now, his own freedom is at stake as he faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Lai is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications. The landmark case tied to the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily that Lai founded is seen by many as a trial for press freedom and a test for judicial independence in the former British colony, which was promised to have its Western-style civil liberties remain intact for 50 years after returning to Chinese rule in 1997. WHO IS JIMMY LAI? Lai is the founder of Apple Daily, one of the citys media outlets most critical of the government. He was smuggled into Hong Kong from mainland China at age 12 and embarked on a rags-to-riches path, from working at a glove factory to founding the casual clothing chain Giordano. After the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, Lai became an outspoken advocate for democracy. Later, following Chinese government attacks on Giordano, Lai sold his shares in the business. In 1995, he launched Apple Daily, which quickly became one of the citys top-selling newspapers with its sometimes outrageous coverage of politics and celebrities. The paper adopted a strong pro-democracy stance, often urging readers to join protests and denounced the enactment of the security law in June 2020. During the 2019 protests, Lai took to the street and met with then-Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the controversial extradition bill that sparked the protests but was eventually withdrawn. After the enactment of the security law, he was openly critical of the legislation and said the city he once knew is dead. WHAT HAPPENED TO LAI? Although the 2019 protest movement lacked a clear leader, Lais high profile made him a target of the authorities. He was arrested in August 2020 under the law, with about 200 police officers raiding the papers building. The newspaper was forced to shut down in June 2021 after police froze $2.3 million of its assets, searched its offices and arrested some of its top editors and executives, accusing them of foreign collusion to endanger national security. The papers final edition sold out in hours, with readers scooping all 1 million copies of it. Lai is now serving a term of five years and nine months over fraud charges linked to lease violations in a separate case as he awaits his security trial. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LAIS TRIAL? Lais trial is Hong Kongs first on charges of collusion with foreign forces. He faces two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one charge of collusion under the security law. He is also charged with sedition under a colonial-era law that has been increasingly used to quash dissent. Six former Apple Daily executives who were also slammed with collusion charges entered guilty pleas last year, admitting to the court they conspired with Lai to call for sanctions or blockade, or other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. Prosecutors earlier pointed to the publications English version, alleging it was introduced by Lai for the purpose of asking foreign forces to impose sanctions or be hostile to Hong Kong or China. They said Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracy and the six acted to implement the plans. Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law who is not related to Jimmy, said the case will impact whether ordinary advocacy activities with foreign parties constitute a crime in the future. The trial is not just against the media tycoon but also against Apple Daily, he said. The issue of press freedom, the issue of free expressions and the issue of free political participation, even overseas, would be tried, he said. WHAT IS CONTROVERSIAL ABOUT LAIS TRIAL? In May, the court rejected Lais request to terminate the proceedings based on the fact they were being heard by judges who were approved by the government. Robert Pang, one of Lais lawyers, pointed to the lack of transparency in the appointment of the judges, saying that might affect the publics confidence in the judiciary and the judicial process. Lais trial, originally scheduled to start last December, was also postponed while the Hong Kong government appealed to Beijing to effectively block his attempt to hire a British defense lawyer. The citys authorities subsequently barred the lawyer, Timothy Owen, from representing Lai, citing it would likely pose national security risks. The judges in August proposed a further delay of the trial. Lais son, Sebastien, met with Britains foreign secretary last week to lobby for Britains help in freeing his father who holds British citizenship and who has been labelled by Chinas Foreign Ministry as one of the most notorious anti-China elements. The younger Lai told The Associated Press that he felt a lot more confident that he would see his father again after the British government shared an image of him with Cameron, saying the country will continue to stand by Jimmy Lai. But Sebastien Lai said he doesnt believe the trial will be fair. Its quite worrying for me, given my fathers age and given that hes been in prison for three years, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report. By KANIS LEUNG Associated Press UCSD Tritons (5-5) at Sacramento State Hornets (2-7) Sacramento, California; Monday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: UCSD hits the road against Sacramento State looking to end its three-game road slide. The Hornets are 1-1 in home games. Sacramento State has a 1-4 record in games decided by at least 10 points. The Tritons have gone 0-3 away from home. UCSD scores 76.8 points and has outscored opponents by 7.3 points per game. Sacramento State averages 73.9 points per game, 4.4 more points than the 69.5 UCSD gives up. UCSD averages 8.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 7.0 per game Sacramento State gives up. TOP PERFORMERS: Duncan Powell is shooting 53.7% and averaging 14.0 points for the Hornets. Brandon Betson is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers for Sacramento State. Bryce Pope is averaging 17.8 points for the Tritons. Francis Nwaokorie is averaging 14.4 points for UCSD. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. By The Associated Press NINE suspected robbers sustained injuries after they were shot by police in Harare on Thursday in a crackdown, while the hunt is on for 20 suspects whom detectives have named as Zimbabwes most wanted criminals. Misheck Takawira Njowa (24), Jonas Daniel Mubaiwa (22), Shadreck Njowa (20), Job Nyashadzaishe Njowa (26), Cloudious Pemberengwa (39), Shepherd Magorimbo (30), Sydney Takavada (40), John Amon Ndlovu (34) and Godwin Chawaguta allegedly committed a spate of robberies in and around Harare from October last year up to last Wednesday. Some of them were admitted to hospital after being shot while attempting to flee. The nine are expected to appear in court soon. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said on Wednesday, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Vehicle Theft Squad got a tip-off that Misheck and Shadreck Njowa, and Mubaiwa were linked to an incident that had taken place earlier in the day, in which a taxi driver lost a vehicle to people who had hired him from the city centre to Southerton. Detectives arrested some of the suspects in Dongo Village, Neshangwe, Sadza, leading to the recovery of the stolen vehicle, an AK assault rifle and other materials linked to crime. The suspects named their colleagues, who were later arrested. The following day, the nine led detectives to a bushy area on James Martin Avenue in Lochinvar, where they had hidden some firearms. Police said on arrival at the scene, the suspects started running away, resulting in each of them being shot on the knee. Asst Comm Nyathi said: The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified operations targeting criminal syndicates around the country. The police assure the public that it will account for all criminals and that the law takes its course. Any form of confrontation with the police officers will be met with the appropriate response. Most wanted Notorious suspected armed robber Leonard Huni, who is understood to be aged 39 and residing in South Africa, is topping the list of over 20 most wanted criminals. Huni skipped bail on other armed robbery charges in 2019 and is understood to have proceeded to commit more crimes. Police believe he escaped in February this year, when his accomplice, the convicted Mhikiya Pirikisi, who had robbed a foreign currency dealer of US$30 000 and R50 000, was arrested. Huni is believed to be staying in Louis Trichardt and suspected to be involved in cigarette smuggling. According to police sources, Huni also escaped a shootout with law-enforcement agents in South Africa, where eight other suspects were shot dead. Transitional criminals Ishmael Chamunorwa Maoneke and Simbarashe Matanda are also on the list of the most wanted. Police sources believe the two reside in South Africa, but commit crimes in Zimbabwe, targeting illegal money changers and cash-in-transit vans. Maoneke and Matanda were once arrested and granted bail in 2018. Police believe Matanda formed a company operating from Cape Town, where he reportedly owns apartments. Also, Elijah Vumbunu, alias Mupositori; David Sawadye; Israel Zulu; Kudakwashe Mudzingwa, alias Umbro; Takafa Vumbunu, alias Naison Mahembe; Paul Chinake; and Brian Murape are wanted in connection with a spate of robberies countrywide. They are part of a gang suspected of being behind the raiding of a cash-in-transit van transporting nearly 12kg of gold worth US$675 000 from How Mine to Fidelity Gold Refinery in October last year. According to police sources, these suspects also targeted financial institutions, money transfer agents, wholesalers and grocery shops. Two other suspected members of the same gang, Sydney Chimiti (27) and Prince Gawe (25), are wanted in connection with a robbery involving US$49 000, R9 000, $7 000 and a Toyota Mark X from a Harare family, while posing as potential clients for detergents. The duo allegedly also robbed a Harare businessman of US$59 000 after pretending to be police officers enforcing lockdown regulations. Also on the list are Alex Tawanda Sithole and Clive Conwell, who allegedly went on a crime spree. They are said to have been involved in up to 100 cases that include robbery or stealing from cars in Bulawayo, Harare and Mutare. Paul Chinake, alias Pauro; and Lovejoy Chogugudza are wanted over the robbery in Lochinvar, which went viral. James Nyakutsikwa, Sydney Chimiti, Alex Tawanda Sithole, Maxwell Chidaware, Partson Matengambiri and Tawanda Karasi are also on the most wanted criminals list. They are believed to be behind several heists, including the ZB Bank Harare-Chinhoyi cash-in-transit raid and the Newlands Shopping Centre robbery in Harare. A high-ranking detective from the CID Homicide Department privy to the investigations called on the public to bring forward tip-offs. We will not leave any stone unturned as we thrive to flush out these criminals from our society. We, therefore, urge the public to provide any information that might lead to the arrest of any suspects. The source said information provided by the public can be crucial in cracking some cases. The public should not doubt us. I would like to categorically state that any tip-off supplied to us is acted on. We urge the public to contact the Homicide Department directly on 0242 758031, the top cop said. Breaking News via Email Regretful ex-husband laments sending former wife to school as greediness alleged In a courtroom confession that left many onlookers astonished, Brian Ngwana expressed deep remorse for his decision to send his ex-wife to school, accusing her of insatiable greed and ingratitude. The revelation unfolded during a recent hearing at the Harare magistrate court, where Ngwana claimed he could no longer meet his ex-wifes exorbitant financial demands. The focal point of the dispute centred around Isabel, Ngwanas former spouse, who was seeking a staggering sum of US$900 per month for the care and upbringing of their four minor children. In response, Ngwana offered a significantly lower amount of US$100, citing his previous assistance in enabling Isabel to attain an education and secure employment. I also acquired a housing stand and built a house that she and the children are living in, Ngwana submitted to the court. However, Isabel contradicted his assertions, claiming she was currently unemployed and that their financial circumstances had deteriorated since Ngwanas involvement with another woman. In light of the conflicting testimonies, Magistrate Ayanda Dlamini intervened and issued a ruling. Dlamini ordered Ngwana to pay US$300 for the ongoing maintenance and educational expenses of their children. The case has sparked debate among legal experts and observers, highlighting the complex dynamics surrounding financial responsibilities in divorce proceedings. Ngwanas regret over his investment in his ex-wifes education and housing echoes a sentiment shared by some individuals who feel their contributions have not been duly acknowledged or reciprocated. Divorce cases often unearth deeply rooted emotions and grievances, exposing the strains within a relationship that were previously concealed. The courtroom encounter between Ngwana and Isabel serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by families undergoing separation, particularly when financial obligations are at stake. Breaking News via Email Lambert here: Forty years to debunk the junk science that gave cops a rationalization for whacking people. By Renuka Rayasam, Senior Correspondent at KFF Health News, Markian Hawryluk, Senior Colorado Correspondent for KFF Health News, and Samantha Young, Senior Correspondent for KFF Health News. Originally published at KFF Health News. When Angelo Quintos family learned that officials blamed his 2020 death on excited delirium, a term they had never heard before, they couldnt believe it. To them, it was obvious the science behind the diagnosis wasnt real. Quinto, 30, had been pinned on the ground for at least 90 seconds by police in California and stopped breathing. He died three days later. Now his relatives are asking a federal judge to exclude any testimony about excited delirium in their wrongful death case against the city of Antioch. Their case may be stronger than ever. Their push comes at the end of a pivotal year for the long-standing, nationwide effort to discard the use of excited delirium in official proceedings. Over the past 40 years, the discredited, racially biased theory has been used to explain away police culpability for many in-custody deaths. But in October, the American College of Emergency Physicians disavowed a key paper that seemingly gave it scientific legitimacy, and the College of American Pathologists said it should no longer be cited as a cause of death. That same month, Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the nations first law to ban the term excited delirium as a diagnosis and cause of death on death certificates, autopsy reports, and police reports. Legislators in other states are expected to consider similar bills next year, and some law enforcement agencies and training organizations have dropped references to excited delirium from their policy manuals and pulled back from training police on the debunked theory. Despite all that momentum, families, attorneys, policing experts, and doctors say much remains to be done to correct the mistakes of the past, to ensure justice in ongoing trials, and to prevent avoidable deaths in the future. But after years of fighting, theyre heartened to see any movement at all. This entire thing, its a nightmare, said Bella Collins, Angelos sister. But there are silver linings everywhere, and I feel so fortunate to be able to see change happening. Ultimately, the campaign against excited delirium seeks to transform the way police deal with people undergoing mental health crises. This is really about saving lives, said Joanna Naples-Mitchell, an attorney who worked on an influential Physicians for Human Rights review of excited delirium. Changing Law Enforcement Training The use of the term excited delirium syndrome became pervasive after the American College of Emergency Physicians published a white paper on it in 2009. It proposed that individuals in a mental health crisis, often under the influence of drugs or alcohol, can exhibit superhuman strength as police try to control them, and then die suddenly from the condition, not the police response. The ACEP white paper was significant in catalyzing police training and policy, said Marc Krupanski, director of criminal justice and policing at Arnold Ventures, one of the largest nonprofit funders of criminal justice policy. The theory contributed to deaths, he said, because it encouraged officers to apply greater force rather than call medical professionals when they saw people in aggressive states. After George Floyds 2020 death, which officers blamed on excited delirium, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association formally rejected it as a medical condition. Then came disavowals from the National Association of Medical Examiners and the emergency physicians and pathologists groups this year. The moves by medical societies to renounce the term have already had tangible, albeit limited, effects. In November, Lexipol, a training organization used by thousands of public safety agencies in the U.S., reiterated its earlier move away from excited delirium, citing the California law and ACEPs retraction of the 2009 white paper. Lexipol now guides officers to rely on what they can observe, and not to guess at a persons mental status or medical condition, said Mike Ranalli, a lawyer and police trainer with the Texas-based group. If somebody appears to be in distress, just get the EMS, he said, referring to emergency medical services. Patrick Caceres, a senior investigator at the Bay Area Rapid Transits Office of the Independent Police Auditor, successfully pushed to remove excited delirium from the BART Police Departments policy manual after learning about Quintos death in 2020 and seeing the American Medical Associations rejection of it the following year. Caceres fears that rooting out the concept not just the term more broadly will take time in a country where law enforcement is spread across roughly 18,000 agencies governed by independent police chiefs or sheriffs. The kinds of training and the kinds of conversations that need to happen, were still a long way away from that, said Caceres. In Tacoma, Washington, where three police officers have been charged with the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, The Seattle Times reported that local first responders testified as recently as October that they still embrace the concept. But in Colorado, the states Peace Officer Standards and Training board ruled on Dec. 1 to drop excited delirium training for new law enforcement officers, KUSA-TV reported. And two Colorado lawmakers, Democratic state Reps. Judy Amabile and Leslie Herod, have drafted a bill for the 2024 legislative session banning excited delirium from other police and EMS training and prohibiting coroners from citing it as a cause of death. This idea that it gives you superhuman strength causes the police to think they should respond in a way that is often completely inappropriate for whats actually happening, Amabile said. It just seems obvious that we should stop doing that. She would like police to focus more on de-escalation tactics, and make sure 911 calls for people in mental health crisis are routed to behavioral health professionals who are part of crisis intervention teams. Taking Excited Delirium Out of the Equation As the Quinto family seeks justice in the death of the 30-year-old Navy veteran, they are hopeful the new refutations of excited delirium will bolster their wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Antioch. On the other side, defense lawyers have argued that jurors should hear testimony about the theory. On Oct. 26, the family cited both the new California law and the ACEP rebuke of the diagnosis when it asked a U.S. District Court judge in California to exclude witness testimony and evidence related to excited delirium, saying it cannot be accepted as a scientifically valid diagnosis having anything to do with Quintos death. A defense based on BS can succeed, family attorney Ben Nisenbaum said. It can succeed by giving jurors an excuse to give the cops a way out of this. Meanwhile, advocates are calling for a reexamination of autopsies of those who died in law enforcement custody, and families are fighting to change death certificates that blame excited delirium. The Maryland attorney generals office is conducting an audit of autopsies under the tenure of former chief medical examiner David Fowler, who has attributed various deaths to excited delirium. But thats just one state reviewing a subset of its in-custody deaths. The family of Alexander Rios, 28, reached a $4 million settlement with Richland County, Ohio, in 2021 after jail officers piled on Rios and shocked him until he turned blue and limp in September 2019. During a criminal trial against one of the officers that ended in a mistrial this November, the pathologist who helped conduct Rios autopsy testified that her supervisor pressured her to list excited delirium as the cause of death even though she didnt agree. Still, excited delirium remains his official cause of death. The county refused to update the record, so his relatives are suing to force a change to his official cause of death. A trial is set for May. Changing the death certificate will be a form of justice, but it wont undo the damage his death has caused, said Don Mould, Rios stepfather, who is now helping to raise one of Rios three children. Here is a kid thats life is upside down, he said. No one should go to jail and walk in and not be able to walk out. In some cases, death certificates may be hard to refile. Quintos family has asked a state judge to throw out the coroners findings about his 2020 death. But the California law, which takes effect in January and bans excited delirium on death certificates, cannot be applied retroactively, said Contra Costa County Counsel Thomas Geiger in a court filing. And, despite the 2023 disavowals by the main medical examiners and pathologists groups, excited delirium or a similar explanation could still show up on future autopsy reports outside California. No single group has authority over the thousands of individual medical examiners and coroners, some of whom work closely with law enforcement officials. The system for determining a cause of death is deeply disjointed and chronically underfunded. One of the unfortunate things, at least within forensic pathology, is that many things are very piecemeal, said Anna Tart, a member of the Forensic Pathology Committee of the College of American Pathologists. She said that CAP plans to educate members through conferences and webinars but wont discipline members who continue to use the term. Justin Feldman, principal research scientist with the Center for Policing Equity, said that medical examiners need even more pressure and oversight to ensure that they dont find other ways to attribute deaths caused by police restraint to something else. Only a minority of deaths in police custody now cite excited delirium, he said. Instead, many deaths are being blamed on stimulants, even though fatal cocaine or methamphetamine overdoses are rare in the absence of opioids. Yet advocates are hopeful that this year marks enough of a turning point that alternative terms will have less traction. The California law and ACEP decision take a huge piece of junk science out of the equation, said Julia Sherwin, a California civil rights attorney who co-authored the Physicians for Human Rights report. Sherwin is representing the family of Mario Gonzalez, who died in police custody in 2021, in a lawsuit against the city of Alameda, California. Excited delirium doesnt appear on Gonzalezs death certificate, but medical experts testifying for the officers who restrained him cited the theory in depositions. She said she plans to file a motion excluding the testimony about excited delirium in that upcoming case and similar motions in all the restraint-asphyxia cases she handles. And, in every case, lawyers around the country should be doing that, Sherwin said. Patient readers, Im afraid this is a bit of a directors cut because I became pressed temporally. Ill do some slight slashing and rearranging very shortly. lambert UPDATE All done! Follow the monarch on its dangerous 3,000-mile journey across the continent National Geographic Red wine headaches could be caused by this intriguing culprit, study finds Fox In 2024, the Tension Between Macroculture and Microculture Will Turn into War The Honest Broker #COVID19 China? Myanmar India Africa When economists shut off your water Africa is a Country The Great Arms Bazaar of the Nineteenth Century JStor Daily Dear Old Blighty New Not-So-Cold War Syraqistan Biden Administration 2024 Democrats en Deshabille Playbook: Senate staffer out after sex tape scandal Politico. The video, which Rodgers reports was shared in a group chat with gay men in politics, shows two men having sex in what appears to be Hart 216, the cavernous room that has played host to Supreme Court nominees, the 9/11 Commission hearings and former FBI Director James Comeys blockbuster 2017 testimony on Donald Trump. Spook Country Antitrust Digital Watch Obama Legacy The Obamas Rustin: Fun Tricks You Can Do on the Past Adolph Reed, Nonsite.org. Malicious presentism from The Wizard of Kalorama. Well worth a read. Health Care Large TB outbreak may affect 800 people who were incarcerated in Washington state KOMO (PI). United States. Supply Chain Our Famously Free Press Masha Gessens Hannah Arendt Prize has been canceled because of their essay on Gaza Literary Hub. Over this essay. Commentary: What Hannah Arendt said about the nation-state of Israel was far more damning than anything Gessen wrote. 1) Arendt from Jerusalem in 1955: "On top of that, they treat the Arabs, those still here, in a way that in itself would be enough to rally the whole world against Israel." pic.twitter.com/gkqM5XsAUY Samantha Rose Hill (@Samantharhill) December 14, 2023 Gessen comments: You'd think, with all the attention to the Arendt Prize debacle, I'd be inundated with media calls/texts. You'd be wrong. Not one German journalist has reached out for comment. One US journalist did. All reporting has happened with no input/reaction from me. Inaccuracies pile up masha gessen (@mashagessen) December 14, 2023 Zeitgeist Watch The language of emojis Michael Smith, Crying in the Wilderness Selling Citizenship New Left Review Imperial Collapse Watch The Self-Checkout Even the Haters Will Love WSJ. RFID chips. The frustrating thing about classic self-checkout is that it simply transfers the workload of paid employees to unpaid shoppers . It changes whos doing the labor, but it doesnt change the labor that has to be done. Ive helpfully underlined capitals business model in the United States for the last forty years. Totally in paradigm! Class Warfare Cracks in the strong labor market are starting to show Axios New King County milestone: One-quarter of residents born outside U.S. Seattle Times. An alert reader throws this over the transom: Anecdata confirms what I found when I was doing demographic work on Disproportionate Minority Contact with the justice system as a prosecutor in a top-20 U.S. jurisdiction. At that time I was also involved as an ally in the large local LGBTQ+ PAC. Circa 2011 I was seated with a then-police chief, who had been my friends college housemate. He complained to me bitterly that Obama was secretly coming to town 3-4 times a year to collect checks from Tech Titans seeking to certify more H-1b visas, especially Indians. The chief was getting heat because when Obama showed-up all his cops got pulled off their beats, but he couldnt tell the public why calls for service werent being answered. My demographic work confirmed that in a county of approx. 1.9 million, there were layered-on a quarter million H-1bs from India alone (PLUS China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russia, etc), while my Workers Comp Insurance investigations showed that a substantial portion of them had entered under clearly fraudulent certifications of need. Meanwhile 50-percent of U.S. STEM grads werent employed in their field of study 3 years out from graduation. Im convinced that there is a huge disconnect between the general population and the PMC political elite over immigration. Weve been building our house in an area where most construction workers are still white people but up here they show very little hostility toward Mexican immigrants, who they generally see as hard-working and willing to learn the trades. There is still a need for manual labor and the PMC obsession with training the native-born population to code has made this need more pressing than ever (I once picked a fight in a book-signing line with Joseph Stieglitz over his Let them eat training idiocy). However, Ive had a number of experiences where Ive seen well-to-do Indian and Chinese immigrants driving BMWs and Acuras behaving badly toward service providers who they transparently view as inferiors on the basis of caste or class. Also, I often fly between Seattle and California on what I jokingly call it Alaska Airlines Flight H-1b because its crowded with immigrant tech workers misbehaving due to their lack of cultural literacy and their evident sense of privilege (mainly not queueing, too much luggage in the overhead bins, not masking, not powering-down laptops, and bringing large take-out meals onto small airplanes and demanding that flight staff dispose of the trash). Just before I retired an Indian-immigrant Tech Titan was murdered by a gang after he had hired several Oakland prostitutes to act as concubines in his gated Monte Sereno (Silicon Valley) mansion. Bellevue WA (Microsoft) has a HUGE problem with high-end escorts and their pimps. A lot of my new furniture has been delivered by self-professed Ukrainians who are obviously ethnic-Russian draft-dodgers who got out when the war started. In both Seattle and California Ive watched as the white middle class, Hispanics, and Blacks were pushed-out of the housing market, also causing severe impacts on traffic and health care delivery. Its probably better land-use to turn a 3-4 bedroom single-family home into an informal apartment house, but nobody asked the generation of Americans who took a chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage for granted, however mistakenly. Its the same broken promises that followed the Civil Rights Act. This does seem to be driving middle-class voters away from the Democrats, although not necessarily into the arms of the Trumpers. It cant be emphasized enough that Hillary appears to have lost in 2016 because 9-10 million 2008 Obama voters didnt show-up for the election. US homelessness up 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and coronavirus pandemic aid lapses AP North Pole Elves Win Big with Escalating Strike Labor Notes If Scientists Were Angels The New Atlantis What Would It Mean to Treat Animals Fairly? The New Yorker What Are Farm Animals Thinking? Science Antidote du jour (via Expat2uruguay): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Tunisia has reactivated its collaboration as a border agent of the European Union. The decision of the North African country came after a clash at the beginning of the fall, when President Kais Saied declared a financial aid package of 127 million euros ($139 million) as laughable. The funds meant to be provided by the EU were tied to the pact to combat irregular migration, which was signed early in 2022 between Tunis and Brussels. Displeased, the head of state subsequently canceled an institutional visit by the European Commission. The disagreements with the EU also translated into less immigration control by the Tunisian Coast Guard. Despite the tensions over the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU which was signed in July and sponsored by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the Tunisian Coast Guard resumed its activities in October. At the same time, President Saied has since smoothed over differences with Brussels. The data shows that, by comparison, the Coast Guard had relaxed its operations in the summer, just when more people were taking to the sea. Over the last eight years, the Tunisian authorities used to intercept an average of 48% of all migrants leaving the countrys coasts. But in July when the Memorandum of Understanding between Saied and the EU was signed the figure was around only 15%. By August, interceptions fell even further, to just 4%. However, this past September, they rose again, to 21%. In October and November of 2023, almost 20,000 people arrived in Italy from Tunisian beaches. The migratory route between the North African country and Italy became the busiest in the Central Mediterranean for the first time. Of the more than 150,000 people who have crossed the Central Mediterranean in precarious boats since January, 62% left from the beaches of Tunisia, according to Frontex, the EU border agency. This past summer when all records were broken 87% left from Tunisia. The rest departed from Libya, which was previously the main route. The stoppage in the work by the Tunisian Coast Guard during the summer was the result of this, says Matteo Villa, senior researcher at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI). He has been analyzing the migration phenomenon between both countries for years. Tunisia has been very active in trying to prevent irregular departures. If you look at the data, usually around half of those [who leave from its shores] are returned, he says. However, in October, the percentages were reversed: Libya was, once again, the main point of origin. The Tunisian Coast Guard detained 82% of the more than 10,000 people who tried to undertake the journey. In November, they detained 54%. The reactivation coincided with plans announced in a letter from Von der Leyen to the European Council, in which she announced a project to launch a new anti-human trafficking partnership with Tunisia before the end of 2023, with the support of the Europol and Eurojust agencies. The document also mentioned that the EU had provided fuel to support anti-smuggling operations and that Tunisian officials had been brought to Frontex headquarters in mid-September for a familiarization visit. Additionally, the Tunisian police have adopted a more aggressive policy against traffickers, according to Romdhan Ben Amour, a migration researcher at the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES). Theyve applied a new policy of going after the barge-manufacturing workshops. The objective is to seal off the sea [to migrants]. President Saieds anger The agreement didnt get off to a good start. President Saied even returned 60 million euros ($66 million) transferred by the EU the surplus of a fund initially allocated to the fight against COVID-19. This decision was a protest against the delay in the delivery of 150 million euros ($164 million) from the agreement signed in July, which promises over $1 billion in aid in total to stop irregular immigration to Europe and to support the financial recovery of the North African country. Tunisia is going through a delicate economic situation, motivated, above all, by a high public deficit and a shortage of foreign currency. The September announcement from Brussels of an aid package worth 127 million euros ($139 million) led Saied to make a statement that he was opposed to receiving these funds, as he considered them to be a demeaning act of charity. Days later, the government of the North African country canceled the scheduled visit by the European Commissions delegation. A source familiar with the talks between Tunisia and the EU assures EL PAIS that Saieds administration will receive the 150 million euros ($164 million) before the end of the year, as was part of the commitment reached in the summer. According to Ben Amour, the decrease in border surveillance during tensions with the EU is reminiscent of the strategies that other third countries such as Turkey, Morocco or Libya have employed in the past to achieve certain agreements or favors in exchange for border control. You can see a relationship between the state of relations between Tunisia and the EU and the zeal of the Coast Guard, he notes. Francis Ghiles a senior researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) concurs with this assessment. Tunisians are using migration as a means of pressure. Morocco did it three years ago so that Spain would change its position on the Sahara. An internal Frontex report also mentions this marked decrease in the arrival of clandestine vessels registered since October, attributing it to the work of the Tunisian Coast Guard. The preventive activities of the Tunisian authorities have led to a considerable decrease in departures to Italy. Any relaxation of these measures would cause a strong rebound in the Tunisian migratory flow, the Frontex document reads. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson also agreed with this position, during a press conference at the end of November. For Francesco Pasetti a senior researcher in migration at CIDOB Saieds reaction was the result of arrogant and irresponsible European policies towards a sovereign state. The memorandum spoke of one billion euros, of which only 10% is dedicated to immigration control. 90% [of the funds are intended as] macroeconomic measures to heal the countrys economic situation, but so far, the only thing that has reached Tunisia is for immigration control. So, their position is understood when Saied says that theyre not the [security guards] of Europe. [The Tunisians] are expected to do whatever is a priority for Europe, while the situation in the country actually barely interests the EU. The agreement contemplates the granting of one billion euros in aid to the government in Tunis, although the transfer is linked to carrying out reforms promoted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is another element of discord with the EU, since Saied is reluctant to sign the loan agreement, due to a question over national sovereignty. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Biden: Israel LOSING SUPPORT across the globe due to indiscriminate bombing of Gaza U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a scathing rebuke against Israel, claiming that it is losing support across the globe due to its indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip. Biden issued this denouncement during a closed-door political fundraiser held in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 12. His rebuke came amid a rising civilian death toll in Gaza as members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) scour the Palestinian territory for Hamas members. Biden has also faced calls from the Democratic Party, which he is part of, to seek a ceasefire. "[Israel is] starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place," said the U.S. president. "I think [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move." Biden also acknowledged that Netanyahu has "a tough decision to make," given that his government is "the most conservative in Israel's history." This same government, Biden continued, is against a two-state solution. However, the U.S. president warned that the prospect of a Palestinian state is something Israel "can't say no" to. "We have an opportunity to begin to unite the region, and they still want to do it. But we have to make sure that Bibi [Netanyahu] understands that he's got to make some moves to strengthen [this idea of unity]. You cannot say 'No Palestinian state.' That's going to be the hard part." Biden's rebuke came hours after the Israeli leader flatly rejected Washington's plans for Palestine. Netanyahu ruled out any involvement for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) which controls the West Bank in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. wants to see the PNA, which is controlled by the Fatah party, take control of Gaza. "There is disagreement about 'the day after Hamas,' and I hope that we will reach (an) agreement here, as well," said Netanyahu. "After the great sacrifice of our civilians and our soldiers, I will not allow the entry into Gaza of those who educate for terrorism, support terrorism and finance terrorism. Gaza will be neither 'Hamastan' nor 'Fatahstan.'" Biden also sets his sights on Ben-Gvir Israel's bombing of Gaza serves as retaliation against Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. More than 1,200 were killed and more than 240 were abducted in that attack, but the death toll from Israel's bombings has exceeded that of the original. "Nearly 16,000 Palestinians have been killed and most of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced since the war began," the Associated Press wrote. (Related: Gaza media office: Israel has dropped 40,000 tons of bombs since October 7, dwarfing the size of the Hiroshima explosion.) "With little aid allowed into Gaza, Palestinians face severe food shortages along with a lack of water and other basic goods. Some worry that Palestinians will be forced out of the territory altogether." But hours after the closed-door fundraiser, Biden refrained from openly denouncing Netanyahu during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Nevertheless, the American leader said he had made it clear to Israel that "the safety of innocent Palestinians is still of great concern." "The actions theyre taking must be consistent with attempting to do everything possible to prevent innocent Palestinian civilians from being hurt, murdered, killed [and] lost. We're here to support Israel because they're an independent nation and the way in which Hamas treated Israel is beyond comparison." Biden specifically called out Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Otzma Yehudit party in the Knesset. Ben-Gvir vehemently opposes a two-state solution and has called for Israel to reassert control over all of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Both Hamas and the IDF responded to Biden's comments. "We know to explain exactly how we operate with precision, based on intelligence, even when we are operating on the ground," said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF's spokesman. "We know how to operate against the Hamas strongholds in such a way that best separates the uninvolved civilians from terrorism targets. Visit IsraelCollapse.com for more stories about the ongoing conflict in Israel. Watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stress the need to root out Hamas completely. This video is from the TestimonyOfTheTwoWitnesses.com channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: WAR CRIMES: Israels admission to bombing Jabalia refugee camp confirms Jewish state is also bombing hospitals, churches and residential buildings ON PURPOSE. Israel pushes deeper into Gaza, orders MASS EVACUATIONS that are impossible for civilians to follow without being bombed. Dr. Francis Boyle tells Mike Adams: Israel can get away with anything because it has the support of the U.S. gov't. MORE WAR: US Diplomats warned by State Dept. to avoid calling for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict. GENOCIDE by STARVATION: Israel's bombing operations have exhausted the food supply in Gaza. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk APNews.com Brighteon.com Owen Shroyer says Justice Department wants to make an example out of him with jail sentence Conservative journalist Owen Shroyer believes the Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to make an example out of him with his recent jail sentence. He expressed this belief during a Dec. 12 interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the inaugural interview on the latter's Tucker Carlson Network. Shroyer's appearance on the network came days after he was released from prison after being slapped a 60-day jail sentence over the Jan. 6, 2021 false-flag riot at the Capitol. According to the host of "War Room" on the InfoWars network, he believes someone high up at the DOJ wanted to make an example out of him that anybody who speaks out against the ills of the Biden administration could be put behind bars. "I'm afraid that my speech is going to wind me up in jail again," Shroyer told Carlson. "I do remember that every presidential election that Democrats have lost in the 20th century, they've questioned and they've denied. So it's odd that one side can do that, and the other cannot." According to Shroyer, federal prosecutors were pushing the notion that he was "behind the entire event" and instigating protesters to enter the Capitol. He cooperated with U.S. attorneys in a bid to disprove the accusations, only to find that he would still be serving jail time. "My attorney and my understanding was that they weren't [going to] press for jail time. That was the mutual understanding that we had there, and they tried to hit me with 120 days." (Related: DOJ prosecutors seek 120 days in prison for Owen Shroyer for speaking out against stolen 2020 election a speech crime.) "Perhaps someone higher at the DOJ, I might even believe that it's at the very top of the DOJ, maybe [Attorney General] Merrick Garland is the one that's trying to put me behind bars and make an example out of me." Shroyer also recounts harrowing experience in prison Shroyer also described his "harrowing time" at a federal prison in Louisiana where he served his sentence. "I can tell you the details of my stay: They're pretty much horrific," he told Carlson. "I spent the majority of the time in lockdown. I went right out of solitary confinement into what's called a special housing unit for a phone call I made thanking people for sending me mail." The InfoWars host pointed out that inmates and prison workers who had been there for decades "never say anybody get punished for [such an action] before." He continued: "Nobody's ever heard of a misdemeanor in a federal prison, until me. Nobody's ever heard of somebody going to the special housing unit for making a phone call thanking people for mail, until me. I got sent to prison as a speech prisoner, and then I got sent to the prison inside the prison for my speech." Shroyer also disclosed some off-the-record conversations he had with some prison staff. He noted that despite corrections officers themselves disagreeing with his punishment, "these orders are coming from the very top." The InfoWars host lamented: "I don't know why they [want to] make an example of me so much except that I just speak the truth and say it right to their face if I'm given the opportunity." Despite this horrific experience, Shroyer believes there is an underlying reason why God allowed him to experience the ordeal. "I think God wanted me to experience this for multiple reasons," he told Carlson. "I'm a big believer in God, and I think everything that happens in our life is for a reason. I believe God wanted me to go through this experience." Shroyer ultimately remarked that the persecution he faced for allegedly committing a "speech crime" could potentially become "a precedent that could be used against any journalist." Such a prospect puts fear in Shroyer's heart "not just for [him] in the present day, but in the future for many Americans that they have to be afraid to speak." Visit Censorship.news for more stories about conservative personalities being censored by the government. Watch Owen Shroyer recount his horrific time in federal prison to Tucker Carlson below. This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Infowars host Owen Shroyer pleads guilty to "role in January 6 riot" statement of offense details complete absence of criminal conduct. Infowars' Owen Shroyer makes appeal for financial support after bogus charges by FBI over Jan. 6 false flag Talk show host Owen Shroyer faces JAIL TIME for "rhetoric" he uttered about stolen 2020 election. Shroyer: Americans now live in a time when speech crimes and thought crimes are PUNISHABLE. Owen Shroyer: Steve Bannon's prison sentence is a political persecution, a total sham. Sources include: YourNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com Brighteon.com By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Hundreds of students of the Jamia Millia Islamia University on Saturday assembled in the campus to commemorate the police violence against students protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act and other discriminatory citizenship policies on the same day in 2019. The dates December 15 and December 16, 2019 hold historical significance for Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim Universities. That is when both campuses had witnessed police violence, with students enduring brutal attacks by the police machinery, resulting in many students getting injured. During the gathering at Jamia Millia Islamias gate number 7, students recounted the ordeal of police action and the crackdown on students.Posters carried by the students conveyed a message: You can bring tears to our eyes, not fear to our hearts. Student groups including Fraternity Movement, AISA, AIRSO, MSF, DISSC, SFI, SFD, NSU(I), AISF, CRJD, MSU, GIO and SIO, organized the protest and the student leaders from these groups addressed the gathering. We will never forget police atrocity; Sab yaad rakha jayega..; Black day in the history of Jamia, CRJD demands release of all CAA-NRC protestors read some of the posters held by the students. Amid the protest, students also vocalized support for Palestine through slogans. ALSO READ | Book on anti-CAA protests by Jamia alumnus Following the rallys conclusion at gate number 7, where students displayed placards against CAA NRC and the university attack, the participants peacefully dispersed. SFI unit of Jamia posted on X, Today marks 4 years to the day when Delhi police unleashed their brutality on the students of Jamia. SFI JMI remembers the brave students of Jamia who stood strong as the symbol of resistance against CAA NRC in the country. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Hundreds of students of the Jamia Millia Islamia University on Saturday assembled in the campus to commemorate the police violence against students protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act and other discriminatory citizenship policies on the same day in 2019. The dates December 15 and December 16, 2019 hold historical significance for Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim Universities. That is when both campuses had witnessed police violence, with students enduring brutal attacks by the police machinery, resulting in many students getting injured. During the gathering at Jamia Millia Islamias gate number 7, students recounted the ordeal of police action and the crackdown on students.Posters carried by the students conveyed a message: You can bring tears to our eyes, not fear to our hearts.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Student groups including Fraternity Movement, AISA, AIRSO, MSF, DISSC, SFI, SFD, NSU(I), AISF, CRJD, MSU, GIO and SIO, organized the protest and the student leaders from these groups addressed the gathering. We will never forget police atrocity; Sab yaad rakha jayega..; Black day in the history of Jamia, CRJD demands release of all CAA-NRC protestors read some of the posters held by the students. Amid the protest, students also vocalized support for Palestine through slogans. ALSO READ | Book on anti-CAA protests by Jamia alumnus Following the rallys conclusion at gate number 7, where students displayed placards against CAA NRC and the university attack, the participants peacefully dispersed. SFI unit of Jamia posted on X, Today marks 4 years to the day when Delhi police unleashed their brutality on the students of Jamia. SFI JMI remembers the brave students of Jamia who stood strong as the symbol of resistance against CAA NRC in the country. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: One of the talking points from the landmark Supreme Court verdict that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), was a recommendation to set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to heal the wounds of insurgency. The proposal came from Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul who hails from J&K and was part of the five-member Constitution bench that gave a unanimous judgment on the matter. The impartial panel, he said, must be tasked with probing and reporting on human rights violations by both state and non-state actors in J&K since the late 1980s. Justice Kaul acknowledged that recommending the TRC was beyond the realm of the court, hence he brought it up in the epilogue. "I am of the view that transitional justice, and its constituents, are facets of transformative constitutionalism. Globally, constitutionalism has evolved to encompass the responsibility of both state and non-state actors with respect to human rights violations. This includes the duty to take reasonable steps to carry out investigations of violations. It is in this context that the proposed truth and reconciliation commission accords with constitutionalism," he reasoned. The judge said J&Ks residents suffered heavily when insurgency was at its peak, adding during his travels he observed the consequences of intergenerational trauma on an already fractured society. Truth-telling, he said, would provide an opportunity for the victims to narrate their stories. And acknowledgement by the perpetrators would pave the way for reconciliation. While he said the wounds need healing, there is apprehension in J&K that the proceeding before the TRC could also end up aggravating the situation and result in opening a Pandora's box. It could also set off demands for similar commissions in, say, Punjab, the Northeast and Naxal-hit areas, say analysts. Quantifying the forced migration So, how many people were affected by the insurgency? Government records show that at least 45,000 people, including militants, civilians and security personnel, were slain in J&K ever since the outbreak of militancy in 1989. The Union Home Ministry's data claims that 64,827 families of Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and Muslims migrated out of Kashmir to Jammu, Delhi and elsewhere after militancy erupted. As per the records of the Relief and Migrant Commissioner in J&K, there are 43,618 registered Kashmiri migrant families in Jammu as of now. Besides, 19,338 families are settled in Delhi and the National Capital Region while 1,995 other families live elsewhere in the country. Civil society and human rights groups allege that 8,000-10,000 youth disappeared from Kashmir after the outbreak of militancy and their fate is still unknown. What lit the militancy spark Two bomb blasts in Srinagar on July 31, 1988, are widely seen as the starting point of insurgency in the Valley though there was simmering tension since the beginning of the decade. Triggered by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), the blasts coincided with the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. The explosions also came at a time when there was popular discontent against the ruling Congress-National Conference alliance as there were widespread allegations of assembly poll rigging in 1987. A year later on December 8, Dr Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was kidnapped by terrorists for ransom - the release of five JKLF detenues. The government succumbed and released five incarcerated militants in exchange for her freedom. It was a game-changer moment for militancy in Srinagar which was controlled by Pakistan's deep state. Terrorism hit the stratosphere. A parallel political muddle made the Valley fully fertile for insurgency. Horrific mass murder of Kashmiri Pandits by terrorists followed, resulting in their exodus. Back to the TRC, Justice Kaul said, it "should be set up expediently, before memory escapes. The exercise should be time-bound. There is already an entire generation of youth that has grown up with feelings of distrust and it is to them that we owe the greatest duty of reparation. However, given its sensitivities, he left it to the government to devise the manner in which the TRC should be set up and determine the best way forward. TRC not a new idea The demand for setting up a TRC is not new. "In the past, calls for setting up a truth and reconciliation commission have also been echoed by different sections of the Valley," says Justice Kaul. For example, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah made TRC part of his party's election manifesto in the 2008 Assembly polls. Omar wanted it to be on the lines of the one set up in South Africas post-apartheid era. After wresting power and becoming the chief minister in 2009, Omar told the legislative assembly in March 2011 that the time for the TRC had arrived. He also flagged the idea at a National Integration Council meeting in Delhi the same year. Omar wanted the TRC to have a big Indo-Pak sweep. He suggested that the panel be set up on both sides of the Line of Control as a confidence-building measure so that all aspects of militancy like its origin, impact on people, issues of disappearance and migration are fully probed and addressed for reconciliation and healing. He suggested that the panel be headed by an impartial individual who does not have anything to do with J&K's politics. "The panel would be the only way a son will get answers as to how and why his father disappeared. A Kashmiri Pandit will know why he was forced out of the Valley, and families of the slain workers of the National Conference, Congress, PDP and BJP will get answers as to who targeted them," Omar reasoned. Yet, he failed to build consensus among all stakeholders to constitute the TRC. National Conference spokesman and Omars close aide Tanvir Sadiq told this newspaper that his party endorses Justice Kaul's view. In contrast, the PDP was traditionally opposed to it, arguing as it did that cut-paste solutions from South Africa would not work in J&K. It instead demanded a justice and reconciliation panel. Pandora's box Sanjay Tickoo, president of the influential Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) said the TRC is the need of the hour. People across the religious spectrum want justice. Justice Kaul put the ball in the Centres court without specifying any timeframe for forming the TRC, he said, adding political parties, civil society groups and NGOs should pressure the Union home ministry to set it up as soon as possible. He, however, was apprehensive that the TRC could end up opening a Pandora's box. They are not going to punish the security forces. Most of the personnel have anyway retired and some even passed away. The TRC could end up opening the wounds and validating allegations of human rights abuses. Though I want the TRC formed, I think it is unlikely in the present situation, he said. A political analyst said TRCs have proven to be very effective in creating favourable conditions for reconciliation between erstwhile warring parties. True reconciliation will help in moral empowerment. It will also hasten conflict resolution and end the bitterness among the communities and parties here, he said. Ghulam Hassan Mir, former minister and senior vice president of the J&K Apni Party, welcomed the TRC idea. Fact-finding is very important. How militancy erupted in Kashmir must be probed. If the TRC is set up and it does its job fairly, it will help in presenting history in the right perspective, he said. However, retired Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju believes that the Kashmiri Pandits, who were hounded out of Kashmir, will never forget or forgive, and there is no question of their returning to Kashmir. "As regards Kashmiri Muslims, how can they forget and forgive the killing of thousands of their kith and kin (many totally innocent) by security forces?" he said. "Therefore, with great respect to Justice Kaul, whom I hold in very high regard, his proposal is unfeasible and unrealistic," Katju added. Senior J&K Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga said the TRC should have been set up a long time ago. "If it is formed, we will welcome it. Investigations should not be confined to a particular community but held across the board." As for the BJP, it welcomed the proposal. "All systems had failed in J&K after the eruption of militancy in 1989. Now that peace has been restored, it is a good step to find out what had happened. Let the truth come out. It will be a confidence-building measure," said BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi. Note of caution "As a word of caution, the Commission, once constituted, should not turn into a criminal court and must instead follow a humanized and personalized process enabling people to share what they have been through uninhibitedly. It should be based on dialogue, allowing for different viewpoints and inputs from all sides," Justice Kaul said. Taking a leaf out of South Africas book, the principles of ubuntu, or the art of humanity, and inclusiveness should be central to the process, he added, so as to facilitate a reparative approach. Whatever has been, has been but the future is ours to see," he signed off. 370 verdict: Jhatka or halal? Sovereignty question The majority judgment said J&K did not retain any element of sovereignty after the execution of the instrument of accession and the issuance of the proclamation dated 25 November 1949 by which the Constitution of India was adopted. J&K does not have internal sovereignty which is distinguishable from the powers and privileges enjoyed by other states in the country. Article 370 was a feature of asymmetric federalism and not sovereignty. However, Justice Kaul said it did retain a bit of sovereignty Parliaments powers under Art 356 The power of Parliament under Article 356(1)(b) to exercise the powers of the legislature of the state cannot be restricted to law-making power thereby excluding the non-law-making power of the legislature. Such an interpretation would amount to reading in a limitation into the provision contrary to the text of the Article 370 temporary The historical context for the inclusion of Article 370 and the placement of Article 370 in Part XXI of the Constitution of India shows that it is a temporary provision Scope of Article 370(3) The power under Article 370(3) did not cease to exist upon the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of J&K. When the Constituent Assembly was dissolved, only the transitional power recognised in the proviso to Article 370(3) which empowered the Constituent Assembly to make its recommendations ceased to exist. It did not affect the power held by the President under Article 370(3) Workaround to annul 370 void Article 370 cannot be amended by exercise of power under Article 370(1)(d). Recourse must have been taken to the procedure contemplated by Article 370(3) if Article 370 is to cease to operate or is to be amended or modified in its application to J&K. Paragraph 2 of Constitution Order 272 by which Article 370 was amended through Article 367 is ultra vires Article 370(1)(d) because it modifies Article 370, in effect, without following the procedure prescribed to modify the Article. An interpretation clause cannot be used to bypass the procedure laid down for amendment Bhasmasura clause in 370(3) The President had the power to issue a notification declaring that Article 370(3) ceases to operate without the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly. The continuous exercise of power under Article 370(1) by the President indicates that the gradual process of constitutional integration was ongoing. The declaration issued by the President under Article 370(3) is a culmination of the process of integration and as such is a valid exercise of power. Thus, Constitution Order 273 is valid Statehood, polls The Solicitor General stated that J&Ks statehood will be restored soon (except for the carving out of the Union Territory of Ladakh). So, no need to determine whether the reorganisation of J&K into two Union Territories of Ladakh and J&K is permissible under Article 3. However, carving out Ladakh UT is legitimate in view of Article 3(a) read with Explanation I. The bench directed the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the J&K Assembly by 30 September 2024. Restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp SRINAGAR: One of the talking points from the landmark Supreme Court verdict that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), was a recommendation to set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to heal the wounds of insurgency. The proposal came from Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul who hails from J&K and was part of the five-member Constitution bench that gave a unanimous judgment on the matter. The impartial panel, he said, must be tasked with probing and reporting on human rights violations by both state and non-state actors in J&K since the late 1980s. Justice Kaul acknowledged that recommending the TRC was beyond the realm of the court, hence he brought it up in the epilogue. "I am of the view that transitional justice, and its constituents, are facets of transformative constitutionalism. Globally, constitutionalism has evolved to encompass the responsibility of both state and non-state actors with respect to human rights violations. This includes the duty to take reasonable steps to carry out investigations of violations. It is in this context that the proposed truth and reconciliation commission accords with constitutionalism," he reasoned.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The judge said J&Ks residents suffered heavily when insurgency was at its peak, adding during his travels he observed the consequences of intergenerational trauma on an already fractured society. Truth-telling, he said, would provide an opportunity for the victims to narrate their stories. And acknowledgement by the perpetrators would pave the way for reconciliation. While he said the wounds need healing, there is apprehension in J&K that the proceeding before the TRC could also end up aggravating the situation and result in opening a Pandora's box. It could also set off demands for similar commissions in, say, Punjab, the Northeast and Naxal-hit areas, say analysts. Quantifying the forced migration So, how many people were affected by the insurgency? Government records show that at least 45,000 people, including militants, civilians and security personnel, were slain in J&K ever since the outbreak of militancy in 1989. The Union Home Ministry's data claims that 64,827 families of Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and Muslims migrated out of Kashmir to Jammu, Delhi and elsewhere after militancy erupted. As per the records of the Relief and Migrant Commissioner in J&K, there are 43,618 registered Kashmiri migrant families in Jammu as of now. Besides, 19,338 families are settled in Delhi and the National Capital Region while 1,995 other families live elsewhere in the country. Civil society and human rights groups allege that 8,000-10,000 youth disappeared from Kashmir after the outbreak of militancy and their fate is still unknown. What lit the militancy spark Two bomb blasts in Srinagar on July 31, 1988, are widely seen as the starting point of insurgency in the Valley though there was simmering tension since the beginning of the decade. Triggered by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), the blasts coincided with the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. The explosions also came at a time when there was popular discontent against the ruling Congress-National Conference alliance as there were widespread allegations of assembly poll rigging in 1987. A year later on December 8, Dr Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was kidnapped by terrorists for ransom - the release of five JKLF detenues. The government succumbed and released five incarcerated militants in exchange for her freedom. It was a game-changer moment for militancy in Srinagar which was controlled by Pakistan's deep state. Terrorism hit the stratosphere. A parallel political muddle made the Valley fully fertile for insurgency. Horrific mass murder of Kashmiri Pandits by terrorists followed, resulting in their exodus. Back to the TRC, Justice Kaul said, it "should be set up expediently, before memory escapes. The exercise should be time-bound. There is already an entire generation of youth that has grown up with feelings of distrust and it is to them that we owe the greatest duty of reparation. However, given its sensitivities, he left it to the government to devise the manner in which the TRC should be set up and determine the best way forward. TRC not a new idea The demand for setting up a TRC is not new. "In the past, calls for setting up a truth and reconciliation commission have also been echoed by different sections of the Valley," says Justice Kaul. For example, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah made TRC part of his party's election manifesto in the 2008 Assembly polls. Omar wanted it to be on the lines of the one set up in South Africas post-apartheid era. After wresting power and becoming the chief minister in 2009, Omar told the legislative assembly in March 2011 that the time for the TRC had arrived. He also flagged the idea at a National Integration Council meeting in Delhi the same year. Omar wanted the TRC to have a big Indo-Pak sweep. He suggested that the panel be set up on both sides of the Line of Control as a confidence-building measure so that all aspects of militancy like its origin, impact on people, issues of disappearance and migration are fully probed and addressed for reconciliation and healing. He suggested that the panel be headed by an impartial individual who does not have anything to do with J&K's politics. "The panel would be the only way a son will get answers as to how and why his father disappeared. A Kashmiri Pandit will know why he was forced out of the Valley, and families of the slain workers of the National Conference, Congress, PDP and BJP will get answers as to who targeted them," Omar reasoned. Yet, he failed to build consensus among all stakeholders to constitute the TRC. National Conference spokesman and Omars close aide Tanvir Sadiq told this newspaper that his party endorses Justice Kaul's view. In contrast, the PDP was traditionally opposed to it, arguing as it did that cut-paste solutions from South Africa would not work in J&K. It instead demanded a justice and reconciliation panel. Pandora's box Sanjay Tickoo, president of the influential Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) said the TRC is the need of the hour. People across the religious spectrum want justice. Justice Kaul put the ball in the Centres court without specifying any timeframe for forming the TRC, he said, adding political parties, civil society groups and NGOs should pressure the Union home ministry to set it up as soon as possible. He, however, was apprehensive that the TRC could end up opening a Pandora's box. They are not going to punish the security forces. Most of the personnel have anyway retired and some even passed away. The TRC could end up opening the wounds and validating allegations of human rights abuses. Though I want the TRC formed, I think it is unlikely in the present situation, he said. A political analyst said TRCs have proven to be very effective in creating favourable conditions for reconciliation between erstwhile warring parties. True reconciliation will help in moral empowerment. It will also hasten conflict resolution and end the bitterness among the communities and parties here, he said. Ghulam Hassan Mir, former minister and senior vice president of the J&K Apni Party, welcomed the TRC idea. Fact-finding is very important. How militancy erupted in Kashmir must be probed. If the TRC is set up and it does its job fairly, it will help in presenting history in the right perspective, he said. However, retired Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju believes that the Kashmiri Pandits, who were hounded out of Kashmir, will never forget or forgive, and there is no question of their returning to Kashmir. "As regards Kashmiri Muslims, how can they forget and forgive the killing of thousands of their kith and kin (many totally innocent) by security forces?" he said. "Therefore, with great respect to Justice Kaul, whom I hold in very high regard, his proposal is unfeasible and unrealistic," Katju added. Senior J&K Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga said the TRC should have been set up a long time ago. "If it is formed, we will welcome it. Investigations should not be confined to a particular community but held across the board." As for the BJP, it welcomed the proposal. "All systems had failed in J&K after the eruption of militancy in 1989. Now that peace has been restored, it is a good step to find out what had happened. Let the truth come out. It will be a confidence-building measure," said BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi. Note of caution "As a word of caution, the Commission, once constituted, should not turn into a criminal court and must instead follow a humanized and personalized process enabling people to share what they have been through uninhibitedly. It should be based on dialogue, allowing for different viewpoints and inputs from all sides," Justice Kaul said. Taking a leaf out of South Africas book, the principles of ubuntu, or the art of humanity, and inclusiveness should be central to the process, he added, so as to facilitate a reparative approach. Whatever has been, has been but the future is ours to see," he signed off. 370 verdict: Jhatka or halal? Sovereignty question The majority judgment said J&K did not retain any element of sovereignty after the execution of the instrument of accession and the issuance of the proclamation dated 25 November 1949 by which the Constitution of India was adopted. J&K does not have internal sovereignty which is distinguishable from the powers and privileges enjoyed by other states in the country. Article 370 was a feature of asymmetric federalism and not sovereignty. However, Justice Kaul said it did retain a bit of sovereignty Parliaments powers under Art 356 The power of Parliament under Article 356(1)(b) to exercise the powers of the legislature of the state cannot be restricted to law-making power thereby excluding the non-law-making power of the legislature. Such an interpretation would amount to reading in a limitation into the provision contrary to the text of the Article 370 temporary The historical context for the inclusion of Article 370 and the placement of Article 370 in Part XXI of the Constitution of India shows that it is a temporary provision Scope of Article 370(3) The power under Article 370(3) did not cease to exist upon the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly of J&K. When the Constituent Assembly was dissolved, only the transitional power recognised in the proviso to Article 370(3) which empowered the Constituent Assembly to make its recommendations ceased to exist. It did not affect the power held by the President under Article 370(3) Workaround to annul 370 void Article 370 cannot be amended by exercise of power under Article 370(1)(d). Recourse must have been taken to the procedure contemplated by Article 370(3) if Article 370 is to cease to operate or is to be amended or modified in its application to J&K. Paragraph 2 of Constitution Order 272 by which Article 370 was amended through Article 367 is ultra vires Article 370(1)(d) because it modifies Article 370, in effect, without following the procedure prescribed to modify the Article. An interpretation clause cannot be used to bypass the procedure laid down for amendment Bhasmasura clause in 370(3) The President had the power to issue a notification declaring that Article 370(3) ceases to operate without the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly. The continuous exercise of power under Article 370(1) by the President indicates that the gradual process of constitutional integration was ongoing. The declaration issued by the President under Article 370(3) is a culmination of the process of integration and as such is a valid exercise of power. Thus, Constitution Order 273 is valid Statehood, polls The Solicitor General stated that J&Ks statehood will be restored soon (except for the carving out of the Union Territory of Ladakh). So, no need to determine whether the reorganisation of J&K into two Union Territories of Ladakh and J&K is permissible under Article 3. However, carving out Ladakh UT is legitimate in view of Article 3(a) read with Explanation I. The bench directed the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the J&K Assembly by 30 September 2024. Restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, December 17. Some of Israels closest European allies pressed for a ceasefire in the war with Hamas on Sunday, underscoring growing international unease with the devastating impact of the conflict on Gazas civilian population. The concerted push by top European diplomats comes ahead of a visit to Israel on Monday by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is also expected to put pressure on Israeli leaders to end the wars most intense phase and transit to a more targeted strategy against Hamas. Western allies of Israel have increasingly expressed concern with civilian casualties and the mass displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population though the U.S. has continued to provide vital military and diplomatic support to its close ally. In a joint article in the Sunday Times, a British weekly, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a ceasefire and said too many civilians have been killed. The Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, they said. They said the cease-fire should take place as soon as possible, but also said it must be sustainable. At a news conference with her Israeli counterpart in Tel Aviv on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also pushed for a ceasefire. An immediate truce is necessary, allowing progress to be made toward a cease-fire to obtain the release of the hostages, to allow access and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population of Gaza, and in fact to move toward a humanitarian cease-fire and the beginning of a political solution, she said. Britain has previously called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict but stopped short of urging an immediate ceasefire. It abstained last week when the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for a ceasefire. France and Germany both supported the call for a ceasefire at the U.N., and French President Emmanuel Macron said at the beginning of November that Israel couldnt fight terrorism by killing innocent people. The increase in diplomatic pressure comes as domestic calls are also likely to grow for renewed negotiations with Hamas, following the accidental killing of three Israeli hostages by the military on Friday. The air and ground war has flattened vast swaths of northern Gaza and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets in all parts of Gaza. It has vowed to continue operations until it dismantles Hamas, which triggered the war with its October 7 attack into southern Israel, in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel has also vowed to return the estimated 129 hostages still held in Gaza. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Anuraag Singh By Express News Service MADHYA PRADESH: For decades, the male kotwars (watchmen) have watched over their villages and duly informed them about crimes to the police. In the villages of western Madhya Pradeshs Jhabua district, however, it is the women who have assumed this role. Meet Vasudha Didis an army of women informants, who are on a mission to alert the police about crimes against women, girls and children in their villages, just like the gram kotwars have been serving as trusted police informants. As many as 470 out of the around 700 villages in Jhabua, which borders Gujarat, now have fearless and active women donning the role. Each of the Vasudha Didis keeps a tab on crimes committed against women and children. This includes wrongs stemming out of social evils, such as branding women as witches, the evil of Dahej Dhapa (dowry), child marriages, the superstitious practice of Dagna (branding ailing infants with hot objects out of a false belief that it will cure them) and sale and consumption of illegal liquor. These crimes are particularly rampant in tribal areas of the state. Under this first-of-its-kind Vasudha Abhiyan, the Vasudha Didis have also been trained to alert the police machinery about the abduction of children and female foeticide, besides informing about any natural or manmade emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, epidemics or exigencies like snake bites or electrocution, said Jhabua district police superintendent Agam Jain. While the entire idea was mooted in September this year, and implemented only last month, after the assembly elections, it has already been put into practice in 470 villages. In the last one month alone, we have had around 15 specific and reliable inputs from Vasudha Didis about illegal sale of liquor, physical assault on vulnerable people and domestic violence on women by close family members. In the past, such information either never reached us or came many days after the actual date of occurrence. Now the nearest police outposts are alerted on time. This is helping us to act on these matters and prevent them from snowballing into major law and order issues, Jain added. Interestingly, the entire idea was mooted in September during a sort of chai par charcha between the SP-Jhabua and prominent citizens of the district, including a senior journalist, Chandrabhan Singh Bhadauria, who suggested training women on the lines of male village kotwars. We began the entire exercise with selection of women, who were voluntarily willing to become trusted police informants. Education was never a bar. All we wanted was that the Vasudha Didis should be active, fearless and cell phone-friendly, with good networking across their respective villages, Jain said. The selection of Vasudha Didis was followed by their training, which was largely undertaken by female cops from various police facilities including from district police headquarters to the nearest police outpost. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp MADHYA PRADESH: For decades, the male kotwars (watchmen) have watched over their villages and duly informed them about crimes to the police. In the villages of western Madhya Pradeshs Jhabua district, however, it is the women who have assumed this role. Meet Vasudha Didis an army of women informants, who are on a mission to alert the police about crimes against women, girls and children in their villages, just like the gram kotwars have been serving as trusted police informants. As many as 470 out of the around 700 villages in Jhabua, which borders Gujarat, now have fearless and active women donning the role. Each of the Vasudha Didis keeps a tab on crimes committed against women and children.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This includes wrongs stemming out of social evils, such as branding women as witches, the evil of Dahej Dhapa (dowry), child marriages, the superstitious practice of Dagna (branding ailing infants with hot objects out of a false belief that it will cure them) and sale and consumption of illegal liquor. These crimes are particularly rampant in tribal areas of the state. Under this first-of-its-kind Vasudha Abhiyan, the Vasudha Didis have also been trained to alert the police machinery about the abduction of children and female foeticide, besides informing about any natural or manmade emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, epidemics or exigencies like snake bites or electrocution, said Jhabua district police superintendent Agam Jain. While the entire idea was mooted in September this year, and implemented only last month, after the assembly elections, it has already been put into practice in 470 villages. In the last one month alone, we have had around 15 specific and reliable inputs from Vasudha Didis about illegal sale of liquor, physical assault on vulnerable people and domestic violence on women by close family members. In the past, such information either never reached us or came many days after the actual date of occurrence. Now the nearest police outposts are alerted on time. This is helping us to act on these matters and prevent them from snowballing into major law and order issues, Jain added. Interestingly, the entire idea was mooted in September during a sort of chai par charcha between the SP-Jhabua and prominent citizens of the district, including a senior journalist, Chandrabhan Singh Bhadauria, who suggested training women on the lines of male village kotwars. We began the entire exercise with selection of women, who were voluntarily willing to become trusted police informants. Education was never a bar. All we wanted was that the Vasudha Didis should be active, fearless and cell phone-friendly, with good networking across their respective villages, Jain said. The selection of Vasudha Didis was followed by their training, which was largely undertaken by female cops from various police facilities including from district police headquarters to the nearest police outpost. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress has called a meeting of its working committee on December 21 to deliberate on the strategy for the 2024 general election and chalk out a plan to hit the ground running for its poll campaign to take on the BJP, sources said. The meeting, which will take place at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, would come two days after the INDIA bloc meeting on December 19 and seat sharing and campaign is likely to be top of the agenda, they said. The meeting is also likely to discuss the possibility of a yatra that Rahul Gandhi could undertake before the 2024 polls with unemployment and price rise as its main planks. An east-to-west yatra in hybrid mode, including on-foot, is being mulled by the party and a final decision is expected to be taken soon, the sources said. ALSO READ | Opposition may rethink 2024 strategy after BJP's Hindi heartland dominance Ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting, the 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held at 3 pm on December 19 in New Delhi. Evolving a "core positive agenda", seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc that will be taken up at its next meeting. 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, a senior leader of the Congress said. The CWC meeting will also analyse the recent assembly poll results in which it was defeated in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan while winning and forming the government in Telangana. The party also lost the polls in Mizoram. It would deliberate on the reasons for the defeat and the way forward for the 2024 polls. OPINION | Congress' prospects in 2024 Between slim and none Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The Congress has called a meeting of its working committee on December 21 to deliberate on the strategy for the 2024 general election and chalk out a plan to hit the ground running for its poll campaign to take on the BJP, sources said. The meeting, which will take place at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, would come two days after the INDIA bloc meeting on December 19 and seat sharing and campaign is likely to be top of the agenda, they said. The meeting is also likely to discuss the possibility of a yatra that Rahul Gandhi could undertake before the 2024 polls with unemployment and price rise as its main planks. An east-to-west yatra in hybrid mode, including on-foot, is being mulled by the party and a final decision is expected to be taken soon, the sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Opposition may rethink 2024 strategy after BJP's Hindi heartland dominance Ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting, the 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held at 3 pm on December 19 in New Delhi. Evolving a "core positive agenda", seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc that will be taken up at its next meeting. 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, a senior leader of the Congress said. The CWC meeting will also analyse the recent assembly poll results in which it was defeated in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan while winning and forming the government in Telangana. The party also lost the polls in Mizoram. It would deliberate on the reasons for the defeat and the way forward for the 2024 polls. OPINION | Congress' prospects in 2024 Between slim and none Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI RAIPUR: A sub-inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was killed and a constable injured in an encounter between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Sunday, police said. The incident took place on Sunday morning under the Jagargunda police station area when a team of the CRPF's 165th battalion was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a police official said. The operation was launched at around 7 am from Bedre camp towards Ursangal village, he said. During the operation, an exchange of fire broke out in which sub-inspector Sudhakar Reddy was killed and constable Ramu sustained bullet injuries, he said. After the exchange of fire stopped, four suspects were rounded up from the spot, he said, adding a joint team of security personnel was carrying out a search in the area. The injured constable was being shifted to hospital for treatment, the official said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp RAIPUR: A sub-inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was killed and a constable injured in an encounter between security personnel and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Sunday, police said. The incident took place on Sunday morning under the Jagargunda police station area when a team of the CRPF's 165th battalion was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a police official said. The operation was launched at around 7 am from Bedre camp towards Ursangal village, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); During the operation, an exchange of fire broke out in which sub-inspector Sudhakar Reddy was killed and constable Ramu sustained bullet injuries, he said. After the exchange of fire stopped, four suspects were rounded up from the spot, he said, adding a joint team of security personnel was carrying out a search in the area. The injured constable was being shifted to hospital for treatment, the official said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: Tension has gripped Bihar's Gopalganj district following the gruesome killing of a 32-year-old priest late on Saturday. Agitated over the incident, residents vandalized police vehicles, pelted stones, put up road blockades, and indulged in arson. The deceased Manoj Kumar had gone missing for the last five days. He was last seen at the Shiva temple at Danapur village under the Majha police station area in the district. On Saturday evening, his body was recovered from a bush near Sri Rampur Bazar. His eyes were gouged out and his private parts were badly damaged. Manoj's brother Ashok Kumar, a local BJP leader, said, We had lodged a complaint with the police after Manoj went missing on Monday. Police launched a search operation but nothing happened. Late last evening, his body was recovered from a bush, leaving everybody shocked. As the news about the recovery of the dead body of the priest spread, residents gathered there and raised slogans against police and district administration. A police vehicle was set on fire and police personnel were pelted with stones. Two policemen suffered injuries in stone pelting. A section of protestors also put up a road blockade by placing the dead body on National Highway 27, leading to a heavy traffic jam. The protestors were demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The traffic was restored after the intervention of a senior police officer on Sunday. Pranjal Kumar, a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Gopalganj, said that a special team has been set up to identify the culprits and ensure their arrest at the earliest. The situation at the village is tense but under control. Additional security forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident, he added. What is baffling the investigating officials is that the deceased's eyes were gouged out and his private parts badly damaged, which gave indications of the extent of the ferocity of the killers. The deceased worked as a priest as well as caretaker of the Shiva temple at the village, SDPO said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp PATNA: Tension has gripped Bihar's Gopalganj district following the gruesome killing of a 32-year-old priest late on Saturday. Agitated over the incident, residents vandalized police vehicles, pelted stones, put up road blockades, and indulged in arson. The deceased Manoj Kumar had gone missing for the last five days. He was last seen at the Shiva temple at Danapur village under the Majha police station area in the district.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On Saturday evening, his body was recovered from a bush near Sri Rampur Bazar. His eyes were gouged out and his private parts were badly damaged. Manoj's brother Ashok Kumar, a local BJP leader, said, We had lodged a complaint with the police after Manoj went missing on Monday. Police launched a search operation but nothing happened. Late last evening, his body was recovered from a bush, leaving everybody shocked. As the news about the recovery of the dead body of the priest spread, residents gathered there and raised slogans against police and district administration. A police vehicle was set on fire and police personnel were pelted with stones. Two policemen suffered injuries in stone pelting. A section of protestors also put up a road blockade by placing the dead body on National Highway 27, leading to a heavy traffic jam. The protestors were demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The traffic was restored after the intervention of a senior police officer on Sunday. Pranjal Kumar, a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Gopalganj, said that a special team has been set up to identify the culprits and ensure their arrest at the earliest. The situation at the village is tense but under control. Additional security forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident, he added. What is baffling the investigating officials is that the deceased's eyes were gouged out and his private parts badly damaged, which gave indications of the extent of the ferocity of the killers. The deceased worked as a priest as well as caretaker of the Shiva temple at the village, SDPO said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI ETAWAH: At least four men were killed and two others sustained injuries after a speeding truck crashed into a roadside eatery on the Etawah-Kanpur National Highway here, police said on Sunday. District Magistrate Avnish Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar and other senior officers visited the spot to oversee relief and rescue operations, they said. The accident occurred at around 10.30 pm on Saturday in Ikdil area of Etawah district, Santosh Kumar said. The truck was coming from Kanpur and was being driven at a high speed in the service lane. The driver lost control and crashed into the eatery, police said. Suraj (32) and Talib (30), residents of Ikdil area, Sanjay Kumar (35) of Agra and eatery owner Kuldeep Kumar (35) were crushed under the wheels of the truck, police said. Saurabh Kumar, a resident of Nagla Khangar in Firozabad and Rahul Kumar of Ikdil, have been admitted to the district hospital for treatment, they said. Further investigations are underway. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp ETAWAH: At least four men were killed and two others sustained injuries after a speeding truck crashed into a roadside eatery on the Etawah-Kanpur National Highway here, police said on Sunday. District Magistrate Avnish Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar and other senior officers visited the spot to oversee relief and rescue operations, they said. The accident occurred at around 10.30 pm on Saturday in Ikdil area of Etawah district, Santosh Kumar said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The truck was coming from Kanpur and was being driven at a high speed in the service lane. The driver lost control and crashed into the eatery, police said. Suraj (32) and Talib (30), residents of Ikdil area, Sanjay Kumar (35) of Agra and eatery owner Kuldeep Kumar (35) were crushed under the wheels of the truck, police said. Saurabh Kumar, a resident of Nagla Khangar in Firozabad and Rahul Kumar of Ikdil, have been admitted to the district hospital for treatment, they said. Further investigations are underway. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI KATHMANDU: A 32-year-old Indian national was arrested in Nepal after the dead body of a newborn was recovered from his possession, police said on Sunday. Harishchandra Kumar Sudi was arrested at a temple in Sarlahi district of Madhesh province during a security check, according to the police. Police recovered the body of an infant, with the placenta still attached, from a plastic bag that Sudi, a resident of Bihar, was carrying. The police initiated the necessary investigation, and the Indian national was taken into custody. The body was sent to Provincial Hospital in Malangawa for postmortem. In a separate incident, another Indian national, identified as Navauddin Chaudhary, was arrested on the outskirts of Kathmandu for possessing banned red sandalwood. The 22-year-old, who hails from Bihar, was arrested along with 580 grams of red sandalwood during a security check on a passenger bus that arrived in Kathmandu from Delhi on Saturday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp KATHMANDU: A 32-year-old Indian national was arrested in Nepal after the dead body of a newborn was recovered from his possession, police said on Sunday. Harishchandra Kumar Sudi was arrested at a temple in Sarlahi district of Madhesh province during a security check, according to the police. Police recovered the body of an infant, with the placenta still attached, from a plastic bag that Sudi, a resident of Bihar, was carrying.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The police initiated the necessary investigation, and the Indian national was taken into custody. The body was sent to Provincial Hospital in Malangawa for postmortem. In a separate incident, another Indian national, identified as Navauddin Chaudhary, was arrested on the outskirts of Kathmandu for possessing banned red sandalwood. The 22-year-old, who hails from Bihar, was arrested along with 580 grams of red sandalwood during a security check on a passenger bus that arrived in Kathmandu from Delhi on Saturday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Highlighting the special emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi, his parliamentary constituency, and Tamil Nadu nurtured through the ages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that events like Kashi-Tamil Sangmam consolidated the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat further. While inaugurating the second edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Sunday, the PM sought to define the ties between the two most ancient centers of the countrys rich cultural heritage saying Kashi and Tamil Nadu shared the centuries-old ties which were not only emotional but creative also as both were the abodes of Lord Shiva. In other parts of the world, countries are relegated to being just a political definition but Bharat has been blessed with different spiritual faiths in abundance and this spirituality has kept this country one. The saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujam rekindled a sense of nationalism by crisscrossing the country," said the PM. Due to the Yatras by those spiritual gurus who instilled spiritual consciousness in the countrymen, India has remained eternal and unwavering as a nation, he said while addressing the gathering of delegates of the Samagam at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Indias diversity has been shaped by the spiritual consciousness as was also signified by great Pandian King Parakram Pandian who had said that every water in India is Gangajal, and every geographical location of the country is Kashi. He added that when the centers of faith were under constant attack by foreign invaders in the north, King Parakram Pandian made all the efforts to keep the heritage of Kashi alive with the construction of Tenkasi and Sivakasi temples. Quoting Subramania Bharathi, Modi said that vibrations of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam were spreading throughout the country and the world at large. He noted that lakhs of people, including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals had become part of the Sangamam since its inception last year. It is the confluence of two rich cultural heritages. The Sangmam has paved way for effective interaction and exchange of ideas between the two centres and it is well reflected in the joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and IIT-Madras, where IIT is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative, added the PM. He underlined that arriving in Kashi from Tamil Nadu simply meant traveling from one abode of Lord Mahadev to the other namely Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Vishalakshi. PM Modi also recalled the placement of sacred Sengol in the new Parliament building under the supervision of Aadinam saints reflecting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. This flow of spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat is infusing the soul of our nation today," he said. The PM expressed satisfaction over the rising interest of the youth towards ancient traditions as a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu were traveling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites. Darshan of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, who established Rameshwaram along with Lord Mahadev, is divine," he added. The PM also flagged off the KanyakumariVaranasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which will be held from December 17-31, will witness the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to an official statement, the state government has made all the arrangements for the delegates to visit Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The first batch of the Tamil delegation comprising a group of students from various parts of the state named 'Ganga' reached Varanasi on Sunday. Six more groups comprising teachers (Yamuna), professionals (Godavari), spiritual leaders (Saraswati), farmers and artisans (Narmada), writers (Sindhu), and traders and businessmen (Kaveri) will be reaching the city later to participate in the event. In addition to the cultural exchange, an exhibition showcasing the rich tapestry of art, music, handloom, handicrafts, cuisines and other distinctive products from both Tamil Nadu and Kashi is also on the agenda. The Union Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for the event with participation from the ministries of culture, tourism, railways, textiles, food processing, MSME, information and broadcasting, skill development and entrepreneurship, IRCTC, and related departments of the Uttar Pradesh government. The event will encompass lectures on literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda. Additionally, seminars on innovation, trade, knowledge exchange, edutech, and next-gen technology will also take place. Earlier, while taking part in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the PM along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath reiterated their commitment to make the country a developed nation by 2047 by taking a pledge. While speaking on the occasion, the PM said that Viksit Bharat Sankalp was his litmus test as well to come up to the mark in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I feel that the most important thing for the country to pay attention to is that the schemes of the government should reach people at the right time without any problems, he said. The PM said that the government should work from the front. I want every person of India should feel that this railway is mine, this hospital is mine, this office is now mine, this country is mine, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp LUCKNOW: Highlighting the special emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi, his parliamentary constituency, and Tamil Nadu nurtured through the ages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that events like Kashi-Tamil Sangmam consolidated the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat further. While inaugurating the second edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Sunday, the PM sought to define the ties between the two most ancient centers of the countrys rich cultural heritage saying Kashi and Tamil Nadu shared the centuries-old ties which were not only emotional but creative also as both were the abodes of Lord Shiva. In other parts of the world, countries are relegated to being just a political definition but Bharat has been blessed with different spiritual faiths in abundance and this spirituality has kept this country one. The saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujam rekindled a sense of nationalism by crisscrossing the country," said the PM. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Due to the Yatras by those spiritual gurus who instilled spiritual consciousness in the countrymen, India has remained eternal and unwavering as a nation, he said while addressing the gathering of delegates of the Samagam at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Indias diversity has been shaped by the spiritual consciousness as was also signified by great Pandian King Parakram Pandian who had said that every water in India is Gangajal, and every geographical location of the country is Kashi. He added that when the centers of faith were under constant attack by foreign invaders in the north, King Parakram Pandian made all the efforts to keep the heritage of Kashi alive with the construction of Tenkasi and Sivakasi temples. Quoting Subramania Bharathi, Modi said that vibrations of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam were spreading throughout the country and the world at large. He noted that lakhs of people, including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals had become part of the Sangamam since its inception last year. It is the confluence of two rich cultural heritages. The Sangmam has paved way for effective interaction and exchange of ideas between the two centres and it is well reflected in the joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and IIT-Madras, where IIT is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative, added the PM. He underlined that arriving in Kashi from Tamil Nadu simply meant traveling from one abode of Lord Mahadev to the other namely Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Vishalakshi. PM Modi also recalled the placement of sacred Sengol in the new Parliament building under the supervision of Aadinam saints reflecting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. This flow of spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat is infusing the soul of our nation today," he said. The PM expressed satisfaction over the rising interest of the youth towards ancient traditions as a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu were traveling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites. Darshan of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, who established Rameshwaram along with Lord Mahadev, is divine," he added. The PM also flagged off the KanyakumariVaranasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which will be held from December 17-31, will witness the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to an official statement, the state government has made all the arrangements for the delegates to visit Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The first batch of the Tamil delegation comprising a group of students from various parts of the state named 'Ganga' reached Varanasi on Sunday. Six more groups comprising teachers (Yamuna), professionals (Godavari), spiritual leaders (Saraswati), farmers and artisans (Narmada), writers (Sindhu), and traders and businessmen (Kaveri) will be reaching the city later to participate in the event. In addition to the cultural exchange, an exhibition showcasing the rich tapestry of art, music, handloom, handicrafts, cuisines and other distinctive products from both Tamil Nadu and Kashi is also on the agenda. The Union Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for the event with participation from the ministries of culture, tourism, railways, textiles, food processing, MSME, information and broadcasting, skill development and entrepreneurship, IRCTC, and related departments of the Uttar Pradesh government. The event will encompass lectures on literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda. Additionally, seminars on innovation, trade, knowledge exchange, edutech, and next-gen technology will also take place. Earlier, while taking part in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the PM along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath reiterated their commitment to make the country a developed nation by 2047 by taking a pledge. While speaking on the occasion, the PM said that Viksit Bharat Sankalp was his litmus test as well to come up to the mark in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I feel that the most important thing for the country to pay attention to is that the schemes of the government should reach people at the right time without any problems, he said. The PM said that the government should work from the front. I want every person of India should feel that this railway is mine, this hospital is mine, this office is now mine, this country is mine, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NAGPUR: Nine people were killed and three others seriously injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra's Nagpur district on Sunday, police said. The blast took place at 9 am in a cast booster unit of the Solar Industries in the Bazaargaon area, a senior police official told PTI. Nine people were killed, he said. The incident took place at the unit, located 40 km from here, causing severe damage to the building, an official at Kondhali police station said, adding that 12 workers were present in the unit at the time of the explosion. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X termed the incident as unfortunate and condoled the death of the nine people. The state government will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the decision, he said. Fadnavis said nine people, including six women, died in the blast at Solar Industries. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the armed forces, he said. The state government stands firmly with the families of the victims on this sad occasion, he said. "I am in touch with the Nagpur collector and superintendent of police. The IG, SP and collector are at the site," Fadnavis added. Solar Industries senior general manager Ashish Shrivastav told reporters that the incident occurred in the building where boosters used in coal mines are produced. The incident took place when sealing work of the product was going on, he said. Prima facie, nine people have died. The injured workers have been rushed to hospital, he said, adding that all the workers have been evacuated from the building. The police and administration personnel along with the management staff are at the spot, the official said. According to sources, explosives used in coal mining blast were manufactured at this factory. The nine deceased have been identified as Yuvraj Charode, Omeshwar Macchirke, Mita Uikey, Aarti Sahare, Swetali Marbate, Pushpa Manapure, Bhagyashree Lonare, Rumita Uikey and Mausam Patle, a police official said. The other injured workers were rushed to a hospital. Their condition is reported to be critical, the official said. Authorities were assessing the extent of damage, conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and ensuring safety of the surrounding areas, Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NAGPUR: Nine people were killed and three others seriously injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra's Nagpur district on Sunday, police said. The blast took place at 9 am in a cast booster unit of the Solar Industries in the Bazaargaon area, a senior police official told PTI. Nine people were killed, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The incident took place at the unit, located 40 km from here, causing severe damage to the building, an official at Kondhali police station said, adding that 12 workers were present in the unit at the time of the explosion. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X termed the incident as unfortunate and condoled the death of the nine people. The state government will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the decision, he said. Fadnavis said nine people, including six women, died in the blast at Solar Industries. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the armed forces, he said. The state government stands firmly with the families of the victims on this sad occasion, he said. "I am in touch with the Nagpur collector and superintendent of police. The IG, SP and collector are at the site," Fadnavis added. Solar Industries senior general manager Ashish Shrivastav told reporters that the incident occurred in the building where boosters used in coal mines are produced. The incident took place when sealing work of the product was going on, he said. Prima facie, nine people have died. The injured workers have been rushed to hospital, he said, adding that all the workers have been evacuated from the building. The police and administration personnel along with the management staff are at the spot, the official said. According to sources, explosives used in coal mining blast were manufactured at this factory. The nine deceased have been identified as Yuvraj Charode, Omeshwar Macchirke, Mita Uikey, Aarti Sahare, Swetali Marbate, Pushpa Manapure, Bhagyashree Lonare, Rumita Uikey and Mausam Patle, a police official said. The other injured workers were rushed to a hospital. Their condition is reported to be critical, the official said. Authorities were assessing the extent of damage, conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and ensuring safety of the surrounding areas, Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Mystery shrouded the killing of former Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLA Yumsen Matey. The 53-year-old, who served as the Khonsa West MLA for one term from 2009-14, was shot dead by an unknown assailant in eastern Arunachals Tirap district near the Myanmar border on Saturday. He was preparing to contest next years Assembly elections. Inspector General of Police Chukhu Apa said the police were probing the case. We cant say who is involved. We also do not know the motive behind the killing. An FIR has been registered and we are investigating, he said. The slain former MLA had gone to a village close to the Myanmar border on Saturday. He was accompanied by his driver and two workers. After reaching the last point of a road, he asked the trio to stay back. He said he would go and talk to somebody and come back. Someone came down and both went away, the IGP said. He added, After 30-40 minutes, they (trio) heard a gunshot. Later, the person, who took him (Matey) away, returned to tell them that their boss is no more and they should go back. Governor Lt Gen (retired) KT Parnaik condemned the killing and called for strong action against those responsible. Chief Minister Pema Khandu asked the police to expedite the probe to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book at the earliest. I am deeply anguished at the demise of former MLA Yumsen Matey and strongly condemn the horrific act. My deepest condolences to the family and I assure you that the state government stands firmly with them in this moment of grief Khandu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The states home minister Bamang Felix said the government is committed to a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice... Some militant organizations from the Northeast, which have their camps in Myanmar, are active in Tirap as well as adjoining Longding and Changlang districts. Incidents of killing and abduction are common here. The topography of the region dense forests and porous international border makes the task of the police and other forces very difficult. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp GUWAHATI: Mystery shrouded the killing of former Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLA Yumsen Matey. The 53-year-old, who served as the Khonsa West MLA for one term from 2009-14, was shot dead by an unknown assailant in eastern Arunachals Tirap district near the Myanmar border on Saturday. He was preparing to contest next years Assembly elections. Inspector General of Police Chukhu Apa said the police were probing the case.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); We cant say who is involved. We also do not know the motive behind the killing. An FIR has been registered and we are investigating, he said. The slain former MLA had gone to a village close to the Myanmar border on Saturday. He was accompanied by his driver and two workers. After reaching the last point of a road, he asked the trio to stay back. He said he would go and talk to somebody and come back. Someone came down and both went away, the IGP said. He added, After 30-40 minutes, they (trio) heard a gunshot. Later, the person, who took him (Matey) away, returned to tell them that their boss is no more and they should go back. Governor Lt Gen (retired) KT Parnaik condemned the killing and called for strong action against those responsible. Chief Minister Pema Khandu asked the police to expedite the probe to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book at the earliest. I am deeply anguished at the demise of former MLA Yumsen Matey and strongly condemn the horrific act. My deepest condolences to the family and I assure you that the state government stands firmly with them in this moment of grief Khandu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The states home minister Bamang Felix said the government is committed to a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice... Some militant organizations from the Northeast, which have their camps in Myanmar, are active in Tirap as well as adjoining Longding and Changlang districts. Incidents of killing and abduction are common here. The topography of the region dense forests and porous international border makes the task of the police and other forces very difficult. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By PTI NEW DELHI: The high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election' under former president Ram Nath Kovind is learnt to be meeting on Monday to review the progress made so far, including on the responses by political parties to the idea of holding simultaneous polls. Sources said while no written agenda has been circulated for the "informal" meeting, it could discuss the responses received from political parties. The committee had in its first meeting decided to seek views of political parties. The panel had also recently written to the parties seeking their views and an interaction on a "mutually agreed date". It had later sent a reminder to the parties eliciting their response. Letters were sent to six national parties, 33 state parties and seven registered unrecognised parties inviting their suggestions on 'One Nation, One Election'. The committee has also heard the views of the Law Commission on simultaneous polls. The law panel could be called again on the issue. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election' under former president Ram Nath Kovind is learnt to be meeting on Monday to review the progress made so far, including on the responses by political parties to the idea of holding simultaneous polls. Sources said while no written agenda has been circulated for the "informal" meeting, it could discuss the responses received from political parties. The committee had in its first meeting decided to seek views of political parties.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The panel had also recently written to the parties seeking their views and an interaction on a "mutually agreed date". It had later sent a reminder to the parties eliciting their response. Letters were sent to six national parties, 33 state parties and seven registered unrecognised parties inviting their suggestions on 'One Nation, One Election'. The committee has also heard the views of the Law Commission on simultaneous polls. The law panel could be called again on the issue. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp The three hostages were naked from the waist up, calling for help in Hebrew and waving a homemade white flag to make it clear they were turning themselves in. But even so, the Israeli army considered them a threat and shot them dead last Friday in northern Gaza, shouting terrorists! in what has become one of the blackest incidents on the Israeli side of the war. It comes, moreover, at a time of rising discontent among the families of the nearly 130 hostages remaining in the Strip some of whom are already dead due to what they consider a lack of commitment to bringing them back on the part of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The families have demanded that their loved ones are returned alive and not in bags, after a meeting held Saturday in Tel Aviv, following which they have issued a message to the war cabinet chaired by Netanyahu to make an immediate offer to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, even those with blood on their hands. Netanyahu on Saturday defended the way he is handling the war. The military pressure is essential both for returning the hostages and achieving victory over our enemies, he said in an appearance alongside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who accepted responsibility for the deaths of the three hostages. Amid the scandal, the Israeli authorities are attempting to resume negotiations more vigorously than in previous days. They are doing so with internal and external meetings at the highest level, such as one scheduled to be held in Oslo between the head of Mossad Israels foreign intelligence service David Barnea, and the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Netanyahu refused to discuss it when asked in order not to give information to Hamas. Alon was my friend, a grief-stricken Matan Sobol, 26, tells EL PAIS, referring to Alon Shamriz, one of the three hostages. It was terrible, he adds, without wishing to blame anyone but allowing the idea to float in the air that soldiers in Gaza shoot at anything that moves. Along with Shamriz, the military took the lives of Yotam Haim, both kidnapped on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Al-Talalka, captured in neighboring Kibbutz Nir Am. The Israeli army acknowledged this week that more than 10% of fatalities among its soldiers in Gaza were the result of friendly fire. The government does not talk to the families, said Rubi Chen, who last week was received with other family members in the U.S. by President Joe Biden. Upon his return, he called the Israeli government and was told that it would not meet with relatives. I thought it was a joke, added Chen, the father of a hostage and one of the spokesmen who made statements on Saturday in the square known as the Square of the Hostages and the Missing in Tel Aviv to express his discomfort after the meeting of the families and supporters of the hostages. We ask the War Cabinet to talk to the families and not to tell us that they are waiting for an offer from the U.S. or a call from someone else. The Israeli government has to put offers on the table, including prisoners with blood on their hands, put the best offer on the table to bring the hostages back alive, he stressed. We dont want them back in bags. That requires them to move now, Chen added, raising his voice and displaying an hourglass. Shortly afterward, it was announced that they were to be received by two members of the Cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. Fridays incident occurred when a soldier observed the three suspects coming out of a building a few dozen meters away, according to a local press account from sources close to the investigation. That soldier believed, according to the same account, that they were Hamas militiamen setting a booby trap and immediately opened fire while shouting terrorists! to warn other soldiers in the area. Two of the hostages were killed by that soldiers gunfire while the third tried to return to the building, wounded, as the battalion commander ordered the shooting to cease. The wounded man then began to call for help in Hebrew and came back out of the building, when he was shot and killed by another soldier. Despite the two soldiers breached protocols, the army noted that in recent days its troops have suffered several ambush attempts and attacks by suspected suicide bombers. The deaths of the three hostages took place in the Gaza City neighborhood of Shuhaiya, a known stronghold of the Palestinian armed resistance, near where an ambush earlier this week killed nine Israeli soldiers. Sobol has not only lost his friend Alon. He holds a poster with the image of his cousins Ziv and Gali Berman, both 26, who remain captive in Gaza. Knowing from the news that reached us from the family, that they waved a white flag and that they considered them a threat... I dont doubt that the army is carrying out a tough job, they are trying by all means to get them out, but we ask the government to help us families to bring them back, he said. Defense Minister Gallant has held a meeting which, in addition to the Mossad chief, was attended by military and secret service officials focused on efforts to return the hostages, a ministry statement said. Rubi Chen, a spokesperson for the families of Hamas hostages, in Tel Aviv. Luis de Vega Those who were supposed to save them did not succeed Sobol wants to believe that deaths of the hostages are going to serve to change the way the army acts on the ground, or to the negotiation of a new ceasefire, but at the same time he recognizes that what happened can happen in any combat or war. Those who were supposed to save them did not succeed, but, as I say, everything can change in just a few seconds. We knew this was going to happen, because they have hostages everywhere and if the Hamas people are in danger, they either kill them or abandon them, says Guy Levi, a 66-year-old sociologist and educator, in the renamed Tel Aviv square. Thats why we implore for a ceasefire, but the government prefers to keep fighting because politics is more important to them than getting them out. Hostages are not on the agenda of the government, which only understands force and military power. Israels culture is a military culture, he laments, looking at the images of two kidnapped friends printed on his T-shirt. Under a tent in the square, which in recent weeks has been converted into an area of protest and memory, Levi openly criticizes the policy of the Netanyahu-led government, which, in his opinion, is more concerned with the fascist settlers than with those abandoned in Gaza. He angrily recalls October 7, and shows the digital calendar on his cell phone for that day. At 6 p.m., Kibbutz Nahal Oz was celebrating its 70th anniversary with a pool party. The event, barely 500 meters from the border fence that separates the community from Gaza, was authorized by Israeli military officials, he says indignantly. I was spared from being there that morning because my mother died in August, Levi says with a twisted expression, basing his view of the current conflict on the two one-month long missions he carried out in Lebanon in 1982, which led him to turn away from a way of acting that he often considers immoral. The army has killed friends of mine in the West Bank, he remarks. It makes my blood boil. The happiest day will not be when Netanyahu resigns, no. It will be when they bury him. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), which is considered right now to be the worlds largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business. He praised the building, saying that all architecture and engineering students from all over the country should come and study this structure to understand how buildings are constructed in modern form. In a conversation with The New Indian Express, we learnt more about the design and architecture of Surat Diamond Bourse through its designer Sonali Rastogi and Manit Rastogi of design and architecture firm Morphogenesis. Excerpts: How did you get the contract to design this structure? The project began in 2017 with a global design competition. The design brief called for the provision of a single-function office for the worlds single largest community of diamond traders, the Saurashtra Patels of the state of Gujarat. We won the design competition and have now completed the project. What inspires your designs? Our work draws from our copyrighted design philosophy, SOUL, that encapsulates the key parameters we believe every structure should fulfill Sustainability, Optimisation, Uniqueness, and Livability. These principles enable us to take on projects of varying scales and typologies and still develop contextual solutions every time. They also guide us toward exploring innovative environmental, social, and economic sustainability solutions. What distinguishes the world's largest office building? Surat Diamond Bourse consolidates India's 70,000-strong diamond community within the worlds largest single-office building. The project exemplifies high-density office architecture and transcends global sustainability benchmarks. The building brings together Indias vast diamond community under one roof, with independent and consolidated functioning for 4,717 offices ranging from 28 sq.mt to over 10,500 sq.mt. Its wide-ranging amenities include a sprawling 10,000 sq.mt food zone, a retail plaza, and over 8,000 sq.mt. of health and wellness, conference areas and banquet facilities. Built entirely by the diamond community for the community as a cooperative, the building is a testament to shared vision and collective agency. With a focus on sustainability, SDB consumes 50% less energy than the highest green benchmarks and features one of the worlds largest radiant cooling systems. How will the diamond business be represented by this structure? SDB is a seed building for the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, an upcoming business district, triggering unprecedented socio-economic development in the region. Surat, known for processing over 92% of the world's diamond pieces and contributing to approximately 80% of India's annual diamond exports, faced a shortage of modern and affordable office spaces. Thousands of workers endured daily commutes of 500 kilometres, spending up to 10 hours travelling between Surat and Mumbai to engage in their trade away from their homes. The community of diamond traders commissioned the building, adopting a democratic and cooperative approach to its construction. The collaborative effort ensured that the structure met the diverse needs of all traders, featuring spacious designated offices for large-scale traders and flexible, informal courtyard spaces for smaller traders. The design of the building reflects and supports the community's lifestyle, fostering chance interactions, recreational activities, and open trading, reminiscent of a traditional bazaar. Built entirely by the diamond community for the community as a cooperative, the bourse provides a centralized platform uniting all activities of cutting, polishing, and trading under one roof. Any special design directions from Prime Minister Modi, the government, or industrialists? The diamond community in Surat itself came together to form a cooperative to create this self-sustained office space for their members. The brief required us to address a very pertinent need an office space for these traders in their own city, so they would not need to travel to Mumbai daily for work. The challenge was accommodating the efficient and secure movement of over 65,000 people within the office. Hence, the project mandate necessitated the design of offices spanning various sizes within a constrained budget, ranging from a minimum of approximately 300 sq. ft. to a maximum of around 70,000 sq. ft. We took upon the challenge of designing the offices democraticallythe building caters to the needs of all traders, and features informal break-out areas that all traders can use flexibly. The involvement of diamond traders and facility managers, who oversee the upkeep of the premises, was integral to the design team. This ensured that all necessary requirements were considered, making the project a true testament to the shared vision and collective agency of the diamond trading community. From a design standpoint, how does this building differ from others worldwide? At over 7.1 million square feet, Surat Diamond Bourse is larger than the Pentagon, making it the single largest office building in the world. The buildings design draws inspiration from Surats socio-cultural context and the highly efficient fishbone system of delivery, where people move from a central circulation spine into each of the nine office blocks in a time-efficient manner. The urban spine varies in depth from 8m to 24 m, housing all public activities. It is a place for out-of-office trading, chance interactions and fostering the informal nature of business. To manage a large influx of people due to time constraints for trading, the building is designed with corridors across all floors, similar to an airport terminal unifying it horizontally and vertically. Functional proximities were determined by optimizing travel distances from the entrance to the farthest office module under four minutes from the entry point. The flow of people has been designed to minimise security such that once checked at the perimeter, traders can traverse the building multiple times a day. The structure rests on urban-scale columns that double up as seating areas. The project is designed for maximum efficiency: Efficient parking layouts are achieved through the use of modular structural grids, resulting in a 25% reduction in the required construction area. The design of the two basements strategically eliminates the necessity for pile foundations typical to the area, consequently reducing overall costs. With a focus on sustainability, SDB consumes 50% less energy than the highest green benchmarks and features one of the worlds largest radiant cooling systems. A combination of thermal mass and porosity in relevant areas results in low external heat gains and lower cooling loads. Hybrid climate systems integrate passive strategies for natural ventilation with energy-efficient mechanical cooling. The central spine flares into vertical fins to funnel low-intensity winds using the Venturi effect, while staggered atria allow for the escape of hot air through the stack effect, thereby maintaining a pleasant microclimate. The building features one of the largest installations of radiant cooling, where the interiors are cooled by an energy-efficient system that uses chilled water on the floors and ceilings. We incorporated locally sourced materials with a minimal waste-to-landfill approach. Lakha red granite and Gwalior white sandstone used in the construction have been procured from within a 300 km radius. Stone-working communities from the Deccan Plateau were employed at all stages, from quarrying to dressing and application. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), which is considered right now to be the worlds largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business. He praised the building, saying that all architecture and engineering students from all over the country should come and study this structure to understand how buildings are constructed in modern form. In a conversation with The New Indian Express, we learnt more about the design and architecture of Surat Diamond Bourse through its designer Sonali Rastogi and Manit Rastogi of design and architecture firm Morphogenesis. Excerpts: googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); How did you get the contract to design this structure? The project began in 2017 with a global design competition. The design brief called for the provision of a single-function office for the worlds single largest community of diamond traders, the Saurashtra Patels of the state of Gujarat. We won the design competition and have now completed the project. What inspires your designs? Our work draws from our copyrighted design philosophy, SOUL, that encapsulates the key parameters we believe every structure should fulfill Sustainability, Optimisation, Uniqueness, and Livability. These principles enable us to take on projects of varying scales and typologies and still develop contextual solutions every time. They also guide us toward exploring innovative environmental, social, and economic sustainability solutions. What distinguishes the world's largest office building? Surat Diamond Bourse consolidates India's 70,000-strong diamond community within the worlds largest single-office building. The project exemplifies high-density office architecture and transcends global sustainability benchmarks. The building brings together Indias vast diamond community under one roof, with independent and consolidated functioning for 4,717 offices ranging from 28 sq.mt to over 10,500 sq.mt. Its wide-ranging amenities include a sprawling 10,000 sq.mt food zone, a retail plaza, and over 8,000 sq.mt. of health and wellness, conference areas and banquet facilities. Built entirely by the diamond community for the community as a cooperative, the building is a testament to shared vision and collective agency. With a focus on sustainability, SDB consumes 50% less energy than the highest green benchmarks and features one of the worlds largest radiant cooling systems. How will the diamond business be represented by this structure? SDB is a seed building for the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, an upcoming business district, triggering unprecedented socio-economic development in the region. Surat, known for processing over 92% of the world's diamond pieces and contributing to approximately 80% of India's annual diamond exports, faced a shortage of modern and affordable office spaces. Thousands of workers endured daily commutes of 500 kilometres, spending up to 10 hours travelling between Surat and Mumbai to engage in their trade away from their homes. The community of diamond traders commissioned the building, adopting a democratic and cooperative approach to its construction. The collaborative effort ensured that the structure met the diverse needs of all traders, featuring spacious designated offices for large-scale traders and flexible, informal courtyard spaces for smaller traders. The design of the building reflects and supports the community's lifestyle, fostering chance interactions, recreational activities, and open trading, reminiscent of a traditional bazaar. Built entirely by the diamond community for the community as a cooperative, the bourse provides a centralized platform uniting all activities of cutting, polishing, and trading under one roof. Any special design directions from Prime Minister Modi, the government, or industrialists? The diamond community in Surat itself came together to form a cooperative to create this self-sustained office space for their members. The brief required us to address a very pertinent need an office space for these traders in their own city, so they would not need to travel to Mumbai daily for work. The challenge was accommodating the efficient and secure movement of over 65,000 people within the office. Hence, the project mandate necessitated the design of offices spanning various sizes within a constrained budget, ranging from a minimum of approximately 300 sq. ft. to a maximum of around 70,000 sq. ft. We took upon the challenge of designing the offices democraticallythe building caters to the needs of all traders, and features informal break-out areas that all traders can use flexibly. The involvement of diamond traders and facility managers, who oversee the upkeep of the premises, was integral to the design team. This ensured that all necessary requirements were considered, making the project a true testament to the shared vision and collective agency of the diamond trading community. From a design standpoint, how does this building differ from others worldwide? At over 7.1 million square feet, Surat Diamond Bourse is larger than the Pentagon, making it the single largest office building in the world. The buildings design draws inspiration from Surats socio-cultural context and the highly efficient fishbone system of delivery, where people move from a central circulation spine into each of the nine office blocks in a time-efficient manner. The urban spine varies in depth from 8m to 24 m, housing all public activities. It is a place for out-of-office trading, chance interactions and fostering the informal nature of business. To manage a large influx of people due to time constraints for trading, the building is designed with corridors across all floors, similar to an airport terminal unifying it horizontally and vertically. Functional proximities were determined by optimizing travel distances from the entrance to the farthest office module under four minutes from the entry point. The flow of people has been designed to minimise security such that once checked at the perimeter, traders can traverse the building multiple times a day. The structure rests on urban-scale columns that double up as seating areas. The project is designed for maximum efficiency: Efficient parking layouts are achieved through the use of modular structural grids, resulting in a 25% reduction in the required construction area. The design of the two basements strategically eliminates the necessity for pile foundations typical to the area, consequently reducing overall costs. With a focus on sustainability, SDB consumes 50% less energy than the highest green benchmarks and features one of the worlds largest radiant cooling systems. A combination of thermal mass and porosity in relevant areas results in low external heat gains and lower cooling loads. Hybrid climate systems integrate passive strategies for natural ventilation with energy-efficient mechanical cooling. The central spine flares into vertical fins to funnel low-intensity winds using the Venturi effect, while staggered atria allow for the escape of hot air through the stack effect, thereby maintaining a pleasant microclimate. The building features one of the largest installations of radiant cooling, where the interiors are cooled by an energy-efficient system that uses chilled water on the floors and ceilings. We incorporated locally sourced materials with a minimal waste-to-landfill approach. Lakha red granite and Gwalior white sandstone used in the construction have been procured from within a 300 km radius. Stone-working communities from the Deccan Plateau were employed at all stages, from quarrying to dressing and application. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Four days after the security breach in Parliament Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the seriousness of the incident during the ongoing winter session should not be underestimated. He said that no one should squabble over the issue, which is being investigated by competent agencies. In an interview with a Hindi daily, Modi said the Lok Sabha Speaker is taking necessary steps and that it was important to unravel the intentions behind it. It is equally important to go in-depth as to who these elements are. Solutions should be found with one mind, he said, stressing that everyone should avoid debate over such topics. Modi added that the probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of the people behind it and their motives. The PMs remarks came amid the Oppositions demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah and a debate on the incident. As many as 14 Opposition MPs have been suspended from both Houses when they trooped into the well of Houses demanding a statement from the home minister. The PM termed the breach as painful and a matter of concern. All efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue. ALSO READ | Unemployment, rising prices behind Parliament security breach: Rahul Gandhi In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two personsSagar Sharma and Manoranjan Djumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. On December 13, two persons had jumped from the visitors gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber and were pounced upon by some members and the House marshals. Six persons have been arrested. The PM also told the interviewer that he considered January 22 the day the idol of Lord Ram would be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a very special day for him. This happiness is not going to be only of Modi. This is an opportunity for the happiness and satisfaction of 140 crore people. For me, this opportunity is meant to bring Ayodhya to every House, Ram to every house, he said. ALSO READ | Intrusion drama exposes Lok Sabha security hole In reply to another query, the PM said no power can now bring back Article 370 in J&K. About the recent Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370, he said the top court has put its stamp of approval on governments decision. On BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the PM said the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. The truth is that they are not new. They have done hard work and have experience, he said. He also said that the recent BJP victory in three states showed that the party was set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He asserted that his government was committed to taking forward the resolve of a developed India. He said the three states rejected instability and politics of selfishness in the country. He said winning the hearts of the people was more important than counting seats. I try to win hearts, if I work hard, then the people themselves fill my bag, he said. He said India was working towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and youth have become carriers of prosperous India. Prior to the PMs statements, LS speaker on Saturday in a letter to lawmakers said that the investigation into the security breach was being conducted and a high power committee has also been made to review the security of the Parliament complex. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Four days after the security breach in Parliament Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the seriousness of the incident during the ongoing winter session should not be underestimated. He said that no one should squabble over the issue, which is being investigated by competent agencies. In an interview with a Hindi daily, Modi said the Lok Sabha Speaker is taking necessary steps and that it was important to unravel the intentions behind it. It is equally important to go in-depth as to who these elements are. Solutions should be found with one mind, he said, stressing that everyone should avoid debate over such topics. Modi added that the probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of the people behind it and their motives.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The PMs remarks came amid the Oppositions demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah and a debate on the incident. As many as 14 Opposition MPs have been suspended from both Houses when they trooped into the well of Houses demanding a statement from the home minister. The PM termed the breach as painful and a matter of concern. All efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue. ALSO READ | Unemployment, rising prices behind Parliament security breach: Rahul Gandhi In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two personsSagar Sharma and Manoranjan Djumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. On December 13, two persons had jumped from the visitors gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber and were pounced upon by some members and the House marshals. Six persons have been arrested. The PM also told the interviewer that he considered January 22 the day the idol of Lord Ram would be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a very special day for him. This happiness is not going to be only of Modi. This is an opportunity for the happiness and satisfaction of 140 crore people. For me, this opportunity is meant to bring Ayodhya to every House, Ram to every house, he said. ALSO READ | Intrusion drama exposes Lok Sabha security hole In reply to another query, the PM said no power can now bring back Article 370 in J&K. About the recent Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370, he said the top court has put its stamp of approval on governments decision. On BJP picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the PM said the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. The truth is that they are not new. They have done hard work and have experience, he said. He also said that the recent BJP victory in three states showed that the party was set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He asserted that his government was committed to taking forward the resolve of a developed India. He said the three states rejected instability and politics of selfishness in the country. He said winning the hearts of the people was more important than counting seats. I try to win hearts, if I work hard, then the people themselves fill my bag, he said. He said India was working towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and youth have become carriers of prosperous India. Prior to the PMs statements, LS speaker on Saturday in a letter to lawmakers said that the investigation into the security breach was being conducted and a high power committee has also been made to review the security of the Parliament complex. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Pronab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said the security breach at the new Parliament building was "a serious matter." Rubbishing reports that Lalit Mohan Jha, one of the accused in the Parliament security breach case, has links to the state, she said it was a ploy of the BJP to malign Bengal. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour on Wednesday, released a yellow-coloured smoke from canisters and raised slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. "The Parliament security breach is a serious matter. It was a great lapse. The Union home minister has already admitted that. Let them investigate it," Banerjee told reporters at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here before leaving for Delhi. The Bengal CM flew to the national capital, where she will be staying till December 20, with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the second-in-command in the TMC who is also a member of INDIAs 12-member coordination committee. Lambasting the BJP-led Centre over the issue of colour of government establishments, Mamata alleged, Now, they are asking us to paint the healthcare centres with saffron colour. They have already painted Metro railway stations with saffron colour. It is unfortunate. During my recent North Bengal visit, I noticed houses in Sukna, near the Armys base, have been coloured with saffron colour. They are deciding what people will eat and what people will wear. What is this? Mamata is scheduled to hold a meeting with her party MPs at Banga Bhavan on Monday, a day before the INDIA blocs meeting. In the letter to the Prime Ministers office, I mentioned that I would like to take some of my MPs with me in the meeting with the PM on December 20. We will finalise the list and inform accordingly, she said. The West Bengal CM made it clear that she will raise these points, other than the key issueBengals dues from the Centre, in the meeting with the PM. The Centre is not paying for the welfare schemes under the heads of housing, rural roads and 100-day jobs under MGNREGA. We have finalised a list of 11 lakh beneficiaries under the housing scheme but no fund has been issued by the Centre. In my earlier meeting with the PM, I raised these issues and this time, I will again make it key points of the meeting, said Mamata. She, however, pointed out that the seat sharing between the partners of the INDIA adjustment issue will be disclosed after the meeting of the oppositions bloc scheduled to be held on December 19. Mamta also referred to the suspension of party's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien along with 14 other MPs from the Lok Sabha from participating in the rest of the winter session of Parliament because of protests over the security breach issue. Meanwhile, CPI(M)s central committee member Sujan Chakrabarty described the meeting between Mamata and Modi as a part of the setting between the TMC and the BJP. Had she been Bengals well-wisher, government officials would have been asked to accompany her in the meeting with the PM. But she is taking her nephew with her. The meeting is nothing other than the setting between the TMC and the BJP, he alleged. (With inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said the security breach at the new Parliament building was "a serious matter." Rubbishing reports that Lalit Mohan Jha, one of the accused in the Parliament security breach case, has links to the state, she said it was a ploy of the BJP to malign Bengal. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour on Wednesday, released a yellow-coloured smoke from canisters and raised slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The Parliament security breach is a serious matter. It was a great lapse. The Union home minister has already admitted that. Let them investigate it," Banerjee told reporters at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here before leaving for Delhi. The Bengal CM flew to the national capital, where she will be staying till December 20, with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the second-in-command in the TMC who is also a member of INDIAs 12-member coordination committee. Lambasting the BJP-led Centre over the issue of colour of government establishments, Mamata alleged, Now, they are asking us to paint the healthcare centres with saffron colour. They have already painted Metro railway stations with saffron colour. It is unfortunate. During my recent North Bengal visit, I noticed houses in Sukna, near the Armys base, have been coloured with saffron colour. They are deciding what people will eat and what people will wear. What is this? Mamata is scheduled to hold a meeting with her party MPs at Banga Bhavan on Monday, a day before the INDIA blocs meeting. In the letter to the Prime Ministers office, I mentioned that I would like to take some of my MPs with me in the meeting with the PM on December 20. We will finalise the list and inform accordingly, she said. The West Bengal CM made it clear that she will raise these points, other than the key issueBengals dues from the Centre, in the meeting with the PM. The Centre is not paying for the welfare schemes under the heads of housing, rural roads and 100-day jobs under MGNREGA. We have finalised a list of 11 lakh beneficiaries under the housing scheme but no fund has been issued by the Centre. In my earlier meeting with the PM, I raised these issues and this time, I will again make it key points of the meeting, said Mamata. She, however, pointed out that the seat sharing between the partners of the INDIA adjustment issue will be disclosed after the meeting of the oppositions bloc scheduled to be held on December 19. Mamta also referred to the suspension of party's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien along with 14 other MPs from the Lok Sabha from participating in the rest of the winter session of Parliament because of protests over the security breach issue. Meanwhile, CPI(M)s central committee member Sujan Chakrabarty described the meeting between Mamata and Modi as a part of the setting between the TMC and the BJP. Had she been Bengals well-wisher, government officials would have been asked to accompany her in the meeting with the PM. But she is taking her nephew with her. The meeting is nothing other than the setting between the TMC and the BJP, he alleged. (With inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the abilities of Indian designs, designers, materials, and concepts. This building is a symbol of New Indias capabilities and resolutions, said PM Modi on December 17 while inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), which is said to be the "world's largest office building" spanning over 67 lakh square feet of floor space. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "If anyone in the world mentions Diamond Bourses, the name of Surat and the name India will also come to mind. Surat Diamond Bourses exemplify the power of Indian design, designers, materials, and thoughts. This building is a symbol of New Indias capabilities and resolutions." "I congratulate the Surat Diamond Burse, the diamond business, Surat, Gujarat, and the entire country. One more diamond is added to Surat's grandeur. The diamond is not small but the world's best. Even the biggest buildings of the world pale before the glint of this diamond," he added. The PM also mentioned Surats connectivity with the Bullet Train Project and the ongoing work on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor which will strengthen rail connectivity of Surat to Northern and Eastern India. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is also going to provide new opportunities to the business of Surat. The Prime Minister urged everyone to take maximum advantage of the citys modern connectivity and said, If Surat moves forward, Gujarat will move forward. If Gujarat moves forward, then the country will move forward, asserted Modi. He added that his government will repeat in the third Lok Sabha election. "As you are all aware, India's economic dominance has increased over the past ten years, moving it up from the tenth to the fifth rank in the globe." Modi has now guaranteed the nation that India will undoubtedly rank among the top three economies in the world during his third term in office. The administration has also established an objective for the next 25 years. We are working on all of them, whether they are 5 trillion dollars or 10 trillion dollars. We are also working hard to boost the country's exports to new highs. In such a situation, Surat's duty, particularly Surat's diamond sector, has grown exponentially, he added. Additionally, the PM unveiled the new terminal at Surat Airport, an international airport project with a total cost of Rs 353 crore. This terminal, designed with a blend of heritage aesthetics and sustainability features, is aimed at facilitating seamless trade and travel. Situated in Khajod village near Surat city, SDB boasts the title of the world's largest office complex, spanning over 67 lakh square feet of floor space. It has surpassed the size of Pentagon, the US defense headquarters, which is spread across an area spanning 65 lakh square feet in Virginia. The entire SDB megastructure comprises nine 15-storey towers, which house a total of around 4,700 offices. The project is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp AHMEDABAD: Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the abilities of Indian designs, designers, materials, and concepts. This building is a symbol of New Indias capabilities and resolutions, said PM Modi on December 17 while inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), which is said to be the "world's largest office building" spanning over 67 lakh square feet of floor space. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "If anyone in the world mentions Diamond Bourses, the name of Surat and the name India will also come to mind. Surat Diamond Bourses exemplify the power of Indian design, designers, materials, and thoughts. This building is a symbol of New Indias capabilities and resolutions." "I congratulate the Surat Diamond Burse, the diamond business, Surat, Gujarat, and the entire country. One more diamond is added to Surat's grandeur. The diamond is not small but the world's best. Even the biggest buildings of the world pale before the glint of this diamond," he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The PM also mentioned Surats connectivity with the Bullet Train Project and the ongoing work on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor which will strengthen rail connectivity of Surat to Northern and Eastern India. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is also going to provide new opportunities to the business of Surat. The Prime Minister urged everyone to take maximum advantage of the citys modern connectivity and said, If Surat moves forward, Gujarat will move forward. If Gujarat moves forward, then the country will move forward, asserted Modi. He added that his government will repeat in the third Lok Sabha election. "As you are all aware, India's economic dominance has increased over the past ten years, moving it up from the tenth to the fifth rank in the globe." Modi has now guaranteed the nation that India will undoubtedly rank among the top three economies in the world during his third term in office. The administration has also established an objective for the next 25 years. We are working on all of them, whether they are 5 trillion dollars or 10 trillion dollars. We are also working hard to boost the country's exports to new highs. In such a situation, Surat's duty, particularly Surat's diamond sector, has grown exponentially, he added. Additionally, the PM unveiled the new terminal at Surat Airport, an international airport project with a total cost of Rs 353 crore. This terminal, designed with a blend of heritage aesthetics and sustainability features, is aimed at facilitating seamless trade and travel. Situated in Khajod village near Surat city, SDB boasts the title of the world's largest office complex, spanning over 67 lakh square feet of floor space. It has surpassed the size of Pentagon, the US defense headquarters, which is spread across an area spanning 65 lakh square feet in Virginia. The entire SDB megastructure comprises nine 15-storey towers, which house a total of around 4,700 offices. The project is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Hrithik Kiran Bagade By Express News Service BENGALURU: For the last 107 years, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) has enraptured the state with its sandalwood soaps. However, dwindling sandalwood tree cover in the country, apart from the need to serve diverse customers, has prompted KSDL - the maker of iconic Mysore Sandal soap - to reimagine its strategy, with an investment of Rs 500 crore. KSDL claims to be the only manufacturer globally to use natural sandalwood oil for soap production, justifying its premium price tag. But rampant illegal felling and smuggling of sandalwood trees in Karnataka has compelled the company to explore other geographies for a steady flow of the most important raw material -- sandalwood oil. The company is importing the oil from Australia. Last year, it imported 4,000 kg and will increase it to 7,000 kg this year. Simultaneously, the government has started a plantation drive, signing MoUs with 700 farmers in Karnataka, translating to 4,000 acres of land to grow sandalwood. Earlier, sandalwood, wherever it was grown, was state property. Now, the government has removed that clause, and facilitated farmers to grow trees in their own fields. They can sell the trees to the forest department or KSDL after a 20-year period (when the trees are mature enough to yield wood), said MB Patil, Large and Medium Industries and Infra Development Minister. The companys roadmap includes expansion, modernisation and diversification, with a vision to secure Rs 4,000 crore turnover by March 2026, he said. The plan includes expanding to other markets with new offerings, cultivating a robust raw material supply chain and manufacturing base, and entering new product segments. Around 81% of KS DLs sales come from South India, on the back of Mysore Sandal soap, while the East contributes 9%, West 6%, and North 2.5%. It now wants to improve its presence beyond South India, and will launch soaps of lime, turmeric, lavender, neem, rose, jasmine, and transparent, priced at Rs 20, primarily aimed at North India. KSksDL is also scouting for 3-4 contract manufacturers to outsource production for that market. Our legacy demands that we maintain premium quality. But responding to evolving customer needs, we are embarking on this diversification, launching soaps in the popular category, said KS DL MD Prashanth PKM. In the foreign market, predominantly Europe and West Asia, KS DL will launch an improved version of its super-luxury offering Millenium - Millenium Gold - priced at Rs 1,000 for a 100-gm bar. KS DL is also eyeing a new soap facility in Karnataka, but the minister refused to divulge details. Wood to Water To sustain business over a long period, KSksDL is entering the mineral water space, with the brand Mysore Sandals Aqua. Its basically a diversification beyond soaps, to enter segments with customer necessities, Patil said. The company will start producing and packaging drinking water at a defunct oil distillation unit in Shivamogga. The company will also monetise a part of its Bengaluru premises by establishing a commercial complex for offices, for which a blueprint is ready. The mega roadmap will see an investment of Rs 500 crore, Patil said. We expect our turnover to cross Rs 2,000 crore by April 2024, said Prashanth. For FY2022-23, KSksDL logged gross sales of Rs 1,375 crore, a 25% growth over Rs 1,104 crore in FY2021-22, with soaps contributing a major part. Last year, KSksDL saw its net profit rise 16% y-o-y at Rs 160 crore, over Rs 138 crore the previous year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BENGALURU: For the last 107 years, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) has enraptured the state with its sandalwood soaps. However, dwindling sandalwood tree cover in the country, apart from the need to serve diverse customers, has prompted KSDL - the maker of iconic Mysore Sandal soap - to reimagine its strategy, with an investment of Rs 500 crore. KSDL claims to be the only manufacturer globally to use natural sandalwood oil for soap production, justifying its premium price tag. But rampant illegal felling and smuggling of sandalwood trees in Karnataka has compelled the company to explore other geographies for a steady flow of the most important raw material -- sandalwood oil. The company is importing the oil from Australia. Last year, it imported 4,000 kg and will increase it to 7,000 kg this year. Simultaneously, the government has started a plantation drive, signing MoUs with 700 farmers in Karnataka, translating to 4,000 acres of land to grow sandalwood. Earlier, sandalwood, wherever it was grown, was state property. Now, the government has removed that clause, and facilitated farmers to grow trees in their own fields. They can sell the trees to the forest department or KSDL after a 20-year period (when the trees are mature enough to yield wood), said MB Patil, Large and Medium Industries and Infra Development Minister.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The companys roadmap includes expansion, modernisation and diversification, with a vision to secure Rs 4,000 crore turnover by March 2026, he said. The plan includes expanding to other markets with new offerings, cultivating a robust raw material supply chain and manufacturing base, and entering new product segments. Around 81% of KS DLs sales come from South India, on the back of Mysore Sandal soap, while the East contributes 9%, West 6%, and North 2.5%. It now wants to improve its presence beyond South India, and will launch soaps of lime, turmeric, lavender, neem, rose, jasmine, and transparent, priced at Rs 20, primarily aimed at North India. KSksDL is also scouting for 3-4 contract manufacturers to outsource production for that market. Our legacy demands that we maintain premium quality. But responding to evolving customer needs, we are embarking on this diversification, launching soaps in the popular category, said KS DL MD Prashanth PKM. In the foreign market, predominantly Europe and West Asia, KS DL will launch an improved version of its super-luxury offering Millenium - Millenium Gold - priced at Rs 1,000 for a 100-gm bar. KS DL is also eyeing a new soap facility in Karnataka, but the minister refused to divulge details. Wood to Water To sustain business over a long period, KSksDL is entering the mineral water space, with the brand Mysore Sandals Aqua. Its basically a diversification beyond soaps, to enter segments with customer necessities, Patil said. The company will start producing and packaging drinking water at a defunct oil distillation unit in Shivamogga. The company will also monetise a part of its Bengaluru premises by establishing a commercial complex for offices, for which a blueprint is ready. The mega roadmap will see an investment of Rs 500 crore, Patil said. We expect our turnover to cross Rs 2,000 crore by April 2024, said Prashanth. For FY2022-23, KSksDL logged gross sales of Rs 1,375 crore, a 25% growth over Rs 1,104 crore in FY2021-22, with soaps contributing a major part. Last year, KSksDL saw its net profit rise 16% y-o-y at Rs 160 crore, over Rs 138 crore the previous year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service MYSURU: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Parliament security breach case is likely to bring intruders Manoranjan and Lucknow-based Sagar Sharma to Mysuru as they had met here in May and planned the attack. The Central Intelligence team investigating the case has directed family members not to leave the city without prior permission. The family has been asked to receive all the phone calls. Manoranjan, a resident of Vijayanagar, had taken Sagara Sharma to his house and introduced him as his classmate. The police will bring both intruders to conduct mahazar and also visit the hotel where Sagar stayed. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched a campaign We Stand with Pratap Simha and have raised slogans in support of the MP who is being under fire from the opposition for issuing passes to intruders. BJP leader Y V Ravishankar said the saffron party is in no way associated or has any links with Manoranjan. He said the party has accepted the security plea and the six accused in the Parliament breach case are in no way connected to the BJP. He maintained that Simha had issued the visitors pass as he was a resident of his constituency. Meanwhile, Karnataka Dalitha Panthers leader Giriyanna wanted the Supreme Court judge to investigate the Parliament security breach incident. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp MYSURU: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Parliament security breach case is likely to bring intruders Manoranjan and Lucknow-based Sagar Sharma to Mysuru as they had met here in May and planned the attack. The Central Intelligence team investigating the case has directed family members not to leave the city without prior permission. The family has been asked to receive all the phone calls. Manoranjan, a resident of Vijayanagar, had taken Sagara Sharma to his house and introduced him as his classmate. The police will bring both intruders to conduct mahazar and also visit the hotel where Sagar stayed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, the BJP has launched a campaign We Stand with Pratap Simha and have raised slogans in support of the MP who is being under fire from the opposition for issuing passes to intruders. BJP leader Y V Ravishankar said the saffron party is in no way associated or has any links with Manoranjan. He said the party has accepted the security plea and the six accused in the Parliament breach case are in no way connected to the BJP. He maintained that Simha had issued the visitors pass as he was a resident of his constituency. Meanwhile, Karnataka Dalitha Panthers leader Giriyanna wanted the Supreme Court judge to investigate the Parliament security breach incident. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp By Express News Service CHENNAI: The state government has told the Madras High Court that 6,569 out of the total 14,138 tanks under the Water Resources Department (WRD) have been encroached upon. According to the submissions made by Special Government Pleader R Anita before the first bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, the total encroachments identified on the waterbodies in the state are 98,875. She said as many as 20,150 encroachments, measuring up to an area of 3,243 hectares, have been removed so far and that steps for eviction of encroachments are being taken as per the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007. As per action taken under the TN Land Encroachment Act, 1905, as of June 30, 2023, as many as 1,918 waterbodies were identified as encroached upon and eviction started in 405 tanks. Against a total of 93,652 encroachments identified, 15,617 encroachments, measuring 15,617 hectares, were removed. It is also submitted that as of March 2020, 1,166 forks were categorised into five types: 435 firkas over-exploited, 63 critical, 225 semi-critical, 409 safe and 34 saline/poor quality. In the report of dynamic groundwater resources, 2022 published by the Central Ground Water Board, the safe firkas increased by 54, semi-critical increased by 6 and critical firkas decreased by 75. The submissions were made in response to a public interest litigation petition filed by G Devarajan seeking orders to protect waterbodies from encroachment. The bench noted the executive engineer of Kosasthalaiyar basin division has informed that restoration works are being taken up 2,300 tanks under a World Bank-funded programme. Similar measures have also been taken up in Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore regions. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp CHENNAI: The state government has told the Madras High Court that 6,569 out of the total 14,138 tanks under the Water Resources Department (WRD) have been encroached upon. According to the submissions made by Special Government Pleader R Anita before the first bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, the total encroachments identified on the waterbodies in the state are 98,875. She said as many as 20,150 encroachments, measuring up to an area of 3,243 hectares, have been removed so far and that steps for eviction of encroachments are being taken as per the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007. As per action taken under the TN Land Encroachment Act, 1905, as of June 30, 2023, as many as 1,918 waterbodies were identified as encroached upon and eviction started in 405 tanks. Against a total of 93,652 encroachments identified, 15,617 encroachments, measuring 15,617 hectares, were removed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It is also submitted that as of March 2020, 1,166 forks were categorised into five types: 435 firkas over-exploited, 63 critical, 225 semi-critical, 409 safe and 34 saline/poor quality. In the report of dynamic groundwater resources, 2022 published by the Central Ground Water Board, the safe firkas increased by 54, semi-critical increased by 6 and critical firkas decreased by 75. The submissions were made in response to a public interest litigation petition filed by G Devarajan seeking orders to protect waterbodies from encroachment. The bench noted the executive engineer of Kosasthalaiyar basin division has informed that restoration works are being taken up 2,300 tanks under a World Bank-funded programme. Similar measures have also been taken up in Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore regions. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Online Desk By There has been an attempt by some vested interests to make use of the recent security breach in the Parliament to besmirch their political rivals or a particular community. Amid the spread of fake news and hatred on social media platforms, the Tamil Nadu police have booked a Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) functionary for allegedly spreading fake news about the December 13, 2023, Parliament security breach. Targetting DMK MP According to a report, Pravinraj, social media in-charge of the Tamil Nadu youth wing of BJP was booked by Trichy cyber crime police following a complaint by an advocate, Arokyadas. Pravinraj allegedly spread fake news stating that DMK MP of Dharmapuri Dr Senthil Kumar distributed the passes to the miscreants who jumped inside the parliament. Pravinraj, under the 'Sanghi Prince' X account, in a now-deleted post on X, wrote, "Security Breach happened in Lok Sabha. You know why? Because of irresponsible MPs like you were distributing "visitor passes" via social media for publicity and without background verification." He also demanded the DMK MP take responsibility for the security breach. Deleted post by Pravinraj. He has been booked under sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505(1)(b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or the public tranquillity) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 66 (computer-related offences) of Information Technology (IT) Act. Police sources said Pravinraj is absconding. Pravinraj was earlier arrested by the Karur police in October this year for making derogatory comments about Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. No, SFI member was not involved Earlier, there was an attempt to make it appear that one of the co-accused in the case D Manoranjan was an activist of the Students' Federation of India (SFI). A photograph of the co-accused was circulated on social media claiming that an SFI member was involved in the Parliament security breach. According to a report, the photo of SFI Mysuru unit's TS Vijay Kumar was shared on social media identifying him as Manoranjan. A Recap On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, there was a major security breach, when two people, later identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery and opened canisters that emitted yellow-coloured smoke. Two other people also held a protest outside Parliament and released cans that emitted coloured gas. The duo were identified as Amol Shinde and Neelam. Six people till now have been arrested by the police. Lalit Jha, believed to be the mastermind of the security breach incident, is also in police custody. READ MORE | Parliament security breach: Bundles of contradictions & where does it lead? Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp There has been an attempt by some vested interests to make use of the recent security breach in the Parliament to besmirch their political rivals or a particular community. Amid the spread of fake news and hatred on social media platforms, the Tamil Nadu police have booked a Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) functionary for allegedly spreading fake news about the December 13, 2023, Parliament security breach. Targetting DMK MPgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to a report, Pravinraj, social media in-charge of the Tamil Nadu youth wing of BJP was booked by Trichy cyber crime police following a complaint by an advocate, Arokyadas. Pravinraj allegedly spread fake news stating that DMK MP of Dharmapuri Dr Senthil Kumar distributed the passes to the miscreants who jumped inside the parliament. Pravinraj, under the 'Sanghi Prince' X account, in a now-deleted post on X, wrote, "Security Breach happened in Lok Sabha. You know why? Because of irresponsible MPs like you were distributing "visitor passes" via social media for publicity and without background verification." He also demanded the DMK MP take responsibility for the security breach. Deleted post by Pravinraj. He has been booked under sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505(1)(b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or the public tranquillity) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 66 (computer-related offences) of Information Technology (IT) Act. Police sources said Pravinraj is absconding. Pravinraj was earlier arrested by the Karur police in October this year for making derogatory comments about Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. No, SFI member was not involved Earlier, there was an attempt to make it appear that one of the co-accused in the case D Manoranjan was an activist of the Students' Federation of India (SFI). A photograph of the co-accused was circulated on social media claiming that an SFI member was involved in the Parliament security breach. According to a report, the photo of SFI Mysuru unit's TS Vijay Kumar was shared on social media identifying him as Manoranjan. A Recap On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, there was a major security breach, when two people, later identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery and opened canisters that emitted yellow-coloured smoke. Two other people also held a protest outside Parliament and released cans that emitted coloured gas. The duo were identified as Amol Shinde and Neelam. Six people till now have been arrested by the police. Lalit Jha, believed to be the mastermind of the security breach incident, is also in police custody. READ MORE | Parliament security breach: Bundles of contradictions & where does it lead? Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Mayank Singh By NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy became the first responder to a maritime crisis as it quickly reacted to an SOS message from a hijacked ship in the Arabian Sea and intercepted the vessel. The navy deployed its naval maritime patrol aircraft to track the movement of the hijacked vessel that was moving towards the coast of Somalia, according to a statement. After the aircraft located the vessel, the Indian Navy diverted its warship from Gulf of Aden. The hijacked vessel was intercepted Saturday morning, the Navy added. The Malta-flagged cargo vessel called MV Ruen with 18 crew on board gave a distressed signal on December 14, indicating that six pirates had secured boarded the vessel. The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies in the area, the Navy said. The navies of Spain and Japan, too, have responded to the situation. Until 2017, ships travelling near Africa were attacked by Somalian pirates. Counter-piracy efforts were then put in place by various countries to deal with the menace. The Indian Navy said it is committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping along with international partners and friendly foreign countries. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy became the first responder to a maritime crisis as it quickly reacted to an SOS message from a hijacked ship in the Arabian Sea and intercepted the vessel. The navy deployed its naval maritime patrol aircraft to track the movement of the hijacked vessel that was moving towards the coast of Somalia, according to a statement. After the aircraft located the vessel, the Indian Navy diverted its warship from Gulf of Aden. The hijacked vessel was intercepted Saturday morning, the Navy added. The Malta-flagged cargo vessel called MV Ruen with 18 crew on board gave a distressed signal on December 14, indicating that six pirates had secured boarded the vessel. The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies in the area, the Navy said. The navies of Spain and Japan, too, have responded to the situation. Until 2017, ships travelling near Africa were attacked by Somalian pirates. Counter-piracy efforts were then put in place by various countries to deal with the menace. The Indian Navy said it is committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping along with international partners and friendly foreign countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ujwal Jalali By NEW DELHI: Mysore BJP MP Prathap Simha, who cleared the passes for the accused in the Parliament security breach case, is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police on Monday. According to sources, Simha is currently not in the national capital. Simha will be asked on what basis he issued visitor passes to Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma, according to sources. Whenever a visitor pass is issued, a parliamentarian gives an undertaking saying the visitor is known to him. The two accused who entered the Lok Sabha on Wednesday used passes recommended by Simha. Manoranjan belongs to his constituency and is said to be a frequent visitor to his office. Reports said Manoranjan made several requests to Simha and his office for the pass in last three months. Simhas office sought to defend him, claiming MPs generally entertain such requests from people of their constituency. Prathap Simha Despite flak from the Opposition both inside and outside Parliament demanding Simhas resignation, the BJP MP has so far not responded. He, however, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the massive security breach. On Saturday, Birla wrote to all MPs saying that he had formed a high-power committee to review Parliament security and formulate an action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur. Meanwhile, the sixth accused in the security breach case, Mahesh Kumawat, was formally arrested on Saturday. Later, he was produced before a court, which sent him to seven-day police custody. Mahesh was present outside Parliament on the day of the incident along with mastermind Lalit Jha and another accused named Kailash. After the incident, Mahesh and Jha fled to Rajasthan and stayed in a hotel booked in Maheshs name. Sources said that Mahesh helped Jha in the destruction of mobile phones in Rajasthan. Mahesh has been booked on charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence.Meanwhile, the special cell investigating the case has directed the family members of Manoranjan not to leave the city without prior permission. Delhi Police in Lucknow Delhi Police teams are in Lucknow and Latur to find out the cavity-designed shoe and coloured smoke canisters the accused used in Parliament Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp NEW DELHI: Mysore BJP MP Prathap Simha, who cleared the passes for the accused in the Parliament security breach case, is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police on Monday. According to sources, Simha is currently not in the national capital. Simha will be asked on what basis he issued visitor passes to Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma, according to sources. Whenever a visitor pass is issued, a parliamentarian gives an undertaking saying the visitor is known to him. The two accused who entered the Lok Sabha on Wednesday used passes recommended by Simha. Manoranjan belongs to his constituency and is said to be a frequent visitor to his office. Reports said Manoranjan made several requests to Simha and his office for the pass in last three months. Simhas office sought to defend him, claiming MPs generally entertain such requests from people of their constituency. Prathap SimhaDespite flak from the Opposition both inside and outside Parliament demanding Simhas resignation, the BJP MP has so far not responded. He, however, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the massive security breach. On Saturday, Birla wrote to all MPs saying that he had formed a high-power committee to review Parliament security and formulate an action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, the sixth accused in the security breach case, Mahesh Kumawat, was formally arrested on Saturday. Later, he was produced before a court, which sent him to seven-day police custody. Mahesh was present outside Parliament on the day of the incident along with mastermind Lalit Jha and another accused named Kailash. After the incident, Mahesh and Jha fled to Rajasthan and stayed in a hotel booked in Maheshs name. Sources said that Mahesh helped Jha in the destruction of mobile phones in Rajasthan. Mahesh has been booked on charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence.Meanwhile, the special cell investigating the case has directed the family members of Manoranjan not to leave the city without prior permission. Delhi Police in Lucknow Delhi Police teams are in Lucknow and Latur to find out the cavity-designed shoe and coloured smoke canisters the accused used in Parliament Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp While walking along Robb Street, located in the heart of Georgetown, the largest city and the capital of Guyana, youre immediately transported to the center of Caracas. On the rough sidewalk, under weak light, there are stalls selling arepas, cachapas and tequenos, typical Venezuelan food. On the residents patios, illuminated by light bulbs that flicker in the darkness, accents from Apure, Miranda, and Sucre can be heard. A good number of the estimated 35,000 Venezuelans who live in the country have made this place their home. In Guyana, theres racism, but theres also a lot of money, says Kenny Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Venezuelan who wears a pair of Oakleys. The father of three children, he came to Guyana by canoe from San Martin de Turumban, on the border, to work in the gold and diamond mines. But dammit, there were a lot of diseases there, a lot of malaria, he recalls. These difficult conditions encouraged him to come to Georgetown and set up a food cart on Robb Street. He goes up and down the pavement, waving and calling out to passerby: Hello my friend! Papi, whats happening? He makes it clear that this is a place where you can earn peoples respect, so long as you dont go around committing crimes. Kenny Rodriguez and Angelo Ruiz, two Venezuelans who have a food stand in Georgetown. Juan Diego Quesada This semi-unknown country a former British colony where the custom of speaking English and driving on the right have remained only has 800,000 inhabitants. Its experiencing an oil boom, due to deposits discovered by ExxonMobil off its coasts in 2015. Over the last two years, the money pouring in has finally been noticed: in 2022, Guyanas GDP grew by 62%, while its expected that 2023 will close with an increase of 37%. In the entire world according to the IMF no country records similar figures. Right now, Guyana produces 400,000 barrels of oil a day. Experts estimate that, in four years, daily production will reach 1.2 million. The government hopes to triple the per capita income of its citizens, which is currently around $10,000 annually, in a short time. Economists dont remember an equal impact on an economy in such a compressed period of time. Guyana, overnight, could become the South American UAE. In this land of opportunity, Venezuelans have found the future that was denied to them in their own country. According to the UNHCR, at least 7.7 million have emigrated to destinations around the world, due to the serious political and economic crisis that the country continues to experience. The majority of Venezuelan refugees have settled in Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil. However, a few decided to come to Guyana, a nation with two ethnic majorities: the Afro-Guyanese, who are descendants of slaves, and the Indo-Guyanese, who arrived during the British colonial era. Joana Flores, 45, arrived from Venezuela six years ago, because she didnt require a visa to enter. She hasnt left Guyana since. I have my entire life here: I brought my two daughters and I adopted a little Black baby, in a hospital here, she tells EL PAIS, in the bar that shes set up on a corner in Georgetown. She began her time in Guyana by selling cakes on the street. After saving enough money, she opened her establishment, which offers breakfast and lunch to groups of workers, many of them Venezuelans. At night, it becomes a pub with Latin music. She hasnt suffered from any acts of racism. Not even now has she been bothered, with President Nicolas Maduro reviving an old dispute over ownership of Essequibo, a region rich in minerals and oil that Venezuela claims as its own. Joana Flores at her bar, Spanish in GT, in Georgetown. Juan Diego Quesada Lashawn, a 23-year-old Guyanese citizen, comes into the pub to buy a couple of beers. He wears jeans and has dreadlocks: he works washing cars nearby. Venezuelans are really cool, theyve come to brighten up the neighborhood, he says with a smile. Joana defends Guyana vehemently. Thanks to this country, my daughters speak English and will be able to work as professionals something they would not be able to do in Venezuela. This is my home. She has three employees: two Cubans and one Venezuelan, a cook named Daniel Contreras. She doesnt even want to hear about the dispute between her country of origin and her host country over Essequibo, which can only bring problems and resentment, distancing her from the locals. The two countries have experienced weeks of tension, to the point that many feared that the matter could lead to a war before a non-aggression pact was sealed. Three months ago, 45 Venezuelans were detained by Guyanas security forces when they tried to enter the country illegally in a dilapidated fishing boat, on the east coast of the Essequibo region. They carried their belongings, as well as some roosters. A day earlier, another 80 were intercepted at the border. Local authorities believe they set sail from the island of Grenada. After being processed by immigration authorities, they were released. What does Maduro want Essequibo for? To turn it into shit? This is a saying thats frequently tossed around at the entrance of a two-story house on Robb Street. Here, Cubans and Venezuelans rent rooms from a Guyanese man, at a rate of $300 a month. The night is warm: its the ideal temperature to wear an undershirt. Life seems peaceful while drinking brandy on the stairs of the building. David Chacon, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, works in construction. His English is broken. The other day, he was walking down the street, minding his own business, when a group of Guyanese pushed him for no reason. He restrained himself and continued on his way: he didnt want problems. I dont mess with anyone, he says. 48-year-old Salvador Gonzalez, who hails from Cuba, says that hes suffered a couple of episodes of racism, especially when he worked behind the counter of a store and had trouble understanding certain customers (he was still learning English). Nowadays, he works as a bricklayer, a plumber and a carpenter. He does anything to send money to his three children back in Venezuela. Venezuelans and Cubans live in the same building on Robb street, Georgetown's "little Caracas." Juan Diego Quesada Juan Daniel Mendoza sweats because of the humidity. He arrived in Guyana with a wife and two children. They brought me in as a joke, he says, making the rest of the group laugh. I imagined this would be like Las Vegas, but Georgetown is ugly. Of course, theres work, you can see the money. Sometimes, I feel strange. If five Black Guyanese guys are working on a construction site and I approach, Im the white sheep. They pretend I dont exist. At that moment, a woman with a child in her arms looks out the window and shouts: Maduro is no good, he ruined a beautiful country. The clock strikes midnight. Robb Street empties out. Tomorrow, it will dawn again in this little Caracas. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mukesh Ranjan By Ask anyone in mineral-rich Lohardaga, a town 75 km west of Jharkhand capital Ranchi, where the Sahus live. White House would be the reply. The Bauxite Town hides tonnes of wealth a lot of money in cash. Dhiraj Prasad Sahu has been the Rajya Sabha MP of the town from the Congress since 2009. The residents would also tell you Sahus fountain of wealth is located somewhere at Bhatti Slope in the town. Sahu has declared his modest assets worth Rs 34 crore in his affidavit filed in the 2018 Rajya Sabha election. Some days back, income tax authorities claimed to have recovered Rs 354 crore in cash from his locations in Jharkhand and Odisha. And they are still counting, even as money-counting machines have malfunctioned out of fatigue. Reports have emerged that I-T sleuths could also be using ground penetrating radars in their attempt to look for more cash. Express Illustration | Sourav Roy Dhiraj Sahu and four of his brothers, with substantial involvement in politics, have played pivotal roles in Congress activities, particularly in Jharkhand. The primary business of the Sahu family revolves around the liquor industry, with significant operations in Odisha. Those close to the Sahus say Dhiraj Sahus grandfather, the late Heera Sahu, laid the foundation of his family in the town. Heera Sahu arrived in Lohardaga from Bihars Obra town in Aurangabad during pre-Independence days. At that time, many Vaishya community members from Magadh region of Bihar migrated via Sherghati and settled in Lohardaga, Chandwa, Gumla, Latehar, and Daltenganj. With Lohardaga being directly connected to Maharashtra, Heera Sahu settled there and started selling daily essentials, especially salt, spices and oil. Then on, the family did not look back. In 1833, Lohardaga was made the headquarters of the administrative unit of the South West Frontier Agency by the British.Heera Sahu soon came to know that the real owners of the land, the tribal community, were fond of hadia (rice beer). Heeras son Baldev Sahu opened a distillery of raw liquor in Lohardaga, which did so well that within no time, Baldev became rich and famous in the region. The furnace opened by the late Baldev Sahu was closed a few decades ago, but even today, pouched country liquor is sold from there. That place is known as Bhatti Slope. With his increasing wealth and power, Shiv Prasad Sahu, the eldest son of Baldev Sahu, entered politics and was elected Congress MP from Ranchi twice. Dhiraj Sahu, his younger brother, has carried forward the legacy. Armed with a BA degree, Dhiraj Sahu has been an active participant in politics since 1977. He began his political journey with NSUI in 1977. Slowly and steadily, he climbed the party ladder and became office-bearer in the Lohardaga district and later in the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee. His political journey includes episodes of imprisonment during the Jail Bharo Andolan in 1978. The Sahu familys influence extends beyond politics. They are part of key decisions in parliamentary and legislative elections, and ministerial appointments. In 2009, Dhiraj reached Rajya Sabha for the first time. The then state president of Congress, Pradeep Kumar Balmuchhu, wholeheartedly helped him move forward. This trend continued and Dhiraj Sahu won the Rajya Sabha elections in 2010 and 2018 as well. ALSO READ | 'Why Centre targets only Congress and not BJP', asks Karnataka CM on Dhiraj Sahu I-T raids The party may be shunning Dhiraj Sahu, post recovery of cash, but he is known as the ATM for most Congress leaders.Dhiraj is claimed to have direct access to influential leaders in the Congress headquarters in Delhi. The office staff, insiders say, kept waiting for him to get his blessings. In November 2022, Sahu actively participated in Rahuls Bharat Jodo Yatra. Apart from Dhiraj Sahu, many other family members are also involved in his company Baldev Sahu and Group of Companies, which also have some other branches. Besides Congress, Dhiraj Sahu is said to have well-wishers in other political parties as well. The son of renowned social worker Baldeo Sahu and Shushila Devi, Sahu, 64, has come a long way from the familys Aurangabad days. Like those days, he has no idea where he will finally land up. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Ask anyone in mineral-rich Lohardaga, a town 75 km west of Jharkhand capital Ranchi, where the Sahus live. White House would be the reply. The Bauxite Town hides tonnes of wealth a lot of money in cash. Dhiraj Prasad Sahu has been the Rajya Sabha MP of the town from the Congress since 2009. The residents would also tell you Sahus fountain of wealth is located somewhere at Bhatti Slope in the town. Sahu has declared his modest assets worth Rs 34 crore in his affidavit filed in the 2018 Rajya Sabha election. Some days back, income tax authorities claimed to have recovered Rs 354 crore in cash from his locations in Jharkhand and Odisha. And they are still counting, even as money-counting machines have malfunctioned out of fatigue. Reports have emerged that I-T sleuths could also be using ground penetrating radars in their attempt to look for more cash.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Express Illustration | Sourav RoyDhiraj Sahu and four of his brothers, with substantial involvement in politics, have played pivotal roles in Congress activities, particularly in Jharkhand. The primary business of the Sahu family revolves around the liquor industry, with significant operations in Odisha. Those close to the Sahus say Dhiraj Sahus grandfather, the late Heera Sahu, laid the foundation of his family in the town. Heera Sahu arrived in Lohardaga from Bihars Obra town in Aurangabad during pre-Independence days. At that time, many Vaishya community members from Magadh region of Bihar migrated via Sherghati and settled in Lohardaga, Chandwa, Gumla, Latehar, and Daltenganj. With Lohardaga being directly connected to Maharashtra, Heera Sahu settled there and started selling daily essentials, especially salt, spices and oil. Then on, the family did not look back. In 1833, Lohardaga was made the headquarters of the administrative unit of the South West Frontier Agency by the British.Heera Sahu soon came to know that the real owners of the land, the tribal community, were fond of hadia (rice beer). Heeras son Baldev Sahu opened a distillery of raw liquor in Lohardaga, which did so well that within no time, Baldev became rich and famous in the region. The furnace opened by the late Baldev Sahu was closed a few decades ago, but even today, pouched country liquor is sold from there. That place is known as Bhatti Slope. With his increasing wealth and power, Shiv Prasad Sahu, the eldest son of Baldev Sahu, entered politics and was elected Congress MP from Ranchi twice. Dhiraj Sahu, his younger brother, has carried forward the legacy. Armed with a BA degree, Dhiraj Sahu has been an active participant in politics since 1977. He began his political journey with NSUI in 1977. Slowly and steadily, he climbed the party ladder and became office-bearer in the Lohardaga district and later in the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee. His political journey includes episodes of imprisonment during the Jail Bharo Andolan in 1978. The Sahu familys influence extends beyond politics. They are part of key decisions in parliamentary and legislative elections, and ministerial appointments. In 2009, Dhiraj reached Rajya Sabha for the first time. The then state president of Congress, Pradeep Kumar Balmuchhu, wholeheartedly helped him move forward. This trend continued and Dhiraj Sahu won the Rajya Sabha elections in 2010 and 2018 as well. ALSO READ | 'Why Centre targets only Congress and not BJP', asks Karnataka CM on Dhiraj Sahu I-T raids The party may be shunning Dhiraj Sahu, post recovery of cash, but he is known as the ATM for most Congress leaders.Dhiraj is claimed to have direct access to influential leaders in the Congress headquarters in Delhi. The office staff, insiders say, kept waiting for him to get his blessings. In November 2022, Sahu actively participated in Rahuls Bharat Jodo Yatra. Apart from Dhiraj Sahu, many other family members are also involved in his company Baldev Sahu and Group of Companies, which also have some other branches. Besides Congress, Dhiraj Sahu is said to have well-wishers in other political parties as well. The son of renowned social worker Baldeo Sahu and Shushila Devi, Sahu, 64, has come a long way from the familys Aurangabad days. Like those days, he has no idea where he will finally land up. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Mukesh Ranjan By CM asks JMM staff to be ready for every situation Having skipped half a dozen summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the land scam case, Chief Minister Hemant Soren asked the JMM leaders and workers to be prepared for every situation. Addressing a meeting of the JMM district, block presidents and central officials at his residence in Ranchi, Soren said that the opposition will try to break integrity and unity in the name of religion in the election year. According to Soren, ever since JMM formed government in the state, the opposition has been trying to topple the government. But because of their unity, the opposition have not been successful in their conspiracy. Palamau needs tigresses to retain big cat count The Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand needs tigresses if it has to keep the three male migrant tigers that were spotted recently. The PTR authorities are considering about approaching the National Tiger Conservation Authority for approving translocation of tigresses from other reserves. It would be difficult for them to stay here for a long time if they dont find any mates, they said. Much to the satisfaction for the forest officials, as many as two tigers were spotted in November this year. Notably, according to a report on the Status of Tigers in India, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, there were no tigers in PTR. Big B launches poster of film on Birsa Munda Actor Amitabh Bachchan has launched the poster of a film on the bravery and struggle of Bhagwan Birsa Munda during the Kaun Banega Karorpati (KBC) programme. The actor congratulated actor Suchi Kumar saying that Munda was a great revolutionary and warrior. All the preparations for making the film on Birsa Munda also called Dharti Aaba have been completed and the shooting of the film will start soon from Birsa Mundas village Ulihatu in March 2024. Ulihatu had hit the headlines after PM Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit the place. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp CM asks JMM staff to be ready for every situation Having skipped half a dozen summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the land scam case, Chief Minister Hemant Soren asked the JMM leaders and workers to be prepared for every situation. Addressing a meeting of the JMM district, block presidents and central officials at his residence in Ranchi, Soren said that the opposition will try to break integrity and unity in the name of religion in the election year. According to Soren, ever since JMM formed government in the state, the opposition has been trying to topple the government. But because of their unity, the opposition have not been successful in their conspiracy. Palamau needs tigresses to retain big cat count The Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand needs tigresses if it has to keep the three male migrant tigers that were spotted recently. The PTR authorities are considering about approaching the National Tiger Conservation Authority for approving translocation of tigresses from other reserves. It would be difficult for them to stay here for a long time if they dont find any mates, they said. Much to the satisfaction for the forest officials, as many as two tigers were spotted in November this year. Notably, according to a report on the Status of Tigers in India, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, there were no tigers in PTR.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Big B launches poster of film on Birsa Munda Actor Amitabh Bachchan has launched the poster of a film on the bravery and struggle of Bhagwan Birsa Munda during the Kaun Banega Karorpati (KBC) programme. The actor congratulated actor Suchi Kumar saying that Munda was a great revolutionary and warrior. All the preparations for making the film on Birsa Munda also called Dharti Aaba have been completed and the shooting of the film will start soon from Birsa Mundas village Ulihatu in March 2024. Ulihatu had hit the headlines after PM Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit the place. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Express News Service By BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday restrained any persons, groups, associations, political parties and the like from visiting the woman, who was assaulted and paraded naked in Belagavi district, without prior written permission of the medical officer in-charge, or the doctor, of the hospital where she is being treated. The woman was stripped, paraded naked, tied to an electric pole and assaulted after her son eloped with a girl in Belagavi.The court, however, said family members of the victim, official representatives of statutory authorities or investigating agencies can visit the victim in a need-based manner. Taking up the matter on urgency, a division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit passed the order after taking cognisance of the report aired by a national news channel on Saturday that representatives of the National Human Rights Commission and a delegation of a political party will visit the victim. ALSO READ | Belagavi stripping case: NHRC issues notice to state This court normally would not like to restrict the freedom of movement of any citizen; however, considering the fact that the victim has suffered unbearable trauma and undergoing medical treatment, in our opinion, the flow of visitors is likely to affect the health condition of the victim, it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday restrained any persons, groups, associations, political parties and the like from visiting the woman, who was assaulted and paraded naked in Belagavi district, without prior written permission of the medical officer in-charge, or the doctor, of the hospital where she is being treated. The woman was stripped, paraded naked, tied to an electric pole and assaulted after her son eloped with a girl in Belagavi.The court, however, said family members of the victim, official representatives of statutory authorities or investigating agencies can visit the victim in a need-based manner. Taking up the matter on urgency, a division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit passed the order after taking cognisance of the report aired by a national news channel on Saturday that representatives of the National Human Rights Commission and a delegation of a political party will visit the victim.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Belagavi stripping case: NHRC issues notice to state This court normally would not like to restrict the freedom of movement of any citizen; however, considering the fact that the victim has suffered unbearable trauma and undergoing medical treatment, in our opinion, the flow of visitors is likely to affect the health condition of the victim, it said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp Lately, two things have unleashed a passion for freckles among Gen Z: the acceptance of a natural, inclusive beauty that highlights what makes us different, and the optical illusion of Real Freckles, one of the most popular filters on TikTok, which has shown millions of people the rejuvenating power that a simple constellation of small spots can provide. If for years having freckles was a cause of shame and all efforts were aimed at hiding them with thick layers of makeup or dermatological treatments, now every tiny new speck that appears on a persons face is a reason for joy. Luckily, those who do not have them can learn to fake them with the arsenal of tricks and tutorials that can be found on social media. Simulating freckles with makeup is not something new. In the 1940s, many women used to copy Marilyn Monroes famous beauty mark, which was nothing more than a freckle drawn with a black pencil. In the 1960s the model Twiggy made them fashionable, and in the 1970s the actress Charlotte Rampling consolidated a trend that never fully left. In fact, applying freckles to simulate youth is one of the favorite tricks of Pablo Iglesias, Penelope Cruzs makeup artist. There are some basic recommendations if you want to create them with makeup. It is necessary to apply a primer to ensure that they adhere to the face and dont fade over time. In addition, they must always be done over the foundation and blush, taking into account the color of the skin: if it is light, the freckles should be more reddish, and if it is dark, we should opt for the brown range, for a realistic result. The best is to combine two tones so that they are not homogeneous. And of course, they have to sealed with a makeup fixative that integrates all the products and keeps them intact throughout the day, explains Montse Sanfeliu, a professional makeup artist for television series and movies. Here, we analyze some techniques to fake freckles. Drawing them with pencil, shadows or cream Drawing them on the skin is the simplest, most practical way. The key is to apply different pressures to achieve an irregular result. - Pencil or pen: The easiest way to create freckles is to use a specific pen. If you dont have one, you can use an ultra-fine eyebrow pencil, which has a drier texture than the eye pencils. The dots have to be of different intensity, uneven and not symmetrical so that they look natural, says Sanfeliu. - Shadows: The textures of eye shadows are useful to complement the pencil and ensure that the transparency, amount and density of the freckles is realistic. But you must be careful. If the shadows are bright you will achieve the opposite effect and they will look artificial. Once the freckle design is done, I recommend blending and erasing the excess with a makeup sponge, tapping lightly on the skin. Its okay if one disappears or loses its rounded shape, because it will look even more natural, explains Alessandra Wilson from Yanbal. - Cream: The experts from the Spanish perfumery chain Primor recommend the LA Girl eyebrow pomade. The first step is to choose a creamy product that is easy to apply with a fine-tipped brush. This way we create different sizes, densities and intensities around the nose, the cheekbones and the central area of the forehead. Then, you blend them into the skin with a loose-bristle brush. Natural freckles with a self-tanner To achieve the perfect fake freckles, you only need two things: a self-tanner and a toothbrush. To do so, the experts at St. Tropez recommend putting a small amount of self-tanning foam in a container or on a mitt and carefully wet the tips of the brush bristles with the foam, taking small amounts. Then, lightly press the brush on those areas of the face where freckles would appear, such as the upper part of the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Finish by removing the excess with a tissue. Creating freckles with eyebrow dye It is the latest viral trick to achieve long-lasting freckles. You choose a natural color eyebrow dye and mark the freckles with the flat end of a manicure stick, wait for the dye to settle and then carefully remove it. But does this technique actually work? Personally, I dont recommend doing it with dye. There could be allergic reactions. Also, dyes are not made for the skin and they tend to disappear rather quickly, says Giner Munoz, from Benefit Cosmetics. Simulating freckles with the LOreal Paris Magic Retouch Spray The Magic Retouch Spray by LOreal Paris serves to camouflage gray hair in just three seconds, and it is another trick that people use to splash their face with freckles. Many makeup experts share videos in which they subtly shake the bottle over their face so that the small droplets land on their face and become freckles. To complicate matters, some place a steel strainer in front of their face, like a mask, to spray the product over it. Makeup artist Noemi Nohales warns of the complexity of this method: It is really very difficult to get it right. You have to have a lot of experience so that your face doesnt end up with a large, unflattering dark blot. Freckle stickers or tattoos Just like your childhood stickers. You stick a strip with fake freckles on your nose and cheeks, moisten it with a damp cloth and carefully remove it after 30 seconds. You have to have experience, because sometimes half of the tattoo can remain untransferred. If this happens you have to start over. The result may not be so natural, but it is super fast, explains Sanfeliu. Six basics for faking freckles 1- Eyebrow Pencil, by Sephora Collection The Sephora Collection pencil has an extra fine, waterproof, long-lasting tip to draw freckles with accuracy. 2- Eyebrow Pomade, by LA Girl Perfect for drawing and defining freckles on your face. The LA Girl pomade stays on all day without fading or staining. 3- Brow Microfilling Pen, by Benefit Cosmetics The Benefit Cosmetics Brow Microfilling Pen can create freckles of different intensities in a single stroke thanks to its three ultra-fine tips. Its long-lasting formula is waterproof and smudge-proof. 4- Freckle Pen, by Langmanni Makeup This long-lasting freckle pen has a felt-tip applicator to effortlessly create the look you want. 5- Self Tan Luxe Whipped Creme Mousse, by St. Tropez This mousse is enriched with natural ingredients that hydrate, reduce redness and provide a uniform tone. It is easy to apply and has an immediate, long-lasting result. 6- Magic Retouch, by LOreal Paris The Magic Retouch root touch-up spray covers gray hair instantly. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NEW: The suspect was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center, where he'd just been five days earlier after being arrested for a separate robbery. No charges were filed in that case because the victim was not able to identify him and there was not sufficient evidence to prove the juvenile was responsible, State's Attorney, Julia Rietz said Sunday night. 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. This story contains original reporting by News-Gazette staff. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one, because local journalism is only possible with your support. A subscription to The News-Gazette plays a vital role in making this reporting possible. Thank you for your support and helping us continue to connect our community. Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed Comparisons are odious, but they hold up reasonably when it is hatred that fuels the terms being compared. Vladimir Putins soldiers, who had their fill of killing and torturing civilians in Bucha in March 2022, and the Hamas militiamen who razed kibbutzes, kidnapped old people, children, and women and set about murdering those who fled. The bombs dropped on Kramatorsk station and the Mariupol theater, and those dropped on Gaza City and Khan Younis. Putin takes the cake because he invites comparisons with the worst of all sides. It is not so easy to compare when it comes to the right of defense that everyone claims. There should be little doubt about the legitimacy of Ukraines response to Russias aggression, and Israels to the Hamas attacks. The problem lies in the limits. For Ukraine, if its forces can achieve it, these lie in the expulsion of the Russian army from its sovereign, internationally recognized territory. The case of Israel is thornier: to liquidate Hamas, without doubt, but after defining what such liquidation means, how long it might last, and what price there will be to pay in terms of lives, especially those of hostages and innocent Palestinian citizens. The proportionality of the means employed and even the real objective pursued are debatable. If it is the destruction of the Strip, as can be surmised from the annexationist expressions of many members of the Israeli government, this is where Putin comes in again. First, destroy, and then annex, in violation of international law: Greater Russia and Greater Israel twinned. As an alibi, the precedent established by George W. Bush with his war against terrorism, which claimed to be based on the right of defense against a real terrorist attack that of 9/11 and an invented threat of aggression that of the non-existent weapons of mass destruction weighs heavily. Putin still pushes the narrative of the aggression represented by the enlargement of NATO and the installation of a regime in Kyiv which he likens to the Nazis. The comparative flow is inexhaustible. War crimes, for example, have been committed by everyone, from the low intensity of the accusations against Ukraine to the seriousness of the Russian invasion, as well as the Israeli siege and bombardment of Gaza, while not forgetting Hamas, of course. All fingers, including Putins, point to the enemy as guilty of genocide. Although Israel seems to own the accusatory brand, painfully acquired under Hitlers Germany, the horror of the persecution and industrial extermination of Europes Jews has little to do with the primitive bestiality of the October 7 pogrom. It is only logical that the grandchildren of those who perished in the concentration camps should link that systematic slaughter of yesteryear with the hatred they now arouse in their Palestinian neighbors. Hatred is everywhere and without it there is no explanation for the cruelty of these wars and why they break out. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The global COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved an estimated 20 million lives. However, while current COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against developing severe disease, they do little to prevent infection and transmission. Findings published in the journal Nature by physician-scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and colleagues suggest that it may be possible to improve protection against COVID-19 by delivering the vaccine directly to the respiratory tract-; the primary site of entry in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The failure of the current generation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines delivered by the intramuscular (IM) route to block infection likely relates to their inability to induce robust mucosal immune responses at the portal of entry. In this study, we demonstrated that novel immunization strategies can markedly increase mucosal immunity in nonhuman primates and improve protective efficacy against a mucosal virus challenge." Dan H. Barouch, MD, PhD, corresponding author, director of the Center for Vaccine and Virology Research at BIDMC Barouch and colleagues primed 40 adult rhesus macaques with the Ad26 COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) administered intramuscularly (IM)--like the shot in the arm adults typically receive. Approximately a year later, the animals received a booster. Three groups received either a dose of the Ad26 vaccine via the IM route, the intranasal (IN) route (delivered via nasal spray) or intratracheal (IT) route (delivered by nebulizer or inhaler). A fourth group received a dose of the bivalent mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) by the IN route. A sham group received no boosters. When the macaques were later challenged with a high dose of the virus, the investigators sampled the animals' blood, nasal and lung fluids to monitor their immune responses. They found that the Ad26 booster administered via the IT route provided near complete protection against a high-dose SARS-CoV-2 challenge and induced greater mucosal immunity than it did via the IN or IM route. In contrast, mRNA IN boosting proved ineffective, suggesting that improved formulations will likely be required for effective mucosal delivery of mRNA vaccines. "Taken together, these data demonstrate that novel immunization strategies can markedly increase mucosal immunity in nonhuman primates and improve protective efficacy against a mucosal virus challenge," said Barouch. "These data suggest the feasibility of developing vaccines that block respiratory viral infections." Co-authors included co-first authors Katherine McMahan, Malika Aid, Michaela Sciacca, Jinyan Liu, Nicole P. Hachmann, Jessica Miller, Catherine Jacob-Dolan, Olivia Powers and David Hope, as well as Cindy Wu, Juliana Pereira, Tetyana Murdza, Camille R. Mazurek and Amelia Hoyt of BIDMC; co-first author Frank Wegmann, as well as Jeroen Tolboom, Jan Serroyen, Laura Solforosi, Lea M.M. Costes, and co-senior author Roland C. Zahn of Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V.; Adrianus C.M. Boon of Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis; Meredith Davis-Gardner and Mehul S. Suthar of Emory School of Medicine; Amanda J. Martinot of Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; and Mona Boursiquot, Anthony Cook, Laurent Pessaint, Mark G. Lewis, Hanne Andersen of Bioqual. This work was supported by Janssen, Gates Foundation (INV-027406, INV619 041469), National Institutes of Health (CA260476), the Massachusetts Consortium for Pathogen Readiness, and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard. Barouch, Wegman, and Zahn are co-inventors on provisional SARS-CoV-2 vaccine patents 635 (63/121,482; 63/133,969; 63/135,182). Wegman, Tolboom, Serroyen, Solforosi, Costes and Zahn are employees and may hold equity in Janssen. Science has named the development of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and this year's discovery that these drugs can blunt obesity-associated health problems as its 2023 Breakthrough of The Year. Although obesity's causes span genetic, physiological, environmental, and social factors, as a medical problem, obesity's risks can be life-threatening including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, and certain cancers. Drug treatments for obesity have had "a sorry past, one often intertwined with social pressure to lose weight and the widespread belief that excess weight reflects weak willpower," writes Jennifer Couzin-Frankel in the Breakthrough news feature. However, a new class of drug therapies for weight loss has emerged and is showing promising results. Originally developed to treat diabetes nearly 20 years ago, the excitement surrounding GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity has recently exploded. And this year, two landmark clinical trials that showed in large numbers that GLP-1 agonists produced meaningful health benefits beyond weight loss itself. What's more, several trials are currently underway investigating their use in treating drug addiction, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. "But for all their promise, GLP-1 agonists have raised more questions than they have answered a hallmark of a true breakthrough," writes Science journals' editor-in-chief, Holden Thorp, in a related Editorial. "We recognize that obesity comes with medical and social complexities," writes Couzin-Frankel. Both her story and the related editorial highlight how the development and implementation of these drugs are forcing important discussions about the way obesity is considered, which might help lower the stigma and judgment around weight. Couzin-Frankel's story also highlights concerns about the drugs' cost, availability, associated side effects, and their potential need to be taken indefinitely. Doctors also worry about people who aren't obese or overweight resorting to their use to quickly slim down. Runners up for the Science Breakthrough of the year include advancements in antibody therapies that may slow neurodegeneration in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease; the discovery of natural hydrogen sources below the Earth's surface; the push for systemic changes in how early-career scientists are treated at institutions worldwide; the confirmation of the deep antiquity of human footprints discovered in an ancient lake in New Mexico; findings that show Earth's crucial carbon pump is slowing down; interstellar signals from massive black hole mergers; the development of AI-assisted weather forecasting; new malaria vaccines; and the deployment of exascale computing, which promises to bring unprecedented computational power to many fields of science. An international team of scientists led by geneticists and disease biologists from the University of Oxford and LMU Munich have used ancient DNA to trace the evolution of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV). This global pathogen causes fatal infections in unvaccinated chickens and costs the poultry industry over $1 billion per year. The findings, published today in the journal Science, show how viruses evolve to become more virulent and could lead to the development of better ways to treat viral infections. The team, which includes archaeologists and biologists, recovered and reconstructed ancient MDV sequences from archaeological chickens spanning the past 1,000 years. By comparing viral genomes derived from both modern and ancient birds, they were able to pinpoint the genetic alterations responsible for the increased virulence of the modern virus. Based on the ancient genetic sequences, they were also able to resurrect ancient biological processes using cellular assays, demonstrating that ancient strains were significantly milder than their modern counterparts. This breakthrough not only sheds light on the evolutionary history of MDV, but also holds promise for the development of more effective therapies against this devastating poultry disease. This new study is based on DNA isolated from chicken bones that were excavated from 140 archaeological sites in Europe and the Near East. These ancient genomes revealed that MDV was widespread in European chickens at least 1,000 years before the disease was first described in 1907. This highlights the importance of preserving archaeological remains, especially given their power to reveal valuable insights into the evolution of virulence. When first described, this disease only led to mild symptoms in older chickens. As chicken consumption dramatically increased in the 1950s and 1960s, MDV has continued to evolve and has become increasingly aggressive despite the development of several vaccines. Our findings not only unravel the evolutionary history of the Marek's Disease Virus but also provide a foundation for enhancing our current understanding of pathogen virulence. By combining ancient DNA techniques with modern genomics, we've opened a window into the past that can guide future strategies in managing viral diseases." Dr Steven Fiddaman, First Author, Department of Biology, University of Oxford Professor Naomi Sykes (University of Exeter), lead archaeologist on the study, stated: "This study underscores the profound significance of biological material preserved in archaeological and museum collections since we cannot foresee how their investigation might possess transformative applications in the future." Professor Laurent Frantz (LMU Munich), co-senior author of the study stated: "Our work highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together paleogeneticists, virologists, archaeologists, and biologists to unravel the complex evolutionary history of a pathogen with significant economic and agricultural implications." Professor Greger Larson (University of Oxford), co-senior author commented: "We have seen how mitigating diseases often creates a selection pressure that increases the virulence of the virus. Being able to watch this process take place by sequencing ancient virus genomes shows just how dramatically the virulence of MDV has increased in the past century." Professor Adrian Smith (Department of Biology, University of Oxford), co-senior author said: "Ancient DNA has provided us with a unique perspective on the emergence of MDV as a deadly chicken virus and may teach us lessons that are applicable to the control of other viral infections of medical and veterinary importance." Professor Venugopal Nair, Scientist Emeritus at The Pirbright Institute, said: "Findings from this paper on the origins of virulence, particularly associated with the genetic sequences of the ancient Marek's disease viruses, will provide great scientific opportunities to explore the molecular mechanisms of increasing virulence of this virus that coincided with the intensification of poultry farming from the 1960s." In an effort to better optimize the triage of patients during mass casualty events, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers are receiving up to $7.3 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) for vital new research. The funding will be used to support a study that will collect data over the next 3.5 years on trauma patients with the aim of identifying and implementing lifesaving advancements in medical triage for large-scale mass casualty incidents. "The importance of early interventions in trauma is described as the concept of the 'golden hour', which means the first hour of trauma care is very important," said study Principal Investigator Peter Hu, PhD, Professor of Anesthesiology at UMSOM and Chief Technologist at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). "When disasters happen, if we can use machine learning to rapidly predict the need for lifesaving interventions, we can be more effective in triage especially in situations where medical personnel are limited." DARPA's Research Infrastructure for Trauma with Medical Observations (RITMO) effort, which is funding the study, aims to create a single database of de-identified trauma patient data derived from the early post-injury period. The RITMO program is the foundational data component of the DARPA Triage Challenge, a 3.5-year challenge designed to drive the development of physiological 'signatures' of injury that will help medical responders quickly assess patient vital signs, make triage decisions and render aid to the critically injured in military and civilian mass casualty incidents. Mass casualty incidents involve multiple injured patients and can include large-scale traffic accidents, natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, or violent attacks like mass shootings. "As a member of our armed forces, I am proud to see our faculty collaborate on the development of this cutting-edge technology in trauma triage," said Col. Samuel Galvagno, DO, PhD, MS, MBA, FCCM Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at UMSOM, Interim Chief of Anesthesiology at UMMC and a General Officer in the United States Air Force Reserve. "This work extends beyond military combat and will universally transform how we approach trauma care." The UMSOM team will collect de-identified data on trauma patients ages 18 to 65 who are admitted to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center over the next three years. Data collected will include continuous patient vital signs and lifesaving medical intervention data through each stage of trauma triage including field care, helicopter transport, trauma center reception, and resuscitation and stabilization. The UMSOM team will also contribute additional indicators of patient status such as brain and tissue oxygen readings to help identify potential neurological injuries. With minute-by-minute patient data, we can have a clearer picture of where a patient is deteriorating and prepare our trauma teams with critical answers such as how much blood may be needed upon arrival. Being able to obtain real-time insights before patients reach the trauma center is pivotal in the advancement of the triage process." Thomas Scalea, MD, The Honorable Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma Surgery at UMSOM, Director of the Program in Trauma, and Physician-in-Chief of the Shock Trauma Center Findings from this new study will also be used in a separate RITMO initiative called the DARPA Triage Challenge data competition. Teams in the data competition are challenged to develop algorithms that will detect the signatures of injury through non-invasive sensors. This will provide insights that will enable accuracy in triage decision-making such as prioritization for medical evacuation. As part of the DARPA Triage Challenge, a University of Maryland College Park robotics team is working on building drones with stand-off sensors that will utilize the algorithms to drive the aerial assessment of vitals and injuries in real-time. Sarah Murthi, MD, Professor of Surgery at UMSOM and a critical care surgeon at the Shock Trauma Center, is part of this team and will contribute her expertise on medical sensing and triage procedures. "The number of U.S. shootings with multiple victims has nearly doubled over the past five years to more than 600 shootings per year, which underscores the dire need to advance new triage technologies," said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, UMSOM, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore. "Combining high-resolution physiological data with machine-learning tools will ultimately yield a new form of precision medicine in critical care to better assess a trauma patients' immediate needs with the ultimate aim of saving lives." Over the past 10 years, Dr. Hu and his colleagues have received $35 million in grant funding to contribute data and aid the development of lifesaving interventions in trauma. He is also working on other research to predict the early need for blood transfusions in mass casualty incidents. The Bihar School Examination Board has released the BSEB classes 9, and 11 exam date sheet 2024. As per the exam timetable, the exams will commence on December 26. Students who will appear for the Bihar Board class 9, 11 exams can check their exam dates on the official website at biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. The BSEB class 9 exams will take place in two shifts the first shift will start from 9:30 AM and continue till 11:00 AM while the second session will commence at 11:30 AM and end at 1:00 PM. The Bihar board class 11 exams will also be held in two sessions, with the first shift starting from 1:30 PM and ending at 3 PM and the second shift from 3:30 PM to 5 PM. BSEB Class 9, 11 Exam Datesheet 2024: How to Check Step 1: Go to the official website of BSEB biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in Step 2: On the homepage, click on the BSEB Class 9/Class 11 exam date sheet 2024 link. Step 3: The PDF will be displayed on the screen. Step 4: Check the exam schedule and download the page for further reference. The Bihar School Examination Committee has also released the board exam 2024 dates for classes 10 and 12. The intermediate exams will be held from February 1 to 12 while the matriculation exams will be held from February 15 to 23. Bihar School Examination Committee Chairman Anand Kishore has also announced the practical exam dates. The BSEB intermediate practical exam will be held from January 10 to 20, while the practical examinations of class 10 will be held from January 18 to 20. The Bihar board matric and intermediate examinations will be held in two shifts. The first shift exam will be held from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm. The second shift examination will be conducted from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm. The BSEB class 10 result 2024 will be announced in the months of March-April. The compartment exams will be held in April or May and the result of the compartment exams will be declared in May-June. 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. Are you preparing for any upcoming recruitment exam? Keep in mind that the general knowledge section is an important part of it. To pass the majority of employment exams, a candidate must have a basic understanding of general knowledge and current events. Here is a curated list of top news events from the past week to help you prepare for any upcoming exams. Parliament Security Breach: On December 15, the Delhi Polices Special Cell arrested two more people in connection to the December 13 Parliament security breach. The incident involved two individuals, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, who jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber and used canisters of yellow gas to cause panic among the lawmakers. Meanwhile, the other two detainees have been identified as Mahesh and Kailash, both from Rajasthan with an alleged connection with the social media group Justice for Azad Bhagat Singh. Article 370 Verdict: In a unanimous decision issued on December 11, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the constitutionality of the repeal of the contentious Article 370 and directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30 next year. In his decision in the much-anticipated case, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud stated that Jammu and Kashmirs statehood should be restored as soon as possible because Article 370 is only a temporary measure for the union territory. Chennai Needs Additional Higher Capacity Drains: Days after Cyclone Michuang flooded parts of Tamil Nadus Chennai with over 50 cm of rain, a senior Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) official recently stated that the city needs to install at least 2,000 km more of contemporary stormwater drains with a greater capacity to withstand heavy downpours. The majority of the citys 2,950 km of drains have a handling capacity of only 2 to 5 cm per hour, according to S Rajendiran, the chief engineer for stormwater drains (SWD) for the GCC, who spoke to PTI. Devotees Without Q booking Not Allowed in Keralas Sabarimala: The Kerala High Court said on December 13 that devotees of Lord Ayyappa who do not possess virtual Q booking or spot booking tickets are not permitted to enter Sannidhanam, amid criticism directed towards the Pinarayi Vijayan government for alleged mismanagement at Sabarimala. On December 12, the court ordered the police to maintain daily cleanliness and to prevent devotees from being crammed into the queue complex. Pilgrims Visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Using Kartarpur Corridor: The government told the Rajya Sabha on December 14 that since the Kartarpur Corridors opening in November 2019, about 2.35 lakh pilgrims have travelled through it to visit the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. A historic people-to-people initiative, the Kartarpur corridor opened in November 2019 between the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, and Dera Baba Sahib in Gurdaspur, India. According to information provided by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, 1,002 applications to visit the Sikh shrine via the Kartarpur Sahib corridor were denied in 2021 while 8,309 were denied in 2022. He added that 7,332 applications were rejected in 2023 (up until December 4). In a shocking incident, a priest was shot dead and his eyes were gouged out in Bihars Gopalganj district on Saturday, December 16. The genitals of the priest were also chopped off. The deceased was reportedly missing for the past five days when his body was recovered. The victim, identified as Manoj Kumar, was working as a priest at a temple of Lord Shiva in Danapur village of Gopalganj district. Notably, his brother Ashok Kumar Shah is a former divisional president of the BJP. Kumar went missing after he went to the temple from his house. Despite launching a search operation, the police was unable to track him. Later on Saturday, the police found the victims body in the bushes near Manjha Milk Factory near his house. The family of the victim informed that Kumar was shot near the neck and both his eyes were gouged out. His private parts were also damaged. Clashes Erupt in Bihar; 5 People Detained Soon after the incident came to light, clashes erupted in the area with locals accusing the police of negligence. Two police officials received minor injuries during the clash after the locals started pelting stones on them. A police vehicle was also set on fire. The police detained five people after the situation turned violent. On receiving information about the incident, Gopalganj Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pranjal reached the spot to control the law and order situation in the village. BJP Attacks Nitish Govt Reacting on the incident, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday attacked the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government over the killing of the Preist in Bihar and said that jungle-raj has returned in the state. ISIS style killing of Pujari in BiharNitish Raj = Jungle Raj pic.twitter.com/I0mhqPpMKx Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) December 17, 2023 Stating that the Pujari (Preist) was killed in ISIS-style, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala equated the Nitish Kumar government with jungle-raj. With Ram Temple in Ayodhya set for inauguration next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said January 22 will be the most important day in the lives of all Indians. This is not just about my happiness, but it is a happy occasion for 140 crore Indians and their peace, said the PM in an interview to news publication Dainik Jagran. He also touched upon the topic of entrepreneurship, and said one should focus on individuality and patience. Sometimes a sector becomes successful, but those who worked hard dont get the praise. Later, those individuals are recognised as new but in reality they have been working hard all this while (to show their merit). The consecration ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with hundreds of dignitaries. The idol of Ram Lalla will be placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the newly built Ram temple in the consecration ceremony, and thereafter it will be opened for public. At least 3,000 candidates have applied for posts of priests at the Ram temple after the Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust advertised vacancies. Of these, 200 candidates were selected for interviews on the basis of merit. The Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya is also all set for its launch. While the first inaugural flight will take-off from the Ram temple-themed airport on December 30, regular flights will start from January 6. Meanwhile, PM Modi will be arriving on a two-day visit in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Sunday during which he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 37 projects valued worth over Rs 19,000 crore for the development of the Varanasi and the Purvanchal region. He will reach Varanasi Sunday afternoon, and will be welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after which he will spend about 25 hours in Varanasi, an official statement said. In a major crackdown, the Odisha Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested a Kashmiri youth for his suspected links with some anti-national elements. The accused was identified as Sayed Ishaan Bukhari alias Ishaan Bukhari, a resident of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir. The accused was found impersonating as a neuro specialist doctor, an army doctor, an officer in PMO, a close associate of some high-ranking NIA official and allegedly cheating people, the STF said. The accused was found to be impersonating a Neuro Specialist, an Army Doctor, an officer in PMO, a close associate of high-ranking NIA officials and others. Numerous forged documents like medical degree certificates issued by Cornel University of USA, Canadian Health Services Institute, and others were also seized, STF IG JN Pankaj told reporters. The 37-year-old youth was apprehended during a raid at Neulpur in Dharmasala area of Jajpur district in Odisha. Many incriminating materials including more than 100 forged documents like foreign medical degree certificates, blank signed documents, affidavits, bonds, identity cards, ATM cards, blank cheques, Aadhaar cards and visiting cards were seized during the search. The STF revealed that the accused has married at least 6-7 women from various parts of India including Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha. He was allegedly in romantic relationship with multiple women identifying himself as a doctor with foreign medical degrees. During investigation, the probe agency found that Ishaan was in touch with suspicious persons in Kerala and some Pakistani nationals. The accused was also wanted by Kashmir Police in relation to a case of cheating and forgery and one non-bailable warrant is also pending against him. Briefing to Media STF IG Jaynarayan Oankaj said that Accused Ishaan Bukhari had links with some suspects from Kerala and Pakistan. He also had US and Canadian Medical Certificates and impersonated himslef as PMO officer and NIA. Ishan Bukhari was in touch with ISI. Bukhari has anti-national activities. Suspect Bukhari was living in Odisha since 2018. STF is probing more about Bukhari. The accused is also reportedly wanted by Kashmir Police in connection with a case of cheating and forgery and one non-bailable warrant is pending against him. A man in Uttar Pradeshs Greater Noida was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend over suspicion of having an affair with his wife. The crime occurred in the Surajpur area of Noida on Friday night. According to a TOI report, the accused has been identified as Dinesh alias Bunty. He suspected his friend of having an affair with his wife and has been absconding since the night of the crime. The deceased, 26, has been identified as Pawan. He was a resident of Santosh Nagar and worked as a truck driver. Pawan was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, the publication reported. A team from Surajpur police station rushed to the hospital after Pawans landlord made an emergency call at around 1 am on Saturday to inform about the crime. He was then taken to the hospital by his family with the help of the locals. Meanwhile, the Noida police have deployed a special team to nab the accused after an FIR was lodged against Dinesh under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC. According to the police, on Friday around 11 pm, Dinesh allegedly asked Pawan to meet him near a bridge in their locality. A heated argument broke out between the two, in the presence of the accuseds wife, which escalated and turned violent. Dinesh stabbed Pawan several times with a knife and fled the spot after his wife raised the alarm, the publication quoted a senior officer as saying adding that the accused allegedly suspected his wife of infidelity and would often beat her up. The last six episodes of The Crown have been available on Netflix since Thursday, and they bring the series to an end. Based on real events, for seven years and 60 episodes, Peter Morgans show has covered the main historical and political context in the United Kingdom, especially the family and its love affairs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The sixth and final season has given a leading role to characters who have been the undisputed main players in the Windsor story in real life, such as the iconic Lady Di. But it has also brought back into the spotlight personalities who went unnoticed and were forgotten about for years, because they are relevant to telling the royal familys story in some way. One such person was Kelly Fisher, the former model who was engaged to businessman Dodi Al-Fayed when he began dating Princess Diana; she learned about the affair in the press. Fisher now lives in South Carolina, far from the media spotlight; at one point, she did use that attention to sue Al-Fayed, as weve learned after the press began to wonder what had happened to her. The same happened in this latest episode with Carly Massy-Birch, Prince Williams ex-girlfriend, the young woman who previously but nearly simultaneously captivated him as Kate Middleton did, when they were all just 20 years old. The seventh episode of The Crowns final season portrays Prince Williams first girlfriend, whom he meets at the University of Saint Andrews, in Scotland. In the show, the young womans name is Lola Airdale-Cavendish-Kincaid (She is so posh that she has three surnames, a waitress and Kate Middletons classmate at the same university says in an Italian restaurant when they see them passing by other friends one night). The young woman existed, but her real name was Carly Massy-Birch. She was an English and creative writing student in the course before the prince and they had only been dating for a couple of months. Carly will be very upset that this has come out. She dated William for six or seven weeks when they first arrived at St. Andrews, Mimi Massy-Birch, the young womans mother, said in 2008, five years after William officially started dating Kate, as the Daily Mail reported at the time. She has gone to great lengths to keep her friendship with him a secret, we all have, and so she will be upset about this, Mimi continued, noting that William, Kate and her daughter were the best of friends. But that is not what the show depicts. In the episode, we see that Lola (Carly, in real life) and William hook up at a party one night, after a phone call with Prince Harry in which he encourages his older brother to go wild: Dont be so uptight. They begin dating that same night. However, from the very beginning, William is attracted to Kate Middleton, who also notices him (in fact, the plot of the episode is that Carole Middleton, Kates mother, does everything she can to set her daughter up with William to give Kate a chance with him romantically). While William is dating Lola, he approaches Kate Middleton in the library and starts chatting with her; Lola shows up and flies into a fit of jealousy. The young prince becomes very violent and uncomfortable, as does Middleton. Just then a fan approaches William to ask for an autograph (which occurs regularly on campus) and William responds very rudely to her. Without delving into the ensuing awkward conversation that ends with both women walking away indignantly, the next thing the episode shows us is that William and Lola have broken up, and that Kate has a new boyfriend, Rupert Finch (who also existed in real life and whose name has been retained in the show). The Crown omits an awkward moment that is mentioned in Katie Nicholls 2011 book The Making of a Royal Romance. According to Nicholl, the three attended a college party at which they started playing the classic game Never Have I Ever, where someone says something theyve never done and everyone who has done it drinks. Ive never dated two people from this place, Carly must have said when it was her turn, knowing that William would have to drink. The writer gathered stories from several party guests, and Kates confirmation, about it. One of them claimed that, after Carlys comment, everyone froze, while William gave her a withering look and commented something like I cant believe it. Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton and Ed McVey as Prince William in the final season of 'The Crown.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Cordon Press That revelation served for William to confirm his relationship with Kate once and for all, as members of the princes social circle told the author. The show traces the beginning of their relationship to Christmas 2002, when the current heir to the British throne talks to his family and even considers dropping out of college. At the same time, Kate takes Rupert home and argues with her mother: Kate knows that Carole wants William for her daughter and believes that her mother considers her boyfriend inferior. Carole tells her to go on with him if she wants to, but not to do it just to defy her mother. Thats when young Kate starts to reflect on the situation. At the end of the episode, she texts William (on a Nokia 3310!), writing: Please dont leave uni. Kate. Fictional or not, it is certain that the couple sealed their union in 2011 with a memorable kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their massive wedding and are now the United Kingdoms future monarchs. Rupert Finch and Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs leave St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester, England, after their wedding on June 8, 2013. Max Mumby/Indigo (Getty Images) Currently, Rupert Finch is a renowned lawyer and has been married to aristocrat Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, Kates friend, since 2013. In fact, the Prince and Princess of Wales were invited to the wedding, and Rupert and Natasha were invited to theirs. Carlys life, however, is a mystery. In 2020, the Daily Mail reported that she is believed to be married and still living in London. We dont know if she is still in contact with the Prince and Princess of Wales, as her mother said. New details are likely to come to light now that The Crown has brought her back into the public eye and people begin to wonder what has become of Carly Massy-Birch. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Sunday, will inaugurate the second Vande Bharat on the Varanasi-New Delhi route, giving key rail projects to the regions. He will also inaugurate the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and flag off the Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train. The PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 37 projects valued worth over Rs 19,000 crore for development of Varanasi and the Purvanchal region. Tomorrow evening onwards, I will be among my sisters and brothers of Kashi. I will take part in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and later will inaugurate the @KTSangamam, a landmark forum that celebrates our unique cultural traditions and diversity. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2023 The key rail projects in the region that will be inaugurated: 2nd Vande Bharat on Varanasi-New Delhi route: New Delhi to Varanasi was the first route for Vande Bharat Express and then train 18 in 2019. After four years, Prime Minister will launch another Vande Bharat on the same route. Apart from a gift for people of Varanasi, it also endorses the claims of Railways that Vande Bharat is loved by rail passengers. On the basis of the current demand on the route, it was decided to launch another train.The existing Vande Bharat from New Delhi to Varanasi leaves at 6am, while returns at 3pm from Varanasi. The new train will depart from Varanasi in the morning hours and will return in the evening. Indra-Dohrighat gauge conversion project: A 34.37-km section has been converted to broad gauge which will help areas get better connectivity. The section has also been electrified. The Rs 213-crore project will be inaugurated by PM Modi. MEMU train service between Dohrighat and Mau station. Ballia-Ghazipur City doubling project: It will be dedicated to the nation. The project cost is Rs 564 crore and it will cover 65 km. It will cover Ballia and Ghazipur districts and enhance the line capacity of the section. 10,000th locomotive built at Varanasi locomotive works. Inauguration of Railway Claims Tribunal. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay-New Bhaupur Dedicated Freight Corridor: Another project to be dedicated to the nation will be the freight corridor built at a cost of Rs 10,903 crore. It will cover 402 km across Chandauli, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat. It has the capacity to run goods train at 100kmph. A 1.5-km-long bypass chord line at Zafarabad Junction station, connecting Jaunpur Junction to Janupur City station will also be dedicated to the nation. Built at a cost of Rs 80 crore, it will provide flexibility of movement of trains. KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM, VIKSIT BHARAT EVENT Modi, who will reach on Sunday afternoon, will be welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after which he will spend about 25 hours in Varanasi, an official statement said here. On the first day of his visit to Varanasi, Modi will launch the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam in the evening at the Namo Ghat. At this event, he will flag off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express, which is to ply between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which will be held from December 17-31, will witness the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who will visit Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, it said. On Monday, Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme at Barki Gram Sabha of Sewapuri development block. With PTI Inputs PM Modi News Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 at Namo Ghat in Kashi and flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 at Namo Ghat, in Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/AbCnmNYq96 ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/EaqVyhZ0cu ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 PM Modi arrived in Varanasi on Sunday on a two-day visit during which he is set to launch and inaugurate 37 projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore for the city and Purvanchal. He will also launch Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 from Namo Ghat and flag off the new train from Kanyakumari to Varanasi. Tamil Nadu and Kashi share a special bond. You all have come here as members of my family, more than just guests. I welcome you all to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, the prime minister said. Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means going from one house of Mahadev to his other house. Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means going from the place of Madurai Meenakshi to the place of Kashi Vishalakshi. That is why the love and bond that exists in the heart between the people of Tamil Nadu and the people of Kashi is different and unique, he added. Prime Minister further said the voice of Kashi Tamil Sangamam is going all over the country and the whole world and congratulated all the concerned ministries, the Government of UP and all the citizens of Tamil Nadu for organizing this event. This feeling of One India, Best India was also visible when we entered the new building of Parliament. The sacred Sengol has been installed in the new Parliament building. Under the guidance of the saints of Aadinam, this same Sengol became the symbol of the transfer of power in 1947. This is the flow of the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, which is watering the soul of our nation today, PM Modi added. When the centres of our faith, Kashi, were being attacked by invaders from the north, King Parakram Pandiyan built temples in Tenkasi and Shivakasi saying that Kashi cannot be destroyed, the prime minister further said. During his speech at Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a new experiment was tried wherein simultaneous AI-based Tamil translation was done through Bhashini for those in the audience who understood Tamil. It was received well by the audience. Prime Minister Modi interacted with the beneficiaries of the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra saying as the MP of Varanasi, he has a responsibility to give time to this program. He also emphasised that India will become Viksit by 2047 if 140 crore citizens take a resolve. All the people of the country associated with the government, politics and social work are giving their time to make this Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra a success. So as the MP of Varanasi, I also had a responsibility that I should also give time to this program, said PM Modi. I wanted to hear from your mouth what I had said and the work I was doing, whether it happened the way I wanted or not, whether it happened for what it should have happened or not, he added. No Need to Run After Govt, It Should Work From Front: PM Modi Further in his speech, PM Modi stressed that the government should work at the forefront to ensure that people get the benefits of governmental schemes. In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I felt that the most important thing for the country to pay attention to is that the schemes of the government should reach people at the right time without any problems. If there is a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, then the houses should be built with the help of the government. There is no need to run after the government. The Govt should work from the front and since you have given me this work, about four crore families have got permanent houses #WATCH | Varanasi, UP | Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, in Varanasi, he says In our country, many government schemes have been made, based on the experience of all of them, I felt that the most important thing for the country to pay attention pic.twitter.com/TLU4BIYkKG ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 Upon arrival, the Prime Minister first visited the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition at Cutting Memorial Inter College. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition in Cutting Memorial Inter College, in Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/pWomvNvWNy ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 Earlier, during the roadshow in his constituency, PM Modi stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance during his roadshow in Varanasi.On his 2-day visit to Varanasi, PM Modi will launch and inagurate 37 projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore for Varanasi and Purvanchal. He will also launch pic.twitter.com/NPZgLumo55 ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 PM Modi received a rousing welcome upon arrival in Varanasi, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. People gathered on both sides of the road to greet the prime minister with floral showers. Earlier in the day, PM Modi landed in Gujarat where he inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport. He also unveiled the Surat Diamond Bourse, the worlds largest centre for the international diamond and jewellery business. From Surat, he is scheduled to reach Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh for a two-day visit. He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister Darshana Jardosh, Lok Sabha member and Bharatiya Janata Partys state unit chief CR Paatil and state minister Harsh Sanghavi. PM Modi Addresses People In Gujarat Speaking after inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse, PM Modi called it a symbol of steadfast commitment to excellence in the realm of precious gems. The Surat Diamond Bourse is a game-changer for the countrys economyIt is a symbol of the new India and the countrys determinationThe Surat Diamond Bourse exhibits the capabilities of Indian designers, Indian designers, Indian materials and Indian concepts. This building is the symbol of New Indias new strength and new resolve, he said. Dedicating the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport to the people of Gujarat, PM Modi noted that today, the people of Surat and the traders and businessmen here received two more gifts. Today itself the new terminal of Surat Airport has been inaugurated and the second big thing that has happened is that now Surat Airport has got the status of International Airport, he said. He observed that after the recent election results, discussions on Modis Guarantee have increased, something people of Surat have known for a long ago. The hardworking people here have seen Modis Guarantee turning into reality and Surat Diamond Burse is also an example of this guarantee, he said. Surat was once known as the Sun City. The people of this city made it a Diamond City and Silk City with their hard work. You worked harder and Surat became a Bridge City. Today, Surat is a Dream City for lakhs of youth, and now Surat is also progressing in the field of IT, he added. The Prime Minister noted that in the last 10 years, India has risen from the tenth position as an economic power to the fifth position. Now Modi has guaranteed the country that in his third innings, India will definitely be included in the top three economies of the world, he said. Today the atmosphere at the international level is in favour of India. Today Indias reputation is at its peak all over the world. India is being discussed all over the world. MadeInIndia has now become a strong brand. So I would say to all of you take a resolution and make it happen, he added. PM Modis Gujarat Schedule At around 11 am, the Prime Minister landed in Surat, where he inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport. The gateway to Surat City, the new building has been designed with its local culture and heritage, ensuring that the essence should reflect both in interior and exterior, creating a sense of place for the visitors. The Terminal building is equipped to handle 1200 Domestic passengers and 600 International passengers during peak hours and has provision for further increasing the peak hour capacity to 3000 passengers with annual handling capacity increasing to 55 lakh passengers. The facade of the upgraded terminal building aims to enrich the passenger experience with the rich and traditional woodwork of the old houses of the Rander region of Surat City. The GRIHA IV compliant airport terminal is also equipped with various sustainability features like Double Insulated Roofing System, Canopies for energy saving, Low Heat Gain Double Glazing Unit, Rain Water Harvesting, water treatment plant, Sewage treatment plant and use of recycled water for landscaping and solar power plant among others. Following this, PM Modi also inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse, which is the worlds largest centre for the international diamond and jewellery business. Diamond Bourse aims to be a global centre for trading both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery. The bourse will comprise a state-of-the-art Customs Clearance House for Import Export; a jewellery mall for retail jewellery business and a facility for international banking and safe vaults. PM Modis Varanasi Schedule The prime minister will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at Cutting Memorial School ground after landing in Varanasi. He will interact with the beneficiaries of various government schemes such as PM Awas, PM SWANidhi, and PM Ujjwala among others during the occasion. Following this, at around 5:15 pm, the Prime Minster will inaugurate Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat. On the occasion, PM Modi will also flag off the Kanyakumari Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train. On Monday, at around 10:45 am, the Prime Minister will visit Swarved Mahamandir, which will be followed by its inauguration in a public function at around 11:30 am. At around 1:00 pm, PM Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Thereafter, in a public function, at around 2:15 pm the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,150 crores. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Varanasi and inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 at Namo Ghat in Kashi and flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. During his speech at Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a new experiment was tried wherein a new real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based translation tool called Bhashini was used for those in the audience who understood Tamil. We are using this AI technology for the first time, PM Modi said, urging those who came from Tamil Nadu to use their earphones to listen to his speech. Today, the use of new technology has taken place here through Artificial Intelligence. This is a new beginning and hopefully, it makes it easier for me to reach you, the prime minister said during his address. In todays address at Kashi Tamil Sangamam, PM@narendramodi embarked on a new initiative.Bhashini facilitated real-time AI-based Tamil translation, ensuring accessibility for Tamil-speaking members in the audience.#KashiTamilSangamam | #VanakkamKashi | @KTSangamam | pic.twitter.com/p0HgTZ0u7D All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 17, 2023 ALSO READ:Jai Modi, Jai Hindustan: Little Girl Recites Poem In PMs Praise, He Reacts | WATCH Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted to the use of Bhashini during PM Modis speech and called it an exciting step taken by the PMO. An exciting step forward taken by @PMOIndia today at Kashi Tamil Sangamam #Bhashini is a digital product of the National Language Translation Mission. Bhashini and Artificial Intelligence (AI) working together, translated PM Narendra Modis speech into Tamil in real-time, an X post by the Finance Minister said. What is Bhashini? Bhashini is an AI-based language translation system that enables people to speak in their native language while talking to speakers of other Indian languages, who dont understand the said language. It is accessible via respective Android and iOS apps. The app also has a separate Bhasadaan section which allows individuals to contribute to multiple crowdsourcing initiatives. PM Modi arrived in Varanasi on Sunday on a two-day visit during which he is set to launch and inaugurate 37 projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore for the city and Purvanchal. Tamil Nadu and Kashi share a special bond. You all have come here as members of my family, more than just guests. I welcome you all to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, the prime minister said during inauguration of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means going from one house of Mahadev to his other house. Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means going from the place of Madurai Meenakshi to the place of Kashi Vishalakshi. That is why the love and bond that exists in the heart between the people of Tamil Nadu and the people of Kashi is different and unique, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Varanasi, was left impressed by a little girl reciting a poem in his praise. The girl concluded her poem saying Jai Modi Jai Hindustan, to which, PM Modi said, Waah. PM Modi arrived in his constituency Varanasi earlier today on a two-day visit during which he is set to launch and inaugurate 37 projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore for the city and Purvanchal. He will also launch Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 from Namo Ghat and flag off the new train from Kanyakumari to Varanasi. ALSO READ: PM in Varanasi LIVE: Modi Says India Will Surely Become Viksit by 2047 If 140 Cr Citizens Take A Resolve Upon arrival, the prime minister held a road show in Kashi and visited the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition at Cutting Memorial Inter College where he interacted with a little girl who explained to him the phenomenon of photosynthesis while reciting a poem. Impressed by the little girls talent, PM Modi indulged in a light chat with the kid and asked her which vegetable she didnt like, to which, she, after initial hesitation, responded Bitter gourd. The little girl further asked PM Modi for his permission to recite a poem in his praise, to which, he asked, Kavi ho kya (Are you a poet)? The little girl responded promptly and recited the poem hailing the Prime Minister who listened intently and praised the kid before moving forward. Prime Ministers Instagram handle posted a video of his brief interaction with the little girl with the caption, My friend in Varanasi knows he science and is also a great poet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) PM Modi received a rousing welcome upon arrival in Varanasi, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. People gathered on both sides of the road to greet the prime minister with floral showers. Earlier in the day, during the roadshow in Kashi, PM Modi stopped his convoy to give way to an ambulance. Days after the Supreme Court upheld the power of the President to abrogate Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said no force in the universe can now reverse the August 2019 decision and warned people against politicising the issue. Brahmand ki koi bhi takat ab article 370 ki vaapsi nahin kara sakti, lihaza sakaratmat karya main lagen (No force in the universe can make the return of Article 370 possible now, so get involved in positive work), the Prime Minister said in an exclusive interview Dainik Jagran. Earlier, after the top courts verdict, PM Modi on Monday called the move historic and asserted that it is not just a legal judgment, but a beacon of hope and a testament to the collective resolve to build a stronger and more united India. SC Verdict on Article 370 A Constitution Bench of Apex Court on December 11 unanimously upheld the power of the President to abrogate Article 370, which led to the reorganisation of the full-fledged State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories while denuding the State of its special rights and privileges. ALSO READ: What Happened is Serious: PM Modi Responds to Parliament Security Breach Episode The Court held that Article 370 was meant to be a temporary provision, to be removed once the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India was complete. The apex court also directed that statehood to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir be restored at the earliest and said steps should be taken to conduct elections in the assembly elections there by September 30 next year. Scrapping Article 370 has been among the core issues of BJPs agenda and has been consistently included in its election manifestos. The apex court verdict also comes as a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Days after the Parliament security breach episode sparked a major controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his response on the incident and stated that what happened in Lok Sabha on December 13 was a serious issue. However, he appealed that instead of launching debate or resistance in the matter, it is necessary to dig deep into the incident to find a solution. The Prime Minister in conversation with Danik Jagran said that the seriousness of the Parliament security breach should not be underestimated at all and therefore, the government is working towards taking all necessary steps. He added that the investigating agencies are probing the matter and will soon find out the intentions behind the intruders motives. The seriousness of the incident that happened in Parliament should not be underestimated at all. The Speaker sir is taking necessary steps with full seriousness. The investigating agencies are investigating the matter strictly. It is important for us to go deep into the matter to understand what are the elements and intentions behind this. Solutions should also be found with one mind. Everyone should avoid debate or resistance on such topics, PM Modi was quoted as saying. The Prime Ministers response came after two men Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D barged into the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (December 13) and released yellow smoke from canisters, raising concerns over security issues. Meanwhile, two others Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi outside the Parliament premises. PM Modi on SC Verdict in Article 370 Hailing the Supreme Courts verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that no force in the universe can now reverse the August 2019 decision. He also warned people against politicising the issue and asked them to stay positive. Brahmand ki koi bhi takat ab Article 370 ki vaapsi nahin kara sakti, lihaza sakaratmat karya main lagen (No force in the universe can make the return of Article 370 possible now, so get involved in positive work), the Prime Minister said. In response to the apex courts verdict upholding the power of the President to abrogate Article 370, PM Modi earlier on Monday called the move historic and asserted that it is not just a legal judgment, but a beacon of hope and a testament to the collective resolve to build a stronger and more united India. The more they read, the more educated they will become. Am I right? Shendge added while asking a child who was sitting with his mother in the back of her autorickshaw. An auto-rickshaw driver from Vishrantwadi, Pramod Naiknaware said that previously he used to give books and newspapers to his older passengers, however not many people were interested. He further said, as quoted by Indian Express, I knew that senior citizens read newspapers more than people of any other age group. Thus I started keeping newspapers for them but over the time, even they stopped reading them. So I stopped offering. Due to financial difficulties Naiknaware was left with the only option of running an autorickshaw to make a living. However he does not want his sons, who are currently school-goers, to take up his profession. He also said that Covid affected their financial stability and their studies. I reached out to the school for support, and now one of my children receives free education, while the other receives some concession, the auto-rickshaw driver added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday commented on allegations of murder plots against pro-Khalistan elements in the United States and Canada and said the two issues werent the same. He also noted the Americans told us some specific things. Highlighting the difference between the two cases, EAM Jaishankar further stressed that India is always ready to look into specific issues raised by other countries. ALSO READ: If Not Addressed: Indian-American Lawmakers Warn Pannun Murder Plot Could Significantly Damage Ties If any country, not just Canada, if any country has a concern and gives us some input or some basis for that concern, we are always open to looking at it. This is what countries do, he said during an event in Bengaluru. The point was when Americans brought up some issuesand the two issues are not necessarily the same. When they brought up that issue the Americans told us some specific things. What happens in international relations from time to time such challenges can arise. So we very sincerely have told the Canadians saying that look its up to you, I mean your choice whether you would like us to pursue it, further look into it or not, the EAM added. On Canada and US, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, I think everybody knows that India is a country where we are very responsible, very prudent on what we do and the whole issue for us has been that we have always maintained that. If any country, not just Canada, if any country has a pic.twitter.com/nMMe8Ameqy ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 Jaishankars statement comes after the US asked India to assist in a probe into an alleged unsuccessful plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Sing Pannun. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an indictment against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accusing him of hiring hitmen to kill the pro-Khalistan separatist. ALSO READ: Forced to Eat Beef, Pork: Family of Nikhil Gupta, Arrested for Pannun Murder Plot, Tells SC; Judge Says Approach Czech Court Earlier this month, India assured it would investigate the concerns raised by the US. A 35-year-old woman, who came under a metro train at Delhis Inderlok station, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday at Safdarjung Hospital. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday after her saree got stuck in the doors of the metro train. The woman, identified as Reena, received serious injuries in the accident as she was dragged along a platform for about 25 metres. It is unclear whether she was getting off of the train or boarding it. An incident took place at Inderlok Metro Station on Thursday where prima facie it appears that a woman passengers clothes got entangled in a train leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital on Saturday, Delhi Metros Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The Commissioner of the Metro Railway Safety will hold an inquiry into this incident, Dayal informed. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have launched a probe into the incident and have taken action under section 174 of CrPC. Woman admitted in Critical Condition A relative of Reena, Vicky, informed that the woman was going to Mohan Nagar from Nangloi in west Delhi when she met with the accident. When she reached Inderlok Metro Station and was changing the train, her saree got stuck. She fell down and got seriously wounded. She was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in a critical condition. On Saturday evening, she died, he said. Reena is survived by a son and a daughter. Her husband died around seven years ago, Vicky added. (With inputs from PTI) Aaradhya Bachchan is the daughter of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan and the granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. Hence, it is only natural for her to have a knack for delivering amazing performances. Her recent stint in a school play was a perfect example of that and her family were all praises for her display of talent, including Aishwarya Rai, who gave her a sweet kiss on their way home. For More: Aishwarya Rai Gives Aaradhya Sweet Kisses As They Head Home With Abhishek Bachchan After School Event In a shocking turn of events for Bigg Boss 17 contestants, especially Munawar Faruqui, model and actress Ayesha Khan is all set to enter the popular reality show as a wild card contestant. In the shows recent promo, Ayesha could be seen confronting Munawar with the accusations she made against him on the show. From the promo, it seemed like Munawar admitted to some of the things Ayesha said he had done. For More: Bigg Boss 17: Munawar Faruqui ADMITS To Two-Timing Ayesha Khan, Nazila? Says Was Pretending To | Watch Shah Rukh Khans Dunki is all set to hit theatres this Christmas, and the superstars fandom is all excited to see the drama unfold on screen. The trailer and songs from the movie have garnered a lot of buzz, and the wait until December 21 is proving to be a long one. Much to the delight of the fans, the advance ticket booking in India finally started on Saturday, December 16, and the film has already minted over a crore. For More: Dunki Vs Salaar Advance Booking Day 1: SRKs Film Mints Rs 1.28 Cr, Competing Closely with Prabhas Film On Sunday, Samantha Ruth Prabhu dedicated some time to her fans, engaging in an Ask Me Anything session on her Instagram Stories, where she responded to their questions. Taking the opportunity, an Instagram user anonymously asked her, Dont you think about marrying again? She said, adding a laughing emoji, Would be a bad investment according to the statistics. She also added the data on divorce rates in the post. For More: Samantha Ruth Prabhu Answers Fan Who Asked If Shed Marry Again: Would Be A Bad Investment The wait is almost over. Shah Rukh Khans film is all set to hit the screens this coming Friday. Ahead of the same, the makers held a special screening of the film for the censor board committee members. Having received an amazing response on the advance bookings, its been also said that Dunki has received a standing ovation at its censor board screening in Dubai, UAE at Voc Cinemas. For More: Dunki: Shah Rukh Khan, Vicky Kaushals Film Receives Standing Ovation At The Censor Board Screening No one who knows Catalan ornithologist Jose Luis Copete, codirector of the radio program and podcast of note about birds, La Radio del Somormujo [The Grebes Radio], would have called him a romantic, and even less when you saw him surrounded by crows or when he told you about the time he obtained bird sperm in the Amazon by sucking it from a cloaca through a pipette. And yet, one day he fell like any other mortal into the clutches of love (or like a passerine into a charming and amiable snare), and has since lived one of those envious stories that seem to occur only in novels and films. Fascinated with Iran and its birds, he met through the internet, talking about their work, a 38-year-old Iranian biologist with eyes of unfathomable depth, Kordiyeh Hamidi, of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM). Ferdowsi is the great Persian poet who wrote the poem Shahnameh, which tells of, among many other things, the romance of Zal and the princess Rudabeh. They fall in love and, after various cross-cultural experiences, wind up getting married by Muslim rites in Iran. Question. Tell us the story! Answer. Well, I meet Kordiyeh in 2015 exchanging messages when I was working on an all-mammal edition of an atlas for Lynx. I needed photographs of rats and she, aside from being an excellent photographer, is a specialist in calomyscids, rodents from the Middle East similar to gerbils, who live in the Iranian desert. We had an intense epistolary relationship before I knew she was a woman, because her name threw me off. She thought that was very funny. Q. Perhaps talking about rodents is not the most promising start for a romantic relationship. A. I didnt realize who I was talking to until one day when I had to travel to Iran to open ornithological routes and she found out and was irritated that I hadnt told her. Wow, you could have let me know, she wrote me. So, I looked up her name and found out she was a woman, and very attractive. I thought, Youre such an idiot, Jose Luis. And we arranged to meet. Q. And how was that? A. She is from Mashhad, a large city and pilgrimage site in the northeast, close to the border with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Shes a doctor of biology at FUM. Meeting her was beautiful. Q. Even if you were united by nature (a phrase that does a lot of work here), was there a culture clash? A. Well, it took me a while to win her over, but it would have been the same here, and now we get along very well. There are different traditions in Iran, an unmarried couple can find it difficult to be alone, hospitality is overwhelming, and they dont let you help. Kordiyeh is a modern woman, of course, but she drags her culture along with her, as we all do. In general, Iranians are very friendly and want to know about people from other places. There are false stereotypes out there: many Iranian women study and have careers. Q. You two got married. A. Yes, this summer, for the moment just a civil ceremony. We are waiting to do the big Persian three-day wedding, which weve left for next year. The groom has to get a band and pass out golden coins. Q. What does your family think? A. My mother is fine, at first she was surprised. She and my sister and I traveled to Istanbul so they could meet Kordiyeh. Shes happy, and theyve been able to connect. In my circles people, generally, were surprised. Q. What are your plans? A. After a lot of bureaucratic difficulty, she has been able to get a visa to come to Spain. Weve made a pact that when I retire, we will return to live in her country. I have loved Iran since even before I met Kordiyeh. There are even some mountains that have the same name as me: Kopet Dag. And the birds are wonderful. The birds, in addition to the rat, is what brought me to Kordiyeh. I never would have thought that birds were going to lead me to the love of my life in Iran. Q. What is your favorite Iranian bird? A. Hypocolius, a relative of the waxwing. Kordiyeh has always been partial to mammals, but she is learning a lot about birds, she has a gift. Soon, shell jump ahead and know more than I do Q. Thats just twitcher in love speak. A. Well, yes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimris Animal continues to achieve new heights every single day. The Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial which released on December 1 has entered the 800 crore club in style. Despite the accusations levelled against certain themes of the film, moviegoers have certainly given their seal of approval to Animal since the makers announced the film has crossed 800 crore gross worldwide. According to trade tracker sacnilk.com, Animal minted Rs 4.56 Cr India net on its seventeenth day for all languages. Animal has now become the highest grossing Indian film in Canada and Australia by surpassing the numbers of Pathaan, as per @Southwoodoffl and film trade analyst @HetTanna56. Earlier, a video of Ranbir Kapoor with three of his Animal cousins had surfaced online in which they were seen enjoying in a car. While Ranbir was seen driving the car, others happily recorded the video. Released on December 1, Animal revolves around a man and his toxic relationship with his father. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film shows Vijay (played by Ranbir) as an anti-hero who would go to any lengths to protect his father (played by Anil Kapoor). However, despite his efforts, he struggles to get a seal of approval from his emotionally unavailable father. His unhealthy relationship with his father also impacts his bond with his wife, essayed by Rashmika Mandanna. Several celebrities including Ram Gopal Varma, Karan Johar, Riddhima Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Allu Arjun among others have also praised Animal. The film has also been accused of glorifying misogyny and toxic masculinity by several social media users. Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor will be next seen in Nitish Tiwaris Ramayana. While he will be playing the role of Ram in this upcoming movie, Sai Pallavi has been roped in for the role of Sita. KGF star Yash is likely to play Ravana in the movie, whereas Sunny Deol is in talks for the role of Hanuman. Ramayana will go on floors next year. Pakistans economic trajectory has been in a downward spiral for years, compounded by mounting external debts owed to various international entities. At the forefront of this fiscal debt quagmire are its substantial obligations to several Chinese state entities. This complex situation has put Pakistan in a vicious cycle where it is forced to avail new loans to offset existing ones. This has become a major contributory factor to Pakistans prevalent economic turmoil. However, amidst this financial turbulence, whats alarming is the glaring absence of substantial public scrutiny within Pakistans media, despite significant local discontent towards overarching Chinese presence. This lack of examination underscores both the limited bandwidth within which the Pakistani media operates and a growing trend of Chinas far-reaching efforts to suppress any of its negative portrayal in the press. An investigative report, Narrative Craftsmanship: Chinas Strategic Influence on Pakistani Media Circles, released in November 2023, shed light on Beijings strategic manoeuvres to control the narrative surrounding its engagements, notably the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Despite its promotion as a landmark investment promising economic development, CPEC, launched in 2013 and an important leg of President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has incited major discontent across various regions in Pakistan, especially the restive Balochistan. However, the report revealed a stark contrast between how Pakistani media covered CPEC compared to international media outlets. While it credited the international outlets for objectively reporting on and evaluating CPECs stated goals against its actual progress, the report highlighted that the Pakistani mainstream media conspicuously showcased only the purported positives of the project, disregarding local dissent and its failure to deliver on economic promises. More significantly, the Pakistani media appeared to sidestep allegations of a potential debt trap associated with Chinese investments through largely secretive yet ambiguous conditions, instead applauding the Chinese loans as acts of goodwill. However, these findings should not surprise people given this pattern aligns with the modus operandi of China as manifested across Asia and Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), wherein media manipulation plays a substantial role. In the case of Pakistan and prior to the launch of the economic corridor, Beijing nurtured Islamabad-based Pakistan-China Institute (PCI). The Institute was founded by PML-N senator Mushahid Hussain in 2009, to advocate for the enhanced China-Pakistan relations in all areas particularly defence and diplomacy, education and energy, economy and environment. Over the years, the institute took charge of promoting the BRI and CPEC by establishing a number of news portals and forging relations between media institutions in the two countries. This included initiatives like the CPEC Portal in collaboration with the China Radio International (CRI) to disseminate information and enhance stakeholder connectivity regarding CPEC. Others include, Youlinmagazine.com (Pakistans first and only bilingual cultural website (English and Chinese), Nihao-Salam.com (daily news feed website), and ACCA Global (research repository of BRI). Additionally, the institute launched the CPEC Media Forum in November 2015 to counter negative news related to Chinese investments in Pakistan and shape reporting directives on CPEC and BRI in view of local protests against the growing presence of Chinese companies. Ever since, the forum has played an important role in convening important political decision-makers and journalists from China and Pakistan to shape reporting directives on the CPEC and BRI. Moreover, in December 2018, PCI launched the Rapid Response Information-Exchange Network (RRIN) in collaboration with the Beijing-based economy related major news website, China Economic Net, to counter the negative propaganda in the media on #CPEC and #BRI. As per the Pakistan-China Institute, this joint initiative further aimed to present the rightful information about the CPEC projects and construct a positive narrative about Islamabad-Beijing strategic relations. These interventions have been made to ensure a localised narrative building is done by sponsoring these projects and their public events. In addition to the above interventions, the extent of Beijings media outreach can be gauged by the fact that its major news agencies and outlets have started offering content in Urdu language to connect with audiences in Pakistan and beyond to ensure its narratives are disseminated widely. For instance, in December 2019, the state run Xinhua News Agency extended Xinhua-All-Media-Services to Pakistani news agencies, that allowed a free access to its all news services comprising photo, text, graphic, and video, etc, for the twin print and electronic media and in both English and Urdu languages. This information access effectively enabled China to infiltrate its narrative into the Pakistan mainstream media, which have otherwise limited financial capital to report international events or buy content from the international agencies. As such, the financial incentives from China led to a concerted effort in Pakistani media to portray Chinese interventions positively, emphasising infrastructural development and bilateral relations while glossing over debt issues fostered economic crisis along with local discontent over these economically unfeasible projects. As the above cited report highlights, as the BRI completed 10 years in Pakistan in 2023, its anniversary saw an enhanced push by Pakistani media to promote the project as a remarkable success in the country and China as a benevolent bilateral partner. The report held that the examined media content conveniently glossed over Pakistans crushing debt issues with Beijing even as the countrys battles severe economic crisis and remains at the cusp of a financial default. What transpires from the reports of the Pakistani media is its overwhelming defence of Chinese interventions, including concerted efforts to dismiss accusations such as debt trap or contest the veracity of the allegations of mass protests by locals against the CPEC projects, especially in restive regions of Balochistan and tribal areas. For instance, an August 2023 article in Express Tribune labelled the debt-trap related criticism of the BRI as reflective of an adversarial mindset and did a disservice by overlooking the projects fundamental objective of the betterment of the locals. It commends China for continuing its project engagements despite a number of challenges like terrorism that has historically restrained foreigners from investing in the country. It is worth mentioning that a number of Baloch resistance groups have attacked Chinese companies operating in the region which has left a number of Chinese nationals dead. Likewise, an article by a former diplomat Hassan Daud Butt in an online portal credits China for creating over 100,000 opportunities for employment, 6,000 MW of electricity and over 510 KMs roads creating rural-urban synergy and regional connectivity in Pakistan. The glaring defence of China is manifested even when protests surfaced against the Chinese presence with the Pakistani mainstream media often discrediting them as politically motivated rather than genuine expressions of dissent. In particular, when the international media reported mass protest in Gwadar region by fishermen and local traders, organised under Haq Do Tehreek (HDT), against the authorities for issuing licences to Chinese fishing trawlers in December 2022, the Pakistani mainstream media remained at the forefront of dismissing the allegations outrightly. Pertinently, a Dawn article on December 26, 2022, labelled the protests as manufactured by the HDT leader, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, for his political aspirations and hence devoid of any degree of genuineness. These intricate machinations of China have unleashed a major change in the Pakistani media landscape, which has gradually transitioned from mere importing and propagation of Chinese media content to outright adoption of Beijings narratives not only on global issues but even those related to Pakistan itself. It further points to how this control has allowed China to manage the criticism around its contested engagements in the country that have drawn widespread local resentment. 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. A court here has dismissed former AAP councillor Tahir Hussains plea seeking a stay on proceedings in a money laundering case against him till charges are framed in another case related to alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Twenty people, including Hussain and activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi, have been arraigned as accused in the case related to the larger conspiracy to incite the riots. The money laundering case, registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), emanates from the larger conspiracy matter. The agency has alleged that Hussain laundered several crore rupees using shell or dummy companies to fuel protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the communal riots. Underlining that charges in the ED case were framed in January this year and Hussains appeals against the order on charges were dismissed by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat rejected the former councillors contention that there were no proceeds of crime or money laundering in the case. The judge said a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can only be registered if there exists a predicate offence (larger conspiracy to incite riots) and that both cases were investigated by separate agencies ED and Delhi Police. Once the investigation into the PMLA has been initiated, it is tried as a separate case as well. Thus, predicate offence triggers initiation of a case under PMLA but is not only independently investigated but also independently and separately tried, the court said in its order passed on December 14. It is also clear that if there is an order of discharge or acquittal in the predicate offence, then the proceedings in the PMLA case shall come to a stop. That does not mean that if there is an order on charge or conviction, there would also be an automatic conviction in the PMLA case, it added. The court said Hussains contention to stay the proceedings was not mandated by law and a stay would result in public witnesses being lost. Staying the recording of evidence in the ED case would put an embargo on the matter itself despite the availability of witnesses, it said. There is no judgement of the Supreme Court or the Delhi High Court to buttress the contention that the PMLA matter needs to be stayed till the time order on charge/conviction or acquittal is passed, the court noted. The application filed by accused Hussain for a stay on the proceedings stands dismissed, it said. The Congress has called a meeting of its working committee on December 21 to deliberate on the strategy for the 2024 general election and chalk out a plan to hit the ground running for its poll campaign to take on the BJP, sources said. The meeting, which will take place at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, would come two days after the INDIA bloc meeting on December 19 and seat sharing and campaign is likely to be top of the agenda, they said. The meeting is also likely to discuss the possibility of a yatra that Rahul Gandhi could undertake before the 2024 polls with unemployment and price rise as its main planks. An east-to-west yatra in hybrid mode, including on-foot, is being mulled by the party and a final decision is expected to be taken soon, the sources said. Ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting, the 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held at 3 pm on December 19 in New Delhi. Evolving a core positive agenda, seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc that will be taken up at its next meeting. 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, a senior leader of the Congress said. The CWC meeting will also analyse the recent assembly poll results in which it was defeated in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan while winning and forming the government in Telangana. The party also lost the polls in Mizoram. It would deliberate on the reasons for the defeat and the way forward for the 2024 polls. The relationship between the Kerala Governor and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit a new low on Sunday with Arif Mohammed Khan alleging that posters defamatory to him were placed by the police in the campus of Calicut University on the direction of CM. Khan went on to say that this clearly is the beginning of the collapse of constitutional machinery in Kerala. The black banners and posters have been placed inside the campus, just outside the University Guest House where the Governor is staying. Honble Governor feels that this cannot happen without the direction of the Chief Minister and that this clearly is the beginning of the collapse of the constitutional machinery in the State. He said that such deliberate actions of the Chief Minister precipitate the breakdown of constitutional machinery, said Kerala Raj Bhavan. Earlier today, the Kerala CM accused the Governor of deliberately attempting to destroy the peace in the state by making provocative statements. Responding to reporters queries about the Governor calling the protesting SFI activists as criminals, Vijayan said Khan has reached a situation where he is saying whatever comes to mind. He (Khan) is forgetting that he is the Governor of Kerala, the CM said. Vijayan said that he had earlier also pointed out that Khan was deliberately attempting to destroy the peace in the state through his actions and the same has been proven by the Governors subsequent actions. He (Khan) has tried to create the maximum possible provocation on every issue, he added. The CM also criticised Khan for referring to the protesting activists of the CPI(M)s student wing the Students Federation of India as criminals and goondas. How can he use such rude words against the protesters? he asked. The Governor, a day ago, reiterated that the volunteers of the ruling CPI(M)s students wing were criminals to whom he was not accountable to explain any of his decisions. He had alleged that the protesting students were criminals hired by the chief minister. (With PTI inputs) (Reuters) -More Chinese agencies and state-backed companies across the country have asked their staff to not bring Apple iPhones and other foreign devices to work, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. For over a decade, China has been seeking to reduce reliance on foreign technologies, asking state-affiliated firms such as banks to switch to local software and promoting domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing. Multiple state firms and government departments across at least eight provinces have instructed employees in the past month or two to start carrying local brands, the Bloomberg News report said. Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment. In December, smaller firms and agencies in lower-tier cities from provinces including Zhejiang, Shandong, Liaoning and central Hebei, which houses the world's largest iPhone factory, issued their own verbal directives, the Bloomberg News report said. Reuters reported in September that staff in at least three ministries and government bodies were told not to use iPhones at work. A ballistic missile fired from rebel-held territory in Yemen struck a Liberian-flagged cargo ship Friday in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an assault that apparently sought to target a vessel struck earlier, a U.S. defense official said. The official identified the vessel as the MSC Palatium III and said it remained unclear if anyone was hurt. The missile apparently was aimed at the Al Jasrah, which was set on fire by a projectile earlier Friday, the official said. Another missile launched in the salvo missed both ships. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. MSC, the vessels operator, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen did not immediately acknowledge either attack. The attacks further escalate a campaign by the Houthi rebels, who have claimed responsibility for a series of missile assaults in recent days that just missed shipping in the Red Sea and its strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The attacks are a response to the Israel-Hamas war and the pounding air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip, though the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults has grown more tenuous or nonexistent as the attacks continue. The private intelligence firm Ambrey also confirmed the earlier attack on the Al Jasrah. The projectile reportedly hit the port side of the vessel and one container fell overboard due to the impact, Ambrey said. The projectile caused a fire on deck which was broadcast via radio. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors Mideast shipping lanes, also acknowledged the first attack, warning vessels to exercise caution. The UKMTO said there had been no reported casualties from the attack on the Al Jasrah. The Al Jasrah is operated by German-based shipper Hapag-Lloyd, which said no crew member had been hurt in the attack. Hapag-Lloyd will take additional measures to secure the safety of our crews, the company said, without elaborating. It wasnt clear if the attack involved a drone or a missile. Ambrey noted that Hapag-Lloyd is known to have offices in the Israeli ports of Ashdod, Haifa and Tel Aviv. On Thursday, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that missed a container ship traveling through the strait. The day before that, two missiles fired from Houthi-held territory missed a commercial tanker loaded with Indian-manufactured jet fuel near the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Also near the strait, a missile fired by Houthis on Monday night slammed into a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea. Global shipping has increasingly been targeted as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to become a wider regional conflict even during a brief pause in fighting during which Hamas exchanged hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The collapse of the truce and the resumption of a punishing Israeli ground offensive and airstrikes on Gaza have raised the risk of more sea attacks. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually. In November, 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. Separately, a container ship owned by an Israeli billionaire came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean. A separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemens exiled government has held for months despite that countrys long war. Thats raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces could reignite those tensions in the Arab worlds poorest nation. Also Thursday, unknown attackers boarded the Malta-flagged bulk carrier Ruen, managed by Navigation Maritime Bulgare, in the Arabian Sea off the Yemeni island of Socotra, Ambrey and the UKMTO said. Bulgarian media said the ships 18-member crew hailed from Angola, Bulgaria and Myanmar. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. On Friday, the UKMTO issued a warning to shippers saying the security manager for the Ruen believes the crew no longer has control of the vessel and that it is heading toward Somalia. Somali piracy had dropped in recent years, but there has been growing concern it could resume amid the wider chaos of the Houthi attacks and the political uncertainty gripping Somalia. A US Senate staff member was fired after he allegedly filmed himself performing gay sex in a congressional hearing room. The staffer later threatened legal action against his firing. According to The Guardian, the Capitol police have launched an investigation into the matter and one of the two men who appeared in the purported footage was widely named as Aidan Maese-Czeropski, a legislative aide for Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, on the internet. Commenting on his firing, Senator Ben Cardins office told Politico that Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate. The incident sparked a massive backlash as the congressional room, in which two men engaged in a sexual act, carries historical significance for hosting hearing 9/11 attacks as well as James Comey, the former FBI director, gave his testimony on Donald Trump there in 2017. The then Senate majority leader Tom Daschle received an anthrax-laced letter in that room only in October 2001 just after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Maese-Czeropski opened up about the incident and his firing in a LinkedIn post and said he was going through a tough time. Without directly addressing the purported video, Maese-Czeropski wrote, While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace, he wrote. Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday said the emergency department at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is a blood bath and is in need of resuscitation. In a statement, the WHO said that tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter, and that there is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. WHO delivers health supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, appeals for continued access to address urgent needs in north #GazaWHO staff participated in a joint UN mission to Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza on 16 December to deliver health supplies and assess the situation in the pic.twitter.com/gIa3tG97mC World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 16, 2023 New patients arriving every minute A team from the WHO and other UN agencies was able to deliver medical supplies Saturday to the hospital, the largest in the Palestinian territory. The team described the emergency department as a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute, the organisation said. The hospital is functioning at a minimal scale with very few staff and the WHO said critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries. Operating theatres are not working due to a lack of oxygen and supplies, and according to the WHO team, it is a hospital in need of resuscitation. Only 30 patients can receive dialysis daily. Gaza Strip Hit Hard As per agency reports, all health infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been hard hit by bombardments and ground operations carried out by the Israeli army since the October 7 attack by Hamas. The attack saw about 1,140 people killed and 240 hostages taken. According to Hamas, Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 18,800 people. The WHO said it would reinforce Al-Shifa in the coming weeks for it to resume basic services. Up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, as well as post-operative care services, can be activated if provided with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water, the WHO said. As things stand, Al-Ahli Arab is the only hospital partially functioning in the entire north of the Gaza Strip, while three hospitals Al-Shifa, Al Awda and Al Sahaba Medical Complex are functioning at a minimum. (With AFP inputs) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Kuwait as Prime Minister Narendra Modis Special Envoy, following the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Saturday. The emir, who died at the age of 86, was admitted to the hospital late last month due to what the state news agency described at the time as an emergency health problem. The Indian government was quick to declare State Mourning across the country on December 17 as a mark of respect for the departed leader. The Government and people of India express their deepest condolences on the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait on 16 December 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press statement. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, will be visiting Kuwait as Prime Ministers Special Envoy on 17 December to pay condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of India, it added. Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwaits de facto ruler since 2021, when the frail emir handed over most his duties, was named as Sheikh Nawafs successor. Union minister Puri will deliver personal letters of condolences from the President and Prime Minister of India to the new Amir. Over the demise of Sheikh Nawaf, the MEA said Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. The ministry said that India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir. He was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries, MEA said. The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care. India stands united in mourning with the leadership and the people of Kuwait, the ministry added. (With agency inputs) A Palestinian man wounded in Israeli airstrikes on a U.N.-run school receives treatment at the Nasser hospital in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Mohammed Dahman/AP) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israels government faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who waved a white flag, added to mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The protesters urge the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gazas Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy. Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Monday. Washington is expressing growing unease with civilian casualties even while as it provides vital military and diplomatic support. Advertisement The war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are in crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population have fled their homes. They survive off a trickle of humanitarian aid. Israel said that starting Sunday, U.N. aid trucks would be able to enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom, in Israel. Advertisement Dozens of desperate Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing aboard, pulling down boxes and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which triggered the war with its Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel. Palestinian fighters killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Netanyahu vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Gaza, meanwhile, saw telecom services gradually resume after a four-day communications blackout, the longest of several outages during the war. Aid groups say they complicate rescue efforts and make it more difficult to monitor the toll on civilians. Calls for a new cease-fire In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward the beginning of a political solution. Frances Foreign Ministry earlier said an employee was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah on Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the U.K. and Germany, meanwhile, called for a sustainable cease-fire, saying too many civilians had been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the U.K.s Sunday Times. Advertisement The U.S. defense secretary is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Israeli and U.S. officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile fighters. Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. The Israeli military said Sunday it had discovered a large tunnel in Gaza close to what was once a busy crossing into Israel, raising new questions about how Israeli surveillance missed such conspicuous attack preparations by Hamas. Shootings draw scrutiny Military officials said Saturday that the three hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops had tried to signal that they posed no harm. It was Israels first such acknowledgement of harming hostages in the war. The hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. An Israeli military official said the shootings were against the armys rules of engagement and were being investigated at the highest level. Advertisement Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and accuses Hamas of using them as human shields. But Palestinians and rights groups have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of recklessly endangering civilians and firing on those who do not threaten them, both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the war began. Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace, saying unarmed civilians are being bombed and shot at, and this has even happened inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists but families, children and sick people with disabilities, nuns. He spoke after the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two Christian women at a church compound in Gaza were killed by Israeli sniper fire. A British lawmaker, Layla Moran, said several family members were among hundreds sheltering in the compound. This is a church. Its a week before Christmas. This is Advent. This is an important time in the Christian familys religious calendar. And there is a sniper killing women and firing at children, she asserted. In Gaza, Palestinians on several occasions have said Israeli soldiers opened fire at fleeing civilians. The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Thursday in its last update before the communications blackout. It has said that thousands more casualties are buried under the rubble. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but has said that most of those killed were women and children. On Sunday, five people were killed and many injured after a reported Israeli airstrike hit near a U.N.-run school in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis where displaced Palestinians were sheltering. A cameraman with The Associated Press counted five bodies delivered to a hospital. Advertisement The plight of Palestinian civilians has gotten little attention inside Israel, where many are still deeply traumatized by the Oct. 7 attack and where support for the war remains strong. Israels military says 121 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza offensive. It says it has killed thousands of fighters, without providing evidence. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report. If someone awoke now from a coma they went into in the early 2000s, they would expect Dawsons Creek (1998-2003) stars James Van de Beek and Katie Holmes (who turns 45 this Monday) to be actors with successful, established careers. But it was Joshua Jackson who turned into a TV star with a few outstanding series under his belt like Fringe, The Affair and Mr. Death, and Michelle Williams is the one who became one of her generations best actresses, thanks to her roles in Brokeback Mountain (2005), My Week with Marilyn (2011) and The Fabelmans (2022). Meanwhile, James Van Der Beeks great legacy is a crying meme and Katie Holmes reigns in fashion magazines but is ignored by film magazines. Hardly anyone could name three of her movies from the last decade, but fashionistas could mention a look of hers that they admire. Pictures of her went viral the day she hailed a cab wearing a jacket that revealed her cashmere bra underneath. The Khaite bra, which cost $545.42 (500), sold out in an hour; shortly thereafter, an inexpensive version was available at Zara. The reason for Holmess change in status from actress to fashion icon is surprising: Tom Cruise. Her relationship with the megastar the couple was nicknamed TomKat was so controversial that Vanity Fair magazine claimed that the pairing was the result of a Scientology casting process. Whether that is true or not, the relationship clearly did change the publics perception of them both and irrevocably degraded Holmess career. Before her marriage, she had worked with directors such as Ang Lee, Curtis Hanson and Christopher Nolan. After the divorce, she has not appeared in any memorable projects. What we had stumbled upon Holmes was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978; she is the youngest of five children and has four brothers. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and had been admitted to Columbia University, but her real vocation was acting. She sent an audition tape to the casting call for Ang Lees The Ice Storm (1997) and got the part. She made her debut on screen in a big way, opposite Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver. I thought things were going to be really fun. My first day in L.A. was January 21, 1996. My mom and I were driving on Santa Monica Boulevard and saw a big sign that said Golden Globes. So we went and sat on the bleachers in the rain to watch movie stars arrive. We couldnt believe what we had stumbled upon. Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson in a promotional image from Dawsons Creek, the show that made them famous. Getty Images (Getty Images) Back then, she probably couldnt imagine how often she herself would walk that same red carpet. But the phone didnt ring again as quickly as she had hoped, and she came to believe that her career was over. As she told The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, I thought, Oh, well, that might be it. You know, That might be all there is. But it was okay, cause I was like, You know what, thats okay. Like, that was an amazing experience. And I can, like, tell my grandkids and Ill be fine. But the success wasnt going to fade so quickly. Another of her auditions had captivated Kevin Williamson, who spearheaded the 1990s slasher movie revival as the writer of Scream (1996). At the time, Williamson was looking for stars for Dawsons Creek. My first encounter with Katie Holmes was when I was watching a videotape her mother sent us, Williamson stated. The tape showed Katie in her basement in Ohio, auditioning for the role of Joey in Dawsons Creek in which her mother played Dawson. After watching it, everyone in the room was speechless. Williamson is effusive in his praise of the actress: To meet her is to fall instantly under her spell. She is a rare gem: hypnotic, intelligent, funny, sweet, shy, boisterous, elusive, talented, beautiful, soulful, elegant, sophisticated, innocent, naive, comical, feminine, childlike, loving, kind, reliable, caring, protective, generous... Holmes was soon gracing the covers of magazines like Seventeen and Rolling Stone. Dawsons Creek became a small phenomenon that captured a generation of viewers eager for a more adult teen fiction than usual. Lets not forget that it was the first to show a homosexual kiss, a historical milestone in American television, and the series approached topics like addiction and death less prudishly than usual. At the center of the phenomenon was Joey Potter (played by Holmes), the apex of a love triangle, but not a sexualized character. She was serious, focused, a good student, a good friend in short, a far cry from lifes Brenda Walshes and Kelly Kapowskis. Actress Katie Holmes at the premiere of 'Go' in Los Angeles in 1999 Ron Galella, Ltd. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty) I didnt want to be the sexy young thing. I am not sexy. I used to have a friend of mine come to all my photo shoots to make sure that they didnt try to make me that way, she told Glamour. At the time Holmes was in a relationship with costar Joshua Jackson. Hollywood was experiencing the umpteenth boom of cinema by and for teenagers at the time, and the industry was eager to get its hands on the shows four leading ladies. Holmes took advantage of the moment and cleverly combined independent films like Doug Limans Go with her discoverer Kevin Williamsons horror movie Teaching Mrs. Tingle, and high-aspiration films, such as the dazzling Wonder Boys where he shared the cast with Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire. After Dawsons Creek ended in 2003, Holmes began her new life with a blockbuster, Batman Begins, in which she played a role created specifically by Christopher Nolan for the film: Rachel Dawes, Bruce Waynes first love. The stage seemed set for Katie Holmes to become one of the great stars of the 21st century. And then Tom showed up. How to destroy your public image In early 2005 Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise began a whirlwind romance. According to Vanity Fair, the relationship was orchestrated by the Church of Scientology, to which Cruise belongs, at all times. After the failures of his relationships with Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz, they were looking for a more malleable profile, the magazine reported. There was a clue was given in a 2004 Seventeen magazine article in which Holmes (then engaged to actor Chris Klein, star of American Pie, whom she dated for three years) stated that, as a teenager, she believed she would end up marrying Tom Cruise. Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey at the Vanity Fair post-Oscars party in 2007. Patrick McMullan (Patrick McMullan via Getty Image) Six months later, Klein and Holmes announced their breakup and Cruise and Holmes were spotted together for the first time in Rome. The TomKat phenomenon was born, much to the medias delight. " When I met Tom I was completely in love and, yes, I admired him growing up hes Tom Cruise! she told The New York Times. A few weeks after the couples first photo together went public, Tom Cruise appeared on Oprah Winfreys show. Who doesnt remember that? The interview that became an example of how to trash your public image. Moments like Tom Cruise getting down on his knees, grabbing the hosts hands and jumping on the couch became popular and led people to believe that he had lost his mind (including Oprah herself, who exclaimed that outright). Nearly 20 years later, perhaps most reprehensible and memorable was the way he dragged his future wife onto the set as if she lacked her own identity: Cruise left the set, went to the dressing room and ushered her in. Whether she was prepared or not, she looked really uncomfortable, and the situation seemed embarrassing. Few people talked about The War of the Worlds, the film Cruise was promoting at the time (which was equally successful based on its own merits and the name of its director, Steven Spielberg), and Paramount ended up walking away from what was then its golden goose. In love with publicity But nothing could stop that tsunami of love. Cruise proposed to Holmes with a five-carat yellow diamond ring at a restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower. It was all so giddy and over-the-top that the usually not-at-all catty People magazine conducted a poll, asking its readers whether the romance was real or a publicity stunt (62 percent voted it was a stunt). Tina Brown wrote a Washington Post an article titled Its Only Publicity Love and the Boston Globe declared, Sure Theyre in Lovewith Publicity. Katie Holmes and then-boyfriend Chris Klein at the premiere of 'American Pie 2' in Los Angeles. Gregg DeGuire (WireImage) Their wedding was a series of excesses. It was held at the Odescalchi castle 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) north of Rome amid ringbearers, flower girls and torchlights; the guest list included Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta and David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. That fairytale wedding marked the beginning of the decline of both actors careers. It was almost definitive in Holmess case. In the Cruises case, it began a period of wandering in the desert from which he struggled to recover. If their wedding caused a stir, the birth of their daughter Suri attracted even more interest. We saw their daughter for the first time on the October 2006 cover of Vanity Fair. It was the magazines second best-selling issue (the first featured Jennifer Anistons confessions following her divorce from Brad Pitt). Mrs. Cruises career Katie Holmes appearances were limited to smiling after her husband and her films were increasingly irrelevant. In an incomprehensible decision, she gave up her role in a new Batman installment and the part went to Maggie Gyllenhaal. According to Holmes, she preferred to star in the comedy Mad Money (2008); according to Hollywood rumors, Cruise did not want her to act in the most important film of the year while he did not. Holmes starred in more and more inconsequential films, and her most famous appearances were no longer on the red carpet, but in the front row at fashion shows. Those who believed that the couple had no future together had to wait six years to be proven right: in June 2012, the pair divorced. Like their wedding and their parenthood, rumors surrounded their split. People said that a clause in the divorce settlement established that she could no longer be seen in public with another man for five years and could not talk about her marriage or Scientology; otherwise, she would lose 5 million ($5,454,250). She is allowed to go out with people, but not in public places or in view of the media, and she should not allow any boyfriend to be near her daughter Suri, the leaks claimed. Katie Holmes is now more of a fashion icon than a screen icon; here, she strolls around New York just a few days ago. MEGA (GC Images) That ceased to be considered a rumor when an open secret was confirmed: her relationship at the time with actor Jamie Foxx. After the divorce, no images of Cruise with his daughter have surfaced, although the teenager is one of the most photographed celebrity daughters and the actor is one of the medias most scrutinized men. Holmes did not try to resurrect her career, like so many stars who take their foot off the gas to start a family. Her most recent films have not sparked any interest. Only her role as Jackie Kennedy in The Kennedys and her appearance as a slutty pumpkin in How I Met Your Mother merited media attention. In the past year, Holmes has been more focused on Broadway, directing very personal projects and raising Suri. The dazzling teenager from Ohio is now the mother of a teenager with whom she lies on the couch to watch Dawsons Creek; as she has stated on more than one occasion, that is her lifes most important work. Now, she alone runs that life. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Negotiations are reportedly underway to recover hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, media reports said on Sunday, as Israels intelligence chief met the prime minister of Qatar. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference the war in Gaza was existential and must be fought until victory. He said Gaza would be demilitarised and under Israeli security control. Promising to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas, Netanyahu said Israels offensive in Gaza helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November. The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing, he said. . , >> pic.twitter.com/EBsY3x4END Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 16, 2023 Read More: We Are Determined: Israel Regrets Hostage Deaths but Says Military Pressure Necessary Mossad chief meets Qatari PM The head of Israels Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani late on Friday, Reuters reported, as attention turned to a possible Gaza truce and a prisoner and hostage deal. The meeting in Europe was apparently the first between senior officials from Israel and Qatar, which has been acting as a mediator, since the collapse of a seven-day ceasefire in late November. Holding a presser in the wake of the accidental killing of three hostages by IDF, the Israeli PM appeared to sidestep a question about the meeting but confirmed he had given instructions to the negotiating team. We have serious criticisms of Qatar, he said. But right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages. Meanwhile, in a statement, Hamas affirmed its position not to open any negotiations to exchange prisoners unless the aggression stops once and for all. adding: The movement communicated this position to all mediators. Get them out of hell Several hundred people staged a protest in Tel Aviv, with some holding placards, including one saying get them out of hell. A speaker shouted: Bring them home now! At nightfall on Saturday, residents reported intensified fighting in the centre of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with Israeli planes and tanks bombing and shelling and the sound of rocket grenades, apparently fired by Hamas fighters. Every day the situation gets worse. Food gets less, water gets worse. Only death, fear and destruction get greater, said Samira, 40, a mother of four, who is displaced in Rafah, near the southern border with Egypt. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a surprise raid into Israel on October 7. Israels counteroffensive has killed close to 19,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Aid organisations say the destruction of Gaza and the displacement of most of its 2.3 million people. Many living in tents and makeshift shelters are without food or clean water. (With agency inputs) A Christian mother and daughter were shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of a Catholic church in Gaza City on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said. Around noon today a sniper of the IDF (Israeli army) murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, where Christian families have been sheltering since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, the patriarchate said in a statement. Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sisters Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety, it added. Seven more people were wounded by gunfire as they tried to protect others, the statement said. According to the Vatican press agency, citing Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, the victims were an elderly woman and her daughter. Approached for comment, the Israeli army said it was looking into the incident, which took place on the grounds of the Gaza Strips only Catholic church. The patriarchate said no warning was given before the shooting started, adding: They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents. In its statement, the patriarchate said three projectiles fired by an Israeli tank had also struck a convent, destroying its generator and fuel supplies, and rendering a building housing 54 disabled people uninhabitable. The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive, it added. According to the Vatican press agency, the strikes wounded three people. Italys top diplomat, Antonio Tajani, issued a heartfelt appeal to the Israeli government and army to protect Christian places of worship. That is not where the Hamas terrorists are hiding, he said on X, formerly Twitter. The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which killed around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to official figures. Israels campaign to crush the militant group has so far killed at least 18,800, mostly women and children, according to the territorys Hamas government. Canadian federal police said Saturday that a youth was arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses that allegedly targeted Jewish people. The young person arrested Friday was charged with facilitating terrorist activity by communicating instructional material related to an explosive substance. The youth is further charged with knowingly instructing a person to carry out terrorist activity against Jewish persons. Canadas Global News reported that an explosives team was sent to the site of Fridays arrest. I was shocked to learn the details of a planned attack against Ottawas Jewish community, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said on X. There has been a rise in antisemitism in Ottawa in recent weeks. He added he was grateful that strong investigative work by the RCMP and Ottawa police was able to avert an attack. He said police would continue to patrol synagogues and other Jewish institutions. I was shocked to learn the details of a planned attack against Ottawas Jewish community. Jai ete choque dapprendre les details dune attaque planifiee contre la communaute juive dOttawa. There has been a rise in anti-semitism in Ottawa in recent weeks. Im grateful and Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) December 16, 2023 Police did not release further details about the alleged offenses. Officials also said no further information about the youth could be released due to the suspects age. In a news release, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said it is seeing a concerning trend of violent extremism and terrorist use of the internet, including among young people. The RCMP urged adults in authority positions to watch for early warning signs of radicalization. Those include dehumanization of others, extreme anti-government attitudes and clear statements of intention to carry out violent acts. Terror Threat Foiled Canadas Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said the alleged terror plot targeting Jews in Ottawa should awaken Canada to the horrifying rise of anti-semitism since Hamas genocidal Oct. 7 attack on Israel. We must redouble our efforts to protect our people and defeat anti-Jewish hatred. Thanks to the RCMP for their work to protect our people, he wrote on X. Tensions have spiked in Canada over the Israel-Hamas war with gunshots fired at Jewish schools, and other institutions firebombed in recent weeks. Several countries around the world have seen attacks on Jewish targets increase amid the intense Israeli strikes on Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. The arrest of a teenager accused of plotting a terrorist attack against the Ottawa Jewish community is the latest sign that Canada is struggling with the radicalization of youths, Global News reported. The report said the minor, taken into custody on Friday night, was the second youth apprehended for terrorism in two days. On Saturday, the RCMP said it had arrested five youths for terrorism just in the past six months, and that it had seen a concerning trend of terrorists using the internet to recruit youths. (With agency inputs) Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of problems with neighbouring Finland after it joined NATO earlier this year, saying Moscow will create a new military district in north-west Russia in response, in an interview published Sunday. Finland, which shares a 1,340 kilometre border with Russia, joined NATO in April this year in the midst of Moscows Ukraine offensive. They (the West) dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones in the mid-20th century, have long been solved, Putin told a state TV reporter. There were no problems there, now there will be, because we will create the Leningrad military district and concentrate a certain amount of military units there. The comments come as Finland again shut its border with Russia this week, accusing it of orchestrating a migrant crisis on its border. Moscow has warned of counter-measures to Helsinkis NATO accession. Putin also said Russia had no reason to be at war with NATO countries, after US leader Joe Biden said this month that Moscow wont stop in Ukraine if it is successful there. It is rhetoric to justify false policy on Russia, Putin said. He said Moscow had no interest either in geopolitical, economic or military terms to fight with NATO countries. The Kremlins Ukraine campaign has reawakened fears of Russian aggression in the eastern flank of NATO. An Indian student, GS Bhatia, studying at Loughborough University in the UK, has gone missing in East London since December 15. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa took to X, urging External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar for assistance in Bhatias case. Sirsa said Bhatia was last seen in Canary Wharf, East London. He also urged Loughborough University and the Indian High Commission to join the effort to find him. G S Bhatia, a student of Loughborough University, has been missing since Dec 15. Last seen in Canary Wharf, East London.Bringing to the kind attention of @DrSJaishankar JiWe urge @lborouniversity & @HCI_London to join efforts in locating him. Your assistance is crucial. Please pic.twitter.com/iFSqpvWVV8 Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) December 16, 2023 GS Bhatia, a student of Loughborough University, has been missing since Dec 15. Last seen in Canary Wharf, East London. Bringing to the kind attention of @DrSJaishankar Ji We urge @lborouniversity & @HCI_London to join efforts in locating him. Your assistance is crucial. Please share and spread the word, Sirsa wrote on X. The BJP leader also posted the residence permit and college identification card of Bhatia on X. He asked people to share the news and shared two contact numbers to provide any information about the Indian student. In response to the BJP leaders post, Richard Taylor, the Chief Operating Officer of Loughborough University, said they have informed the police. Thank you, Manjinder. We have been in touch with the friends and family of Ashman. Weve also contacted the @metpoliceuk to emphasize the importance, Taylor said. A US destroyer on Saturday shot down more than a dozen drones in the Red Sea launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, as the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict spreads to global shipping lanes. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X. In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UAS were pic.twitter.com/Rjkzng5LxW U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 16, 2023 Continued Houthi Threat This incident comes as Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting vessels near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea, saying they are pressuring Israel over its devastating war with Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Houthi rebels have threatened to attack any vessels heading to Israeli ports unless food and medicine are allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip. Four major shipping firms have said they are suspending passage through the Bab al-Mandab strait, through which 40 percent of the worlds international trade flows. Israel-Hamas War: How Are Houthi Attacks on Ships in Red Sea Affecting World Trade? During Saturdays attack, the aerial vehicles were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries, according to the statement. The operation took place as Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin headed to the Middle East, where he would meet with Bahrain on US efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy, a Department of Defense statement said. In Israel, Austin would highlight Americas support of its ally but also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm. He is to meet with Israeli military leaders on the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, a senior defense official was quoted as saying. Austin also is scheduled to visit Qatar, a key mediator in negotiations with Hamas. Hamas poured over the border into Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people. Around 240 people were kidnapped in the attacks. Promising to destroy Hamas and bring back the hostages, Israel launched a massive military offensive that the Hamas-run territorys health ministry says has killed at least 18,800 people. (With agency inputs) Members of the Indian diaspora on Saturday organised a car rally in a suburb of Washington DC to commemorate the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Several members of the Hindu American community gathered at the Shri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple in Ayodhya Way, near Frederick City Maryland. This rally, a video of which was shared by ANI, is part of the month-long celebrations of the Ram Mandir in India. #WATCH | Hindu Americans in the Washington, DC area organized a mini car and bike rally at a local Hindu Temple, Shri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple in the street Ayodhya Way to celebrate the upcoming Pran Pratishtha at the Ayodhya Ram Temple pic.twitter.com/6EQQ1yHHwp ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2023 After 500 years of struggle by Hindus, Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir is being inaugurated and so we are organising a historic celebration of the same in the Washington, DC area on January 20 next year with about 1,000 American Hindu families. The celebration will include Ram Leela, stories of Shri Ram, Hindu prayers to Shri Ram, bhajans (devotional songs) to Bhagawan Shri Ram and his family, said Mahendra Sapa, the president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America DC chapter. Sapa was quoted as saying by PTI. The celebration will feature the enactment on the life of God Shri Ram by kids of various ages for about 45 minutes in a manner understandable to kids born in America, he said. Co-organiser and a local Tamil Hindu leader, Premkumar Swaminathan, sang a song praising Lord Shri Rama in Tamil language and gave invitations to all families for the January 20th celebration in the USA as well as the actual inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22 next year. Some of organisers spoke in Kannada, Telugu, and other languages, describing the importance of Bhagawan Shri Ram, who is exemplary to Hindus living all over the world. Krishna Gudipati, who organised the car rally, invited all devotees of Shri Ram to celebrate the celebration of Ayodhya Mandir with a bigger car and motorbike rally. Hindu leader Ankur Mishra stressed the importance of remembering the historic inauguration of Ayodhya Mandir for many Hindu generations. (With agency inputs) Three Israeli hostages who were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip had been waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were shot, military officials said Saturday. In a nationwide address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the killings broke the entire nations heart, but he indicated no change in Israels military campaign. We are more determined than ever to continue to the end until we eliminate Hamas, return all of our hostages, and ensure that, with G-ds help, there will not be any element that educates for terrorism, finances terrorism and dispatches terrorism, he said. I say this to the entire world; many around the world understand this and I repeat it this evening as well. This is not politics but policy. This is my policy and today I can say: This is the desire of the vast majority of the country, he added. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus remarks this evening, at a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz >>https://t.co/La1O7xOrYP pic.twitter.com/WBHj3uOC5C Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 16, 2023 Anger over mistaken killings Anger over the mistaken killings is likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives, which Israel says number 129, for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. An Israeli military official, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the hostages likely had been abandoned by their captors or had escaped. The soldiers behavior was against our rules of engagement, the official said, and was being investigated at the highest level. Shooting under pressure The hostages did everything they could to signal they werent a threat, but this shooting was done during fighting and under pressure, Herzi Halevi, chief of the militarys general staff, said in a statement. There may be additional incidents in which hostages will escape or will be abandoned during the fighting. We have the obligation and the responsibility to get them out alive, Halevi added. The hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. They had been among more than 240 people taken hostage during an unprecedented raid by Hamas into Israel on Oct. 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed. Shirtless with white flag The Israeli military official said the three hostages had emerged from a building close to Israeli soldiers positions. They waved a white flag and were shirtless, possibly trying to signal they posed no threat. Two were killed immediately, and the third ran back into the building screaming for help in Hebrew. The commander issued an order to cease fire, but another burst of gunfire killed the third man, the official said. The mass circulation daily Yediot Ahronot said that according to an investigation into the incident, soldiers followed the third man and shouted at him to come out, and at least one soldier shot him when he emerged from a staircase. SOS and Help The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the soldiers who followed the third hostage believed he was a Hamas member. Local media reported that soldiers earlier saw a nearby building marked SOS and Help! Three hostages but feared it might be a trap. The killings emphasised the dangers hostages face in areas of house-to-house combat like Shijaiyah, where nine soldiers were killed this week in one of the wars deadliest days for Israeli ground forces. But the Israeli military in its defence has said Hamas has booby-trapped buildings and ambushed troops from a tunnel network it built under Gaza City. Hamas released over 100 hostages for Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and children. Talks on further swaps broke down. Hamas seeks the return of all Palestinian prisoners. (With agency inputs) The emergency department at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is a blood bath and is in need of resuscitation, the WHO said Sunday. A team from the World Health Organisation and other United Nations agencies was able to deliver medical supplies Saturday to the hospital, the largest in the Palestinian territory. In a statement the WHO said that tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter, and that there is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. The team described the emergency department as a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute, the organisation said, adding that patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor (and) no pain management is available. The hospital is functioning at a minimal scale with very few staff and the WHO said critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries. Operating theatres are not working due to a lack of oxygen and supplies, and according to the WHO team, it is a hospital in need of resuscitation. Only 30 patients can receive dialysis daily. All health infrastructure in the Gaza strip has been hard hit by bombardments and ground operations carried out by the Israeli army since the unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. The attack saw about 1,140 people killed, mostly civilians, and 240 hostages taken, according to the Israeli authorities latest figures. According to Hamas, Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 18,800 people, mostly women and children. Israel has accused Hamas of running a command centre below the hospital which has special protection under the laws of war despite repeated denials from hospital officials and the Palestinian militant group. The WHO said it would reinforce Al-Shifa in the coming weeks in order for it to resume basic services. Up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, as well as post-operative care services, can be activated if provided with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water, the WHO said, along with the necessary staff. Currently, Al-Ahli Arab is the only hospital partially functioning in the entire north of the Gaza Strip, while three hospitals Al-Shifa, Al Awda and Al Sahaba Medical Complex are functioning at a minimum. Before the war, there were 24 operational facilities. The WHO has also expressed concerns about the besieged Kamal Adwan hospital. The Israeli army said Saturday it had discovered weapons and arrested around 80 Hamas members at the hospital in Gaza. Israel said it had completed its activity in the area of the Kamal Adwan hospital, which it charged had been used by Hamas as a command and control centre. The army said that it had questioned the hospital workers who had confessed that weapons were hidden in incubators that were supposed to be used to treat premature babies. Hamas accused Israel of carrying out a horrific massacre at the hospital, where they claimed Israeli forces fired at patient rooms, arrested staff, and destroyed tents of displaced people with bulldozers. For an inhabitant of Earth, with the naked eye, our galaxy appears as a faint strip of light that crosses the night sky. The name given to it during the ancient Greek civilization (which we still retain), the Milky Way, refers to its appearance: a milk-white area as described by Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100 - 170 AD). It was easy to see, and I say it was, because now it is only possible to appreciate it from the few privileged places that remain with access to a dark sky. Over time and with the progression of telescopes, weve learned that this strip of light is actually a concentration of stars thats shaped like a thin disk, with a radius of about 97,200 light years and a thickness of about 2,000 light years. Thats why its classified as a disk galaxy: its much larger in one direction than in the perpendicular, very similar to a vinyl record. The Sun resides in that galactic disk, about 50 light years above the median plane and 27,700 light years from the center. In the center of the galaxy lives a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* and all the stars of the Milky Way rotate with almost-circular orbits in that disk, with a rotation speed that depends on their distance from the center. The rotation speed at the Suns position is about 136 miles per second. This means that our star takes 240 million years to complete an orbit around the galaxy. Since its birth, it has barely had time to orbit it around 19 times. Although the stars are the most famous, we dont know the true shape of our galaxy from them, but rather from observations of the gas found between them. Its the simplest element hydrogen in its neutral state which shows us (with the help of radio telescopes) that the Milky Way has a spiral structure, similar to whats observed in numerous external galaxies. Were always learning from the details of its shape, especially because its very difficult to determine the structure of something when youre inside it. Imagine, for example, making a map of your city without having the possibility of leaving your home to plot the streets. Well, thats the job of a person dedicated to this specialty of astronomy. A galaxy is a very complex system: its not a simple aggregate of stars united by gravity. Between them, there exists a common reserve of gas and energy that we know as the interstellar medium. But now, lets not fool ourselves: the interstellar medium isnt a mere diffuse space that fills the gaps between stars. It could be said that its one of the most important components that a galaxy has. Although its density is very low when compared to that of the air we breathe, it controls most of its properties. Without the interstellar medium, there would be no stars. But what is the interstellar medium made of? Well, above all, gas in all its phases (ionized, atomic and molecular), dust (tiny solid particles), high-energy particles and magnetic fields. Its engaged in a continuous exchange of matter and energy with the stars its highly heterogeneous and very dynamic. Without going any further, in the vicinity of the bubble we inhabit in the solar vicinity there are five phases of interstellar gas, which is mainly hydrogen. On the one hand, there are clouds of cold dense molecules (at temperatures between -253 and -263 degrees), where stars form. Then, theres atomic gas (at -173 degrees), which is almost transparent in the starlight, except at a series of specific energy points that give rise to traces in the form of absorption lines, which allow scientists to detect it. The presence of nearby stars or high-energy particles can strip electrons from atoms and give us two other gas components: the warm ionized medium (at 10,000 degrees) and the hot ionized medium, which is sort of like a galactic baine-marie bath with a temperature of millions of degrees. It surrounds everything and is fueled by the brutal energy of supernova explosions. The entire interstellar medium is also peppered with magnetic fields, high-energy particles and solid particles (dust). And if this isnt already complicated enough in order to determine the structure of each component, we require observations that cover different energy ranges: the 21-centimeter line of hydrogen and the cold, molecular clouds are observed via radio telescopes, while the hot medium is looked at through X-rays. For dust and molecular gas, we require infrared telescopes. Its important to remember that a galaxy isnt a closed system it lives in an environment of clusters and superclusters of galaxies. Weve determined that, to maintain the rate of star formation since its formation, the Milky Way has had to receive fresh fuel almost continuously. And it seems that its been able to obtain it in the form of high-speed clouds, identified for the first time via the emission of atomic hydrogen at anomalous (non-galactic) speeds. Some of that gas originates in satellite galaxies, but some is ancient disk material that rains down like a galactic fountain. Another part of that gas may be some of the hot material that after being fed by supernova explosions simply condenses and falls back to the plane of the galaxy. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition TSHOLOTSHO Rural District Council chief executive officer Nkululeko Sibanda and executive finance officer Brighton Malandule have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) for allegedly abusing public funds in a borehole drilling contract. The two officials were arrested last Thursday and appeared before Tsholotsho magistrate Mr Thomas Gurejena on Saturday. They were each remanded out of custody to January 5 on $1,2 million bail. The two were further ordered to report at ZRP Tsholotsho once on the last Friday of the fortnight, surrender their passports and not to interfere with investigations, evidence and witnesses. The two were also ordered to reside at their given addresses. According to court papers, Mr Sibanda and Mr Malandule, who are both responsible for procuring goods and services for the council and its arms, awarded a borehole drilling contract to Makhado Marketing without following the proper procedures and approval of the council. Sibanda was the one who single-handedly gave Makhado Marketing the contract, the court heard. Sometime around October 2019, read the court papers, Tsholotsho RDC through Sibanda as the accounting officer and without obtaining an exemption from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe to engage in direct procurement, hand-picked Makhado Marketing for surveying, sighting and drilling a hundred-metre deep borehole and fitting services. Subsequently, on October 15, 2019, Tsholotsho RDC entered into a contract with Makhado Marketing for surveying, siting, drilling a 100-metre borehole and installation of cylinder complete with foot valves and bush pumps valued at $164 260. Clauses 19.1 to 24.2 of the contract outlined that the commencement of the services was supposed to be on the 17th of October 2019 and be completed by the 27th of November 2019. The payment terms were agreed as 30 percent to be paid upon signing of the contract which is 15 October 2019, another 30 percent upon completion of drilling, and the balance of 40 percent upon complete installation and approvals by the Council Technical Services department and the District Development Fund department. Investigations that followed established that soon after the signing of the contract, Makhado Marketing just drilled about 20 metres deep and informed the Council that their drilling machine had broken down. It was further established that contrary to the terms agreed in the said contract, Sibanda, without lawful explanation, authorised the processing of payments of the full cost of the borehole drilling and installation well before the contractor completed the drilling of the borehole as follows: $49 278,00 being the first 30 percent payment was processed on October 18. Prosecutor, Ms Sheila Mpofu said Sibanda as the accounting officer of Tsholotsho RDC, who had the duty to procure goods and services for Tsholotsho RDC in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposable of Public Assets Act Chapter 22:23, acted contrary and inconsistent with his duties by hand-picking Makhado Marketing without following proper tender procedures. Malandule, who had the duty to monitor the use of resources in pursuit of defined objectives of the Council, to ensure all expenditure is as per budget and exercising due diligence before effecting payments to avoid financial losses to the Council allegedly acted contrary and inconsistent with his duties as the Treasurer of Tsholotsho RDC by effecting payments to Makhado Marketing without exercising due diligence. By so doing, the accused persons showed favour to Makhado Marketing by hand-picking it without going to tender or using the request for quotation method of procurement and paying full cost price of borehole surveying, siting, drilling and installation of cylinder complete with foot valves and bush pumps well knowing that Makhado Marketing had not yet performed its contractual obligations thereby putting Tsholotsho RDC on high risk of unnecessary sunk costs, reads the state papers. Chronicle CBD use increased 50% in the past four years, according to a new survey published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association . About 1 in 5 survey respondents said they used CBD in the past year, reports the AP . People who use cannabis are more likely to report using CBD, CBG, and other hemp-derived compounds, the survey, done by NORC at the University of Chicago, showed. Also, people who live in a state where marijuana is illegal are more likely to use delta-8 THC, a mildly intoxicating sibling of delta-9 THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. "Although there are a lot of survey studies out that show this increased use, we don't have a lot of good data on what effects any of these things have, either harmful or beneficial," says Angela Bryan, a University of Colorado-Boulder professor who has studied the public health implications of cannabis legalization for more than a decade. She was not involved in the JAMA study. CBD and similar compounds have boomed in popularity since the 2018 farm bill legalized hemp production, and are found in lotions, tinctures, candies, vapes, and more. While there is a lack of government regulation for the products, the US Food and Drug Administration did approve one drug that contains CBD in 2018 to help treat two rare seizure disorders. Surveys show people use CBD and other hemp compounds to treat everything from anxiety and sleep issues to pain. But experts say there is not enough clinical research on the compounds. The FDA warned CBD can cause liver injury and can poorly interact with certain medications. Delta-8 THC is of particular concern, because of adverse side effects and because of how it is chemically manufactured. Several states, including Colorado, ban or regulate delta-8 THC, though it is sold in many states due to a loophole in federal law. "The implication in the paper, and I think it's accurate, is that if you don't have access to legal delta-9, then you're going to seek out delta-8," Bryan said. "But we know even less about delta-8 than we do about delta-9." (Read more CBD stories.) Two women who had fled to a church in Gaza for refuge were killed there "in cold blood" by an Israeli sniper, Catholic officials said. The women were mother and daughter, the Washington Post reports. They were shot without warning while walking to a convent in the complex, "where there are no belligerents," a statement said, adding, "One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety." Seven people were wounded while trying to shield others, said the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which presides over Catholic churches in Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, per CNN. In some factories, all work is done in the dark. There is no heating or air conditioning, because no machine has ever complained about the cold. Robots complete the entire production process, presaging a future of automation. The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog, quipped the American writer Warren Bennis, a pioneer in the field of business leadership, in his book On Becoming a Leader (1989). The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment. For decades, various theorists have anticipated the end of work, but never before have these predictions been so close to becoming reality, at least in some sectors. In 1930, John Maynard Keynes predicted that, by 2030, the 40-hour workweek would be reduced to 15 hours as a result of technological progress. Jeremy Rifkin, in his book The End of Work, published in 1995, described a future where automation would lead to a marked decrease in the demand for labor, causing high unemployment rates. In November, Elon Musk, during a conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, predicted a scenario in which artificial intelligence could take over all tasks: You can have a job if you wanted to have a job for personal satisfaction, said the Tesla founder. But the AI would be able to do everything. It remains to be seen whether these predictions will come true. All economic revolutions have entailed major reconfigurations of labor, but they have always created more jobs than they destroyed. Whether automation is temporary or permanent, the question nevertheless remains: What would millions of human beings pushed to the fringes of the labor market do with their time? Italian philosopher Maurizio Ferraris attempts to answer this question in his book Doc-Humanity (2022), where he argues that, in a future in which machines take over most productive tasks, human activities would be reoriented primarily toward one single outlet: the consumption of goods and services. It is one of the few activities that a machine will never be able to perform, perhaps the only one, he told EL PAIS over email. Ferraris highlights the importance of documenting and analyzing consumption patterns in a world dominated by automation. In order to optimize machine production, it is essential to be able to understand and predict human consumption desires and behaviors, he wrote. This analysis is made possible by collecting data and digital documents available on the web, which can capture and reflect the identities, desires and movements of individuals. The Italian philosopher argues that, in reality, every time humans perform an activity on a digital platform, they are already working. This includes everyday online activities like scrolling through Instagram on the subway or watching a movie on Netflix. Digital companies and platforms collect this data and use it for a variety of purposes, such as analyzing behaviors and preferences in order to deliver personalized content, improve services, and deliver targeted advertising. Ferraris stresses the importance of consumers being aware that their online activity contributes to this process. He also suggests the possibility of establishing a universal basic income (UBI) financed by a tax on digital platforms that profits from the data produced by our interactions on the web. Automation of routine jobs Social concern about the disappearance of jobs has given rise to several reports, with disparate findings. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimated in July that 27% of jobs in advanced countries are at risk of automation. The Goldman Sachs Group projects that technological advances could mean the loss of 300 million jobs worldwide, or approximately 18% of the global workforce. The CEO of the multinational technology company IBM has warned that in 5 years, 30% of its workers could be replaced, and has currently paused hiring for certain positions. In Spain, McKinsey & Company forecasts that, by 2030, 1.6 million workers will have to change careers to avoid unemployment. Moshe Vardi, Professor of Computer Science at Rice University in Houston, once predicted that in 30 years, most jobs would be done by robots and unemployment rates could exceed 50%. Now I am less pessimistic, he said in a telephone interview with EL PAIS. Vardi foresees significant changes in the world of work, but doubts that all jobs can be automated. The most vulnerable jobs are the routine ones, the ones that require repetitive and predictable tasks, he explains, adding that jobs will only be automated if it becomes economically viable to do so: For example, clearing a table in a restaurant is complicated for a robot and easy for a person, who will also do it for a low wage. So its unlikely that a restaurant would invest in such technology. Vardi points out that, historically, automation primarily affected manual or industrial, blue-collar jobs. Recently, however, with the advance of generative artificial intelligence, white-collar jobs, which encompass cognitive and administrative tasks, are also beginning to face the threat of automation. Although he acknowledges that new technology can create new jobs, Vardi has his doubts that the jobs lost will be balanced out by the jobs gained. Its also not clear to me that all workers with traditional skills will be able to adapt to roles that require more advanced training, he says. A U.S. autoworker union poster from the 1950s denouncing production automation. Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labour and Urban Affairs For Ferraris, a future where machines can surpass humans in complex creative tasks, such as writing novels, is out of the question. It might write a sentence, a medical diagnosis or a law better than us, but always under human supervision. Also, only humans truly understand other humans and understand what can move them or make them laugh an ability still unique to our species, he says. Even so, both thinkers envision a complicated transition period, marked by high unemployment rates and a growing need for worker training a period during which the aforementioned universal basic income could offer a way to distribute the gains from the increase in productivity generated by artificial intelligence. The measure has prominent advocates, like Sam Altman and Elon Musk, the founders of OpenAI. Others, such as Nick Srnicek, one of the leading advocates of left-wing accelerationism, and the coauthor of Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work (2015), are more skeptical. Not because I dont like the idea, but because I believe that the circumstances of the contemporary world will not allow a meaningful UBI to emerge, for the time being. Our limited resources for political action are better spent elsewhere, he told El PAIS. Srnicek points out that, in addition to the advance of automation, young peoples attitudes toward the importance traditionally placed on work are changing. Younger generations are showing a significant rejection of the traditional work ethic and, in some cases were even seeing the emergence of anti-work movements like the Great Resignation [the millions of people around the world who left their jobs in the wake of the pandemic]. This shift in attitude indicates a desire to move away from conventional work structures, which would also require political and social changes, he says. A Randstad report supports this observation, indicating that 58% of 18- to 24-year-olds would leave a job that does not ensure quality of life, while 38% have already left jobs because they did not match the needs of their personal lives. This contrasts sharply with the old saying: Theres no bad job if theres no better one. Spanish economist Lucia Velasco is among those who believe that, despite technological progress, there will always be humans behind the machines. Here, Velasco is referring to the millions of workers, often in precarious conditions in countries with fewer resources, who play essential roles for the functioning of AI, such as training the models for the technology. She argues that a world without work is not possible, neither economically nor socially, and that work gives meaning and order to much of our lives, and by doing work, in most cases, citizens are contributing to the world. Velasco analyzes the impact of automation on the Spanish labor market in her book Te va a sustituir un algoritmo? (2021), whose title translates as Is an Algorithm Going to Replace You? She suggests adopting a comprehensive approach that goes beyond retraining programs. Its important to have accurate data to understand how the labor market is evolving, and to consider the difficulties faced by workers, such as the lack of time for training, she says. Recent studies on new foundational AI models indicate a productivity improvement of between 14% and 35%, says Velasco. We must establish mechanisms so that the surplus generated by workers does not result in a reduction in wages. In addition, she insists on focusing policies not only on improving digital skills, but also cognitive and transversal skills that are essential for developing and interacting with AI systems, as well as for algorithmic literacy, to avoid being controlled by algorithms. One of the most complex challenges posed by a potential post-work world, says Srnicek, is assessing how the decline of traditional work would affect peoples identity and life purpose. While work provides benefits such as identity, culture, recognition, friendship, purpose and achievement, he says, these can be found more effectively outside the realm of salaried employment. Work is actually a terrible means to achieve these benefits. It has become the default resource for them only because it takes up most of our time. The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, a keen observer of the society of his time, warned long ago of something similar in his short story, The Happy Prince: Hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing whatever to do. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Russian President Vladimir Putin has pushed back against President Biden's suggestions that if the invasion of Ukraine succeeds, NATO countries will be attacked next. "Russia has no reason, no interestno geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor militaryto fight with NATO countries," Putin said. He made the comments in an interview released Sunday by Rossiya state television, Politico Europe reports. Biden had brought up the issue when urging Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine, saying that a Russian victory over Ukraine could lead to US and Russian troops fighting somewhere, given the American commitment to NATO. "If Putin takes Ukraine, he won't stop there," Biden had said. "It is complete nonsenseand I think President Biden understands that," Putin said. He was more combative in discussing Finland's April entry into NATO. That doubled the alliance's borders with Russia. Last month, Finland started closing its border with Russia after accusing its neighbor of pushing migrants seeking asylum across it. Putin said Russia's disputes with Finland "have all been resolved long ago," per CNN. "There were no problems, but now there will be, because we will now create the Leningrad military district there and definitely concentrate military units there." (Read more Vladimir Putin stories.) Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to make changes in the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future in office. Francis celebrated his birthday with cake during a festive audience with children Sunday morning, and there were "Happy Birthday" banners in St. Peter's Square during his weekly noon blessing, the AP reports. "It was quite a year for a pope who's obviously thinking about legacy and finishing up," said Christopher Bellitto, professor of history at Kean University in New Jersey. Only seven popes are known to have been older than Francis at the time of their deaths, according to the online resource Catholic Hierarchy. Francis has said he would consider resigning if his health made him unable to carry on, but since then he said the job of pope is for life. Twice this year, respiratory issues forced him to cancel big events: In spring, a bout of acute bronchitis landed him in the hospital and made him miss the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum. More recently, a new case of bronchitis forced him to cancel a planned trip to Dubai to participate in the UN climate conference. Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and seems increasingly prone to respiratory problems that make breathing difficult and speaking even more so. In between those events, he was hospitalized again in June for nine days for surgeons to repair an abdominal hernia and remove scar tissue from previous intestinal surgeries, per the AP. The hospitalizations have raised questions about Francis' ability to continue the globetrotting rigors of the modern-day papacy, which is increasingly dependent on the person of the pope, said David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University. "It's a great improvement from the time when the pope was just a king in his throne surrounded by a royal court," Gibson said. "But with such expectations can any pope govern into his 80s and even 90s and be effective?" (Read more Pope Francis stories.) Government officials have since denied reports from the Daily Mail which suggest the phenomenon is a result of the treated water. The report states that dead fish have been washing up almost four months since the discharge of treated water containing small quantities of radioactive material into the Pacific. Since the discovery of the fish, images have been widely circulating on social media along with Fukushima conspiracy theories. "We are concerned about unsubstantiated information," a Japanese fisheries agency official told local newspaper Maincichi Shimbun. "There have been no abnormalities found in the results of water-monitoring surveys." People living in Hakodate are being urged not to consume the stranded fish amid reports they were being taken to sell or eat. "We don't know for sure under what circumstances these fish were washed up, so I don't recommend eating them," fisheries researcher Takashi Fujioka said. One fisherman who spoke with Maincichi Shimbun said they'd "never seen anything like this before". "It makes me wonder if the marine ecosystem is changing." Some experts believe the stranded fish were chased by predatory fish to the point of exhaustion, however, no one has been able to confirm answers. "The cause is unknown at the moment," local fisheries official Mikiune Fujiwara told the newspaper. "We plan to sample the seawater at the site and examine it to uncover the cause." 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. Women's March activists hold signs outside the White House in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade abortion decision in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 9, 2022. Ohio was in the throes of a bitter debate over abortion rights this fall when Brittany Watts, 21 weeks and 5 days pregnant, began passing thick blood clots. The 33-year-old Watts, who had not shared the news of her pregnancy even with her family, made her first prenatal visit to a doctors office behind Mercy Health-St. Josephs Hospital in Warren, a working-class city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Cleveland. The doctor said that, while a fetal heartbeat was still present, Watts water had broken prematurely and the fetus she was carrying would not survive. He advised heading to the hospital to have her labor induced, so she could have what amounted to an abortion to deliver the nonviable fetus. Otherwise, she would face significant risk of death, according to records of her case. That was a Tuesday in September. What followed was a harrowing three days entailing: multiple trips to the hospital; Watts miscarrying into, and then flushing and plunging, a toilet at her home; a police investigation of those actions; and Watts, who is Black, being charged with abuse of a corpse. Thats a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. Her case was sent last week to a grand jury. It has touched off a national firestorm over the treatment of pregnant women, and especially Black women, in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump elevated Watts plight in a post to X, formerly Twitter, and supporters have donated more than $100,000 through GoFundMe for her legal defense, medical bills and trauma counseling. Whether abortion-seekers should face criminal charges is a matter of debate within the anti-abortion community, but, post-Dobbs, pregnant women like Watts, who was not even trying to get an abortion, have increasingly found themselves charged with crimes against their own pregnancies, said Grace Howard, assistant justice studies professor at San Jose State University. Roe was a clear legal roadblock to charging felonies for unintentionally harming pregnancies, when women were legally allowed to end their pregnancies through abortion, she said. Now that Roe is gone, that roadblock is entirely gone. Michele Goodwin, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, and author of Policing The Womb, said those efforts have long overwhelmingly targeted Black and brown women. Even before Roe was overturned, studies show that Black women who visited hospitals for prenatal care were 10 times more likely than white women to have child protective services and law enforcement called on them, even when their cases were similar, she said. Post-Dobbs, what we see is kind of a wild, wild West, said Goodwin. You see this kind of muscle-flexing by district attorneys and prosecutors wanting to show that they are going to be vigilant, theyre going to take down women who violate the ethos coming out of the states legislature. She called Black women canaries in the coal mine for the hyper-vigilant type of policing women of all races might expect from the nations network of health-care providers, law enforcers and courts now that abortion isnt federally protected. In Texas, for example, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton mounted an aggressive and successful defense against a white Texas mother, Kate Cox, who sued for permission to skirt the states restrictive abortion law because her fetus had a fatal condition. At the time of Watts miscarriage, abortion was legal in Ohio through 21 weeks, six days of pregnancy. Her lawyer, Traci Timko, said Watts left the hospital on the Wednesday when, coincidentally, her pregnancy arrived at that date after sitting for eight hours awaiting care. It turned out the delay was because hospital officials were deliberating over the legalities, Timko said. It was the fear of, is this going to constitute an abortion and are we able to do that, she said. At the time, vigorous campaigning was taking place across Ohio over Issue 1, a proposed amendment to enshrine a right to abortion in Ohios constitution. Some of the ads were harshly attacking abortions later in pregnancy, with opponents arguing the issue would allow the return of so-called partial-birth abortions and pregnancy terminations until birth. The hospital did not return calls seeking confirmation and comment, but B. Jessie Hill, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, said Mercy Health-St. Josephs was in a bind. These are the razors edge decisions that health care providers are being forced to make, she said. And all the incentives are pushing hospitals to be conservative, because on the other side of this is criminal liability. Thats the impact of Dobbs. Watts had been admitted to the Catholic hospital twice that week with vaginal bleeding, but she left without being treated. A nurse told the 911 dispatcher that Watts returned no longer pregnant on that Friday. She said Watts told her, the babys in her backyard in a bucket, and that she didnt want to have a child. Timko said Watts insists she doesnt recall saying the pregnancy was unwanted; it was unintended, but she had always wanted to give her mother a grandchild. Her lawyer believes Watts may have meant that she didnt want to fish what she knew was a dead fetus from the bucket of blood, tissue and feces that shed scooped from her overflowing toilet. This 33-year-old girl with no criminal record is demonized for something that goes on every day, she told Warren Municipal Court Judge Terry Ivanchak during Watts recent preliminary hearing. Warren Assistant Prosecutor Lewis Guarnieri told Ivanchak that Watts left home for a hair appointment after miscarrying, leaving the toilet clogged. Police would later find the fetus wedged in the pipes. The issue isnt how the child died, when the child died, Guarnieri told the judge, according to TV station WKBN. Its the fact the baby was put into a toilet, was large enough to clog up the toilet, left in that toilet, and she went on (with) her day. In court, Timko bristled at Guarnieris suggestion. You cannot be broadcasting any clearer that you just dont get it, she said in an interview, suggesting Watts was scared, anxious and traumatized by the experience. Shes trying to protect Mama. She doesnt want to get her hair done. She wants to stop bleeding like crazy and start grieving her fetus, what shes just been through. As chief counsel to the countys child assault protection unit, Assistant Trumbull County Prosecutor Diane Barber is the lead prosecutor on Watts case. Barber said she couldnt speak specifically about the case other than to note that the county was compelled to move forward with it once it was bound over from municipal court. She said she doesnt expect a grand jury finding this month. About 20% of the cases get no-billed, (as in) they do not get indicted and the case does not proceed, she said. The size and stage of development of Watts fetus precisely the point when abortion crossed from legal to illegal without exceptions became an issue during her preliminary hearing. A county forensic investigator reported feeling what appeared to be a small foot with toes inside Watts toilet. Police seized the toilet and broke it apart to retrieve the intact fetus as evidence. Testimony and an autopsy confirmed that the fetus died in utero before passing through the birth canal. In regard to abuse, the examination identified no recent injuries. Ivanchak acknowledged the cases complexities. There are better scholars than I am to determine the exact legal status of this fetus, corpse, body, birthing tissue, whatever it is, he said from the bench. Matter of fact, Im assuming thats what ... Issue 1s all about: at what point something becomes viable. Timko, a former prosecutor, said Ohios abuse-of-corpse statute is vague. It prohibits treating a human corpse in a way that would outrage reasonable family or community sensibilities. From a legal perspective, theres no definition of corpse, she said. Can you be a corpse if you never took a breath? Howard said clarity on what about Watts behavior constituted a crime is essential. For rights of people with the capacity for pregnancy, this is huge, she said. Her miscarriage was entirely ordinary. So I just want to know what (the prosecutor) thinks she should have done. If we are going to require people to collect and bring used menstrual products to hospitals so that they can make sure it is indeed a miscarriage, its as ridiculous and invasive as it is cruel. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday marked Bahrains celebrations of National Days with a call to the international community to take concrete steps towards establishing peace in Gaza. HM King affirmed that the brotherly Palestinian people, like all other people, deserve their full rights for the establishment of their independent and fully sovereign State, with Jerusalem as its capital. Israel's retaliatory offensive, prompted by an attack from Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people, has reportedly led to a total of 18,800 casualties, with a significant number being women and children, as stated by the territory's Hamas government. Additionally, the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 64 journalists and media staff have lost their lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict. His Majesty delivered the message in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the Al-Sakhir Palace. On the occasion, HM King Hamad prayed to bring Bahrains united family continued prosperity and harmony that ensure progress with each passing generation and a better and brighter future. HM said the celebrations evoke in us renewed joy and a deep sense of responsibility," replete with confidence in the countrys continuous development and pride in Bahrains journey. Expressing pride and appreciation to the pioneers of National Action, HM said they have followed the path of our founding pioneers, the builders of this remarkable nation, whose glory and success began more than two centuries ago. Bahrain, HM said, reaps the outcome of what they sowed, urging all to continue the journey with the same determination and steadfastness to achieve further growth and prosperity. Then, HM the King conferred medals on national action pioneers. Nayla Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Sayed delivered a statement on behalf of the honorees, expressing pride in HM Kings patronage of the celebrations and for honouring national work pioneers. She asserted that the annual royal honouring of the distinguished national action pioneers is an impetus for them to be more dedicated to serving the nation and raising its flags at all international gatherings. It could be a cold, grim New Year for thousands of migrant families living in New York Citys emergency shelter system. With winter setting in, they are being told they need to clear out, with no guarantee theyll be given a bed elsewhere. Homeless migrants and their children were limited to 60 days in city housing under an order issued in October by Mayor Eric Adams, a move the Democrat says is necessary to relieve a shelter system overwhelmed by asylum-seekers crossing the southern U.S. border. That clock is now ticking down for people like Karina Obando, a 38-year-old mother from Ecuador who has been given until Jan. 5 to get out of the former hotel where she has been staying with her two young children. Where she will end up next is unclear. After that date, she can reapply for admission to the shelter system. A placement might not happen right away. Her family could wind up getting sent to one of the citys huge tent shelters far from where her 11-year-old son goes to school. I told my son, Take advantage. Enjoy the hotel because we have a roof right now, Obando said in Spanish outside Row NYC, a towering, 1,300-room hotel the city converted into a shelter for migrants in the heart of the theater district. Because theyre going to send us away and were going to be sleeping on the train, or on the street. A handful of cities across the U.S. dealing with an influx of homeless migrants have imposed their own limits on shelter stays, citing a variety of reasons, including spiraling costs, a lack of space and a desire to put pressure on people to either find housing on their own, or leave town entirely. Chicago imposed a 60-day shelter limit last month and is poised to start evicting people in early January. In Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, has capped the number of migrant families in emergency shelters at 7,500. Denver had limited migrant families to 37 days but paused the policy this month in recognition of winters onset. Single adults are limited to 14 days. In New York, the first families were expected to reach their 60-day limits just days after Christmas, but the mayors office said those migrants will receive extensions through early January. Roughly 3,500 families have been issued notices so far. Unlike most other big cities, New York has a decades-old right to shelter obligating the city to provide emergency housing to anyone who asks. But officials have warned migrants there is no guarantee they will get to stay in the same hotel, or the same city borough, for that matter. Adult migrants without children are already subject to a shorter limit on shelter stays: 30 days. Those who get kicked out and still want help are told to head for the citys so-called reticketing center that opened in late October in a former Catholic school in Manhattans East Village. Dozens of men and women, many with their luggage and other belongings in tow, line up every morning in freezing weather where they must petition for a renewed stay. They are offered a free, one-way ticket to anywhere in the world. Most people decline. Some are able to secure another shelter for 30 days, but many others say they leave empty-handed and must line up again the next day to try their luck. Im scared of dying, sleeping on the street, Barbara Coromoto Monzon Pena, a 22-year-old from Venezuela, said as she spent a second day waiting in line on a recent weekday. Obando said her eldest son, who is 19, hasnt been able to find a place to rent since he and his wife exhausted their 30 allowed days at the Row NYC hotel. As a mother, it hurts, she said, breaking down in tears. Hes sleeping on the train, on the street, in the cold. Hes in a lot of pain, and now its our turn. They told me that this country was different, but for me its been hell. Adams has insisted the city is doing a lot more for migrant families than almost anywhere else. New York is on track to spend billions of dollars opening shelters, paying for hotel rooms, buying meals and offering assistance overcoming bureaucratic hurdles for asylum-seekers. The mayor also has warned repeatedly that the citys resources are stretched thin, with more than 67,200 migrants still in its care and many more arriving every week. Were doing everything in our power to treat families as humanely as possible, said Kayla Mamelak, a spokesperson for Adams. We have used every possible corner of New York City and are quite simply out of good options. She stressed that the administration intends to avoid having families sleeping on the streets and said there will be an orderly process for them to request another 60-day stay. Advocates for immigrants say the end result will still uproot vulnerable families during the coldest months of the year and disrupt schooling for new students just settling into classes. Its maybe the most Grinch move, ever, said Liza Schwartzwald, a director at the New York Immigrant Coalition. Sending families with children out like in the middle of winter right after the holiday season is just cruel. Adams has stressed that migrant children would not be required to change schools when they move. But some kids could potentially face epic commutes if they are placed in new shelters far from their current schools. Migrant parents say two months simply isnt enough time to find a job, get kids settled into childcare or school and save up enough for rent. Obando, who arrived in the U.S. three months ago, said that outside of the odd cleaning job, she has struggled to find consistent work because there is no one to care for her 3-year-old daughter with her husband still detained at the border in Arizona. Its not that we Ecuadorians come to take their jobs or that were lazy, she said. Were good workers. More time, thats all we ask. For Ana Vasquez, a 22-year-old from Venezuela who is eight months pregnant, the situation is more urgent. Her baby is due in late December, but she has until Jan. 8 to leave the Row NYC, where she has been staying with her sister and two young nieces for the past four months. They are going to leave me out in the cold, Vasquez lamented in Spanish one chilly morning this month outside the hotel. We dont have an escape plan. The situation is difficult, even more so with the baby. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Adani now owns three media properties the NDTV network, Quintillion Business, and IANS Newswrap: Adani group has acquired a 50.5 per cent stake in newswire services provider IANS India Pvt Ltd for 5.1 lakh, further consolidating its presence in the media sector. MSC Terminal Investment acquires 49% stake in Adani Ennore Container Terminal for 247 cr The acquisition was done through Adani Enterprises subsidiary AMG Media Networks, which signed an agreement with IANS and and its shareholder Sandeep Bamzai, an exchange filing late on Friday said. AMG Media will have all the operational and maangement control of IANS and also the right to appoint all drectors on its board, it added. IANS or Indo-Asian News Service as it is called, was set up in 1986 originally to cater to the Indian diaspora in North America. About three decades later it changed its focus to India and South Asia and became a full-fledged wire agency. It reported a turnover of 12 crore in FY23, 9.4 crore in FY22 and 10.3 crore in FY21, the filing said. Elon Musk launches xAI Grok, How to use it? Grok ai cost in India The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, revealed why he did not stop the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, who was a pastor of RCCG in the United States of America from vying for the stool. The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, approved the selection of Olaoye as the 21st Soun of Ogbomosoland on September 2, 2023, from Olaoye Ruling House after duly selected by the kingmakers in the ancient town. The stool became vacant after the transition into the great beyond of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III. On September 8, the kingmakers in Ogbomosoland, led by Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, installed Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso at Abata. Pastor Adeboye, while speaking at Beulah Baptist Conference, Ogbomoso, the venue of the interdenominational thanksgiving services for the new Soun, said he knew Olaoye was born to be a king. Adeboye said, When he (Olaoye) came to me to inform me about the development I told him to go and pray, he came back and said he had not heard anything. I told him to go back and pray again, and after a while, he came back and told me God had spoken. I have heard him loud and clear that I should go ahead. It was then that I told him to go because it had been destined. I knew that long ago, but I want God to speak to him directly. To my critics, if I said no and God said Yes, whose word is the final? God of course. So, I cannot stop him because Pastor Olaoye was destined to be a king even before he was born and thank God it is coming to fruition, he explained. A former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Bukkuyum/ Gummi federal constituency in Zamfara State, Hon. Sani Muhammad Takori has revealed that if Wike defects to the All Progressives Congress, APC, he will be frustrated and humiliated. Takori advised that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Wike, should think twice. Speaking with newsmen in Gusau, the State capital, Takori said that when Abdulahi Adamu came on board as the APC national chairman, he was frustrated by the powers that be. According to him, since 27 Rivers State lawmakers who are his loyalists have defected, there is every indication that Wike will also defect to the APC, but he will regret it at last. Takori further stated that if the 27 State lawmakers later decide to reject godfatherism, then Wike will be on his own. He lamented that the minister has created serious political tension in Rivers State. Though the APC leaders are wooing him to defect to the party, even promised to make him the leader of the party in his State, but if he defects, sorry will be his second name. If Wike defects to APC, he will meet his equals with different characters; if he is a betrayer, he will see betrayers, and if he is wicked, he will also meet more wicked people than himself, he added. The APC chieftain advised Wike to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. New Jersey state troopers were called out to Atlantic City International Airport early Sunday morning after three flight attendants were exposed to fumes, a New Jersey State Police spokesman confirmed. All three Spirit Airlines flight attendants were sent to an area hospital for further medical evaluation, Jeffrey Lebron, a detective and State Police spokesperson, said in a statement Sunday. Lebron noted that troopers initially responded at 5:47 a.m. on Sunday to a medical assist at the Egg Harbor Township airport. He added that the flight attendants were performing their preflight checks inside the aircraft when the incident took place. The Spirit Airline aircraft was empty at the time of the fumes exposure, Lebron said Sunday afternoon. The status of the three flight attendants is unknown at this time. The State Police spokesman did not provide more details on the incident or say what exactly the employees came in contact with. Lebron said all three flight attendants were sent to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Asked about the incident, the South Jersey Transportation Authority which oversees airport operations referred questions to Spirit Airlines. The airline did not immediately provide comment. Atlantic City International Airport officials did not immediately provide additional information Sunday and local authorities in Egg Harbor Township could not be reached for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @stevenrodasnj. Authorities are asking for the publics help locating a Newark woman who hasnt been seen in two weeks. Robina Crawford, 58, of Newark, was reported missing on Saturday, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Frage. Crawford, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and Type-2 diabetes, was last seen by her family Nov. 30, but was spotted two weeks ago by a security guard in the 400 block of Sanford Avenue, officials said. She is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, 135 pounds and is known to drive a Kia Sorento with New Jersey license V74-RLV. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the police Crime Stopper line at 1-877-695-8477. All tips remain anonymous, but could result in a reward. Tips may also be made via the police divisions website. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. A man was killed and a 4-year-old boy was injured after multiple gunshots were fired Saturday afternoon in a residential neighborhood in Belleville, authorities said. The shooting happened about 2 p.m. in the 100 block of Mill Street, according to the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Both victims were struck by the gunfire and taken to Clara Maass Medical Center in the township, said spokesman Robert Florida. The slain man was identified as Francis Medina, 37, of Belleville. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m. at the hospital, Florida said. The child was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Florida said. He was listed in stable condition on Saturday night, authorities said. No suspect was in custody and a motive remained unclear. Also unclear was the relationship between the victims. The homicide unit of the Essex County Prosecutors Office was investigating. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutors Office tips line at 1-877-847-7432. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The FBI has announced a $10,000 reward in the case of a Jersey City woman missing since 2019. The FBI Newark Field Office and the Jersey City Police Department said Thursday that authorities continue to seek the publics help in locating Mayushi Bhagat. Bhagat, who was 24 when she went missing but would be 29 today, was studying at the New York Institute of Technology at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen leaving her Jersey City apartment while wearing colorful pajama pants and a black T-shirt on April 29, 2019, authorities said. The $10,000 reward, officials said, would be provided for information leading to Bhagats location or recovery. The #FBI offers a reward of up to $10,000 for info leading to the location or recovery of Mayushi Bhagat, and the id, arrest, & conviction of those responsible. She was last seen the evening of April 29, 2019, leaving her apartment in Jersey City, NJ: https://t.co/rAMkiPH3Ln pic.twitter.com/SjxPGQrQrI FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) December 14, 2023 Bhagats family reported her missing on May 1, 2019, after not hearing from her for two days, police previously said. Mayushi was born in India on July 12, 1994. She was in the U.S. on an F1 student visa ... Detectives say she has friends in South Plainfield, the FBI said in a summary of the case. According to a Times of India story from 2019, Bhagat moved to the U.S. to pursue a career in electrical and electronics engineering after graduating from the Vadodara Institute of Engineering in Kotambi, India. She reportedly attended the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the New York Institute of Technology. Bhagat, the Times of India said, had told her parents she would be back in Jersey City on May 3, 2019. A GoFundMe page for Bhagat describes her as responsible, kind, intelligent and very capable. The search for Mayushi has taken an emotional and financial toll on the family, including substantial legal and investigative fees. We are fundraising to assist Mayushis family through these difficult times, according to a statement on the fundraiser page, which appears to have last been updated in December 2019. A spokesperson from the FBI Newark Field Office could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday. Bhagat who police said also goes by Mayushi Vikas Bhagat and Mayusi Vikas Bhagat is 5 feet 10 inches tall, has black hair, brown eyes, weighs 150 to 160 pounds, and has a medium build. She speaks English, Hindi and Urdu, police said. Anyone with information on Bhagats whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call the FBI Newark at 973-792-3000, or the Jersey City Police Department at 855-JCP-TIPS (527-8477). You can also contact your local FBI office here, as well as the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Previous reporting by The Jersey Journal staff writer Haresh Oudhnarine was used in this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @stevenrodasnj. Harvard Provost Claudine Gay during an appearance before the House Education Committee on Dec. 5. KEN CEDENO (REUTERS) On US college campuses after years of affirmative action, identity and diversity politics and conservative offensive against free thought have reached a boiling point, with accusations of anti-semitism being hurled against the universities. Trustees are withdrawing millions of dollars, presidents from three of the most well-known universities have faced noisy questioners in Congress (with one of them resigning afterwards), while political pressures and petitions are mounting. The headlines have been piling up for weeks. However, as most of the dozen sources consulted for this report warn, anti-semitism in universities is not a consequence of the war on Gaza. Rather, it came about much earlier. And its not as widespread as it seems, nor is it being encouraged by pro-Palestinian groups. According to experts, it tends to be linked to the extreme-right. Some sources recall that the worst anti-semitic attacks in the United States have been the work of white supremacists, such as the one in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, encouraged by then-president Donald Trump and his acolytes, among them Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY). 10 days ago, the ally of the former president attacked the leaders of the universities of Pennsylvania, Harvard and MIT in a congressional appearance. The first of them Liz Magill resigned three days after her testimony. Meanwhile, Claudine Gay of Harvard remains under scrutiny: advertising vans are stationed in front of her home or roaming around her campus. They display screens of her image and derogatory phrases, reminiscent of cruel times in American history. The harassment of Gay and her companions three women in the line of fire is due, according to their detractors, to their failure to condemn demonstrations against Israel, which have frightened some students of the Jewish faith. The university presidents have also infuriated many donors, who are, effectively, the masters of American universities: last year, they contributed $59.5 billion to their operations. More than 80% of the donations came from 1% of the donors. One of them recently withdrew over $100 million from the University of Pennsylvania, which precipitated Magills fall. A van with the image of Provost Claudine Gay and the slogan "Unfit to lead" on Wednesday at Harvard. M. A. S. V. Gay the president of Harvard, which has a $50 billion annual budget continues to resist pressure from donors, despite difficulties. The support of more than 700 professors on the faculty many of them Jewish and of the governing board has been of little use. Several donors and quite a few congresspeople continue to ask for her head. Derek J. Penslar professor of Jewish History and director of the Harvard Center for Jewish Studies downplays the seriousness of the controversy. The situation is not as serious as most of the American media has reported, although anti-semitism is a serious and growing problem in universities and in society as a whole. At Harvard, since the Hamas massacre of October 7, Jewish students have been subjected to merciless and hateful social media posts, insults and ostracism. There has only been one report of physical assault whether or not it actually occurred is still being investigated. But theres also no doubt that they have faced various forms of anti-semitism that have made them psychologically and emotionally uncomfortable, Penslar notes. The alleged call for the genocide of the Jews and the alleged inaction of the rectors denounced by Representative Stefanik is jarring especially when the allegations are coming from someone who has supported conspiracy theories such as the Great Replacement theory (advocated for by white supremacists) or has applauded Trumps derogatory remarks about the Jews. Tweets posted about anti-semitism on campuses can give the mistaken impression that anti-semtisim in the US stems primarily from left-wing, pro-Palestinian activism. In fact, anti-semitic beliefs and actions are much more widespread on the far-right. Violent and deadly attacks against American Jews are planned and carried out by white nationalist extremists. Such was the case with Charlottesville in 2017, when then-President Trump shrugged and said that there was violence on both sides, regarding attacks by white supremacists on anti-racism protestors. Comments like these further emboldened the extreme-right. A year later, in 2018, a white supremacist killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue. This was the worst anti-semitic attack in US history. Reached by email, author Dov Waxman adds: While Im concerned about the anti-semitic incidents that have taken place on some campuses since the outbreak of the war, I dont think its accurate to say that [campuses] are hotbeds of anti-semitism. There certainly is [anti-semitism]... but its scope and severity are often exaggerated. The echo chamber of the headlines and the confluence of interests of the big media outlets with certain donors can explain the volume of the debate. Alejandro Baer a professor and who is affiliated with the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota focuses on political instrumentalization. Anti-semitism and the way it is defined and combated has become an important element in the American culture wars. Democrats and Republicans accuse each other of having anti-semites in their respective camps. Among Republicans, there are QAnon conspiracy theorists and white supremacists who, at the 2017 Charlottesville rally, shouted Jews will not replace us. And, among the Democrats there are anti-Zionists who understand Hamas violence as legitimate resistance, or who question the Israeli states right to exist. Universities are Democratic strongholds and are being targeted by Republican attacks, he affirms via email. Pro-Palestinian activists on the Harvard campus Wednesday. M. A. S. V. Republicans have found a nut to crack ahead of the 2024 elections, in their umpteenth culture war. This time, however, there are signs of victory, judging by Trumps clear advantage in some key swing states. Also, this particular culture war is also supported by a few Democrats. Unlike other identity issues, the question of Israel is a red line that mobilizes the entire political spectrum. It does so in an emotional way, perhaps even in an existential one. But complicity with his Republican rivals has opened up a rift in Joe Bidens party. This past week, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution condemning anti-semitism on campuses and calling for the resignation of Chancellor Gay and her MIT counterpart, Sally Kornbluth. The vote highlighted the stark Democratic divisions brought to light by the Gaza war: 84 Democrats including progressive Jews voted in favor of the resolution, compared to 125 Democrats who voted against it. All Republicans (except for one) supported the text. Far from remaining in the bubbles of liberal thought that are universities with Harvard, a Democratic bastion, at the helm the issue has jumped into the political arena to fuel the 2024 election campaign. It has left Biden depleted of strength and, increasingly, of support. Autumn says goodbye to Harvard with a backdrop of sparse trees and sub-zero temperatures. This past week with final exams and a vacation rush it was difficult to find students willing to stop for a few minutes. Maria and Sissy first-year students were unaware of the controversy. Weve only seen lots of signs and posters that some [people] stick up and others tear down, they say, alluding to a leaflet campaign demanding the release of Hamas hostages. But, beyond that, we dont know exactly whats happening, or whos right. It doesnt seem like huge news to us, really. Jordana a third-year History student has a properly-informed opinion. There hasnt been a single incident [of anti-semitism], not one. Furthermore, only one side is talked about the other side (Palestine) seems not to exist. The media aligned with the angriest donors has a lot to do with this. I think that Principal Gay is addressing the problem well and that the harassment to which she is being subjected to is unjustifiable. After being ratified in her position by Harvards governing board, unexpected accusations of plagiarism have loomed over Dr. Gay this week. Digital LED advertising vans bearing the photo of the first Black woman to lead Harvard accompanied by disparaging messages have been circulating the campus. Jordana denounces the bias of the controversy: Theres a clear attempt to suppress any pro-Palestinian opinion. Theres no talk about the threats being made against Arab students, or about how their freedom of expression is restricted. A Muslim student wearing a hijab who asks not to be identified agrees with her: Of course, anti-semitism is a problem, without a doubt but so is Islamophobia. This young woman claims that, since October 7, more episodes of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate have occurred on campus. Harassment, harassment, insults verbal, but very unpleasant, manifestations towards Arabs and Muslims. There are also hired vans going around Harvard bearing [digital] photos and personal information of students who [express pro-Palestine opinions]. The wife of a well-known professor was recorded insulting a student who was wearing a keffiyeh (Palestinian scarf). The video has since gone viral and the names and surnames of the harasser and her spouse have been published by the university newspaper, The Harvard Crimson. Its not a phenomenon that interferes with our daily lives, but its everywhere: in [coffeeshops], in the hallways any student could tell you that theyre a witness to the debate, but many wont dare to talk to you for fear of taking sides, Jordana concludes. Neither does the institution itself which hasnt responded to a request for comment made by EL PAIS nor the Crimson. Patrick a British graduate student doesnt bother tearing down the posters calling for the release of the hostages. Theyve glued them [to the poles], theres no way to remove them. The controversy over anti-semitism on campus is pure theater: its just the interests of some millionaires upset by hearing things that they dont like, [such as] the massacre being perpetrated against civilians in Gaza, or the fact that a ceasefire is necessary right now, he explains. Rabbi Getzel Davis of Hillel Harvard, the local chapter of a Jewish university organization hardly has a different opinion from the university: The most important thing is that the culture changes and that we have an administration that names, denounces and tackles anti-semitism whenever and wherever it occurs [it must] ensure that this campus is a safe learning environment for Jewish students and everyone else. We look forward to continuing to work with Chancellor Gay and other senior Harvard officials on educational programs and implementing policies to protect Jewish students. Posters calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, Harvard. M. A. S. V. Near some dorms, three pro-Palestinian activists expressing their solidarity with Gaza warm up the icy morning with a megaphone. Without success, but also without risk: there are no adverse reactions, no complaints only indifference. Rafael Kadaris who introduces himself as atheist born into a Jewish family takes the lead. A Californian with no connection to the campus, hes a spokesperson for the marginal Revolutionary Communist Party of the USA. He defends the need for a revolution to blow up the system. The next day, in a central Harvard square, a group of individuals (mostly retired) form a human chain to ask for a ceasefire. None of them have any relationship with the university, either. On October 19, in an interview with EL PAIS, the philosopher Michael Walzer pointed out what he perceives to be an atmosphere of anti-semitism on campuses. This is limited in his view to leftist circles. Contacted again this past Wednesday to elaborate on the topic, he opined: The emergence of anti-semitism after the Gaza war especially on university campuses isnt exactly a surprise. Anti-Israel agitation has, for some time, been the main way for students to express their leftism, avoiding other issues that require the lefts attention. The shock of October 7 should have [put a check] on that leftism. Instead, for some but not all left-wing students, it became an occasion to demonstrate how committed they were to the Palestinian cause. Walzer who is a professor emeritus at Princeton maintains that the controversy surrounding the rectors (which he believes is justified) is an opportunity to correct mistakes and move forward. Some university administrators and professors responded quickly and well, but many did not. Far-right Republicans who have often played on anti-semitic themes saw a populist opportunity to go after the academic elite. Hence the hearings [in Congress] and the harassment of the three rectors, who responded badly because they followed the advice of their lawyers and never spoke from the heart, which was what the moment required. I think things are going to get better now, Walzer concludes. Identity, diversity and inclusion: where do Jews fit in? Alejandro Baer who denounces the seriousness of the phenomenon of anti-semitism places the current controversy and the complaints of insecurity and harassment of Jewish students in the context of so-called affirmative action in American universities. Affirmative action and identity politics have generated a perverse effect that especially affects Jewish minorities on campuses. Diversity and inclusion plans and the critical race studies on which they are based understand American society in binary terms of oppressor-oppressed, or White-BIPOC. If you are in a victim group, then you receive special protection and, if youre in an oppressor group, then its assumed that you cannot suffer discrimination or injustice in the same way. Jews dont fit into either category, but theyre still assigned to the white and oppressive group. Baer emphasizes that it doesnt matter whether Jews are targets of white supremacism, or, as now, whether Israelis are the targets of pro-Palestinian protesters: they will never be seen as victims. This represents an erasure and a denial of their identities and their experiences of persecution and discrimination. Paradoxically, in the name of this very poorly-focused anti-racism, an anti-semitic stereotype is also perpetuated: Jew equals power. After the Hamas attack that sparked the assault on Gaza, Baer opines that we see a projection of this simplistic framework that is blind to its anti-semitic implications. We have seen it in the campus demonstrations, in which the suffering of the oppressor was ignored. Jewish [and non-Jewish students] justified and even celebrated the violence of [a group of] oppressed Palestinians. Did no one stop to think that some students, teachers and staff of Jewish origin were going to feel attacked? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition An emailed bomb threat sent Sunday morning to a Mercer County house of worship was one of many sent throughout the state to other religious institutions, police said. One of the emails was sent to an unidentified house of worship in Hopewell Township at 9:43 a.m., according to a statement from the Hopewell Township Police Department. The email was received by a spiritual leader and it stated that were multiple explosives hidden throughout the building which would detonate within a few hours, the department said. The building was occupied at the time. Officers arrived and evacuated the occupants and reunited them with their families at another location, authorities said. The building was searched and no explosive devices were found. Hopewell Township Police Lt. Louis Vastol said it was quickly determined that the email was distributed to multiple locations throughout the state and country by an unknown person. It does not appear at this time that the threat was credible, nor does it appear that there is any specific connection to the house of worship in Hopewell, Vastol said. Local police are investigating the incident along with multiple federal, state and county agencies, police said. A similar incident was reported at Congregation Etz Chaim in Monroe Township on Sunday morning, according to the Monroe Township Police. Officers found no explosives there either. The other specific locations targeted in New Jersey were unclear Sunday evening. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hopewell Police Detective Makwinski at 609-737-3100 ext. 5790. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a request to delay his decision supporting two Native American tribes that sought changes to North Dakotas legislative boundaries to give the tribes more influence in the Legislature. U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte denied Republican Secretary of State Michael Howes motion to stay his ruling, pending an expected appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe filed the lawsuit early last year. Last month, Welte ruled that the map violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in that it prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. He gave Howe and the Republican-controlled Legislature until Dec. 22 to adopt a plan to remedy the violation. Days after the Nov. 17 ruling, Howe announced his plans to appeal, citing a recent 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP cant sue under a major section of the landmark civil rights law. Plaintiffs attorney Tim Purdon said the judges ruling hits the nail squarely on the head when Welte wrote that the public interest lies in correcting Section 2 violations, particularly when those violations are proven by evidence and data at trial. I remain hopeful that the Legislature might reconsider its position here, adopt a plan thats been proposed by the tribes and approved by the court and halt the spending of taxpayer dollars on this litigation, Purdon said. Last week, a top legislative panel voted to intervene, or join in the lawsuit, but Welte denied a motion that lawmakers filed Friday. The Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake tribal chairs did not immediately respond to messages for comment. The judge also denied a motion by the tribes to order one of their proposed maps into place for the 2024 elections, if the Legislature didnt act. He cited jurisdiction due to the expected appeal. Howe said he hadnt seen the ruling and declined to comment. His motion to the stay judgment from earlier those month indicated he will seek a stay pending appeal from the 8th Circuit before Jan. 1, when candidates can begin petitioning for the ballot. Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said the Legislature will file motions to intervene and to stay the judgment with the 8th Circuit. Its basically in large part what we expected was going to happen, and now we need to have our case heard before the 8th Circuit, Lefor said. The Legislatures redistricting panel is meeting on Wednesday for the first time since it adjourned in 2021, to begin addressing Weltes November ruling, including a look at the maps the tribes proposed. Were still going to weigh in because we dont know how the courts will rule so we need to be prepared, either way, Lefor said. The two tribes had alleged the 2021 redistricting map simultaneously packs Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians members into one house district, and cracks Spirit Lake Tribe members out of any majority Native house district. The two tribes sought a joint district and unsuccessfully proposed to the Legislature a single legislative district encompassing the two reservations, which are roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) apart. North Dakota has 47 legislative districts, each with one senator and two representatives. Republicans control the House of Representatives 82-12 and the Senate 43-4. At least two lawmakers, both House Democrats, are members of tribes. The Legislature created four subdistricts in the state House, including one each for the Fort Berthold and Turtle Mountain Indian reservations. Lawmakers who were involved in the 2021 redistricting process have previously cited 2020 census numbers meeting population requirements of the Voting Rights Act for creating those subdistricts. __ By JACK DURA Associated Press Gunfire erupted on Interstate 78 on Friday during a road rage incident that New Jersey State Police are asking for the publics help to solve. Police are seeking the driver of a white pickup truck that fired at least one gunshot at a tractor trailer on eastbound I-78 in Readington Township in Hunterdon County. About 2:50 p.m., the pickup had pulled up alongside the semis driver, with a shot coming from the trucks passenger-side window, police said. It struck the tractor-trailers engine compartment, disabling the commercial vehicle, police said. No injuries were reported. Police said the pickup was a Dodge Ram with dual rear tires. It had black lettering on its passenger side that displayed business and Department of Transportation numbers. Witnesses were asked to contact State Police Troop B in Perryville at 908-730-7042 or Detective Sgt. Robert Sanchis at lpp7150@njsp.org and Detective Dan Sullivan at lpp7699@njsp.org. State Police said this pickup is suspected in a road rage shooting on Interstate 78 in Readington Township on Dec. 15, 2023.New Jersey State Police Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Riley Yates may be reached at ryates@njadvancemedia.com. Jonathan Holloway, the president of Rutgers University, suspended a pro-Palestinian student group Tuesday after accusing it of disrupting classes and events, and was immediately accused of stifling free speech, and practicing racism. Its a tough time to be a college president. The disastrous testimony before Congress by elite university presidents, who seemed blind to the horror of calling for genocide of Jews, shoved their peers across the country into a political storm, one inflamed by Israels merciless attacks on Gaza, which President Biden describes as indiscriminate. The Krewe of Petronius, the oldest active gay Carnival krewe, announced its 2024 royalty Saturday night at French Quarter gay bar Oz. Holly Perry will be the krewes 62nd king, and Sarah Manowitz will be its 62nd queen. The theme of the ball, which will be held on Feb. 3, is Petronius is for the Birds. Each costume will focus on a specific bird, with the king and queens costumes being kept top secret, as always. Petronius balls typically feature about 15 people presenting their costumes to the audience. There are also two performance numbers in the ball, and drag queens Monique Michaels-Alexander and Anastacia Davenport will perform at the upcoming ball. Perry, who grew up in Harahan and now lives in Mandeville working as a therapist, joined Petronius two years ago. She said being crowned king and presenting a costume at the ball for the first time is a dream come true. I remember attending Petronius in the past and saying, I would love to do that someday. I would love to feel the exhilaration and the excitement, she said. But a recent costuming snafu left Perry without a back piece for her costume, and she worried she wouldnt be able to present in the ball. Frantic, she cold-called Carl Mack, who owns a costume shop on N. Rampart Street, and asked if he could help get her a back piece before the ball. Mack was in the hospital, but he answered Perrys call and said he could. It turned out to be a fairy tale ending, she said. Without him, I don't know if King Petronius LXII would have been looking as sharp as I hope to look that night. As bartender and manager at Bourbon Pub and Parade and one of the organizers of the New Orleans Pride parade, Manowitz is active in New Orleans LGBTQ community, but she didnt join a gay krewe until she became a member of Petronius just before the pandemic. She said shed always thought of gay Carnival krewes as exclusive, male-dominated and out of reach financially, though she had been watching that change in the last decade or so. It was amazing to me to find out that there are krewes that are not that way and that are inclusive, and that it is affordable to be a part of Mardi Gras krewes and the legacy of gay Mardi Gras, she said. Manowitz, who is also a paralegal, decided to join Petronius because at the time her good friend, the late Mina Hernandez, was the krewes ball captain and was pushing to diversify the krewe during her tenure. She actively really tried to get a diversity of different people involved and challenge people to step up and do service for the krewe, do service for the community and present at the balls in unique and different ways, Manowitz said. From sharing meals with fellow members and going to each others houses, the krewe is tight knit. Manowitz said she sees it as a whole additional extended family, with a bond that goes beyond just the krewe itself. The good thing about the gay krewes is even though there's been drama over the years, at the end of the day, we all help each other, she said. Petronius no longer sells individual tickets to its balls, instead giving each member a number of tickets. However, there are a limited number of tables on sale to the public available at kreweofpetronius.net. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Manowitz is no longer the general manger of Oz and now works as a bartender and manager at Bourbon Pub and Parade in addition to being a paralegal. By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 20:25 | All, Japan, World TOKYO - Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Sunday to deepen relations in the security and economic fields with the geopolitical environment changing amid China's growing clout, at a summit to commemorate 50 years of friendship and cooperation. In a "joint vision statement" issued after the gathering in Tokyo, the leaders pledged to step up cooperation on maritime security, strengthen supply chains, promote sustainable energy practices and expand people-to-people exchanges in various sectors. Among other new efforts to further boost the economy in the fast-growing region is supporting digital startups, as well as accelerating public and private investment to achieve decarbonization, the statement showed. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was quoted by his government as saying Japan will take measures to mobilize more than $35 billion in public and private funds over the next five years to facilitate investment in ASEAN, while also fostering the exchange of young business leaders with the region. The leaders also announced the launch of a new initiative for the next-generation car industry aimed at mapping out strategies to enable ASEAN to continue being a major hub of auto production and exports. "Based on strong mutual trust, Japan and ASEAN will tackle new challenges," Kishida said at a press conference after the summit ended, adding he is glad that they will take a "new step toward the next 50 years." Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who served as co-chair, also attended the press event, saying Japan and the bloc will maintain peace and stability in the region while adhering to international law. The meeting came as Tokyo has been bolstering its ties with developing and emerging countries collectively called the "Global South," including the 10 ASEAN members, to capitalize on their growth and try to counter Beijing's increasing influence. Japan regards its relations with ASEAN as strategically important, with the bloc facing the South China Sea, home to one of the world's busiest maritime sea lanes. Some ASEAN members have territorial claims there that overlap with China's. With China asserting sovereignty over nearly the entire sea and swiftly constructing artificial islands with military infrastructure, the focal point of Japan-ASEAN cooperation has shifted from business to security in recent years. In the East China Sea, meanwhile, Chinese vessels have repeatedly intruded into waters near the Senkaku Islands, controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing. The group of uninhabited islets is called Diaoyu in China. With apparently in mind, Japan and ASEAN expressed their vision in the statement for a world where all countries can "uphold the principles of democracy" and "respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms." Tokyo's substantial cooperation with ASEAN goes back to 1973 when they set up a forum on synthetic rubber to solve a trade dispute over Japanese rubber exports. Japan and ASEAN recognized "the significant progress and outstanding achievements" of their "wide-ranging cooperation and close partnership in the last half-century," according to the statement. Along with the joint statement, the leaders released concrete plans to implement their agreements, listing 130 projects in specific cooperative areas such as agriculture, sports, culture, education and tourism. Japan and ASEAN confirmed that they will work in tandem toward the success of the World Exposition in Osaka in 2025, as it has encountered headwinds like delays in the building of pavilions. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar, which has been under military rule since a February 2021 coup, was not invited to the summit. East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao took part in Sunday's gathering as an observer, as ASEAN has agreed in principle to admit the nation as its 11th member. The nine participating ASEAN leaders are scheduled to join a separate summit of the 11-member Asia Zero Emission Community framework, also involving Japan and Australia, on Monday, with the focus on reducing carbon emissions. Related coverage: Japan PM Kishida vows to work with ASEAN to improve economies Japan to provide rescue boats to Malaysian military amid China's rise FOCUS: ASEAN trusts Japan, balances ties amid China's rise Communities may be able to forge ahead with local road improvement schemes as part of a trial aimed at giving parishes a greater say about how they spend their own money. They would be able to complete road-related initiatives, such as traffic-calming measures or implement lower speed limits that are either not a priority for Devon County Council or that it wont fund. The trial was welcomed by all political parties at Devons cabinet meeting this week. Councillor Frank Biederman (Independent, Fremington Rural) said the council 'simply cannot afford what communities want to do' and so this was a 'step in the right direction'. Communities can raise their council tax precept for a scheme if they feel it is a priority for them to do, so I think this trial is a good idea, he said. There is a community near me that wants to move ahead with a scheme, and its what they want to do so we should let them do it. Were always fed up with Whitehall controlling us, and the parishes probably feel the same with the council. A step-by-step guide will be produced so parishes can understand what is required before any work is carried out, such as the appointment of a designer and road safety audits. Proposals will also need funding in place to go ahead. Councillor Julian Brazil (Liberal Democrat, Kingsbridge) welcomed the trial, adding that he thought it was how councils should be working. It will be interesting to see the guidance, and I hope it isnt too prescriptive or onerous so that it makes communities give up, he said. It needs to be a clear and simple process. Obviously communities have to do things correctly and safely, but I hope this makes them easy for them to do what they want to, especially if it is something that they are paying for because they want to do it. If the trial is successful, it could be turned into a permanent scheme. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Councils cabinet member for highway management, said: We as elected members are often approached by our local town and parish councils who would like to progress minor highway improvements which do not necessarily match the priorities of the broader county council. This trial will enable communities to self-deliver minor improvements and is a continuation of the successful road warden and snow warden scheme. There's still time to enter The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon's popular annual Documentary Photography Open competition. The competition is free to enter for participants over the age of 14, including amateurs, professionals, and photography groups. Entries are now being accepted and the winning entry will receive a prize of 300 from competition sponsors, Jamaica Press. This year's theme is 'Speaking Out: Changing Times'. It asks entrants to comment on the recent political, social and environmental events that are affecting northern Devon. Whether that is documenting the strength shown in communities, the changes affecting the region's towns, villages and countryside or local protests about national or worldwide interests entrants can focus on whatever this theme means to them. Successful applicants will feature in the exhibition showcasing contemporary photography from across northern Devon. Selected exhibition images will gain further exposure online as part of the museum's digital marketing through their website, social media and mailing lists. Successful entries will be showcased in an exhibition between Saturday 10 February and Wednesday, March 13, 2024. During the exhibitions duration, a public vote will be held within the community gallery and the image with the most votes by the closing date of the exhibition will be awarded with a 300 prize kindly donated by Jamaica Press to help further the photographers practice. One standout piece from the exhibition will be selected by the Museum team to enter into the Museums digital archive, continuing to help to document North Devon and its people. Submitted pictures must have been taken in the area of North Devon, including Torridge, Lundy Island, and Exmoor. Before submitting, entrants should read the photography opens guidelines on the museum website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 5. Please email museum@northdevon.gov.uk with any queries. Mankind shouldn't scoff at oil and gas as transitional energy sources in the climate change fight interim, argues Elon Musk. Tesla's CEO spoke out at a conference organized by the Italian prime minister Meloni. 4 Reviews The mystery guest of Italy's long-running Atreju conference turned out to be none other than Tesla's CEO Elon Musk, who gave a wide-ranging interview on various topics, not all of them tech-related. Not long ago, Elon was also hosted by the current Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni who, coincidentally, started the Atreju conference tradition as a place for debate and gathering of conservative parties and personalities. Here, Tesla's CEO found a welcoming audience for his message that global warming fears are overblown. "Climate change alarm is exaggerated in the short term," he opined, adding that the alarmist attitude only stresses people out and destroys their outlook for the future. Elon was not of the opinion that mankind shouldn't do anything to keep carbon in the ground in the long run, but rather that "we should not demonize oil and gas in the medium term." That's not the first time when Elon Musk defends fossil fuels as a backstop for all the green energy initiatives. Last spring After the Russian invasion of Ukraine which sent fossil fuel prices upwards, he said that "we need to increase oil & gas output immediately." "Obviously, this would negatively affect Tesla, but sustainable energy solutions simply cannot react instantaneously," added Elon, and, apparently, hasn't changed his mind about the interim use of fossil fuels since. He also spoke in defense of nuclear energy at the time and said that closing Germany's nuclear power stations last year is "total madness." Get the ChargePoint Home Flex 50A EV Charger on Amazon KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 21:53 | All, Japan, World, 3/11 Fukushima Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday pitched Japanese scallops at a dinner with ASEAN leaders in Tokyo, as producers of the bivalve mollusks have been hit hard by China's blanket import ban on seafood from the neighboring nation. "We used ingredients representative of Japan, such as scallops," Kishida said in his speech at the dinner party, adding, "If you see something you like, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country, and we will respond immediately." Japan's Foreign Ministry said the menu at the party, attended by leaders and delegations from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, included scallops from Hokkaido. China has imposed the import ban since Japan began releasing treated radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 24 and has labeled the water as "nuclear-contaminated." Earlier in the day, Japan hosted a summit with ASEAN to commemorate 50 years of their friendship and cooperation. Related coverage: Japan, ASEAN vow to widen cooperation as they mark 50 years of ties Japan's July seafood exports to China down 23% on blanket radiation testing China's blanket seafood testing deals blow to Japanese firms Franciscan Health has secured approval from Munster for a major vertical expansion of its Franciscan Health Munster hospital, which would serve as a regional medical center. The Mishawaka-based health care provider got approval from the town council to build a new five-story tower and add three stories to an existing three-story medical office building at the hospital campus near the intersection of Calumet and 45th avenues. The Federal Aviation Administration originally allowed seven-story buildings at the hospital site but cut it down to ensure planes have adequate clearance for takeoffs and landings at nearby Lansing Municipal Airport. The hospital at 701 Superior Ave. is a 63-bed acute-care facility that was originally known as Physicians Hospital until Franciscan Health acquired it in 2007. It's home to about 50 medical specialties and subspecialties. Franciscan Health is looking at bulking up the hospital after closing the 120-year-old former St. Margaret Hospital in downtown Hammond at the end of 2022. The health care provider asked the town to amend the Franciscan Alliance Planned Unit Development to allow for taller buildings than what's now there. "The reconfiguration will accommodate a three-story addition to an existing three-story medical structure, the construction of a new five-story medical structure, the addition of a new facilities plant, the relocation of a helipad and the development of a new parking lot and expansion of an existing parking lot," Franciscan Health Munster, Dyer and Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said. "Specific plans for the additions have yet to be finalized. As always, all future decisions will be based on patient volumes. Tim Lentz of Michigan City, senior project manager for Tonn and Blank, a construction company Franciscan Health owns, told the Munster Plan Commission in September the expansion likely would add around 700,000 square feet to the hospital campus. Tonn and Blank CEO John Gilmore told the Plan Commission the Munster hospital would serve as a regional medical center for north Lake County while the new Crown Point hospital would serve as a regional medical center for south Lake County. He told the town the Dyer hospital would remain open, but there were no plans for it other than what is there now. Gilmore said making the Munster hospital a regional medical center would bring in more people from out of town for specialty surgery and other advanced care, which would bring more business to Munster hotels and help drive the economy. Rachel Christenson with HWC Engineering told the Plan Commission the three-story addition to the top of the existing Franciscan Health medical office building would expand the hospital's Cancer Center, which provides comprehensive hematology and oncology services for a number of cancers, including bladder, bone, breast, cervical, colon, rectal, head, neck, liver, lung, oral, pancreatic and prostate. Each floor could host up 12 doctors and their staff so the addition to that building will bring about 36 more doctors to Munster, Lentz said. The Munster Town Council voted unanimously to approve Franciscan's expansion plans in November, but each building will still have to go individually through the town's site plan review process, Town Manager Dustin Anderson said. CROWN POINT Joshua and Ashley Huber were two of nearly 100 volunteers who devoted their time in the clammy weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Maplewood Cemeteries in Crown Point. "As a veteran myself I like to come out here and remember what's going on," said Joshua Huber, who served eight years in the Marine Corps. "I've lost buddies and I've served overseas. It's nice to come out here and give thanks to those who didn't come back home with us." Crown Point partnered with the Daughters of the American Revolution to lay 558 wreaths on the graves of veterans for the city's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony. The Wreaths Across America tradition began in 1992 when a Maine wreath company decorated the graves at Arlington Cemetery. Over 4,000 locations across the U.S. simultaneously participated in Saturdays program. Rev. John Starr lead opening and closing prayers. Last year, the national Wreaths Across America organization and its network of volunteers laid over 2.7 million wreaths. This year's theme was "Serve and Succeed." "The theme 'Serve and Succeed' is quite fitting for our fallen heroes," Crown Point Councilman Andrew Kyres said during his speech. "As we honor those who have fallen in service, we also honor those who are currently serving, and those who will serve in the future." Everyone is called to serve, and by serving, everyone succeeds, Kyres said. "As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and injustice thanks to our veterans we have the freedom to do just that," Karen Aldrich said. Aldrich is the Chairman of Service for Veterans for the Julia Watkins Brass Chapter of DAR. Aldrich joined the DAR seven years ago after learning one of her ancestors, Oliver Edwards, was a Prisoner of War at Quebec during the Revolutionary War. First District President for the American Legion Auxiliary of Lake County Denise Delaney-Wrolen has participated in the ceremony the past two years. She was joyous seeing more youth involved in this years program, including Crown Point Boy Scout Troop No. 45, Munster Cub Scout Troop No. 236 and students from St. Mary Elementary School in Griffith. The significance of today is to honor our nations heroes, our veterans, Delaney-Wrolen said as rain droplets fell from the sky. Were honoring them by placing a memorial wreath on their graves for the holidays as a way to remember them. Heather Flaherty participated in the program for her first time alongside her two children and her sister. Flaherty said she wanted to volunteer because her uncle is a Vietnam War Veteran and is involved with the Disabled American Veterans organization. Flaherty said it was great being able to honor fallen heroes with her 11-year-old daughter, Raegan, and 9-year-old son, John, because many veterans are forgotten. Other volunteers included the Stars and Stripes Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadets, DAR members, staff from Mission BBQ, American Legion Post 20 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 80. "A lot of families don't have their loved ones home with them which is hard," Joshua Huber said with tears in his eyes. "This time of year as we're spending time with our loved ones it's important to remember the sacrifice that allows us to do what we do everyday. To be free." Close Joshua and Ashely Huber laid out wreaths at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony to honor fallen soldiers. "As a veteran myself I like to come out here and remember what's going on," Joshua Huber said. Raegan, 11, and John Flaherty, 9, laid wreaths at fallen soldiers graves to honor their service. "A lot of soldiers get forgotten," their mother Heather Flaherty said. "If you can continuously go out as families and honor them it's a great thing." Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. PHOTOS: Wreaths Across America Ceremony Crown Point partnered with the Julia Brass Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Saturday to honor veterans during the city's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Joshua and Ashely Huber laid out wreaths at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony to honor fallen soldiers. "As a veteran myself I like to come out here and remember what's going on," Joshua Huber said. Raegan, 11, and John Flaherty, 9, laid wreaths at fallen soldiers graves to honor their service. "A lot of soldiers get forgotten," their mother Heather Flaherty said. "If you can continuously go out as families and honor them it's a great thing." Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. Families and friends gathered in the rainy and chilly weather Saturday afternoon to honor fallen heroes at Crown Point's fourth annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Maplewood Cemeteries. On December 4, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a retired very senior diplomat. Victor Manuel Roca has been charged with spying for the government of Cuba over a period of many years. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, This action exposes one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the United States government by a foreign agent. There are other disturbing examples of foreign agents in sensitive positions. In 1994, CIA officer Aldrich Ames was convicted of spying for Russia and the Soviet Union. In 2002, FBI agent Robert Hanssen was convicted of similar charges. Both provided Moscow with enormous amounts of sensitive information, including the names of agents serving in that country. We dont know for certain exactly how many lives were lost as a result of their treason. Manuel Rocas arrest provides a strong incentive to place Cubas challenge in current strategic context. Our hemispheric security requires new attention. Fidel Castro exercised ruthless control of Cuba for nearly a half century. After taking power in early 1959, enforcer brother Raul handled bloody mass executions with efficient dispatch. Fidel highlighted new alliance with the Soviet Union by joining Nikita Khrushchev in a 1960 visit to the United Nations in New York. The Soviet premier was wildly disruptive at UN sessions, while the Cuban delegation provided a media sideshow, based at a Harlem hotel. The Eisenhower administration began a clandestine effort to overthrow the regime, including a CIA project to assassinate Castro. The successor Kennedy administration vastly escalated such efforts. Khrushchev secretly shipped long-range nuclear missiles to Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 resulted. President John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev managed to resolve the crisis short of war. Cuba became an active far-reaching revolutionary force. The U.S. aggressively intervened against perceived threats, notably in Chile in the 1970s, where East Germany was influential. Cuban troops served as Soviet proxies in various Africa wars. Cuba once boasted the strongest economy in Latin America, but this status changed quickly after Castro took power. The Soviet Union provided ongoing support. In May of this year, Havana and Moscow agreed on a plan designed to aid the weakening economies of both countries. Efforts at improving relations have been frustrating. In March 2016, President Barack Obama visited Cuba. President Calvin Coolidge was the last U.S. chief executive to visit the island nation, in early 1928. Reflecting the outlooks, and transportation limitations, of that earlier era, President Coolidge traveled by battleship. The Trump administration re-imposed a hard line. The Cuban government, increasingly hard-pressed, has carried out massive layoffs, combined with liberalization designed to encourage small business and foreign purchases of real estate. In the past, Cuba has been extremely important in U.S. presidential politics. Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kennedy fanned the flames of hostility to Castro in the 1960 contest with Republican Vice President Richard Nixon. In 2016, some Republicans strongly denounced the rapprochement with Cuba, but Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona joined President Obamas delegation. Bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegations continue to visit Cuba. After Manuel Rocas arrest, initiatives toward Havana must be cautious. Most pressing is need to review and tighten U.S. security measures and methods. The Clinton administration deemphasized human intelligence in favor of electronic means. We must reverse this change. It was a Friday afternoon, just before closing time, when two masked men bolted into a bank in Valparaiso with guns in the air. No demand note was needed. Everyone immediately knew it was an armed robbery. All the bank tellers dropped to our knees with hands in the air, recalled Andrew Piasecki, one of the bank tellers that day. It was pretty frightening. Instant chaos. The robbers yelled. The customers gasped. The bank became a crime scene. You know what youre getting into when you work in a bank. But its one of those things you never think it will happen to you, Piasecki said. As the gunmen screamed at customers in the lobby, Piasecki had the presence of mind to push the emergency button underneath the counter. After what seemed like the longest minute or two of his life, he stood up, unlocked his bank drawer and handed it to one of the suspects. Someone had to give them something before they did something crazy, Piasecki said. I was trying to get them in and out as quickly as possible without anyone getting hurt. Bank robberies are still a relatively common crime in our country, especially in the Chicago area. In recent weeks, there has been a string of bank robberies, according to the FBI. A national map at bankrobbers.fbi.gov shows an alarming amount of bank robberies that took place throughout the Chicago metro region. Bank robberies are still, unfortunately, very common, said FBI Special Agent Siobhan Johnson, a public affairs officer at the agencys Chicago office. I routinely get press releases from this office with alerts about bank robberies. The FBI is seeking tips from the public for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an individual wanted in connection with three bank robberies/attempted robberies in the Chicago area this fall, one release stated. Why publicize now? This individual has conducted attempted bank robberies every 3-4 weeks since September. If he continues to follow this pattern, another attempt could occur any day now. Most bank robbers share a common modus operandi dating back more than a century. A mask of some kind is worn. A demand note is displayed. A weapon is implied or shown. The methodology is still very much the same as previous decades, Johnson told me. On Dec. 4, the FBI responded to a a bank robbery at the U.S. Bank in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The suspect, a white male in his 30s, sported a black hat, dark-framed sunglasses, two surgical masks and a dark beard. On Dec. 9, another bank robbery took place at a different location with another demand note, an implied handgun, and a successful crime at this point. The FBI regularly requests assistance from the public to identify and report bank robbers. Most press releases come with surveillance photos of the suspects. Our methods of investigation continue to evolve, Johnson said. An example of this would be our bank robbery website and the bank robber app we make available to the public. The public can report tips, including anonymously, at 312-421-6700 and tips.fbi.gov. (View more photos and a map at the online version of this column.) Bank robberies arent as common in Northwest Indiana compared to northeastern Illinois. From 2022 to 2023, we have had a couple of bank robbery charges, said Ryan Holmes, public information officer for the U.S. Attorneys Office of Northern District of Indiana. Our state has an infamous past with bank robberies. The first image that comes to mind is one of Jesse James, John Dillinger or Bonnie and Clyde busting into the First National Bank of Nowhereville, shootin it up big time, then high-tailin it out of there with a smokin handgun in one hand and bulging bags of cash in the other. Of course thats not the case, but I still dont quite understand how banks in the 21st century are still getting robbed so often, and so successfully. I mean, everyone including bank officials, police and the FBI know that banks must be viewed as only one thing by criminals: Free ATMs, without the overpriced service charges. Dillinger was the most notorious bank robber in our Region, with a glorified history of criminal acts. (I once wrote that he also was a cold-blooded killer, prompting his family to threaten to sue me. But thats another column.) The FBI admits that bank robberies may seem old-fashioned in this age of high-tech heists, but they continue to take a serious, sometimes deadly toll on local communities and businesses, a FBI website states. Most bank robbers arent that smart. Theyre more desperate than clever, an FBI agent told me a few years ago for my book, Crooked Politics in Northwest Indiana. In June, 2021, a bank robbery turned deadly when two suspects bolted into the First Midwest Bank branch on Ridge Road in Gary. James King and Hailey Gist-Holden were charged in the robbery that led to the death of 55-year-old security guard Richard Castellana, a retired Cook County Sheriff's Police officer. Earlier this month, a bank robber from Michigan City died in federal prison while awaiting execution for killing two bank tellers and paralyzing a security guard in 2002 in The Pines. Odell Corley, 59, found the bank vault locked and left with no money, according to a Times story. Contrary to that deadly and financially unsuccessful robbery, the one involving Piasecki in 2016 eventually turned into a cold case, he said. Police didnt arrive until after the robbers left the scene. The gunmen were never apprehended. Piasecki received letters from the FBI for years about the investigation, which never resulted in an arrest, he said. After that robbery, Piasecki was definitely more alert regarding another one at his bank. For months, whenever Id hear the door opening quick like it did that day, I was quick to turn my head, he said. Its something you try to put out of your mind. But its just human nature. You never forget a bank robbery. One of my best friends, Jim, in South Bend died of an unusual intestinal cancer. This experience moved me to explore the issue of medical aid in dying. Is MAID ethical and moral? Is it the right and justified choice for some individuals? After a time, unfortunately, Jims cancer progressed with a vengeance leaving him with extensive intestinal obstructions. Further chemo would be of little help, and further surgery was impossible. Toward the end, my friend couldnt receive any real nutrition and could only tolerate water. He lost 65 pounds in 10 weeks and was essentially skin over bone. Jim was Catholic and very religious. He was a splendid husband and father to his nine children. He worked hard, was responsible, and was a good citizen. He was a good man. The best. When I last saw him, I told him that I envied both his courage and his faith. Jim had no doubt that in passing, he was entering the next phase of his life and that he would be with God. Jims character and faith sustained him. His religious beliefs would not allow him to consider anything but a natural death. So, he never would have considered MAID. And of course, its not legal in Indiana. Ten states and the District of Columbia have now legalized MAID. Oregon was first in 1994. The Oregon law has worked well and has served as the model for other states. Generally, these laws have a minimum patient age of 18, and the individual must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. The patient must be mentally competent and capable of making health-care decisions without impaired judgement (including from depression). These laws require two concurring physicians opinions concerning diagnosis, competence, and compliance with the law, and the patient must be informed of other alternatives. There are safeguards against coercion. The prescription medications utilized are self-administered; this is not euthanasia. New Mexico led the way in making changes to Oregons original law, including a shortened mandatory waiting period after the patients MAID request before receiving aid-in-dying prescriptions (from 15 days to 48 hours). Although unmanageable symptoms despite optimal hospice care is a reason to utilize MAID, autonomy and maintaining dignity are the primary reasons MAID is chosen. These patients want control, without dependence on others for care. My elegant 92-year-old dear friend, Kathryn, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was a very intelligent, worldly, and gracious person. She and her husband enjoyed fascinating Foreign Service careers with the State Department. My wife and I loved our many dinners with wonderfully engaging conversation at her home. When multiple medical problems, including multiorgan failure, caught up with Kathryn, she made a different decision from Jims but a decision very much right for her. She chose MAID to die with dignity on her own terms surrounded by family and close friends. MAID is controversial, but dynamic, in the medical community. The American Medical Association has now affirmed that physicians can provide MAID according to the dictates of their conscience without violating their professional obligations. The American Academy of Family Physicians recently changed its position to one of neutrality. Although it will be a long time before Indiana considers MAID legislation, the majority of the Americans support MAID for terminal illness. Is MAID a slippery slope, an unconscionable act, or a caring act of compassion? Difficult questions. I used to make fun of happy hour because I hate the term; its annoying, says the designer Stephen Alesch. But now I realize theres something really old-school and actually healthy about the ritual. On a Tuesday in November, he and his wife, Robin Standefer with whom he founded the New York-based design and hospitality firm Roman and Williams, known for creating dramatic, richly layered spaces including the Boom Boom Room nightclub, in the Standard Hotel overlooking the High Line in Manhattan, and the Metropolitan Museums British Galleries hosted a cocktail party at the NoHo loft they bought in 1997. It started early, at 4 p.m., or that beautiful moment of dusk, as Standefer describes it, also known as happy hour. The occasion was the beginning of the holiday season the couple have been hosting parties like this in their apartment for years. But it was also a way to celebrate some of the things were making and actually use them, Standefer explains. Our home has always been a laboratory to discover how things work together. Those things included the new Bloesem Haus collection of handmade home goods by Roman and Williams Guild, the firms line of original furniture and lighting, as well as objects from around the world, which it sells at a store of the same name in SoHo. The pieces ranged from flatware designed by Alesch and Standefer and produced by metalworkers in Tsubame Sanjo, Japan, to porcelain dishes made by the ceramist Heami Lee in Seoul. Roman and Williams was founded on the principles of historic ideas and bringing them into a contemporary context, says Standefer, and the same idea informed the event. Its kind of a heady thing to say about a cocktail party, but its a philosophical underpinning to everything we do. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 21:40 | All, Japan Prosecutors may start searching locations related to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's largest political group in the coming days, following its embroilment in a fundraising scandal, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday. Questioning of the faction's lawmakers has already begun on a voluntary basis, as the prosecutors are looking into allegations that it failed to declare hundreds of millions of yen of fundraising party revenue in political funding reports, with the money going to faction members. The scandal has hit Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government, resulting in the replacement of all four ministers belonging to the faction once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His Cabinet's support rate has plummeted to a fresh low of 22.3 percent in the latest survey by Kyodo News. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad is believed to have obtained a list of lawmakers who received undocumented money and other documents to uncover the shady funds, believed to have amounted to about 500 million yen ($3.5 million) over a five-year period through 2022 for the Abe faction. The scandal emerged following a criminal complaint alleging five LDP factions underreported revenue from political fundraising parties. They include the Kishida faction, which is the fourth largest within the LDP. LDP factions have traditionally set quotas for lawmakers on the sale of party tickets, usually priced at 20,000 yen. In some groups, if targets are surpassed, the extra funds have been passed back to them as a type of commission. In the Abe faction, those funds have not been logged as either expenditure or revenue in reports coming from the faction or lawmakers' side, in a potential violation of the political funds control law. The Political Funds Control Act requires an accountant to submit a report on income and expenditure, and failure to report can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 1 million yen. Lawmakers could also be accused of committing a crime, such as in cases where they are thought to have colluded with the accountant in charge. Related coverage: Kishida Cabinet support rate hits fresh low at 22% amid funds scandal Prosecutors question Japan's LDP lawmakers over fundraising scandal Biggest faction of Japan's ruling party LDP allegedly pools secret funds Jump to: Tricky Clues | Todays Theme SUNDAY PUZZLE Will Shortz, in his print introduction to this grid, writes: Jeremy Newton, of Austin, Tex., is an engineering manager for a mobile games company. This is his 26th crossword for The Times mostly Sundays, and most of these having visual elements, a bent he attributes to his artistic background. Jeremy attended a magnet high school for visual arts, the Art Institute of Dallas, and then an N.Y.U. Tisch graduate program in code-driven art installations. He likes the large canvas that Sunday puzzles afford him. Todays grid not only takes advantage of more space, it goes three-dimensional! This makes for a roller coaster ride and a fantastic solve, if you can rise above any mechanical issues that you might have with the interface. Todays Theme This is a striking puzzle to solve, but it demands a close look from the beginning. There are seven runs of squares that are tinted blue and overlaid with a little wave pattern you are correct if you interpret these design elements as aquatic indicators. At one end of the run of blue wavy squares, theres a square with an additional art element overlaid on top of the blue and the waves (phew). These are, in our two-dimensional view, golden bands, arranged horizontally in two squares and vertically in five squares. To me, these first looked like drawings of a ring on a finger, and note the gradient on the band it goes from light on the ends to dark in the center, indicating perspective, meaning that they are curved upward, toward us. We will learn that the bands have something to do with both of the entries that run through them. This means that our theme set comes in crossing pairs: 21-Across/4-Down, 44-Across/12-Down, 46-Across/41-Down, 66-Across/30-Down, 85-Across/58-Down, 87-Across/83-Down and 114-Across/105-Down. Fortunately, since this is a complex presentation, these clues are relatively gentle. Without that, Id be up, er, something without a paddle. I first understood what the presentation actually was at 66-Across/30-Down, mainly because that is where I picked up on a rebus that led me to correctly interpret the artistic elements. Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for the leading super PAC supporting Gov. Ron DeSantiss presidential bid, resigned on Saturday night, the latest and perhaps most significant departure from the group, which has been consumed by turmoil in recent weeks. Since the day before Thanksgiving, the pro-DeSantis super PAC, which is called Never Back Down, has seen the resignation of one chief executive and one board chairman; the firing of a second chief executive, along with two other top officials; and now the late-night quitting of Mr. Roe. All have come after intense infighting and finger-pointing as Mr. DeSantis has slipped in the polls. I cant believe it ended this way, Mr. Roe wrote in a statement he posted on X on Saturday night. The news of Mr. Roes resignation was first reported by The Washington Post. His decision to quit followed comments from the new chairman of the super PACs board, Scott Wagner, a DeSantis loyalist and appointee in Florida. Mr. Wagner had explained to The Washington Post why the previous chief executive and two others all of whom had worked for Mr. Roe had been fired. Former President Donald J. Trump on Saturday invoked Vladimir V. Putin to support his case that the four criminal indictments he is facing are political payback, quoting the Russian president saying that the charges undercut the argument that the United States is an example of democracy for the world. Mr. Trump made the comment during a campaign speech in Durham, N.H., in which he focused on pocketbook concerns of voters, hammered the states Republican governor, who endorsed one of his rivals, mocked his lower-polling competitors for not performing better and painted a dystopian vision of a country in hell under his successor, President Biden. Even Vladimir Putin says that Bidens and this is a quote politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia, because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy, Mr. Trump said as he railed against the 91 criminal charges he is facing, citing Mr. Putin speaking in September. Mr. Trump added: So, you know, we talk about democracy, but the whole world is watching the persecution of a political opponent thats kicking his ass. Its an amazing thing. And theyre all laughing at us. Richard Hunt, a prolific sculptor whose towering metalwork became a mainstay of American public art, and whose 70-year career drew the attention of presidents from Lyndon B. Johnson to Barack Obama, died on Saturday at his home in Chicago. He was 88. The death was confirmed by Mr. Hunts studio and by his biographer, Jon Ott. The cause was not given. Mr. Hunt, a son of Chicagos South Side, was 19 years old in 1955 when he attended the open-casket funeral of Emmett Till, the young Black Chicagoan who grew up near Mr. Hunt and who was tortured and killed by white men, his body mutilated, while visiting Mississippi, a murder that helped ignite the civil rights movement. That searing experience was a shaping influence on Mr. Hunts career and nudged him to experiment with welding and with forging discarded materials into art. His work drew early acclaim. Two years after Emmetts funeral, while Mr. Hunt was still a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art in New York purchased one of his sculptures, a steel work called Arachne. More than 60 migrants drowned in a shipwreck off Libya, an international migrant agency said on Saturday, another chapter in the unrelenting toll in the Mediterranean Sea as people in Africa flee famine, conflict and other upheavals for distant shores. The International Organization for Migration in Libya said in a post on the social platform X that women and children were among the 61 migrants who died. The Libyan government did not immediately comment on the agencys report. The boat had set off from the Libyan city of Zwara with about 86 people, the agency said, citing survivors of the shipwreck. It was unclear exactly when it began its voyage. The I.O.M. said the central Mediterranean continues to be one of the worlds most dangerous migration routes. Earlier this year, at least 73 migrants died in another disaster off the Libyan coast. That episode involved a boat carrying at least 80 people that was believed to have departed from Qasr Alkayar, Libya, on Feb. 14, bound for Europe, the I.O.M. said at the time. Seven people survived, and 11 bodies were recovered, it said. It is a rarity among nations that were once colonized: a country that widely uses its Indigenous language, where a treaty with its first peoples is mostly honored and where Indigenous people have permanent representation in the halls of power. But a decades-long push to support Maori, New Zealands Indigenous people who lag far behind the wider population in terms of health and wealth and have higher incarceration rates is now in peril. Disenchanted with progressive politics, New Zealanders in October elected the countrys most conservative government in a generation, one that says it wants equal rights for every citizen. In practice, this means scrapping a Maori health agency, abandoning other policies that benefit the community and ordering public agencies to stop using the Maori language. One member of the new government, a three-party coalition, has floated a possible referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement signed by Maori chiefs and the British Crown in 1840 that is often described as the countrys founding document. Such a referendum, experts say, could tear at the very fabric of New Zealand society, send race relations to a new low and undo decades of work that sought to redress historical wrongdoing against Maori, who now make up about 17 percent of the countrys roughly five million people. Typical crisis management dictates you should move on, not fixate. But in our attention economy, where the most popular Netflix specials of the past year featured Chris Rock talking about the Slap and John Mulaney joking about going to rehab, comedians are wise to consider Rahm Emanuels famous political advice: Never let a good crisis go to waste. Minhaj split the difference. He did not linger on the story but dedicated a solid chunk of jokes to it that got one of the biggest responses of the night. There were moments when I even thought this scandal might be the best thing that ever happened to him. For such a polished, assured comedian, getting your image scuffed up a bit can add a little more tension to your comedy. David Sedaris faced a similar media firestorm and very few even remember it. In his new act, Minhaj mocked how politicians treat him as a spokesman for his people. (They think Im the brown whisperer, he said.) The more nuanced critiques of his deceptions focused on the context of his work, firmly in The Daily Show tradition of blurring lines between silly comedy and grave journalism. The New Yorker article took some of that weight off him, shifting expectations. Its notable that he released a 21-minute video defending himself and criticizing the New Yorker piece as misleading. (For a smart analysis that gets into the weeds on the issues, read Nadira Goffe from Slate.) Instead of downplaying the dust-up as he did onstage, he argued in the video that the New Yorker writer made him sound like a psycho, and he even expressed a few notes of contrition, promising to be more thoughtful about blending fiction and nonfiction. In a way, he did this at the Beacon, drawing attention to his lies, teaching his audience how to read him. Reactions to this article varied wildly. My least favorite was the popular genre of commenters who emerge after every scandal to pile on by saying, I never liked their work anyway. It manages the feat of trivializing moral and artistic issues. Yet the Minhaj controversy quietly opened a useful, long overdue discussion about truth in comedy that leverages nonfiction. More art than ever leans on the trust and authenticity of journalism, so its good for performers to think about the peculiar bargain they have struck with their audience and how to navigate it. There is an endless number of funny ways to tip off a crowd to your level of honesty. Image Soups On Dear Diary: I wandered into a corner restaurant in Hells Kitchen on a Sunday evening during a two-week trip to the city. Everything on the menu looked good. As I was trying to decide on which soup to order, a bowl arrived for a man who was sitting alone next to me. Which soup is that? I said after hed taken his first taste. I immediately regretted asking. This was New York, and my chattiness felt out of place. Dont be annoying, I thought to myself. On Dec. 13, an election worker named Ruby Freeman took the stand in a Washington, D.C., courtroom and told the story of how her world was turned upside down by Rudy Giuliani. Three Decembers earlier, Giuliani shared a routine surveillance video of Ms. Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, doing the routine yet vital work of counting 2020 presidential ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. But Giulianis description of the video was anything but routine. He falsely claimed that the footage was evidence of vote fraud. In that moment, everything changed for Freeman. As she said in her testimony, Giuliani just messed me up, you know. Thats a polite way of describing the horrors that followed. She faced an avalanche of threats, racist attacks and harassment at work and home. She had to leave her house and then, after law enforcement officials found her name on a death list, the house of the friend shed been staying with. Even now shes afraid to walk in public without a mask. The purpose of Freemans courtroom testimony was simple: to describe in detail how Giulianis lies had profoundly damaged her life. And make no mistake, Giuliani lied. He admitted that his statements were false back in July, and in August the court entered a default judgment against him, holding him liable for those falsehoods. The only question left for the jury was the amount of the damages. And Friday, the jury gave its answer: Giuliani now owes Freeman and Moss $148 million to compensate them for his cruel and obvious lies. The verdict is against Giuliani alone. But make no mistake, MAGA was on trial in the courtroom its methods, its morality and the means it uses to escape the consequences of its dreadful acts. Thats because Rudy Giuliani isnt truly Rudy Giuliani any longer. In his long descent from a post-9/11 American hero to a mocked, derided and embattled criminal defendant (he has also been indicted in Fani Williss sprawling Georgia case), he became something else entirely. He became a MAGA Man. ISIS was one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in modern history. At its peak, it exercised control of territory the size of Britain, recruited tens of thousands of fighters and carried out or inspired attacks in over two dozen countries. It relied on a network of financiers to realize such global ambitions. But most of that networks members have yet to face justice, and most ISIS victims have yet to receive any compensation for their losses. That is why we filed a federal lawsuit last week on behalf of more than 400 American members of the Yazidi community, a religious minority systematically persecuted by ISIS, to hold responsible an international conglomerate that paid millions of dollars to ISIS while the terrorists were committing a well-documented genocide against them. Far too often, private entities have escaped responsibility for fueling conflicts around the world, and victims have struggled to receive compensation for the violence that followed, even genocidal violence. This can change only if all those complicit in international crimes are brought to justice for their roles in the atrocities including through cases, like this one, that are filed by their victims. The world has learned about the plight of the Yazidis thanks to the brave advocacy of our lead plaintiff, the Nobel laureate Nadia Murad. She was 21 when ISIS invaded her hometown in August 2014, murdering thousands of men, raping young girls and displacing her tight-knit community in northern Iraq. She was kidnapped, sold into sexual slavery and abused by 12 ISIS assailants over many weeks. Many of her family members, including her mother and six brothers, were murdered. Her young niece and nephew are still missing. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Kishida Cabinet support rate hits fresh low at 22% amid funds scandal TOKYO - The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet fell to a fresh low of 22.3 percent and that for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party slid below 30 percent for the first time since it returned to power more than a decade ago, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday, amid a growing political fundraising scandal. The Cabinet approval rate dropped from 28.3 percent marked in November, the previous record low, while the disapproval rate rose to a record high of 65.4 percent, according to the two-day nationwide telephone survey. ---------- Japan, ASEAN vow to widen cooperation as they mark 50 years of ties TOKYO - Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Sunday to deepen relations in the security and economic fields with the geopolitical environment changing amid China's growing clout, at a summit to commemorate 50 years of friendship and cooperation. In a "joint vision statement" issued after the gathering in Tokyo, the leaders pledged to step up cooperation on maritime security, strengthen supply chains, promote sustainable energy practices and expand people-to-people exchanges in various sectors. ---------- Places tied to scandal-hit LDP faction may be searched in coming days TOKYKO - Prosecutors may start searching locations related to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's largest political group in the coming days, following its embroilment in a fundraising scandal, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday. Questioning of the faction's lawmakers has already begun on a voluntary basis, as the prosecutors are looking into allegations that it failed to declare hundreds of millions of yen of fundraising party revenue in political funding reports, with the money going to faction members. ANA, JAL launch scholarship for flight mechanics amid shortage TOKYO - ANA Holdings Inc. and Japan Airlines Co. have cooperated in the launch of a scholarship program to address a shortage of aircraft mechanics, with demand for air transportation anticipated to grow. ANA and JAL Engineering Co., a JAL subsidiary in charge of aircraft maintenance, will offer up to 500,000 yen ($3,500) annually free of interest to those enrolled in nine designated training schools across Japan in fiscal 2024 or after, they said. ---------- Skateboarding: Host Japan wins 5 of 6 world championship medals TOKYO - Sora Shirai led a Japanese men's podium sweep and Yumeka Oda won her maiden women's crown as the host nation wrapped up the street skateboarding world championships in resounding fashion Sunday at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum. Underscoring its status as the sport's emerging powerhouse, Japan accounted for five of the six medalists and nine of the 16 qualifiers for the men's and women's finals. ---------- Bullet train operator turns to onboard tech to ramp up safety checks NAGOYA - Japan's shinkansen bullet trains are renowned for their safety, but Central Japan Railway Co. is looking to improve that record by making more frequent checks at a lower cost through special inspection equipment it has installed on in-service trains. While the most famous name in Japanese bullet train safety is "Dr. Yellow" -- a yellow high-speed diagnostic train that travels on an unpublicized schedule -- the new technology is allowing JR Central to make checks more quickly. Now, the company is even developing an image-recognition system to replace in-person inspections by workers. ---------- Baseball: Ohtani wins Hank Aaron Award as best offensive performer LOS ANGELES - Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was named the first Japanese winner of the Hank Aaron Award on Saturday, recognized as the best offensive performer in the American League. The 29-year-old led the AL in home runs this season after hitting 44 for the Los Angeles Angels while also batting .304 with 95 RBIs. ---------- Prosecutors question Japan's LDP lawmakers over fundraising scandal TOKYO - Prosecutors have started questioning ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers on a voluntary basis in connection with a political fund scandal involving the LDP's largest faction, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday. Several dozen lawmakers of the faction are targeted for questioning amid allegations that the group failed to declare hundreds of millions of yen of fundraising party revenue in political funding reports. Video: Farewell to old pedestrian overpass in Tokyo's Mitaka Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify Last fall, Alexandra Duarte, who is now 16, went to see her endocrinologist at Texas Childrens Hospital, outside Houston. From age 10, she had been living with polycystic ovary syndrome and, more recently, prediabetes. After Alexandra described her recent quinceanera, the doctor brought up an operation that might benefit her, one that might help her lose weight and, as a result, improve these obesity-related problems. Alexandra, who smiles shyly and speaks softly but confidently, says she was a little skeptical at first because, like, its a surgery. But her mother, Gabriela Velez, suggested that her daughter consider it. Ever since I was a toddler, my mom knew that I was struggling with obesity, Alexandra says. The teasing started in fifth grade. Alexandra couldnt eat without her classmates staring at and judging her. Though she sought counseling for her sadness and anxiety, these troubles still caused her to leave school for a month. The bullying finally stopped after she switched schools in 10th grade, but Alexandras parents knew how deeply she continued to suffer. How much more could their daughter endure? After the doctor suggested bariatric surgery, an operation on the gastrointestinal tract that helps patients lose weight, they spoke to friends who had successfully been through the procedure as adults. They decided it was a smart option for her. Alexandra wasnt sure. At the University of Pennsylvania, approval for the screening of a documentary critical of Israel was denied. At Brandeis University which expressed a public commitment to free speech a pro-Palestinian student group was barred for statements made by its national chapter. At the University of Vermont, a Palestinian poet was set to deliver a talk, but the school pulled the meeting space after students complained he was antisemitic. There are growing signs that colleges are starting to clamp down on pro-Palestinian protests and events on campus, as the institutions face pressure from donors, alumni and politicians, who are furious over what they say is an antisemitic campaign against Jews. The embattled chairman of the Republican Party of Florida was censured and stripped of his duties and salary on Sunday, decisions that all but ousted him from the partys top post as he faces a criminal investigation into an accusation that he sexually assaulted a woman. In an emergency meeting in Orlando, Fla., the partys executive committee stopped short of immediately forcing out Christian Ziegler, the chairman. But the votes to declare him unfit for office, remove almost all of his authority and reduce his salary to $1 were seen among many party members as the final steps before his potential removal from office. Mr. Ziegler, 40, has been under criminal investigation in Sarasota, Fla., where he lives, since October, when a woman told the police that he had sexually assaulted her. He has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing. He has also refused to resign since the investigation became public last month, despite sustained pressure from Republicans, ranging from the governor to county-level chairs, for him to step down. Mr. Ziegler attended the private meeting of the partys 40 executive committee members, apologizing to them for the situation but arguing that holding Sundays meeting was improper. The votes against him, however, were unanimous. Michigan State University has reached a $15 million settlement with the families of three students who were killed in a shooting on campus in February. Dan Kelly, a university trustee, announced the settlement on Friday during a public board meeting, according to Emily Gerkin Guerrant, a spokeswoman. While no amount of compensation can ever replace the loss of a life, we do hope this brings some closure, support and relief to these impacted families, Mr. Kelly said in a statement. The university gives its deepest condolences to each of the three families, he said, adding that it remained committed to ensuring that the memories of their children would not be forgotten in the school community. By Sunday evening, the heaviest rain was falling over Delaware, where parts of the state, including New Castle, are under a flood watch, Mr. Reppert said. Rain will move into New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in the coming hours, he said. Were looking at the heaviest rainfall in the New York City area closer to midnight, he said, adding that it was expected to be a much stronger storm than recent ones that have hit the region. The National Weather Service in New York issued a coastal flood warning from 10 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday for southern Westchester County and several communities in southern Connecticut, including New Haven. Along the New York coast, flooding with up to two and a half feet of inundation and sustained winds of 25 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts of 55 to 60 m.p.h., could damage power lines and topple trees, the Weather Service said. A federal jury in Washington ordered Rudolph W. Giuliani last week to pay $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers he defamed by spreading baseless claims that they tried to steal votes from Donald J. Trump on Nov. 3, 2020. Mr. Giuliani, who faces a litany of legal and financial troubles, has said he will appeal the verdict. Heres what happens next: The judge will order a judgment on what Mr. Giuliani must pay. The jury awarded the two former poll workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, who are Black, $148 million. That was after they gave hours of emotional testimony describing the relentless threats and attacks they received, including from people who said they should be hanged for treason or lynched. The total included a combined $75 million in punitive damages; compensatory damages of $16.2 million to Ms. Freeman and $16.9 million to Ms. Moss; and $20 million to each of them for emotional suffering. Before Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss can collect any money, the judge, Beryl A. Howell of the Federal District Court in Washington, will need to enter a judgment ordering the amount Mr. Giuliani is required to pay. In civil cases like this one, the judge can change the amount determined by the jury. As long as the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, conservatives complained that it had squelched the democratic process that unelected men in black robes had handed down a national edict rather than letting the American people sort out a consensus. Celebrating Roes reversal in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, they declared that democracy would finally be allowed to take over and settle the question of abortion once and for all. Now the American people get their voice back, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, said. While the court in Roe had inflamed debate and deepened division, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote for the majority in Dobbs, the people and their elected representatives would reach the national settlement that had eluded the country for so long. Eighteen months later, the American people are indeed using their voices, but not in the way anti-abortion advocates had hoped. In a steady march of ballot measures, even in conservative states like Ohio, they have codified a right to abortion and rejected attempts to restrict it. Polls show increasing support for abortion rights in all 50 states, with majorities in nearly all states even deep red states saying that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In 2019, a police officer fired rubber bullets toward a psychology student named Gustavo Gatica, just one of the thousands of protesters demonstrating across Chile against the nations government and deep inequality. Mr. Gatica lost one eye and was blinded in the other. Mr. Gatica considered it a devastating sacrifice, but not one made in vain. The protests forced a process to scrap the Chilean Constitution, which still had roots in the nations bloody 17-year military dictatorship, and write a national charter from scratch. Mr. Gatica became part of a national campaign for a new, hopeful path forward for this South American nation of 19 million. Now, four years later, after a series of bruising political battles and votes in constitutional assemblies and on drafts, Mr. Gatica finds himself in a disorienting position. On Sunday, he is planning to vote to keep the dictatorship-era Constitution that he lost his vision fighting to replace. The reason? The proposed charter Chileans are deciding on would actually pull the nation more to the right. Chileans on Sunday rejected a new constitution that would have pulled the country to the right, likely ending a turbulent four-year process to replace their national charter with little to show for it. Nearly 56 percent of voters rejected the proposed text, with all of the votes counted. It is the second time in 16 months that Chile, the South American nation of 19 million, has rebuffed a proposed constitution the other was written by the left showing how deeply divided the nation remains over a set of rules and principles to govern it even after four years of debate. That debate began in 2019 after enormous protests prompted a national referendum in which four out of five Chileans voted to scrap their constitution, a heavily amended version of the 1980 text adopted under the bloody military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. Voters in eastern Germany on Sunday elected a far-right city mayor, a reflection of the surging popularity of the nationalist party Alternative for Germany, or AfD. Tim Lochner, 53, an independent backed by the party, will lead Pirna, a city of 38,000 people in the state of Saxony, where the party was recently labeled an extremist organization by the state authorities. Its very, very important for the AfD, said Benjamin Hohne, a political scientist who studies populism. It allows them to show that they can take responsibility at a municipal level, he added, noting that it was an important part of the partys normalization strategy. Mr. Lochner defeated two other candidates in a runoff on Sunday with 38.5 percent of the vote; he won the first round of voting late last month against a large field of candidates, but not strongly enough to win outright. This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile in a launching drill at the Sunan international airport in Pyongyang, North Korea on March 16, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (/AP) SEOUL, South Korea South Koreas military said Sunday that it had detected that North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, adding to a torrent of weapons tests in recent months that has elevated tensions. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt immediately say what type of missile it was or how far it flew. Advertisement Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, with the both the pace of North Korean weapons demonstrations and South Koreas combined military exercises with Japan intensifying in a cycle of tit-for-tat. The weapons North Korea tested this year included intercontinental ballistic missiles that demonstrated potential range to reach the U.S. mainland and a series of launch events that the North described as simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 10:25 | All, Japan ANA Holdings Inc. and Japan Airlines Co. have cooperated in the launch of a scholarship program to address a shortage of aircraft mechanics, with demand for air transportation anticipated to grow. ANA and JAL Engineering Co., a JAL subsidiary in charge of aircraft maintenance, will offer up to 500,000 yen ($3,500) annually free of interest to those enrolled in nine designated training schools across Japan in fiscal 2024 or after, they said. Up to 100 students per grade entering the nine schools will be eligible for the scholarship. Screenings will be conducted if the number of applicants exceeds the limit, they said. Recipients of the scholarship must pay it back within eight years after they graduate from their schools, but they can recoup the fees if they become employed in either of the two companies and obtain necessary national certifications. The scholarship program is open for other airlines to join, the two companies said. The move comes as demand for air travel surges after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at home and abroad but the number of aircraft mechanics dwindles due to attrition through retirement and a decrease in the number of people enrolling at training schools. "Securing human resources is an industry-wide issue. We made a move looking several years into the future," said Ryo Tamura, president at JAL Engineering. Toshihiro Miyamae, executive vice president at All Nippon Airways Co., ANA's flagship airline, said, "We hope to alleviate (students') financial burden as much as possible." Related coverage: Japanese airline to allow pets on all domestic flights from January October foreign entries to Japan top pre-pandemic levels for 1st time Japan's two major airlines log profit jump as COVID curbs removed Guy Stern, who fled rising antisemitism in Nazi Germany at 15 for a new life in the United States but returned to Europe during World War II as a member of a military intelligence program that trained him to interrogate prisoners of war, died on Dec. 7 in West Bloomfield, Mich. He was 101. His death, at a hospital, was confirmed by his wife, Susanna Piontek, a German writer. Mr. Stern was one of the so-called Ritchie Boys, a group named for a secret Army camp in Maryland that served as a training center where an estimated 11,000 soldiers 2,000 to 3,000 of them European Jews, mostly from Germany completed a full course of instruction. They learned, among other things, how to interrogate, interpret and translate for foreign officials; recognize the details of imprisoned German and Italian prisoners uniforms; and extract vital information from documents drafted in bureaucratic German. We were fighting an American war, and we were also fighting an intensely personal war, Mr. Stern told The Washington Post in 2005. We were in that war with every inch of our being. People whispered that Nasser al-Astal had come undone, dazed by grief. Weeks after the Israeli airstrike that he said had crashed into his familys home, his words came in loud, quivering spurts, darting frantically from memory to memory, from loss to loss his wife, two of their sons and four of their daughters, all dead. A daughter-in-law and a son-in-law, dead. His older brother and his family, dead. His first grandchild, dead, he said, his second never born: His elder sons wife had been pregnant. When I look at photos of my family on my phone, I cry to myself at night, Mr. al-Astal said in a phone interview a few weeks after his loss. But men hide their tears, so I try to do it away from people, alone. All of their names were there in black and white on a list of 6,747 Palestinians who Gaza health officials said had been killed by Israeli attacks in the first 19 days of the war. No. 14: his wife, Marwa al-Astal, 48. No. 84: their granddaughter, 1, also named Marwa. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to keep fighting in Gaza, even as anguish over the Israeli militarys accidental killings of three hostages in the enclave raised new questions about how his government is prosecuting the war. Amid a mounting outcry over the civilian toll in Gaza, the U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, is traveling to the Middle East this week. Mr. Austin is expected to voice support for Israels campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza but also to reinforce the importance of taking civilian safety into account during operations, according to a senior Pentagon official said. Mr. Netanyahu began a government meeting in Tel Aviv on Sunday by reading from a letter that he said came from families of Israeli soldiers killed fighting in Gaza. You have a mandate to fight; you do not have a mandate to stop in the middle, Mr. Netanyahu read in Hebrew, according to a statement from his office. As a testament to the fallen soldiers, Mr. Netanyahu said, Israels military would fight to the end. The letter appears at odds with the message coming from relatives of Israelis still held hostage in Gaza, many of whom have taken to the streets to demand a cease-fire so that their loved ones can return home. Weekly rallies in support of the hostages have drawn thousands of protesters to Tel Aviv to demonstrate outside the Israeli militarys main headquarters. News that the Israeli military had mistakenly killed the three hostages on Friday added a sense of urgency to the rally on Saturday night. Hundreds of protesters gathered on a central boulevard in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against the government before marching through the city to join the hostage rally. We see the current approach is not working, said Deborah Galili, a protester from Tel Aviv. She said she wanted Mr. Netanyahus government to pursue a peaceful resolution that would bring the hostages home and end the fighting. A weeklong cease-fire between Israel and Hamas last month saw 105 hostages freed in exchange for the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails before negotiations broke down and the war resumed on Dec. 1. But since then, Ms. Galili said, were not seeing more hostages coming home alive. Several hostages have been confirmed dead by Israels military in recent weeks. Ahal Besorais niece and nephew were among those released during the pause, but their father Mr. Besorais brother-in-law remains in captivity. Mr. Besorai said in a phone interview on Sunday that he understood why people were demanding a cease-fire, especially after the deaths of three hostages, but worried that only military pressure will bring the rest of his family home. Its a very, very, very, difficult spot because on the one hand, you want your loved one to be released, and on the other hand, you want Hamas eliminated, said Mr. Besorai, whose sister was killed in the Oct. 7 attacks, which left roughly 1,200 dead and 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials. These two aims and goals of this war appear at times in conflict. Some protesters at Saturdays rally said that they believed the accidental killings of the three hostages by Israels military would mark a turning point in peoples willingness to publicly criticize Mr. Netanyahu and the way his government is handling the war. Ms. Galili was one of them. Mr. Netanyahu has not taken responsibility, she said, adding that he needs to step up and take responsibility or step down. Efi Toledano, another demonstrator from Tel Aviv, had protested Mr. Netanyahus government before the war. While he stopped in wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the deaths of the hostages prompted him to resume protesting on Saturday night. We were taught that when theres a war, we are all to be quiet and support the soldiers, said Mr. Toledano. He said that the deaths of hostages suggested that Mr. Netanyahu might be interested in continuing the war even at the expense of hostages lives. Because of that, he added, We are returning to sound our voice and fight against this government. In the face of increasing pressure from the United States, Britain and Germany, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his opposition to what these allies see as the future of Gaza: an interim government overseen by the Palestinian Authority and an eventual Palestinian state existing alongside Israel. Speaking only hours after the army admitted to shooting three Israeli hostages as they held up a white flag in Gaza, fueling consternation and anger among Israelis, Mr. Netanyahu appeared to be trying to change the subject, boasting that he had prevented the creation of a Palestinian state in the past and would continue to do so. Im proud that I prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state because today everybody understands what that Palestine state could have been, he said at a news conference Saturday night. Now that weve seen the little Palestinian state in Gaza, everyone understands what would have happened if we had capitulated to international pressures and enabled a state like that on the West Bank. Mr. Netanyahu is hoping to hold on to power after the war, despite popular fury that Hamas built itself into a military power and invaded Israel on his watch. To do that, he is trying to appeal to Israelis, including his Likud party and its far-right coalition partners, who mistrust the Palestinians now more than ever and argue that a two-state solution is a dangerous fantasy. Mr. Putins economic counterstrikes have helped to fortify support among the elites profiting from the war and to blunt the effects of Western isolation. While Ukraine is preoccupied with short-term imperatives like shoring up international support, the relative resilience of the Russian economy has enabled Mr. Putin to play a long game. Previously undisclosed documents, financial statements and interviews with dozens of deal makers in Russia and across Europe many of whom spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution show that Moscow now micromanages practically every exit. Companies must navigate an opaque system to win approval to sell. In some cases, Mr. Putins friends have appealed directly to him to intervene. Those who are leaving are losing their position, Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told The Times. And of course, their property is being bought at a serious discount and taken over by our companies, which are doing it with pleasure. Still, the wave of departing companies has stung. It has sent a global signal that Russia is a business pariah. The economy is strained and at risk of overheating. Mr. Putins handling of Western departures has only reinforced Russias image as a dangerous place to do business. Even some top Russian officials admit that decreased competition and foreign investment will hurt everyday Russians and the economy in the long term. The Kremlin says it prefers that companies remain in Russia. But Mr. Putin scoffs at the notion that leaving will hurt. Did they think everything would collapse here? Well, nothing of the kind happened, he said this month. Russian companies took over and moved on. Zamestim, Russian for We will replace, made out of the logos of Western companies on a display in St. Petersburg, Russia, in April 2022. Aleksey Smagin/Kommersant, via Alamy Not every deal is a windfall. Some buyers will face steep obstacles to make their new businesses profitable. Hanging over the exit process for Western firms is the threat of intimidation and force. The Russian authorities have investigated departing companies, interrogated workers and arrested local executives. Last summer, Mr. Putin seized the Russian arm of the Danish brewer Carlsberg, along with roughly half a billion dollars in cash, and put them under the temporary control of one of his friends. At least four other companies have similarly lost control of their operations this year to effective state seizures. Today, Mr. Putin is at the helm of a fraught exit process that works to Russias advantage. But it began in the early days of the war with the urgent goal of simply keeping the Russian economy alive. Blocking the Exits Speaking from the White House two weeks after the invasion, President Biden boasted that the West was crushing the Russian economy. The list of businesses and international corporations leaving Russia is growing by the day, he said. Things looked bleak for Mr. Putin. The stock exchange in Moscow was closed and the ruble had crashed. If Russia lost all the jobs, production and cash of Western companies, the effects would be devastating. But Mr. Putin was preparing his financial rejoinder. He restricted the movement of money abroad and required that companies from unfriendly nations win approval before selling their businesses. Mr. Putin was putting the brakes on just as Western executives faced pressure to accelerate. In the United States, there was perhaps no more vocal figure than the Yale University management professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld. He appeared on cable news programs, criticizing companies that remained in Russia. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale University management professor, testifying in 2022 before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Professor Sonnenfeld recalled that it was corporate boycotts more than sanctions that helped abolish apartheid in South Africa. He transformed his office into a sort of war room, with a Yale team grading companies on their efforts to sever Russian ties. The question of who would end up with those companies was of little concern. If Putin thinks he can do better at the deep fryer, let him have at it, he said in an interview. We really dont care. The important thing is to not have the endorsement of a renowned global brand. Professor Sonnenfelds list and others like it added to pressure from shareholders, Ukrainian activists and everyday consumers. Some executives worried what would happen to their Russian employees, factories and technology if they walked away. Others were reluctant to abandon their investments over a war that might prove short-lived. But some quickly announced intentions to go. Heineken and Carlsberg said that they would leave once they found buyers. The Canadian gold mining company Kinross did the same, and within days announced a deal for $680 million to sell its Russian operation to a local buyer. OBI, a German hardware store chain, went a step further, saying that it would close all 27 stores in Russia until it found a buyer. Mr. Putins government, though, was already erecting hurdles. On March 17, 2022, the Russian Trade Ministry sent a letter to local OBI managers. The letter, reviewed by The Times, urged managers to defy the company and keep the stores open, citing consumer-protection laws. There was no economic reason for closing, the ministry wrote. OBI, the ministry warned, needed to fulfill obligations to its consumers, workers and counterparties, including suppliers. That prompted a days-long cat-and-mouse game as local employees tried to reopen stores and executives in Germany tried to stop them. The Russian authorities also demanded that OBI officials testify about their plans. Prosecutors visited a store and inspected its computer system, the company told The Times. OBI struck a deal that spring, ultimately selling for the symbolic price of a few dollars. A shuttered OBI store in Moscow in 2022. The companys Russian business was ultimately sold for the symbolic price of a few dollars. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters The buyer, a businessman named Josef Liokumovich, passed the companys background checks and was not on any financial blacklists. But as OBI soon learned, Western companies have no control over who ultimately takes over their operations. In less than a year, OBIs Russia operation changed owners four times, ultimately landing with associates of the Russian senator Arsen B. Kanokov, who is under U.S. Treasury sanctions. At one point, an ally of the Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov appeared in the ownership register. Such redirection is why diplomats and experts say it is too early to understand the changing landscape. The true new owners of some businesses might not be known for years, if ever. These guys, Urszula Nartowska, OBIs top lawyer, said, they have the power of what they want to take. And you have to accept that. In June, the Kremlin demonstrated what companies could expect: Moscow approved the Kinross gold mine sale, but with a stunning alteration. The sale price had been cut in half, to $340 million. A complex at a gold mine in far-eastern Russia in 2012, when it was owned by the Canadian company Kinross. Elena Chernyshova/Panos Pictures, via Redux The buyer, Highland Gold, would later be blacklisted by British officials who said that gold provided a significant income stream for Russias war effort. The government realized they could dictate who buys, and maybe use that power to reward connected buyers, said Alan Kartashkin, a lawyer for Debevoise & Plimpton who spent decades in Moscow and has negotiated the exits of Western companies. I remember thinking, Mr. Kartashkin added, once they feel they have the power to control entirely private transactions, where the government has no equity interest, theyre not going to stop. This Business Is Already Russian The mood was celebratory in July when the Russian minister of industry and trade, Denis V. Manturov, appeared at a St. Petersburg elevator factory. The plant had recently belonged to the worlds largest elevator company, the Connecticut-based Otis Worldwide. Now it belonged to a firm controlled by Armen M. Sarkisyan, who had made a fortune running the Russian lottery in part thanks to government connections. Mr. Manturov bragged that Moscow had brokered special arrangements for the sale. He gushed about a new production line and robust demand for elevators in Russian high-rises. This business is already Russian, he said. It was now known as Meteor. From left: Armen M. Sarkisyan of S8 Capital; the St. Petersburg governor, Alexander D. Beglov; and Denis V. Manturov, Russias trade minister, visiting an elevator factory in 2022, in a photograph released by Russian state media. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS, via Imago Images Mr. Sarkisyan is an example of a unique creation of the war: a businessman who was politically connected enough to win such a prize and rich enough to close the deal but not so closely linked to the Kremlin that he was subject to international sanctions. Mr. Sarkisyan and others, almost overnight, absorbed huge corners of their markets. When the Finnish elevator giant Kone tried to sell to its employees, the authorities rejected the deal. Once again, Mr. Sarkisyans holding company, S8 Capital, became the buyer. S8 Capital also moved into the tire business, snapping up the Russian operation of the German company Continental, before buying the top Russian tire maker, Cordiant, and entering talks to purchase the Russian factory of the Japanese tire maker Bridgestone. S8 Capital did not respond to requests for comment. The elevator factory in St. Petersburg had belonged to Otis Worldwide, but firms linked to S8 Capital bought the business. It is now called Meteor. Aleksey Smagin/Kommersant, via Associated Press By the summer of 2022, Russias economy had stabilized, the ruble had rebounded and Mr. Putins strategy shifted. While early in the war, companies like McDonalds had sold to local managers or local business associates, with an option to return to Russia later, such deals soon became more difficult. Having climbed out of crisis, the government wanted to do more than just keep the doors open. It increasingly wanted to dictate the terms of every deal. In August of that year, Mr. Putin issued a decree requiring that companies in key industries obtain his signature before selling their Russian assets. Scores of businesses, including divisions of Siemens and Caterpillar, were suddenly subject to the whims of Mr. Putin himself. The government was beginning to tighten up the process, and it was becoming a lot more challenging, said Laura Brank, a lawyer at Dechert helping Western companies to exit. I was telling clients wed better get moving quickly. The Subcommission For most companies trying to leave Russia, the gatekeepers operate out of a gray government building near Red Square. Eleven days after the war began, Mr. Putin empaneled a special subcommission there to review requests to sell. Mr. Putins longtime finance minister, Anton G. Siluanov, leads the subcommission, which includes officials from the Kremlin, the central bank and key ministries. They decide whether companies can leave and under what terms. Once a company has struck a deal with a buyer, the negotiations often begin again this time in secret, between the buyer and one of the Russian government ministries. The seller is largely excluded. That process, lawyers say, often ends with a lower sale price and at times a new buyer. The deal then goes to the subcommission. Sometimes, deals fall through after months of silence. Internal minutes, reviewed by The Times, show that the subcommission scrutinizes even the smallest details. In one meeting last year, the panel approved the $59,000 sale of a tiny apartment owned by the Finnish tire company Nokian. The subcommission wields enormous power. Minutes show that it rejected a proposal by the American electronics company Honeywell to sell its factories until an assessment proved that the Russian buyer was getting a 50 percent discount. Despite the bureaucracy, businesspeople have jockeyed behind the scenes for the most lucrative assets, often appealing directly to Mr. Putin. Some of the Beneficiaries Vladimir Pontanin President of Interros, which purchased Societe Generales assets in Russia. Leonid Mikhelson Chairman of Novatek, which purchased Shell and TotalEnergies energy shareholdings. Timati and Anton Pinsky A rapper and a restaurateur who are among the new owners of local operations of Starbucks and Dominos Pizza. Ivan Tavrin Russian investor behind Kismet Capital, which has invested in Henkel, Avito and Melon Fashion Group. Armen Sarkisyan Businessman behind S8 Capital, which bought the operations of Otis, Kone, Continental and Bosch. Such was the case in the summer of 2022, when Mondi, a British-Austrian paper company, found a buyer for one of Russias largest mills and sought government approval to sell. As the deal came together, one of Mr. Putins old K.G.B. buddies, Sergei V. Chemezov, appeared. He wrote a letter asking that the president steer the mill toward a group of investors, including the state-owned firm he runs. He even suggested a way to structure the deal to get around Western sanctions. The Times reviewed a copy of the letter. Neither Mr. Chemezov nor the state-owned company responded to requests for comment. Mr. Chemezovs deal never happened, but neither did Mondis original agreement. The subcommission put the mill in the hands of a Moscow property developer for significantly less than the original price. Abroad, Professor Sonnenfeld and others kept up the pressure. More than 200 companies had earned F grades on his list. Professor Sonnenfeld testified before Congress in November 2022. Remaining in Russia, he said, was tantamount to supporting the government. FOUR students from Offaly celebrated their graduation from Carlow College, St. Patricks last week at the Conferring Ceremony for 2023. Ben ONeill from Edenderry and Jack Hughes from Walsh Island, both graduated with a BA (Hons) in Arts & Humanities, whilst Eilish OBrien and Felix Obare both from Tullamore graduated with a BA in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care). After being unsure what to do at the start, Ben ONeill felt the first year of his degree helped him to explore potential areas of interest. After studying all the core subjects in first year of the course, I was confident enough to mostly refine my studies to English and History modules. As someone who was still unsure about what they wanted to study, the variety of subjects suited me perfectly, said Ben. Social Care graduate, Eilish, felt her degree helped her develop vital teamwork skills, saying: I loved that each module delivered gave students the chance to partake in group work. I think thats the most important thing in social care being part of a team. Eilish is now working as a Social Care Worker. Speaking of the official opening of the CORU professional register for Social Care Workers, Dr John McHugh, Programme Director for the BA in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) programme said: Todays a great date as its the first time that Social Care graduates will graduate with an award that they can get a professional qualification with CORU thats a big achievement. Staff and students at Carlow College had a day of celebration for its Class of 2023 on Friday as 189 graduates including 7 students from Offaly - were conferred in the Colleges graduation, which took place in Carlow Cathedral. The College welcomed back alumni, Donnchadh OMahony of the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast and Aisling Burke, Residential Service Manager for Compass Child and Family Services to deliver the keynote addresses at the graduation. Speaking of the ceremony, Dr Thomas McGrath, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar of Carlow College said: Today we congratulate our new graduates and celebrate their achievements so far. They are a credit to the College and I have no doubt they will go on to prosper in their chosen career paths. Carlow College President, Fr Conn O Maoldhomhnaigh warmly congratulated the graduates who come from 18 different counties across Ireland. As College President, it is my pleasure and privilege to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of all of our graduates. They have been part of our journey over the past three to four years and we wish them the very best as they continue on their own individual paths., said Fr O Maoldhomhnaigh Savings and loans continued to grow in the past year at Tullamore Credit Union, the 61st AGM of the body was told last week. There was a large attendance at the AGM held in the fabulous new location of the Esker Arts Centre on High St in the county town. A large number of members turned out on what was a very wet evening. The meeting was chaired by Liam OCallaghan, who welcomed members to the new venue and requested a minutes silence for members and their families who had been bereaved during the year. Liam, in his address, stressed the importance and ever present ethos of being community-based. He updated the members on the many events arranged and supported by the credit union during the year, as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. The visit of Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in April, the arrival of Retro Cannonball in May and the spectacle of the Hot Air Balloons in September, as well as the credit unions own presentations to members through the Community Support Fund and Pride of Place competitions were highlighted. Board Member Patrick Doheny and Head of Finance Darragh Corbett delivered the financial reports. Darragh acknowledged the continued growth in both member savings and loans, citing the continued demand for the credit union mortgage product as big driver of loan growth. Patrick proposed to the meeting that a dividend of 0.15% by paid to members, as well as a loan interest rebate of 15% to all members with loans with a rate of 9.5% or above. Both were approved by the members in attendance. CEO Paul Shaw explained and outlined some of the proposed amendments to the Credit Union act, and explained how these would impact positively for members, the credit union itself and the environment. Following all the usual elections, committee reports and votes, Chairperson Liam announced the winner of the Members Prize Draw as Kieran Rushe, Killaderry, Daingean. Liam also advised that two presentations of 5,000 each were made to UNICEF and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) on behalf of the members to support their work in Gaza. This announcement was met with a resounding round of applause. Members present in the Arts Centre were entered into the traditional turkey draw for QUID vouchers. This year as sponsor of the first ever panto in Tullamore, five family tickets to Cinderella were also raffled. Once all the formalities were completed all that remained for Chairperson Liam was to wish all members a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Actress Files Rape, Sexual Assault Complaint Against Industrialist Sajjan Jindal India oi-Prakash KL An actress has filed a rape complaint against industrialist Sajjan Jindal, the Managing Director of JSW Steel, Hindustan Times reported. The complaint was registered on Wednesday at the BKC police station. As per the complaint, she was raped in the penthouse at the company's head office at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in January 2022. She has accused the BKC Police of refusing to register a complaint earlier this year and registered it only after the court's order. She had first met Jindal in October 2021 in Dubai. They were both in the VIP box of a stadium, watching an IPL match. Subsequently, they met again in Jaipur at the wedding of MP Praful Patel's son, the alleged victim said. He started getting personal following their meeting in Mumbai. "We had exchanged numbers and met in Mumbai because he had expressed interest in buying property from my brother who is a real estate consultant in Dubai," the daily quoted the woman as saying in the complainant. "He started addressing me as 'babe' and 'baby', and described all the problems in his marriage when we first met alone, which made me very awkward." She also got uncomfortable with his overtures like hugs and flirting. Despite being a married man, he expressed romantic feelings for her in her text messages, she said. "He also tried to kiss me and talked about getting physically intimate, which I shot down, saying that could happen only after we were married," she said. In January 2022, during a meeting at the company's headquarters, Jindal escorted the actress to the penthouse. Despite her continuous objections and refusals, she claimed that Jindal raped her. Even after the rape incident, she tried to have friendship but he blocked her number. "Before blocking my number in June 2022, he threatened me with dire consequences if I approached the police," she added. She lodged the complaint on February 13. As no action was taken, she sought recourse from the Bombay High Court earlier in the year. The court, in response, requested a statement from the police. The police assured that they would initiate the process of registering an FIR, which was eventually filed on Wednesday. The case has been booked under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman, intending to outrage her modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, December 17, 2023, 11:18 [IST] Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Appeals for Reinstatement of Suspended MPs Amid Parliament Security Breach Concerns Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting the revocation of the suspension of 13 opposition members. Chowdhury emphasized the need for a fair hearing to address their concerns about the recent Parliament security breach incident. India -Krishna Kripa In the wake of the recent Parliament security breach incident, Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has written a letter to Speaker Om Birla, urging him to revoke the suspension of 13 opposition members. Chowdhury emphasized the need for a fair hearing to allow the suspended MPs to present their concerns and perspectives. Security Breach in Lok Sabha On December 13, 2023, two individuals breached the security of the Lok Sabha chamber by jumping in from the visitors' gallery with canisters of yellow smoke. The incident raised serious concerns about the security of the Parliament House Estate, prompting Chowdhury to stress the importance of investigating the matter and taking corrective actions. Comparison with 2001 Parliament Attack Chowdhury drew a distinction between the recent security breach and the 2001 Parliament attack, highlighting the differences in the nature of the incidents, the individuals involved, and the intent behind the acts. He emphasized that the recent incident should not be trivialized and that it warrants a thorough investigation. Opposition's Demand for Explanation Chowdhury asserted that the opposition members were pressing for an explanation from the government regarding the security breach and other troubling issues. He argued that considering the seriousness of the matter, it is appropriate to hear their concerns and take corrective measures. Revocation of Suspension Chowdhury urged Speaker Birla to reconsider the suspension of the 13 opposition members, taking into account the circumstances that led to their unruly conduct. He emphasized the need to restore order in the House while ensuring that members are given a fair opportunity to express their views. Security Apparatus of Parliament Chowdhury acknowledged the absolute authority of the Speaker over matters of security in the Parliament House Estate. However, he pointed out that the security apparatus heavily relies on various agencies, including the Delhi Police, Parliament Protection Unit of CRPF, NSG, and intelligence agencies. He cited the example of the 2001 Parliament attack and the subsequent statement made by the then Home Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, highlighting the importance of collective action and solidarity in such situations. Statement from Home Minister Chowdhury called for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the recent security breach, considering the sensitivity of the matter. He also suggested reviewing the protocols and procedures for issuing and regulating entry of visitors to the House to prevent similar incidents in the future. Chowdhury expressed his trust that his letter would be taken seriously and that all sections of the House would be given a fair hearing. He emphasized the collective responsibility of maintaining the dignity and decorum of democratic institutions. All India Muslim Mahapanchayat Deferred: Delhi Police Cites Lack of Written Assurance The All India Muslim Mahapanchayat, scheduled for December 18th at Ramlila Ground in Delhi, has been postponed due to the Delhi Polices concerns about the events safe and smooth conduct. The organizers failed to provide written assurance on certain crucial points, leading to the denial of a no-objection certificate. India -Krishna Kripa An All India Muslim Mahapanchayat, scheduled to be held at the Ramlila ground in New Delhi on Monday, has been postponed due to the Delhi Police's failure to receive written assurance from the organizers regarding the safe and smooth conduct of the event. Permission Granted with Conditions On December 1, the Delhi High Court granted permission to Mission Save Constitution, an organization claiming to work for the protection of citizen rights, to hold the event at the Ramlila ground on December 18, subject to certain conditions for ensuring the safety and smoothness of the event. No Written Assurance Received However, the police have not received any written assurance related to certain crucial points necessary for conducting the event, leading to the inability to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC). Despite repeated attempts, no one from the organization approached the police until Sunday night. Organizers' Response Advocate Mehmood Pracha, the head of the organization, stated that they have filed a fresh petition before the court on the issue, and the hearing is scheduled for December 19. Police's Concerns The police authorities, represented by advocate Arun Panwar, sought assurances from the petitioners on several points. These included ensuring that the gathering would not significantly exceed the proposed 10,000 people, that the names and number of speakers would not change, and that no speaker would make any statements against Indian laws or engage in hate speech that could disrupt public harmony, peace, and tranquillity in the area. Alternative Plans While the event at the Ramlila ground has been canceled, the organizers plan to hold a smaller gathering at the Aiwan-e-Ghalib auditorium near ITO on Monday. Mission Save Constitution's Objectives Earlier, Mission Save Constitution had stated in its plea that it aimed to initiate a series of events to empower marginalized sections of society, starting with minority communities and followed by other groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The organization intended to raise the voices of the oppressed at its meetings. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2023 - 20:23 | All, Japan The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet fell to a fresh low of 22.3 percent and that for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party slid below 30 percent for the first time since it returned to power more than a decade ago, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday, amid a growing political fundraising scandal. The Cabinet approval rate dropped from 28.3 percent marked in early November, the previous record low, while the disapproval rate rose to a record high of 65.4 percent, according to the two-day nationwide telephone survey. By political party, the support rate of the LDP came to 26.0 percent, a drop from 34.1 percent in the previous survey and the lowest level since December 2012, when the party scored a landslide victory in the general election to return to power, although the polling method has not always been the same. The survey took place as the Kishida government, already reeling from sluggish support rates, suffered a fresh blow by allegations that the LDP's largest faction failed to declare hundreds of millions of yen of fundraising party revenue in political funding reports. Despite Kishida replacing on Thursday all four ministers belonging to the faction, including the chief Cabinet secretary, 58.6 percent said they take the personnel change positively and 36.0 percent reacted negatively. The poll also showed 75.0 percent think Kishida, who doubles as LDP president, lacks leadership in addressing the scandal, and 77.2 percent believe either that the ruling party has "no" or "not much" ability to get to the bottom of the allegations and prevent similar incidents from happening again. A record-high 44.5 percent said they expect Kishida to step down "as soon as possible," signaling the headwinds the prime minister continues to face in steering the government after more than two years in office. A total of 86.8 percent, meanwhile, called for imposing tougher controls on political funds. The faction that is mostly under scrutiny is the group once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but the Kishida faction, the fourth largest within the LDP, also faces allegations of unreported fundraising proceeds. The LDP, which has been in power almost continuously since its establishment in 1955, has often been hit by money scandals. Notorious cases include the so-called Recruit bribery scandal in the late 1980s that involved unlisted shares, which resulted in the resignation of then Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. In the latest poll, the LDP continued to receive the highest backing among the political parties. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan held a support rate of 9.3 percent, unchanged from the November survey, while the Japan Innovation Party saw an increase to 12.0 percent from 9.3 percent. The support rate for LDP's coalition partner Komeito dropped to 3.0 percent, down from 4.7 percent. Respondents with no particular party affiliation stood at 29.1 percent, up from 27.3 percent. The survey called 460 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 2,275 mobile phone numbers. It yielded responses from 414 household members and 614 mobile phone users. On the 2025 World Exposition to be held in Osaka, which has been overshadowed by concern over ballooning costs, only 18.8 percent said the event should go as planned. More than 49 percent called for a scale-down, 22.5 percent sought cancellation and 7.8 percent hoped for a postponement. Related coverage: Support for Japan PM Kishida Cabinet at record-low 28%, tax cut not hailed Japan PM's Cabinet support rate at record low 32% ahead of by-elections Support for new Kishida Cabinet rises 6 points to 39.8%: Kyodo poll Brutal Killing Of A Priest Sparks Tension, Scuffle Between Locals And Police In Bihar's Gopalganj India oi-Gaurav Sharma A vicious crime was reported in Bihar's Gopalganj on Sunday, where a priest was shot dead and his eyes were gouged out. According to the information shared by the police, a 32-year-old priest, identified as Manoj Kumar, was missing for the last six days, his body has been recovered from the bushes. The deceased's eyes were gouged out and multiple injuries have been found on his private parts as well, police said. As per the locals, the priest was last seen on Monday night when he left for home from the Shiva temple in Danapur village. The brutal killing of Manoj Kumar sparked a scuffle between the locals and the police in Gopalganj, in which, two police officials suffered minor injuries. Reports said deceased Manoj's brother Ashok Kumar Shah, a member of Bihar BJP, provoked people to lock horns with the police accusing the investigating authority of negligence in the case. The clash led to a tense situation in the area. According to the reports, the police had to fire multiple rounds in the air to take over the situation. Pranjal, Sub Divisional Police Officer in Gopalganj Sadar, said the situation is under control, however, a police unit has been deployed in the village to avoid any mishappening. "The highway has been cleared now. People had thrown stones at the police officials. In this case, an FIR will be registered, and further action will be taken," he said. Suresh Shah, another brother of the deceased, said the family assumed that Manoj had gone out somewhere and would return but he never returned. "Some people from the district administration came and assured us that an investigation would be done soon. But after six days, my brother's body was found. We don't know how and why the murder took place," Suresh Shah said. Calicut University Banners Controversy: Governor, SFI Spar Over Posters Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the SFI clashed over banners against the Governor at Calicut University. The Governor alleged police involvement, while the SFI threatened to put up more posters. India -Krishna Kripa On Sunday, the Calicut University campus in Malappuram, Kerala, witnessed a dramatic confrontation between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM]. The incident unfolded when SFI banners referring to the governor as a "sanghi" and demanding his departure were discovered outside the Calicut University guest house, where Khan was staying. Governor's Outrage and Accusations Governor Khan expressed outrage upon seeing the banners and alleged that they were put up by the state police at the behest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He engaged in a phone conversation with his secretary at the Raj Bhavan, instructing him to send a notice to the vice chancellor seeking an explanation for the presence of the banners and the involvement of the police. Khan also demanded action against those responsible for allowing the banners to be displayed. Confrontation with Police At the university, Khan confronted the police personnel deployed for his security, questioning why the banners had not been removed. He expressed his displeasure and accused the police of attempting to insult him. The governor threatened to leave the guest house immediately and demanded his car, asserting that no police personnel would accompany him. He further criticized the police for their inaction and accused the SFI of running the university. SFI's Response and Escalation In response to the governor's ire, police personnel removed the banners. However, SFI members led by their state secretary, P M Arsho, arrived shortly after and reinstalled the banners, including one that read "down down chancellor." They engaged in sloganeering against the governor, allegedly calling him a scoundrel, and burned an effigy of him. The SFI activists also threatened and intimidated the police personnel, suggesting that they focus on their duty of protecting the governor rather than interfering with their banners. Arsho accused the police of bending over backwards for a "sanghi" and announced that more such banners would be put up in the university by Monday morning. CPIM's Support for SFI The CPIM state secretariat expressed its support for the SFI and criticized the governor's actions. CPIM state secretary M V Govindan alleged that the Raj Bhavan's statement was issued after a meeting with BJP leaders and termed the governor's actions as unconstitutional. Govindan accused Khan of attempting to play politics by filling universities with RSS supporters and viewed the students' protest as a constitutional democratic right. He defended the SFI as an independent student body and accused the governor of constantly taunting and insulting the chief minister to oppose the ongoing SFI strike. Raj Bhavan's Statement The Raj Bhavan issued a statement expressing Governor Khan's serious concern over the actions of the state police in placing defamatory posters within the Calicut University campus. The statement asserted that the banners and posters were placed just outside the university guest house where the governor was staying and could not have occurred without the direction of the chief minister. The Raj Bhavan viewed this incident as the beginning of the collapse of the constitutional machinery in the state and accused the chief minister of deliberately precipitating the breakdown of constitutional machinery. Background of the Conflict The conflict between Governor Khan and the SFI stems from allegations that the governor has been pushing BJP-RSS nominees to the senate of various universities in Kerala using his authority as the chancellor. The SFI has been staging protests against Khan, accusing him of pursuing a saffronisation agenda in line with the BJP's ideology. Khan, in turn, has dismissed the protesting SFI students as criminals hired by the chief minister and has refused to be accountable to them for his decisions. The confrontation between Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the SFI at Calicut University highlights the ongoing tensions between the governor and the student organization. The incident has further escalated the conflict, with the CPIM state secretariat expressing support for the SFI and criticizing the governor's actions. The underlying issues of alleged saffronisation of universities and the governor's authority remain at the core of this ongoing dispute. We Need To Know Who's Behind This: PM Modi On Parliament Breach Incident Cops Recover Phones Of Parliament Security Breach Accused In Burnt Condition In Rajasthan [Pics] India oi-Prakash KL The phone parts of all the accused involved in the Parliament security breach incident have been recovered from Rajasthan, ANI reported citing sources from the Delhi Police. "All the phones were found in burnt condition. Lalit Jha had the phones of all the accused," the sources informed the news agency. The ANI also posted a few photos of the burnt parts recovered by the investigating officers. In a major security breach, two men - Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D - had jumped into the Lok Sabha's chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour on Wednesday, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two others - Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi - released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises. The Delhi Police have arrested six people in connection with the incident. They are identified as Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, Neelam Devi, Mahesh Kumawat and Lalit Jha. Parliament Security Breach | According to the Police, phone parts of all the accused have been recovered from Rajasthan. All the phones were found in burnt condition. Lalit Jha had the phones of all the accused: Delhi Police Sources https://t.co/XdMIkMsdy0 pic.twitter.com/Ye9UBf9omI ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 Lalit Jha had destroyed the phones of all the accused in Rajasthan before surrendering, sources had told the PTI earlier. The investigation team had written a letter to the cellular company seeking information about Lalit. Ahead of the incident, the accused handed over their mobile phones to Jha so that crucial investigation details could not get into police hands as they were anticipating their arrest. Manoranjan D, who is an engineering graduate from Mysuru, got the authorisation pass to enter Lok Sabha from the office of BJP MP Pratap Simha and introduced Sagar Sharma, who hails from Uttar Pradesh and worked as an e-rickshaw driver, as a friend. 25-year-old Shinde hails from Zari village in Maharashtra's Latur district. He is a BA graduate belonging to a Scheduled Caste community. Hailing from Hisar in Haryana, Neelam Azad has an M.Phil degree and has successfully passed the National Eligibility Test. Lalit Jha, believed to be the mastermind behind the Parliament smoke incident, is from Kolkata. He worked as a teacher. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the common thread among them is that they are all members of a social media page called the 'Bhagat Singh Fan Club' and they have known each other through social media for four years. Women Pulling Each Other's Hair In The Delhi Metro Goes Viral- See Video Delhi Metro Kills A Woman? Read Details Here India oi-Gaurav Sharma In a shocking incident, a woman got severely injured and later died in the hospital on Sunday, as her clothes got entangled in the doors of the Delhi Metro and she was dragged by the train for a few meters. According to the reports, the incident took place at the Red Line's Inderlok metro station on December 14, and today, the woman succumbed to death in Safdarjung Hospital. Sharing the statement on the tragic incident, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said, "An incident occurred at Inderlok Metro station on 14th December, where prima facie it appears that a lady passenger's clothes got entangled in a train leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital today." The deceased was identified as Reena Devi, who was heading to Mohan Nagar along with her son. Following the incident, the Delhi police launched the probe under Section 174 of the CrPC and asked the DMRC to provide CCTV footage. A senior Police official told the media, "If negligence is identified, a case will be registered." According to the reports, the incident happened after Delhi Metro's door sensor failed to detect a woman's presence. Her saree was tucked in the door and she was dragged for a few meters by the train, leading to the accident, said reports. Soon after the incident, the Delhi metro staff rushed her to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors admitted her to the ICU ward of Neurosurgery. The reports suggest that the woman succumbed to severe head injuries. After the woman's death, DMRC spokesperson, Anuj Dayal said, "An incident occurred at Inderlok Metro station on December 14 where, prima facie, it appears that a lady passenger's clothes got entangled in a train, leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital, the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has ordered an inquiry into this incident." Kerala CM Blasts Governor for Labeling Protesting Students as Criminals Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for referring to protesting SFI members as criminals and held the BJP-led central government responsible for allowing such an unbalanced individual to hold office. India -Krishna Kripa Pathanamthitta, Kerala - Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticized Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for labeling protesting Students' Federation of India (SFI) members as criminals. Vijayan accused the BJP-led central government of unleashing such a deranged individual upon the state. Governor's Remarks Spark Outrage Addressing a gathering in Adoor as part of the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas, Vijayan expressed his disapproval of Khan's recent statements. He emphasized the need for the central government to recognize the gravity of the situation and take appropriate action. The chief minister highlighted Khan's history of disparaging individuals who oppose his ideology, including renowned historian Irfan Habib and protesting students. Black Flag Protests and Kannur's Historical Significance Vijayan acknowledged the occurrence of black flag protests against his government but stressed that they never resorted to calling protesters derogatory names. He took exception to Khan's remarks about Kannur, a region with a rich history in India's freedom struggle. The chief minister listed prominent individuals from Kannur, including former chief ministers and notable personalities, to illustrate the region's significance. Kannur's Role in India's History Vijayan highlighted Kannur's involvement in prominent agrarian uprisings and its recognition through events such as the Kayyur uprising and visits by prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. He countered Khan's portrayal of Kannur as a violent place by recounting its historical contributions. Governor Accused of Provocation and Targeting Kerala The chief minister accused Khan of deliberately provoking students and the people of Kerala. He further alleged that the central government was using the governor to target the state financially and politically. Vijayan's criticism comes in response to Khan's earlier statements, where he referred to Kannur's history of violence and labeled protesting students as criminals hired by the chief minister. SFI Protests and Allegations of Saffronization The SFI has been actively protesting against the governor, alleging that he has been pushing BJP-RSS nominees to various university senates using his authority as the chancellor. The student organization accuses Khan of pursuing the saffronization agenda of the BJP. The ongoing conflict between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan highlights the escalating tensions between the state government and the central government. The governor's controversial remarks and actions have drawn sharp criticism from the chief minister, who accuses the central government of using Khan to target Kerala. The situation underscores the complex dynamics of power and governance in India's federal structure. Raghuram Rajan In Soup For His Remarks On India: Here's What He Said Raghuram Rajan: India Must Tackle Malnutrition to Achieve Developed Nation Status Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan stresses the need for India to address malnutrition and invest in human capital to become a developed nation. India -Krishna Kripa In a thought-provoking interactive session held at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan highlighted the urgent need for India to address malnutrition and focus on nurturing its human capital to achieve its aspiration of becoming a developed nation. Malnutrition: A Barrier to Development Rajan expressed concern about the prevalence of malnutrition in India, stating, "We are fixated with becoming a developed, rich country by 2047. I use this as an example to say, you must be joking about becoming a developed rich country by 2047 with 35 percent malnutrition today." He emphasized that children suffering from malnutrition today will join the labor force in the future, potentially hindering India's economic growth. Nurturing Human Capital: India's Most Important Asset Rajan stressed the significance of nurturing human capital in India, saying, "In order to get the medium term right, we have to focus on India's most important asset, its human capital. We have 1.4 billion people more than any other country in the world." He emphasized the potential value creation that can be achieved by providing appropriate training to a large number of people. Progress in Cleaning Up the Banking System When asked about the progress made in cleaning up the banking system, which he had begun during his tenure as RBI Governor, Rajan expressed optimism, stating, "It's taken a long time, but I actually understand that it's now cleaned up." Raghuram Rajan's insights underscore the critical importance of addressing malnutrition and investing in human capital development for India's long-term growth and prosperity. By tackling these challenges, India can unlock its full potential and move closer to achieving its goal of becoming a developed nation. Terrorism, Corrupt System Intertwined: DGP J&K India oi-Prakash KL By Press Release J&K Director General of Police RR Swain has said that it is necessarily important to act tough against elements going against the law to provide a better and more secure environment to people. The Jammu and Kashmir Police would work towards zero infiltration, zero arms/ammunition smuggling, zero recruitment, zero narcotics, zero terror financing and most importantly against the narrative, ideology and philosophy which justifies, glorifies, supports and legitimizes terrorism. He made the statement at Police Headquarters Srinagar on the sidelines of the grievance redressal programme held at Police Headquarters Peerbagh, Srinagar. During the five and half hours long the grievance redressal programme, 110 persons registered their grievances. The DGP, and J&K gave a patient hearing to each one of them and assured redressal on merits. He also issued on-the-spot instructions in some cases to the concerned police heads for prompt and quality redressal. The DGP said that the public grievance redressal initiative turned out as the combination of internal grievance redressal of huge police Pariwar and the public seeking police help in different cases. Every case is being looked at on its merits, the DGP added. POLICE MEDIA CENTRE, PHQ J&K Terrorism & corrupt system are intertwined and it is design of the enemy to have it that way but we will break it: DGP J&K Says result-oriented policing is not possible without support & cooperation of the people Srinagar, December 16: To provide pic.twitter.com/HBKQevb317 J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) December 16, 2023 While speaking to the media, the DGP said J&K Police has been playing multiple roles prioritising its assignments for the larger interest of the public and in this process, it might be lacking in certain areas which are being improved. The DGP said that J&K Police as a strong and professional police force is taking many steps to improve its policing skills. He said that the primary responsibility of the Police as a law enforcement agency is to protect the general public and prevent crimes adding that for this purpose it is necessarily important for Police to act tough against the elements going against the law. The DGP observed that result-oriented policing is not possible without the support and cooperation of the people. It is our resolve to work for the law-abiding people, the DGP added. With regard to the law-and-order situation, the DGP said that zero stone pelting was recorded in 2023. Regarding the individual terror incidents, the DGP said that progress is seen not in terms of individual incidents but in terms of the overall decline. "We have a plan which is in motion and under implementation for last four years and the features of that plan are that we try to address the problem fundamentally by way of degrading, dismantling the terror ecosystem which includes the people who recruit, who try to provide arms ammunition/logistic support, the people who try to help in infiltration and the people who help in identifying as to who is to be killed etc" he said. He informed that the perpetrators involved in the recent killing have been identified. With regard to the locals joining terror groups, the DGP said that the graph of locals joining terror groups is very low. He said that some foreign terrorists who managed to sneak are active in here and added that "we would work towards zero infiltration, zero arms/ammunition smuggling, zero recruitment, zero narcotics, zero terror financing and most importantly we would work against the narrative,the ideology,the philosophy which justifies, glorifies, supports and legitimize terrorism". He said that Pakistan would always try to push terrorists here and added that every attempt would be responded to more resiliently, intelligently and in a systematic manner. "We would like to reassure our citizens that they have absolutely no reason to fear, law enforcement, all arms and wings and resources of the Government are with them" he added. The idea is once there is peace and stability, there will be education, health, roads, electricity, economic activities, order, and justice, and if it is not there, on the other side everything falls apart, the teacher doesn't go to school, the government servant becomes corrupt and takes money without building a bridge, roads, the hospitals and we will not allow that to succeed", the DGP added. The terrorism and to that extent the corrupt system are intertwined and it is the enemy to have it that way but we will break that, the DGP added. Modi Says Govt. Schemes Empower Poor, Make Them Confident; Launches Kashi Tamil Sangamam India pti-PTI Varanasi (UP), Dec 17 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday mocked the Congress' slogan of 'garibi hatao' (remove poverty) and said the poor feel empowered and confident when they get a pucca house and gas cylinders for their homes. He also launched the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the Namo Ghar and said it strengthens the sentiment of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'. He flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Varanasi and Kanyakumari. Modi arrived in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, earlier in the day on a two-day visit to launch 37 projects worth over Rs 19,000 crore. On its way to Cutting Memorial School in the Nadesar area, where the prime minister interacted with schoolchildren and government scheme beneficiaries, his cavalcade gave way to an ambulance. He addressed the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at the school and emphasised the need to achieve a hundred per cent coverage of government schemes. "The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) is in a way my 'kasauti' (test) also,' Modi said. "It is my examination... whether whatever I had said and whatever I am doing, I want to hear from you and the entire country if it has happened in the right proportion." He said the beneficiaries of welfare schemes need not be running around government offices rather "the government must reach out to the beneficiaries." He said four crore families have been handed pucca homes under PMAY. "Giving the slogan of 'garibi hatao' is one thing. But the poor now says that the day he got a gas cylinder stove in his house the difference between rich and poor ended. He says his confidence went up, when he started living in a pucca house. His children could stand with their friends in schools and colleges." "The children felt humble living in a jhopadi (thatched houses)... there was no confidence. But on getting pucca houses, their life filled with self-confidence," Modi said. He said that before Independence, people worked towards achieving freedom with great zeal and a similar approach is required to fulfil the resolve of a developed India. "Every Indian needs this mindset and resolve today." He said the VBSY is a national endeavour and not a work of any political party, and people should directly participate in this. "The path of getting rid of all difficulties passes through the resolution of a Viksit Bharat." Later, the prime minister launched the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the Namo Ghat. The Sangamam will be held from December 17-31 and will see the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. It aims at rediscovering, reaffirming and celebrating the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, two of the country's most important and ancient seats of learning. The first edition was a month-long event organised last year. "The Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a continuous flow, which strengthens the feeling of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'," the prime minister said while crediting Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and other ancient philosophers with creating the idea of India as a nation. "Saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya united India. They awakened the feeling of national consciousness through their yatras. Coming from Tamil Nadu to Kashi means coming from one home of Mahadev to his other," he said. The PM also launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. Modi said that a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu are travelling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites during the event. "A darshan of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, who established Rameshwaram along with Lord Mahadev, is a divine experience," he said. Modi noted that lakhs of people including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals have become part of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception last year and it has become an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas. He expressed satisfaction on the joint initiative by the Banaras Hindu University and IIT to provide online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative. These developments, the prime minister said, are proof of the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Modi acknowledged that India's diversity has been moulded in the spiritual consciousness as signified by Great Pandian King Parakram Pandian who had said that every water in India is Gangajal, and every geographical location Kashi. Reflecting on the time when the centres of faith in northern India copped with constant attacks by foreign powers, Modi highlighted King Parakram Pandian's efforts to keep the heritage of Kashi alive with the construction of Tenkasi and Sivakasi temples. Modi said that in other geographies, a nation has been defined in political terms whereas India, as a nation, is constructed out of spiritual beliefs. The PM was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the event. Modi took a walkthrough of the stalls and visited the Viksit Bharat Yatra Van and a quiz event. He also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes and students. On Monday, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects related to roads, bridges, health, education, police welfare, smart cities, urban development, railways, and airports. Uttarakhand To Start Indias First Himalaya Airsafari With Gyrocopters Uttarakhand to launch Indias first Himalaya Airsafari using gyrocopters, offering tourists a unique way to explore the states untouched destinations and stunning Himalayan views. India -Krishna Kripa In a bid to boost adventure tourism, the Uttarakhand tourism department announced the upcoming launch of the Himalaya Airsafari, a unique experience that will utilize gyrocopters. This initiative marks the first of its kind in the country, offering tourists an unparalleled opportunity to explore the state's breathtaking landscapes from a new perspective. Successful Flight Test in Haridwar The department conducted a successful flight test of the country's first gyrocopter in Haridwar on Saturday. This milestone achievement paves the way for the official commencement of the Himalaya Airsafari. The necessary approvals have been obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, ensuring the safety and compliance of the gyrocopter operations. Connecting Tourists with Untouched Destinations Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the gyrocopters imported from Germany will play a pivotal role in connecting tourists with the pristine and unexplored destinations of Uttarakhand. These advanced aircraft will provide a unique vantage point, allowing visitors to marvel at the majestic Himalayan range and the serene rivers that flow through the state. Gyrocopter Flight Test Experience Colonel Ashwini Pundir, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, who participated in the gyrocopter flight test, expressed his excitement about the upcoming Himalayan Airsafari initiative. He envisions it as a transformative experience that will enable tourists to effortlessly travel between different locations while immersing themselves in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the tranquil rivers. Plans for Special Airstrips To facilitate the smooth operation of the gyrocopters, the tourism department, in collaboration with the civil aviation department and respective district magistrates, is actively working on developing special airstrips at various scenic locations across the state. These airstrips will ensure convenient access to the gyrocopters, allowing tourists to embark on their aerial adventures with ease. The Himalaya Airsafari promises to revolutionize adventure tourism in Uttarakhand, offering a thrilling and unforgettable experience for visitors. With the successful flight test and plans for dedicated airstrips, the state is poised to become a premier destination for those seeking an extraordinary journey amidst the grandeur of the Himalayas. We Need To Know Who's Behind This: PM Modi On Parliament Breach Incident India oi-Prakash KL The seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first response to the incident, said on Sunday. He also called for no squabbling over the issue amid the Opposition's protests over the incident in Parliament. Speaking to Hindi daily 'Dainik Jagran', the Prime Minister said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. "The seriousness of this incident should not be downplayed. The (Lok Sabha) Speaker is taking all the necessary steps. Probe agencies are investigating the matter. It is important to find out which elements are behind this and what their objectives are. There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this," In a major security breach, two men - Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D - had jumped into the Lok Sabha's chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour on Wednesday, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. The Opposition parties have demanded a statement on the issue from Amit Shah with some asking for his resignation. However, the government has insisted that the security in Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. Responding to queries regarding the BJP's selection of relatively fresh and lesser-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the PM mentioned that these leaders possess significant experience and a history of hard work. Mocking those who raise questions about the BJP's decisions, he remarked that it is unfortunate for the country that a significant portion of individuals shaping society adheres to a cliched and limited mindset. "This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention irrespective of their talent and hard work. A similar thing happens in politics," he said. The media's focus for some decades has unfortunately been the most on a few families and due to this, talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed, he said. "That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he added. The BJP has chosen Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, by replacing former CMs Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's commercial vehicle sales jumped 44.6 percent year on year in November, industry data shows. A total of 366,000 such vehicles were sold in the country last month, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. During the first 11 months of this year, China's commercial vehicle sales stood at about 3.67 million units, up 21.8 percent from the same period last year. In the January-November period, the sales of trucks and buses rose 21.7 percent and 22.8 percent year on year, respectively, the data also shows. No Place For Islam In Europe, Says Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Here's Why International oi-Gaurav Sharma Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni, a close friend of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparked a massive debate after her comments on Islam on Sunday. Hosting a political event organized by a far-right wing, Meloni said, "I believe that there is a problem of compatibility between Islamic culture and the values and rights of our civilization." "The Islamic cultural centers in Italy are financed by Saudi Arabia where Sharia is in force. In Europe there is a very Islamization process distant from the values of our civilization!" she added. The Brothers of Italy, a far-right group in Italy, had hosted a political festival that was attended by several prominent personalities including the Italy PM and British prime minister Rishi Sunak. Rishi Sunak, in his speech, said the UK English government continues to push for global reforms to the asylum system as the rapidly growing number of refugees could "overwhelm" parts of Europe. "If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who need our help the most," Rishi Sunak said, adding, "If that requires us to update our laws and lead an international conversation to amend the post-war frameworks around asylum, then we must do that." Sunak further added, "Immigration isn't enough to combat population shrinking." "There is value in cultures, we don't want Italy as a culture to disappear, we want to maintain a reasonable cultural identity of those countries or they won't be those countries," he further added. Ayesha Rascoe is an American journalist who hosts Weekend Edition Sunday on NPR. She previously served as an NPR White House correspondent and covered the Obama White House for Reuters. Australias destruction of Pakistan showed shy Perth has a strong case to host the opening Test each summer, and why Pat Cummins team would be happy for that to happen. President Aleksandar Vucic called for the snap vote last month, barely two years since the last parliament was elected. His ruling party is expected to secure a new four-year term, but could struggle in local elections. The Israeli prime minister said he gave instructions to negotiators regarding a possible new hostage release deal. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have been accused of raiding a hospital in northern Gaza. DW last the latest. A WHO team visited the northern Gaza hospital and found patients being treated on the floor. Meanwhile, Israel's prime minister has hinted at a possible new hostage release deal. DW last the latest. The final weeks of 2008 were a heady time in South African politics. Significant lieutenants and broad supporters of Thabo Mbeki, who had just been ousted as president, were mobilising for a national convention that would lay the foundation for an alternative to the ANC. The UN COP28 gathering in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates concluded its business on a high this week having mobilised $85 billion (R1.5 trillion) in funding for climate action. In a strategic move to expand its European footprint, Push Gaming, a leading B2B gaming supplier, has entered the Swiss market in collaboration with Grand Casino Luzern. This marks Push Gaming's inaugural venture into the regulated Swiss jurisdiction, bringing its acclaimed gaming titles to a new audience. Push Gaming, a prominent B2B gaming supplier, has broadened its European presence by venturing into the Swiss market through a key partnership with Grand Casino Luzern. This pivotal move marks Push Gaming's first entry into Switzerland's regulated gaming landscape. Exclusive Game Access through mycasino Grand Casino Luzern's online brand, mycasino, will enjoy an eight-week exclusivity period, during which it will be the sole operator in the Swiss market to offer Push Gaming's renowned titles. This includes popular games like "Razor Returns," "Jammin' Jars," and "Wild Swarm," along with newer hits such as "Boss Bear." Global Expansion Strategy The entry into the Swiss market is part of Push Gaming's ongoing strategy for global expansion. The provider has been making significant strides in various markets, including recent entries in Greece, Colombia, and Italy. This strategic expansion underscores Push Gaming's commitment to broadening its reach and delivering unique gaming content to diverse audiences worldwide. Comments from Push Gaming and Grand Casino Luzern Fiona Hickey, Director at PushGaming, expressed excitement about the partnership with Grand Casino Luzern and the company's debut in the Swiss market. She anticipates that the collaboration will enhance the reach of Push Gaming's popular titles and contribute to further market growth. Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern, shared his enthusiasm for being the first in Switzerland to offer Push Gaming's engaging slot titles. He emphasized the significance of this partnership in reinforcing the position of mycasino as a leading platform in the industry and in offering innovative and high-quality gaming experiences to Swiss players. About Push Gaming Push Gaming is a renowned online gaming and gambling supplier specializing in creating quality HTML5 game content for online and mobile casinos. The team at Push Gaming comprises industry veterans from various gaming sectors, focusing on delivering games with innovative gameplay and features. Now part of the LeoVegas Group, Push Gaming continues to expand its reach globally in new and existing regulated markets. About mycasino and Grand Casino Luzern mycasino, the online extension of Grand Casino Luzern, offers a wide array of certified and board-approved games, attracting players with its innovative game selection and high service standards. Situated on the picturesque Lake Lucerne, Grand Casino Luzern is a historic establishment with accolades for its exceptional service. mycasino patrons benefit from a diverse range of games, secure payment options, quick payouts, and top-tier customer service, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable online gaming experience. Ralf Heckner, Switzerlands ambassador to India, has expressed optimism that European Free Trade Associations (EFTA) deal with the country would be wrapped up before the 2024 General Elections. India and the EFTA states are negotiating a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with a view to boost economic ties between the two regions. EFTA currently has four member countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EFTA countries are not part of the European Union (EU). Under such pacts, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides easing norms to promote trade in services and investments. A free trade agreement between India and four-nation bloc EFTA will help enhance two-way commerce, investment flows, job creation and economic growth. A TEPA between EFTA and India could bring significant economic benefits, such as integrated and resilient supply chains and new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides leading to increased trade and investment flows, job creation, and economic growth. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an inter-governmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It was set up in 1960 by its then seven Member States for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members. There were seven founding countries: Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK). They were joined by Iceland in 1970, by Finland in 1986 and by Liechtenstein in 1991. Meanwhile, in 1973, Denmark and the UK joined the EU. Portugal joined the EU in 1986. Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU in 1995, consequently leaving EFTA. EFTA does not envisage political integration. It does not issue legislation, nor does it establish a customs union. EFTAs first objective was to liberalise trade between its Member States. EFTA countries enjoy access to one of the worlds largest networks of preferential trade relations, covering 80 per cent of EFTAs merchandise trade. Currently, the EFTA States together have 29 FTAs in force or awaiting ratification covering 40 partner countries worldwide (outside Europe). EFTA is the European Unions third largest trading partner in merchandise, and the second largest in services. Indias exports to EFTA countries during April-February 2022-23 stood at $1.67 billion as against $1.74 billion in 2021-22. Imports aggregated at $15 billion during the 11-month period as compared to $25.5 billion in 2021-22. The EFTA Council is the highest governing body of EFTA. The Council usually meets eight times a year at the ambassadorial level (heads of permanent delegations to EFTA) and once a year at ministerial level. The EFTA Secretariat is situated in Geneva. EFTA States Switzerland is a world leader in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, machinery, banking and insurance. Liechtenstein, like Switzerland, is highly industrialised and specialised in capital-intensive and research & development driven technology products. The Icelandic economy benefits from renewable natural resources, not least rich fishing grounds, and has increasingly diversified into other industries and services. Abundant natural resources also contribute significantly to Norways economic strength, including oil and gas exploration and production, and fisheries, as well as important service sectors such as maritime transport and energy-related services. Gao Yunlong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also chairman of the China Foundation for Peace and Development, meets with Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerry Brownlee, in Wellington, New Zealand, Dec. 14, 2023. Gao Yunlong visited New Zealand from Dec. 13 to 17. During his visit, Gao met with Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerry Brownlee, National President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society Chris Lipscombe, and Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown. Gao also met with representatives from civil and business groups, exchanging views on promoting China-New Zealand relations, people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges. (Xinhua/Lu Huaiqian) WELLINGTON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Gao Yunlong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's national political advisory body, visited New Zealand. During his five-day visit which ended on Sunday, Gao, who is also chairman of the China Foundation for Peace and Development, met with Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerry Brownlee, National President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society Chris Lipscombe, and Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown. Gao also met with representatives from civil and business groups, exchanging views on promoting China-New Zealand relations, people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges. The New Zealand politicians believed that friendly exchanges between the two peoples have a long history, and the development of New Zealand-China ties enjoys a profound foundation. They expressed the willingness to strengthen personnel exchanges with China, continuously expand and deepen cooperation in economic, trade and cultural fields between the two countries, and promote the development of New Zealand-China relations. Gao also attended the China-New Zealand Friendly Exchanges for Action on Silk Road People-to-People Connectivity in Auckland. We hold weekly debriefing on Gaza Sundays. If you are interested, let us know We are dismayed by the silence of so many churches. Here is an Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians click here And my message for Christmas again (since then hundreds more were murdered): click here Day 71 of the genocidal slaughter in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces killed so far 19,088 civilians (nearly half are children) and injured 54,450. The murdered include over 300 health care workers, 92 journalists, 135 UN workers, 35 Civil defense staff (rescue/fire crew). But while the majority of people in Gaza are Muslim, Israel also attacked Christians and their churches. 600 christians are sheltering without food in a Church in Gaza city and Israel ordered them to leave. An Israeli sniper murdered Friday one mother Nahida Anton and her daughter Samar Anton in the church courtyard (and injured 7 christians who will have no access to medical care). Their home, like the homes of over 1 million Gazans, was destroyed a few weeks ago. In another attack on Sisters of Mother Theresa church and convent which houses 54 handicapped Palestinians that the sisters take care of. Israel here targeted the generator and the fuel tank to deny them electricity. Even here in Bethlehem Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition yesterday in the courtyard of the Church of Nativity. No Christmas in Palestine. Meanwhile Israel admitted killing three of its own hostages who were carrying white flags "mistaking them for Palestinians." Reread that sentence to understand the criminality and appreciate that Israel kills all civilians in Gaza. Also two days ago, Israeli forces killed dozens of people sheltering in tents in a Kamal Adwan hospital yard by bombing and then bulldozing their tents on top of their bodies and destroying large sections of the hospital. The scenes are horrific and if you have a strong stomach here is a glimpse including of a starving cat eating human flesh (WARNING .youtube.com/watch?v=Cdw-QYqhRVQ). And while many children are dying of starvation in blockaded Gaza, collaborative Arab regimes are helping Israel get its trade by land travel! Yemen had courageously blocked Israeli ships using the Red Sea until Israel ends its genocide/holocause of the Palestinians (it is actually an obligation under International conventions to stop genocide). Jonathan Ofir: I used to think that Yeshayahu Leibowitz's term "Judeo-Nazis" was too strong to describe Israel. But today, I feel differently. click here How Israel used AI genocide programs to obliterate Gaza click here? Scientists Against Israeli Apartheid, Occupation and Genocide in Gaza click here Israeli dissidents expose genocidal language (this is proof of intent) [another area not covered by Western media] .youtube.com/watch?v=uxzcKiSuJQw Open letter to the Assembly of State Parties regarding the ICC Office of the Prosecutors engagement with the Situation in Palestine click here The Role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza: Navigating Neutrality or Facilitating Inaction? click here Israeli proaganda arms are spending over 100 million to spread lies and distortions while its own military is killing journalists (92 so far) and preventing coverage of the ongoing genocide. Why is western media ignoring evidence of Israeli action on 7 October click here Reopening Gaza slaughter house click here Analysis: How does Israel get away with it? Prof. Jeff Halper explains .youtube.com/live/yc9k688J1kk Israeli government ordered assassination of Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer click here 'I am you': NYC Vigil Honors Palestinian Poet Dr. Refaat Alareer .youtube.com/watch?v=nZE7YnRIXtg If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer If I must die, you must live to tell my story to sell my things to buy a piece of cloth and some strings, (make it white with a long tail) so that a child, somewhere in Gaza while looking heaven in the eye awaiting his dad who left in a blaze- and bid no one farewell not even to his f1esh not even to himself- sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above and thinks for a moment an angel is there bringing back love If I must die let it bring hope let it be a tale Soaring with the spirits (Image by Admitter) Details DMCA I advised a friend, who is dealing with a serious health issue, to call in the ancestors for protection, guidance and healing. I have explained that the ancestral spirits are always watching our backs, but that doing ritual or going into prayer is like exercising a muscle that we all have, but we have to exercise it or it can atrophy. We can see it as a muscle, but the ability to pray and do ritual is also in all of our DNA. But then he asked, "When you say "ancestors", what do you mean? Do you mean our literal, blood ancestors? The reason for confusion is, our blood ancestors might have been bad people or messed up or nothing special and that confuses people when they do shamanic work. Why would I call on Uncle Jim or grandfather Joe who was so stingy with his money and treated Grandma so badly? I happen to have had a wonderful Great Grandfather on my mother's side and my Nanny, his daughter, was special to me, so I can evoke them to watch over me, but ancestors are everyone who lived before us, which is quite a pool of wisdom and DNA. In intact shamanic / indigenous cultures, that are also ancestral cultures, the lineages go way back, but we of the "modern" industrial and post-industrial world have to learn what it means to live shamanically and let the dreamtime into our lives. My friend's question about ancestors is honest, but also, because I have been doing this work for 25 years, naive. I have had experiences where stones have "come to life" when I needed help, or old trees have helped me at critical moments in my life. Once, after a vision quest I was waiting for my ride by a little stream and I heard a male indigenous voice singing in the stream (in an indigenous language) and then I saw the warrior standing with his back to me with long braided hair singing to a semi-circle of young warriors. His song of power was endless and it made me weep. When I returned to VT from the rainforest in Peru, the evening before I got sick, I was in our hot tub for a chill when a Native American medicine man climbed into the hot tub in full regalia to deliver a message. When I was a kid, when I was having nightmares and was scared, Popeye would get in bed with me. Let's talk about that one: Popeye. Was it really Popeye? No, but spirits (ancestral spirits) are energetic beings. They don't have bodies, so they can assume whatever appearance breaks the ice, because we need a visual. Their appearance can be stable, so they assume the same appearance for as long as we need them or they can change their appearance. Ancestral spirits don't need us to see them to be present or "real". They have their own life or viability and autonomy. Please understand that my Great Grandfather, (my favorite blood-ancestor) doesn't look like my Great Grandfather anymore, but when he shows up for me, I see him as he looked right before he died. That is this ancestral spirit's concession to me. Fact: Dreams are a dimension, a psychic dimension. Since ancestral spirits are energetic beings they can enter our dreams, because psychic energy is a form of energy and so our dreams are accessible to them. But ancestral spirits can also come in or on the wind or they can appear as (or in) an emotion, because emotions are also energy. So, ancestral spirits might be ancestors that are related to us from hundreds of years ago or they can be a Great Grandfather or anyone who died, like the Native American story teller who helped me on my first vision quest. As soon as he died he was an ancestor. How are ancestors ancestors? How can a tree be an ancestor? Or a wolf in a dream? Or a hawk that shows up when I am praying in our field? Because we are made from molecules of Earth (and stars) that are as old as time. We are made of very, very ancient molecules (and all manner of sub-atomic quanta). To the extent that we identify with the new part of us, the ego, we are disconnected from our ancient, timeless nature, but, in fact we are all very, very old souls. So when the ancestors are helping us, they must be very amused because we are also ancestors. The water molecules in me might have been in the wine of the first communion. So ancestors are also beings who preceded us, like the stone who came to life for me on a mushroom journey or the tree I was sitting under who showed me my path that seemed to open in front of me and came directly from her roots. But my ancestor can also be that hawk gyring over my head because the hawk, or any wild creature, is at one with its ancient, timeless nature and that translates into wisdom or medicine that we can access through ritual and dreaming One other point is that when difficult people (relatives) die, death is like a car wash, so the toxicity stays on the gross material plane. Of course there is a lot more to it!, as the much older Hinduism and Buddhism teach, there are planes of karmic evolution, but in general, the point is we are here on this Earth Walk, as this person, to work on something -- that is our karma. My father was here to work through some very tough issues that went to the core of who he was. That was his karmic work. My karmic work is different from his, but I also have core work to do. When my father died I had the vision, at a shamanic workshop, of watching him standing under a waterfall and a black ink flowed out of his body, downstream. That was what was left of his toxic psychological / emotional / spiritual issues that were preventing him from passing on to a "higher" plane. Something similar happens to almost all of us when we die, so all of those dysfunctional, broken people, by this paradigm, get plenty more chances, and, so, when they become ancestors, because of what they were working on karmically when they were alive, they can serve as guides for certain problems that we are facing. They might show up because we evoke them or they might just show up gratis, in a dream. One last thought: We were born with certain ancestral spirits watching over us, watching our back. They never leave us. That would be my ancestral spirit who showed up as Popeye when I was having nightmares at age five. It is one of the benefits of shamanic work to realize this, that we were born with guardian spirits watching our back. (Article changed on Dec 17, 2023 at 10:54 AM EST) (Article changed on Dec 18, 2023 at 9:03 AM EST) Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter in an effort to push for a ceasefire in Gaza on December 6. Guterres has been calling for a ceasefire since October 18, but the US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been instructed by US President Joe Biden to never agree to any ceasefire in Gaza, and instead allow Israel the green-light to kill children, women and men in Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues with his revenge attack on Gaza, in response to the Hamas attack of October 7 which killed 1,400 Israelis. The death toll in Gaza now stands at more than 15,000 Palestinians dead, the majority of whom are women or children. In his letter to the 15-member security council's president, Guterres invoked this responsibility, saying he believed the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, "may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security". Guterres has described "appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories", and has said the Gaza is a graveyard for children. The 'international community' has failed to stop a genocide in Gaza. The UN and humanitarian organizations have called the relentless Israeli attacks on 2 million civilians in Gaza a genocide unfolding before our eyes. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Nazi regime led by Adolph Hitler in Germany committed a genocide against the Jews, mentally ill, and homosexuals in Germany and across Europe. Great Britain and the United States were well aware of the genocide, but stood by and did nothing initially. It wasn't until Hitler began occupying European lands that the US and its allies made a plan to stop Hitler. The genocide was not the impetus for action, but losing territory was something more serious in the eyes of the 'international community' of that era. Today's 'international community' is viewed as the US and its allies, and are the European Union member states, and NATO members. But, there are some nations who are not part of that arrogant elite; countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. South Africa has been particularly vocal about the apartheid state of Israel, as South Africa had a history of decades as an apartheid state, where white European settlers colonized the black African people. Israel and their colonization and subjugation of the Palestinian people is a mirror image of the crimes against humanity endured in South Africa prior to their fight for freedom carried out by an armed struggle of the ANC and led by Nelson Mandela. It was a bloody fight for freedom, but they achieved victory, in part because of the support given them by the 'international community', which carried out boycotts of South African goods. For decades, the American voter has been conditioned to believe that Israel shares the same values as the US. Americans have been spoon-fed a dogma that says Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and is the most important US ally in the region. Americans value freedom, democracy and human rights. Americans traditionally take the side of the under-dog, the oppressed and those who 'yearn to be free'. But, Israel stands opposed to all those cherished American values. Israel, in their brutal treatment of Palestinians for the last 70 years, have demonstrated their national values are closer to the Third Reich in WW2-era Germany. Israel values only Jews; human rights, property rights and international law are reserved for the 6 million Jewish citizens, while the 6 million Palestinians are deprived of all rights and dignity. In the American system of government, the people are the taxpayers and voters, but many feel they have no voice in Washington, DC. The US Congress is supposed to represent the people, but they have perpetuated the culture of acquiescing to any and all demands by Israel. This is facilitated through AIPAC, which many experts acknowledge holds sway over the US Congress. Biden is facing re-election in less than one year. According to a new poll from Data for Progress, 70% of young voters of all ethnicities disapprove of Biden's handling of the Gaza war. Over 70% of Democrats support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and a total of 61% of Americans polled said they were in favor of a ceasefire. Biden's position is the direct opposite of the Democratic caucus in the House, where roughly half have called for an end to the war. The #AbandonBiden movement was launched by Arab American and Muslim leaders who are mobilizing supporters to not vote for Biden in 2024, because of his support for the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The movement focuses on swing states with significant Arab or Muslim populations, and could make the difference between victory, or defeat for Biden. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Hasina, Nawaz and Modi (Image by wikipedia) Details DMCA Three countries in the sub-continent, once part of united India before August 1947, go to the polls early next year within weeks of each other. It is a remarkable coincidence. Bangladesh polls are due in January 2024, followed by Pakistan a month later in February, and India will elect its new Parliament a couple of months later though speculation is that the ballot may be advanced as the ruling BJP of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to cash in on favorable winds. The polls for the 350-member Bangladesh Parliament appear to be the most controversial of the three. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) headed by ailing Khaleda Zia, has announced poll boycott; 10,000 of its workers are reported to have been jailed after street violence that has become endemic with the police allegedly playing a partisan role. BNP's boycott decision was a response to Sheikh Hasina government's refusal to appoint a caretaker government to supervise the polls. Bangladesh has a tradition of neutral regime during poll time. A Supreme Court order in 2011 asked for some amendments in the rules and for the Awami League this was a good excuse to do away with the neutral poll umpire. Also, because of the bitter experience of the past when a caretaker government assumed military control of the country and arrested a number of political leaders, Hasina and Khaleda including. Terry Isley, a member of an independent election monitoring delegation that visited Dhaka in August 2023, said that the demand for a caretaker government is "unconstitutional and illegal in the present political context of Bangladesh". The international community is concerned about the fairness of the polls and the rights of the citizens. Firstly because of what a group of human rights organizations in their letter to American Congress leaders termed as the flip-side of BNP. "BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami, a far-right Islamist party, have been operating 'overtly and covertly in cahoots with terrorist groups, like Ansar al Islam', since 2001", according to them. Secondly because the BNP is known for its links with Islamist militant groups like Jamaat ul-Mujaheddin (JuM) and Harkat-ul-Jihad (HuJ). Over 100 Nobel laureate, and nearly 100 global leaders, have also expressed concern over the Bangladesh situation. The Biden administration announced on May 23, 2023, that visas would be denied to any Bangladeshi "believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh". The policy lists actions that would undermine the election process as "vote rigging, voter intimidation, the use of violence to prevent people from exercising their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly". Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). A Washington County grand jury indicted 46-year-old Seferino Tosie, a pastor at Missionary Memorial Church in Aurora, Oregon, on multiple felony charges Wednesday stemming from allegations he sexually abused children. An additional alleged victim then came forward, and now Washington County detectives are asking the public whether Tosie may have abused even more children. A Washington County grand jury indicted 46-year-old Seferino Tosie on charges of sex abuse on Dec. 13, 2023.Washington County Sheriff's Office Detectives allege the abuse took place in Washington, Clackamas, and Marion counties between 2008 and 2016. So far, all of the victims have been of Micronesian descent, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Tosie also has worked at other Oregon churches and ones in Kansas, Minnesota, Hawaii and Iowa, the sheriffs office wrote in a press release. Detectives ask anyone with information about Tosie to contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office at (503) 846-2700. Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Editors note: This week and next, were counting down our favorite new Portland restaurants of 2023. At No. 6: Astral, a thrilling new restaurant-in-residency that hasnt strayed too far from its pop-up roots. During an early visit to Astral, the pop-up turned residency at Northeast Portland nano brewery Duality, brewer Mike Lockwood was forced to leave unexpectedly for an emergency just after opening. And since neither of Astrals two chef-owners, John Boisse and Lauren Breneman, had their alcohol handlers permit, Lockwood decided to lock Dualitys doors on the way out, explaining the situation to a handful of customers coming in from the front patio. But my friend and I had already placed our order for what amounted to the entire 8-item menu, including dessert, we were allowed to stay, effectively creating a two-person tasting menu in a nearly empty brewpub, sans beer. The meal showed us a few things: At the time, Boisse and Breneman hadnt strayed too far from Astrals pop-up roots, rolling with the punches, pivoting when necessary. And the Mexican-inspired dishes we tried that afternoon were as tasty, exciting and well-executed as nearly any full-time restaurant in Portland. Forced to pick one dining experience to define 2023, I would probably pick Astral. Thats not just because the food is serious, though it certainly is, a thought that probably struck you from the first bite of pork belly chicharron. Its because Boisse and Breneman continue to run Astral on their own terms, partnering with friends (including Lockwood and creative partner Alyssa Compte) and opening at most 14 hours a week, with occasional days off for unexpected crises or mental health breaks. A killer bar snack: chicharrones deep fried pork belly bites, essentially with lime and Valentina hot sauce at Astral, a pop-up turned residency at Northeast Portland's new Duality Brewing.Michael Russell | The Oregonian That can be frustrating, especially if youve shown up to find Dualitys doors locked. But the additional price basically checking social media to make sure theyre open that day is a small one to pay for food this interesting and this good. Like an east-side analog to Lilia, one of our best new restaurants of 2022, Astrals menu encompasses everything from snap pea esquites to huaraches, tlacoyos and other intriguing masa creations. One dish that stands out? A recent crudo with elegantly arranged layers of raw scallop and pear sprinkled with toasty hazelnut in a leche-pale broth dotted with yuzu kosho. Astrals food has a brightness and precision that would be impressive from any restaurant, let alone a nano brewery alcove. What to know: Brenemans brown butter chocolate chip cookies are at the level of the great cookies at Coquine and Cloudforest. What to eat: The menu changes often enough that individual recommendations arent extremely useful, but I do look forward to the next time I see those chicharrones, more like beautiful golden pork belly bites (with the skin attached) than the pork rinds you might be imagining. Served simply with lime and Valentina hot sauce and paired with one of Lockwoods sui generis beers, theyre a transcendent bar snack that borders on a full-on mood. Read more: Duality Brewing and pop-up Astral join forces for two-pronged NE Portland taproom Astral serves dinner Friday-Saturday (with early afternoon service Saturday) and brunch Sunday at 715 N.E. Lawrence Ave., astralpdx.com. Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Update: The Oregon Court of Appeals put a hold on the ban just days before Jan. 1. A Multnomah County circuit judge blocked efforts from tobacco companies to halt the ban that will end the sale of flavored tobacco, county officials said Friday. County commissioners approved the ban on the sale of flavored tobacco in the county on December 2022 in an effort to curb vaping among younger people, and it is scheduled to go into effect next month. The commissioners decision brought push back from nicotine retailers, and the 21+ Tobacco and Vapor Retail Association of Oregon, No Moke Daddy and Paul Bates alleged in a lawsuit that the ban was illegal and couldnt be enforced. Judge Benjamin Souede dismissed the complaint Sept. 1. Commissioner Lori Stegmann proposed an amendment before the ordinance passed that would have exempted existing hookah lounges from the ban, arguing that the lounges act as a cultural gathering place, especially among Middle Eastern and North African residents in Portland. The request was denied. State legislators have also been considering a wider ban on flavored tobacco across Oregon. Come Jan. 1, Multnomah County retailers will be barred from selling cigarettes, vape products, chewing tobacco or synthetic nicotine products that have any flavor besides tobacco. This includes menthol cigarettes. The tobacco industry leaders and retailers requested that the enforcement be postponed, but Souede denied them Wednesday. The groups may appeal the ruling, but have not done so yet, the county said in a statement Friday. Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe LISBON, Portugal -- The men and women sat together smoking crack cocaine, their loud chatter filling the windowless room on a recent fall afternoon. In back, a lone man leaned over a counter set aside for people to inject heroin. Hamilcar Rashed, a linebacker and former Oregon State Beavers star, signed a contract to join the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, the team announced Friday. Rashed takes the place of outside linebacker Tyreke Smith, who was signed to Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster. Rashed signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in May 2021. He spent the entire season on the Jets practice squad. Rashed was released by the Jets in August 2022 and has since spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squads. Rashed has appeared in one game in his career. He played in the Jets 45-17 Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills during the 2021 season. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came hat in hand to Washington, D.C., last week to ask for more U.S. military aid in his countrys fight against Russian invaders. Congressional Republicans tied more Ukraine aid to increased border security measures, leading to a stalemate. In the gallerys lead image, Bill Bramhall sees the GOPs refusal to aid Ukraine as raising the flag of surrender to Russia, borrowing imagery of Marines raising the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima. Drew Sheneman critizes Republicans for being Russian leader Vladimir Putins useful idiots. Phil Hands draws Putin cheering Santa putting coal in Ukraines stocking. Scott Stantis blames both Republicans and Democrats for failing to fix the broken immigration system. The uproar continued over the congressional testimony of university presidents about antisemitic speech on college campuses, sparked by protests of the war in Gaza. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned. Harvards governing board decided to keep President Claudine Gay in her role. My responses got a bit tangled, Walt Handelsmans president says from behind a thicket of ivy. Poison ivy covers Harvard University, in Michael Ramirezs view. David Horsey illustrates the hypocrisy of college leaders sensitive to cultural appropriation but who see antisemitism as free speech. Other topics in this weeks cartoon gallery include the Houses party line vote to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, in a quest for evidence to support such a charge; a Texas womans losing fight to get an abortion under the states medical exception; and the toll of war in Gaza. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. A Palestinian inspects a damaged building at a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm after Israeli raids on Dec. 17, 2023. Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on Sunday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. In an official statement, the ministry reported that five individuals, who had been admitted to Thabet Governmental Hospital in the city from the Nour Shams refugee camp, succumbed to injuries sustained from the attack by an Israeli warplane. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on Sunday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. In an official statement, the ministry reported that five individuals, who had been admitted to Thabet Governmental Hospital in the city from the Nour Shams refugee camp, succumbed to injuries sustained from the attack by an Israeli warplane. Local Palestinian sources told Xinhua that the Israeli army launched a ten-hour-long military campaign in a refugee camp near the city. The operation triggered clashes with Palestinian militants, and explosions were heard due to the detonation of homemade bombs targeting Israeli vehicles. Meanwhile, the Israeli army issued a statement, saying it had killed at least four Palestinians and confiscated weapons during its military activity in the refugee camp near Tulkarm. The statement added that Israeli aircraft targeted cells of "terrorists" who engaged in gunfire with, threw explosive devices at, and posed a threat to the Israeli forces. As per WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, at least 296 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli forces in the West Bank since the new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict broke out on Oct. 7. Palestinians inspect damaged buildings at a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm after Israeli raids on Dec. 17, 2023. Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on Sunday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. In an official statement, the ministry reported that five individuals, who had been admitted to Thabet Governmental Hospital in the city from the Nour Shams refugee camp, succumbed to injuries sustained from the attack by an Israeli warplane. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian inspects a damaged car at a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm after Israeli raids on Dec. 17, 2023. Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on Sunday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. In an official statement, the ministry reported that five individuals, who had been admitted to Thabet Governmental Hospital in the city from the Nour Shams refugee camp, succumbed to injuries sustained from the attack by an Israeli warplane. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians inspect a damaged building at a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm after Israeli raids on Dec. 17, 2023. Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm on Sunday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. In an official statement, the ministry reported that five individuals, who had been admitted to Thabet Governmental Hospital in the city from the Nour Shams refugee camp, succumbed to injuries sustained from the attack by an Israeli warplane. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Patrick Tomassi Tomassi is a teacher and writer who lives in Portland. About a year ago, I contacted Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps office about how dangerous the intersection of North Lombard Street and North Mississippi Avenue is. The city already knows Lombard poses considerable hazards the transportation bureau designated the street as the third deadliest in Portland for traffic crashes. But as someone who lives and works within a few blocks of the street, I wanted to alert them to the numerous issues I see at the Mississippi intersection on a daily basis. As I explained in the email, the intersection is the site of frequent car wrecks, from fender benders to serious-injury collisions. While the posted speed limit is 35 mph, actual speeds are much higher. In addition to cars, there are many pedestrians along Lombard. Although the crosswalk is not painted or signalized, people frequently cross here to get to bus stops and businesses on either side of the street. I told Mapps staff that the students at the 6-12th grade school where I teach, just south of the intersection, often witness wrecks at the intersectiononce there were two in a single school dayand pointed out that this can have a psychological effect. Further, families drop their children off at this intersection, and students and teachers who walk to school cross here. We can moralize at people for not walking the extra 400 feet to the signalized crosswalk, or we can realize that this is a convenient crossing for pedestrians and do something to make those people safe. It was only a matter of time, I wrote, before someone from the school would be maimed or killed at this intersection if action were not taken. I hoped to be wrong, but questioned why the city would not install a signal or flashing pedestrian light at the intersection with Mississippi or change the street design in order to decrease traffic speeds. That began a conversation with city staffers about the challenges of changing a road that is partly controlled by the state transportation department, the fiscal realities related to pedestrian safety improvements , and the slow pace of city projects. It was cordial and bureaucratic, and led nowhere. In mid-November, one of our students was looking out the third-floor window of the school when he saw a Ford F-150 hit a man crossing the street. I saw arms and legs in the air, he said, describing how the victim had been thrown. He could not see the man clearly, but saw that he was lying face down in the street. The teacher paused class out of concern for the victim. What those students did not know was that I was the man lying in the street. I had been heading back to school after grabbing lunch when an inattentive driver struck me as I crossed Lombard. Emergency responders were called, and I was taken by ambulance to the trauma wing at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. I believe it is a miracle I am alive. I was saved by, among other things, the fact that the trucks squealing brakes gave me a split seconds warning of the oncoming truck, letting me turn away and limit direct impact. I was also saved by the fact that the driver looked up and began slowing when he did, and not a tenth of a second later when I would have been under his front bumper. I was not crushed to death or paralyzed within sight of my students, and I have luck or providence to thank for that. Take your pick. I cannot, however, thank the quick action of the city of Portland, the citys transportation bureau, the Oregon Department of Transportation and others who are responsible for making our streets safe for the people who use them. I suffered a concussion and soft tissue injuries. I have a difficult time walking, but I am expected to make a full recovery. I am very fortunate to be alive, but North Lombard remains a dangerous place, especially for people outside of vehicles, in a city with far too many dangerous roads. Portland matched a 30-year-high for traffic fatalities last year with 63 deaths. The total this year has already exceeded that with a couple weeks left to go. We all know that speed kills. According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials and the London Department of Transportation, when vehicle speeds increase from 30 to 40 mph, the risk of pedestrian fatality increases by between three and six times. But studies disagree about whether lowering speed limits actually decreases vehicle speeds. Even the state transportation department argues that lower posted speed limits have little effect on drivers. We drive as fast as we feel safe driving. If we want 25 mph cars, we need to design 25 mph roads. We have the tools to do that by narrowing lanes and increasing the number of stops; by making pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure more obvious with paint and lights; and by protecting pedestrians with physical barriers. We do not, however, seem to have the political will to make it happen. How many more pedestrians will be less fortunate than me before we do? Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: In convening the Central City Task Force to tackle downtown Portlands challenges, Gov. Tina Kotek showed real leadership and courage to tackle our states biggest challenges, (Gov. Tina Kotek unveils task force recommendations to save downtown Portland, Dec. 11). Housing and homelessness, drug addiction and crime are real concerns that impact our entire community. However, some of the recommendations unveiled by Kotek during the Oregon Business Plans leadership summit on Monday are rooted in criminalization. Criminalization of addiction. Criminalization of homelessness. Criminalization of poverty. Specifically, the recommendation to ban public drug use opens the door to serious, life-altering consequences for our most vulnerable populations, as well as the Black and brown communities harmed the most by the failed war on drugs. Instead of punishing and locking people up for having nowhere else to go, elected leaders across the state need to do the hard work of getting more people into safe and stable housing, immediately creating more addiction treatment services to meet the current unmet need and increasing access to supportive resources for people not only in downtown Portland, but in communities across our state. Denise Carder, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Letter writer Ben Sias recently proposed a sales tax for funding schools, (Readers respond: Oregon needs sales tax for schools, Dec. 6). While the sales tax idea has merit, his reasoning is very misguided. He wrote that the people who should spend the most to fund schools are those with children. We dont need to support schools merely to educate our own children. We need to support schools to maintain a functioning society. The children we educate someday will be the doctors who know how to make a correct diagnosis, the air traffic controllers who will keep our planes from crashing, the members of government who have a working knowledge of constitutional law and the journalists who have the skill and integrity to keep us well informed. Shelley Goldbloom, Milwaukie To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - UN workers delivering medical supplies to the Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza on 16 December have described the emergency department as a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured people inside, and a constant flow of new patients Photo: (Photo : FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / Getty Images) In a stunning turn of events, a British teenager missing since 2017 has been discovered after a six-year odyssey in a spiritual enclave in France. Alex Batty, who vanished at the age of 11 during what was meant to be a two-week family holiday in Spain, was found by a vigilant delivery driver, Fabien Accidini, while walking alone in the rain on a remote French road. British Teenager Missing Since 2017 Found in France British and French authorities confirmed on Friday that Alex Batty, now 17, had been missing for six years. The teenager, accompanied by his mother and grandfather, embarked on a journey that took them through Morocco, Spain, and finally settling in southwest France. The trio lived an off-the-grid life, carrying solar panels, growing their own food, and immersing themselves in a nomadic lifestyle within a spiritual community. Batty's odyssey took an unexpected turn when, on a rainy Wednesday night, delivery driver Fabien Accidini spotted the missing British teen walking alone on a remote French road. Accidini, intrigued by the sight of a lone teenager in the dark, offered assistance and ultimately delivered Batty to the safekeeping of French police. A Journey of Self-Discovery and Struggle The young adventurer revealed to French investigators that he, his mother, and grandfather moved from place to place, living with other families, practicing meditation, and exploring esoteric subjects. Despite the unconventional lifestyle, authorities refrain from labeling it a 'sect,' as Batty himself refers to it as a 'spiritual community.' Batty's decision to end his roaming came when his mother proposed another move, this time to Finland. The missing British teen, now 17, realized that the journey needed to stop. He embarked on a solo journey, walking for four nights, resting during the days, and sustaining himself with foraged food. His aim was to reach Toulouse, hoping that authorities there would facilitate his return to the United Kingdom and reunite him with his grandmother, who had custody of him before his disappearance. Read Also: 7 Virginia Elementary Students Hospitalized After Ingesting Fentanyl-Laced Gummy Bears; Two Arrested Alex Batty Set To Return to His Grandmother in the UK French prosecutor Antoine Leroy confirmed that Batty and his grandmother would be reunited in the U.K. over the weekend. The grandmother, Susan Caruana, expressed immense relief upon hearing the news, stating, "I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well." Batty's mother, Melanie Batty, is believed to have left for Finland, while the grandfather, David Batty, is suspected to have passed away about six months ago. Both are sought by British police in connection with the teenager's disappearance. After failing to return to the U.K. from their 2017 trip to Spain, the trio spent approximately two years in Morocco before traveling back via Spain to southwestern France. The exact location where they spent the last two years remains unclear, as Batty himself does not have precise details. Authorities are set to investigate further. The discovery of the missing British teen, Alex Batty, after a prolonged six-year odyssey, brings a mix of astonishment, relief, and anticipation of a long-awaited family reunion. Related Article: NHTSA Proposes Federal Standard for Advanced Anti-Drunk Driving Tech Photo: (Photo : David Ryder / Getty Images) In a shocking development that continues to reverberate through the community, the University of Idaho has officially announced plans to demolish the residence where the heinous quadruple homicide unfolded last November. This decision, slated to be set in motion on December 28, has ignited a multifaceted controversy, intertwining legal debates and the poignant anguish expressed by the families of the victims. The focus of the contention is the potential impact this move may have on the ongoing legal proceedings against Bryan Kohberger, the individual accused of perpetrating the brutal crime. Families' Anguish and Outcry To Preserve the Crime Scene The decision to forge ahead with the demolition has not gone unnoticed, particularly by the grieving families whose lives were forever changed by the tragic events of November 2022. The families of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves are vocal in their distress, voicing apprehensions over the potential erasure of crucial evidentiary elements essential for Bryan Kohberger's trial. Despite the university's reassurance that the demolition will be executed during the winter break to minimize disturbances for the students residing in the vicinity, some victims' families find the timing and approach insensitive. They staunchly advocate for the preservation of the King Road residence, emphasizing its dual importance as both a repository of critical evidence and a symbol of emotional significance. This contentious saga traces its roots back to February, when the university initially declared its intention to dismantle the King Road residence as a purported "healing step" for the community. However, the abrupt cessation of the demolition in July, ostensibly paused until the end of the fall semester, marked a significant twist in the narrative. Families of the victims, in an impassioned statement, underscored the vital importance of the King Road house, both as an evidentiary cornerstone and an emotionally charged space. Despite these impassioned pleas, the university has opted to resume the demolition, reigniting the legal debate and amplifying the families' sense of being unheard in the decision-making process. Read Also: North Carolina's Sushi Nine Under Scrutiny: Norovirus Outbreak Affects 241 Customers University of Idaho's Decision Amidst Ongoing Bryan Kohberger's Trial Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, is at the center of the legal maelstrom, facing accusations of breaking into the King Road home and perpetrating the horrendous quadruple homicide. Prosecutors assert that Kohberger's actions resulted in the tragic deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves. The decision to grant access to the crime scene before its impending demolition to Kohberger's defense team introduces a layer of complexity to the legal landscape. Legal experts posit that this move might become a focal point of contention during the trial, potentially prolonging the legal proceedings for an extended period. As the University of Idaho gears up for the demolition on December 28, the community remains on edge, torn between the university's pursuit of communal healing and the families' unwavering call to preserve the crime scene for the pursuit of justice in the Bryan Kohberger trial. The outcome of this contentious decision holds the potential to cast enduring shadows over both the legal proceedings and the emotional well-being of those deeply affected by the tragic quadruple homicide. Related Article: Newport News School Shooting: Deja Taylor's Two-Year Sentence Raises Questions on Gun Safety in Schools At first, it faced relatively few challenges in England. When the Anglican Church split with Rome over Henry VIIIs marital issues (see The Anglican Church, Englands unique Reformation published Oct. 27 on deseretnews.com), it remained relatively Catholic retaining not only priests, bishops, archbishops and cathedrals but choral music and feast days. Consequently, many of our Christmas traditions and much of our Christmas music today is English. On the European continent, though, the survival of Christmas was more precarious. In John Calvins Geneva and Ulrich Zwinglis Zurich, only Sundays were observed as days of worship; the other feast days and saints days ordained by Rome were abolished. And Calvins disciple John Knox, who founded the Presbyterian movement in Scotland, followed the same path (see John Knox and the Scottish Reformation published June 25, 2016, on deseretnews.com). When he launched his series of scripture-centered sermons in Zurichs Grossmunster church in 1519, Zwingli arguably the most radical of the three great Reformers simply began with Matthew and preached through the whole book, ignoring the Catholic liturgical calendar and its festivals and holidays (see The third man of the Reformation, published Oct. 13, deseretnews.com). Calvins approach was slightly more moderate (see The Protestant Reformations other great writer published Sept. 15, 2017, on deseretnews.com). In a sermon delivered on Christmas Day 1551, Calvin noticed more people than usual in his congregation, so he warned them that, by elevating Christmas above other days for worship, they risked turning it into an idol. Still, he himself may have observed Christmas privately, at home. In 1647, the English Parliament, dominated by Puritans, went beyond Calvin and altogether banned the festival. William Prynne (d. 1669), for example, taught that all pious Christians should eternally abominate observance of the holiday. According to the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith, The acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture. Similar issues played out in America. While, for example, Christmas was celebrated in colonies where Anglicanism was the established church, the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony banned any outdoor celebration of Christmas in early 1620s Massachusetts. Violators in some cases, even those caught observing the holiday in secret could be heavily fined. While the Swiss Reformers Zwingli and Calvin insisted that Christians should worship God only in ways mentioned in the Bible which says nothing of Christmas Martin Luther held to the more expansive view that Christians are permitted to worship God in any way that the Bible doesnt expressly forbid. And Luther loved Christmas, advocating feasts, gift-giving and special church services. He wrote Christmas carols and delivered dozens of Christmas-related sermons. It may be significant that, while Luthers Protestant Germany and the largely Catholic Bavaria and Austria have greatly enriched our Christmas musical tradition, few if any famous Christmas carols come from Switzerland, which is directly adjacent to them. In fact, Messiah, written in just 24 days by the devoutly Lutheran 18th-century German composer George Frederick Handel, can be viewed as an expression of Luthers musical legacy. A former Catholic monk, Luther married the former nun Katharina von Bora in June 1525 and, with Katie, established a happy marriage that became a model for subsequent Protestant homes and families. Effectively, together, they invented the Protestant parsonage. Sixteenth-century German Protestants seem to have begun the tradition of erecting decorated Christmas trees in their homes, and some claim that Luther himself originated the idea of placing lights candles, in his day on the tree. (Queen Victorias German-born consort, Prince Albert, helped to make Christmas trees popular in England when he put one up in Windsor Castle.) One- or two-day winter markets, where farmers sold their produce, had long been traditional in Germanic Europe. After the Reformation, however, the Christkindlmarkt (Little Christ Child Market) became a holiday bazaar lasting throughout Advent. Perhaps originating in Bavaria, these German Christmas markets featured choirs, food, toys, carvings and other gifts for the birth of the Christ Child. For many today, Christmas has become a largely secular holiday, with little or no connection to Jesus. In part, ironically, this may derive from the objections of some very devout Christians, whose compromise solution to the problem of Christmas allowed them to celebrate it while downplaying its religious significance. The Latin Patriarchate which oversees the Catholic Churches in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus, which includes Holy Family Church in Gaza City, issued the following statement today, after the Israeli Army shot with a sniper and murdered two women within the parish church compound. Around noon today, December 16th, 2023, a sniper of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, where the majority of Christian families have taken refuge since the start of the war. Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sisters Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Seven more people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others inside the church compound. No warning was given, no notification was provided. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents. Earlier in the morning, a rocket fired from an IDF tank targeted the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa (Missionaries of Charity). The Convent is home to over 54 disabled persons and is part of the church compound, which was signaled as a place of worship since the beginning of the war. The buildings generator and the fuel resources were destroyed. The house was damaged by the resulting explosion and massive fire. Two more rockets, fired by an IDF tank, targeted the same Convent and rendered the home uninhabitable. The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive. In addition, as a result of the heavy bombing in the area, three people were wounded inside the church compound last night. Furthermore, solar panels and water tanks, which are indispensable for the survival of the community, were destroyed. Together in prayer with the whole Christian community, we express our closeness and condolences to the families affected by this senseless tragedy. At the same time, we cannot but express that we are at a loss to comprehend how such an attack could be carried out, even more so as the whole Church prepares for Christmas. I stand by the words I posted a few weeks ago, when the conflict in Gaza began: Civilians die in every conflict, yet in todays modern world, there is a greater awareness that countries at war must do everything within their ability to avoid the targeting of civilians. Countries have a right to defend themselves, but do not have the right to kill civilians indiscriminately. Otherwise, we are no better than the Crusaders who fought against the Albigensians in Southern France in the thirteenth century, who massacred all and justified their actions saying, God will know his own. Does a horrendous act of terrorism justify another act of terrorism? Can a wrong be made right with another wrong? It is impossible to remain indifferent to the suffering of millions of civilians whose lives are at stake? Do their lives have less value than the lives of others? Does their pain and suffering not cry up to heaven? As war continues in Israel and Gaza, these are the thoughts that run through my mind. The end goal does not justify the means by which one achieves it. I pray for all the civilians caught up in the middle of this war the kidnapped, the dead, the ones who have lost family members and their material possessions. I pray that those in authority will find a path of harmony and mutual respect. May they recognize the right for the other to exist, to live and to thrive. Pictures taken from the Facebook Page of Holy Family, Gazo The leading financial services provider, Bayport Savings and Loans Plc, concluded activities marking its 20th anniversary with a dinner and awards ceremony to celebrate customers and partners and to reward some long-serving staff. The colorful ceremony took place over the weekend in Accra. The event also served as an occasion to reflect on the company's legacy of delivering seamless payroll lending services to government workers and offering comprehensive savings and investment solutions nationwide. Chief Executive Officer of Bayport Savings and Loans, Mr. Akwasi Aboagye, in a brief address to shareholders and partners, indicated that the sustained growth of the company has been achieved on the back of strong corporate values that focus on transparency, integrity, customer service, risk management and ethics throughout its evolution and digital transition. CEO of Bayport Financial Services, Africa, Ms. Nothando Ndebele, also in her brief remarks, applauded the leadership, staff and partners of the company for steering the growth of the business in a rather uncertain financial environment. A founding member of the company, Mr. Kwame Pianim shared his excitement and optimism about the continual growth of the company over the past two decades, saying it's very refreshing and rewarding when you are part of something that succeeds. I wish you 20 more years of success. Bayport marked its 20th-anniversary celebrations with several community impact activities including financial literacy workshops in selected Senior High Schools across the country. The company also donated 200 dual desks to the Bolgatanga Model Preparatory Primary School in the Upper East Region and Nsein Methodist Primary School in the Western Region as part of efforts to promote conducive learning in both schools. The staff of the company also embarked on voluntary humanitarian initiatives to support underprivileged children of the Haven of Hope Foundation at Medie, Nsawam, and the Nectar Foundation at Krobo Odumase, all in the Eastern Region. They donated 30 laptops and essential supplies to both institutions, while Joshua Doku Korley, a student of the Nectar Foundation, receiving a full Bayport scholarship covering his four-year tertiary education in technology. Some long-serving staff who have worked for the company for between 15 to 20 years respectively were duly recognized and rewarded for their commitment and contributions to the growth of the business over the past two decades. Bayport's mission is to facilitate the dreams of ordinary Ghanaians and it has grown significantly since its foundation in 2003. The company serves over 180,000 customers across the country, providing funds for various life needs such as education and healthcare. The company is highlighted as Ghana's leading government employee payroll lender with over a 20 percent market share. Source: 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 NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least nine persons died and several others were injured in a solar factory blast in India's southwestern state of Maharashtra on Sunday, confirmed a local cop to Xinhua over phone. "This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company. More details awaited," media reports quoted Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harsh Poddar as saying. The injured were admitted to a local hospital. According to a report by India Today, the company where the blast happened dealt with the supplies of explosives and other defense equipment for the country's defense department. Ghana Police Service has launched investigations to establish the circumstances under which a missing fisheries observer died after disappearing on Tuna Vessel. Corpse of the Ghanaian, Samuel Abayitey was discovered almost a month after his disappearance aboard the tuna vessel Marine 707 dock at the Tema Harbour. Report indicates that the decapitated body of Samuel Abayitey was washed ashore headless on Saturday, December 9 as circumstances under which he died remain scanty. A brother of the deceased, Emmanuel Eugene Dorpumor narrated to Citi News that We received information last month that they woke up around 1am and they were looking for him inside the ship but they couldnt find him. His colleagues said they were chatting with him in the evening and that they were with him inside the ship but they couldnt find him when they woke up around 1am. They said they searched everywhere on the ship but they couldnt find him. Last Saturday, we went to the seashore in the evening and found him dead. We were able to identify the body and so the police from Tema came for the body and so the body is now with the police. His head was not there when we found him but since he is our brother, we knew he was the one. The family are therefore appealing to the Ghana Police Service to thoroughly investigate the death to unravel how their beloved one died. When the thing happened, they arrested some of the workers but they have been released and gone back to the sea and so as a family, we need lawyers to come in to help because it is a serious thing for us because we all know how to swim because we are from a coastal area and so his death is very serious to us. 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 The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat are getting ready to host African Heads of State, top business leaders, heads of international development institutions and DFIs, social change-makers and other Pan-African thought leaders at the next Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) in Ghana from 25-27 January 2024. The theme for APD 2024 is: Delivering Prosperity in Africa Produce, Add Value, Trade. Ahead of this high-profile conference in Ghana, the APN secretariat, in collaboration with the AfCFTA, is organising a media webinar on Tuesday, 19 December 2023, to help unpack and discuss issues that are pertinent to the realisation of the AfCFTAs single-market focus collective ownership by the people of Africa. Themed: What Do You Know About the AfCFTA and Why Should the Media Care?, the discussion will examine the medias role in mobilising mass engagement and participation with the AfCFTA and the opportunities opened up by it, especially as it is of immense benefit for the growth of SMEs in Africa and also Global Africa (the sixth region of Africa). Tuesdays webinar, which takes place from 14:00 hours to 15:20 hours GMT, will feature some of Africas media heavyweights, including Ferial Haffajee, Charles Onyango-Obbo, Andrew Mwendaand Samuel Attah-Mensah. This high-powered webinar will discuss ways of internalizing and normalizing the unfolding reality of facilitating the free movement of people, goods and services among Africas 1.4 billion people. It is also to prompt both AfCFTA actors and influential media players to do more to persuade people across Africa about the formidable prosperity potential of intra-African trade. A major question that will emerge will be: What can the AfCFTA and AfCFTA member states do to support the media to build public education about the new, open Africa, and how seriously do African journalists themselves take the task of spreading the message? The AfCFTA, APNs principal partner, has been at the forefront of Africas new trade paradigm and brought a new lease of life to the continents efforts of building the worlds largest single market. But the lingering question of how to realise the single market through actionable and bankable policy positions has been brought to the fore. In an attempt to garner the needed actions that will engender prosperity across the continent, APD 2024, which will be hosted by Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana, next January, proposes a theme and a set of thematic areas that speak to Africas transformation through the prioritization of value addition economies across the continent. The media webinar is essentially to get participants to explore and strategise on information-disseminating services and how the media can engage and inform people across the African continent, as well as global audiences, to participate actively in the AfCFTA and capitalise on the opportunities that it presents. The webinar will feature panellists with deep knowledge of Africas trade ecosystem as well as an appreciation of the theme for APD 2024, including Toma Imirhe, Tsotetsi Makong, Edith Dankwa and Njack Kane. The other high-profile speakers include Nana Aba Anamoah, Kojo Mensah and George Jahraa. Among invited guests are Elizabeth Ohene, Onyekachi Wambu, Grace Khoza, Petina Gappah, Audrey Gadzekpo, Chike Frankie Edozien, Joel Kibazo, Liz Gomis and Dele Momodu. Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) is organised by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) in collaboration with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat. Next Januarys dialogues will be hosted by the President of Ghana, who has invited several of his fellow African Heads of State, as well as the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, President Irfaan Ali. The APD 2024 retreat will take place from 25-27 January 2024 at Peduase Presidential Lodge, Aburi Hills, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. There will be a presidential dinner gala and the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards ceremony on the night of 26 January at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra. 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 The National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), Salam Mustapha has disclosed that the NPP government has provided over two million jobs for the youth of the country. According to him, this makes the NPP the best choice for the country's growing youth. Speaking in an interview, he explained that the New Patriotic Party does not only take care of its youth but also provide opportunities for all Ghanaians. "The NPP government per my records has currently created over 2 million jobs and a host of other opportunities created by some state institutions like the National Youth Authority, Youth Employment Agency and NEIP. This will, however, play a significant role in the partys success story in 2024." Despite growing concerns of the high unemployment rate in the country, he noted that the Ghanaian youth are better off under the NPP than under the NDC government. While acknowledging that prioritizing young candidates wasn't a formal strategy, he praised the quality and dedication of young members, adding that their electoral success reflects the party's appreciation for their service. He has thus urged Ghanaians and the youth especially to remain steadfast with the party as government in 2024 will continue to work towards proving better opportunities for them. He also has assured card bearing members of the NPP of plans being put in place to ensure access to some of these opportunities. We are ready to work with the Ghanaian youth especially NPP members to ensure 2024 election victory, he added Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] 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 Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, Dennis Miracles Aboagye and Atik Mohammed, a former PNC General Secretary, on Thursday locked horns while discussing the lithium mining lease granted to Barari DV Ltd. The two panel members on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show picked on each other while sharing their opposing views on the lithium deal which has aroused controversies. With Atik objecting to the deal, Dennis Miracles believed the former and his kind of critics are overemphasizing their positions on the deal. Atik Mohammed argued that the deal is not protected by any law and questioned the negotiation skills of the sector Minister saying we cannot rely on the negotiation skills of a Minister to determine how much carried interest we should have in lithium. This (lithium) is the future. It is going to replace oil, so we cant be relying on his negotiation skills. Atik intimated that he is sending a petition to Parliament to challenge the deal. On the part of Dennis Miracles, Atik and his likes have no better job to do, hence wasting their energies on criticizing this lithium agreement. Sometimes, people need to get busy. Its okay, Dennis said, adding a lot of the people making the commentary are jumping the gun. They are making a lot of assumptions. A lot of the points they are making are not rounded on any facts. Following Dennis submissions, Atik took a turn to clarify his points and this is where matters intensified. The studios got heated up with back and forth arguments between the two when Atik Mohammed said the government is behaving like they are interested in protecting the investors rather than the interest of Ghanaians. His comment didnt sink down well with Dennis Miracles who responded no, no, you cant say that. No, I cant let him finish, he insisted when the host of the show, Kwami Sefa Kayi intervened. This reply from Dennis provoked a reaction from Atik who exclaimed who are you? Who are you to tell me you cant let me finish?, he further hollered. 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 Story by Carter Walker of Votebeat This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Help us answer your questions about voting where you live by filling out our survey. HARRISBURG The state has canceled a planned upgrade to Pennsylvanias system for managing voter rolls, leaving officials stuck for the foreseeable future with a process and technology they say is outdated and inefficient. The contract cancellation will not affect the coming presidential election the Department of State already decided to keep the older system in place for 2024. But election administrators said theyre frustrated to hear theyll have to continue to use the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors, known as SURE, which has caused problems in the past. Pennsylvanias two-decades-old voter roll system is the crucial tool election officials use to add, remove, or update the status of every voter in the state. County election offices constantly use the system to check voter registrations, track mail ballots, and generate the poll books used every Election Day to check in voters at precincts. Election administrators describe the system as outdated, complaining of frequent outages and malfunctions that cause delays in their voter roll management and preparations for elections. It often freezes or abruptly shuts down, particularly during high-traffic times like federal elections, which see significant bumps in turnout. The system is 20 years old, so if computer years are dog years, its like 100 years old, Mercer County Elections Director Thad Hall said. We had a day before the 2022 election where the system was down for 24 hours while people were trying to [generate] poll books. So the system is very unstable. But earlier this month, state Deputy Secretary for Elections and Commissions Jonathan Marks sent an email to county officials saying the election technology company KNOWiNK and the state department had mutually agreed to cancel the contract for an updated system. The contract had been signed in 2020 under the commonwealths previous administration. In the email, which was obtained by Votebeat and Spotlight PA, Marks wrote that the cancellation came after Al Schmidt became Secretary of the Commonwealth earlier this year and took a hard look at the progress of the SUREVote System project. Unfortunately, the department has concluded that the vendor will not meet those timelines and contractual standards, Marks added. Department officials did not comment on the exact reason why the contract was terminated, but during a state Senate hearing Tuesday, Schmidt said it became apparent in January that the department and KNOWiNK were struggling to work together on the project. It became clear, despite several efforts to get things back on track, despite our putting a series of sort of mini-deadlines in place to make sure progress was being made at least incrementally, that the vendor was not going to be able to fulfill those requirements, Schmidt said. An outdated and expensive system The SURE system came online in 2003, a year after Congress passed the Help America Vote Act, which required states to create centralized voter registries. Prior to that, voter rolls were often created and maintained on a county-by-county basis. Over the past two decades, as technology has improved, Pennsylvanias system has become obsolete. As Lehigh County Election Director Tim Benyo told the Brennan Center for Justice in 2019, the system is really outdated, and it has gotten Band-Aid after Band-Aid and requires a lot of money to keep it working properly. On top of that, the states 2019 no-excuse mail voting law substantially altered what data election directors needed to track, and the SURE system wasnt set up for that. For example, Hall said, SURE does not effectively communicate with the database of voters requesting mail ballots. That means that if a mail ballot voter changes their address or party affiliation in the SURE system between the primary and general election, it doesnt automatically transfer over to the mail ballot request database. Rather, election officials must manually check that the same information in the mail ballot requestor list to ensure it is correct, and if it isnt, they have to update it manually. SURE also doesnt allow officials to customize emails that are sent out to voters. For example, if a voter sends in a duplicate mail ballot application, the system can only say the application was rejected and not that it was duplicative. In late 2019, the department sought bids to replace the system, and in December 2020 it signed a $10.7 million contract with South Dakota-based elections software company BPro Inc. BPro was later acquired by KNOWiNK, a Missouri-based election software and technology company. The project was initially scheduled to wrap up by early 2023 so that the new system would be in place for the 2024 presidential election. But it became increasingly apparent to local election officials that would not happen, and this past summer, the Department of State told them the new system would not be rolled out until at least 2025. A spokesperson for the department said KNOWiNK has agreed to return all money paid to it since the beginning of the Shapiro administration, a total of $720,400. The state also paid BPro and KNOWiNK more than $1.8 million prior to that, according to the state Treasury, and the Department of State did not mention any agreement to return those funds. It remains unclear what counties will do with equipment they purchased in anticipation of the new system and if that equipment will be compatible with whatever comes next. Many, like Columbia County, used federal grant dollars to purchase laptops and two-factor authentication keys that officials expected to need for accessing the new system. I wouldnt have gotten those if I knew we werent going to go with [the new system], Columbia County Elections Director Matthew Repasky said, adding that he spent roughly $7,500. Marks said in his email to counties that purchases made using federal funds will not go to waste and that whatever new system comes next will be designed with the original goals of this project in mind. A spokesperson for the department said they expect a new request for proposals to go out in April, and Schmidt said he hopes a new vendor will be selected by summer 2024. Because the SURE system is not connected to the internet, each county must have computer terminals provided by the department that connect the county directly to the states server. The department is currently replacing those SURE terminals and said roughly a quarter of counties had already received the new ones. Hall, of Mercer County, noted that while the new terminals will make connecting to the system quicker, it will not fix underlying issues, likening it to putting new mirrors and a steering wheel on a car with an engine from the 1960s. Flaws would have hobbled new system County election officials got a preview of the system KNOWiNK was developing early this year, and election officials who spoke with Votebeat and Spotlight PA around the time of the demonstrations said the previewed system was unworkable and wasnt taking into account some of the intricacies of Pennsylvania law, though it was still being developed. The new system couldnt pull reports showing which voters had received mailings notifying them of potential removal from the rolls, which would make tracking these legally required mailings difficult. Hall said one of the underlying problems with the effort, and one that will also complicate future projects, lies with Pennsylvanias archaic voter registration law. The law was written at a time when a physical paper record had to be transferred from one county to another whenever a voter moved, which required more back-and-forth between election offices. For instance, if a voter moved to Mercer from Venango County in the 1990s, Hall would have to call Venango and ask for the persons details to be released and mailed to him so he could combine it with the Mercer County application information and register the voter there a cumbersome process which could take up to 10 days. This process made sense when counties each had their own registration system, but is obsolete now that there is a statewide, digital voter registration system. In the digital era, counties have almost entirely moved away from these paper records, so now Hall could theoretically just pull the voter from Venangos roll to Mercers roll directly via SURE. But the law hasnt changed, so hes still required to request a release from Venango as if there were a paper record that needed to be mailed. This can cause delays during times when many voters are updating records, such as before an election, or if election officials are not checking their systems for release requests. Other states, like Florida, do these transfers instantly, Hall said. Everyone has known about this and no one has tried to fix it, he said. Even going forward they will still have problems because they will have to work in this craziness. Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz, who is vice chair of the legislatures Election Law Advisory Board, said that beginning sometime in 2022, the State Department began to slow its timeline for implementing the new system. Kantz said that while he doesnt know specifically what the cause of the breakdown was, he credits the department for not pushing out a flawed system and was pleased to hear the state is investing in SURE, which he thinks will help. Counties, he said, are always left coping with the challenges they cant control. At the end of the day ... were going to do what we have to do to run an election and well figure it out, he said. But its really really important that we have a system that works. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. By Holly Ramer and Bill Barrow, The Associated Press DURHAM, N.H. Donald Trump wants New Hampshire to help him pocket the Republican presidential nomination before any rivals find their footing with the 2024 campaigns opening contest just weeks away. His appearance Saturday in Durham was part of a swing taking the former president through early nominating states as he cites his wide polling lead over a dwindling field of GOP hopefuls. They are trying to block his political comeback as Trump navigates multiple indictments and looks ahead to a potential rematch with President Joe Biden, the Democrat he lost to in 2020. We are going to win the New Hampshire primary, then we are going to crush crooked Joe Biden next November, Trump said, reminding supporters that he ensured their state would continue to host the nations first primary after Iowas kickoff caucuses. New Hampshire is going to weed out the insincere RINOs Republicans in name only, Trump said, referring to rivals Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor who was endorsed by Trump in 2018, and Nikki Haley, Trumps former U.N. ambassador. Trump warned that his allies-turned-opponents will betray you just like they betrayed me. The New Hampshire primary is Jan. 23, eight days after Iowa begins the nominating process on Jan. 15. Nevada and South Carolina come next in the early stages, before Super Tuesday on March 5, when the highest cumulative number of delegates are up for grabs on any single day on the election calendar. The Trump campaign sees a path for him to secure the nomination before the Super Tuesday polls open. Whats really important from our standpoint is being able to win the early states, senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita told Right Side Broadcasting minutes before Trump stepped on stage. Winning Iowa, winning New Hampshire, winning Nevada, winning South Carolina its over. Thats our goal. Trump, who has pledged to immediately stop the invasion of our southern border and wants to reimpose his first-term travel ban that originally targeted seven Muslim-majority countries, used harsh rhetoric in saying we got a lot of work to do about the rising number of migrants entering the United States. Theyre poisoning the blood of our country, he said once more on the campaign trail, echoing Adolf Hitlers language in his own political manifesto. One of Trumps most prominent critics in the 2024 race, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday that Trump was dog-whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy and from the conflicts around the world. And hes dog-whistling to blame it on people from areas that dont look like us. The focus on immigration comes as the Biden administration and Congress are trying to negotiate a border security deal demanded by Republicans as part of the presidents request for wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel. Biden has been criticized about the record numbers of migrants at the border and is trying address a political weakness before a potential rematch with Trump. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Durham, N.H. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha)AP Before the rally, Trumps campaign announced an endorsement from former state Senate President Chuck Morse, who is now running for governor. Morse, who ran for U.S. Senate last year but lost the primary to a candidate more closely aligned with Trump, told the crowd its time for Republicans to rally around a candidate who can not only win but get the job done for our country. Hes done it once, and hell do it again, Morse said. Gov. Chris Sununu on Tuesday endorsed Haley, who is battling DeSantis to become a plausible alternative to Trump. Sununu, a frequent Trump critic who passed on the 2024 White House race, has argued that Republicans with no path to victory must have the courage to get out of their partys primary in order to stop Trump. Trump called Sununu a selfish spoiled brat who passed up a chance to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2022, then indulged his presidential aspirations but found no traction. A New Hampshire poll conducted in November by CNN and the University of New Hampshire found that Haley was in second place, well behind Trump, but slightly ahead of fellow candidates DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Trump has won New Hampshires GOP primary twice but lost the state in both of his general elections. He is confident enough in his domination of the Republican Party that he spent more time Saturday angling against Biden. Under the Trump administration, you were better off, your family was better off, your neighbors were better off, your communities were better off, and our country was better off. America was stronger, richer, safer, and more confident than ever when you had me behind that desk in the Oval Office, Trump said. DeSantis, meanwhile, didnt shy away from mentioning Trump during stops in Iowa Saturday, criticizing him for not finishing the southern border wall and adding trillions of dollars to the national debt. FILE - An audience member listens to Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speak during a meet and greet, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Creston, Iowa. Former President Donald Trump was the first choice of 51% of likely Iowa caucus participants in a Des Moines Register-NBC News-Mediacom Iowa Poll published Monday, Dec. 11. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has vowed that he will win Iowa, had the support of 19%. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)AP Trumps argument in New Hampshire resonated with voters like Brandon Sevey, 25, who was attending his first Trump event from nearby Dover. Sevey said he has worked a variety of retail and fast-food jobs and found it easier to find work when Trump was president. Plus, he likes Trumps brashness. Hes loud and obnoxious and annoys people, Sevey said. But thats what I like about him. Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Johnston, Iowa, contributed to this report. By Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Maddy, The Associated Press DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israels government faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who waved a white flag, added to mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza. The protesters urge the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gazas Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy. Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week, as Washington has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties even while providing vital military and diplomatic support. The air and ground war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population have fled their homes. They are surviving off a trickle of humanitarian aid. Israel said that starting Sunday, U.N. aid trucks would be able to enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom. In a sign of desperation, dozens of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing aboard, pulling boxes down and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which triggered the war with its Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Netanyahu vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Israeli media reported that David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad spy agency, met over the weekend with Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss renewed talks. Gaza meanwhile remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day, the longest of several outages during the war. Aid groups say they complicate rescue efforts and make it even more difficult to monitor the toll on civilians. CALLS FOR A NEW CEASE-FIRE In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward the beginning of a political solution. Frances Foreign Ministry earlier said one of its employees was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah on Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said had killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the U.K. and Germany, meanwhile, called for a sustainable cease-fire, saying too many civilians have been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the U.K.s Sunday Times. The U.S. defense secretary is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Israeli and U.S. officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril, said Raz Ben-Ami, a hostage released in the last exchange. Israel must offer another hostage-release deal. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. SHOOTINGS DRAW SCRUTINY Military officials said Saturday that the three hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops had tried to signal that they posed no harm. It was Israels first such acknowledgement of harming hostages in a war that it says is largely aimed at rescuing them. The three hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. An Israeli military official said the shootings were against the armys rules of engagement and were being investigated at the highest level. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and accuses Hamas of using them as human shields. But Palestinians and rights groups have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of recklessly endangering civilians and firing on those who do not threaten them, both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the start of the war. Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace, saying unarmed civilians are being bombed and shot at, and this has even happened inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists but families, children and sick people with disabilities, nuns. He spoke after the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two Christian women at a church compound in Gaza were killed by Israeli sniper fire. At least five Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid in a built-up refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Sunday. In Gaza, Palestinians on several occasions have said Israeli soldiers opened fire at fleeing civilians. Hamas has claimed other hostages were killed by Israeli fire or airstrikes, without presenting evidence. A Palestinian boy wounded in Israeli airstrikes on a U.N.-run school receives treatment at the Nasser hospital in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman)AP The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Thursday. It has not been able to update the toll since then because of the communications blackout, and has said for weeks that thousands more casualties are buried under the rubble. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but throughout the war has said that most of those killed were women and children. The plight of Palestinian civilians has gotten little attention inside Israel, where many are still deeply traumatized by the Oct. 7 attack and where support for the war remains strong. Israels military says 121 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza offensive. It says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence. Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By Megan Tomasic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) John K. Amanchukwu Sr. stood at the podium set up between dozens of people protesting books at an October Pine-Richland School Board meeting. He read a portion of the book All Boys Arent Blue from his phone. One woman covered her mouth with her hand while others shook their heads at the passages being read. The North Carolina pastor called the book which chronicles author George M. Johnsons journey growing up as a queer Black man pornographic and suggested Mr. Johnson has an agenda. Other speakers said they were shocked to learn about the content in some of the districts library books, adding that the excerpts from All Boys Arent Blue made them feel uncomfortable. Speakers said books they deemed to be sexually explicit and obscene should be pulled from the library. But despite the anger and frustration expressed that night, All Boys Arent Blue was never checked out of the high school library by students during the past five years, the information yielded from a Right-to-Know request submitted by the Post-Gazette found. The request was part of a thorough check on local school libraries that are at the center of culture wars as heated debates over available books continue to infiltrate school board meetings across the country. The novel, available to Pine-Richland students only as an audiobook, is one of dozens of books being challenged at districts across the region despite students seemingly not reading them from school libraries, according to the Right-to-Know requests. Instead, controversy around the books is taking place among parents and community members, leading to tense school board meetings and causing some districts to reexamine library policies, in many cases making it easier to ban books. School libraries, theyre really valuable, they are, but theyre also not the central place that students are learning information about the world, Gayle Rogers, chair of the University of Pittsburghs English department, said. School library versus TikTok, you tell me which one is more in the hands of students and providing them information about everything from geopolitics to race and gender and sexuality to health and medicine to celebrities. At Pine- Richland in Allegheny County around a dozen books in the high school and middle school are currently being challenged. Of those, three have not been checked out by students in the past five years including Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin, Push by Sapphire and All Boys Arent Blue, the Right-to-Know request found. Others have been read a handful of times, the most popular being Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman, a LGBTQ+ graphic novel for young adults that was checked out 16 times in two school years. Students at Blackhawk School District in Beaver County, which educates 2,327 children, have rarely read the 12 books being challenged, with five of them having never been checked out in the past five years including 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, America: A Novel and Dime by E.R. Frank, Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez and Sold by Patricia McCormick. The most read of the challenged books was The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, which was checked out 12 times in five years, according to district data. As of this week, all 12 books were listed as restricted on the districts library website, meaning that students can only check them out if they are 18 or have parent permission. The novels, moved after the school board in October amended the districts library policy, are expected to be put back in circulation after school directors this week reverted the policy back to its previous format. The challenges came as both districts saw swarms of residents calling the books sexually explicit or obscene, making them inappropriate for students. But the problem, Mr. Rogers said, is that book challenges seen across the country largely echo political debates. For example, Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 led to deeper discussions about race and how people of color are treated in the country. And in recent years there has also been wider acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Today, the vast majority of challenged books across the country were written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the American Library Association found. These are largely socio, cultural and political issues that theyre looking for examples of in libraries, Mr. Rogers said. We did not see mass waves and stories of kids coming home from school with books that parents then saw and said Oh my God this is pornographic or whatever. It was definitely the former of parents taking issues and applying them. That has led to an unprecedented number of book challenges across the country. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, there were 695 attempts to censor library materials along with challenges to 1,915 unique titles, according to the ALA. Thats a 20% increase from the same period last year, which saw the highest number of book challenges since ALA began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. Florida enacted strict policies regarding school library books causing 300 books to be removed from library shelves last year, NBC News reported. The removal of books began after more than 1,200 objections were raised by parents of public school students or Florida residents. In Texas, books purchased by school districts have been put into storage after a new state law passed this year requires booksellers to rate public school library books based on their depictions of or references to sex, The Texas Tribune reported. Locally, Hempfield Area School District in Westmoreland County changed its library book policy in August to allow for more public input. School librarians must now submit a public list of requested books for a 30-day review, allowing residents to raise concerns about any of the books the district plans to purchase. The Post-Gazette sent a Right-to-Know request to the district, but it was denied because the district said it does not have data on how many times books are checked out of district libraries. Culture wars Dozens of people filtered into the Blackhawk High School library one October night, many wearing shirts supporting a slate of candidates who opposed proposed policy changes that would make it easier to challenge books. Several speakers echoed those opinions, calling for books to remain available to students. But others wanted the books removed. One man read an excerpt from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews checked out once in the past five years, according to the Right-to-Know request stressing that the dialogue written in the book is not a way he wants any boys talking to my girls. During the meeting, school directors made controversial changes to their library book policy, amending it to allow students and parents to challenge library books that do not align with their values or fundamental religious beliefs, the policy reads. It also specified the process for how books will be reviewed, with a final determination on if a novel can remain in the school library made by the school board. And it stated that challenged books would be taken out of circulation during the reconsideration process. These changes came after former school director Gwen Deluca challenged 12 books in the middle and high school libraries she said have very explicit and harmful content that do not belong in an educational institution. It doesnt matter how many times they have been checked out, they shouldnt be there, Ms. Deluca said last week. Theyre on the shelves for students to have access to them during school even if theyre not checked out if theyre in the library. So being checked out doesnt necessarily mean that theyre not available to students. Teachers often check out shelves of books brought into the classroom for projects so whos to say the students havent been reading them or havent had access to them. Thats not necessarily the best way to know. It doesnt matter how many times they have been checked out, they shouldnt be there. The policy changes were met with pushback. The slate of five candidates who all won seats on the board reversed the library policy this week back to its previous version. Now parents and guardians in the district can submit a request for the district to reconsider certain books. That would initiate a process that can move up to the superintendent and school board, which could assign an ad hoc committee to review the material. During that time, challenged books can still be accessed by students and staff. The decision to roll back the policy received mixed reactions from the community. But student representative Andrew Woods applauded the changes during the Thursday board meeting. The library policies ... were in my eyes unnecessary and harmful to student learning, he said. Adam Van Zalinge, a newly elected school director, said in an interview with the Post-Gazette last week that his goal as a board member is to represent the students. They have the First Amendment right just like anyone else but they dont have as much say at their age to protect their own First Amendment rights, Mr. Van Zalinge said. So in my opinion its my duty to do what I can to ensure their First Amendment rights while respecting the 14th Amendment rights of parents. Matt Shope, who also won a seat on the board last month, added, these kids are smarter than people think and that they will get exposed to all of these things once they leave the district. Having to pretend like were sheltering them from some material when these kids are in high school is crazy, Mr. Shope said. At Pine- Richland, the October meeting that drew around 50 people ended with school directors indicating they would reexamine their library book policy. In the meantime they planned to create a system to notify parents if their child checks out a book going through the review process. The proposed changes were ultimately tabled during a November meeting until new board members were seated. It was not immediately clear if the new board, who holds a conservative majority, will revisit the idea. The district recently created a committee to review the challenged books as per its current policy. But like Blackhawk, the proposed changes at Pine- Richland led to community pushback and drew Mr. Amanchukwu, the North Carolina pastor who claimed to be a residents roommate. Mr. Amanchukwu, who did not return requests for comment, attends school board meetings across the country to fight against what he says is indoctrination in the education system and to highlight that children are being corrupted and perverted in school, he said in a recent podcast. Having to pretend like were sheltering them from some material when these kids are in high school is crazy. But by November another group of residents attended the school board meeting, calling on directors to keep the policy as it is and to not remove any books. We need to remove the illusion that the debate here is about appropriateness, Cameron Lwin, a 2013 Pine-Richland graduate who works for the New York City Department of Education, told the Post-Gazette last month. I think the conversation that we need to have when were talking about books needs to come from an academic point. When you look at the books theyre choosing to ban you cant tell me those are the only 13 books that mention sex ... or explicit content. The notion that they glorify it or ... are related to porn is just plainly false. Pine resident Allison Bashe, whose daughter graduated from Pine- Richland last year, said she wasnt surprised to learn that challenged books are not often checked out by students. The fact that they probably arent checked out I think again supports the argument that this is really not about protecting children but more about fear and imposing a select minority valued viewpoint on the whole community, Ms. Bashe said. I think the right to access information is really important. And those resources are essential for marginalized members of the community who have higher rates of mental health issues, said Ms. Bashe, who is a psychologist. Her daughter, Rachel Bashe, who is attending George Washington University in Washington D.C., added that high school when students learn about themselves in the world. Part of a high school experience should be the ability to walk into your library, check out a book that will help you learn more about who your true self really is, check out a book that will allow you to understand the experiences of your friends who have a different identity than yourself, she said. Removing these books just goes against what a high school experience should be of education, of broadening perspectives, and I think that its very dangerous. (c)2023 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Jonathan D. Silver, The Tribune-Review (Greensburg) The 911 call Friday from a Springdale home was chilling: A woman named Judy said her husband had just shot her in the stomach and then shot himself under the chin, according to court records. My husband just shot me, Judy said. Hes in the basement, she continued, according to police, who listened to the recorded conversation. I think he killed himself. After a few more questions, she said she couldnt talk anymore. It was 5:10 p.m., shortly after sunset. Police raced to the three-bedroom house on Thompson Run Road, where they found the couple grievously wounded. Judy Judith Mishler, 58 drifted in and out of consciousness, suffering from a gut shot. Her husband, Scott A. Mishler, 65, lay unresponsive in the basement, shot in the face. A revolver lay at his feet, police said. Both were taken to hospitals where each underwent surgery. Allegheny County police charged Scott Mishler with attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Now detectives are trying to unravel what exactly happened and why. Police scouring the house for evidence found 11 spent cartridge casings on the living room floor above the basement. They also turned up four handguns and a gallon of Captain Morgan rum in the basement. A blood trail led from the basement and up the steps to the kitchen, according to the criminal complaint against Mishler. Investigators counted 11 bullet holes in various parts of the house in the kitchen cabinets, the basement steps and the dishwasher. They dug a slug from the appliance. The complaint did not indicate a potential motive for the shooting. Neither of the Mishlers were able to speak to detectives. Mishler had not yet been arraigned by early Saturday afternoon. The Pennsylvania Democratic state committee made statewide endorsements for 2024 on Saturday except in the crowded primary race for attorney general. None of the five candidates vying for the partys nod garnered the required two-thirds of the vote to win the endorsement, leaving the primary race open. Pennsylvanias primary election is on April 23. In the first round of voting, former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale of Pittsburgh received 132 votes followed by Keir Bradford-Grey, a former public defender in Montgomery County and Philadelphia, with 73 votes; former federal prosecutor and Bucks County solicitor Joe Khan with 61 votes; Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer with 50 votes and state Rep. Jared Solomon of Philadelphia with 17 votes. Those results meant Stollsteimer and Solomon were eliminated, and the other three candidates went to a second round of voting, which resulted in DePasquale receiving 164 votes, Khan 75 votes and Bradford-Grey 74 votes. Since the two-thirds threshold was not met by any candidate, no endorsement was given in the race. Otherwise, the process in Harrisburg went about as expected starting with President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey winning endorsements. Im grateful for your support, Casey told the committee, adding that the upcoming campaign against presumptive Republican nominee David McCormick will be 11 long months of fighting against very powerful interests. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia easily won the endorsement in the auditor generals race 307-31 over Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley. Kenyatta is the first openly gay Black man to be endorsed by the committee. Thank you for your overwhelming trust in me, said Kenyatta, who promised to reopen the auditor generals office doing school district audits and establishing a bureau of labor and work protections. State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie County won the endorsement for state treasurer 267-63 over Erin McClelland, a government consultant and former congressional candidate in western Pennsylvania. NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 has been detected in India's southern state of Kerala, the Indian government said. India's health ministry said on Saturday that the case was detected during an ongoing routine surveillance activity by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG). "The case was detected in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive sample from Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on Dec. 8, 2023. The patient had mild symptoms of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and has since recovered from COVID-19," the health ministry said. The ministry said there has been an increasing trend of COVID-19 cases from Kerala over the past few weeks. The increase has been attributed to a surge in number of samples from ILI cases being referred for testing. "A majority of these cases are clinically mild and recovering on their own at their homes without any treatment," the ministry said. As part of a regular exercise of the health ministry, a mock drill at all health facilities in the states is underway to assess their public health and hospital-preparedness measures. Officials said the health ministry was in regular touch with the Kerala health department and monitoring various points of entry. Get ready for the second straight stormy Sunday. A coastal storm is taking shape and will head northeast up the coast, bringing heavy rain and winds across central and eastern Pennsylvania starting Sunday afternoon into Monday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). As much as 2 to 3 inches of rain is forecast, prompting flood watches from as far north as central Maine across Pennsylvania and down to the North Carolina-South Carolina line. The flood watch is in effect from 5 p.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Monday and includes the following areas, Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montour, Northern Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Southern Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Union and York. Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are forecast across the watch area, with locally higher amounts up to 4 inches possible, particularly in elevated terrain with southeast exposure. The heaviest rain is expected to move from south to north across the watch area Sunday through early Monday morning. Rain will decrease in intensity and come to an end through Monday afternoon, the forecast says. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Phase 1 of dynamic storm will be heavy rain and potential short term/small stream flooding across east-central PA. Heaviest rain from south to north later tonight into AM Monday. Solid 2-3" forecast with locally up to 4" in elevated terrain with southeast exposure. #PAwx pic.twitter.com/BceyBs2TNl NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) December 17, 2023 Much like last week, the storm could end as snow across parts of central Pennsylvania in the early hours of Tuesday morning, possibly coating the ground. No accumulation is forecast at this time. A wind advisory is in effect for the coast, with southeast winds 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph expected, according to the NWS. The remainder of the week looks to be sunny with seasonable temperatures, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s to near 30. We have issued a Flood Watch in effect from 5 PM Sunday to 7 PM Monday for eastern PA. Heavy Rain into Monday morning with snow developing across the western mountains/highlands Monday evening. Expect stray flurries in the east Monday night into Tuesday as temperatures drop. pic.twitter.com/FpJ5XDIeSj NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) December 17, 2023 Heres the forecast for Harrisburg and vicinity, per the NWS: Today Areas of drizzle with a chance of rain before 11am, then rain likely with areas of drizzle between 11am and 1pm, then rain after 1pm. Areas of fog between 11am and 1pm. High near 54. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. East wind 7 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible. Monday Rain, mainly before noon. Temperature falling to around 46 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Monday Night A slight chance of rain before midnight, then rain and snow likely between midnight and 4 a.m., then snow likely after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 42. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 45. GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) A late-year storm unleashed heavy rain and gusty winds as it barreled up the East Coast on Sunday, flooding streets and forcing water rescues while causing the cancellation of holiday celebrations. In the waterfront community of Georgetown authorities made dozens of rescues after motorists were stranded by floodwaters, according to Jackie Broach, public information officer for Georgetown County, situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area since late Saturday, causing high waters. Its not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone, Broach said. Its areas that were not really expecting to have flooding issues. Water rescues also took place on Kiawah and Seabrook islands, according to media outlets. There were numerous road closures across South Carolinas Lowcountry as the storm dumped heavy rain. The tide gauge at Charleston swelled to reach the citys highest nontropical tide on record and the fourth-highest tide of all time, media outlets reported. Charleston was soaked by about 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain that tapered off by afternoon. Dozens of roads were closed, while stranded cars littered streets. Its like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December, Broach said in a phone interview. There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, she said. Gusty winds were strong enough to topple some signs and trees. Outdoor holiday decorations were tossed about, she said. Farther up the coast, minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected Sunday, according to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, North Carolina. Local resident Wayne Cox and friend Irma Parrilla, visiting from Orlando, brave gusty winds and drizzling rain to visit Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)AP There were more than 31,000 power outages in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us, along with over 14,000 in North Carolina and more than 11,000 in Florida. The storm dumped up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain across Florida, inundating streets and forcing the cancellation of boat parades and other holiday celebrations. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood warnings and minor flooding advisories for a wide swath of the state, from the southwest Gulf Coast to Jacksonville. Major airports remained open, however, at the start of the busy holiday travel season. Today is not the day to go swimming or boating! Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County, on Floridas southwestern coast, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Coastal advisories were issued for much of Florida as strong winds churned waters in the Gulf and along the north Atlantic coast. The storm could be good news for residents in southwest Florida who have been facing water restrictions and drought conditions heading into what normally is the regions dry season. The storm was expected to gain strength as it tracked along the Georgia and Carolina coasts, producing heavy rain and gusty winds, the weather service said. Rainfall was expected to total 4 to 7 inches (10.2 to 17.8 centimeters), with higher amounts possible in some areas. Wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph (56 kph to 72 kph) could bring down trees, especially where the ground is saturated. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of a possible 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain, powerful winds and potential flooding in parts of the state. Flood watches were in effect in many locations in New York City, and high wind warnings were activated around the city and Long Island. We will get through this storm, but preparation is the key, New York Mayor Eric Adams said. City officials told residents to expect several hours of The weather service also warned of 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with the heaviest expected late Sunday night, and possible urban and small stream flooding and at least minor flooding to some rivers through Monday. We have issued a Flood Watch in effect from 5 PM Sunday to 7 PM Monday for eastern PA. Heavy Rain into Monday morning with snow developing across the western mountains/highlands Monday evening. Expect stray flurries in the east Monday night into Tuesday as temperatures drop. pic.twitter.com/FpJ5XDIeSj NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) December 17, 2023 The rain across the Mid-Atlantic states will taper off from west to east on Monday behind the storm center as wind-swept rain, heavy at times, overspreads the entire Northeast during the day on Monday, according to the NWS. Meanwhile, colder air from central Canada will be pulled southeastward across the Great Lakes on Monday behind the big storm, triggering lake-enhanced snow from west to east across the Great Lakes and toward the Appalachians by later on Monday. Even though the big storm will begin to depart the Northeast Monday evening, the huge circulation of the storm will overspread the entire eastern U.S. with very blustery conditions. Snow showers and lingering lake-effect snow downwind from the lower Great Lakes are expected to gradually wind down as the day progresses on Tuesday, tapering off to flurries by Tuesday evening. Forecasters also warned of strong winds in coastal areas, gale-force winds offshore, and moderate coastal flooding along Delaware Bay and widespread minor coastal flooding elsewhere. The weather service said there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Monday morning, with the potential for flash flooding. Northern New England is expected to get the heaviest rain Monday through Tuesday morning. Bob Givehchi, right, and his son Daniel, 8, Toronto residents visiting Miami for the first time, walk past palm trees blowing in gusty winds, at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Fla., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)AP Heres the forecast through Tuesday jnight for Harrisburg and vicinity, per the NWS: This Afternoon Rain. High near 54. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. East wind 7 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Monday Rain, mainly before noon. Temperature falling to around 45 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Monday Night A slight chance of rain before midnight, then rain and snow likely between midnight and 4am, then snow likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Colleen Dafoe, shown in a handout photo, was at the Halifax airport last December when WestJet told her that her trip was cancelled. The airline suggested rescheduling her and her husband and daughter on a flight more than 10 days later, well after their vacation in the Dominican Republic was slated to end, she said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Colleen Dafoe **MANDATORY CREDIT** Brazilian Pro Pablo Silva Takes the Trophy in 10,200 No-Limit Hold'em (153,900) December 17, 2023 Ben Weiss One of the final events of the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague has wrapped, with Pablo Silva defeating Sweden's Mounir Tajiou heads up to claim the 10,200 NL Hold'em II title. The tournament attracted a total of 46 entries, with only the top six sharing a prize pool of 446,200. "It feels good. It was an amazing tournament - my last one in the series," Silva said following the win. The Brazilian didn't have it all his own way on Day 2 but managed to take it down for only his second tournament win of his poker career. 10,200 No-Limit Hold'em II Final Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Pablo Silva Brazil 153,900 2 Mounir Tajiou Sweden 100,400 3 Sirzat Hissou Germany 69,200 4 Andras Nemeth Hungary 51,300 5 Kazuyuki Tanemura Japan 40,200 6 Thomas Eychenne France 31,200 Player Booted from EPT Prague Main Event for Head-Butting Opponent Day 2 Action Silva's day started promisingly, busting out Jan-Eric Schwippert early on. However, the eventual winner wasn't among the chip leaders at that point in the day. Hungary's Andras Nemeth was the one setting the pace, knocking out several opponents on Day 2, including EPT Champion Steve O'Dwyer. Silva didn't see it all go his way, losing a three-way pot with ace-king a couple of hours into the day. However, he was deeply involved in the hand that burst the money bubble, which could be seen as the turning point in his tournament's trajectory. He scooped a three-way pot with kings to not only knock out Jean-Vincent Lehut, but also take him over two million in chips - nearly half of all that was in play. Jean-Vincent Lehut Thomas Eychenne was first to go in the money, as he busted in sixth place (31,200). Nemeth then beat out Silva to win a large pot and eliminate Kazuyuki Tanemura (40,200) in the same hand. Then it was Nemeth's turn to hit the rail (51,300) with Silva sending him there in an interesting hand. Nemeth had a royal flush draw on the turn, but he missed and saw the Brazilian river a set of fours to eliminate the Hungarian in fourth place (51,300). A short while later, it was down to two, with Sirzat Hissou busting in third (69,200). The German ran into Tajiou's set of aces while holding two pair. Alexander Tkatschew Tops the Record-Breaking 1,100 Eureka Main Event Heads-Up Play Unlike the previous final table action, it was a far more tense affair during the heads-up phase, with both players exchanging the chip lead before Silva eventually took it down. The Brazilian flopped trip treys and called when Tajiou got it all in with two pair. The board ran out favorably, and Tajiou was eliminated in second place (100,400). After finishing in second place in the 25,000 High Roller at EPT Barcelona this past summer, Silva took down his first ever EPT title at the Hilton Prague for 153,900. "It was tough because I didn't have a huge stack [at the start of the final table], but things went well for me. When I doubled up on the bubble, I was confident," Silva commented when asked whether he believed he would win as he reached the final table. He went on to say his plans for 2024 were simply to "keep playing and keep up the grind." SACRAMENTO, the United States, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Addressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions can lead to public health benefits, from which California and China provide good examples for the world to learn, according to a report. California has demonstrated that public health benefits can serve as measurable goals within climate and air quality policies. At the same time, China has excelled at developing highly sophisticated air quality monitoring tools and a comprehensive climate policy framework, said a report published Thursday by the California-China Climate Institute (CCCI). CCCI is a think tank led by former California Governor Jerry Brown and aims to spur further climate action through joint research, training and dialogue in California and China. The report said that lessons and experiences from both countries have provided insights for other regions on best practices that could be adopted. California and China have ambitious air quality and climate targets and have been implementing various policies to achieve their goals, showcasing how climate goals can deliver health benefits for citizens, according to the report. California has integrated public health into its air and climate policies, primarily by incorporating public health indicators in policies, establishing public health monitoring networks and measuring implementation action. Meanwhile, China is now a pioneer in simultaneously mitigating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It said China has established a large-scale air quality monitoring program and a comprehensive policy framework for climate change mitigation. For example, Los Angeles successfully combines scientific research with policymaking and integrates public health indicators in its air and climate policies. Similarly, Beijing and Shenzhen are actively devising public health indicators and further controlling air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by implementing "coordinated control" policies and carbon markets, the report said. For the best practices implemented in California and China, the report highlighted the case of Los Angeles for "effective regional and cross-agency coordination" and the inclusion of "explicit public health motivations" as part of air and climate policy actions. The examples of Beijing and Shenzhen provide lessons for coordinated regional action, the "coordinated control" of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, extensive air monitoring systems and the role of carbon markets in decoupling economic development from carbon emissions, it said. The researchers also identified technological opportunities to enhance public health benefits through tackling climate and air pollution issues. For example, Los Angeles uses tracking technology to help monitor asthma cases throughout the city and reduce pollution incidence and resulting hospitalizations. In the Chinese context, the China Meteorological Administration has established the biggest meteorological monitoring system in the world. This monitoring system not only predicts incoming extreme weather events but also estimates the impact of climate change on weather, air quality and public health, it noted. In addition, China has been constructing a big data platform for air quality monitoring and health impact analysis, which will automatically detect pollution hotspots and deliver this information to enforcement officers through a simple app, it said. Moving forward, the researchers call for convening exchanges and training between jurisdictions in California and China to share lessons learned. One of the final events of the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague has wrapped, with Pablo Silva defeating Sweden's Mounir Tajiou heads up to claim the 10,200 NL Hold'em II title. The tournament attracted a total of 46 entries, with only the top six sharing a prize pool of 446,200. "It feels good, it was an amazing tournament - my last one in the series," Silva said following the win. The Brazilian didn't have it all his own way on Day 2 but managed to take it down for only his second tournament win of his poker career. Final Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Pablo Silva Brazil 153,900 2 Mounir Tajiou Sweden 100,400 3 Sirzat Hissou Germany 69,200 4 Andras Nemeth Hungary 51,300 5 Kazuyuki Tanemura Japan 40,200 6 Thomas Eychenne France 31,200 Day 2 Action Silva's day started promisingly, busting out Jan-Eric Schwippert early on. However, the eventual winner wasn't among the chip leaders at that point in the day. Hungary's Andras Nemeth was the one setting the pace, knocking out several opponents on Day 2 including EPT Champion Steve O'Dwyer. Silva didn't see it all go his way, losing a three-way pot with ace-king a couple hours into the day. However, he was deeply involved in the hand that burst the money bubble, which could be seen as the turning point in his tournament's trajectory. He scooped a three-way pot with kings to not only knock out Jean-Vincent Lehut, but also take him over two million in chips - nearly half of all that were in play. Jean-Vincent Lehut Thomas Eychenne was first to go in the money, as he busted in sixth place (31,200). Nemeth then beat out Silva to win a large pot and eliminate Kazuyuki Tanemura (40,200) in the same hand. Then it was Nemeth's turn to hit the rail (51,300) with Silva sending him there in an interesting hand. Nemeth had a royal flush draw on the turn, but he missed and saw the Brazilian river a set of fours to eliminate the Hungarian in fourth place (51,300). A short while later it was down to two, with Sirzat Hissou busting in third (69,200). The German ran into Tajiou's set of aces while holding two pair. Heads-Up Play Unlike the previous final table action, it was a far more tense affair during the heads-up phase, with both players exchanging the chip lead before Silva eventually took it down. The Brazilian flopped trip treys and called when Tajiou got it all in with two pair. The board ran out favorably and Tajiou was eliminated in second place (100,400). After finishing in second place in the 25,000 High Roller at EPT Barcelona this past summer, Silva took down his first ever EPT title at the Hilton Prague for 153,900. "It was tough because I didn't have a huge stack [at the start of the final table], but things went well for me. When I doubled up on the bubble I was confident," Silva commented when asked whether he believed he would win as he reached the final table. He went on to say his plans for 2024 were simply to "keep playing and keep up the grind." Pablo Silva This concludes live coverage from the PokerNews team for the 10,200 No-Limit Hold'em event. Stay tuned for similar up-to-date coverage of the remaining events of the series. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Chris Christie warned on Sunday morning that Trump is getting crazier because he knows the walls are closing in. Video of Christie: Chris Christie says Trump is getting crazier, Donald Trump realized the walls are closing in and hes becoming crazier. pic.twitter.com/kgERYf9rQK Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 17, 2023 Christie said on CNNs State Of The Union: My reaction is that he gets worse and worse by the day, Jake. And voters better start paying attention to exactly what hes saying. Hes always been approving of Putin since the beginning of his presidency. That is something that he and I had regular arguments about going back to 2017. And the fact is that Vladimir Putin as an expert on democracy, this is a guy who doesnt even know what democracy is and quite frankly has spent most of his life trying to undercut democracy all over the world and Donald Trump citing him as his expert witness that hes being persecuted and is innocent. Look, this is a guy who just believes woe is me and I cant believe I got caught. But lets remember something, everybody needs to know this. This is not Vladimir Putin on the witness stand in Washington, D.C. This spring, it is not some left-wing prosecutor making the case, Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff has accepted immunity. I did this for seven years. The reason hes accepted is because hes admitted he has committed crimes himself or he wouldnt need immunity. And hes going to testify that Donald Trump committed crimes on his watch. A founder of the Freedom Caucus, his former chief of staff who he called the next James Baker. Donald Trump realized the walls are closing in and hes becoming crazier. And now hes citing Vladimir Putin as a character witness, a guy who is a murderous thug around the world. Christie closed his comments by saying that it is time to send Trump back to Mar-a-Lago. Chris Christie isnt just running against Trump. He has worked with Trump and has known him for decades, so when Christie says that Trump is getting crazier, this is someone who would know. Later in the same interview, Chris Christie criticized Nikki Haley and Republicans in Congress for enabling Trump and committed to staying in the presidential race for the long haul. Trumps language is getting more overtly racist and fascist because he has realized that his only path to avoiding a criminal conviction is through winning the White House, so he is pulling out all of the stops. Donald Trump is cozying up to Putin because he needs Putins help to regain power. Christie is right. Voters need to listen, because after eight years of Trump being on the political scene, it is a fact that the man isnt a kidder, and his threats are not empty. 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. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print CNNs Jake Tapper called out Trump for using Putin as a character witness in the criminal cases against him. Tapper opened CNNs State Of The Union by saying, Watch as the leading Republican candidate Donald Trump quote one of our nations foremost adversaries, Vladimir Putin, as a sort of character witness while on the stump in New Hampshire last night. Trump said, Vladimir Putin, of Russia, said that Biden, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system which could not pretend to teach others about democracy. Tapper continued, One might think such a point need not be made but Vladimir Putin, a former K GB official with blood on his hands who regularly sides with American adversaries both rhetorically and with arms and who right now has at least two Americans, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan unjustly detained. Vladimir Putin is not a credible source of information about American democracy, much less American jurisprudence. Vladimir Putin seeks to undermine the United States and its allies, whether in Europe or Asia or the Middle East. And yet despite despite this or maybe by now because of it, I can no longer tell, Mr. Trump stands poised to do very well in the Republican Iowa caucuses on January 15th in less than a month. Video: Jake Tapper calls out Trump for using Putin as a character witness, The leading Republican candidate Donald Trump quote one of our nations foremost adversaries, Vladimir Putin, as a sort of character witness. pic.twitter.com/YnMNoSIdih Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 17, 2023 Donald Trump is using Putin to vouch for his character and his voters are applauding. This is where the Republican Party is, and where that party wants to take the United States if Donald Trump returns to the White House. Tapper was right to call this out. Putin is bad for America, and democracy doesnt seem like something that must be said, but it clearly needs to be because so many other parts of the press insist on treating Trump like a normal candidate who is not a threat to democracy. More journalists on national television need to be stating what they think might be obvious, because with so many others in the press normalizing and enabling Trump, what is obvious is getting buried under corporate lies for profit. 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. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Nikki Haley was asked about the Kate Cox case in Texas, and her answer revealed that her moderate language on abortion is a fraud. Video: Q: Kate Cox was forbidden from having an abortion even though her doctor said it might jeopardize her fertility & the fetus was unlikely to survive. Do you disagree with that? Haley: I think overturning Roe v. Wade was the right thing and I appreciate that Texas banned abortion pic.twitter.com/JsG6Gk4ZH5 Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) December 17, 2023 Transcript via ABCs This Week: KARL: Thats a good question which we have asked. But let me move on. We had the Texas Supreme Court abortion occasion, really kind of a tragic case. Kate Cox, the Supreme Court ruled that she could not have an abortion, even though her doctor said that her health was in danger, it might jeopardize her ability to have children in the future. That the baby the fetus was almost certainly not going to survive. Did you you disagreed with that decision by the Texas Supreme Court? HALEY: Well, I think it is the right thing that unelected justices no longer decide this, and its in the hands of the people. I appreciate that Texas went more on the pro-life side, but as we go through this listen, my heart broke for her because I had trouble having my children. These the states are now going to have to look at these because what we dont want to see is a woman with a rare condition having to carry a baby until term, no (ph). KARL: Well, let me ask you just really directly, do you think the Supreme Court in Texas made the wrong decision? Chris Christie has come out and said it was the wrong decision and hes criticized you for not giving a direct answer. Can you give a direct answer now? Is that a wrong decision? HALEY: I mean, the Supreme Court said what that the law that the state put was was the one they had to follow, right? KARL: The Supreme Court said that she could not have the abortion. That was the rule. HALEY: Right, so thats when a state corrects itself and says, how do we make sure that doesnt happen again? We tweak things all the time as governors. KARL: So, it was the right decision by the court? HALEY: Well, the court had to follow the law. The law said that she couldnt have the abortion. Now, its up to the legislature in Texas to say, how do we make sure there are no more Kates that go through that? Thats what you look at. Haley would not give a straight answer, and the answer she gave revealed that she is a fraud on abortion. Her moderate sounding words are empty talk. Haley is no different than Donald Trump and the rest of the Republican anti-rights party. Nikki Haley should have been decrying the sad state of affairs in the United States that women have to flee their homes get life saving or preserving medical care. Trying to finesse a human rights issue that impacts the majority of the population is not a good look. Nikki Haley wants to take away the rights of women, no matter how vaguely she turns the phrase. Fast forward to lunchtime, and the problem is that Biden has given Republicans a strategy for winning the war. Keep in mind that Ukraine was invaded. Winning for the Ukrainians would be getting Russian forces out of their country. Ukraine is not Bidens war. so why does Biden have to come up with the strategy for Ukraine to win? The answer is that Republicans dont want to support Ukraine, and Mike Johnson was too big of a coward to face reporters and explain why. 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. In the rapidly evolving global landscape, the ascent of China stands as the ultimate challenge of our times, one that demands a bold and innovative response. As the new generation of conservative leaders in South Carolina, we are acutely aware of the shortcomings in the approaches of both th Read moreGuest column: Reclaiming American supremacy: The path forward in an era of Chinese dominance The 14th annual Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols Parade was held on Saturday in downtown Aiken and had families lining the streets to see a variety of festive horses, dogs and carriages. This yearly event was a fundraiser for Equine Rescue of Aiken and the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare. Sylvia Amos came from Colorado to visit a friend in Aiken when she inadvertently found herself at the parade. I didn't even know it was happening. I just stumbled across it, she said. Curt and Morgan Hanna sat at a table on the sidewalk with their daughter Anastasia. The family had seen the parade before while downtown, but this year was their first time coming out specifically to watch it. Its just a cool thing the city does, said Morgan. I mean, its just all about Aiken, and were huge supporters of Aiken ourselves. Its a cool thing to do with the family. Its very unique to Aiken, added Curt, regarding the parades focus on horses. As many know, Aiken is considered the Horse Capital of the South due to its long-standing equestrian tradition. Anastasias favorite part was watching the animals. I liked the dogs, she said. Rachel Mchann, a longtime Aiken resident, was watching the parade for the first time with her young daughter. Were excited to see the horses," she said. "I've heard about it my whole life, but this is the first time that we've seen it. I was excited for my daughter to experience it. Many parade attendees were returning after having seen it many times. Two of these were mother-daughter pair Dolores and Karen Bunney. Weve lived here over 20 years, said Dolores. Its a horse community, so thats nice. The Boston Tea Party is immortalized in American history books, but South Carolina had the first, lesser-known boycott weeks before Bostonians dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor. An event this month took the city to a brief step back in time to pay homage to an event that shaped Charles Towne 250 years ago. Onlookers stood at the stoop of the Old Exchange building on Dec. 2 as reenactors brought the pivotal moment back to life on the anniversary of what's now called the Charleston Tea Party. Standing outside the Old Exchange building were women dressed in elaborate pastel colonial dresses and men donning waistcoats and tricorn hats, debating the taxation of tea and how to respond. In December 1773, Charles Towne patriots decided enough was enough. Tea aboard a British ship idling in the Charleston Harbor went unclaimed. After 20 days, and two and a half centuries ago this week, all 250 large chests of East India Co. tea aboard could be seized. Unlike the infamous Boston Tea Party, the tea was stored in the basement of the Exchange Building as a clear message of Colonial frustration against overtaxed goods. Civic leaders and merchants, like Christopher Gadsden and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, prompted a communitywide pledge to refuse future imports. The tea stayed there for three years before being sold to help fund the patriot cause in the early days of what would become the American Revolution. Powder Magazine Museum Director Katherine Pemberton said that shes heard from a lot of visitors and locals that they were surprised to hear Charleston had its own protest to the Tea Act of 1773. Sometimes history has been oversimplified to just have one event stand in for other things, and the result of that is that many people don't realize how amazing and rich their own local history can be, Pemberton said. While the phrase Tea Party is widely used today, it originated in the 1800s long after the events took place, according to historical records. TRIPOLI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Saturday that 61 migrants have drowned at sea off the coast of the western Libyan city of Zuwara, some 120 km west of the capital Tripoli, while trying to reach Europe. IOM tweeted late Saturday that the migrants, including women and children, drowned following a tragic shipwreck off Libya. Around 86 people were onboard the boat when it left the Libyan shores from Zuwara, the IOM cited survivors as saying. "The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world's most dangerous migration routes," IOM noted. Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores. According to IOM, a total of 15,383 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya so far this year. A decades-old Lowcountry truck terminal was idled this summer by a high-profile business failure, its owner running on fumes. It's poised to rev back to life. The former Yellow Corp. depot between Rivers Avenue and Interstate 26 in North Charleston and two others in South Carolina are among the properties that onetime rivals of the fallen company and other opportunistic buyers snapped up at a U.S. Bankruptcy Court auction in Delaware. The sales, totaling about $1.9 billion for about 75 percent of the roughly 180 freight yards and service centers that went on the block, were approved last week. The other Palmetto State sites changing hands are in West Columbia and Piedmont, southwest of Greenville. Yellow's remaining real estate holdings are still in play, including a recently shuttered terminal in Florence. The North Charleston depot had been in business since at least 1967, when it was run by a familiar name in the tractor-trailer business: Roadway Express. Twenty years ago Nashville-based Yellow eased into the fast lane. It acquired Roadway for $1.05 billion in December 2003 and became the No. 3 player in the U.S. logistic industry's "less-than-truckload" niche, which specializes in moving smaller loads for multiple customers within a single trailer. Some two decades on, Yellow was broken down on the side of the road. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in August after years of financial struggles and $1.3 billion in debt, not including its unsecured liabilities. The collapse marked the biggest-ever failure of a U.S. trucking business. It was more than noteworthy that just three years earlier Yellow had received $700 million in pandemic-era loans from the U.S. government to keep it afloat. Rather than try to fix the financial wear and tear, the fallen 99-year-old trucking icon known for its cheap rates decided instead to shut down and sell its real estate, rigs and other assets to repay creditors. NOTE: Some of these events may have been canceled or postponed. Please check with the organizers. Call 843-873-9424 ext. 220 or email broberts@journalscene.com to add an event to this free calendar. Read moreCommunity calendar The former Charleston police officer who drove his patrol vehicle under the influence and crashed into three other cars had been suspended before for violating policies off duty. Read moreCharleston cop fired after DUI charge had previous suspensions for his off-duty conduct 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 If you dont understand what forever chemicals are and what the big deal is about them, youre not alone. Although the water- and heat-resistant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as PFAS, have been seeping into our lakes and rivers for decades, theyve only started seeping into our conversations in the past five or six years, as evidence has mounted linking them to cancers and other deadly diseases. It was only last year that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set strict limits on their presence in our drinking water. Some states acted immediately to restrict their release into the environment, and others followed suit once the EPA advised them last December that states have the authority to regulate these chemicals under the Clean Water Act. South Carolina was not among those states that jumped to the front. But since at least 2021, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has been working methodically to measure the presence of these chemicals in our water, and the numbers have been jaw-dropping: DHEC identified contamination in almost every river sampled, along with dozens of drinking water plants. It also found fish with far higher levels of the contaminants than the EPAs new standards. And now, Columbias State newspaper reports, the agency has begun requiring wastewater plants and industries to disclose whether they use, receive or generate forever chemicals or include them in the wastewater they discharge into rivers. The Stratford High School wrestling team let one get away two days earlier, falling to top-ranked Summerville High School by a single point in a heartbreaker, and didnt exactly race out to a great start in the Region 6-5A opener. Read moreKnights pull away in Region 6-5A opener Miranda Devines December 14 New York Post column is keyed to Hunter Bidens public statement defying the congressional subpoena for his testimony last week. Jonathan Turley covers Bidens illegal contempt of Congress in a column that is now posted at his site. In his statement, Hunter Biden played his poor, poor pitiful me card and vowed to defend his Daddy from the bad guys (MAGA Republicans, in case you hadnt heard). Devines column takes up Hunter Bidens reformulation of Daddys distance from the family business. Theres no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business, said Hunter. And: My father was not financially involved in my business. Devine comments: Joe Biden was not financially involved is a significant shifting of the goal posts. It is a carefully parsed, legalistic phrase, that looks as if it has been workshopped to death in a campaign war room before being dropped into Hunters soup of self-pity. That is the message from the White House, delivered by a hostage who needs Daddys pardon to stay out of jail. It bears no relation to all the presidents previous denials. Joe Biden has gone from years of saying: I have never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their business, period to this summers line from the White House: The president was never in business with his son and now to this latest transmutation: Joe was not financially involved in [Hunters] business. Thats quite an admission, right there, that the mountains of evidence produced by IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler and the parade of credible witnesses and bank records assembled by Comer and colleagues have become impossible to deny. This is a reported column. Devine adds that just hours before Hunters press conference, the transcript of the latest testimony of Ziegler and Shapley was published by the House Ways and Means Committee. A transcript of their December 5 testimony was released by the committee last week and is now posted online here. Links to the transcript and related materials are included in the Chairman Jason Smiths December 12 press release posted here. Devine takes up the transcript of the whistleblowers testimony: Their testimony was in response to a barrage of hostile questioning by Democrats on the committee who insist that there is nothing new, no evidence, that the president did nothing wrong and, anyway, lets talk about Donald Trump. Ziegler and Shapley quickly disabused them of their delusions and how. Georgia Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ga.) stepped on the first landmine when she asked the knowledgeable pair to point to any evidence that directly prove[s] that Joe Biden has done something illegal, yes or no? Shapley replied: There is evidence that exists. Sewell, flustered: I just it is yes or no. Shapley: Yes, there is. Sewell, turned to Ziegler: Please show me the direct evidence . . . that actually proves that Joe Biden did something unlawful, illegal. Ziegler obliged: So in exhibit 1I, Hunter Biden states in his email that his original agreement Sewell cut him off, but soon enough Ziegler was allowed to complete his answer, citing three pieces of evidence. Devine supplies bullet points for the three pieces of evidence cited: An email to an executive of Chinese energy firm CEFC, on Aug. 2, 2017, in which Hunter states the deal me and my family had with CEFC was for introductions alone [at] a rate of $10 million per year for three years [for a] guarantee[d] total of $30 million. A WhatsApp message three days earlier, July 30, 2017, in which Hunter demands a CEFC executive pay up or else: I am sitting here with my father. An email two months earlier to Hunter from one of his partners in their joint venture with CEFC, suggesting an equity split between four partners of 20% each, with an extra 10% for Hunters uncle Jim Biden and 10% held by H for the big guy. (H is Hunter and the big guy has been identified as Joe Biden.) Whole thing here. PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-17 11:06:00 Press Information Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting +91 7580990088 email www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com Published by Parmeet Singh 7580990088 e-mail https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/ # 954 Words +91 7580990088Parmeet Singh7580990088 In the realm of the backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the backpack sparyer 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 Backpack Sparyer market are as follows: B&G Equipment, Beaugreen, Bivi Irrorazione s.n.c., Chapin International, Cooper Pegler, Field King, Jacto, MY4SONS, Micron Group, Neptune Packaging, Oldham Chemical, Oregon, Roundup, SOLO, STIHL, The Scotts Company, Tomahawk Power, Vibi Sprayers Srl, Warne Chemical & Equipment, Wessol.LLC Segment 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: Hand Pump, Gas Engine, Battery PoweredApplication: Agriculture, Industrial, Household, OthersMarket 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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 backpack sparyer 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. PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-17 18:46:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 636 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Way Beyond: Book One of The Sage Chronicles Hits Shelves December 20th with Riveting New EditionMINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2023 / The Sage Chronicles, a noteworthy but comparatively undiscovered literary series, is celebrating a major milestone with the release of captivating new editions and covers for two significant titles. These editions exemplify the refined craftsmanship of an up-and- coming author, offering readers a fresh outlook.New Book Covers from Award Winning Cover Designer Richard Ljoenes featured for The Sage Chronicles New Editions LaunchReaders encounter a hidden gem with the re-release of The Way Beyond: The Life and Times of Halcyon Sage, available December 20th, 2023. This jigsaw puzzle of intersecting worldviews, the first volume of The Sage Chronicles, was previously hailed by a small group of book enthusiasts and delighted critics for its immersive and engaging content. BlueInk Review wrote that it possessed "the stirring immediacy of a guitar riff," while Foreword Reviews called it "deliciously funny fiction" and Kirkus Reviews, "a madcap novel, leaping and lurching with a frenetic energy reminiscent of mid-1960s postmodernism." This new edition has undergone significant revisions, showcasing the author's refined storytelling skills and providing an enhanced and accessible entry into the story's world. Readers will be drawn in by the endearing characters and the spectrum of captivating themes. ISBN:978-1-7334288-4-2; eISBN:978-1-7334288-7-3.ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE NEW EDITION: The Way Beyond is a fanciful escape over less traveled paths of whimsical adventure, dotted with oases of deep religious and political reflection. Unlike anything I've ever read! -- Author Jim PartlowThe Book of Squidly Light, Book 2 in the series and due for release in early 2024, had previously held the spotlight as a May 2020 featured pick from the American Library Association's Booklist Magazine. Now it returns in a new edition to extend and deepen the original vision of The Sage Chronicles. The author says of this book, "If The Way Beyond is a square, then The Book of Squidly Light is a cube." ISBN:978-1-7334288-5-9; eISBN:978-1-7334288-8-0.These new editions arrive hot on the heels of the companion volume, Sage's Multiverse Mini-Series, published November 30, 2020, a tapestry of viewpoints and experiences spanning short stories, mini-novels, poetry, interviews, and diaries. This immersive journey into a quirky and multiverse offers readers an enriched experience that not only adds to Halycon Sage's universe but also rejuvenates it. ISBN:978-1-7334288-35-5.eISBN:978-1-7334288-66-6.Award-winning design artist Richard Ljoenes contributed dazzling covers for all three books. His vibrant, multicolored creations, together with inspired and often humorous interior graphics from artist B.C. Hatch, adds an additional magic, helping to unfurl the narratives, bring the author's words to life in a visually satisfying way, and draw the reader deeper into the narrative.The Sage Chronicles presents a rich mix of realities and captivating characters, blending the absurd with the profound. It offers abundant enjoyment and thought-provoking moments.Author Bio: Multicultural by birth, association, and choice, Karima Vargas Bushnell (M.A. Intercultural Relations) has worked as an adjunct professor of Intercultural Communication, a refugee/immigrant job counselor, a county court reporter, and a web moderator for the London Times Online. Karima's primary interest is in borders: not physical, but spiritual, mental, and emotional ones, the liminal spaces between worldviews, where reality is negotiable. Her books occupy the borders of metafiction, literary fiction, and science fiction and illuminate the borders between her characters' radically different cultures and worldviews. Her protagonist, the mysterious author Halcyon Sage, is a border crosser par excellence.Contact InformationB.C. Hatch Publicity Manager b.c.hatch@ intoabook.com 218-288-4677Related FilesTHE SAGE CHRONICLES THE WAY BEYOND (1) (1) (2).pdfSOURCE: Delirious WalrusView the original press release on newswire.com U.S. President Joe Biden is pictured during an event at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 24, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) As the election year approaches, the impeachment inquiry into Biden is bound to have a major impact on the election, and the political polarization in the country could become more prominent. by Xiong Maoling WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to formally authorize an ongoing impeachment inquiry into Democratic President Joe Biden, escalating the battle between the White House and Republicans ahead of election year. Analysts said that the political struggle between and within the two parties has become increasingly fierce, and in the past year, the United States has repeatedly seen unprecedented events. As the election year approaches, the impeachment inquiry into Biden is bound to have a major impact on the election, and the political polarization in the country could become more prominent. POLITICAL STUNT? U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted, 221 against 212 along party lines, to authorize an impeachment inquiry into Biden, the latest sign of rampant partisanship in Congress. The White House and Democrats said Republicans had found no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden and that the vote was a "political stunt." Biden issued a statement saying House Republicans were "focused on attacking" him with lies. Democrats also accused Republicans of acting to avenge the impeachment against former President Donald Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, defended the vote, arguing that it is "not a political decision," noting that Republicans are committed to the "rule of law." U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks in the House Chamber in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Oct. 25, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) The formal authorization comes after months of investigations by House Republicans into the business dealings of members of the Biden family, in an attempt to find out whether the president improperly profited from his son's overseas business dealings. So far, ethical concerns have been raised by Republicans, but no substantiated evidence has surfaced to demonstrate that Biden, in his current or past official capacities, engaged in the misuse of his position or accepted illicit payments. House Republicans hope that the vote on an impeachment inquiry would give them better legal standing to enforce subpoenas and bring in witnesses to testify. Republicans had asked Biden's son, Hunter Biden, to testify behind closed doors, but he refused, offering to testify in a public hearing to ensure fairness. A FACTOR IN ELECTION Under the U.S. Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal officials, including the president and vice president. An impeachment inquiry is usually conducted by House committees, and investigators draft and propose articles of impeachment after the investigation is completed. If more than half of the members of the House vote in favor of at least one article of impeachment, the person under investigation is impeached. The impeachment case then goes to the Senate for trial, and if more than two-thirds of the senators vote in favor of the articles of impeachment, the impeached person is convicted and removed from office, otherwise he will remain in office. The U.S. Senate is narrowly controlled by the Democrats, thus Biden is unlikely to be convicted, even if impeached. However, with less than a year to go before the 2024 presidential election, the impeachment case against Biden could become a major point of contention between the two parties and have an impact on the election. On the Republican side, the race has been dominated by Trump, who has actually been bolstered among his voting base by the four criminal indictments he faces, prompting several other candidates to drop out of the race. Trump was impeached twice by the House - then controlled by Democrats - before being acquitted by the Senate. Trump has been calling for retaliation, urging his Republican allies in Congress to move quickly to impeach Biden. Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that he expects the impeachment inquiry to become a factor in the 2024 presidential election. "Its primary value is to devalue the efforts to impeach Trump that failed and to create an atmosphere of 'everybody does it.' It debases the currency of this element of the U.S. Constitution," Ramsay said. "That makes it easier for some to vote for Trump, if they're not already there." A YEAR OF CHAOS The impeachment inquiry vote is the latest evidence of heightened partisanship in U.S. politics. In the past year, the country has witnessed one political farce after another, with the two parties attacking each other on issues such as the debt ceiling and government funding. Hunter Biden, who faces gun and tax-related charges, became the first child of a sitting president to be criminally indicted. Trump is facing multiple charges, becoming the first former president to be criminally indicted in U.S. history. Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is seen after a news conference outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 13, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) In U.S. Congress, chaos has become the new normal. In January, for the first time in 100 years, the speaker of the House of Representatives was not elected on the first vote. Kevin McCarthy won the position in a dramatic 15-round floor fight, amid Republican Party infighting. Just nine months later, amid growing disagreement between moderates and conservatives, McCarthy suffered the "betrayal" of eight Republican colleagues on Oct. 3, making him the first sitting House speaker to be voted out of office in U.S. history. After McCarthy was ousted, three Republican nominees failed to garner enough Republican votes needed to reach the majority threshold, leaving the House leaderless for three weeks. Johnson, vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, was elected the new House speaker in the fourth round of voting. "As polls have rather consistently portrayed in the last couple of years, the general sentiment of U.S. citizens seems to be, at best, sour," Greg Cusack, a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, told Xinhua. "And confidence in government has been rather rock-bottom for some time now," Cusack said. Echoing his view, Ramsay told Xinhua that public confidence in the government has been flat at a low level since about a decade ago. A small portion of Americans trust the government to do what is right most of the time, he said. (Matthew Rusling contributed to the report) PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-17 21:31:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 542 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 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 & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-17 10:54:56 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the side wall drive belt 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 Side Wall Drive Belt market are as follows: Ammeraal Beltech, Continental, Derco, Esbelt, Fenner Dunlop, Habasit, Intralox, Mitsuboshi, Nitta, Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems, Sampla, Titan ConveyorsSegment 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: Light Sidewall Drive Belt, Heavy Duty Sidewall Drive BeltApplication: Construction, Fertilizer Industry, Chemical Industry, 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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 side wall drive belt 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. The family of veteran Nollywood actor and comedian, John Okafor, known as Mr Ibu, has disclosed the reason behind his inability to be flown abroad for additional treatment. The family explained in a statement that doctors have deemed him Not Fit to Fly, rendering it challenging to arrange his departure for advanced medical treatment due to the airlines refusal to transport him. The statement added that the Enugu-born actor is recuperating, but needed friends, colleagues, fans, and fellow Nigerians prayers during this challenging time. According to the family, Mr Ibu is receiving care at one of Nigerias largest and finest hospitals, where he is under the supervision of a highly skilled team of medical professionals. Additionally, the family explained that the cause of Mr Ibus illness is not diabetes, but rather the persistent clotting of blood in his leg, stemming from diseased blood vessels, along with other health challenges that pose a significant risk to his life. They said this necessitated further amputation of the same leg amputated last month. The statement reads in parts: We wish to express our sincere gratitude to well-meaning Nigerians and the general public for your immense contributions, physically, spiritually, and most above all financially on getting our daddy Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu) back on his feet again. We wish to correct some misconceptions making rounds on social media concerning the current state of our fathers health. First, we would like to state that our daddy wasnt amputated on both legs but only one. The first amputation didnt completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to go ahead to amputate the same leg further to ensure we didnt lose him. Daddys cause of sickness is also not diabetes but hes had constant clotting of the blood in his leg ( diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges posing risk to his life, therefore the need for the amputation. Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country to date is cause the doctors have tagged him Not Fit to Fly. This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him. Daddy is currently admitted at one of the biggest and best hospitals weve got in Nigeria as of today and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals. Our Daddy is recuperating we urge his friends, colleagues, fans, and Nigerians at large to keep him in their prayers and peddle down on unconfirmed reports concerning our dads health. Thank you Nigerians you all have been very supportive this period. God bless you all. Earlier, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, told reporters that the ailing actor is struggling to speak. Since March 2022, when the actor was admitted to Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre in Abuja, he has undergone several surgeries. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Movie title: Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story Running Time: 2 hours 8 Minutes Date Released: 1 December 2023 Producers: Lawumi Fajemirokun and Kenechukwu Egbue. Director: Kayode Kasum Writer: Anyanwu Adaora Cast: Stan Nze, Alex Ekubo, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Segun Arinze, Paul Nnadiekwe and Chuks Joseph The essence of any narrative lies in its plot, and this is a defining feature of Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story. As suggested by its title, the film is committed to exploring the complexities of the Igbo apprenticeship system. However, what additional layers does this movie bring to the table? Afamefuna skillfully brings forth the richness of Igbo culture. The film seamlessly weaves together traditions, language, and cultural diversity, with most dialogues conducted in Igbo, and infused with elements of Yoruba and Hausa languages. This portrayal beautifully captures the unity and distinctiveness of Nigerian tribes. The narrative unfolds the pursuit of economic freedom by Igbo boys navigating the world of apprenticeship. It sheds light on their aspirations, the sacrifices entwined with the journey to success, and the inevitable betrayals encountered in dealings with characters like Afam, Paulo, Obum, Chike and their peers within Odogwus business empire. The concept of Nwa Boy aligns seamlessly with the longstanding culture of entrepreneurship, a tradition unique to nearly every Igbo family. Referred to as Apprenticeship in English or locally known as Igba-Odibo/Igba-Boi/Imu-Ahia/Imu-Oru, this strategy involves the induction of young Igbos into a specific entrepreneurial venture, by a business or vocation mentor (Oga/Madam) be it a trade, skill, enterprise, or vocation. After an extensive period of traditional business education and service, the mentor initiates the settlement process. This involves providing financial and other support to help the apprentice start their own business. Once settled, the apprentice (Boyi) gains independence from the mentor. In the long run, the former apprentice takes on their own boyi, passing on the acquired skills and vocation, culminating in a settlement after the agreed-upon period. This cycle continues, with the new boyi evolving into an independent practitioner of the tradition. This is basically what Kayode Kasum captured in this movie, through the acting prowess of stellar casts such as Kanayo O. Kanayo, Stan Nze, Alexx Ekubo, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Chuks Joseph, Segun Arinze, Jide Kene Achufusi and Noble Igwe. Plot The film opens with a palpable tension as the discovery of a lifeless body sets the stage. The subsequent scene transitions to a traditional Igbo ceremony characterised by vibrant dances, lively music, and a display of opulence through money spraying. However, the revelry is abruptly interrupted by the police, who insist that the celebrant, Afamefuna, accompany them to the station for questioning regarding the recently discovered corpse of his friend, Paul Obiajulu. ASP Shehau escorts Afamefuna to the station for interrogation, setting the stage for Afam to recount his Nwa boys story through a series of flashbacks, elucidating his connection with Paul. In his teenage years, Afamefuna, portrayed impressively by Paul Nnadiekwe, hails from Onitsha and is placed under the tutelage of Odogwu by his mother to learn the intricacies of the business. On his initiation, he encounters Paulo, a seasoned apprentice well-versed in the market dynamics. Paulo assumes the role of a mentor, acquainting Afam with the art of sales, and grooming him on etiquette, style, and interpersonal relations within the market. While Afam is learning from their Oga, Paulo takes on the role of nurturing his growth. The narrative takes an unexpected turn years later when Odogwu, the master, decides to settle Afam, the junior apprentice, leaving Paulo in his service. Paulos questionable behaviour, which includes a clandestine affair with the masters daughter, Amaka (Atlanta Bridget Johnson) results in their masters preference in settling Afam over Paulo. This decision strains the relationship between Afam and Paulo, who had become like brothers. The once-strong bond of brotherhood is jeopardised. The questions loom: Could this strained relationship have played a role in Pauls untimely demise? Did Afam have a hand in his friends death? Or was it Afams unrequited feelings for Amaka, who was romantically involved with Paulo, the cause of his death? Characters Analysis The cast skillfully embodied their characters, bringing a delightful authenticity to the portrayal of the intricate human nature entwined in Afamefulas narrative. Each cast effectively conveyed the diverse experiences encountered in Nwa Boys journey. Kanayo O. Kanayos portrayal of Odogwu, the benevolent master, showcased not only his keen observation of apprentices but also his role as an educator. Odogwus character went beyond being a mentor; he exhibited paternal qualities by sharing meals with the Nwa boys. His representation epitomized the essence of a typical Igbo man, deserving of commendation for the character-well-embodied and authenticity he brought to the role. Stan Nzes depiction of Afam, the dutiful, inventive, and above all, honest servant, was executed with finesse. Nze brought nuance to Afams character, capturing the essence of a dedicated apprentice navigating the complexities of the apprenticeship journey. In essence, the casts portrayal of these characters not only breathed life into Afamefulas tale but also illuminated the multifaceted nature of human relationships within the context of Igbo culture and the Nwa boy tradition. Movie review Beyond the narrative of Nwa Boy, the film delves into subtle intricacies that might escape casual observation; and that is what this review seeks to unravel. Linguistically, the names of the cast resonate with the characters they portray, with one notable exception Paulo. For instance, Odogwu, literally translating to a man of influence and affluence, is aptly embodied by Kanayo O Kanayo, who convincingly exemplifies that Odogwu no be guy name. Afamefuna, the protagonist, encapsulates the meaning of his name my name wont get lost. Connotatively, it signifies living up to expectations, a feat the character successfully achieves. Another example is Amaka, Odogwus daughter, whose beauty truly mirrors the significance of her Igbo name. Even the name Odum, belonging to one of Afams fellow apprentices, appropriately reflects his nature as a lion, evident in his behaviour aligning with the strength implied by his name. However, a sharp contrast emerges with the antagonist, Paulo, whose surname, Obiajulu, suggests someone with a soft heart. Despite the initial alignment with this name, Paulo evolves into the direct opposite, challenging the expectations associated with his seemingly gentle name. Moreover, the intriguing paradoxes within the storyline cleverly orchestrated the films narrative. Paul, having served longer and having recently thwarted a potential scammer attempting to dupe Odogwu with counterfeit Naira notes, eagerly celebrated when his master called for a kola nut and native winea customary gesture signalling settlement. Expecting accolades, Pauls joy turned to dismay when Odogwu chose to settle Afam over him. The decision to settle Afam over Paulo, despite the latters questionable actions, sets the stage for a gripping conflict that explores themes of honesty, ambition, and betrayal. Another intriguing twist emerges in Afams narrative as he nurtures a long-standing crush on Amaka. Despite witnessing her frolicking with Paul, he eventually marries her. Unfortunately, the irony deepens when it is revealed that his pride and joy, his son, is not biologically his own, a premise for Paulos endless blackmail. A standout moment is the captivating monologue delivered by Kanayo O Kanayo. It serves as a poignant tribute to the enduring spirit of the Igbo people, highlighting the impact of war on their lives and acknowledging their resilience. Kanayos character, Odogwu, reflects on the journey of the Igbo business. One famous monologue from the movie that stands out is The Igbo business empire is built on hard work and brotherhood. The Igbo business collapsed after the war. Afamefuna, the war did something to us. War is bad; Igbos do not steal, Igbos do not beg. This powerful monologue not only delves into the effects of war but also emphasizes the essence of hard work and unity in the Igbo culture. The film further weaves in the wisdom of proverbs, such as When you marry a monkey for money, the money finishes at some point but the monkey remains a monkey. Through these proverbs, Odogwu imparts valuable lessons to his newest apprentice, the wide-eyed seventeen-year-old Afamefuna. The teachings encompass not only business ethics but also delve into the sentimental and historical aspects of the trade. The films predominant use of the Igbo language, skillfully blending dialogue with witty sayings and proverbs, adds a layer of cultural richness. This linguistic tapestry not only enhances the storytelling but also, positions the film as a strong contender for global recognition, contributing to its cultural awareness on an international scale. Furthermore, the cinematography in Afamefuna stands out with its deliberate use of targeted lighting, skillfully capturing stunning angles that elevate the entire visual narrative. Above all, Afamefuna emerges as a resounding exploration of the intricate Igbo apprenticeship system, laying bare the cultural heritage, ambition, sacrifice, love, betrayal, and redemption that have shaped this institution. Historical Renaissance Afamefuna, the Nwa Boy Story, takes centre stage in the historical revival of the Igbo tribe, a narrative skillfully illuminated by the character Odogwu, portrayed by Kanayo O. Kanayo. This pivotal tale unfolds with the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War. Within the gripping context of the conflict, the film accentuates the indispensable role played by the Igbo apprenticeship system in rejuvenating the fortunes of the Igbo tribe. The war, spanning from July 6, 1967, to January 13, 1970, marked the end of the brutal two-year Nigeria-Biafra war. The conflict claimed an estimated one to three million lives, predominantly from the Igbo tribe in the eastern part of the country, and disrupted business activities in southeastern Nigeria. The federal governments policy of allotting a mere 20 pounds to Igbos with bank savings, regardless of their pre-war possessions, further exacerbated the post-war impoverishment. In this historical landscape, Odogwu, brought to life by the compelling Kanayo O. Kanayo, emerges as a symbolic figure representing the resurgence of the Igbo community. His character sheds light on the economic challenges faced by the Igbo people in the aftermath of the war. Afamefuna goes beyond the historical narrative to challenge prevailing stereotypes by portraying instances of integrity within Nigerian government agencies. Verdict: 8/10 Afamefuna is a compelling cinematic experience that transcends cultural boundaries. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned an official of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Alhassan Musa, for alleged N3.8 million fraud. The Acting Director of Renewable Energy Department of the commission was arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gwagwalada, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding Musa Baba, a contractor. A statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the defendant was arraigned on 13 December on three counts of obtaining money by false pretence. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts when they were read to him, prompting the prosecution to seek a trial date. The judge, A.Y. Shafa, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum. He, however, ordered that the suspect be remanded in Kuje Correctional Service pending when he would meet his bail conditions. The judge then adjourned the trial till 22 February 2024. Mr Musa, the acting director at the Renewable Energy Department of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, was arrested by the EFCC following a petition accusing him of fraud. The petitioner alleged that he collected the N3.8 million from him on 21 January 2019 with a promise of offering him a contract for the rehabilitation of Jetropha Farms Karshi for BioDiesel production which he did not fulfil. Count one reads That you Alhassan Musa on or about the 21st January 2019 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court by false pretences and with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,800,000.00) for yourself from one Alhaji Musa Baba as fee for the award of a contract for the rehabilitation of Jatropha Farm Karshi for Bio-Diesel Production by the Energy Commission of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. Count two reads That you Alhassan Musa on or about the 21st January 2019 did make a false contract award on Energy Commission of Nigeria letterhead with intent to cause one Alhaji Musa Baba to part with the sum of Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N3, 800,000.00) only and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some hairstylists and fashion designers in Abuja have expressed concerns over low patronage in hair and tailoring services as the yuletide approaches. Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Sunday, that so far patronage has been low when compared to previous years. Rita Adegbite, a fashion designer in Wuse, said preparations for the festivity have witnessed a slow pace because of the economic challenges in the country. She said: Not many people have patronised me yet as compared to last year and I think it is because things are harder this year. If I were to rate the patronage in percentage, I will say by this time last year, I had 100 per cent patronage but so far today, I will say 60 per cent. She, however, said that she was hopeful that the coming days would bring in more customers and increase patronage. Similarly, Madaki Joyce, a hairstylist in Wuse, said Many families have had difficulties feeding their families, this has also affected businesses like ours. In 2022 before this time, there was already an overflow of customers in my shop as of the third week of December. Things are very bad these days that some people will come to make their hair and plead to pay less for the service later, she said. She attributed the low patronage to the hard realities in the country, while also praying for a better tomorrow. By Gods grace, people are still coming to make their hair. Though the pace is slow I am hopeful that it will get better. In spite of this, I have produced enough wigs for people who preferred wigs, with the hope that people may still come to buy. I am still hopeful actually for a change, she said. Another vendor, Chidera Joseph, a fashion designer in Wuse, said that even though she has had loyal customers, who patronised her irrespective of the economic hardship, the numbers had dropped. According to her, the challenges of the country have not given room for people to feed and wear clothes at the same time because of the high cost of living. She added that the Christmas season was one of the periods tailors experienced high patronage and made a profit but this year had taken a different turn and only a few can afford the luxury. READ ALSO: Wizkid to gift N100m to children at Christmas in honour of late mother Mrs Joseph said the situation has stopped her from having new customers during the yuletide, unlike in the previous season when there was usually a rush. She added that things in Nigeria had become harder than before, adding that God was still providing and doing the impossible. NAN reports that Christmas in Nigeria and other parts of the world is celebrated on 25 December annually and it usually involves buying all sorts of foodstuff, materials, and human and home adornment. NAN also reports that the situation this year was different because of the current economic situation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Kaduna State says its operatives have arrested a suspected rustler and recovered 90 livestock on Saturday in Kaduna. The commands Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Kaduna. Mr Hassan, an assistant superintendent of police, said, On Dec. 16, at about 2130hrs, our operatives conducting a patrol near Kasuwan Dole in Millennium City, successfully arrested the suspect. The suspect is from Kurmin Kaduna in Igabi Local Government Area of the state. Mr Hassan explained that the suspect was reportedly involved in the rustling of 65 cows and 25 sheep. He said that upon further investigation and interrogation, the suspect was unable to provide a satisfactory account of the livestock. READ ALSO: Nigerians who are permitted to cover their vehicle number plates Police This has raised suspicions about his involvement in rustling activities. As a result of that, the suspect was handed to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). for thorough and diligent investigation, Mr Hassan said. He added that the area has remained calm while efforts such as raids, visibility policing and patrol were continuing to ensure the safety and security of the community. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ondo State Government has denied that the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, froze the accounts of the local governments. The reaction came after some officials of the local councils said that a memo from Mr Aiyedatiwa had informed them of the freezing of the accounts. Mr Aiyedatiwa became acting governor again on Wednesday after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu proceeded on another medical leave. There were apprehensions after the unavoidable transfer of power, given the rift between Mr Aiyedatiwa and people close to Mr Akeredolu. The acting governor has received knocks from various quarters over the purported freezing of the council accounts, which they described as unconstitutional. A governor has no power whatsoever under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to freeze the account of Local Governments in a State, a lawyer in Akure, Femi Emodamori, said. The purported freezing of the accounts of all the Local Governments in Ondo State by the State Acting Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is therefore a serious anti-democratic, unconstitutional and politically suicidal move which was probably born out of ill or improper legal advice, Mr Emodamori said in a statement. But the state Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, on Saturday, described the reported freezing of the accounts as false. At no time has the Acting Governor or any functionary of the state put a freeze on local government accounts or order any closure, she said. This information is fake and baseless. We ask that the good people of Ondo State, particularly officials of local governments, disregard the rumour. Necessary complimentary personnel/civil servants have been deployed to the LCDA(s) and they have been advised to exercise due diligence and processes in their operations by the Government. The State Government is committed to proper functioning of the new thirty-three LCDA(s) and the existing 18 Local Government Areas in the state as a way of enhancing development at the grassroots. Mrs Ademola-Olateju also clarified the confusion over the role of the governors chief of protocol, who was allegedly suspended by the acting governor. According to the commissioner, there was a misrepresentation of a government circular No. FAD/DG.156/98 of 14th December 2023 in respect of the Preparation of the Acting Governors Engagement. The Chief of Protocol to Mr Governor has not been placed on suspension by the Ag. Governor nor by any person, she said. It should be noted that the schedule for the preparation of Mr Governors Engagements is less than two per cent of the CoPs responsibilities. ALSO READ: Aiyedatiwa calls for unity as acting governor addresses Ondo people Usually, suspension from duty would have warranted removal of salary and privileges, which does not happen in this case. As we speak, Mr. Bola Alabi is busy with Mr. Governor. Nevertheless, His Excellency, the Ag. Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is prepared, where necessary, to make changes that would guarantee the effective running of the administration. Again, the public is implored to always confirm the veracity of every information/news in respect of the Ondo State Government from appropriate quarters before dissemination. The commissioner said the government was aware of a suit filed by an opposition party before the State High Court challenging the appointment of caretaker committees for the LGAs and assured that the contending issues before the court would be decided shortly. While a date has been fixed for the conduct of Local Government election in the State, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has started working on delineation of a minimum of 5 Councillorship Electoral Wards in each of the LCDA(s), she noted. Delineation of these electoral Wards by ODIEC is part of the transition guidelines provided for in the Government White Paper for transiting from 18 LGA(s) to 51 LGA(s)/LCDA(s) in the state. Government is committed to a smooth transition that will usher a democratic Elected Local Government Area in Ondo State, the commissioner said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There is nothing like adversity to open the eyes of the blind. Pauls credentials were exemplary. He was a pure-blooded Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. He refers to himself as a Hebrew of the Hebrews. He was a Pharisee, an esteemed group that demanded the strictest obedience to Jewish law. He was so zealous that he led the persecution of Christians. He obeyed the law very strictly. These were his prized credentials. They were the things that gave meaning to his life. But when he met Christ, he realised that these credentials that he once considered valuable were worthless because of what Christ had done. Called To Suffer Jesus sent Ananias to Paul, saying: Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My names sake. (Acts 5-16). That was a watershed in Pauls life. It turned his life upside down. Past gains suddenly became losses to him. As a result, he says: What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:7-8). Jesus Himself forewarns us about this. He says: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 12:44-46). When he sold all he had, he lost all he had. When he sold all he had, he suffered a loss. But then, he gained a kingdom. If we are not prepared to suffer this kind of loss, we cannot be disciples of Christ. Jesus says: Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33). Fellowship of Sufferings We suffer by the denial of things (good and bad) that the world offers for our enjoyment and self-esteem. These include our pedigree, credentials, fame, fortune, success, status, wealth, spouse, family, friends, children, sexual life, good health, and so on. When we are denied any of these, we suffer loss. However, the value of knowing Christ surpasses all these things. So, if He asks us to give up or do without any of them, we must do so readily. We do not do this as a sacrifice. We do this as an act of love. Winning By Losing In the world, we gain by winning. In the kingdom of God, we gain by losing. We trade earthly gain for spiritual knowledge. 30 years ago, I was attacked by armed robbers and shot in the leg. That incident introduced me to the Lord. He intervened, rescued me, and gave me His proverbial peace that surpasses all understanding, even during the attack. He insisted nothing was wrong with my leg, and then, a little later, healed my wounded leg. He told me He was the One who sent the armed robbers to attack me. That was the only way He could get me to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10). Then He told me to read Matthew 13:16, where He says: Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. What finally opened my ears and my eyes? Adversity! As we share in the sufferings of Christ, our eyes open. Then we see Him as our Saviour, as our deliverer, as our healer, as the Person who rescues us from the ordeals of life. Jesus is the Great Physician, but I would not have known this unless I fell sick with a bullet-ridden leg and He then healed my leg. When His disciples asked Him about a man who was blind from birth: Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. (John 9:2-3). God is glorified in the healing of the sick, and the sick get to know the God who heals and to see Him at work first-hand. And then they also receive the commission to heal the sick. This is the process as described by John. First, we hear, then we see, and then we practice: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life. (1 John 1:1). Many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalm 34:19), and righteous Job went through a lot of afflictions. But when God finally intervened on his behalf, Job saw God in a completely different dimension. He exclaimed to God: I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5-6). There is nothing like adversity to open the eyes of the blind. The difference between what we know about God in prosperity and what we know about Him in adversity is the difference between hearing and seeing. For this reason, Jesus declares: For judgment, I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind. (John 9:39). Affliction brings us to a more intimate knowledge of God. This is the promise of God: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:1). Accordingly, when the three Hebrew children were thrown into the burning fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to bow down to and worship the golden image that he made, Jesus appeared to them as the fourth person in the fire and they were not burnt. The evil king himself confirmed this. He exclaimed: Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king. Look! he answered, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:24-25). Similarly, when the Jews were stoning Stephen to death, his eyes were opened, and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the throne of God: When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! (Acts 7:54-56). From Doctor To Nurse In 2002, I felt an unusual lump in my groin while having a shower. Just as soon as I detected this, the Lord spoke to me. Femi, He said, It is a hernia. Go and see a doctor. I was excited that the Lord, Himself, had revealed this to me. But I could not understand why He would then tell me to go and see a doctor instead of just healing me. He healed me with the bullet in my leg. What was so different about hernia? This became a big trial of faith while I argued that, rather than consult a doctor, the Lord should just heal me. When I finally went to the doctor, he worsened matters by informing me the hernia would have to be surgically corrected. In the end, after arguing with God for over one year, I succumbed to surgery. After I left the hospital, the Lord told me to read this scripture: God blesses those who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles. He protects them and keeps them alive; He publicly honours them and destroys the power of their enemies. He nurses them when they are sick and soothes their pains and worries. (Psalm 41:1-3). Then He said to me: Femi, you know Me as a doctor. But I also want you to know Me as a nurse. Blessings of COVID-19 In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Nouveau School was closed for seven months. I lost a lot of money and ran into debt. My wife and I were stuck in the house for months because our ages put us in the most vulnerable category statistically. But in the middle of that affliction, God gave me a mighty blessing. With the advent of ZOOM, He told me to start Midnight Prayers. This quickly included participants from Nigeria, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Great Britain and the United States. For the past three-and-a-half years, we have met non-stop every midnight to pray for one hour. That prayer meeting has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It was born out of the adversity of COVID-19. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When Justice Waziri considers himself in need to some distraction from his honeymoon and from the peregrinations of an itinerant jurist, he may benefit from paying a visit to Otuoke for a private seminar on how not repeat the Mali crisis in Nigeria. Supreme Courts are places where lawyers and judges regularly encounter one another. On 17 November, one of such encounters occurred, not in the regular halls of Nigerias Supreme Court in Abuja but in its Mosque. There, Abdulaziz Waziri, a Justice of Appeal wedded Zaynab Bashir, a judge of Nigerias National Industrial Court. The wedding reception followed thereafter at a well-appointed venue in up-market Maitama, in Abuja. Justice Waziri has been nothing, if not busy this season. For his duty station in this election petition appeal season, Justice Waziri was stationed in Jos, Plateau State, where the Justices of Appeal, in the state from which the President of the Court of Appeal hails, have been busy re-writing the results of the elections, taking seats from one party and generously handing them to another party on the bases of jurisprudence that can most charitably be described as extraordinarily specious. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. From Jos, His Lordship went to Abuja for his matrimonial rituals at the Supreme Court. The location and duration of the ensuing honeymoon was, advisedly, ensconced in discretion. A mere 25 days after the wedding, however, the aforesaid Justice Abdulaziz Waziri was listed to deliver the opening keynote at the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association in Yola. Rumours that the jollities of a richly earned honeymoon would distract His Lordship from this appearance proved to be admirably unfounded. Yola is the place where His Lordship honed his skills in the law and where his judicial career began. The arrival in power of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has coincided with a career break-out for His Lordship. In March 2016, Governor Jibrilla Bindow, elected on the platform of the APC, swore him in as a judge of the High Court of Adamawa State. A mere five years later, in June 2021, he became a Justice of the Court of Appeal, following appointment by the party leader, Muhammadu Buhari. Regular judicial duties and the election petition season conspired to keep His Lordship away from home. So, the invitation by the Yola Bar served a healthy purpose. On 12 December, Justice Waziri arrived Yola in person and went swinging with the gusto of a man whose virility had been recently tested and proved. Speaking to the Yola Bar, Justice Waziri launched into a wanton defence of the jurisprudential proclivities of the Court of Appeal in the Plateau State election petition appeals. He invited participants in a manner of speaking to understand why the judges know better than the voters who should rule over them and asked them to show greater understanding for the generosity of the Court of Appeal Bench in overriding the voters of Plateau State and dutifully handing their mandate to persons other than those whom they had chosen. It is impossible to be devoid of fraternal feeling for a man in mid-life crises battling the exertions of an unfinished honeymoon. Any effort to address him must afford him the mitigation that his head may be located elsewhere as an anatomical proposition, and not just a figure of speech. These extenuating circumstances notwithstanding, Justice Waziris remarks must detain us. Urging his listeners to always stand on the side of the law, His Lordship panned those belly-aching about the Court of Appeal, saying that the critics of the judgment were missing the point as the (Peoples Democracy) Party whose victories the Court of Appeal has systematically stolen had no structure on ground at the point of presenting their candidates. He claimed that the structures of the party had been wiped away by a high court decision and that they did not exist for the purpose of conducting the party congresses that yielded their candidates in the elections of 2023. These remarks by a relatively junior Justice of Appeal were considered sufficiently weighty to make the headlines across all platforms in the country. As befits the trajectory of a man whose recent life has been rife with consistent coincidence, the beneficiaries of the seats which he has been busy handing out as a Justice of Appeal just also happen to be his appointive benefactors, the APC. It is impossible to be devoid of fraternal feeling for a man in mid-life crises battling the exertions of an unfinished honeymoon. Any effort to address him must afford him the mitigation that his head may be located elsewhere as an anatomical proposition, and not just a figure of speech. These extenuating circumstances notwithstanding, Justice Waziris remarks must detain us. The traditional view is that judges speak most credibly and authoritatively through their judgments. It is at best unusual and mostly ill-advised for them to resort to the soapbox or its diction to rationalise what they do on the Bench. But we are in extraordinary times in Nigeria. A generation ago, it would have been considered judicial malpractice for a judge to speak in public about whether or not a political party has structures going into an election, because few would think that to be judicial province. In this case, the judge did more than just go out of his substantive province. Jos, the capital of Plateau State, where the Justices of Appeal have done their thing, is located in north-central Nigeria. It is a drive of over 520 kilometres from Yola in the north-east, where His Lordship mounted his judicial soap-box. But it is not altogether unwelcome that His Lordship in this case feels called upon to mount a spirited defence of the detour by the Court of Appeal into the realm of electoral burglary clothed in the ruse of law. His bid for the judicial soap-box relieves one of any of the usual constraints invoked when encountering a judicial figure on the Bench. The facts are less complicated than his Lordship sought to portray them. Following the state congresses in Plateau State in 2022, one Augustine Timkuk sued to challenge the legality of what transpired. The defendants included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Plateau State, the victim of this perverse transaction, is also one of the most chronic atrocities sites in Nigeria, going back to 1994. Official literature abounds to prove that the state does not need much provocation to unhinge. The consequences for elective government, as for coexistence, are destined to be very corrosive. Justice Waziri knows this and so must his colleagues on the Court of Appeal. After failing to set aside the congresses and the resulting slate of candidates at the High Court, Mr Timkuk appealed to the Court of Appeal in appeal number CA/J/300/2022 between Augustine Timkuk v. INEC and 6 Others. Days before the onset of election season in 2023, on 11 February, the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, Plateau State validated the state congresses and dismissed Mr Timkuks case. There was no appeal against this decision and no judgment existed prior to the election nullifying the party congresses or the slate of candidates from them. Sitting in a post-election capacity, however, Justice Waziri and his colleagues, on a separate panel of the Court of Appeal, have acted with injudicious premeditation, ransacking decisions of the self-same court of appeal and inventing justifications for things that endanger the standing of the judicial organ as a deliberative institution constrained, as it ought to be, by the norms of evidence, precedent, logic, and institutional self-restraint. They have done worse than infantilise the people of Plateau State, telling them that they are unfit to choose who represents or governs them. Instead, they assert in words, as in their deeds, that they as Justices of Appeal know best. The most charitable one can be about this is to describe it as judicial overreach. Others inclined to be less charitable may see Plateau State as the site of a criminal judicial transaction. Plateau State, the victim of this perverse transaction, is also one of the most chronic atrocities sites in Nigeria, going back to 1994. Official literature abounds to prove that the state does not need much provocation to unhinge. The consequences for elective government, as for coexistence, are destined to be very corrosive. Justice Waziri knows this and so must his colleagues on the Court of Appeal. But there are also precedents from nearby in case they wish to be reminded. In April 2020, Malis Constitutional Court overturned the results in 31 parliamentary seats won by the opposition. Its decision to hand these seats over to the ruling party sparked an uprising that led first to the dissolution of the Constitutional Court, later followed by the overthrow of the government in a military coup. Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, mediated that situation unsuccessfully. When Justice Waziri considers himself in need to some distraction from his honeymoon and from the peregrinations of an itinerant jurist, he may benefit from paying a visit to Otuoke for a private seminar on how not repeat the Mali crisis in Nigeria. 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 A 16-year-old boy was charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of a teenage boy and a 65-year-old man outside their Southwest Side home, according to Chicago police. Police arrested the boy Friday in the 6700 block of South Artesian Avenue. Police said he shot two people just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 3500 block of West 61st Place. Advertisement The Cook County medical examiners office identified the victims as Juan A. Medina Jr., 14, and Mario Medina, 65. The office ruled both deaths a homicide, caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Police said the victims were standing outside when two people inside a gray vehicle fired shots before fleeing west on 61st Place. The boy died at the scene, while the older Medina was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he later died. Advertisement Sources told the Tribune that the victims were relatives who shared the same Chicago Lawn home. The medical examiners office confirmed both victims had the same address. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com by Chu Mengmeng HONG KONG, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Every Wednesday or Friday morning, people from different parts of Hong Kong gather in front of a bookstore in Yau Ma Tei in south Kowloon Peninsula, waiting for its opening. As soon as the gate opens at 11:00 a.m., they will rush in to see the new arrivals of books. Once a week, various types of new books published in the Chinese mainland hit the shelves in the Yau Ma Tei branch of Hong Kong Chung Hwa Book Company. Throughout its history of over 100 years, the time-honored brand Chung Hwa has always held the principle of promoting Chinese culture via publishing and selling books. The Yau Ma Tei branch, established in 1979 as a flagship store, best embodies that principle. The top floor of the three-storey store is designed in a classical Chinese style. Dozens of wooden shelves are full of books, most of which are about Chinese culture, and interspersed with different sorts of traditional stationery, such as Chinese writing brushes, inks, Xuan paper, inkstones, etc. "There are more than 8,000 types of China-themed books," says Chu Chi-kwan, the store manager. He walks from shelf to shelf and introduces the extensive range of books, including literature, history, philosophy, classical Chinese art and traditional Chinese medicine. The rich collection appeals to many Hong Kong people, who make the store their first choice when seeking books about Chinese culture. Even if the books pursued are not available in the store, Chu can help the customers place an order from the Chinese mainland as soon as possible. Among the frequenters are some cultural figures. Lee Chack-fan, a professor at Hong Kong University, recalls visiting the store nearly every week in the 1990s and sometimes even hunting out some favorite items for Jao Tsung-I, a world-renowned Hong Kong scholar of traditional Chinese culture. A number of overseas Chinese also make special trips here on a regular yearly basis, Chu says. "Our store's influence goes beyond the neighboring community to cover Hong Kong and even the whole Asia." Founded in 1912 in Shanghai by Lufei Kui, an educator and publisher, the publishing agency boasts the gene to enlighten people with the essence of Chinese culture. It is exemplified by its first publication - a series of textbooks which were also the first ones of the kind after the end of more than 2,000 years of feudal rule in China. In Hong Kong, an affiliated agency of Chung Hwa was set up in 1927, and then became the core base of the company after Shanghai was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army in the World War II. Books printed by Chung Hwa in Hong Kong were shipped to the unoccupied areas in the Chinese mainland, contributing to China's educational and cultural endeavor during wartime. After the war, Chung Hwa continued to flourish in Hong Kong. "Many people in Hong Kong admit that they have been reading Chung Hwa's books while growing up," says Lai Yiu-keung, the deputy editor-in-chief of Hong Kong Chung Hwa. Lai, also a book lover in his fifties, recalls that almost every Hong Konger of his generation owns a dictionary published by Hong Kong Chung Hwa. According to the incomplete statistics collected by Chan Zaak-lam, a researcher of Hong Kong history, from the 1950s to 1970s, Hong Kong Chung Hwa released around 850 types of books, of which more than one-third were about Chinese civilization. In 1988, Hong Kong Chung Hwa re-registered independently and integrated with several other publishing institutions to form Sino United Publishing. Since then, the old brand has been promoting Chinese culture to more readers through innovation. During the five years since 2012, Lai and his colleagues invited scholars home and abroad to write introductions and annotations for 50 selected Chinese classical works, including "The Analects of Confucius" and "The Classic of Mountains and Seas." "We would like to make full use of Hong Kong's close ties with both the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world and dig out the contemporary value of ancient Chinese civilization," Lai says. In recent years, Hong Kong Chung Hwa has expanded its business beyond publication to attract a younger reader group, including holding lectures for authors to communicate directly with their readers. Most of the time, the venue is the Yau Ma Tei store, where the decoration and vast sea of books offer an immersive atmosphere for the participants to learn more about Chinese culture. Lai, who first came to the store as a teenager decades ago, is now happy to return here as a lecture organizer to offer a platform for direct communication between the authors and their readers. In this age of shifting sands in global political loyalties and ideological blocs, it is increasingly becoming clear to policy makers in Africa that the era of avoidable waste and loose controls which made the continent the world headquarters of illicit financial flight, must be brought to a quick end through the transmission of necessary technical skills in those who help to run the shop. Like many other development enthusiasts on the African continent, I was shocked by the recent disclosure made by Professor Kevin Chika Urama, vice president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), that African countries lose almost $90 billion in illicit financial flows annually, and much more in illicit resource flows and resource theft, poorly implemented fiscal policy incentives, and excessive dependence on commodity exports for foreign exchange earnings. The High-Level Panel (HLP) on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa in its 2015 report estimated that Africa lost an estimated $1 trillion or more over a period of 50 years in Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs). This sum is roughly equivalent to all the official development assistance received by Africa during the same period. Opaque government processes, corruption and illicit financial flows create a vicious cycle of fiscal sinking holes in Africas public resources. As the government loses revenues, it is forced to borrow, and the borrowed funds are in turn stolen, because there are no measures to stop the drain of public resources. How to put an end to this kind of humongous resource evaporation must be of concern to countries within the continent, where about 462 million people are still living in extreme poverty. To fully understand the level of estimated leakage, consider the fact that the proposed 2024 federal budget of Africas largest economy, Nigeria, is NGN 27.5 trillion or about $34.70 billion. It is a well known fact that Africa is rich in natural resources but poor in cash. Several studies have attributed this to poor management of public resources from ineffective mobilisation and use of domestic revenue, unsustainable borrowing and lack of prudence in the use of debt resources, illicit financial and resource flows, resource theft, among others forms of leakages and corruption along the public finance management (PFM) ecosystems in countries. The Academy provides opportunities for African countries and experts to share practical experiences and learn from each other to improve PFM practices across the continent. By bringing together experts and practitioners from Africa and its development partners, the Academy encourages peer-to-peer learning among the experts and African practitioners to ensure that PFM programmes are duly embedded in the realities of countries. AFDBs Public Finance Management Academy Now, thanks to the African Development Executive Training Programme of the African Development Banks Public Finance Management Academy (PFMA), concrete measures are being taken to ensure the delivery of technical knowledge on PFM, which will empower policymakers with soft skills to change attitudes and mindsets. It is calculated that this will be achieved through high level policy dialogues with leaders at all levels. The Academy provides opportunities for African countries and experts to share practical experiences and learn from each other to improve PFM practices across the continent. By bringing together experts and practitioners from Africa and its development partners, the Academy encourages peer-to-peer learning among the experts and African practitioners to ensure that PFM programmes are duly embedded in the realities of countries. The first cohort of 145 public officials nominated by 45 African countries commenced the 18-month structured capacity development (CD) programme in July 2022. Of these, 52 public officials from 26 countries have successfully completed the CD programme and satisfied the conditions to be certified by the Bank Group and partners as PFM experts in their respective countries. As a continent-wide affair, the programme had the blessing and collaboration (in terms of human and financial capital to co-design and co-deliver the capacity development programmes under the PFMA) of AfDBs institutional partners, among which are the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), and the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI). Others include the African Organisation of English-Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Open Government Partnership (OGP), Open Ownership (OO), OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum), Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI), and others. Through this training, I have learnt to exercise more due diligence and ensure that resources are allocated where the most return on investment is. I have learnt to pay attention to detail when reviewing monthly expenditure reports from the departments and public entities and with confidence, I have begun to influence where resources can be redirected especially in the era of austerity measures. As Urama explained, the PFMA is an implementation activity of the African Development Bank Groups programmes to strengthen the capacity of African countries in economic governance and knowledge management to enhance wealth creation, and prudential management of public finances to improve the quality of lives for Africans. Impact If anyone had any doubt about the possible impact of the programme and its implications for how government business is conducted all over the continent going forward, Isaac Kurasha, a South African who works with that countrys National Treasury and who was one of the pioneer graduates of the scheme testified: Today, I now understand how my roles in Public Finance link to my colleagues roles in Tax Policy, Economic Policy, Asset and Liability Management, Procurement, Public Private Partnership units, among others. I now understand why our National Treasury is structured the way it is. Its structure resembles the public financial management cycle! Now I know. Through this training, I have learnt to exercise more due diligence and ensure that resources are allocated where the most return on investment is. I have learnt to pay attention to detail when reviewing monthly expenditure reports from the departments and public entities and with confidence, I have begun to influence where resources can be redirected especially in the era of austerity measures. In this age of shifting sands in global political loyalties and ideological blocs, it is increasingly becoming clear to policy makers in Africa that the era of avoidable waste and loose controls which made the continent the world headquarters of illicit financial flight, must be brought to a quick end through the transmission of necessary technical skills in those who help to run the shop. It is gladdening to see that Africans are standing together to mobilise and efficiently manage the resources required to enhance productivity and create wealth on the continent. Goodnight, Ezeife Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, ex-governor of Anambra State and one of the few respected elders who could be trusted to find their voice in times of grave national crises, quietly slipped away to eternity last week at the age of 85. Born in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, on 20 November 1937, he did not have a formal secondary school education but taught himself at home and augmented this with correspondence courses. He then gained admission into the University of Ibadan where he bagged a BSc in Economics in 1972, before proceeding to Harvard University on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship, where he obtained a masters and then PhD degree in 1972. Working Life He worked as a teacher lecturer at Makerere University College, Kampala; as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University, and a Consultant with Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He later joined the Nigerian federal civil service as an Administrative Officer from where he rose to the position of Permanent Secretary before retiring. Ezeife was elected governor of Anambra State on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), from January 1992 to November 1993, when General Sani Abacha seized power at the federal level. He brought his knowledge of how things work at the federal level to bear on his shrewd decision to transfer Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to the federal government, thus ensuring freeing the states resources for more pressing needs, while the federal government took over the funding of the institutions. He won the hearts of many pro-democracy activists with his steadfast support for the winner of the 1993 presidential elections, Bashorun MKO Abiola. He later served as Presidential Adviser on Political Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo. Nigerias President Bola Tinubu joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the passing of the great man, acknowledging the towering influence of the former federal permanent secretary in Nigerias political landscape as well as his leadership credentials. Ardent Desire One of the ardent wishes of the man called Okwadike, the traditional title by which he was affectionately known, was the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu for whom he was even prepared to stand surety. Unfortunately, it did not happen in his lifetime. May God grant him peaceful repose. Wole Olaoye is a public relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com. Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has mourned the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheik Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who died on Saturday at the age of 86. In a condolence message to the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Nigeria, Mr Sani said it is with submission to the Will of Allah (SWT) that he received the news of the death of the respected monarch. Governor Sani described the late Emir as a visionary leader and great statesman who led Kuwait with uncommon courage and commitment to transforming the country into an exemplary nation with outstanding development, peace and stability. We are saddened by the news of the loss of the legendary Emir. Kaduna State is a leading partner of Kuwait in Nigeria. The vision of the late Emir led to the expansion of Kuwaits humanitarian interventions in Nigeria. Kuwaits interventions have helped to bring succour to the poor, underserved and vulnerable. The legacy of the late Emir will surely endure. On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Kaduna State, kindly accept our heartfelt condolences. We pray fervently for the repose of the gentle soul of Sheik Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. May the Almighty Allah give the ruling Sabah Family and the Kuwaiti people the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Mr Sani stated. In another condolence message, the Kaduna State governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Borno State over the loss of one of their illustrious sons, the Waziri of Borno, Alhaji Mustapha Mukhtar. In a condolence message to Professor Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, Mr Sani described the late Waziri as a renowned scholar, community leader and exponent of the values of the Elkanemi Dynasty. Borno State, and indeed Nigeria have lost a resourceful strategist and effective communicator who was the Chief Adviser to the Shehu of Borno at a most challenging period. On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Kaduna State, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Borno State. We pray fervently for the repose of the gentle soul of Waziri Mustapha Mukhtar. May the Almighty Allah give the Mukhtar Family, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, and the entire people of Borno State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Governor Uba Sani stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least four people were killed while dozens of others were abducted in separate terrorist attacks in Katsina and Zamfara States on Saturday. Residents of Katsina and Zamfara States are facing renewed terrorist onslaught in recent weeks. In the Zamfara attack, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the terrorists opened fire on motorists around Dogon Karfe on the Gusau Talata Mafara highway around 7:00 p.m. The terrorists stationed on both sides of the highway and once the first vehicle arrived, they opened fire from both sides of the road. About seven vehicles were involved, a resident of Maru town near where the attack occurred, Bello Saleh, told PREMIUM TIMES on the phone. He said most of the passengers were abducted while several others were left with various degrees of injuries. The wounded passengers were abandoned by the terrorists and they took away those that could walk. One of the wounded passengers we helped to convey to the hospital on my motorcycle continued shouting that his wife and child were abducted. Weve taken at least seven people to the general hospital (Maru), he said. Mr Saleh said the number of those abducted remains unclear as most of those not seen are believed to have been taken. We dont know the actual number of people taken but theyre many. The police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yazid Abubakar, didnt respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack. Rain of bullets In neighbouring Katsina State, four farmers were killed by terrorists Saturday morning. Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the farmers were from Dan Tsuntsu and Nahutawa in Batsari Local Government in the state. They were there to harvest their potatoes when the terrorists attacked around 10:00 a.m. You know weve been going through difficulties in this areas for years, so some of our farmers and elders met and decided to be going to the farm in large numbers to avoid threat. And theyve been doing that for some time now. Yesterday, they went to plug out their potatoes, as we have a lot of potato farmers in the area when the terrorists surrounded and opened fire on them, a source, who asked for anonymity for security reasons told PREMIUM TIMES. He said his neighbour, Sule Dan Tsuntsu, was one of the four farmers killed by the terrorists while several others were wounded. The source, who is a medical health worker, said the terrorists abducted eight people. The police command said its operatives are carrying out a rescue mission in the area. Yes, its true (the attack) four people were killed while one person has been wounded. Already, weve sent our operatives to rescue those abducted by the terrorists. Normalcy has since returned in the area, the spokesperson, Abubakar Sadik told PREMIUM TIMES through phone. North west subregion, especially Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi and a part of Niger State, has been witnessing a high rate of attacks by terrorists locally bandits for over a decade. The terrorists kill and abduct residents from communities, schools, places of worship and highways and demand huge ransom before releasing the abductees. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SHANGHAI, Dec. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- YolTech Therapeutics today announced that the first patient has been dosed with YOLT-201, the company's first in vivo genome editing candidate being developed as a single dose, potentially curative therapy for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). The study by YolTech is a single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06082050). This trial's primary objectives are to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of YOLT-201 as well as the identification of an Optimal Biologically Active Dose (OBD). ATTR-CM, a rare, progressive and debilitating disease. It is caused by the misfolding of unstable Transthyretin Protein (TTR), leading to the deposition of amyloid-like buildup in the myocardial interstitium, causing stiffening of the heart muscle and subsequent heart failure. Studies have reported the median survival time of approximately 3.5 years from the first diagnosis of ATTR-CM if left untreated. Dr. Yuxuan Wu, Founder and CEO of YolTech, expressed, "The successful FPI in this trial is a significant milestone, representing YolTech's relentless efforts in the field of in vivo gene editing are gradually becoming a reality. We extend our gratitude to all researchers, partners, and supporters involved in the YOLT-201 project, especially to the dedicated research team at FAHZU for their steadfast support of drug development in vivo gene editing. We believe through this therapeutic intervention, we will provide a novel treatment option for ATTR-CM patients, offering them new hope and an improved quality of life." This study is a part of YolTech's series of clinical trials in vivo gene editing. The company remains committed to advancing research in the treatment of ATTR and other diseases. Through close collaboration with the clinical community, we will continue to pursue excellence, push the boundaries of medical technology, and provide more advanced and innovative medical solutions for patients worldwide. About YOLT-201 YOLT-201 Injection utilizes several lipid components including ionizable lipids as primary excipients to encapsulate mRNA and sgRNA raw materials, forming lipid nanoparticles (LNP). Upon intravenous injection into the body, plasma ApoE protein binds to the surface of LNP particles. Liver cells expressing the LDLR receptor recognize ApoE protein and engulf the LNP through endocytosis, forming endosomes. The decrease in pH within endosomes promotes electrostatic interactions between ionizable lipids and endosomal membranes, leading to membrane disruption and the release of mRNA and sgRNA. mRNA, in the cytoplasm, binds to ribosomes, translating the base editor protein. The base editor protein, in combination with sgRNA, enters the cell nucleus. sgRNA specifically locates the base editor to the TTR gene sequence, and the base editor protein modifies the bases on the target TTR gene, preventing its normal transcription into mRNA. This process stops the production of the TTR protein, achieving the goal of a one-time administration for a comprehensive cure of ATTR diseases. About YolTech YolTech Therapeutics is a pioneering gene editing company dedicated to develop a robust gene editing medicines to treat patients with serious diseases, which has built leading high-throughput evolution platform and innovative LNP deliver system. It possesses strong capability of novel Cas and base editor discovery and exceptional in-house LNP production capacity for GMP manufactory, with independent intellectual property rights and core patent protection globally. It has created a pipeline with 10+ genetic medicines focusing on cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases as well as more common and rare diseases. Leading asset will enter phase I trial by end of 2023. For more information, please visit: www.yoltx.com SOURCE YolTech Therapeutics If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Varanasi, Dec 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at 'Namo Ghat' in Varanasi on Sunday. The cultural festival will be held from December 17 to 30. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present during the event. On his two-day visit to his constituency, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate 37 projects worth over Rs 19,000 crore for Varanasi and Purvanchal. He will also flag off a new train from Kanyakumari to Varanasi. "The preparations for PM Modi's visit are in the final stage. The preparations at the venues of his programs and his stay are also almost done. The main event is the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra," Varanasi Division Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said. The first batch of the Tamil delegation, comprising around 1,400 people, left from Chennai on December 15. During their stay in Kashi, as per their tour itinerary, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya, an official release stated. "The seven groups of Students (Ganga), Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri) have been named after seven sacred rivers of India will travel from Chennai, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari to Kashi," it stated. The release stated that over 42,000 registrations were received during the time of registration that ended on December 8 and out of them, 200 people for each group were selected by the selection committee. The Union Ministry of Education will be the nodal agency for this event. The first phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organised from November 16 to December 16, 2022, with the Ministry of Education working as the nodal agency, in which over 2,500 people from Tamil Nadu travelled to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya on an eight-day tour. UP Police on high alert along border after trouble in Nepal district. Image Source: IANS News Aligarh, Dec 17 : Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Manoj Sharma, who was absconding since he allegedly shot a woman accidentally in the head, has been arrested, late on Saturday. The CCTV footage of the incident, which has been doing the rounds on social media, purportedly shows the officer cocking his pistol inside a police station when suddenly it goes off and hits a woman who was standing across the table in the head. She collapses immediately on the spot. The incident which appears to be a case of aaccidental firinga occurred on December 8 and the victim Ishrat Nigar, 55, succumbed to her injuries on December 14. "SI Manoj Sharma was arrested in Bannadevi Police area. He was absconding since the incident," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi said. A non-bailable warrant was issued against the absconding SI and a reward of Rs 20,000 was also announced on his head. The policeman, who handed over the pistol to the SI, has been already arrested for negligence, the SSP said. Washington, Dec 17 : The five Indian-American members of the US House of Representatives have said in a joint statement that it's "critical" that India investigates allegations that one of its officials engaged in a plot to kill an American citizen and the failure to address these issues could "cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership". Washington, Dec 17 (IANS) The five Indian-American members of the US House of Representatives have said in a joint statement that it's "critical" that India investigates allegations that one of its officials engaged in a plot to kill an American citizen and the failure to address these issues could "cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership". Representatives Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthy, Pramila Jayapal and Shree Thanedar issued the statement after a classified briefing by officials. The US attorney for the southern district of New York has alleged in an indictment unsealed in a court on November 26 that a senior Indian official directed Neeraj Gupta, an Indian citizen, to arrange for the killing of -- although not named in the court document -- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani activist in New York. Gupta is alleged to have contacted a man who turned out to be a confidential informant of the Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the US. This informant, in turn, introduced Gupta to a contract killer, who was actually an agent of the DEA. A deal was struck for $100,000 with the go-ahead from the senior official, who was allegedly directing the plot from India. The indictment also alleges that the Indians in the plot had talked about other targets as well, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan activist who was killed in Canada in June. The indictment said Gupta had been arrested and detained by Czech authorities in June at the request of the US under an extradition treaty between the countries. India has announced a committee to investigate these allegations. "We appreciate the Administration providing us a classified briefing on the Department of Justice's indictment of Nikhil Gupta, which alleges that an Indian government official engaged in a murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen," the five members wrote in the joint statement. "As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the indictment are deeply concerning. "We welcome the Government of India's announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again. We believe the U.S. India partnership has made a meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership." These members have been generally supportive of India and have worked assiduously to improve and expand ties between the two countries. Two of them Khanna and Krishnamoorthi have been trying to pass legislation that would accord India the same status of NATO+5 countries for purchasing highly sophisticated defence and dual-use technology. Jerusalem, Dec 17 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip after the conflict with Hamas is over. Netanyahu made the remarks at a press conference in Tel Aviv in response to a question about his plan for Gaza when the conflict comes to an end. "There will be demilitarization. The IDF will be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip because there is no other factor that will ensure the fight against terrorism, and I can tell you that there will be a civil governance that does not educate its children to destroy Israel," he stressed. The Israeli prime minister also noted at the press conference that once Hamas is destroyed, his country will focus on its northern region, where almost 100,000 Israelis are currently displaced from their homes. He added that there would be a diplomatic situation on the northern border or a different way to solve the situation. There was also an inquiry about whether Netanyahu passed up an opportunity to send the head of Israel's Mossad to talks in Qatar on a new hostage deal a few days ago. In response, the prime minister said he won't "make the mistake of telling Israel's enemies about its considerations" and Israel is negotiating with the enemy via "blood, fire and pillars of smoke." BEIRUT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese army announced on Sunday that it has rescued 51 people attempting an illegal sea escape from a sinking boat near the northern city of Tripoli. According to the army's statement, those rescued included 49 Syrians and two Palestinians. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Lebanese Red Cross. This incident sheds light on the growing challenge of illegal immigration in Lebanon. In recent months, more Syrians, Palestinians, and Lebanese citizens have been trying to leave the country for better living conditions. Lebanon is currently grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis, pushing over 80 percent of its population into poverty. The security agencies in the country are stepping up efforts to address the surge in illegal immigration. Kolkata, Dec 17 : Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan on charges of duping people by opening a fake profile of an inspector-rank officer on social media. The arrested person has been identified as Sheikh Rais. Earlier too, he was arrested for making similar frauds and had also had spent some time behind the bars for his crime. In the latest case, the accused opened a fake social media account in the name of the officer-in-charge of Burtolla Police Station. Thereafter, he posted an advertisement from the fake social media account to sell some furniture of the police station. After one person had shown interest in purchasing the same and contacted Rais on the fake social media account. The accused shared attractive pictures of some furniture. The prospective buyer was convinced and he was assured of the delivery of the future once an amount of little over Rs 1,00,000 is deposited to a particular bank account. The convinced buyer did accordingly and soon after he deposited the amount, Rais became totally incommunicado and even the bank account where the amount was deposited was deactivated. Thereafter the duped individual contacted the Burtolla Police Station, which referred the matter to the cops of cyber crime division. The cyber crime division started the investigation and in that process they gradually tracked the involvement of Rais in the matter. After Rais' arrest, the police checked his background and came to know that earlier too he was arrested in a similar case. Washington, Dec 17 : Taiwan, and its most important and powerful ally the US, spent most of 2023 in anticipation of an impending Chinese invasion. As the year before, and the year before that. Year 2024 will be no different, as many top US generals and experts have warned that the Chinese invasion could take place in 2024, or any time after till 2027. Fueling these fears is Chinese President Xi Jinping's instructions to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready to unify Taiwan with China either by force or otherwise by 2027, which is key to the fulfillment of his "China Dream". The war against Taiwan, if it comes to that, might seem easy given the overall military superiority of the Chinese military but an amphibious assault across the Taiwan Strait will be difficult and costly to sustain over a period of time. But the real war that Xi wants China to be prepared for is the one against the US which is likely to come to Taiwan's aid if it is invaded. That has been the unspecified part of America's policy of "strategic ambiguity" regarding its plans in cases of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan for decades. President Joe Biden, however, has ended the ambiguity and stated clearly enough times to differentiate from a gaffe or mistake. He has said he will send troops to Taiwan's aid if it is attacked. The US has a one-China policy under which it recognises the People's Republic of China as the only China and does not support independence for Taiwan. But, as part of this same policy, it does not want either party to try to force a change in the status quo. Under this same policy, the US has been mandated by its congress to supply Taiwan whatever military equipment it needs to defend itself from China. And that makes the US the real adversary for China in Xi's goal of unifying Taiwan with the mainland. Biden reiterated this US policy in his meeting with Xi in November. "He made it clear to President Xi that we don't seek conflict; we -- were pursuing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait -- that's what we -- we wanted and still want; that there's no change to our One China policy; that we don't support independence for Taiwan," John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, told reporters after the summit. "But that we will, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, continue to provide self-defense capabilities to -- to Taiwan; and, again, make the point that we don't want to see the status quo changed in any sort of a unilateral way and certainly not by force." A key aspect of Biden's unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion is a signal to Xi, that he can expect the same level of US pushback if he ever did indeed decide to invade Taiwan. Republic of China, as Taiwan is officially named, is an island nation roughly the size of Kerala. It is not recognized as a country by the UN, as of 1971. Although most countries do not have regular diplomatic ties with Taiwan with missions and consulates there, they maintain representative presence. The American Institute in Taiwan, a private corporation sponsored by the US government serves US interests there. India is represented there by the Indian Representative Office in Taipei. Reciprocally, Taiwan is represented by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in these countries. Wedded to a one-China policy for decades, India has been ramping up ties with Taiwan in recent years, especially as relations with China deteriorated in the aftermath of 2020 border clashes in Galwan Valley. Although these ties are mostly rooted in economic and business sectors, the two countries are being pushed together by America's efforts to build a compact against China. There is talk here in Washington D.C. about a possible role India could play in a US-China conflict over Taiwan. Or, it has been suggested by one expert, the US should expect no help from India. Mumbai, Dec 17 : A 30-year old woman doctor has accused a prominent industrialist of sexual assault on her last year, as per a complaint lodged with Mumbai Police. A resident of Juhu, the doctor, has filed the complaint against the 64-year old business honcho of a prominent industrial group, with the Bandra Kurla Police Station on Wednesday. As per the FIR, the victim was introduced to the industrialist at an IPL match inside the VIP Box of the International Stadium, Dubai on October 8, 2021 during the COVID pandemic. They exchanged contact details and started chatting on Whatsapp when the industrialist sought to meet her. In December, 2021, the woman had gone to Jaipur for an event where she again met the accused and they talked and chatted. Then, he allegedly tried to get cosy with her, calling her with words like 'babe', 'baby' and insisted meeting in a hotel, despite her suggestions to meet in a public place. The industrialist showed his romantic inclinations, assured her full privacy in a hotel room and even offered his credit card details for personal use which she declined. Her complaint alleged that on December 24, 2021, the industrialist booked a suite at a five-star hotel in Bandra west in her name. They met and he reportedly shared his marital problems, then he allegedly hugged the victim, and attempted to kiss her, but she spurned his overtures. He asked her to send her revealing photos but she ignored and he also tried to lure her with offers of a bungalow, car and business help. When she demanded to make their relationship legal with a registered marriage, the honcho allegedly refused, citing societal norms but proposed they could live as 'husband and wife' abroad, but she refused to budge. After some more meetings at his office in BKC, the industrialist allegedly forced her to have oral sex in the bathroom of his office. The woman doctor said she felt traumatised by his conduct, sexual exploitation causing great mental and emotional agony, resulting in her filing the complaint in February, after which the accused attempted to dissuade her with offers of money to withdraw the case. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Delhi Police's Special Cell has recovered phone parts of the accused in the Parliament security breach case from the Nagaur area in Rajasthan, where the main conspirator Lalit Jha, first broke them and then burned them. "To recover the evidence, Jha was taken to Rajasthan, and we have recovered broken phones," said a source privy to the probe. Jha took away the mobile phones of the four other accused just before executing their plan and made a hasty getaway. He also reportedly filmed the protest by Amol and Neelam outside the Parliament and shared it with a person named Nilakkha Aich, who is linked to an NGO (Samovadi Subash) in West Bengal. As per sources, a team from the Special Cell of Delhi Police is expected to go to West Bengal to question Aich, a second-year under-graduate student at a reputed college in the state. After a Delhi court sent Jha to seven-day police custody on Friday, the sixth accused, Mahesh Kumawat, was also sent to police custody for a week on Saturday. On Thursday, the same court had sent four accused persons -- Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde -- to seven-day police custody. All four were arrested from the Parliament premises on Wednesday. Aizawl/Imphal/Kohima, Dec 17 : The drug menace has replaced militancy as the prime threat in the northeastern states owing to the region's close proximity to Myanmar, which according to the Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023, is the world's biggest opium producer. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023 on December 12 stating that Myanmar is the world's biggest opium producer. According to the survey, from 2022 to 2023, Myanmar saw an 18 per cent increase to 1,16,000 acres in the land used to grow the illicit crop and a 16 per cent rise in production. The growth can be attributed to multiple factors such as improved plot density, the use of irrigation and fertilisers. Earlier Afghanistan was the biggest producer but since the ascent of the Taliban to power in 2021, the cultivation of opium poppies has seen a decrease of 95 per cent. The report notes that opium farming in Southeast Asia is closely linked to poverty, unemployment, lack of government services, challenging macroeconomic environment, instability and insecurity. Opium is a highly addictive narcotic drug acquired in the dried latex from the opium poppy seed pod. Heroin is derived from the morphine alkaloid found in opium. Traditionally the unripened pod is slit open and the sap seeps out and dries on the outer surface of the pod. After the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government in February 2021, over 40,000 Myanmarese have fled to Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland. Besides the civilian influx, over 100 Myanmar soldiers including officers and many elected leaders also took shelter in the northeastern states of India, mainly in Mizoram. With the arrival of the refugees, smuggling and illegal peddling of various drugs also saw a rise in the northeastern region of India with Mizoram turning into a major corridor of of the drug trade. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, said : "Any instability in India's neighbourhood is not in our interest, it impacts us as we share a common border. The problem of India-Myanmar gets accentuated by difficult geography and terrain." According to various law enforcement agencies, various drugs, worth over Rs 1,000 cr have been seized after these were smuggled from Myanmar into the northeastern states and over 200 people including Myanmarese have been arrested this year. After Mizoram, Assam, Manipur and Tripura are also facing a serious threat of drugs, mostly smuggled from Myanmar and traded to Bangladesh, different states of India and other countries. In Nagaland, 456 people have been arrested and drugs worth Rs 190 crore seized so far this year. Director-General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma said 318 cases were registered in connection with these arrests and 1,171 kg of ganja, 32 kg of opium, 26.63 kg of heroin and 5.46 kg of brown sugar was seized. He said that 12 drug peddlers were recently arrested from the Zubza police station area in Kohima district, which led to the busting of an inter-state racket that operated in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Punjab, besides Nagaland. "Upon interrogation, it was revealed that the accused are suspected to have trafficked around 60 kg of heroin worth about Rs 400 crore within one year," the police chief said. To curb the menace of drugs, the state police has taken a series of measures, including awareness campaigns, inter-departmental coordination, better investigation and prosecution, and technology upgradation, he said. Sharma said that extensive use of technology and inter-state close coordination for catching people involved in drug cases have yielded positive outcomes. Eight Nagaland police personnel found directly or indirectly involved in drug peddling have been dismissed from service, the DGP said. He said that three employees of different government departments have also been found to be involved. Nagaland has a 215-km unfenced international border with Myanmar and has inter-state borders with Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Both are being used by the drug peddlers for illegal trade of various drugs and other contraband besides arms and ammunition. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and senior law enforcement agency officials have accused illegal immigrants from Myanmar and drug peddlers, including Myanmar nationals, of being involved in mass poppy farming and forest destruction in the northeastern state. Ahead of the over seven-month-long ethnic violence, the Manipur government, during March-April, started destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and launched an eviction drive against the encroachers who illegally occupied the reserve and protected forest lands in the mountainous areas of the state. Since 2017, hundreds of encroachers have been evicted from forest land in Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Thoubal and Noney districts. People belonging to Meitei, Kuki, Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) and Kabui tribes have been evicted from the forest land. Poppy cultivation in Manipur was done over 15,496.8 acres. The Kuki-Chin community inhabited area in 2022-23 accounted for 804 acres and the Naga people inhabited area was 350 acres. The enormity of the drug menace has assumed such proportions that out of the state's population of 28 lakh, the number of drug-affected youths is around 1.4 lakh. Manipur, which shares around a 400 km unfenced border with Myanmar, has also become a gateway for illegal drugs, state government officials said. In Mizoram, the number of drug-related deaths was recorded at 68, including 11 women till November this year, 43 last year and 47 in 2021. The first case of a drug-related death in Mizoram, a key route for the smuggling of various types of drugs and other contraband from Myanmar, was recorded in 1984. A total of 1,804 people, including 218 women, have died due to drug abuse during the past 39 years, since 1984. Drug abuse in Mizoram reached alarming levels with 139 deaths in 2000 while the highest number of drug-related fatalities was 143 in 2004. Between January and October this year, various law enforcing agencies including the Excise and Narcotics Department seized 76.22 kg of heroin. Besides various illicit drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine tablets, foreign cigarettes, gold, arms and ammunition, exotic animals, and areca nuts are often smuggled from Myanmar into the northeastern states. Assam Rifles officials said that the highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, also called Yaba tablet or party tablet, is the main drug being traded illegally. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) Washington, Dec 17 : A seven-year-old Palestinian-American boy was killed while his mother was injured by their landlord in Illinois state of the U.S. ten days after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Around a month later, a 69-year-old Jewish man was killed during a dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine rally in California. In November, three Palestinian college students were shot and injured in Vermont. The cycle of violence continues feeding of escalated anti-Semitism and Islamophobia sweeping across the U.S and indeed in other parts of the world in the aftermath October 7 attack and the invasion of Gaza by Israel. Anti-Defamation League, which tracks anti-Semitism around the world, also reported an incident in Paris which on Tuesday. "A man entered the office of a kindergarten director who is Jewish, brandished a large knife, and said, 'You're a Jew. You're a Zionist. Five of us are going to rape you & cut you up like they did in Gaza'," the group said in a post on X. There has been a marked increase in both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia since October 7. ADL has said it recorded 2,031 anti-Semitic incidents between October 7 and December 7, which is 337 per cent more than the 465 incidents recorded over the same period in 2022. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy group for Muslim Americans, has said it has received 2,171 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bias. The rift has been playing out in U.S. colleges where anti-Semitism reached an alarming level that ended in the resignation of the president of one of the top universities following a congressional hearing. At another congressional hearing, FBI director Christopher Wray said: "The reality is that the Jewish community is uniquely targeted by pretty much every terrorist organisation across the spectrum. And when you look at a group that makes up 2.4 per cent, roughly, of the American population, it should be jarring to everyone that that same population accounts for something like 60 per cent of all religious-based hate crimes, and so they need our help." "This is a threat that is reaching, in some ways, sort of historic levels," he said. A similar escalation is underway across the Atlantic Ocean. London Police has said that they had recorded a 1,353 per cent increase in anti-Semitic offenses this month compared to the same period last year, while Islamophobic offenses going up by up by 140 per cent after the October 7 attacks. "Regrettably, despite the increased presence of officers we have seen a significant increase in hate crime across London," police said in a statement. "This includes abuse directed at individuals or groups in person or online, racially or religiously motivated criminal damage and other offenses." Authorities in France and in other European countries have reported a similar spike in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies will help robotic surgery become a standard of care in healthcare facilities in dozens of Indian cities in the near future, offering relief to those in need of improved quality of life after successful procedures, Indian-origin technology visionary and business leader said on Sunday. The use of AI and new-age technologies will help see a robust growth in the number of robot-assisted surgeries for both soft tissues and joint replacement each year, Raj Vattikuti, who founded the Vattikuti Foundation in the state of Michigan in the US, told IANS. "Furthermore, we anticipate increased involvement from government institutions in enhancing access to robotic surgery for disadvantaged sections of the population," he added. He founded Covansys Corp in the US in 1985, Covansys was among the early US firms to establish a large offshore development facility in Chennai, serving prestigious clients. In 2007, he sold Covansys to Computer Sciences Corporation for $1.2 billion. In 1997, the entrepreneur, along with his wife Padma, established the Vattikuti Foundation with a $20 million contribution to improve the quality of human life. They set up the Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI) at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, making it a flagship institution for robotic surgery in the US. Today, the robotic surgery procedures for Urology developed at VUI are considered the gold standard and have been adopted worldwide. Over the past 25 years, the Foundation has established a network of academic robotic surgery institutes globally, partnering with renowned hospital systems in the US, Europe, the UK, and India. "Since 2010, the Foundation has engaged with several hospitals in India, trained over 500 surgeons to become accomplished robotic surgeons and offered full year paid fellowships to over 50 surgeons to grow this pool of accomplished surgeons," Vattikuti told IANS. According to him, the success of the Vattikuti Foundation can be attributed to their pioneering work in India, which ignited a robotic surgery revolution. "The Foundation played a pivotal role in evangelising robotic surgery, which is now operational in over 100 hospitals across India. Patients with comorbidities have benefited immensely by getting superior outcomes. Reduction in the number of days of hospital stay has enabled the healthcare system to offer scarce hospital beds to more patients," he added. The Foundation's recent focus on AI and Metaverse sessions at the "Humans at the Cutting Edge of Technology" symposium in Ghent, Belgium, provided insight into how human ingenuity will continue to advance patient outcomes. "We are committed to further investing and strengthening our capabilities in data, generative AI, and emerging technologies," said Vattikuti. St George's : , Dec 17 (IANS) Opener Phil Salt smashed a maiden unbeaten T20I century, while a late cameo from young Harry Brook helped England remain alive in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies with a 2-1 scoreline after securing a thrilling seven-wicket win at the National Stadium. Set an improbable 223 to win by the West Indies after Nicholas Pooran made a career-best score of 82 off 45 balls, Salt smashed 109 not out off just 56 balls, reaching his hundred in 51 deliveries, which he got to with consecutive sixes off Jason Holder. He put on 115 runs for the first wicket in just 11.2 overs with captain Jos Buttler, who made 51 off 34 balls. Despite losing Buttler and Will Jacks in quick succession, Salt was helped by Liam Livingstone (30 off 18 balls), as the duo added 70 runs from 34 balls for the third wicket. Later on, Brook smacked 24 runs off the final over against Andre Russell to be unbeaten on 31 off just seven balls and take England to an improbable win with a ball remaining, which is also their most successful chase against the West Indies in this format. Earlier, Pooran rescued the West Indies after the hostsa were reduced to 8/2 in the initial phase of their innings. Rovman Powell (39), Sherfane Rutherford (29) and Shai Hope (26) ensured Pooranas attacking efforts to slam his 11th T20I fifty were well-complemented, with Holder slamming 18 not out from just five deliveries to take the West Indies to 222/6. Adil Rashid (2/32 off four overs) and Reece Topley (1/32 off four overs) were the standout bowlers for England in a game where the batters called the shots. The total match tally was of 34 sixes, the second-most ever in a menas T20I game after the West Indies-South Africa game in Centurion earlier this year. The match aggregate at Grenada was of 448 runs, also the ninth-highest tally in the history of menas T20Is. England and West Indies will now travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the final two T20Is on December 19 and 21 respectively. Brief Scores: West Indies 222/6 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 82, Rovman Powell 39; Adil Rashid 2-32, Sam Curran 2-34) lost to England 226/3 in 19.5 overs (Phil Salt 109 not out, Jos Buttler 51; Gudakesh Motie 1-30, Andre Russell 1-50) by seven wickets Mumbai, Dec 17 : The Thane Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the charges against a top Maharashtra bureaucrat's son who is accused of mowing down his girlfriend, a top official said here on Sunday. Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) The Thane Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the charges against a top Maharashtra bureaucrat's son who is accused of mowing down his girlfriend, a top official said here on Sunday. Thane Police Commissiopner Jai Jeet Singh said that the SIT, headed by DCP (V) Amar Singh Jadhav will probe the matter where a woman complainant Priya Ume dra Singh has accused Ashwajit Anil Gaikwad and others. "The SIT is looking into all the angles of the case. Statements of witnesses are being recorded and forensic evidences are being collected. Further sections of the law will be added and accused implicated as and if further facts are disclosed during the course of investigation," said the Police Commissioner Singh. The development came a day after Maharashtra Congress slammed the state government and police for failing to arrest Ashwajit, a senior bureaucrat's son, who allegedly made an attempt to run over his girlfriend Singh under a SUV in Thane on December 11. Congress Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe said although a FIR has been registered on the victim's complaint, the Thane Police have yet to arrest the prime accused, Ashwajit Gaikwad, and his friends, who made the murderous attempt on her. Ashiwajit, 34, is the son of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Vice-Chairman & Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad. Singh, a beautician, had revealed the entire incident on her social media posts (IANS report a" December 15 & 16), in which she named Ashwajit, his friends Romil Patil, Prasad Patil and Sagar Shelkar, while tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the state police and other dignitaries seeking action. "There is something dubious about this and it raises suspicions... An attempt was made to crush a girl under a car (SUV) in Thane. The accused Ashwaji is a leader of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and son of MSRDC head," said Londhe. In a jibe at Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who handles the home portfolio, Londhe said that though he is an efficient and capable leader, if such a serious incident happens in a city like Thane, "it raises a question mark on his functioning and efficiency". "What is the home department doing... When will the criminal in the Thane case be arrested by police... Do BJP people think that they are above the law? Whether Gaikwad is not being arrested because his father is a high-ranking official in the government?" demanded Londhe. He questioned that if the victim cannot be given justice then why raise slogans 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and beat drums of women's security, and demanded immediate action, no matter how highly connected any criminal may be. Mumbai, Dec 17 : In a sensational development, a 30-year old woman doctor has accused a prominent industrialist of sexual assault on her last year, as per a detailed complaint lodged with Mumbai Police. A resident of Juhu, the woman doctor, has filed the complaint against the 64-year old JINDAL Group head, Sajjan Jindal, with the Bandra Kurla Police Station on December 13. As per the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the police, the victim was introduced to Jindal at an IPL match inside the VIP Box of the International Stadium, Dubai on October 8, 2021 during the COVID pandemic. They exchanged contact details and started chatting on Whatsapp when Jindal sought to meet the victim, an ex-beauty pageant winner. In December 2021, the woman said she had gone to Jaipur for an event where she again met Jindal and they talked and chatted. Then, as per the victim, Jindal allegedly tried to get cosy with her, calling her with words like 'babe', 'baby' and insisted meeting in a hotel, despite her suggestions to meet in a public place. There, Jindal displayed his romantic inclinations, assured her full privacy in a hotel room and even offered his credit card details for personal use which she declined. Her complaint alleged that on December 24, 2021, Jindal booked a suite at a five-star hotel in Bandra west, Mumbai, in her name. They met and Jindal reportedly shared his marital problems, then he allegedly hugged the victim, and attempted to kiss her, but she spurned his overtures. Later, Jindal purportedly asked her to send him her revealing photos but she ignored and he also tried to lure her with offers of a bungalow, car and business help. When she demanded to make their relationship legal with a registered marriage, the Jindal Group honcho allegedly refused, citing societal norms, yet proposed they could live as 'husband and wife' abroad, but she refused to budge. After some more meetings at his office in BKC, Jindal allegedly forced her to have oral sex in the bathroom of his office. The woman doctor said she felt traumatised by his conduct, sexual exploitation causing great mental and emotional agony, resulting in her filing the complaint in February, after which the accused attempted to dissuade her with offers of money to withdraw the case. --IANS (Quaid Najmi contect q.najmi@ians.in) qn/svn YAOUNDE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chad began voting in a constitutional referendum on Sunday, calling more than eight million voters to the polls. "I can assure you that all measures have been taken to ensure that voting unfolds smoothly. All electoral materials are available in the 22,726 polling stations selected for this election," Limane Mahamat, the president of the national commission responsible for the referendum (Conorec), said on Saturday while announcing the start of voting. The voting period is from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time (0500-1600 GMT), said Mahamat. According to Conorec, provisional results will be announced on Dec. 24 before being submitted to the Supreme Court, which will declare definitive results on Dec. 28. According to officials, the referendum on a new constitution is due to set the stage for elections and a return to civilian rule. The political and military situation in Chad has deteriorated since 2021 following the death of former President Idriss Deby Itno. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has led a transitional military council to govern the country ever since. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday said that Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will be visit Kuwait as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Special Envoy on December 17 to pay condolences to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait on behalf of the government and the people of India. New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday said that Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will be visit Kuwait as Prime Minister Narendra Modias Special Envoy on December 17 to pay condolences to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait on behalf of the government and the people of India. The MEA said that the Indian government and people of India express their deepest condolences on the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait on 16 December 2023. "The Government of India has declared State mourning across the country on 17 December as a mark of respect for the departed leader," it said. "Puri will be visiting Kuwait as Prime Ministeras Special Envoy on 17 December to pay condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of India," the MEA said. It also said that Puri will deliver personal letters of condolences from the President and Prime Minister of India to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the new Emir. The MEA said that in the demise of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir. He was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care, it said. India stands united in mourning with the leadership and the people of Kuwait, the MEA added. Prayagraj, Dec 17 : The Allahabad High Court has directed the CBI to probe how seven banks sanctioned multiple loans to a company despite knowing that it had defaulted in the payment of its previous loans. "Simbhaoli Sugars, the company based in Uttar Pradesh, was knowingly allowed to siphon off almost Rs 1,300 crore of the public money," the court said on Saturday. Disposing of a writ petition filed by the company, a bench of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Prashant Kumar observed, "Banks had advanced hundreds crores of rupees to the petitioner company knowing that it has already defaulted with the loans taken from other banks previously and had been declared non-profitable asset (NPA), but still the banks went ahead and approved loans running into several hundred crores and the entire loan was disbursed without following the mandatory procedures." The court added that the company had adopted the same modus operandi again and again with seven banks. The bench said the banks extended the loan facilities to the company without following the RBI guidelines and also without adequate security and in few of the cases a personal guarantee was given by the promoters to many banks. The banks shockingly, even after declaring the company's account Non-Performing Asset (NPA), did not take any effective steps to recover the amount, the court added. The seven banks are the State Bank of India, UCO Bank, ICICI Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The court took note of the loans while hearing Simbhaoli Sugars' writ petition seeking quashing of SBIas decision to reject its settlement offer. It also found that the company had not paid sugarcane dues to the farmers and even today has an outstanding of Rs 279 crore for the previous crushing season. "The petitioner has just not defrauded the banks but has also taken the cane growers for a ride by not paying them the cane dues and still continues to take sugar cane from them," the court observed. Though banks are required to report fraud cases of more than Rs 5 crore to the Banking Security and Fraud Cell of CBI, the court noted there was no "recital or whisper in this regard in any of the affidavits filed by the banks". The high court has directed the CBI to investigate every bank on how the loans were sanctioned in violation of the RBI guidelines and circulars. It particularly said the officers of the banks, who accorded the approval and those who did not take effective steps to recover the amount, be probed. "In case, the CBI finds that there is a case of money laundering as per the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 they may also refer the matter to the Enforcement Directorate and take help to recover the said amount," the court ordered. The bench also directed the petitioner company to cooperate in the probe. The authorities should find out the money trail, where it has been siphoned off and parked, the high court ordered in its judgment. Dhaka, Dec 17 : Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma on Sunday said that the 1971 Liberation War remains the bedrock for ties between Bangladesh and India which epitomises closeness shared by the two nations. "It is time for us to cherish our friendship and reiterate the commitment to preserve and promote the spirit of 1971 which remains the bedrock of our ties," the High Commissioner said while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines inaugural flight from Dhaka to Chennai at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. He said that shared sacrifices for Bangladesh's freedom stand testimony to the time-tested friendship between Delhi and Dhaka. He said that India stands ready to walk together with Bangladesh in realising its vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation. "As nations whose destinies are as connected as our geographies and historical roots, we are today at the cusp of realising the promise of a 'Sonali Adhyay' (golden chapter) in our ties," the Ambassador said. He said that the level and scope of partnership and the engagement between Bangladesh and India has grown at a rapid pace in recent years and connectivity has been one of the major manifestations of this transformation in the relationship. "In terms of air connectivity alone there are more than 120 flights linking Dhaka with five major Indian cities on a weekly basis, besides a Delhi flight linking Chattogram with Kolkata," the Ambassador said. He said that during the last financial year India has issued over 15 lakh visas to Bangladeshi citizens visiting India, while the number is going to be surpassed this year. "We do indeed want this number to grow because we believe that people-to-people relations are what makes our relationship special," he said. He said that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is constantly endeavouring to improve its resources to better handle the huge volume of visa requests from Bangladeshi nationals. "The new transport links which are being constantly added to enhance our cross-border linkages and the rising number of our people travelling to each other's countries reflect a new era of our growing engagement and a new momentum in our people-to-people relations," he said. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali inaugurated the flight of the national flag carrier virtually as the chief, while Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim gave the welcome speech. The inaugural flight operated by Boeing 737 carrying 161 passengers took off from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 12.50 pm (local time) and is scheduled to reach Chennai International Airport in India at 3:20 pm (local time). New Delhi, Dec 17 : A 14-year-old minor girl was abducted, raped and forced into prostitution in the national capital, and three people have been arrested in this connection, a Delhi Police official said. The matter came to light after information was received by the police that a woman might be running prostitution ring in Sadar Bazar area of north Delhi. "The police team on Saturday raided the premises and the minor, a resident of district Araia, Bihar, was discovered confined at a house at Katra Atma Ram, Sadar Bazar," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Manoj Kumar Meena. The operation uncovered that the purpose of her confinement was prostitution, and she was reportedly abducted and forcibly kept at the specified address. "The victim was abducted, confined and forced into prostitution for months by the accused identified as Irshad (30), Sanjary (36) and Hasibul (45), all residents of district Araia," said the DCP. As per police probe, Irshad had abducted the girl for prostitution and held her against her will at the specified address for a couple of months. "Sanjary, wife of Hasibul, played a role in confining the girl and facilitating individuals for engaging in sexual activities," said the DCP. Whereas, Hasibul played a role in confining the girl and bringing individuals for sexual activities. "A case has been registered against the accused persons under sections 363, 368 A, 370, 370 A, 376, 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 6 POCSO, 3, 4, 5, 6 Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, on Sunday at Sadar Bazar police station," said the DCP. Initial investigations have revealed that the victim might have been previously confined to some other house and was being shifted to avoid detection by police. "She is an orphan and was abducted from her native place five-six months ago. The victim is being counselled and further investigation is ongoing," said the DCP. Lucknow, Dec 17 : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has set aside the conviction of a man in a 26-year-old rape case after putting a questioning mark on the testimony of the rape survivor. The court has directed his release from prison. The bench of Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar held that the credibility of the survivor's testimony was "shaky and unreliable" and that the girl was a "consenting party". The bench highlighted the absence of evidence regarding her age beyond the medical report, which confirmed she was above 16. In this regard, the court noted that as per the unamended Indian Penal Code, at that time in 1997, the age of consent for sexual intercourse was 16 years. On January 16, 1997, a complaint was made to Lucknow Police by the girl's father, alleging that the accused, Lalla, had taken away his daughter and her whereabouts were not known. She was recovered on January 27, 1997, and an FIR was lodged against Lalla for rape. Following a trial, the accused was convicted under section 376 (rape) of IPC. He later moved the HC challenging his conviction. Keeping in view the facts, circumstances and evidence put forth, the HC bench noted that the survivor was recovered 13 days later and at no point did she raise any alarm. The court also factored into account that no corroborative material had been found by the doctor in the medical examination report, which showed that she was habitual in sexual intercourse. The court noted that during cross-examination, she claimed she went willingly with the appellant. Quetta, Dec 17 : Hundreds of political workers, human rights defenders and members of civil society along with the family of Balaach Mola Bakhsh after a long journey reached Kohlu, where a complete strike was observed on the call of Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) to protest against his alleged extrajudicial killing on Saturday, the media reported. The BYC leaders had decided to travel from Quetta to Islamabad along with other protesters to stage a protest in front of the Supreme Court building after the local administration and security forces did not permit them to enter the Balochistan's capital on their way to Red Zone area, Dawn reported. Heavy contingent of law enforcement agencies had been deployed while roads were blocked with heavy trucks and hurdles to cordon off the area. After ending their protest in Quetta, they left for Islamabad via Kohlu-Barkhan and Dera Ghazi Khan on Friday evening. A large number of people expressing their solidarity with the family of Bakhsh joined the marchers in Kohlu where bazaars, markets and business centres remained shut while traffic remained thin, Dawn reported. Addressing the marchers in Kohlu town before leaving for Barkhan, leaders said the process of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings was unconstitutional and violated basic human rights. They stressed the extrajudicial killing had revived the just struggle of the Baloch people against oppression. They lamented many youth were being victimised by the unjust practices of the Counter-Terrorism Department of Police. They urged the state to stop unconstitutional practices and give the Baloch people the right to live and have authority over their land and resources, Dawn reported. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The revised Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita were tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC). After introduction of the Bills in August, they were referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for review. The Committee along with the broader legal fraternity, suggested several changes to the Bills. However, in order to incorporate these changes, there were two options available: 1. Put the Bills up for voting, and if they successfully become Acts, then bring in the necessary amendments. 2. Withdraw the Bills, incorporate the changes, and then put it up for reconsideration. "The first option is a far lengthier process as the amendments would have to be made through bills of their own, which themselves would also have to go through the entire reading and voting process. This is why the Union Government chose the second option, as confirmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself," said Divyam Agarwal, Partner and Attorney, JSA Advocates & Solicitors. While the new Bills have incorporated a number of suggested changes, not all have been considered. "Therefore, the end result is in some senses a bit of a mixed bag," Agarwal said. He added that the incorporation of community service in the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita is a marked and progressive departure from the punitive model of incarceration, which is reflective of the prevailing global consensus. "Similarly, the removal of handcuffing requirements for "economic offenders" is also a welcome move. Handcuffing, and specifically public handcuffing is socially a very humiliating act, and should be reserved only for the most heinous crimes such as murder and rape," Agarwal said. The Union government has not included the parliamentary panel's recommendation to include a "gender-neutral" provision criminalising adultery and a clause to separately criminalise non-consensual gay sex. "The deletion of non-consensual homosexual sex as a crime from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is a definite step backward. This effectively means that there are no provisions in Indian law which prohibits male rape," Agarwal said. Meanwhile, in the revised Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, 2023 two new provisions to define "cruelty" against women in a marital relationship and to penalise the publication of court proceedings that may disclose the identity of a rape victim have been added. "On the whole, the broader legal community is keeping its eyes peeled for further developments. It is not yet known whether these Bills will undergo further changes or whether they will be tabled for voting in their present form. In these circumstances, there is still a fair amount of uncertainty as to the exact impact of these specific Bills would be," Agarwal said. As per the BNS-Second Bill, it does not include the Parliamentary panelas suggestions for adultery which was added under 497 which was ended by the Supreme Court. The BNS-Second Bill also does not have Section 377 which is related to unnatural sex against the order of the nature. Once the Bill is passed, these two sections 377 and 497 will cease to exist. The Parliamentary Panel had added adultery under 497, which was ended by the Supreme Court saying that it had been added because "the institution of marriage is sacred" and it must be "protected". The BNS-Second Bill has two more new additions. In the BNS-Second two new sections which has been added include Section 73 which says whoever prints or publishes any matter in relation to any proceeding before a court with respect to an offence referred to in section 72 without the previous permission of such Court shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine. It also said that the printing or publication of the judgement of any High Court or the Supreme Court does not amount to an offence within the meaning of this section. The government has however, accepted the panel's recommendation on doing away with the alternative punishment for murder by mob lynching -- proposed as not less than seven years in Clause 101(2) of the original BNS Bill -- and made it at par with punishment for murder. Even as per the revised BNS Bill under Section 103 (2) it says that when a group of five or more persons acting in concert commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground each member of such group shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine. Ayodhya : , Dec 17 (IANS) Large quantities of food grains and other essential items have started reaching the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the 45 community kitchens that it plans to run in Ayodhya to provide free food to around 25,000 devotees daily from January till mid-March. These items are being sent by devotees from across the country. All the essential items that have been received are being stored at Ramsevakpuram. The community kitchens will start functioning by the end of this month even as the Trust is expecting around two to four lakh people to turn up in Ayodhya every day after Ram temple is opened for devotees on January 23, a day after the consecration ceremony. These items started pouring in after the Trust issued an appeal in October, asking people to donate flour, wheat, pulses, mustard oil, spices and medicines to the Trust that will be used for devotees coming to Ayodhya for the opening ceremony of Ram temple. According to the Trust, it has received tea and spices from Assam and South India, rice from several parts of Uttar Pradesh, sugar from Kanpur and Gonda, rice from Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Around 3000 volunteers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh will reach Ayodhya by December 20 and will be handed over responsibilities for events related with the consecration ceremony. Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson, VHP, said, "Devotees from all across the country are sending food grains, tea, spices and other items to the Trust by their own resources. They are being stored at Karsevakpuram and Ramsevakpuram." According to Diwakar, in charge of the storage facility at Ramsevakpuram and Karsevakpuram, around 500 VHP cadre will be engaged to run community kitchens. The Trust is also receiving requests from all over the country from people seeking permission to run community kitchens and other services for devotees who will turn up in Ayodhya. "The Trust will run 45 community kitchens to serve free food to devotees who will turn up in Ayodhya after the opening ceremony of Ram Mandir," Sharma added. In his appeal, Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust, had stated that from January 15 to February 25, around 50 lakh devotees are expected to turn up in Ayodhya. The Maharishi Sandipani Ram Dharam Gaushala in Jodhpur has donated ghee for the grand opening ceremony of Ram Mandir. Perth, Dec 17 : Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon became the eighth player to take 500 career Test wickets during the first Test against Pakistan at the Perth Stadium on Sunday. Lyon reached the milestone wicket in his 123rd Test, when he dismissed Faheem Ashraf lbw on review. The same over he removed Aamer Jamal and crossed the landmark figure. The 36-year-old became the third Australian to reach the landmark after late Shane Warne Glenn McGrath (563) and Glenn McGrath (563). Moreover, he became the fourth spinner to reach the landmark, etching his name in the illustrious list which includes the names like Muttiah Muralidaran, Warne and Anil Kumble. Following Australia's formidable first-innings tally of 487 against Pakistan, Lyon showcased his wizardry late on day two, orchestrating Abdullah Shafique's dismissal with a canny set-up. He then proceeded to astound with consecutive stumpings, claiming the wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and Aamer Jamal. Lyon found himself on the cusp of the monumental milestone, needing just one more wicket as Pakistan stood at nine wickets down. But, was forced to wait another 24 hours as Travis Head dismissed Pakistan's No.11 instead. And after several close calls in the Pakistan's second innings, Lyon finally got his man when Ashraf was out lbw on review, having initially seen a strong appeal turned down. Lyon, who made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2011, has 23 five-wicket hauls under his belt and also picked up 10 wickets in a Test on four occasions. Amaravati, Dec 17 : Protest by farmers and women of Amaravati against Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government's decision to create three capitals completed four years on Sunday. The protesters, who are demanding that Amaravati be retained as the only state capital, hoisted their flag and participated in all-religion prayer meetings to mark the occasion. Farmers and women gathered in large numbers at protest camps in all 29 villages in Amaravati capital region. Holding placards, the protesters raised slogans in support of their demand. The protesters paid tributes to those who died during the movement. The organisers say 200 farmers have died due to the governmentas decision for trifurcation of the state capital. On December 17, 2019, Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced in the state Assembly that three state capitals will be developed reversing the decision of the previous TDP government to develop Amaravati as the state capital. The YSRCP government mooted Visakhapatnam as administrative capital, Kurnool as judicial capital and Amaravati as legislative capital. This triggered massive protests from farmers of Amaravati, who had given 33,000 acres of land for the capital and the previous government had also undertaken the works on some components of the mega project. Sunday was 1,461st day of the protest in the villages. The protesters made it clear that they will continue their movement till the government drops its plans. They blamed the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government for all the hardships faced by farmers and their families for last four years Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi (APS), which is spearheading the movement against three capitals, undertook two padyatras during last two years to mobilise public support for their demand. In 2021, the farmers undertook a 45-day long Padyatra from Amaravati to Tirupati. On March 3, 2022, Andhra Pradesh High Court had directed the state government to develop Amaravati as the state capital in six months. A bench of three judges had pronounced the judgment on 75 petitions filed by Amaravati farmers and others challenging the government's move on three capitals. In September, the farmers launched Maha Padyatra from Amaravati to Arasavalli in Srikakulam district to demand implementation of the High Court. The walkathon was held amid restrictions imposed by police and alleged hurdles created by the ruling party supporters. All the opposition parties had backed the padyatra by the farmers. In November last year, the Supreme Court while hearing the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state government, gave a stay on the High Court's directions to develop infrastructure in Amaravati within a stipulated time-frame. The Supreme Court, however, did not stay the other part of the judgement, which declared Amaravati as the state capital and the law on three capitals was not valid. APS also moved the Supreme Court, questioning the state governmentas SLP. The case is likely to come up for hearing later this month. In October, Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that he will shift to Visakhapatnam in December. The state government also constituted a committee of officials to identify suitable transit accommodation, including a camp office for the Chief Minister and accommodation for senior functionaries. It was stated that the chief minister will be visiting Visakhapatnam on a regular basis to hold review meetings on the development of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. However, protesting farmers of Amaravati argue that the government can't shift the executive capital as the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. by Dana Halawi, Huang Hongsheng BEIRUT, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- When Lebanon's financial crisis kicked in and forced the closure of enterprises in 2019 and onward, Rana Chemaitelly, a Lebanese franchiser and founder of an edutainment center, decided to look for opportunities overseas. After a number of failed attempts at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, Rana finally gained a foothold in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh in June. Rana sold her franchise's services to Saudi schools, which provide young people with hands-on learning activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Rana customized the curriculum to meet local children's needs and tastes, a move that turned out to be popular with parents in Saudi Arabia. "My clients are highly educated people who appreciate the services we offer to their children and are willing to pay for them," she said, adding "the market in Saudi Arabia is huge, and we can do a lot of businesses." As her business expands, she was recommended to sell franchise services to other Saudi cities including Jeddah, Dhahran, and Dammam. Rana said she expected a turnover of 700,000 Saudi Riyals (186,600 U.S. dollars) by the end of this year in the kingdom. Rana is one of the Lebanese entrepreneurs who are trying to tap the market potential of foreign countries amid Lebanon's lingering financial crisis, and some of them have proved to be quite successful. Hallab 1881 Group, a Lebanese sweets company that has been operating since 1881, has already sold its franchise's services to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan and is now eyeing markets in France, the United States, and Australia, according to Raneem Hallab, the managing partner and director of business development of the company. To ensure its success, Hallab 1881 opens shops in places with a strong presence of Lebanese or Arabs and target clients with above-average purchasing power, Hallab said. With the aim of promoting the gastronomic diversity of Tripolitan culture, the company also customized its menus by introducing popular sweets to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to Hallab. Yahya Kassaa, president of the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA), said many Lebanese franchisers have registered their brands in the UAE, France and Cyprus in the past few years, and are finding good investors. Some businesses are now valued at around half a billion dollars. Over the past 15 years, Lebanese have sold their franchises' services to over 40 countries worldwide through more than 2,000 points of sales, according to the LFA. "I think the Lebanese expatriates have played an important role to make Lebanese brands successful, they live in a lot of places around the world and make efforts to promote awareness of Lebanese brands," said Kassaa. Rana attributed Lebanese brands' success abroad to their business expertise, multilingual workforce, as well as high-quality products and services. For Hallab, it is important to build reputation in Arab states and other foreign countries to ensure the success of Lebanese brands, notably in the food and beverage sector. According to the LFA, franchising now contributes to approximately five percent of Lebanon's GDP. The successful operation of Lebanese franchisers in overseas markets have facilitated the development of businesses at home. Some of the franchisers boost the Lebanese economy by bringing in much-needed foreign currency and creating jobs. Lebanese franchises play a crucial role during the financial crisis as they help sustain local operations by bringing back dollars, said Nassib Ghobril, an economist and head of the economic research department at Lebanon's Byblos Bank. Los Angeles, Dec 17 : Late actor's Mathew Perry's female friend said that he was "angry and mean" in the weeks before his death because he had been taking testosterone shots. Los Angeles, Dec 17 (IANS) Late actor's Mathew Perry's female friend said that he was "angry and mean" in the weeks before his death because he had been taking testosterone shots. Perry's autopsy report revealed a grimmer look at the star's final days. It noted that aside from a lethal amount of ketamine mixed with the opioid-like drug buprenorphine, which is used to alleviate pain and help with addiction to opioids, he had been taking Tammoxifen to lose weight, antidiabetic medication and nicotine lollipops, reports pagesix.com. Before his death, he was trying to quit smoking. His live-in assistant said he had been smoking about two packs of cigarettes per day. The medical examiner's report further exemplified how heavily Perry relied on prescribed and over-the-counter medication to maintain his quality of life. "In the assistant's bedroom, there were multiple open, empty, half-filled medication bottles prescribed to the decedent, as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, digestive aids and dishes filled with multiple various loose pills, tablets, caplets, candy and breath mints," the report read. In Perry's bathroom, there were "prescribed ointments, digestive aids and oral rinses." The 'Friends' star had been receiving ketamine infusions regularly before his death, but the report noted that the ketamine found in his body came from elsewhere. His last infusion occurred a week and a half before he died, and its half-life is only three to four hours. "It is more likely this was recreational ketamine use," Dr. Bankole Johnson, neuroscientists and physicians told Page Six exclusively. "It would be questionable medicine to provide ketamine to someone also using buprenorphine a true recipe for disaster." Perry had previously written about his dislike of ketamine in his 2022 memoir 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir', saying he often felt like he was "dying" during the treatments he received while staying at a Swiss rehab during the pandemic. "Taking K is like being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel. But the hangover was rough and outweighed the shovel," he penned. "Ketamine was not for me." In fact, Perry was supposed to be off his infusions before he died, as his anesthesiologist Dr Ataoin (whose name was partially redacted in the autopsy report) said he no longer needed the treatments because "his depression was fine." Furthermore, the unnamed female to whom the medical examiner spoke said the beloved actor was even in "good spirits" during their final conversation that took place days before his death. This corroborates Jennifer Aniston's story, who said she spoke to Perry the morning of October 28, hours before his assistant found him face-down in the pool of his $4 million Hollywood mansion. Perry, who revealed in 2022 he spent about $9 million trying to stay sober throughout his life, wanted to be remembered not as Chandler Bing, his iconic "Friends" character, but as someone who helped guide people through their addictions. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Supreme Court has stressed that decisions on bail applications, including anticipatory bail applications, are concerned with liberty and should be taken expeditiously by all the High Courts. The observation was made by a bench of Justices CT Ravikumar and Sanjay Kumar as it heard a special leave petition filed by an accused against an order of the Chattisgarh High Court directing to list his application "in its chronological order." "We have no hesitation to hold that such an order sans definiteness in the matter relating to anticipatory bail/regular bail, that too after admitting the matter, would definitely delay due consideration of the application and such an eventuality will be detrimental to the liberty of a person," the bench said, noting that the case was not specifically posted to any date. In its order, the apex court said that it is a "matter of concern" that despite repeated orders requiring matters pertaining to personal liberty to be decided at the earliest, the same situation continues. It ordered that a copy of its order be sent to the Registrar General and all concerned of all High Courts so as to ensure listing of bail applications or anticipatory bail applications at the earliest. In relation to the appellant, the Supreme Court granted protection from arrest till pending anticipatory bail application is decided by the High Court, preferably within a period of four weeks. It clarified: "We also make it clear that the grant of interim protection shall not influence the consideration of the bail application moved by the petitioner and it shall be considered on its own merits." Kolkata, Dec 17 : West Bengal is behind the national average in terms of state's own revenue or gross state domestic product (GSDP) percentage, as per the recent findings of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on state finances. Both in terms of state's own tax revenue and the non-tax revenue, as per the RBI findings, West Bengal is behind the national average. According to it, the percentage of state's own tax revenue of the GSDP for West Bengal is just five per cent which is lower than the national average seven per cent. The situation in case of non-tax revenue is more pathetic as regards West Bengal. As per the findings, the percentage of state's non-tax revenue of the GSDP for West Bengal is just 0.4 per cent which is lower than the national average 1.2 per cent. As per the RBI findings, the state government's current spending for infrastructure development as a percentage of GSDP is just two per cent. Economists are of the opinion that following this factor is fallout of the heavily state excise-dependent state's own tax revenue structure in West Bengal. According to them, a healthy state's own tax revenue component in any state is dependent much on big-ticket investment both in the manufacturing as well as the services sector. This is exactly the area where West Bengal is lagging behind other major states and economists are of the opinion that the state's internal policies as regards to land procurement and granting of special economic zone (SEZ) status, are mainly responsible for the drought in big ticket investment. Economists feel, West Bengal government's policy on "no state-role in land procurement for industry" is making the operators in manufacturing sectors averse towards making investment in the state. Considering the fragmented land-holding nature in West Bengal, it is virtually impossible for investors requiring huge plots of land at one-go for a project to interact with individual land-owners for the purpose of land purchase without any kind of state intervention in the process. Similarly, economists say, it is the West Bengal government's reluctance to grant fresh SEZ status in the state, that big ticket investers in the services sectoris ark shying away from investments. Patna, Dec 17 : With only few months left for the Lok Sabha polls, JD-U is all geared-up, strategising for the electoral battlefield and planning to organise several rallies in coming days. One of the strategies of the party is that the JD-U President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will conduct rallies outside the state to explore ground support. All these programmes are being organised separately by the JD-U while other members of the INDIA bloc have been excluded. Nitish Kumar has played a significant role in uniting opposition parties against BJP and in the formation of the INDIA bloc. The question arises why is JD-U pursuing 'Akela Chalo' strategy when the INDIA bloc has already been formed. The JD-U organised a 'Bhim Sansad' at the Patna Veterinary College ground on November 24, aiming to consolidate the Dalit votes. The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation, indicating JD-U's growing momentum. The alleged objective of this rally was to make JD-U's allied parties aware of its strength. Nitish Kumar was also scheduled to address a rally in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on December 24. However, the rally has been postponed. The JD-U has also announced to organise rallies in Uttar Pradesh; in Jharkhand on January 21; and another rally in Patna on January 24. All these announced rallies will be held without the INDIA bloc. JD-U Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said that while the party is part of the alliance, every political party has the right to enhance its support base. "JD-U is actively working to increase its support, and there is no need to interpret it differently," Kumar said. He said that if JD-U becomes stronger, it will benefit the allied partners as well and therefore there is no hidden agenda behind the party's approach. "JD-U ranks third in Bihar in terms of number of MLAs. The party will surely make efforts to change its equation in the next election," political analyst Ajay Kumar said. Jamie Dornan once kissed a horse on TV set despite being highly allergic. Image Source: IANS News Los Angeles, Dec 17 : 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' star Jaime Dornan recalled how his "lips blew up" after kissing a horse on a TV set. Los Angeles, Dec 17 (IANS) 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' star Jaime Dornan recalled how his "lips blew up" after kissing a horse on a TV set. While appearing on The Graham Norton Show, the Irish actor, regaled the audience with a hilarious story about how he once kissed a horse on a TV set despite being "highly allergic" to the animal. "I like them as a species, I just can't get close," Dornan said, before explaining that he made the grievous error of locking lips with the horse despite previously running into trouble with a horse while filming 'Marie Antoinette', his first ever acting role, back in 2006, people.com. "My character (Count Axel Fersen) pretty much has to spend the whole movie on a horse," he recounted. "And I forgot I hadn't been around horses for a long time." To get ready for filming, he underwent two weeks of riding training outside Paris. "So I'm trotting around this place and in the back, one of the runner's faces just looked (shocked)," he said of the crew member's reaction to his appearance. "I was itchy, and my whole face had become a giant hive. I had to get EpiPens. Then they almost couldn't insure me to do the movie." To continue the job, he needed to be medicated whenever he was near a horse. "So if you see me on a horse, I'm very heavily medicated," he joked. Despite this extreme allergic reaction, Dornan went on to work with horses again in the 2012 historical drama New Worlds. It seems the Fifty Shades of Grey actor developed quite an affinity for his assigned horse on the series' set. "I really liked the horse I had. And I thought, 'It's the final day. You know what? I love this horse.' So I gave her a kiss on the lips," he said, prompting Norton, 60, to jokingly interject, "What medication were you on?" Dornan continued his story: "I went, 'You know what, we're nearly over. I have half a day left.' The horse was picture wrapped. So I gave it a kiss." "And then my lips absolutely blew up," he recounted. "And we couldn't shoot the rest of the day." IANS dc/kvd Hyderabad, Dec 17 : The new Congress government in Telangana continued its reshuffle of the bureaucracy as it transferred 16 IAS officials on Sunday. Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, who was also holding full additional charge as Metropolitan Commissioner, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration (FAC) has been transferred and posted as Special Chief Secretary, Revenue (Disaster Management), duly relieving Rahul Bojja. Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director M.Dana Kishore, has been posted as Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development. He will also hold full additional charges of the posts of Metropolitan Commissioner, HMDA and Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration. The government also transferred Principal Secretary and Commissioner, BC Welfare, B. Venkatesham, the Education, in place of Vakati Karuna. Karuna has been posted as Secretary and Commissioner, Women, Child, Disabled & Senior Citizens, relieving Shruti Ojha who was holding full additional charge. Principal Secretary, Transport, A.Vani Prasad has been transferred to the Environment, Forests, Science & Technology Department in the same post, relieving Santhi Kumari, who was holding full additional charge. Secretary to Government, R&B, K.S.Sreenivasa Raju, will now be Secretary, Transport. Rahul Bojja, Secretary to CM has been transferred and posted as Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), relieving V. Sheshadri, from the full additional charge. Secretary, Finance, Dr. T.K.Sreedevi, is transferred and posted as Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, in place of Dr Christina Z. Chongthu. The government has reinstated Sreedevi, who was transferred by the Election Commission in October. Chongthu is transferred and posted as Secretary, Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department. Secretary, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Sudharshan Reddy is transferred and posted as Managing Director, HMWSSB in place of Dana Kishore. District Magistrate, Nalgonda, R.V.Karnan is transferred and posted as Director, Health & Family Welfare. --IANS ms/vd London, Dec 17 : The use of professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn, with more than 930 million users worldwide, can stir up feelings of self-doubt, suggests new research. Imposter syndrome -- and the accompanying fear of being "found out" -- can be associated with feeling anxious and having depressive thoughts, said researchers from the University of Edinburgh. The research based on a survey of LinkedIn users, and published in the journal Psychology and Marketing, showed that interacting with the popular site was linked with experiences of imposter syndrome -- a feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of success. People felt a lack of professional confidence both when they browsed other people's posts and when they posted about their personal achievements. "Just browsing the newsfeed or even posting an achievement on LinkedIn can trigger a reflection on your professional identity that can ignite imposter thoughts, which is associated with a fear of being found out as an imposter," said Dr. Ben Marder, from the varsity's Business School. "Our findings show the negative well-being effects of social media are not only because we compare ourselves to others, but because we believe others think more highly of us than we think of ourselves," he added. Researchers assessed the effects of using LinkedIn among 506 people. All respondents were educated to at least Bachelor's degree level and had an average age of 36. The researchers tested the effects of using LinkedIn in two ways -- one to assess the effects of browsing others' posts and one to gauge how they felt after posting their own successes. In an online experiment, researchers found that reading other people's posts had a small but still significant association with experiencing imposter syndrome, compared to not reading other people's posts. Posting on LinkedIn had a significant association with imposter syndrome, even after controlling for other possible influences, the study found. While the sites offer career advancement opportunities, professional connections, and industryrelated knowledge and resources, researchers said the findings show an unwelcome side effect of the social media channels. Confirmation that imposter syndrome is common among professionals could assist in supporting staff development schemes. Employees knowing that others share similar experiences may reduce the negative emotions, the researchers said. --IANS rvt/vd Imphal, Dec 17 : Three militants were killed in a clash between two Naga extremist outfits in Manipur's Noney district on Sunday, police said. A police official said that a gun fight broke out between suspected Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) cadres in Lamdangmei village in Noney district, resulting in death of two ZUF and one NSCN-IM cadre. A police team from Khoupum police station rushed to the area to obtain further details of the incident. Police suspect that the clash might have taken place over the domination of their respective areas. 'Symbol of determination to remove Nitish from CM's post', Samrat Chaudhary on why who sports turban. Image Source: IANS News Patna, Dec 17 : Criticising the Nitish Kumar-led government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar on Sunday said the ban on liquor in the state had been a complete failure. The party said this after the video of the 'liquor party' went viral on social media. The 'liquor party' is said to have been organised at a guest house of the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday night. A number of doctors had gathered there for a conference. Reacting to this, Bihar unit BJP president Samrat Choudhary said that the ban on liquor has completely failed in Bihar. "In Nitish Kumar's regime, liquor shops were being opened in every house. The liquor party in DMCH is an unfortunate incident. If liquor is available in a hospital, nothing could be more unfortunate than that. Nitish Kumar should order a high level inquiry into the matter and take action against the accused." Meanwhile, MoS Home Nityananad Rai said: "Bihar is a completely dry state, but it has many faults. Still, Nitish Kumar is regretting his decision. He is not looking at ground reality. The police are selling liquor in Bihar. Illegal trade of liquor is high... people are dying due to hooch tragedies." Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly said that home delivery of liquor is underway in Bihar. "Liquor ban is just a show-off in Bihar. It is available everywhere. Home delivery of liquor is taking place in Bihar and all these things are happening due to the failure of Nitish Kumar," Sinha said. Varanasi : , Dec 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam which is witnessing the participation of 1,400 dignitaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. For the first time, the Prime Minister tried a new experiment with his speech at Kashi Tamil Sangamam, when simultaneous AI based Tamil translation was done through Bhashini for those in the audience who understood Tamil. While speaking at the festival's inauguration, Modi said: "You all have come here as members of my family, more than being just guests. I welcome you all to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam." He said that since the first edition of the Sangamam, lakhs had joined in including farmers, artists, religious leaders, students and people from other walks of life. "Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means coming from one home of Mahadev to another. There is a link between the hearts of people from Kashi and Tamil Nadu. When you return, you will take back the culture, taste and memories of Kashi with you," he said adding that the Sangamam strengthens the concept of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed the audience at the event. He said: "Kashi Tamil Sangamam will strengthen the cultural nationalism of our country. "Due to the religious importance of Kashi, people from all over the country have been coming here. It is the centre of faith, culture and spiritual awareness in India. Like Kashi, Tamil Nadu has also been a centre of culture, knowledge, art, architecture and literature since ancient times," Adityanath added. The Tamil delegation, comprising around 1,400 people, after their stay in Kashi, will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The seven groups include students (Ganga), Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri) a" all of them have been named after seven sacred rivers of India. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam will encompass lectures covering literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda. Additionally, seminars are planned on innovation, trade, knowledge exchange, edutech, and next-gen technology. Over 42,000 registrations were received during the time of registration that ended on December 8 and out of them, 200 people for each group were selected by the selection committee. The Union Ministry of Education is the nodal agency for this event. The first phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organised from November 16 to December 16, 2022, with the Ministry of Education working as the nodal agency, in which over 2,500 people from Tamil Nadu travelled to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya on an eight-day tour. Meanwhile, earlier participating in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme at Barki Gram Sabha in Sewapuri development block, the Prime Minister said that this this was a way of checking whether government schemes were being properly implemented and whether people were getting the benefits. He said that with events like the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the government machinery also remains alert and gets feedback about its efforts. "It gives immense self-satisfaction when the results are good," he added. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express from Varanasi to Kanyakumari, on the occasion. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng addresses the jubilee gala marking the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "The congratulatory letters from presidents Biden and Xi to the USCBC on its 50th anniversary underscore both leaders' alignment, building on the positive momentum achieved at the APEC summit," said Jonathan Krane, founder and chief executive officer of KraneShares, a U.S.-based asset management firm. NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The buildup of positive momentum in U.S.-China business exchanges under the auspices of bilateral leadership makes insiders and observers more optimistic on the outlook of bilateral relations. Not only did the number of U.S. exhibitors reach a new high at the sixth China International Import Expo in early November, but the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), a voice of American companies doing business in China, also vowed Thursday to strive for collaboration between the two countries and build for the next 50 years. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden sent congratulatory messages to the USCBC marking its 50th anniversary. The move is seen as a follow-up on the important consensus reached during their recent meeting in San Francisco. "The congratulatory letters from presidents Biden and Xi to the USCBC on its 50th anniversary underscore both leaders' alignment, building on the positive momentum achieved at the APEC summit," said Jonathan Krane, founder and chief executive officer of KraneShares, a U.S.-based asset management firm. The letters are a strong signal, indicating continued follow-through from the recent summit, said Krane, who participated in a function featuring Xi's address to U.S. business people during the APEC meeting in 2023. After the tumult of the last three to four years, both the United States and China realize that they must find a better and more constructive pathway into the future, said Denis Simon, a distinguished fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies. Xi's letter to the USCBC anniversary celebration must be seen as a positive step in the direction of further defusing tensions and re-building some of the bridges that have proven most beneficial as bilateral relations have evolved in over 30 years, said Simon, who also serves as a professor of Global Business and Technology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the executive director of the Center for Innovation Policy at the Law School at Duke University. It is clear that China wants to see continued U.S. business participation in the Chinese economy, said Simon. "The Chinese market promises to remain important for the foreseeable future. The USCBC event is a good reminder to both countries that business ties should remain center stage in the bilateral relationship," added Simon. "History teaches us that economics underpins global geopolitical stability, and that attempts to undermine economic interdependence can lead to greater global geopolitical instability," warned Craig Allen, president of the USCBC. It is particularly encouraging that Xi stressed the importance of China-U.S. business cooperation, said Lan Jin, president of the Oregon China Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Oregonians' interests through people-to-people exchanges and positive economic relations with China. It is also heartening to enterprises in Oregon and promoters of local economic cooperation, said Lan, who has been committed to developing friendly ties between Oregon and China in the last four decades and recently joined a group of local delegates to visit China. "We anticipate more opportunities to promote economic exchanges between Oregon and China," said Lan. President Xi delivered very positive messages by welcoming U.S. companies to continue to invest in China, which removed some U.S. business people's misunderstanding on China's policy of reform and opening-up, said Zhu Zhiqun, professor of International Relations and Political Science at Bucknell University. China's high-quality opening-up and fast growth of green economy offer new opportunities to foreign business people, according to Zhu. The two countries also need to strengthen bilateral people-to-people, educational, cultural and subnational collaborations and exchanges that have receded in recent years, said Tom Watkins, former advisor to the Michigan-China Innovation Center. These connections are the foundation of understanding and mutual respect that fuel the most important bilateral relationship in the world today, Watkins said. When the United States and China are talking and engaging with one another, it builds confidence among other countries that there is a positive future ahead, said Simon. "Most other countries want to work with both the United States and China, and any initiative that seeks to decouple engagement with both countries is doomed to fail for multiple reasons. Surely, the United States and China are competitors in many areas, but in the final analysis, they share many common interests and potential synergies," Simon said. Man arrested on charges of killing parents, four others in Texas. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, Dec 17 : A hybrid militant affiliated with the proscribed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit was arrested in J&K's Pulwama district on Sunday, police said. The militant was arrested at Naina Batapora village in Pulwama. A police statement said: "The operation is a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in the region. "The arrested hybrid militant was identified as Rohail Abdullah, son of Mohammed Abdullah Thoker, resident of Nully Poshwari village in Shopian district. He was who missing from his home since December 8, 2023." Security forces recovered an AK 56 rifle, 2 AK 56 magazines, 60 rounds of AK ammunition, 5 Chinese grenades, I Glock pistol, 2 pistol magazines, and 26 rounds of pistol ammunition from the possession of the militant. "This recovery has undoubtedly prevented potential acts of violence and ensured the safety of innocent civilians. Police said that it is conducting further investigations into the activities of the arrested militant. "This is an essential step towards dismantling the militant network and ensuring the long-term safety of the region," the statement said, adding that security forces are committed to maintaining peace and security within the region and encourage citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. "The safety of every individual is of utmost importance and the support of the community is essential in combating terrorism and maintaining a peaceful environment." A hybrid militant is a civilian motivated enough to carry out terrorist acts and then join back the civilian society which makes his identification difficult. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday wrote to Speaker Om Birla asking him that the matter of suspension of 13 MPs from the remainder of the Winter Session be re-looked into holistically and appropriate action taken for revoking the suspension and restoring order in the House. In his letter to Birla, Chowdhury said that as the Speaker of Lok Sabha, under whose authority and control, the security "of the precincts of Parliament House" rests you have rightly and justly constituted a high level inquiry Committee to cause an in-depth investigation of the brazen, and in a way, bizarre act of breach of security in Parliament House that happened on December 13. He said the incident that occurred on December 13, when two youths jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors gallery with colour canisters, which they sprew all over the Chamber, and who had accomplices outside the precincts of the Parliament House Estate has caused much consternation in all circles. He said that the incident of December 13 is a world apart from the attack on Parliament House of December 13, 2001, which was an act carried out by hard core, well trained and heavily armed terrorists from across the Border with the attack resulting in the death of Armed personnel of the CRPF, Delhi Police as also of the CPWD and the Parliament Security Service. He pointed out that the recent incident of December 13 has also brought to the fore issues relating to the security of the institutions which are the core of our democratic practices and ethos. "Since the seriousness of the matter lies in this fact, which relates to our own security, Members of the Opposition are duty bound to demand an explanation from the government and expect corrective measures to be taken urgently. The sensitivity of the matter and issues involved may have led to heated situations, and as the custodian of the dignity and decorum of the House you are bound to take remedial action when matters perceivably go out of the way in enabling the House to function to smoothly," he said. He said that the members, who have been suspended on account of "unruly conduct were pressing for an explanation from the government on very troubling issues, to me, it appears to be appropriate to hear them on their points of view. "Considering the factors that led to the suspension of 13 members, I would urge that the matter be re-looked into holistically and appropriate action taken for revoking the suspension and re-storing order in the House," he said. Chowdhury also said that when viewed from a larger perspective, the security apparatus of the Parliament House Estate is also heavily dependant on the Armed Personnel of the Delhi Police, Parliament Protection unit of CRPF and other agencies including the NSG as well as the Intelligence agencies. "It is primarily on account of factors such as these that following the attack on Parliament House on December 13, 2001, the then Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani made a detailed statement on the incident in the House, and members, notwithstanding their Party affiliation 'solidly' stood as one in the interest of the nation and institutions that symbolise the democratic traditions and heritage," the Congress leader said. --IANS aks/pgh Courageous 'bahu' comes to help mother in-law after shooting, nabs two attackers too. Image Source: IANS News Patna, Dec 17 : Dispelling the stereotyped view of the "antagonistic saas-bahu" relationship, a woman in Bihar's Begusarai district on Sunday not only came to the aid of her mother-in-law after she was shot but also fought with two attackers and managed to apprehend them. The courage of the woman, identified as Nibha Devi, has become a talking point in the region. The incident occurred at Chamta Rajauli Kurma embankment when Anita Devi, 60, was going to the market to buy some medicines on Sunday morning. Two persons there suddenly opened fire at her and Anita Devi sustained a gunshot injury on her and collapsed on the ground. As she heard the noise of firing, Nibha Devi, who was in her house not far away from the spot, chased the attackers, managed to drag them to her house and locked them in a room there. "I was present in the house when the firing took place. I came out of the house and after hearing the sound of firing, I saw my mother-in-law collapsed on the ground and two persons were trying to flee from the spot. I chased and managed to nab them. After overpowering them, they were brought to the house and locked in a room. After that I called the police," Nibha Devi told local reporters. "After the incident, I rescued my mother-in-law with the help of villagers and took her to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bachhwara block for treatment. After preliminary treatment, the doctors referred her to Sadar hospital in Begusarai. Doctors have removed the bullet after surgery and her health is improving," she added. Nibha Devi also alleged that the accused were eyeing the 5 Katha land in her mother-in-law's name and hence committed the crime. An officer of Bachwara police station said that one accused named Amresh Kumar, along with one other, committed the crime. "We have arrested the accused under IPC sections of attempt to murder. The matter is under investigation." Pune, Dec 17 : The Patna Pirates raced away with an eight-point lead in the first half, however, the Jaipur Pink Panthers clawed their way back in the second half and pulled off a gripping 29-28 victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Sunday. Raider V Ajith Kumar was the star of the night with 14 raid points and two tackle points. Sachin effected a raid and Ankit carried out a tackle point as the Pirates inched ahead at 2-0 in the 5th minute. After a few empty raids from both sides, Ankit tackled Bhavani Rajput and Sandeep Kumar carried out a DO OR DIE raid to help the Pirates take a decent lead at 6-1 in the 10th minute. Moments later, the Pirates further extended their lead after inflicting the first ALL OUT of the match. Defender Sajin Chandrasekar upped his game as the Pirates raced away with a 10-point lead at 13-3 in the 13th minute. Arjun Deshwal pulled off a brilliant raid to take out Krishan and Sajin Chandrasekar, but the Pirates still held the advantage at 14-7 in the 18th minute. Deshwal tried to reduce the gap between the two sides, but the Pirates' defence unit showcased top form. Sachin pulled off another raid in the 19th minute as the Pirates led 16-8 at the end of the first half. Sandeep Kumar effected a couple of raids in the opening minutes of the second half as the Pirates continued to hold momentum at 18-10 in the 24th minute. Sachin carried out a brilliant raid and reduced the Panthers to just two members on the mat in the 26th minute. V Ajith Kumar took out Ankit and Sandeep Kumar to record a SUPER RAID, but the Pirates still stayed ahead at 22-15 in the 29th minute. V Ajith Kumar scored a tackle and raid point to help the Panthers inch closer to the Pirates' score at 18-22 in the 31st minute. Ankush tackled Sandeep Kumar as the Panthers reduced the gap between the two sides even more. Moments later, the Panthers inflicted an ALL OUT to level the scores at 24-24. Thereafter, both sides played out a neck-to-neck battle and were locked at 26-26 when just 90 seconds were remaining on the clock. Ajith Kumar pulled off a brilliant raid to take out Neeraj Kumar & Sajin Chandrasekar and hand a three-point lead to his team at 29-26. Thereafter, Bhavani Rajput ran down the clock on the final raid of the match and ensured that the Panthers walked off with a thrilling one-point victory. Tel Aviv, Dec 17 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said that it has conducted raids at the vacation homes of several senior Hamas commanders, including the terror group's Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar. It may be noted that the Israeli Defense minister had publicly stated that his country's troops would kill Yahya Sinwar, and "they would be reaching him soon". In a statement on Sunday, IDF said that troops of the 7th Armored Brigade conducted the raids. Commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, Col. Elad Tzuri, in the statement said that his forces were battling Hamas in the Khan Yunis area. He also said that the personnel have reached the main square in Bani Suheila, on the outskirts of Khan Yunis area. The statement said that troops have uncovered some 30 tunnel shafts, struck dozens of anti-tank missile launch sites and observation posts, and seized weapons used by Hamas operatives, along with intelligence materials. The commander said: "We found weapons, tunnels inside vacation homes of senior Hamas officials." He further said: "We see a lot of tunnel shafts here... still encountering the enemy but gaining operational control of the area." The IDF said that the troops also raided an outpost belonging to the terror group's Deir al-Balah battalion and seized intelligence materials. Bengaluru, Dec 17 : Amid gloom against the backdrop of fears of a global recession, major IT players in Bengaluru have enforced steep cuts in yearly hikes and promotions for staffers. Bengaluru-based tech giant Infosys has given its staffers less than a 10 per cent hike this year. The scenario is more or less the same with global players headquartered in the US and Europe that have a major presence in Bengaluru. The phase, which began a year ago, was believed to get over in six months, but it has continued to force IT companies to take drastic measures in terms of salary hikes. New entrants are not being considered for hikes this year. "IT companies used to give 20 per cent yearly hikes earlier, and for those who were promoted, the hike would have been 50 per cent. This year, promotions are put on hold, and for performers who got promoted, they have been given 10 to 20 per cent hikes," said an IT professional working for a US-headquartered company. The scenario is reminiscent of the dreaded phase between 2007 and 2009, during which the IT sector was severely hit. With automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) eating into jobs, IT professionals are concerned, as the senior HR Manager of a reputed tech company reveals. "No one knows when the phase will end, and halcyon days will come back. During the Corona phase, the demand for skilled employees in the IT sector had reached its peak. Performers were lured with advance bonuses, costly gifts like BMW bikes, and others. All that seems to be a dream now," he says. However, experienced workers maintain that the companies that could survive the worst of recession phases earlier will come out of it this time as well and this is a natural phase of the IT industry. In its communication to staffers, Infosys thanked employees for their unparalleled support and efforts to overcome the current challenges and ensure success in all aspects, according to sources. Washington, Dec 17 : US President Joe Biden's vote bank has been rocked by young Black voters who have joined the Palestinians in the country saying they will vote for him in the 2024 presidential election "only if he guarantees protection to innocent Palestinians in Gaza Strip in the on-going war between Israel and Hamas". Democrats have long been backed by the ethnic vote coming from communities drawn from Asia, Middle East, Hispanics and the bulk majority Black Vote. None of these bastions of the democratic party can be taken for granted in the 2024 presidency that may give an advantage to the GOP, media reports indicate. One issue expected to haunt Biden with younger Black voters is whether he has done enough to demand more protections for Palestinians, some young people and political experts said. They argue Biden's positions, including not calling for an immediate cease-fire, could cost him support from African Americans, traditionally a loyal voting bloc for Democrats, reports said. One place where there are early signs of waning support is among young Black people, experts said. "There is a moral imperative that Biden is choosing to ignore, and it can very well cost him and down ticket candidates the election," said Jason Williams, Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Biden has opposed calls for a ceasefire on grounds that an outcome with Hamas still in control of Gaza is unacceptable. During a rally in October at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, students slammed Biden for not calling for a ceasefire and complained he has not done enough to help Palestinians. During a December 2 speech in Dubai, Vice President Kamala Harris said "international humanitarian law must be respected" and that "too many innocent Palestinians have been killed". The White House last week pressed Israel to find a way to wind down its air and ground invasion in Gaza, but Israeli officials have said it will still take "several months" to defeat Hamas and end the war. In Biden's most direct criticism of Israel since the war began, he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is "starting to lose" international support in its war against Hamas because of its "indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza. African Americans have a history of solidarity with Palestinians. For some African Americans, there's a sense of solidarity with Palestinians. Khadirah Muhammad, a senior at Georgia State University, remembers seeing on social media the Black Lives Matter murals in Gaza and watching Palestinians demonstrating during the 2020 George Floyd protests. For her, it was a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians also in the struggle for freedom. New Delhi: The accused arrested in the Parliament security breach during the Winter session. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi/Lucknow, Dec 17 : A Delhi Police team has taken Parliament security breach accused Sagar Sharma to Lucknow to investigate the location where he allegedly produced shoes containing concealed coloured smoke canisters he used in the incident. "A team has reached Lucknow, along with the accused Sharma, and will be searching his house and probe the shoes manufacturing place," said a source privy to the probe. The two men, who managed to enter the Lok Sabha Hall from the visitors' gallery on Wednesday, were identified as Manoranjan Kumar and Sagar Sharma. Manoranjan, an Engineering student from Karnataka and Sharma, an e-rickshaw driver in Lucknow, got the visitor's pass issued on the reference of Karnataka's Mysuru BJP MP, Pratap Simha. The Delhi Police FIR, registered on December 13, mentions how carefully Sharma and Manoranjan had made a special cavity in their shoes to carry the coloured smoke gas canisters inside the House. It says that had planned to use the creative colour smoke to be "burst inside the well of the Lok Sabha". It said that the sport shoes of both Sharma and Manoranjan had a cavity, created by cutting the inside sole of left foot shoe, and the thickness of the sole was found increased by affixing additional rubber soles at the bottom to support the cavity. On how the two carried the smoke gas canisters inside the House, the FIR stated: "The inside sole of the right foot shoe was also found partly cut. The thickness of the sole of shoes was also found increased by affixing additional rubber sole at the bottom to support the cavity." It also stated that the two used wet canisters of creative colour smoke type smoke 003 yellow colour were burst by Sharma and Manoranjan on floor of the Lok Sabha. The police also recovered a printed slogan "Jai Hind" in English and a picture of fist in tricolour and a slogan in Hindi, whereas in another pamphlet had a slogan in English on Manipur issue etc. Apart from Manoranjan, Sharma, the other accused are Neelam, a resident of Haryana's Jind, Amol Shinde, a resident of Maharashtra's Latur, Mahesh Kumawat, a resident of Rajasthan, and alleged mastermind Lalit Jha, a resident of West Bengal. A case, registered against them at Parliament Street police station, charges them with Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespassing), 153 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), 186 (obstructing public servants in the discharge of public functions), and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from duty) of the IPC, along with sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA. A Delhi court sent Jha to seven-day police custody on Friday, while sixth accused Kumawat, was also sent to police custody on Saturday. On Thursday, the same court had sent the four other accused, all arrested on Wednesday itself to seven-day police custody. Bihar family goes to sell blood and earn money to repay loan installment. Image Source: IANS News Beijing, Dec 17 : China is facing a shortage of blood -- a problem blamed on the current spike in respiratory illness, the cold snap and a fall in the number of donors, the media reported. Local authorities and blood centres in several of the biggest provinces, including Henan, Shandong, Fujian, Hubei and Shanxi, have warned of a sharp drop in the number of donations and appealed for people to contribute, South China Morning Post reported. According to state-controlled news outlet ThePaper.cn, blood stocks in Xinxiang, a city in Henan province, were running so low that they threatened the supply for operations and other hospital needs, SCMP reported. The city's publicity department and local Red Cross Society issued an urgent appeal on Friday, saying demand was surging but fewer people were donating because it was winter. Yuncheng, a city in the central province of Shanxi, issued a similar appeal for donors, saying donations had fallen dramatically after temperatures "dropped off a cliff" while respiratory illnesses surged. "The number of people choosing to have surgery has greatly increased ... and clinical blood consumption has been running at a high level, resulting in severe difficulties and challenges in meeting the blood demand," the centre told ThePaper. China relies on voluntary donors for blood supplies and had a similar shortage crisis a year ago when Covid-19 cases soared following an abrupt end to most pandemic controls. That prompted the authorities to relax the guidelines on giving blood, SCMP reported. New Delhi: Lalit Jha, accused in the Parliament security breach, is being taken to the Patiala House Court. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Dec 17 : In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the Parliament security breach, key accused in the December 13 incident Lalit Jha has divulged critical information during questioning. Jha, alleged to be one of the masterminds behind the breach, has confessed to sharing an incriminating video related to the incident through WhatsApp. The sources, over the phone, told IANS that Lalit Jha, a teacher by profession and a resident of West Bengal, not only shared the video but actively encouraged its further dissemination. The recipient of the video, identified as Sourav Chakraborty in Kolkata, was allegedly urged by Jha to circulate the footage widely. "Police have also recovered the WhatsApp chat of accused Jha and the video sent to Sourav as revealed by him during interrogation is here. He had also shared the video with others," said the sources. The Special Cell, probing the high profile case, has recovered phone parts from the Nagaur area in Rajasthan, where the alleged conspirator behind the Parliament security breach case, Lalit Jha, first broke them and then burned them. "To recover the evidence, Jha was taken to Rajasthan, and we have recovered broken phones," said a source privy to the probe. Jha took away the mobile phones of the four other accused just before executing their plan on December 13, and made a hasty getaway. After a Delhi court sent the alleged mastermind in the Parliament security breach case, Lalit Jha, to seven-day police custody on Friday, the sixth accused, Mahesh Kumawat, was also sent to police custody for a week on Saturday. On Thursday, the same court had sent four accused persons -- Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde -- to seven-day police custody. All four were arrested from the Parliament premises on Wednesday. Following the recovery of burnt phones on the instance of Jha, the police have decided to add Section 201 (destruction of evidence/disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code to the already registered FIR. The case, registered against them and Jha at Parliament Street police station, involves sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespassing), 153 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), 186 (obstructing public servants in the discharge of public functions), and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from duty) of the IPC, along with Sections 16 and 18 of UAPA. He after filming the protest by Amol and Neelam outside the Parliament, also shared it with a person named Nilakkha Aich, who is linked to an NGO (Samovadi Subash) in West Bengal. As per sources, a team from the Special Cell of Delhi Police is expected to go to West Bengal to question Aich, a second-year under-graduate student at a reputed college in the state. The Special Cell has also expressed concern regarding the online content shared by prime conspirator, Lalit Jha, particularly a social media post in October that stated, "What India needs is a bomb." Various posts drew the attention of the police, including expressions of discontent with the current situation. In one post, he wrote: "WHAT INDIA NEEDS IS A BOMB," accompanied by a message in Bengali, suggesting that India requires a bomb to "raise a strong voice against tyranny, injustice, and anarchy". Jha posted similarly controversial content on his social media accounts. On November 5, he asserted that anyone advocating for their rights, irrespective of their background, would be unfairly labelled a communist. "As a former fisherman, I'm very happy that I can work to protect endangered aquatic lives," said Zhou Qimin, a fisherman-turned river patroller in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. To restore the biodiversity along the Yangtze River, China has imposed a 10-year fishing ban along the river's main streams and major tributaries. #GLOBALink Nomad River Airport, Nomad River, Papua New Guinea [ NOM / MRNS ] If you are planning to travel to Nomad River or any other city in Papua New Guinea, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Nomad River Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Nomad River Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Papua New Guinea. Nomad River Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. 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NOM - Nomad River Airport IATA Code and MRNS - Nomad River Airport ICAO code Property details: Enjoy Life in the Alps of Southern California Mountain Resort Destination. NO RESERVE, NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS, HIGH BID OWNS LOT Nestled in the magnificent San Bernardino National Forest, surrounded by pine, cedar, and dogwood, an area described as the "Alps of Southern California", and known as "the best kept secret on the West Coast, is a stunningly beautiful, cozy and quaint mountain resort paradise called Lake Arrowhead. Our community features countless outdoor recreational activities such as h... Price: $ 1,500 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential State/Province: California Location: 928**, Anaheim, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California COLOMBO, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan security forces on Sunday arrested 42 people who were in possession of various narcotics and sharp weapons, the police announced. A total of 156 police officers, 154 personnel of the army, and 16 officers of the Special Task Force joined the special raid in a Colombo suburb, the police said, adding that 625 individuals from 165 houses were searched. Sri Lankan police launched a special operation on Sunday to curb organized crimes and drug-related activities. Three "hybrid" terrorists involved in last week's attack on a policeman in Bemina area of Srinagar city have been arrested, director general of police Jammu and Kashmir R R Swain said on Sunday. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: The Jammu and Kashmir police arrest three 'hybrid' terrorists involved in the attack on a policeman, in Sringar, December 17, 2023. Constable Mohammad Hafeez Chak was attacked on December 9 while he was returning home. The DGP said the conspiracy was hatched by one Pakistan-based terrorist Arjumand alias Hamza Burhan who got in touch with a local mastermind Danish Ahmad Malla to carry out the attack. "The hybrid terrorists who were involved in the attack have been arrested. This briefing is about the success that the J&K Police has achieved in tracing the killers (attackers) of one of our policemen," Swain told reporters here. "Constable Mohammad Hafeez Chak fortunately survived the attack. We hope and pray that he will be back hale and hearty. As far as the killers (are concerned), they had done their job. Six bullets were fired, three hit the cop and three did not," he added. Hybrid terrorists are those who carry out attacks and then slip back into their routine lives, the police said. Swain said Malla, who lives in the same locality as the policeman, recruited two hybrid terrorists -- Imtiyaz Khanday and Mehnaan Khan. "They managed (to get) pistols and followed him for several days before carrying out the attack. The pistol used (in the attack) has been recovered at the instance of Khanday who had fired the bullets," he said. The DGP said another pistol was recovered from Khan while 57 pistol rounds were recovered from Malla. Swain said during questioning, the terrorists revealed that they had finalised a list of targets. "They had a number of other targets. While some were finalised, others were in the process of being identified. Most of the targets were policemen but there were some non-policemen also on their radar," he said. Asked if the arrested men had any hand in the killing of Inspector Masroor Wani, the DGP said the case was being investigated by the National Investigation Agency. "That (case) is still under investigation, the NIA has taken over the investigation. I think It would be inappropriate to prematurely start connecting," he said. The DGP said Turkish pistol Canik TP9 was used in carrying out the attack. Canik TP9 is a high-quality pistol and its lightweight makes it very good, he said. It was not the first time that Canik TP9 has been recovered from terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the police chief said. "But we are seeing a pattern and a trend... this category of small arms is being brought into Jammu and Kashmir through drones and through a variety of other means, being smuggled into our side from Pakistan," he said. The Congress has called a meeting of its working committee on December 21 to deliberate on the strategy for the 2024 general election and chalk out a plan for its poll campaign to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party, sources said. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge along with party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the CWC meeting, in New Delhi, October 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called the meeting, which will take place at the All India Congress Committee headquarters two days after the INDIA bloc meeting on December 19, to deliberate on the political situation in the country and the way forward, they said. Seat sharing and campaign is likely to be top of the agenda, they added. The meeting is also likely to discuss the possibility of a yatra that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could undertake before the 2024 polls with unemployment and price rise as its main planks, the sources said. An east-to-west yatra in hybrid mode, including on-foot, is being mulled by the party and a final decision is expected to be taken soon, they said. Ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting, the 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held at 3 pm on December 19 in New Delhi. Evolving a "core positive agenda", seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc that will be taken up at its next meeting. The parties intend to move forward with the unity theme -- "Main Nahin, Hum" (We, Not Me) -- as a counter to the prime minister at the meeting, a senior leader of the Congress said. The CWC meeting will also analyse the recent assembly poll results in which it was defeated in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan while winning and forming the government in Telangana. The party also lost the polls in Mizoram. The CWC would deliberate on the reasons for the defeat and the way forward for the 2024 polls, they said. The meeting is being held at a time when the challenge before the Congress is to come out with an alternative positive agenda to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party in the next general elections. There is a view in the party that it would need to think out of the box to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024. China followed "wolf-warrior diplomacy" and "salami-slicing" tactics with impunity browbeating smaller neighbours and it took the Indian Army to show to the world that "enough is enough" and challenge the "neighbourhood bully", says Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, the 28th Chief of Army Staff, recounting the Indian response to the Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. IMAGE: General M M Naravane (Retd), former Chief of Army Staff speaks at the Chanakya Dialogues in New Delhi, April 29, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In his memoirs Four Stars of Destiny, Naravane, providing a rare insight into the deadly Galwan Valley clashes, says Chinese President Xi Jinping will not forget June 16 any time soon as China's People's Liberation Army suffered "fatal casualties" for the first time in over two decades in the fighting. Naravane, one of the foremost Army Generals, provided a gripping account of the India-China confrontation before and after the deadly Galwan Valley incident, India's overall response to the Chinese action and how it served as a catalyst to firm up the Army's combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control. "It was one of the saddest days of my entire career," says Naravane recalling the death of 20 Army personnel in the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. His tenure as the Army chief from December 31, 2019 to April 30, 2022 was primarily marked by the Chinese challenges along the contested border as well as the rolling out of long-term reform measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the force. "June 16 is (Chinese President) Xi Jinping's birthday. This is not a day he will forget any time soon. For the first time in over two decades, the Chinese and the PLA had suffered fatal casualties," Naravane writes. "They had been following wolf-warrior diplomacy and salami-slicing tactics everywhere with impunity, browbeating smaller neighbours like Nepal and Bhutan, while staking their ever-increasing claims in the South China Sea, without having to pay any costs, especially in terms of human lives." "It took India and the Indian Army to show to the world that enough is enough and to challenge the neighbourhood bully." Delving into the overall situation along the frontier, Naravane, at the same time, suggests having a "non-aggression" pact between the two countries pending the settlement of the overall boundary dispute, saying it would go a long way in restoring confidence and pave the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces. Four Stars of Destiny published by Penguin Random House India will hit the stands next month. On the Galwan Valley incident, Naravane says it occurred in view of the Chinese PLA refusing to remove two tents that it had erected in Patrolling Point 14 (PP-14), adding following the adversary's refusal, the Indian Army decided to pitch its own tents in the same general area. The eastern Ladakh border row began in May 2020. Naravane says flag-level meetings had been continuing at other locations then, including at PP-15 and PP-17A, where troops fell back over agreed distances, thereby reducing the chances of violent face-offs. "At PP-14, however, whenever we asked the PLA to remove their tents, they kept changing their stance. From 'some more time was needed', to 'we will check with our superiors', to it 'being beyond the mandate of the talks'." "From this stonewalling, it became evident that there had been no intention of removing those tents in the first place. To counter this, we also decided to pitch our own tents in the same general area," he writes. Naravane says when Indian Army personnel went to pitch the tents, there was a violent reaction from the Chinese side. "Col Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 BIHAR, went forward with a small party of troops to attempt to defuse the situation but the PLA were in no mood to relent and attacked the CO's party too," he says. "Thereafter, it became a free-for-all. With darkness setting in, both sides rushed in additional troops and a see-saw engagement continued throughout the night," he recounts. Although armed, neither side opened fire, instead using batons or clubs and throwing or rolling down stones on each other's positions, he says. The former Army chief says due to better connectivity on their side, the PLA were able to move troops forward in armoured personnel carriers which changed the balance in their favour. Naravane says he told then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi during a phone call at 1:30 am on June 16 that the Army must hit back and make the PLA pay the price for their misadventure. "Daylight revealed a not-so-favourable situation." "A few jawans who could not make it back at night or who had been separated started trickling back. Five jawans had died of injuries in the melee. The next morning, as the head count was taken, we realised many were missing," he says. "As tense negotiations began, many of our boys, who had either got disoriented or had been briefly detained by the PLA without food or medical aid, returned to base," he says. "However, 15 of them succumbed to the combined effects of their injuries and hypothermia. It was one of the saddest days of my entire career." The Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020 marked the most serious military conflicts between India and China in decades and the full extent of the deadliest confrontation was known the next day. "We are in a profession where death is always lurking around the corner." "Every patrol or ambush can be your last. As a Company and Battalion Commander, my unit had suffered casualties, and I was always stoic in the face of adversity or bad news. Yet, losing 20 men in a day was hard to bear," he notes. About the casualties on the Chinese side, Naravane says it was evident that they "too suffered substantially". "Our men who were in Chinese hands had been kept out in the open and they had seen several bodies being fished out of the river. Whenever that happened, they were subjected to a fresh round of beatings," Naravane writes. "The sheer savagery of their response was in itself indicative of the losses they had suffered. Initially, they did not admit to any casualties at all; then many months later, admitted to four or five killed, including the CO on their side," he says. Naravane also mentioned a report by a group of Australian researchers that put the figure of Chinese fatalities to at least 38, A separate Russian (TASS) report put the figure closer to 45 killed, which was consistent with other intelligence reports, including those from the US, he says. Naravane says the time is ripe for the resumption of the special-representative level talks to settle the border question between the two sides. "Pending the settlement of the boundary dispute, which is likely to be time-consuming, articulation of a 'non-aggression' pact between the two countries would go a long way in restoring confidence, paving the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces from Tibet/Ladakh," he said. "Such a pact would be somewhat akin to what China and the ASEAN countries are attempting to formalise," he said. The former Army chief says the crisis in eastern Ladakh served as a catalyst for the Army's rebalancing to the northern front. The Army moved many key units to the northern front from other parts following the Chinese aggression. "Though still inadequate, the increase in force ratios on the Northern Front will definitely make the PLA think twice before embarking on any misadventure, especially now that we have the offensive capability to take the battle into Chinese territory," Naravane says. "In our posture against China, we have moved up from dissuasive deterrence (defensive) to credible deterrence (offensive defence). With these developments, the PLA must have realised that a military solution to the border problem is improbable," he adds. 'Wolf-warrior' diplomacy is a term used for a kind of assertive diplomacy. Salami slicing is a tactic used to capture territory piece by piece. Four days after the Parliament's security was breached, the Delhi police recovered fragments of some broken and burnt mobile phones from Rajasthan's Nagaur, an official said on Sunday. IMAGE: Parts of phones belonging to the accused in Parliament breach incident have been recovered from Rajasthan. Photograph: ANI on X The police have added IPC sections related to the destruction of evidence to the FIR against the accused. An officer privy to the investigations said a few pieces of mobile phones have been recovered on Saturday on the instance of Lalit Jha, who was among six arrested by the police in connection to the case. A team of the Delhi police's special cell on Saturday took Jha to Rajasthan's Nagaur where he stayed with the help of accused Mahesh Kumawat, officials said. Sources said that the Delhi Police has decided to add more IPC sections, including Section 201 (destruction of evidence/disappearance of evidence) in the FIR registered on December 13. Police have filed terrorism charges under the stringent UAPA against the accused. The police officials said Jha and Kumawat intentionally destroyed the mobile phones to hide technical evidence related to the case. The Delhi police have arrested six persons so far Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, Neelam Devi, Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat for their alleged involvement in the Parliament security breach case. Two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament premises. Jha, who was present outside the gate, had recorded the act on his mobile phone. After uploading it on social media and sharing it with his friends, he went to Nagaur in Rajasthan. Kumawat and accused Kailash, who are cousins, allegedly arranged his stay there. Later Jha and Kumawat came to Delhi and surrendered to the police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the seriousness of the security breach in Parliament cannot be underestimated, and called for no squabbling over the issue amid Opposition's protests over it in Parliament. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel (second from left) and BJP state chief CR Patil during the inauguration of the new integrated terminal building of Surat airport, in Surat, December 17, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In an interview with Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, Modi said probe agencies are investigating the incident and taking stringent measures, noting that it is equally necessary to go to the root of people behind it and their motives. The newspaper said he described the breach as painful and a matter of concern. "Efforts should also be made to look for a solution with collective spirit. Everyone should avoid squabbling over such an issue," he said. The gravity of the incident which happened in Parliament should not be underestimated, the prime minister said, adding that the Speaker has also been taking necessary steps with all seriousness. Two persons jumped from visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, with opposition parties, demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. Some members have also sought Shah's resignation. The government has insisted that the security in Parliament complex is the responsibility of the Lok Sabha secretariat and it has been following the Speaker's directives. It has also cited numerous such violations in the past, accusing the opposition of politicising the issue. To a question about the Bharatiya Janata Party picking relatively new and little-known leaders as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Modi said the leaders have lots of experience and hard work behind them. Taking a jibe at those questioning the Bharatiya Janata Party's choices, he said it has been the country's misfortune that a big section of people who influence the society are bound to a trite and narrow mindset. "This is not confined to only the political field. This nature troubles us in every field. If in any field, some name becomes big with some branding, then others do not get attention irrespective of their talent and hardwork. A similar thing happens in politics," he said. The media's focus for some decades has unfortunately been the most on a few families and due to this, talent and usefulness of new people are not being discussed, he said. "That is why you often see some people as new. But the truth is that they are not new. They have done the hard work and have their own experience," he added. The BJP leadership has picked Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Yadav and Bhajan Lal Sharma as chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, looking over the claims of former CMs Raman Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhra Raje. On the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370, Modi said the top court has put its stamp on the abrogation of Article 370, and added that no power in the universe can bring it back. Citing the BJP's stupendous show in the recent assembly polls, he said it has shown that the party is set to score a historic win again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said opposition parties should introspect as to why people do not accept their claims. Angry locals and relatives of workers blocked a highway near an explosives manufacturing unit in Nagpur district, where a blast claimed nine lives on Sunday, and demanded they be allowed to enter the premises to see the bodies. IMAGE: Locals gather outside a manufacturing unit of Solar Industries after a blast occurred at the factory, at Bazargaon in Nagpur, December 17, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The crowd was later dispersed, the police said. According to sources, the bodies of the victims were still inside the premises, where the blast took place at 9 am. Nine people were killed and three others injured in the incident, police said. A number of ambulances were stationed at the entrance gate of the Solar Industries factory, located at Bazaargaon, about 30 km from the district headquarters. A tense situation prevailed as nearly 200 people, including local residents and relatives of the workers, gheraoed the factory's entrance gate. A senior police official told PTI that there were explosives near the spot. The explosives needed to be secured and bomb disposable squads were at the spot, he said. The process of securing the explosives was underway and thereafter the bodies will be recovered, the official said. Angry locals and relatives of the victims blocked the Amravati-Nagpur road outside the factory. They raised slogans in front of the factory's entrance gate and blocked the Amravati-Nagpur highway, demanding that they be allowed to enter the premises to see the bodies of their kin. The police later dispersed the crowd, an official said. Heavy police security was deployed in the area. The father of Aarti Sahare, who is among the deceased, told reporters that he got a message about the death of her daughter at 9.30 am and was still waiting for further information. The blast also caused severe damage to the factory building, as per police. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X termed the incident as unfortunate and condoled the death of the nine people. The state government will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the decision, he said. Fadnavis said nine people, including six women, died in the blast at Solar Industries. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the armed forces, he said. The state government stands firmly with families of the victims on this sad occasion, he said. GUANGZHOU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- In the mountainous town of Lianzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Moritz Neumuller captured the picture of a father exploring a section of a photography exhibition with his daughters. The section features works by five female photographers, with a common theme of exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and nature. Neumuller, an active figure in photography and new media, serves as the international chief curator for the 2023 Lianzhou International Photo Festival. This is the 15th edition of the festival, which was incepted in 2005. This year, the event brought together over 200 photographers and visual artists from 37 countries and regions, showcasing nearly 2,000 works. Lianzhou, a three-hour drive from the provincial capital of Guangzhou, is known for its rich culture as a historic trade hub in southern China. By hosting the festival, it has become a favored destination for global photography enthusiasts. "The scenery here is beautiful, with mountains visible everywhere, allowing for a close experience of nature," Neumuller said, adding that in a place away from the city, people have a more acute feeling of their surroundings and may gain a different perspective on photography. A photography enthusiast who only gave his surname, Sun, drove over 1,000 km to attend the festival. Emphasizing the inseparability of photography and culture, he believed that understanding history and local culture is essential for creating meaningful photographic works. The exhibition spaces of the festival were all housed in transformed decades-old structures like a shoe factory and grain warehouse. One of them, the Lianzhou Photography Museum, was converted from a warehouse. It not only preserves the city's historical memories but also provides a public space for art appreciation. "Art can sometimes be a bit challenging, requiring some time for understanding and cognition. But it's not that difficult; everyone can have their own opinions," Neumuller said. "I love seeing scenes where people of all ages and from different countries can appreciate the same photography." Italian photographer and documentary director Andrea Cavazzuti has observed China for 40 years through photos and videos. At the festival, he showcased a work featuring China in the 1980s. "Photography is the art that records the relationship between people and the environment. China has tremendous cultural potential, and you can create very interesting artistic works here," Cavazzuti said. Beyond attracting professionals, the festival significantly contributes to Lianzhou's economic growth and cultural development. Data from the local authorities showed a 47 percent year-on-year increase in visitors from January to September 2023, with tourism revenue reaching 684 million yuan (about 96 million U.S. dollars), up 72 percent year-on-year. Na Risong, domestic chief curator for the festival, said the event offers a platform for the international photography community to showcase its achievements as well as appreciate Chinese photography. "We are committed to enhancing its global reach and level of professionalism," said Na. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., talks with people at the Brattleboro Senior Center as part of his Summer Celebration for Older Vermonters on Aug. 10, 2023. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Generally cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 41F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 29F. Winds light and variable. The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sunday. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. It was the sixth flight mission of the SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket. The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) The SQX-1 commercial carrier rocket carrying the Di'er-1 satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Dec. 17, 2023. The rocket blasted off at 3 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending the Di'er-1 satellite into the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) The city's government hits back over criticism of the 'long-arm' enforcement of its national security law. Images of activists Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi are displayed during a press conference on the issuance of arrest warrants in Hong Kong, Dec. 14, 2023. Hong Kong on Friday vowed to pursue overseas pro-democracy activists on its national security wanted list "to the end," amid calls from U.S. Congress members for sanctions linked to transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party. National security police on Thursday issued arrest warrants for former British consular employee Simon Cheng, who co-founded the advocacy group Hongkongers in Britain, Frances Hui of the U.S.-based Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, U.S. citizen and Hong Kong campaigner Joey Siu and overseas YouTube hosts Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. Police said they had "absconded overseas" and offered a HK$1 million (US$128,000) bounty for information leading to their arrests. "Fugitives should not have any delusion that they could evade legal liabilities by absconding from Hong Kong," a spokesman said on Friday. "Fugitives will be pursued for life unless they turn themselves in ... we will pursue these fugitives ... to the end and use all practicable measures to bring them to justice, he said in a statement posted to the governments website. The wanted activists continue to engage in acts and activities endangering national security," slamming criticism of the move as "unreasonable" and "tainted with double standards," he said. Chief Superintendent of Police (National Security Department ) Li Kwai-wah and Senior Superintendent Hung Ngan attend a press conference on arrest warrants issued for activists Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, in Hong Kong, Dec. 14, 2023. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) The new additions to the Hong Kong authorities' wanted list come after similar warrants were issued for eight prominent pro-democracy activists in July, and amid growing concern over China's long-arm law enforcement activities far beyond its own borders. The group are wanted on a slew of charges under a draconian security law that bans public criticism of the authorities, including "incitement to secession", "incitement to subversion" and "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security," police said in a statement on Thursday. Intimidation and harassment The warrants prompted calls in Washington for sanctions on Chinese Communist Party-backed officials. "Last night, CCP-controlled authorities in Hong Kong issued bounties on five Hong Kongers living abroad, including two pro-democracy activists living in the United States, one of whom is an American citizen," Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party said in a joint statement on Dec. 14. "CCP-controlled Hong Kong authorities effort through intimidation and harassment to persecute US citizens and residents engaging in peaceful political activism in the United States is unacceptable," they said, calling for urgent action from Congress to stem China's "transnational repression." U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi, seen at a hearing earlier this year, issued a joint statement calling for urgent action from Congress to stem China's "transnational repression." (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Hong Kongs national security police said on Thursday that the acts of these five persons seriously endanger national security," announcing a reward of HK$1 million to members of the public who provide information leading to their arrest. Police also arrested four people on suspicion of offering financial assistance via online crowdfunding to exiled former pro-democracy lawmakers Ted Hui and Nathan Law. No change Wanted activist Frances Hui said she wasn't surprised by the bounty on her head, and wouldn't be giving up her advocacy as a result. "I will continue to do what I think is right, including my advocacy activities for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong, and fighting for the imposition of sanctions on Hong Kong officials, continuing to advocate for the release of Hong Kong political prisoners, and continuing to appeal to the international community and [over China's] transnational human rights violations," she told Radio Free Asia. "I will also continue to build the overseas Hong Kong community and promote Hong Kong culture." "I will continue to do what I think is right, including my advocacy activities for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong, says Frances Hui, seen in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Oct. 2, 2019. (Charles Krupa/AP) Meanwhile, Joey Siu said the Hong Kong authorities are using their trade and economic offices in overseas cities as a base from which to target and harass overseas activists from the city. She said even being a citizen of a foreign country is no protection. "The Hong Kong government's basis for making me a wanted person is comments I made as a U.S. citizen in my own country," Siu said. "This just shows how unreasonable and all-pervasive this transnational suppression by the Hong Kong and Chinese governments has become." An honor Former U.K. consular employee Simon Cheng said it was his "lifelong honor" to be singled out by the authorities. "The accusations ... that I betrayed my country are actually highly political and baseless," Cheng told Radio Free Asia. "It's actually a pretty humble wish that the government respect the rights of its citizens, and allow their voices to be more freely heard." "We're just a bit more persistent than the average person and are not afraid to carry on speaking out, so that's why we are receiving this so-called punishment," he said, adding that his main fear is that the authorities will target his friends and relatives in Hong Kong. Simon Cheng, seen in London in 2020, says his main fear is that authorities will target his friends and relatives in Hong Kong. (AP) British Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned the warrants, saying his government would take up the matter "urgently" with Beijing and Hong Kong officials. "We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the U.K.," Cameron said in a statement. "This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights." "We call on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law and end its persecution of political activists." State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called on Beijing to act in accordance with international norms and obligations. "We strongly condemn the egregious actions taken by Hong Kong authorities in announcing national security law changes and a new bounty list targeting democracy advocates overseas," Miller said. "That shows blatant disregard for international norms, for democracy, and for human rights." Amnesty Internationals Deputy Regional Director for China Sarah Brooks, said Hong Kong is trying to globalize its "systemic dismantling" of human rights, and that the bounties are a bid to "sow fear" internationally. The placement of a bounty under the guise of national security charges is an act of intimidation that transcends borders and aims to silence dissent everywhere," Brooks said in a statement on the group's website, calling on governments to take steps to protect overseas Hong Kong activists from "long-arm persecution" by city authorities. Amnesty International calls on host countries of the overseas activists targeted by the Hong Kong government to effectively protect their rights, including by preventing, investigating, punishing, and providing redress for human rights abuses they may experience," she said. Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Serbian citizens from northern Kosovo got on buses early on December 17 to reach polling stations in Serbia. Some 120,000 voters from Kosovo are eligible to cast ballots in Serbia's snap parliamentary elections. Kosovo's government prohibits Serbian elections from being held on its territory. Since Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power in late 2016, he has often exhorted journalists to draw attention to corruption and other problems in the country. Mirziyoev has promised he would stand behind journalists and media outlets. However, the Uzbek president has been nowhere in sight recently as bloggers in the country have been arrested and given long prison sentences -- in some cases longer sentences than people in Uzbekistan convicted for violent crimes receive. Joining host Bruce Pannier to discuss are guests Umida Niyazova, director at the Germany-based Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, and Steve Swerdlow, a rights lawyer with many years of experience in Central Asia who is currently an associate professor of the practice of human rights at the University of Southern California. 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 Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of unspecified problems with Finland and said he had ordered the establishment of a new military district in regions bordering the Nordic nation. The comments, made in an interview to be broadcast on December 17, come as tensions climb between the two neighbors, a result of Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Finlands subsequent decision to join NATO. 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. In recent weeks, Finland has closed its borders with Russia entirely as a flood of immigrants, mainly from the Middle East, seek to cross, many seeking asylum. The timing and number of immigrants whove massed at several border points has bolstered Finlands contention that Russian authorities are deliberately encouraging migrants to travel to Finland in a bid to destabilize the country. Finland briefly opened two border crossings earlier last week but then reversed the decision a day later. We have proof showing that, unlike before, not only Russian border authorities are letting people without proper documentation to the Finnish border, but they are also actively helping them to the border zone, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told the Associated Press last month. Finland reversed its long-standing policy of neutrality in the wake of Moscows invasion of Ukraine and earlier this year becoming NATOs 31st member. Since then, Finland has stepped up military training of reserve units and border surveillance, allowing NATO planes to patrol the border airspace, angering Russia. In excerpts of the interview with a state television reporter, Putin falsely said the West had dragged Finland into NATO. In fact, Finnish public opinion shifted sharply in favor of NATO membership after the Ukraine invasion. He also said he was reestablishing the Leningrad Military District, an administrative move he said could lead to a buildup of troops in the regions east of Finland. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones from the mid-20th century, have long been solved," Putin said. "There were no problems there. Now there will be, because we will create the Leningrad Military District and concentrate a certain amount of military units there." There was no immediate response to Putins comment from Finnish officials. Putin was also asked about remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden, who earlier this month claimed that Russia would attack a NATO country if he won in Ukraine. "It is complete nonsense, and I think President Biden understands that," Putin said. "Russia has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military, to fight with NATO countries." Voters in Serbia headed to the polls on December 17 to vote in snap parliamentary and municipal elections, including in the capital, Belgrade. The vote is being closely watched to see to what extent President Aleksandar Vucic's ruling Serbian Progressive Party manages to keep its grip on power. BELGRADE The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic declared victory in a snap parliamentary vote late on December 17, even as election officials had just begun the process of counting votes in what was seen as a crucial test of Vucics strength in the face of a united opposition from a pro-Western coalition. Vucic told the gathered crowd at the SNS party headquarters in Belgrade that "victory will be more convincing than the best forecasts." Prime Minister Ana Brnabic deputy head of the SNS told reporters, "Welcome to the celebration," as she spoke from party headquarters after polls closed in a vote marked by opposition claims of voting irregularities. She said that, according to her partys data, the SNS won 47.1 percent of the votes in the parliamentary elections, followed by the Serbia Against Violence coalition with 23 percent, and the Socialist Party of Serbia with 6.7 percent. Brnabic claimed that the SNS will be able to form a majority in the parliament by itself and denied opposition claims of irregularities in the election process. The nongovernmental Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) -- established in 1997 -- and the Ipsos agency saw the results as being tighter, saying their data showed that the SNS had won 38.4 percent of the vote, with the main opposition coalition taking 35.1 percent. Polls closed at 8 p.m. local time, with official results to be reported within 24 hours, according to election officials. WATCH: Serbian citizens from northern Kosovo got on buses early on December 17 to reach polling stations in Serbia. Some 120,000 voters from Kosovo are eligible to cast ballots in Serbia's snap parliamentary and municipal elections. Kosovo's government prohibits Serbian elections from being held on its territory. Opposition and domestic observer groups reported scattered irregularities at voting sites. Some 5,800 international monitors were in Serbia, with their observations expected over the next couple of days. The Republican Election Commission told a news conference that as of 7 p.m., 55.5 percent of registered voters had cast ballots, about the same as at the same time in the April 2022 parliamentary vote. Final turnout figures will be reported along with election results, officials said. In April 2022, the final level was 58.6 percent. Opposition figures had urged for a high turnout in hopes of weakening Vucic's grip on power. Rasa Nedeljkov, program director of the Serbian nongovernmental CRTA observation mission, claimed the groups observers were physically attacked and that their vehicles were destroyed at the Odzaci municipality in Serbias north. Police later said they had arrested one suspect related to the incident and that an investigation was being conducted. Nedeljkov added that voters were bused in from neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovinas Serbian entity to Belgrade, where they voted instead of at their home locations. The observation mission of the CeSID established in Belgrade in 1997 reported viewing repeated noncompliance with election procedures at a number of polling stations and the presence of propaganda material at some voting sites, among other issues. After polls closed, representatives of the opposition coalition Serbia Against Violence told a news conference they had recorded more than 450 electoral violations. "Our legal teams are making efforts to respond to all the irregularities recorded so far," party spokesman Predrag Mitrovic said. U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said he had visited several election sites in the capital, Belgrade. The American Embassy has 14 teams spread across Serbia and Belgrade," he said, adding that he could not yet speak about the overall evaluation of the election. Vucic, who is not on the December 17 ballot, was seeking to bolster the standing of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party as observers warned that the election campaign had been marred by intimidation and media bias. Along with the parliamentary election, voting is taking place for municipal posts in 65 towns and cities. In the capital, Belgrade, voters were to elect representatives to both the 110-member City Assembly, which chooses a mayor for a four-year term, and to the city's smaller, constituent councils. In his brief remarks following the election, Vucic said, "I can't say anything about Belgrade, because not a single ballot has been counted in Belgrade." Late polling there showed the unified, pro-European opposition, the Serbia Against Violence coalition, in a tight race with the president's eponymous Aleksandar Vucic-Belgrade Must Not Stop coalition and its former mayor. "I expect it to be the same as before. It doesn't matter who's in power," one Belgrade voter, Branislav Zoranovic, told RFE/RL after casting his ballot. "What is important is that there is a good situation among citizens and that everyone has their own conscience." Meanwhile, in neighboring Kosovo, more than 22,000 Serbian citizens living there -- who have the right to participate in the elections -- embarked on an organized journey across the border to participate in the Serbian voting. Numerous buses departed at 7 a.m. from various cities in Kosovos Serb-majority regions mainly North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposaviq resulting in long lines at the Bernjak and Jarinje border points with Serbia. Most were traveling to polling stations in the south of Serbia, including Vranje, Kursumlija, Raska, and Tutin. Marica Jovanovic of Gracanica said she will vote because of my children. I am retired. My time has passed, but the children must have a better future. I have no other motive. Serbia and Kosovo are bitter rivals, and the government in Pristina has barred Serbian polling inside the country. Vucic dissolved the country's 250-seat National Assembly on November 1, less than halfway through its four-year mandate, in the face of mounting pressure following two mass shootings in May. The shootings, which killed 19 people, triggered angry protests and calls for Vucic and other national leaders to resign. After the Serbian Progressive Party refused to implement many of the demands of the opposition-led protests, the main pro-European opposition parties agreed to run together under the banner Serbia Against Violence. The last elections in April 2022 saw the ruling party take the most votes, while the president himself comfortably won a new five-year term. However, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the voting had been marred by its "absence" of level-playing fields. Vucic's critics have complained that the president had tightened his grip on power through his control of the media and government. Some public opinion surveys showed almost half of the country did not believe the elections would be free or fair. Since taking office in May 2017, Vucic has maintained close ties with Russia, even after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while also trying to balance relations with the West, in hopes of eventually joining the European Union. Serbia has said it respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, but it has also resisted EU pressure to join Western sanctions to punish Moscow for the Ukraine war. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L), Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (R) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet at the Palazzo Chigi, the official seat of Italy's government, in Rome, Dec. 16, 2023. The leaders of Italy, Britain and Albania said in Rome on Saturday that confronting irregular immigration in Europe would require "intensified collaboration" between nations. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua) ROME, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Italy, Britain and Albania said here on Saturday that confronting irregular immigration in Europe would require "intensified collaboration" between nations. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama were in Rome for an event covering a wide range of issues including immigration, artificial intelligence, economic development, among others. The efforts to curb irregular immigration was a fight against illegal traffickers, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. "Together, we agreed on the need to address illegal immigration to Europe in an increasingly structured way as well as the need to further intensify collaboration between our nations to combat human traffickers," Meloni said of her closed-door meetings with Sunak and Rama. With regard to a plan between Italy and Albania to open migrant processing centers in Albania, Rama said, "This is a very important agreement, and we need both governments to know whether they can go ahead or not." Focusing on parallels between the Italy-Albania deal and Britain's plan to set up a similar agreement featuring migrant centers in Africa, Sunak said, "If migrants come to Italy or England illegally, they will not be able to stay, it must be clear." British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet at the Palazzo Chigi, the official seat of Italy's government, in Rome, Dec. 16, 2023. The leaders of Italy, Britain and Albania said in Rome on Saturday that confronting irregular immigration in Europe would require "intensified collaboration" between nations. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua) A Ukrainian teenager who was forcibly removed from his homeland by invading Russian forces and sent to Moscow in 2022 had his birthday wish granted last month when he was returned to Ukraine and reunited with family. Bohdan Yermokhin grew up as an orphan in Mariupol, a city in Ukraine's Donetsk region that became the target of a brutal siege in the early weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. As Russian forces took control of the city, Yermokhin became one of more than 20,000 children Ukraine says have been illegally transferred to Russia since the war began. He spent about 1 1/2 years in foster care against his will in Russia before his release was secured on November 19, the day he turned 18, following Ukrainian and international intervention. From his new home in the Ukrainian capital, he spoke this month to Maryana Sych of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service about being sent away from his hometown along with 31 other Ukrainian children. He talks about efforts by Moscow to indoctrinate him, to draft him into the Russian military to fight against his native country, and of his desire to escape Russia. The following is an abridged version of his interview, part of a series that explores how Ukrainians whose lives have been uprooted by the war are faring. Bohdan, now we are in the center of Kyiv. Have you been here before? - No, I have never been here. But here it is very beautiful, in its own way. All around us you see destroyed Russian equipment on display. What do you feel, what are your thoughts, when you look at it? - I feel warmth in my soul. I feel that we will win soon, that our spirit is not broken, and that we are stronger than anyone can be. How long did you stay in Mariupol after the start of the war? - About three months. What happened to you next? - I was deported to Russia. Were you given a choice to go to Russia? - We were not particularly asked. We had no documents; that is, we had no real choice. We were faced with the fact: "You are leaving." And that was it. We left with hope for the best, with the hope that we -- intelligent people -- would somehow get out. But in any case, it was safer to leave Mariupol. We would not have survived in Mariupol for more than a week. We had already run out of food. As far as I understand, at first you were taken to Donetsk [the occupied capital of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region]. Can you explain how it happened that your friends, classmates from school, all ended up in Donetsk at the same hospital? - It was fate. It was made to be. You were then transported to Russia by bus and plane. You were placed in a sanatorium, part of a group of 31 children. Do you know where the other boys and girls are now? - In general, yes, they are all with [Russian foster] families. But most of them -- after we were in Donetsk, after they were transferred, I didn't see them again. And I did not hear about them. What were you and other Ukrainian children told about Ukraine in Russia? - Many things: including that the children had been handed over [by Ukraine to Russia].... There are many propaganda stories about this and many children even from my group believed this, unfortunately. Did you study in Russia? - Yes, I studied. Where did you study and with whom? - At the Mozhaisk Technical School [in the Moscow region] -- for auto mechanics. Did you choose that profession for yourself? - There was somewhat of a choice. How did your fellow students treat you? - Not too badly. But since I am not a weak boy, I was not openly insulted. And how did they insult you? - By the fact that I had to "kneel" -- in their word -- that I should "fall" back. That's what I did, basically. You were placed in the foster family of Irina Rudnitska. How were you treated by this family? - I would say that it was not so bad in the family. Irina Rudnitska, my guardian, showed as much as possible, even at the end, that she only wanted me to be able to go [home]. She supported, helped, and let go. In principle, a good person. But, again, she would not go against [Russia's] authority. What were the last words she said to you at the airport? - That she loves me, like a son. When did you realize that you wanted to leave Russia? - Honestly, for the first six months I withdrew from everything. I was withdrawn after everything that happened in Mariupol. I couldn't comprehend where I was, who I was. But when I left [Ukraine], I realized that I was not at home. I was uncomfortable. I saw a video where you said that every day was an internal struggle. Can you explain this struggle? - The fact that being in the circle of the enemy, such patriots of their country, can turn you against your own country. You feel an internal struggle. On the one hand, you understand that you must speak [in favor of your situation]; and on the other hand, you understand that you cannot speak like that. You have a different homeland, and they are waiting for you at home. You wrote a song about Mariupol. What is the song about? - The song is about my native city, about how beautiful it is, how friendly everyone in it is, and the fact that no one will ever see it the way it was only in photographs and memories. What is your last memory of Mariupol? - A ruined city. I call it a ghost town because so many people died there. I lived in the only nine-story building in the whole area. I saw all the explosions, all the military equipment that was moving. It was more scary than for those who did not see all this. Where were you hiding? What did you eat? - Everyone was in the basement. They ate everything they could find, everything they had -- the supplies that remained. People from the neighboring buildings asked for water and my friend and I decided: Why not? We went to get water for ourselves, so why not bring it to people along the way? They gave us bottles -- we filled them and delivered them. What did you see in Mariupol? - I saw explosions. Every second house was destroyed -- halfway or completely. There were 30 dead people in each yard. They were buried there in the yards. Tell me about the girl in Mariupol you held in your arms. - Honestly, it's a difficult story. I can only say that I saw her when she screamed, "Help!" [when she] saw her mother dead nearby. I held her in my arms with the hope that I could do something. But I understood that I would not be able to do anything. I tried somehow to show her with a smile that everything would be fine. But nothing good happened. Do you remember anything about your real parents? - There is not much to say about my real parents. Only names. They were with me until the age of 6. Such moments faded from memory very quickly. Who was your guardian at the beginning of the war? - The director of my school. He left, took all my documents with him, and absolved himself of all responsibility. I think this is wrong. Did the director or the employees of the school inform you when the war started? - No, they all abandoned us. We were transferred to another place [to Donetsk] where they said that help would come. You still don't know where this director is now? - No. I only know that he abdicated his responsibility. How do you feel about this person? - There is anger toward him, but we are all human. Maybe he was afraid of the war and ran away.... He could at least have given us our documents, because without documents I could not get back to Ukrainian-held territory. I had such an opportunity. There were buses from Mariupol to the Ukrainian-controlled territory of Zaporizhzhya. But only with documents. How did Irina Rudnitska and Maria Lvova-Belova (Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, for whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant relating to her role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children) react to your attempts to escape and to your desire to return home? - Rudnitska, she behaved quite normally, with understanding. Lvova-Belov -- she was very angry. Lvova-Belova said on several occasions that you and she had a quite close relationship. Did you really speak with her and about what? - We saw each other several times and spoke. In general, there was no such thing [as a relationship]. Is it true that you were friends with Pylyp Holovnya (a boy deported from Mariupol) who was adopted by Lvova-Belova? - Yes, he and I were best friends. And when did you meet him? - When I studied in Mariupol, in School No. 65, in the ninth grade. He was in the eighth grade. That's where we became friends.... And then we met again in Donetsk. How is he now? - I cannot say. It would hurt him a lot. You devoted a lot of your social media posts to Ukraine, wrote about the fact that you missed Ukraine. Was it not scary for you to write such things when you were in Russia? - It was not scary at all. What would they do? In any case, they would not change my opinion in any way. Were you threatened after these posts? - There were times -- by representatives of the authorities, representatives of the law, and also civilians. They are all blind patriots. I know a lot of the children [who were sent to Russia], and I know that a lot of them want to go home. But, again, we are silent, we do nothing. Maybe we do something, but we do it behind the scenes -- and they don't even know about it. They feel abandoned." You dedicated a song to the defenders of Ukraine. I know that it was very important to you for them to know that you wrote it for them. Why? - So that they believe in themselves, in victory. That while their position is quite difficult, people still believe in them. And so they don't stop believing in victory, so there is motivation, so they do not lose heart. Only if we do not lose heart will we be able to win. You were offered housing in Russia. What kind of housing was it and why did you refuse? - It was an apartment. I refused because money cannot buy Ukrainians. We are not like that. After you were sent from Russia and then to Belarus, what was it like to return to Ukraine? - On the first day, I could comprehend where I was, how I was. My soul rejoiced every second, and I had a smile on my face. It was very nice. What could I expect for my 18th birthday? Definitely not this. What did you feel when you saw Valeria, your sister, who came to pick you up? - I felt happiness, warmth, over the fact that a loved one was near. When you crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine, what emotions did you have? - Joy. They immediately handed me the Ukrainian flag, and I, hugging it, moved ahead. That's when I realized that all my struggles, everything, was over. But I also understood that it was not the end. There are many children who also need our support. And we should not forget about them either. What are you planning to do now? - We will start a charity fund with friends to help with the return of our children. I believe that no one in our country, absolutely no one, knows 100 percent how a [Ukrainian] child feels there [in Russia], or what needs to be done. And how do the Ukrainian children there feel? - They feel abandoned. Every child feels abandoned.... Why, if we know a child wants to go home, do we do nothing? Only after my appeal to [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskiy, only after my appeal to the office of [Ukrainian parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro] Lubinets did everyone really understand that I wanted to go home, even though I had stated this earlier. We just keep quiet and wait until the kids hate us. And we should not do that. Do you know many of the Ukrainian children who were sent to Russia? - I know a lot of the children, and I know that a lot of them want to go home. But, again, we are silent, we do nothing. Maybe we do something, but we do it behind the scenes -- and they don't even know about it. They feel abandoned. They feel trapped there and abandoned by their motherland. It is a very terrible feeling. We have a big problem in that people who do not know the child personally cannot take custody. And there are many children who have no relatives at all. And we cannot get them returned in any way. Most of the children there are from orphanages and there is nothing we can do about it. It is much easier to return children with relatives. In Russia, you were summoned to join the Russian military. Now you are in Ukraine, you are 18 years old -- there is now an opportunity to join the Ukrainian Army. Are you ready for this? - There is such an opportunity, but I am studying. I'm not afraid of [joining the military]. But if I do, it will only be of my own free will. Upon returning to Ukraine, you recorded a song called Motherland. What is it about? - About Mariupol, how I left the city in general. About Ukraine, that no matter where I am, I will not forget. I don't want to be anywhere else but Ukraine. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed his "deep concern" on Sunday about reports of suspected criminal damage at properties earmarked for accommodating asylum seekers, including a fire at a former hotel in Co Galway overnight. Gardai are investigating a case of criminal damage after the blaze at the former Ross Lake House in Rosscahill shortly after 11.30pm on Saturday night. No one was inside the building at the time. However, 70 asylum seekers were due to move into the hotel this week plans that had been facing some local opposition. In a social media post, Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman called on politicians to condemn what he called "a disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it." Deeply disturbing news from Galway last night. Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it.https://t.co/DZNz7CzYTI Roderic OGorman TD (@rodericogorman) December 17, 2023 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at properties earmarked for accommodating international protection applicants, including in Co Galway on Saturday. He said: There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are under way. Even with robust border controls, extra checks at airports, faster processing times and record numbers of refusals, like much of the world we are dealing with a major step-change in the numbers arriving here, seeking protection. This is driven by war, poverty, climate change and human rights abuses in their home countries. Mr Varadkar sought to assure people that all asylum seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their requests are examined thoroughly. He added: The response from many communities has been incredible. Weve seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority. I believe most people in the country empathise with those fleeing truly terrible circumstances and recognise the benefits that legal migration, in general, brings to Ireland. I hope that as we continue through the winter, we can continue to treat those arriving here with the basic dignity and decency we would want for our own. The Government will continue to listen to communities, recognising the effort they are making and helping them as they manage an unprecedented situation together. The Minister for Justice said she was appalled by the fire, and urged anyone with information about the suspected criminal damage incident to contact gardai. Helen McEntee said there is no justification for arson and added: In recent times, so many communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity to those who come here seeking shelter and protection. While people have the right to protest, people do not have the right to cause damage to property, to cause people to fear for their safety or to threaten public order. These acts do not represent the values of Irish people. 'People do not want it' Local Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Walsh claimed locals had genuine fears about the plans to house asylum seekers in the area. "The Government has to look hard at this situation because people's quality of life is being impacted," he told Newstalk radio. "It is not a suitable location and I do not think the area can sustain it. The amenities are not here, the services are not here and the road network is not here." "Simply put, the people do not want it." The chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council said there had been a clear pattern of arson attacks on locations where protection applicants were due to be accommodated or actually living. Nick Henderson said: We call for a full investigation. Our unswerving solidarity and support is with all people seeking protection and refugees at this fearful time. Leadership, local and national, is more important than ever. The actions of a small minority will never succeed and we must remember the proud history of welcome that communities across Ireland, including in Galway, have shown over the last 30 years. The Department of Integration said it was working to offer shelter to those fleeing war and persecution and condemns any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants. A spokesman said: All those seeking protection have a right to safety while their application is examined. The Department also strongly condemns any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. Acts such as these achieve nothing but endanger peoples lives and homes. The incident comes after the Department began handing out tents to some new arrivals last week after running out of accommodation. Mostly peaceful campaigns have grown across the country in recent months as the State tries to accommodate record numbers of refugees in the middle of a housing crisis. Unprecedented riots also erupted in Dublin last month after a small group of far-right activists attacked gardai following the stabbing of three young children by a man identified as Algerian born. A special retirement celebration was held on Friday last for a woman who has given 50 years of service to a Roscommon Town business. Sadie McCabe retired from Molloys bakery, Abbeytown, Roscommon on Friday and a special celebration was held to mark the occasion. Hundreds of well wishes have been posted online for Sadie, and the team at Molloys Bakery have described her as the heart and soul of the bakery. In several tributes to Sadie, those she worked with over the years and those she served described her as a lady who will be greatly missed. It's with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to our dearest Sadie as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement, said the company. Sadies dedication, warmth, and tireless efforts have shaped the heart and soul of our bakery. For 50 years, she has been the backbone of our team. Her legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of our bakery. While we'll miss her dearly, we celebrate the joy, laughter, and incredible spirit she brought to Molloy's Bakery. Here's to you, Sadie, on a retirement filled with endless joy, relaxation, and the sweetest moments, said the team at Molloys Bakery. USPs like rugged design, spacious interiors, ADAS and reliable performance have helped boost sales of Honda Elevate Entering the highly competitive compact SUV segment is always a challenging proposition for any brand. Especially when bestsellers Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara have already grabbed more than 70% market share collectively. Honda Elevate took up the challenge and has passed the test with flying colours. Honda Elevate 4th best selling compact SUV Launched earlier this year in September, Honda Elevate has quickly raced ahead of rivals such as Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Citroen C3 Aircross. It trails only the Creta, Seltos and Grand Vitara. Share in the compact SUV segment in November was at 10.84%. Getting to double-digit market share in just a few months is a significant achievement. Honda Elevate has also become one of the fastest to achieve a cumulative sales milestone of 20,000 units. This has come in just 100 days of the SUVs launch in September. Elevate has also provided a major sales boost for Honda, with a share of more than 50% in overall sales in the last three months. With Elevate, Honda has registered YoY sales growth of 11% during the September-November period. With an overwhelming response that has surpassed even Hondas expectations, the company will be looking to achieve newer milestones in the future. Factors working in favour included the festive season and the consumers desire to experience something entirely new. As seen with most new launches in the past, the sales are high in the initial months. It remains to be seen if Honda Elevate can maintain its sales momentum in the coming months. Deciphering Honda Elevates success story Honda has a bold, masculine profile, which instantly draws ones attention. Some of the key features include a massive and sturdy grille, sleek LED projector headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and turn indicators, sculpted bonnet, roof rail garnish, R17 dual-tone diamond cut alloy wheels, robust rear profile and distinctive LED dual-trails tail lamps. Elevate is available in an exciting range of single tone and dual-tone colour options. Honda Elevate has Honda Sensing suite that has a range of ADAS features. It includes collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist system, lead car departure notification system, road departure mitigation system and auto high beam. Powering Honda Elevate is a powerful 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that generates 121 PS of max power and 145 Nm of peak torque. Users can choose a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed CVT automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency is 15.31 km/l with the manual and 16.92 km/l with the CVT. Honda Elevate is competitively priced at Rs 11 lakh for the base variant. The top-spec variant starts at Rs 16 lakh. Price of the base variant is close to that of best selling compact SUVs. Top-spec Elevate is significantly cheaper, in comparison to respective variants from rival brands. Honda is also targeting export markets with Elevate. India is the first country to produce Elevate for international markets. In the future, Honda will add more new models that will be manufactured in India and exported globally. Top 10 scooters registered sales of 4.7 lakh in Nov 2023 Registering a 25% growth YoY In the ever-evolving landscape of Indias scooter market, November 2023 witnessed significant shifts in consumer preferences, showcasing a surge in sales for various models. The top 10 scooters of the month highlighted the dominance of stalwarts like Honda Activa alongside the rising popularity of electric vehicles like Ola S1 and TVS iQube. Top 10 Scooters Nov 2023 Honda Activa Continues Reign at the Top Topping the charts yet again, Honda Activa retained its throne with an impressive sales figure of 1,96,055 units in November 2023. Activa witnessed a substantial year-on-year growth of 11.98%. TVS Jupiter, securing the second position, experienced a remarkable surge in sales, reaching 72,859 units, a 53.64% increase from the same period last year. Suzuki Access closely trailed behind, securing the third spot with 52,512 units sold, showcasing a growth rate of 9.14%. Breaking the traditional petrol-dominated market, electric scooters made notable strides. Ola S1 secured the fifth position with 29,808 units sold. Its remarkable growth rate of 81.92% from the previous year signifies the increasing acceptance of electric mobility solutions. Similarly, TVS iQube, another electric scooter, marked its presence by claiming the eighth spot with 16,702 units sold. This electric model exhibited a staggering growth rate of 66.09%, showcasing a growing inclination toward sustainable commuting options. TVS Ntorq and Honda Dio displayed impressive performances, capturing the fourth and sixth positions, respectively. TVS Ntorq witnessed a staggering growth rate of 78.77%, selling 30,396 units, while Honda Dio showcased a growth rate of 48.92% with 23,979 units sold. Despite a slight dip in sales, Hero Pleasure held its ground, securing the seventh position with 22,752 units sold, registering a growth rate of 15.26%. Additionally, Suzuki Burgman and Hero Destini secured the ninth and tenth positions, each displaying varying performances in sales. Month on Month Performance Maintaining its dominant position, Honda Activa, though experiencing a dip in sales, remained at the forefront with 1,96,055 units sold. However, this reflected a decline of 10.42% from the preceding months sales of 2,18,856 units, indicating a temporary slowdown in its otherwise consistent performance. TVS Jupiter and Suzuki Access, securing the second and third positions respectively, witnessed a significant decline in sales. TVS Jupiter, which sold 72,859 units, faced a substantial drop of 20.65% compared to Octobers sales figures of 91,824 units. Similarly, Suzuki Access reported 52,512 units sold, reflecting a 7.73% decrease from the previous months sales of 56,909 units. In contrast to the general decline, Ola S1 displayed a notable increase in sales. With 29,808 units sold, it recorded a remarkable growth of 25.33% compared to Octobers sales of 23,783 units. However, TVS iQube faced a downturn, selling 16,702 units, marking a 16.99% decline from Octobers 20,121 units. The month of November saw varying performances from models like Honda Dio, Hero Pleasure, Suzuki Burgman, and Hero Destini. Honda Dio faced a considerable decline of 25.96%, selling 23,979 units compared to the 32,385 units in October. Conversely, Hero Pleasure witnessed a substantial surge, selling 22,752 units and recording a remarkable growth of 114.44% from its October sales of 10,610 units. An abstract sculpture in honor of journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett, created by sculptor Richard Hunt, is seen at sunset on S. Langley Ave. in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/AP) Richard Hunt, a renown master sculptor and abstract artist whose towering bronze art sculptures and installations sought to capture the resilience of the Black American experience, died Saturday at his home at age 88. News of Hunts death was announced on his official website and social media accounts. Advertisement We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Hunt, visionary Chicago sculptor and activist, Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a written statement. A lifelong Chicagoan, his extraordinary career spanning 70 years leaves an indelible impact on our city and our world. The mayor also noted Hunts immense body of work that included more than 160 works across the country, including numerous installations in Chicago, including Flight Forms at Midway Airport, Jacobs Ladder at the Woodson Regional Library, and the Ida B. Wells Memorial in the citys Bronzeville community. Advertisement In a 70-year career that has gifted him with numerous awards and recognitions, the South Side bred Hunter the son of a city librarian and a barber Hunt has been called one of the greatest living artists with an immense body of work that has spanned the globe. Many of his works were installed on college campuses, libraries, city streets and corporate headquarters. Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > In 1971, Hunt became the first African American sculptor to be given a retrospective by Modern Museum of Art in New York. Of late, Hunt was commissioned to create a 15-foot stainless steel piece that was to sit adjacent to the Emmett Till/Mamie Till-Mobley historic home in Woodlawn. He was also commissioned to create a sculpture called Book Bird for the Obama Presidential Center. In an interview with the Tribune last August, Hunt said he had no plans to retire and revealed that he had no favorites among his own work. When youve done a lot of things, its hard to say well, this is it. Im very interested to be doing the Emmett Till piece, he said. The idea of doing a piece to draw attention to him is important because it goes back to an earlier generation that we both came out of. Earlier this year, the Chicago Public Library Foundation gave Hunt its arts award to honor his impact of Chicagos artistic community. Last year, he was the subject of a 400-page book, Richard Hunt by LeRonn Brooks, Jordan Carter, Adrienne Childs, Jon Ott and John Yau. A private funeral service will be held, but a celebration of art and life that is open to the public, will be held in the spring, with dates to be announced. To purchase a death notice, visit https://placeanad.chicagotribune.com/death-notices. To suggest a staff-written obituary on a person of local interest, email chicagoland@chicagotribune.com. President of the Republic of Madagascar Andry Nirina Rajoelina meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Hu Chunhua in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Dec. 17, 2023. At the invitation of President Rajoelina, Hu attended the inauguration of President Rajoelina in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo on December 16. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua) ANTANANARIVO, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of President of the Republic of Madagascar Andry Nirina Rajoelina, Hu Chunhua, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended Rajoelina's inauguration here Saturday and met with Rajoelina Sunday. Hu conveyed cordial greetings and good wishes from Xi to Rajoelina. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Madagascar relations and is willing to work with Madagascar to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and advance their comprehensive cooperative partnership to a new level, Hu said. Rajoelina sincerely thanked the Chinese president for sending a special envoy to attend his inauguration and asked Hu to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to Xi. Madagascar highly values the traditional friendship with China and stands ready to expand cooperation with China in key areas, such as agriculture, industry, energy and human resources, to push bilateral relations to a higher level. David Feliciano will be taking over as superintendent of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District next year, replacing Brian Marshall, who announced his retirement in March. The La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board, in charge of a 12,500-student district and its $125 million budget, will finalize his contract on May 15. Feliciano, the districts assistant superintendent of business services since December 2014, will start his new role Jan. 1, 2019. His current salary is $176,383. Advertisement Feliciano, 41, was born in Whittier and grew up in Southern California, graduating from Bonita High School in La Verne. He lives in Tierrasanta with his wife, Nicole, a former special education teacher, and their four children. Feliciano graduated from Vanguard University with a bachelors degree in psychology and completed USCs School Business Certificate Management Program. He also completed the California School Board Association Masters in Governance Program. Feliciano recently talked with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Q: I understand you have a background with the district. Tell us a little bit about what you did and how that will help you in your new position as superintendent. A: I have served as the districts assistant superintendent of business services since December 2014 and I have worked as a public school employee for the past 16 years. I started as a network analyst in the educational technology division at the Orange County Department of Education, and then as a director of educational technology and as an assistant superintendent of business services in both elementary (K-8) and unified school districts (K-12). In these roles, I always felt my singular responsibility was to enable and support the vital work of teaching and learning in the classroom. As a technology director, I worked closely with teachers, and principals to provide the tools and applications needed to best serve our students. As the assistant superintendent of business services, I have been able to work closely with all areas of the school district, from the boardroom to the classroom. In my current position, I have had the unique advantage of partnering with, and working alongside of, our teachers, principals, directors, and executive leadership. I am ultimately responsible for the business of education in the district, which I believe has served as a great course of preparation for me to transition into this new position. Q: How has your experience as an educational leader prepared you for this position? A: My first job in education was at the Orange County Department of Education as a network analyst. It was an unusual position because I was hired by the Educational Technology Division to work in the Information Technology Department. Back in the early 2000s (pre-iPhone), there was a clear line between information technology and educational technology. As was often the case in school districts, IT objectives tended to stifle the innovation happening on the educational side of the house. IT would dictate how technology would be used, rather than support and enable innovation in ed-tech. I was hired to help bridge the divide between the two. From that time forward, my mission has been to place education at the center of everything we do in schools. It sounds self-evident that education would be the center of everything we do in public schools, but on the business side of things, thats not always the case. We have bills to pay, buildings to repair, classrooms to clean and budgets to balance. Its easy for the focus to shift away from our principal mission of education. After all is said and done, I believe everything we do must come back to the impact a teacher can have in the life of a child. Q: What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing school districts today? A: Given that California ranks near the bottom of our country in per-pupil funding, pupil-teacher ratios and the percentage of taxable income spent on public education, I would say funding is one of our greatest challenges. Lack of fair and adequate funding at the state level impacts all districts, from student-to-teacher ratios and support staff in schools, to campus safety and adequate school facilities. School districts are also facing a teacher shortage nationwide. This will only worsen as baby boomers retire en masse over the next decade. Education is the foundation of our democracy and our perpetual legacy. We have to take a hard look at ourselves as a nation and ask why more young people are not entering the teaching profession. Q: What are your immediate goals for the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District? A: I will focus my immediate attention on working to foster a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the district. Id also like to do more to engage our parents online, through our website and by increasing our presence on social media. Q: What are some of your longer-term goals for the district? A: Long term, Id like to develop a facilities master plan to proactively address the needs of our aging school facilities well into the future. I truly believe in continuous improvement and will continue to advance our mission of building a community of lifelong learners. I believe this is principally accomplished by engaging our students, parents, teachers and staff, our foundations and the greater community in the good work of teaching and learning so that all children can realize their full potential. Q: What will you do to blow off stress that will inevitably come with the job? A: Thats an easy one. I hike with my kids. Theres nothing I enjoy more. Q: Whats your favorite thing about East County? A: The outdoors! We love to hike and camp in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Mount Laguna, and Anza-Borrego State Park. We also spend lots of time hiking in Mission Trails. In my opinion, East Countys wilderness and open spaces are San Diegos best-kept secret. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com JERUSALEM, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday evening that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip after the conflict with Hamas is over. Netanyahu made the remarks at a press conference in Tel Aviv in response to a question about his plan for Gaza when the conflict comes to an end. "There will be demilitarization. The IDF will be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip because there is no other factor that will ensure the fight against terrorism, and I can tell you that there will be a civil governance that does not educate its children to destroy Israel," he stressed. The Israeli prime minister also noted at the press conference that once Hamas is destroyed, his country will focus on its northern region, where almost 100,000 Israelis are currently displaced from their homes. He added that there would be a diplomatic situation on the northern border or a different way to solve the situation. There was also an inquiry about whether Netanyahu passed up an opportunity to send the head of Israel's Mossad to talks in Qatar on a new hostage deal a few days ago. In response, the prime minister said he won't "make the mistake of telling Israel's enemies about its considerations" and Israel is negotiating with the enemy via "blood, fire and pillars of smoke." Using data from NASAs Cassini mission, planetary scientists have detected several compounds of strong importance to the habitability of Saturns icy moon Enceladus, including hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, propylene and ethane. These compounds could potentially support living microbial communities or drive complex organic synthesis leading to the origin of life. Our work provides further evidence that Enceladus is host to some of the most important molecules for both creating the building blocks of life and for sustaining that life through metabolic reactions, said Jonah Peter, a doctoral student at Harvard University. Not only does Enceladus seem to meet the basic requirements for habitability, we now have an idea about how complex biomolecules could form there, and what sort of chemical pathways might be involved. The discovery of hydrogen cyanide was particularly exciting, because its the starting point for most theories on the origin of life. Life as we know it requires building blocks, such as amino acids, and hydrogen cyanide is one of the most important and versatile molecules needed to form amino acids. Because its molecules can be stacked together in many different ways, Peter and his colleagues refer to hydrogen cyanide as the Swiss army knife of amino acid precursors. The more we tried to poke holes in our results by testing alternative models, the stronger the evidence became, Peter said. Eventually, it became clear that there is no way to match the plume composition without including hydrogen cyanide. In 2017, planetary scientists found evidence at Enceladus of chemistry that could help sustain life, if present, in its ocean. The combination of carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen in the plume was suggestive of methanogenesis, a metabolic process that produces methane. This process is widespread on Earth, and may have been critical to the origin of life on our planet. Peter and co-authors uncovered evidence for additional energy chemical sources far more powerful and diverse than the making of methane. They found an array of organic compounds that were oxidized, indicating to scientists that there are many chemical pathways to potentially sustain life in Enceladus subsurface ocean. Thats because oxidation helps drive the release of chemical energy. If methanogenesis is like a small watch battery, in terms of energy, then our results suggest the ocean of Enceladus might offer something more akin to a car battery, capable of providing a large amount of energy to any life that might be present, said Dr. Kevin Hand, a researcher at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Unlike earlier research that used lab experiments and geochemical modeling to replicate the conditions Cassini found at Enceladus, the authors relied on detailed statistical analyses. They examined data collected by Cassinis ion and neutral mass spectrometer, which studied the gas, ions, and ice grains around Saturn. By quantifying the amount of information contained in the data, the authors were able to tease out subtle differences in how well different chemical compounds explain the Cassini signal. There are many potential puzzle pieces that can be fit together when trying to match the observed data, Peter said. We used math and statistical modeling to figure out which combination of puzzle pieces best matches the plume composition and makes the most of the data, without overinterpreting the limited dataset. The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy. _____ J.S. Peter et al. Detection of HCN and diverse redox chemistry in the plume of Enceladus. Nat Astron, published online December 14, 2023; doi: 10.1038/s41550-023-02160-0 by Xiong Maoling WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to formally authorize an ongoing impeachment inquiry into Democratic President Joe Biden, escalating the battle between the White House and Republicans ahead of election year. Analysts said that the political struggle between and within the two parties has become increasingly fierce, and in the past year, the United States has repeatedly seen unprecedented events. As the election year approaches, the impeachment inquiry into Biden is bound to have a major impact on the election, and the political polarization in the country could become more prominent. POLITICAL STUNT? U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted, 221 against 212 along party lines, to authorize an impeachment inquiry into Biden, the latest sign of rampant partisanship in Congress. The White House and Democrats said Republicans had found no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden and that the vote was a "political stunt." Biden issued a statement saying House Republicans were "focused on attacking" him with lies. Democrats also accused Republicans of acting to avenge the impeachment against former President Donald Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, defended the vote, arguing that it is "not a political decision," noting that Republicans are committed to the "rule of law." The formal authorization comes after months of investigations by House Republicans into the business dealings of members of the Biden family, in an attempt to find out whether the president improperly profited from his son's overseas business dealings. So far, ethical concerns have been raised by Republicans, but no substantiated evidence has surfaced to demonstrate that Biden, in his current or past official capacities, engaged in the misuse of his position or accepted illicit payments. House Republicans hope that the vote on an impeachment inquiry would give them better legal standing to enforce subpoenas and bring in witnesses to testify. Republicans had asked Biden's son, Hunter Biden, to testify behind closed doors, but he refused, offering to testify in a public hearing to ensure fairness. A FACTOR IN ELECTION Under the U.S. Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal officials, including the president and vice president. An impeachment inquiry is usually conducted by House committees, and investigators draft and propose articles of impeachment after the investigation is completed. If more than half of the members of the House vote in favor of at least one article of impeachment, the person under investigation is impeached. The impeachment case then goes to the Senate for trial, and if more than two-thirds of the senators vote in favor of the articles of impeachment, the impeached person is convicted and removed from office, otherwise he will remain in office. The U.S. Senate is narrowly controlled by the Democrats, thus Biden is unlikely to be convicted, even if impeached. However, with less than a year to go before the 2024 presidential election, the impeachment case against Biden could become a major point of contention between the two parties and have an impact on the election. On the Republican side, the race has been dominated by Trump, who has actually been bolstered among his voting base by the four criminal indictments he faces, prompting several other candidates to drop out of the race. Trump was impeached twice by the House - then controlled by Democrats - before being acquitted by the Senate. Trump has been calling for retaliation, urging his Republican allies in Congress to move quickly to impeach Biden. Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that he expects the impeachment inquiry to become a factor in the 2024 presidential election. "Its primary value is to devalue the efforts to impeach Trump that failed and to create an atmosphere of 'everybody does it.' It debases the currency of this element of the U.S. Constitution," Ramsay said. "That makes it easier for some to vote for Trump, if they're not already there." A YEAR OF CHAOS The impeachment inquiry vote is the latest evidence of heightened partisanship in U.S. politics. In the past year, the country has witnessed one political farce after another, with the two parties attacking each other on issues such as the debt ceiling and government funding. Hunter Biden, who faces gun and tax-related charges, became the first child of a sitting president to be criminally indicted. Trump is facing multiple charges, becoming the first former president to be criminally indicted in U.S. history. In U.S. Congress, chaos has become the new normal. In January, for the first time in 100 years, the speaker of the House of Representatives was not elected on the first vote. Kevin McCarthy won the position in a dramatic 15-round floor fight, amid Republican Party infighting. Just nine months later, amid growing disagreement between moderates and conservatives, McCarthy suffered the "betrayal" of eight Republican colleagues on Oct. 3, making him the first sitting House speaker to be voted out of office in U.S. history. After McCarthy was ousted, three Republican nominees failed to garner enough Republican votes needed to reach the majority threshold, leaving the House leaderless for three weeks. Johnson, vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, was elected the new House speaker in the fourth round of voting. "As polls have rather consistently portrayed in the last couple of years, the general sentiment of U.S. citizens seems to be, at best, sour," Greg Cusack, a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, told Xinhua. "And confidence in government has been rather rock-bottom for some time now," Cusack said. Echoing his view, Ramsay told Xinhua that public confidence in the government has been flat at a low level since about a decade ago. A small portion of Americans trust the government to do what is right most of the time, he said. Enditem (Matthew Rusling contributed to the report) YAOUNDE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chad has declared four Sudanese diplomats "persona non-grata," giving them 72 hours to leave the country. "This measure follows serious and unfounded remarks by the Sudanese army deputy chief of staff Lt Genl Yasir al-Atta accusing Chad of interfering in the inter-Sudanese conflict," Chad's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the Sudanese ambassador to Chad was summoned and informed of the decision. "The recurrence of such comments by the Sudanese authorities towards the Republic of Chad and its government is simply unacceptable, unfriendly and reveals an ulterior motive," the statement added. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and other areas since April 15. The clashes on Friday moved for the first time to Wad Madani, the capital of the Gezira State in central Sudan. I write to express my strong opposition to a needless City Council police reporting bill that will take cops off the street to fill out paperwork instead of deterring, investigating, and fighting crime, threatens the viability of community policing, and is the latest chapter in the Councils endless efforts to make the career of an NYPD officer utterly undesirable. Crime remains the single most pressing concern in our city, and yet the NYPD continues to face record levels of attrition, leaving the manpower of the NYPD lower than it has been in decades and resulting in slower response times to 911 calls across the five boroughs. This has downstream impacts on both the reality and perception that our communities are safe and means we are asking an increasingly young police force to do more with less. This bill would make this already dangerous reality much worse, and our city less safe as a result. With that as a backdrop, it is unfathomable that Public Advocate Williams and more than half of the New York City Council support Int. 586, the so-called How Many Stops Bill, which would require NYPD officers to assume the gender, race, and age of New Yorkers with whom they interact, spend hours off patrol to extensively document these interactions, and permanently store this information in an NYPD database. In a tragic twist of irony, it was the collection and storage of the personal information of presumed innocent New Yorkers that caused the end of Stop and Frisk and now the Council is now eager to restore that type of data collection for these senseless purposes. Is this how the majority of New Yorkers want their NYPD officers to spend their time, compiling reports on run of the mill encounters instead of patrolling their streets and communities? Do we think the public, particularly victims and witnesses of crime and undocumented New Yorkers, will be more likely to engage with the NYPD if they know their personal information will be guessed, stored, and reported on? Even if you are inclined to support the goals of this legislation, are we so naive to think that this data will be accurate or will serve any legitimate purpose other than legitimizing the sponsors predetermined conclusion that the men and women of the NYPD are up to no good? It must also be noted that many proponents of this terribly misguided bill are backers of community policing, especially when crime occurs in their neighborhood, as well as expanded discovery obligations for prosecutors, and of the recently enacted Clean Slate law to seal criminal records. This legislation works in direct opposition to those three priorities; cops and the community will talk to each other less, district attorneys will be swamped with even more paperwork, and the goals of Clean Slate will be stymied. Public Advocate Williams was an outspoken supporter of Clean Slate, a bill that will automatically seal the criminal records of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, yet this legislation requires the NYPD to collect and publicly store the pedigree information of those who engage in encounters with the NYPD indefinitely. The NYPD cannot simultaneously comply with Clean Slate and this legislation. This is another example of legislative malpractice being carried out by quixotic ideologues who prefer to govern by tweet and press release rather than by research and thoughtful dialogue with relevant experts and stakeholders. This legislation also places an enormous burden on the discovery obligations required of my office and that of my fellow District Attorneys. As written, this bill will require the NYPD to create a new form to document these encounters and will ask officers to differentiate between Level 1, 2, and 3 encounters, a task that can sometimes stymie even a seasoned prosecutor, let alone a rookie cop. It will further require our prosecutors to immediately disclose even the earliest draft version of these reports; waiting until a final report is published by the NYPD will be insufficient under our discovery laws. This places a massive, practically impossible burden on the shoulders of our prosecutors who are already quitting in droves, leaving those that remain with no choice but to dismiss tens of thousands of cases citywide because of unrealistic discovery laws foisted on us by Albany. Lastly, our city is facing a massive budget crisis and there are scores of public safety problems that should be the priorities of the City Council. The problem this bill purports to solve is not one of them, and will actually make the budget crisis worse as the storage and compilation of massive amounts of New Yorkers personal identifying information will cost the city millions. We urge these sponsors to sit down with prosecutors and police and to listen to the public who are loudly asking a simple request: focus on keeping New Yorkers safe and holding criminals accountable, not on further tying the hands of law enforcement and making the noble career of an NYPD officer the least desirable job in our city. EDITORS NOTE: This story is the second of two detailing the NYPDs efforts to crack down on drivers with fake license plates. Part One: Were done with the warnings. NYPD cracking down on fake, obscured license plates on Staten Island *** STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its been less than five minutes since a handful of NYPD vehicles departed the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville, and officers have already initiated a traffic stop of an SUV they say has been detected with a fraudulent license plate. An Advance/SILive.com reporter, photographer and other members of the press participated in a police ride-along with Assistant Chief Joseph Gulotta, the NYPD borough commander, the NYPD Community Response Team (CRT) and officers from the 121st Precinct on Tuesday afternoon to see firsthand how police are cracking down on so-called ghost cars vehicles with false or doctored license plates that make them unreadable to red light, speed and toll cameras. As traffic begins to back up behind the group of police vehicles pulled over on Richmond Avenue in Bulls Head, members of the Community Response Team discover that the driver of the SUV is allegedly in possession of a paper license plate. A check on the car becomes more complicated as it was originally registered in New York, but the suspicious plate is from out-of-state. Members of the team begin conducting a more thorough investigation. A license plate reader sits on the rear of an unmarked police car on Tuesday, Dec.12, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White Police read license plates by both sight and with the use of license plate readers that can scan plates in real time directly from police vehicles. Should the reader come back with a positive hit, officers are alerted to a potentially fraudulent plate. Police say that the false or obscured plates are often being used in the commission of more serious crimes and that the situation has become a quality-of-life issue. NYPD officials gather around a vehicle that was pulled over during a crackdown on alleged fake license plates, Dec.12, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve White A SECOND TRAFFIC STOP While this car stop is taking some time to sort out, word over the police radio is that the Community Response Team has made a second stop of a vehicle and that the driver is in the process of being arrested. The group rushes through early evening traffic a few minutes away to nearby Mariners Harbor. An Advance/SILive.com reporter and photographer accompanied Assistant Chief Joseph Gulotta, center, the NYPD borough commander, and the NYPD Community Response Team (CRT) to see how the NYPD is cracking down on illegal plates on Dec. 12, 2023. At right is Lt. Joseph Bell, commanding officer of Highway Unit 5. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve White On a quiet residential street, its unclear whats being said, but the driver, whos being placed in handcuffs, is clearly trying to convince officers not to arrest him. According to Gulotta, the man wanted to know why he was being arrested but was not too shocked when the allegations were explained to him. We had a car stop over here. Our officer did a great job. He was able to tell it was a fraudulent plate through some of the indicators on there, Gulotta said. When he ran the plate, it came back to a BMW, which does not match the car the plate is currently on. An individual is handcuffed after NYPD members pulled over a vehicle on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve White A THIRD CAR STOP With the man now in the back of a police car, the vehicle he was driving will be brought back to the precinct stationhouse for additional analysis. At the same time, members of the team quickly pack up and drive off to what theyve been informed is a third car stop and a second arrest in less than 30 minutes. Several blocks away a man stands outside a sedan surrounded by several officers. Hes also in the process of being arrested for allegedly fake plates. Our Community Response Team noticed a car that had a New Jersey temporary tag on it, Gulotta said. We could tell right away that it was out of sequence with the date that was supposed to be on it. We can also tell by the expiration date that it wasnt properly issued. This car is good example of a ghost car its not properly registered anywhere, and it would show up [during a search] as nothing. NYPD officers investigate a license plate after initiating a car stop on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White Gulotta told the Advance/SILive.com that searching out and stopping cars with fraudulent, falsified or obscured plates is not a new initiative, but something that police are taking seriously. This is not a victimless crime, Gulotta said. Were not only seeing these types of plates used to avoid tolls, were seeing vehicles with them speeding through red lights with reckless abandon. God forbid youre involved in an accident with one of these cars. Theyre going to take off and were not going to be able to find that vehicle easily. Its something that we really have to stop and were going to stop. Were really going to ramp up our enforcement as we go through the end of the year, Gulotta said. A British man pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom Saturday in connection with an alleged $99 million, Ponzi-like fraud involving high-priced fine wine and duped investors. Stephen Burton, 58, was extradited Friday to New York from Morocco, where he was arrested in 2022 after using a bogus Zimbabwean passport to enter that country, U.S. Attorney Breon Peaces office said. Burton was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on Saturday and pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He is detained without bail pending his next court hearing on Jan. 22. These are all allegations, and we will defend them vigorously, Burtons lawyer, John Wallenstein, said. Were going to wait for the discovery and examine the evidence very carefully. Prosecutors said Burton and another British man, James Wellesley, 56, ran a company called Bordeaux Cellars, which they said brokered loans between investors and wealthy wine collectors that were secured by their wine collections. They solicited $99 million in investments from residents of New York and other areas from 2017 to 2019, telling them they would profit from interest on the loans, authorities said. But prosecutors alleged the operation was a scam. They said the wealthy wine collectors did not exist, no loans were made, and Bordeaux Cellars did not have custody of the wine securing the loans. Instead, officials said, Burton and Wellesley used loan money provided by investors for themselves and to make fraudulent interest payments to other investors. With the successful extradition of Burton to the Eastern District of New York, he will now taste justice for the fine wines scheme alleged in the indictment, Peace said in a statement. This prosecution sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud that you can run from law enforcement, but not forever. Wellesley is in the United Kingdom facing extradition proceedings, officials said. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. ALGIERS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's Minister of Trade and Export Promotion Tayeb Zitouni declared on Saturday his country's accession to the Guided Trade Initiative, as part of its effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The announcement was made at a forum held in Algiers that gathered influential African economic officials and experts, including AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene. "This announcement underscores Algeria's commitment to advancing pan-African trade," Zitouni was quoted as saying by the Algeria Press Service. He further highlighted the new membership's importance for the region, saying that it will streamline trade exchanges between Algeria's economic entities and those of other member states, boost Algeria's non-hydrocarbon exports, and support the expansion of pan-African trade volumes through the AfCFTA. Zitouni said that the move is in line with the AfCFTA's principles, which include removing customs barriers and facilitating smoother trade exchanges. Inaugurated during the 10th meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers in Accra, Ghana, on Oct. 7, 2022, the Guided Trade Initiative seeks to evaluate the operational, institutional, and legal aspects that are critical to execute the AfCFTA agreement. The initiative aims to promote trade exchanges and offer member states that fulfill the necessary requirements preferential benefits outlined in the agreement. Countries actively engaged in the initiative include Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda, Mauritius, and Tanzania. The AfCFTA agreement is an ambitious trade pact that aims to turn Africa into a large free trade area. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Kaity Tong, a longtime channel 11 anchor since 1992, took to Instagram to share that she was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer -- even though she showed no symptoms. Hello from Home. I have some news to share. I was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, the PIX11 broadcaster revealed. Me, a nonsmoker my entire life! But the doctors told me this diagnosis is increasingly common among Asians, especially women, who are nonsmokers. That would be me. And maybe thats YOU. She then encouraged those who fit the profile -- those of Asian descent, particularly Chinese individuals, and women -- to talk with their doctor and determine whether they should get tested -- even if symptoms are not showing. Tong continued to educate people under her post by recounting her story of how her cancer was detected -- through a routine chest X-ray after an especially bad cold, she shared. I was lucky. Stage One. So the cancer was found before it had a chance to spread. I had robotic surgery to remove the tumor, her Instagram post writes. She is now gradually recovering at home with hopes to be back on air by mid-January, she shared. She holds the role of anchor for the stations weekend broadcasts at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my surgeon Dr. James Isbell and his Team and to the wonderful staff who took such good care of me at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Isbell tells me I am now cancer-free. No chemo or radiation needed. And a very low chance of recurrence, she said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez, owner of Be Yoga and Dance, helps Staten Islanders heal through the art of movement. Schiano-Gonzalez, a native Staten Islander, has been involved in movement since she was 2 years old. She started her journey taking dance classes at Miss Theresas Danceland, in Westerleigh, where she continued to dance for another 18 years. Schiano-Gonzalez immediately began to immerse herself in the sport at every opportunity given her. Ive always had a passion for dance, specifically modern dance, and I wanted to expand my realm, says Schiano-Gonzalez. Im an artist and a creator, and I thrive in creative spaces. I realized very early on that I was meant to work in movement. Upon graduating from the College of Staten Island, Schiano-Gonzalez began working as a recruiter at a local staffing agency. However, she found herself unfulfilled as a recruiter and instead decided to pivot to the non-profit world. In 2008, she began working for the Henry Street Settlement, a not-for-profit agency on the Lower East Side of Manhattan that provides social services, arts programs, and healthcare services to New Yorkers of all ages. I loved working at Henry Street because Ive always been drawn to being of service, and Henry Street is exactly that: providing services to those in need, said Schiano-Gonzalez. In 2008, when the stock market crashed, Henry Street received a grant to help people re-enter the workforce. Using my skills as a recruiter, I became a job developer there and started seeing between 20 and 25 clients a day. Even though I loved Henry Street, I was definitely experiencing burnout from the high client volume and the commute, adds Schiano-Gonzalez. There was a gym around the corner from my office, and I started working out on my lunch breaks to relieve stress. I had never taken yoga before, and I was curious about it, so I took a class, fell in love, and kept going. After taking classes consistently for some time, I had this pivotal moment when I realized that yoga was my calling and I wanted to teach. Following her epiphany, Schiano-Gonzalez left her job at Henry Street and began completing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at a studio in Brooklyn. Schiano-Gonzalez completed her training in December 2011 and immediately began teaching yoga and dance at various movement sites across Staten Island, including her sons karate school and Evolution Dance Company, her best friend Heidi Besetts studio. Just a few months later, Schiano-Gonzalez started practicing yoga at 5 Boro Power Yoga, a New Dorp-based studio focused on Baptiste Power Yoga, where she eventually became a teacher and, after some time, their director of teachers. While teaching at 5 Boro Power Yoga, Schiano-Gonzalez also worked part-time in the recreation department at Clove Lakes Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, where she provided recreational and movement services to residents throughout the facility, particularly those with Alzheimers disease and dementia. Inspired by her grandfather, who was diagnosed with Alzheimers, Schiano-Gonzalez created Living Through Movement, a not-for-profit organization that serves senior citizens with limited mobility and movement disorders, as well as low and moderate-income individuals, those dealing with trauma, and disenfranchised youth. Pre-COVID 19 pandemic, Be Yoga & Dance served as a hub for movement for Living Through Movement, offering free movement classes for all ages every Sunday. Schiano-Gonzalez then went on to obtain her Dance for PD Certification, an internationally acclaimed teaching program that offers dance classes for people with Parkinsons disease. After teaching at 5 Boro for about five years, I decided that I needed a change, said Schiano-Gonzalez. I wanted to create a movement community that focused on the philosophical and inclusive aspects of yoga. I had a 10-year-old and a five-month-old at home, and I knew that I wanted to open my own studio, but it was my husband who really believed it was the right time. He found our current location in Rosebank, and on January 9, 2016, I opened Be Yoga and Dance. Be Yoga and Dance was founded with the intention of creating a supportive community that teaches powerful, inspiring, skillful yoga classes where students can begin to deepen their understanding of themselves and the ancient practice of yoga. The studio, which offers yoga workshops and events, teacher trainings and mentorship programs, quickly became a neighborhood institution, with more than 45 attendees visiting its very first class. Almost all of my teachers have been my student at one point,' she said. Its always been important to me that the people I hire are in alignment with my belief that yoga should be an inclusive community. No one is ever turned away from the studio, emphasized Schiano-Gonzalez. My mission is to make sure that every person who walks through the door is seen and acknowledged and that when you come in to practice yoga, you are working with a teacher who hears you, sees you, and can be helpful to you. Today, Schiano-Gonzalez still teaches around seven classes a week. She also leads teacher trainings and yoga workshops at the studio, coordinates and leads yoga retreats, designs and leads Professional Development Mindfulness workshops for businesses and educational institutions, and leads a movement program at Clove Lakes Healthcare once a week. For her accomplishments, Schiano-Gonzalez is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which she will receive in the Master Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader. Schiano-Gonzalez is being honored for being the embodiment of a community leader, not only through dedicating her time to Staten Islanders in need but also by inspiring others to pursue their passions. Schiano-Gonzalez has breathed new life into Rosebank, constantly encouraging other women to join the tight-knit business community. Two of Schiano-Gonzalezs students, Loren Gregory and Caileen Gonzalez, credit their entrepreneurship to Schiano-Gonzalez, who pushed them to open their own businesses. As a trio, Schiano-Gonzalez, Gregory, and Gonzalez serve as a catalyst for change in Rosebank. The trio, in partnership with the SIEDC, organizes monthly community cleanups with the goal of cleaning and beautifying the corridor. Gregory and Gonzalez are clear: Their businesses, the neighborhood improvements, and the evolving community in Rosebank are all due to Schiano-Gonzalez. Its the potential and love that we found in our classes with Larissa that created the opportunities for me and the rest of this community that continue to grow, said Gonzalez. Shes had an incredible impact on all of us. For Schiano-Gonzalez, watching her friends businesses grow is the ultimate reward, she said. Creating a place where people can learn the tools of yoga, feel at home, find themselves, and make their passions a reality was always the intention,' she said. When I see Cai and Loren follow their dreams, its truly a realization of that goal. Below, Schiano-Gonzalez shares more about her goals, job and life: Current occupation and title: Owner of Be Yoga & Dance Hometown: Port Richmond Past occupation/s and titles: Recruiter, Job Developer, Weight Watchers Leader, Clove Lakes Recreation Community involvement: American Parkinsons Disease Association leading Dance Classes for people with Parkinsons Disease, her own not for profit Living Through Movement. She created a movement program for seniors with Dementia, this was funded by Staten Island Arts, offering free yoga through organizations in Staten Island; Volunteers in NYC public schools teaching yoga. If a student walks into Be Yoga and they cannot afford yoga, she will gift them free yoga. Some of my life goals include being at peace with myself and others, spend as much time as I can with my family, travel the world with people I love, continue to be a student and grow personally and spiritually, to keep Be Yoga going, to always be helpful. The best part of my job: Connecting with all people and sharing yoga with all people. The most difficult part of my job: Fitting in my own self care My life philosophy: Everything is workable when you approach any situation with a kind, grounded, open heart. I am most proud of: My children Something that no one knows about me: I am a pretty good roller skater (I have hot pink roller skates). The quality I like best about myself: Im generous and always do my best to be kind. Personal interests and hobbies: Dance, surfing, rollerskating, traveling, my family, being in nature, meditation, writing I laugh at: Myself, my son, Aidan; Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler I am really good at: Writing and poetry, making people feel comfortable I admire: My Parents and their beautiful marriage; they are a beautiful embodiment of partnership. I admire my husband and his calmness, and my daughter, for her confidence and speaking her truth. Some important thing/s I would like you to know about me: I believe all people deserve freedom and equality. I am a believer in listening and understanding. I do my best to make people feel warm and welcome. I believe that addressing and healing my own pain and suffering creates space for me to hold space for all people to heal themselves. Years after a high-profile art dealer was indicted for selling antiquities illegally, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced it would return 14 sculptures to Cambodia and two to Thailand. The pieces, which were part of the museums Khmer collection, were all associated with Douglas Latchford, who was indicted in 2019. According to the Met, it worked with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and to Cambodian officials in the years since the indictment to gather information about the sculptures. The information later made it clear the works should be transferred to the southeast Asian country. The Met is currently making arrangements for the passage of the pieces to their respective countries of origin. The Met is pleased to enter into this agreement with the U.S. Attorneys Office, and greatly values our open dialogue with Cambodia and Thailand, said Max Hollein, the museums director and chief executive officer. We are committed to pursuing partnerships and collaborations with our colleagues there that will advance the worlds understanding and appreciation of Khmer art, and we look forward to embarking on this new chapter together. According to the museum, the pieces being returned were made between the ninth and 14th centuries in the Angkorian period, and reflect the Hindu and Buddhist religious systems prevailing at that time. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City is under a coastal flood warning beginning Monday morning as a raging storm will bring heavy rain and powerful winds. The National Weather Service issued a warning for Staten Island and Brooklyn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. An inundation of 1 to 2 feet above ground level is expected to cause beach erosion and widespread moderate flooding of vulnerable shore roads and/or properties. Stormy conditions will begin on Sunday, impacting those traveling just a week before Christmas, according to AccuWeather. Slow travel will likely be due to flooded roads, airline delays, and flight cancellations while regional power outages are possible. The worst conditions due to rain, flooding, and powerful winds in New York City will occur during Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. There will be a bit of rain and drizzle on Sunday afternoon, but conditions will ramp up this evening with heavy rain, said Feerick. Con Edison is also mobilizing for the storm urging members of the public to stay safe by staying away from downed wires that may be live. The company has secured more than 600 outside workers to address power outages that may occur as the storm enters the region. The strong winds can cause trees and branches to fall onto power lines and bring those lines down, causing customers to lose service and creating a safety hazard. For safety reasons, Con Edison may guard downed wires until crews make repairs. The National Weather Service also announced an aerial flood watch, and wind advisory for Staten Island in effect from Sunday into Monday. Due to the raging storm, the Monday morning commute in New York City may be slow and difficult. Avoid driving through or coming in contact with flood waters. Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you off your feet, and as little as one foot of rushing water can carry away a car, according to the National Weather Service. There could be pollutants in the water or other hazards that you cannot see. Coastal flood waters could also damage your vehicle so move your car to higher ground, and wash your car thoroughly if it makes contact with flood waters. New York City residents should call 311 if they encounter flooding that makes roads impassable, causes property damage, or persists for more than 48 hours. A Western New York lawmaker wants to launch a pilot program that would allow 10,000 people to receive psychedelic psilocybin therapy for mental illness and other conditions. What could go wrong? Under legislation introduced by Assemblyman Pat Burke (D-West Seneca), the pilot program would focus on military veterans, first responders and their families, and people who suffer from cluster headaches. The aim would be to find out if psilocybin really can help people with mental issues. It all sounds well and good. Until you remember that we saw recreational weed legalized following a similar rubric. And we know how thats worked out in New York State. Its been a disaster. Medical marijuana was legalized in New York State in 2014. It was meant to ease the pain for people with terminal illnesses like cancer and to help kids who suffered seizures. Who could argue? What kind of monster doesnt want to help people find comfort at the end of their lives? Who doesnt want to help sick children? And in a very similar way you can hardly argue when it comes to helping military veterans and first responders who are dealing with PTDS and other mental stresses. Its easy to get lured in. When medical marijuana was approved, we werent even talking about legalizing weed for recreational use. And the medical weed program was so strict that then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted that smokable marijuana products not be allowed under the law. Look where we are now, not even 10 years later. Recreational weed, sorry, I mean adult use marijuana, was legalized in New York in 2021 and the stink of weed quickly became ubiquitous on city streets, including on Staten Island. You smell it while youre walking on the street, driving, shopping in a store, sitting in a park or riding on mass transit. The odor is there morning, noon and night. How quaint Cuomos old admonition against smokable weed seems now. Whats worse, the states legal weed market remains basically nonexistent, unable to get out of its own way. Very little of the projected revenue is flowing in. Cartels have swooped in and filled the vacuum, with illegal weed shops popping up everywhere. One gets shuttered, another opens. The police cant keep up with it all. Supposedly stiff fines are merely the price of doing business for big-money black marketeers. The genie is out of the bottle for good. And now some would look to take the first steps toward legalizing psychedelics here, beginning with therapeutic psilocybin. Other states, like Colorado, have already legalized psychedelics or are moving toward it. Oregon opened Americas first licensed psylocibin service center, Epic Healing Eugene, in September. It could happen in New York. Making psychedelics legal in a medicinal setting could be how it starts, like it did with legal weed. Do you think New York would be any more successful creating, managing and profiting from a legal psychedelics market than we have been with legal weed? Think about it. It might not be that far down the road. Burke filed the pilot program legislation last Wednesday, according to the Marijuana Moment publication. Text of the legislation can be found here. 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. On Monday, Dec. 4, Robert Garr, 94, an army veteran, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away. Robert, born to Zachary and Anna Litwin Garr, served as Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He also dedicated 15 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 222 in Brooklyn, NY -- where he lived for 50 years, and was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 8 in Staten Island, NY since 1979. After 35 years of service with CBS, Inc., he retired in 1988. Lorraine Sullivan, 91, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 14 at her home. A cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, Lorraine spent her entire life as a Staten Islander, having been born and raised in New Brighton. After graduating from St. Peters Girls High School in 1950, she worked at Chase Manhattan Bank prior to her marriage to Dennis Sullivan in 1957. Lorraine was a dedicated parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church, actively participating in the Mothers Guild and Parish Prayer Network for many years. Her interests included travels to Ireland and Atlantic City, along with a passion for arts and crafts and an avid interest in photography. Angelina Suppo celebrated her 98th birthday a few days before she passed away on Dec. 10. She was the beloved daughter of late Michael and Veneranda Suppo and a loving sister. A proud graduate of Port Richmond High School, class of 1944, she enjoyed a 44-year career in the shipbuilding industry. Initially serving as Secretary and Stenographer at Bethlehem Steel Companys Staten Island Shipyard, she contributed to the construction of over 44 destroyers -- attending launchings with many famous celebrities of the day. Her career included roles in various positions, such as Confidential Secretary and Buyer, involving the repair and overhaul of notable ships and luxury liners. She retired in 1988 as the Purchasing Manager for the Hoboken Shipyard Marine Ocean Terminal. In her free time, Angelina enjoyed spending time with family and friends and indulged her love for reading, along with watching game shows and old movies on television. YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES Patricia Perrotta, 79, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at St. Peters University Medical Center in New Brunswick. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Perrotta married her husband Richard and, after a brief period, relocated to Great Kills in Staten Island and then to Somerset, NJ in 2019. Patricia, a cherished wife, loving mother, and grandmother, had a thriving career as a Computer Analyst with AIG in New York City, commuting from Staten Island for nearly twenty-five years until her retirement in 2008. She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Parish in West Brighton and loved traveling, especially cruising in the Caribbean, and playing three-card poker in Atlantic City. Known for her culinary skills, she was a fantastic cook, celebrated for her Sunday gravy and meatballs. Hi Neighbor, If youre not a political junkie, you probably never heard of him. He was a lobbyist, when in his world, lobbyist wasnt a dirty word. A native Islander, his vision of the world took shape working as a caseworker with Mount Lorettos foster kids, and then at United Cerebral Palsy. He loved community. He was president of the Staten Island Democratic Association and served on Community Board 1. A passionate Democrat among a sea of Staten Island Republicans, he treated everyone equally and with respect. He fought for everything from proper childcare to labor rights and responsible land use. That was Vincent J. Montalbano. He died at 74 in his New Brighton home December 8. Vincent Montalbano, left, representing District Council 37 at the 1984 Democratic Convention, with Mondale delegate Joseph Shannon of Livingston, center, and Mondale alternate Allen Capelli, also of Livingston.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Different people remember Vinny in different ways. Fred Cerullo, a former South Shore councilman who later held several citywide commissioner positions, got to know Vinny through politics. As happened so often with Vinny, it quickly would grow into real friendship. Its hard to imagine how long I have known Vinny . . .since the late 1980s, Fred remembered. He was always helpful to me and so easy to be with and so smart and always with a smile. Just a great guy . . . Its even harder to believe that I got to have dinner with him and a wonderful group of guys keeping in touch with each other just three weeks ago. We were in the process of planning the next get together when we all got the terrible news. Hoteliers Lois and Rich Nicotras connection with Vinny was more social in nature. The staff at Lorenzos in the Hilton were so devastated, as were we, to learn of Vincents passing, they said. Both he and Ester were great customers and friends of Lorenzos and losing him is like losing a member of our family. We remember years ago going to Vincents table . . . We would always kid him about the wonderful voice he had . . . A smile came to our faces when we read that Vincent did use that wonderful voice for TV, radio and speeches. Vinnys passing left Fred, Lois and Rich with an important lesson. In the restaurant business, the unwritten rule is, you stop by a table, exchange pleasantries and move on so the guests can enjoy their meal, the Nicotras said. What a shame that we didnt break the rule and pull up a chair and have a conversation with Vincent. What a loss for us. We know we could have learned so much from him. If there is one thing that we have learned from Vincents passing, it is to pull up more chairs and have more meaningful conversations with our friends. Fred is on the same page. Such a reminder to not let times go by when you can see those who matter to you and you share a long history with. Vincent Montalbano was a rocker in his youth and handles vocals for The Band of Rockers at a Monsignor Farrell event. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)Claire Regan Thirteen years ago, Vinny authored a point-counterpoint column in the Advance, where he squared off with a Republican every month. I looked back at a few of Vinnys columns, just to remember the man and what he stood for in our community. In the spirit of the holiday, in the spirit of remembering this special man, and in the spirit of the more things change, the more they remain the same, here is a column Vincent Montalbano wrote on December 19, 2010. How much still resonates today? By Vincent Montalbano STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Ah, the end of another year. The Christmas Season and the approaching New Year always give me a sense of renewal and hope for better times. So here are some wishes that might help create a more rational, civil and productive political process for the coming year: Get rid of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate. Now really, is there anything more bizarre than this stupid rule? It undermines the most basic tenet of a democracy majority rule. It stymies the legislative process which in turn creates cynicism and anger like we see now in the citizenry. And all of that corrodes faith in the government our government. The filibuster can be eliminated by a majority vote in the Senate; and that vote cannot be filibustered because it is a rule change. So, my fellow Senate Democrats, as Sarah and Sharron would say, MAN UP! Get rid of this juvenile piece of narcissism while you still have a slim majority. It may be too late to actually pass laws, since the House is now controlled by the Republicans. But at least by eliminating the filibuster, and then actually moving legislation in the Senate, you will show the American people that you are serious about addressing their terrible situation in a mature way. Eliminate pay-to-play and severely reduce campaign contributions. We will NEVER have good government at any level until we diminish the role of money in politics. We must prohibit lobbyists and their clients from contributing any amount to anyone they are registered to lobby. And, in New York, we should reduce the maximum contribution to statewide office to $5,000 (from $37,800!) and proportionately reduce contributions to local and legislative offices from there. When incumbent officials and new office-seekers are forced to look to their community to support them, we will have a more level playing-field, and more attention to the community instead of the money interests. Bring the public option back into health reform. Now I know this is more a delusion than a wish; but recent events have proved that the only reason we do not have a public option is because the health industry saw it as an obstacle to their continuing to profiteer. To wit: Medicare premiums, which are negotiated by (gasp!) the government, will decrease next year. However, commercial insurance premiums for individuals and small businesses will increase by 10 to 25 percent. A public option would result in the same kind of premium balance for all Americans under 65. Medicare works really well. Why are we afraid to offer a similar program voluntarily to the entire population? That voters will finally realize that Bailout was Bush, not Obama. Talk about short-term memory loss! Americans are rightfully angry that the big-bank boys got bailed out, and are now back to paying themselves multibillion-dollar bonuses while we get less than one percent interest on our savings and see our friends get evicted from their foreclosed homes. But, the bailout was structured by Bush! So, how is it that Obama gets blamed for the resumption of the piggish behavior of Wall Street and the Big Banks? I could blame the conservative media; or incompetence of the Presidents message-makers. But we the people are the government; and it is our responsibility to understand who is doing what in our name. Obama bailed out the auto companies, which resulted in saving thousands of jobs and recreating a stronger, greener auto industry. Now, thats a good bailout. But the bank bailout and the gluttony it has sustained that was Bush. That we will all understand that when big business says they cant do something, it really means they dont want to. Auto makers couldnt build safer cars, increase fuel mileage, or produce hybrids or all-electric vehicles until the government made them. Some will remember Vinny for his conversational voice. Ill remember him for the sage voice he added to the pages of the Staten Island Advance as he argued his points with those on the other side of the aisle. Intelligently, calmly and respectfully. Politics today . . . indeed, Staten Island today . . . need more Vinny Montalbanos. Brian Oh by the way: Vincent is survived by his wife, Ester; sons Peter and Joseph, and his sister, Marie. The funeral was yesterday. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A major storm with the potential to become a bomb cyclone will rock New York City with heavy rain and strong winds through Monday, according to a meteorologist at AccuWeather. The stormy conditions will begin on Sunday, impacting those traveling just a week before Christmas, according to AccuWeather. Slow travel will likely be due to flooded roads, airline delays, and flight cancellations while regional power outages are possible. It could reach the official criteria of a bomb cyclone as it strengthens rapidly into Monday, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather John Feerick told the Advance/SILive.com on Sunday morning. A bomb cyclone is another way of referring to a storm undergoing bombogenesis, as noted by AccuWeather. In other words: explosive storm strengthening. When a storm gathers strength, air rises, and as a result, it creates a vacuum effect that produces lower atmospheric pressure, according to AccuWeather. In order to be dubbed a bomb cyclone, the central barometric pressure within this storm must fall 0.71 of an inch of mercury in 24 hours or less. It may not, by the letter of the law actually reach that level, said Feerick. Its going to be kind of close. But regardless, its going to be a very powerful storm for sure thats going to impact the area tonight and tomorrow morning. The worst conditions due to rain, flooding, and powerful winds in New York City will occur during Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. There will be a bit of rain and drizzle on Sunday afternoon, but conditions will ramp up this evening with heavy rain, said Feerick. The National Weather Service announced a coastal flood watch, aerial flood watch, and wind advisory for Staten Island in effect from Sunday into Monday. Due to the raging storm, the Monday morning commute in New York City may be slow and difficult. Probably will start to see some pretty heavy rain move in after nine or 10 oclock probably, and then well see the heaviest rain from late tonight probably like maybe 2 a.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. is probably when well see the heaviest rain, said Ferrick. So unfortunately, you know that could have a big impact on the morning commute tomorrow. Feerick suggested that for those with the option to work remotely from home should plan to do so. If you must go into work Monday morning, plan accordingly, and leave earlier than normal to compensate for stormy conditions and traffic. Storm drains will be overwhelmed with the rate of rain, which can fall at the rate of 0.5 of an inch per hour or greater. It can result in a heightened risk of street and highway flooding. According to Feerick, some areas in New York City will see about 2-3 inches of rain by the end of the storm. And the combination of heavy rain and a surge of water from the Atlantic Ocean will lead to moderate flooding in coastal beach communities. Beach erosion will also occur, and some damage to dunes and other beach structures is possible, according to AccuWeather.Quick rises and flooding are likely to occur on small streams from Sunday night into Monday with some rivers in New York also experiencing minor to moderate flooding from Monday to Tuesday as runoff slowly advances. The wind shift on Monday could lead to additional power outages as trees sway in the saturated soil and large waterlogged tree limbs break, according to AccuWeather. Feerick explained that wind gusts will be strongest along the coast with the worst of the winds late Sunday night. Gusts could reach up to 60 miles per hour, with some possibly even higher than that which may result in some localized damage. The rain will continue through midday Monday, but low-lying areas could still see some standing water. I think in general that the afternoon commute should be a whole lot better. Its still going to be windy, but its not going to be as windy and certainly looks like its going to be done raining at that time, said Feerick. The high temperature for Sunday will reach about 55 degrees. Monday will see the mercury rise to a high of 59 degrees. Tuesday calls for breezy and cooler temperatures with possible rain or snow showers in some areas. The borough will then have a break from precipitation for several days following the storm with mostly clear skies through the Christmas holiday. 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 American Express is looking to supercharge its presence in the Australian market, partnering with two payments businesses to put acceptance of its cards in stores on par with other card providers across the country. Stacey Rylands, vice-president of Australian and New Zealand merchant services acquisition at American Express, knows perception takes time to change, but says the company is aggressively working on it. An American Express official said the partnership would have a major impact on locations accepting American Express. Credit: istock On Monday, American Express will announce a partnership with software firm Fiserv and Tyro Payments: a move the company hopes will end the question do you accept American Express? and bring thousands of small businesses onto its network. Rylands says the program, called OptBlue, will enable small merchants to accept American Express at a cost competitive with Visa and Mastercard. JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Nine people were shot dead and eight others injured while they were drinking liquor Saturday night outside Rustenburg, North West Province of South Africa, local police said Sunday. At around 9:15 p.m., local time, Saturday, five males and four females were shot dead at Popo Molefe informal settlement in Boitekong outside Rustenburg while drinking liquor, the police said. "According to information available at this stage, a group of mainly Xhosa-speaking individuals were sitting in a yard drinking liquor when an unconfirmed number of Sesotho-speaking suspects opened fire on them. As a result, eight people died instantly while the ninth one was certified dead on arrival at the hospital. Moreover, eight persons were reported to be injured," said the police in a statement. Both Xhosa and Sesotho are Bantu languages. No one has been arrested, said the police. The police said they do not know the motive for the killing and are investigating the matter. Three years of La Nina events have fuelled vegetation growth across Victoria, but this has dried out rapidly over the past few months due to record-breaking dry conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures. Fire authorities are urging Victorians to be prepared, particularly along the western and central regions, along the Surf Coast and East Gippsland. Firefighters have been carrying out planned burns in at-risk areas, such as Bendigo National Park. Credit: Jason South But how does this fire season stack up to Black Summer? Victorias Country Fire Authority deputy chief officer, Alen Slijepcevic, said that although theres been severe drying of grass in the past nine months, it is nowhere near as bad as 2019. West Australian students have logged in to find out their ATAR results, with a large majority achieving a rank of 80 or higher. But for 17 students, opening their results held an additional surprise a perfect score of 99.95. Ananya Sanivarapu, Lillie Sartori, Matthew Vinci and Siena Hamilton were four of the 17 WA students to achieve an ATAR of 99.95. Perth Modern student Chau Tran was one of those students. I opened my score alone in my room and made my family wait outside. I was extremely nervous because I had felt a bit unsure walking out of the exams, she said. A senior federal minister has expressed new caution about sending a warship to the Middle East to help the United States protect shipping lanes from attack, saying Australia would generally focus instead on its own region. Trade Minister Don Farrell said the Royal Australian Navy was focused on priorities such as the South China Sea and said the government was still considering the US request for help in the Red Sea to guard against rebels backed by Iran. But the opposition is trying to intensify pressure on Labor to make a decision as soon as possible, although Liberal Party deputy leader Sussan Ley stopped short of calling on the government to commit to sending a navy vessel. Shiite Houthi soliders in Yemen, said to be backed by Iran, are at war with Arab-backed forces. Credit: AP We generally focus our activities in our own region and as we know, weve got ships in the South China Sea at the moment, Farrell told Sky News on Sunday. Tokyo: Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, marking their 50th anniversary of friendship, were meeting at a special summit on Sunday and expected to adopt a joint vision that emphasises security co-operation amid growing tensions with China in regional seas. Ties between Japan and ASEAN used to be largely based on Japanese assistance to the developing economies, in part due to lingering bitterness over Japans wartime actions. The ties have more recently focused more on security amid Chinas growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, while Japans postwar pacifist stance and trust-building efforts have fostered friendlier relations. Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the opening session of the ASEAN summit. Credit: AFP The rules-based, free and open international order is faced with serious challenges, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in his opening speech at Sundays summit. We are facing complex and compounded issues such as climate change and [economic] disparities, and I hope to have candid discussions with ASEAN leaders to work out our concrete co-operation. In an earlier speech at the State Guest House in Tokyo, Kishida proposed bolstering ties between Japan and ASEAN in security as well as in business, investment, climate, technology and people exchanges. Vatican City: Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court, has been convicted of embezzlement and fraud and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail. The Italian prelates lawyer, Fabio Viglione, told reporters in the courtroom he would appeal, saying his client was innocent. Becciu, who lives in the Vatican, was expected to remain free for the time being. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was fired by Pope Francis from his next job in 2020 for alleged nepotism, but remains a cardinal. Credit: AP In all, 10 defendants were accused of crimes including fraud, abuse of office and money laundering. All denied wrongdoing. It took Court President Giuseppe Pignatone 25 minutes to read all the verdicts and sentences. NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A paramilitary trooper belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was killed and another wounded Sunday in a gunfight with Naxals in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said. The gunfight broke out in Jagargunda police station area of Sukma district, about 431 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. "Today CRPF launched a search operation from Bedre camp towards Ursangal village in Jagargunda police station area to trace Naxals. While the operation was underway an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides, during which a sub-inspector of CRPF was killed and a constable accompanying him wounded," a police official said. Authorities have rushed additional contingents to the spot to take on Naxals. Reports said four suspects have been rounded up in the area. On Wednesday a policeman was killed and another wounded in a Naxal attack in Narayanpur district of the state. Naxal rebels are active in central and eastern parts of India. Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. The new mobile phone policy has allowed me to reevaluate the impact that social media has had on my wellbeing and being able to take the time to disconnect throughout the school day has encouraged me to continue this trend during my free time. NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the security breach incident at the lower house of the Indian parliament (locally called Lok Sabha) was "very serious." Modi said there was "no need to debate" the issue; instead, a "detailed investigation" should be carried out to find the people behind it. On Wednesday, two young men jumped into Lok Sabha from the visitors' gallery and set off canisters of colored smoke while the proceedings were going on. Around the same time, two others -- a man and a woman -- were detained outside parliament by the police, also with colored smoke canisters that exploded and emitted columns of yellow smoke. Apart from the four, police have arrested two more people in connection with the case so far. They have reportedly told investigators that their objective was to draw attention to Manipur violence, unemployment and farmers' problems. The opposition lawmakers have been demanding a statement from federal Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach inside the parliament. The issue disrupted proceedings in both houses of the parliament. Thirteen members of the lower house and one from the upper house (locally called Rajya Sabha) were suspended after the opposition demanded a statement by the home minister. On Saturday, the speaker of the lower house of Lok Sabha said that a high-level inquiry committee had been constituted for an in-depth investigation of the security breach. Asked about how common ground could be found with the West given the rhetoric on both sides, Putin said: They will have to find common ground because they will have to reckon with us. by Raheela Nazir ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has proved to be a corridor of opportunities for Pakistan, advancing the goals of economic development, regional connectivity, and shared prosperity, said Pakistani experts during a seminar. CPEC has served to promote bilateral relations between China and Pakistan, regional integration, and overall development, said the experts and academics at the recently held seminar organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), an Islamabad-based think tank. Launched in 2013, CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a corridor linking Pakistan's southwestern Gwadar port with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, highlighting energy, transport, and industrial cooperation. Speaking on the occasion, Sohail Mahmood, former foreign secretary of Pakistan and director general of the ISSI, noted that CPEC has produced win-win outcomes, achieving remarkable progress over the last 10 years while taking Pakistan-China friendly relations to new heights. "The abiding friendship between Pakistan and China and its key attributes of mutual respect, strategic mutual trust, and mutual support on issues of each other's core interest are commendable," Mahmood said. Highlighting the journey of CPEC from a conceptual framework to a tangible reality, the expert said that CPEC has played a vital role in ensuring Pakistan's energy security, transportation infrastructure improvement, and employment generation. In the next phase of CPEC, special focus would be laid on agriculture, industry, trade, and science and technology, he said, adding that besides working together on the project, Pakistan and China would also welcome third-party participation in various sectors, stressing that CPEC is aligned with "Pakistan's pivot to geo-economics." Masood Khalid, former Pakistani ambassador to China, said that CPEC has brought tremendous socio-economic benefits to Pakistan and changed the lives of local people. Under CPEC, China, with huge investments, has helped in building roads, railways, ports and special economic zones, which reduced travel time and facilitated local businesses, giving impetus to trade and economic growth of the South Asian country, according to him. Besides that, multiple CPEC projects have enabled Pakistan to overcome the severe energy crisis by adding 8,000 MW of power to the national grid, he said, adding that CPEC has also remained effective in terms of capacity building, technology transfer, and skill development of workers and local companies. Muhammad Aamir Khan, a senior official at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that CPEC is a manifestation of deeply rooted friendship between Pakistan and China. CPEC has contributed toward building a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, he said, adding that Pakistan has a lot to learn from China's development to ensure a more thriving future for its people. 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AmeriCorps St. Louis traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the national 2023 Outstanding Disaster Response Team award. HELPING OUT Easterseals Midwest set a record with $888,968 raised in one evening at the 40th annual Festival Gala and Auction. The Hornsby Family Foundation, led by James Russell and Sherry Hornsby, donated $250,000 to support work in translational nanomedicine and advanced cardiac imaging done by Dr. Greg Lanza of Washington Universitys School of Medicine. Verizon awarded TechSTL $100K to spearhead the TechLAUNCH program in St. Louis. CITY SC fans donated 2,457 pounds of non-perishable food and raised $2,800 for Operation Food Search at the inaugural CITYPARK Food Drive co-sponsored by Schnucks stores and CITY SC. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Classic Car Gallery donated $5,000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS Lutheran Senior Services acquired St. Louis Home Health effective January, 2024. Honkamp, P.C., of Dubuque, Iowa, acquired local CPA firm Schowalter & Jabouri. Schowalters employees will continue to serve clients out of the firms St. Louis office. MH Equipment of Peoria, Illinois, acquired St. Louis based Armor Equipment. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Armor will continue operations out its current locations in Arnold, Missouri, and Olathe, Kansas. PROJECTS Reed Burkett Lighting completed the lighting design project illuminating the interior of the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger 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 ST. LOUIS Samantha Stangl was ready to address the proverbial elephant in the room. She was standing before 30 of the regions top leaders in providing services to unhoused people. These are the folks who trudge through the snow on a cold winter night, finding people huddled on a steam grate, or in the woods, or under a highway overpass. The goal is to take them to a shelter, or at least provide blankets and coats so they dont freeze. Theyre the folks who feed an evicted family and help find a hotel room for a couple of nights. Theyre the folks who work tirelessly to help our neighbors in need. They were on the verge of making a historic decision. For more than two years, most of these leaders have been preparing for a major change in how homeless services are funded and organized. Every year, there has been a conflict among providers that ended with people who lack shelter suffering even more. There are often clogs in the flow of money from the federal government to the city, and to the organizations doing work on the streets. There are conflicts between nonprofits and City Hall. There are fingers pointed. Encampments closed. Deaths that are preventable. This is the story of homelessness in St. Louis and most major cities in America. The solution conceived by local nonprofit and business leaders was to look to Houston and Dallas. There, the systems for reducing homelessness have been re-configured and infused with federal money and philanthropic donations. But the path to success putting more people into affordable housing and connecting them with social services is paved with obstacles. Thats what Stangl was at the Salvation Army in Midtown to talk about. Shes the executive director of a nonprofit, created by other nonprofit leaders, to help solve some of the problems of the past. Called House Everyone STL, the group and its leaders were at the monthly meeting of the Continuum of Care with a request. They wanted to be entrusted with writing the plan that secures about $14 million in federal funding each year to address homelessness in St. Louis. True system change is painful, Stangl said. Nobody in the room knew that more than Anthony DAgostino. The chairman of the Continuum of Care, he is also CEO of Peter and Paul Community Services, one of the largest local providers of homeless services. DAgostino started the wheels in motion to create House Everyone STL. But earlier this year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development told DAgostino that since he helped create the organization, it would be a conflict of interest for him to give it the new power so many people in St. Louis hoped it could have. So over the past several months, the various nonprofit providers and Adam Pearson, head of the Department of Human Services for the city, forged a path forward. There would be new leadership at the Continuum of Care to remove conflicts of interest. The city and House Everyone STL would work together to improve the delivery of funding and services. But the members of the Continuum of Care would ultimately decide whether it was the city government as it always has been or House Everyone STL that would organize the plan to divvy up the federal dollars. The vote came Thursday, after Stangl and her board chairman, Tim Huffman, made their pitch. After a long and difficult process, House Everyone STL is ready to fulfill the mission for which it was designed. Now comes the heavy lifting. With the affirmative vote, House Everyone STL will try to do something that has been lacking in St. Louis: bring together government, nonprofit and business leaders to devise a unified and well-funded plan to tackle homelessness. Its not that there hasnt been tremendous effort from dozens of organizations on the ground. But the most successful models for reducing homelessness have all the players singing from the same hymnal with an organized plan to move people into housing quickly and efficiently. That hasnt always been the case in St. Louis. It must be if whatever plan House Everyone STL writes for 2024 is going to make a difference. I would love it if we would have had some of these big-picture conversations 20 years ago, Pearson told me in an interview last week. Theyre happening now, and he says the city and House Everyone STL are working to collaborate and create momentum. This is a historic moment, Huffman said. I genuinely believe that St. Louis has a solvable homelessness issue. CREVE COEUR Police here are investigating threatening messages sent to synagogues on Sunday. Authorities said three synagogues in Creve Coeur received threatening emails that implied there were bombs at the facilities. Canine officers from the Creve Coeur and St. Louis County police departments searched each synagogue and confirmed that there were no immediate safety concerns, according to a release. Creve Coeur police are currently investigating the source of the threats and whether they are related to similar statements recently received by other organizations across the U.S. No other information was disclosed, including which synagogues received the messages. Creve Coeur police said updates would be provided on social media. Antisemitism has been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, particularly since war broke out on Oct. 7 when Hamas and other militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and captured around 240. More than 100 of them were released during a weeklong cease-fire late last month. Scott Biondo, community security director for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, told the Post-Dispatch that the emails were similar to those sent to other Jewish organizations in the country in recent months and that federal authorities do not believe they are credible threats. Authorities also do not believe the messages are directly related to the Israel-Hamas conflict as the emails dont contain any language referring to the war. We have seen this before, Biondo said. Our community is not immune to mass email-based threats. His department, which provides security services for dozens of Jewish organizations from Joplin in southwest Missouri to Paducah, Kentucky, has seen a rise in antisemitism incidents over the past year, including acts of vandalism and remarks made on social media. Biondo said Jewish organizations have prepared for a worst-case scenario and that they are more than prepared to deal with threats like those made Sunday. Even if theres an increase in the threat environment, Biondo said, that scenario is not going to be worse than (how) we envision it during our preparation. BELLEVILLE More than 6 million feral swine are present in the U.S. across 35 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Illinois officials investigated more than 30 reported spottings in the state last year. Only a fraction of feral swine reports in Illinois turn out to really be the invasive hog, but members of the species have been seen in the Land of Lincoln in recent years. "They are one of the most destructive possible invasive species we could get," Peggy Doty, natural resources, environment and energy educator with the University of Illinois Extension, told the News-Democrat. Feral swine, also referred to as feral pigs, feral hogs, wild boar and razorbacks, weigh an average of 75 pounds to 250 pounds as adults, though some can reach closer to 500 pounds. One of the reasons feral swine are dangerous is their opportunistic nature. They're omnivorous and will eat practically anything, and their rooting and wallowing can destroy agriculture and habitats for endangered species in Illinois. A small group of feral swine can completely annihilate a habitat overnight, Doty said, and they can create food shortages for native species. The invasive species also poses a threat to human health and the economy in Illinois, as they can carry more than 30 different types of disease and 30 parasites. They can transmit leptospirosis, salmonella, trichinosis and brucellosis to humans, and diseases can affect pets and livestock, too. "They could be pretty devastating to our pork production in Illinois," Doty said. Feral swine can also degrade water quality, according to Bradley Wilson, feral swine coordinator for U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services in Illinois, and they can live and thrive in pretty much any area that has a water source. "They are a very harmful and destructive invasive species," Wilson said. "Their geographic range is rapidly expanding and populations are increasing across the nation." Where have feral swine been reported in Illinois? Illinois does not have and has not had a permanent feral swine population, Doty said. Isolating sightings have been reported, though, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports two self-sustaining breeding populations have been identified in the state. "On average I would say we receive about 40 reports of feral swine each year, but only a tiny fraction of those are actually truly feral swine," Wilson said. Out of 31 reports of feral swine in Illinois in 2022, many involved what were actually loose domestic pigs or pets, Wilson said. Three of the reports pertained to an adult boar in the Shawnee National Forest area in Pope County, and one was about an adult boar IDNR had been tracking in the Jackson County/ Union County area. Officials with the USDA and IDNR investigate and track reports of feral swine, and those that turn out to be loose domestics are often handled by local animal control departments. Feral swine usually begin as dumped pets, free-range livestock or pigs released for sport hunting, the USDA reports. While there is a trend on YouTube to corral feral swine from other states to shoot in Illinois, it is illegal to transport the animals, release them or hunt them in an enclosure in the state, according to IDNR. People lawfully hunting in deer season with a license can shoot feral swine they find in the wild, but many experts say it's not a good idea. "The one thing you don't want to do is shoot them, because they're so smart," Doty said. The reason you shouldn't shoot a feral hog is because you'll only get one out of the herd, Doty continued, and the rest will learn to avoid bait and humans even more than they do naturally. The group will instead scatter and reproduce, furthering its population. Under ideal conditions, an adult sow can produce up to 20 piglets each year. Female juvenile pigs can begin reproducing as young as 6 months old, Doty said, and the species has the greatest reproduction rate potential of any large mammal. Feral hogs: A growing US problem Feral hog populations have been established in more than 30 Missouri counties, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Texas is the most affected state in the country by feral swine, according to Captain Experiences, a website for hunting and fishing trip bookings. Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and other states also have high volumes of feral swine reports. If you happen to stumble upon a feral hog in Illinois, or you see signs of rooting and wallowing, officials ask you to report it immediately. "It's just such a threat environmentally and agriculturally, we just can't let them take hold here," Doty said. You can report suspected feral swine to the USDA Wildlife Services Illinois State Office at 217-241-6700. In Missouri, you can make reports to 573-522-4115, ext. 3296 or online. Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair ST. LOUIS A 19-year-old was sentenced to 22 years in prison Friday in the killing of a 15-year-old boy at a St. Louis apartment complex. Stanico Jordan, of St. Louis, admitted in a plea deal Friday he shot and killed 15-year-old Kyle Falker on July 11, 2021. Jordan was 16 at the time but was charged as an adult in the case. Police said in court documents that surveillance video recorded the shooting at the Preservation Square apartments in the Carr Square neighborhood. Officers found Kyle unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, back and arm there in the 1300 block of North 14th Street. Police said witnesses identified Stanico as the killer and surveillance video showed a Chevrolet Malibu pull up to Falker before the gunfire. "Without provocation, (Jordan) produces a firearm and fires multiple shots at Falker," said Detective Donald Thurmond in a probable cause statement. "The defendant then reenters the Malibu at which time the vehicle flees the scene." Jordan was originally charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder Friday as part of the deal with prosecutors. Dashaun Ewing, 22, was also charged with murder in August in connection with Falker's death. His charges remain pending. SYDNEY, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Emergency flood alerts were issued for parts of Australia's northeastern state of Queensland on Sunday as a result of torrential rainfall in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Major flood warnings were issued for the Barron River, the Daintree River, the Herbert River, the Johnstone River Catchment, the Mulgrave River, and the Tully and Murray Rivers, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The Barron River at Lake Placid was currently sitting at 13.34 meters, which was 1.34 meters above the major flood height, the local Courier Mail newspaper reported. More water was pouring down towards the coast from the Atherton Tablelands, and the river was expected to rise further, the report said. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services urged residents to move to higher ground if it was safe to do so, or to the upper floors of their buildings. Tropical Cyclone Jasper made landfall in Far North Queensland late on Wednesday. NEW YORK The top strategist for the embattled super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign for the White House resigned Saturday night in the latest sign of trouble for the GOP hopeful less than one month before voting begins with Iowas kickoff caucuses. Jeff Roe, the top adviser to Never Back Down, is the latest senior staffer to exit Never Back Down, which has been the largest outside group supporting DeSantis candidacy. He announced his departure on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, hours after The Washington Post published a story focused on internal disputes and suspicions between Never Back Down, the campaign, and other DeSantis allies that included accusations of mismanagement and conduct issues, including numerous unauthorized leaks containing false information. I cant believe it ended this way, Roe wrote on X, sharing a statement in which he said he cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the story, which he said were false. Numerous senior members of Never Back Down have been fired or resigned in recent weeks, including two chief executives, the groups chairman and its communications director. At the same time, DeSantis Florida allies have created a new super PAC, Fight Right, which had earned the public blessing of the DeSantis campaign. The Associated Press reported earlier this week on growing concern among some within DeSantis operation that interactions between his campaign and his network of outside groups were blurring the lines of whats legally permissible. Super PACs are legally barred from directly coordinating with campaigns. But multiple people familiar with DeSantis political network said that he and his wife had expressed concerns about Never Back Downs messaging as his Iowa poll numbers stagnated concerns DeSantis team then shared with members of Never Back Downs board, according to multiple people briefed on the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions. Some of the board members then relayed the DeSantis teams wishes to super PAC staff, which was responsible for executing strategy, the people said. DeSantis campaign has denied any wrongdoing. Never Back Down had taken an unprecedented role in the election, overseeing functions normally handled by campaigns. The group was charged with organizing voters through a massive door-knocking and get-out-the-vote operation, organizing campaign, as well as advertising, and has spent tens of millions of dollars on commercials this year. Roe, one of the Republican Partys most prominent strategists, ran Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs 2016 presidential campaign, which beat former President Donald Trump in that years Iowa caucuses, and also worked as an adviser on Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins winning run. But he had little preexisting relationship before this year with DeSantis, who has long struggled to maintain close relationships with political consultants. A native of Brookfield, Missouri, Roe is founder and principal of Axiom Strategies, a political consulting firm based in Kansas City. Roe has advised numerous GOP politicians, including Eric Greitens, who resigned as Missouri governor in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign violations, and Eric Schmitt, who last year was elected to the U.S. Senate after winning a crowded GOP primary contest that included Greitens. Weighing in on his social media site from Las Vegas, where he is watching a UFC fight, Trump late Saturday cheered the news. Jeff Roe is outGAME OVER for DeSanctimonious!" he wrote. DeSantis has staked his campaign on Iowa, where Trump is leading by wide margins in recent polls. The super PAC was seeded with more than $80 million from DeSantis political accounts this spring. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israels government faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies on Sunday after a series of shootings, including the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages, fueled global concerns about the conduct of the 10-week-old war in Gaza. Israeli protesters are urging their government to renew negotiations with Gazas Hamas rulers, whom Israel has vowed to destroy. Israel is also expected to face pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Monday. Washington is expressing growing unease with civilian casualties even as it provides vital military and diplomatic support. The war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are in crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians about 90% of Gazas population have fled their homes. They survive off a trickle of humanitarian aid. Dozens of desperate Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing aboard, pulling down boxes and carrying them off. Other trucks appeared to be guarded by masked people carrying sticks. Israel said aid passed directly from Israel into Gaza for the first time Sunday, with 79 trucks entering from Kerem Shalom, where around 500 trucks entered daily before the war. Another 120 trucks entered via Rafah along with six trucks carrying fuel or cooking gas, said Wael Abu Omar, Palestinian Crossings Authority spokesman. Aid workers say its still far from enough. You cannot deliver aid under a sky full of airstrikes, a spokesperson with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Juliette Touma, said on social media, while the agency estimated that more than 60% of Gazas infrastructure had been destroyed in the war. Telecom services in Gaza gradually resumed after a four-day communications blackout, the longest of several outages during the war that groups say complicate rescue and delivery efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue to fight until the end, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which triggered the war with its Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured scores of hostages. Netanyahu vows to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on him to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Calls for a new cease-fire In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward the beginning of a political solution. Frances Foreign Ministry earlier said an employee was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in Rafah on Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the U.K. and Germany, meanwhile, called for a sustainable cease-fire, saying too many civilians had been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the U.K.s Sunday Times. The U.S. defense secretary is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Israeli and U.S. officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. The Israeli military said Sunday it had discovered a large tunnel in Gaza close to what was once a busy crossing into Israel, raising new questions about how Israeli surveillance missed such conspicuous attack preparations by Hamas. Shootings draw scrutiny Military officials said Saturday that the three hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops had tried to signal that they posed no harm. It was Israels first such acknowledgement of harming hostages in the war. The hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. An Israeli military official said the shootings were against the armys rules of engagement and were being investigated at the highest level. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and accuses Hamas of using them as human shields. But Palestinians and rights groups have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of recklessly endangering civilians and firing on those who do not threaten them, both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the war began. Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace, saying unarmed civilians are being bombed and shot at, and this has even happened inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists but families, children and sick people with disabilities, nuns. He spoke after the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two Christian women at a church compound in Gaza were killed by Israeli sniper fire. A British lawmaker, Layla Moran, said several family members were among hundreds sheltering in the compound. This is a church. Its a week before Christmas. This is Advent. This is an important time in the Christian familys religious calendar. And there is a sniper killing women and firing at children, she asserted. In Gaza, Palestinians on several occasions have said Israeli soldiers opened fire at fleeing civilians. The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Thursday in its last update before the communications blackout. It has said that thousands more casualties are buried under the rubble. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but has said that most of those killed were women and children. On Sunday, five people were killed and many injured after a reported Israeli airstrike hit near a U.N.-run school in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis where displaced Palestinians were sheltering. A cameraman with The Associated Press counted five bodies delivered to a hospital. The plight of Palestinian civilians has gotten little attention inside Israel, where many are still deeply traumatized by the Oct. 7 attack and where support for the war remains strong. Israels military says 121 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza offensive. It says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence. Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report. Updated at 2:42 p.m. WASHINGTON The House on Wednesday authorized the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with every Republican rallying behind the politically charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. The 221-212 party-line vote put the entire House Republican conference on record in support of an impeachment process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president: punishment for what the Constitution describes as high crimes and misdemeanors, which can lead to removal from office if convicted in a Senate trial. Biden, in a rare statement about the impeachment effort, questioned the priorities of House Republicans in pursuing an inquiry against him and his family. Instead of doing anything to help make Americans lives better, they are focused on attacking me with lies, the president said following the vote. Instead of doing their job on the urgent work that needs to be done, they are choosing to waste time on this baseless political stunt that even Republicans in Congress admit is not supported by facts. Authorizing the monthslong inquiry ensures that the impeachment investigation extends well into 2024, when Biden will be running for reelection and seems likely to be squaring off against former President Donald Trump who was twice impeached during his time in the White House. Trump has pushed his GOP allies in Congress to move swiftly on impeaching Biden, part of his broader calls for vengeance and retribution against his political enemies. The decision to hold a vote came as Speaker Mike Johnson and his team faced growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden's family members. While their investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president. We do not take this responsibility lightly and will not prejudge the investigations outcome, Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team said in a joint statement after the vote. But the evidentiary record is impossible to ignore. Authorizing the monthslong inquiry ensures that the impeachment investigation extends well into 2024, when Biden will be running for reelection and seems likely to be squaring off against former President Donald Trump who was twice impeached during his time in the White House. Trump has pushed his GOP allies in Congress to move swiftly on impeaching Biden, part of his broader calls for vengeance and retribution against his political enemies. White House: baseless fishing expedition The decision to hold a vote came as Johnson and his leadership team faced growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden's family members. While their investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president. Ahead of the vote, Johnson called it the next necessary step" and acknowledged there are a lot of people who are frustrated this hasnt moved faster. In a recent statement, the White House called the whole process a baseless fishing expedition that Republicans are pushing ahead with despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden. House Democrats rose in opposition to the inquiry resolution Wednesday. This whole thing is an extreme political stunt. It has no credibility, no legitimacy, and no integrity. It is a sideshow," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during a floor debate. Some House Republicans, particularly those hailing from politically divided districts, had been hesitant in recent weeks to take any vote on Biden's impeachment, fearing a significant political cost. But GOP leaders have made the case in recent weeks that the resolution is only a step in the process, not a decision to impeach Biden. That message seems to have won over skeptics. As we have said numerous times before, voting in favor of an impeachment inquiry does not equal impeachment, Rep. Tom Emmer, a member of the GOP leadership team, said at a news conference Tuesday. Emmer said Republicans will continue to follow the facts wherever they lead, and if they uncover evidence of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors, then and only then will the next steps towards impeachment proceedings be considered. Most of the Republicans reluctant to back the impeachment push have also been swayed by leadership's recent argument that authorizing the inquiry will give them better legal standing as the White House has questioned the legal and constitutional basis for their requests for information. Democrats unified in opposition A letter last month from a top White House attorney to Republican committee leaders portrayed the GOP investigation as overzealous and illegitimate because the chamber had not yet authorized a formal impeachment inquiry by a vote of the full House. Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, also wrote that when Trump faced the prospect of impeachment by a Democratic-led House in 2019, Johnson had said at the time that any inquiry without a House vote would be a sham. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said this week that while there was no evidence to impeach the president, thats also not what the vote this week would be about. We have had enough political impeachments in this country, he said. I dont like the stonewalling the administration has done, but listen, if we dont have the receipts, that should constrain what the House does long-term. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who has long been opposed to moving forward with impeachment, said that the White House questioning the legitimacy of the inquiry without a formal vote helped gain his support. I can defend an inquiry right now, he told reporters this week. "Let's see what they find out. House Democrats remained unified in their opposition to the impeachment process, saying it is a farce used by the GOP to take attention away from Trump and his legal woes. You dont initiate an impeachment process unless theres real evidence of impeachable offenses, said Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, who oversaw the two impeachments into Trump. There is none here. None. Democrats and the White House have repeatedly defended the president and his administration's cooperation with the investigation thus far, saying it has already made a massive trove of documents available. Congressional investigators have obtained nearly 40,000 pages of subpoenaed bank records and dozens of hours of testimony from key witnesses, including several high-ranking Justice Department officials currently tasked with investigating the president's son, Hunter Biden. While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president himself, they have taken particular interest in Hunter Biden and his overseas business dealings, from which they accuse the president of personally benefiting. Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations of interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into the younger Biden's taxes and his gun use. Hunter Biden is currently facing criminal charges in two states from the special counsel investigation. Hes charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. Special counsel David Weiss filed additional charges last week, alleging he failed to pay about $1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period. Democrats have conceded that while the president's son is not perfect, he is a private citizen who is already being held accountable by the justice system. I mean, theres a lot of evidence that Hunter Biden did a lot of improper things. Hes been indicted, hell stand trial, Nadler said. Theres no evidence whatsoever that the president did anything improper. Hunter Biden arrived for a rare public statement outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, saying he would not be appearing for his scheduled private deposition that morning. The president's son defended himself against years of GOP attacks and said his father has had no financial involvement in his business affairs. His attorney has offered for Biden to testify publicly, citing concerns about Republicans manipulating any private testimony. Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say, Biden said outside the Capitol. What are they afraid of? I am here. GOP lawmakers said that since Hunter Biden did not appear, they will begin contempt of Congress proceedings against him. He just got into more trouble today, Rep. James Comer, the House Oversight Committee chairman, told reporters Wednesday. This is a developing story and will be updated. Read more: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) The day after Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a measure that would allow Missouri to spend less money but still meet the target for fully funding K-12 public schools, the state House quickly took the final vote needed to override him Thursday, making the bill a law. House members voted 113-43 to enact the proposal. Senators voted 25-7 to undo the veto hours after Nixon announced his action Wednesday at a Ferguson school, with all but one Democrat backing the veto. The move to change the state's funding formula comes after the Legislature and governor have failed to meet funding goals for schools for years. Basic aid for K-12 schools in the fiscal year starting July 1 falls more than $400 million short of funding goals in the spending plan that lawmakers passed this year, even with a proposed $71 million increase. The state adequacy target, which lawmakers use when setting goals for how much money schools should receive, can't increase by more than 5 percent every two years under the new law. Funding will only be about $54 million short under the measure that lawmakers approved Thursday, and it also expands access to money to educate preschoolers to charter schools if lawmakers meet funding goals. Bipartisan supporters of the change say meeting funding goals outlined without the cap wasn't feasible. "This is money that the governor has talked about, but the money simply is not there," Festus Republican Rep. Becky Ruth said. "It is phantom money." Others argue the cap gives lawmakers more incentive to meet targets and will help to kick in early education spending. Nixon called the legislation a "broken promise" to students when he vetoed the measure. House Democrats criticized the measure and said the lower funding targets won't meet the needs of schools and students. "Local public schools are not more than $400 million underfunded because the school funding law is unrealistic," Assistant House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty said in a statement. "They are underfunded because majority Republicans have failed to make full funding of local schools a reality." The formula used to determine how much money lawmakers should aim to spend on basic aid for K-12 schools included a 5 percent cap when legislators created it in 2005. Lawmakers dropped the cap in 2009, hoping to receive more money from gambling that never came. __ Missouri school funding bill is SB 586. ___ Online: __ Follow Summer Ballentine at https://twitter.com/esballentine The St. Louis circuit attorney is one of those offices the public generally thinks about only when its failing. The public had to think about it a lot for most of the more than six years that Kimberly M. Gardner held the office. Bizarrely enough for the citys top criminal prosecutor, Gardner, indulging an activist progressive agenda, seemed to consistently side with the criminals and against law enforcement, with predictably newsworthy results. Catastrophic isnt too strong a word to describe her tenure. Most St. Louisans probably havent thought much about the office in the seven months since Gardner was forced to resign mid-term though they may have noticed the news last week that her appointed successor, Gabe Gore, has announced his intent to seek election to a full term in 2024. As a particularly fraught year for St. Louis criminal justice draws to a close, its worth reviewing what went wrong, and what may finally be going right, in the office that epitomizes the trope no news is good news. The Editorial Board sat down (virtually) with Gore on Wednesday to talk about the reforms implemented so far during his time in the office and the work that remains to be done. The primary duty of the circuit attorney is to prosecute criminal cases, a simple imperative that Gardner never embraced. Without rehashing her entire tumultuous term and a half, suffice to say it was characterized by vilification of the police and a refusal (or inability) to prosecute thousands of felony cases they presented to her office. Among the many horrific results and a tragic last straw was a downtown car crash in February that cost a visiting teenager from Tennessee her legs. The crash was caused by a robbery defendant who was free to speed around city streets despite having repeatedly violated the terms of his bond. Gardners office, as usual, had done nothing about it. After clinging to her job for several months amid a storm of calls for her removal, Gardner finally resigned on May 16. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson appointed Gore to fill out the rest of Gardners term. Gore, then a high-powered private attorney and former federal prosecutor with a history of St. Louis civic engagement, accepted a job its difficult to imagine anyone wanting. Staff lawyers had fled under Gardners mismanagement, ultimately creating a 100% turnover rate. When Gore arrived, the roughly 60 staff attorneys the office needs to function was down to 25. The backlog of pending homicide cases, normally expected to be at 100 to 150, was about 250 when Gore arrived. There were some 6,700 warrant requests from police that hadnt even been acted upon, including nine homicides and hundreds of violent felonies. During our conversation, Gore refrained from directly criticizing Gardner but didnt sugarcoat the mess hed walked into. The office was really failing to fulfill its obligations, he told us, presumably aware of the understatement. Gore has quietly turned that situation around with help from former Gardner lawyers who either returned after her exit or hung on through it, along with private attorneys Gore describes as community-service oriented. Staffing is now at around 50 attorneys and climbing. The 6,700 backlog of warrant requests has been cut to about 3,800. Crucially, prosecutions increased by 45% during Gores first six months compared to the same period last year. Gores office is also taking a second look, at the behest of police, at 24 homicides Gardner refused to charge. And he has re-opened the warrant office, where police and prosecutors can meet in person to discuss cases. Gardner shuttered the office during the pandemic, which is understandable, but she never reopened it afterward, leaving prosecutors and police to communicate about cases primarily through email. The idea that youre going to not have a productive relationship with the police, Gore said, is unworkable. That relationship was not in great shape when I came in, Gore acknowledged. Repairing that dysfunction has started with addressing any questions about police credibility on a case-by-case basis when deciding whether to file charges on a given arrest. That sounds like common sense, but it wasnt policy under Gardner. Her refusal to prosecute so many crimes stemmed largely from what came to be known as her exclusion list dozens of cops her office had deemed as untrustworthy, and from whom she would automatically refuse to accept any cases against criminal suspects. The list was always something of a mystery. There was apparently no formal process for adding officers names, no opportunity for challenge or appeal, and the list itself was never revealed to the public. That kind of lack of transparency was typical of Gardners tenure. Still, we were somewhat surprised to discover that even Gore, upon arriving in office and seeing the list, was given no detailed information to explain why the names were on it. It wasnt a memo, it was just a list of names. No backup, no support, Gore said. As a result, he said, it has never been part of my administration. Gore has undoubtedly enjoyed a honeymoon during his first months in the public eye and that will undoubtedly change now that he is a political candidate. This is as it should be; candidates should be questioned, tested and challenged about how they will perform in office. In Gores case, voters have already gotten an encouraging preview. South Korea is again considering developing and manufacturing its own nuclear weapons. The cause is the growing instability of North Korea and South Korean fears that the United States wont fulfill its pledge to attack North Korea with nuclear weapons if the North attacks South Korea with nukes. South Korea currently sees North Korea as less stable and more prone to reckless actions against the south. This change in attitudes came after November 2023 when South Korea canceled a 2018 agreement with North Korea to reduce the surveillance and spying they carried out against each other. South Korea took a closer look at North Korean military activities and concluded that North Korea might be tempted to emulate the recent Hamas attack on Israel and back it with the threat of using nuclear weapons. This is a dangerous form of diplomacy, and it is unclear if North Korea was contemplating such a thing. Now North Korea is temporarily prospering by selling weapons and munitions to Russia in return for cash and much-needed food. This is good news for the North Korean government, which until last year was facing more popular unrest due to poor economic conditions and not enough food. Last year Russia sought to buy weapons and munitions from North Korea to supply their troops in Ukraine. More orders followed and soon this was visible on satellite photos of increased activity on the Trans-Siberian railroad. It is unclear if North Korea was planning to risk its newly acquired prosperity with an attack on South Korea. Yet this is what South Korea feared and thats why they canceled the 2018 treaty and resumed surveillance of North Korean military activities. All they could see was increased activity in weapons and munitions factories with most of that production being shipped to Russia. Since 2019, South Korea has not been able to get the North to negotiate about anything. Not all the new weapons production is sent to Russia. North Korea has kept its ballistic missile production going and tests more of them with launches into the waters between Korea and Japan. This frightens the Japanese, who note that most of these missiles seem to work and are not fired at their maximum ranges. While North Korea is pleased with this, Japan is also acquiring more BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) systems. Japan has recently increased its annual defense spending 26 percent. Now the Japanese are spending $52 billion a year, which is about 1.4 percent of GDP and the largest Japanese defense budget ever. It is also the sixth year that Japan increased defense spending and the goal is to eventually reach two percent of GDP. Japan and South Korea are now spending about the same amount on defense and are both in the top ten defense spenders in the world. The others are the United States, China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany and France. South Korea is number nine, spending a little more than Japan at number ten. Militarily, South Korea is a superpower compared to North Korea. This is obvious when you consider annual defense spending. While the United States accounts for about 40 percent of worldwide defense spending, China and Russia together only account for about 17 percent. The rest of the top ten are either allies of the Americans or friendly. Ukraine is, in terms of total defense spending that includes donations from NATO countries, figuratively in the top five when it comes to defense acquisitions. This is a dubious distinction for Ukraine, which is using it all to repel a Russian invasion. South Korea has profited from this because NATO nations bordering Ukraine or Russia have increased defense spending and purchased nearly $15 billion worth of South Korea weapons and munitions. South Korea produces a lot more military gear than the north and the southern weapons and munitions are top grade. One side effect is that once Poland receives all the South Korean tanks, mobile artillery, and rocket (guided and unguided) launchers from South Korea, they will have the most powerful army in NATO Europe. This is to discourage any Russian attacks on Poland or any other NATO nation in the area. South Korea fears that their more numerous and effective weapons and munitions are not having the desired effect on North Korea. Since the 1990s South Korea has become an economic powerhouse and one of the top ten economies in the world. Because of that South Korea has more friends and trading partners in East Asia than Russia does. South Korea has the wealth and technical skill to build nuclear weapons and reliable ones at that. Russia believes that offending South Korea is a bad idea while disappointing North Korea creates no new problems. Then there are the earlier South Korea efforts to keep nuclear weapons out of the Korean peninsula. The Americans have already taken the lead in this. In 1991 the United States withdrew all its nuclear warheads from South Korea and managed to get the two Koreas to agree not to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. This included both Koreas signing the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty). North Korea went ahead and developed nuclear weapons anyway, even though it was obvious that South Korea could do the same and produce more reliable nuclear warheads and more effective submarines to launch them from. When North Korea violated the agreement, South Korea went ahead and produced SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with conventional warheads launched from South Korean designed and built submarines. Since 2014 South Korea has been building nine 3,300-ton KSS-III submarines, each able to carry six or ten locally developed SLBM ballistic or cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. These missiles can carry nuclear warheads instead of the high-explosive ones they currently have. Two of these subs are in service with another two entering service in 2024 and 2026. North Korea realizes they could not develop and build anything similar. South Korea has a growing fleet of locally built submarines that can carry ballistic or cruise missiles. Most South Koreans now approve of building nuclear warheads, just in case North Korea foolishly makes a serious threat to use such missiles against South Korea or any other country. This made North Korea realize that the economically more powerful and technically more accomplished south not only can outproduce the north when it comes to any type of weapon but has actually done so many times and is now a major producer and exporter of modern weapons. South Korea is not impressed with North Korean threats to attack them with devastating effect. The north can attack, but the south can retaliate with far greater destructive force. That is why the north continues to issue threats that South Korea ignores. The south was not always the major military power, and the current situation is a relatively recent development. There is another complication, much of this traced back to the Korean War that began in 1950 when the overconfident north invaded. The fighting went on until 1953 when both sides agreed to an armistice, not a peace treaty. The combat forces remained in place to avoid a revival of fighting. This created the 250 kilometers long DMZ (four kilometers wide demilitarized zone), which became the border between North and South Korea. Since 1953 South Korea has become democratic, industrialized and it now has a GDP that is in the worldwide top ten. South Korea also became a major manufacturer and exporter of modern weapons. That included over ten billion dollars worth of weapons to NATO countries that border Russia or Ukraine. North Korea held onto its socialist ways and was misruled by the Kim dynasty. On a per capita basis, South Koreans are twenty times wealthier than the average North Korean. North Korea does have some nuclear weapons, but the Kims have not yet found a way to turn that into an improved standard of living for the average North Korean. South Korea has been expanding its arms production since the 1990s and now, because of demand from NATO nations that sent a lot of weapons to Ukraine, South Korea is poised to enter the Top Five. All this affluence had undesirable side effects, the primary one is declining population. South Korea already has a lower (1.11) birth rate than Japan. Taiwan has the lowest worldwide at 1.09, followed by South Korea, Singapore at 1.17 and Hong Kong at 1.23. The American birth rate is 1.66 but most Western nations have lower rates. For Europe as a whole, the rate is .98. South Korea has profited from this because NATO nations bordering Ukraine or Russia have increased defense spending and purchased billions of dollars worth of South Korea weapons and munitions. South Korea produces a lot more military weapons and equipment than the north and it is of the highest quality. South Korea based its weapons on what the Americans were offering, but added additional features that made their weapons more attractive to export customers. This included lower prices. Because of all these new export customers, South Korea is on-track to depose China from its current position as the fourth largest arms exporter. China has nuclear weapons, which is yet another incentive for South Korea to have them as well. New reporting shows record number of Americans paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving them rent-burdened and at risk of becoming homeless LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Proving once again the rent is too damn high, new reporting shows an 12% increase in homelessness in the United States due to both the elimination of pandemic assistance and people having to pay 30% or more of their income in rent. Justice for Renters, the California campaign for rent control which will be on the November 2024 ballot, says it is time for cities and counties to be able to regulate how much landlords can charge. As we head into the heart of the holidays, people are making the difficult decision of whether to put food on the table, buy presents for their children, or pay rent, said Susie Shannon, Policy Director for Housing Is A Human Right. Rent control is essential if we are going to continue to try to stem the tide of homelessness in California and across the country. This latest reporting shows in no uncertain terms the high cost of rent is driving people out of their homes. We must stop anti-tenant corporate landlords and Big Real Estate from racking up obscene profits while pushing people out onto the streets. The Justice for Renters ballot campaign kicked off May 25th in Los Angeles with a press conference at Los Angeles City Hall. Advocates needed to collect at least 546,651 valid California voter signatures to qualify the measure. They collected more than 810,000 in total. In October, advocates delivered more than 732,000 letters from Californians across the state to Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to support much-needed rent control. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231216225244/en/ Ged Kenslea, AHF Sr. Comms Dir. (323) 791-5526 [email protected] Jacki Schechner, AHF VP, Media Relations (310) 633-0547 [email protected] Source: Justice for Renters Lakewood, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2023) - Lev Berel Inc., under the visionary leadership of CEO Raphael Avraham Sternberg, is proud to announce a significant new initiative aimed at enhancing Jewish educational and social welfare programs both in the United States and abroad. This initiative marks a significant commitment by Lev Berel Inc. to foster educational excellence and support Talmudic research. Expanding Educational Horizons and Social Welfare As a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting educational and social welfare initiatives, Lev Berel Inc.'s new initiative will focus on increasing funds and support for schools of higher Jewish education. The effort aims to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of Jewish knowledge and learning, ensuring a robust and vibrant future for these educational institutions. Raphael Avraham Sternberg, as the CEO of Lev Berel Inc., brings his extensive experience and innovative leadership to this philanthropic endeavor. Sternberg's passion for education and community welfare drives the organization's mission, reflecting his deep commitment to societal betterment and the advancement of Jewish education. About Lev Berel Inc. Lev Berel Inc., located at 111 Madison Ave, Lakewood, NJ, has been a beacon of support for Jewish education and social welfare since its inception in 2013. With an IRS ruling year of 2013 and a notable track record in philanthropy, the organization has been instrumental in raising funds and awareness for educational initiatives. Under the guidance of Raphael Sternberg, Lev Berel Inc. continues to strive towards making a significant impact in the realm of Jewish education and community support. For more information about Lev Berel Inc., this initiative, or to arrange an interview with CEO Raphael Avraham Sternberg, please contact https://raphael-sternberg.com/. Name: Raphael Avraham Sternberg Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/191328 Miguel Pacheco Will Support Regional Expansion Drive and Develop Innovative Global Trade Finance Instruments Abu Dhabi , UAE , Dec. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Abu Dhabi based critical minerals commodity digital trader and market intelligence house 'Open Mineral Ltd' is pleased to announce the Board's appointment of Miguel Pacheco , as its new Chief Financial Officer. As part of Open Mineral Ltd's mid and long-term growth and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) roadmap, Mr. Pacheco's addition to the taskforce, is meant to boost the Middle East firm's strong performing reputation, where he will guide the fiscal health of the business, and be a prudent sounding board, risk mitigator and strategist. Boris Eykher , Global CEO of Open Mineral said, "I'd like to welcome Miguel to his new role at our young and thriving business, as we push ahead with our second phase of regional development and expansion, while further reinforcing reporting and compliance standards in our specialized Critical Minerals business. And with the world's economies continuing to advance amid volatility, and global trade headwinds impacting our GCC region, the need for a CFO with an evolved skillset and mindset like Miguel is invaluable." Mr. Eykher further states, "We will be attending and partnering with the highly anticipated Future Minerals Forum in January in Saudi Arabia , where we expect to discuss our planned foray into the Kingdom, and to address our innovative Trade Finance facilities with our industry peers. We look forward to our in-depth meetings with the authorities, regulators and global thought-leaders tackling the Critical Minerals and base metals landscape, especially with the green transition move and sustainable best practices continuing to be the main focus." Miguel brings over 20 years of experience in Corporate Finance in challenging advisory & consulting roles to large multinationals, as well as in Strategic Corporate Development positions within complex transnational organizations with aggressive growth strategies. Prior to joining Open Mineral, he was Chief Executive Officer at TF Cargoes, and held senior positions in several leading commodity companies and large MNCs including Trafigura, Mercuria Energy Trading SA, Hartree Partners, and EY. Miguel holds an MBA (Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship) from The Wharton School. About Open Mineral: After securing funding from Mubadala Investment Co, amongst others, Open Mineral accelerated its growth plan last year by opening offices in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai , where the company expects to double its headcount over the coming year. Currently headquartered in Zug, Switzerland , Open Mineral has a global presence with offices in Latin America , UAE , China , the Americas , Asia , and Europe. Open Mineral is a physical commodity trader powered by technology and market intelligence, enabling profitable and efficient trading of raw material commodities. Founded in 2016 by a team of ex-Glencore traders based in Baar, Switzerland The Open Mineral platform has onboarded over 900 metals and mining companies from 40 countries. For more information: Mohamed Tahboub Open Mineral, Head of Regional Communications & Marketing +971 50 157 6868, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2302158/Miguel_Pacheco_CFO_Open_Mineral.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-commodity-digital-trader-open-mineral-ltd-appoints-chief-financial-officer-302016886.html SOURCE Open Mineral Ltd. Humanitarian aid trucks wait in line to be inspected at the Kerem Shalom crossing, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, on the border between Israel, Gaza and Egypt in this still image taken from video release By Emily Rose JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened on Sunday for aid trucks for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, a move intended to double the amount of food and medicine reaching the enclave. The crossing had been closed after an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and aid was being delivered solely through Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, which Israel said could only accommodate the entry of 100 trucks per day. As Israel's campaign in Gaza has gathered pace, the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave has worsened dramatically with the United Nations and other world bodies warning of severe shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Kerem Shalom, on the border of Egypt, Israel and Gaza, is one of the main transit points for goods in and out of the Palestinian enclave, allowing much faster transit than the Rafah passenger crossing a few kilometres away. Israel approved the entry of aid last week. "Starting today (Dec. 17), UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and be transferred directly to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, to abide by our agreement with the US," COGAT, the branch of military which coordinates humanitarian aid with the Palestinian territories, said in a statement. Asked if aid had crossed into Gaza, an Israeli official said yes. A Palestinian border official confirmed Kerem Shalom was reopened earlier on Sunday in coordination with the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency and Israel. Part of the aid had arrived in Gaza by Sunday night, while the rest would be completed on Monday, the official said. Two sources in the Egypt Red Crescent told Reuters that trucks had crossed Kerem Shalom on Sunday on their way into Gaza. One said there were 79 trucks. The prime minister's office has previously said the opening would allow Israel to maintain its commitments to permit the entry of 200 aid trucks per day, agreed on in a hostage deal brokered and implemented last month. Israel had already agreed to allow trucks to be inspected at Kerem Shalom but they had previously been obliged to return to Rafah to cross into Gaza from Egypt. Aid groups had been calling for them to be allowed in directly. The aid may not quickly reach those in need. Colonel Elad Goren, head of the civil department at COGAT, told Reuters humanitarian agencies had not increased their capacity to distribute aid to meet the demand from the influx of Gazans who have fled to the south of the enclave on Israeli advice. "If the U.N. won't have the capacity to collect and to distribute, it doesn't matter how many crossings we will open," Goren said. "They cannot rely upon the same mechanism they had before the war. "We adjusted ourselves," Goren said. "The UN unfortunately didn't." Juliette Touma, communications director of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, pushed back on Sunday, saying on X, "you cannot deliver aid under a sky full of airstrikes." (Reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Yusri Mohamed in Cairo, Nayera Abdallah in Dubai, Emma Farge in Geneva, Nidal Al Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Giles Elgood and Alexander Smith) President Clinton presides over ceremonies marking the signing of the 1993 peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians on the White House lawn in Washington as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat shake hands on Sept 13, 1993. (J. David Ake/Getty-AFP) When our family lived in Jerusalem in the mid-1990s where I was working as the Tribunes Middle East correspondent we were awed by the hope among both Israelis and Palestinians that the 1993 Oslo Accords might end their age-old conflict. The agreement signed on the White House lawn that year gave real hope for peace in modern times. Then an extremist Jewish settler slaughtered 29 Palestinian men and boys as they knelt in prayer in a Hebron mosque in 1994. Hamas suicide bombers blew up buses to butcher Israelis on Jerusalems streets. A Jewish extremist shot and killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin at a peace rally in Tel Aviv in 1995. People on both sides overwhelmingly supported the Oslo process, but hateful extremists in each camp refused to share the Holy Land. So, they started killing Oslo. Thirty years later, its promise remains on life support. Advertisement Today, new extremists on both sides are determined to drive nails into any possible peaceful resolution to the conflict and the dream of a two-state solution. President Joe Biden must not let that happen. Too much is at stake. The impact of the brutal war raging in the destitute Gaza Strip echoes way beyond the Middle East and could radicalize a new generation of terrorists. Since the bloody, barbaric attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 massacred 1,200 Israeli men, women, children and elderly near Gaza and touched off the war, there has been no concrete plan advanced by the combatants for the day after the fighting between Israel and Hamas stops whether its weeks from now, or perhaps, months away. Advertisement Biden needs to start working forcefully now to outline that vision and build support for it among Israelis and Palestinians, as well as allies in the region and around the globe. Both sides must see a horizon with hope, security and justice, or they will face endless violence, war and death. There is no military solution to this conflict. Only a two-state endgame offers a viable, long-term political solution that could one day work even if, after all this trauma, it takes years to happen. The president should lay out the strategy in a prime-time Oval Office address and call on moderate Arab states, the European Union and the U.N. for support. Arab states will not be eager to help fund the reconstruction of Gaza without a serious commitment to a two-state pathway. It likely will require leadership changes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a longtime opponent of two states. Thats a problem. His failure to focus sufficiently on Israels security may have left Israel vulnerable to attack near Gaza, and his days as prime minister could be numbered. A formal commission of inquiry should await him at the end of the war. Israelis are demanding accountability. His popularity has fallen in polls, and 80% of Israelis believe he should accept responsibility for the staggering failures in security that led to the Oct. 7 attacks. The only way we believe there can be a successful vision for the day after is with a different Israeli government, said Adina Vogel-Ayalon, chief of staff of J Street in Washington, D.C., a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization advocating for U.S. policies that promote Jewish and democratic values for Israel. That is one of the many obstacles at this moment in time, she told me. This Israeli government is resisting every plan for the day after that this administration has been promoting. J Street advocates for post-conflict arrangements that establish a path to an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel in the future, and steps to get there successfully. In the middle of this horrifying war, this may seem like a pipe dream, but the sheer scale of this violence could ultimately shock the two parties into the realization that war is not the answer. The Yom Kippur War led, years later, to Camp David and an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. For the Palestinian Authority, increasingly ineffective and unpopular under President Mahmoud Abbas, elections must be held in the West Bank and Gaza after the war to revitalize the self-rule government, so eventually it can take over governing Gaza from a transitional authority of some kind when Israel pulls out. Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will stay there indefinitely, but Biden has rightly warned Israel not to reoccupy Gaza. That would be a mistake that could further radicalize Gazans and prolong conflict. Unlike Hamas, the Palestinian Authority is committed to a negotiated solution, and Biden envoys are right to seek a security role for it in Gaza. By pledging Americas ironclad support to Israel during the last 70 days of war in Gaza, the United States now owns this conflict too. The Biden administration must use its leverage with Israel to help end it, as soon as possible, once Israel decimates Hamas, and to help ensure a transition first to a multinational force, and ultimately, to the Palestinian Authority. Advertisement [ Elizabeth Shackelford: The US should use its leverage with Israel to help minimize civilian harm in the war ] Israel has every right to defend itself. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has no interest in peace. Make no mistake, its goal is to kill Jews and destroy Israel. Its Oct. 7 attack was the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas has pledged to do it again. It puts Gazan civilians in the crossfire and hides under hospitals. Israel cannot and should not have to live with that threat on its border. America wouldnt. Hamas took 240 hostages on Oct. 7, and an estimated 135 of them including 10 Americans remain captive in the dark tunnels under Gaza. The atrocities, rapes and murders of Israelis were unspeakable. Some of the dead were so badly burned or mutilated that they are only now being identified through DNA. The trauma is ongoing, and so are the funerals. Everyone walks around pretending to be normal, one Israeli friend told me, but the whole country is suffering from trauma. It will be years until Israel begins to resemble its old self. Israels retaliation has been fierce. The Israeli military campaign has leveled much of Gazas infrastructure and claimed the lives of at least 18,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gazan health officials. Some 80% of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced. Israel estimates thousands of Hamas fighters have died. Still, the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there is raising alarm around the world. Bidens unwavering support remains strong, but his administration is calling on Israel for a more targeted strategy. I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives. Not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful, Biden said last week, warning that Israel could lose international support because of the indiscriminate bombing that takes place. One Palestinian friend lost 14 members of his extended family in the bombing. Its so painful, he wrote to me, when one, every two or three hours, searches the lists of the death toll with fear of finding names of his relatives or friends. Advertisement The fear is that the longer this goes on, the more radical the Palestinian population will become, so that any plan for peace, stabilization and reconstruction the day after the war will be harder to achieve. I dont think there is a day after. I dont think this is going to stop, observed Rashid Khalidi, co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies and professor of modern Arab studies at Columbia University. I dont think the Israelis will bring resistance to an end. I dont think there is a stable Gaza coming. The fighters they kill will have little brothers and others who will go on fighting for years, Khalidi told me. What they have done is produced a situation that is not going to have a clear end. That is the challenge, but Biden has to forge bold diplomacy and lay out the road map for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. There have been five wars over the past 15 years, and this is by far the deadliest. Clearly, Israels strategy of blockading and containing Gazans in an open-air prison, as some call it, is not succeeding. Netanyahus strategy has left Israelis more at risk. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also warned Israeli leaders they might win a tactical victory against Hamas but risk strategic defeat in the long run if they fail to heed warnings about the impact of the rising civilian death toll. 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 > The U.S. must support Israels effort to degrade Hamas so that it is no longer a threat, but it should continue to urge a more careful military strategy within the bounds of international law to protect Palestinian civilians who had nothing do with the Hamas attack. The pressure campaign may eventually lead to another pause in the fighting to allow Hamas to give up more hostages, but Hamas leaders are not likely to leave Gaza. They know Israelis will hunt them down when they come out of their tunnels, as well it should. They must be driven out. Advertisement When the war ends, the U.S. must lead an international campaign to restore all humanitarian aid and rebuild Gaza, along with the Israeli communities attacked by Hamas. Israelis must have security guarantees they will be safe in the aftermath, and Palestinians must be offered hope for justice and self-determination in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Palestinians wave identity cards as they gather to receive flour rations for their families outside a warehouse of UNRWA, the United Nations agency that aids Palestinians, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Dec. 12, 2023. (Mohammed Abed/Getty-AFP) When distributing U.S. military aid, Biden should join a group of Democratic senators insisting it should come with zero tolerance for settler violence, settlement expansion, blockades and the expulsion of Arabs from their homes or villages. Some extremist, anti-Arab members in Netanyahus coalition continue to provoke violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Both sides deserve peace, economic opportunity and a safe place to raise their children. They pledged at Oslo to work together toward those goals. That work remains unfinished. It may seem naive even a fools errand to talk about peace plans at a time like this. The wounds on both sides are so deep, it may take years to get the parties back to the table, let alone trust that there is a true partner for peace on the other side. But that is the only way this ends without more violence, with a two-state outcome and two peoples living side by side in peace. Storer H. Rowley, a former national editor and foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, teaches journalism and communication at Northwestern University. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Russian GRU General promised Azov Battalion security guarantees before Azovstal surrender 17 December, 06:15 PM The ruins of Azovstal after the battles for Mariupol, May 2022 (Photo:REUTERS / Alexander Ermochenko) A general from Russias Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) promised security guarantees and quick release from captivity for the Mariupol defenders before their Azovstal surrender in May 2022, Konstantyn Kozhekin, an Azov Battalion officer released from the captivity, revealed in an interview with BBC Ukraine published on Dec. 17. The Azovs Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Denys Prokopenko, call sign "Redis," had the letter promising release within three to four months at the time of the surrender. It was signed by Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the first deputy head of Russia's GRU, but was taken away during the initial interrogation. Video of day "Our commander had a letter signed by Vladimir Alekseev at the time of our capture. It was no guarantee, because the Russian side easily violates any agreements," Kozhekin said. Photo: CNN What is known about Mariupol defenders in captivity? After two months of urban warfare with the Russian invasion forces, the defenders of Mariupol were surrounded at the Azovstal Steelworks with a limited supply of medicines, food, drinking water and ammunition. They left the plant and surrendered on May 16, 2022 by the order of the General Staff, with the aim of saving their lives. The evacuation was mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which recorded the personal data of the Ukrainian military, and the UN. The Ukrainian soldiers were taken to a medical facility in occupied Novoazovsk, as well as to the territory of the penal colony #120 in occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said there was no other way to rescue the heroes from Azovstal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 6, 2022 that more than 2,500 Mariupol defenders were in Russian captivity. A total of 2,449 defenders left the territory of Azovstal. Ukraine conducted on Sept. 21, 2022 one of the largest prisoners-of-war swaps since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. At that time 215 people were returned home, including 188 Mariupol defenders. Five Azov commanders were exchanged for 55 Russian service members, on condition that they would be sent to exile in Turkey until the end of the full-scale invasion. However, they were released and travelled back to Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian head of state visited Turkey on July 8. Russia then accused Ukraine and Turkey of violating the terms of the prisoner exchange deal. Some of the Azovstal defenders have remained in captivity for almost 20 months. Russia is holding a total of 3,574 Ukrainian servicemen in captivity, including more than 700 Azov servicemen, the Reintegration Ministry says. There has been no major prisoner exchange for more than four months. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News FILE PHOTO: Members of the public wait in the arrivals hall at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alishia Abodunde/File Photo By Joanna Plucinska LONDON (Reuters) -Almost half of 217 global firms cut their business travel carbon emissions by at least 50% between 2019 and 2022, analysis published on Monday found, as corporate air travel returned at a much slower pace since the pandemic than leisure flights. Despite a global rebound, business travel has been slow to return to 2019 levels, with many corporate clients turning to video conferencing or rail trips rather than flying. Global business travel firms say this trend could hit corporate relationships. Environmentalists say it represents an important step in minimizing overall emissions. Advocacy group Transport and Environment has said that a 50% reduction in business travel from pre-COVID levels is needed this decade to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Major companies such as tech firm SAP, accounting firm PwC and Lloyd's Banking Group all reduced their corporate air travel emissions by more than 75% compared with 2019, the Travel Smart Emissions Tracker analysis concluded. "The way forward is collaboration with more online meetings, more travel by train and less by plane," Denise Auclair, Travel Smart campaign manager, said in a statement. In an effort to cut costs and emissions, some businesses have chosen not to return to the same levels of business travel as before the emergence of COVID-19. But whether business travel carbon emissions will stay lower is unclear. A joint survey by American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) and the Harvard Business Review released in September said 84% of businesses believe in-person trips still bring "tangible business value". The Travel Smart study found 21 of the companies it surveyed exceeded their levels of flying compared with 2019, with L3Harris, Boston Scientific and Marriott International increasing their carbon emissions by more than 69% compared with 2019. L3Harris and Marriott International did not respond to requests for comment. Boston Scientific said it would reach out to the Travel Smart Campaign to update their data, which it said were not accurate. "It reflects the company's Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) disclosure for business travel prior to Boston Scientific receiving approval of its net-zero, science-based scopes 1, 2 and 3 targets," a spokesperson told Reuters. Airlines say the corporate travel decline could harm their business and economic growth, but robust post-pandemic consumer demand for flying has tempered those concerns. Business trips generated as much as half of passenger revenue at U.S. airlines before the pandemic, industry group Airlines for America estimated. This helped airlines sell high-margin premium seats and fill weekday flights. In Europe, airlines like Air France have shifted their strategies, with others trying to make up for the business drop by selling more premium trips to leisure travellers. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Alexander Smith) By Mahamat Ramadane N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad holds a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday that looks unlikely to mend deep divisions between the junta and opposing groups that have fuelled a political and security crisis in one of the world's poorest countries. The military authorities have called the vote as a vital stepping-stone to elections next year - a long-promised return to democratic rule after they seized power in 2021 when President Idriss Deby was killed on the battlefield during a conflict with insurgents. The proposed constitution would establish autonomous communities with local assemblies and councils of traditional chiefdoms among other changes. But some of the political opposition and rebel groups have called for a "No" vote or said they will boycott the poll. They question the independence of the election commission and reject the new constitution for not engaging with their wishes including for federalisation. Decades of instability and economic mismanagement have hampered development in the oil-producing central African country, where nearly 40% of its 16 million people depend on humanitarian aid. Brice Nguedmbaye Mbaimon, who coordinates a coalition voting "No", said Chad had experienced a unitary state for over 50 years without tangible progress. "It is time to let the population organise into federated states and steer their own development," he told Reuters. Haroun Kabadi, coordinator of groups voting "Yes", said the new constitution does offer more independence as it would allow Chadians to choose their local representatives and collect local taxes for the first time. "These people talking about a federation simply want to divide Chadians into micro-states and fuel hatred between communities," he said by phone. Meanwhile others are calling for a boycott, including former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, who told Reuters the junta had too much control over the referendum process. "This is not fair, and it is not democratic. That's why we have called on Chadians not to participate in this farce." The Africa-focused Institute for Security Studies has warned that tensions around the vote could lead to a repeat of unrest that saw scores killed by security forces amid pro-democracy protests in October 2022. A central concern is that the referendum could help cement the power of junta leader, Deby's son Mahamat Idriss Deby, who has already extended a proposed 18-month transition to democracy. "The pattern of delay and obfuscation echoes the long-honed tactics of Idriss Deby who came to power by force in 1990 and then held on to it for three decades," analysts at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies said. Around 8 million Chadians are registered to vote in the referendum. Provisional results are expected to be announced on Dec. 24. The military regime in Chad is one of several juntas in West and Central Africa, which has seen eight coups since 2020, sparking concerns of a democratic backslide in the region. (Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Bate Felix and Alison Williams) By Fanny Potkin and Yantoultra Ngui SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A growing number of Chinese semiconductor design companies are tapping Malaysian firms to assemble a portion of their high-end chips, keen to hedge risks in case the U.S. expands sanctions on China's chip industry, sources said. The companies are asking Malaysian chip packaging firms to assemble a type of chip known as graphics processing units (GPUs), according to three people with knowledge of the discussions. The requests only encompass assembly - which does not contravene any U.S. restrictions - and not fabrication of the chip wafers, they said. Some contracts have already been agreed, two of the people added. The people declined to disclose the names of the companies involved or to be identified, citing confidentiality agreements. Seeking to limit China's access to high-end GPUs that could fuel artificial intelligence breakthroughs or power supercomputers and military applications, Washington has increasingly placed restrictions on their sales as well as on sophisticated chip-making equipment. As those sanctions bite and an AI boom fuels demand, smaller Chinese semiconductor design firms are struggling to secure sufficient advanced packaging services at home, analysts have said. Some of the Chinese companies are interested in advanced chip packaging services, two people said. Advanced packaging of chips can significantly improve chip performance and is emerging as a critical technology in the semiconductor industry. This sometimes involves the construction of chiplets where chips are packaged tightly to work together as one powerful brain. Although not subject to U.S. export restrictions, it's an area that can require sophisticated technology which the firms worry might one day be targeted for curbs on exports to China, the two people added. Malaysia, a major hub in the semiconductor supply chain, is seen as well placed to grab further business as Chinese chip firms diversify outside of China for assembling needs. Unisem, whose largest shareholder is China's Huatian Technology, and other Malaysian chip packaging companies have seen increased business and inquiries from Chinese clients, said one source who was briefed on the matter. Unisem Chairman John Chia declined to comment on the company's clients but said: "Due to trade sanctions and supply chain issues, many Chinese chip design houses have come to Malaysia to establish additional sources of supply outside of China to support their business in and out of China." Chinese chip design firms also see Malaysia as a good option because the country is perceived as being on good terms with China, is affordable, with an experienced workforce and sophisticated equipment, two of the sources said. Asked whether accepting orders to assemble GPUs from Chinese firms could potentially provoke U.S. ire, Chia said Unisem's business dealings were "fully legitimate and compliant" and the company did not have the time to worry over "too many possibilities". He noted that most of Unisem's customers in Malaysia were from the United States. The U.S. Department of Commerce did not respond to requests for comment. Other big chip packaging firms in the country include Malaysian Pacific Industries and Inari Amertron. They did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Chinese companies are also interested in having their chips assembled outside China as that could also make it easier to sell their products in non-Chinese markets, said one source, an investor in two Chinese chip startups. A MAJOR HUB Malaysia currently accounts for 13% of the global market for semiconductor packaging, assembly, and testing and is aiming to boost that to 15% by 2030. Chinese chip firms that have announced plans to expand in Malaysia include Xfusion, a former Huawei unit, which said in September it would partner with Malaysia's NationGate to manufacture GPU servers - servers designed for data centres and which are used in AI and high-performance computing. Shanghai-based StarFive is also building a design centre in Penang, and chip packaging and testing firm TongFu Microelectronics said last year it would expand its Malaysia facility - a venture with U.S. chipmaker AMD. Offering an array of incentives, Malaysia has attracted multi-billion dollar chip investments. Germany's Infineon said in August it would invest 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) to expand its power chip plant there. U.S. chipmaker Intel announced in 2021 that it would build a $7 billion advanced chip packaging plant in Malaysia. Chinese companies are not just choosing Malaysia. In 2021, JCET Group, the worlds third-largest chip assembly and testing company, completed an acquisition of an advanced testing facility in Singapore. Other countries such as Vietnam and India are also seeking to expand further into chip manufacturing services, hoping to lure clients keen to minimise U.S.-Sino geopolitical risks. ($1 = 0.9272 euros) (This story has been corrected to clarify that Huatian Technology is Unisem's largest shareholder, not majority shareholder, in paragraph 11) (Reporting by Fanny Potkin and Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista and Yelin Mo in Beijing and Alexandra Alper in Washington; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs) (Reuters) -France said on Sunday one of its workers had died as a result of wounds sustained during an Israeli attack in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. The man who was wounded on Wednesday was a Palestinian national who had worked for the French Institute for decades, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told journalists at the end of a trip to Israel and the West Bank. He was seeking refuge in the house of a colleague from the French consulate alongside two other co-workers and a number of their family members, the foreign ministry said earlier. "The house was hit by an Israeli air strike on Wednesday evening, which seriously hurt our agent and killed about 10 others," the ministry said. He later died of his wounds, it added, without giving a date. France condemned the bombing of a residential building. "We've asked for explanations as to why the house ... had been hit," Colonna told the news conference at Israel's Ben Gurion airport. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. Colonna called for an "immediate and lasting truce" between Hamas and Israel to allow for a humanitarian ceasefire and urged Israel to "protect the lives of civilians as required by international law.". Israel says it seeks to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, according to international law, though critics and even its closest ally, the U.S., say it needs to do more. (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain and Adam Makary; Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Alison Williams, Alex Richardson and Andrew Heavens) BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's government faced calls on Sunday to help farmers and car buyers by revisiting cuts forced upon it by a court ruling which blew a 60 billion euro ($65 billion) hole in its budget. A coalition move to end subsidies for agricultural diesel drew criticism from Green lawmaker and agriculture minister Cem Ozdemir and from legislators belonging to Finance Minister Christian Lindner's business-friendly Liberals. Opposition conservatives and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats also criticised the decision to end, with no prior warning, a programme that paid subsidies to buyers of new electric vehicles, with critics saying the move would hit German carmakers already struggling with Chinese and U.S. competition. The criticism highlights the political cost imposed on an already fractious coalition by the Constitutional Court ruling, which dented the 2023 budget and delayed by weeks an agreement on a budget for next year. With limited financial leeway, the three coalition parties, constrained by differing views on fiscal rectitude and government spending needs, took weeks to agree a replacement. In an interview on Sunday, Finance Minister Christian Lindner ruled out revisiting the end to the electric vehicle subsidy, which has paid out some 10 billion euros since 2016. "There was never a fixed end date," he said, adding that the programme was only ever expected to run until the money ran out. He was, however, more sympathetic on the matter of agricultural subsidies. Ozdemir earlier said the only alternative to keeping the subsidy for agricultural diesel was closing farms. The agriculture minister will himself speak at a farmers' protest demonstration in Berlin on Monday. "Car drivers can switch to electric but heavy agricultural machinery can't do that yet," he said. "And we have to eat." ($1 = 0.9179 euros) (Reporting by Alex Ratz, Writing by Thomas Escritt, Editing by Alexander Smith) DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar expressed his "deep concern" on Sunday about reports of suspected criminal damage at properties earmarked for accommodating migrants, including a fire at a former hotel in the county of Galway overnight. Police said on Sunday that they are investigating a "criminal damage incident by fire" which occurred at the former hotel in the small western village of Rosscahill shortly before midnight on Saturday. A video broadcast by national broadcaster RTE and the Irish Times showed flames engulfing the premises, with parts of the building destroyed. Nobody was inside the building at the time, police said. Protesters had gathered earlier on Saturday to blockade the entrance of the hotel in opposition to government plans to house 70 asylum seekers there from next week, RTE reported. "I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in County Galway last night," Varadkar said in a statement. "There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda (police) investigations are underway." Similar, mostly peaceful campaigns have grown across the country in recent months as Ireland tries to accommodate record numbers of refugees in the middle of a housing crisis. The government agency responsible for housing asylum seekers began handing out tents to some new arrivals last week after running out of accommodation. Unprecedented riots also erupted in Dublin last month after a small group of far-right activists attacked police following the stabbing of three young children by a man Irish newspapers have identified as Algerian born. Varadkar sought to assure people that all asylum-seekers are registered, fingerprinted, checked against watch lists, and the circumstances surrounding their requests are examined thoroughly. "The response from many communities has been incredible. We've seen people open their homes, schools, clubs and communities to help those most in need. The people carrying out these crimes are a very small minority," he said. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Giles Elgood) By Dhwani Pandya MUMBAI (Reuters) -At least nine workers were killed and several injured in a blast at an explosives factory in Nagpur, a central district in Maharashtra state on Sunday morning, a local police officer told Reuters over the phone. The blast occurred early on Sunday morning at a factory run by Solar Industries India, the police officer surnamed Salve said. The factory manufactures industrial and military explosives, as well as propellants and warheads for India's defence sector, according to Solar Industries' website. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, Salve said, adding that the number of casualties could increase. Salve was part of the team that went to the site of the explosion on Sunday morning. Police were still investigating the cause of the blast, which occurred in the factory's packing area. Solar Industries India confirmed in a statement to the stock exchange that nine workers had been killed and said it was investigating the causes of the accident and what corrective and preventive actions needed to be implemented. (Reporting by Dhwani Pandya; Editing by Tom Hogue and Alex Richardson) By Josh Smith and Mariko Katsumura SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, as it condemned U.S.-led military shows of force including the arrival of a submarine in South Korea as tantamount to "a preview of a nuclear war". The missile was launched towards the sea off North Korea's east coast and flew about 570 km (350 miles) before falling in the ocean, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The launch came after warnings from officials in Seoul and Tokyo that nuclear-armed North Korea was preparing to test-fire a missile, including one of its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) this month. All of North Korea's ballistic missile activities are banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions, though Pyongyang defends them as its sovereign right to self defence. "North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution, which prohibits the use of ballistic missile technology and scientific and technological cooperation," South Korea's JCS said in a statement. Less than half an hour after the launch, North Korean state media carried a statement from the defence ministry criticizing "military gangsters" in the United States and South Korea for raising tensions with drills, displays of force, and nuclear war planning. The statement by an unnamed ministry spokesman cited the arrival of the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Missouri in the South Korean port city of Busan on Sunday. "The armed forces of the DPRK will thoroughly neutralize the U.S. and its vassal forces' attempt to ignite a nuclear war and thus reliably ensure peace and security in the Korean peninsula," the statement said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The spokesman also criticized South Korea and the U.S. for holding their second Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Washington on Friday, as part of efforts by the allies to streamline war planning and increase military shows of force as a warning to North Korea. The launch was immediately detected, tracked and monitored, and information was closely shared between the United States and Japan, South Korea's military said. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in a statement on Sunday said it was aware of the missile launch and was closely consulting with allies and partners. "While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program," the statement said, adding that the U.S. commitment "to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad." The three countries had said that a real-time missile information sharing system would become operational this month. About 20 minutes after initially reporting the launch, the Japanese coast guard said the missile had already fallen. It appeared to have fallen outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), broadcaster NTV reported. (Reporting by Mariko Katsumura in Tokyo and Josh Smith in Seoul;Editing by Alison Williams, Giles Elgood and Sandra Maler) A man takes pictures of a mask wearing a face mask in front of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort in Singapore on Feb. 18, 2022,. Governments across Southeast Asia are bringing back measures to limit a rapid resurgence of respiratory infections. (Roslan Rahman, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Governments across Southeast Asia are bringing back measures to limit a rapid resurgence of respiratory infections such as COVID-19, including installing temperature scanners at airports and encouraging people to wear masks again. The goal is to slow the spread of a variety of germs, as a confluence of COVID, flu and other respiratory pathogens may set off wider outbreaks that ultimately stretch healthcare systems. But it can be a fraught process, with the public highly attuned to the risk of draconian measures, which were put in place early in Asia at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and which lasted for much longer than in other parts of the world, coming back. Signs of that tension emerged earlier this week when Singapores Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took to Facebook to say there had been misinformation circulating on various networks that the government is looking to reinstate a circuit breaker. These are all falsehoods, he said. COVID cases on the island nation, or at least the ones that have been reported, jumped to 32,035 in the week ended Dec. 2 from just over 22,000 the previous week, according to Singapores health ministry. The increase in cases could be due to a number of factors, including waning population immunity and increased travel and community interactions during the year-end travel and festive season, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. Cases involving the JN.1 variant, a sublineage of BA.2.86, currently account for around 60% of Covid cases in Singapore. While Singapore authorities said theres no indication that the BA.2.86 or JN.1 variants are more transmissible or cause more severe disease, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the continued emergence of JN.1 suggests that its either more transmissible or better at evading immune systems. However, at this time, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants, the CDC said in a Dec. 8 statement. Officials in Indonesia meanwhile have reinstalled thermal scanners at some border check points, the Straits Times newspaper reported Wednesday. They include Jakartas main international airport and the Batam ferry terminal. Indonesias health ministry has also urged Indonesians to postpone traveling to areas that are reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases, complete their two-dose vaccination, wear masks and wash their hands and stay home should they fall sick. In Malaysia, COVID cases have almost doubled in a week, increasing to 6,796 in the week ended Dec. 2 from 3,626 the previous week. Authorities in Malaysia have said the situation is under control and isnt burdening health care facilities. With assistance from Grace Sihombing, Michelle Fay Cortez and Dong Lyu. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Description Join the Long Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Barrier Brewing Co. in Oceanside for an afternoon full of hope this holiday season! Your $60 ticket includes acces to the event with open bar (beer only), food from local restaurants, 50/50, raffles, and more! There will be karaoke in the brewhouse for those who want to join in! Non-open bar tickets available for $30. Children suffer from the spread of diseases because of an acute shortage of medications last week inside the Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, Gaza. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) JERUSALEM Israeli strikes killed one of Tahani Abu Taimas sons and one of her brothers, she says. But she fears a different killer is stalking whats left of her family: disease. The World Health Organization warns that Gazas health care system is collapsing and worrying signals of epidemic diseases are emerging. Abu Taimas 2-year-old daughter is suffering diarrhea, vomits, sneezes and is shaking from the cold and lack of food, the mother of six told The Washington Post from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The child asks me for food all the time, but I am unable to provide, Abu Taima said. Which forces me to give her anything, even if it is contaminated. Abu Taima, 42, has thyroid cancer. But shes also developed a severe respiratory infection, she says, caused, she believes, by the pollution of war: dust and other particles that linger long after Israeli bombardments. Without electricity or fuel, she burns firewood when available to warm the family, even though I am certain that the resulting smoke will kill me. She has been unable to get care. The family is sheltering in Nasser Hospital, but the overwhelmed facility is providing only limited treatment to the most severely wounded. Among patients and displaced people, crowded together without clean water or sanitation, infections spread rapidly. Abu Taima has no access to medicines. We are not alive, she said. We are dead and have living skeletons. After 10 weeks of Israels military campaign against Hamas, crowded, besieged, bombarded and famished Gaza is now fertile ground for disease. Medical personnel at Kuwaiti Hospital treat a rush of wounded people after a strike hit a house last week in central Rafah. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) Staph infections, chickenpox, rashes, urinary tract infections, meningitis, mumps, scabies, measles and food poisoning all are rising, the Gaza Health Ministry and individual doctors say. The WHO is particularly concerned about bloody diarrhea, jaundice and respiratory infections. The United Nations is tracking 14 diseases with epidemic potential, Reuters reported. The risk is expected to worsen with the deteriorating situation and approaching winter conditions, the WHO said in a statement. The conflict erupted when Hamas and allied gunmen streamed out of Gaza on Oct. 7 to attack Israeli communities. They killed 1,200 people and took 240 back to the enclave as hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at eradicating Hamas. Israeli forces have killed about 18,800 people in the enclave and wounded more than 50,000, the Gaza Health Ministry says. Now, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said this month, health needs have increased dramatically, and the capacity of the health system has been reduced to one-third of what it was. Two-thirds of primary-care centers are closed, the WHO says; 11 of Gazas 36 hospitals are partially functioning. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees is operating nine of its 28 primary health clinics. Nearly 85 percent of Gazans have been forced from their homes, and about 1.3 million people live in shelters where theres an average of one toilet for every 220 people and one shower for every 4,500. There is particular concern about outbreaks in Rafah, where almost half of the enclaves 2.1 million people are sheltering in homes, schools, camps and streets. Israel told Palestinians to go to the southern city for their safety. Children have been hit hard. Cases of diarrhea in children jumped 66 percent from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10, and among adults the figure is 55 percent, according to WHO data assessed by Reuters. Naima Al-Tatri and her children have moved four times since Oct. 7. The family now lives in a tent outside a school in Rafah. My children have digestive problems and vomit all the time, and I cannot find a way to treat them, said Al-Tatri, 37. Hospitals are full. There are no services at all. No international organizations have visited us. I wonder, she said: Where is the world regarding our suffering? Hala Afshour, 16, is battling chickenpox, a respiratory illness, digestive problems and a urinary tract infection, on top of preexisting liver problems, she told The Post. Five years ago, Hala had surgery so she would no longer need dialysis. But since the war began, she said, she hasnt been able to find the medications she takes. She and her six sisters moved twice around Gaza City before arriving last month in Rafah. Theyre staying in a school crowded with fellow displaced people. Their father stayed behind to care for his blind, elderly mother. In Rafah, Hala said, she and her sisters developed respiratory problems. Then some strange bubbles began to appear on my body, she said. A doctor told her it was chickenpox and gave her a lotion. Shes supposed to apply the lotion twice a day, but there is no place for me to have my privacy. Shes in constant pain, she said, and cant sleep. Her clothes rub against the chickenpox papules. She has a headache, bone pain and fever. The urinary tract infection, she said, developed because he was unable to use the bathroom regularly due to the large number of displaced people and long lines in the school. Even before the war, health care needs in Gaza were acute. Many Gazans already suffered from complex health issues. Hospitals were hobbled by frequent power outages and shortages of medicine. Gazans with severe conditions were required to secure difficult-to-obtain Israeli permits to leave the enclave for treatment. A vehicle sits idle Dec. 16, 2023, in Rafah in southern Gaza. A severe fuel shortage caused by the war has worsened a transportation crisis. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) Abdul Hamid Qadouha, 14, had an appointment and permission to go to Israel to treat a head injury on Oct. 8, his father said. He never made it. After the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, Israel sealed the enclave and launched airstrikes. A week into the war, Saif al-din Qadouha said, the family of 11 fled their home in Karama for the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Soon after their arrival, Qadouha said, his son became tired. He wasnt hungry. He grew pale and his eyes yellowed. Viral hepatitis, a doctor told them. After a strike nearby, the family fled to Rafah, where they live in a tent at a school. Theres no way to stay clean, Qadouha said. They get some water only every three or four days from the United Nations. Qadouha is panicking as his sons condition worsens. I didnt lose my children to missiles, but now Im watching them die of disease, he said. Mohamed Madi, a physician, spent the first five weeks of the war at the Rantisi childrens cancer hospital in Gaza City. In November, Israel ordered the hospital to evacuate. Madi carried some patients out and left for Rafah. He and his family live in a school housing about 2,000 people with no medical care. U.N.-run facilities typically have small clinics. But there are no such facilities in the government-run schools where thousands of Palestinians have settled. Madi and some medical colleagues have started a small clinic in the school. We began dealing with cases specifically of people infected with chickenpox, scabies, intestinal infections and chest infections, he said. We received a number of cases infected with hepatitis A. Displaced Gazan doctors and nurses elsewhere have launched similar clinics. Israel has sharply cut the flow of medical aid into Gaza, but it has approved the entry of materials for field hospitals in the south funded by countries such as the United Arab Emirates. There are standing hospitals throughout Gaza that can and should be used, safely, without the risk of the bombardment, siege or deprivation of critical supplies including fuel, water and essential medicines, said Tanya Haj-Hassan, a physician with Doctors Without Borders who has worked in Gaza. Foreign-funded initiatives, she said, are only a Band-Aid for dealing with the spread of diseases. Harb reported from London. President Joe Biden speaks to more than 1,000 service members to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 during a remembrance ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2023. (Ian Morales/U.S. Army) When President Biden cautioned Israel this week that it was losing international support due to the war in Gaza, he could just as well have been warning that his own administration also has a lot to lose. Elected three years ago as the self-described most experienced foreign policy president in history, Biden promised to reclaim the mantle of global leadership as a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security. Following the isolationist Trump years, he proclaimed, America is back. There have been ups and downs since then, from the Afghanistan withdrawal fiasco to the return to primacy at NATO, a successful mobilization of aid for Ukraine and a jittery coexistence with China. Now, there is acknowledgment within Bidens administration that his unwavering support for Israels right to destroy Hamas - even as he acknowledges Israeli excesses and presses the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be more protective of innocent Palestinian lives - could impose a price on the presidents standing at home and abroad. Diplomatic cost can be an intangible thing, a senior administration official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. On balance, you want countries to look favorably on the United States, to be willing to support it, to want to cooperate. But when public opinion in so many countries is hostile, it makes it harder to win support on issues we care about. This administration has prided itself on repairing ties across the world and working with allies and partners. Its not something you want to see, being isolated in the region and elsewhere, the official said. Thats part of the message to Israel - its not even helpful to them if we are feeling such pressure. Which we are. The most obvious isolation is in international forums such as the United Nations, where the United States has been virtually alone in opposing Security Council resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. This week, as the 193-member General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a similar measure, the administration was joined by only nine other countries - including only Czechia among NATO members - in voting no. Being in a small U.N. minority, especially where Israel is concerned, is nothing new for Washington. On this issue, the United States stands pretty much alone, and has for a very long time, said Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a former U.S. ambassador to NATO. Since the early 1970s, the United States has vetoed dozens of resolutions deemed critical of Israel. Massive Israeli retaliation for attacks by militant Islamists is also well-trodden ground. Although the scale of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, when 1,200 Israelis were brutally killed and about 240 hostages were taken, was more awful than anything Israel has ever seen, the pattern whereby Israel reacts and keeps on reacting even though we all ask them to stop, thats not new, said a senior European diplomat, also speaking on the condition of anonymity about the ongoing conflict. I dont think theyve lost credibility, the diplomat said of the Biden administration. The Israelis didnt want to do the pauses, in combat operations that ultimately allowed many of the hostages to be freed, or to let aid in to suffering Gaza civilians. [Secretary of State Antony] Blinken and Biden got them to do so. . . . Theyre small things; it would be much better if there were more things and bigger things. It is not just friendly foreign partners who are urging the Biden administration to do more. Some White House, State Department and U.S. aid officials have now gone public with their objections to Bidens unwavering support for Israel, arguing that the Gaza conflict could have larger ramifications for U.S. leadership. In its efforts to woo the Global South away from Moscow and China, Washington has called Russias invasion of Ukraine a colonial war of aggression. Yet for many, Israels war on Gaza looks virtually the same. Israel was attacked, and it has a right to self-defense, Daalder said. But it is doing so in a territory it occupies, and which the entire world thinks is occupied territory. On the one hand, were trying to get other countries to oppose what Russia is doing in Ukraine, while on the other hand were trying to have them support what Israel is doing in Gaza. It makes the argument harder to maintain, he said. Even war has rules, said U.N. General Assembly President Dennis Francis, of Trinidad and Tobago, in opening this weeks session on a cease-fire resolution, and it is imperative that we prevent any deviation from these principles and values, the validity of which resides in their universal application. Some of the harshest words have come from close U.S. partners in the Middle East. It was a despicable sign of double standards, Egypts U.N. Ambassador Osama Abdelkhalek told the assembly, when those who call for ending aggression and occupation and for respecting international humanitarian law in specific cases . . . unfortunately and shamelessly, they turn their backs on . . . other situations, especially when concerning Palestinians. U.S. officials acknowledge that the administrations support for Israels right to continue its siege of Gaza has set it apart from partner countries. But they insist they have not seen any nations halt cooperation or change their stances on unrelated matters. They acknowledge that such spillover effects could occur as the conflict deepens, but cite a potential positive effect: that America is showing its resolve to stand by friends, even when it is unpopular. And they attribute much of the Arab criticism to those governments need to placate their own citizens anger with vocal support for the plight of Palestinians. But key partners in the region are deeply unhappy, potentially scuttling a path forward. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi of Jordan, a critical ally in Washingtons goal of building a long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians, has been among the most publicly outspoken. How could anybody talk about the future of Gaza when we do not know what kind of Gaza will be left once this aggression is over? Safadi told a recent conference in Bahrain. People are being killed day in and day out, he said. And then were supposed to come and clean the mess after Israel. Thats not going to happen. The administrations position, while holding fast to its insistence that Israel no lasting peace would come to Gaza until Hamas is militarily destroyed, has steadily evolved since the Oct. 7 attacks. The instinct on day one was to be very clear about Israels right to self-defense, the senior administration official said. [B]ut even from the start, we took the position that when Israel responded it must do so consistent with the rules of war, allowing humanitarian assistance in and doing as much as possible to limit civilian casualties. The latter message became even more pronounced as conditions deteriorated and Gaza came under withering Israel air and ground attacks, with a rising civilian death toll and the enclave increasingly turned to rubble. Washington began hearing complaints and criticism, not just from friends, but all over the world. Not just internationally, but domestically, the official said. In visits to the region, Blinken was increasingly outspoken in his insistence that Israel needed to show not just the intent, but the actions necessary to protect civilians. Vice President Harris, after meetings in Dubai with Arab leaders earlier this month said that As Israel defends itself, it matters how. The United States is unequivocal: International humanitarian law must be respected. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. This week, Biden warned that Israel was starting to lose [international] support by the indiscriminate bombing that takes place, and intimated that a change in Netanyahus extreme right-wing government might prove the answer. The presidents comments brought a flood of questions as to whether Biden was accusing Israel of war crimes, or perhaps misspoke. I dont think Biden made a mistake, Daalder said. I think he believes this. . . . Hes been quite clear that he is absolutely fed up with the Israeli government. The question for Biden is at what point do you say enough? he added. The European diplomat put it another way. I think Biden has probably been listened to more than one might have expected. Which isnt to say Netanyahu is listening to him a lot. Netanyahu has not hesitated in the past to thumb his nose at U.S. presidents, most memorably when he addressed a joint session of Congress in 2015. The appearance had been arranged by the Republican House leadership without the knowledge of the Obama administration, and Republican lawmakers applauded loudly as Netanyahu denounced U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, a major foreign policy initiative of President Barack Obama. Democrats called it an insult, and many, including then-Vice President Biden, refused to attend the speech. While Republican lawmakers are now criticizing Biden for what they charge is an attempt to interfere in Israels own policies, some regional experts and former U.S. foreign policy officials have urged the president to be more bold in showing the rest of the world that he can follow words with actions where the Palestinians are concerned. Biden pledged during his campaign to reopen the U.S. consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Liberation Office in Washington, both closed by President Donald Trump, and to reverse the former presidents rejection of a U.S. legal opinion on the illegality of West Bank settlements. Biden has done none of those things. As a longtime supporter of Israel, I dont think he has to be on the defensive about this, Daalder said of Biden. Hes earned his stripes. Missy Ryan contributed to this report. I regret doing this but I had to A violent burglar who opted to spend one last Christmas with his dying father instead of returning to prison following temporary release has been handed a two month jail sentence. Sentencing 31-year-old Emmanuel Henry at Antrim Crown Court Judge RoseAnne McCormick KC said in her view, given the fact that Henry was able to explain his reasons for flouting prison rules, it was a case of high culpability and one where significant deterrence is required. Inevitably the sentence must be imposed consecutively to the sentence the defendant is already serving, the judge ordered, putting Henrys earliest release date back from April to June next year. Standing in the dock of the court Henry, from Eliza Street Terrace in the Markets area of Belfast but whose address was given as c/o HMP Magilligan, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of being unlawfully at large from 22 December last year. Instead of asking for the case to be adjourned to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, defence counsel Chris Sherard asked the judge to deal Wirth the case as Henry was eager to have it concluded as he is waiting a ruling from the parole Commissioners in the coming weeks. Submitting that Henry was not unlawfully at large for an excessive period, he argued that the justice of the case could be met by either a suspended sentence or a combination order, stressing that no further offences had been committed and Henry had not abused alcohol or drugs in the time he was UAL. Rehearsing the facts of the case during her sentencing remarks however, Judge McCormick said she could not accept Henry was at large for a less than excessive period. She recounted how Henry signed an agreement to be granted temporary release for 28 and a half hours from 21 December last year so he was due to return by 2pm on 22nd December. Henry failed to return and only surrendered himself to police at the end of January 23 but Judge McCormick said she noted that henrys father died on 14 January with the funeral having taken place on 18 January. The defendant told police that having been freed, he found his father in the latter stages of prostate cancer and deteriorating rapidly and when he told his dad he wouldnt be spending Christmas with him as he had to go back to HMP Magilligan, his dying dad cried like a baby and begged him to stay with him. Henry explained that fearing there was some kind of vendetta against him where he was likely to be put under rule 32 and into solitary confinement with no prospect of getting further temporary compassionate leave whole his dad died, he opted not to return. I know it was wrong, I didnt want to go UAL but I would not have gotten out to see my father and I wouldve regretted that for all my life, Henry told police, I regret doing this but I had to. Henry was originally jailed for four years at Belfast Crown Court in May 2017 for a burglary which was so violent, he reportedly gave himself Post Traumatic Stress Disorder That court heard how Henry had broken into a house in south Belfast in July 2015 but when confronted by the occupant, he smashed a vodka bottle over the man's head and stabbed him repeatedly in the arm and chest with the broken bottle. The victim sustained several serious wounds including a laceration to his lung which narrowly missed his heart and despite offering the injured man help after he stabbed him by showing him how to stem the blood with a duvet, Henry then held a knife to his throat and demanded he hand over money and his mobile. During the incident, Henry also told the man "sorry mate, wrong house and afterwards, Henry suffered flashbacks and nightmares following the incident and was later diagnosed with elements of PTSD. He was assessed as a dangerous offender at the time and in court on Thursday, Judge McCormick said it was clear that Henry is a defendant who has faced a number of challenges in his life. She told the court given his 67 previous convictions, Henry had extensive experience of custody so he would have been aware of the consequences for failing to surrender himself and as such, it clearly passes the custody threshold. Imposing the jail sentence, the judge repeated the need for a deterrent sentence and one which must be served consecutively. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman has this morning called the news deeply disturbing. A still image taken from a video showing the blaze at the Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway The incident at the disused Ross Lake House hotel in Rosscahill, Oughterard, Co Galway, occurred at around 11.35pm last night and fire services brought it under control. No one was inside at the time and the building was extensively damaged. Close-up video of the blaze is being shared on social media by accounts supportive of Irelands far right. A garda spokesperson said officers are investigating a criminal damage incident by fire which occurred at the premises in Rosscahill. The Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will take place later today, they said. Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them at Clifden Garda Station 095 22500 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The Department of Integration had said on Friday that it planned to use the building to house 70 international protection applicants from later next week, with a one-year contract. After the news emerged there were protests outside on Saturday, with protesters blockading the entrance to the hotel. It is understood the privately owned hotel has been disused for some time. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman called the news deeply disturbing. "Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it, he wrote on social media. A still image taken from a video showing the blaze at the Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth condemned any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants and any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. In a statement, a spokesperson said: The Department is working to offer shelter to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and condemns any violence or intimidation towards International Protection applicants. All those seeking protection have a right to safety while their application is examined. The Department also strongly condemns any alleged attempts to drive division and hostility towards those who come to Ireland seeking asylum. Acts such as these achieve nothing but endanger people's lives and homes. The incident in Galway is currently under investigation by An Garda Siochana. Local Independent councillor Thomas Welby condemned the fire, but said the Government had questions to answer over the plans to house asylum seekers at the hotel. "The first I knew about this plan to house people was at 12 minutes to three on Friday when I and other elected reps got an email from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about it, he said. "But it wasn't a 'consultation' document, it was more like a 'confirmation' document. This is not acceptable. It is a bolt out of the blue. We were communicated with when it was a done deal. That isn't consultation. "I went up to the blockade yesterday and it was peaceful, but local people are concerned about the plan. He condemned the blaze. "The fire last night has shocked, disappointed and upset people. A local man said it was like a death in the family. Many people locally has memories of family celebrations in the hotel, and of working in it, and they are saddened today to see what happened. They don't feel that the fire was appropriate. "Local people I spoke to are extremely upset that this action was taken. I don't want the local community to be vilified." Senator Pauline OReilly said: "Im disgusted at this fire in my constituency and at the attitude of local politicians over the past couple of days. "I beg of people to show their common humanity. Speaking to This Week on RTE Radio One, the Galway-based politician and Green Party chair said the incident was unacceptable and described the behaviour as bully-boy tactics. "Obviously, there is a criminal investigation underway, but I think that all of the actions that have taken place there are pure intimidation. "I am utterly disgusted by the fire thats broken out. I dont think that this is representative of Galway people, and I think what people have to remember is its not only those that are coming, legally seeking refuge but also all of those that have come to our country and the kind of fear that this instils in people I dont think is in any way acceptable. She added: "There are ways by speaking to your politicians of getting your point across but blockading a place, making people feel unwelcome when they are being legally accommodated somewhere is unacceptable in my view. Ms OReilly said it is her belief that if someplace is vacant then it should be used to accommodate people and we cant discriminate between the types of people that we want to accommodate. She called on politicians to condemn the fire at the hotel, describing it as simply not acceptable in our community. Ms OReilly said the incident was not the way to have that kind of conversation about concerns surrounding the accommodation and services. "This isnt the way to have that conversation. It isnt a conversation, its just bully-boy tactics. Another local councillor, Noel Thomas of Fianna Fail, said the hotel is an iconic building that means a lot to local people. He condemned the fire and said a lot of memories went with the hotel in the fire. "I'm not holding back. A lot of the blame needs to be laid in the lap of the Government. As long as they deal with it [immigration] the way they are dealing with it there will be more of this, he said. In terms of the sudden plan to bring in 70 refugees he said: "Some people are reduced to tears, and they are fearful. They live on quiet country lanes." Asked whether there was any evidence that people should be afraid of those proposed to be housed at the hotel, he said: Nobody knows. Uncertainty brings fear." Local Green Party councillor Alastair McKinstry said: "The hotel is not the ideal place to house people, but we had 200 Ipas [international protection] applicants sleeping out overnight in Ireland, and the hotel is better than the alternative - a tent. "We had in Galway County Council a debate about the new hate speech legislation. What we saw last night is why that legislation is needed. People are stoking up fear. There are people in organised far-right groups using social media to stoke up fear and driving people to these actions." In response to the incident, Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin tweeted: This is not who we are as people. We are so much better than this. "We must not tolerate this hatred. Dublin TD Aodhan O Riordain also said the incident in Rosscahill was absolutely disgusting, adding: What is wrong with this country of ours? Have we completely forgotten who we are? The Labour TD shared a Bible verse from Matthew 25:36-40, adding: The not all men crowd are telling us to be afraid of all immigrant men. The conservative Christian crowd wholl sing about no room at the inn next week are saying theres no room at the inn. Christians who dont know the meaning of the word. Also reacting to the incident on social media, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said this cant be allowed go on, adding: Those who commit these crimes must feel the full weight of the law. Too many times, those whove burnt the tents of migrants, whove harassed library staff, torched buildings have felt no consequences. No more can this be facilitated by our weak (government). As the Government struggles to accommodate asylum seekers and more than 80,000 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, plans to house people in locations around the country such as vacant buildings and hotels have met with opposition in many cases from local people and far right activists. More to follow... The now-deceased gangster Cyril McGuinness, also known as Dublin Jimmy, was suspected of being involved in the scheme. Ex-mayor Frank Kilbride please guilty to three charges of laundering 2.6m A former Fine Gael politician and showband star who this week admitted laundering more than 2.6million is believed to have been involved in the scheme with the notorious gangster known as Dublin Jimmy. Former two-time mayor of Co Longford Frank Kilbride (69), of Aughakilmore, Ballinalee in the county, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering at a sitting of Longford District Court this week. The former hotelier, who was a Fine Gael councillor from 1999 to 2014, is a well-known figure in the world of country music and has appeared on national TV. He is also a former presenter on a local radio station. He was celebrated at a tribute night in Longford in August which was attended by a host of stars from the world of music and sport, who had no idea of his involvement in money laundering. Kilbride is now awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to laundering the money on various dates between September 2017 and March 2019. The Sunday World can reveal that the now-deceased gangster Cyril McGuinness, also known as Dublin Jimmy, was suspected of being involved in the scheme. Cyril McGuinness, aka Dublin Jimmy McGuinness, who was centrally involved in attacks on Quinn Industrial Holdings and is believed to have orchestrated the kidnapping and torture of its chief operations officer Kevin Lunney, is claimed to have called to Kilbrides home and threatened him in relation to the money laundering operation. A source close to Kilbride claimed the former politician got caught up in the money laundering operation through another criminal from Cavan who was an associate of McGuinness. The source said Kilbride wanted the operation to end but was then visited by Dublin Jimmy who made threats to him. Dublin Jimmy told him in no uncertain terms that the money laundering wasnt going to stop, the source said. He then came back to Kilbride another time and threatened him with a firearm. Ex-mayor Frank Kilbride please guilty to three charges of laundering 2.6m McGuinness suffered a fatal heart attack while UK Police were searching a house he was staying in the Buxton area in England on November 8, 2019. The search was part of a multi-agency investigation into the abduction and torture of Mr Lunney. After McGuinness death, Kilbride thought that would be the end of the intimidation but associates of the gangster then started making more threats. He thought that was the end of it but then he had another visit after that from a gang of men. The source added that on another occasion associates of McGuinness are claimed to have assaulted someone known to Kilbride when they couldnt find him. Kevin Lunney McGuinness, who had 50 convictions and was originally from Swords in Dublin, ran a gang which operated on both sides of the Irish border who were involved in a wide range of criminal activity, including smuggling, the theft of ATMS, violent attacks and money laundering. He also republican links. He amassed a vast fortune from criminality by the time of his death, estimated in some circles to be up to 10m. He was believed to have been paid more than 1m for organising the Quinn Industrial Holdings attacks. There is no suggestion Frank Kilbride was involved in the attacks on Quinn Industrial Holdings or Kevin Lunney. A number of McGuinnesss associates have been jailed for their involvement in the attack on Lunney but McGuinness died before he could face justice. The so-called paymaster behind the attack has never been brought to justice but the investigation is still ongoing. Former Quinn boss Sean Quinn has publicly said he was not the paymaster. Kilbride got into serious financial trouble during the property crash after a land development deal to build a housing estate in Longford went wrong and left him massively in debt. Around the same time of the difficulty, he was arrested by gardai on suspicion of drink driving. He told officers at the scene: Do you know who I am, you cant do me for drink driving?, after he crashed his car while being pursued by garda. In another incident in March 2013, gardai came across Kilbride after he crashed his car into a ditch in Longford and once again he was slurring his speech, was unsteady on his feet and had a smell of alcohol from his breath He was charged with failing to give a breath sample and while the judge said there was no doubt he clearly had a large amount to drink, the case was struck out because he was not given the option to provide blood or urine samples. Frank Kilbride (right) with then Taoiseach Enda Kenny Kilbride was also before the courts in 2013 after the Director of Corporate Enforcement took a case against him and his hotel company Ballyrye Ltd for failing to keep proper accounts. The defendants were each charged with offences under section 202 of the Companies Act 1990, which requires the keeping of proper books of account. The three charges against the company related to the financial periods ending August 2009, August 2010 and August 2011. The single charge against Kilbride related to the financial period ended August 2011. On a plea of guilty by each of the accused, the Court, having thought the case proven, proceeded (under Section 1 (1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 to dismiss the charges and directed the defendants to pay prosecution costs totalling 1,250, within a period of three months from the date of the Court Order. In 2019, Kilbride was back in court after Park House Hotel Ltd, which he ran, was convicted for what was referred to as probably one of the highest cases of ESB fraud to be detected in the Midlands in a decade. The electricity meter at the hotel had been interfered with and was found to be undercharging by two-thirds to an amount totaling 37,126.70 between August 2012 and November 2015. ESB workers told the court that when they spoke to Kilbride about it he told them he owned the hotel but said he knew nothing about the meter tampering. Judge Seamus Hughes said that was not a satisfactory explanation and Kilbride would have noticed his bill was way down. Judge Hughes said: His performance here today has been abysmal and if he was the defendant, hed be going to jail. Okay? Mr Kilbride no longer has any involvement in the hotel. Judge Hughes imposed the maximum fine of 5,000 and ordered Park House Hotel Ltd to also pay the 1,350 in legal costs. Kilbride appeared in court in Longford this week and pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering totalling 2.6m. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on January 9, 2024. logo sign in office lobby space_alibaba_ The case for not owning a stake in China's e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) has been strong enough since late 2020. That's when the rapid growth of online shopping spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic started to slow down. And that's also when regulators in Beijing began a sweeping crackdown on many of China's top technology companies. Economic malaise stemming from the country's long-lived COVID-19 lockdowns has crimped much of China's consumerism in the meantime. As the old saying goes though, nothing lasts forever. The forces that have driven Alibaba shares down more than 75% from their 2020 peak are not only quietly abating, but they may have already reversed course. Alibaba stock should do the same soon enough. Green shoots popping up in China China's economy still has problems, to be sure. Chief among them is its real estate market. Not unlike what's taken shape within the United States, China's real estate prices soared to unsustainable levels last year and early this year. Now, those prices are unraveling, although according to Oxford Economics, it could take between four and six years for the nation's real estate prices to fully stabilize. There are enough green shoots popping up elsewhere in China, however, to give Alibaba a much-needed lift. Take last month's industrial output as an example. China's factories made 6.6% more goods in November than they did in the same month a year earlier. That's not just an improvement on October's year-over-year growth pace of 4.6% -- that's the fastest growth in China's industrial output seen in nearly two years. The country's consumers are doing their part, too. Although the figure actually fell short of the expected growth of 12.5%, last month's retail sales growth of 10.1% is still impressive even if it's being compared to a lockdown-stymied year-ago number. It's also the fourth straight month China's retail consumption growth rate has accelerated. Story continues This tailwind is proving particularly bullish for e-commerce platforms like Alibaba's. The country's postal service reports it delivered a record-breaking 120 billion packages this year as of the first full week of this month, already eclipsing the entirety of last year's tally by 8.5%. Don't be surprised to see more of the same going forward as Beijing is promising more stimulus (especially on the real estate front). Alibaba is rightfully regrouping its e-commerce business Alibaba isn't just e-commerce, of course. While its Tmall and Taobao online shopping platforms were already firing on all cylinders before October and November's retail sales data showed accelerating growth in the region, these businesses only account for about half of the company's top line. The other half comes from cloud computing, logistics, digital content and apps, and localized business services. With the exception of its Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, all of these other profit centers are growing faster than Alibaba's e-commerce business; the broad economic tailwinds driving strong retail sales growth works in these non-consumer-facing businesses' favor, too. It's an overhaul of Alibaba's e-commerce arm, though, that's arguably going to light a new fire under its stock. Yes, it would be naive to ignore the advent of Temu parent PDD Holdings' e-commerce presence. It's a competitive problem for Alibaba both inside and outside of China. PDD has been working to penetrate overseas e-commerce markets, and it's also cleverly working with wholesalers and distributors (as opposed to retailers) to source many of the goods it sells online via Temu. Moreover, PDD's Temu is making inroads in overseas markets by helping brands navigate the complexities of simply selling to foreign buyers, something Alibaba arguably didn't do quite as well. Alibaba is finally responding, however. For instance, earlier this month, the company unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chat platform built from the ground up specifically to serve southeast Asia's sellers and shoppers. It's an important development simply because the region's e-commerce market is now one of the faster-growing ones. Moreover, Alibaba's AI-powered chat tool isn't something PDD's Temu can readily replicate. It's also worth noting that this technology likely just marks the new beginning of innovation Alibaba should have been doing anyway once Temu started getting too big to ignore. As co-founder Jack Ma said in a pleading memo delivered to Alibaba employees last month, it's time for the company he created to "correct its course." Alibaba stock is worth the volatility ahead Alibaba's turning the corner. However, just because the worst of the economic headwinds are in the past and its problems are now clearly defined doesn't mean the road to recovery will be easily navigated. Expect some stumbles from the company and the stock. Any such short-term setbacks are worth waiting out for long-term investors though. Priced at only a little more than 8 times this year's projected earnings and less than 8 times next year's earnings -- which should be up 9% year over year on comparable sales growth -- this stock's got room for much more upside, even if it won't get there in a straight line. In this vein, of the 59 analysts keeping tabs on this ticker, 43 of them rate it as a strong buy. Their consensus price target of $118.66 is also 59% above the stock's present price. Analysts can be wrong, but that's a strong majority calling out the shares as undervalued given the company's known risks and prospects. Don't overthink this one. Should you invest $1,000 in Alibaba Group right now? 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The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 Growth Stock Down 77% to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Five-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition while creche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh is also still being treated in hospital, having suffered numerous serious knife injuries. It's 'not right' for people to connect crime with migration - Leo Varadkar on Parnell Square stabbings The chief suspect in the stabbing of three children and a creche worker outside a school on Dublins Parnell Square last month was reported to have been hanging around the area on the morning of the attack. Detectives tracing the movements of the man have been told by a number of witnesses that he was seen close to Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire hours before. However, he was not considered a threat at the time and was not reported to gardai. It has also emerged that, before the attack, the gaelscoil had been liaising with gardai about general anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the school. However, the suspect did not feature in that engagement, and it is believed he never came to the attention of staff or pupils. The attack, on November 23, led to protests in the city that erupted into rioting. The suspect attacked the children and their creche worker outside the school at around 1.30pm. He stabbed three children and Leanne Flynn Keogh, who threw herself in front of the attacker to protect the children. A five-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition. Her mother has shared on social media that her daughter has shown incredible strength. The two other children who were stabbed were discharged from hospital. Several passers-by intervened to overpower and disarm the suspect as he was attacking the children. GoFundMe pages set up for Ms Flynn and the children, as well as for the passersby who helped, have raised hundreds of thousands of euro. Gardai are still waiting to interview the chief suspect, who was placed in an induced coma following the assault. Although he has recovered consciousness, he remains in a serious condition in hospital, where gardai are maintaining a presence. It is unlikely he will be questioned imminently, the source said. The suspect is an Algerian-born man who became a naturalised Irish citizen. Detectives have yet to establish a motive for the attack. They have examined laptops from his home and found no evidence of an interest in terrorism or extremism. He lived in sheltered housing in Dublin city centre and sources say he was known locally as a loner. According to the evidence taken from his devices, in the months before the knife attack, the pressing issue on his mind appeared to be the belief that he was not getting his full social welfare entitlements. He was in contact with family members, who have also settled in Ireland. They have been helping gardai with their investigation. As soon as doctors deem him fit for questioning, the suspect will be arrested. Its absolutely dire, theyre running out of trolleys, they (paramedics) have to wait to hand over to a nurse, that could take three hours sometimes" PATIENTS arriving by ambulance at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) last week faced up to two hours wait to be triaged due to overcrowding in the emergency department, its been claimed. A source revealed to sundayworld.com that the crisis-hit hospital was running out of trolleys as huge numbers attended the emergency department. Its absolutely dire, theyre running out of trolleys, they (paramedics) have to wait to hand over to a nurse, that could take three hours sometimes", they said. Theyre waiting at least two hours just to get the patient triaged. A local source working in healthcare added that older people are now afraid to attend the hospital due to the ongoing overcrowding. They said: Its never-ending. Most of the elderly patients will not go into A&E. Theyre refusing point blank. About 50pc of people coming into the treatment centres, they wont go to A&E. Thats the situation. Campaigners held a remembrance vigil at UHL. Photo: Mid West Hospital Campaign Last Monday, December 11, almost 750 people were waiting nationwide to be admitted to a hospital bed, with the largest numbers waiting at UHL. A staggering 109 people were waiting on Monday, with the figure rising to 113 by Thursday, December 14. The Mid West Hospital Campaign group estimate that 2,701 people waited for a bed at UHL in November 2023 alone. These figures are collated from the official Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisations (INMO) Monday Friday Trolley watch count with Saturday and Sunday figures calculated as an average of the previous five days as there is no weekend count. A remembrance vigil organised by the Mid West Hospital Campaign for those affected by the overcrowding was held at UHL on Sunday. A spokesperson said: This vigil is to remember the thousands who have spent time in the emergency department lying on trolleys, sitting on chairs, in an overcrowded and dysfunctional emergency department. "There are increasing concerns over the developments in our health provision in the region which is not being reflected other than in local media and from those who have no choice but to attend the emergency department at UHL. Despite the promises made to the population of over 400,000 from Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, the numbers on trolleys have increased throughout the year. Political parties both in Government and Opposition have NOT and will not commit to reopening our emergency departments as evidenced by their own words in the media, at committee meetings including the recent appearance of this campaign at the Petitions and Ombudsman Committee. In recent weeks we have witnessed UHL group (management) attempt to dismiss research which has been validated by IAEM (an organisation of doctors working in Emergency Medicine (EM), including consultants in EM, doctors in training in the specialty and other doctors involved in or with an interest in EM) on the number of deaths as a direct result of delays in emergency departments. A spokesperson for the HSE told sundayworld.com: "Our acute hospitals have been busy this week with significant numbers of patients on trolleys awaiting an in-patient bed. The HSE regrets that any patient has a bad experience while waiting to access our services including those who have to wait in emergency departments beyond an acceptable timeframe. "In particular, the HSE acknowledges that long waiting times are very difficult for older people and those who find themselves in vulnerable situations and we remain committed to trying to ensure that their care and comfort will be a priority even when some waiting is unavoidable. "This year has seen some improvement on the position over last year and we intend to pursue that continuously in the coming weeks. "As we did with critical periods during the year we have made available additional supports to all hospital and community services where the support is directly linked to emergency department (ED) avoidance, a better management of flow in ED, a speedy flow in hospital and a fully supported discharge into the Community. The HSE is urges the public to consider all care options, including their GPs, pharmacists, local injury units and out of hours services before presenting at EDs. "As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. We urge those in target groups to avail of the vaccines available against flu and Covid-19. I dont know what to say its the most amazing Christmas ever John O'Donnell, who lived in a former slaughterhouse, has now moved into his own home A man who lived for more than seven years in an abandoned, freezing slaughterhouse said Christmas came early for him when he secured his own home. John ODonnell (63) fought back tears as friends, neighbours and community campaigners organised a special festive celebration to mark his first Christmas in his new Cork property. I dont know what to say its the most amazing Christmas ever, Mr ODonnell said as he was presented with gifts and was serenaded with Christmas carols outside his new front door by a school choir from Terence MacSwiney Community College. Blackpool locals decided they wanted to do something special for Mr ODonnell whose story had touched local hearts last summer. A school spokesman said they were absolutely honoured to have been part of such a special occasion for Mr ODonnell. John is not only set to spend his first Christmas in his new home at Maddens Buildings but he is revelling in life in the first private home he has ever enjoyed. He had worked in the Cork slaughterhouse for decades. As his personal circumstances worsened, he ended up sleeping in the slaughterhouse canteen at night before starting his day shift in the factory. When the plant closed seven years ago, Mr ODonnell resorted to sleeping in the abandoned factory because he had nowhere else to go. For the past four decades, the abandoned plant was the only home he ever knew. In that time, his only comfort was his pet dog. Mr ODonnells plight was highlighted in a Virgin Media programme on the living conditions of some vulnerable people and Cork campaigner Paddy OBrien wanted to help. Mr OBrien said it was shocking to realise the conditions in which the 63-year-old was living with the property having a leaking roof, damp and mould on the walls and in a state of complete disrepair. Mr ODonnells new home which was organised in conjunction with Cork City Council is at Maddens Buildings in Blackpool, one of the most historic structures in the Cork suburb. Fittingly, Blackpool was famous in the 18th and 19th centuries as the centre of Corks cattle export trade. The building was fully refurbished for Mr ODonnell. He fought back tears last June when he formally took possession of the property. I was 40 years [in the old place]. It was tough but I used to walk around in the fields. I wasnt lonely to be honest. I was used to it. But it was cold. City Hall was very good to me. And I also want to thank Paddy OBrien, Virgin Media and RedFM for all they have done for me, he said. It is a brilliant house. A grand, grand little place. When Mr ODonnells plight was highlighted earlier this year, he simply said: I dont want to be a bother... if it wasnt too much trouble (to have a home of his own). He received a warm welcome from the Maddens Buildings community, many of whom invited him for tea once he had moved in. Mr ODonnell, who has a Christmas tree up and the entire property festooned with Christmas lights, admitted he couldnt wait for Christmas and to be able to spend the festive season in warmth and comfort. Although he has been stripped of guardianship rights, Moody will be able to apply for supervised visits with his son Nicola had been diagnosed two years before she met Garda Paul Moody Coercive control survivor Nicola Hanney has said she will leave the country to keep her child safe. The Dublin woman, who was subjected to four-year harassment and abuse campaign by former garda Paul Moody, was speaking as it emerged that he could be released from prison as early as next December. And although he has been stripped of guardianship rights, Moody will be able to apply for supervised visits with his son, according to The Irish Times. He will then be able to reapply for the restoration of parental rights, although a judge will make that decision. He will be determined, Hanney told the Irish Times. He will do the supervised access until he gets unsupervised access. Then Im back in the same position. The law in Ireland does not protect me. Because you had intercourse with someone and had a child with them, does that give them the right to destroy the rest of your life? Disgraced garda Paul Moody If I have to leave the country to keep my child safe, I will. However, she is hoping that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will agree to a meeting where they can discuss proposals to change the law. I have not started this for nothing. At the end of the day something has to be done, she added. In July last year, Moody was jailed for three years and three months for the coercive control of his seriously-ill partner. Speaking on RTEs Upfront with Katie Hannon, Nicola said she doesnt take a minute of her life for granted now. The Dublin hairdresser appeared on the programme alongside her family and friends after featuring in an RTE documentary titled Taking Back Control, which detailed how she met Mr Moody on a dating app and fell in love. The pair then went on to have a child together as his violent and controlling behaviour escalated. She had been given the all-clear from cancer the year before she met Moody but mid-way through her pregnancy, she discovered a lump on her breast. Nicola said: I feel that if I dont break my silence how can I send a positive message to other people that are living in these situations. Its very difficult to actually believe that was my life at one time but Im just so glad that Im one of the survivors because there are so many women out there that havent got the same story to tell. The mother-of-one said she decided to break her silence in order to encourage other victims to come forward and said there is no shame in telling the truth. Since this has happened to me, I find other women are coming forward to me already about their friend or somebody that they work with. I feel like theres a lot of judgement out there, as in I think women should be supporting women and men also, she said. At the end of the day, no one should have to live in these situations. For now, I have the rest of my life to live. My life was horrendous for them years, but now I want to give people a positive message that you do not have to live like this, its wrong. Nicola had been diagnosed two years before she met Garda Paul Moody There are all different forms of abuse. When youre put in these situations its impossible to leave. I found myself going into shock so many times every time these things happened. She urged people to look out for any early warning signs within a relationship that may be considered red flags. When you go on a date or you meet somebody, listen very clearly to how they speak about their past relationships, she said. Nicola said her life is absolutely fantastic at the moment. Adding: Im with all my lovely family, friends, my beautiful boy and Im just enjoying every single day. Nicola said she believes that a lot of things have to change in this country and that children have no voice in similar circumstances. Im one of the lucky victims, Im alive. There are so many people who havent survived. Things have to change. We have to be heard, if we want the cycle to change in this country, the law has to change also, she said. Johnny The Rock was also nicknamed the uncrowned king of Glenflesk The inquest into the death of Johnny 'The Rock' O'Brien has returned a verdict of accidental death. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan A Glenflesk man died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning after a fire broke out in his home in the early hours of St Stephen's Day last year, an inquest into his death heard on Thursday. Coroner for South and East Kerry, Aisling Quilter, recorded a verdict of accidental death for 68-year-old John O'Brien of Drominaheera, Glenflesk. Known locally as Johnny the Rock, he lived on the main Killarney-to-Cork road and was known to many as the local farmer who always had a wave and a smile. The fatal fire left an entire community in shock. At Thursdays inquest held at Tralee Courthouse, Ms Quilter said that the origins of the fire were unknown but that tests carried out by Forensic Science Ireland inside the house showed that no accelerants - petrol, oil or spirits - were used. Unfortunately, the "intensity of the fire" meant that the gathering of evidence was very difficult. The inquest heard that the body of the deceased was located inside the back door of his house by firefighters and that medical evidence stated that Mr O'Brien's body was identified through DNA provided by his sister, Margaret Hussey. A deposition by Paudie Mangan of Killarney Fire Brigade was read out in court and told how, when arriving at the scene, he found the house belonging to John O'Brien "totally engulfed" by flames, with the fire more intense on the left hand side of the house. He said that fire-fighters attempted to gain access to the house through a first-floor window on the right hand side of the house but could not due to the flames. He added that the building was "structurally unsafe" and that the "fire was raging". The incident was brought under control at 4.29am and the body of the deceased located shortly after this Garda Declan Leader of Barraduff Garda Station gave evidence of arriving at the scene at approximately 7.25am when the fire was "dying down" and the left hand side of the house had collapsed. He said that he was satisfied that there was no evidence of accelerants discovered in the house and that there was no indication of foul play involved. Mr O'Brien's brother, who was described as "not being in the best of health", lived in the house next door and Mr O'Brien was said to visit him regularly A deposition given by a friend of the deceased, John Cronin, was read out in court and stated that he was a regular visitor to Mr O'Brien - who he described as "always in good form" - and that he had visited him at Mr O'Brien's home on December 21 of last year and that the pair went feeding cattle together. After this, the court heard that Mr Cronin accepted Mr O'Brien's invite to come into his house. Asked by the coroner if he had noticed anything unusual about the conversation between the two that day and Mr Cronin replied that he hadn't. Mr Cronin described Mr O'Brien's house as "cluttered" and that furniture and clothes had built up in Mr O'Brien's sitting room in which a stove was being used to burn mostly coal. To his knowledge, Mr Cronin said that he was only aware of one candle in Mr O'Brien's home and that was in a window upstairs. On his visit to the house on December 21, he observed no open flames, but on previous visits to the house, there had been a candle burning in the window upstairs. A verdict of accidental death was returned and sympathy was expressed to Mr O'Brien's family on their loss. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said: Army snipers dont kill civilians by accident Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has condemned the reported killing of two women inside a Gaza church (Owen Humphreys/PA) Mother and daughter Nahida and Samar were killed by an Israeli sniper attack in the Catholic church grounds in Gaza Irish bishops have condemned the Israeli army sniper attack that killed an elderly mother and her daughter sheltering at a Gaza church compound. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said: Army snipers dont kill civilians by accident. The mother and daughter, Nahida (Um Emad Anton) and Samar, were gunned down on Saturday as they were going to use the bathroom in compound of Holy Family parish in Gaza City. According to Dr Doran, the atrocity is one among the many war crimes committed against civilians on both sides in the conflict which erupted on October 7 after Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians and taking 248 hostages. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement that the majority of Gazas 1,000 Christians had taken refuge at the Holy Family parish since the start of the war. The church is now surrounded by Israeli forces, with reports water and electricity supplies have been destroyed. Earlier on Saturday a tank belonging to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) targeted and destroyed the Missionaries of Charitys convent which is home to 54 disabled people and is part of the Holy Family parish compound. The killing of the two women at the church, as well as the mistaken shooting dead by IDF soldiers of three escaped Israeli hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag, has raised questions over the conduct of Israeli forces during the war on Gaza, where more than 18,000 people have been killed so far, predominantly civilians including children. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Dr Doran said he condemned the killing of any innocent civilians, especially when it seems that they were deliberately picked-off. But condemning alone seems so futile. I also encourage people of faith to redouble their prayers for peace and, in an appropriate way, to voice their call for a ceasefire, he said. The bishop, who visited the Holy Land in 2020 and saw with my own eyes what the Palestinians, even in the relatively calmer West Bank, have to put up with, said the civilian population of Gaza cannot legitimately be denied the essentials of human life such as food, water, housing, healthcare. To do this is a crime against humanity. This one church is a focus just now, but the whole of Gaza has been a concentration camp for Palestinians for over 70 years. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has condemned the reported killing of two women inside a Gaza church (Owen Humphreys/PA) He said the Irish Governments position has been very clearly articulated over the past few months and he fully agreed with it. It is not anti-Israeli, but pro-humanitarian. It is deeply regrettable that the United States, which sees itself as a world leader and advocate of freedom, seems to be unable or unwilling to use its influence appropriately in this case, even to the point of vetoing a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, he said. According to Dr Doran, Palestinians should either be respected as citizens with the same rights and freedoms under the law, or they should be given their own state without Israeli interference. The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin posted in response to the killing of the Christian mother and daughter: When are these merciless attacks going to stop? Our prayers from Ireland go out to all those impacted and cry out for an immediate end to the violence. Pope Francis on Sunday made a heartfelt appeal for an end to the terrorism of war and condemned the Israeli military attack on Gazas Holy Family Catholic Parish. On Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Ireland has sent 50 tonnes of relief supplies for the people of Gaza, consisting of 500 family tents and 3,000 tarpaulins, which will be distributed to 1,500 families in Gaza, in partnership with Trocaire and Catholic Relief Services. A British Catholic cardinal also condemned the seemingly deliberate and callous killing of two women at a Gaza church by sniper fire. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols said he was heartbroken at the news. The information provided by the Cardinal, gives a picture of seemingly deliberate and callous killing by IDF soldiers of innocent civilians: an elderly woman and her daughter in the grounds of a church. This killing has to stop. It can never be justified. I ask all people of faith and goodwill to continue to pray for an end to this conflict by all sides. The statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, whose territory covers Cyprus, Jordan, Israel and Palestine, said the women were killed in cold blood. No warning was given, no notification was provided. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents. UK Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who has family members sheltering in the church, expressed deep concern about the situation inside the church complex. In a post on X, she said: Soldiers are at the gates and there was a fire when they hit one of the (already dysfunctional) generators. There is no water left. There are 300 people there. We dont know why this is happening. Are they going to be expelled from a church just days before Christmas? In an update on Sunday, Ms Moran said the church was surrounded by Israeli forces. McMahon, known as Johnny Smacks, sustained an injury at the duo's gig at a packed 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday night. 2 Johnnies star Johnny McMahon was had to be brought to hospital after a stunt went wrong at a gig in the 3Arena on Saturday night. McMahon, known as Johnny Smacks, sustained an injury at the duo's gig at a packed 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday night. The hurling-mad Tipperary pair were playing to almost 15,000 people at the Dublin venue when a Garth Brooks-esque guitar smash went wrong. Roscrea native Smacks was seen feeling the effects and subsequently attended hospital where it appears he has a fracture in his right hand. Johnny B took to the 2 Johnnies Instagram page to update fans on Saturday night. "Hes ok! Smashed guitars and broken bones. What's a 2 Johnnies gig without a few broken hurleys?" he said. "Thanks a million to everyone who came tonight, unbelievable scenes," he added. Fans were quick to compliment the 2FM stars, who recently completed their Late Night Lock-in series on RTE on their show, and wish Johnny Smacks a speedy recovery. One fan wrote: "Poor Smacks, thought he was just being dramatic. Great show lads." Another added: "You're going soft lad!!! Pull hard and pull Often. Speedy recovery, thanks for a great show." Scott was due to perform at the at United Center in Chicago on Friday night as part of his Utopia World Tour, inspired by his No. 1 album of the same name The reason why a concert by a well-known American rapper was cancelled in the United States last night, could lie in Ireland. Rapper and record producer Travis Scott was forced to cancel his concert in Chicago after his private jet was left grounded in Ireland. Scott was due to perform at the United Center in Chicago on Friday night as part of his Utopia World Tour, inspired by his No. 1 album of the same name. After performing in Detroit on Tuesday night, Scott flew to Saudi Arabia where he headlined the first day of the Soundstorm 2023 music festival. His private jet made a refuelling stop in Shannon on the way to the event. Travis Scott While it has not been possible to confirm whether the chart topping rapper was on board the flight, his Embraer Lineage 1000 jet arrived in Shannon from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a refuelling stop at around 1.50pm on Friday before it was due to continue onto the US a short time later. Its understood, however, that the crew reported a technical issue with the aircraft which they required to have investigated. As a result, the flights departure was delayed. After the issue had been apparently resolved, the flight departed from Shannon again at around 4.20pm. The estimated eight hour flight would have seen his jet land in Chicago at around 6.20pm (Chicago Time) less than two hours before his concert was due to begin. Soon the flight departed, using its registration N713TS as its callsign, air traffic controllers asked the crew why they had deviated from their original departure instructions. The crew reported they were given different instructions. Controllers confirmed they would have to make a report on the matter. About 15 minutes after departure, the crew advised controllers they would have to return to Shannon. Its understood the crew reported an issue with their FMS (flight management system). The flight crew confirmed they would have to burn off fuel before landing at Shannon. This was to ensure the aircraft touched down within safe landing weight limits. The jet entered a holding pattern over East Clare for a time before commencing an approach to Shannon. The crew also confirmed they did not require any assistance on arrival and the flight landed safely at 5.18pm. After over five hours on the ground, the flight departed Shannon again at 10.40pm but flew to Stansted Airport in England. While the flight could be tracked on some aircraft tracking apps, the identity and other details about the aircraft and flight were not available. This is often done at the request of the owner/operator of the aircraft. In the US meanwhile, where Scott was due to be on stage, thousands of fans were left bewildered when the concert was cancelled with just hours to go. There was no comment from Scott about the cancellation on his social media accounts as of Friday evening. According to the venues X (formerly Twitter) account: Travis Scott's show at United Center scheduled for tonight has been postponed. All previously purchased tickets will be honoured for the new date once announced. More information will be posted here and emailed to ticketholders directly when available. The reason for the postponement was not specified. One person on X said: Doing 2 shows in 2 days across the world from each other was never gonna work out, was it. Another disappointed fan said: Thanks for cancelling a few hours before the show!! Real nice of you to do Travis! Scott posted a cryptic message on X at 12.49am (Irish time). It read, IM SOOOOOO F**KKKKKINGGGGG HOTTTTTTTTTTT. A fan responded: Thats all you have to say to the fans who came to Chicago to see you??? Police are urging everyone to take extra care when travelling the roads this holiday season. In our efforts to encourage good driver behaviour, Police will be maintaining a highly visible presence on major highways throughout the country this summer. Expect to see Police patrols anytime, anywhere, says director of National Road Policing Centre, superintendent Steve Greally. Our staff will be out on roads, often in locations you least expect us to be. So please take your time and drive to the conditions. The same things are killing people on our roads, says Greally. Speed, alcohol, drugs, distraction and unrestrained drivers and passengers are still the main causes of death and serious injury. If you are caught this summer to be breaching any of the behaviours above, you should not expect a warning. Police cant control the actions of every driver 24/7. We cant be beside you in the car telling you to slow down, or to put your seatbelt on. Road safety is something we all have to take a greater responsibility for. With an expected increase in activity on our roads over the holiday period, our focus remains on these four main behaviours: RESTRAINTS: Herenga Restraints save lives its that simple. In 2022, two of every five fatalities on our roads were not wearing a seatbelt. Anyone who chooses not to wear a seatbelt significantly increases their risk of injury or death if they end up in a crash. IMPAIRMENT: Piroiroi Socialising is fun but drinking and driving should not be mixed. If youre going to drive, avoid alcohol. Police will have a particular focus on drink and driving this summer. The same can be said for anyone who attempts to drive while impaired by drugs. DISTRACTIONS: Wareatanga Drive distraction free. Put the phone away or pull over. SPEED: Tere Be aware of the posted speed limits on your travels. The speed limit is just that a limit not a target. Even a small change in speed makes a big difference to injury severity in a crash for you and everyone else involved. As part of our efforts to ensure everyones safety on New Zealand roads this summer, we will be taking enforcement action where necessary there are no exceptions. Ultimately, drivers have the responsibility to keep their passengers, other road users, and themselves safe this holiday period. We want to ensure everyone can have a memorable summer for all the right reasons. Linda Bestwick / Shutterstock.com Thinking of our childhood toys often conjures treasured memories. However, the toys we purchased with our allowance, or inherited from parents and grandparents, might be worth even more than fond memories. As GOBankingRates reported, certain vintage toys can sell for significant sums based on their rarity, desirability, and condition. When sifting through our old toy chests (or those still unpacked moving boxes), we should look for a few playthings with greater value than nostalgia alone. Related: 6 Rare Coins That Can Be Sold Online More: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack Pexels Classic Barbies On the high heels of this summers smash hit film, Barbie is back in a big wayand collectors are willing to pay big bucks for classic models, like the No. 1 and No.2 Ponytail Barbies, who debuted in 1959. Today, these bombshells can fetch between $4,000 and $8,000 per doll, according to Barbie expert Rebecca Chulew. In an interview with KTLA.com, Chulew shares that the rarer brunette Barbies from that era can earn upwards of $6,000 out of the box. See: 10 Vintage Electronics in Your House That Could Be Worth a Lot of Money Here: How To Generate Passive Income With Just $500 Sponsored: Open a new checking account and earn early paycheck access; up to 2 days early with Discover Cashback Debit with Early Pay Dominique Godbout / Flickr.com Beanie Babies The Beanie Baby craze was unescapable in the 90s. Now, decades after the Beanie Baby bubble burst, certain unique beanies are plushy cash cows, such as the magenta version of Patti the Platypus, which goes for $10,000. Finding a special edition like Halo, the guardian angel, or Peace the Bear, whose tie-dye fur varies from bear to bear, will also pad our pockets. Interestingly, factory errors in the stitching or on the print tags increase a beanies value among collectors. Rachel Cruze: 15 Things To Sell in Your Home To Make Money Alex Lentati/Evening Standard / Shutterstock.com My Little Pony While My Little Ponies are still kicking their hooves on the market today, according to The Collector, some models from the 80s have a special value. In particular, mail-order ponies, available only through purchases or special offers, are considered rare enough to command high prices. Story continues Joaquin Corbalan P / Shutterstock.com Pokemon Cards The same cards that helped us win lunch table tournaments at school could get us a lot more than extra milk moneysome first edition cards (printed between 1999-2000) are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To determine if our old stash has value, Save a Student advises us to look for key features such as rarity symbols, holograms, errors, extra symbols or words, and collector numbers and markers of first-edition cards. Ekaterina_Minaeva / Shutterstock.com Lego Sets Lego collectors can be a passionate group, dropping a pretty penny on classic Lego sets, including several thousand dollars for the Space Command Lego set from 1979 and the 1965 truck set. Even more recent yet retired sets, like the Statue of Liberty from 2000 or 2002s Black Seas Barracuda pirate ship, can be worth thousands. If we need help determining if that Lego set in our garage holds the building blocks of a bigger wallet, we can check websites like Brick Economy to get current price rates for different Lego pieces and sets. With a little research and a lot of luck, we might find that the toys that delighted us in childhood can boost our very grown-up wallets. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Vintage Toys in Your House That Could Be Worth A Fortune A school visit from Waihi School to the University of Aucklands medical school planted the seed of medical graduate Kate Dunstalls passion for rural medicine. Kate, who grew up and went to school in Waihi, graduated on December 14 with a medical degree - MBChB. When I was a year ten student, we had the opportunity to come to Auckland. We did some suturing with pig skin and went into Whakaaro Pai and saw some specimens in jars," says Kate. We had these students talking to us and now I realise they were from Grassroots. I think that was the reason I want to do medicine. Kate says, in some ways, she has come full circle, having had leadership roles in the Grassroots Rural Health Club for the past four years. Grassroots supports health sciences students who are interested in working rurally, with activities such as trips to remote parts of the country and overnight marae stays or noho marae. You get to see the really rural places and talk to the people who are working there, says Kate. Through 2023, Kate has been co-chair of a national group, Students of Rural Health Aotearoa, the student chapter of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. This group also organises rural trips for health students where they visit schools. We explain to the kids what our roles are and the pathways into studying. Its shedding light on whats involved and bringing health into rural communities so its not so scary, says Kate. Kate has thrown herself into rural health and has contributed massively to rural initiatives at the University. She has been a strong spokesperson for rural health," says Associate Dean (Rural) Kyle Eggleton. Considering rural and regional doctor shortages will weigh into her decisions for the future, although Kate wants to keep her options open for a while. Not only that, but the rural visits proved inspiring, with doctors reporting the rewards of being truly part of the community, as well as being called on for a huge variety of work, including some gnarly cases and many unusual ones. One rural doctor had been called on to deliver sheep. Kate has been involved in rural paramedic care, in her home town of Waihi. She started study with a year of health sciences at the University of Otago, but, along with many of her peers, didnt get into medicine at that stage. She undertook a bachelor of science and then did succeed at getting into medicine at Auckland through the Regional Rural Admission Scheme. Among regional placements, Kate spent her fourth year in the Waikato Hospital, and her fifth year in Whangarei Hospital on the Pukawakawa Regional-Rural Programme, where she spent seven weeks in satellite hospitals in the Bay of Islands and Kawakawa. One highlight of medical training was on a Raglan placement. Every fortnight a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, a mental health team and other healthcare workers travelled to a rural marae to offer free healthcare. People travelled long distances to attend who may otherwise not have presented for a health appointment, says Kate. You can see all the barriers they are addressing in one go. If only more healthcare like that was funded, it would be so so good. Kate has also been learning te reo online through Te Wananga , at level three this year. All of which has fuelled Kates passion for rural medicine, which sees doctors working at the top of their scope, particularly in rural hospitals. There are fewer people, so you get more responsibility, more hands-on learning, youre more of a team member. It hasnt been easy, but Kate would say to other young people contemplating a career in medicine to not give up on that dream, even though they will encounter seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Kate helped collate feedback from school visits for Hauora Taiwhenua and says the themes were that rural teens face numerous barriers to studying medicine. I think a lot of them were reflecting on the session and saying, I didn't know that there were these different options or I didn't know that, coming from this school, I could go and do that or feeling it was so far away, it didn't seem achievable. And then talking about loneliness, cost barriers and needing to work to support people at home as well. So, I'm wanting to be encouraging for people to look into studying medicine and think, Oh, I can do that. The work leading up to the launch of the next 100-year community resilience plan for the low lying areas of the Hauraki Plains is being described as a "labour of love" by Hauraki District Council's mayor. At their November Council meeting, Hauraki District Council formed a Joint Working Party for governance of a community based adaptation and resilience plan for the Hauraki Plains, following the successful adoption of the four-years-in-the making Wharekawa Coast 2120 Community Plan. We believe the Wharekawa Coast 2120 Community Plan, which takes a 100 year approach to an adaptive and resilient future for the coastal area, is only the second of its kind in New Zealand," says Mayor Toby Adams. "Its been a labour of love for all concerned and I take my hat off to the Community Panel, local iwi, technical advisors and the teams at our Council, Waikato Regional Council and Waikato District Council for getting this complex plan over the line. Theres been enormous learnings along the way, so its with a sense of confidence that we launch into our next 100-year community resilience plan which will focus on the natural hazards and effects of changing weather patterns on the low lying areas of the Hauraki Plains. The council successfully applied for and received $1,070,000 from the Three Waters Better Off Fund for this project. The Hauraki Plains Adaptation Community Plan will follow a similar structure to that used for the Wharekawa Coast 2120 project, relying on Community Panels to act as a sounding board to test ideas and gain feedback from the wider community. Mayor Toby says the complexity of this project is not just the technical, scientific and ecological aspects, but the managing of numerous stakeholders and their involvement over a long period of time. Were still in the branding, start-up phase, but well be calling on members of the Hauraki Plains, mana whenua and interested parties to join the community panels in the New Year. "The best thing about these adaptation and resilience plans is that theyre by the community, for the community. Its one of the most essential aspects of the plan so I really encourage people to get involved and come on the journey with us," says Mayor Toby. Jesus Hinojosa Malaga Sunday, 17 December 2023, 20:19 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The associations of municipalities along Costa del Sol in Malaga province are already considering the option of using water brought in by ship if the drought situation persists this winter. This has been confirmed to SUR by the heads of the public consortia on the western and eastern coasts, who do not rule out having to make use of this extreme option. Financial studies are already under way for the extraordinary expenses involved, including the carrying out of some works to adapt the current water supply network. Manuel Cardena, the president of the public consortium that runs some shared services on behalf of different councils on the western coast, explained that, as part of the drought emergency plan being drawn up by the public company Acosol, "the possible use of water transported by ship is being evaluated". "The technical team that is drawing up this emergency plan is analysing which ports could be used to receive the tankers and if it is necessary to carry out works or adapt the current supply network to be able to channel this extraordinary supply," Cardena said. The official added that he is confident that this plan will be ready "before the end of the year". Ten million euros per month Supplying water by ships could involve an expenditure of some ten million euros per month for the entire Costa del Sol, according to the Junta's regional minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Carmen Crespo. Cardena said that his body is already analysing the necessary budgetary reserves. "Acosol would have to assume this expense, and for this there is a contingency fund, all of which is being studied," said Manuel Cardena, who remarked that this option is a last resort option if the drought situation persists until March or April. Cardena said: "We are looking at what work would have to be done to adapt the current water network for the possible arrival of water by ship, and the possible locations for injecting this supply." Cardena added that if the drought extends into the spring "measures will have to be taken which are already being studied in the emergency plan and which not only contemplate the use of water transported by boat, but also other actions to extend the exploitation of well resources, for example". The president of the association of municipalities on the eastern coast, Jorge Martin, is aware that the water shortage situation could become even more acute and make it necessary to use boats for supply. "We hope that it will not be necessary, but Malaga Port will be adapted for this and, when the time comes, we will have to make use of this system, we are already evaluating it," Martin said. He pointed out that this water ship supply would have to be made through the contributions that the Malaga city municipal water company, Emasa, makes to the municipalities of the Axarquia region, at a cost of 7.74 cents per cubic metre of water, as was agreed at the end of November. Save the summer This amount is passed on by the public company Axaragua, to the local councils in the area, who must decide whether to include it in residents' bills. On average, this would mean increases of 15-20 per cent in the cost of water for the municipalities in the eastern part of Malaga province. "We would have to assume this as we have done with the contributions that Malaga city is making," said Martin. However, Martin said that is confident that such an extreme situation will not transpire. "With the prefabricated desalination plant that the Junta is going to install in El Trapiche and the measures that are contemplated in the next drought decree of the Junta, I am confident that we can save the summer. 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. Quaker Oats recalled specific granola bars and granola cereals Friday for potential salmonella contamination. On Dec. 15, the Quaker Oats Co., which is owned by PepsiCo, recalled 8 granola cereals, 25 granola bar products and granola bars included in 10 different snack boxes, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some of the recalled foods include granola oats cereals and Quaker Chewy Bars. See all the specific products, packaging and expiration dates on the FDA site here. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In more serious cases, infections with salmonella can result in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The FDA said consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Quaker said there have been no confirmed reports of sickness related to the products recalled. The FDA said Quaker alerted it to the recall Friday. The companys release did not disclose the source of the possible contamination. Contact Quaker for more information or product reimbursement for any recalled product. Quakers consumer relations department can be contacted from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday at 1-800-492-9322 or www.quakergranolarecall.com Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com Tang Xiao'ou, professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, speaks during the opening ceremony of 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center on July 6, 2023 in Shanghai, China. VCG via Getty Images Tang Xiao'ou, the billionaire founder of China's AI giant SenseTime, died Friday. The company announced he'd succumbed to undisclosed "health issues." He died just weeks after the firm was accused of artificially inflating its revenue. Tang Xiao'ou, the billionaire founder of China's AI giant SenseTime, died Friday of undisclosed "health issues," according to a statement released by the company. "It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Professor Tang Xiao'ou, our beloved founder, a renowned artificial intelligence (AI) scientist, director of Pujiang Lab, director of Shanghai AI Lab, and Professor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong," read a statement from SenseTime released early Sunday in China. "Professor Tang passed away due to health issues on December 15, 2023, at 11:45 p.m." The obituary posted by the company did not specify what type of health issues Tang died of or if his illness had been previously known. The controversial Chinese AI company, founded in 2014, was once the world's most valuable AI startup due in part to its direct connections and funding from the Chinese government. Its current investors include China's Mixed-Ownership Reform Fund, a national fund created to ease the mixed-ownership reform of its state-owned enterprises. The company develops technologies, including facial recognition, object detection, and video and image analysis using AI. Representatives for SenseTime did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Tang's death comes just weeks after a US-based short-seller, Grizzly Research, accused the Chinese AI firm of artificially inflating its revenue, suggesting that SenseTime engaged in "highly questionable revenue round-tripping schemes" in which the company directly or indirectly provided funds to customers that were used to purchase goods from SenseTime that may not have ever been delivered. Story continues "We believe that SenseTime's core facial recognition business has become notoriously unprofitable due to intense competition and the fact that the Chinese government simply does not make a practice of awarding highly profitable contracts to majority foreign-owned businesses," Grizzly Research said in its report released in late November. Though the company argued in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that the report was "without merit and contains unfounded allegations and misleading conclusions and interpretations," SenseTime's stock was nonetheless deeply impacted by the accusations, falling nearly 10% in the wake of the news, bringing its total losses to more than 40% so far this year and more than 80% since its IPO, Forbes reported. At the time of his death, Tang had a net worth of $1.1 billion, made up entirely of the value of his shares in SenseTime, per Forbes. Read the original article on Business Insider Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill last week prohibiting medical debt from appearing on credit reports, which damages patients ability to rent an apartment, get a job or buy a car. Over the past two years, Hochul also has banned hospitals and other healthcare providers from placing liens on peoples homes or garnishing their wages over unpaid bills. Advocates praised the governors tremendous leadership in tackling the states medical debt crisis. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Serving the tech enthusiast community for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust . Read our ethics statement Why it matters: This is the second largest settlement that the California Civil Rights Department has negotiated and originally it had wanted Activision Blizzard to pay far more. But since the suit was filed two years ago, Activision has taken a number of steps to create a culture of inclusivity and diversity at the company including hiring its first dedicated chief diversity officer last year. Activision Blizzard and the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) have settled a lawsuit in which the video game publisher was accused of widespread gender and pay inequality for roughly $54 million. Under the agreement, which is still subject to court approval, Activision Blizzard will take additional steps to help ensure fair pay and promotion practices at the company and provide monetary relief to women who were employees or contract workers in the state between October 12, 2015 and December 31, 2020, according to a statement by CRD. The CRD investigated the Santa Monica, Calif.-headquartered company for more than two years and then filed a lawsuit against it in 2021 for alleged violations of California's Equal Pay Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act. Separately, the now Microsoft-owned company struck a consent decree with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2021 on these issues. Activision Blizzard hasn't released a comment but in the past has denied the charges and said a 2022 investigation by its board of directors ultimately determined that they were false. Earlier this year upon the release of its ESG report, Brian Bulatao, Activision's chief administrative officer and chair of its ESG steering committee, wrote that the company has taken several steps to increase its inclusion and diversity including hiring last year its first dedicated chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer and appointing its first head of inclusive game design. It has also partnered with Reboot Representation to increase the number of Black, Latin, and Native American women in technology, according to Bulatao. The settlement calls for $54.8 million to cover direct relief to workers and litigation costs. Of that, $45.7 million will go to a settlement fund dedicated to compensating workers. The settlement also requires Activision Blizzard to retain an independent consultant to evaluate and make recommendations regarding its compensation and promotion policies and training materials. If approved, the settlement would be the second-largest by CRD, according to the Wall Street Journal. The highest settlement was for $100 million with Riot Games, over alleged gender discrimination. Riot Games issued an apology after the settlement was announced. The CRD had wanted an amount from Activision that would top the settlement Riot Games paid, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the negotiations, as the state originally estimated Activision's liability to be at nearly $1 billion based on 2,500 employees who might have claims against the company. ARUNDEL, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2023 / China Dasheng Biotechnology Co. (OTC Pink: CDBT) advises that it has been issued 2 Judgements, $17,129.13 and $17,066.59 in its favor against Kenneth Maciora and Empire Relations Group, Inc., and those Judgements have been registered with the Magistrates Court of Queensland on November 29, 2023. Background: As disclosed on October 9, 2023, CDBT formally terminated the China Dasheng Biotechnology Co. Consulting Agreement with Kenneth Maciora, Empire Relations Group Inc., and Empire Holdings LLC. on October 5, 2023. On October 11, 2023, CDBT filed claims for the return of advanced funds after placing before the court that Kenneth Maciora, Empire Relations Group, Inc. behavior, actions, and failure to deliver work product under the China Dasheng Biotechnology Co. Consulting Agreement after being paid in advance. CDBT will now register those judgements in the USA and seek to enforce them. CDBT acknowledges that it was courted by Kenneth Maciora after publishing a press release and that several other listed entities have contacted CDBT management after being canvassed by Kenneth Maciora from their published press releases. /S/ Micheal Nugent CEO of CDBT # # # CDBT. Cycclone Magnetic Engines, Inc. On April 24, 2023, CDBT entered a Share Exchange Agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares in Cycclone Magnetic Engines, Inc., the original founding company of the Cycclone Magnetic Engine project. On September 30, 2022, CDBT and Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited entered into an Operating Agreement for The Amended Share Exchange Agreement giving effective control of Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited and the wholly owned subsidiaries. Cycclone Magnetic Engines is engaged in the development and commercialization of new geometric configuration low carbon emission engines and other clean technology solutions. Cycclone has shareholding, assets, and interests in transport operations in Australia. Story continues Micheal Nugent mnugent@nugent.com.au www.cdbtcycclone.com (to be published) USA +1 775-580-4544 AUS +61 438 158 688 Safe Harbor Statement Statements made in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions, managing growth, and political and other business risks. SOURCE: China Dasheng Biotechnology Co. View the original press release on accesswire.com Ella Thompson's simple Facebook call to action sparked a nationwide movement, breaking down social barriers and uniting thousands of like-minded girls, BBC tells us in a report. What started as a way to combat loneliness quickly grew into a thriving community known as Girls Who Walk, now with over 9,000 members across the UK. Making Long-Lasting Connections Ella, a 23-year-old from Greater Manchester, returned home from university in August and discovered a lack of accessible groups addressing young people's isolation. "I found myself looking for ways to meet new people but found most events to be paid for or centered around drinking, which I did not want to get involved in," Thompson told ilovemanchester.com. With this, she wanted to start "a free, accessible way for girls to make some long-lasting connections," she said. She had no idea the outpouring of support that would follow her initial post. From humble beginnings of 50-100 attendees, the weekly walks blossomed into a robust network fostering friendships and empowerment. Charley Cooper, now the events organizer, expressed how joining the group led her to a new circle of friends. "It's a space where events are already happening, making it less daunting to join alone," Charley remarked. Read Also: Is Facebook Harmful to Your Well-Being? Here's What Oxford Scientists Have to Say A Growing Community Testimonials poured in, illustrating the community's profound impact on individuals like Faye Gibson. Formerly hesitant to approach new people, Faye now volunteers for the group and describes the experience as "rewarding," having found a newfound confidence. Despite its rapid growth, Ella remains steadfast in her commitment to affordability. "I had no money, no friends, and I wanted an event that empowered me," she recalled, emphasizing the inclusive nature of Girls Who Walk. Beyond the walks, the community has become a hub of support and empowerment. Roselle Castillo, managing the group's social media, highlighted its evolution into a space where girls uplift each other. The spirit of camaraderie was palpable during their recent Christmas social at Loaf in Salford. The event, accompanied by Manchester's typical rain, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 100 girls. Looking ahead, the group envisions expanding their repertoire with more events and activities, fueling their excitement for the future. Charley expressed, "This is just the start for Girls Who Walk." Ella's initiative has not only forged connections but inspired others. Branches are sprouting nationwide, from Dundee to Cornwall, and Ella actively supports potential leaders through chat groups and shared advice. According to Ella, "it's overwhelming" to see how her idea "grew into an amazing community for people to make friends." The Benefits of Walking Amid the personal stories and community growth, the scientific community reminds us of the inherent health benefits of walking. Harvard studies emphasize walking's role in combating obesity genes, curbing cravings, lowering cancer risk, relieving joint pain, and boosting immune function. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Twitch Rolls Back Artistic Nudity Changes, Reevaluating Recent Policy Updates 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Iterate.ai, a leading software company specializing in AI applications, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative by offering a free artificial intelligence system designed to bolster school security, particularly in the face of the escalating concern surrounding school shootings. While Iterate.ai traditionally serves industries such as automotive, retail, convenience, banking, and insurance, Chief Technology Officer Brian Sathianathan recognized the urgent necessity for advanced security solutions within educational institutions, according to USA Today. The fruition of years of development efforts has resulted in cutting-edge threat detection technology capable of scanning for weapons entering school premises. The system can recognize handguns, semi-automatic weapons, visible knives with a minimum length of six inches, Kevlar vests, and even partially visible firearms using 20,000 data sets sourced from the internet and an additional 40,000 artificially generated by AI. Compatible with most existing surveillance cameras, Iterate.ai's system offers a straightforward integration of Python code into a computer server, making it easily accessible for system administrators. Once deployed, the system automatically sends notifications via text messages, emails, Apple alerts, or other signals-upon detecting a potential weapon. Campaigning School Safety Through AI Iterate.ai CTO Brian Sathianathan underscored the significance of providing this technology to schools, particularly in light of the alarming rise in gun violence. With 188 fatal shootings reported in the 2021-22 school year, the need for effective security measures has never been more pressing. The decision to offer an open-source, free version of Iterate.ai's system is a strategic move to encourage widespread adoption and contributions from educational institutions. Sathianathan expressed hope that schools would not only implement the technology but actively contribute to its improvement, creating a robust solution to address the nation's gun violence crisis. The tech company received accolades by securing a coveted spot on the Inc. 2023 Best in Business list in the AI & Data category, per GlobalNewswire. The esteemed recognition, detailed in the Winter issue of Inc. magazine, celebrates companies making a remarkable impact on their industries and society. The creation of an open-source AI model and application focusing on weapons detection and threat awareness further demonstrates Iterate.ai's dedication to societal well-being. This technology is particularly beneficial for schools and non-profits, and rather than commercializing the product, Iterate.ai has chosen to provide it for free, emphasizing the importance of directing school funds toward essential items. Read Also: JD.com's Stocks Rises as Express Delivery Service Extends to North America and EU Empowering Companies, Communities with Low-Code Technology According to Brian Sathianathan, Iterate.ai is based on two AI-centric solutions. AiThority reported that the concept germinated from the founders' experiences overseeing a startup accelerator in Ukraine during the early 2010s, witnessing numerous startups with groundbreaking technologies that remained relatively obscure globally. This led to the creation of a search engine tailored for end-user organizations. Launched in 2013, Iterate.ai's AI-curated database platform, initially known as Curate and now as Signals, tracks over 16 million startups and enterprises, facilitating the discovery of precise technology matches. At Iterate, our mission is to be the simplest, safest, and speediest way to #innovate with #AI and emerging technologies. Our team consists of AI, kernel-level coding, #BigData, and #IoT platform architects with business and digital expertise. https://t.co/1p2UiNhSnL pic.twitter.com/PnGNqB2VBS iterate.ai (@IterateAI) September 22, 2023 Acknowledging the challenge of integrating innovative software with legacy systems, Iterate.ai introduced its Interplay low-code AI platform in 2017. Interplay streamlines the integration of legacy and emerging technologies, enabling enterprise developers to deliver applications up to 17 times faster. At present, Iterate.ai concentrates on enterprise-level low-code technology developments, emphasizing the transformative potential of low-code strategies. Effectively executed low-code approaches empower organizations to harness the forces of innovation, such as AI/ML, IoT, blockchain, data access, and technology integration. Related Article: Intelligent Traffic Meets Detroit: A Match Made in Road Safety Heaven 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The SaxaVord Spaceport, nestled within the rugged landscapes of the Shetland Islands, has been greenlit as the United Kingdom's first spaceport specifically designed for vertical rocket launches, in a game-changing development for the UK's space ambitions. UK's First Vertical Rocket Spaceport Receives Greenlight This historic approval, granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), allows SaxaVord to begin its first launches into space in 2024, BBC reports. This pioneering spaceport, located on the small but strategically located isle of Unst, is slated to become Western Europe's first fully licensed space launch facility, catering to vertical orbits into space. The spaceport's significance transcends its ability to host up to 30 launches annually. SaxaVord's primary focus lies in ferrying satellites and other payloads into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing the UK's presence in the burgeoning space industry. What's Next? Frank and Debbie Strang, who bought the former RAF radar station nearly 15 years ago, have transformed SaxaVord from a potential eco-tourism hotspot to a space launchpad, with ambitions that extend beyond Earth's atmosphere. Sky News tells us that their unwavering commitment has invested nearly 30 million, shaping the spaceport with three dedicated launch pads and an assembly hangar ready for rocket assembly. The impending liftoffs from SaxaVord are poised to host a consortium of international launch operators ready to stake their claim in the cosmos. Notable among these are German companies Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and HyImpulse, slated to spearhead the initial wave of sub-orbital and orbital launches from this pioneering spaceport. Joining the trajectory of ventures is Edinburgh-based Skyrora, vying to etch its name as the first UK company to launch from British soil. Read Also: 'Blue Origin Needs to be much Faster' Jeff Bezos Admits, But Is It Falling Behind the Space Race? A Big Leap for UK Space Exploration This historic event represents a paradigm shift in the UK's space narrative, reflecting the country's ambitions to carve out its own place in the global space race. UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper envisions SaxaVord's impact rippling through Shetland's economy, propelling the United Kingdom to the forefront of spaceflight innovation. Furthermore, SaxaVord and Cornwall Spaceport, the UK's first licensed spaceport, differ in their launch processes. While Cornwall primarily uses aircraft for horizontal launches, SaxaVord is poised to champion vertical rocket launches, indicating a step toward more diverse launch capabilities in the UK. 'Era-Defining' The appeal of SaxaVord is not limited to its immediate prospects; it is also a key component of Scotland's larger space ambitions. Scotland's vision for space endeavors appears steadfast, with five proposed spaceports in the pipeline and the Sutherland Spaceport already under construction, with a collective thrust of 12 rockets into orbit annually from the Sutherland Spaceport. Tim Johnson, the CAA's director of space regulation, underscores the pivotal nature of SaxaVord's license, heralding it as an "era-defining moment" for the UK space sector. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Blue Origin New Shepard Flight Coming Next Week, NS24 to Carry Payloads After More Than a Year 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This week unfurled a captivating report on science, ranging from groundbreaking quantum computing achievements to the intriguing discovery of a rare dolphin. Check out these intriguing current topics that have piqued curious minds across the globe. IBM's Quantum Leap IBM has once again pushed the boundaries of quantum computing with the unveiling of its latest processor, the IBM Quantum Condor chip, featuring an impressive 1,121 qubits-the world's second-largest quantum chip to date, as reported by LiveScience. Surprisingly, the focus is shifting to a smaller counterpart in the pipeline, the IBM Quantum Heron processors, each equipped with 133 qubits. Despite its smaller size, the Heron chip is generating significant excitement due to its five times lower error rate compared to the Condor. Quantum computing's transformative power lies in utilizing qubits, which, thanks to the principle of superposition, can exist simultaneously in multiple states. As qubit counts increase, computational states scale, substantially reducing calculation time. Overcoming the inherent challenges of qubits, such as their error-prone nature requiring near-absolute zero temperatures, remains a critical aspect of quantum computing development. Matthias Steffen, an IBM fellow of quantum processor technologies, emphasized the innovative cooling methods designed for the Condor chip, showcasing advancements in handling a large chip size. These innovations extend to the configuration of 1-mile-long coaxial cabling, a crucial element in the upcoming Heron chip. System Two, which operates in New York and has three IBM Heron processors, is the first to use a modular architecture that lets qubits be added one at a time. The recent development highlights an important step toward achieving quantum supremacy through better hardware, which includes a new error-correcting code. MAVEN Observes Martian Atmosphere Balloon Scientists have presented their findings on a recently observed rare event on Mars, where the Red Planet's atmosphere dramatically expanded due to a powerful solar wind gust, as reported by WION. The MAVEN spacecraft captured the event on December 26, 2022, which coincided with a significant decrease in solar particles and an extraordinary tripling in the size of Mars' magnetosphere and ionosphere, which stretched thousands of kilometers. The unexpected occurrence was last witnessed on Earth in 1999, providing fresh insights into how Mars reacts to sudden shifts in solar conditions and enhancing our comprehension of planetary dynamics within the solar system. In 12/2022, @NASAMars' MAVEN mission witnessed a remarkable event the "disappearance" of the solar wind caused by a powerful solar event. This unique occurrence led to fascinating changes in Mars' atmosphere and magnetosphere. MAVEN continues to provide valuable insights into pic.twitter.com/7PHVy3NOkJ December 13, 2023 Read Also: Iterate.ai Unveils Free AI Security System to Combat School Shootings Presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2023, the findings, as highlighted by lead author Jasper Halekas, a professor at the University of Iowa, underscore the unprecedented nature of the data and its crucial role in deciphering Mars's behavior under unusual solar circumstances. The observations uncovered a distinct solar wind type on Mars, involving a blend of two solar winds, resulting in a rare void characterized by low density and an extremely feeble solar wind. This breakthrough contributes valuable information about the intricate dynamics of planets orbiting stars with less turbulent conditions. Dolphin with 'Thumbs' Discovered in the Gulf of Corinth Off the coast of Greece in the Gulf of Corinth, researchers from the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute (PCRI) stumbled upon an extraordinary marine discovery: a rare dolphin sporting what appears to be "thumbs" on its flippers. Documented on two separate occasions, Global News reported that the PCRI, a scientific non-profit specializing in marine mammal research, captured the unique flipper morphology in photos and a YouTube video. Despite its unusual appearance, the dolphin exhibited no signs of distress and seamlessly kept pace with its pod, debunking concerns about impaired mobility. Researchers believe the anomaly stems from a genetic abnormality rather than an illness or injury. The irregularity in both flippers without associated injuries or skin lesions points to a rare genetic expression. Lisa Noelle Cooper, an associate professor of mammalian anatomy and neurobiology at Northeast Ohio Medical University, explained that the hook-shaped structure resembling a thumb in the dolphin may contain some bone but cannot move, per LiveScience. Related Article: Scientists Used AI to Find Hidden Sources of Clean Energy Underground 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. You may hear all kinds of forecasts about ChargePoint (NYSE:CHPT), but prudent investors should stick to the facts and avoid the fallacies. The smartest move right now is to consider the perspectives that Wall Streets experts have to offer but then use the data to form an educated assessment of ChargePoint. All in all, I am bearish on CHPT stock after reviewing the company and observing analysts positive and negative arguments. Headquartered in California, ChargePoint has built out an electric vehicle (EV) charging network thats still growing. Far from being a Magnificent Seven company, ChargePoint is still a relatively small business, with a market cap of $1.14 billion. If you anticipate that the build-out of the EV industry will require many more charging stations, you may be tempted to buy CHPT stock right now. However, after reviewing the companys essential facts, eager stock traders will surely think twice about investing in ChargePoint. ChargePoints Margin Problem ChargePoint has been a consistently unprofitable company, so no one should expect ChargePoints margins to be stellar. Nonetheless, the companys press release for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 revealed some facts that may startle you even if you had low expectations. On a year-over-year basis, ChargePoints GAAP gross margin fell from a positive 18% to -22%, a 40 percentage-point drop, and the companys non-GAAP gross margin dropped from 20% to -18%. The company blamed a $42 million inventory impairment charge, which was taken to address supply overruns related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand. According to TheFly, Evercore ISI analysts claim that ChargePoint has several levers to improve its gross margins. These analysts assigned an Outperform rating to CHPT stock, along with a $6 price target. The Evercore ISI analysts previously gave the stock a $17 price target, but after a steep drop in the ChargePoint share price, they practically had no choice except to lower their expectations. Story continues I agree with the Evercore ISI analysts that the electrification of mobility is a mega theme and that ChargePoint enjoys a first-mover (or at least an early-mover) advantage. Still, for me, at least, the proof will be in the execution. ChargePoint still needs to pull whatever levers are available in order to improve its gross margins. As the old saying goes, seeing is believing. Furthermore, ChargePoint is in a transitional period, as the company is changing its CEO. Sure, change can bring improvement, but CHPT stock has clearly lost its charge in 2023. Only time will tell whether new leadership will spur a successful turnaround for ChargePoint. For the time being, its wise to wait for evidence instead of buying shares now and hoping for the best. ChargePoint: Demand Results, Not Excuses Youve now heard ChargePoints excuse for the companys poor margin results. Meanwhile, some investors might offer the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike as an excuse for ChargePoints revenue decline. Yet, investors should demand results from ChargePoint and quit accepting excuses. Heres the scoop. In Q3 FY2024, ChargePoints revenue declined to $110.283 million, versus $125.341 million in the year-earlier quarter. During that same time frame, ChargePoints cost of revenue jumped from $102.66 million to $134.229 million. Clearly, ChargePoints financials are moving in the wrong direction. After ChargePoint released its quarterly report, B. Riley analysts downgraded CHPT stock from Buy to Neutral and cut their price target on the shares in half from $5 to just $2.50. Frankly, I dont blame the B. Riley analysts for doing this. In a similar vein, Citigroup (NYSE:C) analysts slashed their price target from $8.25 to $2.40 and maintained their Neutral rating on ChargePoint stock. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) analyst Mark Delaney reiterated his Neutral rating on CHPT stock and assigned the shares a $2.50 price target. Delaney expressed his concern that competition and mix shift could limit margin improvement (theres the margin issue coming up again) and added that the stock could be range-bound until investors gain more visibility into the longer-term earnings and FCF of the business. Investors have visibility into ChargePoints bottom line right now, though, and its not a positive picture. Alarmingly, the companys net loss ballooned from $84.48 million in the year-earlier quarter to $158.219 million in Q3 FY2024. Is CHPT Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? On TipRanks, CHPT comes in as a Moderate Buy based on six Buys and 12 Hold ratings assigned by analysts in the past three months. The average ChargePoint stock price target is $3.28, implying 21.7% upside potential. Conclusion: Should You Consider CHPT Stock? As you can see, analysts have varying opinions on ChargePoint. Theyve had to lower their price targets on ChargePoint stock because it fell so much this year. As the company changes its CEO, the future remains uncertain. CHPT stock might recover, but Im leaning bearish on it until there are data-driven reasons to feel otherwise. So, investors can certainly monitor ChargePoints facts and figures and hope for improvement, but for the time being, Im not considering a share position in ChargePoint. 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Focus - Amazigh and proud: the quest for identity of the Berber diaspora in France This is what the new harbour pier in Jonkoping will look like The DPR convicted a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who tortured and killed a Russian soldier The Campo de Gibraltar applies a "drastic drop" in water pressure that leads to cuts during the night 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 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 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. Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinezs bid for reelection is being helped by political contributions from dozens of her government employees, many of whom donated within months of receiving raises from Martinez in their publicly funded jobs. The first-term clerk won the office in 2020 after pledging to adhere to the highest ethical standards in replacing a scandal-scarred outgoing clerk, Dorothy Brown, whose tenure was marked by various controversies that included criticism she took campaign cash from her employees. But a Tribune analysis of campaign finance and county payroll records shows Martinez repeating that same political fundraising tactic. Since Martinez became clerk, 52 circuit court clerk employees have contributed more than $45,000 to Martinezs three campaign funds. Of those employees, 22 received promotions or significant raises in their clerk jobs just months sometimes days before or after making those political contributions. Nearly all the raises were $10,000 or more, the payroll records show. Whats more, 29 of the employees who contributed to her campaign funds also circulated petitions this fall that helped Martinez secure a spot on the March 19 primary ballot. A total of 86 clerk employees passed petitions for Martinezs reelection campaign, collecting 831 pages, or 45% of the total signature petition sheets she turned in earlier this month. Two of those petition circulators now work in the clerks inspector generals office, whose mission is to detect, deter and prevent corruption, fraud, waste, mismanagement, and misconduct. The inspector general employees are hired by Martinez and her administration. Martinez declined to be interviewed by the Tribune for this story. Instead, her political campaign released a statement in which Martinez said she has never, ever given a raise to anybody in my office, or given them a promotion conditioned on pay to play politics. While acknowledging in the statement that several clerks office employees who received raises or promotions also contributed to her campaign funds or passed petitions for her, Martinez said there was no connection between the government actions and the political work. Story continues As the famous quote states Correlation, does NOT imply Causation, Martinez said in the statement. The Office of the Circuit Court of Cook County employs over 1,400 people, her campaign added in its statement. Apparently, 6% of those employees choose to volunteer their time to the Clerks campaign because they believe in the award-winning job Clerk Martinez has done in implementing COVID safety protocols that save lives, while also cleaning up the corrupt hiring practices of her predecessor and removing the office from federal receivership. Still, records show, among those clerk employees who received promotions or raises since Martinez took office were several campaign contributors and even an official who heads two of Martinezs campaign funds. That includes Veronica Claudio, the chair of both the 33rd Ward and the clerks campaign fund. She was hired as Martinezs executive assistant in May 2021 and earlier this year was promoted to executive assistant and scheduler, increasing her annual salary to $95,551 from $74,886. In addition to being the campaign chair, Claudio also contributed $700 to the same two Martinez-run funds and collected 19 pages worth of campaign signatures for Martinez this fall. The treasurer for all of Martinezs political committees, Kerry OBrien, is another executive assistant in the clerks office, earning $104,524 this year. OBrien gathered 18 pages of petition signatures, records show. Both Claudio and OBrien did not return messages seeking comment. An assistant chief deputy clerk who was promoted multiple times during Martinezs tenure in office and received tens of thousands of dollars in raises gave $300 to Martinezs 33rd Ward fund and also passed petitions for the clerk, records show. That employee, now a director in the office, currently earns more than $125,000 annually. In her statement, Martinez said promotions are dictated by county labor regulations and collective bargaining agreements, and that they are overseen by her offices director of compliance, who must follow anti-patronage guidelines. Separately elected officials in Cook County can establish salaries for nonunion employees. The vast majority of those who received those significant raises are nonunion. It is legal for public officials to receive campaign cash and assistance from their government employees as long as solicitations arent done during government work hours. Public jobs, promotions and raises cannot be directly tied to the political giving or volunteering. But its also a frowned-upon political strategy by government reformers who argue it skirts the line for incumbents to receive campaign cash or services from subordinates reliant on the officeholder for their jobs. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Assessor Fritz Kaegi pledge not to take contributions from employees of the government bodies they run. Federally convicted former Gov. George Ryan who in the early 2000s tried pushing back against allegations employees who worked for him when he was secretary of state exchanged drivers licenses for bribe money that was then pumped into his campaign kitty even proposed a law banning employees of statewide offices from contributing to their boss campaigns. The law never passed. Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield and a campaign finance expert, agreed that correlation is not causation. But he said even the impression of potential corruption can be as damaging to the publics trust in government as corruption itself. What this does raise is both corruption and the appearance of corruption. Those are things you want to avoid because obviously we dont want corruption in terms of things being illegal. But in terms of the legitimacy of support of the public for the political process, the legitimacy of the process, (being) willing to participate the appearance of corruption is as corrosive as corruption itself, he said. Asked whether accepting donations and campaign help from employees lived up to her campaign pledge to govern to the highest ethical standard, Martinezs campaign said, The question is rhetorical and biased, as it does not center on all public officials, just a Latina public official, namely Iris Y. Martinez. As with existing public policies, an employee can attend, volunteer, or support a political party or candidate while off duty and off County premises, consistent with Cook County Board of Ethics guidance. But Redfield noted the converse of that is also true. Youve got a constitutional right to not participate in politics as a condition of government employment, he said. Forcing someone to or threatening someone or pressuring them to contribute, pass petitions, what have you, is again, constitutionally prohibited. Martinezs campaign said its petition passing efforts were 100% volunteer. A former state senator, Martinez was elected circuit court clerk in 2020 after Brown decided not to run for reelection following a string of controversies that stained the offices credibility. Brown, first elected in 2000, was never charged, though others from her administration were. Martinez is now running in the Democratic primary against Mariyana Spyropoulos, a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board member. In light of pay-to-play allegations in Browns administration, a federal monitor began oversight of the office in 2018 to ensure it was compliant with the Shakman decree a historic federally monitored order for most of the biggest government offices in Cook County that was meant to put policies and procedures in place so that politics arent taken into consideration when hiring, firing or disciplining nonexecutive employees. The office was freed from so-called Shakman oversight in late 2022. But attorney Michael Shakman, who brought the original anti-patronage case to court in 1969 and whose name became synonymous with hiring oversight in Cook County, said the Tribunes findings suggest the clerk is operating a patronage employment system. That a large number of employees of her office, many with salaries in the six figures, are circulating nominating petitions, and many have also recently received significant raises, suggest a quid pro quo relationship, he said. Shakman himself was not directly involved in dealing with Martinez while her office was subject to court oversight and he said he respects the principle that all public employees can voluntarily donate or circulate nominating petitions. Ms. Martinez may well respond that all the contributions, both financial and by passing nominating petitions, are voluntary, he said in an emailed statement. But given the scale of the activities that seems doubtful, at least in many cases. Martinez celebrated the end of the Shakman oversight as an incredible task that saved Cook County taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees. But the administrator in charge of overseeing compliance told the judge overseeing the case the release was thanks in large measure to a U.S. appeals court ruling months before that effectively directed the end of such monitoring across the state. The administrator, Susan Feibus, said during the final court hearing that while she thought the clerk was committed to compliance, many things that other offices have been required to do to reach this day have not been required in Martinezs office. This is not the first time employees from Martinezs office have helped on the campaign trail: Nearly two dozen of her employees helped pass petitions for 33rd Ward aldermanic candidate Samie Martinez, who is no relation to the clerk. He was defeated by incumbent Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez. Iris Martinez is the Cook County Democratic Party committeewoman in the ward, and Rodriguez Sanchez is running against her in the 2024 primary. Of the 22 employees who donated to Martinezs campaign funds and got promotions or raises, 18 came after the office was released from Shakman oversight, a Tribune analysis of county payroll data showed. The contributions spread among Martinezs campaign funds for state central committeewoman, 33rd Ward Democratic committeeperson and Circuit Court clerk were relatively small. They ranged from $50 to $5,000 and averaged just more than $300, campaign records show. Those who gave were identified by cross-referencing their names with county payroll records because most didnt declare themselves as clerk employees in campaign records. State election law allows contributors who give under $500 to withhold stating who their employer is. Most of the largest contributions were transfers from political funds run by clerk employees who are politicians and ran for other public offices, most notably Carmen Navarro Gercone, who ran for sheriff, and Michael Cashman, who ran for the Water Reclamation District. Now the executive clerk for court operations, Navarro Gercone donated to Martinezs campaign and also passed petitions for her. She said she was recruited to work in the clerks office shortly after Martinez was elected and while Navarro Gercone was still working for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Navarro Gercone told the Tribune she helped the campaign because it was important to me to be able to volunteer and donate and support Martinez for the good work she has done in the office. Partly because shed already run for office herself, Navarro Gercone said she knew how to get involved and signed up to be notified of campaign events at Martinezs 33rd Ward committeepersons office. Emails about volunteer opportunities are sent to her personal email, not her government one, she said, adding that shes never witnessed any pressure being placed on employees to help with politics. I dont have time for that. That doesnt happen at work, Navarro Gercone said. Noting that the Cook County Democratic Party did not endorse Martinez in 2020 and is backing Spyropoulos in the 2024 primary, Navarro Gercone said she felt some kinship with Martinez. The county party backed Dart over Navarro Gercone last year. From trying to run myself, she said, I saw what happened without the support of the party, which typically provides help fundraising, passing petitions, and other campaign help from fellow Democrats. The support of the people who work for you, who know the kind of work youre doing, what you stand for, I wouldnt want that taken from me, she said. Martinezs campaign chalked up that lack of party support to petty revenge from when the Clerk ran against the party in the 2020 election. Without the benefits of the party slate and organization to get on the ballot, Clerk Martinez is thankful for all of her volunteers, whatever their day job is, the statement said. Those who passed petitions largely work six-figure jobs in the clerks office, including several assistant clerks or deputy clerks and executive assistants, as well as the offices chief financial officer and the director of labor relations. The offices current deputy inspector general and an investigator now in the office helped collect 16 pages of petition signatures. Many of the petition passers and campaign contributors appear to be Shakman-exempt positions in Martinezs office, which are typically at the executive level and are employees who serve at the will of the public official. Her campaign noted Shakman signed off on the clerks office exiting federal oversight, attesting the office had reached substantial oversight. Clerk Martinezs reforms occurred with unprecedented dispatch and reversed conditions in a material way, the statement said. Having so many high-ranking employees involved in politics sends an implicit message that volunteering or contributing politically can help individuals climb the ladder at work, Shakman said. Though theres a clear right, if the position is exempt, to do political work and to hire and fire on the basis of political affiliation, it does send a message to rank-and-file who are not exempt that theres a reward for being a political loyalist, Shakman said. Thats not a good message if you want to run an office thats based on merit. The reason for those exempt positions is to allow officeholders to hire people for policymaking and confidential jobs that are aligned with the views and goals of the officeholder. It is not to generate campaign contributions or field workers for the officeholders political campaign. Yet the effect of the exempt status is to permit a smaller-scale patronage operation, Shakman said. It is not illegal, but it is also not good policy. aquig@chicagotribune.com The digital switchover is due to be completed by December 2025 A councillor said she was "concerned" about the possible impact of the digital phone switchover in Norfolk. Landline operators are due to switch every home phone in the UK to an internet-based connection by 2025. The move could affect about 500,000 properties across Norfolk. Jane James, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for innovation, said: "I understand that people are worried and we're concerned here at the county council." By the end of December 2025, all old analogue telephone landlines will be upgraded to use digital technology. 'Incredibly vulnerable' This means landline calls will be made using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which uses a broadband connection. But the digital landlines will not work in a power cut, which had led to concerns that older or vulnerable people could be isolated, particularly if they rely on care alarms which use traditional phone connections. Ms James said: "Our concern is for some of our residents, that if the power goes out, these people who have something they rely on to remain in our communities, are incredibly vulnerable. "If something goes wrong, they aren't able to contact the outside world." The rollout is part of a nationwide scheme being run by phone providers. They claim the old system is becoming outdated and expensive to maintain and the new lines will give clearer calls. The county council is worried that some people could be forced to reply on mobile phones when the new landline systems fails, which could prove difficult in areas with poor reception. "We've got a really rural county here in Norfolk," Ms James said. "It would be ok if we had fantastic mobile signal everywhere but sadly we don't. "It is a huge change that everybody is experiencing but, frankly, my concern is my residents in Norfolk and we need to look after them." BT said the move to digital was a necessary upgrade and more efficient. Story continues Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830 Ethiopia's Physical Land Changes Ethiopia, situated in the Horn of Africa, has a complex naming history closely connected to its physical land, shrinking and increasing over time. The geographical boundaries of Ethiopia have changed significantly over the centuries. Ethiopia is surrounded on three sides by territories that were once part of it. This ancient land included areas now Ethiopia, Eritrea, and part of Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. The region has been populated since the Paleolithic era, and it is one of the world's oldest known locations for human habitation. According to historical records in ancient times, before the birth of Christ, a group of settlers from Asia embarked on a long journey towards Ethiopia. They traversed through South Asia and then Arabia, braving harsh terrains and weather conditions until they finally crossed the Red Sea and arrived in Africa. Also, a significant event in Ethiopia's history when Eritrea, a region to the north, came under Italian control in 1870. This event changed Ethiopia's map and the shared history between Ethiopia and Eritrea has added complexity to their modern relationship. After Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, disagreements about the international border led to the EritreanEthiopian War from 1998 to 2000. On the west, Ethiopia shares its borders with the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The connection between Ethiopia and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan lies in their shared geographical proximity and historical interactions, particularly during the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium 18991956, when Britain and Egypt periodically administered Sudan. In the south and east, Ethiopia is bordered by Kenya and Somalia. These borders, too, have been influenced by colonial history, particularly the Scramble for Africa, when European powers divided the continent from roughly 1870 until World War I in 1914. Nine Different Names of Ethiopia Throughout the Centuries. Over the centuries, Ethiopia has been known by many names, including Habesha, Nubia, D'mt, Aksum, Abyssinia, Land of Punt, Ethiopia, African Jerusalem, and Italian East Africa. 1. Habesha is an indigenous term that refers to Semitic language-speaking and predominantly Orthodox Christian peoples found in the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea; the oldest reference to Ethiopia and Eritrea'sesha was in second or third-century Sabaean engravings. The Sabaean engravings are ancient inscriptions in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the Kingdom of Saba, modern-day Yemen. 2. In the past, certain areas of Ethiopia were referred to as Nubia. Nubia was a kingdom along the Nile with cultural ties to ancient Egypt. The area's history can be traced back to at least 2000 BCE. 3. Before the rise of Aksum, D'mt was an ancient kingdom in what is now Ethiopia during the Iron Age from 800 BCE to 701 BCE. 4. Aksum was the name of an ancient kingdom centered in northern Ethiopia. It was a significant player in the Red Sea trade and is known for its obelisks and ancient civilization. As the Aksumite Kingdom evolved, it became known as the Kingdom of Axum, reflecting its capitaregion's central power of the region. Today's territory of modern-day Ethiopia claims this name may be due to the conquest of Meroe by the Aksumite Empire in 301 A.D. to 400 A.D., after which the Axumites began referring to themselves as Ethiopians. Ethiopia, then known as the Aksumite Empire, underwent significant changes. It was during the reign of King Ezana that Christianity was declared the state religion. 5. Abyssinia is a historical name that has been commonly used to refer to the region that is now Ethiopia. It is derived from the Arabic term al-Habash and the ancient term Aksum, referring to the Aksumite Kingdom. Abyssinia was a kingdom first mentioned in Egyptian texts dating back to 2500 BC. Abyssinia was a significant power in northeastern Africa for many centuries, interacting with the Roman Empire, Persia, and other great powers of the ancient world. 6. In ancient Egyptian inscriptions, Ethiopia was sometimes called the Land of Punt, a region associated with trade and exotic goods. 7. Legend has it the name Ethiopia was applied to the land and people by King Ethiopis I, however, the term Ethiopia is believed to be of Greek origin, used by the Greek historian Herodotus to refer to parts of Africa known to the Greeks at the time. Ethiopia was used as a vague term for dark-skinned people since the time of Homer. In ancient times, Ethiopia often referred to the Kingdom of Kush in modern-day Sudan rather than strictly the territory of modern-day Ethiopia. This suggests that adopting the name Ethiopia was more of a gradual process than a single act by King Ethiopis I. 8. Ethiopia's historical and cultural significance in the Christian world, particularly in connection with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, has earned it the nickname African Jerusalem. 9. In 1935, Ethiopia was invaded and occupied by Fascist Italy, which later annexed it along with Italian-possessed Eritrea and Somaliland to form Italian East Africa. Ethiopia's Complex Land and Naming Narrative Ethiopia's complex geographical evolution spans from ancient times to the present day. Throughout its history, Ethiopia has undergone numerous significant events and changes that have impacted its boundaries and relationships with neighboring regions. From the Axumite Empire to the Zagwe dynasty, the Solomonic dynasty, the Italian occupation, and the modern-day federal republic, Ethiopia has experienced many political, social, and cultural transformations that have shaped its identity and position in the world today. Geographically, Ethiopia is characterized by varied landscapes, including highlands, lowlands, and plateaus, as well as diverse flora and fauna. The country is also home to many historic and cultural sites, such as Lalibela, Axum, and Gondar, which serve as a testament to Ethiopia's diverse cultural heritage. Ethiopia has a fascinating history and has been known by different names throughout the ages, which provides valuable insights into the country's diverse cultural heritage. From the ancient kingdom of Axum to the powerful Abyssinian Empire, Ethiopia has been home to many great civilizations, each leaving its unique mark on the country's history and culture. Ethiopia is a nation with a rich and intricate history comprising diverse traditions, languages, and customs. The various names and periods that mark Ethiopian history provide a glimpse into the complexity and depth of its cultural heritage. Hanson-Young said communications regulator ACMA will probably be asked to front the committee hearing, as will competition and consumer regulator the ACCC, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the federal communications department. The lives and livelihoods of millions were acutely disrupted by the Optus outage on November 8. It was unacceptable that people were unable to call 000 or access other essential services, she said. Senate inquiry chair Senator Sarah Hanson-Young grilled Optus executives. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The inquiry will be looking for solutions and assurances from telco corporations and regulators that they are doing everything possible to protect the public from future outages. Australians need to be able to call 000 in an emergency and access other essential services, regardless of what telco they might be with. The inquiry will also look into the role of the Commonwealth government in ensuring Australians have access to essential, reliable telecommunications going forward. Hanson-Young indicated that Optus executives would probably not be hauled before the February hearing. Bayer-Rosmarin and Optus managing director of networks, Lambo Kanagaratnam, faced more than two hours of questions last month. Singtel is the parent company of Optus. Credit: Bloomberg On the day that Bayer Rosmarin resigned, November 20, Hanson-Young said that Optus problems ran deeper than whoever was in the top job. Optus chief financial officer, Michael Venter, has been appointed interim CEO while parent company Singtel searches for a replacement. Sources close to Optus have said that while former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian remains a frontrunner for the position, Singtels board will most likely opt for an external replacement who was not there for the outage, and possibly an executive from another country entirely. There have been calls for Singtel to consider selling its Australian subsidiary in the wake of two high-profile crises in just over a year. Gladys Berejiklian has been touted as a possible new Optus chief executive. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer This is a woman who fronted up to the Senate inquiry last week and now has taken the ultimate responsibility for the failure. I think that shows some leadership better than some blokes are in a similar position, I might add, Hanson-Young said last month of Bayer Rosmarin. We obviously now need to see Optus really restore trust with the Australian people and to fix their crisis management. Its so clear from the evidence that weve seen in the Senate inquiry thus far that they just were not prepared. And they were terrible at communicating to their customers. I think the main thing here is to ensure that whoever takes over is actually somebody who is trustworthy, has integrity, and is able to work with government. Ian Martin, senior telecommunications analyst at New Street Research, said that the challenges in front of Optus are long term. The outage may be fixed but the damage to their reputation lingers and will continue to do so well into the new year. Communications expert Paul McKeon Its currently unclear how many Optus customers have deserted the telco in the wake of the outage and last years data breach, with that picture to become clearer at the companys next series of financial results in the new year. It will be three years for a new CEO to turn around momentum, Martin said. And it will require consistent net [customer] additions, though on a quarterly basis Optus has been good at that post-Covid. Paul McKeon is a communications industry veteran who helped launch the Optus brand in the 1990s. Its not over, McKeon said of Optus reputational woes. The outage may be fixed but the damage to their reputation lingers and will continue to do so well into the new year. The Senate committees move to push its final report back to late February alongside the second public hearing will re-open old wounds, according to McKeon, while multiple smaller outages such as the one that occurred in Victoria last week will do the same. Optus would no doubt like to be able to start the new year afresh and with a clear runway... That will be difficult now, he said. Orlando Rodriguez, the boss of Coca-Colas Australian bottling business, is always on the job. Before he even sits down for our interview he notices the cafes soft drink and water products are supplied by a rival. Thats how he knows that the lonely can of Coke sitting on the adjacent table is one that a customer must have brought in and left behind. It happens everywhere. People prefer a Coke, Rodriguez said. Coca-Colas Australia boss Orlando Rodriguez in front of part of the old Coca-Cola sign from Williams Street, Kings Cross. Credit: Dean Sewell We have customers like Pizza Hut that have gone to us [and] the level of drinks consumption just goes through the roof because people prefer Coke. Rodriguez is nine months into the job of managing director, but has been with the Coca-Cola business for nearly five years. Thats a decent stint for anybody, but the former Coles and Woolworths supply chain manager still feels wet behind the ears: hes regularly rubbing shoulders with colleagues who have been with the brand for several decades. Some truck drivers have the iconic hourglass-shaped glass bottle tattooed on their calves. They have Coke in their veins. Advertisement Eating outComing soon Star chef-restaurateur Andrew McConnell to headline next years Melbourne Food and Wine Festival There are more than 25 global and interstate chefs joining the event in March, plus butter butlers, fancy sausages and a hat-worthy American diner in Fed Square. Emma Breheny December 18, 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 A long table lunch by Andrew McConnell, bespoke dinners by Neil Perry and Dan Hong, and a huge weekend of chef-cooked pizza, sizzling sausages and hot cross buns at Federation Square are planned for next years Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The program, unveiled today, includes more than 300 events across 10 days next March, ranging from free events to dinners by Michelin-starred international chefs, many of them collaborating with hometown heroes. Local legend Andrew McConnell is cooking the Worlds Longest Lunch. Shelley Horan From Hanoi, Sam Tran will return to Melbourne, where she worked for several years, bringing her one-starred modern Vietnamese restaurant Gia to the CBDs Aru for two nights. Garima Arora, owner-chef of Bangkoks Gaa and the first Indian woman to win a Michelin star, will have a 10-day residency at Crown Melbourne. In a maximum Melbourne moment, one of the citys most successful chef-restaurateurs, Andrew McConnell, will lead the festival opening event, the Worlds Longest Lunch. Dont expect a mash-up menu drawing from Supernormal, Cumulus Inc. and the rest of his restaurant stable, though. This will be a cohesive lunch full of McConnell trademarks. Advertisement But creative director Pat Nourse emphasises that its not all about fine dining. Many chefs are doing multiple events at different prices. Sydney sensation Dan Hong, for example, will do two events: one at the ultra-glam Yugen and a more casual collaboration with gelateria Pidapipo. Dan Hong is making not one but two appearances at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Supplied Several events dont attract an entry fee, including Bakers Dozen, a bake sale featuring top local makers Tarts Anon, Bread Club and more. A hot cross bun bar will serve buns from Falco and an array of butters presented by butter butlers, with the festival currently taking suggestions for different butter flavours. The Pizza Sessions, also free, will showcase slices from Capitanos Casey Wall, Figlias Lucy Whitlow and Joel Bennetts of Sydneys Fish Shop and Burger Park. A pizza clinic will offer tips on how to make pizza at home like the pros. The Worlds Longest Brunch gets a truckload of colour and spice thanks to three up-and-coming Indian chefs of Melbourne. Toddy Shops Mischa Tropp will be making a Goan ros omelette: an omelette doused in chicken curry gravy. Harry Mangat of serial pop-up restaurant Biji Dining and Enter Via Laundrys Helly Raichura will bookend that dish with their native Australian-accented cooking. Advertisement Brunch is only a few years old and it already sells as quickly as [Worlds Longest] Lunch. Its really struck a chord with people, says Nourse. More than 25 out-of-town guests are participating in the 2024 festival, from Jonathan Zaragoza jetting in from Chicago to cook birria (Mexican slow-cooked goat), to Berowra Waters Inn pastry chef Lauren Eldridge and chef-restaurateur Neil Perry (Margaret, and soon-to-open Song Bird) heading in from Sydney for collaborations with local venues. Sometimes that part of the program has been challenged by its own popularity, says Nourse. They are among the fastest tickets to sell. Weve done everything we can to up the number of tickets in the market [this year]. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, February 1. The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival runs from March 15 to 24, 2024, at various venues around Melbourne. See melbournefoodandwine.com.au From classics to the new and cool: 10 of Melbournes best hot cross buns Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Were sitting at an outside table on a late-spring day at Fratelli Paradiso, close to the unit that he and his wife own in nearby Elizabeth Bay. (The couple divide their time between Sydney, a small home in Canberra and a holiday house on the Greek island of Kythera, which they visit annually.) We decide on the hearty agnello (lamb cutlets with a polenta crust, butter beans and salsa verde) for a main course, and so keep our entree simple: mixed olives and freshly baked rustic bread (dipped in fine olive oil), with a glass of Italian red for the retired admiral. Former head of the ADF Admiral Chris Barrie at Fratelli Paradiso. Credit: Nick Moir How does someone who spent 42 years inside one of the countrys most tradition-steeped institutions emerge as a climate campaigner? The synergies are stronger than you might think, he says. Culturally the navy made you think ahead. We used to have a thing called the weather eye, always having an interest in the weather and what might happen and what you might need to do. Its all about thinking and preparing for what lies ahead. In 2021, frustrated at the inaction of successive Coalition governments, he and a group of former senior military and emergency service leaders, together with some like-minded people from the business world, set up the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group to agitate for faster action. In the run-up to the May 2022 election, meetings with then opposition leader Anthony Albanese and climate change spokesman Chris Bowen all sounded very positive as his group lobbied for the development of a national climate risk assessment, Barrie says. But since then hes been disappointed at its slow progress. (Bowens department says the assessment and an adaptation plan will be delivered over two years, from this year.) Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen at COP28. Credit: AP Here we are now, halfway through their term of office, and guess what? Barrie says. By the end of 2024 they are going to finish this thing we thought might be done in the first year of the Albanese government. They are back to the old paradigm, the old power politics, the two-party system. In September Barrie briefed teal MPs (who share his desire for stronger climate action) in Canberra. They told him they felt resented by the major parties for having disturbed the system. And I said, Well, lets disturb the system even more! What would he be saying to Albanese now if he had the prime ministers ear? That we have no time now in which to delay getting things done, he replies. It has been squandered. Before he died, Will Steffen used to say, In 2030 we will know the answer about extinction or survival. I think he was wrong. It will be earlier than 2030, and I think we are starting to see now what I call planet fightback in a way that we could not have comprehended 10 years ago. The lamb at Fratelli Paradiso. Credit: Nick Moir Much as he enjoyed his naval career, Barrie says there was a striking lack of professionalism in the RAN when he first joined up, recalling extraordinary hijinks on board the first ship he sailed in. Sixteen young midshipmen graduated in the year ahead of his in 1963. Twelve months later, eight of those young men were dead in naval accidents (one of which was the notorious collision between HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager in 1964). Our navy changed dramatically after [that] when its association with the US Navy began from the mid-60s onwards, he recalls. His straight-talking style wasnt always appreciated by higher-ups: Ive [still] got two letters that I received when I was in New Delhi [on a defence posting], telling me to go and find another job. Barrie ignored them and stayed on, gaining two university degrees on the side including an MBA from Deakin University. These days he is an honorary professor at the Australian National Universitys Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (and Australian chair of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change). John Howard had command of his job, Barrie says. Credit: Jacky Ghossein Despite John Howards climate change scepticism, Barrie says he found him easy to deal with during the years he was defence chief. He never swore at anyone, he never threw things at anyone, he was in control of the job. I hear a lot of stories about people who get that job and lose the plot. Military men whove seen action tend to be more cautious than politicians and desk warriors about sending young soldiers, sailors and air crew to war, and Barrie, who saw active service during the Vietnam War, is no exception. Hes critical of the way Australian leaders seem to almost automatically follow the US into any conflict our powerful ally embarks on. Loading He believes Iraq was a mistake because the UN had not sanctioned the action, and not enough troops were provided to stabilise the country afterwards. When Australian troops went to East Timor, he says, they were there at the invitation of the Indonesia government, so we were not invading that country. [But] when we went into Iraq in 2003 we had invaded somebody elses country. If I know anything from broad history its that when the invader arrives, the people who live there busy themselves working out how to get rid of the invader. Nor does he think we should be in Ukraine, Europes latest land war. Its not our war [and] we are a small power. He is more circumspect on whether Australia should join the US in any future military clash over the future of Taiwan. I think that depends, he says. (He knows Taiwan well, having gone there several times in the 2000s.) Barrie in the Balibo area of East Timor in 1999. Credit: AP The Americans would expect us to get involved, I suggest. Yeah, Im sure they do. But would we make much difference? No. Its totally symbolic, he replies. I ask for his reaction to the landmark Brereton inquiry, which found credible information pointing to war crimes being committed by Australian special forces in Afghanistan on 23 occasions, with 25 soldiers implicated. Id like to know what advice was given to the government about the successive combat rotations [of SAS troops], about these guys going back in 12 times he says. Personally, I think that was unconscionable. The bill As for the AUKUS deal engineered by the Morrison government and signed up to by Labor under which Australia is meant to get eight of its own nuclear submarines Barrie is sceptical on that front too. He is not opposed to nuclear submarines per se. He says he and one-time head of the defence department, Paul Barrett, spent several years chasing the nuclear submarine option for Australia. But their thinking back then was premised on a domestic nuclear industry, which is not the case with the AUKUS deal. That means we are taking some risks, he says. Where will the continuity of nuclear engineering be if we dont have nuclear power stations? Were going to have to rely absolutely on the Americans or the British. He adds that if Trump were to win next years presidential election and renege on the submarine deal, that will be the end of it. This article is part of our Summer in Sydney series, where Herald staff reveal the best and worst of our city in the hotter months. Youve probably never heard of this suburb. I hadnt until I tracked it down on Google Maps a decade ago when my brother moved there. If you have heard of it, your exposure may be due to the brief period a matter of hours it lurked in the furthest corner of the national consciousness last year when its prosaic RSL hosted Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses victory party. Hurlstone Park is a blink-and-youll-miss-it patch of leafy quiet in an otherwise gritty part of Sydney. It sits on the border of the inner west and the south-west woke politics on one side, drive-by shootings on the other. An event celebrating the Cooks River at Hurlstone Park Credit: Brook Mitchell It was once described as the Paris end of the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area. The locals like that moniker and point to features Hurlo shares with the City of Love: a dirty river (the Cooks), good coffee and a preponderance of dogs. Victorias top state schools are keeping pace with their private competitors, despite receiving less than half the income per student. Analysis by The Age using the top 20 average year 9 NAPLAN results for public and private schools shows the best-performing independent school received an average of $30,109 per student in 2022, compared to an average of $16,480 earned by state schools. State schools are predominantly funded by the state government while independent schools earn income through fees. The total net recurrent income in 2022 for the top-performing private schools is more than $850 million, compared to less than half that $413 million for the public schools. Victorias four selective state high schools all achieved better averages in year 9 NAPLAN testing than their private school peers, pulling scores from 704.4 to 684.8, despite receiving a maximum of $16,982 per student. 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 With a little imagination, it could be one of those cool apartments in a Manhattan-set movie a stylishly renovated space in a classic building located in the beating heart of the metropolis with views over the city and a short stroll from restaurants, bars and retail outlets. Unfortunately, as I climb the stairs of the Metropole Hotel in the Hay Street Mall to see for myself one of the many abandoned spaces in heritage-listed buildings across the Perth CBD, I realise that imagination has been sorely lacking in both our private and public sectors. JLL general manager Angelo Amara and economist Ronak Bhimjiani in the heritage building-lined Hay Street Mall. Credit: Mark Naglazas All agree the city needs to grow its population to help alleviate the woes of the retail sector and do its bit for the housing crisis. Yet whenever the idea of activating the unused upper floors of charming old buildings comes up it is dismissed as a bridge too far too expensive, too many restrictive laws, too few incentives for owners. So when the Perth office of the commercial property giant JLL put out a press release arguing that the sadly neglected upper floors of our heritage-listed buildings in the CBD were ripe for being repurposed into apartments I had to find out if they were being serious. It can happen and should because we are talking about the core of the city, says JLLs local managing director Angelo Amara. Advertisement And it is not quite as cost prohibitive as people think. But it will require all levels of government to get behind it and offer developers a range of incentives and concessions. Loading Amara recalls the government acting during the hotel crisis a decade ago, where room prices shot to $1000 thanks to the mining boom, leading to a change in plot ratio regulations. So with some creative thinking, a more welcoming regulatory environment and, most importantly, the determination of all levels of government to transform these beautiful old buildings into apartments and reinvigorate this part of the city then it will happen, he says. Amara and JLL economist Ronak Bhimjiani take me through the top levels of the Metropole, a sunny space just waiting for an architect to work their magic and transform it into something that would make a youngster have second thoughts about fleeing Perth for Melbourne. I would much rather be living here in a building with character and in a part of the city with life than in one of those soulless towers on Langley Park, says Amara. To prove his point that the barriers to converting the Metropole and similar spaces in the CBD have been overstated, Amaro invites me to JLLs offices in Central Park to meet the companys head of project and development services, Nichola Hodge. Advertisement While Hodge does not downplay the cost of converting old buildings in Perth, some of which date back to the 19th century, she says it is less expensive than repurposing modern office blocks, which is something on the post-COVID agenda around the world. The Australian Dream is too ingrained for them to downsize and move into the city. JLL economist Ronak Bhimjiani, on attracting those from Perths outer suburbs to the CBD If an older building has a base plate that works and you are satisfying sustainability requirements by not tearing down a structure it can be 30 per cent cheaper than adapting a more contemporary building with large plates and fixed windows, Hodge says. The heritage-listed buildings along the Hay Street Mall would not be too difficult to convert into apartments. They are not too deep, they have windows on both ends so you have dual aspect, there is easy egress in and out, you dont have these large plates so they can be broken into smaller sections and you have operable windows and balconies. While older buildings are more malleable than we imagine, it will still require the easing of a number of regulations to make them viable, such as dropping the need for apartments to have parking bays, which is something the City of Sydney has recently proposed in order to alleviate its housing stress. Bhimjiani does not believe that offering apartments without parking bays will be a problem because locals who are used to having large homes and backyards and a garage are not the target market. Advertisement The Australian Dream is too ingrained for them to downsize and move into the city, he argues. Loading The target should be those who have just finished university and have their first job in the city. These apartments would be perfect for them. However, the biggest potential market for apartments in the heart of the CBD are people from overseas who are coming in record numbers. Amara is not as pessimistic as his JLL colleague on the prospect of locals giving up the dream home and moving into the kind of inner-city apartment that he hopes will one activate the upper floors of our languishing historic buildings. I dont think weve ever offered a viable example to persuade people to give up their suburban homes and think of moving into the city. I believe it will be a case of build it and they will come, Amara says. If we can present one stunning example of a building such as this I believe it will be a catalyst for other developers. We just need to demonstrate how it can be done and done really beautifully. Advertisement While there is more than 200,000 square metres of empty office and retail space in the Perth CBD ripe for residential conversion, according to recent JLL research, Amara says that the heritage-listed building should be top priority because they are the core of the city. Everything radiates from here, Amara as we step out of the Metropole and into the Hay Street Mall, which is lined with heritage-listed buildings whose ground floors are being used and everything above neglected. If you keep building tranche after tranche of soulless apartments in the Adelaide Terrace end of the city without paying attention to the heart and soul of Perth you will end up with a characterless city that nobody wants to know about, he says. Activate Perths A Moveable Feast took over the citys streets last September. Credit: Tashi May We got a glimpse of what a revitalised Hay Street Mall would be like last September when Activate Perth, a group charged with filling up the empty shops that have become the blight of the city, put on its first Moveable Feast. Such events will not revive the city, but the Moveable Feast did show us what this part of the city would be like with an increase in its residential population, says Amara. Food and beverage would follow and the heart of the Perth CBD would start to feel like vibrant 24-hour cities we love to visit such as Melbourne. The head of the NSW police watchdog has called for stronger powers to intervene in investigations launched when a person is injured or killed while dealing with officers, saying the agencys powers were narrowly confined and effectively ring-fenced by current laws. Following a series of high-profile deaths involving police, including 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who was Tasered by an officer in Cooma in May, NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) chief Peter Johnson SC has called for clearer authority in internal police investigations into serious cases. Commissioner Peter Johnson. Credit: Edwina Pickles Despite Premier Chris Minns repeatedly saying oversight by the LECC of the internal police probe, known as a critical incident investigation, would give a measure of confidence to the public that Nowlands death would be thoroughly investigated, Johnson told the Herald that it had very limited powers in relation to those probes. The current situation is we cant investigate at all, he said. Highwaystarz-Photography / iStock.com By now, most of us are aware that the Nigerian Prince emailing us to ask for our banking information so he can wire us a large sum of money isnt exactly who he says he is. However, as scammers techniques are exposed, they often become sneakier in trying to capture our information. Zelle Scams on Facebook Marketplace: How To Recognize and Avoid Them How To Get Free Money: 15 Proven Ways In fact, if weve recently picked up a call from a random number, only to hear someone on the other line ask, Can you hear me?, we might have stepped into a new, very common ploy. According to Verify, robocallers and scammers often use yes-or-no questions like Can you hear me? to confirm that a phone number is active, and that someone will answer, which unfortunately leads to more robocalls and scam attempts. While joining the Federal Do Not Call Registry and reporting Can you hear me? calls to the FTC can help reduce our exposure to these calls, here are four other phone scams to be aware of. Sponsored: The Results Are In: Is your bank one of the best of the year? Spoofing Some scammers will send an email or text from a source that, at a glance, seems recognizable. But as USAGov cautions us, fraudsters use email addresses or phone numbers that are off by even a single letter or number to lull us into a false sense of familiarity. USPS Delivery Smishing These texts can come as messages about failure to deliver packages, complete with links that compel us to enter personal and financial information. Remember, USPS wont send texts or emails unless a customer has requested the service, and messages will never contain a link. What if we get this message when were actually expecting a package? We should visit the USPS website and enter our assigned tracking number. Amazon Impersonators These scam artists pretend to be representatives from Amazon, calling about supposedly fraudulent purchases or the need to update a linked credit card. Insurance Fraud: Playing on victims anxieties about overdue bills, these scammers will claim that theyre calling on behalf of a company about an outstanding balance for auto insurance, life insurance and health insurance. Sometimes, scammers take a softer approach, claiming to offer discounts, free prescriptions or other services in exchange for personal information like social security numbers. Story continues Charity Scams Unfortunately, fraudsters often have no shame exploiting our desire to support causes that are important to us, either sending texts or calling us as representatives from various charitable groups. Before we open our hearts, and our wallets, to any charity, we need to do our research: Using resources such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and contacting the organization directly can help assure us that our donations are going to the right place. Takeaway While todays scammer isnt generally pretending to be foreign-born royalty in need of a hand, they can still be quite crafty. But armed with the right knowledge, we can keep our information out of their hands. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Can You Hear Me? And 4 Other Phone Call Scams Istanbul: The fatal shooting by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip of three unarmed men who turned out to be Israeli hostages could give momentum to those pushing for a new ceasefire to allow for more hostages to be released. Critics of how Israel is prosecuting its war in Gaza also seized on the event, in which Israeli soldiers fatally shot three shirtless men who were waving a white flag, as an example of the militarys failure to live up to its promises to protect civilians. Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz and Samer Al-Talalka have been identified as the three hostages killed. Credit: The three men were killed in a neighbourhood of Gaza City where Israeli forces have fought deadly battles with Gaza militants in recent days. The military said that a preliminary investigation had found that the soldiers were on high alert when the three men emerged from a building dozens of metres away. One soldier, considering them a threat, fired on the men, killing two of them and wounding a third. Jutes wrote in his own announcement to Instagram: "Yesterday I asked my best friend to marry me and she said yes. I cant imagine my life without you and thank god now Ill never have to. Feeling like the luckiest man alive right now. Im so in love with you." Govt ready to provide land for IIM centre in Pune Business Reporter Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the State Government is ready to provide land for setting up the centre of IIM in Pune. If IIM Nagpur has a proposal in this regard, we will certainly privide the required land, he said while addressing the IIM Nagpurs, Zero Mile Samvad (ZMS). further also said that it will be a matter of great pride to start the centre in Pune, the city known as hub of education. Apart from this, Fadnavis said that the countrys strong leadership and the human resources available in the country will certainly take the Indian economy beyond $5 trillion by 2030. Similarly, Maharashtra will also achive the status of $ 1 trillion during the same period, he said highlighting the states growth in various sectors. Later in the concluding cerenomy of the conference, Union for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari beaconed the young India to navigate its economic journey by balancing technology, sustainable growth, and equitable infrastructure development, leaving the audience with a powerful call to action. The two - day conference concluded on a high note on Friday, propelling Indias economic ascent towards a $5 trillion dream. The event infused crucial conversations across diverse sectors, forging a collaborative path to progress. The final day of IIM Nagpurs ZMS unearthed a meticulously crafted roadmap for Indias economic ascent, each session paving a vital step towards the $5 trillion vision. The forenoon sessions delved into a concurrent panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs Nitin Vishvas, Founder, Moonshine Meadery, Amod Kulkarni, Founder, The Kapda Project, Sudhanshu Wairagade, Founder, La Farine Patisserie and cafe, Piyush Saha and Siddharth Prasad, Founders, Brew31 Breweries and Varun Sarda, Founder, WTFares, Manish Sharma, Founder, Brew31 Breweries, Mithilesh Vazalwar, Founder, Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters and Parimal Kalikar, Founder, Licksters Ice creams, shedding light on the entrepreneurial catalyst for growth and its impact on Indias economy. The day culminated in a closing ceremony that resonated with the collective spirit of the event. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, welcomed the guests of honour, while CP Gurnani, Chairman IIM Nagpur and MD & CEO Tech Mahindra, presented a comprehensive report on the summit, highlighting the key takeaways and actionable insights gleaned from the 2 days vigorous discussions. Harvard President Claudine Gay speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Dec. 5, 2023 in Washington. Gay will remain leader of the prestigious Ivy League school following her comments the congressional hearing on antisemitism, the university's highest governing body announced Dec. 12. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) American universities are wrapping up their finals weeks and students are returning home for the holidays. Almost all colleges shut down entirely between Christmas and New Year, and few will be as appreciative of that break as university presidents. University presidencies long have been prestige-laden positions, replete with huge salaries, capable and deferential support staffers and working days filled with speechifying and schmoozing with donors. Advertisement Dealing with curricula, tenure applications and complaining professors? Thats the provosts job. Presidents operate on a higher plane. In the wake of the disastrous congressional testimony by the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology performances that cost one of them their job and sullied the reputation of the other two that description of the job looks increasingly outmoded. Presidents have been under fire all over the country with some local-angle journalists even using the Washington, D.C., mess as a hook to probe what is happening, or not happening, at their institution of higher learning. Advertisement In the case of Harvard President Claudine Gay, critics overplayed their hands, overstating the reality of her academic work that, while sloppy and reductive, did not amount to actionable plagiarism. By failing to look even one move ahead and anticipating Harvards determination not to be seen as beholden to outside, partisan forces, they effectively ensured Gays survival. For now, at least. 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 > We sympathize with the presidents in the klieg lights. Elite campuses are petri dishes for bigger American divisions, filled as they are with young people who have the time and money to stand on ceremony, and those students are not exactly known for nuance or critical thinking these days. Not all the presidential criticism has been deserved. Then again, these are major leadership positions with highly generous compensation, and scrutiny should be expected and encouraged. Thats why we were appalled to read that, well before Gays poor performance on Capitol Hill, Harvard had sicced high-priced lawyers on the New York Post when it dared to ask questions about Gays previous academic work. Harvard is one of Americas wealthiest institutions of higher learning and using its resources to bully a newspaper asking legitimate questions is an abuse of its privileged position. The main issue with the congressional testimony, aside from the presidents failing to make a clear statement in support of their fearful Jewish students, was the Johnny-come-lately aspect of their defense of free speech by critics of Israel. Everyone knows they had not been affording similar, Voltaire-like principles to anyone with whom the progressive orthodoxy disagreed, often citing student safety, of all things. We suggest these leaders pour themselves a glass of mulled wine as they close up their campuses and resolve in 2024 to reengage with critical thinking, hire more faculty with diverse points of view as well as diverse racial identities and privilege teaching over activism. They should refrain, too, from issuing institutional memos of outrage or support, unless they honestly think they can do so when the issue in play is out of their ideological comfort zones. This time, an overdue reckoning has come for them. 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. Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse. So, the natural question for Infinity Lithium (ASX:INF) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'. See our latest analysis for Infinity Lithium How Long Is Infinity Lithium's Cash Runway? You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. As at June 2023, Infinity Lithium had cash of AU$12m and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$5.3m over the trailing twelve months. Therefore, from June 2023 it had 2.3 years of cash runway. Arguably, that's a prudent and sensible length of runway to have. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time. How Is Infinity Lithium's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? While Infinity Lithium did record statutory revenue of AU$172k over the last year, it didn't have any revenue from operations. That means we consider it a pre-revenue business, and we will focus our growth analysis on cash burn, for now. In fact, it ramped its spending strongly over the last year, increasing cash burn by 100%. It's fair to say that sort of rate of increase cannot be maintained for very long, without putting pressure on the balance sheet. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Infinity Lithium due to its lack of significant operating revenues. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues Can Infinity Lithium Raise More Cash Easily? While Infinity Lithium does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate). Infinity Lithium's cash burn of AU$5.3m is about 11% of its AU$47m market capitalisation. Given that situation, it's fair to say the company wouldn't have much trouble raising more cash for growth, but shareholders would be somewhat diluted. Is Infinity Lithium's Cash Burn A Worry? On this analysis of Infinity Lithium's cash burn, we think its cash runway was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 3 warning signs for Infinity Lithium (of which 1 is a bit unpleasant!) you should know about. If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Mastermind had plan B, cops now probing his Maoist links: THE investigation into the Parliament security breach has exposed a hidden layer of planning orchestrated by mastermind Lalit Jha. Unravelling the intricacies of the alleged conspiracy, sources privy to the probe revealed that the perpetrators had a backup plan ready in case their initial attempt failed. Official sources revealed that Neelam and Amol, positioned outside the Parliament, were part of the initial plot, armed with coloured smoke canisters. However, it appears that the accused were prepared for contingencies. Sixth arrest in Parliament security breach case: THE Delhi Police has arrested one more person in connection with Parliament Security Breach case, an officer said on Saturday. Mahesh Kumawat had come on his own to a police station along with Lalit Jha Thursday night and both were handed over to the Special Cell, the officer said. Meanwhile, a Delhi court sent Mahesh Kumawat to police custody for seven days. Parlt security breach accused wanted to stage self-immolation for drama, attention: Official: THE five accused arrested in the December 13 Parliament security breach case have revealed they explored the idea of self-immolation after applying fire-resistant gel on their body to create more dramatic scenes without hurting themselves and get media attention, Delhi Police officials said on Saturday. However, they later dropped this idea, settling on the plan to jump into the Lok Sabha chamber with smoke canisters, they said. The Delhi Police Special Cell, which is investigating the case, also plans to record the statement of BJP MP Pratap Simha, who had authorised the visitor passes for the two men who breached security to enter the House. Two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting tanashahi nahi chalegi outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media. Before finalising this plan (to jump into the Lok Sabha chamber), they (accused) had explored certain ways that could be impactful in sending their message to the Government, a Delhi Police official aware of the investigations told PTI. Said an official, They wanted to explore immolating themselves by covering their bodies with fireproof gel so that they dont get hurt. By doing this drama, they wanted to get media attention. Later, they dropped this idea. However, the reason to drop this idea is not known yet. They also considered distributing pamphlets inside the Parliament but finally went ahead with the plan they executed on Wednesday, the official said. Late on Friday, the investigators took the accused to various places where they met and conspired on the breach. The police are likely to seek Parliaments permission to recreate the breach that occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Sources said the investigators have also not given a clean chit to Mahesh Kumwat and Kailash -- who allegedly helped Jha escape. The police will soon take Jha to Nagaur in Rajasthan where he stayed after fleeing on Wednesday. He will be taken to the place where he claimed to have destroyed his and others mobile phones, another official said. All five arrested accused have been sent to seven days police custody. AAA Group launches Anjaneya Greens layout Business Reporter The AAA Group, one of the most trusted builders and developers in the city has recently launched its special project -- Anjaneya Greens -- residential cum commercial layout, near Gorewada Zoo and Fetri, 60 meter Outer Ring Road touch, Mouza Mahurzari. This was revealed by the young and dynamic, CA Amit A Agrawal, Director of AAA Group in an exclusive interview with The Hitavada. Anjaneya Greens consists of total 102 plots ranging from 1,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet in an affordable price range of Rs 1,400 per sq ft to Rs 1,800 sq feet. The developer has obtained RERA No. P50500046204, NMRD sanction and Release Letter (RL) for the project. Bank finance up to 90 per cent is also available for the buyers. The project is scheduled to be completed by end of 2024. As the layout offers various amenities and is getting an overwhelming response from customers. Agrawal feels that the project could get sold out within short span of time. Similarly, AAA Group has two majestic projects Arsh Glory, RERA No. P50500032402 and Arsh Residency, RERA No. P50500053504 situated behind Highway Glory restaurant, Amravati Road. Arsh Glory consists of 28 flats of 2.5 and 3 BHK ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft. Arsh Glory is 70 per cent complete and construction is under full swing. Arsh Residency consists of 14 flats and is in the final stage of construction. CA Amit Agrawal started his accountancy firm in 2007. Currently, the firm provides financial services, Income Tax, GST, project finance, RERA registration, plot finance among other services. After this, he entered the construction field in 2010 with his first project. After this there was no looking back, as CA Amit Agrawal was highly successful and has completed 10 projects. At present, he is one of the most sought after real estate consultant in the RERA Act, providing all real estate services under one roof to builders and developers across Vidarbha, Pune and Mumbai. AAA Group has cornered a lions share of 70 to 80 per cent for these services in the city. CA Amit Agrawal has been honoured with various awards from EY, Times Group, Radio City, BNI, CREDAI and Naredco. The AAA Group professional team members consisting of 10 chartered accountants. Apart from this, other core members includes CA Amol Gindodiya who manages Pune and Mumbai branches. Dr Shikha Agarwal (wife), Adv Ashish Agrawal (brother) and RERA expert Priya Jain (sister). AAA Group is located at Shree Govindraj Heights, CA, Gitanjali Sq (M: 9823160225). BSF organises first-ever parade in Delhi to mark 1971 war victory NEW DELHI, THE BSF held a first-ever Vijay Diwas Parade here on Saturday to commemorate the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War that saw a historic victory of the Indian Armed Forces against Pakistan. BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal took the salute of the ceremonial parade at the Chhawla camp of the border-guarding force in South-West Delhi and paid homage at the martyrs memorial, the force said on X. This was the first time that a full Vijay Diwas Parade was held by the Border Security Force (BSF) at the force level. Earlier, respective battalions and units held their own events to pay tributes to the personnel who laid down their lives during the 1971 war, a senior officer told PTI. The post on X said solemn tributes were paid to remember the remarkable contribution of BSF during the Bangladesh Liberation Struggle, and to honour the victory of Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 War leading to Liberation of Bangladesh.... The remarkable victory in the war following the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971 resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country. The BSF played a vital role in the war. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the war in 2021, had said the Border Security Force played a critical role in the liberation of Bangladesh and the country salutes the officers and men whose resolve and valour created history in 1971. In many ways, the experience of 1971 was its initiation by fire. Yet the exceptional bravery displayed by BSF battalions, both at the eastern and western fronts, contributed to an outcome that was in Indias favour. None of us can ever forget the genocidal campaign launched by Pak forces against the people of Bangladesh in March 1971, the Minister had said in his keynote address. In 2013, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar officiated as the chief guest of the BSF raising day on December 1 and recounted what her father -- late Jagjivan Ram -- used to tell her about the force. In 1971, my father was the defence minister when the Bangladesh Liberation War took place and he would say, If the Army has a contribution to the war, the role of the BSF in it is no less. He was a great admirer of your bravery and gallantry, Kumar had said at the Chhawla camp. According to official records, a total of 125 BSF personnel were killed and 392 injured while 133 were reported missing after the war. The about-2.65-lakh-personnel-strong force was raised in 1965 and it is primarily tasked with guarding important Indian fronts with Bangladesh on the east and with Pakistan on the countrys western flank. Bulldozer finds its way in States political lexicon By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Announcement of Dr Mohan Yadavs name as a Chief Minister has stunned many, so is the case with the razing down of illegal construction on houses accused of slashing the palm of a BJP worker. As against his predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has earned the Mama moniker in view of launching a slew of women-centric welfare schemes e.g. Ladli Laxmi Yojana and Beti Bachao Abhiyan and Ladli Bahna Yojana. He is known for avuncular style of working. Although, for a short period, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan undergone an image makeover and ordered stern action rape accused. If seemed that in line with the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan used the bulldozer as a tool to teach lessons to criminals only for a few incidents. Acting against gang rape, rioting and kidnapping accused in Seoni, Sheopur, Jaora, Shahdol and Raisen, Shivraj Singh Chouhan had ordered to raze down the property of accused. Within six days, the house of Shahdol rape accused was demolished. This was following an investigation by the chief municipality officer who found a number of illegalities in the construction of the house. The banners were seen in Bhopal with bulldozer mama written and an image of CM Chouhan and a bulldozer in the background. But it could not gain ground and it has been said that the team of officers close to the former CM worked on women centric schemes and Former CM Chouhan returned to his former role of 'Mama'. But a PhD in political science, Yadav in his first order talks about prohibitory order on unauthorised loudspeakers and just a day after his oath-taking ceremony, the bulldozer action comes, the house of Farukh Raine, was demolished in Janta Colony area of Bhopal. Police have arrested Farukh, Aslam, Shahrukh, Bilal and Sameer for attack a BJP worker. In political messaging, the bulldozer is used to show a strong stance against criminals. Although, It has received mixed reaction, a section termed it unconstitutional. A section of denizens does not find it justifiable when one person commits a crime; other members of his family are being punished for his action. An advocate on condition of anonymity told to The Hitavada, We have laws and procedures that need to be followed. In the past too such actions were taken and they moved the court against such demolitions. When one person commits a crime, the state is expected to follow the due process of law. The police and administration have criminalised the entire family and punished them. While another sect supports the action finding an effective way to nip the problem in the bud. Political observers find it a transformation from flooding of women centric schemes to tough stance narrative by state government. Which is not going to fade with time, as the Chief Minister was being known for his Hindutva proponent image who hails from temple town Ujjain. A blue-eyed boy of one of the top RSS functionaries, Suresh Soni. After the swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr Mohan Yadav visited his hometown Ujjain and performed Rudrabhishek at Mahakaleshwar Temple. Yadav said, It is important to seek the blessings of Baba when you get a new opportunity, after offering prayers at Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. State Wrestling Association Chief, Dr Mohan Yadav is all set ready to helm the Madhya Pradesh Government. How far new CM will be able to translate his rhetoric into action remains to be seen. Dreams come true Staff Reporter RAIPUR, CHIEF Minister Vishnu Deo Sais approval of the construction of over 18 lakh houses has instilled confidence and happiness among the residents of Tekari village in Raipur district. The rural population, previously troubled by natural disasters and monkey menace, now looks forward to the comfort and security offered by concrete houses. Residents, like Mukesh Kumar Verma, who had previously applied for a Pradhan Mantri Awas without success, express their joy and gratitude for the prospect of having a concrete house. The decision brings relief to those who faced challenges during the rainy season, with leaking roofs and damages caused by monkeys. The maintenance costs of these dilapidated houses will no longer be a burden on the villagers. Various residents from Tekari village share their stories of roof collapses and water leakage, emphasizing the positive impact Chief Minister Sais decision will have on their lives. The prospect of having concrete houses ensures a safer and more comfortable living environment, free from the issues they face with weakened roofs. Ashok Verma, who used wooden logs to support his weak roof due to monkey antics, and Lakshmi Verma, who experienced roof collapses in both the kitchen and cowshed, expressed relief at the forthcoming construction of concrete houses. The residents, who had previously resorted to temporary measures such as using tin sheets, eagerly anticipate a permanent solution to their housing challenges. Chief Minister Sais decision, announced during a cabinet meeting, entails providing financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh to more than 18 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Additionally, the beneficiaries will receive 90 days of employment under MGNREGA, contributing to both housing development and rural employment opportunities. The decision is met with gratitude from the residents of Tekari village, echoing the positive impact it will have on their lives. INDIAN NAVY counters hijacking incident in Arabian Sea NEW DELHI, THE Indian Navy has swiftly responded to a call for help following a hijacking incident involving a Malta-flagged cargo vessel with 18 crew on board in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Saturday. The Indian Navy swung into action after receiving a Mayday message (distress call) on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) portal on December 14. The vessel MV Ruen indicated that six pirates persons had illegally boarded it, the officials said. The Navys maritime patrol aircraft undertook surveillance missions in the area and its warship on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf Aden were deployed to locate and assist MV Ruen. MPs suspension not linked to Parlt security breach issue: Om Birla NEW DELHI, LOK Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday rejected suggestions that the suspension of 13 Opposition members was linked to their protests over the recent security breach and recalled that the House had displayed exemplary solidarity and collective resolve when breaches had happened in the past. On December 13 afternoon, two men jumped inside the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors gallery with canisters of yellow smoke. They were pinned down by MPs who were in the House during the Zero Hour. With protests by the Opposition disrupting Parliament proceedings, Birla wrote a letter to all MPs, informing that he had constituted a high-powered committee to review all aspects of security in the Parliament complex and formulate a concrete action plan to ensure that such incidents do not recur. This committee is in addition to a CRPF director general headed panel which is investigating the incident. The speaker said he will share its report with the House once it is submitted. With Opposition parties seeking a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah and some even demanding his resignation, Birla noted that security in the Parliament House Estate comes under the jurisdiction of Parliament. Accordingly, it is the Parliaments responsibility to formulate a detailed action plan on security measures in accordance with your suggestions, and thereafter, their implementation is also the responsibility of Parliament, he said. Birla said 13 Opposition members have been suspended from the House purely to uphold its sanctity. PM Modi to inaugurate second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam today NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at his parliamentary constituency Varanasis Namo Ghat on Sunday and flag off the Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train, according to officials here. The cultural festival will be held from December 17 to 30. The first batch of the Tamil delegation departed from Chennai on December 15. Nearly 1,400 people (seven groups of 200 each) from varied walks of life are expected to be travelling from different parts of Tamil Nadu, they said. During their stay in Kashi, as per their tour itinerary, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya, the official said. The seven groups of students (Ganga), teachers (Yamuna), professionals (Godavari), spiritual (Saraswati), farmers and artisans (Narmada), writers (Sindhu) and traders and businessmen (Kaveri) have been named after seven sacred rivers of India will travel from Chennai, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari to Kashi, an official statement said on Saturday. More than 42,000 registrations were received during the time of registration. Out of them, 200 people for each group were selected by the selection committee, it said. The Union Ministry of Education will be the nodal agency for this event. The Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Railways, Textiles, Food Processing (ODOP), MSME, Information and Broadcasting, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, IRCTC and related departments of the government of Uttar Pradesh will be participating in the event. Leveraging the experience of the first phase and considering its reputation for research, IIT Madras will be acting as the implementing agency in Tamil Nadu and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Uttar Pradesh, the statement said. The representative itinerary will include a two-day outbound trip, a two-day return trip to Banaras and a one-day trip, each to Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Stalls showcasing art and culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and other special products of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will be set up. Cultural programmes combining the cultures of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also be organised at the Namo Ghat in Kashi, it said. During the event, seminars, discussions and lectures will be organised on various aspects of knowledge like literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, ayurveda, handloom, handicrafts along with modern innovations, business exchanges, EdTech and other next-generation technologies, the statement said. Apart from this, experts and scholars, local practitioners of various disciplines/professions from Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also participate in these exchanges so that a body of practical knowledge/innovation can emerge from mutual learning in different areas, it added. Rs 113.46 cr loan fraud: Cops arrest Assistant Bank Manager, others Special Correspondent The Local Crime Branch of Nagpur (Rural) Police arrested Sandeep Rewnath Jagnade, Assistant Manager, Corporation Bank, who along with other accused persons, cheated 158 farmers of over Rs 113.46 crore with promises of financial help after a wet drought in the region. Jagnade, in connivance with Ramannnarao Bolla, a rice mill owner and others, lured the farmers from Mouda, Parseoni and Ramtek tehsils by promising compensation from the Government and got bank accounts opened in their names after procuring their PAN card and Aadhaar card details. The accused obtained loans ranging from Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh in their names from Corporation Bank, Kingsway, Sadar, and then these were siphoned off into accounts of 12 firms owned by Ramannnarao Bolla. The fraud came to light when several of these farmers, who had no idea about these loans, got recovery notices from the bank. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the police. On the basis of the complaints, Mouda Police had registered a case under Sections 406, 409, 413, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120 (b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), read with Sections 3 of Maharashtra Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act, and 66(b) of the Information Technology Act, against prime accused Sandeep Jagnade, Ramannnarao Bolla and others at Mouda Police Station. A team of LCB led by Omprakash Kokate, under the supervision of SP (Rural) Harssh Poddar and Additional SP Dr Sandip Pakhale, nabbed Jagnade from Yavatmal. Cops produced Jagnade before the court and obtained remand for his custodial interrogation till December 20. Tributes paid to fallen heroes of 1971 war NEW DELHI, PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu on Saturday led the nation in paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the 1971 war that led to redrawing of the political map of South Asia and ended the horrific violence unleashed by the Pakistani Army on millions of Bangladeshi people. The remarkable victory in the war following the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971, resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country. India commemorates December 16 as Vijay Diwas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paying his heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers, said their sacrifice and unwavering spirit will forever be etched in the nations history. Today, on Vijay Diwas, we pay heartfelt tributes to all the brave heroes who dutifully served India in 1971, ensuring a decisive victory. Their valour and dedication remain a source of immense pride for the nation, he said in a post on X. Their sacrifices and unwavering spirit will forever be etched in the peoples hearts and our nations history. India salutes their courage and remembers their indomitable spirit, Modi said. President Murmu said, The nation remembers with gratitude the selfless sacrifice made by our armed forces during the 1971 war. On Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to the bravehearts who displayed unparalleled courage and achieved historic victory. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also recalled the indomitable courage and valour of armed forces personnel in the war. We are proud of our Armed Forces who have fearlessly protected our country in every circumstance. Their sacrifice and service will forever be etched in our hearts, he said. The Defence Minister also laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes. Key Insights Northern Minerals' significant individual investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public The top 18 shareholders own 51% of the company 19% of Northern Minerals is held by insiders A look at the shareholders of Northern Minerals Limited (ASX:NTU) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that individual investors own the lion's share in the company with 49% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). As a result, individual investors as a group endured the highest losses last week after market cap fell by AU$24m. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Northern Minerals. Check out our latest analysis for Northern Minerals What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Northern Minerals? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. Less than 5% of Northern Minerals is held by institutional investors. This suggests that some funds have the company in their sights, but many have not yet bought shares in it. If the business gets stronger from here, we could see a situation where more institutions are keen to buy. When multiple institutional investors want to buy shares, we often see a rising share price. The past revenue trajectory (shown below) can be an indication of future growth, but there are no guarantees. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Northern Minerals. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Yuxiao Fund Pte Ltd with 9.8% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.3% and 4.2% of the stock. Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 51% of the ownership is controlled by the top 18 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership. Story continues Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time. Insider Ownership Of Northern Minerals The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Northern Minerals Limited. Insiders have a AU$33m stake in this AU$177m business. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 49% stake in Northern Minerals. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership It seems that Private Companies own 29%, of the Northern Minerals stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Northern Minerals better, we need to consider many other factors. Case in point: We've spotted 5 warning signs for Northern Minerals you should be aware of, and 3 of them are a bit concerning. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. UNENDING DIFFERENCES between the United States and its trusted ally Israel over the large-scale ground campaign by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the Gaza strip have further diminished hopes of a ceasefire as the Israel-Hamas war enters the third month. The Joe Biden administration has asked Israel Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu to end the attack on Gaza strip soon while the latter has released a statement saying the offensive will continue until Israel completes all of its goals. The variance in thinking between the two good friends over the military campaign now puts the Israel-Hamas war into the same unending category in which the Russia-Ukraine conflict has traversed in the last 22 months. The situation yet again calls for a rethinking by the international community on their staid positions vis-a-vis Israel and Palestine while keeping the role of Hamas terrorists firmly in focus. US President Mr. Joe Biden has actually advised a wise solution by telling Israel to end the full-scale military campaign in the Gaza strip and transition to targeted actions against Hamas. It is a good strategy where Israel holds special mastery. Now with the IDF gaining ground in the Gaza strip, smaller groups of elite forces moving in and out of population centres in Gaza can prove to be more beneficial for Mr. Netanyahu. Israels elite forces and crack groups are already hailed as experts in carrying out precise missions. Instead of the ground offensive launched by the Army, Israel can easily opt for targeted missions to find and kill Hamas leaders, rescue hostages and destroy tunnels. Tel Aviv needs to act prudently and find a middle way out instead of making the war on terror an unending campaign. Behind the call for change in tactic by the Biden administration are the conditions in Gaza which are truly turning catastrophic. The irony is the population in the strip has been abandoned by the same Hamas leadership who found shelter in the Palestinian settlements in Gaza. While a war spares none, the current offensive is taking too much toll on the civilians and the world has started feeling uncomfortable of the consequences, especially after the Russia-Ukraine experience. No one had imagined that Russias invasion of Ukraine would turn into a full-scale war. Nor had anyone, including Russia, thought that Ukraine would stand up to the attacks for so long. Now, with shifting goalposts in Moscow and President Mr. Vladimir Putins insistence on continuing the war till we achieve our objectives, there seems no end to the conflict in the near future. The Israel-Hamas war, too, is on the similar path as the statement by Mr. Netanyahu indicates. In such circumstances, the world must need to bring Tel Aviv on board for a patient hearing and seek a peaceful way out. Stretching the war too far might have political benefit for Mr. Netanyahu who is on a sticky wicket at home with a rag-tag coalition as a Government. The Prime Minister is already facing criticism for ignoring warnings of a potential Hamas strike which came true on October 7. Keeping the pot boiling might work as a cover for his alleged blunder but it will definitely serve no purpose in the long run. Time is ripe now for Israel and Palestine leadership to work on the two-State solution which is a viable alternative to end decades of conflict and violence in Middle-East. Albert D Mason Inc. boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 898 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Albert D Mason Inc.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $453,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $47,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors own 85.69% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 in the company, valued at $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 in the company, valued at $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 192,094 shares of company stock worth $104,507,072. Company insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance NYSE:UNH opened at $531.12 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $537.38 and its 200-day moving average is $506.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $445.68 and a 1-year high of $554.70. The stock has a market cap of $491.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $91.41 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.79 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current year. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th were issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.42%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.64%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research report on Monday, October 16th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $578.05. Read Our Latest Research Report on UNH UnitedHealth Group Profile (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. Read More 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. Arden Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,616 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the quarter. Arden Trust Cos holdings in Chevron were worth $3,476,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 100,509.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 426,861,553 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $67,166,665,000 after buying an additional 426,437,277 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 32,906,060 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,906,309,000 after buying an additional 3,711,923 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 104,997.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,490,824 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,395,858,000 after buying an additional 24,467,521 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,867,243 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,732,044,000 after buying an additional 199,759 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Chevron during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,058,235,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Stock Down 0.4 % CVX stock opened at $149.35 on Friday. Chevron Co. has a 52 week low of $140.72 and a 52 week high of $187.81. The company has a market capitalization of $281.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.11. The firms 50-day moving average is $149.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $156.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Chevron Dividend Announcement Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by ($0.65). Chevron had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 12.11%. The company had revenue of $54.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $51.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.56 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.04%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.84%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CVX. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Chevron from $203.00 to $201.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Chevron in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. BNP Paribas upgraded Chevron from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $190.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Chevron in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on CVX Chevron Company 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. See Also 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. Arden Trust Co decreased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 10,874 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 213 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for about 0.9% of Arden Trust Cos holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Arden Trust Cos holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $5,483,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UNH. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 168.6% in the first quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 94 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Power Corp of Canada purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.69% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.6 % UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $531.12 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $491.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. 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 fifty-two week low of $445.68 and a fifty-two week high of $554.70. The stocks fifty day moving average is $537.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $506.72. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $91.41 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.79 earnings per share. Analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th were given a $1.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.42%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.64%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently weighed in on UNH. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 20th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 21st. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $591.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $578.05. Read Our Latest Analysis on UnitedHealth Group Insider Activity In other news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total transaction of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 521,818 shares in the company, valued at $282,084,374.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total value of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 521,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $282,084,374.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 192,094 shares of company stock worth $104,507,072 over the last ninety days. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. UnitedHealth Group Profile (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 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. Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) and Bay Banks of Virginia (OTCMKTS:BAYK Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Bank of Nova Scotia and Bay Banks of Virginias net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bank of Nova Scotia 10.47% 11.87% 0.60% Bay Banks of Virginia N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership 43.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.6% of Bay Banks of Virginia shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bank of Nova Scotia $52.53 billion 1.07 $5.49 billion $4.29 10.81 Bay Banks of Virginia $55.38 million 2.27 $7.06 million N/A N/A This table compares Bank of Nova Scotia and Bay Banks of Virginias revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Bank of Nova Scotia has higher revenue and earnings than Bay Banks of Virginia. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Bank of Nova Scotia and Bay Banks of Virginia, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bank of Nova Scotia 1 4 0 0 1.80 Bay Banks of Virginia 0 0 0 0 N/A Bank of Nova Scotia presently has a consensus price target of $69.00, indicating a potential upside of 48.84%. Given Bank of Nova Scotias higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Bank of Nova Scotia is more favorable than Bay Banks of Virginia. Summary Bank of Nova Scotia beats Bay Banks of Virginia on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Bank of Nova Scotia (Get Free Report) The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and retail automotive financing solutions. It also provides business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses. In addition, it provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternatives, and institutional funds. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. About Bay Banks of Virginia (Get Free Report) Bay Banks of Virginia, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to businesses, professionals, and consumers in Virginia. The company accepts checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, cash management accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan products include commercial and industrial loans, such as small business loans, asset based loans, and other secured and unsecured loans and lines of credit; purchased loans; residential and commercial mortgages; home equity loans; consumer installment loans; and consumer loans comprising automobile and boat financing, home improvement loans, and unsecured personal loans. The company also provides credit cards; and insurance, online banking, telephone banking, mobile banking, analysis checking, cash management deposit, wire, direct deposit payroll, lockbox, positive pay, and remote deposit services, as well as a line of commercial lending options. In addition, it offers management services, including estate planning and settlement, as well as trust administration, investment, and wealth management services; and revocable and irrevocable living trusts, testamentary trusts, custodial accounts, investment planning, brokerage services, investment managed accounts, and managed and self-directed rollover individual retirement accounts for personal and corporate trusts. As of March 9, 2020, the company operated 17 banking offices located throughout greater Richmond region, the Northern Neck region, Middlesex County, and the Hampton Roads region. Bay Banks of Virginia, Inc. was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bartlett & Co. LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 9.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 250,410 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 25,659 shares during the quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $8,288,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 98,197.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,948,438,709 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $71,468,732,000 after purchasing an additional 1,946,456,532 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 89,592.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,143,638 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,257,000,000 after purchasing an additional 160,963,976 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,150,472,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 9.8% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 218,931,933 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,932,423,000 after purchasing an additional 19,602,359 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 1,034.0% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 12,149,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $495,718,000 after buying an additional 11,078,514 shares during the period. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Up 1.9 % Pfizer stock opened at $26.63 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $30.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.03. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market cap of $150.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $25.76 and a twelve month high of $53.14. Pfizer Increases Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.15. Pfizer had a return on equity of 16.72% and a net margin of 15.30%. The business had revenue of $13.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.77 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.31%. This is a positive change from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 89.62%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have commented on PFE shares. Truist Financial cut their target price on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $38.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Pfizer from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Twelve 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, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $40.35. Get Our Latest Analysis on Pfizer Pfizer Company 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. Read More 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. Country Trust Bank cut its holdings in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 186,445 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 7,962 shares during the quarter. Country Trust Banks holdings in Chevron were worth $31,438,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CVX. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chevron during the second quarter valued at approximately $648,000. Tsfg LLC raised its holdings in Chevron by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $586,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Chevron by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,255,000 after buying an additional 1,661 shares during the period. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA grew its holdings in Chevron by 13.4% in the 2nd 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 acquiring an additional 9,477 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kooman & Associates increased its position in shares of Chevron by 11.2% in the second quarter. Kooman & Associates now owns 1,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the period. 68.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Price Performance CVX stock opened at $149.35 on Friday. Chevron Co. has a one year low of $140.72 and a one year high of $187.81. The companys fifty day moving average price is $149.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $156.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.25. The company has a market capitalization of $281.94 billion, a PE ratio of 11.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.11. Chevron Dividend Announcement Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). The firm had revenue of $54.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $51.41 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 12.11%. The firms revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.56 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Chevron Co. will post 13.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.04%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.84%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently issued reports on CVX shares. Mizuho reduced their price target on Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Bank of America upgraded Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. BNP Paribas upgraded Chevron from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $190.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective 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. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Chevron in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $186.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CVX About Chevron (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. Read More 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. Procyon Advisors LLC lowered its stake in Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) by 12.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,037 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,132 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $672,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of D. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH boosted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 13.8% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH now owns 37,991 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,968,000 after purchasing an additional 4,619 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management increased its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 1.7% in the first quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 16,450 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $920,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 6.7% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 79,498 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,117,000 after acquiring an additional 4,996 shares during the period. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 8,942 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $463,000 after acquiring an additional 1,837 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 32.8% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 196,405 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $10,333,000 after purchasing an additional 48,495 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.66% of the companys stock. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently issued reports on D shares. Scotiabank lowered Dominion Energy from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their target price for the company from $56.00 to $46.00 in a report on Monday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Dominion Energy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Mizuho lowered their target price on Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. Guggenheim dropped their target price on Dominion Energy from $56.00 to $49.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Dominion Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.33. Insider Buying and Selling at Dominion Energy In other news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.51, for a total value of $284,437.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 88,126 shares in the company, valued at $4,010,614.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. Dominion Energy Stock Performance D stock opened at $48.48 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $40.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.56. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $44.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $39.18 and a 12 month high of $63.94. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by ($0.01). Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 9.66%. The business had revenue of $3.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.11 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.6675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $2.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.51%. Dominion Energys payout ratio is currently 136.23%. Dominion Energy Profile (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Insas Berhad's (KLSE:INSAS) investors are due to receive a payment of MYR0.025 per share on 17th of January. This payment means the dividend yield will be 2.8%, which is below the average for the industry. Check out our latest analysis for Insas Berhad Insas Berhad's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings It would be nice for the yield to be higher, but we should also check if higher levels of dividend payment would be sustainable. Before making this announcement, Insas Berhad was easily earning enough to cover the dividend. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business. Looking forward, earnings per share could rise by 10.1% over the next year if the trend from the last few years continues. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 13% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range. Dividend Volatility The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. Since 2013, the dividend has gone from MYR0.013 total annually to MYR0.025. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.8% a year over that time. It's good to see the dividend growing at a decent rate, but the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Insas Berhad might have put its house in order since then, but we remain cautious. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. It's encouraging to see that Insas Berhad has been growing its earnings per share at 10% a year over the past five years. With a decent amount of growth and a low payout ratio, we think this bodes well for Insas Berhad's prospects of growing its dividend payments in the future. Insas Berhad Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock Overall, we like to see the dividend staying consistent, and we think Insas Berhad might even raise payments in the future. The company is easily earning enough to cover its dividend payments and it is great to see that these earnings are being translated into cash flow. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock. Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've picked out 3 warning signs for Insas Berhad that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Is Insas Berhad not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Southern Michigan Bancorp (OTCMKTS:SOMC Get Free Report) and Mission Valley Bancorp (OTCMKTS:MVLY Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, risk, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations. Institutional and Insider Ownership 5.7% of Mission Valley Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Southern Michigan Bancorp alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings for Southern Michigan Bancorp and Mission Valley Bancorp, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Southern Michigan Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Mission Valley Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Profitability This table compares Southern Michigan Bancorp and Mission Valley Bancorps net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Southern Michigan Bancorp 17.66% 13.42% 0.88% Mission Valley Bancorp N/A N/A N/A Earnings and Valuation This table compares Southern Michigan Bancorp and Mission Valley Bancorps top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Southern Michigan Bancorp $51.51 million 1.37 $13.49 million $2.65 5.94 Mission Valley Bancorp N/A N/A $4.80 million $2.61 5.56 Southern Michigan Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Mission Valley Bancorp. Mission Valley Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern Michigan Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Southern Michigan Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Mission Valley Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Southern Michigan Bancorp pays out 21.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Mission Valley Bancorp pays out 5.7% 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. Risk & Volatility Southern Michigan Bancorp has a beta of 0.27, suggesting that its stock price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mission Valley Bancorp has a beta of 0.51, suggesting that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Southern Michigan Bancorp beats Mission Valley Bancorp on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Southern Michigan Bancorp (Get Free Report) Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southern Michigan Bank & Trust that provides a range of commercial banking services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and governmental agencies primarily in the southwest Michigan communities. Its deposit products include interest and non-interest checking, savings, and various types of money market accounts; time, savings, and demand deposits; and certificates of deposit and IRAs. The company also provides home mortgages and equity loans, home equity lines of credit, VA and FHA home loans, USDA rural development loans, and auto/personal loans; business loans, such as lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, agriculture loans, letters of credit, small business administration loans, and capital access loans; industrial, construction, real estate, and inventory loans; and consumer lending products comprising direct and indirect loans to purchasers of residential real property and consumer goods. In addition, it offers trust and investment services that include investment management, trustee, IRA rollovers and retirement plan, institutional and personal custody, estate settlement, wealth management, estate and wealth transfer planning assistance, charitable gift planning assistance, and cash management custody services; and safe deposit box and automated teller machine services. Further, the company provides online and mobile banking, bill pay, e-statements, health savings account, ACH, wire transfer, remote deposit capture, insurance, and merchant services, as well as ATM, debit, credit, and gift cards. The company was founded in 1871 and is based in Coldwater, Michigan. About Mission Valley Bancorp (Get Free Report) Mission Valley Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Mission Valley Bank and Mission SBA Loan Servicing LLC that provides various banking products and services to individuals and corporate customers. The company's deposit products include non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, and time deposits; and money market, savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also offers personal loans; accounts receivable; advanced restaurant financing; commercial loan, real estate loan, small business administration, term loans; and overdraft facilities; as well as credit and debit cards. In addition, the company provides lending services, such as underwriting, processing, closing, servicing, and referral/replacement services. Mission Valley Bancorp was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Sun Valley, California. Receive News & Ratings for Southern Michigan Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern Michigan Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortem Financial Group LLC cut its stake in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 19.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,075 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,748 shares during the period. Fortem Financial Group LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $1,055,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 5.0% in the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 372,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,154,000 after acquiring an additional 17,879 shares in the last quarter. DDD Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 9,979.7% in the second quarter. DDD Partners LLC now owns 135,673 shares of the companys stock worth $18,279,000 after buying an additional 134,327 shares in the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 11.6% in the second quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 358,872 shares of the companys stock worth $48,351,000 after buying an additional 37,368 shares in the last quarter. Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 0.4% in the first quarter. Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC now owns 18,755 shares of the companys stock worth $2,989,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the second quarter worth about $486,807,000. 67.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get AbbVie alerts: AbbVie Stock Performance Shares of ABBV opened at $154.04 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $143.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $144.09. AbbVie Inc. has a 12 month low of $130.96 and a 12 month high of $168.11. The firm has a market cap of $271.96 billion, a PE ratio of 42.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.48. AbbVie Increases Dividend AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.09. AbbVie had a return on equity of 152.70% and a net margin of 11.81%. The firm had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.66 EPS. The firms revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 16th will be given a $1.55 dividend. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.02%. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 12th. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is presently 162.19%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently commented on ABBV. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Barclays raised AbbVie from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the company from $160.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on AbbVie in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on AbbVie in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.24. Read Our Latest Research Report on ABBV AbbVie Profile (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABBV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 10,339 shares of the natural resource companys stock after buying an additional 365 shares during the quarter. Fulton Bank N.A.s holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $386,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mission Wealth Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 2nd quarter valued at $610,000. Ion Asset Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 72.7% in the 2nd quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 504,000 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $20,160,000 after purchasing an additional 212,100 shares during the period. D L Carlson Investment Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. D L Carlson Investment Group Inc. now owns 156,602 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $6,407,000 after purchasing an additional 42,619 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 33,051 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,349,000 after purchasing an additional 1,955 shares during the period. Finally, PointState Capital LP lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 171.9% in the 2nd quarter. PointState Capital LP now owns 1,439,447 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $57,578,000 after purchasing an additional 910,004 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.96% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance FCX stock opened at $41.50 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $36.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.40. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.83 and a 1 year high of $46.73. The company has a current ratio of 2.90, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $59.51 billion, a PE ratio of 28.04 and a beta of 2.02. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 19th. The natural resource company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.05. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 9.50% and a return on equity of 9.98%. The company had revenue of $5.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.26 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 13th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 12th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.45%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is 20.27%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently weighed in on FCX. Eight Capital set a $55.00 price target on Freeport-McMoRan and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $43.38. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Freeport-McMoRan Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FCX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA Get Free Report) and Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk, valuation and profitability. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat. Get Easterly Government Properties alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Easterly Government Properties 1 1 1 0 2.00 Physicians Realty Trust 1 5 2 0 2.13 Easterly Government Properties currently has a consensus price target of $14.67, suggesting a potential upside of 5.36%. Physicians Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $15.56, suggesting a potential upside of 18.56%. Given Physicians Realty Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Physicians Realty Trust is more favorable than Easterly Government Properties. Institutional and Insider Ownership Volatility and Risk 84.7% of Easterly Government Properties shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.5% of Physicians Realty Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 8.2% of Easterly Government Properties shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Physicians Realty Trust shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Easterly Government Properties has a beta of 0.73, meaning that its share price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Physicians Realty Trust has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its share price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Easterly Government Properties 10.64% 2.15% 1.09% Physicians Realty Trust 8.60% 1.56% 0.90% Dividends Easterly Government Properties pays an annual dividend of $1.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.6%. Physicians Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.0%. Easterly Government Properties pays out 321.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Physicians Realty Trust pays out 484.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Easterly Government Properties is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trusts top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Easterly Government Properties $293.61 million 4.51 $31.47 million $0.33 42.18 Physicians Realty Trust $540.56 million 5.79 $104.37 million $0.19 69.05 Physicians Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Easterly Government Properties. Easterly Government Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Physicians Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Physicians Realty Trust beats Easterly Government Properties on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Easterly Government Properties (Get Free Report) Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, D.C., and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S. Government agencies for properties leased to such agencies either directly or through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). About Physicians Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Physicians Realty Trust is a self-managed health care real estate company organized to acquire, selectively develop, own, and manage health care properties that are leased to physicians, hospitals, and health care delivery systems. The Company invests in real estate that is integral to providing high quality health care. The Company conducts its business through an UPREIT structure in which its properties are owned by Physicians Realty L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the operating partnership), directly or through limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other subsidiaries. The Company is the sole general partner of the operating partnership and, as of June 30, 2023, owned approximately 96.0% of OP Units. Receive News & Ratings for Easterly Government Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Easterly Government Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Assets Investment Management LLC cut its stake in Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC Free Report) by 15.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,850 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,300 shares during the quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLCs holdings in Honda Motor were worth $450,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HMC. Credit Suisse AG increased its stake in shares of Honda Motor by 3,638.7% in the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 1,159 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,128 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Honda Motor by 46.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Honda Motor by 52.2% in the 2nd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,233 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Honda Motor in the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Honda Motor in the 2nd quarter worth about $42,000. 5.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Honda Motor alerts: Honda Motor Stock Down 1.8 % NYSE:HMC opened at $29.44 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $50.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.45. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $22.35 and a fifty-two week high of $36.82. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.73. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Honda Motor ( NYSE:HMC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.38. The firm had revenue of $34.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.12 billion. Honda Motor had a net margin of 5.26% and a return on equity of 8.13%. Analysts predict that Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will post 3.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts recently issued reports on HMC shares. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Honda Motor from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Honda Motor in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Honda Motor currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Read Our Latest Report on Honda Motor Honda Motor Company Profile (Free Report) Honda Motor Co, Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Power Product and Other Businesses. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Honda Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Honda Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quent Capital LLC reduced its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 251 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 28 shares during the quarter. Quent Capital LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $278,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,534,104 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $3,479,806,000 after buying an additional 17,826 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 961,574 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,261,239,000 after buying an additional 4,248 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 928,095 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,230,190,000 after buying an additional 3,512 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 6.7% during the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 790,755 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,210,020,000 after purchasing an additional 49,657 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 10.4% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 660,610 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $866,482,000 after purchasing an additional 62,487 shares during the last quarter. 93.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Mettler-Toledo International In other news, Director Roland D. Diggelmann purchased 315 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $1,026.54 per share, with a total value of $323,360.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 405 shares in the company, valued at $415,748.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Mettler-Toledo International Stock Down 2.8 % Shares of NYSE:MTD opened at $1,190.61 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $25.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.35, a P/E/G ratio of 5.95 and a beta of 1.16. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52 week low of $928.49 and a 52 week high of $1,615.97. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,058.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,175.93. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.80 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.63 by $0.17. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 1,852.05% and a net margin of 22.24%. The business had revenue of $942.46 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $947.10 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $10.18 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets MTD has been the subject of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,185.00 to $1,030.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,425.00 to $1,270.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 13th. Citigroup reissued a sell rating and issued a $975.00 price target (down from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1,223.71. View Our Latest Research Report on MTD About Mettler-Toledo International (Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New England Research & Management Inc. lowered its position in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 19.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,750 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,650 shares during the period. New England Research & Management Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $1,138,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Chevron by 199.5% in the third quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 180,416 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $30,422,000 after purchasing an additional 120,185 shares during the last quarter. Beese Fulmer Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Chevron by 0.3% in the third quarter. Beese Fulmer Investment Management Inc. now owns 92,263 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $15,557,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Chevron by 5.3% in the third quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,694 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,140,000 after purchasing an additional 639 shares during the last quarter. CIC Wealth LLC grew its stake in Chevron by 1.4% in the third quarter. CIC Wealth LLC now owns 14,328 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,416,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CCG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Chevron in the third quarter valued at about $1,078,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Chevron from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and cut their target price for the company from $184.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $175.00 to $169.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Chevron in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $186.50. Chevron Stock Down 0.4 % CVX opened at $149.35 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $149.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $156.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $281.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.09, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.11. Chevron Co. has a fifty-two week low of $140.72 and a fifty-two week high of $187.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.25. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). The business had revenue of $54.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $51.41 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. Chevrons revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.56 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Chevron Co. will post 13.28 earnings per share for the current year. Chevron Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.04%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.84%. About Chevron (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. Perpetual Ltd lessened its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Free Report) by 87.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,739 shares of the companys stock after selling 193,540 shares during the quarter. Perpetual Ltds holdings in Molson Coors Beverage were worth $1,764,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Savant Capital LLC raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 19.1% during the second quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 5,173 shares of the companys stock valued at $341,000 after acquiring an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 14.5% in the second quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 5,092 shares of the companys stock valued at $335,000 after purchasing an additional 643 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 17.8% in the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 27,160 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 4,113 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage in the second quarter valued at approximately $200,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 2,089.6% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,150,603 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,596,000 after purchasing an additional 2,052,384 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.95% of the companys stock. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Molson Coors Beverage Stock Down 2.0 % Shares of NYSE:TAP opened at $61.80 on Friday. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52 week low of $48.49 and a 52 week high of $70.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. The companys fifty day moving average is $59.77 and its 200-day moving average is $63.18. The company has a market capitalization of $13.33 billion, a PE ratio of 53.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.92. Molson Coors Beverage Announces Dividend Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $1.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.39. Molson Coors Beverage had a net margin of 1.86% and a return on equity of 9.16%. The company had revenue of $3.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.24 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.65%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio is presently 142.61%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently commented on TAP shares. TheStreet lowered shares of Molson Coors Beverage from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. HSBC started coverage on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $68.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Molson Coors Beverage currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $65.65. View Our Latest Report on TAP Molson Coors Beverage Profile (Free Report) Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 53.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,932 shares of the payment services companys stock after buying an additional 1,710 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $736,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AXP. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at about $646,000. Maple Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Maple Capital Management Inc. now owns 110,890 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $16,544,000 after buying an additional 632 shares in the last quarter. Greenfield Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Greenfield Savings Bank now owns 13,192 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,968,000 after buying an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of American Express by 1,717.6% in the 3rd quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 101,004 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $15,069,000 after acquiring an additional 95,447 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of American Express by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,266 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $636,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.08% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: American Express Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $180.51 on Friday. American Express has a 1 year low of $140.91 and a 1 year high of $182.15. The company has a market capitalization of $131.55 billion, a PE ratio of 16.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $158.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $162.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.60. American Express Dividend Announcement American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.36 billion. American Express had a net margin of 13.61% and a return on equity of 30.60%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. Analysts forecast that American Express will post 11.21 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. American Expresss payout ratio is 22.51%. Insider Buying and Selling at American Express In other news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $287,860. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,149,991.18. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $143.93 per share, for a total transaction of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $287,860. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.12% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AXP has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of American Express from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Citigroup raised American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $143.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Piper Sandler Companies upgraded American Express to a neutral rating and set a $151.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on American Express from $191.00 to $190.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, HSBC started coverage on American Express in a report on Friday, October 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $181.00 target price on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $170.94. Get Our Latest Research Report on American Express American Express Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rollins (NYSE:ROL Free Report) had its target price hoisted by UBS Group from $45.00 to $50.00 in a research note published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the business services providers stock. A number of other analysts have also commented on ROL. TheStreet lowered Rollins from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, October 19th. StockNews.com downgraded Rollins from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised Rollins from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $40.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rollins has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.60. Get Rollins alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ROL Rollins Price Performance Shares of ROL opened at $42.15 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $38.47 and its 200 day moving average is $39.72. Rollins has a 12-month low of $32.19 and a 12-month high of $45.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market cap of $20.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.78, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.68. Rollins (NYSE:ROL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The business services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $840.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $824.35 million. Rollins had a net margin of 13.77% and a return on equity of 33.81%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.22 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Rollins will post 0.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Rollins Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 9th. This is an increase from Rollinss previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Rollinss dividend payout ratio is 72.29%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Jerry Jr. Gahlhoff sold 7,000 shares of Rollins stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $280,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 218,091 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,723,640. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 17,000 shares of company stock worth $672,000. Insiders own 4.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rollins Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ROL. LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Rollins by 5.5% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 146,442 shares of the business services providers stock worth $6,272,000 after acquiring an additional 7,648 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its stake in Rollins by 7.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 29,530 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,265,000 after purchasing an additional 1,996 shares during the period. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Rollins during the 2nd quarter valued at about $55,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its position in shares of Rollins by 3.4% during the second quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 170,068 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $7,284,000 after buying an additional 5,548 shares during the period. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund purchased a new stake in shares of Rollins in the first quarter worth about $309,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.98% of the companys stock. Rollins Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rollins, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides pest and wildlife control services to residential and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. The company offers pest control services to residential properties protecting from common pests, including rodents, insects, and wildlife. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Rollins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rollins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In the intricate dance of the stock market, insider transactions often attract the attention of investors seeking clues about a company's future prospects. Recently, Triumph Financial Inc (NASDAQ:TFIN) witnessed a significant insider sell that has put the spotlight on the company's stock activity. On December 14, 2023, Director Carlos Sepulveda sold 13,500 shares of Triumph Financial Inc, a move that prompts a closer examination of the insider's trading patterns and the company's valuation. Who is Carlos Sepulveda? Carlos Sepulveda is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in the financial industry. As a director of Triumph Financial Inc, Sepulveda brings to the table a deep understanding of the company's operations and strategic direction. His insights and decisions are closely watched by market participants, as they may reflect his confidence in the company's future performance. Triumph Financial Inc's Business Description Triumph Financial Inc is a diversified financial services company that provides a range of banking and lending solutions. The company operates through various segments, including commercial banking, factoring, and asset management. Triumph Financial Inc prides itself on its customer-centric approach, offering tailored financial products and services designed to meet the unique needs of its clients. Analysis of Insider Buy/Sell and Relationship with Stock Price The recent sale by Carlos Sepulveda is part of a broader pattern of insider trading activity at Triumph Financial Inc. Over the past year, Sepulveda has sold a total of 35,000 shares and purchased 67,633 shares. This mixed pattern of buying and selling could indicate a strategic approach to managing his investment in the company, rather than a straightforward vote of confidence or skepticism.When analyzing insider transactions, it's crucial to consider the context in which they occur. Insider sells can happen for various reasons, including personal financial planning, diversification of assets, or other non-company-specific factors. However, when a director sells a significant number of shares, it can sometimes signal their belief that the stock may be fully valued or that there may be limited upside potential in the near term. Story continues Insider Sell Alert: Director Carlos Sepulveda Offloads 13,500 Shares of Triumph Financial Inc (TFIN) The insider trend image above provides a visual representation of the buying and selling activities of insiders at Triumph Financial Inc. The balance between insider buys and sells can offer insights into the internal sentiment towards the company's stock. Valuation and Market Reaction On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of Triumph Financial Inc were trading at $76.1, giving the company a market cap of $1.784 billion. This valuation places the stock at a price-earnings ratio of 40.32, significantly higher than the industry median of 9.01 and above the company's historical median price-earnings ratio. Such a high price-earnings ratio could suggest that the stock is priced at a premium compared to its peers and its own historical standards.The price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.04 indicates that Triumph Financial Inc is Fairly Valued based on its GF Value. The GF Value is an intrinsic value estimate that takes into account historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates. Insider Sell Alert: Director Carlos Sepulveda Offloads 13,500 Shares of Triumph Financial Inc (TFIN) The GF Value image above illustrates the stock's valuation in relation to its intrinsic value estimate. When the market price hovers around the GF Value, it suggests that the stock is trading at a fair valuation, neither undervalued nor overvalued. Conclusion The insider sell by Carlos Sepulveda at Triumph Financial Inc is a transaction that warrants attention from investors. While the reasons behind the sell are not publicly disclosed, the insider's trading history and the company's current valuation metrics provide a backdrop for interpreting this event. With the stock trading at a high price-earnings ratio and close to its GF Value, investors may want to monitor further insider activity and company performance for additional signals about the stock's future direction. As always, insider transactions are just one piece of the puzzle, and a comprehensive investment decision should be based on a holistic analysis of the company's fundamentals, market conditions, and broader economic indicators. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. ABN AMRO Bank (OTCMKTS:AAVMY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,600 shares, a growth of 12.5% from the November 15th total of 3,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 24,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. ABN AMRO Bank Stock Performance OTCMKTS AAVMY opened at $14.71 on Friday. ABN AMRO Bank has a twelve month low of $12.71 and a twelve month high of $17.93. The stocks 50 day moving average is $13.71 and its 200 day moving average is $14.72. Get ABN AMRO Bank alerts: ABN AMRO Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More ABN AMRO Bank N.V. provides various banking products and services to retail, private, and business clients in the Netherlands and internationally. It operates through three segments: Personal & Business Banking, Wealth Management, and Corporate Banking. The company provides savings and deposits products; labelled residential mortgage products under the Florius brands; and consumer loans under the Alpha Credit Nederland, Credivance, Defam, Moneyou, and ABN AMRO brands. Receive News & Ratings for ABN AMRO Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABN AMRO Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC lowered its position in IDEX Co. (NYSE:IEX Free Report) by 7.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,501 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 206 shares during the period. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in IDEX were worth $520,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of IDEX by 90.0% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 114 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in IDEX by 120.3% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 141 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its stake in IDEX by 94.7% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 148 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in IDEX during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Your Advocates Ltd. LLP acquired a new position in IDEX during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.85% of the companys stock. Get IDEX alerts: IDEX Stock Performance Shares of NYSE IEX opened at $211.35 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 2.20 and a current ratio of 3.11. The company has a market capitalization of $15.98 billion, a PE ratio of 26.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.95. IDEX Co. has a 1 year low of $183.76 and a 1 year high of $240.15. The companys fifty day moving average price is $198.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $208.76. IDEX Announces Dividend IDEX ( NYSE:IEX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $793.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $792.54 million. IDEX had a net margin of 18.74% and a return on equity of 19.71%. The companys revenue was down 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.14 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that IDEX Co. will post 8.17 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.64 per share. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 11th. IDEXs payout ratio is 31.53%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have issued reports on IEX shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of IDEX in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Argus upped their price target on shares of IDEX from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 24th. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $245.00 price objective on shares of IDEX in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of IDEX in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a neutral rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $231.30. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on IDEX About IDEX (Free Report) IDEX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides applied solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT), Health & Science Technologies (HST), and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP). The FMT segment designs, produces, and distributes positive displacement pumps, valves, small volume provers, flow meters, injectors, and other fluid-handling pump modules and systems, as well as flow monitoring and other services for the food, chemical, general industrial, water and wastewater, agricultural, and energy industries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for IDEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomasville National Bank decreased its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 19.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,105 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 263 shares during the quarter. Thomasville National Banks holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $557,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 168.6% during the first quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 94 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Power Corp of Canada purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter valued at about $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.69% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group In other news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 521,818 shares in the company, valued at $282,084,374.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the transaction, the director now owns 521,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $282,084,374.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072 in the last three months. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders. UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $531.12 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $537.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $506.72. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $445.68 and a 52-week high of $554.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $491.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.05, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. 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 (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.79 EPS. The companys revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current year. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 4th were paid a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.64%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on UNH shares. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $596.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $540.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $578.05. Read 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. Further Reading 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. Threadgill Financial LLC lessened its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 6.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,448 shares of the companys stock after selling 99 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 0.6% of Threadgill Financial LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Threadgill Financial LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $828,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of LLY. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 533,336.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 19,059,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,938,609,000 after acquiring an additional 19,056,108 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,992,374,000 after acquiring an additional 5,440,731 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,411,740,000 after acquiring an additional 3,691,436 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 316.9% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,434,073 shares of the companys stock valued at $217,569,000 after acquiring an additional 1,850,187 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Activity In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly 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. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on LLY shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $673.00 to $722.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $578.48. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on LLY Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $572.04 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $543.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 103.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $589.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $531.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $309.20 and a 12 month high of $629.97. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 94.20%. 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. Featured Articles 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. Actor Depardieu stripped of Belgian honorary title BRUSSELS: A Belgian municipality on Saturday stripped French cinema legend Gerard Depardieu of the title of honorary citizen over misogynistic comments broadcast in a French documentary earlier this month. culture By AFP Sunday 17 December 2023 12:21 PM A citizen of France, Russia and UAE, Gerard Depardieu has just been stripped of a honorary title in Belgium, where he resides. Photo: Valery Hache / AFP Depardieu, 74, was charged with rape in 2020 and has also faced 13 accusations of sexual harassment or assault, all of which he denies. The documentary, "The Fall of the Ogre", aired on French public television on December 7, showed clips of the actor during a 2018 trip to North Korea. He repeatedly makes explicit sexual comments in the presence of a female interpreter, sexualising a small girl riding a horse. The actors lawyers criticised the documentary in a statement Saturday, saying that it was "a contested and questionable programme which broadcast a montage of images captured in the intimate and private sphere". But the Belgium municipality of Estaimpuis announced it was revoking the title given to Depardieu when he lived there in 2013. The local authorities said the actors comments broadcast on television "run counter to the values promoted by the municipality of Estaimpuis". The Belgian decision comes a day after Frances culture minister denounced Depardieus behaviour. Rima Abdul Malak said a "disciplinary procedure" was being launched to decide whether to strip him of the countrys top honour, the Legion of Honour. The French film stars lawyers told AFP on Saturday that he was putting his Legion of Honour award at the disposal of the minister. However, Depardieus lawyers, Beatrice Geissmann Achille and Christian Saint-Palais, suggested in a statement that such a move could deal "a further blow to an already dying presumption of innocence". Air Arabia launches direct flights from Sharjah to Phuket PHUKET: A gathering of high-ranking officials welcomed tourists arriving on the inaugural Air Arabia flight from Sharjah International Airport, United Arab Emirates, at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Dec 16). tourismtransport By The Phuket News Sunday 17 December 2023 08:00 AM The tourists disembarked Flight G9 687 at the international passenger terminal at 7:55am. The number of passengers is estimated at 215 maximum as the route is serviced by Airbus A321 Neo LR aircrafts. Air Arabia will now operate four direct flights between Phuket and Sharjah every week, said an official report of the arrival issued by AOT Ground Aviation Services Company (AOTGA) of the Airports of Thailand (AOT). Just one day earlier, on Dec 15, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat lead officials to welcome Indian tourists arriving on the inaugural flight of a new Air India service from New Delhi. Air India is also now operating four direct flights between Phuket and New Delhi every week. From Jan 1 through Oct 31 this year, Thailand welcomed 1,304 million of Indian nationals (vs 683,177 last year), according to the latest statistics publicly posted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Arrivals from the United Arab Emirates for the same period reached 117,746 visitors (vs 51,365 in 2022). Arrivals from Middle East reached 506,928 guests (vs 238,347 last year). In a recent transaction on December 13, 2023, Director KELLY THOMAS N JR of The Scotts Miracle Gro Co (NYSE:SMG) sold 4,910 shares of the company's stock. This move has caught the attention of investors and market analysts, as insider transactions can provide valuable insights into a company's financial health and future prospects. Who is KELLY THOMAS N JR? KELLY THOMAS N JR is a member of the board of directors at The Scotts Miracle Gro Co. Directors play a crucial role in a company's governance, overseeing management and representing shareholder interests. Their transactions are closely monitored as they have in-depth knowledge of the company's operations, strategy, and challenges. The Scotts Miracle Gro Co's Business Description The Scotts Miracle Gro Co is a leading name in the lawn and garden industry, providing a wide range of products for gardening, lawn care, and hydroponics. Their portfolio includes fertilizers, plant foods, mulches, grass seed products, and pest control solutions. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability has made it a favorite among consumers looking to maintain and enhance their outdoor and indoor living spaces. Analysis of Insider Buy/Sell and the Relationship with the Stock Price Over the past year, KELLY THOMAS N JR has sold a total of 4,910 shares and has not made any purchases. This one-sided transaction pattern could signal a lack of confidence in the company's short-term growth prospects or simply a personal financial decision. However, without additional context, it's challenging to determine the exact motivation behind the insider's sell-off. When analyzing insider transactions, it's essential to consider the overall trend. The insider transaction history for The Scotts Miracle Gro Co shows a total of 11 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year. This trend could suggest that insiders are taking profits or reallocating their investments, which may raise questions about their long-term outlook on the company's stock. Story continues On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of The Scotts Miracle Gro Co were trading at $56.65, giving the stock a market cap of $3.447 billion. This price point is particularly interesting when compared to the company's GF Value. Insider Sell Alert: Director KELLY THOMAS N JR Sells Shares of The Scotts Miracle Gro Co (SMG) According to the GF Value, The Scotts Miracle Gro Co has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.72, indicating that the stock is modestly undervalued. The GF Value is an intrinsic value estimate that considers historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts. Insider Sell Alert: Director KELLY THOMAS N JR Sells Shares of The Scotts Miracle Gro Co (SMG) Despite the insider selling trend, the current valuation suggests that the stock may have upside potential based on its fundamentals. Investors should weigh the insider selling activity against the company's valuation and consider whether the stock's modest undervaluation presents a buying opportunity. Conclusion Director KELLY THOMAS N JR's recent sale of shares in The Scotts Miracle Gro Co raises questions about the insider's confidence in the company's near-term performance. However, the stock's modest undervaluation according to the GF Value could be a signal for investors to take a closer look. As with any investment decision, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and consider multiple factors, including insider transactions, company fundamentals, and broader market conditions. Investors should continue to monitor insider activity and company announcements for further clues about the direction of The Scotts Miracle Gro Co. While insider sells can be a red flag, they are just one piece of the puzzle in the complex world of stock market investing. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Phuket police return stolen iPhone to tourist PHUKET: Police in Phuket have saved a vacation for a European tourist by promptly returning her smartphone after it was stolen at Ao Yon Beach. The device was snatched from the victims bag on Thrusday (Dec 14) and returned the next day. tourismcrimeSafety By Eakkapop Thongtub Sunday 17 December 2023 11:42 AM On Dec 14, a 25-year-old female tourist identified as Vanessa Aust filed a theft report with Wichit Police explaining that her iPhone 13 Pro disappeared from her bag while she was swimming near the Bandara Hotel, where she was staying for her vacation. The young woman, initially identified in reports as Dutch and later as a German national, also mentioned that she noticed a woman in Muslim attire near her belongings around the time of the incident. After reviewing CCTV footage, police officers tracked down the suspect matching the victims description and identified as Sobariya Jemah, a 24-year-old woman from the local Thai Muslim community. During the search, for which the suspect gave permission, police officers found the iPhone 13 Pro belonging to Ms Aust. In a short promotional video, Ms Aust thanked Phuket Tourist Police for "saving her vacation" and promised to come back to Thailand again. Ms Sobariya was detained and now faces charges of theft. Section 334 of the Thai Criminal Code (theft without additional circumstances) carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht. A suspended term is possible if the court decides so. Championing the right narrative Interests of Manipur | The right narrative that suits the interests of Manipur. This is what everyone should be concerned about and the script for the right narrative should come from what is happening. The reality. Along with the right narrative it is important to go on a propaganda blitz, again a propaganda that should be based on facts. The important question is whether the right narrative has been projected for the world and the rest of the country to see and digest or not. Face the facts. In the beginning of the clash, all those who stand by the idea of Manipur were painted as the aggressor, with those intent on destroying the very fabric of the place playing the victim card to the hilt, so much so that it was their story which went to the European Parliament with even the three member team of the Editors Guild of India eating out of their hands with the Imphal based media given the title Meitei media. It was the cooked up narrative that was fed to the world, and this is precisely the reason why The Sangai Express had from the very beginning highlighted the fact that India and the world is watching and what is told to the media outside is extremely important. And it remains that to tell the story to the media of the world, the ground reality should have the right and desirable raw materials. The importance of this point stands and will continue to stand and the history of the world stands testimony to the fact that it is the right narrative that decides the outcome of a war or a clash between any two contending parties. How ready are the people of Manipur to ink the desirable script which can be told to the world and the rest of the country ? This is a question which should concern everyone. Everyone who believe in the continued existence of Manipur as a distinct political and social reality have been contributing their mite to present the right narrative to the outside world and this is where it becomes crucial for everyone to acknowledge this fact. Patriotism cannot be the sole prerogative of any single entity for it is the collective responsibility or everyone. Manipur needs allies at this point of time and it would be suicidal to rub anyone or any community the wrong way. This is extremely important. Identify who the nemesis is, identify the people who have remained neutral and reach out to others who can be allies. Has Manipur been able to do it ? This is a question which has been raised earlier but it merits a repeat. And any wrong step at this juncture can prove detrimental to the interests of Manipur and her people in the long run. Efforts should be made to reach out to Assam and Tripura and this should not come as too tall an order for Imphal. Make friends and take along people who matter. The question is whether Manipur has learnt any lesson in the last more than 200 days. The answer may lie somewhere in between Yes and No, but remember it is the correct narrative coupled with a degree of right propaganda that can help Manipur and her people win friends. This is where the contributions of those active on Twitter, now X and the other social media should be acknowledged. This is again where the activities of business houses which provide employment and a source of income to the common people should also be acknowledged and encouraged. This is a critical phase and Manipur needs all the resources that can be gathered. And the correct narrative to feed the defenders of Manipur should come from the ground. Scripting the right narrative at the ground level is then the responsibility of everyone and Manipur cannot afford to antagonise anyone. This is a point which should be clear to everyone and the critical phase that Manipur is passing through must be clear to all. The time calls for extra efforts to rope in as many friends as possible and sincerely study whether Manipur needs a course correction at this point of time. The very fact that this point is being raised here itself should tell so many stories. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 December to discuss issues like Bengals pending dues among others. According to Trinamul Congress sources, Trinamuls national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee may accompany her during the meeting. There are speculations about the presence of a MPs delegation as part of the team visiting the Prime Minister. The issue of dues for the state has been long pending and Mamata Banerjee has been vocal about it at various podiums. Abhishek Banerjee had led the protests for Bengals dues in New Delhi and later in front of the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata. Party sources said Miss Banerjee provided all the necessary directions from home during the protest, which happened at Raj Ghat on Gandhi Jayanti to the campaign at Krishi Bhavan after the police crackdown. Leading the fight, Abhishek had demanded release of Rs 15,000cr dues of MGNREGA workers from Bengal. In April, party MP Sudip Bandopadhyay had written a letter to the Union rural development and panchayati Raj minister Giriraj Singh. It is said that the dues are of 21 lakh MGNREGA workers from the state. Along with that the state is also demanding dues for Awas Yojana. Advertisement All these protests contributed to Trinamuls impact on the national political stage. After returning from Delhi, Abhishek resumed his protest at Bengal Governors residence, Raj Bhavan in November. If the two leaders jointly meet the PM in Delhi, it would put to rest all the speculations that there is any difference of opinion between the two. Mamata and Abhishek were also seen together at a family event in the Hills. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, launched by the Narendra Modi government in March 2020, has turned out to be a game changer in giving a big push to Indias manufacturing sector, employment generation and exports. The country has for the first time emerged as a strong exporter of electronic goods with India-made smartphones of top global brands Apple and Samsung spearheading the charge. The PLI Scheme has led to major smartphone companies shifting their suppliers to India. These include Taiwanese giant Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron. Advertisement In another major breakthrough on the industrial front, work is on to set up a factory to produce semiconductors by US chip giant Micron Technologies near Ahmedabad. There has been a 60 per cent surge in Indias electronic goods exports in April-October this year to $15.5 billion compared to 2022-23 when $23.6 billion worth of electronic goods were shipped out during the entire year. According to DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, PLI Schemes resulted in a robust increase of 76 per cent in FDI in the manufacturing sector in FY 2021-22 (USD 21.34 billion) compared to previous FY 2020-21 (USD 12.09 billion). The PLI scheme envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the objective of making India Aatma Nirbhar is built on the foundation of 14 sectors with an incentive outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore (about US$ 26 billion) to strengthen the production capabilities and help create global champions. Import substitution of 60 per cent has been achieved in the Telecom sector and India has become almost self-reliant in Antennae, GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) & CPE (Customer Premises Equipment). Drones sector has seen a 7 times jump in turnover due to the PLI Scheme which consists of all MSME Startups, according to data compiled by the Commerce and Industry Ministry. Under the PLI Scheme for Food Processing, sourcing of raw materials from India has seen significant increase which has positively impacted income of Indian farmers and MSMEs. There has also been a significant reduction in imports of raw materials in the Pharma sector. Unique intermediate materials and bulk drugs are being manufactured in India including Penicillin-G, and transfer of technology has happened in manufacturing of Medical Devices such as CT scan and MRI. Sectors for which PLI schemes exist and have seen an increase in FDI inflows from FY 2021-22 to FY 2022-23 are Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (+46 per cent), Food Processing Industries (+26 per cent) and Medical Appliances (+91 per cent). PLI Schemes have transformed Indias exports basket from traditional commodities to high value-added products such as electronics and telecommunication goods, and processed food products. Over 700 applications have been approved in 14 Sectors with expected investment of Rs 3.65 lakh crore. There are also as many as 176 MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprise) among the PLI beneficiaries in sectors such as Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, Pharma, Telecom, White Goods, Food Processing, Textiles and Drones, official data showed. Actual investment of Rs 62,500 crore has been realised till March 2023 which has resulted in incremental production and sales of over Rs 6.75 lakh crore and employment generation of around 3,25,000. Exports have been boosted by Rs 2.56 lakh crore till FY 2022-23, according to official figures. An incentive amount of around Rs 2,900 crore was disbursed in FY 2022-23 under PLI Schemes for 8 Sectors viz. Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM), IT Hardware, Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Telecom & Networking Products, Food Processing and Drones & Drone Components. This has also resulted in a 20-fold increase in women employment and localisation in IT Hardware such as Battery & Laptops. We have been able to increase the value addition in mobile manufacturing to 20 per cent within a period of three years whereas countries like Vietnam achieved 18 per cent value addition over 15 years and China achieved 49 per cent value addition in over 25 years. Seen in this perspective, it is a big achievement, says Rajesh Kumar Singh. PLI Scheme for LSEM along with existing Phased Manufacturing Program has led to increased value addition in the electronics sector and in smartphone manufacturing to the tune of 23 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, from negligible in 2014-15. Of the USD 101 Billion total electronics production in FY 2022-23, smartphones constitute USD 44 Billion including USD 11.1 Billion as exports, according to official figures. The Adani Groups market cap is now Rs 14.4 lakh crore and is on course to touch Rs 15 lakh crore (nearly $180 billion). On December 1, the market capitalisation stood at Rs 11.22 lakh crore. In the trading week that ended on December 8, the market capitalisation gained Rs 3.15 lakh crore ($37.7 billion), the highest weekly rise this year. The highest weekly gain of Rs 83,000 crore was recorded by Adani Green Energy, which recently raised $1.36 billion in construction facilities from a consortium of international banks. Advertisement The Groups flagship company Adani Enterprises gained over Rs 52,000 crore in the same period. Adani Total Gas market cap was up Rs 50,000 crore and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone over Rs 42,000 crore. The recovery in the stocks and their resurrection in the market caps the end of a tough year for Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, a period in which one of Indias richest men displayed his resilience in the face of unending attacks that began in January. Shares of all publicly traded group companies took a massive hit after Hindenburg Research made accusations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. Although Gautam Adani denied the allegations calling it a calculated attack on India but at one point the attacks cleared out more than $150 billion in market value from the Groups publicly listed companies. But Gautam Adani didnt give in and started fighting back. To restore the trust of investors, investors like GQG and the Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding were sold shares of some companies. The Group also paid back loans that were backed by stock. For example, only 2.4 per cent of the shares in Adani Ports continue to be pledged as of the September quarter, down from 17.3 per cent at the end of 2022. The reports of Hindenburg Research and OCCRP posed a challenge to the Groups growth, leverage and valuations. But its backers including TotalEnergies, Wilmar International and global banks including Standard Chartered and Singapores DBS stood their ground. The U.S governments investment in APSEZs Colombo port project also came as a helpful endorsement. As a result, Florida-based GQG Partners, which made big bets on Group companies this year, has seen the value of its investments soar. Strong performance In the first half of fiscal year 2024, the Adani portfolio demonstrated robust financial performance, further enhancing its strong credit profile. During the period, the portfolio level EBITDA stood at Rs 43,688 crore ($5.3 billion), up 47 per cent Y-o-Y. This outpaced the portfolios historical five-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) trajectory of 26.3 per cent. It is noteworthy that H1 FY24 EBITDA surpassed the full-year EBITDA of FY22. Additionally, Trailing Twelve Month EBITDA is notably close to three times FY19 EBITDA. The growth was driven by an impressive performance of the core infrastructure businesses, which grew by 52 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 37,379 crore ($4.5 billion), contributing 86 per cent of the total EBITDA. These businesses include the utility (Adani Green Energy, Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Power and Adani Total Gas), transport (Adani Ports & SEZ) and other infrastructure businesses (those incubated by Adani Enterprises green hydrogen integrated manufacturing, airports and roads). The expansion reflects the portfolios focused investment in infrastructure development, which is yielding significant results. AELs strategic initiatives to bolster its infrastructure portfolio are in line with the rising demand for sustainable and robust infrastructure in India and beyond. Market rally In the last week of November, the Supreme Court, which is hearing four petitions in the Adani-Hindenburg case, reserved its order, saying it could not be assumed that the Hindenburg report was factually correct. This triggered a rally in the group stocks. Following this came a statement by Group Chief Financial Officer Jugeshinder Singh that the Group plans to invest around Rs 7 lakh crore over 10 years with most funds being generated from within. This spurt at the stock market led to Adani Enterprises Ltd being named as the best all-round wealth creator for the second time in a row in Motilal Oswals top 10-wealth creators for 2018-2023. Attacks by short sellers pose a huge and unique challenge for companies. While the ultimate goal of companies is to increase shareholder value, short sellers destroy them. Their only aim is to gain through a drop in the companys stock price by releasing unfavorable information about them. But the attack on the Adani Group does not seem to have had the desired effect; in fact, it seems to have strengthened the Group even more by rallying investors behind it. Though its stocks fell immediately after the release of the report, the Group emerged from it stronger and more resilient. The simplest way to invest in stocks is to buy exchange traded funds. But you can significantly boost your returns by picking above-average stocks. For example, the Star Media Group Berhad (KLSE:STAR) share price is up 51% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market return of around 2.5% (not including dividends). So that should have shareholders smiling. Having said that, the longer term returns aren't so impressive, with stock gaining just 20% in three years. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. See our latest analysis for Star Media Group Berhad While Star Media Group Berhad made a small profit, in the last year, we think that the market is probably more focussed on the top line growth at the moment. As a general rule, we think this kind of company is more comparable to loss-making stocks, since the actual profit is so low. For shareholders to have confidence a company will grow profits significantly, it must grow revenue. Star Media Group Berhad grew its revenue by 3.9% last year. That's not a very high growth rate considering it doesn't make profits. The modest growth is probably largely reflected in the share price, which is up 51%. While not a huge gain tht seems pretty reasonable. It could be worth keeping an eye on this one, especially if growth accelerates. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). We know that Star Media Group Berhad has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? If you are thinking of buying or selling Star Media Group Berhad stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Star Media Group Berhad, it has a TSR of 54% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Star Media Group Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 54% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. Notably the five-year annualised TSR loss of 4% per year compares very unfavourably with the recent share price performance. We generally put more weight on the long term performance over the short term, but the recent improvement could hint at a (positive) inflection point within the business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Star Media Group Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Star Media Group Berhad (including 1 which can't be ignored) . We will like Star Media Group Berhad better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. There are no technicians or proper equipment to address the oil spill; they are simply using buckets with the assistance of fishermen to clean up the mess, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan stated on Sunday in Chennai. Haasan spoke to the media after assessing the situation in Ennore, where oil has spilled into the sea. He also engaged in conversations with fishermen. This is not the first time I have visited here. I have come here many times, each time hoping that the situation would improve. However, even after seven years, the situation has only worsened for Chennai, Kamal Hassan remarked. Advertisement The actor also alleged that there are no technicians or equipment to clean the oil spill; instead, fishermen are being utilized along with buckets to clear the oil from the sea. The presence of oil in the sea is evident. Even the court has mandated that the oil should be cleared by the 17th, but today is the 17th. It wont be cleared even in the next 17 days. There are no experts or proper equipment here; they are simply using fishermen and buckets, which is inhumane. Everyone is playing the blame game. This oil is not a gift from God. The government should announce significant penalties for whoever creates such a risky mess; only then will they feel fear, Kamal Haasan added. He also emphasized, What is the solution for the livelihood of these fishermen? That is the primary question. Whoever is responsible for this should take accountability for the damages and provide compensation as well. In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, a large-scale oil spill mixed with floodwater was reported in the Ernavur area in Chennai in the second week of December. While the State Pollution Control Board initiated its investigation to trace the source of the spill, the spilled oil continued to spread, affecting city drains, Ennore creeks, and the entire coastal sea area through the Kosathalaiyar river mouth. (ANI) Delhi Police have busted a gang of frauds involved in duping people on the pretext of increasing the credit card limit. Police said the accused used to pretend as representatives of credit card companies and extract information from gullible people. They have been identified as Nitin Kumar, Akhil Tanwar, Shivam Suryan, Kapil Gupta, Suresh, Sumit Sharma and Sunny Kumar, police said. A total of 218 SIM cards, 20 mobile phones and seven ATM cards have been recovered by the police that were used by the accused in committing the crime. Advertisement According to police, a complainant was received at the Cyber Police Station of South District, in which the complainant stated that he received a call from an unknown person who introduced himself as a customer care executive from a bank and asked for details of the credit card on the pretext of increasing the credit card limit. He further added in the complaint about being cheated for Rs 74,757. During the probe, the fraudsters account where the payment got transferred was traced and the call details of the number from which the victim received the call was also tracked. During investigation, it was found that the accused persons were constantly changing their location in Delhi and NCR area. Finally, they were traced to Dwarka Sector 7 and were nabbed. During the course of interrogation, accused Nitin disclosed that he and his partners Shivam and Akhil were working as milk delivery boys in a dairy firm but after COVID lockdown, they all lost their jobs. In order to earn quick money, they began doing cyber frauds. They further disclosed about arranging fake SIM cards and bank accounts from a person named Alex whom they met on Telegram. Alex used to send bank documents and SIM cards using online delivery services like Porter to the other associations, the police added. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has issued notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) after finding dark spots at Bakkarwala and Baprola bus stops in the city. In the notice sent to the Chief Engineer, South Maintenance Zone, PWD on Sunday, the DCW chief said: On 16.12.2023, the Commission inspected Bakkarwala Crossing Bus Stop at 10:30 pm. The Commission was shocked to find that there were no lights at the bus stop. Furthermore, the street lights on that stretch of the road were non-functioning. She said the entire bus stop was shrouded in darkness. Advertisement Furthermore, the area in front of the bus shelter was extremely dirty and flooded with water. This made it very difficult to board and deboard buses as the passengers were forced to stand in between the main road, which made it extremely unsafe especially for women and girls. The DCW chief said the Commission interacted with women deboarding from buses at the bus stop who mentioned that the entire area had been a dark spot for more than a year and they felt very unsafe there. Further, the Commission inspected the stretch of Nangloi-Najafgarh road from Bakkarwala Crossing Bus Stop till Baprola School Bus Stop. The road was absolutely dark as none of the street lights were functioning. It was observed that many poles did not even have a streetlight, rendering the road pitch dark and unsafe, she said. The Commission also inspected Baprola School Bus Stops which were also pitch dark. When the Commission interacted with women there, they informed that the entire stretch of the road and the bus stop had remained dark for several months, which makes it extremely unsafe for them, she said. She asked the PWD chief engineer to inform the DCW about the reasons behind the bus stops and roads remaining dark, and since when have these street lights and bus shelter lights not been functional. The DCW chief also asked the PWD official to state the steps taken by the PWD for ensuring safety of women at bus stops. She sought details of officials behind maintaining the street lights, directing the PWD official to provide the information by December 23. The Commission has sought details of complaints received since January 1, 2022 regarding dark spots at these bus stops and streets and action taken on each complaint. The Delhi Commission for Women has been receiving several complaints regarding dark spots at bus stops in Delhi. In this regard, the Commission inspected several bus stops to assess the safety concerns for women and girls therein. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the seriousness of the December 13 incident of Parliament security breach should not be undermined and that it is important to go deep into the matter to understand the intentions behind it. The seriousness of the incident that happened in Parliament should not be underestimated at all. The Speaker sir is taking necessary steps with full seriousness. The investigating agencies are investigating the matter strictly. It is important for us to go deep into the matter to understand what are the elements and intentions behind this. Solutions should also be found with one mind. Everyone should avoid debate or resistance on such topics, PM Modi said in an interview with a Hindi daily. On December 13, two men Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from visitors gallery and set off smoke canisters. The men also shouted slogans against dictatorship. Advertisement Almost at the same time, their two other associates Neelam and Amol Shinde also fired smoke pistols and raised slogans against the government outside the Parliament. The intruders had entered the Parliament on visitor passes issued to them on behalf of Mysore BJP MP Pratap Simha, who had reportedly denied any links to them. The Opposition has demanded stringent action against the BJP MP and a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament om the issue. While the accused have been arrested and charged under anti-terror law, no action has been taken against the BJP MP. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed the Narendra Modi government over the issue and said that while the breach is serious, unemployment was the reason behind it. He said the youth of the country are not getting jobs due to the Narendra Modi governments policies and their desperation for employment led to the December 13 incident. There has definitely been a security lapse, but the reason behind it is the countrys biggest issue unemployment!, he added. After inaugurating Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Sunday that Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means coming from one house of Mahadev to another as coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means coming from Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Visalakshi. Therefore, the love and relationship that exists between the people of Tamil Nadu and the people of Kashi is both different and unique. I am sure the people of Kashi will be leaving no stone unturned in serving you all. When you leave from here, along with the blessings of Baba Kashi Vishwanath, you will also take with you the taste of Kashi, the culture of Kashi and the memories of Kashi, PM said. Quoting Subramania Bharathi, the prime minister said vibrations of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam are spreading throughout the country and the world. The spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat got further strength from the new tradition of celebration of other statehood days in all the Raj Bhavans of the country. Advertisement Modi also recalled the establishment of the sacred Sengol in the new Parliament building under the supervision of the Aadinam saints reflecting the same spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. This flow of spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat is infusing the soul of our nation today, he added. For the first time Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used in the PMs speech at Kashi Tamil Sangam. PM Modis Hindi speech was translated live into Tamil and the people of Tamil Nadu present at Namo Ghat listened to it on headphones. On the occasion, the PM also flagged off Banaras-Kanyakumari, Kashi-Sangamam weekly express train. He also launched multi language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature PM said, Since the beginning of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam last year, lakhs of people have joined this Yatra every day. Religious leaders from various ashrams, maath, students, many artists and people from many areas are coming to this Yatra. Sangamam has provided an effective platform for mutual communication and contact. I am happy that Banaras Hindu University and IIT Madras have also come together to make this Sangamam a success. He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition and witnessed a cultural program. Kashi Tamil Sangamam aims to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi two of the countrys most important and ancient seats of learning. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Today the second edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangam is starting in the city of Kashi at this sacred Namo Ghat and Varanasi is older than history. This is a civilization that is rich and unique. Speaking on the occasion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Yogi said, This event of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam is the result of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Due to this, a wonderful confluence of South India with North India is taking place. We all are grateful to the big campaign that Prime Minister Modi has taken forward by awakening the consciousness of Ek Bharat, Shreshth, the concept of this event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running away from debate on the Parliament security breach incident to protect Mysore BJP MP Pratap Simha, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday. The intruders were given passes on behalf of the BJP MP. The Congress leader said that the Oppositions INDIA alliance parties will continue to demand Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement on how exactly the December 13 incident took place. The Prime Minister has finally broken his silence on the extraordinary events in the Lok Sabha on December 13th. He says probe is needed and not debate and that such a probe is on. All that INDIA parties are asking for and will continue to press for is a statement by the Home Minister on what happened on December 13th and how exactly it happened, Ramesh said in a post on X. Advertisement The PM is running away from a debate for a very simple reason. Questions will be raised on the role of the Mysuru BJP MP Pratap Simha in facilitating the entry of the intruders into the Lok Sabha on December 13th, he added. After three days, the prime minister reacted to the incident and said that the breach needed to be probed and not debated. It is important for us to go deep into the matter to understand what are the elements and intentions behind this. Solutions should also be found with one mind. Everyone should avoid debate or resistance on such topics, PM Modi said. Two men Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors gallery and set off smoke canisters. They also raised slogans against the government and reportedly wanted to give missing PM pamphlets to PM Modi, who was not present in the house at the time of the incident. A similar incident took place just outside the Parliament almost at the same time. Their two more associates Neelam and Amol Shinde were detained while raising slogans and yellow smoke. At least nine people, including six women, were killed and three others sustained injuries in an explosive blast at Solar Industries near Bazargaon village in Maharashtras Nagpur on Sunday morning. According to the police, 12 workers were packaging defence products at a cast booster plant of the firm when the blast occured. This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company, Harsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural) said. Advertisement The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. Solar Industries manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident unfortunate and announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased persons. He also informed that Nagpur district Collector, IG and SP were rushed to spot. It is very unfortunate that 9 people including 6 women died in the explosion at Solar Industries in Nagpur. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. Nagpur Collector and Superintendent of Police are in constant touch and the IG, SP, and Collector are at the spot. The state government will give assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kins of those who died in this incident, he wrote on X in Marathi. In visuals shared by news agency ANI, ambulance was seen reaching the spot. Dozens of police personnel were also deployed in front of the main gate of the company. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that during the attack on the Parliament in 2001, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of UP demonstrated rare bravery and succeeded in foiling the attack. Even during the terrorist attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, the PAC successfully countered the attack, he added. Speaking at the PACs foundation day programme, the Chief Minister said, Despite the glorious history of PAC, some people, due to their evil thinking, had disbanded 46 companies of the PAC in the state. However, a total of 273 companies in 33 battalions are fully operational in the state today. At the outset, Yogi presented the Best Battalion Award, Best Platoon Drill award and also honoured the best players and meritorious students with the Smriti Chinha (Memorial Symbol) and cash prizes. Advertisement Yogi said that the state government has recruited 41,893 constables and 698 platoon commandos in PAC. To provide more opportunities for promotion in the PAC, the government has increased the number of inspectors and sub-inspectors in the Armed Police Force by 184 and 3,772, respectively. Additionally, in departmental promotions, 257 sub-inspectors, 3,558 head constables, and 12,774 constables have been promoted. Direct recruitment of constables is also underway, with the number totalling up to more than 10,584 recruits, he said. The Chief Minister further informed that the PAC has been equipped with modern weapons and tools, including SLR, INSAS rifles, riot control equipment, anti-riot guns, and tear gas guns. Necessary flood relief companies have also been provided. To ensure quality daily-use items for PAC personnel at reasonable prices, 13 master canteens and 102 subsidised canteens in PAC units are operational. Under the Police Welfare Scheme, 31 Police Model Schools have been established to provide excellent education at minimal fees to the children of soldiers. Herein, the results of high school and intermediate examinations have been more than 90 per cent, Yogi added. The Chief Minister further said that the state government has approved the necessary funds for the infrastructure of the Police Modern School, the construction of the new Police Modern School, and the purchase of furniture. Additionally, construction is underway at the war level to provide residential facilities for 200 personnel in each of the 31 units, with high-rise buildings being constructed for the first time in 31 out of 33 battalions of PAC. Yogi stated that to ensure the participation of women in the police force, the government has approved three women battalions in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Badaun, named after Veerangana Uda Devi, Veerangana Jhalkari Bai, and Veerangana Avanti Bai. The battalions are already functional. Skilled sportspersons have been made a part of the police force for the first time. So far, the recruitment process of more than 500 skilled players has been completed. He further added that a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) battalion has been formed, consisting of 6 companies and 18 teams. Three companies, including 9 teams, have been made operational while the remaining three companies will be started soon. Along with this, the government has approved the necessary funds for motor vehicles and other equipment for use by the three additional companies. During this years floods, the PAC and the SDRF teams, through their tireless efforts, saved the lives of 1,008 people, including 175 children, and animals. They also evacuated over 20,000 flood-affected people to safe locations, Yogi said. Assuring all the soldiers, the Chief Minister said that the government always prioritises the welfare of the people and is committed to constantly raising the quality of their work, improving their well-being, and lifting their morale with dedication and empathy. Meanwhile, directions have been issued to resolve discrepancies in promotions within a specific time frame and ensure that soldiers receive more encouragement and promotions, he said. The Delhi Police has recovered the phone parts of the accused involved in the Parliament security breach case from Rajasthans Nagaur, police sources said on Sunday. All the phone parts were found in burnt condition, sources said. The Delhi Police is, however, yet to recover the phone of Lalit Jha, the accused in Parliament security breach incident. Advertisement Delhi police sources revealed earlier that Lalit Jha destroyed five mobile phones before arriving in Delhi, and was misleading the investigating team. Before the security breach, the four accused had handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial investigation details from reaching the police, anticipating their arrest. Lalit Jha destroyed not four but five mobile phones after fleeing to Rajasthans Kuchaman, said police sources. The Patiala House Court here on Saturday granted seven-day custody of Mahesh Kumawat, the sixth accused in the Parliament security breach case, to the police. The Delhi Police sought 15 days of custodial remand of accused Mahesh Kumawat. He is the sixth accused arrested in the case. The other five accused including Lalit Jha have already been taken into police custody. The Patiala House Court on Friday granted seven-day custody of Lalit Jha, the accused in the Parliament security breach case. The security breach happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13. Two peopleSagar Sharma and Manoranjan Djumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. Outside it, in another incident, two protestors Neelam, 42 and Amol, 25 protested outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. However, all four were sent to seven-day custody of Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the newly built terminal building of Surat Airport. Built at a cost of Rs 353 crore, the new terminal building will help increase the overall capacity of the airport by three times. The inauguration comes days after the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a proposal to declare Surat airport as an international airport. Following the decision, Surat will become a gateway for international travellers. The city in PM Modis home state Gujarat will also facilitate seamless export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile industries. Advertisement Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, said that once operational, the newly built terminal building will increase the overall capacity of Surat Airport by three times. The capacity of Surat airport will increase three times once this new terminal becomes operational. Prime Minister Modi ji has given this airport the status of an international airport, and the Union cabinet has approved it. Surat is one of the biggest business hubs globally, and this new terminal will connect people across the globeAlso, in the process, the Surat city will get further facelift, Kumar said ahead of the inauguration ceremony. Currently, Surat is connected to 14 domestic cities Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Goa Mopa, Belgaum, Pune, Jaipur, Udaipur, Indore, Diu and Kishangarh. An international flight via Sharjah connects the city to the rest of the world. The prime minister is on a day-long visit to Surat where he will also inaugurate Surat Diamond Bourse, the worlds largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business. When you buy a stock there is always a possibility that it could drop 100%. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. One great example is General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) which saw its share price drive 115% higher over five years. In the last week the share price is up 2.2%. Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. See our latest analysis for General Electric To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the last half decade, General Electric became profitable. That kind of transition can be an inflection point that justifies a strong share price gain, just as we have seen here. Since the company was unprofitable five years ago, but not three years ago, it's worth taking a look at the returns in the last three years, too. We can see that the General Electric share price is up 42% in the last three years. During the same period, EPS grew by 34% each year. This EPS growth is higher than the 13% average annual increase in the share price over the same three years. So you might conclude the market is a little more cautious about the stock, these days. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It is of course excellent to see how General Electric has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. Take a more thorough look at General Electric's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for General Electric the TSR over the last 5 years was 193%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that General Electric shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 104% over one year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 24% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for General Electric (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked the armed forces personnel to strike a balance between tradition and innovation so as to keep pace with constantly-evolving times. After reviewing a Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal in Telangana on Sunday, the defence minister said, If tradition is followed for a long time without thinking, then a state of inertia or ossification occurs in the system. To avoid this situation and keep pace with the constantly-evolving times, there is a need to innovate. The graduating officers included 25 women who were commissioned in various branches of the IAF. Eight officers from the Indian Navy, nine from the Indian Coast Guard and two from friendly countries were also awarded Wings following the completion of their flying training. Advertisement The minister said, If we follow only tradition, we will be like a dead lake. We need to be like a flowing river. For that, we will have to bring in innovation along with tradition. Keep flying and touch greater heights, but maintain your connection with the ground. Mr Singh congratulated the newly-commissioned officers and complimented them for their immaculate turn out, precise drill movements and high standards of parade. He urged them to not, in any circumstance, lose their openness towards new ideas, innovative thinking and idealism. Earlier, the minister was received by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. He was presented with a General Salute by the parade followed by an impressive march past. The highlight of the parade was the Commissioning Ceremony in which graduating Flight Cadets were awarded their Stripes by Mr Singh. Mr Singh also bestowed various awards on trainees who excelled in various disciplines of training. After the peaceful start of its Winter Session, Parliament was last week jolted by an incident which none could have imagined when two young men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from its first floor public gallery on Wednesday afternoon while members were making Zero Hour submissions. One of the two youths jumped on the MPs benches to move towards the Speakers chair, but was caught by members while the other burst white and yellow gas from small plastic canisters. As chaos prevailed, Mr Rajendra Agarwal, sitting in the Speakers chair, adjourned the House. The scene was shocking as it happened on the 22nd anniversary of the horrific 13 December, 2001 attack on Parliament in which nine personnel were killed. Not just the Government, Opposition MPs of both Houses were also agitated over the question how Parliament security could be breached so audaciously on a day when the House had paid tributes to the martyrs of the 2001 attack. Advertisement As the two Houses reassembled after break, the Opposition sought answers from the government, and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah. They shouted slogans and entered the wells of the two Houses. In their protest, they even ignored the directions of Speaker Om Birla in the Lok Sabha and of Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in the Rajya Sabha. For defying the Chair, 13 members of the Lok Sabha and one of the Rajya Sabha were suspended from the two Houses for the remainder of the Winter Session which ends on next Friday. Parliamentarians will continue to wonder for some time whether what they saw on 13th December last was really true. What has really shocked everyone was that the serious security lapse took place in the new building of Parliament, and this was the first regular session of Parliament being held there, since the earlier four-day session was a Special Session, in addition to the three yearly sessions. There are different entry gates to the new building for different categories of people and there is more than one stage of screening the visitors. As investigations continue to unravel the motives behind the security breach, the incident broke the tempo of work in Parliament. The two Houses lost much of their business on three days from Wednesday, although Monday and Tuesday had normal work. The Lok Sabha discussed for four hours supplementary budget for 2023-24 and additional expenditure done during 2020-21 on Monday, after answering questions during the Question Hour and raising important issues by the members. The next day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to the debate on the financial Bills before they were passed. In other business on Tuesday, the three earlier Bills, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, meant to replace existing criminal laws of the country, were withdrawn and their revised versions were introduced in the Lok Sabha. The House discussed and passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023, after three hours of debate. The Rajya Sabha too had hectic schedule and passed the two earlier Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation and Reservation Bills after a lengthy debate and a spirited reply by Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting how mistakes by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the Kashmir issue had left a legacy of Article 370, which generated a feeling of separatism, encouraging thereby people to take to terrorist activity. The next day, the Rajya Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, after an animated debate in which the Opposition freely participated and pointed to the dominance of the Executive on selection of the Election Commissioners in the Bill. Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal maintained the Opposition fears were far-fetched; the Bill had prescribed basic qualifications for Election Commissioner. Even on 13th December, the two Houses transacted work before and after the security breach at 1 pm. The Lok Sabha had introduced the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, after Question Hour and statements by Ministers. The Upper House passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. SFI (Students Federation of India), the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), staged a black-flag protest march to Calicut University, ahead of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khans arrival at the campus. The protesters were, however, removed from the spot by the police. The Governor will be staying at Calicut University Guest House on Saturday and attending various programmes in the district for three days. The protests were held days after SFI activists allegedly hit his car in Thiruvananthapuram. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan claimed that the police have been prevented from acting against the criminals and accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of hatching a conspiracy to hurt him. This is not a question of my comment, as I said in the morning; it is about law. We are a democratic republic; here, law must prevail. What they were doing, the police are standing by because of the political reasons they (the Kerala Police) stand by. My car was surrounded and hitting the car by all force, the governor said. He further said that he was not scared of anyone. Due to political reasons, the Kerala Police have been prevented from acting against these rowdies and criminalsMy car was surrounded and they were hitting the car with all force. I believe in facing the brute. I am not scared of anyone, he added. Advertisement Meanwhile, police have taken 17 SFI workers into custody, with seven workers being arrested for allegedly hitting the governors vehicle. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. According to a statement from the SFI, the Governor has appointed senate members in Calicut and Kerala universities from the list of RSS violating the university rules. This is undemocratic. This is an attempt to tie campuses into the RSS shed. SFI was organising a protest against this and we will continue it. The Chancellor nominated members for violating all rules . Our decision is that SFI will not allow the governor to enter any campuses in Kerala. We will take up our protest in that manner. We will strengthen the protests against the governor on the streets. In our agenda, we never aimed to physically attack the governor or take up the protest in a bad manner. Our protest will be in a democratic way. There wont be any undemocratic protest. In a landmark move, the European Union (EU) has embraced a pioneering role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with its recent provisional deal on regulations. This agreement, reached after exhaustive negotiations and debates in the European Parliament, positions Europe as the first major world bloc to enact comprehensive laws governing AI. European Commissioner Thierry Breton rightfully hailed it as historic, emphasising the EUs understanding of its crucial role as a global standard setter. One of the key aspects of this regulatory framework is its focus on transparency, particularly for foundation models like ChatGPT. This includes requirements for technical documentation, adherence to EU copyright laws, and the dissemination of detailed summaries about the content used for training. Such measures aim to demystify the workings of AI systems, providing a clearer understanding for both regulators and the public. High-impact foundation models, considered to have systemic risk, face even more stringent obligations. This involves conducting thorough model evaluations, mitigating systemic risks, engaging in adversarial testing, and reporting serious incidents to the European Commission. Notably, the emphasis on cyber-security and energy efficiency aligns with the broader goals of sustainability and responsible AI development. Governments, too, are subject to limitations on real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces. This restriction is only applicable in specific cases, such as victims of certain crimes, or the prevention of genuine present or foreseeable threats such as terrorist attacks. The agreement explicitly bans cognitive behavioural manipulation, untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet, social scoring, and biometric categorisation systems that infer sensitive personal attributes. Advertisement These prohibitions underscore the EUs commitment to safeguarding individual privacy and preventing potential misuse of AI technologies. However, not everyone is applauding these regulations. Business groups argue that the rules impose an additional burden on companies, especially with the last-minute attempt to regulate foundation models. The debate over a risk-based approach versus regulating the technology itself highlights the challenges in striking the right balance between fostering innovation and addressing potential risks associated with AI. Privacy rights groups express reservations about the legislation. While the EU has taken steps to regulate live public facial recognition, concerns linger about the overall impact on biometric surveillance and profiling. Despite the Parliaments efforts to limit potential damage, some critics view the package as lukewarm in effectively addressing these critical issues. The fines for violations, ranging from 7.5 million euros to 7 per cent of global turnover, are intended to hold companies accountable. However, scepticism remains, with critics questioning whether such penalties are sufficient deterrents or merely additional costs for businesses. As the legislation heads toward formal ratification and eventual implementation in two years, it marks a crucial juncture in global AI governance. Europes ambitious rules could serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions seeking to navigate the delicate balance between harnessing AIs advantages and establishing necessary safeguards. Forty-one people were arrested in Italy in a nationwide police operation targeting juvenile criminal gangs, authorities said. A further 74 people have been reported to the police investigators, reports Xinhua news agency. Four of those held and 24 of those reported were minors, according to the Interior Ministry. Advertisement Coordinated by the tactical unit of the countrys national police forces and carried out by 500-odd police officers, the operation involved raids in 14 provinces, where criminal incidents ascribable to juvenile groups or so-called baby gangs have recently occurred, the ministry said in a statement. Twelve kg of drugs, some 10,000 euros ($10,900), along with various weapons (handguns, knives and knuckle-dusters) were also seized in the operation. The people arrested and those under investigation have been variously charged with violence, drug trafficking, robbery and street bullying. In September, Italys government cracked down on so-called baby gangs a phenomenon Italian society perceives as being on the rise tightening jail terms for minor offenders, and making easier for the police to arrest minors found in possession of weapons. Among other measures, the cabinets decree introduced new rules under which parents of Italian children who drop out of school could also face jail sentences. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) announced a significant escalation in the threat level for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, moving from medium to high alert. According to the DVFA, the decision, effective December 18, comes in response to a growing number of bird flu cases in wild birds across Denmark and in neighboring European countries, alongside an increase in outbreaks within domestic poultry flocks, reports Xinhua news agency. All poultry, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, must either be kept indoors or in covered enclosures to prevent contact with wild birds, which are the primary carriers of the virus, the DVFA said in a press release. Advertisement It is crucial to minimise the interaction between domestic and wild birds. Owners must ensure feed and water troughs are covered and that surfaces and rainwater accessible to poultry are not contaminated with droppings from wild birds. The DVFA has also instituted a nationwide ban on animal fairs and gatherings involving poultry and captive birds. While the DVFA reassures the public that the risk of transmission to humans remains low, they acknowledge in the press release that in rare instances, the disease can spread to humans who have close contact with infected birds. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with periods of light snow late. High 23F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 13F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Key Insights The projected fair value for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad is RM1.36 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad's RM1.49 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Analyst price target for MRDIY is RM2.03, which is 49% above our fair value estimate Does the December share price for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (KLSE:MRDIY) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Is Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Fairly Valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM721.9m RM827.0m RM908.1m RM980.1m RM1.04b RM1.10b RM1.16b RM1.21b RM1.27b RM1.32b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 9.81% Est @ 7.93% Est @ 6.62% Est @ 5.70% Est @ 5.05% Est @ 4.60% Est @ 4.29% Est @ 4.07% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM652 RM675 RM669 RM653 RM629 RM600 RM569 RM538 RM507 RM477 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM6.0b We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM1.3b (1 + 3.6%) (11% 3.6%) = RM19b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM19b ( 1 + 11%)10= RM6.9b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM13b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.049. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad, there are three essential items you should further research: Financial Health: Does MRDIY have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does MRDIY's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Let us admit it. No political pundit, whether on the left, right or centre, was able to predict who would be the new chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The Narendra Modi government and the Amit Shah party organisation have always thrived on the surprise factor, and it was no different this time. That the BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the BJP under Modi are different is a given. But with one fell swoop the Modi-led BJP has ended the political careers of what used to be known as the partys second generation leaders in the Vajpayee years. With the exit of Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the only state level leader the BJP central command would find it tough to replace at will is possibly Uttar Pradesh stalwart Yogi Adityanath. Raje sat stoically surrounded by MLAs as she was handed over a parchi (small paper). The speculation is that like an Oscar or a Grammy award, this hand-written note had the name of the new chief ministerBhajan Lal Sharma, a first time MLA from Sanganer district. If Raje was unhappyas she must beshe did not have the luxury to show it. To compound her disquiet, the deputy chief minister is Diya Kumarifemale and royal, like Raje. Chouhan, otherwise low-key in the way the Sangh parivar prefers it, revealed his feelings. I would rather die, he said, than go to Delhi to ask for something for myself. Illustration: Bhaskaran So the BJPs recently won states are led by a tribal CM in Chhattisgarh, an OBC in Madhya Pradesh and a Brahmin in Rajasthan. Clearly caste engineering and not disruptive decision making for its own sake is at the heart of these choices. Even so, there are two ways of looking at what has happened. The opposition says this is further evidence that under Modi-Shah no one else with an independent political profile will be allowed to rise. However, the BJP can easily throw that back at the Congress and several regional partieswhere families continue to control the organisation. The other way to see it is the BJP and the RSS have decided that the organisation is bigger than the individual. The paradox is that this clearly does not apply to Modi, who is now the message, and clearly bigger than the Sangh parivar in terms of electoral winnability. Ironically, there is a precedent which is similar but not identical in the history of the Congress. Hark back to what Nehru called the Kamaraj plan. Kumaraswami Kamarajs plan for Congress revival was born after Indias defeat in 1962 and the Congress drubbing in three by-elections in 1963. Kamaraj argued that ministers and chief ministers should resign from their posts and work for the party. Six Union ministers and six chief ministers complied. Today, the Congress may not be able to take such a risk given that it has tried to regionalise its fights in the states. But there is some merit in keeping the party agile by constantly changing incumbents so that entitlement and status quo instincts do not set in. Have the BJPs choices in these three states been ruthless, strategic or laden with risk? Possibly, all of the above. As long as the party keeps winning elections under Modi, it will continue to take such chances with convention, upending the rules of politics and the capacity of journalists, pundits and the opposition to anticipate them. editor@theweek.in Attending a conference in Johannesburg on solidarity with Palestine, I said, Let me begin by clarifying that I am not here on behalf of my government. Thunderous applause greeted that opening line. It reflected the extent to which the Arab street has been grievously alienated by Narendra Modis declaration of total solidarity with Israel, a 180-degree turn from our rock-solid stand with the Palestinians for most of the past century. To understand the Arab shock, we need to go back to the view that Mahatma Gandhi expressed in 1938 even as the question of Jewish settlement in Palestinian lands began to assume proportions that threatened the very lives and livelihood of the indigenous Palestinian people and even their existence in their traditional homeland. Gandhiji wrote in his magazine Harijan (November 26, 1938) with reference to the racial and religious discrimination the Jews had faced for millennia and the vicious pogroms in Europe, east and west, climaxed by Hitlers final solutionthe liquidation of the entire communitythat, My sympathies are all with the Jews, but my sympathy does not blind me to the requirements of justice. The cry for the national home for the Jews does not make much appeal to me.They can settle in Palestine only by the goodwill of the Arabs. They should seek to convert the Arab heart. The same God rules the Arab heart who rules the Jewish heart. He formulated his basic position in a famous aphorism: Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense as England to the English and France to the French. Mani Shankar Aiyar with two Jewish delegates in Johannesburg. Unsurprisingly, therefore, India, under Jawaharlal Nehru, still suffering the pain of the partition, should have been one of the few countries to vote in the UN in November 1947 against the partition of Palestine. Notwithstanding the onset of the Cold War, the proposal to partition Palestine had brought the Soviet bloc together with the US-led bloc of white Christian nations to atone for their centuries of sins against the Jews by pushing the Jewish issue out their domain and into the Arab heartland. Given that the Jews in Europe had been safe and privileged only during the 700 years (711-1492 CE) of Muslim rule in Andalusiapresent-day Spain and PortugalGandhis advice was the only one that could have led to the Jews and Arabs living together in harmony in a joint homeland. Echoing this view were the two Jewish rabbis attending the Johannesburg conference on behalf of Jews against Zionism. The one-state solution was championed by Gandhis favourite disciple, Nehru, as prime minister. When this was not accepted, the UN proposed an alternative two-state solution in 1967. It has been on the table for the last half-century, but Israel is adamant on ridding themselves of, or subordinating to second-class citizenship, the Arab residents of Palestine. Modi has reversed the long-held Indian position principally because hindutva is premised on same parameters as Zionism: hostility to Islam. Zionism is not Judaism even as hindutva is not Hinduism. Modi, as an avid hindutvist, and Benjamin Netanyahu, as an avid Zionist, are as similar as two peas in a pod because, as Christophe Jaffrelot points out, Hindu nationalism and Zionism are rooted in a long history of hindutvas admiration of Zionist ethno-nationalism. Jaffrelot adds that this is possibly because both have found a common enemy in their countrys largest religious minority. I would only change possibly to certainly. For, as V.D. Savarkar had written from a diametrically opposite angle to Gandhis, If Palestine becomes a Jewish state, it will gladden us almost as much as our Jewish friends. Little wonder then that Modi stands in solidarity with Netanyahu. Aiyar is a former Union minister and social commentator. I am quite certain I was the first person in India to interview Valentino Garavani. The legendary Italian designer, known only by his first name, was presenting a fashion show in Mumbai in 2004 at the iconic steps of the Asiatic Library. I had just returned from Italy and had fallen in love with all things Italian. Valentino, Prada, Versace, Roberto Cavalli (who was a huge deal then), and Romes historic Via Condotti. It was an email interview as Valentino spoke no English, and my Italian was mostly pretentious. The interview was published on the front page of The Indian Express. Sadly, there is no online edition of that delightful piece. Italian fashion is most comparable with Indian fashion. Their idea of luxury was fatto a mano or made by hand. Their designers had the personalities of rockstars. They loved expensive and luxurious fabric, like cashmere and high quality leather. They loved glamour, blow-dried hair and sensuous red lips. The Indian fashion industry was just taking shape then, and no one knew it then, but we were basically Italian at heart. Slow fashion by Valentino | instagram@maisonvalentino Last week, the 91-year-old Valentinos partner (in life and business) Giancarlo Giammetti spoke to the Financial Times, on behalf of the designer who had just been given the Outstanding Achievement Award by the British Fashion Awards. His interview went viral when he said that Valentino would not be able to launch a brand today. We left because the industry changed and meetings were all about money, not design. Sales forecasts decided what got created. The conglomerates made each label work to the same model. We couldnt launch today. If we did, wed be doing slow fashion, inviting fewer people to buy, at the highest quality. You dont have to be judged on the number of dresses you make. His words may be controversial to the rest of Europe. Especially to the global domination seeking French. LVMH had famously tried to swallow up Gucci in 1999. Giammettis interview is also loathsome to the tone-deaf US, which loves its casual dressing and athleisure too much. But we in India still make clothes by hand, with our heart, and with a firm eye on the pursuit of beauty. We believe the path to God is satyam, shivam, sundaram or truth, godliness and beauty. Like the Italians who famously say, locchio vuole sua parta or the eye demands her share, too. We hear Valentinos words through Giammetti, and we believe that slow fashion is real fashion. We also hear them at arguably the most opportune time for Indian fashion. The last two years have seen some of our biggest fashion designers seek investment from Indian corporations. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tahiliani, Rahul Mishra, and Anamika Khanna are seeking to dress a larger group of people for much less money. Others like Sanjay Garg of Raw Mango, and Gaurav Gupta are still holding on to their labels, much like Italian heavyweights like Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. Rohit Bal, in ill health and with slim chance of reviving his gorgeous label, has not planned his succession at all. I dont know how Indian fashion labels will fare once their founders give up creative control. But I do hope we continue to make clothes with the same emotion, devotion, ardour and lust for beauty. I do hope that those who design the clothes and those who market them realise that just as important as them are those who make the clothes: weavers, tailors, embroiderers and dyers. I do hope that in order for fashion to win, craft does not lose. Voltaire said, judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers. Mahua Moitra wouldnt agree. She would want a person to be judged by her answers. Meenakshi Lekhi wouldnt agree. Both have reasons. Mahua thinks she has been harshly judged by her questions in Parliament; Meenakshi says she was wrongly judged by an answer she didnt give in Parliament. Meenakshi and Mahua are two of Indias most brilliant MPs, one an efficient minister, the other a dreaded debater. Their sins, alleged or real, arent similar. Mahuas is mala fide; Meenakshis is lack of vigil. Mahua tripped on questions. She shared her login ID and password (no big crime; most MPs lend them to aides) with a business house to post queries to ministries that would further its commercial interests (a crime). She is alleged to have got cash in return (a graver crime). Mahua says she didnt, wheres the proof? Meenakshi tripped on answers. She found an answer tabled in her name which she hadnt seen or signed. Meenakshi Lekhi and Mahua Moitra | Rahul R. Pattom; PTI Look trivial to us, but both are breaches of parliamentary sanctityone by commission, the other by omission. Question hour is Parliaments most sacred hour, when the very ordinary backbencher gets to question the majesty of the most powerful minister, when every minister is held accountable to every elected member. No query is treated trivial, even when it is about what the government is doing to stop the Himalayas from growing. The right to question the government in the house, even on matters of daily running, is the most envied as also the most dreaded aspect of the Westminster system. So much so George Bush Sr said, "I count my blessings for the fact I don't have to go into that pit that John Major stands in, nose-to-nose with the opposition, all yelling at each other." Yet, while running for president in 2008, John McCain promised to ask Congress, if he gets elected, To grant me the privilege of coming before both houses to take questions, and address criticism, much the same as the prime minister of Great Britain does. Thankfully, McCain didnt make it. Questions are of two kindsthose answered orally, and those to which written replies are given. Aides burn midnight bulbs in ministries during sessions, drafting detailed answers to scores of questions, and making huge briefs for ministers to check while making oral replies. Ministers dread oral queries. A questioner is allowed two sub-queries after listening to a ministers answer. Thats where ministers get caught. Unless fully briefed, or having done proper homework, they could falter and fail the grill. Aides sitting in officers gallery can send quickly scribbled notes, but those are of little help unless the minister has studied the matter. Many a mighty minister has made a fool of himself, having come without doing his homework. For us, this provides not just amusement, but also a treasure trove of information. Believe me, eliciting info through Parliament queries is faster, more efficient and more thorough than through RTI queries. Diligent newsmen, who wade through the ocean of data that are being tabled and filed in records, are known to have stumbled on many a news scoop. I, too, have. Now for some comic relief. A member once asked the defence minister about the nationalities of militants who had been nabbed or killed in Jammu & Kashmir. The reply: it cant be revealed in national interest. He sent the same query to the home minister. In a written reply, the minister gave the exact count of each nationality. That much for national interest. prasannan@theweek.in I was intrigued when media personality Alex Kuruvilla sent a tempting invitation to an evening of cocktails, connections and conversations about the Power of Girl Effect, hosted in the Zenith at the St Regis Hotel. Dressed in a crisp white blazer, Jessica Posner Odede, CEO of Girl Effect, an international NGO that helps girls in Africa and Asia make choices on multiple levels, was busy greeting invitees. Supporting her in this inspiring initiative was global media mogul Jonathan Newhouse. Around us were some of Indias best known philanthropists, like Adar and Natasha Poonawalla. After the informal meet and greet formalities, Alex introduced Jessica and her dedicated teamgiving guests an idea of what exactly Girl Effect is all about. It was left to Jessica to take us through her incredible journey from Kenya to India, that has led to Girl Effect making vital inroads and transforming lives of confused adolescent girls here and in Africathose who have no direct access to much-needed information regarding basic female health. Nor do they enjoy the emotional support required to process sensitive matters involving taboo subjectsmenstruation, contraception, pregnancy and more. It was when Jessica heard a teenager say, the first time I menstruated and saw blood, I was convinced I was dying that she decided to do something about it and launch Girl Effect, which has reached more than 23 million young Indian women online. Jessica Posner Odede | Courtesy Girleffect.org Go forth and shine, she urges girls, while encouraging confidential conversations in a safe environment through media and tech products. In Indias Hindi belt, Girl Effect proved to be a real boon, with young girls relating to content such as a specially created web series, chatbots, a girls-only Facebook group, and an informative website, which Jessica claims encourages every girl to write her own story. An online communityBak Bak Gangprovides a safe space for non-judgmental conversations about love, life and sex. Bol Behen acts as a virtual big sister and offers advice to girls at every stage. When the dynamic, articulate Jonathan proposed an eloquent vote of thanks, several questions arose in the roomaround how one could contribute. This was the prime objective of the evening, and it was heartening to see the passionate engagement of high-powered invitees, ready to open their wallets and extend support in whichever manner. My husband and I were blown away by Jonathans prodigious memorytravelling across the world, interacting with hundreds of people as he has been doing for decades, Jonathan retains an awe-inspiring recall, even for the tiniest detail. He reminded both of us about our conversation back then, and we shared a few laughsmainly over my tattoos and his! Since mine are powerful pro-women Kanji symbols, they seemed an apt representation of Girl Effectwhat a delightful coincidence. Jonathan said he had to make sure to cover his inking while travelling in Japan, where tattoos are associated with Japanese criminal gangs (Yakuza). While tattoos are not illegal in Japan, most visitors cover up at temples and shrines, and make sure not to expose their tattoos while strolling through the streets of the country. Phew! Jonathan just saved me from future embarrassment since we are travelling to Japan soon. Thanks Jonathanthat was a very valuable tip, indeedI will make sure my arms stay covered! As for Jessica, she made me aware of how urban, female youngsters living in Tier-1 cities, take sensitive information so much for granted. Compared with their less privileged counterparts across India, our young female adults are so much better armed to deal with adolescent challenges. It is time to step up and offer other far less informed counterparts the same knowledge-access as we enjoy. @DeShobhaa @shobhaade There is no particular season or reason to dive into a romance novel. They are evergreen, just like the emotion. Clean and wholesome, new adult, meet-cutes -- the contemporary romance genre is thriving with all its sub-genres. Little wonder, since all you need is a cosy corner and a piping hot beverage to escape into the fantasy world. As we are set to welcome 2024 and the host of new releases it brings, here are some swoon-worthy romance novels that you can read before the year ends. 1) 'The Spanish Love Deception' by Elena Armas A self-confessed romance lover, Elena Armas has mastered the trick with best-selling works, including the recently released The Long Game. But, it was her 2021 release The Spanish Love Deception that drew in the TikTok generation. The Spanish Love Deception introduces us to two main characters, Catalina Martin, the stubborn protagonist, and Aaron Blackford, her condescending colleague. Lina needs a fake date to attend her sisters wedding in her hometown and Aaron volunteers. They do not see eye-to-eye but life has a surprise in store for Catalina. 2. 'Twisted Series' by Ana Huang The 'Twisted' series by Huang has the most popular trope; the billionaire boyfriend. They are dark, spicy and, importantly, steamy. No wonder Huang is the star of Bookstagram, the Instagram community of readers.All four in the series - Twisted Love; Twisted Games; Twisted Hate and Twisted Lies - follow the lives of four friends Ava, Bridget, Jules, and Stella and their love lives. They cover a lot of tropes, including possessive, jealous MC and fake dating. Her favourite trope, though, is 'grumpy- sunshine', so expect a lot of it in Huang's next books. 3. 'A Thousand Boy Kisses' by Tillie Cole Tillie Cole has written over 15 novels and is a prominent name in the TikTok (read BookTok!) community, thanks to her alpha male leading man and strong female characters. A Thousand Boy Kisses follows the story Rune and Poppy, their childhood love and heartache as one of them leaves for Norway. A tear-jerker, A Thousand Boy Kisses is riddled with cliches and familiar tropes. Watch out: A Thousand Broken Pieces, the sequel to A Thousand Boy Kisses is coming out in June 2024 4. 'Better Than Movies' by Lynn Painter A major star of Bookstagram, Lynn Painter is a huge fan of "happily ever after". Better Than Movies is a story of 2 teenagers, Wes and Liz Buxbaum, who are neighbours with nothing in common between them. Until Liz wants Wes to help her catch the attention of her childhood crush Michael. Going by reviews, Painter's bestseller is "sweet" (and corny at certain parts) but is breezy and full of life. She has also thrown in enough pop culture references from Taylor Swift to Harry Met Sally. 5. 'Secretly Yours' by Tessa Bailey Tessa Bailey is a New York Times bestselling author and a TikTok favourite. Secretly Yours is a funny, breezy and fast-paced rice that follows the life of Hallie Welch, a small-town gardener and her relationship with a starchy professor. While readers love Secretly Yours for its relatable characters and cheesy love-angle, a lot of fans didn't shy away from expressing their disappointment at "problematic" steamy scenes. Harry Potter star Gary Oldman, who appeared on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' this week, said he was grateful for the Batman and Harry Potter movies he got to act in. Oldman, who played Sirius Black in the popular children's fiction franchise, said acting jobs were drying up for him. He said both the franchisees helped him professionally and personally. At 42 years old, I woke up divorced and I had custody of my boys, Oldman said, Variety reported. That, in itself, was that was hard because there was a shift in the industry where a lot of productions were being filmed in Hungary, Budapest, Prague, Australia, you know, all of these places. So, I turned down a lot of work, he said. In the Batman series, he was cast as James 'Jim' Gordon. He said the two roles helped him as he could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and be there for his kids. For the 2005 Batman Begins movie, Oldman shuttled between his home in Los Angeles to the movie's set in London, to get quality time with his children. Oldman was married to Donya Fiorentino from 1997 to 2001 and has two children with her. While the two got divorced, Fiorentino accused Oldman of domestic abuse. Oldman's son Gulliver, in 2018 wrote a letter defending his father. Gulliver called Oldman his one and true guiding light and only hero, adding that he was granted the good graces to be raised by only his father. The idea is to wake up a better person every day, he says Its been more than 20 years since Tim Roberts started with Nucor. The former biologist and Navy veteran was part of a nuclear submarine crew before he learned about a steel company hiring nuclear submariners. That was more than two decades ago, and he hasnt looked back since. Nucor Steel Memphis, located at 3601 Riverport Road, was named the Top Workplace among large employers in the Memphis area for 2023. This is the steel companys first year receiving the accolade. Nucor Steel Memphis workers pose for a photo outside the facility at 3601 Riverport Road in Memphis on Nov. 7, 2023. The North Carolina-based company opened its Memphis facility in 2008. The Memphis plant now has more than 240 employees. The company was founded by Oldsmobile owner, Ransom E. Olds. In the early 20th century, Nucor originally began operations as REO Motor Co. before evolving into Nuclear Corp. of America. The company rebranded as Nucor in 1971. The companys venture in steel began in the 1960s after Nuclear Corp. of America acquired Vulcraft. The Memphis facility is part of Nucors bar division, which manufactures merchant bars and rebar products for construction. Heat treat operator Jeffrey Parker said he remembers when he first was introduced to the company at a job pool and a recruiter told him it was the last job hell ever need. It stuck with me, Parker said. It has been just that for me. Nucor has been good for me. For Parker, and several of his colleagues, the environment at Nucor is what has made them stay. Inside sales representative Sarah Lentz said she relocated from Canada to work for Nucor. They told me if you want a career, you want to move down for Nucor, she said. That career starts with professional development and a company-wide approach toward safety. Melt shop refractory supervisor Jerry Echols said the steel industry can be a hazardous profession given the scope of the work. It can be unsafe if you dont have a culture that promotes safety, Echols said. A Nucor flag waves in the wind outside Nucor Steel Memphis at 3601 Riverport Road in Memphis on Nov. 7, 2023. At Nucor, theres a shared stock among colleagues. The majority of the development is geared toward understanding better work practices and ensuring staff are cross-trained in other departments and have access to development courses, he said. Story continues We had pizza delivery guys, former schoolteachers, DirecTV installers, you name it, Echols said. We had those guys who wanted to be steel makers. And I say that, because with Nucor if you have a desire and want, theyll teach you everything you need to know. Caster mechanic Brandon Scharfetter said hes an example of that. Scharfetter has been working in an interim management role for the last six months and has only recently formally applied for the position. He said the ability to work in that role after expressing interest created an opportunity he now felt comfortable pursuing. However, that was a cross-training opportunity he knows is unavailable at other facilities and is uncommon in the steel industry. What we do have that is special is our culture, he said. The sentiment among Nucor staff is that development isnt a one-off event. Scharfetter said the introduction of automated equipment near one of the steel vaults is largely due to communication from ground crews. One of the dangers when mixing alloys is a splash from the melted steel while it is still a liquid. When the alloys are added they can create a splash. That splash can be even more dangerous if moisture is added, Echols said, due to a chemical reaction. The addition of an automated robot here provides additional safety for workers without losing staff, Scharfetter said. That conversation on how to improve the workflow and safety measures came from open discourse with workers and supervisors, he said. Safety and a team-first mentality remain a key cog in the Nucor workplace, Roberts said. The company is pushing for safety measures he wouldve thought were impossible to achieve 20 years ago. The addition of an on-site medical campus at the Memphis facility is also a perk. Nucor employees and family members can access the clinic for free, he said. It saves so much money on PPO cost, he said. If I have a cold during work I can go see the nurse practitioner and she can set me up with antibiotics. Echols said the clinic is unique to Memphis facility, however, all Nucor sites have a nurse and medical staff on site. Each division, he said, has something different based on employee needs including gyms or fitness areas. Those perks extend past the job site, Scharfetter said including a profit-sharing credit for employees. He said when the company does well, employees receive a quarterly bonus. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, all staff were guaranteed a paycheck. That job security is a large reason why Roberts has remained with the company and its a big reason why he believes the company has thrived with employee retention. When the market drops, Im still going to have a job, he said. Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X/Twitter, @neilStrebig This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Top Workplaces 2023: Nucor Steel honored The Delhi Police, investigating the Parliament security breach, has recovered the burnt remains of the mobile phones used by the accused. All the phones were recovered from Rajasthan, to where accused Lalit Jha fled, said reports. During investigation, it had come to light that Jha, the alleged mastermind of the operation, had fled to Rajasthan will the phones of the four other accused. He later burnt the phones to destroy evidence. Police had written a letter to the cellular company seeking information about Lalit and the remaining four accused. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while calling the Parliament breach a serious issue, said it was important to go in depth into the issue. "The seriousness of the incident that happened in Parliament should not be underestimated at all. The Speaker sir is taking necessary steps with full seriousness. The investigating agencies are investigating the matter strictly. We need to go deep into the matter to understand what are the elements and intentions behind this. Solutions should also be found with one mind. Everyone should avoid debate or resistance on such topics, PM Modi was quoted by Dainik Jagran. (To be updated) An FIR registered by the Mumbai Police has accused Sajjan Jindal, the Chairman and Managing Director of JSW Group, of rape. The complaint lodged by a Mumbai-based woman alleges that the incident occurred on January 24, 2022, at a penthouse in Jindals offices in Bandra Kurla Complex. Based on the complaint, Jindal was slapped with charges including IPC 376 (rape), IPC 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and IPC 503 (criminal intimidation). The complainant claimed that she first met the businessman on October 8, 2021, in Dubai, adding that they exchanged phone numbers. She alleged that they met a few more times, following which the accused made sexual advances towards her multiple times despite her not giving consent. The woman also alleged that on January 24, 2022, the accused raped her at the penthouse of a building in Bandra Kurla Complex. The latest FIR, which was registered on December 13, claims that woman she went to police on February 16 to file a complaint but they allegedly took a statement without giving her a copy and did not file an FIR, CNBC quoted the woman as saying. Months later on December 5, she filed a writ petition against the police in Bombay High Court. The police then registered an FIR on December 14 as ordered by the court. However, the police have dismissed that they delayed registering the FIR. Jindal is yet to respond to the allegations raised by the woman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi and said the programme strengthens the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat". Modi also flagged off the Kanyakumari Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train and launched multi-language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature on the occasion. Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat," the prime minister said, adding that the same spirit was behind the organization of Kashi Telugu Sangamam and Saurashtra Kashi Sangamam. In his address, Modi recalled the establishment of the sacred Sengol in the new Parliament under the supervision of the Aadinam saints reflecting the same spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat'. Modi noted that lakhs of people including heads of mutts, students, artists, authors, craftsmen and professionals have become part of Kashi Tamil Sangamam since its inception last year and it has become an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas. He also highlighted a joint initiative by Banaras Hindu University and IIT-Madras where the latter is providing online support to thousands of students from Varanasi in Science and Mathematics under the Vidya Shakti Initiative. These recent developments are proof of the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi and Tamil Nadu, he said. The prime minister observed that while in other countries nation has been defined in political terms, India, as a nation, is constructed out of spiritual beliefs. India, Modi said, has been unified by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanjuam. While observing that a large number of people, students and youth from Tamil Nadu are traveling to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with the peaking interests of the countrys youth towards ancient traditions. In his address, Modi also highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence in real-time translation of his speech in Tamil for the first time and reiterated its usage in future events. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and L. Murugan were among others present on the occasion. Nine people were killed and three others seriously injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Chakdoh in Maharashtra's Nagpur district on Sunday, police said. In a statement, Ashish Srivastava, senior general manager of Solar Industries India Limited, said, "A tragic incident occurred at 9am in building number HR-CPCH-2 (Mixing, Melting and Casting) in which nine workers lost their lives." Angry locals and relatives of workers blocked the Amravati-Nagpur highway running along the site of the explosives manufacturing unit, with may shouting slogans and demanding access to the premises so that they could see the bodies of their loved ones. A mob of around 200 persons also stood outside the gate, while police tried to pacify they and asked them disperse. A senior police official told PTI that there were explosives near the spot and the process of securing the explosives was underway and, thereafter, the bodies will be recovered, a police official said. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister visited the blast site and spoke to relatives of the deceased. In a message on social media platform X, Fadnavis said the state government will provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the dead, while the amount from the company would be Rs 20 lakh each. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who visited the spot, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had ordered an inquiry into the incident. Senior Congressman and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said the state government must give Rs 50 lakh as compensation to the kin of those who had died and jobs. An offence must be registered against the owner of the company for the incident, he added. Wadettiwar and party colleague Sunil Kedar a visited the factory site. Such is the impact of the blast that there is no trace of the bodies and finding them will be difficult, Wadettiwar said. He also questioned the safety norms and wanted to know details of the training given to the deceased and their skill sets. He said he will raise the issue in the Assembly on Monday. The Winter Session of the Legislature is currently underway in Nagpur. Earlier, Srivastava said the company was fully committed to providing all support and relief to the families of the deceased today and in the future. "We shall implement the recommendations of the inquiry committee as soon as they are received," he said in the statement. Speaking to reporters earlier, Srivastava said the incident occurred in the building where boosters used in coal mines are produced. It took place when sealing work of the product was going on, he added. "Nine people have died. The injured workers have been rushed to hospital. All the workers have been evacuated from the building," he added. A Kondhali police station official said 12 persons were present in the unit when the incident took place. Fadnavis said nine people, including six women, died in the blast at Solar Industries. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the armed forces, he said. "I am in touch with the Nagpur collector and superintendent of police. The IG, SP and collector are at the site," Fadnavis added. The nine deceased have been identified as Yuvraj Charode, Omeshwar Macchirke, Mita Uikey, Aarti Sahare, Swetali Marbate, Pushpa Manapure, Bhagyashree Lonare, Rumita Uikey and Mausam Patle, a police official said. Authorities are assessing the extent of damage, conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and ensuring safety of the surrounding areas, Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar said. Till late Sunday night, the bodies had not been removed from the site, police officials said. Speaking to reporters, NCP MLA and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh, who visited the site, said the entire area had been sealed and the bodies will not be recovered till the entire area is secured and safe. In a shocking incident, a 32-year-old temple priest was shot dead and his eyes were gouged out in Bihars Gopalpanj district on Saturday. The body of Manoj Kumar, who had been missing for the last five days, was found in the bushes near a milk factory near his house in Danapur village. Kumar was a priest at a Shiva temple in Danapur. His brother Ashok Kumar Shah is a former divisional president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Police had launched a search operation to trace Kumar following a missing complaint filed by his family. They, however, couldnt track him until his body was found in the village on Saturday evening. The family of the victim claimed that he was shot near the neck and his eyes were gouged out. There were injuries on his private parts as well. The incident has sparked clashes in the village with locals accusing police of negligence. Two policemen were injured in stone-pelting while a police vehicle was also set on fire. Gopalganj Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pranjal, who reached the spot, said the situation was under control and adequate police force had been called in. Police have detained five persons in connection with the clashes. The ongoing war of words between the Kerala government and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan escalated further on Sunday with minister PA Mohamed Riyas criticising the latter for targeting CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his native district. Criticising Khan in harsh words, Riyas, who is the Minister for Tourism and Public Works Department, said the Governor holds hatred for the Kerala Chief Minister and Kannur. Don't think we don't know to say shut your bloody mouth mister Arif Mohammed Khan. We are stopping short of saying so out of respect for the post of Governor, Malayala Manorama reported Mohamed Riyas as saying in Pathanmathitta. "Distorting and ignoring history is a part of the (Governor's) plan to function in a way the RSS prefers. This is why Arif Mohammed Khan is set out to attack Kerala chief minister and his native Kannur," the report quoted the Beypore legislature as saying. "Wherever the BJP fails to come into power, positions including that of the Governor have become a political tool. The outcry against such politically motivated moves by Governors has erupted in Congress-ruled states. But the Congress in Kerala alone is turning a blind eye towards such incidents," Manorama report added PA Mohamed Riyas as saying. CPM-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) has been staging widespread protests against the Governor alleging that he has been pushing the BJP-RSS nominees to the senate of various universities in Kerala using his authority as the Chancellor of the universities in the state. The SFI has been alleging that Khan's actions were part of the saffronisation agenda of the BJP. Amidst protests, Khan on Saturday had said at the Calicut University that he was not scared of anyone and alleged that the protesting students were "criminals hired by the chief minister". "They are all criminals. They have been hired by the chief minister. Whatever protest is there, it is sponsored by the chief minister personally," Khan said, adding that it was because CM Pinarayi Vijayan wanted to divert attention from the financial crisis faced by the state. Khan claimed that the state government was announcing welfare measures without creating wealth and all the prosperity in the state was from the money coming from abroad. "The CM is used to this because he comes from Kannur. Kannur has this bloody history where they have been killing each other," Khan said. When asked about the SFI's allegation of saffronisation and the BJP-RSS nominees to the senate of various universities, Khan said he was not accountable to anyone except the President of India. "Who are they to ask? I recommended the names after considering the nominations received from various sources. I am accountable only to the President of India. Ultimately it is my discretion. Why should I explain it to them? I am not accountable to criminals," Khan said. - With PTI inputs Amid Israel-Hamas war, World Health Organisation (WHO) has once again called for a ceasefire as the hospitals are overflowing with displaced and injured people. Lack of fuel, oxygen and medical supplies are even making the situation worse. The emergency department at the al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza is "a bloodbath" and the facility is "in need of resuscitation", the WHO has warned. According to WHO, hundreds of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter and there is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. Operation theatres are no longer functioning due to lack of fuel and oxygen, said a WHO official. New patients are coming in every minute. It has become impossible to cater to their needs and treat them, he added. Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor, and limited to no pain management is available at the hospital," said WHO in a statement. Reviving al-Shifa hospital has become the top priority for WHO as it is the biggest hospital in Gaza. WHO said it would be "strengthening" the al-Shifa hospital in the coming weeks in order to resume basic services. In the entire north of the Gaza Strip, al-Ahli Arab is the only hospital "partially functioning". Al-Shifa, al Awda and al Sahaba medical complex-are functioning at a minimum, reported AFP. In al-Shifa, up to 20 operating theatres can be activated if provided with regular supplies. "Up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, as well as post-operative care services, can be activated if provided with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water, said WHO. Meanwhile, in an Israeli attack on Tulkarm in the West Bank, at least five Palestinians were killed on Sunday, said Palestinian Health Ministry. With two more soldiers killed in the ongoing fight, the death toll rose to 121. PM Benjamin Netanyahu had said that Israel would wage war "until absolute victory" is obtained. Amid intensifying attacks, France has called for an 'immediate and durable truce. France's foreign minister, Catherine Colonna arrived in Israel, where she pressed for an "immediate and durable" truce. Deeply concerned over the situation in the territory, Colonna said "too many civilians are being killed". Meanwhile, it's been four days since Gaza is under communications blackout. Under fire after Israeli forces mistakenly shot dead three captives, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday hinted that new negotiations were on with Hamas about the release of remaining hostages. This comes as Israel's intelligence chief David Barnea met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday night in Europe. In a televised press conference on Saturday, Netanyahu called the conflict "an existential war that must be fought until victory, despite pressure and costs." He vowed to demilitarise Gaza and bring it under Israeli security control. The Prime Minister claimed that it was Israel's offensive in Gaza that helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November. "The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing," he said. Qatar too confirmed that talks were under way for a possible new truce. "Qatar affirmed its ongoing diplomatic efforts to renew the humanitarian pause and expressed hope for building upon the progress made to accomplish a comprehensive and sustainable agreement that would end the war..," the ministry said in a statement. However, the Palestinian militant group Hamas issued an official statement saying it will not agree to another deal for the release of hostages its holding in Gaza "unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all." The statement says Hamas has communicated this stance to mediators. Netanyahu did not elaborate on Barnea's meeting with Qatar leaders but stated Israel had "serious criticisms of Qatar" but was trying to complete recovery of hostages at the moment. The leader of the Jewish state is facing intense pressure in his country to release the hostages as several hundred people staged a protest in Tel Aviv, with some holding placards, including one saying "Get them out of hell." 'Proud to have blocked Palestinian state' The Prime Minister added he is proud to have prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state. "Im proud that I prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state because today everybody understands what that Palestine state could have been, now that weve seen the little Palestinian state in Gaza. Everyone understands what would have happened if we had capitulated to international pressures and enabled a state like that in Judea and Samaria, surrounding Jerusalem and on the outskirts of Tel Aviv," he told reporters. His response came to a reporter's question as to why he did not withdraw from the Oslo Accords, given that he keeps criticising them. Netanyahu also reiterated his opposition to the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza after the war with Hamas ends. He seemed to be referring to the US's desire to revamp the Palestinian Authority to run Gaza after Hamas. "Among friends, its important not to foster illusions," he added. An Indian postgraduate student has gone missing in London since December 15, BJP leaders Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said. The student has been identified as G S Bhatia, who studies in UK's Loughborough University. According to the post by Sirsa on X, Bhatia was last seen at Canary Wharf in East London. The BJP leader sought the attention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "G S Bhatia, a student of Loughborough University, has been missing since Dec 15. Last seen in Canary Wharf, East London. Bringing to the kind attention of DrSJaishankar. We urge lborouniversity and @HCI_London to join efforts in locating him. Your assistance is crucial. Please," the post read. The BJP leader also posted the residence permit and college identification card of Bhatia on X and urged people to share the news. He also shared two contact numbers to provide any information about the Indian student. Earlier this month, another Indian student had gone missing in the UK. However, the body of 23-year-old Mitkumar Patel was later found in river Thames. Patel, who arrived in the UK for higher studies in September, was reported missing on November 17. The Met Police said the death was not believed to be suspicious. Local Indian media reports had said that days before his death, Patel had sent a relative a series of voice messages in which he talked about ending his life. According to the 'Evening Standard' newspaper, the student was due to move to Sheffield on November 20 to start a degree at Sheffield Hallam University and a part-time job at Amazon. His friends reported him missing after he failed to return from a daily walk to the home where he was staying in London. They later found that he had left his set of keys behind. A member of Britain's House of Lords has acknowledged that she repeatedly lied about her links to a company that was awarded lucrative government contracts to supply protective masks and gowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Underwear tycoon Michelle Mone said she had made an error in denying connections to the company PPE Medpro and regretted threatening to sue journalists who alleged she had ties to the firm. Her husband, Doug Barrowman, has acknowledged he led the consortium that owns the company. I did make an error in saying to the press that I wasn't involved, Mone said in a BBC interview broadcast Sunday. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wasn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, and I regret and I'm sorry for not saying straight out, Yes, I am involved.' Mone admitted she is a beneficiary of her husband's financial trusts, which hold about 60 million pounds ($76 million) in profits from the deal. But she argued that the couple were being made scapegoats in a wider scandal about government spending during the pandemic. We've done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved, she said, adding: I can't see what we've done wrong. The case has come to symbolise the hundreds of millions of pounds (dollars) wasted through hastily awarded contracts for protective equipment. Britain's government has come under heavy criticism for its so-called VIP lanes during the pandemic where preferential treatment for public contracts was given to companies recommended by politicians. Mone, founder of the Ultimo lingerie firm, was appointed to Parliament's unelected upper house in 2015 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, who is now Britain's foreign minister. A year ago she said she was taking a leave of absence from Parliament to clear her name over the scandal. She repeatedly denied reports that she used her political connections to recommend PPE Medpro to senior government officials. The newly established firm won contracts worth more than 200 million pounds ($250 million) during the height of the first COVID-19 wave in 2020. Millions of surgical gowns that it supplied to UK hospitals were never used after officials decided they were not fit for use, and the government has since issued breach of contract proceedings. The National Crime Agency also is investigating allegations of fraud and bribery. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden defended the so-called VIP lanes reserved for referrals from lawmakers and senior officials and insisted there had been no favours or special treatment for government cronies. With any large allocation of government funds for large-scale procurement, there are going to be issues that arise subsequently, he told the BBC. You can see there is civil litigation happening, you can see there is a criminal investigation happening. So, if there is fraud, the government will crack down. The oil industry's mega-merger spree and a US production boom point to strong crude demand for years to come Massive oil company mergers have coincided with a US production boom in 2023. wenbin/Getty Images This year has seen a flurry of oil mega-mergers worth more than $100 billion. Big deal flow and rising US production point to industry forecasts of big demand for years to come. The "inevitable" consolidation suggest oil companies are shrugging off peak demand concerns. A string of multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions across the energy sector this year has coincided with a boom in US oil production, and together the trends point to an industry shrugging off peak oil demand concerns, with expectations of a healthy market for years to come. Deals for companies active in the Permian basin, a key drilling region that stretches over a swath of west Texas and into New Mexico, have exceeded a record $100 billion in 2023, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a report published December 12. Exxon Mobil's $59.5 billion proposed deal for Pioneer Natural Resources the largest oil and gas producer in the Permian basin headlined those figures, in addition to Chevron's $53 billion takeover of Hess, and Permian Resources' $4.5 billion, all-stock acquisition of Earthstone Energy. "Oil demand is expected to continue growing through the rest of the decade, hence consolidation in the US oil patch is a more measured approach to address this need via reduced costs and economies of scale," Matt Smith, lead oil analyst for the Americas at Kpler, told Business Insider. That contrasts to the boom-and-bust approach and "wildcatting" or exploratory drilling of the past. "Continued consolidation within the shale industry is inevitable," said Jesse Jones, head of North America crude production at Energy Aspects. Jones told Business Insider oil production from private producers has ramped up faster than that of public companies over the last three years, and US oil production broadly has exceeded estimates. This year, the US has averaged 13 million barrels a day of output. Some analysts have forecasted that will increase in 2024. US production hit a record 13.2 million barrels a day in September, which happened as OPEC+ leaders like Saudi Arabia and its allies like Russia struggled to get a handle on oil's recent downward spiral. Story continues "Upstream consolidation gradually ratchets down the growth potential from areas like the Permian, which is one reason we see US growth slowing appreciably next year," Jones said. "But that should also result in healthier financial results over time as a larger portion of the operator universe is incentivized to exercise capital discipline." More confidence in demand than IEA International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol in September forecasted the beginning of the end for global crude demand, but the oil and gas industry has effectively bet on the opposite. A JPMorgan commodities strategist this week said demand for oil in emerging markets is vastly underestimated, and peak oil demand won't be seen in our lifetime. Jim Mitchell, head of Americas oil analysts for Refinitiv, said the surge in deal-making means corporations expect oil to be a major source of energy for a long time, and US firms are growing at a rate that allows them to compete on a bigger scale. "For the biggest of oil and gas companies, the mergers mean they can compete on the world stage with oil companies owned by nations," Mitchell told Business Insider. "For the mid-size and smaller oil and gas companies, the mergers give financial health in an environment where financing will continue to be difficult." The pace of merger and acquisitions next year will likely cool, in his view, but the oil market will remain strong. "We're seeing big players buying up smaller companies, as it is an easy way for them to add incremental production to their books," Kpler's Smith said. "It's also an efficient way of them snapping up tried and tested assets and acreage." Meanwhile, notwithstanding recent declines in crude prices, Mitchell highlighted that a prolonged run of relatively higher prices has helped heal balance sheets from the "financial bloodbath that was COVID," and provided capital for investments or returning money to shareholders. "My opinion," Mitchell said, "is that both the consolidation and the oil boom suggest demand will remain high and increasing at least through the remainder of this decade." Read the original article on Business Insider Westerly, RI (02891) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 45F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 34F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future. They just disagree over who poses the threat. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall. Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons. President Joe Biden has attempted to paint a dystopian future if GOP front-runner and former President Donald Trump returns to the White House after promising to seek retribution against opponents and declining to rule out that he would abuse the powers of the office. The former president has tried to flip the narrative lately, saying the election subversion and documents cases against him show Biden has weaponized the federal government to prosecute a political opponent. He has called Biden the destroyer of American democracy. I think from the side of the left, its pretty obvious that theyre concerned about electing a president who is avowedly authoritarian, someone who clearly wants to reduce checks and balances within the government to strengthen the presidency and to do so in ways that give the executive branch kind of an unprecedented reach across the population and sectors of the government, said Michael Albertus, political science professor at the University of Chicago. From the right, the Republicans think about government overreach, big government, threats to freedom and mandates to act in a certain way or adopt certain policies, he said. Against that backdrop, the poll found that about half of U.S. adults, 51%, say democracy is working not too well or not well at all. The poll asked about the importance of the coming presidential election for 12 issues and found that the percentage who said the outcome will be very or extremely important to the future of democracy in the U.S. (67%) ranked behind only the economy (75%). It was about equal to the percentage who said that about government spending (67%) and immigration (66%). Tony Motes, a retired firefighter who lives in Monroe, Georgia, cited a number of reasons he believes were not living in a complete democracy. That includes what he sees as a deterioration of rights, including parental rights, thieves and other criminals not being held accountable, and a lack of secure borders. The 59-year-old Republican also said the various criminal cases being brought against Trump undermine the countrys democratic traditions. Theyre trying to keep him from running because they know hes going to win, he said. The polls findings continue a trend of Americans lackluster views about how democracy is functioning. They also believe the countrys governing system is not working well to reflect their interests on issues ranging from immigration to abortion to the economy. Robert Lieberman, a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, has studied the fall of democracies elsewhere and the common elements that feed their demise. The factors include polarization, growing ethnic or racial antagonism, rising economic inequality and a concentration of power under a countrys executive officeholder. For a number of years now, the United States has had all four of these conditions, really for the first time in history, he said. So were in a period thats ripe for challenges to democracy. Trump is not the cause of the pattern, Lieberman said, but seems to have an unerring instinct to make things worse, and he certainly has authoritarian impulses and a lot of followers who seem to validate or applaud him. The AP-NORC poll found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. For Republicans, 82% believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing. About 2 in 10 U.S. adults (19%) say democracy in the U.S. is already so seriously broken that it doesnt matter who wins the 2024 presidential election. Republicans (23%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) to say this, but relatively few in either party think U.S. democracy is resilient enough to withstand the outcome. Social media platforms and news sites that reinforce biases accelerate the polarization that leads people from different political perspectives to believe the other side is the one representing the gravest threat to the nations democracy, said Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins. I dont think that people are exaggerating. I think its that they actually are living in information environments in which it is true for them that democracy is under threat, she said. Mason said one side fears what Trump has said he will do if he wins, while the other is responding to the fear created in a media ecosystem that says the Democrats want to destroy America and turn it into a socialist or communist society. For some, the danger is more than Trumps statements and concern over how he might turn toward authoritarianism. It also is whats happening in the states and courts, where political gerrymandering and threats to voting rights are continuing, as are measures that limit peoples ability to vote easily, such as reducing drop box locations for mail-in ballots and tightening voter identification requirements. Look at all the roadblocks that have been put up to keep people, especially people of color, from being able to vote, said Pamela Williams, 75, of New York City, who identifies as a Democrat. That isnt democracy. Douglas Kucmerowski, 67, an independent who lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York, is concerned over those state-level actions and the continued use of the Electoral College, which can allow someone to be president even if they lose the popular vote. He also questions the state of the nations democracy when a large proportion of the country supports a candidate facing multiple criminal charges who has spoken about pursuing retribution and using the military domestically, among other things. Trump also has lied about the outcome of the 2020 election, which has been affirmed by multiple reviews in the battleground states where he disputed his loss, and called his supporters to a Washington rally before they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a violent attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Bidens win. That candidate, in any other age, probably would have been ruled out. But for some reason, in this society, hes one of the best choices, Kucmerowski said. If this country is that confused that they cant tell the difference between right and wrong and ex-presidents making statements that on day one he will be a dictator, doesnt anybody care about day two or three or four when hes still a dictator? (AP) The White House has been increasingly pressuring Congress to pass stalled legislation to support Ukraines war against Russia, saying that funding has run out. On Tuesday, however, President Joe Biden touted a new military aid package worth $200 million for Ukraine. Money is dwindling. But the announcement of more weapons being sent to Kyiv just underscores the complexity of the funding. So has the money run out? Or are there still a few billion dollars floating around? Its complicated. STORE CREDIT In a Nov. 4 letter to Congress, White House budget director Shalanda Young said flatly: We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight. This isnt a next year problem. The time to help a democratic Ukraine fight against Russian aggression is right now. Since then, the U.S. has announced three more aid packages totaling $475 million. That may seem contradictory, but its due to the complex programs used to send aid to Ukraine. There are two pots of money for weapons and security assistance set up specifically for the war. One is the Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, under which the U.S. provides weapons already in its stockpile. The other is the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds long-term weapons contracts. Money for USAI has all been spent. That pot is empty. And money for the PDA also appeared to be gone. But then the Pentagon determined that it had overstated the value of the weapons it had already sent Ukraine, overcharging the Ukraine weapons account by $6.2 billion. That effectively left Ukraine with a store credit that is slowly being whittled down. It now stands at around $4.4 billion. PDA packages continued to be announced every few weeks. But in recognition of the dwindling money, the latest packages have been smaller about $200 million or less, compared with previous ones that often totaled $400 million to $500 million. BUT EMPTY SHELVES In theory, the Pentagon would have enough equipment to offer these smaller packages for months. But theres a caveat: While the credit exists, there may not be enough stock on the Pentagon shelves. So some weapons may be unavailable. Congressional funding to buy weapons to replace the ones the U.S. sends to Ukraine is now down to about $1 billion. That dwindling money means the military services are worried they wont be able to buy all the weapons they need to ensure the U.S. military is ready to defend the American homeland. For example, the 155 mm rounds commonly used by Howitzers are one of the most requested artillery munitions by Kyiv. The demand has been so high that the Army has pressed the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania, where the shell casings for the rounds are made, to increase production in order to meet war demands and have enough on hand for American military needs. On Thursday, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters the U.S. could provide the full $4.4 billion in weapons, but with only a quarter of that amount available for replenishment, its a tough choice. We have to start to make decisions about our own readiness, he said. THE POLITICAL WRANGLING The U.S. has already sent Ukraine $111 billion in weapons, equipment, humanitarian assistance and other aid since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion more than 21 months ago. But the latest package is stalled. Support for Ukraine funding has been waning as some lawmakers see the war taking funding from domestic needs. But the broader problem is a political battle over the southern U.S. border. President Joe Biden is urging Congress to pass a $110 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs. It includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, with about half to replenish Pentagon stocks. It also includes about $14 billion for Israel as it fights Hamas and $14 billion for U.S. border security. Other funds would go for security needs in the Asia-Pacific. Prospects for compromise remain in doubt, even as Zelenskyy warned in a speech at the National Defense University in Washington on Monday that, If theres anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, its just Putin and his sick clique. THE JOBS ARGUMENT Harkening back to the all politics is local idea, the Pentagon and the White House have rolled out maps and statistics to show members of Congress how their own districts and states are reaping benefits from the Ukraine funding. Charts detail $10 billion in industry contracts for weapons ranging from air defense systems and missiles to a wide array of drones, ammunition and other equipment. And they break out an additional nearly $16.8 billion in contracts to replenish Pentagon stocks. The maps show contracts benefitting industries and companies in more than 35 different states. And U.S. officials are hoping the local jobs argument will help build support for the funding. HOW BIG IS THE NEED? Winter has set in, so the fighting in Ukraine has leveled off a bit. And along stretches of the battlefront, fighting is somewhat stalemated. But Ukrainian forces have been taking ground back in some key locations, and Zelenskyy and other leaders have said they want to keep pushing forward. Ukraine does not want to give the Russians weeks or months this winter to reset and further solidify their fighting positions as they did last winter. During his visit to Washington this week, Zelenskyy said his forces are making progress, and the White House pointed to newly declassified intelligence that shows Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on Russia in recent fighting around the eastern city of Avdiivka including 13,000 casualties and over 220 combat vehicles lost. The Ukrainian holdout in the countrys partly occupied east has been the center of some of the fiercest fighting in recent weeks. Putin on Thursday, however, said his troops are making gains. Almost all along the line of contact our armed forces, lets put it modestly, are improving their positions, almost all are in an active stage of action and there is an improvement in the position of our troops all along, he said. (AP) The four astronauts assigned to fly around the moon for the first time in 50 years met with President Joe Biden on Thursday at the White House, where he showed off an moon rock on display in the Oval Office that was collected in the Apollo era. The Artemis II crew three Americans and one Canadian said the president was making good on a promise to host them at the White House after they were named to the mission earlier this year. They also met with Vice President Kamala Harris. Its been really nice to shake their hands and tell them thank you for their leadership and making it possible for us to have this amazing journey, said pilot Victor Glover. The four astronauts will be the first to fly NASAs Orion capsule, launching atop a Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than late 2024. They will not land or even go into lunar orbit, but rather fly around the moon and head straight back to Earth, a prelude to a lunar landing by two others planned for a year later. As the crew, we dont even think about the date, said commander Reid Wiseman. We will go when NASA and the vehicle are ready to fly. In the meantime, the crew is preparing. They use simulators and work with Mission Control on how to get up and back safely, including how to get out when they return to Earth. They have a dress rehearsal in February where theyll practice bobbing around in a capsule in the Pacific Ocean. It takes a huge team of people to put four humans to sling them around the moon and back and still have them breathing when they hit the Pacific. And we work with them every single day, said mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian member of the group. This is the first moon crew to include someone from outside the U.S. and the first crew in NASAs new moon program named Artemis, after the twin sister of mythologys Apollo. Late last year, an empty Orion capsule flew around the moon and back in a long-awaited dress rehearsal. The astronauts got their first look at their spaceship in August. But investigations into the capsules heat shield could delay their trip. Last years test flight around the moon, with no one on board, resulted in unexpected charring and loss of material from the heat shield at the bottom of the capsule. The heat shield is meant to protect the capsule against the extreme heat of reentry. Mission specialist Christina Koch said Biden talked about a speech John F. Kennedy gave in 1962 on the mission to the moon, and he referenced the part where Kennedy said the U.S. would go to the moon because the goal was a challenge and one we are unwilling to postpone. And that shows to me that he is committed to the mission that we have, that we are going to show through his leadership that we can do great things, she said. During Apollo, NASA sent 24 astronauts to the moon from 1968 through 1972. Twelve of them landed. All were military-trained male test pilots except for Apollo 17s Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who closed out that moon-landing era alongside the late Gene Cernan. The moon rock on display in the Oval Office Lunar Sample 76015,143 is on loan from NASA. It was collected in 1972 by Schmitt and Cernan. The rock is believed to be about 3.9 billion years old, and it weighs a little less than a pound. (AP) The Michigan Court of Appeals said Thursday it wont stop former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states 2024 Republican primary ballot, turning aside challenges from critics who argue that his role in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualifies him. The court affirmed two lower court rulings without determining whether Trump falls under the insurrection clause in the Constitutions 14th Amendment. Who to place on the primary ballot is determined by the political parties and the individual candidates, the appeals court said in a 3-0 opinion, citing Michigan law. The court further said Trumps possible spot on a general election ballot was not ripe for consideration. The two-sentence clause in the 14th Amendment has been used only a handful of times since the years after the Civil War. Its likely that one of the lawsuits challenging Trump eventually will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on the insurrection clause. The Michigan court decision was similar to one from the Minnesota Supreme Court, which said Trump could stay on that states primary ballot there because the election is a party-run contest. In one of the Michigan lawsuits, the anti-Trump plaintiffs included Bob LaBrant, a longtime Republican who was a lawyer and political strategist for decades at the state Chamber of Commerce. In a statement, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said, The Soros-funded Democrats have once again failed in their desperate attempt to interfere in the election via a bad-faith interpretation of the 14th Amendment. (AP) Donald Trump was uncharacteristically serious when he implored an audience in eastern Iowa to carry him to a blowout in next months Republican caucuses. The margin of victory is very important, its just very important, Trump told about 1,000 people attending a Wednesday rally aimed at organizing campaign volunteers. Its time for the Republican Party to unite, to come together and focus our energy and resources on beating Crooked Joe Biden and taking back our country. Very simple. For the blustery former president, it was both caution against complacency and a sign that he and his team believe the first contest on Jan. 15 can be not just the start of the nominating campaign, but the beginning of the end. Trump is the overwhelming favorite to win Iowa, one month away from the caucuses. A myriad of well-qualified GOP challengers and anti-Trump groups havent changed that dynamic after crisscrossing the state over the last year and spending more than $70 million in Iowa on advertising, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact. And unlike his first time in the caucuses, which he narrowly lost in 2016, Trumps campaign is now run by Iowa veterans who are not just locking in caucus commitments but building a formidable organization to try to lock in his lead. Among rival campaigns, most question not whether Trump will win, but by how much and whether a second-place finisher can claim momentum for the rest of the race. For me, it looked like for a long time there was a narrow lane, but there was a lane, for a not-Trump candidate, said Gentry Collins, a veteran Republican strategist and former state GOP executive director who ran Mitt Romneys 2008 GOP caucus campaign. But there isnt really a single alternative people can rally around. Trump was the first choice of 51% of likely Iowa caucus participants in a Des Moines Register-NBC News-Mediacom Iowa Poll published Monday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has vowed that he will win Iowa, had the support of 19%. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has suggested she can beat DeSantis in the state and go head to head with Trump in later primaries, was at 16%. Next years GOP nomination is officially an open race. But many primary voters believe Trump was cheated in 2020 when he lost his reelection bid to Democrat Joe Biden. Multiple government and outside investigations have not found evidence of any voter fraud, despite Trumps frequent and repeated false claims that are often repeated by many of his supporters. Trump remains popular with Republicans, both in Iowa and nationally, who credit him for his handling of the economy, the U.S.-Mexico border, and his appointment of three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn a federally guaranteed right to abortion. Youve got basically a quasi-incumbent president, said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster and senior adviser to Marco Rubios 2016 campaign. Of course, hes got the overwhelming advantage. Beyond Trumps built-in advantages, a massive and ongoing effort on his behalf in Iowa reflects the campaigns realization especially compared to his seat-of-the-pants 2016 effort that turning out many thousands of Iowans to caucus on a cold January night requires intense organizing. State Republican Party officials who run the contests and strategists with the various campaigns suggest Januarys caucuses will break the record of nearly 187,000 people in 2016. Trumps team says it has collected and processed tens of thousands of commitment cards, most of them coming from his 11 visits to Iowa in the past three months. Aides say the cards are entered into a database within three days before a campaign volunteer replies by phone. Though Trump has visited far less often than DeSantis, Haley and others, he has drawn more than 20,000 to events since early September, thousands of whom say they are first-time caucus participants. When asked if they were first-timers, hundreds of people raised their hands at Wednesdays event in Coralville. The audience sat before a stage flanked by large video screens with a QR code and text code that guided them to the campaigns digital portal. Volunteers circulated around the Hyatt Regency hosting the event, identifiable with their white ball caps emblazoned in gold lettering with Trump Caucus Captain. One volunteer, a University of Iowa student, approached Ginger Marolf as she was waiting in a line of hundreds of people snaking around the hotel. The student asked Marolf to fill out a caucus pledge card and give it back so they could get an accurate count of how many people support Trump in Iowa. After signing her card, Marolf called Trump a fighter for us, the people and suggested that she isnt considering any of the other Republican candidates. Trump needs to be back in office, like now, she said, blaming Biden for high prices, an unprotected southern border and global instability. Caucus captains are given a list of 25 neighbors and responsible for delivering at least 10 to a caucus. Key between now and the caucuses is grinding away at recruiting caucus captains and training them, said Alex Latcham, the campaigns early state director whose background is in Iowa politics. Other candidates also claim to have the backing of strong organizations. DeSantis entered the race to the national fanfare of a big-state governor who had won a crushing 2022 reelection victory and is pushing through conservative priorities in a traditional swing state. But he faltered during the summer and fall, with several shake-ups in his campaign and overall strategy. Still, the main super PAC backing him, Never Back Down, is the largest political operation on the ground in Iowa and claims to have tens of thousands of signed support cards for DeSantis, who has said he plans to win the caucuses. Haley won a second look from some in Iowa after early fall debate performances. Her candidacy had little apparent support on the ground in Iowa but is now supported by Americans for Prosperity Action, the political arm of the well-heeled conservative Koch Brothers network. AFP Action backed Haley in late November and began knocking on doors for her this month. In a sign that shes still trying to reintroduce herself to Iowans, Haley began a recent event by retelling her early lifes story to an audience of about 400 in suburban Des Moines near word for word as she did on her first Iowa trip as a candidate 10 months ago. DeSantis remains the primary focus of the Trump campaigns attacks. Trump, who continually has accused DeSantis of disloyalty for running against him despite the presidents 2018 endorsement of him in Florida, has long sought to bury the governor in Iowa. Despite Trumps markedly different to DeSantis traditional county-by-county effort and fewer overall visits, the presidents Iowa push appears to have kept him well ahead. Sondra Michels said she had long avoided politics before this year. She plans not only to caucus for the first time but to be a caucus leader in her precinct in Walcott, an eastern Iowa town known for being the home of the worlds largest truck stop. Weve got to see him win here and keep going, said Michels, 49. He had the prices lower and we were safer. (AP) A jury awarded $148 million in damages on Friday to two former Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation over lies he spread about them in 2020 that upended their lives with racist threats and harassment. The damages verdict follows emotional testimony from Wandrea Shaye Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, who tearfully described becoming the target of a false conspiracy theory pushed by Giuliani and other Republicans as they tried to keep then-President Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. There was an audible gasp in the courtroom when the jury foreperson read aloud the $75 million award in punitive damages for the women. Moss and Freeman were each awarded another roughly $36 million in other damages. Money will never solve all my problems, Freeman told reporters outside Washingtons federal courthouse after the verdict. I can never move back into the house that I call home. I will always have to be careful about where I go and who I choose to share my name with. I miss my home. I miss my neighbors and I miss my name. Giuliani didnt appear to show any emotion as the verdict was read after about 10 hours of deliberations. Moss and Freeman hugged their attorneys after the jury left the courtroom and didnt look at Giuliani as he left with his lawyer. The former New York City mayor vowed to appeal, telling reporters that the absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding. It will be reversed so quickly it will make your head spin, and the absurd number that just came in will help that actually, he said. Its not clear whether Giuliani will ever be able to pay the staggering amount. He had already been showing signs of financial strain as he defends himself against costly lawsuits and investigations stemming from his representation of Trump. In September, his former lawyer sued him, alleging Giuliani had paid only a fraction of nearly $1.6 million in legal fees he racked up. His attorney in the defamation case told jurors that the damages the women were seeking would be the end of Mr. Giuliani. Giuliani had already been found liable in the case and previously conceded in court documents that he falsely accused the women of ballot fraud. Even so, the former mayor continued to repeat his baseless allegations about the women in comments to reporters outside the Washington, D.C., courthouse this week. Giulianis lawyer acknowledged that his client was wrong but insisted that Giuliani was not fully responsible for the vitriol the women faced. The defense sought to largely pin the blame on a right-wing website that published the surveillance video of the two women counting ballots. Giulianis defense rested Thursday morning without calling a single witness after the former mayor reversed course and decided not to take the stand. Giulianis lawyer had told jurors in his opening statement that they would hear from his client. But after Giulianis comments outside court, the judge barred him from claiming in testimony that his conspiracy theories were right. The judgment adds to growing financial and legal peril for Giuliani, who was among the loudest proponents of Trumps false claims of election fraud that are now a key part of the criminal cases against the former president. Giuliani is still facing his biggest test yet: fighting criminal charges in the Georgia case accusing Trump and 18 others of working to subvert the results of the 2020 election, won by Democrat Joe Biden, in that state. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty and characterized the case as politically motivated. Jurors in the defamation case heard recordings of Giuliani falsely accusing the election workers of sneaking in ballots in suitcases, counting ballots multiple times and tampering with voting machines. Trump also repeated the conspiracy theories through his social media accounts. Lawyers for Moss and Freeman, who are Black, also played for jurors audio recordings of the graphic and racist threats the women received. On the witness stand, Moss and Freeman described fearing for their lives as hateful messages poured in. Freeman described strangers banging on her door and recounted fleeing her home after people came with bullhorns and the FBI told her she wasnt safe. Moss told jurors she tried to change her appearance, seldom leaves her home and suffers from panic attacks. Our greatest wish is that no one, no election worker, or voter or school board member or anyone else ever experiences anything like what we went through, Moss told reporters after the verdict. You all matter, and you are all important. Defense attorney Joseph Sibley had told jurors they should compensate the women for what they are owed, but he urged them to remember this is a great man. An attorney for Moss and Freeman, in his closing argument, highlighted how Giuliani has not stopped repeating the false conspiracy theory asserting the workers interfered in the November 2020 presidential election. Attorney Michael Gottlieb played a video of Giuliani outside the courthouse on Monday, in which Giuliani falsely claimed the women were engaged in changing votes. Giuliani kept pressing false election claims even after the verdict, telling reporters, I know my country had a president imposed on it by fraud. Mr. Giuliani has shown over and over again he will not take our clients names out of his mouth, Gottlieb said. Facts will not stop him. He says he isnt sorry and hes telegraphing he will do this again. Believe him. The judge overseeing the election workers lawsuit had already ordered Giuliani and his business entities to pay tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees. In holding Giuliani liable, the judge ruled that the former mayor gave only lip service to complying with his legal obligations while trying to portray himself as the victim in the case. (AP) The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in a Virginia classroom was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for felony child neglect by a judge who chastised her for abdicating her responsibilities as a parent. Deja Taylors sentence was much harsher than the maximum six months prosecutors had agreed to recommend as part of a plea deal and also surpassed the high end of advisory state sentencing guidelines. Taylor, 26, pleaded guilty to a single count of felony neglect in August. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop a misdemeanor count of recklessly storing a firearm. Circuit Court Judge Christopher Papile said the sentencing guidelines did not take into account the shootings physical and psychological toll on first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner or the emotional trauma it has wrought on other students and staff at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner was critically injured when the boy fired a single shot at her, striking her hand and chest, breaking bones and puncturing a lung. She spent weeks in the hospital, had five surgeries, and says she is so mentally scarred by the shooting that she does not plan to return to teaching. Papile noted that we are lucky someone wasnt killed at the elementary school. In admonishing Taylor, the judge said a parents ultimately responsibility is to protect the child, to keep them from bad influences, to keep them from dangerous situations, to keep them healthy and nurtured. Ms. Taylor has abdicated most, if not all, of those responsibilities. The state sentence handed down Friday was the second time Taylor was held to account for the classroom shooting in January, which stunned the nation and shook this military shipbuilding city. Taylor was sentenced in November to 21 months in federal prison for using marijuana while owning a gun, which is illegal under U.S. law. Her state sentence will be served consecutively, making a combined state and federal sentence of nearly four years behind bars. Taylors son told authorities he got his mothers 9 mm handgun by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser, where the firearm was in his moms purse. He concealed the weapon in his backpack and then his pocket before shooting Zwerner in front of her first-grade class. Moments later, the boy told a reading specialist who restrained him, I shot that (expletive) dead, and I got my moms gun last night, according to search warrants. Taylor initially told police she had secured her gun with a trigger lock, but investigators said they never found one. Following the shooting, the boy was removed from his mothers custody and spent 227 days in inpatient treatment, during which he was attended to by a team of physicians, psychiatrists and other clinicians, prosecutor Travis White told the judge. The boy, now 7, had problems with basic socialization and suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome and insomnia, among other disorders. That is the depths of neglect that Deja Taylor inflicted on her child, the prosecutor said, calling the shooting a consequence and manifestation of that neglect. The boy now lives with his great-grandfather, Calvin Taylor, who told reporters after the hearing that he believes the sentence handed down by Papile is excessive. He said Deja Taylor tried to get help for her son before the shooting but child protective services did not follow through on her request. The elder Taylor said the boy is now doing well in a structured environment. The child told him that he wanted Santa to bring his mom home for Christmas. Deja Taylor did not speak during Fridays hearing. Her attorney, James Ellenson, said Taylor struggled with addiction and domestic violence. He said Taylor, 26, smoked marijuana all day, every day since age 15. Who knows what the effects were on that teenage brain? he said. Ellenson said earlier this year there were mitigating circumstances, including Taylors miscarriages and postpartum depression. She also has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition sharing symptoms with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to court documents. Taylor told ABCs Good Morning America in May that she feels responsible and apologized to Zwerner. That is my son, so I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he cant take responsibility for himself, Taylor said. During her sentencing in federal court last month, one of Taylors attorneys read aloud a brief statement in which Taylor said she would feel remorse for the rest of my life. Zwerner is suing Newport News Public Schools for $40 million, alleging administrators ignored multiple warnings the boy had a gun at school the day of the shooting. During the sentencing hearing Friday, Zwerner recounted the shooting, telling the judge: I was not sure whether it would be my final moment on earth. She said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and has difficulty sleeping. The shooting has instilled many fears in me that will remain forever, she said. She said she will not return to teaching because shes now afraid to work with children. Now, at 26 years old, what am I supposed to do? she said. My life will never be close to the same again. (AP) Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is reportedly worried that he will have to flee the United States if voters were to reelect former President Donald Trump. The comments come as Hunter grapples with the specter of 42 years in prison due to tax and gun charges. In recent conversations with family friends, he [Hunter] has worried that he might have to flee the country if Trump were to be elected president again, two individuals familiar with the matter revealed to Politicos Jonathan Lemire. As the 2024 presidential race looms on the horizon, recent polling data paints a rosy picture from Donald Trump. Morning Consults surveys indicate that Trump holds the lead over President Joe Biden in six of seven crucial swing states. CNN reports Trump leading by three points among men of color voters, while NBC News indicates a two-point lead for Trump. Hunter Bidens ongoing legal turmoil is also raising concerns within the political sphere. Members of the presidents inner circle have expressed frustration over how the matter was all but behind them, Lemire reported. Some Democrats fear that these trials could have a detrimental impact on Joe Bidens political standing. This Hunter story has the legs to ruin things for Biden, cautioned a Democratic strategist to the Messenger, highlighting the potential repercussions of these legal woes on the presidents reputation and future prospects. Drawing parallels to past election controversies, another Democratic strategist, Brad Bannon, remarked, The controversy about Hunter Bidens financial dealings might play the same role for Republicans that Hillary Clintons emails did in 2016. House investigators initiated a probe into the Biden family in November 2022. Their findings revealed financial transactions involving Joe Biden and both James and Hunter Biden. Moreover, it came to light that nine other Biden family members had received payments from the familys foreign business ventures, including two of Joe Bidens grandchildren. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Brothers Sentenced to More Than 35 Years Combined for Manufacturing and Distributing Machine Guns Intended for ISIS Moyad Dannon, 26, of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced today to 200 months, equivalent to 16 years and eight months, in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support or resources, namely, firearms, to a designated foreign terrorist organization. His brother, Mahde Dannon, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in October 2021, after pleading guilty to the same charges. The defendants in this case fused together two grave threats to Americans security by attempting to support a brutal terrorist organization through the illicit manufacture of ghost guns, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. Just as weve done in the fight against terrorism, the Justice Department is committed to prevention stopping gun violence before it happens by cracking down on the illegal production and trafficking of ghost guns. The defendant showed an absolute disregard for the rule of law and is being held accountable for his actions, said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. Working with his brother, the defendant produced large caches of privately made firearms and attempted to place them in the hands of ISIS members overseas to be used against U.S. service members and allies. The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly to prevent the weapons from reaching their intended destination, and ensured these defendants faced justice for their attempts to support a foreign terrorist organization. We will continue to aggressively investigate anyone who tries to help terrorists and endangers the lives of others. Violent extremists inspired by events abroad continue to pose a threat to our local communities and to our national security. Indiana is not immune from the poison of radicalization, fueled by terrorist propaganda available online, said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. For nearly a year, these defendants worked persistently to arm murderous terrorists with deadly, illegal weapons. Cases like this demonstrate the need for law enforcement agencies to use all available lawful means to identify, disrupt, and prosecute national security threats here at home. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers Police Department, these dangerous men have been held accountable for their actions and our communities will be safe from them for many years. According to court documents, in June 2018, the Dannon brothers devised a scheme to deliver stolen firearms to a convicted felon who was cooperating with the FBI. Between July 2018 and December 2018, the Dannon brothers sold a number of illegally obtained firearms to the cooperating individual. Around the same time period, the Dannon brothers also began to manufacture untraceable ghost guns by purchasing firearms parts online and assembling those parts into fully-functioning, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifles, which they sold to an FBI undercover agent. In late 2018, the Dannon brothers began manufacturing untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles, using much the same process they used to manufacture the semi-automatic rifles, and selling those to the undercover agent and confidential informant (CI). Shortly thereafter, Moyad Dannon accompanied the undercover agent to a location near the U.S. southwest border in an effort to market that rifle, and additional fully-automatic rifles, to a potential buyer who was also cooperating with the FBI. During that trip, Moyad Dannon learned that the potential buyer sought to ship the weapons to a location in the Middle East, where they would be used by ISIS. ISIS is a designated foreign terrorist organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Despite learning of the ultimate destination of the weapons, the Dannon brothers agreed to manufacture and sell at least 55 additional fully automatic ghost guns to the buyer from the American southwest border, believing those weapons would be shipped to the Middle East, to ISIS and its members. On May 15, 2019, the Dannon brothers manufactured five untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles from parts they had purchased online. At that time, the Dannon brothers were fully aware that the plan was to send the five automatic rifles overseas to ISIS. After building the fully automatic rifles, the Dannon brothers sold all five weapons to undercover FBI agents posing as employees of the buyer from near the southwest border. The Dannon brothers were arrested immediately thereafter by the FBI. Between February and May of 2019, Moyad Dannon had numerous and extensive conversations with an undercover agent who he believed was a member of ISIS then fighting in Syria. During those conversations, Moyad expressed his desire to travel from Indiana to ISIS-controlled areas of Syria, where he sought to utilize his knowledge of firearms and other skills to provide direct military assistance to ISIS in its fight against the United States and Syrian government. In a search following his arrest, FBI agents located a flash drive on Moyads keychain containing approximately 16 gigabytes of ISIS propaganda, including graphically violent videos depicting ISIS fighters beheading civilians and hostages, and ISIS snipers killing U.S. military personnel. Identical ISIS propaganda videos were discovered on a laptop computer. The FBIs Indianapolis Field Offices Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers, Indiana, Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Rinka, Kate Olivier, and Kelly Rota for the Southern District of Indiana and Deputy Chief Paul Casey and Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. This story has been published on: 2023-12-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Iris Martinez, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, walks up to the podium to speak at a pre-slating event for the Democratic Party on June 16, 2023, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinezs bid for reelection is being helped by political contributions from dozens of her government employees, many of whom donated within months of receiving raises from Martinez in their publicly funded jobs. The first-term clerk won the office in 2020 after pledging to adhere to the highest ethical standards in replacing a scandal-scarred outgoing clerk, Dorothy Brown, whose tenure was marked by various controversies that included criticism she took campaign cash from her employees. Advertisement But a Tribune analysis of campaign finance and county payroll records shows Martinez repeating that same political fundraising tactic. Since Martinez became clerk, 52 circuit court clerk employees have contributed more than $45,000 to Martinezs three campaign funds. Of those employees, 22 received promotions or significant raises in their clerk jobs just months sometimes days before or after making those political contributions. Nearly all the raises were $10,000 or more, the payroll records show. Advertisement Whats more, 29 of the employees who contributed to her campaign funds also circulated petitions this fall that helped Martinez secure a spot on the March 19 primary ballot. A total of 86 clerk employees passed petitions for Martinezs reelection campaign, collecting 831 pages, or 45% of the total signature petition sheets she turned in earlier this month. Two of those petition circulators now work in the clerks inspector generals office, whose mission is to detect, deter and prevent corruption, fraud, waste, mismanagement, and misconduct. The inspector general employees are hired by Martinez and her administration. Martinez declined to be interviewed by the Tribune for this story. Instead, her political campaign released a statement in which Martinez said she has never, ever given a raise to anybody in my office, or given them a promotion conditioned on pay to play politics. While acknowledging in the statement that several clerks office employees who received raises or promotions also contributed to her campaign funds or passed petitions for her, Martinez said there was no connection between the government actions and the political work. As the famous quote states Correlation, does NOT imply Causation, Martinez said in the statement. The Office of the Circuit Court of Cook County employs over 1,400 people, her campaign added in its statement. Apparently, 6% of those employees choose to volunteer their time to the Clerks campaign because they believe in the award-winning job Clerk Martinez has done in implementing COVID safety protocols that save lives, while also cleaning up the corrupt hiring practices of her predecessor and removing the office from federal receivership. Still, records show, among those clerk employees who received promotions or raises since Martinez took office were several campaign contributors and even an official who heads two of Martinezs campaign funds. Iris Martinez, right, clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, speaks to other attendees during a Cook County Democrats slating meeting on at IBEW Local 134 Aug. 15, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) That includes Veronica Claudio, the chair of both the 33rd Ward and the clerks campaign fund. She was hired as Martinezs executive assistant in May 2021 and earlier this year was promoted to executive assistant and scheduler, increasing her annual salary to $95,551 from $74,886. In addition to being the campaign chair, Claudio also contributed $700 to the same two Martinez-run funds and collected 19 pages worth of campaign signatures for Martinez this fall. Advertisement The treasurer for all of Martinezs political committees, Kerry OBrien, is another executive assistant in the clerks office, earning $104,524 this year. OBrien gathered 18 pages of petition signatures, records show. Both Claudio and OBrien did not return messages seeking comment. An assistant chief deputy clerk who was promoted multiple times during Martinezs tenure in office and received tens of thousands of dollars in raises gave $300 to Martinezs 33rd Ward fund and also passed petitions for the clerk, records show. That employee, now a director in the office, currently earns more than $125,000 annually. In her statement, Martinez said promotions are dictated by county labor regulations and collective bargaining agreements, and that they are overseen by her offices director of compliance, who must follow anti-patronage guidelines. Separately elected officials in Cook County can establish salaries for nonunion employees. The vast majority of those who received those significant raises are nonunion. It is legal for public officials to receive campaign cash and assistance from their government employees as long as solicitations arent done during government work hours. Public jobs, promotions and raises cannot be directly tied to the political giving or volunteering. But its also a frowned-upon political strategy by government reformers who argue it skirts the line for incumbents to receive campaign cash or services from subordinates reliant on the officeholder for their jobs. Advertisement County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Assessor Fritz Kaegi pledge not to take contributions from employees of the government bodies they run. Federally convicted former Gov. George Ryan who in the early 2000s tried pushing back against allegations employees who worked for him when he was secretary of state exchanged drivers licenses for bribe money that was then pumped into his campaign kitty even proposed a law banning employees of statewide offices from contributing to their boss campaigns. The law never passed. Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield and a campaign finance expert, agreed that correlation is not causation. But he said even the impression of potential corruption can be as damaging to the publics trust in government as corruption itself. What this does raise is both corruption and the appearance of corruption. Those are things you want to avoid because obviously we dont want corruption in terms of things being illegal. But in terms of the legitimacy of support of the public for the political process, the legitimacy of the process, (being) willing to participate the appearance of corruption is as corrosive as corruption itself, he said. Iris Martinez, clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, works in her Daley Center office on Jan. 6, 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Asked whether accepting donations and campaign help from employees lived up to her campaign pledge to govern to the highest ethical standard, Martinezs campaign said, The question is rhetorical and biased, as it does not center on all public officials, just a Latina public official, namely Iris Y. Martinez. As with existing public policies, an employee can attend, volunteer, or support a political party or candidate while off duty and off County premises, consistent with Cook County Board of Ethics guidance. Advertisement But Redfield noted the converse of that is also true. Youve got a constitutional right to not participate in politics as a condition of government employment, he said. Forcing someone to or threatening someone or pressuring them to contribute, pass petitions, what have you, is again, constitutionally prohibited. Martinezs campaign said its petition passing efforts were 100% volunteer. A former state senator, Martinez was elected circuit court clerk in 2020 after Brown decided not to run for reelection following a string of controversies that stained the offices credibility. Brown, first elected in 2000, was never charged, though others from her administration were. Martinez is now running in the Democratic primary against Mariyana Spyropoulos, a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board member. Illinois State Sen. Iris Martinez, as a candidate for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, speaks to reporters as she waits in line to file her nominating petitions for the 2020 primary on Nov. 25, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune) In light of pay-to-play allegations in Browns administration, a federal monitor began oversight of the office in 2018 to ensure it was compliant with the Shakman decree a historic federally monitored order for most of the biggest government offices in Cook County that was meant to put policies and procedures in place so that politics arent taken into consideration when hiring, firing or disciplining nonexecutive employees. The office was freed from so-called Shakman oversight in late 2022. Advertisement But attorney Michael Shakman, who brought the original anti-patronage case to court in 1969 and whose name became synonymous with hiring oversight in Cook County, said the Tribunes findings suggest the clerk is operating a patronage employment system. That a large number of employees of her office, many with salaries in the six figures, are circulating nominating petitions, and many have also recently received significant raises, suggest a quid pro quo relationship, he said. Shakman himself was not directly involved in dealing with Martinez while her office was subject to court oversight and he said he respects the principle that all public employees can voluntarily donate or circulate nominating petitions. Ms. Martinez may well respond that all the contributions, both financial and by passing nominating petitions, are voluntary, he said in an emailed statement. But given the scale of the activities that seems doubtful, at least in many cases. Martinez celebrated the end of the Shakman oversight as an incredible task that saved Cook County taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees. But the administrator in charge of overseeing compliance told the judge overseeing the case the release was thanks in large measure to a U.S. appeals court ruling months before that effectively directed the end of such monitoring across the state. The administrator, Susan Feibus, said during the final court hearing that while she thought the clerk was committed to compliance, many things that other offices have been required to do to reach this day have not been required in Martinezs office. Advertisement This is not the first time employees from Martinezs office have helped on the campaign trail: Nearly two dozen of her employees helped pass petitions for 33rd Ward aldermanic candidate Samie Martinez, who is no relation to the clerk. He was defeated by incumbent Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez. Iris Martinez is the Cook County Democratic Party committeewoman in the ward, and Rodriguez Sanchez is running against her in the 2024 primary. Of the 22 employees who donated to Martinezs campaign funds and got promotions or raises, 18 came after the office was released from Shakman oversight, a Tribune analysis of county payroll data showed. The contributions spread among Martinezs campaign funds for state central committeewoman, 33rd Ward Democratic committeeperson and Circuit Court clerk were relatively small. They ranged from $50 to $5,000 and averaged just more than $300, campaign records show. Those who gave were identified by cross-referencing their names with county payroll records because most didnt declare themselves as clerk employees in campaign records. State election law allows contributors who give under $500 to withhold stating who their employer is. Iris Martinez, clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, sits in the lobby after giving a speech at a pre-slating event for the Democratic Party on June 16, 2023, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Most of the largest contributions were transfers from political funds run by clerk employees who are politicians and ran for other public offices, most notably Carmen Navarro Gercone, who ran for sheriff, and Michael Cashman, who ran for the Water Reclamation District. Now the executive clerk for court operations, Navarro Gercone donated to Martinezs campaign and also passed petitions for her. She said she was recruited to work in the clerks office shortly after Martinez was elected and while Navarro Gercone was still working for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Advertisement Navarro Gercone told the Tribune she helped the campaign because it was important to me to be able to volunteer and donate and support Martinez for the good work she has done in the office. Partly because shed already run for office herself, Navarro Gercone said she knew how to get involved and signed up to be notified of campaign events at Martinezs 33rd Ward committeepersons office. Emails about volunteer opportunities are sent to her personal email, not her government one, she said, adding that shes never witnessed any pressure being placed on employees to help with politics. I dont have time for that. That doesnt happen at work, Navarro Gercone said. Noting that the Cook County Democratic Party did not endorse Martinez in 2020 and is backing Spyropoulos in the 2024 primary, Navarro Gercone said she felt some kinship with Martinez. The county party backed Dart over Navarro Gercone last year. From trying to run myself, she said, I saw what happened without the support of the party, which typically provides help fundraising, passing petitions, and other campaign help from fellow Democrats. The support of the people who work for you, who know the kind of work youre doing, what you stand for, I wouldnt want that taken from me, she said. Advertisement Martinezs campaign chalked up that lack of party support to petty revenge from when the Clerk ran against the party in the 2020 election. Without the benefits of the party slate and organization to get on the ballot, Clerk Martinez is thankful for all of her volunteers, whatever their day job is, the statement said. Those who passed petitions largely work six-figure jobs in the clerks office, including several assistant clerks or deputy clerks and executive assistants, as well as the offices chief financial officer and the director of labor relations. The offices current deputy inspector general and an investigator now in the office helped collect 16 pages of petition signatures. Many of the petition passers and campaign contributors appear to be Shakman-exempt positions in Martinezs office, which are typically at the executive level and are employees who serve at the will of the public official. Her campaign noted Shakman signed off on the clerks office exiting federal oversight, attesting the office had reached substantial oversight. Clerk Martinezs reforms occurred with unprecedented dispatch and reversed conditions in a material way, the statement said. Having so many high-ranking employees involved in politics sends an implicit message that volunteering or contributing politically can help individuals climb the ladder at work, Shakman said. Advertisement Though theres a clear right, if the position is exempt, to do political work and to hire and fire on the basis of political affiliation, it does send a message to rank-and-file who are not exempt that theres a reward for being a political loyalist, Shakman said. Thats not a good message if you want to run an office thats based on merit. The reason for those exempt positions is to allow officeholders to hire people for policymaking and confidential jobs that are aligned with the views and goals of the officeholder. It is not to generate campaign contributions or field workers for the officeholders political campaign. Yet the effect of the exempt status is to permit a smaller-scale patronage operation, Shakman said. It is not illegal, but it is also not good policy. aquig@chicagotribune.com Shirley Krause (left) and Randy Susen (right) smile at each other on their wedding day, June 12, 1999. PLYMOUTH Shirley Krause and her husband Randy Susen were inseparable for 30 years. They loved being together and hated being apart. With a mutual love for traveling, the pair took a vacation to Croatia in September 2019. There, Susen fell ill. He was rushed to the hospital, suffering from a massive subdural hematoma, a bleeding in the skull that puts pressure on the brain, and underwent an emergency craniotomy. Doctors didn't know if he'd make it through the night, or through the surgery, Krause said. He made it through both. After three weeks in the ICU, Susen was medically evacuated to the U.S., where he spent three months in the hospital. He did extensive brain injury rehabilitation, and was progressing, Krause said, but not fast enough to be covered by insurance. He moved to a nursing home for a bit, then a hospital and eventually went home for hospice care. Susen passed away July 4, 2020, at age 64, nearly a year after going to the ICU for the brain injury. Krause said Susen loved life. He was caring and had compassion for everyone. Hed drop whatever he was doing to help someone else. One thing that sums it up, words that I used to talk about Randy when he was here and now, Randy was a Prince of a man. He was loved by all and always had a smile for everyone that lit up a room, Krause said in an email. Krause, a supply chain technology principal at Sargento, launched a life planning series in July focused on a grief and end-of-life planning for employees, one of several efforts shes pursuing to honor her husbands memory, along with hosting a widows support group, advocating for nursing home residents rights and supporting other families with traumatic brain injury survivors. She recently earned an Inspiring Leaders award for her series from Inspiring Workplaces, an organization aiming to improve workplace culture. Preparing for end of life, travel emergencies Krauses life planning program encompasses advanced care for international travel, end-of-life planning and grief. Story continues Through the months of supporting and advocating for her husband, Krause said Sargento executive leadership and her direct supervisor were always there for me." She said company CEO Louie Gentine called her after her husbands funeral, which was on a Thursday. Krause was planning to start work the following Monday, but Gentine said she could take all the time she needed. "At that point, I thought, Oh, my goodness. I always knew Sargento was wonderful, but for the CEO to personally call me. I mean thousands of employees, and he knew my story and he knew everything, Krause said. Cheese company hits milestone: Sargento celebrates 70 years of cheesemaking, community and family Around September 2020, Krause told Gentine she wanted to do something for Sargento, which had done so much for her. She wanted to share her story and things she learned in the last year navigating the health care system with her husband. Krause worked with Luann Travis, senior outreach manager with Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, to develop the grief piece of the program, which she'd pitch to Sargento human resources. Travis said Krauses work was timely as the pandemic shined a spotlight on grief. We were collectively experiencing grief, whether that was the loss of a job, or financial stability, or whether it was the loss of feeling safe, or the loss of connection, canceled weddings, canceled holidays, canceled funerals, Travis said. A large component of Krauses program for international travel covers emergency preparedness, like taking out travel insurance. While some U.S. health insurance companies and plans cover medical services abroad, they could have partial coverage. Some have no coverage at all. Travelers may also have the option to submit reimbursement forms upon arrival home, but itemization could be difficult. I'm going to tell you right now, in Croatia, you don't get an itemized bill every day. You don't know any of that, Krause said. That's something I had to fight, that I had to learn about. It was a challenge. "I did have travel insurance, which my husband and I always took out, and luckily we did because that flight home was $100,000. Just for that evacuation, she continued. According to a 2023 winter travel insurance survey from Business Insider, about 38% of travelers bought insurance, of which 29% did so because they were concerned about health emergencies. 35% of surveyed travelers said they bought travel insurance out of concern for flight delays or cancellations. Shirley Krause and Randy Susen smile together over dessert on a Mediterranean cruise in 2014. Another piece of Krauses program at Sargento is pre-planning for the end of life, like completing advanced directive information including power of attorneys for health care and finance and living will documents. Sargento has an employee portal with various health care forms, so people can avoid costly visits with a lawyer. Individuals who are 18 years old and of sound mind in Wisconsin can complete advanced directives, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. When they got back to the U.S., Krause said she discovered her husband made a mistake on a medical POA document that prevented her from deciding where he went for rehab. I had to go to court. I had to spend not only thousands of dollars, but time away from my husband, she said. Pushing forward to defy the odds Krause was met with resistance and hurdles as she tried to keep Susen alive. She said doctors told her to let him go, often with no offering of hope. It was a battle, but he did all these things that they said hed never do, she said. They said he would never talk. He would never wake up. He would never know who I was. They said he could never eat ever again. He would just be in a vegetative state. Well, none of those things were true. Krause paired holistic healing approaches with Western medicine throughout Susens treatment. He also did rehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago for a few weeks. He continued rehab when he relocated to a nursing home, where Krause said he was thriving." Susen started talking more, laughing and smiling again, which Krause said he was known for. He was a miracle, she said. Shirley Krause (left) and Randy Susen (right) smile for a 15th anniversary photo. Then, Krause hit another wall when pandemic restrictions prevented her from seeing Susen face-to-face. They interacted through glass for three months. She spent countless hours trying to find a way to see him, reaching out to the media, politicians and even the presidential office. Susen was starting to diminish from the separation. I couldn't get responses. Nobody would help me. No lawyer would touch it. I couldn't do anything, Krause said. Eventually, he just couldn't take it. Susen was transferred to another facility, where Krause was told he couldnt safely eat or swallow anymore, different information she was told at the first facility. Susen went to the hospital, but he went home for hospice care a few days later. After the doctors told me there was nothing more they could do for Randy, I was left with the remorse of telling the love of my life the hardest words I have ever spoken, that he was going to die, Krause said in an email. I laid in the hospital bed with him, waiting for him to wake up. When he opened his eyes, I told him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him, for his courage and strength to keep fighting. She told him his injuries were too severe and there was nothing else that could be done to save him. She told him she did everything in her willpower to help him recover. We held each other tight and both cried long and hard, a beautiful life was ending, she said. I told Randy again how much I loved him and he told me the same. These words will forever be etched in my memory and it would be the last time I would hear him tell me he loves me. When he went home, Krause said Sharon S. Richardsons services helped him live for nine days. They were angels, those nurses that would come in. I mean, it was just unbelievable, she said. Grief stays with you through your life Randy Susen and Shirley Krause walk together on their wedding day, June 12, 1999. The last component of Krauses work is grief how to support others who are coping with loss. Krause made a brochure for supervisors to utilize when theres a personal loss in their departments, and Grief Speaks, a document with suggestions about how to communicate with a grieving individual. Grief isn't linear or finite, Krause said. Employees experiencing grief could be underperforming in their roles or having a difficult day. Theres an opportunity for supervisors to understand what theyre going through and offer some support. It's not a five- (or) six-step process even though our society thinks it is, Krause said about grief. One day you could be OK, and the next minute, you could be having a hard day. And years later, it happens. Not just today. The idea for five stages of grief denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance has been extrapolated from initial findings of Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who interviewed dying patients to learn their thoughts on death. There were more emotional stages, like shock and hope, that she discovered, and there wasnt a clear order that people experienced those emotions. The five-stage standard, however, has been widely accepted and popularized. Mental health struggles during holidays: Gov. Tony Evers' mental health message emphasizes 'no one carries their burdens alone' Creating a workplace environment for empathy has been on the rise in company conversations, as multiple generations share the workplace and call for more compassion and flexibility, Travis said. Sharon S. Richardson hosts an annual community discussion around a specific issue called Inspiring the Conversation." This years topic was empathy in the workplace. About a dozen business leaders at the conversation were receptive and vocal about the issues significance and priority, Travis said, which she wasn't expecting. We're asking for a more compassionate work culture. We're asking for benefits that truly support our whole being beyond EAP (Employee Assistance Program) referral, or beyond my insurance benefits, Travis said. Sargento has been a sponsor of Inspiring the Conversation, following Krauses work with the hospice organization. They understand that we are supporting this body of work where the workforce has changed, and the workforce is now asking for things that we used to say were nice, but now we want these flexible hours, better work-life balance, Travis said. Travis said people don't experience grief just as a feeling in the same way they feel anger or sadness. It's a state of being because once you've experienced grief, that experience stays in your life to some degree or the other, she said. "We also have a very death-fearing culture, so people get very unraveled about being around someone's grief. We feel like we don't have the right words and the right tools. Krause has been the recipient of prying and inconsiderate comments, with inquiries about her plan for her husbands belongings and why she still wears a wedding band. Grief is something that people don't want to talk about. They don't know how to talk about it, Krause said. People don't like to be silent. So, they just start talking, and then those things are hurtful. Conversation starters to avoid on Krauses Grief Speaks document include offering advice (You have to be strong for your children.), asking or insinuating very personal questions (Youll find someone else.) and saying at least statements (At least hes in a better place. His suffering is over.). Krause said the best thing someone can do is listen or ask how that person is doing today because how theyre feeling could be different than yesterday or tomorrow. People could also offer a memory of the loved one. Not everybody wants to talk about their spouse right away, but for me it was, I talked about him when he was here, and I talked about him when he's gone, she said. Krause said, He just loved me, and I loved him. 30 years and we were like, just starting out. Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner. This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Shirley Krause honors husband with grief program at Sargento by Rabbi Yair Hoffman What is Asarah BTeives all about? On the 10th of Teives, Nevuchadnetzar, the evil king of Bavel began the siege against Yerushalayim during the time of the first Beis HaMikdash. This siege continued for three years until the walls were finally breached on the ninth day of Tamuz. This day was later changed to be commemorated on the 17th of Tammuz, when the walls were breached during the time of the second Beis HaMikdash. The truth is that there are also two other fast days in Teives, but they are are only observed by the very meticulous. On the 8th of Teives Talmai the King had the Torah translated into Greek. It was a day that Chazal describe as painful as the day of the Chait HaEgel. On the 8th of Teives we mourn the loss of Ezra and Nechemia who brought Klal Yisroel back from galus Bavel and helped rebuild a nation. ENTIRE COMMUNITY But it is the entire community who fasts on Asarah BTeives. All fasts other than Yom Kippur and Tishah BAv begin at alos hashachar (dawn). If one had in mind that one was going to rise before dawn to eat, one may do so. However, dawn is generally very early in the summer months so sometimes this is not so practical. In regard to rising before dawn, there is a difference between men and women. Men may only eat more than a kbayah of mezonos if they began more than 30 minutes before dawn. Otherwise, they may only eat less than a kbayah (2.2 fluid ounces of the food) (MB 89:27). Women have no such restriction, according to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ztl (Note in Ishei Yisrael 13:71). WHO SHOULD FAST? All healthy adults should fast, including women (SA OC 550:1). A girl who is 12 years or older must fast, as must a boy who is 13 years of age or older. The minhag of some women to avoid fasting during the three fasts is incorrect and should be discontinued, as it is against Shulchan Aruch. ** There is a Yesoma who, boruch Hashem, just got engaged. If anyone wishes to help please contact the author.** The Mishnah Berurah (550:5) rules that children who have reached the age of chinuch for mourning should only eat simple foods so that they can participate in the mourning. A sick person should not fast (MB 550:4, 5) even if he is not dangerously ill a choleh shyesh bo sakanah. In other words, as long as he or she is noticeably sick, there is no need to fast. Nonetheless, that person should not engage in extravagant eating but should only eat moderately. A pregnant or nursing woman does not have to fast (OC SA 554:5) on the three fasts; only on the fourth, Tishah BAv. Although the Rema writes that it is the custom for a pregnant woman who has no difficulties fasting to fast, it seems from the statistical data available in Israel that they, too, should opt for the leniency of the Shulchan Aruch and not fast. ACCIDENTALLY ATE If one accidentally ate or drank on the fast day, one must continue to fast for the rest of the day (SA OC 568:1). If one made a berachah on something and remembered after the berachah was recited that it is a fast day, that person should taste a little bit so that he will not have made a berachah lvatalah. SHOWERING Showering is permitted on the three fast days (Tzom Gedaliah, Asarav bTaives and 17th of Tammuz) because Klal Yisrael did not accept it upon themselves to avoid this. The Mishnah Berurah (550:6), however, writes that a baal nefesh should be stringent and avoid showering in hot water during a fast day. Thus, showering in non-hot water would be completely permitted. It is also completely permitted to wash ones face, hands and feet in hot water. ADDITIONS IN TEFILLAH In Shacharis one recites Avinu Malkeinu and the Selichos for that fast day. In Minchah, one adds the special Aneinu tefillah and Avinu Malkeinu again. If Aneinu was not inserted, the Shemoneh Esreh is not repeated. If someone is not fasting, the Aneinu is not recited. If someone is not davening with a minyan, the 13 Attributes of Selichos (Hashem Hashem) are not said (see MB 565:13). During the last blessing of the Minchah Shemoneh Esreh the Sim Shalom paragraph is recited instead of the Shalom Rav paragraph. DIFFERENT THAN OTHER FASTS Rav Yoseph Karo (Bais Yoseph 550) cites the view of the Avudraham that the fast of Asara bTaives is different than all of the other fasts. How so? If Asarah bTaives were to fall on Shabbos (which it doesnt), it would not be pushed off to another day. It would have to be observed on the Shabbos itself. Why would this be the case? The Avudraham explains that it is on account of a verse found in Sefer Yechezkel (24:2), On that very day.. which equates this fast to Yom Kippur. Rav Karo states that he does not know from where the Avudraham derived this . Rav Karo further notes that the tenth of Taives will at times fall on a Friday, but none of the other fasts ever do. In Shulchan Aruch itself (550) Rav Karo rules that none of the four fasts set aside Shabbos (This is also the view of the Rambam Hilchos Taanis 5:5 and Rashi in Megillah 5a Aval Zman.), but we will deal with the view of the Avudraham in this essay. UNDERSTANDING THE RATIONALE We must also try to understand why it is, according to the Avudraham, that Asarah BTaives is different than the other fasts, and why the Avudraham chose to state this difference regarding Shabbos when he himself writes that it never actually falls on Shabbos! Also, notwithstanding that the fast appears in Tanach at the end of the day, it is a Rabbinic enactment. Oneg Shabbos, enjoying ourselves on the Shabbos, is according to most Poskim a Torah obligation! Why then would Asarah bTaives set Shabbos aside? FOUR POSSIBILITIES A look at the great commentaries reveals that there are four approaches to understanding the Avudrahams unique perspective on Asarah bTaives. Not all of the commentaries were addressing the Avudraham himself, but they certainly did address the notion of how Asarah BTaives may be unique. Lets explore them. YAAROS DVASH Asarah BTaives marks the siege on the holy city of Yerushalayim that ultimately led to its destruction, the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash and the exile of Klal Yisroel. From the Yaaros Dvash (written by Rav Yonasan Eibeschutz in Volume I Drush #2 for Tisha BAv) we see that the seeds to three tragedies lie within Asarah BTaives. Each of these different tragedies in and of themselves would be enough to mourn about. Imagine then all three of them combined! This is why Asarah BTeives would be different. BNAI YISSASCHAR Beginnings are very stringent even more so than the end-result. Aside from the fact that Asrah BTaives is the seed to three tragedies, the fact that it is the beginning of the loss of the Bais HaMikdash is a reason to mourn. The Bnai Yissaschar (14:1) proves this point from the fact that we mourn the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash on the ninth of Av not the tenth of Av even though the majority of it burned on the tenth. CHASAM SOFER Another explanation to the Avudraham is found in the Chsam Sofer (Toras Moshe on Zayin Adar). He writes that all the other fasts commemorate a terrible tragedy that the nation of Israel incurred. Not so the fast of the Asarah BTaives. The Chsam Sofer writes that Asarah bTaives is the one fast that we have to help prevent a tragedy from occurring. It gives us an opportunity to determine whether the state of being without the Bais HaMikdash will continue. This type of fast is actually a beneficial one where we have within our hands to rectify an error. When we are given such an opportunity it is a joy an Oneg. That being the case, we can well understand why the Avudraham writes that if it were to fall on Shabbos we would still fast it is a joy. MINCHAS CHINUCH AND RAV CHAIM SOLOVEITCHIK There is a third possibility in how to understand the Avudraham. Rav Yoseph Babad (1801-1874), author of the Minchas Chinuch, explains (301:7) that the nature of all of the fasts is that they can be celebrated in the general month in which the fast had occurred. We find this idea expressed even earlier by the Ritvah (Rosh HaShana 18b), that the Neviim were already aware of the future destruction that would happen a second time and therefore ordained the fasts as approximate in other words they may be observed in other days of that month, such as the Sunday following Shabbos if need be. While the Minchas Chinuch does not state this, the Avudraham may rule that this is not the case, in regard to Asarah BTaives. Regarding Asarah bTaives, the verse in Sefer Yechezkel (24:2), On that very day.. changes it for Asarah BTaives. Asarah bTaives must remain on the day that it was originally ordained. Rav Chaim Soloveitchik in fact proposes this very understanding in the words of an earlier authority that he quotes (Chiddushei HaGraZ Stencils p. 27 #44). One can possibly attempt to place Rav Soloveitchiks words in the Avudraham, but the actual reading may be somewhat difficult. Curiously, Rav Chaim writes that he is explaining the words of the BaHaG, but the BahaG does not actually discuss the issue at all. Both according to the Minchas Chinuch and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik one can make the following observation: In general, fast days would normally not set aside Shabbos were it not for the fact that they could be celebrated on another day in that month. PROOF TO THE AVUDRAHAM Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (Ohr Sameach Hilchos Taanis 5:6) tries to bring proof to the position of the Avudraham from a passage in the Talmud tractate of Eiruvin 40b. The Talmud poses the question of whether someone who is observing a private fast on a Friday finishes the fast until the stars come out on Friday night well into Shabbos. Rav Meir Simcha points out that the Talmud could have posed the same question in regard to a regular public fast. The only regular public fast that falls on a Friday is the 10th of Taives. Yet, for some reason, the Talmud chose not to ask that question regarding the 10th of Taives. The answer must be, reasons Rav Meir Simcha, that it is too obvious that one would be obligated to complete the fast for the 10th of Taives. Why? Because the 10th of Taives would even push aside Shabbos itself! It would thus certainly require the faster to complete the fast until the stars come out on Friday night of Shabbos! PROOF TO RAV MEIR SIMCHA Backing up Rav Meir Simcha is the notion that the Shulchan Aruch OC 288:5 rules regarding when one fasts on account of a bad dream that one may fast on Shabbos. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch rules in (249:4) that one certainly does fast until the stars come out on Friday night it is a Kal vachomer argument! It is interesting to note that the Biur Halacha in 249:4 states that Rav Karos position (but not the final halacha for Ashkenazim) seems to indicate that he would only rule in this manner for a fast of a bad dream but not for the 10th of Taives. However, numerous Sefardic authorities disagree with his reading of Rav Karo (See Yechaveh Daas Volume I #80). CONCLUSION Ultimately, of course, the halacha is not like the Avudraham. However, we can still derive remarkable insight and inspiration from all four of the explanations to his words. We should contemplate the words of the Yaaros Dvash that Asarah BTaives encompasses all three tragedies. We can be inspired from the fact that, according to both the Yaaros Dvash and the Bnei Yissasschar, beginnings do matter and they matter enormously. They carry within them messages of tremendous import. The idea that the Chsam Sofer presents of Asarah BTeives being unique in that it is an opportunity to change the course of our future is also something that should be welcomed. Finally, one can also learn much from the opinions of the Minchas Chinuch and Rav Soloveitchiks that the fast days are indeed very weighty, and at least according to their view, they would even set aside the Shabbos itself were it not for other factors. We should utilize all of these explanations to help add vitality to our observance of the fast days in general and Asarah BTaives specifically. The author can be reached at [email protected] by Rabbi Yair Hoffman It makes for a good headline, but is it really true that an Opposition Turkish MP was struck dead for criticizing Israel? What was the deputy head of the Saadet Party Hasan Bitmez attacking when his heart stopped? Is this a divine message to the enemies of Israel? And why Bitmez? Arent there hundreds of Hamas supporters that have criticized Israel that have significantly more political power than a mere parliament member? Turkish MP Bitmezs words were recorded in his speech to parliament, so they can be examined. And if they are examined well, one can see that Bitmez was actually criticizing Erdogan for continuing to do business with Israel. The message inherent in the heart attack at that particular moment seems to be more of a message to Erdogan, These were his words: We say, Stop transporting ammunition to Israel on ships owned fully or in partnership, and operated by the AK Party executives and their children. You respond, We are boycotting Starbucks. [YH: Sidebar: To understand this, recall the following: 1] Starbucks employees harassed its Jewish patrons. 2] The Orthodox Jewish chamber of commerce were shocked that Starbucks didnt react and released a meme saying Dinking a Cup of Starbucks is like Drinking a Cup of Jewish Blood. 3] Starbucks wrote a letter to the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Today, we filed a complaint in federal court against Workers United and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for misusing our name, logo, and intellectual property. This misuse included a statement paired with an image of a bulldozer tearing down a part of the Israel and Gaza border, indicating their support for the violence orchestrated by Hamas. Such reckless behavior warrants scrutiny to safeguard our partners and clarify Starbuckss official stance. 4] Turkey boycotted Starbucks because of the letter.] We say, Israel is encouraged by your lack of action and your lack of expressing attitude. You say, We are holding a rally [against them]! We say, Who paid for the rally, friends? Akbasoglu said here, we are doing it as the AK Party. But you paid for it as the government! You are such hypocrites! Christians and Jews in America, London, Tokyo Christians and Jews hold there much better rallies than you do. You are Israels accomplices! You are Israels accomplices. You have Palestinian blood on your hands. You are collaborators. You have contributed to every bomb Israel has dropped on Gaza. Take a realistic step right now and let Turkey lead the way, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Libya, Algeria, INTERRUPTION FROM AK PARTY SPEAKER Now you dont want me to talk.. Let me end my speech by quoting with lines written by the famous poet, Sezai Karakoc (1933-2021) in reference to you: They think that if we are silent there will be no issue. However, history will not be silent [even] if we remain silent. Even if history is silent, the truth will not be silent. They think that if they get rid of us, There will be no problem. However, if you do get rid of us, you will be unable to escape the torment of your conscience. If you escape the torment of your conscience, you will not escape the torment of history. If you escape the torment of history, you will not escape the wrath of Allah. I greet you all with respect. It was then that he was struck with his heart attack. It seems clear that he is talking to Erdogan and imploring him to stop supporting Israel. The Divine message inherent in him being struck down is more likely a specific message to Erdogan the Prime Minister {essentially saying Do not listen to this guy and boycott Israel or suspend business ties with them because I just made him drop dead.) Also, if Erdogan is an aficianado of gematria messages, Hassan Ben Saluh Bitmez = Pereh Adam [a wild and uncivilized scourge of mankind]. An initial investigation of the tragic incident in which IDF soldiers killed three hostages in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City revealed that the incident began when a soldier noticed three men emerging from a building near them. Although the three men were shirtless [to show they werent wearing suicide belts] and holding a white flag, the soldier immediately opened fire and warned his fellow soldiers, believing the men were terrorists trying to lure the soldiers into a trap. Two hostages were killed immediately and a third, who was wounded, ran back into the building. At that point, the battalion commander ordered the soldiers to stop shooting. The third hostage was heard yelling Help in Hebrew. He emerged from the building again and he was shot and killed by another soldier. At this point, the battalion commander understood from the non-Arabic appearance of the third hostage that a mistake may have been made. The three bodies were taken back to Israel and identified there as three Israelis who had been abducted to Gaza. The inquiry determined that the soldiers had opened fire in violation of protocols. However, according to the IDF, it is understandable what led the soldiers to open fire in recent days. Hamas terrorists in Shejaiya have tried to lure IDF soldiers into traps by playing recordings or yelling in Hebrew and waving white flags. Additionally, everyone the IDF have encountered on the streets of the neighborhood in recent days are Hamas terrorists, some dressed as civilians but wearing suicide belts under their clothing. The soldiers also had no expectation of the possibility of encountering escaped hostages on the streets. It was also revealed that IDF forces had discovered a building a few hundred meters away two days before the incident with SOS scrawled on it in red spray paint as well as the words three hostages and Help in Hebrew. At the time, the soldiers believed that the graffiti was an ambush attempt and the building was booby-trapped, and explosive devices were actually found nearby. The IDF is now checking the building to clarify whether the three hostages were held there. We did not prepare ourselves or the troops for the possibility of captives appearing on the streets in Gaza, a senior officer said. This is a terrible tragedy for all of us and a complex scenario for the troops. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A ballistic missile fired by Yemens Houthi rebels slammed into a cargo ship Friday in the Red Sea near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following another attack only hours earlier that struck a separate vessel, authorities said. The missile attack on the MSC Palatium III and the earlier assault on the Al Jasrah escalate a maritime campaign by the Iranian-backed Houthis. The attacks also endanger ships traveling through a vital corridor for cargo and energy shipments for both Europe and Asia from the Suez Canal out to the Indian Ocean. The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip amid that countrys war on Hamas. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue. The Yemeni armed forces confirm they will continue to prevent all ships heading to Israeli ports from navigating in the (Red Sea) until they bring in the food and medicine that our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip need, the Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said in a statement claiming responsibility for Fridays attacks. The recent attacks led Maersk, the worlds biggest shipping company, to announce Friday that its told all of its vessels planning to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to pause their journey until further notice. German-based shipper Hapag-Lloyd that was operating the Al Jasrah also said it was pausing all its container ship traffic through the Red Sea until Monday. Meanwhile, hijackers, likely from Somalia, separately seized a Bulgarian ship in the Arabian Sea. A U.S. defense official and the private intelligence firm Ambrey said the MSC Palatium III, a Liberian-flagged container ship, caught fire after the strike. It wasnt immediately clear if anyone on board the vessel had been hurt. Two missiles were fired in the attack, likely trying to hit the Al Jasrah, the U.S. official said. One went wide and splashed down in the water, the other slammed into the Palatium, the official said. The Palatium turned around after the attack and was now trying to head south, tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed. The Switzerland-based MSC, or Mediterranean Shipping Co., earlier had another vessel, the MSC Alanya, warned by the Houthis around the Bab el-Mandeb, Ambrey said. The parent company had cooperated with Israel, and this was likely the reason why she was threatened. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. MSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the earlier Al Jasrah attack, it remained unclear if it was a missile or drone that hit the vessel, the official said. Ambrey and the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors Mideast shipping lanes, also confirmed that attack. The projectile reportedly hit the port side of the vessel and one container fell overboard due to the impact, Ambrey said. The projectile caused a fire on deck which was broadcast via radio. Shipper Hapag-Lloyd said no crew member had been hurt in the attack. It later announced that it was also pausing its ships through the Red Sea until Monday and will decide for the period thereafter. Ambrey noted that Hapag-Lloyd is known to have offices in the Israeli ports of Ashdod, Haifa and Tel Aviv. In his statement, military spokesman Saree claimed the Houthis targeted the Palatium III and the Alanya not the Al Jasrah. It wasnt immediately clear why he erroneously identified the second ship. The attacks Friday further escalate a campaign by the Houthi rebels, who have claimed responsibility for a series of missile assaults in recent days that just missed shipping in the Red Sea and its strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. On Thursday, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that missed a container ship traveling through the strait. The day before that, two missiles fired from Houthi-held territory missed a commercial tanker loaded with Indian-manufactured jet fuel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Also near the strait, a missile fired by Houthis on Monday night slammed into a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea. Global shipping has increasingly been targeted as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to become a wider regional conflict even during a brief pause in fighting during which Hamas exchanged hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The collapse of the truce has raised the risk of more sea attacks. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually. In November, 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. Separately, a container ship owned by an Israeli billionaire came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean. A separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemens exiled government has held for months despite that countrys long war. Thats raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces could reignite those tensions in the Arab worlds poorest nation. Also Thursday, unknown attackers boarded the Malta-flagged bulk carrier Ruen, managed by Navigation Maritime Bulgare, in the Arabian Sea off the Yemeni island of Socotra, Ambrey and the UKMTO said. Bulgarian authorities said the ships 18-member crew hailed from Angola, Bulgaria and Myanmar. The necessary steps have been taken to pass the information on to all foreign partners and institutions that we will count on to provide assistance, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel told reporters Friday. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. However, suspicion immediately fell on pirates from Somalia. Somali piracy had dropped in recent years, but there has been growing concern it could resume amid the wider chaos of the Houthi attacks and the political uncertainty gripping the east African nation. On Friday, the UKMTO issued a warning to shippers saying the security manager for the Ruen believes the crew no longer has control of the vessel and that it is heading toward Somalia. The European Unions anti-piracy force in the region said the Spanish frigate Victoria was on its way to intercept the alleged pirate-hijacked vessel. (AP) The IDF announced that it has completed the takeover of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Jabaliya neighborhood of northern Gaza, which was used by Hamas as a command and control center. About 90 terrorists surrendered to IDF, some of whom had participated in the October 7th assault on Israel. As part of the operation, IDF forces questioned the medical personnel, some of whom admitted that weapons were hidden inside incubators in the NICU (as seen in the video below). IDF forces seized the weapons as well as other weapons and ammunition found at the hospital, including RPGs, rifles, and explosive devices. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Channel 12 News published footage of a tense meeting during which young siblings and children of Israeli hostages held in Gaza slammed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his outrageously anti-Israel behavior in his supposedly neutral role. Guterres actually justified the Hamas atrocities on October 7th terrorists, claiming that they didnt happen in a vacuum and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire a euphemism for allowing Hamas to continue its terror activities against Israel. He even invoked a rarely used clause in the UN charter Article 99 to push for a ceasefire, the first time it has been used since 1989 and only the seventh time it was used UN history. This means that it was not invoked for devastating conflicts such as in Syria, when President Assad gassed his own people, or the wars in Yemen and Ukraine. The meeting between Guterres and family members of hostages was held on Thursday evening in New York. One of the family representatives, Hadar, 19, whose twin brother is being held in Gaza, presented Gutteres with a plate with tiny portions of rice and pita, the food that freed captives reported that they received in the last weeks of captivity. The family members also excoriated Gutteres for failing to visit Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A stunning new poll from Harvard-Harris unveils some startling perspectives among young Americans regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, showing a significant shift in attitudes compared to older demographics. The survey, conducted this past week, found that 51% of Americans aged 18 to 24 believe that Israel should be dissolved and given to Hamas. Only 32% of young Americans supported a two-state solution, and a mere 17% suggested that other Arab states should absorb Palestinian populations. This stands in dramatic opposition to older age groups, where a two-state solution was the preferred outcome. Notably, only 4% of Americans aged 65 and over believed that Israel should be ended. The poll also found that 60% of the 18-24 demographic justified Hamas October 7 terrorist attack, a view held by only 27% of Americans overall. At the same time, 58% of this age group agreed that Hamas would like to commit genocide against the Jews in Israel. When questioned about Israels actions in Gaza, 60% of Americans aged 18-24 viewed them as genocide, in contrast to 37% of Americans overall. Additionally, 53% of young Americans believed students should be free to call for the genocide of Jews without consequences. In terms of perception of Jews, 67% of 18-24-year-olds viewed Jews as oppressors, a notion starkly opposed by 73% of Americans who disagreed with and condemned this ideology. The poll also showed a 50-50 split among young Americans in their support between Israel and Hamas, contrasting with over 80% of the general American populace favoring Israel. These individuals siding with evil over democracy should be a wake-up call. Ideological rot among young Americans, driven by woke values and victim culture, has gotten so bad theyve convinced themselves to sympathize with actual terrorists who hate America, Senator Roger Marshall told the NY Post in response to the polls findings. The findings align with earlier studies indicating a growing pro-Hamas sentiment among young Americans. Cygnal polling found that 57% of American Muslims believe Hamas attack against Israel was justified. Pollster Mark Penn commented on the results, stating, The truth is that false narratives have been allowed to fester and sink into large numbers of Generation Z students. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Chen-Goldstein Almog, 48, was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza to Gaza along with three of her children Tal, 9, Gal, 11, and Agam, 17, after her husband Nadav, Hyd and her oldest daughter Yam, Hyd, 20, were murdered in front of her eyes. Chen, who was released during the ceasefire over two weeks ago, spoke to The New York Times about her seven-week ordeal. She said that she and her children were held together and were not treated badly or physically harmed. But during her weeks of captivity, she was moved a number of times and met other hostages who were treated badly, including two women who were sexually abused. Most of the time they were held in a room in an apartment in Gaza but she was also moved to different apartments, tunnels, a mosque, and even a destroyed supermarket. Chen said that the strangest part of her ordeal was the long conversations she had with her captors. They sometimes went on for hours perhaps because she used to be a social worker and knew how to keep people talking. One of the captors actually apologized for the murder of her husband and her daughter. It was a mistake and against the Quran, he told her. Chen said that the apology was followed by a long tension-filled silence. I didnt respond, she said. I didnt feel I could express any negative feelings. Sometimes her children would cry and the captors would order them to stop immediately. And if for a moment, I would sit and sink in my thoughts, she said, the lead captor would directly ask me what I was thinking. I couldnt move from room to room without an armed guard accompanying me. Once, my two sons were arguing, and the guard raised his voice at one of them, which was scary. Before they were released, the lead captor told Chen: Dont go back to your kibbutz. Dont return to a place so close to Gaza. Go to Tel Aviv or somewhere farther north. Because were coming back. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Sponsored Content Amidst the harsh realities that have become part of our lives since the October 7th terror attacks, weve also been privileged to witness uplifting moments. Who can forget the heartwarming scenes of little kids managing corner lemonade stands, selling their goods for the price of a perek of Tehillim? Equally moving were the gestures of kind-hearted strangers presenting sterling silver candlesticks and a matching tray to the wife of a wounded Israeli soldier who had resolved to light Shabbos candles in a renewed commitment to Yiddishkeit. However, even as the world grappled with the visible signs of war, a noticeable void remained. The absence of a collective voice advocating for the female victims who had been subjected to unspeakable atrocities became painfully apparent in the aftermath of the terror attack. These women needed more than sympathy; they needed a resounding call to action to address their trauma. Yet even those typically championing womens rights remained silent, the #MeTooUnlessUrAJew hashtag circulating on social media encapsulating the situation in less than 20 characters. Having already seen the historical pain that lingered for decades after the Holocaust, affecting both survivors and their descendants, the importance of healing not only todays wounds, but also preventing the propagation of trauma through future generations, is another pressing issue. Equally significant is the exponential surge in anti-Semitism that followed the terror attacks, manifesting itself through demonstrations and assaults that have taken a physical and emotional toll on many individuals. In line with its commitment to mental health advocacy and its mission to support victims of abuse and addiction, Amudim stepped into the void, emerging as a steadfast advocate for those suffering unseen wounds. Amudim has drawn on its almost decade of experience in crisis and comprehensive case management, and has become a strong supporter for those impacted by the war, addressing the broader spectrum of trauma, standing in solidarity with those who are suffering, and ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Amudim is offering free support sessions to English speakers in Israel, providing a safe, confidential space for those struggling to get the help they need during this challenging time. The importance of healing and preventing trauma is a high priority at this time, making Amudims annual Unite to Heal livestream fundraiser all the more crucial. Taking place on December 17th and 18th with the theme Stand United, this event will feature 36 hours of star-studded programming with the Jewish communitys best-known leaders, thinkers, and entertainers all rallying support for Amudim, whose work has never been more vital. Stand with us against the perpetuation of trauma, said Rabbi Zvi Gluck, CEO of Amudim. Your support will allow us to start healing from our collective trauma, and together, we can break the chains of generational suffering and amplify the voices of those who need it most in our community. Stand with Amudim December 17th and 18th, and Unite to Heal. It is important that we raise the funds they need so they can continue their vital work. Fund manager Gerrit Smit is a disciple of investment guru Charlie Munger Warren Buffett's former number two who died last month at the grand old age of 99. Munger liked to buy businesses for Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway that he understood and wasn't overpaying for. His mantra was that 'people calculate too much and think too little'. It's an approach that Smit says influences the way he runs Stonehage Fleming Global Best Ideas Equity, a 1.9 billion fund that he has managed since launch just over ten years ago. Although any company brought into the portfolio must first pass a series of qualitative and quantitative tests, Smit won't buy it if he doesn't understand how it makes its money and if he thinks he is not getting value for money. Like Munger and Buffett, Smit is also passionate about investing. With nearly 40 years of investment management and company analysis under his belt (he won't disclose his age), he wants to keep running money for as long as possible. He says: 'I started the Global Best Ideas fund in 2013 and I live and breathe it. My commitment is indefinite and I see it as my proverbial baby that I look after and nurse. I've got at least another decade left as manager and more besides.' His devotion has paid off handsomely for investors. Over the past ten years, the fund has delivered a return of 230 per cent. This compares against the 144 per cent gain registered by the 'average' global investment fund. Smit doesn't like to chop and change his portfolio. His ideal fund purchase is a stock that he can hold and hold. Of the 28 companies that make up the fund, seven have been held since launch among them the likes of Accenture, Alphabet, Microsoft and Visa. He says: 'The key is to identify high quality businesses and then hold them, even when the market turns against them.' The universe that he shops from comprises 150 global businesses, many of which derive a key slice of their revenues from the world's emerging economies. So, while the fund's portfolio has more than 90 per cent of its assets in companies listed in the United States or Europe, the businesses generate more than a fifth of their revenues from emerging markets. French-listed LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) is a case in point. 'LVMH is a truly global business,' says Smit. 'The brands under its wing the likes of Dior and Louis Vuitton are loved across Asia. They appeal to the burgeoning middle classes and are truly aspirational.' Smit's long-term focus means he runs with his winning stocks rather than take profits. This is reflected in the fact that Microsoft and Alphabet account for more than 14 per cent of the fund's assets. Companies involved in the digital revolution and the growing healthcare industry are key fund investment themes. On the other hand, companies that don't live up to expectation are culled. For example, earlier this year the fund's position in Walt Disney was sold. 'The company bought 21st Century Fox before the pandemic,' says Smit. 'It got bogged down in debt and proved a disappointing investment.' Apart from the fund, Smit also runs an additional 1.5 billion of assets using his global best ideas investment strategy. This money is run on behalf of institutional investors, charities and wealthy families. The fund has annual charges of 0.83 per cent and can be bought through all major investment platforms. Income is not a fund priority and is equivalent to an annual one per cent. Key Insights Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd's estimated fair value is RM2.56 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd is estimated to be 37% undervalued based on current share price of RM1.60 Our fair value estimate is 15% higher than Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd's analyst price target of RM2.23 Does the December share price for Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd (KLSE:DAYANG) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd What's The Estimated Valuation? We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM311.9m RM316.1m RM322.2m RM330.0m RM339.1m RM349.2m RM360.2m RM372.0m RM384.5m RM397.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.93% Est @ 2.41% Est @ 2.75% Est @ 2.99% Est @ 3.16% Est @ 3.28% Est @ 3.36% Est @ 3.42% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 14% RM275 RM245 RM220 RM199 RM180 RM163 RM148 RM135 RM123 RM112 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM1.8b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 14%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM398m (1 + 3.6%) (14% 3.6%) = RM4.1b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM4.1b ( 1 + 14%)10= RM1.2b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM3.0b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.6, the company appears quite good value at a 37% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 14%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.464. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Energy Services market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd, there are three essential elements you should assess: Financial Health: Does DAYANG have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does DAYANG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Even the most diehard City watchers could be forgiven for skimming some parts of a company's annual report. Many shareholders whizz through these weighty tomes and head straight for the pay section to gawp at the bosses' bonuses and perks. But here at Whispers we wade through the detail for interesting nuggets so you don't have to and our crack team has unearthed two items of note. Important: Stefan Bomhard now has a larger proportion of his bonus tied to the success of Imperial Brands' vaping division Stefan Bomhard, chief executive of Imperial Brands, now has a larger proportion of his bonus tied to the success of the company's vaping division, a sign of how important this is to the ciggie-maker. But we were more impressed with the achievements of WH Smith boss Carl Cowling. Part of his bonus was down to the group developing a high-end food range and a new meal deal. Time will tell whether this leaves a nasty taste for customers and shareholders. Amanda Blanc's sexism comments 'silenced' Amanda Blanc was back in the news last week after telling MPs sexism was more 'amplified' in finance than in wider society. But a glitch caused the appearance of the boss of insurer Aviva before the Commons Treasury Committee to blackout online. It left Fleet Street hacks scrambling to find a recording of the hearing. How unfortunate that a powerful woman drawing attention to the way female staff have been treated was silenced herself, albeit accidentally. Labour talking to Currys boss Alex Baldock, boss of Currys, had plenty to smile about last week after the electronics retailer delivered a strong trading update, receiving a bump to its share price in the process. But Currys' investors aren't the only ones taking note. Baldock mentioned he had been chatting with Labour's top team as the party continues its charm offensive in the City ahead of the next General Election. They seem to have been getting on like a house on fire. The Currys boss let slip he has 'had breakfast more often with Rachel Reeves recently than my wife'. He is keen to push the case for reform to business rates, a key gripe for British retailers. The Shadow Chancellor may be riveted, but Mrs Baldock perhaps less so. WeWork review forgets company went bust Customers of office space firm WeWork were treated to a 'year in review' email: a corporate version of those Christmas Round Robins people used to send, boasting about their holidays and their children's exam results. In it, the US firm rattled off a list of statistics from the past 12 months, including how many hours of events had been booked, even how many cups of coffee its tenants drank. 'Here's to all the ways you'll work in 2024,' the cheery sign-off read. Despite all the data-gathering, the firm seemed to have forgotten a big event of the past year the fact it went bust. Contributors: Francesca Washtell, Emily Hawkins Activist shareholders claim they have support from more than a quarter of investors to oust a British energy firm's leaders. A group led by Kamran Sattar of Portillion Capital which has previously tried to take over Reabold Resources has said the board is 'untrustworthy' and slammed its decision to invest in a gas project in Italy. Reabold recently received a cash payment from Shell, which bought its stake in a firm called Corallian Energy. Coup: Activist shareholders claim they have support from more than a quarter of investors to oust Reabold's leaders The activists want to remove chief executive Sachin Oza and bosses. Sattar has proposed he becomes chairman. A spokesman for the group said: 'We are confident of winning this time and saving the company from what seems like evident destruction.' A Reabold spokesman said: 'This is an opportunistic attempt to seize control of the company, its assets and cash without paying a control premium to all shareholders.' LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI trimmed its position in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 13.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,709 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,825 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MIs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $1,643,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in International Business Machines by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 74,044,855 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $9,907,942,000 after buying an additional 2,483,682 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 1.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 54,441,615 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,284,833,000 after acquiring an additional 903,042 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in shares of International Business Machines by 138,904.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 17,781,486 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,379,341,000 after purchasing an additional 17,768,694 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in International Business Machines by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,701,893 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,228,691,000 after purchasing an additional 492,571 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in International Business Machines by 22.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,592,094 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,337,660,000 after purchasing an additional 3,084,458 shares during the last quarter. 56.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get International Business Machines alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on IBM shares. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $188.00 to $179.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $150.00. International Business Machines Stock Performance NYSE IBM traded down $0.68 on Friday, hitting $162.23. 11,016,108 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,508,525. The company has a market capitalization of $148.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.52, a P/E/G ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $150.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.52. International Business Machines Co. has a 52-week low of $120.55 and a 52-week high of $166.34. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $14.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.73 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.51% and a net margin of 11.32%. International Business Machiness quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.81 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that International Business Machines Co. will post 9.45 earnings per share for the current year. International Business Machines Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, December 9th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $1.66 dividend. This represents a $6.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 9th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is currently 88.06%. About International Business Machines (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through four business segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. The Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data, and identity. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IBM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,059,742 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 50,306 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FIs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $101,425,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter worth about $73,000. TruWealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 2,463.2% during the 3rd quarter. TruWealth Advisors LLC now owns 103,965 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $10,069,000 after purchasing an additional 99,909 shares in the last quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 8,978 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $869,000 after purchasing an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 29.5% during the 3rd quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 25,546 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,474,000 after purchasing an additional 5,813 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 8,571 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $830,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the period. 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 commented on ABT. TheStreet cut Abbott Laboratories from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Citigroup lowered their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $122.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $117.80. Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock traded down $1.31 during trading on Friday, hitting $107.29. The stock had a trading volume of 13,316,296 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,226,579. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.74 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The firm has a market cap of $186.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.49, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a fifty day moving average of $98.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $102.49. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $115.83. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.15% and a net margin of 12.92%. The business had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.15 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.05%. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 69.39%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total value of $4,702,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,725,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $632,515,969.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). 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. Boltwood Capital Management lowered its position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,525 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 60 shares during the quarter. Boltwood Capital Managements holdings in Danaher were worth $1,123,000 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 DHR. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Danaher by 68.9% in the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 125 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Danaher by 344.8% in the second quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 129 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in Danaher in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Danaher in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Danaher by 39.4% in the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 216 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.71% of the companys stock. Get Danaher alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DHR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Danaher in a report on Saturday, December 9th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays decreased their target price on Danaher from $290.00 to $215.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Danaher from $285.00 to $247.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. KeyCorp reduced their price target on Danaher from $300.00 to $260.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Danaher from $260.00 to $250.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.07. Danaher Stock Performance DHR stock traded down $2.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $227.23. The stock had a trading volume of 7,886,284 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,241,357. Danaher Co. has a 52 week low of $182.09 and a 52 week high of $247.62. The stocks 50 day moving average is $209.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $233.25. The company has a current ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market cap of $167.91 billion, a PE ratio of 28.63, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.84. Danaher (NYSE:DHR Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The conglomerate reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.19. Danaher had a return on equity of 13.71% and a net margin of 20.01%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.56 earnings per share. Danahers revenue was down 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current year. Danaher Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 13.62%. About Danaher (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. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC lessened its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 1.9% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 5,775 shares of the companys stock after selling 113 shares during the quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $535,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 23.5% during the 3rd quarter. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI now owns 31,887 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,952,000 after acquiring an additional 6,070 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 2,824 shares of the companys stock valued at $261,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. WBH Advisory Inc. increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 23.0% during the 3rd quarter. WBH Advisory Inc. now owns 4,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $461,000 after purchasing an additional 930 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 2,385,772 shares of the companys stock valued at $220,875,000 after purchasing an additional 30,273 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes PM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of 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. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $114.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $109.27. Insider Buying and Selling In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $942,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,703,629.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders. Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:PM traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $94.46. The company had a trading volume of 17,596,707 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,352,336. The companys 50 day moving average price is $91.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.20. The stock has a market cap of $146.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.77. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $87.23 and a 52-week high of $105.62. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.21 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.62% and a negative return on equity of 129.48%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.97%. 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. See Also 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. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $600.00 price objective on the technology companys stock, up from their prior price objective of $526.00. A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on MSCI. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $570.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Barclays cut their price target on shares of MSCI from $650.00 to $600.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of MSCI from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Redburn Partners reissued a neutral rating and issued a $554.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of MSCI from $620.00 to $613.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $569.14. Get MSCI alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on MSCI MSCI Price Performance NYSE MSCI opened at $531.58 on Wednesday. MSCI has a 1 year low of $450.00 and a 1 year high of $572.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.04 billion, a PE ratio of 44.30, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.10. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $510.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $510.92. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The technology company reported $3.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $625.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $625.67 million. MSCI had a net margin of 39.76% and a negative return on equity of 97.86%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.85 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that MSCI will post 13.13 EPS for the current year. MSCI Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 9th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 8th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. MSCIs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.00%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MSCI. Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in MSCI during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. ORG Partners LLC increased its stake in MSCI by 5,600.0% during the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 57 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Headinvest LLC bought a new stake in MSCI during the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in MSCI during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in MSCI during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. 88.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. MSCI Company Profile (Get Free Report) MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides investment decision support tools for the clients to manage their investment processes worldwide. It operates through four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other Private Assets. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed product creation, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Standex International (NYSE:SXI Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $165.00 price objective on the industrial products companys stock. DA Davidson also issued estimates for Standex Internationals Q2 2024 earnings at $1.69 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.83 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $2.05 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $7.31 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $2.00 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $1.96 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.99 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $2.24 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $8.18 EPS. Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark cut their price objective on shares of Standex International from $205.00 to $190.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Standex International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $177.50. Get Standex International alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on SXI Standex International Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:SXI opened at $150.00 on Wednesday. Standex International has a 52-week low of $96.32 and a 52-week high of $168.81. The company has a market capitalization of $1.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $141.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $144.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 2.44 and a current ratio of 3.19. Standex International (NYSE:SXI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.04. Standex International had a net margin of 18.72% and a return on equity of 14.09%. The business had revenue of $184.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $184.58 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that Standex International will post 7.33 earnings per share for the current year. Standex International Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 8th were given a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. This is an increase from Standex Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 7th. Standex Internationals payout ratio is presently 10.24%. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Ademir Sarcevic sold 2,000 shares of Standex International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.13, for a total value of $268,260.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,499 shares in the company, valued at $1,944,750.87. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 2.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in Standex International by 1.5% in the second quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 27,030 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,824,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning bought a new position in Standex International in the second quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Standex International by 1.1% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 58,474 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $8,272,000 after buying an additional 657 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in shares of Standex International during the second quarter worth $210,000. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in shares of Standex International by 6.4% during the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 13,455 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,903,000 after buying an additional 808 shares during the last quarter. 88.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Standex International (Get Free Report) Standex International Corporation, together with subsidiaries, manufactures and sells various products and services for commercial and industrial markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: Electronics, Engraving, Scientific, Engineering Technologies, and Specialty Solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Standex International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Standex International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial assumed coverage on shares of CRH (NYSE:CRH Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $81.00 target price on the construction companys stock. Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. StockNews.com cut CRH from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Citigroup upped their price target on CRH from $75.61 to $76.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Monday, November 6th. They set a neutral rating and a $58.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.38. Get CRH alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on CRH CRH Stock Performance CRH Increases Dividend NYSE CRH opened at $66.90 on Thursday. CRH has a 1 year low of $38.45 and a 1 year high of $68.27. The businesss fifty day moving average is $59.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.08 per share. This is a boost from CRHs previous semi-annual dividend of $0.25. This represents a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Hedge Funds Weigh In On CRH Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 15.3% in the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,384 shares of the construction companys stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in CRH by 68.5% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 487 shares of the construction companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 14.3% in the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the construction companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 2.1% in the third quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 9,763 shares of the construction companys stock worth $534,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group boosted its holdings in CRH by 5.0% in the third quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 4,359 shares of the construction companys stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. 8.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About CRH (Get 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. Featured Articles 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. Key Insights SMRT Holdings Berhad's estimated fair value is RM1.65 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity SMRT Holdings Berhad is estimated to be 36% undervalued based on current share price of RM1.05 SMRT Holdings Berhad's peers are currently trading at a premium of 391% on average Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of SMRT Holdings Berhad (KLSE:SMRT) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for SMRT Holdings Berhad The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM44.4m RM46.7m RM49.0m RM51.1m RM53.3m RM55.4m RM57.5m RM59.7m RM61.9m RM64.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 6.07% Est @ 5.31% Est @ 4.78% Est @ 4.41% Est @ 4.15% Est @ 3.97% Est @ 3.85% Est @ 3.76% Est @ 3.70% Est @ 3.65% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% RM40.4 RM38.8 RM37.0 RM35.2 RM33.4 RM31.6 RM29.9 RM28.3 RM26.7 RM25.2 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM327m Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.8%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM64m (1 + 3.6%) (9.8% 3.6%) = RM1.1b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.1b ( 1 + 9.8%)10= RM419m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM745m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.1, the company appears quite undervalued at a 36% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at SMRT Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.914. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for SMRT Holdings Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat No apparent threats visible for SMRT. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For SMRT Holdings Berhad, we've put together three further items you should explore: Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for SMRT Holdings Berhad you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does SMRT's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Shares of Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the seven analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 1,220.83 ($15.33). DNLM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,340 ($16.82) target price on shares of Dunelm Group in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Shore Capital reiterated a hold rating on shares of Dunelm Group in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 1,045 ($13.12) target price on shares of Dunelm Group in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Dunelm Group to a sector perform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from GBX 1,000 ($12.55) to GBX 1,100 ($13.81) in a report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 1,190 ($14.94) target price on shares of Dunelm Group in a report on Thursday. Get Dunelm Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Dunelm Group Insiders Place Their Bets Dunelm Group Trading Up 2.2 % In other Dunelm Group news, insider Luisa Wright sold 4,219 shares of Dunelm Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 974 ($12.23), for a total value of 41,093.06 ($51,585.56). In related news, insider Luisa Wright sold 4,219 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 974 ($12.23), for a total transaction of 41,093.06 ($51,585.56). Also, insider Karen Witts bought 8,531 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 1,047 ($13.14) per share, for a total transaction of 89,319.57 ($112,126.00). 43.64% of the stock is owned by company insiders. DNLM stock opened at GBX 1,133 ($14.22) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 1,044.40 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 1,087.12. Dunelm Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 930 ($11.67) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 1,335.54 ($16.77). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 242.98, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market cap of 2.29 billion, a PE ratio of 1,510.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -10.32 and a beta of 1.18. Dunelm Group Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 26th were issued a dividend of GBX 27 ($0.34) per share. This represents a yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 26th. Dunelm Groups payout ratio is 5,600.00%. Dunelm Group Company Profile (Get Free Report Dunelm Group plc retails homewares in the United Kingdom. The company offers furniture and beds products, which include bedroom, living room, dining room, and other furniture, as well as bed and mattresses, and sofas and armchairs; bedding products comprising bed linen, dorma, baby and kid's bedding, and duvets, pillows, and protectors; curtains and rugs; and venetian, roller, roman, vertical, and made to measure blinds. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dunelm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dunelm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $145.87. Several analysts have issued reports on OC shares. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Owens Corning from $135.00 to $115.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Owens Corning in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. They set an equal weight rating and a $143.00 target price on the stock. Barclays increased their target price on Owens Corning from $153.00 to $176.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Owens Corning from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $130.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Owens Corning from $168.00 to $155.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Get Owens Corning alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on OC Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Owens Corning In other news, Director W Howard Morris sold 350 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.05, for a total transaction of $42,717.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 41,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,009,542.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of OC. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its holdings in Owens Corning by 87.4% in the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 31,865 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,347,000 after buying an additional 14,864 shares during the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC boosted its holdings in Owens Corning by 53.0% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 254 shares of the construction companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 3rd quarter worth about $250,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,522,000. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 3rd quarter worth about $101,000. 90.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Owens Corning Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE OC opened at $152.43 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $129.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $131.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.74, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.51. Owens Corning has a 52-week low of $83.98 and a 52-week high of $155.19. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The construction company reported $4.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.89 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $2.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. Owens Corning had a return on equity of 25.59% and a net margin of 12.31%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.57 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Owens Corning will post 13.86 earnings per share for the current year. Owens Corning Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 5th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.57%. This is a positive change from Owens Cornings previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Owens Cornings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.02%. About Owens Corning (Get Free Report Owens Corning engages in manufacture and sale of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composite materials in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and other specialized products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Owens Corning Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owens Corning and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the four brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $102.67. A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of DaVita from $142.00 to $113.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of DaVita from $115.00 to $104.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. TheStreet lowered shares of DaVita from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of DaVita in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Get DaVita alerts: Read Our Latest Report on DVA Institutional Trading of DaVita DaVita Trading Down 1.4 % Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Resources Management Corp CT ADV raised its holdings in shares of DaVita by 5,900.0% in the second quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 300 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in shares of DaVita by 88.6% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 313 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in DaVita during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in DaVita during the second quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in DaVita during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.69% of the companys stock. NYSE:DVA opened at $105.69 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is $90.27 and its 200-day moving average is $96.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.24. DaVita has a 52 week low of $70.80 and a 52 week high of $116.97. The firm has a market cap of $9.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.09. DaVita (NYSE:DVA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported $2.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.93. DaVita had a net margin of 5.11% and a return on equity of 63.38%. The company had revenue of $3.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.45 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that DaVita will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current year. DaVita Company Profile (Get Free Report DaVita Inc provides kidney dialysis services for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure in the United States. The company operates kidney dialysis centers and provides related lab services in outpatient dialysis centers. It also offers outpatient, hospital inpatient, and home-based hemodialysis services; operates clinical laboratories that provide routine laboratory tests for dialysis and other physician-prescribed laboratory tests for ESRD patients; and management and administrative services to outpatient dialysis centers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for DaVita Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DaVita and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 15th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of 1.82 per share on Friday, January 12th. This represents a $7.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This is an increase from Innovative Industrial Propertiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.80. Innovative Industrial Properties has increased its dividend by an average of 35.9% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 5 years. Innovative Industrial Properties has a dividend payout ratio of 129.5% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Innovative Industrial Properties to earn $8.46 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $7.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 85.1%. Get Innovative Industrial Properties alerts: Innovative Industrial Properties Price Performance Shares of NYSE IIPR opened at $98.30 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.76 billion, a PE ratio of 17.01 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 11.66 and a quick ratio of 11.66. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $79.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.22. Innovative Industrial Properties has a fifty-two week low of $63.36 and a fifty-two week high of $115.55. Insiders Place Their Bets Innovative Industrial Properties ( NYSE:IIPR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.02 by ($0.57). Innovative Industrial Properties had a return on equity of 8.52% and a net margin of 55.01%. The business had revenue of $77.83 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $75.60 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Innovative Industrial Properties will post 8.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Innovative Industrial Properties news, Director David Stecher sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.75, for a total value of $201,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $607,966.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Innovative Industrial Properties A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in IIPR. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Innovative Industrial Properties by 112.9% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 396 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of Innovative Industrial Properties by 61.4% during the 1st quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 649 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Innovative Industrial Properties during the 1st quarter valued at about $361,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Innovative Industrial Properties by 195.7% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 961 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in Innovative Industrial Properties by 361.0% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 982 shares of the companys stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.52% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Compass Point cut Innovative Industrial Properties from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $95.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Innovative Industrial Properties from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Innovative Industrial Properties in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $109.75. Check Out Our Latest Report on Innovative Industrial Properties Innovative Industrial Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc is a self-advised Maryland corporation focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, commencing with the year ended December 31, 2017. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,822 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Green Square Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,731,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BMY. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $50.89 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $103.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.92, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $58.57. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $48.25 and a one year high of $75.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The firms revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.99 EPS. Research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This is an increase from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.72%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 60.91%. Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 3,071 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was purchased 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 approximately $3,878,702.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $49.78 per share, with a total value 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 purchased a total of 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on BMY shares. HSBC upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Friday, October 27th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price target (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $56.00 to $50.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $63.59. Check Out Our Latest Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb 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. 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. Artificial Intelligence AI Robot Big Data Bull Market Stock Chart Getty Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have captivated investor attention this year like nothing else. The launch of ChatGPT a year ago opened the market's eyes to the potential of new generative AI technologies, and investors have raced to find potential winners. Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) has been one of the top AI stock picks, due to its prowess in artificial intelligence-driven data analytics. The stock has more than doubled this year. Palantir was founded in 2003, developing software for counterterrorism investigations for the intelligence community. It was able to connect the dots from massive, disparate datasets to deliver insights and disrupt terrorist plots. In the age of generative AI, Palantir's technology is in demand by governments as well as big business. The company only has a few hundred customers but deals with complex projects and large contracts, averaging in the several-million-dollar range annually. The company is generating solid growth. Revenue is up 17% to $558 million in the third quarter, and adjusted operating income doubled from the quarter a year ago to $163.3 million, giving the company a 29% adjusted operating margin. Image source: Getty Images. Unlike many AI stocks, Palantir is also profitable based on a generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP), as total operating costs have fallen from a year ago. In the third quarter, it reported GAAP operating income of $40 million, up from a loss of $62.2 million. With the help of interest income, GAAP net income reached $71.5 million in the quarter, marking its fourth straight quarter with positive GAAP net income. That achievement prompted CEO Alex Karp to declare, "Our company is now eligible for inclusion in the S&P 500, a milestone that we have been working toward and knew was within reach." Palantir's next stop: S&P 500? In order to gain entry into the S&P 500, a company must be headquartered in the U.S. and have a GAAP profit over the last four quarters. In addition, a majority of shares outstanding must be available to the public to buy and sell, and the company must have a market capitalization of at least $14.5 billion, S&P Global's current threshold for large-cap stocks. Story continues Indeed, Palantir now meets all those requirements, but to gain entry to the high-profile, broad-market index, it must replace another stock, and the criteria for removal and addition aren't fully clear. Palantir's market cap of $40 billion makes it more valuable than nearly 300 of the 500 stocks on the S&P 500, making a good argument for its inclusion in the index. The S&P 500 changes members periodically. Generally, about 20 new stocks join the index in a year. What S&P 500 membership would mean for Palantir Stocks typically get a bump of 5% or so when they're added to the S&P 500. That's primarily because index funds that track the broad-market index need to add the stock to their funds when it joins the S&P 500, but it also acts as a stamp of approval from the benchmark index. Other high-profile stocks that have recently joined the S&P 500 are Uber, which gained as much as 6.2% on Dec. 4 when it was added to the S&P 500, and Airbnb, which jumped 7.2% on the news on Sept. 5. For Palantir, gaining admission to the S&P 500 in 2024 could be one of many catalysts to drive the AI stock higher. Management has clearly demonstrated its ability to control costs and grow profits. If the company continues to do that, it will surely join the S&P 500, though that may not come next year. The company's investors will also keep an eye on Palantir's new AI platform and its overall growth rate to see if it's fulfilling its promise of penetrating the massive market for AI-driven data analysis. The stock is expensive today, but if it can ramp up profitability and grow the top line, shares should move higher, especially if it gains S&P 500 admission. 10 stocks we like better than Palantir Technologies When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* They just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Palantir Technologies wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 4, 2023 Jeremy Bowman has positions in Airbnb. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Palantir Technologies, S&P Global, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Will Palantir Stock Join the S&P 500 in 2024? was originally published by The Motley Fool [December 17, 2023] Spherexx.com Receives Dual Honors for "National Best Places to Work Multifamily" from the Multifamily Innovation Summit Awards Tweet Spherexx Ranks #5 in Vendor Category and # 4 in Women's Inclusivity Category TULSA, Okla., Dec. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Multifamily Leadership has awarded its National Best Places to Work Multifamily awards since 2016. Judging criteria is rigorous based on high levels of employee participation and positive response rates from internal surveys that reflects a transparent and comprehensive view of the companies' levels of employee engagement and satisfaction with their employer. Our products, fueled by cutting-edge tech, transform the real estate industry, and an exciting journey into the future. Spherexx has been a multifamily data science, advertising, marketing, and technology leader since 2000. It was awarded the International Webby Award for Real Estate Website in 2024, Owner and CEO was proclaimed the International Stevie Awards' Woman of the Year Technology Business Services and Financial Services for development of Optimize Revenue Management, the first AI neural network-based revenue management in the multifamily industry since 2013. Discover more about Spherexx's servant leader company culture at www.spherexx.com/about and the company's other achievements. This prestigious recognition was unveiled at the Multifamily Innovation Summit in Phoenix, AZ, held on December 5-6, 2023. The event not only served as a celebration of achievement but also provided a valuable platform for industry eaders to engage in the Multifamily Innovation Showcase, fostering connections and sharing insights with fellow multifamily executives. Survey responses from Spherexx employees reflects the vitality of the company's core structure very well: Exceptional Employee Satisfaction at Spherexx: Job Satisfaction: 98% of employees are very satisfied, a testament to Spherexx's commitment to a fulfilling workplace. Recommendation Rate: 95% would recommend Spherexx's services, showcasing trust and confidence. Long-Term Commitment: 95% plan to continue their career journey with Spherexx, illustrating loyalty and fulfillment. Leadership Support: 98% believe Spherexx's leadership actively encourages professional development. Recognition and Respect: 98% agree leadership acknowledges their exemplary work and treats them with utmost respect. Fair and Secure Work Environment: 100% believe they are treated fairly and feel secure in their positions at Spherexx. Transparent Communication: 98% trust the information provided by Spherexx, fostering transparency. Personalized Approach: 95% feel they are treated like a person, not a number, emphasizing a personalized and caring approach. Insights from Spherexx Employees: "Our products, fueled by cutting-edge tech, transform the real estate industry, offering an exciting journey into the future." "Teamwork defines our culture, making every project a thrilling collective effort, alongside talented colleagues who share a passion for innovation." "Our benefits package allows for a healthy personal life with a huge focus on work life balance." "Spherexx values diversity and inclusion, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where every voice is celebrated, enriching our work environment." "Our leadership team, with guidance and mentorship, empowers us to reach our full potential in a collaborative, inclusive, and visionary culture." "Working for a company that treats us like individuals, cares about our well-being beyond our roles, and provides excellent benefits creates a wonderful environment." "Excellent work environment, quality benefits, personable vibe, financial rewards, and product integrity." Employment opportunities can be reviewed at https://www.spherexx.com/careers About Spherexx.com With over two decades of experience, Spherexx.com delivers top-tier Software as a Service (SaaS) internet-based software, data analytics, and marketing solutions to clients across the US and Canada. Our expertise spans multifamily, single-family, rent control, self-storage, and manufactured housing. Our technology stack streamlines operations and enhances brand experiences for clients and tenants, leveraging real-time data and business intelligence dashboards for efficient day-to-day management. The proprietary tech stack includes revenue management software, CRM, commission & bonus tracking, website content management and inline editor, digital asset management, document management and AI solutions. Our marketing stack offers brand management, lead management, sales training, market insights, and customer nurturing, including branding, creative services, website development, advertising syndication, chatbots, mass messaging, video production, mobile apps, competitor analysis, search engine marketing, pay per click, social advertising, touchscreen kiosks, tablet apps, and ADA website compliance. Spherexx.com is the authoritative source for innovation and transformation in real estate technology. Visit www.spherexx.com to explore the future of PropTech. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spherexxcom-receives-dual-honors-for-national-best-places-to-work-multifamily-from-the-multifamily-innovation-summit-awards-302017090.html SOURCE Spherexx [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Kansas City political insiders understand that a recent 2024 Prez campaign departure is the biggest indication that the Florida Guv is no longer a viable option for Republicans looking to support anybody but former Prez Trump. For those who don't know . . . Jeff Roe got his start in Missouri politics, influenced KCMO elections for more than a decade and now operates across the nation through his home in Texas. However, Roe's Axiom remains the dominant political consultancy in the KC metro. Accordingly . . . This departure has a local connection and should resonate across the nation . . . "Mr. Roe, who helped lead Never Back Down, the super PAC behind the Florida governors presidential campaign, resigned Saturday, the latest shake-up in the group." Roes departure followed the publishing of an article in The Washington Post on Saturday about backbiting within the PAC. Roe said in a statement posted to X that he cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today. They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis. He added, I cant believe it ended this way. Im so proud to have worked alongside these men and women at NBD 24/7 the past nine months to save the country. Good luck the next 28 days and a wake up. Im so sorry I cant be there with you. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Top strategist resigns from DeSantis-backing super PAC with less than a month before Iowa caucuses NEW YORK (AP) - The top strategist for the embattled super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ' campaign for the White House resigned Saturday night in the latest sign of trouble for the GOP hopeful less than one month before voting begins with Iowa's kickoff caucuses. Republican strategist Jeff Roe quits pro-DeSantis super PAC amid turmoil Roe announced his resignation late Saturday. Jeff Roe, Top Strategist for Star-Crossed DeSantis Super PAC, Resigns Mr. Roe, who helped lead Never Back Down, the super PAC behind the Florida governor's presidential campaign, resigned Saturday, the latest shake-up in the group. Developing . . . Tragically, we know that angel Karlie was once besties with Taylor Swift until their public friendship faded. And so she inspires this peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Cowtown Crafts Save The World Across Kansas City, a recycling program transforms recycled plastic bags into park benches The city of Merriam is one of the latest local beneficiaries of a program in which plastic bags are recycled as free park benches. To make it happen, the city collected about 1,000 pounds of plastic bags in just four months. Celebrating Survivors KC Mothers in Charge gives Christmas presents to families affected by violence Mothers in Charge founder Rosilyn Temple says the group has been doing its Christmas giveaway for families who lost loved ones to gun violence for several years. Life Saving Winter Info KCFD issues generator safety tips after 3 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning The Kanas City Fire Department is urging generator safety after a second carbon monoxide leak in the same east Kansas City neighborhood. Tribute After Tragedy Erin's House scheduled to open in the new year following vandalism in August Kansas City-based Healing House has a project underway to both provide a hand for the homeless single mothers and honor the memory of Erin Langhofer. Police Keep Peace KCPD negotiators safely end standoff with domestic violence suspect The Kansas City Police Department was able to end a standoff Saturday night with no injuries to the suspect, victim, or officers. Angel Turns Publisher A new model for digital media? What Karlie Kloss's acquisition of i-D means We've often seen billionaires and private equity take over media outlets. Now we're seeing supermodels, too Prez Stays Losing Community Some young Black voters undecided about Biden over lack of support for Palestinians Some young Black voters said they're undecided about supporting Biden because he hasn't called for a cease-fire or spoken up enough for Palestinians MAGA Whisper Heard Loud & Clear Trump repeats 'poisoning the blood' anti-immigrant remark The Republican presidential frontrunner repeated language about undocumented immigrants that has previously drawn criticism as xenophobic and echoing Nazi rhetoric. Republican Last Stand Starts Now Nikki Haley knocks Donald Trump, says he had 'the opportunity to stop' the Capitol riot Nikki Haley said Donald Trump "had the opportunity" to stop the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and that "the tone at the top matters." Vlad Fights Drone War Russia shoots down 35 Ukrainian drones as both sides step up attacks Russian airbase said to be among targets and Ukrainian civilian killed by drone debris in Odesa Holy Land Hot Mess Update Israel presses ahead in Gaza as errant killing of captives adds to concern about its wartime conduct Israel is pressing ahead with its Gaza offensive after a series of shootings including of three hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag, raised questions about its wartime conduct. Catholic Court Controversy Vatican's 'trial of the century' sees cardinal given five-and-a-half-year jail sentence | CNN Evidence in a long-running trial reveals a multi-million-pound investment in a luxury property in London that went wrong, a once powerful Vatican cardinal secretly recording a conversation with the pope and a female security consultant accused of spending church funds on fashion brands. Powerful Urban Testimony My Pain, My Power: Episode One Welcome to "My Pain, My Power," a groundbreaking podcast collaboration by Northeast News and the Mattie Rhodes Center. This new [...] Local Flavor Kansas City's Richie Cherry has big dreams for his 'Good Ass Pickles' Cherry grew up loving pickles but couldn't find what he liked when he moved to Kansas City. So he started making them and now sells them online, at barbershops and coffeeshops and on social media. December Divide Sunday clears up and warms up before a brief fall Monday Sunday will have high temperatures around 52 degrees; Monday's temperatures will dip a bit, but the tail-end of this week will warm up again. Creed - Higher is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Now . . . Again, we need to remind readers that TKC is not a doctor and we're not giving health advice. However . . . IT'S OKAY TO BE SKEPTICAL OF COW SPLOOGE ENDORSEMENTS FROM POLITICOS!!! To be fair, we'll include quotes from the Kansas Senator and his advocacy for farmers along with the power move to put whole milk back in the rotation for students . . . Here's the word . . . Highlights from Senator Marshalls remarks include: As you all know, milk is the most delicious, most nutritious, wholesome drink known to humankind. Theres nothing ever been made anything like it. Now milk is pretty special to me, and you might ask why. It was pretty simple. My dad grew up on a dairy where they milked Holstein cows every morning, every, every day of the year, 365 days a year. Whole milk helps to keep growing kids- and adults- healthy and strong because it has 13 essential nutrients packed into one drink. Also, because of the fat content specifically in whole milk, it promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. As an obstetrician, I cannot stress enough the importance of drinking whole milk to grow strong bones. It helps you have healthy babies, it helps with breastfeeding, it helps us all to grow strong bones. Now science has also shown that milk consumption provides additional positive health outcomes such as lower blood pressure, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and reduced risk of type two diabetes. As medical costs skyrocket, and the obesity epidemic worsens, I rise today to set the record straight. Milk is part of the solution its not part of the problem. Now many fingers pointed at the dairy industry and millions of lobbying dollars have been invested in making lawmakers believe that milks the enemy. Because were not encouraging our children to drink milk. We have a generation of young men and women who are going to have osteopenia and osteoporosis 10 to 15 years earlier than their predecessors. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . House passes bill allowing schools to serve whole milk Editor's note: This report has been updated to note Senate passage is required before students would see more options in school cafeterias. The House has passed a bill allowing whole milk to be served in school cafeterias for the first time since 2012. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which permits the National School... Senator Marshall Goes to Senate Floor to Request Passage of the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act - Senator Roger Marshall Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. called for unanimous consent on the Senate Floor to bring the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act to a vote. Marshall's legislation would reinstate nutritious whole milk back into children's schools. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed their version of Senator Marshall's legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support. Developing . . . We threw this one in yesterday's compilation but TKC READERS think it deserves another mention. Here's the big picture sent our way: DOESN'T PRAIRIE VILLAGE BANK ROBBERY PROVE THAT SUBURBAN CRIME RISK IS FOR REALZ?!? More context by way of this old school quote from American folk hero: When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton simply replied, Because that's where the money is. Accordingly . . . It's obvious that today's criminals might understand this axiom as well . . . "When police arrived, they say bank employees informed them that the suspect had left the bank and walked north with the money. The suspect who was armed with a handgun, is described as a white man wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, black stocking hat and a black facemask." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Pave Bank launches a new programmable bank at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Having secured a banking license, they have built the bank from the ground up catered to global businesses in the new economy. Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2023) - Launching today, Pave Bank is the world's first programmable bank giving businesses access to new technologies so they can bank more efficiently and access the new economy. Pave Bank founder: (L to R) Simon Vans Colina, Salim Dhanani and Dmitry Bocharov To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10203/191323_a2fa033cd4f53bd7_001full.jpg Pave Bank comes out of stealth with an approved digital banking license from Georgia and a US$5.2M seed funding round led by 468 Capital with participation from Quona Capital, FT Partners, BR Capital, w3.fund, Daedalus and angel investors. Pave Bank is the world's first fully regulated commercial bank where clients can not only get the best in class business banking products (such as multi-currency operating accounts, global payment connectivity, and treasury management solutions) but will also have access to multi-asset custody, virtual IBANs, safeguarding accounts and PaveNet, which is a multi-asset, always instant and always on network of Pave Bank customers. Pave Bank is the world's first programmable bank giving businesses access to these new technologies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10203/191323_a2fa033cd4f53bd7_002full.jpg Pave Bank promises an ironclad level of trust and confidence in all their products. In honouring this commitment they are a full reserve bank, which means that all deposits and funds held with the bank are always there, never lent out and never invested. Salim Dhanani, Co-Founder & CEO of Pave Bank commented: "We have set out to address limitations of today's financial system that lacks transparency, remains restricted to certain time-windows (clearing and settlement, for example) and is riddled with intermediaries. All of this increases costs, management complexity and also limits the products and services which can be accessed by the majority of businesses and especially, for those operating globally. In parallel, we have seen a number of innovative products that have been created in the digital asset space, but sometimes with a lack of regulation and safety for users. We are championing a new path where Pave Bank customers will get access to the financial products that they are used to, but also a range of digital asset enabled products which will help them bank more efficiently within a regulated and secure environment." Story continues As programmability in financial services takes off, Pave Bank offers a fresh, secure and regulated platform for businesses to transact in stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and tokenized Real World Assets (RWAs). Salim Dhanani added: "There are two major trends that led us to create Pave Bank. Firstly, blockchain is being integrated into the traditional financial system - with stablecoins, CBDCs included, and tokenized RWAs. We are seeing the financial system be built on new operating languages for the first time in over fifty years. Secondly, regulation is here, it's here to stay, and for the better. We are seeing this narrative evolve around the world - in Singapore, Hong Kong, Georgia, UAE, UK, across the EU and the green shoots in the USA, amongst many others. As a fully regulated digital bank with a proprietary technology stack, we are right at the swell of the programmable financial system wave." Pave Bank has started the regulatory journey with a digital commercial banking license in Georgia and plans to continue to build its regulatory infrastructure globally. Georgia is strategically positioned between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with close ties to the European Union. Its robust and transparent regulatory architecture has attracted a large number of businesses as it seeks to become a financial services hub in the region. Pave Bank was founded by established banking executives turned fintech operators Salim Dhanani (CEO), Simon Vans-Colina (CTO) and Dmitry Bocharov (COO). Salim was at the World Bank before moving to Carta Worldwide and then co-founded fintech lender and payments business BigPay in Southeast Asia. Simon was at Citibank and Vocalink before moving to set up Starling Bank. He left to build Monzo as a member of the founding team. Dmitry was a member of the management team at Ferratum, a DAX-listed bank operating across Europe. Nine years ago, he moved to Vietnam and assumed the role of Chief Digital Officer at VP Bank, where he successfully led a digital transformation. Guilherme Steinbruch, Partner at 468 Capital commented: "Pave Bank is offering the world a glimpse into what we believe to be the future of banking and financial services. Ultimately, we are witnessing a major shift in banking and Pave Bank stands out by enabling a whole range of products and services that can be brought to businesses globally." Steve McLaughlin, Founder & CEO at Financial Technology Partners commented: "Our ongoing partnership with visionary repeat founders like Salim is a testament to our dedication in guiding and supporting their strategic journey. We take pride in having supported their journey so far and eagerly anticipate the continuation of our partnership through their upcoming fundraising endeavors." The Pave Bank team believes that as the traditional financial world transforms with digital assets and the decentralised space transforms with regulation, regulated financial institutions will need to adapt to continue offering the most competitive products and services to their clients. This shift is not a user experience shift, it is a change of the very nature of money and value, for which Pave Bank is built. FT Partners was the exclusive financial and strategic advisor to Pave Bank on this transaction. About Us: About Pave Bank Pave Bank is the world's first fully regulated commercial bank offering customers multi-asset business banking products. Pave Bank is reimagining how a bank is built, how it operates and how businesses interact with their bank. With the future of banking rooted at the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, Pave Bank is building a new operating system or layer for how money or assets are linked globally. For more information please visit https://pavebank.com/en or follow via LinkedIn. Contact Info: Name: Bilal Mahmood Email: b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Organization: Pave Bank Phone: +447714007257 Website: https://pavebank.com/en To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/191323 Fortresses are aplenty in Europe and they have much to offer visitors who come and see them. In the Belgian city of Namur, one fortress that travels should have on their itineraries is the Citadel of Namur. Built during the Roman era, the citadel you see today was improved by French military engineer Vauban. Today, it is one of the best-know tourist destinations in Namur. Here is what you can expect to find when you visit this centuries-old famed fortress. Terra Nova Visitor Centre The Terra Nova Visitor Centre is one of the main stops of any traveler visiting the Citadel of Namur. This is where you can learn the history of the fortress through multimedia displays. For the convenience of the visitors, audio guides are available in the following languages: Chinese Dutch English French German Spanish Related Article: Where Can You Find the Best Belgium Chocolate Tours Across the Country? Guided Underground Tour One of the main attractions that draw travelers to the Citadel of Namur are its underground passages. For those who are interested to explore them and learn more about its history, there are guided tours available. Visitors can enjoy 450 meters of restored galleries that include 3D animations and projections. Reservations should be made in advance and can be done online. Tourist Train If seemingly endless walking is not your cup of tea, you can opt to board the tourist train instead. The train allows you to comfortable view the sights in the fortress as well as of the river, valley, and the rest of Namur. Like the guided underground tour, reservations should be made in advance and can be done online. The train departs from the Terra Nova Visitor Centre. Read Also: Ghent Travel: The Ultimate Guide in Exploring Europe's Hidden Gem It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Journeo plc's (LON:JNEO) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Check out our latest analysis for Journeo The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Journeo The CEO & Executive Director Russell Singleton made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK105k worth of shares at a price of UK1.05 each. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of UK2.69. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices. While Journeo insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Journeo is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Insiders own 21% of Journeo shares, worth about UK9.2m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. So What Does This Data Suggest About Journeo Insiders? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Journeo shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Journeo insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Journeo (2 make us uncomfortable) you should be aware of. Story continues If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. On Friday the Caribbean Football Union will stage the 2024 Next Gen Referees Course for Regi The Saudis set to make another huge offer to Salah Udaku Special AJIRA ZA UHAKIKA NJE NJE, BONYEZA HAPA The Saudis set to make another huge offer to Salah Al-Ittihad made a 200million bid for Salah late in the transfer window which Liverpool were ultimately able to resist. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad will make another attempt to sign Liverpools Mohamed Salah. The 31-year-old decided to stay with the Reds this summer but might be tempted to join the Saudi league next summer. Al-Ittihad made a 200million bid for Salah late in the transfer window which Liverpool were ultimately able to resist but should Klopp win the league or Europa League, he might be selling his biggest star. According to the DailyMail, the 31-year-old is viewed as an even more important transfer target for the SPL than Cristiano Ronaldo, who provided instant credibility when he joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United 12 months ago, as he remains at his peak and is an icon throughout the Arab world. Salah has scored over 150 Premier League goals since joining Liverpool back in 2017 and is regarded as one of their best strikers of all time. Unapenda simulizi Kali?,MAPENZI YA KUKOMOANA utaipenda sana soma sehemu ya 1 bure sehemu ya 2 kuendelea tsh 1000 tu bofya hapa Pia kununua E-book ya "UKIYAJUA HAYA SAHAU KUSHUKA KIFEDHA" tsh 1000 bofya hapa au tembelea www.makapedia.com ------- Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Renew Holdings implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price A total of 9 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock If you want to know who really controls Renew Holdings plc (LON:RNWH), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 68% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Renew Holdings, beginning with the chart below. Check out our latest analysis for Renew Holdings What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Renew Holdings? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Renew Holdings. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Renew Holdings, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Renew Holdings is not owned by hedge funds. Octopus Investments Limited is currently the largest shareholder, with 17% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.6% and 6.4% of the stock. Story continues We also observed that the top 9 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Renew Holdings While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Renew Holdings plc. It appears that the board holds about UK3.8m worth of stock. This compares to a market capitalization of UK666m. Many investors in smaller companies prefer to see the board more heavily invested. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 13% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Equity Ownership Private equity firms hold a 17% stake in Renew Holdings. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Sometimes we see private equity stick around for the long term, but generally speaking they have a shorter investment horizon and -- as the name suggests -- don't invest in public companies much. After some time they may look to sell and redeploy capital elsewhere. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Renew Holdings you should be aware of. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2023) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Technical Education, Industries, Commerce and Tribal Affairs, Dr Aamer Abdullah has agreed with the proposal to equip the students with various technical schools and courses during their academic period as feasible, said a press release issued here on Sunday. He has further directed the furnishing of a feasible proposal for the pilot project, with a possible partnership between higher education and technical education with clear possibilities of the success and usefulness of the project. In this regard, a meeting was held here at Civil Secretariat Peshawar with the Caretaker Minister for Technical Education, Industries, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs, Dr Aamer Abdullah, in the chair. Besides, Secretary of Higher Education Arshad Khan Secretary of Industries and Commerce, Syed Zulfikar Ali Shah and Director (Finance), Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), Munir Gul, Chief Economist Department of Industry Basit Khalil also attended the meeting. Keeping in view, the importance of technical skills, skilled education, and training in the modern era, the meeting also discussed the inclusion of vocational training courses along with contemporary education and the possibilities of the departments of Technical Education and Higher Education in this regard. The participants of the meeting agreed with the proposal and gave their useful feedback. In the meeting, Secretary of Higher Education Arshad Khan said that with the success of this proposed plan, graduates of contemporary studies and secondary and higher secondary certificates as well as students with skills will not remain unemployed, saying such educated youth will be able to find their jobs in the market and will also be able to find decent employment. The provincial caretaker minister for technical education termed the proposal useful and asked that the Department of Higher Education and Industries and Technical Education jointly present a feasible and better plan along with the identification of the responsibilities of both departments. In this connection, he further directed the formation of a cluster of allocated colleges to implement it as a pilot project. The White House has been increasingly pressuring Congress to pass stalled legislation to support Ukraine's war against Russia, saying that funding has run out. On Tuesday, however, President Joe Biden touted a new military aid package worth $200 million for Ukraine. Money is dwindling. But the announcement of more weapons being sent to Kyiv just underscores the complexity of the funding. So has the money run out? Or are there still a few billion dollars floating around? It's complicated. Store credit ... In a Nov. 4 letter to Congress, White House budget director Shalanda Young said flatly: "We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight. This isn't a next year problem. The time to help a democratic Ukraine fight against Russian aggression is right now." Since then, the U.S. has announced three more aid packages totaling $475 million. That may seem contradictory, but it's due to the complex programs used to send aid to Ukraine. There are two pots of money for weapons and security assistance set up specifically for the war. One is the Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, under which the U.S. provides weapons already in its stockpile. The other is the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds long-term weapons contracts. Money for USAI has all been spent. That pot is empty. And money for the PDA also appeared to be gone. But then the Pentagon determined that it had overstated the value of the weapons it had already sent Ukraine, overcharging the Ukraine weapons account by $6.2 billion. That effectively left Ukraine with a store credit that is slowly being whittled down. It now stands at around $4.4 billion. PDA packages continued to be announced every few weeks. But in recognition of the dwindling money, the latest packages have been smaller about $200 million or less, compared with previous ones that often totaled $400 million to $500 million. ... but empty shelves In theory, the Pentagon would have enough equipment to offer these smaller packages for months. But there's a caveat: While the credit exists, there may not be enough stock on the Pentagon shelves. So some weapons may be unavailable. Congressional funding to buy weapons to replace the ones the U.S. sends to Ukraine is now down to about $1 billion. That dwindling money means the military services are worried they won't be able to buy all the weapons they need to ensure the U.S. military is ready to defend the American homeland. For example, the 155 mm rounds commonly used by Howitzers are one of the most requested artillery munitions by Kyiv. The demand has been so high that the Army has pressed the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania, where the shell casings for the rounds are made, to increase production in order to meet war demands and have enough on hand for American military needs. On Thursday, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters the U.S. could provide the full $4.4 billion in weapons, but with only a quarter of that amount available for replenishment, it's a tough choice. "We have to start to make decisions about our own readiness," he said. Political wrangling The U.S. has already sent Ukraine $111 billion in weapons, equipment, humanitarian assistance and other aid since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion more than 21 months ago. But the latest package is stalled. Support for Ukraine funding has been waning as some lawmakers see the war taking funding from domestic needs. But the broader problem is a political battle over the southern U.S. border. President Joe Biden is urging Congress to pass a $110 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs. It includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, with about half to replenish Pentagon stocks. It also includes about $14 billion for Israel as it fights Hamas and $14 billion for U.S. border security. Other funds would go for security needs in the Asia-Pacific. Prospects for compromise remain in doubt, even as Zelenskyy warned in a speech at the National Defense University in Washington on Monday that, "If there's anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it's just Putin and his sick clique." The jobs argument Harkening back to the "all politics is local" idea, the Pentagon and the White House have rolled out maps and statistics to show members of Congress how their own districts and states are reaping benefits from the Ukraine funding. Charts detail $10 billion in industry contracts for weapons ranging from air defense systems and missiles to a wide array of drones, ammunition and other equipment. And they break out an additional nearly $16.8 billion in contracts to replenish Pentagon stocks. The maps show contracts benefitting industries and companies in more than 35 different states. And U.S. officials are hoping the local jobs argument will help build support for the funding. How big is the need? Winter has set in, so the fighting in Ukraine has leveled off a bit. And along stretches of the battlefront, fighting is somewhat stalemated. But Ukrainian forces have been taking ground back in some key locations, and Zelenskyy and other leaders have said they want to keep pushing forward. Ukraine does not want to give the Russians weeks or months this winter to reset and further solidify their fighting positions as they did last winter. During his visit to Washington this week, Zelenskyy said his forces are making progress, and the White House pointed to newly declassified intelligence that shows Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on Russia in recent fighting around the eastern city of Avdiivka including 13,000 casualties and over 220 combat vehicles lost. The Ukrainian holdout in the country's partly occupied east has been the center of some of the fiercest fighting in recent weeks. Putin on Thursday, however, said his troops are making gains. "Almost all along the line of contact our armed forces, let's put it modestly, are improving their positions, almost all are in an active stage of action and there is an improvement in the position of our troops all along," he said. Key Insights Swiss Steel Holding's significant retail investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public A total of 2 investors have a majority stake in the company with 53% ownership Insider ownership in Swiss Steel Holding is 33% If you want to know who really controls Swiss Steel Holding AG (VTX:STLN), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are retail investors with 45% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. While the holdings of retail investors took a hit after last weeks 14% price drop, insiders with their 33% also suffered. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Swiss Steel Holding, beginning with the chart below. See our latest analysis for Swiss Steel Holding What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Swiss Steel Holding? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. Since institutions own only a small portion of Swiss Steel Holding, many may not have spent much time considering the stock. But it's clear that some have; and they liked it enough to buy in. If the company is growing earnings, that may indicate that it is just beginning to catch the attention of these deep-pocketed investors. When multiple institutional investors want to buy shares, we often see a rising share price. The past revenue trajectory (shown below) can be an indication of future growth, but there are no guarantees. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Swiss Steel Holding. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Martin Haefner with 33% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 20% and 0.4%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Story continues A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 2 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 53% stake. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known. Insider Ownership Of Swiss Steel Holding While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. It seems insiders own a significant proportion of Swiss Steel Holding AG. Insiders own CHF60m worth of shares in the CHF184m company. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 45% stake in Swiss Steel Holding. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Private Equity Ownership With an ownership of 20%, private equity firms are in a position to play a role in shaping corporate strategy with a focus on value creation. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Swiss Steel Holding better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Swiss Steel Holding that you should be aware of before investing here. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia on Sunday resumed handing over security responsibilities to Somali government forces after a three-month pause, officials said. The mission known as ATMIS handed over security control of the State House also known as Villa Somalia where Somali President Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resides and works. Additionally, troops turned over responsibilities of the parliament building, which is not far from the presidential palace. Along with Somali forces, AU forces have been securing strategic sites in the capital, including the palace, the parliament building, airport and seaport, since 2007. Somali forces now take sole responsibility for the main seats of the executive and legislative branches of government. In an interview with VOA Somali, the AU envoy to Somalia and the head of ATMIS, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, confirmed the resumption of the drawdown. We are going to hand over the State House, Villa Somalia and the parliament, which is a big achievement and a good signal, from the FGS [Federal Government of Somalia] to the international partners that they are ready to take over their responsibility, and the rest of the FOBs [Forward Operating Bases] will follow until the 31st of December, he said. He said the mission will withdraw 3,000 soldiers by the 31st. The mission will hand over responsibilities for 10 bases in this phase of the drawdown. Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the national security adviser to the president of Somalia, confirmed the transfer of the palace to the Somali army and police, and thanked the Ugandan forces who have been protecting it for the past 16 years. The first phase of the AU drawdown was concluded in June when 2,000 troops left Somalia. In September, the Somali government requested a 90-day technical pause of the drawdown after military setbacks from the central regions offensive against al-Shabab militants who have been fighting the government since 2007. The militants aim to establish a government based on their interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law. A meeting in New York last week endorsed Somalias security sector development plan. According to Ali, the plan includes Somalia generating land forces of up to 30,000 excluding Special Forces, navy and air force, a police force of 40,000 at federal and regional levels, and 8,500 members of the custodial corps, who work in the prison system. We have reached the number that is required but it requires thorough reform to ensure the number and the quality match in order to have a professional army that can take responsibility from ATMIS, Ali told VOA last week. Souef says Somali authorities generated forces with the support of their international partners including Ethiopia and Uganda, which already have troops as part of ATMIS; but also, others like Eritrea, Egypt, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States, and the European Union. He said another boost the Somali government received was the recent lifting of an arms embargo. Now the government of Somalia has the capability and the possibility to acquire the required arms and appropriate equipment and ammunition, so then they will be in a good position to fight against the enemy, so I think they have the capability, he said. I think they are ready because what we say, where there is a will there is a way, Souef said when asked if Somali authorities are ready this time to take over responsibilities. The original AU mission, the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, transitioned to ATMIS in April of last year after the Somali government and AU agreed on the current drawdown. The ATMIS mission is expected to hand over responsibilities to Somali authorities by the end of next year. Souef says that does not mean the end of AU support to Somalia. Now we are in a transition mission, but we will go to another transition because the AU is required to support the Somalis by first January 2025 by establishing a new mission with a new mandate, he said. He said the new mission will be able to support Somalias national army in terms of capacity building, to protect people in populated areas as well as strategic infrastructure in Mogadishu and other capitals of federal member states. The number of troops under the new mission is not yet known but it will also have a small component of civilians to handle issues of human rights and political affairs and work closely with the federal government, Souef added. It will be like AMISOM or like ATMIS but not ATMIS, not AMISOM; it will be a new mission and a new mandate, he said. December 2024 is not the end of the African Union in Somalia. Ali confirmed the Somali government is negotiating a multilateral protection force after ATMIS. Its too early to give you any concrete details about what the new proposal will look like, he said in a message via the WhatsApp messenger. We are just starting to negotiate the scope and the structure. What we know is that it is going to be a multilateral protection force working very closely with the Somali Security Forces for critical infrastructures in major cities where international agencies and embassies operate. Ali did not rule out the likelihood that the new mission will be under the AU umbrella. Cydney Wallace, a Black Jewish community activist, never felt compelled to travel to Israel, though "Next year in Jerusalem" was a constant refrain at her Chicago synagogue. The 39-year-old said she had plenty to focus on at home, where she frequently gives talks on addressing anti-Black sentiment in the American Jewish community and dismantling white supremacy in the U.S. "I know what I'm fighting for here," she said. That all changed when she visited Israel and the West Bank at the invitation of a Palestinian American community activist, along with two dozen other Black Americans and Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders. The trip, which began September 26, enhanced Wallace's understanding of the struggles of Palestinians living in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. But, horrifyingly, it was cut short by the unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas militants. In Israel's ensuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, shocking images of destruction and death seen around the world have mobilized activists in the U.S. and elsewhere. Wallace, and a growing number of Black Americans, see the Palestinian struggle in the West Bank and Gaza reflected in their own fight for racial equality and civil rights. The recent rise of protest movements against police brutality in the U.S. has connected Black and Palestinian activists under a common cause. But that kinship sometimes strains the more than century-long alliance between Black and Jewish activists. Some Jewish Americans are concerned that support could escalate the threat of antisemitism and weaken Jewish-Black ties fortified during the Civil Rights Movement. "We are concerned, as a community, about what we feel is a lack of understanding of what Israel is about and how deeply October 7 has affected us," said Bob Kaplan, executive director of The Center for Shared Society at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. "Antisemitism is as real to the American Jewish community, and causes as much trauma and fear and upset to the American Jewish community, as racism causes to the Black community. " But, he added, many Jews in the U.S. understand that Black Americans can have an affinity for the Palestinian cause that doesn't conflict with their regard for Israel. According to a poll earlier this month from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Black adults were more likely than white and Hispanic adults to say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel 44% compared to 30% and 28%, respectively. However, Black Americans weren't any more likely than others to say the U.S. is not supportive enough of the Palestinians. Still, Black American support for the Palestinian cause dates back to the Civil Rights Movement. More recent rounds of violence in the Middle East have deepened ties between the two movements. During a weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas as part of the recent deal to free dozens of hostages seized by Hamas militants, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Some Black Americans who watched the Palestinian prisoner release and learned about Israel's administrative detention policy, where detainees are held without trial, drew comparisons to racial inequality in the U.S. prison system. Rami Nashashibi, a Palestinian American community organizer on Chicago's south side, invited Wallace and the others to take part in the trip called "Black Jerusalem" an exploration of the sacred city through an African and Black American lens. "My Palestinian identity was very much shaped and influenced by Black American history," Nashashibi said. "I always hoped that a trip like this would open up new pathways that would connect the dots not just in a political and ideological way, but between the liberation and struggles for humanity that are very familiar to us in the U.S.," he said. During the trip, Wallace was dismayed by her own ignorance of the reality of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. In observing the treatment of Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints, she drew comparisons to what segregation historically looked like in the U.S. "Being there made me wonder if this is what it was like to live in the Jim Crow-era" in America, Wallace said. Over the last decade, Black Americans and the Palestinians have also found growing solidarity. In 2020, the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer resonated in the West Bank, where Palestinians drew comparisons to their own experiences of brutality under occupation, and a massive mural of Floyd appeared on Israel's hulking separation barrier. In 2016, when BLM activists formed the coalition known as the Movement for Black Lives, they included support for Palestinians in a platform called the "Vision for Black Lives." A handful of Jewish groups, which had largely been supportive of the BLM movement, denounced the Black activists' characterization of Israel as a purportedly "apartheid state." None of the members of the "Black Jerusalem" trip anticipated it would come to a tragic end with the October 7 Hamas attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and about 240 taken hostage. Since then, more than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's blistering air and ground campaign in Gaza, now in its third month. Violence in the West Bank has also surged. Back home in Chicago, Wallace has navigated speaking about her support for Palestinians while maintaining her Jewish identity and standing against antisemitism. She says she doesn't see those things as mutually exclusive. "I'm trying not to do anything that alienates anyone," she said. "But I can't just not do the right thing because I'm scared." Calls for a cease-fire in Gaza grow among some of Israels allies and by protesters at home after Israeli forces intensified their attacks on the enclave overnight Sunday. British Foreign Minister David Cameron and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, have called for a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza in a joint article published in Britains Sunday Times. "Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians," they wrote. During a visit in Israel Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an "immediate truce" aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward "the beginning of a political solution." Israel could also face pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Monday. Washington is expressing growing unease with civilian casualties even while as it provides vital military and diplomatic support to Israel. In an appearance on ABCs This Week, Senator Chris Van Hollen said that there are unacceptable high levels of civilian casualties in Gaza and added that the U.S. is seeing very loose rules of engagement there. We need to make sure that our [U.S.] values are reflected in this so long as we are providing all of this equipment, he stressed. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan asked U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a call Sunday for Washington to use its influence over Israel to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, a Turkish diplomatic source said. Fidan told Blinken that Israel should be made to sit at the negotiating table to discuss a two-state solution after a full cease-fire is achieved. Pope Francis said Sunday, Israel was using "terrorism" tactics in Gaza, decrying the reported killing by the Israeli military of two Christian women who had taken refuge at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Catholic authority in the Holy Land. The Patriarchate said in a statement that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "sniper" killed the two women and shot seven other people as they tried to protect others. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the incident was still under review and had no immediate comment on the pope's words. It was the second time in less than a month that the pope used the word "terrorism" while speaking of events in Gaza. The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened for aid trucks Sunday for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, in a move to double the amount of food and medicine reaching civilians in desperate need. The World Health Organization said in a statement Sunday that a U.N. health mission at the emergency department of the Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza said the health facility resembled a "bloodbath." The health team was sent there to deliver medical and surgical supplies. The WHO said there were hundreds of wounded patients, with new ones arriving by the minute and trauma injuries being stitched on the floor, with almost no pain management available. Out of 24 hospitals in Gaza, only four are still operational in north Gaza and three of those are barely functioning, the WHO said. The Middle East has been a tinderbox since Iranian-backed Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing at least 1,200 people while taking about 240 hostages, according to Israel. Israel's response, with both airstrikes and a ground offensive, has killed more than 19,000 Palestinians, a large percentage of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A Confederate memorial is to be removed from Arlington National Cemetery in the U.S. state of Virginia in the coming days, part of the push to remove symbols that commemorate the Confederacy from military-related facilities, a cemetery official said Saturday. The decision ignores a recent demand from more than 40 Republican congressmen that the Pentagon suspend efforts to dismantle and remove the monument from Arlington cemetery. Safety fencing has been installed around the memorial, and officials anticipate completing the removal by December 22, the Arlington National Cemetery said in an email. During the removal, the surrounding landscape, graves and headstones will be protected, the Arlington National Cemetery said. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin disagrees with the decision and plans to move the monument to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in the Shenandoah Valley, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said. In 2022, an independent commission recommended that the memorial be taken down, as part of its final report to Congress on renaming of military bases and assets that commemorate the Confederacy. The statue, unveiled in 1914, features a bronze woman, crowned with olive leaves, standing on a 32-foot pedestal, and was designed to represent the American South. According to Arlington, the woman holds a laurel wreath, a plow stock and a pruning hook, with a Biblical inscription at her feet that says: "They have beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning hooks." Some of the figures also on the statue include a Black woman depicted as "Mammy" holding what is said to be the child of a white officer, and an enslaved man following his owner to war. In a recent letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, more than 40 House Republicans said the commission overstepped its authority when it recommended that the monument be removed. The congressmen contended that the monument "does not honor nor commemorate the Confederacy; the memorial commemorates reconciliation and national unity." "The Department of Defense must respect Congress' clear legislative intentions regarding the Naming Commission's legislative authority" the letter said. U.S. Representative Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican, has led the push to block the memorial's removal. Clyde's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday. A process to prepare for the memorial's removal and relocation has been completed, the cemetery said. The memorial's bronze elements will be relocated, while the granite base and foundation will remain in place to avoid disturbing surrounding graves, it said. Earlier this year, Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake to become Fort Liberty, part of the broad Department of Defense initiative, motivated by the 2020 George Floyd protests, to rename military installations that had been named after confederate soldiers. The North Carolina base was originally named in 1918 for General Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles that contributed to the Confederacy's downfall. The Black Lives Matter demonstrations that erupted nationwide after Floyd's killing by a white police officer, coupled with ongoing efforts to remove Confederate monuments, turned the spotlight on the Army installations. The naming commission created by Congress visited the bases and met with members of the surrounding communities for input. The scene: A crowded shopping center in the weeks before Christmas. Or a warehouse store. Or maybe a packed airport terminal or a commuter train station or another place where large groups gather. There are people lots of people. But look around, and it's clear one thing is largely absent these days: face masks. Yes, there's the odd one here and there, but nothing like it was three years ago at the dawn of the COVID pandemic's first winter holidays an American moment of contentiousness, accusation and scorn on both sides of the mask debate. As 2023 draws to an end, with promises of holiday parties and crowds and lots of inadvertent exchanges of shared air, mask-wearing is much more off than on around the country even as COVID's long tail lingers. The days of anything approaching a widespread mask mandate would be like the Ghost of Christmas Past, a glimpse into what was. Look at it a different way, though: These days, mask-wearing has become just another thing that simply happens in America. In a country where the mention of a mask prior to the pandemic usually meant Halloween or a costume party, it's a new way of being that hasn't gone away even if most people aren't doing it regularly. "That's an interesting part of the pandemic," says Brooke Tully, a strategist who works on how to change people's behaviors. "Home delivery of food and all of those kind of services, they existed before COVID and actually were gaining some momentum," she says. "But something like mask-wearing in the U.S. didn't really have an existing baseline. It was something entirely new in COVID. So it's one of those new introductions of behaviors and norms." The situation now is ... situational It tends to be situational, like the recent decision from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital system to reinstate a mask mandate at its facilities starting Dec. 20 because it's seeing an increase in respiratory viruses. And for people like Sally Kiser, 60, of Mooresville, North Carolina, who manages a home health care agency. "I always carry one with me," she says, "'cause I never know." She doesn't always wear it, depending on the environment she's in, but she will if she thinks it's prudent. "It's kind of like a new paradigm for the world we live in," she says. It wasn't that long ago that fear over catching COVID-19 sent demand for masks into overdrive, with terms like "N95" coming into our vocabularies alongside concepts like mask mandates and the subsequent, and vehement, backlash from those who felt it was government overreach. Once the mandates started dropping, the masks started coming off and the demand fell. It fell so much so that Project N95, a nonprofit launched during the pandemic to help people find quality masks, announced earlier this month that it would stop sales Monday because there wasn't enough interest. Anne Miller, the organization's executive director, acknowledges she thought widespread mask usage would become the rule, not the exception. "I thought the new normal would be like we see in other cultures and other parts of the world where people just wear a mask out of an abundance of caution for other people," she says. But that's not how norms work, public safety or otherwise, says Markus Kemmelmeier, a professor of sociology at the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2020, Kemmelmeier authored a study about mask-wearing around the country that showed mask usage and mandate resistance varied by region based on conditions including pre-existing cultural divisions and political orientation. He points to the outcry after the introduction of seat belts and seat belt laws more than four decades ago as an example of how practices, particularly those required in certain parts of society, do or don't take hold. "When they first were instituted with all the sense that they make and all the effectiveness, there was a lot of resistance," Kemmelmeier says. "The argument was basically lots of complaints about individual freedoms being curtailed and so forth, and you can't tell me what to do and so forth." Figuring out the balance In New York City's Brooklyn borough, members of the Park Slope Co-op recently decided there was a need at the longstanding, membership-required grocery. Last month, the co-op instituted mask-required Wednesdays and Thursdays; the other five days continue to have no requirement. The people who proposed it weren't focused on COVID rates. They were thinking about immune-compromised people, a population that has always existed but came to mainstream awareness during the pandemic, says co-op general manager Joe Holtz. Proponents of the mask push at the co-op emphasized that immunocompromised people are more at risk from other people's respiratory ailments like colds and flu. Implementing a window of required mask usage allows them to be more protected, Holtz says. It was up to the store's administrators to pick the days, and they went with two of the slowest instead of the busy weekend days on purpose, Holtz says, a nod to the reality that mask requirements get different responses from people. "From management's point of view," he says, "if we were going to try and if there's going to be a negative financial impact from this decision that was made, we want to minimize it." Those shopping there on a recent Thursday didn't seem fazed. Aron Halberstam, 77, says he doesn't usually mask much these days but wasn't put off by the requirement. He wears a mask on the days it's required, even if he doesn't otherwise a middle ground reflecting what is happening in so many parts of the country more than three years after the mask became a part of daily conversation and daily life. "Any place which asks you to do it, I just do it," Halberstam says. "I have no resistance to it." Whatever the level of resistance, says Kemmelmeier, the culture has shifted. People are still wearing masks in places like crowded stores or while traveling. They do so because they choose to for their own reasons and not because the government is requiring it. And new reasons can come up as well, like when wildfires over the summer made air quality poor and people used masks to deal with the haze and smoke. "It always will find a niche to fit in with," he says. "And as long as there are needs somewhere, it will survive." The trial of Hong Kong's most famous activist publisher who was arrested under China's crackdown on dissidents will start Monday after being delayed for more than a year. Jimmy Lai, 76, broke into the city's once freewheeling media world about three decades ago, armed with the belief that delivering information is equal to protecting freedom. Now, his own freedom is at stake as he faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Lai is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications. The landmark case tied to the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily that Lai founded is seen by many as a trial for press freedom and a test for judicial independence in the former British colony, which was promised to have its Western-style civil liberties remain intact for 50 years after returning to Chinese rule in 1997. Who is Jimmy Lai? Lai is the founder of Apple Daily, one of the city's media outlets most critical of the government. He was smuggled into Hong Kong from mainland China at age 12 and embarked on a rags-to-riches path, from working at a glove factory to founding the casual clothing chain Giordano. After the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, Lai became an outspoken advocate for democracy. Later, following Chinese government attacks on Giordano, Lai sold his shares in the business. In 1995, he launched Apple Daily, which quickly became one of the city's top-selling newspapers with its sometimes outrageous coverage of politics and celebrities. The paper adopted a strong pro-democracy stance, often urging readers to join protests and denounced the enactment of the security law in June 2020. During the 2019 protests, Lai took to the street and met with then-Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the controversial extradition bill that sparked the protests but was eventually withdrawn. After the enactment of the security law, he was openly critical of the legislation and said the city he once knew "is dead." What happened to Lai? Although the 2019 protest movement lacked a clear leader, Lai's high profile made him a target of the authorities. He was arrested in August 2020 under the law, with about 200 police officers raiding the paper's building. The newspaper was forced to shut down in June 2021 after police froze $2.3 million of its assets, searched its offices and arrested some of its top editors and executives, accusing them of foreign collusion to endanger national security. The paper's final edition sold out in hours, with readers scooping all 1 million copies of it. Lai is now serving a term of five years and nine months over fraud charges linked to lease violations in a separate case as he awaits his security trial. What is the significance of Lai's trial? Lai's trial is Hong Kong's first on charges of collusion with foreign forces. He faces two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one charge of collusion under the security law. He is also charged with sedition under a colonial-era law that has been increasingly used to quash dissent. Six former Apple Daily executives who were also slammed with collusion charges entered guilty pleas last year, admitting to the court they conspired with Lai to call for sanctions or blockade, or other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. Prosecutors earlier pointed to the publication's English version, alleging it was introduced by Lai for the purpose of asking foreign forces to impose sanctions or be hostile to Hong Kong or China. They said Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracy and the six acted to implement the plans. Eric Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law who is not related to Jimmy, said the case will impact whether ordinary advocacy activities with foreign parties constitute a crime in the future. The trial is not just against the media tycoon but also against Apple Daily, he said. "The issue of press freedom, the issue of free expressions and the issue of free political participation, even overseas, would be tried," he said. What is controversial about Lai's trial? In May, the court rejected Lai's request to terminate the proceedings based on the fact they were being heard by judges who were approved by the government. Robert Pang, one of Lai's lawyers, pointed to the lack of transparency in the appointment of the judges, saying that might affect the public's confidence in the judiciary and the judicial process. Lai's trial, originally scheduled to start last December, was also postponed while the Hong Kong government appealed to Beijing to effectively block his attempt to hire a British defense lawyer. The city's authorities subsequently barred the lawyer, Timothy Owen, from representing Lai, citing it would likely pose national security risks. The judges in August proposed a further delay of the trial. Lai's son, Sebastien, met with Britain's foreign secretary last week to lobby for Britain's help in freeing his father who holds British citizenship and who has been labelled by China's Foreign Ministry as "one of the most notorious anti-China elements." The younger Lai told The Associated Press that he felt "a lot more confident" that he would see his father again after the British government shared an image of him with Cameron, saying the country will continue to "stand by Jimmy Lai." But Sebastien Lai said he doesn't believe the trial will be fair. "It's quite worrying for me, given my father's age and given that he's been in prison for three years," he said. The Indian Navy said Saturday that it is shadowing a bulk carrier that was boarded by unknown attackers likely Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. The Maltese-flagged MV Ruen, with a crew of 18, had sent a Mayday message on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations portal on Thursday indicating that six unknown people had boarded the vessel, the Indian Navy said in its statement. The navy responded to the distress call by sending its anti-piracy patrol warship and maritime patrol aircraft to locate and assist the vessel, it added. The aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel early Friday and has since been continuously monitoring the movement of the vessel, which the Indian Navy said was headed toward the coast of Somalia. It added that its warship, which was deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrols, also intercepted the carrier early on Saturday. The Ruen, which is managed by Bulgarian shipping company Navibulgar, was off the Yemeni island of Socotra when it was boarded on Thursday, the private intelligence firm Ambrey and the UKMTO said. Bulgarian authorities said the ship's crew were nationals of Angola, Bulgaria and Myanmar. "The necessary steps have been taken to pass the information on to all foreign partners and institutions that we will count on to provide assistance," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel told reporters Friday. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. However, suspicion immediately fell on pirates from Somalia. Their activity has dropped in recent years, but there has been growing concern it would resume amid the political uncertainty in the country and wider chaos in the region that has included attacks on shipping by Yemeni Houthi rebels. On Friday, the UKMTO issued a warning to shippers saying the security manager for the Ruen "believes the crew no longer has control of the vessel." The European Union's anti-piracy force in the region said the Spanish frigate Victoria was on its way to intercept the "alleged pirate-hijacked vessel." Moldovan President Maia Sandu hailed the adoption by parliament Saturday of a new defense strategy calling for anchoring Moldova alongside its Western allies and identifying Russia as a threat to the former Soviet state. Sandu posted on Facebook two days after the European Union agreed to open talks on extending its membership with both Moldova and neighboring Ukraine more than 21 months into Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting a coup to oust her. She said the new security strategy outlined the "main threats" facing Moldova and how to "effectively counter" them. "There are two principal threats to our national security the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation against our country as a whole and deep-rooted corruption in Moldova," she wrote. Members of Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity hold a majority in Moldova's parliament, which on Friday adopted the strategy focusing on closer ties with the EU, Romania, the United States and NATO. But Moldova is to retain the "neutral" status set down in its constitution and, unlike Ukraine, is not seeking NATO membership. The document said the new strategy was "vital in the current geopolitical context to limit the risks facing Moldova." "It is clear that the Russian Federation in the near future will not abandon its hostile actions against Moldova," the document read. "We must therefore learn to live in conditions of a protracted, high-intensity hybrid war." Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced the document as "Russophobic," saying Moscow had always respected Moldova's interests. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov derided the EU's decision to launch membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, saying neither country met the bloc's criteria for membership. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry's press secretary, Igor Zaharov, said Peskov's comments were a clear indication that Moldova was drawing clear of Moscow's sphere of influence. "We are decisively moving along the European path," Zaharov told Radio Moldova. "This naturally makes the Russian political class unhappy or even indignant, but we have chosen this path and ask outside forces to stay out of our internal decisions." British Foreign Minister David Cameron and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, have called for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza in a joint article published in Britains Sunday Times. "We must do all we can to pave the way to a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace, the two diplomats wrote. The sooner it comes, the better the need is urgent. The World Health Organization said in a statement Sunday that its staff participated in a U.N, health mission to the Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza Saturday, delivering medicines and surgical supplies, orthopedic surgery equipment, and anesthesia materials and drugs. The facility is minimally functional, WHO said, operating with a staff of only a handful of doctors and a few nurses, together with 70 volunteers. WHO said tens of thousands of displaced people have taken shelter in the hospitals buildings and grounds. The Israeli military said Sunday that its troops in Jabalia found an entrance in a childs bedroom that led to Hamas tunnels. Video of the discovery was posted online. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a TV news conference Saturday that the accidental killings of the three Israeli hostages by Israeli troops Friday broke my heart, broke the entire nations heart. Netanyahu called the war between Israel and Hamas an existential war that must be fought until victory, despite pressure and costs, adding Gaza would be demilitarized and under Israeli security control. "We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages," he said. Netanyahu said the offensive in Gaza had helped secure a partial hostage-release deal in November. "The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing," he said. Hostages waved white flag A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, said there will be no further hostage releases until the war ends and Israel accepts the militant group's conditions for an exchange. Netanyahu said Israel would never agree to such demands. Several hundred families, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza rallied Saturday in Tel Aviv at the "Hostages Plaza," calling on the Israeli government to negotiate the remaining hostages' release. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops erroneously identified the hostages as a threat and fired on them Friday as they were coming out of a building waving a white flag to show that they were posing no threat. He said it was not clear whether the hostages had escaped their captors or had been abandoned. Their deaths occurred in Gaza's Sheijaia district, the scene of bloody battles between Israel's military and Hamas militants. Hagari said the army expressed "deep sorrow" and is investigating. After the first two hostages were shot, the third young man ran back into the building screaming for help in Hebrew. The commander issued an order to cease fire, but another burst of gunfire killed the third man, an Israeli military official said. According to a preliminary investigation, the soldiers who followed the third hostage into the building believed he was a Hamas member trying to pull them into a trap, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. The soldiers' behavior was "against our rules of engagement," the military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to brief reporters in line with military regulations, told reporters. He noted the incident was being investigated at the highest level. The account of how the hostages died raises questions about the conduct of Israeli ground troops. Palestinians on several occasions have reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire as civilians tried to flee to safety. Hamas has claimed other hostages were previously killed by Israeli gunfire or airstrikes, without presenting evidence. Fighting continues Intense fighting continued Saturday in Gaza between Israeli forces and Hamas, a U.S.- and EU-designated terror group, despite urgings from U.S. officials for Israel to use more precise targeting of Hamas leaders in Gaza, rather than widespread bombing and ground operations. Residents in northern Gaza reported heavy bombing and the sounds of gunbattles overnight and into Saturday in devastated Gaza City and the nearby urban refugee camp of Jabaliya. Airstrikes and tank shelling overnight also were reported in the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. Palestinian media said Saturday that dozens of Palestinians were killed in the airstrikes. The Israeli army said Saturday it had raided two schools in Gaza City, saying they were a hiding place for Hamas. On Friday, the military said its troops had destroyed a Hamas command-and-control hub in Sheijaia and conducted a "targeted raid" on militant infrastructure in Khan Younis. 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 hostages, according to Israel. Israel's response, with both airstrikes and a ground offensive, has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians, a large percentage of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in the Middle East in a bid to strengthen regional security as Israel continues its war against Hamas. Israel is facing growing pressure to protect civilians in its military operations and secure the release of all the hostages kidnapped during Hamass October 7 terrorist incursion. VOAs Veronica Balderas Iglesias has the latest. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2023 / The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) is holding another event as part of its "Show Me Taiwan!" campaign, captivating holiday season shoppers at CF Richmond Centre in Metro Vancouver. The event, designed to cater to all ages, is packed with interactive activities and workshops, each highlighting a unique aspect of Taiwan's rich cultural tapestry. Travel Trade and Media attended TTAs ShowMeTaiwan Event in Vancouver Activities showcasing Taiwan's vibrant heritage and hospitality include bead bracelet making with Paiwan tribe glass beads, paper umbrella painting inspired by Meinong District Hakka umbrellas, Chinese calligraphy for personalized bookmarks, Taiwanese pinball with Taiwan-branded gifts, and musical performances of classic Taiwanese songs. Together these cultural activities create a lasting impression and boost Canadian travellers' desire to visit Taiwan. The event will be capped off with the giveaway of a flight to Taiwan sponsored by China Airlines, Taiwan's national airline with daily flights directly between Vancouver and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Travellers planning trips to Taiwan can register for a chance to win NT$5,000 (about CA$215) upon arrival through TTA's 'Taiwan the Lucky Land' scheme. For more information, visit 5000.taiwan.net.tw/index_en.html. The event space creates a union between Taiwan's rich tourism resources from north to south, such as the Queen's Head in New Taipei City and the iconic Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Together, this integrated design provides a visually stunning and educational backdrop, engaging visitors of all ages to learn about Taiwan as their next holiday destination, while also providing multiple photo opportunities for them to share their experiences at the event with the hashtag #ShowMeTaiwan. Foreign visitors to Taiwan can get two high-speed rail tickets from Northern to Central or Southern Taiwan for the price of one via TTA's ticketing partners Klook and KKDay before May 31, 2024, while stocks last. Story continues For more high quality photos from the event, please visit this link: bit.ly/ShowMeTaiwanInVancouver For more information, visit eng.taiwan.net.tw or follow #ShowMeTaiwan on social media. ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The Canadian market is managed by the San Francisco branch of TTA. The marketing slogans currently in use for Taiwan are "Time for Taiwan" and "The Heart of Asia", while the official mascot of the TTA is OhBear, a cartoon Formosan Black Bear, the national animal of Taiwan. Contact Information Alex Trup Marketing Director, Purple Media on behalf of Taiwan Tourism Administration alex@purple.media +1-929-474-6565 SOURCE: Taiwan Tourism Administration . View the original press release on newswire.com. Two candidates running for parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo's December 20 general election were killed in separate incidents Friday, as a rights group warned in a report Saturday that electoral violence risks undermining the vote. A candidate for the ruling coalition in the South Kivu province in the eastern Congo region was killed by unknown gunmen while he was returning from a campaign event Friday evening, a regional government official told Reuters. Another ruling coalition candidate in Beni, in the North Kivu province, also in eastern Congo, died from gunshot wounds late Friday night after his campaign convoy was ambushed, Jeremie Muhindo, director of the Beni hospital, told Reuters. Congo will vote in a general election next week. Alongside the violence, opposition parties and independent observers have warned that issues including illegible voter cards, blocked campaign plans and electoral list delays threaten the legitimacy of the results. Election-related violence risks undermining the election, said Human Rights Watch in a report on Saturday. "Since early October, Human Rights Watch has documented clashes across the country between supporters of rival political parties that have resulted in assaults, sexual violence and at least one death," the report said. It added that the violence was coming from both supporters of the ruling coalition as well as supporters of opposition parties, and said incidents continue to be reported. An evangelical church, the Church of Christ in Congo, said in a statement Friday its temple in the capital Kinshasa was vandalized during violent clashes between supporters of an opposition politician and those of the ruling coalition. In a separate incident unrelated to the election, at least 11 civilians including six women were decapitated in an attack on a village in Ituri province Friday, a deputy mayor said. The attack has been blamed on militants linked to the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces, which operates in the eastern Congo region. "There was a funeral in the village. The assailants surprised the victims while they were gathered. Eleven people were killed, others had managed to escape," Katembo Salamu, deputy mayor of Mangina municipality in Ituri, told Reuters. U.S. and Ukrainian researchers say Western nations are making progress in trying to curb illicit transfers of Western electronic components to a Russian facility suspected of making Iranian-designed attack drones, but that more needs to be done. The White House released a U.S. intelligence finding June 8 asserting Russia was receiving Iranian materials needed to build an attack drone manufacturing plant in its Alabuga special economic zone. Russia has said it relies on its own resources in using drones to attack Ukraine; Iran has acknowledged supplying drones to Russia but only before Moscows February 2022 Ukraine invasion. Neither Russias Washington embassy nor Irans U.N. mission in New York responded to questions about the Alabuga plant emailed by VOA Thursday. The researchers pointed to the U.S. Commerce Departments December 6 placement of 11 Russian companies on its list of entities requiring a license for items subject to export controls. Commerce officials cited the companies association with the suspected Alabuga drone facility. Commerce expanded the items subject to U.S. export controls in February to include semiconductors and other drone components used by Russian and Iranian entities on the Entity List. David Albright, president of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, one of the researchers interviewed by VOA in recent weeks, said he commends Commerce for sanctioning the 11 Russian companies and considers the move a sign of progress. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, a Ukrainian sanctions researcher serving as an adviser to the Ukrainian presidents chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, also welcomed the U.S. move. We are happy that the U.S. government is taking actions aimed at thwarting certain Russian facilities, including Alabuga, and thus making an impact on Russias military industry, Vlasiuk told VOA in a Thursday phone call. Vlasiuk and Albright said the Biden administration should go further, though. The administration has not sanctioned JSC Alabuga, the plants owner, although several of its apparent subsidiaries were added to the Commerce list December 6. Albright said the U.S. Treasury and State departments should sanction JSC Alabuga and associated companies to discourage foreign businesses from dealing with them, calling such designations long overdue. Vlasiuk said Ukraine also would like to see the United States sanction JSC Alabuga and other companies that Kyiv has identified as engaged in Russias drone industry. Asked by VOA for the U.S. position on sanctioning JSC Alabuga, Commerce said November 28 it does not comment on potential deliberations related to Entity List actions. The statement added that continuing to respond to Russias unjustified war against Ukraine remains a high priority for the department and listed several U.S. actions taken to crack down on illicit networks for sending chips and other items to Russia. The State Department referred VOA questions about Alabuga to Commerce, while the Treasury Department did not respond to a November 25 VOA email about Alabuga. Albright also pointed to the interest of several European governments in using his institute's research on the Alabuga plant to try to disrupt its access to electronic components made by companies headquartered in their territories. His research is based on documents apparently leaked from Alabuga to The Washington Post, which first reported their existence in August. Albright's institute has reported that the documents appear authentic and describe Alabuga supply-chain procurement, production capabilities, and plans for manufacturing Russian-branded copies of Iran's Shahed 136 attack drone. While more than half of the electronics on the assembly list for Alabugas Shahed 136 drones are made by U.S. companies, according to Albrights review of the documents, some of the rest come from four Europe-based companies, his institute has said. Those include Switzerland-based TE Connectivity and u-blox, Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics, which is headquartered in Switzerland and has its corporate legal seat in the Netherlands. Switzerland and the Netherlands certainly are interested in the information we have to offer, Albright said. Vlasiuk also credited the two European nations for working with Ukraine on the issue. "We are in constant communication with the Dutch government on sanctions and they have been very helpful and proactive, Vlasiuk said. As for the Swiss, it has been a little harder, but we also are in contact and they mostly are adopting the sanctions of the EU, which is good. In response to VOA questions about Alabuga and Albrights research, the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry said it is a priority to prevent the circumvention of sanctions designed to make it as difficult as possible for Russia to continue waging war on Ukraine. To that end, we undertake many actions with international partners, both visible and invisible. The ministry cannot comment on contacts with individual companies or organizations, it said. The Swiss government provided no comment after VOA emailed its Washington embassy last month to request one. Albright and Vlasiuk said Western electronics makers also must do more to stop their parts from ending up in Alabugas drones. In the electronics industry, companies send off millions of components to distributors who could care less about the end user, Albright said. So electronics manufacturers need to rapidly work with distributors on policies promoting due diligence. Manufacturers need to say we are just not going to make sales of these critical items unless we really know who the end user is. Vlasiuk said Ukraine is unhappy with finding Western parts in attack drones launched by Russia and with how the manufacturers explain the phenomenon. They say, we are not supplying anything officially to Russia, Of course they do not. So I think that they could have tightened their compliance and know-your-customer procedures, Vlasiuk said. In a Saturday statement sent to VOA, a spokesperson for Swiss company u-blox said the use of its products in embargoed countries weapons systems is a clear breach of conditions of sale for its customers and distributors. We investigate any infringement of this policy very thoroughly and will take legal action in case of infringement, the spokesperson said. Asked about Alabuga, u-blox said it is in regular contact with government officials and several NGO representatives. Regarding how u-blox parts were found in drones used by Russia, the spokesperson said there are several likely explanations, including that the components were purchased before sanctions were in place, that they were part of excess inventory sold by customers to brokers in countries not sanctioning Russia and then shipped into Russia, that they were smuggled into Russia, or that they were removed from products such e-scooters, e-bikes, cars and construction machines and put into Russian drones. Dutch company NXP Semiconductors also sent VOA a statement on Friday, saying it is committed to complying with the law and working diligently to ensure its products are not improperly diverted to embargoed countries including Russia, Iran and Belarus for use in weapons and other systems for which they were not designed or intended. Our team is in ongoing contact with regulators around the world on this issue, working within an industry-wide effort to prevent illegal chip diversion, the company added, referring to an initiative of the Semiconductor Industry Association, of which it is a member. STMicroelectronics told VOA in a statement Monday that since February 2022, it has acted to comply with sanctions and export control measures of the European Union, the United States and their partner nations targeting Russia and Belarus. "These actions include reinforcing the compliance requirements for all our sales channels, including vigilance against sanctions evasion and shipping diversion, implementing additional end user screening measures, deploying automated solutions for customers and product checks, and enhancing our awareness communication to targeted stakeholders, the statement said. TE Connectivity did not respond to a VOA request seeking comment. Editors Note: This article has been updated to clarify that STMicroeletronics has its corporate legal seat in the Netherlands, not manufacturing plants as was stated in the previous version of this report. Ukraine and the European Commission will soon evaluate progress Kyiv has made in aligning its legislation with that of the European Union and will create a framework for EU accession talks expected next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday. "In the coming days, with the European Commission, we will officially launch the process of assessing Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU legislation the screening process," Zelenskyy said. The European Commission reported last month that Ukraine had fulfilled four of seven recommendations for EU accession negotiations, including hiring anti-corruption officials, preparing the judiciary for a major overhaul and aligning media legislation with EU standards. The commission said it would assess Ukraines progress again in March, part of a long and complicated pathway to membership that the EU's ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, has described as grueling. Last week, EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine in a surprise decision as the blocs 27 member states held a two-day summit. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban abstained from voting, saying he did not want to take part in what he called a bad decision. He had said Ukraine had not met three conditions. Watch related report by Arash Arabasadi: Orban had pledged for weeks to block moving forward with the negotiations. The other 26 members voted in favor of the accession negotiations after Orban agreed to leave the room. Russia praised Hungary, which is considered Moscows closest ally in the EU, for objecting to the talks. Hungary later blocked a $54 billion EU aid package for Ukraine in Kyivs defensive war against Russia. The EU is expected to discuss the issue in an emergency session early next year. Separately, Russia deployed an Iskander ballistic missile, a cruise missile and attack drones, during airstrikes overnight, Ukraines Air Force said Sunday. Ukraines air defense systems destroyed the cruise missile and 20 attack drones, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app. The Iskander missile "did not reach its target," it said, without providing details. Reuters could not independently verify the report. It was not clear how many drones Russia launched in total or whether the attack caused any damage or casualties. However, debris from a downed drone killed a civilian in the Odesa region, the governor of the southern Ukrainian region said Sunday. Air defense systems destroyed nine Iranian-made attack drones over Odesa, Governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app, calling it the third Russian air assault on the region in the past week. Russian losses in Ukraine Russia has lost nearly 350,000 troops in Ukraine since Moscows invasion of the neighboring country almost two years ago, The Kyiv Independent reported Sunday. The newspaper said the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces has reported 346,070 troops have been lost, including 1,250 casualties in the previous 24 hours. In addition, the report said Russia has also lost "5,739 tanks, 10,692 armored fighting vehicles, 10,766 vehicles and fuel tanks, 8,137 artillery systems, 923 multiple-launch rocket systems, 609 air defense systems, 324 airplanes, 324 helicopters, 6,278 drones, 22 ships and boats, and one submarine." The British defense ministry commented on Russias announcement this month that several Ukrainian regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will vote in its presidential election, set for March. The regions were included in Russias September regional elections. The ministry said in its daily Ukraine intelligence update that, as was the case with regional elections, "It is almost certain that presidential election voting in the Russian-controlled regions will be neither free nor fair." The ministry said Russia "will almost utilize methods, including substantive electoral fraud and voter intimidation to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin wins in the regions by a substantial margin." Russia has no interest in extending a Black Sea grain deal that the United Nations and Turkey brokered with Russia and Ukraine, Russia's agriculture minister, Dmitry Patrushev, was quoted saying by the RIA news agency. "Our grain export volumes, taking into account the winding down of the grain deal, have by no means fallen, they even slightly increased," Patrushev said. He said Russia has its own buyers for its grain exports and added Russias decision not to extend the deal is largely political. Russia withdrew in July from the deal. Russia says it quit the deal which had allowed Ukraine to safely export grain from its Black Sea ports because the arrangement was not delivering grain to the poorest countries, and because it still faces barriers to its own exports of grain and fertilizer. Some information is from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battled the army outside the central city of Wad Madani on Saturday, pressing an attack that has opened a new front in the 8-month-old war and forced thousands to flee, witnesses said. Crowds of people many of whom had taken refuge in the city from violence in the capital Khartoum could be seen packing up their belongings and leaving on foot in video posted on social media. "The war has followed us to Madani so I am looking for a bus so me and my family can flee," 45-year-old Ahmed Salih told Reuters by phone. "We are living in hell and there is no one to help us." He said he planned to head south to Sennar. Sudan's army, which has held the city since the start of the conflict, launched airstrikes on RSF forces to the east of the city, the capital of Gezira state, as it tried to push back the assault that started Friday, witnesses said. The RSF responded with artillery and RSF reinforcements were seen moving in the direction of the fighting, the witnesses added. RSF soldiers have also been seen in villages to the north and west of the city in recent days and weeks, residents said. The United Nations said 14,000 people had fled the area so far, and a few thousand had already reached other cities. Half a million people had sought refuge in Gezira, mainly from Khartoum. The Sudanese Doctors Union warned in a statement that hospitals in the area, which had become a humanitarian and medical hub, were emptying out and could be forced to shut. It also said that more than 340 children and staff relocated from the Maygoma orphanage in Khartoum needed urgent help relocating again. The fighting has raised fears for other army-held cities in southern and eastern Sudan where tens of thousands of people have been sheltering. "I urge the RSF to refrain from attacks and for all parties to protect civilians at all costs. Perpetrators of terror will be held accountable," the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said. The army and RSF last week cast doubt on an East African mediation initiative aimed at ending a war that has triggered the largest internal displacement in the world and warnings of famine-like conditions. In Khartoum and cities in Darfur that the RSF has already taken, residents have reported rapes, looting and arbitrary killing and detention. The group is also accused of ethnic killings in West Darfur. The RSF has denied those accusations and said anyone in its forces found to be involved in such crimes would be held accountable. On another front, activists reported fresh clashes after weeks of relative calm around the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. RSF forces surrounding that city had earlier stopped their advance there after other armed groups said they would get involved. Residents also reported heavy strikes by the army in Nyala, South Darfur, and in Bahri, one of the cities that make up the wider national capital with Khartoum. While the army has not made a statement on the fighting in Wad Madani, Sudan's foreign ministry branded the RSF as terrorists for a "declared attack on a number of safe villages and neighborhoods [in the] east of Gezira state which are devoid of military targets." The war between the RSF and the Sudanese army broke out in April after disputes over a transition to democracy and integration of the two forces. An American vision for the Middle East is emerging as the Biden administration presses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war Cabinet to scale back its 10-week-old campaign to root out Hamas in Gaza amid mounting civilian casualties. President Joe Biden this week issued his harshest public rebuke of Netanyahu's government. Speaking to Democratic Party donors, he said Israel risks losing international support because of its "indiscriminate bombing" and that Netanyahu's government must rid itself of its most extreme elements. While the U.S. and Israel disagree on how Netanyahu's war Cabinet should pursue its military objectives and who will oversee postwar Gaza, Biden seems to be setting his gaze beyond the conflict's horizon. Behind his sharp words lie clues to his assessment of the elements needed to move toward a two-state solution the establishment an independent Palestinian state in exchange for a permanent end to hostilities. Peace in the Middle East is a decades-old goal that has eluded American presidents since Jimmy Carter. Below are the key points based on his remarks Tuesday. A moderate Israeli coalition While the main goal is to support Israel's drive to destroy Hamas, Biden said his second priority is to "work toward bringing Israel together in a way that provides for the beginning of option an option of a two-state solution." He singled out Israel's national security minister, far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other hard-liners in Netanyahu's government who reject any two-state solution and whose only goal, he said, is to achieve "retribution." Ben Gvir and other members of Israel's religious and far-right parties enabled Netanyahu to return to power last year, forming the most hard-line government in the country's 74-year history. The government has expanded settlements in the West Bank and forced sweeping reform on the Israeli judicial system that resulted in the further stripping of Palestinian rights. Netanyahu must change his government, Biden said, because it's "making it very difficult for him to move." Some see this as a nod toward moderates such as Benny Gantz, a popular opposition politician more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause who joined Netanyahu's war Cabinet following October 7. "The only hope for peace is that Netanyahu chooses Gantz and the war Cabinet over his other partners and realizes that a two-state solution is the only long-term strategy to prevent future October 7s," said Michael Brenner, director of American University's Center for Israel Studies. Such a move by Netanyahu is highly unlikely but not impossible once the Israel-Hamas war is over, Brenner told VOA. "Pressure from the U.S. is central to keep him considering this option." Even before facing calls for his resignation over the October 7 attacks, Netanyahu was dealing with corruption charges and fighting for his political life. His critics believe he stands to gain from a prolonged war as it delays his corruption trial and an investigation into why his government was caught off guard by the Hamas attacks. Before meaningful leadership change, Israel needs to "recenter itself," said Alia Brahimi with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs. "Israeli society has yet to process the horrors of October 7th, pass judgment on the litany of military and leadership failures," she told VOA. "But especially reckon with the moral injury from the killing of so many women and children in Gaza." Elimination of Hamas "There's no question about the need to take on Hamas," Biden said, calling the group "animals" and vowing to hold them accountable. Israel is targeting those they say are the masterminds of the October 7 attacks, including Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar; Mohammed Deif, commander of the group's military wing, Al Qassam Brigades; and Marwan Issa, Deif's deputy. The White House acknowledges that while degrading Hamas' military capability and removing its leadership will affect the organization's ability to plan and execute attacks, it's unlikely Israel will be able to eliminate the ideology that motivates such groups. An empowered Palestinian Authority "The Palestinians have been not governed well at all. A lot has happened that's very negative," Biden said. Since its establishment in 1993, and particularly since the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, the PA has been losing credibility among Palestinians. In 2006, Hamas ran a campaign against the PA and won, expelling it from Gaza. An overwhelming majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that the PA is corrupt, and that its president, Mahmoud Abbas, must go, according to a March poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. In Ramallah on Thursday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated that the PA should be responsible for governing postwar Gaza but underscored it would need to be "revamped and revitalized." That is a challenging goal that would require much international support, said Gordon Gray, Kuwait professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula affairs at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Netanyahu is partly to blame, Gray told VOA. While the prime minister claims there is no credible and unified Palestinian partner for peace, his critics accuse him of deliberately weakening Palestinian leadership by choking the PA financially and empowering Hamas by allowing it to receive foreign funds. Saudi-Israel normalization "From Saudi Arabia to a number of other states, they want to normalize relations," Biden said. Sullivan stopped in Riyadh on Wednesday before continuing to Israel and the West Bank. Getting Saudi Arabia a key Arab country and opinion-maker in the Muslim world to accept Israel would mark a major expansion of the Trump-era Abraham Accords that restored diplomatic ties between Israel and a few of its Arab neighbors. For decades, most Arab countries had withheld diplomatic relations to pressure Israel toward a two-state solution. The Saudi deal appeared to be almost within reach before October 7, driven in part by Riyadh's and Israel's mutual worries about the threat from Iran. But unlike the Emiratis, Bahrainis and Moroccans who signed the accords in 2020, the Saudis were reluctant to cut a deal that undermined the Palestinians. While Riyadh keeps its eye on what it considers the prime reward for normalization a defense treaty with the U.S. to protect it against Iran the kingdom suspended normalization talks as images of mounting Palestinian deaths inflamed the Arab world. Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the U.S. push toward Saudi-Israel normalization is part of the administration's effort to bridge the gap between what's happening on the ground in Gaza and where it may lead. "The dirty secret here, I think, is that neither the United States nor Israel, nor the Palestinian Authority, nor the Arab partners, has a clear idea of where this all ends," he told VOA. Former South African president Jacob Zuma said Saturday that we will not vote for the ruling African National Congress party next year in the countrys general election. The ANC political party was at the forefront of the liberation movement to free South Africa of its racist apartheid system. It has governed South Africa since the first post-apartheid election that placed political icon Nelson Mandela in office as president. The ANC is currently facing a number of challenges. Recent polls have indicated it will likely win less that 50% of next years votes, forcing it to form a coalition government to remain in power. Zuma told journalists the ANC and the current president, Cyril Ramaphoso, are a proxy for white monopoly capital. Zuma said he will instead support the newly formed Umkhonto we Sizwe party, named after the ANCs now-defunct military wing. Zuma was president of South Africa from 2009-18, in a tenure that was riddled with allegations of corruption. WASHINGTON The United States has struck hundreds of deals worth $14.2 billion with African nations over the past year as Washington tries to counter growing influence on the continent by China. The 547 new trade and investment agreements represent a 67% increase from 2022 in the number and value of closed deals, according to British Robinson, coordinator for the Prosper Africa trade and business initiative, a program that connects U.S. and African businesses. Robinson said the presidential and national security initiative is aimed at strengthening strategic and economic partnerships by mobilizing two-way trade and investment flow, and young people are key to realizing that goal. "The U.S. business and investment community is increasingly recognizing Africas extraordinary market potential and dynamism. The continent is home to the worlds youngest population, an asset that creates significant opportunities for viable business deals that create jobs and foster shared prosperity," Robinson said during a December 12 virtual media briefing. Judd Devermont, U.S. National Security Council senior director for African Affairs, said it has been a record-setting year for U.S.-Africa relations, with the United States following through on its commitment to invest some $55 billion over three years. "As we wind down 2023, we have already delivered on more than 40% of this commitment. In fact, by the end of year two, we anticipate surpassing 70% of our goal, if not more," Devermont said. "With these resources, weve expanded our trade and investment; we have advanced major food and health security partnerships; charted a course for digital transformation; forged new security and good governance cooperation; and catalyzed landmark diaspora-driven engagement." The briefing was held to mark the one-year anniversary of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, where Biden pledged to go "all in" on the continent. The announcement comes as Washington works to deepen its engagement with Africa, where China has been expanding its influence with infrastructure, investment, loans, among other initiatives. Devermont, President Joe Bidens top Africa adviser, said Africa is not only important economically but politically, adding the U.S. has been pushing for more African voices on the world stage for some time. "President Biden last year called for the African Union to become a permanent member of the G20, and in September we proudly welcomed this development," Devermont said. "Were now advocating for a third seat for the for Sub-Saharan Africa on the IMF board, and of course we reiterate our call for permanent representation for Africa at the UN Security Council." The U.S. has had to alter its investment and trade strategies in countries affected by conflict. U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jonathan Pratt said that, in Sudan, U.S. policy has been to put sanctions in place. "Sanctions havent just been on individuals; theyve also been on companies and different asset classes. And so thats one strategy that weve used in conflict countries and locations," he said. Pratt said in Niger, one of several countries hit by military coups and violence, the United States is prioritizing peace through negotiations. "Weve been very supporting of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) sanctions that have been put in place. And then to support that effort we have leveraged our own assistance and investments, which weve announced very clearly, if the country and the leadership there turns back to a democratic path, were willing to explore progressively lifting that freeze in assistance and potential investments," Pratt said, adding that the U.S. also uses "a combination of sanctions plus leveraging our engagement and assistance." Devermont agreed saying that trade investment has been an important part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. "One of the most important initiatives that has come out of the continent in the last couple years has been the Africa free Continental Free Trade Area. And we signed an MOU with the AfCFTA at this summit because the goals of the AfCFTA to unite 1.3 billion people in a single market and to trade a nominal GDP thats larger than Indias is a huge boon. And in that process, harmonizing regulations, reducing trade and non-trade barriers, that will benefit all countries whether they are experiencing a crisis or not." Devermont said the U.S. is also looking at the underlying drivers of conflict, and is investing in new approaches, including elevating its focus on elections and anti-corruption measures. This story originated in VOAs English to Africa Service. Zelensky, invited to Washington by Biden, is pressing the U.S. Congress to pass the spending bill that includes an additional $50 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The New York Times admits that "the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched six months ago has failed. Kiev faces declining military personnel, ammunition reserves and Western support. Moscow is demonstrating the ability to sustain a protracted war." In such a situation, the New York Times also writes: "The United States and Ukraine are looking for a new strategy after the failure of the counteroffensive: the Pentagon is sending General Aguto, who commands support for Ukraine from a base in Germany, to spend long periods of time in Kiev. General Aguto will work more directly with the countrys military leadership." While continuing to feed the war in Ukraine directly and through NATO, the United States continues to support Israel in the war in Gaza. The plan of Israels leaders includes deporting the population of Gaza to the Sinai desert and erasing Gaza as Palestinian territory, then doing the same with the West Bank. The U.S. strategy, supported by Israel, aims to widen the war in the Middle East region, where the U.S. is losing its predominant position in the face of the advancing political-economic projects of Russia and China, including the upcoming BRICS enlargement to include Iran and Saudi Arabia. To support this war strategy, the United States continues to increase its already huge military spending. The Senate passed an $886 billion defense bill, to which other military-related expenditures are added, bringing the total to more than $1.2 trillion, about half the worlds military spending. jmoor17 / Getty Images The appeal of the drive-thru window can be strong, but relying on fast food for meals can take a bite out of ones budget. See: 10 Aldi Items That Have the Highest Rated Reviews Find: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack According to The Economists famous Big Mac index, which tracks the price of the celebrated burger around the world, the Big Mac is pricier than its been in years. Fortunately, members of Sams Club can find delicious, ready-made meals that are substantially more cost-effective than their counterparts on the McDonalds menu. Here are a few flavorful options for Sams Club meals that will cut the fat out of any food spending. Ready to pop in the microwave and serve within minutes, this sumptuous butter chicken offers rich flavor at a reduced price. Made with chicken raised with no antibiotics and packed with 14 grams of protein, this meal is a boost to our health as well as our budgets. Chicken Alfredo is a beloved comfort food for good reason: Every bite of tender chicken strips and creamy Alfredo sauce just feels warm and filling. Priced at under four dollars per pound, this dish will happily feed a family of four, leaving enough in the budget to pick up a side salad. This gyro meal kit comes with enough delectable ingredients to make six gyros for the price of one at many takeout places. With options for lamb and beef, as well as staples like tzatziki sauce, feta cheese crumbles, and fire feta sauce, we can easily spread multiple meals out over the week or feed several hungry kids at once. Prepared fresh every day, these mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs come hickory-smoked and seasoned to delight even the most discerning barbecue fan. But no set of barbequed ribs would be complete without the perfect side dish of mac and cheese. Fortunately, Sams Club shoppers can choose between affordable options like the Members Mark Five Cheese Bacon Macaroni, which will feed six people for $9.98, or a four-pack of Panera Bread-brand Mac & Cheese. Story continues With a combination pack offering the classic Quiche Lorraine, as well as cheddar and broccoli, this two-pack covers lunch for two days. To add some more veggies to our meal, we can also pair our quiche with fresh asparagus or Members Mark Brussels sprouts. At $5.58 per pound, the Brussels sprouts feed seven people, leaving plenty for leftovers throughout the week. For less than the price of the average Big Mac, Sams Club shoppers can purchase a whole succulent chicken with a versatile range of ways to tickle the taste buds. Paired with fresh vegetables or mac and cheese, sliced into sandwich meat, shredded into pastas or salads, or even cooked within soups, this chicken is the crispy, golden brown cornerstone of so many meals. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Six Sams Club Meals That Are Cheaper Than Takeout Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos Courtesy of Hulu, Netflix, The Weinstein Company via TUBI, and Hallmark Channel This list was originally published on December 9, 2021. It has been updated to include new releases. Not too long ago, LGBTQ+ people who wanted to see themselves represented in holiday movies could either (a) pretend or (b) settle for a second-rate film with a queer character who had very few lines, ambition, or development. Early in the contemporary queer holiday canon, 2005s The Family Stone, which stars gay icon Sarah Jessica Parker as a (shocker) snobby New Yorker spending the holidays at her boyfriends family home, became a queer hit for its B-plot gay couple with ambitions to adopt a baby. And while the film is still worth an annual watch, so much more has happened in seasonal cinema since SJPs iconic spilled-strata scene with matriarch Diane Keaton. That is, gay and lesbian Christmas movies actually center queer people now same-sex holiday revelers crush and fall in love, break up, regain romance, and just live the same celebratory December existence every heterosexual (or closeted) character has gotten for, well, ever. Now if we could just get a smart, well-written, celebrity-cast lesbian Hanukkah rom-com. Friends and Family Christmas (2023) Hallmarks very first sapphic Christmas romance is here! Not that the 90-minute made-for-TV movie states the word lesbian at all, but its still a fun watch. New Brooklynite Dani (Humberly Gonzalez) tells her parents shes too busy with her photography projects to come home for Christmas, so they ignore all boundaries, fly across the country, and crash with her for the holiday season in the guest room of her enormous apartment. Meanwhile, rising corporate law partner Amelia (Ali Liebert) is told by her dad/boss that his college roommates daughter that would be Dani is new to the city and could use new gal pals. Its a sweet setup for a fake relationship to appease overbearing parents, but, of course, the corporate and creative realize they do have chemistry, for a very pleasant Friends and Family Christmas. Friends and Family Christmas premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, December 17. A Holiday I Do (2023) Tello Films latest lesbian Christmas movie takes place in a remote, snowy town with a lively gay bar, specialty coffee shop, and queer-leaning yoga study. Divorced mom and lifelong horse-girl Jane (Lindsay Hicks) lives with her mom (Jill Larsen) and daughter on the family ranch. Her ex-husband and current bestie, Mark (Joe Piazza), is planning a Christmas wedding to an uptight fiance who may demote Jane from BFF status. When the hot wedding planner lands in town (Rivka Reyes), Jane is enamored, for perhaps the first time since realizing shes not into men. Tattoos are complimented, non-dairy holiday drinks are consumed, and Christmas disaster is on the cusp in this breezy rom-com. Available to rent or buy on Tello The Holiday Sitter (2022) Hallmarks first-ever gay Christmas romance is a sparkly, trope-y film about the virtues of settling down and starting a family in a glitzy world where homophobia doesnt exist. Sam (Jonathan Bennett of Mean Girls fame watch for a very good reference), a self-employed Manhattan workaholic business manager, plans to jet off to Hawaii for Christmas but is instead summoned to the dreaded suburbs to babysit his niece and nephew. Nearby, handsome single-gay-father-aspiree Jason (George Krissa) studies an adoption pamphlet in his festively decorated mansion while his doting mom consoles him via phone from her home across the street. Luckily for the bachelors, Sam hires Jason as an uncle consultant to help him get through four days with small kids. The Holiday Sitter is a fast-paced, feel-good, family-friendly holiday film assimilating the queers into the suburban dreamscape. Christmas With Love (Merry & Gay) (2022) Christin Bakers (Christmas at the Ranch, Season of Love both on this list) latest queer holiday film is the first Christmas romance with a nonbinary lead. Broadway star Becca Winters (Dia Frampton) takes a break from the stage to spend a month back home in Evergreen, Tennessee, where her childhood best friend and first love, Sam Sheridan (Andi Rene Christensen), still works at their familys bar as a trivia host and butch-of-all-trades. Although the two havent spoken in years, their mothers decide to intensely meddle and reunite the pair aided by the fact that Becca will be directing the towns Christmas pageant, where Sam runs the one-person crew (naturally). The two quickly reignite their relationship though struggle to figure out how they still fit into each others lives. Its a campy romp with original songs that follows a big-city success who doesnt have to compromise her dreams for (queer) love. Under the Christmas Tree (2021) Lifetimes new and first-ever lesbian Christmas movie is a legitimately good queer film in which the main character, Alma (Elise Bauman), is not only accepted by her Maine-based, small-Christmas-business-owner parents for being a lesbian but encouraged to fall in love with out-of-town stranger Charlie (Tattiawna Jones). Cheesy as it is, the premise is as sweet as it is predictable with plenty of fun, memorable scenes and unexpected moments thrown in. And perhaps against all odds, theres at least one decent queer-sex joke in this PG-rated made-for-TV seasonal flick, which definitely has annual-watch potential. Christmas at the Ranch (2021) Corporate city girl returns back home to her small town to save the family business and fall in love with the family ranch hand? Classic trope, except this time, the meet-cute is between two women. Haley (Laur Allen) and Kate (Amanda Righetti) have an irresistibly adorable chemistry from their first few dating-app messages. The plot is, again, predictable from the first few minutes, and the cheesiness is palpable, but thats part of the charm. Single All the Way (2021) A hyperfamiliar, perhaps way-too-overdone heteronormative plot flipped to be gay? So! Here! For! It! Netflixs first true gay Christmas movie (2019s Let It Snow has a cute queer-teen subplot) follows plant daddy Peter (Michael Urie) as he heads home to New Hampshire with his best friend and pretend boyfriend, Nick (Philemon Chambers), to avoid his moms (Kathy Najimy) nagging about his perpetual single status. A Christmas-loving mom who cant wait for her wholesome son to meet a nice man? So much so that she gives him a blind date with a hot guy as an early gift? Too cute. The friends-to-pretend-lovers-to-actual-lovers plot is only sweetened by the lovely appearance of Jennifer Coolidge as the cool, sex-positive aunt. Available to stream on Netflix Happiest Season (2020) Perhaps the most highly anticipated lesbian rom-com ever (oh, wait, there are only like, well, zero), Kristen Stewarts not-home-for-the-holidays Hulu debut was the quar must-watch of 2020. Dont be fooled, this holiday flick is neither rom nor com (though it was billed as such), but it certainly is heartwarming with plenty of subplots to debate during an annual rewatch. Should Stewart really end up with Aubrey Plazas character instead of the girlfriend she celebrates Christmas with (Mackenzie Davis)? Discuss. Available to stream on Hulu The Christmas Setup (2020) Lifetimes first gay Christmas movie is a love story between (surprise!) two cis, white, pretty fit men (who are husbands in real life!), but it still has its merits. Manhattan lawyer Hugo (Ben Lewis) returns home to Milwaukee with his quirky best friend, Madelyn (Ellen Wong), to hang with his pushy mom, (Fran Drescher), for a very festive week leading up to Christmas. Naturally, Hugo runs into his teenage crush, Patrick (Blake Lee), now a tech billionaire who spends his time volunteering. With some nudging from his mom, Hugo catches feelings for Patrick while trying to save his neighborhoods historic train station. Formulaic in the best sense, this 90-minute film proved that the holiday rom-com is without a doubt queer friendly and that its just necessary to tell heartwarming same-sex love stories in the same format as decades of heteronormative romances. Available to stream on Lifetime Movie Club Season of Love (2019) Truly the first lesbian holiday rom-com (looked over because it didnt have big-name celebrities starring in or directing it), this ensemble-based Christmas movie is like Love, Actually minus all the creepy, sad stuff. The escapist film follows three lesbian couples, all joyful during the most wonderful time of year, and is full of queer in-jokes but can be widely enjoyed by all. Available to rent on Tello Carol (2015) Based on Patricia Highsmiths lesbian pulp novel The Price of Salt, Carol became queer canon before it even hit theaters thanks to Cate Blanchett and Rooney Maras star power and palpable onscreen sparks. Set in the 1950s, Carol tells the love story of Therese Belivet (Mara), a 20-something aspiring New York City photographer and department-store clerk, and suburban mom Carol Aird (Blanchett), who remains best friends with her former lover Abby (Sarah Paulson). Set at Christmastime, Therese and Carols meet-cute begins when the sophisticated shopper forgets her winter gloves at the toy counter where Therese works and Therese takes it upon herself to return them to their sultry owner. Becciu expected to appeal sentence by Vatican court. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was convicted by a Vatican criminal court on Saturday of embezzlement and fraud and sentenced to five and a half years in jail in a historic ruling. The Sardinian cardinal is the highest-ranking Vatican official ever to face financial charges, in a trial that concluded this weekend after two and a half years and 86 hearings. The cardinal was also fined 8,000 and banned from public office for life but was aquitted on other counts of embezzlement, abuse of office and witness tampering. Becciu, 75, is expected to appeal the jail sentence which centres around the mismanagement of a property portfolio including a luxury building on Sloane Avenue in London around a decade ago. Becciu at the time was number two in the Secretariat of State, the Vatican department that works most closely with the pope, a powerful position he held from 2011 to 2018. Vatican prosecutor Alessandro Diddi had requested a sentence of seven years and three months for Becciu who in 2020 resigned abruptly from his position as head of the Holy See's saint-making department after becoming embroiled in the real estate scandal. Becciu, who has denied any wrongdoing, stood trial with nine other defendants including financiers, lawyers and former Vatican employees. Nine of the defendants were sentenced to a total of 37 years in prison while one - Monsignor Mauro Carlino - was acquitted of all criminal charges. Recipes What do you want to cook today? 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 Director Paul King is responsible for three of the sweetest films in cinema the two Paddington movies and now Wonka but you know what he really likes? Making children cry. Its probably the most evil thing Ive done in my life, says King over Zoom. Its the kind of confession that would secure him a position as one of Roald Dahls most rotten villains, the kind who really does enjoy torturing children before meeting a horrible end. The candy man can: Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / Village Roadshow I want to have everyone crying, continues King, as he begins to tell the story of an early screening of his 2017 hit Paddington 2. We [King and co-writer Simon Farnaby] did a test screening before it was released, and we didnt even have the bear because none of the animation was done. So it was just this big blob moving around on screen. And we got to the last scene, which was one of the hardest bits to get right, and we were watching it with an audience for the first time and theres the moment where Paddington reunites with Aunt Lucy and there are these kids in front of us. And one child turned to another and said, Its Aunt Lucy and started crying. And we looked at each other and very gently high-fived. Timothee Chalamet and director Paul King on the set of Wonka. See, despicable. But if theres anyone who can happily confess to making children and yes, grown-ups cry its King, who has done it again with Wonka, starring Gen Z favourite Timothee Chalamet as the baby-faced chocolatier and forever favourite Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. They are two actors who are at the beginning and towards the end of their heart-throb era. Advertisement And theyve both been in James Ivory movies as very young men because Hugh was in Maurice and Timothee was in Call Me By Your Name, says King. Theyre a real kind of [generational] crossover, which is strange. Maybe Hugh gives us an insight into what Timothee will look like in 40 years. Orange, possibly. A hideous thought. Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa in Wonka. Wonka is the first time Road Dahls estate has allowed a story to be told that wasnt just a remake of one of his books, says King. As such, the 45-year-old Brit considers Wonka to be less an origin story and more a companion piece to Dahls original 1964 book and the two Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory films that followed. Theres a kind of slight heart-sinking feeling to that, where you go, What, are we doing the origin story of now? he says. So, I was probably as apprehensive as anyone when the idea was first suggested, especially because I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a kid. It was a book I read from cover to cover endlessly. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was the only childrens book Roald Dahls wrote a sequel to. Advertisement But when I went back to Charlie, as a grown-up, I remembered the factory and I remembered the Oompa Loompas and the larger-than-life grotesque characters who were in it, but what I realised Id completely forgotten was the huge amount of emotion at the heart of it, and how its this almost Dickensian fable of a poor little suffering kid. One of the early chapters is called something like, The family begins to starve. That seems like quite gritty stuff. And then at the end, when [Charlie] inherits the chocolate factory, I was in floods of tears, and Id forgotten that. And that combination of strong, heartfelt emotion, and comedy is everything that I love doing in the Paddington movies. And, suddenly, it seemed like a really exciting idea. Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in the movie Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Wonka is considered a companion film to the 1971 film. Willy Wonka is also one of the few characters Roald Dahl revisited, with the sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and in another short story. But while we know the adult, 50-something Wonka, owner of the greatest chocolate factory in the world, we dont really know the bright-eyed 20-something who dreamt it into existence. And this is where Wonka starts. Chalamets Wonka is an optimist and a disrupter, obsessed with making the best chocolate the world has ever eaten just like the chocolate his mother made for him. He travels from the US to Europe and lands in an unnamed city that is a magical mix of London, Paris and Milan but is ruled with an iron fist by the Chocolate Cartel. Not to be deterred, Wonka partners with an orphan called Noodle and the rest, well, you can guess. Paul King (middle) with his two leading men, Hugh Grant and Timothee Chalamet, on the red carpet for the films premiere in Paris. Credit: Getty Images Casting Chalamet was, of course, a no-brainer, says King, even if New York magazine has declared Wonka has possibly signalled the end of Chalamets heart-throb era. Advertisement I think we just brought the sexiness back into chocolate, says King. Hes brilliantly funny and can do that eccentric, manic, strange thing, but he can also carry the emotional heart of the movie like nobody else. And what was interesting for me about this project was obviously Charlie is the heart of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, whereas this is all about Willy Wonka. And you see his hopes and fears rather than a little kids. So it was a different challenge [compared to the actors who played the role before]. Loading And then there is Grant as the Oompa Loompa called Lofty. King first worked with him on Paddington 2, where Grant sent himself up mercilessly playing the villain Phoenix Buchanan and then ended the film doing a razzle-dazzle dance in a pink sequinned prison jumpsuit. For a very beautiful person who has spent much of his life being admired by the rest of the world, he seems to have no vanity whatsoever, says King of Grant. And maybe because of that, I think hes very happy to do these roles that make him look totally ridiculous. And I was very proud that in Paddington 2 we got him in a dog costume eating dog food. And there was only one place to go, which was green hair and orange skin and the size of a doll. Roald Dahl in the converted hut where he did much of his writing. Credit: Brian Moody And when you see him, it just seems so wrong that its right because his voice is perfect. And he captures that sort of sarcastic, incredibly witty, eloquent spirit that they have in the Dahl poems that are the funniest, most savage parts of the book. And I really wanted that scornful savagery to have a place in our movie. Dahls refusal to sugarcoat the rough stuff is partly why he has caused controversy ever since his first childrens book, James and the Giant Peach, was published in 1961. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had accusations of racism levelled at it because it was thought the Oompa Loompas had objectionable overtones of slavery. Even as recently as February this year, publisher Penguin Random House announced it was changing some of Dahls language to make it more inclusive (fat and ugly were out) but they backed down after a public outcry. Advertisement King, however, has a gentler bent than Dahl, so did he feel the need to soften some of Dahls harsher edges? Loading Its a very good question, says King. I think Dahls sensibility is certainly spikier than mine in general, but I also feel theres a lot of people, especially grown-ups, who have read Dahl as a child and some of the kinds of things that happen [in the books], loom larger in their imaginations than perhaps they are in the book. What I feel people sometimes forget about Dahl is the kindness, and that there is a spirit of generosity at the heart of it and thats why [the books] work. I think we focus on the grotesquerie because its less common in kids books and that is what makes him stand out. But theres also heart and warmth there. When Wonka ends and this gives nothing away there are about 25 years before the start of the book, during which time Wonka disappears and then reemerging as a slighly sour individual who gleefully toys with a bunch of, admittedly, ratbag children before choosing Charlie. Surely, theres a sequel? I love Frank Capra movies, says King. And I was really interested in a kind of kind-hearted innocence going into the world and discovering that the world is not the sweet place that they hoped it would be, and beginning to develop that bit of steel that Mr Smith has when he goes to Washington. Advertisement This story is part of the December 17 edition of Sunday Life. Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, actor and beauty entrepreneur Maddison Brown. Credit: Bec Parsons How would you describe your personal style? Classic but playful. Whats the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My R.M.Williams Lady Yearling boots. And the most recent addition? For the past few months Ive been based in New Zealand, where its still cold, so I bought a beautiful Delano jacket by Camilla and Marc. Ironworkers work on the framework of the Charter School of the Dunes' new early learning center, directly west of the K-8 school at 7300 E. Melton Road in Gary. The school has a new authorizer starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Carole Carlson / Post-Tribune) The Charter School of the Dunes has gained a new authorizer and a longer charter term and lower sponsorship fee. The Indiana State Charter School Board awarded a seven-year charter to the Gary school Tuesday. It takes effect Jan. 1. Advertisement Charter School of the Dunes opted to end its contract with Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, which has sponsored it since 2013 when Ball State University declined to renew its charter. School officials cited the need for a longer charter term to ensure stability in its application with the state. Its contract with Calumet College was for three years. Advertisement It also cited the savings it would incur from a partnership with the state charter board. It said Calumet College charged a 3% annual fee, while the state board collects a 0.75% fee. Meanwhile, construction is ongoing at the schools $13.4 million early learning center on the campus west side at 7300 E. Melton Road in Garys Miller section. Prekindergarten through second grade students will attend the new center, built with about $9 million in federal COVID-19 relief money. Grades 3-8 will remain at the original building constructed in 2012. The school opened in 2003 at the former Naval Reserve Center on Lake Street at Lake Michigan. Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. The Russian war in Ukraine is grinding on, and the hot war in the Middle East shows no signs of stopping. So, you would expect the price of oil to climb. But despite volatility in the energy sector this year, oil prices are down 11% year-to-date. In a note from investment bank Wells Fargo, top analyst Roger Read has cast his eye on the oil and natural gas markets, specifically on the energy stocks, and he sees room and reason for investors to buy. Read, who is rated 5-stars by TipRanks, believes that wars or no wars, the oil and gas markets wont see a spike in prices. We are constructive on global oil prices and expect the market to remain range-bound into 2024, reflecting our expectation of a balanced market. We expect E&Ps to benefit from modest oilfield service price deflation in 2024 with upside potential of further deflation if commodity prices undershoot our expectations, Read opined. Assuming support for the energy market, Read has also been picking out stocks that are set to gain next year. He is pointing out two energy stocks in particular, upgrading his stance and telling investors that its time to hit buy. Lets take a closer look. Dont miss Coterra Energy (CTRA) Operating out of Houston, Texas, the first Wells Fargo pick, Coterra Energy, is an oil and gas exploration and production firm working in its home states Permian Basin, in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, and in the rich gas fields of the Marcellus Shale in the Pennsylvania Appalachians. The company has its hands in the best of both worlds, with solid assets in both oil and natural gas, creating a diversified portfolio capable of weathering economic headwinds. That portfolio includes a total of 672,000 net acres across its operating areas. Of this, some 183,000 net acres are in the Marcellus shale. This production area is Coterras richest, generating 100% natural gas production and holding 1,498 MMboe in proven reserves as of the end of last year. In the oil regions of Texas and Oklahoma, Coterra holds 307,000 and 182,000 net acres, respectively, and has a combined total of 900 MMboe in proven reserves, in crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Story continues Last year, Coterras combined oil and gas production came to 2,470 Mboe/d. The lions share of that production, more than 2,200 Mboe/d, was natural gas from the Marcellus formation. This year, Coterra is on track to improve on those production numbers. The companys 3Q23 output the last quarter reported came to 670 Mboe/d, well above the 655 Mboe/d figure that had formed the high end of the previously published guidance. This success was driven by strong performance in each of the companys regions. Looking ahead, Coterra has published full-year 2023 production guidance in the range of 655 to 665 Mboe/d; this represents a 3% increase, at the mid-point, from the previously given full-year outlook. Despite Coterras high output, the companys revenues have declined from last year. In Q3, the top line reached $1.36 billion, representing a 46% decrease year-over-year. However, it is worth noting that this figure remains in-line with the forecasts. On the bottom line, reported as a non-GAAP adjusted EPS of 50 cents per share, there was a significant retreat from the $1.42 reported in 3Q22. Nevertheless, it did surpass the estimates by 7 cents per share. Top analyst Read sees Coterras production increases and its potential for more of the same as the key point here. He writes of the company, We are upgrading CTRA to Overweight from Equal Weight on relative valuation and strong momentum on oil production growth Over the past 12 months, mgmt has deftly orchestrated a turnaround for the company. The company has been outpacing its production outlook for FY23 and increased its production guidance for two consecutive quarters. Given continued operational efficiency gains and strong well performance, we would not be surprised if the company positively revises its 3- yr outlook in February. Along with his new Overweight (i.e. Buy) rating, Read give CTRA shares a price target of $30, implying a one-year upside potential of 19%. (To watch Reads track record, click here) Overall, Coterra Energy holds a Strong Buy consensus rating from Wall Street, based on 14 recent stock calls that include 11 Buys and 3 Holds. Coterra shares are trading for $25.13, and their $33.36 average price target suggests a one-year gain of nearly 33%. (See CTRA stock forecast) Antero Resources (AR) The second energy stock well look at is Antero Resources, a hydrocarbon E&P company that focuses solely on natural gas. Antero has extensive holdings in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations of the Appalachian Mountain region and operates in West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio, in the valley of the upper Ohio River. The companys holdings and reserves are extensive, especially in its West Virginia Marcellus footprint. Antero has 440,000 net acres in this region and operates 1,200 producing horizontal wells in the area. Backing that up, the company has over 1,600 undeveloped core drilling locations in these holdings and can count on 17.8 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves. The companys Ohio footprint is smaller; in the Utica Shale, Antero has 75,000 net acres that host 200-plus producing horizontal wells and some 250 undeveloped core drilling locations. Anteros overall production is impressive. Looking at last years numbers, the companys wells brought to the surface the equivalent of 104 LNG tanker cargos. The bulk of this output was generated through hydraulic fracking techniques, which have made Antero one of the largest suppliers for the US liquefied natural gas (LNG) export market. A look at Anteros most recent quarterly production helps to tell the story. In 3Q23, the company averaged a net production total of 3.5 Bcfe/d, for a 9% y/y increase. This total included 2.3 Bcf/d of natural gas, up 4% from the prior year period, and 202 MBbl/d of natural gas liquids, up 18% year-over-year. Following from this, the companys revenue in 3Q23 came to $263.8 million, for a 14% y/y increase and beating the forecast by $2.77 million. The non-GAAP bottom line earnings per share were reported as 23 cents, 4 cents per share better than had been anticipated. Wells Fargos Roger Read is upbeat on Antero due to the companys sound, and increasing, production numbers. Read writes, We discern positive rate of change in ARs operational performance and capital efficiency. The company has increased its FY23 production guidance for two consecutive quarters on strong well performance and improving operations. Mgmt continues to feel confident on 2024 capital efficiency trends with preliminary 2024 D&C capex expected to be at least 10% below 2023 levels, assuming holding production flat from H223 levels without baking in any cost deflation. For the companys prospects over the next couple of years, Read sees a path toward positive reward and recommends that investors buy in now, saying, Following a tough 2023, we see strong likelihood of mean-reversion in valuation of the stock given in-line 2024/25E EV/EBITDA multiples (5.1x/3.4x vs gas group median at 5.1x/3.4x) at WFS commodity price deck, but robust 2025 FCF yield (16.4% vs gas group median at 11.6%). Thus, we upgrade AR to Overweight from Equal Weight, as we see attractive risk-reward in the stock in 2024. The 5-star analysts upgraded Overweight (i.e. Buy) rating on AR comes with a $26 price target that indicates potential for an 18% share appreciation over the next 12 months. (To watch Reads track record, click here) Overall, Antero has a Moderate Buy consensus rating from the Streets analysts based on an even split in the 12 recent reviews, 6 to Buy and 6 to Hold. The stocks current trading price is $21.99 and the average target price of $32 implies ~45% upside on the one-year time frame. (See Antero stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. Im remembering all over again the books my stepfather brought into the house when he arrived in our lives. I was seven or eight, the eldest child of three, and I already had a mother and a father, a family that seemed to need no supplementation, but my mother thought differently. First, Jack Mantel came as a visitor, then he moved in, and his possessions, books included, arrived by degrees from his mothers house. When Jack arrived at the family home, Hilary Mantels father Henry did not move out. Credit: Andrew Testa/The New York Times The books were tattered, brown-spotted. They did not seem cared for, or read, or to have anything to do with Jack in particular. But in gleaming repair were the steel bars and weights he used to exercise. They chimed like bells when he lifted them, and his breathing a specialised system of grunts and gasps, which helped him bear the poundage rolled through the house and out into the street. He had a stack of magazines banded together, with black-and-white photographs of other men with big muscles. The magazine was called Health & Strength. Both these things were in short supply in our house. When Jack arrived, my father Henry did not move out. Jack was not tall but he was a solid and vehement individual and my fathers body was about as thick as one of Jacks legs. Jack occupied my mothers bed and the back of our house, the kitchen and the glass lean-to, puffing and blowing, clanking the weights and trundling through from the street with the black, greasy parts of broken-down cars. Meanwhile, my father went meekly to his clerical job. He came home, occupied the front of the house, played his jazz records and read his library books. I read them too, whether they were suitable for me or not. 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 Sunday Lifes most popular cover stories of 2023 See all 11 stories . Like so many 20-something women, I have turned to Dolly Aldertons writing for solace. I came to her after a break-up in my early 20s, when someone gave me their well-worn copy of Everything I Know About Love, her bestselling memoir. It chronicled her roaring 20s, detailing everything from 4am taxis and the homes of unsuitable men to mouse-infested flatshares. It showed me that I wasnt the only one finding early adulthood immensely difficult. The book, published in 2018, has sold more than 800,000 copies and last year was adapted into a BBC TV series. A male friend of mine once asked, Whats that yellow book girls always have? because hed noticed how many of the women hed slept with had it on their bedside tables. Someone messaged me the other day saying there was a bloke walking around a club with a copy so that girls would come over to him to talk about it, Alderton, 35, tells me from her postbox-red sofa, rearranging the sleeves of her Breton-striped T-shirt. Mining her own life for content was what Alderton was, and for many still is, best known for. Her second book, Ghosts, published in 2020, was fictional but readers drew comparisons between her and the protagonist, Nina, because the book shared themes with her memoir friends drifting away when they find a romantic partner, the highs and lows of dating etc. Despite the subject matter of her writing, some of Aldertons friends doubt she is as hung up on finding love as many readers would assume. Credit: Sane Seven/The Sunday Times Magazine/News Licensing Her new novel, Good Material, is different. It is still written from the perspective of someone recently heartbroken, but this time its a man called Andy. The detail is luscious, from the folder in Andys phone titled Bald, where he stores photos of the back of his head, to the doomsday prepper he ends up lodging with who likes sending letters to Julian Assange. I couldnt write another book about yet another heartbroken woman, it would just be too depressing. Im sitting here in a flat I bought with heartbreak, Alderton explains, gesturing around her. Her cat, Goldie, named after Goldie Hawn, languishes on the jute carpet. Advertisement I wanted to stretch myself, she continues, taking a forkful of strawberry cake (not homemade), which shes just taken out of the oven for us. I wanted to write about someone who couldnt be compared to me. Id spent my 20s writing about my sex and dating life every week in a column, posting pictures of myself daily on a walk or with my flatmates, and I had this growing feeling that it didnt serve me any more. I felt out of control with my career, social media was stressful, the conversations around me were stressful. Alderton was born to a Canadian mother and British father. They named her Hannah but she switched to Dolly in her early teens. She grew up in the north London suburb of Stanmore. Morrissey once described his teenage life as waiting for a bus that never came, she writes in Everything I Know About Love about an adolescence spent in a bland cul-de-sac. I felt out of control with my career, social media was stressful, the conversations around me were stressful. DOLLY ALDERTON Alderton attended a private all-girls school. I was one of those kids at school about whom the teachers would always say, If she spent less time trying to entertain the class and more time listening She studied drama and English at university and did a masters degree in journalism. Her blog about the messy life of a 20-something secured her a job as a writer on the scripted reality show Made in Chelsea. She started writing a dating column for The Sunday Times Style magazine in 2015, when she was 26. The High Low podcast followed in 2017. And then Everything I Know About Love changed her world. However, turning her private life into a product took its toll and she sought professional help. I started with this therapist when I was 30 and she said to me, The way youre living, with your career, who you are, some people could carry on like this. You cant. Youre not robust enough for people to know about your private life on this scale. What got you here wont get you there. Advertisement So she changed tack, from dating columnist to Dear Dolly agony aunt, from memoirist to novelist. In 2020, while going through a painful break-up, she embarked on Good Material. She undertook months of research, asking men of all ages, backgrounds and personality types about heartbreak, love, relationships and sex. Despite the subject matter of her writing, some of Aldertons friends doubt she is as hung up on finding love as many readers would assume. She recounts a story about returning home from a holiday in Greece with a friend in the wake of the break-up that inspired Good Material. Loading Id complained a lot about how Id been mostly single for 10 years. On the way back, we had to take a bus and a boat and this good-looking guy sat next to us. And Caroline, who is married, made conversation with him for two hours. She said she looked over and watched me in my own world, reading my book and staring out of the window, and she had this realisation: Dolly does not want a boyfriend. She has wanted to be single for 10 years. Alderton is hopeful that the mould is loosening and that more women will feel comfortable outside a relationship. It takes a huge amount of bravery because there arent that many women doing the same, she says. Its a historic response to feel panic at being left behind. Like youre not cool, not normal, not feminine. But with every generation, more and more women will see that its okay to want to be on your own. We will stop seeing it as sad or transgressive. I ask her how she found turning 30. Difficult, it transpires, especially when youve spent a large portion of your 20s capitalising off being in your 20s, it can be a shock to have to leave them. Initially she says she was acting out. I was dating inappropriate men not bad people, just people who werent at the same life stage as me. I fell in love but it was also, on an unconscious level, a resistance to choose sensibly. I went out drinking a lot, started wearing crop tops, getting tattoos and holes in my ears. She pulls her hair back to reveal a stack of chunky gold hoops running down her lobe. Advertisement At the moment where everyone I knew was trying for children, getting married or saving up for houses moving to the home counties because they cant afford London I did the opposite. What I realise now is that you can design your own version of what a 30-year-old is. Her version of a 30-something looks pretty impressive to me, with her delicately tiled bathroom and bookshelves filled with the works of Joan Didion. She shows me her diary for the week, listing back-to-back press engagements for Good Material, gallery dates with Pandora Sykes, theatre, work meetings, dinners, dates. Im out four or five nights a week. I work all the time because I find work really fun. But the other thing I love is life and I wont compromise on that, either. I was dating inappropriate men not bad people, just people who werent at the same life stage as me. DOLLY ALDERTON Theres this thing that tends to happen when women reach a certain level of acclaim. In the beginning, the woman does some brilliant work, everyone loves it, says shes the voice of a generation, and the thing gains more and more traction. How does Alderton feel about being called the voice of a generation? I dont like people foisting those sorts of titles on me, suggesting that I represent Millennial women or anything generational. That makes me feel very uncomfortable. Its flattering, but its not something I set out to do. She lifts her legs onto a paisley foot rest and sinks further back into the sofa. I love to defend [Normal People author] Sally Rooney. Ive heard people in the industry debate whether she deserves all the accolades because theres so much sycophancy around her work. Its amazing to me how many people think shes responsible for that, that she set out to do it, like its her fault everyone fell in love with her books. She recounts a time at the Wilderness Festival a few years ago when she was queueing for the loo. These two lovely girls who were completely off their heads came over and were talking at me about the book. I was, like, Im so sorry, can you hold on one minute? Im just desperate for the toilet, and ran into the cubicle. Anyway they were in the next cubicle and I could overhear them slagging me off, like, I thought her whole thing was that shes meant to be friendly. Advertisement Lagos is set to become one of the worlds most populous cities in the worlds third-most-populous nation, Nigeria, by 2100. Credit: Getty Images So how will the worlds population change this century? Where will all the people be? And how will this affect Australia? In Britain, where birth rates have dropped to their lowest level in two decades, demographer Paul Morland has controversially called for a tax on those who dont have offspring. This may seem unfair on those who cant or wont have children, he wrote in The Sunday Times . But it recognises that we all rely on there being a next generation and that everyone should contribute to the cost of creating that generation. On the other hand, fears about not enough people are perennial too, now keenly felt by an increasing number of nations as low birth rates provoke warnings of a population winter. In Hungary, radical measures are afoot to get women having babies. There have long been fears about too many people on the planet. Unchecked population leads to poverty, misery and war, if you follow the line of thought of 18th-century British economist Thomas Malthus. Malthusian pessimism regularly surfaces, particularly in the era of climate change. Such forecasts might seem abstract, but population counts: it shapes cultures, affects economies and influences political clout. Thats why its a perennial source of public anxiety, whether its going up or down. Its 2050 and the world is home to 10 billion people. India remains the population colossus with a head count of 1.67 billion, more than China and the United States combined. Africa is the population juggernaut with a quarter of the worlds people and its largest workforce. Nations in Europe and Asia are still ageing and shrinking. Australia has managed to hold its own, barely moving in the rankings as other nations shuffle around it. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Other forecasts differ, although mostly over timing rather than the overall trend. Modelling by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) at Washington University, for example, forecasts the worlds population to top out at 9.7 billion in 2064 then drop. In that study, published by The Lancet in 2020 , the worlds population will be 8.8 billion in 2100, almost 2 billion fewer than the UNs central projection. The trend is like a slowing vehicle, says associate professor Udoy Saikia. I tell my students that, Yes, we are still driving the car forward but as we move forward, the speed will be less and less and less, says Saikia, a population expert at Flinders University. Since the mid-1970s, the world has been adding an extra billion people roughly every 12 years. But if you reckon the worlds population is on a never-ending upward spiral, think again. The rate of population growth peaked in the early 1960s; in 2020, it dipped under 1 per cent for the first time since 1950. We will reach peak human in 2086, according to the UN, when the worlds population hits 10.4 billion. Population growth is expected to have been easing to 0.5 per cent a year by 2050 and will sink into the negative by 2100. Every two years the United Nations Population Division updates its projections. The first report, in 1951, put the population of the Earth in round numbers at 2.4 billion. The head count passed 8 billion in November 2022. Some low-income countries, especially in Africa, still have relatively high fertility rates. The West African nation of Niger topped the list in 2019 with 6.9 followed by Somalia (6.5) and Chad (6.4). But even in those nations, rates are trending lower. In Botswana, the fertility rate has dropped to around 2.8 children per woman. In Namibia, its 3.3; in Zimbabwe 3.5, according to the World Bank. All three nations had a fertility rate hovering around 7 in 1970. Fertility rates have fallen even in places associated with rapid population growth, such as Asian megacities. Take a city like Kolkata in India, for example, says Saikia. There the fertility rate is now much lower even than in Australia. More people will be dying than are being born. Since 1950, the global fertility rate has fallen from five children per woman to 2.3. Already, the share of nations with very low fertility rates has jumped. Most people in the world, including in its 15 biggest economies (measured in US dollars), live in nations with a fertility rate below the 2.1 replacement level, including China and India. In Australia in 1970, the rate was about three children per woman. Now its 1.63. The fertility rate measures the average number of children a woman can be expected to have during her lifetime. Since 1950 the global rate has fallen from around five to 2.3. By 2050, it is projected to reach 2.1. It so happens that a fertility rate of 2.1 is deemed to be the replacement level at which the number of births and deaths are roughly in balance, ensuring a stable population (excluding migration). Then the rate is expected to drop further. When that happens, more people will be dying than are being born. Saikia says considerable declines in fertility rates recently, especially in huge nations such as China, India and Bangladesh, make it plausible the worlds population will peak earlier than the UN has predicted. Delhi will have the most people of any city by 2030, overtaking Tokyo. Credit: Getty Images Meanwhile, people are living longer. In 1900, a baby could expect to make it to 32, on average globally. The figure was 72.8 years in 2019 and the UN predicts it will get to 77 by 2050. Longer life spans and fewer babies means the worlds population is ageing. Saikia says that by 2050, there will be twice as many people aged over 65 than those aged under five. The median age of a person on Earth is 31.5 years. That will climb to 42.3 years by 2100, UN forecasts show. And there are big differences in the age structure of world regions. The median age in Europe is now 42.5 years now while in sub-Saharan Africa it is 18.7 years (more on that later). The second of Parrs unknowns stems from the end of Chinas one-child policy, which lasted from 1980 until 2016. The United Nations projections assume quite a substantial recovery in the birth rates for China, says Parr. So far, there hasnt really been a recovery despite the move from a one-child policy to a two-child policy and now to a three-child policy. Macquarie University demographer Professor Nick Parr warns two big unknowns cloud the longer-term outlook. The first is how quickly fertility rates decline in sub-Saharan Africa the change has been slow and uneven, and past predictions of decreases have been proven wrong. Five of those countries are in what is known as sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 46 of Africas 55 countries. By 2050, remember, it will be home to a quarter of the worlds people, up from 17 per cent now. Its largest economy, Nigeria, is projected to become the third most populous country by 2050. The former British colony is rich in natural resources, including minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel used in electric cars. Its most populous city, Lagos, renowned for its music and traffic jams, is forecast to have more than 20 million residents by the end of this decade alone. The UN population projections for nations extend to the end of the century. This year, India overtook China as the most populous nation. India will still have the most people in 2050 when the global headcount is forecast to reach 9.7 billion. More than half of the projected population increase between now and that time will be concentrated in just eight countries: India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania. Tokyo will be overtaken by Indias capital, Delhi, by 2030. Another Indian city, the home of Bollywood, seaside Mumbai, is in the top 10 in 2030 too. China has two entrants: Shanghai and Beijing. The newest top 10 entry by 2030 will be Kinshasa in the Congo. (Nigerias Lagos ranks 11.) More than half of the worlds people live in cities. By 2050, its expected to be more than two-thirds. UN projections for specific city populations extend only as far as 2030, but they signal longer-term trends. In 1970, New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris all ranked among the worlds 10 biggest cities; in 2023, no city from North America or Europe is on that list. Africa is entering a period of truly staggering change, Edward Paice, the director of the Africa Research Institute in London, told The New York Times. By 2100, sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to be the worlds most populated region with more than 3 billion people. Europe, North America, South America and East and South-East Asia are all expected to have fewer people than they do now. Watch the changes in this animated chart. By the 2040s, Africa will account for two out of every five children born on the planet. For some nations in the region having a large, relatively youthful population will likely translate to more economic and political clout on the world stage. Yet more people can mean more problems too. Nearly two-thirds of Nigerias 213 million people live on less than $3 a day. In our neighbourhood, its Indonesia thats exploding: projected to reach 300 million from todays 277 million by 2100. Which is one reason its president, Joko Widodo, wants to relocate Indonesias capital from congested and flood-prone Jakarta (population 11.2 million) to the new-build city of Nusantara in East Kalimantan. Here are the changes in a different format. And Australia? The UN forecasts we will have the 58th largest population in 2100 with 38.1 million people, a little lower than what the federal government forecast in its 2023 intergenerational report (40.5 million in 2063). Why arent people having babies? One reason is the uptake in education, particularly for girls. In Angola, according to The Economist, women with tertiary education have an average of 2.3 children, compared to 7.8 children born to women without any schooling. Wealth must also play a role, as the richest nations have the lowest fertility rates, but its effect is a little more complicated. Being truly wealthy means you can afford more children and the support network necessary to raise them in (your) comfort (ask Elon Musk, father of 11). Yet being relatively wealthy but still struggling to keep up with the Joneses can make having children a lower priority in cities such as Seoul or Tokyo (or Melbourne or Sydney, for that matter) where real estate is prohibitively expensive for many. Its no myth that television soap operas, called novelas, have played a significant role in dropping Brazils fertility rate. The availability of contraception is another clear factor. Other reasons tend to be more particular to each nation. Its no myth, for example, that television soap operas, called novelas, have played a significant role in dropping Brazils fertility rate from around six children per woman in 1960 to 1.6 in 2021. A 2012 paper that cross-referenced the regional availability of a particular format of soap opera with birth rates and childrens naming patterns (named after characters on the shows) found these viewing habits led to significantly lower fertility. The authors suggested this was largely because the shows main female characters were typically childless or had only one child. Demographic experts in Indias Kolkata, meanwhile, have attributed the drop in the fertility rate there, more prosaically, to the widespread adoption of contraception, financial pressures and a trend away from traditionally preferring sons over daughters. (The population is still vast, a shade over 15 million.) Hungarys president, Viktor Oban, blames climate science and fear of armageddon for at least some of his countrys low fertility rate, which remains stable at a shade over 1.5 children per woman. This is despite some aggressive government incentives to procreate. such as low-interest loans and income tax exemptions for people with four or more children. South Korean high-school students cheer for their senior classmates, among the half a million taking the rigorous College Scholastic Ability Test in Seoul 2019. Credit: Getty Images South Korea has one of the lowest fertility rates. The IHME predicts it will be among 23 countries where the population will halve between 2017 and 2100. Others include Japan, Thailand, Italy and Spain. Another 34 countries are forecast to have population falls of between a quarter and half, including China (down 48 per cent). So concerned is Seouls government, it sent a delegation to study the improbable community of Nagi, on Japans Honshu island, where local authorities have bucked the countrys overall birth rate trend with innovative incentives. Childcare is inexpensive, parents get kickbacks for every year their child remains in high school and a job-matching system helps part-time workers balance work and family life. But social attitudes are harder to shift. In South Korea, experts point to a rebellion against traditional gender norms and a growing divide between men and women, exacerbated by a male anti-feminist campaign. The pushback against this began with 2018s escape the corset movement, which saw Korean women cut their hair short and go barefaced, then escalated into the four nos: bihon, the refusal of heterosexual marriage; bichulsan, refusal of childbirth; biyeonae, saying no to dating; and bisekseu, the rejection of heterosexual sexual relationships. Other disincentives in South Korea include a hyper-competitive education system and some decidedly family-unfriendly laws restaurants, museums and even the national library can bar children from entering. A survey of 15,000 people aged 19 to 34 this year found barely half of women intended to have children while 70 per cent of men said they would be willing. The birth strike is womens revenge on a society that puts impossible burdens on us and doesnt respect us, Seoul office worker Jiny Kim, 30, told The New York Times. The UN says more family-friendly policies, including more generous parental leave and affordable childcare, will be needed worldwide to build demographic resilience. Italy, whose fertility rate had dropped to 1.24 by 2020, recently increased benefits, particularly for families with more than three children, and extended maternity leave. Yet, the evidence that such policies work is mixed. Poland introduced a monthly family benefit in 2016 to encourage families to try for two or more children but has yet to see an increase in the number of babies born, reports The Economist. Singapore offers paid maternity leave, childcare subsidies, tax relief and rebates, one-time cash gifts, and grants for companies that implement flexible work arrangements, yet its fertility rate still dropped to 1.12 in 2022. Many young people are deferring dating to focus on career, writes Poh Lin Tan of the National University of Singapore, and most married couples stop at one or two children, owing to high education-related expenses and the desire to invest more in each child. As the problem becomes more acute, the IHME study warns, some nations might resort to coercive policies. A very real danger exists that, in the face of declining population, some states might consider adopting policies that restrict female reproductive health rights and access to services, the study warned. Low fertility in these settings might become a major challenge to progress for females freedom and rights. Residents of an aged-care facility meet a remote-controlled humanoid robot in Natori, Japan. Credit: Getty Images Arent fewer people good for the planet? Economist Thomas Robert Malthus made some revolutionary predictions in his 1798 treatise An Essay on the Principle of Population, not least that human beings would reproduce exponentially to the point of starvation. The worlds population at that time was poised to reach its first billion. And, yes, if it had grown as Malthus had warned, we would be over-run today. The power of population is so superior to the power of the Earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race, Malthus foresaw. Yet, as the rather less intellectual but possibly more insightful Yogi Berra intoned, Its hard to make predictions, especially about the future. A decline in global population is potentially good news for the environment and climate change. Fewer people on the planet could lower carbon emissions, reduce competition for natural resources and ease pressures on global food supplies. Loading But while size is one matter, the dramatic shift in the age structure in many nations will have other sweeping, and often negative, consequences. The size of a nations working-age population is a key economic driver (along with productivity growth, fuelled by innovation, and workforce participation). With far more elderly people and a shrinking pool of workers and taxpayers, some nations will struggle to generate the revenue needed to fund aged care, social security and healthcare. The UN, declaring ageing one of the most significant world trends of the 21st century, has called for governments to address the needs and interests of older people. Ageing is the population bomb, write David Bloom and Leo Zucker for the International Monetary Fund. The potential consequences of inaction are dramatic: a dwindling workforce straining to support burgeoning numbers of retirees, a concomitant explosion of age-related morbidity and associated healthcare costs, and a declining quality of life among older people for lack of human, financial and institutional resources. Fewer than 3 per cent of Nigerians were over 65 in 2021; in Japan, it was a quarter of people. Japan offers an extreme snapshot: economic stagnation, emptied-out villages and workers staying on the job into their 70s. We are approaching an era of acute labour shortages in much of the world and robots are not yet ready to come to our assistance, demographer Paul Morland told this masthead last year. Eligibility for the old-age pension has already been creeping up in many countries as governments attempt to lift workforce participation and limit the costs of supporting a growing cohort of retirees which may be fiscally sensible but is rarely popular. When French leader Emmanuel Macron pushed through a change to pension eligibility from 62 to 64 (for those born after 1967) this year he triggered widespread violent protests. In Australia, workforce participation by those aged 65 and over has risen steadily during the past two decades, making that group an increasingly important contributor to the economy. Australia will keep its place in the world population rankings by 2100 even as other nations shift around it. Credit: Tanya Lake What do these trends mean for Australia? Debates about global population trends are likely to be radically different in the second half of this century, says Saikia. When our grandchildren become the policymakers, they are likely to be talking about how to increase population rather than getting worried about a rising population, he says. Saikia predicts many nations will be forced to rely more on overseas migration to stave off the damaging effects of a population decline. Migration sending countries will play a vital future role in the economies of other countries, especially developed countries including Australia, he says. Since the 1970s, Australias fertility rate has been below the 2.1 replacement level, but our population has continued to grow at a steady rate thanks to strong migration. We now rank the worlds 55th most populated country. Nations that sustain their working-age populations over the long term through migration would fare well. Net overseas migration has accounted for more than 60 per cent of Australias population growth during the past decade, but that is forecast to reach 75 per cent by the 2060s. The federal governments 2023 intergenerational report projected the national head count to rise from 26.5 million to 40.5 million by 2063, an increase of 53 per cent. The IHME study says Australias liberal migration policies and ability to attract new arrivals will allow the nation to maintain a relatively stable working-age population and various economic, social, and geopolitical benefits that come with it throughout this century. Nations that sustain their working-age populations over the long term through migration, such as Canada, Australia, and the USA, would fare well, the report says. It forecasts Australia to climb the global economic rankings as a result. In 2017, Australia was ranked the worlds 12th-largest economy (when measured in US dollars), says the IHME paper, which forecasts it to rise to 11th largest in 2050 and eighth largest in 2100. Loading Immigration policy is always fiercely contested, a fact underscored most recently by the political combat that has flared in late 2023. A temporary migration boom following the COVID-19 pandemic stoked public anxiety about housing supply shortages and pressures on infrastructure and essential services. In December, the Albanese Government announced a sweeping overhaul to bring migration back down to sustainable, normal levels including a lower intake and more stringent rules for overseas students. Our mission is clear, said Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil, to build a migration system that earns the trust and confidence of our citizens and secures a safe and prosperous future for every Australian. Striking the right balance on migration will challenge Australias political leaders as the dynamics of the global population shift, even if our numbers are a small part of the planets story. We account for about 0.33 per cent of the worlds people. Get fascinating insights and explanations on the worlds most perplexing topics. Sign up for our weekly Explainer newsletter. Alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network Ten for airing a 2021 interview with his former fellow political staffer and accuser, Brittany Higgins. The defamation trial is being streamed live on YouTube, after the presiding judge, Michael Lee, ruled that the openness of the judicial branch of government in this country is a basic democratic right which the courts should actively support. At some points during this live-streamed trial, more than 20,000 people have followed the proceedings of the court. The evidence given by Higgins and journalist Lisa Wilkinson has attracted the highest viewer numbers, despite the off peak time slot in the middle of the working day. Much of what viewers have learnt will change the way justice is perceived in this country. Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins. Credit: Kate Geraghty, Steven Siewert The criminal case against Lehrmann, conducted after the interview with The Project went to air, was abandoned last year due to juror misconduct. Later, the then ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold decided not to proceed to a retrial on the basis that it would be adverse to Higgins mental health. That outcome left nobody satisfied. Those who were persuaded that Lehrmann had committed the alleged rape remained persuaded and felt that his accuser, Higgins, had been robbed of justice. Those who were persuaded that the allegation was false never had the satisfaction of seeing Lehrmann cleared. In what is probably Australias most talked about contemporary rape case, the public was left without a satisfactory legal outcome. 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 When Meshilin Marrogi died of COVID-19 in 2021, aged just 30, it marked the beginning of the end for the Notorious Crime Family. The founder and boss of the NCF might have been the infamous career criminal George Marrogi, but the chaos inside the billion-dollar drug empire following his sisters death proved Mesh was the brains behind the operation. Clockwise from top left: Meshilin Marrogis crypt and memorial at Preston General Cemetery; with brother George Marrogi; and stills from CCTV footage of the break-in at the cemetery on July 30. Meshilins central role in the Marrogi criminal empire has been documented by The Sunday Age through interviews with police investigators, information from four underworld sources who cannot be named, financial and telecommunication records tendered as evidence in multiple criminal proceedings and published court judgments. When she died in September 2021, Meshilin had held in her mind a blueprint that detailed a complex portfolio of tens of millions of dollars of illicit profits hidden in property investments, artworks, yachts, jewellery, cars and cash stashes. George, who was running the NCF from inside a maximum security jail cell while awaiting his trial for murder, was seriously caught out when his de facto vice president died. [Meshilin] had it running extremely well. She had it running as a business even though it was illicit money, an illicit business driven by drugs, said Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Nathan Toey, who oversaw the Marrogi money laundering investigation, Operation Steelers. Advertisement Loading She was aware of the money trail, she was the contact point for all the associates. Even though it was at Georges drive and behest, she was the brains behind it all. The underworld take is more direct. Once she died, it all turned to shit, said a source, who cannot be publicly identified. The siblings relationship both personally and in the NCF business was so tightly intertwined that it would ultimately result in a gangland rival ordering Meshilins body be stolen and desecrated years later in the ultimate act of revenge against the Marrogi family. Two peas in a pod George and Meshilin were bound not just by blood and business but were the best of friends, which is somewhat ironic given he has spent less than a year of his adult life outside of prison. George was the hothead gangster who wanted to be a kingpin. Meshilin, by outside appearances, was the glamorous younger sister and entrepreneur who ran a beauty salon. Advertisement Meshilin Mesh Marrogi, also known as Mish Moshey. She was a proper, healthy-looking individual, who is a businesswoman. She had a successful shop; she was looking at opening another one. And she had a few good investments, the underworld source said. But she was never far from George as he orchestrated crimes and waged his bloody feuds. Meshilin was a wizard at washing dirty money clean, deploying tried-and-true money laundering techniques such as property investments, and more sophisticated schemes including trading in paintings, digital artwork and diamonds. Even the siblings romantic lives were enmeshed with their underworld business. George and Meshilin often dated associates and friends that each had drawn into their joint criminal circle, creating a tight-knit family from love interests turned co-conspirators and vice versa. Many of Georges girlfriends, both on the street and after he went to prison, were introduced to him by Meshilin. Advertisement Loading This included Jessica Homa and Antonietta Mannella, both of whom have pleaded guilty over their involvement in the Marrogi money laundering syndicate. Court documents detail how Meshilin lured Mannella her friend and employee into the syndicate by introducing her to her crime boss brother while he was in prison. Mannella, otherwise a cleanskin although she was the daughter and niece of Italian crime figures, Vincenzo and Gerardo Mannella, both murdered in 1999 fell in love with George even though rules in his high-security prison meant the relationship could never be consummated. Ms Mannella knew that the Marrogis were involved in dubious activity and she soon became involved herself through her close friendship with Mesh, the judge in George and Antonietta Mannellas drug case found. Mannella received a 13-year prison term in February 2023 for her role in the drug trafficking operation. Next week, she will be sentenced over her involvement in the money laundering syndicate. George Marrogis partner Antonietta Mannella (left) and late sister, Meshilin. Credit: Instagram Advertisement Mannella had grown so close to Meshilin that the 30-year-old made her the executor of her will which has been obtained by The Sunday Age five months before her death, leaving her and George a $1.7 million property portfolio. Meshilin, in turn, became involved with several of Georges hardcore criminal associates. When setting up companies to help launder money for the gang, Meshilin used the alias Mish Moshey, which was a nod to one of Georges mates and a former love interest, convicted cocaine trafficker Moshey Youkhana, according to police and underworld sources. Loading She also had an affair with a convicted drug trafficker and one-time Marrogi ally who cannot be identified because they are currently awaiting trial on a massive methamphetamine importation. By all accounts, George was shattered by Meshilins sudden death caused by COVID-19 in 2021. Her funeral, which was recorded and posted on the internet, was marked by scenes of profound grief. The siblings mother, Madlin Enwiya, had the coffin opened at the viewing in order to give her a kiss from Georgie. Meshilin would be buried in an extravagant white dress and veil, wearing a diamond ring worth an estimated $100,000 and in a coffin that included a viewing window. Advertisement Into the governments silence, the opposition poured its damnation of Labor and painted the alarming picture that 149 illegal non-citizens with criminal backgrounds were being set free from detention unchecked to roam the streets in search of fresh victims. The government eventually found its response, but it took weeks. And, in the interim, the killer question reverberated is Labor able to manage the borders? A senior figure in the government describes the episode as a big wake-up call for us the system had got complacent and didnt red-flag it enough. As a result, the government has now commissioned high-level work to improve its internal vigilance for potential problems and to hone its responsiveness. You either learn and sharpen up, or you fail, he tells me. When I asked ONeil how the government had been caught so flat-footed in response to the High Court decision and what lessons it had learned, she flatly refused to concede any fault. She offered only self-congratulation: I genuinely dont agree that the government was caught flat-footed. Within one month of the court decision, we had created bespoke visas for everyone in the cohort, established a $255 million joint AFP and ABF operation, and established a new law to allow us to impose curfews, ankle-monitoring bracelets and rigorous reporting requirements. And we created a preventative detention regime. All in a month. And I just say, I never saw the former government respond to anything at that type of speed. Never even close. Like a fish out of water: Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Very bold, minister. True, even. But insufficient. The entire government is acutely aware that Labor cant afford to be seen to be unsteady in anything related to national security, border security or immigration. Perceived failure is an election disqualifier for Labor more than it is for the Liberals, perhaps unfairly, in the ruthless calculus of Australian politics. As ONeil is responsible, in part or full, for all three, this onus rests heavily on her. Inside the government, there is blame to go around. One cabinet minister is critical of Giles for appearing inert and inept: He led the push against Bill Shorten when he [Shorten] wanted to support boat turnbacks. He even teared up when he spoke against the idea in the ALP national conference in 2015. I dont think hes the right person for immigration. Another senior member of the government wonders aloud whether ONeil should have better anticipated the policy vacuum and the political risk, and whether Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus absence on bereavement leave made a difference. It was a collective failure, concludes a government strategist. There were bits of a response, scattered across the system, which no one brought together the co-ordination part belongs to PM & C, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. ONeil is unbowed but acutely aware that the government has to recover. So her announcement this week of Labors new immigration strategy, over a year in the making, took on extra importance. Australia is distinctive in that theres much wider support for immigration than in most Western countries, but its essential that theres a sense that the government is in control, explains Andrew Markus, emeritus professor at Monash University and an expert on immigration and racial and ethnic relations. This is a defining difference between Australia on one hand and the US and UK on the other, Markus says. The American and British systems have failed to exert convincing control of immigrant inflows, the essential feedstock for the right-wing populist movements behind Donald Trump and Brexit. Loading Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison were very strong that people in Australia wont tolerate asylum seekers getting out of control, says Markus, who for 15 years oversaw the annual Scanlon survey on Australian social cohesion. Whats happening in Australia at the moment is that theres a sense that immigration is out of control again. This isnt confected. During the pandemic, Australias traditional strong net inflow of immigrants went into reverse in 2020-21. It was inevitable that it resurge when the borders reopened. And so it did, driven by overseas students streaming back to resume their COVID-curtailed courses, plus inflows of fresh arrivals. But as 2023 rolled on, the inflow didnt slow. Net overseas migration last year was estimated to hit over half a million people, double the previous annual record, and ONeil came to the conclusion that there was permanent new pressure on Australias immigration system. With an intensifying housing shortage and immigrants under fire, the social licence as ONeil calls it or public acceptance for a big immigration intake suddenly was in doubt. The opposition, after spending last year clamouring for more overseas students to swell the ranks of backpackers and fruitpickers, this year reversed. Loading The population influx has exacerbated Australias startlingly bad housing failure. Last month, the national rental vacancy rate was 0.8 per cent for the third consecutive month, a record low and a strong indicator of a housing shortage. Even the most rational of analysts have concluded that immigration needs to scale back. The economist Chris Richardson, generally pro-immigration on economic grounds, has called for a temporary pullback in numbers to relieve pressure on the housing supply. As he puts it, after years of an inflow equivalent to adding almost another Canberra a year, were now importing a Canberra-and-a-half every year. ONeil acted this week with a plan to cut the net intake from an estimated 510,000 last year to 250,000 within two years. That would return it to its pre-COVID level. The preponderance of the cutback would fall on the intake of overseas students, together with measures to reduce rorting of the student visa system. This, together with important changes to better tailor the inflow of skilled workers to fill needs, should do a good deal to restore control and also integrity to the system. One indicator that ONeils new policy is well crafted is that all the major constituencies, from the Business Council of Australia to the ACTU, have endorsed it. Only the perpetual whining sound from the university sector persists. In the expert opinion of Andrew Markus, the policy is a well judged and an essential element in resuming control of immigration and reassuring the public: It is a real challenge for the government to get it under control its not panic stations but if they can, I think people will move on. ONeil is no soft target, and now has to demonstrate that the immigration system isnt either. Airport hotels tend to be several things: practical, functional and largely devoid of personality. Sexy? Probably not, but thats how Darwin Airport Resort is billing itself after a $30 million refurbishment. The airports Novotel and Mercure properties now feature a single, joint reception along with new rooms and features to create a 423-room property that claims to be Australias first airport resort. Those rooms include private villas with their own plunge pools, outdoor decks, king-sized beds and luxurious bathrooms. Darwin Airport Resorts new pool is one of Australias largest. There are also family suites and freestanding bungalows for longer stays. About one quarter of the hotels existing rooms have undergone a full refurbishment with all rooms planned for an update by early 2025. Durham, New Hampshire: Donald Trump, the US Republican presidential frontrunner, said that undocumented immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country, repeating language that has previously drawn criticism as xenophobic and echoing of Nazi rhetoric. Trump made the comments during a campaign event in New Hampshire on Sunday (AEDT) where he railed against migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border, which hit new highs in September. He has promised to crack down on illegal immigration and restrict legal immigration if elected to a second four-year term in office. Former US president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in New Hampshire. Credit: AP Theyre poisoning the blood of our country, Trump told a rally in the city of Durham, adding that immigrants were coming to the US from Asia and Africa in addition to South America. All over the world they are pouring into our country. (Bloomberg) -- OPECs one-time nemesis US shale is rearing its head just months after the sector was all but written off as a threat to the cartels sway over worldwide oil markets. Most Read from Bloomberg Drillers from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Bakken Shale of North Dakota have ramped up oil production well beyond what analysts foresaw, pushing output to a record just as OPEC and its allies put the brakes on supplies in a bid to arrest price declines. This time last year, US government forecasters predicted domestic production would average 12.5 million barrels a day during the current quarter. In recent days, that estimate was bumped to 13.3 million; the difference is equivalent to adding a new Venezuela to global supplies. That growth is reverberating around the world, calling into question the OPEC+ groups strategy of curbing supplies to prevent the potentially catastrophic price impacts of a glut. It also makes clear that the legions of companies that pump oil from US shale fields still wield enough power to bedevil the cartels efforts. The US clearly played a huge role in the global market in 2023, including pressuring OPEC+ to curtail their output, Wood Mackenzie Ltd. analyst Ryan Duman said during an interview. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, abetted by its Russian ally, overtly sought to check the influence of North American shale as early as 2014, when the group flooded world markets with crude in a bid to recapture market share from the ascendant US oil sector. The move aggravated an existing supply glut and triggered a 65% plunge in crude prices that took 14 months to bottom out. Story continues That collapse sent a jolt through the economics of US shale, ending years of breakneck production growth. And although the expansion eventually resumed, it was thrown into reverse by the global pandemic in early 2020. The shale industry emerged from that setback with a resolve to prioritize returning cash to investors instead of chasing production gains. Meanwhile, in the years since the 2014-2016 selloff, the OPEC+ alliance, as it came to be known, worked to enforce supply quotas among member nations as part of a broader strategy of balancing global supply-and-demand to maintain robust prices. That self discipline helped stabilize the market in 2020, and again this year in the face of slowing demand and a glut of oil. But OPEC+s latest cuts announced at the end of November havent stopped crude from slipping further. And all the while, US shale plus production in places like Brazil and Guyana has crept higher. Further action by OPEC+ may be needed to shore up the market: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told Bloomberg earlier this month that the group can absolutely maintain discipline beyond the first quarter of 2024 if required. What Bloomberg Intelligence Says The OPEC+ 1 million barrels-a-day voluntary output cut wont inspire much confidence as smaller members have little incentive to abide by its terms and larger ones may not reduce exports due to seasonality. ... US shale growth and a recovery in Iranian and Venezuelan output could effectively offset all the additional proposed cuts through 1Q. Fernando Valle and Salih Yilmaz, BI analysts Read the full report here. Part of what makes the US crude surge surprising is that companies managed to increase production even as the number of drilling rigs at work fell roughly 20% this year. That productivity gain has confounded many analysts and researchers who have long relied on the so-called rig count as a predictor of future crude output. Explorers are squeezing crude out of new wells more efficiently because of innovations in everything from electric-pump technology to new strategies for deploying workers while fracking wells to minimize downtime. A key example has been the replacement of the iconic, decades-old pumpjack with high-tech underground gear as tall as a three-story building that sits inside a well to push more crude to the surface. On a recent windswept morning in the Permian Basin of West Texas, Diamondback Energy Inc. drilling chief Yong Cho stood in a control room part-way up a 180-foot (55-meter) rig as a crew went to work on a fresh well. The company has reduced the time it takes to drill an average well by about 40% over the last three years, thanks in part to boring slightly smaller holes, adjusting the solution thats pumped down shafts to power drills, and subtle refinements in the steel-and-polycrystalline-diamond-tipped bits. In 2019, the average well took me 19.5 days, Cho said during an interview afterward. Now it takes me 11.5 days. But a shale well isnt finished when the drilling is done. A separate array of workers and gear is called upon to frack it so that crude can begin to flow. Its the last and most-expensive part of oil production, and frackers have achieved similar efficiency gains, shortening the process by three days to little more than a week per well, according to Kimberlite International Oilfield Research. Every year were seeing more efficiency, Chevron Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth said during a recent talk at the Council on Foreign Relations. And youre seeing, through a number of acquisitions and consolidations, companies that have the scale to bring these capabilities to bear in a way that just drives further efficiency and industrial kind of progress there. Analysts had expected US producers to increase output modestly this year. Thats partly because after years of heavily investing in production and being burned by downturns, companies pledged to keep spending in check and focus on returning cash to shareholders. The role of private producers may have also caused forecasters to underestimate oil production because their activity is harder to model than publicly-listed peers who report earnings every quarter. Out of the 10 fastest growing producers by volume since the pandemic, seven of them were private companies, according to S&P Global. Mewbourne Oil Co. and Endeavor Energy Resources LP led the charge, adding more barrels to the market than Exxon Mobil Corp. since 2019. There are indications that US drillers may once again exercise more restraint when it comes to expanding budgets. Annual growth in industry spending is estimated to be just 2% in 2024, down from this years 19% growth rate and a fraction of the record 44% increase of two years ago, according to Evercore ISI. Its not drill, baby, drill like it was during the shale boom, Angie Gildea, who leads KPMGs US energy practice, said in an interview. Its meaningful but measured growth. --With assistance from Mitchell Ferman, Grant Smith, Devika Krishna Kumar, Lucia Kassai, Will Kennedy and Joe Ryan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Gerard Couzens Dublin hero Caio Benicio has enjoyed an emotional reunion with his family after flying back to his native Brazil to spend Christmas and New Year with them. The Deliveroo driver embraced his 12-year-old son Breno after touching down at Rio de Janeiros main international airport before kissing his wife Clara Biscaia and daughter Lara (18). Mr Benicio was one of the first on the scene to disarm a knife-wielding attacker in the November 23rd attack in Dublin, which left three children and their teacher injured. He was gifted nearly 370,000 from the public via a GoFundMe appeal set up after the stabbing attack. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caio Benicio (@caiobenicio80) The 43-year-old jumped off his motorbike and used his crash helmet as a makeshift weapon. Seeing her husband for the first time in six months, Clara said: We missed you so much, we were so looking forward to this reunion. In an emotional social media post in Portuguese and English alongside a photo of him with his loved ones at the airport taken moments after their reunion, former restaurant owner Mr Benicio said: We're all back together. After a bunch of things happened, I came to get some strength from being with them - my family. Love you all. And, big thanks to the Irish folks. I'll be back soon. Mr Benicio, whose last trip back to Brazil had been in June to combine a holiday with knee surgery, said he will return to Dublin in the New Year. After his dads brave actions, Breno said: My dad is my hero. He doesnt use a cape but he uses a helmet. His daughter Lara added: For us as his children, it was very emotional to see my dad performing such a wonderful deed because he put his own life at risk to save the lives of others. The parents of the little girl who was seriously injured in last month's attack described her as a warrior in an update posted online last week and said they hoped she would be moved out of an intensive care ward before the end of the year. It was reported earlier this month that creche worker Leanne Flynn Keogh, who was also seriously injured in the attack as she shielded children in her care, had been moved out of intensive care. (Bloomberg) -- For the China bulls on Wall Street, 2023 is a year to forget. Most Read from Bloomberg Global investment banks turned almost unanimously optimistic on the market around this time last year, only to be confounded by a 14% drop in the MSCI China Index. Now, as policymakers ramp up efforts to arrest a housing slump and extend funding support for the broader economy, hopes are building again that 2024 will be better. But its a case of once bitten, twice shy. This time around, expectations are much more modest. Its like weve stood still in time for 12 months. The thing that changed, though, is peoples perceptions. They have gone from very optimistic to very pessimistic, said Steve Wreford, a portfolio manager at Lazard Asset Management Ltd. Being optimistic a year ago was the wrong thing to do. And I wonder if maybe now being pessimistic is also the wrong thing to do. What a difference a year can make. Back in late 2022, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley were predicting at least 10% annual gains for the MSCI gauge as Beijing dismantled stringent Covid controls. A Bank of America Corp. survey showed funds were rushing to boost exposure to Chinese shares in anticipation of a robust economic reopening. Reality bit hard. While US, Japanese and Indian stocks rallied this year, those in China have languished to make it the worlds worst-performing major market. Equities onshore are poised to see a record fifth straight month of foreign outflows in December. In hindsight, Wall Streets misplaced optimism likely resulted from an under-appreciation of the magnitude of headwinds ranging from weak consumption to prolonged housing woes as well as geopolitical tensions, and an overestimation of authorities willingness to ramp up fiscal spending in an indebted economy. But it also reflects the difficulties in navigating a market where policymaking has become increasingly opaque and unpredictable. Story continues As an initial reopening rally fizzled and hopes for a bazooka stimulus program evaporated, some of the China bulls started adjusting to the new reality. JPMorgan was among the first to act, dialing back its view around the middle of the year. Morgan Stanley followed suit in August by downgrading China to equal-weight. READ: China Stock Bulls Hit Reset Button After $1.5 Trillion Rout Goldman Sachs waited until November to cut its recommendation on Hong Kong-listed Chinese stocks to neutral, citing modest earnings growth. The bank remains overweight mainland Chinese shares. We did call for risk-on in April. Unfortunately that did not work. So that was the wrong call, said Wendy Liu, JPMorgans chief Asia and China equity strategist. Since May 2023, we became a lot more cautious on the growth downside, and as peoples expectations for a strong stimulus were belied, she said. Morgan Stanleys chief Asia and emerging market equity strategist Jonathan Garner said the bank has been effectively cautious on China for most of the time since early 2021, while Goldman Sachs did not respond to a request for comment. Policy Response, Consumers To some China bulls, including strategists at non-US banks like HSBC Holdings Plcs Herald van der Linde, Chinas economic slowdown and its property troubles had been well anticipated. What surprised him the most was that policymakers response was very slow and cautious, he said. That was the most difficult to forecast. Others blame the markets dismal performance on the absence of revenge spending by Chinese consumers. They went through a very traumatic experience with Covid. They were locked up much more than elsewhere, said Rajeev De Mello, a global macro portfolio manager at GAMA Asset Management, who reduced his China holdings as the reopening rally faded. So probably the households are more cautious. Looking ahead to 2024, most Wall Street banks remain sanguine on Chinese stocks even as many have toned down their forecasts and are expecting just single-digit gains for the MSCI China gauge. Ironically, their argument looks remarkably similar to last years: further policy support, improved earnings momentum and cheap valuations. And theres little guarantee that they will be right this time: while Beijing has notably intensified efforts to ease funding woes among the countrys cash-strapped property developers, deflation remains a threat and top leaders have signaled continued reluctance to adopt more forceful stimulus. As the MSCI China index posted its first advance in four months amid a global equities surge in November, Liu of JPMorgan said she expects the relief rally to continue into early 2024, backed by an easing of Sino-US tensions and an improvement in revenue growth. Van der Lindes team expects China to outperform and drive regional stocks higher in 2024. Were sticking to our guns for the moment, he said. The global macro is starting to work in Chinas favor now. While the call wasnt completely right over the last six months, the same reasons probably now start to be all in place. Some other investors say analyzing Chinas market by fundamentals is less meaningful than before, because the regulatory environment has become more capricious and policymaking less transparent in recent years. I think a lot of people in the West have stopped looking at corporate earnings for Chinese stocks, said Jian Shi Cortesi, a fund manager at GAM Investment Management. The market is very much driven by news flow, and most investors do not have the time or effort to really look deep into it. READ: China Is Becoming a Data Black Hole, Short Seller Aandahl Says --With assistance from Iris Ouyang, Tassia Sipahutar and April Ma. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Last week, sipping a morning coffee in a local cafe, I unfolded the daily newspaper with unease. I read headlines of gardai in 24-hour surveillance guarding the national treasure that is our rotating Taoiseach. More news threatening the manicured image Bord Failte cultivated with years of state funding, and successfully. As an Irishman born in the 1960s, I feel an increasingly painful nostalgia for the Ireland of my childhood, a place of genial warmth where trust between people had not yet eroded. Of course, the old days were no idyll, but as Ireland hurtles towards slick modernity, an integral fibre of our national character strains under the momentum. I came of age when this country was still shaking off the dust of distorted clerical domination. The ecclesiastical grip on society had long lost sight of its grace-filled roots, but once the corruption boil was lanced, the flood swept away perhaps too much of the familiar landscape. An entire system of moral authority collapsed, leaving the next generation adrift between the old certainties we scorned and the new era of unexamined ambition dawning on the horizon as the Celtic Tiger awoke. Caught in that interstitial moment, my friends and I retained an appreciation for the uncalculating kindness that underpinned Irish life. Neighbours knew and aided each other as a matter of course. Doors lay unlocked, paths ungated. The warmth of human interaction, not possessions or status, gave daily life its savour. Of course, we welcomed the economic boom that soon came, the money and opportunities. But only some realised the cost as Ireland reinvented itself as a modern nation proud to take its place on the global stage. Somewhere along the way, the unassuming mentality that still lingered in my youth got subsumed under world-class aspirations. The relaxed pace of life accelerated. Personal ambition replaced communal welfare as a motivating force. Always a people who loved words and stories, we Irish became enamoured of marketing slogans and images; this replaced reality instead of describing it. The warmth remained at some level that essential Hibernian enjoyment of talk and lively company ingrained too deep to die. But now, it serves more as a spice to stimulate commerce than a balm to strengthen the community. We have lost the bliss of abandoned blarney. But the well-publicised exuberance of Irish chat and humour concealed a vein of reticence running through our character. Perhaps some echo of colonial repression lingered even post-independence, or the natural introversion of islanders shaped our genetic code. Whatever the reason, we tended to play our cards close to our chests, keep private anguish damped down beneath witty repartee. This habit likely enabled the radical shift in public attitudes my generation witnessed. The same stoic reflex that once weathered foreign dictates now accepted revised dogma from newly enthroned arbiters of secular morality. And they have proven to have feet of clay. The past quarter century has seen Ireland embrace a series of momentous social changes with astonishing speed. It seemed that the Church's reflection in the law and social mores dissolved overnight. Long sacred elements of how this country understood itself now lay dismissed as embarrassing anachronisms no wonder older generations stood stunned at all they no longer recognised. But more was yet to come. With each referendum, familiar foundations were defined as dangerous bigotries needing uprooting in the name of progress. Historic Irish penchants for rebellion and even iconoclasm fed the momentum; their heat focused on inward targets when external oppressors no longer presented themselves. Predictably, much of this came cloaked as the inevitable work of modernisation an end to parochial perspectives and entry as equal partners into the 21st-century global order. EU membership brought countdowns to when Ireland would graduate into an era of enlightened maturity, shedding provincial trammels. Chafing under the legacy of colonised inferiority, we celebrated taking our place among world leaders who validated our new progressive laws. The endorsement of outsiders somehow mattered more than innate integrity or continuity with all that we, as a people, once understood ourselves to be. The underside of this hunger for global approval lay in one fact we are slow to recognise: Ireland had always cared too much for the opinions of others. Much of our lauded progressivism is rooted in a craven need for validation, never quite believing ourselves deserving of our newfound liberality and unprecedented prosperity. Where our larger neighbour Britain had spent centuries imposing its will on half the planet with imperial command, we Irish occupied the opposite pole internalising the disdain of colonial subjugation and absorbing oppressor values to assuage a secret shame incurred by the failure to ultimately drive armies from our land. That legacy etched itself too deep not to warp future growth. We resurrected the famine years as a token of both colonial oppression and national failure. We Irish nurture a persistent mythos around our storied history of rebellion against foreign domination. The tale spun before tourists and in bars proclaims us a people ever ready to rise against oppression, defiant icons of courage against the empire's overweening ambition. The mythic tapestry of unbroken resistance glosses over less noble accommodations with power. The more profound truth about us Irish reveals a more conflicted strain rarely true rebels at heart so much as scorned lovers aching to gain approval from those who wounded our pride. Beneath lyrical ballads glorifying every past rising, Irish history records long eras of relative docility under leaders imposed from across the sea. And when independence finally tore that banner down, an anxious gravity towards order quickly quelled the fervour. Be it under the new clerical state Eamon de Valera erected to approve Church dominion or the latest cadre overturning that order to impose a revised doctrine, we Irish prove loathe to bite the hand that leads. This is not to question the sincerity behind their guidance but to note a sheeplike tendency when confronted with strongly projected certainty. This instinct to defer to those expressing certainty reflects an Irish inclination of spirit we genuflect before anyone wielding a self-assurance we lack in ourselves. Rather than thoughtful philosophical rebellion, our dramatic rejection more closely resembles a petulant outburst. The anarchy in Dublin's streets following the child stabbings was little more than a dangerous tantrum, not the manifestation of any cohesive, far-right ideology. The post-riot government rhetoric is an opportunistic, self-serving mirage, full of smokescreens. To label these riots an expression of the far right is to credit them with a political cohesion utterly alien to their wanton thuggery. However, it serves the fiction of a sinister far right ready to storm imagined ramparts protecting a creeping tyranny masquerading as liberty. The result is that today's Ireland presents a Janus face to the world. One visage captures everything audiences expect from comic tales of Irish excess and unpredictable 'rebellion' against constraints. This remains a vital currency in Ireland's appeal to tourists seeking a brief escape from their more humdrum lives. But turn the coin, and you find a desperate desire for global plaudits the world's great societies approving our modernised transformation. If we dare mention our Christianity, it's as a cold statistic, not an affirmation of intergenerational faith that shaped our culture, architecture and resurgent nationalism. Politicians plead imperatives beyond their control or ability to challenge. Our incumbent political elites have more in common with Brussels than Belmullet. So internal debates get framed to suit external metrics, policies crafted to meet supposed economic necessity or standards set by bodies lightyears away, both physically and culturally. Judges quote UN committees and European courts rather than legal tradition reflecting a once cherished constitution Is this rendered inevitable by forces of global capitalism and digital connectivity binding all societies into common rhythms? For the sake of sanity, I believe some essential continuity with the past can be woven into whatever we now become. But restoring the frayed social contract of mutual interdependence, rather than chasing markers of achievement enforced by political elites, requires an Irish-centric leadership currently lacking from our jaded governing class. In the next generation, can we look for continuity with every past age who defended the character of this land? I can only hope they recognise the treasure they inherit and retain it long enough to pass on when their time comes to guide Ireland's course between tradition and all that will change. What is a people if they lose sight of who they are? Ireland may don any costume the world demands, but let's cultivate the national flavours still thriving underneath before we become bland and tasteless. James Cox Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate Dail proceedings in the coming week. Refugee supports The Government has announced changes to supports for Ukrainian refugees, and it is likely to be a key topic of Dail discussion. The changes, which will come into force at the end of January, will see State accommodation being provided to arriving Ukrainians for a maximum of 90 days, where it had previously been provided without limit. The changes are not opposed in any big way by any of the opposition parties. However, whether they will lead to more homelessness will be a topic of discussion. Speaking on Friday, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien would not clarify whether he expected homeless figures to rise in response to the cut to support for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland. Earlier, Ukraines ambassador to Ireland said she understands the Governments decision to cut support for people fleeing Russias invasion. The Government has provided State accommodation to Ukrainians arriving in Ireland for an unlimited amount of time, and a weekly social welfare rate of 220 a week, since the war broke out in February 2022. Last week ministers agreed that from the end of January, State accommodation will only be provided for up to 90 days. During that period, arrivals will be paid a 38.80 subsistence allowance and an additional 29.80 per child per week; once they leave State accommodation they are entitled to apply for social welfare. No changes are being made for the 100,000 Ukrainian nationals who are already living in Ireland. Calls for Gaza ceasefire Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was early among EU leaders in calling for a cease in hostilities in Gaza. Speaking after a European Commission meeting this week, he reiterated these calls. Mr Varadkar has said there is a very clear majority but not unanimity in the EU for a ceasefire in Gaza, a day after saying the bloc had lost credibility on the issue. Despite this strong stance, opposition parties, led by Sinn Fein have said the Government has not gone far enough. They lost a Dail motion over the expulsion of Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich, while the Government has also dismissed calls to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Abroad British prime minister Rishi Sunak narrowly won a vote on the UK government's controversial Rwanda legislation this week. He faces pressure from the right wing of the Conservative Party, and the opposition, led by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. That will continue, and likely intensify, in the coming week. In the United States, president Joe Biden has started to turn against Israel's relentless bombing of Gaza. He has said their assaults on Hamas need to be more targeted, and the EU's calls for a Gaza ceasefire will likely be on his mind. 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. At the WCR Center for the Arts in Reading, artists of all kinds spread out across the floor. "We have visual art, we have poetry, we have live tattooing happening right now," said Anthony Orozco, Barrio Alegria director of operations. Zuleika Miranda from Lancaster was one of them. "Everything stems from my own experiences," said Miranda. Her acrylic prints and wood burned art are spread across her stand. "It really focuses on the cycle of life and death," said Miranda. Artist Shawn Butler is sending a message with his work. "I ask people if you could encourage yourself or others to do three things more often to make your life or other people's lives more positive, what would they be?" said Butler. Then he puts the answers to work. "Then I put stencils under the words 'do more' and I figure subconsciously, people seeing those shirts will pick up on do more, whatever the symbol is," said Butler. "I would love for the rest of the city to see what they have here," said Orozco. Orozco helped put it all together, an event coming a little more than a week ahead of Christmas. "When you come here and you see something that was made by somebody not just by their hands, but by the passion that they have inside them, that takes the gift to a whole other level," said Orozco. A place he said you can find one-of-a-kind handmade art. "Generally, these are the best creators we have in the city," said Orozco. In cemeteries around Lehigh Valley, veterans of all of America's wars and conflicts are being remembered this weekend. "They are saying their name. Honoring them. Making sure the wreath is fluffed up and the bow is straight," said Donna Schrantz, of Easton Daughters of the American Revolution. The wreaths are donated from individuals and organizations and will be laid at more than 3,000 cemeteries across the nation, including many here at home. Like in Easton, where volunteers are laying 600 wreaths, and recognizing 3,000 veterans who died in defense of their country. "What you have here today wasn't here. It was worked for and earned and people gave their lives to get this country to where it is today. And we need to remember them. Always," said Schrantz. State Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) helped pass a bill in the house declaring Saturday 'Wreaths Across America Day in Pennsylvania." "We're getting into the holiday season everything's festive...but it's nice to acknowledge those who mean so much to us and Wreaths across America does that," Freeman said. In Easton, the Daughters of the American Revolution helped collect the wreaths. Bugler Joni Caffrey-Stocker says their beauty a reminder of the freedom these veterans worked so hard to defend. "It makes it so personal. For me to be able to say thank you," Caffrey-Stocker said. "It's just a couple of hours and it's very rewarding. We have to continue to teach our kids about where this country came from." In Boyertown, Gold Star Stepmother Elizabeth Zimmerman laid a wreath at the grave of her step-son, Travis Zimmerman. He was the first soldier from Berks County to be killed in Iraq in 2006. "So if you can, donate. Because there's many veterans out there still that there's not enough wreaths to go around all the cemeteries," Zimmerman said. You can already go to the Wreaths Across America website and purchase a wreath for next year. HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has endorsed a candidate for Treasurer ahead of next spring's primary: State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie). Bizzarro received the endorsement over two other Democratic candidates: Alan Butkovitz (Philadelphia) and Erin McClelland (Allegheny) The winner of the primary will face incumbent Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, in the general election next November. Garrity is running unopposed on the GOP side and has received her party's endorsement. A press release from Bizzarro's campaign noted that, if he wins the primary, Bizzarro would become the first statewide office holder from Erie County since Gov. Tom Ridge (1995-2001). HARRISBURG, Pa. Speed enforcement cameras in work zones across Pennsylvania are here to stay, thanks to a bill that Gov. Josh Shapiro signed on Thursday. Known as House Bill 1284, the legislation makes Pennsylvania's pilot work zone camera program permanent. The program, which authorizes the use of automated speed enforcement cameras to monitor drivers' speed through work zones, was initiated in March 2020. A recent report from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation states that Pennsylvania has seen a decrease in work zone fatality since 2020 while such fatality rates have increased nationally during this time. More than 1 million speeding violations have been issued in Pennsylvania since the program went into effect, the report said. GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) An intense late-year storm barreled up the East Coast on Sunday with heavy rains and strong winds that shattered rainfall records, forced water rescues from flooded streets and washed out holiday celebrations. Authorities rescued dozens of motorists stranded by floodwaters in South Carolina's waterfront community of Georgetown, Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach said. More than 9 inches (22.9 centimeters) of rain fell in the area situated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach since late Saturday. Its not just the areas that we normally see flooding, that are flood-prone, Broach said. Its areas that were not really expecting to have flooding issues...Its like a tropical storm, it just happens to be in December. The tide in Charleston Harbor hit its fourth highest level on record and was well above the highest tide for a non-tropical system, according to the National Weather Service. Rising sea levels driven by human-caused climate change mean even relatively weak weather systems can now produce storm surges previously associated with hurricanes, said Meteorologist Jeff Masters, co-founder of the Weather Underground. In South Carolina thats worsened by natural subsidence along the coast. By 2050, Charleston is expected to see another 14 inches (35.6 centimeters) of sea level rise, Masters said. "In Charleston, this is the sixth time this year already that they've had a major coastal flood. Most of those would not have been major flooding 100 years ago, because the sea level has risen that much," he said. The storm was forecast to gain strength as it tracked along the Georgia and Carolina coasts, producing heavy rain and gusty winds before sweeping into New England by Monday morning, the weather service said. Wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph (56 kph to 72 kph) could bring down trees, especially on saturated ground. There were numerous road closures in Charleston and across South Carolina's Lowcountry, while stranded cars littered streets. There were no reports of injuries or deaths in Georgetown County, Broach said. Gusty winds were strong enough to topple some signs and trees. Outdoor holiday decorations were tossed about, she said. Water rescues also took place on Kiawah and Seabrook islands, according to media outlets. Charleston International Airport had more than 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain in 24 hours almost five times the prior record set in 1975, according to the National Weather Service. Farther up the coast, minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected Sunday, according to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, North Carolina. There were more than 31,000 power outages in South Carolina, according to PowerOutage.us, along with over 14,000 in North Carolina and more than 11,000 in Florida. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of a possible 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain, powerful winds and potential flooding in parts of the state. Flood watches were in effect in many locations in New York City, and high wind warnings were activated around the city and Long Island. We will get through this storm, but preparation is the key, New York Mayor Eric Adams said. City officials told residents to expect several hours of rain and possible delays during Monday mornings commute. Colder air behind the storm will trigger lake-effect snow across the Great Lakes toward the Appalachians and upstate New York into Tuesday, the weather service said. The storm dumped up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain across Florida, inundating streets and forcing the cancellation of boat parades and other holiday celebrations. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and minor flooding advisories for a wide swath of the state, from the southwest Gulf Coast to Jacksonville. Major airports remained open, however, at the start of the busy holiday travel season. Today is not the day to go swimming or boating! Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County, on Florida's southwestern coast, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Coastal advisories were issued for much of Florida as strong winds churned waters in the Gulf and along the north Atlantic coast. The storm could be good news for residents in southwest Florida who have been facing water restrictions and drought conditions heading into what normally is the region's dry season. The weather service also warned of 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 centimeters) of rain in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with the heaviest expected late Sunday night, and possible urban and small stream flooding and at least minor flooding to some rivers through Monday. Forecasters also warned of strong winds in coastal areas, gale-force winds offshore, and moderate coastal flooding along Delaware Bay and widespread minor coastal flooding elsewhere. The weather service said there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall over parts of New England through Monday morning, with the potential for flash flooding. Northern New England is expected to get the heaviest rain Monday through Tuesday morning. GettyImages-613345556 Earlier in the pandemic, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) stood out as an earnings and stock-market star thanks to its leading coronavirus vaccine and treatment. But these days, those products are weighing on growth -- and pushing some investors to flee the stock. That's because, as we head toward a post-pandemic world, demand for those blockbusters is on the decline. Earlier this fall, Pfizer sounded the alarm, cutting its forecast for coronavirus product revenue this year and announcing details of a cost-cutting plan. Just this past week, the big pharma released guidance on earnings and coronavirus product revenue for next year that fell short of analysts' expectations. And the company aims to make even deeper cost cuts than initially planned. Pfizer shares responded by dropping to a 10-year low. Considering this latest wave of bad news, should you worry about Pfizer and avoid the shares -- or is it time to buy? An investor works at a laptop in a darkened office. Image source: Getty Images. Pfizer's $100 billion in revenue Today's troubles begin with yesterday's successes. Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine Comirnaty and treatment Paxlovid brought in revenue of $37 billion and $18 billion, respectively, at their peak last year. This helped Pfizer post its highest annual revenue ever, more than $100 billion. After such a performance, seeing 2024 annual revenue forecast at a level of $58.5 billion to $61.5 billion may be particularly disappointing. And as part of this, Pfizer predicts coronavirus product revenue will total only $8 billion next year, a far cry from last year's figures. On top of that, Pfizer's cost realignment plan will include an additional $500 million in cost cuts to reach cost savings of $4 billion. The company announced this effort earlier in the fall vaccination season, when it noticed lower-than-expected sales of coronavirus products. The idea was to rein in costs to match long-term revenue opportunities. The recent increase in the cost savings forecast may worry investors, as it suggests coronavirus product revenue may be even lower than the company predicted just months ago. Story continues Pandemic versus post-pandemic All of this may sound grim, but it's important to put the latest news into perspective. With its coronavirus products, Pfizer served a pandemic environment. It's very unlikely demand would remain at the same levels once the world shifted toward a post-pandemic mindset. And it's been difficult for vaccine companies to truly predict vaccine uptake in this evolving situation, other than using demand for influenza vaccines as a guide. These days, coronavirus vaccine coverage hasn't reached 50% of the population, as the flu vaccine has in recent years. But it could eventually, especially if Pfizer and others are successful in producing combined flu-COVID vaccine candidates. Even if coronavirus vaccination doesn't hit the 50% mark, the vaccine still could remain a solid source of recurrent revenue for Pfizer. Meanwhile, other elements also are weighing on Pfizer right now -- but they don't signal negative long-term situations. Pfizer's costs to finance the recent acquisition of oncology company Seagen are set to impact earnings, shaving off 40 cents per share. This is a headwind right now, but the Seagen addition should bring the pharma company a solid portfolio of oncology drugs that will add to revenue over time. Pfizer predicts the Seagen portfolio will start this off by generating $3.1 billion in revenue next year. Pfizer's time of transition So what does all of this mean for investors? It's clear Pfizer is going through a time of transition right now, and it may be a tough period for the company and for investors who have watched the shares decline. But the business's long-term prospects remain bright. In addition to the positive points mentioned above, Pfizer also is in the middle of its most aggressive series of product launches ever -- with the goal of bringing 19 new products or indications to market over an 18-month period. Yes, Pfizer faces declining sales from certain products, and the need to bring costs in line with future revenue; these factors could continue weighing on the stock in the near term. I don't see this as a moment to sell the stock or to avoid it, though. Instead, I see it as a time to get in on Pfizer shares for a good price considering its long-term story. Pfizer trades for about 17 times forward earnings estimates, a very reasonable level for this top pharma stock. Even if the near-term path looks bumpy, the company is preparing the terrain to deliver rewards to investors over the long haul. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Pfizer wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 11, 2023 Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Worry About the Latest Wave of Bad News from Pfizer? was originally published by The Motley Fool Boltwood Capital Management trimmed its position in shares of American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report) by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,305 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 319 shares during the period. Boltwood Capital Managements holdings in American Tower were worth $544,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. MV Capital Management Inc. increased its position in American Tower by 75.3% during the second quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 135 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in American Tower during the second quarter worth $27,000. Pinnacle Holdings LLC acquired a new position in American Tower during the first quarter worth $29,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in American Tower during the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in American Tower during the first quarter worth $31,000. 89.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Tower alerts: American Tower Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AMT traded down $0.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $212.15. The stock had a trading volume of 3,722,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,140,250. American Tower Co. has a 52 week low of $154.58 and a 52 week high of $235.57. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $187.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $184.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.15, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.90 billion, a PE ratio of 138.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.68. American Tower Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th will be paid a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 27th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. This is a boost from American Towers previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. American Towers payout ratio is 423.53%. AMT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of American Tower from $211.00 to $205.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on American Tower in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on American Tower from $212.00 to $169.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 16th. HSBC assumed coverage on American Tower in a research report on Thursday. They issued a buy rating and a $245.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Scotiabank assumed coverage on American Tower in a research report on Friday, October 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $226.93. Get Our Latest Stock Report on AMT American Tower Company Profile (Free Report) American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of nearly 225,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Tower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Tower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bartlett & Co. LLC reduced its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 0.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 36,072 shares of the companys stock after selling 218 shares during the period. Bartlett & Co. LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $3,387,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital World Investors grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 116,185,273 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,342,014,000 after purchasing an additional 4,368,323 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 106,291,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,376,231,000 after purchasing an additional 1,092,991 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 95,439,062 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,316,761,000 after purchasing an additional 1,056,110 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 58,592,611 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,793,812,000 after purchasing an additional 1,745,868 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 51,558,741 shares of the companys stock worth $5,033,166,000 after acquiring an additional 2,430,519 shares during the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, September 29th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.27. Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:PM opened at $94.47 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $146.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $91.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $94.20. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.23 and a 12 month high of $105.62. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.62% and a negative return on equity of 129.48%. The company had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.21 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.53 earnings per share. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 100.97%. Insider Activity at Philip Morris International In related news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $942,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now 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 available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Philip Morris International Company 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. See Also 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. Boltwood Capital Management reduced its stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,235 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 90 shares during the quarter. Boltwood Capital Managements holdings in American Express were worth $1,229,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AXP. Bison Wealth LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 2.1% during the second quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 20,444 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $3,561,000 after acquiring an additional 416 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in American Express by 127.9% during the second quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 135,098 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $23,534,000 after acquiring an additional 75,821 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.7% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 123,390 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $21,494,000 after purchasing an additional 6,635 shares during the last quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.5% in the second quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC now owns 7,193 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,253,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.1% in the second quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 19,293 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $3,361,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the last quarter. 83.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $287,860. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $287,860. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the sale, the insider now owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. American Express Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of AXP stock traded up $1.65 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $180.51. 7,139,394 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,180,626. The stocks 50 day moving average is $158.00 and its 200-day moving average is $162.12. The company has a market cap of $131.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $140.91 and a fifty-two week high of $182.15. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.34. The business had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.36 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 13.61%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.47 earnings per share. Analysts predict that American Express will post 11.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Express Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.33%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.51%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AXP. Citigroup raised American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $143.00 to $154.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on American Express from $194.00 to $188.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Piper Sandler upgraded American Express from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $151.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Piper Sandler Companies upgraded American Express to a neutral rating and set a $151.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price target on American Express from $203.00 to $202.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $170.94. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AXP American Express Company Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp decreased its position in Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI Free Report) by 20.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,580 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,680 shares during the quarter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corps holdings in Crown Castle were worth $606,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Argent Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of Crown Castle by 3.3% in the first quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 12,183 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,631,000 after buying an additional 384 shares during the period. Caden Capital Partners LP raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 75.6% during the second quarter. Caden Capital Partners LP now owns 342,243 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,995,000 after purchasing an additional 147,329 shares during the period. Slagle Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Crown Castle during the second quarter worth $2,123,000. Toroso Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 29.0% during the first quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 61,463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $8,226,000 after purchasing an additional 13,803 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its position in shares of Crown Castle by 2.5% during the second quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 63,314 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,214,000 after purchasing an additional 1,565 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.27% of the companys stock. Get Crown Castle alerts: Insider Transactions at Crown Castle In other news, VP Robert Sean Collins sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.16, for a total transaction of $171,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 10,035 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,145,595.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CCI. HSBC began coverage on Crown Castle in a research report on Thursday. They set a hold rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank began coverage on Crown Castle in a research report on Friday, October 13th. They set a sector perform rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Crown Castle from $140.00 to $112.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Crown Castle from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their price target for the company from $125.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised Crown Castle from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price target for the company from $90.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $125.53. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Crown Castle Crown Castle Stock Down 1.5 % CCI stock traded down $1.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $112.84. The stock had a trading volume of 8,435,561 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,893,845. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28. Crown Castle Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.72 and a 1-year high of $153.98. The company has a fifty day moving average of $101.46 and a 200 day moving average of $104.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.52, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.75. Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.69 by ($1.08). The company had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.70 billion. Crown Castle had a return on equity of 21.85% and a net margin of 21.93%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.85 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Crown Castle Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Crown Castle Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.565 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $6.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.55%. Crown Castles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 174.86%. About Crown Castle (Free Report) Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 85,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crown Castle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crown Castle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,482 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 583 shares during the quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,630,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Retirement Group LLC boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% in the 1st quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $60,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 0.4 % NYSE LLY opened at $571.46 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $589.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $530.78. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $309.20 and a 12 month high of $629.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $542.49 billion, a PE ratio of 103.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 48.12% and a net margin of 15.55%. The company had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.88 billion. On average, analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend 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 that occurred 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 transaction, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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 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 directly owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LLY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 9th. TheStreet downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Bank of America upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $570.82. View Our Latest Stock Report on LLY About Eli Lilly and Company (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. Featured Articles 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. A New York couple was arrested Thursday following a pursuit in Caroline County in which speeds reached 100 mph, police said. The chase ended when the white Chevrolet pickup truck ran out of gas. Sheriff Scott Moser said Deputy S. Mullane was on patrol about 7 p.m. when he tried to stop the truck as it headed south on State Route 2 near Bowling Green. The truck sped away and turned on West Broaddus Avenue toward Rogers Clark Boulevard, Moser said. Deputy N. Broughan joined the pursuit that continued on Rogers Clark Boulevard until the truck ran out of gas and stopped near the intersection of Ladysmith Road. No one was injured and no property was damaged, Moser said. Police later learned that the truck had been reported stolen from Elmira and was involved in a burglary there. Kaitlyn Hoskins, 21, and Christian Brown, 20, both of Elmira, N.Y., were both charged with possession of stolen property. Hoskins was also charged with eluding and reckless driving. Both were placed in Pamunkey Regional Jail and have charges pending in New York. In addition to being out of gas, Moser said, the couple was also out of money when they were apprehended. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services cut its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 8.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,891 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,128 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 2.0% of First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $6,924,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Retirement Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% during the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $60,000. 81.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets LLY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed 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. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $650.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Argus raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $570.82. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.4 % Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $571.46 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $542.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 103.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. 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 has a fifty-two week low of $309.20 and a fifty-two week high of $629.97. The stocks fifty day moving average is $589.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $530.78. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 the consensus estimate of $8.88 billion. Analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 81.88%. Eli Lilly and Company 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. See Also 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. Fortem Financial Group LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report) by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,868 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 2,720 shares during the period. Fortem Financial Group LLCs holdings in Enterprise Products Partners were worth $544,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of EPD. Ellsworth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Enterprise Products Partners by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Ellsworth Advisors LLC now owns 20,400 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $538,000 after buying an additional 378 shares during the period. Day & Ennis LLC increased its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 3.2% in the second quarter. Day & Ennis LLC now owns 12,234 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 383 shares during the last quarter. Pennsylvania Capital Management Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Pennsylvania Capital Management Inc. ADV now owns 53,537 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,411,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP increased its holdings in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 22,069 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $582,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marcum Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 16,335 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $430,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.54% of the companys stock. Get Enterprise Products Partners alerts: Enterprise Products Partners Stock Down 0.8 % Shares of EPD stock traded down $0.20 on Friday, reaching $26.29. 9,286,196 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,418,328. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has a 12-month low of $23.14 and a 12-month high of $27.95. The company has a market capitalization of $57.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.73 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.92. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $26.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.62. Enterprise Products Partners Dividend Announcement Enterprise Products Partners ( NYSE:EPD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.08 billion. Enterprise Products Partners had a net margin of 11.04% and a return on equity of 19.32%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 22.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.62 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 31st were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 30th. Enterprise Products Partnerss payout ratio is currently 81.63%. Insider Activity In other Enterprise Products Partners news, Director John R. Rutherford acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $25.96 per share, with a total value of $259,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 137,423 shares in the company, valued at $3,567,501.08. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 32.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes EPD has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Enterprise Products Partners in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a neutral rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Enterprise Products Partners from $33.00 to $31.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Pickering Energy Partners initiated coverage on Enterprise Products Partners in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Enterprise Products Partners in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Enterprise Products Partners has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $31.09. Get Our Latest Report on EPD About Enterprise Products Partners (Free Report) Enterprise Products Partners L.P. provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. The company operates through four segments: NGL Pipelines & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EPD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enterprise Products Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enterprise Products Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greenfield Savings Bank bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 8,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $900,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MRK. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 102,675.5% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,860,147,936 shares of the companys stock worth $214,642,470,000 after purchasing an additional 1,858,338,022 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock worth $4,363,385,000 after buying an additional 39,289,404 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,736,293,000. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 30.2% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 35,734,925 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,801,839,000 after buying an additional 8,281,942 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 68,563,817 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,294,504,000 after acquiring an additional 6,546,946 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.59% of the companys stock. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have issued reports on MRK. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They set a buy rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $132.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.14. Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance NYSE:MRK opened at $105.64 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $96.36 and a 52 week high of $119.65. The stocks fifty day moving average is $103.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.67. The company has a market capitalization of $267.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.69, a P/E/G ratio of 9.03 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 18.26% and a net margin of 7.77%. The firm had revenue of $16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.30 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 1.37 EPS for the current year. Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 8th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.92%. This is a boost from Merck & Co., Inc.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 162.22%. Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total transaction of $213,052.78. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 18,191 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,394.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total value of $4,602,729.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 111,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,738,572.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total transaction of $213,052.78. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 18,191 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,394.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greenfield Savings Bank purchased a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 892 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $383,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of IVV. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 27.3% during the third quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,055 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,889,000 after acquiring an additional 1,942 shares during the last quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.1% during the third quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,274 shares of the companys stock worth $4,412,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $477,000. Curbstone Financial Management Corp purchased a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $512,000. Finally, CCG Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. CCG Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,960 shares of the companys stock worth $841,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Down 0.2 % IVV opened at $473.57 on Friday. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a twelve month low of $376.49 and a twelve month high of $475.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $366.38 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. The firms 50-day moving average price is $444.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $443.55. About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 7,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $437,000. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Paladin Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. KB Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Meitav Investment House Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 68.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades KO has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a hold rating and a $64.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.20. Insider Transactions at Coca-Cola In other news, SVP Henrique Braun sold 52,696 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.97, for a total transaction of $3,002,091.12. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 26,272 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,496,715.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Henrique Braun sold 52,696 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.97, for a total value of $3,002,091.12. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 26,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,496,715.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 20,534 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.12, for a total value of $1,152,368.08. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 143,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,046,653.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 349,316 shares of company stock worth $19,716,506 in the last quarter. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Coca-Cola Stock Down 0.8 % Shares of NYSE KO opened at $58.54 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $253.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 0.58. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52-week low of $51.55 and a 52-week high of $64.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.14. The companys 50 day moving average price is $56.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $58.79. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.05. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 23.92% and a return on equity of 42.44%. The company had revenue of $11.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.45 billion. Equities analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current year. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.14%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.90%. About Coca-Cola (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phocas Financial Corp. decreased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report) by 14.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 6,040 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,015 shares during the period. Phocas Financial Corp.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $416,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 72.1% during the first quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 11,841 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $808,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959 shares during the period. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the first quarter worth about $37,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 83.6% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 23,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 10,470 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 7.1% during the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 13,970 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,028,000 after purchasing an additional 928 shares during the period. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 38.1% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 236,500 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $17,406,000 after acquiring an additional 65,200 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.78% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Trading Down 1.0 % NYSEARCA:EFA traded down $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $74.34. The company had a trading volume of 22,420,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,862,180. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1-year low of $65.09 and a 1-year high of $75.33. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $70.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.10. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,850 shares of the aircraft producers stock after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the quarter. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $738,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BA. United Bank increased its holdings in Boeing by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 5,036 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $964,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in Boeing by 1,064.4% in the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 850 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $163,000 after acquiring an additional 777 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Boeing by 68.0% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,111 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,362,000 after purchasing an additional 2,879 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Boeing during the first quarter worth about $836,000. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Boeing by 26.7% during the first quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 2,127 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. 61.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boeing alerts: Boeing Trading Up 2.8 % Shares of NYSE:BA opened at $263.46 on Friday. The Boeing Company has a 1-year low of $176.25 and a 1-year high of $265.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $159.39 billion, a P/E ratio of -56.06 and a beta of 1.53. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $208.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $212.89. Analyst Ratings Changes Boeing ( NYSE:BA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The aircraft producer reported ($3.26) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($3.21) by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $18.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted ($6.18) earnings per share. Boeings revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -6.01 EPS for the current year. Several equities analysts recently commented on BA shares. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada raised Boeing from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $200.00 to $275.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $270.00 to $230.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Boeing from $210.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, William Blair began coverage on shares of Boeing in a research note on Tuesday. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.12. Read Our Latest Report on Boeing Boeing Profile (Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp lowered its position in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report) by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,598 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 106 shares during the quarter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corps holdings in Waste Management were worth $244,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Spirit of America Management Corp NY acquired a new stake in Waste Management during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Waste Management by 179.4% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 190 shares of the business services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.34% of the companys stock. Get Waste Management alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 4,167 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $716,724.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,321 shares in the company, valued at $30,499,212. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Waste Management news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 4,167 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $716,724.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,321 shares in the company, valued at $30,499,212. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total value of $925,876.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 171,938 shares in the company, valued at $29,573,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 43,436 shares of company stock worth $7,488,314. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Waste Management Price Performance Shares of WM traded down $2.12 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $174.55. 3,676,742 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,591,205. The company has a market capitalization of $70.30 billion, a PE ratio of 30.89, a PEG ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $167.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $164.02. Waste Management, Inc. has a one year low of $148.31 and a one year high of $179.50. Waste Management (NYSE:WM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.27 billion. Waste Management had a return on equity of 34.14% and a net margin of 11.47%. The companys revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.56 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 5.98 earnings per share for the current year. Waste Management Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.60%. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio is 49.56%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WM has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group upgraded Waste Management from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $170.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. HSBC initiated coverage on Waste Management in a research report on Friday, September 15th. They set a buy rating and a $192.00 price target on the stock. Scotiabank dropped their price target on Waste Management from $177.50 to $165.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Waste Management from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Oppenheimer increased their price objective on Waste Management from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.43. View Our Latest Analysis on WM Waste Management Profile (Free Report) Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&R Capital Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,698 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,666 shares during the quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,198,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.8% during the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 1,415,759 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $154,346,000 after purchasing an additional 126,547 shares in the last quarter. Core Alternative Capital raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 27.0% during the second quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 1,290 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $141,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 315.5% during the first quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC now owns 12,182 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,234,000 after acquiring an additional 9,250 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% during the first quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 99,836 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $10,109,000 after purchasing an additional 11,303 shares during the period. Finally, Harbour Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% in the first quarter. Harbour Investment Management LLC now owns 26,750 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,709,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 1.2 % ABT opened at $107.29 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $98.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $102.49. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $89.67 and a 52 week high of $115.83. The stock has a market cap of $186.26 billion, a PE ratio of 36.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 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 Increases Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 20.15%. The company had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.15 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 12th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.05%. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.39%. Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories 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 shares were sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total value of $4,702,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,725,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $632,515,969.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. TheStreet lowered Abbott Laboratories from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $117.80. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). 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. William Blair reaffirmed their market perform rating on shares of Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP Free Report) in a research note released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. William Blair also issued estimates for Advance Auto Parts Q4 2023 earnings at $0.17 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $1.50 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $3.75 EPS. A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Stephens reduced their price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $77.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 25th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Advance Auto Parts from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price target for the company from $60.00 to $43.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $75.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Advance Auto Parts currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $79.53. Get Advance Auto Parts alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Advance Auto Parts Advance Auto Parts Stock Performance NYSE:AAP opened at $62.72 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The companys 50-day moving average price is $53.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.06. Advance Auto Parts has a twelve month low of $47.73 and a twelve month high of $158.22. The company has a market cap of $3.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.08. Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 15th. The company reported ($0.82) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($2.26). Advance Auto Parts had a return on equity of 9.40% and a net margin of 1.65%. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.68 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.84 earnings per share. Advance Auto Partss revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Advance Auto Parts will post 1.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Advance Auto Parts Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 11th. Advance Auto Partss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.05%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Kristen L. Soler acquired 500 shares of Advance Auto Parts stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $55.60 per share, for a total transaction of $27,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at $705,953.20. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Kristen L. Soler acquired 500 shares of Advance Auto Parts stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $55.60 per share, for a total transaction of $27,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at $705,953.20. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kristen L. Soler acquired 1,000 shares of Advance Auto Parts stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $52.87 per share, with a total value of $52,870.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,197 shares in the company, valued at approximately $644,855.39. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Advance Auto Parts Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC raised its position in Advance Auto Parts by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC now owns 1,717 shares of the companys stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its position in Advance Auto Parts by 113.7% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 156 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund raised its position in Advance Auto Parts by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 2,173 shares of the companys stock worth $340,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Advance Auto Parts by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,418 shares of the companys stock worth $293,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Advance Auto Parts by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,845 shares of the companys stock worth $2,329,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.75% of the companys stock. Advance Auto Parts Company Profile (Get Free Report) Advance Auto Parts, Inc provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Advance Auto Parts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Advance Auto Parts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. For 33 years now, Ive asked readers to nominate homes they believe have the best Grand Holiday Displays, then have gone out to see them and make sure they are indeed bright and cheery. Through the years, Ive gotten to know those who regularly go out of their way to set up Christmas displays, and enjoy seeing their houses and yards each year. As I drove more than 175 miles to check out displays the past few weeks, it was fun to see whats new or how things had changed. Remember if you use this list to do your bright lights cruising, know that the houses on this list arent necessarily all the best ones around. Theyre simply homes that readers and light fanciers nominated. Though no longer working at the paper full time, I was honored to be asked to come back and share these shining displays with readers. Its likely this year will be the last, as family moving elsewhere make it likely Ill be away from home next Christmas. Ill be back in a few days with the home I chose as this years winner. So, as Im wont to say each year at this time, pack up some ice-cold Yoo-hoo, grab Aunt Edna and the rest of the family and set out to see some of these dazzling displays. Merry Christmas! Stafford County 14 Fairfax Circle (Off of Ferry Road near Route 3): A big Santa and a giant reindeer looks on as lights on the house, yard, roof, bushes and more fill the night with joy. 14 Briarwood Drive (Take Ferry Road to Colebrook, a right on Briarwood): From Santa to a beautiful Nativity scene, the handmade wooden cutouts here make it special. There are angels, a sled, reindeer, the North Pole express and much more, and a sign wishing peace. 32 Brown Circle (From Ferry Road, take Clarion Drive to a right onto Brown Circle): The theme here is Old Fashioned Christmas, with ceramic C7 lights on three sides of the house, driveway and walkway outlined and more than 125 blow molds. 437 White Oak Road (Near Ferry Road): Lights in the yard, house and figures like Santa dance in time to Christmas music in this jolly stop. 619 White Oak Road (Near last): In this display the owners call The House of the Rescued Misfits, whats new is a 20-foot Santa, a reindeer dog, a new tree and kitty. Collecting for the Stafford Animal Shelter. 508 Deacon Road (Across from Grafton Village Elementary): Reindeer on the roof, angels, toy soldiers and a Nativity make this merry. McCarty Road (Off White Oak Road): This long yard features 10 lighted magnolias, a candy cane driveway, and two streaming stars, plus vintage cut-outs, deer and even an 1898 red sleigh holding Santa. 17 Belle Plains Road (Just off White Oak Road): A 25-foot lighted tree is circled by candy canes, a star, dancing arches and blow-ups, all synced to music. Owner recommends pulling into the driveway. 123 Brickert St. (From White Oak Road hear White Oak Animal Hospital): Lights on the fence, on bushes, in the yard, on arches and more, with toy soldiers on duty. 1208 Amherst Avenue (Off Leeland Road, take Amherst): Lots to see here, from a Santa sleigh on the roof, a candy cane archway, St. Nick in a camper, with many blow-ups and music show to make it merry. 3 Mills Court (From Leeland Road, take Amherst to a left on Leeland): In this large display, see Santa and his elves enjoying a carousel and a Ferris wheel, a snow couple on a teeter-totter and a toy workshop. 95 Hunton Drive (From Leeland Road, take Walnut Farms Pkwy. to Hunton): An explosion of lights and cheer includes lights on trees, the house, bushes and more, with Santa Mickey, a Merry Christmas snow globe, candy canes, blow-ups and more. 806 Spring Valley Drive (From U.S. 1, take Spring Valley): An army of Santas, reindeer, lights, blow-ups, presents, decorations and more light up the night. Plus, a reindeer stable, a North Pole sign and lighted figures all about. 96 Carriage Hill Drive (From U.S. 1, take Truslow Road to a left on Carriage Hill): Here see a yard full of inflatables, including a giant Rudolph and Clarice. There are animated shadow boxes in the windows, a train, arches over the sidewalk and a giant LOVE sign. 31 Worsham Lane (From Truslow Road, take Beagle Road to a left on Wellspring to a right on Worsham): Here find blow-ups, lighted animals, a Nativity, lighted trees, musical snowmen, a singing reindeer and a tree made of lights, with and a big blow-up Santa. 5 Pebble Beach Drive (From U.S. 1 just north of Stafford Baptist, take Landmark Drive to right on Pebble Beach): Red and green lights on the house, windows, trees, bushes and wreaths light up the night. 9 Kinross Drive (From Winding Creek Road, take Walpole to a right on Nugent and a left onto Kinross): In this display see Santa and his sleigh, elves packing toys and the Island of Misfit toys, with lights all around. 612, 650, 668 and 682 Ramoth Church Road and 37 Little John Lane (From U.S. 1 north, take left onto State Route 628, which soon becomes Ramoth Church Road): A new Manger joins the sea of displays that make up Cooperville, a series of Cooper family yards to make even Santa smile. With yards full of lights and figures, its amazing. 20 Parkwood Court (From Eustace Road and Northampton Boulevard, go north on Eustace to a right on Parkwood): Here find a yard filled with lights, figures and blow-ups, from the Grinch to penguins, polar bears, snowmen and toy soldiers, with a cheery Merry Christmas sign. 18 Wells Road (From Mountain View Road, take Choptank to a left on Bertram, a right on Wells): Included here: winter wonderland with cut-outs, blow-ups, a big Nativity and Santas on the porch, driving a pickup and heading down the chimney. 378 Winding Creek Road (From Courthouse Road near Winding Creek Elementary, take Winding Creek Road): Lights dance to Christmas music in this bright display, with a candy cane-lined driveway, a Santa sleigh and reindeer, the North Pole and lights, lights, lights. 262 Choptank Road (From last, head back to a left on Choptank, with the house right there on the right): Two tall deer, a sun and a penguin slide join Santa and his sleigh, with Charlie Brown and so many lights. 16 and 18 Washington and Lee Blvd. (Continue on Choptank to a right onto Washington and Lee): At 16, lights are everywhere with a bright green light tree near the door with Santas of different times in the yard, which is dotted with white lights to appear as snow. At 18, lights and candy canes light up the house, while Santa is at a North Pole stable and elsewhere in a yard where a gingerbread man says hello. 1012 Aspen Road (From Mine Road, take Embrey Mill Road to a left on Aspen): Synchronized lights flash and glow to Christmas tunes available at 100.1 FM with flashing trees, hoops, the house, candy canes in the yard and more. Theres even a walk-up spot for cars with no radio. 1937 Brooke Road (On Brooke Road near Crows Nest Natural Area): This beautiful, long and sloping yard is alight with Santa and his reindeer, glowing trees, a Nativity, snowmen and lots of lights. 124 Pewter Lane (From Garrisonville Road, Take Brafferton to a right on Pewter): From elephants to snowmen, a Grinch to a panda, the yard is filled with figures and lights, with the roof, house and trees shining. 22 Pembroke Lane (From Telegraph Road heading north, take a right on Clark Lane, a right on Tamerlane Drive, then a right on Pembroke): Lights and figures on the roof and in the yard coordinate with music, to make your heart happy. 36 Riverton Drive (From Garrisonville Road, take Barrett Heights (next to post office) to a left onto Whitestone, left on Riverton): The house and yard are chock full of decorative trees, wooden cut-outs, Santas, snowmen and so many figures, all lighted and synched to music. 5 Ella Court (From State Route 610, take Parkway Boulevard, left on Waters Landing, right on Lakeside Drive to Ella): This house is covered with lights, Santas sleigh and reindeer on the roof. Classics like Rudolph, Peanuts and the Grinch are there too, with Santa watching from a window. 68 Van Horn Lane (From Rock Hill Church Road near Rock Hill Baptist Church, take Van Horn): Here find 87 wood cut-outs, 106 wire figures, 10 blow-ups, and over 4000 lights, including a full-size sleigh and reindeer, a life-sized Nativity, the Island of Misfit Toys and much more. Collection taken for the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. 13 Turner Drive (From last house, take Rock Hill Church Road toward Ruby, turning onto Turner): A bright display of inflatables that includes a crab pot, lighted tree and so many lights, as well as Christmas unicorns in honor of a lost family member. 137 Donovan Lane (From Mountain View Road, take Poplar Road to a left on Donovan): In one of the most elegant displays out there, this is a yard of lights: on the house, in and creating trees, with beautiful wreaths, lighted deer and more making this a great stop. 127 Richland Road (From U.S. 17 near Richland Baptist Church, take Richland to house): More than 50 blow-ups, including a unicorn on a ball and Santa on the moon, with lights on the house and in the yard. 127 Marsh Road (Just off U.S. 17 just part Hartwood): Lights, trees, snowmen, deer and Clark Griswolds car and Christmas tree found here. 620 Hartwood Road (Continue on Richland to a left on Hartwood Road): From a horseshoe driveway for easy access, see Sesame Street, Toyland, Charlie Brown and Candy Land areas, with Christmas movies playing and lights twinkling to music. Collecting for Bobbies Pitbull Rescue, One by One Deathrow Dog Rescue and Stafford Animal Shelter. 20 Rocky Run Road (From U.S. 17, take Banks Ford Pkwy to a right onto Greenbank to slight right onto Rocky Run): Christmas snow globes, Santa and a balloon and a coterie of snowmen and lights say wow. Spotsylvania County 5710 Heritage Hills Circle (Off Bragg Road heading toward Central Park, take a left into subdivision, house on right): The display includes a large Nativity scene with more than 50 lighted religious figures, 12 trees, four scripture readings, a Nutcracker castle and North Pole Santaland. 6 Edison Court (From Bragg Road, take a right onto Waverly to a left on Edison): Lights, wreaths, snowmen and more make this longtime display a warm and welcome sight. 11812 Fillmore Lane (From last house, take right on Hoover, right on Reagan and a left onto Fillmore): Toy soldiers or all types, wreaths, snowmen, presents and more. 12515 Single Oak Road (From State Route 3, take Single Oak, with house on the right): White lights on two big trees, red and blue on bushes, the house lighted all over. A cheery display. 12651 Hidden Hills Lane (Continue past last house to right on 5 Mile Road, a left on Hidden Hills): Another big and bright display, with lighted JOY, deer, lighted trees and the house aglow. 6806 Old Plank Road (From Gordon Road, take Old Plank): This yard is filled with dozens and dozens of handmade and painted characters, with several wire-famed figures that move. There are gingerbread men, reindeer, trucks, Santas workshop, a merry-go-round, Santa in a helicopter a nice Nativity and more. Music on radio at 106.9 FM. 7101 Crown Jewels Court (From Route 3, take Harrison Road to rights on Old Plank and Big Ben, left onto Crown Jewels): Such a big and still elegant display, from light figures to cut-outs to a river on the ground. Not to mention Santa, a toy soldier, huge light trees, deer, a train, a snow bear, a sleigh and more. 12309 McClain St. (From Route 3, take Corter by Chancellor Elementary to a right on McClain): A glistening Christmas tree is surrounded by decorated trees, snowmen and frolicking dogs. On the roof Santas reindeer practice landings, the big guy overseeing all from the porch. 7309 Middleton Drive (From last house, head back to a right on Corter to Middleton): Nice Santas, a nutcracker, dogs and lights, wreaths and soldiers make this merry. 7524 Sterling Drive (From Old Plank Road, take Ashleigh Park Boulevard to a left on Sterling): So many blow-ups, Santa on an elephant, teddy bears and wreaths gives this spot a sweet holiday feel. 11316 Enchanted Woods Way (Back out to lefts on Chancellor, Meadow Wood Avenue, Enchanted Woods): Music is synched to lights in this display featuring a military Santa, a snowman and trees and lights that flash to music playing on your cars radio. 10724 Tealwing Cove (From Gordon Road, take Ni River Landing to a left onto Tealwing): Shining in the night are lights on trees in the yard and somehow high up in the tops of tall pines, with a Manger and three Wise Men, with lights on shrubbery, the house and more. Unique. 905 Stonewall Lane (From Old Plank Road, take Stonewall): Lights on trees, the house and figures in the yard make this fun. 11922 Sandy Hill Court (From Catharpin Road, take Sawhill Boulevard to a left on Sandy Hill): Red, gold and white shine in this large front yard display, on trees, deer, the house and more. An elegant display. 11121 Blue Herron Circle (From Catharpin Road, take a left onto Cinnamon Teal and a left on Blue Herron): New this year in this amazing display, with more than 40,000 lights, is a musical light show with an 8-foot Santa. It joins dancing trees, a penguin pond and a 25-foot gnome. 10108 Rockinghorse Lane (From Catharpin Road, take Piney Branch Road to a right on Rockinghorse): A stirring sight, a circular driveway is lined with trees wrapped in lights, with the house and garage bedecked in lights as well as a garage. About 33,000 lights in all. 11515 Wilderness Park Drive (From Plank Road, take Orange Plank Road to a right on Wilderness Park): This display has cutouts galore: a wagon with presents, Santa the fireman, a Nativity scene and a sign wishing all a Merry Christmas from the Bowling family. 11717 Wilderness Park Drive (Continue past last house): This bright display has blow-ups aplenty, Santa in a sleigh and plane with penguins. 10327 Elys Ford Road (From State Route 3, take Elys Ford about 4 miles to house, on right): A festive yard to visit with blow molds aplenty, from Santa to snowmen, Mickey and Minnie, penguins and flags alight. 1506 Spotswood Drive (From Route 3 near Germanna Community College, take a right on Spotswood): Here find a roof outlined with red and green as well as many trees in the front yard, plus alternating red and green wreaths and ground lights. 4106 Amelia Drive (From Benchmark Road, take Mine Road to left on Norfolk Way to left on Amelia): Here find figures all over the yard, from Whoville characters, light figures and Santa with a naughty list. 11222 Piedmont Landing Drive (From Harrison Road, take Piedmont to a left on Piedmont Landing): Here in this jolly favorite find gingerbread men of all sorts, lights on the house, a decorated porch and Santas going to a tree farm. (Highly decorated neighborhood) 10705 Sunrise Lane (From Courthouse Road near WaWa, take Rhoads Drive to right on Sunrise): In this dazzling display, driveway arches, trees, bushes, candy canes and figures shine in the night. 6133 Crown Grant Drive (From Courthouse Road near Courthouse Elementary, take Crown Grant): Colored lights fill the yard and houses front, plus candy canes, presents, Santa deer and more. 10619 Leavells Road (From Courthouse Road, take Leavells): Lights fill the front yard and back, on the house, trees and roofline to a light tree in the yard and a nice big wreath. 10719 Lovett Drive (From Leavells Road, take Leavells Crossing Drive to a left on Lovett): A lovely display, from lights on the house and in wreaths, with a snowman and a unique window of many delights. 9513 Evergreen Circle (From Smith Station Road, take Ivy Hill Drive to Evergreen Circle): Santa in a police car, countless blow-ups, candy canes and 10,000 lights all over at this stop. 8002 Sourwood Court (From State Route 208, take Cloverhill Road to a right on Sourwood): Here find a walk-through tunnel that tells you if youve been good or bad, a mailbox for Santa letters, 18 blow-ups and lights that are synchronized to holiday music. 101 Jeans Drive (From Spotsylvania courthouse, take Courthouse Road to a right on Jeans): Lights all over with a pickup hauling home a Christmas tree, deer and other figures, with a sign sending cheer. 7639 Courthouse Road (From courthouse, a short drive on the left): Lights are everywhere, plus a Christmas village, a beautiful shining tree and much more at this unique spot. 6308 Tree Haven Lane (From Snell, take Partlow Road to left on Locklear Landing, right on Tree Haven): This display features snowmen, Santa and his sleigh and an arched driveway guarded by toy soldiers. 966116 Blaydes Corner Road (Pick up Blaydes Corner near Berkeley Elementary, then a short hop): At this spot find a photo station, a Santa mailbox, a snowman that tells jokes and a memory tree where visitors can add the names of their loved ones. Feel free to use the driveway. 4519 Rebecca Road (From Tidewater Trail, take Gerber Drive to Rebecca Road): New at this jolly display is a 6-foot snowman, with Santa on a motorcycle joining reindeer, penguins, snowmen and more. 10435 Benchmark Road (From Tidewater Trail near Lighthouse Academy, take Benchmark): This house is lighted all over, with snowmen, Santa, a bear soldier and the Grinch, with figures in the yard. Fredericksburg and environs 1106 Pickett St. (In Idlewild. From Idlewild Boulevard, take Hampton Street to a right on Perry Street to a left onto Pickett): So much packed into this compact display on a brightly lighted house: 80 Christmas characters including Rudolph, Misfit Toys, Charlie Brown, Ralphie and Frosty. 1717 Idlewild Blvd. (From U.S. 1, take Idlewild. On right, near roundabout): Snowflakes, pathway markers lining the flowerbeds and wreaths, candy canes, deer, candles trees and characters flash to Christmas tunes in this display that defines merry. 113 Spring Wood Drive (Just past other house, on right): Large, handcrafted reindeer, camels, Santa in his sleigh and a life-sized Nativity highlight this elegant display that lights up the night. 101 Addie Court (Off Lafayette Blvd. near Pauls Bakery): A nice combination of white lights, an angel, deer, snowmen, Santa and more. 209 Laurel Ave (Near Spotswood Baptist church on Lafayette Blvd, take Laurel to house on left): An inflatable fire truck joins a yard full of whimsical and joyous figures with lights so bright. 313 Butternut Drive (Across the street from previous house): A 20-foot soldier is joined by a reindeer just as large, with purple the primary color this time out, joining a Nativity and other light statues. 1210 Century Oak Drive (From Plank Road near Gateway Village shopping center, take Mahone to a right on Hays): The yard is filled with merry sights, including a Minion army; and so much more, combined with dancing arches and hand-crafted panels. 1419 Buckner St. (From William Street, take Stafford Avenue to Buckner): Lovely lights shine from the house, trees, bushes, with characters on the roof and more. 801 Hanover (From William Street, take Kenmore Avenue to a right on Hanover): The most unique Christmas tree youll find in lights, three stories tall. 1901 Charles St. (At the intersection of Charles and Pelham): Christmas trees, a snowman, candy canes and moving snowflakes make this a bright, shining display. King George County 5136 Spinnaker Lane (From Port Conway Road near Route 3, take Hopyard to right on Weems and left on Spinnaker): Some 48 zones flash to holiday music with arches and everything from snow bears to trees of light. Collecting warm clothes and coats for local missions. 5421 Windsor Drive (Take Windsor from U.S. 301 heading toward Colonial Beach, a short hop): Two acres of yard are filled with inflatables, lights, giant homemade Christmas trees and a 1934 barn full of lights that are also on fences and bushes. Wow. 4294 Alexis Lane (From State Route 614 near U.S. 301, take Chatham Drive to Alexis): A merry Christmas sign out front is surrounded with side yards filled with displays and lights on the house behind, with what seems like one of everything, including a hugging bear. 4385 Navigator Lane (From U.S. 301, take Route 614 past Sheetz, a left onto Village, a right onto Navigator): This dazzler is bigger than ever, with wired decorations and blow-ups filling the yard, lights and images all over the house and a sleigh flying up above it all. 5423 Potomac Drive (From U.S. 301, take Dahlgren Road into Dahlgren and a right onto Potomac): Here shines a field of Christmas magic, pathways leading from Santa and to a snowman arch, followed by rows of unique snowman, deer, trees and a candy-coated gingerbread house. New is a 6-foot lighted Ferris wheel, seats filled with stuffed bears. 6244 Potomac Drive (Continue down Potomac): Whole ranks of blow mold and other figures light up the night, with lights and candy canes forming their lines. 9547 Caledon Road (Just west of Caledon State Park on Caledon Road, Route 218): Christmas lights burn as bright here as the Star of David, with a Nativity, Christmas trees, all in the shade of lighted JOY sign. 7476 Long Leaf Lane (Continue toward city on Caledon): Inflatables fill this cheery yard, with a good number of dinosaur inflatables, joined by laser projectors lighting up the sides of this house. American National Bank decreased its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin Co. (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 46.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 323 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 279 shares during the period. American National Banks holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $126,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 2.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,849,497 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,794,892,000 after purchasing an additional 190,889 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 0.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,559,538 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,168,442,000 after purchasing an additional 41,684 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 16.0% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,702,940 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,244,593,000 after purchasing an additional 511,658 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 55.0% during the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,208,980 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,078,570,000 after purchasing an additional 1,138,583 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 1.6% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,190,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,244,421,000 after purchasing an additional 50,787 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.25% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Parker-Hannifin Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of NYSE:PH opened at $453.60 on Friday. Parker-Hannifin Co. has a 1 year low of $281.19 and a 1 year high of $458.37. The company has a market cap of $58.28 billion, a PE ratio of 25.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The stocks 50-day moving average is $412.15 and its 200 day moving average is $398.75. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The industrial products company reported $5.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.33 by $0.63. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 29.56% and a net margin of 11.92%. The firm had revenue of $4.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.88 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.74 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Co. will post 23.18 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 13th were issued a dividend of $1.48 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 10th. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.31%. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.87%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently commented on PH. Wolfe Research reiterated a peer perform rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Monday, December 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on Parker-Hannifin in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Parker-Hannifin from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $462.00 to $506.00 in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a buy rating and issued a $500.00 price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $465.00 to $425.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Parker-Hannifin currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $452.86. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Parker-Hannifin About Parker-Hannifin (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm bought 3,760 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $243,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of SO. Prudential PLC raised its stake in Southern by 23.4% in the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 19,438 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,409,000 after buying an additional 3,689 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its stake in Southern by 33.5% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,727 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $126,000 after buying an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Southern by 63.0% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,902 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $138,000 after buying an additional 735 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Southern by 0.4% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 49,925 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,621,000 after buying an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in Southern by 35.8% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 907,132 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $65,776,000 after buying an additional 239,325 shares in the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Southern alerts: Insider Transactions at Southern 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 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,990,868.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.00, for a total transaction of $330,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 116,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,674,744. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the companys 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,990,868.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,722,000 in the last quarter. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Southern Price Performance Shares of SO opened at $70.86 on Friday. The Southern Company has a twelve month low of $58.85 and a twelve month high of $75.80. The stocks 50 day moving average is $68.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.28 billion, a PE ratio of 25.58, a P/E/G ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. 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 for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.10. Southern had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 11.60%. The company had revenue of $6.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.38 billion. Research analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current year. Southern Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 20th were paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 17th. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 101.08%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Southern in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $82.00 price target on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Mizuho cut their target price on Southern from $76.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on Southern Southern Company Profile (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). 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. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd trimmed its holdings in Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX Free Report) by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 64,697 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 6,538 shares during the period. Gulf International Bank UK Ltds holdings in Blackstone were worth $6,931,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. raised its holdings in shares of Blackstone by 56.1% in the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,255 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $540,000 after buying an additional 1,530 shares during the period. United Bank grew its holdings in shares of Blackstone by 34.2% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 8,441 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,072,000 after purchasing an additional 2,153 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Blackstone by 10.4% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 10,969 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,392,000 after buying an additional 1,034 shares during the period. Insight Advisors LLC PA increased its position in shares of Blackstone by 1.6% during the first quarter. Insight Advisors LLC PA now owns 18,446 shares of the asset managers stock worth $2,341,000 after acquiring an additional 286 shares during the period. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. grew its stake in Blackstone by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 38,429 shares of the asset managers stock worth $4,878,000 after purchasing an additional 4,366 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.35% of the companys stock. Get Blackstone alerts: Insider Activity at Blackstone In related news, insider John G. Finley sold 29,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.39, for a total value of $2,762,461.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 424,863 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,253,092.57. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, insider John G. Finley sold 29,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.39, for a total value of $2,762,461.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 424,863 shares in the company, valued at $39,253,092.57. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Joseph Baratta sold 74,565 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.32, for a total transaction of $8,002,315.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 985,883 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,804,963.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently commented on BX. Oppenheimer dropped their price objective on Blackstone from $107.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 20th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Blackstone from $110.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Blackstone in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. HSBC began coverage on Blackstone in a research report on Friday, October 6th. They set a hold rating and a $113.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Blackstone from $97.00 to $94.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $110.22. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BX Blackstone Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of BX opened at $129.37 on Friday. Blackstone Inc. has a 1-year low of $71.72 and a 1-year high of $130.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $104.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $101.91. The stock has a market cap of $91.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.50. Blackstone (NYSE:BX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The asset manager reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.01 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $2.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.60 billion. Blackstone had a net margin of 21.29% and a return on equity of 16.76%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 140.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.06 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Blackstone Inc. will post 3.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Blackstone Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 30th were issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a positive change from Blackstones previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 27th. Blackstones dividend payout ratio is presently 134.45%. Blackstone Company Profile (Free Report) Blackstone Inc is an alternative asset management firm specializing in real estate, private equity, hedge fund solutions, credit, secondary funds of funds, public debt and equity and multi-asset class strategies. The firm typically invests in early-stage companies. It also provide capital markets services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $31.80. BOX has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of BOX from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Craig Hallum cut shares of BOX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of BOX in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of BOX in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of BOX from $34.00 to $33.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Get BOX alerts: Read Our Latest Report on BOX BOX Stock Performance NYSE:BOX opened at $25.71 on Friday. BOX has a fifty-two week low of $23.29 and a fifty-two week high of $34.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 128.55, a P/E/G ratio of 24.15 and a beta of 0.93. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $25.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.36. BOX (NYSE:BOX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 5th. The software maker reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.02). BOX had a net margin of 4.88% and a negative return on equity of 5.68%. The firm had revenue of $261.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $262.37 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.04 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that BOX will post 0.05 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at BOX In other news, VP Eli Berkovitch sold 5,000 shares of BOX stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.39, for a total transaction of $126,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 147,290 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,739,693.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of BOX stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.94, for a total transaction of $311,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1,451,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $34,747,401.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Eli Berkovitch sold 5,000 shares of BOX stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.39, for a total transaction of $126,950.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 147,290 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,739,693.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 54,000 shares of company stock worth $1,340,250. Company insiders own 4.90% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On BOX Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in BOX by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,922,747 shares of the software makers stock worth $363,967,000 after acquiring an additional 48,626 shares in the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC increased its holdings in BOX by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 6,132,385 shares of the software makers stock worth $148,465,000 after acquiring an additional 70,129 shares in the last quarter. RGM Capital LLC increased its holdings in BOX by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. RGM Capital LLC now owns 5,449,887 shares of the software makers stock worth $131,942,000 after acquiring an additional 349,976 shares in the last quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in BOX in the 2nd quarter worth $105,797,000. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its holdings in BOX by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,379,511 shares of the software makers stock worth $90,537,000 after acquiring an additional 158,270 shares in the last quarter. 87.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $15.78. LEVI has been the subject of several recent research reports. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued an outperform rating and a $16.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group dropped their price objective on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $18.00 to $16.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 6th. Get Levi Strauss & Co. alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on LEVI Levi Strauss & Co. Stock Performance NYSE:LEVI opened at $15.40 on Friday. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 12-month low of $12.41 and a 12-month high of $19.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 22.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.29. Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The blue-jean maker reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.01. Levi Strauss & Co. had a net margin of 4.46% and a return on equity of 20.58%. The firm had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.54 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.40 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Levi Strauss & Co. will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Levi Strauss & Co. Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 26th were issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 25th. Levi Strauss & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 69.57%. Insider Activity at Levi Strauss & Co. In other Levi Strauss & Co. news, EVP Elizabeth T. Oneill sold 17,106 shares of Levi Strauss & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.00, for a total transaction of $256,590.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 97,199 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,457,985. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 3.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Levi Strauss & Co. A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LEVI. FMR LLC grew its holdings in Levi Strauss & Co. by 67,921.3% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,420,619 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $98,818,000 after acquiring an additional 5,412,650 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 724.6% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,574,260 shares of the blue-jean makers stock valued at $24,433,000 after buying an additional 1,383,339 shares during the period. M. Kulyk & Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 2,096.4% in the 3rd quarter. M. Kulyk & Associates LLC now owns 1,252,500 shares of the blue-jean makers stock valued at $17,009,000 after buying an additional 1,195,475 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Levi Strauss & Co. by 20.5% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,365,036 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $125,773,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084,969 shares during the period. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Levi Strauss & Co. by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,989,518 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $109,189,000 after purchasing an additional 626,601 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.01% of the companys stock. About Levi Strauss & Co. (Get Free Report Levi Strauss & Co engages in the design, marketing, and sale of apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewear, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related products under the Levi's, Dockers, Beyond Yoga, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, and Denizen brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Levi Strauss & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Levi Strauss & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) by 56.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,231 shares of the energy producers stock after purchasing an additional 1,171 shares during the period. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $387,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. West Tower Group LLC bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Northwest Bank & Trust Co acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the first quarter worth about $31,000. Halpern Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the first quarter worth about $359,140,000. Institutional investors own 80.36% of the companys stock. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips In other ConocoPhillips news, SVP Andrew D. Lundquist sold 30,800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.83, for a total transaction of $3,813,964.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 5,937 shares in the company, valued at $735,178.71. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other ConocoPhillips news, Director Timothy A. Leach sold 44,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.64, for a total transaction of $5,044,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 578,748 shares in the company, valued at $66,347,670.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Andrew D. Lundquist sold 30,800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.83, for a total value of $3,813,964.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 5,937 shares in the company, valued at approximately $735,178.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. ConocoPhillips Trading Down 0.4 % NYSE:COP opened at $114.54 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $117.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $114.22. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $91.53 and a 52 week high of $127.35. The company has a market capitalization of $136.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.66. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The energy producer reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.12. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 23.30% and a net margin of 17.91%. The firm had revenue of $14.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.32 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 9.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 14th were issued a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 13th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.03%. This is an increase from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio is currently 25.36%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $151.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $149.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Susquehanna cut their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $153.00 to $152.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, Johnson Rice lowered shares of ConocoPhillips from an accumulate rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned 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 $135.35. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ConocoPhillips ConocoPhillips Company Profile (Free Report) ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; various LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC cut its stake in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Free Report) by 19.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,417 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,426 shares during the quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $1,504,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MS. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC bought a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Morgan Stanley by 140.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 356 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Morgan Stanley by 4,700.0% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 384 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. 83.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Morgan Stanley Trading Up 0.6 % MS stock opened at $91.58 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.70, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $77.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $83.20. Morgan Stanley has a one year low of $69.42 and a one year high of $100.99. The stock has a market cap of $150.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.40. Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement Morgan Stanley ( NYSE:MS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.07. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 10.86% and a return on equity of 10.70%. The firm had revenue of $13.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.53 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley will post 5.58 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 31st were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 30th. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is currently 60.93%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently issued reports on MS shares. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Morgan Stanley from $102.00 to $101.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Odeon Capital Group cut shares of Morgan Stanley from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $79.15 price target for the company. in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $93.00 to $92.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $90.00 price target on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $93.43. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Morgan Stanley Insider Transactions at Morgan Stanley In other news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 135 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50,000.00, for a total transaction of $6,750,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. About Morgan Stanley (Free Report) Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA Get Free Report) and Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, earnings and profitability. Dividends Easterly Government Properties pays an annual dividend of $1.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.6%. Physicians Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.0%. Easterly Government Properties pays out 321.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Physicians Realty Trust pays out 484.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Easterly Government Properties is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Get Easterly Government Properties alerts: Risk and Volatility Easterly Government Properties has a beta of 0.73, indicating that its stock price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Physicians Realty Trust has a beta of 0.89, indicating that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional & Insider Ownership Profitability 84.7% of Easterly Government Properties shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.5% of Physicians Realty Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 8.2% of Easterly Government Properties shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Physicians Realty Trust shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Easterly Government Properties 10.64% 2.15% 1.09% Physicians Realty Trust 8.60% 1.56% 0.90% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations for Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Easterly Government Properties 1 1 1 0 2.00 Physicians Realty Trust 1 5 2 0 2.13 Easterly Government Properties currently has a consensus price target of $14.67, suggesting a potential upside of 5.36%. Physicians Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $15.56, suggesting a potential upside of 18.56%. Given Physicians Realty Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Physicians Realty Trust is more favorable than Easterly Government Properties. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Easterly Government Properties and Physicians Realty Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Easterly Government Properties $293.61 million 4.51 $31.47 million $0.33 42.18 Physicians Realty Trust $540.56 million 5.79 $104.37 million $0.19 69.05 Physicians Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Easterly Government Properties. Easterly Government Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Physicians Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Physicians Realty Trust beats Easterly Government Properties on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Easterly Government Properties (Get Free Report) Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, D.C., and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S. Government agencies for properties leased to such agencies either directly or through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). About Physicians Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Physicians Realty Trust is a self-managed health care real estate company organized to acquire, selectively develop, own, and manage health care properties that are leased to physicians, hospitals, and health care delivery systems. The Company invests in real estate that is integral to providing high quality health care. The Company conducts its business through an UPREIT structure in which its properties are owned by Physicians Realty L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the operating partnership), directly or through limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other subsidiaries. The Company is the sole general partner of the operating partnership and, as of June 30, 2023, owned approximately 96.0% of OP Units. Receive News & Ratings for Easterly Government Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Easterly Government Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Hawaiian Bank grew its holdings in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 23,416 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,627 shares during the quarter. First Hawaiian Banks holdings in American Express were worth $3,493,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of AXP. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC purchased a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd purchased a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $49,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Finally, Almanack Investment Partners LLC. purchased a new position in American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $53,000. 83.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AXP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of American Express from $194.00 to $188.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on shares of American Express from $190.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. They set a market perform rating and a $158.00 price target for the company. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an overweight rating and a $184.00 price target for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $170.94. American Express Trading Up 0.9 % NYSE:AXP opened at $180.51 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $158.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $162.15. American Express has a 12 month low of $140.91 and a 12 month high of $182.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The stock has a market cap of $131.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.23. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.34. The business had revenue of $15.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.36 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 13.61%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.47 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that American Express will post 11.21 EPS for the current year. American Express Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 22.51%. Insider Buying and Selling at American Express In related news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,000 shares in the company, valued at $287,860. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 11,344 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.87, for a total value of $1,802,221.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 88,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,040,295.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III bought 1,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $287,860. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. About American Express (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo plc (LON:FRES Get Free Report)s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 579.13 ($7.27) and traded as high as GBX 598.40 ($7.51). Fresnillo shares last traded at GBX 585.60 ($7.35), with a volume of 990,147 shares changing hands. Fresnillo Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of 4.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,440.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 0.23. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is GBX 552.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 578.64. The company has a quick ratio of 3.28, a current ratio of 3.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.58. Fresnillo Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greylin Investment Management Inc lifted its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 161,224 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,565 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up approximately 1.2% of Greylin Investment Management Incs holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Greylin Investment Management Incs holdings in Altria Group were worth $6,779,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Simmons Bank boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 39,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 773,980 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,050,000 after acquiring an additional 133,685 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 18.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 1,276,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,814,000 after acquiring an additional 200,981 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,564,529 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,262,710,000 after acquiring an additional 1,240,150 shares during the period. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 917.9% in the 2nd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 345,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,638,000 after acquiring an additional 311,294 shares during the period. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Down 0.9 % Shares of MO opened at $41.75 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.06 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The firms 50 day moving average price is $41.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $43.20. The company has a market cap of $73.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.50, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group Announces Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last announced 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). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 237.91% and a net margin of 35.58%. The business had revenue of $5.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.28 earnings per share. Altria Groups quarterly revenue was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.84%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Robert Matthews Davis purchased 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $40.50 per share, for a total transaction of $48,600.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets MO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 13th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.53. View Our Latest Analysis on Altria Group 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. See Also 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. Greylin Investment Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 5,475 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $354,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $435,979,000. Capital International Investors bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $392,186,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $369,131,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Southern by 162.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,572,373 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $457,306,000 after purchasing an additional 4,067,395 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Southern by 150.3% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 5,617,965 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $390,896,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373,118 shares in the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Southern alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SO shares. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Southern from $76.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of Southern from $80.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Southern currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.00. Insider Activity at Southern In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the firms 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 completion of the sale, the insider now owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,990,868.49. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Southern news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.39, for a total transaction of $693,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,990,868.49. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total transaction of $341,950.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,610,712.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,722,000 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Southern Price Performance NYSE:SO opened at $70.86 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $77.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.58, a PEG ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.55. The Southern Company has a one year low of $58.85 and a one year high of $75.80. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $68.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $69.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.63. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $6.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.38 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.60% and a return on equity of 10.26%. Analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current year. Southern Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Investors of record on Monday, November 20th were issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 17th. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 101.08%. Southern Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). 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. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report) by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,739 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in GSK were worth $534,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of GSK during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of GSK by 52.9% during the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,090 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 377 shares during the last quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of GSK during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of GSK by 61.3% during the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 968 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intrepid Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of GSK during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.53% of the companys stock. Get GSK alerts: GSK Stock Performance Shares of GSK opened at $35.88 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $35.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.49. GSK plc has a 12-month low of $33.20 and a 12-month high of $38.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.47 billion, a PE ratio of 9.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.70. GSK Cuts Dividend GSK ( NYSE:GSK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The pharmaceutical company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.17. GSK had a return on equity of 52.88% and a net margin of 20.47%. The firm had revenue of $10.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.72 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that GSK plc will post 3.93 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th will be given a $0.3398 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 16th. GSKs dividend payout ratio is presently 35.75%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com upgraded GSK from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,565.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GSK About GSK (Free Report) GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development and manufacture of vaccines and specialty medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GSK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG Get Free Report) and Trigano (OTCMKTS:TGNOF Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, risk, dividends and earnings. Profitability This table compares Harley-Davidson and Triganos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Harley-Davidson alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Harley-Davidson 12.19% 23.12% 6.02% Trigano N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership 82.3% of Harley-Davidson shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Harley-Davidson shares are owned by company 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. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Harley-Davidson $5.93 billion 0.83 $741.41 million $4.92 7.21 Trigano N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A This table compares Harley-Davidson and Triganos gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Harley-Davidson has higher revenue and earnings than Trigano. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Harley-Davidson and Trigano, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Harley-Davidson 0 4 5 0 2.56 Trigano 0 0 0 0 N/A Harley-Davidson presently has a consensus target price of $44.88, indicating a potential upside of 26.52%. Given Harley-Davidsons higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Harley-Davidson is more favorable than Trigano. Summary Harley-Davidson beats Trigano on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Harley-Davidson (Get Free Report) Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, LiveWire, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company segment designs, manufactures, and sells motorcycles, including cruiser, trike, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, and apparel, as well as licenses its trademarks and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels. The LiveWire segment sells electric motorcycles, balance bikes for kids, parts and accessories, apparel, and related parts and services. The Harley-Davidson Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, such as installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. About Trigano (Get Free Report) Trigano S.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and sale of leisure vehicles for individuals and professionals in Europe. It offers camping cars, caravans, motorhomes, trailers, and outdoor habitats. The company also provides mobiles homes, spare parts, and accessories, as well as leisure financing services. It offers its products through dealer networks and distributors, as well as through its online sales site, Triganostore.com. Trigano S.A. was founded in 1935 and is based in Paris, France. Receive News & Ratings for Harley-Davidson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harley-Davidson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hurlow Wealth Management Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Free Report) by 5.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,500 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 94 shares during the period. Hurlow Wealth Management Group Inc.s holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $388,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BDX. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 4,900.0% during the second quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 100 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter worth $27,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the second quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth $37,000. 86.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BDX has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $310.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 4th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $282.00 to $260.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. TheStreet downgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Raymond James reduced their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $304.00 to $269.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $279.57. Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.6 % Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $237.01 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $68.83 billion, a PE ratio of 47.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.49. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $245.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $258.75. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 52 week low of $228.62 and a 52 week high of $287.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.42 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $3.42. The company had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 7.66%. The firms revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.75 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is 76.61%. Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company In other news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 2,156 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.47, for a total value of $514,141.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,120 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $982,496.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.31% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile (Free Report) Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE:HY Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday. Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Roth Mkm assumed coverage on Hyster-Yale Materials Handling in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. They set a buy rating and a $85.00 price target for the company. Northland Securities assumed coverage on Hyster-Yale Materials Handling in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an outperform rating and a $80.00 price target for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $80.00. Get Hyster-Yale Materials Handling alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on HY Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Stock Performance NYSE HY opened at $58.06 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $45.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.99. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling has a twelve month low of $24.57 and a twelve month high of $59.64. The company has a market capitalization of $998.05 million, a PE ratio of 9.27 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE:HY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.06 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling had a return on equity of 40.60% and a net margin of 2.66%. On average, research analysts predict that Hyster-Yale Materials Handling will post 7.28 earnings per share for the current year. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a $0.325 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.24%. Hyster-Yale Materials Handlings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.77%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hyster-Yale Materials Handling A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of HY. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling by 823.5% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 785 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in Hyster-Yale Materials Handling by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 16,900 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $561,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Hyster-Yale Materials Handling during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $418,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Hyster-Yale Materials Handling by 53.7% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 5,807 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 2,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in Hyster-Yale Materials Handling during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $239,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.25% of the companys stock. About Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (Get Free Report) Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, and services a line of lift trucks, attachments, and aftermarket parts worldwide. The company manufactures components, such as frames, masts, and transmissions; and assembles lift trucks. It markets its products primarily under the Hyster and Yale brand names to independent Hyster and Yale retail dealerships. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyster-Yale Materials Handling and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 14,720 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up about 4.0% of Indiana Trust & Investment Management COs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Indiana Trust & Investment Management COs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $7,907,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Guyasuta Investment Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.6% in 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 period. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 688.2% in 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 period. Simon Quick Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.0% in 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 period. Martin Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Finally, Physicians Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.9% in 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 period. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 0.4 % LLY opened at $571.46 on Friday. 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 current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $542.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 103.53, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $589.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $530.78. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 48.12% and a net margin of 15.55%. The business had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.88 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 81.88%. Insider Activity In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction 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 approximately $60,404,028,326.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LLY has been the topic of several research reports. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $650.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Citigroup raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. TheStreet downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $710.00 target price (up previously from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $570.82. Get Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company 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. See Also 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $20.00 price objective on the asset managers stock, up from their prior price objective of $15.50. A number of other analysts have also commented on IVZ. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Invesco from $17.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Invesco from $19.00 to $16.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on Invesco from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on Invesco in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Invesco from $13.75 to $15.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.90. Get Invesco alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on IVZ Invesco Stock Performance Invesco stock opened at $17.54 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.26. The company has a quick ratio of 5.10, a current ratio of 5.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Invesco has a 12-month low of $12.48 and a 12-month high of $20.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.43. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The asset manager reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.35. Invesco had a return on equity of 7.52% and a net margin of 14.50%. The business had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.34 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Invesco will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Invesco Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 22nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 19th will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 18th. Invescos payout ratio is currently 61.07%. Insider Transactions at Invesco In other Invesco news, major shareholder Invesco Realty, Inc. acquired 796,323 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $25.12 per share, for a total transaction of $20,003,633.76. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,052,487 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,438,473.44. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund raised its stake in shares of Invesco by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 88,494 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,488,000 after purchasing an additional 7,100 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in shares of Invesco by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 63,071 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,060,000 after purchasing an additional 4,776 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Invesco by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 28,247 shares of the asset managers stock worth $475,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Invesco by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 198,375 shares of the asset managers stock worth $3,335,000 after acquiring an additional 47,041 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Invesco by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 99,695 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,676,000 after acquiring an additional 19,922 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.27% of the companys stock. Invesco Company Profile (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Investment Advisory Services LLC cut its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 18.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,679 shares of the companys stock after selling 386 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF comprises approximately 0.5% of Summit Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Summit Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $721,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IVV. PrairieView Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. CGC Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Kozak & Associates Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 7,000.0% during the 2nd quarter. Kozak & Associates Inc. now owns 71 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 134.4% in the 2nd quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services now owns 75 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA IVV opened at $473.52 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $444.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $443.55. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12 month low of $376.49 and a 12 month high of $475.97. The company has a market capitalization of $366.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TruWealth Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 6.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 574,884 shares of the companys stock after selling 40,270 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF comprises approximately 4.6% of TruWealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 4th largest holding. TruWealth Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.06% of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF worth $54,062,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% during the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 6,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $705,000 after buying an additional 3,906 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% during the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,570,000 after buying an additional 13,829 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% during the first quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,568,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance AGG stock traded down $0.23 during trading on Friday, reaching $98.69. 10,079,311 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,876,455. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $91.58 and a 12 month high of $101.15. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $94.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $95.95. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bill Nye, CEO of the Planetary Society, looks inside one of the Space Delta 4 radomes during a tour at Buckley Space Force Base on Dec. 6, 2023. Space Delta 4 operates and supports constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared satellites and Ground-Based Radars for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning. jvl associates llc grew its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 7,433 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell 2000 ETF comprises 0.7% of jvl associates llcs portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. jvl associates llcs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $1,314,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. FARMERS & MERCHANTS TRUST Co OF LONG BEACH raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 0.3% during the second quarter. FARMERS & MERCHANTS TRUST Co OF LONG BEACH now owns 19,414 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,636,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group now owns 5,941 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,112,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares during the period. Round Rock Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Round Rock Advisors LLC now owns 3,946 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $739,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. now owns 5,038 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $943,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Pacifica Partners Inc. raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 22.7% in the 3rd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 319 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance IWM opened at $197.04 on Friday. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 1-year low of $161.67 and a 1-year high of $200.04. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $175.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $182.46. iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Linscomb & Williams Inc. trimmed its holdings in American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 22.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,860 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 1,130 shares during the quarter. Linscomb & Williams Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $576,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of AXP. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in American Express during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new stake in American Express in the 1st quarter valued at about $448,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 1st quarter valued at $43,712,000. Finally, Brown Shipley& Co Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at $49,000. 83.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AXP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $143.00 to $154.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on American Express from $190.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Bank of America cut their price objective on American Express from $203.00 to $202.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on American Express from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on American Express from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $170.94. Insider Transactions at American Express In related news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $143.93 per share, for a total transaction of $143,930.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $287,860. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other American Express news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III acquired 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $287,860. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. American Express Stock Performance Shares of American Express stock opened at $180.51 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $131.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a 52 week low of $140.91 and a 52 week high of $182.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The firms 50 day moving average is $158.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $162.15. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.36 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 13.61%. The firms revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that American Express will post 11.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.33%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.51%. About American Express (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morguard North American (TSE:MRG Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, December 15th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.062 per share on Monday, January 15th. This represents a $0.74 annualized dividend and a yield of . The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. Morguard North American Stock Performance Morguard North American has a 52-week low of C$13.17 and a 52-week high of C$16.21. Get Morguard North American alerts: Morguard North American (TSE:MRG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported C$0.70 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$83.65 million during the quarter. About Morguard North American Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (the Trust) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trusts investment objectives are to generate stable and growing cash distributions on a tax-efficient basis; enhance the value of the REITs assets and maximize long-term Unit value through active asset and property management, and expand the asset base of the REIT and increase adjusted funds from operations per Unit primarily through acquisitions and improvement of its properties through targeted deployed capital expenditures. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Morguard North American Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morguard North American and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pennon Group Plc (LON:PNN Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 692.97 ($8.70) and traded as high as GBX 757 ($9.50). Pennon Group shares last traded at GBX 733.50 ($9.21), with a volume of 1,398,299 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 1,090 ($13.68) target price on shares of Pennon Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 965.83 ($12.12). Get Pennon Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PNN Pennon Group Stock Performance Pennon Group Cuts Dividend The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 340.01, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.27. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 719.36 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 692.08. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4,263.89, a PEG ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.35. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 25th will be issued a dividend of GBX 14.04 ($0.18) per share. This represents a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. About Pennon Group (Get Free Report) Pennon Group Plc provides clean water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It provides water and wastewater services for customers in Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset; water-only services in the areas of Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire; and water and wastewater retail services to non-household customers in Great Britain. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pennon Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pennon Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com lowered shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday. Separately, Bank of America downgraded Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. Get Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk stock opened at $25.53 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $23.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.77. Perusahaan Perseroan has a 52-week low of $21.67 and a 52-week high of $29.58. The firm has a market cap of $22.99 billion, a PE ratio of 17.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.72. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk had a return on equity of 14.51% and a net margin of 14.21%. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts predict that Perusahaan Perseroan will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of TLK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 244.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 27,753 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $886,000 after purchasing an additional 19,705 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 48,152 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,538,000 after acquiring an additional 1,609 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 9,738 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new position in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk during the 1st quarter worth approximately $364,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 99,105 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,165,000 after acquiring an additional 7,152 shares during the period. About Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Get Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Prologis (NYSE:PLD Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Thursday morning. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Prologis from $159.00 to $153.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Raymond James decreased their price objective on Prologis from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, November 27th. TheStreet cut shares of Prologis from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Mizuho lowered shares of Prologis from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $140.00 to $125.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $138.64. Get Prologis alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Prologis Prologis Stock Down 1.5 % PLD opened at $134.26 on Thursday. Prologis has a 52 week low of $96.64 and a 52 week high of $137.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $110.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $117.70. The company has a market capitalization of $124.05 billion, a PE ratio of 41.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.04. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.04. Prologis had a return on equity of 5.21% and a net margin of 38.24%. The business had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.73 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 53.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Prologis will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Prologis Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 18th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 15th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.59%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is presently 107.41%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prologis A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of PLD. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 2.0% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 92,924,760 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $11,395,363,000 after acquiring an additional 1,783,742 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Prologis by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,762,836 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,294,586,000 after purchasing an additional 299,124 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in Prologis by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,519,324 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,853,633,000 after purchasing an additional 1,034,211 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Prologis by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 16,364,345 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,041,779,000 after acquiring an additional 217,423 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Prologis by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 16,224,729 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,820,577,000 after acquiring an additional 197,693 shares in the last quarter. 90.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Prologis (Get Free Report) Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At September 30, 2023, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (114 million square meters) in 19 countries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Range Financial Group LLC boosted its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,082 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 779 shares during the period. Range Financial Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $1,136,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 191.1% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 294 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Steph & Co. grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 80.4% during the 2nd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 359 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 697.9% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 375 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 328 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. 83.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSEARCA:AGG opened at $98.69 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $94.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $95.93. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a one year low of $91.58 and a one year high of $101.15. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 15th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.10 per share by the real estate investment trust on Tuesday, January 16th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. RLJ Lodging Trust has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 55.0% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 2 consecutive years. RLJ Lodging Trust has a dividend payout ratio of 142.9% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect RLJ Lodging Trust to earn $1.58 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 25.3%. Get RLJ Lodging Trust alerts: RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Down 1.3 % RLJ stock opened at $11.56 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.80 billion, a PE ratio of 37.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.71. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $10.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.11. RLJ Lodging Trust has a fifty-two week low of $9.06 and a fifty-two week high of $12.92. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Insiders Place Their Bets Hedge Funds Weigh In On RLJ Lodging Trust In other news, Director Nathaniel A. Davis sold 39,594 shares of RLJ Lodging Trust stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.87, for a total transaction of $390,792.78. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 43,423 shares in the company, valued at approximately $428,585.01. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 97,227 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,072,000 after purchasing an additional 1,165 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 15.8% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,408 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $153,000 after buying an additional 1,971 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 15.6% in the second quarter. Cullen Capital Management LLC now owns 15,170 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $156,000 after buying an additional 2,044 shares in the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 72,310 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $766,000 after acquiring an additional 2,150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 78,666 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,108,000 after acquiring an additional 2,246 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.77% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have commented on RLJ. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 15th. Oppenheimer raised RLJ Lodging Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $13.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.50. View Our Latest Stock Report on RLJ Lodging Trust RLJ Lodging Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 0.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,951 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 130 shares during the period. International Business Machines accounts for 2.0% of Silverlake Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Silverlake Wealth Management LLCs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $3,501,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Foundation Resource Management Inc. acquired a new stake in International Business Machines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $203,000. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in International Business Machines by 172.1% in the 3rd quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 37,168 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,215,000 after acquiring an additional 23,510 shares during the last quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV lifted its stake in International Business Machines by 3.2% during the third quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV now owns 3,094 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $434,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC lifted its stake in International Business Machines by 1.1% during the third quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC now owns 74,797 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $10,494,000 after buying an additional 787 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Revolve Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in International Business Machines during the third quarter valued at about $205,000. Institutional investors own 56.16% of the companys stock. Get International Business Machines alerts: International Business Machines Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of IBM stock opened at $162.23 on Friday. International Business Machines Co. has a 12 month low of $120.55 and a 12 month high of $166.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The businesss 50 day moving average is $150.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $143.62. The company has a market cap of $148.14 billion, a PE ratio of 21.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.77. International Business Machines Dividend Announcement International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The technology company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $0.08. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.51% and a net margin of 11.32%. The company had revenue of $14.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.73 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that International Business Machines Co. will post 9.45 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a dividend of $1.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $6.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.09%. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.06%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have commented on IBM shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $188.00 to $179.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with 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 price target of $150.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on International Business Machines About International Business Machines (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through four business segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. The Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data, and identity. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IBM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC lowered its holdings in Ford Motor (NYSE:F Free Report) by 7.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 37,406 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 2,926 shares during the period. Silverlake Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Ford Motor were worth $465,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Snider Financial Group grew its position in Ford Motor by 100,345.2% in the first quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 219,805,167 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $3,717,000 after purchasing an additional 219,586,336 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ford Motor by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 84,734,138 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,282,028,000 after purchasing an additional 3,327,465 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Ford Motor by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 72,311,048 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,091,123,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535,572 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Ford Motor by 18.5% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 60,733,261 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $918,894,000 after purchasing an additional 9,481,852 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor during the 4th quarter worth about $419,237,000. Institutional investors own 52.73% of the companys stock. Get Ford Motor alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently weighed in on F. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $12.00 price objective on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. HSBC began coverage on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Monday, December 4th. They set a hold rating and a $11.30 price objective on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. They set a buy rating and a $15.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays raised shares of Ford Motor from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $14.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ford Motor currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.02. Insider Activity In other news, insider John Douglas Field bought 182,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $11.05 per share, for a total transaction of $2,011,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 720,176 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,957,944.80. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock. Ford Motor Stock Performance NYSE F opened at $12.02 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12. The company has a market capitalization of $48.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.64. Ford Motor has a 12-month low of $9.63 and a 12-month high of $15.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $10.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.34. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $43.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.94 billion. Ford Motor had a net margin of 3.54% and a return on equity of 21.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.30 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Ford Motor will post 1.86 earnings per share for the current year. Ford Motor Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 1st were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 31st. Ford Motors payout ratio is presently 39.22%. Ford Motor Company Profile (Free Report) Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding F? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ford Motor (NYSE:F Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ford Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ford Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fruth Investment Management lessened its stake in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 32,327 shares of the companys stock after selling 450 shares during the period. Fruth Investment Managements holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $1,809,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Summitry LLC raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.7% in the first quarter. Summitry LLC now owns 9,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $600,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Johnson Midwest Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 7.5% in the second quarter. Johnson Midwest Financial LLC now owns 2,321 shares of the companys stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Alpha Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.4% in the second quarter. Alpha Financial Partners LLC now owns 4,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $296,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 4.4% in the second quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Plancorp LLC raised its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.1% in the second quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 14,897 shares of the companys stock valued at $897,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.96% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Coca-Cola Price Performance KO opened at $58.54 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The Coca-Cola Company has a 12 month low of $51.55 and a 12 month high of $64.99. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $56.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $58.79. The stock has a market cap of $253.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 0.58. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $11.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.45 billion. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 23.92% and a return on equity of 42.44%. On average, research analysts expect that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.68 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.14%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is currently 73.90%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In KO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a hold rating and a $64.00 target price for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Coca-Cola presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.20. Read Our Latest Analysis on KO Insider Buying and Selling at Coca-Cola In other Coca-Cola news, SVP Henrique Braun sold 52,696 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.97, for a total value of $3,002,091.12. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,496,715.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Henrique Braun sold 52,696 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.97, for a total transaction of $3,002,091.12. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,496,715.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 92,029 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total transaction of $4,956,681.94. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $23,835,527.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 349,316 shares of company stock valued at $19,716,506 in the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Coca-Cola Profile (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of TopBuild (NYSE:BLD Free Report) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has $387.00 target price on the construction companys stock, up from their prior target price of $312.00. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on BLD. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on TopBuild in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $355.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com upgraded TopBuild from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on TopBuild from $340.00 to $290.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Evercore ISI upgraded TopBuild from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $308.00 to $368.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on TopBuild from $365.00 to $331.00 in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $303.91. Get TopBuild alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TopBuild TopBuild Stock Performance TopBuild stock opened at $375.03 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 2.50 and a quick ratio of 2.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $274.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $268.24. TopBuild has a 52-week low of $150.88 and a 52-week high of $378.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.64. TopBuild (NYSE:BLD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The construction company reported $5.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.59 by $0.84. TopBuild had a return on equity of 28.59% and a net margin of 11.82%. The firm had revenue of $1.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $4.80 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that TopBuild will post 19.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other TopBuild news, CEO Robert M. Buck sold 4,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.02, for a total transaction of $1,332,090.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 69,330 shares in the company, valued at $20,523,066.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TopBuild A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in TopBuild by 2.6% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 75,512 shares of the construction companys stock worth $13,697,000 after buying an additional 1,891 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 26.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,598 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 4,993 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $998,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,067 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 9.1% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 18,097 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,375,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.58% of the companys stock. TopBuild Company Profile (Get Free Report) TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, afterpaint products, fireproofing products, garage doors, fireplaces, closet shelving, roofing materials, and other products; and insulation installation services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp lowered its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report) by 13.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 18,939 shares of the retailers stock after selling 2,993 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for about 1.7% of MADDEN SECURITIES Corps portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. MADDEN SECURITIES Corps holdings in Walmart were worth $3,029,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Walmart by 93,272.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 821,003,685 shares of the retailers stock valued at $129,045,359,000 after acquiring an additional 820,124,410 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 112,181.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock valued at $3,240,599,000 after acquiring an additional 22,834,564 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at $2,598,736,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 1,164,937.0% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,718,400 shares of the retailers stock worth $32,000,000 after purchasing an additional 4,717,995 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Walmart by 179.2% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,578,677 shares of the retailers stock worth $254,078,000 after purchasing an additional 2,938,948 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.18% of the companys stock. Get Walmart alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart In other news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.37, for a total transaction of $164,370.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 167,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,570,601.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.40, for a total transaction of $1,576,579.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,461,509 shares of the companys stock, valued at $237,349,061.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.37, for a total value of $164,370.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 167,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,570,601.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 2,990,310 shares of company stock valued at $466,515,037 in the last three months. 46.51% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WMT has been the topic of several recent research reports. TD Cowen reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $185.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Stephens lifted their target price on shares of Walmart from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 13th. HSBC initiated coverage on Walmart in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Walmart from $187.00 to $177.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $179.44. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Walmart Walmart Stock Performance NYSE WMT opened at $152.74 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $411.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $159.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $158.43. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $136.09 and a 1-year high of $169.94. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.53. The company had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.65 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. Walmarts revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.50 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year. Walmart Profile (Free Report) Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report) by 6.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 267,276 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 15,274 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC owned about 0.30% of Planet Fitness worth $13,193,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of PLNT. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Planet Fitness by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the companys stock worth $112,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its holdings in Planet Fitness by 801.5% in the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,839 shares of the companys stock worth $155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,635 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Planet Fitness in the 1st quarter worth about $357,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Planet Fitness by 34.8% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,184,140 shares of the companys stock worth $606,915,000 after purchasing an additional 1,852,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new position in Planet Fitness in the 1st quarter worth about $919,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.53% of the companys stock. Get Planet Fitness alerts: Planet Fitness Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of Planet Fitness stock opened at $69.91 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $6.16 billion, a PE ratio of 43.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.36. Planet Fitness, Inc. has a 52 week low of $44.13 and a 52 week high of $85.90. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $61.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $61.40. Insider Transactions at Planet Fitness Planet Fitness ( NYSE:PLNT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $277.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $268.18 million. Planet Fitness had a negative return on equity of 102.85% and a net margin of 12.80%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.42 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Planet Fitness, Inc. will post 2.21 EPS for the current year. In other Planet Fitness news, CEO Craig R. Benson purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $68.15 per share, with a total value of $681,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,385,250. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Christopher Rondeau sold 1,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.55, for a total transaction of $66,550,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Craig R. Benson purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $68.15 per share, with a total value of $681,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,385,250. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 5.94% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PLNT shares. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Planet Fitness from $87.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on Planet Fitness from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Planet Fitness from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $90.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Monday, September 18th. BNP Paribas raised Planet Fitness from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered Planet Fitness from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $70.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 19th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.88. Read Our Latest Report on PLNT Planet Fitness Company Profile (Free Report) Planet Fitness, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. The company operates through three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. The Franchise segment is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLNT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Planet Fitness Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Planet Fitness and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of John Bean Technologies Co. (NYSE:JBT Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 156,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,283 shares during the quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.49% of John Bean Technologies worth $16,498,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in John Bean Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Pinebridge Investments L.P. acquired a new stake in John Bean Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in John Bean Technologies by 124.0% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 392 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in John Bean Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in John Bean Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $73,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.19% of the companys stock. Get John Bean Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on JBT. StockNews.com began coverage on John Bean Technologies in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet lowered John Bean Technologies from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, John Bean Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $128.00. John Bean Technologies Price Performance John Bean Technologies stock opened at $105.74 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.05, a P/E/G ratio of 7.15 and a beta of 1.33. John Bean Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $86.16 and a 52 week high of $125.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.87. The businesss fifty day moving average is $104.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.91. John Bean Technologies (NYSE:JBT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The industrial products company reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $403.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $416.38 million. John Bean Technologies had a return on equity of 14.32% and a net margin of 28.66%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.27 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that John Bean Technologies Co. will post 4.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. John Bean Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 18th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 15th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.38%. John Bean Technologiess payout ratio is currently 2.29%. John Bean Technologies Profile (Free Report) John Bean Technologies Corporation provides technology solutions to food and beverage industry and equipment and services to air transportation industries in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through two segments: FoodTech and AeroTech. It offers value-added processing that includes chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, blending, marinating, tumbling, flattening, foaming, portioning, coating, cooking, frying, freezing, weighing, and inspection. Read More Receive News & Ratings for John Bean Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Bean Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WCM Investment Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Free Report) by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,611,822 shares of the companys stock after selling 190,478 shares during the quarter. WCM Investment Management LLCs holdings in Cushman & Wakefield were worth $12,169,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of CWK. Olstein Capital Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 21.6% in the third quarter. Olstein Capital Management L.P. now owns 236,000 shares of the companys stock worth $1,798,000 after acquiring an additional 42,000 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 20.9% in the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,714 shares of the companys stock worth $841,000 after acquiring an additional 17,776 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3.8% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 195,136 shares of the companys stock worth $1,596,000 after acquiring an additional 7,069 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 5.2% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 56,850 shares of the companys stock worth $465,000 after acquiring an additional 2,819 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 4.5% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 221,747 shares of the companys stock worth $1,814,000 after acquiring an additional 9,606 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.47% of the companys stock. Get Cushman & Wakefield alerts: Cushman & Wakefield Stock Performance NYSE:CWK opened at $10.63 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.42 billion, a PE ratio of -31.26 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18. Cushman & Wakefield plc has a fifty-two week low of $6.24 and a fifty-two week high of $15.63. Insider Transactions at Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield ( NYSE:CWK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 30th. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a negative net margin of 0.79% and a positive return on equity of 12.01%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Cushman & Wakefield plc will post 0.79 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of Cushman & Wakefield stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total value of $176,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 29,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $259,828.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Tpg Gp A, Llc sold 10,000,000 shares of Cushman & Wakefield stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.63, for a total value of $76,300,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 24,832,955 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $189,475,446.65. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total value of $176,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 29,459 shares in the company, valued at $259,828.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.19% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and issued a $10.50 target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield in a report on Monday, September 18th. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, December 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $10.42. Read Our Latest Report on Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield Profile (Free Report) Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cushman & Wakefield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cushman & Wakefield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. trimmed its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,102 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 170 shares during the quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,020,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MA. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter valued at $25,000. GeoWealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Bollard Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Avion Wealth lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 75.8% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 109 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. 74.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, October 13th. They set a hold rating and a $424.00 price target on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $453.00 to $452.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Tigress Financial raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $435.00 to $420.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $451.81. Mastercard Price Performance MA opened at $418.16 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $392.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.43, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $398.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $395.96. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $336.43 and a twelve month high of $426.37. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.21 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.53 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.85% and a return on equity of 188.83%. Mastercards revenue for the quarter was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.68 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.16 EPS for the current year. Mastercard Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 8th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.63%. This is a boost from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Mastercards payout ratio is currently 19.86%. Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, December 5th that allows the company to repurchase $11.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Insider Activity at Mastercard In other news, Director Richard K. Davis acquired 1,000 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $390.96 per share, with a total value of $390,960.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,123.28. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Richard K. Davis bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $390.96 per share, for a total transaction of $390,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,809,123.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $377.45, for a total transaction of $47,489,249.20. Following the sale, the insider now owns 98,424,221 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,150,222,216.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 520,776 shares of company stock valued at $200,890,431. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:ZZHGF Get Free Report)s share price was down 3.7% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $2.40 and last traded at $2.40. Approximately 2,400 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 9,870 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.49. ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Stock Down 3.7 % The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.49 and a 200 day moving average of $2.49. About ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance (Get Free Report) ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Co, Ltd., an Internet-based Insurtech company, provides internet insurance and insurance information technology services in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Insurance, Technology, Banking, and Others segments. It offers property and casualty insurance products, including accident, bond, health, liability, credit, cargo, household property, motor, and other insurance, as well as shipping return insurance. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Despite a federal judges refusal Friday to prevent the reintroduction of gray wolves into Colorado, disappointed livestock producers say the ruling has not ended their battle. Colorado Cattlemens Association (CCA) and The Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services on Dec. 11, claiming the agency did not adequately review the negative effects that reintroducing gray wolves into Colorado would have on the industry. The state is reintroducing the predators based on a 2020 ballot measure. Judge Regina Rodriguez denied the requested injunction on Friday. This is a setback to our legal strategy but not the end of our efforts, the two associations said in a group statement on Saturday. The associations say the ballot measure was backed and passed by mostly urban voters, not those with knowledge of the potential negative effects. Voters in rural Colorado, including in the counties where the wolves would be released, voted overwhelmingly against the measure. Results show that Proposition 114 passed by a narrow margin in 2020. The will of the people must be respected, but the experiential knowledge of ranchers cannot be ignored. Wolf introduction in our state should not be moving forward without consideration of all the impacts, especially for the livestock, wildlife, and communities most affected, Robert Farnam, CCA President, said in the release. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Colorado Assistant Attorney General Lisa Reynolds announced the process for the Parks and Wildlife division to obtain wolves from Oregon started on Dec. 10. Parks and wildlife officials plan to obtain and introduce 10 wolves as soon as Monday. The associations argued that the wolves attacking livestock would be inevitable, causing heightened expenses to local ranchers. In defense of reintroduction, attorneys for the government pointed to a state compensation program that pays owners if their livestock are killed by wolves. The compensation program provides up to $15,000 per animal. Attorneys also noted that the requirements for environmental reviews had been met. The associations said the next steps are to study the Courts ruling, and we will consider all of the alternatives after conferring with our legal teams, according to the release. The two will continue to battle the overall plan to release around 50 wolves in Colorado over the next several years. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. && You are here: Business The value of China's privately offered funds stood at 20.61 trillion yuan (about 2.90 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of November, industrial data shows. The figure was up from 20.59 trillion yuan a month ago, according to the Asset Management Association of China. A breakdown of the total shows that equity investment funds, with a total size of 11.12 trillion yuan, were the largest category, followed by stock investment funds and venture investment funds. The number of registered privately offered funds stood at 153,698 by the end of November, and 21,699 institutions managed these funds. Established in 2012, the association is a self-regulatory organization that represents China's mutual fund industry. The couple spoke to PEOPLE at the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards together in Los Angeles on Saturday Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Connie Chung is revealing Maury Povichs hidden side! Chung, 77, discussed what husband Povich, 84, is really like outside of his talk show host persona while speaking to PEOPLE as the couple attended the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy and Lifestyle Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday. Maurys got a completely different side that nobody knows about, Chung tells PEOPLE. He's a voracious reader. He's a political buff. He's a history buff. And I've always said to him, It's great that you're determining the paternity of every child in America, not that there's anything wrong with it, but you could run circles around these intellectual snobs. 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. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Maury Povich and Connie Chung attend the 50th Daytime Emmy Creative Arts and Lifestyle Awards at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles on December 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. And he has always said, as long as you know it, I'm fine, So I'm verklempt and because he's my baby daddy, she continues. ... But the problem is that Maury has this persona on television, but he's very serious and I'm crazy. And people don't know that. They think I'm serious. Chung presented Povich whose talk show Maury ended in September 2022 with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday following his 37-year career on television, which he attributes to having a supportive wife over the years. Yeah, it's kind of overwhelming, he tells PEOPLE. But if I had to track it, everything I've ever done on national television started when this young lady consented to marry me 39 years ago Look, I've been on national television for 37 years. I've been married 39. What's that say? Gilbert Flores/Getty Chung presented Povich with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event Related: Maury Povich and Wife Connie Chung Step Out for Rare Date Night as They Attend Daytime Emmys Together Povich and Chung first met while working at a TV station in 1969. They eventually married in 1984 and are parents to a son, Matthew, 28, whom they adopted in 1995. Speaking of their love story in 2020, Povich told PEOPLE, "We've always respected each other's careers and we've always respected each other's space and values. There's no need for any do-overs. Maybe that's the reason why we're still married." On Saturday, Povich also shared that he feels grateful for his long career. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection Chung and Povich during Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks Fight at Trump Plaza - June 27, 1988 at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Related: Maury Povich Launches At-Home Paternity Test Kits Called 'The Results Are In' I think more than anything else, I think I'm proud of hanging around this long, he adds to PEOPLE. Because when I was about 30 and loving this business, I said to myself, if I could make $50,000 a year and work until I'm 50, that would be the greatest thing in the world. So I was a bit shortsighted. The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are airing live on CBS and Paramount+. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. After six seasons and 60 episodes chronicling the history of postwar Britain through the eyes of Queen Elizabeth II, the series finale of The Crown has arrived on Netflix. The widely anticipated episode, written by series creator Peter Morgan and directed by Stephen Daldry, dramatizes one of the more scandalous crises to befall the royal family a momentous turning point for the institution and, indeed, the nation. Thats right, in its swan song, The Crown gives us the spectacle of Prince Harry in a Nazi costume. The shows portrayal of the Duke of Sussex, who comes off as a petulant child, and this embarrassing incident which Harry has sought to reframe as a youthful misstep that helped him understand his unconscious bias may leave viewers wondering just what Morgan has against Meghan Markle's husband. Titled Sleep, Dearie, Sleep, the episode which also finds Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) contemplating her mortality and whether to step down from the throne to allow her son, Prince Charles (Dominic West), to ascend offers a version of the incident which differs in key ways from the recollections Harry has presented in the hit Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and in his bestselling memoir, Spare. Read more: 'The Crown' ends with Charles and Camilla's wedding and an emotional farewell to Queen Elizabeth II Though it ends in 2005, the series hints at growing differences between Prince William (Ed McVey) and Prince Harry (Luther Ford), foreshadowing the brothers present-day state of very public enmity. And in the war between the two princes, The Crown is firmly #TeamWilliam. "The Crown's" William is a dutiful and stoic heir, uncomfortable with the spotlight and displays of emotion much like his grandmother. Harry, on the other hand, is portrayed as an immature, hard-partying cretin who seethes with resentment toward his brother, father, soon-to-be-stepmother, Camilla (Olivia Williams), and, most of all, his ginger hair. At times, Harry's depiction flies in the face of "The Crown's" reputation for meticulous accuracy: Ford, the novice actor portraying Harry beginning at the age of 13, is 23 years old. He also sports a series of wildly unfortunate haircuts starting with a blunt cut reminiscent of Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber" and moving onto another unfortunate style that doesn't match Harrys actual look circa 2005. The finale should finally lay to rest speculation that Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who have a lucrative production deal with Netflix, were able to wield influence over the Emmy-winning series. Put another way: Morgan probably wont be getting an invitation to their Montecito estate anytime soon. (Its worth nothing that Carole Middleton, the mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales, gets an even harsher rendering as a meddling social-climber whose own daughter likens her to Mrs. Bennet from Price and Prejudice.) Read more: 'The Crown' has come to an end. Here's a guide to the series and its major moments For those who have somehow forgotten this milestone event, in 2005, Prince Harry who had recently completed a gap year in Australia and Lesotho and was about to enroll at Sandhurst, the royal military academy wore a Nazi uniform to a "fancy dress" party, as the British refer to costume parties, at a friends country estate. Someone at the party secretly snapped a photo of the young royal as he smoked a cigarette and wore a disheveled khaki uniform with a swastika armband, and sold the image to the tabloids. It made front-page news across the world (along with headlines like Heil Harry) and ignited a firestorm in the U.K. Condemned by politicians and newspaper columnists alike, Harry who until then had been widely viewed as a lovable mischief-maker was eventually forced to issue a public apology. Copies of the New York Post in 2005. Tabloid covers across the world ran the photo of Prince Harry wearing a khaki uniform with an armband emblazoned with a swastika. (Stephen Chernin / Getty Images) In Harry & Meghan, the first project released as part of Netflixs deal with Archewell, the Sussexes production company, he briefly revisited the Nazi debacle, framing it as a learning experience that helped him face his unconscious bias and marked a major step in his evolution from privileged aristocrat to compassionate spouse and advocate for racial justice. It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I felt so ashamed afterwards. All I wanted to do was make it right, Harry says in the series, recalling how he went to Berlin and met with a Holocaust survivor. I could have just ignored it and gone on and made the same mistakes over and over again in my life. But I learned from that. Harry goes into greater detail about the incident in Spare, laying much of the blame for the wildly insensitive costume choice on William and his then-girlfriend, Kate Middleton. He claims that he detested theme parties especially cringy ones like colonials and natives and that it was William who loved them; he had even thrown an Out of Africa birthday party a year or so earlier. I found it irritating and baffling, writes Harry. At Williams insistence, Harry agreed to attend the colonials and natives party, and Kate offered to help find a costume. Harry eventually headed to a well-known costume shop in the village of Nailsworth, near Highgrove, his fathers estate, a place memorable mostly for its musty, moldy funk. Having narrowed down his options to two outfits the Nazi look and a British pilots uniform Harry called Kate and William for their input. They agreed he should go with the Nazi costume. In Sleep, Dearie, Sleep, Harry and William discuss the upcoming celebration while hanging with friends on the roof at Highgrove. (Throughout the scene, Harry shoots an air rifle at beer cans lined up on a stone wall and delights in almost hitting one of their friends, who is clearly inebriated.) It is William, not Harry, who claims to loathe theme parties and specifically objects to the colonials and natives concept. He even mentions the rancid smell of rental costumes. Read more: As 'The Crown' nears its conclusion, Princess Diana's death and its controversies are revisited I hate fancy dress. You have to rent a costume which invariably stinks of other peoples BO, he says, wondering, Do you think they could have picked a more offensive theme?" Harry dismisses his brothers concerns, believing hes gone too soft as a college student: Youre such an undergraduate now. Youd never have said that before uni. William and Kate (Meg Bellamy) accompany Harry to the costume shop. The only person to express misgivings about the Nazi ensemble is Kate, who suggests Harry should at least cover the swastika. Meanwhile, William selects a regal lion costume one that looks nothing like the silly feline outfit Harry recalls in Spare, which consisted of a skintight leotard and a springy tail that made William look like a cross between Tigger and Baryshnikov." (In 2005, the Guardian reported that William wore a leopard outfit with black leggings, seeming to corroborate Harrys version of events.) At the debaucherous party, complete with Roman soldiers on horseback and a queen performing Queen (get it?), no one outwardly objects to Harrys Nazi costume. Such a blase response seems realistic: According to the same Guardian story from 2005, fancy dress parties with imperialist themes were popular with the British upper crust at the time, and Nazi costumes were commonplace. ("People dress up as Nazis all the time for various reasons," one costume shop owner told the newspaper.) The incident blows over and, after an intervention by Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce), who thinks his grandson lacks purpose due to negligent parenting (not unlike his own experience), Harry is able to keep his spot at Sandhurst. But a few months later, at his fathers wedding to Camilla (Olivia Williams), Harry remains as angry, bitter and aimless as ever, shooting daggers at the couple on the altar. If The Crown did Harry dirty, then he should be glad the series is finally over and that hell never have to watch a dramatization of the time he showed up at his brothers wedding with a frostbitten todger. Be grateful for small mercies, Haz. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Oprah Winfrey knows how to make her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, feel special. The media mogul recently discussed her relationship with Graham, telling People in an article published Saturday that her most romantic gesture for the author and entrepreneur involves food. The most romantic thing I do is make hot water cornbread, she said. Mothers around the world feed their children on it and all you do is add the hot water to the meal and you make these little flat cakes and you fry them in a pan. She continued, Every time I do it its like the most romantic thing Ive ever done. Winfrey then shared her appreciation for Stedmans romantic gestures, which included going out to get Winfrey a copy of The New York Times every Sunday. Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham were photographed together on Oct. 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham were photographed together on Oct. 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The media mogul recently discussed her love life with Stedman during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show earlier this week. She said Stedmans most romantic gesture for her was writing her Valentines Day cards on behalf of their dogs after they died. Each of the dogs would send their own bouquet. Thats the most romantic, she said before joking that after several Valentines Days of the same gesture, she told him that he needed to move on to something else. After Winfreys interview on The Drew Barrymore Show aired, host Drew Barrymore drew criticism on social media for squeezing Winfreys hand while awkwardly stroking her arm as the two talked. But Winfrey later defended the talk show host, telling TMZ that she was not uncomfortable at all. She said about Barrymore, Ive never seen her do that, but I thought it was endearing. Winfrey is a producer of The Color Purple, the new musical adaptation based on the classic Alice Walker novel of the same name. The film is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day. Related... The 'Fresh off the Boat' star asked his wife out when they auditioned for the same part Jason Davis/Getty Jae Suh Park and Randall Park attend the 9th Annual Bentonville Film Festival Led By Geena Davis on June 14, 2023 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Randall Park has a partner in his wife, Jae Suh Park, on- and off-screen. The Fresh Off the Boat star met the actress in 2007 and the pair married in 2009. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Ruby, who arrived in May 2012. Since we had our daughter, we don't really talk about the business, the Friends from College alum told Emmys.com about their marriage. I feel like the healthiest thing is having marriage and home separate from professional lives. We love to be with each other. The business is up and down. If you're looking for validation in this business, you're going to be disappointed, she explained. Despite keeping their home and professional life separate, the couple have worked together on-screen occasionally, appearing in Randalls comedy web series Baby Mentalist and in episodes of The Mindy Project together. So who is Randall Parks wife? Heres everything to know about Jae Suh Park and her relationship with the actor. She was born in South Korea Jae Suh Park Instagram Jae Suh Park with her mom and her sisters. Jae was born on April 5, 1984, in South Korea. At age 6, she emigrated to Lodi, California, with her family where they were sponsored by an uncle who lived there. We were the first Asian family on the block, and we didn't speak the [English] language. I didn't leave until college, she told Emmys.com. She had dreamt of becoming an actress since she was 8, and took acting classes while attending University of California, Davis, but did not tell her family it was the career she wanted to pursue until after graduating. Upon graduation, it became my coming out party: I told them I wanted to be an actor, but it did not go well, she explained. It led to fights, and being told I was crazy, that it was a strange pipe dream and that I was never going to make it. In Korea, acting was not a respected profession. Randall and Jae met at a charity event John M. Heller/Getty Randall Park and Jae Suh attend the Outfest Fusion Achievement Awards on March 13, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Before they even met, the future couple knew of each other through the Asian American acting community in Los Angeles. In 2007, they crossed paths for the first time at a nonprofit theater fundraiser. Randall, who contributed a hand-drawn cartoon about an armless squirrel, noticed Jae but didnt introduce himself. A few days later they saw each other again at an audition: My opening line was, 'How much did you get for that painting?' Jae recalled to LA Weekly. They hit it off in the waiting room for about an hour, but Jae was called into her audition before Randall could ask for her number. Shortly after, they saw each other again at another audition, where they were going out for the same role in a commercial. Randall got her number and invited her to his upcoming birthday party but when Jae arrived, just Randall and two of his friends were there playing a video game. I thought she was going to leave, The Office actor shared. And here I was thinking, 'I'm single, I'm a year older, and I need to be more proactive in my personal life.' But it was awkward because all my friends were there. Luckily, Jae was thinking the same thing. However, more friends came over and they werent able to get a moment alone. Randall asked Jae to call her when she got home from the party, and when she did, he asked her out. Only two weeks into dating, they told each other they were in love. She is an actress Steve Granitz/WireImage Jae Suh Park and Randall Park attend KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2019 on December 06, 2019 in Inglewood, California. Jaes first role as an actress came in 2004 when she was in an episode of ER. She also had single episode parts in How I Met Your Mother and The League before appearing in The Mindy Project as the on-screen wife of Randall in two episodes. I aspire to have projects brought to me and for me to make a decision to have a choice about what to do, she told CVLUX Magazine of her career aspirations. Im grateful for whatever comes my way and obviously I feel like were both in a position where a lot of people arent, but just to have more of a choice of what I do and dont do. To do quality things Im proud of. And to work with wonderful people. She is best known for starring in the Netflix original series Friends from College, which ran for two seasons from 2017 until 2019. Jae has also had a recurring part in Never Have I Ever, plus roles in Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., The Big Short (2015), The Paper Tigers (2020) and more. Randall and Jae got married in 2009 Jae Suh Park Instagram Randall Park and Jae Suh Park during their honeymoon in Hawaii. After only a year of dating, Randall popped the question at the now-shuttered Billingsleys Steakhouse in L.A. Five months later, the couple said I do on Aug. 29, 2009. Though they havent shared much about their nuptials, Jae does typically celebrate their anniversary every year with a sweet post on social media. Still sweeping me off my feet, stepping on my toes, invading my space and holding me tight, she wrote on Instagram in 2021 along with a photo from their wedding day. Best dance partner ever. Happy Anniversary my love . She and Randall share a daughter Donato Sardella/Getty Jae Suh Park and Randall Park with their daughter Ruby, attend as Brooks Brothers celebrates the holidays with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on December 13, 2014. Randall and Jae became parents to a daughter, Ruby Louise, in May 2012. When Ruby was just a few months old, she appeared alongside her parents in Baby Mentalist, her fathers comedy web series, as a crime-fighting baby superhero. For Ruby, she doesnt know anything else besides having two working actors for parents. Shes only known that her whole life. Shes seen us on TV since she was a baby, shes come and visited us on set I think she probably just thinks everybodys parents are on TV, Jae told CVLUX Magazine. She honestly doesnt think its special and I think she couldnt care less what we do. Thats just her normal. In 2022, Jae opened up about some of Rubys interests which include swings, trampolines, going to Disneyland, playgrounds, crafts, cooking, baking, art, swimming and watching YouTube. "In a sense, she loves everything that all other typical kids do, just in a different way," the mom shared with PEOPLE. She is involved in charity work Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Randall Park and Jae Suh Park attend the 2017 Writers Guild Awards L.A. Ceremony at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 19, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. In addition to being a mother and actress, Jae is also on the board of KultureCity along with Randall, plus fellow celebrities like Ken Jeong and Jenni "JWoww" Farley. The nonprofit works to build sensory inclusive locations that are accessible and accepting for those with invisible disabilities. Three of the many sensory rooms KultureCity has developed are located at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, home to SoFi Stadium and the accompanying YouTube Theater. "This was more about making the world around you very supporting of your sensory needs, providing things such as earphones or fidget toys, things that will just make your experience more 'normal' or more fun," she told PEOPLE. "You can enjoy music shows, or go to a game, or go to the bathroom." The rooms are regularly cleaned by trained attendants and come equipped with toys, beanbag chairs and other activities to calm the senses. "That was a big thing for my daughter, she is on the spectrum and she has a lot of sensory needs. For a really long time, she couldn't go to a public bathroom because of the echoes and the dryers," Jae said. She likes working in the same industry as Randall Kevin Mazur/Getty Jae Suh Park and Randall Park attend the 71st Emmy Awards on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. For some actors, they prefer marrying outside of the industry, but for Randall and Jae its been a positive aspect of their marriage. A lot of actors don't want to date non-actors because you don't have to explain the crazy involved. For people not in the business, it's difficult to understand and support, Jae told Emmys.com. Randall feels similarly, he explained to LA Weekly: You always hear, 'Actors should never date actors,' but for me, it's been nothing but a blessing. It's a tough business, and it helps to have somebody's shoulder to lean on, especially if they understand what you're going through. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. It looks like Teresa Giudice has another college-bound kid on her hands. Beginning on Dec. 15, The Real Housewives of New Jersey OG started to share news about her daughter Milanias school admissions journey. The teen whom Teresa shares with her ex-husband, Joe Giudice seemingly began her college search over the summer, when she and her family stopped in Florida to tour the University of Tampa campus. Although its unclear if Milania ultimately applied to the school, Teresa has since confirmed that her daughter has already started the application process and was granted admissions toseveral universities. Milania Giudice gets accepted to multiple universities On Friday, Dec. 15, Teresa posted a couple of Milania's acceptance letters; the first was from the University of South Carolina and the second from the University of Rhode Island. The Instagram Stories did not reveal Milanias intended area of study but showed she had expressed interest in both schools' College of Arts and Sciences. Milania College Teresa Giudice shares a major update on Milania's college search. Photo: Teresa Giudice/Instagram Congratulations [Milania], Teresa captioned each post. We love you. The next update came on Dec. 18 when Teresa took to her Instagram Stories to share a photo of some swag from Penn State University, including a flyer that read, "We are Penn State ... And so am I!" along with the hashtag "Penn State bound." Teresa Giudice puts Penn Stage signage on her kitchen counter celebrating Milania's acceptance to the school. Miliania Giudice posts an instagram story of Penn Stage signage on her kitchen counter celebrating her acceptance to the school. Photo: Milania Giudice/Instagram "So proud of you," Teresa captioned the story, which she tagged Milania in. "love you." It's not clear whether Milania is indeed "Penn State bound," but she did share her mom's Story. Teresa Giudice, Milania Giudice, and Audriana Giudice pose together at Scorpios, Mykonos on the sand in front of a sculpture. Teresa Giudice Shares a Sweet Message for Milania and Audriana as They Go Back to School If Milania chooses to pursue higher education, she will become Teresas third daughter to do so. The Jersey Wifes oldest child, Gia Giudice, graduated from Rutgers University this year with a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Her second-oldest daughter, Gabriella Giudice, is currently a freshman at the University of Michigan, wheres majoring in economics. Teresa and Joes youngest child, Audriana Giudice, is now a freshman in high school, which means Teresa still has a few more years before she enters empty-nester life. What's next for the Giudice family? Joe Giudice posing with his daughters in front of a coral colored building. Joe, Gabriella, Gia, Milania, and Audriana together on May 4, 2023 in Nassau, Bahamas posted to Instagram. Photo: Milania Giudice/Instagram During a panel discussion at BravoCon 2023, Teresa revealed she and her family will spend a part of their holidays in the Caribbean with her ex-husband, Joe. The mother of four, who married Luis Louie Ruelas in August 2022, said the getaway would be a joint trip with another RHONJ family. Teresa Giudice and Milania Giudice posing for a photo Milania Giudice Shares a Look Into Her Senior Year of High School My ex-husband Joe is doing great, hes living in the Bahamas, Teresa said during the BravoCon event. As a matter of fact, were going to spend New Years Eve with him, so were all going with the family. It was [my husband Luis Louie Ruelas] idea, it was really nice. The girls are so excited that were gonna be together The Aydins are coming as well, Jennifer [Aydin] and Bill [Aydin], so were gonna have a lot of fun for New Years Eve. Teresa revealed that her ex-hubby also has a girlfriend, who they plan to meet while visiting his home in the Bahamas. Im happy for him, she said before referencing Joes deportation battle. I wish one day he could come back to the United States because it wasnt fair what happened to him. It was paperwork and I dont think he should have gotten deported. Mexican food is as rich and diverse as the country itself, with ingredients, recipes, techniques, and traditions that date from centuries back and have been passed from one generation to the next. It's no surprise that traditional Mexican cuisine was named Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010. Yet this incredible cuisine has also evolved and changed over time. It has crossed borders and conquered hearts and palates all over the world. With that in mind, we made a selection of the most relevant, fascinating, and comprehensive cookbooks that any fan of Mexican food could ever need a list that includes books by celebrated chefs like Gabriela Camara (of Mexico City's Contramar) and Fany Gerson (of New York's Fan Fan Doughnuts), as well as academics like Diana Kennedy. From Rick Bayless' super-quick recipes to Alex Stupak's clever takes on tacos, these books will take you on an inspiring journey along Mexico's gastronomy. Read more: Styles Of Regional BBQ In The US Mexico From The Inside Out By Enrique Olvera Mexico from the Inside Out - Mike Pont/Getty Images Perhaps the greatest ambassador of modern Mexican cuisine, chef Enrique Olvera is known for his iconic Mexico City restaurant, Pujol currently #13 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants as well as international endeavors like New York's Cosme and Los Angeles' Damian. But before Olvera was a household name, he did something nobody had done before. When he opened Pujol in 2000, it was absolutely groundbreaking. Olvera dared to elevate Mexican cuisine to innovative, contemporary levels something never seen before in a city where steakhouses or French restaurants were considered the epitome of fine dining. Published by Phaidon in 2015, Mexico from the Inside Out reflects Olvera's unique views on Mexican cuisine, with a deep love and respect for traditional recipes and ingredients, yet an ever-growing curiosity and will to evolve. The book features more than 65 recipes, ranging from sophisticated dishes from the Pujol kitchen to casual meals that the chef enjoys at home, accompanied by stunning photographs. Recipe highlights include a lobster taco with longaniza and his now iconic corn husk meringue. The Art Of Mexican Cooking By Diana Kennedy The Art of Mexican Cooking - Penguin Random House British-born Diana Kennedy, who passed away last year at the age of 99 in Michoacan, Mexico, spent more than five decades of her life exploring and researching the country's vast cuisine. Traveling all over Mexico, she learned about its ingredients, traditions, and techniques, translating her knowledge into nine cookbooks throughout her life one of which earned her a James Beard Award. Much of Kennedy's efforts were directed at putting the spotlight on Mexico's rich culinary landscape at a time when little was known about Mexican food outside the country. The Art of Mexican Cooking, first published in 1989, is an ideal companion for the home chef, featuring more than 200 recipes, from salsas and soups to desserts and entrees, covering a diversity of Mexican regions and a wide range of complexity. The tome was reissued in 2008 with a new introduction where Kennedy discusses how the perception of Mexican food changed since the first edition. Mexico: The Cookbook By Margarita Carrillo Arronti Mexico the Cookbook - Phaidon We're always told not to judge books by their covers, but this stunning tome, published by Phaidon in 2014, is hard not to fall in love with. Inside, you'll find more than 700 recipes, easily organized into chapters such as Street Food, Vegetables, Drinks, and Desserts. From complex dishes like chile en nogada and mole to refreshing fruit aguas frescas, these recipes are meant to be easily prepared at home and are illustrated with gorgeous photographs. Another fun highlight: The Chef Menu section, featuring recipes from renowned Mexican chefs. Putting together a "bible of home cooking from Mexico" is no easy feat, but if someone was up for the task, it was Margarita Carrillo Arronti. One of Mexico's most renowned culinary promoters, Chef Carrillo's impressive resume includes teaching at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio and at Mexico's CESSA, as well as being named a culinary ambassador by Mexico's Foreign Relations Ministry since 2016. My Mexico City Kitchen By Gabriela Camara My Mexico City Kitchen - Penguin Random House Gabriela Camara's shrine to seafood, Contramar, is nothing short of a Mexico City icon, where locals and visitors alike flock to for the impossibly fresh fare and lively vibes. Some of the most beloved dishes from Contramar are part of Camara's cookbook, a collection of 150 recipes divided into chapters such as Desayunos (Breakfast), Platos Fuertes (Entrees), and Postres (Dessert). Aside from Contramar's legendary tuna tostadas and pescado a la talla (grilled snapper), you can also learn and master recipes such as huevos rancheros and zucchini-and-asparagus salad. Camara's recipes are paired with lovely photos and a dozen thoughtful essays on some of the topics that are closest to her heart, such as the importance of using non-GMO corn. A fiercely proud ambassador of Mexican cuisine, Camara has two other excellent restaurants in Mexico City, Entremar and Caracol de Mar. She also starred in Netflix's Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend in 2022. The Food Of Oaxaca By Alejandro Ruiz The Food of Oaxaca - Penguin Random House Chef Alejandro Ruiz is one of Oaxaca's foremost culinary champions. His flagship restaurant, Casa Oaxaca #63 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants is an icon of local cuisine and hospitality in the state's capital, while his second project, Oaxacalifornia, blends local cuisine with fresh ingredients from Baja California. In Mexico City, he shares the flavors of his home at the casual and welcoming Guzina Oaxaca. If someone is qualified to guide you along the state's rich, fascinating gastronomic landscape, Ruiz is the man. Originally published in Spanish as Cocina de Oaxaca, The Food of Oaxaca features 50 recipes covering traditional Oaxacan dishes, coastal specialties, and original creations by Ruiz, such as duck tacos with mole coloradito and corn-based memelas with beans and cheese. The book also features helpful essays and a glossary to help you navigate the depth of Oaxacan cuisine, as well as a foreword by Pujol's Enrique Olvera. My Sweet Mexico By Fany Gerson My Sweet Mexico - Penguin Random House Born in Mexico City and based in New York, Fany Gerson has conquered the palates of thousands with her sweet treats. Her journey started in 2010 with the launch of La Newyorkina, dedicated to popsicles and ice cream, followed by Dough, an artisanal doughnut shop in Brooklyn. Today, you can head to Brooklyn's Fan-Fan Doughnuts to taste creations like a mango lassi or a churros-and-chocolate doughnut. My Sweet Mexico is the result of years of traveling around Mexico, tasting and researching the country's most iconic sweets. From traditional popsicles made with fresh fruit to classic pastries like garibaldis, as well as contemporary, creative desserts, Gerson explores Mexico's sweetest side and delves into some of its most significant endemic ingredients, such as cacao, honey, and local fruit with a warm, approachable tone that makes the recipes even more appealing. My Sweet Mexico received a James Beard Award for Best Baking and Pastry Cookbook in 2010. Rosetta By Elena Reygadas Rosetta, the cookbook - Instagram Located in the heart of Mexico City's Colonia Roma, Rosetta has become one of the most beloved restaurants since it opened its doors in 2010. Helmed by chef Elena Reygadas, Rosetta celebrates Mexican ingredients through a menu based on seasonal and sustainable ingredients. In her first book, published in 2019, Reygadas shares some of the most iconic recipes from the restaurant, as well as her thoughts on topics like Mexican ingredients and the environmental impact of our eating habits. On this journey, Reygadas will show you how to make dishes like pickled oysters with horseradish and borage flower, as well as her iconic guava roll. Today, Reygadas has built an empire in Mexico City, with Rosetta as its flagship, that expands to two casual eateries, Lardo and Cafe Nin; two outlets of her uber-popular Panaderia Rosetta; the Italian spot Bella Aurora; and the bar Salon Rosetta. She's also in charge of Coyul, the gorgeous restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo. It's no wonder that Reygadas was named Best Female Chef at the 2023 World's 50 Best Restaurants. Treasures Of The Mexican Table By Pati Jinich Treasures of the Mexican Table - Instagram Known and loved for her PBS show, Pati's Mexican Table, James Beard Award winner Pati Jinich is the author of three excellent cookbooks. Our pick is her most recent tome, Treasures of the Mexican Table, where Jinich shares 150 iconic recipes that help define Mexico's incredibly rich culinary history and traditions. Over more than 400 pages, Jinich shares the result of her extensive travels, not only across Mexico's regions but also through time, rescuing recipes that have been passed on for generations. Her goal is to expand our views of Mexican cooking and share recipes that have survived for centuries. Tested in her American kitchen, her user-friendly recipes include easy weekday dinner options or party-ready creations for larger groups. Highlights include vuelve a la vida, a fresh seafood cocktail from the coast; birria, a hearty beef stew from the state of Jalisco; and fideo seco a los tres chiles, thin noodles in a tomato-chili sauce. Mexican Everyday By Rick Bayless Mexican Everyday - Rick Bayless website Fans of Chef Rick Bayless know him for his stellar career, which includes several James Beard Award nominations and wins, as well as his humanitarian projects. They know that his deep passion for Mexican cooking is on display at this Chicago eateries, which include Frontera Grill, Bar Sotano, and even Tortas Frontera at O'Hare airport. They're also aware of his long-running PBS show, Mexico One Plate at a Time, now on its 12th season, and his nine popular cookbooks. Given Bayless' incredibly prolific career, picking one of his books was a bit of a challenge, but we opted for his 2005 classic, Mexican Everyday. Just as the title promises, Bayless' Mexican Everyday translates the depth and richness of Mexican cuisine into practical recipes that can be swiftly prepared in 30 minutes lifesavers on busy weeknights. The collection of 90 recipes is divided into chapters like Salsas & Skills, Quick Meals from the Grill, and Desserts and includes delights like shrimp ceviche salad, chipotle steak with black beans, and green chile chicken tacos. Tacos: Recipes And Provocations By Alex Stupak And Jordana Rothman Tacos: Recipes and Provocations - Penguin Random House Alex Stupak's story has long been a subject of fascination: A super-talented pastry chef who left the world of fine dining to embark on an exploration of Mexican cooking. With a firm belief that Mexican cuisine should be as revered as other cuisines, such as French, Stupak opened Empellon Taqueria in New York in 2011. Today, Empellon has evolved into a four-restaurant group, and Stupak has expanded his kingdom with Mischa, a modern American eatery in Midtown. Stupak's creative, daring vision is best expressed in Tacos: Recipes and Provocations, co-written alongside writer and editor Jordana Rothman. The book explores the deceivingly simple taco, delving into every element that goes into this sacred Mexican dish: the corn and flour that go into tortillas, fillings that range from classic pork al pastor to pastrami an Empellon classic and an array of salsas and condiments. Photographer Evan Sung was in charge of the stunning images for the book, a 2016 James Beard award nominee. Oaxaca: Home Cooking From The Heart Of Mexico By Bricia Lopez & Javier Cabral Oaxaca: Home Cooking From the Heart of Mexico - Guelaguetza The Guelaguetza, or the "feast of Mondays on the Hill," is one of Oaxaca's most important traditions a series of celebrations, performances, and rituals that dates back to 1932. The name is fitting from Los Angeles' beloved Mexican restaurant, founded more than 25 years ago by the Lopez family, who immigrated from Oaxaca and have been sharing the exquisite food from their home ever since. In this book, published in 2019, restaurant co-owner Bricia Lopez and co-author Javier Cabral will lead you along some of the state's precious culinary secrets, including its indigenous techniques and its types of chilis. With more than 140 recipes, you will get a sense of Oaxaca's soulful flavors in dishes such as huevo en frijol (eggs with beans), tacos de chapulin y chicharron (fried grasshopper and pork rinds tacos), mole negro, and chilaquiles. The book earned Lopez and Cabral a James Beard Award nomination, while Guelaguetza was recognized with a James Beard America's Classics Award in 2015. Mi Cocina By Rick Martinez Mi Cocina - Penguin Random House It would be the dream of many to embark on the journey that Martinez took: Across Mexico's 32 states, covering 156 cities and 20,000 miles. The result of this extraordinary trip is in the pages of Mi Cocina, released in 2022 by Rick Martinez. The host of the video series Mi Cocina and Sweet Heat on Food52's YouTube channel and Pruebalo on Babish Culinary Universe Martinez is a second-generation Mexican American who always felt a strong connection to Mexico. When he set out on this mission in 2019, he wanted to look for the people and the food who felt close to his heart. Accompanied by bright and colorful photos, recipes in Mi Cocina include Mexican staples like enchiladas mineras, a specialty from the central region of Guanajuato; tamales oaxaquenos from Oaxaca, cochinita pibil, the crown jewel of Yucatan; and tacos gobernador, shrimp tacos from the coastal city of Mazatlan, where Martinez lives. Masa By Jorge Gaviria Jorge Gaviria presenting Masa - Instagram Masa is the heart of dozens of traditional Latin staples, from tortillas to arepas to tamales. Understanding the historical and agricultural importance of heirloom corn for creating masa (dough) is the driving force behind Masienda, a Los Angeles-based masa purveyor founded in 2014. Its goal is to provide better masa to chefs and home cooks and better conditions to farmers. Now, Masienda founder Jorge Gaviria has published Masa: Techniques, Recipes, and Reflections on a Timeless Staple, which will give you incredible insights into the history of masa across Mesoamerica, North and South America and, of course, Mexico. It will also teach you about nixtamal, the ancient process of turning corn into masa, and how to make your tortillas puff the magical moment when homemade tortillas fill with air on the comal. Masa features 10 recipes, courtesy of renowned chefs, that confirm this ingredient's versatility. Try your hand at making Gerardo Gonzalez' lamb birria with masa gnocchi or Sean Brock's shrimp and masa grits. Nopalito: A Mexican Kitchen By Gonzalo Guzman Nopalito, A Mexican Kitchen - Penguin Random House Chef Gonzalo Guzman began to develop his culinary talents as a young boy in the small city of Catemaco, Veracruz, where he grew ingredients in the fields and cooked alongside his mother, Alicia. Life's twists and turns led him to San Francisco, where he opened Nopalito in 2009, sharing the flavors of his homeland and blending them with the ingredients of the region. In 2017, he published Nopalito: A Mexican Kitchen with co-author Stacy Adimando, a Brooklyn-based food and travel journalist. The tome features 100 iconic recipes from his eatery that will lead you across Mexican regions, from Mexico City to Michoacan to the Yucatan Peninsula, Nopalito will teach you how to make specialties such as toasted corn with crema, crispy red quesadillas with red pork and pork rinds, nopal salad, guacamole, and Oaxacan chorizo. Guzman also shares tips on essential tools and ingredients to build a Mexican pantry. How We Selected The Books Woman reading cookbook - Eleganza/Getty Images With a deep love for Mexican food as our compass, we made this selection considering a variety of authors, from Mexican-born chefs and personalities like Elena Reygadas and Pati Jinich to foreign authors like Diana Kennedy, who devoted her career to the country's cuisine. We also made sure to feature books that ranged from user-friendly, like Rick Bayless' Mexican Everyday, to more sophisticated tomes, like Enrique Olvera's Mexico From the Inside Out. Read the original article on Tasting Table. When I bought my first home, I moved to a place five minutes away from the Pennsylvania/New Jersey border. Id lived in the area most of my life and had never really given any thought to what impact living so close to another state would have, other than the benefit of being in close proximity to the shore. And while I quickly learned all about Jerseys more relaxed rules about alcohol living on the border allowed me to take advantage of everything from discounted prices to easier access when it was time to stock up for a party it took a little bit longer to learn about the more important things I shouldve kept in mind when shopping for a home on a state border especially when it came to living in one state and working in another! Filing Taxes Can Get Complicated There was a downside to living next to another state that had an even bigger impact on my finances: taxes. I ended up crossing the river every day to enter New Jersey for work. And while I knew I had to alter some of my driving habits for my commute youre not allowed to pump your own gas in the state, and roundabouts are a bit tricky to master at first I didnt find out that there was more to working in another state until tax time came. Because I worked in one state and lived in another, I had to file an extra state return. Fortunately, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are good about not double dipping on those income taxes, but it was an extra layer of paperwork that I hadnt even considered. You Can Get a Discount on the Essentials When I was younger I was more focused on getting a bargain on alcohol, but there are some other more important things you can get a discount on when you get to choose which state you shop in, and thats especially true for one Pittsburgh native who says her family frequently pops over to Ohio to shop. Not only is gas a little cheaper over the border, but Meg St-Esprit, parenting and travel journalist, says that there are other things her family of six make sure to get from the Buckeye State. My favorite thing to buy in Ohio though with four kids? Milk! Its often a lot cheaper due to how Pennsylvania taxes milk, she says. When I drove to Ohio to pick up our puppy I tucked him in my coat to run into a Walmart and grab four gallons of milk before heading back to Pennsylvania. And, just like I was running over to Jersey for drinks, St-Esprit says locals in her area sometimes do the same. For example, their Aldis and Costcos are allowed to sell alcohol, so everyone stocks up on Three-Buck Chuck while in Youngstown. The Laws Are Different St-Esprit also jokes that some people may soon be crossing state lines to take advantage of something else Ohio has to offer: drugs. Since Ohio just passed recreational marijuana while Penyslvania still lags behind, Im sure that will become another common state-line-crossing activity. Thats something to keep in mind when shopping for a home, especially if youre looking to live somewhere that borders a state with different laws. Your Kids May Have Friends from Out of State Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, St-Esprit says that it was totally normal to cross the border to do daily tasks although she and her kids both grew up lifting their feet to jump state lines when crossing between the two in fact, some kids do it twice a day. Theres even a public school in our area of Pennsylvania that has students from Pennsylvania and Ohio, she says. While that may not be the thing that sells you on purchasing a new home, it is good to keep in mind if youre house hunting with school-aged children because your children could end up traveling out of state for their education which means they will be subject to different rules and regulations from the state where they go to learn. In todays day and age, that education could be vastly different than what they wouldve received in another state. If you're someone who delights in a cocktail with a story, then gather 'round this one's for you. Long before the days when our thumbs were sore from pressing "buy now" on Amazon Prime's two-day delivery service, there was a time when the delivery of a letter within only a couple of days was a revolutionary concept. Dubbed "air mail," this technology was first seen in 1911, and Cuba followed suit in 1930, creating its own air mail service on the island. Shortly afterward, Cuba's famous Bacardi rum released a postage-sealed advertisement pamphlet depicting a commemorative Air Mail cocktail, a humble mixture of Bacardi, lime juice, honey syrup, and champagne. As to whether Bacardi created the recipe for the drink themselves or caught wind of it at Havana nightclubs and bars remains a mystery. What we do know, however, is that during the prohibition epoch of the United States, Americans were only allowed to obtain and consume alcohol in foreign countries. With flights readily available from Key West to Havana, Cuba became a prominent cradle in the culture of bars and cocktails. More than likely, this is how the United States picked up the Air Mail cocktail, which reached its apex of popularity in the 1940s. In 1941, the champagne drink was featured in W.C. Whitfield's "Here's How," a wood-bound mixology book detailing numerous old-school style cocktails and highballs. Of the Air Mail cocktail, Whitfield simply wrote, "It ought to make you fly high." Read more: The 40 Absolute Best Cocktails That Feature Only 2 Ingredients You've Got Mail: The Decline Of The Air Mail Traditional Air Mail Cuban cocktail with lime and mint - Candice Bell/Shutterstock In the decades following the 1940s, the Air Mail cocktail began to slow down in popularity as did its namesake, which was discontinued by the U.S. Postal Service in 1977. This is likely why you won't see the beverage listed on the menu at your local pub or bar, but with ingredients as simple and attainable as this drink has, creating it yourself is a breeze. In order to keep the "spirit" of this drink alive, reach for a Cuban-style rum. Different recipes call for varieties of rum brands and styles, but sticking to classic Cuban flavors keeps things authentic. Traditionally, this cocktail is recommended to be served in a highball glass over ice and is often garnished with lime and/or fresh mint. Alternatively, instead of champagne, a dry sparkling wine can be used. As far as the honey goes, creating honey syrup is as easy as heating one part honey and one part water over the stove until the honey is dissolved. Read the original article on Tasting Table. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Welcome to Retail Therapy by Prevention! In this series, our editors provide thoughtful, honest reviews of what weve been testing lately that we want you to know aboutbecause we refuse to keep these game-changing finds all to ourselves. Whether youre on a mission to find something specific or simply need a little retail therapy in the form of an impulse purchase, consider this your insiders shopping guide to everything our team thinks is worth the buy. After living in New York for the past four years, Ive become somewhat of an earplug connoisseur. Ive spent many nights kept awake by the sounds of nearby rooftop gatherings, the bass of songs playing from the bar downstairs, and loud sidewalk conversations. Since adapting to a remote hybrid work schedule, Ive also had to figure out ways to focus and get work done despite construction noise humming outside my window, my roommate taking calls in the next room, and even neighbors blasting the volume of a certain workout app (my money is on Peloton) next door. Ive tried typical foam earplugsthe kind that come in large plastic tubs and require meticulous rolling and squeezing to fit properly in your ear and often tumble out in your sleep. But my favorite solution for diminishing nearby sounds is wearing Loop earplugs. (Psst: They won a Prevention Sleep Award in 2023.) Shop Now Quiet Earplugs amazon.com $24.95 What are Loop earplugs? Loop sells multiple types of earplugs, each designed with a different purpose in mind. There are options for adults and kids, ranging from sleep-appropriate noise blockers to earplugs meant for wearing to concerts and other loud experiences. The Loop Quiet is for deep sleep and concentration. The Experience earplugs tone down loud noises but still allow you to hear music. The Engage reduces background noise while remaining suitable for having conversations. The Switch is the brands newest offering that lets you alternate between three noise reduction modes. All the styles in the range are made of food-grade silicone and come with four interchangeable ear tip sizes, so you can find the best fit for your unique ear shape. They also come with a keychain carry case for taking them on the go. Loop earplugs get their name from their modern design, which leaves a small loop barely visible while a silicone tip fits snugly in your ear. You can purchase them in a variety of colors to either show them off as a colorful accessory or opt for something neutral that will blend in, so no one will be the wiser. How do Loop earplugs work? All earplugs have a noise reduction rating (NRR). This is a great way to measure how much sound a product will muffle when used properly. The Loop Quiet, which is the most powerful of the brands offerings, provides up to 26.1 decibels (dB) of noise reduction, while the Experience reduces noise by up to 18 dB, and the Engage filters out up to 16 dB. For reference, the highest NRR the best earplugs can get is 33 dB, Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD , a fellow at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, previously told Prevention. Loop earplugs differ from standard options not just in their looks but also in how they work . Rather than blocking sound, they filter it. First, sound waves enter Loop earplugs through a small opening, then they travel through the hollow circular portion of the device. At the end of the sound tube, an acoustic filter lowers sound frequencies. Lastly, soft silicone ear tips seal the ear canal. Overall, the design mimics the function of the ears, helping create a natural sound. Courtesy of Christie Calucchia How I tested Loop earplugs I received three of Loops adult earplugsthe Quiet, Experience, and Engageto test out earlier this year. So far, Ive gotten the most use out of the Quiet earplugs, which block out the most noise, and I can say with confidence they really work. Ive used the funky-looking earplugs mostly for sleeping more soundly at home. They truly create a quieter environment and stay put throughout the night. I especially appreciate that they came with multiple ear tip sizes, making it easy to create an ideal fit without pinching a large foam plug and hoping for the best. The Quiet earplugs are also great for travel. I packed the tiny to-go case with me on a two-week trip to Italy this fall. They came in handy for sleeping on flights, on trains, and in Airbnbs. Im a light sleeper, so I was seriously impressed by how much they helped me snooze in unfamiliar places. While I dont reach for the other two Loop earplugs I have as much, the Experience style is a must-have for people who frequently attend loud concerts, and the Engage is helpful for navigating crowded bars and other noisy places where you still want to chat with other people. You can still hear people while wearing them, but they noticeably reduce background noise. I use them while working from home sometimes. Theyre such a relief when nearby construction noise gets irritating or when I can hear my neighbors just a little too well. In case you missed it: Noise pollution is a serious issue that can impact your overall health over time. If you live in a busy city, you might consider upping your earplug game to deter some of the negative effects of unavoidable noise pollution. However, dont expect Loop earplugs to completely silence all of the noise around youthats a job better left to noise-cancelling headphones. One Last Thing Loops popular earplugs have thousands of five star reviews from shoppers who say theyre comfortable and effective. I really like them and I can definitely say that they have changed my sleeping life. They have immensely improved the quality of my sleep and allowed me to sleep through the night next to people who snore, wrote one reviewer. They are so much more comfortable than the foamy ones you can get in stores. While theyre pricier than what you might find at the drugstore, these are easy to clean and reuse. If youre sensitive to loud noises or a light sleeper, these are a must-have accessory. Order a pair from Amazon or the Loop website! Quiet Earplugs Shop Now Quiet Earplugs amazon.com $24.95 Engage Earplugs Shop Now Engage Earplugs amazon.com $34.95 Experience Earplugs Shop Now Experience Earplugs amazon.com $34.95 Switch Earplugs Shop Now Switch Earplugs loopearplugs.com $59.95 You Might Also Like We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. A big hearty bowl of beef stew is one of the most comforting foods on the planet. Chock full of rich proteins, savory broths, and soothing vegetables, there's a lot to like about these kinds of dishes. Most people will be familiar with some of the more well-known varieties of this category from goulash to traditional Irish stews, but there's a whole lot more to the lineup. If you're a fan of any of beef stew, then sancocho meat stew will be right up your alley. Sancocho is a stew that hails from the Dominican Republic and features many different ingredients that are native to the region. This dish uses traditional Dominican ingredients such as Cubanelle peppers, malanga, and auyama, and that's exactly what sets it apart from other beef dishes. For those that are unfamiliar with these ingredients, Cubanelle peppers are a special variety of sweet peppers that are especially vibrant in color. Malanga is an earthy root vegetable similar to taro, and auyama is a type of pumpkin that's super versatile and used often in Dominican cooking. The backbone of this dish are the starchy vegetables used here and the extra-rich broth that comes from the stewed meats. Some of the more unique elements aside, here's some of the other ingredients that come together in sancocho meat stew that sets it apart from other meat medleys. Read more: French Cooking Tricks You Need In Your Life Other Unique Elements Of Sancocho elements of a meat stew - Julia-Bogdanova/Shutterstock Sancocho meat stew uses a lot of different proteins. Some traditional recipes call for up to seven different types of meat, but the main players are often short rib, pork, and chicken. The meat-heavy dish has a rich broth full of plenty of other flavorful additions too like garlic, celery, cassava, and even orange juice for an especially well-rounded flavor. And that's just a small taste of the ingredient list. Because of all the elements that make sancocho, this dish is often exclusively served on special occasions such as New Year's Eve, usually over a bed of rice. So if you're in the market for an easy beef stew, this isn't it, but that wide breadth of ingredients is another great thing that sets it apart from other meat dishes. For those who want to tackle this recipe at home, most of the ingredients can be found at a Spanish market or online. If not, some easy swaps can make for close substitutes for any of the more difficult-to-find ingredients, such as taro or potatoes for malanga, kabocha squash for auyama, and banana or poblano peppers for Cubanelle peppers. A lot goes into this dish, so make sure to set aside plenty of time to cook it. But the long ingredient list not only elevates the flavors here, it also has something to do with sancocho's complicated origin story. The Origins Of This Rich Traditional Dish A street in the Dominican Republic - onapalmtree/Shutterstock Sancocho meat stew is a culturally important dish in the Dominican Republic, and different takes on this stew are all over Latin America. The dish has its origins in the Canary Islands and was brought to Latin America and the Caribbean sometime in the late 1400s during the times of Spanish colonization. Some believe the dish came about due to slavery. During this time large "plantation stews" made with leftover table scraps or spare crops from nearby farms were often served. While the origins of this dish are complicated, the stew has risen to become a widely-celebrated dish across the Dominican Republic and beyond. (And to taste it is just one of many reasons people visit the Dominican Republic.) Sancocho stands in a category of its own thanks to its sheer size and many hearty elements. Plenty of different varieties of this dish exist all across Latin America, so if you're curious, give just one a try and see how it stacks up against the many other popular meat stew dishes. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Marriott Bonvoy and Celebrity Cruises are running a sweepstakes for a free cruise valued at up to $4,500. Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Marriott Bonvoy and Celebrity Cruises are teaming up to give away a dream cruise to a lucky winner. Valued at up to $4,500, the lucky winner can choose any Celebrity Cruise that is offered as part of the Cruise With Points program. These options include the 7-night Alaska Southbound Glacier on the Celebrity Summit, or 7-night Bahamas Mexico & Grand Cayman Celebrity Ascent The promotion is also valid on the Celebrity Constellation's voyage through the Caribbean, or the Celebrity Edge's Alaska Dawes Glacier voyage, among others. We are always looking for new ways to help our members to satisfy their passion for travel. Marriotts Senior Vice President of Global Loyalty David Flueck said in a statement to Travel + Leisure. This sweepstakes and promotion gives our members access to cruising as well as rewards them with Marriott Bonvoy points they can redeem for future stays at our extraordinary hotels or Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. Travelers can enter the contest for free from now until December 31, 2023 by visiting this page on Marriott Bonvoys website. Marriott's Cruise With Points program provides the opportunity for members of the Marriott Bonvoy program to redeem points to completely pay for a cruise on Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, and more. The program also offers the opportunity to pay in cash, but to earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for cruise purchases. The program offers 6x points per dollar on all cruise purchases. Travelers also receive special benefits such as free wi-fi, drink packages, dining credits, or additional savings by booking through the program. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. In 2012, Gordon Ramsay made his first visit to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Season 6 of "Kitchen Nightmares." His destination? Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine in Wilkinsburgh. Formerly known as Jean's Soul Food Restaurant, the eatery located in the suburbs of the Steel City first opened its doors in 2000. It was named after its owner, Jean Gould, a former special education teacher with a lifelong passion for cooking who turned to the restaurant business at the encouragement of members of her church. However, after finally taking the leap (and her life's savings) into the culinary world, Ms. Jean quickly learned that running a restaurant wasn't as easy as it looked. "The challenge is just wearing about 10 hats, running all over the place," she told The Patch shortly before her episode aired in November 2012. The hecticness of running a restaurant wasn't the only problem when Ramsay and his crew showed up. After 12 years in business, and both a name and location change, Ms. Jean often found herself with an empty dining room and was on the verge of losing her business due to debt. "I'm really in need of help, to the point I don't ... I don't know what I would do. I don't even know where else I would go to seek help," she says through tears during the episode. "All I know is I put ... my whole life savings. You know, to see it go right down the drain. I don't know what I'll do." Read more: Fast Food Restaurants That Serve Low-Quality Beef What Happened To Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine On Kitchen Nightmares? Gordon Ramsay and Jean Gould of Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine talking during an episode of 'Kitchen Nightmares.' - Fox/ Amazon Before Gordon Ramsay steps foot in Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine, he's greeted by Ms. Jean at his hotel, where she reveals that the biggest problem with her restaurant is a chronically late and inattentive staff that is more interested in their cell phones. Upon meeting with employees, however, Ramsay is informed that Ms. Jean has "an attitude problem" with not just them, but customers, as well. After struggling to find menu items in stock, the chef finally gets around to trying Ms. Jean's pork chops, ribs, macaroni and cheese, and sweet tea, though doesn't find them appealing. That doesn't stop Ms. Jean from defending her soul food against Ramsay's criticism. Dinner service isn't much better, with several customers taking issue with their food, while the chef takes issue with a staff member after catching them on their phone. The chaotic evening leads Ms. Jean to have a breakdown, yet Ramsay doesn't let her off the hook for her wrongdoings. The following day, he gathers the staff at a theater to show a compilation video of customer testimonials about "Ms. Mean." In response, a tearful Ms. Jean vows to make things right, while the staff collectively promises to make changes, as well. On his end, Ramsay treats Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine to a complete makeover of its interior and its menu. And though relaunch night doesn't go without a hitch, the staff powers through thanks in part to the newfound leadership of Ms. Jean. Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine After Kitchen Nightmares Gordon Ramsay talking with employees of Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine - Fox/ Amazon Unfortunately, some of the changes made to Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine don't appear to have held up following its "Kitchen Nightmares," starting with the upgrades made to the facility itself. According to the Patch, the restaurant had to change locations shortly after the episode was filmed in the summer of 2012, which was already known before production. Still, even with its relocation, the eatery was able to earn a respectable rating of 3.5 stars on Yelp, where several reviews contained praises for the restaurant's food. In fact, in the most recent 5-star review, which was left in February 2020, the diner claimed that their meal was "spectacular," and called Ms. Jean's their favorite soul food place in Pittsburgh. However, there were a few reviews claiming that Ms. Jean's attitude had returned, with some suggesting that it had also spread to other staff members. Two separate one-star reviews were also riddled with complaints regarding catering gigs, both of which were for weddings. "Ms. Jean's catered my wedding last night...it was a disaster," one person wrote in 2014, noting that the table settings weren't ready, the food was not served on time, and only included one meat option when there was supposed to be two. "My guests did say the food was good ... but it was overtopped by the bad attitude," they concluded. The second one-star catering review contained similar criticisms and also alleged that the catering staff was helping themselves to food and alcohol. Is Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine Still Open? Gordon Ramsay explaining new menu items to Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine staff. - Fox/ Amazon Negative reviews aside, Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine made a lengthy run following its 2012 feature on "Kitchen Nightmares." Though updates to the restaurant's Facebook page ended in 2019, a second page picked up right about where it left off. Its last post is dated May 1, 2022, suggesting that Ms. Jean was able to keep her soul food spot afloat through the Covid-19 pandemic. However, just a few short months later, the "Kitchen Nightmares" alum closed its doors for good. According to a Facebook post made by a man named Trevis Gould, who's presumably connected to Ms. Jean or her establishment, the restaurant hosted its final Sunday buffet on October 23 last year. In the days that followed, he posted several photos of restaurant and kitchen equipment for sale, with the final one coming on October 30, 2022. Gould also stated that information regarding where Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine would be relocating to would be shared by the next week, though by the end of 2022, a new location had yet to be disclosed. Still, having been open for a decade after Gordon Ramsay's visit, Ms. Jean's Southern cuisine was arguably one of the biggest "Kitchen Nightmares" successes especially since around 60% of the restaurants featured on the show before its recent revamp had shut down by 2014. What's Next For Ms. Jean And Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine? Jean Gould of Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine - Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine/ Facebook Though Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine no longer appears to have a permanent brick-and-mortar location for customers to visit, it does look like the restaurateur has been cooking for her community again. On March 2 this year, Trevis Gould posted a photo to his Facebook page of a business card for Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine Catering Service and encouraged people to "reach out and enjoy the southern food" in the caption. In June, Gould posted a new business card advertising The Ice Man for Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine & Catering, which, judging by the photos of ice cream on the card, may have been for a dessert catering service. The final updates on the whereabouts of Ms. Jean and her soul food came this past summer. According to yet another post from Gould, Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine catered an event at an American Legion location on August 6 this year. However, in the months since, it does not appear that the restaurateur has provided food for any other public events. Read the original article on Mashed. It looks like that sustainable fork you just got with your takeout might not be as eco-friendly as you think. A new report revealed that tossed compostable and biodegradable utensils are persisting in the environment, even after a year. What happened? Starting in 2021, the 5 Gyres Institute, which focuses on research questions related to plastic pollution, tested 22 items including pens, thin film, forks, bottles, bottle caps, straws, and bags. They left them in a number of different environments, including ocean and desert, across Florida, California, and Maine. Then, they monitored how the items broke down over the 64-week study. The research team included a mix of traditional petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics (those that are produced from renewable biomass sources like vegetable fats, corn starch, sawdust, and recycled food waste), and natural materials like bamboo and paper. The results? As expected, traditional petroleum-based plastics were persistent in all environments over the course of the study. However, there was a wide range in degradation rates among the bioplastics. For instance, a straw made from the bioplastic PHA broke down as quickly as bamboo or paper in the ocean. But on land, it didnt start breaking down until the end of the study. Meanwhile, a PHA bottle broke down slowly on land and in water in all three states but remained almost fully intact over the course of the study in Maines cooler ocean waters. Overall, items left on land took longer to break down than those placed in marine environments. Heat also helped with the decomposition process. Thinner items broke down quicker as well. Why is the study concerning? The plastics plague is wreaking havoc on the worlds ecosystems. Annually, more than 400 million tons of plastic is produced and at least 14 million tons of the stuff ends up in our oceans. All of this plastic waste endangers and even kills marine wildlife like seabirds, whales, fish, and turtles, who mistake it for food. This rogue plastic also impacts humans. Microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, and salt. When ingested by people, microplastics can lead to developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. Many companies tout eco-friendly single-use bioplastics as an alternative to traditional plastics, but this study demonstrates that even environmentally friendly alternatives can have a lasting impact on the environment. Regardless of the material, theres always going to be an environmental cost, Lisa Erdle, director of science and innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute, told The Fast Company. What can I do to help with plastic waste? A number of state governments have banned single-use plastic bags, and New Zealand went one step further by becoming the first nation to ban both plastic shopping bags and plastic produce bags. You can also take matters into your own hands by turning down single-use plastics, whether they are labeled as eco-friendly or not. You can accomplish this by investing in reusable water bottles and eating utensils, canvas shopping bags, and steel straws. This article has some ideas on how you can eliminate plastic waste for a barbeque (and you can carry the ideas into your day-to-day life as well). If you do purchase bioplastics, design, thickness, and function matter. For instance, plastic wrap can help cheese and meat last longer, preventing food waste, but it will break down faster if it comes in thinner sheets. The team at 5 Gyres also found that a honeycomb-like pattern of holes integrated into item design could help with the degradation process by allowing microbes easy access to eat away at the material. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Since it launched its first bullet train in October, Indonesia has received praise for the magnificent high-speed rail. In November, CNA (@channelnewsasia) correspondent Kiki Siregar documented a trip from Jakarta to Bandung on TikTok. Siregar touted the trains timeliness, cleanliness, and televisions and noted the smooth ride came with an affordable discounted price about 15 Singapore dollars (about $11) for a one-way ticket. After the 46-minute trip, which featured speeds up to 347 kilometers (about 215 miles) per hour, Siregar said passengers could get downtown from Tegalluar station via bus or taxi. A couple of commenters shared their wishes for other countries to build similar high-speed rails. I wish we have it in Australia! one wrote. Maybe, next century! Another said: Wish the US Had more trains like this. In June, the Australian government announced it was committing 500 million Australian dollars (about 335 million U.S. dollars) to plan its first high-speed line along the east coast, with stops set for Sydney and Newcastle in New South Wales. As NPR reported, the American government announced Dec. 8 that it would spend nearly $6.1 billion to help push high-speed rail projects in California and Nevada toward the finish line. It marked another round of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Brightline West a 218-mile track from Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area and another line to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. The United States has just one higher-speed rail, on Amtraks Northeast Corridor, which runs from Washington, D.C., to Boston with stops in Philadelphia and New York, among other cities, along the way. But its top speed is just 150 miles per hour, not even close to what China has put together in Southeast Asia, with side-by-side trains dueling at around 217 miles per hour. It wont change overnight, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg told reporters. But within a few years youre going to see some real noticeable improvements and some very exciting things including before the end of this decade, if all goes well the experience of true high-speed rail on American soil. The stakes are high. The New York Times reported Australias high-speed rail push would help it reduce its carbon pollution to net zero by 2050, a goal that it will struggle to meet if domestic flight and freight by road continue to be the most important ways of ferrying people and goods between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The High Speed Rail Alliance an American nonprofit working for stronger communities and a healthier environment through the development of fast, frequent and affordable trains says no other mode of travel has the flexibility to serve diverse, dispersed markets and spur a massive shift from driving. It extols the virtues of trains, including energy efficiency, pollution reduction, shorter travel times, and more walkable and interconnected cities. It looks great, one user wrote of the Indonesian model. Another said: Good job Indonesia! Well done. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. In Florida, rapper YNW Mellys double murder retrial looms in 2024. Meanwhile, in Georgia, Young Thug is the latest high-profile hip hop artist to have his lyrics dissected in court. Prior to Mellys first double murder trial, many wondered if the artists music, including double-platinum song Murder on My Mind, would be brought into his case. Though it was rarely referenced in that trial, the question has come up again for his retrial. In Thugs case, prosecutors have quoted lyrics to back up the allegation that the Grammy award-winning rapper is a gang leader and that his record label YSL, Young Stoner Life or Young Slime Life, is a criminal enterprise. In 2022, he and 27 others were charged in a 56-count Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act indictment. Atlanta rapper Young Thug talks to defense attorney Brian Steel during jury selection in the Young Slime Life gang case at the Fulton County Courthouse Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Thugs heavily publicized case is one of close to 700 documented cases in which rap lyrics have been used in courtrooms, according to professor Erik Nielsons Rap on Trial project. Its not just big name artists targeted. In fact, most cases that bring in lyrics as part of the prosecution involve aspiring rappers, who may have at most achieved local or regional fame, Nielson said. The targets of the practice are usually Black and Latino men between the ages of 18 and 25. Only about 2% of these types of cases involve white defendants, and the bulk of those are when lyrics are considered threats. Prosecutors latched onto the fictional reality of rap to use in prosecuting crimes because they often painted a narrative that society jurors would more easily accept and believe: violent, criminal Black and Latino young men, Nielson and researcher Andrea Dennis said in their 2019 book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America. Heres where and how rap lyrics have been used in courtrooms near you. In Florida The number of Florida cases involving rap lyrics was only trumped by California, which barred the use of lyrics in court under most circumstances in 2022. Florida courts have ruled that lyrics can be admitted into evidence to establish motive or show that a defendant celebrated a crime or intended to commit one. Of the 50 cases the Rap on Trial project identified in Florida, four out of every 10 occurred in the South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Miami-Dade led the state with 11 cases, most heard in federal court. Palm Beach and Duval, the county that includes Jacksonville, followed with five each. Across the U.S. The top five states with the most rap-related cases were California with 211; Florida with 50; New York with 46; Pennsylvania with 38; and Texas with 31. The high number of cases in California aside from being the most populated state is tied to the frequent use of gang enhancements, said Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California at Irvine. Gang enhancements are used to link a defendants gang affiliation to a crime to get additional time tacked onto a sentence. Theyre using the lyrics to get the gang enhancement, beyond just using the lyrics to claim a motive with respect to an alleged crime, said Kubrin, who has testified as an expert witness in several cases involving rap lyrics and gangs. While California currently leads, Kubrin said changes to state law related to the admissibility of lyrics in court could cause a shift in the near future. How rap lyrics were used over the years California: During the 1993 murder trial of rapper Snoop Dogg and his bodyguard, prosecutors played Snoops song Murder Was the Case, which included lyrics Man, hand me my motherf---ing Glock man, give me another clip. A jury found both of them not guilty. Rapper Snoop Doggy Dog, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, sits in a Los Angeles courtroom, May 19, 1995 during a hearing in his murder case. Broadus and two others are accused in a drive-by killing. (AP Photo/Nick Ut/Pool) Broward County, Florida: During the 1994 trial of Martin Puccio, a fellow jail inmate mentioned a rap song Puccio wrote about his childhood best friend, who he was accused of killing. He was convicted and sentenced to life in 1995. Martin Puccio looks back at the door as he awaits the judge during a pre-trial hearing on Friday, Sept. 7, 1994. Miami-Dade County, Florida: During a 2008 federal torture trial, rap lyrics found in the possession of Roy Belfast Jr., the son of a former Liberian president, took center stage. Belfast, who went by several aliases, was arrested in 2006 after trying to enter the U.S. with a passport obtained through false statements. Some of the quoted lyrics included: Take this for free, six feet is where you gonna be. ATU n----- on the scene. Body bag is all you see. (ATU stands for Anti-Terrorist Unit, a paramilitary force in the African nation.) Belfast was sentenced to 97 years in federal prison for torturing people in Liberia from 1999 to 2003. Louisiana: During the 2012 murder trial of rapper Boosie, then known as Lil Boosie, prosecutors played his song 187, which featured lines such as Any n---- who ever tried to play me, they dead now. A jury found Boosie not guilty. Rapper Lil Boosie, third from left in orange jump suit, is placed in a car by Baton Rouge police on Friday, June 18, 2010. Texas: During the 2019 murder trial of rapper Tay-K, prosecutors used his hit single The Race and the songs music video as evidence that the young artist was behind a fatal 2016 robbery. The song included lyrics such as You want action, you get turned into past tense and I woke up too moody, who gon die today? Tay-K is now serving a 55-year sentence. Duval County, Florida: During the 2022 trial of Jacksonville rapper Spinabenz, prosecutors referenced lyrics from his song My Glock, which included lines such as My Glock cost $300 and Oh she 18? Give that b---h $300, too. A jury found Spinabenz not guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Palm Beach County, Florida: During the 2023 trial of aspiring rapper Edward Leger-Berzolla, who was accused of making threats, prosecutors dissected his School Shooter music video, which he advertised near a Palm Beach high school. The song included lyrics such as This is the last f---ing time I say it before I spray it. I aint f---ing kidding this time. A jury found Leger-Berzolla not guilty. May 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Recording artist Fetty Wap performs during the 141st the Preakness Stakes Day at Pimlico Race Course. New York: During the 2023 sentencing of rapper Fetty Wap, who pleaded guilty in a drug trafficking case, prosecutors sought a harsher sentence by citing the lyrics to his hit song Trap Queen, which they argued glamorized the drug trade. Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in federal prison. Iran on Saturday executed a man convicted of spying for Israels Mossad intelligence agency, official media reported. File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Iran announced Saturday it has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The unnamed man was hanged at the Zahedan Central Prison in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, official media reported. Iran convicted the man of collecting classified information and passing it to to the Mossad using a series of middlemen. Israel did not issue an immediate public comment on the case. A final appeal to the Supreme Court of Iran was denied early Saturday and the sentence carried out the same day. The unnamed man was hanged at a prison in Irans southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province after he was convicted of collecting classified information and passing it to the Mossad using a series of middlemen. File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI "This individual, while consciously engaging with foreign services, including Mossad, deliberately collected classified information and, with the cooperation of associates, provided documents to foreign services, especially Mossad," the state-run IRNA news agency said, quoting a statement issued by the Iranian military. "After the accused objected to the verdict, the case was sent to the Supreme Court, and after re-examination, while rejecting the appeal, the Supreme Court confirmed and approved the verdict," Iran's Mizan News Agency reported. "Also, with the defendant's request for amnesty, his case was sent to the Central Judicial Branch's amnesty order, and the meeting was rejected due to the fact that the conditions of the defendant's request were not met," it said. The execution comes a day after 11 Iranian police officers were killed in a single attack in Sistan-Baluchistan province. The Jaish al-Adl militant group later claimed responsibility for the attack, as it continues to fight for greater rights for Baluch minorities in that part of Iran. Baluchis are ethnic minority within the country and are mostly congregated in the country's Baluchestan region near the border with Pakistan. They have repeatedly been targeted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during protests. An ex-adviser to Melania Trump criticized her Friday appearance at a National Archives Naturalization Ceremony, claiming that Trump was previously uninterested in attending similar events while serving as first lady, despite being an immigrant herself. In an interview on CNN, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff called Trumps appearance and speech quite repulsive, suggesting it was a publicity moment. You know, again, back to todays naturalization, being in the National Archives with our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights and knowing how she felt about not wanting to actually promote that for so many individuals that have less opportunity than she had, it was just a squandered opportunity, Winston Wolkoff said. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. And she feels like, you know its, again, I keep going back to that publicity moment, and I find it to be really quite repulsive, Winston Wolkoff continued. Trump gave remarks at the naturalization ceremony Friday, during which she called the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. arduous. She also remarked that after taking the United States Oath of Allegiance an oath taken by every immigrant to become a U.S. citizen she felt a tremendous sense of belonging. Former first lady Melania Trump arrives before a tribute service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool) For me, reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty, she said. At that exact moment, I forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope youre blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now. Trump hails from Slovenia and moved to New York City in 1996. Only the second first lady to be born outside the U.S., Trump said when she arrived in the country, she knew she wanted to call it her permanent home. She became a naturalized citizen in 2006. Trump cut ties with Winston Wolkoff, who served as a volunteer adviser, in February 2018, but during the Trump administration White House officials declined to say why it parted ways with Winston Wolkoff, according to a 2018 report from The Washington Post. Updated at 8:21pm. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Some days Rosena Washington can see her son, Earl Moore Jr., jumping high into the air, scared, after she caught him off guard. There were other fond memories of playing games or cards at her house or just sitting in the yard listening to music. "In my world, he was everything," Washington said Thursday. "He still is everything. He's not here (physically), but I think about him all the time. Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I cry. I look at his picture all the time on the wall (at home). I want to see him. "I wish I could tell him I love him." Moore, 35, died a year ago Monday in a case that has caught national attention. Earl Moore Jr. After an Illinois State Police investigation and a forensic pathologist determined that Moore died of "compression and positional asphyxia," two emergency medical services workers -- Peggy Jill Finley, 45, and Peter Cadigan, 51 were arrested and charged with first-degree murder on Jan 9. It has been an eventful year since. Body camera footage from three Springfield Police officers was released to the public and the incident raised the question of whether EMS workers should also wear body cameras. One of the most celebrated civil rights attorneys, Ben Crump, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Finley and Cadigan and their employer, LifeStar Ambulance, Inc., based in Centralia, Illinois. The prosecutor who brought the charges, Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright, has become a judge, though his former first assistant is staying with the case as a special assistant to the office. Both defendants have gotten out of Sangamon County Jail, Finley on a reduced bond and Cadigan through the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today (SAFE-T) Act that eliminated cash bail in Illinois. Another forensic pathologist hired by the defense teams is finishing a report that would counter the state's claim about the manner of Moore's death. It doesn't appear a trial will start any time soon because of the mountainous volume of discovery and the mechanics of such a complicated case. Finley and Cadigan are next due in court on Jan. 29. Meanwhile, Washington plans to mark the one-year anniversary with a balloon release. "My heart is overloaded with hurt, with pain," Washinton admitted, as the day nears. "Earl should've still been here. Every day I pray, 'God, let me carry this load.' So far, he's doing a good job of helping me. I cannot believe I'm still standing. Rosena Washington on the help of family and friends, since the death of her son, Earl Moore, Jr. in Springfield, Ill. Monday marks, the one-year anniversary of the case in which two EMS workers are charged with murder. Read my story at https://t.co/RCHXWwIQrW. pic.twitter.com/zgVw6l7DAK Steven Spearie (@StevenSpearie) December 17, 2023 "I wouldn't wish this on nobody. I miss him so much." 'As thick as thieves' The initial call to the 1100 block of North 11th Street just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 18 indicated there were multiple people at the residence with firearms, Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette told The State Journal-Register. But as the first Springfield Police officers arrived, Samantha Cutler, the wife of Moore's cousin Aaron Cutler, defused the situation by explaining that Moore was "hallucinating" after detoxing for several days. Rosena Washington, right, the mother of Earl Moore Jr., and Brenda Brooks, left, Moore's stepmother, walk arm-in-arm in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity March Jan. 16, 2023. Moore had moved in with his cousins only about a week before his death. Aaron Cutler said after the murder charges were filed that he had wanted to keep an eye on Moore. "I wanted to make sure he stayed safe," Cutler said. "I wanted to make sure he was cool. I didn't want anything bad to happen to him." Cutler said the two were "as thick as thieves" growing up, even though Cutler was three years older than Moore. They had planned to go into business together and living together would save on finances, Cutler reasoned. More: Ex-DuPage County NAACP head calls on Haley to quit state post after comments about migrants "Aaron and Earl were close," Washington said. "(They) ran every day." On May 31, Cutler and another Springfield man, later identified as 37-year-old Jerry E. Stegall, got into a physical altercation. Cutler was shot and died. Stegall has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Scott Hanken, lawyer for defendant Peggy Jill Finley, appears in court at a preliminary hearing for his client Jan. 19, 2023 at the Sangamon County Building. 'A stretch' One of Finley's defense attorneys, W. Scott Hanken, has maintained since the outset of the case that the murder charges against her won't stand. Hanken said Finley's case got a huge assist in a most unlikely place: a Fourth District Appellate Court ruling on her bond reduction on June 16. The ruling noted that while there were acts of violence perpetrated against Moore, "none were physically committed by (Finley). Defendant did not assist in placing Moore on the gurney or tighten the straps around him, the two events the State alleges caused Moore's death." Hanken said in the year since he became Finley's attorney, "this case is still a stretch," Hanken said. "I stand by what I said before, that is, at worst the state is trying to criminalize malpractice. In saying that, I'm not saying there was malpractice here." Then-Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright speaks during a press conference Tuesday Jan. 10, 2023, at the Sangamon County Building at which he announces the filing of first-degree murder charges against emergency medical service worker Peggy Jill Finley and Peter Cadigan in the Earl Moore Jr. case. The defense will also try to counter the cause of Moore's death. At the Oct. 30 hearing, Cadigan's attorney, Justin Kuehn of Belleville, proffered that a St. Louis forensic pathologist's findings would suggest that Moore didn't die of asphyxiation, but that his death was a cardiac event related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Kuehn would not talk for publication about the case. Asked about the Moore case before he took over for Wright as state's attorney, John Milhiser said, "Every case is important, and I am going to review every case that we currently have in the office." Bob Hilliard, one of the attorneys representing Moore's family and estate in the wrong death lawsuit, said it should have been "immediately apparent" that Moore was in grave danger and should have had his vitals checked en route to the hospital. The irony, Hilliard added, was that Moore "slowly and painfully suffocated inside of an ambulance filled with all the medical equipment necessary to have saved him. Crump had one word for the EMS workers' treatment of Moore. "It's barbaric," Crump said, through a news release provided to The State Journal-Register. "(They) gave him no professionalism and no humanity. They treated Earl inhumanely. Ultimately, Hanken said, a jury or a judge will likely hear competing evidence how about how Moore died. "If it is something within the purview of what the state's alleging, then the other issue is were either one of those acts committed by my client and I think the answer to that is pretty simple," he said. "That's why I'm saddened by the fact that we're still dealing with this a year later." 'By my heart' Astarr Wright, 8, said one of her favorite memories of Moore, her uncle, is when she asked him to take her shopping at a Family Dollar on Mother's Day. Wright was with her cousin and wanted to buy her a gift. "When we were there," Wright said, "me and my cousin started picking up everything. We got a whole bunch of stuff, and he bought it all (for us)." Like Washington and Washington's daughter, Chatara Moore, Wright wears a button with Moore's picture. "Every time somebody asks me about my button, it makes me smile," said Moore, one of Earl Moore's sisters, along with Mahogany Moore and ShiKira Brooks. "It makes me feel so good when they ask me (about him)." Rosena Washington, left, and Astarr Wright, talk about Earl Moore Jr. during a press conference at the NAACP Building in Springfield Thursday, Dec 14, 2023. The one-year anniversary of Moore's death is Monday. Washington is Moore's mother and Wright is Moore's niece. "That's Earl with me," said Washington," patting the button. "Keeping him by my heart. Keeping him close to me." Washington jokingly referred to Moore as her "nerd child": too scared to do anything to get into trouble. "I could always count on Earl," she said. "Anyone would want Earl to be their son." Family members and supporters have picked up the hashtag #JusticeForEarl. Washington knows that's a complicated thing, but she also knows that justice for her son can be justice for her and her family. "It's not ever gonna be fixed," Washington said. "Ain't nothing they can do, ain't nothing they can say will put Earl back here. Having justice for Earl, that would be the best thing in the world for me. Justice for me and for my family. I don't want my son's name in vain out there, because Earl was not a bad person. "He should still be here and not just in my heart." Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. Timeline of the death of Earl Moore Jr. Here is a chronological list of events that led to the death of Earl Moore Jr. and the aftermath: Dec. 18, 2022, 1:59 a.m.: Springfield Police receive a call to the 1100 block of North 11th Street. An original dispatch indicated there were multiple subjects at the residence with firearms, Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette told The State Journal-Register. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:05 a.m.: The first of three Springfield Police officers arrive. Samantha Cutler, wife of Aaron Cutler, Moore's cousin, said there were no weapons in the house and that Moore, who lived with the couple, was "hallucinating" after detoxing for several days. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:07 a.m.: Springfield Police call for an ambulance for Moore. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:17 a.m.: Emergency medical services workers from LifeStar Ambulance Services, Inc. arrive at Moore's home. Only Peggy Finley, a paramedic, goes into the house. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:25 a.m.: Moore is placed on a stretcher originally on his side by officers and EMT Peter Cadigan. It is Cadigan who places him in the prone position or face down. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:27 a.m.: Moore is transported to HSHS St. John's Hospital. Dec. 18, 2022, 2:30 a.m. The LifeStar ambulance arrives at St. John's. Finley was riding in the back of the ambulance, by Moore. Dec. 18, 2022, 3:14 a.m.: Moore is pronounced dead by hospital personnel after attempts to resuscitate him. Jan. 9: According to Dr. John Scott Denton, a forensic pathologist from Bloomington, Moore died of "compression and positional asphyxia." Sangamon County coroner Jim Allmon declares it "a homicide." Jan. 9: Finley and Cadigan are arrested and charged with first-degree murder by Sangamon County state's attorney. Bond for both is set at $1 million. At a press conference at the Sangamon County Building, Wright said based upon Finley and Cadigan's "training, experience and the surrounding circumstances, that such acts (placing Moore in the prone position and tightening straps against his back) would create a substantial probability of great bodily harm or death." Jan. 9: Finley and Cadigan arraigned in Sangamon County court. Jan. 14: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump of Tallahasse, Fla., and Robert Hilliard of Corpus Christi, Texas, announce that they have been retained by the family and estate of Moore. Jan. 16: Under a light rain, about 150 people march in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity March, including Moore's mother, Rosena Washington, and other relatives. Jan. 19: In a brief proceeding, Finley and Cadigan demand a preliminary hearing, which is continued to Jan. 20. Jan. 19: In a press conference at the Springfield NAACP, Crump and Hilliard announce the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit against Finley, Cadigan, and LifeStar. Moore's case, Crump said, is "unlike any case that I'm aware of currently in America." Jan. 20: In a wide-ranging preliminary hearing in Sangamon County court, Judge Raylene Grischow ruled there was probable cause to justify first-degree murder charges against Finley and Cadigan, who both pleaded not guilty. Feb. 3: State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, files legislation that would require all EMS workers to wear body cameras while responding to calls and for all service vehicles to be equipped with dash cameras. Moore's death, Turner said, was "an impetus" for the move. Feb. 6: Circuit Judge Robin Schmidt, presiding over the case for the first time, rules against having bonds for Finley and Cadigan lowered noting the "seriousness" of the charges. Feb. 19: Addressing the Lincoln-Douglass Freedom Fund Banquet, sponsored by the Springfield Branch of the NAACP, Crump said the state's charge showed "Earl Moore's life mattered." June 16: Finley's bond is reduced from $1 million to $600,000 (10% applies) after a three-judge panel from the Fourth District Appellate Court ruled in her favor. She is released from jail later that day. Oct. 30: Cadigan was released from jail under conditions of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today (SAFE-T) Act. Jan. 29, 2024: Next court date for Finley and Cadigan Sources: The State Journal-Register; Sangamon County. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: One year later, EMTs accused in death of Earl Moore Jr. out of jail Brevard County saw record amounts of rain as a strong, no-named storm that stirred to life in the Gulf of Mexico battered Floridas west coast and pushed northward, leaving behind strong winds and pounding surf. There were no major reports of any damage or flooding in Brevard or tornadoes across the state as meteorologists feared early on. Were still making our assessments, but the winds are continuing today, weve seen wind gusts along Brevards coast around 51 mph, said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The rainy weather didn't deter graduates at Florida Tech's Fall Commencement. A wind advisory remains in effect for Central Florida through 4 p.m. Sunday, with Brevard County officials warning residents to be mindful of debris, even Christmas yard decorations loosened by the expected gusts. For some storm-weary residents, the heavy rains may have dampened the mood for holiday or Christmas shopping, with wet roads creating safety concerns and drenching showers catching many in the walk from the parking lot to stores and restaurants late Saturday. In Palm Bay, hit twice this year with flooding as a result of the weather, the roadways were wet but free of any major ponding, police reported. The rain was expected to lessen throughout Sunday. Parts of Brevard were hit hard by the rains accompanying the powerful low-pressure system that mimicked the type of subtropical system seen during the summer, with Melbourne actually breaking a record set in 1977. Brevard and most of Florida is in for some rough weather over the weekend, supposed to clear up by noon Sunday. Winds, rain and possibility of coastal flooding. This is preliminary but Melbourne received at 3.06 inches of rain, Schaper said of the record-setting rainfall. Observers also noted that up to 4 inches of rain fell in Cape Canaveral, with 2.5 to 3 inches saturating the Mims area. Brevard County Public Schools concerned about the weather threat decided to cancel all Saturday activities as a result, school officials reported. At the Florida Institute of Technology, graduating students braved walls of rain to make it to commencement ceremonies. More: Near tropical storm weather, rough surf, rain to batter Brevard Meteorologists also say that the bulk of the heavy rain took place overnight with a 30 percent chance of showers remaining for Sunday, with much of the afternoon set to be sunny and moderately warm. J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Heavy rains, strong winds from no-name storm slam Brevard County, state BRIGHTON For the past two months, Running Lab of Brighton has been harboring a substantial secret. For the fourth year in a row, Running Lab has been recognized by the organization "Best Running Stores" as one of the top running specialty stores in the nation. But this year, the honor was particularly significant. This would technically be our fifth time winning a best running store award, but the past four years weve gotten it in a row, said co-owner Toni Reese. This is our first time for top four. Weve always been in that top 60 group. The selection process involves detailed questioning and, for the top nominees, secret shopping. Stores are evaluated based on every aspect of their business, from the type of apparel they sell to the specific culture their store promotes. The stores that tend to be selected are unique from the competition and contribute to their community in a distinct way. Running Lab staff celebrates being named a top four running store in the United States. On average, they have about 12,500 nominations for best running stores, Reese said. Theyre each independent running stores coming from each community, and then they kind of dwindle those nominations down to (500) unique stores being nominated. ... And then, from those 500, 60 are considered a best running store in the United States. As part of the honor, ownership was invited to an event in Austin, Texas. They brought 17 staff members with them. Running Lab owners Tori Reese and Ken Larscheid pose for a photo. They were just able to enjoy the festivities at the expo, and then Thursday night was the awards ceremony, where we all just sat anxiously anticipating the announcement of who the winner was, Reese said. Reese said Running Lab has always valued the team aspect of success. The trip not only served as a celebration, but provided inspiration for the future. I think our staff is so proud of the products and services we provide ... so getting this top four award is really that pat on the back acknowledgement, Reese said. It also drives us, because we didnt win best running store." What makes Running Lab's success remarkable is the sheer number of hurdles they've faced over the past several years. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major obstacle for many small businesses, and Running Lab was no exception. "We didnt know what was going to happen to our store," Reese said. "We didnt know if we were going to stay in business. But we knew we had staff we had to take care of, so when our store was closed, we continued to pay our staff. Nobody was let go. Pay kept coming through, and we knew this was the risk we needed to take." Running Lab sales associate Blake Strand assists a customer with trying on and selecting footwear. More recently, Running Lab was plagued by year-long construction on Main Street. Many local businesses struggled to attract customers and stay afloat, Running Lab among them. Reese largely credits her co-owner, Ken Larscheid, for the business' ability to cope. He was the leader in this and did such an awesome job of breaking down the timeline of how to build a great business strategy and collaborate with all the other merchants downtown, Reese said. It was awesome. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage We just wanted to kind of drive a stake in the ground that we're here to stay, and were going to do everything we can to just lead a healthy community and hopefully bring some people with us, Larscheid added. Running Lab hosts Tuesday night runs and free yoga on the first Monday of every month. Every event the business hosts is free and open to anyone interested in improving themselves or the wider community. Its really exciting to be able to see how Running Lab has brought our community together, and theres always a great opportunity, every single day, for us to invite somebody in, because thats all people want, Reese said. They just want an invitation to be their best selves." Ari Hickman is a sophomore at Brighton High School and a freelancer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Running Lab of Brighton named one of the top shops in the USA As the COP 28 climate shindig comes to a merciful end, history is truly unfolding, as Marx once remarked, as farce. The perfect image of the conference in oil-rich United Arab Emirates will always be the fate of the elite jets, caught out in a snowstorm while held at Munich. Of course, activist scientists now tell us that a predicted wave of big snows, just like the lack of snow, are true signs of the imminent climate crisis. Such ideas will no doubt be embraced by the always entertaining media and academic clowns, along with neo-feudalists like King Charles and John Kerry who have no doubt embraced COPs session on responsible yachting. Of course, we can expect to be treated to the usual predictions of utter disaster if we somehow do not eliminate fossil fuels entirely post haste. The focus on the long-term consequences of climate change largely ignores three critical, and more immediate, challenges that will also create a hellish world: shifts in global geopolitics, rising inequality throughout the west, and finally a call for the imposition of green restructuring from the commanding heights of the bureaucracy. Climate policies, notably attempts to wipe out fossil fuels, have already placed oil autocracies like Russia and Iran at a growing advantage. Meanwhile, the coal-dependent Middle Kingdom China has expanded its market share in manufactured exports to roughly equal the US, Germany and Japan combined. China, which now emits more greenhouse gases than the rest of the high-income world, is not alone in embracing fossil fuels. Russia, Iran, India and a host of developing countries are increasingly open about expanding the use of fossil fuels, including coal. Rather than leaving due to the climate crisis, people who run developing countries know their people are leaving mostly to escape poverty. As a result, these nations are more concerned with getting rich than begging for handouts from the plutocrats and bureaucrats of the West. But that wont stop Western nations from unilaterally disarming their economies. Europes EV obsession could devastate its last vestiges of industrial supremacy, including Germanys vaunted auto industry and petrochemical industries. It promises to inflict the coup de grace to Britains increasingly pathetic manufacturing sector, notably impacting steel. Meanwhile, as EVs have piled up unsold on American car lots, ESG stocks crash. Grassroots opposition to draconian climate solutions is surging. The increasingly beleaguered European, British and American middle and working classes, are becoming dissatisfied about an agenda that promises to lower their standard of living for the coming decades. The rebellion that started with the French gillets jaune in 2018 has metastasized and spread to other countries. We now have protests by Dutch and other European farmers, as well as those in New Zealand. The fundamental reality is that the majority of voters do not share the convictions of their betters. In the United States, just one per cent of blue collar workers, according to a new Monmouth poll, consider climate a major concern. The Biden Administration expends hundreds of billions in taxpayer funds to green projects but on average Americans dont want to spend more than $2.50 a week to combat it. Of course, in functional democracies, such policies should naturally be adjusted to meet public views. But the only way to get the COP agenda of inflicting effective pain on the masses is to take power away from them. The big challenge for the climate lobby lies not in democracy or fair persuasion, but in coercion. One keenly considered solution would be to follow the model of the pandemic response, which was celebrated by the chief of sustainable development at the United Nations as a fire drill. Towards the end of the conference, the selected climate scientists, whose will to power seems to grow even as they lose backing from the masses, now demand that policy be directed not by elected governments by themselves. This approach may appeal to green capitalists, autocrats, academics, and the media. In a world facing an assault by dictatorships and class divides, we do not respond as in previous generations: with efforts to innovate, adapt and force our competitors to play by the same rules. Instead, we send in the clowns. The result will be far from funny. 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. 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. 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 A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. 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 NE at 5 to 10 mph. MCCOOL When Hank McGowan signed up to lease around 350 acres of his land for a solar panel facility in May 2020, he never thought everyone was going to be so upset about it. Rather, McGowan told the News-Times recently, he saw an opportunity to help both himself and his community of McCool Junction. McGowan realized that the lease would be significantly more profitable and less risky than farming. And since he wasnt sure that his kids were going to come home and farm, the lease could ensure that the land stayed in his family. Plus, McGowan learned that a significant portion of the taxes on the 2,800-acre solar panel facility would go towards McCool Junction schools hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. There were also potential environmental benefits to the community by using the land for solar rather than farming, McGowan said. He would be causing less soil erosion, drawing less on Americas depleting water table, and applying less nitrate fertilizer to the soil, which can contaminate groundwater and has been linked to pediatric cancers. McGowan, along with over 20 other parties, ultimately signed up for the K-Junction Solar Project, as it is also called. The facility would provide approximately 310 megawatts and has the potential to power approximately 59,000 homes, according to materials from Omaha Public Power District. There wasnt a single person who signed up for it who thought it would hurt anybody, McGowan said. But more than three years after McGowan first leased his land, the project is at a standstill, as the York County Zoning Board considers passing regulations that would prevent the project from going forward. Some time after landowners signed up, a group of McCool residents with property near the proposed facility formed an advocacy group, Our Voices Count. Members of the group claim that the solar facility could lead to a wide range of environmental and economic issues for the area, including a loss of revenue for local agricultural businesses and damage to nearby farmland. Some of the landowners who signed up for the project, meanwhile, are surprised by the controversy it has sparked. Clinton Schwartz, who signed up all 300 acres that he owns, told the News-Times hes confident it wont harm the land, as critics allege. If I thought this was really going to be harmful to the environment, I would have never signed up, he said. Meanwhile, Larry Blum, who signed up 320 acres for the solar project, said, I could understandif this was a feedlot that was going to smell or something that was going to make a noise. I dont see why this would hurt anything, he added. I told them absolutely not In late 2019, EDF Renewables North America, a renewable energy company with headquarters in San Diego, began contacting landowners in McCool Junction about signing their land up for a possible solar project, according to McGowan. Gene Jackson, a member of Our Voices Count whose land would neighbor the project, told the News-Times that a representative from EDF contacted him by phone in January 2020, with an offer. I told them absolutely not, Jackson said. It is not clear how many McCool Junction landowners EDF contacted in total, but McGowan said that he was the second-to-last landowner who signed up he joined the project in May 2020. In total, 23 parties have signed up, according to OPPD Community Relations Strategist Dustin Marvel. Then, for well over a year there was almost no public discussion about the project controversial or not. Rumors about the project began circulating around this time, McGowan said. People claimed that EDF would sell the water from the leased land; they also alleged that the solar panels would heat up adjacent land. EDF did not do anything to explain to the public why those rumors were false, according to McGowan. The News-Times published its first article about the solar facility in January 2022, when potential neighbors to the project who had formed Our Voices Count went before the York County Board of Commissioners to express concern about the project. Jackson shared some of his concerns with the News-Times earlier this year, including about water use and temperature effects from the solar panel. Omaha Public Power District, a public utility based in Omaha, addressed these environmental concerns at a community conversation at the end of October, after purchasing the solar facility from EDF in July. Brad Underwood, vice president of systems transformation at OPPD, said at the community conversation that there is no evidence of temperature effects on nearby land and that OPPD does not have the right to ship the water from the land, per the lease. It is not clear why EDF decided to sell the project. EDF declined to comment for this article, but pointed to a press release from August, in which the company said we have enjoyed our collaboration with the community. The company expressed confidence in OPPD, which has a longstanding presence in Nebraska. I think OPPD is doing an excellent job, McGowan said. Adam Beck, a potential neighbor to the project who is skeptical of it, told the News-Times that although he opposes the solar facility, OPPD has been more transparent than EDF. The golden horseshoe of McCool Junction? According to McCool landowners who have signed up, one of the major reasons that they are in favor of the project is the potential revenue increase for McCool Junction Public Schools. Schwartzs father, three sisters, and four kids all graduated from McCool Junction Public Schools. Theres nothing we want more than keeping that school open. This will ensure it, Schwartz said. The total tax revenue estimate for York County from the 2,800 acre project for 2023, if built at 310 megawatts, is approximately $1.2 million, according to Marvel. That total tax revenue comes from real property tax and the nameplate capacity tax a tax on renewable energy facilities in Nebraska. Public power districts are not subject to the nameplate capacity tax, but OPPD said at its community engagement meeting that it plans to find a solar developer that would be subject to the tax. Around $800,000 of that $1.2 million would have been allotted to McCool Public Schools in 2023, according to Marvel, based on the 2023 tax levies, which York County Assessor Kurt Bulgrin shared with OPPD. McGowan compared that new source of revenue to holding eight record-setting school fundraisers. The 2023 Evening with the Stars raised $98,389.43, which is the highest amount ever raised, according to an Evening with the Stars committee member. That is why McGowan called the solar project a golden horseshoe, a nod to McCools mascot, the mustang. It is impossible to know the exact amount of tax revenue that would be allotted for the school each year. The amount would depend on the tax rates in the year that the solar facility became operational and also the size of the solar facility whether it is 310 megawatts, for instance, or less. In addition, critics of the project have suggested that even if the school gained this new source of revenue, aid from the state would have to go down and there may not be a net gain. However, according to State Board of Education Director of Finance Bryce Wilson, this new source of revenue would not have caused McCool Junctions state aid to go down in the 2023-2024 school year. Still, Wilson could not speak to the amount of state aid the school would receive in the future if it had this new revenue source. That depends on whether or not factors in McCools state aid calculation, such as equalization, change in the future due to shifts in the school districts needs or new legislation. With this new source of revenue, the school could try to expand its budget or lower the amount it asks property owners to pay in taxes. A 2023 bill from the Nebraska Legislature, LB 243, places limits on how much a school district may expand its budget, so instead of expanding its budget with the new revenue source, the school would potentially be forced to lower property taxes. If you would like a tax break and you would like to see our school get this extra money, you need to speak up or if not, pay your taxes and dont complain about it, Blum said. McCool Junction Public Schools Superintendent Dade McDonald told the News-Times that the school has adopted a neutral position on the solar project. Some awfully nice farm ground My biggest concern, Beck said, is that we arent getting more farm ground. Beck is concerned that this project will remove highly productive corn and soybean farmland from U.S. production. Lets not jeopardize this source, Beck said. Why cant we go to some of those desert regions? Beck asked about the solar facility. Indeed, McGowan said, The only argument I agree with is that it takes out some awfully nice farm ground. However, McGowan says that is why he hopes to still be a steward of the land by grazing sheep amongst the solar panels. The combination of solar and agriculture is known as agrivoltaics. OPPD expressed interest in agrivoltaics at its community engagement meeting in October. In addition, a recent study from the science journal Nature suggests that Nebraskas farmland may be a very good place for solar, if not one of the best. The 2019 study found that cropland is the best terrain in the world for solar energy productivity. Solar panels are most productive with plentiful insolation, light winds, moderate temperatures and low humidity, the study said. Barren terrain ranked fifth. Beck also expressed concern that the land was shifting out of food, fiber and fuel production and towards energy production. In a way, corn farms are already being used for energy production, Scott Schaw, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Iowa, who grew up on a corn farm, previously told the News-Times. Ethanol, Shaw said, can be analyzed in terms of energy production. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 40% of the corn grown in Nebraska is used for ethanol. A 2023 paper from CleanWisconsin, an environmental protection organization, found that even after taking into account coproducts of ethanol production like livestock feed, solar panels still generate 14-17 times more gross energy per acre than corn produces. That figure is based on an average yield of 180 bushels per acre and max yield of 210 bushels per acre. Using the same calculation method, even if the average were 250 and the max 280, solar panels would generate 11 to 13 times more energy per acre. That also does not take into account the fact that solar is likely more productive in Nebraska than Wisconsin, according to one of the papers authors, Paul Mathewson. Still, Beck told the News-Times that he is concerned about the potential negative impact of the project on the local agricultural economy, which depends on farmers for revenue. How is that going to affect local and area businesses? Beck asked. Economic impact The News-Times contacted 12 ag businesses in the area for this article to understand the economic impact on local ag businesses. Six declined to comment and five did not get back to us before publication. Only one company, the Sioux Falls-based POET Ethanol, which has a plant in Fairmont, responded. The company did not respond to a question about the potential economic impact of the project. POET Ethanol told the News-Times over email, While we generally support clean energy sources, POET is not directly involved in this solar project and supports the local communitys ability to make the decision thats best for York and the surrounding area. An economic study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which was commissioned by EDF Renewables, found that the construction of the solar project would have a one-time net positive impact of approximately $181.6 million on the region surrounding York, taking into account the loss of productive farmland. The study also found that the project would lead to an annual impact from operations of about $16.9 million, also taking into account the loss of productive farmland. This figure does not include the local annual tax revenue from the project. According to Jackson, the farm numbers used in the study were flawed. Eric Thompson, chair of the department of economics at the UNL College of Business, who conducted the study, told the News-Times that he used crop prices from a typical year, rather than a peak year. Beck, meanwhile, expressed doubts about the UNL study because it did not take into account the end use of the grain, such as if it is sold to an ethanol plant in the community, which may employ local residents. Thompson told the News-Times that the report did not take into account the further processing of grain produced through farming, but said that the report also did not take into account the electricity produced through the solar facility. In addition, the study also did not take into account the potential positive economic benefit from an agrivoltaic use of the land, according to Thompson. While York County may not have significant sheep production, according to a 2022 article by UNL Extension Educators Jenny Rees and F. John Hay, grazing sheep potentially could be another income source for landowners, while also taking care of vegetation management. McGowan called the potential dual use of the land a slam dunk. Regardless of the future economic impact of the project, the controversy around it has already had an effect. According to Lisa Hurley, York County Economic Development Corporation executive director, an out-of-state company looking to locate in a lower regulation and lower tax state did not attend its site visit in York County because of the controversy around the solar project. Whats next? Ultimately, McGowan said, If the zoning commission finds that this isnt right, thats OK with me, as long as they know all the facts. I dont want people to base their decision on propaganda. The York County Zoning Board has not yet set a date for its public next meeting, according to York County Zoning Administrator Nathaniel Heinz. At the next meeting the board will review its proposed regulations again. The zoning boards regulations serve as a recommendation to the York County Board of Commissioners, which makes the final decision about zoning regulations. The latest draft of the regulations, which the board shared with the public on Nov. 13, include a required half-mile set back between the solar panels and adjacent non-participating land. The Center For Rural Affairs, an advocacy group for rural communities based in Nebraska, recommends setbacks of 100 to 300 feet. At the Nov. 13 meeting, Dana Jackson, who is married to Gene, told the zoning board that the regulations made her group, Our Voices Count, feel like were supported. According to Marvel, based on the proposed setbacks, the project could only be five to 10 megawatts, which would be economically infeasible. McGowan emphasized that he thinks a reasonable amount of setbacks should happen. He also told the News-Times that the zoning board needs to make a decision soon because he has to make plans for his farm, such as whether to buy new irrigation equipment. I need to make some longer term decisions this winter, McGowan said. I will be a farmer regardless. New Delhi: Infosys, the country's second-largest information technology (IT) major, issued salary revision letters to a significant number of its employees on December 15. According to a report by the Economic Times, the average pay hike falls below 10 percent, marking a notable adjustment for the tech giant's workforce. Timing Of Salary Revisions Traditionally effective from April 1, this year's salary revisions at Infosys will take effect from November 1, 2023. The company communicated this change to its employees, expressing gratitude for their commitment and performance during these challenging times. (Also Read: List Of Upcoming IPOs This Week: Check Details) As per the report, the entry-level employees are excluded from this year's salary hike. In the communication to employees, Infosys expressed its pleasure in revising compensation, recognizing the dedication and performance of its workforce. (Also Read: Google Pixel 8 Pro Available At A Discount Of Rs 17,000 On Flipkart: Here's How To Avail The Deal) The company extended gratitude for the unparalleled support and efforts exhibited by its employees to overcome challenges and achieve success in various aspects. Details Of Salary Hike The salary hikes for the year 2023-24 encompassed a range of adjustments, with several employees reportedly receiving single-digit hikes, while some saw adjustments in the low-double digits. Despite the salary revisions, Infosys has navigated a robust financial quarter, with net profit rising by 3.17 percent to Rs 6,212 crore in the July-September quarter of fiscal 2023-24. The company has also narrowed its revenue growth guidance for the full year to 1-2.5 percent, following a reduction in the last quarter from 4-7 percent to 1-3.5 percent. The September quarter witnessed a 7 percent rise in revenue to Rs 38,994 crore compared to the corresponding period last year. Infosys declared an interim dividend of Rs 18 per equity share, with a record date of October 25. Infosys maintained an operating margin of 21.2 percent for the September quarter, representing a sequential rise of 40 basis points. The company has retained its operating margin guidance at 20 percent to 22 percent. NAGPUR: At least nine people have reportedly died and several others injured after a massive blast in a Solar Explosive Company in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Sunday. The explosive company is located in the Bazargaon village of Nagpur. According to officials, a total of 12 workers were present inside the unit of the solar company when the blast took place. The explosion occurred at a cast booster plant of the firm. Those injured in the blast have been rushed to hospital for treatment. However, some of them are said to be in critical condition. Nine people died after there was a blast in the Solar Explosive Company in Bazargaon village of Nagpur. This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company," Harsh Poddar, SP Nagpur Rural, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Maharashtra | Nine people died after there was a blast in the Solar Explosive Company in Bazargaon village of Nagpur. This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company. More details awaited: Harsh Poddar, SP Nagpur Rural December 17, 2023 According to reports, several others are believed to be trapped inside the solar company and all efforts are being made to rescue them. A police team was rushed to the blast site immediately after receiving information about the incident. Senior General Manager at Solar Explosive Company, Ashish Srivastava said, "The incident was reported around 9 am...Nine people have died...All the workmen have been evacuated. The authorities are looking into the matter..." A rescue operation is being carried out by the Nagpur district administration and the police at the moment. What caused the blast at the solar explosive company is yet to be ascertained. Shortly after the blast, a large number of people gathered outside the solar company. Expressing grief over the incident, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, "It is very unfortunate that 9 people including 6 women died in the explosion at Solar Industries in Nagpur. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. Nagpur Collector and Superintendent of Police are in constant touch and the IG, SP, and Collector are at the spot. The state government will give assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kins of those who died in this incident." NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the alarming security breach at the Parliament recently, calling it a "serious" matter. The Prime Minister also reportedly urged political parties to refrain from politicising the issue as it is a matter of national security. PM Modi made these remarks in an interview with a leading newspaper during which he also called for a thorough probe into the incident. The Prime Minister said that ''we should go into the depth of this accident and find a solution so that it cannot happen again.'' "After this incident, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has ordered an investigation and we all are confident that the conspiracy will be exposed," the PM reportedly said. It is important to know what were the intentions of the accused behind this incident and which elements were active behind it, he added. . , ' pic.twitter.com/lZbuKlzeun Zee News (@ZeeNews) December 17, 2023 Earlier, PM Modi had directed senior ministers to treat the security breach in Lok Sabha with utmost seriousness. In a meeting held on Thursday, he cautioned against engaging in political manoeuvring and urged collective precautionary measures. It may be noted that the government has already constituted a panel to probe possible lapses that allowed two men to infiltrate the Lok Sabha and disrupt proceedings. Parliament Security Breach The breach occurred on Wednesday when two intruders infiltrated the Lok Sabha, throwing colour-smoke bombs from the visitors' gallery into the MPs' sitting area. Following the incident, the Opposition launched a massive protest, demanding the suspension of BJP MP Pratap Simha, accused of issuing passes to the intruders. Opposition Demands Suspension Of Lok Sabha Proceedings On Thursday, the Opposition called for the suspension of Lok Sabha proceedings and a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Questions were raised, but the government has not yet addressed the issue in the House. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated a high-level probe led by CRPF DG. Lok Sabha Speaker Writes To MPs Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla wrote a letter to all Members of Parliament, asserting that there is no connection between the security breach and the recent suspension of 13 MPs from the Lower House. A total of 13 MPs were suspended from Parliament on Thursday "for creating a ruckus" in the House over their demand for a statement on the breach. Among the 13 MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha, nine are from the Congress, two from the CPM, one from the CPI, and one from the DMK. Speaker Birla, in his letter, said that it is "unfortunate" that some members and political parties are linking the decision of the House to suspend some members to the Parliament security lapse incident. "This is unwarranted. There is no association between the suspension of honourable members and the incident which took place on December 13, 2023. The suspension of honourable members is purely to uphold the sanctity of the house", the letter read. Latest Arrest in Security Breach Case In a significant development, another individual, Mahesh Kumavat, associated with the mastermind Lalit Jha, has been arrested and presented before Delhi's Patiala House Court on Saturday. With a total of six arrests, investigations are delving into the connections between the accused. Despite continuous questioning, the police have yet to ascertain the motive behind the security breach. Mastermind Lalit Jha, along with Neelam, Amol, Sagar Sharma, and Manoranjan D, remains in police custody. The authorities are meticulously reviewing contradictions in statements and trying to extract call details to establish their movements leading up to the incident. In light of the breach, the Special Cell of Delhi Police earlier said that it plans to recreate the scene, pending approval from the Speaker of Parliament. The Delhi Police on Saturday informed the Patiala House Court that the Parliament Security breach conspiracy had been going on since more than last year, and freshly arrested accused Mahesh attended all the meetings held in different cities in this regard. Additionally, there are reports of recording MP Pratap Simha's statement regarding the passes issued to the infiltrators. The security breach happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Two people -Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D - jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. Outside it, in another incident, two other protestors - Neelam (42) and Amol (25) - protested outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. However, all four were arrested and sent to seven-day custody of Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday. Lalit Jha, who allegedly planned the incident, and Mahesh Kumawat were arrested later. Indore: In a strategic move following the setback in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress central leadership has swiftly replaced Kamal Nath with Jitu Patwari as the new President of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee. Congress Acknowledges Kamal Nath's Contributions The announcement was made through a press release by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, expressing gratitude for Kamal Nath's contributions while officially appointing Jitu Patwari to lead the state party. The decision reflects the party's commitment to adaptability and responsiveness. Jitu Patwari Thanks Congress Central Leadership Jitu Patwari, an OBC leader, embraced his new role with a pledge to continue the path of duty, emphasizing the strengthening of democracy and the Congress party. In a statement, he expressed pride in his dedication to Congress ideals and values, underscoring his commitment to progress under the guidance of senior party leaders. Jitu Patwari said, "I want to thank party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leadership for having faith in such a normal party worker like me and giving me such a great responsibility." #WATCH | Newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jitu Patwari says, " I want to thank party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leadership for having faith in such a normal party worker like me and giving me such a great responsibility..." https://t.co/nQAiSQReN4 pic.twitter.com/jNdn9GdUMe ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2023 Jitu Patwari's Supporters Celebrate Amid celebratory drum beats at Jitu Patwari's residence, the newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress chief expressed gratitude to party leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, for entrusting him with such a significant responsibility. #WATCH | Indore: Party workers celebrated outside Congress leader Jitu Patwari's residence after he was appointed as President of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (16/12) pic.twitter.com/An8ZmmbuSH December 16, 2023 Patwari outlined his vision for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the party's commitment to spreading its ideology across the state. He aims to play a constructive role as a positive opposition, focusing on the state's overall well-being. "We will be working to spread the Congress ideology across houses. With the blessings of our senior leaders and the cooperation of the young workers, we will ensure that we win Madhya Pradesh. We want to fulfil the role of a positive opposition in Madhya Pradesh and look after the state's wellbeing," Jitu said, speaking to ANI. While extending best wishes to the newly appointed Chief Minister, Patwari expressed hope that the promises made by the party would be fulfilled. He affirmed the Congress's commitment to supporting the new leadership. Congress Shake-up In MP After Poll Loss The decision comes in the wake of the Congress securing only 66 seats in the 230-member Assembly during the recent elections, with the BJP winning 163 seats. Despite the setback, the party has opted to retain Deepak Baij as the state unit chief in Chhattisgarh. Key Appointments Across States Simultaneously, the Congress has appointed Umang Singhar as the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader and Hemant Katare as the Deputy Leader of Madhya Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, Charan Das Mahant has been appointed as the CLP leader, signalling a comprehensive restructuring within the party. This strategic reshuffle reflects the Congress's commitment to adaptability, with an eye on rejuvenating its political standing in Madhya Pradesh and reinforcing its presence across states. Kerala Lottery Results Monday 18-12-2023 Live: The lottery department will announce the Kerala lottery "Win Win W 748" Result on behalf of the Keralan government. Today, December 18, 2023, at Gorky Bhavan Near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, the Kerala Lottery Result 2023 for Kerala lottery "Win Win W 748" will be drawn. The department of Kerala State Lotteries publishes the lottery in 12 series, and the series can change. Every week, 108 lakh tickets were made available for purchase. The first-place winner receive bumper 75 Lakh Rupees. Those who are anticipating today's draw can view the Win Win W 748 outcome from December 18, 2023, right here. Stay updated on this website to avoid missing the Kerala Lottery Win Win W 748 Results live today. Kerala Lottery Result 18-12-2023 Dec: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR WIN WIN W-748 LOTTERY LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS: WC 648063 (VAIKKOM) LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKH IS: WG 274641 (CHITTUR) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1,00,000 ARE: WA 322423 WB 448615 WC 677172 WD 217676 WE 132210 WF 835365 WG 856688 WH 392866 WJ 944013 WK 630157 WL 792075 WM 366768 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: WA 648063 WB 648063 WD 648063 WE 648063 WF 648063 WG 648063 WH 648063 WJ 648063 WK 648063 WL 648063 WM 648063 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 1562 1862 1918 1928 3291 3413 3627 4055 4418 4818 5277 5654 6034 6362 7318 8581 9108 9173 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0232 2057 4126 4224 4263 5667 5754 7664 7923 8477 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0543 0622 0818 1092 1431 1959 2231 2699 3469 3837 5871 6878 8544 8698 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 5207 7983 1137 4965 9511 9774 7519 4939 8125 8809 6448 4008 6679 5529 1257 1765 9577 5920 0928 8343 6030 2515 5197 7696 8161 4114 9023 1328 8565 8998 7218 6231 1108 5539 6569 6713 9777 5970 1388 6278 6607 3323 6465 7487 4077 8668 4418 1502 8478 2269 9539 5416 6451 8613 7525 0545 5485 3265 5028 2100 7567 4997 0932 3820 9957 3980 3536 9790 0767 3721 8386 0050 0244 8020 4494 3465 2979 7120 1966 8824 6903 2270 8959 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0018 0036 0044 0068 0096 0231 0303 0370 0422 0515 0945 1033 1211 1285 1346 1451 1517 1571 1656 1743 1835 2102 2140 2146 2159 2228 2245 2260 2312 2318 2338 2443 2545 2573 2575 2632 2694 2726 2754 2761 2812 2951 2960 3116 3153 3173 3206 3401 3453 3467 3542 3577 3593 3598 3663 3671 3686 3880 3961 4044 4180 4363 4481 4531 4558 4623 4759 4775 4958 4979 4989 4994 5068 5112 5285 5339 5372 5459 5505 5523 5545 5716 5822 6059 6198 6206 6637 6788 6815 7197 7202 7254 7400 7416 7432 7518 7551 7688 7795 7820 7826 7969 7998 8073 8164 8507 8532 8536 8538 8570 8638 8655 8691 8710 9139 9144 9220 9235 9356 9405 9463 9483 9535 9712 9752 9948 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 18-12-2023 DECEMBER TODAY: Win Win W 748 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 75 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Delhi Police officials on Sunday recovered the parts of mobile phones destroyed by Lalit Jha, the main accused in the Parliament security breach case, from Rajasthan. According to Delhi police sources, all the phones were found in burnt condition. Lalit Jha, the mastermind of the Lok Sabha security breach incident, had destroyed the phones of all the accused. Delhi Police is, however, yet to recover Lalit Jha's phone. Before the security breach, the four accused had handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial investigation details from reaching the police, anticipating their arrest. Interestingly, the recovery of burnt mobile phone parts was made a day after another arrest was made in the case. It may be noted that Delhi Police on Saturday arrested Mahesh Kumawat from Rajasthan's Nagaur. He was allegedly in touch with the other accused over the last two years and helped them destroy their mobile phones to erase all evidence. Parliament Security Breach | According to the Police, phone parts of all the accused have been recovered from Rajasthan. All the phones were found in burnt condition. Lalit Jha had the phones of all the accused: Delhi Police Sources pic.twitter.com/8i08wkLc0N ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023 Special Judge Hardeep Kaur sent 32-year-old Kumawat to the custody of the Delhi Police after the public prosecutor informed the court that the accused "wanted to create anarchy in the country so that they could compel the government to meet their unjust and illegal demands". With a total of six arrests, investigations are delving into the connections between the accused. Investigation into the case has revealed that the accused hailed from varied backgrounds from across different states - Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 'Parliament Security Breach A Serious Incident': PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reacted to the alarming security breach at the Parliament recently, calling it a "serious" matter. The Prime Minister also reportedly urged political parties to refrain from politicising the issue as it is a matter of national security. PM Modi made these remarks in an interview with a leading newspaper during which he also called for a thorough probe into the incident. The Prime Minister said that ''we should go into the depth of this accident and find a solution so that it cannot happen again.'' "After this incident, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has ordered an investigation and we all are confident that the conspiracy will be exposed," the PM reportedly said. It is important to know what were the intentions of the accused behind this incident and which elements were active behind it, he added. Earlier, PM Modi had directed senior ministers to treat the security breach in Lok Sabha with utmost seriousness. In a meeting held on Thursday, he cautioned against engaging in political manoeuvring and urged collective precautionary measures. It may be noted that the government has already constituted a panel to probe possible lapses that allowed two men to infiltrate the Lok Sabha and disrupt proceedings. Parliament Security Breach: How It Happened The breach occurred on Wednesday when two intruders infiltrated the Lok Sabha, throwing colour-smoke bombs from the visitors' gallery into the MPs' sitting area. Following the incident, the Opposition launched a massive protest, demanding the suspension of BJP MP Pratap Simha, accused of issuing passes to the intruders. Opposition Demands Suspension Of Lok Sabha Proceedings On Thursday, the Opposition called for the suspension of Lok Sabha proceedings and a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Questions were raised, but the government has not yet addressed the issue in the House. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated a high-level probe led by CRPF DG. Lok Sabha Speaker Writes To MPs Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla wrote a letter to all Members of Parliament, asserting that there is no connection between the security breach and the recent suspension of 13 MPs from the Lower House. A total of 13 MPs were suspended from Parliament on Thursday "for creating a ruckus" in the House over their demand for a statement on the breach. Among the 13 MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha, nine are from the Congress, two from the CPM, one from the CPI, and one from the DMK. Speaker Birla, in his letter, said that it is "unfortunate" that some members and political parties are linking the decision of the House to suspend some members to the Parliament security lapse incident. "This is unwarranted. There is no association between the suspension of honourable members and the incident which took place on December 13, 2023. The suspension of honourable members is purely to uphold the sanctity of the house", the letter read. Delhi Police Intensifies Probe Despite continuous questioning, the police have yet to ascertain the motive behind the security breach. Mastermind Lalit Jha, along with Neelam, Amol, Sagar Sharma, and Manoranjan D, remains in police custody. The authorities are meticulously reviewing contradictions in statements and trying to extract call details to establish their movements leading up to the incident. In light of the breach, the Special Cell of Delhi Police earlier said that it plans to recreate the scene, pending approval from the Speaker of Parliament. The Delhi Police on Saturday informed the Patiala House Court that the Parliament Security breach conspiracy had been going on since more than last year, and freshly arrested accused Mahesh attended all the meetings held in different cities in this regard. Additionally, there are reports of recording MP Pratap Simha's statement regarding the passes issued to the infiltrators. The security breach happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Two people -Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D - jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. Outside it, in another incident, two other protestors - Neelam (42) and Amol (25) - protested outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. However, all four were arrested and sent to seven-day custody of Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday. Lalit Jha, who allegedly planned the incident, and Mahesh Kumawat were arrested later. New Delhi: Delhi police on Sunday recovered the charred remnants of the mobile phones belonging to the accused in the parliament security breach from Rajasthan. Additionally, a search was conducted at the residence of one of the accused, Sagar, in Lucknow. In a new development in the case, the name of another individual allegedly involved in the conspiracy to attack the parliament has come to light. Saurabh Chakrawarti's name has been added to the list of accused in the parliament security breach. Reportedly, he played a role in disseminating the video showing two accused infiltrating the Lok Sabha chamber in the Parliament Complex. Sources indicate that Lalit Jha aimed to make the video of the accused entering the LS chamber go viral. To achieve this, he sent the clip to Saurabh Chakrawarti with the caption "Protested. Circulate. Jai Hind." Delhi police is now attempting to apprehend Saurabh for further investigation into the case. Meanwhile, the police have stated that all the accused are providing inconsistent statements. In another development, the owner of the hotel where accused Lalit Jha and Mukesh Kumawat stayed after the parliament breach has confirmed their presence. Earlier revelations from Delhi police sources indicate that Lalit Jha, the accused in the parliament security breach incident, destroyed five mobile phones before arriving in Delhi and was intentionally misleading the investigating team. Before the security breach, the four accused had handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial investigation details from reaching the police, anticipating their arrest. "Lalit Jha destroyed not four but five mobile phones after fleeing to Rajasthan's Kuchaman," said police sources. Jaipur: A shocking incident reminiscent of the infamous Nirbhaya case in Delhi has unfolded in Rajasthan. A young girl, travelling from Kanpur to Jaipur, became the victim of a heinous crime as she was allegedly gang-raped by two bus drivers on the nights of December 9 and 10. The girl, en route to her uncle's home in Jaipur, had boarded a bus on the evening of December 9. Faced with a lack of available seats, she was directed to sit in the cabin. It was during the journey that the drivers took advantage of the situation, sexually assaulting her in a horrifying manner, each taking turns. Bassi Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Phoolchand Meena revealed, "When other passengers vacated the cabin, the drivers raped her." This disturbing incident draws parallels to the Nirbhaya case, sending shockwaves through the region. #WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Bassi ACP Phoolchand Meena says, "Around 7:30 pm on 9th December, a girl was travelling from Kanpur to Jaipur, to her uncle's home. She boarded a bus and since she didn't get any seat, she was made to sit in the cabin. During the journey, when other pic.twitter.com/4efaW8bbLM December 16, 2023 The passengers on the bus became unwitting witnesses to the unfolding tragedy. Growing suspicious, they opened the cabin door, discovering the girl in a distressing state. Angered by the situation, they confronted and assaulted the drivers. One of the perpetrators managed to escape, while the other was apprehended after the bus was driven to a nearby petrol pump. The traumatized girl was promptly taken to the police station, where her uncle was summoned to file a complaint. ACP Meena emphasized, "When the girl disclosed the incident to the passengers, she was taken to the police station, and her uncle filed the complaint report." As the investigation unfolds, one of the drivers, identified as Mohammed Arif, has been arrested. However, the search intensifies for the other driver, Lalit, who is currently on the run. Eerie Resemblance To Delhi's Nirbhaya Case This distressing incident mirrors the 2012 Delhi gang rape that occurred in the same month, leaving an indelible mark on the nation. The gruesome assault on a young woman aboard a moving bus in Delhi led to her tragic death a few months later, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice. In Rajasthan, as the echoes of the past resurface, authorities are under pressure to ensure swift and decisive action against the perpetrators, bringing justice to the victim and sending a stern message against such heinous acts. New Delhi: December has been hot for IPOs, and the party isn't over yet! Next week, investors will have a chance to bid for shares in more companies across various sectors. Here's a quick look at the upcoming IPOs in India: Muthoot Microfin IPO Details The microfinance giant aims to raise Rs 960 crore at a price band of Rs 277-291 per share. The opening date of the IPO is December 18 and will close on December 20. (Also Read: SGB Scheme To Open On December 18: Here's A-Z About It) Motisons Jewellers IPO Details This Jaipur-based retailer is looking to raise Rs 151 crore with a price band of Rs 52-55 per share. The opening date of the IPO is December 18 and will close on December 20. (Also Read: Azad Engineering IPO To Open On Dec 20; Sets Price Band At Rs 499-524 Per Share) Suraj Estate Developers IPO Details The Mumbai-based real estate player plans to raise Rs 400 crore at Rs 340-360 per share. The opening date of the IPO is December 18 and will close on December 20. Sahara Maritime IPO Details The issue price of this IPO is Rs 81 per share. This fixed-price issue aims for Rs 6.88 crore. Sahara Maritime IPO will be open for subscription on December 18 and it will close on December 20. RBZ Jewellers IPO Details Ahmedabad's antique bridal gold jewelry maker will offer shares at Rs 95-100 per share, aiming for Rs 100 crore. The opening date of the IPO is December 19 and will close on December 21. Happy Forgings IPO Details This Punjab-based manufacturer targets Rs 1,009 crore with a price band of Rs 808-850 per share. If we talk about the opening and closing date, it will be December 19 and December 21, respectively. Shanti Spintex IPO Details Opening on December 19, this textile company hopes to raise Rs 31.25 crore at Rs 66-70 per share. The IPO will close on December 21, 2023. Credo Brands Marketing IPO Details The owner of Mufti Jeans brand hopes to raise Rs 549.78 crore at Rs 266-280 per share. The company is all set to launch the IPO on December 19. The closing date of Credo Brands Marketing IPO is December 21. Electro Force (India) IPO Details This engineering company targets Rs 80.68 crore at Rs 93 per share. The IPO of Electro Force (India) will be open on December 19. The closing date for the IPO is December 21. Azad Engineering IPO Details This Telangana-based manufacturer aims for Rs 740 crore at Rs 499-524 per share. The Azad Engineering IPO is launching on December 20 and it will close on December 22. Innova Captab IPO Details This Himachal Pradesh-based pharma company targets Rs 570 crore at Rs 426-448 per share. The IPO will be open for subscription on December 21 and it will close on December 26. Trident Techlabs IPO Details This IT company's price band is Rs 33-35 per share, opening on December 21 and closing on December 26. Mike Lynch is a Republican from Wellington and represents District 65 in the Colorado House of Representatives. He also serves as the minority leader of that body. A former chairman of the Arapahoe County Republican Party resigned on Thursday from the state GOP's executive committee in a strongly worded letter that criticized state chairman Dave Williams for stoking division in an already fractured party. You are here: China A worker removes snow with a machine at Jingshan Park in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Chinese authorities discussed the prevention of and response to disasters induced by low temperatures, rain, snow and freezing conditions, according to a consultation meeting on Saturday. The meeting was organized by the office of the national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief as well as the Ministry of Emergency Management, and joined by relevant departments and provinces. The disasters induced by low temperatures, rain, snow and freezing conditions have had a high disaster risks and a large impact on people's livelihoods of some regions, the meeting said, adding that the widespread cold waves are expected to continue. Strengthened efforts should be made to strengthen monitoring and issuing alerts and paying close attention to weather changes, the meeting said. It also called for ensuring the safe and smooth operations of transport networks and power grids, optimizing rescue forces and resources, and enhancing coal, power, oil and gas supply capacities. A male wolverine is seen on a hill in the Helena-Lewis and Clark of western Montana in this 2021 photo. Scientists say climate change could harm populations of the elusive animals that live in alpine areas with deep snow. The United States will respond decisively to any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its closest allies. First of all, this concerns South Korea, against which the DPRK has repeatedly carried out dangerous provocations. For North Korean dictator Kim Jong-in, such a step would mark the end of his reign. This was announced at the White House after the second meeting of the nuclear security group with the participation of South Korean delegates. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to containing North Koreas nuclear capabilities. Meeting participants signed security and information exchange protocols, held consultations on nuclear issues in crisis and contingency situations, and agreed on nuclear and strategic planning, the minutes of the meeting say. Let us recall that South Korea has had facts for quite some time confirming that the DPRK is sending its weapons to Russia, which Moscow is using to wage a war of aggression in Ukraine. Its difficult to talk about this, because this is an intelligence issue, but we have long ago confirmed that weapons provided by North Korea are used by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine, the Office of the South Korean head of state said. As OBOZ.UA reported, last year Pyongyang made a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons against the United States and South Korea supposedly they could pay the worst price in history for their common large-scale exercises. About 240 combat aircraft took part in them. Only We have verified information in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Dont be fooled by fakes! A mass meeting is planned Tuesday evening in Drakes Branch to select a Republican candidate to run in a special election after state Sen. Frank Ruff announced his retirement Friday. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Drakes Branch Fire Department in Charlotte County. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. The fire department is located at 4801 Drakes Main St. in Drakes Branch. As of Sunday evening, six possible contenders had emerged as candidates for the GOP nomination in the 9th Senate District. Lee Vogler, a member of Danville City Council, is the only candidate from Danville. After much prayer and consideration, I am excited and humbled to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination in Senate District 9, Vogler said in a statement. In addition to local leaders, Vogler announced endorsements from Delegate Wren M. Williams and conservative leader Pete Snyder. Ruff who announced his retirement because of health concerns endorsed Tammy Brankley Mulchi, a former legislative aid, to replace him. Mulchi is a member of Clarksville Town Council. Halifax County Delegate James Edmunds also has jumped into the race. Edmunds announced his retirement from the General Assembly after redistricting grouped his district with one including Danville held by fellow Delegate Danny Marshall. Andy Ferguson, a native and current resident of Halifax County, also is seeking the Republican nomination. Kade Gravitt, a legislative aid for Delegate Tommy Wright, announced Friday evening he intends to seek the nomination as well. Rounding out the candidates, Dale Sturdifen, another Mecklenburg County resident, also is in the mix. Sturdifen ran against Ruff in 2019 for the GOP nomination. All six have filed their paperwork and will be candidates Tuesday night, Will Pace, the chair of the 9th Senate District Republican Committee, confirmed to the Register & Bee on Sunday. The governor set a Jan. 9 special election and Senate candidates have until Wednesday to file. The General Assembly returns to Richmond for its new session Jan. 10. Running unopposed, Ruff won election in November to the newly drawn 9th District for the Virginia Senate. That covers Danville and Pittsylvania County. It also includes the counties of Halifax, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Charlotte, Lunenburg and part of Prince Edward. Ruff was elected to the state Senate in 2000 after serving in the House of Delegates. It has been the honor of my life to represent and serve the people of our communities, Ruff said in a statement. Whether on the Mecklenburg Board of Supervisors, in the House of Delegates or in the Senate of Virginia, I believed public service was always about finding good policy solutions that improved the lives of those we represent Ruff, who has been a lawmaker for more than 30 years, said that was his goal each day in Richmond. Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, and entering into an aggressive and ongoing treatment regimen, I have concluded I may not be able to devote 100% of my focus to doing the work needed in the General Assembly, Ruff said. Thats why he decided to step down at the end of his current term Jan. 9. Before Ruffs announcement was official via a news release Friday morning, Democrat Trudy Berry announced she planned to seek the seat. It has just come to my attention that Senator Frank Ruff is retiring due to health reasons, Berry wrote in a Facebook post. I wish him the best as he attends to his health. Berry said she would be filing the necessary paperwork for the special election. Berry waged a write-in campaign for the 9th District in November after a typo snafu left her off the ballot. Democrats planned whats known as a firehouse primary from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at different sites around the district. Tina Wyatt Younger, of South Boston, is another hopeful looking to get the Democratic nomination. After announcing he was stepping down, Virginia Senate Republican Caucus leaders praised Ruffs leadership for his 30 years working in the Virginia General Assembly. Senator Frank Ruff has been a consummate statesman, meticulously and persistently working to deliver positive results for the people of his region and for Virginia, Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, wrote in a statement. When serving in the House of Delegates, Ruff was a member of the first GOP majority in the states history, according to a news release. He also was chair of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and chair of the of the Center for Rural Virginia. In addition, he was a founding member of GO Virginia, an economic development initiative dividing the state into different sectors. Ruff said he was proud of what he had accomplished during his tenure, especially for Southside. Southern Virginia was able to make steps forward on economic development by bringing Microsoft and other companies to the region, he said in a statement. The investments that were made in our communities through the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, on which I have served since its inception and currently chair, have greatly expanded opportunities for our citizens. State Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, has been a member of the Virginia Senate since Ruff was elected and lauded Ruffs dedication to the residents he served. Franks fellow senators know him to be a workhorse, tirelessly devoting the long days and hours necessary to pass landmark legislation, to protect Virginias rural heritage through his work with the Center for Rural Virginia and the Tobacco Commission, and to expanding opportunities for the people of his region through his leadership on workforce development and with our community college system, Norment said in a statement. Franks work has changed countless lives for the better. Of everything hes done, Ruff said hes the most proud of investments in community colleges. Every Virginian should have the opportunity to pursue a trade or higher education close to home, and we are so much closer to making that a reality, he said. We must also remember that there is a shortage of GPs and other health professionals, and we need to carefully prioritize resources. Without such considerations, there is a risk that Precision Medicine could topple the healthcare system Sara Green Also, it should be remembered that Precision Medicine is rarely an absolute cure. In the Norwegian example, while the patient did gain some additional months without worsening in his condition, he was not cured. Obviously, it is difficult to quantify the value of some extra months of survival for a person. The politicians are faced with some hard choices. On the one hand, they do not want to deny patients access to effective treatments. But on the other hand, the costs of the advanced treatments must be considered in relation to existing constraints on healthcare resources. At the moment, even a high-quality healthcare system like Denmarks faces difficulties keeping up with the need for standard cancer treatments and surgeries. We should therefore not only focus on treatment efficacy but also cost-effectiveness. Precision Medicine can challenge healthcare systems in yet another manner, Sara Green notes: The first national strategy for Precision Medicine showed great expectations for improved disease prevention through genetic risk profiling of citizens. But this may well backfire. When you map the genome of healthy people, the results will typically be that everyone is at risk of developing various illnesses. Further, many of us wear smartwatches and other gadgets that monitor pulse and other health indicators. People collect ever more data regarding their physical condition, but it doesnt easily translate to health information. Consequently, they might want to see their General Practitioner more often for follow-up testing and health advice. But far from everybody will benefit from individualized preventive strategies. The sales pitch for such gadgets is the same as for Precision Medicine: risk factors will be uncovered early on, diseases will be prevented, and the costs for health care are reduced. But in real life, things are not that simple, Sara Green points out: There is no evidence to suggest that testing healthy persons for all kinds of risk factors will improve disease prevention in general. For some people, tests and self-monitoring might catch early signs of disease and improve prognosis, but this should be weighed against the potential harms of overdiagnosing and overtreating others who, despite having risk factors, would not have developed the disease in question. We must also remember that there is a shortage of GPs and other health professionals, and we need to carefully prioritize resources. Without such considerations, there is a risk that Precision Medicine could topple the healthcare system". Source: University of Copenhagen DECATUR Two cops gave a new definition to the phrase crime ring when they put down the bells they were ringing to raise money for The Salvation Army so they could chase down a fleeing shoplifter. A statement from the Macon County Sheriffs Office said the incident happened around 6:50 p.m. Friday outside the Walmart store at 4625 E. Maryland Road. Walmart loss prevention attempted to detain a shoplifting suspect who ultimately refused to stop before fleeing, said the statement released by Sgt. Matthew Reynolds. Two deputies were present at the time bell ringing prior to giving chase and apprehending the shoplifting suspect with stolen property in the parking lot. The 42-year-old woman from Rantoul was booked into the Macon County Jail on a preliminary charge of retail theft and released under the no-cash bail law a short time later. She was ordered to report back to Macon County Circuit Court Jan. 2. Sheriff Jim Root, speaking Sunday, told the Herald & Review his deputies have been volunteer bell ringers at Christmas for at least the last 10 years or more. Their efforts Friday were part of the annual "Guns & Hoses" challenge where cops compete with firefighters to see who can raise the most cash. And this is the first time I am aware that anything like this ever happened, Root said. The sheriff praised the male deputies involved for their fast reactions when they realized what was happening as the suspect fled the store, accompanied by a child. I am assuming the kid had no idea what was going on, Root added. He said the woman had been accused of under-ringing items while in the store. PHOTOS: Back the Blue rally in Decatur Back the Blue 1 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 2 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 3 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 4 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 5 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 6 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 7 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 8 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 9 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 10 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 11 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 12 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 13 06.27.20.JPG Back the Blue 14 06.27.20.JPG DECATUR Kids who can't see clearly have trouble reading and doing well in school. The Springfield-Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois have teamed up to do something about that with their Lenses for Literacy program. With some kids, they feel embarrassed, said Jeanette Goza, past president of the chapter. But we allow them to come forward with any issues. And one of the barriers is that parents are embarrassed to accept free services. The two organizations' first event was Saturday, when students who were referred by Decatur Public Schools could visit the Macon County Community Eye Care Center for free exams and glasses. The families were contacted, and those who accepted were given the appointments on Saturday. Payton Parker, 13, was one of the recipients and will have his new glasses in about a week. He's a student at Dennis Lab School. We got a call that he got chosen for glasses, said his mom, Dominique Hayes. He's one of the kids they spotted that needed glasses, and it's a blessing. Dr. Amanda Gerson, the optometrist who handled the exams on Saturday, will be joining the practice next month. We're doing a limited selection (of frames) for this program, so they can choose from any on this rack, said director of operations Shelley Smith. We're doing our typical polycarbonate safe lens for kids. They're lighter weight and more comfortable for them to wear. We're also giving a warranty for this program, so if they break them or they get scratched, they can come back and get them replaced. The program began earlier this year, with the first event in Springfield for students there, said Ratasha Bradley, president of the sorority. Several of the sorority members wear glasses and know how difficult it is to do anything if you need glasses and don't have them, Goza said. She's one of them. The sorority has five main focuses for its charitable works, Goza said: economic development, educational development, international awareness, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement, and the vision program covers several of those. Kids who need glasses don't do as well in school, but it's also a health issue. An eye exam can also reveal other health issues besides poor vision, for example, and if you don't do well in school due to needing glasses, you won't have the same economic opportunities as a student who does do well. It's also important to the sorority, Bradley said, that they find a service provider like Macon County Community Eye Care Center who will work with them. We gave the sorority sponsorship money to help fund this program, said Heather Briggs, community relations coordinator for Blue Cross Blue Shield. We give money to all sorts of organizations that focus on access to quality health care, food insecurities, all different kinds of programs, if they meet our criteria. PHOTOS: Kids are encouraged to improve literacy skills during Read with PawPrint Ministries event at Decatur Public Library Willfong_Mikenna 1 1.3.19.jpg Willfong_Mikenna 2 1.3.19.jpg Enzo 1.3.19.jpg Steele_Emily 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 2 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 3 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 4 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 5 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 6 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 7 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 8 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 9 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 10 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 11 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 12 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 13 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 14 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 15 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 16 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 17 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 18 1.3.19.jpg PawPrint Reading 19 1.3.19.jpg CONCORD Brian Broomfield has a keen awareness of the burdens and obstacles many U.S. veterans face not necessarily on the battlefield, but once they have left the service and returned to life as a civilian. Since 9/11, more veterans have died from suicide than from combat. Many silently struggle as they try to deal with traumas most people likely could not imagine. In an effort to shed light on the problem, Broomfield, commander of the Harold Goodman American Legion Post 172 in Concord, has been placing 22 white crosses in front of the headquarters at 436 Rutherford St. every evening for 30 days, beginning Nov. 21. That number is significant because evidence suggests that 22 veterans die by suicide each day, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. The crosses, there were 485 as of Thursday, will be on display throughout the month. Each one represents a veteran who has died by suicide. A total of 660 crosses will dot the lawn. Most of the crosses are blank, but a few have names of fallen soldiers from across the country. A cross for Luke Kimberlin is covered with hearts and a message, We miss you love you. Another cross for Air Force veteran Michael David Larson reads: Beloved father and son. The thing that we found is that when these guys came back (from overseas), they were still fighting battles, Broomfield, who served eight years in the U.S. Navy, told the Independent Tribune in a recent interview. The Youngstown, Ohio, native joined the Navy three days after graduating from high school and spent his 21st birthday in Spain. Broomfield spent time on the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Independence aircraft carriers. Post 172, which was formed in 1947 and named after World War II veteran Harold Goodman, is collaborating with 22aday.org, which sent a red and white trailer to the post, complete with enough crosses to last a month. 22aday is a Michigan-based nonprofit whose objective is to reduce the prevalence of suicide among veterans by doing public awareness campaigns and helping individuals learn about ways they can positively impact veterans. Post 172 is the first group in North Carolina to participate in 22 crosses, Broomfield said. He is also working to renovate the headquarters, which had been in bad condition when he became a member of the group four years ago. Its been a good marriage, Broomfield said about Post 72 partnering with 22aday. It gives them some critical information and exposure and it gives us exposure to tell the community, Were back and we are doing good things. The enormity of displaying the crosses on the lawn for all to see has not been lost on Broomfield. While he had a healthy support system when he left the military he is married and has several children many veterans do not. One night I was out putting the crosses up and just when the sun went down ... the lights (in front of the crosses) came on and hit me, he said. It was just kind of hard to explain, but it was just an emotion that came over me, and it really sunk in. My brain recognized the significance of what I was doing. Residents are encouraged to come out each evening at 6 p.m. to help place the crosses and learn more about veteran suicide and what can be done to help prevent it. Broomfield said a goal is to get local veterans and first responders, including police and fire personnel, to come out and participate. Broomfields son Jeremy regularly assists his father. I come from a long line of family members who have served in the military, Jeremy said. For those who, when they came home didnt make it, I just wanted to come out here and show my support. For more information about 22 crosses or getting involved with Post 172, call Broomfield at 704-576-2817 or email him at ncpost172@gmail.com. 100 years ago, Dec. 17, 1923 MATTOON Members of the YMCA now lack but 18 one-dollar subscriptions of having enough to purchase their radio outfit, and with quite a number of their comrades yet to be seen, it is expected the quota will have been subscribed this week. The radio will be another club attraction for patrons of the "Y."...MATTOON Ervin Keal, the JG's hustling carrier in Tuscola, paid the JG a visit last Saturday. Ervin wanted to see how a paper like the JG is prepared and printed and he saw everything from the business office, through the newsroom, the composing room and pressroom to the carrier boys' quarters. He was interested in all of it. 50 years ago, 1973 MATTOON Four Mattoon churches were burglarized over the weekend, police report. The First Baptist Church, 1804 S. 9th was entered sometime after 10:30 p.m. Friday. Police said the point of entry into the church is unknown. Two desks in the church office were pried open and ransacked. According to police, a door to a storeroom was forced open and a key was broken off the lock of the door to the maintenance room. Central Community Church, East Lafayette, was entered sometime Saturday night, police said. Entry was gained by way of a door on the east side of the church. Approximately $27 in cash, a small American flag and other undisclosed items were taken. St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston, was entered sometime between 10 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Police said entry was gained through the south bell tower door. A tape recorder and an undetermined amount of cash were taken from the church's office, where the door was pried open. A janitor at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Broadway, told police he saw four unidentified white males come out of the furnace room window of the church at about 5:20 a.m. Sunday. Police followed the tracks of the four persons as far as the 400 block of Charleston. Entry was gained by breaking off a doorknob on the furnace door of the church. A small crowbar was all that was reported missing. 25 years ago, 1998 CHARLESTON Mental health experts for both the prosecution and the defense are apparently finished with their examinations of murder suspect Justin Jay Boulay. At a hearing Wednesday, State's Attorney Steve Ferguson and Public Defender Lonnie Lutz said they don't plan to have any additional experts examine Boulay. Boulay, 21, of St. Charles is accused of killing Andrea Will, 18, of Batavia in Charleston on Feb. 3 when they were both EIU students. Police have said Boulay might have killed Will because he was upset that she was ending their dating relationship. Boulay's mental condition is an issue because Lutz had indicated that he plans to argue at trial that Boulay was temporarily insane or suffered another affliction at the time of Will's death...SHELBYVILLE A Shelby County man was in court Wednesday and charged with aggravated unlawful restraint after he allegedly held two people hostage. Bradley Banning, 28, of Fancher was charged in the hostage situation. He also was treated for minor injuries at Shelby Memorial Hospital after he fell off a moving car, driven by one of the alleged hostages. According to Shelby County Chief Deputy Bill England, the department responded to a call of a hostage situation in Fancher about 7 a.m. Tuesday. Upon the arrival of deputies, the two victims, Marci Williams and Kaye Banning of Fancher had left the house and were attempting to flee in a car when Bradley Banning jumped onto the hood. The hostage situation was brief, said England. Bradley Banning rode on the car about three miles before he fell off into the Clarksburg blacktop about two miles north of the Mode road intersection, according to police reports. England said Banning allegedly threatened to kill Williams, his girlfriend, and Kaye Banning, his mother, with a knife. Rural people don't practice religion more than their urban counterparts, survey shows Rural people don't practice religion more than their urban counterparts, survey shows Profession of a faith tradition does not directly equate to religious service attendance 1. Partisanship 2. Economics Lower income rural people attend services more often than urban people. But higher income urban people attend more often than rural people. 3. Race The percentage of non-white people who never attend is higher than the rate of Black never-attenders, but not as high as the white never-attenders 4. Age 5. Education Having a graduate degree increases religious attendance among rural respondents by 6 more percentage points above those who have a bachelor's degree CHICAGO Migrants are no longer being dropped off at the citys landing zone on buses from the southern border, causing people to wander with no direction looking for shelter, according to an aide to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, said the lack of communication is directly correlated with the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals from the southern border. She suspects bus companies are finding other ways to get migrants into the city. As of Saturday, more than 25,900 migrants had arrived in Chicago since August 2022, according to city records. Under revised rules Wednesday, buses face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators will also be subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees. The city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St. Wednesday night. Obviously, theyre trying every way to work around this, Pacione-Zayas said. Since weve instituted the ordinance and the amendment, we have lost all communication with the border. Theyre not sending us any notices. On Friday, she said city officials found migrants in various locations around the city City Hall, Christkindlmarket and Union Station. According to Pacione-Zayas, migrants reported that bus drivers bought them Ventra cards and Amtrak tickets to get to Chicago. She said a suburb municipality received a bus Friday and directed it to go to the landing zone, and instead it took off toward the Indiana border. The deputy chief of staff suspects bus drivers drop off migrants at train stations outside of the city and buy them train fares to get downtown. Bus companies are facilitating their transfer into the city, she said. It sends us scurrying. In October, a delegation from the city went to Texas to try to talk to officials there to coordinate bus drop offs. Buses at the time were coming at all hours of the day and night, without warning. The city implemented rules in mid-November requiring drop-offs to occur on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The city also limited bus arrivals to two per hour and designated the location in the West Loop to unload passengers. The loading zone helps the city have a better on-the-ground transport plan and know if families or singles are coming to place them in appropriate shelters. But since the harsher penalties Wednesday, the landing zone hasnt received nearly as many buses. The city received notice that two were expected Saturday, but only through an email communication on which they were accidentally copied, Pacione-Zayas said. Folks are just kind of being dropped off at different points. Theyre wandering to police stations. Or theyre wandering to shelters, she said. The city has been actively clearing migrants out of police stations into shelters, and reported Saturday morning that there were none staying overnight at stations, down over 2,000 a few weeks ago. On Saturday evening, however, there will be a warming bus at the Near West station (12th District), which covers much of the Little Italy and University of Illinois at Chicago neighborhoods, to respond to the uncoordinated arrivals. The citys Office of Emergency Management works with the contracted national employment firm Favorite Staffing to pick migrants up and get them to the warming bus or into shelter beds if there is availability. Pacione-Zayas said she is just asking Texas officials for more communication. When they come without notice and coordination, it starts to undermine what were trying to do, she said. Achievers The Golden LEAF Board of Directors recently elected board officers and committee chairs. Locally, Don Flow of Forsyth County was elected as a committee chairman to the investment committee. Golden LEAFs 15-member Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has announced that two districts and 15 individual properties across the state, including the Coan-Gray House and the Alexander S. and Mary R. Hanes House, both in Winston-Salem, have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The properties were reviewed by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee and subsequently nominated by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer and forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register for consideration for listing in the National Register. The Coan-Gray House meets National Register Criterion C for architecture due to its refined Colonial Revival-style design rendered by Charles Barton Keens Philadelphia-based firm. The residence erected by Winston-Salem contractors Fogle Brothers occupies a sizable lot in Reynolda Park, where winding roads, deep setbacks and dense landscaping create estate-like settings for an eclectic mixture of finely detailed dwellings commissioned from nationally recognized architects. The Alexander S. and Mary R. Hanes House is a residence rendered by Charles Barton Keens Philadelphia-based firm and erected in 1923 and it occupies a sizable prominent corner lot in the Buena Vista subdivision. Although abodes influenced by seats of American and European country estates are plentiful in Winston-Salem, the Hanes House is distinguished by its scale, sophisticated execution and estate-like setting. Announcements The 2024 Triad Go Red for Women Movement will be led by co-chairs Dr. Ashley Perrott, senior physician executive at Novant Health Community Health and Wellness Institute, and Dr. Mousumi Andersen, interventional cardiologist with Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the American Heart Association designed to increase womens heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally and globally. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer for women in the United States. Nearly 45% of women over ages 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. The focus of the 2024 Triad Go Red for Women Campaign is educating women on warning signs for cardiovascular disease. As with men, womens most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, but women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. The Go Red for Women Movement and its local community impact will be celebrated Feb. 2 at the High Point Country Club. The luncheon includes a keynote speaker, a local survivor sharing her personal story, a Purse-onalities auction and a heart-healthy lunch. Awards Wake Forest sophomore Couriyah Stegall has been presented with the Community Impact Student Award by NC Campus Engagement for her commitment and contribution to civic and community engagement. Stegall was selected by Wake Forest University administration after careful consideration of the students who made a lasting impact on the Wake Forest campus. She was honored for her efforts and achievements at the NC Campus Engagement biennial CSNAP Student Conference. As a distinguished student leader, Stegall serves on several executive boards including Campus Kitchen, Project Pumpkin and the Black Student Alliance. Grants The N.C. General Assembly recently appropriated $10 million to Golden LEAF for the Food Distribution Assistance Program. This program is funded by federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds through the North Carolina 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. Funds may also be used for grants to nonprofit organizations to assist organizations in establishing a school-based weekend food assistance program or enhancing or expanding the capacity of current school-based weekend food assistance programs. The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $5.54 million to support 50 awards in the second round of Food Distribution Assistance Program funding. Local nonprofits to receive funding included: Southern Alamance Family Empowerment, $85,000, refrigerated truck; Pastors Pantry Targeting Senior Hunger, $34,171.24, three refrigerators, two freezers and associated electrical upfit; BackPack Beginnings, $14,550, electric pallet jack, two hand trucks, a glass front refrigerator, pallet shelving, four stock picker carts; One Step Further, $211,250, construction of distribution receiving area, two powered stackers, electric pallet jack, two pallet rack starter units, two pallet rack add-on units, pallet rack wire decking, walk-in freezer, walk-in cooler, laptops, wifi booster aerials; West End Ministries, $92,000, box truck, scales, freezer blankets; LOT 2540, $128,942.64, refrigerated truck; and Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes, $38,500, walk-in freezer and pallet jack. Also, the board awarded $1,500,000 to the City of Mount Airy for clearing, grading, and other site preparation of 16 acres at the Westwood Industrial Park that is expected to create 200 new jobs with average wages of $45,000 and $75 million in private investment. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced end-of-year funding today totaling more than $13 million that will benefit both local and state parks through federal and state funds. The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority has approved $3.45 million in land acquisition and $3.5 million in capital improvement projects for state parks across the state. The $6.95 million in combined funding is a portion of the annual allocation for state parks from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The land acquisition projects will add nearly 450 acres combined to Chimney Rock, Elk Knob, Lumber River, Medoc Mountain, and Merchants Millpond state parks. Most of the projects address important conservation needs outlined in the divisions land protection plan. Other projects will allow the division to build the necessary infrastructure to support state park operations. Meanwhile, most of the capital improvement funding is earmarked for various repairs and renovations across the state parks system. A local land acquisition project includes $330,000 for Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County to protect high-value conservation land along the eastern rim of Long Hope Valley. The North Carolina State Park Partners Foundation awarded a grant to Pilot Mountain State Park, thanks to the generosity of a donor who was concerned about wildfire damage to the park. The grant was used to purchase native grass and wildflower seeds to help control erosion and re-vegetate burned areas. This will help mitigate the hardest hit area of the fire, said Jason Anthony, superintendent of Pilot Mountain State Park. The foundation was established in January 2022 to help support and improve the NC State Parks System. Its mission is to enable people to make meaningful and lasting gifts to support North Carolinas State Parks. For information or to make a donation, visit www.ncstateparkpartners.org. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro have announced the 2024 Artist Support Grant awards totaling $62,000. Grants were awarded to 45 artists in Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties to support professional and artistic development. The grants are funded annually by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as part of a statewide initiative to support artists. More than 98 applications were received, with awards ranging from $1,150 to $1,670 in the following disciplines: Visual arts and crafts, literature, film, dance, music, performing arts and spoken word. On the Move Charles Strode has joined Butler + Burke, a full-service accounting firm based in Winston-Salem. Strode serves as tax director for Butler + Burke. A native of Bedford, Va., Strode previously was at Saunders, Strode & Trawick, an accounting firm in Winston-Salem. Triad Cultural Arts has named Winston-Salem-native Abrea Armstrong as their new executive director. Armstrong is a former president of the Winston-Salem Urban League Young Professionals. Q: In what Christmas story did Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appear? R.R. Answer: Rudolphs first appearance was in a childrens booklet in 1939. He then went on to appear in a cartoon short in 1947 and was adapted into a song in 1949. The song has been performed by Gene Autry, Dean Martin, Spike Jones and Alvin and the Chipmunks. The animated TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was first shown in 1964 and is repeated annually. Rudolph was a department store creation. Executives at Montgomery Ward wanted their own Christmas storybook for children who visited Santa Claus in stores. Robert L. May, a 34-year-old copywriter at Montgomery Ward, wrote a poem about a reindeer who led the pack. May tested versions of the poem on his 4-year-old daughter, Barbara. She helped him come up with the name Rudolph after he had first considered such names as Rollo and Reginald. Company executives at first werent completely happy with the Rudolph story. The executives were worried that a red-nosed reindeer might make people think he was drunk. However, a company artist created adorable illustrations of a sober and cute reindeer, and everyone approved. Local Christmas tree traditions A reader, S.G., gave us more information on Christmas trees with a local angle: In her 2007 book Moravian Christmas in the South, Winston-Salem historian Nancy Smith Thomas writes extensively about the custom of the Christmas tree in America, including the Moravian communities who were among the first to record the presence of decorated trees in homes and churches during the Christmas season. Thomass colorfully illustrated and well-researched book includes descriptions of this tradition in the Moravian settlements of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and at the Moravian mission to the Cherokee in Spring Place, Georgia. Adelaide Fries, who edited the Records of the Moravians, found an entry from December 1786 where a Moravian brother was complained on for not getting permission to cut down a small tree. Thomas wrote that Fries noted that this account of the cutting of a small tree on Christmas Eve might well be the first record of a Christmas tree in the Moravian records. Downtown Winston-Salem Christmas decorations Jim Laughrun, the retired managing editor of the Journal, found some references about downtown Christmas decorations from the November and December 1926 issues of the Winston-Salem Journal and Twin City Sentinel, the former afternoon newspaper. The vote by the aldermen on Nov. 19 was to let the Retail Merchants Association decorate the streets. On Dec. 11, the Twin City Sentinel reported fully a dozen city streets have been decorated with strings of vari-colored lights across the streets and rows of cedars, illuminated and decorated. The Journal reported that the trees were covered with multi-colored lights of varying sizes. Wreaths of cedar were around the bottom of streetlights and a large red disc adorned the trees, doing their bit towards making the small Christmas trees resemble the fireside tree. Restaurants open on Christmas Day SAM is planning to run a list of restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day in the Winston-Salem and Greensboro area. Managers or owners can let us know that they will be open by emailing asksam@wsjournal.com to be included on the list. Include the address, hours and if reservations are required. The year 2023 may be remembered as a time in which investors patience wore thin because of the lackluster profit, revenue and share-price performances of many corporations with a significant Triad presence. Several chief executives paid the price often abruptly with their jobs. In some instances, the prioritizing of stock and stock-option awards as the primary factor in annual compensation shifted from making the executives current or future millionaires to vulnerable for dismissal. For example, the high-profile chief executive transitions at British American Tobacco Plc and U.S. subsidiary Reynolds American are related in part to disappointing U.S. traditional cigarette sales amid a promising, but slow, growth pace for smokefree products. In July, David Waterfield became Reynolds fourth top executive in six years. His appointment was part of a massive management shakeup that followed the sudden appointment of Tadeu Marroco as its chief executive two months prior. Analysts and British media outlets said around the time that Jack Bowles departure as chief executive could be tied to a year-long share price slump. According to a Barclays report, British American Tobacco has endured the worst year-over-year shareholder return at 25% among global tobacco manufacturers. Thats compared with a 5% decline for Imperial Brands, the parent company of ITG Brands of Greensboro, as well as a 4% drop for Philip Morris International and 3% decrease for Altria Group. Shareholders are simply getting tired of sub-par equity performance, said Tony Plath, a retired finance professor at UNC-Charlotte. When that happens in publicly-traded companies, the CEO is the first to feel the wrath of the companies largest shareholders. Plath said that many corporations making an abrupt chief-executive change are heavily owned by institutional investors. Those folks are the group thats least patient when equity returns lag the market, Plath said. Shareholders are hungry for better stock performance, and so far theyve just chummed the waters with these CEO dismissals. Reynolds challenges Marroco made it clear in British American Tobaccos fiscal first-half 2023 earnings release on June 6 that our performance in U.S. combustibles (traditional cigarettes) has been disappointing. Returning combustibles to consistent value creation is critical to our multi-category strategy in the U.S. On Dec. 6, the fair market value of Reynolds iconic traditional cigarette brands took a massive and startling hit when British American Tobacco disclosed plans for a $31.5 billion write-down. The company also changed from indefinite to finite the value status of U.S. No. 2 Newport, No. 3 Camel, No. 4 Natural American Spirit and No. 5 Pall Mall. In this instance, the value lifespan of the four brands has been shifted from perpetual to about 30 years or until 2054, according to Marroco in its fiscal 2023 financial update to investors. Barclays analyst Jain Gaurav said in a Dec. 6 report to investors that he was not optimistic that the revamped British American Tobacco management would be able to provide a needed short term share-price boost. BATs new management under Marroco, similar to previous management under Jack Bowles, seems to be relying on its being the largest tobacco company to help it win in all its divisions cigarettes, heated tobacco, modern oral and even cannabis. We struggle to see how new long-only investors would find BAT a more attractive investment today than some of its peers. High risk, high reward The prevailing theory behind tying chief executives compensation foremost to stock and stock-option awards is that they would be more inclined to be prudent with shareholder value potentially taking less risk if their own compensation is weighted primarily toward performance. Although stock and stock-option awards are required to be reported annually to the Securities and Exchange Commission, they often are accumulated and paid out over multiple years. It also doesnt mean that executives receive the amount declared in each proxy filing. The plus side is that when the share price of their corporations rise, often spurred by share-repurchase programs, they can receive or be made eligible for millions of dollars in current or future payouts. Company share-repurchase programs work to make the remaining outstanding shares more valuable. The negative side is that not only do those current and future payouts shrink with underperforming share prices, it can serve as the fuel for the heat underneath those hot seats. The Winston-Salem Journals 2022 annual review of the compensation packages paid primarily in the previous year highlighted 38 publicly-traded corporations and 15 nonprofit organizations based in the Triad or with major operations here. Of the 38 corporate chief executives in the analysis, 21 were paid at least $1 million in base salary. Yet, in most instances, their base salary typically ranked second and often third in their compensation categories behind stock and stock-option award in addition to incentive pay. Among chief executives with Triad ties who had $10 million-plus stock and stock-option award compensation were: Wells Fargos Charlie Scharf at $16.6 million; Raytheon Technologies Gregory Hayes ($15.7 million); Nucor Corp.s Leon Topalian ($13.6 million); Caterpillars Jim Umpleby ($13.5 million); and VF Corp.s Steven Randle ($10.2 million). Plath said that incentive-based stock awards and grants have become a massively disproportionate component of total executive compensation. The Gildan example The latest example occurred recently when Gildan Activewear announced that longtime president and chief executive Glenn Chamandy has left the company, effective immediately, after nearly 20 years. The basic apparel manufacturer said Vince Tyra will take over both executive posts in February 2024. Gildan, which has a significant manufacturing presence in the area, touted Tyras exceptional ability to drive growth and shareholder value while building strong teams and key relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. The 52-week share price range is $26.30 to $37.65. Meanwhile, Chamandy took the unusual step of posting a news release to present his side of the separation. It is unfortunate that my vision of the path forward has differed from that of other board members, he wrote. Chamandys total compensation for fiscal 2022 was down 14.8% to $9.8 million for fiscal 2022. His largest compensation category was stock awards, which were valued at $6.7 million on the date they were awarded compared with receiving no stock awards in fiscal 2021 and stock awards valued at $7.8 million in fiscal 2020. On Thursday, top-10 Gildan shareholder Browning West (3.86% ownership stake) sent a letter to Gildans board about Chamandys departure, saying he built Gildan into a dominant business with a strong culture and a wide competitive moat, derived primarily from low-cost manufacturing and vertically integrated operations. We were alarmed that the board abruptly terminated Mr. Chamandy as CEO without cause or a viable explanation. The boards poor handling of succession and questionable judgement when it comes to its most important responsibility and decision have put Gildans business and shareholders at great risk. We have learned that the primary reason for Mr. Chamandys termination was that he wanted to support the board in carrying out a thoughtful succession plan over the next few years while remaining CEO. It is imperative that the board acts in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders and moves immediately to implement our recommended actions before permanent damage is done. Those include reinstating Chamandy as chief executive, removing Donald Berg as chairman immediately and replace him with board member Craig Leavitt and appoint Browning West co-founder Peter Lee to the board. If the board does not act with urgency, we will consider exercising our rights as a shareholder, including with respect to requisitioning a special meeting to reconstitute the board, the firm said. Michael McCully, an economics professor at High Point University, said who knows what is happening at Gildan, but since Chamandy brought up how his family founded the company (in 1984), it is yet another illustration of the two-edged sword associated with going public with the stock (in 1997). Money from the stock market has helped the company grow rapidly, but apparently left the founders with a minority stake. So the founder(s) become vulnerable to removal in this situation. ProKidneys strategy ProKidney disclosed in May the potential mammoth stock reward benefits to its executive-management team and certain board members if its clinical research of chronic kidney disease reaches fruition. The Winston-Salem company, which has 80 employees, announced plans a month later to establish a biomanufacturing plant with staged investments of up to $458 million in Greensboro. The company pledged to create up to 330 jobs by the end of 2028. And in September, ProKidney announced it will expand its Winston-Salem laboratory, manufacturing and office operations by making a $21 million capital investment and creating 50 jobs by 2027. However, its share price has been on the lower end recently of a 52-week range of $1.12 to $14.19. Former chief executive Tim Bertram was paid $600,000 in base salary during fiscal 2022 up 22.6% from fiscal 2021. He was paid $344,270 in incentive pay after receiving none in 2021. Where the mammoth potential compensation comes into play is ProKidney reported Bertram being eligible for $28.2 million in stock-option awards and $16.9 million in stock awards. ProKidney noted in the filing that the stock and stock-option awards amounts represent the accounting costs of these awards and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the named executive officer. The company also said its executive compensation is designed to align senior managements interests with ProKidneys equity owners long-term interests through equity participation and ownership. However, in November, ProKidney announced the departures of Bertram and chief operating officer Deepak Jain without cause. Most legal analysts consider a termination without cause to signal there has not been any serious workplace misconduct by the affected executive. Other examples 22nd Century Group Inc. recently turned to new chief executives in hopes of gaining a fresh perspective or to jump start enthusiasm for its flailing share price amid ambitious growth plans. 22nd Century announced in November the hiring of Lawrence Firestone as its sixth full-time or interim chief executive since July 2019, as well as taking over as chairman. 22nd Centurys 52-week share price range is 20 cents to $18.98, the latter a factor of a 1-of-15 reverse stock split earlier this year. At HanesBrands, Chief Executive Stephen Bratspies and its board of directors are facing increasing pressure from activist investor Barington Capital Group to consider selling off the Champion apparel brand to spur at least a short-term profit and share-price boost. A decision is expected in early 2024. Baringtons goal is reversing a major share-price decline this year. Its 52-week share price range is $3.54 to $8.80. Barington also has been pushing for major organizational changes, including potentially replacing Bratspies. In November, HanesBrands agreed to expand its board of directors temporarily by three members representing Barington Capital. Mark Vitner, chief economist with Piedmont Crescent Capital, said the sudden rash of CEO departures may be a symptom of slowing economic growth. While overall growth has been strong this past year, much of the growth has been at businesses that cater to upper-income households, which still have significant savings built up during the pandemic. Middle- and lower-middle income households have been struggling this past year and that has weighed on discretionary spending. Two of the Triads three primary hospitals are meeting federal standards for transparency pricing established in 2021, bucking an overall non-compliance trend nationally. Public health advocacy group Patient Rights Advocate.org released last week its latest analysis of whether more than 2,000 hospitals nationwide are complying with pricing requirements set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is responsible for determining overall compliance in the 11 different categories: complete standard charge file; codes (of any type); gross charge; discounted cash price; negotiated minimum; negotiated maximum; negotiated rates; all payers and plans; 300 most common shoppable list; price estimate tool; and price estimate tool provides cash price. The latest review was conducted between May 9 and July 13. The group determined that just 36% hospitals nationwide are fully compliant with all requirements. That includes 25 of the 44 N.C. hospitals reviewed. The review included four Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist hospitals (the main Ardmore campus in Winston-Salem and facilities in Bermuda Run, High Point and North Wilkesboro), along with Novant Health Inc.s Forsyth Medical Center and Moses Cone Hospital. The main Baptist campus and its Bermuda Run and High Point facilities were in full compliance, along with Forsyth Medical Center. Wilkes Medical Center was found non-complaint in the categories of complete standard charge file and all payers and plans. The standard charge file fails to adequately identify specific plans for all commercial payers, according to the advocacy group. Moses Cone was found non-complaint in the categories of complete standard charge file and negotiated rates. The standard charges file fails to provide an adequate amount of negotiated rates, according to the advocacy group. State treasurer Dale Folwell, who has commissioned several State Health Plan studies on the states healthcare systems, said the recent news about hospital compliance shows that there is more work to do and that the standards, especially their nonprofit status needs more scrutiny. Background A major sticking point with hospital transparency pricing efforts remains that you can lead healthcare consumers to comparative details, but can you get them to shop? The advocacy group said the Hospital Price Transparency Rule is intended to empower healthcare consumers patients, employers and unions as purchasers with ease of access to compare prices. All purchasers can then use prices to benefit from competition and be protected from overcharges, ultimately to drive down their costs of care and coverage. The federal rule requires hospitals to post all prices online, easily accessible and searchable, in the form of a single machine-readable standard charges file pricing for all items, services and drugs by all payers and all plans. The group said that although the majority of hospitals have posted files, the widescale noncompliance of 64% of hospitals is due to most hospitals files being incomplete, or not having prices clearly associated with both payer and plan. Continued noncompliance impedes the ability of employer and union purchasers, patients and technology developers to analyze and compare prices. The group chided CMS for its enforcement focus, saying in February that CMS acknowledged in a blog post that 30% of hospitals nationwide were still noncompliant. As of the time of this report, a total of four hospitals have been penalized 0.2% of the hospitals that CMS recognized as noncompliant, the group said. Clearly, CMS is not strongly enforcing the rule. CMS prioritizing timely, robust, immediate enforcement with significant, meaningful penalties especially toward the major hospital systems that our analysis found to be flouting the law is desperately needed to enable a truly functional, competitive market in healthcare. U.S. House bill On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed by a 320-71 vote the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act that aims for changes to make pricing clearer and site-neutral. U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is among the three primary co-sponsors of House Resolution 5378. According to a synopsis, the bill requires health care providers and insurers to disclose certain information about health care costs. It establishes requirements for certain payment methodologies under Medicare and Medicaid and extends several public health programs. For example, the bill provides statutory authority for regulations that require hospitals to annually publish their prices and related information, including the discounted cash price and negotiated charges. The bill also specifically extends these requirements to clinical laboratories, imaging service providers, and ambulatory surgical centers that participate in Medicare. The bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers under Medicaid. It also requires Medicare payments for certain drug administration services at off-campus hospital outpatient departments to be the same as that for other provider settings (i.e., physician offices). Foxx said in a news release accompanying the House vote that HR5378 is all about empowering patients and their families ... an enormous step forward to improving the American health care system. Every patient should be able to navigate the health care market with ease. This bill makes that vision a reality by building on the success of the Trump administrations price transparency rules for plans and hospitals, making PBM activities more transparent, and ensuring employers have the information they need to make smart choices on behalf of their employees. Atrium response Of the 17 Atrium Health hospitals reviewed in North Carolina, three were listed as non-compliant Wilkes Medical Center, Union and Union West. Atrium said in a statement that since the inception of the federal hospital transparency requirements, it has been diligent in its efforts to meet both the spirit and the letter of the law. Its unclear what the groups true intent is in publishing this list, but it is clear its analysis is flawed. As we use the same files across our footprint, its not possible for some to be in compliance and others not. We confirmed our files were uniform when this group erroneously published its list this past summer. Atrium cited a Nov. 22 CMS report in which it said that only CMS can make a determination as to a hospitals compliance with the HPT (hospital price transparency) requirements. To publish ad hoc lists of this nature fundamentally misrepresents the existing rules and serves only to advance misinformation often solely to further the publishing organizations preferred narrative. We are continuing to monitor for any changes in the requirements at either the federal and state levels, but are proud to be in compliance with the existing regulations. Atrium became part of Advocate Health in December 2022. The advocacy group reviewed 38 Advocate Health-affiliated hospitals, finding 29 in compliance and nine non-compliant. Patient Rights Advocate responded to the Atrium criticism with a statement saying that when we compile our semi-annual report, we analyze all publicly available data and base compliance analysis on the criteria clearly laid out in the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule. We applaud Atrium Health for its continued commitment to providing their patients with transparent prices, and look forward to giving them any assistance necessary to bring all hospitals into full compliance. Novant, Cone response All three of Novants hospitals reviewed Forsyth, Presbyterian in Charlotte and New Hanover in Wilmington were in full compliance. We are committed to helping our patients fully understand every aspect of their care from care coordination and treatment plans to cost planning and counseling, Novant said in statement. Novant Health takes compliance with these federal regulations seriously, and we are proud that our teams were able to meet the deadline established by CMS and simultaneously develop two tools to ensure greater price transparency. Both the online price estimator tool and our negotiated rates with insurers have been available on our website for more than two years. Novant recommends that consumers utilize the online price estimator tool at NovantHealth.org/CostEstimates. This calculator takes into account an individuals insurance coverage along with other factors that may impact the cost of their care, like where they are during their plan year, whether or not theyve met their deductible, and what their out-of-pocket maximum is, Novant said. Receiving a price estimate for our services should be a simple and convenient process with resources, like our financial navigators, and additional context readily available so patients can make the most informed health care choices possible. Moses Cone was the lone Cone Health hospital reviewed. Cone said in a statement that it understands and believes in the importance of providing pricing information so that consumers can make better decisions about health care. While we consider ourselves fully compliant with CMS regulations on hospital price transparency, there is always room for improvement. We continue to refine the availability of information for our consumers based on feedback from the community, while maintaining regulatory compliance. State Health Plan report The majority of the states 140 hospitals are being accused of massive price markups of up to 1,120% on routine care and basic services, along with a lack of pricing transparency, in the latest in a series of State Health Plan-sponsored reports on healthcare systems. According to the 19-page report released Sept. 16, SHP researchers reviewed hospital prices and hospital compliance with federal price transparency rules addressing 16 common shoppable services. The report leads with too many North Carolina hospitals are violating federal rules to hide their prices from patients. The anticompetitive infractions thwart patients ability to make informed decisions about their health care. The study was commissioned by Folwell as part of his push against the states not-for-profit healthcare systems. It is at least the sixth such report since October 2021. Folwell, a two-term state treasurer, is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2024. The state treasurer has oversight authority of the SHP, which covers more than 727,000 participants that include current and retired state employees, teachers and legislators. It is North Carolinas largest purchaser of medical and pharmaceutical services. Patients are under siege in North Carolina, Folwell said. Too many hospitals continue to give the middle finger to presidential executive orders. According to the latest SHP report, 71 of the 140 hospitals reviewed disclosed commercial insurance prices for the 16 medical procedure categories, while 59 disclosed the out-of-pocket costs. Thousands of families have lost their upward mobility to hospital lawsuits, but we dont even know if they were sued over inflated prices, Folwell said. When patients tried to fight back, they argued that they could not even tell whether they had been charged a fair price. In January 2023, the state Attorney Generals Office released a statement that said the Triads three main healthcare systems Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health and Novant Health Inc. are in full compliance with meeting federal regulations to improve price transparency for patients. Meanwhile, 16 hospitals were not compliant with the requirement that they provide a machine-readable list of services and prices. Hospitals listed in that category are Alleghany, Ashe, Hugh Chatham in Elkin, Northern in Mount Airy and Randolph in Asheboro. The N.C. Healthcare Association typically has responded to Folwell-sponsored healthcare system reports by citing primarily patient billing policies and procedures. NCHA and our members support transparency so consumers can make better-informed decisions. It is the right thing to do and is in the best interests of our patients and communities, the NCHA said in a statement. This effort toward pricing transparency is a work in progress, the NCHA said. KEARNEY As it is every Christmas season, Hoovers Jewelers at 2106 Central Avenue is twinkling with Christmas lights. But this year, a closing sign is posted on the front door. After 25 years at its current location and 35 years in Kearney, the store will close in early 2024. Its owners are retiring. We never thought about selling it. New owners might change it, Linda Griffiths said. She has owned the store with her husband Randy ever since it opened at Hilltop Mall in 1988. I love the store, the business, the people I work with, everything, she said. Everything we do here is a celebration of a life or an occasion. Jewelry is given to another person because someone loves someone. Hoovers Jewelers was founded by Herb and Bunny Hoover in North Platte in 1930. Griffiths father Bonny worked for them and became proficient as a watchmaker and a bench jeweler. He eventually became a partner in the business, and when the Hoovers retired, Bonny bought the store. He retrained the Hoovers Jewelers name because it was so well-known in North Platte. At the time, two Hoovers stores were located there. Like her siblings, Griffiths grew up in the industry. She worked at the store as a teenager, but did not expect to make it her career. After graduating from high school, she briefly attended Kearney State College. I didnt know what I wanted to do, so I left college, went home and went to beauty school. I did hair for a brief time, but I knew that wasnt what I wanted to do, either, she said. She resumed working in her parents store. I loved doing jewelry, she said, so she went to Santa Monica, California, to earn a gemology degree at the Gemological Institute of America. After studying watch repair in Paris, Texas, she returned to California to study jewelry arts and learned the process of making jewelry. When she and Randy moved to Kearney, they opened Hoovers at Hilltop Mall in 1988. Ten years later, they moved the store to Central Avenue downtown. Linda works there full-time. The couples grown daughter, their only child, helps out part-time. Randy owns and operates Griffiths Construction. This is a fun business, Griffiths said. Some of her pieces are designed here, but she buys others at annual jewelry markets or from vendors. She can also help customers design custom pieces. Griffiths has watched the jewelry business change over the last 35 years. Jewelry stores no longer sell class rings. Schools do that instead. Colored diamonds are growing in popularity. Some people like colors better than white diamonds, she said. Her best sellers are anything with diamonds. Many diamonds now are grown in a lab rather than dug out of a mine. As she posts store closing signs, she nostalgically recalls many memorable customers, like the older couple, each widowed, who married after a whirlwind romance. It was very unique and exciting, she said. Another longtime customer and his wife have been married nearly 40 years, and he adores her. He enjoys spoiling her after all these years. You wish every husband was that way with his wife, she said. Griffiths enjoys younger customers, too, like students from the University of Nebraska at Kearney she has come to know. They often leave town after they graduate, but when they return to see friends or family, they stop in. Looking back, she appreciates her education in the basics of making and repairing jewelry. She knew her talents lay in other parts of the business, but You have to know how to fix it. Thats important, she said. Estimating the cost of repairs is part of the day-to-day business in a jewelry store. The hardest part of the industry is doing repairs. You have to look at a piece and think ahead, to what it should look like afterward. Repairs make up between 30 and 40 percent of their business. Griffiths can do minor repairs, but she leaves that to expert employees. Her staff includes two full-time employees and several part-time workers. She knows she will miss everything about the shop and the business after she retires, but I will try to get my house in order, she said. It will be the end of the line for Hoovers Jewelers. Both North Platte stores are now closed. In the meantime, shes busy with Christmas customers, who flock to Hoovers this time of year seeking gifts and engagement rings. When Hoovers Jewelers store was at Hilltop Mall, she sometimes worked from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. in a single day during the holidays. Griffiths has loved the downtown location, not only for more convenient hours no evenings or Sundays but because downtown is thriving. Downtown is very strong. Kearney is lucky to have a good, strong downtown, she said. When she and Randy stop for a gallon of milk at the grocery store, the people we see are our customers and friends. That type of uniquely wonderful experience cant be found just anywhere. We have really loved being part of the Kearney community. Top Journal Star photos for December 2023 Walter Cronin helped North Platte-area leaders decide a year ago what type of agribusiness they wanted for the Port of the Plains rail parks first tenant. Then he set up one that fit the bill. White River Soy Processing LLC grew from his participation in the 2022 feasibility study of building a soybean crush plant at the planned rail park outside Hershey, the Omaha firms co-founder and president said Wednesday. White River Soy and the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. on Dec. 8 announced Cronins firm would have exclusive rights through November 2024 to develop a soybean crush plant or an oilseed swing plant that also could handle soft seeds like camelina. It really started out with the chamber reaching out to me about the rail park at Hershey and (whether) it makes sense to pursue soybean processing, said Cronin, who has some 35 years of trading experience in grain, oilseed, protein meal and vegetable oil. He said soy oil from a Hershey plant would be shipped out to produce biodiesel additives, renewable diesel a replacement for petroleum diesel or salad oils for salad dressing and frying French fries and other foods. Soybean meal is used as pork, poultry and aquaculture feed. White River Soy now must raise project capital, a process Cronin said could take a year to 18 months. Production at Hershey likely wouldnt start before 2027, he said. His firms initial investment in Lincoln County could rival the $325 million-plus going into North Plattes Sustainable Beef LLC plant, now on target for a 2025 opening. A 3,000-metric-ton-a-day soybean crush plant typically costs about $400 million to build, Cronin said. Such a plant at the rail park probably would employ 45 to 50 people. Hes bullish on its prospects because Hershey sits at the west edge of the U.S. soybean belt. Its closest to California renewable diesel refineries and Rocky Mountain markets for soybean meal. With both Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific Railroad nearby, wed have the advantages of the fastest movement to the West Coast and the cheapest freight rates, Cronin said. And its a tremendous opportunity to reach up into Wyoming, Colorado (and) Utah to reach the growing demand for soybean meal. Following the Dec. 8 announcement, the North Platte chamber board voted Tuesday to exercise its purchase options for a half-dozen parcels just east of Hershey as the rail parks 300-acre core, said President and CEO Gary Person. That doesnt include the former 34-acre site and U.P. rail spur of Greenbrier Rail Services, which the chamber bought as rail-park headquarters with $4.5 million from Lincoln Countys share of federal COVID-19 relief. That site also will be home base for the Nebraska International Port of the Plains inland port authority, intended by the chamber and county leaders to operate the rail park. The authoritys board held its first meeting in July. Person said Cronin has been a key advisor on the rail-park project since banker and chamber board Chairman Cory Johanson reached out to Nebraska soybean growers in fall 2021. That led organizers to Cronin, then part of the Omaha-based RLA Consulting Group, which found a great opportunity and limited risk for a Hershey soy plant in its feasibility study. Walter also convinced us to do the feasibility study to add credibility to the effort, Person said. Hes been an advocate since we first identified him as someone with expertise with soybeans. Cronin, a Chicago native, moved to Omaha in 2010. He spent 11 years there with Green Plains Renewable Energy, an agritech firm that processes corn and other crops into high-value feed, specialty alcohols and low-carbon fuel. He was Green Plains chief commercial officer when he left in 2021. RLA, which proved to be his transition job, united engineers, agronomists and commercial specialists with some 240 years experience in soy processing. After RLA finished the rail parks feasibility study, Person said, the North Platte chamber reached out to about every soybean plant in America to gauge interest in west central Nebraska. But Cronin kept talking with chamber officials even as he decided to organize his own soy processing firm and pursue the rail parks initial anchor slot himself. As they negotiated, he said, Missouri-based Benson Hill Inc. offered to sell fledgling White River its 850-metric-ton-per-day soybean crush plant in Seymour, Indiana, south of Indianapolis. That $36 million deal closed Oct. 31. That opportunity came to me. I didnt pursue that, Cronin said. But having the Seymour facility is going to make the (Hershey) capital raise much easier. The Indiana plant processes both genetically modified and non-GMO soybeans, he said. White Rivers rail-park plant likewise would handle both. RLAs feasibility study looked only at a crush plant capable of handling 3,000 metric tons a day. Thats still a strong possibility, Cronin said, but the renewable fuels industry has been showing interest in camelina-based renewable diesel over the last year. Camelina, a short-season annual, is native to Europe and central Asia but grown throughout the world. Shell has taken major steps to promote it as a biofuel source, Cronin said. So I went back to the chamber and said one of the things we could contemplate is a smaller facility, a 1,000-ton (per day) facility, that could process small seeds like camelina but also process soybeans, he said. Building the Hershey plant with that potential could help introduce another cash crop to western Nebraska, Cronin added. But the acreage and production (of camelina) is going to be small at inception. A 1,000-metric-ton swing plant costs about $125 million, but additional plants can be built and linked to the initial one, he said. At the end of the day, its in the hands of the investors to decide whats the best facility to invest in. Employment at a Hershey crush plant would be about the same regardless of its daily capacity, he added. A Blair man was arrested Friday night after a 17-hour standoff with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team near West Point, according to a press release. James Hynes, 70, was arrested after a warrant was issued and the Nebraska State Patrol Swat team was put into action. He was charged with making terroristic threats and obstruction, but there could be additional charges, according to the press release. Around 5 a.m. Friday, the Cuming County Sheriff's Office called in Nebraska State Patrol for assistance on a person threating self-harm who had multiple firearms and threated to harm others within the past week. Hynes was found in a deer blind in a field west of the Elkhorn River, with no threat to the public. Troopers used drones and crisis negotiators, until Hynes left the deer blind around 2 p.m. Friday with a firearm and shot down the drone. The State Patrol said Hynes fired several more rounds throughout the standoff and made more threatening statements. Troopers used chemical munitions in an attempt to force him to exit the deer blind but were unsuccessful. At around 10 p.m. Friday, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team pushed the deer blind onto its side and Hynes surrendered. Hynes was arrested shortly after without incident and was medically cleared at a hospital in West Point. He is currently lodged in Thurston County Jail. Top Journal Star photos for December 2023 RAYMOND A proposal for a large truck stop along Interstate 94 is being revived, despite neighborhood opposition that sent the development toward the exit ramp earlier this year. Road Ranger LLC has approached village officials about reconsidering the jumbo-sized complex at the corner of I-94 and County Highway G. The $15 million development would constitute Road Rangers largest outlet, with restaurants, a playground and other amenities in an area that attracts about 100,000 motorists a day. A divided Raymond Village Board voted 3-2 against the project in May after hearing from several neighbors who worried that the truck stop would disrupt the area with traffic, noise and pollution. Village President Kari Morgan said a Road Ranger representative has contacted the village about plans to submit the proposal for reconsideration in January or February. Morgan said she had no details indicating whether the development has undergone changes. I cant speak to a possible approval or denial without seeing what has been submitted, she said. Road Ranger vice president Ryan Arnold said the Illinois-based company has continued doing studies and other due diligence in hopes of reaching an agreement on the Raymond development. Arnold said the company is seeking a deal thats good for both Raymond and Road Ranger. We are still extremely excited about this location, and would love to be a part of the town of Raymond, he said. Based in Schaumburg, the company has 47 truck stops, including three in Wisconsin, the nearest in East Troy. The proposed Raymond travel plaza would constitute a new concept, with a bigger operation and more services than other Road Rangers. At 17,000 square feet, the store at 2058 27th St. would be the companys largest and could create about 50 jobs. Village officials debated the economic benefits and potential neighborhood disturbances before voting against the rezoning and permitting needed for the development. At the time, Road Rangers officials said they hoped to try again. Morgan said she had heard nothing from the company before being contacted last week. 10 interstate highways with the most fatalities 10 interstate highways with the most fatalities #10. I-15 #9. I-70 #8. I-35 #7. I-5 #6. I-20 #5. I-80 #4. I-75 #3. I-40 #2. I-10 #1. I-95 WATERFORD Village leaders are asking Waterford residents if they would support tax increases for the library or fire department two areas where budget cuts this year created an uproar. The questions are part of the Stakeholder 2024 Survey, which the village is asking residents to complete by March 1. Your opinion is important to us in making decisions about the future of our village, the survey states. Village officials came under heavy criticism because of budget belt-tightening in both the Waterford Public Library and the Waterford Fire Department. After the village cut library support from $300,000 to $200,000, library backers criticized the move, which forced a reduction in library operating hours, including closing on Saturdays. Similar backlash surfaced after the fire department cited budget cuts for manpower reductions, leaving the department ill-equipped to handle certain types of emergencies without outside help. Members of the Village Board in July assured the fire chief that they would consider holding a public referendum to increase spending on fire protection and ambulance services. In the survey, respondents are asked whether they would support raising taxes 12-14% to boost manpower in the firehouse. Another question asks about support for a referendum proposing a 4% property tax increase for the library. Respondents also are asked about a tax increase to fund repairs on Jefferson Street. Elsewhere, the survey asks respondents to use a 1-5 scale to rank priorities that include lower tax rates. And the survey offers multiple choices of higher taxes, reduced services or other options for the fire department, the library and other village services, including police, roads and parks. Like all households, the Village of Waterford needs to live within its budget, the survey states. What this means in planning for the village budget is the need to establish priorities. Village officials have not yet announced how the survey is being distributed. Photos: Union Grove library treats kids to a preschool story time and craft activity Sara Grabarec youth services librarian at Graham Public Library in Union Grove Nanny Gaby Perron with Landon and Kinsley Berghuis at library story time Lazarus Miller and brother Ezekiel Miller together at Union Grove library story time Latisha Zeyen and her son, Isaac, 3, at Union Grove library story time and craft activity Lazarus Miller sits front and center during story time at Union Grove library Toddler Kinsley Berghuis snuggles with her nanny during Union Grove library story time Tyler Miller with his son, Ezekiel, 4, at Union Grove library story time Isaac Zeyen, 3, works on a paper truck during craft activity at Union Grove library 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 Flash Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), addresses the jubilee gala marking the 50th anniversary of USCBC in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday evening, reflecting on the past 50 years of the U.S.-China commercial relationship while looking forward to the next half-century. Craig Allen, president of the USCBC, looked back at the council's history at a gala dinner. "To this day, the mission of USCBC remains unchanged. Our mission is to advocate for American companies doing business in China, to expand the overall bilateral U.S.-China commercial relationship," Allen told an audience of over 500 leaders from the U.S. business, political, diplomatic, and academic communities. In a congratulatory message to the USCBC's Jubilee Gala, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the world is undergoing major transformation unseen in a century. Whether China and the United States can work hand in hand to tackle the challenges together concerns the interests of the two peoples and the future of humanity, Xi said. The past 50 years have witnessed the two countries' persistent and joint pursuit of partnership and mutual benefit despite the twists and turns, Xi said, expressing hope that the USCBC and its member companies will build more bridges for friendly exchanges between the two countries, cultivate more bonds for practical cooperation, and help write a new chapter of win-win cooperation in the next 50 years. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng addresses the jubilee gala marking the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden also sent a congratulatory message to the USCBC event, appreciating the USCBC's five decades of effort in supporting commercial relations between the two countries. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng, and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns attended the gala dinner and delivered speeches. "The most heartwarming development recently is the successful summit meeting between President Xi and President Biden in San Francisco. It has added stability to China-U.S. relations at a critical moment, and injected positive energy into a turbulent and transforming world," Xie said. Xie said that it is important to honor commitments, and implement the common understandings reached at the San Francisco summit, to keep business cooperation from being politicized, to complement each other, and to expand the list of mutually beneficial cooperation. Allen, in his remarks, said that "history teaches us that economics underpins global geopolitical stability and that attempts to undermine economic interdependence can lead to greater global geopolitical instability." Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the USCBC is a non-governmental trade organization established by the U.S. side before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It has long been committed to promoting the development of China-U.S. relations and bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The council now represents more than 200 American companies that do business with China. Regardless of your age, Im guessing most of us are familiar with John Lennon, the former Beatle. Even though he has been gone for more than 40 years, we hear his music all the time. In his song Beautiful Boy Darling Boy Lennon borrows a phrase from writer Allen Saunders: Life is what happens to you while youre busy making other plans. Before coming to UW-Parkside some 20 years ago, I had no exposure to higher education as a career. Higher education was not part of the plan and interim chancellor was definitely not on my radar. Yet, when I addressed the UW-Parkside 2023 Winter Graduating Class this weekend it was because Ive had the privilege of serving in that role for the past several months. Life is what happens to you while youre busy making other plans. I earned my M.B.A. from UW-Parkside in 2010. In addition to a quality education, the experience allowed me to see first-hand the dedication and commitment of UW-Parkside faculty and staff. Thats how I know our graduates are prepared for success as they face the challenges and opportunities ahead even if they are not, right now, part of the plan. For more than 50 years, UW-Parkside has prepared the communities of southeastern Wisconsin for new challenges and opportunities. Of the universitys 30,000-plus graduates, roughly 60 percent have stayed in our region and contribute on a daily basis with their talent and ideas. Because our graduates are prepared for change, they bring that skill set wherever they contribute. As a result, our communities are better prepared for change. Collectively, the more we learn and the more experience we gain, the more valuable we are as a community and the more opportunities will come our way. Some of those opportunities might include responsibilities that we may not like. I remember taking on a few responsibilities that I really disliked, and yet the knowledge I gained was invaluable. As a community we must accept new challenges and not be afraid to step out of our specific areas of interest. UW-Parkside graduates are prepared to help us meet the challenges ahead and they are willing to take on new responsibilities. But theres more. UW-Parkside graduates earned their academic credentials in one of Wisconsins most diverse educational environments. Students are encouraged to connect and build bridges with one another. That means they are prepared to contribute and include others in our diverse region. This year almost 450 eligible graduates were honored during our Winter Commencement. We conferred 166 masters degrees 50% more than the amount we awarded just three years ago. Similar to prior years, 52 percent of our graduates were the first in their families to earn a university degree; 27 percent represented minority populations; and about half came to UW-Parkside as transfer students. Over the past five years, UW-Parkside has conferred nearly 4,500 degrees. The university continues moving forward toward its bold goal of 50 percent more graduates by 2025! UW-Parkside transforms the lives of its students and graduates, and the lives of its faculty and staff. Together, with our neighbors, we are preparing our communities for change and new opportunities that may come our way. Flash Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L to R) attend a press conference during the European Council meeting in Brussels, Dec. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) European Union (EU) leaders grappled with divisions on critical issues during a two-day European Council meeting, failing to reach a unanimous agreement on financial aid to Ukraine and the call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting, which started on Thursday, had a primary focus on EU enlargement, a 50-billion-euro (54 billion U.S. dollars) funding package to aid Ukraine and the Gaza conflict. The most noteworthy outcome was the opening of membership accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The EU also granted Georgia the candidate country status, and agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. However, the EU faced internal discord as the agreement to open Ukraine's accession talks was not unanimous. The EU bypassed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's objections by getting him to leave the room. Orban announced on the social media platform X that Hungary did not wish to participate in the "bad decision" and stayed away from the decision. "Ukraine is not ready for EU membership," said Orban, adding that the country will have many opportunities to correct the decision. Jasmin Mujanovic, a political scientist, said on X that Brussels's move was "purely symbolic" and "Ukraine and Moldova will be lucky if they get in by 2055." Russia said the EU's move was absolutely a politicized decision. "Negotiations to join the EU can last for years or decades. The EU has always had strict criteria for accession, and it is obvious that at the moment neither Ukraine nor Moldova meets these criteria," said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Orban also vetoed a proposed 50-billion-euro allocation from the EU budget to Ukraine. He suggested that the EU will come back to the issue next year in the European Council meeting after proper preparation. Orban told state radio that the country should not send any more money to finance the conflict. Regarding the Middle East situation, the EU members have long been divided over the Israel-Palestine issue. Austria and Germany are among Israel's supporters, as their leaders had visited Israel to show solidarity, while Spain and Ireland often showed empathy for the Palestinian people. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Ireland insisted on a Gaza ceasefire, highlighting the EU's lack of a unified position on the Israel-Palestine conflict has repercussions for its global reputation. "We've lost credibility with the Global South, which actually is most of the world, because what it perceived to be double standards," Varadkar said, "and there's truth in that, quite frankly." "The killing of innocent civilians really needs to stop," said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. He added that the EU must unite if it wants to play a serious role in the conflict. "I think we have to because we will be wearing the consequences if things go further in a bad direction," he said. United Nations delegates from nearly 200 countries recently held a climate meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The delegates agreed that the world must move away from fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. The U.N. meeting on climate change is called COP28 this year. Recently, The Associated Press gave details about some of the main results of notable climate talks over almost 30 years: The Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol was the third high-level U.N. climate meeting. It took place in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. The agreement asked 41 countries that produced a lot of carbon gases to cut their emissions by about five percent compared to their emission levels in 1990. Countries agreed to some of the terms in the Kyoto Protocol by 2005. The United States and China, however, did not approve the agreement. Those countries have the worlds two largest economies and produce the largest amount of carbon gases. The Kyoto Protocol was not successful by some measures. Emissions have greatly increased since then. But it is the first time so many U.N. members agreed that carbon gases were a problem. Copenhagens money for the climate The 2009 climate meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark is widely seen as a failure. Developing and developed countries disagreed on cutting emissions and whether poor nations could use oil, natural gas, and coal to grow their economies. However, wealthy countries promised to send $100 billion a year to developing countries. The money was to be used for green technology by 2020. Green technology often describes energy technology that does not produce pollution when it is used. But wealthy nations did not reach their goal of $100 billion by the start of the 2020s. That led to criticism from developing countries and environmentalists. In 2022, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, an international economic group, said wealthy countries probably reached their $100-billion goal. But the British nonprofit group Oxfam said 70 percent of the money was in the form of loans. It said the loans increased debt problems in developing countries. Also, an increasing number of weather-related disasters are blamed on climate change. Experts say the money promised is not enough. British economist Nicholas Stern said that developing countries likely need $2 trillion every year by 2030 for climate projects and recovery. The Paris agreement The Paris Agreement is widely considered the single biggest U.N. agreement on climate change. In 2015, about 196 nations agreed to keep atmospheric warming well below 2 degrees Celsius since, what the agreement calls, pre-industrial times. Later, the goal became limiting warming no higher than 1.5 degrees Celsius. The U.N. says the Paris agreement is a legally binding international treaty, meaning that it has the force of law in countries that approve it. But there do not appear to be punishments for countries that do not follow its rules. Today, the goal of limiting the rise of the atmospheres temperature to 1.5 degrees is still central to climate discussions. U.N. experts say the worlds temperature has not passed the limit set in the Paris agreement. The U.N. says it has warmed from 1.1 to 1.2 degrees Celsius since the early 1800s. But it says the atmosphere will reach the 1.5-degree limit soon unless large cuts in emissions are made quickly. Glasgow and coal Six years after the Paris agreement, climate officials wanted another agreement to strengthen the levels agreed upon in 2015. The meeting in Glasgow, Scotland was put off until 2021. It was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting included protests led by teenaged climate activist Greta Thunberg. She helped lead a worldwide movement of youth activists demanding more action from leaders. In Glasgow, countries agreed to phase-down coal use. That is different from saying phase-out. India and China, two of the worlds biggest coal users, pressed for the change. So far, most countries have failed to meet the promises they made at the Glasgow deal. Emissions from coal have increased and most major coal-using countries have yet to slow use of the fuel. Loss and damage in Sharm el-Sheikh Last year, climate talks took place in the Egyptian vacation town of Sharm el-Sheikh. There, countries agreed to create a fund for poor nations for the first time. Delegates agreed to a loss and damage fund. Its aim was to provide money to countries that suffered damage from severe weather events. Delegates at the COP27 meeting called for the fund to be created after a flood in Pakistan killed an estimated 2,000 people and caused billions of dollars in losses. The fund was officially created on the first day of this years talks in Dubai. Over $700 million has been promised. Giving to the fund is voluntary. U.N. climate experts say billions of dollars are needed because of weather-related events like cyclones, rising sea levels, floods and droughts. The experts blame the extreme events on increasing temperatures in Earths atmosphere. Im Gena Bennett. And I'm Gregory Stachel. Guaurav Saini And Sibi Arasu reported this story for The Associated Press with Press Trust of India. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ___________________________________________________ Words in This Story emission n. the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source phase out phr. v. to stop using, making, or doing (something) gradually over a period of time fund n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose An early version of Mickey Mouse, the famous Disney character, will soon belong to you, me and everybody else. The mouse that started a Hollywood empire, along with several other characters, movies, and books will enter the public domain on January 1st. Public domain is the term to describe creative works that are no longer protected by U.S. copyright law. Once a work enters the public domain, it can legally be shared, performed, reused, or repurposed without permission or cost. Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse, first appeared publicly in the 1928 film Steamboat Willie. Copyright law at the time provided protection for 75 years. But in 1998, U.S. law extended copyright protection for another 20 years. Jennifer Jenkins is head of Duke Universitys Center for the Study of Public Domain. Jenkins says copyright law is sometimes called the Mickey Mouse Protection Act. As the character is about to enter the public domain, she says This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because its kind of symbolic. In a statement, the Disney Company told The Associated Press, Ever since Mickey Mouses first appearance in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated the character with Disneys stories, experiences, and authentic products. The company added, More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, People will only be able to use the version of the mouse in Steamboat Willie that has become public. However, observers expect the courts to be busy in the coming years judging what is inside and outside Disneys ownership. Disney also holds a trademark on Mickey to represent the company and its brand. That law bars the use of the character as a Disney product identifier for anyone except Disney. Others in the public domain Another famous animal character, Tigger, will also join his friend Winnie the Pooh in the public domain. The bouncing tiger first appeared in the book The House at Pooh Corner by British writer A.A. Milne. It turns 96 in January. The silly old bear Pooh, himself, became public property two years ago when Milnes book Winnie the Pooh came of age. The soft-spoken bear, no longer protected by copyright, is seen terrorizing women in this years horror film Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. Other creative works entering the U.S. public domain are Charlie Chaplins film Circus, Virginia Woolfs book Orlando, and Eugene ONeills play Long Days Journey into Night. I'm Caty Weaver. Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story empire - n. a large group of businesses under the control of one person or company authentic - adj. real, true and accurate symbolic - adj. representing an idea or quality expiration - n. the fact of coming to an end or no longer valid American researchers have combined lab-grown human brain tissue with computer hardware to create a working biocomputer. The scientists say brain cells used in the experiment were able to recognize speech and complete simple math problems. The team made brain-like tissue that took the form of what they called a brain organoid. Harvard Universitys Stem Cell Institute explains that an organoid is a collection of individualized, complex cells that can be grown from stem cells in a lab. Under the right laboratory conditions, organoids can be made to look and even work similarly to real human tissue and organs. In this process, stem cells can follow their own genetic instructions to self-organize, the Stem Cell Institute says. So far, scientists have been able to produce organoids that look like, or resemble, some organs. These organs include the brain, kidney, lung, stomach and liver. Such lab-created organoids are generally used to study how organs work without needing to experiment on actual organs. In the biocomputer experiment, the team said stem cells were able to form neurons similar to those found in the human brain. Neurons are electrically charged cells that transport signals to the brain and other parts of the body. Feng Guo led the experiment. He is a bioengineer and professor of Intelligent System Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington. His team recently published their research results in a study in Nature Electronics. The researchers attached the brain organoid to a set of traditional electronic computing circuits. The researchers call this system Brainoware. The system was used to establish communication between the organoid and electronic circuits. An artificial intelligence (AI) tool was used to help read the neural activity of the organoid. The scientists aim to build a bridge between AI and organoids, Guo explained to Nature. Guo believes that combining organoids and computer circuits could provide additional speed and energy to improve the performance of AI computing systems. The study notes that adding human brain power might be able to help machines with the things they do not do as well as people. For example, the researchers said humans generally have a faster learning ability and use less energy thinking than computers do. During one part of the experiment, the team tested the Brainoware systems voice recognition ability. The team trained the system on 240 recordings of eight different voices. The researchers said the organoid produced different neural signals in reaction to the different voices. The accuracy level of the system reached 78 percent, Guo said. This is the first demonstration of using brain organoids [for computing], Guo told MIT Technology Review. He added, Its exciting to see the possibilities of organoids for biocomputing in the future. Guo said these results persuaded his team that a brain-computer system can work to improve computing performance, especially for some AI jobs. But he noted the best accuracy rates recorded by the Brainoware system were still below the accuracy rates of traditional AI networks. Guo said this is one of the things his team plans to try to improve. Lena Smirnova is a developmental neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She told Nature that more research will be needed to improve such systems. But she said, The study confirms some key theoretical ideas that could eventually make a biological computer possible. Smirnova noted that in earlier experiments, researchers have used other kinds of neuron cells to perform similar computational activities. But the latest study, she said, was the first to demonstrate this kind of performance in a brain organoid. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Nature Electronics, The Associated Press, Harvards Stem Cell Institute and MIT Technology Review. Quiz - Scientists Create Biocomputer with Lab-Grown Brain Tissue Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________ Words in This Story instruction n. a set of steps for how to do something circuit v. a complete circle an electric current travels around accurate adj. correct or exact theoretical adj. based on the ideas that relate to a subject, not the practical uses of that subject Imagine lower State Street in Madison as a Christmas market every December. Colorful lights adorn the trees and illuminate the street from above. Festive huts sell ornaments, crafts and holiday treats to streams of passersby. A student quartet plays holiday songs. Now imagine the bottom half of State Street as a summer hotspot, with small stages for local musicians, public art and poetry slams. Imagine sidewalk cafes, kiosks for local entrepreneurs and creative backdrops for selfies. Envision lower State Street however you want. Think big. Be creative. What would draw you and your family and friends to a pedestrian mall and urban park in this central and underutilized location? With city buses removed from lower State Street last summer, the public has a tremendous opportunity to engage, have fun and celebrate big events in this exciting space. To their credit, Madisons mayor and City Council are looking for public feedback as they prepare to test the concept of a pedestrian mall this summer. Please fill out a city survey at go.madison.com/survey. Then send your ideas for a future State Street mall to wsjopine@madison.com. The State Journal will publish a selection of responses. Please keep your response to 200 words or less and include your address and phone number for verification. You also can share your view at go.madison.com/lettertoeditor. The citys initial idea for lower State Street this summer is a pink flamingo theme with Flock to State branding. The flamingos hearken back to the 1979 prank when UW-Madison students covered Bascom Hill with more than 1,000 of the plastic birds. Maybe that works for longtime residents. But the goal should be to appeal to a broader demographic of residents and visitors. The new State Street mall should be a space for everyone in our community. Lets look forward, rather than to the past. We like the idea of pavement art so the river of concrete that dominates the street now looks more inviting. Planters seem fine to block the mall from traffic, though eventually stylish bollards that rise from and fall into the ground make more sense. The city should seek input from the organizers of other events that have energized public spaces in Madison. Restaurants on Pinckney Street near the Capitol Square have created a buzz with outdoor dining in what used to be parking spaces. Rob Dz Franklin created a free summer concert series on the top of State called Mad Lit, featuring local artists and vendors of color. The Madison Night Market is another strong example of drawing people into the street for food, handmade products and art. The city hopes to start its State Street experiment in May. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told the State Journal editorial board last month she wants to collect data before and after the test to better gauge impact. Thats a good idea. The city plans to survey residents and businesses about their experiences and track how many cellphones enter and stay in the area when the pedestrian mall is open. Eventually, the curbs along lower State Street need to go as part of a bigger and permanent pedestrian mall that truly feels like a park, similar to the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. State Street can be redesigned with an inconspicuous path for emergency vehicles and designated times for deliveries to stores. Imagine a grand promenade that not only delights tourists but creates a welcoming space that attracts all of Madison to Downtown. The possibilities are intriguing and just taking shape. City officials should keep the momentum going and listen to the public as this summers trial run blossoms. 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 The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rolled out incentives to encourage banks to extend loans or finance environment-friendly and sustainable projects. The BSPs Monetary Board approved additional temporary measures to incentivize banks to extend loans or finance investments for green or sustainable projects or activities, including transition financing for decarbonization. It part of the BSPs 11-point Sustainable Central Banking Strategy which aims to speed up the countrys transition towards a greener economy and fulfill its climate commitments. As a sustainable finance champion, the BSP will continue to play an active, enabling role in fostering the transition towards a sustainable economy, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said. We will identify and create appropriate incentives that are within our mandates empowering the banking system to steer capital flows toward growing green or sustainable investments and accelerate the development of solutions addressing just transition and adaptation-related challenges. he said. Under the approved measures, banks are allowed to extend loans for eligible green or sustainable projects or activities with a top-up 15 percent Single Borrowers Limit (SBL). The eligible projects or activities should meet any of the principles or eligible categories of projects as laid out in the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan on Green Ecosystems, Health and Food Security; Republic of the Philippines Sustainable Finance Framework; Philippine Sustainable Finance Guiding Principles; ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance; or Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Guidelines. The underlying project or activity should be legal and compliant with any Philippine environmental laws and regulations. An activity or prohibited activity may still be considered an eligible exposure if the same is an enabler of climate change mitigation. Banks are expected to adhere to the credit risk management guidelines, including the management of credit concentration risk, as well as adopt controls to protect their financial interest like the use of insurance or negative pledge covenant. The existing credit ceilings to related parties of banks or separate SBL for project finance are not covered by the regulatory incentive. Meanwhile, the applicable reserve requirement rate for green, social, sustainability or other sustainable bonds issued by banks should be gradually reduced to zero percent from the current 3 percent, as follows: a 200-basis point reduction in the first year from effectivity of the policy; and an additional 100-basis point reduction in the succeeding year for another 12 months. Such bond issuances should comply with the appropriate regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or other relevant regional or international standards acceptable to the market including but not limited to the issuances of the International Capital Markets Association or endorsement of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum. The issuing banks should also comply with the disclosure requirements in the Sustainable Finance Framework and not engage in greenwashing. The gradual and calibrated reduction in the reserve requirement rate for sustainable bonds does not constitute a change in the monetary policy stance but is envisioned solely to be a tool to promote sustainable finance, the BSP said. Both measures would be available to banks for a period of two years from the effectivity of the policy and may be further reviewed as warranted by circumstances. Based on an ad hoc survey conducted by the BSP, 75 percent of respondent universal and commercial banks financed or approved loans supporting green or sustainable projects totaling P830 billion and $14 million as of end-June 2022, representing about 7 percent of the Philippine banking systems total loan portfolio. The top five green/sustainable activities or projects supported by these banks are renewable energy, sustainable water and wastewater management, energy efficiency and green buildings. An industry group said exports of garments, textile and apparel are expected to rise 2 percent to $1.33 billion by the middle of 2024 as manufacturers expand into new markets to boost revenues. Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) president Robert Young said 2024 would not be an easy year for the sector amid Russias invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war causing disturbances in the supply chain. We are now looking for some other countries in South America and in the Middle East. We are now talking to them which somehow can add up to our production quantity, he said. FOBAP members exports to the US, Canada, the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Garment exporters are in the process of receiving orders from new and traditional markets, but the volume is not as big as last years, according to the group. FOBAP sees high demand for basic wearables and fast fashion or high-end garments next year. Young said the projected 2-percent export growth hinges on government initiatives to establish more free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries and a remedy to reduce power cost or provision of energy subsidy especially for the export sector. Our freight on board price is 15 percent higher than the ASEAN competitors. Therefore, it will be not an easy task for us in getting the appropriate quantity for our production, he said. Young said the increasing bilateral agreements and subsidized power costs could ease up production costs. The extension of the EUs Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) is also seen to boost the sectors revenues, he said. As far as productivity is concerned, we are ready, and we have ample laborers as of now. This is due to lesser production orders, he said. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno lauded the United States Millennium Challenge Corp.s (MCC) decision to re-engage with the Philippines, calling it a crucial step towards economic growth and genuine social transformation. We welcome the eligibility of the Philippines under the Millennium Challenge Corp. Threshold Program which we hope will allow us to further access the bigger compact program, Diokno said in a statement. We appreciate the MCC boards approval of the selection of the Philippines eligibility to the grant-based resources of the US MCC, he added. The MCC was created by the US Congress to invest in well-governed countries. It provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening institutions. The MCC board of directors on Dec. 13 selected the Philippines to develop threshold programs in recognition of its renewed commitment to advancing reforms in good governance, human rights and anti-corruption. It selected Cabo Verde as newly eligible to develop a compact for the purpose of regional economic integration and Tanzania and the Philippines to develop threshold programs, which are smaller grant programs designed to support policy and institutional reforms that address economic growth constraints. The boards selection of Cabo Verde, the Philippines and Tanzania advances MCCs mission to forge strong partnerships with countries that have demonstrated a commitment to democratic governance, investing in their people and economic freedom, said MCC chief executive Alice Albright. We look forward to building on prior partnerships and working hand in hand with each country to advance prosperity for their people, Albright said. The Philippines previously enjoyed the US governments support under the MCCs first compact grant of $434 million which concluded in 2016 and a prior threshold grant of $20.7 million that was implemented between 2006 and 2009. The threshold program enhanced the anti-corruption efforts of the government by strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman, improving revenue administration and increasing enforcement capacity within the Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS). The Philippines was first named eligible for the MCC Compact Program assistance on March 11, 2008, and was later on named eligible for the MCC threshold program assistance on Nov. 8, 2006 in recognition of the countrys commitment to promote political and economic freedom, investments in education and health, control of corruption and respect for civil liberties and the rule of law. Diokno said the Marcos administration is committed to improving anti-corruption measures as outlined in Chapter 14, entitled Practice Good Governance and Improve Bureaucratic Efficiency of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 for genuine social and economic transformation. The government is mobilizing a whole-of-nation approach in addressing economic growth constraints by investing heavily in infrastructure, modernizing agriculture and agribusiness and accelerating climate action, he said. The Philippine government stands ready to work hand in hand with the US government towards developing and implementing important programs that will unlock growth in the Philippines and redound to economic and social transformation for all Filipinos, Diokno said. Flash People pose for a group photo in front of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Center at Mongi Slim Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec. 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] A Traditional Chinese Medicine Center was unveiled on Friday in the Tunisian capital Tunis. A ceremony was held to mark the establishment of the center, which is located in Mongi Slim Hospital. The event was attended by the Tunis governorate's Regional Health Director Tarek Ben Nasr, and a Chinese delegation headed by Gong Jianping, director of the Health Commission of China's Jiangxi Province. Ben Nasr said "the traditional Chinese acupuncture has been welcomed here in Tunisia, and I hope the center will operate under better conditions and become a model for the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine in Tunis and other places." For his part, Gong said the establishment of the center was part of the concrete outcomes of the medical and health program launched at a ministerial conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, which would further promote medical exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. A total of 27 batches of medical teams with 1,153 members have been dispatched from China's Jiangxi Province to the North African country since 1973, providing more than 6 million outpatient services to the local people, according to Gong. For years, Chinese doctors have provided acupuncture services at Mongi Slim Hospital to local people. The newly-formed Pilipinas Offshore Wind Energy Resource Inc. (POWER) asked the government to consider taking a stake in the countrys first offshore wind (OSW) project. In Malampaya, historically PNOC EC [PNOC Exploration Corp.] has a 10-percent stake. Offshore wind is a big project, so the government may want to take a stake because its a landmark project and its huge in scale. So maybe, the government might want to be part of that first offshore wind project, POWER legal counsel Jay Layug said. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the proposal depends on the availability of government financing. He said there are other ways where government could assist the industry, instead of taking a stake in the OSW project. For example, in terms of the rights to use the submarine, the sea floor or in the case offshore areas, there needs to be a transmission operator for off grid In other words, where government can facilitate, we should be open in considering facilitating, Lotilla said. POWER is composed of ACEN Corp. (ACEN), The Blue Circle (TBC), BlueFloat Energy (BlueFloat), Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (Citicore), Ignis ZA Global (gnis) and Marubeni Asian Power Philippines Corp. (Marubeni). POWER members account for 15,000 to 20,000 MW of the 63,359 MW OSW contracts issued by the Department of Energy. The DOE awarded a total of 82 OSW projects north of Luzon, west of Metro Manila, north and south of Mindoro, Panay and the Guimaras Strait. All these are in the pre-development stage, where assessments on resources, site suitability and project viability are being undertaken. When my friends found out I was preparing for a trip to Azerbaijan, all of them asked the same question Where is that? I know about the country because its one of those I teach my tourism students about, that it used to be one of the countries that were part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or USSR, which we now know as Russia. Aside from that, I had to read some more to find out what interesting attractions there are to enjoy in that destination. After a 15-hour trip, including our three-hour stopover in Dubai, I was amazed to see what Baku, the capital city, had to offer. The airport terminal alone is very modern, in design and in facilities. But my narrative on this city will have to be put off for the next column as it presented itself with many interesting tourist attractions to talk about. Tourists can feed smiling-faced alpacas We were met upon arrival by our contracted tour guide, Elvin Alimuradov, who spoke fluent English which, he said, he learned from the university as he has never been outside the country. He whisked us off to our hotel, after giving us a rundown of important basic information on his homeland. Azerbaijan is an oil-rich country, transcontinental, because it is located right at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the East, Russia to the North, Armenia and Turkey to the West, and Iran to the South. It is a democratic republic and has diplomatic relations with 182 countries. Around 97 percent of its population are Muslims, although its constitution has not declared an official religion. Considering that its main product is oil and gas, I asked Elvin if there would ever be a chance for Russia to take the country back, to have complete control of its rich natural resources. He said that Azerbaijan and Russia are now strong allies in many different aspects, including military, with very good bilateral relations existing between both. The striations on this rock show the many levels of water as the rock emerged from the ocean through the centuries After a much-needed rest, Elvin took us to see the oldest, largest, and most lavish mosque in the country, the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, the former capital of Azerbaijan, about an hours drive from Baku. The mosques current structure is a reconstruction of the original which was built in 743 AD but destroyed several times by devastating earthquakes and by inter-ethnic clashes. Beautiful ornamental patterns decorate the facade and the interiors of the structure. Going inside gives you a pleasant feeling of serenity, as you marvel at the many large and lavish crystal chandeliers lending its brilliant illumination on the mosques public areas. The main altar has a very attractive collage of colorful tiles flanked by quotations from the Quran. The country has so much oil that, during our tour, we could see dozens of oil wells sprouting on both sides of the highway. In fact, we passed by a residential area which, according to Elvin, is the enclave of the rich, and we could see beautiful and large residential structures fronting the beach. However, these days, the residents have been warned that the sea water fronting them is now polluted as some amount of oil has seeped through the ocean floor. Our tour also brought us to an Alpaca Farm, as these camelids are very common in Azerbaijan. It was a fun stopover because we were able to touch these animals and feed them. They are such a joy to be with. They are tame and have strikingly friendly and smiling faces, as seen in a photo on this page. Alpacas are bred for their fiber which is used to make knitted or woven items, similar to sheeps wool. We also visited Gobustan, popularly known as the home of the famous rock petroglyphs which date back to as early as 14,000 BC. UNESCO has designated the area a World Heritage Site for its outstanding universal value and to protect the many pre-historic inscriptions on the rocks. It was very interesting to see all those images carved on the rocks by the early inhabitants. The entire area itself used to be submerged in the Caspian Sea, as shown by the many striations signifying the many water levels the rocks have been subjected to through the centuries. Aside from these pre-historic carvings, we also saw, from our vantage point, Azerbaijans version of Table Mountain. It looks exactly like the original, in Cape Town, South Africa, which has been officially proclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, a list that includes our very own Puerto Princesa Underground River. Of course, we had to try out Azerbaijans cuisine, as we heard nothing but superlatives describing it. For starters, we were served Qutab, like a quesadilla, made of paper-thin dough stuffed with either vegetables or meat. For the main course, we had an assortment of Kebabs chicken, beef, and lamb. This was followed by their most popular dish, the Kings Pilaf rice mixed with lamb, plum, apricots, and grapes, all baked inside a thin crust that is sliced open to form a crown, thus the name. There are many more interesting things to see and do in this beautiful country of Azerbaijan. I have to admit that I went on this trip, doubtful whether I would enjoy my stay. But the beautiful things I saw, the very friendly people, the very interesting historical and cultural attractions, and the very clean areas (even their restrooms are spotless and smell good), put the country at the top of the must-visit list. Azerbaijans Tourism Slogan is: Take Another Look. I really had toand was happily charmed. YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE Its better to sit in a bar thinking about God than to sit in a church thinking about beer. For feedback, Im at bobzozobrado@gmail.com The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said it is eyeing legal action against social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), over the proliferation of online scams. In a radio interview, CICC executive director Alexander Ramos said the social network giants have not been cooperative in implementing local laws to protect consumers. Ramos said the CICC will also file an official complaint against the said platforms. The executive said the social media platforms were not cooperating toward the implementation of local laws when it comes to online e-commerce. Social media platforms give users the option to report posts and accounts, which can lead to the deletion of posts and the suspension or termination of accounts. Earlier, Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said the Philippines could regulate foreign businesses operating locally, including taking down the posts of suspicious online sellers and issuing fines against the platform. She noted that social media companies should have oversight over businesses that use their platforms. Marketplace allows users to post items for sale. Transactions are done directly between Facebook users. Ramos also noted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed during a recent cybersecurity summit to file a protest against social media companies over scams and other illegal activities on their platforms. He lamented that social media platforms are so big that they no longer give attention to small countries. Citing the latest report released by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and Gogolook, a TrustTech provider and the company behind the anti-scam app Whoscall, Scam Watch Pilipinas co-lead convenor Art Samaniego Jr. said the Philippines has the highest rate of shopping scams in Asia. He noted that Facebook is the most common platform where Filipinos face scam risks, with 72.3 percent of respondents saying they have received scam messages or calls on the social media site. Samaniego added that in the Philippines, online users usually do not file complaints, unlike in Australia. In some instances, Samaniego said celebrities whose pictures are used online and on scams file complaints against Facebook. Earlier, an official said the Philippines hopes to complete its threat assessment of TikTok this month as the government considers banning its use on official devices. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council (NSC), said the advisory bodys recommendations will be submitted to National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The app has been banned from government-issued devices in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The bans were prompted by fears that the Chinese Communist Party could use it for spying or propaganda, an allegation that TikTok denies. TikTok is banned on US government devices and the White House is currently undertaking a security review to determine whether the popular video-sharing app can still operate in the country. Marcos says maritime tensions most complex global challenge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday stressed the need to find new solutions and forge strong alliances with like-minded allies as he described the situation in the South China Sea as the most complex geopolitical challenge that the world faces. In an interview with the Japanese media, the President said a more assertive China posed a real challenge to its neighbors in Asia, which requires new solutions. Im afraid well have to be able to say that tensions have increased rather than diminished for the past months or the past years but we continue to counsel peace and continue communication between the different countries, said Marcos, who was in Japan for the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit marking the 50th year of friendship and cooperation between Tokyo and the regional bloc. In an interview with Japans public broadcaster NHK on Saturday that the situation in the (South) China Sea has grown more and more complicated. On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke of serious challenges in the region. We are at a turning point in history, and the free and open international order based on the rule of law is facing serious challenges while we are facing complex and multiple challenges such as climate change and inequality, he said. While the world is facing complex crises as division and conflict escalate in many places, Japan will tackle the challenges together with ASEAN countries, which are linchpins of the free and open Indo-Pacific, he said, using a term for the Asia-Pacific region used by the US and its allies. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, encompassing waters and islands close to its neighbors shores. It has ignored an international tribunal ruling in 2016, which stated that its claims have no legal basis. Relations between the Philippines and China have deteriorated under the incumbency of President Marcos, who has sought to strengthen ties with the United States, a traditional ally of the Philippines, and push back against Chinas actions in the West Philippine Sea. In contrast, his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte pursued a foreign policy shift toward China in exchange for investment pledges. Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed on Sunday to boost maritime security cooperation in the face of Beijings growing assertiveness, seen most recently in a spate of confrontations with Philippine vessels. Without identifying China, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation for the maintenance of maritime security and safety (and) maritime order based on the rule of law, a joint statement said after a summit in Tokyo. Close US ally Japan, which also has territorial and other disputes with China, is hiking defence spending and has expanded security cooperation with countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Japan announced on Saturday it would deepen ties with Malaysia and provide 400 million yen ($2.8 million) for warning and surveillance equipment. Japan agreed last month to help the Philippines buy coastguard vessels and to supply a radar system, and the two are discussing allowing troop deployments on each others soil. Japan expressed serious concern last week about dangerous actions after the latest tense confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels at flashpoint reefs, which included a collision and Chinese ships shooting water cannons. Japan and ASEAN leaders also agreed to strengthen supply chain resilience and to deepen cooperation on tackling climate change, in energy, critical minerals, space and other areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. In a speech at a dinner he hosted Saturday, Kishida said the leaders will launch an initiative for the next generation automotive industry, so that ASEAN remains the worlds leading hub for automotive production and export. Absent from the ASEAN summit, which marked 50 years of ties with Japan, was Myanmar which has been frozen out of high-level meetings since the military coup of 2021. Marcos said Sunday that there was a need to address the worsening violence and the plight of the people of Myanmar through proactive engagement of all the stakeholders involved. In his speech at the summit Sunday, Marcos stressed the importance of unity among member countries of the ASEAN amid continued violations of international laws. President Marcos called for collective action amid the intercontinental ballistic missile tests of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North), unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas, and the worsening violence in Myanmar. Marcos said such actions continue to threaten peace and stability in the ASEAN region. We cannot overemphasize that trust is the basis of peace, a trust based on deeds and not merely words, especially in a geopolitical environment increasingly characterized by disruptions, by violation to the international rule of law, as we face common yet complex challenges together, he said. We cannot also discuss peace and stability in our region without recognizing the need to address the worsening violence and the plight of the people of Myanmar through proactive engagement of all the stakeholders involved, he added. Marcos acknowledged that Myanmar remains a member of the ASEAN. He said ASEAN member countries should be ready to help in alleviating the situation through the Five Point Consensus, the United Nations Mechanism and the AHA Center, or the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management. With AFP Marcos acknowledged Japans role as a reliable partner in maritime security and cooperation as well as humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) within ASEAN mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus. He said the Philippines is looking forward to co-chairing with Japan the ADMM Plus Experts Working Group on Maritime Security for 2024 to 2027. We trust that, through our joint efforts, we can also advance partnership on climate change, marine environmental protection, HADR, maritime security, military medicine, counterterrorism, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, and more recently, cybersecurity, he said. Meanwhile, Marcos called on the ASEAN member countries for a continued partnership for the environment while addressing common threats to peace. The President sought Japans support towards achieving carbon neutrality to reduce the effects of global warming, which will benefit disaster-prone communities, as he called for climate action in promoting biodiversity management, green technologies and circular economy and the blue economy. He said the Philippines welcomes Japans initiative to hold the Asia Zero Emission Community Summit on Monday. Marcos added that the Philippine government is ready to support the concrete outcome of the recent 28th Session of the Conference Parties to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, and said Manila is ready to support the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund and host the headquarters of the Board of the Fund. In the final joint statement, the member states of the ASEAN and Japan on Sunday, agreed to promote a rules-based, free and open Indo-Pacific region embracing the key ASEAN principles. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold international law, including the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS], the statement also said. Under the vision statement, ASEAN members and Japan vowed to strengthen security cooperation, including maritime security tie up; disarmament and non-proliferation cooperation and working towards a nuclear weapon-free world. They also made commitments to enhance dialogue and cooperation to promote human rights, democracy and good governance, as well as the rule of law including through legal technical assistance. With AFP Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla expressed optimism about the countrys power supply for 2024, while emphasizing the need for global support in a just energy transition away from fossil fuels. We did manage to contain the weaknesses in 2023, and 2024 promises to be better, especially with the completion of major transmission connections, Lotilla said in a recent news briefing. He acknowledged the threat of El Nino on hydropower generation, underscoring the importance of diversifying energy sources. However, he cautioned against relying solely on renewable energy (RE) due to balancing power needs. Weve got to be open to all technologies, including natural gas. But we cant go 100-percent renewable at this point, Lotilla said. We need to find that balance. Shifting away from coal The DOE pledged support for companies like ACEN Corp., which is pioneering the early retirement of its coal-fired power plant in Batangas. We will help them explore access to climate financing, such as carbon credits or transition credits, Lotilla said. He said the burden of the energy transition should not fall solely on Filipino consumers already facing high electricity costs. Unlike other resource-rich countries that subsidize their power sector, the Philippines relies on cross-subsidy for marginalized consumers and renewable energy incentives, Lotilla said. Therefore, the cost of transition and infrastructure investments will be borne by consumers unless we find strategic ways to shift the burden, he said. International support The DOE called for international cooperation and access to climate financing for a smooth and equitable energy transition. It lauded the Asian Development Bank and ACENs Energy Transition Mechanism as an example of such initiatives. Our energy transition goes beyond coal retirement, Lotilla said. It also involves expanding access to electricity in remote areas, building a smart and green grid, improving distribution systems, increasing energy storage capacity, and making energy affordable for all. Adequate and timely access to climate financing is crucial for the Philippines to achieve these goals. The Department of Energy said it remains committed to securing a stable power supply while addressing the climate crisis by scaling up renewable energy, as it aims for a 50-percent RE share by 2040. Dubai, United Arab EmiratesThe Philippines reiterated its call to accelerate climate finance and find nature-based solutions aimed at addressing weather changes and biodiversity loss. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said concerted efforts to boost climate finance was a key enabler to advance the understanding and implementation of nature-based solutions in the country, with the integration of inclusivity within local communities. She added the Philippines, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, advocates for a demand-driven and needs-based financing through a blended approach of grants, investments, and subsidies. The Philippines is pushing for accelerating climate finance. To be able to do that, we need to collaboratethe government, all countries, private sector, and philanthropic organizations, and really identify how we can achieve much-needed resources to implement nature-based solutions on the ground, said Teh during a side event of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Nature-based solutions are approaches that employ natural processes or systems to solve societal problems in a sustainable manner. These may include reforestation initiatives, mangrove restoration projects, sustainable agricultural methods, and the creation of green infrastructure such as urban parks. The World Bank said nature-based solutions can provide up to 37 percent of the emission reductions the world needs by 2030 to keep global temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius. They also aid in the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We should acknowledge that the purpose of nature-based solutions is to deliver affordable and scalable actions at the community level to fight against climate change, added Teh. The DENR official noted that aside from financing, implementing projects on nature-based solutions for the country should be planned through the lens of disaster preparedness, so that these can significantly contribute to building resilience, mitigating risks, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Aside from the financing barrier, we also need to address the governance barrier. While several initiatives mainstream gender in climate financing mechanisms, the challenge is how we leverage gender equity in climate financing by prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures or projects that would build maximum co-benefits to the poor and other vulnerable sectors including women. As women constitute the majority of the worlds poor and are known to rely more on natural resources for their livelihood, they are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men. Teh added addressing the knowledge gap was a must, stressing that some communities still implement food system practices that can actually harm the ecosystem and the habitat. There are several innovations and technologies that would need our communities to be capacitated to be informed so we need to address those gaps to accelerate climate finance, she said. Climate finance is one of the major themes in COP 28. According to Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, developed nations are required to fulfill their prior commitments under the convention by giving developing states financial support for their efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. DENR News There is no change in the clear and consistent U.S. position regarding the Sahara issue, said Sunday the U.S. State Department, while reiterating Washingtons support for Moroccos autonomy plan viewed as serious, credible, and realistic. In a statement published on the eve of the visit to Morocco of U.S. Assistant Secretary for North Africa Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Joshua Harris (Dec. 17-18), the State Department stressed that during his talks in Rabat, the U.S. official will reiterate that there is no change in the clear and consistent U.S. position. This new reaffirmation of the consistency of Washingtons position provides a scathing denial of the fallacious allegations relayed by some Algerian media outlets which have insinuated, following the recent visit to Algiers by the U.S. official, an alleged change in the U.S. position on the Sahara issue. The United States fully supports UN Personal Envoy de Mistura in facilitating the negotiations process to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution for the Sahara, the statement points out. After recalling that the United States believes a negotiated political solution should be realized without further delay, the State Department underlines that the outcome of UN-led negotiations mutually agreed to by the parties and reflecting their commitment to UN efforts in a spirit of realism and compromise would constitute the final resolution to this issue. In this regard, the United States continues to view Moroccos Autonomy Proposal as serious, credible, and realistic, it says. The visit to Rabat of Deputy Assistant Secretary Joshua Harris will also focus on the means to further strengthen the U.S.-Morocco partnership in addition to a range of regional security priorities, the statement stresses. In an interview during his visit to Algeria Last week, Joshua Harris said his visit was all about urging the country to contribute to facilitating the mission of the UN envoy Staffan De Mistura to speed up the political process to find a lasting political solution to the Sahara conflict. In this interview published by the American embassy in Algiers, it was clear that the U.S. is blaming Algeria for perpetuating the Sahara conflict by hampering UN efforts to reach a mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise, in line with Security Council resolutions which since 2007 have been describing Moroccos autonomy plan as serious, credible, and realistic. January is National Mentoring Month, a great start to 2024 and an opportunity to give a young person a great start in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, part of the nations largest youth mentoring organization (BBBS of America), needs more mentors for its growing list of local children and youth who need a nudge from a caring adult outside of their families. National Mentoring Month provides a wonderful opportunity to think of and thank the mentors in your life and to consider becoming a mentor yourself, said BBBSWNC Executive Vice President Jamye Davis. Being a Big is a rewarding way to give back to your community, support and inspire a young person, and have fun while doing it. More than 200 potential Little Brothers and Little Sisters in 18 mountain counties are waiting for an adult with similar interests to make a difference in their lives. BBBSWNC especially needs menand men of colorto mentor boys who are eager to do things like hike, go for pizza and just generally hang out with an adult who is up for fun. Bigs are good listeners who often help their Littles through difficult situations. Each of the 18 counties that BBBSWNC serves has a professional program coordinator who, working with the family, matches the child with a carefully vetted adult who shares their interests. Bigs are asked to show up regularly for their Littles with an attitude that helps the child explore possibilities and realize their potential. School-based Bigs meet their Littles at school for an hour each week to work on homework, engage in an activity and have some fun. Community-based Bigs are asked to take their Little out twice a month for an engaging activity that the young person might not experience otherwise. High School students can also become Bigs for middle and elementary school kids in their communities. BBBSWNC is also recruiting kids to be Littles. The agency, based in Asheville, works with families to find the right fit for their kids. Bigs receive regular support from BBBSs trained staff, many of whom are experienced in education, social work, and childrens mental health. BBBSWNC plans or suggests many of the activities that matches do. Bigs dont have to be perfect just dependable. Being a mentor doesnt take a lot of time, but it makes a big difference in a childs life. To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister in the region, go to bbbswnc.org. Updated at 2:53 p.m. Monday Napa Police arrested two men and one woman Saturday afternoon at a home near Fuller Park, several hours after neighbors said they heard gunshots earlier that day. Napas central dispatcher received a 911 call at 10:29 a.m. reporting a verbal dispute at an accessory dwelling behind a house in the 500 block of Montgomery Street, police said in a statement Monday. The caller reported a man saying Im going to shoot you, followed by three gunshots. (Two people near the home also told a reporter they heard three shots at about the time of the emergency call.) Police officers and a SWAT team from the Napa County Sheriffs Office went to the scene. A California Highway Patrol helicopter flew over the area, along with several drones, which police said were used to find any possible threats to law enforcement or public safety. A block of Montgomery Street was closed between Laurel and Stockton streets following the 911 call. Three armored BearCat SWAT vehicles arrived, with one of them repositioned at about 1 p.m. in front of a stucco home with an ADU behind it. Dispatchers learned the identities of two possible residents of the cottage, one male and one female, according to police. The man had a legal gun registered to him, but it could not be confirmed that they were involved in the reported incident, police said. Patrol officers secured the area and helped evacuate residents of a neighboring house, and SWAT and crisis negotiators were called to the scene. Over a mobile public address system, variations on a message in both English and Spanish were repeated about a dozen times: This is the Napa County Sheriff's Office. Please come out with your hands up, or force will be used against you. Please pick up your phone and call 911 so that we can speak with you. At about 2:10 p.m. came an additional message: I know youre in there. Come to the door. We want to make sure everyone in the house is OK there. Deputies, through the PA system, stated they could see people inside the home, and that a phone would be left outside the door so those inside could communicate with authorities. Two men 41-year-old Marlo Dean Angeleri and 37-year-old Patrick Kyle Sheehan left the property at 2:23 p.m. and were detained by police. One of the men was barefoot and appeared to be bleeding slightly from the head. Just over a half-hour later, 40-year-old Colleen Erin Angeleri also exited the home and was detained after further requests over the PA system for her to come out with her hands up. A search of the home after the arrests turned up a .40 caliber pistol, as well as evidence the gun had been fired inside the residence, according to the Napa Police statement. Two people were treated for apparently minor injuries, police added, although the nature of the injuries was not disclosed. All three suspects were booked into the Napa County jail on suspicion of one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, and then were released early Sunday morning. As of Monday afternoon, jail booking records did not list any firearm-related allegations against the Angeleris or Sheehan. Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, December 16, 2023 Flash Months after celebrating their fourth birthday, the first-ever twin panda cubs born in Germany embarked on their journey to China on Saturday. Meng Xiang, also known as Pit, and Meng Yuan, nicknamed Paule in Germany, were born in 2019, two years after their parents Meng Meng and Jiao Qing settled in Berlin from Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, which is home to the majority of pandas. Zoo Berlin said on social media that its staff would accompany the twins during the flight. Earlier this month, the zoo inaugurated a commemorative plaque for the twins and held a farewell ceremony for them. Kai Wegner, mayor of Berlin, said during the ceremony that thanks to efforts by both Germany and China, it has been a success in the breeding of giant pandas. The twins have "brought Berliners and many tourists a lot of joy in recent years." "They were born in Berlin and Berlin will always be their home," said Wegner. Another legal front has opened in the water dispute pitting American Canyon against Vallejo this one involving a proposed American Canyon annexation that could help create a parallel road to Highway 29. American Canyon wants to add the 83-acre Paoli/Watson Lane lands north of the city limits. The City Council took steps in that direction last month. I think this is a reasonable annexation, City Councilmember Mark Joseph said at that Nov. 7 meeting. Its been anticipated since 2008. City officials said the annexation would allow for the extension of Newell Drive, with industrial development in the annexed area paying part of the cost. An extended Newell Drive would become a traffic relief route for oft-crowded Highway 29, they said. But a year-long legal battle continues over how much water Vallejo must supply to American Canyon. Vallejo claims American Canyon is failing to take this into account when calculating water availability for the Paoli/Watson Lane lands. On Dec. 7, Vallejo filed a lawsuit asking Napa County Superior Court to stop the city from taking further steps to complete the annexation. The Napa Valley Register asked American Canyon for comments on the lawsuit. American Canyon is working to extend Newell Drive to improve emergency evacuation routes and reduce regional traffic congestion on the Highway 29 corridor. The Watson Lane annexation is a precursor for these improvements, American Canyon said in an email response. Vallejos latest lawsuit is meritless and has no bearing on these efforts. But it is disheartening to watch Vallejo residents hard-earned tax dollars being wasted on lawyers rather than solutions. Vallejo officials declined comment. The water dispute American Canyon which lacks a local reservoir, unlike Napa County's other four cities gets most of its water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta through the State Water Project. An annexation report said the city also receives about 23% of its water from Vallejo in a normal year under a 1996 agreement. Last year, Vallejo declined to provide water for the planned 35-home Canyon Estates housing area in American Canyon. This came at a time of statewide water cutbacks. Vallejo for decades has pumped Delta water from Cache Slough in Solano County. Vallejo said this is the only water source its obligated to share with American Canyon and that California had curtailed pumping there in 2021 and 2022 amid a severe drought. But American Canyon claimed Vallejo must provide water, even if that means using other city water sources. It claimed any cutbacks must be mirrored by similar reductions to Vallejo water customers. In June 2022, American Canyon sued Vallejo in the first legal volley. It claimed it has paid Vallejo more than $7 million for capacity purchases and connection fees over the years. It pays a monthly meter service charge, the lawsuit said. This March, American Canyon approved the Giovannoni Logistics Center warehouse complex to be built on 163 acres. Vallejo claimed the city made improper assumptions about water, given the ongoing legal dispute. In April, Vallejo sued American Canyon to stop the Giovannoni development. Both that and the original American Canyon lawsuit were moved to Sacramento County Superior Court at Vallejos request, to have the cases heard in a neutral county. American Canyons annexation attempt and the Dec. 7 lawsuit by Vallejo are the latest skirmishes in the larger water conflict. The Paoli/Watson annexation Meanwhile, American Canyon is pursing the 83-acre Paoli-Watson annexation. This land could be developed with industrial, commercial and hotel/visitor-serving projects and an extended Newell Drive on the city's east side. Newell Drive runs from American Canyon Road north to the Watson Ranch housing and commercial development. It is be extended through Watson Ranch, then run through the Paoli/Watson Lane lands to connect with Highway 29 near Green Island Road. This long-awaited parallel roadway will help relieve Highway 29 traffic, a city report said. Watson Ranch's developer Terrence McGrath advocated for the annexation and Newell Drive extension at the Nov. 7 American Canyon City Council meeting. This is truly about circulation," McGrath told the council. "It clearly benefits the whole wine country, there is no doubt about that. He bought the Paoli property in January 2022 to make sure the Newell Drive extension can be completed, he said. Dont let the city of Vallejos opposition deter you here, McGrath told the City Council. Honestly, theyre simply trying to be bullies. McGrath is involved in his own water dispute with Vallejo. The Watson Ranch developers in 2022 sued Vallejo to get water they say is due under a 1993 agreement that gave Vallejo an easement on the property. Vallejo claimed the water is for limited purposes that don't include the development. One question facing the Newell Drive extension is how to get the road over railroad tracks that run in the proposed annexation area. An overpass would avoid having traffic halt when trains pass. An at-grade crossing would cost less, but require California Public Utilities Commission approval, a city report said. McGrath advocated for the less-expensive grade-level crossing. Then, building a two-mile stretch of Newell Drive with one lane in each direction would be one of the easiest lifts in the world, he said. Other issues arose at the Nov. 7 City Council hearing. Napa resident Yvonne Baginski said the planned industrial area in the annexation area would displace open space. If you continue to industrialize this entire area, youre going to lose all those animals and all that wildlife. And the value of that (wildlife) is indisputable, Baginski said. The annexation could mean more development and traffic near the rural Watson Lane area, which has homes. Resident Charles Lemmon said that the city could extend a sewer line to replace septic systems there. Were taking one for the team, he told the council. Wed like the city to think about us in the future. On Nov. 7, the City Council certified the Paoli/Watson Lane final environmental impact report, approved a related general plan amendment, and began pre-zoning the land. American Canyon has more steps to go through to annex the land. Ultimately, the Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County would vote on the request. PHOTOS: American Canyon's Magic of the Season celebration The Napa Valley lost a true wine pioneer last week with the passing of Mike Grgich, one of the greatest winemakers in the history of the region and a man who left a legacy that pays homage to his mentor, Andre Tchelistcheff. Yet in spite of remarkable talent, visionary winemaking skills and an engaging personality, the beret-adorned Croatian expatriate may not be considered a superstar when the grand history of the valley is written. I interviewed Mike a dozen times, the last time 10 years ago on his 90th birthday, and he was irked that he didnt always get full credit for his comprehensive knowledge of winemaking, his vision, his skills or achievements. One theme recurred in of our conversations: He was mystified why was he frequently ignored even though he made one of the most famous wines in the history of the valley. Mikes first wine position was in 1958 when he accepted a cellar job at Souverain for founder-winemaker Lee Stewart. He then joined The Christian brothers, working with winemaker Brother Timothy. He then moved on to BV with the great Andre Tchelistcheff, and then at Robert Mondavi, where he was the winemaker, but was given the title head of quality control. In 1969, Grgich made a Cabernet while at Robert Mondavi that was so widely heralded by wine lovers that James Barrett decided to hire Mike to be the first winemaker at Chateau Montelena. Vitally for all California wine, Mike was involved in several of the most pioneering tactics involving wine chemistry. He and Andre at BV were probably the first to certify the validity of inoculated malolactic fermentations. Until then ML was considered to be a risky procedure. They also pioneered the use of the Millipore filter for wine stability as well as cold fermentations for white wines. In 1972, for his first vintage as the formal winemaker at Chateau Montelena, Mike helped select the vineyards that would go into that winerys first Chardonnay including vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties. (Nearly 90% of that wine came from Sonoma County growers.) He visited all three vineyards from which he was buying Chardonnay fruit and coordinated vineyard practices to assure that the grapes would be perfect. All three lots of 1972 Chardonnay grapes arrived at Montelena with sugars between 22.5 and 23.5 Brix exactly what Mike requested. True to Andres philosophy, that wine did not go through malolactic fermentation and later was considered to be the equal of the best white Burgundies from France. But a year later his 1973 Chardonnay turned out to be the real winner. After its release in 1975 at $6 per bottle in California, it sold well, particularly in San Francisco. And in May 1976 Mikes second Chardonnay wound up declared the winner of a blind tasting in Paris by a group of eminent French wine experts. It topped several exalted white Burgundies. A news story about this American victory over the vaunted French was published in Time Magazine and made stars out of the Montelena team. Combined with the victory of Cabernet over Bordeaux by Warren Winiarskis Stag Leap Wine Cellars, the Napa Valley gained instant credibility on the world wine stage. But almost immediately after the Paris victory, with his five-year contract at Montelena expired, Grgich decided to leave and open his own winery in Rutherford. Just weeks after the article in Time, Mike acquired a 20-acre parcel along Highway 29 and within months had arranged a partnership with Austin Hills, heir to the Hills Bros. coffee fortune. Thus was born Grgich Hills. The winery soon added land in Yountville on which Mike planted red wine grapes and began to make Cabernets of extraordinary longevity. Mike was an innovator, a creative maverick, who never put a Chardonnay through malolactic fermentation, considering it to be a tactic that would rob the wine of its fruit in exchange for aromatics and textures he didnt think benefited Chardonnay. His Cabernets, as good as they were, rarely got the public or press attention they deserved, partly because they were made in a slightly European style that emphasized perfect balance and structure. This meant that the Cabs would be best several years after release. And since most wine reviewers in recent years mainly appreciate Cabernets with instant drinkability, Mikes efforts were often evaluated too soon to get high scores. Mike Grgich created a legacy that ought to be an exemplar for all of the worlds winemakers who expect to make great wines of refinement, terroir precision, and balance. I will miss his warmth and sparkling eyes beneath that ever-present beret. PHOTOS: Mike Grgich -- A life in pictures Day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said that earlier diamond trade used to take place in the Bandra Kurla Complex of Mumbai, from where it has been shifted to Gujarat. "Those who are in power today do not have the power to think about the country. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the diamond business in Surat. Earlier, diamond trade used to take place in the Bandra Kurla Complex of Mumbai; now it has been shifted from here to Gujarat," Sharad Pawar said while speaking at his party's Swabhiman Sabha at Maharashtra's Raigad on Saturday. The NCP chief claimed that since the diamond trade has shifted to Surat, lakhs of people have lost their jobs. "Lakhs of people got employment due to this market. Due to the diamond trade going to Surat, the local people will lose their jobs," Pawar said. The NCP chief also claimed that owing to the NAINA project (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area), employment resources of farmers are being "snatched." "Due to this, along with farming, the employment resources of the farmers are also being snatched away," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse in Gujarat on Sunday. As per the official sources, it will be the world's largest and most modern centre for international diamond and jewellery businesses. It will be a global centre for trading both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery. The bourse will comprise a state-of-the-art 'Customs Clearance House' for Import - Export, a jewellery mall for retail jewellery businesses, a facility for international banking and safe vaults. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for politicising the Belagavi incident despite the State government taking action against the culprits. "The Home Minister, Women and Child Welfare Minister, and district in-charge minister have taken necessary action regarding this incident and yet the BJP is trying to exploit it politically. Our government is committed to protecting women in the state; strict legal action will be initiated against the culprits." Shivakumar said on Saturday while responding to a question asked by a reporter. A 42-year-old woman was stripped naked, paraded, and assaulted after being tied to an electric pole early on Monday in Karnataka's Belagavi district after her son eloped with a woman. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Speaking at the valedictory function of EXCON 2023, South Asia's biggest construction equipment expo, Shivakumar said, "Confederation of Indian Industries has been organising EXCON for the construction equipment industry for the last 23 years. This expo introduces new technologies in the construction sector. One of the new things that I saw this year was the introduction of electric equipment for the construction sector. Many of the equipment in this expo is manufactured in Karnataka and is even exported." The Deputy Chief Minister urged the organisers to allow engineering students to attend the expo next year so that they are exposed to new technologies. "Karnataka is known for high-quality education and it would help students explore the latest technology if they attended expos like this," he said. Shivakumar said that he saw several new-age technologies at EXCON 2023 that save time, enhance safety and protect the environment. "I saw many technologies in the expo that save time, enhance safety and protect the environment. A hydrogen-run earth mover was the highlight of the expo. New technologies help save time in the construction sector. These advanced equipment have made it possible to complete a bridge in two years which would otherwise have taken five years." The Deputy Chief Minister said that he could not be present for the inauguration of Excon 2023 as he had to attend the Karnataka winter session in Belagavi and so he came for the valedictory ceremony "I was supposed to be at the expo for the inauguration but could not due to the session in Belagavi. I came for the valedictory ceremony to encourage the industry," he said. (ANI) Weeks after the Congress' poll debacle in Madhya Pradesh, the party leadership has removed Kamal Nath as its Madhya Pradesh chief and appointed Congress leader Jitu Patwari in his place. "Hon'ble Congress President has appointed Shri Jitu Patwari as the President of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contributions of outgoing PCC President, Shri Kamal Nath," a press release issued by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal read. Soon after his new appointment, Jitu said that he would continue on the path of duty and strengthen democracy and the Congress. "I have always felt proud to be a dedicated worker for Congress, determined to protect Indian ideals and values. Heartfelt gratitude to the national leadership. With the inspiration and guidance of senior Congress leaders, we will continue to move forward on the path of duty and strengthen democracy and the Congress," the newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress chief said in a post on 'X'. Party workers celebrated with drums outside Jitu Patwari's residence after his appointment. Thanking the party leadership, Jitu Patwari said, "I want to thank party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leadership for having faith in such a normal party worker like me and giving me such a great responsibility." The state Congress chief said that he wants to fulfil the role of a positive opposition in the state and care about its wellbeing. "We will be working to spread the Congress ideology across houses. With the blessings of our senior leaders and the cooperation of the young workers, we will ensure that we win Madhya Pradesh. We want to fulfil the role of a positive opposition in Madhya Pradesh and look after the state's wellbeing," Jitu said, speaking to ANI. Wishing well to the newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, he said, "We hope that the new Chief Minister will fulfil all the promises given by his party and we will be supporting him." Meanwhile, the Congress has also appointed Umang Singhar as the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader and Hemant Katare as the Deputy Leader of Madhya Pradesh. In Chhattisgarh, the party has appointed Charan Das Mahant as the CLP leader. (ANI) Advocating the use of regional languages in the Kashmir valley, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti appealed to people to speak in their mother tongues in their homes and said that no one can snatch their language unless they forget it themselves. "Your homes, your water can be snatched away from you, even your land can be taken away, but nobody can take away your language from you unless you forget that yourself," PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said addressing an event at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust in Jammu on Saturday. Mufti said that Kashmiris need to speak their languages in their homes. She also said that the Kashmiri language has its own importance and today's generation is not giving proper interest to their mother tongue and instead is using English while talking with their children. "We should speak our languages in our homes. We have stopped speaking our languages, be it Kashmiri, Dogri or Gujari. Now, when a child is born, parents use wirds, 'come here', 'go there' (in English)," the PDP chief said. The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister requested people start speaking in their mother tongue with their children at their homes if they want to save their language. "So I would like to plead with you to talk in your own language, your mother tongue, at home with your kids. If you want to save your language, whether it is Dogri, Gujari, Kashmiri. No one can snatch that away," Mufti said. Meanwhile, Mufti recalled the contributions of Masud Choudhary, former Vice-Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) and Chairman of Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust, on his first death anniversary. Recalling his contributions to education and philanthropy, the former Chief Minister said that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. Widely known as Sir Syed of the Gujjar community for his untiring efforts in areas of social and educational awakening, Chaudhary retired as Additional Director General of Police in 2004. Soon after that, he was appointed as the founder Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri, where he eventually continued his service for two tenures. "When Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University was established, Mufti Sahab entrusted Masud Chaudhary with the job, knowing he could deliver. He reluctantly pursued the cause of the tribal community and especially focused on their education and empowerment," Mehbooba Mufti said. Earlier on Monday, the PDP suspended all of its political activities for seven days to stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370. A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the validity of the Union government's 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, while pointing out that Article 370 is a "temporary provision." (ANI) SFI (Students Federation of India), the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), staged a black-flag protest march to Calicut University, ahead of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's arrival at the campus. The protesters were, however, removed from the spot by the police. The Governor will be staying at Calicut University Guest House on Saturday and attending various programmes in the district for three days. The protests were held days after SFI activists allegedly hit his car in Thiruvananthapuram. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan claimed that the police have been prevented from acting against the criminals and accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of hatching a conspiracy to hurt him. "This is not a question of my comment, as I said in the morning; it is about law. We are a democratic republic; here, law must prevail. What they were doing, the police are standing by because of the political reasons they (the Kerala Police) stand by. My car was surrounded and hitting the car by all force," the governor said. He further said that he was not scared of anyone. "Due to political reasons, the Kerala Police have been prevented from acting against these rowdies and criminals...My car was surrounded and they were hitting the car with all force. I believe in facing the brute. I am not scared of anyone," he added. Meanwhile, police have taken 17 SFI workers into custody, with seven workers being arrested for allegedly hitting the governor's vehicle. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. According to a statement from the SFI, the "Governor has appointed senate members in Calicut and Kerala universities from the list of RSS violating the university rules. This is undemocratic. This is an attempt to tie campuses into the RSS shed. SFI was organising a protest against this and we will continue it. The Chancellor nominated members for violating all rules . Our decision is that SFI will not allow the governor to enter any campuses in Kerala. We will take up our protest in that manner. We will strengthen the protests against the governor on the streets. In our agenda, we never aimed to physically attack the governor or take up the protest in a bad manner. Our protest will be in a democratic way. There won't be any undemocratic protest. "(ANI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh attended the Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua on Sunday. "Bharat Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is the result of wonderful imagination; this is the vision of Prime Minister Narednra Modi. Earlier, a person had to visit government offices for days to avail of a service. Here, the government is coming to the doorstep of people," Jitendra Singh said, speaking to ANI on Sunday. "There was a time when it used to take days to get an appointment from the Deputy Commissioner. Here, the Deputy Commissioner himself comes to the doorsteps of citizens and asks why they have not availed of a particular scheme," he added. Lauding the efficient delivery of welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said, "Five crore houses have been built. Here, almost 100 per cent saturation has been reached. The schemes that were introduced by PM Modi in the past 9-10 years have reached those communities that were neglected by the previous governments." With an aim to disseminate information about the government's flagship schemes and ensure their benefits reach every corner of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra entered Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram, the five states where assembly elections were held recently. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was launched by the Prime Minister on November 15 in Khunti, Jharkhand but the launch of the yatra was delayed in some states as the model code of conduct was enforced due to elections. The BJP has formed its governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, while in Telangana, Congress has dethroned the KCR government. PM Modi emphasised the crucial role of cities in the development of a prosperous India. PM Modi said, "For the resolution of developed India, our cities have a huge role. For a long time after independence, development was limited to a few big cities. But today, we are focusing on the development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities." PM Modi provided an overview of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, highlighting its progress over the past month, reaching thousands of villages and 1,500 cities. The yatra aims to disseminate information about the government's flagship schemes and ensure their benefits reach every corner of the country. (ANI) Based on the profiling done by the officers of Mangaluru Customs, the passenger, who was travelling from Dubai to Mangaluru by an Indian carrier-operated flight, was intercepted on Thursday. "While personally checking and scanning the trouser worn by him, dark image appeared and on further open examination of the said trouser, yellow-colored paste material concealed inside layers of trouser was found," as per officials. After extraction by heating process, gold of 24 carat purity weighing 286 grams (net) valued at Rs 17.7 lakh was recovered from the passenger, the officials added. (ANI) According to Delhi fire services officials, after receiving information about the fire, a dozen fire tenders were sent to the spot and the operation to control the situation was started. Fire tenders are present at the spot, and the process of extinguishing the fire continued, officials said. The exact cause of the fire is not known yet, they said. (ANI) Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those who were killed in a blast at Nagpur's solar explosive company on Sunday, the Chief Minister's office said in a statement. According to officials, nine people died and three were left injured in the explosion which occurred today in the solar explosive company near Bazargaon village. In a post on X, CMO Maharashtra said, "The Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed deep grief over the deaths in the explosion incident at a factory in Nagpur. Expressing condolences to the deceased and their families, the Chief Minister has also announced an aid of five lakh rupees to their kins of those who died in the incident." "He has also given instructions to authorities to provide timely and quality treatment to the injured in this unfortunate incident," the Chief Minister's office added. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid condolences to the families of the deceased and said that the state government stands firmly with them on this sad occasion. "It is very unfortunate that 9 people including 6 women died in the explosion at a Solar factory in Nagpur. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. The Nagpur Collector and Superintendent of Police are in constant touch and the IG, SP, and Collector are at the spot. The state government will give assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kins of those who died in this incident," Deputy CM said. On the incident, Harsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural) said, "This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company." (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hailed the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of Uttar Pradesh for its bravery in foiling the 2001 parliament attack. Addressing the foundation day programme of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that during the attack on the Parliament in 2001, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of UP demonstrated rare bravery and succeeded in foiling the attack. Even during the terrorist attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, the PAC successfully countered the attack, he added. "Despite the glorious history of PAC, some people, due to their evil thinking, had disbanded 46 PAC companies in the state. However, today, a total of 273 companies in 33 battalions are fully operational," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said. Prior to this, CM Yogi presented the Best Battalion Award, the Best Platoon Drill Award, and also honoured the best players and meritorious students with the Smriti Chinha (Memorial Symbol) and cash prizes, an official release stated. Yogi mentioned that the state government has recruited 41,893 constables and 698 platoon commandos in PAC. To provide more opportunities for promotion in the PAC, the government has increased the number of inspectors and sub-inspectors in the Armed Police Force by 184 and 3,772, respectively. Additionally, under departmental promotions, 257 sub-inspectors, 3,558 head constables, and 12,774 constables have been promoted. Direct recruitment of constables is also underway, with the number totaling over 10,584 recruits, he said. The Chief Minister further informed that the PAC has been equipped with modern weapons and tools, including the SLR, INSAS rifle, riot control equipment, anti-riot guns, and tear gas guns. Necessary flood relief companies have also been provided. To ensure quality daily-use items for PAC personnel at reasonable prices, 13 master canteens and 102 subsidised canteens in PAC units are operational. "Under the Police Welfare Scheme, 31 Police Model Schools have been established to provide excellent education at minimal fees to the children of soldiers. Herein, the results of high school and intermediate examinations have been seen to be more than 90 percent", Yogi added. He mentioned that the state government has approved the necessary funds for the infrastructure of the Police Modern School, the construction of the new Police Modern School and the purchase of furniture. Additionally, construction is underway at the war level to provide residential facilities for 200 personnel in each of the 31 units, with high-rise buildings being constructed for the first time in 31 out of 33 battalions of PAC. The Chief Minister stated that to ensure the participation of women in the police force, the government has approved three women battalions in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Badaun, named after Veerangana Uda Devi, Veerangana Jhalkari Bai, and Veerangana Avanti Bai. The battalions are already operating. Skilled sportspersons have been made a part of the police force for the first time. So far, the recruitment of more than 500 skilled players has been completed. He further added that a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) battalion has been formed, consisting of six companies and 18 teams. Three companies, including nine teams, have been operational, while the remaining three companies will be started soon. Along with this, the government has approved the necessary funds for motor vehicles and other equipment for use by three additional companies. "During this year's floods, the PAC and SDRF teams, through their tireless efforts, saved 1008 people and animals, including 175 children. They also contributed to safely reaching over 20,000 flood-affected people to secure locations", Yogi said. Assuring all the soldiers, the Chief Minister said that the government always prioritizes the welfare of the people and is committed to constantly raising the quality of their work, improve their well-being, and lifting their morale with dedication and empathy. Meanwhile, directions have been given to resolve discrepancies in promotions within a specific time frame, ensuring that soldiers receive more encouragement and promotions, he pointed out. (ANI) Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Sunday urged fellow citizens to take pride in the country's cultural heritage in the era of 'Amrit Kaal'. Lekhi, who was the chief guest at the 'Rabi Shoto Konthe' (100 voices chanting Rabindrasangeet), 'a rhythmic musical on Rabindrasangeet' organised in the national capital's CR Park, invoked the five solemn resolutions for the country, one of which is to take pride in its ancient cultural heritage. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the event, the Union Minister said, "After the completion of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' (the celebration of the 75th year of Indian independence), we have now entered the 'Amrit Kaal' (golden era). One of our five solemn resolutions is to take pride in our cultural heritage. I see a lot of people around me, who have gathered here at his musical event celebrating Rabindrasangeet. The strength of the five resolutions and the people will take the country in the coming years." "When India finally becomes a developed nation in 2047, our blood and sweat will also go into taking the country to its promised land," Lekhi added. Hailing Rabindranath Tagore's golden and glorious contribution to the fields of literature and art, the Union Minister said the country's first Nobel Laureate remains a constant source of inspiration. "This year under the leadership of PM Modi, we paid tribute to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore ji by getting Santiniketan inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gurudev's significant contribution to literature & Indian art transcended cultures & languages, and continues to be constant source of inspiration. Also, led the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp' pledge on this occasion," the Union Minister posted from her official X handle. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the gruesome killing of the man in Gopalganj and slammed the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government asserting that it is not "Nitish-raj but Jungle-raj in Bihar". The man has been identified as Manoj Kumar and was reportedly missing since Monday night and his body was found on Saturday evening from the bushes in Bihar's Gopalganj. Reacting to the gruesome murder, BJP's spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla attacked the INDIA bloc saying that INDI means danger for sadhus and pujaris. "Today there is no Nitish-raj in Bihar it is jungle raj in the state. The manner in which Gopalganj ISIS-style execution took taken place of a 32-year-old Pujari (priest) he was shot dead, was then subjected to brutal torture, his eyes were gouged out, and his private parts were damaged. This shows the kind of uncivil and unsafe environment that has now purportedly across the entire Bihar," He further said the criminal elements in Bihar, the mafia in the Bihar feel that it is their "sarkar" (government) and therefore it is a free run for them. "Policemen are not safe as the mafia kills them. Sadhu and Saints are not safe. Female and young people are not safe in Bihar. This is the condition of law and order in Bihar. Nitish Kumar ji please answer, what is the pressure on you to allow you to this happen," he added. Poonawalla said that this is a model we have seen in Congress run Rajasthan, MVA-run government and now Bihar. "The similar pattern we saw in Rajasthan and when the MVA government was in Maharashtra also. When the INDI alliance government comes the Hindu sadhu saints are always on target. This is the vote bank politics," he added. Meanwhile, Bihar BJP President Samrat Choudhary asserted that this government is dominated by sand, liquor and land mafia, and action needs to be taken. "This government is dominated by sand, liquor and land mafia, action needs to be taken. No action is being taken," he added. Furious over the killing of the man, who worked as a caretaker at Shiva Temple in Danapur, the mob pelted stones at the police. Gopalganj Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pranjal said everything is under control in the village and that adequate forces have been deployed to keep law and order intact. "A young man, named Manoj Kumar Shah, working as a caretaker at the Shiv Temple in Danapur, was missing. The CCTV footage showed that he locked the temple himself and went somewhere... During the investigation, we found his body in the Danapur area," SDPO said. "The body was sent for postmortem. The people blocked roads in protest... An FIR has been registered against some mischievous youth... Various internal issues including land issues within the family have come up... Some people have been detained... There was some stone pelting,. Action is being taken," he added. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Kashi and Tamil Nadu have shared an emotional and creative bond since time immemorial. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangam at Namo Ghat, PM Modi said that while in other countries of the world, the nation has a political definition, India as a nation is full of spiritual beliefs. "India has been united by saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya, who awakened the national consciousness among people through their travels. Saints have been visiting Kashi for centuries. Through these journeys and pilgrimages, India has remained steadfast and immortal as a nation for thousands of years. And Kashi Tamil Sangamam is strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat", stated the Prime Minister. Earlier, PM Modi released various books on ancient Tamil texts translated into Braille language. He also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangam Express train from Kanyakumari railway station. This weekly train has been started as a direct rail service between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. For the first time, the Prime Minister addressed the programme in Tamil and Hindi simultaneously through AI technology for the first three minutes. At the outset of his speech, he greeted the guests from Tamil Nadu with 'Vanakkam Kashi, Vanakkam Tamil Nadu'. He described the guests as his family and said that coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means coming from one house of Mahadev to the other. "Coming to Kashi from Tamil Nadu means coming from Madurai Meenakshi to Kashi Vishalakshi. The love between the people of Tamil Nadu and Kashi is unique. The voice of Kashi Tamil Sangamam is spreading all over the world", the PM said while congratulating all the ministries, the UP Government and the citizens of Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister said that Kashi Tamil Sangamam has become an effective platform for mutual dialogue and contact between different sections of society. "BHU and IIT Madras have also come together to make this Sangamam successful. IIT Madras has started Vidya Shakti initiative to provide online support in Maths to thousands of students of Varanasi. The many actions taken in a year bear testimony to the emotional and constructive ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu", PM remarked. The Prime Minister said that this feeling of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat was visible when "we entered the new building of Parliament where the Holy Sengol has been installed." He said that despite the diversity in terms of dialects, languages, costumes, food habits and lifestyle, Indians are one. The PM pointed out that the diversity of India is rooted in that spiritual consciousness, "for which it is said in Tamil that every water is Ganga water and every land of India is Kashi." He remarked further "When Kashi, the center of our faith, was being attacked by invaders from the north, King Parakram Pandeyan built temples in Tenkasi and Shivakasi saying that Kashi cannot be destroyed. You can look at any civilisation in the world. You will hardly find such an easy and noble form of intimacy in diversity anywhere. Recently during the G20 Summit, the world was amazed to see this diversity of India." The Prime Minister said that through Kashi Tamil Sangamam, enthusiasm for their ancient traditions has increased among the youth of the country. "A large number of youth from Tamil Nadu are coming to Kashi. Special arrangements for darshan in Ayodhya have been made by the Uttar Pradesh government for the people coming to Kashi Tamil Sangamam", the Prime Minister stated. Giving the example of Kashi and Madurai, the Prime Minister said that both are great temple cities and pilgrimage sites with Madurai situated on the banks of Vaigai and Kashi on the banks of Gangai. Both Vaigai and Gangai have been written about in Tamil literature, he said. He expressed confidence that this confluence of Kashi Tamil Sangam will continue to strengthen the country's heritage and strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State Dr L. Murugan, former Union Minister P. Radhakrishnan, Director of IIT Madras Prof K, a social worker from Kamakoti, Tamil Nadu. Annamalai etc. were present. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar confirmed on Sunday that the state leaders would visit Delhi to meet the top brass and finalise appointments to boards and corporations. Speaking to reporters at the residence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, "We have not been summoned by the Delhi leaders. We are going to Delhi ourselves in order to get a seal of approval on the final list of appointments to boards and corporations that we had shared some time ago." "AICC President has given us some directives regarding guarantee schemes, appointments to taluk and district level party office bearers. We will ask the MLAs to submit a proposal regarding formulation of taluk level committees in a month," he added. On being asked about pro-Kannada activist Narayana Gowda, DK Shivakumar said, "A case has been registered against him regarding his fight for nameplates in Kannada. He is a fighter and fighting for the cause of Kannada language is natural. There is an order to have nameplates in Kannada, but someone has filed a case against him. I have spoken to the police commissioner regarding this. I have told the Commissioner that our language is protected due to these fighters. They are only fighting for the language and not for any political gains." Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, are likely to head to the national capital to decide MLAs and MLCs for various boards and corporations. (ANI) The Delhi Police special team arrived at the residence of Neelam Azad in Haryana's Jind to interrogate her family members, one of the accused who was involved in the Parliament security breach case. She is booked under various sections of the IPC and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and is a resident of Ghaso village in Jind. The team reached Uchana with SHO Balwan Singh and the women police. Family members of Neelam are being interrogated and her room is also being searched. The Patiala House Court on Saturday issued notice to the Special Cell of Delhi Police on an application moved by one of the accused, Neelam Azad's parents, seeking a copy of FIR registration under various sections of the IPC and UAPA in connection with the Parliament security breach case. Accused Neelam Azad's parents have filed an application in the Patiala House Court of Delhi, seeking a copy of the FIR registered against her and others. Parents also seek court direction from Delhi Police to allow them to meet with Neelam during the remand period. Meanwhile, after interrogating Sagar Sharma, another accused in the Parliament security breach case, Delhi Police reached Lucknow, where Sharma had video conference with his family members. Inspector Sanjeev from Delhi Police came to Sagar Sharma's residence and reached Manak Nagar police station for paperwork. Delhi Police Inspector Sanjeev said, "We have come to the Manak Nagar police station for paperwork. Some of Sagar Sharma's clothes were recovered from his residence. The goods have been confiscated. We and our team also went for questioning at the Sadana Shoe store located in Alambagh, from where Sagar Sharma had purchased the shoes." Shop owner Deepak Sadna said, "Police came and investigated about Sagar with me for 3 hours, he had taken two pairs of shoes worth Rs 600 from here. Police have also taken the CCTV footage of my shop. I don't know Sagar." Earlier, the phone parts of the accused that were burned down by the alleged mastermind, Lalit Jha, were recovered from Rajasthan, police sources said on Sunday. All the phone parts were found in burnt condition; however, Delhi Police is yet to recover Jha's phone Delhi Police sources revealed earlier that Lalit Jha, the accused in the Parliament security breach incident, destroyed five mobile phones before arriving in Delhi, and was misleading the investigating team. Before the security breach, the four accused had handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial investigation details from reaching the police, anticipating their arrest. "Lalit Jha destroyed not four but five mobile phones after fleeing to Rajasthan's Kuchaman," said police sources. Earlier, Patiala House Court here on Saturday granted seven-day custody of Mahesh Kumawat, the sixth accused in the Parliament security breach case, to the police. Six people--Neelam Azad, Mahesh Kumawat, Lalit Jha, Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D and Amol Shinde are accused in the Parliament security breach case. Delhi Police sought 15 days of custodial remand for accused Mahesh Kumawat. He is the sixth accused arrested in the case. The other five accused, including Lalit Jha, have already been taken into police custody. The Patiala House Court on Friday granted seven-day custody of Lalit Jha, the accused in the Parliament security breach case. The security breach happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13. Two people--Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D--jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. Outside it, in another incident, two protestors -- Neelam (42) and Amol (25)--protested outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. However, all four were sent to the seven-day custody of the Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday. (ANI) The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has announced USD 110 million to support children's education in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported. The network stated in a press release that this programme is expected to benefit more than 7.66 million children across Afghanistan through support provided by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children. According to the network, GPE has earmarked this amount of assistance for the next two years to enhance the basic skills of schoolgirls and schoolboys. Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education, emphasised that these contributions will help improve children's access to the education they need, stating, "We are very pleased to continue our support for education in Afghanistan," Khaama Press reported. The network's statement further mentions that USD 59.5 million of this aid will be channelled through UNICEF. In comparison, USD 50 million will go through Save the Children to ensure access to quality education, especially for marginalised children, including girls, in various areas. The Global Partnership for Education, noting its joint commitment to ending the learning crisis worldwide, added that it mobilises partners and financial resources to support education in nearly 90 low-income countries. This announcement comes at a time when the state of education in the country has been a cause for concern, particularly following the rise of the Taliban administration and the ban on girls' education beyond the sixth grade, Khaama Press reported. Earlier this month, Iceland announced that it is set to provide 40 million Icelandic Krona to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, according to a statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Khaama Press reported. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reiterated that Iceland has been contributing 175 million Krona to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund since 2020, in addition to its most recent donation, according to Khaama Press. Earlier, Afghanistan's Taliban-appointed Acting Minister of Education, Habibullah Agha, criticised the poor quality of education in the country's religious schools, Tolo News reported. Habibullah Agha asked the Taliban and religious scholars to pay serious attention to raising the quality of education. (ANI) Former federal minister of Pakistan, Humayun Akhtar Khan, on Saturday joined the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), the new abode for departing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders, and was appointed as the party's senior vice president, Dawn reported. The former PTI leader had left the party in June over the violent May 9 events that took place after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Akhtar began his politics with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and was a federal minister during Musharraf rule before joining the PML-N again. He did file papers for the 2018 general election but withdrew in favour of Imran Khan and joined the PTI. Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) was founded by former PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, who was once a close aide of PTI Chairman. Notably, several other PTI defectors had joined the IPP earlier this year, namely Aleem Khan, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, Fayyazul Hasan Chohan, Amir Mehmood Kayani and Firdous Ashiq Awan. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Tareen and Aleem, Akhtar said on Saturday that he will decide from which constituency to contest the forthcoming general elections after consultation with IPP leaders. "I am confident that the IPP can improve the conditions of the country and the poor," Akhtar said, adding that the IPP wants to solve "real issues" in the country, such as unemployment. He said that IPP leaders knew the challenges being faced by the country and the solutions to them. He said the IPP leadership had an important role in the PTI's creation and winning the 2018 elections when the country's youth were looking towards the PTI. Meanwhile, the number of desertions from the PTI to the IPP has ramped up in the lead-up to the elections, according to Dawn. On November 21, over 30 disgruntled PTI union committee chairmen from Karachi announced that they would 'support' the IPP. On November 19, Ali Nawaz Awan made a public appearance and joined the IPP. In October, Farrukh Habib, Andleeb Abbas, Sadia Sohail and Sumaira Bokhari also joined the IPP. (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the deaths of three Israeli hostages, who were mistakenly killed by the IDF, but said that the ground operation will continue until the terror group Hamas is destroyed, Times of Israel reported. Netanyahu said on Saturday (local time) that he mourns the "tragic deaths of our three hostages" -- Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka, Alon Shamriz -- mistakenly shot dead Friday morning by IDF soldiers. "It broke my heart; it broke the hearts of the nation," Netanyahu said. But he also added, "We are fighting for our existence... and we have to continue until victory" -- despite international pressure and the losses Israel is suffering, Times of Israel reported. The Israeli Prime Minister said that he has been asking himself, and doubtless, all Israelis have been asking, "What if..." and "If only something had been different...We were so close to embracing them". "But we can't turn back the clock," he added, noting that all warriors know that "the distance between victory and disaster is a hair's breadth.". He further affirmed that Israel will learn the lesson and will maintain "the military and diplomatic effort" to bring back all the hostages. "They touched salvation, and then the disaster happened," Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying. This comes after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) mistakenly killed three of its hostages on Friday by identifying them as 'threats'. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari informed about the incident, saying that they bear responsibility for the "tragic incident." During the joint press conference, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also said that he takes responsibility for the "tragic, accidental killing" of three hostages by IDF troops. "As defence minister, I take responsibility for everything that happens in the security establishment and everything that happens in this war, the achievements and the costs, and the severe mistakes. The same is true for the incident yesterday," said Gallant on Saturday. He noted the complexity of fighting in the Shejaiya district where the incident took place, with Hamas fighters "in every house and every alleyway," and said that the area is full of "booby traps and potential ambushes," the Times of Israel reported. "I have lost commanders and brothers in arms; I have seen a lot of difficult incidents, a lot that were close to me, including friends dying in battle. This is one of the most tragic incidents I have ever known," Gallant said. He added, "The price of war is very high. We pay it every day, but when you know that you are on a path that is just, then you are willing to pay a price until you achieve your entire goal, which here is destroying Hamas and returning all the hostages to their homes." (ANI) The five-member bench of ECP will hear the plea filed by PTI founding member Akbar S Babar against intra-party elections at 10 am (local time) The electoral watchdog has also summoned the party's chief election commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, Umar Ayub, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Yasmin Rashid, Ali Amin Gandapur and RO central secretariat, Sardar Masroof. Earlier, the ECP issued notice to PTI in response to the party's founding member Akbar S Babar's appeal challenging intra-party elections of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, ARY News reported. The PTI's founding member, Akbar S Babar, had termed the intra-party polls a drama. In a video statement, he said that the PTI has put the party and the election symbol of 'bat' at stake. He called for the creation of an intra-party election commission, setting aside the polls. While addressing a press conference, Akbar S Babar called the PTI's election a fraud and emphasised that he had reservations about the intra-party polls. Notably, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected 'unopposed' as party's new chairman, replacing incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PTI intra-party polls were held last Saturday on orders of the ECP, and the voters exercised their right to vote through an online app. PTI's election commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, and Pakistan's former federal minister, Omar Ayub Khan, had been elected secretary general of the party. Furthermore, jailed Yasmin Rashid has been elected PTI Punjab president. According to PTI election commissioner Niazullah Niazi, former federal minister Omar Ayub Khan has been elected secretary general of the party, while jailed former provincial health minister Yasmin Rashid has been elected party Punjab president, ARY News reported. Earlier, Peshawar High Court (PHC) barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from giving a verdict on intra-party polls of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). (ANI) The Taliban regime in Afghanistan is sending Afghan women to prison to protect them from gender-based violence, Khaama Press reported, citing the Office of the Deputy of the United Nations in Afghanistan. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that gender-based violence against women and girls existed in Afghanistan even before the dominance of the Taliban. However, with the advent of the new regime, the social life of women has been limited, and family violence against women, especially by their husbands, has increased. The UNAMA office added that before the re-establishment of the Taliban, there were 23 shelters for the protection of women survivors of gender-based violence in the country, none of which are now active. The Taliban have also deemed protective shelters for women "safe houses" and declared them unnecessary. The de facto Taliban regime has deemed protective shelters for women or 'safe houses' as originating from Western culture and declared their existence "unnecessary," Khaama Press reported. The officials of the Taliban administration have stated that they take commitments from caretakers of violence-affected women to not harm them. The UN report also says that women are no longer working in the judiciary or law enforcement, and are not allowed to deal with crimes of gender-based violence. Women are only permitted to attend work when called upon by their male supervisors. "In cases where women survivors of violence had no male relatives or there were safety concerns, they were sent to prisons; similar to addicts and the homeless," the report stated. Meanwhile, the 'Purple Saturday Movement', managed by a number of protesting women, has expressed concern in a statement regarding the realities reflected in this report, according to Khaama Press. "Imprisoning women who are themselves victims of gender-based violence is not only against Islam and Sharia, but in reality, it is a horrific form of mental, emotional, and physical abuse of women that must be stopped immediately," the statement of the movement reads. UNAMA has further stated that since the Taliban came to power again on August 15, 2021, the handling of gender-based violence complaints has been unclear and inconsistent. The Office of the Deputy of the United Nations has also emphasised that women who have experienced violence are now afraid of seeking official justice for fear of arrest, Khaama Press reported. More than two years have passed since the Taliban banned girls from studying beyond sixth grade in Afghanistan and there is no sign of reopening the schools to girls studying above sixth grade. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, they have issued several decrees that impose restrictions on women. Afghanistan's women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces, Khaama Press reported. (ANI) Oman Investment Authority (OIA) Chairman Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi has said the establishment of the third Oman-India Joint Investment Fund builds on the success of the first two joint funds, Oman News Agency reported. He said the ventures brought about good returns from successful investments in different domains, most notably banking and financial services, medical care and pharmacology, chemical and industrial technologies, automobiles, information technology, commodities, defence, aerospace, mining and the retail sector. The third tranche of the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund was announced on Saturday, marking a major milestone in trade and capital cooperation between the two nations. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, in a special MEA briefing on Saturday, highlighted the importance of this achievement during the State Visit of the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, to India. "An important achievement in terms of India-Oman trade and capital cooperation was the announcement of the third tranche of the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund," he said. The Foreign Secretary also said that the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund, a 50-50 joint venture between the State Bank of India and the Oman Investment Authority, aims to bolster economic ties by directing investments into the fastest-growing sectors of the Indian economy. "This fund would be worth 300 million dollars, approximately 2500 crores, purely as a point of elaboration. The fund was established as a 50-50 joint venture between the State Bank of India and the Oman Investment Authority, which essentially channelled investments into the fastest-growing sectors of the Indian economy," Kwatra added. As per the Oman News Agency, the OIA targets various vital sectors to strike partnership and investment deals in the Indian market, said Al Murshidi, noting that such portfolios benefit from the growth of the Indian economy due to strong consumer demand of the population there. According to Al Murshidi, the Indian economy is expected to see a growth rate of 6.3 per cent in the current year (2023) and next year (2024). The new fund boasts a volume of USD 300 million (with USD 50 million as OIA investment), said Al Murshidi, who explained that the sum would be invested in a variety of sectors, most notably technology, health and pharmacy, banks and banking services, industries and consumer services. The third investment fund expects an increase in capital in the long term and generates lucrative returns through investment in companies that command high levels of governance, sustainable competitive advantage and a sound exit strategy after achieving good returns, said Al Murshidi, as per Oman News Agency. The OIA established the first Omani-Indian Joint Investment Fund in 2011, with a value of USD 100 million, in partnership with the State Bank of India. In 2017, the OIA established its second portfolio with a USD 230 million fund that focused on medium-sized companies in the Indian market. The OIA also runs direct investments in India beyond the scheme of joint investment funds. (ANI) Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi has said Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's India visit constitutes a major milestone that builds on historical relations and paves the way for a new, positive stage in developing bilateral ties, Oman News Agency reported. The Oman Foreign Minister said the Sultan's visit underscores the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries. Sayyid Badr further said that the visit represents a joint commitment to strengthen cooperation that stems from the long-standing foundations of friendship, cultural and economic exchange and continuous interaction between the peoples of the two friendly nations, according to the Oman News Agency. The Oman Sultan arrived in the national capital on Friday for a three-day state visit. He was received by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, at the Delhi Airport. President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet in the Oman Sultan's honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. The two leaders expressed their keenness to promote bilateral relations and enhance partnerships between India and Oman in various areas. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Oman Sultan held a meeting in Delhi and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in commerce, culture, defence, and innovation. The two leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral ties. In a post shared on X, PM Modi stated, "Had an excellent meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. Reviewing the full range of bilateral ties, we discussed ways to deepen cooperation in commerce, culture, defence, innovation and more." During the delegation-level talks, PM Modi and Haitham bin Tariq adopted a new 'India-Oman joint vision, a partnership for the future' under which both countries will work in ten different areas. Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr said the Sultan's meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirm the existence of tangible cooperation that focuses on Oman-India's future perspectives on prioritising engagements in the fields of economy, technology, energy, trade and investment. The Sultan's visit to India concluded with the endorsement of a joint vision that identified several basic areas of cooperation, reflecting the two countries' desire to conclude a joint economic partnership agreement, said the minister. This partnership envisages consolidating cooperation in the fields of maritime security, the fight against terrorism and space technologies, said Sayyid Badr, noting that bilateral cooperation also covers a wide range of topics like research, training and cultural exchanges, according to Oman News Agency. Sayyid Badr, expressed Oman's welcome for this boost to relations with India, which, he observed, would significantly contribute to stability and security in the Indian Ocean region. He said: "The move will also help achieve our joint goals of sustainable economic development that generates benefits to the two countries and the region at large." (ANI) A large number of people have joined the Long March, a protest rally, in the Kohlu district of Balochistan against the "Baloch Genocide," The Balochistan Post reported. As per reports, hundreds of thousands of people took part in the protest organised by the long marchers in Kohlu district and observed a complete shutdown in the city on Saturday. During the protest, the relatives of the missing persons from Kohlu, as well as the tribal elders and the locals, demanded the return of the Baloch missing persons. The Baloch Yekjetti Committee (BYC) said in its statement that thousands of Kohlu's non-Baloch people also came out for the rally to support the Long March and show the Baloch national solidarity and strength against the atrocities. The BYC added that thousands of people have sent a clear message to Pakistan by participating in the long march rallies from Turbat to Kohlu that the Baloch nation is now united against this "tyranny" and will continue to fight against it, as per The Balochistan Post. The BYC said the Long March convoy has reached Kohlu from Turbat but the state is trying to stop the peaceful march by erecting barricades everywhere. "The state is deploying a large number of troops at the Bauta checkpost to prevent the Long March from going to Dera Ghazi Khan," the statement said, as per The Balochistan Post. Recently, large-scale protests erupted across Balochistan after an alarming rise in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances spanning different demographics in the region, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) stated in a report. Notably, the month of November witnessed an alarming rise in cases of human rights violations throughout Balochistan. As many as 65 incidents of enforced disappearances were recorded, spanning different demographics from underage to disabled persons, newlyweds, students, doctors, shopkeepers, and labourers and 39 extrajudicial killings were reported, including 10 previously disappeared persons killed by state forces in fake encounters. Throughout the month, Balochistan witnessed a tragic toll with the loss of 39 lives, including five women, in various incidents. While 30 of the victims have been identified, the identities of 10 remain unknown. (ANI) Over 260,000 illegal Afghan immigrants have left Pakistan for Afghanistan using the border crossings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dawn newspaper reported. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper. As per official data, apart from 250,000 Afghans who left for their homeland voluntarily, 6,360 persons were deported from different parts of the country via Pakistan-Afghan border crossings in KP, including 5,228 from KP, 125 from Islamabad, 974 from Punjab and 34 from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The data, shared by the provincial home department, also said that over 250,000 illegal immigrants had left via Torkham in Khyber tribal district, 3,646 via Angoor Adda border crossing in South Waziristan tribal district, whereas 698 persons left Pakistan for Afghanistan via Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram district, as per Dawn. According to the data, 797 illegal immigrants left for Afghanistan on Saturday. It added that, according to a recent survey conducted by the district administrations across the province, 761 illegal immigrants were still present in the province. Meanwhile, the International Rescue Committee, Danish Refugee Council, Norwegian Refugee Council, Islamic Relief Worldwide, CARE, Intersos, and some other organisations have highlighted the urgent situation of 5,00,000 individuals who have returned to Afghanistan and are facing critical needs for food, shelter, and employment during the winter, TOLO News reported. In response, these organisations are urging the international community to enhance support for the families returning to Afghanistan. "Since the economic situation of Afghanistan is unfortunately dire and a large number of Afghan immigrants enter the country in the winter season, the aid of the international community must be focused on the people of Afghanistan," TOLO News quoted Abdul Zahur Mudabir, an economist, as saying. Meanwhile, certain repatriated immigrants have conveyed that they find themselves in challenging circumstances and are calling for increased attention from the interim government. "They have helped us in Torkham with 10,000 Afghanis, and my family is huge, and the money will not even cover my expenses for a week," said Mohammad Nayeem, a refugee. "We request that the Islamic Emirate provide job opportunities for Afghan youth so that they do not travel to other countries because it is very controversial," said Dawood, a refugee. (ANI) According to the official documents, applicants, who were not eligible to appear in the PSC exam 2020, were declared successful through fraudulent means instead of qualified candidates. Following this, the inquiry committee, including two BPS 21 officers of the Sindh government, identified the officers involved in forgery and suggested appropriate punishment, The Express Tribune reported. The provincial chief secretary, with the approval of the caretaker chief minister, issued the termination order of Controller Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro and Deputy Controller Mushtaq Ajan after an inquiry committee was formed on the orders of the Sindh High Court (SHC). The panel found them guilty of forgery. According to the documents, specific allegations were made against Kalharo by two separate inquiries, The Express Tribune reported. Despite being issued a final show cause notice, he failed to provide a satisfactory response, prompting the leading authorities to believe the accuracy of the accusations. However, a chance for a personal hearing was provided to address their allegations, after which the authorities concluded that Kalhoro had tampered with the PSC 2020 written results, deliberately undermining the public sector recruitment process. Later, with the chief minister's approval, the decision was made to dismiss them from their services, according to The Express Tribune. (ANI) The district returning officers issued a circular, stating that the government has also barred the employees from leaving the country during the winter vacation. The letter sought full compliance with the directive, the report stated, adding that its copies were also shared with the education departments. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) banned the registration and deletion of votes, ARY News reported. The national election panel imposed a ban on the registration of new votes and the deletion, change and correction of votes in electoral rolls. According to sources, the ECP also imposed a ban on the leaves of its officers, other employees and returning officers. The poll panel also imposed a ban on transfers and postings of provincial and federal government employees. Earlier, on Friday, the election commission issued the schedule for the February 8 general elections in compliance with the Supreme Court, according to ARY News. The scheduling was officially notified after the Supreme Court ordered the ECP to announce the election schedule, suspending a Lahore High Court (LHC) order on the appointment of returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from bureaucracy, which had cast a shadow over the holding of general elections. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja vowed to provide a level playing field to all political parties, ARY News reported. "I had never said the elections would be delayed in the country. It is better to do the confirmation before the dissemination of the news," CEC Raja said. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], December 17 (ANI/WAM): Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled its Digital Strategy 2023-2030, with 82 projects and initiatives at a total investment of AED1.6 billion. The strategy aims to strengthen RTA's global leadership in digital transformation, optimising the use of data, and constructing a digital infrastructure that is 100 per cent agile and scalable. Key goals of the digital strategy include enabling 100 per cent fintech-driven mobility, increasing digital service adoption to 95 per cent, digitising the skill set of RTA's employees to as much as 100 per cent, and developing 50 artificial intelligence use cases. Mattar Al Tayer, RTA's Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Directors said, "RTA is progressing steadily in employing modern and advanced technologies, undertaking digital transformation projects, and harnessing all resources to offer innovative and quality-driven services. These efforts are guided by the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at fostering Dubai's wellbeing and global competitiveness and providing diverse service options for residents, thereby positioning it as the best city for living, working, and visiting." "These efforts were also guided by the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, towards transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world and advancing the digital transformation drive across the emirate. "RTA is dedicated to continually enhancing the provision of services via digital platforms. This direction involves creating an environment conducive to leveraging the latest technologies, ensuring streamlined service provision, and taking proactive measures to keep pace with contemporary demands for swift and precise service delivery," Al Tayer added. In formulating RTA's digital strategy, careful consideration was given to aligning it with the strategic directions of the emirate, RTA's Strategic Plan 2024-2030, and Dubai Digital Strategy. The strategy focuses on enhancing collaboration with partners, undertaking projects advocating emerging technologies to accelerate the pace and impact of future digital transformation, and optimising the investment in data. The plan is structured around six key pillars: people happiness, quality digital services, data intelligence, integrated digital operations, excellence in asset management, and innovation and partnerships. The implementation of the digital strategy will be carried over four phases spanning seven years. The Preparatory Phase encompasses the completion of seven projects, estimated at AED 466 million. The First Phase involves 62 projects valued at AED 829 million, the Second Phase includes 10 projects valued at AED 249 million, and the Third Phase involves 3 projects with a budget of AED 100 million. The updated strategy incorporates 12 metrics to measure its effectiveness and progress. These include the adoption rate of digital services and transactions index, smart services happiness index, compliance with the general framework for the governance of technical systems index, data products index, cloud computing readiness index, asset connectivity with the Internet of Things (IoT) index, data maturity index, and the digital services provision index. (ANI/WAM) Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of "problems" with neighbouring Finland after it joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) earlier this year, CNN reported. "They (the West) took Finland and dragged it into NATO! Why, did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature in the middle of the 20th Century, have all been resolved long ago," Putin stated in an interview on Sunday. Notably, Finland's accession to NATO constituted a significant shift in northern Europe's security landscape, adding over 1,300 kilometres (830 miles) to the alliance's border with Russia. It was also a setback for President Putin, who has long opposed NATO expansion. "There were no problems, but now there will be because we will now create the Leningrad military district there and concentrate military units there," Putin said in an interview with Russian state broadcaster Russia 1, according to CNN. Moreover, in the interview, Putin also dismissed the remarks made by US President Joe Biden as "complete nonsense," who warned earlier this month that Putin would "keep going" if he took Ukraine, implying that Russia may eventually strike a NATO ally and bring US forces into warfare. Russia "has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political, nor military, to fight with NATO countries," Putin said, adding that Moscow has no territorial claims in NATO countries. "There is no desire to spoil relations with them (NATO countries); we are interested in developing relations," the Russian President said, according to CNN. Finland became the 31st member of the NATO alliance in April this year. Putin had reiterated that NATO curtail its expansion even before launching his invasion of Ukraine. However, it was the conflict that "altered the security environment of Finland," pushing the Nordic nation's desire to join the alliance, according to President Sauli Niinisto, who announced his country's intention to join in May 2022. Within a few months of filing its application, the Finnish government announced that it would invest approximately USD 143 million to construct barrier barriers along Finland's 830-mile eastern border with Russia, which previously had no security protection, according to CNN. Meanwhile, Finland has closed its entire border with Russia this week due to accusations that hundreds of individuals were attempting to cross without a visa. (ANI) Alex Batty, a British boy who was missing for six years after going on a holiday in Spain, was found in France and has returned safely to the UK, CNN reported citing local police. Alex Batty went on holiday in Spain with his mother, Melanie Batty and his grandfather in 2017. Now aged 17, he was found near the city of Toulouse in the French department of Haute-Garonne on Wednesday morning, CNN reported citing a spokesperson for regional authorities. A British boy who was found in France after going missing for six years has landed safely back in the UK, according to local police. "It gives me great pleasure to say Alex has now made his safe return back to the UK after six years," Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police, told reporters on Saturday, CNN reported citing UK's national news agency, Press Association. Boyle further said that the teenager met with a family member and UK police officers in the Toulouse airport before beginning his much-belated flight home. Batty is expected to be reunited with his grandmother, Susan Caruana, who lives in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and is the boy's legal guardian, according to Press Assciation. In a statement issued through police, Caruana said she "can't wait" to see her grandson. "I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well," she said, adding that her family requested privacy as they welcome him back. The teenager was recovered earlier this week, from the side of the road by a French motorist, Fabien Accidini, who claimed the boy had been living in a "spiritual community" in the country for the last two years, CNN reported. Accidini, a chiropractic student, had been delivering medicines to pharmacies overnight when he first came across Batty. After initially giving him a false name, Batty spoke to Accidini for three hours in English and French. "He told me he was kidnapped by his mother five years ago in Morocco. After that he was in Spain. And that he had been living France for the past two years in a spiritual community," Accidini told CNN affiliate BFMTV. Accidini said the boy described his mother as "a bit crazy." (ANI) 1 dead, 2 others hurt in crash along I-10 near UTEP UPDATE: All lanes of traffic at I-10 East and Schuster have reopened, TxDOT reported at about 7 a.m. Sunday morning, Dec. 17. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person is dead and two others have been transported to a local hospital with injuries after a crash along Interstate 10 East near UTEP on Saturday night, Dec. 16, El Paso Police said. The crash involved two vehicles and happened at I-10 East at Porfirio Diaz. The person who was killed died at the scene, police said. Police did not say how badly hurt the other two people were. Police said Special Traffic Investigations unit is at the scene looking into what caused the crash. The Texas Department of Transportation said all lanes of I-10 East are closed at Schuster and the backup is to Executive Center. Clearing time is until further notice. This is a developing story and we will update it as soon as we learn more. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. One restaurant failed, several required re-inspections, and rat droppings and roaches were seen in the latest Dallas inspections, according to city data. There were 727 inspections from Nov. 15 to Dec. 14. Dallas inspection data is based on a 100-point system. A score range of 100-90 is considered to be very good and the next inspection is the regular six-month inspection. Scores from 89-80 are considered good with the same next six-month inspection window. Scores from 79-70 are passing and require re-inspection within 30 days. Scores from 69-60 are failing and require follow-up inspections within 10 days or the establishment faces closure. Scores under 60 are unacceptable and require closure and inspection before reopening. No restaurant scored under 60 in the latest Dallas inspection period. Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken at 4001 West Wheatland Road was the only restaurant that failed with a score of 66. Eleven places required re-inspections: Sunset Crab Shack at 1625 South Buckner Blvd, 70 Dunstons Steakhouse at 5423 West Lovers Lane, 71 Tepa Bar & Grill at 428 South Hampton Road, 71 Brothers Mart and Bakery at 9205 Skillman Street, 73 Tacos La Welta at 8702 South Lancaster Road, 73 Stop-N-Shop Food Mart at 3195 Great Trinity Forest Way, 74 Tuyet Tofu at 9780 Walnut Street, 76 Save Way Food Store at 1562 East Ann Arbor Avenue, 77 Torteria Guerrero at 3474 Webb Chapel Extension, 77 1 Stop at 1406 East Overton Road, 78 Mi Linda Guatemala at 9625 Webb Chapel Road, 78 Lyari Cafe at 11641 Harry Hines Blvd was the only restaurant with a follow-up inspection, scoring an 80. Rat droppings were seen at Mr. Food Mart/Barbecue at 4134 North Westmoreland Road and at ARS (Advanced Restaurant Solutions). Roaches were seen at: Tepa Bar & Grill at 428 South Hampton Road, 71 Skyline High School at 7777 Forney Road, 85 Bryan Adams High School at 2101 Millmar Drive, 90 Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Dallas for Nov. 15th - Drc. 14th, 2023. A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor. Scores below 80 require a re-inspection, and below 60 require closure and inspection before reopening. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score. (KRON) One person was taken to the hospital after an Amtrak train crashed into a car Friday night in Oakland, the Oakland Police Department said. The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of E 12th Street and 29th Avenue. Officers and medical crews arrived at the scene. OPD says one individual was taken to a nearby hospital. The condition of the person is unknown at this time. Video from the Citizen App (above) shows the scene of the aftermath of the crash. It appears a dark-colored sedan was damaged from the crash. (Citizen App) (Citizen App) The circumstances of how the crash happened are unknown. OPD did not release any other details about the crash. The department says anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact 510-777-8570. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. (Police say the man was wearing glasses, a blue jacket with a white stripe, and black jeans. (Credit: NYPD)) BROOKLYN - Police say a 12-year-old girl was assaulted at the New Lots Station in Brooklyn Wednesday morning. According to officials, the girl was standing on the northbound 'L' train platform when a man started yelling at her. The man allegedly grabbed the young girl by the neck and pushed her up against a metal fence. He ran away before police arrived, and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police say the man was wearing glasses, a blue and white jacket, with black jeans. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The investigation is ongoing. Check back for updates. About 2,150 trucks are still stuck on the Polish border, unable to return to Ukraine. Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko told the media that blockades continue at three crossing points, with the biggest queues at Shehyni-Medyka. He said that there is movement, but it has slowed considerably since the Shehyni blockade began. An organizer of the protests, Rafal Mekler, had tweeted an intention to extend the blockade until Feb. 1, 2024. Mekler is the owner of a logistics firm and a member of the far-right Confederation party in Poland. The protesting haulers complain that the high number of Ukrainian drivers entering Poland are hauling goods from Poland to other countries, undercutting local businesses that cannot match cheaper Ukrainian prices. Ukrainian officials and industry representatives deny the accusations. The EU has warned the Polish government to ensure the end of the blockade. Although the protesting Polish truckers said that the blockade would only apply to non-essential goods, Ukrinform reported on Nov. 20 that trucks carrying humanitarian aid or fuel and other essential goods had been on standby at the border for days. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two people are dead following an overnight single-vehicle crash in South Nashville. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the crash happened just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 along Nolensville Pike near Polk Avenue. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts A preliminary investigation shows that a 2007 Nissan Sentra was traveling north on Nolensville Pike at a high rate of speed while passing through the Polk Avenue intersection. Authorities reported the Nissan left the roadway while passing through the intersection and struck a utility pole. The Nissan then rolled onto its roof and caught on fire. Two people inside the vehicle believed to be men died at the scene, according to police. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Officials said the car was registered in Cookeville. The Medical Examiners Office is working to identify the two victims. No other information was immediately released. 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. Three Texas families shined bright this season on The Great Christmas Light Fight. The ABC show features four families every episode who compete by transforming their homes for the holidays. The winner wins a trophy and a $50,000 cash prize. Viewers can watch the show via ABCs website or on Hulu. Texas was well-represented on the shows 11th season, with the Ward (Keller), Brown (Wichita Falls) and Tinnin (Bay City) families making appearances on the show. The Ward and Brown families both won, taking home the big cash prize. Each display from the families from Texas were unique from utilizing drones and imaginative lights, to handmade items and repurposed props. However, what all three families shared, was an excitement to see their displays on the small screen. Weve been waiting for this moment for two years, Preston Ward said. The home of Preston Ward in Keller, whos appearing on The Great Christmas Light Fight. More trending stories: Will Dallas-Fort Worth get a white Christmas? Why are Krispy Kreme doughnut shops in Texas closing? In Texas, how bright can LED lights be? 20,000 lights and 400 drones for the Ward family Episode: Season 11 episode 2 Christmas light display address: 1729 Sawtooth Oak Trail, Keller The Wards Christmas light display includes two components, an over 20,000 light array on the house and a show featuring 400 drones above. Ward said the familys display has grown over the years from using animated lights to finally including drones, which he has a good grasp on. Ward serves as general counsel/chief pilot for the North Richland Hills-based drone show company Sky Elements. In 2021, the Wards put together a video of their home light display with drones overhead. Show producers saw the video and reached out to the family, encouraging them to apply for the ABC program. The Wards did and landed a spot on the show. The home of Preston Ward in Keller, whos appearing on The Great Christmas Light Fight. Over 20,000 lights were used for the display, to create items such as candy canes, Christmas trees and stars. A crane was used to place eight moving head spotlights atop the house, Ward said. For the sky show, over 400 drones were used to create shapes that resemble a snow globe and even Santa Claus being pulled by reindeer on his sleigh. Both displays combine to tell the story of penguin saving Christmas. The Ward family won the $50,000 prize and plan to donate the money to Hope Mommies, a nonprofit who aids families who have experienced miscarriages and infant death. The Wards lost their daughter prematurely a few years ago and the donation will go to support those who have experienced similar events. Im just super excited for everybody to see what we put together and fingers crossed for the weekend, Ward told the Star-Telegram earlier this month. The Brown family from Wichita Falls competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. Board game Candy Land comes to life for the Brown family Episode: Season 11 episode 3 Christmas light display address: 6650 Southwest Parkway, Wichita Falls The Brown familys display draws its inspiration from the board game Candy Land. When the family started decorating their home for Christmas several years ago, they knew they wanted to have a theme, Brandon Brown said. Finally, the family decided on Candy Land as it was his wife Tiffany Browns favorite game growing up. Now, the familys been rocking the theme for nine years. It just kind of went from there and the possibilities are just kind of limitless, Brandon Brown said. The Brown family from Wichita Falls competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. The Browns display is all handmade, from painting life-sized wooden characters to creating a multi-color track for game pieces. Everything on the display is in support of the Candy Land theme, including giant lollipops, gum drops and an enormous castle background. Across the display, theres 37 cut-out figures, 42 artificial trees and a whole mess of lights. The last time we checked, were right at half a million [lights], Brown said. The Brown family from Wichita Falls competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. The Browns had been big fans of The Great Christmas Light Fight for years and while they thought it would be cool to appear on the show, they never applied. That changed after a few fellow Wichita Falls residents nominated the family to be on the show. Brown took the support to heart, applied and received a call from the show not long after. As for winning their episode and taking home the $50,000 prize, Brown said they have a few ideas for the money. I mean, not real big plans, he said. Put a little back into the display and probably go on a trip or something. The Tinnin family from Bay City competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. A Texas-sized Christmas village for the Tinnin family Episode: Season 11 episode 5 Christmas light display address: 2504 Avenue K, Bay City The Tinnin family have turned their Victorian-style home into a Texas-sized Christmas village After moving back to Trent Tinnins hometown of Bay City a few years ago, his wife Tammi Tinnin began working at an elementary school. Tammi asked her students where their favorite areas in the city were to see Christmas lights, and to her dismay, there wasnt a ton of options. It broke my heart, Tammi Tinnin said. So I came home that night from school and I told my husband, We are going to start decorating for Christmas for these kids. The Tinnin family from Bay City competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. The Tinnins display is mostly built with repurposed decorations and donations from their community. Most of the village is divided into 16 themed sections, from Rudolphs Runway to Prancer Parkway. Theres also a section saved just for Texas called Lone Star Lane. Its there where visitors will find a one-third size replica of The Alamo and the 12 Days of Christmas in Texas, which adds a Lone Star theme to the popular holiday song. Visitors will find 12 boots-a-stompin, 7 scoops of Blue Bell, 4 Whataburgers and a Mockingbird in a Christmas Tree at the display. We have no clue how many lights we got, Trent Tannin said. I mean, its in the hundreds of thousands, I would assume. The Tinnin family from Bay City competed on ABCs The Great Christmas Light Fight. The Tinnins have been fans of The Great Christmas Light Fight for years and actually received a call from show producers about appearing on the program. They jumped at the opportunity and regardless of not taking home the $50,000 prize, the family was just happy to be among like-minded folks. Being on the show, that is your trophy, Tammi Tinnin said. That is truly just an honor in itself and anything beyond that is just like icing on the cake. A 20-year-old Canton man who terrified victims with a Halloween mask as a teenager pled guilty to multiple charges, including an armed robbery at a gas station, and was banned from Cherokee County. Brayden Nicholas Kirby wore a sinister-looking Halloween mask and pointed a gun at two women at a Canton RaceTrac around 2 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2021, according to the office of Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. The DAs office said Kirby demanded the women give him their phones and the keys to the truck they were driving, as well as keys to another vehicle. After he got the keys, the Cherokee County DAs office said Kirby got in the truck and tried to put it in gear, but could not, so he stole a backpack from it and rode away on a bicycle. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Using location tracking technology, officers were able to track the stolen cell phones and found Kirby on Riverstone Parkway on the I-575 overpass, still riding the bike. When officers got to him, he had a loaded Hi-Point 45 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber, the victims backpack, one of the victims phones and the two sets of car keys. The other phone was found abandoned behind the S&H Tires on Old Ball Ground Highway, according to the DAs office. The DAs office said they found the mask Kirby wore at the RaceTrac where hed committed the armed robbery. He admitted to 12 counts filed against him in an indictment, including: 2 counts of armed robbery 2 counts of aggravated assault Entering auto Hijacking a motor vehicle Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime Possession of tools fo the commission of a crime Possession of a pistol by someone under 18 years of age Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana TRENDING STORIES: After pleading guilty on Nov. 7, Kirby was sentenced to 25 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison and the rest on probation. The facts of this case are disturbing. The evidence showed that the defendant was prepared to fire his weapon should the victims not have cooperated with his demands, said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. Canton Police did an excellent job with this investigation, immediately identifying the location of the defendant and quickly apprehending him. This case is a good reminder to remain aware of your surroundings, especially if you are alone late at night. In addition to his years of confinement and probation, Kirby was banned from entering Cherokee County and blocked from contacting the victims. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A 21-year-old Charlton man has died after falling from a vehicle early Sunday morning, police said. At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Charlton Police received calls reporting that a male had fallen from a motor vehicle on Stafford Street. When emergency personnel responded to the area, they found a vehicle parked at the side of the roadway, and a male suffering from serious injuries, police said. A preliminary investigation found that a white Ford pickup truck was traveling westbound on Stafford Street when, for reasons still under investigation, a passenger fell from the vehicle, striking the ground, police said. The driver of the vehicle stopped, called police, and remained on scene. The 21-year-old passenger suffered significant injuries and was pronounced dead at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center-University Campus, police said. His name was not immediately released. Responding to the scene were Charlton Police, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Worcester County District Attorneys Office. The mans death remains under investigation. Police cleared the scene at approximately 5:30 a.m. 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 Three people were wounded, one critically, and the suspect is dead after a shooting involving police on the crowded 6th Street in Austin, Texas, on Saturday night, police said. Austin police said the officers called to the scene discharged their weapons, and the suspected gunman was struck by the officers' gunfire and later pronounced dead. No officers were injured. It was unclear whether the other three people were shot by the suspect or police. Police responded to the incident at a downtown bar shortly before midnight. They had received a report that someone was trying to enter the establishment with a gun, in violation of a section of the Texas Penal Code related to unlawfully carrying weapons, said Austin Police Department Interim Chief Robin Henderson at a news briefing early Sunday morning. At the time, Henderson told reporters that any information they could share about the timeline of the shooting and what happened was preliminary and could change because their investigation was still in such early stages. An employee at the bar identified the suspect when officers arrived at the scene, and they approached him, Henderson said. At that point, the suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it in the direction of the responding officers as well as bystanders. When he did, three officers fired their weapons at the suspect, who was hit multiple times and eventually pronounced dead. Three other people were shot and wounded in the incident, all of whom were hospitalized, according to the interim police chief. One of them suffered critical injuries, Henderson said, while the others' injuries were not considered life-threatening. The officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative duty while the Austin Police Department conducts an internal administrative investigation into the shooting, as well as a criminal investigation in coordination with the Travis County District Attorney's Office. The officers have worked at the police department for nine, 11 and 13 years, the interim chief said, and the weapons they used were approved by the department. The shooting was recorded on officers' body-worn cameras, and the department will release the footage within 10 business days, in keeping with its policies for officer-involved shootings. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting to report what they know to the Austin Police Department's Special Investigations Unit, or to Capitol Area Crime Stoppers. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says California woman rents out sustainable Christmas trees Three people were arrested in connection to a missing woman who was found dead Thursday at her home in St. Clair Township. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Missing woman, 71, found dead in St. Clair Township Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced charges for Matthew Bates, 18, Robert Jack, 18, and Melissa Beacom, 49, Sunday morning. She said Bates and Jack are charged with criminal homicide, while Beacom is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide and criminal solicitation. Zicarelli says Alice Robson, 71, went missing on Monday, and police were notified of her disappearance after home health care workers found her grandson alone without supervision, despite his need for 24-hour care. On Thursday, police and the Greensburg Fire Department bloodhound team went to Robsons home on Furnace Lane to search for her. Zicarelli said the bloodhounds led authorities to Robsons body, which was in an unfinished crawl space beneath a porch, concealed by a panel and covered in debris, Zicarelli said Robsons autopsy revealed she had two gunshot wounds to her head. A search warrant at the home found blood stains in her living room. In an interview with police, Bates, who Zicarelli says is the boyfriend of Robsons granddaughter, reportedly said he was brought to Robsons house by Beacom Monday to work on a vehicle. Authorities allege he said Robson and Beacom have a tumultuous relationship because of the custody of Robsons grandson and claims hes been asked to kill Robson on multiple occasions. Neighbors said Robson was a sweet, kind woman who didnt deserve this. They told Channel 11 off-camera that the mother and daughter would often fight with each other because Robson had custody of Beacoms two kids. Neighbors also said theyre not surprised by Beacoms alleged plot to kill her mother. Bates claims that after he and Beacom met with Jack later in the night, she asked for them to kill Robson that evening, Zicarelli says. Detectives were reportedly told Bates and Jack shot Robson twice in the head before moving her body to the crawlspace and cleaning inside the home. One of Robsons coworkers, who asked not to be named, said she went over to Robsons house to help decorate her tree two days before she was killed. She made the bows for her tree that we decorated together, and they were beautiful, she said. She was a special person who was loved by many and did so much for others. She had owned a restaurant and flower shop in her younger years. That is something nice that I hope people will remember about her. Bates, Beacom and Jack were arraigned Saturday and denied bail. They were taken to the Westmoreland County Prison to await preliminary hearings. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Rite Aid closing another store in our area Person found dead at Washington County business, police say Recall alert: Quaker Oats recall some granola bars, cereals over possible salmonella contamination VIDEO: Play it Forward holds annual toy drive in Downtown Pittsburgh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) said three people were injured after an altercation on Friday evening. Police said that at about 6:05 p.m., they were dispatched to the report of a stabbing in the 5100 block of Columbia Pike. When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been stabbed. Police were looking around the area and found a man and a juvenile stabbed in the 1000 block of S. Frederick Street and 5000 block of 8th Road Streets, respectively. Police investigating stabbing in Woodbridge The three victims were transported to the hospital. They are in stable condition and their injuries are non-life threatening. Police determined that a physical altercation between approximately five subjects, who are known to each other, occurred in a stairwell inside a building in the 5100 block of Columbia Pike. Police recovered a knife. This remains an active investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Four juveniles were seriously injured when the SUV they were driving in landed in a canal on Saturday night, Dec. 16, Socorro Police said on their X social media account. The single-vehicle crash happened at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday at North Loop Drive and Bauman Drive. Socorro Police say a Nissan Pathfinder SUV was traveling east on North Loop near the intersection with Bauman when the vehicle veered off the road. The vehicle came to rest in a canal ditch, police said. The driver and three passengers, identified only as juveniles, all suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital, Socorro Police said. Special Traffic Investigations with Socorro PD responded to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call the Socorro Police Department at (915) 858-9237. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A 4-year-old boy riding in the backseat of a car with his parents died after being shot in a road rage dispute, California sheriffs officials reported. Deputies responded to the fatal shooting at 7:29 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, on Sierra Highway in Lancaster, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. The family told deputies that another vehicle cut them off, then began following them, officials said. When they slowed down, the other driver pulled up next to them and opened fire. The 4-year-old boy was shot in the torso, deputies said. His parents drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A 29-year-old man and 27-year-old woman found in the area were arrested, deputies said. The department did not release their names. Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris credited a security camera network recently installed in the city for the quick arrests in a Facebook post. He said the man and woman were found at a hotel. Were praying for the family, Parris told KABC. We understand that this is a really good family. Ive talked to members of their church. Its unimaginable that this could have been any of our families. It could have been any of us. No one else was hurt in the incident. Investigators ask anyone with information to call 323-890-5500 or leave an anonymous tip at 800-222-8477. Lancaster is about 75 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Tire flies over highway guardrail and kills oncoming driver, California cops say Intruder sexually assaults child in bedroom, then flees, California cops say Bus driver abandons passengers and enters school carrying gun, California cops say Henley Wollak has a lively imagination. Every night at bedtime, the 5-year-old becomes a sea creature, tucked beneath a bedspread decorated with a massive mermaid tail, her human legs hidden under the covers. A fairy tale came true for Henley last summer on the waters of Lake Michigan when the Peshtigo, Wisconsin, girl discovered a 150-year-old shipwreck. Henley and her dad were boating toward her favorite island beach when they saw something under the surface that Henley thought was an octopus. Her dad, Tim Wollak, knew that hundreds of vessels had been lost to the lake over the years that were never recovered. He thought the long grey lines below the water looked like the hull of a ship. He later posted photos of their mysterious underwater discovery on Facebook. Tim Wollak captures a photo of an unknown shipwreck from his boat on Lake Michigan's Green Bay. Historians later told him he discovered the long-lost wrecked George L. Newman. At first when we saw it in the boat, I thought it was cool to see something like that," Wollak, 36, told USA TODAY. "At that time I didnt know the magnitude of what it was. This month the Wisconsin Historical Society delivered news that was beyond the father and daughter's wildest dreams: They had discovered a long-lost 150-year-old shipwreck. Researchers said last week they believe the ship Henley and her dad spotted is the remains of the George L. Newman, a vessel built before the Civil War. Historical records show that it sank in 1871 after struggling to navigate through heavy smoke from the Peshtigo Fire, the deadliest forest fire in U.S. history. Henley Wollak, wearing a "mermaid-colored" life vest, rides aboard her dad's boat on Lake Michigan. Until this year, the Newman had never been spotted, researchers told Wollak. As the Wisconsin Historical Society explained in a Facebook post, the ship was abandoned, became covered with sand and was "largely forgotten until it became exposed and was located by the Wollaks this past summer." I was blown away by it, especially being able to share it with Henley," Wollak said. Thornton, Claire Father-daughter outing led to discovery On Aug. 13, Henley asked her dad if they could go swimming off the southeast shore of Lake Michigan's Green Island. She wanted to look for rocks and sea glass. Her dad wanted to go fishing, he told USA TODAY. The two struck a compromise. Wollak agreed to take Henley to her favorite spot, driving their motorboat boat "real slow" along the route there, to look for fish. That's when they saw what they later learned was the George L. Newman. Wollak gave his daughter full credit for placing them where they were when they made the find. She ultimately put us in that location because thats where she wanted to swim," Wollak said. Tim Wollak and his daughter Henley catch game fish on Lake Michigan. Their shared hobby led to their discovery of a long-lost shipwreck that's more than 150 years old. Maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen told FOX 11 News in Green Bay that local researchers "didn't have anything" about a shipwreck documented in the area where the Wollaks found the George L. Newman. "It's a pretty significant shipwreck, pretty old for Wisconsin shipwrecks," Thomsen said about the vessel. Historical records say the vessel was more than 40 yards long and 9 yards wide. Henley Wollak, 5, rides aboard her dad's boat on Lake Michigan. This summer, she and her dad discovered the long-lost wrecked George L. Newman. Wisconsin shipwreck sank in 1871 Officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources later went out to Henley's spot on the lake to capture sonar scans of the wreck. Historians said the ship on the lake bottom matched the measurements and best-estimated location of the wrecked George L. Newman. The ship was built in 1855 in Ohio, and it was a three-masted barkentine, akin to a schooner, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. On its last voyage in October 1871, the Newman was transporting lumber from Little Suamico, Wisconsin, according to the society. Historians said the ship was sailing blind that day through thick smoke from the Peshtigo Fire, a forest fire that surrounded Lake Michigan's Green Bay and killed more than 1,200 people, according to the National Weather Service. "To have it tied to the Peshtigo fire makes it even more special," Thomsen, the archeologist, told FOX 11 News. Tim Wollak and his daughter, Henley, pose with a game fish they caught on Lake Michigan. Their shared hobby led to their discovery of a long-lost shipwrecked boat built before the Civil War. The smoke was so dense that the Green Island lighthouse keeper left the light on throughout the daylight hours, which is when the George L. Newman ran aground on the southeast point of Green Island, the historical society said. The lighthouse keeper rescued the crew, who stayed at the lighthouse for a week, and they salvaged what they could from the wrecked vessel. Henley, who recently turned 5, may not completely understand the historical significance of her discovery, her father said. She has such a love for the outdoors, I think as she gets older the magnitude of this will sink in for her," Wollak said. For now, Henley is most excited for next summer, when lake waters will be warm enough to go swimming again. Fishing is growing on her too. And gazing out of her dad's boat down into the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan will always hold a special place in her heart. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lake Michigan shipwreck: 4-year-old sees sunken ship by Green Island NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) Santa made a stop at the Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula for the Way of Hope, Inc., fifth annual Breakfast with Santa. This is the [highest] number of kids that we ever had, starting [in] 2019, said Jason Smith, Way of Hope, Inc., COO. We started with like 50 families. Five years later, were all the way up to 561. Years ago, Smith was featured in the Wednesday Child segment with longtime WAVY-TV 10s anchor and reporter Don Roberts. I ended up meeting a lot of different people that were positive male role models in my life to help me be a better person, Smith said. My experience as a Wednesdays child was phenomenal because they used to do something similar, they would take us places. Then, for Christmas, we would get all types of gifts [including] gift cards, bikes. Now that hes older, he is giving back to kids yearly, including teenagers ages 13-17. This might be the only thing that they get, Smith said. My goal is to make sure I provide for them as well. Smith credits his mom, Roslyn Smith, for raising him as a single mom. [Im just happy] to see the happy faces of all these kids that hes helping, Roslyn said. They know that theres somebody out here that cares about them. Thats important because people are so mean nowadays. When you find somebody that wants to help that just brightens up your day and makes you feel special. Keep up to date with the latest news on WAVY.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- More than 60 migrants died after a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, the United Nation's International Organization for Migration reported. The boat had about 86 people, including women and children, onboard when it left Zwara, IOM said on X on Saturday. "The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the most dangerous migration routes," the post said. IOM spokesperson Flavio De Giacomo said on X that more than 2,250 people have died in the central Mediterranean this year. He called it "a dramatic number which unfortunately demonstrates that not enough is being done to save lives at sea." Most of the migrants were from African countries, including Nigeria and Gambia, The Guardian reported. There were 25 survivors, who were transferred to a detention center in Libya. The Mediterranean is a busy route for migrants and refugees seeking safety in Italy. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met in Rome on Saturday and agreed to jointly fund a program to repatriate migrants from Tunisia. They also agreed to work on projects to address the causes of migration. (KRON) The 80 protesters who shut down the Bay Bridge on Nov. 16 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will be charged in connection with an unlawful public assembly. The protesters goal was for President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and end United States military aid to Israel. US military leaders press Israel to shift from major combat as Iranian-backed ship attacks escalate While we must protect avenues for free speech, the exercise of free speech can not compromise public safety, said the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The demonstration on the Bay Bridge that snarled traffic for hours had a tremendous impact on those who were stuck on the bridge for hours and required tremendous public resources to resolve. I would like to commend the California Highway Patrol and San Francisco Sheriffs Department for their work to peacefully resolve this incident. According to the District Attorneys office, all 80 individuals will be charged with false imprisonment, refusing to comply with a peace officer, unlawful public assembly, refusing to disperse, and obstruction of street, sidewalk, or other place open to the public. The individuals who were cited and released must appear in San Francisco Superior Court for arraignment on their individually assigned arraignment date on either Dec. 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A cliff diver leaps from the rocks above Acapulco after the Mexican resort allowed resumption of the activity in the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Otis, but tourists are only slowly returning to the region (Francisco Robles) With few tourists watching the daring feat, Abraham Estrada dives off La Quebrada, an emblematic Acapulco cliff where the spectacle has resumed but struggles to attract visitors after the Mexican resort was hammered by Hurricane Otis. The devastating storm -- recorded at top-intensity Category 5 when it roared ashore in late October -- left nearly 50 people dead and another 30 missing, some 90 percent of tourist establishments affected and the once-vibrant port city licking its wounds. As cliff-diving returned this month, the tourism industry has hoped for a much-needed rebound, but it has been slow to take off. "We are having a hard time, due to the lack of tourism... We are hoping with faith that this holiday season will bring some" travelers, Estrada tells AFP. The 36-year-old has been cliff-diving for 22 years, a tradition that has run in his family's blood for nearly a century, his father and grandfather divers before him. According to the Acapulco mayor's office, at the end of the year -- a peak tourism season -- there are just 2,890 available hotel rooms in 91 establishments, compared with 20,000 rooms on offer prior to Otis. In the days since the cliff-diving resumed, there have been only two La Quebrada shows per day, compared with five before the hurricane, explains Estrada, whose repertoire includes leaping off the rocky promontory while enveloped in flames and plunging into the water nearly 50 meters (164 feet) below. "La Quebrada is a world icon of Acapulco," Estrada says of the spectacle featured in the 1948 movie "Tarzan and the Mermaids," in which star Johnny Weissmuller dives shirtless into the Pacific. Estrada himself saw his home damaged and furniture destroyed by Otis, and the facilities from which the dives are observed, including a hotel, were devastated. Divers' income has sunk like a stone, given how few tourists are paying the roughly $5 entry fee and accompanying tips. Estrada has an advantage of being a lawyer by trade to improve his finances. That cannot be said for Juan Francisco Cruz, a professional diver who derives his only income from his cliffside artistry. "It used to be a show," Cruz laments, noting just three tourists in attendance. "Now there is no movement, there are no people and it has really affected us." But he expresses confidence that Acapulco will bounce back, and says divers are waiting "with open arms" for more tourists. str/sem/ag/mlm/leg Snow and gusty winds have returned to Northeast Ohio just days before Christmas, especially in Cleveland. Total snow accumulations of two to eight inches are expected across northeast Ohio Monday night into Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service said Monday. Wind gusts could also get up to 35 to 40 mph. Areas north of Akron and east of Cleveland could see the most snow. Forecasters say two to four inches could fall in Akron and with slightly less at the Akron-Canton Airport. Lake, Medina, Summit, Portage, Trumbull and lakefront Ashtabula counties are under a winter weather advisory through 10 a.m. Tuesday, NWS reported. Cuyahoga, Geauga and inland Ashtabula counties are under a winter storm warning until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Northwest Pennsylvania could see a foot of snow. Snow is expected to intensify during the evening commute Monday, getting heavier through the night. NWS said the snow will slow from west to east Tuesday morning with higher snow amounts expected "inland from Lake Erie." Overnight, temperatures will drop into the 20s with the wind chill going down into the teens. NWS notes that visibility will be difficult during the times of the advisories due to blowing snow, warning drivers of "hazardous conditions" during Monday evening's commute. A taste of winter arrives today as a strong cold front moves across the area. Heavy snow, gusty winds, wind chills in the teens, and hazardous marine conditions are all expected. For additional details & the latest information, please visit https://t.co/kg0Mvp0JHJ. #ohwx #pawx pic.twitter.com/uK0d3b7yo8 NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 18, 2023 Akron-Canton forecast Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 24. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Tuesday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron weather today: Snow expected in northeast Ohio Monday night A heroic Afghan pilot who helped Britain in its war against the Taliban is one of thousands of new refugees facing homelessness after the Home Office changed its rules on evictions, The Independent can reveal. The air force lieutenant, who fought alongside coalition troops and was described as a true patriot, is facing imminent eviction from his Home Office hotel. He is also fighting to be reunited with his wife and child who are still in hiding from the Taliban in Afghanistan. His plight comes as new data shared with The Independent shows that more than 13,000 refugees with recently granted asylum status have gone to councils for emergency help in 2023 so far. It is the latest blow in treatment for those given asylum in the UK, with refugees given 28 days by the Home Office to find somewhere new to live before they are kicked out of their government-funded hotel. However, due to summer changes when the clock starts running down, and as the Home Office pushes to clear the asylum application backlog, refugees can be given as little as seven days to find a new place to live. Many turn to under-strain councils, who in turn do not have enough temporary accommodation to house everyone, and as a result are forced to sleep rough. Charities have blamed shrinking government support and higher asylum approval rates for fuelling the increase. The former pilot, who has been championed by The Independent, is one of those at risk. Afghan refugee Mujtaba has been forced to sleep in a park after he was granted asylum (Supplied) He said: I am worried about homelessness. It has been about three months that I have been looking for a room, searching on websites but I have had no luck. Others in my hotel have already been kicked out and some of them slept on the streets for about two weeks. I have been many times to the council but they just share room search websites with me. It is a very tricky problem and a challenge for us. If I dont have any place to sleep, how can I find a job? If I find a job, where will I sleep? The pilot has not yet received an official eviction order from the Home Office but has been warned by government-contracted charity Migrant Help to expect a seven-day notice at any moment. The man, who was threatened with deportation to Rwanda, said he had applied to around 50 properties but was rejected because of his lack of accommodation and employment. Julian Lewis, the Conservative MP and former chair of the Commons defence select committee, said: Whilst it is true that the UK cannot give sanctuary to every former member of the Afghan armed forces, those who have been granted asylum here should be treated with maximum consideration. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock accused the government of utterly failing on the issue. He said: Increasing refugee homelessness on our streets is the latest example of the Conservatives failing to get a grip of the chaos engulfing the asylum system. Refugees should not be left destitute, but too often the government is passing the buck to local councils who are already dealing with a housing crisis. He added: This Tory Home Office is so chaotic and incompetent that it is utterly failing to fulfil this most basic function of government, and as a result we are seeing a significant upsurge in homelessness this winter. Top military brass have previously condemned the short time Afghans have to find support. Sir Richard Barrons, a former commander of the UK Joint Forces Command, said: Central government cannot just pass the buck to local authorities. We cant abandon people and leave them to end up on the streets. Meanwhile, charities have resorted to giving out tents to those who have nowhere to live. In response, the Home Office has agreed to halt hotel evictions between 23 December and 2 January. The new home for four refugees who have been kicked out of Home Office hotels in Reading (Supplied) Growing problem Council data reveals that a total of 13,055 new refugees have presented as homeless in the first 10 months of 2023, compared to 8,566 in the whole of 2022. The figures are likely an underestimate as 80 per cent of some 350 councils in the UK responded to a Freedom of Information request from Care4Calais. The surge is reflected in recent government data, which shows that in September 222 people were sleeping rough after leaving asylum support services up from 44 people in July. Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, said the surge was symbolic of the UKs broken asylum system. He added: No one wants to see people who come here for sanctuary, left destitute on our streets, but this is what is happening under this government. Another new refugee, who is living in a park in Reading after being kicked out of his hotel accommodation, told The Independent that the local council could not help him because he was not a priority as a young single man. Mujtaba Qaderi said he now struggles to sleep at night and is unable to stop the rain from coming through his tent at night. The 25-year-old said that most job applications he sent when he was living in the hotel had been ignored and, although he was shortlisted for a job at Tesco, he didnt make the final round. He is now struggling to apply for work without an address. He added: I was told by the council that they dont have any accommodation. Im not well in my mental health and I cant say where I am sleeping is safe. Even when my tent is closed bugs come in and water comes inside when its raining. I am able to get free or discounted meals around the city but food is not my priority. Most of the time I cant sleep through the night and during the day I have a headache. Im fighting with myself with the things going on in my head. Im not going for food, so I just eat when I am really hungry. My priority is finding somewhere to live. Reading Borough Council said it had seen an increase in referrals for, and verifications of, people who have received positive asylum outcomes. The council said that the Home Office commitment to clear the asylum backlog by the end of 2023, coupled with its directive to give only seven days notice to quit accommodation, has created a significant increase in demand on council services locally and had effectively shifted the pressures onto local councils. The council said a case worker had been assigned to Mujtaba to support him explore accommodation options. Afghans made up the largest proportion of asylum applications in the UK in the year up to September 2023, with 14 per cent of the total. This was followed by Iranians, and then Albanians. Afghans, Eritreans, Syrians and Iranians all have an asylum grant rate of over 85 per cent. Ewan Roberts, centre manager at Asylum Link Merseyside, said the Home Office were pumping refugees through the system and onto the streets. Helen Hodgson, from Hope at Home, said modern slavery survivors were falling through the gap. Bridget Young, director of NACCOM, a network of charities supporting homeless refugees, warned that the situation was becoming increasingly desperate at the coldest time of the year. A government spokesperson said that refugees now get 28 days to move on from asylum accommodation after they receive their biometric residence permit. They added: We are working with local authorities to manage the impact of asylum decisions as the legacy backlog reduces. Humanitarian aid trucks wait in line to be inspected at the Kerem Shalom crossing Humanitarian aid trucks wait in line to be inspected at the Kerem Shalom crossing By Emily Rose JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened on Sunday for aid trucks for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, a move intended to double the amount of food and medicine reaching the enclave. The crossing had been closed after an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and aid was being delivered solely through Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt, which Israel said could only accommodate the entry of 100 trucks per day. As Israel's campaign in Gaza has gathered pace, the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave has worsened dramatically with the United Nations and other world bodies warning of severe shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Kerem Shalom, on the border of Egypt, Israel and Gaza, is one of the main transit points for goods in and out of the Palestinian enclave, allowing much faster transit than the Rafah passenger crossing a few kilometres away. Israel approved the entry of aid last week. "Starting today (Dec. 17), UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and be transferred directly to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, to abide by our agreement with the US," COGAT, the branch of military which coordinates humanitarian aid with the Palestinian territories, said in a statement. Asked if aid had crossed into Gaza, an Israeli official said yes. A Palestinian border official confirmed Kerem Shalom was reopened earlier on Sunday in coordination with the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency and Israel. Part of the aid had arrived in Gaza by Sunday night, while the rest would be completed on Monday, the official said. Two sources in the Egypt Red Crescent told Reuters that trucks had crossed Kerem Shalom on Sunday on their way into Gaza. One said there were 79 trucks. The prime minister's office has previously said the opening would allow Israel to maintain its commitments to permit the entry of 200 aid trucks per day, agreed on in a hostage deal brokered and implemented last month. Israel had already agreed to allow trucks to be inspected at Kerem Shalom but they had previously been obliged to return to Rafah to cross into Gaza from Egypt. Aid groups had been calling for them to be allowed in directly. The aid may not quickly reach those in need. Colonel Elad Goren, head of the civil department at COGAT, told Reuters humanitarian agencies had not increased their capacity to distribute aid to meet the demand from the influx of Gazans who have fled to the south of the enclave on Israeli advice. "If the U.N. won't have the capacity to collect and to distribute, it doesn't matter how many crossings we will open," Goren said. "They cannot rely upon the same mechanism they had before the war. "We adjusted ourselves," Goren said. "The UN unfortunately didn't." Juliette Touma, communications director of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, pushed back on Sunday, saying on X, "you cannot deliver aid under a sky full of airstrikes." (Reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Yusri Mohamed in Cairo, Nayera Abdallah in Dubai, Emma Farge in Geneva, Nidal Al Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Giles Elgood and Alexander Smith) Durwin Hickman had a hard time believing hed just won $20 million on a California Lottery Scratcher, so he sent a photo of the ticket to his wife to double-check. She confirmed the $30 Set for Life ticket hit the jackpot, the California Lottery said in a Friday, Dec. 15, news release. It was the biggest rush I have had in my life, Hickman, a Bay Area airport worker, told lottery officials. He bought the scratcher at a Hayward liquor store and played it on his lunch break. Hickman, who works as a skycap assisting passengers with their luggage, has big plans for the jackpot. My whole thing is I wanted to buy my wife a house, he said. Hickman said he previously won $1,000 playing the lottery. L & M Liquor will receive $100,000 for selling the winning ticket. Hayward is about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco. Other big scratchers jackpots include: A $5 million jackpot won by Teresa Martinez on a 100x scratcher purchased at a Morgan Hill gas station. A $5 million jackpot won by Eric Holtzman and Matoux De La Croix on a Premier 7s scratcher purchased at a Los Angeles-area pharmacy. A $5 million jackpot won by German Medina Zapata on a Premier 7s scratcher purchased at a San Francisco liquor store. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Lottery player didnt believe it when drawing reveals big win. Crazy feeling Wife asks husband to check lottery ticket then he visits her job with exciting news Lottery player in disbelief after big Virginia win. I got lucky this time! AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Huge flames were seen from blocks away as Akron firefighters battled a large house fire. Video: Massive mulch fire in Wickliffe Posted: Dec 17, 2023 / 11:01 AM EST Firefighters battled to keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire and initiated a defensive attack, firefighters said. *Photo: Akron Firefighters battled a large house fire over the weekend* It took some time to bring the fire under control, but we can report no injuries to firefighters or civilians, they added in their post to their social media page. The cause remains under investigation. Firefighters did not add the name of the street where the fire happened. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Alex Batty could have been found last month after British and French authorities failed to alert each other after he tried to enrol at a local school without any identity cards, it has been alleged. The boy, now 17, has text his grandmother I love you. I want to come home ahead of an emotional return to Oldham after spending the last six years living in a nomadic spiritual community in the Pyrenees mountains with his mother. He is due to land in the UK on Saturday as local French news outlet La Depeche reported that he had tried to enrol in a school in the town of Quillan. He could not provide any identity papers, so teachers alerted the police to the British teenager, who spoke little French in November. The gendarmes tried to contact the English authorities, said an investigating source, but there was a hiccup which did not allow the report to be followed up. The paper claimed authorities failed to connect the dots to Alex to the initial missing report from when he was allegedly abducted by his mother and grandfather from a Spanish holiday in 2017. They added: Collaboration [between the French and the British] did not make it possible to establish a link between the presence of Alex Batty in Quillan and his disappearance notice issued seven years earlier in England. It came as his overjoyed grandmother said it was like a dream speaking to him on the phone for the first time since he was abducted by his mother and grandfather and raised in a remote French village. His delighted grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana, 68, spoke about the emotional video call with Alex, saying: Its amazing. Its an incredible story. Alex Batty was found near Toulouse on Wednesday after walking for four days in the Pyrenees (Greater Manchester Police/PA) (PA Media) Its unbelievable after all these years. Im in shock. I cant believe it. I have spoken to him and hes well, thats all I can say for now. Im desperate to see him over the weekend but I dont know whats happening. Im waiting for the authorities to let me know. Its breathtaking, and Im over the moon. I just cant believe it. It was absolutely like a dream when I heard his voice. It was unbelievable. Susan Caruana is hoping to be reunited with Alex this weekend (Supplied) Alex reportedly told a delivery driver who spotted the exhausted teen walking along a rural road on Wednesday: I need a future. The teenager escaped by walking for four days, moving at night and sleeping during the day, to avoid detection. However, on Wednesday at 2am, Fabien Accidini picked him up before taking him to police in Revel, near Toulouse. The driver told media that Batty was carrying his belongings including a skateboard and a lamp when he stopped to help. Mr Accidini, a chiropractic student, added: He explained that he had been walking for four days, that he set off from a place in the mountains, though he didnt say where. I typed his name into the internet and saw that he was being looked for. Alex Batty (Supplied) Public prosecutors claim that Alex experienced no physical violence during his years in the mountains and found no evidence he was living in a cult. His family fear the impact of being away from home for so long. Alex seen here with his mother Melanie Batty and grandfather David Batty in a video they issued saying they were not returning home (Supplied) Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, of Greater Manchester Police, said he was relieved and overjoyed and was working with the French authorities to bring the teenager home. He said: UK authorities are buying a ticket and will arrange for travel from Bordeaux. He will leave tomorrow or at the very latest the day after. Toulouse deputy prosecutor Antoine Leroy said the youth had spent the past two years in different areas of southern France, living in spiritual communities with his mother, but not in a sect. He said he was never locked up, Leroy told a news conference, adding that the teenager said he had decided to leave his mother when he heard she was planning to move to Finland. The teenager told authorities his grandfather had died six months beforehand. More than 400 Yazidi-Americans represented by renowned human rights attorney Amal Clooney filed a lawsuit in New York Thursday, alleging French conglomerate Lafarge SA conspired to provide material and funds to support ISIS terrorist campaigns against the ethnic minority. Filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act in the Eastern District of New York, Clooney and former diplomat Lee Wolosky aim to hold Lafarge accountable for its admitted criminal conspiracy with ISIS and to obtain justice for the Yazidi people, according to a news release from Amal Clooney Media. Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking ethnic and religious group with significant populations in Iraq and Syria. A 2021 UN investigation determined ISISs systematic persecution of the group, including forced conversion to Islam and the killing and enslavement of thousands of Yazidis, constitutes genocide. Lafarge has admitted to a conspiracy that aided ISIS by providing millions of dollars in cash to ISIS, and is alleged to have provided ISIS with cement to construct underground tunnels and bunkers used to shelter ISIS members and hold hostages, including captured Yazidis, the news release states. Nadia Murad, a 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner and a Yazidi human rights activist, is the lead plaintiff in the case. The 426 other plaintiffs are all American citizens of Yazidi and Iraqi descent whose families are survivors of a systematic genocide against the Yazidi people that began in Sinjar, Iraq in 2014, the news release said. The facts of the case are really shocking, Clooney said in a Sunday interview with CNNs Fareed Zakaria. Just when the genocide against the Yazidis was beginning in Iraq, that ISIS committed, this company that had already been funding ISIS for a year ramped up its support for ISIS. The factory that Lafarge was operating through in Syria was just 52 miles away from Raqqah, which was the center of the slave trade that the Yazidis became subjected to, the women and young girls, the attorney said. Clooney added compensation for the victims will allow them to rebuild their lives and also to be able to go back to their homes in Iraq after being displaced. This is the first meaningful chance for compensation for these victims of ISIS, she said. In August 2014, the United Nations estimated more than 400,000 Yazidis were driven from their homes in Iraq by ISIS, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Murad told CNN it was important for her to continue to share her story to remind the world about horrific crimes ISIS committed against Yazidis and in order to prevent this from happening again. Her mother, four brothers, and other relatives were killed by ISIS during the genocide, she said. Murad previously said she and other unmarried women were taken as sex slaves and passed around to various ISIS militants, and that thousands of other women and young girls remain missing to this day. The complaint alleges Lafarges support for the terrorist campaign remained steady and even increased during the peak of ISISs brutality in the Middle East, as ISIS publicized beheadings of U.S. citizens and journalists and began its campaign of executions, rape, and terror against Yazidi civilians, the news release said. According to the news release, the large group of plaintiffs includes individuals who were injured by ISIS, owned land and homes that were destroyed, or had family members who were displaced, injured, kidnapped, or killed by ISIS. A significant number of the plaintiffs are Yazidi-Americans who relocated to Nebraska, Clooney told CNN. The lawsuit accuses Lafarge of continuing to pay ISIS even as the genocide against the Yazidis escalated. - Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg/Getty Images Lafarge SA previously pled guilty in DOJ case Lafarge SA, a global building materials manufacturer, previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiring to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations, in a case brought by the United States Department of Justice. In the case, Lafarge SA admitted it had paid nearly $6 million to ISIS and another terror group, the Al-Nusra Front, in exchange for permission to operate a cement plant in Syria from 2013 to 2014, according to the DOJ press release. As part of the guilty plea, Lafarge agreed to pay approximately $777 million in criminal fines and forfeiture to the United States. None of this money, however, has been used to pay compensation to the victims, the news release stated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com It is not uncommon for up to 30 ambulances to be stuck outside north Wales' main hospitals Ambulance staff are being forced to book taxis to take patients to hospital when having suspected strokes or while experiencing chest pains. And there are times when no ambulances at all are available across all of north Wales, according to a senior paramedic. This is because so many crews are tied up outside full A&E departments. The Welsh government said it expects health boards to make "urgent improvement" to reduce the delays. The Welsh ambulance service insists it is trying hard to find solutions, including creating new paramedic roles dedicated to only the most serious calls. But some staff feel they're swimming against the tide, with the most difficult weeks of winter still to come. I spent two days with the ambulance service in north Wales and witnessed the relentless pressures first-hand. Advance paramedic Aled Williams treats Jenny, who had a fall in the street 'Surely to God they can get an ambulance here quicker' Arriving in Llandudno with paramedic Aled Williams, it is obvious that Jenny Evans, 80, is in considerable distress. "I've been lying on the floor here for over an hour," she says, her head being cradled by a passer-by. "Surely to God you can get an ambulance here quicker." The ex-nurse and midwife is lying in the road after slipping outside her friend's home while delivering jigsaw puzzles for charity A policeman is diverting traffic and it is feared Jenny has broken her thigh bone. Neighbours and an ex-fireman with medical training help keep her warm on a bitterly cold afternoon. Soon after we arrive Aled starts giving Jenny a combination of much needed pain medication. "Unfortunately she does appear to have broken her hip," he tells me. "We've managed to get on top of the pain now but obviously it's getting dark and cold so our priority is to keep her warm." As a paramedic with specialist training, Aled can give more advanced treatments at the scene. But working from a rapid response car means he won't be able take Jenny to hospital, and asks for an ambulance to come on blue lights. The nearest available one is in Llangefni, 30 miles (48.3km) and 45 minutes away. "Unfortunately it does happen. Patients wait longer than we would want them," Aled admits. Jenny's ambulance finally arrives as night falls, and paramedic Andy Davies takes over from Aled. Aled Williams They will soon be on their way to A&E, but it's likely Jenny will still have to wait hours before she can be handed over. "I happens every shift," Andy tells me. "I was outside Glan Clwyd hospital for 10 hours recently - it was my first patient and we stayed there for an entire shift." He admits people can become verbally abusive "but there's nothing we can do to change it and it's heartbreaking to see". Aled is one of around 100 paramedics in Wales who are trained as CHARU (Cymru High Acuity Response Unit) Paramedics. The idea is they are "ring-fenced" for the most serious calls. The relatively new role was established, in part, because of concerns over ambulance delays on calls where lives are at immediate risk. "It's not uncommon to have 25 maybe 30 ambulances stuck outside our three main hospitals in north Wales," he says. That's a huge proportion considering at peak times the service has around 43 vehicles available across the region. Dominic Egan says using a taxi or asking families is a last resort 'It scares me to work like this' At the ambulance control room in St Asaph, staff give advice over the phone to less serious patients who might not need an ambulance. But many of the calls are from genuinely very sick patients. And because at times there are no ambulances free at all - staff say they have to ask families or even taxis to take very sick patients in. "It may be [a patient with] chest pain where somebody might need an ECG or blood tests in hospital, right the way through to somebody with active symptoms of stroke," says paramedic Dominic Egan. "When we don't have any resources available... just leaving [those patients] waiting longer and longer is only going to cause more issues for their health." "So let's just get them there as soon as possible." "It makes me upset and doesn't sit right with me ... but sometimes we have no other option", Source: Sian Stott, Source description: Nurse, Image: But nurse Sian Stott says having to make those decisions can be distressing. "It scares me to work like this, to make these decisions even though they might be the right ones [because of the huge pressures]. "I feel really uncomfortable asking for a taxi for someone who's having a stroke or asking their families to take them in by car. "It makes me upset and doesn't sit right with me... but sometimes we have no other option." Ann Williams waited outside a hospital in an ambulance for more than four hours Outside Glan Clwyd hospital's A&E I get a sense of the scale of the delays first-hand. Ann Williams, 78, is in one of eight ambulances queuing outside. Belfast-born, the great-grandmother to no fewer than 130 children has lived in north Wales for 70 years, and worked for a time at Llandudno hospital. Ann is putting on a brave face because she's in a lot of pain. "We've taken her to the doctors quite a few times," her granddaughter Danielle Abbot tells me. "But last night the pain got so intense we had to call the ambulance." Almost four hours later the ambulance arrived at 07.52 in the morning. It's now midday and Ann is still with the crew. Calli Johnson "It's quite normal now" says paramedic Calli Johnson. "I should imagine we'll be here for the best part of the day. But some shifts we don't even go out to a job. "We can come in straight to the hospital as the start of a shift to relieve a crew that's been stuck here all day and night." She said it was disheartening "not doing what we're trained to do". Waiting times for ambulances What do the figures look like? The average wait for a "red" call was eight minutes, 13 seconds in October. It peaked last winter when it was more than 10 minutes. Red calls have been a growing proportion of those calls which need an ambulance response. In October, 19% of all calls were coded red and there were more than 1,000 in a month for only the second time. Five years ago, they made up 7% of calls (400 a month). 48.5% of "red" calls arrived within eight minute, slightly better than average for the fourth month running. Handover delays chart Handover delays have risen steadily since Covid. More than 8,000 hours were spent outside major A&Es in north Wales in October, above the 15-minute window for ambulances to hand over patients. Only around 17% of ambulances handed patients over within the window. This was worse than the Welsh average of 21%. Betsi Cadwaldr health board says it's put a "number of measures" in place to alleviate long waits and says doctors liaise with paramedics to assess patients who have been waiting outside for long periods. It says some of the reasons for the delays are beyond its control and are due to backlogs in discharging patients because of pressures on social care. Out the Welsh NHS' 9,000 hospital beds, at any one time around 1,600 are taken by patients well enough to leave hospital. But the Welsh government says it's been "very clear with health boards about our expectations for urgent improvements". Click here to see the BBC interactive SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 24-hour flight delay from Amsterdam to Detroit stranded several hundred Delta Air Lines passengers last weekend, a performer caught on fire during a freak accident at a Christmas concert in Plymouth, and Wayne Police are investigating the fatal shooting on Dec. 10: here are the top stories from FOX 2's Week in Review. 1. Amsterdam to Detroit flight emergency lands in Canada, passengers housed in military barracks Several hundred Delta Air Lines passengers had a long and difficult journey from Amsterdam to Detroit last weekend, after an emergency landing in Canada caused a 24-hour delay. "I dont know what day it is anymore," said Tony Santoro of Troy, one of the passengers returning home after studying abroad for four months. 2. What's next for James, Jennifer Crumbley after Oxford High School shooter sentenced to life in prison While their son will spend the rest of his life in prison, the parents of the Oxford High School shooter are still waiting to find out if they will also serve time behind bars for the shooting. James and Jennifier Crumbley are each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the deadly Nov. 30, 2021, school shooting committed by their son. 3. Michigan company accused of lying to Department of Transportation to receive work contracts An owner and former owner of a Michigan surveying company are facing charges after authorities allege they lied to the Michigan and U.S. Departments of Transportation to get contracts. Andrew Semenchuk and Adam Ball, former owners and executives of Standish-based Surveying Solutions, Inc. (SSI) and Jeffrey Bartlett, a current owner and executive, are charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. 4. Performer catches fire at Northridge Christmas concert from freak accident A freak accident during a Christmas performance at a Plymouth church happened when a woman's costume -- came into contact with a candle -- and now she is hospitalized with third-degree burns. It happened at the crown jewel of the holiday season at Northridge Church, the annual Christmas performance which draws about 32,000 people over the two weekends it is held. 5. One dead, with multiple gunshot wounds, found in car in Wayne A 21-year-old man was found dead inside a parked vehicle just before 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 in Wayne. Police responded to multiple calls of a shooting in the area of John and Woodward Streets at 2:45 p.m. to find the man inside a car with multiple gunshot wounds. Police investigate a shooting in Wayne. 6. Detroit 21-year-old killed in crash caused by driver with suspended license, family asking for help A 21-year-old Detroit man died in a car accident on his mother's birthday, while on the way to work. The accident took place on Wednesday, Dec. 13 on the Lodge Freeway near Meyers Road in Detroit. A driver crashed into the back of Qvonte Dequan Pimples' car, after following too closely and failing to stop for traffic that was caused by another crash that morning. 7. 2 dead after head-on crash in Macomb County A head-on crash involving three vehicles left two people dead Sunday in Washington Township. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said an Oakland Township man was driving a Ford Bronco south on Van Dyke Road when he crossed the center line near West Road around 12:40 p.m. The Bronco hit a Toyota Prius head-on, and then the Prius was rear-ended by a Chrysler 200. The Bronco also hit a utility pole and brought down live wires. 8. Toys for Tatts: Get a free tattoo for donating a Christmas gift at Detroit shop Help kids celebrate Christmas and get a free tattoo in return next week at Motown Tattoo Company in Detroit. The tattoo shop will be collecting toys at its Gratiot location during the sixth annual Toys for Tatts drive from noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 22. During that time, bring a toy to the shop with a receipt, and you'll get a tattoo or piercing worth the value of the toy. 9. Michigan tax credit will be sent to 700,000 families with an average of $550 being issued More than 700,000 Michigan households can expect to receive checks next year that will include an average of $550 for families. Checks from the Working Families Tax Credit are expected to be sent to families in February 2024, the governor announced Thursday. 10. Despite vandals, Macomb Township 16-year-old turns his street into Christmas wonderland A residential street in Macomb Township has been transformed into a winter wonderland, and the mastermind behind it all is 16-year-old Brody Wesley. However, vandals have targeted his Christmas decorations twice now. "I started like 7 years ago," Wesley said. "My dad put lights on the roof and I took it to a different level." AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on 6th Street. It happened before midnight in the 200 Block of East 6th Street between Brazos and San Jacinto. Police have not released details about the shooting. Images from the scene show a large presence of police, with officers using crime tape to block the street. Austin Police close off part of 6th Street after a shooting Saturday, December 16. APD plans to hold a briefing at police headquarters to update the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is photographed in August 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. Calla Kessler/The Washington Post via Getty Images A 'nostalgic' Confederate monument will be removed from Arlington National Cemetery. The sculptor's descendants have spoken out in favor of removing the statue to a museum. Dozens of Congressional Republicans objected to its removal and asked the Pentagon to intercede. A Confederate monument in Arlington National Cemetary is going to be removed imminently despite the objections of a slew of Congressional Republicans. The memorial will be removed and stored in a "secure" Department of Defense facility until it goes to its final destination, an ANC spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. That final destination has yet to be announced. The removal will take place by December 22, according to an update on the cemetery's website. "During the deconstruction, the area around the Memorial will be protected to ensure no impact to the surrounding landscape and grave markers and to ensure the safety of visitors in and around the vicinity of the deconstruction," the site says. The monument was first displayed in 1914 and includes Confederate soldiers and their slaves. "The elaborately designed monument offers a nostalgic, mythologized vision of the Confederacy, including highly sanitized depictions of slavery," reads the description of the monument on the cemetery's website. One part of the statue shows an enslaved "Mammy" a female slave typically depicted as happy and grateful to their slavemasters holding a white officer's baby. The removal is scheduled to move ahead despite conservative objections in Congress. Over 40 Republicans wrote to the Department of Defense demanding that it prevent the removal or risk "denigrating the delicate balance" of powers between the legislative and executive branches, BI previously reported. Descendants of the statue's sculptor, confederate soldier Moses Jacob Ezekiel, have said the monument was designed to "rewrite history" and "justify the Confederacy and the subsequent racist Jim Crow laws." "It glorifies the fight to own human beings, and, in its portrayal of African Americans, implies their collusion," the family wrote in a 2017 letter to The Washington Post. "Take it out of its honored spot in Arlington National Cemetery and put it in a museum that makes clear its oppressive history." Read the original article on Business Insider A 100-year-old Confederate memorial in Arlington National Cemetery is to be removed before the end of the coming week after an independent commission informed Congress it was problematic from top to bottom. The cemetery announced the memorials forthcoming removal in a Saturday news release, adding that the surrounding gravesites would be protected. The memorials dismantling comes despite a fierce push from more than 40 House Republicans, who signed onto a letter to the Department of Defense begging it to step in and halt the removal, Fox News reported last week. The move has also been met with disapproval from Virginias Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. A spokesperson for the governor told the Associated Press that he plans to have the memorial moved to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in the Shenandoah Valley, calling it a fitting backdrop for [sculptor Moses Jacob Ezekiels] legacy. The 32-foot-tall monument, unveiled in 1914, depicts Rebel soldiers alongside what the cemeterys website calls a highly sanitized depiction of slavery, including a Black woman described as a mammy and a Black man following his white owner to war. Read it at Associated Press Read more at The Daily Beast. The closest the U.S. Supreme Court has come to assessing whether rap lyrics can be used in prosecutions was in a case where it looked at whether they were a true threat that made someone believe they would be seriously harmed. In 2014, the nations highest court heard the case of Anthony Elonis, marking the first time the justices reviewed a true threats case involving lyrics. Elonis had been found guilty of posting on Facebook rap lyrics containing violent language and imagery concerning his ex-wife, coworkers and law enforcement. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed Elonis conviction and ruled that prosecutors must prove that a defendant intended to carry out alleged threats. Another Supreme Court decision from June of this year will likely influence how these types of cases are handled in the future, said Clay Calvert, a professor of law and the former director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida. The court took up the case of Billy Raymond Counterman, a Colorado man who appealed a more than four-year sentence for stalking a local singer-songwriter and flooding her with messages on Facebook. Music is protected First Amendment speech as long as its not obscene, defamatory or a threat, Calvert said. But experts, advocates and some legislators are concerned that the use of rap lyrics in criminal prosecutions violates the right to free speech an issue the Supreme Court has yet to clarify. How does artistic expression, a protected form of speech, make it to courtrooms? Can lyrics be a crime? For rap legend Uncle Luke, the leader of the Miami-based 2 Live Crew, rap lyrics have long been weaponized to go after artists. In 1990, 2 Live Crews raunchy music was at the center of a legal battle that tested the bounds of free speech. Luther Campbell, left, leader of the rap group 2 Live Crew, and lawyer Bruce Rogow, right, after the verdict. Jurors had to decide if the groups vulgar and disgusting lyrics, including platinum album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, known for smash hit Me So Horny, were obscene. The artists were facing jail time because their lyrics were considered a crime. The jury acquitted them. Im like a proud father of hip-hop thats not getting any credit, but Im proud of fighting that fight, Luke said. If I dont do that, if I dont take on that fight, then we probably wont be here right now and a lot of artists would be getting just straight locked up for lyrics. American Rapper Luther Campbell, also known as Uncle Luke, is photographed at his home on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Miramar, Fla. The way rap lyrics are approached when considered a crime differs from the 2 Live Crew era. Now, theyre being used in prosecutions to show that someone believed they would be harmed and so were true threats, which arent protected by the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard true threat cases not involving lyrics over the years, but the only guidance offered on the use of lyrics is in the Elonis and Counterman cases. The United States Supreme Court unveiled a code of conduct on Nov. 13 following criticism of unethical behavior. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) In the Counterman case, the court ruled that prosecutors must prove that the defendant understood that the statements were threatening but made them anyway. Countermans stalking conviction was thrown out after a 7-2 decision. What the Supreme Court has made clear is that its not just how would a reasonable person interpret the lyrics, Calvert said. But you also have to look at now ... did the speaker consciously disregard a high risk that they would be understood as threats? Can race play a role? Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a written opinion in the Counterman case, delved into the dangers of equating violent lyrics to threats even if a threat wasnt intended. She reflected on how that could lead to the overcriminalization of minority communities. According to the Rap on Trial project, only about 2% of documented cases in which rap lyrics are mentioned involve white defendants. The bulk of those concern lyrics as threats. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Members of certain groups, including religious and cultural minorities, can also use language that is more susceptible to being misinterpreted by outsiders, Sotomayor wrote. And unfortunately yet predictably, racial and cultural stereotypes can also influence whether speech is perceived as dangerous. While Elonis conviction was overturned, others havent been. Jamal Knox and Rashee Beasley, who recorded a rap song titled F--k the Police, were charged with terroristic threats and witness intimidation after name-dropping two officers involved in a 2012 scuffle. Knox, who goes by the stage name Mayhem Mal, argued that the lyrics were protected by the First Amendment and that a conviction would violate his constitutional rights. A Pennsylvania court rejected the First Amendment claim and upheld his guilty verdict. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. A 2018 DUI arrest of a Florida Keys man has been reduced to misdemeanor reckless driving. Pointing to the experience of Knox and Beasley, who are Black, researcher Austin Vining argued that rap is viewed as a proxy for Blackness in the courts and that prosecuting lyrics unconstitutionally restricts free speech rights. Vining was formerly a fellow at the University of Floridas Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project. Rap and hip-hop lyrics are not afforded the same First Amendment protection as other genres ... because of their strong association with Black culture, he said. Ending rap on trial? As the practice is debated in courts across the country, several states have started taking legislative action to challenge the use of lyrics. California became the first state to restrict the use of rap lyrics in court when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act in 2022. CA is the 1st state to ensure creative content - like lyrics & music videos - can't be used against artists in court without judicial review. Thanks, @JonesSawyerAD59 for your work & @yg @KillerMike @tydollasign @Tyga @MeekMill @E40 @TooShort for your dedication to the cause. pic.twitter.com/cpOSCiHh0X Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 30, 2022 Louisianas Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the Restoring Artistic Protection Act in June. The law bars prosecutors from using lyrics as character evidence in trials. New York, in May, passed a bill in the state Senate that could limit the use of rap lyrics. It is not yet law. New Jerseys Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 2014 that rap lyrics cant be used as evidence in a criminal trial. At the center of the decision was the case of Vonte Skinner, an aspiring rapper who was convicted of attempted murder after lyrics written years prior were used against him. In 2022, state legislators tried to codify the ban. Illinois, Missouri and Maryland also introduced bills that would restrict the use of lyrics in courtrooms, but those havent been passed. Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) co-founder and chair Willie Prophet Stiggers, left, Congressmen Hank Johnson of Georgia, center, and festival co-founder Tariq Cherif, right, strike poses with signs reading Support The Rap Act and We Cannot Prosecute Artists For Their Creativity #RAPACT before a townhall to educate attendees about the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act) on day one of Rolling Loud Miami 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, July 21, 2023. Georgias U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat, introduced the federal Restoring Artistic Protection Act, known as the RAP Act. Johnson vowed to reintroduce the RAP Act, as long as hes in office. He spoke about the initiative at Rolling Loud in July. This is a criminal justice issue, he said. Its also a First Amendment issue. [The legislation] protects freedom in this country. And the fact of the matter is that the freedom of rap artists is under attack. Asking the wrong questions: Hugo Keith KC may be a fine barrister, but the Covid Inquiry offers no answers for the concerns that really matters There has always been a difficult relationship between power and truth. Autocrats understand that their ability to control official narratives maintains their authority. In times of war, democratic governments monitor and censor news. Even in peacetime, political debate is often a battle to determine the story: how events unfold, who caused them to happen, and who was right and wrong. The Covid Inquiry is a case study in the latter, and is painting a portrait of power relations in Britain today. The inquiry, established to consider the preparations and response to the pandemic and make recommendations to inform plans for future pandemics, should be a clear-eyed assessment of the decisions made and policies deployed to protect the public. It should seek to understand the costs and benefits and trade-offs of how the country responded. But it is falling short. When the Prime Minister gave evidence at the start of last week, he raised an analysis undertaken by Imperial College and Manchester University, based on quality-adjusted life years, or QALY. This is not a quirky or skewed metric favoured by partisans. It is an assessment of how many years a particular treatment or intervention will save or lose, with an estimate of the quality of that time. It is used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to determine the value of interventions in other contexts and scenarios. The analysis raised by Sunak is not definitive. QALY is, like so many other approaches, unavoidably broad and to some extent crude. Other studies may reach different conclusions. But this study found that the costs of lockdown are likely to have been greater than the benefits, with the authors arguing that the prioritisation of the prevention of Covid deaths as if nothing else matters is going to lead to bad outcomes. Specialists like Prof Karol Sikora agree that delays in diagnosing and treating cancer far outweigh the risks during lockdown from Covid. Yet when Sunak raised it, the inquiry barrister, Mr Hugo Keith KC, responded by saying he did not want to get into quality-life assurance models (sic). Some have taken Keiths mislabelling of the QALY assessment as evidence he is not sufficiently scientifically qualified for his role. Although a minister making the same mistake would have been ridiculed, this is unfair. But the refusal to allow the PM to continue to discuss an assessment of the trade-offs of lockdown was telling. If this is not the point of the inquiry, what is? There was a similar occurrence when Michael Gove gave evidence. Then, Gove said there is a significant body of judgment that believes that the virus itself was man-made and that presents its own set of challenges [for responding to Covid] as well. Of course, Gove was correct. If the virus did emerge from the laboratory in Wuhan, this would be relevant to our understanding of Covid, but also to the limited and dishonest nature of Chinas communication with the rest of the world. The FBI believes the virus came out of a lab, and there are many experts who agree. The compromised nature of the World Health Organisation means we may never know the truth. Yet the inquiry has shown a total lack of interest in the question. Mr Keith shut Gove down, saying we are not going to go there, calling the debate a somewhat divisive issue. Divisive it may be just like lockdowns, social distancing and other non-pharmaceutical interventions but it is surely pertinent to the inquiry mission, among other things, to consider the availability of data and expert evidence. The inquiry is supposed to have regard to relevant international comparisons, but Mr Keiths interjection suggests some international studies will not be honestly made. It is also tasked with drawing lessons for other civil emergencies, but it is impossible to see how it can do this when it turns a blind eye to the conduct of the hostile state responsible for the outbreak. What is revealing about these examples is that it is not government ministers who seek to narrow the discussion and censor the subjects for debate. It is the inquiry team itself determining the perspective from which scrutiny occurs. We have had questions about language used in private between officials and advisers, but not the origins of the virus. We have had questions about whether the country locked down too late, but less focus on whether locking down was on balance the right thing to do. This is not about being wise after the event locking down for an unprecedented crisis was a reasonable decision but the point of the inquiry is to be wise for future events. It is not clear we will be. There are similar problems elsewhere. The response to public concern about excess death rates since Covid and the allegation by some that the vaccines may be responsible cannot just be shut down. For those of us who believe in the importance of vaccines, for Covid and other diseases, the best way to maintain public support is to show transparency and explain why the benefits far outweigh the risks. Similarly, the extension of nudge theory to tactics that scared people disproportionately into compliance with Covid laws was not only unethical, but undermined long-term trust in government advice. From a refusal to discuss the true costs of immigration to the denial of blatant hatred and extremism, and many more issues besides, the attitude of many in positions of power sometimes ministers, but often officials, academics, experts and journalists is to deny reality, and to act as though the public cannot handle the truth. But while the democratisation of news and information, made possible by the internet and social media, has unleashed waves of misinformation and disinformation, it has also made it far harder to suppress and censor news and facts. It is no longer feasible if indeed it ever really was to tell people to disbelieve what they see with their own eyes. Political debate, and national leadership, requires us to do more than shut down rival arguments and inconvenient truths. We need real transparency and open dialogue. Government needs to trust, not fear, the people. 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. ATLANTA - Calls for another ceasefire in Gaza continued Saturday in Atlanta at Freedom Park where a vigil was held for journalists killed in the Israel-Hamas war. The ceremony was organized by Atlanta-based journalists. Imam Salah Wazir read the names of all 64 journalists killed in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as confirmed by the Committee to Protect Journalists. "They gave their lives in the front lines and were caught in the crossfire," Imam Wazir said. While the event was not a Free Palestine rally, some speakers, like Imam Wazir, did call for a ceasefire at the event. "In my Friday sermon I said, and I say it now publicly, Two wrongs will not make it right. Three wrongs wont make it right. War and counter-violence is being used as a solution to our problems. It wont work," he said. Three Israeli hostages who were killed while waving white flag, according to IDF. (From left to right: Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz) Now, three Israeli hostages have been added to the death toll. They were shot and killed, mistakenly, by Israeli soldiers. According to the IDF, the hostages were shirtless and waving a stick with a white flag on it. This tragedy increases the pressure on Israel, especially from within Israel, to negotiate another ceasefire with Hamas. Wazir says he hopes that out of this tragedy, people can see just how many innocent people are getting caught in the crossfire of this war, and hopes it will bring Israel back to the negotiating table. "And it is not working," he said. "It is not working. Killing is not a solution, you have to sit down, work it out. Why dont you compromise for the sake of peace? Sit down and negotiate and talk." The Atlanta Police Department is asking for the publics help locating two men they say are habitual car break in suspects. On Dec. 8, police say they responded to the 600 block of Parkway Drive in Northeast Atlanta in reference to multiple cars that were broken into. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When they arrived, police found a total of six vehicles broken into with numerous items of value that were stolen. The suspects are suspected of selling those stolen items to a local pawn shop while using another persons identification. TRENDING STORIES: Police say they believe the suspects are in a vehicle they described as an Acura with GA tag CQH9741. Anyone with information can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online here or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Photo of the consequences of the drone attack on the airfield in the Rostov region, which appeared on social networks The attack on the Morozovsk airfield in Russia's Rostov Oblast was a joint special operation of Ukraine's SBU security service and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, informed sources told NV on Dec. 17. "Significant damage" was reportedly done to the equipment that was stationed there. Read also: Photos of drone attack aftermath on military airfield in Russia The airfield was an important target, as it is the location of the 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces, NV's source revealed. monitor/Telegram There were reportedly up to 20 SU-34 aircraft at the airfield at the time of the strike. There were also three radar stations and other equipment on the airfield. Read also: Downed Russian drone hits residential area, killing civilian in Odesa Oblast "The airfield was attacked by drones," the source said. Although Russia has traditionally claimed that all the UAVs were shot down, in reality, the Service and the Armed Forces inflicted significant damage to the enemy's equipment. Read also: Photos of the aftermath of the drone attack on a military airfield in Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast, Russia, were posted online earlier. Pictures of at least one damaged warplane from the airfield are being shared on Telegram channels. It is likely to be a Su-34 bomber. The photos show that the plane's flaps are cut by the damaging elements. Telegram channels claim that if the damage hit the cockpit area, the plane will need serious repairs. monitor/Telegram monitor/Telegram News outlet hromadske alleged that the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (HUR) was behind the drone attack on facilities in Lipetsk and Volgograd oblasts, but HURs source denied this. Prior to that, the Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that overnight on Dec. 16-17, drones attacked a military airfield in Morozovsk, in Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation. Read also: Fearless neo-Nazis roam freely, filling the streets of Volgograd with fascist chants video The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense system destroyed and intercepted 33 drones. The UAVs were allegedly shot down in Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd oblasts. 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 The spokesman for Yemen's Houthi rebels, Yahya Saree, is seen here during a march in solidarity with the people of Gaza on Dec. 15, 2023. Credit - Mohammed HuwaisGetty Images Threat levels for ships sailing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal increased over the weekend, according to Dryad Global, a maritime security firm. On Saturday, Dec. 16, the U.S. Central Command announced on X that it had deflected a barrage of 14 drone strikes from Houthi controlled areas. It looks like the threat level has increased to almost any vessel and now we have 4 major shipping companies suspending operations in this region and are taking the route around Africa, wrote Corey Ranslem, the CEO of Dryad Globala prominent maritime security firmin an email to TIME on Monday. Over 80% of the worlds traded goods are transported via ocean, since traveling by sea is more cost effective in most cases, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. Attacks from the Houthis began during the Israel-Hamas war when the militant group vowed to attack all ships stopping at Israeli ports. Who are the Houthi rebels? The first iteration of the Houthis emerged with a group called the Believing Youth, who led a revivalist movement for the Zaydi branch of Islam in the 1990s. Many Zaydi muslims, who make up about 35% of the country, felt that the increasing presence of Saudi-influenced Salafi Islam was interfering with their cultural heritage and rights. In 2004, the group evolved and came to be known as the Houthis after their leader Hussein al-Houthi was killed. It was also around this time that they began launching insurgencies against Yemens government. Some of their grievances against the government aligned with the grievances of other sectors of Yemeni society around government corruption and mismanagement, but they also had some specific grievances regarding perceived infringement on the cultural rights of Zaydi Muslims, says Stacey Philbrick Yadav, the chair of international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges who published a book about Yemens war in January. In 2011, grievances among the Yemeni over poor economic conditions and corruption boiled over into mass protests that eventually led to the ousting of Yemens president Ali Abdullah Saleh who had been in power for 34 years. The international community then tried to establish a transitional government for Yemen that excluded the Houthis, which led the Houthis to forcefully enter the capital of Yemen to demand inclusion in the government. The conflict intensified in 2015 when Houthi rebels aligned with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh against the internationally-backed government. Saudi Arabia has been a leading force in the war against the Houthis. Because of this, the Houthis have grown more aligned with Iran. Nevertheless, Philbrick Yadav, who spoke to TIME over the phone, says that she wouldnt go so far as to call them a direct Iranian proxy. They do have a relationship with and support from Iran, but are not a straightforward proxy of Iranian interests. They have their own locally defined interests and so I think that their actions in the past two months have reflected that, she says. In Yemen, supporting Palestinian people is an extremely popular opinion. Philbrick Yadav says that showing support for Palestine helps the Houthis gain popularity. This is a way in which the Houthis can try to expand their appeal to Yemenis who don't support their domestic political project, she says. How relevant is the economic impact? Over 80% of the worlds traded goods are transported via sea vessels, meaning that the annual shipping trade is worth over 14 trillion dollars, according to the International Chamber of Shipping, or 16% of global GDP. Transporting items via sea is usually more cost effective than moving via air, meaning that the shipping industry is essential for transporting nearly every imported product we usefrom clothing and cars to oil and gas. The Red Sea directly feeds into the Suez Canal, the only water route available for ships traveling from Asia to Europe without having to sail around the African continent. Ranslem says that traveling via the Suez Canal and Red Sea can save ships over 30 days in travel time. Depending on where the vessel is headed for its ultimate destination, to go around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa could be extremely expensive and time consuming, and you have pretty challenging weather conditions, Ranslem tells TIME during a phone call. But at the same time now, vessels transiting through this region of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea are also seeing their costs rise because insurance companies are continuing to increase premiums. According to Reuters, war risk premiums have risen from approximately 0.07% of the value of the ship last week to up to 0.2% the value of the ship this week. This can increase the cost of a single seven-day voyage by tens of thousands of dollars. Which ships are being targeted? The Houthis have publicly stated that they are targeting ships that they believe are stopping in Israel. So far, Ranslem says that most of the attacks have been targeted at ships that were planning to stop in either Ashdod or Haifa, prominent port cities in Israel. Before the attacks, both ports had a list of ships expected to arrive over the next several weeks published online. Those lists have been taken down. Right now, any vessel that is transiting through this region that is heading to an Israeli port is at a much higher risk than other vessels, says Ranslem. However, Ranslem says that in the aftermath of the drone barrage this weekend, all other ships traveling through the region are at risk as well. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Dec. 4 that the U.S. is working to build a coalition with partner nations to provide protection for global shipping in the region. However, it will likely take several weeks or months before any such plan can effectively provide protection, argues Ranslem. This means the ships seemingly remain at risk for now. Contact us at letters@time.com. A crash into a sinkhole killed an ATV rider, Arizona firefighters reported. The crazy part of this call is there (were) sinkholes and tunnels all around that were not visible very well, causing very unstable ground, some holes being approximately 40 feet deep, the Greer Fire District said in a news release. Emergency crews responded to the crash on the night of Thursday, Dec. 14, just north of Concho, firefighters said. The ATV rider had crashed into a 10-foot hole. Several other agencies also took part in the response and helped remove the rider from the hole. Crews worked in a very safe and conscious manner, firefighters said, noting there were no other injuries. Photos posted with the release show several sinkholes, some leading into at least one tunnel. Concho is about 200 miles northeast of Phoenix. Bystanders wave for help after vehicle crashes down cliff, California cops say 4-year-old riding in car with parents dies in road rage shooting, California cops say Woman found beaten, stabbed and burned 42 years ago now identified, California cops say Severe storms and flooding pounded the Queensland state of Australia on Sunday in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Roads were destroyed, power down for thousands and rescues underway, with the deluge expected to continue into Monday. Amid the dangerous weather, a 30-year-old man died after being found unconscious beside fallen power lines, while a 10-year-old girl was fighting for her life after being struck by lightning, according to Queensland Police. Last year, flooding in Queensland killed two dozen people. What is happening? Australias Bureau of Meteorology issued a tropical cyclone warning on Dec. 10 as Cyclone Jasper prepared to bear down on northeast Australia, predicting heavy rainfall. On Sunday, the government agency said the ex-cyclone was still sitting over the coast and issued marine wind, flood and severe storm warnings for different parts of Queensland until Monday night, warning residents to move to higher ground as intense rainfall could cause dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding. What is the danger and damage? Queensland Premier Steven Miles shared an update via social media on Sunday evening that there was a severe weather emergency playing out in the far north part of the state. Some communities had received up to 600mm (two feet) of rain in the past day, he said. More than 10,000 people were without power and roads had been cut off, with some bridges damaged beyond use. In Murarrie, Brisbane, a 30-year-old man was found unconscious near fallen power lines during a thunderstorm with life-threatening injuries on Friday, Queensland police said. He was declared dead shortly afterwards. The Guardian reported a 10-year-old girl was in critical condition after she was struck by lightning in the town of Beerwah on Sunday, citing police. She was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital before being flown to Queensland Children's Hospital. TIME was unable to reach police, but contacted Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to verify and find out if there were any other injuries or casualties. There is a serious weather emergency playing out right now in Far North Queensland as the region continues to be impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. There is still more rain to come. Some communities have received up to 600mm of rain in the past day. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/EDSKPPZgPf Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) December 17, 2023 In response to large numbers of urgent calls for assistance, the government has deployed significant numbers of rescue vessels, Miles said in another social media update. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services responded to 532 requests for assistance across the state, The Guardian reported, with difficulty reaching multiple groups of people for rescue because of flooding. The emergency response agency issued a stern warning on Facebook to never drive in floodwaters after reporting that people were rescued from cars after deliberately driving into water. Shane Chelepy, Queensland Polices Deputy Commissioner, said in a news conference Sunday afternoon that emergency responders had made a number of rescues, with 37 people staying in five evacuation centers. Police said they evacuated 12 people from their homes after a river broke its banks around 1 a.m. on Dec. 14. One home was inundated with water and multiple cars damaged, police said. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said in the Sunday news conference that the city of Cairns expected to see waters above 1977 flood levels, previously the biggest on record for the region. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Cairns had become an island, with roads blocked to the north, south and west. As of Sunday night, hundreds of homes had been flooded and local mayors were appealing for military intervention as they exhausted local resources. Prime Minister Anthony Albonese posted pictures showing the severe scale of flooding in Cairns, with the shuttered airport swamped with water and roads rivened, and said his government was working closely with local authorities to ensure assistance was available. This is Cairns today. The Cairns community is dealing with significant flooding after Tropical Cyclone Jasper made landfall. Our government is working closely with the Qld government to ensure assistance is available to those who need it. pic.twitter.com/wwV6CcLtDc Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 17, 2023 In the aboriginal area of Wujal Wujal, which was under an emergency alert, the council reported widespread flooding, stores closed and power out on its Facebook page. The local government urged people to stay away from floodwaters, warning of a crocodile at a bridge crossing near where children were swimming. The council said 4G communications would be switched off to preserve battery life from 11 p.m. Sunday until Monday morning, meaning people would still be able to make voice calls but would have slower internet. How can people get help? The Bureau of Meteorology urged the public to go inside strong buildings, not drive and park their car undercover away from trees, close windows and doors, charge devices in case of loss of power later on, and keep asthma medications nearby as storms and wind can trigger respiratory attacks. Miles said those in distress can contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500 and call 000 if the situation was life-threatening. People dealing with damages can reach out to the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or Queensland Government's specialized Tropical Cyclone Jasper web page for information about financial grants and support services. Contact us at letters@time.com. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government on Sunday said it was confident punitive tariffs on Australian wine introduced by China in 2021 would be lifted early next year. "I would be very confident that early in the new year we will get a favourable result from the Chinese authorities to lift the ban on Australian wine," Trade Minister Don Farrell told Sky News television on Sunday. "That'll be very important for Australian winemakers; we're coming into the processing season." The comments come after the two sides in October announced they had reached a consensus to settle a World Trade Organisation dispute about wine and that anti-dumping tariffs, which were not set to expire until 2026, would be reviewed. Australia lodged a complaint over China's tariffs on its wine at the WTO in 2021. Until the tariffs, China was Australia's top wine export market, peaking at A$1.2 billion ($804 million) for the 12 months to January 2020. In November, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China, the first visit by a sitting Australian leader since 2016 as the centre-left Labor government continued to work on stabilising strained ties with Beijing. China has now lifted trade blocks on most Australian exports imposed in the wake of Australia's call for an international investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. ($1 = 1.4934 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; editing by Jonathan Oatis) (Bloomberg) -- The crippling tariffs that Chinas government imposed on Australian wine exports almost three years ago could be lifted shortly, Australias trade minister Don Farrell said on Sunday. Most Read from Bloomberg China started reviewing the sanctions in late November and that process was well and truly underway, Farrell said in an interview with Sky News. I would be very confident that early in the new year we will get a favorable result from the Chinese authorities to lift the ban on Australian wine, the minister said. That will be very important for Australian winemakers. Farrell also expects taxes on lobster to be removed in the near future after raising that issue with his Chinese counterpart five times, he said. That meant it wasnt an unreasonable prediction to expect that all of Chinas remaining tariffs on Australian exports would be removed next year, he said. The review on wine tariffs was originally estimated to end before Nov. 30, 2024, according to a statement from the Chinese Commerce Ministry. The nation imposed anti-dumping tariffs of up to 218% on wine in March 2021, decimating what had been one of Australias major overseas markets. China imposed tariffs on wine and barley in an apparent attempt to punish Australia after then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2020 called for a probe into the origins of Covid-19, angering Beijing. Punitive actions citing biosecurity issues also blocked access for live lobsters, beef and other products. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The BBC has been attacked by the Tories for describing a political festival attended by Rishi Sunak as a far-Right rally. The broadcaster is facing a fresh impartiality row for happily using the phrase to characterise the summit while refusing to call Hamas terrorists. The Prime Minister spoke at the four-day event on Saturday, hosted by his Italian counterpart and close ally Giorgia Meloni. It was attended by a wide range of Right-wing politicians, as well as centrist and centre-Left figures such as Matteo Renzi, the former Italian prime minister, and Edi Rama, the Albanian leader. Mr Sunak used the platform to warn that hostile states will increasingly drive people to our shores to destabilise Western nations unless leaders crack down on illegal migration and revamp asylum conventions. The BBC went on to describe the gathering as a far-Right rally during its coverage on Sunday. The phrase appeared on screen, with the presenter adding: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been talking to a far-Right political festival, which she actually started many years ago. The Tories said the editorial decision raised serious questions about the BBCs policies, accusing it of careless categorisation. A spokesman said: The Beeb will happily brand democratically elected politicians like Meloni and (Javier) Milei (the newly elected president of Argentina) far Right at the drop of a hat, but they wont call Hamas a terrorist organisation. Giorgia Meloni with Albanian prime minister Edi Rama and Rishi Sunak at Rome's Palazzo Chigi - ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP BBC bosses should rethink their careless categorisation and stick to reporting the facts. The term also prompted a backlash from Tory backbenchers, who accused the BBC of disrespecting the Prime Minister and not knowing the difference between a far-Right rally and a congress of democratic conservative parties. Brendan Clarke-Smith, the Conservative MP for Bassetlaw, told The Telegraph: Its quite remarkable that the BBC finds it appropriate to refer to our allies, prominent leaders and their political parties as far Right for simply being conservative-minded. Its also incredibly disrespectful to our own Prime Minister, who has spoken there too. Contrast this with their point blank refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists and its clear there is a lack of balance and a great deal of hypocrisy. Rather than throwing around insults, they should instead be praising the Italian PM for her willingness to work together with us to modernise outdated treaties and tackle the people smuggling gangs responsible for so many deaths at sea and in the English Channel. Andrew Lewer, the MP for Northampton South, said: The inaccurate and lazy way the left wing press use the expression far right has virtually stripped it of any useful meaning in modern media discourse. And Greg Smith, the MP for Buckingham, observed: BBC News editors once again showing their true colours. Former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg also lashed out at the broadcaster, pointing out: It is clearly not a far-Right rally but a congress of democratic conservative parties. Trust the BBC not to know the difference. The BBC has been approached for comment. 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 BBC is facing a criminal investigation over claims it withheld documents relating to the 1995 interview with Princess Diana The BBC is facing a criminal investigation over claims it withheld documents relating to Martin Bashirs 1995 interview with Diana, the Princess of Wales. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) said its criminal investigations team is reviewing a complaint that the corporation breached the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The BBC could face an unlimited fine if it were successfully prosecuted. Last week, a judge strongly criticised the BBC for failing to release a large number of emails relating to the way Mr Bashir secured the Panorama interview, in which the Princess famously said there were three of us in this marriage, referring to Charless then-mistress Camilla. The emails had been requested by a journalist who claims the corporation breached the Freedom of Information Act, allegations which are rejected by the BBC. Mr Bashir officially stepped down from his job at the BBC in 2021, after it emerged he had secured the Panorama interview through deception and by faking documents. Journalist Andy Webb made a freedom of information request, asking to see the emails BBC bosses sent each other about Mr Bashir over a two-month period in 2020. Martin Bashir officially stepped down from his job at the BBC in 2021 The corporation sent him a 67-page dossier of memos and minutes from 1995 and 1996 that detailed its internal investigation into Mr Bashirs methods. However, it withheld more than 3,000 emails, saying Mr Bashir was seriously unwell and it was unable to discuss this matter with him. Earlier this month, Judge Brian Kennedy ordered the BBC to release more emails - saying the corporation had been inconsistent, erroneous and unreliable in the way it dealt with the initial request. A spokesperson for the ICO confirmed Mr Webbs case has since been referred to its criminal investigations team, who are currently reviewing the material provided. The BBC said it rejected these allegations entirely, including any suggestion that the BBC has acted unlawfully. A spokesperson for the corporation said: We have repeatedly set out to Mr Webb that Martin Bashirs significant health issues prevented us from disclosing documentation in 2020, as we were unable to consult him on the substantive issues. As Mr Webb also knows, all relevant documentation that was in the BBCs possession was passed to the Lord Dyson inquiry which concluded and was published in 2021. Mr Webb previously said it was overwhelmingly in the public interest for these internal emails to be divulged to the public. The inquiry found that Mr Bashir used deception to secure the interview and then lied to BBC managers. 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. DURHAM, New Hampshire First Donald Trumps Republican critics banked on one of his opponents catching a spark in Iowa. Then they said New Hampshire was where theyd make their mark. Eventually, advisers to Trumps rivals maintained, someone would emerge from the field of lower-polling candidates to get a clear shot at Trump. After the past week, that idea has never looked more out of reach. In Iowa, new polling shows Trump not only maintaining his enormous lead in the first caucus state, but expanding on it stretching his support to 51 percent of likely Republican caucus-goers. And in New Hampshire, Republicans desperate for someone other than Trump were further dividing the field. When the states popular Republican governor, Chris Sununu, endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Tuesday, he became the third of three early-state governors to endorse a different candidate. For Haley, it was great news, just as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds had publicly backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, or South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster had gone in for Trump. But for Republicans yearning to move on from the former president, it was a disaster capping one of the worst weeks yet in the movement to block Trump from the nomination. If youre Trump, thats the best-case scenario, said Phil Taub, a prominent New Hampshire donor and Republican activist who is close with Sununu. Everybody just wants it to be Trump versus one candidate. But as long as they are splitting up all the votes, Trump doesnt even have to get 50 percent. Trumps opponents arent just failing to coalesce around one candidate theyre actively making it harder to do so, with lower-polling candidates giving no indication theyll step aside before voting begins. Haley says at events that she plans to wait out the winnowing thats bound to continue as the nominating calendar moves through Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and onto her home state of South Carolina, where she contends shell be able to take on Trump one-on-one. But DeSantis argued to a group of roughly 70 voters in Concord on Friday that hes the only one who can beat Trump because he appeals to Trumps base and can draw some of those voters. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, meanwhile, sees a path through New Hampshire, where hes staking his campaign, to Michigan, where he has yet to make an appearance. Vivek Ramaswamy, an independently wealthy biotech entrepreneur, has every incentive to stay in as long as he keeps drawing attention. And then there is former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who continues to make his case to early-state voters despite polling at around 1 percent. No ones getting out, veteran New Hampshire-based Republican strategist Dave Carney said. All the No Trump voters are divided among four people. And math is a very simple process. At this point in the 2016 election, Trump was down by 3 percentage points in Iowa to Sen. Ted Cruz, ultimately coming in second by that same margin. But with a fractured field that year and even lacking majority support Trump went on to beat his rivals and win the GOP contests in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, propelling him to the nomination. The problem for anti-Trump Republicans this time is not only that the field is similarly divided, but Trumps lead in all four early states is drastically higher. And with time vanishing before the first votes are cast, his rivals have failed to come even close to striking distance. Thats despite ramping up campaign events in early states, securing influential endorsements and spending with the help of super PACs a combined $167 million to date on advertisements, according to tracking service AdImpact. Few of the candidates efforts, however, are aimed at dragging down Trump. During the last GOP debate, Trumps opponents spent more time attacking Haley, whose campaign has been on the rise, than the frontrunner himself. And Haley and DeSantis allies continue to spend money on television against each other, rather than trying to close the gap with Trump. Even Christie, who has long warned his rivals to stop berating each other and go after Trump directly, has started to light into Haley on the campaign trail in recent weeks as he tries to leapfrog her in New Hampshire polls. Its all pardon the phrase mental masturbation, said Barrett Marson, an Arizona Republican strategist. Trump has never slipped. And DeSantis and Haley would rather attack each other than the guy they are really running against. Everyone is struggling to come in second place in a race where only first place pays anything. Trumps campaign is openly delighting in its rivals self-cannibalizing. Its like watching two JV teams tripping over each other set to the theme of Benny Hill playing in the background, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. And to make matters worse for Trumps opponents, theres no guarantee that if more candidates drop out, their supporters will shift to another Trump alternative, anyway. Half of likely DeSantis voters in a recent University of New Hampshire/CNN poll said Trump would be their second choice, while more Ramaswamy voters would break for Trump than DeSantis. By attacking one another rather than the frontrunner, the candidates themselves are not conditioning their supporters to back anyone other than Trump when the field further shrinks, said Lucy Caldwell, an independent political strategist who ran former Illinois Rep. Joe Walshs failed effort to primary Trump in the 2020 campaign. When candidates inevitably drop out, some of [their supporters] are going to become Trump voters, Caldwell said. And so I think there has been wishful thinking that those groups are aligned in their hatred for Trump. Instead, in a contest where Trump is so dominant, candidates are turning to wish-casting, seizing on every infinitesimal shift in public surveys to bolster their case. After polls started showing him rising into third place in New Hampshire, Christie began telling voters that it was now a three-person race in the state between him, Haley and Trump. Following his endorsement of Haley on Tuesday, Sununu winnowed it even further. With all due respect to the other candidates, this is a two-person race at this point, the New Hampshire governor said. And I think thats why Donald Trumps nervous. But its the voters who dont want Trump as their nominee for the third consecutive cycle who are increasingly nervous fretting that the field is still too big to stave off a repeat of 2016. Theres too many candidates, said Sandra Batchedeer, an Auburn, New Hampshire, independent who voted for Trump in 2020 and is now leaning toward Haley. The field needs to get very narrowed down so that it doesnt get so divided. Trump is feeding off his detractors disarray. After his rivals spent the week crisscrossing the state in a pre-holiday blitz, speaking to a few hundred voters at a time, the former president drew thousands of supporters to the Democratic stronghold of Durham for his first New Hampshire arena rally of the cycle. He mocked his lower-polling rivals the sellouts, he said, are lagging far behind us in the Republican primary, at record levels to laughter and cheers from the raucous crowd. And he shrugged off Sununus endorsement of Haley, calling the Granite State governor a spoiled brat who is supporting someone who cant win. Whatever happened to the surge? Whatever happened to the bounce? With Nikki, they talk about the surge. With DeSanctimonious, they talk about the bounce. Theyve been talking about it for the last six months, Trump said. And the only one that had a surge, and the only one that had a bounce, is Trump. From the Dispatch Weekly on The Dispatch Hello and happy Sunday. I dont know how youre doing in the middle of this holiday season, between preparations and celebrations, but Im feeling a weird mix of energized and exhausted. And not entirely because of the holidays: Im energized because I got to go to D.C. this week to see my colleagues in person and partake in some planning meetings for next year, and a little exhausted because once my plane landed back in Cincinnati (or, um, Kentucky for you sticklers), I hit the road to go collect our son from college for winter break. The more I think about it, thats also a good description of how Im feeling about the coming year: energized about the opportunities were going to have to do good work on important topics, and preemptively exhausted about the challenges those same topics are going to pose. Ive been in political media for longer than I care to admit, but I cant remember any year that presented so many weighty difficulties. The 2016 election was a journey, to be sure, but as crazy as it was, we didnt enter the year knowing that Donald Trump would be the GOP nomineemuch less that he would win the White House. Today, were looking at a general election that would not only be a rematch from 2020 but draw on elements from eight years ago: two deeply unpopular candidates who only have a shot at winning because of who their opponent is. Other big stories that would normally dominate the news will inevitably take a back seat, but they shouldnt: The war in Ukraine is grinding on. Will the West continue to stand with Kyiv? Will the winter give Russia a chance to regroup? Could the war expand beyond Ukraines borders and into Eastern Europe? Then, of course, there is the war between Israel and Hamas. Weve grown accustomed to such conflicts lasting days or weeks, but this iteration has lasted nearly three monthswith no end in sight. Hamas strategy of hiding underground and among its own people is leading to uncomfortably high civilian casualty counts, and the Biden administration has begun dropping not-so-subtle hints to Israel about scaling back its war effort and deploying different tactics. What happens in Gaza doesnt exactly stay in Gaza. The rise in antisemitism across the West has been as surprising as it has been disturbing. College campuses in America have been dealing with it poorly, as weve detailed, and progressive support for the Palestinian cause (that sometimes bleeds into outright antisemitism) could end up playing a decisive role in the 2024 election here. Weve been talking a lot about all of these topics in our editorial meetings and as we make plans for the next year. What is the best way to cover Donald Trump? (An aside: The last big meeting I attended in my capacity as a senior editor at Slate was convened for this express purposeseven years ago. Apparently were all still figuring it out.) If we try to ignore the bluster and the hysterics, are we leaving people uninformed about the threat he might present? If we focus on it too much, do we sound like were the ones hyperventilating? So yeah, its all a little exhausting. But what keeps me energized is knowing that weve built a team that is well-suited to tackle these topics and give you reporting, analysis, and commentary that will help you make sense of it all. And we are also motivated by your support for the work that we do and the regular feedback you give us. (One thing we would definitely not complain about is if you were to share that feedback with friends and family members who might also appreciate our work, if you know what I mean.) Thanks for reading. Not a member? Join now! Its been more than 50 years since a third-party candidate won votes in the Electoral College, and much longer than that since an election was actually thrown to the House of Representatives. But with Trump and Joe Biden as the likely major-party nominees, there could be a real hunger for an alternative (or three) in the 2024 election. How about an independent bid from Robert Kennedy Jr.? Could No Labels actually mount a successful centrist effort? What happens if no candidate receives the requisite 270 electoral votes? Mike dives deep on all that and more, looking back on the events that made John Quincy Adams the president in 1824. While our assumptions about hyperpartisanship suggests state delegations will stick with their partys nominees [in a contingent election], Mike writes, the introduction of a third candidate into the mixespecially a centrist with appeal to those few crucial moderate House members in both partiescould make for some unpredictable political jockeying. Polling shows that support for Israeli-Palestinian peace is declining, and that if an election were held today in Gaza, Hamas would win in a landslide. John Aziz, a British Palestinian, explores why this is the case. Could it be wartime bravado, Arab tribal honor culture, fear of speaking out against Hamas, or just plain antisemitism? Or is it some blend of all the above, combined with the incoherent wailing of a desperate, traumatized people? he writes. According to the aforementioned Birzeit University study, 14 percent of Palestinian respondents had lost at least one immediate relative during this specific conflict. And 100 percent of Gazans questioned in the poll said there is no safe space for them or their families in Gaza. In such a heated environment, calmer voices are unlikely to prevail. He goes on to suggest that the best strategy for Palestinians is to ditch Hamas own maximalist demands and to work toward negotiating for peace. A week ago, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: So interesting that the Democrats are looking hard at the Senate races in both Missouri and Texas. Josh and Ted must be very careful, stranger things have happened!!! That the former president would use mobster tactics on politicians to get their endorsements isnt exactly surprising, but the Dispatch Politics team dives into why Josh Hawleywho endorsed Trump two days laterwould be so quick to respond. Hes up for reelection, yes, but hes popular in Missouri and well-supported Republicans in other states, like Brian Kemp in Georgia, have succeeded even after standing up to Trump. Rather than a matter of his own political survival, then, Hawleys move is more likely one made with an eye to a possible futureone where an increasingly vengeance-focused Trump sweeps back to power himself, they write. The fewer bones Trump has to pick with Republicans in the Senate by then, party leaders think, the better off theyll all be. Michal Leibowitz attended a menorah lighting event at Stanford, her alma mater, and was surprised to see a small and subdued crowd. She expected a bigger crowd than usualand a defiant sort of energy in light of a corresponding pro-Palestinian event and the recent congressional testimony by three university presidents on campus antisemitism. Still, she writes that the holiday can serve a special purpose for Americans this year: The Jewish sages teach that the menorah should be lit at the outside entrance of ones house, or in a window. We publicize the miracles of Hanukkah because the Jewish story has a lesson for the wider world. The menorah prods those who see it, Jews and non-Jews alike, to reclaim our values and rededicate ourselves to the principles that sustain us as a people. Not a member? Join now! And heres the best of the rest: Special counsel Jack Smith is trying to go directly to the Supreme Court to answer the question of whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in his election interference trial. Mike and Sarah have the details in The Collision . In Wednesdays G-File (), Jonah looks at the conflict between free speech and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) efforts on college campuses, noting that Jewish students lose either way. You cant routinely suppress and police hate speech in the name of DEI but have a carve out for anti-Jewish hate speech, he writes. You cant celebrate robust free speech when it comes to antisemitism while claiming that you actually believe all that B.S. about hurtful speech being violence. John McCormck reports on the abortion controversy in Texas, where a woman whose unborn child was diagnosed with trisomy 18 sued to have an abortion. He notes that the womans doctor and lawyers failed to demonstrate the pregnancy was life-threatening, and therefore it did not warrant an exception to Texas law as written. Will the Houses (now formalized) impeachment inquiry into President Biden help Republicans or Biden himself? In Boiling Frogs (), Nick sorts through all the possibilities like only he can. On the pods: On Advisory Opinions, David and Sarah tackle the difficult abortion case in Texas and then discuss Jack Smiths petition to the Supreme Court over Donald Trumps immunity. Jonah has been wanting to talk to someone on The Remnant about the phenomenon of men constantly thinking about the Roman Empire. He calls on historian Bret Devereaux to do so, which leads to a not-entirely-unrelated conversation about Israels history. And on The Dispatch Podcast, Jamie keeps up his streak of impressive guests by bringing on John Bolton to talk about the Israel-Hamas war, Donald Trump, and the future of American democracy. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. An Albanian asylum seeker who died on the Bibby Stockholm in a suspected suicide said he was being treated like an animal before his death, his sister has claimed. The Telegraph can reveal Leonard Farruku, 27, who paid 4,000 (3,436) to cross the Channel in a small boat last summer, has been named by his family as the migrant who is suspected of taking his own life on the Bibby Stockholm. It emerged last week that the asylum seeker had complained about his mental health the day before he died and, according to other migrants on the barge, had been heard shouting and banging on the wall of his cabin. He was alive when the asylum seeker with whom he shared his cabin got up to go to the IT centre on the barge. Staff discovered Mr Farrukus body shortly afterwards. His sister Jola Dushku, 33, who lives in Lombardy in Italy said she was shocked by the news, which they learned from relatives in the UK contacted by police investigating the death. Leonard Farruku complained about his mental health the night before he died - FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY IMAGES When I spoke with him last time, he told me that the conditions in that boat were not bad but they were treated by the guards like animals. said Ms Dushku. My brother, when he arrived in the UK, gave the Home Office the address of our relatives in London. They were contacted by the police who told them what had happened. According to our relatives who are in touch with the police, Leonard that night at 11pm in the evening had some problems and was calmed down by the security guard. At 3am he was found dead. We do not have more details about how he died. There are understood to be 300 male asylum seekers currently housed on the barge. It has a capacity for up to 506 migrants, who are expected to share two, three or four to a cabin. The Bibby Stockholm has been blighted by problems since it was docked at Portland in July, including a series of health and safety issues. It had to be evacuated in the summer after the discovery of the potentially deadly legionella bacteria in the water supply. People lay flowers at the vigil for the deceased asylum seeker, outside Portland Port - FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE The death comes after a 23-year-old man tried to kill himself in a hotel car park in Essex last month, after hearing that he was due to be transferred to the Bibby Stockholm. Mr Farruku arrived in the UK on a small boat last August as part of a surge of more than 12,000 Albanians across the Channel, a quarter of all crossings last year. Born in the village of Manez, near the city of Durres, Albanias second biggest city, his sister said he came to the UK in search of work and to secure indefinite leave to remain. He came to the UK with the dream to find better work and, most importantly, to get indefinite leave to remain in the UK, said Ms Dushku. She said they had lost both their parents, a bereavement that changed her brother. Leonard became a different person when our mum died. Her death changed him, she said. She said he was determined to get indefinite leave to remain in the UK so wanted to fulfil all the Home Office requests. He said: Yes, when they told him his new accommodation would be in that boat where he spent the last days of his life, she said. I will find peace in my mind only when I will find the truth of what happened that night in Bibby Stockholm, she said. The barge is one of three major accommodation sites for migrants designed to reduce the 8 million a day cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels.. The other two are the disused RAF base at Wethersfield in Essex and RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, which has yet to open. A Home Office spokesman said: This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected. The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance, and we take our responsibility for their wellbeing incredibly seriously. This will now be investigated by the police and coroner. It is right that the facts and circumstances surrounding this death are established. 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. JOHANNESBURG Children forced to work in appalling conditions, allegedly from as young as 4 years old, are putting the Biden administrations green energy plans at controversial risk, particularly when it comes to metals needed for batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) The metal cobalt is the "blood diamond" of battery materials. Many EV manufacturers crave it, as it makes electric vehicles go faster and further. But U.S. carmakers are stepping through a human rights minefield to get it and other battery ingredients. And while some U.S. companies agonize over whether they should be the unacceptable face of green energy by buying controversially mined cobalt, China, sources say, has no such scruples and has surged ahead to become the biggest EV manufacturer in the world. WORLD, PROTESTERS SILENT ON SUDAN MASSACRES: 'NO MOB OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE' An estimated 70% of the worlds cobalt is produced in the the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in West Africa, according to Michigan State Universitys Global Edge Research Organization. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Bidens renewable energy crusade exploits and enslaves thousands in poor nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where children as young as 4 are forced to mine cobalt "Jason Isaac told Fox News Digital. Isaac is the founder and CEO of the American Energy Institute. "The human suffering caused by mining for electric vehicle batteries and wind turbine construction is unimaginable as is the environmental destruction caused by these mines and their toxic byproducts." The problem affects Europe too. "Cobalt is a critical component in rechargeable car batteries, and the European Unions 2030 climate target will only increase demand for this metal," Czech politician Tomas Zdechovsky told the European Parliament last year. "Despite the commissions zerotolerance approach to child labor in trade agreements, it is estimated, according to reports by UN agencies, that in the southern Katanga province, more than 40,000 children are working in hazardous conditions in cobalt mines with inadequate safety equipment and for very little money." Miners working at a cobalt mine in the DRC Oct. 12, 2022. This work, often described as modern-day child slavery, pays children $5 a day or less with them often having to work long hours in unsupported tunnels up to 100 yards underground, exposed to cancer-causing chemicals. The International Labor Organization (ILO) is trying to stop what some claim is a form of child abuse. "The sustainable development goals set a target for the elimination of child labor of 2025, and we are far from achieving it," Ben Smith, senior technical officer, child labor, told Fox News Digital. "Labor in cobalt mining is a serious violation of childrens rights that puts the health and safety, and even the lives of many children, at risk. This vicious cycle of poverty and child labor must be broken for the sake of the children exposed to this harsh reality and for the social and economic progress of countries like the DRC." US TAKES AIM AT KREMLIN OVER RUSSIA-AFRICA SUMMIT: 'NO MEANINGFUL COMMITMENTS' A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that last year the U.S. and several other governments launched the Minerals Security Partnership "to promote public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains, to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed and recycled according to the highest environmental, social and governance standards." The spokesperson noted, "Communities in the DRC deserve to receive long-term benefits from their mineral resources during the global transition to clean energy, but this will require companies and government to follow through on sound policy. "The State Department and broader U.S. government continue to engage the government of the DRC through bilateral diplomacy and foreign assistance to increase efforts to combat human trafficking, including child forced labor." Sacks of cobalt powder on a truck for export at the Etoile mine operated by Chemaf Sarl in Katanga province near Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo Dec. 22, 2021. Then theres the China factor. On cobalt and EVs, the U.S. is but a small player. Eighty percent of the DRCs industrial cobalt mines are owned or financed by Chinese companies, according to a 2022 report by Michigan State. While Isaac told Fox News Digital he condemned "Chinas long and public history of human rights atrocities," he recognized the potential for fallout for the U.S. "Maintaining human rights as a top priority may mean the United States loses a competitive edge in electric vehicle manufacturing, but it also means well be on the right side of history," Isaac said. BIDEN ADMIN RELEASES EV GUIDANCE OPENING DOOR FOR CHINESE FIRMS TO CASH IN ON TAXPAYER-FUNDED SUBSIDIES Already, the race for EV sales is lost. "Without a doubt, the Chinese EV market is several factors higher than the U.S.," Tyson Jominy, VP of customer success data & analytics division at J.D. Power told Fox News Digital. "Year to date, the U.S. market has sold 960,000 EVs to retail consumers and slightly over 1.1 million to all channels, including fleet customers." And China? For pretty much the same period, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers has been monitored by J.D. Power to show EV sales of well over 8 million units. The home of the muscle car the U.S. is also now behind on power for its EVs, especially when American manufacturers dont use cobalt. Tesla didnt respond to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital, but the company issued a 2022 statement boasting of the performance when some of its vehicles are equipped with LFP or lithium iron phosphate batteries, which do not include cobalt. "As a result of our energy-efficient motors, a (Tesla) Model 3 with an LFP battery pack can achieve a 267-mile range," the statement said. Geely, which produces the cobalt-powered Chinese Zeekr 001 EV, claims it can go more than twice as far 641 miles on a single charge. "The race for critical minerals cant come at the expense of human rights," Gracelin Baskaran, research director, energy security, at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, (CSIS), told Fox News Digital. MILLIONS IN EASTERN CONGO IN NEED OF URGENT CARE AS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, SEXUAL VIOLENCE WORSEN, UN SAYS EV charging station "Human rights and mining for the clean energy transition are not mutually exclusive endeavors." Isaac would like to see the U.S. doing more, especially when it comes to metals such as mined cobalt ending up in American cars. "It should take steps to ensure the metals mined for American technology and energy purposes are produced responsibly, without child labor and with strong worker and environmental protection standards," Isaac said. Baskaran emphasized the need for stronger environmental and social safeguards but hammered home the need for green. "The COP28 Global Stocktake has shown that the world is far behind where it needs to be," Baskaran said. "The only way is to accelerate the clean energy transition, and there is no way we can do that without getting the critical minerals, including cobalt, to drive emissions reduction by deploying clean technology." Pope Francis waves to public as he leads the mass at Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Feb. 2, 2023. At a mass rally early this year in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, Pope Francis dropped his mantle of diplomacy and spoke out in a veiled attack on the users of cobalt and other metals. "Hands off Africa. Stop choking Africa. It is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered," the pontiff declared. Original article source: Biden admin's drive for green energy leads to accusations of forced child labor mining for EV battery metals The Biden campaign late Saturday sharply criticized former President Trump for invoking rhetoric it referred to as parroting Adolf Hitler in the wake of remarks in which Trump said immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country. At a campaign rally in Durham, N.H., Trump offered praise for authoritarian world leaders. He quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack President Biden while once again offering praise for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, calling him very nice. Tonight, Donald Trump channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong Un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy, Biden-Harris campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement. Trump is not shying away from his plan to lock up millions of people into detention camps and continues to lie about that time when Joe Biden obliterated him by over 7 million votes three years ago, Moussa added. Trump has held a consistent double-digit lead over the other GOP primary contenders, making him Bidens most likely general election opponent next November in a rematch of the 2020 presidential contest. Trumps remarks in New Hampshire were typical expressions of fondness he has for world leaders considered authoritarian and anti-Democratic, which he has made both as president and on the campaign trail. In his bid to capture the White House again, Trump has threatened vengeance against his political opponents in the face of four criminal indictments against him, two of which were brought by the Justice Department under Biden. Trump has also been under fire for doubling down on a notion reported by several media outlets that he would serve as a dictator if elected to a second term. Except for day one, Trump told Fox News anchor Sean Hannity during a recent town hall when prompted twice to refute the notion, suggesting that on his first day in office he would implement oil and gas drilling otherwise not allowed in the U.S. and close the southern border. After that, Im not a dictator. Moussa, speaking for the Biden campaign, said Trumps fear and division would once again lead to an election loss. He is betting he can win this election by scaring and dividing this country. Hes wrong. In 2020, Americans chose President Bidens vision of hope and unity over Trumps vision of fear and division and theyll do the same next November, Moussa wrote in the statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. KABUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Afghan caretaker government has arrested over three dozens militants affiliated with Pakistan's outlawed militant outfit, the Tahrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), over the past year, a local media outlet reported on Sunday. "More than 35 or 40 persons of Pakistan's TTP are in our custody," Tolonews quoted Abdul Matin Qani, the spokesman of the Ministry for Interior Affairs, as saying. Qani also told the private television channel that a number of the fighters of the Islamic State outfit have also been held in Afghan prisons, but did not give a specific number. "The Islamic Emirate won't allow any group to use Afghan soil against any country," the official said. Vulnerable House Republicans are walking a tightrope after voting this week in favor of launching an impeachment inquiry into President Biden a move that could risk their election chances in districts the president won in 2020. The 17 House Republicans in swing districts last week stuck together to pass the vote along party lines, with all Democrats opposed, to formalize the inquiry that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) initially announced in September. The potentially at-risk Republicans are now stressing the difference between launching an investigation and voting for impeachment itself. That doesnt mean we have high crimes and misdemeanors, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate representing a swing district, said ahead of the vote, explaining his rationale for supporting the inquiry. We may not ever. But lets get the facts, and well go from there. The vote will give House Republicans greater legal authority to investigate Hunter Biden and his father, President Biden, but it required votes that are sure to be turned into campaign ads against vulnerable members. Democrats only need to win back a handful of seats to win the majority in 2024. New York GOP strategist Jay Townsend said the vote could be very dangerous for Republican members in Biden districts in the Empire State. Some of those members were already in trouble after the New York Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the states congressional map must be redrawn for 2024. The court directed an independent bipartisan commission to redraw a map set by a special master that had given Republicans some more favorable districts. It really wouldnt take too much to mess several of them up, Townsend said. It may take a hard-to-explain vote even harder to explain in a jurisdiction that has just become more Democratic. Five of the 17 House Republicans in districts Biden won are from New York: Reps. Nick LaLota, Anthony DEsposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams. Former New York Rep. George Santos (R) also represented a Biden district until he was expelled from Congress earlier this month. A February special election will fill his seat. The other House Republicans in Biden-won districts are Bacon and Reps. David Schweikert (Ariz.), Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), John Duarte (Calif.), David Valadao (Calif.), Mike Garcia (Calif.), Young Kim (Calif.), Michelle Steel (Calif.), Tom Kean Jr. (N.J.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Ore.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and Jen Kiggans (Va.). McCarthy had previously avoided a vote on launching an inquiry because of the reluctance of such members to take it. But there has been a growing willingness on the part even of vulnerable Republicans to launch the inquiry amid complaints from GOP lawmakers that the White House is not providing sufficient information to its requests. GOP lawmakers backing the inquiry have leaned on such arguments to explain their votes. In a Wednesday night interview with NewsNations Dan Abrams, Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), who had previously opposed launching an inquiry, said hed voted yes even though he had not seen evidence of high crimes or misdemeanors. He did so because he wanted GOP investigators to secure more information from the White House. Republican strategist David Capen said Biden-district Republicans can make that arguments to voters who question the vote. I think those Republicans that are in districts that may lean towards Biden can have the assurance knowing that this impeachment inquiry is just that an inquiry. Its not the impeachment vote itself. Theres no predetermined outcome. Its simply a legal process that Congress is utilizing to enhance their information, Capen said. Republicans also have to worry about primary challenges. Townsend said that could be a factor for New York members, before adding that some of this stuff is really hard to explain in a general election. Democrats were quick to slam the inquiry as politicized in the lead-up to and aftermath of the vote. The Biden-Harris campaign said in a statement Tuesday that the inquiry is a nakedly transparent ploy by House MAGA Republicans to boost Donald Trumps presidential campaign. It pointed to comments Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) reportedly made last month that insufficient evidence existed to proceed with an inquiry. What changed? The only branch of government MAGA Republicans control is following through on Donald Trumps promise to use the levers of government to enact political retribution on his enemies, the statement reads. Trump has called on congressional Republicans to move ahead with the impeachment process. Some Republicans pointed to polling that has shown most Americans believe Biden has done some illegal or unethical action to back up the partys reasoning for launching the inquiry. Arizona-based GOP strategist Brady Smith noted that polls have shown a majority of voters believe President Biden was at least aware of his sons business dealings. I get that this is not exactly a tit-for-tat given the business dealings versus the recent Hunter indictments being tax-related, but that all kind of gets muddied in the publics eye in a lot of ways, he said. Smith said he does not think the inquiry itself will have harmful political effects because the vulnerable Republicans will have an air of legitimacy to point to even if no smoking gun is found. He added that the multiple investigations into Trump have desensitized many to these processes. Its lowered the shock factor to all of this. I think everyone starts to hit a point of desensitization when weve gone through, now thisll be impeachment investigation number three in the last four years. At some point, the public starts to get inoculated to this, he said. Thats just not as effective anymore, and it all sounds like the same noise. But Townsend drew a possible parallel to House Republicans impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Republicans focused on impeachment proceedings against Clinton in the fall of 1998, but the public viewed them poorly and the GOP had a disappointing performance in that years midterm elections, leading to the resignation of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). I guess history repeats itself, Townsend said. The trouble is sometimes people forget it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Impeachment So, every single N.C. Republican in Congress voted to move forward to open an impeachment inquiry on President Biden, knowing that there is absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing, and knowing that there is more important and vital work they should be doing? With all due respect, I find that absolutely deplorable. Id say they should be ashamed, but I cannot find any evidence they are capable of shame. Tim Miller, Raleigh NC gun laws The N.C. legislature has now made it OK to carry concealed guns into places of worship, even on some religious school grounds. Guess where the public is not allowed to bring a gun? The Legislative Building. Thats right. Our legislature is OK if you live in fear of gun violence where you work, shop and pray, but they want to protect themselves so no one brings a gun to their workplace. The hypocrisy is breathtaking. Nancy Creamer, Apex US aid to Israel Indeed, the death toll of civilians in Gaza is staggering. Israel has also targeted civilian infrastructure hospitals, schools, housing and cultural, heritage, religious and archival sites. We appear to be witnessing the attempted erasure of a society. If we allow this to continue, it will not only have horrific consequences for the Palestinians (and likely Israel), but it will also badly affect the standing of the United States in the world and impact how history judges our role in this tragedy. We must call for a ceasefire now and stop providing bombs, financing and other munitions that make possible this continued devastation. Laura Gibney, Durham Mincing words Ivy League presidents are wrong to mince words about genocide of Jews. President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are wrong to mince words about genocide of Palestinians. How many thousands of women and children must die for them to see? M. B. Hardy, Raleigh Promote peace The writer is an organizer with Muslims for Social Justice. Op-ed writer Hadia Mubarak (Dec. 4 Opinion) is correct in emphasizing the need to move beyond the individual responsibility to violence and address the systemic roots of oppression. The U.S. foreign and domestic policies have played an essential role in demonizing and dehumanizing Muslims over decades. I witnessed anti-Muslim bigotry and hatred in the wake of 9/11 and during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Similarly, the current Israeli war on Gaza, through U.S. military and diplomatic support, is responsible for the dramatic rise of hatred and violence in the U.S. Millions of people of all backgrounds, including Jews, Christians and Muslims, are organizing at home and abroad to end the Israeli war and end U.S. militarism. We must abolish the cycle of violence and promote peaceful coexistence. Manzoor Cheema, Raleigh Aid to Ukraine Republicans in Congress need to stop the nonsense of tying aid to Ukraine to immigration reform and approve the aid immediately. We cannot desert our ally, nor should we keep Ukraine waiting and begging. Ukrainians are in a fight for their lives against an enemy who has mass-murdered civilians and devastated their infrastructure. We cant fail Ukraine because Congress failed for 30 years to pass immigration reform. Ukraine needs to know now that they can depend on us. Immigration reform can and should be tackled in a bipartisan fashion another day. Marlene Greer, Elizabeth City Inept USPS On Nov. 28, my wife mailed a hand-knitted baby blanket to a niece in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from the Wake Forest post office. She paid extra for expedited delivery by Dec. 1. After it did not arrive, she put a tracer on it. First, it was in Palm Beach County, about 40 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Two days later it was in Dade County about 30 miles south. Then, it bounced back and forth between post offices in Raleigh and Wake Forest. Attempts to retrieve it were unsuccessful. Now, the post office now has no idea where it is. In the 1800s, the Pony Express could have delivered it in half the time. Congress needs to replace all the management at the U.S. Postal Service and start over with competent people. Mike Doran, Raleigh (Bloomberg) -- Third-party candidates are emerging as a potentially crucial obstacle to reassembling Joe Bidens winning 2020 election coalition, particularly younger voters, in the battleground states likely to decide the US presidency. Most Read from Bloomberg Interest in independent candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the offspring of a celebrated Democratic political dynasty, and possibly moderate West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who is considering a run, is the highest in at least 20 years, according to a Gallup Poll. That appeal is strongest among key Democratic constituencies such as the young, union households and urban residents, according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of registered voters in seven swing states. Overall, Biden 2020 voters are more drawn to third-party alternatives while more of Donald Trumps 2020 supporters stand by their man: 16% say they would vote for Kennedy or another independent candidate compared to 11% of Trump 2020 supporters, according to the swing-state poll, conducted Nov. 27 to Dec. 6. The question presented a scenario in which Biden and Trump are the major-party nominees while Kennedy, Cornel West and the Green Partys Jill Stein also run for the presidency, all of whom have announced bids. The same poll showed the Biden coalitions openness to an alternative outside the two major political parties is even greater: 41% said they are very or somewhat likely to consider such a candidate next year versus 35% of Trump 2020 voters. That amounts to a serious threat to Bidens reelection bid, said Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican political strategist who has been conducting weekly focus groups with voters. Independent candidates can do tremendous damage by peeling off core, small margins Longwell said. This is an election thats going to be decided by small margins. The addition of a nominee running on behalf of the No Labels centrist group, a choice that wasnt offered in the Bloomberg poll but is a possibility that organization is considering, would further hinder a Biden reelection, she said. People for whom a third party is appealing are the sort of soft GOP voters, the right leaning independents, who made up the margins for Joe Biden, Longwell said. Manchin, who separated from the Democratic Party and decided not to seek reelection to his Senate seat, is involved with No Labels. The group is laying the groundwork for a possible third-party campaign and Manchin is set to go on a cross-country tour to listen to Americans concerns, a way that presidential hopefuls often explore a run. Read More: Biden Lags on Student Loans as Trump Leads in Swing-State Poll Running without major-party backing presents serious obstacles for a candidate, including collecting enough signatures to get on a state ballot. Still, independent campaigns may have influenced the outcome of recent presidential elections. In 2016, Green Party nominee Steins vote total exceeded Trumps margin of victory in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin three states that together would have swung the election to Democrat Hillary Clinton if she won them. In 2000, independent Ralph Naders vote in Florida and New Hampshire was larger than the victory margins of George W. Bush in both states. Bush won that election only after a US Supreme Court ruling secured his victory in Florida. Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked on Bidens 2020 campaign, said there is no question that third-party campaigns could play a decisive role in delivering a Trump victory next year. But she said support for third-party candidates is often overstated and just a way for voters to express dissatisfaction. When it becomes clear that its a Trump and Biden contest, Lake said, that helps consolidate a lot of the third party-vote back to Joe Biden. But he has to lay the groundwork, as he is. Younger voters, who overwhelmingly backed Biden in the last election, are especially drawn to alternative candidates, with 51% of under-35-year-olds and 47% of 35- to 44-year-olds saying they are likely to consider such a candidate this year, according to the Bloomberg swing-state poll. Union households, LGBTQ voters and urban residents all groups Biden did well with in his last election also express out-sized interest. A plurality of swing-state Generation Z voters those born in 1997 or later say Biden is not doing enough to address the burden of student loan payments, even after he has erased $127 billion in such debt in initiatives that are widely thought to be aimed at locking in that key demographic. Earlier: Kennedy White House Bid Notches 10% Support in Swing States Those voters are especially amenable to independent candidates but also fertile ground for a targeted Biden campaign to win them back, Lake said. Young Americans are very Democratic in their policy preferences, but theyre not necessarily that attached to the Democratic candidate, she said. --With assistance from Gregory Korte. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Cydney Wallace poses for a photo in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Cydney Wallace is a Black Jewish woman who recently went on a trip to Israel and the West Bank through a trip called "Black Jerusalem" that was focused on exploring "the sacred geography of Jerusalem through a framework that privileges a Black American and an African lens." (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Cydney Wallace, a Black Jewish community activist, never felt compelled to travel to Israel, though Next year in Jerusalem was a constant refrain at her Chicago synagogue. The 39-year-old said she had plenty to focus on at home, where she frequently gives talks on addressing anti-Black sentiment in the American Jewish community and dismantling white supremacy in the U.S. I know what Im fighting for here, she said. That all changed when she visited Israel and the West Bank at the invitation of a Palestinian American community activist, along with two dozen other Black Americans and Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders. The trip, which began Sept. 26, enhanced Wallaces understanding of the struggles of Palestinians living in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. But, horrifyingly, it was cut short by the unprecedented Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas militants. In Israels ensuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, shocking images of destruction and death seen around the world have mobilized activists in the U.S. and elsewhere. Wallace, and a growing number of Black Americans, see the Palestinian struggle in the West Bank and Gaza reflected in their own fight for racial equality and civil rights. The recent rise of protest movements against police brutality in the U.S. has connected Black and Palestinian activists under a common cause. But that kinship sometimes strains the more than century-long alliance between Black and Jewish activists. Some Jewish Americans are concerned that support could escalate the threat of antisemitism and weaken Jewish-Black ties fortified during the Civil Rights Movement. We are concerned, as a community, about what we feel is a lack of understanding of what Israel is about and how deeply Oct. 7 has affected us, said Bob Kaplan, executive director of The Center for Shared Society at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Antisemitism is as real to the American Jewish community, and causes as much trauma and fear and upset to the American Jewish community, as racism causes to the Black community. But, he added, many Jews in the U.S. understand that Black Americans can have an affinity for the Palestinian cause that doesnt conflict with their regard for Israel. According to a poll earlier this month from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Black adults were more likely than white and Hispanic adults to say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel 44% compared to 30% and 28%, respectively. However, Black Americans werent any more likely than others to say the U.S. is not supportive enough of the Palestinians. Still, Black American support for the Palestinian cause dates back to the Civil Rights Movement. More recent rounds of violence in the Middle East have deepened ties between the two movements. During a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas as part of the recent deal to free dozens of hostages seized by Hamas militants, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Some Black Americans who watched the Palestinian prisoner release and learned about Israels administrative detention policy, where detainees are held without trial, drew comparisons to racial inequality in the U.S. prison system. Rami Nashashibi, a Palestinian American community organizer on Chicagos south side, invited Wallace and the others to take part in the trip called Black Jerusalem an exploration of the sacred city through an African and Black American lens. My Palestinian identity was very much shaped and influenced by Black American history, Nashashibi said. I always hoped that a trip like this would open up new pathways that would connect the dots not just in a political and ideological way, but between the liberation and struggles for humanity that are very familiar to us in the U.S., he said. During the trip, Wallace was dismayed by her own ignorance of the reality of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. In observing the treatment of Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints, she drew comparisons to what segregation historically looked like in the U.S. Being there made me wonder if this is what it was like to live in the Jim Crow-era in America, Wallace said. Over the last decade, Black Americans and the Palestinians have also found growing solidarity. In 2020, the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer resonated in the West Bank, where Palestinians drew comparisons to their own experiences of brutality under occupation, and a massive mural of Floyd appeared on Israels hulking separation barrier. In 2016, when BLM activists formed the coalition known as the Movement for Black Lives, they included support for Palestinians in a platform called the Vision for Black Lives. A handful of Jewish groups, which had largely been supportive of the BLM movement, denounced the Black activists characterization of Israel as a purportedly apartheid state. None of the members of the Black Jerusalem trip anticipated it would come to a tragic end with the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and about 240 taken hostage. Since then, more than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israels blistering air and ground campaign in Gaza, now in its third month. Violence in the West Bank has also surged. Back home in Chicago, Wallace has navigated speaking about her support for Palestinians while maintaining her Jewish identity and standing against antisemitism. She says she doesnt see those things as mutually exclusive. Im trying not to do anything that alienates anyone, she said. But I cant just not do the right thing because Im scared. ___ AP writer Isabel DeBre in Jerusalem contributed. A council has begun the search for a contractor to restore a derelict Grade II listed cinema which still bears the scars of a World War Two bombing raid. The National Picture Theatre in Hull has been unused since it was badly damaged during the Blitz in 1941. Hull City Council said it wants to turn the site into an educational facility and memorial area, while also restoring its period windows and signage. Major works are scheduled to begin on the building in 2024. Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said the former cinema, which was granted listed status in 2007, would "remain a bomb site", but the work would see it also become a place of reflection and learning. "This is an untouched site, and this work will not only protect its future, but raise awareness of its significance as a rare surviving bomb-damaged building from the Second World War," he said. The council said the cinema was the "last surviving civilian bomb-damaged building" from the period The cinema, which was designed by architects Runton and Barry for the De-Luxe Theatre Company and built in 1914, was hit during a raid on 18 March 1941. At the time, more than 150 people were inside, but no-one was killed or seriously injured. The council said Hull was one of the worst-affected cities in the country during the Blitz and had to face air raids for longer than any other place in Britain. By the end of the bombardment, only 5,945 91,660 houses survived undamaged. The authority added that the cinema was the "last surviving civilian bomb-damaged building" from the period. Remedial work to stabilise the site took place in 2020 and the restoration and renovation due to begin in 2024 will be funded by the council and National Lottery Heritage Fund. Once complete, the site will feature a flexible space for community events and education as well as offer a place of reflection, similar to St Luke's Church in Liverpool, which is also known as the bombed-out church due to it also being permanently damaged in the Blitz. Structural elements, including two large concrete beams, will also be preserved. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk A potent storm barreling up the East coast into the start of the new week will continue to spread drenching rain and blustery winds as it tracks northward through New England. AccuWeather meteorologists say that the back side of the storm will also usher in squally conditions from the Midwest to the Northeast as chilly air filters southward out of Canada. The primary factors associated with this storm will be heavy rain and gusty winds, which can result in impacts such as coastal inundation, beach erosion, power outages and difficult travel. The timing of the heaviest rainfall and peak wind gusts will especially prove challenging for the morning commute on Monday in metro areas like New York City, Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. In Charleston, South Carolina, tides surged to their fourth highest level on record at 9.52 feet during the height of the storm this past weekend. The storm has cut the power for more than 600,000 utility customers in the Northeast alone as of Monday midday, according to poweroutage.us. Coastal flooding has been a legacy of the storm in the Southeast and now small streams and rivers are on the rise in parts of the Northeast as the saturated ground cannot handle any more rain. The storm has unloaded up to 16.32 inches of rain near McClellanville, South Carolina, and wind gusts topping 80 mph have been reported on at least one pier in North Carolina. Forecasters say that residents from New Jersey to Massachusetts and Maine will face some of their heftiest rainfall totals from this storm into Monday afternoon as it tracks along the coast. Locations such as Richmond, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City can easily collect anywhere between 2.00 to 3.00 inches into Monday morning. Locally higher amounts can also occur across this zone. People may need to give themselves a little extra time when commuting, due to flooded roads and poor visibility on Monday, explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Wind gusts can range from 40-50 mph from areas of eastern Virginia through far eastern Pennsylvania to western Maine as the storm advances northward through Monday evening. Higher wind gusts from 50-60 mph can occur closer to the coast from Virginia Beach to eastern Maine, while a narrow corridor of coastal winds can ramp up to 60-70 mph during the storm's peak strength across far eastern Long Island, Cape Cod and directly along the coast in Mid Coast and Down East Maine. The AccuWeather Local StormMax for wind is 85 mph for this storm. DaSilva added that torrential downpours and very gusty winds could lead to significant travel disruptions along the Northeast coast. There could even be travel restrictions on some bridges for high-profile vehicles due to the high winds. The New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York Emergency Management office issued a travel advisory for the city through Monday. In preparation for the coastal storm, the New York City Emergency Management also activated the Flash Flood Emergency Plan. The statement from the Office of the Mayor also noted that the New York City Department of Sanitation will be checking and servicing hundreds of catch basins citywide, with equipment ready to assist in tree-related incidents as the storm impacts the region. Any early holiday travelers across the Northeast and New England should closely monitor weather updates and any additional travel advisories across the region over the upcoming days. Forecasters say that travel delays or cancellations can occur as a result of this developing storm, especially on Monday along the Northeast coast. Residents in areas that are projected to face gusty winds should secure any outdoor holiday or seasonal decorations ahead of the storm's arrival. Behind the storm, cooler conditions and even wintry weather will spread across the interior Northeast from Monday to Tuesday. Temperatures across the Northeast are expected to linger near typical December values through the remainder of the week. A zone of high pressure will take over much of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys to the East Coast after this storm departs, ushering in largely dry conditions from Wednesday to Thursday. Any holiday travelers looking for a window of calmer weather this week could take advantage of the dry stretch expected from Wednesday to Thursday across the eastern United States. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. After years of debate, protests and late meetings, Boises new zoning code has arrived. The new code, which dictates how and where development takes place in the city, took effect went live Dec. 1, after the Boise City Council unanimously approved it in June. The citys Planning and Zoning Department saw a flurry of building and construction applications slide in before and after the code took effect from those hoping to take advantage of the old guidelines and the new. The code was officially implemented on a Friday, and by Monday morning people were already waiting to start the process, according to Lindsay Moser, communications manager for Boises Planning and Development Services Department. We think a lot of people are really excited about the new code, Moser said by phone. There are numerous major projects whose developers have been looking forward to the new code, Moser said. Namely, the College of Western Idaho campus, the affordable-housing Capitol Campus project near Boise State University and the Idaho Transportation Department property on State Street. The new code allows the College of Western Idaho to more easily determine the amount of parking needed for its future Boise campus, Moser said. The proposed campus would border the Boise River Greenbelt on the northwest corner of Main Street and South Whitewater Park Boulevard west of downtown. The Capitol Campus project, which aims to redevelop an area between Boise State University and Ann Morrison Park into affordable housing and retail stores, can take advantage of higher building heights, no parking requirements and fewer setbacks, which determine how far back a building can be built from sidewalks or streets. Two Idaho-based developers, Hawkins Cos. and The Pacific Cos., and Utah-based FJ Management were the highest bidders on the states request for bids to buy and redevelop the 44-acre former ITD campus in September. They plan to turn it into a mix of residential and commercial units. The campus was, and still is, in a low-density zone. The developers will need the city to rezone it as it moves forward to a different kind of zoning that would let them carry out their plans for commercial, residential and other uses. This property is important to the city, Moser said. Two Idaho-based developers, Hawkins Cos. and The Pacific Cos., and Utah-based FJ Management hope to develop the 44-acre former Idaho Transportation Department campus into housing and commercial uses in the coming years. Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com In November, the Planning and Development Services Department received 27 applications that will need to go through a hearing process under the old rules. Moser said some smaller projects, like minor land divisions, will need to go through a more rigorous process under the new rules, so some people may have wanted to take advantage of the old rules. Until October, the department only received an average of 7.6 projects per month this year and 9.4 over the last 19 months. In the first week under the new code, the department saw 64 people start the process for a new project, Moser said. I wont call these applications, because they have not been submitted yet, and still must go through our new approval process Moser said. However, this is a large number for the city and exciting to see so many folks eager to utilize the new code. The process changes that are part of the new zoning ordinance are intended to make the things we want and need as a city easier to accomplish, said Tim Keane, planning and development services director, in an email. The first week was a significant step in the right direction. Moser said itll take a while for new hearing-level projects to make it through the process. The department is not expecting to complete reviews of the current applications until March. Applications that require a hearing likely wont be heard until April. The large-scale developments that need to go through a hearing process likely wont start building until about 2025, Moser said. Those hearing-level (projects) are still several months to several years before we see developments physically, Moser said. A confusing jumble For most Boiseans, the new zoning code can be exceptionally confusing. What does it mean? How will it affect me? How will my neighborhood change? In short, the citys Modern Zoning Code is a 600-page document that determines what types of homes and buildings developers can build in different areas of the city. Zoning codes are what give cities different areas designated for housing, commercial or industrial uses. For instance, zoning codes would prohibit the construction of a massive new Walmart Supercenter next to Camels Back Park since the city zones that neighborhood for almost entirely residential uses. The city published a zoning conversion map, which can be used below or through the city of Boise website. Under the Boise Zoning tab on bottom left, users can select the old zones compared to the new zones and type in their addresses at top right to determine what kind of zone their neighborhood is in. What do these changes look like? How will my neighborhood change? The biggest changes focus on increasing density, adding incentives for affordable housing, boosting transit options, and cutting out some public hearings, which can be the most time-consuming piece of the development process. The city also added more mixed-use zoning, meaning residential neighborhoods may see small retail shops and cafes pop up, similar to the stretch of businesses in Hyde Park. These shops and cafes have limitations: They cannot have drive-thrus, they can be open only between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., and they would be limited to 2,000 square feet, according to prior Idaho Statesman reporting. A neighborhood market, called Hollywood Market, sold groceries on 8th Street and Resseguie in Boises North End until it closed in 2008. In decades past, the citys historic North End had many such stores. Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman The new code also creates incentives and opens more avenues to build different types of housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and cottage villages, which cluster homes around a central shared area. But for those who are concerned about developers demolishing homes to build big new apartment buildings in your neighborhood, Moser said there are protections to prevent this. You cant take a perfectly good house and tear it down to get more apartments using incentives, Moser said. She added that the citys historic districts, such as in the North End and Warm Springs, remain untouched by the new code, and that historic buildings would not be demolished for apartments. R-1C zones, which cover most residential neighborhoods, wont see much change, Moser said. The biggest changes are focused on busier transit corridors such as along State Street, Vista Avenue or Fairview Avenue. A sign on Vista Ave. near the airport welcomes people to Boise. Changes to the citys zoning laws would allow denser development in Boise neighborhoods. Sarah A. Miller/smiller@idahostatesman.com The new code aimed to increase density and housing options along these areas, meaning developers may want to build more apartments on these streets. But the Boise City Council also added some transition standards to the code meaning buildings will gradually transition away from apartments on these corridors and toward single-family homes the farther away you get. If I disagree with a development, can I still oppose it? How? The new code cuts out some public hearings for smaller developments, such as your neighbors application for an additional dwelling unit. Otherwise, the process for opposing a development is still mostly the same. If you live next to a proposed development, whether small or large, you will get a notification about it and be given avenues for expressing your concerns and opinions, Moser said. The larger projects will have neighborhood meetings, she said. Developers of certain large projects are required to meet with neighbors to hear their concerns before filing development applications with City Hall. The notification will include contact details and how to appeal a decision within the required 10 days. Fees could apply. Appeal applications can be found on the city of Boises website and submitted to City Hall at 150 N. Capitol Blvd. The hearings for those bigger projects will still be public as they wind their way through the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission and Boise City Council. There are still appeal processes, Moser said. For those who are curious about a proposed project, typing the project name or the project address into the citys permitting and licensing portal turns up application information that can include blueprints and renderings, timelines and status updates. In-person testimony can be given during public hearings at City Hall in downtown Boise or online through Zoom, according to the city of Boise website. Sunday's forecast for the Rochester region will bring a mix of warm and breezy conditions and potentially heavy rainfall. Anticipated rainfall is set to move from west to east during the afternoon, with the potential for substantial amounts exceeding 2 inches, especially in areas east of Lake Ontario, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. The heaviest rainfall is expected late Sunday night into early Monday. Rochester and areas further east may experience heavy rainfall at times, according to the Weather Service. Steady light rain will move into WNY this afternoon, expanding northeast into the evening. Rain may be heavy at times tonight for Rochester and points east. Rainfall amounts will vary greatly from west to east, see maps below for more info. pic.twitter.com/hORYVVoDbM NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) December 17, 2023 A flood watch is in effect through late Monday night for several New York counties, including Steuben, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Northern Oneida, Otsego, Schuyler, Southern Oneida, Sullivan, Tioga, and Tompkins. Bills Game Forecast Weather for Bills vs Cowboys in Orchard Park may be windy, rainy Excessive rainfall may lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas, according to the Weather Service. East Coast braces for possible 'bomb cyclone' as furious storm roars in Coconut trees are battered by heavy winds along the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami as heavy winds, heavy rainfall, flooded streets and other hazards were headed toward Florida on Friday Dec. 15, 2023. A powerful storm driving gale-force winds, heavy rains and flooding was roaring toward a long stretch of the East Coast on Sunday, a possible "bomb cyclone" poised to wreak havoc ahead of the holiday season. More than 32 million Americans were under a wind advisory, the National Weather Service said. AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said winds will reach from 40 and 70 mph along the coast, with gusts of up to 85 mph possible. Gusts of 74 mph or greater are considered hurricane-force winds a bomb cyclone is essentially a winter hurricane. "There is the likelihood of damage along the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts from this storm as it intensifies rapidly," Rayno said. "A zone of strong winds (will push) water from the Atlantic toward the shoreline, while at the same time, heavy rain pours down." A stretch from North Carolina to Maine will see up to 4 inches of rain, and some highly localized areas could see up to 10 inches, AccuWeather said. Roads could become awash in water, snarling traffic Sunday night and for Monday's morning rush hour. The storm was rolling up from Florida and Georgia, and 35,000 homes and businesses in those states were without power early Sunday. Developments: Rivers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and much of New England could see flooding Monday and Tuesday as the runoff advances, AccuWeather said. Some areas of Philadelphia could see 4 inches of rain or more before the downpours end Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Will Rochester NY see a white Christmas? Here's what the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts File Photo: A snowman in Mendon Ponds Park. Will Rochester see a White Christmas? The Old Farmer's Almanac released its annual predictions for which parts of the country may see snow on Dec. 25. For the Rochester region and other parts of New York and western New England, the almanac predicts just over a 50-50 shot for a White Christmas this year. The temperature in December is predicted to be warmer than normal this year. Some towns in northern New England, the northern Midwest and the Plains, however, are expected to see a white Christmas this year, but the Atlantic region and coastal areas will not, according to the Almanac's predictions. However, some western and central New York communities have already seen significant snowfall this season. Parts of Lewis County saw more than 3 feet of snow in a late November storm. Parts of Chautauqua and Cattararagus counties, both south of Buffalo and along Lake Erie, saw nearly 2 feet of lake effect snow in the same storm, according to the Weather Service. Contributor: USA Today Network reporter John Bacon This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY Weather: Bomb cyclone? East Coast braces for storm A Florida man was caught on video stealing ingredients to a make a screwdriver cocktail from an apartment, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Around 5:30 a.m., on Nov. 23, officials said a man was caught entering someone's apartment, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, from the sheriff's office. Deputies said that the victim said the door used by the suspect was a secondary door, one that is not used often, and they had no idea that it was even unlocked. The suspect is seen walking into the apartment, then walking back out with a bottle of Svedka vodka and a bottle of Florida's Natural Orange Juice. FLORIDA PORCH PIRATE STOLE PACKAGES, PLANNED TO RE-GIFT THEM FOR CHRISTMAS Florida man steals ingredients for screwdriver from an apartment. Detectives said the suspect then tried to open the door of the apartment across the hallway, but it was locked, and he left. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP HOUSTON ROBBERY SUSPECT DRESSED LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON SOUGHT FOR SUBWAY HEIST According to Polk County Sheriff's Office, a man was caught on video stealing ingredients for a "screwdriver" from an apartment in Florida. According to officials, the suspect got away with a little over $35 worth of goods and has not been caught. Detectives are still in search of the suspect and are asking anyone with information about the theft to contact Detective Turner at 863-577-1600, or DTurner@polksheriff.org. Original article source: Booze bandit: Florida man caught on video stealing 'screwdriver' ingredients from an apartment CANBERRA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Authorities prevented almost 50 tons of illicit drugs from reaching Australia in the 2022-23 financial year (July 2022-June 2023), data has showed. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Sunday that in collaboration with international law enforcement partners, it stopped up to 49 tons of harmful drugs from being illegally imported into the country in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Of the total 49 tons of illicit drugs that were seized, AFP Commander of International Engagement Andrew Smith said more than 29 tons - or 59 percent - were methamphetamine, with cocaine and heroin also prominent. "The AFP cannot overstate the amount of harm that 29 tons of methamphetamine could have caused to the community if it had not been intercepted by law enforcement," he said in a statement. "On average, close to 12,000 Australians are hospitalised from methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin use every 12 months." Among the AFP's international partners, those in Mexico recorded the largest seizures of drugs bound for Australia with 16.7 tons followed by Canada, the United States and New Zealand. "The AFP is incredibly proud to collaborate with its international law enforcement partners, to stop transnational criminal syndicates profiting from these harmful drugs," Smith said. In one case, AFP officers worked with the Turkish National Police on an operation that led to the arrest of more than 36 organized crime figures, at least 15 of whom had significant links to Australia. Through Operation Quilt, a collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Customs and Excise, the AFP seized 240 kg of methamphetamine before reaching Australia, and seized an additional 146 kg at a clandestine laboratory in Sydney. Democrats and Republicans will not be able to strike a deal on US southern border policy changes this year, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday, following weeks of negotiations over tying tighter immigration restrictions to supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans, Graham said during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, feel that were being jammed. Were not anywhere close to a deal. Itll go into next year. Several congressional aides told CNN Sunday they are skeptical that Democrats and Republicans can reach an agreement on immigration reform, where sizable differences remain. Still, they report progress in the talks. Democrats are pushing for a deal Sunday to have a Senate vote this week a very ambitious deadline that many Republicans say is implausible. 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. Graham said Sunday he was willing to help Ukraine and supports provisions in the supplemental funding package for Israel but made clear he would not approve any further aid until the border is secured. While the White House has floated a number of concessions on border policy in an effort to reach a deal, a number of major sticking points remain. Among them is the possible elimination of humanitarian parole, a mechanism that allows migrants to temporarily live in the United States on a case-by-case basis. For President Joe Biden, the politics of the moment are complicated. While losing support from the Democratic base could cost him at the polls next November, doing nothing on immigration could have broad and lasting implications as well. Over the past several weeks, the number of migrants apprehended at the border has spiked, which Republicans argue is a major liability for Biden and other Democrats heading into 2024. This is a catastrophe, and its a result of the Biden open border policies, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said on Fox News Sunday. Were going to use this opportunity to change that. Others on Capitol Hill have signaled more optimism about the direction of the negotiations, even if a deal isnt struck this year. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Sunday he is very encouraged by the status of the talks. Ive been communicating with the negotiators, my colleagues and friends on the Democrat and Republican side, also with the White House too, and Im very encouraged. Im very optimistic theyre moving in a very positive way, Manchin told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union. I know the House has been resistant, but I can assure you the House will not get anything accomplished unless they start working together in a bipartisan way on these very, very troubling and challenging pieces of legislation, Manchin said. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Manu Raja contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was pushed to apologize following backlash from a holiday party invitation she sent to her city council colleagues or so we assume. The words electeds of color seemed to strike a nerve for some folk. Wus secretary sent an email to all officials reading, Honorable members: On behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu, I cordially invite you and a guest to the Electeds of Color Holiday Party, per The Boston Herald, which obtained a copy of the message. After all the tantrums weve seen from white folks protesting diversity groups, race-based affinities and other safe spaces for people of color, its safe to assume this invite didnt go over well. The Herald spoke to one white city councilor who called it divisive but said he didnt feel offended by it. Read more The mayor apologized and said the sending of the party invitation to officials who did not fit the description was an honest mistake. I think weve all been in a position at one point where an email went out, and there was a mistake in the recipient, she said. Wu, the citys first Asian-American mayor, told reporters there was going to be another holiday party planned for all elected officials. However, others argued that everyone is entitled to safe spaces where they can embrace shared experiences and backgrounds. It is not at all divisive, it is creating spaces for people, and communities and identities with shared experiences to come together, said Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston city councilor-at-large, via NBC Boston. We are still breaking barriers and it is so important for us to carve out and create that space. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A 13-year-old boy was injured in an early Sunday morning shooting in South Chicago, according to Chicago police. Police said the boy was in the passenger side of a vehicle when an occupant in a gold Kia SUV fired shots at about 12:40 a.m. in the 8700 block of South Marquette Avenue. The victim was driven to Trinity Hospital and was transferred to Comer Childrens Hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the chest. No suspects are in custody, and police said they are investigating the shooting. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com CHICAGO - A 13-year-old boy was traveling in a vehicle in South Chicago early Sunday morning when he was struck by gunfire. Police say at about 12:40 a.m. an occupant in a gold Kia SUV fired shots at the victim in the 8700 block of South Marquette Avenue. The victim was dropped off at Trinity Hospital and was transferred to Comer Children's Hospital in serious condition. He suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. No arrests have been made. Area detectives are investigating. In the 1960s, the United States entered a new era of exploration as NASA began sending astronauts into space. It took the combined efforts of thousands of people to make each mission successful. The direction from the ground was critical given the complexity of spaceflight and how the slightest mistake could be fatal. Chris Kraft served as NASA flight director for these early missions, becoming a revered figure in Houston and across the nation. He was born Christopher Columbus Kraft, the namesake of his father, in what is now Hampton, Virginia, in 1924. He grew up in the coastal community and in the shadow of the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, established by the federal government just a few years before he was born as a center to design and test aircraft. When he graduated high school in 1942, several months after the United States entered World War II, he attempted to enlist in the navy just as many other men his age were doing. Kraft hoped to become a pilot, but a burn injury from his childhood caused him to be rejected for the service altogether. Instead, he enrolled at Virginia Tech and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in two years. Kraft initially hoped to move away from Hampton, but in 1944, he won a position with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which promptly assigned him to the Langley Research Center. President Dwight D. Eisenhower transformed NACA into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958. Kraft was then chosen as one of 35 engineers to design what became the Mercury program, the first American manned space mission. The group tasked Kraft with designing the flight program organizing the launch, flight, and landing of the space capsules. In the process, he became the first flight director. He oversaw a team of engineers and realized that the complexity of the equipment would require rigorous testing and then constant monitoring during flight as well as a team of experts to correct any problems. The seven Mercury missions between 1961 and 1963 put a small one-man capsule into low orbit. Kraft made sure nothing was left to chance. He quickly developed a reputation for precision and perfection. He personally oversaw each detail of each mission. But as demanding as he was, he also fostered an environment of trust. In the end, the craft and the missions were so complicated that the astronaut, flight director, and the army of engineers behind it all had to trust one another. Because he insisted on having the last word with any aspect of the mission, he often clashed with senior NASA administrators and astronauts. In spite of the preparation and expertise, each mission had special problems that could have turned these flights into deadly tragedies. The coordination that Kraft developed inspired the creative thinking and expert analyses needed to avoid disaster. The Gemini and Apollo missions required a more advanced flight control center, leading to the creation of what is now the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston in 1963. Kraft joined the move and became a permanent resident. With the continuing success of the space program, Kraft became almost as famous as the astronauts themselves. In 1966, his home town of Hampton, Virginia, named its new elementary school in his honor. NASA moved him into more senior positions with the Apollo lunar missions. Ultimately, NASA promoted him to director of the Manned Spacecraft Center in 1972. In the 1970s, Kraft helped develop the conceptual design for the space shuttle. With NASA reaching new heights in manned exploration, the shuttle seemed the next logical step. Kraft and others at NASA fully believed that lunar exploration would become increasingly common and that the shuttle would bring astronauts to a future orbiting space station. Then other craft would take them to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA projected it would send men to Mars by 1985 before a wave of budget cuts ended lunar landings after 1972. In spite of the cutbacks, Kraft kept NASAs focus on the mission of exploration. He oversaw the first four shuttle launches in 1981 and 1982, inspiring many Americans with the nations return to manned flight. The success of the shuttle missions showed the importance of astronomical discoveries and the importance of studying the effects of zero gravity environments. By 1982, he decided it was time to retire from NASA. Still only 58 years old, Kraft worked for several years as a consultant. He also worked for the Houston Chamber of Commerce. Kraft spent several years travelling and speaking about space exploration. He wrote his autobiography, Flight: My Life in Mission Control in 2001, reflecting on the development of the space program and his thoughts about its future. In 2011, NASA renamed the flight control room at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center after him. Though he had never been a pilot or astronaut himself, the Aviation Hall of Fame inducted him in 2016. He died in Houston in July 2019 at age 95. 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: Texan Chris Kraft was NASA flight director for early missions FILE PHOTO: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, leaves the Court of Final Appeal, in Hong Kong LONDON (Reuters) - Britain called for Hong Kong to release Jimmy Lai ahead of the trial of the leading China critic and media tycoon on charges he colluded with foreign forces, including the United States. David Cameron, who became foreign minister in November, toughened Britain's stance on Sunday by explicitly calling for the release of British national Lai, who faces possible life imprisonment. Lai's long-awaited national security trial opens in Hong Kong on Monday, with foreign envoys and others saying it is a key test for the city's judicial independence and freedoms under the sweeping national security law imposed by China in 2020. Lai, 76, the founder of now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership, has pleaded not guilty to all charges he faces in the new trial. His son Sebastien Lai, who has met with Cameron to discuss the case, previously criticised Britain for being "incredibly weak" in standing up for his father. "As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association," Cameron said in a statement. "I call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai." Cameron said Hong Kong's National Security Law was a "clear breach" of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which returned Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule more than 25 years ago under a deal guaranteeing a high degree of autonomy, including freedom of speech, under a "one country, two systems" formula. "(The national security law) has damaged Hong Kong, with rights and freedoms significantly eroded," Cameron said. "I urge the Chinese authorities to repeal the National Security Law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it," he added. China has in the past responded to similar criticism by accusing Britain of acting with a colonial mindset. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Alexander Smith) We have lift off: Rockets are set to take off from the Shetlands as early as next year Britain is set for lift-off in 2024 after the Shetland Islands received the first-ever UK licence for vertical rockets to launch. The spaceport is a former RAF base which Frank and Debbie Strang, who met while serving as RAF officers in Moray, Scotland, bought 15 years ago with ideas of turning it into an eco-tourism attraction. Their plans changed after the Government began looking for rocket-launching sites and their company, SaxaVord Spaceport, has now been given the first greenlight to launch vertical rockets in Western Europe. Ministers said the historic moment will put the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation. Rockets will take off from the small island of Unst, which is the most northerly isle in Britain, from as soon as August 2024. Shetland's bid for space - a computer generated image of what the launch may look like - PA Mr Strang, who is also the chief executive of SaxaVord Spaceport, said: The award of our spaceport licence is both historic for Shetland, Scotland and the UK and places us firmly at the leading edge of the European and global space economy. Our team is very proud that the Government has entrusted us with operating a complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-launch spaceport and we all take this responsibility very seriously. There is much to do still but this is a fantastic way to end the year and head into Christmas. Rocket manufacturers around the world are hoping to use the new site after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it met safety and environmental standards. Up to 30 launches a year will be allowed to take place, carrying satellites and other payloads into orbit. German rocket firm Hylmpulse is set to be the first to take off from Unst in August, with a sub-orbital launch, where the rocket will not aim to reach outer space. Full orbital launches are then expected to take place from 2025 with another German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), and California-based Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems, lining up. Edinburgh-based Skyrora is aiming to be the first British company to launch from the site in the coming years. How the spaceport looks at the moment, it is hoped that by next year rockets will be fired from this northerly UK outpost - PA Tim Johnson, director of space regulation at the CAA, said it was an era-definition moment. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for UK space as rockets may soon launch satellites into orbit from Scotland, he said. Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, said: The United Kingdoms space industry is growing. Todays historic announcement will boost Shetlands economy and put the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation. The UK space industry is worth an estimated 17.5 billion, hiring almost 50,000 employees across 2,200 companies. Cornwall Spaceport was the first licensed launch pad in Britain by the CAA but rockets can only take off horizontally carried by an aircraft. This requires an aeroplane to carry the rocket into the upper atmosphere and accounts for just 10 per cent of launches. The Shetland site will allow rockets to launch unassisted. So far the spaceport has three launch pads and a hangar for assembling rockets, which have cost less than 30 million. 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 British boy who was found in France after going missing for six years has landed safely back in the UK, according to local police. Alex Batty never returned from holiday in Spain with his mother Melanie Batty and his grandfather in 2017. Now aged 17, he was found near the city of Toulouse in the French department of Haute-Garonne on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for regional authorities told CNN. It gives me great pleasure to say Alex has now made his safe return back to the UK after six years, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, of Greater Manchester Police, told reporters on Saturday, according to the UKs national news agency, Press Association. The teenager met with a family member and UK police officers in the Toulouse airport before beginning his much-belated flight home, Boyle also said. Batty is expected to be reunited with his grandmother Susan Caruana, who lives in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and is the boys legal guardian, PA reported. In a statement issued through police, Caruana said she cant wait to see her grandson. I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well, she said, adding that her family request privacy as they welcome him back. It is understood that Alexs grandfather died around six months ago, and that the boys mother - who does not have legal parental guardianship - may currently be in Finland, Reuters news agency reported citing Toulouses deputy prosecutor Antoine Leroy. Found by a French motorist The teenager was recovered this week from the side of the road by a French motorist, Fabien Accidini, who claimed the boy had been living in a spiritual community in the country for the last two years. Accidini, a chiropractic student, had been delivering medicines to pharmacies overnight when he first came across Batty. After initially giving him a false name, Batty spoke to Accidini for three hours in English and French. He told me he was kidnapped by his mother five years ago in Morocco. After that he was in Spain. And that he had been living France for the past two years in a spiritual community, Accidini told CNN affiliate BFMTV. Accidini said the boy described his mother as a bit crazy. Speaking to the BBC, a local from Quillan the town where Alex was found described how the area was home to a community of international nomads who have shunned a normal life. A lot of people here think theyre wrongdoers, high on drugs, but you find drugs everywhere. They just want an alternative life, she told the outlet. CNNs Maya Szaniecki, Joseph Ataman, Caitlin Danaher, Alex Hardie and Niamh Kennedy contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Hendersons brother has been found safe after going missing on Wednesday. Henderson posted on social media, My brother has been located. He is safe. We are overjoyed, relieved, and so grateful for everyones help especially the incredible officers at UNLV Police Department who have been so professional and kind in their assistance. PREVIOUSLY: Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson searching for missing brother last seen near UNLV Henderson said her brother is a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and had last been seen near campus on Wednesday. He was expected to drive back to Utah that day. No further information is available at this time. 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. In a recent announcement on the City of Brunswick GA PD Facebook page, the Brunswick Police Department expressed deep pride and appreciation as they introduced Corporal Kiara Woods as the Brunswick Police Officer of the Year. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Corporal Woods has been with the BPD for 3 1/2 years, during which her actions and professional standards have garnered numerous letters of appreciation and commendation. What sets Corporal Woods apart is not only her service but also the absence of any complaints from either citizens or coworkers during her tenure. Her dedication to maintaining high standards has not gone unnoticed, reflecting positively on her commitment to the community. In addition to her record, Corporal Woods achieved the milestone of becoming the first female SWAT team member for the BPD, breaking barriers and contributing to the diversity of the department. Currently serving as an acting shift supervisor, her leadership continues to make a positive impact within the Brunswick Police Department. [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. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned a terrorist attack in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan that killed 11 Iranian policemen and injured several others. "Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Iran ... We extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured," the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the government and the people of Iran in the tragedy, the statement added. The foreign ministry said that terrorism is a threat to regional as well as global peace and security, and it needs to be confronted by all means, including through bilateral and regional cooperation. Eleven policemen were killed and seven others injured in a terrorist attack on a police station in Rask County in the southeastern province of Iran early Friday, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. MV Ruen, with a crew of 18, had sent a Mayday message on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations portal on Thursday - PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU A Maltese-flagged bulk carrier hijacked by Somali pirates is heading towards Yemen, triggering fears they are co-operating with Houthi rebels. The MV Ruen was en-route from Singapore to Gemlik in Turkey when it was boarded by pirates in the Arabian Sea on Thursday. It sent a mayday signal to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations portal saying six people had boarded the vessel off the Yemeni island of Socotra. The tanker, which had 18 crew on board, was reportedly last seen sailing along the north coast of Portland, Somalia. However, according to recent tracking, the Ruen is moving north towards the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which leads into the Red Sea. Sophisticated raid Maritime experts fear the route being taken by the seven-year-old carrier is an indication that Somali pirates are working in concert with Houthi rebels, who have targeted shipping routes in protest at the Israeli-Hamas war. While Somali piracy has been a long-standing problem of the east coast of Africa, the entry of the Houthis is a comparatively new development. On Nov 19, Houthi rebels using a helicopter, launched a commando-raid on a Japanese-operated cargo vessel, the MV Galaxy Leader has been held near Yemens Red Sea port of Hodeida ever since. Significantly, investors in the vessel included Abraham Rami Ungar, an Israeli tycoon. The sophistication of the raid was seen as significant, along with the vessels apparent Israeli links. A week later, pirates attempted to hijack MV Central Park, a chemical tanker loaded with phosphoric acid. Again, the vessel had Israeli investment. The pirates, who were identified as Somali, were beaten off. But within 90 minutes of their being captured, ballistic missiles were filed from Houthi-held territory in Yemen. Like Hamas, the Houthis receive Iranian funding. They have also declared they are targeting Israeli shipping, which they have described as legitimate targets for us anywhere. Direct threat to international commerce In late November, the Ministry of Defence deployed HMS Diamond, a type 45 Destroyer, to the region to bolster security. On Saturday it shot down a drone, which it believed was targeting shipping in the area, especially vessels travelling to Israel, irrespective of their ownership. The recent spate of illegal attacks represents a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea. The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade, explained Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary. In a fresh move, the US is to expand its maritime protection force in response to the growing number of Houthi attacks being mounted from Yemen ports. Lloyd Austin, US defence secretary, is to announce the deployment of the force, provisionally entitled Operation Prosperity Guardian, when he visits the region. The move comes with Joe Biden coming under pressure from major shipping companies to act against the Houthi militants. Several shipping companies including Hapag-Lloyd of Germany and Danish shipping giant, Maersk, have said they are halting shipping operations into the Red Sea until further notice. 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. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The owners of Optimized Technical Solutions are making a hefty donation to those in need in McIntosh. Drug House closed by Escambia County deputies Travis and Barrett Griffin donated over 200 hot meals and $10,000 gifts to needy residents. The company will also contribute to McIntosh Elementary, McIntosh High School and the McIntosh Volunteer Fire Department. The Griffin brothers presented the donations at McIntosh Town Hall on Saturday. Our roots run deep in McIntosh, and the holidays are a time for us to reflect on the importance of community and connection, Travis Griffin said. We are incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities this town provided us as we grew up, and its our privilege to give back in a meaningful way. Mobile County Public Schools receive letter grades from state; five middle schools considered failing For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Bystanders flagged down a deputy to report a vehicle crash into a ravine, California officials reported. The crash took place at 2:10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, on Highway 1 near Jenner, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The deputy spotted a vehicle overturned at the bottom of the ravine and called for help from a nearby sheriffs helicopter on patrol, officials said. The helicopter arrived at the crash scene in nine minutes and set down on the highway to prepare for a rescue, deputies said. A video posted to Facebook shows the helicopter lower two medics to the wreck with a 100-foot line. The medics rescued the driver, who was hoisted to the helicopter and flown to a fire station to be taken to a hospital in an ambulance, deputies said. No information on the drivers medical condition was available. Jenner is about 80 miles northwest of San Francisco. 4-year-old riding in car with parents dies in road rage shooting, California cops say Woman found beaten, stabbed and burned 42 years ago now identified, California cops say Tire flies over highway guardrail and kills oncoming driver, California cops say The popular Commons at Calabasas shopping center is about to get an extreme makeover, including the demolition of its popular movie theater. On Dec. 6, the Calabasas City Council gave final approval to developer and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Carusos ambitious plan for the center. It involves the demolition of the Regency Calabasas multiplex to help make way for 24,000 square feet of mixed-use development, including 119 apartments, new buildings, new stores and restaurants. According to the local newspaper, The Acorn, some residents who attended the Dec. 6 council meeting expressed concerns about the size and density of the project. The Commons at Calabasas renovation plans One of the new buildings will reach as high as 85 feet and others to be constructed in The Commons parking lot will be as tall as 46 feet far taller than any current structures. Of the roughly 30 residents who spoke at the meeting, however, most expressed support for the expansion and the measure passed unanimously, the Acorn reported. The Commons, which opened in 1998, already features several large and established anchor tenants including Barnes & Noble, Rite Aid and a Ralphs supermarket. The 33,000-square-foot movie theater, however, suffered the same fate as many other theaters during the COVID pandemic. It briefly closed after Regal went bankrupt in early 2023 and then reopened under the ownership of Regency Theaters. No timeline for the construction has been announced. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (BCN) Food insecurity in California ticked upward over the past year, bringing the share of hardship back up to levels early in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data released by the California Association of Food Banks on Tuesday. Families are buying less food, said May Lynn Tan, the associations director of research and strategic initiatives, who conducted a survey of food aid recipients this summer. Theyre running out of food, not being able to afford nutritious meals, and worrying more about food. Lawsuit: Saint Marys College rape victim shamed as bad girl, silenced by school Advocates credited a pandemic-era federal aid program that gave food assistance recipients more money for groceries for pulling food insecurity below 20% of California households between 2021 and 2022. The additional aid, Tan said, helped recipients buy healthier food and become more financially stable. As prices soared last year, food insecurity spiked. Then, the boost in federal aid ended in April. By October, more than 1 in 5 California families more than 3.1 million households, including 1.1 million with children were steadily reporting uncertain access to food, according to Census data analyzed by the association. While hunger overall is disproportionately borne by people of color, Black families in particular reported sharp increases this year. In April, 30% of Black households in California were food insecure. Six months later, the figure was 40% and nearly half of Black families with children. Anti-poverty advocates had feared a rise in hunger after the end of the aid boost this year, which affected the nearly 3 million California households that receive CalFresh, the federally-funded food stamps program. For three years the program had given all families receiving CalFresh the highest possible amount of food assistance for their family size each month, with $95 on top for those already receiving the maximum. When the program reverted to ordinary aid levels, the decrease was anywhere from 32% to 40%, depending on the recipient, according to the food banks association. In a survey the association conducted over the summer, more than two-thirds of the states food banks reported increases in the number of clients seeking meals and groceries. The uptick in food insecurity also follows an increase in poverty last year, triggered by the end of a different pandemic-era policy. A one-time, yearlong expansion of a tax credit program in 2021 sent thousands of dollars to most families with children and pulled child poverty levels down to historic lows; after it ended, poverty spiked again. Oakland robbers chase, ram victims car at Lake Merritt Both trends are likely to be the basis of advocates calls next year for California to expand safety net spending, even as the state faces a projected $68 billion deficit in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Thats double the budget hole California plugged this year. The food insecurity data was outlined by the food banks association Tuesday as it gears up to lobby for the expansion of assistance programs next year, including increasing funding for food banks to buy California produce to distribute to clients and supplementing the federally-funded CalFresh (food stamps) program with state dollars. It does look like a tough budget year next year but I dont think that changes our strategy, said Becky Silva, the associations director of government relations. Itll be a tough sell. California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom avoided major program cuts when they closed the deficit this year, but it did bring to a halt several years of social services expansions. Still, at a separate Tuesday web conference for anti-poverty advocates and lobbyists hosted by the liberal California Budget and Policy Center, Jessica Bartholow, chief of staff to state Senate Budget chairperson Nancy Skinner, an Oakland Democrat, urged advocates to continue seeking funding or program expansions. Dont ask for less, she said. Copyright 2023 Bay City News, Inc. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A police car stands outside the Jewish student organization Hillel's building at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. on December 12, 2023. Credit - Joseph PreziosoAFP/ Getty Images Nowadays, you can determine the extent of free speech on American campuses by whether armed police are required both to protect an invited guest lecturer and to ensure that the event is not shut down by protestors. That, at least, was my conclusion when I spoke last month at a university in the Midwest and another in the Northeast. Let me explain. The title of my lecture was How the October 7th, 2023 Attacks Have Changed Everything: Lessons from Terrorism for Counterterrorism. I suspect it was the use of the word terrorism in the title that incurred the ire of the protestors even before I uttered a sound. Some people simply dont want to hear that Hamas is a terrorist group, despite the fact that Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Paraguay, the European Union, and has been outlawed by Jordan since 1999. The words terrorist or terrorism remain conspicuous for their absence in virtually all mainstream media reports of the October 7th attacks outside of Israel. Both the Associated Press and BBC in fact specifically prohibit any use of those two words. Nor are they alone. Even the U.S. governments own Voice of America imparts guidance to its journalists that permits the events of October 7th to be described as terrorist attacks or acts of terror, but enjoins from calling Hamas and its members terrorists. Instead, a myriad of euphemisms are enlisted, including militants, combatants, fighters, infiltrators, gunmen, and so on. The New York Times print headline on October 8th says it all: Palestinian Militants Stage Attack On Israel. The accompanying article reported rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza on Israeli civilian targets; the wholesale killings of Israelis at both a music festival and in agricultural and residential communities along the border; as well as the abduction of men, women, children, babies, the elderly, the infirm, and the disabled, who were taken hostage and forcibly transported to Gaza. Read More: Its Not Easy to Be Jewish on American Campuses Today Each of those violent acts is incontestably terrorismand, to use another term frequently heard nowadays, are war crimes. Yet, the pervasive absence of this word fosters a moral as well as a rhetorical ambiguity where Hamas apologists can facilely claim that the perpetrators of this wanton violence are freedom-fighters, resistance-fighters or martyr heroes. Those terms have become the preferred nomenclature on America campuses as wellwhere even a word such as insurgent is shunned as too pejorative and insufficiently genuflective. All this is a reflection of what a colleague at Georgetown University calls the POCOFO phenomenon: the post-colonial, post-Foucault (named after the influential French philosopher, Michael Foucault) trend that now dominates university pedagogy. The POCOFO orthodoxy holds that settler-colonialist perspectives must be banished from curricula and campuses. Accordingly, arguments articulating Western and northern hemisphere perspectives while neglecting southern hemispheric grievances are to be denigrated as racist, supremacist, inequitable, dis-empowering, patriarchal, and thus prohibited. Conversely, at neither campus I spoke at did the protestors seek to engage in dialogue and discussion, to question my arguments or debate their implications. Instead, at one event, they silently waved hands dipped in red paint and departed before the question-and-answer part of the program began. Having made their point and fulfilled their performative purpose, they saw no reason for any further engagement. At the other campus, however, the protestors purpose was indeed disruption and denialupending the event and preventing my lecture and any meaningful exchange of ideas. Instead, these students, hurled invectivesaccusing me of being a war criminal and war profiteerbefore breaking into river to the sea and free Palestine chants. It took the police about 10 minutes to remove the dozen or so protestors who clearly had no interest in discussion, debate, or dialogue. In a recent opinion piece, Wall Street Journal columnist Gerard Baker observed how Vladimir Lenin has replaced Voltaire on American campuses. I disagree with what you say, and I will do all I can to prevent you from saying it, is the new approach to learning, he arguedjust as I discovered. Along these same lines, Harvard professor Danielle Allen presciently underscored the dangers this poses to not just to our universities but to our country. A culture of intimidation is, she explained, the very opposite of a culture of mutual respect necessary for learning and, for that matter, a healthy democracy. In this respect, what should worry us most is our universities preeminent role in educating persons today who will go on to be future heads of state, key policy and decision-makers, influential columnists, and captains of industry but who now appear content to stifle free speech and open discussion of contentious issues simply to signal their opprobrium. It is a sad commentary about emotional responses, vituperation, closed minds, and the collective failure of professors and administrators alike for allowing this climate to emerge and lay waste to the free and open exchange of ideasthe bedrock of the academys values and mission. Diversity on campus must not just be predicated on identity but also on ideas. Americas universities must live up to these ideals. Contact us at letters@time.com. College Hall, where offices for the University of Pennsylvanias president are located, on the campus in Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 2023. (Rachel Wisniewski/The New York Times) At the University of Pennsylvania, approval for the screening of a documentary critical of Israel was denied. At Brandeis University which expressed a public commitment to free speech a pro-Palestinian student group was barred for statements made by its national chapter. At the University of Vermont, a Palestinian poet was set to deliver a talk, but the school pulled the meeting space after students complained he was antisemitic. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times There are growing signs that colleges are starting to clamp down on pro-Palestinian protests and events on campus, as the institutions face pressure from donors, alumni and politicians, who are furious over what they say is an antisemitic campaign against Jews. Some schools have simply canceled events or delayed them. A handful of schools have shut down student groups and disciplined students. Some students have simply stopped participating in protests, concerned for their own safety, spooked by alumni who have started do-not-hire lists and outside groups that have doxxed students. The war in the Middle East is laying bare the difficulties American universities are confronting in navigating free expression. Already under attack in recent years from conservatives for closing off debate on other topics, university leaders are now struggling to balance open expression with fears and complaints from some Jewish students that the language of pro-Palestinian protest calls for violence against them. As video of some protests went viral, with some devolving into physical altercations, university officials have been under more and more pressure to find a way to contain the demonstrations. Radhika Sainath, an attorney with Palestine Legal, a civil rights group, said her organization has received more than 450 requests for help for campus-related cases since the Hamas attack, more than a tenfold increase from the same period last year. The cases include students who have had scholarships revoked or been doxxed, professors who have been disciplined, and administrators who have gotten pressured by trustees. Its truly like nothing else weve ever seen before, Sainath said. Were having a 60s-level moment here, both as far as the repression but also the mass student mobilization. In the past few months, the most prominent pro-Palestinian campus group, Students for Justice in Palestine, has been suspended from at least four universities, including Columbia, Brandeis, George Washington and Rutgers. In some cases, the universities accused the group of being supportive of Hamas, disrupting classes and intimidating other students. The group, a loosely connected network of autonomous chapters founded about 30 years ago, has denied those allegations. These suspensions are a dangerous escalation of the repressive measures administrators have been taking to characterize anti-Zionist student organizers as a violent and existential threat, the national Students for Justice in Palestine group said in a statement, adding that administrators have crafted the infrastructure for mass repression, censorship and intellectual manipulation. In Florida, the chancellor of the State University System of Florida wrote a letter in late October to school presidents that chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine in the state must be deactivated an order civil rights groups say clearly violates the First Amendment. School leaders are in a tough position, said Burt Neuborne, a New York University law professor and founding legal director of the Brennan Center for Justice. Universities, he said, will pay a price in intellectual openness if they are unduly restrictive in speech that they allow on their campuses, but on the other hand, youve got traumatized and frightened young people; you dont want to ignore them. Kenneth L. Marcus, head of the Brandeis Center, a Jewish civil rights group (not affiliated with Brandeis University), said that administrators must take action when Jewish students are being assaulted, battered, intimidated and threatened. What were seeing is not just offensive speech but also outrageous conduct, Marcus said. What we need is neither censorship nor inaction. Rather, universities need to enforce their existing rules forcefully, consistently and evenhandedly. Arab and Muslim students say they have faced intimidation and harassment as well, and note the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Chicago, an attack authorities say was motivated by hate. Administrators at the University of Vermont canceled an in-person event in late October featuring Palestinian poet Mohammed el-Kurd, after some students said he was antisemitic. El-Kurd could not be reached for comment. The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks antisemitism, describes el-Kurd on its website as displaying a troubling pattern of rhetoric and slander that ranges far beyond reasoned criticism of Israel. Lecture organizers rejected the charges of antisemitism. The conflation of critics of Israel and anti-Zionism with antisemitism is false and used to curb academic freedom, said Helen Scott, a professor involved in planning the event, adding that many of the lecture series board members are Jewish. The university cited security reasons, but a university lawyer later acknowledged to faculty there were no threats to the venue or speaker, according to a video reviewed by The New York Times. The event was held online instead. University officials could not immediately be reached for comment. This is a climate where its OK to cancel a talk at the last minute by a prominent Palestinian poet, said Scott, noting that three students of Palestinian descent who attended other colleges were shot in town last month. (Officials arrested a 48-year-old man in the shooting and were investigating whether it was a hate crime.) What message does that send? William Youmans, an associate professor at George Washington University, where administrators this semester suspended the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, said that while university officials tactics were sometimes chilling student activism, pressure from external forces with doxxings and warnings to potential employers were having greater consequences. In many ways, I feel like that strategy is a bit more effective at actually silencing, said Youmans, who was a member of the SJP chapter at the University of California, Berkeley, in the early 2000s. If administrators suppress speech, it backfires because theyre so clearly not supposed to be doing that. But Youmans said the responses of universities still had consequences. Some of this is to signal, Hey, were doing stuff, Youmans said. The easiest thing to do is put out statements that please donors. But, he added, Of course, a lot of those have the informal effect of stigmatizing kinds of groups, stigmatizing kinds of speech. Scholars studying and writing about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have always walked delicately, but the environment has deteriorated since Oct. 7, according to a biannual survey carried out last month. The survey, from the University of Maryland and George Washington University, found that 66% of respondents reported self-censoring on the Middle East in general, up from 57% in the fall of 2022. In mid-November, the board of the Harvard Law Review voted not to publish a piece by Rabea Eghbariah, a Palestinian scholar and human rights lawyer, whose article argued that the events in the Gaza Strip should be evaluated within and beyond the legal framework of genocide, as defined by the United Nations. In a statement released after the decision, the Harvard Law Review said that the publication had rigorous editorial processes governing how it solicits, evaluates, and determines when and whether to publish a piece. In a statement online, several of the Reviews dissenting editors condemned the decision to pull the piece in the face of a public intimidation and harassment campaign. In a statement sent to the Times, Eghbariah called the decision appalling and alarming, saying that it is not only discriminatory but also reveals the Palestine exception to free speech. The piece was published in The Nation. At the University of Pennsylvania, Jack Starobin, a member of Penn Chavurah, said the progressive Jewish student group had been planning a screening of the movie Israelism since July but postponed the scheduled Oct. 24 screening because it was so close to the Hamas attack. The movie, a documentary made by American Jews who rethink their beliefs about Israel after visiting the country and seeing its treatment of Palestinians, has polarized campuses. New York Citys Hunter College canceled a screening of the film last month. When they tried to rebook the event for late November, Starobin said, the university denied the request. The students went to the schools Middle East Center, which received approval for campus meeting space to show a film, Starobin said. When campus administrators learned the film was Israelism, students were told they could be disciplined if the screening went forward, Starobin said. A Penn spokesperson declined to comment about student discipline but said the university decided to postpone the showing until February because our first responsibility is the safety and security of our campus community. The spokesperson said the organizers disregarded the schools wishes to show the film in February. Starobin said the university committed to February only after he went public with the space denial. This month, University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned after a disastrous appearance before Congress during which she gave a lawyerly response to a question about whether, under the schools code of conduct, she would punish students calling for the genocide of Jews. Yet Erin Axelman, the co-director of Israelism, said most universities withstood pressure campaigns and have shown the movie. And some students have said they were more committed to speaking out. Chisato Kimura, a 23-year-old-law student at Yale who is a member of Yalies4Palestine, said she has not been deterred and would continue to protest on behalf of Palestinians. She said schools talk a lot about diversity and love to plaster our faces on posters and promotional material but need to accept that if you have diverse faces on campuses, youre also going to have diverse voices and opinion. At Harvard, an undergraduate student organizer with the schools Palestine Solidarity Committee said students were worried about the consequences of speaking out for Palestinians. She did not want to be named out of fear for her physical safety and possible repercussions at the college. Worries over being disciplined by her school cause some students to think twice about speaking openly about their views in class, she said. But ultimately, the student said, given the brutal deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza, she feels there is no choice but to continue to protest and speak out on campus, whatever the consequences. The stakes in Gaza, she said, are too great to be silent in a moment like this one. c.2023 The New York Times Company LITTLE ROCK, Ark. From impeachment in Washington D.C. to suspensions in Little Rock, its been a wild week in politics. This and more are covered on this weeks Capitol View. Capitol View host Roby Brock first met with the chairperson of the Public Health Committee, State Senator Missy Irvin, to discuss healthcare and tourism policy. Judge grants restraining order in Arkansas Board of Corrections suit, attorney general sues board Then, Roby sat down with attorney and GOP strategist Sylvester Smith and Democratic strategist Michael Cook to talk about an array of topics. Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A Volvo truck and a Ford Focus passenger car with a military license plate collided on the Kyiv-Chop highway in the Smozhe village in the Lviv region on Dec. 16, killing four people. The individuals killed included the driver of the passenger car and three of his passengers - two men and one woman. Two of the victims were in military uniform. According to the State Special Transport Service, Deputy Head of the Administration of the State Special Transport Service Colonel Zhyhunov Viktor Mykhailovych, Lieutenant Colonel Kravets Vasyl Viktorovych, soldier Sologub Dmytro Hryhorovych, and citizen Dubrovska Natalia Ivanivna were killed. The State Special Service of Transport, part of the Ministry of Defense, also announced that its employees who were on a business trip were killed in a road accident in the Lviv region. The victims received life-threatening injuries and died before the arrival of emergency response medics and the truck driver had an acute reaction to stress and also received medical assistance. Read also: Lithuania hands over munitions to Ukraine in latest aid delivery Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nikki Haley is closing the gap on former President Donald Trump in a key early voting state. A CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday found that 29% of likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire would vote for Haley, while 44% said theyre backing Trump. Its the latest good news for Haley out of the Granite State, where she recently received a coveted endorsement from Gov. Chris Sununu, who has pledged to put 110 percent behind the former South Carolina governor in the run-up to the states Jan. 23 primary. New Hampshire voters who were surveyed also view Haley as the most likable and reasonable candidate in the primary race, and 53% percent describe her as prepared, compared to 54% for Trump. Sununu's endorsement and Haley's rise in the state have been a blow to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has staked his campaign's success or failure on the first-in-the-nation primary state. But the poll brought a glimmer of good news for Christie his 10% among New Hampshire voters means he has unofficially qualified for an invite to CNNs Jan. 21 debate in New Hampshire, according to POLITICO's analysis. Though support from Trump is still strong in the state, Sununu said Sunday that voters are still waiting to make their decisions. A lot of the decisions won't be made really until the last couple of weeks and in New Hampshire, it's all about results, the Republican governor said during an interview alongside Haley that aired on ABCs This Week. In Iowa, however, Trump still holds a runaway lead and Haley lags behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who boasts his own endorsement from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. According to the poll, 58% of likely caucus-goers support Trump, while 22% back DeSantis and 13% say theyre with Haley. The CBS poll surveyed 855 registered voters in New Hampshire and 1,054 in Iowa from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15. Respondents in each state were selected from different online panels, and the results among likely Republican caucus goers and primary voters had a margin of error of +/-6.1 points in Iowa and +/-5.5 points in New Hampshire. LISBON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese lawmaker Pedro Nuno Santos was elected Saturday evening as the new secretary-general of Portugal's ruling Socialist Party (PS) with 62 percent of the votes from party members. Santos will be PS's prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming legislative elections on March 10, 2024, with the party holding a majority in the Portuguese Parliament. In his victory speech, Santos said that the "PS has been, is, and will continue to be the largest political party in Portugal." As an economist, Santos served as minister of Infrastructure and Housing in the Portuguese government between 2019 and 2022. The PS electoral process started after Antonio Costa's resignation as prime minister on Nov. 7. Costa became the subject of a judicial inquiry initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office in the Supreme Court of Justice. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa immediately accepted the prime minister's resignation and dissolved the parliament, calling for early legislative elections. CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) Sunday was an emotional day for Cheektowaga Police Officer Troy Blackchief as 10 months after he was critically injured in a hit-and-run incident while on duty, Blackchief donned his uniform for the first time. Blackchief was injured in February and has since faced a long road to recovery, which took him far from home to facilities in both Chicago and Texas. Now, just nine days after returning to Western New York, he was named the recipient of the 2023 Running 4 Heroes Injured First Responder Grant. I want to thank you guys for finding the value in what we do as law enforcement and helping us and our families when the chips are down, Blackchief said while speaking to the media for the first time since the incident. Harassment charges dismissed against First Amendment auditor I want to thank all my brothers and sisters from [the Cheektowaga Police Department] for carrying on the care for me and for my family, Blackchief continued. The money was awarded to Blackchief by the organization Running 4 Heroes, which since its founding in 2019, has donated a minimum of $10,000 each month to a first responder injured in the line of duty. As of November of this year, Running 4 Heroes has awarded nearly $900,000 in these grants. The grant is an honor, retired Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould said, that Blackchief deserves. For him, it wasnt, I want to get better so I can drive again or I can go home. It was, I want to get better so I can get back to work and thats been his driving force which is just something amazing to see, Gould said. I definitely want to thank Chief Gould for nominating me for this award, Blackchief said. You were there every step of the way. West Seneca voters approve $23M spending plan, upgraded security cameras Tim Nazzaro, president of Running 4 Heroes, says that Blackchief was the 52nd first responder to receive the award and that the goal of Saturday was to honor him and recognize the fighting spirit that he showed the community. We admire his tenacity. We honor his service, and were very happy to still have him with us here today, Nazzaro said. Current Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Coons said Saturday that he hopes to get Blackchief back to work and re-acclimated into the CPD family in the upcoming new year. Officers have been coming into my office saying, I saw Troy driving down French Road. Its like a Troy sighting, Coons said. So, its good for everybody and its good to have him back home. Its good to have him back in town where we can actually look after him ourselves. 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 chief Republican strategist for the super PAC that is helping organize Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's campaign for president resigned after the group's new chairman made "false" statements about former employees. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The chief Republican strategist for the super PAC that is helping organize Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's campaign for president resigned after the group's new chairman made "false" statements about former employees. Jeff Roe's abrupt departure late Saturday from the "Never Back Down" PAC comes after several high-level officials in the organization were fired two weeks ago following the arrival of new chairman, Scott Wagner. Roe, who laid the groundwork for the DeSantis campaign in Iowa during the lead-up to 2024, announced he was stepping down after the Washington Post published a story over the weekend in which Wagner criticized the former employees, including the PAC's chief executive officer, board chairman, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and the organization's president, Chris Jankowski. "Following mismanagement and conduct issues, including numerous unauthorized leaks containing false information, senior officials were terminated," Wagner told the Post. "We don't have time to indulge false narratives from those with ulterior motives." Later, an attorney for the fired PAC employees informed Wagner that what he said in the story was "categorically false," prompting Wagner to send a revised statement to the Post. "Following some opinions regarding mismanagement and conduct issues, including some who believed there appeared to be numerous unauthorized leaks containing false information, NBD and some senior officials parted ways," Wagner wrote. Roe announced his resignation on X, saying he "cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today. They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Gov. DeSantis." He added: "I can't believe it ended this way." Meanwhile, longtime DeSantis adviser Phil Cox has taken over the helm of the PAC in the weeks leading up to the Iowa caucus Jan. 15. The turbulence in the DeSantis camp comes as polls show the Florida governor trailing the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, by a wide margin in Iowa, where the first ballot of the primary season was only weeks away, and in New Hampshire, where he also trailed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Trump called attention to the tumult on his Truth Social platform on Saturday night. "Jeff Row is out -- GAME OVER for DeSanctimonious," Trump said, echoing a term he has used to needle DeSantis throughout his campaign. Previously, Roe served as campaign manager for Sen. Ted Cruz president in 2016, and he worked on Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's 2021 presidential campaign. Chileans are being asked to vote on a second draft for a new constitution after the first was rejected Chileans are voting in a referendum to decide whether to adopt a new constitution to replace the one brought in under Gen Augusto Pinochet. A previous draft put forward by an elected body dominated by left-wing delegates was rejected last year. A constitutional council, this time dominated by right-wing delegates, has drafted a new, more conservative version. But polls suggest Chileans remain divided on whether to approve it. The drive for a new constitution started in 2019 after massive anti-government protests rocked Chile, which is normally seen as a haven of stability in the region. The protesters, many of whom were left-wing students, demanded drastic social and political change. After months of disruption, the conservative president at the time, Sebastian Pinera, agreed to launch a process to rewrite the 1980 constitution. But the first draft, crafted by a constitutional convention chosen by voters, proved too radical for many. Many balked at its sweeping reforms and its proposals to change many of the country's established institutions, such as replacing the 200-year-old Senate with a new Chamber of Regions. It also proposed declaring Chile a "plurinational state", recognising the rights of Chile's indigenous groups - which make up about 13% of the population - to their lands and resources. In September 2022 it was rejected by 62% of voters. Those who found the first draft too radical celebrated when it was rejected A new constitutional council - this time made up of 24 individuals designated by Congress and 51 representatives elected by the Chilean people - was created to come up with a new draft. It is this revised draft which Chileans have been asked to approve or reject this Sunday. Opinion polls suggest that this second draft may also fail to get the backing necessary for it to come into force, with 46% telling pollsters they plan to vote against the draft and only 38% saying they will back it, with 16% still undecided. While the first draft was widely criticised for being "too far-left", some voters have said that this second draft has veered too far to the right. Socialist Party Senator Paulina Vodanovic warned that the new text represented "a move backwards" on many aspects of Chilean social and political life, such as gender issues. Other leftist critics argue that the revised proposal fails to adequately protect indigenous rights. On the issue of abortion, for example, left-wing critics deem the proposed text too ambiguous and say it could allow future restrictions on existing reproductive rights. Left-wing critics also dislike the weight given to private property rights and the fact that the new text enshrines private sector participation in the provision of basic services such as health, education or pensions. Some describe it as being more conservative than the current constitution it aims to replace. Proponents of the new draft say it gives individuals more choice by letting them decide if they prefer public or private providers for basic services. Natalia Gonzalez, a member of the constitutional council, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "If the state does it well, then they [the Chilean people] can opt for it, but if not, people don't have to remain captive. That freedom is protected in the new constitution." The far-right Republican party, which holds a majority of the seats on the constitutional council, is backing the new draft. The party's leader and former presidential candidate, Jose Antonio Kast, urged "us Chileans who last year voted 'reject', now have to vote in favour, in favour of change, in favour of improvement". The government of President Gabriel Boric, the left-wing former student leader who beat Mr Kast in 2021, has been accused by the opposition of openly promoting the "reject" option. President Boric has already said that if the new draft is rejected, he will not push for another rewrite. In that case, the current constitution will remain in place, although amendments and changes could be proposed. By Alexander Villegas and Natalia A. Ramos Miranda SANTIAGO/VALPARAISO, Chile (Reuters) -Chileans on Sunday rejected a new conservative constitution to replace its current text that dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. With 99.65% of ballot boxes tallied, a total of 55.76% Chileans rejected the new text while 44.24% voted in favor of it. This is the second draft constitution in as many years that voters have rejected to replace its current text, a process born after large-scale, passionate and sometimes violent protests against inequality gripped the nation in 2019. "The country got polarized, divided," President Gabriel Boric said during a televised address, adding that the result shows the process "didn't channel the hopes of having a new constitution written by everyone. Boric reiterated his government wouldn't pursue a third rewrite and would move forward with pension and tax reform through the legislature. "What the citizenry is demanding is a better capacity for dialogue, of consensus, but most of all action," Boric said. Many Chileans have voiced mistrust and disenchantment with the process after years of polarization and political infighting. Nina Vidal, 65, a secretary in the coastal city of Valparaiso said on Sunday that she was inspired by the first referendum but lost confidence in the second referendum. "I sincerely thought things were going to change" the first time, she said after casting her ballot. "But unfortunately, nothing changes." The first assembly elected to draft a new text was dominated by leftwing forces, and the draft focused on social, indigenous, environmental and gender rights. But that text was overwhelmingly rejected by voters last September. The electorate swung right for the second draft and voters elected an assembly dominated by conservative parties. That text was considered more conservative and market-friendly than the 1980 constitution it could replace. It placed private property rights and strict rules around immigration and abortion at its center. "Finally, after four years of intense debate and constitutional conversation, we've ended up at the same point," said political analyst Kenneth Bunker, adding that the end of the vote should bring more political stability and confidence for investors. Bunker says the question is what the government will do next. "It's easier to change the constitution today and the question is how hard the government will push," Bunker said. "I don't think the conversation is going to stop," he added, noting that he expects the issue to become key in the next presidential elections. Some voters lamented the country's political polarization, which they said made it impossible for them to agree on a replacement constitution. "Our differences are so irreconcilable that we cannot find a middle ground from which to move forward, and that is very sad indeed," said architect Claudio Fernandez, 41, in capital Santiago. (Reporting by Natalia Ramos and Fabian Cambero in Santiago and Alexander Villegas in Valparaiso; Editing by Aurora Ellis, Sandra Maler and Lisa Shumaker) Chris Christie thinks Donald Trumps stance on immigration makes him unfit for office. Christie continued to make his case against his rival for the Republican presidential candidacy during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, where he called out the former president for comments he made at a campaign event in New Hampshire the day prior. Trump, the GOPs current front-runner, was openly xenophobic during the speech, where he told crowds that immigrants are pouring into the U.S. and poisoning the blood of our country. Hes disgusting, Christie told CNNs Jake Tapper. And what hes doing is dog-whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy and from the conflicts around the world. And hes dog-whistling to blame it on people from areas that dont look like us. Christie pitched himself as a sane choice for president yet again during his interview with CNN. Christie pitched himself as a sane choice for president yet again during his interview with CNN. The former governor of New Jersey also accused Republicans of enabling Trump, pointing fingers at members of congress and fellow primary candidate Nikki Haley. Youre telling me that someone who says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country, Christie asked. Someone who says Vladimir Putin is a character witness is fit to be president of the United States, was the right president at the right time? During his Saturday speech, Trump cited Putin while attacking President Joe Biden as a threat to democracy. The twice-impeached former president also complimented authoritarian politicians Viktor Orban and Kim Jong Un, describing the Hungarian Prime Minister as highly respected and calling North Koreas Supreme Leader very nice. Donald Trump says immigrants are pouring into the U.S. and poisoning the blood of our country. Donald Trump says immigrants are pouring into the U.S. and poisoning the blood of our country. Christie pitched himself as a sane choice for president yet again during the interview, telling Tapper, Im in this race to let people know its not OK. Its not OK for an American president to be saying these things. Were going to take Donald Trump out by telling the truth, because the truth matters, he added. Trumps comments come after the New York businessman likened immigrants to vermin during another New Hampshire speech last month. Afterwards, Biden compared his words to language you heard in Nazi Germany. Related... Nahida and Samar, mother and daughter (pictured), were shot dead in the Holy Family Parish in Gaza by an Israeli sniper A Christian mother and daughter were killed in cold blood by an Israeli sniper in the grounds of a Catholic church in Gaza City, the diocese of Jerusalem said. Nahida and her daughter Samar were inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, where the majority of Christian families have taken refuge since the start of the war, when they were shot dead with no warning. Shot in cold blood One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents. Seven more people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others inside the compound. The victims were members of Gazas shrinking Christian community which dates back to the first century. Earlier the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa (Missionaries of Charity) had been hit by a rocket fired by an IDF tank, destroying its generator and fuel supplies, the Patriarchate said. Place of worship The Convent is home to 54 disabled people, and is part of the church compound. It had been signalled as a place of worship. The interior of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, where the two women were shot dead - Getty Images The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive, the Patriarchate added. Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said her relatives were among the hundreds trapped in the church and feared for their safety. I am desperately worried for my extended family in Gaza City. There are snipers at every window pointing into the church. Still shooting anyone emerging from buildings to use, for example, toilets. Still no food or water, she said. Bodies remain strewn Hammam Farah, who was related to the two women, described the shootings in a posting on X, formerly known as Twitter. This morning Israeli snipers shot and killed my two family friends in an attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. Nahida (Um Emad Anton) and Samar, mother and daughter, were walking to the Sisters Convent to use the only bathroom, he wrote. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Their bodies remain strewn across the church courtyard. The Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City - Getty Images The water tanks and solar panels were also struck. We dont know if they have enough water to survive. The Christian community in Gaza is on the verge of extinction. Pope Francis condemns killings Pope Francis condemned the killings when he gave his weekend blessing, describing it as terrorism. Unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings. And this happened even inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick or disabled, nuns, he said. Some would say It is war. It is terrorism. Yes, it is war. It is terrorism, he said. Last month, when meeting relatives of the hostages held by Hamas, he also spoke of terrorism to describe what had been happening in the conflict. This is terrorism This is what wars do. But here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war. This is terrorism, he said at the time. The killings took place days after the Israeli Defence Forces admitted mistakenly killing three hostages in Gaza. Originally established in 1099, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem forms part of the Roman Catholic church. Its territory includes Cyprus, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. The Israeli army has said it is looking into the alleged killings at the church. 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. GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie took aim Sunday at former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley for saying former President Trump is fit to serve in office. CNNs Jake Tapper asked Christie on the State of the Union what his response was to comments made by Trump on Saturday, where he said immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country. Christie said the comments were disgusting, adding that Republicans like Haley are part of the problem. And look, Jake, the other problem with this is the Republicans who are saying this is OK. Almost 100 members of Congress who have endorsed him, Nikki Haley, who this week said he is fit to be president, Christie said. Youre telling me that someone who says that immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country, someone who says Vladimir Putin is a character witness, is fit to be president United States? Was the right person at the right time? Nikki Haley should be ashamed of herself, he continued. And shes part of the problem because shes enabling him. Shes enabling him by saying to people, its OK. Haley, who served during the Trump White House, told ABC News Linsey Davis last week that Trump is fit to be president, but that he should not be elected to the White House again. Its not about fitness. I think hes fit to be president. Its Should he be president? I dont think he should be president. I thought he was the right president at the right time, Haley said. During the fourth GOP presidential debate, Christie was the only candidate to clearly state that Trump was not fit to serve as president. The three other candidates, including Haley, did not offer a clear answer on the question. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie blasted former President Trump for quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin during a campaign rally Saturday night, emphasizing that the former president is only getting worse. My reaction is that he gets worse and worse by the day, Jake, and voters better start paying attention to exactly what hes saying, Christie said on CNNs State of the Union. He has always been approving of Putin right from the beginning of his presidency. That was something that he and I had regular arguments about going all the way back to 2017. Christie was responding to CNNs Jake Tapper, who asked what his reaction was to Trump citing the Russian leader at his campaign event over the weekend. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Vladimir Putin of Russia says that Bidens and this is a quote politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy,' Trump said at the rally. Christie, an outspoken critic of Trump, questioned why the former president used Putin as an expert on democracy. The former New Jersey governor has previously criticized Trump for his praise of Putin, saying earlier this year that it was good to see Vladimir Putin has made his endorsement official of Trump. This is a guy who doesnt even know what democracy is and, quite frankly, spent most of his life trying to undercut democracy all over the world, Christie said Sunday. And Donald Trump citing him as his expert witness that hes being persecuted and is innocent, look, this is a guy who just believes: Woe is me, woe is me. I cant believe I got caught.' Trump is facing dozens of criminal charges in courtrooms across the country, including allegations of a hush money cover-up, mishandling of classified documents from his time in the White House and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump and his allies have maintained that he is innocent and argued that the indictments are politically motivated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Stop me if you've heard this one before: A leader of the most corrupt administration in recent Detroit history gets a job at a nonprofit, returns home and refuses to say why they stopped paying the restitution they owe to Detroiters. Before you say you heard it all right here a few weeks ago when I wrote about former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, consider that I'm referring to Hizzoner's former classmate, political partner, hatchet woman, lover and co-defendant Christine Beatty. Christine Beatty, former chief of staff, shakes hands with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick after the court ordered the release of some text messages at the 36th District Court in Detroit on Monday, July 14, 2008. Kilpatrick loves attention so much that if he had been caught in a searchlight trying to break out of prison he would have stopped to pose for pictures. But Beatty prefers to stay in the shadows. That's one reason it took so long for some of us to learn Beatty has been back in metro Detroit for two years, working for The Heat and Warmth Fund, commonly known as THAW, a nonprofit that helps people keep the heat and lights on. In a situation reminiscent of the bad old days, when Kilpatrick and Beatty ran city hall like an employment agency for friends and family, Beatty was hired by one of her best buds from high school. THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins also hired Beatty's mother, but she told me her longtime friendship with Beatty was not a factor in her decision to hire her fellow Cass Tech Class of 1988 alumna and her mom. More on that later. Beatty refused repeated requests to discuss her gig or her life since leaving Detroit for Atlanta about 15 years ago. That may be because her friends and colleagues made it clear she also didn't want to answer my questions about why we should trust Beatty to do better at THAW than she did while helping run one of the most corrupt nonprofits in Detroit history. I also detected no enthusiasm for explaining why Beatty has not made a payment since Dec. 2, 2013, on the more than $78,000 in restitution she still owes us. In 2009, Beatty agreed to pay Detroit $100,000 and do a few months in jail as part of a plea deal she cut to avoid going to trial in Wayne County on perjury and obstruction of justice charges stemming from the text message scandal Jim Schaefer and I revealed in the Free Press on Jan. 24, 2008. Christine Beatty leaves court for the day with her lawyer Jeffrey Morganroth after appearing in the courtroom of Judge Timothy Kenny in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Oct. 15, 2008. For a week, I entreated, begged and, ultimately, pleaded with Beatty's colleagues, Beatty's lawyer and a public relations professional representing THAW to say something anything about Beatty's journey. All I got was a 15-word statement Beatty's lawyer conveyed by what else? text message. It said: "For the past 15 years I have been raising my children and rebuilding my life." Beatty had plenty to say in 2016, when she was launching a radio talk show and starring in a cable TV reality show. In interviews with channels 2, 4, and 7 she even said she missed Kilpatrick. I suspect the main reason Beatty refuses to speak with me now is because she sees no profit in it. Puzzle pieces This is the part of the column where I planned to let Beatty tell us about her life since she left Detroit for Atlanta in 2009 or 2010. Instead, we're left with what we can glean from social media, public records and a biography on the website for the From the Bottom Up Foundation, a nonprofit which offers resources "to meet the psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges disproportionately impacting minority women and girls." Beatty's LinkedIn profile say she worked as a self-employed consultant until 2017, then worked as a consultant or project manager for companies in Georgia until late 2019. Her bio says she mentored young women in Atlanta and Detroit. Beatty's bio says she saved the city $30 million by negotiating pay and benefit cuts for union workers, but fails to mention that she and Kilpatrick cut more than 4,000 city workers while hiring more than two dozen friends and family, whose salaries jumped 36% between 2002 to 2007. Beatty's online profiles also neglect to mention the more than $8 million in taxpayer money she and Kilpatrick spent in a failed attempt to bury their incriminating text messages. Nor do they cite the Kilpatrick administration's failure to adjust the city's spending to its shrinking revenues as Detroit racked up prodigious debt on its way, in July 2013, to becoming the largest municipality in United States history to file for bankruptcy. Beatty actually beat Detroit to bankruptcy, filing in October 2012. Those court records provide what may be the most objective source of information about her early years in Atlanta, as well as her income. Beatty's filing came a few weeks after Ford sued her in DeKalb County Court. Court records list her residence as a townhouse in Atlanta and her 2010 income at $77,000 and 2011 income at $102,000. The records say her 2012 earnings dropped to $34,000, even though she listed her income at about $7,000 a month (which would total $84,000 a year). Her largest creditors were the bank which gave her a mortgage on a Rosedale Park home Kilpatrick helped her acquire using questionable means; the IRS, which she owed $60,000; and Ford Credit, which financed her 2011 Explorer. A judge agreed to discharge Beatty's debts in February 2013. She continued to pay $500 a month on her restitution bill until December 2013. During her January 2016 media blitz to promote her radio and television endeavors, she told Fox 2's Charlie Langton she would resume restitution payments "once I get a regular income. I haven't had that for a few years." Curiously, Beatty's LinkedIn bio makes no mention of THAW, where she has been getting a "regular income" since March 2021. Nevertheless, Beatty hasn't paid a dime in restitution for more than a decade. Setting the record straight Despite Beatty's boisterous biography on the From the Bottom Up Foundation's website, Beatty's supporters say she has had trouble getting a good job because of the taint from the text message scandal. Jenkins, her longtime friend and current boss, told me she hired Beatty because of her skills and because everyone deserves a second chance. "We both know what happened 15 years ago," Jenkins told me. "As I recall, it wasn't her work that was questioned, it was things that did not have to do with the job itself that was being questioned, and they were legitimate questions. But it's been 15 years. People change, people grow, and I think the city has moved on. Chris deserves an opportunity to do the same." Beatty's supporters repeatedly peddle the false narrative that the only thing she did wrong was fall in love with the wrong man and lie about their affair while under oath. One apologist told me she has repaid her debt to society, which in light of the $78,816 she still owes in restitution, is literally not true. But I also believe in second chances. And I believe in the mission of THAW, which I have supported as a donor and volunteer. I also believe it's important to set the record straight. The record shows that Beatty was a ruthless manager who abused her authority, helped Kilpatrick run a nonprofit larded with tens of thousands of dollars in bribe money, ruined a cop's career to cover up police misconduct and her affair with the mayor, and conspired with a crooked contractor to help him get dirty deals that cost Detroiters and everyone else in southeastern Michigan millions of dollars. That record raises some important questions, including: Should public money go to someone who doesn't pay their debt to the public? Was Beatty the best candidate for the job? Is the so-called Cass Tech Mafia that stocked city hall with Kilpatrick's and Beatty's family and friends back this time operating at a nonprofit whose mission is to help families struggling to keep the lights on and their homes warm? Beatty has known Kilpatrick since the mid-1980s, when they became friends at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. He went to Florida A&M University, while she received a bachelor's degree in social work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While finishing up her master's degree in social work at Wayne State, she ran Kilpatrick's successful 1996 campaign to succeed his mother in the Michigan House of Represenatives. She also helped manage his successful 2001 campaign for mayor, then became his chief of staff. Christine Beatty, left, and then future mayor Kwame Kilpatrick touch hands after Kilpatrick's May 17, 2001, announcement that he would run for mayor of Detroit. Kilpatrick announced his candidacy in front of the Detroit home of his mother, Congress member Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. In between the state House and mayoral campaigns, Beatty helped Kilpatrick with the Kilpatrick Civic Fund, a nonprofit created for the stated purpose of educating voters and making life better in Detroit. The fund first made news in 2001 when the Free Press revealed that Kilpatrick wrote a letter of recommendation for a homeless shelter seeking a multimillion dollar government contract after the businessman donated $50,000 to the civic fund. Text messages later revealed that Kilpatrick was using the nonprofit as a slush fund to pay for his lavish lifestyle, including covering expenses for the mayor and Beatty to take a romantic getaway to a resort in Vail, Colorado. The homeless shelter operator testified in 2012 at Kilpatrick's federal public corruption trial that the mayor and his family routinely demanded money from him while he sought their help with a city deal and that he paid them more than $440,000. Another businessman seeking city contracts testified that Beatty told him to give $10,000 to the civic fund. He said he didn't consider the donations a bribe, but acknowledged he did eventually get some city work. In city hall, Beatty was known for being intense, impatient, intelligent, hardworking and equal parts abrasive and charming. Mayoral appointees she deemed less than committed to the cause of advancing Kilpatrick's career faced consequences ranging from a tongue lashing to termination. In 2003, Beatty and Kilpatrick retaliated against a police officer who reported misconduct by Kilpatrick cronies on the security team and they conspired to ruin the career of a deputy police chief preparing to investigate those allegations. A year later, Beatty told cops who pulled her over for speeding: "Do you know who the f--- I am?" Also in 2004, Beatty and Kilpatrick defended using their city positions to persuade a bank to give Beatty a grant from a fund created to help low- and moderate-income Detroiters buy homes or start businesses in the city. Beatty's salary was more than $140,000. Even though the bank advertised grants of $2,500, Beatty got $12,000. She used the money as part of a down payment on a gorgeous $255,000 Tudor-style home she bought in Rosedale Park. Only Kilpatrick, Beatty and their apologists saw the deal as anything other than a violation of the city charter's prohibition on employees using their position for private gain. The charter also instructed city employees to avoid behavior that gives the appearance of impropriety. Text messages show Beatty used her position to help her friend and Kilpatrick best buddy Bobby Ferguson get tens of millions worth of city contracts. My Free Press colleague Jennifer Dixon and I, using text messages Schaefer and I obtained, revealed that Beatty gave Ferguson inside information on city deals, strategized on how they should vote on contracts, and expressed concerns that other contractors might get work instead of Ferguson. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick grabs the controls of backhoe from Bobby Ferguson, of Ferguson Enterprises Inc., on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 during the demolition of three different abandoned houses on Mountclair Street near Joy Middle School. Beatty and Ferguson served together on the Downtown Development Authority, a quasi-governmental agency that awarded tens of millions in contracts to reinvigorate Detroit's central business district. When the board met on April 16, 2003, Beatty sent Kilpatrick a text about a deal under discussion that said: "Why not Bobby in this?" "Bobby," Kilpatrick responded, "wanted to strategically lose a major bid. He will be on this one at bid time." Midway through a May 7, 2003, Downtown Development Authority meeting, before board members voted to award a $146 million deal to restore the vacant Book-Cadillac hotel, Beatty sent Ferguson a text that said: "You need to recuse yourself from the vote, not abstain." Ferguson replied that a development authority official: "told me to abstain don't have a contract yet just playing it safe, deal not complete yet." "Cool," Beatty wrote back, "just checking." Ferguson, who did not disclose his interest in the deal before the vote, got a $7 million contract to do demolition on the Book-Cadillac project. Beatty's lawyer has said the Free Press misinterpreted those and other text messages indicating a cozy, if not outright corrupt, connection between Beatty and Ferguson. Right, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his co-defendant Bobby Ferguson, center, leave the Theodore Levin United States Courthouse in Detroit in 2012. Federal prosecutors made it clear they believed Beatty was in cahoots with Ferguson. In the sentencing memorandum they wrote for Ferguson after he and Kilpatrick were convicted in 2013 of racketeering and turning Detroit City Hall into a hub of corruption where pay-to-play was the law of the land, they say Beatty helped Ferguson squeeze a Detroit contractor. The feds said Ferguson wanted Walbridge Aldinger to give him 35% of a $140 million water department contract they were seeking. Ferguson, federal prosecutors wrote, "arranged for the mayor's chief of staff, Christine Beatty, to delay the bidding to buy time for Ferguson to strong arm Walbridge to enter the improvident deal." After Walbridge refused to give in to Ferguson's demands, they lost out on the contract. Beatty's supporters contend that if the feds really thought she was a crook, they would have charged her. It's a persuasive argument, if you don't know the backstory. M.L. Elrick: Michigan lawmakers demonstrate why our new state bird should be the chicken Prosecutors had to make hard choices to keep the case focused on the five people they did charge Kilpatrick, Ferguson, Kilpatrick's dad Bernard, former city chief administrative officer Derrick Miller and former water department boss Victor Mercado. Even after Miller and Mercado cut plea deals, the trial dragged on for six months. The feds also wanted to avoid any chance jurors would get distracted by the affair or think the government was prosecuting immorality instead of illegality. Andy Arena, who was special agent in charge of the Detroit office of the FBI during much of the Kilpatrick corruption investigation, said prosecutors don't always charge everyone they have evidence against. The reasons range from cutting a break for someone who cooperated, to trying to manage public perception, to as in the Kilpatrick prosecution trying to keep a case from becoming unwieldy. "In my career I've seen a number of people not charged who could have been charged," Arena told me. While Beatty avoided federal court, she could be headed back to court in Wayne County. Prosecutor Kym Worthy plans to file a motion compelling Beatty to resume paying restitution. Worthy plans to file a similar motion against Kilpatrick, who also hasn't made a restitution payment in 10 years. A second chance THAW is a special nonprofit with a vital mission to help people struggling to pay their utility bills keep the lights on, the heat pumping and the water flowing. It has been around for nearly 40 years and receives millions of dollars in grants from our state and federal governments, from DTE, corporations and foundations, special events and donors like you and me. Last year, it spent about $16 million helping keep more than 10,000 of our neighbors alive. Besides their time together at Cass Tech, Jenkins, THAW's CEO, also knows Kilpatrick and Beatty from their time together in city hall, where she worked for the late Detroit City Council President Maryann Mahaffey. Jenkins was elected to the City Council in 2009 and served until 2014, when she resigned to lead THAW. In 2021, THAW hired Beatty as a contractor for a short-term project, then she was given another assignment replacing the nonprofit's customer management system. Jenkins said she did not recall whether anyone else was considered or interviewed before Beatty got those jobs. Jenkins said Beatty was interviewed before she was hired as a THAW program manager in May 2022. "I need to say this to you: She's highly qualified and had the skills for all three of those roles," Jenkins told me. "Chris continues to do a great job in the role she's in. I don't have any issues. I know that our dollars are being spent well for the purpose in which they're intended." M.L. Elrick: Michigan lawmakers make time to free Harbaugh instead of working to fix flawed reform bills Jenkins and I disagree on how well Beatty helped run the city as Kilpatrick's chief of staff. She told me she believes the only thing Beatty did wrong was lie under oath about her affair with their friend, the mayor. Jenkins said her relationship with Beatty and her mother played no role in her decision to hire them. And she says she's not worried donors may think twice about giving to an organization that will spend some of their money on Beatty's salary. Jenkins would not disclose Beatty's salary, but IRS forms THAW is required to make public do not list Beatty among the nonprofit's five highest-paid employees. Jenkins also declined to discuss Beatty's failure to make any restitution payments, even after landing a job with THAW. "If you want to talk about Chris' restitution, you should talk to her attorney, because that's the best person to talk about it," Jenkins said. I'd say Beatty is the best person to talk about it, but she doesn't feel she owes us any explanations. She does, however, owe us a lot of money. M.L. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and host of the ML's Soul of Detroit podcast. Contact him at mlelrick@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter at @elrick, Facebook at ML Elrick and Instagram at ml_elrick. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Christine Beatty back in Detroit, still owes restitution Migrants are no longer being dropped off at the citys landing zone on buses from the southern border, causing people to wander with no direction looking for shelter, according to an aide to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, said the lack of communication is directly correlated with the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals from the southern border. She suspects bus companies are finding other ways to get migrants into the city. As of Saturday, more than 25,900 migrants had arrived in Chicago since August 2022, according to city records. Under revised rules Wednesday, buses face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators will also be subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees. The city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St. Wednesday night. Obviously, theyre trying every way to work around this, Pacione-Zayas said. Since weve instituted the ordinance and the amendment, we have lost all communication with the border. Theyre not sending us any notices. On Friday, she said city officials found migrants in various locations around the city City Hall, Christkindlmarket and Union Station. According to Pacione-Zayas, migrants reported that bus drivers bought them Ventra cards and Amtrak tickets to get to Chicago. She said a suburb municipality received a bus Friday and directed it to go to the landing zone, and instead it took off toward the Indiana border. The deputy chief of staff suspects bus drivers drop off migrants at train stations outside of the city and buy them train fares to get downtown. Bus companies are facilitating their transfer into the city, she said. It sends us scurrying. In October, a delegation from the city went to Texas to try to talk to officials there to coordinate bus drop offs. Buses at the time were coming at all hours of the day and night, without warning. The city implemented rules in mid-November requiring drop-offs to occur on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The city also limited bus arrivals to two per hour and designated the location in the West Loop to unload passengers. The loading zone helps the city have a better on-the-ground transport plan and know if families or singles are coming to place them in appropriate shelters. But since the harsher penalties Wednesday, the landing zone hasnt received nearly as many buses. The city received notice that two were expected Saturday, but only through an email communication on which they were accidentally copied, Pacione-Zayas said. Folks are just kind of being dropped off at different points. Theyre wandering to police stations. Or theyre wandering to shelters, she said. The city has been actively clearing migrants out of police stations into shelters, and reported Saturday morning that there were none staying overnight at stations, down over 2,000 a few weeks ago. On Saturday evening, however, there will be a warming bus at the Near West station (12th District), which covers much of the Little Italy and University of Illinois at Chicago neighborhoods, to respond to the uncoordinated arrivals. The citys Office of Emergency Management works with the contracted national employment firm Favorite Staffing to pick migrants up and get them to the warming bus or into shelter beds if there is availability. Pacione-Zayas said she is just asking Texas officials for more communication. When they come without notice and coordination, it starts to undermine what were trying to do, she said. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com Coast Guard rescues Florida man from boat that nearly capsized amid hazardous, stormy waters The U.S. Coast Guard Jacksonville sector rescued a man whose 39-foot sailboat began taking on water in the Halifax River near the Ponce de Leon inlet in Central Florida Thursday night. The man was able to notify the Coast Guard that his boat was aground in 22 mph winds and five to six-foot waves just before 10 p.m. Watchstanders sent out an urgent marine information broadcast, notifying all mariners in the area and ordering the launch of a Coast Guard boat crew. The crew was able to rescue the boater without any injuries. VIDEO SHOWS US COAST GUARD'S DARING RESCUE OF COUPLE, DOG AFTER FLORIDA BOAT TAKES ON WATER The boater was rescued after his vessel began taking on water. "Marine conditions throughout Northeast Florida will continue to be extremely hazardous throughout the weekend," said Cmdr. Nick Barrow, Sector Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator. "All mariners are strongly encouraged to monitor weather forecasts and warnings, and take reasonable safety precautions to protect life and property." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP COAST GUARD RESCUES MISSING SAILOR ADRIFT IN TATTERED VESSEL 270 MILES OFF NORTH CAROLINA COAST The man was rescued without injury. The owner is expected to help coordinate the salvage of the boat. The man is expected to help coordinate the salvage of the boat. Original article source: Coast Guard rescues Florida man from boat that nearly capsized amid hazardous, stormy waters California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been touted as a possible replacement for President Biden on the 2024 Democratic ticket. But the idea was a nonstarter among Democrats in next-door Nevada. (Associated Press) When David Mulcrone looks to the 2024 presidential race, he's filled with a combination of resignation and determination. Gay and Latino, he no longer feels comfortable in Donald Trump's Republican Party. So he'll vote for President Biden if that's what it takes to keep Trump out of the White House a second time even though Mulcrone is not terribly enthused about the prospect. "Too old," Mulcrone said of the 81-year-old incumbent. But then again, "Democrats didn't put themselves in a position to put anyone else forward." In an alternative universe one where things like money, filing deadlines and other practicalities don't matter there is wishful talk of a late entry in the Democratic contest, a savior to swoop in and electrify the party with a jolt of energy and passion. Someone like, say, Gavin Newsom. California's 56-year-old governor has repeatedly, adamantly insisted he has no plans whatsoever to challenge the president. Still, the talk of a 2024 candidacy persists, fueled not just by Newsom's words and deeds a snarky debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, turns on the national and international stages but also the chatter of political gossips and frustration of Democrats despairing over Biden's reelection bid. Read more: Column: Voices from Nevada on a prospective Newsom presidential bid. In a word, no If you ignored Newsom's protestations and looked for a place he might launch an insurgent campaign, next-door Nevada and its early primary would seem a good place to start. But Mulcrone wants no part of that scenario. And he's not alone among fellow Democrats regarding California as more of a curse than a cure for their political anxieties. "The last time I was in San Francisco was about five years ago," Mulcrone, 52, said as he led his three pet beagles on a walk in Green Valley, a well-to-do Las Vegas suburb. Mulcrone, who works in sales, recalled stepping from his car and immediately being hit with a pungent whiff of urine rising from the street. He blamed Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, for the city's decay. "I think his policies were too liberal and that kind of laid the foundation for why S.F. is the mess it is now," Mulcrone said. "I don't care if I ever set foot there again." David Mulcrone takes Fury, Saffron and Basil, from left, for a walk in Green Valley, Nev. Mulcrone is not a big fan of President Biden or California Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Michele Hoffman shared his political sentiments. She voted for Biden in 2020 and appreciates him "keeping the country on an even keel." But Hoffman would have preferred Biden not seek reelection again, because of the incumbent's advanced age. At this point, however, she sees no viable alternative to the president and can't imagine Newsom replacing Biden atop the Democratic ticket. "He's got that California stigma," said Hoffman, 66, who retired to Henderson after working 30 years at a university in Kansas. "I'm from Missouri, from a very conservative area, and I don't think he would get the support from the rest of the country that he would need to beat Joe Biden." Read more: How labor and a wily senator turned Nevada blue and redrew the nation's presidential map Nevada is poised to play a major role in 2024 as one of a handful of battlegrounds that will decide the presidential race. Before that, it will be the first Western state to weigh in on the Democratic nomination. New Hampshire votes on Jan. 23, though Biden has kept his name off the ballot to boost the import of subsequent states. South Carolina, which salvaged Biden's candidacy in 2020, will follow on Feb 3. Nevada votes three days later. But the place is not exactly teeming with Newsom supporters. In nearly three dozen interviews with voters in and around Las Vegas, the election epicenter where most Nevada voters live, not one of them mentioned California's governor as a substitute for Biden. (There was also no clamor for Vice President Kamala Harris to step in as the Democratic nominee. "I just don't think she's been the strong presence that I envisioned," said Hoffman, who backed Harris' 2020 presidential bid.) Biden had his defenders. Ian Flashner, a Las Vegas Democrat, said too much has been made of the president's age. Ian Flashner likes both Newsom and Biden, but sees no need for California's governor to replace Biden on the 2024 ticket. Too much, Flashner said, is being made of the president's age. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) "I understand why people have concerns, but the guy's getting the job done," said Flashner, 52, who makes his living selling grocery store equipment. "If he was 10 years younger, no one would say a word." Most, however, were like Courtney Pruitt. The 35-year-old Democrat voted for Biden in 2020 "Trump made it easy" but would prefer a nominee in 2024 who is younger and more vibrant. "He just doesn't seem like he's doing anything," she said of the president. Newsom is nowhere on her list of possibilities. Pruitt often visits Los Angeles for business she sells vintage antiques in Las Vegas and the state's extended pandemic lockdown soured her on California's governor. "He really screwed over a lot of people," said Pruitt, who is leaning toward Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist mounting an independent and decidedly long-shot bid for the White House. Courtney Pruitt, who owns an antique business in Las Vegas, is leaning toward Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Cindy Manchee thought Michigan's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, would make a fine replacement for Biden: "She's middle of the road, she understands there needs to be give and take." But, alas, Manchee lamented, it's too late for that to happen. The 65-year-old retiree moved to Henderson about 10 years ago from the San Francisco Bay Area. Manchee misses California; on a chilly afternoon she wore a blue fleece with "Monterey" stitched on the front. But she doesn't miss the taxes and high cost of California living, and considers Newsom too liberal to win the White House. Besides, Manchee said, "I don't think he's done that great a job" as governor. Not surprisingly, Republicans had even less use for Newsom. The sun was setting as Tim Foley stopped by the post office in Spring Valley, a multiracial community five miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, where earth-movers and other heavy equipment mark development's relentless march through the desert. Foley, 49, considers Biden "horrendous" but said Newsom was even worse. "Biden's not running the country," said Foley, who owns a Las Vegas healthcare firm. "They parade him around and there's a group of people who are making decisions for him. Newsom has his own ideas, which is scarier to me." Read more: Think Biden's doing badly? Check out the polling for these other Western leaders There were a few fans of the governor. One of them was Brian V., 41, who manages a chain retailer at an upscale Henderson shopping mall. (He declined to give his last name, to avoid hassle for sharing his political views.) "I love Gavin Newsom," Brian said during a vape-and-coffee break. "He's young. He's intelligent. He's done a lot of great things for California." But that doesn't mean he wants him to step in for Biden on the Democratic ticket. "We're already a little too late into that game," Brian said. "We need to rally behind Joe Biden, get him reelected, so that we can stave off another four years of potentially going into a fascist state." A few shoppers trickled past, as Christmas music played from speakers tucked amid the palm trees and agave. Maybe 2028 will be Newsom's time. Maybe not. "Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom," Brian said, ticking off the Democrats he might consider for president. All sorts of choices. Just not now. Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nevada voters aren't yearning for Gavin Newsom to take on President Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential contest. (Associated Press) Nevada will play a key role in the 2024 presidential race, as a major battleground and one of the first states to vote when Democrats choose their presidential nominee. Despite his repeated objections, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is often mentioned as a possible alternative to President Biden. But a series of interviews in and around Las Vegas, where most Nevada voters live, found no support for a Newsom candidacy and not a lot of California love. Here are some of those voters discussing the governor, why they oppose him replacing Biden as Democrats' 2024 nominee and thoughts on the state next door. Michele Hoffman, 66, retired college administrator, Henderson Democrat "I don't know that much about [Newsom], although I don't think the country as a whole would get behind him. He's California. He's got that California stigma. Im from Missouri, from a very conservative area, and I dont think he would get the support from the rest of the country that he would need to beat Joe Biden." David Mulcrone, 52, salesman, Henderson Democrat "I generally like Biden as a person. He's too old. But the Democrats didn't put themselves in a position to put anyone else forward. ... I think [Newsom's] policies were too liberal and that kind of laid the foundation for why S.F. is the mess it is now." Michelle Munk, 62, skin care specialist, Henderson Republican Newsom "is a sleaze bag. Look what he's doing to California. I have friends in California. Half of California is leaving." Michelle Munk of Henderson, Nev., is no Newsom fan. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Linda Carter, 74, retired schoolteacher, Las Vegas Republican "California's ruined. I'm a small-government conservative. I think we need strong military and strong borders and families have the right to judge how to spend their own money. ... We don't need people telling us we can't drink the Big Slurpee." Courtney Pruitt of Las Vegas is leaning toward Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Courtney Pruitt, 35, antiques dealer, Las Vegas Democrat "We go to L.A. a lot for work. I think it's crazy he kept stuff shut down as long as he did. I think he made it too long and he really screwed over a lot of people. ... I'm leaning toward Robert Kennedy Jr. He just seems younger and more down to earth." Ian Flashner, 52, equipment salesman, Las Vegas Democrat "I like Gavin Newsom. He seems like a smart, younger guy. Has his act together for the most part. ... But I don't begrudge Biden his age, and that's mostly what this is about. If he was 10 years younger, nobody would say a word." Ian Flashner of Las Vegas likes Newsom, but doesn't see a need for Biden to stand aside. (Mark Z. Barabak / Los Angeles Times) Tim Foley, 49, business owner, Las Vegas Republican Newsom "is a charlatan. This guy is moronic. He's an absolute liar. I watched his debate with [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis and was disgusted. Everything he said was a flat-out lie." Cindy Manchee, 65, retired corporate manager, Henderson Democrat "He's really, really too liberal. He's never going to get the independents, and I don't think he's done that great a job in California. The state's in bad financial condition. The roads are terrible when you visit. It's too expensive." Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Loved ones are remembering a mother, who was allegedly killed over a custody dispute. The father of her child, Duane Dushon Moore, 42, is now behind bars. My brain actually refuses to believe that my mom is gone, said Vallees son. Dozens gathered Saturday night, one week later, in front of the apartment where Vallee was murdered. Kayla Vallee, 40, was supposed to pick up her son from his father in University Place last Saturday, December 9. Vallee never returned. Police found her dead at his apartment after her family requested a welfare check. I said Kayla, please, please dont go in that apartment by yourself. Take somebody with you, said Vallees mother, Christine Kingsbury. Kingsbury had a gut feeling something bad would happen by coming to her exs apartment. She told KIRO 7 that Vallee had dealt with domestic violence issues in the past. She said Vallee was heading to Moores apartment alone to discuss custody of their son. She was never allowed in this apartment before. So all of a sudden, he was going to let her in, Kingsbury explained. Kingsbury says she knew something was wrong when Moore dropped off his son at their home, with no signs of Vallee. According to court documents, Moore told his son that he would be going to prison and wouldnt see him again. When I called the cops and said, theres something wrong, her son is here. Shes not answering. And they said, well, its a civil dispute. We cant do anything. And I said, No, youre going to do something, said Thomas Proulx, Vallees stepfather. When deputies responded to their welfare check request, they found Vallee dead in the apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. She should have been more nervous going in there, but she just wanted her son back, said Kingsbury. She says its a true testament to who Vallee was-- a loving mother taken too soon. She helped everybody and anybody that she possibly could with anything that she possibly could. She was a devoted mother. She loved her kids to the point where she, I believe was blinded by this, said Kingsbury. Vallees family wants to spread awareness about the dangers of domestic violence. And we pray that something that will be done about domestic violence. That families dont have to come together like this, said Delilah Kieffer, Vallees Aunt. Moore faces first-degree murder charges by the Pierce County Prosecutors Office. Hes being held on $1 million bail. Moore is expected back in court on January 3. Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to be removed despite GOP opposition Despite efforts from a group of Republican lawmakers, a Confederate statue in the Arlington National Cemetery will be removed in the coming days. The Reconciliation Monument, known as the Confederate Statue, is part of the push to remove military installations named after the Confederacy in the wake of the summer 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. According to a press release from the national cemetery, the statue will be removed from the cemetery by Dec. 22. The move to remove the statue is in compliance with the Congressional mandate to remove all Confederate memorials by Jan. 1, 2024. GOP LAWMAKERS DEMAND PENTAGON STOP REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY The Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is photographed on Aug. 17, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. The Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is photographed on Aug. 17, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. The Congressional mandate, passed in 2020, declared that the Department of Defense must remove all "names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America" by Jan. 1, 2024 . READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP An Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that safety fencing has been installed around the Confederate Memorial as preparation begins to deconstruct the memorial, which was erected in 1914. While the work occurs, the surrounding landscape, graves, and headstones will be protected, the cemetery said. Monument to the Confederate Dead, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA, photo by Theodor Horydczak. The deconstruction of the memorial comes after a group of GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., wrote a letter to Secretary Austin and demanded that they keep the Confederate Memorial in place until the end of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process. US MILITARY CARRIES OUT AIRSTRIKES ON FACILITIES IN SYRIA OPERATED BY IRANIAN-BACKED FORCES In a letter to Secretary Austin, Clyde argued that the memorial was dedicated to American unity following the Civil War rather than honoring the Confederacy, and that it would desecrate the graves of Confederate troops buried there. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., attends the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing titled FY2024 Request for the Department of Justice, in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. "Despite bipartisan support for this monument, the Naming Commission, established by the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, clearly overstepped its legislative authority when it recommended that the Department of the Army remove the Reconciliation Monument from Arlington National Cemetery," the lawmakers wrote. "[T]he Reconciliation Monument does not honor nor commemorate the Confederacy; the memorial commemorates reconciliation and national unity. Clyde, a Navy combat veteran, was joined on the letter by 43 other House Republicans. Glenn Youngkin, governor of Virginia, speaks prior to signing executive actions in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said that he also disagrees with the Biden administration's decision to remove the statue and the grave of Moses Ezekiel, the renowned sculptor of the memorial. "The governor formally asked Secretary Austin to ensure that the grave of Moses Ezekiel and the accompanying memorial atop his grave remain in its revered location at the Arlington National Cemetery," Gov. Youngkin's spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The governor is disappointed that the Biden administration still sought to remove the memorial but believes that the Newmarket battlefield state park in the Shenandoah Valley will provide a fitting backdrop to Ezekiels legacy as a legendary sculptor and Virginian even though he disagrees with the Biden administration's decision to remove it," Porter said. Rep. Andrew Clyde did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Original article source: Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to be removed despite GOP opposition Lawmakers are staring down a brutal opening to 2024 as border talks and work on President Bidens $111 billion supplemental could slip into January while Congress attempts to navigate two government funding deadlines. Senators on both sides of the aisle say negotiators are still far away from a border deal of any sort, which Republicans say is necessary to unlock aid for Ukraine. This is resigning lawmakers to the idea of working on the supplemental next month as they juggle the pair of shutdown deadlines making next month more difficult than it already was shaping up to be. Its a heavy lift, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). Its hard to imagine how heavy the lift might be. Senate negotiators and Biden administration officials were expected to work through the weekend on a border deal, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called senators back this week to give them more time to reach an agreement before they break for the holidays. But multiple senators indicated late last week that the group was still far from producing a framework, let alone drafting legislative text. The hill to climb to get a deal and vote on it is incredibly steep, likely pushing matters into the new year and further complicating what is already going to be a tricky stretch to start the 2024 legislative calendar. Itll be very intense, said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), the No. 3 Senate Democrat. Unfortunately, folks who actually just want continual chaos so we cant move forward and solve problems have been successful by having these multiple dates on appropriations and so on. It does not have to be as chaotic as it will be but it will be, she said. The first government funding deadline, which deals with funding military construction and the departments of Veterans Affairs; Transportation; Housing and Urban Development; Agriculture; and Energy, is set for Jan. 19, less than two weeks after members return from the holidays. The rest of the government, including Defense, is only funded for an additional two weeks, through Feb. 2. But lawmakers are at a loss for how they will overcome those hurdles. The Senate has only passed one three-bill package (known as a minibus) to fund the government, while the House has advanced seven individual appropriations proposals with little more progress on those fronts expected before the deadlines. Lawmakers have yet to come up with a top-line funding number and have not determined how much will be allocated in each of the 12 spending bills. At this point, some senators are resigned to a possible year-long funding bill at current levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), or else a government shutdown could be in order with neither being a good outcome, they argue. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has ruled out moving on another short-term spending stopgap or an omnibus spending bill, limiting their options. Thats not good, and it would be very difficult for us to accept, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), said of a possible year-long CR, pointing to damage to the military that would result. Theres a huge amount that needs to get done in a very short period of time. I dont see folks working in advance to get the other things ready to go, he said. This is not a good situation we are in. Further complicating the picture is that without a deal on all 12 appropriations bills before April 30, a 1-percent cut for all fiscal 2024 defense and nondiscretionary spending would take place a possibility lawmakers would like to avoid at all costs. The coming battles on Capitol Hill will also run parallel to the official start of the presidential primary season, as voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will make their choices Jan. 15 and Jan. 23, respectively. As members note, the coming political season has already created issues for lawmakers as it has truncated the 2024 congressional calendar. The Senate is set to only be in session for 29 weeks next year, compared to the 34 weeks that were slated for 2023. However, the specific consideration of the supplemental would be in the line of fire in the coming weeks even if negotiators are able to secure a border deal. Some outside groups on the right were scoring opposition to bipartisan talks even taking place, while progressives have grown increasingly concerned over possible curtailments of asylum claims and other provisions that could end up in a deal. You have two political parties who have a fair number of constituents that dont like any of it, Cramer said. Its very complicated. Primary elections will, in some races, depend on how the member voted on Ukraine support particularly if its absent any meaningful border reforms. On the other hand, Democrats run the same risk if they mess up the border. I think the 24 elections are on a lot of peoples minds, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A member of the Temecula Valley Unified School District School Board is resigning his position, according to multiple reports, putting in jeopardy the conservative majority that has made national headlines. Danny Gonzalez stepped down from his post on Friday, according to reports in the Press-Enterprise and elsewhere. It was an honor and privilege to serve the Temecula community and it is with a heavy heart that we are leaving, Gonzalez wrote to the newspaper. We wish (the school district) and the entire valley well and appreciate the support we have received over this last year. Gonzalez, who told the newspaper he is moving to Texas, was part of the conservative bloc of the board that rejected Californias social studies textbook. In particular, Gonzalez reportedly objected to the inclusion of gay rights leader Harvey Milk, whom Gonzalez and Joseph Komorsky, a fellow board member, described as a pedophile. The board ultimately adopted the textbook to avoid a $1.5 million state fine, though the material about Milk was to be removed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A 38-year-old Ukrainian driver became ill at a service area on Poland's A4 highway and called for help because of chest pains. While waiting for an ambulance, he lost consciousness and was transported to a hospital in Przemysl, where he was pronounced dead by doctors, the Consul General in Lublin, Oleh Kuts, told Ukrinform on Dec. 16. Local doctors have ruled out any third-party involvement in the death. The case is under the control of Ukrainian consuls in Poland. Read also: Biden hosts Zelenskyy again, Polish government change, news on the border blockade This is the third Ukrainian truck driver to die on the Polish border since the trucker blockade began. After the death of the second Ukrainian driver in the queue, the government began collecting data to evacuate drivers from the Polish-Ukrainian border. Ukraine is also initiating the creation of an EU monitoring group at the border, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Serhiy Derkach said. Read also: How Ukrainian retailers are dealing with border blockade Polish carriers started a border blockade with Ukraine on Nov. 6. They blocked three checkpoints for the passage of freight transport: Korczowa-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn. On Nov. 22, the blockade of the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border was extended until Feb. 1, 2024. On Nov. 23, the Shehyni-Medyka checkpoint was also blocked. The protesters' demands include: making Ukrainian carriers require permits again, tightening the ECMT transportation rules for foreign carriers, banning the possibility of registering companies in Poland if the company's accounts are not in the EU, a separate line in the eQueue system for vehicles with EU license plates, a separate line at all borders for empty trucks, and access to the Shlyakh system. Ukraine held talks with Polish protesters blocking truck traffic at the border, but did not reach agreement. On Dec. 1, Slovak carriers also blocked truck traffic leading to the Uzhhorod checkpoint. On Dec. 5, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki confirmed that Warsaw will demand the restoration of the permit system for Ukrainian carriers. On Dec. 7, Ukrzaliznytsia begins transporting trucks blocked at the Ukrainian-Polish border by a container train. Read also: Russian forces deploy reserve assault units to Kupyansk area to blockade city The largest checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border, Yahodyn-Dorohusk, reopened for trucks after more than a month of being blocked by Polish carriers, said Minister of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development Oleksandr Kubrakov on Dec. 11. Slovak truckers representatives have lifted their blockade of the Ukrainian border, allowing trucks to enter Slovakia through the Vysne Nemecke checkpoint, Ukraines State Border Guard Service reported on Facebook on Dec. 15. 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 WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - A convicted rapist is on-the-run after failing to appear for his sentencing hearing in Williamson County on Thursday, according to the county District Attorney's Office. Augustine Dafe Ikolo (Williamson County) The fugitive, 44-year-old Augustine Dafe Ikolo of Georgetown, was found guilty by a Williamson County jury in November of sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app. He faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for his crime. After his conviction, prosecutors asked that Ikolo be detained without bond pending his sentencing hearing; Retired Judge Rick Kennon denied this request over the prosecution's objections. Ikolo is a Nigerian citizen with a prior federal conviction involving falsifying visas and other identifying information; despite his criminal history, the visiting judge released Ikolo on a $75,000 bond. Ikolo did not appear at the Williamson County Courthouse for his sentencing. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. "This decision by the visiting judge has put the public at risk and denied justice to the victim," District Attorney Shawn Dick said. "Ikolo is a dangerous predator who should have been detained so he did not have the opportunity to flee. We will do everything in our power to bring him back and make him face the consequences of his crime." Anyone who sees Ikolo should call 911 and inform authorities he has an open warrant out for his arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can anonymously report to the Williamson County Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-253-7867. Joel and Rebecca were delegates at a mock COP28 event in Belfsat The dust is settling on the COP28 climate change conference and the agreement reached on transitioning away from fossil fuels. School pupils in Northern Ireland who took part in a mock COP28 event organised by the British Council have been watching developments keenly. As young people, they are likely to feel the impact of our changing climate the most. Two students from Grosvenor Grammar School in Belfast who took part in a conference at Belfast City Hall gave their verdict on the agreement reached by almost 200 countries in Dubai. "It's a good first step forward," said year 14 student, Rebecca Lennox. "But it can't be the only step. I want to see action over empty promises." For the first time, countries agreed on the need to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems". The text calls for this to be done "in a just, orderly and equitable manner". This is seen as an important recognition that richer countries are expected to move away from coal, oil and gas more quickly. The president of the event, Sultan Al-Jaber, described it as "a historic, landmark, game-changing agreement". 'I hope it's true' Year 14 pupil at Grosvenor, Joel McKittrick, agreed but with a cautionary note. "It has been dubbed 'the beginning of the end of fossil fuels' and I really hope that is true," he said. "But it's no good saying all this stuff without it actually happening. "I really hope to see some serious action taken against fossil fuels and I really do hope we shift away from the use and consumption of fossil fuels." Rebecca had her own reservations. "Methane isn't mentioned at all in the text, which is obviously one of the most potent greenhouse gases. "I definitely think that's a weakness in it that needs to be addressed." Pupils from schools across Northern Ireland took part in the mock COP28 event Both pupils felt world leaders had now grasped the importance of tackling climate change. But they felt some of what had happened at COP28 could have been done differently. Many groups - including the US, UK, EU and some of the nations which are most vulnerable to climate change - had wanted a more ambitious commitment to "phase out" fossil fuels. "I would have included people of small island nations, because they're going to be most affected by climate change and the deal doesn't do enough to protect them," said Rebecca. "I've heard that they weren't in the room while it was being approved. "I feel like they could have been involved more." Rising seas Joel felt that the concerns of those nations had not been taken seriously. "With the rising sea levels, these smaller islands are in serious danger. "There were spokespeople from Samoa who were especially outraged, and I think smaller islands like that, they do need to be taken into consideration as there could be a serious loss of habitat there." With analysis of the agreement continuing, both students were pleased that it in part mirrored the accord they and almost one hundred other pupils had come to at the mock event. "As students, we all acknowledged that we definitely want to move away from fossil fuels, but currently the infrastructure's quite limited to accommodate for green energy," said Rebecca. Joel agreed, saying: "We were able to reach a definite agreement at the end of the conference and we were able to recognise that we had to move away from fossil fuels, but we all agreed that it was going to be very hard to do. "But I definitely think it's achievable with the right resources." Getting those resources in place will be the focus of COP29 in Azerbaijan next year. Cebu City (CNN Philippines, December 17) Voyages from all 16 ports in Cebu province have been temporarily suspended in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Storm Kabayan, which is expected to batter the region on Monday. The Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas (PCG-7) canceled a total of 31 trips covering all types of seafaring vessels. As of 7 p.m. on Sunday, the Cebu Ports Authority said the affected trips are those from Cebu Island going to Bohol, Leyte, Siquijor, Negros Island, Camotes Islands, Bantayan Islands, Olango Island, Samar, Surigao provinces, Northern Mindanao, and Iloilo. PCG-7's latest reports said that no passengers were stranded in the ports of Danao, Mandaue, and Cebu City. No information is available for ports in other areas. Huge waves in the Toledo City port made it difficult for ferry ships to dock. There were reports of vessels taking over an hour to berth at the city pier due to the turbulent waters. Cebu City did not experience strong winds as of Sunday although there were rain showers in the afternoon. The waters at the Mactan channel likewise remained calm. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Mactan Island weather station forecast that the effects of Kabayan may be felt in the area on Monday, December 18. A local council member, alleged to be Serhii Batryn, was charged with terrorism and was ruled to be kept in pre-trial detention without bail. On Dec. 15, he allegedly detonated three grenades inside a crowded room in a local government building in the western Zakarpattia Oblast, killing one and injuring 22. The police released a video showing a man walking into a crowded room, which they identified as a local government building in the village of Keretsky, Zakarpattia Oblast. The man then pulls out two grenades, removes their pins, and drops them on the floor. Explosions and screaming follow, and the screen is filled with smoke. The police did not identify the suspected perpetrator of the bombing, but Ukrainska Pravda and other media outlets alleged that it was Batryn. Batryn, a member of the Keretsky Village Council, was elected on the ticket of the governing Servant of the People party and, according to authorities, was attempting to influence decision-making. The regional media outlet Zakarpattia24 shared a video in which Batryn complains about other local officials. Zakarpattia24 also said that Batryn had previously feuded with colleagues about a wartime pay increase for the head of the village council. Before he detonated the grenades, Batryn allegedly got into an argument with his coworkers about the issue, who refused to take his side. After the dispute, Zakarpattia24 said he left and returned with the grenades. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A pedestrian who was hit by a car Saturday night in Dallas crashed through its windshield ending up in the passenger seat as the driver continued his journey until reaching a Jack in the Box parking lot in White Settlement. When police were called to the scene around 11 p.m. Saturday they found the victim in the passenger seat, according to the news release. Paramedics were called to the scene, but the victim was already dead, police said. The driver of the gray Kia Forte, 31-year-old Nester Lujuan Flores, told officers he thought hed hit an animal somewhere between Dallas and White Settlement, the news release states. Investigators said in an update Sunday that investigators in Dallas County determined that Flores hit the pedestrian on a service road in Dallas. The Dallas County Sheriffs Office, which is taking over the case, said the crash happened on the Interstate 30 service road near Cockrell Hill Road. There, according to White Settlement police, Dallas County authorities found human remains they believe are the result of the crash. Investigators with White Settlement police believe Flores drove 38 miles with his windshield broken and a dead body in his passenger seat. Flores was seemingly unaware that a person was dead inside his car, police said. The victims name will be released after the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office has notified next-of-kin. Police have not said if they believe Flores was impaired at the time, though a person who called 911 said the driver was slumped over the steering wheel and the car having extensive front end, hood and windshield damage, according to the news release. Investigators said it appears Flores actually arrived at the Jack in the Box in the 8700 block of the I-30 restaurant service road, about 8 miles west of downtown Fort Worth, sometime between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. according to the release. One officer quickly realized that there was an apparent dead body in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The officer got Flores out of the vehicle and detained him, according to the release. Thats when he told the officer he thought hed hit an animal. The case is eerily similar to what is called the windshield murder, a crash on Oct. 26, 2001, in south Fort Worth in which driver Chante Mallard hit Gregory Glenn Briggs. He crashed into her windshield was stuck there, as she drove home and parked in her garage, leaving him to die hours later. Mallard was convicted of murder in 2003 and is serving a 50-year sentence in a Texas prison. Authorities in White Settlement asked other law enforcement agencies in the area to help them determine where Saturdays crash took place, leading them to connect with the Dallas County Sheriffs Office. Investigators have asked police from Arlington, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie and sheriff offices in Dallas and Tarrant counties for assistance. They intially believed the crash happened somewhere between Arlington and White Settlement because police cameras that read license plates picked up the car in Arlington around New York Avenue and East Mayfield Road around 6 p.m. Flores is charged with intoxication manslaughter, according to police. Investigators received a blood sample with a warrant and are waiting for results. Court records from Collin County indicate Flores pleaded guilty in 2021 to driving while intoxicated in 2020. Court records list the sentence as local jail, but do say for how long. The Crown viewers are comparing the character of Kate Middletons mother to American reality TV star and famous momager Kris Jenner. The final installment of Netflixs drama, a fictionalised retelling of Queen Elizabeth IIs reign, was released in two parts. The first batch of episodes arrived on 16 November, while the second part premiered on 14 December. The sixth season covers the death of Princess Diana, now-King Charles and Queen Camillas 2005 wedding, as well as the fairytale love story of William and Kate against the backdrop of St Andrews university in Scotland. Viewers who have watched the latest season are drawing parallels between Kates mother Carole Middleton, and Jenner, the Kardashian family matriarch, for allegedly masterminding the romance between the now-Prince and Princess of Wales. The creators of The Crown portray Carole (Eve Best) as a Mrs Bennet-style meddler constantly pushing her eldest daughter (Meg Bellamy) into the path of the prince, writes Katie Rossiensky for The Independent. The Crown viewers are comparing the character of Kate Middletons mother to famous momager Kris Jenner. (Netflix/The Crown) The show suggests, as royal experts have previously claimed, that Carole, a former British Airways flight attendant-turned-entrepreneur, helped her daughter negotiate a royal romance with William (Ed McVey). Reacting to the storyline, one person wrote on X/Twitter: Kate Middletons mom is the British Kris Jenner. Kates Mum is our Kris Jenner, a similar comment read, while a third user noted: Carole Middleton walked so Kris Jenner could run. Kate Middletons mom is the British Kris Jenner #TheCrown pic.twitter.com/nzQkWvM6Z8 rosechocglam (@rosechocglam) December 17, 2023 Carole Middleton is the original Kris Jenner, an X user remarked. The Independent has contacted representatives for Carole for comment. In a 2005 article for The Spectator, royal correspondent Matthew Bell said insiders had expressed their doubts whether Kates university meeting with Prince William can really be ascribed to coincidence. He claimed that it has been suggested Carole persuaded Kate to reject her first choice school, the University of Edinburgh, on hearing the news that Prince William was heading to St Andrews. In her explosive book Palace Papers, royal reporter Tina Brown also suggested that Carole had a hand in Kates decision to withdraw her acceptance to the University of Edinburgh, before taking a gap year and re-applying to St Andrews in 2001. It is unlikely Kate would be where she is today without her mothers canny help in negotiating a royal romance, Brown wrote, adding: Caroles fingerprints are all over Kates first move on the royal chessboard Other fans rejected the shows fictionalised version of Kate and Williams allegedly orchestrated romance, with one person writing: Im hating this predatory depiction of Kate Middleton and her mum. A reminder that Carol plotting to get Kate in [to St Andrews] is the misogynistic take the tabloids and upper class had when they got together, another comment read. Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey in The Crown season 6 (Justin Downing/Netflix) In 2001, the now-Prince of Wales headed St Andrews to complete his education. Then, Britains most eligible bachelor, the young royal enrolled at St Andrews as William Wales and studied geography after switching from art history. Applications to the university soared by 44 per cent that year, according to official Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Kate and Williams relationship began as friends but they began dating in 2002, after Kate caught the young princes eye while modelling a sheer dress at a charity fashion show. They continued dating after leaving St Andrews, briefly breaking up in 2007, and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey. In Omid Scobies new book Endgame, the controversial author claimed that Carole calculatingly placed Kate right at the centre of Williams world, including making her change from her first choice university and take a year off in Florence, just like the young prince did. Married for more than 12 years, Kate and William share three children, Prince George, now 10, Princess Charlotte, eight; and Prince Louis, five. The Crown season six is currently streaming on Netflix. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused the far-left of believing that Americas existence is fundamentally illegitimate during a recent interview with Fox News. Cruz said politicians like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and the radical open borders crowd, are driving Democrats agenda and believe that its wrong to have a border. Some of those nuts believe America shouldnt exist, that our existence is fundamentally illegitimate, Cruz told Foxs Maria Bartiromo. Cruz continued, saying that the Biden administration is all politics all the time and they dont care about national security, and that the withdrawal from Afghanistan was an entirely political operation and was disastrous. Democrats look the other way when migrants enter the country because they just see future Democrats, the Texas lawmaker alleged. He criticized Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for not visiting the U.S.-Mexico border, saying they havent visited because they dont want to see it. Cruz also said Democrats have an open border policy because they are counting on the media to ignore the border. Thats why Joe Biden doesnt go down because if he came down, the TV cameras would come with him, he said. And it is because of our corrupt and lying media [that] the Democrats have been driven to these radical policy positions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It has been 71 days since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel that resulted in the immediate deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abductions of roughly 240 people, including several Americans. Though more than 100 hostages have been freed from Hamas' custody in recent weeks, eight Americans remain unaccounted for and are presumed to have been taken captive by the terrorist group during the early October massacre. Two Americans who disappeared on that devastating day and have not been heard from since include Judith Weinstein and Gad Haggai, a couple in their 70s who resided in southern Israel's Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. The pair were on a morning walk when the chaos erupted Oct. 7. The couple's daughter, Iris Weinstein Haggai, spoke to Fox News Digital about the pain she's suffered since her parents went missing. She has received no indication about the condition of her parents. THREE HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS KILLED BY IDF, ISRAEL SAYS Judith Weinstein and Gad Haggai, a couple in their 70s who resided in southern Israel's Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border, were on a morning walk when the chaos erupted on Oct. 7. Weinstein Haggai said she has been working around the clock with multiple governments to assist with efforts to free the hostages. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "My heart is basically split," she said, describing the circumstances around her parents' disappearance as she attempts to maintain a healthy lifestyle for her children. Weinstein Haggai, who said she doesn't know whether her mom is "alive or dead," confided that "everything's kind of a nightmare" for her. Weinstein Haggai became concerned about her parents' well-being after the couple set out for a walk on the morning of Oct. 7 and never texted their daughter that they had made it back. "I noticed that it's 7:20 in the morning and my mom's not telling me they're back home. And then, at 7:30, I see my friends are telling me that the terrorists are in the kibbutz, they're going door to door and burning people," she recalled. "Then my mind was like, ok, if it's 7:30 and the kibbutz is full of terrorists there's no way my parents could come back and not encounter them. They didn't answer my phone [calls]." Nine days passed before Weinstein Haggai received any word about the disappearance of her parents from an Israeli government official, who wasn't able to provide her with much information on their whereabouts. A supporter of Israel holds a picture of kidnapped Israeli hostages Gad Haggai and Judith Lynne Weinstein during the "Flood Wall Street for Gaza" rally outside the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 26, 2023, in New York. Following the disappearance of her parents in October, Weinstein Haggai said in an interview that month that she hoped to receive some evidence pointing to "proof of life" of the couple. Since then, she has yet to receive anything. "Nobody saw my mom. You know, there was this whole Hamas reality show with the list, and my mom was the perfect profile to be released, and she wasn't," she recalled. "Basically, my assumption, and nobody told me this, but my assumption is they just can't find her. My parents were basically the first civilians to encounter the terrorists that day.... You can't really know what they did with them because they were the first. Who knows [if] they threw them somewhere." FATHER, SOLDIER, SON: RELATIVES OF AMERICAN HOSTAGES IN GAZA CALL FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Pointing to the last piece of "proof of life" evidence she received from her mother, Weinstein Haggai discussed a call her mother had placed with paramedics in the region. "It's recorded, and she says there that she was shot, that my dad was shot. And, you know, that's the last thing we know of her," she said, describing the call placed by her mother. Regarding the war overall, Weinstein Haggai said she believes "people are really confusing the real issue here, which is not Jews against Palestinians [or] Jews against Arabs." "That was never the issue. The issue is the war against a terror group. You know, we're talking about people who don't think like us. They are raping hostages, not just females. They are giving them little food," she said. Pointing to stories shared by those who have been released by Hamas, Weinstein Haggai described the evil atrocities committed by Hamas in the aftermath of the initial attack. "This little boy, 9-year-old boy, he was in a tunnel by himself and they let him watch all the videos that they took on Oct. 7 of the murders and everything," she said. "They made him watch that for like an hour every day. Who does that?" "The world needs to come together, create some kind of international coalition to not only free the hostages that are held hostage, but to free the Palestinians from this oppression," she added. Last week, President Biden met with the families of those who remain unaccounted for and are presumed to have been taken hostage by Hamas. Weinstein Haggai, who currently resides in Singapore as she travels back and forth to Israel, joined that conversation remotely. Weinstein Haggai said she walked away from that conversation, which included Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, with an understanding that freeing the hostages was a major focus for the administration. "It was very, very clear that they're doing everything in their power," she said. "This is a top priority right now in the U.S. government." CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Family members of Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas during the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7 talk to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on Dec. 13, 2023. "President Biden knew everything about their story who my mom is, who my dad is," she added. "He really took the time to get to know these people. He really understood that these are not just hostages, that these are grandparents, these are parents, these are sons, daughters. It was very clear to me that they are fully committed to releasing all the hostages." Though it is unclear how exactly it will be done under the circumstances, which are unlike any the world has witnessed in recent history, the Biden administration has reaffirmed its commitment to reuniting the families with their loved ones, who they have not heard from in more than two months. Biden's two-hour meeting with the families came a day after he appeared to sharpen criticism of Israels execution of its retaliatory strikes in Gaza, warning that the Israelis were losing international support because of "indiscriminate bombing." Thirteen of the family members attended in person, while three others joined the conversation with the president and his advisers by phone, according to the White House. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Bidens comments reflected "a concern that we have had for some time and will continue to have as this military operation proceeds about the need for reducing civilian harm and being as precise and careful and deliberate as possible." "I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members," Biden said in a post to X after the meeting. "And that we will not give up hope." "I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members," Biden said in a post to X after the meeting. "And that we will not give up hope." Israel and Hamas reached a temporary cease-fire agreement that took effect on Nov. 24, during which 110 hostages were freed by the terrorist group in exchange for some 240 Palestinian prisoners. The truce ended and fighting resumed on Nov. 30 after both sides accused the other of violating its terms. The Israeli military announced Friday that it had recovered the bodies of three hostages in Gaza who were taken by Hamas in October, though it was not immediately clear how the three men died or where the remains were found. The three individuals, two of whom were Israeli soldiers, were identified as Cpl. Nik Beiser, 19; Sgt. Ron Sherman, 19; and Elia Toledano, 28, who was a dual citizen of Israel and France. The White House has said at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups on Oct. 7. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Daughter of presumed Hamas hostages says people are 'confusing the real issue' amid fight to reunite families The original 1903 Wright Flyer is displayed for the first time at eye level since the Smithsonian acquired it in 1948, on December 17, 2003, in Washington, D.C. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright made history's first sustained airplane flight, lasting 12 seconds and covering 120 feet near Kitty Hawk, N.C. His brother Wilbur flew 852 feet later that day. File Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI Dec. 17 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1790, the Aztec Calendar, or Solar Stone, was uncovered by workmen repairing Mexico City's Central Plaza. In 1903, Orville Wright made history's first sustained airplane flight, lasting 12 seconds and covering 120 feet near Kitty Hawk, N.C. His brother Wilbur flew 852 feet later that day. In 1925, U.S. Army Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell, considered to be the father of the U.S. Air Force, was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the good of the armed services. He was awarded the Medal of Honor 20 years after his death. In 1939, the Nazi warship Graf Spee was scuttled off the coast of Uruguay as British vessels pursued it after the Battle of the River Plate. United Press reporter Roscoe Snipes observed the explosions aboard an airplane. The North Korean flag flies at half staff over its Embassy in Beijing on December 19, 2011, two days after leader Kim Jong Il died. File Stephen Shaver/UPI In 1944, the more than 110,000 Japanese Americans who had been relocated from the West Coast shortly after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor were told they would be allowed to return home on Jan. 2. A woman visits the National Japanese American Memorial during the dedication November 9, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The memorial is dedicated to the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were interned in camps and the 800 who died fighting during WWII. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI "The Simpsons" store is promoted at an international fashion mall in Beijing on May 6, 2016. On December 17, 1989, "The Simpsons," which began as a feature of "The Tracy Ullman Show," had its first stand-alone episode broadcast. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI In 1967, the Clean Air Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1975, a federal jury in Sacramento sentenced Lynette Alice "Squeaky" Fromme to life in prison for her attempted assassination of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. She was released from prison in August 2009. On December 17, 1939, the Nazi warship Graf Spee was scuttled off the coast of Uruguay as British vessels pursued it after the Battle of the River Plate. File Photo courtesy of the York Space Institutional Respository In 1981, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James Dozier was kidnapped in Verona by Italy's Red Brigades. He was freed 42 days later in a raid by Italian anti-terrorist forces. In 1986, a Las Vegas federal jury awarded entertainer Wayne Newton $19.3 million in his defamation suit against NBC. A judge reduced the award to $5.3 million. Secret Service agents rush President Gerald R. Ford toward the California Capitol following an attempt on the president's life by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme on September 5, 1975, in Sacramento, Calif. On December 17, 1975, a federal jury in Sacramento sentenced Fromme to life in prison. File Photo courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library In 1989, The Simpsons, which began as a feature of The Tracy Ullman Show, had its first stand-alone episode broadcast. The popular animated series has spurred look-alike contests, college classes, tattoos and controversy. In 1990, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a radical Roman Catholic priest and opponent of the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier, was elected president of Haiti in a landslide victory. Wayne Newton attends the Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, 2015. On December 17, 1986, a Las Vegas federal jury awarded Newton $19.3 million in his defamation suit against NBC. A judge reduced the award to $5.3 million. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI In 1992, U.S. President George H.W. Bush and the leaders of Mexico and Canada formally signed the North American Free Trade Treaty. In 1996, Kofi Annan of Ghana is elected secretary-general of the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan becomes the first secretary-general to toss out the first pitch for a World Series game during the game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves, October 26, 1999. File Photo by H. R. Celestin/UPI In 1997, New Jersey became the first state in the United States to permit same-sex couples to adopt children. In 2004, the United States officially forgave all of the $4.1 billion owed the government by Iraq and urged other creditors to do the same. In 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated in protest of his treatment at the hands of a municipal official. This would prove to be the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and set the stage for the Arab Spring. In 2011, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died and his son, Kim Jong Un, took over leadership. In 2015, Libya's warring factions signed a U.N.-brokered deal to form a unity government after years of violence following the death of Moammar Gadhafi. In 2020, China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft landed in China's Inner Mongolia region, making the country the third in history to return a space probe to Earth with samples from the moon. Screenshot courtesy of CGTN GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) We are less than a year away from another presidential election, which is sure to be full of attack ads, half-truths, outright lies and good old-fashioned politicking. Political discourse has certainly changed over the last few decades, but some of the ugly parts of the American election process have been there from day 1. You can even see shades of it in Michigans very first election, held on Dec. 17, 1798, 225 years ago today. The United States was still in its infancy. The Americans had defeated the British in the Revolutionary War, but the fight for the territory was far from settled. British officials abandoned Fort Lernoult (later renamed Fort Shelby and eventually Fort Detroit) in 1796. Matthew Daley, a professor of history at Grand Valley State University, said the territorys first leaders faced a monumental task. Long live the king: James Jesse Strang and Michigans last brush with royalty The British had just left. And when the British left, they left a real mess, Daley told News 8. John Francis Hamtramck had come in for the U.S. military to take control of the fort. (The British) kind of trashed the fort. Most of Detroit is French speaking, but it has British law. Lots of the British were closely allied with the Anishinaabe community, the Native Americans around Detroit. And they only moved across the river. (The British) are looking at you right across the way, hoping that they are going to come back. What is now established as Michigan, along with Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin were part of the Northwest Territory. American leadership worried that any sort of power vacuum in key areas there could give the British an opportunity to try and retake control. According to Willis Dunbars and George Mays Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State, thousands of settlers flocked to the Northwest Territory. The goal was to move the region closer to statehood, and hopefully, discourage the British from trying to retake the land. To establish order, Arthur St. Clair, the appointed governor of the Northwest Territory, needed to establish some form of legislative body. The Northwest Ordinance says, This is what you need. This is how you structure it. You have to create a legislature. You have to establish some laws. You have to have courts and due process. The legislature is going to do all of that, Daley said. WE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THEM An election for the delegate seat to represent Wayne County was set for three days, December 17, 18 and 19, but that wasnt the only difference compared to todays elections. For one, it was held at a tavern in Detroit, primarily because it was the largest local gathering space. Candidates spent the three days making long speeches, explaining their stances and criticizing their opponents, all while people cast their votes. And most people didnt cast a paper ballot. Many people actually simply announced their selection out loud. Solomon Sibley was elected to represent Wayne County in the Northwest Territorys first legislature. (Public Domain/History of Detroit/Paul Leake) The two leading candidates to emerge were Solomon Sibley and James May. May, a former British subject, was a trader and power broker who got a lot of support from the areas British residents. While Sibley, from Massachusetts, was a lawyer who made his way west. He was supported primarily by Americans and French residents. May accused Sibley of rigging the election by buying drinks for voters and hiring soldiers to hold clubs and intimidate voters into supporting him. If you watched the elections at this time, especially in this place, we would not recognize them, Daley said. Whats the election security? Two guys with knives at the front door. It would look really strange to our eyes today. We would almost call it political violence. Its just raw. Some of it is insinuated, and some of it is just blatant, crude arm twisting. It wasnt full of cowboys, cathouses and saloons, but at this time Michigan was the Wild West. Its different than Ohio. Ohio is right next to Pennsylvania, what is (now) West Virginia. You have had settlement there since around the 1730s, Daley explained. (In Michigan), most of them had not been there for more than a year. How does it work? Nobody really knows. I always tell people the early Republic, for my money, 1789 through about 1850 is crazy interesting because no one had done this before. Up in smoke: Reliving the fire that destroyed iconic Hotel Ottawa Whether the allegations were true or not, Sibley won the seat and went on to a storied career in politics. He helped incorporate Detroit as a town in 1802 and was selected to be the citys first mayor in 1806 before moving to several prominent positions across the territory. According to Dunbar and May, James May ran for election to two seats in the Legislature the following January but lost again. He was, however, eventually tapped for a leadership role in the territorys early days, serving as the chief justice of the court of common pleas for seven years. May died in 1829, but Sibley lived long enough to see Michigan expand from a territory to statehood. He died on April 4, 1846. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Aidan Maese-Czeropski says he was 'attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda' - LinkedIn A member of a Democratic senators staffer has been sacked after filming himself having sex in a congressional hearing room. Aidan Maese-Czeropski, 24, who works for Maryland senator Ben Cardin, recorded his encounter with another man on the dais of the judiciary room. The video surfaced on the Right-wing news website, The Daily Caller, which released the illicit video. Rumours of the video were first raised on another congressional conservative gossip site. Capitol Police are reportedly investigating the incident. Mr Maese-Czeropskis sacking was announced by Senator Cardins office. Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate. We will have no further comment on this personnel matter, a spokesman said in a brief statement. Posting on LinkedIn, the aide said he had been undergoing a difficult time. I have been attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda, he wrote. While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgment, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace. Any attempts to characterise my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters. The room in which the encounter allegedly took place hosted the historical congressional hearings into the terror attacks on Sep 11 2001. The room is also where Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic person to sit on the Supreme Court, was nominated. More recently former FBI director, James Comey gave evidence on Donald Trumps alleged involvement in Russian interference in the 2016 election. While Mr Maese-Czeropski considers his legal options, he also faces the prospect of prosecution according to Jonathan Turley, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law. Potential charges One potential charge, Prof Turley wrote, would be under local legislation governing lewd, indecent, or obscene acts. The venue could also cause some legal difficulties. The Capitol Police could argue that this constitutes purloining or using government property for personal purposes, he added. The key factor is the fact that this videotape was made with the apparent intent to publish or show others. Sex in congressional offices by both members and staff have long been known to occur on Capitol Hill. Yet, this was a public hearing room, albeit closed at the time, and a tape made for what appears public viewing. Disgraced former Republican congressman, George Santos, said the aides sexuality had nothing to do with the criticism he received. Having sex in a United States government building and filming it is the reason you got heat, he wrote on Twitter. 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 family of French film star Gerard Depardieu, charged with rape and facing scrutiny over fresh sexist remarks, said he is a modest, even prudish man in private as they denounced an unprecedented conspiracy against him. The Oscar-nominated star of the 1990 film Cyrano de Bergerac was charged with rape in 2020 and has also faced 13 accusations of sexual harassment or assault. Earlier this month, broadcaster France 2 showed the actor on a 2018 trip to North Korea repeatedly making explicit sexual comments in the presence of a female interpreter and sexualising a small girl riding a horse. He has denied any wrongdoing. Culture minister Rima Abdul Malak said this week that the 74-year-old actors behaviour shames France, noting that he might also be stripped of the Legion of Honour, the countrys top award. Of course, we are often shocked by Gerards comments, but our father/grandfather/uncle is being the target of an unprecedented conspiracy, several members of his family, including his daughter, actress Julie Depardieu, said in a letter published in Frances flagship Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche. Depardieu as Cyrano de Bergerac - Kobal Collection Deploring a collective rage against the actor, they said that in private, with his children, he is an extremely modest, delicate and even prudish person! On Saturday, the film stars lawyers told the AFP news agency that he was putting his Legion of Honour award at the disposal of the minister. On Friday, the culture minister said that the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honour would initiate a disciplinary procedure to decide whether to strip Depardieu of the honour. Depardieus lawyers, Beatrice Geissmann Achille and Christian Saint-Palais, questioned whether it was part of the minissters role to participate so actively in the manhunt and media lynching to which they believed their client was being subjected. On Saturday, a Belgian municipality stripped Depardieu of the title of honorary citizen, and earlier this week the Canadian province of Quebec revoked its top honour over his scandalous comments against women. 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 disciplinary procedure will be initiated by the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor against French cinema legend Gerard Depardieu (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT) The family of Gerard Depardieu on Sunday denounced an "unprecedented conspiracy" against the French film star, charged with rape and facing new scrutiny over sexist comments. Mounting accusations of sexual harassment, as well as newly released footage of Depardieu making obscene comments, are forcing a fresh debate about sexism and sexual violence in French cinema. Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak said this week that the 74-year-old actor's behaviour shames France, noting that he might also be stripped of the Legion of Honour, the country's top award. "Of course, we are often shocked by Gerard's comments, but our father/grandfather/uncle is being the target of an unprecedented conspiracy," several members of his family, including his daughter, actress Julie Depardieu, said in a letter published in France's flagship Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD). Deploring a "collective rage" against the actor, they said that "in private, with his children, he is an extremely modest, delicate and even prudish person!" On Saturday, the film star's lawyers told AFP that he was putting his Legion of Honour award at the disposal of the minister. On Friday, the culture minister said that the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honour would initiate a "disciplinary procedure" to decide whether to strip Depardieu of the country's top honour. Depardieu's lawyers, Beatrice Geissmann Achille and Christian Saint-Palais, questioned whether it was part of Abdul Malak's role to participate "so actively in the manhunt" and "media lynching" to which they believed their client was being subjected. Depardieu was charged with rape in 2020 and has also faced 13 accusations of sexual harassment or assault. Earlier this month, broadcaster France 2 showed the actor on a 2018 trip to North Korea repeatedly making explicit sexual comments in the presence of a female interpreter and sexualising a small girl riding a horse. Depardieu has denied any wrongdoing. On Saturday, a Belgian municipality stripped Depardieu of the title of honorary citizen, and earlier this week the Canadian province of Quebec revoked its top honour over his "scandalous" comments against women. pgr-as/giv (CNN) New Zealands new right-leaning government took more than a month to take shape, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his coalition partners are now racing to strip back policies that had earned former leader Jacinda Ardern plaudits worldwide amongst progressives. While a swing to the right was predicted, the pace of change under the Nationals Luxon has startled observers, and his coalitions moves to ditch policies seen to favor the countrys indigenous people has seen critics quickly accuse them of being anti-Maori. Under Luxon, the government is proposing to dissolve the countrys Maori Health Authority, rollback the use of the Maori language, and end the countrys limits on tobacco sales a move Maori leaders had sought to cut high rates of smoking among their people. Your attacks on our culture have motivated our standing in solidarity, the co-leader of the Te Pati Maori party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, blasted across the parliamentary aisle in the capital Wellington this month. The same day, the Maori King, Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII, issued a royal proclamation calling for a national hui a coming together of the countrys indigenous people, to discuss holding the new coalition government to account. Many New Zealanders feel the same, with tens of thousands of people turning out across the country for anti-government demonstrations hastily arranged by Ngarewa-Packers party. It was a dignified shot across the bow, Ngarewa-Packer told CNN of the protests on December 5. To say we wont accept this. And that this is what we can do in a short amount of time. Do I think that the Prime Minister will listen? He has to, Ngarewa-Packer said, adding that the world is watching the Luxon government. I think its a humiliating position for a first time Prime Minister to be in, she said. Speaking at a news conference on the day of the protests, Luxon said the criticism of his new government was pretty unfair. We are determined that Maori are going to do better under our government than they have in the last six years, he said. Voter backlash Ardern resigned as Prime Minister in January, handing the leadership to her deputy Chris Hipkins, who attempted to refocus their Labour Partys policies on the cost-of-living crisis. But it wasnt enough to extend Labours time in office. While Ardern won fans around the world for her compassionate response to the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, her position on climate change and by championing working mothers in politics, her domestic legacy is far more contested. Failed Auckland infrastructure projects led to accusations of wastefulness at a time when the Labours wellbeing budgets dramatically increased payments to underprivileged families. Farmers protested legislation to curb agricultural emissions and protect waterways. Before the vote, the leaders of the new conservative coalition government, made up of The National Party, New Zealand First, and ACT New Zealand, had all promised to unwind some of Ardens legacy. Right-wing candidates railed against the Labours perceived expansion of New Zealands long-held principle of co-governance, designed to ensure Maori representation in administrative bodies. And in the lead-up to the vote, some Maori candidates complained of racist abuse. The election on October 14 saw a flurry of deal-making as Luxon sought to shore up his thin margin with smaller players. In late November, the new partners published a 100-day plan under which initiatives designed to benefit Maori will be rolled back, including a vow to dissolve the Maori Health Authority established in 2022 with a mandate to improve the health of indigenous people. The plan also backflips on Arderns world-leading ban on the sale of cigarettes to people born after 2008 also seen as anti-Maori as some 20% of Maori adults smoke, far higher than the national average of 8%. Organizations such as The Maori Womens Welfare League, that works to empower Maori women and children, have vowed to hold Luxon accountable on his assertion that Maori health outcomes will be improved by what his government argues will be a reduction in red tape. They are not things that are dreamed up in five minutes. They are established because of evidence over time, Maori Womens Welfare League President Hope Tupara said. We saw (the Ardern administration) increasing the amount of government investment into Maori health solutions by Maori providers on the basis of by Maori for Maori. We have an expectation of the kinds of public services that are available to us as part of the population, which I think is reasonable. Richard Shaw, a professor of politics at New Zealands Massey University, described Luxons government as the most explicitly anti-Maori government he could remember. This is the first government that I can recall which has quite explicitly said, well have less of that, not well have more of it, said Shaw. So, this really is an awkward, unsettled moment. Culture wars New Zealands voters in October stripped Hipkins Labour Party of 31 seats to almost half their previous stature in the countrys single-chamber parliament a crushing defeat that leaves them in an awkward position. But the victors may never feel completely comfortable either. New Zealands mixed member proportional voting system means parties rarely govern alone. Luxons National Party, which won just over 38% of the vote is forced to govern in coalition with the far smaller, and less moderate New Zealand First and ACT New Zealand parties. Both junior coalition parties will drag Luxon to the right. New Zealand First has long opposed the official use of Maori terms, from road signs to government departments. The party says the widespread practice of referring to New Zealand by the countrys Maori name, Aotearoa, is an example of virtue signalling and politically correct extremism. Luxon says his government will adopt an English first approach. ACT is forcing Luxon to entertain the possibility of a future referendum on the principles of New Zealands Treaty of Waitangi, a document signed by the colonial British regime and Maori in 1840 that enshrines principles of co-governance between indigenous and non-indigenous New Zealanders. While Luxon says the proposed referendum would go no further than a debate by a parliamentary select committee, the open questioning of the usefulness of the treaty may diminish it as a historic declaration of equality, warns academic Shaw from Massey University. For Tupara, from the Maori Womens League, New Zealands current political moment is not just a passing culture war. We have been fighting the government since the 1800s, so this is not new to us, she said. This fight for our own identity is nothing new to us. I think the level of opposition to what we have achieved for ourselves is something that I havent seen in my lifetime. Ngarewa-Packers Maori political party wants to harness the power of that historic fight to win modern political battles in New Zealand. She says she has a broad coalition of progressive New Zealanders who will support her, Maori and non-Maori. Within less than 72 hours, we were able to mobilize tens of thousands across the country, with no resourcing, completely using our social media. It was a test to ourselves, to see if we had the capability, the capacity to mobilize an alliance, she said. Sometimes you need this revolting, backwards politicking to remind people why we participate. On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded just over $6.5 million for infrastructure projects in Ocala, Ormond Beach, and Haines City. The largest amount, $4.75 million, was awarded to Marion County to complete work at the Florida Crossroads Commerce Park in Ocala. Another $1.6 million will be used for an access road at the Ormond Beach Airport Business Park, and $200,000 will go toward repairing a rail spur to help manufacturers in Haines City. The money came from the states Job Growth Grant Fund, which DeSantis has discretion to use for regional infrastructure and job-training programs. Read: Greenway Guardians rally to protect Cross Florida Greenway as new power lines are proposed In 2018, the Ocala commerce park received $5 million from the fund for water, sewer and road projects. This years state budget includes $75 million for the fund. DeSantis has requested $100 million for the fund in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which will start July 1. Lawmakers will consider that request during the legislative session that will start in January. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. In August, the Pentagon announced an ambitious, two-year plan to develop thousands of drones to swarm and overwhelm Chinas much larger arsenal of weapons and do it cheaply. Four months later, no one seems to be able to explain the plan or how the Pentagon will pay for it. Frustrations over that lack of clarity came to a head on Tuesday, when nine leaders from tech companies and several high-ranking DOD officials, including Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, gathered for a meeting about the program at the Defense Innovation Unit base in Mountain View, California. POLITICO spoke to three people who attended the meeting. It's just very disorganized and confusing, said a tech company executive, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. The problem with the initiative is that its not actually associated with any dollars to make things happen. Since the Replicator program was announced, Defense Department officials have touted it as a key component of the United States effort to counter Chinas growing military and technological capabilities. If the initiative falters, however, the Pentagon could fall further behind on one of its most important weapons fronts. Shortly after Replicator was unveiled, Hicks said the initiative wont need new money because it will draw from already-funded programs throughout the military. In November, however, she said the DOD may request money for fiscal year 2025. That budget wont be unveiled until the spring, more than six months after the initiative was originally announced, eating up about a quarter of the two-year horizon that Hicks identified as the goal for it to be up and running. Some of the leaders left the Tuesday meeting without a clear understanding of how the program would move forward without any new funding, the tech executive said. Their complaints follow calls for the Pentagon to more clearly define exactly how the program works. A spokesperson for Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs did not respond to multiple requests for comment. In early November, Hicks attempted to publicly clear the air on what exactly the initiative intends to do. The reality is, Replicator is removing kinks in the hose of the system that is innovation in DOD, Hicks told reporters. There are a multitude of programs that already exist in the department that need help to get from where they are to delivery at scale. That is where Replicator is focused. Its not a program, she added. It's a process for improving our ability to scale. Lawmakers arent convinced and are demanding that the Pentagon clarify the programs path forward before they greenlight funding. The department needs to define Replicator more precisely, and they have to understand there needs to be funding tied to that, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), the chair of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, said on the sidelines of the Reagan National Defense Forum this month. What do they want to do with Replicator? We need to define that, pick it and move on it as rapidly as possible. Appearing on a panel at the forum, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), the chair of the House China Committee and the House Armed Services cyber subcommittee, said the only way this can work is for Congress to provide flexible funding that goes beyond a single year. That gives the tech industry the confidence to plan and invest, knowing that the funding will be in place for the long haul. In the simplest terms, what the Pentagon can do is pick winners and losers in this space, put their thumb on the scale, have a multibillion-dollar program in procurement involving a non-traditional company leveraging AI and autonomous systems, and I dont think we have that right now, he said. The Pentagon sees autonomous weapons as a potential way to counter Chinas numerical advantages in ships, missiles and troops in a rapidly narrowing window. Fielding large numbers of cheap, expendable drones, proponents argue, is faster and lower cost than exquisite weapons systems and puts fewer troops at risk. The effort comes amid Chinas increased aggression in the Indo-Pacific and Ukraines battle against Russia, which is seeing the widespread use of drone systems. In theory, the program is a worthwhile concept, said the executive and a former U.S. official who also attended the meeting. But it needs a specific plan and dollars attached to it. The Defense Department has looked to tech startups in Silicon Valley for help, since the companies are already developing cutting-edge drone technology. Theyve urged the companies to build those drones, with the promise of buying them in years to come. But without orders, the companies cant promise the venture capitalists who fund them that theyll see returns. We're not going to go and build $100 million factories if there aren't orders for these products, the executive said. Another tech leader who attended the Tuesday meeting agreed that orders with clear delivery schedules are crucial to Replicators success, describing it as the number one thing the Defense Department can do to ensure the programs success. The tech leader is also confident that DOD will move money around to make it work: I'm just not worried about that, they told POLITICO. Attendees raised concerns during the meeting, the executive added, and Hicks seemed to understand. But she told those in attendance that the funding issue is Congress problem, without expanding. Gallagher said he's more confident the program is "moving in the right direction" after a classified briefing with Hicks and meeting with DIU Director Douglas Beck. But the Wisconsin Republican said he still has questions about meeting the timeline, and funding for the program is still a mystery. "My biggest concern remains, if they're saying they don't need any new funding, OK, well are they going to cannibalize funding from, like, critical munitions, which are the things we should be replicating more than anything else?" Gallagher said in an interview. "We don't need all these new widgets. We need, like, maximum production of Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and things like that." The former official said Replicators woes could be fixed if high-ranking department officials decide not to buy other military assets, such as fighter jets or Navy ships. The executive estimated that $1 billion in funding would solve the problem. For the first time ever from a military hardware perspective, we are five to seven years behind our near-peer adversaries in a critical kinetic piece of technology. It has just never really happened, the former official said. At a defense industry conference held in Washington in late October, it was evident that many attendees who would seem to understand how Replicator works knew very little. Theyre eager to learn, however, and are waiting for the Pentagon to provide clearer instruction. People will follow contracts, they will follow that demand signal, said Adam Broecker, vice president of Lockheed Martins LM Evolve, which seeks partnerships with mid-size firms. On the sidelines of the event, one defense industry insider shrugged when asked about the program, pointing out that the Pentagon had yet to release any details to industry or invite companies to toss their hats in the ring. Despite its issues, Hicks seemed optimistic about Replicators future, the tech executive and leader said. But there was no timeline discussed at the meeting on Tuesday. Another issue with the program: Theres no process for the tech companies to apply for it, according to the tech executive and leader. When Replicator was announced over the summer, there were few details about how the program would work and not much has changed since. The Defense Department really needed to have funding and a way to apply attached to their announcement, the executive said. Without that, its just pure fluff. Paul McLeary and Connor OBrien contributed to this report. Twenty-three seals were found dead on New Zealands Hawkes Bay beach between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7, per the New Zealand Herald. This alarming discovery has triggered serious concerns about the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems in the region. Whats happening? The countrys Department of Conservation and the Hawkes Bay Regional Council have urged the community to be vigilant and report any sightings of seals along the beach. Some deceased seals have been sent to Massey University for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Laura Boren, a marine science advisor at the DOC, has indicated that initial results point to starvation as the primary cause. This highlights a growing crisis in marine life welfare, raising questions about the availability of food sources and the broader health of ocean ecosystems. Why is this concerning? The death of these seals underscores a global concern about the health of our oceans. Starvation in marine mammals can be linked to several destructive factors, including overfishing, pollution, and climate change affecting ocean temperatures and currents. These changes can disrupt the availability of fish and other food sources vital for marine creatures. This event sheds light on the fragile balance of marine ecosystems and the potential for ripple effects that could impact biodiversity and the overall health of our oceans. Whats being done about it? The DOC is actively monitoring the situation and conducting further research to understand the underlying causes of this phenomenon. Efforts are also being made to increase public awareness about the importance of healthy marine ecosystems and the role that individuals can play in protecting them. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable fishing practices and policies aimed at preserving marine biodiversity. On a global scale, efforts to combat climate change and reduce ocean pollution are crucial in addressing the broader issues contributing to incidents like this. In the wake of the tragic discoveries of dead seals in New Zealand and camels in the UAE, individual actions can make a significant impact. By ditching plastic grocery bags, we can significantly reduce plastic waste, potentially preventing the death of wildlife. Supporting brands that use plastic-free packaging is another powerful step in the fight against plastics, helping to steer the market toward more sustainable practices. These actions contribute to a larger movement toward a healthier planet where wildlife is safeguarded against pollution threats. Our individual choices and actions hold immense power in shaping a future in which incidents like the seal and camel tragedies no longer occur. By increasing our collective awareness and taking proactive steps, we can help mitigate the impact on marine life and work toward healthier, more sustainable oceans. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Copyright 2023, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co. As former President Donald Trump seeks the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, he has laid out his vision for a second term that includes locking up political opponents, conducting sweeping immigration raids and searching for replacements for Obamacare. On the campaign trail, he has engaged in harsh rhetoric to describe political enemies as radical thugs that live like vermin, said that immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally are poisoning the blood of the U.S., touted himself as the only one who will prevent World War III and suggested suspending parts of the Constitution because of the stolen 2020 presidential election. There is not evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, a claim the former president has repeatedly made on the campaign trail. The former presidents comments have ignited concerns from critics and scholars who have warned that a second Trump administration threatens democracy even as his advisers push back on those fears, dismissing them as baseless. Many likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers have no issue with several of Trumps recent statements, a new Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll has found, and, more often than not, they say the same statements make them more likely to support the former president. Holly Rice, a 57-year-old poll respondent from Cumming, Iowa, said she was backing Trump for his policy agenda, saying I dont care what he tweets. Its a little off the wall, but you know? A lot of them do stuff like that, Rice said. At least we know hes not a polished politician. He reminds me of my father. Likely Republican caucusgoers were asked about eight recent statements Trump has made on the campaign trail, asking if what he said makes them more or less likely to support him in the caucuses or if it doesnt matter. The poll of 502 likely GOP caucusgoers was conducted Dec. 2-7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. J. Ann Selzer, the president of Selzer & Co. who conducts the Iowa Poll, said the questions were designed to determine whether there is any sense that these are problematic for likely caucusgoers. They dont seem to be given pause, Selzer said of likely caucusgoers. Theyre more likely to support because of these utterances. How Republicans responded to Trump on locking up opponents, replacing Obamacare & more For five of the eight statements tested, a plurality of likely caucusgoers say Trumps words make them more likely to support him in the caucuses. Trumps comment that he is seriously looking at alternatives to Obamacare prompts 55% of likely caucusgoers to say they are more likely to support the former president, who for years has floated plans to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law. Poll respondent Rob Weissenfluh, 60, from Dike, Iowa, said he still remembers Sen. John McCains famous thumbs-down vote in 2017 that halted a Republican-led attempt to repeal key parts of the Affordable Care Act. He believes lawmakers should again revisit the law. Theyve got to put some competition back into the system, Weissenfluh said. A government-run system, its going to do nothing but end up like a Canadian or European system. They pretend to give you good health care, and you pretend that you dont want to get sick. So yeah, we need an alternative. Trumps pledge to authorize sweeping raids, giant camps and mass deportations prompts half of respondents to say they are more likely to support him. Trump has laid out aggressive plans to curb illegal immigration under his second term, including sending thousands of U.S. troops to the southern border and reviving a travel ban for several Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East. And he has gone even further when speaking about immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally, saying in an interview that they are poisoning the blood of America. Asked about that statement, 42% of likely GOP caucusgoers say it makes them more likely to support Trump. June Koelker, a 71-year-old poll respondent from Monticello, Iowa, said Trumps immigration plans made her more likely to back him, but she answered she was "less likely to support him for his statement about those who enter illegally poisoning the country. She said there is nothing wrong with immigrants who seek entry legally but expressed concern about Americas national security under the Biden administrations current border policy. Trumps declaration that he would have to root out the radical left thugs that live like vermin in the U.S. prompts 43% of likely Republican caucusgoers to say they are more likely to support him words historians said echoed language used by fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. And Trump declaring that he is the only one who will prevent World War III makes 42% of likely caucusgoers more likely to support him. Trump has pledged to swiftly resolve ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Rice said Trump is good at getting people to come to the table, citing his peace accords with Israel and tariffs on China as examples of negotiations with foreign leaders. Maybe he can put it back together again, I dont know, Rice said. You never know. But hes the most likely one to be able to do that. Its like negotiating a business deal. Just one statement makes a plurality of likely caucusgoers less likely to support Trump: his suggestion that fraud in the 2020 election could justify terminating parts of the U.S. Constitution. Forty-seven percent of likely caucusgoers say that makes them less likely to support Trump. Trump calling himself the most pro-life president in American history effectively elicits a shrug from a plurality of those surveyed, with 41% saying it would not impact their support one way or the other. A similar share of likely caucusgoers (43%) say it doesnt matter that Trump said he would have no choice but to lock up his political opponents. Haley and DeSantis supporters are far more concerned about Trumps statements than his own supporters Likely Republican caucusgoers whose first choice for president is former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are far more likely than supporters of Trump to take issue with his recent statements. Supporters of Haley have the most negative reaction to all eight statements polled compared with Trump and DeSantis supporters. Backers of DeSantis fall between the Trump and Haley supporters on every statement but trend closer to Haley supporters than Trump supporters on their level of concern for all but two statements. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley makes a stop in Waukee to talk with voters Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at Manning Ag Service. For example, 71% of Haley supporters say they are less likely to support Trump because of his statement that he would have no choice but to lock up his political opponents; 52% of DeSantis supporters say it makes them less likely to support Trump. Just 12% of Trump supporters say his consideration of imprisoning political opponents makes them less likely to back the former president. Travis Webber, a 43-year-old independent from Creston, Iowa, who is leaning toward supporting Haley, said Trumps past actions and remarks were an embarrassment to the Republican Party. Running a campaign on revenge and retribution is not something I want any part of, Webber said. DeSantis supporters side more closely with Trump supporters than Haley supporters on two issues: seriously looking at alternatives to the Affordable Care Act and Trumps claim to be the most pro-life president in American history. Thirty-one percent of Haley backers say Trumps pledge to look at Obamacare alternatives makes them less likely to support Trump. Just 7% of DeSantis supporters and 3% of Trump supporters say it would erode their support. Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks as his wife Casey, left, looks on during U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra's, R-Iowa, Faith and Family with the Feenstras event, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. On Trumps most pro-life president claim, 38% of Haley supporters say it makes them less likely to support Trump, while 20% of DeSantis supporters and 4% of Trump supporters say the same. The former president's supporters take little issue with most of his recent statements: Just two resulted in more than 10% of Trump supporters saying the remarks make them less likely to support him. Trump having no choice but to lock up his opponents resulted in 12% of his supporters saying it makes them less likely to support him; his suggestion that fraud in the 2020 election justified terminating parts of the Constitution causes the most concern, with 22% of his supporters saying it makes them less likely to support him. Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier. About the Iowa Poll The Iowa Poll, conducted Dec. 2-7, 2023, for The Des Moines Register, NBC News and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, is based on telephone interviews with 502 registered voters in Iowa who say they will definitely or probably attend the 2024 Republican caucuses. Interviewers with Quantel Research contacted 3,733 randomly selected voters from the Iowa secretary of states voter registration list by telephone. The sample was supplemented with additional phone number lookups. Interviews were administered in English. Responses for all contacts were adjusted by age, sex and congressional district to reflect their proportions among voters in the list. Questions based on the sample of 502 voters likely to attend the 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. This means that if this survey were repeated using the same questions and the same methodology, 19 times out of 20, the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Results based on smaller samples of respondentssuch as by gender or agehave a larger margin of error. Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit to The Des Moines Register, NBC News and Mediacom is prohibited. This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'Vermin:' Trump's words raise support among some Iowa Republicans Donald Trump gestures to supporters during a rally at the University of New Hampshire - AMANDA SABGA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Donald Trump has aligned himself with Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban in his latest attempt to deflect from his criminal proceedings and win over supporters in his bid for the White House. Speaking at a packed-out venue at the University of New Hampshire in Durham on Saturday, the presidential hopeful quoted Putin and welcomed compliments from Mr Orban. Mr Trump used the Russian and Hungarian leaders to push his message that the criminal cases against him are a coordinated persecution to diminish his lead in general election polls. A recent poll put Mr Trump above Joe Biden with a 4 per cent margin. Even Vladimir Putin says that Bidens, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy, the former president said. Donald Trump as US president meets Viktor Orban at the White House in 2019 - CARLOS BARRIA/REUTERS Above him, the slogan Biden attacks democracy flashed across the screen. They [are] weaponising law enforcement for high-level election interference because were beating them so badly in the polls, Mr Trump said. Mr Trump is facing legal cases in New York, Georgia and Washington, and federal indictments for mishandling classified documents in an alleged plot to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The 77-year-old then quoted from Mr Orban, who has amassed autocratic power over two decades through controlling Hungarys media and changing the countrys constitution. Viktor Orban, the highly respected prime minister of Hungary, said Trump is the man who can save the Western world, he said. Mr Trump also referenced his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Hes not so fond of this administration, but hes fond of me, Mr Trump said, adding that he is very nice. He cultivated close ties with Putin and Kim during his four-year stint as president, and infamously sided with the former on an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Donald Trump shake hands with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in 2018 - Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS Saturdays speech raised eyebrows once more among his critics, who said it echoes comments made earlier in the month that he would be a dictator only on day one. He later claimed this was a joke. Putin hates Western values like democracy and the rule of law, so does Trump, Jennifer Mercieca, a professor at Texas A&M University, who researches democracy and rhetoric, told The Washington Post. Mr Trump also used his speech to target immigrants with dehumanising language, accusing them of poisoning the blood of our country and recited an anti-immigrant poem called The Snake. He went on to describe those charged with violent crimes during the US Capital riots as hostages. I dont call them prisoners, I call them hostages, he said. The Democrats were also quick to criticise his speech. Donald Trump channelled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong-un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy, said Mr Bidens spokesman Ammar Moussa. Sarafina Chitika, the Democratic National Committee press secretary, also released a statement, saying that if he wins power, Trump will waste no time implementing his dangerous vision for America. Steven Cheung, Mr Trumps spokesman, said the former president gave a great speech and knocked it out of the park. 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. Downtown Vision (DVI), the non-profit Business Improvement District (BID) at the heart of Downtown Jacksonville, unveiled Paul Davison as the incoming Board Chair, set to assume the role on January 1, 2024. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Davison, Assurance Market Leader at BDO USA, P.C. Jacksonville, will succeed Numa Saisselin, President of the Florida Theatre, who has held the position for over four years. CEO of Downtown Vision, Jake Gordon, expressed appreciation for Saisselins leadership, stating, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Numa Saisselin for his exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions to DVI and Downtown Jacksonville as our outgoing board chair. Paul Davison, with over 35 years of experience, currently oversees operational aspects at BDO USA, P.C. Jacksonville. His expertise includes leading audits for public and large private companies, navigating complex accounting matters, and contributing to industry sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and consumer products. Davison has been an integral part of the Downtown Vision Board for five years, serving as treasurer for the last two. He also holds a position on the Executive Committee of the Board of Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. Downtown Jacksonville is on a sustained trajectory of growth and opportunities, stated Paul Davison, the incoming Board Chair. I look forward to continuing the revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville and helping others recognize its full potential through Downtown Visions work and my new position as Chair of the Board. Davison will assume leadership over the 30-person board of directors, representing diverse Downtown stakeholders. The boards mission is to guide DVI in creating and promoting Downtown Jacksonville as an exciting place to visit, live, work, and invest. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] About Downtown Vision Downtown Vision is a not-for-profit organization focused on revitalizing Downtown Jacksonville through district services, stakeholder support, marketing, research, events, and placemaking. Funded primarily by a self-assessment of Downtown property owners, the organization is governed by a board representing a diverse array of Downtown stakeholders and community leaders, administering a 1.3-square-mile Business Improvement District. For more information, visit DTJax.com/DVI. About BDO USA, P.C. Located on the Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville, BDO USA, P.C. is a leader in professional services providing assurance, accounting, tax, and advisory services to a wide range of clients across various industries within the North Florida and South Georgia region. For more information, visit BDO.com. [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. A member of the Satanic Temple of Iowa removes the group's display at the state Capitol building. Dozens of members of the Satanic Temple of Iowa gathered inside the state Capitol building in Des Moines on Saturday morning for the closing ceremony of their controversial display. Those who attended the ceremony were dressed in clothes displaying pentagrams and said they were there to show their support after the display was vandalized by a former congressional candidate from Mississippi. The Satanic Temple of Iowa announced earlier on Facebook that its display had been "destroyed beyond repair." Michael Cassidy, 35, of Lauderdale, Mississippi, who called the display "blasphemous," was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief on Thursday, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Conviction could carry a sentence of one year in prison and a $2,560 fine. Some in attendance at Saturday's ceremony traveled hours to show their support to Iowas chapter. Support from out of state Kenneth Mayle, who once filed a federal lawsuit against the federal government to get rid of the In God We Trust motto from U.S. currency, traveled from Chicago for the ceremony. I saw on Facebook yesterday that the display was damaged by a former candidate from Mississippi, said Mayle, who was wearing a Baphomet head piece, said. I knew I had to show up and show support, because I would want the same for us if it happened in Illinois. Mayle, who started the Satanic Temple chapter in Illinois, said that although the statue depicting the pagan idol Baphomet was destroyed by a Christian, followers of the Satanic Temple should not retaliate. An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind, Mayle said. I think society should reflect and ask why it happened. Thats the root cause. Why isnt there acceptance for one religion and not the other? A lesson on freedom of expression For local chapter members Alyssa and Raymond Grimm the gathering was a way to show their sons, 9-year-old Benjamin and 11-year-old Brayden, the right of freedom of expression. We started taking them to political events a couple of years ago to teach them about life, Alyssa Grimm said. You learn the best when youre living in it. The event also can teach youth that there are different aspects to life when it comes to acceptance and tolerance, Raymond Grimm said. For us this means the freedom of choice and being exactly who you want to be without hurting anybody, Alyssa Grimm said. Thats what we want to show our kids, that they can be whoever they want be and believe in whatever you want. Benjamin, who was donning a smile, said the gathering was really cool and thought the vandalism of the display was really bad. The Grimm family poses in front of the display in the Capitol. Closing ceremony of a controversial display The conversations that filled the lobby Saturday came to a slow halt as Mortimer Adramelech, a minister of the Satanic Temple, entered to prepare for the closing ceremony. Adramelech, along with another member of the temple, gathered three people from the crowd to hold mirrors in a small circle in front of the display. The minister stepped out of the circle to preach a written message. Let us demand that individuals be judged for their concrete actions, not their fealty to arbitrary social norms and illusory of categorizations, Adramelech said. Let us reason our solutions with agnosticism in all things. Let us stand firm against all arbitrary authority that threatens the personal sovereignty of one or all. Members of the Temple of Satan gather for a closing ceremony in the Capitol. Those holding out the mirrors turned to the crowd the display a reflection as Adramelech continued his speech. Through the darkness of tyranny and oppression we commit to our illumination, Adramelech said. We shed light on those who would deceive us and burn the bridges leading to ignorance and apathy. We hold a mirror to those who harm the innocent and the marginalized even as they defend the rich, the powerful and the corrupt. When they threatened the personal sovereignty of one of us, they threaten the personal sovereignty of all us. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Adramelech concluded his speech with several chants of Hail, Satan which were repeated back by those who attended the event and then followed by a member striking a small gong with a bone. Is it Satan or a statement? According to Gigi Macabre, co-congregation head for the local chapter, a common misconception is that the Satanic Temple is a theistic religion that worships Satan as an entity. Our statement today is to uphold religious freedom and freedom of speech, Macabre said. The Satanic Temple does not worship Satan, nor does it believe in the existence of a devil, according to the temples official website. The Satanic Temple believes that religion can, and should, be divorced from superstition, a statement reads on the website. As such, we do not promote a belief in a personal Satan. The remains of the display stored in a box that was placed at the end of the gathering. 'Shock troops of separation of church and state' Robert Cook, vice president of Iowa Atheists & Freethinkers who attended the ceremony, said the Satanic Temple was exercising its rights the best way possible. These guys are like the shock troops of separation of church and state, Cook said. If its acceptable for the Christians to put a nativity display here, its their right for them to be here, too. There has to be separation of church and state, Cook said. We need to uphold that wall between church and state," Cook said. "But its almost being knocked away brick by brick. Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Satanic Temple of Iowa members gather at Capitol to support display The route migrants take from northern Africa to Europe is the most dangerous - TAHA JAWASHI/AFP Sixty-one migrants, including women and children, drowned following a shipwreck off the Libyan coast, the International Organization for Migration said, in the latest deadly incident on the southern Mediterranean migrant route. The IOM said, citing survivors, that 86 migrants left the Libyan coastal town of Zwara on a dinghy, but faced very high tides, which eventually caused a shipwreck. The 25 survivors, including five women and a minor, were rescued by the Libyan coast guard during the night between Dec 13 and 14 and unfortunately were taken to a detention centre in Tariq al Sekka, in Libya, Flavio Di Giacomo, spokesman for the IOM in Italy, told The Telegraph. He said that according to the IOMs estimates more than 2,250 migrants attempting the crossing from northern Africa to Europe died this year, making it the deadliest migrant route to Europe. This number is for sure an underestimate, Mr Di Giacomo said, because many migrants attempted the crossing from the Tunisian coast on rickety small vessels made of iron, which are particularly unsafe. For sure there have been many more shipwrecks, but we dont have the proof of it, he said. Sunak and Meloni News of the incident emerged as Rishi Sunak, the UKs Prime Minister, and Giorgia Meloni, his Italian counterpart, said they agreed to co-fund a project that would see the two countries promote and assist the voluntary return of migrants currently stuck in Tunisia. Mr Sunak said in a speech in Rome at a political festival organised by the Italian premiers Right-wing party that hostile states will increasingly drive people to our shores to destabilise Western nations unless leaders crack down on illegal migration and revamp asylum conventions. He added that insufficient action would lead to growing numbers that will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who need our help most. Fighting against illegal migration is a key plank of both leaders political platforms. For Ms Meloni, the main concern this year has been to try and stop migrants reaching the tiny southern island of Lampedusa directly from Tunisia, overwhelming its reception centres and angering the local population. To that end, she convinced the European Union to give financial aid to Tunisia in exchange for stopping the flow from its shores. However, this year the number of seaborne migrants reaching southern Italy, primarily from Tunisia, has risen dramatically from previous years. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, 153,407 migrants landed in Italy from the beginning of the year until last Thursday, compared with roughly 99,000 in the same period of 2022 and 63,000 in 2021. Mr Di Giacomo criticised Europe and Italy for not doing enough to save migrants at sea. The European patrol and rescue system is inadequate. Weve been saying it for a long time, he said. Rescue boats are not a pull factor. Violence, abuse and human rights violations suffered by migrants in transit countries are a push factor, 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. GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Grand Prairie police arrested a driver who led them on a chase overnight Friday. Police tried to pull over the person suspected of driving a stolen vehicle on 360, near Interstate 20. This happened at about midnight, and police said the driver sped up and started driving south on the highway towards Mansfield. The chase ended by Day Miar Road and Grand Meadow Boulevard when officers used their patrol unit to stop the vehicle. The driver lost control and crashed into a power line pole. That person, whose name has not yet been released, was taken into custody, along with others who were inside the car. No one was hurt. (Bloomberg) -- Egypts Suez Canal Authority said its closely following tensions in the Red Sea and any impact on canal crossings, after Yemeni militant attacks on vessels hundreds of miles to the south prompted major shipping lines to temporarily avoid the region. Most Read from Bloomberg Since Nov. 19, 55 ships have diverted to use the Cape of Good Hope route between Europe and Asia rather than the canal, SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said Sunday in a statement. So far thats a small proportion of the 2,128 vessels that crossed Egypts waterway in the same period, he said. Attacks by Houthi militants on merchant ships off Yemens coast have spiraled in recent weeks, as the Iran-backed group, in response to the war in Gaza, vows to target vessels it claims are connected to Israel. A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and Hapag-Lloyd AG said Friday they were pausing voyages on the Red Sea, one of the worlds most important trade corridors. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. SA and CMA CGM announced similar moves on Saturday, a day in which the US military said it shot down 14 drones in the Red Sea launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Read more: Shipping Giants Pause Red Sea Route as Houthi Attacks Intensify Suez Canal transit fees are a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, which is battling its worst economic crisis in decades. Revenue from the waterway hit $9.4 billion in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, up from $7 billion the year before. Read more: US Navy Shoots Down 14-Drone Wave as Shippers Avoid Red Sea Diverting vessels around the tip of Africa will have ripple effects on the world shipping trade. Flexport Inc., a freight forwarding platform based in San Francisco, said in a blog post that taking the route around the Cape of Good Hope prolongs the journey by seven to 10 days compared with using the Suez Canal. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (CNN) At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwanese citizen Nancy Hsieh received a message from her relatives online: To stop the virus from entering your lungs, all you need to do is drink lots of water with salt and vinegar. But she knew immediately this was false information. Right beneath the original message on Line, Taiwans most popular messaging app, a chatbot replied that the claim was not supported by science, with a link to an article that fact-checked this erroneous information. The chatbot, Auntie Meiyu, is one of multiple Taiwanese fact-checking applications that have increasingly gained prominence, as the island democracy of 23.5 million people steps up its readiness to combat the rising flow of false information from circulating within society. Besides unscientific methods of treating Covid, Hsieh recalled Auntie debunked other rumors such as a fake speech attributed to an official from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, misrepresentation of polling results, and fraudulent food safety reports. Experts say fact-checking mechanisms like this are becoming more important, especially as Taiwan is set to choose a new president in a highly consequential election next month. The vote comes at a moment of high tensions as Beijing ramps up military, political and economic pressure on the island that Chinas ruling Communist Party claims as its own territory, despite having never controlled it. Like many places in the world, Taiwan often sees an uptick in disinformation during elections. But it is also uniquely targeted outside of voting season because of the precarious geopolitical space it lives in. According to a report by Stockholm Universitys Varieties of Democracy Project, published in March this year, Taiwan for the 10th consecutive year received the greatest amount of disinformation from outside its borders, highlighting the need for effective fact-checking mechanisms on the island. A growing security risk Disinformation is something Taiwans security agencies are particularly alert to. At a recent closed-door security briefing attended by CNN, Taiwans intelligence community warned that China has been working to influence Taiwans upcoming election through a series of disinformation, military and economic operations, with the goal of boosting the chances of opposition candidates who favor improving ties with Beijing. According to Taiwanese intelligence, Wang Huning, the fourth-ranking leader in th Chinese Communist Party, recently convened a meeting to coordinate efforts to influence the election, while reducing the likelihood that external parties could find evidence of such interference. They hope that the party they dislike will lose the election, a senior Taiwanese security official, referring to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which views Taiwan as a de facto sovereign nation and has prioritized elevating Taipeis ties with Western powers since taking office in 2016. The candidate for DPP, Vice President Lai Ching-te, is currently leading in the polls, and is openly loathed by Chinese officials. Lai is ahead of two other candidates Hou Yu-ih from the Kuomintang party and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan Peoples Party who are seen as favoring closer relations with Beijing. Among the different strategies deployed by Beijing, Taiwan believes Chinas cognitive warfare operations which included spreading disinformation in Taiwan and magnifying talking points that favor China-friendly candidates are the most sophisticated, multiple officials said at a closed-door briefing on security affairs attended by CNN. Besides operating content farms and fake accounts on social media, the officials alleged that Chinas information operations are multifaceted. Other tactics used by Beijing included working with private companies to impersonate genuine news websites, handpicking soundbites that fit Beijings narratives from Taiwanese television programs and repackaging them into short social media videos, and illicitly funding small news organizations in Taiwan that mostly report on local livelihood issues but also occasionally post content that cast doubts toward candidates unfavorable to Beijing. One piece of disinformation highlighted by officials was a recent rumor that Hsiao Bi-khim the DPPs vice-presidential candidate and until recently Taiwans top representative in Washington is a US citizen. Fact-checking reports, including from the Taiwan FactCheck Center one of the most prominent news verification groups on the island indicated that while Hsiao used to hold US citizenship, she had renounced it in 2002. Besides spreading rumors, Beijing has also been exerting pressure on Taiwanese businesses with investments in mainland China to toe the partyline, and luring Taiwanese politicians with discounted trips to mainland cities in an attempt to generate support for candidates lobbying for closer ties to Beijing, the officials claimed. CNN has reached out to Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office for comment. False flag warnings Chinas attempts to sway Taiwanese voters havent always been successful. Ahead of Taiwans first direct presidential election in 1996, Beijing fired missiles toward the island to intimidate voters not to support a candidate championing Taiwans separate identity from China. That move backfired spectacularly and the candidate, Lee Teng-hui, swept to a landslide victory. Outgoing Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who is from the DPP and cannot run again because of term limits, was frequently the target of angry warnings from Chinese officials. But Taiwanese voters handed her two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2020. News literacy experts say Chinas cognitive warfare operations against Taiwan have long been happening beyond election seasons. Puma Shen, an associate professor at National Taipei University who specializes in researching disinformation, said researchers can often establish a link between a disinformation campaign and the Chinese authorities by analyzing IP addresses of the accounts that propagate the rumors and whether they are automated. Chinas public opinion war is often aimed at influencing independent and young voters, said Shen, who is running to become a legislator with the DPP. But Taiwanese security officials cautioned that Chinas disinformation operations could go beyond undermining trust in the government. According to a Taiwanese security document obtained and reviewed exclusively by CNN, authorities are investigating an incident in the summer, during which they believed China may be training for a false flag operation one that could be used to justify a future military attack against Taiwan. The incident took place in July, when a Beijing-friendly Taiwanese newspaper falsely claimed that Washington had ordered Taipei to develop biological weapons that could be used against Chinas Peoples Liberation Army. According to the security document, the rumor initially appeared in fabricated meeting minutes that claimed to show discussions between senior Taiwanese officials regarding the fictitious project, which was subsequently passed on to a local reporter. Both Washington and Taipei have refuted the claim that Taiwan was developing biological weapons, and there is no evidence the discussions took place. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office subsequently launched an investigation into the journalist over allegations of forgery. A Taiwanese security official told CNN authorities had high confidence that Beijing was behind the fabricated document, because it contained some terminologies commonly used by the Chinese Communist Party that are unfamiliar to Taiwan. As the false report generated outrage in mainland China, the Chinese military simultaneously sent more than 100 warplanes into Taiwans self-declared air defense identification zone over the next three days a significantly higher number of incursions than usual. We believe this goes beyond just spreading disinformation, the security official said. Beijing seems to be practicing how it could use disinformation [to create] an excuse for military action and target Taiwan [militarily] using a justification that the United States was about to start a war against China. The official added that the unusual combination of a disinformation campaign and heightened military activity has raised alarm among Taiwans intelligence community that Beijing could be training for a false flag operation and to use the outrage it would generate as justification for a potential future military attack on Taiwan. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request from CNN for comment on the fabricated document allegations. News literacy The growing threat of disinformation and its potential implications on Taiwans democracy has highlighted the need for effective fact-checking mechanisms in Taiwan to help citizens debunk false information in everyday life. Chen Pei-huang, a senior journalist at the Taiwan FactCheck Center, said while their newsroom hires about a dozen reporters, they are outnumbered by the vast amount of false rumors circulating online. For us, besides simply fact-checking a piece of information, we think it is important to promote media literacy because if most people have the ability to question the authenticity of a piece of information, then it will be harder for rumors to circulate. This is where apps like Auntie Meiyu can help. Unlike other fact-checking applications, which generally provide an interface for users to manually insert and verify text or a website link, the chatbot can be enabled in group chats or direct messages on Line and has the ability to automatically scan messages and warn of any potentially misleading content. A lot of people tell us that it really helps a lot, because sometimes they wouldnt dare to directly tell their parents or relatives that this kind of information is wrong, said Cecile Chen, who runs the chatbot under Gogolook, a Taiwanese tech company specializing in call-filtering services. She also emphasized that the chatbot has an apolitical background. Hsieh, from Taoyuan city, said her elderly relatives now feel embarrassed whenever Auntie Meiyu warns that their messages contain misleading information. As a result, she said, they have learned not to forward every message they get before considering its truthfulness. For my elderly relatives if they can pause and suspect whether a piece of information they received is really accurate, I think this is already great progress for them, Hsieh said. As for Chen, the fact-checking journalist, his work goes beyond simply verifying the authenticity of what people see online. If we can provide people with accurate information and statistics, the public can learn that while we can disagree on different issues, we must base our opinions on solid evidence, he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Taiwan faces a flood of disinformation from China ahead of crucial election. Heres how its fighting back" Smoke rises above Gaza, as seen from Southern Israel CAIRO (Reuters) -Two Egyptian security sources said on Sunday that Israel and Hamas are both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, although disagreements remain on how it would be implemented. Egypt and Qatar, which had previously negotiated a week-long ceasefire and hostage release, insisted on expediting aid and the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing before any negotiations could begin, the sources said. An Israeli official said aid had been allowed to enter Gaza, after Egyptian sources initially said it had been held up. Hopes for peace were raised on Saturday when a source said Israel's spy chief had spoken on Friday with Qatar's prime minister. Hamas is insisting on setting the list of hostages to be released unilaterally, and demanding that Israeli forces withdraw behind pre-determined lines, the sources told Reuters. While Israel agreed on Hamas setting the list, the sources said it demanded a timeline and to see the list before setting the time and duration of the ceasefire. Israel refuses to withdraw, the sources added. Hamas says a complete ceasefire is a prerequisite to hostage release, the sources said. "It is important for me to make clear, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is determined to complete the task of dismantling Hamas," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a news conference on Sunday. "We are open to any efforts aimed at ending the Israeli aggression. This is the ground for any discussion," said Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri when asked for comment by Reuters on Israel and Hamas's openness to talks according to the Egyptians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, additional reporting by Maayan Lubell, writing by Nafisa Eltahir, editing by Alexander Smith and Giles Elgood) An 81-year-old man walking down the street was killed when Russia shelled downtown Kherson around 10:20 a.m. on Dec. 17, the Regional Prosecutor's Office reported. Six police officers were injured in another shelling of the village of Dariivka the same morning. Read also: Kyiv faces 6th Russian attack in December Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (parts 1 and 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Prosecutors document war crimes committed by representatives of the Russian Armed Forces. Kherson Region Prosecutor's Office/Facebook Russian troops shell Kherson and the region almost daily, killing civilians and destroying the region's infrastructure. The wreckage of downed UAVs damaged an administrative building and a medical facility in Kherson Oblast overnight on Dec. 15-16. Read also: One person killed in Kherson following intense Russian shelling attack A woman died under the rubble of her house after Russian attack on Kherson on Dec. 14. Two civilians were killed and three others injured including two doctors after Russia targeted a Kherson medical facility, Presidential Office head, Andriy Yermak, 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 Elon Musk's private jets took hundreds of flights in 2023. The billionaire's aircraft flew over 1,161 hours this year, according to JetSpy. Musk had a busy year after buying Twitter in 2022. It isn't easy running six companies, but Elon Musk's fleet of private jets certainly helps. Since taking over Twitter (now X) late last year, Musk has been splitting his time between Texas and California trading off sleeping on Tesla's factory floor for Twitter's offices and his private jets have the mileage to show for it. Musk's private planes worth more than $100 million at list value took to the skies 441 times this year, according to data that was compiled by the jet-tracking site JetSpy as of December 14. Musk currently owns several Gulfstream private jets: a G650ER, registered N628TS, and a G550, registered N272BG, according to JetSpy. A second G550 with the tail number N502SX was registered to Falcon Landing LCC, a company connected to SpaceX and Tesla, in September 2021. Musk is listed as the operator on the jets registered as N628TS and N272BG, while SpaceX is listed as the operator for the N502SX, according to JetSpy's data. The three planes are registered to Falcon Landing LLC. For the purposes of this article, the second G550 was not included in the billionaire's total flying as it is operated by SpaceX, according to JetSpy. The jet has flown about 630 hours across 246 flights as of December 14, per JetSpy data, and could be used to fly company personnel. In addition to his current private planes, Musk has also reportedly ordered the recently launched Gulfstream G700, and at one time owned a Dassault Falcon 900B. The G650ER, which Musk acquired in 2016, is the longest-ranged plane of the collection and allows the billionaire to fly some 8,600 miles nonstop. Gulfstream's larger jets like Musks' are typically fit with a bedroom. Elon Musk's G650ER private jet landed at an airport in Beijing in May. Tingshu Wang/Reuters In 2023, the aircraft were in flight for more than 1,161 hours, equivalent to over 48 days worth of time spent in the air, according to JetSpy data. JetSpy aggregates its flight information using ADS-B data that is transmitted from several vendors and networks. ADS-B is a public surveillance technology that broadcasts information like GPS location and altitude from one aircraft to another and to ground stations. The technology made headlines last year when college student Jack Sweeney used it to broadcast Musk's flight data on social media. Since then, the billionaire has attempted to cloak his flight information using a program set up by the Federal Aviation Administration, but to no avail. Flight enthusiasts have continued to track Musk's travel using the ADS-B network. There is no way of knowing the jets' passengers for any of the flights. Though Musk has been seen boarding the different jets on various occasions and the aircraft's flight patterns have at times corresponded with Musk's public visits to events like a SpaceX launch or meetings with foreign officials. Musk did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment. 13-hour treks and 5-minute hops In 2023, the average flight for Musk's two aircraft was just over two and a half hours similar to the time it takes for a plane to fly from Hawthorne California (where SpaceX is headquartered) to Brownsville, Texas (SpaceX's launch site and the state where Musk moved Tesla's headquarters). For Musk's G650, the jet's most popular destinations are Austin, Texas, as well as airports in Oakland and San Jose, California. The private plane has taken 166 flights this year. Meanwhile, Musk's Gulfstream G550 with the tail number N2727BG has taken 275 flights as of December 14, according to JetSpy. The aircraft frequently visits airports in Hawthorne and Los Angeles, California, as well as Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport near SpaceX's launch site. In the past, Sweeney, who tracks Musk's private jets, has said the billionaire's habitual flight patterns can be a dead giveaway for identifying his planes, even as he has tried to obscure his flight data. Elon Musk's private jet flight with PIA flag, tracked by Jack Sweeney. Jack Sweeney via ADS-B Exchange The longest flight one of Musk's jets took in 2023 was a nearly 13-hour flight to Tokyo in August. Musk, his on-and-off girlfriend Grimes, and their three-year-old son X were spotted in Tokyo at the time. The billionaire's jets also took several other international flights. Most recently, Musk's jet visited Israel in November. The billionaire met with foreign leaders and toured a kibbutz that had been attacked by Hamas. The aircraft's shortest flight was five minutes and the data shows that the jet remained at Long Beach Airport. The movement was likely the pilot repositioning the plane. Musk's jets also took some 11 to 15-minute flights between airports in Hawthorne and Los Angeles in the spring. The airports are located less than 10 miles apart. While the planes are handy for Musk's busy lifestyle, they come at a heavy price. The billionaire's jets have emitted an estimated 5,159 metric tons of CO2 over the past year, according to JetSpy. In contrast, the average person in the US is responsible for producing about 16 tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. What's more, the jets consumed 538,957 gallons of fuel in 2023 meaning it cost over $3.2 million to fuel the planes this year, JetSpy data shows. Overall, Musk's jets appear to have flown less this year than last year. In 2022, his planes took to the skies 739 times for a total of 1,865 hours in flight. Read the original article on Business Insider Jimmy Lai faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a national security law imposed by China - AP/Jerome Favre The Foreign Secretary has called for the release of Jimmy Lai and the ending of his politically-motivated prosecution, ahead of the high-profile trial in Hong Kong of the pro-democracy newspaper publisher. In a significant intervention, Lord Cameron condemned the charges against Mr Lai, who faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a national security law imposed by China following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The trial of the 76-year-old British citizen is being watched closely around the world amid concerns about the growing influence of Beijing on the former British colony. Mr Lai is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications. Lord Cameron said: Hong Kongs national security law is a clear breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Its continued existence and use is a demonstration of China breaking its international commitments. Hundreds of police officers searched the offices of Jimmy Lai in 2020 as they charged him with 'suspected collusion with foreign forces' - Newscom/Sunny Mok It has damaged Hong Kong, with rights and freedoms significantly eroded. Arrests under the law have silenced opposition voices. I am gravely concerned that anyone is facing prosecution under the national security law, and particularly concerned at the politically-motivated prosecution of British national Jimmy Lai. As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association. I urge the Chinese authorities to repeal the national security law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. I call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai. The call comes after Mr Lais son Sebastien met with Lord Cameron last week. He said he had left the meeting feeling hopeful that the UK will shortly add its voice to calls for my dads immediate and unconditional release. Lord Cameron recently met with Jimmy Lai's son Sebastien - X Mr Lai founded Hong Kongs now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper but was arrested in 2020 during a crackdown on the citys pro-democracy movement. His case has become a key issue, especially among Tory backbenchers pushing for a harder Government line on China. The trial comes as Rishi Sunak and his ministers have sought to dampen tensions with Beijing. Former foreign secretary James Cleverly made the first visit to China for five years when he travelled there in August. The intervention by the former prime minister, who returned to high office in a shock move last month, is significant. Relations between the West and China have deteriorated dramatically in the years since he resigned and are far from the so-called golden era of relations he presided over. His appointment led to questions about whether he would be willing to take a tough stance on Beijing. Since taking up the Foreign Secretary role, Lord Cameron has acknowledged that the Asian power has become much more aggressive, much more assertive since he left No 10. 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 homicide unit of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a shooting in a residential neighborhood in Belleville that killed one man and injured a child. Francis Medina, 37, of Belleville, was pronounced dead at 3:17 p.m. Saturday at Belleville's Clara Maass Medical Center, according to Robert Florida, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's office. A 4-year-old boy was also injured in the shooting. Around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Belleville police responded to a shooting on Mill Street in the township, according to a release Saturday night from the prosecutor's office. Police found Medina suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital. The boy was listed in stable condition Saturday night in an area hospital. No arrests have been made and the prosecutor's office is continuing its investigation with local police. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-846-7432. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Prosecutor: Man killed, child injured in Belleville shooting U.K. Foreign Minister David Cameron, pictured at Downing Street, has called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in the Israel-Hamas war. Credit - Carl CourtGetty Images U.K. Foreign Minister David Cameron and German foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock expressed in an editorial for The Sunday Times their backing of a sustainable ceasefire in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Cameron and Baerbock highlighted the difference between a sustainable ceasefire and an immediate ceasefire, which has been widely called for elsewhere. Let us be clear. We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward, they argued. Instead, they envision reaching a peace which lasts for days, years, generations. Cameron and Baerbock are putting more pressure on Israel to protect civilians after Gazas Hamas-run health ministry said more than 18,000 people have died. The ministers said that too many civilians have been killed, and while Israel has a right to defend itself, it must do so respecting international law and distinguishing more between Hamas militants and civilians. In contrast, Frances foreign minister called for an immediate and durable ceasefire in a visit to Israel on Sunday. Last month, Frances President Emmanuel Macron said Israel should stop bombing that was killing women and children, who the U.N. reported make up two-thirds of the dead in Gaza. On Tuesday, 153 countries at the U.N. General Assembly voted in favor of a ceasefire, with the U.K. and Germany abstaining. Protesters across the globe have marched to call an immediate end to bombing and fighting. Israel has rejected calls for a ceasefire as it fights to eliminate Hamas after the militant group killed 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostage on Oct. 7. Scrutiny of the war has been growing, with U.S. officials meeting with their Israeli counterparts to push for more protections for civilians. U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Dec. 12 that Israel was losing international support because of indiscriminate bombing, and on Dec. 14 said I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives, not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful. The remarks have marked a shift in tone for the Biden administration, which previously said it was drawing no red lines for Israel. The U.S. has not called for a ceasefire. The German and British ministers argued that pushing Israel to cease its military operations would not stop Hamas from firing rockets or push them to release more than 100 hostages remaining in Gaza. Instead, the ministers said they supported humanitarian pauses. A weeklong truce at the end of November led to the releases of dozens of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and got more humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the U.N. World Food Programme said this week that half of the territorys 2.3 million people are starving. The European leaders said they had increased aid support and praised the opening of a crossing between Israel and Gaza to allow more access. The foreign ministers argued that a two-state solution was the only path forward to peace, and leaving Hamas in power in Gaza would be a permanent roadblock to that aim, but didnt specify how this might be achieved. TIME reached out to the German Foreign Ministry for further information on its vision for Gaza and how that might be achieved. The department flagged that Baerbock met with the Lebanese foreign minister on Friday in an effort to work on peace in the region, and last month outlined steps toward a two-state solution. In response to TIME seeking further information on how the U.K. government would achieve a sustainable ceasefire while fighting continued and what steps it is taking to negotiate a lasting peace, the Foreign Ministry said that the op-ed reflects the government's latest position. In November, meanwhile, Biden wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post that a two-state solution was the only way forward and said a re-envisioned Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, should rule Gaza as well. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told NBCs Meet the Press in November that he didnt think the Palestinian Authority should run Gaza, and members of his government have spoken out against a two-state solution. In an interview with Sky News, the Israeli ambassador to the U.K., Tzipi Hotovely, said absolutely no, when asked about whether Palestinians should be given a state. Netanyahu said in an address on Saturday about the war that his government was as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages. Experts have written for TIME that it would be impossible to eliminate the extremist ideology of Hamas, although the government controlling Gaza could be destroyed, leaving a void that would need to be filled. Contact us at letters@time.com. Federal courts in recent decades have made it easier for prosecutors to use evidence obtained during unconstitutional searches, but Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert appears ready to push back. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and that warrants can only be approved based on probable cause and must particularly describe what will be searched or seized. The Kansas Constitution also includes its own, arguably broader language. It says the right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable searches and seizures shall be inviolate, according to Section 15 of the Kansas Bill of Rights. In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court created a good faith exception to the general rule that illegally obtained evidence must be excluded at trial. The exception in some instances allows for the introduction of evidence gathered during illegal searches, so long as a judge approved a search warrant, even if the warrant shouldnt have been approved. Kansas courts have interpreted the Kansas Constitution to allow for the same good faith exception recognized by federal courts. But Luckert has reservations. As an associate justice in 2019, she wrote a concurring opinion in a case about the exception, questioning whether Kansas should continue to apply the exception in lockstep with federal caselaw. Luckert appeared particularly troubled by a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court case called Krull that extended the good faith exception to evidence gathered by officers acting under the authority of a law later found unconstitutional. In my view, Luckert wrote, the application of Krull by federal and state courts warrants our reconsideration of whether its exception leaves Kansans without the protection guaranteed by 15 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights. Some attorneys and civil liberties advocates emphasize that in an illegal search, even if cops acted in good faith with a warrant, the result is the same: someones rights are violated. Theres a sense in which the basic ideas that animate the Fourth Amendment havent really changed, the framers would recognize some of those, said Josh Windham, co-director of the Fourth Amendment Project at the Institute for Justice, a Virginia-based libertarian public interest law firm. And theres another sense in which things have kind of gone off the rails and its difficult for plaintiffs and defendants to really vindicate their Fourth Amendment rights in practice. At the time the U.S. Supreme Court created the good faith exception, the justices believed the exception would encourage law enforcement to seek search warrants instead of risking warrantless searches that could be illegal. But Christopher Slobogin, a law professor at Vanderbilt University, suggested judges may now actually be less careful now about approving warrants. Because of the good faith exception, judges know that even if their legal analysis is faulty, prosecutors may get to use the evidence anyway. After 1984, as long as the cops acted in good faith, the evidence gets in, Slobogin said. Evidence can still be suppressed if an officer lied in the application or if the warrant was so lacking that a reasonably trained officer would know the judge was wrong. Police officers arent lawyers, the judges are, so how often is that court gonna find hey this police officer should have known the judge, whos a lawyer, was completely wrong, said Cole Hawver, a Junction City-based public defender. Open fields angers ranchers, farmers Other exceptions to Fourth Amendment protections are older but continue to cause frustration. For 99 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the open fields doctrine, holding that warrants generally arent required for searches on open land outside the immediate area around a home. The open fields doctrine has long aggravated farmers and ranchers, who are unable to keep law enforcement from snooping on their livestock, crops and pasture. In 2018 Beverly and Matthew Fullen fought the application of this doctrine on their own land near Salina. Both faced criminal charges after a warrantless search on pasture the mother and son owned jointly. Saline County sheriffs deputies, responding to an animal cruelty report entered the Fullens field after observing about 50 cattle, many with calves, with minimal grass to graze on, according to an affidavit. The herd appeared malnourished. While the deputies spoke with the Salina Animal Shelter director over the phone, no veterinarians accompanied the deputies. The deputies shot a cow that appeared to be suffering. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant and seized the livestock, as well as horses and domestic animals belonging to the family, a few days later. The Fullens were arrested, and Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan told reporters nearly 190 starving or dead animals had been found. But a year later, Matthew was found not guilty at trial after originally facing 17 counts of cruelty to animals. Beverly Fullen reached a plea agreement, pleading no contest to two counts of animal cruelty, both class A misdemeanors. Saline County sheriffs deputies seized animals from Matthew and Beverly Fullen as part of an animal cruelty investigation that began with a warrantless search of their land. A legal doctrine called open fields allows searches of open land without a warrant. Courts in at least five states Montana, New York, Washington, Vermont and Oregon have rejected the open fields doctrine, finding its not supported by their state constitutions. While these decisions generally cant constrain federal law enforcement, they do limit what steps state and local police can take in their investigations. The decisions are part of a larger national movement that asserts state constitutions often afford broader rights than the U.S. Constitution. Kansas joined the movement in one critical area abortion with a landmark state Supreme Court decision in 2019 that the state constitution protects the right to end a pregnancy. But it has not yet taken similar action on the Fourth Amendment. After their criminal cases, the Fullen family sued the City of Salina, which operates the animal shelter, and Soldan in Saline County District Court. They alleged the cow that had been shot by deputies was not actually suffering but was in labor and about to give birth. They also said the animals taken from the property received inadequate care while in the governments custody. In an interview, Matthew Fullen remained particularly upset that sheriffs deputies hadnt waited for a veterinarian to look at the calving cow before shooting it. The Fullens accepted a payment to settle the lawsuit, but declined to reveal the amount. Soldan, who is still the sheriff, didnt respond to a request for comment. I know we have to call the police for certain things, but I dont trust them, Fullen said. The TV was turned to the news as the smell of bacon wafted from the kitchen after the sheriffs police entered Michael Hallmons South Shore apartment on a chilly November morning. Inside the two-bedroom apartment sat a pile of clothes and shoes, along with a stack of bikes and a lawn chair made up as a bed. A computer monitor on a cluttered desk had a Microsoft Teams chat pulled up, and the kitchen counter was full of groceries. A greasy pan sat on the stove. Hallmon, 47, was surprised to see the Cook County sheriffs office on his doorstep. He said he filed documents in court requesting a jury hear his eviction case. The sheriffs office, which was there to enforce the eviction, said he filed the wrong paperwork. This is ridiculous. Who does this? Hallmon said after he and his roommate were removed from the apartment. I have places to go, but I shouldnt have to when Im doing everything the right way. Hallmon was one of nearly 6,600 people evicted this year in Cook County, according to data through Dec. 5 from the Cook County sheriffs office. While the number of eviction filings have been at pre-pandemic levels since 2022, this is the first year the number of enforced evictions those that are carried out by the sheriffs office under a court order at residential rental properties in Cook County have caught up to 2019. Tenants and landlords attorneys say evictions are up because many property owners are unwilling to take a second round of government rental assistance from tenants who have already received aid. Some tenants are also ineligible for money under the states program, which caps support at $25,000 or 18 months of rent whichever comes first. More broadly, significant rent increases in recent years are boosting eviction levels as many tenants are unable to pay higher monthly rents. Property owners say rent increases are unavoidable because of their own rising costs. And while government legal aid programs put in place since the pandemic to help prevent evictions have assisted both tenants and landlords, they can only do so much, experts say. A tremendous strain Marlene Tambourine, 78, has gone through the eviction process this year with the residents of her two-flat in Gladstone Park. She and her husband started renting out the two-flat in 1985 to help subsidize their mortgage payments after they moved to Northbrook when they had children. Renting out the two-flat was the only way they could afford the move, Tambourine said. Tambourine said her familys monthly fixed income is around $4,000, not counting the income she brings in from her small business or from the rental properties she owns. The mortgage payment for their Northbrook home is $2,700 a month, with the two-flat still having monthly payments as well, she said. As of October 2022, Tambourine said her tenants, a mother and daughter, were behind about $6,000 for their $1,425 a month two-bedroom unit. She said she gave them the required five-day notice before filing for eviction, and they paid her. After that, Tambourine said she tried to help her tenants of four years by reducing their rent to $1,100 for six months so they could afford to stay until they found a place to move to by the end of May 2023. Come May 31, they didnt move and stopped paying rent, she said. It has put a tremendous strain on our finances, Tambourine said. I have to constantly, every month, liquidate whatever assets I have to be able to keep the mortgage payments current because otherwise we are going to lose the house. Now, she says, the daughter is still living there, while the mother is out of the house . I went out of my way when they were running into financial problems to try to help them, Tambourine said. And I gave them that extra time, and I kept sending them emails and text messages saying Find an apartment that you can afford. You cant afford this apartment. On Dec. 8, Tambourine received a default judgment against her tenant from a Cook County judge since her tenant did not appear in court. Now, she waits for the sheriffs office to enforce the eviction, one that might not happen until the end of January due to the holiday moratorium that goes into effect from Monday until Jan. 3. Cook County has had an eviction diversion program in place since November 2020 to help renters and small landlords avoid adverse court rulings like the one Tambourines tenant faced. The program launched when court systems across the country were strategizing how to help administer billions of dollars in federal rental assistance. Attorneys attributed the notable decline around 2,000 fewer evictions in enforced evictions in 2022 to the program, which offers free legal aid, mediation services and connections to rental assistance. The program has significantly changed the eviction process in the county. Before the pandemic, it could take just a few weeks for a tenant to be evicted. Now it takes at least a couple of months. The slowdown, tenants attorneys have argued, is necessary to ensure everyone, including landlords, gets the help they need. But the extra time leads to financial distress for property owners, landlords attorneys have argued. Bob Glaves, executive director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, which manages the countys eviction diversion program, said the process was slower at the beginning because there werent enough legal aid attorneys and paralegals to meet the demand as eviction filings rose in 2021 and 2022 once COVID-19 eviction moratoria ended. Glaves said the number of attorneys they have now is very close to the capacity they estimate is needed to match the current volume of eviction cases and should allow people to get more timely connections to legal aid and help them reach more settlements. Also, with a right to counsel ordinance introduced earlier this year in City Council, more legal help for tenants facing eviction may be on the way by 2027. In 2023, most evictions in the city took place on the South and West sides in majority Black and Latino communities, trends that match years past and line up with national data showing racial minorities are more likely to face eviction. The pandemic disproportionately affected minorities, who were more likely to experience hardships such as job loss and illness. The pandemic issues compounded with the issue of lagging generational wealth among families of color compared with white families because of historical racial discrimination. Tenants attorneys involved in Cook Countys eviction diversion program say they are seeing a variety of reasons for why people are facing eviction this year. There are people who have mental health challenges and arent receiving the care they need; others are victims of domestic violence or are distrustful of the court system because of past mistreatment. Some people are withholding rent due to poor conditions in their apartment but dont properly inform their housing providers of what they are legally allowed to do under the local Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and, in turn, face eviction. And there are residents who catch up on their rent payments but are still behind on the monthly late fees, and landlords who refuse to work out payment plans with their tenants. Since the beginning of the pandemic, hundreds of millions of dollars in rental assistance has been disbursed in Illinois, with over 100,000 Chicago and suburban Cook County residents receiving aid. Nationally, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development research credits emergency rental assistance and other forms of household aid for preventing an increase in homelessness in 2020 and 2021. Yet, attorneys say rental assistance is good for people experiencing short-term crises but not necessarily for those who are chronically unable to pay rent. Landlords also dont have to participate in the rental assistance program. Robert Kahn, an attorney for landlords who owns buildings throughout Chicago, said he thinks eviction levels are ticking up because a lot of landlords are unwilling to take rental assistance repeatedly for the same tenant. The person is not showing any effort to pay rent on their own, he said. I am still getting a lot of cases dismissed because of rental assistance, which is great, but its a joke, Kahn said. COVID is over. There are tons of jobs out there. People are choosing not to get them. Dennericka Brooks, an attorney and director of housing at Legal Aid Chicago, said there are still people falling behind on rent payments because they are affected by COVID-19 and the countrys challenging economic conditions. Prices of everything are going up, and it is difficult for people to maintain, Brooks said. Even though, as a community we think that COVID is over, its not. People are still trying to catch up. When you have fallen behind before, especially if you are low-income, it is so hard to catch up. Ripped from your life On the day Hallmon was evicted, the sheriffs police attempted to enforce 13 evictions, though most people had vacated their units by the time officers got there. The few people who did answer were surprised to see the sheriffs department at their door, telling them they had to leave the property with only their most valuable belongings until they could arrange with the property manager to retrieve other items later. Evictions restarted in fall 2021 after the roughly yearlong, pandemic-induced moratoria were lifted. The part of the city with the most enforced evictions so far this year about 400 was the 60649 area code, an area of South Shore that included Hallmons apartment. Hallmon later told the Tribune he fell behind on rent after his father, who lived out of state, died, and Hallmon had to take care of his fathers affairs. After getting evicted, Hallmon said he stayed with his ex-wife and children while looking for an apartment. Think about being ripped from your life, with no other options, Hallmon said. You dont even know where you are going to go because you are emotional; you are distressed; you are vulnerable. Hallmon and the property management firm have conflicting accounts of what led to his eviction. Hallmon said he made partial rent payments until catching up earlier this year, while WPD Management said in a statement he hadnt paid rent in eight months. Hallmon blamed poor record-keeping for the discrepancy. A spokesperson for WPD Management said, all means to prevent this situation have been exhausted. Unfortunately, we were left with no choice except to move forward with the eviction process. Since 2007, the sheriffs office has had a social services division that attempts to contact every person who receives an eviction judgment in the weeks leading up to the eviction to see if they can connect residents to resources. The sheriffs office said through November of this year, it has helped more than 1,500 people in over 700 unique eviction cases. Sheriff Tom Dart said the program helps housing providers too because it may expedite the move-out process. But, the overpowering factor at play driving eviction levels is that rents are too high for many people to keep up, as wages have not risen at the same pace. In 2021 and 2022, Chicago saw double-digit rent increases compared with the years prior. In November, rents were up 5.3% over the same month last year, with the typical rental property costing $1,933 per month in the Chicago metro area, according to Zillow. The real estate website estimates a household would need to make $77,300 to afford the typical rent in Chicago. Kahn, the landlords attorney and property owner, said rents are going to increase as long as the costs to maintain a building are increasing, including the costs to evict someone. More housing needed As for the future of local efforts to avoid evictions, the county allocated $6 million toward the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt program, which includes the eviction diversion program, in its fiscal year 2024 budget. The county is also having discussions with state, federal, private and philanthropic entities regarding future options for rental assistance, according to Nick Mathiowdis, spokesperson for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkles office. The Illinois Housing Development Authority, the entity in charge of doling out the rest of the federal rental assistance dollars, told the Tribune it expects its rental assistance program to conclude by summer 2024. Samira Nazem who leads the eviction diversion initiative at the National Center for State Courts and previously worked at the Chicago Bar Foundation as the group set up Cook Countys eviction diversion program works with 22 courts across the country to model different eviction diversion methods. Nazem said the initiatives goal is not only to prevent evictions, but also to get more tenants to engage in the court process, more time to move out and fewer judgments from the court demanding payment, which she and local experts are seeing happening. I think that eviction diversion programs are a wonderful part of trying to promote housing stability and financial stability in our communities, Nazem said. They are not magic fixes that are going to alleviate the lack of affordable housing and the double digit rent increases that we are seeing across the country. Lorraine McNeal, 53, is struggling to find affordable housing. McNeal had never faced eviction prior to the pandemic but has faced it twice since then and worries she may face it again. Shes been getting calls, texts and emails from her management company about her overdue rent balance, she said. In the past, she received help through the citys Right To Counsel Pilot Program aimed at connecting more renters with legal aid and has received rental assistance to pay off her debt and stay housed. Now, she is having difficulties paying her rent again since the payments are greater than her Social Security disability insurance, her primary source of income since she lost her job during the pandemic. She told the Tribune in October that the pandemic and her disability made it hard to find work. She lives with her daughter, who is also disabled, and pays $1,295 monthly rent for her three-bedroom South Shore apartment. McNeal said it has been rough trying to find a new apartment she can afford. Many of the buildings she is looking at are at capacity a common issue in the colder months of the year when fewer people move or only accept people 62 and older. She said she has put her name on housing voucher waitlists throughout the country, all the way from San Francisco to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as she is desperate to move herself and her family. Here I go again on the hamster wheel, looking, looking, looking, trying to decipher through some of these programs, McNeal said. And believe me, they are out there; I just havent hit the jackpot. ekane@chicagotribune.com Former Florida Power & Light CEO Eric Silagy made millions selling his stock as a political scandal rocked the energy company, according to a federal court lawsuit. First reported by the Orlando Sentinel, the lawsuit alleges that current and former officers and board members of NextEra Energy, Inc., the parent company of Florida Power & Light, violated federal securities laws by making materially false and misleading statements related to the companys political spending. The suit was filed in the Southern District of Florida by two investors, Sara Lewis and James Lewis. The suit, filed in October, focuses on Silagy selling more than 62,000 shares of the companys stock in December 2021, making $5.4 million on the deal. The investors bought stock in NextEra Energy between Dec. 2, 2021, the day that Silagy sold his stock, and Jan 30, 2023, shortly after NextEra announced Silagys departure from the company. Court documents accuse Silagy, NextEra and its board of exposing NextEra to substantial monetary and reputational damage for orchestrating a scheme to fund ghost candidates to derail the political campaigns of unfriendly legislators, spying on journalists and improperly courting public officials to benefit FPL. The company, the lawsuit claims, breached its duties by not disclosing legal and reputational risk tied to FPL; not maintaining adequate internal controls; and making positive statements about the business that were materially misleading. In August 2022, the Miami Herald reported that Silagy was secretly running the Capitolist, a small news website that portrayed itself as a feisty independent outlet. The Capitolist, aimed directly at Tallahassee decision makers, was bankrolled and controlled by executives of the power company through a small group of trusted intermediaries from an Alabama consulting firm, according to an investigation based on a massive leak of documents. READ MORE: Powerbrokers: How FPL secretly took over a Florida news site and used it to bash critics FPLs political consultants also used a nonprofit to steer funding toward a no-party candidate in a 2018 state Senate race, the Miami Herald reported. That candidate helped split the liberal vote and swing the race in favor of the Republican candidate. Five people have been criminally charged in connection to the ghost candidate scheme, including two of the ghost candidates. No one at FPL has been accused of wrongdoing by authorities and the company has said an internal review cleared its employees, the Orlando Sentinel reported. READ MORE: Nightmare scenario: How FPL secretly manipulated a Florida state Senate election The company, according to the suit, falsely claimed that allegations of political misconduct didnt expose it to meaningful legal or occupational risk. However, amid the scandal and Silagys retirement NextEra stock dropped by almost 9%. Silagy, who led FPL for 11 years, stepped down in January. Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan wants to unfreeze the agency and help launch a massive and "historic" deportation program if former President Trump returns to the White House in 2025 Homan promised no illegal immigrant would be "off the table" for enforcement. Homan was honored during the Obama administration for his role leading ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which arrests and removes illegal immigrants. A Washington Post article at the time said Homan "deports people. And hes really good at it." Homan, a former New York police officer and Border Patrol agent, calls that article a "badge of honor" and has it framed in his office. ICE DEPORTATIONS REMAINED WELL BELOW TRUMP-ERA LEVELS IN FY2022 AMID HISTORIC BORDER CRISIS Homan went on to lead ICE during the Trump administration between 2017 and 2018 as it was given the green light and arrests skyrocketed. Since the Biden administration took over, deportations have plummeted from a high of 267,258 in fiscal year 2019 to 72,177 in fiscal 2022. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP President Donald Trump and Thomas Homan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, talk during a law enforcement roundtable on sanctuary cities in the Roosevelt Room at the White House March 20, 2018. Homan has fiercely defended the agencys conduct under his watch against left-wing attacks, getting into viral spats with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash, during congressional hearings. He is also president and CEO of Border911, a nonprofit that aims to educate Americans on "the facts of a non-secure border." But Homan, also a Fox News contributor, could soon be back in government. Trump is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, is leading several polls in a head-to-head with Biden and is promising to launch a full-throated effort to secure the border, end the Biden-era border crisis and deport millions of illegal immigrants if re-elected. Trump in September promised the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history" if hes back in the White House, and The New York Times recently reported that Trump met with Homan after announcing his campaign. Homan has repeatedly said he'd take the chance to be part of the administration. And he says removing those with a final order of removal from a federal immigration judge would be a priority. "People say, How are you going to remove millions? The answer is: One at a time," he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "No one's off the table. If you're in the country illegally in violation of immigration law, you are a target. "It's going to have to result in a historic the biggest ever deportation operation in the history of this country. That's what happens. When you've got historic illegal immigration, well, that means you've got a historic removal program. That's just the way it is. If we're going to enforce our laws, that's the way it is." DEMOCRATS FUME OVER REPORTED BIDEN OFFER TO REINSTATE TITLE 42-TYPE MIGRANT EXPULSIONS Homan stressed that ICE would continue to prioritize the most serious offenders as it has done during the Trump and Biden administrations and that operations wouldnt involve indiscriminate "sweeps," but targeted enforcement operations planned in advance, targeting specific criminal illegal immigrants. But those operations can also result in collateral arrests of other illegal immigrants. Former President Donald Trump waves to a crowd during halftime of the Palmetto Bowl between Clemson and South Carolina at Williams Brice Stadium Nov. 25, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. "We're not going to turn a blind eye to them if theyre in the country illegally. We take them into custody. That's our job. So, it isnt like we walk through a neighborhood looking for people who look different from us. These are targeted enforcement operations." In terms of logistics, he said the agency would need a lot more detention beds to detain people, more ICE agents to make the arrests, more technical support for those creating the targeted operations and more contractors to search databases. He also said there needs to be legislation that would make someone ineligible for future immigration benefits if someone ignored a judges removal order. "That way, they're not hiding out waiting for the next amnesty. They're not hiding out waiting for someone to sponsor them for a visa," he said. He also said sanctuary cities jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE detainers need to be "held accountable." Any such enforcement moves will likely produce massive opposition from left-wing activist groups and Democratic lawmakers who opposed similar moves in the Trump administration. But Homan argues that if people believe in due process of the asylum system then that includes the carrying out of deportations when they are found not to have valid asylum claims. "Part of due process is executing the final decision of the court," he said. "No one's going to argue if they say, 'OK, you're awarded asylum, now you can come in.' But they have a fit when they're ordered removed," he said. "So, all of a sudden, we're supposed to forget about the due process? Look, if the court orders aren't going to mean anything, what the hell are we doing? We might as well take the Border Patrol off the border and shut down the immigration courts because, obviously, there's no enforcement of our immigration law." As for the scope of the task ahead, Homan is realistic about the likelihood of deportation of the millions of illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. during the Biden era on top of the already existing illegal immigrant population. "I'm not fooling myself into thinking we can remove 20 million people. But, you know, we're going to give it one hell of a shot and remove as many as we can," he said. Homan argued the enforcement of immigration law is not only just, but also the key to ending the border crisis by ending the primary pull factor drawing people to the border. "The numbers are not going to stop until these countries start seeing plane loads of people coming home because they were ordered removed, and we removed them." Original article source: Ex-ICE chief Thomas Homan eyes historic deportation if Trump's re-elected: No ones off the table (CNN) At some point in the dawn of humanity, a smarter-than-average homo sapien moved a rock away from the fire for warmth and invented the thermal battery. Over a million years later, as humanity struggles to evolve past fossil fuels in time to avoid climate collapse, that simple idea is making a modern comeback and hot rocks are hotter than ever, literally and figuratively. (The rocks) in the box right now are about 1,600 degrees Celsius, Andrew Ponec said, standing next to a thermal battery the size of a small building. That is nearly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, Hotter than the melting point of steel, he explained. But what makes his box of white-hot rocks so significant is they were not heated by burning tons coal or gas, but by catching sunlight with the thousands of photovoltaic solar panels that surround his prototype west of Fresno. If successful, Ponec and his start-up Antora Energy could be part of a new, multi-trillion-dollar energy storage sector that simply uses sun or wind to make boxes of rocks hot enough to run the worlds biggest factories. People sometimes feel like theyre insulting us by saying, Hey, that sounds really simple, Ponec laughed. And we say, No, thats exactly the point. Ponecs clean energy passions began when he was a curious public-school kid tinkering with photovoltaics in his parents garage and was lured to drop out of Stanford to build grid-scale solar plants. When he went back to get his degree, he realized while sun and wind is great for topping off the batteries in cars and homes, there is an even more urgent demand to clean up the fuel sources of industrial heat needed to make everything from baby food to steel. And because a factorys energy demand is often 24/7, heavy industry has yet to take advantage of the plunging price of renewables. Most days in the middle of the day in California, electricity on the wholesale market is free and sometimes even negative dollars, because theres so much solar thats now been installed, Ponec said, and were seeing the same thing in other states with wind. The problem is you cant shut down your factory when the sun goes behind a cloud or the wind stops blowing, and thats exactly the problem that we focused on. While the word battery most likely evokes the chemical kind found in cars and electronics in 2023, hot rocks currently store ten times as much energy as lithium ion around the world, thanks to an invention from the 1800s known as Cowper stoves. Often found in smelting plants, these massive towers of stacked bricks absorb the wasted heat of a blast furnace until it heats to nearly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and then provides over 100 megawatts of heat energy for about 20 minutes. The process can be repeated 24 times a day for 30 years, and Antora is among the startups experimenting with different kinds of rocks in insulated boxes or molten salt in cylinders to find the most efficient combination. We were pretty intrigued by graphite for a number of reasons, Ponec said. The cheap and abundant carbon found in pencils which is also used to smelt aluminum and steel can hold so much heat, it glows hotter than the sun, he said. The key thing that those furnaces didnt have is a way to get the heat back out, he said. Weve added some cavities, some gaps in the carbon that allow light from deep within the system to shine out and some insulated doors that can open and close that allow that light to shine out when you want it. In the future, well be using that light not just to create steam, but to create much higher temperature heat for industries like cement and steel. Antora has managed to raise $80 million in seed money from investors that include Bill Gates, but their main competitor is another Bay Area startup called Rondo that uses abundant refractory brick, which is cheaper than carbon by weight but not as energy dense. Rondo has attracted even more funding than Antora and its first battery is producing commercial power for an ethanol plant in California. We had this breakthrough that lets us heat brick directly with infrared, invisible light from heating elements, Rondo CEO John ODonnell told CNN. Right away we knew with third-party engineering reports that this stuff is going to last 100 years. Tesla recently predicted a carbon-free world will need an astonishing 240 terawatt-hours of energy storage more than 340 times the amount of storage built with lithium-ion batteries in 2022. ODonnell predicts more than half of all that new capacity will come in the form of heat batteries, simply because the raw ingredients are so readily available. By plugging their factories into as many thermal batteries as they need, manufacturers wont have to wait in a years-long line for grid connections and upgrades. Given those financial considerations, the old phrase dumb as a box of rocks may have to be revised for this new industrial revolution. Exciting technologies are great if youre a venture capitalist and death if youre a banker, ODonnell said. And it is the bankers and the infrastructure finance folks that like this whole class of technologies. Its not particularly sexy, but thats a really good thing. Both companies do heat and power storage, said Jesse Jenkins, a professor of engineering at Princeton University. And I think like hydrogen, which similarly has a flexible role to play, it is this kind of long duration storage technology that Im most optimistic about. Jenkins, who specializes in macro-scale energy systems, is also a consultant for Rondo and says the hot rocks model has a distinct advantage over chemical batteries that can store power, but not heat. If you can do both, you can ride the cost curves and scaling advantages in the larger industrial sectors, whereas some of the more pure-play electrochemical battery companies are in a make-or-break moment, Jenkins told CNN. Both the Andora and Rondo CEOs attended the COP28 climate summit in Dubai where the power of Middle East petrostates was enough to weaken the global commitment to end fossil fuels. But both men came back enthused by the interest in their ideas and the dozens of other breakthroughs in clean energy. If youd asked me five or 10 years ago, I would have said, Im not sure we have everything we need to decarbonize, Ponec said strolling through the solar array that powers his battery while a gas-fired power plant sat quiet and idle nearby. But today, we have the tools we need. We just need to deploy them. The transition is inevitable. Its going to happen. And if you talk behind closed doors to most of the people in the fossil fuel industry, theyll say the same thing. This story was first published on CNN.com, "These hot rocks can glow brighter than the sun. They could also help spell the end of fossil fuels" Madison's Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler is the second longest-serving female mayor in the nation. She will be finishing out her 11th consecutive term in 2024. Known as Mayor Mary, she is credited with turning a small city with little or no identity into what it is today one of the most desirable cities in which to live in the state. Back in the 1980s, the city's budget was only a few hundred thousand dollars. It's now more than $30 million. In 1981, when Hawkins Butler became mayor of Madison, the city's population was 2,200. More than 40 years later, Madison's population is more than 25,000, and the city often makes lists as one of the most desirable places in which to live in the state. Madison has been listed in national publications. Family Circle magazine once listed Madison as one of the best places in the nation in which to raise a family, citing the city's strict building and zoning regulations, good schools, volunteerism and safety. But will Hawkins Butler run for a 12th term in 2025? "You know, I have always said the only way I am going to leave office is in a box, either a pine box or the ballot box," Hawkins Butler said this week. "So, the answer is I will be running in 2025." Filing deadline is still more than a year away, but there is no hesitation for Hawkins Butler, who ran unopposed in 2021 and there is no one who has suggested they might run against her in 2025. Hawkins Butler said she still has more to accomplish on the job, and she still has goals, whether stated or that she has in her mind. "I don't think the job is ever really complete," Hawkins Butler said. "We have always been a little town with a big vision. We have always wanted to be unique and special in Mississippi." Mary Hawkins Butler, one of the longest-serving mayors in the country, plans to run for her 12th term in office as mayor of Madison. I've always said that theres only two ways Ill go out of the mayors office and that will be a box, whether its a ballot box or a pine box," Hawkins Butler said Monday, Dec. 11, at city hall. Hawkins Butler has always made sure that her mark is on everything that comes to Madison. The city requires that businesses conform to a specific exterior architecture look if they want to be a part of the city. When Walmart wanted to come to Madison in the early 2000s, she battled it tooth and nail to conform to her vision. Virtually everyone thought she would eventually back down. When Walmart opened in 2003, it was unlike any other Walmart in Mississippi because of its red brick walls and white Doric columns, which were demanded by Hawkins Butler. Cities and towns throughout the nation now mimic Madison in the way they build their communities. "We wanted to build something unique and special in Mississippi. We always wanted to build a place that people want to call home," Hawkins Butler said. "We redefined economic development. We said housing would be our industry and people would be our business. We wanted to build this place in the Metro area and in Mississippi where people want to live and raise their children." New eatery slated for Madison: 'Right time in the right location': New Thai restaurant is coming to Madison. See where More shopping in Madison: New shopping area opens in Madison. See what shops and restaurants it has She has helped remake downtown Madison as new businesses continue to open and much of that is her fighting to keep five-lane traffic out of that area and making sure Madison Parkway was built to bypass the historic area. "We knew it was the right thing to do," Hawkins Butler said. "People want to be able to walk and shop and feel safe. We wanted to slow down the traffic in those areas, not have more traffic." It has paid off with projects like developer Greg Johnston's Magnolia District in Downtown Madison, which will be home to The Foxtail Restaurant. When up and running, The Foxtail will offer craft cocktails, raw oysters, fresh seafood and other eats in a 10,000 square foot facility. Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler flips through one of her scrapbooks at city hall on Monday, Dec. 11. The scrapbooks trace her career from antique dealer to alderman to mayor. "They will be a great catalyst not only for our development, but also the citys Madison at Main project that adjoins us," Johnston said. The Madison at Main project has had its ups and downs. A version of it was proposed in 2020 and was slated to be a $100 million mixed-use development that would become the heart of the city's downtown district. The city block of developments will be bound by Madison Street to the north, Madison Avenue to the south and Highway 51 to the east. The project fell through during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hawkins Butler is as bullish as ever about the project. "It's not what it was but we feel like in the end it will be even better than we originally planned for," she said. "We don't have anything to announce yet, but we are working with several developers and business owners on that end." Some may call her stubborn. Some may call her patient. Whatever the case, it has paid off. When Chipotle opened in Madison in October, it looked like none other with Corinthian columns and a brick facade. "We have put policies in place that protect property values and make for a safe community," Hawkins Butler said. "We came to this wanting to creating our own market where people wanted to come and businesses wanted to come. We think we have done that." She said she has taken some heat for that over the years. "Yes, I was a little young (27 years old) when I took over here," Hawkins Butler said. "But I looked at other places and saw what I wanted Madison to be. I don't think I have strayed from what my original vision was and I will never stray from that. That is my duty to the people who live here." Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mary Hawkins Butler will run for mayor again in 2025 CHARLOTTE (BLACK & BLUE KICKOFF LIVE) The Panthers finally return to Bank of America Stadium for the first time in nearly a month to face their third straight NFC South opponent. This time, its against the Atlanta Falcons whom they met in week 1 and lost 24-10. All three NFC South rivals are now tied atop the division, and it could be the Panthers defense that steps up to play spoiler in week 15. STARING TODAY: Verizon, Panthers unveiling facial recognition new ticket entry at Bank of America Stadium Both teams are in the bottom 10 in points scored per game, both averaging less than 20 points and the weather conditions for Sunday certainly wont be favorable for either offense. On defense, however, the Panthers rank in the top 5 in total yards allowed per game, averaging just under 298.4 yards. Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Burns needs just one more tackle for loss to pass Kawann Short for fourth all-time in team history. Dean Smith named next Charlotte FC coach Atlanta got the best of Carolina in week 1, but the Panthers won the last time the two met in Charlotte in 2022 with a final score of 25-15. The Falcons lead the all-time regular season series 36-21. The week 15 contest between the Panthers and the Falcons starts at 1 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium on WJZY. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Around 200 relatives of Ukrainian soldiers who had defended Mariupol and are now held in Russian captivity have gathered for a demonstration in Zaporizhzhia to draw public attention to the issue of prisoner exchanges in the hope of speeding up the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) to Ukraine. Source: Ukrinform news agency Details: The organisers said that the last prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was held in June. They added that over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers are currently held in Russian captivity. Demonstrators held placards with slogans and names of their relatives, or their photos. Kids joined their families to attend the demonstrations. Posters read, from left to right: "Captivity: 1 day = 1 year", "Some people are waiting for the holidays, Im waiting for my dad to return from captivity", "Dont forget Azovstal heroes" and "My father, my hero, is still in captivity!" All photos: Ukrinform Ukrinform said that some women whose partners serve in the military gave birth after their partners were imprisoned, and their kids have not had a chance to meet their fathers. Demonstrators created an installation in front of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast State Administration building: a Christmas tree fashioned out of barbed wire, as a reminder that some Ukrainian soldiers are about to meet another Christmas in captivity. " ". pic.twitter.com/IUP8afdSRC Ukrinform (@UKRINFORM) December 17, 2023 Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that sometimes prisoner-of-war exchanges with Russia take place on the battlefield. Support UP or become our patron! My family has always spent Christmas at home, but last year, we took a 10-day cruise. While we enjoyed the trip, we realized how much we loved our Christmas traditions at home. I would go on another Caribbean cruise, but never again over the Christmas holiday. Christmas is my favorite holiday to celebrate with my family. We put up our holiday decorations right before Thanksgiving, we regularly wear Christmas pajamas and ugly Christmas sweaters, and I move the Elf on the Shelf every night, even though my teenagers have long since caught on to the game. But last year, we decided to do something different for Christmas: a 10-day cruise through the Caribbean. Since the birth of my now 15-year-old son, we had never spent a Christmas away from our home. But we were all curious about whether we'd enjoy waking up in Turks and Caicos on December 25 instead of sitting on the floor around our Christmas tree, opening gifts in our pajamas. We decided to go for it and planned to spend more than a week on a cruise, visiting destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Bonaire, and Aruba. While the trip wasn't all bad, I don't think we'd travel on Christmas again. Here's what we liked and what we didn't during our holiday at sea. The crew helped make the ship feel distinctly Christmassy The author's family on their Christmas cruise. Courtesy of Terri Peters We sailed aboard Holland America's Nieuw Statendam, on which the crew did plenty to give the trip a festive vibe. The ship had lots of decorations, including Christmas trees and a gingerbread holiday village, and most nights, there were holiday-themed photo ops. There was even a Christmas Eve dinner in the main dining room with holiday dishes from all over the world. My teenagers no longer believe in Santa, but I loved watching the younger kids get excited when the ship's captain came on the loudspeaker on Christmas Eve to give updates tracking the man in red. Crew members also gave out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve so kids could leave them out for Santa. I've cruised many times on non-holidays, but seeing these extra touches made the trip feel special. I packed an entire suitcase with gifts and holiday decorations The author's packable Christmas tree and presents for her family. Courtesy of Terri Peters I offered to let my kids open their Christmas gifts before our trip, but they were adamant that they wanted to open them on Christmas morning or else "it wouldn't feel like Christmas." Luckily, since they wanted gifts such as video games and leggings, their presents were small enough that I could wrap them and pack them in a suitcase. Following the advice of a friend who'd cruised on Christmas, I also brought a tiny, packable Christmas tree and ornaments, along with a few other holiday decorations to put in our room. I also packed our copy of "The Night Before Christmas" since we read it every Christmas Eve and take a photo together with it. Bringing little bits of our traditions on board the ship helped make it feel more like Christmas. It felt like a novelty to lay on the beach on Christmas Day The author enjoying a rum cocktail at a beach bar in the Turks and Caicos. Courtesy of Terri Peters We spent Christmas Day at a beach bar on Grand Turk, an island in Turks and Caicos, which was surreal. While my brain knew it was Christmas I had just watched my kids open gifts in their holiday pajamas, after all it didn't feel like a holiday. We sipped rum-based drinks under beach umbrellas and swam in blue water. Our Christmas meal was jerk chicken and fried conch instead of the turkey and sides we usually prepared at home. Despite the differences, one part of the day was the same: My daughter made a friend on board, and her family joined us for the celebrations. Since we live far from our families, we're used to spending the holidays with friends, and having our new friends along for the ride felt fitting. We all agreed that we missed being at home on Christmas The author reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with her children. Courtesy of Terri Peters As a mom, I've always prioritized making the holidays special and memorable for my kids. On Christmas and the days leading up to it, we observe a myriad of traditions, from attending church together on Christmas Eve to cooking a huge meal to share with friends on Christmas Day. Being unable to do many of our normal things created a void; I realized how important these small rituals were to me, and I missed them. My husband and kids agreed with me. They even acknowledged that while they might not have previously realized how hard I had worked over the years to create these holiday traditions, they felt their absence while we were away. We realized that while we enjoyed cruising together as a family, we loved the life we'd built inside our home. Moms rarely know whether the things they do for their families are appreciated or even noticed. Hearing my family express sadness that we weren't doing random acts of kindness on Christmas Eve another tradition or playing a board game together on Christmas night made me realize they'd come to expect that I would facilitate a special Christmas season for them every year. While I missed doing these things with my family while we were cruising through the Caribbean, I think I'll appreciate them even more this year now that I've heard how much my family appreciates them. I'll probably even continue to move that creepy Elf on the Shelf because it's a tradition my kids feel tethered to. I'd take a 10-day cruise again, but would rather spend Christmas at home The author and her family during a cruise. Courtesy of Terri Peters I love cruising with my family. It's my favorite way to vacation with them since it requires much less planning than a vacation we schedule on our own. It's so relaxing to book excursions and let the cruise line handle all the logistics. I won't give up my love of hopping on a cruise ship, but the experience did teach me that my family and I prefer to celebrate the holidays in our own home. But despite what we missed, the trip was filled with memories we'll cherish forever. The author and her family feeding monkeys. Courtesy of Terri Peters We still talk about visiting a donkey sanctuary in Aruba, feeding monkeys in the Dominican Republic, and marveling at the salt flats in Bonaire. So no, I don't regret taking the trip I just regret the timing. Read the original article on Business Insider High school seniors nationwide are in the final weeks before college and university applications typically come due. While early decision deadlines have long since passed, most schools have deadlines in early January for regular admission. Doug Christiansen, who serves as the dean of admission at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, said the school usually receives around 46,000 applications each year. More than half of those come in between December and January. As students pace through the college application crunch, Christiansen offered some expert advice on how to tailor their applications, along with tips for younger students who are still in the search process. A graduate waves during the Page High School graduation on May 25, 2023, in Franklin, Tenn. Tips for college applications, essays Be authentic to who you are Writing an essay can seem daunting to applicants, especially as they're eager to impress. Christiansen encourages applicants to stick with their strong suits. If a student is naturally funny, weave that into the essay. But if not, he says, it's best to stick with the applicant's true personality. "Don't try to write it to what you think the admissions committee wants," he said. It's also a good idea for applicants to have someone review an essay, but not to override a student's personal style. "Don't ever lose your voice in the essay," Christiansen said. Demonstrate growth, not just skills or activities When listing or writing about extracurricular activities, along with academic achievements, Christiansen encourages applicants to choose things that not only show what they've learned but also how they've grown through those things. Students walk past the Faye and Joe Wyatt Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. "We would much prefer someone who's ... really developed a passion," he said. "Maybe they started as a (club) member, then they move to a leadership role, then a more senior leadership role. What we're looking for is those students who have made a difference." Applicants can also ask people who know them well to look over their lists of extracurriculars and accomplishments to make sure they didn't forget anything important. Include your work history Some applicants may have fewer traditional extracurricular activities to list, like clubs or community service, because they chose or needed to work to help support themselves or their families. But seeing an applicant's consistency and growth through work experience is valuable for admissions committees, Christiansen said. Don't procrastinate As students finish up exams and the flurry of activities that come with the holiday seasons, Christiansen encourages them to not lose focus on their applications. "Get it done and enjoy your winter break," he said. "Don't wait till the last minute, because it just brings undue stress. What to consider in the college search process Aim for the best match, but be open It can be tempting to get fixated on only a handful of schools, Christiansen said, but it's important to consider a variety as students first start the search process. He encourages students to start with a larger list and then whittle it down to what schools they want to visit and ultimately apply to. He also encourages students to remain open to local or in-state schools, even if they're eager to leave home. "It's really important to think about what is the best fit for you," he said. "Where will you thrive as a student?" A person walks in front of a mural on the Wiser-Patten Science Hall at Middle Tennessee State University on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. While Christiansen says it's important to start with a wide variety of schools, students should be judicious in how many applications they submit as they narrow the search. "I've seen so many students that apply to way too many schools get admitted to most of them, and they're paralyzed when they have to make a decision," he said. Start looking, visiting as early as you can It's a good idea to start looking at schools by junior year, if not sooner, according to Christiansen. It's also a good idea to visit campuses as soon as possible. While information online and virtual visits are helpful tools, physically visiting a campus, when possible, can give students a sense of the surrounding area, the atmosphere of the school and even the weather especially if it's different than what a student is used to. Students walk by the pedestrian bridge as they head to class during the first day of the fall semester on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Don't rule out schools based on finances During the search process, some students may skip over schools they assume are too expensive for them. However, a wide variety of grants, scholarships and other financial aid are available for prospective students. It's important to research those options thoroughly, Christiansen said. "Just because you think it's expensive, don't eliminate it early," he said. "Be focused on your grades. Be focused on your academics." Looking for more college application tips? Vanderbilt offers a free resource for people in the college search and application process. Visit admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/expert-advice to learn more. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Feeling the college application crunch? Here are a few tips. Georgian film director Otar Iosseliani, known for films such as Pastorale and Favourites of the Moon, has died at the age of 89. His death was announced by his friend, the photographer Yuri Rost. Born in the Soviet Union, Iosseliani spent most of his career in France, where he gained a wider audience making films which were more overtly critical of the country he had left. He focused on everyday life, but with a detached and sometimes sarcastic style. "We are grieving. Otar Iosseliani, the great film director, an amazing person and my very close friend, has gone," Rost wrote in his Telegram channel. Georgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili said he was deeply saddened by the news of Iosseliani's death, describing him as an "honoured figure" of Georgian art. Born in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, Iosseliani made his first full-length film Falling Leaves in 1966. It received two awards at the Cannes film festival. He moved to France in 1982 after the success of his film Pastorale at the Berlin film festival. He had despaired of achieving success in his home country, which gave the film only a limited release. Favourites of the Moon, made in 1984, won the Special Jury prize at Venice, and since then the festival has become a showcase for his films. In 2011 he was given a lifetime achievement award at the Munich International Film Festival. Police said that there were no people inside Ross Lake House in Galway at the time of the fire A 19th-century hotel in Galway that was due to house dozens of asylum seekers was destroyed by a fire on Saturday night. Irelands police have opened an investigation into criminal damage after an anti-migrant protest outside the hotel hours earlier. The fire broke out at about 11.35pm before being brought under control by emergency services. Photos show the inside of the building consumed by fire and smoke billowing from the roof. No one was inside the building at the time. The fire in Galway came after anti-migrant riots in Dublin last month - Brian Lawless/PA It comes after riots convulsed Dublin last month, following a knife attack on three children and a woman that was initially blamed on a foreign national. A small but vocal minority took to social media to instigate the worst night of rioting the Irish capital has witnessed in decades. Their fury was stoked by unsubstantiated online reports that the man who attacked the children was from Algeria. As hundreds of rioters descended on the capital, police were attacked, vehicles set on fire and shops looted. On Saturday, protesters gathered outside Ross Lake House to form a blockade and voice opposition to the governments plan to house migrants there. The hotel has been inactive for years but was due to house 70 asylum seekers from next Thursday. A spokesman for Gardai said: Gardai are investigating a criminal damage incident by fire which occurred at a premises in Rosscahill, Co Galway on Saturday, 17th December 2023. The incident happened at around 11.35pm and afterwards fire services brought the fire under control. There were no persons inside the building at the time of the incident. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will take place later today. Deeply disturbing news Roderic OGorman, a member of parliament for the Green Party, said: Deeply disturbing news from Galway last night. Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear-mongering that led to it. 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 explosion and fire forced the evacuation of a fabric plant in Rutherfordton on Friday afternoon, according to our news partners at WLOS in Ashville. ALSO READ: Explosion in south Charlotte part of planned demolition According to Rutherford County Emergency Management, a 911 call was received just after 1 p.m. about a fire and explosion at Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics on Railroad Avenue. WLOS reports Rutherfordton Fire & Rescue crews got to the scene minutes after the call and saw flames pouring out of the plant. Crews identified the chemicals that caused the fire as methyl ethyl ketone and a toluene solution. WLOS reports that a half-mile evacuation zone was set in place around the plant as firefighters worked to control the blaze. According to WLOS, the fire was under control by 1:30 p.m., and then the evacuation zone was reduced to 1,000 feet. Hazmat crews got to the scene and began working with the company to contain the leak. Around 5 p.m. on Friday, officials said the leak and runoff were 100% contained. WLOS reports that just after 4:30 p.m., the Rutherfordton Police Department said the evacuation area was lifted and everyone could go back to their homes or businesses. ALSO READ: Fire started by candle caused $1M in damage to Charlotte apartments According to WLOS reports, the HR director for Trelleborg, David Keating, said no one was hurt in the fire. Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics released a statement about the incident: Around 1 p.m. today, there was a fire at our Rutherfordton, NC, facility. We are very thankful that there were no injuries and that the fire was fully extinguished. We appreciate the swift response from the Rutherfordton Fire Department and other first responders in containing the situation. We have begun an investigation and are cooperating fully with the authorities. Again, we are thankful for the response and support of our local first responders and that there were no injuries. WLOS was able to speak with Cynthia Ballard, who lives near the plant. She said police were going door-to-door earlier Friday, asking residents to evacuate. Ballard and her family live a half-mile from the plant and were asked to evacuate their home. A representative for Trinity Christian School, a private school less than a mile from the plant, told WLOS that the school was also evacuated on Friday. (WATCH BELOW: Woman hurt after cigarette ignites fumes, causes explosion inside car) Congo's 'sapeurs' are known for their elegant clothing and sense of style (JUNIOR KANNAH) The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is a huge and varied country with a turbulent political history, which is currently ravaged by conflict in its east. Here are five things to know about this central African nation: - Continent-sized - The DRC spans over 2.34 million square kilometres (904,000 square miles) -- roughly the size of continental western Europe. The second-largest African country in terms of surface area, it is also the fourth most populous state on the continent, with an estimated 100 million inhabitants. Some 250 different ethnic groups live in the DRC, speaking hundreds of different languages. French is the country's official language, and local tongues Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili are also officially recognised. Despite its size and diversity -- the former province of Katanga tried to secede in the 1960s -- there is a fierce sense of national unity. - Mineral wealth, dire poverty - The DRC is awash with minerals and precious stones, from gold, diamonds and coltan to tin, copper and cobalt. Harbouring the Congo River -- the second-largest in Africa after the Nile -- the DRC also has huge hydroelectric potential, as well as 80 million hectares (197 million acres) of arable land. But decades of war, corruption and chronic mismanagement means that little of the country's enormous wealth trickles down to the population. About two-thirds of the Congolese population survive on under $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank. - Turbulent politics - The DRC has a history of turbulent politics. Two of its governments have been overthrown violently: in 1965 and then in 1997. Two of the country's leaders have also been assassinated: Patrice Lumumba in 1961 and Laurent-Desire Kabila in 2001. Elections are often marked by violence. The vote that brought incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi to power in 2018 marked the first peaceful changeover in Congolese history -- although the results were fiercely disputed. According to the interior ministry, there are 910 registered political parties in the country. With three days to go before polling day, there are 19 candidates vying for the presidency, in a single-round vote held on the same day as the legislative, provincial and municipal elections. - Conflict - Two major wars devastated the DRC in its recent history. The First Congo War, which lasted between 1996-1997, culminated in the overthrow of former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. The Second Congo War, from 1998 to 2003, drew in nine African states and saw the proliferation of dozens of militia groups. Most of the DRC has returned to relative stability. But its mineral-rich east -- bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi -- remains plagued by armed groups and brutal violence, a legacy of the recent regional wars. - Rumba, survival - Congolese people are renowned for their sense of humour and resourcefulness in the face of trying conditions. Many jokingly refer to "Article 15" of the constitution, which purports to instruct citizens to sort things out themselves. Music also plays an outsize role in the country's culture. UNESCO listed Congolese rumba as intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2021. Congo is also famed for its so-called sapeurs -- dandies known for their ultra-elegant clothing and sense of style. bur-at/eml/pvh FLORIDA - Deputies are searching for a man who allegedly stole an entire cash register from a Flagler County Walmart, a Florida man was arrested after he fired gunshots in a neighborhood during a Christmas parade because he was agitated, a Florida man was arrested for allegedly shooting at CVS employees after refusing to pay for wine, and a Florida man in a stolen ambulance led deputies on a chase straight to the sheriff's office: Here's FOX 35's Week in Review. Florida deputies on the hunt for man accused of making off with entire cash register from Walmart The Flagler County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help to identify this subject wanted for stealing a cash register from Walmart on December 10, 2023, at approximately 8:25pm. If you recognize this individual, please contact us! : Call FCSO at 386-313-4911 : pic.twitter.com/Om4DJ4WYRv Flagler County Sheriffs Office (@FlaglerSheriff) December 11, 2023 Flagler County deputies are on the hunt for a man who is accused of stealing an entire cash register from Walmart. Deputies shared a photo of the man on social media on Monday, which shows him wearing a red long-sleeve shirt and holding a cash register as he leaves the store. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office did not specify which Walmart this alleged theft happened at, but they did say it happened Sunday at around 8:25 p.m. Anyone with information about this theft is urged to contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911. Florida man gets 'agitated' by neighborhood Christmas parade, fires off several gunshots: deputies Photo: Clay County Sheriff's Office A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly fired off several shots during a neighborhood Christmas parade because he became "agitated" at what parade-goers were doing, according to deputies. Douglas Moore, 43, was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol after the incident that unfolded in the 4100 block of County Road 218 in Middleburg on Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. As the Middleburg Christmas Parade was underway Saturday evening, deputies and SWAT Team members responded to a location along the parade route after several gunshots were heard. Middleburg is located about 30 miles southwest of Jacksonville. According to deputies, Moore "became agitated by the activities generated by parade attendees." That's when he discharged a pistol several times while walking onto the property where a group of people were. The arrest affidavit noted that no victims or witnesses ever entered Moore's property. Florida man shoots at CVS employees after refusing to pay for wine, deputies say: 'He was trying to kill us' Photo: Orange County Sheriff's Office A Florida man has found himself behind bars after allegedly snatching a bottle of wine from an Orlando CVS Pharmacy and shooting at employees who confronted him about it, according to deputies. Dylan Mosley, 30, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, discharging a firearm in public, two counts of attempted second degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm after the incident that unfolded at CVS at 7300 Curry Ford Road in Orlando just after 1:45 a.m. on Monday, according to an arrest affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to CVS at 1:48 a.m. in reference to an armed robbery. When they arrived, deputies met with an employee who said a customer, later identified as Mosley, walked in, grabbed a bottle of wine and then left the store without paying for it, the affidavit said. \ Two employees went to the front of the store to confront Mosley, who continued to walk across the parking lot. One of the employees asked Mosley if he was going to pay for the wine, and that's when he allegedly turned around and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at them. He then fired off a round in their direction, deputies said. In the affidavit, a deputy noted he heard two separate gunshots. Florida man in stolen ambulance leads deputies on chase... straight to sheriff's office, officials say Photo: Columbia County Sheriff's Office A Florida man has found himself in hot water after he allegedly took the wheel of a responding ambulance and led deputies on a pursuit to the local sheriff's office, according to officials. Stanley Williams, 35, is accused of grand theft and fleeing and eluding after the incident that unfolded Saturday night in Columbia County, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. Shortly before midnight, a deputy was helping EMS with a subject experiencing an "altered mental state," deputies said. He was also allegedly possibly under the influence of drugs in the area of SE Baya Avenue and SR-100. That subject, identified as Williams, somehow gained access to the inside of the ambulance and wound up driving away from the scene, according to deputies. Deputies followed in pursuit of the stolen ambulance. During the pursuit, the ambulance hit a curb which caused damage to the tire, deputies said. Williams drove the stolen ambulance to the entrance of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Operations Center on U.S. 90 East, according to the press release. He drove onto the front lawn and stopped near the main entrance. He was taken into custody before being admitted to a local hospital for further evaluation. Charges are being filed and referred to the State Attorney's Office. Disclaimer: These are a collection of crime-related stories that have been featured on FOX 35. The info is from law enforcement sources, news releases, arrest affidavits, or online records. All are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. (CNN) Arzo is so weak she spends most of her day lying on a thin mattress in a dimly lit room under a ceiling fan that steadily circulates the polluted air of Pakistans largest city. To pass the time, she watches makeup videos on her cellphone, the glow of the screen illuminating the faded freckles of a teenager whose skin now rarely sees the sun. Arzo is a long way from her home in Afghanistan, where she lived with her parents before being smuggled across the border for medical treatment. Her older brother and sister, Ahamad and Mahsa, now care for her in a rented room in Karachi, their temporary refuge from life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Dont worry, whispers Ahamad, as he kisses Arzos hand. You will be fine. Dont worry, we are with you always. Im hoping you will be fine soon. CNN is not using Arzos or her siblings real names because they fear reprisals from the Taliban, and being discovered by Pakistani officials, who have deported more than 26,000 Afghans since announcing a crackdown on undocumented migrants in October. Being forcibly returned to Afghanistan would mean certain death for the 15-year-old, her siblings say, because she needs medical care they say isnt available in their home country. The siblings dont normally talk about why their little sister is so unwell they dont want to upset her. As they told CNN their story, Arzo silently wept. A girl with ambition Arzo dances barefoot in jeans to pop music with her sisters inside a home in Afghanistan. She smiles as she twists her hands in time with the beat. Ahamad said the video was filmed six months after the Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021. Schools were closed but his sisters were confident they would reopen. They didnt. Instead, the Taliban gradually reimposed the repressive policies that shrank the role of women in society during their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, despite assurances they wouldnt. Women are banned from most workplaces, universities, national parks, gyms and going anywhere in public without a male chaperone. And girls are no longer educated beyond sixth grade. Mahsa had already graduated high school, but Arzo still had three years ahead of her. When their village school closed, their worried father sent his daughters to study English at an education center in Kabul, but that soon shut, too. Back at home, Mahsa took up tailoring to pass the time. But Arzo drifted deeper into depression. Most of the time she said, I hope we should move from this place, I dont want to be here, there is no education and I want to become a doctor, Mahsa recalled Arzo saying. One day in July, Mahsa walked downstairs to find her sister staring at her with bulging eyes. I asked her, What happened to you? She said that she drank acid. I didnt believe it, so I put my fingers in her mouth and she vomited up blood, Mahsa said. Doctors see rise in suicides Experts say reliable statistics on suicide and suicide attempts arent compiled in Afghanistan, but rights groups and doctors say theyve seen an increase under Taliban rule. Dr. Shikib Ahmadi has been working six days a week and longer hours than ever, seeing patients at a mental health clinic in Afghanistans western Herat province. Hes using a pseudonym because he fears the Taliban will punish him for speaking to foreign media. Ahmadi said the number of female patients at his clinic has surged 40% to 50% since the Talibans takeover two years ago. Around 10% of those patients kill themselves, he said. Their lives restricted by the Taliban, girls and women are turning to cheap household items to attempt suicide, he said. Rat poison, liquid chemicals, cleaning fluids, and farming fertilizer anything they think will ease their grief. Ahmadi says he tries to tell them things will get better, that schools will reopen, that they can work at home while they wait, tailoring or doing something that gives them purpose. But the truth is he doesnt know if classes will ever resume, and his own hope is fading. I dont see any good future for anyone in this country, he said. Another group of girls has just graduated from sixth grade the end of their education under Taliban rules. Ahmadi fears that will mean another wave of self-harm and suicide. Last year, everyone had a hope that next year the schools will be open. The government promised that they will open the schools, he said. But since this year, the schools are not open, so people lost their hopes. I feel like the number of suicides will increase. CNN has contacted the Taliban for comment about the reported rise in suicide among women. In a statement provided by the Talibans Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in January, the group claimed that female suicide rates had fallen since they came to power. In the last 20 years, there were many case (sic) of women committing suicide, but by the grace of Allah, we do not have such cases now, the statement said. The claim is contradicted by multiple reports, including from UN experts, who said in July that reports of depression and suicide are widespread, especially among adolescent girls prevented from pursuing education. The Talibans return Arzo was born in 2008, seven years after the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan and removed the Taliban leaders the US accused of harboring al Qaeda terrorists behind the 9/11 attacks. Under the Western-backed Afghan government, a devastating civil war raged for years, but life had nonetheless improved for Afghan women. Many started school, earned degrees and became role models for girls like Arzo and Mahsa. But everything changed in 2021 when the US and its allies started pulling out of Afghanistan, creating space for the resurgence of Taliban fighters, whod retreated to rural areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Back in power in the cities, the Taliban reimposed their radical Islamist ideology, carrying out extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, and unlawfully detaining anyone considered a threat to their leadership, according to rights groups. In the chaotic aftermath of the takeover, women were initially told to stay at home because the fighters were not trained to respect them. Restrictions were gradually tightened, and now millions of girls and women are largely confined to their own homes with the threat of punishment if they dont comply. Ayesha Ahmad, an associate professor in global health humanities at St. Georges University of London, was conducting in-depth interviews with women in Afghanistan who had fled domestic violence when the Taliban moved in. I will never forget the day of the takeover, the frantic calls and communications and the absolute terror that they were feeling because they knew what the reality would be, and they were right, she said. Now many more women are vulnerable to violence, she said, and some see suicide as the only escape, despite the cultural stigma and shame it would bring on their families. Suicide is a sin in Islam, and in this context of religious extremism, women are not going to be seen as a victim, she said. With little sympathy from the Taliban leaders who created this situation, Afghanistans women are looking outside their country for support. Heather Barr, associate director of the womens rights division at Human Rights Watch, said Afghan women worry the world is beginning to accept that whats happening to them is normal. Everyones kind of shrugging and saying, Well, its Afghanistan. It should be intolerable to all of us. Because what happens in Afghanistan, and how the international community does or doesnt respond, has huge implications for womens rights globally, she said. We have to be saying to our governments that this cant be seen as normal. This cant be treated as just one more country with a domestic issue. I cry for her future Ahamad wasnt in Afghanistan in July when his sister drank the acid. He had already fled to Pakistan, fearing retribution from the Taliban for his work as a journalist before they took power. He told CNN his father and uncle took Arzo to a local doctor, who gave her some medicine and told them to go to Kabul if her condition worsened. It did. In Kabul, a doctor said the acid had damaged her esophagus and stomach and she was unlikely to survive surgery. So, they decided to take her to Pakistan, where Ahamad was waiting with a doctor. Ahamad then took Arzo to Karachi, where another doctor inserted a feeding tube into her stomach. That was three months ago. Since then, Ahamad says Arzo has steadily lost weight and now weighs about 25 kilograms or 55 pounds. Her situation is not good at all. The doctors installed the pipe to her stomach for feeding so she can gain weight and be ready for the real operation, in January, Ahamad said. Maybe she wont gain weight, he said. And maybe they wont do the operation. Mahsa sits on the bed, her needle piercing fabric with enough precision to keep her mind focused on the task. She would like to return to study, but right now caring for her sister is all that matters. I cant sleep at night because she is in pain, Mahsa said. The siblings know theyre taking a huge risk by speaking out they fear the Talibans reach in Pakistan and for their parents, who are still living in Afghanistan. But theyre desperate. Neither can work, the siblings say, and they dont have the $5,000 needed for Arzos surgery, as well as money for the room, food for themselves and the cans of powdered milk and juice they need to keep her weight from dropping. They dont want to think about what happens if the last of their money runs out, or if the Pakistani police come knocking on the door. Since October, when Pakistans government announced it was no longer tolerating the presence of undocumented Afghans, nearly 400,000 have returned to Afghanistan, according to the UNs High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Most left voluntarily, driven away by the fear of arrest, according to a joint statement from UN agencies. In October, the UNs OCHR urged Pakistan to halt the removals, warning that those who returned were at grave risk of human rights violations. The most vulnerable included civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, former government officials and security force members, and of course women and girls as a whole, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva. Pakistan has defended its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), saying in a statement that its compliant with applicable international norms and principles. Ahamad wants a safe place to go with his sisters, where they can rebuild their lives, resume their studies, and start to work as theyd always planned to do. He knows that returning to Afghanistan is not an option for his sisters, especially Arzo, who cries with despair at the suggestion. If she returns to Afghanistan, she will face the same fate. It would be better to live in a peaceful country and continue her education and proper treatment, Ahamad said. For now, they live within the four walls of a room heavy with grief for the girl who used to dance barefoot but now struggles to find the strength to lift her head. I dont cry in front of her, but I kiss her and cry while she sleeps at night, for her future, for her treatment, so she can survive this sickness, said Ahamad. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Oppressed by the Taliban, she swallowed acid. Now her siblings are trying to save her life" DELTONA, Fla. - A 5-year-old Florida girl managed to find a shotgun hidden under a bed Saturday morning and then accidentally shot herself in the leg, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Deputies said the girl found the shotgun under a family member's bed at a home in Deltona, Florida, which is north of downtown Orlando, and "sustained an accidental gunshot wound to her leg." Volusia County deputies rushed to the home and quickly administered first aid and a tourniquet to the girl's leg. The girl was "conscious and alert, but bleeding," VSO said in an update posted on social media. She was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital. Deputies then released nearly two minutes of video from one of the deputy's bodyworn cameras. Most of the video was blurred by VSO, but the audio was kept, which appears to show the interactions between first responders and the little girl. Deputy: Where is she? Where is she? Deputy: Let me see, sweetie. Let me see. Girl: Right there. Deputy: Get the tourniquet. Get the tourniquet. Deputy: Push it down hard. Go, go, go, go! First responder: This is gonna hurt. OK. Deputy: This is gonna hurt. Alright? A moment later, the girl briefly yells, according to the video. Deputy: We got ya. You're alright sweetheart. Don't look at it. First responder: Hold my hand. Hold my hand. You're going to be alright. The hair on the back of my neck stood up listening to these deputies render aid to this 5-year-old girl Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood The hair on the back of my neck stood up listening to these deputies render aid to this 5-year-old girl. What an outstanding example of decisive action and compassion by all involved. THANK YOU for once again making me so proud to be a part of @VolusiaSheriff https://t.co/p0wpsZXCyT Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) December 17, 2023 Medical staff at Arnold Palmer Hospital reportedly told VSO staff that their quick response and the tourniquet likely saved the young girl's life. No arrests or charges have been made. VSO detectives are reviewing the facts of the case and will present those findings to the State Attorney's Office, who will then ultimately decide whether to pursue formal charges, a news release said. A 40-pound boa constrictor was captured in the middle of a road in Florida last week after firefighters got a call about the invasive snake threatening a group of peafowl, officials said. A distress call had alerted fire officials about a "sizable python" that was "menacing" the peafowl around noon Wednesday in Palmetto, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said. Officials said when Lt. Christopher Pecori from the departments Venom One Response team arrived at the scene, he identified the snake as a red tail boa constrictor, which is a species non-native to Florida. "The Venom One Response officer promptly headed to the scene and recognized the formidable serpent as an invasive Red Tail Boa Constrictor, measuring about eight feet in length and weighing around 40 pounds," the department wrote on Instagram. CALIFORNIA MAN SHOOTS BEAR THAT BIT HIM, HAD 'STANDOFF' WITH HIS DOG The 8-foot, 40-pound red tail boa was "menacing" a group of unsuspecting peafowl in Palmetto, Florida, fire officials said. The department released video of the lieutenant "skillfully" capturing the snake in a tarp as the peafowl congregated nearby. Officials said the encounter showcased "the danger [the red tail boa constrictors] pose to local wildlife." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A member of the Venom One Response team captured the snake using a tarp. The invasive snake was removed from the residential area and will be handed over to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for "further processing," fire officials said. 3 COYOTE ATTACKS REPORTED IN PHOENIX; 4-YEAR-OLD AMONG VICTIMS BITTEN The boa constrictor is native to Central and South America but appears to have been breeding in Florida for at least 10 years, according to the FWC. The snake was removed from the residential area and given over to wildlife authorities for "further processing," according to fire officials. The University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation says on its website that the snake was introduced in southern Florida likely as a result of "the unethical and illegal release of pet snakes," and has established a population in Miami-Dade County, CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The red tail boa can give birth to 15 to 40 live young. The species eats lizards, birds, and mammals both on the ground and in trees, according to the FWC. Original article source: Florida firefighter captures 40-pound boa constrictor menacing peafowl in middle of road: video About four hours after the polls closed on Election Day, the major TV networks and the Associated Press declared a winner in the crucially important and always bitterly contested state of Florida. And that was it. There were no takebacks. No corrections. No recounts. No need for the intervention of the U.S. Supreme Court. Other aspects of the 2020 presidential election would carry on chaotically for weeks, then months, as partisans agonized over in-person vote tallies, mail-in ballots, and state-level certifications of official results. But in Floridayes, Floridathe election could hardly have gone more smoothly. That's not usually notable. We expect states to handle elections and compute the results with minimal fuss and chaos. The electoral system is, in some sense, the most fundamental aspect of a democratic governmentone that, when it fails, puts into jeopardy everything else that government might aspire to do and be. That's why the 2000 presidential election in Florida is infamous. For five weeks, the inability to determine who had won the state's electoral votesand with them, the presidencylaid bare just how contingent this whole democracy thing can be. There was a silver lining to that calamitous moment. In the months after the news cameras turned away from Florida's election officials, then-Gov. Jeb Bush pushed for changes that would hopefully ensure there'd never be a repeat performance. With the experience of the 2000 election constantly hanging over the state, Florida's leaders have made running smooth elections a point of pride. The state has been at the forefront of policy changes that make it easier for residents to vote and easier for officials to tabulate the results. It all came together in 2020. More than 11 million people voted in Florida that yearonly California and Texas had more ballots to count. Incredibly, 93 percent of that total was publicly reported by 9:30 p.m. on November 3, just 90 minutes after polls had closed across the state. (National media outlets, perhaps burned by prior experience, didn't officially call the state for then-President Donald Trump until close to midnight. But they probably could have done so sooner.) By comparison, Pennsylvania still had around 25 percent of its vote total left to count at 9 a.m. on the morning after Election Day. The Keystone State quickly became ground zero for legal wrangling over the results and attendant conspiracy theories. The day after the election, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said, "I think we finally vanquished the ghost of Bush v. Gore," as he praised state and local officials for their speedy, efficient vote counting. Counting votes accurately is, of course, the most important part of managing an election. Counting them quickly is important too, especially in an environment like the present, where partisans in politics and the media are eager to fan the flames of conspiracy theories when results take days or weeks to finalize. By failing to quickly tally the results of the 2020 election, some important swing states created an opportunity for Trump and his allies to sow chaos. They will likely have a similar opportunity in 2024. But if Florida can run a controversy-free election, shouldn't we expect the same everywhere? The Mess A few months after the 2000 election meltdown in Florida, USA Today interviewed a man who saw the disaster coming. Roy Saltman was an analyst working for the National Institute of Standards and Technology when he published a 132-page report in 1988 highlighting some of the potential problems with the widely used punch-card voting machines that played a starring role in the Florida fiasco. Based on problems that had occurred in lower-stakes elections throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Saltman noted that some so-called chadsthe tiny bits of paper that voters would punch out from the ballot cards to indicate their choicecould be incompletely punched out, leaving some voters' choices unclear or up to the discretion of election officials. The report included a clear recommendation: "that the use of pre-scored punch card ballots be ended." There were other factors in creating the perfect storm of election chaos in 2000: the premature decision by some media outlets to call the state for Al Gore, only to have to rescind that call as more votes were tallied on election night and George W. Bush took the lead; the infamous "butterfly ballots" that may have led some voters in Palm Beach County to accidentally vote for Reform Party nominee Pat Buchanan when they intended to vote for Gore; and, of course, the repeated interventions by both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court in regard to the length of the recount and its eventual end. But the "hanging chads" came to define the electionand for good reason. The other controversies were simply the result of a narrow election with incredibly high stakes: If Bush had won a bunch of other states too, few people would remember the media screwing up the call on Florida. The indelible image of the 2000 election was that of bleary-eyed election officials holding up punch cards meant to be read by computers, one after the other, for weeks on end. "The main thing I was asked to rule on is: What was the intent of the voters?" state Circuit Court Judge Jorge Labarga recalled for a 2020 piece in The Atlantic. "People don't always follow directions. Instead of just puncturing the hole for Al Gore, some people would write Al Gore. Or you could see where they tried to push the little chad throughthere's, like, a bulge in itbut it held in place. That would be a 'pregnant' chad. The question for me was: Do we have to have a complete removal of the chad? Or what about a person who wrote in the name Al Goredo we count that?" Election rules and equipment have one purpose: to accurately aggregate the will of the people. Instead, the punch-card ballots left some voters' decisions open to interpretationand they slowed the counting (and recounting) of votes, compounding the initial failure into a weekslong exercise in uncertainty. That was the true root of the chaos in the Florida recount. It wasn't a matter of simple recounting. Two people could look at the same stack of ballots and add them up differently, depending on how they interpreted the hanging, pregnant, and bulging chads. The U.S. Supreme Court finally intervened to stop the recount for goodeffectively handing the election to Bushon Tuesday, December 12, a full five weeks after Election Day. In his dissenting opinion in Bush v. Gore, Justice John Paul Stevens acknowledged some of the damage caused by Florida's electoral disaster. "Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear," he wrote. "It is the Nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law." If that's true, it's only because other basic functions of the government failed first. Courts should never have to settle these types of questions. Elections are not just the way we decide who gets to be in power; they're also the most fundamental thing a government does. They shape public views about state capacity and legitimacy. Unfortunately, this is hardly ever a priority for state governments. "It has always puzzled me why my report never got a wider acceptance," Saltman told USA Today in 2001. "It takes a crisis to move people, and it shouldn't have." The Cleanup Though it took a crisis to get the ball rolling, at least the Florida state government didn't take long to respond to the chaos of the 2000 election. Just five months later, at the urging of Jeb Bush, the state Legislature enacted a sweeping overhaul of Florida's election rules. The Election Reform Act of 2001 banned the use of punch-card voting machines and required the secretary of state (rather than county-level elections officials) to have the final say over which kinds of voting machines could be used in the future. The law also clarified Florida's rules for automatic recounts and set more stringent time frames for the certification of vote countsa move intended to prevent the seemingly interminable recounts in 2000. It also created new statewide rules for issuing provisional ballots and how those would be counted, with an eye toward ensuring as many Floridians as possible could vote. "My hope is that people will see that we have resolved the problem," Jeb Bush told CNN. "Other states ought to look at this as a model, because if there is another close election in another state, I guarantee you that they will not be able to withstand the incredible scrutiny that occurred in Florida." Academic observers largely agreed with the governor. In a 2001 report, Jon L. Mills of the University of Florida Levin College of Law called the new rules "a vast improvement" and said the law "may in many ways be a nation-wide model." The Election Reform Act was far from perfect, though. One major problem that emerged in later years had to do with the computerized touch-screen voting systems that largely replaced the punch-card ballots. Because they did not provide voters with a printed-out receipt of their choices, those voting machines came under intense criticism for not leaving a trustworthy paper trail, which is necessary in the event of a hack or glitch. Faced with that problem, Florida lawmakers adapted again. In 2007, an update to the 2001 law required that all electronic voting machines also provide a paper trail so voters can trust their choices were accurately recorded and to help with recounts. That willingness to keep improving its election systeman impulse perhaps driven by a desire to avoid another embarrassing meltdownhas been a hallmark of the state Legislature for two decades. The state was also one of the first to embrace mail-in voting on a large scale, even before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted some other states to follow suit, sometimes in half-baked ways, in 2020. Many of these changes have come in the form of state mandates and have included spending taxpayer money on new voting machines and additional training for local election officials. That's "not necessarily the first libertarian instinct," admits Walter Olson, a senior legal fellow at the Cato Institute. Even so, Olson says, making sure elections run well is a core responsibility of state governments, and what Florida has done over the past two decades is worth emulating. "Florida seems to have done a lot of things right," says Olson. "I find a kind of neat culture balance in which they are nodding practically to a lot of liberal ideas that are, in fact, popular but with conservative cultural trimmings." For example, the boxes used to collect mail-in ballots are referred to as "secure ballot intake stations," which adds a conservative-coded aesthetic that simply calling them "drop boxes" does not. There are good reasons that many voters prefer not to vote until Election Day. It means getting as much information as possible before making your choice. It means a late-breaking scandal is less likely to leave you wishing you could reverse your vote. But many Americans will have good reasons to prefer early voting. From the perspective of a state government trying to run an efficient and effective election, more votes being cast early means more time to do the counting. Equally important, it means more time to be sure every vote is being counted accurately. "Florida is famous among election nerds for having the fastest reporting of vote totals in the country, with near-instant results on election night," says Andy Craig, the director of election policy at the Rainey Center, a centrist think tank. In a report he authored earlier this year, Craig calls Florida's vote-processing procedures "the gold standard" for other states to follow. Per state law, counties can begin processing mailed-in ballots up to 25 days before Election Day. That includes just about everything except the actual counting: checking that signatures are valid and that the votes have been legally submitted. Counting those ballots officially begins 15 days before Election Day and must be completed by the time the polls close. Leaking the results earlya legitimate fear, as it could influence the decisions of voters yet to cast a ballotis a felony offense. There's never been a leak. The process buys valuable time to get things right. According to a post-election report by University of Florida political scientist Daniel A. Smith, mail-in ballots accounted for about 44 percent of the 11 million votes cast in Florida in 2020. Of those 4.85 million ballots, Smith found that about 47,000 were flagged by county election officials for various reasons: missing signatures, voting for multiple candidates, and the like. Those ballots entered what's known as the "curing process," in which county officials reach out to those who cast each ballot in an attempt to clarify or correct whatever caused the ballot to be pulled out of the official count. Voters are then allowed to fill out an affidavit confirming their vote. By and large, it works. In 2020, only 12,751 of those flagged ballots were unable to be "cured" and counted on Election Day. That's a rejection rate of less than 0.3 percent among the 4.8 million mail-in ballots. You can think of those ballots as modern versions of the "hanging chads" that bedeviled Florida officials during the 2000 recount. In both cases, there's something abnormal about the ballot as it is received for counting. If election officials don't have time to investigate that ballot until after the voting is over, as happened in 2000, they're forced to make their own best judgments about voter intent based on the condition of the ballot. Some ballots will inevitably be misread, and others will be discarded as invalid because they cannot be interpreted one way or the other. But if election officials have the time to inspect those ballots before Election Day, they can contact the voters in question and grant them an opportunity to have their ballot corrected. That means more voters get to have their votes countedand counted correctly. "If every state had Florida's model," Craig explains, "the 2020 election would have been called much sooner rather than dragging on for several days like it did." The Other States' Messes There's no prize for being the best state at counting votes. But as the country painfully learned in 2000 and again in 2020, there are a variety of penalties for taking what seems like too long. "This is no special American fetish where some people want fast results. It's taken for granted, more or less everywhere in the democratic world, that of course we want speedy results," says Olson. Not knowing causes practical problemswinners can't begin the relatively short process of preparing to take office, constituents might have no idea who to contact if they need to reach their representative, and so on. Then there are the darker threats. "Public suspicion of the system, rightly or wrongly, seems to be directly correlated with the delay in results," Olson says. "It opens the door for accusations of wrongdoing, whether well-founded or not." Olson points to the various, often conflicting arguments that circulated in the aftermath of the 2020 election. In places where policies required vote counting to stop overnight and begin again the day after the election, that was offered as evidence of malfeasance. In places that didn't halt the tabulation, vote counts might drop at 3 a.m., also fueling suspicion. Getting a "substantially complete count" on election night, as Florida does, seems to make a significant difference in the perceived legitimacy of elections, Olson concludes. Meanwhile, states like Pennsylvania and Arizona invited criticism and groundless allegations of impropriety solely because they took days or weeks to finalize their tabulation. That was not an accident. In Pennsylvania, for example, local election officials are prohibited from even beginning to process mailed-in ballots until after the polls close on Election Dayin other words, 25 days after Florida begins handling mailed-in ballots. In that environment, there is no way for a close race to be resolved in a timely manner. Worse, it limits the ability to "cure" ballots that are improperly submitted, cutting some voters out of the process entirely. Rather than sowing doubts about the legitimacy of mail-in voting, Florida shows that there's broad, bipartisan support for elections that are run well. Maybe the best example of that isn't the super-smooth 2020 presidential election but what happened in the state two years earlier. In 2018, Florida saw razor-thin margins in races for governor, senator, and agriculture commissioner. All three headed to recounts. All three were resolved by the new November 20 deadline created by the 2001 reforms. Two of the three were won by Republicans. That election highlights why Florida's experience with mail-in ballots and other forms of early voting is an interesting case study. After all, Florida has become a more reliably Republican state even asit has seen a dramatic increase in the number of ballots cast by mail. It's not hard to come up with theories as to why this might be. Most notably, elderly voters, legions of whom reside in Florida, are among the biggest beneficiaries of voting systems that don't require in-person attendance at polling places. They, of course, skew conservative. (It's worth noting that Trump voted by mail in Florida in 2020.) It wasn't until 2020and probably due to Trump's extensive preelection effort to undermine the validity of mail-in votingthat more Democrats than Republicans voted by mail in a Florida election. The same thing happened again in 2022, and DeSantis responded by trying to limit mail-in voting in the future by limiting the number of available ballot drop boxes, among other measures. Running efficient, accurate elections should not be a partisan issue. It would be a shame to see Florida backtrack on two decades of sensible bipartisan reforms simply because some conservative voters and one former president got grouchy about mail-in voting. There's one final lesson from Florida's history of election reforms since 2000: We don't need the federal government to be involved. In the immediate aftermath of the 2020 debacle, the newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats pushed a proposal that would have let the federal government set the ground rules for future presidential and congressional elections. Their arguments rested on the perception that some states were doing a poor job running those electionsso poor that the very legitimacy of democracy was imperiled, or at least badly enough that some voters might be disenfranchised. That idea, of course, ignores the fact that federal officials are not immune to making poor decisionslike the ones that led to Florida's debacle in 2000, but with far more wide-reaching consequences. Also, federalizing elections seems like an odd idea to propose in the wake of the chaos Trump and his supporters sowed in the 2020 election, which proved that state-run elections are a safeguard against power-hungry federal incumbents who are willing to do whatever it takes to stay in office. In contrast, Florida's example shows that state policy makers have an incentive to improve election procedures to avoid national embarrassments. Hopefully, leaders in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, and elsewhere will follow Florida's example. There's no good way to prevent the possibility of an election that comes down to a few votes. The stakes of a quick and accurate count are higher than ever. All the more reason to do things right, even if that means following Florida'syes, Florida'slead. The post How Florida Fixed Its Vote-Counting Problem After the 2000 Election appeared first on Reason.com. Florida Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler addresses attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Florida Republican Party on Sunday stripped chairman Christian Ziegler of his authority and all but $1 of his salary until it can remove him in the wake of a rape allegation and the admission that he and his wife had a three-way sexual liaison. These are serious issues, said Jack Brill, GOP chair of Sarasota County, where Ziegler lives and where the sexual battery investigation against him is ongoing. [This] is uncharted territory for the great majority of everybody. The unanimous decision by the partys executive board to censure Ziegler took place at the Rosen Centre, the same Orlando hotel where he was elected chair just 10 months before. The man Ziegler had defeated for the job, Evan Power, called Sundays special meeting in his role as vice chair and will take over almost all of Zieglers powers alongside treasurer Mike Moberley. Power said he expects the full committee to officially remove Ziegler at a meeting in Tallahassee on Jan. 8. Today, we took an appropriate action to bring accountability to one of our members, Power said following the meeting. It was a hard moment for many of us. But the charges against him are serious in nature. And we cannot move forward as an organization without a new leader. State Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, called the situation very frustrating. [Ziegler] needs to resign. It was unanimous, every single motion today was unanimously [approved]. And hes still there. The motion to censure, shared on social media by Lee GOP chair Michael Thompson from the behind-closed-doors meeting, stated that Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office of Chairman . [and] has injured the good name of the Republican Party of Florida, disturbed its well-being, and hampered the organization in performing its mission to support the principles, objectives, and values of the Republican Party. The censure stated that the party has lost confidence in Christian Zieglers ability to effectively lead and requested his immediate resignation as chair. Also approved was an immediate reduction of Zieglers $120,000 annual salary to $1. Brill said a proposed special investigative committee was not necessary but would not elaborate further. He also would not comment on reports that Ziegler was holding out for a $2 million buyout, though he said he would oppose it. We couldnt afford a payout to begin with, interjected GOP board member Jovante Teague of Dixie County. The motion to suspend Zieglers powers included his authority to hire and fire employees, solicit funds, set any meetings on his future with the party, access any lines of credit, or speak on behalf of the party. Ziegler has already become less visible in his role, with his last official email as party chairman sent out Nov. 29, the day before the first report of the allegations against him. Ziegler has steadfastly refused to quit even as Gov. Ron DeSantis and most state Republican leaders said they wanted him out, a chorus joined Saturday by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. The allegations were brought by a woman who says she had a previous consensual sexual encounter that included Ziegler and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, according to a Sarasota Police Department search warrant affidavit. The affidavit states the woman told Sarasota police detectives she had agreed to have a sexual encounter including his wife on Oct. 2 but canceled when she learned Bridget wasnt attending. She told police that when she opened her door to walk her dog Ziegler entered her apartment and sexually assaulted her, according to the affidavit. The affidavit also said Bridget Ziegler told police she and her husband had been involved sexually with the woman but only once in the past year. Ziegler has not been charged with a crime and released a statement earlier this month professing his innocence and claiming he and his wife were being targeted. He didnt really have much to say, Salzman said of Ziegler, who attended the meeting. He apologized for putting us through this stuff. But that was it. I think that hes really trying to be careful because he has legal cases against him. And I think thats why hes staying. But its poor taste. Asked about Zieglers protestation of innocence, Salzman said, None of us care about any of that. Law enforcement is handling that; he and his family are handling that, she said. What we care about is the future of our party and the future of America. And thats why everybody in that room was so upset because of what were being put through because he refuses to step back. Last week, Bridget Ziegler was the lone vote on the Sarasota County School Board against a resolution asking her to resign from her post on the board. She has refused to do so. She also serves on DeSantis tourism board that oversees the district containing Walt Disney World. She is a co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, which has fought to ban books about the LGBTQ community. The Florida Republican Party on Sunday stripped chairman Christian Ziegler of his authority and all but $1 of his salary until it can remove him in the wake of a rape allegation and the admission that he and his wife had a three-way sexual liaison. The unanimous decision by the Republican Party of Floridas executive board to censure Ziegler took place at the Rosen Centre, the same Orlando hotel where he was elected chair just 10 months before. The man Ziegler had defeated for the job, Evan Power, called Sundays special meeting in his role as vice chair and will take over almost all of Zieglers powers alongside treasurer Mike Moberley. Power said he expects the full committee to officially remove Ziegler at a meeting in Tallahassee on Jan. 8. The motion to censure, shared on social media by Lee GOP chair Michael Thompson, stated that Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office of Chairman . (and) has injured the good name of the Republican Party of Florida, disturbed its well-being, and hampered the organization in performing its mission to support the principles, objectives, and values of the Republican Party. The censure stated that the party has lost confidence in Christian Zieglers ability to effectively lead and requested his immediate resignation as chair. Also approved was an immediate reduction of Zieglers $120,000 annual salary to $1. The motion to suspend Zieglers powers included his authority to hire and fire employees, solicit funds, set any meetings on his future with the party, access any lines of credit or speak on behalf of the party. Ziegler has already become less visible in his role, with his last official email as party chairman sent out Nov. 29, the day before the first report of the allegations against him. Ziegler has steadfastly refused to resign even as Gov. Ron DeSantis and most state Republican leaders said they wanted him out, a chorus joined Saturday by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. The allegations were brought by a woman who says she had a previous consensual sexual encounter that included Ziegler and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, according to a Sarasota Police Department search warrant affidavit. The affidavit states the woman told Sarasota police detectives she had agreed to have a sexual encounter including his wife on Oct. 2 but canceled when she learned Bridget wasnt attending. She told police that when she opened her door to walk her dog Ziegler entered her apartment and sexually assaulted her, according to the affidavit. The affidavit said Bridget Ziegler told police she and her husband had been involved sexually with the woman but only once in the past year. Ziegler has not been charged with a crime and released a statement earlier this month professing his innocence and claiming he and his wife were being targeted. Bridget Ziegler was the lone vote on the Sarasota County School Board last week against a resolution asking her to resign from her post on the board. She has refused to do so. She also serves on DeSantis handpicked tourism board that oversees the district containing Walt Disney World. She is a co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, which has fought to ban books about the LGBTQ community. _____ Florida Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler addresses attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Florida GOP on Sunday began the process of removing Chair Christian Ziegler amid a sexual assault allegation, with the party's executive board voting during an emergency meeting to censure the chair, strip his authority and reduce his salary to $1. The board also voted to hold a meeting of the party's full governing body on Jan. 8 in Tallahassee, when a vote is expected to remove him. "We asked him to resign immediately; he has still not resigned," Florida GOP Vice Chair Evan Power said, adding, "So we wait. We're calling a special meeting ... to elect a new chairman and remove him formally from office." A Sarasota police investigation into a woman's claim that Ziegler raped her on Oct. 2 has rocked the state's Republican Party, complicating efforts to gear up for the 2024 election. Sunday's votes showed party activists are eager to put Ziegler's situation behind them. Ziegler isn't going quietly, though. The 40-year-old has resisted calls from leading Florida Republicans to resign and was in attendance Sunday to defend himself. Ziegler apologized to executive board members for the scrutiny the party is receiving, according to Lee County GOP Chair Michael Thompson. At the same time, Thompson said Ziegler showed a "pompous attitude" and was on a "soapbox" as he proclaimed his innocence. "He came in trying to defend himself a little bit and his actions on why he should be retained as the state chair," Thompson said. Power said Ziegler didnt invoke former President Donald Trump, who also has been accused of sexual assault. "The Republican Party of Florida stands for transparency and accountability. Today we took an appropriate action to bring accountability to one of our members," Power said. "It was a hard moment for many of us ... but the charges against him are serious in nature and we cannot move forward as an organization without a new leader." Ziegler says he's innocent, won't quit as Florida GOP chair Ziegler has maintained his innocence, saying the October incident was consensual. Police are still investigating the allegations and have not charged Ziegler with a crime. Ziegler's critics in the party want him gone regardless of whether he ends up facing criminal charges. They say the information about his sex life revealed in police documents has destroyed his ability to carry the party's message into the next election cycle, and that he won't be an effective fundraiser. "He deserves to go through the legal process," Power said. "But what we have as a party is a political problem. You cannot lead the Republican Party with the charges that are standing in front of him and the admissions he's made in the affidavits. You cannot morally lead the Republican Party forward." According to a search warrant affidavit, the alleged victim and Ziegler's wife, Sarasota County School Board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, told police they'd had a three-way sexual encounter more than a year ago that included Christian Ziegler. Another three-way was planned on Oct. 2, but Bridget Ziegler couldn't attend, according to the affidavit. The alleged victim tried to cancel, but Christian Ziegler showed up at her Sarasota apartment anyway. That's when the assault allegedly occurred. Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler is being investigated over sexual assault allegations. Florida's top elected Republicans have called on Ziegler to resign, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, Attorney General Ashley Moody, state House Speaker Paul Renner and state Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, who gave Ziegler his start in politics as an intern on the congressman's first campaign, also has said he should step down. Rubio is among the latest to speak out, posting Friday on X that "the conduct the Florida GOP Chair has now himself admitted to makes it impossible for him to continue in his position." The Zieglers have emerged in recent years as a GOP power couple in Florida and leading advocates for the culture war agenda pushed by DeSantis, which has emphasized LGBTQ issues. Bridget Ziegler was with DeSantis when he signed the Parental Rights in Education Act, which was derided by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. DeSantis later appointed her to a board overseeing Disney's properties in Central Florida. Disney has feuded with the governor over the law. There also have been calls for Bridget Ziegler to resign from the School Board, but she has been defiant, attending a recent board meeting and enduring hours of public testimony critical of her behavior. Only DeSantis can remove Bridget Ziegler, but Christian Ziegler can be voted out by the Republican activists who picked him as party chair in February. The censure resolution passed Sunday says Ziegler has "engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office of Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and leader of the Florida GOP." "As a result of such conduct and actions," the resolution continues, "Christian Ziegler has injured the good name of the Republican Party of Florida, disturbed its well-being, and hampered the organization in performing its mission." The executive board decided to bypass appointing a special committee to investigate Ziegler, an idea floated in recent days. Instead the party will proceed directly to a vote to remove him., Florida GOP Vice Chair Evan Power speaks to reporters after an emergency meeting of the party's executive board Sunday where Chair Christian Ziegler was stripped of his authority amid a rape allegation. Ziegler raised procedural questions about Sunday's executive board meeting and tried to argue it was out of order. "We discussed that we have the legal authority, the general counsel ruled," Power said. "We talked to parliamentarians who ruled that we did." This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida Republicans take steps toward removing Chair Christian Ziegler Republican Party of Florida chairman Christian Ziegler, left, greets former president Donald Trump at the RPOF Freedom Summit on Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. Ziegler is the subject of a rape investigation, though no charges have been filed and police are providing little information on the accusation. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) The Republican Party of Florida suspended Chairman Christian Ziegler and demanded his resignation during an emergency meeting Sunday, adding to calls by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top officials for him to step down as police investigate a rape accusation against him. Ziegler is accused of raping a woman with whom he and his wife, Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, had a prior consensual sexual relationship, according to police records. Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office," the partys motion to censure Ziegler said, according to a document posted on the social media platform X by Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thomason. Ziegler tried to defend himself during the closed-door meeting, but the party board quickly took the action against him, Thompson said. Ziegler on soap box trying to defend himself, not working, Thompson posted before confirming the votes. The party's executive committee will hold another vote in the future on whether to remove Ziegler. The Sarasota Police Department is investigating the womans accusation that Ziegler raped her at her apartment in October. Police documents say the Zieglers and the woman had planned a sexual threesome that day, but Bridget Ziegler was unable to make it. The accuser says Christian Ziegler arrived anyway and assaulted her. Christian Ziegler has not been charged with a crime and says he is innocent, contending the encounter was consensual. The accusation also has caused turmoil for Bridget Ziegler, an elected member of the Sarasota School Board, though she is not accused of any crime. On Tuesday the board voted to ask her to resign. She refused. The couple have been outspoken opponents of LGBTQ+ rights, and their relationship with another woman has sparked criticism and accusations of hypocrisy. In addition to DeSantis, Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Floridas Republican House and Senate leaders have all called for Christian Ziegler's resignation. Florida Republicans censured state GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler on Sunday and stripped him of his authority and six-figure salary until party leaders decide whether to remove him from his post. The slew of disciplinary actions came during an emergency meeting of the Florida GOPs executive board in Orlando called by the partys Vice Chairman Evan Power after the non-profit Florida Center for Government Accountability revealed that Ziegler was under criminal investigation for allegedly raping a woman in early October. While Ziegler has said that the encounter was consensual and insisted that he will be exonerated in the case, top Florida Republicans including Gov. Ron DeSantis and the states two U.S. senators have called on him to step down as chairman, arguing that allegations against him made his continued leadership in the party untenable. The motion to censure Ziegler, which was approved unanimously on Sunday, stated that the executive board had lost confidence in Christian Zieglers ability to effectively lead the Republican Party of Florida and that he is not in a position to devote his full and undivided attention to guiding the party through the 2024 elections. Ziegler, who has refused to resign, attended the Sunday executive board meeting to defend himself, urging the executive board to wait until the criminal investigation comes to a close before doling out a punishment, according to two board members who attended the meeting. The 40-member executive board showed on Sunday that party leaders are ready for Ziegler to go. In addition to censuring him, the executive board also revoked Zieglers ability to seek reimbursements for expenses, took away his ability to speak on behalf of and raise money for the Florida Republican Party and reduced his $120,000-per-year salary to just $1, the board members said. Power will take up Zieglers responsibilities until party members make a final decision on Zieglers removal. Party leaders are set to hold another meeting next month to decide whether to remove Ziegler as chairman. Ziegler and his attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ziegler hasnt been charged with a crime and police say the investigation is ongoing. Still, Florida Republicans say the allegations are too much of a distraction for the party as it heads into the 2024 election cycle. According to a search warrant affidavit, Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, had made plans to have a three-way sexual encounter with a woman with whom they had sex with a year earlier. When those plans were canceled, Christian Ziegler allegedly showed up at the womans apartment where he proceeded to rape her, according to the affidavit. Both Christian and Bridget Ziegler are prominent figures in Florida Republican circles and have been vocal advocates for traditional values and conservative principles in education. Bridget Ziegler has also faced intense fallout from the scandal. Sarasota County School Board members formally called last week for her to resign from the board, while Moms for Liberty, the conservative group that Bridget Ziegler co-founded in 2021, has sought to distance itself from her in light of the scandal. (Bloomberg) -- The case for investing in cannabis companies is, in theory, the strongest its ever been. Weed shops are popping up on street corners across the US at a frantic pace, while the 2024 presidential election offers an impetus for drug reform. Most Read from Bloomberg And yet the stocks underlying the industry are floundering, with even the bulls growing tired of waiting. An index tracking the shares of 100 marijuana-related companies has tumbled more than 15% so far this year, after touching an all-time low in October. The fundamentals dont matter much at all, unfortunately, said Dan Ahrens, managing director of Advisorshares Investments LLC. They will again, but right now these companies and their stock prices are extremely tied to federal reform. Even though 24 states, two territories and Washington DC have all legalized weed for recreational use, the plant remains a Schedule I substance on a federal basis on the same tier as heroin and LSD. Federal decriminalization has been a goal among Democrats, though theres been relatively little progress under President Joe Bidens administration. On Wall Street, the lingering red tape is impossible to overlook. Because of marijuanas status, cannabis companies are taxed so heavily that they struggle to make enough cash. Their shares and the exchange-traded funds that track them are also largely kept off of major marketplaces like the New York Stock Exchange, instead trading over the counter or on smaller Canadian exchanges. Thats all but wiped out optimism among stock pickers whod expected industry legitimization progress to unleash an epic windfall. The highs and lows are clear in prices of pot stocks over the years: Tilray Brands Inc.s US shares trade at just about $2 each, a tiny fraction of what they were worth in 2018, when the stock hit a high of about $214. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. has wiped out roughly $10 billion of shareholder value since a 2021 peak. And Canopy Growth this week resorted to plans for a one-for-10 reverse stock split in a desperate bid to ensure the stock trades at $1-or-more per share. To Will Hershey, chief executive and co-founder of Roundhill Financial Inc., its a disappointment. When he launched an exchange-traded fund tracking US cannabis companies ticker WEED last year, the outlook was that 2023 would be a better year for beaten-down pot stocks. The whole idea was that we were going to have more progress than wed seen on the regulatory front, he said. As long as these companies have to list on the small Canadian exchanges and have to operate with really burdensome tax regimes, the story is less interesting. His WEED fund hit an all-time low in August and has slumped 62% since it started trading on April 20, 2022. Last Hope There is, of course, still a chance that Democrats renew the push to reschedule and decriminalize cannabis, especially as they seek to win over voters ahead of Bidens reelection campaign in 2024. The next catalyst on investors radar is the potential reclassification of marijuana. Pot stocks jumped for one of their best weekly performances this year in September after the US Drug Enforcement Administration said it would review its classification of cannabis, an action taken after nudging by Bidens team. Rescheduling is a major, fundamental catalyst that could result in better equity performance, said Needham & Co. analyst Matthew McGinley. Of course, any action by the DEA would likely face legal challenges. And, even in a scenario that sees reclassification and relief from taxes, the boost would be disparate, said Kris Inton, an analyst at Morningstar who covers cannabis companies. Multistate operators have the most to gain if they face softer tax rules, from Cresco Labs Inc. and Trulieve Cannabis Corp. to Green Thumb Industries Inc.. Larger Canadian companies such as Tilray, Canopy Growth and Cronos Group Inc. would see less impact from rescheduling because they only sell THC products in Canada, not the US, Inton said. Theyre really completely different exposures, Inton said. Plus, it would only be one step in the right direction. Most on Wall Street agree that beyond rescheduling, it would take both legislation like the SAFER Banking Act, which would make banking and financial services more accessible for the industry and legalization at the federal level for the industry to flourish. The SAFER Banking Act, however, will expire if its not voted on by the end of the legislative session, meaning it would have to be reintroduced yet again. Any swift action from Congress seems unlikely as House Speaker Mike Johnson has voted against cannabis reform in the past. Advisorshares Ahrens is still betting that federal reform is somewhere on the horizon, pointing to the expansion of states that have legalized cannabis for adult-use. His US cannabis-focused ETF, nicknamed MSOS, is down roughly 73% from its launch in 2020. We think its closer than ever, he said. But we also expected it about two-and-a-half to three years ago. (Adds quote in second section, graf six. An earlier version of this story was corrected to say that Canadian companies do not sell THC products in the US.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (CNN) A US Navy ship shot down 14 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command said Saturday. The unmanned aircraft systems were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries, US Central Command posted on X. This marks the latest instance of drones being shot down in the region as the Houthi rebels, who are funded and trained by Iran, have repeatedly attacked commercial ships with drones and missiles. The USS Carney shot down at least three Houthi drones headed in the ships direction in the southern Red Sea earlier this month. The Carney also responded to distress calls from commercial vessels in the area that were attacked by ballistic missiles. Last month, the USS Thomas Hudner shot down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Yemen. And in another instance, two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the USS Mason in the Gulf of Aden after it responded to a distress call from another commercial tanker that had come under attack by five armed individuals believed to be Somali. The US has responded to these attacks in recent months by launching strikes in eastern Syria and Iraq, targeting weapons depots and storage facilities used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxy militia groups. The US has stopped short in most instances of saying the drones from Houthi areas in Yemen were targeting the various warships, noting only that they have been heading in their direction and were considered enough of a threat to be engaged. 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. They have voiced support for the Palestinians and organized protests in Yemen against Israels offensive in Gaza. The uptick in activity from the Houthis as well as attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria by other Iran-backed groups began after Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. After she complained about Alamogordo Public Schools alleged misconduct in personnel and policy violations, Sharon Scott learned that she had been let go as human resources manager for the school district, just shy of nine months into holding the position. Now, shes suing the district claiming that she was just doing her job. Scotts allegations against the district A 15-page lawsuit filed in 12th District Court in Otero County named three defendants the Alamogordo Public School District, the Alamogordo School Board and Records Custodian Rachel Burks. In the documents, Scott accused the district of a compromised work environment where her growing concerns of alleged policy violations and unethical practices were dismissed and not properly investigated by superiors Colleen Tagle, deputy superintendent of operations, and former district superintendent Kenneth Moore. Scott said in the lawsuit that she had significant ethical concerns regarding Ms. Tagle's conduct, specifically about fiscal improprieties, mistreatment of personnel, and policy/Collective Bargaining Agreement violations. A 2022 image of Alamogordo Public Schools Deputy Superintendent of Support and Human Resources Colleen Tagle. Scott outlined in the suit as an example personnel issues the placement of employees Marvin Parish and Dominic Montoya on leave after a physical altercation between the two in November 2021. Scott said she was allegedly instructed by Tagle to alter memos that reflected $4,400 of public funds hadnt been spent on Parish and Montoyas leave. According to the lawsuit, Scott advised that both employees be terminated and said she wasnt going to alter any documents fearing legal repercussions. Tagle reinstated both Parish and Montoya in January 2022. Other alleged policy violations mentioned in the suit included the districts failure to report incidents involving students and staff in a timely manner to the Public Education Department, proper hiring procedures that followed Collective Bargaining Agreements and improper wage increases to employees without evaluations or review. Scott believed she was performing her job duties by reporting unethical workplace practices under New Mexico State Statue. She was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 14, 2022, and terminated in March. Plaintiff never was allowed to return to work. Instead, she was terminated in retaliation for communicating to her public employer her good faith belief that an action or a failure to act on behalf of APS constituted unlawful or improper acts, in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the suit stated. What the District said about Scotts allegations In a court response to Scotts lawsuit, the district denied all her allegations, particularly Scott's claim that her policy violation concerns hadnt been investigated or addressed. It stated that an investigation was conducted for APS by an unknown individual and did not elaborate on the findings. The defense document also claims that Scotts allegations were personally motivated and were unrelated to her normal job duties. The only claim the district did affirm was that Parish and Montoya were placed on leave from November 2021 until January 2022. The Sun-News reached out to Alamogordo Schools for comment and school board president Judy Rabon. No comment was offered at the time of publication. Scott is suing the records custodian. Why? The standard procedure for voicing policy concerns, according to Scotts complaint, is to file a report with the district. When she was placed on administrative leave in January 2022, Scott allegedly lost access to information and documents for her reports and was required to obtain them through public records requests. Roughly 45 requests were unfilled at the time of filing the suit and Scott alleged that Rachel Burks, APS records custodian, had intentionally not fulfilled the requests. However, in its responses to the suit, the district said that Scotts records requests fell under the broad and burdensome statue and were unable to be fulfilled. Whats next for the case? Scott is scheduled for a deposition in February 2024. Kenneth Moore, one of the superiors Scott reported to during her employment, has been replaced after being on administrative leave since Feb. 12, 2023. A 2022 image of then Alamogordo Public Schools Superintendent Ken Moore. According to the suit, Scott is seeking damages for lost wages and mental and emotional distress. The Sun-News also reached out to Scotts lawyer, David Joeckel Jr., for comment and did not receive a response. Ernesto Cisneros is a reporting fellow with the UNM/NM Local News Fund program. He covers education for the Sun-News and can be reached at ECisneros@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter at @_ernestcisneros. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Former Alamogordo Public Schools employee sues over her termination Frankie Dettori has made quite an impact on the horse racing world since arriving in the UK from Milan as a 14-year-old stable lad. By the time he retired from the sport in Europe this year, he had rewarded his backers by being named British flat racing champion jockey three times, winning 3,345 times, including 23 classics, and all seven races on an Ascot card in 1996. Dettoris popularity led him to captain a team on the BBCs A Question of Sport from 2002 to 2004, and most recently he appeared as a contestant in Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Since returning home, Dettori, 53, and his wife Catherine and their five children have relocated to California, where he plans to resume his racing career. How did you find the jungle? It was exactly like I thought it would be. I prepared myself mentally. Obviously, Im in good shape physically. I kept my head down and got on with it. The nicest part was meeting different people and making new friends. The food was awkward. Wed live on a handful of rice in the morning. Dettori gets up close and personal with critters on I'm A Celeb - JAMES GOURLEY/ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK If we had the luxury of something that had bones the night before, wed make a stock, which made all the difference. Every day, at lunch we had beans. The trick was to get it in your head that this was lunch, every day, from day one, because thats your fuel. You might not like it, but this all puts calories in you and without it the jungle, the humidity, the chores, lugging those wooden buckets of water, will get you. Its tough. So, food, plain and boring, is fuel. Do you think you were geared up for the challenge? I probably found it easier than more of the others in the first week because Im smaller than most of them. That said, even though Ive been monitoring my weight for years, I found I had to lie down sometimes. I reckon I lost 7lb, which I didnt need to lose. Im at the lightest Ive been since I started riding, 35 years ago. Dettori is taking on America after a successful 2022 - BRYN LENNON /GETTY What are you up to now? This time last year I announced I was going to retire. The problem was I kept on winning, and last year was probably the best year Id had since 2019. Everyone made a song and dance over me retiring, but Id pledged I was doing it, so I had to go through with it. I couldnt keep threatening to retire. I figured that at the end of the day I have to live with myself, and this meant finding some common ground between retirement and continuing in a competitive manner. I reckoned the only shot I had was to go to America, and race there. Dont get me wrong, the decision hasnt been easy. I have five children aged over 18, and we needed to get visas, not easy. We had to rent our seven-bedroom house in Newmarket, and rehome all manner of animals, from horses and donkeys to cats. Why are you moving? We all need a challenge in life. To me, to persevere in England or Europe would be repetition, and to carry on I need some incentives and new challenges. You cant get any bigger incentive than to take on the Americans in their own backyard. How long do you see yourself in the US? We could be in America for three months or three years, or more. Who knows? Did your parents pass on any important money lessons? My dad gave me 300 when he sent me to an Italian horse trainer in England. He said, work hard, and be a success. Dettori has racked up wins since he was 18 - CHARLIE CROWHURST When did you feel you had made it as a successful jockey? When I was 18, I couldnt stop riding winners, Luca Cumari, the trainer, made me first jockey and then I was the youngest jockey to win 100 races by fewer races from Lester Piggott. Then it just snowballed. What has been your career highlight? The seven races at Ascot in one day, September 1996. That was the top. I became a monster. People in the street, who didnt follow racing, knew all about me. Why did you pack up racing in the UK? I thought Id done all I could. But then, physically, if you are still on your game there is no time limit. The thing is I realised earlier this year that I was not at that time limit. Sure, Ill be very happy to wake up one day and know Ive had enough, but right now Im nowhere near it. I have a fitness routine, and I did it in the lead up to the jungle. When I was there, I volunteered to do all the hard jobs in the jungle, shifting the buckets of water for the camp, carrying the logs of wood. Do that 20 times a day in 100pc humidity and you keep fit. Since getting out last week Ive trained every day, and I feel ready to ride today. Are you a spender or a saver? Im a spender. I like to buy things for the kids. Ive done the Ferraris and all that. Now my focus is family, the children. Whats your top treat? A nice cold beer. Frankie Dettori has been shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023, with voting on Dec 19. 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. French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna speaks with spokesperson of the Israeli army Colonel Olivier Rafowitcz upon arrival at the Shura army base near Ramle in central Israel (Alberto PIZZOLI) French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Sunday pressed for an "immediate and durable" truce in the Gaza war, saying "too many civilians are being killed" in the Palestinian territory. Israel has come under growing international pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza, where its war against Hamas militants has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's Hamas government. The offensive comes in response to Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attacks in southern Israel in which 1,139 people were killed, mostly civilians, and about 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Meeting her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in Tel Aviv, before holding talks with Palestinian officials in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, Colonna stressed that the victims of Hamas's attacks must not be forgotten, including those subjected to sexual violence. "Needless to say, France believes the word of these women victims... those who had to witness these rapes and mutilations, these desecrations," she said in Tel Aviv. She also addressed concerns that the war could spread. There have been regular cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Cohen said Israel "has no intention to start another front on our northern border" and that France could play a "positive and significant role" in preventing an all-out war. But he warned that ensuring the security of Israelis near the border meant pushing Hezbollah "north of the Litani River". "There are two ways to do that: either by diplomacy or by force," Cohen said. Colonna, who is due to visit Lebanon on Monday, called on all parties to "de-escalate" along the border. "If things were to spiral out of control, I don't think anyone would benefit, and I say this to Israel too," she said. - Settler violence - Colonna also said France and its allies were weighing a response to attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Major shipping firms have suspended passage following attacks by Huthi rebels in Yemen aimed at pressuring Israel over the Gaza war. "These attacks cannot go unanswered, and we are studying several solutions," including a "defensive role to prevent this from happening again", the minister said. She later met separately with the families of French hostages still held in Gaza, and with senior Palestinian officials at the headquarters in Ramallah of the Palestinian Authority which has partial administrative control in the West Bank. In a rural community near the West Bank city, the French foreign minister condemned violence in the West Bank. More than 290 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since October 7, health officials in the territory say. She said violent acts by settlers "are grave actions" that could "destabilise" the West Bank and "undermine" any chance of a two-state solution. Colonna also met Palestinian olive growers who told her they had been threatened and chased from their land by settlers and were unable to harvest olives this year. For Palestinians, the hardy olive trees, which thrives in tough conditions and can live for hundreds of years, is a symbol of their rootedness in the territory, where an estimated 10 million trees grow. dt/bg/hme/hkb/it Eddy County agreed with a list of priorities drawn up by New Mexico Counties (NMC) to ask New Mexico legislators for in the 2024 New Mexico legislative session, with Commissioners passing a resolution Nov. 7. New Mexico's upcoming 30-day session starts Jan. 16 at noon. Among the issues to tackle were detention center reimbursement funds, detention center recruiting and retention and prisoner transportation and extradition. Eddy County officials and NMC hoped the state funding plan crafted by lawmakers would include room for those items. Eddy County Manager Roberta Gonzales said detention centers across New Mexico were part of a larger conversation county managers had earlier this year during a retreat. She said detention center costs compared to capacity and percentage of capacity were discussed by 20 of the 33 county managers during the retreat. We really see a high increase of detention center costs and ironically the capacity of a lot of detention centers are at/or under capacity, Gonzales said. More: Eddy County approves $165K body scanner for County Detention Center A look at the detention center reimbursement fund NMC requests an appropriation of $7.5 million for the detention facility reimbursement fund to reimburse counties for a percentage of the cost for housing felony offenders who were sentenced to serve in state prisons and in county facilities, according to the NMC website. House Bill (HB) 316 was sponsored by former State Rep. Rhonda King (D-50) in 2007, passed the New Mexico House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by late Gov. Bill Richardson, per the New Mexico Legislatures website. The fund was created in 2007 with a $5 million appropriation following litigation between the counties and the state. Eddy County's Board of County Commissioners approved a $53,000 agreement with a Minnesota firm to united alarm systems at the Eddy County Detention Center on Sept. 21, 2021. It diminished to less than $2.5 million over the next decade. The Legislature restored it to the 2007 amount of $5 million in 2022 but the five-year average cost to house New Mexico Corrections Department inmates has been calculated by the New Mexico Sentencing Commission to be $7.5 million, according to NMC. Detention recruitment and retention NMC requests an appropriation of $10 million for House Bill (HB) 357 the Detention and Corrections Workforce Capacity Building Fund established by the Legislature in 2023, according to NMC's website. HB 357 passed unanimously in the New Mexico House and Senate in March and Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham signed the legislation April 7. More: Criminal justice debates must include county jails Eddy Countys Detention Center had a 38% staff vacancy as of Sept. 26 of this year. Neighboring Otero and Chaves counties had higher vacancies, 42% and 47% respectively, according to NMCs website. The fund was created to assist counties with critical detention officer vacancy levels in county facilities notwithstanding significant pay increases, to attract and retain employees, per NMC. Prisoner transportation and extradition NMC has asked for an appropriation of $750,000 for the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (NMDFA) to fund prisoner transport and extradition for individuals committed by the courts to a state correctional facility. According to Eddy Countys resolution, state law requires payments be made to counties. Counties should not be responsible to for state prisoner extradition, noted the resolution. Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Detention Center funds among Eddy County asks of legislature in 2024 Palestinians take cover after an air strike near Gaza's Kamal Adwan hospital on November 22 (Mohammad AHMAD) In what was once the courtyard of the Kamal Adwan hospital in the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahiya, Palestinians wade through the rubble, searching for corpses. The sound of one of them sobbing breaks out while he wraps a body to prepare for burial. Mahmud Assaf, 50, came to the hospital from Jabalia with a cart to recover two of his relatives' children who had been patients at the facility for 10 days. "I found Hadi paralysed... lying on his back under the chairs. Everything was on top of him," he said, speaking about one of the children who appeared barely conscious and severely burned. The Hamas-run health ministry reported on December 12 that the Israeli army stormed the Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza City during a "siege" that lasted several days. On Saturday, Israel's army said it "completed its activity in the area of the Kamal Adwan hospital", which it charged "had been used by Hamas as a command and control centre". The army said it had found weapons and arrested around 80 Hamas members at the facility -- the last functioning government hospital in northern Gaza. Assaf said he wanted to take away the children quickly now that the army had withdrawn, but was shocked by the "massive, indescribable destruction" he found at the hospital. "Patients are everywhere. There is nothing left fit for life," he said. "(The children have) cases of serious burns without having received anything to eat, drink, or treatment," he added. The army said it had "questioned hospital workers" who had "confessed that weapons were hidden in incubators... that were supposed to be used to treat premature babies". Hamas accused Israel of carrying out a "horrific massacre" at the hospital, claiming Israeli forces "fired at patient rooms", arrested staff, and destroyed tents of displaced people with bulldozers. The courtyard in Kamal Adwan is full of the clearly visible tracks of Israeli tanks and bulldozers. All health infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been hard hit by aerial bombardments and ground operations carried out by the Israeli army in retaliation for the unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. The attack killed 1,139 people, mostly civilians, with Hamas militants taking about 250 hostages, of whom 105 have been released and several killed, according to the latest Israeli figures. Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel has carried out a relentless bombardment of Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, that has killed more than 18,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the Palestinian territory's health ministry. - 'Let them kill us all' - Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals -- which have special status under the laws of war -- to hide weapons and command centres, charges which the group denies. The World Health Organisation said in a statement Sunday that it is "gravely concerned at the unfolding situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital and is gathering information urgently". Outside the courtyard, Abu Mohammed, who came to look for his son, stood crying. "They demolished the building. They killed the doctors. Even the doctors were not spared. They left nothing behind," he said. "My son is here. I don't know how I will find him," Abu Mohammed said, pointing to the rubble. "Where are the Arab countries? Where is Sisi?" referring to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of neighbouring Egypt, a key mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians. "We're fed up. They (Israelis) have been killing us since 1948 (the year of Israel's founding)... Let them kill us all so that we can rest instead of this torture." srt-sy/srk/hkb The State Special Transport Service's demining units discovered, confiscated, and neutralized 928 mines across three oblasts over the past week, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 17. According to the General Staff, 650 mines were neutralized in Kharkiv Oblast, 169 in Kherson Oblast, and 109 in Mykolaiv Oblast. The demining efforts of the past week cleared nearly 1,400 hectares of land in Kherson Oblast, 34 hectares in Mykolaiv Oblast, and almost 11 hectares in Kharkiv Oblast. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the demining units of the State Special Transport Service have discovered, confiscated, and neutralized 91,603 mines near water areas, roads, railway tracks, power lines, and gas pipelines. In early October, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that around 6 million people are threatened by mines in Ukraine, and thousands may be killed or injured unless appropriate steps are taken. Mines have already killed two hundred and fifty people, and over 500 have been injured, the prime minister added. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in early March that nearly one-third of Ukraine's territory had been mined since the start of the full-scale invasion. Clearing the land will be a massive and years-long undertaking. Read also: Russia is covering Ukraine with landmines. Clearing them will be extremely difficult Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The principle of never again is built into the very foundations of German national identity. The reasons should be obvious. German disavowal of its past through commemoration has become something of a gold standard for countries that have perpetrated unforgivable crimes. And yet, since Oct. 7, Holocaust memory has increasingly been invoked in Germany to suppress debate on Hamas militants' massacres of that day in Israel and the brutalities the Israel Defense Forces have meted out against Gaza Strip civilians in the aftermath. It appears that something has gone terribly awry in Germanys famed culture of memory. In Germany, it has become virtually impossible to stand against the IDF's violent targeting of Gazan civilians without being smeared with suspicions of antisemitism. The German-based Heinrich Boll Foundation reportedly withdrew its support from co-sponsoring the Hannah Arendt Prize for political thought to journalist Masha Gessen because of an essay they wrote this month in the New Yorker, in which they drew parallels between Gaza and a Jewish ghetto . While this started before Oct. 7, what has been remarkable in the present crackdown is the inordinate number of Jews and Israelis in Germany now under attack for speaking out against the killing of civilians in Gaza. Even more disturbing is how many of them are being framed as antisemitic by German authorities, who similarly censure Arab and Middle Eastern communities who critique Israel. Read more: Opinion: Here's what the mass violence in Gaza looks like to a scholar of genocide At stake here is not only the German process of reckoning with its own past, but also the very fate of "never again" as an orientation around which we can make common cause against ongoing atrocity. Germanys memory culture rests on a basic conviction: that our ancestors are supposed to keep us honest in both their virtues and their sins, in how they lived, died, killed, were killed, took and were taken from. It is based on a conviction that public memory includes reckoning with both the unrepented crimes and the unredeemed injuries of our ancestors, and asks us to place these concerns at the center of our ethical imagination as we address not just the past, but also the present. Read more: Opinion: How are people changed by being taken hostage by Hamas? By fleeing Israeli bombs? German law thus forbids denial of the Holocaust . The country also criminalizes expressing racist and antisemitic hate speech as well as denying war crimes and genocide . Many in the international community have come to admire Germanys willingness to look inward for the enduring legacies of national crimes. And they would even like to see never again expanded into an ethic that could be applied anywhere, rather than limited to a national or ethnic scope. In Germany, however, the promise of "never again" has contracted. Too often, German authorities now surveil newly arrived immigrants out of fear that they might import antisemitism into the country as well as the growing number of Jews who insist on their right not to see atrocities committed in their name. In Germany, Jews and Arabs are again placed under a special scrutiny. Read more: Does Israel's treatment of Palestinians rise to the level of apartheid? Over the last two years, for instance, demonstrations commemorating the anniversary of the Nakba, when Palestinians were displaced and Israel was created in 1948, have largely been outlawed . Of those who defied this ban, many were members of Juedische Stimme, or Jewish Voice, a group of Jewish activists expressing solidarity with Palestinians. In last years Nakba demonstration, the majority of those arrested were Jewish members of the group. Since then, things have only escalated. A leading member of Juedische Stimme who was born and raised in Israel was recently detained for a solitary protest in which she held a sign in a Berlin public square that read: As a Jew and Israeli: Stop the genocide in Gaza. We can question the value of the term the protester used on her sign to describe whats happening in Gaza, but its a debate we need to have. Read more: How the U.S. has fueled Israel's decades-long war on Palestinians Meanwhile, an award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair honoring Palestinian novelist Adania Shibli was canceled by organizers in October. Her novel Minor Detail explores a historical murder of a Bedouin Palestinian girl by Israeli soldiers, a topic considered too incendiary . A few weeks later, the Federal Agency for Civic Education canceled a symposium titled We Still Need to Talk, which had been planned for early December. The event was intended to start a conversation about how the paradigm of Holocaust memory could create a space for reflection and solidarity embracing commonalities and differences between the Shoah and other events of historical trauma (colonial genocides, the legacy of American slavery, for instance). In a statement , the organizers, who included Michael Rothberg, chair in Holocaust studies at UCLA, and Candice Breitz, a Berlin-based artist whose work grapples with global geographies of race, opposed the decision to call off the event. Consider what we are seeing in these events. German police are arresting Jews for political expression criticizing the state of Israel, all in the name of combating antisemitism, while the German descendants of perpetrators (virtually all of us are) are declaring a proprietary expertise, accusing Jews and Arabs alike of not understanding the political purchase of antisemitism in our present. Out of a laudable conviction that we, as German descendants of perpetrators (sometimes victims), have a special responsibility when we see violence meted out against the defenseless has emerged a proprietary relationship to the aspiration of never again. From subjecting the legacies of their own perpetration to scrutiny, German political institutions are increasingly directing scrutiny at others, framing antisemitism as a problem to be called out in others. If the optics here do not inspire a deep sense of unease, perhaps it is we who have not grasped the basic lessons of German history. I have spent much of my scholarly career working in countries where the naming of ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide are fiercely debated as political violence rolls on unchecked. I am no stranger to the fact that, as the often-abused turn of phrase goes, its complicated. But the current situation in Germany makes a few things painfully clear. Public memory the way pasts are kept as common parts of our shared social fabric is a critical resource without which the very idea of a shared humanity is inconceivable. Public memory, as such, can never be owned. The profound intergenerational grief that comes in the wake of historical traumas is a painful legacy, but a conversation about the contemporary meaning of that legacy cannot be avoided if never again is to remain a political ethic responsive to our present. We need to keep having this conversation, lest we resign ourselves to a world in which never again will always only mean never again, next time. Manuel Schwab is a professor of anthropology at the American University in Cairo who lives and works part time in Berlin. 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 group has met up every Sunday for a walk since August When Ella Thompson posted on Facebook asking if anyone wanted to go on a walk, she never dreamed she would end up creating a walking group bringing thousands of like-minded girls together. Ella, from Greater Manchester, now runs the Girls Who Walk group, which has led to friendships blossoming across the UK. The 23-year-old has told how she was "blown away" by the response to her initial post. Soon, between 50-100 girls began attending her weekly walks, and versions of the group have now popped up in locations all over the country - with more than 9,000 members nationwide. The group started back in August, when Ella moved back to the city after finishing university. Noticing there were not many groups that tackled loneliness in young people, she said she decided to create "a free, accessible way for girls to make some long-lasting connections". Earlier this month Girls Who Walk hosted a Christmas social at Loaf in Salford, with two walks and an array of goodie bags filled with gifts donated from local businesses. Ella described the gesture as being "in the spirit of what our group is about, and the spirit of Manchester, essentially". In typical Manchester fashion, Sundays event was accompanied by rainfall, although this did not deter the 100 high-spirited girls who turned up, laden with umbrellas and ready to go. "Its Manchester- of course its going to rain. Its all part of the experience," said walkers Emily Foster and Beth Thomas. So far, the walks have gone ahead whatever the weather. Ella said: "If you wait for the weather, youll never get anything done." The girls meet for a hot drink and a chat before heading out on their walk, regardless of rain In the five months they have been meeting, the group has evolved into more than just a weekly stroll. "Its a community of girls who empower each other," said Rocelle Castillo, who manages the social media for the group. Charley Cooper replied to Ella's Facebook post in August, relating to the struggle to find sociable activities that were not centred around alcohol. 'Just the start' Charley, 22, said she, like many, had struggled to make friends in her 20s but that she had found a new group of friends since joining. "Seeing the popularity shows there is an appetite and a space for it," said Charley, who is now the events organiser for the group. She added that going alone to activities can feel "quite daunting", and the group provides "a space and a community where events are already happening". Seeing friendships flourish at the walks has been a highlight, said Charley, who expressed her excitement for the future, as the girls plan to branch out into organising more events and activities. "This is just the start for Girls Who Walk," she told the BBC. At this week's Christmas social, organisers made up goodie bags filled with gifts for everyone who turned up Yet despite the ever-growing popularity of the group, founder Ella said she plans to continue to keep things affordable. "I had no money; I had no friends, and I wanted an event that empowered me," she said, recalling how she felt all those months ago when she started the group. Faye Gibson, 21, said before coming to these events, she would never have felt confident enough to approach new people. She has since started volunteering for the group and now "couldnt imagine life without it". Volunteering has been "rewarding", she said, adding that her own struggles have enabled her to relate to those who come to the group to "push themselves to try new things". Empowering each other With branches now starting up in locations from Dundee to Cornwall, Ella now also runs an Instagram chat filled with tips for others who are considering starting a group. She has also set up a Girls Who Walk leaders group chat to share advice, and described it as "overwhelming" to see how her initial idea has grown into "an amazing community for people to make friends". Groups have sprung up in locations from Dundee to Cornwall Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk COLUMBUS The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife recently completed a purchase of 844 acres adjacent to Simco Wildlife Area in Coshocton County. The acquisition will double the size of the Simco Wildlife Area, bringing its total acreage to 1,688. The latest acquisition at Simco Wildlife Area adds valuable habitat to eastern Ohios public lands, said Gov. Mike DeWine in a press release. Thank you to all the sportsmen and women who have contributed to conservation in Ohio. Their support has made this purchase possible. The newest acreage at Simco Wildlife Area was purchased from American Electric Power. The Division of Wildlife used $1.8 million of funding from the 2022 to 2023 biennial budget approved by the Ohio General Assembly. Simco Wildlife Area is composed mainly of woodlands, hosting wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey and squirrels. There are also at least eight documented bald eagle nests within 10 miles of the wildlife preserve. The demand for public land is great in this region of Ohio because of the good hunting that is available, plus the area is an easy drive from the Cleveland and Columbus metro areas, said ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker in the release. The land lies near the Muskingum River, which is a major flyway corridor for birds. Birding opportunities abound year-round with bald eagles, woodpeckers, nuthatches, kinglets and more present. This property consists of reclaimed coal mining lands. Several small ponds provide good fishing opportunities. Simco Wildlife Area is about three miles south of Coshocton. The newest parcel is south and west of Simcos existing 844 acres, along Ohio 83. Visitors can access the area from Ohio 83 on the west, along Township Road 141 on the eastern side or from Township Road 280 to the northwest. This land acquisition is similar to one being pursued by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The entity is seeking a $2 million grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission to purchase 625 acres of land in the area north of Wills Creek from AEP. What will be known as the Turkey Creek Preserve would also connect with the Simco Wildlife Area. This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Good news for hunters: ODNR buys land to add to Simco Wildlife Area Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was more important to him than the House investigation into whether the Bidens enriched themselves through foreign business deals made by the president's son, Hunter Biden. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the effort by House Republicans to impeach President Joe Biden is "falling apart," as the investigation has so far failed to produce anything of substance that could potentially hurt Biden. "If there were a smoking gun, I think we'd be talking about it," Graham said Sunday on NBC News' Meet The Press, adding "I'm not worried about impeaching the president right now." Graham noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was more important to him than the House investigation into whether the Bidens enriched themselves through foreign business deals made by the president's son, Hunter Biden. During the program, Graham also praised efforts by the Biden administration to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which he said would help to restore peace in the region while stifling Iran following the Israel-Hamas war. "The Biden administration is trying to revive the normalization efforts, and I think they're right to do so. If you really want to hurt Iran long term, don't let them get away with destroying efforts to reconcile between Israel and Saudi Arabia." The war was complicating efforts to put an agreement in place as the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza was creating outrage in the international community due to the high number of civilian deaths among Palestinians. "I can tell you, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries cannot normalize with Israel if they're having been seen as throwing the Palestinians under the bus," Graham said. "We have two choices: Continue the death spiral or use Oct. 7 as a catalyst for change." The Biden administration has been putting pressure on the Israel government to curb the high number of civilian casualties. Graham, a staunch Republican, is not one who would usually defend President Biden. However, when questioned about the GOP's push for Biden's impeachment in the House, Graham expressed reluctance to continue the inquiry. "You know what I'm worried about?," he asked. "Helping the president bring the Mideast to a better spot; trying to convince the Arabs and the Israelis to not let Iran get you off track; give Israel the space to destroy Hamas." Since reclaiming the House in January, Republicans have intensified their scrutiny of the Biden family in an effort to appease hardline party members who accuse the president of abuse of power. Previously, Republicans called the impeachment effort necessary to obtain official documents and bank records from Biden to determine whether he had taken foreign bribes to help his son. However, no evidence has been put forth to indicate that Biden broke the law, while the president continues to deny any wrongdoing. "They have to prove that President Biden somehow financially benefited from the business enterprises of Hunter Biden. We'll see," the senator said skeptically. Graham's comments come after the House voted last week to formalize the impeachment inquiry into Biden, which allows several committees to continue investigating whether there are sufficient grounds to bring charges against the incumbent. The probe, launched Sept. 12 by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has been focused on drawing a connection between Biden and unethical business practices by his son, but Democrats continue to call the effort a "political stunt." GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) On Saturday, hundreds gathered at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Rapids to lay wreaths on the graves of those who served. More than 3,600 wreaths were placed, according to Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. Those in Grand Rapids joined millions of others across the country and beyond to honor veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day. Each year, more than 4,200 locations hold wreath-laying ceremonies, MVH at Grand Rapids said. Michigan Veteran Homes seeking holiday donations They gave their lives. They sacrificed everything. They believed in what they were doing, said American Legion member Sue Stambach. My father, my father-in-law, my grandfather all served, so it means a lot to us. My son served in the Air Force. Were very proud of the service and what people do. To learn more or sponsor a wreath for delivery in 2024, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday argued the Biden administrations policies on the U.S. southern border bit them in the ass, calling the border a national security nightmare. Our border is a national security nightmare, Graham said in an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press. [The Biden administration] chose bad policies. Its bit them in the ass, and were not going to continue these stupid policies. Were going to change them. Border security remains at the center of negotiations between the Senate and the White House as the upper chamber seeks to strike a potential deal to unlock aid for Ukraine, Israel and border security measures. Republican lawmakers have largely resisted the White Houses original supplemental request, arguing border security measures need to be stricter if paired with aid for Ukraine and Israel. The White House warned earlier this month that aid for Ukraine will run out by the end of this year if Congress doesnt take action. The White House got engaged five days ago. They sent over a supplemental with border security provisions that did nothing to change policy. Weve been talking to them since September. Five days ago, they finally sat at the table, Graham said, adding that lawmakers feel like they are being jammed. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was among a group of top White House officials to meet with Senate negotiators last week. Graham said negotiations will stretch into next year despite some lawmakers claims talks are progressing. Were not anywhere close to a deal, itll go into next year, Graham said. The policy choices of the Biden administration [have] made the border a dangerous place to come to. To make his case for heightened border security provisions, Graham pointed to warnings from FBI Director Christopher Wray, who spoke of a heightened threat environment in the U.S. since the Palestinian militant group Hamass Oct. 7 attacks on Israel that left about 1,200 people dead, including hundreds of civilians. Since October the 7th, jihadist groups want to attack us because were helping Israel. Ive never been more worried about a 9/11 than I am right now, and our border has been obliterated. And were not going to give in on some Band-Aid fix, Graham said. Asked to characterize the reported progress in negotiations, Graham said, The only way were ever going to get a [secure] border is weve got to make them do things they dont want to do, but theyre getting there. It was a choice by the Biden administration to change policy that led to this debacle. Graham said there is progress on negotiations for stricter asylum rules, one of the various proposals in discussion. Republicans have suggested measures like Title 42, which would permit the U.S. to suspend processing asylum claims, and for authorities to expel migrants if a certain number of illegal border crossings is reached per day. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Clarification: Graham cast doubt in his comments about Hunter Bidens narrative. The headline and story have been updated to make that more clear. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said he believes the narrative by Hunter Biden and the president at the center of the Houses impeachment inquiry into President Biden is falling apart, arguing if there was a smoking gun in the inquiry, there would be more clear discussions. If there were a smoking gun, I think wed be talking about it, Graham said on NBC Newss Meet The Press. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. But the narrative that Hunter Biden presented is falling part. The idea that Joe Biden knew nothing about the business dealings is falling apart. Im not worried about impeaching the president right now, Graham continued, adding he is more concerned with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Evening Report newsletter Graham noted he hasnt really been paying that much attention to the Houses investigation into Biden and his familys foreign business dealings. They have to prove that President Biden somehow financially benefited from the business enterprises of Hunter Biden. Well see, the senator said. The House last week formalized its impeachment inquiry into Biden with a 221-212 vote along party lines to approve a resolution authorizing the inquiry. The vote came after months of investigations led by House GOP members into widely disputed allegations that Biden improperly benefited from or used policy to benefit the foreign business dealings of family members, most notably his son Hunter Biden. House Republicans are also looking into accusations that the Department of Justice slow-walked a tax crimes probe into Hunter Biden, who was indicted on charges of evading taxes on foreign business earnings. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in September asserted the various GOP probes into Biden would fall under the umbrella of impeachment, but he did not hold a formal vote at the time. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Last weeks vote came just hours after the presidents son made a brief appearance at the Capitol, where he gave a public statement railing against House Republicans instead of appearing for a scheduled deposition for a subpoena from House Republicans. Hunter Biden said last week he sought to testify in a public setting, while Republicans are seeking a closed-door deposition instead. The White House has embarked on a campaign of attacking the impeachment inquiry, which it maintains is a political stunt. Updated 3:10 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A 67-year-old Texas man was shot and killed during his grandsons birthday party, police told news outlets. The shooting happened at a home on Houstons southeast side at about 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, officials told KHOU. Police say there was a fight at the house party that escalated, with at least one person pulling out a gun and opening fire, the station reported. A bullet fatally struck the man, police said, and a female was wounded as well. Between 60 and 70 people showed up to the home, including uninvited guests who heard about the party, KTRK reported. Michael Sanchez, whose birthday the celebration was for, said he lived with his grandpa for most of his life and he was like a father to him, the outlet reported. Not only was I about to be 18, but I was supposed to graduate this year, too, Sanchez told the station. Now he cant even see me graduate with my cap or anything. The fatal gunshot was fired from outside and hit the grandfather inside the house, police told KPRC. A bullet also struck a girl in the foot, and she was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. Police have one person in custody but are searching for two more believed to have been involved in the shooting, the outlet reported. Man shot in head by womans ex-boyfriend while helping her move out, Texas cops say Mom sees laser pointing into car before son gets shot in head, Oklahoma family says Police spend hours trying to wake man sleeping through SWAT standoff, Texas cops say Boy grabs shotgun as couple fights, then shoots mothers boyfriend, Missouri cops say The Massachusetts Legislatures Committee on Public Health is considering two bills that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the commonwealth. As a Massachusetts physician, as a psychiatrist who treats persons with mental health problems, and as a daughter who has dealt with the loss of a parent to a debilitating illness, I am concerned by flaws in these bills that present risks to individual patients and the public. Trust in the health care system would likely be damaged for many, but especially for communities that have experienced health care inequity who have not been consulted on these bills. Disparities already exist in end-of-life care so that Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ patients are less likely to receive palliative care or hospice care. Black families are more likely than white families to report that family members in hospice had inadequate pain control, less documentation of their treatment wishes, and greater financial barriers to care. A study shows that Black patients deliberating on end-of-life choices report fear that using advance directives, palliative care or hospice may cause providers to deliver inadequate care. Despite use of the term counseling, the legislation does not provide counseling, mental health care or palliative care for terminally ill individuals thinking of suicide. It requires that feasible options for treatment and palliative care be described, not provided. What is feasible is limited by a persons resources. This affects their end-of-life options. In Oregon and Canada, where medically assisted suicide is legal, the use of physician-assisted suicide is higher for patients with less financial resources, less medical insurance coverage and less access to adequate disability and social support. Massachusetts should not introduce physician-assisted suicide as a solution for inequitable end-of-life care. Legislators are wrong if they think that Massachusetts physicians will uniformly comply with the bills requirement to either provide lethal prescriptions to their patients or refer to someone who will. The physician shortage will be exacerbated when physicians who are already burned out and struggling to provide meaningful care in the current health care environment refuse the additional demand to practice unethically. The American Medical Association provides us with guidance that physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physicians role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would pose serious societal risks. The public should be aware that these bills require creation of a monitoring system that lacks transparency, oversight or independent monitoring. Death certificates would be recorded in a way that violates Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines. Lack of automatic pharmacy reporting of medical aid in dying prescriptions would prevent monitoring of prescribing practices and of unused lethal doses left in the community. Oregon and Canada, which have stronger monitoring systems than proposed by these bills, nevertheless have chronic problems of missing data on physician-assisted suicides, and inadequate oversight. Established Massachusetts reporting systems that are essential to public health would be damaged by these bills. More must, and can, be done to support appropriate, equitable end-of-life care for Massachusetts residents. The physician-assisted suicide bills under current deliberation by the Massachusetts Legislature instead would foster substandard patient care, increase risk to patients and the public, and increase social inequities in end-of-life care. Dr. Madelyn Hicks is a physician and associate professor of psychiatry at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Assisted-suicide bills in Mass. present risks to patients, public Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Sunday called it wasted energy to focus on former President Trumps ongoing legal battles, deferring to the courts to make such judgements. Pressed on ABC Newss This Week on whether Trump should get immunity from criminal prosecution, Haley said, I think the court issues are do you have immunity when youre president, when youre not president? At what point does that line fall? Im going to let judges decide that, I dont know where the line falls, Haley continued. President Trump is going to have to defend himself, no matter what. If hes found guilty, hes found guilty. If hes found innocent, hes found innocent. It would be wasted energy for me to sit there and focus on court cases and not focus on how to win that room that we just left. Trump, who has maintained a strong lead in GOP presidential primary polls, has argued through his legal team that he is immune from prosecution because he is protected by presidential immunity relating to criminal charges that stem from his first-term in the White House, including his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021. Special counsel Jack Smith last week asked the Supreme Court to immediately weigh in on whether Trump has immunity from prosecution in his federal election interference case. The move is aimed at ensuring the trial, slated to begin in March, can stay on track. This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl on Sunday responded to Haley saying Trumps argument sounds a lot like sayinga president is above the law. Haley then interjected, He [Trump] can answer for himself. I am not in a court case, Im happy I dont have to answer for that, so let him answer it. The former president is facing four felony counts over allegations he was involved in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and stood at the center of a campaign to stop the certification of votes on Jan. 6. Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan already rejected Trumps immunity argument in a ruling earlier this month, stating whatever immunities a president once held does not mean they receive a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass. Trump appealed Chutkans ruling. Smith is looking for the issue to be taken up by the nations highest court before the D.C. Circuit issues its ruling and asked the justices accelerate their consideration of the case. Trumps lead in the GOP primary polls remains strong despite the 91 criminal charges he faces. As of Sunday, polling from Decision Desk HQ and The Hill found Trump has about 63 percent of the GOP primary vote, while Haley trails behind at 11.5 percent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley sidestepped a question on the high-profile abortion case in Texas, in which a woman was denied an abortion that her doctor deemed to be medically necessary. In the interview on ABC Newss This Week, Haley would not criticize the Texas Supreme Court, which diverged from the lower court in denying the woman, Kate Cox, an abortion, but Haley said it was important for the state Legislature to take steps to ensure similar situations dont happen in the future. Well, I think it is the right thing that unelected justices no longer decide this, and its in the hands of the people. I appreciate that Texas went more on the pro-life side, but as we go through this listen, my heart broke for her because I had trouble having my children, Haley told host Jonathan Karl in the interview that aired Sunday, when he asked what she thought of the Supreme Courts decision. Best Holiday Deals BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Haley has avoided embracing a specific position on abortion laws, saying that its important to be compassionate toward woman in difficult situations, while insisting that she is still as pro-life as can be. On the issue of a national abortion ban, she has said she would sign any law but dismissed the possibility of any such ban arriving to the presidents desk, noting the Senate could never reach the 60-vote threshold required to pass any legislation. The states are now going to have to look at these because what we dont want to see is a woman with a rare condition having to carry a baby until term, Haley added. In Texas, Coxs doctor told her that her fetus was almost certainly not going to survive and that carrying the fetus to term would risk her own chances of having more children, which she has expressed her desire to do. Karl pressed Haley on 2024 presidential candidate Chris Christies criticism of her that she would not give a direct answer on whether the Supreme Court made the right decision. Asked whether she would say now, directly, whether it was the wrong decision, Haley said the court followed the law. I mean, the Supreme Court said what that the law that the state put was the one they had to follow, right? she said, adding, So thats when a state corrects itself and says, How do we make sure that doesnt happen again? We tweak things all the time as governors. Pressed again on whether it was the right decision, Haley said, Well, the court had to follow the law. The law said that she couldnt have the abortion. Now, its up to the Legislature in Texas to say, How do we make sure there are no more Kates that go through that? Thats what you look at. As a governor, you dont just say, This is golden. As a governor, when something happens that churns your stomach, that says thats what this was intended to be, you go back and say, OK, what do we do to make sure that that we are saving as many babies as possible, but also supporting as many moms as possible? Its not as cut and dried as everybody wants, but states will self-correct to this. Thats what they do, she added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When the lives of your children are on the line, it is hard to make plans for after the war. Yet international support for Israel is conditional. Partly it rests on keeping civilian deaths to a minimum, which is why Hamas does its best to maximise casualties. And partly it rests on reassurances that Israel is not intending to reoccupy Gaza. For this and other reasons, the Biden administration has been pressuring Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu whose cabinet includes several hardline radicals to declare his vision for the territory once Hamas has been vanquished. Early in the conflict, Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, announced his plan for the campaign. Hamas would be destroyed militarily, followed by a counter-insurgency operation to mop up pockets of resistance. A closed military zone would then be established along the frontier to prevent future incursions, as part of a new security regime. After that, the border would be sealed. No more jobs for Gazans in Israel. No more access to Israeli medical facilities with Arabic-speaking Jewish volunteers ferrying Palestinian patients back and forth in their cars. No more public services provided by Jerusalem to the Strip. The international community could play a part, but so far as Israel was concerned, Gaza would be on its own. Given that Hamas timed its savagery to derail rapprochement between Israel and the Saudis, a long-term victory will involve getting negotiations back on track. Normalisation with the desert kingdom which has refrained from condemning the Israeli offensive with full conviction would be historic. International security agencies must strangle Hamas International, the birth pangs of which we saw in the thwarted terror plot in Europe this week. When it comes to the governance of Gaza, however, there are no easy answers. After October 7, Israeli counter-terrorism forces must maintain operational freedom in every corner of the Strip. That much is a given. But who will be in charge? The United States favours the Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers the West Bank. This would place Gaza under indigenous control, but is hardly a promising option. If they entered behind Israeli tanks, the PA would forfeit local legitimacy. They would likely struggle with it anyway, given that they were driven out in a coup in 2007. That may happen again. In the intervening years, the PA has become only more authoritarian, weaker and more corrupt. Some snapshots from the West Bank will suffice. The city of Jenin, a hotbed of militancy, has slipped from PA control; last year, the gay Palestinian Abu Marhia was decapitated; a state-of-the-art hospital in Halhul, near Hebron, built with aid dollars, has sat empty because local officials have taken kickbacks to direct patients to other facilities; Mahmoud Abbas is enjoying the 18th year of his four-year term in office; the schools are rife with Israelophobia; and in 2021, Nizar Banat, an Arab pro-democracy campaigner seen as a challenger to Abbas, was beaten to death by Palestinian security officers trained by Britain. Handing the 88-year-old PLO leader more territory would hardly seem ideal. At the other end of the spectrum, Israel could re-occupy the Strip. From one point of view, it would make sense. The Jewish state withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in 2005, turning over its vacated kibbutzim to the Palestinians who destroyed them. There followed years of fundamentalism and militarisation alongside a slide into economic dysfunction, a situation that must be reversed if October 7 is not to be repeated. As Netanyahu revealed recently, any postwar strategy for Gaza must include deradicalisation efforts akin to the denazification of Germany after the Second World War (a topic I explored in these pages in November). This may be easier to enforce with full Israeli control, though the Israelis would not have the local credibility to deliver it. But nobody serious, least of all myself, is suggesting a return to the full-fat occupation that emerged in 1967, after the Six Day War. Even the Israeli far-right has been largely quiet on this point. Not only would it be unsustainable morally, logistically and economically, it would turn Israel into a pariah among its few remaining friends. There are few other options. An international administration would betray legitimate Gazan desires for self-rule. A UN peacekeeping force would collapse under fire, as has happened in Lebanon. But the worst outcome would be chaos. As Britain and America learned to our cost in post-2003 Iraq, while nature abhors vacuums, jihadis love them. The uncontrolled demise of Hamas could allow a brace of other fanatics to vie for supremacy. There is an Islamic State presence in the Sinai Peninsula; armed attempts to establish a caliphate in Gaza would be nightmarish. The remaining option would be for Gaza to be delegated to its dominant clans. Palestinian society is very tribal, and as unpalatable as this proposal seems to western democratic sensibilities, it may be the least bad plan. It would require international funding, especially from the Gulf, and perhaps oversight from friendly Arab states, while the Israelis would maintain security control. When Israeli forces left Gaza in 2005, it could have become a Singapore on the Mediterranean. Hamas killed that dream. Today, the best we can hope for is stability and even that remains uncertain. But first the war must be won. Jake Wallis Simons is editor of the Jewish Chronicle and author of Israelophobia 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. Harvard University has a difficult job ahead as it works to rebuild trust in its community and try to move on from the fallout of its presidents testimony before Congress. Unlike the head of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Harvard chief Claudine Gay was able to keep her position after international backlash when two the leaders, as well as the president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), refused to say that a call for Jewish genocide would constitute harassment. Those invested in the campus culture say Harvard needs to begin an open process of remedying its policies to earn their trust back. Roni Brunn, a leading member of the Harvard Jewish Alumni Association, said the university needs to be transparent in its next steps. She lamented the vague statements and promises from Harvard that students who have crossed the line into antisemitism are facing repercussions. The other thing about it is that Harvard, theyre saying that they did take some disciplinary action to students, but its held in private, Brunn said. Theres nothing announced, so people are not deterred by whatever administrative disciplinary action is taken. So we would like it to be clear that if you do this, this is whats going to happen, because its very vague right now. Chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) announced quickly after the hearing that her panel would be investigating the learning environments and disciplinary policies of Harvard, MIT and UPenn, potentially among other schools. Foxx said the schools could face subpoenas and further calls for testimony as part of the probe. The Department of Education has also opened inquiries into Harvard and UPenn over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Brunn also pointed to the committee on antisemitism that Gay assembled weeks ago, saying no one knows whats going on in their meetings and the only insight they have had is when Rabbi David Wolpe quit. In his parting statement, Wolpe said that the ideology that grips far too many of [Harvards] students and faculty, the ideology that works only along axes of oppression and places Jews as oppressors and therefore intrinsically evil, is itself evil. Unlike Gay, UPenns Liz Magill was unable to survive the controversy and was ousted by her schools board, even after she released a statement walking back her testimony to Congress. In that moment, I was focused on our universitys longstanding policies aligned with the U.S. Constitution, which say that speech alone is not punishable, Magill said. 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. MITs president, meanwhile, quickly received the support of her schools board despite so far releasing no statement going back or apologizing for her congressional testimony. Gay told The Harvard Crimson, the schools student newspaper, that she was sorry for her House testimony. I got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures, she said. 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. Harvards next moves are important as one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, with other schools looking to it for guidance, said Jacqueline Pfeffer Merril, director of the Campus Free Expression Project for the Bipartisan Policy Center. The defensive position the presidents were in during the hearing erodes the confidence and trust of the public in our entire system of higher education, Merril said. And so I think as an entire sector one of the questions is how is it that we rebuild trust in higher education as institutions of learning, of expertise, of genuinely open debate? she added. The first step in that process, Merril said, is revisiting free speech and expression policies on campus to provide robust protection for free speech and apply the standards in a neutral manner. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a free speech organization, conducts surveys on the culture of free expression on college campuses, and Harvard ranked last on the list, though the university disputes the methods of the organization. Second, as part of the educational mission, there should be a concerted effort to prepare students to tolerate views with which they deeply disagree and to engage in civil and productive discourse, Merril said. Free speech advocates have come to the defense of the university presidents after their testimonies, saying the leaders were correct that the First Amendment allows those types of comments on campus depending on the context. The bottom line is that harassment is a pattern of targeted behavior. For example, its hard to see how the single utterance Rep. Elise Stefanik asked about during the hearing no matter how offensive would qualify given this pervasiveness requirement, FIRE said. And as frustrating as it is to hear the college presidents appeals to context in yesterdays hearing, particularly when it doesnt seem to matter to them when other speech is at issue, the truth is that context does matter, FIRE added. Harvard has been in the spotlight since the start of the Israel-Hamas war when 30 student-led groups released a statement saying it was Israels fault Hamas attacked on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,500 civilians. Since then, protests with calls to Free Palestine from the River to the Sea and other divisive slogans have been held on the Cambridge, Mass., campus. Considering this conflict is going to go on for several more months, and I assume there will be other additional protests at Harvard, we are going to be keeping Harvard under a microscope, said Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. This time around, Halber said he thinks Gay was genuinely remorseful for her words and had a moment to learn. But if she fails to meet the test again, she needs to go, Halber said. There is no doubt in my mind, Halber added. Its not just, by the way, against the Jewish community but against any community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Well be here as long as they need us The Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Sumner Countys Disaster Relief fund have joined together to provide relief to those who have been impacted by last weekends tornados. The deadly Dec. 9 tornadoes claimed the lives of six people, damaged a large portion of homes, business and left many without power. Due to the destruction of a variety of business, hundreds have been left without work weeks before the Christmas season. People don't realize that we have had 53 businesses impacted and over 250 employees now out of work, said Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce President, Kathleen Hawkins. Kathleen Hawkins, Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce president, puts her hands over her chest while listening to a community member as Hawkins prepares donations for those affected by the tornados during the Sumner County Disaster Relief Community Cleanup in Hendersonville , Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. I'm from Florida, so I've dealt with hurricanes and all of that. But when you have hundreds and hundreds of employees now out of work two weeks before Christmas with no temporary shelters, it shows the magnitude of the situation. Since the relief event started, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce has helped over four hundred families. They help to provide not only food and supplies but resources for rent assistance and career opportunities. We've had a lot of people in here all-day coming in. Even the ones that didn't have tornado damage are still figuring out, Well I went to a hotel and I spent money here, and now how am I going to pay my bills or replace my food. It has had a wider effect than I think most people realize. Krista King sorts through bins of donations for household items to help find specific products community members need during the Sumner County Disaster Relief Community Cleanup in Hendersonville , Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. At an event earlier today at Hendersonvilles City Hall, Hawkins expressed that over 600 people showed up to help with cleanup efforts. The community has really come together to help those affected and well be here as long as they need us. For more information on how to access these resources and join the cleanup efforts, the United Way of Sumner County has a resource hub on their website that anybody that needs help can go to or you can call the Hendersonville Chamber at 615-824-2818. The relief event at the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce event center is located at 300 Indian Lake Blvd Suite D160 and is open from 9am 5pm. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hendersonville groups rally to help Tennessee tornado victims He's over Goff, wants Lions to bring this player back The Detroit Lions need a quarterback. Any chance we can get Matt Stafford back? We need him back now, or we will not make it past the first round. Thomas K. Tincoff Eastpointe Lions quarterback Jared Goff calls a play at the line during the third quarter on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Chicago. Same old Lions? Talk to us at freep.com/letters. I don't get plans for raising I-375 People are talking about raising I-375 to the surface, as if this will somehow bring back Paradise Valley, which makes no sense. The present highway is low enough for bridges over it, and there are several. Why not leave the roadway where it is and build a long bridge with a park on it, as was done when I-696 was built? Thomas VanDeGrift Birmingham Don't forget role of political climate in UAW victory I am glad to see the United Auto Workers have secured a satisfying contract for their membership. But I want to bring attention to something that may get overlooked by union workers. It is something that was done in a climate of support by a Democratic president, governor and legislative majority in Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic Legislaturee changed Michigan from a right-to-work state back to a friendly union state. President Joe Biden came to Michigan and visited striking union workers on the picket line. Former President Donald Trump did not. With a presidential election coming next year, I fear that threats made to our democracy by Trump could spill into other areas. Threats of authoritarian/dictator ideologies of eliminating parts of government, i.e. the IRS, FBI, etc., could also mean the U.S. Department of Labor. Union contracts could be deemed useless and canceled. When dictator Adolf Hitler took control of Germany, he imprisoned union officials and canceled unions. Trump's recent comments of being a dictator for the first day only could easily escalate to full time if he won reelection, based on his past and current behavior. Fair warning: Police, fire, teachers, broadcast, municipal, and construction unions would not be immune to being dissolved. Pensions, health care and workers rights will be gone. Once the wrecking ball comes through, and the stability of our country and government is ruined, it will be nearly impossible to put the pieces back together. Kevin Duke Bruce, Michigan Mike Greenwell joined other members of UAW Local 862 strike Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Greenwell has been with Ford for over 28 years 2024. Are you worried? Tell us all about it at freep.com/letters. Trump decision will shape presidency Does President Donald Trump have presidential immunity for illegal acts committed while in office? That is the question which Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide. The court, while not writing an opinion on the matter, did request Trumps lawyers respond to Mr. Smiths question by Dec. 20. If the Supreme Court decides that there is such a thing as presidential immunity, then the court is setting a precedent for all former, present and future presidents, regardless of political party. The terrifying truth of presidential immunity is that it is complete and utter unchecked power which would allow any president, regardless of political party, to do anything in office without the fear of future prosecution. A president with such power could imprison journalists, execute political rivals or rule continually for decades unchallenged. The answer to Mr. Smiths question is to decide what type of future America will have. It is the most important decision these justices will ever make. Let us pray they will carefully consider their answer. Tracy Louise Asanuma Iron Mountain Understand the consequences of mass incarceration The impact of mass incarceration on the African American community in the U.S. cannot be ignored. Systemic biases, racial profiling, and socioeconomic disparities have disproportionately affected black individuals, resulting in a significant percentage of the incarcerated population being comprised of Black people. As a witness to the toll it takes on my own family and friends, I feel compelled to advocate for change. Black men, despite making up only a small portion of the overall population, account for approximately 35% of the male prison population. This overrepresentation perpetuates a cycle of injustice and inequality that has lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. Lack of resources, job opportunities, education, and mental health support disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly people of color. It is crucial to address this issue head-on. Mass incarceration denies individuals their human rights and reinforces cycles of poverty and discrimination. To break this cycle, we must prioritize mental health resources, address the underlying causes of criminal behavior, and provide rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism rates and promote successful reintegration into society. Rev. Dr. Dorthea Enrique Detroit Democracy is abstract but consequences are real Democracy, like love or imagination, is abstract, having no physical or concrete existence. Perhaps that is why President Donald Trumps pursuit of absolutism is not sending shivers down the spines of those in the electorate vowing support. Its just not tangible. What is real, and more importantly personal, are the consequences of an intemperate leaders actions on certain voting blocs. If a loved one sacrificed his or her life in service of our country, know that Trump, as commander in chief, called our fallen military heroes "suckers." If you are among millions of Americans who identify as a minority, know that the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump for apartment rental practices that systematically excluded African Americans and Hispanics. If you experienced the loss of family member or friend to the ravages of COVID-19, know that Trump intentionally downplayed the virus lethality, resulting in the deaths of untold thousands. To those who voted for President Joe Biden, but are considering switching loyalties, think carefully about what another Trump presidency means to you personally and in a real sense before you cast your ballot. Jim Paladino Tampa, Fla. This is my country Several friends have said that if President Donald Trump wins in 2024, they will leave the country. They just cant take the thought of living in a country run by a dictator. They talk about Canada, Australia, Europe. I dont blame them. But when they ask me where I would go, I tell them I have no Plan B. Id rather be like Xenophon, the Greek general who defeated an overwhelming Persian army by lining his troops up against a cliff. His lieutenants questioned the move, stating that it would limit their mobility and prevent a retreat. Xenophon pointed out that their position clarified to both sides that we either fight and win or ... The Greeks won. The reality is, though, that even if you escape, it will only postpone the inevitable. If we lose democracy in America, it will not long survive in the rest of the world. So, its time to fight. Pick a candidate you like; volunteer your time; give what money you can; knock doors; make phone calls; organize; whatever suits you. Norman Howe Ann Arbor Look at Ottawa County for preview of future Residents of Ottawa County have witnessed first-hand the ineptitude of Ottawa Impact and their heavy-handed ways. This group is a microcosm of a second Trump term. Just like Ottawa Impact, Trump has no positive plan to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and no plan for the future of America. Trump has only personal grievances to fulfill.A second Trump term would doom democracy and freedom in the U.S. All three branches of government would become an extension of Trumps dictatorial powers. The Heritage Foundation, a far-right group supporting Trump, is already preparing Project 2025. It calls for expanding presidential powers and filling government agencies with loyal "know-nothings" tied to Trump. Google Project 2025 and read how Trump could rule with a tight fist. Plan now to vote the Democratic ticket and defeat Trump. Register others to vote. This is serious. Our democracy is at risk. Bob Bird Holland Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions, Donald Trump, democracy | Letters to the Editor (KRON) Two vehicle theft suspects were apprehended after a high-speed pursuit spanned multiple jurisdictions. American Canyon officers witnessed two individuals casing vehicles in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn and Suites around 2:30 a.m. on Friday. Oakland robbers chase, ram victims car at Lake Merritt According to police, it was evident that the suspects were associated with a stolen Chevy truck traced back to the City of Alameda. Officers pursued the suspects in the city of American Canyon. The pursuit escalated to Highway 80. The suspects attempted to evade law enforcement by throwing numerous construction tools from the windows of the truck to deter pursuing officers, according to the police. The California Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit by attempting to deploy spike strips to disable the stolen truck. The car pursuit ended in Oakland, where suspects barricaded in the backyard of a residence. Suspects were apprehended by the Oakland Police Department SWAT officers. The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Josue Valdez Amezcua and 24-year-old Hector Garcia Hernandez. Both suspects are Oakland residents. According to the police investigation, the suspects were found to have a stolen vehicle, stolen property, and a 9mm handgun stolen out of Sacramento. Amezcua and Hernandez were booked for fleeing with reckless disregard for public safety, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, and unlawful possession of a firearm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg: The number of people who do not believe the evidence of the Holocaust, which is plainly before their eyes, is staggering - Rii Schroer for The Telegraph When Dov Forman, one of Lily Eberts 37 great-grandchildren, proposed they join TikTok in 2021 to share her educational message with the world, the Auschwitz survivor had a simple response: Ill make videos with you but Im not dancing. He wanted to help her fulfil her lifelong promise to herself that if by any chance I survive, she would tell the world the truth about the death camp. What neither of them considered was the avalanche of abuse that would come their way. Very quickly, we began to encounter a huge amount of Holocaust denial and distortion, people calling me and my great-grandmother liars, talk of the Holohoax, says 20-year-old Forman, who with Ebert, 99, has since amassed 2.1 million followers. In the wake of the October 7 pogrom in Israel the largest massacre of Jews since the Nazi genocide that took the lives of Eberts mother, brother and sister Forman says he didnt open TikTok for a few days because I was too afraid to do so, knowing the private messages I would receive. Some have been passed on to the police. Lily Ebert with her great-grandson Dov Forman after being made a MBE - Getty It all means the politics student is far from shocked by the results of a survey published last week by The Economist and YouGov. A fifth of Americans aged between 18 and 29 believe that the Holocaust is a myth (a further 30 per cent said that they did not know). The proportion dropped to eight per cent for those aged 30 to 44; two per cent for 45 to 64; and zero for over-65s. Ignorance about the Shoah is not confined to the other side of the Atlantic. A 2020 YouGov survey found that twice as many British 50 to 64-year-olds know a great deal about the Holocaust as 18 to 24-year-olds. A 2021 poll of UK adults found 52 per cent did not know that six million Jews were murdered (more than a fifth thought it was two million or fewer). And in 2022, UCL research found that the novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was used by more than a third of teachers in England in lessons on the Holocaust despite the risk it can perpetuate a number of dangerous inaccuracies and fallacies. The research reported that the story regularly inadvertently elicited misplaced sympathy for Nazis. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Film Stills The National Socialists came to power when German-born Manfred Goldberg was just two. He survived mass shootings, a concentration camp and a death march and when he arrived in the UK in 1946, aged 16: I thought I had come to utopia, to paradise. People were so understanding and sympathetic. And I really believed all the politicians who went around in this country saying: Never again. As he speaks of the situation today, at his home in north London, the 93-year-old has a look of incomprehension on his face. The number of people who do not believe the evidence of the Holocaust, which is plainly before their eyes, is staggering. Referring to the recent poll, he says that denial has mutated from the preserve of early nutters such as David Irving who lost a famous libel case in 2000 when a judge described the historian as an active Holocaust denier to catchy content that can spread like wildfire online. Holocaust denier David Irving - AP All these people have had almost 20 years of listening to lies emanating from social media. Facebook and YouTube began in the early 2000s and over this period, all these websites could have been a blessing to our lives. In fact, they have permitted these fabrications to be spewed 24 hours a day. The Nazis could only dream of a medium like this. A whole generation has been mentally distorted. He adds: More and more now, I read that some people do not believe October 7 ever happened. People are still mourning for their relatives. I ask Goldberg how he would respond to someone who denies the Holocaust not out of malice but sheer ignorance. His mind goes straight to the most brutal camp I had been in during the war, in Poland. There, unlike most other factories of death, the Nazis failed to destroy the evidence of their worst crimes. I would take him by the scruff of the neck, says Goldberg, and buy him and me a ticket to Stutthof and show him: This is the gas chamber and that is the crematorium. Look at it and now tell me that its all a big Jewish lie. There is incontrovertible evidence. Goldberg: I would take him by the scruff of the neck and buy him and me a ticket to Stutthof and show him: This is the gas chamber and that is the crematorium - Rii Schroer for The Telegraph According to Ofcom, TikTok is the most used single source of news for 12 to 15-year-olds. A survey by data intelligence company Generation Lab found young adults who used the app were more likely to hold antisemitic beliefs. Forman is part of a high-profile group trying to get TikTok to take responsibility for the denial that washes over its video platform. Last month, he joined actors Sacha Baron Cohen, Debra Messing and Amy Schumer on a 90-minute call with TikTok executives to discuss the surge in Jew-hatred since October 7, including a trend for youngsters to wax lyrical about Osama bin Laden. It is creating the biggest antisemitic movement since the Nazis, said the British Borat star. Shame on you. It was an important moment for people like Sacha Baron Cohen to raise the opinions of all Jewish creators, says Forman. He said that it feels to us that TikTok is putting their profits ahead of the safety of users. Has anything changed since? Forman gently laughs. Not that Ive seen. The excuse that they gave was this isnt something they can change overnight. But they could push a button and say the word Holohoax wont be acceptable. If they decided they werent going to allow the Bin Laden videos to go viral, we wouldnt see this extremism emerge among 10 and 15-year-olds. The company said: The number of videos [promoting the Al-Qaeda leader] on TikTok is small and reports of it trending on our platform are inaccurate. This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media. TikTok has also said: Hateful ideologies, including antisemitism, are not and have never been allowed on our platform. Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, says: If someone has fallen down some strange rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, I think its our job to present the facts. That would involve hearing from a survivor and reading eyewitness testimony. And the Nazis themselves documented very clearly what they did. Its not just history were looking at the rise in antisemitism right now, so we have to be alive to not just the consequences of this hate but the consequences of not speaking out against it, she says. To arm the next generation against those who wish to pervert the past, the trust has taken over 40,000 students and teachers on trips to Auschwitz and helps 100,000 people a year to hear the testimony of survivors or their children. Preparing for the time when there will be no more first-hand witnesses, the National Holocaust Centre and Museum is expanding its Forever Project. Using a combination of AI, voice recognition and machine learning, it enables you to ask survivors thousands of questions in real time. Pollock says she receives messages of denial every time she posts anything to do with a survivor on X/Twitter, but concludes that the sole answer is to keep on reminding people what happened. Similarly, Forman and Ebert who celebrates her 100th birthday later this month are staying put. The only way that we can try to prevent antisemitism is by being on those apps and saying, in the face of racists and bigots, that actually we wont stop, he insists. Because of the messages you send, were going to post even more. 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. It has been more than two years since a fire ripped through the historic Albany Building in downtown Pueblo, but city government has taken one more step to remove the now-hazardous building. Pueblo City Council unanimously approved a contract on Dec. 11 to abate and demolish the structure at 125 E. Seventh St. While the demolition is taking longer to complete than city officials first expected, the cost of abating asbestos and tearing down the building is approximately $500,000 lower than initial estimates. Heres what we know about the expected demolition and whats next for the property. The Albany Building at 125 E. 7th Street pictured on June 15, 2023. The building burned in August 2021. What happened to the Albany Building? The Albany Building was first built in 1887 as a church and has served myriad purposes over the years, most recently as an event venue. A fire broke out in August 2021, accidentally started by a contractor working on a bathroom. The contractor also passed away from COVID-19 three months after the fire, the buildings owner, Robert OCallaghan, previously told the Chieftain. City Councilor Dennis Flores noted that the property was not insured at the time of the fire, which Andrew Hayes, the director of public works for the city, confirmed. Flores lamented that city taxpayers are going to be paying for the cost of demolition. I'll be voting for it because it's been an eyesore for over two years, Flores said, adding that its environmentally dangerous and an attractive nuisance for children but that an adequate insurance policy could have covered the demolition. Hayes said the property is condemned and the city could place a lien on the property, which could eventually be foreclosed. However, the owner has been cooperative with the process so far and is planning on giving the property to the city eventually without the lien process. Pueblo Fire Department responders fight a fire on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at The Albany of Pueblo, a 130-year-old events venue on the 100 block of West Seventh Street in Pueblo, Colorado. Why the cost of demolition is lower than expected Back in June, the total cost of the demolition and abatement of the Albany Building was expected to be $1 to $1.2 million. But the project is now slated to cost $605,000, with an extra $100,000 for contingencies. In an interview with the Chieftain, Hayes said the lower price could have been because demolition contractors are often busier during the summer. He also noted that the city received a range of competitive bids and thats not always the case. The city received four bids for the project, ranging from $605,000 to $793,000. Another factor that could have contributed to a lower cost estimate was hearing back from state agencies about the necessary work at the site, Hayes said. City council approved $1.2 million for demolition and abatement costs in June, but that wasnt just specifically for the Albany Building. Hayes said that the funding left for demolition after the Albany Building is gone will be used for other demolition projects around the city. Bricks cover a ramp outside the Albany Building at 125 E. Seventh St. on June 15, 2023, in Pueblo, Colo. Why the timeline is longer than expected Hayes said in June that he hoped the demolition could be completed during the summer, but he told the Chieftain Friday it will likely take place sometime within the first quarter of the 2024. Hayes said that the project is still awaiting a few permits before demolition can proceed, but the city has obtained an important open-air demolition permit from the state health department. The city applied for a variance permit from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in November 2022, which took longer than expected to come through. This permit took a lot of time and scrutiny from CDPHE to make sure everything was right, Hayes said. It was needed because the integrity of the building is compromised; its impossible to contain the asbestos within the building, which is partially burned and falling apart. We can't really seal the building up when we do the abatement, Hayes explained. The application for the variance permit was submitted in November 2022, Hayes said, and they heard back this summer that it had been approved. The request for bids for the project was posted on Oct. 17. A scorched sign outside the Albany Building at 125 E. Seventh St. on June 15, 2023, in Pueblo, Colo. What will happen after the building is demolished? The future of the lot without the Albany Building is still unclear, Hayes said. The city is poised to assume ownership of the parcel but could potentially sell it to a developer. We just want to make sure that, from a safety perspective and from a livability of our town perspective, that this thing doesn't just linger out there any longer than it needs to so we're happy to get it done, Hayes said. A 'no trespassing' sign is displayed outside the Albany Building at 125 E. Seventh St. on June 15, 2023, in Pueblo, Colo. Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo historic Albany Building set for demolition; was destroyed by fire A woman has been arrested in Modesto in connection with a 2021 shooting death in Hollister. Rebecca Nunez, 28, was arrested when a high-risk search warrant was served at an apartment in a complex on the 100 block of East Orangeburg Avenue, near McHenry Avenue. The warrant was served Thursday by the San Benito Sheriffs Office with assistance from the San Benito County Probation Department and the Modesto and Ceres police departments. Nunez faces charges of murder and being an accessory to murder. The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Alfredo Fro Arredondo in the homicide. Arredondo is accused of shooting and killing Adolfo Junior Davila Jr. on April 5, 2021, after the men had a disagreement in a restaurant in Hollister. In June 2021, Arredondo was charged with murder and a state warrant was issued for his arrest. A news release from the San Benito Sheriffs Office says Arredondo has ties to Modesto and Merced and may have traveled to Mexico. He is described as being 5-foot-4, about 150 pounds, with black hair. He has the following tattoos: the word Pasillas on the right side of his chest, Irma beneath his right elbow and Never trust them hoes above his left hip. Arredondo should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about him is asked to call the FBI field office in Sacramento at 916-746-7000. Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai stands accused of 'collusion' with foreign forces under a national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong (Anthony WALLACE) Pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai went on trial in Hong Kong Monday on national security charges that could see him jailed for life, with the United States and Britain demanding his release. Lai, 76, is accused of "collusion" with foreign forces under a sweeping national security law that Beijing imposed on the finance hub in 2020. He is the founder of the now-shuttered Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily, which often criticised Beijing and supported the huge protest movement that roiled Hong Kong in 2019. The trial, which will continue into the New Year, is being closely watched as a barometer of Hong Kong's political freedoms and judicial independence. A rags-to-riches millionaire who made his fortune selling clothes before expanding into media, Lai will be tried without a jury and has been denied his first choice of lawyer. Lai, who has rarely been seen publicly since 2021, appeared in court on Monday in a suit, looking thinner than in previous appearances. He smiled and waved at the gallery where his family sat. He is a British citizen and representatives from the US, British, Australian and Canadian consulates were present to observe the trial. His case has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community but Beijing has dismissed the criticism as smears and interference. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused the United States and Britain of double standards and described Lai as an "errand boy of anti-China forces". "The United States' and United Kingdom's remarks on the case... are in serious violation of the spirit of the rule of law, and... they constitute blatant political manoeuvring," Wang told a regular news briefing. The European Union said Lai's trial "undermines confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong and is detrimental to the city's attractiveness and its position as an international business hub". British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said before proceedings began he was "concerned at the politically motivated prosecution" of Lai. "As a prominent and outspoken... publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association," Cameron said in a statement. "I call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai." US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also called for Lai's release and said actions stifling press freedom "have undermined Hong Kong's democratic institutions". Hong Kong leader John Lee said Monday the city had a "long tradition of rule of law" and he had "full confidence" that the courts would rule fairly and impartially. Speaking in Beijing after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee warned against any interference in the court process, adding that "nobody should try to do anything to exert pressure simply because of their political motive and political gain". - 'Very unfair ' - Imprisoned for more than 1,100 days, Lai has already been convicted in five other cases, including for organising and participating in marches during the 2019 democracy protests. Dozens of activists have been charged under the national security law but Lai is the first to contest a foreign "collusion" charge. The trial will include a raft of other charges against him, including "conspiracy to publish seditious material". Lai's lawyer Robert Pang argued Monday that the charge should be thrown out because Hong Kong's criminal law imposes a time limit for such prosecutions and that the government had waited too long. "(Prosecutors) are out of time, therefore there is no jurisdiction of the court," Pang said, the point taking up all of Monday's session. Heavy security was deployed outside the court, along with an armoured vehicle and police wearing tactical gear. However, there were some signs of dissent. Police stopped Alexandra Wong, a democracy activist better known as "Grandma Wong", from approaching the court's entrance. "Support Apple Daily, support Jimmy Lai!" she shouted while waving the UK flag before police escorted her to the other side of the road. "The trial is very unfair, very unreasonable." Other familiar pro-democracy faces, such as former legislator Emily Lau, also came out. "I come here to support the defendant and to hope that Hong Kong still has an independent judiciary, the rule of law," Lau said. Hong Kong operates under a common law system inherited from its British colonial past. But critics say Beijing's national security law has curtailed civil liberties, silenced dissent and eroded the judicial independence that once attracted foreign businesses to the city. Lai's Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after authorities used the security law to raid it twice and freeze assets worth HK$18 million (US$2.3 million). "(Hong Kong authorities) are really weaponising the legal system to attack people like my father, people who believe in democracy and democratic values," Lai's son Sebastien told AFP at the weekend. su-hol-dhc/mtp Updated Jan. 2 Amid reports of heightened antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools and colleges since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, a senior Education Department official said the agency has received a huge, huge influx of civil rights complaints that have led to a surge in federal investigations. Since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel and the subsequent bombing and invasion of Gaza by the Israeli military, the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights has opened 29 investigations into schools and colleges responses to complaints of discrimination based on shared ancestry, which includes antisemitism and Islamophobia. Of the new investigations, the senior official told The 74, 19 are in response to conduct that unfolded in schools in the last two months alone. Of the incidents since Oct. 7 that are now under investigation, 17 took place on college campuses. Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now. Last fiscal year, by contrast, the office opened 28 shared ancestry investigations over the entire 12-month period. The year before, there were just 15. Such inquiries seek to determine whether schools adequately respond to incidents that create hostile learning environments in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin. We are deeply concerned about the incidents that weve seen reported in schools all over the country, and about the safety of students, and the protection of non-discrimination rights for students in P-12 schools as well as in institutions of higher education, Catherine Lhamon, the departments assistant secretary for civil rights, said in an interview Wednesday with The 74. Were very, very concerned about what were seeing in schools. Catherine Lhamon, the Education Departments assistant secretary for civil rights, said the agency is deeply concerned about antisemitic and islamophobic incidents that have riled campuses nationwide since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Though officials declined to comment on the specifics of active federal investigations, a spike in reported antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in and outside of schools have convulsed the nation and elevated student safety concerns. Near Louisianas Tulane University, a clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters turned violent and police are investigating a hit-and-run at Stanford University as a potential hate crime targeting an Arab Muslim student. At Rutgers University, officials suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter following claims the group disrupted classes and vandalized campus. At Harvard University, a rabbi said he was instructed by administrators to hide the campus menorah each night of Hanukkah due to vandalism fears. In California, a college professor was charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery after an alleged physical altercation broke out at a demonstration that led to the death of a Jewish protester. Outside of schools, police said a 6-year-old Chicago boy was stabbed to death and his mother seriously injured by their landlord in an alleged anti-Muslim attack, and in Burlington, Vermont, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot while walking down a sidewalk over Thanksgiving weekend. The escalating confrontations have embroiled school leaders, who have been criticized for failing to clamp down on hate speech and discrimination. Just days after a tense Dec. 5 House committee hearing in Washington about rising antisemitism on college campuses, Elizabeth Magill resigned as University of Pennsylvania president. She and the presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were accused of being equivocating and evasive after giving carefully worded replies to repeated questions about whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated their schools code of conduct. Magill responded that its a context-dependent decision, underscoring school leaders obligations to ensure safe learning environments while protecting peoples free speech rights. Harvard University President Claudine Gay announced her resignation Tuesday after facing similar scrutiny for her testimony at the congressional hearing and unrelated plagiarism allegations. Of the 29 active federal Title VI investigations opened since Oct. 7, just eight are focused on incidents in K-12 schools including at three of the nations 10 largest districts. Among them are the New York City Department of Education, the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Hillsborough County Schools in Tampa, Florida, and the Cobb County School District in suburban Atlanta. A pro-Israel counter protestor wrapped in the flag of Israel is escorted away from a vigil organized by New York University students in support of Palestinians in New York City on October 17. (Alex Kent/Getty Images) Though the circumstances prompting the investigations remain unknown, many of the institutions included on the Education Departments list of active investigations have experienced high-profile incidents involving discrimination. In New York City, a raucous, pro-Palestinian protest broke out at a Queens high school and prompted a lockdown after a teacher posted a picture of herself at a pro-Israel rally on social media. Also turning to social media, one student said the teacher is going to be executed in the town square, and another promoted a riot against her. In suburban Atlanta, the Cobb County School District sparked controversy following the Hamas attack when it sent an email to the school community that warned of an international threat, noting that while there is no reason to believe this threat has anything to do with our schools, parents can expect both law enforcement and school staff to take every step to keep your children safe. Because of the message, several Muslim parents said their children had become the targets of Islamophobic bullying. In a January fact sheet, the civil rights office highlighted hypothetical instances that put school districts at odds with their Title VI obligations. Among them: A Jewish student is targeted by his peers with swastikas and Nazi salutes but his teacher tells him to just ignore it without taking steps to address the harassment. Another example involves school officials failing to remedy a Muslim students complaints that she was called a terrorist and told you started 9/11. Bucknell University students march in a Shut it Down for Palestine demonstration, where participants called for a ceasefire in Gaza and cutting U.S. aid to Israel. (Paul Weaver/Getty Images) Even before the most recent conflict between Hamas and Israel, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have reported an uptick in hate crimes over the last several years, including on campuses. Reported hate crimes surged 7% between 2021 and 2022, according to federal data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in October, including a 36% increase in anti-Jewish incidents which accounted for more than half of incidents based on religion. Among all reported hate crimes, 10% occurred at K-12 schools and colleges. Related First Civil Rights Data Since COVID Reveals Racial Divide in Advanced Classes The Education Department last month released its most recent Civil Rights Data Collection, the first since the pandemic. Students reported 42,500 harassment allegations during the 2020-21 school year, including bullying on the basis of sex, race, sexual orientation, disability and religion. Of those, 29% involved harassment or bullying on the basis of race while only a sliver 3% involved students saying they were targeted because of their religion. The current climate has put Jewish college students on edge, according to a recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit focused on eradicating antisemitism. Since the beginning of the academic year, 73% of Jewish college students said theyve been witness to antisemitism. Prior to this school year, 70% reported experiencing antisemitism throughout their entire college experience. Yet just 30% of Jewish college students said their college administration has taken sufficient steps to address anti-Jewish prejudice. During a televised interview on MSNBC Friday, Jonathan Greenblatt, the national director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said he thought conditions would improve on college campuses for Jewish students because the Title VI investigations now being launched by the Education Department would force college administrators to take action. Muslim Americans of all ages have similarly reported an uptick in hateful rhetoric. In a two-week period between Oct. 7 and Oct. 24, reports of bias incidents and requests for help at the Council on American-Islamic Relations surged 182% from the average 16-day period in 2022. Related How White Extremists Teach Kids to Hate As lawmakers call on school leaders to take a stronger stance against hate speech, theyve faced pushback from free speech advocates. Earlier this month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned university presidents of aggressive enforcement action if they failed to discipline students calling for the genocide of any group of people. In a statement, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a right-leaning nonprofit focused on students free speech rights, said Hochuls admonition cannot be squared with the First Amendment. Colleges and universities can and should punish calls for genocide when such speech falls into one of the narrowly defined categories of unprotected speech, including true threats, incitement and discriminatory harassment, the group said in the statement. But broad, vague bans on calls for genocide, absent more, would result in the censorship of protected expression. The senior Education Department official said that schools must navigate carefully their obligations under Title VI and the First Amendment. Even if a students speech is protected, the official said, school leaders still have an obligation to uphold all students nondiscrimination rights. What concerns me is when a school community throws up its hands and says, This speech is protected and so theres nothing more for us here, said Lhamon, the assistant secretary for civil rights. That may be true, but thats only true where a hostile environment isnt created that the school needs to respond to. GOPs big hypocrisies You gotta love the consistency of Republicans. Faced with a congressional subpoena, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio thumbed his nose at his colleagues. Now Jordan attacks Hunter Biden for offering to testify under oath in public, rather than behind closed doors. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson railed over and over and over again about the dangers to the republic of single-party impeachment actions. He cautioned the practice would irreparably harm the unity of the country. Fast forward to today and Johnson is all in on the baseless (according to many Republicans) impeachment of President Biden. Pro-life warriors Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, both at the front of the anti-abortion parade forever, now dodge and parry any questions about Kate Cox, the Texas woman whose problematic pregnancy forced her to leave the state to get an abortion recommended by her physician, but denied by the attorney general of Texas, a lawyer, not a doctor. Then there is Trump himself. The soulless leader of a corrupt and collapsing political party who has made it clear his plans for America dont include any of us, or the Constitution. Jim Doyle, Fresno Kevin McCarthys failing Dear Kevin McCarthy: This is to inform you of something you dont realize. Future historians will judge you accordingly for your actions. On Jan. 6, 2021, I realized that although you and I have differ politically, socially, and economically, you were a decent person one of character and morals. Sadly, not a month later, the respect I had for you faded faster than smoke in the wind. Seeing you with Trump at Mar-A-Lago to kiss Trumps ring and ask for his blessing, after stating he incited an insurrection at the Capitol, made me realize you care more about power than the country you claim to love. I may have contrasting views of the world compared to Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger, but they are decent people, unlike yourself. In my history classes, I teach my students that blind loyalty to any political party or leader is never good. Why? Because then the party and leader can do no wrong, and it, or they, are elevated to a god-like figure. Sadly, you missed that day of lecture. Party loyalty is insignificant. What matters is loyalty to the country. Now, you hope to get a job in Trumps cabinet. Pathetic. Matt Deombeleg, Fresno Poor picks for op-eds Why are regular writers to the opinion pages of The Fresno Bee required to refrain from false narratives, but yet this paper publishes slanted opinions from the likes of George Will and Marc Theissen? The latest from Will about taxing the wealthy is nothing more than another version of the false narrative about poor rich people having to pay a marginal tax rate. Your editorial board should be required to explain what a marginal tax rate is. To the vocal minority, Will makes it sound like they will pay 90% of all their earnings in taxes. That is completely misleading. His source is the Manhattan Institute, which is just another right-wing think tank that is actively pushing for relief away from the fat cats that are always first at the money trough, and last to contribute their fair share in taxes. Then you have the ever dull Theissen advocating a return the Reagan era. Odd in light of the fact that todays GOP would like to watch Russia follow through on its naked aggression against Ukraine. Quite the opposite of Reagan. But in typical conservative fashion, the history of the country and their own party evades them when it doesnt promote the current narrative by the GOP. The Bees opinion staff has a larger duty than to prominently parrot current right-wing dog whistles by narrow-minded authors from The Washington Post like George F. Will and Marc Theissen. Tim McKeever, Fresno Vons store needs security cameras I am an 82-year-old woman. I was shopping at Vons at Herndon and Fowler on Dec. 1 when walking to my vehicle around 9:30 a.m. a vehicle that was backing up ran into me. My body was in contact with the vehicle and I was trying not to fall. People were yelling at the driver to stop, and I heard someone honking their horn. The driver did not exit their vehicle, and just left, not checking on me or why there was yelling and honking. I only saw the person through the drivers window and was not able to get a license plate number or any other identifying description. I am asking for anyone who recalls seeing that incident to please contact Clovis police. I was injured and obviously shook up regarding what had happened. Vons doenst have security cameras in the parking lot or out on the front of its building. Im hoping that maybe now the store will consider putting installing them to help if there is another incident. Lillian Van Sickle, Clovis Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an illegal immigrant MS-13 gang member who was released onto the streets in Maryland in 2019 after he served prison time for voluntary manslaughter, despite an ICE request to transfer him into its custody so he could be deported. The agency announced that it had arrested the 26-year-old Honduran on December 12, who had been convicted of the crime in 2016 and had been validated as a member of MS-13 a gang known for horrific and gruesome crimes, and whose motto is said to be "Mata, viola, controla" which means "Kill, rape, control." He had initially been encountered as an unaccompanied child in 2014 by Border Patrol and was transferred to the custody of his father. He was arrested and charged with assault in 2015 and was convicted of resisting arrest in 2016. GOP LAWMAKER RIPS BIDEN OFFICIAL OVER SPECIAL AGENTS REASSIGNED TO MAKE SANDWICHES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials looking to arrest an illegal immigrant with criminal record, raid a home on Thursday, September 8, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Later in 2016, he was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree assault, second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree, conspiracy to commit assault in the second degree, having a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm by a minor. ICE then lodged an immigration detainer a request that the agency be notified when he is due to be released so it could transfer him into ICE custody and deport him with the detention center in Marylands Prince Georges County. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and the remaining charges were dismissed. However, the court suspended all but 751 days of his sentence, so he was released in January 2019. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP ICE AGENTS RECAPTURE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH RAPE WHO WAS RELEASED ONTO STREETS IN VIRGINIA Crucially, the county ignored the detainer and released him from custody which is in line with "sanctuary" policies that mostly refuse to honor ICE detainers. It has taken nearly five years for ICE to be able to arrest him, which they did outside his residence in Hyattsville. He is now in ICE custody pending his removal. ICE has consistently expressed its frustration with jurisdictions that use "sanctuary" policies not to alert ICE of the release of criminal illegal immigrants back onto the streets and did so in a release on Friday. "This unlawfully present noncitizen is not only a member of a violent street gang, but he has also proven to be a severe threat to the public by killing one of our residents," ERO Baltimore acting Field Office Director Darius Reeves said in a statement. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Violent noncitizen criminals like this Honduran national need to be removed from this country," he said. "It is a shame when local law enforcement agencies refuse to honor ICE detainers. ERO Baltimore will not relent in our pursuit of justice for the people of our Maryland communities." Original article source: ICE nabs illegal immigrant MS-13 gang member released back onto streets after manslaughter conviction An Israeli military sniper shot and killed two women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza on Saturday, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The mother and daughter were walking to the Sisters Convent, the patriarchate said, when gunfire erupted. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety, it added. Seven others were also shot and wounded in the attack at the complex, where most Gazas Christian families have taken refuge since the start of the war, according to the patriarchate, which oversees Catholic Churches across Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. No warning was given, no notification was provided, the statement continued. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the parish, where there are no belligerents. Pope Francis on Sunday addressed the deaths at the Holy Family Parish, lamenting that unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire in Gaza and invoking scripture on war. I continue receiving very serious and sad news about Gaza. Unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire. And this has happened even within the parish complex of the Holy Family, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities, sisters, he said during his weekly Angelus prayer. Some are saying, This is terrorism and war. Yes, it is war, it is terrorism. That is why Scripture says that God puts an end to war the bow he breaks and the spear he snaps, the Pope continued. Let us pray to the Lord for peace, he added. According to the patriarchate, Israel Defense Forces tanks also targeted the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa, which houses 54 disabled people and is part of the churchs compound. The buildings generator, its only current source of electricity, as well as its fuel resources, solar panels and water tanks were also destroyed. IDF rockets had made the convent uninhabitable, the statement said. In response to a CNN request for comment about the incident, the Israel Defense Forces released a statement saying saying that no fatalities had been reported by Holy Family Parish representatives during a dialogue with the IDF as of Saturday morning. A review of the IDFs operational findings support this, it added. CNN has been unable to reach the Latin Patriarchate about the conversation described. The IDF statement also said that it does not target civilians, and added that it is reviewing another incident near a second church in northern Gaza: An initial review suggests that IDF troops, who were operating against Hamas terrorists in the area, operated against a threat that they identified in the area of the church. On Friday, UK lawmaker Layla Moran, a member of parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, said that members of her family sheltering in the church were beyond desperate and terrified as conditions continued to worsen. Moran on November 15 told the UK House of Commons that a family member who had been sheltering in the church had died. Citing accounts from her family, Moran added that electricity generators at the church had stopped. [My family] are reporting white phosphorous and gunfire into their compound, she said. The bin collector and the janitor have been shot and their bodies are laying outside and remain uncollected. CNN cannot independently verify the conditions in and around the church, nor the allegation of the use of incendiary munitions (which can be illegal in some circumstances). This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com People arrive Thursday at the city-owned Airport Transfer Center, located on the northern edge of the airports 2,600-acre property. Migrants waiting for their flights out of San Antonio stay at the center, sometimes for up to two days. The city opened the facility in May, but officials have said little about it publicly. William Luther People use portable toilets outside the city-owned Airport Transfer Center on Thursday. Asylum-seekers with plane tickets stay at the center while waiting for their flights. William Luther Shown is the city-owned Airport Transfer Center, which opened in May. Before the transfer center opened, as many as 400 migrants slept in the airports terminals nightly as they waited to fly out of San Antonio. Now, most asylum-seekers with plane tickets wait at the center. William Luther People arrive Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at the city of San Antonio-owned OAirport Transfer CenterO onESkyplace Blvd and NE Entrance Road on the north side of the San Antonio International Airport. The secured facility is a location where migrants making their way through San Antonio are waiting for their flights, sometimes for up to two days. William Luther Every day, hundreds of asylum-seekers who have crossed the border wait for flights sometimes for up to two days in a nondescript building with a sheet metal and stone exterior on the grounds of San Antonio International Airport. The city-owned Airport Transfer Center is on the northern edge of the airports 2,600-acre property, across a runway from Terminals A and B and parking garages. Private property, no trespassing signs stand at the entrance and exit of the 50,000-square-foot buildings parking lot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Security guards open and shut the entrance facing Skyplace Boulevard as busloads of migrants come and go and individuals make their way to the portable toilets and hand-washing stations in the parking lot. (The restrooms inside are for staff only because, city officials say, there are usually too many migrants to accommodate.) The city opened the facility in May, but officials said little about it publicly until a London tabloid described it this month as a secret migrant camp. The Daily Mail quoted District 10 City Councilman Marc Whyte as saying, When I found out about this, I lost my mind. Any expansion of migrant holding facilities I, of course, am adamantly against. City Manager Erik Walsh, however, rejects the notion that the city opened the facility on the sly. It has not been a secret, he said. Ive heard it referred to as us hiding migrants, which is completely ridiculous. All were doing is facilitating the onward travel. The alternative is put them in the terminal like they had been for the last year and a half and thats just not workable, he added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before the transfer center opened, as many as 400 migrants slept in the airports terminals per night as they waited to fly out of San Antonio. Now most asylum-seekers with plane tickets wait at the center. The citys dashboard, which details the number of migrants passing through San Antonio, shows that anywhere from 250 to 460 people recently have stayed at the airport overnight, with the vast majority holed up at the center. The two-story buildings occupancy limit is 800 people, but the number of migrants hasnt gotten close to capacity levels. The city is using only 60% of the space. The situation is far different at the Centro de Bienvenida, previously known as the Migrant Resource Center. The facility, leased by the city and operated by Catholic Charities of San Antonio, is often so crowded that anywhere from 50 to a few hundred migrants have to sleep outside. The city picks up outbound migrants from the Centro de Bienvenida about 24 hours ahead of their flights to make room at the San Pedro Avenue facility, which frequently hits its 700-person occupancy limit, said Marc Wonder, emergency management coordinator in the citys Department of Human Services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city uses federal dollars to bus migrants from the resource center to the Airport Transfer Center, which formerly housed an aeronautics engineering company. City officials opened the transfer center May 12, the day after the end of Title 42, a pandemic-era federal public health policy that was used to quickly expel asylum-seekers from the United States They feared that the policys demise would lead to a sharp increase in migrants and put the already strained airport under even more pressure. A rush of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border didnt materialize, but the number of migrants arriving through Mexico did increase slightly, and it has swelled throughout the fall. The latest surge of migrants into Texas has prompted federal authorities to close one of two international bridges in Eagle Pass. The number of asylum-seekers arriving in San Antonio fluctuates each day, but in the past month it has been as high as 1,200 per day. In December alone, the city has sheltered more than 14,350 people at the airport and the Centro de Bienvenida which has further inflamed anti-immigration advocates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Asked if the airport center was an attempt to keep migrants out of the public eye, Walsh said the decision to open the facility wasnt politically motivated, but that it came down to practical matters. He said that before opening the center, it had been difficult to keep the airport clean because of the large numbers of migrants forced to stay there overnight. It was also hard to help crowds of migrants, many of whom didnt speak English, navigate the airport, from check-in to their departure gates. And they were dropped off 24 hours ahead of their flights. Thats not when the usual traveler arrives at the airport for their departure, said Assistant City Manger Jeff Coyle, who oversees the airport. It was an immediate improvement when the ATC opened. It offered a waiting area and a stop point before coming over to the airport to make your way through security and go. Migrants are shuttled from the transfer facility to the airport terminals about six hours before their flights. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Flight delays can force migrants to wait at the airport center for up to two days, but thats rare. Inside the center The transfer facilitys staffing is minimal a total of four police officers and private security guards are on-site at all times, as is a fire department employee. As many as five workers from the Department of Human Services are on hand as well. When migrants arrive, security guards direct them up a brown staircase. They settle for a short time in a large, semi-divided room with about 145 plastic chairs. Staffers brief them on the steps theyll have to follow before their flights. Migrants are then taken to an even larger space where theyll spend most of their time. A fluorescent light flickers near the entrance. Dozens of plastic chairs form a horseshoe shape in the center of the room. Two large trash cans are positioned nearby. Several foldable tables line the room, stocked with electric outlets, phone chargers and Bibles. The white walls are blank, aside from a few signs on printer paper, including several that explain how to access the Wi-Fi. Unlike the Centro de Bienvenida, there are no televisions or toys. It costs $260,000 per month to operate the site. Federal dollars pay the bill. The transfer center was quiet early Thursday afternoon, partly because most people arrive in the evening. A few security guards and staff members sat at a table with a crate of apples, and a large yellow water cooler sat atop another table. A Christmas tree decorated with small, red stockings stood in the staff-only section. Food, diapers, toiletries, baby formula and other necessities are stored in adjacent rooms that only staffers can access. Migrants are given these necessities as needed, and everyone gets three cold meals per day, plus snacks. Most people chatted quietly or looked at their phones. Lorena Fuentes Paz had just arrived at the transfer center with her 5-year-old daughter, Gail Gabriela. Theyd spent the past 10 nights at the Centro de Bienvenida waiting to learn their final destination. Catholic Charities staff recommended they go to Denver, where Fuentes Paz was told she would receive financial support as she looks for work and a place to live in a city where she knows no one. I decided that it held an opportunity to make a better life for myself, she said in Spanish. That was her goal when they left Maracaibo, Venezuela, three months earlier. Catholic Charities bought their nonrefundable, one-way tickets with federal dollars. The mother and daughters flight to Denver was scheduled to depart at 5:45 a.m. The two dozen people milling around the transfer center also had early morning flights. Three friends from Nicaragua, who ranged in age from 18 to 28, watched videos on their phones to pass the time before their 5 a.m. flight to South Carolina, where they hoped to find work to support their families. Most of the migrants would leave the transfer center for the airport about 1 a.m. The lead-up Though the number of migrants traveling through San Antonio has fluctuated a lot over the years, Walsh and Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez said they werent waiting in big numbers at the airport until 2021. The citys dashboard shows that nearly 17,600 migrants slept at the airport from April through December that year. Hundreds more stayed overnight at the Greyhound bus station and Travis Park, both downtown. City and nonprofit officials were split between the locations, trying to help people figure out where to go and how to get plane and bus tickets. It was really a safety issue from both the resident standpoint and the migrant standpoint, Walsh said. There was no order, there was no control, there was no heads-up from anybody south of us about how many people were coming and when theyre going to get here. The Centro de Bienvenida at 7000 San Pedro Ave., near North Star Mall, was the citys response. When it opened in July 2022, city officials touted the center as a way to prevent migrants from sleeping at the airport and as a central location where people seeking asylum could get guidance on what steps to take next. This is the second time the city has set up a one-stop shop to work with migrants when rising numbers of newcomers overwhelmed local nonprofits. For eight months in 2019, the city operated a small help center for migrants out of a storefront of the municipally owned St. Marys Street garage downtown. But it had no bedding, prompting many migrants to take the short walk to Travis Park Church for overnight shelter. Walsh said the Centro de Bienvenida eased the strain on the airport when it opened last year. But many migrants still waited at San Antonio International Airport for long periods. Big funding cut? The airport facility and the Centro de Bienvenida are completely dependent on funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city and Catholic Charities might see funding cuts in the coming year. Catholic Charities President and CEO J. Antonio Fernandez has said the approximately $4 million per month his nonprofit receives could drop to $500,000 in 2024. Such a cut would leave the organization unable to buy tickets for migrants to leave San Antonio. Nevertheless, Fernandezs group and the city are pressing FEMA for an additional $58.5 million, most of which would go to Catholic Charities to keep operations as they are today. If were going to continue to facilitate that onward travel, then this is what we need, Walsh said. City and Catholic Charities leaders are discussing how they would assist asylum-seekers if the federal government slashes FEMA funds. The reality is that we could be faced with unsheltered migrants, Walsh said. By Dhwani Pandya MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a detailed investigation into last week's major security breach of parliament, countering demands from opposition parties for a debate in the chamber on the incident. "What happened is very serious," Modi told the Dainik Jagran newspaper in an interview published on Sunday, his first comments on Wednesday's breach. "There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this." Police arrested six people, filing terrorism charges against four, after a man jumped into the lower house chamber while members were in session, shouted slogans and set off a smoke canister. A second man tried to follow him. Both were caught by lawmakers and security personnel, and taken away. The incident occurred on the 22nd anniversary of an attack on the parliament complex in which more than a dozen people were killed, including five gunmen. Members of parliament told local media the two men had chanted slogans, including "dictatorship won't be accepted". Families of some of the four suspects told media they had expressed annoyance at not being able to find jobs for a long time. Fourteen lawmakers have been suspended for disrupting parliament proceedings by demanding a discussion and a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the incident. The speaker of the lower house of parliament has announced a security review, and the government has said opposition parties are trying to politicise the incident. (Reporting by Dhwani Pandya in Mumbai; Editing by William Mallard) Twenty years ago, the story that a bunch of teenaged French pupils had protested they were shocked by their teacher showing them a 1603 painting of five nude women would have caused hilarity across the country, not fear. What are they complaining about? would have been the universal guffaw. But the teachers at the Jacques Cartier secondary school in Issou, west of Paris, have known otherwise for years. The scenario that unfolded in a French literature classroom last week has happened many, many times across the country in the same kind of state sink schools, and has in the last three years led to two of their profession being murdered by pupils or friends of their pupils, abetted by many parents supposedly roused to outrage by some sort of infringement to strict religious morals. The scene that unfolded was as follows, we are told: one girl stood up during class to object to the use of the picture (the original is in the Louvre). A gaggle of pupils supported her loudly, insulting the teacher. The class ended in loud discord. The following hour, several pupils ran the class head ragged, calling the literature teacher racist; the following day a mother threatened the head with a lawsuit. As the story made local then national TV news, Gabriel Attal, Frances new activist Education Minister visited the school to talk tough on infringements to French secularism and school disruption, and promised that the offenders would be disciplined. The teaching staff reminded him that this was the 16th such registered incident in the previous two months. In October, the Arras fatal stabbing of another teacher, Dominique Bernard, by a Chechen former pupil, caused outrage: it reawakened French anger at what is increasingly obvious: failures of integration by pockets of communities in a country that until recently had a centuries-old tradition of happy assimilation. An arch-rigid variation of Islam, derived from Wahhabism, has been actively fostered by radical Islamist organisations like Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood since the late 1970s, changing the traditions of the Muslim community in France, and that of their countries of origin. The colonial historian Pascal Blanchard, one of the thinking heads behind the Paris Musee de lImmigration, who has worked extensively on contemporary documents, notes how easily the first wave of Maghreb workers who came to rebuild post-war France in the 1950s and 1960s integrated among mixed communities in social housing. The Algerian Independence fighters were as secular as their French Communist allies: three decades later, the same regime fought a bloody civil war against Islamist terror in which over 200,000 died. It is no surprise that the Qatari Al-Jazeera news channel, and its TikTok-like young-oriented incarnation AJ+, targets supposed French racism almost daily: its sponsors seem to see French secularism and the freedom of choice it fosters, which they affect not to understand, as their deadliest enemy. The existential war relentlessly waged against Western culture and freedoms should serve as a warning to Britain: integration is not oppression but a gift to the populations who have chosen to live in our societies; a promise of success and happiness in the economic and political system that made such a promise possible. The French like the British Left have bought into a narrative that serves the people who want to destroy that, and the danger is that their centrist allies, needing their votes, refuse to be warned. As government after government, from the Netherlands to Denmark to Italy to the US is faced with public anger over botched integration, there will be more victories for a radical Right that may not have better answers, but at least seems to acknowledge reality. 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 foreign secretary has said he would like to see a "sustainable ceasefire" in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Lord Cameron also warned "too many civilians have been killed" in Gaza. More than 18,000 people have been killed, including thousands of children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. His intervention in a Sunday Times article marks a shift in tone from the UK government, but stops short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Penning a joint article with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Lord Cameron said he supported a ceasefire only if it was sustainable in the long term. He said: "Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. "We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable." Earlier this week the UK and Germany abstained over a United Nations resolution, backed by 153 countries, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. On Sunday France, which was among the countries which voted for the resolution, called for an "immediate and durable truce" in the conflict, ahead of a meeting between the French and Israeli foreign ministers in Tel Aviv. Seeking to explain the UK's position, Lord Cameron wrote: "We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward." He added: "Would Hamas stop firing rockets? Would it release the hostages? Would its murderous ideology change? An unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace." Instead the UK and Germany are pushing for further humanitarian pauses to get more aid in and more hostages out. Palestinians inspect damage in the northern Gaza on Saturday Lord Cameron's comments amplify Rishi Sunak's line set out at Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions. "We have been consistent that what we support is a sustainable ceasefire, which means Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel and release all the hostages," Mr Sunak said. Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: "In order for a ceasefire to be sustainable, we have to ensure we remove the threat of Hamas from Israel... "So, that's why we continue to support Israel in its right to self-defence, to remove the threat of Hamas, and at the same time to get those hostages back." Asked if he thought Israel had gone too far, Mr Dowden said: "I wouldn't characterise it as Israel going too far. Israel is dealing with a very difficult situation." He said the UK continued to urge Israel to exercise restraint but added: "If you're going after an enemy that literally hides underneath hospitals, hides amongst the civilian population, you are going to sustain high levels of civilian casualties." The offensive into Gaza, triggered by Hamas's deadly 7 October attack on Israel which killed 1,200 people, has led to vast areas of the territory being flattened. In a sign attitudes are shifting, in the article, the UK and German foreign ministers warned that Israel "should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians". They also said more aid must reach Gaza, amid warnings from the United Nations of a humanitarian catastrophe due to widespread shortages of basic supplies. Israel's main ally the US has also expressed unease over the failure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration to reduce civilian casualties. Deflecting that pressure on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said: "Military pressure is necessary both for the return of the hostages and for victory. Without military pressure... we have nothing." Two Israeli tanks seen moving along a duty road with soldiers perched on top of them. The disastrous incident in which Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops shot dead three Israeli hostages in Gaza on Friday, mistaking them for Hamas fighters despite their waving a white cloth, is a graphic illustration of the risks involved in armed hostage rescue. Maj Gen Charlie Herbert, a retired British Army general who served on 13 operational tours including Iraq and Afghanistan, told the BBC: "As desperately sad as it is, the shooting dead of the three hostages... again calls into question IDF tactics, proportionality and distinction. One can only imagine how many civilians have been killed in similar circumstances." The IDF says it takes great care to avoid harming civilians, but the horrific death toll in Gaza - more than 18,000 and rising - has caused Israel to be accused of indiscriminate bombing. In nearly every case of kidnap in history, those abducted stand a far better chance of emerging alive and unscathed through mediation and a deal, rather than by armed intervention. One of the first hostage cases I covered was when Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Yemen abducted 16 Western tourists in 1998. The British ambassador went to see the interior minister to press for a negotiated release of the hostages. Too late, he was told, the Yemeni army has already gone in. A quarter of those kidnapped were killed in the ensuing firefight, with others injured. Western and Israeli special forces have spent decades perfecting the art of hostage rescue, but even then it doesn't always go to plan. Israel's Operation Thunderbolt in Entebbe, Uganda in 1976 rescued 102 of the 106 hostages, but the commander of the Israeli commandos was killed. Today his brother, Benjamin Netanyahu, is prime minister. Killed by the IDF by mistake: (L-R) Alon Shamriz, Yotam Haim and Samer Talalka The 1980 SAS siege of the Iranian embassy in London is perhaps the most iconic hostage rescue of modern times, as it took place in the full glare of the TV cameras. When a British journalist, Stephen Farrell, was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009 he was rescued by British Special Forces. But the raid also resulted in the deaths of one of his rescuers, two civilians and his Afghan interpreter. The following year a US Navy SEAL team attempted to rescue the British aid worker Linda Norgrove, also kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The raid killed her kidnappers but she died from a grenade thrown by one of her rescuers. In 2012 a British Special Forces operation to free one British and one Italian hostage in Nigeria was ruined when one of the Nigerian soldiers fired his weapon prematurely, alerting the kidnappers who then murdered their captives. Many hostage cases in Yemen have been resolved peacefully over the years, usually through lengthy tribal negotiations accompanied by interminable narcotic qat-chewing sessions. But ultimately, much depends on the demands and intentions of the kidnappers. In the case of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Islamic State group (IS), the jihadist kidnappers never really had any intention of releasing their US and British captives. Instead they were aiming for maximum psychological impact by killing them on camera. In those situations, armed intervention, if they can be located, is usually the only option available. Sharon Avigdori, seen hugging her husband, is among more than 100 hostages released after being abducted and taken to Gaza by Hamas Hamas is something of a hybrid case. The atrocities committed in their raid into southern Israel on 7 October were gratuitously cruel and violent. Yet they have subsequently been willing to bargain the release of more than 100 hostages. Today, Israel's hostage relatives are all too aware that nearly all those already released won their freedom not by daring military action but by painstaking negotiations and mediation by Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States. To date, only one Israeli hostage, Private Ori Megedish, has been rescued by force. But doing a deal with kidnappers, especially those considered by many governments to be terrorists, can be a bitter pill to swallow. Hostage-takers will demand something in return. In the case of Hamas, that has meant releasing large numbers of prisoners from Israeli jails, pausing the fighting and significantly increasing the amount of aid getting into Gaza. Yet any further successful return of the hostages, says Gen Herbert, can only come about through diplomatic means: "There is no effective military solution to this issue in Gaza." Palestinians loot a humanitarian aid truck as it crossed into the Gaza Strip in Rafah - Fatima Shbair/AP Aid trucks in Gaza have been mobbed by crowds of people desperate for food and other vital supplies. Footage from the Associated Press showed dozens of Palestinians surrounding aid trucks at the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and climbing onto the vehicles to throw the boxes to the crowds. It comes after the UN said this week that hunger and desperation were driving people to seize humanitarian aid being delivered to Gaza, warning of a breakdown of civil order. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Saturday: I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity. 05:13 PM GMT Today's liveblog is now closed Thanks for following todays liveblog. We will be back tomorrow morning with all the latest updates. 05:00 PM GMT Pictured: Palestinian children walk following an Israeli raid on Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank Palestinian children walk near a damaged car following an Israeli raid on Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank - ALI SAWAFTA/REUTERS 04:32 PM GMT US to push Israel for 'small-scale' raids in next phase of war The United States will push Israel to carry out smaller, more focused raids in the next phase of the war. Lloyd Austin, the US Defence Secretary, is expected to put pressure on Israeli leaders to end the wars most intense phase and adopt a more targeted strategy against Hamas during a visit to Israel on Monday. US officials told the New York Times they would want Israel to conduct smaller, strategic raids using elite troops, and deploy more precise missions to destroy Hamas leaders and rescue hostages in the next phase. Mr Austin will meet Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, to discuss their vision and stress the importance of civilian safety. Mr Biden wants Israel to start using more precise tactics in around three weeks, US officials said. 04:30 PM GMT Aid received in Gaza 'doesn't meet 10 per cent of the needs,' says Palestine Red Crescent How many aid trucks entered the #Gaza Strip since the beginning of the escalation How aid is distributed The aid that has been received doesnt meet 10% of the needs. PRCS calls for unconditional continued aid entry into #Gaza .#Humantarianaid pic.twitter.com/4uFPZHnQxH PRCS (@PalestineRCS) December 17, 2023 04:15 PM GMT Pictured: Israeli soldiers gather at the abandoned site of the Supernova music festival Israeli soldiers gather at the abandoned site of the Supernova music festival - JACK GUEZ/AFP 03:59 PM GMT Telecom services are being gradually restored in Gaza Telecom services are being gradually restored in the central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, telecommunication companies Paltel and Jawwal said on Sunday. Our field teams were able to reach and repair the main damaged site after numerous attempts in the past days with the help of relevant international bodies, the two companies said in a joint statement. Communication and internet services have been down in Gaza since Dec. 14. 03:25 PM GMT Exclusive: Inside the Hamas tunnel network What strikes you first about the tunnel is its size. Jutting out from the desert sand at a gradient of about 25 degrees, the rusty tubular steel opening is just big enough to drive a car through, writes Paul Nuki, The Telegraphs Global Health Security Editor, in Gaza. That is far from an accident. Hamas, as it proved on Oct 7, is a mobile terror group and this vast tunnel network, running 50m deep in places and emerging just shy of the Erez Crossing at Gazas northern tip, is believed to have been designed for a wider invasion of Israel. From here you can be in Tel Aviv in 50 minutes and Jerusalem in an hour, says one of the soldiers charged with taking us into it. Read the full story here 03:06 PM GMT Israel uncovers 'biggest Hamas tunnel' near Gaza border Israeli forces battling Hamas said they had uncovered an unusually large concrete and iron-girded tunnel, designed to carry carloads of militant fighters from Gaza right up to the border. Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari put the full length of the tunnel at 2.5 miles - enough to reach into northern Gaza City, once the heart of Hamas governance and now a devastated combat zone. It was the biggest tunnel we found in Gaza ... meant to target the (Erez) crossing, he said, without specifying whether it was used by Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack. Millions of dollars were invested in this tunnel. It took years to build this tunnel ... Vehicles could drive through. 02:30 PM GMT Almost 80 aid trucks enter Kerem Shalom crossing The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened on Sunday for aid trucks for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, a move intended to double the amount of food and medicine reaching the enclave [see post at 11:41]. Two sources in the Egypt Red Crescent told Reuters that trucks were starting to enter on Sunday through the Kerem Shalom crossing on their way into Gaza. One said there were 79 trucks. Kerem Shalom, on the border of Egypt, Israel and Gaza, is one of the main transit points for goods in and out of Gaza, allowing much faster transit than the Rafah passenger crossing a few kilometres away. 02:11 PM GMT US to push Israel to 'define milestones' in war against Hamas The US will push Israel to define milestones in its war against Hamas. Lloyd Austin, the US Defence Secretary, will press Israeli officials on what metrics theyre looking at in order to transition to the next phase of their campaign in Gaza, a senior defence official told CNN. Mr Austin, who visits Israel on Monday, will receive specific updates on how the Israeli defence minister and the Israeli military assess progress in their campaign to destroy Hamas military infrastructure. Secretary Austin will want to hear a very clear articulation of their self-assessment when hes there on Monday, the official told CNN. 01:41 PM GMT Pictured: Rally for release of hostages Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the Israeli government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. People rally for the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on the October 7 attack - STRINGER/REUTERS Hila Shtivi, whose brother Idan is still being held by Hamas, sits in a tent set up for the families of hostages sleeping outside The Kirya on December 16. - Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Europe 01:20 PM GMT Pope Francis deplores the death of two women in Gaza parish Pope Francis deplored the death of two women in a Catholic parish in Gaza, where he said defenceless civilians were targeted by shootings and bombings. I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza, he said at the end of the Angelus prayer. A mother and her daughter... were killed and other people injured by sniper fire. This happened even inside the parish of the Holy Family where there are no terrorists, but families, children, sick or disabled people, the pope stressed. 01:05 PM GMT Britain calls for 'sustainable' ceasefire in shift of tone Britain has called for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza in a marked shift of tone towards the war. Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, called for peace lasting for days, years, generations, adding that, too many civilians have been killed. In a joint article in the Sunday Times with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, they wrote But let us be clear. We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward. They added: The sooner it comes, the better the need is urgent. 12:56 PM GMT Pictured: Netanyahu at cabinet meeting Benjamin Netanyahu read out a letter at his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday which he said was written by relatives of dead soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a Cabinet meeting at the Kirya - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP You have a mandate to fight. You do not have a mandate to stop in the middle, he quoted them as saying, responding: We will fight to the end. 12:15 PM GMT France urges all parties to 'deescalate' on Israel-Lebanon border French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna urged all parties including Israel to deescalate on the volatile Israel-Lebanon border where tensions have risen amid the Gaza war. The risk of escalation remains... and if things were to spiral out of control, I dont think anyone would benefit, and I say this to Israel too, she said on a visit to the Shura military base in central Israel. This call for caution and deescalation applies to everyone. 11:41 AM GMT UN aid trucks to enter Gaza from Israeli territory Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said: Starting today (Dec. 17), UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and be transferred directly to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, to abide by our agreement with the US. This will increase the daily volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and being delivered to the people of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/NuFMxmBjvW COGAT (@cogatonline) December 17, 2023 11:23 AM GMT Gaza remains under communications blackout Gaza remains under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day the longest of several outages over the course of the war. Aid groups say this complicates rescue efforts after bombings and make it even more difficult to monitor the wars toll on civilians. International aid organisations have struggled to get supplies to desperate Gazans. It comes as the UN said this week that hunger and desperation were driving people to seize humanitarian aid being delivered to Gaza, warning of a breakdown of civil order. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Saturday: I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity. 10:58 AM GMT 24 reportedly killed in strike on Jabalia At least 24 people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Jabalia on Sunday morning, the director-general of the Hamas-controlled health ministry has said. Dr. Munir Al-Bursh told CNN that 24 people had been killed as a result of an airstrike in Jabalia in northern Gaza. A general view of destroyed buildings following Israeli attacks on Jabalia - Anadolu/Anadolu He said that 90 people had been injured in addition to those killed, with the majority of the casualties women and children. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment on strikes in the Jabalia area. 10:28 AM GMT French foreign minister calls for 'immediate and durable' Gaza truce French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna pressed for an immediate and durable truce in the Gaza war. Too many civilians are being killed, Ms Colonna said during remarks in Tel Aviv with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen, as Israel presses on with its offensive after the October 7 attacks. Ms Colonna also stressed that the victims of Hamass attacks must not be forgotten, including those subjected to sexual violence. Needless to say, France believes the word of these women victims, she said, in reference to allegations of widespread sexual assaults during the Hamas attacks. 10:08 AM GMT Ceasefire can't be sustainable until we've dealt with Hamas, says deputy PM A ceasefire cant be sustainable until weve dealt with Hamas, Oliver Dowden has said. When asked what Lord Cameron meant by his sustainable ceasefire comments, the Deputy Prime Minister told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: In order for a ceasefire to be sustainable, we have to ensure we remove the threat of Hamas from Israel, and indeed the wider Middle East. You saw what happened on that terrible day on October 7 when Hamas were able to penetrate the border of Israel and indiscriminately murder 1,400 men, women and children, and until we deal with that any ceasefire will not ultimately be sustainable. So, thats why we continue to support Israel in its right to self-defence, to remove the threat of Hamas, and at the same time to get those hostages back. Those are the two things that ensure we have a sustainable ceasefire. He added: The difference between those calling for a ceasefire now and the position of the UK Government is that ceasefire cant be sustainable until weve dealt with Hamas. Asked if the change of tone was because the UK Government believes Israel has gone too far, Mr Dowden replied: I wouldnt characterise it as Israel going too far. Israel is dealing with a very difficult situation. 09:52 AM GMT Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital is a 'bloodbath,' says WHO The emergency department at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, devastated by Israeli bombardments, is a bloodbath and is in need of resuscitation, the World Health Organisation has said. In a statement, the WHO said that tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter, and that there is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. The team described the emergency department as a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute, the organisation said, adding that patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor... (and) no pain management is available. 09:44 AM GMT Pictured: A hostage rally in Tel Aviv Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza attend a rally calling for their return, in Tel Aviv, Israel - Leo Correa/AP US actor Michael Rappaport speaks during a rally with the families of hostages and their supporters outside The Museum of Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' - Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Europe 09:37 AM GMT French foreign ministry says worker killed by an Israeli attack in Rafah The French foreign ministry said one of its workers had died as a result of injuries sustained from an Israeli attack in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. The man was seeking refuge in the house of one of his colleagues from the French consulate alongside two other colleagues and a number of their family members, the ministry statement issued late on Saturday said. The house was hit by an Israeli air strike on Wednesday evening, which seriously hurt our agent and killed about 10 others, it said, adding he had later died of his injuries. The statement said France condemned the bombing of a residential building. We demand that the Israeli authorities shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing, as soon as possible, it said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military when approached for a response by Reuters. 09:34 AM GMT Israel carries out fresh strikes in Gaza Israel carried out fresh strikes on Gaza as its leaders came under growing pressure to secure the release of hostages still held in the Hamas-run territory more than two months after the October 7 attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced protests on Saturday by relatives of hostages who called for an urgent deal to secure their freedom after the army admitted mistakenly killing three captives in Gaza. The trio were among an estimated 250 people taken hostage during Hamass October 7 raids into Israel, which also killed about 1,140 people, according to the Israeli authorities latest figures. According to Hamas, Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 18,800 people, mostly women and children. 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. Israel says military pressure is needed on Hamas to secure the release of hostages France has called for an "immediate and durable truce" in the Israel-Hamas war, saying that it is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna added that too many civilians were being killed. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said a ceasefire would be an error, describing it as a gift to Hamas. The UK and Germany earlier called for a "sustainable ceasefire", but stopped short of saying it should be immediate. Ms Colonna arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for a meeting with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen. A statement released by the French Foreign Ministry before her visit said she would call for a truce, which should "lead to a lasting ceasefire with the aim of releasing all hostages and delivering aid to Gaza". During the meeting with Mr Cohen, the French foreign minister added that the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October should not be forgotten. Mr Cohen repeated the Israeli government's position that there would be no ceasefire. But he said that France could play an important role in preventing the escalation of regional tensions. He added that while Israel "has no intention to start another front" on its northern border with Lebanon, it would do "whatever it takes" to protect Israeli citizens. Ms Colonna said too many civilians were being killed in Gaza Israel has been engaged in regular cross-border exchanges of fire with armed groups in southern Lebanon, most notably with the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Earlier on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in the conflict. In a joint article in the Sunday Times, Lord Cameron said he supported a ceasefire only if it was sustainable in the long term. Although this marks a shift in tone from the UK government, it does not go as far as calling for an immediate ceasefire. On Tuesday, the UK and Germany abstained over a United Nations resolution to this effect, backed by 153 countries. "We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward," Lord Cameron wrote seeking to explain the UK's decision. "Would Hamas stop firing rockets? Would it release the hostages... an unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace." Instead the UK and Germany are pushing for further humanitarian pauses to get more aid in and more hostages out. Catherine Colonna is also scheduled to meet the families of French hostages still being held by Hamas during her visit to Israel. Referring to allegations of sexual assault during the 7 October attacks, Ms Colonna said France "believed the words of the victims" and those who witnessed the alleged attacks. Earlier this week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovered the body of 28-year-old French-Israeli hostage Elya Toledano. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Israeli government is still trying to complete the recovery of all the hostages held in Gaza, saying military pressure on Hamas was needed to secure their release. Mr Netanyahu has indicated that talks are happening, and there are reports which suggest both Egypt and Qatar are involved in the discussions. But Hamas has said there will be no negotiations to release hostages "unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all". On Friday, the IDF accidentally killed three Israeli hostages during its operations in Gaza. Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26 were shot at whilst holding a white cloth - the IDF said the incident was "against our rules of engagement" and that it was investigating the incident. There are still more than 120 people still being held in Gaza, and the accidental killing has added pressure on Israeli authorities to reach a deal for their release. France's Foreign Ministry has also demanded Israel explain an airstrike which killed one of its staff in Rafah this week. The employee died of his injuries as a result of the strike in Rafah. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 18,700 people have been killed and over 50,000 injured in the territory since the start of the war. Israel is not going too far with its assault on Gaza, the Deputy Prime Minister said. Oliver Dowden said the UK continues to support Israels right to self-defence as it deals with a very difficult situation. But he stressed it is important to exercise restraint to minimise civilian casualties. It comes as Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has called for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, in a marked shift of tone towards the war. On Sunday, Mr Dowden said this would be contingent on removing the threat of Hamas in Israel and indeed the wider Middle East. The difference between those calling for a ceasefire now and the position of the UK Government is that ceasefire cant be sustainable till weve dealt with Hamas, he said. Israel must exercise restraint He denied the hardening of language was triggered by a belief that Israel has gone too far with its response to the Oct 7 attacks, with Joe Biden, the US president, warning last week it was losing support from allies over the thousands killed in Gaza. Speaking to the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Dowden said: I wouldnt characterise it as Israel going too far. Israel is dealing with a very difficult situation. I think its really important for your viewers to remember this not only the scale of the atrocity that was committed against Israel, but if youre going after an enemy that literally hides underneath hospitals, hides amongst the civilian population, you are going to sustain high levels of civilian casualties. He added: What we as a UK Government is saying is, Israel, you do need to exercise restraint. In a joint article in The Sunday Times with Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, Lord Cameron called for peace lasting for days, years, generations, adding that too many civilians have been killed. Only extremists like Hamas want us stuck in an endless cycle of violence, sacrificing more innocent lives for their fanatical ideology, they wrote. But our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable. Asked what this meant, Mr Dowden said: Well, in order for a ceasefire to be sustainable, we have to ensure that we remove the threat of Hamas from Israel and indeed the wider Middle East and you saw what happened on that terrible day on October 7 when Hamas were able to penetrate the border of Israel and indiscriminately murder 1,400 men, women and children, and until we deal with that, any ceasefire will not ultimately be sustainable. So thats why we continue to support Israel in its right to self-defence, to remove the threat of Hamas and at the same time to get those hostages back. Those are the two things that ensure that we have a sustainable ceasefire. Lord Cameron absolutely right Mr Dowden said we always knew it would be a difficult conflict in Gaza. But he said: Nonetheless, we do continue to urge restraint, abiding with international law, and at the same time, on this wider ceasefire point, were trying to ensure that we get as long a period to the pauses in hostility to allow that aid in. Wes Streeting, Labours shadow health secretary, said Lord Cameron was absolutely right to call for a sustainable ceasefire. Speaking to Sky News Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, he said: The question isnt whether any of us want a ceasefire, of course people want to see a ceasefire, an end to this bloody conflict. He said there have been intolerable losses in Gaza, adding: The question is how do you get from where we are today to where we want to be. I think David Cameron talked about a sustainable ceasefire and I think thats absolutely right. 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. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israel pressed ahead with its Gaza offensive on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag, raised questions about its conduct in a 10-week-old war that has brought unprecedented death and destruction to the coastal enclave. Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth straight day the longest of several outages over the course of the war, which aid groups say complicate rescue efforts after bombings and make it even more difficult to monitor the wars toll on civilians. Israels government meanwhile faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies and protests by Israelis demanding it negotiate another hostage release deal with Gazas Hamas rulers. It could face even more pressure to scale back major combat operations when U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. President Joe Bidens administration has expressed growing unease with civilian casualties even as it has provided vital military and diplomatic support to Israel. The air and ground war has flattened vast swathes of northern Gaza and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps. Some 1.9 million Palestinians nearly 85% of Gazas population have fled their homes. Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets in all parts of Gaza. It has vowed to continue operations until it dismantles Hamas, which triggered the war with its Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel, in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel has also vowed to return the estimated 129 hostages still held in Gaza. Military officials said Saturday that the three hostages who were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops had tried to signal that they posed no harm. It was Israels first such acknowledgement of harming hostages in a war that it says is largely aimed at rescuing them. The three hostages, all in their 20s, were killed Friday in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops are engaged in fierce fighting with Hamas. An Israeli military official said the shootings were against the armys rules of engagement and were being investigated at the highest level. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and accuses Hamas of using them as human shields. But Palestinians and rights groups have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of recklessly endangering civilians and firing on those who do not threaten them, both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the start of the war. At least five Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid in a built-up refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Sunday. Last week, Israel said it was opening a military police investigation after an Israeli rights group posted videos that appeared to show troops killing two men one who was incapacitated and the second unarmed during a West Bank raid. In Gaza, Palestinians on several occasions have said Israeli soldiers opened fire at fleeing civilians. Hamas has claimed other hostages were killed by Israeli fire or airstrikes, without presenting evidence. The offensive has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Thursday. It has not been able to update the toll since then because of the communications blackout, and has said for weeks that thousands more casualties are buried under the rubble. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but throughout the war has said that most of those killed were women and children. The military says 121 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza offensive. It says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence. In Israel on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate truce aimed at releasing more hostages, getting larger amounts of aid into Gaza and moving toward the beginning of a political solution. Frances Foreign Ministry had earlier said one of its employees was killed in an Israeli strike on a home in the southernmost town of Rafah on Wednesday. It condemned the strike, which it said had killed several civilians, and demanded clarification from Israeli authorities. The foreign ministers of the U.K. and Germany meanwhile called for a sustainable cease-fire, saying too many civilians have been killed. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote in the U.K.'s Sunday Times. Austin is set to travel to Israel to continue discussions on a timetable for ending the wars most intense phase. Israeli and U.S. officials have spoken of a transition to more targeted strikes aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing hostages, without saying when it would occur. The plight of Palestinian civilians has gotten little attention inside Israel, where many are still deeply traumatized by the Oct. 7 attack and where support for the war remains strong. But anger over the mistaken killing of the hostages is likely to ramp up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Scores of protesters set up tents outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, saying they would stay until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. The hostages are experiencing hell and they are in mortal peril, said Raz Ben-Ami, one of the hostages released in the last exchange. Israel must offer another hostage-release deal. Hamas has said no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and that in exchange it will demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Hamas released over 100 of more than 240 hostages captured on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners during a brief cease-fire in November. Nearly all freed on both sides were women and minors. Israel has rescued one hostage. Ben Wallace says he 'unequivocally condemns Hamas violence on Oct 7 and is not calling for a ceasefire - Brian Lawless/PA Israel risks losing legal authority for its war in Gaza by going on a crude and indiscriminate killing rage against the Palestinian people, Ben Wallace warns today. The former defence secretary warns the countrys tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years and will radicalise young Muslims across the world. His comments, made in an article for the Daily Telegraph, come amid a shift in tone from Britain and the West toward Israel as the death toll in Gaza spirals. Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, joined with his German counterpart to call for a sustainable ceasefire in the territory, adding that too many civilians have been killed. Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said the approach would mean hostages released, rockets stop flowing and theres actually a political process in place to make sure that we get to the day after. Mr Wallace warns that Benjamin Netanyahu is undermining Israels legal case for the war - MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images But Mr Wallace warns that Benjamin Netanyahu is risking breaking the Geneva Convention and undermining Israels legal case for the war that it is acting in self-defence. Going after Hamas is legitimate; obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not, he said. Using proportionate force is legal but collective punishment and forced movement of civilians is not. We are entering a dangerous period now where Israels original legal authority of self-defence is being undermined by its own actions. It is making the mistake of losing its moral authority alongside its legal one. Ben Wallace said that the Israeli prime minister is in danger of breaking the Geneva Convention - ABIR SULTAN/REUTERS Mr Wallace said the current generation of Israeli politicians were acting like a bull in a China shop, and said the hardline Israeli prime minister was losing sight of the long term because his government missed the Hamas attack in the first place. But if he thinks a killing rage will rectify matters, then he is very wrong, he said. His methods will not solve this problem. In fact, I believe his tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. His actions are radicalising Muslim youth across the globe. The former defence secretary added: Before anyone says I am calling for a ceasefire with Hamas I am not. You cant have a ceasefire with Hamas unless they are prepared to declare one; even then they would have to pledge to modify their charter to do so. What I am saying is Israel needs to stop this crude and indiscriminate method of attack. And it needs to combat Hamas differently. He urged Israel to learn from the British experience in Northern Ireland, which proved that as sure as night follows day, history shows us that radicalisation follows oppression. Northern Ireland internment taught us that a disproportionate response by the state can serve as a terrorist organisations best recruiting sergeant, he says. For many, watching the events in Gaza unfold each day, makes us more and more uncomfortable. The former defence secretary said going after Hamas is legitimate; obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not The comments came amid increasing concern at the death toll in Gaza from the US, the UK, Germany and France. While Western leaders still support Israels right to defend itself by targeting Hamas, they are concerned at the disproportionate use of violence, which they suspect risks breaking international law. Yesterday it emerged the US will push Israel to conduct small-scale raids against Hamas instead of its major ground and air offensive. Lloyd J Austin III, the US defence secretary, is set to meet with Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, this week to discuss a new phase of the conflict. According to US officials, this would involve smaller groups of elite forces conducting more precise intelligence-driven missions to kill Hamas leaders and rescue the hostages. Mr Austin is still expected to reiterate support for Israels campaign to destroy Hamas, but also restate the importance of civilian safety and the need to increase humanitarian assistance. It echoes comments made by Jake Sullivan, Joe Bidens national security adviser, who last week said there would be a transition to another phase of the war that is focused in more precise ways. Lord Cameron has called for peace lasting for days, years, generations - Alexander Ermochenko/REUTERS The change in the American stance came as Lord Cameron unveiled a change of heart in the British position. We support a sustainable ceasefire In a joint article in The Sunday Times with Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, he called for peace lasting for days, years, generations, adding that too many civilians have been killed. Only extremists like Hamas want us stuck in an endless cycle of violence, sacrificing more innocent lives for their fanatical ideology, they wrote. But our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable. Israel needs to exercise restraint Speaking on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, said the government did not believe Israel had gone too far but wanted it to exercise restraint. I wouldnt characterise it as Israel going too far, he said. Israel is dealing with a very difficult situation If youre going after an enemy that literally hides underneath hospitals, hides amongst the civilian population, you are going to sustain high levels of civilian casualties. He added: What we as a UK Government is saying is, Israel, you do need to exercise restraint. Too many civilians are being killed On Sunday, Catherine Colonna, the French foreign minister, called for an immediate and durable truce in the war with Hamas. On a visit to Israel, she said: Too many civilians are being killed and added that Paris was deeply concerned over the situation in Gaza. Netanyahu has lost the trust of the world Yair Lapid, Israeli opposition leader and former prime minister, called for Mr Netanyahu to step down, saying: We have a prime minister who lost the trust of the people, lost the trust of the world and lost the trust of the security establishment. It came as the Israeli army claimed it had uncovered the largest Hamas tunnel in the Gaza Strip so far. The underground passage formed part of a wider network that stretched for over 2.5 miles, it 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. Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza hold their photos and shout slogans at a rally calling for their return, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. A little over a week ago, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. On that occasion, the UK abstained from voting. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has now written an article with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock setting out London and Berlins support for a sustainable ceasefire. The French foreign minister has gone a step further, calling for an immediate and durable truce. Washington, too, is beginning to shift. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Israel, and is expected to put considerable pressure on the countrys leadership to significantly reduce the scale of military operations in Gaza, switching towards strategic raids and precision strikes. As President Joe Biden warned last week, it is becoming increasingly clear that Israel is losing support from an international community that initially stood steadfast behind its right to respond to the October 7 attacks. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden struck a sensible balance in his conversation with the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg, noting that no ceasefire could be sustainable until weve dealt with Hamas, but also that it is important to exercise restraint. As Ben Wallace writes in this paper, to do otherwise risks undermining the legal and moral authority of Israels cause. The evil Hamas represents can be given no quarter. It is an organisation built upon hatred and still holds in its clutches over 100 civilian hostages, which it intends to use as bargaining chips in negotiations with the Israeli state. With its words and actions, Hamas has made it quite clear that it intends to continue inflicting violence upon Israel in pursuit of its ultimate goal, and that its survival is not compatible with a lasting peace. But it is also clear that the international consensus is beginning to shift. As criticism mounts and calls for peace grow louder, Israel risks losing the support so vital to its continued security. On Wednesday, Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen appeared to downplay the influence of foreign states in determining military strategy, saying that it would continue the war against Hamas with or without international support. It is clear that we are rapidly approaching a pivotal moment in the current conflict. The path towards a sustainable outcome is narrow; it is vital that the collective West navigates it with care. 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. University commencements are dominated by young people. But higher education is a pursuit for all ages. Minnie Payne, 90, recently beame the oldest person ever to receive a master's degree from the University of North Texas. Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News After a 30-year career as a transcriptionist for insurance companies and other clients, Minnie Payne retired at 68. And quickly got bored. I wasnt doing anything constructive, she writes on her personal web page, and although I cant say enough good about volunteer work, it isnt my cup of tea. I am also not a social butterfly. So Payne went back to school and earned a bachelors degree at age 73 from the University of North Texas in Denton. This year, at age 90, she earned a masters degree from the state institution. Shes the oldest person ever to be awarded a masters by UNT. The degree is in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on writing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My grandson will accompany me across the stage, she told CBS News. Payne grew up in South Carolina. Her parents were textile workers who didnt have much education, she said. She attended junior college for just a year. Family and work took precedence. After retiring, she enrolled at Texas Womans University in Denton, her daughters alma mater, because I knew it to be a good school, she said. But the journalism department was being phased out, and only two journalism courses were available. She took them both while pursuing a bachelor of general studies degree. She graduated with her BA in 2006 and launched on a career as a freelance writer and copy editor. Write, write, write! she says a journalism professor told her. It doesnt matter what kind of publication. The more you write the better you become. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her work has appeared in publications including Palos Verdes Magazine in Southern California, Senior Voice in Dallas, Houston Woman Magazine, Texasliving, Tulsa People, Frisco Style and GreenSourceDFW.org, an online publication covering environmental news in North Texas. But she hadnt given up on getting a masters degree. She kept plugging away despite some difficulties fitting in the required courses. Did she ever think of giving up? No, she told CBS News. In fact, I miss studying. The motto on her LinkedIn page: You must do the things you cannot do. Friends and relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza protest in Tel Aviv (Alberto PIZZOLI) Israel carried out fresh strikes on Gaza Sunday as its leaders came under growing pressure to secure the release of hostages still held in the Hamas-run territory more than two months after the October 7 attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced protests on Saturday by relatives of hostages who called for an urgent deal to secure their freedom after the army admitted mistakenly killing three captives in Gaza. The trio were among an estimated 250 people taken hostage during Hamas's October 7 raids into Israel, which also killed about 1,140 people, according to the Israeli authorities' latest figures. According to Hamas, Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 18,800 people, mostly women and children. At a protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, relatives of hostages gathered to plead with the government for a deal. "Take us into consideration and come up with a plan now (for negotiation)," said Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, at the protest. More than 100 of the Israelis and foreigners seized by Hamas and other militants on October 7 were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners during a week-long truce last month, mediated by Qatar. Netanyahu doubled down on his war effort on Saturday, telling reporters of the three hostages' deaths: "It broke my heart. It broke the whole nation's heart." "With all the deep sorrow, I want to clarify: the military pressure is necessary both for the return of the kidnapped and for achieving victory over our enemies," he added. On Sunday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 12 people were killed in Israeli strikes on the central city of Deir al-Balah. Witnesses also reported Israeli air and artillery strikes on the southern municipality of Bani Suhaila east of Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip's second city. On Saturday, Netanyahu appeared to address Qatari efforts towards a new truce. "We have serious criticisms of Qatar, about which I suppose you will hear in due course, but right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages," he said. In a statement, Qatar reaffirmed on Saturday its "ongoing diplomatic efforts to renew the humanitarian pause". But Hamas said on Telegram it was "against any negotiations for the exchange of prisoners until the aggression against our people ceases completely". US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Saturday he was travelling to Israel, Bahrain and Qatar to highlight Washington's "commitments to strengthening regional security and stability". News platform Axios said Israeli spy chief David Barnea met Friday in an unspecified European location with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who helped negotiate the earlier truce. - 'Hunger, disease, weak immunity' - Israel's bombardment of Gaza has left much of the territory in ruins, with the UN estimating 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced by the war. The UN said this week that hunger and desperation were driving people to seize humanitarian aid being delivered to Gaza, warning of a "breakdown of civil order". International aid organisations have struggled to get supplies to desperate Gazans. "I would not be surprised if people start dying of hunger, or a combination of hunger, disease, weak immunity," said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The agency reported a "prolonged communications blackout" across Gaza that started on Thursday night and has continued over the past 48 hours. US President Joe Biden, whose administration provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, has voiced growing concern over civilian deaths. UK Foreign Minister David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock wrote in The Sunday Times that the "need is urgent" for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza. In the face of mounting international pressure, Israel announced a "temporary measure" to allow aid deliveries directly to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Fierce fighting raged in Gaza on Saturday, with the Israeli army saying it had raided two schools which it said were Hamas hiding places in the northern Gaza City. The Israeli army said Sunday two more soldiers had been killed in Gaza, bringing the total to 121 since ground operations began in late October. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said a Christian mother and daughter were shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the grounds of the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church. In the city of Khan Yunis, dozens of journalists took part in a funeral for Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa, who was killed in an Israeli strike, according to his news organisation. More than 60 journalists and media staff have died since the war began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. - Red Sea disruption - The war continues to be felt across the Middle East and has raised fears of a broader conflict. Israel has exchanged regular fire with militants, mainly the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah, across its northern border with Lebanon. The Israeli army said on Saturday a soldier was killed and two others wounded in the Margaliot area on the Lebanese boundary. A spokesperson confirmed to AFP the casualties were caused by a "hostile aircraft". The conflict has also caused major disruption to the key Red Sea shipping lane between Asia and Europe, with two more major firms announcing they were redirecting their vessels following repeated attacks by Yemeni rebels allied with Hamas. The action by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM follows similar moves on Friday by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. It comes after Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels launched repeated attacks on passing vessels in recent days. The rebels also launched a wave of 14 one-way attack drones on Saturday, all of which were "shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries", the US military's Central Command said. bur-mca/ser The tunnel reached within 400 metres of the Erez crossing with Israel (JACK GUEZ) The Israeli army said on Sunday it had uncovered the biggest Hamas tunnel in the Gaza Strip so far, just a few hundred metres from a key border crossing. Such was its size that small vehicles would be able to travel within the tunnel, an AFP photographer granted access to it reported. The underground passage formed part of a wider branching network that stretched for over four kilometres (2.5 miles) and came within 400 metres (1,300 feet) of the Erez border crossing, the army said in a statement. It cost millions of dollars and took years to construct, Israeli forces said, with the project lead by Mohamed Yahya, brother of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, who is believed to have masterminded the October 7 attacks. The honeycomb of passageways features a drainage systems, electricity, ventilation, sewage and a communication network as well as rails. The floor is compacted earth while its walls are reinforced concrete and its entrance is a metal cylinder with 1.5 centimetre (half-inch) thick walls. Footage released by the Israeli army, which it said was filmed by Hamas, showed a small construction vehicle being driven into the tunnel, an extensive temporary warehouse filled with pre-cast concrete for lining the walls and workers digging beneath the earth using crude power tools. The Israeli army said it had found a large number of weapons stored in the tunnel, ready to be used in an attack. - People, goods, weapons - Hamas had expended huge resources in the project, said Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, an army spokesman, and did so to "serve only one purpose -- attacking the State of Israel and its residents". He said the tunnel was deliberately built near the Erez crossing, which Israel uses to facilitate the strictly controlled entry of Palestinian workers and those travelling for medical care. "For Hamas, attacking the people of Israel continues to take priority over supporting the people of Gaza," he said. The Islamist militant group launched a surprise attack against southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages, according to the latest Israeli figures. In response, Israel set out to destroy Hamas and launched a relentless bombardment and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip to achieve that goal. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says Israel has killed more than 18,800 people, mostly women and children, during the war. Dubbed the "Gaza Metro" by the Israeli military, the labyrinth of tunnels beneath the coastal territory was initially devised as a way of circumventing the crushing Israeli-Egyptian blockade, in place since 2007. Hundreds of tunnels were built under the border with Egypt and into the Sinai Desert, allowing people, goods and weapons to cross into Gaza from the outside world. Since the 2014 war with Israel, the tunnel network has been expanded and Hamas has made frequent use of it to facilitate its rocket launches. A study published on October 17 by the Modern War Institute at the US military academy West Point said there were 1,300 tunnels stretching over 500 kilometres (310 miles). The Israeli army said at the beginning of December that it had discovered more than 800 tunnels, with 500 destroyed. Reports in Israeli media last week said that the army was considering flooding the tunnels with seawater pumped from the Mediterranean and had already conducted succesful tests. jg/bg/gab/ila/dcp/fz/it The Israeli military is accused of attacking a church compound in Gaza just one week before Christmas, killing two Christian women and displacing dozens of disabled Palestinians. On Saturday, an Israeli sniper shot in cold blood mother Nahida Anton and daughter Samar Anton while they were walking to the Sisters Convent inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, according to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. No warning was given, no notification was provided, the statement said, adding that there are no belligerents at the compound. Seven people were wounded in the attack as they tried to protect others in the compound. During attacks the night before, heavy bombing resulted in three additional people wounded inside the church, as well as the compounds solar panels and water tanks destroyed. Many Christian families in Gaza have been taking refuge inside the church compound since Israel began its heavy bombardment on the Palestinian enclave. Since Oct. 7, Israels destruction of Gaza has led to more than 18,700 Palestinians dead and thousands more buried under rubble, the Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday before the territory experienced a communications blackout that has since been partially restored. An Israeli sniper shot and killed a mother and her daughter in the Latin church in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/HAolFWL3Jg Mitri Raheb (@RahebM) December 16, 2023 Hours before the sniper attack, the patriarchate said that rockets fired from an Israeli tank hit the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa, which is part of the church compound and home to 54 disabled people. The first rocket destroyed the buildings fuel sources and generator the convents only source of electricity and caused an explosion and massive fire that damaged the house. Two subsequent rockets on the convent rendered the home uninhabitable, according to the patriarchate. The 54 disabled persons are currently displaced and without access to the respirators that some of them need to survive, the statement said. Layla Moran, a member of British Parliament, said that she has several family members sheltering inside the same church compound. On Saturday, the lawmaker said that military forces had taken over a building opposite to the church and that there are snipers at every window pointing to the church. Pope Francis, who has repeatedly spoken out against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expressed concern on Sunday about Israels church attacks, which he described as terrorism. I continue to receive very grave and painful news from Gaza, he said during his weekly blessing. Unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings. And this happened even inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick or disabled, nuns. Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on Sunday. The pope spoke out during his blessing about the Israeli military's attack on Saturday against a church compound in Gaza, killing two women and displacing dozens of disabled people. Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on Sunday. The pope spoke out during his blessing about the Israeli military's attack on Saturday against a church compound in Gaza, killing two women and displacing dozens of disabled people. The Israeli Defense Force told HuffPost that it is conducting a thorough review of the attack, claiming without evidence that soldiers were targeting a Hamas-related threat that they identified in the area of the church. The IDF takes claims regarding harm to sensitive sites with the utmost seriousness especially churches considering that Christian communities are a minority group in the Middle East, the IDF said, maintaining its stance that soldiers only target terrorists and not civilians, despite the massive civilian death toll. The IDF also said it received a letter on Saturday from the patriarchate describing the attack on the Holy Family Parish, but claimed that church representatives did not raise such concerns during a conversation hours earlier. Together in prayer with the whole Christian community, we express our closeness and condolences to the families affected by this senseless tragedy, the patriarchate said. At the same time, we cannot but express that we are at a loss to comprehend how such an attack could be carried out, even more so as the whole Church prepares for Christmas. The region is home to some of the worlds oldest Christian communities, with the Palestinian Christian population in Gaza dating back to the first century. Palestinian cities like Bethlehem, Ramallah and Nazareth hold annual Christmas parades and celebrate the holiday in churches across the area. Last month, Bethlehem announced that it will be canceling the citys Christmas festivities in mourning and in honor of the Palestinians who have been killed by the Israeli military. Christmas celebrations are canceled this year, for its impossible to celebrate Christmas when our people in Gaza are going through a genocide, Munther Ishaq, a pastor for Bethlehems Evangelical Lutheran Church, told Al Jazeera. This year, Ishaqs church set up its nativity scene depicting baby Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, surrounded by rubble and wrapped in a Palestinian scarf called a keffiyeh. An installation of a scene of the Nativity of Christ with a figure symbolizing baby Jesus lying amid the rubble, in reference to Gaza, inside the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 10. World-famous Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have been put on hold due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. An installation of a scene of the Nativity of Christ with a figure symbolizing baby Jesus lying amid the rubble, in reference to Gaza, inside the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 10. World-famous Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have been put on hold due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. We wanted to send a message to the world, a message that while the whole world is celebrating Christmas in festive ways, here in Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus, where Christmas originated from this is what Christmas looks like to us, Ishaq said of the display. Since Oct. 7, Israel has bombed several churches in Gaza, attacking Palestinians who are seeking refuge in places of worship. Notably, Israeli forces killed 18 people in an attack on the Church of Saint Porphyrius, one of the oldest churches in the world. The bombardment has led to fears that Israels attacks could lead to the extinction of Gazas Palestinian Christian community. Christmas is the solidarity of God with those who are oppressed, with those who are suffering, the pastor said. And if Jesus is to be born again, this time, this year, he will be born in Gaza under the rubble in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Related... Smoke rises above Rafah in southern Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Sunday. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting in Gaza on Sunday amid calls for a cease-fire after three Israeli hostages were mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military will "fight to the end" as a testament to soldiers killed in fighting, Netanyahu said during a government meeting in Tel Aviv on Sunday. "We will achieve all of our aims: eliminating Hamas, freeing all of our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will not again become a center for terrorism," Netanyahu said. Strikes continued in Gaza on Sunday, with rocket warning alerts sounding in Sufa and Nir Yitzhak and the northern border town of Margaliot. Bombardments were reported in Jabalia camp, Deir al-Balah and Bani Suhaila. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it had gained control of parts of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Palestinians search for victims after an Israeli strike on residential houses in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Internet access and the phone network were completely cut across the Gaza Strip. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin began a trip to Israel, Qatar and Bahrain. He will meet with Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and is expected to discuss measures to mitigate civilian harm. Lloyd said in a post on X that he would "underscore U.S. commitments to strengthening regional security and stability, and working with partners and allies to advance defense capabilities." Palestinians search for victims after an Israeli strike on residential houses in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Tel Aviv after three Israeli hostages -- Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz of Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Samer Al-Talalka of Kibbutz Nir Amwere -- were accidentally shot by Israeli forces. Britain and Germany called for negotiations for a sustainable cease-fire in a joint article in the Sunday Times. A Palestinian boy walks on debris of destroyed house after Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza, on Sunday. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI "Too many civilians have been killed," British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote. France took a stronger stance, with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna calling for an "immediate and durable truce." Palestinians search for victims after an Israeli strike on residential houses in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI JERUSALEM Yahya Sinwar, Hamas top leader in Gaza, his younger brother, Muhammed, and two other senior military commanders of the Iranian-backed Islamist terror group Rafaa Salameh and Mohammad Deif are considered to be the worst killers from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. All are now the most wanted terrorists by Israel. As the IDF gears up for what could be its fiercest battle yet against Hamas, the army dropped leaflets over Gazas second most populous city on Thursday, calling on residents of the Hamas stronghold to share any information about the whereabouts of the four men and offering a substantial financial reward some $1 million in total for anyone brave enough to come forward. All four terrorists were born and raised in Khan Younis, a city about two miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, and Sinwar, who already has the nickname "the Butcher of Khan Younis," for his violent and cruel torture methods against his enemies, both Israeli and Palestinian, is widely seen as the mastermind of the massacre of Israeli civilians carried out by thousands of Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, sparking the current war. ISRAEL'S HUNT FOR HAMAS TERROR GROUP LEADER YAHYA SINWAR: DEAD MAN WALKING Israeli political and military leaders have referred to Sinwar as a "dead man walking." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP So, who are the four men Israel is willing to dole out a million dollars for? Wanted: Yahya Sinwar Position: Hamas leader in Gaza Bounty: $400,000 Recently described as 'a dead man walking,' Yahya Sinwar, who turned 61 at the end of October, was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp when the region was part of Egypt. According to multiple sources, he has always been a militant activist and joined Hamas not long after its founding in 1987. Two years later, he was arrested by Israel for his involvement in the abduction and killing of two Israelis, as well as the torturing and murder of four Palestinians he considered to be collaborators. He was sentenced to life in prison and ended up serving 22 years in an Israeli jail until his release in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange for the abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Yahya Sinwar, center, appears during a ceremony for fighters killed by Israeli airstrikes on May 24,2021 in Gaza City. During his time in jail, Sinwar became a prominent and influential figure among the other Hamas prisoners and learned to speak fluent Hebrew. He has a deep understanding of Israeli society, those who have met and studied him say, pointing out that he is both charismatic and extreme, with strong ideological and religious beliefs. He is not afraid to die or sacrifice himself for the Palestinian cause and truly believes that he can lead the Palestinian people to destroy Israel. ISRAELI POLICE SAY EXTREME SEXUAL VIOLENCE, RAPE BY HAMAS TERRORISTS WAS SYSTEMATIC Wanted: Mohammad Sinwar Position: Commander of Hamas Southern Brigade Bounty: $300,000 Mohammad Sinwar, Yahyas younger brother by a few years, joined Hamas military wing in the early 1990s and also spent a few years imprisoned for terrorist activities. Upon his release, the younger Sinwar upped his militaristic activities with Hamas, taking part in several deadly terror attacks against Israel in the mid-1990s before becoming commander of the terror groups Khan Younis Brigade in 2005. In 2006, according to reports, Mohammed Sinwar was involved in a deadly attack against Israeli soldiers on Israels border that resulted in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. He was then part of the secretive Hamas cell that held Shalit captive in Gaza for more than five years. While the younger Sinwar is considered to be of lower rank than his leader brother, the two are very close, according to experts. "He is involved in decision-making and was very involved in planning the Oct. 7 attack with him," Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, told Fox News Digital. Wanted: Rafaa Salameh Position: Commander of Khan Younis Battalion Bounty: $200,000 Currently, the commander of the Hamas battalion where most of Israels fighting is now focused, Milshtein said Rafaa Salameh was not generally considered a prominent figure and was most likely to have been included on the list because, like the others, he was born and raised in Khan Younis. Milshtein also said putting him in Israeli military crosshairs serves to weaken the enemy. Hamas terrorists on July 20, 2017, in Gaza City. "When all the efforts are focused on Khan Younis and you want to make the enemy weaker, then you put him on the list, that is why he is one of the four," he said. UN, HUMAN RIGHTS, MEDIA GROUPS RELY ON HAMAS DEATH TOLL IN 'SYSTEMATIC DECEPTION': EXPERT Wanted: Mohammad Deif Position: Commander of Hamas military wing Bounty: $100,000 Notably, Mohammad Deif, long considered to be enemy number one for Israel and considered as senior in Hamas as Yahya Sinwar, has a lower bounty than the other three. An undated photo of Mohammad Deif, the mastermind of Hamas suicide bombings. Little is known about the Palestinian who has kept one step ahead of the Israelis. As the top commander of Hamas military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Deif, 58, is also thought to have been involved in planning the brutal Oct. 7 attacks. A master bombmaker, Deif played an instrumental role in developing Hamas military capabilities, Israeli military and intelligence officials have said, including building up its rocket arsenal and attack strategy, as well as helping to design the subterranean tunnel system, which snakes for miles below the coastal enclave and which Israel is now trying to eradicate. A former actor, Deif, is a master of disguise and has long eluded the Israelis, even surviving several assassination attempts. It is believed that Deif, who is sometimes referred to as "the cat with nine lives," has been confined to a wheelchair since an Israeli attack in 2006 during which he also lost an eye and an arm. However, Israels arch-enemy keeps a very low profile, rarely making public appearances the last known photo of him is at least three decades ago. Milshtein, who has studied Hamas most elusive warrior for years, told Fox that he is "far more important than Salameh, of course, but someone in Israel tried to make him angry or make a joke out of him by making him worth less." In the deck of playing cards, Deif, shown as a one-armed mannequin, is king. "Its unlikely anyone will call the number on that flyer," Milshtein told Fox News Digital. "There is a beehive surrounding Sinwar and he is very confident about his position in Gaza and inside Hamas," said Milshtein, who previously headed the department for Palestinian affairs in the IDFs military intelligence unit. "I would be very surprised if anyone would betray him or give Israel any important information about his location." Israeli forces have been engaged in operations in Khan Younis since early December, when a week-long cease-fire with Hamas ended. On Dec. 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces had reached and encircled Sinwars home, although Israels most wanted terrorist was obviously not home. "His home is not his castle, and he can flee, but it is only a matter of time until we find him," Netanyahu said in a brief statement. 'I WILL BE HAUNTED FOREVER: ISRAELS HORRIFIC VIDEO OF HAMAS ATROCITIES LEAVES VIEWERS SHOCKED AND SICKENED As well as Sinwar, Israel has said it will seek out and assassinate other members of Hamas political and military leadership wherever they are in the world. Last week, IDF soldiers fighting in Gaza were given packs of playing cards, similar to those created for U.S. troops during the Iraq war, depicting the most wanted Hamas terrorists. Yahya Sinwar, shown as a rat hiding in a tunnel, is the ace card. Despite making clear that these brutal killers are in Israels sights, after more than 70 days of fighting and an estimated 7,000 dead terrorists and thousands more captured only a handful of Hamas top tier have been taken out. Among the top figures killed in fighting so far is Rawhi Mushtaha, a political and strategic leader, considered to be Sinwars "twin" and the man said to be most knowledgeable about the Palestinian prisoners Hamas is hoping to exchange for more than 120 Israeli hostages, including women and children, that it brutally kidnapped on Oct. 7 and still holds. In addition, the IDF and Israels internal security agency, Shin Bet, on Dec. 5 said several senior Hamas operatives from the military brigades of northern Gaza had been eliminated, including Ahmed Al-Ghandoor. According to the information shared, Al-Ghandoor was part of the military wings inner circle and had been responsible for directing and managing all the groups terror operations in Northern Gaza. Another senior member of the Islamist organizations general military council to be eliminated was Ayman Noufal, who was head of Hamas central command. Noufal was killed by an Israeli airstrike early on in the war, Hamas confirmed in a statement. Jonathan Schanzer, the senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, told Fox News Digital that the "most wanted" leaflets dropped by the IDF over Khan Younis were symbolic of what will likely be one of the "toughest battles for Israel in this war." "Hamas used the cease-fire to prepare for this battle," he said, adding that Sinwar and the others identified as top tier by Israel hail from the place that "could soon be described as Hamas last stand." "Israel has other top targets in its sights but the killing or capture of these men might signal a psychological win for the Israelis and even a defeat for the Iran-backed group in Gaza," Schanzer said."I dont believe Gazans will turn them over, but these men have to be feeling the heat even more right now, with their names plastered all over war-torn Gaza." Original article source: Israel's most wanted: Butcher of Khan Younis, other Hamas terrorists now in IDF's sights By Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday criticised those who make money from misleading charity claims, in a clear reference to a recent antitrust sanction against the country's top influencer Chiara Ferragni. On Friday, Italy's antitrust authority imposed a 1.075 million euro ($1.17 million) fine on companies controlled by Ferragni as a result of a probe into misleading advertising on Christmas cakes last year. Ferragni, a businesswoman and fashion influencer with nearly 30 million followers on Instagram, said the fine was unjust and she would appeal it. "The real models to follow are not the influencers who make a lot of money by wearing clothes and showing bags ... or even promoting expensive cakes that make people believe they are charitable," Meloni said, without explicitly mentioning Ferragni. The antitrust authority also fined cake maker Balocco 420,000 euros and said consumers were duped into thinking that by buying a cake they were contributing to a bone cancer charity at a hospital in Turin and that Ferragni was herself making donations. The regulator said Balocco had made a 50,000 euro one-off payment to the hospital months before launching the Ferragni cake, so sales of the product had no effect on charity donations. Balocco said it disagreed with regulator's decision and reserved the right to take action to protect its rights. The regulator said Ferragni-related companies gave no money to the hospital, despite receiving more than 1 million euros for the branding initiative and related promotional activities. "We have to explain to young people that creating (Made in Italy) products is much more extraordinary than just showing them off," Meloni said in a speech on the final day of the festival of her right-wing Brothers of Italy party. ($1 = 0.9179 euros) (Reporting by Angelo Amante; editing by Christina Fincher) A Jacksonville attorney was convicted for fraudulently taking at least $300,000 in loans from a federal COVID-19 relief program. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to Jill Steinberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Shaquandra Woods, 40, Jacksonville, was convicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Woods is looking at up to 20 years in prison along with financial penalties, and restitution. Congress provided more than $6 billion in funding for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act as a lifeline in the midst of a generational catastrophe for struggling small businesses, U.S. Attorney Steinberg said. This year alone, our office has prosecuted defendants responsible for more than $11 million in CARES Act fraud, and with our law enforcement partners we continue to identify and hold accountable those who illegally enrich themselves through these programs. Read: This is not a victimless crime: 20 arrested for $5 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Jacksonville Woods. an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia, filled at least nine Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans were to help small businesses experiencing financial hardships because of the COIVD-19 pandemic. The US Attorneys Office said that as a result of fraudulently submitting the applications, Woods attempted to take $800,000 in federal funds for herself and others in the conspiracy. She was said to have successfully obtained at least $300,000 in the scheme. Fraud in and against the CARES Act amounts to theft from American taxpayers, Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta said. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and prosecute those who take advantage of these programs designed to help struggling Americans. Read: Former Jaguars employee accused of stealing more than $22M from team to buy condo, crypto, cars Woods sentencing will be announced once the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services is complete, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and prosecuted for the United States by Senior Litigation Counsel Jennifer G. Solari and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan C. Grover. [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. Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, known for his support of the citys pro-democracy movement and criticism of Chinas leaders, turned 76 behind bars in a maximum security prison earlier this month. He has been in detention since 2020 and jailed for multiple charges linked to Hong Kongs democracy protest movement and his media business, as the founder of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy, anti-Beijing newspaper that was forced to shut down in 2021. Long an unapologetically pugilistic thorn in Beijings side, Lai now faces his most consequential legal challenge to date. He appeared in court Monday to face trial on three counts of colluding with foreign forces, a crime under a sweeping national security law that has transformed Hong Kong, as well as a separate sedition charge, according to an indictment seen by CNN. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Dressed in a blue dress shirt and a grey suit, a visibly thinner Lai waved and smiled at supporters as he entered the courtroom escorted by four officers at the start of a trial that is being closely watched around the world. Police maintained a heavy presence outside the court. The trial which is expected to last at least 80 days is the most high-profile prosecution of a Hong Kong media figure since the city was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997. And it could set new precedents for Hong Kongs rapidly changing legal landscape. Since huge and sometimes violent democracy protests swept through Hong Kong in 2019, dozens of the citys most prominent democracy activists have been jailed or have fled overseas. But few command the kind of international recognition that Lai does. Prosecutors allege that articles published by Lais Apple Daily newspaper violated Hong Kongs national security law by calling for overseas sanctions against the citys leaders. Lai has pleaded not guilty. Beijing imposed the national security law in the wake of the 2019 protests, arguing it has restored stability and closed loopholes that allowed foreign forces to undermine China. Critics say it has decimated Hong Kongs freedoms and transformed the citys legal landscape. Like all national security cases so far, the high-profile trial will not have a jury and will be presided over by three national security judges from a committee that is approved by Hong Kongs leader. Hong Kongs courts allow foreign lawyers from other common law jurisdictions to represent clients but the government has blocked Lai from being represented by a leading British human rights lawyer, a decision which is undergoing a separate legal challenge that has repeatedly delayed this trials start date. Once one of the citys most outspoken figures, little has been heard from Lai since his multiple prosecutions began. I think psychologically hes very strong, his son, Sebastien Lai recently told CNN in London. But there is always that element that nobody escapes the gravity of age, and at his age, he is at a tremendous amount of risk being in maximum security. Jimmy Lai led out of a building to go for exercise at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong on August 4, 2023. - Louise Delmotte/AP Lais son met with Britains Foreign Minister David Cameron last week to lobby for the release of his father who is also a British citizen after a round of similar campaigning in the US and Canada. On the eve of the trial, Cameron said he was gravely concerned about the case and joined the United States in calling for Lais release. As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association, Cameron said in a statement. The US State Department also called on Hong Kong authorities to immediately release Jimmy Lai and all others imprisoned for defending their rights. Chinese authorities have condemned Western criticism of Lais prosecution and ahead of this weeks trial reiterated the denunciations they have often employed against the media tycoon. Its public knowledge that Jimmy Lai is one of the most notorious anti-China elements bent on destabilizing Hong Kong and a mastermind of the riots that took place in Hong Kong, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters last Wednesday at a regular press briefing. He blatantly colluded with external forces to undermine Chinas national security and is responsible for numerous egregious acts. The Hong Kong (government) took action to hold him accountable in accordance with the law. This is beyond reproach, Mao added. That rhetoric was repeated again on Monday as Wang Wenbin, another foreign ministry spokesperson, declared Lai the agent and pawn of the anti-China forces and the driving force behind the turmoil in Hong Kong when asked to respond to the latest US and UK criticism. Hong Kong authorities have employed more cautious language, declining to comment on legal proceedings while defending how police and prosecutors have pursued national security prosecutions. Without commenting on (an) individual case, we must point out that the HKSAR (Hong Kong) law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, a government spokesperson told CNN. All cases concerning offense endangering national security will be handled in a fair and timely manner, the spokesperson added. CNN contacted Lais legal team ahead of the trial but they declined to comment. Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for China, Sarah Brooks, said the trial epitomizes the rapid decline of rule of law in Hong Kong. This case has been an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression from the very start. The Hong Kong authorities must release Jimmy Lai immediately and unconditionally and expunge his criminal convictions. No one should be prosecuted solely for exercising their human rights, Brooks said in a statement on Friday (Dec 15). The Committee to Protect Journalists called the trial a travesty of justice. It is press freedom and the rule of law that are on trial in Hong Kong, CPJs Asia program coordinator Beh Lih Yi said. Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai in 1995 posing in front of a poster advertising his newly launched newspaper Apple Daily. - Mike Clarke/AFP/Getty Images Rags to riches Lais fortunes, both personal and financial, are inextricably tied to the history of modern Hong Kong. As the Great Chinese Famine gripped mainland China in 1960, Lai smuggled himself out of the southern province of Guangdong and into the then British colony of Hong Kong in the bottom of a fishing boat. He arrived in the city at the age of 12 and dirt poor. Lai said he became an odd jobs man at a textile factory, making 60 Hong Kong dollars ($7) a month and living in an apartment with 10 others in the slum neighborhood of Sham Shui Po still one of Hong Kongs most impoverished districts. Within two decades, Lai had learned English, worked his way up the factory floor to the position of salesman and decided to start his own retail line. On one trip to New York during fabric sampling season, he bought a pizza. Written on the napkin was the name Giordano. That became the name of his wildly successful, casual mens clothing chain, which made Lai his first fortune. But Chinas deadly 1989 crackdown on student protesters in Tiananmen Square politicized Lai and created something of a rarity in Hong Kong: a wealthy tycoon willing to openly criticize Beijings leaders. He moved out of the clothing business and chose a new role media baron. Lai founded Apple Daily in 1995, two years before Hong Kong was handed over to China. Modeled visually on USA Today, the paper caused a minor revolution in the citys media landscape, sparking a price war and drastically changing how rivals operated as they struggled to keep up with Lais flashy tabloid sensibilities. While celebrity gossip and other tabloid fare were a mainstay at the paper, it also emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the local government and Beijing, winning awards for its exposes on corruption and human rights reporting. It was also openly supportive of successive waves of pro-democracy protests that swept through Hong Kong, culminating in the 2019 movement. Lai himself was frequently seen at the marches, in the pouring rain or blazing summer heat, sparking denunciations from Chinas state-run media. As unrest between protesters and police became increasingly violent, calls from a minority of protesters for Hong Kong independence from mainland China grew a red line in the eyes of Beijing authorities, who brandished all pro-democracy calls as a US-backed color revolution, and described protesters as rioters, radicals and thugs. One of the few Hong Kong tycoons to criticize Beijing, Lai often took part in protests, such as the student-led 'Occupy Central' rallies in late 2014. - Lucas Schifres/Getty Images Democracy protests swelled in 2019 with huge crowds turning out for a movement that was embraced by Lai and his newspaper - Dale de la Rey/AFP/Getty Images Hong Kong's national security police raided the newsroom of Apple Daily, the city's pro-democracy newspaper run by Lai, on June 17, 2021. - Anthony Kwan/Getty Images Apple Daily journalists held aloft copies of the newspaper's last edition as the paper closed after 26 years on June 24, 2021 - Daniel Suen/AFP/Getty Images A devout Catholic and vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, Lai had lobbied extensively overseas for foreign governments to apply pressure on China over Hong Kong. During this period of social unrest, Lai traveled to Washington where he met with then Vice President Mike Pence to discuss the political situation in Hong Kong and other leading politicians. In the eyes of Beijing, this was seen as colluding with foreign forces to undermine the countrys security. US sanctions have long infuriated Chinese authorities and often spark reciprocal measures. During the 2019 protests, Beijing was incensed at Hong Kongers like Lai who openly called for restrictions to be placed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. State media mouthpiece Global Times, for example, described Lais meetings with US politicians as intervention of foreign forces by a group of traitors, and vowed to punish such actions. The US has since sanctioned multiple Hong Kong and Chinese officials over Beijings ongoing crackdown in the city. When Beijing imposed the new national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020, Lai said publicly that he knew he would likely become a target but he vowed to remain in Hong Kong nonetheless. Lai was marched out of his own newsroom in August 2020 and arrested by the national security police on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces. There is always a price to pay. I have been fighting [for democracy] throughout the years, he told CNN in an interview shortly after that arrest, before his bail was denied. In June the following year hundreds of police officers raided Apple Dailys headquarters, declaring the newsroom a crime scene under the national security law. Officers arrested executives and top news editors, seized journalistic materials and confiscated laptops, computers and mobile phones. A week later, Apple Daily printed its final edition. All 1 million copies 10 times more than its usual print run sold out. The papers closure sent a deep chill through Hong Kongs media industry. Multiple smaller local outlets critical of Hong Kongs government also followed Apple Daily in shuttering following police investigations. Freedom of speech and press cannot become a shield for criminal acts, nor can media organizations become a place above the law where they are immune from accountability, Chinas Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said a day after Apple Daily closed following the national security raid. Hong Kongs government has also repeatedly denied that the citys media freedoms have been affected by the law. But that is disputed by multiple human rights and media groups. In its annual World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders ranks Hong Kong 140 out of 180 countries and territories, down from 18th place two decades ago. Mainland China is ranked at 179. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JEA shared that the State of Florida has released to JEA more than $5.7 million in federal funds to be disbursed to 8,500-plus JEA customer accounts. The customers in need received $655.34 each, applied directly to their JEA account. JEA will reach out with the good news to customers receiving assistance within the next few days, in addition to notifying them regarding any remaining balance on their account. Read: Salvation Army gives special thank you to Diamond ring donator The funds are part of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The State of Florida determines recipients and household eligibility for the aid. The eligibility criteria required that the customer: Read: Clay County Sheriffs Office remembers officer who passed away due to evidence materials Previously received federal assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Has a total income no more than 60 percent of the Florida State Median Income (SMI) or $26,036 for a one-person household Is responsible for paying their home water or wastewater bills Is a resident of Florida, and Is a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or permanent resident of the U.S. Questions regarding the funding should be directed to the Florida LIHWAP helpline at (850) 820-8218. Calls are monitored 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Set for Life!: Airport worker wins $20 million from scratcher he purchased during his lunch break [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. The News I cant believe it ended this way, Jeff Roe posted on X, announcing his resignation from the pro-DeSantis super PAC and pinning the blame on a statement the groups new head gave to The Washington Post hours earlier. Shelby and David's View Roes departure felt inevitable: Hed recently fought with the newly-minted chairman and interim CEO Scott Wagner, and the super PACs addition of Phil Cox was seen by those close to the group as another nail in his coffin. Under Roes leadership, Never Back Down had fallen out of favor with many in the Ron DeSantis orbit including the governors inner circle who were frustrated by a myriad of consistent issues. While DeSantis campaigns tirelessly, Jeff Roe has spent a fortune, and the team has nothing to show for it. Not one relevant metric has improved, even as Roes spending soared, one person in DeSantis orbit recently told Semafor. The slow churn of top PAC staff dragged a damaging process story on for nearly a month, just as more early state voters were tuning into the race. What started with the pre-Thanksgiving exit of NBDs CEO ended 24 days later with Roes resignation. Never Back Down was formed on March 9, spending on TV ads and direct mail to Iowa Republicans weeks before DeSantis entered the race. Its bus carried DeSantis over much of his 99-county tour, but its mistakes blew up in the candidates face. One ad faked a dramatic image of jets flying over DeSantis; another used AI to fake Trumps voice. Right before the first primary debate, the PAC put polling and strategy memos online for donors, ripping them down after the New York Times published the contents. A strategist for Nikki Haleys super PAC said that the turmoil vindicated their own strategy: Air cover in early states, where the campaign itself was building its ground game. Mike Murphy, a GOP strategist whod led Jeb Bushs 2016 super PAC, told Semafor this month that the DeSantis operation had five pastry chefs in one kitchen. The campaign starts putting out the word to donors that theyre not happy with what theyre doing, said Murphy. That gets into the press, and then the super PAC people get mad because it undercuts their fundraising. Room for Disagreement The DeSantis campaign has tried to downplay the infighting as it enters its final stretch. Were not going to be distracted by more false narratives coming from unknown sources with harmful agendas, DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo told The Washington Post. We appreciate the independent efforts of our outside partners at NBD as they are building a historic ground game for the fight ahead. The View From Donald Trump Jeff Roe is outGAME OVER for DeSanctimonious! the former president said on Truth Social. Notable Ron DeSantis is only the latest candidate to find that overreliance on a super PAC can create serious problems. Mark Zuckerberg is allegedly preparing for an apocalypse. This is what netizens said after learning that the Meta CEO is trying to build a Hawaiian bunker haven, which could cost over $270 million. The so-called Koolau Ranch is allegedly located on the northeast side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, specifically on a ranchland between the tourist hubs of Hanalei and Kapaa. People who were able to pass through the area claimed that there was a six-foot wall blocking the view from a nearby road. At the construction location, security guards were seen at an entrance gate. There are also patrol officers in ATVs on the surrounding beaches. As of writing, Zuckerberg's alleged bunker still needs to be completed. Is Mark Zuckerberg Prepare for Apocalypse? According to Mashable's latest report, the multi-million-dollar bunker is expected to be a 5,000-square-foot underground haven. Sources familiar with the alleged Koolau Ranch bunker said the main construction is estimated to be around $100 million. They added that overall land purchases made by the tech executive could reach almost $170 million, leading to a total price tag of $270 million. However, some people claim this is just an underestimate, meaning that Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian bunker haven could cost over $300 million. Enthusiasts said that the estimated price of Mark Zuckerberg's bunker in Hawaii is unparalleled in the local construction industry. The infrastructure's secrecy and security levels are also pretty high, as shared by one of the local construction officials affiliated with the project. "The only other time you see that is when you're doing secure military installations," said the official via The Wired. "For a private project to have an NDA attached to it is very rare," he added. This is not the first time a billionaire has reportedly built his own doomsday bunker. Previous rumors also claimed that other rich individuals, such as Elon Musk, also have their own apocalypse hideouts. Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Undergoes Surgery After Accident During MMA Training What to Expect From Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian Bunker Rumors claimed that Mark Zuckerberg's apocalypse bunker is complete with an escape hatch, making it a perfect island retreat for the tech billionaire. Aside from this, the multi-million-dollar panic room of the Meta CEO could also host more than 30 bathrooms, 30 bedrooms, and a series of interconnected tree houses that are suspended by rope bridges. These suspended tree houses would give lucky guests a unique treetop experience. But, the most notable features that Mark Zuckerberg's bunker could have are two mansions linked by a tunnel to the underground panic room. Sources also shared that the bunker could have a mechanical room and a living space and feature an apparent blast-proof concrete and steel door. You can expect these things from Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian bunker haven. You can click this link to learn more. Related Article: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day? @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. There is a rise in antisemitism in America and worldwide after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians and the Jewish nation's retaliation. Now, young American Jews have to choose whether to identify their heritage in public. While many Jewish Americans have been galvanized by public antisemitism, it's a different decision when it comes to young children. A young Jewish woman from Seattle, who asked to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital she wears a Star of David "every single day." But since the attack, she and her husband have trepidation about allowing their daughters to identify as Jewish at school. SNL MOCKING STEFANIK INSTEAD OF COLLEGE PRESIDENTS WAS A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF COMEDY Antisemitism is on the rise in America and worldwide after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians. "My husband and I have chosen to keep an I stand with Israel sign in our window, even though his parents, who are Israeli, have begged us to take it down because they're terrified," the woman said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "But we've chosen to do that. But the one caveat to that is our daughters one of them is in a public school kindergarten, the other is in a private preschool they have Star of David necklaces," the woman continued. "And they asked to wear them. And my husband and I are just terrified because it's one thing to have to show our Jewish identity," she said. "But to send your kid off to school wearing that, you kind of have to question, Do I protect their safety or do I protect their Jewish pride?" THREE HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS KILLED BY IDF, ISRAEL SAYS The woman said she has had people come to talk to her about her Jewish identity since she's been wearing her Star of David, but she hasn't experienced "any direct antisemitism." "But we've seen a lot of community-wide issues. Jewish businesses having their windows smashed in, the [Jewish Community Center] having their flag torn down," "One of the synagogues had horrendous graffiti, just destruction of their synagogue." The woman said there is "so much going on that it's hard as a parent to make the choice between protecting your children's safety or identity. "And, all of the sudden, you're a hell of a lot more paranoid then you ever were." A young Jewish woman from Seattle told Fox News Digital that while her pride in her Judaism has surged since the Oct. 7 attacks and she wears a Star of David "every single day," she and her husband have trepidation about allowing their daughters to identify as Jewish at school. Rabbi Micah Greenland, the international director of NCSY and the Jewish Student Union (JSU), told Fox News Digital the surge in antisemitism is making many young Jews feel unsafe to identify as Jewish. Simultaneously, many young Jews are embracing their heritage and religion amid the increase in attacks on Jewish businesses and reports of harassment of Jews on campuses. "We are simultaneously seeing two opposite trends regarding teens' Jewish identities during this period of rising visible antisemitism," Greenland said. "On one hand, there are some teens who are terrified to identify publicly as Jewish. They are doing all that they can to disassociate with their Judaism right now, which is tragic. "But those are the minority. Far more common are the thousands who are intentionally associating even more proudly as Jews, wearing a kippah (head covering) or a Star of David necklace specifically now, or taking on an aspect of Jewish observance that they hadn't previously embraced. California's Legislative Jewish Caucus called on university leaders to address the growing problem of antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students. "There is a strong feeling that showing one's Jewish pride is more important now than ever and that's the far more prevalent attitude we are seeing amongst Jewish teens." Greenland and Natan Cohen, the director of marketing for NCSY, an organization dedicated to inspiring Jewish teens, said the surge in antisemitism infecting America is appearing in ways that they have not experienced in their lifetimes. The pair said that the rise in antisemitism is making public schools unsafe for many Jewish adolescents and is causing "significant loneliness" and "isolation" for Jewish teens in public schools "who are also experiencing incidents that target them, their Jewish identity and the state of Israel." Greenland and Cohen said that, even amid the rise in Jewish hate, there has been a surge in people asking for JSU clubs on campus. Thirty clubs have launched since Oct. 8, and there have been 60 requests for JSU clubs at schools without them, the pair said. They also said that JSU is now providing support to communities in several forms, including staff training for mental health, a partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Israel education and other initiatives. Rabbi Micah Greenland, the international director of NCSY and the Jewish Student Union (JSU), told Fox News Digital the surge in antisemitism is making many young Jews feel unsafe to identify as Jewish but that, simultaneously, many young Jews are embracing their heritage and religion amid the surge. Danielle Ben Salamon, a public high school senior from Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital she is proud to identify as Jewish and that allowing people to make her feel like she can't "let the people who hate you win." "At first, when it started happening, I had my IDF hoodie and my Star of David, and I was debating, Do I keep this on?" Salamon said. "Because I did get weird looks sometimes, and if I was walking around, I would probably scootch a little closer to whoever I was walking with. "But eventually I realized that, if I hide it, it's worse for me than if I show it because I like to be proud of who I am, and I think that hiding it lets the people who hate you win. "And I kind of ignore if I get dirty looks or anything like that. But I do get them." Salamon said the Jewish community in her school is "really supporting each other" and that "one of the good things that could have happened out of this did happen, which is that a lot of us are standing as one." Mikayla Rosenwasser, a Jewish high school senior from Orlando, Florida, told Fox News Digital she is not afraid to express her Jewish heritage. Rosenwasser also said she feels "openly proud" of her Judaism and that her Jewish peers have not expressed to her a fear of identifying as Jewish. "Yes, we're always a little worried about what people could possibly say," Rosenwasser said. "But, for the most part, nobody has expressed anything that they're concerned about that or anything like that." One troubling breeding ground for antisemitism comes from higher education, according to Greenberg, who sees a pipeline of radical thinking from college graduates who become high school teachers. Greenberg said the "activist nature" on college campuses right now has students learning to separate people into the "oppressed" and "oppressors" or "other divisions" with little to no regard for "nuance." The rabbi said the college graduates returning to teach in high schools are bringing with them ideological viewpoints they learned in college. The young Jewish woman from Seattle shared in Greenberg's sentiment, saying it is "one of the greatest factors." She said the current generation of college students is "not afraid to speak out," but they're also the generation "who are blindly following causes because they're being told to do so." "I think all these minds are being shaped in these universities, right? These are the people who are going to be leading," she said. "They're going to be the next political figures, they're going to be the next leaders in one way or another. "And their minds are being shaped by people who are not providing correct facts, or I think that all the information, they're conveniently leaving some of it out. So, it's kind of terrifying." Original article source: Jewish Americans of all ages forced to make a choice on embracing heritage amid rising antisemitism Professor John Rohl, the historian, who has died aged 85, was born to a German father and English mother and endured a fractured early childhood in Germany and Hungary during the Second World War; moving to England after the war, he went on to spend some 50 years engaged in original archival research into the life of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German emperor, of whom he published a lavishly praised three-volume biography, in both German and English, running to some 4,000 pages. The English-language volumes, Young Wilhelm: The Kaisers Early Life, 18591888; Wilhelm II: The Kaisers Personal Monarchy, 18881900, and Wilhelm II: Into the Abyss of War and Exile, 19001941, were published by Cambridge University Press between 1998 and 2014. Writing in The Times, Simon Sebag Montefiore described the work as a masterpiece and one of the greatest political biographies of our times, ranking with Robert Caros LBJ, John Ehrmans Pitt the Younger and Martin Gilberts Churchill. The scope of Mr Rohls enterprise is staggering. For readers with less time to spare Rohl also published Kaiser Wilhelm II 18591941: A Concise Life (2014), which presented his masterpiece in miniature form in under 200 pages. Rohl described how the emotional damage sustained by Wilhelm as a child, due to his being tortured by well-meaning doctors as they toiled unsuccessfully to cure various disabilities, and to his being rejected as a cripple and denigrated by his mother, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, led to his growing into a vindictive, petty, mentally unbalanced young man. In following the course of Wilhelms 30-year reign (1888-1918), Rohl illuminated such factors as his susceptibility to flattery, his outdated notion of the divine right of kings, his petulant militarism and his breathtaking ambition to lead Germany to the status of the most powerful state in Europe. Rohl explained the system of personal rule that enabled the Kaisers capricious whims and worldview to trickle down through the court, the diplomatic corps and the bureaucracy. Though he considered it too harsh to blame him as the sole author of the First World War, he maintained that Wilhelm was the determining voice in steering Germany and Europe into the vortex in 1914. The condensed version of Rohl's three-volume biography Perhaps more significantly, in view of the question of continuity in German history, he challenged the scholarly consensus that the Kaiser was firmly opposed to anti-Semitism and therefore that Hitlers anti-Semitism and that of the Third Reich was a break from anything that had gone before. Quoting liberally from Wilhelms personal correspondence, Rohl showed that from the 1880s onwards a visceral anti-Semitism was a central element in his Weltanschauung, morphing, during his years in exile, into an extreme anti-Semitism when he called for a regular international all-worlds pogrom a la Russe as the best cure. The Kaiser did not create anti-Semitism in pre-Second World War Germany or institute the Holocaust, but in Rohls view he set the tone that made it possible. John Charles Gerald Rohl was born in the German Hospital in Dalston, east London, on May 31 1938 to Dr Hans-Gerhard Rohl, and Freda, nee Woulfe-Brenan, who had met each other on the ship from Rostock to Devon. Freda was the daughter of Captain Frederick Woulfe-Brenan, who had stood as a Labour candidate against Lady Astor in the Plymouth Sutton constituency in the general elections of 1922, 1923 and 1924. For reasons which are unclear, at the outbreak of war in 1939 the family moved to Forst on the River Neisse in eastern Germany and later to Pecs in southern Hungary. In late July 1944, after the failed Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler, Gerhard was arrested by the SS and subsequently conscripted into a punishment battalion on the Eastern Front. Freda and her by then three children took refuge in the relative safety of the Hungarian countryside. Then in January 1945, as the Red Army approached, they joined the stream of refugees heading westwards. They were eventually reunited with Gerhard Rohl in Ziegenruck in Thuringia, where, after the Potsdam conference, the Americans gave the family safe passage from the Soviet Zone of Occupation to their headquarters in Frankfurt-am-Main. The third book in Rohls biographical trilogy There, Gerhard Rohl became an interpreter and later the headmaster of a large boys grammar school. Freda returned to England with Johns two sisters in December 1945; seven-year-old John, however, was sent under the auspices of the Red Cross to an international childrens home in Switzerland. In December 1946 he was reunited with his mother and sisters in Manchester, where his mother had secured a position as a lecturer in German at the university. John attended Stretford Grammar School and would later recall being beaten up by fellow pupils as a Nazi. During school holidays he visited his father in Frankfurt. In 1958, after two years National Service as an RAF mechanic, stationed at RAF Geilenkirchen, near Aachen, he went up on a state scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a double First in history. He went on to read for a PhD under Professor Sir Harry Hinsley, researching the history of Imperial Germany in the aftermath of Bismarcks dismissal by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1890. The dissertation was published in 1967 as Germany without Bismarck: The Crisis of Government in the Second German Reich, 1890-1900 and remains a standard work. Rohl was appointed to a lectureship in History in the School of European Studies at the then new University of Sussex at Brighton in 1964. He taught there for 35 years until his official retirement in 1999 as Professor of European History. From 1982 to 1985 he served as Dean of the School of European Studies. For some years Rohl found himself at odds with leading German historians. The older, more conservative ones disliked his negative attitude towards the German Empire, while the younger generation, adherents of the theories of Marx and Weber, in which history is about social structures, tended to dismiss his concern with individuals. In 1979 a conference organised by Rohl and the cultural anthropologist Nicolaus Sombart in the Kaisers palace on Corfu marked the beginning of a shift in German historiography towards a greater interest in personalities and relationships. The conference papers were published by Cambridge University Press in 1982 under the title Kaiser Wilhelm II New Interpretations: The Corfu Papers. The book which validated the theory that Mad King George III suffered from variegate porphyria Rohls other work included editing a three-volume compilation, published between 1976 and 1983, of the political correspondence of Philipp, Prince of Eulenburg (18471921), the closest friend of Kaiser Wilhelm II until his fall from grace in a series of scandals in 190709, when he was accused of homosexuality. In 1999, with Martin Warren and David Hunt, Rohl wrote Purple Secret, Genes, Madness and the Royal Houses of Europe, for which the authors employed modern DNA analysis to test the theory that mad King George III had suffered from variegate porphyria, a rare, incurable inherited disorder which interferes with the ability of the body to make the red pigment in blood; among other ailments it affects the skin and causes abdominal pain, temporary mental disturbance and discoloured urine. Research involved exhuming the remains of the Kaisers sister Charlotte in Thuringia and her daughter Princess Feodora in Poland. The analysis of their DNA showed that both women had suffered from a form of the disorder, demonstrating the validity of the theory. In 2013 Rohl was awarded the Einhard Prize in Germany. In an obituary for the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, described Rohl as a kind and hospitable man, British in his informality and irony, German in his sincere passion for the cause. Rohl, Clark went on to observe, not only historically examined the pain and ambivalence of Anglo-German relations in the 20th century, he embodied them. In 1964 John Rohl married Rosemarie Elfriede von Berg, with whom he had a daughter and twin sons. John Rohl, born May 31 1938, died November 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. Britain will be Venezuela for 20 years if Labour wins the next general election, Dr Jordan Peterson has warned. Speaking to The Telegraph, the Canadian psychologist said that it was highly likely that Sir Keir Starmer would be elected, but that it would be a catastrophe. In a wide-ranging interview, Dr Peterson also said that believing people can change gender represents maximal confusion and criticised the ideology of diversity is unity. He praised Margaret Thatcher as an ethically admirable person and a conservative with a spine, the likes of whom has been missing from politics in recent years. Dr Peterson is a best-selling author, psychologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, with twenty years experience of teaching courses at educational institutions including Harvard University. Labour currently has a 17 per cent lead over the Conservatives in the polls. With Rishi Sunak struggling to unite a divided Tory party, there is speculation an election could be called as early as spring 2024. Speaking from Toronto, Dr Peterson said: You guys, you elect a Labour government, youre gonna be Venezuela for 20 years. Im terrified it would be a catastrophe if the UK voted [in] a Labour government. Youre gonna be in for rough waters if you were foolish enough to do that. But yeah, its highly likely, he said. Once the richest country in South America, Venezuela has endured a series of crises under decades of socialist rule. Nicolas Maduro, its president, stands accused of tightening his grip on institutions such as the judiciary and the electoral commission, and has most recently threatened to take over an oil-rich region controlled by neighbouring Guyana. Not good. Its really not good Dr Peterson was also critical of his countryman Justin Trudeau. He warns that the Canadian prime ministers ideology is deeply confused. Mr Trudeau is among leaders who trumpet diversity as our unity, Dr Peterson said, adding that there is an endless multiplication of impulsive diversity and theres no limit to how much fragmentation that will produce. He said: I think with our confusion about sex itself, weve actually hit maximal confusion. I dont think you can be any more confused than that. Not good. Its really not good. Dr Peterson added: A culture that thinks that diversity is unity is also a culture that thinks that a man can be a woman. You cant get more confused than that. Mr Trudeau has proclaimed Diversity is Canadas strength and has argued that his countrys strength is not in spite of our differences, but because of them, praising Canadas commitment to diversity in action. A fervent advocate of gender inclusivity, last year the Canadian prime minister launched the countrys first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, which aims to build a more inclusive future for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse people. In September, on an international tour designed to position Sir Keir as a statesman on the world stage, the Labour leader met Mr Trudeau. He is said to have sought election tips from the Canadian, his ideological ally in the progressive left movement. Let stupid ideas die The Labour Party, under Sir Keir, has struggled to articulate a clear position on trans ideology and decide on the definition of a woman, with gender-critical Labour MP Rosie Duffield having faced backlash from her own party because of her views. Gender-critical feminists believe in two biological sexes that cannot be changed. In 2017, Dr Peterson faced the wrath of the progressive left in his country when he criticised the addition of gender expression and gender identity to Canadas Human Rights Code. The free speech advocate claimed this amendment would make it a hate crime to refuse to use gender-neutral pronouns and rejected it as compelled speech. Dr Peterson said that in order to tackle the fragmentation and confusion caused by these ideologies, it is crucial to recognise that, We are not moulded in a Petri dish nor are we deer in a forest. He said: Human beings can let their stupid ideas die instead of them. And because we can learn and transform, were not restricted by environmental constraints the same way that other creatures are, we can always make more with less. The zero sum Malthusian model [a population growth model which holds that the rate of growth is proportionate to the current population] is not the appropriate model of human existence, and certainly not the appropriate model of human flourishing. Dr Peterson believes that the correct model for human society is to cooperate and compete together in a hierarchy of social order thats oriented towards the good. And if you set that up, thats a subsidiary structure. Take responsibility for yourself, take responsibility for your mate and for your children. And then expand that responsibility outward, envelope as much as you can, as you become more skilled. Dr Peterson blames the view that identity is individual rather than collective for many of the ills faced by the modern world climate alarmism, gender identity crisis, family and social breakdown. He said: So the idea that your identity is individual, and that you are only what you say you are, is not only absurd and counterproductive, it produces terrible anxiety, and it makes people endlessly lost. And so if youre looking for meaning in your life, take on responsibility. Theres no difference between voluntary responsibility and meaning. Theyre the same thing. And boy, thats a secret worth knowing. Youre not free, youre lost The psychologist makes reference to his own clinical work to support this. Ive been making this case for years, he said. Young people come up to me all the time and say, you know, I was very lost, and I was having a very bad time of it. And I started to put my life in order and take on responsibility. Now Im married and I have a child and I have a good job and Im making lots of money and you know, Im not depressed and Im not anxious and the future looks good. And I think I can improve. In his best selling book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, which has sold over seven million copies worldwide, Dr Peterson attempts to motivate his readers through what a review described as a harsh but idealistic approach. A married father of two adult children, Dr Peterson is not short of tough love. He said: If youre worried about the purpose of your life, youre a privileged infant. Because you should be so busy juggling the weight that youve chosen to carry that you dont have any time to be thinking about anything else. In Petersons philosophy, responsibility is key even or perhaps especially in the context of freedom. He believes that freedom without responsibility is what a liberal West has adopted as its ideal, where any restrictive obligation is seen as preventing one from self-actualising. Well, what the hell is left to actualise? What is left of you? You dont have a wife, you dont have any friends. You dont have any children. You dont take care of your parents who dont have a job. Oh, now youre free, are you? Youre not free, youre lost. Well, youre free when youre lost, I suppose because you can wander stupidly in any direction. But thats not the sort of freedom you want. A deeply religious man, having recently led and released a 17-part seminar on the biblical book of Exodus, Dr Peterson leans heavily on religious imagery when illustrating a point. The vision of freedom in the Exodus narrative, which is the primary narrative of rebellion against tyranny and slavery, is an ordered freedom. Its a responsible freedom. Its not an anarchic or hedonistic freedom. Thats the worship of the golden calf. Thatcher had a spine Dr Peterson also talked about how he had come to admire Thatcher. Reminiscing about his leftist politics in the early 1980s, he said: You know I didnt like Margaret Thatcher at all. I was a vegan. What the hell do you know when youre a kid? Jesus, I hadnt stopped being a socialist at that point. But I didnt understand until later how effective both Reagan and Thatcher were in relation to the Soviet Union. He added: And Thatcher. Well, she brought the English speaking world back onto the traditional track. She was an ethically admirable person and earned her sobriquet [of the Iron Lady] very effectively. She had a spine. Weve seen particularly in Great Britain in recent years, and in Canada, the proliferation of conservatives with no spine. Sir Keir recently found himself in political hot water with MPs from his own party and the SNP after praising Thatcher for enacting meaningful change in an article for The Telegraph. In the face of criticism from his MPs, the Labour leader then accused Thatcher of doing terrible things with which he profoundly disagrees. Dr Peterson is also dismissive of fatalism regarding the environmental challenges faced by the world. He said: Theres no starvation in the world [now], except for political reasons. [There is] plenty to go around. We have hurricanes. Thats a natural disaster. But what if you prepare? What are the preconditions for preparation? And the answer to that is well, subsidiary social organisation, or distributed responsibilities. That also makes the system very resilient. So part of the subsidiary vision is that decision making should be passed down the hierarchy to the most proximal possible level. Dr Peterson believes that universities are failing to teach young people what they need, and do not inspire them to take responsibility. In what he calls a preposterous ambition in some ways, Dr Peterson has decided to challenge the monopoly of these institutions by setting up his own online university. Peterson Academy aims to offer classes taught by academics from Ivy League and Oxbridge universities, with the simple tagline, Learn how to think, not what to think. He said: Were trying to find people who have genuine knowledge and to get the hell out of their way, so they can transmit that. Faculty terrified to say what they believe At Peterson Academy, students will learn a broad range of concepts, which are tools for thinking, not lists of facts. A good lecture not only tells you the facts of the matter, but tells you how to embody that and why its useful. And then you can negotiate better in the world, navigate better in the world, he added. And we dont have an HR department. Or a DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) consultant to lead any of that. Expecting to launch in late January next year, the Peterson Academy will offer courses for a modest annual fee of $480 (378). These courses will be available for anyone to join, with a conservative estimate of 30,000 students taking up places by the end of 2024. Dr Peterson is clear why established academics would want to be a part of this plan. Because the institutions treat them abysmally. They pay nothing. And the faculty are terrified of saying what they believe, he said. Im going to bring them to Miami, and Im going to treat them so well that theyre thrilled, Im going to offer them a better financial deal, he continued. Im going to say, you teach exactly what you love, in whatever way you see fit. And if we can do anything to help you let us know. And then were going to bring that to everyone. He insisted that he was not overly worried about a lack of formal accreditation for the academys courses. The accreditation is only important for two reasons, he said. One is its a path to graduate school and thats going to be a problem for us. But the other pathway is to employment. And all sorts of corporations are already stating publicly that they no longer regard a university degree as a stamp of accreditation. So why the hell would I pursue that? Peterson Academys ambition is to truly universalise its courses, Dr Peterson said, including using the latest technology such as artificial intelligence. I got a video the other day of me delivering the lecture in Spanish, right in my voice, with my intonation with the lips matching the language perfectly. So we can take all our courses and translate them, they can already do this with twenty different languages. 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. Minnesota Voters Alliance lacked the legal standing to sue and failed to prove legislative wrongdoing, Anoka County Judge Thomas Lehmann says MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A judge has dismissed a conservative groups lawsuit challenging a new Minnesota law that restores voting rights for felons once theyve completed their prison time. Anoka County Judge Thomas Lehmann ruled Wednesday that the Minnesota Voters Alliance lacked the legal standing to sue and failed to prove that the Legislature overstepped its authority when it voted in February to expand voting rights for the formerly incarcerated. Before the change, they had to complete their probation before they could regain their eligibility to vote. Voters emerge from Sabathani Community Center after casting their ballots during municipal elections Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. (David Joles /Star Tribune via AP) The alliance argued that the law violates a clause in the state constitution that says felons cannot vote unless restored to civil rights. The group argued that the language means all their civil rights, not just some. The major premise of this argument is fundamentally flawed, the judge wrote, saying the constitution does not specify restored to all civil rights. He cited a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling from February that put the burden on the Legislature to decide whether voting rights should be restored when people leave prison. Minnesota was among more than a dozen states that considered restoring voting rights for felons this year. Advocates for the change argued that disenfranchising them disproportionately affects people of color because of biases in the legal system. An estimated 55,000 Minnesotans regained the right to vote because of the change. Elections Featured After running out of ballots in Black precincts, Mississippi officials blame human error, poor training Associated Press Politics VP Harris celebrates HBCU culture, buys Black during Atlanta trip Gerren Keith Gaynor Featured After losing Houston mayors race, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to seek reelection to Congress Associated Press Featured Democrat John Whitmire elected Houston mayor, defeating Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Associated Press Featured Judge voids result of Louisiana sheriffs election decided by a single vote and orders a new runoff Associated Press Politics Racist Great Replacement Theory and KKK evoked at Republican presidential debate Gerren Keith Gaynor Politics New Biden-Harris campaign ad highlights economy and Black men Gerren Keith Gaynor Featured DOJs Kristen Clarke could be secret weapon to Biden-Harris reelection Gerren Keith Gaynor A lawyer for the Minnesota Voters Alliance, James Dickey, said the group plans to appeal. It hopes to do so directly to the state Supreme Court. Attorney General Keith Ellison said he was extremely pleased that yet another effort to undermine the voting rights of Minnesotans has been soundly rejected. The Minnesota Court of Appeals last month rejected a different attempt to void the law along similar grounds, ruling that a lower court judge overstepped his authority when he declared the law unconstitutional. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Judge rejects conservative challenge to new Minnesota law restoring felons voting rights appeared first on TheGrio. FILE - Haitian migrants wade through water as they cross the Darien Gap from Colombia to Panama in hopes of reaching the U.S., May 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia, File) MEXICO CITY (AP) Once nearly impenetrable for migrants heading north from Latin America, the jungle between Colombia and Panama this year became a speedy but still treacherous highway for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. Driven by economic crises, government repression and violence, migrants from China to Haiti decided to risk three days of deep mud, rushing rivers and bandits. Enterprising locals offered guides and porters, set up campsites and sold supplies to migrants, using color-coded wristbands to track who had paid for what. Enabled by social media and Colombian organized crime, more than 506,000 migrants nearly two-thirds Venezuelans had crossed the Darien jungle by mid-December, double the 248,000 who set a record the previous year. Before last year, the record was barely 30,000 in 2016. Dana Graber Ladek, the Mexico chief for the United Nations International Organization for Migration, said migration flows through the region this year were historic numbers that we have never seen. It wasnt only in Latin America. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean or the Atlantic on small boats to reach Europe this year has surged. More than 250,000 irregular arrivals were registered in 2023, according to the European Commission. A significant increase from recent years, the number remains well below levels seen in the 2015 refugee crisis, when more than 1 million people landed in Europe, most fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Still, the rise has fed anti-migrant sentiment and laid the groundwork for tougher legislation. Earlier this month, the British government announced tough new immigration rules aimed at reducing the number of people able to move to the U.K. each year by hundreds of thousands. Authorized immigration to the U.K. set a record in 2022 with nearly 750,000. A week later, French opposition lawmakers rejected an immigration bill from President Emmanuel Macron without even debating it. It had been intended to make it easier for France to expel foreigners considered undesirable. Far-right politicians alleged the bill would have increased the number of migrants coming to the country, while migrant advocates said it threatened the rights of asylum-seekers. In Washington, the debate has shifted from efforts early in the year to open new legal pathways largely toward measures to keep migrants out as Republicans try to take advantage of the Biden administrations push for more aid to Ukraine to tighten the U.S. southern border. The U.S. started the year opening limited spaces to Venezuelans as well as Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians in January to enter legally for two years with a sponsor, while expelling those who didnt qualify to Mexico. Their numbers dropped somewhat for a time before climbing again with renewed vigor. Venezuelan Alexander Mercado had only been back in his country for a month after losing his job in Peru before he and his partner decided to set off for the United States with their infant son. Venezuelas minimum wage was the equivalent of about $4 a month then, while 2.2 pounds (a kilogram) of beef was about $5, said Angelis Flores, his 28-year-old wife. Imagine how someone with a salary of $4 a month survives, she said. Mercado, 27, and Flores were already on their way when in September the U.S. announced it was granting temporary legal status to more than 470,000 Venezuelans already in the country. Weeks later, the Biden administration said it was resuming deportation flights to the South American nation. Mercado and Flores hiked the well-trod trail through the jungle, managing to push through in three days. Flores and their son, in particular, got very sick. She believes they were infected by the contaminated water they drank along the way. There was a body in the middle of river and the zamuros, those black birds, were eating it and picking it apart all of that was running in the river, she said. For Mercado and Flores, the journey accelerated once they left the jungle. In October, Panama and Costa Rica announced a deal to speed migrants across their countries. Panama bused migrants to a center in Costa Rica where they were held until they could buy a bus ticket to Nicaragua. Nicaragua also seemed to opt for speeding migrants through its territory. Mercado said they crossed on buses in a day. After discovering that Nicaragua had lax visa requirements, Cubans and Haitians poured into Nicaragua on charter flights, purchasing roundtrip tickets they never intended. Citizens of African nations made circuitous series of connecting flights through Africa, Europe and Latin America to arrive in Managua to start travelling overland toward the United States, avoiding the Darien. In Honduras, Mercado and Flores were given a pass from authorities allowing them five days to transit the country. Adam Isacson, an analyst tracking migration at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras grant migrants legal status while they're transiting the countries, which have limited resources, and by letting migrants pass legally the countries make them less vulnerable to extortion from authorities and smugglers. Then there are Guatemala and Mexico, which Isacson called the were-going-to-make-a-show-of-blocking-you countries attempting to score points with the U.S. government. For many that has meant spending money to hire smugglers to cross Guatemala and Mexico, or exposing themselves to repeated extortion attempts. Mercado didnt hire a smuggler and paid the price. It was very difficult to get through Guatemala, he said. The police kept taking money. But that was just a taste of what was to come. Standing outside a Mexico City shelter with their son on a recent afternoon, Flores recounted all of the countries they had traversed. But they dont rob you as much, extort you as much, send you back like when you arrive here to Mexico, she said. Here the real nightmare starts, because as soon as you enter they start taking a lot of your money. Mexico's immigration system was thrown into chaos on March 27, when migrants held in a detention center in the border city Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, set mattresses on fire inside their cell in apparent protest. The highly flammable foam mattresses filled the cell with thick smoke in an instant. Guards did not open the cell and 40 migrants died. The immigration agencys director was among several officials charged with crimes ranging from negligence to homicide. The agency closed 33 of its smaller detention centers while it conducted a review. Unable to detain many migrants, Mexico instead circulated them around the country, using brief, repeat detentions, each an opportunity for extortion, said Gretchen Kuhner, director of IMUMI, a nongovernmental legal services organization. Advocates called it the politica de desgaste or wearing down policy. Mercado and Flores made it all the way to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where they were detained, held for a night in an immigration facility in the border city of Reynosa and then flown the next morning 650 miles (1046 kilometers) south to Villahermosa. There they were released, but without their cell phones, shoelaces and money. Mercado had to wait for his brother to send $100 so they could start trying to make their way back to Mexico City through an indirect route that required them to travel by truck, motorbike and even horse. In late November, they had just made it back to Mexico City again. This time Mercado was unequivocal: They would not leave Mexico City until the U.S. government gave them an appointment to request asylum at a border port of entry. It is really hard to make it back here again, he said. If they manage to send me back again I dont know what I would do. __ AP writers Maria Verza in Mexico City, Juan Zamorano in Panama City and Renata Brito in Barcelona contributed to this report. Volunteers at United Believers Community Church gave more than 100 presents to children affected by violence across the Kansas City metro area during their service Sunday. The church has hosted the event for several years, but Pastor Darron Edwards said this was the largest one yet. Edwards invited around 300 children affected by violence within a 20 mile radius of the church. One family, Edwards said, traveled about an hour from Knob Noster to attend the service. More than 130 donated gifts were piled underneath four Christmas trees. Volunteer elves helped the kids pick as many gifts as they wanted after Edwards sermon and performances from singers at the church. Meisha McGowans four kids, ages 11 months to 9, were happy with their hauls. McGowan, a member of the church, said shes grateful for the event and the opportunity to provide presents to all of her kids. For them its exciting, McGowan said. For me I just feel really blessed and thankful because Im a mother of four and sometimes its hard to do certain things. Finances get hard at times, but its just the little things that count. As long as theyre happy, Im happy, she said. Edwards also wanted the event to address issues with gun violence in the Kansas City area, as there have been 179 homicides so far this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. This year has already surpassed 2022 as the second deadliest year ever recorded in the city, and is inching closer to 2020s total of 182, the citys deadliest year on record. United Believers Community Church gave out more than 100 presents to families and children in and around the Kansas City area at Sundays service. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said every community member should care about killings in the city, no matter where they occur. She said she and other police officers want community members to resolve issues and disagreements peacefully and not resort to violence. Its going to take the whole city to come together, each person to do their part, to reduce violent crime in Kansas City, Graves said. That message needs to be spread to homes, businesses and houses of worship, among other places, Graves said. dwards said he thought it was important to have Graves and other police and city officials present to reinforce trust between law enforcement and the community. At the event, community members could see the relationship their pastor has with officials and meet those officials in a casual setting, he said. You dont just see Chief Graves, but (you get to) know Stacey, he said, or not just see Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, but see Ryana. And see that theyre people who live in the same communities that we live who are dealing with the same issues of crime that we are. Creating those relationships, he said, will be essential to helping the number of homicides and other violent crimes decrease across the city. Its been more than two years since Claudia Astudillo Aguirre lost custody of her child. Garden City Police searched her familys car without their consent, resulting in criminal charges that were later dropped. But shes still grappling with the fallout from the search after the loss of precious years with her infant son, who remains in the foster care system. Her experience represents what many attorneys say is the most common form of Fourth Amendment rights violations the warrantless vehicle search. Traffic stops or welfare checks at cars can lead to investigations if an officer sees something in a vehicle they believe is suspicious or smells drugs or alcohol. But an officers decision to search a car or extend a stop can quickly cross a line if there is insufficient evidence or a lack of consent. In Astudillo Aguirres case, the 46-year-old immigrant from Mexico was sitting in the back seat of her familys parked car in October 2021 with her son, her partner Elliot Schuckman and a friend when Officer Andrew Babin approached their car. Babin saw a baseball bat in the car between the two front seats and asked Schuckman to get out. He patted down Schuckman, didnt find anything illegal and asked for permission to search the car. Schuckman said no. He had no business even approaching our car that day, Schuckman said. A second officer, Stephanie Camarena, arrived and patted down Astudillo Aguirre who cried in fear. Camarena later testified in court that she found a bag of what she believed to be methamphetamine, but Astudillo Aguirre denied the bag contained drugs. Then, without consent, the officers searched the car and allegedly found more drugs. The Garden City Police Department declined to release dashboard or body camera footage from the search. The officers arrested the couple and took their young son into custody. Astudillo Aguirre was charged with aggravated endangering a child and two drug crimes. Schuckman was also prosecuted. After Astudillo Aguirres attorney filed a 10-page motion to suppress the evidence on the grounds that police lacked probable cause to search her in the first place, prosecutors dropped their case in October 2022. Two charges against Schuckman were also dismissed but he pleaded guilty to one of the drug charges. In the months and years that have followed the search, the couple has not regained custody of their son, Victor. Instead he is in the foster care system and they are allowed visitation for one hour a week. I want to be with my son, Astudillo Aguirre said. When they take him, he was baby. Now, hes really big. She and Schuckman are suing the police department in federal court. Citing the litigation, Garden City police officials declined to answer questions about any Fourth Amendment training officers undergo or the 2021 arrest. Babin left the department in April, according to the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training, which certifies officers. Camarena is still with the department. Elliott Schuckman spends time with his son Victor, who was placed in foster care after Garden City police searched Schuckmans vehicle in October 2021. The couple had a custody hearing on Dec. 5, but a resolution isnt expected until February. The Kansas Department for Children and Families said it is not allowed to provide specific case information. Cole Hawver, a Junction City-based public defender, said he is most likely to find possible Fourth Amendment violations in traffic stops. When he sees these cases, hes asking himself a series of questions. Youre always looking, was the stop legit to begin with, was there actually a traffic infraction, are they extending the stop in violation of the Fourth Amendment in order to buy time for their investigation? Hawver said. Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck said motions to suppress are rare in her jurisdiction but theyre most likely to be disputes to evidence obtained during a traffic stop. Each case is situational and its a fine line that determines whether an officer has enough cause to search. If there is not enough cause, its another fine line to determine whether a reasonable person would know theyre engaged in a voluntary interaction and are free to leave. For Astudillo Aguirre, police testified they stopped to check their car because it was suspicious. The apartments they were parked in front of were in an area known for drug traffic as well as stolen property traffic, Babin testified in Finney County District Court. But Astudillo Aguirres attorney argued that the officers lacked any probable cause to pat down the couple or search the vehicle. Officer Babin had no reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle, attorney Kelly Premer Chavez wrote in a motion to suppress. Officer Camarena had no cause to search the Defendant and there was no probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle. Vehicle stops across the state came under fire when the ACLU of Kansas sued over what it alleged were unconstitutional practices in 2019. In a scathing ruling issued earlier this year, a federal judge found the Kansas Highway Patrol had engaged in a pattern of Fourth Amendment violations during vehicle searches through the use of the Kansas two-step. In the practice, officers would take a couple of steps away from a car during a traffic stop before returning to start a voluntary interaction. When police officers stop a car they have put the driver in temporary custody. Once the traffic stop has concluded they are supposed to let that driver leave unless they have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe a crime has been committed or the driver grants voluntary consent to extend the interaction. But for many motorists, the transition to a voluntary stop where they could leave was not clear. Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project who was legal director at the ACLU of Kansas when the two-step lawsuit was filed, said she found the highway patrol was not the only jurisdiction in Kansas that used the strategy. Officers are often encouraged to kind of be aggressive in finding ways to extend detention and finding ways to find a basis to conduct a warrantless search, Bonds said. In her ruling against the Kansas Highway Patrol, Judge Kathryn Vratil noted that troopers deliberately capitalized on this confusion in traffic stops that turned to drug investigations. KHP training materials acknowledge that pretextual policing strategies depend on ignorant, timid drivers, and joke that more informed and assertive drivers might identify themselves with bumper stickers that say, WARNING! OCCUPANT KNOWS THEIR 4TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS, Vratil wrote in a sub note. The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report. Kate Garraway had revealed in October that her husband was not doing great after suffering from an infection Kate Garraways husband Derek Draper is in a battle for his life after suffering from a heart attack. The Good Morning Britain presenter has cancelled all her television and radio work to keep a 24-hour watch on him as her husband is reportedly in a critical condition in hospital. Mr Draper, 56, spent a year in hospital after he contracted Covid in 2020 and was put into a medically induced coma and on a ventilator, and has since been cared for by Garraway in their north London home. A source told The Sun that the family had been informed of his deteriorating health and that it had come as a shock when he was taken ill last Monday. Kate Garraway has described caring for her husband as challenging - ITV It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family. This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life. Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side. Derek Draper, pictured at home with his children, was suffering from an infection - Instagram Garraway, 56, had revealed in October that Mr Draper was not doing great after suffering from an infection. A month earlier, Garraway told The Sunday Times that though she felt very lucky to have him alive, she was also grieving. She told the newspaper about the experience of being a carer, saying: Caring isnt just emotionally draining but physically exhausting, and Im aware of the toll it can take on me, just like millions of other carers. Mr Draper accompanied the ITV presenter when she was made MBE by the Prince of Wales in June, with Garroway describing on social media Dereks determination to be there. Kate Garraway, with her husband Derek, and parents, receives her MBE at Windsor Castle - Andrew Matthews /Pool/Getty Earlier this year, she described caring for her husband, a former political adviser, as challenging as hes still very, very damaged, on Giovanna Fletchers Journey to Magic podcast. He still cant really move, still cant really speak, still fed through tubes, and so theres a long road ahead. But if you compare to last Christmas, or the Christmas before, when he was still in hospital then you can see improvement. Its just, you just want it to be quicker and faster, of course, like everybody would. 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. Presents filled a room Saturday at the Kansas City Mothers in Charge office, as mothers and grandmothers who lost loved ones to gun violence this year collected items given to their families for Christmas. Rosilyn Temple, founder of the organization that supports mothers in the community whose children were killed, said she created the event to comfort bereaved families during the holiday season. Large blue bags stuffed with wrapped presents sat inside the office on the floor at 3200 Wayne Ave. Laundry detergent, toilet paper and paper towels were stacked by the door. At the giveaway, Temple said she understands how parents are feeling during the holiday. She recalled what it was like losing her son, Antonio Thompson, 26, the day before Thanksgiving. Weve been doing this for several years now and it helps the families and their children, Temple said. Shes aware that for parents who are mourning a child while raising other children, running errands can be a burden. Sometimes they cant get up and go shopping and think about the process, Temple said. Its a club we didnt ask to be in Mary Lee walked with volunteers as they carried her gifts to the car. While standing outside in the rain, Lee expressed sorrow fathoming this would be the first Christmas without her daughter, Deondrea Brand (Nene), 38, who was shot and killed on Feb. 8. Before she died, Brand submitted her application to enroll in nursing school. Caring for people was something she would always do, Lee told The Star. In the parking lot, Lee reminisced about times when Brand would give seniors in the community a ride if they couldnt get around in the neighborhood. She was there to help them, she said. For Lee, the hardest part of mourning is seeing her daughter in every aspect of life. On her way to the Christmas giveaway she was triggered, driving by where her daughter would park her car and see friends. Im at home, Im seeing her picture, Im seeing things she gave me, Lee said, tears filling her eyes. Everything is Nene. I think about her all the time. Grace Prince warmly embraces volunteers as they assist her with gifts during the Mothers in Charge Christmas Giveaway event held at the Robert J. Mohart Multi-Purpose Center on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Kansas City. What made Lee smile amid grief was a memory of Brand accompanying her to the hospital as if she was her nurse. She was right there with me. She was answering questions one day and the doctor said it was OK, let her answer, Lee said, laughing. A few parking spots away, Grace Price, 58, hugged volunteers, thanking them for their service. Her grandson, Charles Jones, 18, was killed in May days before what should have been his graduation from Center High School in Kansas City. Mothers in Charge has helped me tremendously, especially when he died, Price said. They pulled through and were there at my house supporting me and my family. In the office Latrice Murray, outreach specialist for Mothers in Charge, greeted mothers with a smile as they walked in. Murray joined the organization when it was founded in 2011, two years after her son Darreon Murray, 17, was killed. During that time, she said she was struggling and didnt know what to do. That uncertainty led her to find purpose in honoring her son. I dont want my sons name to go in vain, said Murray, wearing a black hoodie with the words KC Mothers in Charge in pink and blue letters. He lived in the community, and I just want to be a voice for him. While the organization has formed bonds amid grief, Murray made it clear that its an unwanted membership. Its a club we didnt ask to be in, Murray told The Star. As the mothers and grandmothers walked in and out of the office, Murray hugged the women, supporting them on a journey of sisterhood no mother should have to join. The Vatican has decided to dissolve the Loyola Community, which was co-founded by the Rev. Marko Rupnik, a former Jesuit priest, mosaic artist, and accused sex offender, the Slovenian Archdiocese of Ljubljana confirmed on Friday (December 15). The sisters of the group were presented with a decree dated December 14 from the Vatican's office for institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life to cease and desist within a year "due to serious problems concerning the exercise of authority and the way of living together." The Vatican's decree ordering the dissolution was issued on October 20, EWTN reported. Loyola Community was founded in Slovenia by Rupnik and a certain Sister, Ivanka Hosta, over three decades ago. The Rise and Fall of Rupnik Rupnik, notably known for his unique religious artwork and his closeness to Pope Francis, was removed from the Society of Jesus in June after having been accused of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse of religious sisters. He was then relegated as a diocesan priest of the Diocese of Koper in Slovenia. While most of the priests whom the Vatican punished were removed from the priestly state, Rupnik retained his priestly faculties, raising speculations that he avoided being defrocked due to his being in close contact with the pope, who was himself a Jesuit prior to his election to the papacy in 2013. Since then, the Vatican announced that Rupnik would face a canonical process over the abuse allegations after Francis decided to waive the statute of limitations on the claims. Last year, a former Loyola sister told Italian media outlet "Domani" that Rupnik acted as the community's chaplain before leaving for Rome in 1993, taking with him several sisters, allegedly as part of his atelier at his art and theology school called the Aletti Center. Read Also: Traditional Philippine Christmas Novena Masses Begin The Fate of Ivanka Hosta Hosta, on the other hand, acted as superior general of the community from 1994 to 2023, when she was removed in a silent coup in June by a decree sent by one of Rome's auxiliary bishops, Daniele Libanori, SJ. The decree ordered Hosta to not have any contact with current or past members for three years and, as an act of "external penance," was ordered to make a monthly pilgrimage for a year to a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary to pray "for the victims of Father Marko Ivan Rupnik's behavior and for all the religious of the Loyola Community," whom she was accused of harming. Since the Loyola Community had its headquarters in Rome, the Vatican office responsible for overseeing the affairs of religious congregations handed over the matter to the Diocese of Rome, of which the pope is always its bishop by virtue of his apostolic office. The diocese then sent a commissioner to speak with the sisters and sent a final report to the Vatican in September 2022 through the Apostolic Nunciature in Slovenia. The Diocese of Rome issued a report on its investigation of Rupnik's Aletti Center in September, concluding that the center had "a healthy community life ... that [was] free of particular serious issues," a statement drawing "bewilderment" from victims of Rupnik's alleged spiritual and sexual abuse. Related Article: 'I Am Not Well': Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance Since Lung Inflammation Episode @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A church in Kenya has survived for the last decade by operating discreetly. It does not publicise its services in this very religious country because it welcomes gay worshippers. "The first time I entered the church I cried," John, a pastor initially ordained in a mainstream church, told the BBC. He left his parish because church leaders told him his sexuality was sinful and that he needed to remain celibate. "I never imagined in my life as a priest, I would be in a space where I would say three words that people think are conflicting. That I am black, I am gay, I am a priest." He found out about the church, where he now preaches, on social media - though most find their way there via word of mouth. Like all those interviewed at the church, his name has been changed to protect this identity. Its members are very guarded too about sharing details of their gatherings - those wishing to join are carefully vetted before being invited in, to make sure it is not a trap or someone malicious. The understanding with all congregants is that security and safety are paramount. Gay sex is illegal in Kenya, a socially conservative society, though this year the Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay and lesbian organisations being able to register as non-governmental organisations. When I join a service on a warm and breezy Sunday, music drifts from the room of a nondescript building. People begin trooping in and it fills with 30 or so people. "We are about to begin. Shall we close our eyes and meditate," says Pauline, a minister in a long black robe and crimson red scarf. The whole room hushes. Pauline is an openly non-binary lesbian, who uses "they" and "them" as personal pronouns, and is one of the church's founders. Initially it was just a few friends coming together to offer each other support. "When you are removed from a space [church], there is an urge to know if anyone else has been excommunicated," says Pauline, who was not excommunicated but never felt accepted at mainstream churches. "We wanted to meet other queer Christians who affirm themselves." Those attending the church have learnt it is possible to be proud of being African, a Christian and being gay A feeling of alienation had dominated Pauline's life, especially since their father died of HIV/Aids when they were 12. "After my dad died, people started treating us differently. They thought we all had HIV. My mum would be served in different cups and plates and we stopped being allowed into some spaces. Church was one of the places we couldn't visit because people believed my mum was 'dirty'," says Pauline. Such ostracisation became a pattern, with every church seeming to question some aspect of Pauline's life - whether it be how they dressed or why they chose not to be perceived as being in a conventional relationship. So Pauline and their friends started meeting on Sundays to watch sermons on YouTube while reaching out to other LGBT Kenyans as well. It was at the time that anti-gay rhetoric was growing in East Africa. Neighbouring Uganda was beginning to debate introducing a draconian new anti-homosexuality law - that has since been further tightened. Little did they imagine that, 10 years on, their little gathering would have grown to include more than 200 members. Most of them have felt obliged to leave their previous places of worship. For Regina, it followed a dramatic confrontation with a fellow volunteer - part of a team that organised events at her church. The team gave her an ultimatum when the volunteer found out that she had a girlfriend: her or them. "It felt like betrayal. I had mentored some of them and now, I couldn't be a part of them any more. Here were people who couldn't extend grace for people to be different," she says. Regina chose her girlfriend. A decade later, yearning to reconnect with her Christian faith and a community, her journey led her to the queer-affirming church. "There was a time I felt like I had no access to God. All I'd ever heard was that I was a sinner. If prayer is a way of talking to God, how then could I pray? Coming back into a community of faith has allowed me to let go of past hurt," she says. After 10 years the church now has more than 200 members Yet it is not always easy for the congregation, which has faced numerous attacks - for instance when a landlord or those in the surrounding community are not happy with the fact they accept LGBT worshippers. They have been locked out of premises despite paying rent, their compound ransacked, members attacked and police have asked for bribes to offer them "protection", or threatened to beat and arrest them. They have changed locations nine times in their 10 years of existence, partly to keep their location a secret. Arguably, however, one of the hardest hoops to jump through has been helping members reconnect with their faith and a liturgy that they feel has sought to exclude them. The church, for instance, has its own version of the Apostles' Creed, which is recited by the congregation during a service, usually starting with the words: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth." It goes on to detail the tenets of their faith. "We all loved the normal creed, but there were things that were missing," says Pauline. "Women are not recognised and as queer children, we also had to put ourselves in the creed. We see God the father as well as the mother. It affirms everyone." The first line of their creed reads: "We believe in one God, our creator, the source of our being as queer and beloved children." The church has amended the Apostles' Creed The church's schedule is also flexible, as some worshippers are not open about their sexuality to family and friends, so attend mainstream churches before joining its service later. "When we started out, everybody was insecure and silent about their traumas," says Pauline. This inspired "Chat and Chew", a discussion forum that allows worshippers to unburden themselves about navigating life as LGBT Kenyans. "After the service, many people would seek out the pastors to vent about relationships, rejection by families, homelessness and so many other challenges people face as a result of being queer. So we started 'Chat and Chew' to share, cry, hug, motivate each other and heal." But with life in Kenya becoming more openly homophobic, Pauline says some members have considered going back into the closet for their safety - though most want the church to keep going. "When we started, we didn't think that this space would become so important. But we cannot give up, we have to think of a way forward. "I want this space to be open to everyone and find a balance where we all respect each other despite our beliefs and traditions." All names have been changed to protect identities. You can listen to the full Heart and Soul radio documentary Queer and Christian in Kenya on the BBC World Service. More on LGBT issues in Africa: A sign taped to the Warrick County Animal Control Department's shelter in Boonville Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, reads, "DO NOT ENTER. INDIANA STATE POLICE. DO NOT ENTER." BOONVILLE, Ind. Two days after the Indiana State Police searched the home of Warrick County Animal Control's former supervisor and arrested her, the door to the county's animal shelter featured a warning to any potential visitors: "DO NOT ENTER. INDIANA STATE POLICE. DO NOT ENTER," a sign read. Friday afternoon, several people exited the shelter, but they weren't state police detectives. The staff members who emerged from the sheet-metal animal refuge, which is stationed along a dusty stretch of Roth Road in Boonville, said investigators were no longer there. Earlier this month, the ISP opened an investigation into the Warrick County Animal Control Department's former supervisor, 55-year-old Danielle Barnes, culminating in her arrest on Wednesday. Court records reviewed by the Courier & Press revealed additional details about Barnes' arrest and a search of her home by the ISP. Barnes posted a $750 cash bond on Thursday and secured her release from the Warrick County jail with an order to appear in court Friday morning, one of the documents showed. A state police detective outlined the basis for Barnes' arrest in an affidavit of probable cause, alleging she pilfered kitten vaccines and animal microchips from the Warrick County Animal Control Department, where, for years, she led efforts to battle cat overpopulation. The affidavit supported charging Barnes with theft and possession of a legend drug, both Level 6 felonies in Indiana. As of March, news reports detailed Barnes' successful efforts to save unwanted and vulnerable cats from death by euthanasia. Last year, Barnes tearfully recounted to the Courier & Press the often tiresome work, which saw her zooming around Warrick and other counties in search of homes for shunned animals. But for months prior to her arrest, Barnes had ceased to act as a supervisor at the Warrick County Animal Control Department, according to non-profit organization officials who used to work closely with her and the department's shelter. The officials said Barnes was fired from her role, though they did not know why. In Barnes' absence, animal euthanization rates in Warrick County skyrocketed, the officials told the Courier & Press. Documents detail allegations against Barnes More: Former Warrick Co. animal control supervisor arrested; health department leader fired Barnes' arrest on Wednesday, which stunned the region's animal welfare community, came as the Warrick County Commission imposed a leadership change. The three-person county commission fired Warrick County Health Department Administrator Aaron Franz on Tuesday. Initially, commissioners Dan Saylor, Terry Phillippe and Robert Johnson attributed Franz's firing to "a need to change the direction, structure, and leadership of that department." The next day, state troopers searched Barnes' home in Chandler and later booked her into the Warrick County jail. Shortly after her arrest, the Warrick County commissioners disclosed in a public letter that they had learned of a state investigation into the animal control department, which Franz oversaw through his authority at the health department. As of Friday, Franz had not been charged with a criminal offense. Inside Barnes' home, ISP detectives claimed to have recovered at least 25 doses of Feline Rhinotraheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia vaccines, which are classified as "legend drugs" in Indiana. In a news release published Wednesday afternoon, the ISP said it began the criminal investigation on Tuesday with regard to "alleged misappropriated funds from Warrick County Animal Control." But the probable cause affidavit filed in support of Barnes' arrest makes no mention of misappropriated department funds. It does detail the vials of FVRCP kitten vaccines and claims Barnes had in her possession "25 microchips for animals." "The approximate value of these microchips are $2,000-$4,000," State police Detective Patrick S. Stinson wrote in Barnes' arrest affidavit. Jamie Taylor, the founder of Feline Fix, a local nonprofit dedicated to spaying and neutering feral cats, told the Courier & Press that persons active in animal control and advocacy work routinely purchase and handle animal microchips and FVRCP vaccines. "I have craploads of it," Taylor said in reference to the vaccines, which protect kittens from contracting three common and deadly diseases. "You can buy it at Rural King, you can buy it at Tractor Supply Company, Tri-State Vet & Pet; you can buy it online at any kind of veterinary place; you can buy it without a prescription." But Stinson wrote in Barnes' arrest affidavit that the FVRCP vaccine vials allegedly recovered from Barnes' home were "only available by prescription." Additionally, Stinson wrote that "possession of this item was prohibited." "We called the Warrick County Animal Control," Stinson wrote. "And they confirmed that those items can only be purchased through a veterinarian or animal shelter. "I believe this item to be stolen," Stinson concluded in the one-paragraph narrative portion of the affidavit. The document does not explain how state investigators linked the specific vials allegedly recovered from Barnes' home to missing vials belonging to the Warrick County Animal Control Department or how detectives traced the microchips to the department's stocks. It does not state when she allegedly may have stolen them or cite witnesses claiming that she did. Barnes' arrest affidavit also makes no mention of any prior attempts to cordially recover any vaccines and microchips from her. The document claims the feline vaccines in Barnes' possession did not have a "proper prescription label." Additionally, Barnes did not own a cat, Stinson wrote in the affidavit. Animal microchips can be purchased on websites such as Amazon. Rural King's website features a listing for Durvet FVRCP vaccines for just $12.99 per dose, though the item appeared to be "out of stock" as of Friday. Tractor Supply Company offers the same FVRCP vaccine, and its online listing did not appear to feature any information pertaining to required prescriptions. Taylor said it was easy to purchase the vaccine from a number of local retailers. "You can buy hundreds and hundreds of vials at a time," Taylor stated. "Anyone can buy it... And everybody should have it that does anything to do with cats because that's, like, the number one way to prevent death." Aside from Barnes' prior role at Warrick County Animal Control, she also ran the non-profit organization Warrick Animal Guardians, and her public social media posts indicate that she remained active in animal advocacy work after she left an official post with Warrick County. The ISP news release detailing Barnes' arrest said the agency began investigating the alleged misappropriation of animal control funds on Tuesday at the behest of the Warrick County Prosecutor's Office. But Barnes' arrest affidavit states detective Stinson began working a case "involving Warrick County Animal Control and Danielle Barnes" on Dec. 7. State police spokesman Sgt. Todd Ringle said earlier this week that the investigation was "ongoing" and that the agency would not release additional information regarding Barnes' arrest. You can read the narrative portion of the probable cause affidavit filed in Barnes' case below: Page 2 of Danielle Barnes Probable Cause Affidavit Page 2 of Danielle Barnes Probable Cause Affidavit Contributed to DocumentCloud by Houston Harwood (Evansville Courier & Press) View document or read text The Warrick County Prosecutor's Office may have handled aspects of the initial investigation and notified the state police of allegations against Barnes, but it will not lead the case against her. Warrick County Prosecuting Attorney Michael J. Perry petitioned a judge to appoint a special prosecutor in the case, according to court records. "This is being requested to both avoid any appearance of impropriety and to advance the best interests of justice," Perry wrote in the petition. A judge approved his request on Thursday and appointed Samantha Hurst, who heads the Perry County Prosecutor's Office, to represent the state against Barnes. A Perry County Prosecutor's Office official declined to comment on the status of Barnes' case Friday morning, telling the Courier & Press it was an "active investigation." The Warrick County Animal Control Department's shelter in Boonville Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Euthanizations in Warrick County increased in Barnes' abscense, nonprofit claims Shortly after Barnes' arrest on Wednesday, Warrick County's three elected commissioners sent a letter to news media titled, "Warrick County Commissioners Address Animal Control Issues." The letter encouraged the public to contact the commission for additional information. On Thursday, the Courier & Press left a message seeking comment from the commissioners. On Friday afternoon, a Courier & Press reporter attempted to bring questions to the commissioners' office in Boonville. A secretary said they were unavailable and directed the reporter to the commissioners' attorneys. The probable cause affidavit filed against Barnes does not disclose if the police, the commissioners or animal control ever sought to ask Barnes if she could return the vaccines and microchips she is alleged to have kept past her term as the animal control department's supervisor. The document and the commissioners' public letter also do not shed light on the investigation into alleged misappropriated funds at animal control. The Indiana State Board of Accounts website did not appear to list a recent audit of the department as of Friday. Barnes had not served as the county's animal control supervisor for months prior to her arrest, according to the non-profit, no-kill animal rescue shelter PAAWS. PAAWS' board of directors told the Courier & Press in a written statement that they did not know why Barnes was let go as supervisor. But under Barnes' leadership, the animal control department ran "beautifully," the non-profit's board said in a statement. After Barnes' departure, Warrick County's animal welfare system deteriorated, they said. "In the months that she has not been the director, Warrick Animal Control not only has become impossible to work with but ties have been severed with rescue organizations such as PAAWS," the board wrote. "Our cat team leader reports that instead of being able to walk in and pull animals that needed to be rehomed, appointments had to be made via phone, and those phone calls were never responded to." The breakdown in communication between the Warrick County Animal Control Department and advocacy groups led to the deaths of animals, according to PAAWS officials. "Due to Danielle (Barnes) being removed as director of Warrick animal control, the number of animals euthanized there has dramatically increased, animals who could now be in loving homes" the board's statement concluded. The Warrick County commissioners, in the open letter they published Wednesday, acknowledged the uptick in euthanizations and confirmed the deaths came after animal control severed ties with local nonprofit groups and volunteers. Health department will no longer oversee animal control Commissioners Saylor, Phillippe and Johnson wrote in the letter that they would assume direct oversight of the Warrick County Animal Control Department. They will also conduct an investigation and bolster efforts to adequately staff animal control with new employees and volunteers, they said. "The Commissioners say their immediate role is to investigate, understand and take all actions necessary to create accountability and (the) functional operation of both the Warrick Health Department and Warrick Animal Control Department. The first step in that ongoing process was to remove the Animal Control Department from the oversight of the Health Department and return it directly to the Board of Commissioners." Warrick County Commissioners Dan Saylor, Terry Phillippe and Robert Johnson. The commissioners issued a directive Wednesday barring Warrick County Animal Control from euthanizing any animal without their direct approval. Where Barnes' case goes from here remains unclear. Online court records did not yet list Barnes as a defendant in Perry County, where the special prosecutor could levy formal charges against her. Documents pertaining to Barnes' release from jail state that she was scheduled to appear in Warrick County court Friday at 9 a.m. The Warrick County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on Barnes' case, and court dockets did not yet disclose when or where she would make her next appearance. Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What we know about arrest of former Warrick Co. animal control official Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his "trick" during the historic EU summit that approved the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. "What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threat of a Hungarian veto will go down in history as an example of German leadership in favor of Europe, Kuleba said. This week, the Chancellor has earned a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians. Read also: Scholz assures Ukraine of Germany's support if other countries weaken Berlin has been criticized for its reluctance to supply weapons quickly at the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, and later for its lengthy deliberations over sending heavy weapons. But amid fears that the United States is distancing itself, Germany is taking the initiative. "When I called in Berlin last May for Ukraine to be granted EU candidate status, my calls for Germany to take the initiative on this issue were largely ignored. Germany does not want to take the lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me." "I am glad that Germany's political decisions have changed since then," Kuleba said, expressing gratitude for Berlin's support and hoping that this signals a broader shift in Berlin's leadership in solving complex problems. Read also: Second German Patriot SAM to arrive in Ukraine this year, says Scholz "We have many reasons to be grateful to Germany, from military assistance to financial support. But political clarity on Ukraine's EU membership is perhaps the best Christmas present from Berlin. There can be no more gray areas in Europe. Either the whole map of Europe will be painted in EU colors, guaranteeing security and prosperity for all Europeans, or Putin will paint it in blood, bringing more suffering, instability and destruction. I am glad we are all safer and more confident this week." The European Council has voted to open negotiations on Ukraines accession to the EU, while also granting Georgia EU candidate status, European Council President Charles Michel announced via Twitter on Dec. 14. This was despite fears that Hungary would block the issue. Several media sources also reported that Hungarian PM Viktor Orban abstained during the decision-making process, reportedly leaving the room when opening membership talks with Ukraine was discussed. Ahead of the summit, several leaders met with Orban. Hungary vetoed the allocation of 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) to Ukraine. The issue will be considered again in January 2024. Its not feasible trying to get Viktor Orban to take a coffee break every time the EU faces a Hungarian veto on some critical decision, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Dec. 15, commenting his break suggestion to Hungarian PM to allow the other 26 EU members to reach an agreement on opening accession negotiations with Ukraine. 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 (Bloomberg) -- Like his immediate predecessor, Kuwaits new ruler is taking over in his 80s and will be confronted with the same economy-hobbling political dysfunction that has for years doomed reforms. Most Read from Bloomberg But there are differences in this succession as well as similarities, and how they play out will help dictate whether 83-year-old Emir Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah can break the OPEC member state free of its paralysis. Read more: Sheikh Nawaf, Kuwait Emir Who Sought Political Reset, Dies at 86 Fledgling efforts to reconcile the Arab Gulfs sole elected parliament with a prime ministers office filled by royal appointment have at least begun, and Sheikh Mishaal has indicated his support for bringing in fresh faces. He now has a free hand in the formation of any new government, and will consult with prominent ruling family members to choose his successor as crown prince, which he has one year to do. But, its unlikely Kuwait will follow neighboring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in handing powers to a younger generation. Traditionally, Kuwaiti crown princes are chosen based on extensive experience in government posts. They must also be descendants of the founder of modern Kuwait, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, who died in 1915. The focus should be on whether the next tier of leadership crown prince and government choices included will deliver or not, irrespective of age considerations, said Bader Al-Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University and a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Onus on delivery. Sheikh Mishaals nominee will require the endorsement of parliament, and his choice needs to be balanced with whoever is chosen as the next prime minister, since a new cabinet is widely expected to be formed. In his opening address to parliament in October, Sheikh Mishaal criticized both elected lawmakers and the appointed cabinet for failing to live up to expectations. Read more: UAE Prince Who Reshaped Region Named Ruler of Oil-Rich Power Born in 1940, hes a brother of three former rulers and succeeds his half brother, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who died on Saturday. He graduated from Hendon Police College in the UK in 1960 before joining the Interior Ministry and later heading Kuwaits state security department becoming deputy chief of the National Guard. Sheikh Mishaal was appointed crown prince in October 2020 and had largely been acting head of state since November 2021, when Sheikh Nawaf delegated most of his responsibilities as he periodically traveled abroad for medical treatment. Now that hes ruler in his own right, analysts will be looking for signs of how Sheikh Mishaal who has five sons and seven daughters will govern. The nation was home to about 8% of oil reserves located in member countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries at the end of 2022, according to the OPEC website. While oil and foreign policy are unlikely to substantially change, pressure for some form of political reform is growing. Kuwaits loosely aligned opposition dominates the 50-member legislature, and has been using its clout. Still, the fact that opposition lawmakers with good ties to Kuwaits current prime minister have clout in parliament, has helped pave the way for smoother relations between the government and legislators after years of squabbling. With political parties not legalized, parliament is often filled with populist independents who clash with government ministers they accuse of being too soft on corruption. While Kuwaits political system is freer than others in the Gulf, the emir must approve all laws. One of the worlds richest countries, Kuwait has lacked a stable government for many years, often reaching a level of political impasse that contrasts with the unchallenged power wielded by ruling families in neighboring Gulf countries. While there is generally more agreement between the two powers, the political squabbling has delayed the passage of laws, including a bill that would allow the government to borrow or dip into its sovereign wealth fund in times of need, leaving Kuwait especially vulnerable to external shocks, such as the Covid crisis. Kuwait posted its first surplus in the year through March, ending nine straight years of deficit as a boom in oil revenue and more controlled spending delivered a boost for one of the Middle Easts biggest crude producers. A cash crisis in 2020, exacerbated by the pandemic and a plunge in oil prices, left the government scrambling to pay state salaries. The recovery in crude has since relieved pressure on the treasury but problems remain. Parliament has opposed any reallocation of state handouts, though nearly three-quarters of expenditure is soaked up by salaries and subsidies, while introducing a value-added tax or privatizing state-owned assets would also need lawmaker assent. The economys saving grace, the $700 billion Future Generations Fund thats run by the worlds oldest sovereign wealth fund and designed as a savings pot for life after oil, is largely unbreakable without parliaments approval. Former emir Sheikh Nawaf initiated a nationwide reconciliation and took steps to ease the standoff with parliament, including several pardons for self-exiled opposition members and activists. Kuwaitis have more hope today that, with the improvement in national dialog, the government and parliament will cooperate to resolve long-standing issues related to economic, political and social reform, and attract much needed foreign investment. Healing the nation and addressing political grievances is the gateway to addressing other domains in need of attention, Al-Saif said. Sheikh Mishaal is expected to continue the reconciliation to then focus on the much needed economic reforms and uplifting basic services. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The coffin of Kuwait's late Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is carried out of the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City ahead of burial during his funeral (Yasser Al-Zayyat) Kuwait's late emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was laid to rest on Sunday at a private funeral attended by select relatives, a day after he passed away. Draped in a Kuwaiti flag, the coffin of Sheikh Nawaf, whose cause of death was not disclosed, was carried into a Kuwait mosque for prayers ahead of a burial ceremony that was broadcast on state television. Attendance was limited to members of the ruling family, making for an intimate and low-key farewell for the ruler who reigned for three years. The speaker of Kuwait's parliament was also present. "The choice reflects the late emir's low profile character," said Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University. The incoming emir Sheikh Meshal, who is expected to deliver his oath before parliament on Wednesday, attended the service. He will receive condolences on Monday and Tuesday from the wider public. During Sunday's burial ceremony, rows of relatives stood at Shiekh Nawaf's final resting ground and performed prayers. Some crouched before his grave, cupping their hands, and reciting verses from the Quran. Across Kuwait City, large digital billboards displayed pictures of the late ruler, dubbing him the "emir of wisdom, forgiveness and peace". Flags where lowered to half-mast amid a 40-day mourning period that will also see government offices shut until Tuesday. Speaking outside the mosque where the funeral took place, Kuwaiti citizen Ghanem al-Sulaimani said he was saddened by the man he called the "emir of humility and forgiveness". "He left a great legacy... distinguished by his great love for his people," he told AFP Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf took over as emir in September 2020 upon the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah, at the age of 91. He issued numerous amnesties for political prisoners, earning him the nickname "emir of pardons". One of his last moves before his death was the signing of a draft decree approved by cabinet late last month, demanding the release of dozens of political prisoners. Sheikh Nawaf was defence minister when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, setting off a war that drew in armies from around the world to end the occupation. And he was interior minister when Kuwait faced a severe threat from Islamist militants in 2005. The episodes deeply marked the country, but Sheikh Nawaf's low-profile style meant he remained a relatively popular figure. sl/ho/dcp/jsa The coffin of Kuwait's late Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is carried out of the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait City ahead of burial during his funeral (Yasser Al-Zayyat) Kuwait's emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who was defence minister when Iraq invaded the oil-rich country in 1990, was laid to rest Sunday in a low-key funeral, a day after he died aged 86. Foreign leaders and envoys later paid their final respects, including the Saudi crown prince and the rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. Draped in a Kuwaiti flag, the coffin of Sheikh Nawaf, whose cause of death was not disclosed, was carried into a Kuwait mosque for prayers ahead of a burial ceremony that was broadcast on state television. Attendance was largely limited to ruling family members, making for an intimate farewell for the emir who reigned for three years. "The choice reflects the late emir's low-profile character," said Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University. The new emir, Sheikh Meshal, a security expert and the half-brother of the late ruler, will receive condolences on Monday and Tuesday from the public and is expected to deliver his oath before parliament on Wednesday. During the burial ceremony, also attended by the speaker of parliament, rows of relatives gathered at Sheikh Nawaf's final resting place and performed prayers. Some crouched before his grave, cupping their hands and reciting Koran verses. Across Kuwait City, large digital billboards displayed pictures of the late ruler, hailed as the "emir of wisdom, forgiveness and peace". Flags where lowered to half-mast amid a 40-day mourning period that will also see government offices shut until Tuesday. Speaking outside the mosque where the funeral took place, Kuwaiti citizen Ghanem al-Sulaimani said he was saddened by the death of the man he called the "emir of humility and forgiveness". "He left a great legacy... distinguished by his great love for his people," he told AFP. - Succession - Later on Sunday, Sheikh Meshal received Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordan's King Abdullah and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who offered their condolences. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani were also among the other top officials received by Kuwaits new ruler. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was due to lead a US delegation to Kuwait ahead of a regional tour that will see him make stops in Bahrain and Qatar. Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf took over as emir in September 2020 upon the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah, at the age of 91. He issued numerous amnesties for political prisoners, earning him the nickname "emir of pardons". One of his last moves before his death was the signing of a draft decree approved by cabinet late last month, ordering the release of dozens of political prisoners. Sheikh Nawaf was defence minister when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, setting off a war that drew in armies from around the world to end the occupation. And he was interior minister when Kuwait faced a severe threat from Islamist militants in 2005. The episodes deeply marked the country, but Sheikh Nawaf's low-profile style meant he remained a relatively popular figure. He is succeeded by his half-brother, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who was named crown prince in 2020. Coming to power at the age of 83, Sheikh Meshal, a veteran of Kuwait's security and intelligence apparatus, is not new to the duties of the emir, having assumed most of his predecessor's key tasks in 2021. Much attention will focus on his pick for crown prince amid speculation on whether he will usher in a younger generation of rulers, following in the footsteps of neighbouring Saudi Arabia. sl/ho/hkb Thirty-five years into her massive music career, the Australian, Grammy-winning pop star Kylie Minogue has landed in Las Vegas. Her residency at Voltaire Theater, running through May 4 at the Venetian Resort, means 20 performances in a city as glitzy and glittery as her shows, which sparkle mostly because of the high-energy star at the center of it. One song from her latest album is titled "Vegas High." So, is she now on a Vegas high? "I am absolutely on a Vegas high!" she laughed. "The energy in this show is, it's huge. I've done huge tours, like Aphrodite with precision water fountains, and, I mean, like, insanity, really." Kylie Minogue performing in her Vegas residency, at Voltaire Theater at the Venetian Resort. / Credit: CBS News She's just five-feet-tall, but big is something of a trademark for Minogue, whether in record sales (80 million worldwide) or hits ("Confide in Me," "Spinning Around," "Can't Get You Out of My Head," "All the Lovers"), with her brand of dance-fueled, cheerful sensuality. To watch Kylie Minogue perform "Spinning Around," click on the video player below: But, in Vegas, she's gone intimate. "And, as it turns out, I think it's perfect," she said. It's been a good year for the 55-year-old pop-star. Her song "Padam Padam" became a viral sensation, and now is Grammy-nominated. "'Padam' went beyond my fan base, and that's hugely exciting," she said. And importantly, for Mingue it was a hit in the U.S. A global superstar, she is less well-known in America. Does that matter to her? "It matters a little, yeah!" she laughed. "It's something that I'm working on. It's part of why I'm here and spending time in your land." "But you've sold lots of records, you don't need to prove yourself [as a] commercial success." "I know. How much success is enough success?" "Sunday Morning" saw that success in London, in the form of fans lined up for a September pop-up event celebrating the release of Minogue's 16th studio album, "Tension." Earlier, she visited the neighborhood where she lived for nearly three decades. Correspondent Seth Doane with singer Kylie Minogue in London. / Credit: CBS News Asked what she'd tell her younger self, Minogue replied, "Listen to your inner voice. Don't get bossed around. And enjoy the ride, because it's going to go like *that*." Does she not enjoy the ride at times? "Oh, I am a natural stressor when it comes to a lot of things!" Minogue's determination took her from a middle class family in Melbourne, Australia, to landing a job as a teenager in "Neighbours," a popular soap opera. Her singing began almost by chance: "I recorded 'The Loco-motion' just as a demo. I sang it at a fundraising event. It was the thing that led to my career in music." It was a hit: So was her second song, "I Should Be So Lucky." Still, she faced some skepticism. "I think I was seen as the puppet," she said. "And to a degree, I was, for sure. I did not know what I was doing; I did what I was told. But there's a steely part of me that I kind of overlooked for a while. And now there's really not much that happens that I'm not across." Yet, she had no control over her 2005 breast cancer diagnosis. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and was declared cancer-free in 2006. But the experience is still raw for her. "It's trauma, and any trauma resides within you," she said. "The experience of a cancer diagnosis will live in me. It was difficult. It was also amazing." Amazing? "Amazing in that you are very aware of your body, of the love that's around you, of your capability, all sorts of things." And singing is a way to process that. "I sing to process everything, I think," she said. "I write to process. I perform to process. And sometimes I think I live to perform." Kylie Minogue keeps performing and says it's "mindboggling" she's still at it 35 years on. It seems there's not much that can stop her. Asked how long she will continue, she replied, "Ask my knees! Ask me knees that have been stomping on stages for years and years and years in stupid high heels!" For more info: kylie.comAlbum: "Tension" by Kylie MinogueKylie Minogue Residency at Voltaire | Ticket info Story produced by Reid Orvedahl and Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Lauren Barnello. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a "difficult partner," Sen. Chris Coons says UNC chancellors In former UNC Chancellor Holden Thorps Dec. 8 op-ed, he chose to cast blame on the governing boards of the University of North Carolina System for his ouster and that of several other chancellors. He suggested that they were viewed in North Carolina as failed chancellors who got run out, but were seen as survivors in 49 other states. I find that hard to believe since many other conservative states and university boards likely hold views similar to the UNC Board of Governors and UNC Board of Trustees. In my view, and possibly theirs, liberals control academia and a large part of this country is tired of it. David Ramsey, Mooresville Abortion Last week, we saw yet another woman suffer the consequences of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Rather than being able to decide whether or not to proceed with the pregnancy with her doctor and family, Kate Cox of Texas was forced to go before a judge and ask his permission. Cox was fortunate because she had the means to go to another state for an abortion, but many women are not so fortunate. Since Roe was overturned we have seen more and more red states, including our own, pass abortion bans and many women suffering because of them. Many conservative groups are pushing for a national abortion ban and expect a Republican president to work to pass this. Republicans always say they are for freedom, but where is the freedom for women who cannot make their own health care decisions? How many more women have to suffer? Laura Reich, Charlotte Let all speak The writer is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. Following Monday nights Charlotte City Council meeting, one thing is clear: regardless of ones stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we need to stand firm against rhetoric and actions that serve to demonize the other side or justify violence against them. While we recognize that the actions of the City Council disruptors are not reflective of the entire Charlotte community, we must speak out against attempts to silence Jewish voices. We understand that many communities are impacted by the Israel-Hamas war and that everyone has the right to advocate for ones cause. However, we must uphold a level of civil discourse to ensure that we do not allow harassment, intimidation and verbal threats to prevail. Sue Worrel, Charlotte Bombing Gaza The writer is a history and global studies professor at UNCC. Thank you for publishing Hadia Mubaraks Dec. 4 op-ed on Islamophobia. Her comments on the dehumanization of Muslims and their invisibility as real human beings led me to think about the desperate plight of the Palestinian people, not only in the last two months, but for several decades, and the manner in which the crimes against them have been excused, when not overlooked altogether. Seven thousand Palestinian children have been killed during the war on Gaza through indiscriminate bombings, destruction of hospitals (including Gazas only cancer hospital), and destruction of other infrastructure, such as sewage and water-treatment facilities. At least 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the last 10 weeks, while the world essentially turns a blind eye. Stating these facts implies no sympathy for Hamas, which has committed terrible crimes, although without the power to inflict the collective punishment being employed by the Israeli state. John Cox, Charlotte Fossil fuels The writer is a Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer. A sultan and CEO of a prominent Arab oil company presided over COP28, the United Nations annual climate change conference last week in Dubai. The fox isnt guarding the henhouse. The fox is marching the chickens right into a luxury pool of deep fat fryers. Climate experts agree fossil fuel pollution is a primary cause of the climate crisis. Yet the perpetrators of global warming, those fossil fuel foxes, continually sit at the head of the climate table and undermine attempts to clean up the crisis. Remember when the tobacco industry spent decades denying smoking was a health hazard? Beware the foxes! Mark C. Taylor, Charlotte Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said Sunday they were encouraged with the direction the border security talks were going but that the timing of the potential deal remained uncertain. Senate negotiators have been huddled together for weeks as they attempt to reach a deal on border security provisions that could unlock additional aid for Ukraine and Israel in the supplemental funding package. Senators and the White House signaled optimism last week that a deal on the border could be nearing a close. Despite many of the lawmakers saying they were making progress on border negotiations, they remain split on when a deal will actually come to fruition. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union that a potential border deal could come as soon as this week. And I think our negotiators right now from our Republican and Democrat negotiators, who are really diligent, doing a great job, and then basically with the White House involved, committed to getting this border under control, he said Sunday. Thats what Im really very hopeful for, and I think were gonna see something next week, and well stay there until we get it done. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) also said that he hopes a potential deal will come this week, adding on CBS Newss Face the Nation that he is likely to support the legislation. He said a failure to reach a deal would be a huge gift to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [Chinese President] Xi Jinping and Hamas. Well, I need to know the final deals, but I am likely to support this. I have spoken with a number of the negotiators, he said. They have been working hard this weekend. I am hopeful that we can reach a conclusion this coming week. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said on ABC Newss This Week that he hopes the negotiations on the border security and foreign aid package are progressing as negotiators remain tight-lipped on when a potential deal could come through. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) also said he believes the negotiations are moving forward but did not speak on a potential timeline. Well, I talked to a couple of key negotiators yesterday and they feel like theyre making some progress, but I know [Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)] thinks theres going to be some deal cut behind closed doors and then jam it through the Senate and then jam the House. Thats not going to happen, Cornyn said on Fox News Sunday. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggested that a deal on the border would not come until next year, blaming the Biden administration for choosing bad policies on the border. Were not anywhere close to a deal, itll go into next year, Graham said. The policy choices of the Biden administration [have] made the border a dangerous place to come to. Even if the Senate and the White House came to an agreement on the border, it would likely face an uphill battle in the House as some Republicans have signaled they may want stronger border provisions than what the Democratic-led White House and Senate will propose. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said on Face the Nation that lawmakers need to sweeten the deal on border security in order for a supplemental aid package to pass the House. He added that the deal between the Senate and the White House will be much different than what the House wants. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Several lawmakers honored fallen veterans on National Wreaths Across American Day on Saturday with posts online. Each year, wreaths are placed on the grave sites of veterans during the holiday season. According to the Wreaths Across America website, there are two million volunteers who participated in more than 4,000 locations in all states and at sea and abroad. Wyoming comes together each year to lay wreaths on graves to honor veterans, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) wrote in an online post. Thank you to the hard work of all the volunteers to make sure every veterans grave in Casper has a wreath today, Barrasso posted. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also posted online, writing, Today, we pay tribute to our fallen heroes and ensure their memory lives on forever. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Penn.) said that he attended a ceremony held at the Northeast Bradford School in Bradford County, Pa. I spoke about the importance of this tradition and the mission of Wreaths Across America, which is to Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom, Meuser posted. After the ceremony, we went to Stevensville Cemetery and placed wreaths on the graves of our nations fallen servicemembers to pay tribute to their service and sacrifice. The 2023 theme is serve and succeed, which Karen Worcester, the organizations executive director, explained in a statement. There are many ways to serve your community and country, and just as many definitions of success, Worcester said. We hope through focusing on those stories of success we will help change the dialogue around what it means to serve your country. Each year the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., hosts an event to honor soldiers. Thank you to everyone who made today a success, the cemetery posted online. Headstones and niche columns are adorned with holiday wreaths. Its an aesthetic we look forward to each year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A sushi restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina, is under investigation by the Wake County Public Health Department after 241 reports of illness. One of those customers, a groom, was reportedly unwell just before his wedding and filed a lawsuit. According to the health department's press release, three instances of norovirus have been associated with Sushi Nine restaurant so far. The highly infectious norovirus, which goes by other names including "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," is responsible for inflaming the intestines and stomach, which in turn causes vomiting and diarrhea, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People may get the disease by direct contact with an infected individual, contaminated food, or surfaces they touch. Complaint Against Sushi Restaurant After dining at the Sushi Nine with his family on November 29, Austin Freels said they had a series of symptoms the following day: nausea, vomiting, cramps in the stomach, aches and pains in the muscles, extreme exhaustion, headache, severe stomach pain, and dehydration. This is based on the complaint he filed on Friday, December 15, which was seen by CNN. Freels said that his symptoms persisted and even intensified during the course of his wedding weekend. According to the complaint, he had to visit both an urgent care center and a hospital's emergency room, where he was given many bags of IV fluids. Freels is requesting a sum in excess of $25,000 in damages, which include loss of income, medical bills, travel costs, mental anguish, and bodily discomfort, among other things. Whether Freels had a confirmed norovirus illness is not mentioned in the complaint. See Also: Americans Accidentally Overdose on Weight-Loss Drugs, Causing Poison Center Reports To Increase 15-Fold Reports of Probable Norovirus Infection In a press release, public health authorities said that the first individual to notify them reported feeling sick after consuming food from the establishment on December 1. With that, the department received 241 complaints from customers who dined at Sushi Nine between November 28 and December 5. Of the 241 individuals who reported feeling unwell, 170 were questioned and requested to produce stool samples, the only diagnostic tools against the virus. As per the report, just three people have provided samples, and all of them tested positive for norovirus. The dining establishment returned after shuttering voluntarily on December 5 for extensive cleaning. As stated in the announcement, no more complaints have been received since it reopened on December 8. According to the press release, the county is still looking into everything that may have caused the outbreak. They have not found a specific meal that could have been the culprit since everyone who got sick ate various things from the menu. See Also: Walking Pneumonia: Mysterious Disease Affects Children Worldwide; Here's the Little-Known Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of! @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. LEAGUE CITY, Texas - A man has been charged in an early Saturday morning shooting in League City. Police say 26-year-old Irkan Notta has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Irkan Notta (League City Police Department) FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio! The shooting occurred around 3:17 a.m. in the 2200 block of Beacon Circle. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls about shots being fired and found a 22-year-old man with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS transported the wounded man to the hospital, and police say he was conscious and speaking with officers. MORE NEWS: Man charged in deadly Houston shooting of woman, injury of their children Police say two witnesses who were with the wounded man when officers arrived stated that Notta was the shooter. According to police, they said Notta fired one or two shots into their pickup truck while they were trying to leave, striking the man. Police say officers were able to locate Notta nearby, and he was taken into custody. His bond has been set at $100,000. Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to call Detective Clifton at 281-338-8206. US singer Jon Batiste won five Grammys in 2022, including Album of the Year (Patrick T. FALLON) As Jon Batiste completed his dazzling triumph at the 2022 Grammys, winning trophy after trophy on music's biggest stage, his wife watched the same way most of us did -- on the sofa, at home. Suleika Jaouad was unable to attend that night because she was battling leukemia. That stark juxtaposition of stratospheric success and brutal reality underpins "American Symphony," an intimate new documentary about the couple, out now on Netflix. "I wanted it to not just show the artistic process, but to show what it takes to achieve a level of greatness in artistry," Batiste told AFP. "I also believe that a lesson that we didn't know we were really putting on display... is creativity as a mechanism of survival." The film began life as a straightforward documentary about Batiste's plan to write and perform a one-night-only contemporary symphony, drawing on music from around the world -- but morphed overnight when Jaouad's cancer returned after nearly a decade. The result is equal parts love story, meditation on illness, chronicle of family life, and an unflinching examination of the creative process itself. Jaouad herself is a bestselling writer who penned a New York Times column about her first bout with cancer. For seven months, cameras followed Batiste as he conducted rehearsals, lay restlessly awake at night with severe anxiety, talked to his therapist about wanting to quit his job, and visited Jaouad in various hospital wards. "Allowing the camera into these sacred moments of our lives... it was in real time, negotiating," recalled Batiste. "Setting boundaries, them pushing against those boundaries, us pushing back." During that same period, his album "We Are" topped the 2022 Grammy nominations, and went on to triumph over Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Billie Eilish to win album of the year. But by the time Batiste returned home from Las Vegas with his five Grammys, Jaouad was back in the hospital, battling the effects of chemotherapy and a second bone marrow transplant. One powerful scene in the film finds Batiste on stage, in front of a packed auditorium, during a two-hour piano recital. He dedicates the next passage of music to Jaouad, then pauses with his fingers on the keys for a full minute that feels like an eternity, before playing a spellbindingly emotional -- and cathartic -- improvisation. "There's just so much that happens, so much that goes on in a life, that is hard to even put into words," said Batiste. "I was processing it in real time in front of the audience." - 'The only guy' - The movie, produced by Michelle and Barack Obama's film company, is tipped to be a frontrunner for best documentary at the Oscars in March. Batiste already has an Academy Award, for writing the score to Pixar animation "Soul." Hailed as an artist's artist, the classically trained scion of a prominent New Orleans musical dynasty first found fame as the bandleader on Stephen Colbert's popular late-night talk show. The Grammys success of "We Are" took Batiste's celebrity to the next level and, less than two years later, the jazz polymath is nominated for six more Grammys with his next album, "World Music Radio." Among those nods is Best Song for "Butterfly," written for Jaouad while she was in hospital. Batiste is the sole male nominated for Record and Album of the Year, competing against superstars like Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and female supergroup boygenius. He believes he and the other nominees share more in common -- an interest in "real music, real artistry," where musicians are "in the same room together, breathing the same air" rather than relying on technology and computerized sounds. Rodrigo is "bringing back a certain old-school style of songwriting," Eilish is "the voice of her time," and boygenius are a throwback to a "band dynamic and camaraderie based on their shared values." "There's a lot of examples of what I'm saying, in terms of trying to stretch what is considered popular music," he said. "And me being the only guy in the bunch? I've been doing this for the past two decades." But looking ahead to February's Grammys ceremony, the main thing on Batiste's mind is the guest who will accompany him. "This time around, my favorite thing about it is that she's doing well, and will be able to attend the Grammys with me," he said, of his wife. "For us to be able to celebrate the album and that song, and to also be at the Grammys again, with her this time... it's full circle." amz/hg/tjj MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police say a man was found shot at a City Gear in Whitehaven Saturday night. Memphis Police responded to the City Gear on Elvis Presley Boulevard at around 8:45 p.m. Police say one man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. The suspect fled the scene. According to Memphis Police, the suspect is known. Reports say officers spoke with a witness who said the victim came into the business wanting a refund on the shoes he had purchased earlier. The victim became upset when he was denied a refund. The witness told police that the victim began making threats toward her, saying, I will get someone to come up here to beat your [explicative]. According to reports, the suspect, who is with loss prevention at the store, tried to calm the victim down. The victim allegedly told the suspect, I will kill you. I dont care about that gun. The witness reportedly told officers that the victim walked up to the suspect, who then pulled out a handgun and fired shots at him. Hibbett released a statement regarding the incident but did not confirm if the suspect responsible for the shooting is an employee of City Gear. We are working closely with the Memphis Police Department as they investigate this incident and cannot comment further on any details. The safety of our customers and employees is always our top priority. City Gear locations throughout the city have recently become the targets of thieves and burglars. In November, Memphis Police said that multiple suspects tried to smash their way into the same Elvis Presley location. Whitehaven City Gear targeted by smash-and-grab thieves Earlier this month, 13 people broke into the City Gear store on Lamar Avenue and got away in minutes. Hibbett, which owns City Gear, claims their Memphis-area stores have been burglarized more than 60 times this year. Hibbett President and CEO Mike Longo recently released a statement on the crimes, saying in part, The situation in the Memphis community with regard to crime is intolerable. A handful of criminals are causing problems for all the citizens and business owners. This is unacceptable. The company says it is taking action to reduce crime at store locations, including implementing non-lethal methods such as live camera monitoring and funding CrimeStoppers. Hibbett also says it has asked Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for help, specifically asking for increased Tennessee Highway Patrol presence in Shelby County. If you have information on this shooting, call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Prince William County Police Department a man was shot in Dumfries on Sunday afternoon. Man shot in Southwest DC Police said it was dispatched to a shooting in the 3200 block of John Robinson Ln. Officials said the man shot was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A man killed his fiancee and her two daughters and shot another person in Illinois, officials said. This family has suffered an unimaginable tragedy, a GoFundMe page said. Officials were called on Dec. 14 for reports that a man had been shot in the stomach in Ashland, according to a news release from the Cass County Sheriffs Office. When officials arrived, they found the man suffering from a gunshot wound and a woman, later identified as 19-year-old Autumn Bell, dead, officials said. The man was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, officials said. After speaking with the injured man, officials responded to another location in Ashland, where they found two others dead, Christina Bell, 53, and 16-year-old Alaria Bell, according to officials. Christina Bell was the mother of Autumn and Alaria Bell, according to WLS. Autumn Bell had recently announced on social media that she was expecting a child. Alaria was a good girl and worked hard at school, Lauralee Gibson, a friend of Christina Bell, told The Telegraph. Autumn was working hard at Dot to build a life for her baby. (The survivor) is a good man. He works hard at Dot to build a life for the baby girl that was coming. Officials learned the suspected shooter was Christina Bells fiance, 62-year-old Ronald Butch Cobren Jr., WLS reported. Everybody is just truly shocked. I cant even begin to wrap my head around it, Rachel Pearn, a family friend, told WCIA. Why it happened, and neither can they. Everyone is just completely devastated. When officials located Cobrens vehicle, they said they found him dead inside from an apparent suicide. The incident is still under investigation. Ashland is about 20 miles northwest of Springfield. Murder-suicide Up to 600 murder-suicides happen each year, according to the FBI. They account for about 1,000 deaths a year. Although uncommon, such incidents vary widely in terms of the persons involved, how they are related, and where the crimes take place, the FBI reported. Usually, law enforcement personnel deal with murder-suicides involving two people in domestic settings or relationships. About 65% of murder-suicides involve intimate partners, officials said, and 81% happen in the home. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988. A 43-year-old man was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing an underage family member for years. Jared Hagood, who has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center, appeared in the 140th District Court where he pleaded guilty to a count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony that carries a punishment of five years to life in prison. Jared Hagood He was initially indicted on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Before accepting his plea deal, prosecutors had planned to upgrade his charge to continuous sexual abuse of a child, which carries a punishment of 25 years to life in prison. The charges against Hagood stem from a Lubbock police investigation that began in 2022 when the girl made an outcry to her mother about Hagood's abuse. Investigators spoke with Hagood, who admitted to sexually abusing the girl for years. Court documents indicate Hagood had been abusing the girl since 2014. Hagood will have to serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for release on parole. Upon his release, he will have to register as a sex offender for life. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Man sentenced to 40 years for sexually assaulting child A man was shot in the head while helping a friend move out of her ex-boyfriends home, Texas police told news outlets. Several calls came in about the shooting, and League City police responded to the scene on the citys northeast side at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, the department said in a news release. Investigators say a woman and friends went to the apartment complex to help move her belongings out of her ex-boyfriends unit, KHOU reported. But at some point, police said the ex opened fire, wounding one of the womans friends. Police say 26-year-old Irkan Notta shot at the victims pickup truck as the group was leaving, and a bullet struck the 22-year-old man in the head. Police had already been to the complex hours earlier because Notta and the woman had been fighting, KTRK reported. Officers arrested Notta near the scene on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and his bond is set at $100,000, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment and was conscious and speaking to investigators, police said. League City is about 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Mom sees laser pointing into car before son gets shot in head, Oklahoma family says Boy grabs shotgun as couple fights, then shoots mothers boyfriend, Missouri cops say Child playing online game dies by suicide in Texas, and Michigan boy charged, cops say Grandmother intentionally shoots 6-month-old grandchild in head, Ohio cops say A man was rushed to the hospital to be treated for a serious gunshot wound after a shooting in Roxbury Saturday afternoon. Officers responding to the area of Warren Street and Quincy Street around 4:29 p.m. found a man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The man was taken to the hospital. There was no immediate update on his condition. No arrests have been made yet. Boston police say an investigation is active and ongoing. 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 A man and a woman were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds near their motor vehicle in Millis on Sunday morning, the district attorney said. The two victims, identified as Michael Fischella, 32, and Tanaia Wilkinson, 25 both Millis residents, were well known to each other, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement. Shortly after 9 a.m., a Millis town worker who was driving on a remote dirt roadway near Routes 115 and 27, found the pair dead at the scene and called police, Morrissey said. Millis police responded to the area, secured the crime scene, and notified the Massachusetts State Police homicide unit assigned to Morrisseys office. Crews from State Police Crime Scene Services, including ballistics specialists and chemists from the crime lab, responded to process the scene and gather evidence. A gun was found below the body of the man, Morrissey said. We are still very early in this investigation and there is much to be done, but we do not yet have evidence of third-party involvement, Morrissey said. The Medical Examiner may be able to provide information on the cause and manner of death in the next 24 to 48 hours. Morrissey said that the investigation into their death remains ongoing. The pair, originally from outside Massachusetts, had recently been residing at 67 Curve Street in Millis, according to police. The scene is still very active, and authorities are trying to reach next of kin out of state for both parties. We are working closely with Millis detectives and Chief Soffayer as we work through this, Morrissey said. Millis Police Chief Christopher Soffayer said the fatal shootings do not suggest any ongoing threat or danger to the community. An incident like this will obviously be upsetting to residents, but the information available at this time does not suggest any ongoing threat or danger to Millis residents associated with this incident, Soffayer said. A heavy police presence in the immediate area is expected to remain in place for several hours as well. Milli, a small town in Norfolk County, is bordered by Norfolk, Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, and Medway. Millis had a population of 8,460 at the 2020 census. 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 The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a shooting after a person was found Saturday night with gunshot wounds at an Elk Grove gas station. The Elk Grove Police Department responded at 8:27 p.m. to an ARCO gas station at Sheldon Road and East Stockton Boulevard after receiving reports of a man suffering gunshot wounds. When they arrived, officers found the man inside a vehicle parked against an AM-PM mini-mart. Officers provided medical aid to the man before he was taken to a hospital. Police Activity- We are currently conducting an investigation into a person who was found inside his vehicle suffering from gunshots wounds at the AMPM on Sheldon and E. Stockton. pic.twitter.com/7286roue6Y EGPD (@ElkGrovePD) December 17, 2023 The investigation was turned over to Sacramento detectives when it was determined that the shooting occurred there, said police spokesman Officer Cody Tapley. Sacramento police officers responded were informed of the incident about 9:30 p.m. Officers were able to trace the shooting to a vehicle with a bullet hole near the intersection of Praline Way and Dotson Court in North Laguna. No arrests have been made, authorities said. Anyone with information about the shooting or suspects is urged to call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471. Pope Francis turns 87 years old on Sunday (December 17), making him one of the oldest pontiffs in the history of the Catholic Church. As per his usual personal birthday tradition, he spent some time with children and their families at the Santa Marta Dispensary, a facility providing medical assistance to children and families in need for over 90 years. In his short message, the pope urged those present in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall to continue to pray for him, as well as to prepare for Christmas, Vatican News reported. Aside from Catholics in Rome and around the world, Italian President Sergio Mattarella sent his "most sincere and affectionate wishes" to the pontiff. Read Also: Vatican Shuts Down Loyola Community Co-Founded by Disgraced Priest Marko Rupnik Pope Francis Reveals Thoughts on Old Age, Funeral Plans Last week, in an exclusive Spanish-language interview with Mexican broadcaster N+, Francis revealed that he was feeling better after a respiratory sickness, forcing him to let a Vatican cleric read his messages on his behalf. The pope said that, despite having contingency plans that would allow him to abdicate similarly to that of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, he still would like to travel the world to spread the Christian gospel message, particularly to Polynesia and his native Argentina. He also stressed that he dislikes making papal abdications the norm. In addition, Francis revealed that - unlike his immediate predecessors who were interred near the tomb of the apostle Peter in St. Peter's Basilica - he wished to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the principal shrine in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary, specifically the icon "Salus Populi Romani" ("Health/Salvation of the Roman People" in Latin). St. Mary Major is the pontiff's frequent stop whenever he travels for apostolic trips abroad and upon his return to Rome ever since his election in 2013. Related Article: 'I Am Not Well': Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance Since Lung Inflammation Episode @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Sunday that a potential Senate deal on the border could come this week, which could unlock additional funding for Ukraine and Israel. And I think our negotiators right now from our Republican and Democrat negotiators, who are really diligent doing a great job and then basically with the White House involved, committed to getting this border under control, he said on CNNs State of the Union. Thats what Im really very hopeful for and I think were gonna see something next week and well stay there until we get it done. Senate negotiations to compromise on the border have been taking place for weeks. Senators signaled optimism last week that the discussions were making progress, and the upper chamber plans to return this week in hopes of reaching an agreement before the end of the year. Republican lawmakers have said they will not back additional aid for Ukraine without including new provisions for border security. Without congressional action by the end of the year, the Biden administration has warned that funding for Ukraine will run out. Manchin also signaled that negotiations were moving forward on Sunday, but warned that the House will not get anything done without coming to a bipartisan solution. Earlier this year, the House GOP passed an Israel-only aid package that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declined to take up in the upper chamber. Well, let me just say this that I have been communicating with the negotiators, my my colleagues and friends on the Democrat and Republican side, also with the White House too, and Im very encouraged, Manchin said. Im very optimistic theyre moving in a very positive way. They understand that the border is broken, that glass ceiling has been broken, and weve got to stop is dangerous immigration that we have come into our country from all over the world, he continued. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A Maryland State Police helicopter crew said it rescued a woman after she fell off a 50 ft cliff along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Knoxville on Saturday afternoon. While on scene, crews were able to find the woman and fire personnel at the base of the cliff. More than 400 water rescues in Ocean City Labor Day Weekend A helicopter was requested to conduct an aerial rescue of the woman due to her deteriorating condition. The troopers obtained the report from Fire/EMS personnel and treated the womans injuries while securing her into a PEP Bag. The woman was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore for the treatment of her injuries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Matthew Perry's previous accounts of the drug ketamine, which has been ruled to have played a role in his death, are coming to light. Over a month after the Friends star was found dead due to an apparent drowning at his California home, his cause of death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office. According to an autopsy report, Perry died of acute effects of ketamine. How he took ketamine is unclear, and the report states that the drug likely made Perry unconscious, which led to drowning. At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular over stimulation and respiratory depression," the report states. The autopsy found several contributing factors to Perry's death, including drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office said in a statement. The autopsy report states that Perry had been reportedly clean for 19 months and had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy, an experience the actor wrote about in his 2022 memoir. Ketamine can be used to treat mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, and can also be used recreationally. Perry's last known ketamine infusion therapy session was one and a half weeks before his death, according to the autopsy report. "The ketamine in his system could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less," the report states. What did Perry say about ketamine? Perry opened up about his experience with ketamine therapy in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, saying that he used the drug to ease pain and help with depression. Ketamine felt like a giant exhale, he wrote. Theyd bring me into a room, sit me down, put headphones on me so I would listen to music, blindfold me, and put an IV in. He explained that the IV contained a smidge of Ativan and then a drip of ketamine per hour. By the end of the session, Perry said he was like a f---ing pincushion. As I lay there in the pitch dark, listening to Bon Iver, I would disassociate, see things Id been in therapy for so long that I wasnt even freaked out by this. Oh, theres a horse over there? Fine might as well be ... As the music played and K ran through me, it all became about ego, and the death of ego. And I often thought that I was dying during that hour, he continued. Oh, I thought, this is what happens when you die. Yet I would continually sign up for this s--- because it was something different, and anything different is good. He described taking ketamine as being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel, adding, however, that the hangover was rough and outweighed the shovel. Ketamine was not for me. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects." The drug can distort perception, lead to a feeling of disconnection from the mind and body, induce sedation, provide pain relief and cause amnesia, the DEA says. Its been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for humans and animals. Ketamine therapy typically uses the drug via infusion, injection or inhalation to treat mental illnesses, TODAY previously reported. Mike Dow, a psychotherapist at the ketamine clinic Field Trip in Los Angeles previously told TODAY that it's unclear how ketamine improves symptoms of mental health conditions, but likely works by boosting feel-good chemicals, similar to traditional antidepressants, and helping form new pathways in the brain to encourage new thought patterns and behaviors. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he believes former President Donald Trump will receive the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and hell support the former president in seeking a second term including as a potential member of the administration. I will help whether Im in it or whether Im out. I want the country to be successful. I tell the [former] president all the time, its about renewing, rebuilding and restoring this country, the outgoing California Republican congressman said in an interview with Fox News on Saturday. McCarthy, who is leaving Congress at the end of the year, has doubled down on his support for Trump in the 2024 presidential race, even as he has stressed that he has not endorsed anyone. In an interview with CNN last month, McCarthy said he supported the former president, adding, I havent endorsed, but I support President Trump, he told CNNs Manu Raju. When asked whether Trump could count on his support during an interview that aired last weekend on CBS Sunday Morning, he replied, Yes. Pressed on whether that was an official endorsement of Trump, McCarthy chuckled and responded, I will support the president. I will support President Trump. CNN has reached out to McCarthy for clarification on whether he is endorsing Trump. The California Republican has also cautioned the former president against making his reelection bid all about revenge. Retribution, revenge? No, McCarthy told Fox News on Saturday, referring to comments Trump has made about exacting revenge on his political enemies if elected. McCarthy, who in October became the first House speaker to be ousted from the position, also told Fox News he didnt want to stay in Congress long past his speakership because of the impact it could have on his legacy. Its probably not the legacy I want, that I just stayed around, McCarthy said. I wanted to make sure I did something here. I believe the founders always designed this to have new blood come in, he said. CNNs Aileen Graef contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This is part of a series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community. Inside the former ARCHES building on Madison St. NE in Salem, Paola Sumoza and her nonprofit are setting down roots for a new home centered around Mexican heritage. Sumoza is a co-founder and director of Casa de la Cultura Tlanese, a family-owned and operated cultural center that began in 2004. The nonprofit offers folkloric and traditional Mexican dance classes organized into six groups. About 50 students are currently enrolled, Sumoza said. Theres a class for children as young as 4 years old and another for adults older than 34. There's also a group of mixed ages dancer who form their most advanced performing group. Local Salem residents have likely seen the group performing at the World Beat Festival. The group learns dances from all across Mexico. "Mexico is very diverse. People tend to focus on, when they think of Mexico, they might focus on mariachi, which is part of our culture, but we have more than that," Sumoza said. Every state has its own culture, its own food and traditions. Casa de la Cultura Tlanese teaches different dances, emphasizing learning the meaning behind the different traditional performances and costumes. Casa de la Cultura Tlanese performs a Sinaloa dance during Viva Salem on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Salem, Ore. The inaugural festival celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Sumoza gives credit to her mother, Maria Victoria Sumoza, known as "Dona Vicky," for working behind the scenes to make sure clothes are accurate and bringing general order to what can be a chaotic endeavor. Sumoza was born in Mexico City. Her family immigrated to Oregon in 1995 when she was six years old. Raised in Oregon, mostly in Salem, she remembers being part of Northwest Ballet Folklorico around 1997. The group disappeared as she and her peers became older, focused on other activities by the time they reached high school. She reconnected with dancers and started organizing performances for school assemblies at North Salem High School. "I've always been passionate about my culture, my identity," Sumoza said. As some of the dancers graduated, they organized performances at Chemeketa Community College, recruiting additional dancers as the years went on. The group got bigger and bigger until Sumoza said they decided to make the organization official in 2004. She was dedicated even as she attended Western Oregon University, the few years she spent away from Salem. Six years ago the organization moved into the space on Madison St. It is still relatively empty, the concrete floors only recently changed. They'll spend the rest of the month adding dance studio mirrors and brainstorming murals to add. Dec 12, 2023, Salem, Ore. "It takes a while. Takes money," Sumoza joked. She joined the Oregon Youth Authority a year ago as its statewide Hispanic Services Coordinator. It is another extension of the work she has been doing for two decades, Sumoza said, working with youth and helping them and the community connect to their culture and learn about where they come from and who they are. "Life puts you where you need to be," Sumoza said about joining the OYA. Suzoma is looking forward to expanding to feature plays in Spanish next year. "Anything that has to do with arts is very important, especially Latino arts. We want to bring more workshops," she said. Last month, they partnered with the Instituto Estatal de la Cultura de Guanajuato from Mexico and hosted a workshop to learn a style of music from Veracruz known as Son Jarocho. In August they also hosted their first dance competition. 29-year-old Rosa Gomez has been dancing with the group since she was 18. Gomez joined, she said, after seeing a performance. At the last World Beat Festival, she was able to dance with her mom on stage for the first time after her mom joined the adult group. Jackeline Perez, 22, and Jessica Perez, 20, are more recent members. Angel Martinez, 28, only joined a year ago, convinced for most of his youth and adulthood that he had two left feet, he joked. They referred to the group as a family, a place for anyone of all ages and for every member of a household to come and dance together. Suzoma said it has been exciting seeing some of the youth who joined Casa de la Cultura Tlanese grow into a new generation of leaders in the group. Board members consist of some of those first students. She said youth like her struggled to find a place in Oregon when the organization first started, but she hopes Casa de la Cultura Tlanese can continue being a space for Latino youth and adults. Her goal is continue nurturing a place they can call "our casa," she said. It will happen "poco a poquito," or little by little, Sumoza said. To learn more about the organization email casatlanese@gmail.com Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Meet our Mid-Valley: Teaching Mexican heritage in Oregon SAINT CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) All eyes are once again on the key battleground state of Michigan as the 2024 election season gets underway. This morning on NBC News Meet the Press, it was announced that the network was once again focusing on voters in Kent County during the year in a segment called The Deciders. Speaking to News 8 in suburban Detroit this week, moderator of Meet the Press Kristen Welker confirmed that NBC News will once again focus on voters in an area they look to as a barometer for the rest of the nation. Kent County will be one of the counties we will be focused on across the country. Our Shaquille Brewster will be spending a lot of time here staying in touch with the voters, Welker said. News 8s Brian Sterling with NBC News Kristen Welker. (Courtesy NBC) News 8s Brian Sterling with NBC News Kristen Welker. (Courtesy NBC) News 8s Brian Sterling with NBC News Kristen Welker. (Courtesy NBC) News 8s Brian Sterling with NBC News Kristen Welker. (Courtesy NBC) Kent County is one of seven communities across the country that NBC will focus on as the 2024 campaign gains momentum. Other communities included are in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida, Georgia and Arizona. Meet the Press first focused on Kent County in the 2020 election. Welker says the outsize attention is in an effort to better understand the issues that will define the presidential campaign. Kent County went for Mitt Romney then Trump then Biden. This is a suburban county thats a swing county. That tells us a lot about what those Romney/Trump/Biden voters are thinking, she said. Welker says Kent County reflects a vibrant mix of views, identities and beliefs. Are they energized to get out to vote or are some of them thinking about staying home? Welker wondered. That could give us real insight into how those independent more moderate voters vote in the general election. The veteran journalist also points to the states wide-open US Senate race as another contest that will see a lot of attention and money. I think theres going to be a lot of focus on the next US Senate race here. If you look at the polls it leans Democrat but there are a lot of Republicans with big name recognition, Welker said. That makes this seat in Michigan all the more critical for Democrats. Look for reports to start on Meet the Press in the new year. Meet the Press airs locally at 9 a.m. on Sundays on WOOD TV 8. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. ST. LOUIS Theres a good chance you or someone you know will debate whether films like Die Hard and Gremlins should be considered Christmas movies. Perhaps one movie based in St. Louis might also join the conversation. Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 film directed by Vincente Minnelli. The movie is staged around the 1904 Worlds Fair, offering glimpses of life during each of the four seasons. There are also many romance themes and musical numbers. Earlier this week, classic television network MeTV published a story about Meet Me in St. Louis that also included an interactive quiz. Before the quiz, MeTV states can technically be classified as a Christmas movie, right? Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Theres one particular scene that could support this argument. Judy Garland, starring as the main character Esther Smith, sings a tune called Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. It comes with heartfelt emotion and around a tough decision she must make on whether to move to New York after the holidays. No, Santas not in it. But for about ten minutes, the movie perfectly captures what can be a sometimes-melancholy feeling during the holiday season, said MeTV. So, we declare its a Christmas movie. Meet Me in St. Louis is roughly two hours long, so the Christmas themes arent overwhelming. But the MeTV staff stands by its classification as a holiday film, also citing several vignettes and climaxes on Christmas. With all of this in mind, FOX 2 asked ChatGPT, What classifications must be met for a film to be considered a Christmas movie? We were told, defining a Christmas movie can be subjective, but there are at least seven elements to consider Setting Symbols Soundtrack Themes Traditions Atmosphere Genre (Aside from holiday classifications) Screencraft.org, a website with resources for aspiring filmmakers, also shared a blog last year suggesting that Christmas movies should have Seven Essential Ingredients. Among those, include Nostalgia Magic Family Atmosphere Holiday Tropes & Cliches Hope Redemption Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Have these considerations changed your perspective as to if Meet Me in St. Louis is a Christmas movie? Its worth pointing out, others have tackled this debate well before MeTV. These were among the arguments IN SUPPORT Only about 25 minutes of the film takes place during Christmas, but it is one of the best holiday sequences in cinema history, said Times of San Diego in 2017. Only part of the film takes place during the Christmas holiday, but that section leaves the largest impact, said Nerdist.com in 2020. IN OPPOSITION Technically, Meet Me in St. Louis, based on Sally Bensons Kensington Stories, is not strictly a Christmas movie. The film takes place over the course of a whole year, said The Film Magazine in 2021. While not strictly a Christmas movie in itself, Meet Me in St. Louis is often cited as one and, nonetheless, definitely teaches us to be in the holiday spirit all year round, said The Viewers Commentary in 2011. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. At least six men around the country were freed this week after being wrongfully convicted of serious crimes that put them behind bars for a combined 180-plus years. The string of overturned convictions came just in time for the holidays. But their releases are also part of a trend: According to the National Registry of Exonerations, the number of people being exonerated for charges like drug possession, homicide or sexual assault has spiked over the last several years. The prisoners freed this week were all men of color who were teens or young adults at the time of their supposed crimes. Here are their stories. Marvin Haynes, 35, is hugged by supporters as he walks out of the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Stillwater on Monday, Dec. 11. Marvin Haynes, 35, is hugged by supporters as he walks out of the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Stillwater on Monday, Dec. 11. Faulty Eyewitness Evidence Marvin Haynes was just 16 when he was arrested for the shooting death of 55-year-old Harry Randy Sherer at a Minneapolis flower shop during an attempted robbery in 2004. Police interrogated the teen for hours while he denied having hurt anybody or even having been into the flower shop. He had no reason to rob anybody, he said. But he was found guilty the following year and sentenced to life in prison. One eyewitness claimed to recognize Haynes as the gunman after previously saying it was another man who, as it turned out, was in another state at the time of the killing. Mr. Haynes conviction rested almost exclusively on eyewitness identification, Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement, adding that there was no DNA, fingerprint or video evidence tying Haynes to the crime. To Marvin Haynes: You lost the opportunity to graduate from high school, attend prom, have relationships, attend weddings and funerals, and be with your family during holidays. For that, I am so deeply sorry. And for that, I commit to correcting other injustices and to making sure that we do not participate in making our own, Moriarty said. A Hennepin County judge signed an order setting aside Haynes conviction on Monday. I just want people to know that I am innocent. I was innocent from the very beginning, Haynes told CNN the day after his release. And Im just happy that people just recognize it and understand my story. Four Decades Behind Bars A pair of cousins, Jimmy Soto and David Ayala, were young adults when they were arrested and charged with the 1981 murders of two teenagers in Chicago. A drive-by shooting in the citys Pietrowski Park left 16-year-old Julie Limas and 18-year-old Marine Hector Valeriano dead of gunshot wounds. A third person, an alleged gang member, was injured nearby. Soto and Ayala received life sentences despite a lack of physical evidence linking either to the crime. A man who said he was the getaway driver served as a states witness in the case against the cousins. While in prison, Soto earned a bachelors degree as part of Northwestern Universitys Prison Education Program and plans to attend law school, he told CNN. He said hes already taken the LSAT. If theres somebody sitting in a cell, male or female, who feels all hope is lost, its my hope I can reach back and help one of them, Soto told NBC Chicago. The two are believed to be the longest-held wrongfully convicted people in Illinois state history, according to CBS Chicago. Two Teens Blamed For Two Crimes Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced this week that two men, Miguel Solario and Giovanni Hernandez, would be released after being wrongfully imprisoned for separate crimes. Solario was arrested for a drive-by shooting that left 81-year-old Californian Mary Bramlett dead in 1998. Los Angeles prosecutors alleged that Solario, who was 19 at the time, had been in the car with several gang members. He received a life sentence. Miguels 25 years of wrongful incarceration shows how important it is for law enforcement to follow all leads and avoid tunnel vision, to present witnesses with a particular suspect only one time, and to recognize that, according to the new scientific consensus, when witnesses dont identify the suspect, it points to their innocence, Sarah Pace, an attorney for Solario, said in a statement. Pace works for the Northern California Innocence Project, which helped with the case. Hernandez was just 14 years old when he was arrested for a drive-by Culver City shooting in 2006 that killed 16-year-old Gary Ortiz. The teen was sentenced to die in prison for a crime he did not commit, Marisa Harris, an attorney in his case, said in a statement. Harris works for the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic at Loyola Law School. These cases not only highlight the tragic impact on the lives of those directly affected but also underline the impact to the family and friends left behind, Gascon said. I am committed to ensuring that lessons are learned from this grave error, he added, and that steps are taken to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future. Ready To Begin Life Again Chicago man Brian Beals spent 35 years behind bars after he was wrongfully convicted in the killing of a 6-year-old boy. On Tuesday, Beals walked out of prison after a judge vacated his sentence and dismissed all charges, The Associated Press reported. In 1988, when Beals was a 22-year-old college student, he got into an altercation with a drug dealer before getting in his car and driving away. While driving away, someone fired a gun in Beals direction and hit the boy and his mother. Beals was later convicted of murder despite several witnesses saying they saw someone else fire the gun. His conviction was overturned thanks in part to the Illinois Innocence Project, which found five witnesses to confirm that Beals wasnt the shooter. Relief, happiness, it was just amazing to walk out of there, Beals told The Associated Press following his release. Im ready to begin life again. Related... COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Two men were injured within minutes of each other in separate shootings early Sunday morning. The first, reported at 1:52 a.m., occurred in the 3000 block of East Livingston Avenue in east Columbus. According to a release from Columbus police, officers found an adult male with an upper-body gunshot wound. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital, and he is expected to survive his injuries. This embedded content is not available in your region. At 1:59 a.m. in the Somerset neighborhood just south of Easton Town Center, a shooting was reported on the 3200 block of Plum Creek Drive. There, a man said he was approached by two male suspects who yelled something to him before shooting at him, police said. The victim was also taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. This embedded content is not available in your region. Police did not have suspect information for either shooting but asked anyone with information about to call the Columbus Police Felony Assault Unit at 614-645-4141. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Several lesbians and one transgender woman were in a group of friends, that was viciously assailed in Wynwood, Fla., following an event held on Nov. 26. Video obtained by police shows two men verbally accosting the women before they began throwing punches. One woman in the video was punched three times before being knocked unconscious. Others pleaded with the men to stop, while warning that they had contacted law enforcement. Another man intervened at one point to stand up for the women and was then also targeted by the attackers. "This group of guys, basically, they just started screaming stuff at us, anti-lesbian comments, like, 'youre only lesbians because you havent received actual' and he used a profanity word ... out of nowhere," one of the women told local television station WTVJ. One victim described being struck in the jaw, which left her with a hairline fracture that may require surgery, as well as recurring nightmares about "seeing my friend on the floor non-responsive with blood." Many of them said that they were "targeted" for their sexuality. I definitely felt targeted for sure, I mean they were definitely trying to hate on the fact that we were gay. I don't know why, I don't understand to this day why," said one victim. The victims said that they believe the men who attacked them are professional fighters, and that they gave police the identity of one of them. Miami Police told the outlet that they are investigating the attack as a potential hate crime. "We are actively working on the case. ... We are working with our LGBTQ+ liaison and SAO hate crime task force. We have to make sure we have everything lined up before we initiate our arrest(s)," a spokesperson told the outlet. Given the nature of the crime, the victims said it is "concerning" that no arrests had been made at the time. Local authorities told The Advocate that no arrests have been made, but they are still actively investigating the incident. In the most recent migration disaster off the coast of North Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that a boat carrying dozens of people went down near Libya, and their bodies have not been recovered. According to a statement released on Saturday, December 16, by the IOM's Libya office, the 61 individuals' deaths are attributed to the strong waves that engulfed their ship shortly after it departed from Zuwara on the northwest coast of Libya, as reported by the Guardian. The sailboat apparently left Zuwara's coast sometime between December 13 and 14. As per those who managed to escape, the confirmed passenger list was about 86. The majority of the victims in the most recent event were women and children from several African nations, including Nigeria and the Gambia. There were 25 individuals rescued and sent to a detention center in Libya. An IOM team gave medical support, and all survivors were reported to be in excellent health. Libya and Tunisia are major launch sites for risky boat trips to Europe via Italy. Also Read: Over 1,600 Migrants Reach Spanish Canary Islands, Packed Boat Carries 320 'Not Enough Is Being Done' A representative from the IOM, Flavio Di Giacomo, said on X that 2,250 individuals had lost their lives in the central Mediterranean migrant route this year. He said this is a "dramatic figure which demonstrates that unfortunately not enough is being done to save lives at sea.". On June 14, the fishing vessel Adriana capsized while transporting 750 passengers from Libya to Italy in international waters off the coast of southwest Greece. People from Syria, Pakistan, and Egypt were among the majority of passengers. The number of survivors was 104, with only 82 corpses later found. According to the United Nations refugee agency, over 153,000 people fled their homes in Libya and Tunisia and sought asylum in Italy this year. Libya has become a haven for people traffickers, who are accused of extortion and enslavement, due to the more than a decade of turmoil that has occurred there since the tyrant Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in a NATO-backed revolution. In an interview with the Guardian, Di Giacomo said, "While it is undeniably a criminal act by human traffickers to send a boat full of people in stormy seas at this time of year, it is also crucial for European authorities to monitor the Mediterranean, especially during this period. We have been saying it for years. This route lacks a proper monitoring system, and this often results in such tragedies." In her campaign last year, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised to crack down on illegal immigration. Meloni hailed the Italian government's announcement on November 6 of intentions to create centers in Albania to receive asylum seekers as a historic agreement with Tirana to regulate migrant flows. Nevertheless, the new agreement was anticipated to be ratified by parliament when the constitutional court of Albania postponed those proceedings. Also Read: US Border Crisis: Over 12,000 Migrants Cross the Border- Highest Daily Total Ever @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Met says it's "not realistic" for officers to attend every shoplifting incident Fewer than half of shoplifting reports in London are being attended by the police, new data has shown. Met Police statistics show that between April 2022 and April 2023 38% of shoplifting-related calls were attended by officers. Caroline Pidgeon, a Liberal Democrat assembly member, called on the government to tackle the gangs behind "shoplifting rings". The Home Office said "neighbourhood crimes" have been driven down. The Met's data shows that the percentage of shoplifting reports attended by police since April 2023 had improved to 44% by the end of September. But the rate has not been above 50% since at least 2018, the data showed. 'Not a victimless crime' Ms Pidgeon said: "Shoplifting is at epidemic levels in London now, with many business owners feeling like it has all but been decriminalised and many retail staff increasingly being put in harm's way." She said shoplifting is not a "victimless crime" that does a "huge amount of damage to our local businesses". A Met spokesperson said it was "not realistic" for officers to attend every incident of shoplifting due to demand and that deployment is prioritised in instances where it may become "heated or violent". "A London-wide roll-out of Operation Retail is now in place, following a successful pilot, allowing more effective and stream-lined reporting of shoplifting where no offender has been detained or violence occurred," they added. A Home Office spokesperson said the policing minister has told forces in England and Wales to take a zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting. "Our Retail Crime Action Plan will drive down criminal behaviour and improve public confidence in the police response when it does occur," they said. A spokesman for London mayor Sadiq Khan said City Hall is "working to plug the gap" in Met funding "against the backdrop of huge national cuts". A source close to Mr Khan said: "He would welcome the Lib Dems joining him in making the case for the Government to properly fund our police." Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) on Sunday argued theres a lot that has to be done for President Biden to win back Muslim voters ahead of the 2024 election as some voters raise calls to abandon Biden over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Asked on NBC Newss Meet the Press if Biden can do anything to win back these voters, Dingell said, So theres a lot that has to be done, and this is a very serious issue. Dingell said she knows the community of Muslim voters, having lived 40 years in Dearborn, Mich., the city with the largest Arab American population in the U.S. They are hurting. All of us in this country need to understand whats happening in Gaza right now, she continued. You can fight about how many thousands of people have been killed, but 6,000 to 8,000 children have been killed, 85 percent of the people in Gaza have had to leave their homes, theyre living in shelters. Dingell reiterated a call for a cease-fire and a unified push for a two-state solution after the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas ends. Dingell joins a growing chorus of political figures calling for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the rising death toll and exacerbated humanitarian crisis. Fighting has continued for more than two months since Hamass Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that left about 1,200 people dead, including hundreds of civilians. Israels retaliatory campaign against Hamas, which controls Gaza, has left more than 18,700 people dead, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The Biden administration has remained steadfast in its support of Israels right to defend itself while also recently upping calls on Israel to actively try to minimize civilian deaths. The Hill spoke with Muslim voters in various parts of the U.S. last month who said they feel betrayed and disappointed with Bidens handling of the conflict and continued support for Israel. Earlier this month, leaders from Michigan and other swing states pledged to ditch support for Biden over his refusal to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. One of the organizers of this push, Minneapolis-based Jaylani Hussein, told The Associated Press that Bidens actions have widely damaged his relationship with American Muslim voters, with many angry that they chose to vote for Biden in the 2020 election. The effects may already be showing themselves through polling numbers. A CNN poll released last week showed Trump with a 10-point lead over Biden in Michigan, a significant shift from 2020, when Biden carried the state. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A middle school teacher in Maryland has been placed on leave for using a controversial pro-Palestine email signature. Hajur El-Haggan spoke with CNNs Victor Blackwell after the incident, explaining that said she included the phrase from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free in her work email signature for advocacy reasons. El-Haggan said she included it to stand up for injustice and freedom as a way of showing she believes in freedom and justice and, just, rights for all people. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) calls the slogan antisemitic and says it is commonly featured in anti-Israel campaigns. This rallying cry has long been used by anti-Irsael voices, including supporters of terrorist operations such as Hamas and the PFLP, which seek Israels destruction through violent means, the ADL said online. Blackwell asked El-Haggan what her intention was in including the message if she knew it was antisemitic and called for the erasure of Jews. I think just like any political slogan or statement, it can have some controversy around it, she said in response. But I think whats important is to go to its intended meaning and the intended meaning is the freedom and justice for the Palestinians and just for oppressed people in general. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a discrimination complaint on behalf of El-Haggan, CNN previously reported. According to the Montgomery County School District, they ask employees to abstain from including political statements in their email signatures. Haggans lawyer, Zanah Ghalawanji, said the issue they have with the schools actions is because they are not applying the same standards to everyone. We had other teachers who were including political slogans in their email signatures at school, from Black Lives Matter to slogans revolving around the LGBTQ movement and Hajur was the only one who was disciplined for her email signature, she said. Ghalawanji added that were seeing a pattern right now, where Arab and Muslim employees are disciplined at work over policies that are being disproportionately applied to them whereas other employees are not. This is a way to punish Arab and Muslim employees who are speaking out for their freedom and for their dignity and so thats why we filed this complaint, she said. El-Haggan offered to remove the phrase from her signature if it meant she could start teaching again but the school said she would be on leave while it investigates. The Hill has reached out to the school district for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Military skirmishes were reported near Russias Terebreno village on the border with Ukraine, Ukraines Main Directorate of Intelligence wrote on Dec. 17. As a result of the attack carried out by opponents of the Kremlin regime in the Belgorod region, a platoon stronghold of Russian troops was destroyed, the military intelligence, known as HUR, wrote. Terebreno, Belgorod Oblast, is located 2 kilometers north of the border with Ukraine and is home to around 600 people. Ukraines military intelligence didnt reveal what forces fighting on Ukraines side were responsible for the attack, hinting that it could have been one of the Russian battalions employed by Kyiv. Earlier, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that fighting is ongoing in Terebreno. According to preliminary information, there is shooting on the border of the village, Gladkov said. There is damage to power lines in several villages. The Kyiv Independent couldnt independently verify this information. This isnt the first time fighting occurs in Russias regions bordering Ukraine. On May 22, a group of armed men calling themselves the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps recorded videos saying they had crossed into Russia and taken hold of several villages. The attacks on the villages continued for over a day, with the Russian Volunteer Corps, and its leader Denis Kapustin, holding a press conference not far from the border with Russia on May 24. Despite promising further incursions into Russian territory, the attacks on bordering villages have been a rare occasion ever since. Read also: Belgorod incursion: Meet the anti-Kremlin militia behind the attack inside Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Minnesota state Rep. Leigh Finke and members of the legislature's Queer Caucus hold a press conference at the State Capitol on December 7, 2023, about the killing of Savannah Williams. By Rikki Klaus, CNN (CNN) Prosecutors in Minneapolis are investigating whether the killing of a transgender woman last month should be charged as a hate crime, as local activists said the death has amplified safety concerns for some in the citys transgender community. Savannah Williams was shot in the head on November 29, and a man has been charged with second-degree murder in her death, according to a criminal complaint. If the investigation reveals sufficient evidence to prove bias motivation beyond a reasonable doubt, we would prosecute accordingly, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told CNN in a statement. The suspect, identified as Damarean Kaylon Bible, 25, admitted to investigators he shot Williams in the head from mere inches away following a sexual encounter, according to the complaint, which notes he faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. CNN has sought comment from Bibles attorney. Williams sister, Gabrielle Stillday, described her at a news conference last week as a beautiful soul with a big heart who was loved by her family. Savannah is our superstar, Stillday said, adding, Savannah meant the world to me and my kids. Williams was of Native American and Cuban descent, according to her family. Minnesota state Rep. Leigh Finke, who is the first transgender woman to be elected to the states legislature, said she finds it hard to imagine that this crime is not related to Savannahs Two-Spirit, trans identity. Some Native American people who are members of the LGBTQ community use the term two-spirit to self-identify. The umbrella term, which emerged in the 1990s, refers to people in many Indigenous and Native American groups who historically had both a masculine and feminine spirit, and who filled specialized social and spiritual roles. Traditionally, Native American two-spirit people were male, female, and sometimes intersexed individuals who combined activities of both men and women with traits unique to their status as two-spirit people, the US Department of Health and Human Servicess Indian Health Service website states. Finke, who also serves as the chair of the legislatures Queer Caucus, acknowledged its up to prosecutors and investigators to determine whether the incident was a hate crime, but said she supports the efforts of advocates and Williams family to raise awareness about her death. Finke said Williams killing adds to two other violent attacks against transgender people in Minneapolis this year. This is the third high-profile (case of) violence in Minneapolis against queer and trans communities, Finke told CNN. There was another assault at a train station very close to where Savannah was murdered, of a trans woman. The pattern of attacks in Minneapolis has created a sense of fear and tension in the community, according to Amber Muhm, an outreach specialist with The Aliveness Project, an organization in Minneapolis supporting people living with or at high risk of HIV. It 100% is a hate crime, Muhm said. We need to be able to walk down the street and be safe. We need to be able to exist in public and not constantly be afraid for our lives. Muhm said Williams had attended the organizations Tea Time support group for trans women and trans femmes, which Muhm co-leads. Savannah was a loving partner, family member, and friend. She was full of life, wickedly smart, kind and tender, The Aliveness Project said in a statement on Instagram. The loss of yet another member of our trans community is a source of deep pain for all of us, it added. CNNs Nicole Chavez and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. The woman elected Miss France 2024 has framed her victory as a win for "diversity", drawing praise for her short hair as well as predictable criticism from viewers of the beauty pageant which has faced accusations of sexism. "No one should dictate who you are," declared 20-year-old Eve Gilles, who was the only contestant in this year's competition whose hair was cropped short. "We're used to seeing beautiful Misses with long hair, but I chose an androgynous look with short hair," she said after her victory Saturday night, adding that every "woman is different, we're all unique." The woman from a village near Dunkirk in northern France was elected in the city of Dijon in front of 5,000 pageant fans. Half the score was determined by viewers, the other half by a jury of seven women. On social media, many viewers reacted with delight, batting down criticism that portrayed her selection as politicised. "Maybe the new #MissFrance isn't gorgeous in your eyes, but seeing wokeism in her because she has short hair.... It's just ridiculous," said one admirer of the new Miss France on X. "Eve Gilles is the new Miss France 2024, your malicious and useless criticisms won't change that, she's sublime," said another X user. - 'Just as sexist' - Gilles's victory comes less than a week after a court ordered a French broadcaster and television production house to compensate two previous Miss France finalists for secretly filming them and showing their bare breasts on air. Both women, the court found, had been filmed in changing rooms "without their being informed". Alexia Laroche-Joubert, chief executive of Banijay France which owns the Miss France brand, defended the pageant as a symbol of "success" and a "social elevator" for contestants who have later become "businesswomen, doctors or film directors". The contest's criteria have been "modernised", she said, in that there is no longer an age limit for participants, who can now also be married or transgender. To critics, however, the pageant's evolution has been insufficient. Melinda Bizri of the Human Rights League in Dijon, which called for a boycott of the ceremony, called the cosmetic changes "feminist-washing." "Women have been abusing themselves all their lives to achieve these phantasmagorical criteria, according to patterns that take a very long time to deconstruct," she said. "Miss France is still just as sexist in the way it classifies women according to beauty criteria," added Violaine de Filippis, spokesperson the for Dare Feminism! association. lv/juf/chv/tym/ser A grand jury has decided not to criminally indict a police officer who shot an 11-year-old boy in Indianola, Mississippi, earlier this year. Aderrien Murry was shot in the chest by local officer Greg Capers, who was responding to a domestic disturbance call at his home on May 20. Officer Greg Capers (right) will not face charges in the shooting of 11-year-old Aderrien Murry m, who was reportedly shot by Capers during a domestic disturbance call at his home. (Photos: Facebook) According to Murrys mother, Nakala Murry, she instructed Aderrien to call the police because the father of another one of her children arrived at her home irate around 4 a.m. that day. Murry said that when Capers arrived, he already had his gun drawn and asked those inside the house to come out. Other officers were reportedly also beating and kicking on the door. She said her son was complying with Capers orders, but when he walked around the corner of a hallway into the living room, Capers saw movement and fired a shot from the outside of the house, which struck Aderrien in the chest. The 11-year-old suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a lacerated liver as a result. He had to be placed on a ventilator but survived his wounds and was released from the hospital a few days after the shooting. Aderriens mother and the familys lawyer, Carlos Moore, were allowed to review bodycam footage of the shooting, but a judge sided with the city of Indianola to seal the footage from public view. Moore filed a petition against the sealing. Capers has been suspended from the force without pay while the department conducts a full investigation into the shooting. The family filed a federal lawsuit a few weeks after the shooting, demanding a trial and millions of dollars in damages. They argued that Indianola police chief Ronald Sampson and Officer Greg Capers breached their duty to monitor, care for, and provide necessary safety to all civilians by deliberately shooting an unarmed 11-year-old. The complaint also notes inaction on the part of the Indianola Police Department to penalize Capers following other numerous complaints connected to incidents of abuse and excessive force. While the grand jury has spoken, we firmly believe that there are unanswered questions and that the shooting of Aderrien Murry was not justified, Moore said of the grand jury decision. We are committed to seeking justice for Aderrien and his family, and we will persist in our efforts to ensure accountability through the civil legal process. Michael Carr, Capers attorney, says Capers feels the grand jury made the right decision. Sgt. Capers is relieved at the result, and he is glad that the citizens of Sunflower County reached the fair and correct result, Carr said. He is looking forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Sunflower County and the city of Indianola. The family plans to file a second lawsuit next month in Sunflower County Circuit Court. The former momfluencer Ruby Franke will plead guilty to charges related to child abuse. 8 Passengers/YouTube Ruby Franke's lawyer said she will plead guilty to charges related to child abuse. She will also accuse her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, of taking "advantage" of her. Police arrested both women in August after a child escaped from their care. Ruby Franke, the former momfluencer who was arrested in August and charged with child abuse shortly after, will plead guilty, her lawyer says. Franke, who once ran the popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which followed the lives of her, her husband Kevin, and their six children, was charged with 6 felonies after her 12-year-old son climbed through a window to get help for himself and his 10-year-old sister. At the time, police described the child as emaciated and injured, with duct tape around his ankles and wrists. Franke's business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, received the same charges because the children were staying at her house. Franke will plead guilty on Monday at Utah's Washington County Fifth District Court, her lawyer, LaMar Winward, said in a statement Saturday, ABC News reported. ABC reported that Winward described Franke as a devoted mother and claimed Hildebrandt had "manipulated" her. Hildebrandt has faced allegations of misconduct, including leaking confidential information about a client to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which led to an 18-month probation on her therapy license. Hildebrandt's niece has also accused her of child abuse, describing similar punishments to what Franke's children endured. "Initially, Ms. Franke believed that Jodi Hildebrandt had the insight to offer a path to continual improvement," Winward said in a statement, according to ABC News. "Ms. Hildebrant took advantage of this quest and twisted it into something heinous." Winward said Hildebrandt "systematically isolated" Franke "from her extended family, older children, and her husband, Kevin Franke." "This prolonged isolation resulted in Ms. Franke being subjected to a distorted sense of morality," he said. Since her arrest, Franke has been "actively engaged in an introspection that has allowed her to reset her moral compass and understand the full weight of her actions," the statement continued. The statement said Franke is "committed to taking responsibility for the part she played" in the events. In Utah, the definition of aggravated child abuse includes starvation, broken bones, head injuries from hitting or shaking, and suffocation. If intentionally inflicted, the perpetrator could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. 8 Passengers had 2.5 million subscribers at its peak Ruby and Kevin Franke in a video from their defunct channel. 8 Passengers/YouTube The 8 Passengers family-vlog channel had about 2.5 million subscribers at its peak, but it was taken offline earlier this year. The family has also faced allegations of child abuse in some cases from their children and criticism over their content and parenting style for years. The Frankes denied the allegations in a 2020 interview with Business Insider, but the channel never recovered. Franke then created a new channel, ConneXions, with Hildebrandt. Before it was removed from YouTube, ConneXions described itself as a mom's "support group." The channel claimed to "help treat those lost and stranded in the darkness of distortion which addictions, fear, sadness, and all other self-destructive behaviors derive from," but has been criticized as damaging, extreme, and authoritarian in its teachings. Franke's husband, Kevin, was not arrested with his wife because he was not living with her at the time. Since Franke's arrest, Kevin's attorney, Randy Kester, has said Kevin had no knowledge of the abuse his children experienced because he was forced to move out of the family home. He has also made similar claims about Hildebrandt. In a recent statement, Kester said Hildebrandt had brainwashed and forced Kevin into isolation when she became the family's counselor. Kevin filed for divorce from his wife in November. Kester told BI in an email that the purpose of the divorce is to "dissolve the marriage, as amicably as possible, to sever the legal bonds of the marital relationship, to get an equitable division of the marital assets and to establish an order of custody." Kester said the juvenile-court system is determining custody of the Frankes' children. "For now, at least, Kevin and I are following the direction of the juvenile court orders with regard to custody and parent time," he said. BI has reached out to Winward for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Eric Chen, shown inside Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel, is a pastor and speech and debate coach at Gabrielino High School. He helped survivors of the Monterey Park mass shooting gain access to necessary resources, such as mental health counseling. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Eric Chen never met Yu Lun Kao. But in February, he helped bury the 72-year-old ballroom dancer known to his friends as "Mr. Nice." Kao, who went by Andy, was shielding his longtime dance partner from the hail of bullets when he was killed during the shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. He'd been a fixture in the dance community since immigrating from Taiwan two decades ago. Chen is a Taiwanese pastor in San Gabriel. His mother worked for Kao's older brother and sister-in-law in the 1990s, which made the Jan. 21 Monterey Park massacre "not just news you read about." "It felt surreal that a tragedy like this would affect a family that I've known for 30 years," Chen told The Times. "That's where the tragedy hits even closer to home." After the shooting, Chen served as the liaison among Kao's family, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu's office and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. Chu and Taiwanese Director General Amino Chi spoke at Kao's funeral. Read more: Can a play solve the mystery of the Monterey Park mass shooter? Survivors arent sure So did Chen, who translated the funeral sermon from Chinese to English and brought Kao's old friends to tears. "I want to exhort all of us, including myself, to take advantage of every opportunity available to spread this peace and shalom so that the hatred that caused the tragedy in Monterey Park will dissipate all around us," Chen told the mourners. Chen first got involved in the San Gabriel Valley dance community in December 2021, when a friend, who was active in the Latin dance scene, wanted to rent out Star Ballroom for a dance social. Chens friend was hitting resistance because Maria Liang, the owner of the dance studio, was concerned the dancers would trash the place. Chen got involved and spoke with her in Mandarin to persuade her to rent out the venue. Chen danced at Star a few more times over the years and was added to a WeChat group with several hundred others in the region's dance community. He had planned to go to the Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park and then attend the party at Star Dance. But his girlfriend wanted to eat some hot pot in San Gabriel instead, so they shifted gears. That night, messages started pouring into the WeChat group. It was how Chen learned that there had been a shooting. Star Ballroom? What's going on? Is Mr. Ma OK? A woman pays her respects at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting outside Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Jan. 24 in Monterey Park, Calif. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Chen posted information from social media or local politicians into the group chat. He helped survivors get their belongings back, the car keys and passports they'd abandoned at Star Dance when they fled to safety. Read more: Terror at Monterey Park dance studio: What we know about Lunar New Year mass shooting Chen saw that the Langley Senior Citizen Center had been set up as a resource center for victims, but that the information wasnt being offered in other languages online. So he translated it from English to Chinese and directed survivors to the center. I tried to be that glue, because as you know, its an immigrant community, he said. Theres a language barrier so I was just trying to bridge that gap. Chen was the thread that connected the group of about 40 survivors with representatives from the county, the state and even the White House. During President Biden's visit to Monterey Park, Chen helped reach out to survivors and families of the deceased to make sure they were invited. Shally, whose dance partner died in the shooting and who witnessed the shooting, pays her respects at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting outside Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Jan. 24 in Monterey Park, Calif. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Chen saw a gap between what service providers were offering and what the victims could navigate. Survivors were trying to get money from the California Victim Compensation Board, the agency that provides up to $70,000 to victims of violence. Victims have to fill out forms that include proof of crime-related expenses such as mental health treatment, income loss or job training. But some of the survivors had trouble figuring out how to do that. Chen tried to help the survivors as best he could by answering their questions, providing translation and helping them get the necessary paperwork for compensation. Youre already going through this trauma, Chen said.The last thing you need is for them to try to get all the paperwork and try to call the doctors and say, Hey do you have my confirmation that I was shot in the leg?" Chen also met Lloyd Gock, who survived the massacre, through the WeChat group. Right after the shooting, Gock called Chen, saying that he was having nightmares and couldnt sleep. He texted Chen throughout the night, until 2 or 3 a.m. Chen was there for Gock during the immediate crisis but also stressed that he isnt a licensed clinician. He encouraged Gock to go to the Langley Center to seek professional help. Eric Chen, a San Gabriel pastor and speech and debate coach at Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, helped the survivors of the Monterey Park mass shooting get access to necessary resources, such as mental health counseling. He is shown at Church of Our Savior on Wednesday in San Gabriel. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Gock went to a few counseling sessions at first, but eventually stopped, he told The Times. He said he wants to go back because he's "quietly traumatized" by what happened. Life after the tragedy hasn't been the same. Sometimes, Gock said, he will forget to lock his door or drive to a restaurant and accidentally leave his car engine on. Other times, he'll feel afraid to walk through the parking lot back to his house because it's dark. He lost motivation to work and his clothing company suffered. "The things that have to do with my business, have to do with my memory, sometimes my temper. Im not that great," he said. "I end up picking up fights with people. I get irritated very easily. And Im sure that has something to do with it." Read more: Authorities identify 72-year-old man as suspected gunman in Lunar New Year mass shooting Chens main focus has been on de-stigmatizing mental health for older Asian immigrants. He and Gock started a monthly support group for survivors. The first meeting took place in April. The survivors have opened up about what happened to them. Some say they're still struggling with trauma but have gone back to dancing. Others prefer to go on walks or to the gym to stay active. Some don't say much at all. We were able to create a space for people to share and to talk about whatever it is they want to talk about, Chen said. In that sense, its a formation of a new family, a new community in and of itself. The group hasn't met since the summer, but Chen is hoping to set up another meeting in the next few weeks to celebrate Christmas, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the shooting. Chen helped organize a Feb. 3 news conference with nonprofit organizations, such as Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-based Violence, Family Keepers and Love and Conflict Peacemaking Ministries. He invited Chu's office and had psychologists and attorneys speak. The event, called "Reflection on the Chinese American Shooting Incident," was held at the SunnyDay Adult Day Health Care in El Monte. A woman prays at the memorial for 11 people who died in a mass shooting during Lunar New Year celebrations outside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park on Jan. 26. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) I think that as a pastor in the community who spoke Chinese, he could reach some people that would otherwise have been reluctant to talk about the trauma that theyve gone through, Rep. Chu said. They werent reaching out to people, they kept to themselves and it took them a while to recognize that they really needed to talk to others about their situation. Chen has persuaded some of the survivors to go to counseling by saying that, if they want to apply for compensation or if theres ever a lawsuit, they need to prove they were traumatized. Its a year later and the cameras are gone for the most part, but the recovery for the people directly affected by it, its gonna take years and years and years to walk alongside them, he said. This is something thats going to affect people for the rest of their lives. Chen has been trying to take his own advice and has dialed back his involvement in the community for the sake of his mental health. He said he "hit a wall about a month ago and felt overwhelmed. Chen is still getting himself out of it. To unwind, he bought a season pass to Magic Mountain. Hes been to one therapy session and even that, he said, took a lot of his energy. Im in the situation," he said, "where Ive come to realize Ive experienced vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout." 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. One month from now, the Midwestern state of Iowa kicks off the US 2024 primary season, and Donald Trump will discover whether he has an insurmountable lead for the Republican presidential nomination, or opponents can spring a surprise. Four criminal indictments are pending against Trump, putting the former president at risk of imprisonment. Still, he has one of the biggest poll advantages in modern times over Republican rivals at this point in a campaign. While they all are vying to run in next November's election as the party seeks to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden, Trump is dominating the race so far. "We're going to make America great again," Trump promises at his rallies, echoing the slogan that catapulted him to power in 2016. But as past US elections have shown, polls this far ahead of the vote should be viewed with caution. The real verdict comes in the intraparty nominating contests of various states, starting with the Iowa caucuses on January 15, when Trump hears from voters for the first time since leaving the White House. As tradition dictates, voters in the rural state of Iowa will open the primary season, as they have done since 1972, gathering in places like school gyms and fire stations to poll on their preferences at individual precinct meetings known as caucuses. - Haley and DeSantis vie - In Iowa as elsewhere, Trump still has a loyal base that brushes aside his legal troubles. "I don't even understand what the crime is," said Adam Miller, a 61-year-old farmer and Trump supporter whom AFP met in Makoqueta, a town in eastern Iowa near the Mississippi River. "I mean, if he's accused of murder or bribery... then that would change my mind." On January 15 at 7:00 pm, this dark-haired, bespectacled man will gather with residents of his community, a three-hour drive from Chicago, to fill out a ballot in the name of the billionaire, accused among other things of election interference and mishandling classified information. On that night, six other Republicans will be in the running to block Trump's path. Only two still seem to have a chance. They include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a conservative with hard-right positions on immigration and LGBT+ rights who has staked everything on Iowa, crisscrossing the state's 99 counties in the space of a few months. The 45-year-old can also count on the patronage of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis. While Reynolds remains popular among Republicans, Trump savaged her after she backed DeSantis, branding her "America's most unpopular governor." Support for DeSantis, a former naval officer, appears to have plummeted in recent months, which some blame on his occasional wooden demeanor and lack of charisma. Then there's former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, the new darling of the American right. The 51-year-old former governor of South Carolina has cut a different path with a more moderate stance on reproductive rights, aware that her party has suffered several electoral setbacks since the Supreme Court last year overturned the constitutional right to abortion. - New Hampshire, Nevada - Throughout the campaign, both Haley and DeSantis have employed fancy footwork to avoid direct attacks on Trump, for fear of offending his supporters. Both hover around 12 percent in the polls, a far cry from the former president's 60 percent. But observers are not ruling out the possibility either of them could spring a surprise and nibble away at the tempestuous Republican's dizzying lead. "Anything less than a huge victory means that Trump will look more vulnerable in the GOP nominating contest than observers, donors, and voters expected," Brown University political scientist Wendy Schiller told AFP. After Iowa, the electoral spotlight turns to New Hampshire, on the border with Canada, then to the casino state of Nevada, and South Carolina at the end of February. By June all 50 states will allocate their delegate quotas to candidates for July's Republican National Convention, which will nominate the party's flagbearer for the election. On the Democratic side, barring a huge surprise, incumbent Biden, 81, will be nominated in August at the party's convention in Chicago. This will occur despite repeated criticism about his age. Two candidates, congressman Dean Phillips and best-selling author Marianne Williamson, are challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination, but their chances are slim. cjc-tjj/mlm Russian President Vladimir Putin criticizes U.S. President Joe Biden's Russia attack on NATO claim. He said that what the American leader recently accused Moscow of is complete nonsense. Before Putin shared his statement, Joe Biden warned NATO countries that the Russian government could start attacking them if it ever wins the war against Ukraine. POTUS said this as he was trying to convince Republican Party figures to support the needed military and financial aid for Ukraine. Now, Putin has finally broken his silence regarding Bidern's accusation. Joe Biden's Russia Attack on NATO Claim Criticized by Vladimir Putin According to The Express UK's latest report, Vladimir Putin said that Joe Biden's recent warning about possible Russian attacks against NATO countries is complete nonsense. The Russian ruler said this during an interview with the Rossiya state television on Sunday, Dec. 17. "It is complete nonsense - and I think President Biden understands that," said the Russian leader via The New York Post. "Russia has no reason, no interest - no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with NATO countries," added Vladimir Putin. The Russian ruler also explained that Joe Biden only said those things against Moscow to justify his "mistaken policy" on Russia. Aside from this, Putin was also asked if Russia and the West would find common ground despite the widening divisions because of the Russia-Ukraine war and other geopolitical problems. "They will have to find common ground because they will have to reckon with us," replied the Russian president. During the interview, Vladimir Putin mentioned Finland's decision to join NATO. He said that all the disputes Russia had with the EU nation, such as territorial issues, were solved in the mid-20th century. However, since Finland decided to complete its NATO membership, Putin said there would be problems between Russia and Finland. The Russian ruler confirmed they would start creating the Leningrad military district and concentrate some of their military units in the area. Read Also: Allies Fear Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Killed by Kremlin After Suddenly Vanishing From Penal Colony Russia's Issues With Finland (Photo : SERGEY FADEICHEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) As of writing, Russia and Finland are also having issues on their own. In November, the EU announced that it had decided to close its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia. The Finnish government said that this is needed since Russia is allegedly forcing asylum seekers, who are mostly from the Middle East and Africa, toward its land. But, the conflict between Finland and Russia began because the Finnish government decided to join NATO in April. Experts argued that Finland joined NATO mainly because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which altered the country's security environment. Related Article: US Sanctions Russia's Weapons Suppliers China, Turkey, and UAE to Curb War Efforts @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. VILLAGE OF HOWARD As of Dec. 16, more than 30 dead geese have been found near Duck Creek Quarry, a number that is most likely to rise in the coming days, officials say. Humane Officer Matt Atkinson with Howard Animal Control is unsure of the cause, but said it's likely avian flu. The avian virus is highly contagious, Atkinson said, and the warmer weather is causing birds to congregate, which is helping it spread quickly. Official results from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be available on Wednesday. All of the deceased birds have been Canada geese, Atkinson said, but there was one report of a deceased pelican, which was disposed of before animal control could confirm that's what it was. So far, the issue is contained to Duck Creek Quarry. Animal Control first became aware of this issue when a Village of Howard resident notified animal control of dead geese in the water at the quarry on Dec. 11. When Atkinson responded, there was one sick goose and seven deceased. The dead geese were retrieved and the sick goose was taken for treatment. There is no indication that the deaths were caused by human activity. Howard Animal Control is checking the quarry daily for any sick or dead geese and removing them as needed. Coyote decoys have also been deployed in an effort to prevent large congregations of geese on the quarry. According to Animal Control, these measures are working and the number of dead and sick geese is lessening as the days go on. The Green Bay region, which includes Howard, is the largest freshwater estuary in the world. The region is an important refuge for Wisconsin birds and supports an abundance of breeding marsh birds as well as breeding and migratory waterfowl. What to do if you see a sick or deceased bird Howard Animal Control is asking residents to watch for sick or deceased birds. Report dead waterfowl, like ducks or geese, or any number of deceased birds of prey, such as hawks or falcons, regardless of the amount, to Howard Animal Control at 920-530-1044. If residents see wildlife in distress, call Animal Control immediately. Animal Control personnel are available 24 hours a day. Animal Control will continue to pick up deceased birds if requested; however they can also be double bagged and placed in trash for collection. Howard Animal Control also serves the surrounding communities of Suamico, Allouez, Bellevue and the Town of Pittsfield. Residents in these communities are also instructed to contact Animal Control with any concerns. More: Wetlands were everywhere on the Great Lakes, how one project is helping save them Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More than 30 dead geese found in Green Bay area quarry Alex Batty (pictured, right), with his mother, Melanie Batty, who is understood to be pursued by Interpol, and grandfather, David Batty Alex Battys mother is understood to be being hunted by Interpol after the teenage son claimed that she had moved to Finland to see the Northern Lights. The 17-year-old finally returned to the UK last night more than six years after he disappeared while on holiday near Marbella with his mother, Melanie Batty, then 37, and his grandfather David. Prosecutors in France said Alex had been found near Toulouse after escaping a rural community where he had been living with his mother and grandfather who had shunned modern life. Mother announced shed move to Finland They added that Alex had decided to leave when his mother announced that she had planned to move to Finland. An investigative source in Toulouse reportedly said that Alex claimed that Ms Batty had travelled to the Nordic country to see the Northern Lights and that the search for her is continuing across Europe. The Sun reported that the source added that the search was continuing in France as she has been placed here regularly over the years, and may well still be hiding in the countryside. Alex Batty, who is now 17, is believed to have been abducted by his mother six years ago - PA All kinds of information is circulating, and a lot of it does not add up. If she did travel to Finland, then she would absolutely have needed a passport. This would make tracing her journey relatively easy. Greater Manchester Police work with Interpol Greater Manchester Police are understood to be working with European agency Interpol to find her, according to the newspaper. The owners of a B&B in the Pyrenees claimed that Alex, whom they had known as Zack, had stayed with them on a number of occasions since the autumn of 2021, and had wanted to return to the UK to get the identity documents he needed to go to school. Frederic Hambye and Ingrid Beauve owned Gite de la Bastide, a B&B in Camps-sur-lAgly, claimed that they had offered to drive him to the British Consulate, but that he had told them he would find a way to return to the UK on his own to get new papers and go back to school. The B&B owners said in a statement they uploaded onto their website that they only discovered Alexs real name and full story in the press at the beginning of the week. Keen to help Mr Hambye and Ms Beauve claimed that the most recent time the teenager came to stay was at the beginning of this summer. We were keen to help him (although we didnt have parental authority since his family were in the area) and we encouraged him to learn French and study, they wrote. He was eager to go to school and get back to a normal life and for that, he needed his ID, they said, adding that he showed a certain aptitude for computers. Alex Batty's grandmother, Susan Caruana (pictured), is now his legal guardian - PA They claimed that Alex left them the previous weekend to this end and to join his mother. The couple claimed that they reiterated to him that he would always be welcome and that if needed, we were there to help him. Grandmother campaigned for safe return of grandson Susan Caruana, his grandmother and legal guardian, spent years appealing for the safe return of her grandson ever since he first disappeared aged 11. Her daughter had asked to take Alex on a family holiday to Spain along with her father and Ms Caruanas ex-husband, David, and his grandmother agreed despite concerns. Ms Caruana said in 2018 she believed Alex may have been taken to Morocco as part of his mothers pursuit of an alternative lifestyle. He was found at 2am on Thursday by a lorry driver by the side of the road after spending days hiking across the Pyrenees mountains. Mother wanted place to live in community Mr Hambye and Ms Beauve said that when the teenager, his mother and grandfather, first approached them Alex was looking for a place to stay in a WorkAway type formula in which he contributed to the maintenance of the B&B in exchange for accommodation and food. While Alexs grandfather stayed with him at the cottage, his mother never did, and instead was looking for a place to live in a community, according to the couple. The couple added that the teenager left several times to join his mother in her successive places of residence between Aude and Ariege and that they didnt have much contact with her. The couple described how Alex had free access to the fridge and our food and loved to cook during his visits, and he would go to meet his mother on Sundays. He was also part of our family and had good relationships with our kids. Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment. 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 voter moves to cast her ballot at an electronic counting machine at a polling site at the Brooklyn Museum, Nov. 8, 2022, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. New Yorks highest court just gave Democrats a chance to redraw the states congressional districts, a major victory as the party tries to flip seats in the state to win control of the U.S. House next year. ( AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York's highest court last week gave Democrats a chance to redraw the state's congressional districts, a major victory as the party tries to win control of the U.S. House next year. Now the question is how far the states Democrat-dominated Legislature will try to push the boundaries in crucial battleground districts to give their party an advantage, and how far the courts will let them. The process will be closely watched for any sign of partisan gerrymandering drawing lines that give one party an unfair advantage which is forbidden by state law. And Republicans are expected to challenge the results in court as they try to retain their slim House majority. But experts say it's unclear where the state's highest court will land on determining what's too partisan. Theres no hard and fast definition or bright line to define partisan gerrymandering," said New York Law School professor Jeffrey Wice, who focuses on redistricting. There really is no bright line to know when a plan becomes too much of a partisan gerrymander. Thats often based on a panel of experts and the decision of judges. Part of the uncertainty in New York comes from a decision by the state's highest court last year, when it threw out congressional maps drawn by Democrats that were criticized for oddly shaped lines that crammed the state's Republican voters into a few super districts. In that ruling, the court focused more on questions over the procedural steps Democrats took to draw the lines and spent only a few paragraphs on whether the districts violated the states gerrymandering prohibition. It instead upheld lower court rulings that found clear evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt that the congressional map was unconstitutionally drawn with political bias and that the 2022 congressional map was drawn to discourage competition and favor democrats, based on testimony and analysis of previous maps. The court then appointed a special master to draw a new set of congressional lines for the last election, which along with strong GOP turnout and dissatisfaction with Democratic policies, led to Republicans flipping seats in the New York City suburbs and winning control of the House. After the election, Democrats sued to toss the court-drawn maps, arguing that the states bipartisan redistricting commission should get another chance to draft congressional lines. The court agreed in a decision last week. The new maps will be first left to the commission, before the Legislature has a chance to approve or alter the lines. Richard Briffault, a Columbia Law School professor with an extensive background on redistricting and government, said he thinks Democrats might err on the side of caution to avoid another long legal fight before the election. My guess is theyre going to be more careful, Briffault said. They certainly would be wise to be more careful and not be too aggressive because they will surely be sued. Democrats had already targeted the state as a battleground for the House next year. The party has set its sights on six seats it wants to flip in New York, with those potential pickups reversing or even exceeding the expected loss of at least three districts in North Carolina after a Republican gerrymander there. At the same time, redistricting litigation is ongoing in several other states, including Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, where Democrats are hoping to make gains. Democrats also are expected to gain a seat in Alabama, where districts were revised after federal judges ruled that the original map enacted by Republican state officials had illegally diluted the voting power of Black residents. The parties are fighting these battles district by district in courtrooms across the country that are aimed at giving Democrats a better chance at the starting gate, said Wice. Each court victory counts in a major way. The New York redistricting commission has been tasked with submitting a map to the state Legislature by Feb 28. But Republicans are already crying foul. "For all their rhetoric about defending democracy, we see what occurred here in New York," said John Faso, a former congressman who is advising other Republicans on redistricting. The Democrats dont want to win districts at the polls. They want to win them in the backrooms of Albany. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a man was found, police have said. South Yorkshire Police said officers were called to Ironside Walk in Gleadless, Sheffield, at about 13:30 GMT on Friday. After finding a man's body, officers initially arrested a man, 39, and a woman, 37, on suspicion of assault. The force said the pair, who remain in custody, and a 35-year-old man were later arrested on suspicion of murder. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. In a remote house in the northeast corner of Arizona, among the red rocks and vast expanses of the Navajo Nation, you'll hear a beat so steady it keeps nearly perfect time. Hour after hour, day after day, artist Naiomi Glasses sits on her floor in silence, weaving at her loom. "It's very meditative," she said. "And having to do these repetitive motions, you kind of just get into a trance. It really is a great time to just sit and think." Native American weaver Naiomi Glasses. / Credit: CBS News The 26-year-old thinks about the six generations of family weavers who have come before her, passing down this rich Native American tradition. Now, those designs (which can take months to make and cost thousands) have caught the attention of the fashion world, in particular Ralph Lauren, a brand Glasses always wore as a kid and dreamed of someday working with, but never thought possible. "I definitely dreamt of it while weaving," she said. It may seem like an improbable journey for a shy girl from Arizona who was mercilessly bullied as a five-year-old for having a cleft palate. To escape the torment, Glasses found solace on a skateboard. "It's always been a safe space where I feel like I can be myself, learning how to be even more confident," she said. / Credit: CBS News She took that confidence to the loom, first trying her hand at weaving at 16. Her brother, Tyler, showed her their grandmother's ways. And soon, the siblings started selling their pieces at the local trading post. But their parents encouraged them to think bigger. So, in 2020 they turned to social media. Using the reservation as a set, Tyler posted Naiomi showing off her colorful creations and those impressive skateboarding skills. This video became a worldwide sensation: "And then suddenly it blew up!" Glasses laughed. "And it traveled everywhere." Including, incredibly, to Ralph Lauren, a brand famous for embracing Native American culture. In Glasses, the fashion house serendipitously found a like-minded partner for its first artist-in-residence. Designs by Naiomi Glasses for Ralph Lauren. / Credit: CBS News "He has always loved the West," said Ralph's son, David Lauren, the fashion house's chief branding and innovation officer. "He has always gone in search of the art and the culture that Naiomi loves and cherishes as well. And so, the ability to come together to create something, and to be inspired together, is beautiful. And it keeps getting better by the day." These days, Glasses is busy launching her new collection, out this month. She calls it a love letter to her people. She's hoping to promote her culture in other ways, too. The Ralph Lauren ad campaign, filmed at her family's home in Arizona, created dozens of jobs for local Navajo. "It's a big moment in Indigenous design history," she said. For which she admits a sense of duty: "I feel that it's important that we're represented in a beautiful way. And I'm really excited to be able to share these designs with the world." She also feels a responsibility to use her newfound fame to raise money for skateparks on her reservation. "Skateboarding did a lot for my own mental health," Glasses said. "And I feel like it can do so much more for so many other people in their mental health." Naiomi Glasses' late grandmother once told her weaving could create a life for her. She used to sit quietly at the loom and wonder what she meant. Now, she says, she finally understands: "The dreams that I dreamt here at the loom have come true." For more info: naiomiglasses.netFollow Naiomi Glasses on Instagram, Facebook and TikTokPolo Ralph Lauren x Naiomi Glasses Story produced by Jon Carras. Editor: Lauren Barnello. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a "difficult partner," Sen. Chris Coons says The non-profit Veterans Bridge Home received $4,000 on Saturday from the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Toyota. This is the fourth year of the Holidays for Heroes event. ALSO READ: VBH celebrates local veterans with annual gala This year, the Hall of Fame hosted a Trim the Toyota campaign where guests could donate money and write messages to military heroes on a specially wrapped 2024 Toyota Tundra. Those donations were presented to Veterans Bridge Home which helps military members find jobs and build social networks. To learn more about Veterans Bridge Home, click here. (WATCH BELOW: Many veterans in danger of losing their homes after COVID mortgage forbearance program ends) The Belfast Lough was once home to large oyster reefs but overfishing, disease and pollution decimated the population (PAUL FAITH) Long gone from Belfast's famed harbour where the Titanic was built, oysters are making a comeback thanks to a nursery installation project aimed at boosting marine life and water quality. Until the early 1900s, the narrow Belfast Lough channel was home to large oyster reefs but overfishing, disease and pollution gradually decimated the population, according to the Ulster Wildlife group. "We're bringing back a lost habitat," the group's marine conservation manager David Smyth told AFP on a harbour quay in the shadow of a noisy downtown highway and towering commercial buildings. Extensive native oyster beds were abundant in European seas, and humans have been harvesting them since the Stone Age. But the group estimates that oyster populations have declined by 95 percent since the 19th century, with native oyster reefs now one of the most threatened habitats in Europe. - 'Coral reef' - Last month a nursery comprising some 700 of the molluscs -- brought from Scotland by van, and measured and screened for disease -- were lowered into Belfast Lough in over a dozen cages fitted with shelves. It should eventually create a local "equivalent of a coral reef", said Smyth during a check of the oysters' health with a team of researchers tracking their progress. After hoisting the metal oyster homes from the water, the team carefully removed each animal and placed them on the pier for measurement and weighing. Pairs of oysters already conjoined are the early stages of forming a reef, said Smyth holding two aloft. "Imagine 100,000 of these all stuck together, this is what we are after, from them millions of larvae will settle around the shore and on the seabed," he told AFP with a satisfied smile. Among the ecological benefits of a restored habitat are boosted marine biodiversity and better water quality, according to Ulster Wildlife. "Just as with a coral reef, once these animals start forming their beds then small fish and crustaceans like mussels, barnacles, worms, snails, and algae will come to live and feed there," said Smyth. Oysters are also "supreme water filters" he noted, with just one animal able to filter over 200 litres of seawater a day. - Encouraging signs - With cargo ships and passenger ferries manoeuvering in and out of docks not far away, pollutants in the waterway make habitat rehabilitation a challenge. Shipbuilding was one of Belfast's largest industries for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, with the yellow gantry cranes of the shipyard that built the Titanic still defining Belfast's skyline beside a new museum celebrating the doomed liner. A coalyard and tannin works also contributed to long decades of environmental degradation. "It's very difficult for oysters' larvae to settle and become adults if they are exposed to the sort of pollutants present in an industrial shipping lane," said Smyth. But the resilient nursery animals have "performed impressively" so far with just two mortalities from the 700 oysters installed, with many more planned to be installed in the coming years, he added. Similar projects have got under way recently around Europe but the Belfast nursery aims at replicating a successful effort in New York, begun a decade ago with the goal of restoring millions of oysters to replicate conditions there in the 1800s. "New York's the shining example of how well these animals can do in an industrial area," said Smyth. "There were dolphins swimming around the Statue of Liberty for the first time in years recently, we don't know if we will ever have dolphins swimming in Belfast but you never know," he laughed, before letting a cage drop back below the water. pmu/phz/jwp/rox PORTLAND, Ore. (Portland Tribune) The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) opened its Economic Development office and retail space Thursday, Dec 14. Named the munk-yelan saxali (pronounced moonk-YEH-lun SAH-hah-lee) in the Chinook language, its in a one-story building at 4636 N.E. 42nd Ave. It is next door to an affordable housing complex, the Mamook Tokatee at Northeast Going and 42nd Avenue. That development has an art studio for residents, and the Saxali will display and sell artifacts made by them. Native Americans can also get business development support there, including lessons in business plan writing, personal finance and marketing. NAYAs interim CEO Oscar Arana told Pamplin Media that the center helps building a corridor of Native American activity along Northeast 42nd Avenue, north to the 10-acre NAYA campus. NAYA used to occupy a small storefront on North Mississippi Avenue. Now it has a 10-acre campus in Cully. Speakers included Prosper Portland Executive Director Kimberly Branam, Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang, and former KOIN TV reporter and Boeing Senior Community Relations Specialist Amy Frazier. They praised the development for offering access to careers with living wages. Read the full story on PortlandTribune.com, a media partner with KOIN 6 News. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Sen. Chris Coons blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, after he said Saturday night that he was proud of his efforts to block the creation of Palestinian state. Netanyahu "has been an exceptionally difficult partner," Coons (D-Del.) said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation. The U.S. has long called for a two-state solution to end the decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and President Joe Biden has described the creation of a Palestinian state as the only way to effectively end the current fighting. But Israeli leaders have set aside discussions of a two-state solution in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack, where Hamas insurgents killed around 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage. Israel has argued that Hamas must be removed from power in Gaza before they can achieve peace. Since the initial attack, Israel has launched a deadly offensive in Gaza, killing close to 19,000 people and flattening much of the northern part of the region, according to the Associated Press. Around 80% of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes into the southern part of Gaza. U.S. officials have begun to condemn Israel for seemingly indiscriminate killing which includes the shooting of three hostages by Israeli troops and some Democratic lawmakers ripped the Biden administrations decision to bypass Congress and approve the sale of nearly 14,000 tank shells worth roughly $106 million from U.S. Army stocks through an emergency declaration under the Arms Export Control Act. Additional aid is still tied up in negotiations over funding for Ukraine and the U.S.s southern border. When a deal could emerge is unclear, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has called for the funding for Israel to only be granted on the condition that Israel change the military and political positions of its government. Coons, a close ally of the Biden administration, directed his jabs at Netanyahu on Sunday. He said President Joe Biden "did the right thing" in rushing to Israel's aid after the Oct. 7 attack, but that Netanyahu has made things difficult for his American allies. Netanyahu has done everything he can to undermine a positive vision for peace for Israel, he told CBS Margaret Brennan. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) similarly slammed Netanyahu for preventing a peace process to move forward. Instead of trying to find peace or at least preventing the conditions on the ground from changing with additional settlements to allow a two-state solution, he has shut the door on that effort, he said during an interview on ABCs This Week. There isnt a single soldier who served in Northern Ireland who didnt curse, at one time, the events of Bloody Sunday under his breath. The hours spent in the bogs of South Armagh, or the back streets of West Belfast were testament to a conflict that had been ignited by the events on that day in 1972. It took more than two decades for the Troubles to come to an end and it did so when Nationalists recognised that the IRA didnt have its wellbeing and economic interests at heart and when British governments accepted that while you could deliver security you couldnt arrest your way out of the problems and political schisms. As sure as night follows day, history shows us that radicalisation follows oppression. Northern Ireland internment taught us that a disproportionate response by the state can serve as a terrorist organisations best recruiting sergeant. For many, watching the events in Gaza unfold each day makes us more and more uncomfortable. Let me start by saying I am unequivocal in my condemnation of Hamas, not only for what it did on October 7, but also for what came before. Its charter reads like the constitution of a jihadist Salafi organisation. It is anti-Semitic and anti-democratic. It isnt interested in peaceful co-existence with Israel, or Egypt, for that matter. Hamas is not interested in a two-state solution either. No it is interested in a religious war with Jews, using Palestinians as cannon fodder. So, I absolutely defend Israels right to defend itself. But I also believe strongly in our obligations under the Geneva Conventions and expect all signatories to uphold them. Going after Hamas is legitimate; obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not. Using proportionate force is legal, but collective punishment and forced movement of civilians is not. We are entering a dangerous period now where Israels original legal authority of self-defence is being undermined by its own actions. It is making the mistake of losing its moral authority alongside its legal one. I am sure that the shame Benjamin Netanyahu feels for not foreseeing the October 7 attacks is deep, especially for someone who presented himself as a security hawk and tough guy. But perhaps that shame is driving him to lose sight of the long term. Netanyahus mistake was to miss the attack in the first place. But if he thinks a killing rage will rectify matters, then he is very wrong. His methods will not solve this problem. In fact, I believe his tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. His actions are radicalising Muslim youth across the globe. When all this is over, and the IDF withdraws from what is left of Gaza, there will still be Hamas. All the action will have achieved is the extinction, not of the extremists, but the voice of the moderate Palestinians who do want a two-state solution. International sympathy will have expired and Israel will be forced to exist in an even greater state of siege. Before anyone says I am calling for a ceasefire with Hamas I am not. You cant have a ceasefire with Hamas unless they are prepared to declare one; even then they would have to pledge to modify their charter to do so. What I am saying is Israel needs to stop this crude and indiscriminate method of attack. And it needs to combat Hamas differently. Israel needs to recognise it has time on its side. It holds all the cards from control of the air to control of the border. It is easy to wonder what has happened to the wise Israeli politicians of old. They would have never missed the signs of the attack nor would they have surrendered to political blackmail from militant illegal settlers. They would have never played footsie with Putin, while Russian money fuelled the Iranian rocket and drone industry. They understood balance in the region and practically wrote the book on divide and rule. But lack of wisdom in a new generation of Israel politicians has led them to a place where they act like a bull in a China shop crashing from one crisis to another. The Israeli ambassador defiantly states there can be no two-state solution. She is wrong. There must be. It has been the answer ever since the creation of modern-day Israel. The path to peace, just like in Northern Ireland, means we have to keep trying and do all we can to marginalise the extremes. With the Oslo accords we came close to realising a two-state solution. Now is the time to re-energise that process. Rt Hon Ben Wallace is Conservative MP for Wyre and Preston North and served as Secretary of State for Defence from 2019 to 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. The Shetland Islands in Scotland are now home to the United Kingdom's first spaceport that allows for rockets' vertical launch. Launch operations will get underway in 2024 at SaxaVord Spaceport on the tiny island of Unst, according to clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as reported by Sky News. It will be Western Europe's first spaceport with a complete license for lifting spacecraft into orbit vertically. It allows as many as 30 launches each year, which is more than enough to send satellites and other cargo into orbit. The SaxaVord Spaceport On the grounds of Scotland's first spaceport, various launch operators from around the globe are busy constructing rockets. Beginning in August 2024, the German rocket company Hylmpulse is expected to try sub-orbital launches, which do not go high enough to reach space. Once 2025 rolls along, SaxaVord Spaceport will presumably host full orbital launches, BBC reported. Launches into orbit are in the works for Rocket Factory Ausburg (RFA), another German business, after which Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems will formally launch the UK Government Pathfinder. The Edinburgh-based startup Skyrora also plans to make history in the near future by becoming the first British firm to launch from the UK. The SaxaVord Spaceport, formerly a Royal Air Force radar station, is now owned by Frank and Debbie Strang. When they purchased the property 15 years ago, they intended to use it as an ecotourism destination. Frank said the granting of the license was a landmark event. "Our team is very proud that the government has entrusted us with operating a complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-launch spaceport, and we all take this responsibility very seriously. There is much to do still but this is a fantastic way to end the year and head into Christmas." See Also: Queen's University Students' Science Experiment Selected by NASA for International Space Station UK's Space Industry According to Tim Johnson, the CAA's head of space regulation, the licensing of SaxaVord marks a historic point in the background of the UK's space industry. "This marks the beginning of a new chapter for UK space as rockets may soon launch satellites into orbit from Scotland. We are undertaking vital work to make sure the UK's space activities are safe and sustainable for all." There are around 48,800 employment supported by 2,200 businesses in the UK's space sector, which is believed to be worth 17.5 billion ($22.2 billion). Cornwall Spaceport was the first approved spaceport in the UK, but its rockets are carried and launched horizontally by aircraft. A financial announcement of over 6.7 million ($8.5 million) was made last week by the UK Space Agency to support Scotland's spaceport aspirations. Five spaceports are being developed in Scotland, including the Sutherland Spaceport, which aims to launch 12 rockets each year. Moreover, Glasgow Prestwick and Spaceport Machrihanish both want to get into the space race and do horizontal orbital launches in the future. See Also: SpaceX Delays Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch To Carry Military's X-37B Spacecraft Into Space @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Michelle Handforth has stepped down from her role as managing director for the Wales and Western region A Network Rail boss has quit her 330,000-a-year role after hundreds of passengers were left stranded for more than three hours near Londons Paddington Station. Michelle Handforth, the managing director for the Wales and Western region which includes Paddington announced on Friday she would step down from her job, Network Rail confirmed. Hundreds of people were stuck in cold, dark carriages after an overhead cable fault caused all trains to come to a standstill on Dec 7. Pictures and videos shared on social media showed commuters sat in dimly lit carriages before they were eventually evacuated. National Rail, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services were all disrupted and some passengers said they heard no information from rail operators and were unable to go to the toilet. TV presenter Rahcel Riley was on the Elizabeth line for 'nearly four hours' Celebrities including musician James Blunt and TV presenter Rachel Riley were affected by the disruption. Blunt wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Been stuck somewhere outside Paddington for close to four hours now. Out of peanuts and wine. While Riley wrote: Nearly four hours after we got on, were getting off the Elizabeth line, woohoo! It came after multiple system faults and damaged rails led to repeated delays in the weeks before the incident. Mikey Worrall, a commuter on the train, said at the time that the evening was the most surreal of his life. He described the train lurching to a stop, waiting for hours in semi-darkness as the driver drip-fed what little information they had through to passengers. Eventually, the battery backup running the trains heating and light services ran out and passengers were left in darkness for another hour and a half until the evacuation. Mr Worrall said: We saw a couple of workers come past and they were trying to keep everyone calm. Suddenly, we saw a stream of people coming down the track and at that point it was clear that we would be getting off. It was really eerie, walking down the railway line in amongst this big crowd of people. It felt like a wartime thing. One passenger said it was 'like a wartime thing' when everyone was evacuated - DANNY COWAN VOICEOVER/via REUTERS On why the line broke down, Mr Worrall added: Every day its a different excuse. It seems to me they opened this whole thing without actually being fit for purpose. If they knew there were infrastructure issues that they needed to work on, why didnt they work on those before? They opened the line and it doesnt work. It [goes down] multiple times a week and its incredibly frustrating. The Mayor of London needs to sort it out. Andrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, said: I would like to thank Michelle for her hard work and support over these past three and a half years. Maryam Eslamdoust, the general secretary of the trade union Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said: One person resigning simply isnt enough. We need to see Network Rail investing properly in the maintenance of its infrastructure and that means shelving its planned cuts. Ultimately though, this all goes back to the Government who set the budget that Network Rail have to work with. Transport Secretary Mark Harper needs to get real about funding Network Rail so we can have a safe, well-maintained railway for the future. 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. So, where do young people here go to hang out? someone had asked from the back of the van. We hadnt even seen a sheep, let alone another car, for miles. The baths, our guide had shrugged. This was Iceland, after all, where bathing is a local pastime and a tourist pursuit. But the power of a good soak in a communal setting has a near universal appeal. And as the days grow colder and the nights get longer, its a good time to ask yourself, when was the last time you got into some hot water with your friends? In Iceland in November, even as earthquakes and volcano warnings kept our group from seeing the Blue Lagoon, my friends and I still managed to enjoy the countrys geothermal bounty. At the Hvammsvik Hot Springs, we alternated between plunging in to the icy waters of the fjord (I shrieked) and luxuriating in a series of increasingly warm baths. At another lagoon, we bobbed in among other groups of friends, many of whom were happily drinking beers and taking selfies. In both places, I felt a different kind of closeness with our group, a buoyancy that was as emotional as it was physical. There's something about hanging out in water, preferably while getting in a good sweat, that makes the body and soul go "Ahhhhhhh." And when you do it with friends, the benefits are even greater. We've have been doing it for thousands of years just ask the Romans. And in plenty of cultures around the world, from Finland to Japan to Turkey, it remains a popular social experience. Why does bathing make us feel so happy? Jeanne Cross, a licensed therapist and owner of EMDR Center of Denver, says that some of the magic is in the water itself. "Immersing in hot springs and public baths not only provides physical relaxation but also yields mental health benefits, influenced in part by physiological responses," she says. "The warm, mineral-rich waters induce a sense of calm by promoting the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine. This natural chemical contributes to feelings of pleasure and reward, playing a crucial role in mood regulation." That's why those first few steps into a warm pool can make you feel an almost immediate unwinding. Additionally, Cross notes, "The combination of buoyancy and heat not only soothes muscles but also enhances blood circulation, facilitating the delivery of oxygen to the brain." A 2018 paper from Japan in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the "Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing" seems to back that up, with subjects who bathed in warm water reporting "significantly better general health, mental health, role emotional, and social functioning scores." And while the benefits of throwing some cold into the mix are widely reputed but not as well proven, there is some evidence that, as UCLA Health reports, "cold water can stimulate the blood cells that fight off infection," keeping you healthier this winter. Another key component of bathing is the company you keep. Adam Zagha, a mental health and addiction treatment specialist and the owner of Numa Recovery Centers in Los Angeles, recalls his own experience visiting a traditional Russian bathhouse (banya). "In addition to the health benefits of the heat and steam," he says, "the banya provided a unique opportunity for socializing. It was a space where people could come together, engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen friendships. The shared experience of sweating it out in the heat fosters camaraderie and relaxation, enhancing overall well-being." There are other, subtler benefits as well. A few weeks after my adventure in Iceland, I had an equally blissful but altogether different experience at a Japanese springs in San Francisco. There, on one of the female communal bath days, I spent an afternoon slipping between the hot pool, cold pool, steam room and sauna in a low-lit, intentionally quiet environment. Some of the women wore bathing suits; most did not. There were no phones to check, no chatter, just a tranquil space for people of different shapes, sizes and ages to be still for a little while. It felt social in a different way, an opportunity for shared mindfulness. It was also a welcome reality check. "As a pleasure positive therapist, I talk to my patients about the relationships they have with their bodies often," says Sarah Chotkowski, a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. "What I hear is a steady litany of complaints about the reality of their own body, framed in the context of an imaginary ideal. When we spend time with real people, partially or wholly undressed, we see bodies with a variety of shapes and sizes, which can help us practice body neutrality." It's not necessary to "like" or even "love" our appearance, Chotkowski says, but "we can find peace if we accept our bodies exactly as they are. Everyone deserves to enjoy activities like hot springs, bathhouses and saunas with abandon, regardless of what their body looks like." She adds, "I think spending more time nude with our friends helps to de-center the body as exclusively erotic, a landscape which can be challenging for so many of us." Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Ultimately, what makes the bathing experience so therapeutic is how it all comes together. Sarah Jeffries, a mental health first aid trainer and the founder of Basic Life Support Training in the U.K., notes, "From a mental health perspective, these activities resonate as therapeutic balms: They fuse relaxation with social interaction." She adds, "Sharing a judgment-free space engenders acceptance and solidarity among individuals; indeed, warm water and steam often serve as catalysts for open dialogue and storytelling." In the warmer months, it's easy to find an excuse to jump in a lake or a pool or the ocean with friends. But there's a different kind of bonding that's possible when warm water meets cold weather. "In societies that value collectivism, such as in Iceland and Japan, these baths are not mere places for relaxation but also for building social connections," says Jabe Brown of Melbourne Functional Medicine. "During the darker, colder months, communal baths offer a warm refuge that counters social isolation, which is particularly beneficial for mental health." Of course, bathing culture today, like everything else, is colored by COVID. As cases rise yet again throughout the colder months, it's crucial to use common sense by following the facility's policies and not going out if we don't feel well. "Embracing these practices safely in contemporary times involves adhering to hygiene standards and respecting personal space to prevent the spread of diseases," Brown advises, as a way to "ensure that these traditions continue to be a source of health and happiness, rather than a health hazard." Similarly, it's important to listen to your body stay hydrated and avoid overheating. It's taken me two trips to two places thousands of miles apart to appreciate how healing and grounding it is to just sit still and be present in my own body, among other people. That's why I'm going to a local bath house this weekend for a reset that only warm water seems to provide. As Zagha puts it, "Especially during the winter months, baths can be a valuable tool in combating the dark and cold weather. So, why not embrace the tradition of sweating it out among friends and reap the benefits this season?" TechCrunch Amazon's computer vision and sensor-powered Just Walk Out retail technology, which allows customers to shop at stores and then skip the cashier line when it's time to check out, is now expanding to corporate domains with support for employee badges as the payment mechanism. The retail giant announced today the launch of "badge pay," a new option that will initially bring Just Walk Out technology to a hospital setting. With the launch, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff will be able to grab food and beverages from their hospital's Just Walk Out store by scanning their employee badges. Former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley has had notable momentum as she fights to become her partys 2024 nominee, but her chances of surpassing Donald Trump still seem slim to none. The recent influx of donors and endorsements could be a game-changer. Polls show the South Carolina Republican now neck-and-neck with Florida Gov Ron DeSantis but both are significantly lagging behind Mr Trump. Her rise in the polls so far has run parallel to her debate performances; every time she takes the stage, her ratings seem to soar. During the December debate, she quickly became the target of attacks from the other three candidates. I love all the attention, fellas, she retorted. Shes undoubtedly garnering attention on and off the debate stage, as shes seen a rush of support from notable donors and endorsements in recent weeks. Ms Haley seems well-equipped for the fast-approaching Iowa caucuses, but will she be able to pull ahead of her GOP competitors, including Mr Trump? Endorsements Ms Haley has racked up a number of high-profile endorsements. This week, New Hampshire Gov Chris Sununu endorsed Ms Haley. He leads the nations first primary state. She also scored the coveted Koch network-backed super PAC Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action on 28 November. In a memo, AFP Action wrote that Haley offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November. The backing is particularly significant, as this is the first time the organisation has engaged in a presidential election, according to the super PAC. High profile endorsements demonstrate momentum in the press, Rob Godfrey, Gov Haleys former deputy chief of staff, told The Independent. However, they dont seem to sway voters. A December Des Moines Registerpoll showed that 71 per cent of likely GOP caucus-goers said the AFP Action endorsement doesnt matter. Similarly, more than half of those polled also said endorsements for Mr DeSantis Family Leader president Bob Vander Plaats and Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds dont matter. Donations, on the other hand, could create pathways to influence voters, strategists say. Donor boost In addition to key endorsements, Ms Haley has seen a flood of donations. Shes still got a long way to go in the polls, conservative strategist Chip Felkel told The Independent, but, money is the mothers milk of politics. Reid Hoffman, a Democrat and LinkedIn co-founder, gave the Haley super PAC a whopping $250,000 earlier this month. The donation came after Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, encouraged Democrat donors to put cash into Haleys campaign coffers as the alternative to Mr Trump. The AFP Actions endorsement means that the organisation would give Ms Haley access to its expansive grassroots resources, the memo stated; these funds would go toward mail and TV campaigns to advance its on-the-ground efforts. Mr Godfrey said if he had the choice between new endorsements or new donors, he would choose new donors every time. The influx of cash allows the candidate to fund the infrastructure and paid media efforts it takes to win a campaign, he added. That infrastructure, Mr Godfrey said, includes direct mail efforts and knocking on doors to reach voters in every corner in every early primary state. Debate performance Consistently, Ms Haleys poll numbers have risen following each debate. The debates have always been a strength for Ms Haley, dating back to when she was running for governor, Mr Godfrey said. At the latest debate, the former UN ambassador quickly became a target for the other three on stage, putting her in a more defensive stance than usual. But no matter how well a candidate performed, each debate is suspect, seeing as Mr Trump isnt participating. Any debate without all of the candidates is an incomplete discussion, Mr Godfrey said. Mr Trump has robbed candidates of a chance to present serious and concrete contrast in style and policies to the frontrunner, he added. By drawing contrast, Mr Godfrey continued, each candidate can give voters a reason to peel off of the frontrunner. Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, told The Independent that blasting Mr Trump could backfire for Ms Haley because, he added, she will still have to face him as the nominee. Despite his absence, the 2024 candidates on the debate stage except for Chris Christie refused to take a swing at Mr Trump. During the debate, Mr Christie even mocked that the other three were dodging any talk of he who shall not be named. Mr Seawright similarly described this decision as Ms Haley running away from Trump while embracing Trumpism. He accused her of having cuddled and played footsie with extremists every step of the way while appealing to moderates. The former New Jersey governor later went so far as to accuse his opponents of positioning themselves for 2028. When asked why Ms Haley might not be attacking the absent Mr Trump, Mr Felkel opined that she might be trying not to burn bridges in case she plans to run again in the future. When asked if he thought Ms Haley was trying to make a play for 2028, Mr Godfrey immediately waved off the idea. Knowing her, he said, she got into this race because she thinks she can win it. Momentum Her star may be rising as she vies for second place, but, Mr Seawright said, second place doesnt matter in a Republican primary. Mr Felkel took a different view, agreeing with Mr Christie. He said that she has to take advantage of the momentum she has generated to reshape her strategy: to become the Trump alternative. To do that, he argued. She needs to take the same tack that Christies taking. Mr Felkel advised that she should present [Trump] as unacceptable and get people to see him as the threat that he is. He called her reluctance to slam Mr Trump a misconceived strategy in thinking that his base will be swayed. Instead, he said she should be focused on convincing disaffected Republicans, Independents, and Democrats to cast their vote for her. Mr Felkel remarked again on her momentum. This would be the moment to become more forceful in taking on the frontrunner, he said: She was walking, now shes jogging, and shes got to start running. The summit of EU leaders ended with no new conclusions on the Israel-Hamas war, as leaders opted to reiterate previous declarations on Israel's right to self-defence in line with international law, and the need for unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. A call for "humanitarian pauses and corridors" made in late October contributed towards the decisive diplomatic pressure that led to a six-day ceasefire and the release of dozens of Israeli hostages held in the custody of Hamas, which the EU considers a terrorist organisation, since their deadly 7 October attack against Israel. Many had expected a tougher EU stance after a majority of member states backed a United Nations resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" on Tuesday. But European Council President Charles Michel said in a press conference following the summit that leaders had simply solidified their common position and discussed the blocs vision for a long-term peaceful solution to the conflict based on the so-called two-state solution. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the most critical voices of Israel in the bloc, said: "I don't want to say anything more than Charles Michel, who represents the voice of all member states. You all know what the position of the Spanish government is." His comments were seemingly directed at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also present at the press conference, who has been heavily criticised for her unshifting support to Israel and her hesitance to call for restraint and the protection of civilian life in Gaza. More than 18,000 Palestinians and 1,100 Israelis are estimated to have been killed in the conflict since October 7. Earlier on Friday, the Irish Taoiseach Leo Vardakar and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo clearly expressed their support for a reinforced EU call for a humanitarian ceasefire, suggesting the tide was turning in favour of their position following the UN resolution. The majority of EU countries are now calling for a ceasefire, Varadkar said. There are one or two that are not because they believe that it would prevent Israel from pursuing Hamas terrorists. I dont agree with that interpretation. There needs to be a cease of the hostilities, De Croo said. They (Israel) have the right to eliminate the terrorist threat that is originating from Gaza," De Croo added, "but in restraint and in respecting international humanitarian law. And I think it's very clear, there's been too many civilian killings. Let's stop the civilian killings." Ireland and Belgium, along with Spain and Slovenia, have led EU calls for Israeli restraint and a humanitarian ceasefire to spare innocent civilian lives in Gaza. Israeli leaders have vehemently condemned the countries positions and summoned the Spanish, Belgian and Irish ambassadors in Tel Aviv in late November in a clear sign of escalating diplomatic tensions. Austria and the Czech Republic, both staunch allies of Israel, were the only countries to vote against the UN resolution on Tuesday, and have consistently expressed fears a joint EU call for a ceasefire would undermine Israeli efforts to eradicate Hamas. While a vast majority of capitals have embraced the EU's balanced line, defending Israels right to self-defence while calling for respect of international humanitarian law, the persistence of the war has seen countries gravitating towards calls for further restraint. Among the countries who backed Tuesday's UN call for a ceasefire were Croatia, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Poland and Sweden - these countries had opposed or abstained in a similar vote in October. Germany, Hungary Italy and the Netherlands abstained in the vote. French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters he was "delighted that France was one of the first to agree to (...) an immediate truce leading to a ceasefire." "I insisted on the point that we had to adopt a more coherent position on this subject very quickly and move forward," Macron added. "We're all moving in the same direction," Macron also said, suggesting member states were gradually coalescing around a call for a ceasefire. The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell also recently suggested that a series of permanent pauses in hostilities should "evolve" into a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides also expressed deep frustration following the summit at the lack of conclusion on the Gaza conflict. The Cypriot government has led efforts to boost humanitarian access into Gaza by establishing a bespoke maritime corridor from the Mediterranean island directly to the Gazan coast. Bloc mulls tightening sanctions In a sign of a hardening EU stance on Israel, EU foreign ministers discussed plans to sanction violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank earlier this week, including travel bans. Diplomatic sources said the sanctions plan was aimed at preserving the possibility of a Palestinian state," given that extremist settlers fiercely oppose the so-called two-state solution that the bloc sees as key to a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The rise in violence by extremist settlers is inflicting immense suffering on the Palestinians. It undermines the prospects for a lasting peace and could further exacerbate regional instability, von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday. I am in favour of sanctioning those involved in the attacks in the West Bank. They must be held accountable. This violence has nothing to do with the fight against Hamas and must stop, she added. Member states including Belgium, France and Germany are also mulling national measures to ban the entry of extremist Israeli settlers to their countries. The UK confirmed on Thursday it was banning extremist Israeli settlers from entering the country. The EU is also looking at plans to harden its sanctions against Hamas including financial restrictions on militants considered to be the plotters of Hamas' deadly rampage into Israel on October 7. Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay $148 million in damages to a pair of Georgia election workers he defamed as part of a scheme to overturn the 2020 election, but its unclear whether the disgraced attorney can afford the penalty due to mounting legal bills he claims he doesnt have the money to pay. Some legal experts predict Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss may ultimately receive only a small fraction of the award rather than collect a multi-million dollar payout. There is no way theyll collect [the total judgment], and I dont think theyll collect half the amount or a quarter of the amount, just a fraction, Ryan Goodman, a former Department of Defense special counsel, told CNNs Erin Burnett on her show OutFront. Rudy Giuliani and Wandrea Shaye Moss (Photos: Getty Images/Photo: YouTube/Fox 5 Atlanta) It depends on what his assets are, Goodman noted. Back in August, the former New York mayor who served as the personal lawyer to President Donald Trump following the contentious election was found liable of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy as part of a default judgment handed down by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell. At last weeks trial to determine the amount of damages, the federal jurys verdict was Giuliani must pay $16,171,000 to Freeman for defamation, $16,998,000 to Moss for defamation, $20 million to each woman for emotional distress, and $75 million in punitive damages. The two Black election workers came under intense public scrutiny and faced death threats after Giuliani falsely claimed they manipulated votes in metro Atlantas Fulton County to help Joe Biden win Georgia three years ago. Giuliani has vowed to appeal the verdict. The absurdity of the number underscores the absurdity of the entire proceedings, Giuliani told reporters after learning the judgment on Friday. Previously, Giuliani said he was having trouble finding a lawyer to represent him due to his worsening financial situation while facing multiple lawsuits and criminal charges for his role in Trumps alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. Throughout the trial, Giuliani and his legal team consistently emphasized his financial struggles, claiming he lacked the funds to pay off his numerous debts. However, its unclear how much money the former New York mayor actually has at his disposal since he has not disclosed his latest financial statements and after he refused to cooperate with subpoenas to determine his true net worth. At the time of Giulianis conviction, the 79-year-old attorney was also ordered to pay nearly $133,000 in fines for failing to turn over electronic documents and other evidence sought in the civil case against him and to cover attorneys fees for Moss and Freeman, which he still hasnt paid. Following the verdict, Giuliani and one of his lawyers met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to plead with the former president to help pay his legal bills. Giuliani was facing outstanding debts exceeding $1 million owed to defense attorneys who assisted him in various cases, leading to several lawsuits to demand payment. Giuliani also neglected to settle several years of unpaid phone bills that amounted to nearly $60,000 in debt. There have been a few instances when Giuliani received assistance from Republican donors to help fund his legal battles, including a separate defamation case involving the ballot technology company Smartmatic, which sued Giuliani and other Republican operatives for making false claims about its voting systems that were used during the 2020 election. There were also signs that Giuliani did have some financial resources as he flew on a private jet when he surrendered to Georgia authorities last summer, along with Trump and 17 others, on charges of interfering in the states 2020 election. In the Georgia case, Giuliani was able to get attorney Brian Tevis to represent him and help secure a $150,000 bond on Aug. 23, the day he was booked at Atlantas Fulton County Jail. Elsewhere, Giuliani has been trying for months to sell his Manhattan apartment for $6.1 million, according to a public real estate listing, although no buyers have stepped up. Theres no way Giuliani can afford to pay the entire $148 million judgment, associates of the former mayor said. We all know hes not going to be able to afford that even if they garnish his wages, but its vindication for the plaintiffs, certainly, Ken Frydman, who served as Giulianis spokesperson during his 1993 mayoral campaign, told CNNs Jake Tapper. Its also uncertain whether Giuliani can file for bankruptcy to protect his assets from potential damages in the defamation case. Even if Giuliani opts for bankruptcy, theres a possibility he could still be held responsible for the award to Moss and Freeman. Hes in trouble, and its only a question of how many assets he has, Goodman told Burnett. Does he have a multimillion-dollar apartment here and there? And then, its about them versus maybe other creditors, he said. Lawyers for Freeman and Moss have indicated that they will seek every bit of money that Mr. Giuliani has available to him to pay and satisfy this judgment, attorney John Langford said Friday. Langford said he wanted to move quickly to finalize the judgment so that he could better pursue Giulianis assets. I want people to understand this: Money will never solve all of my problems, Moss said outside the courthouse after the verdict on Friday. I can never move back into the house that I called home. I will always have to be careful about where I go and who I choose to share my name with. I miss my home. I miss my neighbors and I miss my name. For 85 years, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has supplied clean, affordable, and reliable wholesale power to utility customers serving the greater Pacific Northwest regions consumers. Known as the Provider of Choice for these utility customers, BPA began its early renegotiation engagement in 2016 for contracts that were set to expire in September 2028. Six years later in response to unprecedented U.S. federal government settlement talks concerning the Snake River dams that are taking place behind closed doors over ongoing Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) litigation BPA is facing a dire warning. The Public Power Council (PPC), representing more than 100 consumer-owned utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, recently informed BPA it is pausing renegotiation discussions due to commitments the federal government has made in these closed-door discussions commitments PPC believes pose one of the greatest-ever threats to the FCRPS. In a letter to BPAs administrator, PPC Executive Committee leadership wrote, Although we have been working with BPA in good faith to develop long-term post-2028 power supply contracts, the massive uncertainty regarding the future of the FCRPS makes it difficult for Northwest public power utilities to commit to long-term contracts. They continued, The Government agreeing to proposed operations without a careful analysis of the power system impacts poses serious concerns for human health and safety, especially among our most vulnerable and historically underserved communities. The letter goes on to say that the federal governments actions have caused such serious uncertainty regarding the future of the system and exposed it to such reliability threats that customers have no choice but to step away from contract renegotiations. Amid 30 years of litigation, this is the most formidable move the power community has made in defense of the emissions-free power provided by the FCRPS. The federal government should not be surprised by this news. For months, representatives of industries and communities impacted by FCRPS decision-making have warned of their grave concerns with the ongoing talks, including the fact that the purported mediation led by federal agencies has in reality only included select interest groups. A Feb. 6 letter from Northwest RiverPartners and the Inland Ports and Navigation Group which represent thousands of ratepayers, agriculture interests, and local communities cautions, Unfortunately, it has become clear that our input is not being heard in the mediation context, leading to more serious concerns that a small group of stakeholders is seeking to prescribe decisions for our entire region regarding our climate response, electricity rates, transportation, grid reliability, food and energy security, and the future of river dependent communities.... At a June 2023 field hearing of the U.S. House of Natural Resources Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee in Richland, WA, Chairman Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, focused heavily on the secrecy of the negotiations and concerns that only select groups were being included in direct discussions. In documents leaked in the days since PPCs letter to BPA, details regarding the governments draft commitments to litigants have confirmed fears shared by utility leaders, members of the Northwest congressional delegation, and government transparency advocates. In response, Bentz initiated a follow-up hearing on Dec. 12, during which PPC CEO & Executive Director Scott Simms warned, We are now facing a U.S. government agreement that could be devastating for Northwest electricity consumers. We anticipate under the best-case scenario the impact to rates would be 5% and in the worst case, it would be 50%. While litigious groups seek to dismantle emissions-free power generation thereby setting back the Pacific Northwests climate goals and clean energy leadership power sector leaders are standing strong on behalf of ratepayers, the environment, local communities, and government transparency. As Simms recently stated of their decision, We wanted to send the strongest possible signal to U.S government officials in the nations capital that are involved in this process to back off and immediately stop messing with the people of the Pacific Northwest and our clean, reliable hydro system. With this bold step, utility leaders are rightly forcing their voices to be heard on behalf of ratepayers and ensuring the secret negotiations are brought into the light. Sean V. OBrien is a visiting fellow with Mountain States Policy Center, an independent research organization based in Idaho, Montana, Eastern Washington, and Wyoming. He is executive director of Energy Forward Alliance, a clean energy non-profit organization based in Tri-Cities, Washington. As a journalist, I worked in the field covering the first Palestinian intifada and part of the second. The world was horrified to see men stripped down to their underwear huddled with their hands behind their heads as Israeli soldiers looked down at them. For many of us, those images were not new. We had seen and witnessed similar images in various locations in the occupied territories. Israeli soldiers would enter a village, a town, or a refugee camp, round up the men over 18, and force them to sit for hours in a local schoolyard. If Palestinians had thrown stones, burnt tires, or drawn graffiti, the captured men would be ordered to clean up after the protesters, paint over the graffiti, and spend most of the day or night in the schoolyard. The stripping part began with the introduction of suicide attacks. While hiding under the guise of wanting to know if those men taken from their homes had wrapped themselves with explosives, the Israelis would often leave them in their undershorts for hours as part of a collective punishment. Researchers and psychoanalysts for years studied the phenomena of the effects on Palestinian children of the Israeli soldiers humiliation of their fathers in such a manner. I remember that when I was the executive producer of the Palestinian version of Sesame Street, after the euphoria of the 1993 signing of the Declaration of Principles at the White House, we took on this issue. We worked with educators, psychologists, writers, and puppeteers to design episodes that would deal with it and help restore pride to children, especially Palestinian boys. Our goal was to help channel their energy and anger in more positive directions. But we found it next to impossible to produce the desired results so long as the humiliation continued, whether at checkpoints or in schoolyards. While the Israeli mentality of superiority was prevalent in those incidents during the Palestinian intifada, it was largely absent as the Israeli army withdrew from major cities and regrouped outside of Gaza back in 2007. But the desire to show who was boss and to rub Palestinian civilians noses in the dirt while they were stripped to their underpants in the cold weather never left. And the reoccupation of parts of Gaza provided the opportunity to go back to their hateful deeds. Initially, Israeli officials claimed that the recent mass arrests were of Hamas members who had surrendered. This was such a blatant lie that with the help of social media it was quickly debunked. Slowly, as the images made the rounds, people were able to identify friends, colleagues, and relatives, all of whom were professional men: journalists, engineers, schoolteachers, and so on. Activists argued that Hamas fighters who have a strong conviction and motivations simply dont surrender. At the same time, social media activists argued, Israeli soldiers are not known to arrestrather than shoot to killany Hamas fighter they happen to run into. As this lie was being exposed in the media, an Israeli official made a disgusting comment, telling a Western TV anchor that the Israelis stripping Palestinians down to their underwear was not the end of the world because the Middle East was warmer. Eventually, and after being trashed in the world media (both traditional and social), Israeli officials admitted that the vast majority of those who were taken literally from their homes in Beit Lahya were civilians and not Hamas fighters. In another incident, an Israeli video has gone viral showing an Israeli soldier in full protective gear standing in a small bookstore and gift shop somewhere in Gaza. Looking into the camera, most likely held by one of his comrades-in-arms, the soldier acts like a salesperson, offering the price of a toy, a book, or other trinket before throwing an item violently on the ground to ensure it is broken. The message behind the Israeli video is clear: We are the masters, and we can do whatever we please to you, Palestinians. When Israel began its war on Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed two goals of the military mission: to end Hamas and to bring back hostages. No hostage was released except as part of a mutually agreed exchange with Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas has not gone anywhere, as daily Israeli army casualties testify to its resilience. What is interesting in both cases, the stripping and the toy store incident, is that someone took time to film them, and others had no problem in distributing them widely. Why? The only explanation that one can surmise from these actions is that they were carried out to show to the Israeli public, which felt that their army, intelligence, and civilians were humiliated on October 7, that their army could carry out the desired revenge. Ever since October 7, Israeli officials have been making dehumanizing statements about Palestinians. An IDF spokesperson said early on that the Air Force will emphasize maximum damage not accuracy. Israels defense minister said that Israel will treat Palestinians as animals, and the president of Israel denied the existence of any innocent Palestinian civilian. Out-of-control Israeli shelling resulted in around 18,000 Palestinians killed, most of them children and women, as well as the destruction of hospitals, churches, mosques, bakeries, schools, and other institutions. But all of that is not enough. The Israeli army needs to show its public back home that it was in control and that the IDF had succeeded in subjugating and, yes, humiliating Palestinians in revenge for an act that some of them (Hamas) perpetrated. When U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that October 7 did not happen in a vacuum, he was referring to the years of Israeli occupation, subjugation, and efforts to humiliate Palestinians at checkpoints, during break-ins, and by taking their land and dignity. Humiliation is ugly and immoral, but also counterproductive. While the Israeli public might get their kicks out of seeing Palestinian men humiliated or a soldier destroying a Palestinian toy store, people around the world have the opposite reaction. And for Palestinian families of those men stripped naked in front of their families and the world, and the owners of that tiny store, such shameful Israeli actions only plant anger, hatred, and, eventually, a desire for revenge. A string of fraudulent transactions were made, police said Police have issued a warning about courier fraud after a woman was scammed out of more than 35,000. Nottinghamshire Police said the woman, in her 70s, was persuaded to hand over bank cards to a courier who claimed he was working for the police. The force said the woman, who lives in the Broxtowe area, was one of three victims targeted in the county in recent weeks. Investigators said the culprits were "very convincing". All of the victims had been called by someone claiming to work for their bank, or the the police, pretending to be investigating fraud. They were told their cards needed to be checked and convinced to give them to couriers sent to their homes, officers said. They later discovered fraudulent transactions had been made. A victim, in her 40s and from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, discovered her cards had been used in Nottingham and Birmingham. The third victim, from Bingham, found two mobile phones had been purchased with her card. Lucy Kennedy, from Nottinghamshire Police's fraud protection team, said: "These individuals are very convincing and have various different tactics to gain your trust." She said genuine bank staff and police officers would never phone people and ask for their PIN numbers or ask to collect their cards. Anyone who gets such a call is urged to report it to their bank immediately. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. An Ohio high school teacher is facing felony charges involving a minor. Jason Sturm, a 41-year-old math teacher at Medina High School, was indicted last week on charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person and illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance. >> At least 2 million chickens slaughtered after bird flu detected at Ohio egg farm An investigation into Sturm was launched after a tip was filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, WEWS in Cleveland reported. The teacher is accused of publishing and creating obscene material involving a minor twice in July, according to Cleveland.com. In a message sent to district families, Medina City Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable said Sturm was placed on administrative leave on Nov. 29. We understand charges of this nature are distressing, especially in a school environment involving an educator. We are relieved to know this situation did not directly impact current or former Medina City School District students or staff, Sable said in the message obtained by WOIO in Cleveland. >> I guess tonight is your lucky night; Stranger finds Ohio womans lost engagement ring The district said it had no further information at this time. We are thankful for the diligence and collaboration of the local police and district administration to ensure our students remain safe, Sable wrote. Sturm is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2. A new AI system could soon help combat school shootings. If this new technology is efficient enough, then it would greatly benefit the United States to solve gun violence in schools and universities. Iterate AI will offer the new artificial intelligence system, a California-based AI tech firm that serves numerous industries, such as retail, automotive, insurance, and convenience banking. Iterate.ai Chief Technology Officer Brian Sathianathan said that they noticed that schools could really use their help in preventing mass shootings by detecting guns before they are brought inside campuses. New AI System Can Combat School Shootings Iterate AI's latest initiative involves offering a product to schools that can help security detect weapons and prevent possible mass shootings. Sathianathan, also Iterate AI's co-founder, said that they spent years developing an AI system that can effectively detect a gun being brought inside proximity. Brian explained that there's no denying that their development process was pretty long. But, the benefits it could offer to ensure people's safety against guns are definitely rewarding. "We had to collect a lot of information and data about various weapons especially," said Iterate AI's CTO via USA Today. "We looked at the attacks that happened in the last 20 years and gathered weapons and videos and various cases around those," he added. Sathianathan said that Iterate AI could access over 20,000 data sets from the internet, as well as from law enforcement officials, who were really happy to assist them. Iterate AI's CTO added that an additional 40,000 data sets were synthetically generated by their artificial intelligence. Read Also: Amazon Project Kuiper Internet Satellite to Use Laser Link Tech Similar to Starlink's! What To Know About OISLs What Guns Can Iterate AI's System Detect? Brian Sathianathan claimed that their advanced AI system not only detects guns and semi-automatic weapons but can also identify knives that are six inches long. Aside from these, Iterate AI's CTO also promised that their artificial intelligence can detect Kevlar vests. Sathianathan explained that schools and universities need a technology similar to what they have to combat mass shootings. To help educational institutions in the U.S., he promised they are working on a free, open-source version of their AI system, which would be the most effective gun-detecting way for many schools. "We want to encourage a lot of folks to try it out. We would love people to contribute and make changes, find bugs, and fix them to get an amazing version for the greater good," he explained. Iterate AI is just among the American tech firms making efforts to develop systems to combat gun violence. Previously, ABC News reported that ZeroEyes, a Pennsylvania-based AI company, offered its new technology to the Ocean City School District in New Jersey. Aside from Ocean City, hundreds of clients across 35 U.S. states also partnered with ZeroEyes to use its gun-detecting AI system. If you want to learn more about this innovation, you can click here. Related Article: Invisible to Cops? Google Gives Users More Privacy After Overhauling Maps Services @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As New Mexicos legislators prepare for the 2024 session, any number of data points continue to show just how significant an impact the oil and gas industry has in the state. New Mexico is headed for a $3.5 billion general fund surplus for the year running through June 2025. Oil and gas production in Southeast New Mexico has allowed the annual state government income to grow by nearly 50 percent over the past three years. The oil and gas industry provides about a third of the state revenue in New Mexico. The oil and gas industry is paying the bills at a federal level as well. Recent data from the Department of Interior shows that New Mexico earned $2.93 billion in federal revenue from energy production, thanks to all of the production on BLM Land. The next highest state is Wyoming at $832 million. One way to measure success is through production. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, crude oil production in the Permian Basin was 4.9 million barrels of oil per day. Production is now closing in on 6 million barrels of oil per day. The industry is also here to stay. Thanks to horizontal drilling and fracking, all production models predict many decades of oil remaining. New Mexicos current rig count is at 102, putting it at second only to Texas. As indicated in a recent article, Eddy and Lea County are driving the states economy. A recent Arrowhead study concludes that Eddy Country contributes $239,000 per person, with a $32,000 expenditure per person. In October, Eddy County collected $6.7 million from oil and gas activities, from business that was conducted in July. There have also been a lot of transactions in the industry lately. The value of U.S. oil and gas mergers and acquisitions in the Permian basin this year has reached a record of more than $100 billion, according to one recent study. Another recent article points out that Exxon and Chevron have both been expanding heavily in our area. Both companies, it should be mentioned, are also implementing extremely aggressive environmental policies. New Mexico is a state with many needs education, infrastructure and health care, just to name a few. The numbers above, and many other similar points of data, offer a clear-cut solution for the numerous challenges facing our state. Southeast New Mexico rests on top of one of the worlds greatest resources. We hope our legislators remember this fact when they convene next month. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Oil and gas funds New Mexico Once a MAGA bastion, Trump's former DC hotel is now a Democratic hot spot The Bazaar restaurant. Scott Suchman for The Washington Post via Getty Images The former Trump hotel in DC, now the Waldorf Astoria, has become a popular meeting spot for top Democrats. The hotel was once a regular haunt for some of Trump's most trusted friends and advisors. Chef Jose Andres, who sparred with Trump during his first campaign, has opened a restaurant at the property. After Donald Trump was elected to the presidency in 2016, the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office Building in Washington became the place to be for the GOP elite who backed the New York businessman and his "Make America Great Again" movement. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was a frequent presence, and onetime Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin even lived in the hotel for several months in 2017 before moving into a permanent residence. But after the former president left the White House in 2021 he sold the leasing rights to the hotel, which was rebranded and is now the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. With Trump's name no longer attached to the property, Republicans abandoned the hotel. And instead of top GOP figures and Republican sightseers drinking at the bar or taking in the Trump-styled menu, the hotel has become a magnet for top Democratic leaders, according to Politico. "This is like a 'fuck you' to Trump," a Democratic donor expressed to Politico Playbook last Thursday. The chef Jose Andres, who in 2015 sought to open a restaurant in the hotel but went on to spar with Trump over his now-infamous remarks about Mexican immigrants, pulled out of the project and a legal fight ensued. (The parties settled in 2017.) The Waldorf Astoria in Washington. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images But under its new ownership and name, Andres has finally opened his own restaurant at the hotel, The Bazaar, which has attracted some of the most bold-typed Democratic names in the nation's capital. Recent dining guests have included former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, according to Politico. The hotel, which boasts large meeting rooms a major draw for Democratic leaders is just blocks from the White House. And while the hotel still has some guests who've visited to take in the space where Republicans once ruled, it's no longer a GOP draw. "I think a lot of people's favorite part about the hotel is that it's not owned by Donald Trump," Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz told the outlet. Read the original article on Business Insider One person was killed and two others were hospitalized in a two-vehicle collision Saturday night on Interstate 10 near the University of Texas at El Paso campus, El Paso police said. The collision occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on the eastbound lanes of I-10 near Schuster Avenue and Porfirio Diaz Street in the Sunset Heights area, just west of Downtown El Paso. More news: Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of 'unwinding' Two people were transported to University Medical Center of El Paso and a third person died at the scene, police said. Traffic is backed up following a fatal two-vehicle collision on Saturday night, Dec. 16, on Interstate 10 East near the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso in West El Paso. The collision blocked the eastbound lanes of I-10 causing a traffic backup as an investigation by the police Special Traffic Investigations Unit continued on Saturday night, Dec. 16. The accident scene was cleared at about 7 a.m. Sunday. Names and details regarding the collision were not immediately available. Another serious I-10 collision on Sunday in West El Paso A separate collision with serious injuries occurred at about 3 a.m. Sunday resulting in the closure of traffic lanes on I-10 East before Executive Center Boulevard in West El Paso, police said. The scene remained closed until about 10 a.m. Sunday. The collision is also being investigated by the Special Traffic Investigations Unit. A highway traffic camera image appeared to show a vehicle on its roof in one of the freeway lanes. Further details on the accident had not been released. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: One dead in traffic collision that closed I-10 East in West El Paso (FOX40.COM) An undercover operation known as Operation Bad Elf led to the recovery of over $7,000 worth of stolen merchandise from multiple retailers. On Dec. 15, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office detectives said they observed two women enter a Target store and fill a cart with merchandise while a third woman waited in a vehicle in the parking lot. Next, the two women exited the store without paying. Sacramento Sheriffs Office combats retail theft through Operation Bad Elf Officials said all three women were detained while loading the stolen items in the vehicle. Detectives intercepted and located hundreds of other items inside the vehicle that were stolen from numerous stores in the Sacramento area. The three women allegedly stole from Lululemon, Bath and Body Works, Michaels, CVS, and TJ Maxx earlier in the day, according to the Sacramento Sheriffs Office. The women were arrested for felony grand theft and conspiracy, but have all since been released pending their court date. Detectives said most of the items have been returned to their respective owners. Proposed emergency gun regulations on CCW instructors in California draws pushback from sheriffs association The women are suspected to have taken part in other similar organized retail thefts throughout the region, according to the sheriffs department. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the Sacramento Sheriffs Office at (916) 874-5115 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a CASH reward of up to $1000, and tipsters remain anonymous. (8477). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. (WHTM) On This Week in Pennsylvania, Secretary of State Al Schmidt sits down with Dennis Owens to discuss the states election system and questions still being offered about its integrity. Schmidt described the biggest challenge with running elections is voter turnout and the turnover in election administration. Its not unique to Pennsylvania, but its been pretty pervasive when you have new people running elections who do not have a lot of experience running elections, theyre more likely to make mistakes and make mistakes in an environment where everything is perceived to be nefarious and intentional and seeking to change the outcome, said Schmidt. After overseeing his first general election as Secretary of State, Schmidt says one of the most important things he and county leaders need to focus on is recruiting younger people to participate in the process. The most important people are is not the secretary of state. Its not county election directors. Its the volunteers in your neighborhood who are making sure that your polling place is up and running so you can cast your vote and have your vote counted. This week during State Senate hearing, officials questioned the use of ballot drop boxes by some Pennsylvania counties and say theres a lack of inspections on voting machines. Officials also criticized the SURE system that maintains voter registration rolls, which will be replaced in 2025 after the presidential election. I think its always important to ask questions about elections, acknowledged Schmidt. There is nothing wrong with asking questions about elections. Its important though that the people asking those questions are seeking actual answers to those questions and not asking them with the intention of undermining confidence in election results. If you are sincerely interested in knowing the answer, if your questions are grounded in reality and not some sort of nonsense that is being spread around on social media or anything else like that, if youve a sincere interest in the answer to those questions, all those questions deserve to be answered. Schmidt, who served as a Republican Commissioner during the 2020 election, added he wants voters to know everything with the election system is on the up and up with checks and balances in place. There are two audits after every election that every county experiences. Its important that voters kind of tune out a lot of the chatter that theyre hearing. A lot of these things are not very controversial and a lot of them are really designed to deceive people. And thats, I think, one of the bigger challenges that we face as election administrators. Since being nominated by Governor Josh Shapiro and taking office, Schmidt and the Shapiro Administration have implemented changes meant to improve the election process. One of those changes was automatic voter registration when voters get or change their drivers license at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The other makes uniform and less confusing mail-in ballot envelopes. Schmidt acknowledges his fellow Republicans have not embraces mail voting. Ultimately, we want every voter to cast their vote in whatever method they prefer, said Schmidt. If you want to vote in person on Election Day, you should absolutely vote in person on Election Day if you want. That can be answered voting by mail so you have more time to review the candidates and do some homework before casting your vote. Schmidt added its not about discouraging or encouraging anyone to vote in any particular way. The fundamental thing is making sure that everyone can cast their vote. Schmidt knows drop boxes for mail-ballots, which are not in Act 77 and created by courts, concern Republicans. There have been incidents of people dropping off more than one ballot, which is illegal. The main difference between a drop box and a mailbox is a drop box has a camera on it recording everything thats going on. It has something on it that states you may only drop off your own ballot and and all the rest, said Schmidt. While Pennsylvanias 67 counties each run their own elections, Schmidt wants counties to be uniform and does not like when courts make last minute rulings. He says uniformity builds confidence and insists that while there can be human hiccups, there is never widespread fraud. I think voters should have confidence that elections in Pennsylvania are, have never been more, safe, and never been more secure with a voter verifiable ballot. After every election thats used in not one but two audits, voting is not controversial. Every voter should exercise their right to vote. Democrats, Republicans and all the rest to make sure their voice voice is heard and who is representing them. The Department of State and the Shapiro Administration have looked at the 2024 election long before the 2023 election ended, says Schmidt, to make sure things run smoothly with all eyes on the Keystone State. The last four winners of the presidency (Presidents Biden, Trump, and Obama) have each won Pennsylvanias electoral votes. Its a long a lot of work that goes into making sure an election runs smoothly, said Schmidt. Theres no redos, theres no do overs. Any error that occurs is completely unacceptable. So at the county and state level, we have to do everything we can to mitigate against anything occurring that will prevent voters from casting their vote and having their vote counted. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. All over the world, governments are adapting to a new era of mass migration linked to conflict, climate change, and economic opportunism. The West is no stranger to painful judgments that must be made in managing undocumented foreigners. The UK Governments plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda is a sign of that pressure. The heated debate surrounding the proposal and the many efforts to derail the scheme illustrate the huge challenges for policymakers as they seek to balance human rights with hard realities, writes Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the Interim prime minister of Pakistan. France is also struggling, while Italy has expressed fears that it may become Europes refugee camp. After opening its arms to several million refugees in recent years, Germany is also feeling the strain, prompting the announcement of tough new deportation measures. The situation in the US is no easier. Pakistans problem is of a different magnitude altogether. Over the last three to four decades, between four and five million migrants (roughly the population of Ireland) have arrived. Many have no right to remain. Despite being a non-signatory to 1951 Convention on Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol), we have generously accommodated the single largest caseload of refugees. Hospitality is in Pakistans DNA which is why we have, and will continue to fulfil our legal, moral and humanitarian obligations. We have worked very hard, over a very long period of time, to accommodate as many as we can while giving those with no right to remain ample opportunity to leave voluntarily. Unfortunately, despite frequent opportunities to repatriate voluntarily, and multiple government attempts to register those who remain undocumented, a significant number has persistently refused to formalise their status, choosing instead to stay in the shadows. While Pakistan has benefited from many hardworking and law-abiding migrants, the overall socio-economic and security cost of this huge influx has been staggering. Many work on the black market, paying no tax, depressing wages for legitimate workers. They are also susceptible to exploitation by the criminal underworld, with all its disturbing links to terrorist organisations operating in the region. Treat deportees with respect and care Since Aug 2021, at least 16 Afghan nationals have carried out suicide attacks inside Pakistan, while 65 terrorists killed in encounters with security forces, mainly in the bordering region, were identified as Afghans. No responsible government can ignore such concerns. Whenever we raised this with the interim Afghan government, they advised us to look inwards. We have finally decided to heed to their advice to put our house in order. Our painstaking repatriation programme has attracted predictable criticism from those who do not understand the complex history of the problem or the extraordinary efforts that have been made to avoid forcible deportations. Misinformation and unfounded allegations abound, especially on social media. In any such programme, there will always be a small number of particularly difficult cases. We felt and continue to feel a deep responsibility for the welfare of all of those being repatriated, which is why all officials involved in the program are under strict orders to treat deportees with due respect and care. Furthermore, our emphasis is on voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of individuals (along with their legally acquired assets), and not on deportation. Some 93 per cent of those who have returned to Afghanistan have done so voluntarily. Importantly, none of the 1.46 million Afghans who applied for proof of registration cards have been returned; nor have 800,000 or so individuals who hold Afghan citizen cards. We have set up some 79 transit centres, providing free meals, shelter and medical facilities while additional crossing points have been opened on the Pakistan-Afghan Border to facilitate the processes. Security personnel are escorting the immigrants to border crossings, taking particular care of women and children. Emergency helplines are available to report any abuses. Much has been made of the risk of persecution of those who return. We take this very seriously, and are reassured by the strong tribal and regional links between those who are being repatriated and the authorities in Kabul and Kandahar. The interim Afghan government has also shown visible concern for the welfare of those who return. The abrupt withdrawal of Western allies from Afghanistan in Aug 20201 prompted a whole new influx of refugees to Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals crossed the border, claiming their lives were in danger. Again, we take their welfare very seriously, recognising that some do require special protection. We will not deport at-risk groups, such as musicians, journalists, and human rights activists. We do however need help from other countries. Unfortunately, only 59,033 of the new arrivals have been resettled outside Pakistan, while 42,068 await evacuation to the west. The rest have failed to put forward a convincing case to anyone for asylum, and continue to stay in Pakistan illegally. Pakistan, today, stands at the crossroads of history. We can no longer continue to compromise our national security by accommodating such huge numbers of undocumented individuals. Our ultimate aim is to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan with associated benefits for our own people, for the region, and the wider world. 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 Samia Nakhoul and Ali Sawafta RAMALLAH (Reuters) - Immediately after Israel's war in Gaza ends, all Palestinian factions including Hamas must take a serious look at the failure of their policies to achieve freedom for their people, a top Palestinian Authority official said. Hussein al-Sheikh, 63, said war in Gaza after the Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel meant Hamas should make a "serious and honest assessment and reconsider all its policies and all its methods" once fighting subsides. Hamas' attacks killed 1,200 Israelis, triggering a relentless bombardment and ground war that has killed at least 19,000 Palestinians, displaced hundreds of thousands and left much of the enclave in ruins. Sheikh, the general secretary of President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Liberation Organization, is seen by some as a potential successor. His comments were the first time a senior PLO leader has talked publicly about Hamas tactics since the Oct. 7 attacks. Sheikh also acknowledged the political path under Oslo peace accords was faltering and as it currently stands would not achieve the ambition of the Palestinian people for the establishment of a Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders. Sheikh and Abbas met senior White House aide Jake Sullivan in Ramallah on Friday. The Palestinians told him a new international effort was needed to persuade Israel of a comprehensive solution that includes the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, Sheikh told Reuters. "There must be a single Palestinian government governing the Palestinian homeland," Sheikh told Reuters on Saturday in a rare interview in sleek offices adorned with portraits Abbas and his predecessor Yasser Arafat in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. The West Bank is divided by an Israeli wall and fence that snakes hundreds of miles across the hills. Jewish settlers, many of whom cite Biblical ties to the land, have in recent years expanded construction in areas that would become a future Palestinian state. Most countries deem Jewish settlements built on land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal. Despite offering welcome verbal backing for a Palestinian state in the meetings, Sheikh said, Washington had not proposed concrete mechanisms or political initiatives. He reiterated a call by Abbas for an international peace conference to forge a new route. A senior U.S. official said this week the idea of a conference had been discussed with partners, but the proposal was still at a preliminary stage. LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE U.S. President Joe Biden has sent a series of top officials to the West Bank to meet Abbas and Sheikh, seeking to revamp the moribund Palestinian Authority to take charge of Gaza once the war is over and unify the administration of the enclave and the West Bank. Visiting U.S. officials have discussed the need for reforms to combat corruption, hand over broader executive powers to the prime minister and introduce new blood into the Palestinian Authority. Despite the U.S. efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he would not allow the Palestinian Authority to run Gaza after the war and suggested Israel would occupy it instead. Sheikh said the Palestinian Authority was the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and would be ready to take control of Gaza after the war. However, he recognised that the unpopular Palestinian Authority, which many Palestinians see as corrupt, undemocratic and out of touch, needed to reassess its role. Hamas by contrast has grown in popularity since the attacks, both in Gaza and the West Bank, a Palestinian poll showed this week. Referring to Hamas, which has fought five wars against Israel since 2008, Sheikh said "it is not acceptable for some to believe that their method and approach in managing the conflict with Israel was the ideal and the best. "After all this (killing) and after everything that's happening, isn't it worth making a serious, honest and responsible assessment to protect our people and our Palestinian cause? "Isnt it worth discussing how to manage this conflict with the Israeli occupation?" Sheikh said 60% of Gaza was destroyed and it would cost $40 billion to rebuild over decades. The 1993 Oslo peace accords with Israel were partially successful, he said, in that they gave Palestinians an identity and led to the repatriation of two million refugees to the West Bank and Gaza from countries they fled to during the 1948 and 1967 wars with Israel. He said the PA has been weakened by Israel's military raids and expansion of settlements. Abbas promoted Sheikh last year. His new role effectively makes him the second most powerful man in the PLO, an umbrella for non-Islamist Palestinian factions that does not include Hamas. He is deeply unpopular among Palestinians partly thanks to his liaison role with the occupying Israeli military. Opinion polls give him about 3% support. In response to a request for comment, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Sheikh was "on the side of the Israeli civil administration, and him attacking the Palestinian resistance isn't surprising". Sheikh said it was his job to work with Israel to reduce the suffering of Palestinians. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Ali Sawafta, Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Giles Elgood) A guilty verdict against two Colorado paramedics for the 2019 death of Elijah McClain could have a chilling effect nationwide, experts said, due to the unprecedented nature of a criminal case against medics who are largely protected from liability while treating people in emergencies. The prosecution rested its case Wednesday after calling many witnesses who previously testified in the trials of three Aurora police officers involved in the incident. The two Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics, Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec, have pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The two emergency medical technicians standing trial for the death of someone they treated in police custody is unparalleled, experts told CNN. Paramedics are typically local government agents protected by statutory immunities where injury and death can occur even when they abide by their medical training. It is rare for police officers to face criminal charges for on-duty encounters due to laws protecting their right to use force, but it is exceedingly so for emergency medical technicians to face any consequences professional, civil or criminal for their actions on the job. Cooper and Cichuniec were indicted by a grand jury in 2021, along with three Aurora police officers. Nathan Woodyard was found not guilty by a Colorado jury in November on all charges. Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt were jointly tried beginning in September. Roedema was found guilty of the lesser-included charges of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault and will be sentenced in January. Rosenblatt was acquitted of all charges. The charges against the five first responders stem from the arrest of McClain, 23, on August 24, 2019, when officers responded to a call about a suspicious person wearing a ski mask, according to the indictment. The officers confronted McClain, a massage therapist, musician, and animal lover, wrestled him to the ground and placed him into a carotid hold as he was walking home from a convenience store carrying a plastic bag with iced tea. What makes the case against Cooper and Cichuniec stand out among other claims against paramedics is their diagnosis of McClain with excited delirium a controversial term describing violent agitation and giving him the powerful sedative ketamine before he suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and died three days later, said Candace McCoy, an attorney and criminal justice professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. McClain, who weighed 143 pounds, was estimated by the paramedics to weigh 200 pounds and injected with a dose of ketamine to match, the indictment said. Cooper and Cichuniec were suspended from their roles in September 2021 after being criminally charged, a spokesperson for the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told CNN. The department will make a decision to remove their certifications depending on the outcome of the trial, the spokesperson said. The ketamine factor Defense attorneys for the three Aurora officers at trial blamed McClains death on the paramedics decision to inject him with a dose of ketamine too large for his size. The use of ketamine by emergency responders to tranquilize people against their will has raised controversy and triggered investigations in multiple states. The decision was made to administer a 500 mg dose of Ketamine, which should have been closer to 325 mg for McClain, according to the indictment. By the time he was placed on the gurney, Mr. McClain appeared unconscious, had no muscle tone, was limp, and had visible vomit coming from his nose and mouth, the indictment said. (Officer) Roedema said he heard Mr. McClain snoring, which can be a sign of a ketamine overdose. Though an initial autopsy report said the cause of death was undetermined, an amended report publicly released in 2022 listed complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint as the cause of death. The manner of death was undetermined. Dr. Stephen Cina, the pathologist who signed the autopsy report, wrote he saw no evidence injuries inflicted by police contributed to McClains death, and McClain would most likely be alive but for the administration of ketamine. Paramedics Peter Cichuniec, center, and Jeremy Cooper, right, listen to attorney Shana Beggan at an arraignment in the Adams County district court at the Adams County Justice Center January 20, 2023. - Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images Prosecutors called their last witness to the stand Wednesday, Dr. Roger Mitchell, a forensic pathologist who reviewed footage from the incident. He testified McClain showed signs of having a deficiency in oxygen, or hypoxia, but there was no evidence of excited delirium. Mitchell said McClain needed oxygen and fluids, as well as a physical examination before he was injected with ketamine. If that was done, then I dont believe that the ketamine would have been given, Mitchell testified. Emergency medical technicians and police officers arrive at the scene with differing purposes, but their roles can intersect instantly, Hodge said. You can imagine the dynamics of who is trying to lead on those two different and often sometimes divergent missions: stabilizing the patient and stabilizing for a criminal related threat, Hodge said. In a routine situation, there are not too many cases like this where paramedics and police are caught up in the dynamics of trying to contain for the scene what they were there to accomplish, and a horrific outcome of course occurs. One potential result of the trial could be that paramedics should not believe at face value what police tell them, according to McCoy, an expert on the rule of law and topics such as police practices and accountability in public organizations. A criminal conviction in the trial could lead to paramedics being leerier about arriving at a scene where law enforcement is present by showing they could be held liable even when their only purpose is to give medical help, according to James Hodge, director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University. We dont want to authorize paramedics or police to engage in egregious behaviors related to any person seeking specific care, Hodge said. But on the flip side, the moment you target paramedics potentially arriving on scene and being directed by police as to what they can and cannot do in real time with potential liability, theres a very serious chilling effect at work here. A high burden of proof on prosecutors When an action by an officer or paramedic turns criminal, statutory immunities are swept away, Hodge said, which can open an avenue for lawsuits alleging a breach of constitutional duties. But proving criminal activity, intent or gross negligence by paramedics is a heavy burden on prosecutors, Hodge said. Youre generally not seeing paramedics brought up on cases related to what they tend to do in the field absent some true demonstration of gross negligence, wanton or willful misbehavior or true criminal effort or activity involved, Hodge said. Whether the specifics of the McClain case fall into that, we dont know yet, but if so, thats the potential to reach some level of liability for these paramedics. Its more common for paramedics to be sued or accused of negligent duty or medical malpractice on the job, but those claims are frequently dismissed due to the challenge in proving a patients injury was caused by potential negligence or criminal activity, Hodge said. One case in point stemmed from an incident inside a Michigan jail in 2017. Two paramedics and an officer were charged in 2018 with manslaughter in the death of William Marshall, who was in custody at the jail for drug possession when he began convulsing on the floor, having muscle spasms and was unable to walk, according to Wayne County prosecutors. When paramedics arrived, Marshall said he was having a seizure and pleaded for help, prosecutors said, but neither paramedic offered medical attention, and he was placed back in the cell. He died within a few hours from cocaine toxicity, prosecutors said. In 2019, the charges against the officer and the two paramedics were dropped after a judge ruled the prosecution could not prove their actions caused Marshalls death. Prosecutors reluctantly bring charges against government agents shielded by the doctrine of sovereign immunity and have ample leeway in judgment calls in the field, according to McCoy. Prosecutors face a high burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to jurors the paramedics were so negligent it caused a death, she added. But even for negligence, you must prove that its so far out of the normal medical standard that the EMTs were basically renegades, and thats hard to prove. Its not that jurors love EMTs, but they have medical training so its hard to assess, McCoy said. The defense, however, will seek to cast doubt on the negligence of the homicide, she added. All they need is one or two jurors to sympathize with the EMTs, said McCoy. CNNs Andi Babineau contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Due to weather, passengers say MSC Cruises changed the itinerary of a Caribbean-bound ship. Instead of the Bahamas, cruisers said they learned they'd be heading to Boston and Canada. A passenger told BI they were informed of the change the day before setting sail. On Friday night, hours before their cruise was scheduled to set sail to the Bahamas, MSC Cruises passengers said they received a disappointing email: Due to harsh weather conditions, their ship would no longer be heading to the Caribbean. Instead, they'd be heading north from New York City to Boston and then to Canada. Brad, a passenger who spoke to Business Insider and asked to go by his first name, said he and his family received the email at 8 p.m. on Friday and had a flight to New York at 4 a.m. on Saturday. BI viewed the email Brad said MSC sent to guests, which was also posted widely to social media, including Reddit. Instead of a tropical December vacation, passengers aboard the MSC Meraviglia will be traveling from New York City to Boston, Portland, and St. John, Canada, before returning to the US, according to the email. On CruiseMapper, a cruise-tracking website, BI was able to find an MSC Meraviglia ship that appeared to be docked in Boston as of Sunday. MSC Cruises did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular working hours. CruiseMapper shows an MSC Meraviglia docked in Boston. CruiseMapper Brad, who lives in Canada, said the family got the email two hours after MSC Cruises' Canadian offices closed, which meant they couldn't speak to a customer service representative. "We definitely don't want to go to Boston," Brad told BI. "Our suitcases are packed for a beach, not for Canada and Boston." "We weren't able to speak to anybody, so we were left in the dust hoping that they would do the right thing," he continued. The email said the company "significantly altered the itinerary" due to "adverse weather conditions expected across Florida and the Bahamas." The Weather Channel predicted heavy rain and wind from Florida to New England on Sunday. "Heavy rain is expected across most of the destinations that we planned to visit, as well as wind gusts surpassing 40 knots which would render our maneuvers to enter destination ports unsafe," the email reads. If passengers "are not satisfied with this change," they can cancel their sailing and receive credit for a future cruise, the email said. Brad told BI his family decided not to go they live close enough to Boston to drive there, hoping to receive a refund. "In this particular situation, I feel like MSC should have done something a little more than just, 'Sorry, here's a future cruise credit,'" Brad said. "I understand they can't control the weather, but I'm sure they could have sent out something quicker than 8 p.m." Now, he said he's unsure if he wants to use the credit, telling BI: "I don't know how I would take this future cruise credit with this bad taste for this company in my mouth." The MSC Meraviglia, the ship that was meant to travel to the Bahamas this weekend. Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Industry publication Cruise Hive reported on Sunday that the storm affected the itineraries of several other cruise ships, including ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian. Those changes meant staying on board for some passengers instead of docking at a port and disembarking. Others rerouted from the Bahamas to Mexico, per the outlet. Some cruisers described being "stuck at sea" because they couldn't dock at some ports along their intended route, according to Orlando news outlet WOFL. Read the original article on Business Insider Mandatory disclosure to further expand from 2026 By Anna J. Park Major KOSPI-listed companies will be obliged to issue public disclosures in English from January next year, Korea's top financial regulator said Sunday. According to the announcements by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), KOSPI-listed companies with an asset size of over 10 trillion won ($7.6 billion) will be required to publish disclosures in English from the start of next year in matters of key information, such as dividends, capital increase or decrease and issues related to trading status, within three days of their submittal of the same disclosures in the Korean language. Companies where foreign ownership is less than 5 percent will be excluded from the obligation, even if they meet the qualification of the corporate asset size. In the case of companies where foreign ownership of stakes is over 30 percent, the threshold bar of a corporate asset size will be lowered to 2 trillion won. Thus, KOSPI-listed companies with assets worth over 2 trillion won and more than 30 percent of their stakes held by foreign investors must also issue important public disclosures in English within three days of their Korean language disclosures. From 2026, the scope of listed companies bearing the obligation will be expanded to all KOSPI-listed companies with an asset size of at least 2 trillion won, and their English disclosures should be simultaneously issued as their submittal of disclosures in Korean. Since the government first announced the plan to widen foreign investors' accessibility to the Korean capital markets by removing language barriers in the country's electronic disclosure sites early this year, financial authorities have completed necessary revisions of related regulations to introduce the mandatory English disclosure system. There are two official disclosure sites Data Analysis, Retrieval and Transfer System (DART) operated by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), and the Korea Investors' Network for Disclosure System (KIND) operated by the Korea Exchange (KRX). From Monday, the KRX offers an AI translator service jointly developed with Naver Cloud for disclosure filing procedures at its KIND site. The FSS-run DART has also added a new function guiding listed companies through their obligation to submit English disclosures when submitting disclosures in Korean through the DART editor. In addition, the FSS plans to improve the system to provide automatic translation of key summaries in the future. The financial watchdog also plans to set up an English version of its "Open DART" service, which provides disclosure data for open application programming interface use. While the financial authorities have been working on enhancing the official electronic disclosure platforms to better suit foreign investors' demands, they have also been providing both online and offline education as well as translation support to companies in need. The FSC expects the implementation of the first-stage English disclosure obligation will lead to a more active issuance of disclosures in English, improving foreign investors' access to the Korean capital markets and thereby raising its global competitiveness," an official from the FSC said. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, shown speaking at the Capitol this fall, had called for expanding background checks in 2019 to private gun sales between strangers. Then he quietly dropped the issue. Editor's note: This column has been updated to clarify the proposed federal rule change on which gun sellers must be licensed came after the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Ed Scruggs didnt know anything more than the neighbors frantically texting him on Dec. 5, panicked over the sounds of gunfire in their Circle C neighborhood. But in the week since a string of shootings from San Antonio to Austin left six people dead including a mother and daughter just a few blocks from Scruggs home one revelation brought bitter clarity: The suspect in the shootings, beset by legal and mental health problems, got his gun through a private sale, sidestepping a background check. And in my mind, it was just like, 'Of course he did, said Scruggs, a former board member with Texas Gun Sense, a gun safety advocacy group. This is precisely the kind of problem Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick vowed to tackle in 2019, then inexplicably abandoned the danger of stranger-to-stranger gun sales allowing unfit people to get a gun without a background check. Back then, Scruggs had hope and a seat at the table in Gov. Greg Abbott's closed-door roundtable discussions on gun violence. Patrick forcefully argued for expanding background checks to private gun sales between strangers after the 2019 Midland-Odessa shooting, in which seven people were killed and 25 injured by a gunman who, having failed a background check at a licensed gun shop, went to a private seller to get his gun. That came after mass killings that turned on different failures: the 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting, in which 23 were killed and 26 injured; the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, in which 10 were killed and 13 were injured; and the 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting, in which 26 were killed and 20 were injured. Patrick made a point of being very open about (how) we've got to do something I remember him specifically using the words weve got to do something about this problem or we will be overrun, Scruggs told me last week. He remembers Patrick looking at the Texas State Rifle Association representatives in the room and expounding on the risks with stranger-to-stranger gun sales, that there just seemed to be holes in it, that it was dangerous, that it could inspire gun trafficking and he thought we should do something about it, Scruggs added. Patrick took the same message to the public, telling Fox News in September 2019 that 10% to 15% of guns were sold between strangers with no background check. They don't know who they're selling to, Patrick said with urgency. It could be a felon, could be someone getting ready to rob a bank or someone (whos) ready to commit an act of violence, and we have to stop the stranger-to-stranger sales. Patrick, a longtime gun rights advocate, even told The Dallas Morning News in September 2019 that he was willing to take an arrow from the gun lobby to shore up background checks. But then: nothing. When the next legislative session arrived in 2021, a bill to address these background checks (Senate Bill 163) didnt even get a hearing in the upper chamber, which Patrick controls. It just disappeared, Scruggs said. Sizable loophole puts public at risk Its still astonishing that such a bold call to action by one of our states most powerful elected leaders simply evaporated. Patrick's office didnt respond last week to my questions. Neither did the Texas State Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, whose political arm gave Patrick an A+ rating last year. Patrick would have had the public on his side for expanded background checks. Polling from the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project shows 78% of Texans support or somewhat support requiring background checks for all gun purchases. Thats true even among 68% of Texans who identify as strong Republicans and 65% of Texans who identify as extremely conservative. Federal law requires background checks for any sales by a licensed firearms dealer, but not for private sellers who sell a gun from their personal collection an exemption federal officials have acknowledged is exploited by unlicensed dealers. Twenty-one states have laws extending background checks to at least some private sales. Texas does not. This is a sizable loophole. A 2015 survey found 1 in 5 U.S. gun owners got their most recent gun without undergoing a background check. And an analysis by Everytown for Gun Safety found that as many as 1 in 9 people trying to buy a firearm on armslist.com, the nations largest online gun marketplace, are people who are legally prohibited from owning firearms. Scruggs marveled at the ease of such sales. You can meet (a private seller) in a Walmart parking lot and you can purchase a gun out of their trunk (with) cash they dont even have to ask you for any ID or anything, Scruggs said. Thats how easy it is, and Im not sure that people are aware of that until events like (last weeks rampage) happen. Stronger rules coming from the feds The federal government is finally tightening this loophole. After the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was championed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and signed last year by President Joe Biden, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives started revising its definitions of the types of gun sellers who need to be licensed and therefore required to conduct background checks. Previously, vendors had to be licensed if they made their living through gun sales a standard that overlooked people who sold guns as a side hustle. The proposed rules would require licensing of anyone selling guns with the goal of making a profit, pulling in those part-time dealers. Scruggs acknowledged that background checks wont prevent every tragedy. But if someone is facing criminal charges, or has a bail condition prohibiting gun ownership or has a documented history of mental health issues all true of Shane James Jr., the 34-year-old man accused of the Dec. 5 string of shootings why make it easier for such a person to buy a gun without any scrutiny? Flowers are left Dec. 7 at the house on Austral Loop in the Circle C neighborhood in Southwest Austin where two people were fatally shot Dec. 5. Austin police said they are talking with the person who sold the .45-caliber pistol to James. In an unsigned email from the Police Department's media office, the agency declined to elaborate on how James and the seller met, where the transaction took place or whether the seller might face any charges. (The man who sold the gun to the Midland-Odessa shooter was sentenced to two years in prison, after the feds determined he was acting as a firearms dealer without having a license or paying taxes on that income.) Scruggs and his neighbors remain rattled by last weeks shooting, especially the horrific randomness of it. The gunman could have picked anyones door. It's an indication to me that this problem is everyone's problem, Scruggs said. It can happen anywhere at any time, and it will impact you in some way at some point. But its also a reminder that four years ago Patrick offered to take an arrow over tighter background checks then he quietly dropped the matter, leaving Texans with a greater risk of facing real bullets. Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or via Twitter at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/news/columns. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick didn't fix the private gun sales problem PlacemakingJax, a dynamic initiative fostering community engagement, is calling on the people of Jacksonville to participate in the creation of pop-up projects or large-scale interventions in Downtown Jacksonville. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The goal is to revitalize underused public spaces, turning them into vibrant community hubs. Facilitated by Downtown Vision and funded in part by the #DTJax Gala held annually in February. Projects undertaken by PlacemakingJax occur within Downtown Jacksonvilles Business Improvement District (BID). Utilizing various public spaces such as sidewalks, alleyways, vacant storefronts, green lots, public parks, parking lots, streets, and the riverfront, the initiative seeks to transform these areas into celebrated community places. While the projects are temporary, the impact aims to drive permanent positive change. PlacemakingJax projects are initiated by locals who bring forward ideas to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown Jacksonville. These resident-led initiatives thrive on collaboration with community partners, city agencies, and funders. The program envisions a platform where residents, artists, and neighborhood groups can actively contribute, fostering creativity to address community needs and aspirations. In the latest development, PlacemakingJax 2.0 is currently accepting applications for downtown public space activation ideas in the business improvement district for the year 2024. The open call welcomes ideas seeking funding ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, emphasizing a community-led approach with support from PlacemakingJax. If you have an idea for transforming a public space into a vibrant community spot in Downtown Jacksonville, the application process is open. The deadline for submissions is approaching, with applications accepted until midnight tomorrow. To submit your application or learn more about PlacemakingJax, visit their website HERE. Dont miss the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of Downtown Jacksonville and bring your creative ideas to life with the support of PlacemakingJax. [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. A bridge over the Delaware Canal in Tinicum was closed Wednesday due to damage from "recent vehicle crashes," a PennDOT news release states. The bridge on Route 32 (River Road) will remain closed until contractors can repair the damage, though the release did not give any estimates for when the project might finish. The 46-foot long bridge, built in 1932, carried approximately 2,608 vehicles a day across the canal near Marshall Island in the Delaware River. Traffic on the Lower Trenton-Morrisville Bridge in Morrisville on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2023. [Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times] For now, reaching the other side of the canal will mean a roughly 16-mile detour using Route 611 (Easton Road) in Kintersville to connect to Deep Run Road, Route 413 (Old Easton Road) and Dark Hollow road about 0.3 miles from the closed bridge. That unplanned bridge closure is the only new addition to a list of several ongoing projects that will continue for most of the December. Here's a breakdown of the traffic news you need to know this week. All projects are scheduled weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Eateries open for Christmas: Looking to enjoy a meal out on Christmas Day? These Bucks County restaurants will be open What road projects are continuing this week in Bucks County? A periodic weekday lane closure continutes through Dec. 22 on Route 32 (River Road) between Robinson Place and Woodside Road, near the Scudder Falls Bridge, in Yardley. A similar lane closure with flagging on Route 263 (Upper York Road), between River Road and Circle View Drive, in Solebury, continues through Dec. 22 as well. A lane closure continues on Route 309 (Bethlehem Pike), between Swartley Road, in Hilltown, and Orvilla Road, in Hatfield, Montgomery County, weekdays starting Monday through Dec. 15. Utility work will bring a weekday lane closure on eastbound Route 132 (Street Road), between Lowell and Walter roads. The Warminster Township Municipal Authority work continues through Dec. 29. Crews continue a two-year project installing roundabouts where Easton Road intersects with New Britain/Sauerman roads, near Triangle Park, in Doylestown Township. Work lasts from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays until the project's expected completion in April 2026. Lane closures continue on state Route 611 (Easton Road), between Quarry and Spruce Hill roads, in Bedminster for PECO Energy utility construction work through Dec. 29. PECO crews are also continuing pole replacement work through Dec. 29 on County Line Road, in Horsham, between Park Road and Chestnut Lane. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bridge over Delaware Canal in Tinicum closed with 16-mile detour A man died after an altercation with his neighbor on Saturday. Harry Doleno, 69, was found dead behind A. Doleno Sewer and Plumbing on Seward Drive off McChain Road in Union Township. The Washington County coroner said Doleno was sprayed with pepper spray during the altercation. He reportedly walked away from the altercation after he was sprayed, but was found unresponsive a short time later. The cause and manner of Dolenos death is under investigation. Saturday, Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh would only say the incident is under investigation. Its not clear if charges will be filed against Dolenos neighbor. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Rite Aid closing another store in our areaTraffic stop leads to drug arrest in Pittsburghs South SideSuspect in Penn Hills standoff situation in custody, police say VIDEO: Will masks be back everywhere? Channel 11 asks expert DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Religious confession is in decline in the U.S. Only 17% of Catholics go to confession more than once per year and religious attendance in general is waning among Americans. Historically, the law has recognized certain relationships as being so intimate that the privilege of confidentiality is intrinsic. Spouses, for example, cannot be forced to testify against their spouse. Conversations with ones lawyer are also privileged. Confessions to clergy, historically, have carried a similar kind of privilege. As religious confession occupies a smaller role in American life, however, we naturally lose sight of the vision that once informed legally protecting it. Theres a lot that can be said about that vision, but fundamentally, it is rooted in the belief that religion shapes human conscience better than law. At the heart of confession is the idea that we are accountable for our own behavior; not only to legal authorities, but also to an ultimate authority. It is, of course, true that some have attempted to render unto God that which is Caesars. Perhaps they believed that if God is the ultimate authority, theres no reason to answer to the laws of men. With good reason, we are afraid to repeat the mistakes of the Archdiocese of Boston. This partly explains growing skepticism about the value of clergy-penitent privilege, which protects the confidentiality of disclosures between clergy and congregants including in regards to criminal and abusive behavior. A growing chorus of journalists and politicians eagerly call for reforms to make clergy into mandatory reporters. If they can articulate the benefits of confidentiality, and the risks incurred by upending it, they dont. Instead, they rely on the sensational nature of abuse stories to do the arguing for them. Outrage makes evidence and reason unnecessary. Its not wrong to feel incensed on behalf of the victims. After enduring a variety of abusive situations as a child, Ive often wondered what steps could have been taken and by whom to help me sooner. It goes without saying that its always worth considering additional ways to protect the most vulnerable. But if we are wrong about upending long-standing legal protections, the costs would ultimately be borne by the vulnerable. Last week, The Associated Press resurfaced a 2015 news story about a former Latter-day Saint bishop who was accused of sexually abusing his daughter when she was young. According to the report, the Idaho father, John Goodrich, confessed to his church bishop and was excommunicated from the church. Local prosecutors opted not to move forward with the case, even though Goodrich had allegedly confessed the abuse to multiple sources, including family members, who were legally able to testify. Idaho law holds clergy liable for disclosing confidential confessions, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered to help the victim pursue further legal action. Idaho law states: A clergyman or priest cannot, without the consent of the person making the confession, be examined as to any confession made to him in his professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he belongs. Yet some continue to argue that efforts to protect the privacy of religious confessions are meant to help perpetrators and not victims. Among other things, this seriously misunderstands the confessional setting. A surprising amount of research continues to confirm that attempts to turn helpers into mandated reporters may be backfiring in ways that unintentionally hurt women and children. Thats because religious confessional settings provide a safe space to disclose uncomfortable realities, including for victims. We need these spaces. A December 2019 study in the Journal of Family Violence found mandatory reporting reduced help-seeking for over a third of survivors of domestic abuse. Another study found that mandatory reporting drove poor women to conceal hardships over fears of losing their children. Theyre not wrong to fear this. Another recent study showed how mandatory reporting increases reports of abuse, but actually lowers the chances of discovering actual abuse. As the Catholic attorney Carl Herstein explained in a commentary for the Deseret News, rather than simply being held accountable for failure to report abuse and neglect, what these mandatory reporting laws effectively do is make people responsible for failure to report suspicions of such behavior, and most cases reported as suspicious are not confirmed. Instead of focusing on the nature and seriousness of abuse and how they can help, mandatory reporters must also worry about how to avoid liability. When this kind of reporting is treated as a panacea, rather than a tool to be used with discernment to help those in need, what can result is a policing culture in which fears about not reporting multiply reports sapping vital resources needed for victims and causing abusers and victims to go back into the shadows. Turning clergy into mandated reporters effectively impresses religious leaders into the service of the state, and parishioners who realize this will have one less setting in which they can be totally vulnerable. This shift also blunts clergys ability to convince perpetrators to turn themselves in voluntarily. This is precisely the concern the Church of Jesus Christ has voiced in these situations, including this statement one representative made in an affidavit: If members had any concerns that their disciplinary files could be read by a secular judge or attorneys or be presented to a jury as evidence in a public trial, their willingness to confess and repent would be seriously compromised. Whatever the struggle being discussed, the primary purpose of confession is to catalyze a repentance process that aims to correct, restore, heal and bring about justice and mercy. That happens through surfacing the misdeeds in the light of day so they can be openly examined and proactively resolved. Repentance, in this understanding, is not an alternative to legal accountability rather, it includes it. The church teaches both that abuse is sinful and that we are subject to legal authorities for crimes committed. To the extent that a parishioner takes this idea seriously that is, that God cares about abuse and true reconciliation to him may include answering for it through proper legal channels the confessional setting helps victims by creating greater accountability for abusers, not less. One former bishop recounted meeting with a man who had confessed child abuse to him. When he called the helpline, he was instructed to follow the law thats what they always told us. This bishop then encouraged the man to turn himself in to authorities as a part of repentance, which is what the man subsequently did. For all those who see our prevailing correction system as inadequate and perhaps even failing, they might be heartened to consider the implicit correction system taking place in houses of worship everywhere. This includes the correction of past wrongs that need to be made right, and the prevention of those that might otherwise be committed. As Herstein notes, within a healthy faith community, mechanisms for open accountability can catch smaller problems before they become large ones and help those who could otherwise go on to become offenders right their course. Extending the states ability to catch offenders, then, must be balanced against the rights of institutions, which prevent offenders. This doesnt mean institutions dont make mistakes, nor that they cant abuse legal privileges. It means that we must weigh potential abuses against the benefits which religion and the confessional setting afford to victims and to the creation of a safer society. Instead of keeping things secret, confession is about honesty and accountability. Lets therefore be cautious about narratives that ask us to uncritically cast aside legal protections around religious rights for the greater good. MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his country is working to resolve "exploration issues" in the South China Sea so it could start new energy exploration projects in the resource-rich waterway to meet his nation's energy needs. Marcos, in an interview with Japanese media on Saturday, said tensions in the South China Sea have "increased rather than diminished" in recent months, warning that a "more assertive China" posed a "real challenge" to its Asian neighbours. The Philippines and China have resumed discussions about jointly exploring oil and gas resources in the South China Sea, where the two nations have sparred for decades over sovereign rights to develop natural resources in the strategic waterway. But "very little progress" has been made with regard to the talks, Marcos said, according to a press release from his office as he attends a Tokyo summit of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "We are still at a deadlock right now," Marcos said as he emphasised his country's right to exploit energy reserves in the West Philippines Sea at a time the Philippines wants to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel and coal and transition to liquified natural gas. Manila refers to the portion of the South China Sea that is within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea. Efforts to find a legally viable way to cooperate on energy exploration have stalled repeatedly, with previous administration abandoning talks in June last year citing constitutional constraints and issues of sovereignty. A week ago, Manila and Beijing traded accusations over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate. In addition to the Philippines, ASEAN members Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the South China Sea disputed by China, which claims almost all of the sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis, a ruling the United States supports but Beijing rejects. "I'm afraid we'll have to be able to say that tensions have increased rather than diminished for the past months or the past years," Marcos said as he underlined the need to resolve issues peacefully. The challenge that China posed required "new solutions", said Marcos, who has vowed to defend his country's rights in the South China Sea after the collision, which Manila has described as a "serious escalation". (Reporting by Karen Lema in Manila; Editing by William Mallard and Michael Perry) Almost every person Brenda Martin has met at Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank has a story. "Anybody could have taken a wrong step or a wrong path and ended up where some of these people are," Martin said of the visitors to the Avondale nonprofit. Volunteering at the nonprofit's clothing boutique, where everything is free, has become Martin's passion. She enjoys creating a safe space for people who stop in and often get to see someone's eyes light up over a clean pair of pants or socks, she said. Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank received $7,500 from The Arizona Republic's 2022-23 Season for Sharing campaign to provide food and clothing for nearly 1,000 families in crisis. Make an online donation to Season for Sharing by clicking here. Readers of The Arizona Republic raised more than $1.6 million for 158 Arizona nonprofits during the 2022-23 campaign. Several of these nonprofits have programs that help people obtain quality clothing, including: Assistance League of Phoenix received $10,000 in support of Operation School Bell, which provides more than 200 Phoenix-area students and children living in extreme poverty with new wardrobes to help them succeed in school. Dress for Success Phoenix received $7,500 to provide women with career resources, personal styling and networking opportunities. Harvest Compassion Center in Phoenix received $7,500 to provide food and clothing to more than 3,700 Maryvale-area children ages 2-12. St. Joseph the Worker in Phoenix received $7,500 to help people transition successfully into the workforce by providing them with clothes, training and other support to help them get hired. Tempe Community Council received $7,500 to help provide personal hygiene items, school supplies and clothing to 1,800 Tempe middle and high school students in need of a helping hand. Clothes can do so much more than protect the people who select them, according to people who have benefited from the work of these nonprofits. Clothes have the power to comfort, boost confidence and act as a reminder of a person's value, they said. Assistance League of Phoenix Nelson De Los Santos and Sebastian Ribikare are longtime friends. The men met as middle schoolers at Loyola Academy and have been close since. As low-income students in the private program that serves as a feeder for Brophy College Preparatory, part of their annual routine was to pick a new uniform from the Assistance League's Operation School Bell clothing drive. De Los Santos said he didn't mind wearing a uniform and not being able to style himself for school. To him, the uniform represented he belonged in the elite school community despite his immigrant background and family's limited income. Ribakare, now an Assistance League of Phoenix board member, said Operation School Bell meant less stress for him and his family. After they transferred into Brophy, they continued going to the clothing drive. Ribakare selected a pair of white sneakers every year of high school, he said. Then they made him feel "on top of the world." He buys his white sneakers now, which continue as an efficient wardrobe staple. Francis (left) and Jessica Brown put out a a monster-sized gift box to collect donated items for Sojourner Center, which aids victims of domestic violence. The Tempe couple asks visitors to donate toys and goods for children and adults. The Sojourner Center Prisilia Quijano arrived at the Sojourner Center in 2015 after driving across the country to escape an unhappy marriage. The nonprofit shelter accepted her, her young son, their Saint Bernard and their cat. The Sojourner Center has a boutique where shelter residents can use vouchers to choose clothing and household items. Those vouchers helped her realize that she'd been an unequal partner in her relationship because spending them was the first spending decision she'd made without permission. She chose a Michael Kors dress. "It was kind of like a symbol of my freedom," Quijano said. Working in the Sojourner Center boutique was her first job, and she furnished her first apartment with items she found there. Eventually, Quijano was able to save enough money to buy her own house. Now, Quijano donates clothes to the boutique she once benefited from. The Michael Kors dress she fell in love with years ago remains in her closet as a reminder of her growth at the Sojourner Center. Prisilia Quijano sits on her couch with the Michael Kors dress she purchased while at the Sojourner Center and her pet cat Charley she adopted from the center Nov. 27, 2023, in Peoria. Dress for Success Phoenix Arely Martinez decided to get support from Dress for Success after she was fired from a job she worked for six years. She hadn't been satisfied in her old position, but she didn't know what to do next. After job hunting for almost 2 months, she said she felt lost. Worthless, even. Martinez said working on her resume with help from the nonprofit's Career Center reminded her of her value as a person and an employee. Thanks to women at Dress for Success the staff, volunteers and other women in search of assistance Martinez regained her confidence, she said. The cherry on top of her experience with the nonprofit was a patterned suit skirt combo she could wear with the heels she calls her "empowering shoes." In addition to providing women with interview attire, Dress for Success gifts women who secure a job a week's worth of work-appropriate clothing. Nearly a year later, Martinez is happy at her job and meets her clients in a Dress for Success suit. 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. 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. Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera and click on the link to donate to Season for Sharing. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area nonprofit clothing banks empower people, here's how to help Phony contractor on the run for sex crimes against a child found squatting in home: police Police in Washington state uncovered a disturbing squatting scam involving a man who allegedly fraudulently moved into a home he was hired to renovate, leading police to discover he was not actually a contractor, but a wanted suspect accused of raping a minor in Idaho. "If you're having work done on your business or home, please take the extra time to vet your contractor. If [they] seem fishy, they likely are," the Kent Police Department posted to Facebook about the matter. Police said officers were dispatched to a home in Kent on Friday over reports that a hired contractor had changed the homes locks and was reportedly illegally living in the residence. "The home owners had hired a contractor for an extensive home remodeling project, which had been ongoing for a while. About 10 days ago they discovered that the contractor had changed the door locks, and was refusing entry to the owners. The owners had tried several times to access the property but were denied," police said. SQUATTER'S TIFF WITH MOTEL STAFF TURNS DEADLY WHEN OWNER CALLS POLICE Four members of the police department attempted to make contact with the suspect, as well as a 35-year-old woman who was also allegedly living in the home. The woman was identified as the suspects girlfriend and originally from the town of Yelm, which is located about 50 miles south of Kent. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CONVICTED 'SERIAL SQUATTER' MAY HAVE SCHEMED HER LAST ILLEGAL STAY AFTER LANDLORD FIGHTS BACK The couple repeatedly refused commands to come to the front door or participate in any form of communication with the officers, police said. Officers obtained the homeowners permission to enter the home and were able to arrest the two individuals. "But there is more...." the police department said in the press release before explaining the alleged contractor was actually a man wanted in Idaho for the rape of a minor. SQUATTER DRESSED IN OWNER'S CLOTHES, RAIDED FRIDGE IN RITZY BEACH HOUSE: POLICE "The contractor initially lied about his name, but using a fingerprint scanner he was identified as a 45 year old man from Idaho, who had a $500,000.00 warrant for rape of a minor," the department said. Kent PD searched the home and found the pair had moved their personal belongings onto the property, including a shotgun with no serial number and a trailer on the driveway with a stolen license plate. "This is an unusual incident. However, it is a good reminder to do your research and have reference checks vetted when hiring individuals," Assistant Police Chief Jarod Kasner told Fox News Digital of the incident. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS The male suspect was charged as a Fugitive from Justice, and hit with a Criminal Trespass 1 charge, a gross misdemeanor in Washington. He is being held in the King County Jail awaiting extradition to Idaho. The female suspect was also charged with Criminal Trespass 1 and booked at the local jail. Original article source: Phony contractor on the run for sex crimes against a child found squatting in home: police AUSTIN (KXAN) One person was shot at Barton Creek Square mall on Saturday afternoon, according to the Austin Police Department. The shooting happened near the AMC theater and The Cheesecake Factory. APD said officers responded to a shots fired call at 4:43 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. Two more people had minor injuries from evacuating the mall, but they were not taken to the hospital. APD said a suspect was not in custody as of 5:50 p.m. Police said this was not an active shooter situation, and there was no threat to the public. Police said this is an isolated incident, and an investigation is ongoing. The mall went on lockdown, but APD said mall announcements were made before 6 p.m. telling people they could leave the mall. In an update just before 7 p.m., police said the mall reopened except for the area near The Cheesecake Factory and movie theater. A mall representative said Barton Creek Square will operate its normal schedule on Sunday. What people saw, heard A mall employee told KXAN there was an altercation outside the mall. They said one person shot another person. Eli Tayl, who was at the AMC theater to see Wonka, said he saw the shooting happen in the courtyard area. He saw three men jump another man and beat him up. Then, a guy went in his bagfrom about 20 or 30 yards across the courtyardand fired two shots, and then they all took off running, Tayl said. But the one guy got hit in his arm. One mallgoer said she didnt hear anything but saw people running out of the mall. We just ran with our kids as well, and they just took us out to the emergency doors, Monica Mandujano said. Another shopper heard frantic stomping noises as she and her children ran outside from the food court. Everybody is like run, run, Elizabeth Ledezma said. All of a sudden, everybody is running in one direction toward the exit of the mall. This is a developing story and will be updated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified a man who was shot and killed in Northeast, D.C. on Friday. Officers responded to the report of an unconscious person in the 600 block of Hamlin St., NE at about 8:15 a.m. There, they found a man with gunshot wound injuries he died there. Toddler shot in Southeast DC He was identified as 37-year-old Marcus Vines of Northeast, D.C. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has marked the 12th anniversary of the death of his father and predecessor Kim Jong-il by visiting a mausoleum where the father's body lies in state, the North's state media said Sunday. Kim paid tribute the previous day at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of Kim Jong-il and the current leader's late grandfather and national founder Kim Il-sung lie in state, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. Senior officials accompanied Kim on his visit, including North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun and Jo Yong-won, secretary for organizations affairs at the ruling Workers' Party. Photos released by the state media also showed North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North Korean leader. Kim made a "deep bow of best wishes for immortality to Kim Jong-il who performed the exploits of great significance in human history, waging a heroic struggle under the uplifted red flag of Juche during his long revolutionary guidance, and thus laid a solid foundation of dignity and prosperity for the WPK and the DPRK to win a victory after another forever," the KCNA said in an English-language article. Juche means self-reliance. In an editorial, the North's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, praised Kim Jong-il for "providing scientific solutions to all theoretical and practical problems arising in the construction of a powerful and prosperous country by contemplating and exploring day and night." It also lauded the late leader for boosting the country's defense capabilities and accomplishing the "great national achievement" of advancing into a nuclear weapon state. Kim has paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on his late father's death anniversary every year since he took power in 2012 with the exception of last year, when he appears to have skipped the event. Kim Jong-il died on Dec. 17, 2011, having ruled the reclusive regime since the death of his father and national founder, Kim Il-sung, in 1994. Kim Jong-un, the third son of the late leader, took over the helm of the North in another hereditary succession of power. (Yonhap) Law enforcement in Franklin County are investigating the fatal shooting of a man Sunday morning in Frankfort. Police officers were called to the 100 block of Myrtle Avenue at 10:22 a.m. Sunday in response to a shooting, authorities said. Once they arrived, officers found a man with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local medical facility, where he died. The victim was identified as Bryan Biggs, according to court records. Bobby Long, 33, of Frankfort, was arrested and charged with murder, according to court documents. His arrest citation states he intentionally caused the death of Biggs when he shot him in the back of the head with a handgun. In a post made to social media, police did not disclose what led to the shooting. The Frankfort Police Department will not release any more information at this time as the investigation is still ongoing, the post read. Long is being held in the Franklin County Detention Center, according to online jail records. His first court appearance was scheduled for Monday morning. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) The Portland Police Bureau does not suspect foul play in the disappearance of Wilma Acosta, the 28-year-old woman who disappeared from Old Town early Sunday, Nov. 29. Despite that, Acostas family and friends are continuing their efforts to draw public attention to the disappearance in the hope of learning more about what happened to her. They will be handing out fliers in Tom McCall Waterfront Park where police said she was last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 17. They were announced on the Searching for Wilma Acosta Facebook page. Multiple arrests, merchandise recovered in North Portland retail theft mission: PPB We are still searching the area and asking anyone who knows anything to contact us, said her mother, who is also named Wilma. Family members and friends held two public vigils on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16. The first was near the Dixie Tavern at Northwest Third and Couch, which Wilma left at 2:13 a.m. The second was at the Japanese American Historical Plaza near the seawall along the west bank of the Willamette River, where police said Acostas cell phone was found. In two public statements, police have said Wilma was suicidal and suggested she took her own life. 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. HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) The Hampton Police is trying to locate a suspect in connection to a maiming that occurred around 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 16, on the 2000 block of Seldendale Drive, police said. The victim was a 22-year-old woman who was shot multiple times inside a residence. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was outside and fired multiple shots into the home. The victim was transported to a local hospital by members of the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue with life-threatening injuries. This is an ongoing investigation. If a Crime Line tip results in an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,500. If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Donald Trump still leads in New Hampshire, but Nikki Haley has consolidated much of the non-Trump vote and has emerged as the top alternative to him there. Among the top candidates, Haley gets the best marks on being seen as "likable" and "reasonable," and she runs nearly even with Trump on being "prepared" notable, considering he held the presidency. She has been running in part on electability and is now seen as the most electable of Trump's challengers. Meanwhile, Trump has consolidated his already commanding lead in Iowa, where likely caucus-goers overwhelmingly see him as a "strong leader," where his backers say he "represents Iowa values," and where he is boosted by an electorate in which nearly half say they are part of the MAGA movement. These descriptors help show the differences in what Trump voters and non-Trump voters are looking for in a candidate, however. Despite leading by double digits, Trump isn't seen as the most likable or even reasonable candidate in New Hampshire. He does dominate on being seen as a "strong leader" by primary voters, and on the view that he would beat Joe Biden. How New Hampshire's more moderate electorate helps Haley Haley has been given a boost by New Hampshire's more moderate electorate relative to Iowa. She has made inroads among self-described moderates and independents, running close to Trump among them now. (Independents can, and often do, vote in the GOP primary.) And it's these groups who express more openness, in principle, to a candidate dissimilar to Trump, if he isn't the nominee. Asked to compare the candidates to the frontrunner, voters see Haley as the most different candidate from Trump in terms of personality. And about seven in 10 say that if the nominee is not Trump, they would prefer a candidate different than him in terms of personality. When voters are asked which candidates they are at least considering, Haley and Chris Christie get some overlap most of those considering Christie are also considering Haley. But Christie suffers from more negative evaluations, with few describing him as likable, prepared, or reasonable. And most see him as a long shot to beat Biden. Key cultural issues New Hampshire may have more self-described moderates, but the Republican electorate is strongly in favor of some socially conservative themes being discussed on the campaign trail, notably bans on medical procedures to change a child's gender and on discussions of gender identity in schools. Both ideas find even greater resonance among the more conservative electorate in Iowa. There is a stark difference between these two states on abortion. A large majority of Iowa's GOP caucus-goers feel abortion should be illegal in their state. That sets them apart from New Hampshire primary voters, who mostly want abortion to be legal in their state. (And Haley leads among primary voters there who would like to see the GOP nominee oppose a national abortion ban.) Meanwhile the idea of mass deportations also finds a lot of favor, with both New Hampshire and Iowa voters, and with Trump voters in particular. Iowa: Trump still leads big The race has taken a different trajectory in Iowa. Trump not only continues to lead big, but his lead has widened since September. He isn't just winning; he is the only candidate even being actively considered by a majority of likely caucus-goers. And the share considering only Trump and no one else has grown. More Iowa Republican caucus-goers consider themselves "MAGA" than Republican primary voters in New Hampshire. And Trump's backers overwhelmingly feel he represents Iowa values. Moreover, nearly all Iowa Republican voters considering Trump say things were better when he was president. Trump's backers are also the most firm in their choice. Most describe their support as "very strong I've decided." Ron DeSantis has not gained much traction in Iowa since September. While he is spending a lot of time in the state, he does no better among caucus-goers who prioritize candidates meeting voters face to face than those who do not. He is viewed as most similar to Trump on policy, in a state that wants a nominee similar to Trump if it can't be Trump, but the former president himself continues to dominate the field. We estimate that Trump's current support would translate to winning a majority of delegates in Iowa (21-26 of them), and 10-16 delegates in New Hampshire. Haley's support in New Hampshire would get her 5-8 delegates, with DeSantis and Christie's support hovering around the state's 10% threshold to qualify for any delegates at all. These CBS News/YouGov surveys were conducted between December 8-15, 2023. They are based on representative samples of 1,054 registered voters in Iowa and 855 in New Hampshire. The samples were weighted according to gender, age, race, education, and geographic region based on the U.S. Census Current Population Survey, as well as past vote. Results here are reported among likely Republican caucus/primary voters, and have a margin of error of 6.1 points in Iowa (n=478) and 5.5 points in New Hampshire (n=459). Iowa toplines This embedded content is not available in your region. New Hampshire toplines This embedded content is not available in your region. Israeli hostage Yarden Roman-Gat shares details of her captivity in Gaza | 60 Minutes The Secret Santa club Gnawa music, legacy of enslaved Black Africans, surges in popularity | 60 Minutes Victory Outreach Church in Pomona erupted in flames around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, resulting in a total loss of the structure built in 1981. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) When Victory Outreach Church in Pomona went up in flames early Sunday morning, incinerating the church building along with more than 500 toys set to be given away later in the day, it didn't take long for the spirit of Christmas to sweep through the community. The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent 100 firefighters to fight the blaze and then to knock down walls, stamping out hot spots. But before the smoke had even cleared, fire officials hatched a plan to send two Search and Rescue trucks loaded with toys to the disaster site later in the day. Fire crews battle the blaze at the Pomona church. (OnScene.TV) And after news of the disaster spread, all morning long, members of the community converged on the site with donated toys. We have to help save Christmas for this congregation, said L.A. County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh. We know the building isnt the church. The church is in the hearts of these people and were here to help. The blaze ignited a little after 2 a.m., burning so fiercely in the building's attic that firefighters had to retreat. No one was injured, but when the flames were finally out, the building was gone, along with 500 toys the congregation had painstakingly collected for children in need. That is the horrible timing of this one, Kelliher-Burkoh said. Church members Chuck Ortega, left, and Mario Munoz gather toys Sunday for a giveaway later in the afternoon. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Officials at the L.A. County Fire department quickly decided they could help. The department, in conjunction with ABC7-TV, collects toys all season for the needy, storing them in a giant warehouse in Vernon before distributing them. As firefighters sent giant machines through the smoldering site to make it safe, officials back at headquarters made plans to dispatch two trucks' worth of toys to the church by 5 p.m. Were still going to do what we intended to do, said Jose Montiel, a congregant who, along with his wife, Lourdes, helped organize the toy drive and signed up more than 600 needy families. Meanwhile, all across Pomona and beyond, members of the community heard about the disaster and rushed to Victory Outreach to save the holiday for the church's children. Rubble was all that remained of Victory Outreach Church after Sunday's early-morning fire. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) Around 11 a.m., Steve Ybarra arrived at the scene of the disaster with a pickup truck stuffed with presents. Ybarra is a pastor of the nearby Abundant Living Family Church. His congregation held their toy drive a day earlier, he said, and had some leftover gifts. When he heard about the fire, he said, it broke my heart. A few minutes later, another woman from the neighborhood, Carole Glass, walked up holding a toy to contribute a stuffed dragon. Its more important to give to someone who really needs it, she said. Across the street from the burned church on Sunday, firefighters unload bags of newly donated toys to replace those that were lost. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Behind them stood the ruined church. At the spot where the door used to be, one element had survived: a small Christmas tree in a golden pot that somehow escaped the flames. 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. Pope Francis condemned terrorism while denouncing the killing of two Christian women who were shot "in cold blood" while taking shelter at a Catholic church in Gaza City, allegedly by a sniper in the Israeli military. Photo by Alessandro Di Meo/EPA-EFE Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Sunday condemned terrorism while denouncing the killing of two Christian women who were shot "in cold blood" while taking shelter at a Catholic church in Gaza City, allegedly by a sniper in the Israeli military. "Some are saying, 'This is terrorism and war,'" the Pope said. "Yes, it is war. It is terrorism." The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement Saturday, claiming that a sharpshooter in the Israel Defense Forces "murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, where the majority of Christian families has taken refuge since the start of the war." Pope Francis addressed the shootings Sunday while speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, weighing in on the incident as Israel faced growing outrage globally due to the high number of Palestinian civilian deaths amid its war with Hamas. News of the shootings came a day after IDF soldiers accidentally shot and killed three Israeli hostages who were waving a white flag. "I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed civilians are subjected to bombings and shootings. And this even happened inside the parish complex of the Holy Family, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, sick and disabled people, nuns," the Pope said following his Angelus address Sunday. "A mother and her daughter, Mrs. Nahida Khalil Anton and daughter Samar Kamal Anton, were killed and other people injured by sharpshooters, while going to the bathroom," the Pope continued. The IDF did not issue any warnings ahead of opening fire, and no Hamas militants were in the parish at the time, the Patriarchate statement said. "Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the sisters' convent," the statement said, while using only the first names of the victims. "One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety," as at least seven more people were 'shot and wounded' while trying to "protect others inside the church compound." The Israeli military later justified the attack, claiming that a rocket launcher was being stored inside the parish, but didn't provide details about the source of the intelligence. Palestinian news agencies said the shootings happened after a heavy Israeli barrage in the area around the Holy Family Parish, where dozens were reported dead. Israeli tanks also targeted the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa, part of the parish compound that houses dozens of disabled people, destroying the facility's power and utilities. By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis on Sunday again suggested Israel was using "terrorism" tactics in Gaza, deploring the reported killing by the Israeli military of two Christian women who had taken refuge in a church complex. At his weekly blessing, Francis referred to a statement about an incident on Saturday by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Catholic authority in the Holy Land. The Patriarchate said an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "sniper" killed the two women, whom the pope named as Nahida Khalil Anton and her daughter Samar, as they walked to a convent of nuns in the compound of the Holy Family Parish. The Patriarchate statement said seven other people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others. "I continue to receive very grave and painful news from Gaza," Francis said. "Unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings. And this happened even inside the Holy Family parish complex, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick or disabled, nuns." Francis said they were killed by "snipers" and also referred to the Patriarchate's statement that a convent of nuns of the order founded by Mother Teresa was damaged by Israeli tank fire. "Some would say 'It is war. It is terrorism.' Yes, it is war. It is terrorism," he said. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the incident was still under review and had no immediate comment on the pope's words. The Israeli military said that church representatives had contacted it early on Saturday regarding explosions in the area but did not report any casualties in the church complex. "The IDF only targets terrorists and terror infrastructure and does not target civilians, no matter their religion," the military said. The pope's remarks on Sunday marked the second time in less than a month that he used the word "terrorism" while speaking of events in Gaza. On Nov. 22, after meeting separately with Israeli relatives of hostages held by Hamas and with Palestinians who have family in Gaza, he said: "This is what wars do. But here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war. This is terrorism." Later that day, a messy dispute broke out over whether he used the word "genocide" to describe events in Gaza, with Palestinians who met him insisting that he did and the Vatican saying he did not. Jewish groups criticised the pope for last month's "terrorism" comments. Israel stepped up its bombardment of Gaza overnight and into Sunday, killing at least 40 people, Palestinians said, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued the only way to secure the release of hostages was intense military pressure on Hamas. (Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; editing by Giles Elgood and Paul Simao) Kevin Phillips defeating Joe DeVito to win the Port Royal mayors job is old news - whats new is Phillips is wasting no time spurring action on the issues he campaigned to address. He takes the helm as the council enters 2024 wrestling with redevelopment of the waterfront, regulating long-term rental properties and managing the towns growth. No sooner was the swearing in complete when Phillips launched first order of business as mayor -- asking for a motion to go into executive session to discuss Safe Harbor Marinas controversial development of the port of Port Royal. For months, residents have been complaining about large cranes and industrial dock building thats occurring in advance of Safe Harbor plans to build a new marina. Theyve also criticized plans for 200 rental townhomes on Safe Harbor property overlooking Battery Creek. At Wednesdays meeting, Tricia Fidrych, a frequent critic of the Safeharbors plans, described the land where the townhomes are planned as the prettiest front porch a community could have. After discussing Safe Harbors plans for the port of Port Royal behind closed doors, the council emerged and passed a motion that directed the new mayor to submit a letter to Safe Harbor advising it of the councils concerns related to the port development. Its a litany of concerns, Phillips said later. During the campaign, Phillips had argued that the town should take a tougher position toward Safe Harbor. Phillips, a former councilman, won the race for mayor with 628 votes to DeVitos 411. Jorge Guerrero now occupies Phillips old spot on the council while voters returned veteran Councilman Jerry Ashmore to the council for a third term. The council seats were uncontested in the election. Phillips, who called for a moratorium on new apartment development during the campaign, said the council plans to push up its annual issues retreat to February in order to set priorities and go through the code to look at whats working and what is not. While the town needs to make strides in expanding its commercial base, says Phillips, growth most be controlled so it is not just a bunch of storage units and apartments. He also says the town needs to closely monitor the port development to make sure the promised world class marina measures up and the housing portion of the plans fit with the towns desires. People want to see a little more keeping an eye on it, Phillips said. Longterm rental changes? A new issue, the regulation of houses that property owners or managers rent out long-term, has arisen as well. Town staff sent a letter Nov. 9 notifying some of the rental property owners that it is necessary to get a $15 annual business license and have the property inspected. The town was able to mail the letter by using a list provided by the Beaufort County Auditors office of property owners who pay a 6% personal property tax rate. That 6% tax rate indicates the properties are not occupied by the owners. The notice caught some property owners and managers by surprise. I kind of feel micromanaged, Pam Johnson, a property manager, told Town Council members Wednesday. While she already has gone through the inspection, Johnson is that the business license is a step toward an accommodation tax like those paid for the owners of short-term rental property. What bothers Carl Joye, who owns APEX Team Real Estate, is that the business license requirement for long-term rental property owners was not brought before the Town Council for consideration and public input. It could result in increases in rent, Joye says, which he notes already are high. They did this behind closed doors, Joye says. I dont know what exactly happened to get the ball rolling. Joye does not plan to comply with the letter, he said. To him, it seems like town staff is using various town codes that dont specifically address long-term house rentals to require the licensing and collect the fees. Town Manager Van Willis calls that fiction. An ordinance requiring property owners who rent property short- and long-term to get business licenses has been on the books for years, Willis said. But it wasnt enforced until now, he said. What has changed is the town recently hired a code enforcement officer, who is now enforcing ordinances. The town regularly gets complaints about the condition of some rental units, Willis said. While I appreciate the concern, Willis said, we absolutely have a concern to ensure the safety of our residents. The inspection, Willis said, is a new requirement but not the flat fee of $15 a year. Some people have paid it in the past and some havent, he said. Long-term rental fees in Hardeeville, Beaufort County, Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head range from $65 to $85, Willis said. Those communities also collect additional fees, beyond the base. The additional fees are based on rent prices. Port Royal is the only community that requires an inspection. The Town Council plans to discuss the issue again at a Jan. 2 work session. Willis said the town is willing to consider modifying the inspection requirement so the town would only do it in response to complaints rather than making it a requirement. Regarding the long term rentals, Phillips said he was confident well have that resolved. DeVitos legacy On Wednesday, family and friends and others packed the chambers as Phillips, Ashmore and Guerrero took the oath of office and DeVito said goodbye after four years at the helm. Mayor Joe DeVito, center, was recognized for his service during his final meeting Wednesday. DeVito was credited for his expertise in capital improvements and pushing for improvements to better the town like new sidewalks, street paving and water and sewer work during his tenure. Kat Bray, whos lived in the town for 12 years, said things just started to get done after DeVito was elected. Im proud of you and all the work youve done, Bray told DeVito before turning her attention to Phillips whom she welcomed, adding, You have big shoes to fill. DeVito said he served for one reason, and that was the betterment of Port Royal. He never used his gavel, he said, in his entire four years, preferring to run meetings as a team. And guess what, said DeVito, Im not going anywhere. DeVito told Phillips: Its your meeting now. Im done. When Phillips arrived for the meeting his own gavel was waiting for him on his chair. Straight out of the plastic, said Phillips, when he unsheathed it after taking the mayors seat. (Bloomberg) -- Portugals ruling Socialists picked former minister Pedro Nuno Santos to be the new party leader ahead of a snap election in March that was called after his predecessor unexpectedly quit as premier. Most Read from Bloomberg Santos won party elections held on Friday and Saturday, Socialist official Pedro do Carmo told reporters in Lisbon late on Saturday. The 46-year-old beat current Home Affairs Minister Jose Luis Carneiro, 52, who presented himself as being more moderate than Santos. Im not radical or moderate, Im Socialist, Santos told supporters in Lisbon. The new Socialist leader has been seen for years as a successor to Antonio Costa, who resigned on Nov. 7 amid a probe into possible influence peddling in government. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa then called an early election for March 10. Costa, whos been prime minister since 2015, had won reelection in January 2022 with an absolute majority in parliament that the Socialists are unlikely to repeat in March. Santos, an economist whos been known for speaking his mind, is often linked to the leftmost wing of the party. Hes been a defender of the states role in controlling certain businesses, including the countrys carrier. Santos resigned as infrastructure and housing minister at the end of 2022 following criticism about the compensation paid earlier that year to a board member for leaving TAP SA, the state-owned airline that received more than 2 billion ($2.2 billion) of government aid. Since then, he became a political commentator for a television channel, a step that could help bolster his popularity. As secretary of state for parliamentary affairs from 2015 to 2019, Santos was the link between the minority Socialist government and the far-left parties that ensured Costa had majority backing in parliament. That experience could be useful if the Socialists need support from other parties again after the March 10 snap election. After getting his university degree, Santos started working in his familys northern Portugal-based industrial equipment business, called Grupo Tecmacal SA. He also led the Socialist Youth from 2004 to 2008. Opposition Leader In the March election, Santos will face Luis Montenegro, 50, a lawyer whos led center-right opposition party PSD since July 2022. He was parliamentary party leader from 2011 to 2017, a period that included the years when his party was in government implementing a bailout program. Even as the Socialists have struggled with challenges including a surge in living costs, opinion polls published before Costa resigned suggested that Montenegro wasnt able to make his party capitalize more on those problems and win supporters. The PSD party, which also pledges fiscal discipline, has called for deeper tax cuts than the Socialists plan for 2024. The ruling Socialists led PSD by 4 percentage points in an opinion poll published by weekly newspaper Expresso on Dec. 8. Read more: Portugals Outgoing Premier Apologizes for Cash in Aides Office The challenge for the Socialist Party now will be to hold onto votes amid the ongoing investigation into possible influence peddling, and anger over housing and salaries. For the opposition parties, the focus will be on how to take advantage of those troubles. While the economy has recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, average wages remain low in Portugal, and the PSD party has made that an issue. Its pointed out that the country has been overtaken in terms of gross domestic product per capita by eastern European nations that joined the European Union later, including the Czech Republic and Slovenia. Whoever becomes prime minister after the March election will go into office with a budget already in place. The outgoing Socialist governments 2024 budget includes income tax cuts and targets a surplus of 0.2% of gross domestic product, smaller than the surplus projected for 2023. The economy is slowing, and the Bank of Portugal on Friday cut its 2024 growth forecast. A change in government may not necessarily lead to a major shift in budget policy. With the debt ratio above 100% of GDP, and the memory of the euro area debt crisis and Portugals bailout still relatively fresh, fiscal discipline will likely remain central to any administration. Santos said he wants to continue reducing the countrys debt ratio. My dream has always been to have a decent country, a country with less inequality, he added. The political upheaval in November didnt have a big impact on Portugals bonds. The countrys 10-year bond yield was at 2.7% on Friday, compared to 3.2% six months ago. It peaked at 18% in 2012 at the height of the euro regions debt crisis. And ten days after Costa resigned, Portugals government bond rating was raised two levels by Moodys Investors Service. The election wont just be about the two main, historical centrist parties. When Costa was reelected in 2022, the far-right Chega party grew to 12 seats in parliament from one, becoming the third-biggest force. Opinion polls indicate support for that party has since increased further. (Adds comment from Santos in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Could Prince George be going to Marlborough? He along with the Prince and Princess of Wales have visited the Wiltshire school - Wiremage /Karwai Tang Prince George may be going to his mothers alma mater Marlborough College, where her former Latin teacher is now the head. The second in line to the throne visited the secondary school earlier this month with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The visit, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, has fueled speculation that the 10 year old prince will join the 47,000-a-year co-educational school where his mother was educated, rather than going to his fathers old school, Eton College. If Marlborough College in Wiltshire is selected, then it is likely that Prince George would be a pupil under the schools first female master. Louise Moelwyn-Hughes, 53, a Latin and classics teacher who taught the Princess when she was studying for her GCSEs, has led the school since 2018. The Princess is believed to be a supporter of co-education because she did not enjoy being a pupil at Downe House, a girls boarding school in Berkshire. She was allegedly bullied at the school and moved to Marlborough in the middle of the academic year. A co-educational school would allow all three children to stay together. Prince George along with Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, currently attend Lambrook, a co-educational day prep school which prioritises happiness, kindness and concern about the world in which they live. The school educates children up to the age of 13, which means they will need to find a new school for the Prince in the next two years. Prince George is also said to have toured Eton College over the summer, the boys boarding school in Windsor where his father and Prince Harry were educated. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have attended Lambrook together since the family relocated to Windsor last year - PA/Jonathan Brady King Charles, his grandfather, was a pupil at Gordonstoun, a boarding school in Moray, Scotland. Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, told The Telegraph: The thing that will appeal to the family most about Marlborough is the fact that all the children will be able to stay together. We know that they made a very conscious decision to do that when they chose Lambrook. Marlborough was founded in 1843 for the sons of Church of England clergy and now educates more than 1,000 pupils between the ages of 13 and 18. Ms Moelwyn-Hughes, the schools master, grew up on a council estate in Northern Ireland and has said that she only set foot on the mainland for the first time when she went to Cambridge University for her interview. She joined Marlborough as a classics teacher after graduating from university and later held leadership positions at The Perse School, Cambridge and St Edmunds School, Canterbury, before returning to the school which she now leads. Alumnae of Marlborough include Princess Eugenie and Lady Cameron. It would appeal to some families Selection for 13+ entry is based on a reference from a childs current school, interview and Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) pre-test results. However, it is not clear whether Prince George would face the same entrance process as other pupils. In October, the Princess revealed during a visit to a community centre in Cardiff that she has been helping Prince George prepare for upcoming exams. She told pupils preparing for their Maths A-level: Ive been helping George prepare for his exams coming up, so I know how hard maths can be. George is just at the beginning of being tested. He says: Mummy, I keep getting tested all the time. The prospect of Prince George attending Marlborough is expected to lead to a rise in demand from parents. It would certainly appeal to some families who might want their children rubbing shoulders with royals, Ms Sanderson said. However, she said that other parents might find it off-putting. Who wants paparazzi and security detail and all the fuss around their childs school? At Lambrook there were mutterings that things will change, that the carol service will have to become really grand, when its a small, family low-key school. Ms Sanderson said it was too early to be sure of the Royal familys choice of secondary school for George. Its really early stages, she said. When they looked at prep schools they looked at four or five schools that we know of. This is a process that is started a long way in advance. Marlborough is clearly on the list. It is too early to speculate that they are jumping aboard the ship. Theyve got another year until places are offered. 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. South Korea will work toward coordinating bilateral and trilateral measures involving the United States and Japan if North Korea continues to engage in provocations, a senior Seoul security official said Sunday. Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo made the remarks at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, after returning home following his attendance at the second meeting of the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in Washington last Friday. Last week, Kim raised the possibility of North Korea launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in December. North Korea last test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM in July. "If such provocations from North Korea continue, we will work toward coordinating necessary measures between South Korea and the U.S., actions the two countries can take individually and joint actions that South Korea, the U.S. and Japan can collectively implement," Kim told reporters after arriving at the airport. Kim added that Washington also "recognizes the possibility of North Korea conducting ballistic missile provocations, including ICBMs, by mid-December or at the latest early next year." He noted that the North's potential capability to equip missiles with nuclear warheads was a crucial concern that the NCG needs to be attentive of. Amid renewed North Korean ICBM launch concerns, the USS Missouri (SSN-780), a Virginia-class nuclear-powered U.S. attack submarine, entered a key naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, earlier in the day, according to the Republic of Korea Navy. The deployment of the submarine comes just three weeks after the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), a Los Angeles-class submarine, entered the Jeju Naval Base on the southern resort island. (Yonhap) One of the most contentious local issues in the past few months was a proposal by Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau to form a review committee to oversee childrens books at the public library. He took up the call of some parents who did not want their children to see books on display about LGBTQ+ people or that were sexually explicit. The board ultimately approved creating the committee. The Bee has published numerous letters to the editor on the topic, most by readers in opposition. Many of them called the review panel a form of censorship and that parents, not appointed community members, should monitor what children can read. Today The Bee offers two essays in a pro-con format on the topic. Pro: Book review plan is reasonable By John Gerardi, executive director, Right to Life of Central California To understand Supervisor Steve Brandaus legislation for updated standards in Fresno County libraries on books for children relating to sexual topics, I offer my familys experience at our local library branch. Based on our experience and basic principles of democratic governance, the county supervisors are completely justified in adjusting library curation standards around these topics. Opinion My wife and I went to the Clovis branch of the Fresno County library recently with our children. Our 8-, 7-, and 5-year-old are home-schoolers and avid readers. My wife was trying to find a good kids book on human anatomy to teach them about the respiratory system. While browsing, my wife found two books, both of which were at little-kid-eye level. These books were Making a Baby by Rachel Greener and Clare Owen, and Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth. Amazon lists Greener and Owens book as being directed to children aged 5-8; Silverberg and Smyths book is for children 8-10. In one of its first pages, Greener and Owen describe the fact that our bodies change in ways that help people to make babies. The child-appealing illustration accompanying this narrative shows what appears to be a public gym locker room with an open shower plan. Two naked adult men, with their genitals fully exposed, are showering alongside what appears to be a naked boy, maybe 4 or 5 years old. Barely around the corner from the men was a little girl putting on her clothes, again maybe 4 or 5 years old. There was no indication that the persons in the image were related. Normalizing such a situation to small children is irresponsible and inappropriate for their development. John Gerardi Silverberg and Smyths book is in various ways worse. It consistently and repeatedly encourages kids to challenge or question parental guidance about sex in various respects. After talking glowingly about how warm and tingly masturbation can make us feel and showing an illustration of a girl in a bathtub masturbating, the authors proceed to ask the (8- to 10-year-old) reader, Do you know if there are rules in your family about touching yourself? If there are rules, do they make sense to you? In a page on the word sexy, Silverberg and Smyth say, Some people think that sexy feelings should only happen in grown-up relationships. And many grown-ups say that sexy is a word to use only when youre older. Whats for sure is that sexy is a word with a lot of different meanings, so its good to think about what you mean when you use it. Frankly, I think it ranges from incredibly unhelpful to flatly dangerous for 8- to 10-year-olds to be thinking for themselves about identifying as sexy. I find the subtle challenges to parental authority throughout this book to be flatly wrong. I relate all this to make two points: 1. Many of the public critiques of Brandaus proposal argue that we should leave curation decisions to the experts in the Fresno County library system, and that it is inappropriate of him to interfere with their work. Even if librarians were all experts in childhood social and sexual development, their decisions are not above democratic scrutiny by the voters and taxpayers of Fresno County through their elected representatives, the Board of Supervisors. The supervisors job is just that: to supervise county institutions like the library. According to the Fresno County librarys catalog system, five copies apiece of these two books are in circulation. Their approval was hardly a one-off mistake, and reflects librarians using inadequate review standards. 2. Libraries are within their rights to reject books that fail to meet all kinds of standards, including that of literary merit. If someone donated to the library a book for 5-year-olds riddled with profanities or explicit sexual content, a librarian could pitch it out entirely on that basis alone. Deciding that a book intended for children is not appropriate to healthy childhood development, and merely restricting it such that a child can only check it out with an adult (as Brandau proposed), is hardly a First Amendment-violating book ban. It is basic library curation. Kudos to Steve Brandau. His legislation is a helpful democratic corrective to a genuine problem within our local libraries. Con: Banning books is never good By Noha Elbaz, Clovis resident and college administrator In another display of their unseriousness, Fresno County Supervisors Steve Brandau, Buddy Mendes, and Nathan Magsig, (with special appearance from Cloviss own person-who-professionally-chases-attention, Diane Pearce) passed the ironically named Parents Matter library act. The act, which proves Brandau can parrot far-right-wing talking points and access a local Kinkos to enlarge pictures, does its best to censor books (and people). Parents matter, but only the ones liked by these four. It was 1953 when the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council issued the Freedom To Read Statement which read, in part, The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continually under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label controversial views, to distribute lists of objectionable books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid: that censorship and suppression are neededas to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of moralsWe [who are] responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read. Noha Elbaz These days we see a sharp rise in books being challenged across the country, and there are more coming. We already know whats next, as these small-minded politicians are nothing if not predictable. The current director of the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, explained the plan: 1: Remove the books in school libraries. 2: Claim they can be accessed in public libraries. 3: Remove them from the public libraries. The result? As Caldwell-Stone puts it, essentially depriving everyone of the ability to make the choice to read them. The books being challenged will be ones about and for the LGBTQ+ community and about and for people of color. In other words, Brandau, Mendes, Magsig, Pearce and those like them will continue the efforts aimed at further marginalizing others. In Fresno County, there already exists a process to file complaints about material in the library, as was acknowledged by this group. A process developed, vetted, and administered for years by a group of librarians educated and trained in the field. A process that has worked, but why let success get in the way? Their combined total of zero years of experience in libraries, publishing, or childhood education have led Brandau, Mendes, and Magsig to conclude the solution to the (nonexistent) problem is government interference from a group of political appointees. Why trust experts when Steve Brandau can decide whats appropriate for your kid? He can take them to Kinkos! The sad truth is, there might be no group of people more in need of a professional librarian than these three. They could learn about the history of public libraries, the role founding father Benjamin Franklin played in starting them, t that librarians are professionals with extensive and role-specific education. They might even learn that in the not-so-distant past, some libraries were complicit in censorship right here in the Central Valley, like when the Kern County Free Library complied with the countywide ban against John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath until 1941. Outside of political theater, nothing is gained by limiting access to books. Yet so much is lost. In words that still resonate today: We believe that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours. A woman was killed in her home when Russian forces shelled the border of Sumy Oblast on Dec. 17, the Prosecutor General's Office reported. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, Russian forces targeted the urban-type settlement of Krasnopillia at around 12:50 p.m. local time. A projectile hit the house of a 69-year-old woman, killing her. An unspecified number of homes and vehicles were also damaged. Shelling is a near-daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. Earlier on Dec. 7, Russian forces also targeted Kherson Oblast, located in Ukraine's south. The shelling killed one man in the regional capital and injured six police officers in the village of Darivka. Read also: Ukraine finally moves to fortify front line, but could it be too little too late? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday she thinks Biden supporters in the White House would likely prefer if Hunter Biden would go away right now. In a roundtable discussion on NBC Newss Meet the Press, Psaki who also hosts MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki said she thinks Hunter Bidens media appearances overall dont help his fathers reelection bid. Look, I think if youre sitting in the White House right now, youre like, Please, Hunter Biden. We know your dad loves you. Please stop talking in public. This is not helpful to any of them for him to be out there, Psaki said. Psaki added, however, that President Bidens devotion to his son could appeal to voters. She pointed to a comment made during a focus group on NBC News earlier. Asked to pick one word that best describes President Biden, this focus group participant said family. Honestly, it doesnt have to do with politics. Family. When I think of him, I think he cares a lot about his family, one participant said, after other participants responded, tired, out of it, caring and status quo. But, at the same time, the president loves his son, Psaki said. That takes precedent over anything else. That is appealing. Im thinking of the woman in your focus group who talked about family. He loves his son. He loves his family. Hes worried about his mental health. But, yes, the White House would like him to probably go away right now. Psakis comments come after Hunter Biden gave a press conference on Capitol Hill this past week, after Republican-led committees subpoenaed his closed-door testimony in their probe of his father. Hunter Biden agreed to give public testimony but would not testify behind closed doors. House Republicans have opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, seeking to connect him to his sons business dealings abroad. They have not found any evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed "problems" for Finland after he says the Nordic country was "dragged into NATO" amid the war in Ukraine. "Look, Finland was taken and dragged into NATO," Putin said in a new on-camera interview. "What did we have, some kind of dispute with Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature in the middle of the 20th century, were all resolved a long time ago. We had the best, most heartfelt relations. Economically, everything was developing. Yes, in the timber industry, there were some problems linked to the necessity to develop timber processing within the country. But that was all. Just a small detail in reality." "There weren't any problems, but now there will be," he said, according to translated captions of the video interview. "Because we've now been forced to create a Leningrad military district and concentrate a certain number of military units there. Why do they need that? It's just nonsense. The same goes for other countries, including NATO countries. With whom did we have problems? Nobody. They're the ones who are artificially creating problems with us. Because they don't want such a competitor in the form of Russia. That's all there is to it." Meanwhile, dozens of migrants crossed into Finland on Friday, hours before the reclosure of two southern crossing points on the border with Russia as the Nordic country experiences an influx of asylum-seekers. The Vaalimaa and Niirala crossings had reopened briefly Thursday after being shut down at the end of last month, along with Finland's six other posts on the border with Russia. FINLAND TO SIGN DEFENSE PACT WITH US, SIGNALING AGREEMENT FOR TROOP DEPLOYMENT Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his speech at the 4th Congress of Russian Railway Workers, Dec. 15, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. Finland blames Moscow for sending migrants to the border in an effort to destabilize the country, which joined NATO in April. Russia denies the accusation. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP At the end of November, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government opted to close the entire 830-mile border for at least two weeks over concerns that Moscow was using migrants to destabilize Finland in an alleged act of "hybrid warfare." FINLAND ACCUSES RUSSIA OF FLOODING BORDERS WITH MIDDLE EASTERN MIGRANTS IN RETALIATION FOR COOPERATION WITH US Finnish authorities say that nearly 1,000 migrants without proper visas or valid documentation had arrived at the border since August through the end of November, with more than 900 of them in November alone. The numbers are much higher than usual. Finland accuses Russia of deliberately ushering migrants most of whom are seeking asylum in Finland to the border areas, which are normally heavily controlled on the Russian side by the Federal Security Service, or FSB. The Kremlin has denied that Russia is encouraging migrants to enter Finland and has said that it regrets the Finnish border closures. Earlier in December, Finnish authorities said that the vast majority of the migrants who arrived in November hailed from three countries: Syria, Somalia and Yemen. Finland, a nation of 5.6 million people, makes up a significant part of NATOs northeastern flank and acts as the European Unions external border in the north. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Putin promises 'problems' for Finland after it was 'dragged into NATO' Russia President Vladimir Putin will stand for a fifth Kremlin term in an election with no real opposition (Sergey FADEICHEV) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed to make Russia "sovereign and self-sufficient" in the face of the West, in his first campaign speech before a March vote to extend his long rule until at least 2030. Putin will stand for a fifth Kremlin term in an election with no real opposition that will come just over two years since he launched the seismic Ukraine offensive. The 71-year-old came to power in 2000, with a whole generation in Russia unable to remember life without him. The vote will likely prolong his rule until at least 2030 and give him the possibility to stay in the Kremlin until 2036. "We must remember and never forget and tell our children: Russia will be either a sovereign, self-sufficient state, or it will not be there at all," Putin said during a congress of the ruling United Russia party. Putin has said that he will make "sovereignty" -- a loosely defined term -- one of the key aims of his fifth term in the Kremlin. "We will only make decisions ourselves without foreign advice from abroad," Putin told United Russia members, to applause. "Russia cannot -- like some countries -- give away its sovereignty for some sausage and become someone's satellite," he said, using a common Russian expression. The United Russia party backed Putin's candidacy unanimously, with party leaders and public figures making adoring speeches lending him support. The party is headed by Dmitry Medvedev, who switched roles with Putin in 2008 to serve as president, before Putin returned to the Kremlin. Medvedev has become one of the most hawkish figures in Russia during the Ukraine campaign. The 2024 election will come as Moscow's Ukraine campaign drags on for another winter, costing a high number of deaths on both sides, with criticism of the military operation banned in Russia. - 'Sow internal troubles' - Russia has said it is withstanding Western economic pressure. Putin accused Western countries of wanting to "sow internal troubles" in Russia. "But such tactics did not work," he said. The longtime Kremlin leader said "we still have a lot to do for the interests of Russia" and that the country faced "historic tasks." United Russia leaders and pro-Kremlin figures made speeches in support of Putin. "There is not a single doubt that Putin should be leader in the hardest circumstances for our country," Medvedev said, calling Western countries "dangerous and cynical enemies". A special forces commander of Ramzan Kadyrov's brutal regime in Chechnya -- Apti Alaudinov -- said: "God gave us a leader." "We Russians, do not see ourselves without him," he said. The vote will take place amid a huge crackdown on dissent in Russia. Putin's main political opponent, Alexei Navalny, is serving a 19-year prison sentence. His allies have sounded the alarm last week, saying they have not had no contact with him for ten days, believing he was moved to another prison. His team says this was done to coincide with Putin's campaign. bur/rox Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned there will be problems with neighboring Finland after it joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this year. Finlands ascension to NATO marked a major shift in the security landscape in northern Europe, and added some 1,300 kilometers (830 miles) to the alliances frontier with Russia. It was also a blow for President Putin, who has long warned against NATO expansion. They (the West) took Finland and dragged it into NATO! Why, did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature in the middle of the 20th Century, have all been resolved long ago, Putin said in an interview published on Sunday. There were no problems, but now there will be, because we will now create the Leningrad military district there and definitely concentrate military units there, Putin added in the interview by Russian state broadcaster Russia 1. Putin also dismissed as complete nonsense remarks from US President Joe Biden, who earlier this month warned that Putin would keep going if he takes Ukraine, suggesting that Russia could eventually attack a NATO ally and draw US troops into conflict. The Russian leader said Russia has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, nor political, nor military, to fight with NATO countries, adding Moscow does not have any territorial claims in NATO countries. There is no desire to spoil relations with them (NATO countries), we are interested in developing relations, Putin added. Border spat Finland became the 31st member of NATO when it joined in April, doubling the security alliances direct frontier with Russia. Even before Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, he had demanded NATO limit its expansion. Yet, it was the war that altered the security environment of Finland, driving the Nordic nations desire to join the alliance, President Sauli Niinisto said in May 2022 when announcing his country would seek to join. Within a few months of its application, the Finnish government said it would spend around $143 million on building barrier fences along Finlands 830-mile eastern border with Russia, which used to have little security protections. Finland has closed its eastern border with Russia for a month, according to its interior minister, due to a spike in migrant crossings that Helsinki has labelled a Russian hybrid attack. - Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/AFP/Getty Images Finland again shut its entire border with Russia this week, over claims hundreds of people were trying to cross without a visa. After another closure was announced last month, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Russia of enabling the instrumentalization of people and guiding them to the Finnish border in harsh winter conditions. Finland is determined to put an end to this phenomenon. CNNs Eve Brennan and Catherine Nicholls contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A family of Black tenant farmers takes a break from working in the fields to watch Alabama Governor George Wallace and his entourage drive past en route to town from the airport. Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 10, 1963. Credit - Bettmann Archive Eighty-three-year-old Corine Woodson is poised to suffer a devastating blow: the loss of the home she shared with her late husbandwho died in 2022for over 60 years. Her land, 40 acres set amid rolling pines outside of Auburn, Ala., was purchased in 1911 and passed down through generations, a rare example of Black land ownership in the Deep South. But in recent years, this once rural property, now parsed out among various family members in a form of ownership known as tenants in common, has caught the attention of investors who hope to purchase and develop properties they consider prime real estate. Cleveland Brothers Incorporated bought out Woodsons relatives, accumulating 49% ownership of the previously Black-owned property. Now, the case is making news as it heads toward the Alabama Supreme Court, with the company declaring that it will suffer financial harm if Woodson delays the sale of her share. (A representative of Cleveland Brothers told WTVM that Woodson could stay on the property for a year even if the sale goes through.) Soon, Cleveland Brothers will probably purchase the remaining property, displacing Woodson. Its happening right before our eyes, Melissa Woodson, Corines daughter and a licensed realtor said, and the sad thing is that there is very little we can do about it. Stories like Woodsons have been common for Black residents of the rural South for more than a century. The continuation of patterns of Black land dispossession exposes howfor all of the civil rights gains made over the last 60 yearsthere is still much to be done to secure racial equality in the U.S. At the turn of the 20th century, Black landowners owned and operated 890,000 farms. Around midcentury, however, that number began to decline sharply. Beginning in 1950, they lost more than half a million farms; by 1970, only 45,000 remained. During the 1960s alone, the Black farm count in 10 southern states dropped by 88%. More From TIME Read More: The Forgotten School Integration Story that Challenges What We Think We Know This drop off reflected how, for decades, wealthy white people utilized the power they held in their communities as government officials and business owners to push local Black people off land that their families had lived on for generations. Local white people also exploited new laws and subsidies to remove landowners or renters, deploying what an Emergency Land Fund report in 1974 described as, a great deal of chicanery. New capital-intensive farming practices also favored the wealthy, while industrial development led to corporate interest in rural tracts, driving up prices. Rural Black women were particularly vulnerable to these threats of dispossession. Take Susie Young, for instance. Within two weeks of the death of her husband in 1955, Young received notice from the Allison Lumber Company that she had to vacate the land her family rented from them and had tended for over 20 years in Choctaw County, Ala. They considered her now incapable of maintaining the property. One Black Perry County, Ala., woman had a similar experience. After the death of her mother in the 1950s, a nearby white landowner returned to claim the 60 acres her parents had bought decades prior claiming he didnt sell [her] that land. Though the family retained counsel and provided proof of purchase, they were nevertheless pushed off their land. Black landowners often lacked formal deeds, and white judges frequently ruled against their claims. Even as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 afforded Black Americans new opportunities and greater equality in many areas of life, these laws didnt address land loss. In fact, the 1960s introduced a massive contradiction: at the same moment Black Americans achieved political gains, they were also experiencing a quiet economic catastrophe, the result of what historian Pete Daniel calls intended consequences. Of course, civil rights organizations recognized the impact of Black land loss, not only for landowners but also for sharecroppers and tenant farmers. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC), and regional groups, such as the Southwest Alabama Farmers Cooperative Association (SWAFCA), pushed back against white structural control and assisted Black people facing displacement. They understood that resistance to economic exploitation was inextricably intertwined with the civil rights movements racial justice initiatives. In 1968, for instance, the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) conducted an investigation of land dispossession in Alabamas Black Belt. The Commission found that rural Black men and women were pushed off land at higher rates than whites, denied protections and grants by local Farmers Home Administration (FHmA) and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) officials, and intimidated by hostile neighbors. Civil rights organizations and the USCCR advised stronger enforcement of federal protections against discrimination and fair access to federal programs and grants. But it was state and local offices, often run by racist whites, that controlled implementation of these programs. This structure meant that racial equality and programs to assist the poor were nothing more than empty promises and a cruel hoax. Decades later, the federal government agreed. In 1997, a group of Black farmers filed a massive class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, arguing that between 1981 and 1996, the department had discriminated against them on the basis of race. The USDA denied Black farmers loans and delayed assistance, which resulted in land loss. The plaintiffs won. The decision in Pigford v Glickman and a subsequent settlement inspired a second round of filings in 2010, known as Pigford II. In his landmark opinion, District Judge Paul Friedman acknowledged that, despite the settlement, historical discrimination cannot be undone for the broken promise to African Americans and their descendants. Read More: How Civil Rights Were Madeand RemadeBy Black Communities In the Jim Crow South But these struggles have gone unnoticed by most Americans. Traditional civil rights narratives have typically centered urban spaces like Atlanta, Birmingham, or Memphis. Yet even as the civil rights revolution brought significant gains to Black residents of those cities, the story was very different in rural places like Lee County, Ga., or Lowndes County, Ala. As activist Wendell Paris put it, the civil rights movement passed over Sumter County, Alabama, altogether. In rural spaces, the same old local white power structures continued to dominate county boards and courts, while wielding new tools to exclude and limit Black Americans. Land loss was one of these. Rural stories of dispossession like Woodsonsand the sobering reality that they continue to happenchallenge popular civil rights narratives. These hopeful, progress oriented arcs, reveal an American propensity for national congratulation and, as Jeanne Theoharis has contended, place the struggle against racial inequality firmly in the past. And yet, white supremacist power has not disappeared. While some of its iterations remain overt, others have shapeshifted since the 1960s, adopting new rhetoric and tactics even as they wreak familiar devastation on Black lives and Black communities. Redlining, gerrymandering, harsh sentencing, and predatory lending have proliferated just as talk of colorblindness has become mainstream. Indeed, as professions of racial parity have increased so have discrepancies in outcomes, hidden and compounded by the invisible hands of racial capitalism. In 1968, C.H. Erskine Smith, then Chairman of the USCCRs Alabama State Advisory Committee implored: the people of rural Alabama and the rural South must not be forgotten. To understand the long Black freedom struggle and to seek racial justice today means that we must heed his call. Ansley Quiros is an associate professor of history at the University of North Alabama and author of God With Us: Lived Theology and the Freedom Struggle in Americus, 1942-1976. She and Dr. Matthew Schoenbachler are currently working on a memoir with Dr. Wendell Gunn. Allie R. Lopez is Ph.D candidate in history at Baylor University, writing a dissertation on the freedom struggle in rural Alabama. Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com. No one believes that country music legend Johnny Cash shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die. When Cash in 1968 released Folsom Prison Blues, a ballad about shooting and killing a man for no apparent reason, it was deemed controversial by some. The song was largely recognized for its dark, macabre humor part of the Grammy-winning country music rebels famed songwriting style. Its an example used by advocates to illustrate the contrast in how the genres are treated in the justice system. When a rapper faces trial, its not uncommon for prosecutors to label their lyrics as an accurate detailing of events. The use of lyrics in the courtroom has again surfaced in the ongoing high-profile trials of two rappers in Florida and Georgia. The prosecutions of YNW Melly and Young Thug. The lead prosecutor in YNW Mellys double murder case recently filed court documents that show the state plans to admit 55 songs, four album covers and 18 audio files into evidence. Among the proposed evidence is double platinum song Murder on My Mind, which features a grim retelling of an unintentional homicide over a blend of emotional piano riffs and hip-hop beats. READ MORE: Could lyrics be used against YNW Melly in double murder retrial? Prosecutors will try Throughout Mellys first trial, which ended in a hung jury, the rappers persona as an artist was a prevalent theme in evidence and testimony presented. Melly was caught on surveillance video leaving a Fort Lauderdale recording studio with two of his childhood friends, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, just before they were gunned down. Jamell Maurice Demons, known professionally as YNW Melly, left and attorney Stuart Adelstein, a member of his defense team, take notes during opening statements at the rappers double murder trial on Monday, June 9, 2023, in a Fort Lauderdale court. While prosecutors shied away from quoting lyrics in Mellys first trial, references to the Florida rappers blossoming music career, lifestyle and financial success emerged. The artist, whose real name is Jamell Demons, was often referred to as Melly during the trial. Hip-hop is at the heart of Grammy winner Young Thugs case. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that Thug is a gang leader cosplaying as a rapper and that his record label YSL, Young Stoner Life or Young Slime Life, is a criminal enterprise. They have been dissecting the artists lyrics and citing them as evidence that he violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug attends a hearing on the YSL case in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 2022. Hip-hop lyrics have, for years, been weaponized in U.S. courtrooms. As rap celebrates its 50th anniversary, the genre also marks a lengthy history of having its artistic expression viewed through a criminal lens in the justice system. There are almost 700 cases in which rap lyrics have been quoted in courtrooms since the 1990s, according to professor Erik Nielson, who has led the Rap on Trial project for a decade. The documented cases are the tip of the iceberg, Nielson says, because they are mainly the ones that go to trial. The fact that weve identified 700 really ought to get peoples attention because you definitely should be adding some zeros to that, he said. The average defendant in such cases is usually a Black or Latino man between the ages of 18 and 25. Florida has the second highest number of rap-related cases, only trumped by California, which has since banned the use of lyrics in trials under most circumstances. In one of the first prominent examples of rap lyrics entering a courtroom, Miami-based 2 Live Crew had their risque, over-the-top music banned in South Florida in 1990. Luther Campbell, right, leader of rap group 2 Live Crew, and lawyer Bruce Rogow, center, speak to reporters outside the courthouse. Prosecutors quoted the groups lyrics in a criminal trial that ended with a jury finding the artists, including rap legend Uncle Luke, not guilty of obscenity. Three decades later, the criminalization of rap continues to be a reality, and not just in the United States. In the United Kingdom, more than 240 people mostly young Black men have had their music used against them since 2020. Jamell Demons, better known as rapper YNW Melly, reacts after the judge declared a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Demons, 24, is accused of killing two fellow rappers and conspiring to make it look like a drive-by shooting in October 2018. While some states have taken action to curb the practice, others, such as Florida, grant prosecutors and judges discretion as to whether to quote lyrics or not at trial. Are lyrics weaponized? There are three main ways prosecutors approach rap lyrics in court cases, said Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond and a co-author of the 2019 book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America. As confessions, if written after the crime As proof of motive or intent, if written before the crime As threats, when the lyrics are viewed as the crime The most common tactic is for prosecutors to point at lyrics as evidence of some underlying crime, said Nielson, a scholar in Black creative expression who began researching the intersection of hip-hop and the criminal justice system in 2012. If a defendant is charged with a shooting, for instance, a prosecutor will likely dig into their music for lyrics that mention guns and shootings. The least common approach is when the lyrics are considered the crime, seen as a threat toward others. True threats, a form of speech that leads someone to believe they will be seriously harmed, arent protected by the First Amendment. Only about 2% of rap-related cases involve white defendants, and the bulk of those concern lyrics as threats. Jury box Prosecutors sometimes get creative with how they approach rap lyrics, Nielson said. Gang experts, for example, frequently dissect lyrics in court allowing prosecutors to link a gang affiliation to a crime through a gang enhancement, which could get a defendant more time. Nielson testified in a death penalty sentencing in which prosecutors brought in lyrics to argue that the defendant was smart enough to memorize lines despite his IQ being below average. Usually, they use the lyrics to make these guys look like stupid savages, Nielson said. But prosecutors are clever and so in this case, they actually use the lyrics in order to establish his intelligence so that hed be fit for execution. In front of a jury, hip-hop lyrics can activate stereotypes about the genre and the artists, who are mainly men of color, said Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California at Irvine. If it wasnt effective, we wouldnt see as many cases as we see where this is happening, she said. Kubrin, who co-authored a legal guide that provides tips for lawyers to counter lyrical evidence, has also been testifying as an expert witness in rap-related cases since 2011. A gorgeous courtroom bench in an American courthouse. She said her testimony isnt to argue for a defendants innocence. On the stand, she tries to provide examples of very similar if not identical lines from famous rappers songs. My goal is simply to not have prosecutors use lyrics in a way that bamboozles the jury into believing the claims that the prosecutor is making, which is that if someone could write these raps, they could do these things, she said. this video is so funny bro was lying for no reason pic.twitter.com/Y5Iug3j3iM kira (@kirawontmiss) April 24, 2023 Nielson says playing a music video in which a defendant is swearing, covered head-to-toe in tattoos and waving weapons easily prejudices a jury, even as the defendant sits feet away in a suit and tie. What youre doing is compromising that defendants right to a fair trial by using a fictional persona as somehow evidence of the actual defendants guilt or motivations, he said. Why the focus on rap? Hip-hop was birthed in inner cities and urban areas that have been criminalized and overpoliced, which has contributed to how it is used in courtrooms, said Donald Jones, a law professor at the University of Miami and author of Fear of a Hip-Hop Planet: Americas New Dilemma. Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a shooting involving an officer from Miami-Dade Police Department on Dec. 1, 2023, in the Gladeview area of northwest Miami. Rap is a way out for many. Artists, equipped with their imagination and hopes for the future seek to envision a world beyond what theyve experienced in growing up, Jones said. They create a ... universe in which they affirm their dignity and identity, he said. Its a powerful, revolutionary art form, which has everything to do with living out identities ... that are cultural and political at the same time. The genre rebels against their reality, he said, with rappers projecting personas that are large and in charge. Hip-hop artists in lyrics are much like a film writer, or novelist, he said. The genre of hip-hop requires you to create a character which expresses the values of street culture. Jones says race is at the center of the judicial systems attack on hip-hop. Black art hasnt been viewed or respected as art for most of history. Hip-hop has even been called Black noise. Rap singer Calvin Broadus (a.k.a. Snoop Doggy Dogg), center, is escorted into the Los Angeles Criminal Courts building Friday, Feb. 9, 1996, where he and a former bodyguard are on trial for a 1993 murder. The district attorney is expected to finish his rebuttal today after which the case would be turned over to the jury. Hip-hop represents the apotheosis of otherness, of evilness, of badness, of dangerousness, he said. It means something different to be Black in south-central LA than it would to grow up in Coral Gables. What do defense attorneys think? For years, Brad Cohen has been shielding his clients from their lyrics being used against them in state and federal courts across the U.S. The South Florida-based defense attorney has represented dozens of rappers, including Drake, Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. When it comes to rap lyrics, everyone believes whatever is in [them], he said. You will find, very infrequently, if any other artist gets charged, that they would use their medium of art against them. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 8, 2023 - Rapper NLE Choppa, whose real name is Bryson Potts, center, shakes hands with his attorney, Brad Cohen, right, as he talks to a co-defendant in the case, left, before Judge Barbara Duffy in courtroom 6900 at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida However, Cohen said he believes most judges will prevent prosecutors from quoting lyrics unless they refer to a specific weapon, location or time associated with the crime. But thats not always the case. Quoting lyrics, Cohen said, is a useful weapon because it easily helps prosecutors dirty up the defendant. While using lyrics is a growing strategy, Nielson said some courts are starting to become weary of the art form as evidence. He highlighted how, after his testimony, two Arizona federal court judges ruled that rap lyrics wouldnt be allowed in a trial. Those types of decisions in the past would have been very rare, Nielson said. But I do think that they will start to set precedents for future decisions. Much of the practice, Cohen said, preys on the preconceived notions about the lifestyle in the hip-hop world. Thats why, he said, rappers have been targeted for years. Theyre hoping that a jury will be like: OK, this is a rapper. He must be carrying a gun or he must be doing illegal activities. Are prosecutors divided? Young Thugs music is shaping up to be key evidence in his ongoing trial, which centers around whether or not his record label YSL is a criminal enterprise. Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis staunchly defended using the rappers lyrics against him at a 2022 news conference. If you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, Im going to use it, she told reporters. I have some legal advice: Dont confess to crimes on rap lyrics, if you dont want them used. Or at least get out of my county. A 2004 guide written by the American Prosecutors Research Institute sheds light on how prosecutors approach the practice in gang cases. The guide argues that the most crucial element of a successful prosecution is introducing the jury to the real defendant and urges prosecutors to use photographs, letters, notes and lyrics to uncover the real defendant. Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, makes his first appearance at the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta on Dec. 15, 2022. By the time the jury sees the defendant, he will have taken on the aura of an altar boy, the guide says, though the real defendant is a criminal wearing a do-rag and throwing a gang sign. But not all prosecutors are gung-ho about rap as evidence. Melba Pearson, a former prosecutor and director of Prosecution Projects at Florida International University, has never tried a case using lyrics but said she would approach them carefully, if she did. A prosecutor should listen to the music, read the lyrics and compare them to evidence to see if and where theres overlap, she said. All of those nuances give you more of a picture of what the song is about, Pearson said. Hip-hop in the pre-social media world, Pearson said, used to be referred to as the Black CNN because it reported about conditions in marginalized communities around the country. But the genre, she said, has morphed into a lot of bravado. It became less, in my opinion, about current events ... versus now more so, bragging about being involved in these instances, she said. However, just because an artist gets on a track and says something doesnt mean its true, Pearson said. If there is not enough overlap, I would refrain from introducing it because there is very much a danger, she said. You have to be conscious of issues of race. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. When hip-hop lyrics emerge in courtrooms, jurors biases may surface. Thats why Pearson said prosecutors should question potential jurors about their attitudes toward rap, if lyrics may play a role in the proceeding. A prosecutor should want the jury to make a decision based on the facts and evidence presented not due to some of their preconceived notions. You dont want people coming on and assuming just because you are a hip-hop artist that you must be guilty of murder, Pearson said. Thats not justice. Integrity: The quality of having moral principles. How does one measure integrity? We can examine whether one holds principles consistently. We can examine whether one buckles when principles are not expedient. We can examine whether one adheres to them when one must pay a price, or when one might be deprived of something he desires. Consider Peter Meijer, the former congressman from Grand Rapids. Meijer demonstrated integrity when he voted to impeach Trump for Trumps role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. He declared Trump was unfit for office, one of only 10 Republican congressmen voting to do so. Meijer believed no man was above Americas Constitution and its democratic ideals. For his vote, Meijer was challenged in the Republican primary and lost to John Gibbs who lost in the general election to Hillary Scholten. Here was a man with scruples, one who valued conscience over politics and principles over personal gain. Many thought so. I know I did. A month ago Meijer announced he will run for Michigans senatorial position, hoping to replace the retiring Debbie Stabenow. So far, so good. But then came the bad. Meijer recently indicated he will support, for president, the eventual Republican nominee, whoever that may be. And that includes Trump. Meijer went further. He also submitted a court filing arguing Trump should be allowed to run for president in Michigan, despite Trumps actions which led to attempted insurrection the basis Meijer used to declare Trump unfit for office and a contradiction to the Constitutions 14th Amendment. But why? Why did Meijer change his mind? One need not be a genius to figure this out. To win the Republican primary, Meijer will need votes from Trump supporters. But Trump supporters are unlikely to support Meijer if he is still at odds with the former president. And so, as the Chinese say, Meijer is willing to sell his soul for a bag of rice. Political allure and power mean more to Meijer than principles. At least thats my interpretation. Once, Meijer deserved applause and honor. But no longer. A response concerning Mr. Wierda Two weeks ago, Mr. Wierda chose to rebut my column concerning the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. I found it interesting Mr. Wierda didnt simply express his views on the conflict but took issue with mine. Mr. Wierda has every right to do so, but then I also have the right to react to his views. Mr. Wierda began his rebuttal by listing his perceived misuse of money by some Palestinians. Frankly, I am ignorant, whether his many claims are accurate, but money is not the driving force or priority of the Palestinians. Not by a long shot. The Palestinians' main focus is land, its control, and who legitimately owns it. From the Palestinian point of view, their land was taken from them by an occupying force who created a Jewish state and gave it to Jews (primarily European immigrants) during the 1940s. So money is not, by far, the issue at hand. Mr. Wierda implies Palestinians received an attractive offer in which they would control 91% of the West Bank. I again plead ignorance concerning the details of such an offer, but I know this: If someone entered Mr. Wierdas property and home, controlled it because they were more powerful, and then offered to give 91% of the property and home back to Mr. Wierda, I highly suspect Mr. Wierda would not view this as an acceptable offer. Why should he? Mr. Wierda believes attempting to understand an entitys motivation and perspective is tantamount to condoning atrocities. This is a false dichotomy, and Mr. Wierda should know better. Regardless of the issue, one should always consider the thinking and perspective of any party involved in a conflict. Understanding is a prerequisite to problem-solving. That doesnt mean right and wrong dont exist, but it does mean one must endeavor to view every partys way of thinking. For instance, if one side is being slaughtered by anothers tanks should we not consider why they might employ hostages as human shields? That action might not be right from an outsiders perspective, but if youre on the side fighting tanks with rocks and being slaughtered, your perspective will be different. Additionally, I suspect Mr. Wierda is a Christian Zionist. I suspect he believes the modern state of Israel should possess the land first defined by Joshua in the Old Testament. I suspect his religious beliefs justify, in his mind, that ownership. He is entitled to that belief, but he must realize most others do not share it. Finally, as I reviewed my initial writing on the subject, I found errors in neither facts nor logical conclusions that followed. Therefore I have no cause, no reason, and no basis to be ashamed of myself. Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: Integrity and Peter Meijer After 36 years, local governments have decided to discontinue service contracts with Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) when they expire on Dec. 31. For TCMedia, this means a loss of more than $700,000 in annual support, 80% of our operating budget. This is not unprecedented. Cable television franchise fees continue to decline as cable TV subscribers cut the cord in favor of streaming services. Municipalities face difficult decisions about how to allocate shrinking financial resources. Across the country, community media operations increasingly are facing funding challenges. When our contracts expire, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County will take over management of the government access media production for which we have been responsible. They will use channels 3, 22, 26, and 77 to deliver government-produced content on the cable system. The cities have indicated no plans to support the public access and community media services we have offered for more than three decades. Were hopeful a channel might be allocated for content created by the public and TCMedia. However, it is unclear whether a public access channel will be available beyond Jan. 1. Without a public access channel, there is no other television source in Thurston County that distributes content created by the community about the community for the community. TCMedia has been that resource since 1986. But its not all doom and gloom. There is reason to be optimistic. Were an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The TCMedia Board of Directors is developing a strategic plan that embraces community and fiscal resiliency in our work. We have sufficient financial resources to maintain our operations in 2024 as we generate revenue from new services, grants, and local philanthropy. We will continue our activities to benefit the greater community, recognizing that there must be changes in our services and operating structure. In recent years, weve incorporated new technologies that make content more easily accessible. Last spring, we expanded our content distribution platforms to include Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. We launched an app for iPhones and Android, so the communitys content is available on mobile devices (look for Thurston Community Media in your app store). We will continue sharing community content on these platforms whether or not we operate a public access cable channel. Digital media is a necessity in the communications plans for organizations and agencies. TCMedia is well situated to provide the tools, training, and transmission to create and share content by and for our community. Thats at the core of our mission as we revise our training and service offerings to keep pace with the communication needs of the organizations, agencies, and individuals we serve. The need for robust local media is demonstrated daily. Content created by TCMedia staff and community members fills a gap in our local media ecosystem. We believe a healthy community is engaged and well-informed, media tools should be easily accessible, and everyone has the right to share their story authentically without editorial interference. This is the foundation upon which TCMedia is built, and it will carry us forward into uncharted waters as we navigate the changes to come. The way forward for TCMedia may be challenging, but the possibilities are exciting. Its doable. We are confident. People in Thurston County are generous. Community remains our middle name as we move forward trusting the community will continue to use our services, watch our content, and support our work. Deborah Vinsel is the CEO of TCMedia and Meagan Murphy Ross is the TCMedia Board President. For information about TCMedia, go to www.tcmedia.org. North Korea fired one short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Sunday, the 12th anniversary of the death of late leader Kim Jong-il, according to South Korea's military. The launch briefly raised speculation that it could be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) because South Korea's First Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said a few days earlier the North could fire an ICBM within this month. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, however, that the North fired a short-range missile from in or around Pyongyang at about 10:38 p.m. and it flew about 570 kilometers before splashing in the East Sea. "While elevating our alert readiness, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture by closely sharing data on the 'North Korean ballistic missile' with the United States and Japan," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters. The three countries have agreed to operate a system for the real-time sharing of North Korean ballistic missile warning data by the end of this year amid efforts to bolster trilateral security cooperation against the North's threats. The JCS called the latest launch a "clear" violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the North from using ballistic missile technology, vowing to maintain a readiness to respond "overwhelmingly" to any provocations. The launch also came days after Seoul and Washington held the second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and agreed to complete the establishment of guidelines on the planning and operation of a shared nuclear strategy by the middle of next year. Just after the South's announcement of the launch, the North's defense ministry lambasted the NCG meeting as "an open declaration on nuclear confrontation," and criticized the U.S.' deployment of major military assets to the Korean Peninsula this year. "The hostile forces' any attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK will face a preemptive and deadly counteraction," it said in an English-language statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The North's latest saber-rattling also came amid heightened tensions after Pyongyang last month scrapped a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement designed to reduce tensions and prevent accidental clashes along the border. Seoul had partially suspended the deal in protest of the North's successful launch of its first military spy satellite on Nov. 21. The North last fired a ballistic missile on Nov. 22, but the launch apparently failed, according to the JCS. The latest launch coincided with the 12th anniversary of the death of the North's former leader Kim Jong-il, the father of current leader Kim Jong-un. (Yonhap) (KRON) The Redwood City Police Department is searching for a man who allegedly stole a vehicle and later lit the car on fire on Friday. According to the police investigation, the suspect stole the victims car by force, striking the victim in the back of the head and removing the victim from the car. The suspect then drove off in the vehicle. Multiple sideshows in one night, OPD investigates The carjacking occurred at an apartment building at the 1400 block of Marshall Street around 7:11 p.m. The victims vehicle, a green Toyota Camry, was located on fire near Bay Road and Charter in Redwood City around 8:06 p.m. According to police, the suspect is described as an African American male adult, about six feet tall, and heavyset. He was wearing a mask and an orange construction jacket or vest. The suspect was last seen running north on Bay Road. Redwood City PD believes the suspect could have suffered burns or other injuries after he lit the car on fire. Anyone who has information on this case is asked to contact the Redwood City Police Department at (650)-780-7100. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The mother of a slain Israeli soldier has called for her sons Palestinian killer to be released if it brings about the return of more hostages held by Hamas. Robi Damelin, whose son David was shot dead by a sniper in 2002, said the sanctity of human life was more important than the supposed security mission currently being carried out by the Israeli government. She said there are professional fearmongers in government who would rather sacrifice the lives of the hostages captured on Oct 7 than help ensure their release. Israel has secured the release of 110 hostages held in Gaza but an estimated 115 still remain. Price higher for releasing soldiers It followed a series of swaps for Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli jails, many of whom were detained without trial or charge. Hamas has so far released only civilians. It has reportedly said the price will be much higher for the release of the Israeli soldiers it holds. In a piece for Israels Haaretz newspaper, Ms Damelin said Palestinian prisoners like the man who killed David and have blood on their hands would have to be released to free further Israeli hostages. Her words came after the head of Mossad held reportedly held positive talks with Qatar over restarting hostage negotiations. When Hamas captured the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, Israel freed more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. Ms Damelin said the release of more dangerous prisoners would be the very steep cost for the return of our people. David was killed while on reserve duty in the West Bank in 2002. Ms Damelin said if he were still alive he would be demonstrating with families whose loved ones are still being held hostage to pressure the government into securing their release. I say free him if it will bring back a loved one I think about that sniper who is in jail for killing him along with nine other soldiers and civilians. I say free him if it will bring back even one of your loved ones. He is not my prisoner to hold on to. The pain he caused me [will] be with me forever. So will the pain of imagining him living freely again, as it will be for the families of the other Israelis he killed. So far Israel has not released any Palestinians who are in jail for murder. Ms Damelin took aim at those who were against further negotiations and denounced the damage to the countrys security caused by the government since taking office. Who are those people who became experts overnight She said her comments were prompted by the mistaken killing by the Israeli army of three Israeli hostages on Saturday, which has drawn major protests in Tel Aviv calling for their return. Who are those people against such a deal who became experts overnight, and somehow know all the statistics and just how many Israelis will be attacked in the future by Palestinian prisoners set free? Ms Damelin asked. There is real risk, it is not fair they might be returned, but I think to myself: do they have any idea what it is like to not know where their beloved child, or wife or father or mother or brother is? 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. Family and friends gathered to remember and pay their respects to Roderick Jackson who was killed last week in a hit-and-run crash. Jackson of Cambridge was working with a National Grid team on Totten Pond Road when prosecutors say 54-year-old Peter Simon, of New Hampshire, veered his pickup truck into the work area, hitting and killing him. Jackson was the backbone of his family and he is described as kind, loving, and hardworking. He was an accomplished athlete, who helped raise his 3 younger siblings when he was still a child himself. Jacksons mother tells Boston 25 that this all feels like a nightmare she cant wake up from. I just came to the conclusion yesterday as I brought his clothes to the funeral home. Oh my god I am burying my baby horrific, said Norma Asprilla, Jacksons mother. The public is invited to come and honor Rodderick Kito Jackson at St. Paul A.M.E. Church from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A funeral mass will follow after the visitation. Also killed in the crash was Paul Tracey, a Waltham police officer. Tracey was laid to rest on Friday. 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 Washington Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican whose district includes over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, said Sunday it's going to be a "battle" getting any deal involving Ukraine aid and border security funding through the House. A bipartisan group of senators has been negotiating a landmark deal to limit asylum and expand detention and deportation efforts. This border agreement would be paired with aid for Ukraine and Israel. Gonzales said "it's a good start," but "the devil's in the details." "The Senate is much different than the House. The Senate is going to have its battle getting to 60 votes. The House is going to have its battle getting to 218," Gonzales told "Face the Nation." "We can do that. But we have to sweeten the deal." Transcript: Rep. Tony Gonzales on "Face the Nation" Gonzales said that includes designating cartels as terrorist organizations and holding smugglers accountable. He said those could help get a bill across the finish line. Rep. Tony Gonzales on "The deal between the Senate and the White House is going to be much different than the House and the overall package," he said. The GOP-led House passed an immigration bill earlier this year that would make it much more difficult for migrants to claim asylum in the U.S., among other strict provisions. Republican senators have recently said it's not realistic to expect the Senate to pass a similar bill when it did not have a single Democratic vote in the House when it passed in May. Without a deal, House lawmakers left Thursday for their holiday break, while senators have remained in Washington to see if they can strike a deal before the end of the year. Gonzales said House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has not given a timeline for getting a bill through the House if the Senate reaches a deal. "We can't just wait," Gonzales said. "We have to find 218 votes, however we can, and push things over the finish line." Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., told "Face the Nation" that "time is important" in getting additional aid through Congress. The White House recently warned that the U.S. will run out of funding by the end of the year to assist Ukraine in its war against Russia. Transcript: Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., on "Face the Nation," Dec. 17, 2023 "All the eyes are on Congress now, and we really hope that there's progress that we hear about and they will be able to find a solution," Markarova said Sunday. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says California woman rents out sustainable Christmas trees Some areas of the High Plains Aquifer are continuing a decades-long trend of depletion that could eventually dry up and economically destroy agricultural communities in the west. The report, released last week by the Kansas Geological Survey, highlights glimmers of hope in communities that came together to manage the aquifer, the underground water system that supplies western Kansas with its water. Depletion of the High Plains Aquifer Kansas, like most states west of the Missouri River, follow a western model of water law that prioritizes the oldest water rights issued. The first in time, first in right model gives legal rights to use water based on the understanding of water systems from the early 20th century. As the country got a better understanding of how water works, managers realized more water is being taken out of aquifers than makes it back in. The thought was that there was a finite amount of water that could be used and that, someday, behaviors will have to change. But that was always years off in the future, said Brownie Wilson, one of the authors of the KGSs latest report. Today, we have some places in Kansas where weve had to change our behaviors, change how we use water because its becoming less available. A map shows the change in aquifer thickness between 2021 and 2023 in western Kansas. Aquifer thickness measures how much water is available above the aquifer's floor. Aquifers recharge when precipitation seeps back into the surface, or when water pumped up for irrigation returns. The severity of the water shortage depends on the location of a well. Aquifers have higher and lower depths throughout the underground system, which also are affected by environmental factors. Areas with low precipitation, like the semi-arid west side of Kansas, will recharge aquifers slower than the wetter areas as you go east. That western third of Kansas, the recharge rates there appear to be pretty small from precipitation, but theyre also fairly consistent, Wilson said. Some farmers who are pulling from heavily depleted aquifers are scaling back after reaching the lower-quality water available at the bottom of aquifers. There are already areas that have reached that minimum threshold, said Vijay Ramasamy, water consultant to Gov. Laura Kelly. Folks have to make very difficult decisions on what theyre going to do. Kansas' role in preserving aquifer Kansass ability to conserve water uses a lot more carrots than it does sticks. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program entices water right holders to permanently retire them and leave the water underground. The Water Right Transition Assistance Program similarly seeks farmers to retire water rights after it is determined to be optimally beneficial to the health of the aquifer. Other programs are more informal, such as the Water Innovation Systems and Education Program that teaches agricultural producers about technologies and strategies that make irrigation more efficient. The state can even chip in to buy some of the improved irrigation technology through a cost-sharing program Cooperative efforts show some success in Kansas One success story from water reforms is the Local Enhanced Management Areas. The first established LEMA is a nearly 100-square-mile region in Sheridan County. In 2013, it formed a LEMA after prior attempts at conserving groundwater failed, due to the surplus water being used elsewhere. In the first 10 years of the Sheridan County LEMA, it only scaled back the average irrigated area by 2.7%, but reduced the amount of water irrigated by 36%. Its voluntary, its collective, and they came together and said, Were going to meet these specific targets to extend the life of the aquifer, Ramasamy said. The district used technologies, planted less thirsty crops and used new management strategies to achieve the reduction in water usage. Ramasamy said its also changed the mindset of farmers in the area to emphasize how they can meet production goals while using less water. Its a culture of conservation, Ramasamy said. What to expect in upcoming Kansas legislative session Rep. Jim Minnix, the Kansas House Water Committee chair, said his committee is in a better spot to work on water than it was last year, when half of the committee members were new to the issue. This upcoming year well continue to work and expand on the bills that we had this last year and a few more topics on the quantity of water, Minnix said. The committees bills in last year's session mandated Groundwater Management Districts to submit reports to the state to ensure compliance. It increased funding for Kansas Water Resource Department program funding. It also expanded clarified who can enroll in a multi-year flex account, which allows producers to exceed their maximum water right each year if they reduce the total amount of water pumped throughout a five-year period. Minnix said he hopes this year the committee can address uranium found in water that flows in from Colorado on the Arkansas River. He singled out a potential cost-sharing program for uranium testing for domestic wells. We want to talk a little more in depth about water quality issues besides just the quantity, Minnix said. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Western Kansas water supply still declining and needs action: Report (Bloomberg) -- Republican leader Mitch McConnell said significant issues remain in Senate negotiations on US-Mexico border restrictions demanded by his party in exchange for clearing assistance to Ukraine and other US allies. Most Read from Bloomberg McConnell and Senator James Lankford, the main Republican negotiator, told colleagues in a letter it isnt clear whether the Senate will vote on the package this week, according to a person familiar with the matter. Negotiators met over the weekend after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delayed the Senates holiday break to allow for a possible vote this week. A vote would increase pressure on the House, which has already left Washington until January, to act early next month. Were not anywhere close to a deal, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, said earlier Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Itll go into next year. A group of 15 Republican Senators urged the partys conference chairman Senator John Barrasso not to hold a meeting until Jan. 8 when the House returns from its holiday recess, saying in a letter that rushed and secret negotiations with Democrats would not secure the border. The move is an effort led by Senator Ron Johnson and other allies of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has signaled that he prefers to move border talks forward in the new year. With possible measures to curb migration across the border from Mexico dividing both parties, the two sides revealed little about the detailed state of play on Sunday, though some signaled optimism that the two parties will be able to reach a deal. I talked to a couple of key negotiators yesterday and they feel like theyre making some progress, Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, said on Fox News Sunday. He described the negotiations as very delicate and difficult. Graham said negotiators have made progress on asylum policy, which advocates of tighter rules say is being misused by economic migrants entering the US. He said differences are wider on Republican efforts to limit President Joe Bidens ability to grant parole to immigrants so they can live and work in the US while waiting for a ruling on their claim. Biden has offered changes to US border policy, and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas met with negotiators in recent days as part of stepped-up engagement by the White House. Theyre moving in a very positive way, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin said on CNNs State of the Union. They understand that the border is broken. Republican Senator Thom Tillis has said the offer would give the president expanded authority to deport migrants once a certain number of undocumented migrants has crossed the border. If the Senate reaches a deal, getting the House to agree to the package would be the next hurdle. Democrat Representative Ro Khanna said negotiations will have to include a broader range of lawmakers as some progressives and members of the Hispanic Caucus criticize proposals for stricter immigration policies. You have to at least have someone like Nanette Barragan, the chair of the Hispanic Caucus, at the table, Khanna said on Fox News Sunday. You need to have some of the Latino senators at the table. Biden last week accused Republicans of holding Ukraine funding hostage in pursuit of extreme demands on border security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Biden at the White House and addressed lawmakers in Washington last Tuesday but left empty-handed. All the eyes are on Congress right now, and we really hope theres progress, Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the US, said on CBSs Face the Nation. --With assistance from Erik Wasson. (Updates to include letter to Senator Barrasso in graphs 5 and 6.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Prime Minister personally intervened to prevent the scrapping of a contract providing VIP helicopter transport for himself and senior ministers. Earlier in 2023, Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, ended a 40 million contract for two private helicopters used by politicians and senior defence staff. The contract for the helicopters, crewed by RAF personnel and based at the Northolt airbase in west London, was due to end in September. Grant Shapps, Mr Wallaces successor as defence secretary, then acted to stop the contract from being scrapped. At the time no reason was offered for the change but an article in the RAFs in-house magazine revealed the order came from Rishi Sunak. The Prime Minister has faced criticism for taking flights for short trips rather than cheaper, less-polluting alternatives like trains. In May he took an expensive helicopter flight from London to Southampton for a journey that would have taken 75-minutes each way and cost 30 return on public transport. Rishi Sunak travelled from Southampton to London in a helicopter which would have cost 30 in ground transport - Joe Giddens/PA In the RAF magazine, Northolt Approach, Tom Woods, the leader of the squadron that crews and looks after the helicopters, said the termination of the contract would have marked the end of an era in which the Royal Air Force and in particular No32 (the Royal) Squadron have operated the AW109 helicopter in that role from RAF Northolt since 2006. However, in mid-September 23, the new SofS [secretary of state for] defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, reversed the decision at the request of the prime minister. Mr Woods wrote that there was frenetic activity to rapidly ensure all the key elements required to allow A109 to continue service were in place. Im extremely pleased and very proud to say everyones hard work paid off and the capability was able to seamlessly continue operations through Sep into Oct 23 and beyond. Emily Thornberry, Labours shadow attorney general, said she had been trying for months to establish when the contract was extended and on whose authority. Since October, ministers have been refusing to give straight answers to my questions in Parliament about why this contract was extended, how that decision was taken, and at what cost, she said. Now we know why. Ms Thornberry has accused Sunak of having an addiction to helicopters and private jets. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: All ministerial and senior defence official travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. This contract was extended primarily in order to provide travel for the command functions of the Ministry of Defence. As a whole, domestic flights within the United Kingdom allow ministers to visit more parts of the United Kingdom in the time available, particularly areas further away from London, and reduce the need for overnight accommodation for ministers and accompanying staff. Security considerations are also taken into account. 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 Lancaster sheriff's station as seen on Google Maps. (Google Maps) A 4-year-old boy was killed Friday evening in Lancaster after a man shot into a familys vehicle during a road rage incident, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. During the incident, the boy was seated in the back and struck by gunfire in the upper body, police said. The childs parents rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Deputies from the Lancaster sheriff's station responded to a call of a shooting victim at the 44600 block of Sierra Highway at 7:29 p.m. Investigators began working on the case and found the suspects vehicle near the scene. A 29-year-old Black man and a 27-year-old white woman, who were not identified, were arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said there were no other suspects. Police reported that the suspects abruptly maneuvered in front of the family's car near Sierra Highway and East Avenue J, initiating a pursuit through several side streets. While being followed, the driver of the familys car slowed his vehicle, prompting the suspects to stop alongside the passenger side of the victim's car and begin shooting, a Sheriff's Department official said. No one else was hurt during the incident. 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. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) jumped to the defense of a former Mississippi congressional candidate charged with vandalizing a controversial satanic display put up at Iowas state Capitol building. Satan has no place in our society and should not be recognized as a religion by the federal government, DeSantis wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. Good prevails over evil thats the American spirit. The Satanic Temple received permission earlier this month to set up a shrine on the first floor of the Iowa State Capitol for two weeks. According to the Des Moines Register, such statues are permitted under state rules governing religious displays in the building. The shrine included an altar with the temples seven fundamental tenets and its seal surrounded by electric candles, along with a statue depicting the goat-headed pagan idol Baphomet. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Satanic Temple wrote that the statue was destroyed beyond repair and showed the damages in a video. Michael Cassidy, a 35-year-old Navy veteran and former Mississippi House candidate, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief for the statue vandalism, the Des Moines Register reported. On his campaign website, Cassidy describes himself as a Christian conservative who loves our nation and is committed to preserving the blessings of liberty bestowed upon us by the Founding generation. Cassidy told The Sentinel that he destroyed the statue to awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our government. I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged, he said. My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $2,560 fine, the Des Moines Register reported. Several groups, such as Turning Point USA, jumped to Cassidys defense by donating to a crowdfunding campaign created by The Sentinel to pay for his legal funds. The campaign has surpassed its goal of $20,000. DeSantis condemned the statue and backed up Cassidy, even vowing to chip in to pay his legal fees. Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, had told the Des Moines Register earlier this week that the intention behind the display was to give other religions more representation in public forums rather than to offend Christians. He later condemned the vandalism and called it a hate crime on his social media. As the satanic display made national news, it quickly became the center of a free speech debate as mixed reactions and criticisms poured in from lawmakers in Iowa and across the country. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) described the display in a press release as objectionable but maintained that In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech. Rep. Jon Dunwell (R-Iowa) echoed similar comments in a lengthy statement on X, saying that as a follower of Christ, he found the display was objectionable but that the application process for state Capitol displays (which are open to anyone) do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology. Other lawmakers were adamantly against the display and called for its removal. Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman (R) wrote a letter last week asserting that the disgusting display violates the states Constitution. During a CNN town hall on Tuesday, DeSantis criticized former President Donald Trumps handling of the Satanic Temple and blamed him for a rule that gave the group religious tax-exempt status in 2019. It very well may be because of that ruling under Donald Trump that they may have had a legal leg to stand on, he said. My view would be thats not a religion that the Founding Fathers were trying to create. When asked about DeSantis comments on Thursday, Greaves told CNN that the Florida governors words were a display of cowardice from a politician who wants to play ignorant. Related... Doctors boycott pilot program citing safety concerns By Lee Hae-rin The government's national telemedicine pilot is under pressure, as a growing number of medical professionals are boycotting the trial project due to safety concerns. According to medical circles, Sunday, doctors groups of numerous specialties are refusing to participate in the government's trial plan to increase non-face-to-face medical service options that took effect on Friday, citing the danger of misdiagnosis. The Korean Medical Association and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association are pressing the government to scrap the pilot plan. In statements, the groups said the project could increase the possibilities of misdiagnosis and put patients' health and lives at risk, as doctors could miss symptoms of fatal diseases in non-face-to-face consultations. The groups pointed out that the government unilaterally pushed for the policy and failed to consider the opinions of experts in the process. "Thus, the government should be responsible for any medical malpractice and drug misuse or abuse resulting from non-face-to-face medical services," the groups warned. Previously, six doctors groups, representing practitioners of internal medicine, otolaryngology and pediatrics expressed safety concerns during a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday, three days before the trial commenced. The Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also declared a boycott of the trial in a statement, Friday, expressing regret to health authorities for pushing the policy through without necessary amendments to relevant laws. The Korean Pediatric Association also encouraged its members to reject participation in the trial, arguing non-face-to-face consultation services, which could put at risk the lives of young patients, run contrary to medical ethics. Additionally, an overwhelming 93.3 percent of neuropsychiatric professionals disagree with participation in the pilot, a recent survey by the doctors group shows. Under the existing Medical Services Act, telemedicine services are technically illegal, but have been temporarily allowed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government started the pilot program in June as pandemic social distancing policies we being phased out. Starting Friday, the coverage areas of telemedicine services in the pilot have been expanded and the age limit and operating hours have also been eased. Under this program, first-time telemedicine patients across all age groups can receive services, including counseling and prescriptions, from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. Previously, only returning patients or first-time patients under 18 years of age could access non-face-to-face counseling at night or during holidays but this policy drew criticism, as medical facilities are usually closed at those times. Also, the government added 98 cities and counties to the list of areas subject to exceptional telemedicine accessibility. Under the previous pilot from June, only first-time patients who live on islands or in mountainous areas were eligible to receive non-face-to-face consultations due to regional disparities in medical services. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether the trial plan will be discussed at the Health and Welfare Committees meeting on Monday at the National Assembly, in the face of the strong backlash from medical professionals and opposing views of the rival parties on systemizing the pilot plan. A shooting on Saratoga Avenue in Ventura early Saturday hospitalized one person. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Ventura shooting suspect arrested A Ventura man was arrested early Saturday after a shooting that hospitalized the victim. Shortly after midnight, several 911 callers reported an altercation in the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue, according to the Ventura Police Department. A condominium complex sits on the block. Patrol officers arrived within two minutes and provided life-saving measures. The victim, a man, was said to be in stable condition and was expected to survive, said police Cmdr. Matt Cain. No other details about the victim or the circumstances of the shooting were released Saturday. The suspect, a 64-year-old Ventura man, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The incident remains under investigation. This item may be updated. Cyclist hospitalized after Moorpark collision A bicycle rider in his 60s suffered serious injuries in a crash involving a vehicle in Moorpark Friday morning. The incident closed a section of Tierra Rejada Road for several hours. The accident was reported around 9:45 a.m. at the intersection of Tierra Rejada and Sunset Valley Road, west of Highway 23, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which is contracted for police services in Moorpark. The rider had been headed northbound on Sunset Valley and entered the intersection, said sheriff's Capt. James Sullivan on Friday. The driver, described as a woman in her 30s, had been headed eastbound on Tierra Rejada when the bicyclist was struck. The cyclist suffered major injuries and was taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center. No update on the man's condition was available Saturday. The driver, who was uninjured, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, authorities said Saturday in a news release. The incident closed Tierra Rejada between Highway 23 and Moorpark Road until about 2:15 p.m. Friday for investigation and cleanup. Meth seized after pursuit Sheriff's detectives seized about 5 pounds of methamphetamine after a pursuit in Camarillo on Dec. 7. Authorities seized 5 pounds of methamphetamine after an attempted traffic stop turned into a pursuit in Camarillo earlier this month. On the afternoon of Dec. 7, a patrol deputy saw a vehicle make an illegal turn near Carmen Drive, close to Highway 101, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The agency is contracted to provide police services in Camarillo. When the deputy tried to pull over the car, the driver tried to flee, launching a pursuit. The deputy saw the driver throw objects out the window, authorities said. The vehicle ultimately stopped and the driver, a 51-year-old Ventura man, was taken into custody along with his passenger, a 39-year-old Ventura woman. Detectives who searched the vehicle found 5 pounds of meth along with about $7,000 in cash believed to be from drug sales. They also found ammunition in the car. Both suspects are convicted felons who are barred from possessing ammunition, according to the sheriff's office. The two were arrested on suspicion of felonies and booked into county jail. Arrest made in July gunfire incident An Oxnard man was arrested Thursday in connection with gunfire that struck a Goodwill store in Port Hueneme in July. The 20-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting from a motor vehicle, shooting at an unoccupied building and possessing a firearm in violation of probation, according to the Port Hueneme Police Department. The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. on July 22 at the Goodwill located at 695 W. Channel Islands Blvd., where bullet strikes were found in the exterior wall, authorities said. No injuries were reported. The shots were fired from a vehicle at the front of the store, according to police. The suspect remained in county jail Saturday with bail set at $200,000, jail records showed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jesus Chavez at 805-986-6615 or jchavez@cityofporthueneme.org. Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Ventura shooting suspect arrested, more news This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPMs home for opinion and news analysis. It was originally published at The Conversation. With LGBTQ+ rights continuing to expand across much of the world, Vladimir Putins Russia has doubled down on restricting them and a new ruling has made the future even more uncertain for Russian LGBTQ+ groups and individuals. The LGBTQ+ movement is extremist, and its activities will be banned beginning in 2024, according to a ruling a justice of the Russian Supreme Court handed down at the close of November 2023. This newest decision builds on 10 years of legislation pushed forward by President Vladimir Putins government in the name of family values, largely focused on limiting LGBTQ+ activism and same-sex unions. With theological support from the Russian Orthodox Church, Putin and his supporters portray Russia as a bulwark of traditional values. This trend is poised to only increase in 2024, with Putins decree that it is the year of the family. That vision appeals deeply to many conservative Christians outside Russia, as well. As an anthropologist, I have spent years studying Russias family values rhetoric and its appeal to allies abroad particularly Russian Orthodox converts in Appalachia. Traditional values have become a fixture in far-right movements around the world, some of which see Russia as a model of the future they desire. In Russia and beyond, many conservative Christians in these movements have focused on LGBTQ+ populations, whom they portray as threats to their vision for society and are not deterred by antidemocratic politics, if its figures voice support for their social goals. Church and state In Russia, traditional family values have historically been linked to patriotism, Russian ethnic identity and service to country. These ideas were supported from the 1970s onward by writings from a young priest-monk named Kirill Gundyaev, who became head of the Russian Orthodox Church, or ROC, in 2009. Though three-quarters of Russians say they attend church services once a year or less, the ROC remains culturally influential. During Putins nearly 25 years in power, he has often tapped into the churchs rhetoric about traditional values to advance his social and political goals. In particular, Russian leaders often portray much of Europe and the U.S. as threats to the traditional family. Attempting to justify the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, for example, Putin and Kirill have both appealed to conservative ideas about religion and gender, arguing that Russias offensive stems from a need to protect itself from liberal values. The West has been aggressively imposing on their countries, attitudes that are directly leading to degradation and degeneration, because they are contrary to human nature, Putin said in a February 2022 speech about the war. Kirill, meanwhile, has portrayed the invasion as a spiritual battle. A man with a white beard, in black and white priest's clothing, stands next to a balding man in a black coat and tie. Beyond borders Many of Putins ideas about tradition resonate with far-right American Christians, including the Appalachian Orthodox converts communities I worked with, who think they are being persecuted for their views about gender and sexuality. While the language of family values resonated with right-wing voters during and since the Trump presidency, values rhetoric has a much longer history among the American Christian right. During the 20th century, anthropologist Sophie Bjork-James has noted, these arguments took off among white Protestants over fears about race, economic instability and feminism. After World War II, as Americans grappled with the looming threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, family values became a key part of patriotic rhetoric that contrasted the red threat of the Soviet Union with a supposedly God-fearing, blessed America. Family values politics inspired the creation of conservative groups like the Moral Majority and the Family Research Council as reproductive rights and fledgling gay rights intensified their concerns. Though focused on promoting American Christian values, the movement looked abroad for connections and support. Relationships forged between the Roman Catholic Church and the ROC, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the ROC in the early 2010s, helped spur on the types of traditional values movements seen around the world today. Increasingly, these groups have focused on LGBTQ+ populations, portraying them as alien to traditional values. Russian political figures and the ROC have participated in local and global organizations that promote traditional family values, including the World Congress of Families and some home-schooling networks formed in the U.S. Some far-right figures involved in such groups promote traditionalism: an anti-modern philosophy that focuses on social, sexual and racial purity. From culture to authoritarianism Cold War-style language that U.S. politicians once used to criticize the Soviet Union has now been inverted: Many right-wing American Christians who believe their country has lost its traditional religious heritage and is headed toward Marxism see the West as the new red scare. For some who criticize the West as woke, contemporary Russia is a better social model and an arbiter of traditional morality. Yet anti-LGBTQ+ policies, family values rhetoric and the notion that Russia is traditional are not simply part of the new global culture wars. Rather, they are part of what I call reactive world-building: radicalized groups working toward what they see as a Christian, pro-family future with authoritarian politics at the helm. A man holds a placard with stick figures of a man and a woman holding an umbrella over two children below a rainbow-painted sky. The language of the Christian right has consistently emphasized obedience to hierarchical authority. In my own work on far-right American converts to Orthodox Christianity, I have met people who support antidemocratic politics if they believe it can deliver the kind of culture they want to see and even individuals who call themselves fascist. Some express interest in moving to Russia, with American Orthodox convert priest Rev. Joseph Gleason offering a public example. Under Putin, family values are used as a way to advance post-Soviet Russian power and control globally. That might come as a shock for American allies although given some far-right compatriots interest in moving there, perhaps not. The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Russian forces shelled 11 communities along the Sumy Oblast border on Dec. 16, injuring one civilian, the Sumy Oblast military administration reported. As a result of mortar attacks in the Yunakivka region, one civilian was injured. The communities of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Khotin, Esman, Shalyhyne, Velyka Pysarivka, Seredyna-Buda, Znob-Novhorodske, Novoslobidske, and Druzhba came under fire. Russia's military targeted the different communities with grenade launchers, artillery, mortar, and drone attacks, while also dropping mines on multiple settlements. Around 138 explosions were recorded. Sumy Oblast lies on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. For over a year, the Russian military has terrorized settlements along the border with near-daily shelling. Read also: Russian attacks against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injure 3 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian servicemen of the 72nd mechanized brigade listen to a prayer during the sacred liturgy before the upcoming Christmas at the frontline near Vuhledar, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Valentyn Kuzan) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each others territories for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram. A Russian air base hosting bomber aircraft used in the war in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin. The channel posted short videos of drones flying over low-rise housing in what it said was the Russian town of Morozovsk, whose air base is home to Russias 559th Bomber Aviation Regiment. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov province, separately reported mass drone strikes near Morozovsk and another town farther west, but didn't mention the air base. Golubev said most the drones were shot down and and there were no casualties. He didn't comment on damage. As of Sunday evening, Kyiv didn't formally acknowledge or claim responsibility for the drone attacks. A major Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda, cited an anonymous source in the security services as saying that Ukraine's army and intelligence services successfully struck the Morozovsk air base, inflicting significant damage" to military equipment. It wasn't immediately possible to verify this claim. Also Sunday morning, Ukraines air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the countrys occupied south. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraines southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraines military said. Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they arent deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June. Russian shelling on Sunday also killed an 81-year-old man in central Kherson, the southern Ukrainian city that was recaptured by Kyiv's forces last fall, according to the head of its municipal military administration. Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged fire outside Terebreno, a Russian village just kilometers (miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to Telegram posts by Gov. Vasily Gladkov. He did not provide details, but insisted Russian authorities had the situation under control. According to Baza, a Telegram news channel set up by Russian journalists critical of the Kremlin, fighting between Russian troops and a Ukrainian diversionary group began around 11 a.m. near Terebreno, home to some 200 people, forcing residents to hide in shelters. Ukraine's military security agency, the GUR, said on Sunday evening that Russia-based armed opponents of the Kremlin regime" were responsible for what it called armed clashes near Terebreno. The online statement didn't say whether the GUR or other Ukrainian bodies had any involvement in or prior knowledge of the fighting. Hours later, a 69-year-old woman was reported killed in a Ukrainian border village in the northern Sumy region, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Terebreno. According to the Ukrainian regional prosecutor's office, the woman died after a Russian shell flew into her home. It wasn't immediately clear whether her death was linked to the reported clashes. Late on Sunday afternoon, a Ukrainian border force official reported in a video statement that multiple Russian sabotage and reconnaissance operatives had crossed into Ukraine's northern Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Andriy Demchenko said that Ukrainian border guards and territorial defense units succeeded in pushing them back into Russia. While cross-border raids on Russian territory from Ukraine are rare, the Russian military said in May that it had killed more than 70 attackers, describing them as Ukrainian military saboteurs, in a 24-hour battle. Kyiv portrayed the fighting as an uprising against the Kremlin by Russian partisans. Ukraines foreign minister, meanwhile, welcomed what he called a sea change in Germany's approach toward Kyivs European Union membership bid. In an interview with Germanys Bild newspaper, Dmytro Kuleba said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won sincere and well-deserved admiration among Ukrainians for his role in the EUs recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv. Ukraine has long faced strong opposition in its attempts to join the 27-member bloc from Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to maintain close ties with Russia. Scholz said that at an EU summit last week he proposed that Orban leave the room to enable the summit to launch accession talks with Ukraine, something that the Hungarian leader agreed to do. What German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did at the summit to remove the threatened Hungarian veto will go down in history as an act of German leadership in the interests of Europe. The chancellor has this week won a lot of sincere and well-deserved admiration in the hearts of Ukrainians, Kuleba told Bild. He also voiced hope that Scholz actions would mark a broader and irreversible shift in Berlins approach towards EU negotiations with Kyiv. When I campaigned in Berlin last May to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, my appeals to Germany to take the lead in this process mostly fell on deaf ears. Germany doesnt want to lead, experts and politicians in Berlin told me. I am glad that German political decisions have changed since then, Kuleba said. The Ukrainian government has long cast EU and NATO membership as key foreign policy goals, and the EU's decision to start accelerated negotiations gave Kyiv a major boost although it could be years before it's able to join. NATO leaders, meanwhile, haven't set any clear timeline so far for Kyiv's membership bid, even as Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine led another of Russia's neighbors, Finland, to be accepted into the military alliance in April. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to build up military units near the Russian-Finnish border. The Kremlin leader declared, without giving details, that Helsinki's NATO accession would create problems for the Nordic country. There were no problems (between Russia and Finland). Now, there will be. Because we will create (a new) military district and concentrate certain military units there, he told Russian state television on Sunday morning. ___ Vanessa Gera contributed to this report from Warsaw, Poland. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine No Russian missile carriers on combat duty in Black Sea and Sea of Azov for several weeks The Russian fleet in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is less active this winter than last, Ukrainian Southern Defense Forces spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk said on national television, suggesting that Russia may be waiting for freezing temperatures to intensify operations. "Last December, they were a little more active at sea, Humeniuk said. But Russia may simply be accumulating potential. Kalibr missiles can be sea-launched from a distance of 2,500 kilometers... It is likely that they wait for the sub-zero temperatures to intensify." As of Dec. 17, missile carriers have not been on combat duty for several weeks in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Read also: "But let me remind you that they are equipped, ready, and can fire from their bases. The enemy has already practiced this strategy. "In the Black Sea, the ships routinely patrol along the coast, staying quite close to the historical Russian coast, the Novorossiysk area. They do not dare to go out to the north or to the western areas of the sea, which they used to patrol". 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 An 81-year-old man was killed in the latest Russian attack on the city of Kherson, regional authorities reported on Dec. 17. According to regional authorities, Russian forces shelled the central part of the city at around 10:20 a.m. local time. The regional Prosecutor General's Office said that the 81-year-old man had been out walking on the street when the attack started. Additionally, six police officers were injured this morning when Russian forces shelled the village of Darivka, which is located some 23 kilometers from Kherson. Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022. Russian troops were pushed to the eastern bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. Read also: Ukraine finally moves to fortify front line, but could it be too little too late? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The ruins of Azovstal after the battles for Mariupol, May 2022 A general from Russias Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) promised security guarantees and quick release from captivity for the Mariupol defenders before their Azovstal surrender in May 2022, Konstantyn Kozhekin, an Azov Battalion officer released from the captivity, revealed in an interview with BBC Ukraine published on Dec. 17. The Azovs Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Denys Prokopenko, call sign "Redis," had the letter promising release within three to four months at the time of the surrender. It was signed by Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the first deputy head of Russia's GRU, but was taken away during the initial interrogation. Read also: Azov commanders held in closed security facility in Turkey Prokopenko's wife "Our commander had a letter signed by Vladimir Alekseev at the time of our capture. It was no guarantee, because the Russian side easily violates any agreements," Kozhekin said. CNN What is known about Mariupol defenders in captivity? After two months of urban warfare with the Russian invasion forces, the defenders of Mariupol were surrounded at the Azovstal Steelworks with a limited supply of medicines, food, drinking water and ammunition. They left the plant and surrendered on May 16, 2022 by the order of the General Staff, with the aim of saving their lives. Read also: US unaware of Erdogans decision to release Azovstal commanders Biden advisor The evacuation was mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which recorded the personal data of the Ukrainian military, and the UN. The Ukrainian soldiers were taken to a medical facility in occupied Novoazovsk, as well as to the territory of the penal colony #120 in occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said there was no other way to rescue the heroes from Azovstal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 6, 2022 that more than 2,500 Mariupol defenders were in Russian captivity. A total of 2,449 defenders left the territory of Azovstal. Ukraine conducted on Sept. 21, 2022 one of the largest prisoners-of-war swaps since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. At that time 215 people were returned home, including 188 Mariupol defenders. Five Azov commanders were exchanged for 55 Russian service members, on condition that they would be sent to exile in Turkey until the end of the full-scale invasion. However, they were released and travelled back to Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian head of state visited Turkey on July 8. Read also: Azov fighter hugs Hasidic pilgrim in Uman during Rosh Hashanah celebrations Photo of the Week Russia then accused Ukraine and Turkey of violating the terms of the prisoner exchange deal. Some of the Azovstal defenders have remained in captivity for almost 20 months. Russia is holding a total of 3,574 Ukrainian servicemen in captivity, including more than 700 Azov servicemen, the Reintegration Ministry says. There has been no major prisoner exchange for more than four months. 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 A monument to Lenin in Barentsburg in Norway's Svalbard Archipelago, where Russians have been mining coal for decades (Jonathan NACKSTRAND) Glaciologist Andrew Hodson used to collaborate with his Russian colleagues in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic, but snowmobile excursions to see them have come to a halt since the war in Ukraine. "We used to work with Russian permafrost scientists and hydrologists in the Barentsburg region. This doesn't happen now," the British scientist told AFP. "We're sad that we can't use this basis for collaboration, but we're not at all happy with the actions of the Russian government, obviously," he said at his office at Longyearbyen University in the archipelago's capital. Although a part of Norway, the islands have long had a strong Russian presence. But the frequently-cited diplomatic mantra of cohabitation there -- "High North, low tensions" -- no longer applies. In the Arctic, as in the rest of the world, Western and Russian researchers have cut almost all ties since the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscow's February 2022 invasion was the final nail in the coffin of their cooperation, already in decline in recent decades amid President Vladimir Putin's more aggressive policies. The deep freeze has significantly affected scientific research in a region warming around four times faster than the planet as a whole, and which is therefore crucial to climate studies -- and where Russia plays a major role due to its vast size. - Missing data - "It's damaging because Russia is more than half of the Arctic," said Rolf Rodven, executive secretary of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). ] The exchange of data from Russia has now completely dried up. "We do not know what's happening on the ground there and of course, what's happening there will also affect the European, US and Canadian part of the Arctic," he said. This deprives scientists of crucial information about permafrost -- present predominantly in Russia and a ticking time bomb for the climate of the entire planet -- and recent wildfires, which are believed to have been as devastating as those in North America. Some data can be obtained through international databases such as the World Meteorological Organization or through satellite observations, but those are incomplete. "We know that there will be more uncertainty in our estimates and as a consequence also more uncertainties in projections for the future," Rodven said. Studies written by AMAP -- one of the Arctic Council's six working groups -- are all the more important since they are used in reports by the UN's IPCC climate panel. The Arctic Council is a regional forum long held up as a model of cooperation, but now stands divided between the West (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States) and Russia. A number of projects have been suspended and some studies have been delayed. Not only have relations with Russian research institutes -- almost all state-run bodies -- been halted, but even the few independent researchers are reluctant to cooperate for fear of being accused of treason or espionage. Already in 2019, Russian scientists expressed concern about restrictions imposed on their contacts with foreign colleagues, raising fears of a return to conditions that existed during the Soviet era. - Brain drain - Russia's research community has been plagued by a "brain drain" -- which began even before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine -- and funding that has been slashed in order to pay for the war effort. "It's a double whammy," said Salve Dahle, a marine biologist at Norway's independent Akvaplan-niva institute. "Not only do we no longer benefit from the exchange of data, but the collection of data in Russia itself is also cut back." Dahle, who used to frequently work on projects in Russia, said his primary concern was for Siberia's main rivers, the Arctic Ocean's biggest source of freshwater. Without being present in the field, it's impossible to measure the effects on the rivers of oil and gas drilling, industrial activities and mining. "Everything that can be dissolved in water or be captured in ice is transported into the transpolar drift stream (an ocean current that flows from east to west) and flows out between Greenland and Svalbard," he said. In Longyearbyen, British glaciologist Andrew Hodson is trying to be pragmatic. "There's much to be gained from working with the expertise there," he said of his Russian research colleagues. "But I won't pretend that it was ever easy... So no, I'm not that sorry." vk-phy/po/fg Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee is questioned by news reporters but had no comment as he leaves the Robert T. Matsui Federal Courthouse on Friday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on 25 charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of Labor, connected to his Viva Supermarket locations in the capital region. If indicted Sacramento Councilman Sean Loloee continues to refuse to resign, the City Council might remove him. Although city officials said Friday it was not possible for the council to remove a member, state law provides an avenue to do so in cases where the officeholder does not live in the district he or she is elected to represent, according to Fred Woocher, a Los Angeles-based election law attorney. Loloees charges are connected with allegations that he hired undocumented immigrants at his Viva Supermarket stores and underpaid them. He was also accused in a federal indictment to have lied on federal grant applications to get COVID-19 relief funds. But, notably, the DOJ also determined Loloee does not live in the North Sacramento district he represents but, outside the county entirely, in Granite Bay. When The Sacramento Bee in June 2022 reported Loloee did not live in the district, the council did not vote to vacate the seat even though its always been an option in state code. Instead, it hired outside attorney Melinda Guzman to conduct an investigation. The investigation, which did not include interviews with neighbors, said Loloee did live in the district, in a Hagginwood house with his employees. The council took no further action. But now that justice officials has confirmed The Bees reporting and with a year still left on Loloees term the council may be more inclined to act, Woocher said. The fact the DOJ said this definitely gives them more cover, Woocher said. It provides them with a basis for making it clear that this is not an arbitrary decision on their part. That its based in fact and law. At least one council member is ready to vote to remove her colleague from the dais. The indictment of (Loloee) on numerous serious charges goes against the ethical standards expected of public officials, Councilwoman Mai Vang said on social media Friday. These disappointing allegations, compromise his ability to effectively represent our city. The residents of District 2 deserve better. I strongly urge Mr. Loloee to do the right thing and uphold the integrity of his office by resigning. If he does not, mayor/council must take next steps to remove him. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, whos met with Loloee since the grand jury handed up the 25-count indictment, hinted that he might resign as soon as Tuesday. I am meeting with Councilmember Loloee on Tuesday, Steinberg said Saturday. I am confident he will make the right decision for himself, for District 2, and for the city. The remaining seven council members did not return messages seeking comment Saturday. Loloees residency has been in question since he was virtually sworn into council in 2020 from his wifes $1.4 million Granite Bay property, then lied about it. He has maintained he lives in a Hagginwood house within his district with his employees where 911 calls for guns and parties are frequent, and over a dozen vehicles and a mini-excavator are parked, ongoing violations of city code. The councils next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled Jan. 9. But the council could legally call a special meeting anytime before then voting to vacate the seat if it wanted to do so, Woocher said. The mayor and city manager, Howard Chan, both can place items on agendas and call for a special meeting. If the council removed Loloee, it would be effective immediately, Woocher said. The nine members would then appoint a resident from district to serve until the term expires in December 2024. Loloee also would have an option to appeal the action. Its unlikely the board would appoint one of the nine people running for the seat in March to not give any candidates an advantage. Loloee, who was elected in 2020, said previously he was not seeking re-election. (FOX40.COM) Sacramento State recently announced its position as one of the first universities in the nation to become involved in the ethical use and application of artificial intelligence in education, through the launch of the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education. Artificial Intelligence technology will transform every part of our society so its paramount that were considering its implications, Sacramento State President Luke Wood said in a press release on Dec. 14. Every futuristic movie like the Terminator and The Matrix focuses on what happens when AI goes bad. The only way to ensure the fast-developing technology is properly harnessed for good is to be hands-on in the building of new policy, curriculum, and ethically incorporating AI into the classroom. Ring of Fire brings out hundreds of locals to the Sac State Campus Wood appointed Alexander M. Sasha Sidorkin, Ph.D., to be Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Sidorkin, who is currently the dean of Sac States College of Education. He will be considered the Universitys AI czar, and bring his extensive AI knowledge to the task of creating a robust institute. Sidorkin is reportedly an expert in the use of generative AI to improve education outcomes and address equity gaps in student outcomes. Sidorkin will also set up programs designed to promote moral guidelines and ethical frameworks for students on how to use AI for the good, according to the press release. His latest book, Embracing Chatbots in Higher Education: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Administration, and Scholarship, is scheduled to be published in 2024. Sketches show Sacramento Councilman Sean Loloees federal court arraignment Artificial Intelligence technology is here and advancing rapidly, so we have a responsibility as educators to prepare students for the world they will live in, not one from the past, Sidorkin said. We have already begun exciting research at Sacramento State about how AI technology is being deployed in the classroom, and we look forward to developing ways to deploy it in the future in a way that is ethical and accessible. Sacrament State University said that as part of its larger effort to advance the development and use of AI, it initiated the hiring of seven new faculty members in the Department of Computer Science with a focus on AI and quantum computing. The hires will reportedly be computer science specialists who can build adjacent tools, such as specialized bots powered by Application Programming Interface (API), and teaching and learning specialists who can develop ways of using the new technology for instruction and student support. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk Yeol is mired in controversy over his recent international trips, with reports alleging he had a secret drinking session with accompanying business tycoons in France, and the Korean ambassador to the Netherlands being summoned by the Dutch government over Yoon staffers excessive demands on presidential protocol. The Hankyoreh newspaper reported on Friday that Yoon had a closed-door dinner and drinks at a Korean restaurant in Paris on Nov. 24. Attending was Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and other business leaders who accompanied Yoon to assist Busans bid to host the World Expo 2030. It was four days before the Expos governing body held a vote to select the host city of the 2030 event. Busan lost to Saudi Arabias Riyadh in a 29-119 count, despite efforts from the government, the public and major Korean businesses. It was Yoons second visit to Paris this year as part of campaigning to promote the citys bid. The presidential office described the trip as a tireless journey that wasted not even a second, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) raised suspicion that it could have been a junket. While spending taxpayers money for a foreign visit, Yoon had a soju bomb dinner with conglomerates. Since when did binge drinking become a tireless journey? DPK spokesperson Rep. Kang Sun-woo said in a commentary. Is the reason for bringing business leaders on foreign trips to find someone to join in the drinking sessions? No wonder a shocking outcome of 29-119 has unfolded. Lee Un-ju, a former lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, said in a radio interview with CBS that Yoon and his cohorts behavior gives a misconception to foreign investors that Korea is a corrupt country where the government and businesses collude. Meanwhile, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported that the Dutch government summoned the Korean Ambassador to the Netherlands Choe Hyoung-chan on Dec. 1, 10 days before Yoon made the state visit, to express concerns and requests over Seouls various demands on presidential security and protocol. Citing an unnamed diplomatic source, the report alleged that the Netherlands attempted to consult on requests that cannot be accepted through diplomatic channels, but decided to summon the ambassador in protest. Seouls Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ambassador had consultations with Dutch officials, and that it was a communication to narrow the two sides discrepancies promptly. The ministry also revealed a message from Dutch Chief of Protocol Dominique Kuhlings message, in which he said I appreciated the can-do mentality of your team, it was truly a pleasure working with them. Despite the message, pundits are interpreting the can-do mentality as a sign that there were excessive demands from the South Korean side. The visit was the first state visit 62 years after forming diplomatic ties in 1961, and President Yoon has downgraded it to kings diplomacy aimed at enjoying fancy protocol, not a presidential diplomacy that prioritizes national interests, DPK Rep. Kwon Chil-seung said. The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida gave a huge thank you to an anonymous person who donated a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring. We would like to to express our deepest gratitude to one anonymous donor that donated this stunning ring in our Red Kettle last week! said the Salvation Army in a Facebook post this week. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Some people have a heart of gold, but we think this donor has a heart of diamonds and sapphire! The Salvation Army states that this gift was more than generous. It will fuel the program that is meant to help those most in need at Christmas and throughout the entire year. Thank you to that special someoneyou know who you are! [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 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. This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. may earn a commission. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra render OnLeaks / SmartPrix It was a busy year for Samsung. At the beginning of 2023, the company launched its Galaxy S23 series. And this past summer, we got the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 two of the years best folding phones. However, it is never too early to anticipate the companys next lineup of smartphones. If Samsung sticks to its previous calendar schedule, we can expect to see the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra announced early in 2024. What can we expect from these phones regarding their specs, design, price, and more? Lets look at everything we know (so far) about the Samsung Galaxy S24. Samsung Galaxy S24: release date Samsung If you cant wait any longer for the Galaxy S24 series to release, we have good news: You dont have much more time to go! On January 2, Samsung sent out press invites for its next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is happening on Wednesday, January 17, in San Jose, California. The event starts at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and youll be able to watch a livestream on Samsungs website and on YouTube. The invite shows three star-like shapes in a gray color, and while it doesnt look like much at first, its likely teasing a couple of things. For starters, the color is likely a nod at the gray titanium finish thats rumored for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Second, the shapes appear to tease the logo for Samsungs upcoming Galaxy AI artificial intelligence features, which you can read more about below. We expect Samsung will announce the Galaxy S24 series on January 17, with preorders and official sales likely to follow shortly after. If you arent sure if you should buy a Galaxy S23 now or wait a few more days for the S24 series, we have some advice that should be quite helpful. Samsung Galaxy S24: price Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends Prices for Samsungs Galaxy handsets have been mostly stable in recent years, with the entry-level S23 model starting at $800 in the U.S., the S23 Plus model starting at $1,000, and the S23 Ultra model starting at around $1,200. It looks like Samsung is en route to keep the same pricing for the S24 series as before, unlike competitors like Apple and Google raising prices by $100 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 series. This means that the base model Galaxy S24 will start at $800, the S24 Plus will begin at $1,000, and the flagship S24 Ultra will be at least $1,200. Theyll still be expensive phones, but well never complain about not having to deal with a price increase. That said, at least one report claims that the Galaxy S24 series could be cheaper than the S23 lineup. According to Galaxy Club, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus will be 50 euros cheaper than their S23 counterparts, while the S24 Ultra will be 50 euros more expensive. Although European pricing doesnt directly translate to the U.S. market, theoretical S24 pricing by this logic could work out as follows: Galaxy S24: $750 Galaxy S24 Plus: $950 Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,250 This is a hard one to pin down without confirmation from Samsung, so well have to just wait until January 17 to know for certain whats happening here. Samsung Galaxy S24: design Samsung Galaxy S24 render OnLeaks / SmartPrix A few rumors in recent months have suggested there will be a few changes on the design front for the S24 series. In September, Smartprix (in collaboration with @OnLeaks) shared purported renders showing the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra. We also received Galaxy S24 Plus renders from GizNext in early October. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus render OnLeaks / GizNext If the renders are correct, well see flat screens this time, with no curved edges like in previous generations. Because theres no more curved glass, expect ever-slimmer bezels, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra possibly having the slimmest bezels to date for a Samsung smartphone. Beyond this, the S24 series could look very similar to the S23 series. Again, according to Smartprix, the S24 Ultra is expected to have flat metallic side rails with rounded edges just like the S23 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra render OnLeaks / SmartPrix Like the iPhone 15 Pro series, the Galaxy S24 Ultra could feature a titanium frame for the first time, according to The Elec. This would undoubtedly bring the weight of the Galaxy S24 Ultra down considerably, perhaps as much as 10%. The other two versions of the S24 could use Armor Aluminum 2.0, according to Evan Blass. It should be noted, however, that overall, the designs for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra should be strikingly similar to the current models (via @Tech_Reve ). We received the best look yet of the Galaxy S24 series early in December specifically, a few new renders that look like leaked marketing images of the phones. The only two key changes are a different material for the frame of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and a couple of new colors. One of the more noteworthy things is the new yellow color for the S24 Ultra, which looks stunning. A leak from @MysteryLupin on X (formerly Twitter) also reveals several colorways for the S24 series. It looks like well have the typical black and gray colors, yellow and violet colors. Another report from @rquandt shows more potential S24 colorways through SIM card tray parts for the S24 and S24 Plus. These leaked SIM card trays reveal a violet-like purple, though another one appears in a vibrant orange or rose-gold-like shade. This may also indicate some Samsung.com exclusive colors, which were graphite and lime green for the S23 series. Ross Young, a leaker who has been correct on color predictions in the past, seems to think that the S24 series will come in the following colors: black, gray, violet, and yellow, with some Samsung-exclusive shades of orange, light blue, and light green. A render of a yellow Samsung Galaxy S24. Render of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus in silver. A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra render in a violet color. A leak from December 29 revealed even higher-resolution photos of the entire Galaxy S24 series. The above renders dont reveal anything we didnt already know about the phones, but they are among the best leaked S24 images youll find on the internet. Samsung Galaxy S24: specs Arsene Lupin / X Weve seen a few other key specs about this years phones get leaked. When talking about specs and rumors, its always important to note that there could be some variance from the actual specs, especially this far out from their release. However, the actual specs should come to light as we get closer to the big reveal. On X, formerly Twitter, Ice Universe noted that the Galaxy S24 Ultra should feature a 6.8-inch WQHD display with a 1440p resolution. Evan Blass, another leaker, has also revealed that the S24 Plus will have a 6.7-inch screen, and the regular S24 will be 6.2 inches. Blass also notes that all three displays will be Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ and max out at 2,600 nits of peak brightness. Notice these are bigger screens than the 6.1-inch S23 and 6.6-inch S23 Plus. Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends One of the biggest surprises about the S23 series is that Samsung didnt use its Exynos chipsets in any models. Instead, it used the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip across the board. For the S24 series, Samsung could return to form and partially use Exynos chipsets alongside the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. This news came from Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon (via The Elec), who claims the processor used will vary by region for both the S24 and S24 Plus models. The S24 Ultra, however, will use a Qualcomm chip everywhere the model is sold. Samsung Galaxy S24: cameras Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra render OnLeaks / SmartPrix The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra seems to be getting a big camera upgrade. User @chunvn8888 on X (formerly Twitter) leaked what looks to be a rear quad camera setup for the S24 Ultra, which would contain a 200MP main camera, 50MP and 10MP telephoto cameras, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. These cameras would also have improved sensors as well, even the 200MP main lens. There were previous reports that the maximum zoom could drop down to 5x with a higher sensor resolution, but it looks like Samsung will keep the 10x sensor, in addition to a new 5x option, according to a report from The Elec. Another leak from Evan Blass (@evleaks on X) revealed the camera specs for the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, which would be a 50MP main lens with 2x and 3x dual telephoto lenses and 30x Space Zoom. The leaker also corroborates the previous reports of the S24 Ultra getting a 200MP main camera, along with 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x quad telephoto lenses and 100x maximum zoom. However, the images that were originally in Blass tweet have since been pulled due to copyright issues. There could also be an Instagram camera shortcut on the Galaxy S24 series. Samsung Galaxy S24: battery Joe Maring / Digital Trends Typically, but not always, the larger a smartphones battery, the longer its battery life. If this holds into 2024, all three Galaxy S24 models could see improvements. According to Dutch news outlet Galaxy Club, the Galaxy S24 will have a 4,000 mAh battery, matching the one used on the Galaxy S21. The Galaxy S22 and S23 have 3,700 mAh and 3,900 mAh batteries, respectively. Over on the S24 Plus, we could see a 4,900 mAh battery, which compares very nicely to the S23 Plus 4,700 mAh cell. Meanwhile, rumors suggest the S24 Ultra will remain the same at 5,000 mAh. Samsung Galaxy S24: software and updates Joe Maring / Digital Trends Finally, when it comes to software, the entire Galaxy S24 series should launch with Android 14 preinstalled with either Samsung One UI 6 or 6.1. The Android 14 update has just started to arrive for the S23 series. What will be interesting to see is how many years of Android updates Samsung will promise for the S24. For the Galaxy S23, Samsung offers a respectable four years of Android updates. However, this doesnt come close to what Google is promising with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at least seven years of support. Will Samsung match this? Its hard to say for sure, but we certainly hope so. Samsung Galaxy S24: artificial intelligence Digital Trends According to the Korea Times, the Galaxy S24 series is expected to have a new feature called Samsung Gauss, a proprietary generative AI model. Samsung showcased Gauss in early November, and the model partially runs locally on a device. It is named after Carl Friedrich Gauss, a legendary mathematician who established the normal distribution theory. Samsung Gauss has three components: Samsung Gauss Language, which can generate text, translate languages, and answer questions; Samsung Gauss Code, which makes it easier for developers to write and edit code; and Samsung Gauss Image, a tool for generating images. Gauss would be a very interesting addition to the Galaxy S24 family, and in a world dominated by ChatGPT, Google Bard, and other AI apps, it wouldnt be surprising in the least. New reports give us even more of an idea of what to expect with Samsungs AI elements in the S24 series. One of the confirmed AI features will be real-time phone call translation. Another leak indicates there will be generative AI wallpaper similar to what we already have on the Google Pixel 8 series. It looks similar to what Google has on the Pixel 8 because it relies on Googles AI engine. If thats the case, it will also have the same limitations as the feature on the Pixel 8, which restricts you to specific themes and categories for the prompts. One UI 6.1 Generative AI Wallpapers IN ACTION!!! Generative AI wallpapers will work seamlessly and with ease, allowing for a unique wallpaper every time, like no her! This is running off Google's own AI apparently as a Google account is required to run it! OMGGGG!!!#OneUI6 pic.twitter.com/BAWmjmXeAO BenIt Bruhner Pro (@BennettBuhner) December 10, 2023 Using AI, Samsung will also have a photo editing tool that will work similarly to Googles Magic Editor, allowing you to move people, pets, and objects in the Samsung Gallery app. You could take things a step further and even drag subjects from one image to another. Other possible enhancements with AI include Samsung Notes, which would have an AI-powered auto-format feature, converting blocks of text into bullet point lists to flow better when necessary. There may also be new weather and portrait effects on the lock screen with Samsung One UI 6.1. The Havengore travelled from Tower of London to Westminster - WPA Pool/Getty Sir Winston Churchills barge must be saved for the nation, campaigners including former prime minister Boris Johnson have said. The vessel that carried the coffin of the wartime leader is in danger of being sold to an international buyer after none from Britain came forward. The Havengore took Churchill on his final journey along the River Thames following his passing in 1965, while dock workers lowered their cranes in a mark of respect. Watched by a then-record 350 million people worldwide on television, Churchill was carried on the iconic barge following his funeral at St Pauls Cathedral to Waterloo Station, where he was taken by train to a family burial plot in Oxfordshire. Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, is among those who have called for a British buyer to be found. This boat is part of the history of our country and it deserves to remain here, he told the Mail on Sunday. Its owner, Chris Ryland, 75, has been looking to sell the Havengore for 18 months, during which time he has lowered the price from 2 million to 800,000. Mr Ryland bought the 85 foot former Port of London Authority hydrographic survey vessel for 780,000 in 2006. It had mainly been used to map changes to the seabed in the Thames Estuary, but journey along the River Thames in memory of Churchill in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. Ive been trying to sell her for 18 months, but I havent been able to find a buyer in Britain, Mr Ryland told MoS. Its got to the point where Ive had to put her on the international market. Im devastated, but things have to change. Ive reached a certain age and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Someone else needs to step in and take the project on. Winston Churchill's coffin is carried on board the barge Havengore at Tower Pier 30 Jan 1965 - Central Press/Hulton Archive Historians have called for a museum to purchase the vessel, such as the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich or the Imperial War Museum in London. Jonathan Dimbley, the broadcaster and historian whose father Richard provided the commentary for the BBCs coverage of the barges voyage during Churchills funeral, said it would be wonderful if it could stay in Britain. I think it would be wonderful if this iconic barge, which is in so many memories as we mourned the final departure of Winston Churchill along the Thames, could be retained in this country and that the funds could be raised to make that possible, he said. The immortal words delivered during the coverage of the funeral by Richard Dimbleby are engraved in a plaque on the barge. And so Havengore sails into history not even the Golden Hind has borne so great a man. 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. As South Carolina lawmakers continue discussions about how judges are elected and who should or shouldnt be a part of that process, some lawmakers are already pushing for changes to eliminate the perception judges are beholden to legislators. In the lead up to the 2024 legislative session one lawmaker wants lawyer-legislators to recuse themselves during judicial elections, while others wish to remove the limit of how many judicial candidates the General Assembly could consider in an election, and to keep lawmakers relatives from seeking the bench. While some officials in South Carolina are calling for lawyer-legislators to be removed from the Judicial Merit Selection Commission a 10-member body charged with considering judicial candidates qualifications state Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Richland, pre-filed a bill S. 871 that would require all legislators, who actively practice law in the Palmetto State, to recuse themselves from voting in judicial elections, a key function of the General Assembly. McLeod also sponsored a measure S. 872 to remove the three-judicial-candidate cap the JMSC follows when it submits qualified candidates to the General Assembly. This is not the first time McLeod has offered these bills and she said theyre even more timely now amid an ongoing debate over how much control lawyer-legislators should have in selecting judges. The lawyer-legislators are typically the ones who dont want reform because they dont want to lose that control, McLeod said. They have (control) and they know they have it. McLeod added that her colleagues are unwilling to relinquish their control over the judiciary because its hard for the public to prove that they have it. In addition to requiring that lawyer-legislators not be permitted to vote in judicial elections, McLeods bill, S. 871, aims to limit the potential for discrimination by mandating the JMSC to consider a candidates demographic background, including their race, gender and national origin. Meanwhile, S. 872 echoes part of a proposal by state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland S. 879 who even as a lawyer-legislator has been vocal about the need for increasing transparency in the judicial selection process to help restore the publics trust of the judiciary. Weve seen instances where secret proceedings were held to let a guy out of jail 16 years early, weve seen bond hearings in which bonds were given to people that clearly should not have gotten bonds, and the common denominator are lawyer-legislators who are representing these folks, Harpootlian said. Beyond removing the three-candidate cap, Harpootlians bill would disqualify a legislators close relative from seeking a judgeship, remove the ability for members of the bar to submit anonymous complaints against judicial candidates, and prohibit candidates from withdrawing their candidacy once the JMSC begins vetting that candidate. Its the appearance of impropriety, Harpootlian said. Im not alleging there actually is impropriety, although there are certainly cases that raise huge questions, but the appearance of impropriety shakes the publics faith in the judiciary. Lawyer-legislators poised to protect the status quo The proposals come as a House panel debates what changes, if any, lawmakers should make to how judges are elected, and while some lawyer-legislators claim theyre open for change, they appear poised to maintain the status quo. For example, state Rep. Robby Robbins, R-Dorchester, a lawyer and member of the House Special Committee on Judicial Reform, said during a recent hearing that while hes open to reform, he will adamantly defend lawyer-legislators serving on the JMSC. I am absolutely interested in any substantive good ideas to make the (judicial selection) process better, Robbins said. But I will absolutely defend the lawyer-legislators on the JMSC all day long. I know for a fact that the three that we have on there right now are as talented as anybody I know in the legal profession. And so, lets talk about how the process can be better and Im all for it. Critics of the current system used to elect judges argue that lawyer-legislators systematically leverage their positions to wield undue influence over state judges, skewing the states courts in favor of those who can make or break a judges career. Chief among those critics include 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, who took a beating from lawmakers Wednesday, after, during a previous meeting, he gave examples of what he called rotton JMSC actions. I was astounded by the testimony I heard from Solicitor Pascoe, said state Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, who, like Robbins, appears reluctant to push changes to the process as a lawyer-legislator and chairman of the JMSC. In particular, Caskey took issue with Pascoes comments regarding former Circuit Court Judge Kristi Harrington, who Pascoe said was forced by the JMSC to withdraw from her judicial race after being intimidated and threatened by members of the panel for ruling against a lawyer-legislator. Citing articles from The State and Post and Courier newspapers during Harringtons 2017 reelection screening, Caskey criticized Pascoe and the media for not reporting other factors that led to Harrington losing her judicial position. The fact that (Harrington) had contact with legislators in violation of state law was brought up in (her) judicial screening process (and) is another basis for which one could justify the failure of her candidacy, and it doesnt necessarily follow that this was the product of back-room dealing, Caskey said. In defense of Pascoe, state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, suggested that some of her colleagues denigrated the solicitor after he provided exactly what theyd previously requested. There were a lot of comments about, Well, youre not providing facts, you know, if they are accused (of misconduct) tell us, show us, Cobb-Hunter said. And then when they come before us and offer examples to buttress their point, then we hear thats not appropriate and that its slanderous. And they are people up here who have a sense of the need to protect the status quo, if you will, Cobb-Hunter said. There are those who dont really understand the status quo and then there are some who are just glad to be up here. During the special House committees review of the judicial selection process, the panel has heard from multiple state officials, including South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Kittredge, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett, who all said that a public perception of undue influence by lawyer-legislators over the judiciary is a problem that needs to be addressed. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel recently echoed that sentiment to the House panel. I think the perception, with regards to the selection of judges, is a problem, Im not going to lie to you, Keel said, who is also a non-practicing attorney. Theres a perception among many that the judicial branch in this state is not a co-equal branch of government, and that it is beholden to those who empower them. Last week, the Supreme Court made two big moves in hot-button cases with major consequences for civil liberties in the United States. On Monday, the court refused to take up Tingley v. Ferguson, a First Amendment challenge to Washington states ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy for minors. Then, on Wednesday, the court agreed to hear a case that seeks to ban mifepristone, the abortion pill, in all 50 statesmaking the most common method of abortion inaccessible throughout the country. On Saturdays Slate Plus segment of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the courts flurry of activity as the year draws to a close. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: The courts decision not to take this case means Washington states restrictions on conversion therapy can stay in place. And I think the move was a bit of a surprise, right? Mark Joseph Stern: Yes, absolutely. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of a ban on conversion therapy for minors. And while the court turned away these challenges in the past, the conservative majority has been dropping hints in recent years that it might be ready to abridge or abolish these laws. So when Tingley hit the docket, a lot of us thought it was time for a showdown. But that didnt happen. Three justicesClarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaughwouldve taken up the case. And since it takes four votes to hear an appeal, that means John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett voted against taking it up. Thats quite surprising, again, because those three justices are pretty far right when it comes to these First Amendment protections for religious speech and for laws that allegedly target conservative Christians. This case seemed to serve up those issues on a silver platter. That, of course, leads to the question of why. Before I get into my theory, whats yours? Im just going to keep saying, till the cows come home, that I just do not believe at any given moment that there are five, much less six, votes on the current Supreme Court to be justices in 2027 sitting on the smoldering dumpster fire of whats left of all constitutional theory and history. I think theyre exercising caution. Thats my working theory. Its a decent one! But I have another. So, the first thing I want to flag is that this plaintiff, Brian Tingley, was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom. And our dear friends at ADF have concocted a number of other high-profile cases that turned out to be fakeincluding last years 303 Creative v. Elenis, where ADF falsely claimed that a same-sex couple asked this graphic designer to make a wedding website. It was all a lie. The court ruled for her anyway, but it drew a lot of ridicule and scorn in the process. This case seems equally fake. Brian Tingley, the plaintiff challenging Washington states law, refuses to say whether he wants to perform conversion therapy and whether he intends to perform it. Yet, in their filings, ADF scrupulously avoids ever saying that Tingley actually wants to counsel a gay or transgender youth to change their orientation or gender identity. Instead, the complaint is all framed in these abstractionsthat he just wants to be able to participate in the debate and speak about the realities of this ongoing controversy, yada, yada, yada. Well, none of that stuff is prohibited under this law. The only thing thats prohibited is using your time and resources as a professional counselor to try to convert a child in exchange for money. This particular issue was spotted by Jenner and Blocks Adam Unikowsky, who represented Equal Rights Washington, a group that intervened to defend the law. Adam pointed out the plaintiff, Tingley, does not have standing because he hasnt said that he intends, or even wants, to violate this law. Its still completely hypothetical. Adam also made the related point that the case isnt ripe yet: Theres not an actual dispute here, since Tingley hasnt said he wants to do a thing that Washington state prohibits. And on top of everything else, theres no factual record. This was a problem that plagued 303 Creative, one that I think did come back to bite the justices: There was no factual record in that case, and the few facts that ADF put forward turned out to be lies or exaggerations. Adam said, Look, these laws are in almost half the states. Why dont you just wait until a real conflict comes up, and then you can hear the case with a real factual record that shows how the state applied the law? There will be a genuine controversy for you to resolve then. But there isnt one here, so just deny this case. And on Monday, thats what the court did. I think Adams argument was powerful for some of the justices who maybe felt like they had been taken in by ADF and decided, You know, were not going to play the suckers in this case. Even though Roberts and Gorsuch and Barrett probably want to tackle these conversion therapy bans, maybe they realized this was not the right case to do so because it would look to the public like they were reaching out and grabbing a controversy that does not actually exist for resolution in the courts yet. Thats a flawless segue into another case where the totality of the injury is I might have feelings someday: The abortion pill case that SCOTUS took up on Wednesday, where the complete theory of standing is that a bunch of doctors might someday have sadness over the possibility of future abortion. Right. The plaintiffs challenging mifepristone, the first drug in a medication abortion, are just doctors who hate abortion. Their theory of standing is as follows: Some woman somewhere is going to be prescribed mifepristone by a different doctor. She is going to have complications. She is going to come to our emergency room. We will have to treat her by completing her abortion. And doing that will make us extraordinarily sad. Well have feelings. Well have standing because of our future feelings. Exactly. Treating this hypothetical future patient will hurt our hearts too badly. The vibes will be off for the rest of the week, if not the month. The office Christmas party will be ruined. And that, they say, gives us standing to sue. I dont think thats what this Supreme Court wants. I think this court is going to rule against the plaintiffs solely on standing grounds and by a lopsided vote. And if it does, I think thats a point in favor of my theory about Tingley, right? Because guess who represents these anti-abortion doctors? Alliance Defending Freedom. The same lawyers who represent Tingley. ADF fabricated this case too. It seems like maybe ADFs history of telling shameless lies to the courts, including SCOTUS, is starting to catch up to them. Maybe justices like Roberts and Barrett are getting a little pissed that ADF is creating so much extra work for them just to please donors and achieve victories that they couldnt through the normal democratic process. I think its worth saying here that if the Supreme Court does toss the mifepristone case on standing, itll get headlines that say Supreme Court Preserves the Right to Medication Abortion, and that will dampen an immense amount of political enthusiasm around reproductive rights. The conventional wisdom will be that the Supreme Court has taken itself out of the 2024 election, at least on this issue. Which wont be true, because the court could still invoke the Comstock Act later to make abortion illegal in all 50 states. But the larger point is that the Supreme Court could manage to deflate all the energy and enthusiasm among women and people whove been organizing after Dobbs. And that would be a really big indicator that the Supreme Court keeps gaming the press. It will make the court bottom of mind as we launch into a 2024 election where the court should be top of mind. Its that time of the year. In New Hampshire, the temperature is hovering around the freezing mark. The halls are decked with boughs of holly. The lights have been hung with care. And, of course, its because the presidential candidates will be trudging through the underbrush engaged in their usual political folly. Among them is Dean Phillips, who launched his long-shot bid for the Democratic nomination by saying that he agreed with President Joe Biden, had no plans to undermine him, demean or diminish him, but wanted to be a younger, mainstream voice that could carry the party into a generational change. But the holiday season has brought about some changes, and it is not just a case of spiking somebodys eggnog. CNN reported this week that Phillips, On his largely self-funded swing last week through New Hampshire, began raising doubts about Bidens physical capacity and began calling the president a threat to democracy, in a series of speeches and attacks that right-wing media and Donald Trump all feed on. Phillips says he has earnestly been shocked by what he says is Bidens deluded threat to democracy by running at the risk of losing. Phillips also apparently said how much he now believes the president is not up to campaigning, while also criticizing the Democratic establishment he was proud to be a part of, for working against the people. Meanwhile former White House CorrespondentsAssociation President Tamara Keith at NPR wrote that Phillips said, "Voters want choices, especially in a year like this where the risk of losing to Donald Trump is a huge concern to many of us and I think the future of our country." And, in an interview with NPR, Phillips went so far as to say that he thinks Biden should drop out if by May or June polls show him trailing Trump. "I don't know why you would run if you are the one who is going to lose, and ruin your whole legacy against the most dangerous man in the world," Phillips said. At the same time, other members of the Democratic Party have questioned if Biden still has a fire in his belly after two statements the president made last week concerning his re-election bid. He said the only reason he was running was because Trump was running, while also noting that there were probably 50 other Democrats who could defeat Trump. That set the stage for Dr. Jill Bidens trip last week to Los Angeles where she discussed new womens health initiatives at Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Biden, her husbands greatest defender and promoter wasnt shy in touting the presidents commitment to womens health issues. When I talked to Joe about this issue a few months ago, he listened. And then he took action. This is what Joe does he learns about a problem, and then he gets to work tackling it, she told a crowd of about 150 doctors, and members of the media. Thats why, last month, we launched the White House Initiative on Womens Health Research, she said to smiles and polite applause. President Biden issued a presidential memorandum asking federal agencies to look at their programs, how they deal with mental health and put doctors and policy makers on notice that they had just 45 days to present their findings to the president. On December 28th, the White House will review their recommendations on how to make the policy changes necessary to advance womens health research, Dr. Biden explained. Why the rush? According to the First Lady, and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who spoke after Dr. Biden, the President is eager to make up for lost time. Becerra joked that this was No pressure. And The Biden Train is moving out. After the ceremony concluded, the First Lady shook hands and met with the assembled guests. As she approached, I asked her candidly if she supported her husbands re-election bid. She looked at me briefly, then said nothing. Meanwhile, elsewhere in D.C. politics the Republicans in the House voted this week to open an impeachment inquiry into Biden, mostly based on the business dealings of Hunter Biden. The Republican leadership in the House candidly admit they have nothing to go on, but an election year is coming and Donald Trump needs to raise money on the accusation that Biden and his son are terminally corrupt. Even FOX News has called out the Republicans for their supercilious stupidity. Senator Chuck Grassley was right there with FOX. I have no evidence of it, Grassley told CNN, just hours before House Republicans were set to vote to formalize the Biden impeachment inquiry. Im just going to follow the facts where they are, and the facts havent taken me to that point where I can say the president is guilty of anything. Not a damn thing, but the ball continues to roll. Some wags in Washington have speculated that the idea behind the worst Congress in our history pushing for impeachment is merely an attempt to drive Biden off the ballot, while most of us capable of cogent thought know its also another excuse to be used by Trump to grift his supporters out of more money. In addition, the president isnt even on the ballot in New Hampshire. Thats because the Democratic National Committee ordered a shake up of the order of primaries in 2024. Biden backed the move to have the South Carolina primary first in order to better empower Black and other minority voters deemed crucial to the partys base. New Hampshire balked at that and Biden responded by walking away from New Hampshire ( although more than 100 Biden supporters want to engage in a write-in campaign.) This, of course, has led to speculation about Biden historically snubbing tradition and further concerns that Biden doesnt have the energy to conduct a campaign for re-election, due to age, health, perhaps arrogance or a combination of all three. Lions, and Tigers and Bears, oh my! One senior Biden official laughed when I asked about the upshot. The President is committed to doing whats best for the country. Phillips seems intent on embarrassing Biden into pulling out of the race, and opening it up for other, younger candidates. He is among those who contends Biden is not physically capable of a robust campaign and CNN reports that, With a good poll for Biden these days being one in which he is over 40 percent, Phillips sees himself as like the boy in The Emperors New Clothes, who makes the rest angry by being the only one brave enough to point out problems anyone can see. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. For the rest of us, caution should prevail. Reading tea leaves at this point in a race that is only just beginning in earnest is a bit like trying to swim through political quicksand. Dr. Bidens Los Angeles trip is interesting because the sense of urgency on that issue is unusual from a president in his first term who usually worries more about getting re-elected than taking care of policy. It has sparked some speculation that Bidens urgency is because he likely wont end up running again. The fact that the First Lady didnt answer your question speaks volumes, I was told by a leading Democrat. Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps the President and the First Lady will spend the holiday season discussing the future of the Biden candidacy and administration. Maybe not. Plenty of people think California Governor Gavin Newsom is waiting in the wings to jump in the race which is why he recently went to China and debated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on FOX television. Some called Newsoms trip to China in October hypocrisy while others said it helped thaw relations with the United States. Immediately prior to visiting China he also visited Israel, drawing similar criticisms. Trump supporters, at least those who continue to labor for Trump for pay and under the delusion that Trump is a senior statesman with impeccable credentials, say Newsoms travels are a clear indication that Biden is failing and the Democrats need new blood. Privately, many of them fear that infusion of new blood. Trump has been running against Biden for nearly five years even though hes confused him for Obama on occasion. To pivot now could mean the end of Trump, the ascendency of Newsom and may signal an end to Bidens re-election. Then again, it could mean none of those things. Its just as likely to mean nothing. The president, so far, has been adamant about staying in the race, and even though The First Lady avoided the question, what that means is merely idle speculation until she speaks on the subject anew. Yes. Its that most wonderful time of the year. Speculation is wild while the weather is mild. Politicians are jolly with their favorite holiday folly. And the national mood is tense with voters sitting on the fence. The facts are clear, however. Donald Trump is running for office because it is his best chance to stay out of prison. He gave up defending himself in his New York civil trial for fraud. His former lieutenants continue to get ground under the bus, and as much as he screams, the long arm of the law is reaching out with a death grip for Trumps corrupt activities. The facts also show that Biden continues to poll poorly particularly in swing states. He has accomplished great things in his time as president, and the First Lady and Secretary Becerra both spoke within the last week about his efforts which have come with great alacrity. Soon, if he is to stay in the race, Biden must show that type of energy in what is sure to be a historic and grueling campaign. America needs and demands it. People who dont fit the dominant demographic of where they live can often be asked, Where are you really from? In 2017, CNN surveyed about 2,000 people who shared their stories on social media with the hashtag #whereiamreallyfrom. The participants included first- and second-generation immigrants, naturalized individuals and others who were native-born citizens. As a classical studies scholar with a focus on linguistic and cultural diversity in Imperial Greek and Latin literature, I am aware that this question is not a new one. Take Lucian, a high-ranking Roman official in the second century. Born in Syria, he later chose to be a naturalized Roman. As a non-native speaker of Greek and Latin who, by his own admission, looked different from many people in Greece and Rome, he dealt with issues of ethnicity, language use and social acceptance. The Roman world The time of the Roman Empire is a unique historical period that, in many respects, can be seen as a lived lesson for issues of diversity and inclusion. By Lucians time, the Romans had conquered Spain, France, parts of Germany and Britain, Greece, the North Africa coast and much of the Middle East, among other territories. As occupiers, they did impose their rule with military means. Still, they accepted their subjects differences, granted privileges to several provinces and gave citizenship on a case-by-case basis until A.D. 212, when everyone was given Roman citizenship. Their pragmatic aim was to maintain stability and ensure cooperation. The result was a multilingual, multicultural and cosmopolitan empire. People were allowed to retain their ethnicity, language, culture and religion for the most part. Latin was [not imposed except in the army] and administration; Greek was established as the language of the educated. This period could be said to resemble our current times: People traveled, relocated and worked in different parts of the empire. Also, there were scholars and writers who were trilingual and multicultural. For instance, there were African authors who wrote in Latin and were also fluent in Greek, and Romans who were fluent in Greek, too. Title page of a 1619 Latin translation of Lucians complete works. Private collection via Wikimedia Commons These authors wrote about their sense of identity and belonging and were proud of their ability to remain true to their origins while also adapting to the conditions of the global world of the empire. On the other hand, there were also other authors who were anti-immigration and critical of new citizens and non-native speakers, and others who showed that Roman occupation weighed heavily on their subjects. So, where was Lucian really from? Lucian is a cosmopolitan individual. He was born in Samosata, which was in Syria until it was incorporated into the Roman Empire. He traveled to Cappadocia, Pontus, Athens, Rome, Gaul and Egypt. He wrote in perfect Greek; he was in the entourage of the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus and served as the secretariat of the Roman prefect in Egypt. Throughout all his works, Lucian clearly suggests that he should be accepted in this new world as the model of the new citizens individuals who were open about their ethnic identity yet embraced the Greco-Roman culture and contributed to advancing contemporary social inclusion. In his essay The Dream, Lucian imagines his future as an underrepresented citizen. He writes that two women appeared in his sleep: an elegant one representing Greek education and a rugged one representing a craftsmans life. The former promised him a life of popularity among the worlds elite. He chooses to be a well-to-do man of letters who overcame his humble origins and succeeded in a cosmopolitan society, even though he was not a native speaker or a native citizen. In another one of his writings, Zeuxis, he writes about about his fluency in Greek and insists that he should not be seen as an outsider because he is as articulate as any native-born Greek speaker. He becomes more emboldened in his treatise A Slip of the Tongue in Greeting. Here, he intentionally makes a mistake in a salutation and supposedly writes to apologize. In reality, however, he shows his knowledge of Greek cultural norms and, at the same time, clearly proves that he is versed in Roman culture, too. On the other hand, he also wrote a piece titled My Native Land, in which he says that no matter the languages one learns, the cultures one acculturates oneself to, and the global recognition, they are always their motherlands sons and daughters proud of them and indebted to them. Lucians work provides a unique insight into a world of imperialism that also fostered multilingualism and multiculturalism and gave birth to the first global citizens. His writings show what diversity and inclusion can look like through the eyes of the empires newest citizens and offers illuminating lessons from an often forgotten classical past. 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.The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Eleni Bozia, University of Florida. Read more: Eleni Bozia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The Security Service of Ukraine has issued a statement confirming the discovery of a recording device in a location potentially used by Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. "The equipment was not found directly in Zaluzhnyi's office, but in one of the rooms that could be potentially used by him for work in the future," the Security Service said in a statement, adding that a criminal investigation was launched. "According to preliminary data, the device was inactive," the Security Service added. Earlier, the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet wrote, citing sources in law enforcement, that a recording device was found in Zaluzhnyi's new office. The news outlet reported that similar devices were found in the offices of several of his employees. According to Ukrainska Pravda, these devices were uncovered during a routine inspection of new premises intended for use by the commander-in-chief. Ukraine's Armed Forces didn't issue a statement prior to publication. Read also: Are Zelensky and his top general really in discord? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) labeled former President Trumps latest comments on immigration as hateful, fascist rhetoric Sunday. CBSs Margaret Brennan asked Coons about Sen. Bob Menendezs (D-N.J.) opposition to some of the border policies proposed by members of the Democratic Party. Coons said while he understands Menendezs passion for ensuring that the immigration system is safe, legal and humane, people need to be more focused on how much worse Trumps immigration policies would be compared with President Bidens. He pointed to Trumps recent comments from Saturday, where he said immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country as an example of what the former presidents policies would look like. But as Ive often said, in talking about the campaign for 24, President Biden needs to be compared not to the almighty, not to a perfect alternative, but to the actual alternative, Coons said on Face the Nation. And you just played the stunning, hateful, fascist rhetoric of former President Trump when hes talking about poisoning the blood of our nation. The former president would bring in place not these modest changes to asylum policy, but radical and dramatic changes to immigration policy, he continued. We need to take seriously that there is a border security crisis, and we need to take responsible steps that reflect our values. Bipartisan Senate negotiations on the border have been taking place for weeks as Republicans have vowed to hold up additional aid to Ukraine and Israel without sufficient provisions on border security. Senate Republicans blocked a funding bill for Ukraine and Israel earlier this month because it did not include enough measures on the border. Lawmakers and the White House have expressed optimism in recent days that they could be nearing a deal soon. Still, without congressional action, the Biden administration has warned that funding for Ukraine will run out by the end of the year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in South Korea on Sunday, Seoul's defense ministry said, amid concerns North Korea could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) this month. The USS Missouri (SSN-780), a Virginia-class attack submarine, entered a key naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, earlier in the day, according to the South Korean Navy. "With the deployment of the USS Missouri, we plan to strengthen naval exchanges and cooperation with the United States and to bolster our combined defense posture," it added. The deployment of the submarine comes just three weeks after the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), a Los Angeles-class submarine, entered the Jeju Naval Base on the southern resort island. Earlier this week, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo raised the possibility of North Korea launching an ICBM in December as he arrived in Washington for a meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), a South Korea-U.S. security meeting designed to discuss nuclear and strategic planning issues. North Korea last test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM in July. (Yonhap) An alleged congressional staffer who filmed an explicit sex tape inside a Senate hearing room could face criminal charges, one lawyer argues. The U.S. Capitol Police told Fox News they were aware of an amateur pornographic video published by the Daily Caller on Friday, which shows someone identified as a congressional staffer, engaging in sex with another man in Hart Senate Office Building room 216. According to the Daily Caller, the video was leaked after being "shared in a private group for gay men in politics." The men's identities haven't been confirmed. Posts on social media claimed the alleged staffer worked for Sen. Ben Cardin's office. Hours after the story broke, Cardin's office announced that a legislative aide had been dismissed but did not address reports linking a member of his staff to the sex tape. NSFW: CAPITOL HILL ROCKED BY SEX TAPE SCANDAL FEATURING FAMOUS SENATE HEARING ROOM UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 9: Hart Senate Office Building Room 216 is set up for the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett before Mondays Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. "We will have no further comment on this personnel matter," his office wrote in a statement. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In a blog post, Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, an attorney and professor at George Washington University Law, discussed possible charges that could be brought. Turley said, "the question is whether this unofficial use would constitute trespass." "It also uses an official area for personal purposes, though it is not clear if there were any commercial benefits garnered from the video found on various sites," Turley wrote. Turley said one possible charge could fall under D.C. code section 22-1312, which discusses lewd, indecent, or obscene acts. "It is unlawful for a person, in public, to make an obscene or indecent exposure of his or her genitalia or anus, to engage in masturbation, or to engage in a sexual act as defined in 22-3001(8). It is unlawful for a person to make an obscene or indecent sexual proposal to a minor. A person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in 22-3571.01, imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both," the criminal code states. SENATE DEMOCRATS AT ODDS WITH SCHUMER OVER BORDER TALKS: TERRIBLY MISTAKEN UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 9: Hart Senate Office Building Room 216 is set up for the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett before Mondays Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Turley says that the question regarding charges falling under this section would be whether a locked Senate committee room is considered "in public." Whether or not any video filmed in the hearing room was used to make money could also "have bearing on potential charges," Turley argued. He also brought up 18 U.S.C. 641, which addresses improper use of public money, property, or records. "The Capitol police could argue that this constitutes purloining or using government property for personal purposes," Turley wrote. "The key factor is the fact that this videotape was made with the apparent intent to publish or show others. Sex in congressional offices by both members and staff have long been known to occur on Capitol Hill. Yet, this was a public hearing room, albeit closed at the time, and a tape made for what appears public viewing." Addressing trespassing, Turley said "the question may be whether this was access under legal authority for a staffer. The Capitol police can argue that access to a staff position does not mean a license for entry for any purpose." "Does a staffer have legal authority to enter any hearing room for any purpose? That could be a defense raised by counsel, but it would seem likely that any access is premised on an official function," he wrote. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) during a hearing on February 15, 2023 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. U.S. Capitol police told Fox News of the video, "We are aware and looking into this." Fox News Digital's Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report. Original article source: Senate sex tape: Congressional staffer allegedly seen in leaked video could face charges, legal expert says Seven people have been charged with stealing more than 1m from an elderly woman in South Lanarkshire. Police Scotland said arrests were made in Eastbourne, Stansted, Dagenham and East Ham in London after a fraud involving a "seven-figure sum of money" between May and August this year. A 34-year-old woman and four men aged 39, 39, 41 and 50 are due to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Monday. Two men aged 23 and 28 have been released to appear at a later date. Police Scotland said the investigation was assisted by partners at the National Crime Agency's National Economic Crime Centre and other police forces. A force spokesperson said: "The investigation into this high-value fraud continues." Several police officers were out investigating after a report of shots fired in Kettering late Saturday night. >>Man dead after shooting outside of Wendys in Ohio Kettering Police officers and medics were dispatched around 11:35 p.m. to the 200 block of Rue Marseille on initial reports of a person shot. Dispatchers tell News Center 7 that a lot of crews were on the scene early Sunday morning but have left the area. No other information has been given. News Center 7 is working to gather more information and will provide updates. Bioxtin, which produces diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) was found in shellfish prompting the closure of several harvesting areas, according to a news release from Thurston County. Harvesting for all species in Dana Passage, Pickering Passage, and Peale Passage is closed. Budd Inlet is still closed. Thurston County said the closure area includes Burfoot Park, the Boston Harbor area, Hope Island, and most of Harstine Island. Biotoxins are produced by naturally occurring plankton which can become concentrated in shellfish, said the news release. Biotoxins do not harm shellfish but can cause illness or death in humans and other mammals that consume them. Cooking does not destroy the toxin and does not make the shellfish safe to eat. The symptoms of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Harvesters can check the shellfish safety map, here. Or can call 1-800-562-5632 for a recorded hotline of biotoxin closures. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Crews are responding to a grass fire Saturday night at Baker Beach, the San Francisco Fire Department said on X. The public is asked to avoid the area. SFFD posted about the fire on social media at 10:25 p.m. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. As of 11 p.m., the fire has been extinguished. SFFD says the size of the fire was approximately 25 square feet. A Spare the Air alert was issued this week in the Bay Area, which bans the burning of wood or other solid fuel in the region. Baker Beach is located in the western part of the Presidio. The beach is just north of the Sea Cliff neighborhood. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Help us answer your questions about voting where you live by filling out our survey. HARRISBURG The state has canceled a planned upgrade to Pennsylvanias system for managing voter rolls, leaving officials stuck for the foreseeable future with a process and technology they say is outdated and inefficient. The contract cancellation will not affect the coming presidential election the Department of State already decided to keep the older system in place for 2024. But election administrators said theyre frustrated to hear theyll have to continue to use the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors, known as SURE, which has caused problems in the past. Pennsylvanias two-decades-old voter roll system is the crucial tool election officials use to add, remove, or update the status of every voter in the state. County election offices constantly use the system to check voter registrations, track mail ballots, and generate the poll books used every Election Day to check in voters at precincts. Election administrators describe the system as outdated, complaining of frequent outages and malfunctions that cause delays in their voter roll management and preparations for elections. It often freezes or abruptly shuts down, particularly during high-traffic times like federal elections, which see significant bumps in turnout. The system is 20 years old, so if computer years are dog years, its like 100 years old, Mercer County Elections Director Thad Hall said. We had a day before the 2022 election where the system was down for 24 hours while people were trying to [generate] poll books. So the system is very unstable. But earlier this month, state Deputy Secretary for Elections and Commissions Jonathan Marks sent an email to county officials saying the election technology company KNOWiNK and the state department had mutually agreed to cancel the contract for an updated system. The contract had been signed in 2020 under the commonwealths previous administration. In the email, which was obtained by Votebeat and Spotlight PA, Marks wrote that the cancellation came after Al Schmidt became Secretary of the Commonwealth earlier this year and took a hard look at the progress of the SUREVote System project. Unfortunately, the department has concluded that the vendor will not meet those timelines and contractual standards, Marks added. Department officials did not comment on the exact reason why the contract was terminated, but during a state Senate hearing Tuesday, Schmidt said it became apparent in January that the department and KNOWiNK were struggling to work together on the project. It became clear, despite several efforts to get things back on track, despite our putting a series of sort of mini-deadlines in place to make sure progress was being made at least incrementally, that the vendor was not going to be able to fulfill those requirements, Schmidt said. An outdated and expensive system The SURE system came online in 2003, a year after Congress passed the Help America Vote Act, which required states to create centralized voter registries. Prior to that, voter rolls were often created and maintained on a county-by-county basis. Over the past two decades, as technology has improved, Pennsylvanias system has become obsolete. As Lehigh County Election Director Tim Benyo told the Brennan Center for Justice in 2019, the system is really outdated, and it has gotten Band-Aid after Band-Aid and requires a lot of money to keep it working properly. On top of that, the states 2019 no-excuse mail voting law substantially altered what data election directors needed to track, and the SURE system wasnt set up for that. For example, Hall said, SURE does not effectively communicate with the database of voters requesting mail ballots. That means that if a mail ballot voter changes their address or party affiliation in the SURE system between the primary and general election, it doesnt automatically transfer over to the mail ballot request database. Rather, election officials must manually check that the same information in the mail ballot requestor list to ensure it is correct, and if it isnt, they have to update it manually. SURE also doesnt allow officials to customize emails that are sent out to voters. For example, if a voter sends in a duplicate mail ballot application, the system can only say the application was rejected and not that it was duplicative. In late 2019, the department sought bids to replace the system, and in December 2020 it signed a $10.7 million contract with South Dakota-based elections software company BPro Inc. BPro was later acquired by KNOWiNK, a Missouri-based election software and technology company. The project was initially scheduled to wrap up by early 2023 so that the new system would be in place for the 2024 presidential election. But it became increasingly apparent to local election officials that would not happen, and this past summer, the Department of State told them the new system would not be rolled out until at least 2025. A spokesperson for the department said KNOWiNK has agreed to return all money paid to it since the beginning of the Shapiro administration, a total of $720,400. The state also paid BPro and KNOWiNK more than $1.8 million prior to that, according to the state Treasury, and the Department of State did not mention any agreement to return those funds. It remains unclear what counties will do with equipment they purchased in anticipation of the new system and if that equipment will be compatible with whatever comes next. Many, like Columbia County, used federal grant dollars to purchase laptops and two-factor authentication keys that officials expected to need for accessing the new system. I wouldnt have gotten those if I knew we werent going to go with [the new system], Columbia County Elections Director Matthew Repasky said, adding that he spent roughly $7,500. Marks said in his email to counties that purchases made using federal funds will not go to waste and that whatever new system comes next will be designed with the original goals of this project in mind. A spokesperson for the department said they expect a new request for proposals to go out in April, and Schmidt said he hopes a new vendor will be selected by summer 2024. Because the SURE system is not connected to the internet, each county must have computer terminals provided by the department that connect the county directly to the states server. The department is currently replacing those SURE terminals and said roughly a quarter of counties had already received the new ones. Hall, of Mercer County, noted that while the new terminals will make connecting to the system quicker, it will not fix underlying issues, likening it to putting new mirrors and a steering wheel on a car with an engine from the 1960s. Flaws would have hobbled new system County election officials got a preview of the system KNOWiNK was developing early this year, and election officials who spoke with Votebeat and Spotlight PA around the time of the demonstrations said the previewed system was unworkable and wasnt taking into account some of the intricacies of Pennsylvania law, though it was still being developed. The new system couldnt pull reports showing which voters had received mailings notifying them of potential removal from the rolls, which would make tracking these legally required mailings difficult. Hall said one of the underlying problems with the effort, and one that will also complicate future projects, lies with Pennsylvanias archaic voter registration law. The law was written at a time when a physical paper record had to be transferred from one county to another whenever a voter moved, which required more back-and-forth between election offices. For instance, if a voter moved to Mercer from Venango County in the 1990s, Hall would have to call Venango and ask for the persons details to be released and mailed to him so he could combine it with the Mercer County application information and register the voter there a cumbersome process which could take up to 10 days. This process made sense when counties each had their own registration system, but is obsolete now that there is a statewide, digital voter registration system. In the digital era, counties have almost entirely moved away from these paper records, so now Hall could theoretically just pull the voter from Venangos roll to Mercers roll directly via SURE. But the law hasnt changed, so hes still required to request a release from Venango as if there were a paper record that needed to be mailed. This can cause delays during times when many voters are updating records, such as before an election, or if election officials are not checking their systems for release requests. Other states, like Florida, do these transfers instantly, Hall said. Everyone has known about this and no one has tried to fix it, he said. Even going forward they will still have problems because they will have to work in this craziness. Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz, who is vice chair of the legislatures Election Law Advisory Board, said that beginning sometime in 2022, the State Department began to slow its timeline for implementing the new system. Kantz said that while he doesnt know specifically what the cause of the breakdown was, he credits the department for not pushing out a flawed system and was pleased to hear the state is investing in SURE, which he thinks will help. Counties, he said, are always left coping with the challenges they cant control. At the end of the day ... were going to do what we have to do to run an election and well figure it out, he said. But its really really important that we have a system that works. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Sheridan Smith has opened up about creating a "realistic" plane crash in her new show The Castaways. Based on Lucy Clarke's best-selling novel of the same name, the survival thriller from Paramount+ tells the story of two sisters named Lori and Erin, played by Smith and Celine Buckens respectively. When Erin fails to board a flight to Fiji, Lori embarks on the journey alone. When the plane crashes and fails to arrive at its destination everyone on board is presumed dead but Erin is determined to uncover the truth. Paramount+ Related: Sheridan Smith talks overcoming major fear to become "warrior princess" in new show Speaking to Digital Spy about the crash sequence, Smith said it hasn't given her any lasting fears about flying while revealing what went on behind the scenes. "I'm alright flying, thank god. And I have been on a flight since," she said before praising the "incredible" team behind the "genius" special effects. "Basically, everybody who was on the plane was amazing because it was just still and all the Greek crew had water splashing at the window, everyone was screaming, lights were going out and we had a walkie talkie in front of us and the boys would be going '1, 2, 3 shake!' And '1, 2, 3, left!' And it worked amazingly," she revealed. Paramount+ Related: Sheridan Smith stars in first trailer for Lost-style show Castaways "That's a bit of a giveaway, but it was amazing these guys made it look so realistic and it felt realistic in the moment. But yeah, it was good fun to film," she added. On where the scene was shot, Smith said: "It was a plane but we were in a studio. We had all the elements of fire and special effects. The team were incredible. They made it look phenomenal." Elsewhere, Smith also opened up about how filming the show helped her to conquer her fears, describing it as "a challenge". The Castaways will premiere on Paramount+ on December 26, 2023. You Might Also Like A site in the Shetland Islands has become the UK's first spaceport for vertical rocket launches. SaxaVord Spaceport on the small island of Unst has been given approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to begin orbital launches in 2024. It will be the first fully-licensed spaceport in Western Europe able to launch vertically into orbit. It permits up to 30 launches a year, that will be used to take satellites and other payload into space. The site, which is the first spaceport in Scotland, has a number of launch operators around the world currently developing rockets. It is hoped that German rocket firm HyImpulse will attempt sub-orbital launches - flights that do not travel high enough to reach outer space - from August. Full orbital launches are expected to take place at SaxaVord from 2025. Map Another German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), is also planning orbital launches, followed by Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems with the official UK Government Pathfinder launch. Edinburgh-based Skyrora also aims to be the first UK company to launch from British soil in the coming years. The SaxaVord Spaceport, a former RAF radar station, is co-owned by Frank and Debbie Strang. They bought the site 15 years ago with initial plans to turn it into an eco-tourism attraction. Mr Strang said the awarding of the licence was "historic". Debbie and Frank Strang bought a former RAF radar station 15 years ago He added: "Our team is very proud that the government has entrusted us with operating a complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-launch spaceport, and we all take this responsibility very seriously. "There is much to do still but this is a fantastic way to end the year and head into Christmas." The space industry in the UK is estimated to be worth 17.5bn and supports about 48,800 jobs at 2,200 firms. Cornwall Spaceport was the UK's first licensed spaceport, however its rockets are launched horizontally carried by an aircraft. Tim Johnson, director of space regulation at the CAA, said: "Granting SaxaVord their licence is an era-defining moment for the UK space sector. "This marks the beginning of a new chapter for UK space as rockets may soon launch satellites into orbit from Scotland. "We are undertaking vital work to make sure the UK's space activities are safe and sustainable for all." UK transport Secretary Mark Harper said the CAA's announcement would boost Shetland's economy and "put the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation". Last week, the UK Space Agency announced funding of more than 6.7m to further Scotland's spaceport ambitions. Scotland currently has five proposed spaceports under development, with the Sutherland Spaceport also under construction with ambitions of launching 12 rockets into orbit per year. A further spaceport is planned on North Uist, with both Glasgow Prestwick and Spaceport Machrihanish hoping to join the space race and conduct horizontal orbital launches in the future. Analysis by Laura Goodwin, BBC Scotland innovation correspondent The approval of SaxaVord Spaceport by regulators did not come as a huge surprise. For months the mood music had been that the licence was imminent and work on the three launch pads was progressing at pace. Standing on top of Launch Pad Fredo earlier this year, co-director Frank Strang told me it was all about "location, location, location". Undeniably, that was a big part of the civil aviation authorities' decision to award the licence. From Unst, operators have a good trajectory to get their satellites into polar orbit. Satellites in polar orbit are used for various applications such as earth mapping, weather tracking, communications and security. But the safety of people and environmental concerns are also key components of the licence agreement and being remote certainly helps in that respect. So where does this leave other prospective spaceports in Scotland? SaxaVord has been able to move faster than others because it has been largely privately financed. On the other hand, there is now a blueprint in terms of what regulators are looking for, from which others could potentially learn. Scotland also has recognised expertise in terms of small satellite production with about 8,500 people already working in the space sector here. Having a homegrown spaceport could further boost the industry. And worldwide there is no shortage of demand with companies like SpaceX looking to send thousands of satellites into space to create giant constellations with many others looking to follow. On Friday, a jury in Washington, D.C., spoke for fairness, the rule of law and everyone who is ready to stand up to the cruelty and deception of the MAGA crew. After a weeklong trial, the jury ruled that Rudy Giuliani has to pay up. The former mayor of New York now owes $148 million for the damage his lies caused two Georgia women, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss. In the weeks after the 2020 election, he had widely broadcast false accusations that the two election workers had stolen ballots under the table in Atlantas election center and changed them from Trump votes to Biden votes. No, Rudy Giuliani cant pay anything close to a $148 million judgment. That isnt the point. Juries have long been thought of as the conscience of the community, and the jury in the Giuliani case sent a powerful message to two courageous women, to America and to Trump. The Giuliani jury did its civic duty just like Freeman and Moss had done theirs. Before saying more about the significance of what it did, lets recall the background. In making his defamatory accusations of election theft against the two women, Giuliani said they engaged in surreptitious illegal activity and acting suspiciously, like drug dealers passing out dope. That dog whistle was loud enough to be heard by every white supremacist in the country. It was part of a whole Trump campaign media barrage unleashing MAGA supporters against two powerless people. Giuliani and company stirred up a frenzy to try to intimidate them and anyone else who would stand in their way. They treated Freeman and Mosss lives like trash destined for landfill. The damage was swift. Racist threats to their lives chased mother and daughter from their homes, their work and any semblance of a peaceful life. As Freeman told the House Jan. 6 select committee in June 2022, There is nowhere I feel safe. Nowhere. Moss testified that she received a lot of threats, wishing death upon me ... Ive gained about 60 pounds. ... I dont want to go anywhere. I second-guess everything that I do. Its affected my life in ... every way. All because of lies. For me doing my job. Trump himself even called out Freeman in his infamous Jan. 2, 2021, phone call with Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state. The then-president described the election worker as a vote scammer, a professional vote scammer and hustler. More dog whistling. Holding onto power was all that mattered. Collateral human damage be damned. But even with their lives upended and with more to come, two women of immeasurable bravery did not back down. They defied the cruelty that has long been a hallmark of Trump and his minions to pursue justice. They brought court actions saying, in effect, We will not surrender our right to a home, to safety and to privacy without a fight. We will not leave self-interested cruelty unanswered in the hope that it might relent without resistance. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Thats raising ones voice instead of a white flag. Freeman and Moss acted like what psychologist Catherine Sanderson calls moral rebels people who have the courage to stand up and say that something is wrong even though it will cost them. Theres a lesson here for everyone. On Friday, the jury in Washington heard Freeman and Moss call for justice. Jurors, by their verdict, told them, You are not alone. This courthouse, their judgment, said loud and clear that this is where accountability for Trumpist bullies like Giuliani will be delivered. The jury threw not just the book at him, but the entire library, including the shelves and the card catalog: awards of $16-plus million to each woman for the damage Giuliani had caused their reputations, $20 million to each for emotional distress, and $75 million in punitive damages. Those numbers say it all: The verdict was more about punishing Giuliani than about compensating his victims. As law professor David Owen explains: Punitive damages serve a strong educative function. [P]unitive damages proclaim the importance that the law attaches to the plaintiff's particular invaded right, and the corresponding condemnation that society attaches to its flagrant invasion by the kind of conduct engaged in by the defendant." Here, the punishment warns others: Dont try what Rudy did. As Moss told the nation after the verdict: "Our greatest wish is that no one, no election worker or voter or school board member ever experience anything like what we went through. You are all important." The essence of Trumpism is projecting domination of the powerless by the powerful. Weve seen it in Trump for years. We witnessed it early in 2015 when Trump, on video, mocked a disabled reporter by flailing his arms in spastic motions and moaning. Remember in 2016 when Trump told his MAGA campaign rally crowd to knock the crap out of protesters? Just this May, a New York jury found him liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll in a department dressing room in the mid-1990s. Thats projecting domination in the most vicious way. Fortunately, 25 years after the assault, Carroll used her voice and the courts to restore her own power. In September, there was Trumps unforgettable social media threat, plainly aimed at witnesses, prosecutors and judges: If you go after me, I am coming after you. Just this month, that statement was central repeated twice in a higher court opinion sustaining a gag order against Trump. As those last two examples and Fridays verdict show, the rule of law offers the best answer to those who seek to exercise unconstrained power over others. In a law-bound society, courts apply the same standards to powerful people like Giuliani as they apply to those without resources or influence. No one is above those standards or beyond the reach of laws ability to defy bullies. Consider that foundational principle and appreciate what bad news the verdict is for Donald Trump. He faces a 2024 trial before another D.C. jury on his indictment for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. No wonder he hides from accountability by seeking to delay it. Cardinal de Richelieu, chief minister to French King Louis XIII in the 17th century, said that [n]othing so upholds the laws, as the punishment of persons whose rank is as great as their crime. In the civil law context, weve just seen that truth in action. May we see it again in the months again, applied to the man accused of the greatest crimes against the country in its history. TechCrunch It looks like X, the company formerly known as Twitter, has a Verified bot problem. Although X owner Elon Musk suggested that forcing users to pay for verification would help to weed out the bots (aka automated accounts) on the platform, that does not appear to be the case. A video gaining views on rival platform Instagram Threads shows X search results where numerous bots, including many verified with a blue check, are posting a variation of the phrase "I'm sorry, I cannot provide a response as it goes against OpenAI's use case policy." Justice Minister Han's anticipated ruling party entry brings mixed reactions By Nam Hyun-woo Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, who is described as the protege of President Yoon Suk Yeol, is emerging as a possible interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in the race for the general elections in April. The ruling bloc is divided in two regarding the potential leadership of Han, who is a novice in politics. Optimists highly appreciate Hans public reputation and smart attitude as the new flagbearer of the PPP, which is trying to pull itself together after Rep. Kim Gi-hyeons resigned as party chairman. However, pessimists are casting concerns on Hans political inexperience and possible negative public responses, comparing the minister to Kim Ju-ae, North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns daughter who is believed to be the heir apparent of the regime. Among PPP lawmakers, those endorsing Han as the new interim leader are mostly loyalists to President Yoon. During a PPP lawmakers general assembly on Friday, Rep. Kim Sung-won, who is also the head of the Yeouido Institute, a party think tank, recommended Han as the chairman of the partys emergency committee. We need to create a ripple on the stage, and the only one who can create the ripple is Minister Han, he said. Rep. Ji Seong-ho said, Han is the best candidate in terms of freshness and public awareness, and Rep. Kim Seok-ki also said Han is the best match for the interim leadership. An outspoken former prosecutor, Han has worked with Yoon, who is also a former prosecutor, in multiple investigation teams that delved into high-profile cases including the sale of the now-defunct Korea Exchange Bank to U.S. private equity firm Lone Star Funds. Since then, Han has been widely known as one of the figures who best understand Yoons thoughts. After becoming the first justice minister of the Yoon administration, he has been enjoying high popularity from conservative voters due to his neat styling, smart rhetoric and unyielding stance during arguments with opposition lawmakers. In a Dec. 8 Gallup Korea poll, 16 percent of respondents selected Han as their preferred next president, closely trailing main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung with 19 percent. It was the first case of Han competing with Lee within the survey's margin of error, which is plus-minus 3.1 percentage points, and the highest support rate among other conservative presidential hopefuls. The poll surveyed 1,000 adults from Dec. 5 to 7. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commissions website. Given this, the PPPs pro-Yoon factions believe that Han should be the interim leader in order to give a fresh momentum to the partys campaigns for the general elections. They also believe in Yoon's influence among conservative voters, and this will provide a boost to the party under Han's leadership, preferring a leader aligned with Yoon rather than one critical of him. However, skepticism remains. Rep. Kim Woong said during the meeting that giving Han the party leadership would be like North Korea enthroning Kim Ju-ae as the regimes next leader, and added, The PPP may get less than 100 seats in the (300-seat) National Assembly, and Yoon may face impeachment calls. Han is a prominent next frontrunner of our party, but a political freshman," Rep. Ha Tae-keung wrote on Facebook, Sunday. The position of the interim leader, who must weather all kinds of criticisms, may be premature for Han, whose political capability has not yet been fully validated. Exhausting him prematurely may not be beneficial for the upcoming general elections either. Pundits also noted that appointing Han as the PPP's interim leader will further amplify negative views that former prosecutors are dominating key posts in the Yoon administration. Cabinet reshuffle Against this backdrop, Hans potential political debut will likely be determined because President Yoon is expected to announce a series of Cabinet replacements throughout next week. Han is rumored to be replaced by former Seoul High Prosecutors Office head Ghil Tae-ki or Vice Justice Minister Lee Noh-kong. "The PPP is now collecting various opinions (on the party's interim chief), so we will be able to speak afterward," a senior official at the presidential office said. Chances are also high for Foreign Minister Park Jin to leave his post to run in the general elections, and former Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Tae-yul is emerging as his successor. During an interview with broadcaster YTN, Friday, Park said he will return to the National Assembly when the Cabinet reshuffle takes place, so that I can serve my role to help the PPP regain the peoples trust. National Security Director Cho Tae-yong is also anticipated to become the director of the National Intelligence Service. Starting off the Cabinet reshuffle, Yoon on Sunday named Trade Representative Ahn Duk-geun as the new minister of trade, industry and energy. "Though we believe a Cabinet reshuffle and other staff changes should take place promptly, there are a lot of things to look after," the senior official said. "We will be able to speak further about new appointees when the vetting process is finished." More ministers or government organization chiefs are anticipated to leave their posts in the near future, as public officials seeking to run in the elections have until Jan. 11 to resign. Update: Nancy Jo Johnson has been found safely. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City police are searching for a missing woman last seen near the 3200 block of Cleveland Ave. around 8 p.m. on Friday. The woman is Nancy Jo Johnson. She is a Black woman last seen wearing a brown wig and a night gown. She also walks with a cane. She is 75 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 210 lbs with brown eyes. Her family is concerned about her safety due to her medical health and cognitive impairment. She has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Johnson left her home on foot and has not been heard from since. If she is located, you are asked to contact the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043 or call 911. FOX4 will keep you updated as more details come along. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, has claimed that he considers it necessary to lift EU sanctions against businessman and biker Jozef Hambalek, who was added to the sanctions list due to his ties to the Night Wolves, a pro-Putin Russian motorcycle gang. Source: European Pravda with reference to Dennik N Details: Fico accused former Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok of providing his colleagues with "false information" about Hambalek. Quote: "There was such a rush that everything connected with Russia had to be added to the sanctions list. Thats how Hambalek was also added He loves motorcycles, and this is the only thing he can be accused of, nothing more." Fico added that he had approached Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, regarding this issue. Hambalek has been in touch with politicians from Ficos Smer party, specifically with Defence Minister Robert Kalinak who also worked in Ficos previous government and is a person of interest in a number of investigations. Hambalek is first on the left at a Night Wolves meeting with Putin. Photo: Dennik N with reference to Dezinformacie Hoaxy Propaganda, a Slovak site dedicated to exposing disinformation regarding propaganda Background: In 2022 Alexander Zaldostanov, leader of the Night Wolves motorcycle club, was added to the EU sanctions list. Back then, Hambalek, who met with Putin due to his ties with the organisation, was also sanctioned. Recently in Moscow, the Night Wolves opened a monument to former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his participation in the wars in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo in the 1990s. Support UP or become our patron! Rudy Giuliani used to be a familiar presence inside Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. He appeared in drag as an Italian grandmother, boxed with Will Ferrell (as Janet Reno), and beat up Joe Pesci with a stickball bat when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1997. He made several other cameo appearances on the sketch comedy series over the years, including a solemn moment on 29 September 2001, when he stood alongside first responders on the mainstage for SNLs first episode after 9-11. Appearances from the former New York City mayor in the years that followed were limited to impressions among cast members, ridiculing his descent into election conspiracy theories and loyalty to Donald Trump. After he was ordered to pay more than $148m to a pair of election workers he defamed in the volatile aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, SNL reduced him to the Mayor of 9-11, because thats all thats left in his bank account. In a segment on Weekend Update, co-anchor Colin Jost ripped into Mr Trumps former lawyer. After being found liable for defamation against two Georgia election workers, Rudy Giuliani was ordered yesterday to pay the hilarious sum of $148m, Jost said. You might as well just make it a billion, cause theres no way he can pay it. At this point they only call Giuliani the Mayor of 9-11 because thats all thats left in his bank account, he said. Last Weekend Update of 2023 with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/ofaMHK53Fu Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 17, 2023 Jost spoke next to a photograph of Mr Giulianis infamous image of his hair dye leaking down his face during a 2020 press conference amplifying bogus statements about voter fraud. Amazingly, seen here in better times, Jost said. During the trial, US District Judge Beryl Howell asked Mr Giuliani directly about inflammatory statements he made about the plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss outside the courthouse. He told her it was an accident. Theres a lot of accidents going on, Judge Howell said. On Weekend Update on Saturday, Jost said Mr Giuliani replied: Oh, you could smell that? Judge Howell had already found Mr Giuliani liable for defamation claims in a pretrial judgment earlier this year, stemming from a years-long lawsuit from the mother-daughter pair of election workers who continue to endure racist abuse and threatening messages after Mr Giuliani lied about their work at a ballot-counting centre in Georgia. Following a four-day trial in a federal courtroom in Washington DC on Friday, an eight-member jury found Mr Giuliani owes them $16.2m and $16.99m respectively in compensatory damages, an additional $20m each for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a further $75m in punitive damages. The stunning verdict adds to Mr Giulianis mountain of other legal battles, including a criminal case in Atlanta that also involves the same lies. He is charged alongside the former president and more than a dozen other defendants who allegedly joined a criminal enterprise to unlawfully overturn the states election results. I dont regret a damn thing, Mr Giuliani told reporters outside the courthouse on Friday. The absurdity of the number underscores the absurdity of the entire proceedings, he said. I am quite confident when this case gets before a fair tribunal, itll be reversed so quickly, itll make your head spin. Illustration: Lex Villena Should the federal government be able to "urge," "encourage," "pressure," or "induce" social media companies into censoring free speech about COVID-19? A recent ruling in federal court said no. That ruling is the subject of this month's Soho Forum Debate between law professor Kate Klonick and professor of medicine Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. The resolution is: "The making of national internet policy was hindered, rather than helped, by the July 4th federal court ruling that restricted the Biden administration's communications with social media platforms." Arguing for the affirmative is Kate Klonick, an associate professor at St. John's University Law School, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a distinguished scholar at the Institute for Humane Studies. Her writing has appeared in the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and numerous other publications. Arguing against the resolution is Jay Bhattacharya, M.D. Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Stanford University. He is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research, as well as a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and at the Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. His research focuses on the economics of health care around the world with a particular emphasis on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. His peer-reviewed research has been published in economics, statistics, legal, medical, public health, and health policy journals. Dr. Bhattacharya was one of three main co-signatories of the Great Barrington Declaration of October 2020, an open letter published in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. The post Social Media Censorship: Jay Bhattacharya vs. Kate Klonick appeared first on Reason.com. Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen is giving out 50% more meals than when it started in 2021 Volunteers at a soup kitchen say they are struggling to keep up with demand as the cost of living crisis continues. Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen is handing out 150 meals every week, an increase of 50% from when it opened in 2021. Volunteer Gurch Randhawa said it is "scary" when the team are packing up, "because you realise we've run out of food, and people are still coming". "It's a really good service", said one visitor. "I can't go without it at the moment - I'm struggling". The charity was set up by members of the congregation at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara to provide hot meals to people in Luton town centre. Several local businesses donate surplus food, with some joining the Sikh volunteers on Sundays. Home cooked food is prepared at the gurdwara, which was opened by King Charles in 2022, and then taken to a stall outside the town hall. Mr Randhawa said at first, the team handed out 100 meals, which took us about an hour to distribute, but that such is the demand now that were serving 150 meals, normally within half an hour. It is sad really, because it shows how the demand has risen, he added. One of the visitors says he is "struggling" at the moment and "can't go without" the soup kitchen One of the people accepting food said she would suffer without the soup kitchen. I'm homeless and I'm hungry, and they really help. I come down as often as I can. It's good that these people do that, very kind of them. Asked whether handing out food created dependency, Mr Randhawa said: We're probably at about 0C now and it's very cold, it's very wet. "If people are willing to come out in these kind of weather conditions, I dont think we should judge people who clearly need food. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 0800 169 1830 Militant Islamists linked to al-Qaeda have freed a South African paramedic taken hostage in Libya more than six years ago, a charity has said. Gift of the Givers said it had facilitated the "unconditional" release of Gerco van Deventer. The charity described Van Deventer as the longest-held South African hostage. He was seized by an unnamed group in Libya in 2017, sold to militant Islamists in Mali a year later, and released "into" Algeria, it added. A Malian security source confirmed to AFP news agency that Van Deventer, 48, had been freed. It quoted a humanitarian source as saying that the paramedic was freed on the border between Mali and Algeria. Large parts of Libya have been lawless since Nato-backed forces overthrew and killed long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, while Mali is battling an Islamist insurgency and a rebellion by separatist forces in the north. Gift of the Givers, a South Africa-based charity, said that Algeria's security agencies had taken Van Deventer to hospital for a check-up following his release. "We await the next step on his health and arrangements to bring him home to be reunited with wife Shereen and son Asher. It has been six agonising years of prayer, patience, and hope," the charity said in a Facebook post. Van Deventer was an emergency paramedic who was working for a security company when he was seized on 3 November 2017, while on his way to a power plant construction site around 1,000km (600 miles) south of Libya's capital Tripoli. Three Turkish engineers who were abducted with him were freed about seven months later, but he remained in captivity. In March his family made a fresh plea for his release. Gift of the Givers has been involved in previous efforts to free Van Deventer and other hostages held in the Sahel region. The charity said the al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, had asked for a ransom of $3m (2.4m) in 2018, and the charity negotiated the amount down to $500,000. However, Van Deventer's family and employer could not afford the amount, and the militants finally released him "unconditionally" on Saturday, it added. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist groups in North and West Africa have long used kidnapping for ransom as a way of raising money. The group, which has its roots in Algeria's bitter civil war in the 1990s, operates across the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert and within Mali and Burkina Faso. In 2013, former colonial power France sent 5,000 troops to Mali to fight the group and its allies, and in 2020 killed AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel. But France pulled out last year following a coup in the West African state, and growing unpopularity over its military operation. Now Russia's notorious mercenary Wagner group has been hired by Mali's military junta to fight the militants. United Nations peacekeepers secure an area in 2019 in the Timbuktu region of Mali, a country that has been a hotbed of terrorist activities. file photo by Nicholas Remene/EPA-EFE Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A South African paramedic -- and that country's longest-held hostage -- will be coming home after being held in captivity by Al-Qaeda for six years, an aid organization said. Gerco van Deventer, who was kidnaped in Libya in 2017, was release Saturday night, the Gift of the Givers organization said. He is in the care of Algerian officials, the group said. "Sometime yesterday [Saturday] ... Gerco was released," said Imitiaz Sooliman, the group's founder. "Our state security in South Africa got a call from the Algerian state security to say they have Gerco and they have taken him to hospital for a health check-up." Just how the release of the father of two occurred is somewhat of a mystery. Gift of the Givers said it received a phone call earlier this month from someone in Mauritania who told them they were seeking to obtain van Deventer's release. Van Deventer, was captured by a splinter group of Al-Qaeda and then before being "sold off" to another Al-Qaeda group in Mali in 2018. But He could not be released through Mali, apparently because of the current new war between the Mali military and the Tuaregs," Sooliman said. So he went from Mali to Algeria. Gift of Givers, Sooliman said, had been trying to negotiate the release since 2018, and was faced with a $3 million ransom demand. That was negotiated down to $500,000. But his family could not afford that, his company did not assist and Gift of the Givers does not pay ransom. So, the situation remained bleak until the surprise phone call. Officials said Van Deventer has taken to a hospital in Algeria for any needed medical care. We now await the next step between Algeria and South Africa in the hope to have Gerco home for his wife, daughter and son ... and may this end in a very beautiful manner," Sooliman said. North Korea's missile launch came as the nation marks the anniversary of leader Kim Jong Un's father and predecessor Kim Jong Il (STR) North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, Seoul's military said, as the United States and South Korea warned any nuclear attack would lead to the end of Pyongyang's regime. "Our military detected a short-range ballistic missile launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea at around 22:38 (1338 GMT) on Sunday," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. The missile flew around 570 kilometres (354 miles) before landing in the East Sea, it said, adding that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have "closely shared information regarding North Korea's ballistic missile." Japan's defence ministry also said North Korea launched "what appears to be a ballistic missile", with its coastguard adding that it seemed to have already fallen. The test comes as Seoul and Washington warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack on the United States and South Korea would result in the end of the North Korean regime. The two allies on Friday held their second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group in Washington, where they discussed nuclear deterrence in the event of conflict with the North. A spokesperson for the North's defence ministry on Sunday slammed the allies' plans to expand a key annual joint military exercise next year to include a nuclear operation drill and warned of "a preemptive and deadly counteraction". "This is an open declaration on nuclear confrontation to make the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK a fait accompli," the statement carried by the KCNA news agency said, using the official acronym for North Korea. "The hostile forces' any attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK will face a preemptive and deadly counteraction," it added. The US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that while the launch did not pose a threat to US territory or to Washington's allies, it highlighted "the destabilising impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons programme". "The US commitment to the defence of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," it added. - 'Irreversible' - The missile launch also comes as Pyongyang marks the anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Un's father and predecessor Kim Jong Il, who died on December 17, 2011. North Korea last year declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power and has repeatedly said it will never give up its nuclear programme, which the regime views as essential for its survival. And last month Pyongyang successfully put a military spy satellite into orbit. It has since claimed its eye in the sky was already providing images of major US and South Korean military sites. The United Nations Security Council has adopted many resolutions calling on North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since it first conducted a nuclear test in 2006. sh/sst/mlm Crowds on the beach in Cape Canaveral watch the first booster land about eight minutes after the launch of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy for NASA from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, launched at 10:19 a.m. EDT October 13th. The boosters landed at Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX is facing more scrutiny from environmental groups that are concerned about harm to critical habitats near rocket launches. Several environmental groups announced Friday a new complaint about the environmental impacts of SpaceX Starship launches from Starbase, the company's facility in far southern Texas, SpaceNews reported. In the complaint, the groups allege the Federal Aviation Administration failed to properly review the environmental impacts of the first Starship launch before issuing a revised license for the second launch that took place Nov. 18. Failing to do an in-depth environmental review and letting SpaceX keep launching the worlds largest rockets that repeatedly explode shows a shocking disregard for wildlife and communities, Jared Margolis, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement to SpaceNews about the new complaint. SpaceX should not be given free rein to use this amazing area as a sacrifice zone. The groups Center for Biological Diversity, American Bird Conservancy, Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc., Save RGV and Surfrider Foundation first filed suit against the FAA in May, with SpaceX later joining as a co-defendant, after the first Starship launch April 20. The environmental groups argued that the agency allowed Elon Musk's company to bypass important environmental reviews because of political and financial influence. SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk. Starship's first test ended with an explosion about four minutes after launch on April 20. SpaceX spectators damaged habitats, reports say The lawsuit comes as SpaceX officials launched Falcon 9 on Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 will deploy a batch of Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. According to recent reporting by the Houston Chronicle, the second launch of SpaceXs rocket on Nov. 18 drew hundreds of spectators who damaged local habitats that are crucial to shorebirds in Boca Chica and took decades and decades to build. "SpaceXs Boca Chica launch site is surrounded by state parks and national wildlife refuge lands and important habitat for imperiled wildlife, including piping plovers, northern aplomado falcons, Gulf Coast jaguarundi, ocelots and the critically endangered Kemps ridley sea turtle," the statement from The Center for Biological Diversity read. According to the Chronicle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it was the public that caused the main environmental effects observed in tidal flats south of the launch pad and that it was working with SpaceX to educate the public on the importance of tidal flat habitat. SpaceX's $3 billion NASA contract Under a $3 billion contract with NASA, a Starship lunar lander will be developed to ferry astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon's surface as early as 2025. Starship will also be used for missions to Mars in the next decade. At a Dec. 13 Senate Commerce Committee hearing by the space subcommittee, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said the agency has been in talks with some environmental regulatory agencies to discuss the critical nature of the Artemis program and how important its success is to the nation, SpaceNews reported. Melroy, responding to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), said she was working closely with those agencies to make sure they are aware. More: Starship test launch, take 2: Musk's SpaceX rocket explodes after reaching space Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers, George Petras, Jennifer Borresen, Stephen J. Beard This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SpaceX suit claims critical ecosystem damage caused by rocket launches I visited Budapest, which is known for its Christmas markets, food, and architecture. After two days in the city, a walking food tour and the Parliament Building were highlights. But if I returned, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit the Central Market Hall again. Budapest, Hungary, is known for its beautiful Christmas markets, and I recently spent two days there. Because this was my first time in the city, and I had just a few days before boarding a Viking River Cruise, I tried to do as much research as possible to figure out what to do. Here are four things I thought were worth it and one I'd skip next time. My favorite activity was a walking food tour of the city. I got to try so many of the city's delicacies, like local cheeses. Megan duBois My favorite activity in Budapest was a walking food tour of the city I booked with Secret Food Tours ($94) via Tripadvisor. It was just over three hours long, and we got to see everything from the outside of the Parliament building to some of the smaller squares and statues that dot the city. During the tour, our group stopped at four different restaurants to try five dishes. Our guide also explained some of the city's history and the impacts food has had on its culture. We started with a sampling of strudel, with fillings ranging from sour cherry and cottage cheese to apple. Then we had langos, a traditional street food of fried bread, garlic, sour cream, and shredded cheese. My favorite stop on the tour was Dose Espresso , where we had a tray of local cheeses, meats, and pickled vegetables. I also ordered a coffee made with a special Slayer V3 machine that's supposed to make incredible espresso. The final stop on the tour was a local winery to try a glass of wine, a bowl of goulash (a traditional soup seasoned with paprika), and a cottage-cheese dumpling dessert. The New York Cafe was worth all the hype it got on TikTok. I stopped in at the New York Cafe in Budapest. Megan duBois When I started searching for things to do in Budapest, one of the top recommendations I saw on TikTok was getting coffee at the New York Cafe inside the Anantara New York Palace Hotel. I arrived about 20 minutes before it opened at 8 a.m. and got a table in the first wave of seating. The cafe originally opened in 1894, and the stunning space is filled with gold detailing, marble, and incredible ceiling murals. Its menu offers various coffees and hot chocolates. I splurged a bit on the 24-carat gold hot chocolate ($13), which had a velvety chocolate base, a thick layer of whipped cream, and a gold-dust recreation of the cafe logo. The drink was perfectly warm, and it came with a small cookie. The Christmas market I found was exciting but not too daunting. I liked that the Christmas market I went to was on the smaller side. Megan duBois There are many Christmas markets in the city, but I decided to explore the one just in front of St. Stephen's Basilica. It was small, which was actually nice since this was my first time experiencing a European Christmas market. There were still dozens of charming stalls selling everything from handmade crafts and ornaments to cookie presses and ceramic Christmas houses. My favorite part was looking at all of the food options and trying a traditional chimney cake. The pastry is wrapped around a steel cylinder and baked rotisserie-style over hot coals before being rolled in various toppings (I chose crushed hazelnuts). Taking a tour of the Parliament building was fun and educational. I was blown away by the architecture of the Parliament building. Megan duBois One of the things I booked ahead of time was a tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building ($29), which is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. The tour was about 45 minutes long and included a listening device where you could hear information about the building as you were walking through it. I thought the outside was ornate, but the inside was even more impressive, with fresco paintings, gold, and an abundance of stained glass. We even got to see the crown jewels of the Hungarian monarchy, but photos were not allowed. On the other hand, I don't think I'd go back to the Central Market Hall. I had a lot of good food in Budapest, but I don't think the food hall was worth it. Megan duBois The Central Market Hall was at the top of my list of things to see in Budapest so many of the guides I read said it was a must-visit. The large venue is separated into two floors: one for a food market and another for knickknacks and street food. I stopped at the food-hall portion to get some paprika, the most popular spice in Hungary. But after spending about an hour there, I was ready to leave. It was only about a 10-minute walk from my hotel, so I don't regret going. But I wouldn't go out of my way to see it again. Read the original article on Business Insider By Andrew Hammond In typical COP fashion, Governments seized a last-minute agreement on Wednesday in summit overtime in Dubai, including historic language on the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energies. However, welcome as the new deal is, this was a summit that took a step forward, but potentially two steps backward on the overall goal to raise climate action ambition with the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal agreed in Paris in 2015 now in increasing peril. With the need for much greater results, COP28 has therefore increased calls for fundamental reform of the U.N.-led climate framework process which may no longer be fit for purpose. A significant number of people on the ground in Dubai, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore (a key architect of the Kyoto Treaty agreed in 1997), say the talks in the UAE nearly collapsed. Part of the problem is the event and its process. In the last few years, the number of people attending COPs has skyrocketed from the early days when attendance averaged perhaps as few as around 5,000. Since the pandemic, however, attendance has grown dramatically turning the event into a de facto trade show with just under 40,000 at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, and around 50,000 at COP27 last year in Sharm el-Sheikh. In late November and December in Dubai, a staggering 70,000 people have been in attendance a tripling since COP25 in Madrid in 2019. The process has become congested, and key stakeholders like Gore propose key reforms. This includes majority-voting decisions, not unanimity, so the pace of climate action progress can be ramped up. Welcome as Wednesdays deal is after sometimes tense, overrunning negotiations, it offered little progress on cutting greenhouse gases in the short term. Vague language on the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target is far from enough to realize the ambitions of the Paris deal agreed in 2015. A key question now is how best to start advancing the agenda for COP29 and COP30 in Azerbaijan and Brazil respectively. There are several answers to the question, including that negotiations should be started now with all countries prepared to get a clear agreement in late 2024 and 2025 respectively. This must include pushing key countries now to increase their ambition and submit improved pledges so there is a remaining chance of sticking to the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit with a focus on phasing out fossil fuels. Going forward, however, there is a growing question mark over the future of the COPs themselves, and whether they are the most effective way to take forward the global climate agenda. There are growing calls for a leaner, more focused forum to address key issues in hand in the remaining years of what U.S. President Joe Biden has called the decisive decade. So there is merit in the UN, and key governments from the Global North and South, now considering this issue. The alternative is a type of Groundhog Day scenario reflecting the 1993 hit movie based around the lead character played by Bill Murray being caught in a time loop, repeatedly living the same day. In much the same way, there is a danger that COP continues to make only incremental reform when what is needed is transformational change. Indeed, an increasing number of stakeholders believe that today only a profound change in our economy and society can avoid worst-case scenarios. With the world currently on course for disastrous warming, this pathway can potentially still be changed through proactive, concerted global action. This includes the worlds very best diplomats taking greater charge, and governments throwing their full weight behind delivering stronger outcomes. It is no coincidence here that the most effective COP was in 2015 when France staged the most well-organised COP reaching out to nations up to a year before the Paris conference happened. This included then-foreign minister Laurent Fabius, who was in the 1980s Frances youngest-ever prime minister, showing the full range of his diplomatic skills to become the most effective ever COP president. So now is the time for all key countries, including the world powers of the United States and China, to step up to the plate and urgently get around the negotiating table with the upcoming COP29 and COP30 hosts so that momentum can build well ahead of those summits. Moreover, the U.N. and other key actors need to assess the medium-term viability of the COP process and examine how a leaner, more focused forum could address the massive challenges of global climate action in the coming years. Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) St. Petersburg police said access to multiple neighborhoods was cut off due to floodwaters on the road. The St. Petersburg Police Department uploaded photos of floodwaters in various locations, saying that drivers need to avoid low-lying areas. Flood waters in St. Petersburg (Credit: St. Petersburg Police Department) Flood waters in St. Petersburg (Credit: St. Petersburg Police Department) Flood waters in St. Petersburg (Credit: St. Petersburg Police Department) Police said access to Snell Isle, Shore Acres and Riviera Bay was blocked to local traffic until further notice Sunday morning. Despite their warnings, at least one driver needed help after his truck stalled in flood water. Even a high riding pick-up truck stalled in floodwater, the department said. This is why access is closed to Shore Acres, Placido Bayou, & Snell Isle yes, even to food delivery services for you and your cars safety. You can report flooding incidents in St. Petersburg on this website. Remember to stay away from floodwater and sterilize anything that comes in contact with it due to the potential for bacterial infection. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) Troopers with the Louisiana State Police are investigating a crash that left a Folsom man dead in St. Tammany Parish on Saturday, Dec. 16. LSP officials said troopers responded to a crash on Louisiana 25 near Martin Road around 1:30 p.m. Man killed in head-on Lafourche Parish crash They said an initial investigation shows that 50-year-old Edil Alvarez-Martinez was driving a Ford south on Louisiana 25 when he reportedly missed a curve, drove off the road and hit a tree. Alvarez-Martinez suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The passengers inside the Ford were uninjured. LSP officials said the investigation is ongoing, and a routine toxicology sample was collected. Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Stanley Tucci will be taking to the road for a new travel series. The ten-part documentary series, titled Tucci The Heart of Italy, will see the actor explore Italian cuisine and culture across ten different regions, according to Variety. As part of a production deal with Disney's National Geographic, the series will be produced by BBC Studios and Specialist Factual Productions, as well as Tucci's production company, Salt Productions. Production is expected to begin in January 2024. Karwai Tang - Getty Images Related: Eva Longoria's Mexican travel series gets UK release date "National Geographic is all about adventure and exploration, and I am honoured to take viewers once again to explore Italy through the lens of food," said Tucci in a statement. "In Italy's many distinct regions there is always something new to discover and I'm more than excited to begin the process in partnership with BBC Studios." Executive Vice President of Global Factual and Unscripted for National Geographic, Tom McDonald, also expressed his excitement, saying: "National Geographic is the perfect home for Stanley to share his knowledge and passion for Italy's people, food and culture. "Our programming is all about inspiring a deeper connection to the world. With Stanley as their guide, audiences will be transported to places and flavours they've never experienced before." David Levenson - Getty Images Related: Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth play a gay couple in emotional first trailer for new movie Supernova The Devil Wears Prada star has become quite familiar with Italy in recent years, after leading two seasons of Searching for Italy on CNN where he delighted in the secrets and regional cuisines on offer. Ahead of his new show, Tucci recently commented on straight actors playing gay roles after notably playing a gay character in the iconic 2006 comedy film. "An actor is an actor is an actor. You're supposed to play different people. You just are. That's the whole point of it," he said during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. "I am always very flattered when gay men come up to me and talk to me about The Devil Wears Prada or they talk about Supernova, and they say that 'it was just so beautiful,' you know, 'You did it the right way'. Because often, it's not done the right way." Tucci The Heart of Italy doesn't have a release date yet. Searching for Italy is streaming on BBC iPlayer. You Might Also Like Massachusetts State Police are investigating after several trees were cut down in two South Shore communities, blocking roads early Saturday morning. Plymouth police officers responded to the area near Lower College Pond Road and Cranford Road around 2:30 a.m. for a felled tree lying across the roadway. Around half an hour later, twp more downed trees were located in both Plymouth and Carver. Around 4:00 a.m., Plymouth police asked state troopers to check near the Miles Standish State Forest, where two more downed trees were found. Patrols then began searching the area and monitoring exits of the forest. No arrests have been made. 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 AUSTIN (Nexstar) The ballot is set for the 2024 Texas primary. Monday marked the deadline for candidates to file for the March 5 election. While every primary season has its share of heated campaigns, 2024 has something different in play: revenge. Two of the states top Republican leaders are campaigning against incumbents from their own party. The outcome could bring significant change to the Texas House. Both Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have mounted what some call revenge tours in the runup to the primary. Abbott is endorsing candidates running against Republican House members who voted against his priority legislation for Education Savings Accounts, which allow parents to use public dollars to pay for private school. Paxton is endorsing candidates running against House Republicans who voted to impeach him. Those vendettas against certain members have put Abbott and Paxton on different sides in several races. There are at least 22 House races in which Abbott and Paxton have endorsed different candidates. Its not unusual to see infighting within political parties. But for Texas Republicans, its rarely this much out in the open. This cycle, were seeing these feuds within the Republican Party, like wide open. Its very public, Jeremy Wallace, politics reporter for the Houston Chronicle said in an interview for the State of Texas politics program. Its so much acrimony, were just not used to seeing it so openly and so raw in this kind of format, Wallace added. Its not clear how much of an impact the dueling endorsements will have on any of these races. Typically an endorsement from the governor alone isnt going to be enough to really sway voters but what may make this different than previous years is that hes, clearly much more fired up about this, Wallace said. Im not sure if his message is enough to dislodge them. But certainly, they think that the polling is with them, and theyre gonna go full bore and try to knock these incumbents out, Wallace said. Primary elections in Texas typically have low turnout, even in Presidential election years. Current polling suggests that turnout will not get much of a bump from the presidential primaries. Low turnout could boost the importance of Paxtons endorsements. The voters who are going there are the most hardcore Republican voters and that is the one area where Ken Paxton might have a little influence, Wallace said, noting that anger over the impeachment could motivate some GOP voters. Ken Paxton will have an influence on this base of Republicans who might just be able to pull enough they might be angry enough about it to really have some impact, Wallace said. For Texas Democrats, one of the most-watched races will determine who will face Senator Ted Cruz in November. Ten candidates are on the ballot, but only two candidates registered support above the single digits in early polling. Congressman Colin Allred leads the field, with a double-digit lead over the next closest candidate, State Senator Roland Gutierrez. Both men share similar positions on several issues. But there is a divide over calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. After the Texas Democratic Party unanimously passed a resolution supporting a ceasefire, Dallas Congressman Colin Allred stopped short of echoing their calls. What we have to do in terms of this conflict is continue to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza to try and protect civilians as much as possible but, understanding, this is a war of choice by Hamas. They chose this war, theyre still holding over two hundred hostages right now. They can release those hostages, they can lay down their arms, Rep. Allred told Nexstar in a Dec. 4 interview. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, Allred said this is a time for mature and solid leadership. He acknowledged Israels obligation to follow international law while supporting their ability to continue their operations in Gaza. Israel has every right to defend itself, but they have to do that within the context of the laws of war. And to me, democracies like ours whether its the Americans or the Israelis we are strengthened, not weakened, when we apply the standards and values of our country to the way we conduct ourselves in military conflicts, Allred said. San Antonio State Senator Roland Gutierrez, running against Allred for the Democratic nomination, is supporting a ceasefire and has called on Allred to take back his stance. I think hes out of touch with reality here Colin Allred needs to take back his position on this issue because we need to stop the killing of women and children. Thats not who we are as a nation, Gutierrez told Nexstar on Dec. 7. Since Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, Israeli counterattacks have killed almost 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza two-thirds of the dead women and children. The staggering death toll led the Texas Democratic Party to pass a resolution condemning Hamas and calling on Israel to pause the bombing. We have Jewish Democrats in our organization, we have progressives, we have conservatives, we have Asian Americans the vote was unanimous, every single Jewish Democrat in our organization voted for the resolution, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said. I understand that the complexities of the issue prevent Congressman Allred from supporting it. But from our perspective, we think that we have to, as leaders in the Democratic Party, encourage our Democratic leadership to work towards stopping this war in where theres civilians in danger. The Texas primary election is on March 5. What could Texas Supreme Court ruling mean for future abortion exception cases? The Texas Supreme Court ruling in the case of a Dallas woman who sought an emergency abortion amid pregnancy complications is raising new questions about what conditions doctors may perform the procedure under Texas law. Last week, a Travis County court ruled Kate Cox could receive an abortion under the medical exceptions in the states abortion law, which bans nearly all abortions after six weeks. Cox received a fatal fetal diagnosis at 20 weeks of pregnancy called trisomy 18. The fetus is unable to sustain life, and Cox argued her health and future fertility would be at risk if she gave birth. The Travis County ruling was put on pause after Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency opinion to the highest court in Texas. While the state Supreme Court evaluated the merits of the case, attorneys for Cox said her condition worsened saying she visited the emergency room four times and experienced elevated vitals and risked a uterine rupture, which could impact her ability to have children in the future. By that point, attorneys for Cox said early on Monday that the 31-year-old Dallas mother was forced to leave the state to terminate her pregnancy while she awaited a ruling. Later on Monday evening, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion blocking a lower courts ruling that gave Cox permission to get an abortion in Texas. Under Texas law, the abortion prohibition does not apply when a pregnant woman has a life threatening physical condition that places her at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Only a doctor can exercise reasonable medical judgment to decide whether a pregnant woman has a life-threatening physical condition, making an abortion necessary to save her life or to save her from a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function,' the opinion said. If a doctor, using her reasonable medical judgment, decides that a pregnant woman has such a condition, then the exception applies, and Texas law does not prohibit the abortion. When is the medical exemption really going to allow life saving medical care, said Austin Kaplan, one of the attorneys who represents Cox. There ought to be an exception to save the life of the mother to save the fertility of the mother. While the opinion itself does not grant Cox the ability to get an abortion under the exceptions clause in Texas, some legal experts speculate the way it was written was meant to give doctors more clarity about when they can perform one in the future. Josh Blackman a constitutional law professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston said the high court did give some guidance for other cases in which an abortion might be permitted under the exceptions clause. This is not a ruling that Cox could have benefited from. Rather, this is a ruling that we think that the other doctors might be able to use to perform abortions in the future if certain very specific conditions are met, he said. The state Supreme Court is also deliberating a separate case called Zurawski v. Texas, in which 20 women are suing for clarified language in the state abortion ban that defines when a doctor may intervene to protect a mothers life. Kaplan is also a lawyer working on that case and said aspects of the Supreme Court opinion do give him hope for the Zurawski lawsuit. Im personally hopeful that this is a sign that in the Zurawski case we will get a positive decision for mothers, for doctors, he said. Theres still time to sort of give some clarity here and create a functional medical exception. The opinion did not provide any further definitions or guidance as to what qualifies as life-threatening condition. Its an issue Dr. Damala Karsan, an OB-GYN part of the Zurawski lawsuit, raised during July hearings on their case. She and other physicians have expressed fear of losing their license or getting sued under another Texas Senate Bill 8. Ive always tried to practice with the standards of care but I also want to be a law abiding citizen and I dont want to risk my freedom and my livelihood, Karsan said in Travis County court this summer. The president of the Texas Medical Association also weighed in on the ruling. TMA supports further efforts to protect physicians providing medically appropriate care to pregnant women and to clarify the existing medical exceptions, so pregnant patients can access the critical care necessary to safeguard their own health and future ability to have children, said Rick W. Snyder II, MD. Impeachment prosecutors bill $3.7M for Paxton trial Outside attorneys hired by the Texas House to prosecute Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment billed over $3.7 million for their legal services and expenses, according to records obtained by KXAN through the Texas Public Information Act. The top-flight legal counsel hired by the state includes Dick DeGuerin, Rusty Hardin and Harriet ONeill. House Business Office records showed Rusty Hardin and Associates worked the most hours, billing over $3 million, including $2.7 million in legal fees and about $340,00 in expenses. According to state billing records, the DeGuerin & Dickson firm billed over $470,000 total, and the Law Office of Harriet ONeill invoiced just over $193,000. Prosecution attorneys Rusty Hardin, left, and Dick DeGuerin talk after the prosecution rested in the impeachment trial for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) In a statement sent via text to KXAN, DeGuerin said our work was worth every penny of what we charged. Both Rusty and I devoted our full time and firm resources on this historic and important effort to stop Paxtons corrupt misuse of the Attorney Generals office, often working twelve and fourteen hour days, at a fraction of our regular rates, he said. We presented irrefutable evidence of Paxtons dishonesty, but Paxtons financial backers openly threatened Republican Senators, which would be criminal jury tampering had this been a jury trial rather than a political vote. In a statement, Attorney General Ken Paxton called the costs just the tip of the iceberg. Whether its the House costs, Senate costs, or the overall impeachment session costs, many millions more were incurred on Dade Phelans sham and needless impeachment, he said. Voters need to send Dade and any Representative supporting Dade home in the upcoming primaries. We need effective leadership in the House that quits embarrassing Texas. The impeachment case created a political firestorm at the state Capitol. Within days of Paxtons acquittal on all articles in September, Patrick ordered the State Auditors Office to conduct a special audit of the total cost of the investigation and trial. To be clear, the goal is to determine the absolute total cost to the state of preparing for and conducting this trial from the beginning through its conclusion, Patrick said in the letter, which asked auditors to detail every possible type of expense both billed and outstanding for the ordeal. The total cost of the impeachment is certainly higher than the $3.7 million spent on outside prosecutors. That total does not include costs for staff attorneys in the House and a former judge brought on by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to advise him as a judge in the Senate trial. The Dallas Morning News reported a total exceeding $4.3 million, with additional costs included. In a statement to KXAN, Patrick said the impeachment costs would exceed $3.7 million, and that total doesnt include a House lawyer who hasnt been paid, yet. The Senate spent roughly $435,000, including the printing of the trial record at a cost of $138,000, according to Patrick. The Senate had submitted all of its expenditures to the State Auditors Office for its audit of impeachment spending, Patrick said, but the House still had not done so. Now, it is clear that the Senate protected taxpayer money while Dade Phelan and the House spent like drunken sailors on shore leave, Patrick said in the statement. The Houses high-priced army of lawyers could not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and failed miserably at Texas taxpayers expense. Now, Dade Phelan and his expensive lawyers continue to cry because they cant admit they received a fair trial and were simply defeated. At this point, its the same old song and dance from Dade Phelan: more lame excuses, more blame game, no accountability. The Houses expenses on the impeachment are paid from funds previously appropriated for the House operating budget and are paid through the House Business Office. The cost to impeach Paxton climbed quickly once Hardin and DeGuerin came on board. Hardin put over two dozen attorneys and others from his firm on the case, and they logged thousands of hours collectively. In one billing period, Hardin worked over 400 hours, costing more than $200,000 at his rate of $500 per hour, records show. Workers at Hardins firm also worked hundreds of hours that they didnt charge for, according to the billing records. Hardins firm racked up sizable expenses in its effort, including tens of thousands of dollars on hotels, transportation and office supplies, according to the records. The paperwork costs alone soared: Hardins team spent over $36,000 on transcripts and more than $10,000 on notebooks, the records show. House Speaker Dade Phelan sent KXAN the following statement: After Ken Paxton refused to testify before multiple House committees to justify his request of the Texas Legislature to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit brought against him by whistleblowers in his inner circle, the Texas House General Investigating Committee initiated its investigation into the merits of the whistleblowers claims. The investigation, impeachment, and trial of Ken Paxton shed a clear, unflinching light on who Paxton is and the lengths to which he will go to stay in power. The Texas House will continue to faithfully fulfill its obligation to protect the integrity of our institutions and safeguard the publics trust. Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont The House voted to impeach Paxton in late May with a vote of 121-23 on 20 articles of impeachment. The articles alleged Paxton had abused his power, disregarded his duties, engaged in bribery, made false statements in official public records, obstructed justice and misappropriated public resources. Many of the allegations centered on assistance he allegedly provided a friend and campaign donor. A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxtons impeachment trial The impeachment trial took place in the Senate and lasted nearly two weeks. Paxton was suspended from his duties at the Office of Attorney General amid the impeachment but returned after his acquittal. The impeachment ordeal began when Paxtons office asked the Legislature for over $3.3 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit against his office that was filed by employees who alleged they were wrongfully retaliated against for filing complaints against Paxton. The potential taxpayer-funded settlement prompted House members to investigate the whistleblower allegations against Paxton prior to approval. The whistleblower case remains pending. DeGuerin went on to predict that if the whistleblower lawsuit ultimately goes to a jury, the judgment would be far in excess of our fees and the $3.3 million settlement. HHSC: Delays processing Medicaid applications trimmed amid OT push Texas kicked off more than a million people from Medicaid this year without checking if they were still eligible for coverage, according to an analysis released the same day the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said its overtime push is helping to start unclog the backlog. In November, it took an average of 120 days for an application to be touched, according to an internal email. That was cut to 43 days on Dec. 9 and 36 days as of Dec. 14, according to HHSC spokesperson Jennifer Ruffcorn. The state agency is taking all possible actions and moving aggressively to implement additional strategies to increase staff and get Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, federal food benefit applications processed faster, she said. In response to whistleblower employees warning that SNAP wait times were closing in on 200 days, Gov. Greg Abbotts office said during the week of Thanksgiving that new changes at HHSC including moving 250 staff from other projects to focus on expediting SNAP applications and giving 600 new staff Medicaid training to help process combined applications were expected to cut the backlog in half by the end of December a goal the agency now says has been met. Still, advocates say help still isnt coming fast enough for thousands of low-income families who rely on these federal programs. Concerned state employees say internal errors put thousands at risk of losing Medicaid coverage Texas Health & Human Services headquarters in Austin (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Its concerning at any time of year, said Stacey Pogue, a senior policy analyst with the Austin-based think tank Every Texan. Its even more heartbreaking at the holidays. Since pandemic-era Medicaid benefits ended in April, a new analysis from a coalition of children advocates and non-profits found: Texas only processed 3 percent of data-based automatic Medicaid renewals, which is the lowest rate in the country, according to KFF. 39% of Medicaid applications processed in November took longer than the 45-day federal requirement. 1.1 million Texans were kicked off Medicaid due to procedural problems. There were some errors, errors in the computer programming, in the system for eligibility, that was kicking folks off when they shouldnt be, said Pogue. Texas HHSC was under federal scrutiny as SNAP, Medicaid delays continue The study highlighted KXAN reporting, which found 150,000 people were waiting longer than 45 days last month. It also points to new HHSC data showing more than 48,000 Medicaid applications have been sitting untouched since at least March. People are making really hard choices right now about what do they spend on Christmas gifts, do they fix their car, how are they going to pay rent if what they need to do is pay for health care or food when theyre lacking that assistance, said Pogue. HHSC spent $5.5 million in overtime in September and October and $27.3 million between Sept. 1, 2022 Aug. 31 of this year, Ruffcorn said. The agency has mandated 20 hours of overtime a month since 2020 as part of an ongoing corrective action plan to address long wait times. Asked if having employees work extra hours is sustainable, HHSC said it hopes to reduce its reliance on overtime. Overtime is a tool HHSC uses when necessary to immediately address workload, said Ruffcorn. HHSC has experienced a lower turnover rate this past year due to successful recruitment and retention efforts. HHSC monitors closely workload and staffing resources and expects to reduce reliance on mandatory overtime through additional workforce capacity and workload reduction strategies. In the last year, the agency hired more than 2100 people and was approved by the legislature to hire 642 full-time employees, Ruffcorn said. The new hires will help with Medicaid redeterminations for six million Texans after pandemic-era coverage guarantees ended this year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it required Texas to reinstate Medicaid coverage for around 100,000 people in August who were improperly kicked off their coverage due to systems issues, which it required the state to fix. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Los Angeles police are trying to reconnect crime victims with tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen electronics. LAPD Commander Lillian Carranza posted photos of the stolen goods on social media Saturday, which included iPhones, iPads, laptop computers, cameras and recording equipment. The devices were recovered during a recent search warrant executed at a storefront on 6th Street near MacArthur Park, police told KTLA. Have you been the victim of a theft in Los Angeles? If so, call us. @LAPDRampart might have recovered it, she said. Detectives believe many, if not all, of the electronics recovered were taken in burglaries of vehicles and homes in the Los Angeles area. Stolen electronics are seen on display at LAPDs Rampart Division. December 2023. (LAPD) Stolen electronics are seen on display at LAPDs Rampart Division. December 2023. (LAPD) Carranza said they have identified an Apple MacBook that was taken during a November car burglary near Echo Park. $45,000 worth of cameras and camera equipment also disappeared during that same theft, she said. LAPDs Rampart Division can be reached at 213-484-3400. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The DUP has accused another unionist party of being involved in putting up posters saying "stop DUP sellout". Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) were behind posters that appeared outside his constituency office in Lisburn. The posters have also been put up in areas across Northern Ireland. The TUV said posters "aren't intimidation and we look forward to the warning they contain being heeded". It said "unionism, not just TUV, expects the DUP to hold fast to their election promises". It comes as speculation continues as to whether the DUP are close to a deal to restore power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. The main political parties will meet the secretary of state again on Monday to discuss a potential financial package for Stormont worth 2.5bn if devolved government is restored. It would include a lump sum to settle public sector pay claims and a new "needs-based" funding formula for public services, but party leaders have said it is not enough money. On Saturday, Sir Jeffrey said his party would not be "distracted by hype". The DUP, Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, quit power-sharing 22 months ago over post-Brexit trade arrangements. TUV leader Jim Allister has previously said that if the DUP agreed a deal to return to Stormont, the party would be "betraying" the seven tests on future post-Brexit trade arrangements. What have the DUP said about the posters? Writing on X, the social media site formerly called Twitter, Sir Jeffrey said those who put up the posters outside his office were captured on CCTV and that he would not be intimidated. He accused the TUV of engaging in "shadowy behaviour". "These cowards will not deter me from doing my job," he added. DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said the posters were "designed to attack and smear Northern Ireland's largest unionist party". This is a poster erected by TUV members captured on CCTV last night outside my constituency office. Like cowards they arrived in the middle of the night and tried in vain to hide their identity but they are known to us. I will not be intimidated or distracted by such shadowy pic.twitter.com/SU8LRSHjHH Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) December 17, 2023 He said some people were focused on "weakening our collective strength as we negotiate with the UK government, in the hope that a successful outcome for Northern Ireland and the union is not secured". "We have a massive democratic mandate given to us by people right across Northern Ireland and it is that which gives us strength in our negotiations." The TUV added on Sunday that the party "has always seen it as its role to apply the brakes on any sell-out of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland". "It is worth remembering that the lead unionist party won its mandate on the basis of solemn pledges on the [Northern Ireland] Protocol," a spokesperson said. "Many of those in council chambers and in the Assembly owe their seats to TUV transfers so the DUP should be cautious about being disparaging about those whose transfers they were grateful for a few months ago." It comes as speculation grows that the DUP could agree a deal in the coming days. Although there is no formal deadline in the talks, the government has been working to secure agreement before parliament breaks for Christmas on Tuesday, with a view to re-establishing the assembly quickly. However, in an email to members on Saturday, seen by BBC News NI, Sir Jeffrey said more work was needed and he would not be "sidetracked by calendar-led initiatives". "I have no doubt the government will want to advance on their offer on Monday," he wrote. "They will ultimately need to move on a substantive change to our funding formula." 'The time is now' Referring to any potential deal, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane said the DUP leader should "not waste the opportunity that is present" and that he needs to show leadership. "What's clear this week is that there has been momentum," he told BBC News NI's Sunday Politics programme. "It's clear that the time is now for Jeffrey Donaldson not to waste that momentum. "If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everybody in this society." The DUP has been involved in talks to restore the executive, which have also been met with protests by trade unions Eoin Tennyson, of the Alliance Party, told the programme that what the DUP want to do and what they will do "are often two completely different things". "There's absolutely no reason why we can't be in the assembly pre-Christmas," he added. "I don't think the public will wear another Christmas where they are witnessing this kind of pantomime politics where they are traipsing over to Hillsborough for talks." Any possible restoration of Stormont also depends on key discussions about the Windsor Framework and how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government was ready to legislate to protect Northern Ireland's position and would work "at pace". On Friday the DUP's 12 most senior members, known as party officers, met to discuss the situation, fuelling speculation an agreement was close. In his email, the DUP leader said he had been able to identify "legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives". But he said they would be "measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom". Analysis box by Enda McClafferty, NI political editor We do know there were lots of conversations on Saturday between all the key players about this process. The government was expecting a phone call from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to signal his party's intent to go back into the executive. That didn't happen, the email to party members on Saturday made it very clear the DUP feels it's not there yet. The focus will switch to Hillsborough Castle where those financial talks are due to resume again, with pressure growing on the secretary of state to make a call on all of this. It's challenging for the government, they've built up a lot of momentum behind this process. But there is a new date lurking on the horizon of 18 January, that is the date by which the secretary of state has to decide on another assembly election if power-sharing is not restored. Where do the other parties stand? Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said "as it stands right now" his party intended to re-enter the executive if a new one is formed, rather than go into opposition. "Yesterday we had our party executive meeting and we talked about this and we are intent and are moving towards going back into the executive," he said. "I have to see what the outworkings are of the financial package, I have to see what the outworkings are of the programme of government, I have to see the outworkings of what a new reformed executive would be like and then I will make a decision on that." Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said his party currently intends to return to the executive Following poor election results in May 2022 the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) is not entitled to a place in the executive and will instead enter a formal opposition. The party's Matthew O'Toole said that "unlike other parties" the SDLP "accepted the judgement of the electorate". "If we are there by ourselves we will do the job and we look forward to doing the job," he said. "If other parties wish to join us I look forward to working constructively and actively in partnership with them." Meanwhile, TUV leader Jim Allister said he would re-enter opposition if the assembly was recalled. He added: "I'm not in the executive, nor do I ever wish to be. I am an assembly member and if the assembly is there, I will be there as a voice of opposition." Its that time of year when we wonder what to give that someone who has everything or just doesnt need much. The no-brainer for that quandary is a trip to your local bookstore. What can be more important in this era of fake news and falsehoods than a book which adds to our understanding of the world around us and the lives of those our circumstances do not allow us to experience? Remember those immortal words of Groucho Marx who said, Outside of a dog, a book is a mans best friend. Inside of a dog, its too dark to read! Or a more serious version of the importance of a book from literary giant, Joyce Carol Oates, who said, Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into anothers skin, anothers voice, anothers soul? Lets begin the journey with a New York Times best-selling novel by slipping into the voice of Marcellus McSquiddles, a Giant Pacific Octopus living out his short life in an aquarium near Puget Sound. Remarkably Bright Creatures by debut author Shelby Van Pelt is a Christmas gift of friendship, hope, family, and a dose of intrigue to top it off. With a bit of magical realism to aid and abet Marcellus, he is given his own chapters so readers learn from one of the most intelligent creatures of the seas, but he also tracks the lives of the humans outside his tank and comes to their rescue. Readers should be forewarned. In Van Pelts book signing tour, she learned that readers quit ordering that octopus appetizer after reading about Marcellus and his kind. I was already there after interviewing Sy Montgomery for her nonfiction version of an octopus life in The Soul of an Octopus. To usher in the Christmas spirit, why not gift a Christmas read about the master who wrote A Christmas Carol? Only this time give Boises own Samantha Silvas Mr. Dickens Carol, her imagined take on how Charles Dickens struggled to write his Christmas masterpiece and the people he might have met along his writing journey. A Christmas classic, indeed. Just in case the special person in your life will settle for nothing less than a thriller to keep the heart pounding and the reading light on late at night, then the obvious Christmas present is Moscow X by former CIA analyst David McCloskey. McCloskey has been called the new John le Carre, but then it seems every other review of a spy novel compliments its author with the le Carre comparison. In this case, it just may work as the novel takes us inside the shadow war between Russia and the United States with very convincing spies and a thrilling finish reminiscent of le Carres Cold War terrain. You say your Thanksgiving dinner was one of those encounters the media described as family and friends struggling with how to find common ground? Yascha Mounk has written just the book for both the left and right at the Christmas table, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in our Time. Focused on the tribal world we live in today, Mounks analysis causes us to reconsider just how deep and wide we want the trenches that divide us to be, and he offers thoughts on how to escape the Identity Trap. With James Risens visit to Idaho last fall to discuss and promote his book on Idahos Frank Churchs leadership in investigating CIA abuses of power in the 70s, The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys and One Senators Fight to Save Democracy hardly needs any commentary from me. Ken Burns called it a grippingspectacular piece of reporting. It reminds Idahoans what it must have been like to be represented in the United States Senate by a man with such courage and integrity, long gone from Idaho today. Another book on the New York Times bestseller list chronicles the life of President Theodore Roosevelts oldest child, Alice Roosevelt. A perfect gift for the history buff that thought she knew all there was to know about the Roosevelts, Wild Child: How Alice Roosevelt Broke All the Rules and Won the Heart of America by Shelley Fraser Mickle certainly won my heart. President Roosevelt summed it up when he said that he can do one of two things, I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot do both. You may remember Alices most famous quote that reflects on her acerbic wit, If you havent got anything good to say about anyone, come and sit by me. For this Idahoan, short on the microscopic details of the life and career of the Lion of Idaho, Sen. William Borah, it was quite a shocker to learn that Alice and Senator Borah, both of whom were married but not to each other, carried on an affair for years that produced the only child Alice would have. A perfect example of the book that keeps on giving as the reader learns the backstories the history books missed. It would be an understatement to say the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan didnt go very well, but there were heroics by Afghans and the Americans who came to their rescue that evening news reports missed. The Secret Gate: A True Story of Courage and Sacrifice During the Collapse of Afghanistan captures just one such rescue. Its the tale of an Afghan woman who valiantly stood up to the Taliban and the American diplomat who saved her and her child from death at the hands of the Taliban. This one is a thriller without an ounce of fiction. How about a book to help explain bankruptcies, employee layoffs, staffing shortages and more? The book to gift is Plunder: Private Equitys Plan to Pillage America by Brendan Ballou, a federal prosecutor who served as special counsel for private equity at the U.S. Department of Justice. Ballou documents how these firms buy up retailers, medical practices, prison services nursing homes and mobile home parks. In the process, companies go bankrupt, patients and residents suffer from reduced staffing and thousands lose their jobs, all with the objective of amassing wealth for private equity partners. A book that surprises anyone who thinks all Republicans are the great defenders of big business from government regulation, heres a gift for the conservative in your family although it speaks to liberals as well. Tyranny, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty and What to Do About It, covers some of the same ground as Plunder, but it is endorsed by Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Marco Rubio, who might not be expected to endorse this kind of trenchant criticism of big business. The book suggests there just might be a way to build a left-right consensus and find common ground so sorely needed at this moment in our history. Lets close this Christmas gift list with Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. It explains why our democracy is under assault and what reforms are required to extinguish the authoritarian backlash in America. Readers may remember the authors last book, How Democracies Die, which helped us understand the underlying causes of our democratic decline. There are so many pundits with their versions of what went wrong with our democracy and how to make it right. But there is at least one factor that cannot be disputed. It takes an engaged citizenry to protect our democratic way of life from the charlatans who would whisk away our freedoms with reckless abandon. Books are the lifeblood of that engaged citizenry and a Christmas gift of a book, whether it be fiction or nonfiction, may just get the brains wheels turning toward a better understanding of our human mates on this earth. We could all use a gift like that. Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio and is a regular columnist for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator. Protesters demonstrate outside the Canton police station Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in support of Karen Read, a Mansfield resident who is accused of killing Braintree native John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, at a fellow officer's home in Canton in January 2022. CANTON A group of demonstrators protested outside the Canton police station Sunday in support of Karen Read, who is charged with murder in the death of Braintree native John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the death of O'Keefe. She is accused of hitting him with her vehicle outside a Canton home after a night of drinking on Jan. 29, 2022. Prosecutors say he was found unresponsive in the snow the following morning outside the Fairview Road home of a fellow Boston police officer. Read further: Feds are investigating Karen Read probe, TV station reports. Here's what we know Read has repeatedly maintained her innocence. The case has attracted widespread attention with allegations of a coverup. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Demonstrators in Canton protest prosecution of Karen Read Prior to 1920, there were few restrictions on the production and consumption of alcohol. But after that, the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States was made illegal until 1933 under the terms of the Eighteenth Amendment. Major support for this amendment was provided by groups with strong religious ties that included many pious Protestants, together with a national grassroots base comprising the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Ironically, most of the ardent supporters of prohibition were located in rural areas, and they were, to a large extent, pitted against a majority of urban dwellers. Morton Tavel But most Americans have always objected to the removal of a widely available right, and this resulted in widespread flouting of the law banning alcohol, especially in urban areas. Finally, under pressure from a national majority, the Twenty-first Amendment permitting alcohol was passed, which then ceded responsibility for alcohol policy to the individual states, and as we now know, this has resulted, with few exceptions, in the widespread national acceptance of alcohol. From these experiences derived from Prohibition, we have learned two important lessons that should attract the attention of all, especially those who are anti-abortion: 1) Americans are loath to give up established rights, and 2) religious groups, even if large in number, cannot impose their will on a reluctant majority for extended periods. And now we are presented with an eerily similar circumstance: For a half century, the general population was enjoying freedom of choice through rights granted by the Supreme Court (Roe v Wade), and now this right has been abruptly revoked, and this responsibility was passed on to the individual states. And if history is any guide, the vast majority in most states will press for return to something resembling their previous freedom. In Ohio this movement has already happened, for their voters recently decided, through their state constitution, to protect abortion access. Although this is the only state to codify such statewide abortion rights this year, early plebiscites in six other states mean that this example is quite likely to be followed by many, if not all, the other states. But this time, there is one important difference between reproductive freedom and Prohibition: Women in general have flipped sides instead of wielding the negative power of the former Christian Temperance Union, they are now vehemently supporting freedom of choice. When one considers these obvious factors, there is little doubt about what will happen. Just as there remain a tiny number of dry states and counties that continue to prohibit alcohol, we will ultimately witness a minuscule number of reluctant localities that prohibit choice. Most states, including Florida, having strong pro-choice majorities, will likely return to practical rules governing abortion, probably resembling Roe v Wade, which was sensibly established after much deliberation by the Supreme Court. Reproductive freedom will then become so widespread in this nation that it approximates the general access to alcoholic beverages. Although desirable but less likely we may reach a more equitable national standard that resembles Roe v Wade, but this time it will require congressional legislation! Morton Tavel, MD, of Fort Myers is Clinical Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Medicine. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Suppression of reproductive freedom: Lessons from Prohibition The combined vehicle sales of Hyundai Motor, Korea's top carmaker, and its affiliate Kia in the United States surpassed 1.5 million units this year, according to industry data on Sunday. Hyundai and Kia sold 788,403 and 722,176 units, respectively, over the January-November period, the data showed. Hyundai's figures include sales of its independent Genesis brand, which also hit an annual record of 62,372 units. The combined figure marks the highest yearly sales since Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986. The previous high was the 1.49 million posted in 2021. Meanwhile, the Korean carmakers swept the final nominations for the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards, nailing down in advance one of them will be announced as the winner next month. Hyundai's Kona and Kona EV, Kia's EV9 and the Genesis Electrified GV70 have been named the finalists of the utility category of the awards. Hyundai also put its all-electric Ioniq 6 sedan on the final list of nominees for the 2024 North American Car of the Year Awards. The car was also named the 2023 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show in April. (Yonhap) The Supreme Court is re-entering the debate on abortion, as it agreed this week to hear an appeal from the Biden administration about access to the abortion pill mifepristone. While an argument date isnt set, a decision will likely come in June, almost exactly two years after the same justices overturned Roe v. Wade. Whatever the court decides could have sweeping ramifications. While the pills will likely stay on the market, there could be some significant changes to access, even in states where abortion remains legal and protected. Mifepristone is part of a two-drug treatment regimen widely used across the U.S. to end a pregnancy in the first 10 weeks of gestation. Approved in 2000, about half of all abortions nationwide are performed using mifepristone, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research and advocacy group. How we got here The court granted a request from the Justice Department and one from Danco, the manufacturer of Mifeprex, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled in August that mifepristone can stay on the market in states where abortion is legal, but changes the FDA made since 2016 to ease access to the drug were not allowed. Those included increasing the gestational age when mifepristone can be used up to 10 weeks of pregnancy rather than seven, allowing the medication to be mailed to patients, lowering the dosage, allowing telehealth prescribing, and permitting providers other than physicians to prescribe the drug. The justices declined to review a request from the anti-abortion plaintiffs in the case to reinstate a lower courts sweeping ban on mifepristone. By deciding to take up the case, the Supreme Court is now in a position to weigh in on abortion even after its conservative majority said that question would be left to elected officials. The decision could have major implications for the biopharma industry and the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approval authority. The antiabortion group behind the challenge asserted that the FDA did not sufficiently consider safety concerns when it approved the drug in 2000 or when it removed restrictions in more recent years. What could happen next Option 1: SCOTUS upholds the entirety of the Fifth Circuit decision This would be a victory for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the far-right group representing the anti-abortion providers in the case, especially since the justices did not take up its challenge to mifepristones original approval. If the justices uphold the Fifth Circuits ruling, it would essentially turn back the clock to 2015 and make mifepristone more difficult to obtain. If the Supreme Court issued a decision in line with the Fifth Circuits it would still have very disruptive, very harmful effects for abortion access across the country even though its not as extreme as revoking mifepristones approval entirely, said Greer Donley, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Donley said it would also be a significant blow to FDAs authority. Its hard enough to get a drug approved by the FDA so to have the court second-guessing that FDA decision and allowing any health care provider to have standing to challenge them really opens the door to broad, wide-ranging lawsuits for any drug where theres a politically motivated reason to try to have it regulated more strongly, Donley said. Manufacturers would have to change the drugs label and the FDA would need to rewrite its rules and regulations for distribution and use of the drug, which will take time. The manufacturer and distributors wont be able to market the drug until it gets relabeled. The higher dosage of mifepristone also comes with greater risk of side effects. The [FDA] has maintained that scientific judgment across five presidential administrations, while updating the drugs approved conditions of use based on additional evidence and experience, the Department of Justice wrote in a court filing. Option 2: SCOTUS reverses the Fifth Circuits decision This is what the White House and Danco Laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and abortion-rights advocates are asking the high court to do. Reversing the Fifth Circuits ruling would ensure the status quo remains in place, and mifepristone would stay on the market without any changes. States that currently restrict prescribing and mailing mifepristone would still be allowed to do so. It would be a significant blow to the anti-abortion groups, though legal experts have said the arguments used to justify their challenge were shaky at best. In a filing asking the Supreme Court to take the case, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote that if the appeals courts decision is allowed to take effect, it would upend the regulatory regime for mifepristone, with damaging consequences for women seeking lawful abortions and a healthcare system that relies on the availability of the drug under the current conditions of use. Dancos attorney Jessica Ellsworth argued Mifeprex is safe and effective, and that the appeals courts decision upends FDA-approved conditions of use for the drug. The decision raises questions about whether a single federal court can limit abortion access in the States that protect it. And it destabilizes the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries by questioning when scientific studies accepted by FDA are sufficient to support conditions of use, Ellsworth wrote. Option 3: Something different Its possible the justices could uphold some post-2016 changes but invalidate others. Legal experts were hesitant to predict what the justices could do, and just because an option makes sense doesnt mean its likely. If access to mifepristone were restricted, abortion providers and advocates said pregnancies could still be terminated using misoprostol, the second drug in the regimen. But misoprostol alone causes more cramping and bleeding and is not as effective as using both drugs. If they are successful at imposing limits on mifepristone, abortion opponents could also move to restrict misoprostol use as well. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A suspect in a stabbing incident was fatally shot by Phoenix police on Saturday afternoon. Officers responded to several calls about a fight near 44th Street and McDowell Road around 2 p.m. The fight escalated, and a man was stabbed. The suspect, 37-year-old Alton Tungovia, was seen leaving the scene, according to Phoenix police reports. Officers contacted Tungovia near 49th Street and McDowell Road where he was seen holding an object in his hand, according to Phoenix police. Tungovia reportedly ignored officers commands and yelled back at officers and walked away, weaving through oncoming traffic. When one officer used a pepper ball launcher to try to get Tungovia to stop, he continued to walk toward a strip mall parking lot with the object still in hand, according to police. An officer then discharged his gun and hit Tungovia, who was transported to a hospital where he later died. The victim in the initial stabbing had serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital. Detectives are now investigating the incident and the scene was shut down for an extended period of time. This was the second violent death within the same block in east Phoenix. Just before 7 a.m. Saturday, police responded to reports of a shooting near North 44th Street and McDowell Road. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was then taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suspect in stabbing incident fatally shot by Phoenix police KANSAS CITY, Mo. One person is in a standoff with the Kansas City Police Department near Paseo High School on Saturday evening. Around 5:45 p.m., officers were called to a home in the 5000 block of Woodland Ave. on a report of a disturbance. While officers were on the scene, a man grabbed hold of a woman while armed with a knife and refused to release her. FOX4 newsletters: Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Officers created a safe distance and were able to negotiate the male into releasing the victim. She was then escorted out of the residence to safety. They backed away to cover and surrounded the residence to prevent escape and protect nearby residents. An operation 100/police standoff was called and additional resources and trained negotiators were brought to the scene. Negotiators were able to contact the male and safely talk him out of the residence just before 8:30PM. He was taken into custody and there were no injuries to anyone involved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A threat that was allegedly emailed to a local synagogue resulted in a response from the Metro Nashville Police Department early Sunday morning. The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville posted on Facebook just after 10 a.m. stating that on Sunday, Dec. 17, the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, along with numerous other Jewish communal organizations, received an emailed threat. According to the organization, Metro police and Secure Community Network were both made aware of the alleged threat. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts When asked about the incident, police told News 2 that Congregation Micah received an emailed threat Sunday morning. Authorities reported that officers responded to the synagogue and were able to clear the building. There were no services ongoing at the time, according to law enforcement. The contents of the emailed threat were not revealed. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County In a statement, officials with the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville said they are thankful for Metro polices response and support. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their support and professionalism. We will not be afraid, and will continue to live proud and joyful Jewish lives in our amazing Nashville community, said the organization. Additional details about the incident were not immediately released. 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. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, center, arrives for closed-door negotiations on a border security deal at the Capitol, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 in Washington. Negotiators are rushing to reach a U.S. border security deal that would unlock President Joe Biden's request for billions of dollars worth in military aid for Ukraine and national security. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) WASHINGTON (AP) Time slipping, White House and Senate negotiators struggled Sunday to reach a U.S. border security deal that would unlock President Joe Bidens request for billions of dollars worth of military aid for Ukraine and other national security needs before senators leave town for the holiday recess. The Biden administration, which is becoming more deeply involved in the talks, is facing pressure from all sides over any deal. Negotiators insist they are making progress, but a hoped-for framework did not emerge. Republican leaders signaled that without bill text, an upcoming procedural would likely fail. The talks come as Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner in 2024, delivered alarming anti-immigrant remarks about blood purity over the weekend, echoing Nazi slogans of World War II at a political rally. They're poisoning the blood of our country, Trump said about the record numbers of immigrants coming to the U.S. without immediate legal status. Speaking in the early-voting state of New Hampshire, Trump, drew on words similar to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf as the former U.S. president berated Biden's team over the flow of migrants. All over the world theyre pouring into our country, Trump said. Throughout the weekend, senators and top Biden officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have been working intently behind closed doors at the Capitol to strike a border deal, which Republicans in Congress are demanding in exchange for any help for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs. Mayorkas arrived for more talks late Sunday afternoon. Everyday we get closer, not farther away, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., as talks wrapped up in the evening. Their holiday recess postponed, Murphy and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona independent, acknowledged the difficulty of drafting, and securing support, for deeply complicated legislation on an issue that has vexed Congress for years. Ahead of more talks Monday, it is becoming apparent any action is unlikely before year's end. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said senators don't want to be jammed by a last-minute compromise reached by negotiators. Were not anywhere close to a deal, Graham, whose staff has joined the talks, said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. Graham predicted the deliberations will go into next year. He was among 15 Republican senators who wrote to GOP leadership urging them to wait until the House returns Jan. 8 to discuss the issue. Top GOP negotiator Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also signaled in their own letter Sunday that talks still had a ways to go. Lankford said later that the January timeline was realistic. The Biden administration faces an increasingly difficult political situation as global migration is on a historic rise, and many migrants are fleeing persecution or leaving war-torn countries for the United States, with smugglers capitalizing on the situation. The president is being berated daily by Republicans, led by Trump, as border crossings have risen to levels that make even some in Biden's own Democratic Party concerned. But the Biden administration, in considering revival of Trump-like policies, is drawing outrage from Democrats and immigrant advocates who say the ideas would gut the U.S. asylum system and spark fears of deportations from immigrants already living in the U.S. The White House's failure to fully engage Latino lawmakers in the talks until recently, or ensure a seat at the negotiating table, has led to a near revolt from leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Its unacceptable, said Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., chair of the Hispanic Caucus, on social media. We represent border districts & immigrant communities that will be severely impacted by extreme changes to border policy. Progressives in Congress are also warning the Biden administration off any severe policies that would bar immigrants a legal path to enter the country. No backroom deal on the border without the involvement of the House, the House Hispanic Caucus, Latino senators is going to pass, said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on Fox News. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, along with Mayorkas, heard from leading Latino lawmakers during a conference call with the Hispanic Caucus on Saturday afternoon. The senators and the White House appear to be focused on ways to limit the numbers of migrants who are eligible for asylum at the border, primarily by toughening the requirements to qualify for their cases to go forward. The talks have also focused removing some migrants who have already been living in the U.S. without full legal status, and on ways to temporarily close the U.S.-Mexico border to some crossings if they hit a certain metric, or threshold. Arrests of migrants have topped 10,000 on some days. There has also been discussion about limiting existing programs that have allowed groups of arrivals from certain countries to temporarily enter the U.S. while they await proceedings about their claims. Decades ago, those programs welcomed Vietnamese arrivals and others, and have since been opened to Ukrainians, Afghans and a group that includes Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Haitians. Meanwhile, Biden's massive $110 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other security needs is hanging in the balance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a dramatic, if disappointing, visit to Washington last week to plead with Congress and the White House for access to U.S. weaponry as his country fights against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion. Many, but not all, Republicans have soured on helping Ukraine fight Russia, taking their cues from Trump. The former president praised Putin, quoting the Russian leader during Saturday's rally while slamming the multiple investigations against him as politically motivated including the federal indictment against Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election that resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. Ukraine's ambassador to the United States said Sunday she believes in Christmas miracles and won't give up hope. Of Biden's package, some $61 billion would go toward Ukraine, about half of the money for the U.S. Defense Department to buy and replenish tanks, artillery and other weaponry sent to the war effort. All the eyes are on Congress now, the envoy, Oksana Markarova, said on CBS' Face the Nation. We can just only pray and hope that there will be resolve there, and that the deal that they will be able to reach will allow the fast decisions also on the support to Ukraine, she said. The House already left for the holiday recess, but Republican Speaker Mike Johnson is being kept aware of the negotiations in the Senate. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Tampa Police Department said it is looking for a missing shrimp boat captain after finding his boat early Sunday morning. Police said they received several reports of a sunken boat before finding the 63-foot boat named the Miss Jordi off of the Causeway Boulevard. St. Pete neighborhoods cut off by floodwaters, police say However, officers did not find the boats captain, Curtis Lee Cowling, who was last seen at about 11 p.m. Saturday. According to a release, Cowling lived on the boat full time, but it is not known if he was on the vessel when it sank. I know hes in the boat, said Logan Lirette, another worker on the shrimp dock. If hes not nowhere around here, where else can be at? Thats where he lives at. Lirette said he saw Cowling Saturday night. I just brought him to the grocery store, Lirette recalled. About 8:30, 9 oclock last night. Dropped him off and he went back to his boat. He thinks the storm sank the boat. The water coming up, high tide, Lirette said. Unplugged his [sic] cord, unplugged the pump, boat sunk. Something like that, something stupid. Search efforts are being hampered by fuel leaked by the Miss Jordi. Tampa police said the boat leaked thousands of gallons of diesel into the water, which made it too hazardous for dive teams to search the area. We have also began placing absorbents in the water, explained Trent Tatro with the U.S. Coast Guard. Which is almost like a paper towel, except its only for fuel and oil. Police, Hillsborough County deputies, and the U.S. Coast Guard are working to resolve the hazmat situation to allow for search teams to begin their work. The Coast Guard said divers will try to stop the leak and boats will go out to find oil slicks. It does have a negative environmental impact, Tatro said. However, were doing everything we can do to mitigate that by containing and cleaning up what fuel has escaped. The Coast Guard said the boat had about 2,000 gallons of diesel on board when it went under. We dont know at this time where exactly the leak is coming from, Tatro said. But, perhaps, if its coming from a fuel vent, the diver can go down and block the fuel vent, which will prevent remaining diesel from escaping. If you know where Cowling is, call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) Four men were arrested and over 18 pounds of fentanyl seized, as well as other illegal drugs and weapons, in Taylorsville Wednesday, according to Taylorsville Police. On Dec. 13, a Taylorsville Police officer was conducting surveillance on a suspected drug apartment in Taylorsville, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The officer had reportedly received information that there was an increase in the number of visitors in and out of the apartment, and that there were complaints about the short stay traffic, the affidavit states. Man shot near Folsom Trail, police seeking tips The officer saw several males wearing hoodies exit the apartment and walk toward a nearby parking area. Upon circling around to the area, the officer saw a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with a temporary tag pull out of the lot. The officer followed the SUV and saw two traffic violations before making a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer found the four individuals that had exited the apartment. The driver was identified as Arlon Antonio Torres-Doblado, 29, and the three others were identified as Cristian Kaleo Doblado-Palma, Anthony Samir Doblado-Palma, and Nilson Doblado-Palma. Cristian was reportedly the only person with a valid drivers license. The group reportedly said they live in California, and would not provide an address or location for where they were staying in Utah. All four were later identified as Hondurans that were in the country illegally. One reportedly had an active warrant for second-degree felony distribution of a controlled substance and another had been arrested several times in California for distribution of a controlled substance. A West Valley Police officer arrived at the scene and deployed a police service dog, which positively identified the odor of narcotics in the vehicle. Police then found several money order receipts with large amounts and pieces of green cellophane consistent with packaging material for narcotics, the affidavit states. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Daily News Police then obtained a search warrant for the apartment, and found 18.2 pounds of fentanyl, a KSI 9mm handgun, a large amount of US currency in a shoebox, 177.8 grams of heroin, a scale, vacuum sealer, cellophane, and a cell phone. ICE took custody of all four individuals to be processed for deportation at the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. No further information is available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A Georgia middle school teacher is facing charges after he allegedly threatened to behead a Muslim student who told him the Israeli flag in his classroom was offensive. Benjamin Reese was arrested and booked into jail on counts of felony terroristic threats and misdemeanor cruelty to children, the Houston County Sheriffs Office said. Hes a seventh-grade teacher at Warner Robins Middle School in Perry, a city just more than 100 miles outside of Atlanta. According to an arrest report obtained by CNN on Friday, nearly two dozen people among them teachers and students witnessed parts of Reeses confrontation with a 13-year-old girl on Dec. 7. They heard him screaming profanities and threats at her in a school hallway, including, You motherfing piece of s! Ill kick your a! I should cut your motherfing head off! Another teacher, who was tutoring students in the next classroom, recalled hearing Reese call the teen my antisemitic friend. The girl later told an officer with the sheriffs office assigned to the school, that she and two friends were walking past Reeses classroom when she noticed an Israeli flag hanging inside. They then went into the classroom to ask about the flag because she found it offensive, the incident report said. As the students tried to walk away, Reese followed them down the hall yelling that they disrespected his flag, and then started back toward his classroom, carrying on his tirade. She is a stupid motherfer, and I will drag her by the back of my car and cut her fing head off for disrespecting my Jewish flag, according to the arrest report. The officer assigned to the school and the schools principal later approached Reese while he was preparing to leave his classroom, the incident report said. He initially got defensive, and questioned why the deputy was being involved. He did later admit he called the student antisemitic but denied he said anything racist. The Houston County School District told NBC News that Reese has not returned to the middle school since the incident last week, adding that all teachers are required to follow a code of ethics. Safety and the well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority, it said in a statement. Reese was arrested on Dec. 8 and posted his $7,500 bond Sunday. He faces jail time if convicted. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has something of a border dispute going on with the neighboring small country of Guyana. Namely, Maduro is asserting that Guyanas Essequibo regionwhich constitutes over half of the countrys territory and generates $1 billion annually in offshore oil incomeactually now counts as Venezuelan soil. Anadolu - Getty Images On December 3, Maduro held a referendum in which 95 percent of voters supposedly expressed support for annexing Essequibo. He has since announced that he is annexing the territory into a new Venezuelan state, that the regions inhabitants are Venezuelan citizens, and that he will be offering oil rights for sale. FEDERICO PARRA - Getty Images Most analysts believe that these moves dont herald war, but are instead grandstanding by Maduro to consolidate political support in advance of the 2024 elections. Essequibo currently remains under Guyanese control. But what if Maduro truly sought to annex the region? Could Guyanas armed forces actually resist a Venezuelan invasion? Guyana Defense Force compared to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) totals only 3,400 active-duty personnel as of 2023. That includes air and naval components, each of which only maintains 200 personnel. Another 670 personnel are in volunteer reserve. The GDF is equipped for internal security, counter-narcotics, and border patrol rather than interstate conflict. It has never attempted a military coup, and has fought in only one armed conflictthe three-day Rupununi uprising in 1968 (backed by Venezuela), which was rapidly quashed with minimal casualties. GDF photo - Wikimedia Commons Though only minimally armed, according to The Military Balance 2023, its possible that some retired heavy weapons and vehicles remain in storage and could be restored to operational use in an emergency. Venezuelas military is known as the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB) and numbers 123,000 active-duty personnel, supplemented by 220,000 paramilitaries and gendarmes. The Venezuelan military spent the 20th century staging several coupsor defeating coupsand battling leftist insurgencies. In 1999, socialist Hugo Chavez was elected and realigned the oil-exporting country towards Russia, China, and Iran. Since then, Venezuela has bought large quantities of heavy weapons from those countries (especially Russia), perhaps fearing a conflict with the U.S. or a U.S.-backed uprising. This all makes it one of the most heavily armed countries in South America. AFP Contributor - Getty Images Infantry Leif Skoogfors - Getty Images Guyanas ground forces are built around its 1st and 3rd infantry battalions, its 2nd Battalion (a reserve volunteer unit), and a company-sized 31 Special Forces Squadron proficient in airborne, riverine, and jungle operations. GDF small arms are mostly Cold War vintage weaponsrifles (AK-47, HK G3, FN FAL, Type 63, M1), carbines (AKM, Soviet SKS), and submachine guns (Sterling L2A3)and some World War II-era arms like Sten submachine guns and Bren machine guns. Support weapons include RPG-7 anti-tank rockets and Belgian Minimi and MAG light machine guns, and perhaps a few heavy machine guns and 82-millimeter recoilless rifles. Venezuelas ground and marine infantry forces vastly outnumber Guyanas, with well over 50 infantry battalions. And thats not even counting armor and cavalry units. Wikimedia Commons The standard issue rifles are license-built 7.62-millimeter AK-103s, but older U.S., Chinese, and Belgian rifles and machine guns remain as well. Squads are supported by anti-tank rockets (RPG-7, AT4, RBS-70). YURI CORTEZ - Getty Images Admittedly, elements of Venezuelas army may suffer from poor force proficiency. In 2021, a Venezuelan army unit was defeated in a battle by Colombian drug traffickers. Armored vehicles The GDF uses the Shorland S52 Armored Patrol Carbasically a Land Rover off-road vehicle fitted with a tiny.30-caliber machine gun turret, best known for use by Northern Irish police in skirmishes with the IRA. Tack68 (CCA-SA4) - Wikimedia Commons Guyana, at one point, operated up to 24 six-wheeled Brazilian EE-11 Urutu Mk III armored personnel carriers with.50-caliber machine guns and capacity for 11 passengers. Its not clear whether any EE-11s remain operational. The GDFs most capable fighting vehicles are six EE-9 Cascavel (Rattlesnake) six-wheeled armored cars (as many as 18 were initially purchased). Based on the EE-11, the widely exported, 13-ton Cascavel has seen a lot of wars across the globe. Though thinly armored, it can knock out a tank on a good day with its 90-millimeter gun, supplemented by two FN machine guns. AFP - Getty Images However, for every GDF Cascavel, Venezuela has nearly fifty tanks. Those include 92 beefy Russian T-72B1 main battle tanks, armed with 125-millimeter guns and girded with explosive reactive armor. Venezuela also has many more lightly armored tanks: 80 French-built AMX-30V2s modernized with new American engines and expanded fuel tanks, 31 AMX-13 light tanks, and 78 British Scorpion tank with 90-millimeter guns. FEDERICO PARRA - Getty Images Venezuelan mechanized infantry can ride into battle with 123 heavily armed BMP-3 tracked fighting vehicles, all featuring gun turrets armed with both a 100-millimeter gun and 30-millimeter autocannon. The country can also mobilize 114 eight-wheeled BTR-80As with 30-millimeter cannons. These are supplemented by older and more lightly armed French and American APCs and armored cars (Commando V-150s, VCIs, and Dragoon 300s). Venezuelan armor is organized as follows: 91 st Cavalry Brigade, with three battalion-sized armored cavalry squadrons 41 st Armor Brigade, with three armor battalions (T-72B1) and one armored infantry battalion (BMP-3) 11 th Armor Brigade, with three armor battalions and one armored infantry battalion; 44 th Light Armor Brigade, with two battalions of Scorpion-90 light tanks one each of three armor battalions (not in armored brigades and attached to various infantry units)armored (likely with tanks), armored cavalry, and armored infantry. Artillery Bukvoed (CCA-SA3) - Wikimedia Commons The GDF counts six Soviet-built M46 130-millimeter howitzers in its only artillery unit, the 21st Artillery Company. These are powerful, long-range weapons (max 17 miles using regular shells), but the GDF has just six, which is equivalent to one-third of a U.S.-style artillery battalion. In the past, Guyana apparently also acquired six Type 63 107-millimeter 12-barrel multiple rocket launchers from China, a dozen shorter-range Soviet D-30 122-millimeter howitzers, and 76-millimeter guns. Perhaps some could be in storage. By contrast, Venezuelas army has nine full battalions of towed field artillery (105-millimeter and 155-millimeter from the U.S. and Italy) and four more in the Marine Corps. Additionally, its 43rd Artillery Brigade musters two battalions of huge Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152-millimeter self-propelled howitzers that boast a maximum range of 18 miles. LEO RAMIREZ - Getty Images This brigade also has three battalions of multiple rocket launchers, 24 122-millimeter BM-21 Grad trucks, and twelve very powerful 300-millimeer BM-30 Smerch systems. FEDERICO PARRA - Getty Images The imbalance in terms of mortarslightweight, short-range artillery used for infantry supportis (relatively) less severe. The GDF reportedly has around 50 mortars total (a mix of 81-, 82-, and 120-millimeter systems). Venezuela is estimated to possess 296 mortars, including 13 relatively rare Russian 2S23 Nona-SVK self-propelled gun-mortars and 21 mortar-equipped Dragoon 300 vehicles. Air power The GDF has, at most, a limited low-altitude air defense capability. They possess eighteen Soviet Strela-2 (SA-7) portable short-range launchers with 100 missiles (if they haven't expired), and six 14.-5 millimeter heavy machine guns in the 21st Artillery Company. GDF photo - Wikimedia Commons Its Air Corps lacks combat aircraft, but does have three Bell 412 Twin Hueys and two Bell 206 utility helicoptersthough one of the 412s was lost in an accident this December with five senior officers and two crew aboard while inspecting border defenses. In terms of fixed-wing aircraft, Guyana has one single-engine Cessna 206, two boxy twin-engine Short Skyvans, two Britten-Norman Islander BN-2As, and a Chinese Y-12. The Air Corps role is defined as tactical observation, mobility, casualty evacuation and support to the Ground Forces. GDF photo - Wikimedia Commons By contrast, the pride of the National Bolivarian Air Force is its collection of 22 Su-30MKV two-seat naval attack fighters, purchased from Russia for $2.2 billion and spread across three squadrons. AFP Contributor - Getty Images Venezuelas 16th Fighter Group also maintains 18 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon single-engine fighters that it bought from the U.S. in the 1980sat the time, perhaps the most advanced combat aircraft in South American service. These F-16s played an important role in defeating a coup staged by Hugo Chavez in November of 1992 by shooting down several OV-10 Broncos flown by Chavezs supporters. The Bolivarian Army also has nine Mi-35M Hind attack helicopters for close air support. AFP - Getty Images Venezuela also boasts significant transport capability, thanks to its eight Chinese-built Y-8F-200W four-engine cargo planes (based on the Soviet An-12 Cub). Each can carry 96 soldiers or 23 tons of cargo. Additionally, the Air Force and Army maintain 27 Russian Mi-17Vs, 12 Bell 412, and nine AS532 helicopters between them that can carry troops. Such aircraft could facilitate an airlanding operation involving Venezuelas 42nd Parachute Brigade, which could attempt to circumvent the troubling ground-based logistics that a Guyana invasion would entail. GEORGE CASTELLANOS - Getty Images Venezuela has also purchased kits for twelve Mohajer-2 drones from Iran for $28 million, which it assembled locally under the designation CAVM Arpia (Harpy)distinguished from the original design by their landing skids. This catapult-launched drone has a range of 31 miles and an endurance of 1.5 hours, and could provide tactical intelligence for invading ground forces. FEDERICO PARRA - Getty Images Venezuelas Air Defense Command (CODAI) counts nearly 110 medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile systems (S-300VM, Buk-M2E and S-125 Pechora), and hundreds of shorter-range guns and missiles. But thats a moot point when Guyana has no combat aircraft. Sea power The Guyana Coast Guards flagship was the 952-ton GDFS Essequiboformerly the British Royal Navys Orwell, commissioned in 1985armed with a few gun mounts and carrying a crew of 28 armed soldiers. It appears that the GDF considers the vessel unserviceable, and began looking to sell Essequibo in March. Blackknight2010 (CCA-SA3) - Wikimedia Commons This vessel has been superseded by the curious-looking 115-foot GDFS Berbice, a Defiant 115-type welded aluminum patrol boat built by Louisana-based Metal Shark Boats. It usually requires a crew of 24, has a range of 2,500 miles, and is powered by two 1,600 C32 diesel engine achieving a max speed of 23 miles per hour or 14 while cruising. The Navy also has four former coast guard 44-foot patrol boats. Venezuelas largest warships arent in great condition. Two German-built Type 209 submarines may not be operational, despite upgrades to the sub Sabalo completed in 2011. Only one of its original six Italian-built Lupo-class frigates, Almirante Brion, is in active condition (sister ship Mariscal Sucre reported sunken into her harbor in 2022). The 2,760-ton frigate is armed with anti-submarine torpedoes, Otomat Mk2 anti-ship missiles (range 110 miles), Sea Sparrow air defense missiles, and 5-inch and 40-millimeter guns. Nilo Garcia (CCA-SA3) - Wikimedia Commons Around a dozen offshore patrol vessels and gunboats of Spanish and British construction are active, as are 19 patrol boats (built by the UK and armed with guns ranging from 20- to 76-millimeter caliber). Three also carry Otomat missiles. Venezuelas 11,000-strong Marine Corps also possess American AAV-7, Chinese VN1, and Chinese VN16 amphibious armored personnel carriers, as well as tank landing ships (LSTs) with which it could attempt an amphibious landing operation with armored vehicles. The service also has three riverine brigades, which could enable ingress into Esquibo via the Cuyuni and Waini rivers. LEO RAMIREZ - Getty Images Guyanas best defense: politics and geography Small countries have difficult choices when considering whether to invest in defenses against many-times-larger neighbors. In the 1980s, oil-rich Kuwait acquired a capable military for its size with Chieftain and M84 tanks, Mirage F1 fighters, and I-Hawk surface-to-air missiles. When Saddam Hussein invaded in August of 1990, Kuwait inflicted hundreds of casualties and knocked out dozens of tanks and aircraft. But the country was still overrun in two days. Guyana is smaller and poorer per capita than Kuwait, and cant invest in capabilities to defend against a hostile state with 35 times its population. At best, were a Venezuelan invasion of Essequibo poorly executed (too few troops with awkward lines of communication, unprepared for a fight), the GDFs few combat units could serve as a trip-wire, buying time to raise sympathy in hopes of an international intervention like that which liberated Kuwait. But the reverse of thatan unopposed steamrollis plausible, too. Unlike Estonia, which neighbors Russia, Guyana doesnt have the NATO alliance protecting it from aggression. Still, Guyana does have U.S. and Brazilian support, with the U.S. in particular harboring antipathy for Maduro. On December 7, the U.S. conducted aviation exercises with the GDF to emphasize its support for Guyana. Though the U.S. is currently preoccupied managing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Maduro cant be sure how aggressively the U.S. might retaliate if Venezuela actually seized Guyanese territory. ROBERTO CISNEROS - Getty Images Furthermore, Essequibo is a sprawling jungle territory deficient in road infrastructure, making it difficult to invadeparticularly with armored vehicles or artillery. Venezuelan forces only have access to Guyanas northwest border, but the main road into Essequibo runs through Brazilian territory. And on November 29, Brazil reinforced its border forces in the region to forestall traversal by Venezuelan forces. A botched invasion could fatally destabilize Maduros regime, as happened to the Argentine junta when its invasion of the Falkland War was defeated in 1982. Its more likely that Maduro seeks to politically profit from the rancor over Essequibo. The U.S. recently eased oil sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for holding competitive elections in 2024. A quick history of the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute The Guyanese are culturally distinct from Venezuelans, speaking primarily Creole and English rather than Spanish, and the majority are descended from peoples of Indian, African, and indigenous descent. Its true that Venezuelan claims to the Essequibo territory in Guyana date back at least two centuries. But its also clear that Maduro wouldnt be pressing the claims if Guyana hadnt discovered 8 billion barrels of oil reserves between 2015 and 2021enough to increase its GDP by 60%. Essequibo was colonized by Dutch settlers in 1616, and subsequently seized by the British Empire in the 18th centurya period during which it was amalgamated with neighboring Berbice and Demerara. When Venezuela gained independence in 1832, it asserted that Spain had actually claimed the territories west of the Essequibo river, and that they should therefore go to Venezuela. An international arbitration ruled against Venezuelas claim in 1899, but some allege that it was rigged, and the dispute flared again after Guyana became independent in 1966. In a reverse of the current situation, Cold War Guyana was socialist-leaning (and socialist-armed), while Venezuelas government was backed by the U.S. In the early 2000s, Hugo Chavez stated that the dispute with Guyana was over. A Guyanese defense paper from 2009 reveals that the perception of the threat of Venezuelan invasion was now minimal. But after a major oil discovery off Essequibos shoreline in 2015 (which Guyana licensed to ExxonMobil), Maduro decided that Venezuela still had a bone to pick over the region after all. You Might Also Like The Democratic Republic of Congo gears up for elections on Wednesday that could consolidate its democracy or unleash fresh violence as political tensions threaten to boil over. Some 44 million registered voters are set to cast ballots in the vast central African nation of about 100 million people on December 20 in presidential, parliamentary, provincial and municipal polls. About 100,000 people are standing in the four votes, with President Felix Tshisekedi seeking another term after winning a disputed election in 2018. The sheer size of the DRC, which is roughly the size of continental western Europe, means staging elections is a logistical nightmare. The country is also one of the world's poorest and has little high-quality infrastructure, with the CENI electoral commission still struggling to distribute voting material to more than 175,000 polling booths. Political scientist Gaucher Kizito Mbusa told AFP that voting should go smoothly in the more densely populated zones but would be difficult in rural areas due to insecurity and poor roads. The UN Security Council on Friday approved a government request that the outgoing peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, provide logistical support beyond the three violence-wracked eastern provinces where it is deployed. A diplomat told AFP that not all voting stations will open on December 20 due to a lack of equipment, saying some may operate a day or two after or even later. - Fears of violence - In a report published on Saturday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned of electoral violence that "risks compromising the holding of the vote". The NGO says it has documented clashes between supporters of rival parties since early October that have led to "assaults, sexual violence and at least one death". Given the DRC's turbulent political history, the fiercely contested 2018 elections passed off calmly and marked the country's first peaceful handover of power. But the political scientist said "intolerance" had crept into the debate, while the diplomat said "hate speech" was prevailing over ideas and programmes. The announcement of the results, expected several days after polls close, may be when the danger is greatest. Fraud remains a key concern and all the major opposition presidential candidates have urged vigilance. The opposition has long accused the government of stacking the electoral commission and the Constitutional Court, the final arbiter of electoral disputes. Analysts say unrest will be muted if the official results match with those of observers, notably from various churches, but not if they diverge. - Displaced and disenfranchised - Raging conflict in the east, plagued by armed groups for more than three decades, has also poisoned the campaign trail. The M23 rebel group has advanced over swathes of North Kivu province since its re-emergence from dormancy in late 2021. HRW said more than 1.5 million Congolese will be unable to vote in zones affected by the conflict and that millions more internally displaced people will face the same challenge. Three days before the vote, 19 candidates were still in the running for president. The major opposition figures standing include Moise Katumbi, a wealthy magnate and former provincial governor who has won the backing of four former contenders. The other main opposition hopefuls are Martin Fayulu, an ex-oil executive who says he was the true winner of the 2018 election, and Denis Mukwege, a gynaecologist who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with rape victims. Amid a lack of credible polling, some observers believe Tshisekedi and Katumbi are the likely frontrunners judging by their resources and the size of their following at campaign events. But with the opposition split, Tshisekedi is viewed as having the best chance of winning. Rallies will continue until Monday when campaigning officially ends. bur-at/imm/pvh By Ko Dong-hwan Hyundai Motor Company has joined hands with Abu Dhabi's state investment fund Mubadala to develop new environmental technologies in the areas of hydrogen, green aluminum and sustainable transport, according to the country's leading automobile company, Sunday. The company's president and CEO Chang Jae-hoon and his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, deputy group CEO of Mubadala, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for green transition and to accelerate new future businesses, at Mubadala Tower in the Arab state's capital, Friday. Founded in 2002 to diversify the UAE's future industries, Mubadala has agreed with Hyundai to develop technology for extraction of hydrogen from organic waste and for green steel manufacturing, which uses hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. Aluminum is another product targeted under the bilateral partnership. By developing green aluminum practices that use renewable energies, they will introduce products with a cleaner footprint and technologies to recycle them further. To boost sustainable transport globally, both parties have agreed to cultivate the electric vehicle industry across the Iberian region of southwest of Europe by building recharging infrastructure, hydrogen manufacturing plants and launching markets for hydrogen vehicles. The new MOU will also make legal and procedural grounds for advanced aerial mobility (AAM). Subjects of future discussions will include AAM operation jurisdictions, use of renewable energy in the field and creation of regulatory frameworks. The latest deal has also included Mubadala's cooperation for further developing Hyundai Motor's competitiveness in digital financing Chang said the MOU will create a "synergy of Hyundai Motor's future strategies in green transition and Mubadala's extensive investment portfolio." "To further develop sustainable societies, secure future growth engines and contribute to the ongoing global energy paradigm shift, the company will continue seeking new global partnerships," said Chang. Muhairi said the latest deal will allow the state fund to expand its investment portfolio to broader fields in mobility, technology and other future industries. The two parties will use their unique strengths to discover new business opportunities to secure global sustainability, he added. Republican presidential contenders and endangered incumbents this past week were once again forced to answer complicated questions on abortion rights, as a Texas case demonstrated why the issue that dominated the 2022 and 2023 elections is poised to play a central role next year. The Texas Supreme Court on Monday denied Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two, the right to end a pregnancy that she and her doctors said threatened her life and future fertility. The decision laid bare the political reality facing Republicans as they seek to navigate between their conservative anti-abortion base and a general electorate more supportive of abortion rights. As red states implement a patchwork of new restrictions on the procedure with untested exceptions, real-world events continue to muddle their efforts to stick to and sell to voters an effective message on the issue. The US Supreme Courts decision last year to reverse Roe v. Wades long-standing federal guarantee of abortion rights saw nearly every Republican-controlled statehouse launch debates over whether and when in a pregnancy to outlaw abortion and which exceptions to allow. Thats led to a cascade of legal challenges testing the constitutionality and boundaries of those bans and renewed attacks from Democrats eager to paint Republicans as having undercut womens health care. President Joe Bidens campaign, citing the Texas case, said it plans to make abortion a key focus as it seeks to draw a contrast with the 2024 Republican front-runner. We will make sure that the American people know that Donald Trump is to blame, Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler told CNN. If Trump is reelected, we will face the reality of a nightmare scenario and thats a national abortion ban. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear provided a template for his fellow Democrats with his reelection win in a deep-red state last month. His campaign aired an ad featuring a young woman who discussed the trauma of being raped and impregnated by her stepfather at age 12. Im speaking out because women and girls need to have options. Daniel Cameron would give us none, 21-year-old Hadley Duvall said in the direct-to-camera ad, referring to Beshears Republican opponent. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Courts decision this past week to take up another abortion-related case could also have political consequences next year. The justices will consider whether to restrict access to a widely used abortion drug even in states where the procedure is still allowed. The case concerns the drug mifepristone, which when coupled with another drug is one of the most common abortion methods in the United States. That move sparked more concern from some Republicans, vulnerable New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who said the Supreme Court needs to stand down. Seeking middle ground On the 2024 presidential campaign trail, Republicans vying to become the main GOP alternative to Trump have attempted to carefully navigate a middle ground between the party base and general election voters. Asked about the Texas case at a CNN town hall Tuesday night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed a six-week state abortion ban in April, said Republicans must approach these issues with compassion, because these are very difficult issues. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has sought to sidestep questions about whether she would sign a federal abortion ban into law by pointing out the unlikelihood that such a prohibition could win passage in the Senate. She said Texas needs to revisit its approach to circumstances like what Cox faced. This is exactly why I said you have to show compassion and humanize the situation. We dont want any women to sit there and deal with a rare situation and have to deliver a baby in that sort of circumstance, any more than we want women getting an abortion at 37, 38, 39 weeks, Haley said Tuesday while campaigning in Manchester, New Hampshire. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley takes questions from supporters at a town hall in Manchester, New Hampshire, on December 12, 2023. - Sophie Park/Getty Images Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday in Bedford, New Hampshire, mocked the language Haley has used to answer such difficult questions. She wouldnt have answered your question. But she would give me the feeling that she cares. She really cares, he said at a town hall. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, whose recent endorsement of Haley was a major boon for the former South Carolina governors campaign, said Friday that the Texas case was terrible. Lawmakers are going to have to go back in Texas and say we have to tweak this law because this is a problem, and I think we all agree that that shouldnt happen, Sununu told CNN The New Hampshire governor dismissed the possibility of an abortion ban at the federal level, defending Haleys position. Republicans might have 45 pro-life senators today. They will never have 60 pro-life senators ever, he said, alluding to the votes needed to break a Senate filibuster. It hasnt happened in 100 years. So thats beyond a hypothetical. So thats not going to happen. Christie, meanwhile, sharply criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump-alilgned conservative who asked the state Supreme Court to reject Coxs bid for an emergency abortion. The former New Jersey governor told the Associated Press that the Texas case demonstrates why so many people dont trust certain members of my party with this issue, because either they are completely unmovable on it, no matter what the facts are, or they say nice words but are unwilling to take a position. Trump whose appointment of three Supreme Court justices paved the way for Roe v. Wades repeal has skipped the kind of engagement with voters and rivals that debates and town halls typically trigger. He has nonetheless in recent weeks portrayed many in the GOP as going too far on abortion. Ballot initiatives with 2024 implications Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates will seek to replicate in 2024 the success of recent ballot measures. In November, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights. A year earlier, in the aftermath of Roes fall, the abortion rights side prevailed on ballot measures in states ranging from deep-blue California and Vermont to the swing state of Michigan to ruby-red Kansas, Kentucky and Montana. Supporters of the Ohio ballot measure Issue 1 react at an election night watch party in Columbus on November 7, 2023. - Maddie McGarvey/The New York Times/Redux Now, abortion rights groups are pursuing similar efforts in a similar cross-section of states, including Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, South Dakota and Nebraska. Those referenda could shape the 2024 electoral outcomes in those states after a series of elections including the previous ballot measures, a state Supreme Court election in Wisconsin earlier this year, Beshears reelection in Kentucky and state legislative races in Virginia this fall demonstrated that moderate voters are broadly supportive of abortion rights. A coalition of Florida abortion rights supporters said Friday it is on track to gather enough signatures to place a constitutional amendment on next years ballot. The Florida Division of Elections reports that the group, Floridians Protecting Freedom, has gathered 753,305 of the 891,523 signatures it needs to qualify for the ballot ahead of a February 1 deadline. We dont want to be overconfident, but were feeling as positive as we can feel at this point in the campaign, said Lauren Brenzel, the groups campaign director. We want to make sure that we get as many signatures in as we can. The ballot summary of the proposed amendment, which would require 60% of the vote to be approved, says: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. However, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, has asked the state Supreme Court where five of the seven members were appointed by DeSantis to kill the amendment. Moody argued that proponents did not define the word viability and are attempting to hoodwink voters. In Florida, the state Supreme Court is separately set to rule on a 15-week abortion ban. If that law is upheld, then a six-week ban which DeSantis signed into law in April to replace the previous 15-week prohibition would take effect. Its the law DeSantis defended at his CNN town hall, noting the limited exceptions it allows for in cases of rape, incest, pregnancies that jeopardize the life of the mother and fatal fetal defects. I have signed legislation that included that. And I understand theyre very difficult. And these things get a lot of press attention, I understand, he said. But thats a very small percentage that those exceptions cover. Theres a lot of other situations where we have an opportunity to realize really good human potential. And weve worked to protect as many lives as we could in Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis participates in a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 12, 2023. - Will Lanzoni/CNN Brenzel argued that exceptions for situations such as cases of sexual assault and pregnancies that jeopardize the life of the mother arent sensible. They arent based on any kind of best-care guidelines. Brenzel pointed to the Texas case in an interview, saying it continues to highlight what a dangerous situation is being created. Florida, she said, has already seen similarly horrifying cases. She pointed to Deborah Dorbert, whose son Milo, who was born with no kidneys, died in her arms after she was unable to get an abortion. She also pointed to Anya Cook, a Florida woman who was sent home from a hospital with a rare and potentially life-threatening complication. She then delivered her nearly 16-week fetus and, over the course of a day, lost nearly half the blood in her body, The Washington Post reported, citing medical records. When you let politicians intervene in private medical decisions, Brenzel said, this is what happens. CNNs Arit John, Manu Raju, Alison Main and David Wright contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Looking for an Instagram-worthy location to ring in the New Year right here in Texas? Houston is the place to be, as the ninth most Instagrammable city in the U.S. for New Years Eve. A new study by casinossweeps.com has revealed the most Instagrammable cities in the U.S. for New Years Eve, with Miami claiming the top spot. Data was obtained by analyzing the number of party related hashtags for each U.S. city. While it beats out iconic locations such as New York City and Las Vegas, Miami has a unique charm that has clearly been on display all over social media, a spokesperson said. For the rest of the cities on the list, it reflects that people have various locations across the country to celebrate, regardless of whether someone is celebrating on the east coast or the west coast. Houston took its spot in the top 10 with 32,311,293 Instagram hashtags. In the center of Texas, Houston has vast diversity, depth of culture and Southern hospitality. New Years Eve in Houston means parties going on up and down the city, from the Mixers and Elixirs in the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences to dining at the Four Seasons Hotel. Dallas and Fort Worth also earned places in the top 25 most Instagrammable cities. Dallas is ranked in 13th place with 23,434,330 Instagram hashtags. Fort Worth is ranked 24th place with 3,965,965 Instagram hashtags. CHICAGO Texas Gov. Greg Abbott knows hes wreaking havoc by sending busloads of migrants from his border towns to sanctuary cities. The signs are evident. New York says its at a breaking point. Chicago is running out of time and space before a harsh winter sets in. Washington, D.C. says its housing is at capacity. Other cities, like Denver, have declared states of emergency. But if Abbott has made one thing clear, its this: Hes not stopping. For more than a year, Abbott has regularly sent busloads of migrants to cities that have deemed themselves sanctuaries to immigrants. Its a controversial practice, with officials on the receiving end saying the busing comes without warning or coordination and with an intent of creating chaos. Since April 2022, the Abbott administration has bused some 75,500 migrants from Texas to six cities, according to the governor's office. Abbott has said it all began from sheer desperation while overseeing small border towns bursting at the seams with migrants. Thats something he blames on President Joe Bidens border policies, which he says are lax. Along the way, however, a different phenomenon has taken over Democrats are raising the alarm on immigration, with the leaders of sanctuary cities and blue states thousands of miles from the southern border now warning their situation is dire. Democrats are calling on the White House for more funding and to seize control over the interior operations to ensure migrants are sent to areas that have the capacity to take them in. It has all added up to a shift in the immigration debate, where Democrats are calling out the president of their own party to do more to contain what they call a crisis. And this winter could make it worse. Asked if the busing would continue through the winter months in cold-weather places like Chicago and New York, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement to NBC News, Until President Biden does his job and secures the border, Texas will continue busing migrants to sanctuary cities to provide much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border towns. Abbott says that he isnt alone; other organizations that receive federal funding, including Catholic Charities, send migrants in buses and planes to places like Chicago and New York City. Eze, the spokesperson, said Texas cant be blamed for the bulk of the migrants sent to sanctuary cities, saying the numbers of migrants the state sent only make up a fraction of the migrants arriving in those cities. Already, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has warned that the migrant crisis could destroy New York City. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration is warring with fellow Democrats both in the city council and at the state level over where to house migrants over the winter. And on phone calls and even while on Air Force One with the president, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Biden ally, has repeatedly implored him to take action on border issues, according to the governors office, particularly with federal funding, because he says his state is overwhelmed and running out of resources. From Abbotts standpoint, its a shift thats long overdue. Before we began busing illegal immigrants up to New York, it was just Texas and Arizona that bore the brunt of all of the chaos and all of the problems that come with it, Abbott said in an interview with ABC News "Nightline" a year ago. Now the rest of America is understanding exactly whats going on. In some parts of Texas, theres firm support for Abbott. Hes doing the whole country a good service, said Dallas-based George Seay, the co-founder of Annandale Capital and an Abbott friend and supporter. My first impression was, I dont really get where this is going and Im not sure how substantive this is. And I look back on it and I think its a stroke of genius on his part. He woke a whole lot of people up. This is not a political thing, Seay continued, saying Abbotts actions were akin to dumping a bucket of ice water on the tops of officials in northern states. It is a nonpartisan and nonideological, national crisis that has to be handled better." Brendan Steinhauser, a Texas-based Republican strategist who also serves in the Texas State Guard, was among the first to execute a gubernatorial order to deploy groups of migrants on buses, he said. Steinhauser noted that if a city as large as Chicago was feeling the impact of immigrants sent by the hundreds, imagine the impact on tiny border towns that are regularly seeing migrants by the thousands. What youre seeing with these numbers is that some of the blowback is from communities that feel like theyre now competing for resources, competing for services with those folks, Steinhauser said of northern states struggles with migrant influxes. Its now hitting the Democratic party in a Democratic-run city and creating a wedge within the Democratic party. Its indeed creating a wedge. Not only have there been flare-ups between local Democratic leaders calling on Biden to do more, but the competition over resources is an explosive issue in Chicago, where Black and brown communities have been at odds over the location of migrant camps. Frost sets in As winter bears down in Chicago, Democrats in the city are at odds with their counterparts at the state level over the latest site for a migrant camp badly needed before the worst of season hits. The city began preparing for a site to accommodate the thousands of migrants arriving mostly from Texas, only for the state to raise environmental concerns it says it already warned about. While the City might be comfortable placing asylum seekers on a site where toxins are present without a full understanding of whether it is safe, the State is not, a governors office spokesperson said in a statement this week. This site will not move forward as a shelter with State involvement. The scramble that ensued afterward prompted several aldermen to call for the resignations of a slate of city officials. The governor's office has called on the Biden administration to do more to curtail Abbott's ability to control where the migrants are sent, suggesting it could activate the Office of Refugee Resettlement to transport the migrants. Not only are Democrats warring with each other, there are signs that the party is losing the public's faith in whether it can handle the issue better than Republicans. A September NBC poll showed that 50% of the registered voters surveyed said that the Republican Party was better at dealing with border security, compared to 20% of voters who chose Democrats. And 18% more registered voters in that survey chose Republicans over Democrats when asked who they thought was better at dealing with immigration overall. But even as the intraparty clashes ensue, Democrats point the finger down South, directly at Abbott. Asked about Seays comment that Abbotts busing operation was a stroke of genius, Pritzkers chief of staff scoffed. I dont think its a stroke of genius, I think its a stroke of cruelty, Anne Caprara, Pritzkers chief of staff said in an interview. Id have a lot more sympathy for Greg Abbott if he approached this in a way of, Were running out of capacity in Texas, and were incapable of handling this, so we need help. And so were going to coordinate as opposed to the stunts, the not being willing to coordinate, not being willing to talk, not being able to try to help accommodate these people in a way that makes sense. Caprara said Texas has had zero communication with Illinois at any level. Left in the middle, she said, are migrants who fled desperate situations in their home countries. She referenced episodes where buses dropped off migrants in the middle of the night. In one case, a child died en route to Illinois from Texas as part of Abbotts busing program, she noted. Ive never heard from his chief of staff, Ive never heard from the director of an agency. The governor himself has never picked up the phone and called my boss, Caprara said. It actually in a lot of cases seems that they direct buses to drop off points to the places where theres going to be the maximum amount of chaos. The White House, too, has rebuked Abbotts practices, citing one of Abbotts bus deployments dropped off families outside of Vice President Kamala Harris residence on Christmas Eve last year. Why Abbott says he does it Abbotts reasoning for the busing, a review of his public comments over the last year show, is that the Biden administration isnt enforcing immigration laws already on the books. With a record number of migrants coming over the border and seeking asylum, systems are overwhelmed in Texas. Abbott has deployed groups of migrants after theyre processed by Border Patrol to places where he says theres more room. Hes chosen sanctuary cities because they are supposed to be welcoming to immigrants, he says, and insists no newcomer to the country is forced to get on a bus; only those who raise their hands to travel to other cities are sent. But Dylan Corbett, executive director of the El Paso-based Hope Border Institute, called it a very gray, murky area on whether migrants were voluntarily agreeing to transportation to specific cities. Are people being forced against their will? I dont have any intel that suggests that thats the case," Corbett said. "Are people always told with eyes wide open, with clarity, This is whats happening, this is where youre going, this is how long it will take? No, that doesnt happen either. As for the lack of coordination, Abbott has countered that hes doing whats been done to him, without warning or adequate assistance from the federal government. John Wittman, a former communications official who previously served in the Abbott administration, said the governor has helped shift the conversation about immigration in the country with places like New York, Chicago and Boston talking about the border. There is no doubt that the busing strategy is having an impact, Wittman said. All of a sudden, there does seem to be some actual bipartisan support for securing the border, which, before this busing strategy the governor implemented, I dont think anyone saw coming. Who would have thought Eric Adams would be calling on the Biden administration to do something about the border? Now, Abbott argues that Chicago, New York and other big cities see the emergency for what it is. This is something thats unsustainable. Those are the words of your mayor, Abbott told a New York City crowd at the Manhattan Institute in September. Those are the words of the mayors of Chicago and L.A. Those are the words of the governor of Texas. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Texas man is in custody after allegedly striking a pedestrian, whose body flew through the windshield of the vehicle and into the passenger seat, before driving 38 miles to a Jack in the Box with the victims dead body still inside, police say. The White Settlement Police Department said it received a welfare check call at about 11:15 p.m. on Saturday night, and when the responding officer arrived, they found a gray Kia Forte with front end and windshield damage in a Jack in the Box parking lot. The officer also reportedly saw what appeared to be a dead human being in the front passenger seat, and immediately had the driver, later identified as 31-year-old Nestor Joel Lujan Flores, step out of the vehicle to be detained. TEXAS WOMAN FATALLY SHOOTS 14-YEAR-OLD WHO TRIED TO BURGLARIZE HOME: POLICE Nestor Joel Lujan Flores booking photo When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they determined the passenger in Floress vehicle was dead. Police said Flores told authorities he believed he struck an animal in Dallas and continued to drive until he reached the parking lot, where he was detained. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Despite saying he believed he struck an animal, police said Flores never notified police or emergency responders of the incident. TEXAS OPERATION NAUGHTY LIST NABS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SOLICITING SEX FOR $90: AUTHORITIES The White Settlement Police Department responded to a Jack in the Box on Dec. 17, 2023, where they found a gray Kia with front end and windshield damage with a dead body in the passenger seat. An alert was sent to police agencies throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area to find out if any of the departments had received a report of a hit-and-run or pedestrian crash, though at the time, there had not been any. On Sunday morning, the White Settlement Police Department received a notification from the Dallas County Sheriffs Office that there had been a crash on the westbound service road of Highway 30 near Cockrell Road. The sheriffs office told the department human remains were located near the roadway which may match the victims body, which was recovered from inside Floress vehicle. FAST AND FURIOUS: WOMAN STEALS UBER DRIVER'S CAR BEFORE FLIGHT IN TEXAS FOR BEING TOO SLOW: REPORT Four people have been found dead at a home in northwest Harris County, Texas. Both the Dallas County and Tarrant County medical examiners offices will work together to identify who the victim is. Since investigators believe the crash occurred in Dallas County, the White Settlement Police Department handed the case over to the Dallas County Sheriffs Office. The investigation suggests Flores continued to drive for 38 miles from the scene of the crash until coming to a stop in the restaurant parking lot. AUSTIN MAN CLAIMS HE WAS DRUGGED, ROBBED OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AFTER NIGHT DOWNTOWN Detectives say the impact was so severe, the victims body was thrown through the windshield and came to rest on the passenger seat. Floress vehicle was impounded for investigation and a blood search warrant was obtained, pending test results. He remains in custody on a pending charge of intoxicated manslaughter, according to police. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The department added that Flores was previously arrested in 2020 by the Plano Police Department for driving while intoxicated and convicted in 2021 for the same charge in Collin County. Original article source: Texas man strikes, kills pedestrian who landed inside car; drives 38 miles with body in passenger seat: police MEMPHIS, Tenn. The owner of a floral shop in Binghampton says customers stepped up to help after burglars hit her shop over the weekend. According to reports, at 7:40 a.m., officers responded to a business burglary at Everbloom Design, located at 2489 Broad Avenue. The business owner stated that she received an alarm on her phone advising her that motion was detected inside her business. 5 steal packages from FedEx truck parked Downtown Police say a man can be seen on security footage smashing her front window and going inside. He left the business by jumping back through the window while carrying a bag of merchandise. The suspect reportedly stole $400 worth of jewelry, $100 in candles, and $50 in candy. Police say the suspect left the scene heading west on Broad Avenue. Kristin Wolter-Canfield, the owner of Everbloom, believes the man who burglarized her store returned some of the stolen items and tricked her into giving him a reward. He had my stuff in a bag and he said he bought it off of someone. I misheard the amount, but because I was so happy and excited, I gave him $40, Wolter-Canfield said. Wolter-Canfield says, like a lot of small business owners, she has been struggling to compete with big retailers, and Saturday was a low point. She says word spread quickly on social media about what happened, and on Sunday, business picked up in a big way. Customer shot at City Gear after allegedly making threats, police say Yeah, even friends I havent seen in a long time came by and made purchases, and some people bought quite a bit for $58, so its keeping my spirits high, she said. Wolter-Canfield says police recognized the man in her video and made an arrest. She says the items returned were covered with the burglars blood and cant be resold. Shes hoping people continue to shop small. Yesterday, I was like I dont wanna do it anymore, but today Im really really encouraged, and Im not going anywhere, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A warm start to the winter across the northern tier of the country has agencies warning of the dangers of thin ice as fishermen and sports enthusiasts wait until temperatures are cold enough to build a thick layer of ice. Lakes in the Upper Midwest tend to start growing ice in November, with enough accretion to support the weight of humans by December. A warm end to meteorological fall and start to the winter season has meant temperatures are well above average, which has kept ice growth minimal from the Great Lakes, through the Plains and into Canada. "Think twice before you stop on thin ice," the city of Selkirk recently posted on Facebook. The Canadian community is located about 90 minutes north of Minnesota and said its warm weather could cause patches of ice to quickly become dangerous. EL NINO APPEARS TO BE ON VERGE OF RAPID COLLAPSE Similar warnings have been broadcast in nearby states as the heats grip has left few unaffected. "Ice conditions are pretty variable. So, there is a little bit of ice fishing going on already, but then again, theres some open water patches. So, people need to be cognizant of the, you know, changing ice conditions as they move along and different places on the lake," said Todd Caspers, a fisheries biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Even the Great Lakes are seeing the effects from a warm start to winter, with the bodies of water seeing less ice coverage than is typical. The five lakes usually have around 3% ice coverage in mid-December, but data from NOAA indicates the current years tally is just above 0%. Experts advise you to never venture out on the ice of unknown thickness. At least four inches of ice is needed to support a humans weight sufficiently, and at least eight inches is recommended before attempting to drive a small-sized vehicle on it. If ice is below 4" in depth it is advised you stay off. 7 WAYS TO STAY SAFE ON ICE, AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL THROUGH There have already been instances around the country of people falling through thin ice. In Minnesota, two men and a dog were rescued after they fell into a lake during an ice-fishing excursion. Police said a witness in Nowthen was able to push a canoe out to the group, but even with the aid, the men showed signs of hypothermia and were transported to a local medical center. Authorities in Waukee, Iowa, were not as fortunate and said they uncovered the body of a child after responding to a welfare check along a lake. "Its absolutely vital that parents and guardians talk with their children about staying away from the ice whether its on lakes or rivers, neighborhood ponds or retention ponds unless theres an adult there supervising," the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warned. The FOX Forecast Center said temperatures through the end of the year will likely remain above average in areas that are popular for ice fishing. Ice coverage tends to peak between mid-February and March as temperatures start to rebound into the spring. Original article source: Thin ice: Lakes bear impacts from warm winter SAN DIEGO Three people were arrested at a driving under the influence /drivers license checkpoint in Escondido Saturday night, authorities said. According to the Escondido Police Department, police conducted the checkpoint at Centre City Parkway and Decatur Avenue between 6 p.m. and midnight. One arrested at DUI checkpoint in Santee Authorities say of the 1,496 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint, 749 motorists were contacted. One driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, EPD confirmed. Another driver was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and a third driver was arrested for drug possession. The identity of those arrested individual was not immediately released. Additionally, 18 drivers were cited for driving without a license, and police said one was cited for driving on a suspended license. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, EPD explained. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads. EPD will hold another DUI/drivers license checkpoint on March 8, 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Three stonemasons have died after a section of the historic walls around the Old City of Kairouan in Tunisia collapsed on Saturday. Officials say a 30m section of the wall near the Gate of the Floggers crashed to the ground. Two others were also injured in the accident and are said to have suffered fractures An investigation has been opened into the accident. Authorities say it could be linked to recent heavy rain. Moez Tria, a spokesperson for the Civil Protection Department said a perimeter had been set up to stop people from walking under part of the wall which is still at risk of further collapse. The city of Kairouan was founded in 670 AD and is one of North Africa's holiest cities. It was the capital of the Muslim world in North Africa for four centuries, before Tunis was chosen as Tunisia's political capital in the 12th century. Kairouan became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1988 and is home to the Mosque of the Three Doors, the oldest known mosque with a sculpted facade. Unesco describes the mosque as "an architectural masterpiece that served as a model for several other Maghreban mosques". SAN DIEGO (KSWB) Three teens have been taken into police custody in connection to a series of armed robberies at convenience stores across San Diego. San Diego Police Department Lt. Adam Sharki said officers made a traffic stop connected to the ongoing investigation on Friday, Dec. 15. At that time, two 16-year-old males and a 14-year-old male were arrested. Armed robberies: More convenience stores hit overnight According to police, the juveniles were connected to at least six robbery cases in San Diego. One of the suspects was also wanted in connection to a recent delivery driver robbery series. Lt. Sharki confirmed officers recovered three firearms during the stop, including an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. At least one of these firearms was reported to be a ghost gun that had no serial number. All three suspects were booked into Juvenile Hall. Their identities are being withheld due to their age. Former law enforcement and police expert Jack Strumsky said there was likely a lot of factors that went into the investigation that led to the arrests, and is glad the situation did not escalate into someone getting seriously hurt, such as a convenience store employee. The Convenience Store Association got together, they were collecting information. Then you have social media, you have informants on the ground. Theyre are all playing for the same thing, to get these kids off the streets before somebody gets hurt, Strumsky added. Prior to the arrests, FOX 5 interviewed Lt. Adam Sharki with SDPD on how the crimes could be connected. Theres got to be an evidentiary connection in order to link them. So even though you may have a couple of robberies that feel similar or look similar, the investigators, theres certain things they have to do to connect them, Sharki said. Its not over. Strumsky said these three arrests will likely lead to more arrests. They only have three, theres five suspects at least, and probably six because you have a driver, so where is he? And the guys who set these robberies up, where is that person? An investigation into these robbery cases remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the Robbery Unit or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. FOX 5s Zara Barker contributed to this report For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. ARDMORE City workers hung evergreen wreaths along Main Street on a chilly Monday morning. Another crew set up sparkling light displays in the downtown park. They were preparing for the annual tree lighting and parade, two traditions that mark the start of the holidays in this southern Oklahoma city. But a flurry of uncertainty swirled over this years festivities. The citys largest employer announced weeks earlier that it would close. It is not only that the Michelin tire plant offers steady work and good pay to hundreds of residents, the company also routinely helps fund community events and charities. Many people in the city of 25,000 have a connection to the plant or a story to tell about it. And its economic reach stretches far beyond Ardmore. Some people drive from as far as an hour away to work at the plant. People walk up Main Street during lunch time Nov. 28 in downtown Ardmore. Uncertainty has settled over Ardmore after Michelin announced it would be closing the city's tire plant in 2024 or 2025. Now local leaders and residents are bracing for the impact of its stunning shutdown. It just rolls downhill, said Bill McWilliams, of Ardmore, who was selling fried pies at the citys holiday fair. It affects everybody. People dont buy as many groceries or as many cars. Until last year, McWilliams spent five years driving a forklift at a warehouse that stored tires made at the plant. It seemed as busy as ever, he said. Kevin Boatright, the city manager, said several people have asked him if the city received advance notice that its largest employer planned to shut down. And my answer is the truth. Which is: That discussion was never had, he said. We werent notified at all. In a statement, Michelin North America said the plant could no longer meet the changing demands of the auto industry in a way that penciled out. Company officials said tire production at the plant would gradually slow down and stop completely by 2025. It plans to keep on about 100 workers who work in the rubber mixing part of the plant for the foreseeable future. About 1,400 others will lose their jobs; half of Carter Countys manufacturing jobs gone. The Michelin North America tire plant, shown here on Nov. 28, sits along Interstate 35 in Ardmore. Hundreds of people work there, some driving from as far away as the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs. Tire production at the plant will end by 2025. 'An economic earthquake.' Legislators talk next steps in the years before Michelin closure The impact of the closure will be felt throughout south-central Oklahoma, said Loyd Stutsman, of Wilson. He works at a sandwich shop in Ardmore where he said he serves tire plant workers every day. You cant lay off that many people and expect everybody to smile and say, Hey, its going to be OK, because it isnt. Boatright and others are trying to plan for what comes next. They hope to use Ardmores location halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas to lure other big employers. Michelins sprawling property next to Interstate 35 could be another selling point. And at a time when businesses are struggling to hire skilled workers, Ardmore suddenly has a trained workforce that could fill out a factory. Boatright said representatives of one company called him soon after Michelin announced it would close to inquire about the space. Yet he acknowledges how hard it will be to replace the high-paying, blue-collar jobs that the city could count on at the tire plant for 53 years. Many of the regions other big employers are distribution hubs for stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General, jobs that pay less. Loyd Stutsman talks from his booth at a holiday fair in Ardmore on Nov. 28. Stutsman said he believes the shutdown of the Michelin plant will be felt across the region. I think finding someone that is on the same pay scale as Michelin, Im not saying that its impossible, but I think its going to be very difficult, Boatwright said. How the Michelin tire plant became a manufacturing giant in Ardmore When the Uniroyal tire plant opened in 1970, the whole town celebrated. City officials said at the time that Ardmore had competed against 60 other towns for the $75 million factory and won out because of its good highway and rail access. They called the town a city on the go. Production clicked along through the '70s and '80s. Then in 1989, Michelin bought out Uniroyal. The plant rebranded, though the name change has yet to catch on among many longtime residents. Generations of locals grew up knowing that if they were willing to work, they could get hired on at the plant, said Lois Proctor, who manages The Bookseller on the western edge of downtown. Michelin workers sometimes stopped by the book store after their shift to pick up a gift or ask about new releases. The plant ordered box after box of Oklahoma Unforgettable, a coffee table book of scenes across the state. Every retiring employee received a copy inscribed with messages from coworkers, Proctor said. She was thinking it was about time for Michelin to order another box of the books when she heard the plant was closing. Lois Proctor managers The Bookseller, a bookstore on the edge of downtown Ardmore. She was surprised by news that the Michelin plant was closing, because the factory often had signs advertising that it was hiring workers. I dont think its going to turn us into a ghost town, but it is going to have an effect on the economy, she said. It will hit on the economy in all degrees, Im sure. How big of a blow is losing the Michelin tire plant in Ardmore? Here's what we know Manufacturing is disappearing in Oklahoma but in Ardmore, retail might step up to replace it While news of the shutdown shocked the town, factory jobs have been vanishing for decades from places like Ardmore. The state has lost 10,000 manufacturing jobs since 2014 and 50,000 since 1999, according to federal data. In Carter County, manufacturing jobs pay $1,474 every week, on average. The county norm is $951. Jobs in the warehousing and transportation industry a sector of the economy that is growing pay only slightly more than the county average, at $998. The news landed as Ardmore undergoes a retail renaissance. A string of big box stores and chain hotels have opened over the past decade, attracting interstate traffic and families from neighboring counties. Construction just started on a new Albertsons grocery store. A golden shovel from the groundbreaking ceremony was propped next to Boatwrights office in City Hall. A Christmas wreath hangs on a light along Main St. in Ardmore on Nov. 28. The Michelin tire plant announced they would be closing the tire plant in 2024 or 2025. He said he believed Ardmores proximity to major highways and larger cities has fueled the renewed interest from retailers and others moving into town. The city also has rehabbed its historic downtown, filling up Main Street storefronts with boutiques, lawyers offices, a coffee shop and a few restaurants. Todd Yeager, who owns Marvins Place Art Gallery on Main Street, said he hopes the recent revitalization can help Ardmore withstand some of the economic shocks that may be coming from the plants shutdown. He said he believes the region is better equipped to help laid-off workers find new jobs. Twenty-five years ago, it would have really knocked Ardmore for a loop, Yeager said. Boatwright and other city officials are still trying to measure all of the closures potential ripple effects. Boatwright pointed to the citys annual budget. The city will either need to cut spending or find new funding sources to fill the holes that Michelin will leave, he said. They purchase over 100 million gallons of water from the city every year, which is a lot of revenue for our community, Boatwright said. And were going to lose that. A tire plant that has operated in Ardmore for 53 years will cease operations by 2023, Michelin announced Oct. 27. The company is known as being a big benefactor in town. Soon after the closure was announced, he and other community leaders formed a Michelin task force. The group is looking at how to bring in new businesses. Members also are compiling ways to help people who are losing their jobs, from new career training to help starting a small business. We all understand were not going to move ahead unless were all working together, said Andrea Anderson, vice president of economic development for the Ardmore Development Authority. One of the regions biggest hopes for development is the Ardmore Industrial Airpark north of town, which public leaders and private partners have been working for years to transform into a giant distribution hub, where goods can be shipped in by plane or rail and then trucked out. The project needs more funding to make all of the plans a reality. Anderson said the air park and other industrial projects make her hopeful about Ardmores future and ability to recover from the Michelin plants closure. The sky is not falling, she said. There are cracks in the ceiling, but the sky is not falling. A Dollar General distribution center is located within the Ardmore Industrial Airpark, a transportation hub north of town that public leaders and business executives hope to turn into a much larger shipping hub. She and Boatwright believe the Michelin plant site could someday be home to another company, or two or three, since it stretches across more than 100 acres. Short of an employer dropping out of the sky to claim all of that land, the region will have to gain back the jobs bit by bit, said Proctor, the book store manager. Weve all got our hopes and fingers crossed, she said. Its going to be 30 jobs here, 10 jobs there. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: As Michelin tire plant closes, Ardmore is rethinking its future Israel appeared to confirm that new negotiations were under way to recover hostages held by Hamas, after a source said Israel's intelligence chief met the prime minister of Qatar, a country mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference on Saturday the war in Gaza was existential and must be fought until victory. He said Gaza would be demilitarised and under Israeli security control. Israel's offensive in Gaza helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November, Netanyahu said, vowing to maintain intense military pressure on Hamas. He has vowed to destroy the militant Palestinian group, which runs the densely populated strip. "The instruction I am giving the negotiating team is predicated on this pressure, without which we have nothing," he said. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a surprise raid into Israel on Oct. 7. Israel's counteroffensive has killed close to 19,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities, and left thousands buried in the rubble. Aid organisations say the destruction of Gaza and the displacement of most of its 2.3 million people many living in tents and makeshift shelters without food or clean water is a humanitarian crisis. The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani late on Friday, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, as attention turned to a possible Gaza truce and a prisoner and hostage deal. The meeting in Europe was apparently the first between senior officials from Israel and Qatar, which has been acting as a mediator, since the collapse of a seven-day ceasefire in late November. Netanyahu sidestepped a question about the meeting but confirmed he had given instructions to the negotiating team. "We have serious criticisms of Qatar," he said, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf state's ties to Hamas and Israel's arch-foe Iran. "But right now we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages." Hamas said in a statement it "affirms its position not to open any negotiations to exchange prisoners unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all," adding: "The movement communicated this position to all mediators." The accidental killing of three hostages by Israeli forces has put increased pressure on Netanyahu to find a way to secure the release of those held. As Netanyahu spoke, several hundred people staged a protest in Tel Aviv, with some holding placards, including one saying "get them out of hell." A speaker shouted: "Bring them home now!" At nightfall on Saturday, residents reported intensified fighting in the centre of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with Israeli planes and tanks bombing and shelling and the sound of rocket grenades, apparently fired by Hamas fighters. "Every day the situation gets worse. Food gets less, water gets worse. Only death, fear and destruction get greater," said Samira, 40, a mother of four, who is displaced in Rafah, near the southern border with Egypt. In signs of the wider ramifications of the conflict, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis said they had attacked the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat with a swarm of drones, one of several drone incidents reported in the region on Saturday. Two major freight firms said they would avoid the Suez Canal as the Houthis stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. Central Command said the destroyer Carney had shot down 14 Houthi drones in the Red Sea. Britain said one of its warships had shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping. (Reuters) WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department said a toddler was shot in Southeast D.C. on Sunday morning. MPD said that at about 11:10 a.m., they were dispatched to the 100 block of 56th Pl., S.E. for a shooting. Infant shot inside Prince Georges County apartment building When police arrived at the scene they found a toddler inside of a home with a gunshot wound. He was conscious and breathing. The toddler was transported to the hospital for treatment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Top European diplomats are calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as concerns continue to mount over the number of civilians killed in the conflict. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock co-wrote an article published in the British weekly, the Sunday Times, on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. The two diplomats emphasized that too many civilians have been killed and called on the Israeli government to do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives. Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians, they said. They urged that the cease-fire must take place as soon as possible, adding that it needs to be sustainable. Militant group Hamas launched its deadly surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and capturing about 240 people as hostages. In the months since, Israel has bombarded Gaza in an effort to eliminate Hamas. However, its repeated attacks have prompted concerns of a humanitarian crisis in the territory as the death toll continues to tick up. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 18,700 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war. Frances top diplomat also called for a cease-fire in remarks with her Israeli counterpart in Tel Aviv, the AP reported. An immediate truce is necessary, allowing progress to be made toward a cease-fire to obtain the release of the hostages, to allow access and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population of Gaza, and in fact to move toward a humanitarian cease-fire and the beginning of a political solution, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. France and Germany voted alongside the majority of the U.N. General Assembly last week to call for a cease-fire. Britain abstained from the vote, while the United States and nine other countries voted against it. The U.S. has maintained its support of Israel and has not called for a cease-fire, but President Biden has offered some criticism of Israel in recent days. He warned last week that Israel could lose international support because of the indiscriminate bombing that takes place. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) Though many seek out sunny California for their vacation getaways, where do those who live in the Golden State go for tropical vacations? Are Californians jet-setting to Bora Bora or hopping on a cruise to Jamaica? Researchers with review site wereviewresorts.com analyzed the Google search behaviors of each state to pinpoint which tropical destinations were searched for the most. Terms considered related to travel, such as destination holiday and destination travel, among others. These California cities are among richest in US: report The study looked at the Google search traffic for a total of 156 tropical destination terms across every state in America, including California, to discover destinations with tropical climates Americans most want to visit. According to the review site, monthly search volumes were adjusted to reflect searches per 100,000 people, providing a standardized comparison across states with varying populations. For those pondering where their next tropical trip should be, here are Californias top five desired tropical destinations: No. 5: Belize This Central American nation is famous for its rainforests, Caribbean turquoise waters, and plethora of small islands that are made for vacationing. How are freeway exits numbered in California and why? Belize No. 4: Vietnam This Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas, and bustling cities. Its also a paradise of tropical fruits, which vacationers can definitely appreciate. Vietnam Three California freeways among most loathed highways in America: survey No. 3: Philippines The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. This means it has a chain of islands scattered about in the ocean. Trip itineraries are sure to contain boating and water activities. Philippines No. 2: Costa Rica This Central American country has coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Its known for its beaches, volcanoes, and protected jungles. Costa Rica Heres where to find Californias oldest general store No. 1: Thailand Another Southeast Asian country, Thailand is known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and temples displaying figures of Buddha. Buddha Whos ready for a vacation? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Just over an hour after the news broke late Saturday, former President Donald Trump took to social media to deliver the message to his 6.5 million followers. Jeff Roe is out GAME OVER for DeSanctimonious, Trump posted on Truth Social. Roe, a top strategist for the main super PAC supporting Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, had just announced his resignation the latest high-level member to depart the organization. Roes departure from the PAC, Never Back Down, came within hours of a Washington Post account of the turmoil that rocked the organization in recent weeks. The group fired three of its top officials two weeks ago, including the super PACs chief executive officer. The board chair, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, also left, as did the organizations president, Chris Jankowski. One top Trump adviser, Chris LaCivita, seemed particularly pleased with Roes fall: tick tocktimes up, LaCivita posted on X, formerly Twitter, in the moments after the news broke. In another post, he urged the GOP campaign vet to stay the hell away from the US Senate because we need to win a few seats next year, a dig at Roes mixed track record of success in Republican campaigns. Roe, the founder of Axiom Strategies, has guided countless campaigns scooping up serious cash along the way. He notched a big win in 2021 in Virginia, helping propel now-Gov. Glenn Youngkin (then a political unknown) to victory. But his resume is also peppered with tough losses some of which have still earned him and his firm large sums of money. That was something LaCivita was quick to point out via meme: seems appropriate the top Trump campaign adviser wrote above a photo of Roes face pasted on to an old McDonalds mascot, the Hamburglar. The Roe/Hamburglar appears to be running coins from buildings representing failed Senate campaigns that Roe worked on into another building labeled DeSantis Super PAC. Months ago, Trump was considering hiring Roe to run his 2024 campaign, the Washington Post reported. But LaCivita and longtime Trump aide Jason Miller shot down the idea, according to the Post, arguing that Roe would be irresponsible with the campaigns cash. Trump ended up hiring LaCivita instead. The following is a transcript of an interview with 2024 Republican presidential hopeful former New Jersey Chris Christie that aired on Dec. 17, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to one of the Republican candidates for President, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He joins me this morning from Mendham, New Jersey. Good morning to you, sir. CHRIS CHRISTIE: Good morning. MARGARET BRENNAN: I know you say you don't believe people tell the truth to pollsters. But you have stakes a lot in the state of New Hampshire. You're coming in fourth in our poll, and the governor of that state just endorsed your rival, Nikki Haley, do you still see a path to victory there? CHRIS CHRISTIE: Absolutely. Look, when you look at the poll you just talked about, it has fewer than half of the people, it would need to even qualify to be a poll onto the RNC polling criteria. And as a margin of error of over 6%. I mean, it's kind of just a foolish poll, with all due respect. And the fact is that in the end, look, Governor Haley got an endorsement this week that got her a lot of free media publicity, but it doesn't change one simple fact. She won't answer questions about Donald Trump. In fact, you know, she said just this week that he's fit to be president. This is a guy who last night in New Hampshire, used Vladimir Putin as a character witness for the decaying Democracy in America. A Vladimir Putin is an expert in democracy and someone who says that is fit to be President United State? It's- it's ridiculous. And so, you know, we just continue to move forward because we know that voters are listening to the real things that are being said. And when they do, we'll do very well. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, so New Hampshire won't be the defining moment for whether you continue or not in this race? CHRIS CHRISTIE: New Hampshire will be an important moment, Margaret, there's no doubt. but won't be- what won't be a defining moment. Is your poll of 450 people six weeks before the primary- MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, Okay. It's not just our poll, though. I mean, the National Review, conservative leaning- CHRIS CHRISTIE: Yes it is. MARGARET BRENNAN: No, conservative leaning National Review has a piece saying that even if Chris Christie pulled off an upset in New Hampshire, there'd be nowhere else for him to go. A hypothetical Christie win would rely heavily on support from Independents and Democrats in the Open New Hampshire primary, those conditions would be impossible to replicate elsewhere. If he's as committed to stopping Trump, as he says it's time for him to retire to his tent. What do you have to say to them? CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, they're ju- what I have to say to them is they should try to get the facts right. First of all, Democrats can't vote in the Republican Primary in New Hampshire. So they're wrong about that- MARGARET BRENNAN: Only Independents can. CHRIS CHRISTIE: Only independents and Republicans. Yeah, well, they- you read me the quote, Margaret, how about you get accurate? Democrats, you said reading their quote, can vote, they cannot vote in the New Hampshire primary. Secondly, in Michigan, the very same conditions exist five weeks from the New Hampshire primary, which is that Republicans and Independents can vote in the Michigan primary. So the fact that they say it can't repeat- be repeated anywhere, it will be repeated two- two elections away from New Hampshire, South Carolina happens in between. And so look, the National Review was campaigning for Ron DeSantis, until they concluded that he couldn't win. Now they're campaigning for Nikki Haley. And when they conclude that she can't win either, then they'll move on to somebody else. I don't spend any time worrying about the editors at the National Review. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Noted. So you've said though, for Nikki Haley, who we have not just CBS, other polls have said she is surging in the state of New Hampshire. You've said she's not a fundamentally serious candidate- CHRIS CHRISTIE: It's not true. I'm not gonna stop you. Hold on. I'm gonna stop you right there because in the last two polls that have come out, Nikki Haley was at 13 or 14%. And I was at 10, or 11. Yeah. So I don't understand where you talk about surging, Margaret. I know that that's the talking points up on the teleprompter, but it's not surging. MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm not looking at a teleprompter sir, I'm looking at your face. [Crosstalk] CHRIS CHRISTIE: The only poll that shows any surging is yours. MARGARET BRENNAN: You're up two points from our last poll in September, you said you don't trust any tools. You just cited some. So there are some you like, but let me read you what you have said about Nikki Haley CHRIS CHRISTIE: No, no, no, no. [CROSS TALK] CHRIS CHRISTIE: Margaret. I'm countering what you say, Margaret. I'm countering what you say about other polls showing surges, which they do not. And so if you want to cite them, at least cite them correctly. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. You said Nikki Haley's not a fundamentally serious candidate when she said, as you just said earlier on our program that Trump is fit to lead. You said you wish that she cared more about the truth and things she said about global trade, for example, you say shows she doesn't even understand what she's talking about. Are you ruling out ever working with Nikki Haley in the future to defeat Donald Trump? CHRIS CHRISTIE: I'm working on defeating Donald Trump, and I'm the only one in the race who is working out defeating Donald Trump. Once she hasn't ruled out being his vice president, I don't think you could take her as a serious contender against him. Rod DeSantis and I have both ruled out accepting the vice presidency from Donald Trump. Nikki Haley has not. That's why she's not saying strong things against Donald Trump. Why she's saying he's fit to be president of the United States. I mean, the fact that if you watch that speech last night, where he says that immigrants from Asia, Africa and South America are poisoning the blood of America, I don't know how you could take someone like that and say that they're fit to be president of the United States. MARGRAET BRENNAN: Are you surprised CHRIS CHRISTIE: this is language and things that are being said MARGARET BRENNAN: Sorry- CHRIS CHRISTIE: That is just wrong. MARGARET BRENNAN: You are clearly distancing yourself from that sentiment? Are you surprised that other Republican candidates and sitting Republican elected officials have not distanced themselves from saying that immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country? CHRIS CHRISTIE: Yes, I am surprised about that. And, and, and look, at the end of the day, you know, these folks are more concerned about their primary challenges in their House seats than they're concerned about who's going to be the president of the United States and whether or not they're fit. And when you're a candidate for president of the United States, and someone's, you know, you know, the incumbent, essentially, Donald Trump having won the nomination the last two times, you need to speak directly about what you think is their fitness. I'm going to take Nikki Haley's word at it. She says she believes he's fit to be president. If you believe someone who says those kinds of things and is under four criminal indictments is fit to be president, then you can agree with her. I don't. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Well, Nikki Haley, I want to ask you about how some of your opponents who have stood on that debate stage alongside you have talked about her. You did seem to come to Nikki Haley's defense after the last debate when Vivek Ramaswamy went straight at her. You said you think he personally has a woman problem. Do you think your party has a woman problem? Do you think that a woman could be the lead on a Republican ticket? CHRIS CHRISTIE: Sure, I think a woman could be lead on the Republican ticket. And I don't think the party has a woman problem. I think Vivek has a woman problem. And I defended Nikki Haley at that debate. Because when someone on the stage like Vivek, treats someone who is as you know, smart and accomplished as Nikki is, and has been my friend for 13 years, you know, and he says that compares her intellect to that of his three year old son. The way I was raised, Margaret, is you stand up and you defend someone who you do respect, being treated with disrespect by someone else. And that's exactly what I did. I'd do it again. And I think it's the right thing to do. MARGARET BRENNAN: All right, Chris Christie, we have to leave it there for today. Thanks for joining us. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a "difficult partner," Sen. Chris Coons says The following is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas, that aired on Dec. 17, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we have to turn now to the crisis at the border and Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, who's with us from San Antonio. Welcome back to Face the Nation. REP. TONY GONZALES: Good morning. Thank you for having me. MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I want to go into one of the big issues that we know is on the minds for voters and is a crisis right now. You've been pressing for a border deal and we know senators are still trying to craft one but it doesn't look good for the near term. What is the real-world impact in your district, if there is no deal in 2023? REP. GONZALES: Yeah, I give a lot of credit to Senator Lankford and Sinema and Tillis and Murphy, certainly nothing happens without John Cornyn making his inputs on there. And I appreciate their- their- their efforts on that. But the time is now- the time for a national security package is now. In my district, it is pure chaos and people are upset. They're upset because their lives have been turned upside down. My district is predominantly Hispanic, many people are first and second generation Americans, but they're tired. They're tired of the high-speed chases. They're tired of their schools going into lockdown. And I would argue, yes, we've been talking about the amount of people coming over that we don't know who's entering our country and the terrorist threat from external, but I talk- I'd also talk about a terrorist threat internal. I think to 9/11, and what happened there, but I also think back to the Oklahoma City bombing, and what is happening is people in this country are furious at this open border crisis. It's why it's so imperative that the Senate and the House work with the- work with the President to come up with a national security package that puts the country above everything else. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Well, we know from some of the negotiators who've been out this morning that they don't think one is within reach right now. But CBS is reporting the White House says that it's willing to accept drastic limits on asylum that's raising the credible fear standard, as you know, and a vast expansion of detention and deportation efforts as part of this deal. Are you supportive of what you've heard is in this proposal? REP. GONZALES: I think it's a good start. I think the devil's in the details. When you start talking about deportation flights, I think, you know, are you talking about one flight? Are you talking about 20 flights? Are you talking about deporting only from along the border? Are we talking in the interior as well? The credible fear standard, I think that's an area that- that most people agree that we need to raise. And I think that's one. But are we going to add Border Patrol agents? If so, how many Border Patrol agents? And then- it's- the Senate is much different than the House. The Senate is going to have its battle getting to 60 votes, the house is going to have its battle getting to 218. And we can do that, but I think there's going to have to- we have to sweeten the deal. And part of that is we have to get to the root of the issue. The root of the issue is labeling cartels as terrorist organizations. And the other piece is holding these smugglers accountable that cause damage and kill Americans. Those are all a couple of things that I can help that I- that I believe can help get the House to 218 votes. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, of the deal that we know is being negotiated right now, I haven't heard that a terrorist designation of cartels is in it. Are you saying it is being talked about right now? REP. GONZALES: I'm saying- I'm saying the deal between the Senate and the White House is going to be much different than the House and the overall package MARGARET BRENNAN: That's what you would want to add to it? REP. GONZALES: And part of that is coming to the realization that- that- part of that is coming to the realization that there's going to be to have- there's going to have to be some different things in there. And part of that is labeling cartels as terrorist organizations, it will help get the House to 218 votes. I'd also say, too, if the White House is serious about this, the White House- they shouldn't be sending a secretary, Secretary Mayorkas, to the negotiating table. Where's the President? Or where's the Vice President? These are some areas that I think could increase the level of getting to a real deal. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Well, if this is crisis, when the House comes back in January, we're going headlong into another showdown over government funding. If this is an emergency, you would in theory want this to move quickly. Has the Speaker given you any indication of a timeline if the Senate can get this deal? REP. GONZALES: He hasn't, and I don't think many people have even on the Senate side. I mean, the easiest thing to do in politics is just to wait, you know, wait for somebody else to pop their head out and build a framework and- and put it all together. But time is running out. We're at a national security crisis point now. I mean, think back to FBI director testifying and saying every- every red light I'm looking at is blinking red, something similar before 9/11 occurred. So, we have to push now, part of that is- is House Republicans. We can't just wait- we have to find two 218 votes, however we can, and push things over the finish line. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to bring up something that we discussed with our last guest, which was a remark from Donald Trump yesterday, and I want to play it here because I know you have endorsed Mr. Trump for president. DONALD TRUMP SOUNDBITE: They're poisoning the blood of our country, that's what they've done. They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America, not just the three or four countries that we think about. But all over the world they're coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, all over the world. MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you endorse the sentiment that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country? REP. GONZALES: I think immigrants are the lifeblood of our country and it's important that we have immigrants. I've been a proponent of legal immigration and what this open border crisis has done, it's put legal immigrants to the back of the line. And it's- it's encouraged illegal immigration, and it's created this rhetoric, and it's created this anger. And it's not just former President Trump. I mean, in my district, people are angry, Margaret. All throughout the country, people are angry and seeing all this chaos. It's why it's so important that the House, the Senate and the President come together and find a real solution, a national security- a national security package that takes care of our allies, also protects us at home, not only from foreign threats, but also internal threats, because the anger is very real. MARGARET BRENNAN: I realize that and we need to acknowledge it. But that phrasing, "poisoning the blood," is reminiscent of language the White House says Hitler used, which is why I wanted to get you to specifically respond to that. The Biden campaign, excuse me. There's- I have to leave it there. I'm told by my producer, we are out of time, Congressman, but we will come back to you as I know you're very much tracking these ongoing negotiations. Face the Nation will be back in a minute. Stay with us. The Secret Santa club 3 hostages mistakenly killed by friendly fire were waving a white flag, Israeli military says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a "difficult partner," Sen. Chris Coons says Bethany Piehl said the damage to her wheelchair on a recent Southwest Airlines flight could have easily been avoided. It was her first time flying with a wheelchair since she started using one regularly, and she is frustrated that, even after preparing as best she could, her device is irreparably damaged. Piehl was flying home to Texas after a work trip in Washington, D.C., and saw her wheelchair get damaged during a layover in New Orleans. I watched them throw, for lack of a better word, my chair onto the conveyor belt, she told USA TODAY. When she arrived in San Antonio, Piehl said her chair was visibly dented and scratched up, and once she got into it, she realized the front wheels werent level, and it wobbled when she moved. Piehl uses her wheelchair as a result of several conditions that affect her nervous system. She said as those conditions have progressed, the wheelchair is now a necessity to prevent injuries. I travel for work a lot, multiple times a year. How can I travel safely with you next time and know my legs wont be broken next time because my chair is my legs? she said. Bethany Piehl saw her wheelchair get damaged during a layover in New Orleans. Southwest Airlines standing statement on wheelchair damage to USA TODAY says its working with Piehl to resolve the issue. Our teams have been in touch with the customer to assist them with their individual situation, the statement said. However, Piehl feels the airline hasnt gone far enough, and that a simple policy change could have prevented this damage from happening. I would like to see every passenger that has a manual wheelchair have the right to have their chair on board with them through either the closet if it fits or through seat strapping, without having it be an extra cost, she said. I dont think anyone should be left wondering if theyll be able to get off the same way they got on. Piehl said she spoke to the airline about seat strapping before her trip. The procedure would have allowed her to purchase an extra seat and strap her wheelchair frame to it using the standard seat belt similar to how musicians often wind up traveling with large instruments like cellos or tubas. But, she said, Southwest told her seat strapping was against its policy. In an audio recording Piehl provided to USA TODAY, a Southwest customer service employee confirms that seat strapping is permitted for instruments on the airline but not for mobility devices. To allow seat strapping, itd be 100% protection against this kind of damage happening for a manual chair, she said. Piehl started a petition to encourage Southwest to update its seat strapping rules and other policies around how it handles mobility devices and compensates disabled travelers when damages occur. A technician for Global Repair Group, which contracts with Southwest Airlines on mobility device repair, told Piehl her chair would need to be replaced. Shes not sure how long that will take. I think theres this misconception that its just a chair, its replaceable, she said. Every single measurement on my chair is specific to my body. Piehl said she hopes her experience can help move the needle for other travelers with disabilities. There is no way to replace the hours that have gone into trying to fix this, she said. What Id like to see is policy change for further protection in the future. How common is mobility equipment damage in air travel? According to the Department of Transportation, airlines "mishandle" on average about 1.5% of the mobility equipment they transport. In 2022, that translated to 11,389 incidents reported by U.S. airlines, up from 7,239 in 2021. This year, USA TODAY wants to highlight what those figures mean for travelers with disabilities. We're looking to track these incidents throughout 2023 to bring light to an all-too-common problem. If your mobility equipment was damaged or lost by an airline this year, please share your story with us using the form below: Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why this traveler wants Southwest to treat wheelchairs like a tuba With less than a month until the first votes are cast in the 2024 Republican primary, former President Donald Trump spent his latest rally in New Hampshire praising multiple authoritarian leaders and quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin to try and discredit the criminal indictments against him -- while sparking new backlash from critics that his anti-immigrant sentiment echoes Adolf Hitler. "They're poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done," Trump said Saturday in Durham, New Hampshire. "They're coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, over the world. They're pouring into our country." The former president, again, praised authoritarian leaders including Hungary's Viktor Orban, China's Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong Un -- and called President Joe Biden a "threat to democracy," reversing a frequent attack of Biden on him. Trump went on to quote Russia's president when calling the criminal cases pending against him "politically motivated." Prosecutors have rejected that accusation and defended their work. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 91 charges he faces across four cases in three states and Washington, D.C. "Putin of Russia says that Biden's, and this is a quote, 'politically motivated persecution of his political rival' is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy,'" Trump said at the rally. "So we talk about democracy, but the whole world is watching the persecution of a political opponent that's kicking his ass." The Biden campaign quickly seized on the comments, blasting the former president in a rapid response email on Saturday night, saying Trump "channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong Un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy." MORE: Trump compares political opponents to 'vermin' who he will 'root out,' alarming historians PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks at a meeting of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House, Dec. 13, 2023, in Washington. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) "He is betting he can win this election by scaring and dividing this country. He's wrong," Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement. "In 2020, Americans chose President Biden's vision of hope and unity over Trump's vision of fear and division and they'll do the same next November." The former president has repeatedly used the phrase "poisoning the blood" when talking about some immigrants throughout the 2024 campaign cycle, drawing scrutiny from critics who say that language is used by white supremacists and Hitler, who infamously wrote about "blood poisoning" in his book "Mein Kampf." Trump doubled down on those remarks after Saturday's rally, posting similar statements about unauthorized immigrants on his social media platform. During his four years in the White House, Trump implemented a series of strict policies to limit immigration, including for people who enter the country illegally, travel from certain largely Muslim countries or who seek to claim asylum in the U.S. That often drew outcry from advocates, such as when officials separated migrant families -- some of whom remain separated, according to activists -- as part of prosecutions of illegal border crossings. MORE: Trump raises new alarms, saying he wouldn't be a 'dictator' except on 'Day One' With polls indicating a rematch between Biden and Trump next November is increasingly likely, Biden has focused on an argument that Trump would be dangerous to democracy if reelected while Trump accuses Biden of ruining the country, particularly on issues like the border, as he vows to act as a form of retribution for himself and his supporters. During a Veterans Day rally in New Hampshire, Trump vowed to "root out" his political opponents, who he said "live like vermin" as he warned supporters that America's greatest threats come "from within" -- yet again startling experts and critics who said his words echoed those of past fascist dictators like Hitler and Benito Mussolini. A Trump campaign spokesman dismissed the backlash to that speech. Trump's campaign rhetoric includes repeated recent comments that he won't be a dictator as president "except for day one," so that he could focus on the border and on drilling, though after receiving criticism from those remarks, the former president attempted to course correct and claim he was only joking. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie, a former ally-turned vocal critic of Trump's who is running against him in the 2024 race, admonished Trump's latest speech in an interview on Sunday -- and extended his criticism to other Republicans like fellow 2024 candidate Nikki Haley, whom Christie said isn't doing enough to keep Trump out of office. "Donald Trump realized the walls are closing in, and he's becoming crazier, and now he's citing Vladimir Putin as a character witness, a guy who is a murderous thug around the world," Christie said on CNN's "State of the Union." PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena, on Dec. 16, 2023, in Durham, New Hampshire. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) "What he's doing is dog-whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy and from the conflicts around the world and he's dog-whistling to blame it on people that don't look like us," Christie said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, when asked Saturday in Iowa if that's the type of language that should be used by someone who wants to be president, said he hadn't heard the comments himself yet but repeated his rhetoric on border issues. (Haley and GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment.) "Well, I didn't hear what he said. And so I don't want to respond until I get to see," DeSantis told reporters on the trail. "What I would say, though, is we have to be smart about what we're doing in this country. And when you have people that are coming to this border, coming across our border illegally, from countries that are hostile to us -- we're going to be very tough on who's able to come into this country, because I think that what's going on now, at the border in particular, has been a total train wreck." Trump, again, praises dictators and rails against immigrants -- again sparking backlash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Donald Trump spoke at Whittemore Center Arena on the campus of University of New Hampshire in Durham on Saturday. He slammed his opponents, taking swipes at Republican presidential primary nominees Nikki Haley and Chris Christie whom Trump, not a poster child of fitness himself, called a fat pig. But Trump reserved most of his ire for President Joe Biden, who beat him four years ago in an election Trump refuses to accept was legitimate. The former president also echoed the words of Adolf Hitler during his anti-immigrant ranting at the rally. When they let I think the real number is 15, 16 million people into our country when they do that, we got a lot of work to do. Theyre poisoning the blood of our country, he said of immigrants coming into the United States. Thats what theyve done. Theyve poisoned mental institutions and prisons all over the world not just in South America, not just the three or four countries that we think about, but all over the world. Theyre coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia all over the world. Theyre pouring into our country. Trump: Theyre poisoning the blood of country.. They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world not just in South America but all over the world theyre coming into our country from Africa, from Asia pic.twitter.com/fv38EABo1a Acyn (@Acyn) December 16, 2023 Trump evoking Hitler rhetoric comes days after he declared that hell act as a dictator should he be reelected, but only for Day One. As Rolling Stone reported this week, Trump also plans to send vast numbers of U.S. troops potentially hundreds of thousands to close the southern border and help build a network of immigrant detention camps should he serve a second term. In October, Trump made similar Hitler-esque comments, as The Washington Post reports: It is a very sad thing for our country, Trump said. Its poisoning the blood of our country. Its so bad, and people are coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have. Trump added during an Iowa rally: Its the blood of our country; what theyre doing is destroying our country. In Mein Kampf, there are several passages where Hitler used the words poison and blood when attacking those he claimed to threaten the purity of the Aryan race, per The New York Times. In one of the many instances Hitler referenced those words in Mein Kampf, he wrote of the Jews: He poisons the blood of others but preserves his own blood unadulterated. Jason Stanley, a Yale professor and author of How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them said Trump repeatedly utilizing the language Hitler used is hazardous. He is now employing this vocabulary in repetition in rallies. Repeating dangerous speech increases its normalization and the practices it recommends, Stanley told Reuters. This is very concerning talk for the safety of immigrants in the U.S. On Saturday, Trump also pointed out as a matter of pride that dictator Kim Jong Un is fond of him and not of Biden. Who is very nice, I will tell you, Trump said of the North Korean leader, adding, Hes not so fond of this administration. But hes fond of me. And we had a very good relationship. He also praised Chinas President Xi Jinping while claiming Biden cant put two sentences together to negotiate with others, whereas Trump claimed hed keep the U.S. out of World War III because of strength and because Trump is always right, speaking of himself in third person. Can you imagine President Xi of China powerful guy they hate when I say that, Oh, you say nice things He controls 1.4 billion people rather ruthlessly, right? Can you imagine when he sees this guy walk into an office? Once again, Trump claimed the United States is running rampant with criminals and terrorists because we have no borders, adding, theyre running wild in our Democrat-run cities while Christians and conservatives are persecuted, and thanks to Crooked Joes breathtaking weakness. He is bad, the worst president in the history the world. His extended bogeymen list this outing included other usual targets, as well, from sowing discord on the democratic process of voting to the fake news media and the radical left Democrats he blamed for a rigged 2020 election. On Sunday, Trump heads to Reno, Nevada, for his next rally, and he will be in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday his second visit to the state in a week. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone After testing his anti-immigrant agenda and increasingly violent rhetoric in his social media, in interviews and on campaign rally stages, Donald Trump returned to New Hampshire on Saturday with a phrase that echoes the pages of Mein Kampf and white supremacist manifestos. Theyre poisoning the blood of the country. Thats what theyve done, the former president said. They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world. Not just in South America. Not just the three or four countries we think about. But all over the world theyre coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia. After leaving New Hampshire, he turned to his Truth Social account with an all-caps post to declare illegal immigration is poisoning the blood of our nation. He claimed once again without evidence, of which there is none to defend his inflammatory statements that theyre coming from prisons, from mental institutions and into the US. The frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president has accelerated volatile, dehumanising language and embraced his label as a day one dictator while his allies and campaign laugh off and reject warnings from political opponents and critics about amplifying fascist language. After Mr Trumps rally in New Hampshire, President Joe Bidens campaign said his likely 2024 rival was channeling his role models and parroted Adolf Hitler. Mr Trump praised Kim Jong Un and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy, spokesperson Ammar Moussa said. He is betting he can win this election by scaring and dividing this country, he added. Hes wrong. In 2020, Americans chose President Bidens vision of hope and unity over Trumps vision of fear and division and theyll do the same next November. Donald Trumps supporters in New Hampshire on 16 December hold a picture of his mugshot from criminal charges in Atlanta for an alleged scheme to overturn 2020 election results. (EPA) The comments have been roundly condemned as a warning of his increasingly violent and authoritarian rhetoric, echoing Mein Kampfs screeds against the contamination of the blood and the poison which has invaded the national body from an influx of foreign blood. Neo-fascist groups chanted blood and soil at a violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, and the words have fuelled the so-called great replacement conspiracy theory behind white supremacist groups, racist mass shootings and far-right media commentary. Yes, this is fascist rhetoric, said Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a scholar of authoritarianism and author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. The Nazis made the fear of blood pollution of their master race and their civilization a foundation of their state. Italian fascists talked about the threat of nonwhite immigrants coming in to ruin white civilization, she said on Sunday. Trump is referencing and prolonging and echoing fascist rhetoric. Mr Trump and his allies have signalled a radical overhaul of US immigration, if he returns to the White House, building on his hard-line policies that his successor has sought to reverse. He has promised to revive a more expansive ban on immigration from majority-Muslim countries that he implemented in his first term. He also would reimpose a ban on entry at the US-Mexico border for people seeking asylum; round up undocumented people living in the US and detain them at camps before theyre expelled; prohibit children born in the US to non-citizen parents from being granted citizenship; and end legal status for thousands of people in the US for humanitarian reasons, among other proposed policies. In New Hampshire, he also proposed ideologically screening people entering the US. His increasingly demonising language against immigrants which easily goes viral and is repeated endlessly is priming his supporters for the retribution he has promised, Ms Ben-Ghiat said. Americans will see immigrants be rounded up and treated badly, with violence, so hes trying to dehumanise this group now, over and over again, to get Americans used to the idea that they should be persecuted, so they wont resist when the repression comes later, she said. We should think about not only the content of what hes saying, but why hes saying it, she added. Everytime you hear it, think about its intended audience and its very chilling intended goal. Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in New Hampshire on 16 December. (EPA) Jennifer Mercieca, an historian of American political rhetoric and professor at Texas A&M University who wrote 2020s Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, warned Mr Trump sees American democracy as a sham and he wants to convince his followers to see it that way too. Putin hates western values like democracy and the rule of law, so does Trump, she told The Washington Post. Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and one of Mr Trumps rivals for the Republican nomination, called his latest remarks a dog whistle to his supporters. What hes doing is dog-whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy [and] blaming it on people from areas who dont look like us, he told CNN on Sunday. But Mr Trumps campaign and allies have largely brushed aside any criticism of his remarks and have refused to forcefully condemn his degrading statements. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, among Mr Trumps chief allies in the US Senate, repeatedly dismissed concerns about Mr Trumps dehumanising language. Asked on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday about Mr Trumps rhetoric and criticism from the Biden campaign, Mr Graham pivoted to the US-Mexico border. To the Biden administration, youre talking about Donald Trumps language as you sat on the sidelines and allowed the country to be invaded, he said. Asked whether he is comfortable with Mr Trump using those words, Mr Graham said: Were talking about language. I could [sic] care less what language people use as long as we get it right. Republican US Rep Tony Gonzales appeared to blame what he labeled the open border crisis on Mr Trumps rhetoric. Asked on CBS Face the Nation whether he endorsed the former presidents statements, he deflected, saying I think immigrants are the lifeblood of our country. What this open border crisis has done is it has put legal immigrants to the back of the line and its encouraged illegal immigration, and its created this rhetoric and its created this anger, he said. The defence from congressional Republicans around Mr Trumps anti-immigrant statements comes as the Biden administration negotiates US-Mexico border policies in an effort to get GOP lawmakers to support expanded aid to Ukraine and Israel. The presidents willingness to support significant compromises on immigration policy after sending a bill to Congress on his first day in office with a pledge to restore humanity and American values to our immigration system marks a seismic shift in White House and Democratic platforms that will head into 2024 on terms that will be dominated by Republicans, with Mr Trump likely to lead them. The French foreign ministry said one of its workers had died as a result of wounds sustained during an Israeli attack in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. The man was seeking refuge in the house of a colleague from the French consulate alongside two other co-workers and a number of their family members, the ministry statement issued late on Saturday said. "The house was hit by an Israeli air strike on Wednesday evening, which seriously hurt our agent and killed about 10 others," it said, adding he had later died of his wounds. The statement said France condemned the bombing of a residential building. "We demand that the Israeli authorities shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing, as soon as possible," it said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry declined to provide further details on the name, nationality and age of the worker. "We're waiting for clarification (from Israel)," said French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna shortly after meeting her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in Tel Aviv on Sunday. She called for an "immediate truce" between Hamas and Israel to allow for a humanitarian ceasefire. Israel says it seeks to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, according to international law, though critics and even its closest ally, the U.S., say it needs to do more. (Reuters) DURHAM, N.H. Young Republican and Democratic voters dont agree on much. But college students outside of former President Donald Trumps rally at the University of New Hampshire Saturday found common ground on at least one thing theyre unhappy with President Joe Biden. Hes got to go, Katelyn Bellemare, a 19-year-old self-described right-leaning independent, said. Bellemare isnt sure yet who shell vote for in the 2024 primary or general election, but she knows it wont be the current president. Hes hasnt done any good for this country, the Rochester, Mass. native studying psychology at UNH, said, noting Bidens handling of the economy and foreign policy as key deterrents. Hours later, inside the Whittemore Center Arena, Trump attempted to capitalize on the discontent expressed by voters like Bellemare during a wide-ranging speech that mostly focused on his economic agenda. Were you better off five years ago or are you better off today? the Republican frontrunner asked the crowd of thousands, including many college-age students finishing out their last few days on campus before winter break. Not one thing has gotten better under crooked Joe Biden. With less than a month to go until voting starts in the GOP primary, Trump is dominating his Republican competitors in every national and state poll. And other than several brief mentions of his primary opponents, the ex-president appeared more focused in his speech on a general election match up against Biden. Trump appeals to voters on economy If Trump manages to win his parties nomination, young voters like those present Saturday could be crucial for him next November. Recent national polls have shown Biden losing momentum with the key voting bloc that helped propel him to the presidency in 2020. A Harvard Institute of Politics poll published in early December found Biden only slightly ahead of Trump among voters who are 18 to 29. He held a lead of just 4% a major drop from 2020, when Biden a similar poll showed him winning the same group by 23%. Another survey published by NBC News survey published in November found Trump leading among voters ages 18-34 by 46% to 42%. Young voters present at Trumps rally Saturday cited economic concerns as a major reason theyre backing the businessman. David Montenegro, a 22-year-old hailing from Providence, R.I., said most of his friends are planning to vote with their pocketbook in 2024. A lot of students are going for internships, are going for jobs. Theyre not getting the jobs they want and they feel it is a result of the overall direction of the Biden administration, said Montenegro, who is studying business at Babson College in Massachusetts. They want the economy to recover. The Biden administration has largely touted its economic agenda as a success, highlighting a near 50-year-low unemployment rate, a growing jobs market and an annual inflation rate that, according to the Consumer Price Index, is down to 3.1% from a high of 9.1% in June 2022. But few Americans have said they approve of Bidens handling of the economy. Over two thirds of young voters in the Harvard poll rated the economy as fairly bad or very bad. Among young voters who said the economy was among their top concern in 2024, a majority said inflation and cost of living was main issue. Protesters reluctantly support Biden Even students protesting Trumps visit to campus highlighted the economy as a top-of-mind issue in 2024. Lizzy Mower, 20, stood across the street from the Whittemore Center Saturday with a group of students several dozen strong holding up signs and chanting objections to the presidents visit. Although they are a Democrat, the Goffstown native doesnt love the idea of voting for Biden. I would hope with all of my heart that it is someone else, Mower, who is studying wildlife conservation at UNH, said, adding that Biden is not progressive enough for her taste. And while they doesnt necessarily blame Biden for the economy, Mower said housing and rent prices are weighing on them heavily this election, noting that the cost of everything is way higher. They're still deciding how to vote in New Hampshires first-in-the-nation primary. Like many Democratic voters USA TODAY has spoken with, Mower said they would hands-down support Biden against Trump in a general election out of fear for democracy. Former President Donald Trump rallies with supporters during a campaign stop Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City, Iowa. He has scheduled a rally in Florida the same evening as the third Republican presidential primary debate. 'We're not a democracy' The ex-president recently mocked a question about whether he would "abuse power as retribution against anybody if re-elected, saying he would only be a dictator on day one. He later repeated the remarks at an event for the New York Young Republican Club, adding: You know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, and I want to drill, drill, drill. The Republican presidential frontrunner has floated the idea of authoritarian rule in the U.S. before. In 2018, Trump made similar comments about Chinese President Xi Jinpings consolidation of power during a luncheon for Republican donors. Hes now president for life, Trump said of Jinpings power at the time. I think its great. Maybe well give that a shot someday. Young voters attending Trumps event Saturday said they dont put too much salt into the businessmans comments about authoritarian rule. However, many did question whether the current form of government in the U.S. is working, often repeating the presidents unsubstantiated claims about Biden. I would say were kind of a deep state and were not a democracy, 19-year-old Bradley Richards told USA TODAY, adding that he believes agencies like the Department of Education, which receive oversight from Congress, take power away from voters. He argued that the Department of Justice is being weaponized against the former president as among the key reasons leading to his distrust in the government. Trump has been indicted four times, including in two cases involving his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The former president is also facing charges related to improper hush money payments in New York and mishandling classified documents in Florida. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's economic pitch resonates with some young voters at N.H. rally Former President Trump dubbed Gov. Chris Sununu (R) a spoiled brat at a campaign rally in Durham, N.H., Saturday after the New Hampshire governor endorsed Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley earlier this week. I didnt like your governor very much, Trump said, which prompted the audience to boo. Hes like a spoiled brat. Sununu gave Haley his endorsement while appearing at a town hall event, saying he is all in, and that Haley has the momentum to win and get our party back on track. Trump said the governor was selfish and said he liked his father, actually. Sununus father, John Sununu, is the former White House Chief of Staff for former President George H. W. Bush. He also said slammed Sununu for endorsing somebody that cant win, has no chance of winning. According to polling in the state from The Hills partner Decision Desk HQ, Haley is in second place with 20.8 percent, behind Trumps 45.9 percent. Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations, has gained momentum thanks to several strong debate performances. Sununu, who is serving his fourth term as governor, has been a vocal Trump critic and said Friday that a second Trump term would be filled with chaos and distraction. Republicans need to go with the next generation of conservative leadership, he added. Sununu is extremely popular in New Hampshire, and strategists have told The Hill his endorsement may help independents consider casting their vote for Haley in the critical state. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan asked his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken in a call on Sunday for Washington to use its influence over Israel to halt Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, a Turkish diplomatic source said. Turkey, which supports a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, has harshly criticised Israel, calling for a full ceasefire and for Israeli leaders to be tried in international courts for war crimes, and slammed Western support for Israel. Washington, Israel's closest ally, has repeatedly said it supports Israel's right to defend itself after the cross-border rampage by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, but has stepped up calls on Israel to act with restraint in its campaign, which has killed nearly 19,000 people, according to Gaza health officials, and laid much of the Gaza Strip to waste. Fidan told Blinken that the situation in Gaza and the West Bank was worsening due to the Israeli attacks, the source said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday that the United States had a historic responsibility to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. "Fidan emphasised the need for Israel to be made to sit at the (negotiating) table after a full ceasefire is achieved, in order to start a process aimed at realising a fair and lasting peace based on a two-state solution," the source added. While Turkey has slammed Israel as a "terror state" for its attacks on Gaza, it has maintained its commercial ties, drawing criticism from opposition parties and some regional powers. Trade Minister Omer Bolat said on Friday that Turkey's trade with Israel had dropped 48% since Oct. 7, and that most of the trade was being carried out by international firms operating in Turkey. He added that goods being sent to Palestinians also had to go through Israel. The source said Fidan and Blinken also discussed bilateral ties, Sweden's NATO membership bid, which the Turkish parliament is yet to ratify, and Ankara's request to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the United States. "During the call, in which the importance of acting in line with the spirit of alliance was emphasised, Sweden's NATO bid, the F-16 issue and cooperation on defence industry were among issues over which views were exchanged," the source said, adding the call was held at Blinken's request. Turkey asked in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. The Biden administration backs the $20 billion sale, but there have been objections in the U.S. Congress over NATO member Turkey's human rights record and over its delaying the Swedish bid. After long-time non-alignment, Sweden applied to join NATO to bolster its security in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but has been left waiting due to resistance from alliance states Turkey and Hungary. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Alexander Smith and Alex Richardson) Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania will sign an agreement on demining the Black Sea in January Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania will sign an rewards, with the signing expected to take place on Jan. 11 in Istanbul, Turkish outlet TRT Haber reports. "The restoration of peace and stability in the Black Sea is important for the whole world, especially for coastal states," Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said. We are carefully, responsibly and impartially implementing the Montreux Straits Convention, which ensures balance in the Black Sea, and we are determined to continue to do so. Read also: The decision to sign the agreement was made within the framework of the Trilateral Initiative, which was launched under Turkish leadership. The demining operation will not be considered a NATO special operation. A minesweeping group of the Bulgarian and Romanian navies had begun clearing the Black Sea off the Bulgarian coast along the route of Ukraine's new sea corridor, head of the Institute for Strategic Black Sea Studies and editor-in-chief of BlackSeaNews, Andriy Klymenko, announced on Facebook on Oct. 19 that 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 Church sets Christmas Eve service CARROLLTON Mount Pleasant Methodist Church, 89 Canyon Road SW, will conduct a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The community is welcome. Library collecting books for county jail library DOVER The Dover Public Library is partnering with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Department on a community book drive to benefit the library at the Tuscarawas County Jail. Donations of new or gently used soft-cover books will be accepted at all locations of the Dover library locations through Friday. For more information, call 330-343-6123. Fitness program starts in January DOVER The winter session of the Fit for Life program will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 16 through April 2, in the community room at the Dover Public Library. Dr. Timothy McKnight and his staff from the Trinity Hospital Twin City Medical Center will educate people on how to make lifestyle changes to lead happier, healthier lives. Participants may attend in person or virtually. Lectures are released within a private Facebook page, then the participants meet each Tuesday evening (either in-person or virtually) to review the lesson and learn more information. The course will address customized nutrition and fitness plans, stress management, cardiovascular fitness, food labels, flexibility and strength fitness, disease prevention, and healthy aging. Register by visiting www.trinitytwincity.org. Either click on the Fit for Life ad on the front page or go to For Your Health/Fit for Life/ REGISTER HERE. In-person registration is limited to the first 50 confirmed registrants. Virtual registrations are not limited. The cost of the program is $100. For more information, call Kelly at 330-401-5900. First Federal Community Bank recognized DOVER First Federal Community Bank has been named one of the 2023 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker Magazine. American Banker has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees. This year 90 banks earned a spot in the ranking of Best Banks to Work For, based on an anonymous employee survey and a thorough review of the benefits and perks offered. The full 2023 Best Banks to Work For list will be featured at www.americanbanker.com. On the 2023 list, First Federal Community Bank ranked No. 68 and is one of three banks in Ohio named to the list. It is the first time First Federal has been recognized by the annual Best Banks to Work For program. Friends of the Homeless hosts Christmas party NEW PHILADELPHIA The Friends of the Homeless will host a Christmas party at 7 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, 217 E. High Ave. It will feature cookies, hot chocolate, singing, and an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children. Church sets Christmas candlelight service UHRICHSVILLE Grace Methodist Church, 524 W. Third St., will have Christmas candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Church sets services, music UHRICHSVILLE First Presbyterian Church, 633 N. Main St., will have worship and Christmas music at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 24. At 7 p.m. Dec. 24, there will be Christmas carols along with candlelight and Communion. Scholarships available for students to pursue careers in agriculture 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. 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 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. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31. Recipients will be announced next spring. To learn more about the scholarships or to submit an application, visit www.fcma.com/scholarships. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscarawas County roundup: News from the Dover-New Philadelphia area JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) Two people were injured in an early morning crash in Jackson Township Sunday. The Franklin County Sheriffs Office said the crash happened at approximately 12:24 a.m. near State Route 104 and Hibbs Road. Holiday donations returned after stolen truck found This embedded content is not available in your region. A 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was driving north on SR104 when it crossed over the center line, the sheriffs office said. The Jeep hit a 2015 Toyota Rav 4 in the vehicles rear drivers side and continued down the southbound lane, hitting a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado head-on. The driver of the Jeep was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition, while the driver of the Chevrolet was taken to Grant in serious but stable condition. The driver and a passenger in the Toyota suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Information about what, if any, charges will be filed has not been released by the sheriffs office, which is continuing to investigate the crash. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department said two men were stabbed in Northwest, D.C. on Sunday afternoon. MPD said that at about 1:40 p.m., it was dispatched to the 7th St., N.W. and T St., N.W. for a stabbing. Police shoot, kill man that stabbed four people in Montgomery County Police said when they arrived at the scene, they found two men stabbed. They were both conscious and breathing. One of the men was found at the location listed below and the other one was found at a nearby hospital. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Trying to resolve continuing financial problems, Gov. Ned Lamont is turning to an independent consultant to chart the future for the UConn Health center at a time when many hospitals are struggling. The future of the UConn Health center has challenged state officials for the past 25 years as they have tried to balance the books with state funding and patient fees at the John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, along with tuition, fees, and research grants at the universitys medical and dental schools. During that time, Connecticut has had multiple governors, House Speakers, UConn presidents, trustee leaders, and medical school deans who have all studied the situation. Now, its Lamonts turn. Im thinking about partnerships, where you maximize the value of UConn Health, Lamont said when asked by The Courant. They do extraordinary work. Maybe with some partnerships we can reduce the cost to the taxpayers and make sure UConn Health is all it can be. Some legislators have questioned whether the health center is run as efficiently as possible, but Lamont said the issue is broader than that. I dont think thats the question, Lamont said of efficiencies. Look, its obviously a few hundred million dollars a year to the taxpayers. Theyve got an amazing medical school. Weve got to do nothing to compromise that. Great clinical care. Whats the best relationship there so we can maximize the care at the least cost to the taxpayers? When asked during his first five years as governor about his plans for the future of the health center, Lamont had said that he was thinking about it without offering concrete plans. Ive been looking at this for a while, Lamont said. Ive been talking to UConn about this for some time, talking to the other hospitals about this, trying to figure out how we can maximize the value there. Since a request for proposals has not been released yet, a consulting firm has yet to be hired and the exact costs for the consultant have not been announced. We ought to have some preliminary response in the next 90, 120 days, Lamont said, adding that he wants details before the 2024 legislative session ends in May. A longtime business executive who likes to cut through the bureaucracy and move quickly as in the private sector, Lamont said, I can be a little impatient sometimes. During the 2022 fiscal year, the states block grant was $208 million and the allocation for state fringe benefits was $200 million for total state support of $408 million out of overall revenues of $1.6 billion, according to numbers provided to the state legislature by UConn. The tuition revenues of $472 million were higher than the states contribution. Lamont has received strong pushback from the top leaders of the UConn administration, who say that a consultant is not necessary. Behind the scenes, UConn President Radenka Maric and other top officials have been trying to block the request for proposals sought by Lamont, which was first reported by Hartford Courant columnist Kevin F. Rennie. Rennie obtained a two-page letter that was written by Maric and three of the universitys highest-ranking officials: board of trustees chairman Daniel Toscano, health center board chairman Sanford Cloud, and medical school dean Bruce T. Liang, who also serves as interim CEO at the health center. We question the need to issue a broad RFP or RFI, particularly because, as you know, we fear this will cause significant damage to UConn Health, including its schools, its reputation, and most importantly, retention and recruitment of the best and brightest faculty, staff and students, many of whom build their lives and careers in Connecticut, the letter said. The four leaders also said they are concerned about the future of the UConn medical and dental schools that are based in Farmington. We are extremely concerned that if any responses include selling the clinical enterprise, the two schools accreditation and therefore their ability to continue to operate could be in serious jeopardy, according to the letter. During years of previous debates about the future of the health center, Connecticut lawmakers have repeatedly noted that Harvard Medical School does not own its own hospital and students instead learn at hospitals around Boston. House Republican leader Vincent Candelora, who has served in the legislature since 2007, expressed frustration at the continuing issue of the health centers finances. But he agreed a consultant is not necessary. Weve known about this problem for decades, Candelora said in an interview. Whats a consultant going to do? He said it is time to make decisions, rather than relying on a consultant that will push the issue into 2024 and beyond. Lamont is punting like the rest of the governors who have dealt with this issue and the legislature, Candelora said. This issue has been punted for years. We just keep plugging the dikes temporarily and throwing money at it, and theres never been a systemic fix. The financial problems at the health center have been a long-running issue with the legislature, dating back at least to 2000 and have continued for the terms of the past four governors. The health center sought millions in additional funding as lawmakers said for years that the fringe benefits for state employees at the state-subsidized hospital in Farmington have traditionally been far beyond those at similar hospitals. At Lamonts direction, the state will be funding the legacy costs of pensions and retiree health care. In a recent message sent to colleagues, Liang said the consultants report will provide recommendations on the coming years. The healthcare industry is obviously ever-changing, Liang said. Knowing that, its important to periodically undertake a holistic assessment of how our public health system is operating in this rapidly evolving environment and work to identify potential opportunities to safeguard and promote our continued vitality and plan for the future. High salaries and pensions with COLAs The health center has a large number of highly paid employees, according to the state comptrollers office. The health center has 421 employees being paid at least $200,000 per year, including 118 at $350,000 or more, 32 at $500,000 or more, eight at $800,000 or more and four employees at $1 million or more, according to the comptrollers statistics. The total payroll for 2023 is $525 million for nearly 7,000 employees in a large, sprawling operation that includes a hospital running 24 hours per day. Statewide, the UConn health center employs 10 of the top 15 highest-paid state employees and 30 of the top 45 highest-paid. While pensions are paid separately out of the state pension fund, the health center has some of the top-paid retirees in the state. That includes Dr. Jack N. Blechner, a former professor at the health center and former department chairman of obstetrics and gynecology. His pension in 2023 is $342,000, which increases every year under the cost-of-living increase for longtime retirees. The total represents a sharp increase of more than $100,000 from Blechners pension in 2005 that was $216,000. The consultant, Candelora said, should look at the salaries and benefits that are driving costs higher. Public sector salaries we tend to overinflate the worth of our public sector, Candelora said. Its no longer the world of getting great benefits for lesser pay. Generally, across the board, on average, state workers are paid far more than the private sector on top of having great benefits. But university spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said earlier this year that the highest-paid doctors generated millions in revenue. The five UConn Health faculty members who recently were listed among the top 10 earners for the past fiscal year collectively generated more than $20 million in 2022 in clinical care revenue for UConn Health nearly quadruple their total combined salaries, Reitz said. From 2016 to 2022, these same five physicians collectively generated $60.7 million in clinical revenue, and overall, UConn Healths 10 highest-paid faculty have brought in more than $140 million in clinical revenue in the same period. This revenue is critical to UConn Health, since about 50% of its revenues come from its clinical operation and state support accounts about 25%. Oversight at health center Legislators have questioned the level of financial oversight at the health center, citing a case in which UConn continued to pay an 84-year-old medical school professor, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, after he was dead. Bigazzi was paid for at least five months with 11 biweekly paychecks until his body was discovered by police on Feb. 5, 2018. He was believed to have been killed in his Burlington home at some point around August 2017 and wrapped in black plastic garbage bags with duct tape in the basement. His 70-year-old wife, Linda, was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. The criminal case is still pending. You would hope people would recognize that somebody is not showing up at the office, Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly has said of the case. Later, UConn recovered about $50,000 in wages that had gone electronically to Bigazzis joint bank account that he shared with his wife. The total was reduced by the amount of vacation time that had not been taken by Bigazzi, who was earning about $200,000 per year at the time of his death. He had been working from home on rewriting part of the medical schools curriculum, and he did not answer more than a dozen emails as UConn officials tried to contact him. Medical malpractice One financial problems for UConn in recent years is a 2021 Superior Court ruling that a Bristol couple should receive $37.6 million from a medical malpractice lawsuit after an insemination procedure went wrong at UConn Health. One child died in utero in January 2015, while her twin brother will need lifelong medical care after sustaining a brain injury, according to the lawsuit. Superior Court Judge Mark H. Taylor, a well-known former attorney for the state Senate Democrats before ascending to the bench, wrote in the 107-page ruling that the court agrees with the vast majority of superior courts, concluding that a physician providing obstetric care owes a direct duty to a mother to prevent harm to her child during gestation and delivery. UConn officials said the size of the ruling, which included both economic and non-economic damages, had been unexpected. The ruling has been appealed and is awaiting a decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court. Long history Various ideas and recommendations have been debated by governors and legislators through the years. In March 2007, five major hospitals teamed up and went public to protest UConns plan to build a $500 million hospital in Farmington as behind-the-scenes feuding over the proposed new hospital spilled into public view. UConn said at the time that its then-30-year-old hospital in Farmington was too small and seriously outdated, making it increasingly difficult to attract top faculty for its adjacent medical and dental schools. Competing hospitals countered that a larger hospital in Farmington would siphon off suburban patients with good insurance plans, leaving them with a disproportionate number of poor patients and more severe financial problems. Those particular plans were dropped, and some officials said that Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Bristol Hospital, Middlesex Hospital, and The Hospital of Central Connecticut should work with UConn to determine the number of new beds that were needed in the region. In 2009, officials talked about a merger between Hartford Hospital and the health center that would create a two-campus university hospital in Farmington and Hartford. That idea fell apart, and the next governor, Dannel P. Malloy, called in 2011 for a bold new plan that was more than double the size of a plan discussed under Gov. M. Jodi Rell. The legislature approved an $864 million multifaceted project to expand the medical and dental schools and generate an estimated 3,000 new construction jobs at the Farmington campus. The proposal called for adding 100 students to the medical school, 48 students to the dental school and about 50 medical researchers overall, as well as a new hospital tower and parking garages. The proposal said the health center, which had been bailed out four times since 2000 under two governors, would break even by 2018. The tower was eventually built in Farmington under Malloys direction. But UConns financial problems have continued. Despite the long-running issues, Candelora said he is trying to remain optimistic. Ill never give up. Otherwise, I wouldnt run for re-election, Candelora said. Reform is always incremental in government. Its always difficult to get reform, but this is an area that needs it. Im hopeful that it will bear fruit. Ive seen a lot of consultants being hired and a lot of press releases, but I have not seen results. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com More than 450,000 Afghans have now left Pakistan with authorities continuing to arrest and deport more - FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP Pakistans prime minister has cited the UKs Rwanda plan in a defence of his deportation of millions of Afghans from the country. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Anwaar ul-Huq Kakar, the interim prime minister of Pakistan, said governments all over the world are adapting to a new era of mass migration and that the UK Governments plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda is a sign of that pressure. In October, Islamabad ordered all foreign nationals residing in the country illegally to leave by November a decree which particularly affects Afghans. The South Asian country hosts an estimated three million Afghan refugees and migrants including at least 600,000 who fled persecution on the Talibans return to power in August 2021. Roughly 1.7 million undocumented Afghans migrants in Pakistan have been affected by the measures - SAMIULLAH POPAL/Shutterstock More than 450,000 Afghans have now left Pakistan, and authorities have begun arresting and deporting others who have not. Thousands more have gone underground, fearing for their lives if they return to their homeland. The UKs Rwanda asylum plan which has been ruled unlawful over fears of harm to refugees would see asylum seekers sent to Rwanda for processing, in a bid to deter people arriving in the UK. Mr Kakar said France is struggling while Italy has expressed fears it may become Europes refugee camp and Germany is also feeling the strain, prompting the announcement of tough new deportation measures. He added that the situation in the US is no easier. Pakistans problem is of a different magnitude altogether, he said. Over the last three to four decades, between four and five million migrants (roughly the population of Ireland) have arrived. Many have no right to remain. The countrys caretaker government cited the involvement of Afghans in suicide bombings as part of the reason for its move, and said that those working on the black market depress wages for legitimate workers. Mr Kakar also said the West needed to take greater responsibility for Afghan refugees from the Taliban. More than 40,000 in Pakistan are awaiting evacuation to the West, he said. About 200 members of the Afghan special forces, trained and funded by the UK, face deportation from Pakistan back into the hands of the Taliban. Gen Sir Richard Barrons, who served the British Army in Afghanistan for over 12 years, told the BBC the failure to relocate the troops was a disgrace, because it reflects that either were duplicitous as a nation or incompetent. Islamabads decision has been met with condemnation from international bodies and refugee agencies fearing for the safety of those returning to the Taliban-run country. The Taliban called the policy cruel and barbaric. Mr Kakar called international criticism of the policy 'predictable' - SAMIULLAH POPAL/Shutterstock Shahid, a 35-year-old former Afghan government official, told the Telegraph last month that while he has a visa to stay in Pakistan, his wife and children do not and are now facing the threat of deportation. Mr Shahid remains trapped unable to return to his homeland for fear of persecution and now also unable to leave his house in Pakistan. They [the Taliban] have threatened to kill me; theyve already killed my friend. They call me a slave of the foreigners, Shahid said. We dont leave the house at all, and have locked ourselves indoors. Lawyers and activists have said the scale of the crackdown is unprecedented. The interior ministry established a hotline encouraging Pakistanis to report any illegal foreigners living in their neighbourhoods, while the police has been searching door-to-door in refugee settlements. Large numbers of undocumented Afghans have been transported directly to the border. In his comment piece, Mr Kakar called international criticism of the policy predictable, saying in any such programme, there will always be a small number of particularly difficult cases. He said that Pakistan has set up 79 transit centres and given free meals and shelter to those crossing back into Afghanistan. Speaking about Afghans fearing persecution of the Taliban, he added: We are reassured by the strong tribal and regional links between those who are being repatriated and the authorities in Kabul and Kandahar. He also insisted that Pakistan will continue to fulfil our legal, moral and humanitarian obligations. Pakistan will hold elections on Feb 8. Imran Khan, the former prime minister, has been jailed after declaring the military was behind his ousting from power. Pakistans powerful armed forces have long objected to the presence of millions of Afghans living inside the country, viewing them as a security threat. In his first year in power, 2018, Mr Khan offered all Afghans living in Pakistan a path to full citizenship, before u-turning reportedly under pressure from the military. At the crossroads of history All over the world, governments are adapting to a new era of mass migration linked to conflict, climate change, and economic opportunism. The West is no stranger to painful judgments that must be made in managing undocumented foreigners. The UK Governments plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda is a sign of that pressure. The heated debate surrounding the proposal and the many efforts to derail the scheme illustrate the huge challenges for policy makers as they seek to balance human rights with hard realities, writes Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar, the Interim prime minister of Pakistan. France is also struggling, while Italy has expressed fears that it may become Europes refugee camp. After opening its arms to several million refugees in recent years, Germany is also feeling the strain, prompting the announcement of tough new deportation measures. The situation in the US is no easier. Pakistans problem is of a different magnitude altogether. Over the last three to four decades, between four and five million migrants (roughly the population of Ireland) have arrived. Many have no right to remain. Despite being a non-signatory to 1951 Convention on Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol), we have generously accommodated the single largest case load of refugees. Hospitality is in Pakistans DNA which is why we have, and will continue to fulfil our legal, moral and humanitarian obligations. We have worked very hard, over a very long period of time, to accommodate as many as we can while giving those with no right to remain ample opportunity to leave voluntarily. Unfortunately, despite frequent opportunities to repatriate voluntarily, and multiple government attempts to register those who remain undocumented, a significant number has persistently refused to formalise their status, choosing instead to stay in the shadows. While Pakistan has benefited from many hardworking and law-abiding migrants, the overall socio-economic and security cost of this huge influx has been staggering. Many work on the black market, paying no tax, depressing wages for legitimate workers. They are also susceptible to exploitation by the criminal underworld, with all its disturbing links to terrorist organisations operating in the region. Treat deportees with respect and care Since Aug 2021, at least 16 Afghan nationals have carried out suicide attacks inside Pakistan, while 65 terrorists killed in encounters with security forces, mainly in the bordering region, were identified as Afghans. No responsible government can ignore such concerns. Whenever we raised this with the interim Afghan government, they advised us to look inwards. We have finally decided to heed to their advice to put our house in order. Our painstaking repatriation programme has attracted predictable criticism from those who do not understand the complex history of the problem or the extraordinary efforts that have been made to avoid forcible deportations. Misinformation and unfounded allegations abound, especially on social media. In any such programme, there will always be a small number of particularly difficult cases. We felt and continue to feel a deep responsibility for the welfare of all of those being repatriated, which is why all officials involved in the program are under strict orders to treat deportees with due respect and care. Furthermore, our emphasis is on voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of individuals (along with their legally acquired assets), and not on deportation. Some 93 per cent of those who have returned to Afghanistan have done so voluntarily. Importantly, none of the 1.46 million Afghans who applied for proof of registration cards have been returned; nor have 800,000 or so individuals who hold Afghan citizen cards. We have set up some 79 transit centres, providing free meals, shelter and medical facilities while additional crossing points have been opened on the Pakistan Afghan Border to facilitate the processes. Security personnel are escorting the immigrants to border crossings, taking particular care of women and children. Emergency helplines are available to report any abuses. Much has been made of the risk of persecution of those who return. We take this very seriously, and are reassured by the strong tribal and regional links between those who are being repatriated and the authorities in Kabul and Kandahar. The interim Afghan government has also shown visible concern for the welfare of those who return. The abrupt withdrawal of western allies from Afghanistan in Aug 20201 prompted a whole new influx of refugees to Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals crossed the border, claiming their lives were in danger. Again, we take their welfare very seriously, recognising that some do require special protection. We will not deport at-risk groups, such as musicians, journalists, and human rights activists. We do however need help from other countries. Unfortunately, only 59,033 of the new arrivals have been resettled outside Pakistan, while 42,068 await evacuation to the west. The rest have failed to put forward a convincing case to anyone for asylum, and continue to stay in Pakistan illegally. Pakistan, today, stands at the crossroads of history. We can no longer continue to compromise our national security by accommodating such huge numbers of undocumented individuals. Our ultimate aim is to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan with associated benefits for our own people, for the region, and the wider world. Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar, the Interim prime minister of Pakistan 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. Some countries are contemplating sending their armed forces to Ukraine, and the United Kingdom is the first on this list, Ukrainian diplomat, and former Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK Vadym Prystaiko said in an interview with Radio Liberty on Dec. 15. Answering a clarifying question about whether Britain is ready to send its soldiers to Ukraine, Prystaiko stated that "no one will ever admit it, especially politicians." Read also: EU to hold special summit in early 2024 to push for Ukraine funding "Every time they are asked, they will say, 'no, no, no way, come on, we'd rather give them everything they need," Prystaiko said. But in reality, the military is making calculations that, God forbid, they will have to use armed forces. That's why the military and diplomats are there, to plan for the future. Read also: Ukraine meets two main requirements for NATO membership, Ambassador Prystaiko says The state leadership must politically decide whether this plan is normal or abnormal. "But it is our duty, and this is why you are hiring us, to plan for the worst. The UK would send troops to Ukraine in the case of a "catastrophic development of the war, in particular, "the continuation of the occupation. British public opinion is not ready for this. "Not a single democratic state is ready to (step in) despite Putins claim about the MI6 planning an attack on the Kremlin. No. It's very difficult for democratic states that depend on the re-election cycle, that depend on their voters, that have to explain themselves a hundred times to make the first step. 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 Ukraine faces defeat as early as next summer if American and Nato military aid dries up, a senior US official has warned. Vladimir Putins chances of victory have been buoyed by war fatigue and blocks on funding in both America and the EU. There is no guarantee of success with us, but they are certain to fail without us, a senior US military source told CNN. Viktor Orban, Hungarys prime minister, last week blocked a 43 billion EU aid package for Ukraine. Austria had also threatened to block the bill until Kyiv toned down criticism of an Austrian bank still working in Russia. Western planners working on worst-case scenario In the US, the Senate has held up a 48 billion military support bill for Ukraine and polls have shown that most Americans think that the US government is overspending in Ukraine. Western military planners are now working on a worst-case scenario of Ukraine without aid being defeated by Russia within a few months, according to CNN which a source described as a disaster for European security. I dont think people fully realise what Ukraines fall would actually mean. We would see horrible things: ethnic cleansing and the total destruction of Ukraine, CNN quoted an unnamed European diplomat as saying. Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the graves of Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv last Friday - AFP/Getty With support slipping, Volodymyr Zelensky has been touring Western capitals and Joe Biden has warned that disinterest in Ukraine risks giving Putin an early Christmas present. But weapons and kit are already in short supply in Ukraine and analysts have estimated that Kyiv will soon run out of air defence missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and shoulder-mounted missiles if Western aid drops. The EU has also admitted that it is only able to supply Ukraine with around a third of the artillery shells that it had initially promised. Reports from the front line of ammunition rationing have also increased. Around Avdiivka, the focus of Russian attacks in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, Soviet-designed Ukrainian transport helicopters converted to carry air-to-ground missiles are only deployed if Russian forces attack with vehicles. A counter-offensive that soon stalled Infantry attacks go unharassed because of a lack of supplies. Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in May but it soon stalled after running into stronger-than-expected Russian trench systems and densely sown minefields. Ukrainian forces that have taken ground from Russia and secured footholds in the villages of Robotyne, in Ukraines Zaporizhzhya region, and Krynky, on the left bank of the Dnipro River 20 miles upstream from the city of Kherson, have found themselves surrounded and pounded by artillery. The New York Times interviewed Ukrainian marines, some trained by the British military, who have been trying to secure Krynky, a collection of fishermens houses, for the past couple of months. Ukrainian servicemen in tears at the funeral of a comrade in Kyiv last Friday - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP They described it as a suicide mission fought in a hellscape of waterlogged shell craters filled with dead bodies and not the decisive foothold the Ukrainian military spokesmen have been talking up. The left bank was like purgatory. You are not dead yet, but you dont feel alive, an injured soldier said from hospital. Putin brands Ukraine a US satellite state Putin has increasingly boasted about Russias prospects of outmanoeuvring and out-thinking the West and at an annual phone-in on Thursday with the Russian public he said that he retained his original war objective of forcing Ukraines surrender. On Sunday, he also kicked off his campaign for Marchs presidential election by mocking Ukraine for becoming a US satellite state in exchange for sausage. Stephen Hall, assistant professor of Russian politics at Bath University, said that Putin was on the front foot and the West had no choice but to keep supporting Ukraine. If his war aims are unchanged, this means one thing, he said. The Russian armed forces will have to get to Kyiv. 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. Russian troops continue to attack in the Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Zaporizhzhya sectors of the front, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Dec. 17. Here are the main points from the summary posted on Facebook: 89 combat engagements took place over the last day. Read also: Ukraine to continue counteroffensive during winter CJCS Brown Russia launched four missiles and 72 air strikes, fired 92 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian positions and localities. There are dead and wounded among the civilian population. On Dec. 16, the Russian military attacked Ukraine using 34 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. All suicide drones were destroyed by air defense forces and means. On the morning of Dec. 17, Russia conducted another air strike using seven Shahed-136/131 UAVs. Ukraines air defense destroyed all UAVs. Read also: Russian forces escalate shelling on Khersons left bank, fearing Ukrainian counteroffensive In the Kupyansk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 14 Russian attacks near Synkivka, Kharkiv Oblast, and Stelmakhivka, Luhansk Oblast. In the Lyman sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled six Russian attacks near Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk Oblast and east of Terny in Donetsk Oblast. In the Bakhmut sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 12 Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka, and Andriyivka in Donetsk Oblast. In the Avdiivka sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian invasion forces who keep trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 17 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, as well as 13 attacks in the areas of Nevelske and Pervomayske in Donetsk Oblast. Read also: Ukraines original counteroffensive plan had to be abandoned within four days report In the Maryinka sector, Ukrainian troops continue to hold back Russian forces in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, where they successfully repelled 12 Russian attacks. In the Shakhtarsk sector, Russian troops did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions. In the Zaporizhzhya sector, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled 12 Russian attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. In the Melitopol sector, Ukrainian troops continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on Russian forces. In the Kherson sector, Ukrainian defenders are holding their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Over the last day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck 21 Russian clusters of personnel, weapons, and military equipment. Read also: Zelenskyy consults war cabinet to discuss ongoing counteroffensive The missile forces hit seven clusters of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, a control center, two air defense facilities, 13 artillery pieces, two ammunition, and fuel and lubricant depots of the Russian military. Earlier, several Ukrainian marines and soldiers who took part in the crossing of the Dnipro River told the New York Times about the fierce and deadly battles for the bridgehead on Khersons left bank. Ukraine is gathering resources for a new counteroffensive next year. The bridgehead on Khersons left bank could become one of the points of offensive operations. 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 The National Agency for Preventing Corruption temporary removed Austria's Raiffeisen Bank from its list of companies sponsoring Russian aggression. According to the agency's website, the Raiffeisen Bank's part in the list is "suspended for the period of bilateral consultations involving representatives of the European Commission." The bank is reported to be widely used by Russian businesses conducting euro transactions. Yet, Austria took exception in the bank's exclusion on the list, threatening to oppose the EU's latest sanction package on Russia. Removing Raiffeisen from the list was most likely a compromise, Reuters reported. A day earlier, Austria agreed to lift its opposition to the sanctions package. The bank had promised to exit the Russian market shortly after the 2022 invasion began, but has yet to fulfil its promise as of the end of 2023. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key updates on Dec. 16-17: Military: Russia committing more reserves in attempt to capture Kupiansk Military Intelligence confirms incursion into Russias Belgorod Oblast Defense minister urges local authorities to contribute to mobilization Media: Austria backs EU sanctions package after Raiffeisen suspended from war sponsor list Zelensky: Ukraine downs 104 of 112 Shahed drones launched by Russia this week Lithuania hands over munitions to Ukraine in latest aid delivery Telegraph: London mayor refused Klitschko's request to send scrap cars to Ukraine Russia is ramping up efforts to capture Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, moving reserves of assault battalions to the area to compensate for heavy losses, Volodymyr Fito, the head of the Army's public relations service, said on air on Dec. 16. Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on Dec. 11 that Russian forces are trying to capture the village of Synkivka in Kharkiv Oblast, hoping to pave the way for the blockade of nearby Kupiansk. Liberated from Russian occupation in the September 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive, Kupiansk has been a key target for renewed Russian offensives, as it serves as a key logistics hub for a potential push further south or west. According to Fito, Russia is utilizing significant amounts of equipment and personnel for its offensive on Kupiansk, which was previously occupied by Russian forces from late February 2022 to Sept. 10, 2022. The "equipment is more protected" than the Russian soldiers, who are used in heavy numbers for assaults and combat reconnaissance, Fico said. Moscow has been concentrating a large force at the Kupiansk-Lyman axis in northeastern Ukraine since the summer, and heavy engagements and shelling have been a common occurrence. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov announced on Nov. 29 that all families with children living in and around Kupiansk had been evacuated to safer regions. In total, 493 people, including 299 children, living in the three communities in the Kupiansk district were evacuated from their homes following a mandatory evacuation order. Read also: Ukraine finally moves to fortify front line, but could it be too little too late? Military Intelligence confirms incursion into Russias Belgorod Oblast Military skirmishes were reported near Russias Terebreno village on the border with Ukraine, Ukraines Main Directorate of Intelligence wrote on Dec. 17. As a result of the attack carried out by opponents of the Kremlin regime in the Belgorod region, a platoon stronghold of Russian troops was destroyed, the military intelligence, known as HUR, wrote. Terebreno, Belgorod Oblast, is located two kilometers north of the border with Ukraine and is home to around 600 people. Ukraines military intelligence didnt reveal what forces fighting on Ukraines side were responsible for the attack, hinting that it could have been one of the Russian battalions employed by Kyiv. Earlier, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that fighting was ongoing in Terebreno. According to preliminary information, there is shooting on the border of the village, Gladkov said. There is damage to power lines in several villages. The Kyiv Independent couldnt independently verify this information. This isnt the first time fighting has occurred in Russias regions bordering Ukraine. On May 22, a group of armed men calling themselves the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps recorded videos saying they had crossed into Russia and taken hold of several villages. The attacks on the villages continued for over a day, with the Russian Volunteer Corps, and its leader Denis Kapustin, holding a press conference not far from the border with Russia on May 24. Despite promising further incursions into Russian territory, the attacks on bordering villages have been a rare occasion ever since. Defense minister urges local authorities to contribute to mobilization Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has urged Ukraines local authorities to contribute more to mobilization efforts, the Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 16. Umerov made the announcement during a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky. He highlighted the key areas of work with local authorities, including hiring specialists for the military through a recruitment project. "We have to change approaches to preparing persons liable for military service and civilians for national resistance. All our people must be trained and prepared," he said. The minister also spoke about the construction of fortifications, which Ukraine recently began constructing, although far later than Russian forces. He also warned about a threat in the information space, claiming that Russia is trying to create an artificial conflict within Ukraines leadership and present Ukraine as lacking support from its partners. Earlier this week, Umerov said the authorities will aim to localize foreign arms production in Ukraine next year. He called on British defense companies to strengthen cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers. The minister pointed out the advantages of operating in Ukraine, namely the possibility of testing in combat and quick feedback from the military. Ukraine is allocating Hr 255 billion ($6.9 billion) of the state's budget to military production next year, according to the Defense Ministry. Read also: Ukraine holds back Russian assault on Avdiivka as long winter battle looms Telegraph: London mayor refused Klitschko's request to send scrap cars to Ukraine London Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected a proposal to send cars handed over to the city authorities to Ukraine, since the plan would not benefit Londoners from an "economic, social, and environmental perspective," the Telegraph reported on Dec. 15. According to the Telegraph, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko sent a letter in September requesting Khan send cars that do not meet the British capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards to Ukraine, instead of being scrapped. The ULEZ aims to clear London's air by requiring those driving polluting vehicles in the city to pay a charge of 12.50 pounds ($15.80). London residents can receive up to 2,000 pounds ($2,500) in exchange for scrapping their car if it does not meet ULEZ emissions standards. Klitschko was interested in the cars set to be scrapped because they were typically heavy vehicles like 4x4s and pick-up trucks, which are in great need on the front line. In Ukraine, the cars could be used in a "variety of life-saving and transport roles," Klitschko wrote to Khan in September. In a letter dated Dec. 12, Khan replied that he would not give the proposal the green light as it "did not meet the "legal threshold" that requires the Ulez scrappage scheme to benefit Londoners," the Telegraph said. "Londoners who choose to scrap their cars should have the freedom to decide for themselves if they want their car sent to support Ukraine," said Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for mayor of London. Sources close to Hall told the Telegraph that "if she became mayor she would seek to change the law so that Ukraine could receive the vehicles." The London mayoral election is set to be held in May 2024. British cars have been donated to Ukraine or bought by volunteers in large numbers as their steering wheels are on the right-hand side, making them unpopular in Europe and cheaper to buy second-hand. Sky News reported in July 2023 that the right-hand drive had another benefit "because Russian snipers are fooled into shooting at the passenger seat, rather than at the driver" when Ukrainian personnel drive British vehicles near the front lines. Read also: In Avdiivka, Ukrainians hold Russians off for nearly 10 years (PHOTOS) Lithuania hands over munitions to Ukraine in latest aid delivery Lithuania delivered on Dec. 15 a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, including millions of cartridges and thousands of short-range anti-tank projectiles, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced. Several European countries have recently presented new bilateral defense assistance to Kyiv as support from the U.S., a key military donor, is running dry due to political infighting. "We hear Ukraine's urgent requests and continue to provide assistance in accordance with the stated needs. We actively encourage our allies to do the same," Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said. Apart from the munitions, the recent batch also included around a thousand folding beds. Earlier on Dec. 15, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry presented the first Leopard 2 tanks repaired in Lithuania and ready to return to the front line in Ukraine. Lithuania has already provided Ukraine with around 500 million euros ($543 million) in defense assistance, according to the ministry's statement. The country is among the leading military donors to Ukraine in terms of gross domestic product shares. Another Baltic country, Estonia, announced on Dec. 14 a new defense aid package for Ukraine worth $88 million, containing Javelin anti-tank missiles, ammunition, and other aid. Read also: French ambassador: Now is not the time for negotiation, now is the time for war Zelensky: Ukraine downs 104 of 112 Shahed drones launched by Russia this week Ukrainian forces shot down 104 of the 112 Shahed "kamikaze" drones launched by Russia over the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address on Dec. 16. Russia began intensifying its attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure as the winter is setting in, echoing the strategy Moscow used last year, although less successfully. "Every destroyed (Shahed) means saved lives and saved infrastructure. I thank all the soldiers of our mobile fire groups, pilots, engineers of the Air Force, and air defense troops. Well done!" Zelensky said. Over the past night, Ukrainian defenses downed 30 of 31 drones launched by Russia. The military does not usually report whether the remaining drones hit their targets or what these targets were. "This week, we also shot down missiles, namely ballistic missiles. Patriot, NASAMS, Gepards, and other systems provided by partners work perfectly," Zelensky extended his thanks to Ukraine's allies. According to the president, there are already agreements made with partners on additional air defense support. Germany recently delivered a new Patriot defense system to Ukraine, in addition to the two provided by Berlin and Washington in the spring. Norway also announced that it is allocating $30.5 million in NASAMS air defense equipment for Ukraine as part of its long-term support plan. Read also: Faces of Torture Media: Austria backs EU sanctions package after Raiffeisen suspended from war sponsor list Austria supported the EU's 12th sanction package against Russia after Ukraine suspended the inclusion of the Raiffeisen Bank in the war sponsors list, Reuters reported on Dec. 16, citing an EU diplomat. Media reports emerged ahead of the Dec. 14-15 European Council summit that Vienna is delaying the newest package in an effort to remove the Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) from Kyiv's blacklist. Even though EU countries publicly announced the 12th package during the summit, EUObserver wrote that Austria continues to hold out on account of the RBI. The website of Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK) now reads that the inclusion of the RBI in the international sponsors of war list is "suspended for the period of bilateral consultations involving representatives of the European Commission." "Austria has now lifted its reserve. Sanctions (against Russia) should now be formally adopted this coming week," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported. Despite the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the RBI, Austria's second-largest bank lender, has continued to operate in Russia. The bank has long-standing ties with Russia and is only one of only two foreign banks classified as "systemically important" by the Russian central bank. Czechia opened an investigation of the RBI in August over its ongoing business activities in Russia after the Czech Association for the Rights of Citizens and Entrepreneurs highlighted that Raiffeisen's Russia-based companies had paid up to $720 million from their profits to the Russian state budget in taxes. The European Central Bank (ECB) urged Raiffeisen on March 24 to devise an exit strategy for selling or shutting down the group's Russia branch of operations. The bank responded to the criticism by saying that it is reducing its business activity in the country, minimizing "the RBI Group's cross-border exposure to Russia," and exploring ways of selling or spinning off its Russian branch, but no further updates have been provided. Read also: Investigation: Italian company makes sure Russian war machine has the steel it needs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A "small arms battle between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian military" is taking place in Russias Belgorod Oblast, the governor said A small arms battle between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian military is taking place on the outskirts of the village of Terebreno, the governor of Russias Belgorod Oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported on Telegram on Dec. 17. "The village of Terebreno, Krasnoyaruzsky district, is under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Gladkov said. There is a small arms battle with the enemy on the border of the village. There is damage to power lines in several villages, but emergency services will be able to start repair work only after approval from the Russian Defense Ministry. Read also: The shooting allegedly began at 11 a.m. About 200 people reportedly live in Terebreno. Locals were not evacuated, so they are hiding in shelters. There is no official comment from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 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 A worker replacing a Ukrainian recruitment billboard with a new one, in a residential neighborhood in Kherson, Ukraine on Dec. 1, 2023. (Mauricio Lima/The New York Times) KHERSON, Ukraine There was a faint tremor in the marines voice as he recounted the murderous fighting on the east bank of the Dnieper River, where he was wounded recently. We were sitting in the water at night and we were shelled by everything, the marine, Maksym, said. My comrades were dying in front of my eyes. For two months, Ukraines Marine Corps has been spearheading an assault across the Dnieper River in the southern region of Kherson to recapture territory from Russian troops. The operation is Ukraines latest attempt in its flagging counteroffensive to breach Russian defenses in the south and turn the tide of the war. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Soldiers and marines who have taken part in the river crossings described the offensive as brutalizing and futile, as waves of Ukrainian troops have been struck down on the river banks or in the water, even before they reach the other side. Conditions are so difficult, a half-dozen men involved in the fighting said in interviews, that in most places, there is nowhere to dig in. The first approaches tend to be marshy islands threaded with rivulets or meadows that have become a quagmire of mud and bomb craters filled with water. The soldiers and marines gave only their first names or asked for anonymity for security reasons, and commanders declined almost all media requests to visit military units in the Kherson region. Several soldiers and marines spoke to journalists out of concern about the high casualties and what they said were overly optimistic accounts from officials about the progress of the offensive. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that it was not immediately possible to comment on the soldiers accusations but that it would provide a response in due course. Some of the heaviest fighting has been in the village of Krynky, on the east bank 20 miles upriver from Kherson city, where Ukrainian troops seized a narrow strip of fishermens houses the only place where they managed to establish a toehold. But footage of the area, livestreamed from a drone and seen by The New York Times, verified soldiers accounts of heavy Russian airstrikes that have destroyed the houses and turned the river bank into a mass of mud and splintered trees. Fresh troops arriving on the east bank have to step on soldiers bodies that lie tangled in the churned mud, said Oleksiy, an experienced soldier who fought in Krynky in October and has since crossed multiple times to help evacuate the wounded. Some of the dead marines have been lying there for as long as two months, as units have been unable to retrieve the bodies because of the intense shelling, said Volodymyr, a deputy company commander who was attending the funeral of one of his men, identified only as Denys, last week. The left bank is very difficult, Volodymyr said. Those who do it are the real heroes, men with great will power. With Ukraines counteroffensive bogged down and the United States and even the European Union showing signs of cutting back aid, the cross-river offensive has been keenly watched for signs that Ukraine can regain momentum against Russian forces. The hope is that they can create a breakthrough deep enough to threaten Russias supply routes and its hold in the south. The Marine Corps, rebuilt to full strength this year with several newly formed brigades, was assigned the task. Since the wars outset, Ukrainian officials have sought to maintain a positive narrative in an effort to maintain morale at home and support abroad. Casualty numbers are not published, nor are details of setbacks suffered by Ukrainian troops. In the case of the Dnieper, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and other officials have suggested recently that the marines have gained a foothold on the eastern bank. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement last month claiming they had established several strongholds. But marines and soldiers who have been there say these accounts overstate the case. There are no positions. There is no such thing as an observation post or position, Oleksiy said. It is impossible to gain a foothold there. Its impossible to move equipment there. Its not even a fight for survival, he added. Its a suicide mission. Oleksiy said the Ukrainian commanders poor preparation and logistics had decimated his battalion. Wounded men were being left behind because of a lack of boats, he said, and the brutal conditions were degrading morale and soldiers support for each other. People who end up there are not prepared psychologically, he said. They dont even understand where they are going. They are not told by the command that sends them there. Oleksiy agreed to let the Times publish his account out of frustration at the losses. I did not see anything like this in Bakhmut or Soledar, he said, referring to two of the most intense battles on the eastern front. Its so wasteful. Russian airstrikes along the river banks marked on the Ukraine Control Map, which geolocates video footage of strikes on both sides of the front, confirm his description. The map shows heavy Russian aerial bombardment of several crossing points along a 40-mile stretch of the river. Russian troops are taking heavy losses, too, by several accounts. The map details multiple hits by Ukrainian artillery, rockets and drones on Russian troops and armor in all of the main settlements along the eastern bank. The city of Kherson has come under repeated Russian attack, but it also resounds with the constant firing of Ukrainian artillery. Generally, we are on hunting duty, said Yevhen Karas, 36, deputy commander of the 14th Separate Regiment, who was visiting one of his units operating drones against Russian targets across the river. He asked for the location not be revealed for security reasons. The main priority is Russian artillery and to defend our operations, said Karas, whose surname is also his military call sign. After two months of operations, he said, the Russian units in the area and long-range artillery had been heavily suppressed. Russian troops were generally staying under cover during the day and moved only at night as a result, he said. Karas headed a volunteer military group, C14, from 2014, which has been described as extreme right-wing by watchdog groups. In 2016 it was integrated as a special operations force in the Ukrainian army. The marines were suffering, Karas said, but the Ukrainian attacks had unnerved Russian commanders, who brought back an airborne unit from the Zaporizhzhia front to bolster the defense. They are very scared that Ukraine this month, or in the spring or the summer, will increase its territory to expand and liberate the east bank, he said, adding that he followed radio intercepts of Russian communications, among other sources of intelligence. Even small territorial gains would give Ukraine the ability to strike Russias supply routes into Crimea, he said. But for now, the cross-river operation was focused not on a breakthrough but on drawing in and killing as many Russian troops as possible, he said. Drones were proving critical in that fight, providing reconnaissance and guiding artillery, while increasingly targeting troops and equipment with explosives. A kamikaze drone was cheaper and more accurate than expensive artillery shells, which are in increasingly short supply, said the unit commander, Dzhmil, 37, giving his call sign. We read the papers and we know who is helping us and that everything has its price, he said, referring to growing debates in the United States and Europe over aid to Ukraine. This week the threat of future aid cuts only deepened, as Zelenskyys efforts to rally support in the European Union and the U.S. Congress were rebuffed. Ukrainian artillery and drone units were well placed along the rivers western bank, which has the advantage of having higher elevation than the eastern bank and allows access to supplies, electricity and logistics, Karas said. Yet if Russian artillery has been suppressed in some areas, its forces have retaliated with devastating aerial bombardment, rocket strikes and a multitude of drones. The marine Maksym, who was recovering in the hospital after being wounded in Krynky in November, said Russian airstrikes and tank, artillery and mortar fire were so intense that his platoon could not advance from the basements where the soldiers had first taken shelter. After three men were killed in an airstrike, the platoon was ordered to evacuate. It turned into a chaotic and disastrous retreat. The soldiers came under shell fire as they made their way to the river bank in the dark, only to be told upon arrival that they would have to wait for three hours for boats to pick them up. It was a swamp, all in craters filled with water, Maksym said, adding, We had no choice but to try to dig in as deep as we could. Everyone was already wounded by that time, he said. A boat came, on a different mission, and took the most seriously wounded. As they waited for more boats, Russian planes bombed the river bank, with three glide bombs, massive half-ton explosives that gouged great holes in the earth. Another boat arrived and took away five more wounded men. Maksym had to wait another 40 minutes for the next boat. The left bank was like purgatory, he said. You are not dead yet, but you dont feel alive. Of the 10 men in his platoon, half were dead or missing, he said. Not a single one survived without injury. c.2023 The New York Times Company Men of military age should not wait for summons and instead voluntarily enlist, Andriy Khlyvnyuk, a Ukrainian musician and soldier, and operator of the Punisher drone, said in an interview with Pryama Chervona YouTube show released on Dec. 14. "It so happened that their family was attacked, their country was attacked," Khlyvnyuk stated. They have no one else to help them. We have to go and do this work. I'm telling you, don't wait for someone to come to your gym, my good athletes. Go and look for them yourself. Think about what you can do for this war. Now we all have the same motivation to fight off the rapists of our sisters, women, mothers and daughters. This is our only task. Because those people broke all their promises, all our bruderschafts I'm sorry that have been going on all these years. We need to fight back against this sh*t. This is our task. We can't complain that everything is going wrong, but we have to make it go right. Read also: Enjoy life despite war, Ukrainian actor, paratrooper Linartovych tells Ukrainians The musician also explained why his band Boombox cannot afford to write songs about the war. "To write songs about the war, you have to be directly involved in it. And since I'm a rear-guard rat... I came, bombed, and left. I can't afford this, it would be a bluff... When you're in the 'material', there, it will be born in you. And if you're beautiful, well-fed, and well-slept, you go to an elite job... In my case, I worked for 20 years, developed a base of people who trust me. But to write songs about the war... I have never been able to write to order. Read also: Two young musicians killed in Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhya The defender and artist also predicted how long the war in Ukraine will last. "We are just at the beginning, there hasn't even been an intermission yet, this is just the first act. And we are in the front row, friends, we will see all this sh** with our own eyes. This is just the beginning. This is my personal opinion, I am not a military expert, maybe the war will end tomorrow, maybe in a month. But my opinion is that this is for a long time, at least for the rest of all our lives. 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 Ukrainian troops fighting on Dnipro river say official claims of success are misleading: 'There are no positions. It's a suicide mission' A Ukrainian serviceman jumps out of the boat onto the shore of the Dnipro river near Kherson, Ukraine, 15 October 2023. Alex Babenko/AP Photo Ukrainian soldiers and marines told The New York Times that the Dnipro river front is brutal. They contradicted official reports that they have gained a foothold on the eastern bank. They said that Ukrainian soldiers are dying in huge numbers and that it is a "suicide mission." In recent months, the banks of the Dnipro river have taken center stage in the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials claiming that their forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank. However, marines and soldiers on the ground told The New York Times that these claims are overstated and that Ukrainians are dying in huge numbers, often before they even reach the other side of the river. "There are no positions. There is no such thing as an observation post or position," Ukrainian soldier Oleksiy said. "It is impossible to gain a foothold there. It's impossible to move equipment there." "It's not even a fight for survival," he said. "It's a suicide mission." President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said in November that Ukrainian forces had gained a foothold on the eastern river, which would mark a significant advance in Ukraine's counteroffensive. Russia has held control of the eastern bank after having retreated from the western bank last year. There were also optimistic reports of Ukrainian forces taking armored vehicles across the river for the first time, and the Ukrainian army posted a statement claiming to have established "several strongholds." However, soldiers on the ground described a grim scene, telling The Times about difficult conditions, brutal fighting, and growing casualties. Oleksiy spoke to The Times out of frustration at the high rate of soldiers dying. "I did not see anything like this in Bakhmut or Soledar," he said. "It's so wasteful." The battles of Bakhmut or Soledar, in the country's east, are known to have been among the most intense of the war. Soldiers speaking to The Times said that the bodies are literally piling up. Oleksiy described how troops arriving to fight often had to step on soldiers' bodies lying in the mud. A deputy company commander, Volodymyr, told The Times that some dead marines have been lying on the river bank for as long as two months because intense shelling makes it difficult to collect the bodies. Oleksiy also criticized the Ukrainian command for poor preparation and logistics, which meant that in some cases, wounded men had to be left behind because there were not enough boats. "People who end up there are not prepared psychologically," he said. "They don't even understand where they are going. They are not told by the command that sends them there." Earlier this month, a Ukrainian soldier told the BBC that marines sent to help defend recent Ukrainian advances on the Dnipro river were so inexperienced they couldn't even swim. In the BBC News report, the soldier said Ukrainian forces were experiencing serious shortages in equipment and reinforcements as they defended their positions, which were under relentless Russian attack. The troops also described difficulties with the landscape, with the river bank being muddy and swamp-like and scattered with craters filled with water. The environment means that in most places there is nowhere to dig in, soldiers told The Times. Despite the difficult conditions, Ukrainian soldiers and marines are continuing to put up a fight, and Russia has also suffered high casualties. The cross-river mission is currently not striving for a major breakthrough, but is prioritizing eliminating as many Russian soldiers as possible and taking out Russian artillery, Yevhen Karas, deputy commander of the 14th Separate Regiment, told the paper. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- OPECs one-time nemesis US shale is rearing its head just months after the sector was all but written off as a threat to the cartels sway over worldwide oil markets. Most Read from Bloomberg Drillers from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Bakken Shale of North Dakota have ramped up oil production well beyond what analysts foresaw, pushing output to a record just as OPEC and its allies put the brakes on supplies in a bid to arrest price declines. This time last year, US government forecasters predicted domestic production would average 12.5 million barrels a day during the current quarter. In recent days, that estimate was bumped to 13.3 million; the difference is equivalent to adding a new Venezuela to global supplies. That growth is reverberating around the world, calling into question the OPEC+ groups strategy of curbing supplies to prevent the potentially catastrophic price impacts of a glut. It also makes clear that the legions of companies that pump oil from US shale fields still wield enough power to bedevil the cartels efforts. The US clearly played a huge role in the global market in 2023, including pressuring OPEC+ to curtail their output, Wood Mackenzie Ltd. analyst Ryan Duman said during an interview. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, abetted by its Russian ally, overtly sought to check the influence of North American shale as early as 2014, when the group flooded world markets with crude in a bid to recapture market share from the ascendant US oil sector. The move aggravated an existing supply glut and triggered a 65% plunge in crude prices that took 14 months to bottom out. That collapse sent a jolt through the economics of US shale, ending years of breakneck production growth. And although the expansion eventually resumed, it was thrown into reverse by the global pandemic in early 2020. The shale industry emerged from that setback with a resolve to prioritize returning cash to investors instead of chasing production gains. Meanwhile, in the years since the 2014-2016 selloff, the OPEC+ alliance, as it came to be known, worked to enforce supply quotas among member nations as part of a broader strategy of balancing global supply-and-demand to maintain robust prices. That self discipline helped stabilize the market in 2020, and again this year in the face of slowing demand and a glut of oil. But OPEC+s latest cuts announced at the end of November havent stopped crude from slipping further. And all the while, US shale plus production in places like Brazil and Guyana has crept higher. Further action by OPEC+ may be needed to shore up the market: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told Bloomberg earlier this month that the group can absolutely maintain discipline beyond the first quarter of 2024 if required. What Bloomberg Intelligence Says The OPEC+ 1 million barrels-a-day voluntary output cut wont inspire much confidence as smaller members have little incentive to abide by its terms and larger ones may not reduce exports due to seasonality. ... US shale growth and a recovery in Iranian and Venezuelan output could effectively offset all the additional proposed cuts through 1Q. Fernando Valle and Salih Yilmaz, BI analysts Read the full report here. Part of what makes the US crude surge surprising is that companies managed to increase production even as the number of drilling rigs at work fell roughly 20% this year. That productivity gain has confounded many analysts and researchers who have long relied on the so-called rig count as a predictor of future crude output. Explorers are squeezing crude out of new wells more efficiently because of innovations in everything from electric-pump technology to new strategies for deploying workers while fracking wells to minimize downtime. A key example has been the replacement of the iconic, decades-old pumpjack with high-tech underground gear as tall as a three-story building that sits inside a well to push more crude to the surface. On a recent windswept morning in the Permian Basin of West Texas, Diamondback Energy Inc. drilling chief Yong Cho stood in a control room part-way up a 180-foot (55-meter) rig as a crew went to work on a fresh well. The company has reduced the time it takes to drill an average well by about 40% over the last three years, thanks in part to boring slightly smaller holes, adjusting the solution thats pumped down shafts to power drills, and subtle refinements in the steel-and-polycrystalline-diamond-tipped bits. In 2019, the average well took me 19.5 days, Cho said during an interview afterward. Now it takes me 11.5 days. But a shale well isnt finished when the drilling is done. A separate array of workers and gear is called upon to frack it so that crude can begin to flow. Its the last and most-expensive part of oil production, and frackers have achieved similar efficiency gains, shortening the process by three days to little more than a week per well, according to Kimberlite International Oilfield Research. Every year were seeing more efficiency, Chevron Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth said during a recent talk at the Council on Foreign Relations. And youre seeing, through a number of acquisitions and consolidations, companies that have the scale to bring these capabilities to bear in a way that just drives further efficiency and industrial kind of progress there. Analysts had expected US producers to increase output modestly this year. Thats partly because after years of heavily investing in production and being burned by downturns, companies pledged to keep spending in check and focus on returning cash to shareholders. The role of private producers may have also caused forecasters to underestimate oil production because their activity is harder to model than publicly-listed peers who report earnings every quarter. Out of the 10 fastest growing producers by volume since the pandemic, seven of them were private companies, according to S&P Global. Mewbourne Oil Co. and Endeavor Energy Resources LP led the charge, adding more barrels to the market than Exxon Mobil Corp. since 2019. There are indications that US drillers may once again exercise more restraint when it comes to expanding budgets. Annual growth in industry spending is estimated to be just 2% in 2024, down from this years 19% growth rate and a fraction of the record 44% increase of two years ago, according to Evercore ISI. Its not drill, baby, drill like it was during the shale boom, Angie Gildea, who leads KPMGs US energy practice, said in an interview. Its meaningful but measured growth. --With assistance from Mitchell Ferman, Grant Smith, Devika Krishna Kumar, Lucia Kassai, Will Kennedy and Joe Ryan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Over the past few years, the United States government has paid lip service to the idea of shifting away from the dirty energy sources that are causing incalculable harm to our planet. However, the numbers tell a different story, as the U.S. is on track to extract more oil and gas than ever before in 2023, with no plans of putting an end to these destructive industries. What is happening? The Biden administration has allocated some funds to aid in the development of clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, as well as for more charging stations for electric vehicles. However, referring to these policies as a clean energy transition is not entirely accurate when the United States remains the worlds leading producer and consumer of oil, accounting for over 20% of the world total in both categories. Even more worryingly, the Guardian reported that the U.S. expects to allow oil and gas companies to continue ramping up production until 2050, the deadline set for net-zero emissions by the Paris Agreement. The U.S. is locking in production for years that makes it hard to meet climate goals, Michael Lazarus, a senior scientist at Stockholm Environment Institute, told the Guardian. Its out of sync, and it needs reckoning. Why is this concerning? While greenlighting more clean energy projects is a step in the right direction, it is meaningless without a phase-out of the dirty energy sources that wind and solar are meant to replace. Wind and solar power do not clean the environment on their own. They are intended as alternatives to the energy sources that are overheating our planet, degrading the quality of our air, and leading to more frequent and unpredictable extreme weather events. Without a concerted effort to ramp down dirty energy production, it is impossible to interpret the current administrations environmentalist policies as anything but symbolic. Not only do we produce more oil and gas than any other country, but Team Biden is greenlighting one fossil project after another, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley said. The U.S. is devoid of any moral authority to phasing out fossil fuels. They say they want to be leaders on climate but then do the opposite, Jerome Foster, a climate activist and member of the White House environmental justice advisory council, said. Its a mixed record, and its really sad to see. President Biden said he would be the climate president, but we arent seeing that. Hes not keeping his promises; hes not got gen Zs back. What can be done about it? Time is running out for the United States government to begin to take the grave threat that dirty energy poses seriously. Until the people in control of the levers of power are willing to stand up against the influence and bribes of dirty energy lobbyists, the outlook for our planet seems bleak. As a way to perhaps feel better about this on a controllable, individual level, get involved in your community. At home, you can explore opportunities to reduce your reliance on dirty energy. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Lloyd J Austin III, the US defence secretary, this week - Menahem Kahana/Pool AFP The United States will push Israel to limit its war against Hamas to small-scale raids within weeks, according to US officials. US Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin III will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, on Monday to discuss a new phase of the conflict. American officials envisage that it would involve smaller groups of elite forces conducting more precise intelligence-driven missions to kill Hamas leaders and rescue hostages. Mr Austin is still expected to reiterate support for Israels campaign to destroy Hamas, but also to restate the importance of civilian safety and the need to increase humanitarian assistance. The Israel Defence Forces operating in the Gaza Strip - via REUTERS Transition to a new phase of war It echoes comments made by Jake Sullivan, president Joe Bidens national security adviser, last week, who said there would be a transition to another phase of the war that is focused in more precise ways. The New York Times reported the news, citing a senior Pentagon official, and said that in a sign of the urgency, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will join Mr Austin in Israel. Mr Austin and Gen Brown are expected to share their lessons of moving from major ground offensives in Iraq and Afghanistan to more targeted operations. Officials want the new phase of the campaign to begin in three weeks, the New York Times reported. Sustainable ceasefire It came as UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron called for a sustainable ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, marking a notable shift in tone from the UK government. Writing a joint article with Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, Lord Cameron warned too many civilians have been killed in Gaza. Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable, the foreign ministers wrote in the Sunday Times. Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth day, the longest outage for course of the war - via REUTERS Gaza remained under a communications blackout for a fourth day, marking the longest of many outages over the course of the war. Hampers rescue efforts Aid groups have said this hampers rescue efforts after bombings, can impede life-saving operations and makes it even more difficult to monitor the wars toll on civilians. On Sunday, Egyptian security sources told Reuters that Israel and Hamas were open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release deal. Egypt and Qatar, which had previously negotiated a week-long ceasefire and hostage release, insisted on expediting aid and the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing before any negotiations could begin, two sources told Reuters. While the crossing was open, they said that aid was being delayed by inspections and had still not entered Gaza. Hopes for peace were raised on Saturday by reports Israels spy chief had spoken on Friday with Qatars prime minister. List of hostages released unilaterally Hamas is insisting on setting the list of hostages to be released unilaterally, and demanding that Israeli forces withdraw behind pre-determined lines, the sources told Reuters. Rescuers look for survivors following Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip - Zuma Press / eyevine While Israel agreed on Hamas setting the list, the sources said it demanded a timeline and to see the list before setting the time and duration of the ceasefire. Israel refuses to withdraw, the sources added. Meanwhile, Israels military chief on Sunday said his troops had taken 1,000 people captive in the war against Hamas. Addressing soldiers inside the bombarded enclave on Gaza, Chief of the General Staff Major-General Herzi Halevi said that when combatants lay down their arms and raise their hands, we arrest them, we dont shoot them We get a lot of intelligence from the captives we have, we already have over a thousand, Maj Gen Halevi said in a video distributed by the military. Soldiers shot dead three Israeli hostages His comments came after soldiers accidentally shot dead three Israeli hostages who the army says were waving a white flag and trying to be rescued. According to an IDF source, one soldier declared the men as terrorists and opened fire, killing two immediately. The third man was wounded, and a cry for help was heard in Hebrew. He later re-emerged, and was shot and killed, the official said. Alon Shamriz and Yotam Haim were killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza - Debbie Hill/UPI/Shutterstock In a nationwide address on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said the killings broke my heart, broke the entire nations heart, but indicated no change in the countrys military campaign. We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages, he said. Indeed, Israel continued to press ahead with its offensive on Sunday. Airstrikes hit the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, the city of Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Strip and the southern city of Rafah. The son of a spokesman of Hamas-ally Islamic Jihad was killed in the strike on Jabalia, a member of the terrorist group told Reuters. Five Palestinians killed Sunday morning Five Palestinians were also killed Sunday morning in an Israeli army operation at the Tulkarem refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The French foreign ministry said one of its workers had died as a result of injuries sustained from an Israeli attack on a house in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. France condemned the bombing of a residential building. The World Health Organisation also issued a warning on Sunday, that the emergency department of the al-Shifa hospital is a bloodbath. The Israeli Defence Forces operating in the Gaza Strip - via REUTERS The team described the emergency department as a bloodbath, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute, the UN agency said. Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor. Amid mounting pressure for a prisoner and hostage deal with Israeli families marching in Tel Aviv demanding such a plan Israels Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, also met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani late on Friday. Reuters reported that the meeting, held in Europe, was the first between senior officials from Israel and Qatar since the collapse of a seven-day ceasefire in late November. Mr Netanyahu sidestepped a question about the meeting during a press conference on Sunday, but confirmed he had given instructions to the negotiating team. 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 United States and the United Kingdom shot down 15 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen early Saturday morning that were targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that the USS Carney successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen early Saturday morning. It said that it suspected the drones were one-way attack drones, adding that no ships were damaged in the Red Sea and no injuries were reported. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on X that the HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea with a Sea Viper missile. He said the Royal Navy ship had recently arrived in the Red Sea to bolster international efforts to maintain maritime security. The recent spate of illegal attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea. The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade, Shapps said. Attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea have escalated in the months since the war between Israel and militant group Hamas broke out. The Houthi rebels and Hamas are both backed by Iran. Last week, Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk announced it would be pausing its container shipments through the Red Sea until further notice due to recent attacks on shipping vessels in the sea. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam said Saturday that the rebels have been involved in communications and discussions with international parties about the recent attacks, The Associated Press reported. He said that the rebels will continue to target vessels linked with Israel until the aggression stops, the AP reported. He said that any genuine steps responding to the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Gaza through bringing in food and medicine would contribute to reducing the escalation. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Top Biden administration officials are actively weighing options to strike back at Houthis in Yemen after the Iran-backed group launched new attacks on naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea on Saturday, according to two U.S. officials. The Pentagon has in recent days moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, to support a potential U.S. response to attacks, said one of the officials, both of whom were granted anonymity to speak about sensitive plans. The military has also provided options to commanders to strike the Houthis, the official said. The Biden administration has been reluctant to respond militarily against the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in recent weeks for fear of provoking Iran, which backs Hamas and Hezbollah in Yemen as well as the Houthis. Previously, the Pentagon had recommended the administration not do so. But a significant uptick in attacks in recent days could potentially lead top U.S. national security officials to change their calculus. The destroyer USS Carney, operating in the Red Sea, shot down 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, a British destroyer, the HMS Diamond, which had recently arrived in the region to help protect commercial shipping, also shot down a Houthi drone. On Friday, a Houthi drone struck the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Al Jasrah in the Red Sea, causing a fire. The same day, Houthi forces also launched two ballistic missiles toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait, one of which struck the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Palatium 3. U.S. warships responded to the attacks at the time. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing operations. The assault has had a significant impact on the commercial market. Maersk, the worlds biggest shipping company, on Friday halted all shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital passageway for cargo and energy shipments traveling between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The news comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown are set to travel to the Middle East this week. Austin is slated to huddle with leaders in Israel, Bahrain and Qatar; Brown will join Austin in Israel. The Pentagon has bolstered its presence in the region, moving three additional destroyers into the Mediterranean Sea this week. The ships join the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group that has been operating in the Mediterranean since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, a deployment that Austin extended again this week. Over the past week, missile-defense destroyers Laboon, Delbert D. Black and The Sullivans have arrived in the Mediterranean, POLITICO reported Saturday. Finland shares the longest border in Europe with Russia and the invasion of Ukraine pushed it to join Nato - ODD ANDERSEN/AFP Vladimir Putin has vowed to create problems for Finland by placing troops near its border as punishment for joining Nato. The Russian leader said his country had been at peace with Finland until the US and the EU persuaded Helsinki to join the Western military alliance. They took and dragged Finland into Nato, he said during an interview with Russias Rossiya 1 TV. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature, had been resolved long ago in the 20th century. Finland shares the longest border in Europe with Russia and has been officially neutral since the end of World War II. Sentiment changed when the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Sweden also wants to join Nato, but has been blocked by Turkey. A Finnish army military anti-aircraft gun being tested Since Finland joined Nato in April, the Kremlin has tested missiles near their border and also started plans to create a neighbouring military district. There were no problems. Now there will be because we will now create the Leningrad Military District and concentrate certain military units there, Putin said. The Kremlin announced in June that it was reactivating the Leningrad Military District, centred around St Petersburg, which was abolished in 2010, as part of a major reorganisation of the Russian military to put it on a long-term war footing against the West and Ukraine. Russian military districts are administrative but are important for shaping funding and focus. Vladimir Putin visits an exhibition in Moscow on December 17 - SERGEY FADEICHEV/AFP Putin despises Nato and sees it as a Western construct to defeat and humiliate Russia. He has said that Ukraines interest in joining Nato was a driving factor behind his invasion in 2022. The Finnish government has accused the Kremlin of waging hybrid warfare against it since it joined Nato by sending migrants from the Middle East and South Asia over its borders. This forced the closure of its borders for a couple of weeks at the start of December. Finland was part of the Russian Empire until 1917. It fought against the Soviet Union in World War II. 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 annual event recognizing and remembering veterans during the holiday season took place Saturday. Wreaths placed at cemeteries nationwide honored three million veterans, including thousands here in Western Pennsylvania. National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County and Union Cemetery in Irwin participated in Wreaths Across America Day. Large crowds gathered as volunteers read the names of veterans aloud and placed thousands of wreaths. Those behind the initiative say a lot goes into making it a success and wanted to share their appreciation for everyone who showed up to honor veterans and their families. Im just humbled at the amount of people that come out and honor our veterans. Im just amazed by the outpour of support I get from this community, said Ed Hajduk, director of the National Cemetery of the Allghenies. Wreaths Across America organizers say they believe the tradition of laying wreaths represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active duty military and their families. What I love most about this day, and this mission, is that it is so much more than just the placement of a wreath. The wreath is the catalyst, it brings together communities - families and strangers -- to learn about those who have served and sacrificed, said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Rite Aid closing another store in our area Person found dead at Washington County business, police say Recall alert: Quaker Oats recall some granola bars, cereals over possible salmonella contamination VIDEO: Play it Forward holds annual toy drive in Downtown Pittsburgh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Sharon Chiaramonte was walking by each veterans gravesite on Saturday. A trek she has done for the past 5 years at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery for its Wreaths Across America program is a holiday ritual. They gave their life for us to make it a safe place for us to live. I want to thank them and all those who are serving now to thank them for their service, Chiaramonte said. Ive been coming for the last five years since my husband passed. I put a wreath at his site. Hundreds of volunteers showed up at the cemetery in Boulder City placing wreaths on veterans tombstones. Chiaramonte stood apart because she appeared to be muttering under her breath, but she was really reading the names on the gravestones. As I was walking back to my car, I noticed that a lot of the markers did not have wreaths placed at them, Chiaramonte said. I didnt know if theyd receive wreaths, so I just wanted to say their names and thank them for their service. Nearly 13,000 wreaths were placed on Saturday as part of the Wreaths Across America program, thanks to generous donors. Nationwide, more than 4,000 locations participated. Yet, organizers in Boulder City say this is still well short of their goal. Its a tribute to you and our community for the unwavering commitment to one day cover the entire cemetery of 35,000 men and women of all branches of our great military, Nevada Wing Civil Air Patrol Maj. Michael Lipka said during a ceremony. Wreaths Across America donated 5,000 more wreaths than they did last year to Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which was a record. Carol Connell, a recent Las Vegas transplant from Wisconsin, was among the army of volunteers who marched on Saturday morning from grave to grave. I have family members that we have lost to the wars. It tugs at my heart, thats probably my biggest charity in life, is our vets they did so much for us, and I just want to come back and honor them, Connell said. Aiyana Castro, 15, was also there making sure the bow on the wreath she laid was just right. I know how hard theyve worked and some of them have even sacrificed their lives, so its important to honor them, Castro said. Roberto Morales, who was deployed to Iraq in 2003, attended with his son and felt encouraged by the crowd. When you come to events like this, you can see how the community gets together, Morales said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Image: Sean Diddy Combs and Kim Porter with twin daughters DLila Star Combs and Jessie James Combs at The Real White Party at Diddys East Hampton estate on Sept. 2, 2007 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Mat Szwajkos/CP/Getty Images for CP) (Getty Images) Diddy has finally returned to social media after several weeks of silence to wish his soul mate a happy heavenly birthday. On Friday, Dec. 15, the Bad Boy Records mogul shared a throwback photo to Instagram that shows him kissing ex-girlfriend Kim Porter on the cheek. Diddy captioned the pic with, We miss you so much Kim! adding, Happy Birthday Beautiful! Love forever. Read more Diddy has since settled out of court, under undisclosed circumstances, with ex-girlfriend Cassie after she filed a $30 million-federal lawsuit alleging long-term emotional and physical abuse. In a newer federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Dec. 6, an unnamed woman claims Diddy flew her out to New York City and subjected her to gang rape when she was 17 years old. The new lawsuit prompted Diddy to release a statement on social media in which he declared enough is enough. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday, he wrote. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth. As more bad behavior from the music industrys bad boys continues to come to light, the Black community might be in the midst of its own version of #MeToo. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. SAN DIEGO The County of San Diego says poll workers are needed for for the March 5 Presidential Primary Election. Those who are bilingual in any one of 10 specific languages are in great need, though speaking multiple languages is not required. According to federal law, the Registrars Office is required to provide bilingual speakers and voting materials to voters who speak Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese. These California cities are among richest in US: report Additionally, state and county requirements show a need for Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Somali, as well as Persian (Farsi and Dari) speakers at select vote centers across the region. Poll workers play an essential role in elections and can receive a daily stipend while serving their community, stated the county in a recent news release. Under the Voters Choice Act, vote centers replace traditional polling places. Vote centers are open throughout the county for an extended period before Election Day, which means poll workers are needed to staff vote centers for up to 11 days in the two weeks before Election Day. How much do poll workers get paid? Poll workers even get paid. The county says poll workers will receive a stipend ranging from $135 to $160 for each day of service at a vote center between Feb. 24 and March 4. The amount of money depends on the assignment given to each worker. Then on the Election Day March 5 the county says poll workers will receive a stipend ranging from $220 to $270 due to the extended hours. Theres good news for those who are bilingual an additional $5 will be given for each day of service at the vote center with an increase to $10 on Election Day. What do poll workers do? Poll workers can have a variety of responsibilities during their shift. According to the county, this includes: Providing excellent customer service. Understand concepts, election procedures and equipment to accurately assist voters. Submitting stipend paperwork. Attending a two-day, paid poll worker training ($95 daily stipend). Answering voter questions. Work as a collective team to perform other duties as assigned to ensure all voters and visitors have a positive voting experience. Handle and resolve difficult situations in a positive manner using good judgement and accuracy Assist in the set-up, close and clean-up of the vote center prior to and on Election Day. How to become a poll worker For those interested in becoming a poll worker in San Diego County, you must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, registered to vote in California, or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the country. The Registrar is seeking people who are team players, exhibit strong leadership and customer service skills, and display flexibility, patience and the highest level of integrity at all times, the county explained. Poll workers must represent the Registrar of Voters in a professional, nonpartisan manner. Applications can be found at sdvote.com. All you have to do is click the RD APPLY NOW tab at the top of the website. More information about the role, along with its procedures can also be found on sdvote.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. New Zealands new right-leaning government took more than a month to take shape, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his coalition partners are now racing to strip back policies that had earned former leader Jacinda Ardern plaudits worldwide amongst progressives. While a swing to the right was predicted, the pace of change under the Nationals Luxon has startled observers, and his coalitions moves to ditch policies seen to favor the countrys indigenous people has seen critics quickly accuse them of being anti-Maori. Under Luxon, the government is proposing to dissolve the countrys Maori Health Authority, rollback the use of the Maori language, and end the countrys limits on tobacco sales a move Maori leaders had sought to cut high rates of smoking among their people. Your attacks on our culture have motivated our standing in solidarity, the co-leader of the Te Pati Maori party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, blasted across the parliamentary aisle in the capital Wellington this month. The same day, the Maori King, Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII, issued a royal proclamation calling for a national hui a coming together of the countrys indigenous people, to discuss holding the new coalition government to account. Many New Zealanders feel the same, with tens of thousands of people turning out across the country for anti-government demonstrations hastily arranged by Ngarewa-Packers party. It was a dignified shot across the bow, Ngarewa-Packer told CNN of the protests on December 5. To say we wont accept this. And that this is what we can do in a short amount of time. Do I think that the Prime Minister will listen? He has to, Ngarewa-Packer said, adding that the world is watching the Luxon government. I think its a humiliating position for a first time Prime Minister to be in, she said. Speaking at a news conference on the day of the protests, Luxon said the criticism of his new government was pretty unfair. We are determined that Maori are going to do better under our government than they have in the last six years, he said. Voter backlash Ardern resigned as Prime Minister in January, handing the leadership to her deputy Chris Hipkins, who attempted to refocus their Labour Partys policies on the cost-of-living crisis. But it wasnt enough to extend Labours time in office. While Ardern won fans around the world for her compassionate response to the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, her position on climate change and by championing working mothers in politics, her domestic legacy is far more contested. Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins, both now former Labour prime ministers, arrive for a cabinet caucus meeting in Wellington on January 22, 2023. - Mark Coote/Bloomberg/Getty Images Failed Auckland infrastructure projects led to accusations of wastefulness at a time when the Labours wellbeing budgets dramatically increased payments to underprivileged families. Farmers protested legislation to curb agricultural emissions and protect waterways. Before the vote, the leaders of the new conservative coalition government, made up of The National Party, New Zealand First, and ACT New Zealand, had all promised to unwind some of Ardens legacy. Right-wing candidates railed against the Labours perceived expansion of New Zealands long-held principle of co-governance, designed to ensure Maori representation in administrative bodies. And in the lead-up to the vote, some Maori candidates complained of racist abuse. The election on October 14 saw a flurry of deal-making as Luxon sought to shore up his thin margin with smaller players. In late November, the new partners published a 100-day plan under which initiatives designed to benefit Maori will be rolled back, including a vow to dissolve the Maori Health Authority established in 2022 with a mandate to improve the health of indigenous people. The plan also backflips on Arderns world-leading ban on the sale of cigarettes to people born after 2008 also seen as anti-Maori as some 20% of Maori adults smoke, far higher than the national average of 8%. Protesters attend an anti-tobacco protest at Parliament on December 13, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. - Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images Organizations such as The Maori Womens Welfare League, that works to empower Maori women and children, have vowed to hold Luxon accountable on his assertion that Maori health outcomes will be improved by what his government argues will be a reduction in red tape. They are not things that are dreamed up in five minutes. They are established because of evidence over time, Maori Womens Welfare League President Hope Tupara said. We saw (the Ardern administration) increasing the amount of government investment into Maori health solutions by Maori providers on the basis of by Maori for Maori. We have an expectation of the kinds of public services that are available to us as part of the population, which I think is reasonable. Richard Shaw, a professor of politics at New Zealands Massey University, described Luxons government as the most explicitly anti-Maori government he could remember. This is the first government that I can recall which has quite explicitly said, well have less of that, not well have more of it, said Shaw. So, this really is an awkward, unsettled moment. Culture wars New Zealands voters in October stripped Hipkins Labour Party of 31 seats to almost half their previous stature in the countrys single-chamber parliament a crushing defeat that leaves them in an awkward position. But the victors may never feel completely comfortable either. New Zealands mixed member proportional voting system means parties rarely govern alone. Luxons National Party, which won just over 38% of the vote is forced to govern in coalition with the far smaller, and less moderate New Zealand First and ACT New Zealand parties. Both junior coalition parties will drag Luxon to the right. New Zealand First has long opposed the official use of Maori terms, from road signs to government departments. The party says the widespread practice of referring to New Zealand by the countrys Maori name, Aotearoa, is an example of virtue signalling and politically correct extremism. Luxon says his government will adopt an English first approach. ACT is forcing Luxon to entertain the possibility of a future referendum on the principles of New Zealands Treaty of Waitangi, a document signed by the colonial British regime and Maori in 1840 that enshrines principles of co-governance between indigenous and non-indigenous New Zealanders. While Luxon says the proposed referendum would go no further than a debate by a parliamentary select committee, the open questioning of the usefulness of the treaty may diminish it as a historic declaration of equality, warns academic Shaw from Massey University. For Tupara, from the Maori Womens League, New Zealands current political moment is not just a passing culture war. We have been fighting the government since the 1800s, so this is not new to us, she said. This fight for our own identity is nothing new to us. I think the level of opposition to what we have achieved for ourselves is something that I havent seen in my lifetime. Ngarewa-Packers Maori political party wants to harness the power of that historic fight to win modern political battles in New Zealand. She says she has a broad coalition of progressive New Zealanders who will support her, Maori and non-Maori. Within less than 72 hours, we were able to mobilize tens of thousands across the country, with no resourcing, completely using our social media. It was a test to ourselves, to see if we had the capability, the capacity to mobilize an alliance, she said. Sometimes you need this revolting, backwards politicking to remind people why we participate. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com As long as the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, conservatives complained that it had squelched the democratic process that unelected men in black robes had handed down a national edict rather than letting the American people sort out a consensus. Celebrating Roes reversal in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, they declared that democracy would finally be allowed to take over and settle the question of abortion once and for all. Now the American people get their voice back, said Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader. While the court in Roe had inflamed debate and deepened division, Justice Samuel Alito Jr. wrote for the majority in Dobbs, the people and their elected representatives would reach the national settlement that had eluded the country for so long. Eighteen months later, the American people are indeed using their voices, but not in the way anti-abortion advocates had hoped. In a steady march of ballot measures, even in conservative states like Ohio, they have codified a right to abortion and rejected attempts to restrict it. Polls show increasing support for abortion rights in all 50 states, with majorities in nearly all states even deep-red states saying that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The entire dynamic of the debate has shifted: Democrats who once dreaded speaking the word abortion are now running on it, while Republicans struggle to define what exceptions they would allow to bans on the procedure, and former President Donald Trump now says overturning Roe was a mistake. And yet a national settlement seems more elusive than ever. One reason is simply American federalism, which allows states to set their own standards when there is no federal one. But a bigger reason is that Republicans around the country the same people, in many cases, who once complained about Roe blocking the democratic process and imposing a one-size-fits-all rule on abortion nationwide have turned much of their energy to keeping the issue away from voters. Republican-controlled legislatures, shocked by the results of ballot measures that put the question of abortion directly to the people, are trying to make those measures harder to pass and even abolish them as an option. The issue is now in a different set of courts, in the states, where anti-abortion groups have searched out like-minded judges in an attempt to take abortion pills off the market. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court the black robes who were supposed to have put themselves out of the business of deciding abortion announced that it would take that case. And some of the same Republicans who once argued that abortion should be settled by the will of the people in the states now argue that what is needed is for Congress to pass a uniform federal law. Few people predicted how much abortion would define the elections of 2022; now it is the defining issue for 2024. But anyone hoping for democracy to resolve the debate will need to wait far longer than that. If the goal of the Dobbs decision was to let the will of the people decide the question of abortion, the question now is whether, in much of the country, the peoples opinions will be allowed to count. A Clear Pattern Abortion-rights groups always said the country would become a patchwork of laws if Roe went away, and they have been proved correct. But so far, its not the patchwork anyone expected. In some cases, the will of the people has protected abortion access. After voters affirmed a right to abortion in state constitutions in Kansas and Ohio, women in those states can get abortions well into the second trimester. In Michigan, a similar ballot measure led to a newly Democratic Legislature enshrining Roe. And in purple Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, tried to get voters to give his party control of the Legislature by campaigning on a promise to pass what he pitched as a consensus bill allowing abortion until 15 weeks. Voters rejected the bid and elected a Legislature that now stands to join others in sponsoring a ballot measure to codify a constitutional right to abortion. Voters in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, too, came out to elect state Supreme Court justices who support abortion rights, even when abortion was not explicitly on the ballot. In Wisconsin, doctors had stopped performing abortions immediately after Roe fell for fear of running afoul of an 1849 ban, but the justices election gave Planned Parenthood enough confidence to reopen its clinics there. Even Republican voters in red states are increasingly supportive of abortion rights, but their elected representatives show little interest in changing the law to reflect that. In July, Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster, surveyed people in nine states where abortion is banned except to save the life of the pregnant woman and found that few knew the specifics of their law, but when they were told, the majority said they supported adding exceptions. The sentiment was highest in Texas, which banned abortion nine months before Roe fell, through a civilian-enforced law, which suggests that the more people know and see, the more they want to liberalize the laws. More recently, another polling firm, PerryUndem, tested two similar ballot measures to see which found more support: One would establish an individual right to reproductive freedom, including the right to make all decisions on abortion; the other would establish that right but allow the state to regulate abortion after viability, unless the procedure was medically necessary. The version without any gestational restriction polled better. Tresa Undem, one of the firms founders, was so surprised by the result that she asked her staff to quadruple-check the numbers, then conducted another poll and follow-up interviews to ask voters why they responded the way they did. Those polls found that respondents who had heard stories about women with pregnancy complications being forced to travel out of state for abortions were overwhelmingly likely to support a ballot measure that included 57% of Republicans. Even 46% of voters who said abortion should be illegal in most cases were likely to support a ballot measure establishing a right to abortion if they had heard these stories. And over and over, voters explained their preference by saying they did not want the government involved in deciding who gets an abortion. But the potential for ballot measures is limited; fewer than 10 states that ban abortion also allow citizen-sponsored ballot measures. And in those states, anti-abortion groups and lawmakers are leaning hard into trying to keep the measures from making it onto the ballot. Abortion-rights groups in Missouri have spent nine months in court fighting the states Republican officials over their attempts to have the language on the ballot say that a yes vote would allow dangerous and unregulated abortion until birth. In Arizona and South Dakota, anti-abortion groups that once saw ballot measures as their preferred instrument are running decline to sign campaigns against abortion-rights groups seeking signatures on ballot petitions. After Ohio voters decisively established a right to abortion in the state constitution in November, Rick Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator and longtime anti-abortion crusader, expressed relief that not many states allowed ballot measures, because pure democracies are not the way to run a country. Victories for abortion-rights groups on ballot measures havent necessarily resulted in changes to the law or opened up access to abortion. In Kentucky, even as voters rejected a ballot measure attempting to say there was no right to abortion, then reelected a Democratic governor who campaigned on his support for abortion rights, a court has upheld a nearly total ban on abortion passed by the Republican Legislature. So even as voters in Kentucky turn out to sound a lot like voters in California on the ballot questions, Americans will be living in two different countries on abortion. In one state, it is a crime that strips doctors of their licenses and sends them to prison for 99 years; next door, it is not only legal but publicly funded. A Lot of Gray There are hints of a possible democratic consensus in the way many voters in conservative states have explained their support for ballot measures enshrining abortion rights. Those voters do not talk about abortion in the way pollsters and advocates have for five decades as a debate between moral absolutes. After 18 months of stories about women denied care or pushed to the brink of death before they can get an abortion, more and more voters who might still describe themselves as pro-life or say they would not choose an abortion for themselves also say they do not want to stop someone who needs an abortion from getting one. Undem said she has watched support for abortion increase in her focus groups since about 2017, after Trumps election and the womens marches that followed. For too long, she said, pollsters have described abortion as a deeply divisive issue. In fact, she said, voters are not divided if the question they are asked is who should decide whether to have an abortion: 7 in 10 will say the person who is pregnant. The same percentage say they do not struggle with their views. Is it complex? Is there a lot of gray? Yes, Undem said. Thats why they dont want politicians making their decisions. Even as Republican legislatures are doing everything they can to block more moderating public opinion from finding a voice in the law, there are some cracks in the wall. In Tennessee, for instance, Richard Briggs, a Republican state senator and heart surgeon, went along in 2019 when the Legislature passed a ban on abortion starting at conception because he assumed that Roe was firmly in place, so the law would never go into effect. I just didnt want to waste a lot of time on something we didnt think would happen, he said. Last year, after that ban took effect, he polled high-frequency voters in his district in and around Knoxville and found remarkable support for some legalized abortion among all but about 20% and the results looked the same whether the respondents identified as Trump Republicans or traditional Republicans. He filed legislation earlier this year seeking exceptions for women facing serious medical emergencies, and in cases of rape, incest or severe fetal anomalies. He couldnt get the package past a critical committee, after the state Right to Life group revoked its endorsement of him and threatened to do the same to any lawmaker who backed his bill. I dont think were listening to the Republican voting public, Briggs said. He now plans to introduce the legislation in steps over the next several years, beginning next year with a bill he calls the Right to Have Children act, which would allow women to have an abortion in cases of medically futile pregnancies or when they face conditions that can limit their future ability to have a child. He expects a difficult road, though: Right now, he said, his Republican colleagues are more afraid of primary challenges from anti-abortion groups than they are of voters in their safe districts. Republican voters are not showing an inclination to make abortion the deciding factor in their vote: While Democrats say abortion is more likely to drive their votes post-Dobbs, Republicans say it is less so. Republicans who support abortion rights probably arent going to vote against their party if they still agree with it on taxes. The American tradition of straight-ticket voting endures. For the law to reflect what voters want, Briggs said, what needs to happen is for some people to lose elections. c.2023 The New York Times Company Democrats and Republicans will not be able to strike a deal on US southern border policy changes this year, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday, following weeks of negotiations over tying tighter immigration restrictions to supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans, Graham said during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, feel that were being jammed. Were not anywhere close to a deal. Itll go into next year. Democrats and Republicans are urgently trying to reach an agreement on border policy changes before senators leave town for the holidays, but several congressional aides are skeptical a deal can be reached as sizable differences remain. President Joe Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to pass his national security supplemental funding request, which includes billions for Ukraine, Israel and border security, among other priorities. Hes warned that the funds are imperative for Ukraine, which the US has pledged to support in defending against Russia, and more broadly, for US national security. But still, the package introduced in October remains stalled. For weeks, negotiators on both sides of the aisles have wrestled over tying tighter immigration restrictions to supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans insist there needs to be a change on the US southern border, where migrant surges have strained federal resources, to move forward with funding for Ukraine. This is a catastrophe, and its a result of the Biden open border policies, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said on Fox News Sunday. Were going to use this opportunity to change that. In a sign of the challenges negotiators face in trying to get an immigration deal that can pass the Senate this week, 15 GOP senators, including Graham, are demanding a special conference meeting in January to discuss the negotiations. In a letter sent Sunday to Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, chair of the Senate Republican Conference, the senators criticized the rushed and secret talks. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the top Republican at the negotiation table for border talks, said he thinks meeting to discuss the legislation when the House returns the week of January 8 is a realistic timeline. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has insisted the chamber will hold a vote on the legislation this week but Lankford noted senators still do not have legislative text. Thats up to Leader Schumer, but we dont have text. So, theres no text to be able to have a vote on, he said, adding that senators will meet again Monday. Senate negotiators Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, and Chris Murphy, a a Connecticut Democrat, told reporters Sunday night after spending the day in talks that they continue to make progress, but they would not outline a timeline for a deal and said meetings will continue Monday. Were making progress and its good, Sinema said. If the Senate 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. The supplemental request also includes $14 billion for border security. But potential changes to tighten asylum, among other stricter immigration measures, are a hard sell with Democrats, who are concerned the White House is embracing Trump-era immigration policies. Over the weekend, senior White House officials, including White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, called Republican and Democratic lawmakers to try to reach a consensus on border policy changes, two sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was on Capitol Hill on Sunday to meet with Senate negotiators. On Saturday, Zients held a call with some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which has raised alarm over the direction of border talks, one of the sources said. The other source said key sticking points remain as negotiators try to reach an agreement. They include metrics to trigger the expulsion of migrants at the US-Mexico border, effectively barring migrants from seeking asylum at the border; curbing the use of parole, which allows migrants to temporarily live in the US on a case-by-case basis; and mandatory detention, the source said. Other proposals include raising the credible fear standard for asylum seekers and expanding the use of a fast-track deportation procedure. The source said Republicans have also showed renewed interest in a safe-third country agreement, which would bar migrants from seeking asylum in the US if they passed through other countries before arriving at the US border. For Biden, the politics of the moment are complicated. While losing support from the Democratic base could cost him at the polls next November, the perception of doing nothing on border security could have broad implications as well. Migrant apprehensions on the US-Mexico border have reached record highs over the course of Bidens presidency. While Biden officials have stressed that the arrests reflect record migration in the Western Hemisphere, the issue is certain to be a liability in the 2024 presidential election as Republicans point the finger at the presidents immigration policies. This story and headline have been updated with additional information. CNNs Manu Raju, Morgan Rimmer and Lauren Fox contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Three people have been arrested after man in his 60s was stabbed in an alleyway, Kent Police says. The man was attacked off Old Bridge Road in Whitstable at about 00:25 GMT. He was taken to a hospital in London with stab wounds where he remains in a stable condition, a police spokesperson said. A 32-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from Margate, and a 25-year-old man from Ramsgate were arrested and remain in custody, police said. Anyone with information or who may have dash cam footage is asked to contact Kent Police. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. Five years ago, Joyce Williams and Sharon Jones were attacked in their south Sacramento rental home in the middle of the night by its owners, who were co-occupants. A jealousy thing, Jones said. Their belongings thrown onto the front yard, Williams and Jones were escorted off-site by a Sacramento County sheriffs deputy to a motel off Mack Road. They stayed in one motel after another until they ran out of money. Without a car, their home for more than four years has been somewhere near the American River in Sacramento. Opinion For more than a year, they have led the regions only self-governing homeless encampment, Camp Resolution, and fought to create it. But now they find themselves fighting a person they have never met, District Attorney Thien Ho. Ho declared Camp Resolution a toxic dumpsite to be abandoned in a letter to Sacramento officials last month. The District Attorney offered no plan on where to move its occupants, most of whom are women. Yet, Ho appears on a trajectory to add Camp Resolution to his September lawsuit against the city. To Ho, Camp Resolution is yet another nuisance that the city has created and that Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Jill Talley must somehow correct. To Williams and Jones, Camp Resolution is home. I think he is using us as a political pawn, the 55-year-old Jones said. Why is he messing with us? He should be prosecuting criminals. To 55-year-old Williams, Hos crusade against Camp Resolution makes no sense. I thought the county and the city were collaborating for the unhoused people. So why is he going after just the city? Why just the city? The two recently discussed their lives and their predicament in the administrative trailer on site. Outside, all the garbage was properly thrown in a trailer. The dogs were on leashes. A friend was leaving a visit with his dog, Nog Nog, in tow. Camp Resolution had every outward semblance of a functioning community. Surrounded by fencing and with a security gate, it is a respite from the dangers of life along the river or on Sacramentos streets. Sharon Jones, left, and Joyce Williams, co-founders of Camp Resolution, chat Wednesday with visitor Mathew Tekano, right, who was pulling his dog Nog Nog in a cart after visiting his girlfriend inside the camp. There is no other place like this. Any other place looks like a hurricane or tornado its in such disarray and they still keep wanting to close them down, Tekano said. Camp Resolution houses 51 people, and it is incredibly cheap for the taxpayer. A non-profit leases the two-acre site from the city for free. In comparison, the city is spending nearly $3.3 million this year at Miller Park in a contract calling for 60 tents and parking for up to 50 clients. By every measure, Camp Resolution appears to be working. It is so popular, Jones said, that about 800 homeless people are on a waiting list to get in. More Safe Ground sites like Camp Resolution are precisely what it will take to get homeless off the streets and into something far more organized and managed. We need immediate relief of the people on the street so the people in the neighborhoods dont have to worry about the homeless being in their neighborhoods, Jones said. Put them in camps or put them in housing. Sharon Jones adjusts a banner Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, outside the security gate of Camp Resolution, a self-governing homeless encampment she co-founded with her wife Joyce Williams on a lot they leased from the city of Sacramento in April. They said there is a waiting list of 800 people to get into the camp, which is full to capacity. We need to pull the homeless into camps or put them in housing, said Jones. Hos lawsuit threatens to move Sacramentos homeless crisis backward, not forward. It is not about finding housing solutions. It is Sacramento County, the designated government provider of social services, that is supposed to be in the lead on that. The county has never been Hos target. The fault is always and only with the city. In this instance, he views the former city maintenance yard on Colfax Street in North Sacramento as a contaminated site of toxic chemicals that poses a legal liability to the city. It is not compassionate, Ho wrote, to purposely expose the unsheltered to poison. Sacramento Attorney Mark Merin, who helped craft the Camp Resolution agreement with the city, disputes the charge that the site is unsafe. There have been different studies, and one of the studies found the level of benzene is no different than whats found throughout the state, he earlier told The Bee. Meanwhile, Jones and Williams feel perfectly safe at the site. I dont know why he is picking on us, Jones said. He needs to get his facts straight. Hos lawsuit has accelerated this couples evolution into advocates. The other day, Williams spoke out against Ho at a press conference organized by Sacramento mayor candidate Flo Cofer. Then Jones spoke to an architecture class of about 75 students at Sacramento State, despite her long-held public speaking fear. Camp Resolution co-founder Joyce Williams speaks Monday at a press conference with Sacramento mayor candidate Flojaune Cofer and civil rights attorney Mark Marin as they disputed the claims of Sacramento District Attorney Thien Hos homeless lawsuit against the city of Sacramento. The couples union years ago was by pure happenstance. Both graduates of local high schools Jones from Rio Linda, Williams from Burbank Williams was walking uptown from the Greyhound bus depot one day when she ran into Jones near Henrys Bar. Both had recognized one another, though they had never spoken. I asked her if I could buy her a drink, Jones said. Williams said yes. Heck yeah, I did! I was thirsty. Together for 23 years and married for 14, Jones and Williams made ends meet for years. With an associate arts degree in data entry, Jones did accounting while Williams was a janitor. They had moved south into the San Joaquin Valley, to Sanger, about seven years ago so Jones could be closer to her family. It was only when they moved back to Sacramento that a rental arrangement devolved into a night of violence and their ultimate displacement. I didnt ask to be homeless, Jones said. But Im here. After camping on the lower American River near Steelhead Creek, by 2022 Jones and Williams had moved to the Camp Resolution site. Before that, Williams said, police and rangers had swept the couple from one site or another 11 times in a single month. It was time to fight for a place where law enforcement would leave them alone. Joyce Williams goes about her morning chores Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, near her trailer as one of her dogs Archie looks on from his pen inside Camp Resolution in North Sacramento. For a year no one has been swept in this camp. They havent had that stress on them. Its overwhelming the preparations for a sweep, said Williams. After threats of yet another sweep strategy at Camp Resolution, the city agreed in March to lease the site to the local nonprofit Sacramento Safe Ground. The sites not perfect. It does not have running water. It is not entirely covered in asphalt. The trailers, which turn into saunas on summer days, have no electricity. But unlike living on the streets, Camp Resolution does have portable restrooms. And security. And occupants who by all measures are looking out for one another. Its existence has created something homeless crave: Stability. For a year no one has been swept in this camp, said Williams. They havent had that stress on them. Its overwhelming, the preparations for a sweep. And now Thien Ho wants to sweep Camp Resolution. Hos warning letter to the city referred to criminal liability at Camp Resolution. Ho could have added the encampment to the list of nuisances in his civil lawsuit. Instead, hes going after the city and the camps operators as if the alleged nuisance amounts to a crime. That elevates his attacks against the city to a whole new level. Its still early in the procedural process, and Ho remains in attack mode. He has yet to defend anything before a judge in a court of law. Threatening to dismantle this uniquely managed encampment, with no suggested alternative, is a very revealing move for the Sacramento District Attorney. And its not a flattering one. Were going to fight back, said Jones. Were going to stand up. Her wife agreed. We, said Williams, are a force to be reckoned with. Texas remains the No. 1 state for executions, but the numbers have dropped dramatically since life without parole became an option for juries to consider. After a generation of running the busiest execution chamber in the Free World, Texas is losing its enthusiasm for the death penalty. At least, it would appear, Texas juries are. During 2023, only three capital murderers in the state were condemned to death row, and two of them represented themselves in court, according to a year-end report showing that even though Texas still remains No. 1 when it comes to application of the death penalty, executions in Huntsville continue their nearly decade-long slow pace. This year, the number of executions in Texas topped out at eight. That's up some from last year's five but a far cry from the 40 inmates who in 2000 were strapped down with large leather belts on a gurney and received a lethal dose of poisons that in most cases quietly ended their lives. Even though the report by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty which, as its name not so subtly suggests, is one of the nation's loudest voices against the imposition of the harshest penalty legally available to government illustrates the diminished use of capital punishment, it is hardly celebratory. Five of the eight inmates put to death in Texas were people of color, as were two of three killers newly condemned. And six of them, according to the report, "had significant intellectual or mental health impairments, including intellectual disability." But the report also shows that the death penalty is no longer the partisan wedge issue it once was in Texas. The Texas House, which continues to have a comfortable Republican majority, passed nearly a dozen bills that would add new guardrails to further ensure due process in capital cases with bipartisan support. None of them cleared the Senate, however. And a new organization called Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty launched in September. Note that the word "concerned" is a considerable step short of "against," but the organization does argue that executions do not deter criminal violence and that the cost to the state of litigating death sentence appeals is a burden on local taxpayers. Finally, the organization uses the same "sanctity of life" argument that often appears in conjunction with opposing abortion. The pace of executions in Texas began tumbling around 2005 from the dozens a year starting in the mid-1990s. By 2009, the pace had dropped into single digits. In between, lawmakers enacted a statute that allowed juries to consider life without the possibility of parole. Before that, an argument prosecutors would make when they sought the death penalty was that a "life" sentence in Texas was often a 40-year sentence because a convict would be eligible for parole after four decades of confinement. When the push for life without parole starting gaining traction, hard-line district attorneys warned that murderers otherwise bound for the lethal injection gurney would be spared, presumably by soft-hearted jurors. Those prosecutors were proved correct about the "spared" part. The "soft-hearted" part is probably more nuanced. By the mid-2000s, groups such as the Innocence Project were uncovering evidence that some executed inmates were probably not guilty of the offense that sealed their fate. Evidence also surfaced that inmates awaiting their death date were not guilty, and they were freed from death row. In Texas, 31 condemned inmates were taken off death row because of sentence reductions or overturned convictions. That's actually higher than the number of inmates executed since that time, 28. Texas' drop-off in executions mirrors the national trend. In 2000, when Texas hit its high-water mark, 85 inmates were executed nationwide. Last year, the national total was 18. And because Texas is very much part of that nationwide, it means that its status as the far-and-away execution leader in the United States remains unchallenged. Since 1982, when Texas resumed the application of the death penalty, 586 inmates have been executed by lethal injection. In second place is Oklahoma with 123. In 2002, Texas had 450 inmates on death row. Now the number is 180. That's still a high number, but not high enough to keep the state's execution chamber as busy as it once was. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas still leads nation in executions, but pace is much slower now GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) After a dry and warm stretch of weather, snow returns to west Michigan Monday and Tuesday. MONDAY AND TUESDAY SNOW Van Buren County has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning from 4 a.m. Monday until 4 a.m. Tuesday, for 3 to 6+ inches of snowfall. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the rest of the lakeshore counties for 1 to 4 inches. Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan will be in effect from 4 a.m. Monday until 4 a.m. Tuesday. Berrien and Cass Counties will be shortly behind. That advisory will be in effect from 7 a.m. through 4 a.m. Tuesday. A strong cold front drops down Sunday night initially, bringing isolated rain showers. As temperatures fall near or below freezing by Monday morning, the rain will change over to snow. Moderate to heavy lake effect snow bands pick up Monday morning making the commute a slippery one. Scattered lake-effect snow showers continue on and off throughout the day, especially in north-northwest flow-favored areas like Allegan and Van Buren Counties. Most lakeshore communities will see 2 to 4 inches, but locally higher totals near 4 to 6 inches are possible. Further inland, impacts will be less significant. Areas like Grand Rapids, Hastings and Ionia will see a trace to an inch of snow. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter High winds will certainly be a factor with this system. Winds will come from the northwest at 10 to 20 mph with top wind gusts near 40 mph. Blowing snow will reduce visibility making travel difficult at times. Isolated power outages are also possible. HOLIDAY TRAVEL After active weather to kick off the week, a quiet pattern works to settle back in. Mostly cloudy skies with highs rising to the low to mid-40s arrive mid-week. Temperatures look to stay above normal into Christmas. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. PHILADELPHIA - A 30-year-old woman died Saturday night after suffering gunshot wounds after a shooting in West Philadelphia, police say. According to Philadelphia police, at 11:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of a female shot on South 62nd Street. Upon arrival, police encountered a 33-year-old woman who told them she had engaged in gunfire with another woman at 62nd and Market Streets. While at the shooting scene, officers say they discovered an unresponsive 30-year-old woman suffering gunshot wounds in her chest and back. MORE HEADLINES: She was transported to Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center via police where she was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m. The shooter surrendered her gun at the scene and was taken to the Homicide Unit for further investigation, police say. An additional firearm was recovered at the scene. The motive is still undetermined and the investigation is ongoing. One woman couldnt wait any longer to welcome her solider home to Nebraska from a 10-month deployment. The woman raced to meet her loved one who barely had time to put down his bag before she catapulted herself into his arms, causing him to stagger back as he embraced her, a heartwarming video shared by the Nebraska National Guard and the U.S. Army on social media showed. The soldier was one of 91 from Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron who were returning from the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield, according to the Nebraska National Guard and KLKN-TV. Troop C, which is based in Beatrice, Nebraska, landed at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lincoln, on Dec. 7 just in time for Christmas. VIDEO SHOWS KANSAS DEPUTY HUG DISTRESSED MOTORIST DURING TRAFFIC STOP Soldiers from Troop C, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron with the Nebraska National Guard returned home from a 10-month deployment last week. The troop was deployed to different parts of the Middle East but mainly Kuwait, doing security operations and training with allied forces, according to KLKN after being deployed last February. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP SON SOBS INTO MILITARY FATHER'S ARMS DURING SURPRISE VISIT FROM 2-YEAR DEPLOYMENT Another one of the soldiers coming home for the holidays was Matias Domingo whose wife gave birth two months ago and told KLKN hes looking forward to spending his first Christmas with his new daughter. The soldiers were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Spartan Shield. "I was definitely counting down the days," Domingo told the station. "Its a feeling that I cant explain right now, but I am definitely very excited to be back home." His wife Brianne said, "Its just nice that he gets to spend time with her now and get that bond with her." The unit returned to Nebraska just in time for Christmas. "I'm just excited to be back and missed both of them a bunch," Chase Adams said while holding his little girl. "And lots of things have changed and ready to pick up our life back." Staff Sgt. Kelly Byrne told the station that his family has history with the troop. "Personally, I jumped at the opportunity for this mission because my grandpa and my great-grandpa were members of this unit in their respective days of service," he explained. "So, it means a lot to be a part of it." Original article source: Woman jumps into Nebraska soldiers arms as troop returns from deployment for Christmas in heartwarming video A woman was killed and a man suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash involving a fire vehicle from the Errol Fire Department on Sunday morning, state police said. Linda Gauthier, 54, of Gorham, a passenger in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said. The driver of the Silverado, Richard Gauthier, 60, of Gorham, suffered life-threatening injuries. Bradley Eldridge, 63, of Errol, who was driving the Errol, NH Fire Departments 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD truck when the crash occurred, was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Conway for suspected serious injuries, state police said. At about 11:37 a.m., state police responded to the area of Route 16 in Pinkhams Grant for the report of a serious motor vehicle collision. A preliminary investigation found that Eldridge, driving the Errol, NH Fire Departments Chevrolet Silverado, was traveling northbound on Route 16, when it collided with a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound on Route 16, state police said. Richard Gauthier was taken by ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin and later taken to Dartmouth Medical Center with serious life-threatening injuries, state police said. Troopers were assisted on scene by local fire and EMS, along with the Jackson and Gorham Police Departments. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone that may have further information related to this crash is urged to contact Trooper First Class Daniel Quartulli at Daniel.R.Quartulli@dos.nh.gov. Pinkhams Grant is a township in Coos County, near Wildcat Mountain. The grant lies entirely within the White Mountain National Forest. 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 News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. In his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the European Commission will soon begin assessing Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU laws. The screening will be the first step in Ukraine's soon-to-start accession talks with the EU. "The negotiation process will be difficult, but the main thing is that historically we have decided: Ukraine will always be part of our common European home," Zelensky said on Dec. 17. The European Council has agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Dec. 14. Read also: BREAKING: European Council agrees to open accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova The announcement from the two-day summit in Brussels delivered a significant political victory for Ukraine amid worries that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would block the start of the negotiations. "It shows the credibility of the European Union, the strength of the European Union. The decision is made," European Council President Charles Michel told the journalists in Brussels. The accession process won't be swift. To be allowed to join the union, a country must harmonize its legislation with that of the EU and adopt all acquis communautaire, or legal acts and decrees that constitute the European Union law. The so-called acquis are divided into 35 chapters, each of which must be fully adopted and closed by the commission. Croatia, the latest country to join the EU, was able to complete the process within 10 years. Read also: Macron confident EU can fund Ukraine even without Orban Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Please dont hold it against me, but I spent a lot of time going around in academic circles pun intended. I held a teaching fellowship in graduate school. My Marine Corps career included assignments teaching military affairs at the University of California, Berkeley, and English at the U.S. Naval Academy. I went on to become a department chair, a tenured full professor, and a college dean. And I happened to earn my PhD at the University of Pennsylvania the school that made national news recently. In case you missed it, UPenn President Liz Magill, equivocated when Rep. Elise Stefanik asked her if advocating genocide would violate of Penns code of conduct. That would be context dependent, she said. In what context would advocating genocide be acceptable at Penn? You can bet that any Penn student who openly advocates discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community would be in trouble and rightfully so. Article III.4 of Penns Code of Student Conduct expressly condemns hate speech. If calling for the eradication of any group of people isnt hateful, I dont know what is. That same article, however, does include a degree of legalistic equivocation. It states that the content of student speech or expression is not by itself a basis for disciplinary action ... unless it violates applicable laws or university regulations or policies. But Penns code of conduct also enjoins students to respect the safety of others. How does that square with the vehement anti-Israel protests on campus that have led to antisemitic acts of vandalism and intimidation? So did Magill have to resign? Some are claiming what Magill said before Congress on Dec. 5 was a matter of academic freedom and therefore unassailable. Not so, according to the renowned professor and university administrator Stanley Fish. In a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article, he reminds us academic freedom is not a general license to say whatever you like on any topic under the sun. It pertains only to the study of ones own academic discipline. And it does not give faculty members license to proselytize for their personal political or moral beliefs. Likewise, Fish argues, university administrations should comment only on matters directly pertaining to their institutional responsibilities. Fish quotes a former University of Wisconsin provost who turned aside student demands that the university condemn the U.S. invasion of Iraq as follows: The University of Wisconsin does not have a foreign policy. (Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 30, 2023) That especially resonates with me. I started college in 1969, when the Vietnam War was at its height. I dont remember a single professor commenting on the war, much less trying to sway students for or against it. Nor did the university itself ever take a position on Vietnam. By the same token, I was at Berkeley when students were protesting apartheid and demanding the university divest itself of stock in companies doing business with South Africa. Berkeley despite its ultra-liberal reputation made no official pronouncements about the issue. Universities, of course, are responsible for teaching students how to think, not what to think within reasonable limits, of course. Anyone who would express support for genocide is uneducable and has no place in an academic community. Thats what I wish Magill had said. Ill bet she does too. Weather Alert ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM CST FRIDAY... ...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST FRIDAY... ...WIND CHILL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM FRIDAY TO NOON CST TUESDAY... * WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 25 below zero. For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 50 below zero. Coldest wind chills are expected Saturday night into Sunday morning. * WHERE...Portions of east central, northeast, and southeast Nebraska. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 3 PM this afternoon to 9 PM CST Friday. For the Wind Chill Advisory, from midnight tonight to noon CST Friday. For the Wind Chill Warning, from 9 PM Friday to noon CST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be hazardous. Areas of blowing snow will reduce visibilities, even after snow has stopped falling. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday evening and Friday commutes. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && Colombian senators underlined the great socio-economic development and the security and tranquility prevailing in the southern provinces, and criticized the recognition by the current government in Bogota of the so-called SADR, an entity that does not exist. This came in a statement signed by three senators, legitimate representatives of the Colombian people, who have just visited the southern provinces. We were able to take stock in situ of the great socio-economic development of this part of Morocco, as well as peace, security and tranquility in which its population lives, the senators said, adding that this is very different from what some parties portray and totally opposed to the appalling situation in the Tindouf camps. The three signatories of the statement, which was published on the Senates official website, are German Blanco Alvarez, President of the Colombia-Morocco Friendship Group in the Colombian Senate, and Paola Holguin Moreno and Jose Luis Perez Oyuela, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Thanks to this visit, during which we were able to get to know the southern provinces of Morocco, about which many people have preconceived ideas, perhaps without knowing the facts, we were able to corroborate that, on the ground, there is no phantom or self-proclaimed republic, because we only saw Moroccan territory, Moroccan institutions, and Moroccan authorities, and above all a population that has no doubt about the fact that it is Moroccan, the Senators said. The three senators emphasized that the purpose of their visit is to strengthen the friendly relations that the Republic of Colombia has maintained with the Kingdom of Morocco for nearly half a century, and to reiterate our support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as expressed through the two motions we presented to the Senate of the Republic in October 2022 and November 2023. The motion adopted in November by the Colombian Senate expressed unequivocal support to Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its Sahara, and reiterated categorical rejection by the legitimate representatives of the Colombian people of the current governments unwise decision to establish relations with the pseudo-SADR. As Senators and legitimate representatives of the Colombian people, we profoundly reject this unwise decision by the current government, which in no way represents the position of Colombians towards Morocco, and we reiterate our firm position of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, said the motion adopted by a majority of 65 Senators out of the 105 in the upper house of the Colombian Congress. The motion, which was endorsed by Senators from nine of Colombias most important political parties, two of which are part of the government coalition, was supported by president of the Colombian Congress and Senate, Ivan Leonidas Name (Green Alliance), and by chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lidio Garcia Turbay (Liberal Party), both of whom wished to send a strong political message to president Gustavo Petro. In their latest statement, the three senators recalled that during their trip to the Sahara, they had witnessed the attachment and total belonging of the local populations to their homeland, Morocco, and pointed out that that the United Nations does not recognize the self-proclaimed SADR, nor do 85% of its member countries (165/193). In addition, over the past few decades, more than 60 countries worldwide have withdrawn their recognition of this separatist movement. On the ground, we have held several meetings with the regional and local authorities who, in the 2021 elections, were elected with the highest national turnout, as the legitimate representatives of the populations of the Moroccan Sahara. Similarly, almost 40% of African countries have opened consulates there, expressing their firm support for Moroccos sovereignty and unity, they said. The Colombian senators added: This visit has further confirmed what we have been expressing to all our countrys authorities. The importance of Morocco which, as a founding member, in 1963, of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), today known as the African Union (AU), exercises great leadership in Africa, focusing its efforts on the continents development, peace and security, which are also fundamental issues for all our countries. On October 30, 2023, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2703 on the Moroccan Sahara issue, which renewed the mandate of MINURSO for one year until October 2024, and which reiterated that the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, presented by Morocco in 2007, is the most viable political solution to end this regional dispute, they recalled. We were also impressed by the high standard of Moroccos tourism infrastructure, and by the way it has preserved its identity, its age-old history and the diversity of its three components Arab, Amazigh and Hassani taking advantage of all the advances in air, land and sea mobility to make it one of the worlds leading tourist destinations, stressed the signatories. It is for all these reasons that we reiterate, with full conviction and as legitimate representatives of the Colombian people, the bonds of friendship between Colombia and Morocco, and our willingness to further consolidate our institutional relations, within the framework of the Senates remit, which enables us to assess both national and international issues that we consider relevant to the interests of our country, the statement pointed out. The re-elected President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has vowed his readiness to further strengthen the relations of sincere friendship and cooperation biding his country to Morocco. The Malagasy head of state made the remarks while receiving Saturday at the Presidential Palace the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, who represented King Mohammed VI at Rajoelinas official inauguration ceremony, which took place the same day in Antananarivo. El Alami conveyed the greetings and congratulations of King Mohammed VI to Andry Rajoelina on his re-election and the confidence placed in him by the Malagasy people. President Rajoelina expressed gratitude and thanks to the Sovereign for financing and building a hospital and training center in Antsirabe. He also announced that his country will shortly be opening an embassy in Morocco. During the meeting, when the issue of Moroccos territorial integrity was raised, Rajoelina reaffirmed that Madagascar has always stood and will continue to stand by Morocco, a brotherly and friendly country, and that relations between Antananarivo and Rabat are fraternal, historic and honest. The audience was an opportunity for both parties to highlighted the historic and distinguished relations binding the two countries and to stress the importance of consolidating ties, through air transport and investments. In this connection, they underlined the need to create communication networks between investors, to make known the two countries capacities and potential, and to exchange expertise and experience, particularly in the agricultural sector. King Mohammed VI had sent the Malagasy President a congratulatory message on his re-election in which he expressed his firm determination to maintain this common approach with a view to expanding areas of bilateral cooperation, in the service of our two peoples and our African continent. President Andry Rajoelina was re-elected in the first round of the presidential elections held on November 16, winning 59% of the vote. There is no change in the clear and consistent U.S. position regarding the Sahara issue, said Sunday the U.S. State Department, while reiterating Washingtons support for Moroccos autonomy plan viewed as serious, credible, and realistic. In a statement published on the eve of the visit to Morocco of U.S. Assistant Secretary for North Africa Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Joshua Harris (Dec. 17-18), the State Department stressed that during his talks in Rabat, the U.S. official will reiterate that there is no change in the clear and consistent U.S. position. This new reaffirmation of the consistency of Washingtons position provides a scathing denial of the fallacious allegations relayed by some Algerian media outlets which have insinuated, following the recent visit to Algiers by the U.S. official, an alleged change in the U.S. position on the Sahara issue. The United States fully supports UN Personal Envoy de Mistura in facilitating the negotiations process to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution for the Sahara, the statement points out. After recalling that the United States believes a negotiated political solution should be realized without further delay, the State Department underlines that the outcome of UN-led negotiations mutually agreed to by the parties and reflecting their commitment to UN efforts in a spirit of realism and compromise would constitute the final resolution to this issue. In this regard, the United States continues to view Moroccos Autonomy Proposal as serious, credible, and realistic, it says. The visit to Rabat of Deputy Assistant Secretary Joshua Harris will also focus on the means to further strengthen the U.S.-Morocco partnership in addition to a range of regional security priorities, the statement stresses. In an interview during his visit to Algeria Last week, Joshua Harris said his visit was all about urging the country to contribute to facilitating the mission of the UN envoy Staffan De Mistura to speed up the political process to find a lasting political solution to the Sahara conflict. In this interview published by the American embassy in Algiers on its website, it was clear that the U.S. is blaming Algeria for perpetuating the Sahara conflict by hampering UN efforts to reach a mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise, in line with Security Council resolutions which since 2007 have been describing Moroccos autonomy plan as serious, credible, and realistic. In choosing Algeria as an interlocutor on the Sahara issue, the US sends a clear message that Algiers is the real party to the conflict, vindicating Moroccos position that no political solution is fathomable without the active involvement of Algeria, the paymaster, protector and donor of the Polisario militias. We are serious about using our influence to enable a successful UN political process, said Harris in his interview. The US recognized Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory in 2020 and backed the autonomy plan. Blog Archive: Jan 2024 (56) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) There is growing interest around the globe in the development of green shipping corridors, aimed at creating trade routes that respond to the aims of the green transition and allow companies worldwide to access climate funding and open doors to environmentally conscious consumers. A green shipping corridor is a route between different ports that uses zero-emissions shipping methods. It requires the use of green technologies and regulations that support green shipping operations. The location of these routes can vary from short, domestic routes to longer, cross-country links, with the latter being more complex due to the need for multiple parties to agree on the rules and regulations of the route. The development of green shipping corridors is becoming more attractive as countries and maritime companies strive to support a green transition. At present, the shipping industry contributes around 3 percent of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions, releasing around 1 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Meanwhile, shipping accounts for 80 percent of world trade, a figure that is expected to increase thanks to globalization and growing populations. Yet, shipping is considered a hard-to-abate industry when it comes to emissions, relying heavily on fossil fuels to power vessels and in-port operations. Related: U.S. Drillers Cut Drilling Activity Amid Stabilizing Oil Prices The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) aims to halve the industrys emissions by 2050, which will require huge investments in clean technologies, modern vessels, port infrastructure, green shipping fuels, and the digitalization of operations. The creation of green shipping corridors is expected to support the decarbonization of the shipping industry by encouraging various powers to work towards a collective aim. In September this year, the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Shanghai announced plans to develop the Worlds first transpacific green shipping corridor. The ports are working with some of the worlds biggest shipping companies and cargo owners, such as CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd., Maersk, and ONE, to develop the Green Shipping Corridor Partnership. The trio has unveiled their Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan Outline, aimed at decreasing carbon emissions on one of the worlds busiest container shipping routes in the Pacific Ocean. The development comes as part of the C40 Cities scheme, which aims to decarbonize several of the worlds biggest cities. The group hopes to launch the first reduced or zero lifecycle carbon capable ships on the route by as early as 2025. It is not just the corridor that will be decarbonized but also some of the worlds busiest ports, which could provide a blueprint for other major ports to follow. The Partnership will be looking to expand the use of onshore power, as well as develop infrastructure to support the production of green shipping fuels. Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, stated, This trans-Pacific green corridor will be a model for the global cooperation needed to accelerate change throughout the maritime industry. Reducing emissions in this corridor will yield substantial reductions. For perspective, most of the emissions associated with moving cargo by ship occur in the mid-ocean part of the journey between ports. This corridor will help reduce mid-ocean emissions while continuing the work we have done to cut emissions within our ports. Meanwhile, the CEO of the Port of Long Beach, Mario Cordero, explained, This initiative will drive emissions reductions across the worlds largest ocean and lead to greener practices from supply chain participants along these vital trade routes. The new and innovative vessel technologies, increased availability of sustainable fuels and better practices created through this green corridor will also impact societys transition to a cleaner future far beyond the areas served by our ports. This announcement was followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Canadas West Coast and ports in the United Arab Emirates, Korea, and Japan to develop a West Green Shipping Corridor to link North America and Asia. Pablo Rodriguez, Canadas Minister of Transport, announced the plan at the COP28 climate summit. The corridor will run through several Canadian ports, including Prince Rupert, Vancouver, and Edmonton, and connect to several major ports in Asia and the Middle East, crossing the shortest route of water between North America and Asia. Ships on the route are expected to use clean fuels, such as ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol, produced in Canada. The launch of this initiative follows the 2022 publication of The Canadian Green Shipping Corridors Framework, demonstrating Canadas commitment to developing its green shipping sector. Rodriguez stated, Working together is essential to a greener, more sustainable future. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, we are harnessing our collective will, investments, and momentum to ensure the global marine sector is secure, reliable, and sustainable. Were setting a course for a net-zero future. Until recently, long-distance green shipping corridors have been nothing more than a pipedream. However, the announcement of plans for two major new routes this year suggests that we can expect to see more green shipping initiatives over the next decade, as several global powers work together to develop key routes in support of a global green transition. ADVERTISEMENT By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Cristopher Rivituso via AGMetalminer.com According to a Metinvest official, Ukraine is currently seeking ways to increase steel industry exports to boost revenues into the countrys coffers. Steelmakers in the country would require financing for small- and medium-sized steel consumers, simplified customs procedures as well as expansion of the product range in order to facilitate exports a December 5 announcement from the metals and mining group quoted its Chief Financial Officer Yuliya Dankova as saying. Metinvest noted that Dankova made the statements at the Export Credit Forum, which took place on December 1 in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Besides Ukraines steelmakers requiring help certifying their products in global markets, they also need to secure the safe shipment of products via the Black Sea, Dankova added. We must have a constant supply of ships, insurance for them, and the ability to cooperate with financial institutions, she noted. We need to be able to receive funds not after crossing the Bosporus or Suez Canal, but as before, after loading products onto ships. Russias invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, saw the Kremlin blockade ports on the Black Sea. These are the same ports from which Ukrainian steelmakers would export their finished and semi-finished products to regions like Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia. The blockades also included the port of Mariupol, which came under bombardment in the conflicts early days and saw the Ilyich and Azovstal plants sustain heavy damage. The Ukrainian Steel Industry Continues to Struggle Amid the War Approximately 70% of Ukraines steel production, including finished and semi-finished products, went to the export market before the conflict began. However, since then, the country has shipped some volumes via rail to Poland and Romania for further dispatch out of those countries ports. In August, Ukraine established a maritime corridor out of the Odesa, Pivdennyi, and Chornomorsk ports, which lie in the western part of the country. They managed to dispatch around 140,000 metric tons of steel products from the first two in November alone. Nonetheless, that volume reflects a one-third drop from the 213,500 metric tons exported from those ports in October. The creation of the corridor also allowed grain shipments to leave Ukraine after the previous agreement with Russia collapsed in July. It also facilitated the release of container ships stuck in Ukraine since the conflict began, which the previous grain agreement did not cover. However, traders continue to express a reluctance to acquire Ukrainian products. This is mainly due to the risk of damage and disruptions in logistics, which they fear would either cause severe delays in deliveries or even prevent the consignments from arriving at all. The Black Sea route is still tricky, one trader told MetalMiner. Reports also indicate that there is a risk of attacks by Russian vessels as well as mines within the maritime corridor. Overall, Steel Production in Ukraine Remains in Decline Crude steel production in the first 11 months of 2023 was down to slightly over 5.7 million metric tons. A December 6 announcement from the Ukrainian steelmaking association Ukrmetallurgprom indicated that this represents a 7.3% year-on-year drop from almost 6.16 million metric tons. Meanwhile, finished production declined by a similar percentage to 4.86 million metric tons from 5.24 million metric tons. One source noted that crude capacity from the five steel industry operating mills in Ukraine not located in areas of military activity is an estimated 16 million metric tons. They also noted that capacity in 2007 was closer to 47.5 million metric tons. In comparison, crude steel production for 11 months of 2021 exceeded 19.6 million metric tons, reflecting a 5% increase year on year from 18.7 million metric tons. By AGMetalminer.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Barriers to your victory There are times when we find ourselves in need of a victory. Especially when our opponent seems overwhelming, too powerful, or too formidable such as sickness in our body, difficulty on the job, issues with our finances, confusion in our homes, conflict within our church family or the pain experienced when another shooting occurs in a school, neighborhood or even a place of worship. God has promised victory over all issues facing us no matter what the enemy puts in our path. But there are barriers to victory that we erect. Jealousy of others is one because victory cant be measured with the same yardstick that the world uses to determine success. Comparing ourselves to others can be discouraging if we arent experiencing the same level of material prosperity or life success as others. Know that God said that He would supply your every need, not give you everything you want. A second barrier to victory is doubting the power that is available to you through the Power of God and our faith in Him. God told Joshua that the victory was his before the battle was fought. And through faith, Joshua clearly demonstrated that sometimes instead of doubting, we should believe in things that are irrational, contrary to experience, logic or those things that common sense tells us not to. In other words, faith is trusting even if we cannot see it, explain it, or touch it. So if you are a child of God, you should base your victory on Who you know, not what you see. Hebrews 11:30 says By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days. Note that they fell, not by force, firepower, or fighting but by FAITH. The proverb writer (3:5-6) said, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Interim Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church Messy times in life In a Bible story from Luke 2:21-35, Jesus parents, Mary and Joseph, take baby Jesus to the temple for Marys purification ceremony soon after he is born. This was a ceremony that was required of her by Gods Law. There they meet a man named Simeon, who the Holy Spirit has led to the temple that day. When Simeon sees Jesus, he thanks God because he believes he has now seen the Lords Messiah. Simeon also says he can now die in peace after seeing Jesus. Simeon tells Mary that Jesus will bring sorrow and heartache to her life, like a sword piercing her soul. Think of all the hard things Mary saw happen to Jesus that she never could have dreamed of as a new mother. She and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to escape the threats of King Herod. She would lose Jesus in the temple when he was 12 years old. She would see her son betrayed, put on trial, whipped, and nailed to a cross. And she would watch him die on that cross. This must have been incredibly painful for Mary, because she probably didnt expect to bury her child. Even though Simeon predicts sadness for Mary, he also blesses her. He pronounces and invokes Gods divine favor and protection upon them. He asks that God would be good, generous and compassionate towards them. In the end, the Holy Spirit leads Simeon to speak both painful truths but also blessing into Marys life. May the Holy Spirit work as well during the messy times of your life. Perhaps this week the Spirit will match your need with someone who can serve you in your time of difficulty. Or maybe the Spirit will match your gifts and prayers with someone elses need so you can bless them. Lets follow where the Holy Spirit leads as we are blessed by others, and as we bless others as well. Rev. James Lindberg, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Gretna The Stuffed Olive is now open downtown in the Capitol District. It serves more tapas and more than 100 martinis, plus a variety of mules, mojitos, margaritas and many other cocktails. Martini offerings alone include 11 traditional drinks and flavors such as birthday cake, bloody mary, banana split and dark chocolate. The restaurant also lives up to its name, featuring fresh stuffed olives for 50 cents per skewer in fun flavors such as feta, parmesan, pepper jack and pepperoni. Other menu items include charcuterie boards, creamy crab dip, coconut shrimp, Cajun salmon skewers and more. Harmonic Hospitality Group out of Cedar Falls, Iowa operated The Stuffed Olive and its neighbor, Roxxy, which opened a few weeks ago. The group also has locations in Iowa. Omahas location, at 1100 Capitol Ave. Suites 140 and 150, is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day but Sunday. For more information, go to harmonichg.com Pasta Amore opens for holiday lunches Lunch will be served at Pasta Amore from Dec. 18 through 22 and again from the 26th through the 29th. The restaurant, at 11027 Prairie Brook Road in the Rockbrook Village shopping center, doesnt normally operate during the day but is opening for patrons who want to have special holiday meals. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are requested at 402-391-2585, on the Open Table app or at pastaamore.com. If you want to host a party for 12 or more people, contact ainsley@timberomaha.com or robyn@pasta amore.com. The restaurant serves traditional Italian fare. Brunch and magic at Backlot Magician Joe Cole will be performing during brunch this Sunday at Backlot Pizza + Kitchen. You can experience the show right from your table from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Backlot serves a $10 kids brunch buffet on Sundays, along with its regular buffet so the whole family can join in the fun. The buffet menu includes a rotating selection of pizza, entrees, salads, desserts and pastries, with offerings such as crispy chilaquiles, Belgian waffles and the Backlot Omelet, with creme fraiche, bacon, cheese, roasted red pepper and caramelized onion. You also can craft your own mimosas with juices and fresh fruits. The restaurant is also having a five-course wine-pairing dinner with its in-house sommelier on Jan. 24. The event is $100 per person and tickets are available at backlotpizzandkitchen.com Backlot is at 6200 S. 205th St. in Elkhorn. North downtown pizzeria opening soon The owners of Dolomiti Pizzeria & Enoteca said on Facebook that they would be opening their north downtown restaurant soon. Were so close to opening, they wrote. Please be patient with us as we complete our finishing touches on the space. Trust us, it will be worth it. See you next week. Enoteca means wine closet or storage room and that means a wine nook at Dolomiti. Plans for the restaurant about a year ago. A story in the World-Herald last December said entrepreneurs Tim Maides and Carlos Mendez are behind the venture, which will feature wood-fired pizza, seasonal salads, cheese and salami and panini sandwiches. Its in the Ashton Building at Millwork Commons near Coldstone Creamery and Clean Slate Food Co. You can follow their progress at their Facebook page. Photos: Alpine Inn celebrates 50 years with wildlife in Omaha A Blair man was taken into custody after a 17-hour armed standoff Friday near West Point, Nebraska, according to authorities. During the standoff, the man shot down a law enforcement drone and allegedly threatened to harm himself and others. The incident ended after a Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team used armored vehicles to knock down a deer blind in which the man was sheltered. State Patrol officials said they received a call for assistance from the Cuming County Sheriffs Office at about 5 a.m. Friday because of a man reportedly threatening to harm himself. Authorities learned the man, later identified as James Hynes, 70, was in possession of multiple firearms and had allegedly threatened to harm others in the prior week. Nebraska court records allege the following: At about 5 a.m., Hynes contacted the Cuming County dispatcher to report he was upset his wife was selling drugs to kids, he was suicidal and stated if he sees headlights coming towards him, he will shoot himself. An operator with the Crisis Hotline told investigators that Hynes said he was contemplating suicide and that if anyone comes near him, he will do it faster. The operator said that Hynes was under the influence of alcohol and that Hynes said hed had a few beers. Hynes also told the operator he had an arsenal of weapons and said there was nothing anyone could do to change his mind, according to the filing in Cuming County Court. Hynes also stated he could never face anyone in his community again, and later told the operator that he could see the headlights coming and that they had better tell them to back off, according to the filing. Hynes also told (the operator) he will either shoot at law enforcement if they come near or he will shoot himself if provoked, the filing reads. Officers with the West Point Police Department, sheriffs deputies and state troopers responded to the area in a field west of the Elkhorn River. A perimeter was set up as authorities determined that Hynes was using a deer blind as a shelter. At 1:07 p.m., authorities contacted the owner of the property where the deer blind was located. The owner said that Hynes had a handgun, rifle and possibly an AR-type weapon and that there were game cameras linked to Hynes phone. (The owner) said no specific threats were made to anyone when (they) talked to Hynes, the report states. The report also includes communications between a Nebraska State Patrol official and Hynes. At 5:57 a.m., Hynes called the sergeant and said he had been up all night. I am a good guy, I wouldnt hurt anyone, Hynes reportedly said. At 6:02 a.m., the sergeant asked if Hynes had a gun with him. Hynes responded, Oh, Ive got lots of guns, and later elaborated, Ive got a lot of guns right here because, if anybody comes and trespasses on my property, Ill shoot them. Hynes then indicated he had a AR-15, 30-06, 12 gauge, 9mm, Walther. The report said Hynes added you know thats my right before the call ended. Communications between Hynes and crisis negotiators were sporadic throughout the day. They determined no danger was posed to West Point residents due to the location of the incident. Drones were used by troopers to monitor Hynes from a distance. At about 2 p.m., Hynes exited the blind and shot down a State Patrol drone. A second and third drone were deployed. Verbal communication was tried through the drone. Hynes shot at that drone as well, the court filing reads. The subject fired several more rounds throughout the incident and made additional threatening statements, according to the State Patrol. An arrest warrant was issued for Hynes and a State Patrol SWAT team was brought in using two armored vehicles referred to as MRAPs (mine-resistant ambush protected) to approach the blind. Hynes continued to fire shots, authorities said, and refused to exit the blind. At about 10 p.m., the SWAT team used an MRAP to push the blind over. At that point, Hynes surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. Hynes was booked on suspicion of terroristic threats and obstruction, according to the State Patrol. He was checked at a West Point hospital and then lodged in the Thurston County Jail on $250,000 bail. No one was injured during the incident, the patrol said. Former State Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, who also served as Douglas County election commissioner, died Saturday. He was 59. An Omaha lawyer, Lautenbaugh represented northwest Omaha in the Nebraska Legislature from 2007 to 2014. The Republican was appointed by then-Gov. Dave Heineman in 2007, won a 2008 election to fill the final two years of the term and then won a full four-year term in 2010. He resigned with less than two months remaining to pursue lobbying opportunities. Earlier, he served in the election commissioner post from 2000 to 2003. In a statement, the Douglas County Election Commission and current Commissioner Brian Kruse praised Lautenbaugh for his leadership of fair and free elections in the county. Others also paid tribute to Lautenbaugh after learning of his death. I was saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague Scott Lautenbaugh this morning, said U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., a former Nebraska state senator. Scott was a valuable member of the Legislature and of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. I enjoyed working with him on the infrastructure needs of Nebraska. He helped build a stronger Nebraska and was always guided by his conservative values. Another former legislative colleague, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., said he was stunned by Lautenbaughs passing. He was an enterprising, creative, and skilled orator who challenged the status quo and fought for conservative values, Flood said in a statement. In the Legislature, he championed fair election laws and was an early advocate for school choice. We are praying for his family and will long remember his incredible sense of humor and his friendship. Credit an auto dealer and his wife living in Dundee as the first to decorate outdoors in Omaha for the holiday season. Lee and Adelaide Huff were our first Clark Griswolds, the bumbling dad in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation played by Chevy Chase. The World-Herald proclaimed the couple in 1924 as introducing the lighted outdoor Christmas tree to Omaha four years earlier: Mrs. Huff had seen the lighted trees during a visit to the New England states. When they built their attractive home at 5601 Farnam Street, Mr. and Mrs. Hoff not only arranged for one Christmas tree but three. This will be the fifth year they have followed this custom. More than 500 red and green lights are used to decorate the trees. Every year I get the same thrill out of my outdoor tree as I got the first year, said Mrs. Huff. The Huffs bright idea spawned a movement that included citywide contests for many years, including a 1960 winner who, in retrospect, youd certainly expect. Holiday lights were expensive. A strand of eight bulbs sold for $3.50 at Nebraska Power Co., the forerunner of OPPD, in 1923. Special wiring was required. Snow damaged the bulbs. The custom was to light the trees on Christmas Eve and every night thereafter until the New Year was rung in. All these Omahans who have lighted outdoor Christmas trees in this way they can share with passersby the spirit of the holiday season. In many instances these trees have become the objective of Christmas pilgrimages, the newspaper wrote. Model Ts then, limos and trolleys today for looking at the lights. Naturally, wealthier neighborhoods were out in front with lights. In Fairacres, the Adolph Storz family decorated a 25-foot evergreen. The Frank Judson family used hundreds of tiny colored lights on an 8-foot tree. At 48th and Farnam, the Henry Binder family had a tree that could be seen from blocks away. The Binders experimented with tinsel and ornaments, but the wind took care of those. As light strands became more affordable, families across town in the next couple of years began to decorate. The Omaha Bee-News sponsored the first Christmas lighting contest in 1927, dividing the city into four zones for $25 first prizes. (The contest paid down to fourth place.) Mrs. C.J. Anderson won for the northeast, and Glenn Miller (a doctor, not the bandleader) for the northwest. Sophia Swartz and Mrs. J.H. Culton were the winners in the two southern zones. Swartz had a simple display at her Deer Park Boulevard bungalow, but hidden away was a phonograph that played Silent Night. Twas a precursor to the modern use of synchronizing lights to low-watt FM radio signals. Among the judges in the early years were architect Frank Latenser, Omaha Art Institute director Mary P. Thayer and Ak-Sar-Ben float designer Gus Renze. Downtown Omaha was getting into the act. Writing about its 1929 contest, the Bee-News mentioned lights on 250 Christmas trees gleam, green festoons draped across the streets make archways for vehicles. The whole downtown area has taken on the appearance of fairyland. The Fred Larkins on Underwood Avenue in Dundee were among the first to use outdoor cutouts. In 1929, Santa Claus was their theme. The display had a sleighful of toys and St. Nick with his reindeer on the lawn, and then had a Santa figure climbing into a second-story window. Theirs became a traffic stopper. In 1931, they had illuminated cutouts of a choir on the porch roof and windows made to resemble stained grass. They followed the Sophia Swartz example by playing carols on a phonograph placed outside. The Omaha Jaycees took over the contest in 1931 and doubled first prize to $50. Their judging panel included Paul Grumman, director of the new Joslyn Memorial; Belle Ryan, assistant Omaha Public Schools superintendent; architect Alan McDonald; and Nebraska Power Co. technician William J. Krug. How were the displays to be judged? For 1939, the judges gave 50% for artistic effort, 25% for originality, 15% for ingenuity in utilizing surroundings and 10% for conformity with the Christmas spirit. That year, the Burlington Station won the commercial division of more than 100 entries. Kunold Mortuary in South Omaha was runner-up, and Omaha Steel Works third. Omaha University, the Stockyards Exchange building and the MUD building also drew high compliments. During World War II, the Jaycees suspended the contest. When it resumed, the Val Kuska family on North 52nd Street next to Mount View School picked up where they left off extending their winning streak to four years. One of the first mechanical home displays was in 1946 at the home of the H.R. Pages near Benson High School. Santa descended a chimney as his sleigh stood by. The snowy roof had footprints. Santas head and body moved to resemble driving the sleigh. By 1953, the contest had two divisions, one for first-time entries and one for past entrants and a new partner for the Jaycees with the Nebraska-Iowa Electrical Council. A third class for previous winners was added soon after. The 1953 grand-prize winners, out of the novice class, were sister and brother Beverly and Ken Cooper at their home near 15th and Vinton Streets. They were subsequently entered in the national General Electric contest. Two blocks to the north of the Coopers on South 15th, and seven years later, the grand champion was Yano R. Caniglia. Yes, that was Mr. C of steakhouse fame, with his all-year interior Christmas display. While the energy crises contributed to the off switch on lighting contests from 1973 through 1981, the decorating continued. A favorite destination for our family was the 4100 block of North 38th Street. The Harley Floyds yard-filling display was across from the John Andersons yard-filling display. They were 1-2 in the northeast division in 1969. The Omaha Stars Stephanie Partridge in 1981 told of how the Floyds started with an aluminum tree when they moved there in 1962 and added each year to ultimately build a display, taking two months to erect, with a manger scene, Santa Claus, many other blow-mold holiday characters and 5,000 lights. When we see the excited faces on the children, it makes all our efforts worthwhile, Imogene Floyd said. The Omaha Society of Illuminating Engineering kept the contests going the last few years, through 1995. The last grand champion was Ron Moderow for his display in The Knolls neighborhood near 108th and Taylor Streets. Even for the Clark Griswold family, holiday lighting has taken on a new glow with professional designers/installers, synchronized music and the ubiquitous giant inflatables. To think it all started with strands of eight bulbs for $3.50. Correction In last week's column on Omaha overpasses and underpasses, William H. Durand of Durand Jackson and Associates, the designer of the Dodge Street Pedestrian Bridge that links Memorial and Elmwood Parks, was misidentified. The bridges honor from the American Institute of Steel Constructions Most Beautiful Bridge came in 1969, not in 1960. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' latest bankruptcy plan would pay Sandy Hook families a minimum of $55 million over 10 years, a fraction of the $1.5 billion awarded to the relatives in lawsuits against Jones for calling the 2012 Newtown school shooting a hoax. The families, meanwhile, filed their own proposal seeking to liquidate almost all of Jones' assets, including his media company Free Speech Systems, and give the proceeds to them and other creditors. The dueling plans, filed late Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, will be debated and challenged over the next two months, with hearings scheduled for February that will result in a final order saying how much Jones will have to pay. Jones and Free Speech Systems, based in Austin, Texas, both filed for bankruptcy last year as the families were awarded more than $1.4 billion in a Connecticut lawsuit and another $50 million in a Texas lawsuit. A third trial is pending in Texas in a similar lawsuit over Jones' hoax conspiracy filed by the parents of another child killed in the school shooting. The new bankruptcy filings came a day after the 11th anniversary of a gunman's killing of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012. Relatives of some of the victims sued Jones in Connecticut for defamation and infliction of emotional distress for claiming the school shooting never happened and was staged by "crisis actors" in a plot to increase gun control. Eight victims' relatives and an FBI agent testified during a monthlong trial in late 2022 about being threatened and harassed for years by people who deny the shooting happened. Strangers showed up at some of their homes and confronted some of them in public. People hurled abusive comments at them on social media and in emails. Some received death and rape threats. Jones' lawyers did not immediately respond to email messages Saturday. Christopher Mattei, a Connecticut attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said Jones' proposal "falls woefully short" of providing everything the families are entitled to under bankruptcy laws. "The families' plan is the only feasible path for ensuring that Jones' assets are quickly distributed to those he has harassed for more than a decade," Mattei said in a statement Saturday. The families' plan would set up a trust that would liquidate nearly all of Jones' assets, except his primary home and other holdings considered exempt from sale under bankruptcy laws. The trust would have sweeping powers, including authority to recoup money that Jones has paid and given others if those transfers were not allowed by law. The families have complained about Jones' personal spending, which topped $90,000 a month this year. They also have another pending lawsuit claiming Jones hid millions of dollars in an attempt to protect his wealth. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in lawsuit awards to the families and insists his comments about the shooting were protected by free speech rights. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip The Israeli military has rounded up hundreds of Palestinians across the northern Gaza Strip, separating families and forcing men to strip to their underwear before trucking some to a detention camp on the beach, where they spent hours, in some cases days, subjected to hunger and cold, according to human rights activists, distraught relatives and released detainees themselves. Palestinians detained in the shattered town of Beit Lahiya, the urban refugee camp of Jabaliya and neighborhoods of Gaza City said they were bound, blindfolded and bundled into the backs of trucks. Some said they were taken to the camp at an undisclosed location, nearly naked and with little water. We were treated like cattle, they even wrote numbers on our hands," said Ibrahim Lubbad, a 30-year-old computer engineer arrested in Beit Lahiya on Dec. 7 with a dozen other family members and held overnight. We could feel their hatred. The roundups have laid bare an emerging tactic in Israels ground offensive in Gaza, experts say, as the military seeks to solidify control in evacuated areas in the north and collect intelligence about Hamas operations nearly 10 weeks after the groups deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. Militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted over 240 that day. In response to questions about alleged mistreatment, the Israeli military said that detainees were treated according to protocol and were given enough food and water. The army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the men are questioned and then told to dress, and that in cases where this didn't happen, the military would ensure it doesn't occur again. Those believed to have ties to Hamas are taken away for further interrogation, and dozens of Hamas members have been arrested so far, he said. Photos and video showing Palestinian men kneeling in the streets, heads bowed and hands bound behind their backs, sparked outrage after spreading on social media. To Palestinians, it is a stinging indignity. Among those rounded up were boys as young as 12 and men as old as 70, and they included civilians who lived ordinary lives before the war, according to interviews with 15 families of detainees. My only crime is not having enough money to flee to the south, said Abu Adnan al-Kahlout, an unemployed 45-year-old with diabetes and high blood pressure in Beit Lahiya. He was detained Dec. 8 and released after several hours when soldiers saw he was too faint and nauseated to be interrogated. Red Crescent Clear Bodies In Deir al Balah, Gaza This footage was filmed and produced 14 December 2023. [WARNING: sensitive content] Video published by the Palestine Red Crescent shows bodies Israeli forces have detained at least 900 Palestinians in northern Gaza, estimated Ramy Abdu, founder of the Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which has worked to document the arrests. Based on testimony it collected, the group presumes Israel is holding most detainees from Gaza at the Zikim military base just north of the enclave. The Israeli military declined comment on where the detainees were taken. Palestinians cowered with their families for days as Israel poured heavy machine-gun fire into Beit Lahiya and Jabaliya, the firefights with Hamas militants stranding families in their homes without electricity, running water, fuel or communications and internet service. There are corpses all over the place, left out for three, four weeks because no one can reach them to bury them before the dogs eat them, said Raji Sourani, a lawyer with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza. He said he saw dozens of dead bodies as he made his way from Gaza City to the southern border with Egypt last week. Palestinians recounted soldiers going door to door with dogs, using loudspeakers to call on families to come outside. In most cases, women and children are told to walk away to find shelter. Some released detainees described enduring humiliating stretches of near-nudity as Israeli troops took the photos that later went viral. Some guessed they were driven several miles before being dumped in cold sand. Released detainees said they were exposed to the chill of night and repeatedly questioned about Hamas activities that most couldn't answer. Soldiers kicked sand in their faces and beat those who spoke out of turn. Several Palestinians held for 24 hours or less said they had no food and were forced to share three 1.5-liter bottles with some 300 fellow detainees. Darwish al-Ghabrawi, a 58-year-old principal at a U.N. school, fainted from dehydration. Mahmoud al-Madhoun, a 33-year-old shopkeeper, said the only moment that gave him hope was when soldiers released his son, realizing he was just 12. Returning home brought its own horrors. Israeli soldiers dropped detainees off after midnight without their clothes, phones or IDs near what appeared to be Gaza's northern border with Israel, those released said, ordering them to walk through a landscape of destruction, tanks stationed along the road and snipers perched on roofs. It was a death sentence, said Hassan Abu Shadkh, whose brothers, 43-year-old Ramadan and 18-year-old Bashar, and his 38-year-old cousin, Naseem Abu Shadkh, walked shoeless over jagged mounds of debris until their feet bled. Naseem, a farmer in Beit Lahiya, was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper as they made their way to a U.N. school in Beit Lahiya, Abu Shadkh said. His brothers were forced to leave their cousins body in the middle of the road. Israeli officials say they have reason to be suspicious of Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza, given that places like Jabaliya and Shijaiyah, in eastern Gaza City, are well-known Hamas bastions. Human rights groups say mass arrests should be investigated. Civilians must only be arrested for absolutely necessary and imperative reasons for security. It's a very high threshold," said Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watchs regional director. The hidden financial aid hurdle derailing college students The hidden financial aid hurdle derailing college students LINCOLN A Lincoln police officer shot at a car after the driver fled from a traffic stop in north Lincoln on Sunday and drove toward the officer, police say. Police were looking for a white Hyundai Azera and its driver, who fled from the traffic stop near 19th and Knox Streets around 9:40 a.m., according to a Lincoln Police Department press release. The driver then rammed into a parked vehicle and drove over large landscaping rocks before heading toward the officer, who fired their weapon at the car. The suspect is not believed to be injured. The officer was not injured. LPD has placed the officer on administrative leave, which is standard practice after such a shooting. Police are not releasing the officers name at this time, the release said. Crime-scene investigators were gathering evidence and reviewing body-worn camera footage Sunday. Police say the Hyundais model is between 2006 and 2011 and likely has damage to the rear bumper and front end. The car also has in-transit tags, the release said. Anyone who sees the car that matches the polices description is asked to call LPDs non-emergency number at 402-441-6000. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600. This is the third shooting in Lincoln this year in which an officer fired a weapon. On May 1, Chace Abney, 35, of Nevada, allegedly shot at police after a confrontation in a parking lot near Northwest 27th and West O Streets. Officers from the Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol returned fire. No officers were injured; Abney died five days later. On Oct. 17, 27-year-old Simon Kafka allegedly stabbed an officer in the neck, prompting another officer to shoot Kafka. Both the officer who was stabbed and Kafka were hospitalized. Kafka was later charged with attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault on an officer and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. LINCOLN Opioids are taking a growing toll on Nebraskans while the state struggles over how to use millions in settlement payments from purveyors of the highly addictive drugs. Payments that are expected to total nearly $180 million began in March 2021. But it could be well into 2024 before the state starts putting its share of the money to use for treatment, prevention or other efforts to address the effects of opioid addiction on Nebraska. Legal confusion slowed the process, followed by an abrupt change in policy announced this month by the Department of Health and Human Services. Sara Howard of Omaha called the delay heartbreaking. Howards sister, Carrie, died of an overdose in 2009 after becoming addicted to prescription opioids. A former state senator, Howard now serves on Nebraskas Opioid Remediation Advisory Committee. The fact that were going to see another long delay before these dollars can start to get out and be used for their highest purpose, to me, thats really tragic, she said at the committees December meeting. Theres very much a human toll to the delay in getting these funds out, in meeting the needs of our state. Nebraska has been spared the worst of the nations opioid epidemic so far. The states drug overdose death rate ranks at or near the lowest among states, whether measuring all drug overdose deaths or only unintended ones, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But there are signs that the problem is getting worse. Federal data shows the rate of unintentional and undetermined overdose deaths involving opioids hit 5.8 per 100,000 Nebraskans in 2021, up from 4.4 in 2020. The rate of nonfatal opioid overdoses seen in emergency rooms doubled over five years, reaching 17.5 per 100,000 Nebraskans in 2022, up from 8.8 in 2018, and the states opioid dispensing rate now tops the national average. Nebraska providers wrote 44.5 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2022, compared with 39.5 nationally. Dr. Ann Anderson Berry, a committee member and the executive director of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers Child Health Research Institute, said those trends fit what she has seen in her practice. She also said she believes the official overdose numbers understate Nebraskas problem. From my perspective, in the last 12 to 18 months, we are seeing significant increases in number of neonates we are treating for opioid-related concerns, she said. We have a pretty profound impact here in Nebraska. With those trends in mind, Anderson Berry said Nebraskas share of funds from multistate opioid settlements could keep the states opioid problems from worsening. I think this is a remarkable opportunity for Nebraska, she said. It is intended to help the citizens of Nebraska recover. Nebraska is part of multistate settlements with 10 opioid manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and marketers so far, with the states share of payments projected to reach $179.7 million over 18 years. State law directs the payments into the Opioid Recovery Fund. Separate payments are going directly to cities and counties. The opioid agreements set requirements for what states and local governments can do with the money. States must allocate at least half their payments to the regional level and at least 85% of each states total must go for a list of approved opioid remediation activities. The agreements also call for the creation of advisory committees to recommend how states use the money. Nebraskas advisory committee began work in early 2022, with half the members representing the state and half representing counties and cities. The Nebraska committee got off to a slow start, then had to stop and regroup last winter after being alerted that, despite having staff from the Attorney Generals Office at their meetings, they had violated the open meetings law. The confusion forced the committee to redo some previous actions. Still, the committee was on track to disburse $6 million for prevention programs this month and had awarded a $500,000 contract for a comprehensive needs assessment in October. It allocated $10 million to the states six behavioral health regions to plan and fund opioid-related programs. But HHS officials in recent weeks decided to reject the committees plans for the prevention programs and needs assessment, although they approved the money for the behavioral health regions. Tony Green, interim behavioral health director for HHS, announced the decision at the committees December meeting. He said that the committee lacked authority to disburse state money or sign contracts and that HHS would have to follow the states procurement process to do so, rather than use the bidding process developed by the committee. Rather than figure out a way to carry out the committees ideas, Green said HHS will develop its own recommendations for using the opioid funds. He said he would bring those plans to the committee in February for feedback and pledged to keep it involved. I dont see it as the departments going to work in isolation, he said. But Green said the department will not do a needs assessment because agency officials already have enough information about Nebraska behavioral health needs. He did not clarify whether the recommendations will only address behavioral health concerns and whether they will include prevention. Committee members expressed frustration about the sudden change. Amy Reynoldson, a committee member and the executive vice president of the Nebraska Medical Association, said the committee had followed guidance from HHS staff and the Attorney Generals Office in developing their plans. We had individuals sitting in the room who never spoke up and said youre going down the wrong way, she said. HHS spokesman Jeff Powell offered little additional insight about what HHS may recommend, although he said the behavioral health regions could potentially support some of the prevention programs that the committee had been considering. The department understands the importance of these funds and the need to support communities which suffered as a result of the opioid epidemic and is committed to distributing funds as quickly as the law allows, he said. DHHS recognizes the importance of prevention, spreading awareness and sharing resources for effective treatment, he said, adding that the agency will ensure the distribution of funds meets the requirements of each settlement agreement. Powell said an independent efficiency review of state government, required by the state budget, sparked the reconsideration of the opioid committees powers. The state contracted with Kristen Cox, founder and CEO of Epiphany Associates, to undertake the efficiency review. The contract requires her to identify realistic, feasible, hard cost savings equal to at least 3% of state general fund appropriations in the fiscal year that began July 1 and at least 6% in the following fiscal year. That works out to be more than $160 million in the first year and more than $322 million in the second year. Powell did not answer whether the opioid settlement money would be used to replace existing state funds. Such a funding switch could save general fund dollars without reducing overall state spending. But Reynoldson and other committee members said delays in deciding how to use the opioid dollars could make the Opioid Recovery Fund a tempting target. Nebraska lawmakers already approved two bills in the 2023 session that tapped into those dollars. Neither bill sponsor talked with the advisory committee about how they might fit with state priorities. State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha introduced one that provides staff support for local Overdose Fatality Review Teams at a cost of $379,000 a year. Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced the other, which dedicated $1.125 million annually to provide resiliency training and behavioral health support for first responders, who he said are at higher risk of opioid exposure and dependency. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 One person died in a house explosion in Hastings early Sunday that was likely caused by destructive devices, officials said. Just after 3 a.m., a caller reported an explosion at a home at 618 South Boston Ave., according to a City of Hastings press release. As Hastings Fire and Rescue and the Hastings Police Department responded to the call, there were more explosions inside the home, destroying the residence, the release stated. One person found in the homes debris died. Officials say the blasts were likely due to destructive devices, and crews have been working to locate any additional explosive material. The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad and Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office are assisting with the investigation. The Hastings Police Department is overseeing the death investigation, and the Adam County Sheriffs Office has been contacted, the release said. Omaha and eastern Nebraska residents hoping for a white Christmas will likely have to settle for a holiday on the sunny side. Its looking like a calm, easy week for us, Michaela Wood, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday. As of now, were not looking at a white Christmas, with only about a 10% chance of any precipitation. (Meteorologists) will be watching this quite closely as the week goes on. A forecast of high temperatures in the 40s and near 50 for most of the week is the reason snow appears unlikely any day this week. Omahas average high temperature for this time of year is 37 degrees, with lows typically about 20. Mondays forecast calls for temperatures right about those averages. An upper-level ridge moving in Tuesday, however, will keep cold air from Canada from dropping down into Nebraska, Wood said. (Monday) is going to be kind of the weird day this week, she said. It will be dry and chilly, with a high of 37. Tuesday, we will start warming up again, with highs in the upper 40s. The warm, dry conditions are expected to continue Wednesday through Friday. Temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 40s and may even climb past 50, Wood said. The midweek dry weather could be interrupted by some precipitation as a new system moves in out of the Rockies, according to the National Weather Service. The bulk of the system is currently tracking to the south of the Omaha forecast area, but it appears that some light rainfall could clip southeastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Basically, were again looking at 40s and 50s on Saturday and Sunday, Wood said. Right now, its looking pretty clear and dry. Former Nebraska State Sen. John McCollister recently wrote an excellent column for the Omaha World-Herald about the many court challenges across the U.S. on congressional and state legislative maps that are alleged to be racially discriminatory and/or partisan gerrymanders. These disputes have arisen as states redrew their legislative districts and the 435 congressional districts following the 2020 Census. Gerrymandering is defined as manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts so as to favor specific political interests within legislative bodies, often resulting in districts with convoluted, winding boundaries rather than compact areas. Gerrymandering is often deeply undemocratic, with politicians in control of congressional redistricting. Only eight states rely on independent commissions to draw district lines, although some use advisory commissions. Both parties generally gerrymander maps in their favor if given the opportunity. It often falls to courts to bring gerrymandering in check, although some judicial rulings have allowed the practice to continue or made it harder to challenge. In Rucho v. Common Cause in 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could no longer consider claims protesting partisan gerrymandering as opposed to racial gerrymandering. But state courts can continue to hear the partisan gerrymandering cases under state constitutions. Republicans, having control of more state governments than the Democrats, proved more adept at shielding their maps from court challenges. They seized on a doctrine named the Purcell principle after a 2006 lawsuit in which a federal court ruled that courts shall not change election laws or rules too close to an election. The ruling saved the Alabama redistricting for 2022 elections even though a panel of federal judges had already ruled it racial gerrymandering. The same was true in Ohio where a federal judge ordered the Republican redistricting maps be used because the maps of a bipartisan redistricting commission came too late. In Florida, where voters had approved a ban on partisan maps but the GOP had clearly gerrymandered the states 28 congressional districts, the Florida Supreme Court comprised of seven Republicans refused in 2021 to consider the case. That allowed the Purcell rule to dictate use of partisan maps in the 2022 election. The trick in these cases was using a delay game to ensure overly partisan maps to prevail. But partisan redistricting maps came under close scrutiny in other situations. Lawsuits in state courts in 2021 dismantled Republican partisan maps for state legislatures in North Carolina and Democratic ones in New York and Maryland. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 halted efforts by Republicans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to block congressional redistricting plans that had been ordered by state courts. In each case, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed maps selected by each states Supreme Court to be in effect for the 2022 elections. In another U.S. Supreme Court decision, justices in 2021 threw out the Wisconsin legislatures redistricting map submitted by the states governor and approved by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It was deemed race based as it used race solely to create an additional minority district. The case was returned to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has also been prominent in recent redistricting challenges that claim voter discrimination against Black voters. A three-judge federal panel ruled in 2022 that Alabamas maps for congressional districts that were drawn after the 2020 Census were racial gerrymandered and must be redrawn by the Legislature in compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The U.S. Supreme Court sustained the panels ruling in Alabama in June 2023 by a vote of 5-4, stating that when based on a totality of circumstances, racial minorities have less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice. However, Alabama defied the U.S. Supreme Court and refused to create a second majority-Black congressional district. In response, the high court sustained the right of the federal courts panel to draw new congressional district maps for Alabama. The maps of Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and other states will likely be influenced by the final outcome. The U.S. Supreme Court this year also cleared the way for a challenge to Louisianas congressional map. One troubling approach arose in a March 2022 hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, when North Carolina Republicans asked to restore their legislatures map after their states Supreme Court had rejected it as a partisan gerrymander. Known as the independent state legislature doctrine, the case was based on a theory that challenges the authority of a state Supreme Court to interfere. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June 2023 to dismiss the independent state legislature doctrine, ruling that the Constitution does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state laws. And in a 2015 Arizona case, the Supreme Court ruled that Arizonas voters were entitled to try to make the process of drawing congressional district lines less partisan by creating an independent redistricting commission notwithstanding the reference to state legislature in the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This ruling sustains the theory that the power of The People prevails over state legislatures in such a contest. The initiative petition process is the most hopeful answer to gerrymandering, since successful initiatives take the process out of the hands of elected legislators who may prefer highly partisan redistricting. By using initiative petitions, its the voters who get to decide on creating independent redistricting commissions. Comic actor John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu is not leaving his sickbed any time soon after one of his legs was amputated a month ago. The actors condition is said to have degenerated to a point that he hardly talks again. Hes also said to have undergone another surgery, cutting off part of the same leg that was initially amputated last month. This is even as fear also has heightened following the deteriorating health of another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor, whos currently hospitalized at Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, for over two months. The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, Dr. Emeka Rollas, who gave an update on the health of the ailing actors in a telephone chat with Vanguards Reporter, said we are resigning to fate concerning the two actors. As I speak with you, Mr Ibu hardly talks again and he has undergone another leg amputation, Rollas added. The conditions of the ailing actors are said to have continued to deteriorate with each passing day. According to Rollas, who recently visited Muonagor alongside some of his colleagues at the Intensive Care Unit of Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, the actors state of health is pitiable, as hes currently a shadow of his old self. You will shed tears if you see Amaechi Muonagor now, his legs are completely paralyzed. Im calling on all fans and well wishers of the actor to join hands with other philanthropic Nigerians to support him in this dire time, Rollas said. He revealed that he has approved the sum of N250,000 to be sent to the ailing actors account from the AGN Trust Fund, which, according to him, may not be enough, following Muonagors records with the Guild HMO and Insurance policy. Rollas, however, urged young actors to endeavour to sign up for the AGN HMO and Insurance programmes. Recall that weeks back, Amaechi Monagors cousin, Tony shared the actors health update on Facebook, when he revealed he was battling for his life after he was diagnosed with kidney disease, diabetes, and stroke during his three-week hospital admission. In his post, Tony wrote, This picture was taken two weeks ago when I visited my cousin Amaechi Monagor (Aguiyi) at the Nnewi Teaching Hospital. I initially had wanted to quietly assist as much as I could but later decided to make this post to clarify some things so that my friends, fans, and Amaechis fans, and indeed the online community can be better informed. Amaechi is currently down with kidney disease, diabetes, and stroke. He had been managing his diabetes over the years and living his life. He is at present undergoing weekly dialysis and other treatments at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Tony wrote. The list of commissioners, special advisers and other key aides as well as their portfolios was handed over to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Saturday PUNCH gathered. A close aide of the governor, who disclosed this exclusively to Saturday PUNCH, said Fubara had no input into the appointments as his predecessor was solely responsible for their selection and appointment. The source said the resignation of some of the commissioners was a confirmation that they were not the governors choices, but were rather imposed by Wike, who installed Fubara as his successor. The aide stated, Yes, the resignation of the commissioners has shown that they were not appointed by the governor. They were never his nominees. The list of the commissioners and advisers was handed over to the governor by the former governor with instructions on portfolios and offices to occupy. Even security agents were handed over to the governor with clear instructions on where to post them. Is there a way the governor can appoint commissioners, advisers and others and they will be resigning this way? It is not possible. Dont forget that we are just about seven months in office. Commissioners appointed by the governor wont leave. Responding to the claim by the FCT minister that the governor and all elected officials in Rivers State did not buy nomination forms from their pockets, the source said, Yes, the former governor was correct to say he bought the forms for everyone. But pray, with which money? You know the salary of a governor and you know the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for the Peoples Democratic Party. Let those who want to go leave and the governor will assemble members of his team, and not moles planted to spy on the administration. More commissioners resign The gale of resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council continued on Friday with three more commissioners joining the fray. They are the commissioners for Transport, Dr Jacobson Nbina; Housing, Dr Gift Worlu; and Environment, Austen Ben-Chioma. Their resignations were contained in separate letters cited by one of our correspondents and addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. Both Nbina and Austen-Ben Chioma were also commissioners under Wike. This brings to nine the commissioners who have so far resigned their appointments. Nbina, who confirmed his resignation to Saturday PUNCH on Friday via the telephone said, Yes, I resigned yesterday (Thursday). Asked the reason for his action, he stated, The reason is personal to me and my family commitments. I dont have any issue with the governor. It is very personal. There were reports that their action was preparing the ground for them to officially defect to the APC, though this had yet to be confirmed. Earlier, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice); Dr Des George-Kelly ((Works); Emeka Woke (Special Duties); Mrs Inime Aguma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation); Isaac Kamalu (Finance); and Prof Chinedu Mmom (Education), had resigned from Fubaras cabinet Mmom, Adangor, Aguma, George-Kelly, Nbina and Kamalu all served as commissioners under the immediate past administration of Wike and before being reappointed by Fubara. On his part, Emeka Woke, who also resigned from Fubaras cabinet as special duties commissioner, was Wikes chief of staff for eight years. Speaking to our correspondent on Wednesday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, said a formal launch of the new APC in the state was scheduled for this weekend, adding, You will see the tsunami that will happen that day. Assembly demolition continues Meanwhile, the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex continued on Friday with the hallowed chambers completely pulled down. One of our correspondents, who visited the complex around 10am, reported that there were four bulldozers inside the complex pulling down other adjoining buildings. The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, had told journalists that the decision of the state government to demolish the complex built during the administration of Dr Peter Odili was because, after the visit of the governor to assess the damage caused by the October 29, 2023 explosion, he contacted a firm that reported that the building had integrity issues and was unfit for legislative business. So, the government will rebuild the complex. But for the meantime, the state has provided a place for the lawmakers to be sitting pending when the building is completed, Johnson had stated. A team of policemen in a patrol van was stationed at the Assembly entrance, while both ends of the Moscow Road leading into the complex had security blockades though human and vehicular restrictions had been relaxed. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has ruled out the possibility of the ruling party sharing legislative powers with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a bid to prevent the hijack of the new National Assembly leadership. While addressing the newly elected APC lawmaker during dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Monday night, Oshiomhole said the APC was not prepared to share principal offices and headship of critical committees with the PDP, except for positions reserved for minority members. Oshiomhole told the lawmakers that Nigerians have reposed confidence in the APC, giving it an overwhelming majority in the House and will use the numerical strength to its advantage. According to him, Nigerians have punished 15 out of the 16 senators who defected from the APC by not re-electing them. He urged the members to collaborate with the government on the implementation of the partys programmes. Calling on the would-be lawmakers not to allow anybody to divide them, Oshiomhole said his leadership will consult with President Buhari and all the leaders of the APC. Senator Ademola Adeleke has provided four reasons why he believes the Tuesdays judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Bwari, Abuja, nullifying his candidature for the September 2018 governorship election in Osun State, would not stand. Justice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court in Bwari, Abuja, had, on Tuesday, nullified Adelekes nomination by the Peoples Democratic Party for the last years poll. The judge held that Adeleke was not qualified to run for the office of a governor, not being, allegedly, educated up to secondary school level as required of him under Section 177 of the Nigerian Constitution. But, rejecting the judgment in a statement, Adeleke vowed to appeal against it, describing it as flawed and a travesty of justice. While we are set to appeal the judgment, we also find it compelling to put the records straight by listing out the fatal flaws in the ruling and why it cannot stand before any court, Adeleke said. The statement titled, Flawed Bwari judgment against Senator Adeleke cannot stand!, issued on his behalf in the name of his campaign organisation, was signed by a lawyer, Niyi Owolade. Adeleke said the message which he received with bewilderment, subverted justice by ignoring four critical evidence to rule against validated facts and submissions. Faulting the judgment, Adeleke said, firstly, there had been two rulings delivered in September 2018 which held that Senator Adeleke satisfied all requirements of the law to contest for office. He stated that the Tuesday judgment breached the precept that once a court of coordinate jurisdiction has ruled on a matter, court of similar jurisdiction cannot entertain it. The statement added that the judge erred in law by failing to take note of the expiration of 180 days for ruling on pre-election matters. It added, Even when a December 2018 judgment with respect to the issue was presented, the judge chose to ignore it. We note that the judge violated the law by adjudicating over a matter whose filing and hearing period had expired. Adelekes third reason for faulting the judgment was that the judgment ignored the evidence produced by the West Africa Examination Council which listed all students who sat for the May/June examination in 1981 alongside the senator, in addition to the certified true copies of his school certificate result. The statement said, From the evidence produced by the Council, it is crystal clear that Senator Ademola Adeleke was, indeed, educated beyond the minimum requirement of up to secondary school level as stipulated by law and therefore qualified to run for the office of governor in accordance with Section 177 (D) of 1999 CFRN (as amended). Not withstanding, the judge still went ahead to rule otherwise. The only statutory body empowered by law to determine authenticity of a secondary school results is the West African Examination Council and they confirmed the authenticity of Senator Adelekes result by producing a CTC of the same result. What evidence did the judge therefore base his ruling on? Lastly, Adeleke said, the judge was wrong to conclude that he forged the senior secondary school statement of result which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Adeleke explained that having been shocked by the evidence produced by WAEC showing that he sat for the May/June 1981 examinations, the plaintiffs, again, went on to have the principal of the school to appear in court to confirm the authenticity of the statement of results. He said, The principal appeared and confirmed that the statement was genuinely issued by the school and that any error noticed on the statement was that of the school, not that of Senator Adeleke. The school did not, at any point, disown the statement of results. He said the school owned up to the error, which was not about forgery. He said, From the foregoing, we affirm that the judgment of the Bwari court is a travesty of justice, a purchased ruling designed to negatively affect the outcome of Osun governorship judicial process. We declare unequivocally that the ruling, being so glaringly against tested facts and the law, cannot stand. It is also clear that the ruling cannot, in any way, stop the reality that Senator Ademola Adeleke fulfilled constitutional requirements to be Governor of Osun State. We appeal to our numerous supporters and good people of Osun State to remain calm. This is another failed bid in the efforts of detractors and enemies of democracy. Senator Ademola Adeleke is not only qualified but by the grace of God will soon be sworn in as the legitimate Governor of Osun State. Invest In Social Force & Get 50% Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Friday urged lawmakers of the state to avoid letting their constituents down. Dr. Obasa gave the advice in Abuja at a three-day budget retreat titled: Sustainability of ongoing reforms in Lagos State: prospects, opportunities and challenges, organised for lawmakers. The Speaker reminded the lawmakers that they represent millions of residents who expect to see a Lagos State that meets their yearnings. We all represent the 40 constituencies of Lagos State and the people in those constituencies are in their millions. How do we serve them effectively? One of the ways is for us to understand the rudiments and details of budgets. We must, therefore, truly understand the intention of coming together to discuss issues with the budget knowing that this is in the interest of those we serve, he said. According to the Speaker, the knowledge to be gained by the lawmakers at the retreat would help them understand the details of the 2024 budget recently presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and further assist them when they perform their constitution-backed oversight functions. You can only perform effective oversight functions when you have the knowledge of what you are expected to do. I, therefore, urge us to pay attention and be dedicated because I believe the knowledge we will gain here will further sharpen our understanding. The essence of this is to ensure that we prevent waste and identify corruption where necessary. Above all, we should always remember that we have great people, residents of Lagos, who we promised to serve excellently, he said. In his remarks, the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, expressed hope that the retreat would be beneficial to the House of Assembly. He noted that the Speaker, during the budget presentation, had given an insight into the roles the House is expected to play in its passage. Governor Sanwo-Olu last Wednesday presented the 2024 budget of N2.246 trillion, comprising total revenue of N1.847,951 trillion and deficit financing of N398.283 billion to the House of Assembly. The retreat aims at broadening the knowledge of members of the House, many of whom are in their first term From Ahmad SAKA,Bauchi A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC and a key member of the Independent Presidential Campaign Council of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Honouranle Godfrey Manasseh, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider Dr Amos Gizo as a minister to represent Plateau State as a replacement of labour Minister Simon Lalong who is now going to upper chamber as Senator Manasseh made the call in Bauchi, during a press conference with journalists, He said Gizo, a former gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, worked tirelessly for the emergence of Tinubu as President. I have also come here to point to Mr President of someone I know is over committed to the cause of bringing him to power, Manasseh, who was Chairman of Christians Coalition for Tinubu-Kashim in Bauchi State, stated. As a Christian from the north I knew what we went through I know the level of persecution based on the level of information available, which is no longer there. I knew what we went through and what is happening in Plateau State where we hope that the present minister of Labour and productivity, Simon Lalong would be sworn in as senator representing his constituency, meaning Plateau State would have a vacancy based on federal character commission to nominate another minister. With what we have seen from Mr President, with his commitment, with his willingness to give Nigerians a renewed hope agenda, for us who sacrifice our lives day and night, in the rain and in the sun because we trusted him, it is necessary at this moment to look at trusted hands that can best fit in when Lalong bows out. The legal practitioner argued that Gizo, a well kown chieftain of the APC is highly recommended to replace Lalong, former governor of Plateau State. We called him to come to Bauchi to be part of our tour to convince Christians in the State that Tinubu was our best option, he recalled the stiff opposition that met the partys Muslim Muslim ticket. We met with all the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) branches in Bauchi State. We started at the headquarters in Bauchi moved to Tafawa Balewa, Dass and Bogoro and all the local government that have Christians. I remember when Gizo was in Bauchi and told them that when Tinubu was sworn in as President, we will return together. I see this as a great opportunity with his experience as a former senator and former National Youth leader, with his experience and as a journalist, Gizo has all it takes to be a minister and President Tinubu is aware. When the Christians from the north ran away from Tinubu, Gizo was one of the few that stood by him. I have never seen such loyalty. I have never doubted because he was loyal to a man that knows how to reward loyalty which was the perfect ingredients that brought Tinubu on board. I want to make a plea to Mr President that we trust to give this opportunity to this man whose loyalty is 100 percent. Gizo gave the governments renewed agenda 100 percent support, he gave Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 100 percent, he gave APC 100. Everyone is aware that Christians are becoming quite aware that the Muslim Muslim tickets was not meant for religion. It has fared well and come 2027 Christians are voting Tinubu back. If we dont have people like Amos Gizi who has been committed since day one in the administration, it will be difficult to win 2027. So I want to call on Mr President that this loyalty that pays, Gizos loyalty that was smelling all over, his name even was changed to Jagaban and emilokan, this loyalty that pays let it be established on this man. It will look pitiable for us who learning from him if after all the nooks and cranny we entered at the end of the day this man will not be not considered as part of people to put Nigeria on the part of growth, then for us who are learning from Tinubu we may not end up learning it all. Tinubu has so many things on his head and does not need to be reminded of who he is. Related From Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi A reknowm Islamic Scholar, Leader of Tijjaniyyah desciples Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe the incident and ensure payment of compensation to the families of Muslims ummah killed by Nigerian Armys accidental bombing of Tundun Biri in Kaduna State on Sunday while celebrating Maulud birthday of Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him. Dahiru Bauchi made the call today tuesday while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi , He said We want the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stamd firm to ensure justice for the affected people killed while celebrating Maulud, and punish the officers that carried out this dastardly act to prevent future occurrences, and uphold the principles of protecting their diginity , protect their fundamental human rights to live, to practice their religion without hindrance and to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law, He commisserated with the immediate families of the deceased the entire muslims community in the world and in Africa , and pray to Allah to forgive them and grant them eternal rest. The scholar said we are in pains . How the people on air drop bomb to innocent people whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the government or who? He queried ? The essence of government is to protect lives and property, but not to play with people lives, We urged a thorough probe into the tragedy that killed scores of innocent persons.He said we have started disscusion with the Federal Government through the National Security adviser and he pledged that they will ensure that they investigate and do justice to the victims when president return from his journey. Dahiru Bauchi said that conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the unintentional bombing is critical to averting future accidents by analyzing the circumstances that led to the tragedy, because some innocent muslims were killed in the past while on theor way back home they were attacked and killed by hoodlums in Jos and the recent one they just drop accidental bomb that killed them we will not agree to that The police have told Nigerians that covering their vehicle number plates is criminal. The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a post via his X handle (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday. Mr Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, said some vehicle owners often cover their number plates, and that the act is wrong and will no longer be tolerated. It is a common thing to see many vehicle owners and drivers cover their number plates, for no reason. This is wrong and even criminal, he said. You dont cover your number plate for any reason. It is as important and compulsory for all vehicles to be duly registered. So, its compulsory to make registered numbers visible at all times, the Force spokesperson stated. He urged police operatives and personnel of traffic management agencies in the country to go after vehicle owners and drivers who violate the order. Mr Adejobi, however, said pennant officers and heads of three arms of government executive, legislature and judiciary are exempted from the rule given that they use pennants or flags on their official cars. The seal of their offices or ranks (for military or police) go with their numbers and pennants, he explained. A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, on Sunday, called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to urgently investigate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged complicity in the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Ahoada Division in Rivers State, Bako Angbashim. The activist insisted that all federal lawmakers whose names were mentioned by Hon Goodhead in the killing must also be investigated. He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged diversion of $300 million from Rivers States IGR. Angbashim, a Superintendent of Police, had led his men to raid criminal hideouts in the Odemude community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state on September 8, when a dreaded cult group led by Okpara ambushed them, opened fire and eventually captured Angbashim, decapitated his body and filmed their action. His killing attracted nationwide condemnation with the police high command, the Federal and the Rivers State Governments ordering an investigation and immediate arrest of the suspects. Frank in a statement in Abuja was reacting to the allegation that a member of the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead, representing Asari-Toru Federal Constituency of Rivers State, that Wike had a hand in the killing of the DPO. Goodhead had at a protest rally in Rivers State in support of Governor Siminilaye Fubara, accused Wike and some federal lawmakers of masterminding the killing of the DPO. She also claimed that the Governor of Rivers State had caused the diversion of $300 million given by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) meant for Ogoni cleanup and N9 billion from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Rivers state. Frank said the investigation had become necessary to determine the veracity or otherwise of the claims by Goodhead against Wike and two federal lawmakers from the state. He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the killing of the DPO in order to ensure justice for the dead. Frank said ,If the President fails to take action or do the right thing, by arresting Wike and setting up a judicial panel of inquiry, I demand that every murder suspect in Nigeria that is already in prison or that is being tried should be set free. This is because nobody is above the law and we are all Nigerians. So we expect equal justice for all Nigerians. Frank also urged Wike to resign his position as minister and submit himself for probe over the alleged murder of the DPO and masterminding the diversion of $300 million given by the NNPCL for Ogoni cleanup and another N9 billion from the IGR of Rivers state. He insisted that since Wike always claim to be a man of integrity, submitting himself to the security agencies like Goodhead had promised to do on the matter would further vindicate him. The investigation must not be done in secret. It must be thorough and the findings made public because Hon Goodhead has offered to reveal further details when invited by any of the security agencies concerning the allegation. Justice must be given to the family of this police officer who was killed. This is not the time to protect or hide anybody. We are calling on the National Human Rights Commission and the International Criminal Court to take up this matter and invite the Honourable Member who made this allegation to hear her out and thereafter take up the case to ensure that Wike is held accountable for the death, Frank said. Related Professor Attahiru Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned that Nigeria is a failing state and action is needed to prevent the worst from happening. Jega, who presided over the 2015 general elections, spoke on Saturday, Dec. 16, while delivering the convocation lecture at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, on the theme, Safeguarding Nigerias future: Prioritising citizens welfare and security amidst challenges. He stated, Our leaders in leadership positions, between now and 2027, we need to put our heads together and have a rational, evidence-based process of restructuring the Nigerian federation, and to my mind the major thing we need to do is devolve power and resources from the federal to the state and local governments. Even if all we do is go back to the way power was distributed in the 1963 Constitution, we should do that but I think we should even go beyond that because we need to reduce the power of the Federal Government. In fact, that power of the Federal Government, in which whoever is elected president controls virtually all the resources, beheads the reality. There is fear that if more resources go to the states and local governments, given what we see in Nigeria now, many people are afraid that it cannot solve the problems, but my own thinking is that the more power and resources in the state and local governments the less attractive the federal government becomes. Then, the more people will concentrate in terms of bringing appropriate reforms and development. It is very important we truly address these issues. READ ALSO: INECs database can be hacked Jega Jega lamented that the high cost of governance must be addressed to safeguard Nigerias future, adding that there was an urgent need to reduce power concentration at the federal level. He accused the executive arm of government, both at the federal and state levels, of reckless spending and abuse of power, saying Nigeria was heading towards a failed state because the political class had taken power to destroy the institutions rather than build them. In addition to that, they have raised the cost of governance in such a way that it is a serious challenge that can put Nigeria in jeopardy, he added. He added, I am saying this because it appears there is now a movement of some elite pushing for the return of the parliamentary system. I think it is a terrible thing to happen. You started with the parliamentary system, you moved to the presidency, you are not doing it well, and you think the solution is to go back to the parliamentary system. Jega explained that until the culture that caused profligacy in governance was properly addressed, going back to the parliamentary system would be disastrous and not solve the problem. On the issue of parliamentary system of government, Jega said, The problem is we have a presidential system and it is a coagulated presidential system, one that is not taking the best practices of other presidential systems in the world and it is important we pay attention to this. I dont believe Nigeria is a failed state but we must realise that Nigeria is a failing state and if we put it in jeopardy and dont safeguard it then the worst can happen. Jega further suggested that political leaders must find ways of reducing overdependence on revenue from oil through increased agricultural productivity, focus on agro-allied industries and creation of opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth population. They were erroneously trusted with public responsibility to serve Nigerians without fear or favor. Unknowingly to the authority, they were not the deserving type for trust. They abused the trust within a twinkle of an eye, ridiculed themselves and attempted muzzling lives out of the agencies they were mandated to preside over. Dr Yusufu Maina Bukar of National Agency for Greater Green Wall (NAGGW), AbdulHameed Aliyu of NIRSAL, Bello Maigari of National Lottery Trust Fund (NALTF) and few others in Efcc net, are Nigerians that should never be trusted with public office. The other identified criminals are already caged in correctional centre serving various jail sentences for crimes committed against the comfort of Nigerians. If wishes were horses, Ahmed Idris (sacked Accountant-General of the Federation), Yusuf, AbdulHameed and Bello Maigari should by now be cooling in Efcc custody while addressing the suspected financial crimes they individually committed against Nigerians. All processes of contracts awarded by the suspected criminals should be thoroughly investigated to unearth other cases of stealing including procurements etc. Judging Nigerias checkered history, one reasons that by now majority of the people would have become weary of corruption. Instead, corruption remains the most pervasively overused and a highly misunderstood word in our national lexicon. Everyone talks of corruption but most Nigerians are ambivalent about corruption, that is, most prefer to talk more about its evil than possessing enough will to fight and end it. As annoying as corrupt acts are, when push turns into shove, majority of Nigerians have lackadaisical attitude towards the monster, and are steady beneficiaries of the crime. In daily conversations at social grassroots, its not uncommon to hear parents express their desire on how their children need success both in schools and in work places and how they should bring the success home to uplift the entire household and extended family members, but these same parents, show little regard on how their children achieve success. In most cases, it is said: The guy got a very juicy appointment or a lucrative place where he rakes money. In actual sense, it really doesnt matter much that most of parents never laid the proper foundation or forged better path for their childrens legitimate success. Showing off great wealth patronages and the collection or accumulation of material things are the typical benchmark for success in most Nigerian family units. Not that anything is wrong with such capitalist tendencies however, a culture which shows more disregard for ethical values is the sole reason Nigeria grapples with corruption and insecurity. Corruption remains a formidable opponent largely responsible for the overwhelming abject poverty, insecurity and the general underdevelopment of the country; and is currently said to be under a serious fight by government band aid measures masquerading via anti-corruption institutions with little success to show for millions expended to combat the scourge. Let us critically examine how a public servant claimed to have planted 21million trees in 11 states of the federation at the whooping cost of N81.2billion. Where were those trees procured from? Were the trees made of gold, silver or diamond? Where are the locations of the planted trees? How are they nurtured? That claimant deserves total disconnection from the larger society for the needed safety of Nigerians. He should be caged far away from others to avoid the spread of his character that is more dangerous to humanity than HIV/AIDS. Perhaps, its not conjecture on my part to say that these anti-corruption institutions are usually inundated by formidable group of opportunists. The culprits are especially the scrupulous elites with wherewithal, often known within Nigeria as sacred cows, and are easily beyond reproach. Analogously, they can be described to ordinary Nigerians as evil and devilish citizens wearing veils of obscurity, mediocrity, and impunity; and they wield their enormous power, shrouded in secrecy, eager to bribe the less privileged but corruptible folks with government powers to tacitly sanction corruption. The political class in, elective position cleverly bribe the people with inconsequential palliatives, such as tokunbo cars, sewing and grinding machines, motor cycles, bags of expired food stuffs and smelly cooking oils in return for loyalty and pass mark while the people remain in such deceitful position hoping against hope for better days ahead. It is a very nasty situation to see responsible people fooled and cajoled by semi and educated-illiterates mistakenly elected or offered a responsible leadership position with majority of them, in ideal situation not better than motor park touts, Yan Kalare, Egbesu boys or agberos. My study shows that corruption is the main reason why we have brain drain in Nigeria with several qualified professionals relocating to overseas countries practicing their professions with pride and comfort. It forms the reason why several churned out first class graduates are today roaming the streets in search of non-existing jobs with the few available ones smuggled by politicians for sale or offer to their favorite stooges. With such a situation, one should not blame those that join nefarious groups of kidnappers, hired killers, insurgents, militants, internet fraudsters and armed robbers to survive the odds artificially created by the thieving politicians and the rogue elites. Corruption is responsible for epileptic electricity supply killing investments with the country having the highest infant mortality rates in the world, and so on and so forth. Getting something for nothing, especially when that something is not freely and willfully given, is corruption, no matter how one looks at it, that is just the deliberate attempt to divert resources meant for many to exclusive use of one or a selected few, favored and privileged. Forget whatever you are told about the ongoing campaign against corruption, its really going to be tough to bring corruption to a minimum as trumpeted because in Nigeria of today, the lure of quick bonanza and the chance to showcase a smugger collection of material things people consider means worthy of societys accolades. With this type of attitude, and as long as both state sponsored corruption and other corrupt acts are often condoned, subverted and subjected to frequent executive overrides, it will continue to be difficult to enact and enforce laws to reduce the evils of corruption. Corruption, not Boko Haram, not kidnappers, not armed robbers and bandits, has made Nigeria a failed state. Oh, what an asylum to reside in! News flash, but inmates in power are actually running the asylum as they wish. As part of this sick mentality, most Nigerians are reticent on their responsibility to fight corruption, and instead, will shift that responsibility to God by constantly invoking Gods wrath against all corrupt individuals. Corruption is an 800 pound gorilla no one really wants to battle head-on, but Nigerians never mind tickling its rear-end. With the numerous religions in Nigeria and a ray of fake and self-ordained prophets, God is constantly made the butt-end joke on corruption. I guess because of the way some folks act after each petition to God to end evil. Its not unusual that the people who, in numerous prayer sessions, invokes the name of God the loudest is the same person who cannot wait to easily abrogate and shift personal responsibility for his failures, including his duty to fight corruption that is a threat to his ultimate survival. Someone steals from the public till, goes and makes large donations to the Mosque, Church or religious sect or group, and receives abundance of praises from those in-charge with no questions asked as how he made his money for the donation. He gives large contributions to distressed families and friends or support important causes with ill-gotten wealth, yet no one questions the means of the wealth; instead he gets national honor award with his social status elevated, especially if he, in addition, along the way invokes Gods name some more. Mind you, this individual can be saved as long as each time after an evil deed he accepts to repent. Isnt it a fair proclamation that Nigeria is getting exactly what it deserves? Our attitude toward, or the actual understanding of God, doesnt make much logical sense. We can certainly make the God experience much less confusing. The good news is integrity and is not a leper. Its an aspired attainment to always strive for outward transparency in ones thoughts, words and actions. It stands to reason that corruption has its roots, first, in family units, villages, tribes, schools etc, before it ends up in government, and should be controlled from that order. Some will argue otherwise, but let me remind my critics that your elected leaders were once other wretched peoples children and still are. Before they became leaders by accident or through divine intervention, they were supposed to have been educated with good morals first by their parents if the parents were educated enough or other family members etc. Why is it so difficult for most Nigerians to accept personal responsibility on how things are turning out in our country? Shouldnt personal responsibility be to self-remind-self, first, to always tell yourself the bitter truth; second, to accept your self-evident truth; and third, to always find appropriate ways not to tell yourself more lies? The newly appointed sheriff at Efcc should act fast by inviting the newly surfaced corruption lords in the persons of Dr Yusufu Maina Bukar and Bello Maigari to shade more light on how N82.1billion was expended on 21million trees and how N2.5billion internally generated revenue was massively butchered by Maigari. There are several others mismanaging public funds waiting for their time to answer their misdeeds. Finally, what stops Nigeria from subscribing to the China brand of treatment for crooks in public offices? Muhammad is a commentator on national issues Related The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Muhammed Bello Matawalle, MON, has said that Nigeria would strengthen bilateral relations with United States on security in the fight against terrorism and other criminalities in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike mnipr, Director (Press and Public Affairs). The Minister made this known when he met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum and several members of the US Congress at the United States Capitol. Highlighting the significance of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the USA, the Minister reaffirmed Mr. Presidents commitment in eradicating the activities of terrorism in Nigeria through the collaborative efforts of the United States of America in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus agenda, with emphasis on provision of security. Speaking further, Dr. Matawalle stated that the collaboration between the two countries would boost Nigerias capabilities in addressing pressing security challenges, particularly in the fight against terrorism. Congresswoman Betty McCollum who is currently the leader of the United States House Committee on Appropriation for Defence expressed the United States unwavering willingness and commitment in supporting Nigeria in its efforts to combat terrorism and other security threats through intelligence and information sharing, training and Military hardware production. She said the discussions on collaborations between the two countries underscore the shared commitment of both nations in fostering regional and global security. Betty McCollum said that the meeting would serve as a pivotal moment in reinforcing diplomatic ties and collaborative efforts between Nigeria and the United States, adding that the strengthened partnership would contribute significantly to the stability of security in the Nigeria. This is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Sunday in Abuja Nigerias number one man, President Bola Tinubu has hailed Nigerian-born Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience and top-flight researcher, Ijeoma Uchegbu. President Tinubu praised her on her election as President of Wolfson College. This is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Sunday in Abuja. Wolfson College is one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. Ngelale said Uchegbu, known for her innovative work in nanoparticle drug delivery, is currently a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London, UCL. According to him, President Tinubu celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Uchegbu and hailed her for being an excellent ambassador for Nigeria. He added that the President described Uchegbu as the epitome of the ingenuity, brilliance, and hard work that are consistently synonymous with the great Nigerian people both at home and abroad. He said Tinubu also commended her relentless efforts towards advancing the frontiers of pharmaceutical science. A man who was simply identified as Nuhu took many people by surprise after he went on a shooting spree in Port Harcourt. He went on a shooting spree after stabbing a police inspector multiple times and snatched his AK-47 rifled in the Ada-George axis of Port Harcourt. It was learnt that the hoodlum, said to be a scavenger, also attacked another police officer who tried to stop him and reportedly took to his heels. It was gathered that some passers-by and colleagues of the policeman whose vehicle was snatched chased after him until he was out of sight. On getting to a location called Boro Pit, the man started shooting carelessly with the snatched rifle and shot a man before the operatives arrived at the location. On sighting the policemen, it was learned that the miscreant became aggressive and attempted to engage them in a shootout before he was gunned down. A source who pleaded anonymity said, This man (Nuhu) is believed to be on drugs. Even when the policemen saw him, he tried to shoot them, and they repelled and shot him dead. The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, while confirming the incident, said the unidentified person was shot by the miscreant and the latter shot by operatives died. Iringe-Koko stated, Rivers State Police Command on November 16, 2023, at about 1500 hrs received a message from DPO Rumukpakani Division that one hoodlum (male) identity yet unknown, ran towards Inspector Ade Rotimi attached to the APC pin-down point by Ada Gorge Road with three others, suddenly stabbed him multiple times on his head, and collected his rifle. He also injured one inspector, Bala Yusuf, on his hand and ran towards the Boro Pit Area. He started firing indiscriminately and shot two unidentified civilians before operatives swooped on him and prevented him from creating more havoc. Medview Airline has confirmed that its flight VL2105 enroute Lagos from Abuja on Tuesday experienced cabin depressurisation while descending from 32,000ft altitude. The airlines Chief Operating Officer, Mr Michael Ajigbotoso said this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday. Ajigbotoso said the Captain noticed a warning sign of cabin depressurisation while descending from 32000ft altitude and immediately briefed passengers on board on the development. He said the pilot then referred to the check list and applied the necessary procedure to mitigate the situation. The oxygen masks dropped and were in good working condition for the passengers usage. The captain called for priority landing because he had been on number seven on queue, he said. Ajigbotoso said the pilot-in-command was obliged and he made a safe landing, adding that the passengers were calm since it did not pose a serious danger. ALSO READ:Air Peace urges FG to revisit BASA with foreign airlines He said the incident was promptly reported to the necessary authorities and investigation was ongoing. Ajigbotoso said the situation was professionally handled according to required operational standard procedures. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Med-View Airline Boeing 737-500 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BQM, was coming from Abuja when the incident occurred at about 3.10 p.m. The aircraft had 27 passengers and six crew members on board and there was no fatality. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has already begun investigation to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident. (NAN) By Chioma Obinagwam There should be harmonisation of Nigerias tax system if she must break the jinx of mono economy. The Head of Tax and Corporate Advisory Services, PwC Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele disclosed at the 2019 Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) 2019 Annual Conference, held in Lagos on Saturday. There are about 354 taxes in Nigeria but the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) made 98 percent of its revenue from four Taxes but all the states made 90 percent of their revenue from one tax- Personal Income Tax, he said. He emphasized that over taxing businesses stifles the economy and discourages new businesses from springing up, hence a major disincentive to economic diversification. He frowned at the creation of conflicting policies in the country and highlighted the need for policy direction. He further noted that unlocking opportunities in Nigerias non-oil sector also lies in investing in the education of Nigerians. We have to start first by educating ourselves so that we can say to government, this thing is not working again so that we can do things differently. The 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Uyo in Akwa Ibom has begun a joint show of force parade ahead of the upcoming governorship polls. Speaking to reporters in Uyo on Saturday during the exercise, Bashir Jajira, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, said the exercise was in conjunction with other sister security agencies in the state. He said the troops would move along flash point such as Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Oron, Eastern Obolo, Ibiono Ibom/Itu and Uyo. He explained that the exercise was aimed at instilling confidence in the electorate to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 9. The Joint Show of Force Parade is aimed at sending a positive message to the good people of Akwa Ibom State. That 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister security agencies in the state has put an adequate arrangement to provide a secure and conducive environment for the electorate to exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation, he said. According to him, the parade is to send a signal to political thugs and suspected political offenders that 2 Brigade Nigerian Army is ready to deal decisively with any form of political thuggery in the state before, during and after the general elections in accordance with the law. The parade comprises troops from the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps. A student of Crown Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, has been arrested by the Ekiti Police Command over the alleged gang-rape of two fellow students of the private institution. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Amba Asuquo, said on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti that the suspect in company with an accomplice committed the crime on Dec. 9. According to him, the duo accosted the two students with dangerous weapons and forcefully took them to an abandoned building where they raped them. The police boss said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations. He added that efforts had been put in place to arrest the other fleeing suspect as a manhunt had been launched to identify his hiding place. Asuquo advised students in tertiary institutions to remain focused and be committed to their studies rather than engaging in vices that could truncate their careers. He commended members of the public for their support in giving the command timely information in tackling crime. (NAN) Nigerias Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has been criticised by Nigerians after he made public his intentions to secure a loan that would help upgrade the nations broadcasting infrastructure and also NTA to the likes of the American news network, CNN. The minister disclosed his intentions when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans, chaired by Clifford Ordia, to defend the borrowing plan of his ministry. The ministry is applying for a $500 million loan as part of the $29.96 billion loan requested by President Muhammadu Buhari in the External Borrowing Plan (2016 to 2018) for Infrastructure development in the country. Reports gathered has it that the minister said if the fund was approved, the NTA could be upgraded to enable it to send out signals that would be at par with CNN, because we have the manpower and the technology. Nigerians react The minister trended on Twitter Monday as he received a backlash from Nigerian Twitter users. Here are some reactions: Nigeria has wasted money on a lot of things since 1960 but if the $500m loan for NTA goes through, it would rank as the top 5 most wasteful use of money ever in the history of television. NTA is dead, let it die. A poor country like Nigeria has better use for half a billion dollars. What do you need $500m for at NTA? To make the production look better so that videos of poverty can become clearer and Nigerians can better see those who ought to fix the problems laugh harder, with their teeth looking whiter and their agbadas more colorful? Fear God. If Lai Mohammed wants NTA to compete with CNN, privatise it. CNN doesnt belong to the American government. Unshackle NTA from Startimes, privatise it and focus on endeavours that directly lift Nigerians out of poverty. Enough of this jamboree style of governance wrote JJ. Omojuwa. Another Twitter user wrote: Lai Mohammed should fear God. Haba! $500m(N180bn) can build 10 world-class cancer hospitals. It can create at least 25,000 SMEs that will improve the lives of at least 5m families. Why does he need a loan of $500m(N180bn) to digitize NTA. What concerns you and I with NTA? Uncle Lai Mohammed, Why should there be NTA stations in all states in Nigeria. As much as it is to create job opportunities, it is not sustainable. Why not have a massive base station in Abuja, one substation in each geopolitical zones and correspondence in each state, another user wrote. Npower The Federal Government on Tuesday assured N-Power beneficiaries that they will be paid N30,000 as from today, Tuesday. Nigerian Tribune reported that the notice was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mr. Salisu Nainna Dambatta. The statement read: The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has said that the 500,000-strong N-Power enrollees throughout the country should expect to receive bank credit alerts for outstanding payments of their monthly entitlement from today, Tuesday, April 14. This followed the signing of the payment mandate by Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, after all due processes were concluded in line with the rules guiding Federal Governments public financial expenditure. Those responsible for processing the payment must do it in conformity with the necessary rules and regulations to ensure accountability. Now that the rules were followed strictly and the process concluded, I was given the assurance that they will start receiving credit alerts from their banks today, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the statement read in part. The creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is leading to the institutionalisation of the programme, which entails that payments for N-Power participants or their enrolment must be through transparent processes in line with the relevant rules to ensure accountability. The minister restated the resolve of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs), including the N-Power component, to ensure transparency, effectiveness, accountability and the judicious application of public resources in running the programmes. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will along with relevant partners drive the overhauling process to ensure that the expected benefits of the NSIPs are realised in full, she said. It can be recalled that the N-Power Programme is a job creation and skills empowerment programme of the Federal Government, which is designed to help young Nigerians acquire and develop life-long skills to become practical solution providers in their communities, enabling them to become innovative players in the domestic and global markets. The N-Power programme is for young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35. Under the arrangement, enrolled participants will be weaned off the programme after every 24 months to be replaced by another batch of youths drawn from across the country. Each participant is paid N30,000 monthly allowance. BLOOMINGTON You dont have to be Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer to lead others in sharing the spirit of Christmas. Dozens with the St. Marys Catholic Church and School youth group in Bloomington transformed their cafeteria into a seasonally-decorated Gumdrop Shop, and invited children to pick out gifts for their families on Saturday and Sunday. Youth group members acted as personal shoppers to help the junior visitors browse the Gumdrop Drop sections, which included gift items for boys, girls, men and women, plus household products, clothing and Christian books or accessories. Susie Bassie, an adult youth group committee member, said the shop was mainly put together for providing the opportunity of the gift of giving. She said members of St. Marys Parish donated all of the items, and they were so overwhelmed by the response that their storage space filled up. Families of the young shoppers were suggested to donate $5 to the parish to participate, or $15 if shopping for an entire family. Bassie said the youth group decorated the shop space by stringing up oversize ornamental gumdrops and garlands, and preparing a festive gingerbread entrance canopy. The group also wrapped presents for Gumdrop Shop shoppers. She said they chose the shop name because it sounded cute. Students prepared the shop by sorting items after they were done with classes and homework, she noted. Collections were held during Sunday Masses. The shop stayed busy over the weekend, and as items were picked from the tables, youth group members worked to restock them. Ben White, 11, was one of the personal shoppers on Sunday. The Bloomington sixth grader at the Catholic school said the best part was getting to help the kids be Santa Claus. Also, Ben said it taught him more about the people he knew around his community. He helped 10-year-old Adrian Jasso pick out gifts for his family. Adrian said his aunt and uncle brought him to the church, and he was glad he had a chance to check out the shop. The shop was very fun, Adrian said. The Bloomington boy picked a stuffed bear for one sister, and a doll for another sister. Another personal shopper was 12-year-old Adeline Blakney, of Bloomington. She said getting to make the little kids happy was the best part. Action on Jackson Bassie, who taught physical education at the Catholic school for 17 years and now works in a long-term substitute role, said St. Marys just started up the youth group. It now has 42 members, she said. Families were invited to the Gumdrop Shop via posts around the neighborhood and at a West Bloomington elementary school, she said. For next Christmas, Bassie said theyll explore whether they can invite more schools and churches. This weekends Gumdrop Shop was the groups first big fundraising event, Bassie said, which will help feed into their June mission trip. Proceeds will also be shared with Abundant Life and local nursing homes. Fellow youth group committee member Kathleen Ely said their children in grades eight or higher can join the mission, which will be part of the Catholic HEART Workcamp in Montague, Michigan. Ely said the mission combines praise and worship with utilizing community resources to benefit charities in that area. St. Marys youth group mission will also be joined in Michigan by students from Epiphany Catholic School in Normal and St. Patricks Church of Merna, she said. Bens mother, Christine White, said the youth group has given her son opportunities to socialize and be a young leader in the community. The kids are really running it, she said. Theyve done all the decorations. Theyre really managing the Gumdrop Shop, so its great to see them step up. White added that since St. Marys also gets a lot of kids from the west side of the city, they really galvanized around supporting low-income families, too. This allows the kids to be able to shop for the their family especially those who couldnt afford it, she said. White said its action on Jackson (Street). Its a place where you can come as you are. Photos: The 2023 Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Holiday Parade. Each week, Flying Horse features dozens of Central Illinois childrens thoughts and drawings on various topics. This week: Christmas/Favorite holiday The best: Christmas is simply the best. You get wonderful gifts and you get to see your family. If you family is anything like mine you gather together and play fun games. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Reed Tilford Grade 5, Calvary Traditions: My Christmas tradition. First I find matching PJs. Next I put music on; it is called "Last Christmas." Then we open presents. Last, I am going to play my Nintendo. Jaxon Turner-Harpes Grade 3, Cedar Ridge Jesus was born: I love Christmas because that is when Jesus was born. I also like it because we get together. We give presents to each other. We also eat Christmas candy like candy canes. And St. Nick comes in your home. Elowen Hadsall Grade 2, Corpus Christi Christmas: Christmas is my favorite holiday because Santa brings presents. Opening presents with my family is fun. Felicity Bussan Grade 1, Epiphany Jesus' birthday: I love Christmastime. I like all the decorations and all the lights and colors, but most importantly I like that Christmas is on Jesus' birthday. Christmas is my mom's favorite holiday. In the month of December, it is also my sister's birthday. Trinity Bussan Grade 5, Epiphany Presents: My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love to set up the tree. I also love to watch all the Christmas movies. Lastly, I love to see all the presents under the tree. Amelio Matheny Grade 4, Fairview Christmas movies: I love Christmas because I can put up the tree and spend time with my family. I love to watch movies and play games. One of my favorites is Buddy the Elf. Lexi Hakes Grade 3, Grove Decorations: Decorations are things you put up on a holiday, birthdays, and many more! One of my favorite days/holidays is Thanksgiving because all those beautiful colors and decorations make me so happy and warm! Amaya Leon Grade 4, Grove Easter: Easter is my favorite holiday. It is close to my birthday. I get to open eggs. I get a lot of eggs. Steele Hitchens Grade 2, Jefferson Park Fourth of July: I love the Fourth of July. I find all the red, white and blue I can find. It matches my cheerleading team. I love the fireworks because they sparkle. Mia Stark Grade 2, Northpoint Ornaments: I like Christmas because I like to put ornaments on the Christmas tree. I also like it because I can put the Christmas star on the street. Then I like Christmas because I like to wrap up presents. Finally, I like Christmas because I like to write letters for Santa. Josiah Marable Grade 3, Northpoint Put up the tree: We put up a tree. We put presents under the tree. We decorate the inside of our house. Sheba Hampton Grade 5, Northpoint New Year's Eve: I love New Years Eve because we are going to be in Arizona. It is going to be a party there. At the party we are going to be dancing. When we are there we will be wearing fancy clothes. Brielle Villafuerte Grade 2, Parkside Halloween: My favorite holiday is Halloween. First, I love trick-or-treating with my friends. It is so fun making jokes, raiding houses, and overall being with my friends. Also, making costumes is so fun. Lastly, I get so much candy. Sometimes, I can't trick-or-treat anymore because my bag is full. Zach Prahl Grade 5, Prairieland Friends and family: My favorite holiday is Christmas. I absolutely love Christmas because I get to travel to see friends and family, no school, and I get to eat a lot of food and desserts. In the morning I get lots of presents. Coralie Farney Grade 3, Sheridan Christmas lights: Christmas is my favorite holiday. I like all of the lights. Kaydence Thornton Grade 1, Sugar Creek Thanksgiving: I love holidays. My favorite is Thanksgiving. I love to have fun. Jayah Hooker Grade 2, Sugar Creek My favorite holiday: Most people like Christmas and Halloween, but I like New Year's. I get a fresh new year for me to be a better self, learn from my mistakes and be kind. Emma Hughes Grade 3, Towanda Christmas Eve: Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love all the decorations and Christmas trees. It is fun. I also get presents on Christmas Eve and Day. I love when my mom makes Oreo balls and peanut butter and chocolate balls. It is the holiday I love the most, in my opinion. Harper Ryan Grade 4, Washington Christmas cookies: I love Christmas. We make delicious cookies. We go to a Christmas Eve service too. I love it. We meet Santa at my grandparents house. We open a lot of presents on Christmas morning and eat cinnamon rolls. I love Christmas. Ooh and Christmas movies. I like Elf the best. Its so fun. Stella Horine Grade 5, Calvary Stockings: My favorite thing about Christmas is opening your stocking. Addy Baran Grade 2, Corpus Christi Yummy food: My favorite holiday is Christmas because you get a lot of presents. Another reason is you get to get yummy food. You get to hang with your family. Ryker Crackel Grade 4, Fairview St. Patrick's Day: My favorite holiday is St. Paddys Day because my family and I we wear green and I dance to the Irish songs. My family is quarter Irish and I get to celebrate my heritage; thats what makes it special. Lyla Rossiter Grade 3, Grove Santa Claus: My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love Christmas because Santa Claus. I love Santa Claus. Hes the best. It isnt about the presents at all. Its about family. Hayden Lear Grade 2, Jefferson Park Diwali: On Diwali my family and I did fireworks and ate sweets. We spend time talking to friends, relatives and family. We got new dresses. Ghowlhaum Magesh Grade 2, Northpoint Holidays are fun: I like Christmas. I am going to ask for a Nerf gun. Christmas is fun. Marcos Abreu Arias Grade 5, Northpoint Snowball fights: I like Christmas because I will win the snowball fights every time. I like Christmas because I like when my parents give us gifts. I like to do snow angels in the snow, and I like to play with friends. Ethan McKenney Grade 2, Parkside Peppermint salad: Have you ever tried peppermint salad? I like to eat it during Christmas because it's good and it's our family tradition. My grandma's recipe has graham crackers, peppermint, and whipped cream. The peppermint aroma is mouth-watering, and the taste is even better. Michael Rose Grade 5, Prairieland Two holidays: I love Christmas but I love, love St. Patricks Day. I love how we all get presents on Christmas. I love when the leprechaun comes to town. Dana Coyne Grade 3, Sheridan Time with cousins: Every Christmas my cousins come over and it is fun. I like to bake cookies with my mom and I like to open my presents. Cora Brennan Grade 1, Sugar Creek The spooky one: I love holidays but my favorite holiday is Halloween because you get candy and you can dress as a character. Avery Seymour Grade 2, Sugar Creek Holiday food: I love Christmas! I love the food, family time and decorations. I love all of the stuff, especially decorating the Christmas tree. My favorite Christmas food is ham and broccoli casserole. It sounds gross but it is really good. I love Christmas. Norah Whitworth Grade 4, Washington Mexican food: My favorite holiday is Christmas. I go with my dads family to Morris. We eat turkey and a bunch of Mexican because my cousin is Mexican. This will be my 10th Christmas. Evie Sparrow Grade 5, Calvary Elves: When Christmas comes I get to see my elf Murphy. Christmas also brings my family together. My family is really important to me. I love family a lot. Ellie Wurth Grade 2, Corpus Christi Time to love: My favorite holiday is Christmas because its full of happiness and cheer. Christmas is the time to sing and share. Christmas is the time to love others. Norah Rakstad Grade 4, Fairview Celebrate: Christmas is a holiday. We celebrate because it is Jesus birthday. When its Christmas we decorate our house with lights, we put Christmas trees up, put ornaments on three, and a star. Santa sends elves to behave, and we get presents, and we get to make a list. That is Christmas. Riaan Chauhan Grade 3, Grove Love Thanksgiving: My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I go to my Nana and Pawpaws house. I love Thanksgiving. I get to eat pie. I love pie. I eat mashed potatoes. Addison Whaley Grade 2, Jefferson Park Amazing: Man, Christmas is amazing. I like getting presents. I like decorating. Vahin Mandadpu Grade 2, Northpoint Our tree: I like Christmas. I like decorating the tree! Our tree has only red lights. Mason Moore Grade 5, Northpoint Conservationists and officials with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission hike on a trail at the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed in San Mateo County on Nov. 29. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle A bathroom is seen along the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail in San Mateo County on Nov. 29. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Trees are seen in November along a trail where the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail extension is planned. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Tim Ramirez, manager of Natural Resources and Lands Management Division at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, gives an overview of the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle A fence along Skyline Boulevard near Woodside is seen where a new trail is planned. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle San Andreas Lake, part of the San Francisco water storage system, is seen from a trail in San Bruno. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle A weather-battered signpost is visible along the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail in San Mateo County. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle In the coastal hills of San Mateo County, above Interstate 280 and the Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Franciscos vast watershed lands remain a little-explored wilderness. The 23,000 acres flush with oaks, redwoods and Douglas fir, offering sometimes dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, are largely off-limits to the public. A few trails cross the property, but they are mostly on the edges so as to protect lakes and streams that contribute to the areas water supply. Next year, however, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission plans to begin construction of a six-mile trail to lift the curtain on more of the closely guarded watershed. The new path, which will run near Skyline Boulevard south of Highway 92, will connect to an existing 10-mile trail that opened 20 years ago in response to requests from the public to see the land and the many plants and animals it hosts in the absence of humans. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was (once) controversial for the city to allow people in, said Tim Ramirez, manager of the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division of the PUC, before leading a tour of the ridge where the new trail will be built. The watershed has become this super unique ecological resource. San Franciscos vast watershed lands remain a little-explored wilderness. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Ramirez began the tour along the future trail route, on a recent morning, bushwhacking through a jumble of tan oaks beneath tall redwoods off Skyline Boulevard near Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. A spur trail will eventually lead from Skyline Boulevard, also called Highway 35, near the preserves North Ridge parking area, to the new PUC trail. The trails first and primary access point and parking lot will be farther north, near Highway 92. Ramirez and the small group he was leading stepped over logs and pushed up and down steep, tree-covered slopes where the new Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail will make the terrain easier to navigate. The six-foot-wide dirt and gravel path is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians will be welcome. A permit, obtained online, will be required. With the morning mist still hugging the forest floor, Ramirez and his coworkers listed off a handful of the numerous flora and fauna that have disappeared from other parts of the Bay Area but that visitors might encounter in the watershed: the federally endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly, fountain thistle and the threatened California red-legged frog. A breeding pair of bald eagles also is present. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A layer of fog is seen among trees where the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail is planned in San Mateo County. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle The group continued to a ridge top, where stands of tan oak had been cleared after becoming infected with the tree disease Sudden Oak Death. The clearing provided enough of an opening in the forest to offer perspective on the trail route. From where the existing Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail ends just north of Highway 92, the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail will start across the highway and continue six miles south to the Golden Gate National Recreation Areas Phleger Estate. There was always a plan to close this gap, Ramirez said. The link, notably, will mark an addition to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which is intended to one day circle San Francisco Bay. Just over 400 miles of the proposed 550-mile route are now open. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A tree with branches covered in moss stands along the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail in San Mateo County. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Its enormously significant to make this connection, said Janet McBride, executive director of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, who participated in the tour. McBride noted, though, that busy Highway 92 will make it difficult for thru-hikers or bicyclists to get from the existing PUC trail to the new trail. The water agency and Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, among others, have urged Caltrans, the states transportation department, to address the traffic obstacle possibly with a pedestrian bridge over the road. Another issue, on the new trails southern end, is that no connecter trail exists at Phleger Estate. Until a route is established on the federal land, the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail will not proceed onto the property. PUC officials say part of the reason for building the trail is how much the public has enjoyed the existing Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. Because that trail, when opened in 2003, represented a significant departure from keeping people out of the heart of the watershed, the agency requires people to be accompanied by docents when visiting. The volunteer docents lead tours three days a week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new trail will not require a tour because it travels through less sensitive natural areas. The trail, as planned, never gets farther than a half mile from the road. Pilarcitos Lake, a reservoir in the San Francisco water system, is seen from Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail in San Mateo County on Nov. 29. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle For us, this (public access) is the way were able to talk to people about what we do here, said Ramirez before wrapping up his tour of the future trail route. The PUC has sought to protect the watershed since 1930, when the city of San Francisco purchased the land from the Spring Valley Water Company. Beyond preserving the wildlands, the agency works with Cal Fire and others to manage for wildfire. Several fuel breaks have been built across the property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Runoff from the area, which is collected in three reservoirs Crystal Springs, San Andreas and Pilarcitos supplements the PUCs water supplies from Hetch Hetchy and other reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada. The agency provides water to the city as well as communities in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties. Over the past 20 years, the PUC has counted about 18,000 visitor trips on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. Next year, as part of the trail work being done to the south at a total cost of $20.5 million, a half-mile loop compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be added to the existing trail. Ryan Mack, deputy director at the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, hikes along a path where a new trail is planned in the Peninsula watershed area of San Mateo County. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle The thing I hear over and over is, I never knew that this was here, said Mike Callan, a docent who leads tours on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. Lots of times, you come here and there isnt anyone for miles. NORMAL A former Heartland Community College instructor has filed a federal lawsuit against the school after she says she was fired for failing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccination policy, which conflicted with her religious beliefs. Kari Donoho said she was suspended without pay and ultimately fired because she would not comply with a requirement that employees be vaccinated, or submit to regular COVID-19 testing, by Oct. 14, 2021. Her attorney, Bethany D. Hager, wrote in the initial complaint that Donoho "objects to being vaccinated or tested for Covid-19 for a variety of reasons based upon her faith as revealed through prayerful discernment." A Heartland spokesperson said last week that the college had not yet received formal notification of the lawsuit and could not comment. The college introduced the policy, which required weekly testing for unvaccinated employees, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker in August 2021 announced those requirements for all employees and students at Illinois colleges and universities. The governor said the mandates were intended to mitigate the possibility of severe COVID-19 outbreaks continuing to overwhelm hospital resources. According to the lawsuit, Heartland told employees that they could seek an exemption from the vaccination requirement, and Donoho reportedly did so. She cited several reasons, including her opposition to the use of fetal cell lines in the development and production of vaccines, as well as her "sincere beliefs that prevent her from submitting to health care procedures which she, a competent adult, does not believe are medically necessary." Additionally, she said, the testing requirement for unvaccinated people violated her "sincere beliefs that prevent her from submitting to or participating in workplace procedures which arbitrarily discriminate between employees on the basis of health care choices made pursuant to freedom of conscience." Both vaccines available at the time were authorized under the federal Emergency Use Authorization statute, which does not allow lawmakers to mandate their use, Hager wrote. She said the policy also violated the Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act and Illinois Department of Public Health Act, which forbid religious discrimination. Regular testing was not required of employees who received the vaccine, according to the lawsuit, and employees who did not have an approved exemption were not subjected to the same testing requirements as those whose exemptions were approved. Heartland did not require employee vaccinations for any other infectious disease, and testing was only required for tuberculosis, according to the court documents. Donoho said she was willing to abide by other protections, including self-monitoring for symptoms, wearing a mask when appropriate and voluntarily reporting any potential symptoms. She is seeking damages of at least $300,000, or $2,500 for every violation of the law, as well as a judge's declaration that Pritzker's executive orders and Heartland's policy were unlawful. Hager, representing Donoho, could not immediately be reached for comment. Watch now: 21 photos from the Be Great Breakfast BGCBN Dance Team B.J. Wilken, Tony Morstatter Brad Glenn, Kim Schoenbein, Tracy Patkunas Dan Brady, Michelle Houchin Jhun Medina, Mary Bynum Cheryl Magnuson, Catherine Porter Jill Wilberg, Kris Harding Terry Reid, Neil Finlen, Steve Anderson Scott Swanson, John Carter, Karen Hanson, Annie Swanson Wendy Hawkins, Scott Grotbo Theresia Kapila, Billy Masela Tracey Covert, Kelly Heim Erin Kennedy, Sarah Zallek Ryan and Liz Malone Daycie Jones, Yesenia Nicoson, Sherrilyn Thomas, Karen Kelly Nancy Snyder, Leanna Bordner Harlan Geiser, Patti Orzel Dee Frautschi, Al Bedell Aimee Beam, Brian Plath, Brian Beam Jonell Kehias, Leni Kuntz, Julie Dobski Frankie Gardey, Stephanie Johnson, Nathan Kinsella, Dodie Dunson BGCBN Dance Team NORMAL Over 1,000 students from Illinois State University graduated Saturday, marking 164 years of commencement for the state's oldest public university. Cold rain dripped from gray skies Saturday morning, a curtain of clammy air outside, but inside CEFCU Arena, the mood was warm and welcoming as hundreds of young people moved the silk tassels on their caps from the right to left, signifying that they have, indeed, graduated. "I am proud because ISU had the great privilege and honor to have contributed in a small way to preparing you to face the big wide world with all its challenges and opportunities," Interim President Aondover Tarhule said in his remarks. "I am confident," he continued, "because I know you have learned from and been inspired by ISUs nationally recognized faculty and staff, who have found you ready and worthy of taking on the world." Lasting impact Turning the tassel is a momentous occasion for graduates. "I had to record it on my phone so I could always cherish that moment. But, yes, I'm happy," said Senia Pitts, who received her bachelor's degree in sociology. Tarhule encouraged the young graduates to become advocates, innovators and leaders who will "go on to do remarkable things." Cete Brewton-Wilkin received her bachelor's degree in special education. "I am super excited," she said afterward, posing for pictures with her family. "I'm excited to be done. I'm ready to go hang out with my friends and my family and have a good day." But, very soon, she will be making a difference in students' lives. "I'm going to be teaching seventh grade literature and reading and writing at Washington Middle School in Springfield," Brewton-Wilkin said. "I start Monday." Some graduates have already been working toward Tarhule's charge. Sarah Ringel received her master's in special education Saturday. "I'm a little relieved just to be done," Ringel said. "It's hard to work as a full-time teacher and then to do classes in the evening. So I'm glad to be done and excited to use the things that I learned." Others have prospects around the corner, like Natalia Rojas Cruz, who received her bachelor's degree in biology. She hopes to accept a job offer sometime around the new year, but her ambitions stretch further than the immediate. "I'm planning on going back for my master's either in molecular biology or physician's assistant," she said. Family matters Alicia Foster and her sisters traveled all the way from Texas to witness her daughter, Dacia, receive her bachelor's degree in education, graduating magna cum laude. The family was looking forward to "seeing her cross this path, and check this milestone, and figuring out what's next," Foster said before the ceremony. Dacia Foster comes from a family of teachers, said Marlena Brown, walking briskly alongside Alicia Foster. "And we're very, very excited about her accomplishments," Brown said. For some, that accomplishment is finishing ahead of schedule. "I'm feeling very happy because I graduated early," Rojas Cruz said. "I'm the last one in my family to graduate. My parents are done paying tuition," she laughed. She made sure to share that recognition, decorating her cap with the phrase, "Lo hicimos, mami y papi," which means "we did it, mom and dad," in English, Rojas Cruz said. Brewton-Wilkin shared that sense of pride. "I'm proud of myself ... It took me four and a half years," she said. "But that's OK, because I did it on my time." The wide breadth of emotions kept Pitts from getting any rest before the ceremony, she said. "I've been up all night, waiting for this moment," she said outside the arena, a bright beam, gleaming against the drab atmosphere. "I worked my whole life to get here." Photos: Santa visits Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education SANTA SUPERINTENDENT 121723-blm-loc-Mouser2.JPG 121723-blm-loc-Mouser3.JPG 121723-blm-loc-Mouser4.JPG 121723-blm-loc-Mouser5.JPEG 121723-blm-loc-Mouser6.JPG 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. 17, 1923: Bloomington is falling hard for the radio fad. It is said that at the present time, there are more than one thousand receiving sets in the city. Most of these have been installed in the past year as prior to that time there were but few followers, mostly children. Radio enthusiasm had not struck town as far as the grownups were concerned. 75 years ago Dec. 17, 1948: Bus tokens, three for 20 cents, will be on sale Tuesday (Dec. 21), according to Hal Hughes, manager of the Bloomington-Normal City lines. The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a fare increase. Single fare will be increased to 10 cents when the new rate goes into effect Wednesday (Dec. 22). 50 years ago Dec. 17, 1973: Unemployment in Bloomington-Normal dropped to its lowest level in four years during October. Only 1.9% of the county's 53,300 workforce was unemployed. A year ago, unemployment in the Twin City metropolitan area stood at 2.2%, lower than the state's 3.5% and the federal government's 5.1%. 25 years ago Dec. 17, 1998: Mennonite College of Nursing officially joined Illinois State University in a ceremony Wednesday (Dec. 16). The change, along with lower tuition for nursing students, takes effect July 1. BroMenn Healthcare, Mennonite's parent organization, announced earlier this year that it was seeking to align the college with ISU because the college was becoming an increasing financial drain. Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977 CHICAGO Migrants are no longer being dropped off at the citys landing zone on buses from the southern border, causing people to wander with no direction looking for shelter, according to an aide to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, said the lack of communication is directly correlated with the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals from the southern border. She suspects bus companies are finding other ways to get migrants into the city. As of Saturday, more than 25,900 migrants had arrived in Chicago since August 2022, according to city records. Under revised rules Wednesday, buses face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators will also be subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees. The city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St. Wednesday night. Obviously, theyre trying every way to work around this, Pacione-Zayas said. Since weve instituted the ordinance and the amendment, we have lost all communication with the border. Theyre not sending us any notices. On Friday, she said city officials found migrants in various locations around the city City Hall, Christkindlmarket and Union Station. According to Pacione-Zayas, migrants reported that bus drivers bought them Ventra cards and Amtrak tickets to get to Chicago. She said a suburb municipality received a bus Friday and directed it to go to the landing zone, and instead it took off toward the Indiana border. The deputy chief of staff suspects bus drivers drop off migrants at train stations outside of the city and buy them train fares to get downtown. Bus companies are facilitating their transfer into the city, she said. It sends us scurrying. In October, a delegation from the city went to Texas to try to talk to officials there to coordinate bus drop offs. Buses at the time were coming at all hours of the day and night, without warning. The city implemented rules in mid-November requiring drop-offs to occur on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The city also limited bus arrivals to two per hour and designated the location in the West Loop to unload passengers. The loading zone helps the city have a better on-the-ground transport plan and know if families or singles are coming to place them in appropriate shelters. But since the harsher penalties Wednesday, the landing zone hasnt received nearly as many buses. The city received notice that two were expected Saturday, but only through an email communication on which they were accidentally copied, Pacione-Zayas said. Folks are just kind of being dropped off at different points. Theyre wandering to police stations. Or theyre wandering to shelters, she said. The city has been actively clearing migrants out of police stations into shelters, and reported Saturday morning that there were none staying overnight at stations, down over 2,000 a few weeks ago. On Saturday evening, however, there will be a warming bus at the Near West station (12th District), which covers much of the Little Italy and University of Illinois at Chicago neighborhoods, to respond to the uncoordinated arrivals. The citys Office of Emergency Management works with the contracted national employment firm Favorite Staffing to pick migrants up and get them to the warming bus or into shelter beds if there is availability. Pacione-Zayas said she is just asking Texas officials for more communication. When they come without notice and coordination, it starts to undermine what were trying to do, she said. 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 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 Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has presented modern Industrial Stitching and Overlock Machines to the Suntreso Technical Institute(STI), a government TVET institution in the Bantama constituency. They included nine(9) Industrial Straight Stitch Machines of SGGEMSY & UNIQUE brands, and one (1) Industrial Overlock Machine of UNIQUE brand. The machines donated by the Works and Housing Minister would augment the pool of Industrial Machines at the Fashion Department of STI, which is a key requisite for obtaining the Commission for TVET(CTVET) accreditation for the Fashion Designing Department. At a short ceremony to handover the ten (10) brand new Industrial Fashion Design Machines on Monday 11th December, 2023, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye indicated that technical and vocational skills businesses have been the backbone of strong economies the world over, citing the American economy as example. ''It is not the big companies in America that make her economy strong, it's that small and medium ones, like those in the technical and vocational sector, that push their economy strong and growing''. Mr. Asenso-Boakye said it is against this background that the Akufo-Addo government is investing hugely in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He added that the current government has set up many TVET institutions in the country, and has upgraded the existing vocational and technical schools with the needed human and other needed resources. The Minister/MP expressed optimism that the machines would expose the Fashion Designing students/learners to the modern day industry required machinery and knowhow. ''These machines will also improve the practical skills delivery of the Fashion Designing Department of the Institute, and boost the Production Unit/Income Generation activities of the Department'', he stated. He charged the students to take their studies and training seriously as they have big market and business opportunities awaiting them after the training. He counseled them to burn out the misconception that TVET is for the academically weak individuals. ''My daughter is a brilliant girl; she has attended best schools in US and Ghana, and she performs excellently academically but she expressed interest in Fashion Design, and I am wholeheartedly supporting her to achieve her dream to become a world class Fashion Designer'', the Minister disclosed this to inspire the students. Bantama MP and Minister for Works and Housing promised his continuous support for the Suntreso Technical Institute, announcing that he's teamed up with the Principal of the College to solicit support from several quarters. On his part, Principal of Suntreso Technical Institute (STI), Mr. Ebenezer Quarcoo praised Hon. Asenso-Boakye for the great support proffered to the school. He disclosed that the MP facilitated the changing of the former O.I.C into it's current state, a full Technical Institute. He appealed to other leaders, groups/organizations to emulate the good example demonstrated by Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, to make the Suntreso Technical Institute one of the best TVET schools in the country. 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 The Rotary Club of Kumasi on Saturday, 16th December, 2023 donated assorted items worth more than 10,000 Ghana Cedis, to the Remar Ghana Children's Home at Patase in Kumasi. The items included bags of rice, corn, cooking oil, soap, toiletries, soft drinks, eggs to support them, especially during the impending Christmas festivities. Presenting the items, Nana Effah Mensah, the President of the club, said the donation formed part of the club's areas of focus and contribution to help the needy and put smiles on the faces of the needy and less privileged in the society. "As a club donations like these further confirm our resolve of improving the livelihoods and living conditions of mankind and people in our immediate communities. The items donated today were contributions from the members of the club. This is what we stand for". Speaking to the children in the home, Nana Effah said such gestures is a recognition that society still cares about them, appreciates them hence they should not see themselves as outcasts. The Kumasi Rotary club has been in the news recently for constructing boreholes and water closet toilet facilities for schools and in communities in the Ashanti Region. President explained that the club has achieved most of their intended targets for the year and its on course to implement a plethora of projects and programs in the ensuing years in line with Rotary club's seven (7) areas of focus. " Next year, we plan to support about 20 orphanages in the Ashanti Region and we believe that through the support of our international partners, we will be able to transform the lives of children in these orphanages". Meanwhile, the caretaker of the Patase branch of Remar Ghana Children's Home Irene Amissah who received the items on behalf of the home lauded the Rotary club of Kumasi for their kind gesture adding that, the donation will go a long way to support the kids especially during the yuletide. She said the orphanage which has branches scattered across the country with 3 in the Ashanti Region has to brave through the storm to support the children in the home. She said paying for the school fees for the kids as well as paying the rent of the orphanage homes have been an uphill task for the managers. Madam Amissah called on other Non-profit organizations, individuals and groups to also come to the aid of the orphanage to enable them render quality care and support for the children. The Rotary Club of Kumasi is the second-oldest Rotary club in Ghana. It is an association of business and professional leaders who strive to promote goodwill, peace, and understanding around the world by performing community service and promoting ethics. It is an organization that is neither political nor religious. 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 Parliament has given the green light for the industrial use of cannabis, following the endorsement of the Narcotics Control Commission Regulations 2023. The decision permits the legal cultivation of cannabis, provided that its THC content is no more than 0.3%. However, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery was quick to clarify that the move did not legalise recreational marijuana. He added that Ghana did not currently cultivate cannabis with such low THC levels but was preparing to import relevant strains. Prior to the approval, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza expressed concerns about potential abuse of the drug and the impact it could have on mental health, cautioning that the move might not positively impact the country. And none of you is talking about the potential of abuse and how that can degenerate into mental health problems we already have in this country. Why are we pretending that this is going to solve our problem? Minister? Do you even know how many people in this country are smoking weed? Even electricity that the sources we produce we are known, we are unable to police the amount of electricity we produce in this country. You are not talking about giving license to people to produce weed. While I dont have the potential of stopping this, the fact is that Ghana is blessed enough with gold, diamond and just recently we found E-Levy, none of them is able to save our country. 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 Charles Owusu has lacerated the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, over her defence of decriminalizing the sale of sex toys in Ghana. Parliament is at a crossroads over criminalizing the activities of the LGBTQ+ community, as a section of the members of the House stands against the passing of the anti-gay bill into law. The anti-gay bill, when passed, will ensure any person who commits a homosexual act or professes support for homosexual practices faces a jail term, a fine, or both. As the bill is currently being deliberated on the floor of Parliament, the Communications Minister established her position on a portion of it that makes selling sex toys a crime. Clause 3(c) of the bill prohibits sexual intercourse between a man and an inanimate object or between a woman and an inanimate object, but according to the Minister, criminalizing the use of sex toys will affect heterosexual couples who use sex toys to enhance their sex lives. "I think we raised this when the committee was considering it that the proposed amendment in 3(c) may create unintended consequences because sexual intercourse between a man and an inanimate object or between a woman and an inanimate object would necessarily include sexual intercourse with all manner of aids that couple use to enhance the sexual experience. "And I'm not sure if thats what the intention of this bill is. It would necessarily include sex toys and other aids that couples, especially heterosexual couples, also use to enhance their sexual experience. "So if that is what the house intends, then we have to be clear in our minds that we may be criminalising activities, which may not necessarily be limited to only those LGBTQI communities that the target of this bill is but it may also be targeting straight couples who use sex enhancement tools to enhance their sexual experience," she argued, insisting that "we need to be mindful of the unintended consequences of 3(c), and Ill propose that 3(c) be deleted from this amendment.". Charles Owusu, in his reaction to Hon. Ursula's assertions, noted on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo" that the use of sex toys is as abominable as the practices of homosexuals. He called on the lawmakers to disregard Ursula Owusu's call and sternly demanded that "the law must prohibit the sale of sex toys publicly." He charged Ghanaians to vote against any Parliamentarian who supports the LGBTQ+ community or goes against the passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, otherwise referred to as the "anti-gay bill." "How dare you tell us to allow women to marry women in this country? Who are you?" he fumed. "I mean, what is this? It's dirty and annoying! It is an abomination before God. Vote against them! he further exclaimed. Watch video below 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 Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong has rejected the calls by a group of his supporters to run as an independent in the 2024 elections. This comes after Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia defeated Mr. Agyapong in the NPPs presidential primary election which saw close to 200,000 delegates vote to choose between four candidates. The Vice president polled 61.47% of the total votes, beating Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto to become the NPPs presidential candidate for the 2024 polls. The groups chairperson, Kwabena Yankey, during a news conference held on Tuesday, said We the supporters of Kennedy Agyapong, representing 37 percent of the NPP delegates, wish to inform the general public that Kennedy Agyapong needs to be the next president of Ghana. We are advocating for Kennedy Agyapong, and we urge him to stand as an independent candidate for a massive win in 2024. He continued that Kennedy Agyapong renowned for his outspoken nature and unwavering love, has demonstrated his dedication through his actions and spearheaded the establishment of companies that employ 7,000 workers. His initiative to construct a state-of-the-art cardio hospital whose investment surpasses $7 million underscores his commitment to the well-being of Ghana. He added, Despite the recent setbacks within the NPP, we continue to believe that supporting him as an independent candidate is crucial for Ghanaians to foster growth, innovation, and the social welfare of the nation. But, Kennedy Agyapong speaking at the USA edition of Showdown Thanksgiving Party in Minnesota, on December 2, 2023, assured his supporters that he is not going to leave the NPP. The Member of Parliament for Assin Central said Im still an NPP [member]. We will continue to fight. We are not going to give up. I will sit in there and make the changes. I will be in there and make the changes. So, you should be rest assured. According to him, there are speculations that on December 4, Kennedy Agyapong is going to make a press conference. I will be here (Minnesota, USA) on December 4, so this kind of speculations Im not in for that. NPP people should be rest assured that Kennedy Agyapong is still an NPP. He added, I will continue to be NPP but Ghana first. If you are NPP and you make a mistake I will tell you. You shouldnt give up because you were supporting Kennedy Agyapong and he lost, no! Maybe this is a preparation. I probably trusted people too much so now Im learning. I thought I was perfect but with this election, I know Im not so Im learning a lot. Nobody should be worried about whatever happened, he said. However, he urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the fact that he did not win the NPP presidential primaries, adding that he has learnt his lessons and will come back stronger. Source: GNA 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 CONVERT THE OFFICE OF THE OSP TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), has since 2012 championed the proposal for decoupling the Attorney General from the Minister of Justice as the only way to successfully win the fight against corruption. The Party has asked for amendment of Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution. Until that is done, there is no way the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) can effectively work to deal with issues of corruption. As a Party, we sympathize with the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng. Competent as he is, he finds himself between a rock and a hard place. The Constitution says to be President one must be 40 years and above, yet a 43-year Oldman is called a small boy and the Information Minister and his communication team, sit silently on the fense as the Office is basterdized and taken to the cleaners. We infer from the lack of defense to mean a state sponsored basterdization of the SPO. We are clearly in agreement with those echoing the PPP long held position of a total separation of the Minister of Justice from the Attorney General. Attorney General for the people and the Minister of Justice as an advisor to the President. Hence, we ask for the separation of the two and covert the OSP to Attorney General Office (AGO). Clearly, the powers of the OSP are unfortunately embedded in the Minister of Justice and Attorney General as per the OSP (Act 2017), Act 959 that created the Office. The OSP has been seeded some powers of the AG which is, in of itself, problematic. The OSP has been used to fulfil a propaganda campaign message just to deceive Ghanaians into believing something is being done about corruption. This new Attorney General Office (AGO) must have a budget that is built on the percentage of the National Budget. Access to its funding must be enshrined in the constitution. Martin Amidu to Kissi Agyabeng have all cried about the lack of funding to carry out their functions. The control of the Executive on an institution set up to fight corruption for which Political appointees are often subject matters of investigations is not a healthy system. The PPP holds the belief that, within the context of the broader narrative, if given the power to govern in the 2024 general elections, within three months into the PPP Administration, Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution will be amended to separate the Attorney General from the Minister of Justice to enable the State successfully fight corruption head on. Long Live PPP Long live Ghana #AWAKE Remy Paa Kow Edmundson National Secretary 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 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. By Alhaji Umar Njai In the past two weeks, protests over the racially motivated killing of George Floyd in the hands of Police officers have spread across cities in America, and renewed debates about systemic racism, police brutality, and oppression of black people globally. George Floyd, a black man in handcuffs, lying down the floor with a Police officer kneeling on his neck for 9 minutes till his life goes out, is reminiscent of the killings, lynchings, rape, imprisonments, and violence perpetrated against black people from slavery through colonialism to present. Throughout History there has been a deliberate and intentional effort by the oppressor to miseducate, misrepresent, misdiagnose, mislabel, and mistreat the African. In so doing, the oppressor has managed to sow the seeds of discord, hate and stereotypes among its descendants, some of whom are well-meaning and have desires to break from their oppressor ancestors. Often the descendants of the oppressor are trapped as James Baldwin (Letter to My Nephew, Progressive Magazine, 1962) noted in a history they do not understand. They simply do not understand the historical basis of their privilege in society and how that connects to the marginalized condition of the oppressed. The souls of black folks whether in America, Caribbean or Africa are connected by a history of brutal oppression, rape, lynchings, resource exploitation, mischaracterizations, miseducation, and historical misrepresentations. Such misrepresentations are so profound and powerful to the extent that the oppressed black folks have now come to believe that is what they are, leading to inferiority complex, self-hate, and self-doubt. As Chinua Achebe aptly put it in Things Fall Apart, it is as if a knife has been put on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart. The results of over 400 years of programming, imprinting, violence, and cultural domination has been self-hate, self-doubt, and psychological damage to our psyche as black people in the African continent and the diaspora. The oppressor, on the other hand, feels a false sense of power and superiority, aided and abetted by a greedy, socially unjust Capitalist system, seeks to validate and justify their actions (be it slavery, colonialism, or segregation) through organized systemic racism, explicit and implicit. The oppressed is then locked in a global system that keeps them marginalized, in perpetual backwardness, poverty, and dependency; be it economic, academic, or cultural dependency. Walter Rodney makes the case in How Europe Underdeveloped Africa that African poverty is not a natural feature of geography or a consequence of culture, but a direct consequence of imperial extraction from the continent, and that continues to the present. Indeed, the resultant multicultural environment the oppressor creates, will always consist of an interaction between the ultimate culture of power (the Oppressor) versus the ultimate culture of marginalization (the Oppressed). The oppressor continually seeks to validate and justify his actions against black people from enslavement (a free labor imperative), colonialism (a territorial imperative), to post-independence and neocolonialism (welcome to the Oppressor club like the Common Wealth, the United Nations, the Francophone etc.). For the oppressed, the welcome to the oppressor club has largely been through a deliberate miseducation with a brainwashed curriculum that pits black folks (Africans and Diasporans) against their systems, that denies them of their own existentialism, re-writes their histories, religions, scientific accomplishments, and reinforces cultural dependency. As Frantz Fanon writes in The Wretched of the Earth, The oppressed will always believe the worst about themselves. Hence, the sum total of the oppressor effect has been the damage to Black Peoples mental psyche (aka mental slavery), that feeds into the self-hate and self-doubt, fueled by a dependent education system (primarily through universities) that puts everything about the African as inferior and becoming more like the oppressor is the ultimate way out of our moral, social and economic decadence. The late Legendary Reggae Musician Robert Nesta Marley in his Redemption song, Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds, also speaks to the links between slavery and our psyche. The values and perspectives of the oppressor are transmitted to the oppressed in ways that are out of all proportion to their values. As Ali Mazrui writes in several publications on the seven lenses of culture, the vices of the powerful acquire some of the prestige of power; so even vices of the oppressor become prestigious to the oppressed. This is the case for oppressed black folks from Africa to America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Worst of all, the neoliberal education system of the oppressor shifts the blame for the political or socio-economic malaise from the slave masters, colonialists, the oppressors, and the looters of our resources to the Black Africans, who invariably are the victims of the very same slavery, colonial and neo-colonial systems. The African American experience from slavery through abolition, Jim Crow segregation laws, to civil rights movements of the 60s that sought to bring greater equality, fairness, and tolerance, has been one of tokenism, individual success stories (Oprahs, Obamas, and so on) along with implicit and explicit systemic racism that ensures collective success is impossible. Having been successfully deculturated through a process of de-Africanization during slavery; a period when their history was stolen from them, robbed off their languages, identity, humanity, and culture with their communal family structure from Africa dismantled, and replaced by a Capitalist institution that emphasizes individual success along with greedy economic systems. Hence, the African American then is caught in a reality that is not their creation; a spiral of poverty, gun violence, police brutality, drugs, gangs, and so on, that are the ultimate result of years of dehumanization, subhuman bondage, and systemic racism in a socially unjust class based society that denies them access to basic opportunities. A similar, albeit slight difference, in experience exists for the African within the continent; where systemic racism is replaced by ethnic polarization in the nation states; we all have been conditioned to hate ourselves; to hate our dark skins; to hate ourselves based on imaginary national boundaries of colonial construct. We are Sierra Leoneans, Guineans, Liberians, Gambians, Senegalese, Malians divided by a colonial construct despite strong family and ethnic ties. The Ebola virus disease taught us the hard lesson that we are all connected as a people but we continue to work in silos and in line with our colonial masters (Sierra Leone with Britain, Liberia with US, and Guinea with France). We cannot get ECOWAS or Mano River Union to work for us and address common issues simply because of colonial allegiances. In our countries, we practice democracy based on ethnic numbers and self-hate; we elect our political leaders, hire and fire people based on ethnic sentiments and differences; we care less whether our actions hurt others or communities, as long as we perceive them to be different. All aspects of the African value systems have been replaced by the values and even vices of the oppressor; First, Greed and individual material self-interests replaces the African communal sharing systems; deculturation or de-Africanization for African Americans replaced by extreme Britishmanisms, Frenchmanisms or other forms of Europeanism; Second, African education system replaced by a colonial western formal education that has enhanced both academic (Science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and humanities) and cultural dependency, therefore everything African has to be evaluated and validated from a Eurocentric lens, the culture of dominance and power; Third, long-sighted visionary and transformational Panafrican Independence leaders replaced by mediocre leaders, whose shortsightedness are enjoyed by the western donors or colonialists as it ensures the chain of dependency and unfettered access to Africa's resources is maintained; Fourth, African traditional pluralistic religions replaced by monotheism and strong tendencies for dichotomy; you are either Christian or not, Muslim or not, and no tendency to combine them. By contrast, African traditional religions are less dichotomous, less monotheistic, and are readily accepting of other religions, which allows for greater plurality and acceptance of diversity; Fifth, as in African Americans, we see African ingenuity, self-reliance, and economic activity replaced by donor funding, foreign investments (World Bank, IMF), International NGOs, foreign aid, multinational investments, and variety of half-sighted neoliberal foreign economic models that are unsustainable, inimical to the African needs, and ensures economic dependency. Therefore, with both the African Americans and continental Africans trapped in some form of systemic racism and dependency, respectively, the vicious cycle of poverty, despair, violence, wars, and underdevelopment takes hold in communities and countries. The divide and rule actions of the oppressor also makes it impossible for unity of the oppressed black people. In United States, Africans and African Americans are caught up in self-hate, rivalries, disunity, and distorted views of their own histories provided by the same oppressors bent on keeping them apart. In the end, Africans and their American brethren spend more time on determining superiority rather than meaningful steps towards breaking the shackles of oppression. To break the cycle of dependency, systemic racism, and oppression may require nothing short of a revolution, a break with current capitalist structures that ensure western hegemonic dominance. The series of revolutions that won't be televised, should at the very least include a Blue Intellectual revolution from which new sources of knowledge should emerge; a Green revolution for food security, greater control of Africa's natural resources; a Black revolution that culturally empowers African people across the globe; a Red revolution that unites and liberates all people of African ancestry globally, and links them to young and old to the African continent through service, projects, and cultural education; a Yellow revolution that ushers industrialization and wealth creation for Africa; and a White, Pink, Purple, Orange and so revolutions that ensue all aspects of self-reliance and sustainability are attained. Finally, as Fanon put its aptly in The Wretched of the Earth, Imperialism leaves behind germs of rot which we must clinically detect and remove from our land but from our minds as well. Therefore, to achieve full and total liberation of the African people will require unification of thoughts, economic freedom, self-reliance, and politically powerful Africa. An economically and politically powerful federated Africa (including the Diaspora) will restore the dignity of its people and ensure that it resources are utilized to the benefits of its people, and preserve the diverse cultures of its people. Alhaji Umar Njai is a Senior Scientist, Associate Professor, Panafrican Scholar, Founder & Chief Strategist of Project 1808, Inc., and Freelance writer Roaming in the Mountains of Kabala Republic. #Jata #Meejoh #ThePeoplesScientist Copyright 2020 Politico Online ATLANTIC CITY Michigans Ashley Myatt was crowned Miss Black America on Saturday night. The pageant, which was celebrating its 55th anniversary, took place in the former House of Blues venue at the Showboat Resort Atlantic City. Myatt was the top pick among the five final candidates, which included New Yorks Courtney Renford (first runner-up) and Donna Fairclough, New Jerseys Azraya Davis and Georgias Malani Brayboy. The festivities began Friday with the crowning happening late Saturday night. The contestants ranged in age from 17 to 29. Myatt, who was born and raised in Detroit, said after the crowning that she didnt have words and was still processing winning. I feel amazing. This is such a great opportunity, especially for little girls who may be looking up to me, Myatt said. And its just a great opportunity to be able to stand here today. Thank you so much. Im so happy. Myatt went to the University of Toledo for veterinary medicine. She is currently a vet technician and is aspiring to be a doctor of veterinary medicine, which she studied at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. GALLERY: Miss Black America Pageant at the Showboat OCEAN CITY Its been years since a car made it all the way to Crook Horn Creek from 51st Street along a badly rutted dirt and gravel road. The city shut the road to vehicle traffic several years ago after a summer of stuck vehicles. Its been longer still since a passenger rail line ran along the tracks alongside that road. The trains stopped running in 1981. But a proposal for the area could bring more bicycles and walkers, with a potential for a new nature trail within about a year. Long-term flood control is also a project goal. Nick Brown with the firm ACT Engineers Inc. discussed plans at a public information meeting at the American Legion hall on 46th Street on Saturday morning. As it stands, it would be tough to ride a bike the length of the dirt road, or even walk the whole way with dry feet, he said. By early next year, plans are to design a nature trail for the dirt road, which runs about seven-tenths of a mile out to the marsh to the Intracoastal Waterway. The project could go out to bid by the summer, with work starting by the end of 2024. The plans call for a paved nature trail, to be a neutral color, and the installation of a split-rail fence, along with new trash cans and other improvements. The project is set to be funded by a $580,000 grant through the New Jersey Department of Transportation, to create an accessible and bike-friendly nature trail. Brown said the work would take place within the current right-of-way and would not impact wetlands or the trees that now grow where the railroad track once ran. The length of the route is densely grown with cedar, bayberry, poison ivy and other plants, and is home to a variety of birds and other wildlife. State and federal permits would be required, Brown said, but they would be approvals to maintain an existing structure, not to create a new trail. Plans also call for the reinforcement of the berm along which the railroad ran. That raised section helps protect the Ocean City Homes neighborhood near the nature path, blocking waves that can roll in from the north during storms when the marsh and likely the neighborhood are flooded. Plans are also to improve the ways water drains out of the area. In the longer term, Brown said, the city hopes to use that berm as part of a wider flood-control initiative, which could keep flood waters out, not just reduce the impact of waves. Ocean City approves contract on 52nd Street berm Ocean City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a $58,550 contract to design a berm along a stretch of former railroad track leading into the marsh at 52nd Street. This is 'step one' of a larger conceptual plan for the city to help protect the entire back bay area from flooding and from storms, he said. As proposed, work on that first step could begin next fall and continue into the winter. The path will improve water access and encourage bike riding, walking and running, Brown said. The path has long been used by birders, anglers and families to reach the back bay. A handmade bridge leads over the water at the end of 52nd Street, and there is a locked gate at 51st Street preventing vehicle access but allowing for walkers to pass. For decades, the railroad carried passengers from Philadelphia the length of Ocean City along Haven Avenue and to other shore communities. After the railroad ended operations, people would often walk or drive the dirt road for sunsets, kayak access or to fish. The city decided to close the route to vehicles after several instances in which drivers became stuck. There remain deep ruts in the route, which are filled with water for much of the year. A public comment period on the proposal will be open through Dec. 23. Those who want to comment may email oceancityflooding@actengineers.com. A Davenport elementary school teacher was arrested Saturday night on a charge of indecent contact with a child, Davenport police said. Julian Lira, 35, was booked into the Scott County Jail at 9:02 p.m. and released at 9:45 p.m. after posting a $2,000 cash bond. The Davenport Community School District website lists Lira as a sixth-grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police, Lira inappropriately touched a girl over her clothing during an event at Credit Island Lodge, 2301 W. River Drive. Indecent contact with a child is an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of two years. Lira will make a first appearance on the charge at a later date. A statement from the Davenport Community School District said that the district, "is aware of a situation regarding a district employee which has involved the Davenport Police Department." "The employee was placed on leave immediately upon notification of the investigation," according to the statement. "As a matter of policy, DCSD cannot comment on personnel matters or matters regarding a police investigation. "As always, the safety of our students and staff is paramount to Davenport Community School District, and that remains our guiding principle," the district said. This is the second time Lira has been accused of having inappropriate contact with a child. His first trial on the charge of second-degree sexual abuse in April of 2022 ended in a hung jury. A Scott County jury found him not guilty of the charge at his second trial in September of 2022. Scott County jury finds former teacher not guilty of sex abuse charge A Scott County jury on Thursday found a former Davenport school teacher not guilty of a sexu The Wopila Project, a nonprofit developed by a Rapid City surgeon to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and encourage generosity, brought winter coats and cookies to children at Lakota Homes on Saturday, December 16. Dr. Jacob Weasel, a trauma surgeon at Monument Health in Rapid City, founded the nonprofit not only to give back to his community, but to inspire and encourage Indigenous youth as well. Over the summer, Weasel became the first member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to summit Mount Everest. The effort helped fundraise for The Wopila Project and to build women's health centers in rural Nepal. For more information on The Wopila Project, visit wopilaproject.com. With one election cycle finished, another campaign season is underway. Virginia Public Access Project data shows four residents have filed paperwork to begin fundraising for the Richmond mayors race in November. They are seeking to fill the position being vacated by Mayor Levar Stoney, who is term-limited. Stoney announced this month that he is running for governor. Beginning Jan. 2, candidates can start gathering signatures to appear on the ballot. A total of 500 signatures of registered voters are required to be submitted by April 4. Heres a look at the four so far: Chris Hilbert Hilbert, who is running as an independent, was the Third District councilman from 2005 to 2021, when he was succeeded by Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert. Hilbert has worked for the Virginia Housing Development Authority and was in banking for nearly 20 years. Data from the VPAP, which tracks campaign fund totals, shows Hilbert is the most recent to join the contest. As of Friday, he had not reported any donations. Hilbert was not available to comment about his campaign. Michelle Mosby Mosby, also an independent candidate, filed her paperwork in August and has been campaigning at various meetings and other events. In 2012, she was elected Ninth District councilwoman. She ran for mayor in 2016 against six candidates, with Stoney capturing 36% of the vote. Mosby has received endorsements from City Council President Michael Jones, who was elected to the House of Delegates in November; former Mayor Dwight Jones; and Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond. She has raised $68,025 in campaign funds and reports $40,194 cash in hand as of mid-December. She said her campaign is focusing on affordable housing and public safety as well as fostering a sense of community across the city. My administration is focused on each and every Richmonder and our city services and the excellence we will provide will be proof of my commitment, Mosby stated in an email. Maurice Neblett Neblett, whose background is in law enforcement and security, also launched an independent campaign focused on improving infrastructure, public safety and economic growth. This will be Nebletts first election. He has no previous history in politics. He said he is running because there is a need for stronger community engagement and he wants to bring transparent and inclusive leadership to the city. Neblett has not reported any campaign donations to date. I believe in a government that serves the people with integrity and transparency. My nonpolitical background brings a fresh perspective to the challenges we face, Neblett stated in an email. Garrett Sawyer Sawyer, whose campaign slogan is Lets Reimagine Richmond Together, is running as a Democrat. He began fundraising in March and has reported a total of $26,095 in campaign funds and $16,079 cash in hand. This will also be Sawyers first venture into politics after an unsuccessful run in 2016 for the Fifth District City Council seat. Previously, he served on the Ethics Reform Commission, the Northside Coalition for Children and the Richmond branch of the NAACP. His platform focuses on inspiring trust in public safety, addressing the need for affordable housing, modernizing city services and improving the school system. As a city, we are all tired of the same rhetoric. What we all deserve is action, not just words for an election cycle. Together, we can reimagine Richmond and drive for true change, Sawyers campaign website reads. Sawyer could not be reached for comment. Possible candidates The previous mayoral election cycle saw six candidates on the ballot. All were nonpartisan. There are a few potential candidates expected to make announcements in the coming weeks and months, including First District City Councilman Andreas Addison. Addison, who has served on the council since 2017, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he is considering his options. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia and owns a gym in Scotts Addition. Addison worked within City Hall as a civic innovator for eight years. Candidates are expected to make formal announcements next month. The new mayoral term starts in January 2025. MORE: The Times-Dispatch's Photo of the Day Sept. 11, 2023 Sept. 12, 2023 Sept. 13, 2023 Sept. 14, 2023 Sept. 15, 2023 Sept. 16, 2023 Sept. 17, 2023 Sept. 18, 2023 Sept. 19, 2023 Sept. 20, 2023 Sept. 21, 2023 Sept. 22, 2023 Sept. 23, 2023 Sept. 24, 2023 Sept. 25, 2023 Sept. 26, 2023 Sept. 27, 2023 Sept. 28, 2023 Sept. 29, 2023 Sept. 30, 2023 Oct. 1, 2023 Oct. 2, 2023 Oct. 3, 2023 Oct. 4, 2023 Oct. 5, 2023 Oct. 6, 2023 Oct. 7, 2023 Oct. 8, 2023 Oct. 9, 2023 Oct. 10, 2023 Oct. 11, 2023 Oct. 12, 2023 Oct. 13, 2023 Oct. 14, 2023 Oct. 15, 2023 Oct. 16, 2023 Oct. 17, 2023 Oct. 18, 2023 Oct. 19, 2023 Oct. 20, 2023 Oct. 22, 2023 Oct. 23, 2023 Oct. 24, 2023 Oct. 25, 2023 Oct. 26, 2023 Oct. 27, 2023 Oct. 28, 2023 Oct. 29, 2023 Oct. 30, 2023 Nov. 1, 2023 Nov. 2, 2023 Nov. 3, 2023 Nov. 4, 2023 Nov. 5, 2023 Nov. 6, 2023 Nov. 7, 2023 Nov. 8, 2023 Nov. 9, 2023 Nov. 10, 2023 Nov. 11, 2023 Nov. 12, 2023 Nov. 13, 2023 Nov. 14, 2023 Nov. 15, 2023 Nov. 16, 2023 Nov. 17, 2023 Nov. 18, 2023 Nov. 20, 2023 Nov. 21, 2023 Nov. 22, 2023 Nov. 23, 2023 Nov. 24, 2023 Nov. 25, 2023 Nov. 26, 2023 Nov. 27, 2023 Nov. 28, 2023 Nov. 29, 2023 Nov. 30, 2023 Dec. 1, 2023 Dec. 2, 2023 Dec. 3, 2023 Dec. 4, 2023 Dec. 5, 2023 Dec. 6, 2023 Dec. 7, 2023 Dec. 8, 2023 Dec. 9, 2023 Dec. 10, 2023 Dec. 11, 2023 Dec. 12, 2023 Dec. 13, 2023 Dec. 14, 2023 Dec. 15, 2023 Dec. 16, 2023 Dec. 17, 2023 Dec. 18, 2023 Dec. 19, 2023 Dec. 20, 2023 Dec. 21, 2023 Dec. 22, 2023 Dec. 23, 2023 Dec. 24, 2023 Dec. 25, 2023 Dec. 26, 2023 Dec. 27, 2023 Dec. 28, 2023 Dec. 29, 2023 Dec. 30, 2023 Dec. 31, 2023 Ongoing events on university campuses, and now congressional testimony by the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, remind us that sometimes its hard to agree on the basics. Instead, we talk past each other, convinced of our moral clarity, certain of their moral rot. This makes it difficult to grapple with harder truths about whats happening in Israel and Gaza, and about conflict generally, undermining prospects for productive dialogue. How can we escape this trap? When I teach about the conflict, the first order of business is to find common ground, beginning with facts that undermine narratives on both sides. If students can acknowledge ambiguity, and I have found they can, they contribute to good faith in the classroom. Thats useful for the harder, more uncomfortable parts of the conversation that follow. What does this look like? Hamas targeting of civilians on Oct. 7 fit the textbook definition of terrorism, and taking children hostage is a war crime. Firing rockets from densely-populated positions in Gaza invites retaliation, putting Palestinian lives at risk. Israels decision to cut food, water, electricity and fuel to millions violates provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres was correct when he said Hamas attack did not occur in a vacuum. Its easy to get defensive about these claims, but no one needs to abandon morality to acknowledge they are true. In my experience, students understand this. That includes Jews and Palestinians. What else should be uncontroversial for honest observers? Israel is not entirely responsible for all unfolding violence, as Harvard student organizations argued after Oct. 7, but the Israeli presidents assertion that an entire nation was responsible for the attacks is equally extreme. Israel has the right to defend itself, but leveling entire neighborhoods, displacing 80% of Gazas population, and indiscriminate bombing that kills thousands is collective punishment. Basics out of the way, we discuss harder truths about conflict, generally, and consider whether and how these apply to Israel and Gaza. First, in the direst circumstances, people separate how they think about ends and means. When the U.S., the UK, France, Germany and Italy issued their Joint Statement on Israel on Oct. 9, they stated plainly: There is never any justification for terrorism. But all these countries have targeted civilians in war. Just ask Algeria, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Laos or Vietnam. Ask the Jewish people, who suffered so horrifically during the Holocaust. And they have supported others who have done the same. Ask Palestinians. Second, whether a cause is just influences how history remembers violence. The Allies decision to target civilians in World War II carpet-bombing Dresden, firebombing Tokyo, using nuclear weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki continues to be debated. But the justice of their cause, the defeat of Germany and Japan, is settled. Similarly, the African National Congress (ANC) targeted civilians as part of its fight against apartheid South Africa. Nelson Mandela, who led the ANC and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, remained on a U.S. terrorism watchlist until 2008. None if this is to suggest that Hamas targeting of civilians on Oct. 7 was justified. It is rather an observation that, despite claims to the contrary, both states and nonstate actors have determined that civilian targeting can be. Third, war is about more than bullets and bombs: its about narratives and support. Actors have incentives to manipulate information and, to the extent possible, control it. This is why Hamas leaders have insisted there were instructions not to target civilians on Oct. 7. It is why an IDF spokesperson issued an English-language warning over the internet, to an Arabic-speaking population without internet, to get out of harms way. It is why false stories of beheaded children surfaced, and why President Biden suggested he had seen photos he hadnt. Fourth, narratives are convenient but often unnecessary. For some, Israel must remain a Jewish state regardless of what that requires. According to this view, ethnic cleansing may be unfortunate, but it is justified. For others, armed resistance against Israel is no longer a means to an end. It has become the point. For these people, any amount of suffering, including by Palestinians, is worth the fight. Notions of two states for two peoples, or one state where everyone has equal rights, are dismissed. After thinking through basic truths, and harder ones, I ask students to reflect on several questions. Some are straightforward, some more philosophical. What are the core grievances of Israelis and Palestinians? What are their objectives and aspirations? Are these rooted in justice or injustice? Does that matter? Then theres a question I wonder about but dont ask. Are you on board with what you see? Close 05-08-1951 (cutline): 'Walkie Coffee' in operation--Captain Larion White, of the Salvation Army, draws a cup of coffee for Fireman Warren Kersey from a "walkie-coffee." Two of the new dispensers, five gallon thermos tanks with spigots, made their debut at St. Catherin's School fire. The containers are automatic and hold 100 paper cups each. They will enable one person at a fire to do the work of five speeding service, taking coffee directly to the men and keeping it warmer. 12-17-1953 (cutline): Sunshine for shut-ins--Members of the Salvation Army pack "sunshine baskets" for Richmond shut-ins. Working on the project are Mrs. Colonel Charles Dodd, Mrs. Major Harry Ward and Mrs. Major George Lovegrove (left to right). 11-01-1956 (cutline): New Salvation Army Truck--Maj. Ralph Rose, officer in charge of the Salvation Army Men's Social Center, 506 East Leigh St., supervises the unloading of household goods, clothing and paper brought in a new truck recently purchased by the army for the use by the center. 04-05-1967 (cutline): Youthfulness sings out for Salvation Army. The Misses Mary Dell Parker, Patty Breedlove, Carole La Rue and Barbara Nelson. 11-30-1968 (cutline): Launching the Kettle Appeal Mayor Phil J. Bagley Jr. made his contribution to the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal yesterday during opening ceremoies of the annual drive at Sixth and Broad Streets. In addition to a short speech by Mayor Bagley, the ceremony yesterday included music by the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble and Christmas carols. With the Mayor are William H. Sanders, chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board (left), and Salvation Army Brig. Gen John D. Needham. 11-26-1975: Salvation Army Bell Ringers In May 1952, Salvation Army workers in Richmond operated a new machine that cut newspapers into narrow strips for use in packing china, glassware and other breakables. The machine could shred about a ton and a half of material in a day. From the Archives: The Salvation Army The Salvation Army has served Richmonders for over 125 years. Today, enjoy some photos from our archives of the Salvation Army in Richmond over the years. 05-08-1951 (cutline): 'Walkie Coffee' in operation--Captain Larion White, of the Salvation Army, draws a cup of coffee for Fireman Warren Kersey from a "walkie-coffee." Two of the new dispensers, five gallon thermos tanks with spigots, made their debut at St. Catherin's School fire. The containers are automatic and hold 100 paper cups each. They will enable one person at a fire to do the work of five speeding service, taking coffee directly to the men and keeping it warmer. 12-17-1953 (cutline): Sunshine for shut-ins--Members of the Salvation Army pack "sunshine baskets" for Richmond shut-ins. Working on the project are Mrs. Colonel Charles Dodd, Mrs. Major Harry Ward and Mrs. Major George Lovegrove (left to right). 11-01-1956 (cutline): New Salvation Army Truck--Maj. Ralph Rose, officer in charge of the Salvation Army Men's Social Center, 506 East Leigh St., supervises the unloading of household goods, clothing and paper brought in a new truck recently purchased by the army for the use by the center. 04-05-1967 (cutline): Youthfulness sings out for Salvation Army. The Misses Mary Dell Parker, Patty Breedlove, Carole La Rue and Barbara Nelson. 11-30-1968 (cutline): Launching the Kettle Appeal Mayor Phil J. Bagley Jr. made his contribution to the Salvation Army's Christmas appeal yesterday during opening ceremoies of the annual drive at Sixth and Broad Streets. In addition to a short speech by Mayor Bagley, the ceremony yesterday included music by the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble and Christmas carols. With the Mayor are William H. Sanders, chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board (left), and Salvation Army Brig. Gen John D. Needham. 11-26-1975: Salvation Army Bell Ringers In May 1952, Salvation Army workers in Richmond operated a new machine that cut newspapers into narrow strips for use in packing china, glassware and other breakables. The machine could shred about a ton and a half of material in a day. The Montgomery-Floyd-Radford branch of the NAACP honored veterans earlier this month at Asbury United Methodist Church in Christiansburg. Approximately 20 veterans and 85 guests were greeted, according to news release from the branch. In the release, Melissa N. Matusevich, the branchs Communications Committee chair, wrote the following: The celebration of our nations heroes began with the posting of colors by the Christiansburg High School Corps of Cadets Nathan Kellogg, Kraven Stevers, Addison Linkous and Kaylee Harris. Following that, Samuel H. Bishop welcomed everyone, and The Star-Spangled Banner was then sung by all. Chapter president, Deborah H. Travis, said one of the goals of the NAACPs Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Committee is to advocate for equitable programs for veterans benefits. Youth Council members, Melvin Palmer and Nataliah Bishop read poems of honor, and Connie Teele shared her original poem, The Military. A musical performance was provided by Glen Holmes on piano and vocalist Alan Johnson who sang, A Change Gonna Come. Branch Vice President Michael Herndon introduced the speaker, Commander David Points of the United States Naval Reserves, who shared historical and statistical information about the United States Military. At the conclusion of the event, the color guard retired the colors, and everyone was served a celebratory meal in the church community room. - The Roanoke Times Gail Dehaeseleer, 64, is one of those hard-working Americans you read about who teeters on the brink of financial insolvency. Living paycheck to paycheck, one large unanticipated expense of $700 or so is enough to bury them in the red. Shes worked since age 11, in mostly unskilled jobs. The best she ever had was waitressing at The Roanoker restaurant. Dehaeseleer worked there 30 years until the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to seek other employment. By then she had an established clientele of generous tippers. The Roanoker job allowed Dehaeseleer to buy a house, but other restaurant service gigs she procured since the pandemic havent been nearly as lucrative. Eventually, she landed a job with the contractor that operates cafeteria services in Roanoke schools, Southwest Food Service Excellence (SFE). That went mostly swell until this past June, when SFE furloughed most of its employees for the summer. The workers were informed during an all-hands meeting at the Berglund Center. In writing, SFE told them to expect to return to work Aug. 22. They were also advised to apply for unemployment benefits in the meantime. Because Dehaeseleer wanted to return to her school cafeteria job, she filed an application for unemployment benefits with the Virginia Employment Commission. Per the agencys rules, she reported each week that she remained without a job. She didnt take other employment for most of the summer, because Dehaeseleer feared if she did, that would screw up her unemployment claim. Youre reading this because that claim got screwed up anyway, though its not precisely clear how. The upshot was, Dehaeseleer went all summer without a job or unemployment benefits, and that left her deep in debt. Between June and August her sole income was $862 monthly that she receives from Social Security (which she began collecting at age 62). That covered her car note, house payment, gasoline and medicines but none of Dehaeseleers other expenses such as food or utilities. In all, her expenses total roughly $2,200 per month. As a result, Dehaeseleer got months behind on her bills. She had to beg Appalachian Power, the water authority and her phone company for forbearance. And she had to cut off cable TV, which she could no longer afford. The city treasurer, she said, mercifully cut her some slack on her real-estate taxes and allowed her to make small monthly payments toward her overdue balance. Every Monday through the summer, Dehaeseleer personally visited the VECs local office for a status update on her claim. She got on a first-name basis with the workers there. (She doesnt know how to use a computer or email, and it seemed impossible to get anyone from the VEC on the telephone.) The answer was always the same Dehaseseleers claim was still being processed. To bridge the gap between her income and expenses, Dehaeseleer began using her credit cards and racking up steep interest charges. As you might imagine, that only worsened her financial plight. When the credit card bills came due and she couldnt pay, the collectors began calling incessantly, she said. Still, there was no sign of unemployment benefits. I keep telling them, youll get paid when I do, Dehaeseleer told me. By the time the beginning of August rolled around, Dehaeseleer was increasingly desperate. She could no longer survive without either a job or unemployment benefits. So beginning Aug. 9, she took a waitressing job at Renees Family Restaurant on East Washington Avenue in Vinton. (The popular eatery used to be known as Jerrys Restaurant.) And Dehaeseleer crossed her fingers and hoped the VEC benefits would come through. That didnt happen. Early in October, Dehaeseleer finally received a letter from the VEC. It was dated Sept. 29, and it was exactly the opposite of what shed been been hoping for all summer. The claim is denied benefits effective 08/13/2023, the letter stated. During the above period, the claimant was employed full-time. To Dehaeseleer, it appeared the VEC was telling her that because she was employed at Renees Family Restaurant on Aug.13, her unemployment claim for the previous weeks shed been without a job had been rejected. Weirdly, that letter also noted that Dehaeseleer had filed the claim on Christmas Day of last year. She appealed in writing. I am appealing the decision denying my benefits effective 8/13/23, Dehaeseleer wrote the VEC. I was told by my boss to go get unemployment for the summer. But I had no source of income coming in by the school system. I got disconnection notices from all my utilities, credit score went to heck, I got in a world of trouble financially and mentally waiting to get my benefits which I am entitled to. Around that time she also began calling me and begging for help. I called state Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, and described Dehaeseleers problem with the VEC. He agreed that something seemed wrong. Head, wholl be a state senator beginning in January, connected Dehaeseleer with his legislative aide, Kendall Bailey. Bailey began troubleshooting it. At one point, he arranged for a conference call between himself, Dehaeseleer and the VEC, from Heads local legislative office. During the call Bailey and Dehaeseleer inquired why she wasnt eligible for unemployment benefits during the summer weeks she hadnt worked. A VEC worker promised to look into the matter. Weeks passed without any resolution. This past Sunday, I wrote the VEC an email inquiring about Dehaeseleers denied claim. Wednesday I got a call from Kerri OBrien, the agencys communications director. (She just started in that job last week.) OBrien told me Dehaeseleers June claim for unemployment benefits had never been denied. I cant go into detail about this applicants claim because of confidentiality reasons, but I can tell you VEC never made a decision to deny her benefits stemming from the June unemployment claim, OBrien said. Rather, OBrien added, the letter Dehaeseleer received denied her benefits moving forward from Aug. 13. That seemed odd because Dehaeseleer had never filed a claim for unemployment benefits beginning on that date. There was, unfortunately, due to an oversight, a delay in releasing payment, stemming from Dehaeseleers June application, OBrien said. Since your inquiry, I know our team has reached out to the applicant and this matter has been resolved, OBrien added. I called Dehaeseleer and learned that was true. On Wednesday, the VEC paid her $2,500 for the benefits she was eligible for last summer. She sounded overjoyed and relieved. Im just thrilled, Dehaeseleer told me, because it was more money than she had expected. Im just going to be grateful to God that I got that money, so I can get some of these credit card collectors off my back. But it wasn't that easy. The $2,500 from the VEC was loaded onto a card that Dehaeseleer had obtained during an earlier unemployment claim she made in 2020 when the pandemic shut down The Roanoker restaurant. (The 2020 claim was the first time in 50 years working that Dehaeseleer had filed for jobless benefits.) Thursday, when she went to her bank to withdraw money from her VEC benefit card, Dehaeseleer was unable to access it. She knew the personal identification number associated with the card. The bank manager tried to help her, without success. Friday, I informed OBrien of the latest SNAFU with those payments. "Someone will be reaching out to Ms. Dehaeseleer to see if they can walk her through the process with card to access her funds," O'Brien responded. "Thanks for letting us know." Late Friday, Dehaeseleer called to let me know the VEC benefits card works at merchants and other vendors, even if she cannot withdraw cash from it. If youd like Dehaeseleer to serve you a meal, you can find her at Renees Family Restaurant in Vinton. The address is 1340 E. Washington Ave. She said they serve good food. At Virginia Techs Innovation Campus in Alexandria, new labor standards were adopted guaranteeing payroll protections for workers, contractors and subcontractors. The same cannot be said for the universitys main campus in Blacksburg, according to union officials. The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) works alongside laborers at Virginia Tech and other universities, helping bring complaints and lawsuits on their behalf. In 2021, the union brought a lawsuit against Baird Acoustic and Drywall Inc. alleging that the company was committing wage theft. In the initial complaint, which was eventually settled for more than $500,000, Baird was accused of paying no overtime to construction laborers who regularly worked well over 40 hours a week. Since paying the settled amount, Baird is still doing work at Virginia Tech and, according to the union, issues continue. Representatives at Baird declined to comment on the matter. Raul Castro, a senior council representative for EASRCC, said that contractors such as Baird and another current subcontractor continue to exploit workers on Virginia Tech projects and at other jobsites. Despite all these conversations, Virginia Tech continues to do business with contractors that have a long history of exploiting the workers, Castro said. And Im talking about companies ... currently on the campus with labor brokers who misclassify workers as independent contractors, paying them with checks with no deductions, no overtime, and in extreme cases, workers dont get paid. In 2022, the subcontractor mentioned earlier paid out a total of $575,000 following a lawsuit alleging they had violated wage-and-hour laws. Virginia Tech officials continue to maintain that the issue is the responsibility of the contractor, not necessarily the university. 'Like pulling teeth' At the Innovation Campus in Alexandria, public pressure eventually led to new labor standards. The contractor for the project, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., released a set of labor standards that make several guarantees to workers. Notably, that all subcontractors must provide certified payroll documentation for workers of all tiers, and that an independent third-party monitor would be retained to ensure that fair labor standards were being followed. Virginia Diamond, the president of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, said that the standards adopted by Whiting-Turner are not the same standards applied to the companys projects nationally, and were made following pressure placed specifically on Virginia Tech. We never met with Whiting-Turner on this, Diamond said. We only met with Virginia Tech. Castro, who worked to get Virginia Tech to adopt new labor standards for the Innovation Campus, said that the process of getting some of their concerns addressed took years. We tried to engage Virginia Tech about two, three years ago, to talk to the union about adopting responsible contracting language, Castro said. And it was like pulling teeth to get their attention. We had to get politicians involved and community groups. When the standards were adopted by Whiting-Turner, union officials were hoping that the changes would apply to Virginia Tech overall. We were under the delusion that this would mean the standards would be adopted by Virginia Tech in all their projects, Diamond said. Chasing a prevailing wage Mark Levine, a former state delegate, was one of the politicians involved in lobbying Virginia Tech to adopt fair labor standards for the Innovation Campus project. His particular area of concern was that the university follow state procurement act policy and pay prevailing wages to construction laborers working on its projects. In contracting, a prevailing wage is the usual hourly rate and benefits paid to workers for a given area. As of May 2021, the Virginia Procurement Act requires that, for any state public project with an estimated cost over $250,000, laborers must be paid that prevailing wage. However, the five largest universities in Virginia, which receive a certain amount of private funding, can legally avoid paying prevailing wages, something Levine says violates the spirit of the law, if not the letter. I dont believe it was the intent of the law when it was drafted, Levine said. It was an oversight. Of the five largest universities in the commonwealth, two have opted to sign a pledge stating that they would pay prevailing wages, those being the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary. The others, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech, have not, Levine said. Levine, who at the time work on the Innovation Campus began was a delegate representing parts of both Alexandria and Arlington, sent a formal letter to the Virginia Tech procurement team asking whether or not the university intended to ensure the prevailing wage would be paid to workers on the Virginia Tech campus. After a month had passed with no response to his inquiry, Levine said he sent a follow-up to Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands. The follow-up was sent April 22, 2021, nine days before the new procurement legislation was to go into effect. Now Ive been told that, despite my letter, Virginia Tech is determined to violate the spirit of the Virginia Public Procurement Act by trying to hurriedly execute construction contracts prior to May 1, 2021, Levine wrote in his follow-up. Even worse, I fear you also may intend to violate the letter of the law when it takes effect 9 days from today. On April 26, Levine received a response from Dwayne Pinkney, the chief business officer at Virginia Tech. We will depend on our construction partners to continue to implement best practice standards that commit to reducing the occurrence of wage theft or employee misclassification. Virginia Tech has not made any pledge to pay prevailing wages, either at the Innovation Campus or for any construction projects in Blacksburg, Roanoke or Northern Virginia. Mark Owczarski, the chief spokesperson for Virginia Tech, reiterated that it was the responsibility of the contractors hired by the university to ensure that labor standards are met, and added that each contractor is required to provide a payment bond to ensure all workers are paid. If a payment issue comes up, the subcontractors will have an additional path to payment under the bond, Owczarski said. Owczarski's statement also went on to make it clear that Baird Drywall and Acoustic is a subcontractor, and has never had a direct contract with Virginia Tech. 'It's not like they don't know' Josh Nappi, a representative for EASRCC, has been working for seven years in Southwest Virginia. Hes seen lawsuits filed against contractors at Virginia Tech who use unscrupulous labor brokers, hes seen the lawsuits settled for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hes seen the workers return to projects at Virginia Tech, with the same contractors and the same brokers. A lot of these guys are undocumented, so they end up going back to work for brokers, Nappi said. And Ive seen these guys at Tech again, working for brokers, and they tell me the same things are going on. Nappi and Castro, as well as other UBC representatives, have come to Blacksburg several times to speak to laborers, at Virginia Tech and on other projects using the same contractors. Many workers, they say, are afraid of being deported, and very few are willing to have their names on lawsuits. But some workers do agree, and several lawsuits are still ongoing or have been settled, and several other contractors that have done work, and continue to do work, for Virginia Tech. For Nappi and Castro, the goal is to have Virginia Tech take an active role in ensuring fair pay to people who work to build their facilities, and to keep them running. The worst thing about the whole thing is, its not like they dont know, Castro said. Its one thing for some issue to be happening without your knowledge, but its another completely different thing when youve been educated on the issue, community members have been telling you about the issue, and you continue to do the same damn thing. Eric Martin, the Santa at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland since 2017, sits inside the chapel at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle Eric Martin has portrayed Santa at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland since 2017. Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle A letter to Santa sits on a table next to Eric Martin inside the chapel at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland park. Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle Eric Martin, the Santa at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland since 2017, gets ready for his shift at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Eric Martin, the Santa at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland since 2017, said he loves his role. I love being Santa, Martin said. Ill be doing this until my last breath. Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Childrens Fairyland amusement park has been delighting children and families for decades, especially around the Christmas holiday, and at the center of it all is Oaklands most beloved Santa Claus. What sets this Santa apart from others isnt his jolly charm or his custom red suit. Its that hes Black. His name is Eric Martin. I love being Santa. Ill be doing this until my last breath, Martin told me during a recent phone call. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was once a Black child who wanted to see himself in Santa Claus. I remember coming across countless Santas in shopping malls, on movie screens or in ads and wondering why they never looked like me. So, I know Martin is more than just an amusement park attraction. His existence can teach children that acts of kindness and generosity are universal attributes that arent exclusive to big, jovial, red-suit clad white men during Christmas. Left: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 in his costume at Fairyland on December 15. RIGHT: Letter to Santa on table next to him inside the chapel at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland park. Photos by Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle TOP: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 in his costume at Fairyland on December 15. ABOVE: Letter to Santa on table next to him inside the chapel at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland park. Photos by Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle Im talking as someone whose childhood was mostly in the 1990s when popular culture wasnt under much pressure to be more diverse. Am I still hanging on to old trauma in 2023? Does it really matter if Santa is Black at this point? Should I let this go before I start new Christmas traditions with a child of my own one day? I had a long talk with Martin this past week about these questions as he got ready for his upcoming busy schedule. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martin explained that being Oaklands Black Santa was never about making a political statement or challenging the status quo. It has been about giving children a positive experience. Thats the thing with the kids, they dont care about my skin color. They just want a Santa that will listen, and they want someone who will give them gifts, Martin said with a laugh. It doesnt matter to the kids that Im Black. I dont even see it as a Black and white thing, either. Im just Santa. Eric Martin, the Santa at Oaklands Childrens Fairyland since 2017, poses with a child in the chapel at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Martin has fine-tuned his version of Santa since he took over the role from the late Ron Zeno, who died in 2017 at age 66 after decades as the Black Santa at Childrens Fairyland. Three years ago, I wrote about the power of Black Santa and why we needed to see more of them in America. I wasnt alone in that feeling, apparently. In the time since, there have been websites and apps launched that focus on finding Black Santas. Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hired Black performers to portray Santa Claus in their parades and meet and greets for the first time in 2021, and Old Navy stores and department stores like Macys increased their efforts to recruit and hire Black Santa performers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martin said his skin color isnt what shapes the kind of Santa he embodies. Instead, its the years he has spent as a caretaker and a protector of people. Martin long ago worked as a security guard for the Oakland Raiders. And he said he cared for his parents before they died within the past decade. Ive always just cared for people. And Im meant to do a job for these kids. Thats how I look at it, and thats why Im always trying to perfect it, said Martin, who has both a custom-fit Santa suit and hair and beard accessories he gets designed and tweaked each holiday season by professional hairstylists and barbers. LEFT: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 getting ready for his shift at Fairyland. RIGHT: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 getting ready for his shift at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle TOP: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 getting ready for his shift at Fairyland. ABOVE: Eric Martin, the Black Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017 getting ready for his shift at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to the Chronicle The things I think about are making sure theres eye contact, making sure the kids are happy and having a good time. Thats what matters, because theyve been waiting all year for that moment with Santa. But even if the Santa that Martin portrays is colorblind, it doesnt change that too many people are still beholden to the idea of white Santa when they dont have to be. When Disney this fall trotted out a Black Santa for the third year in a row, the move was met with the same kind of racist internet backlash as Minnesotas Mall of America received when it hired its first Black Santa in 2016. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nationally, diversity among Santas also still has a long way to go. The Christmas-themed nonprofit National Santa published a survey of 376 Santas, and only 1% identified as Latino or Native American. Less than 1% identified as Black. None identified as Asian. And about 3% identified as multiracial and other. Seventy-five percent of the Santas identified as white in the survey. About 19% of the Santas surveyed didnt disclose their ethnicity. Eric Martin, the who has been Santa at Oakland's Children's Fairyland since 2017, leads the holiday parade at Fairyland. Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle So, does it matter that Oaklands most beloved Santa is Black? To me, yes, it does. It matters because representation matters. It matters because children deserve to see themselves in the characters they adore. And it matters because every child, regardless of their race, deserves to believe in the magic of Santa Claus. But its also fine that Oaklands most beloved Santa doesnt see himself as special because of his skin. In his mind, hes the real deal. And thats a good thing, because it means, at least in the Bay Area, weve normalized Black Santa. EDUCATION Marc Kaplan has been named director of communications and marketing for Virginia Techs Pamplin College of Business. Kaplan will lead the planning and execution of a comprehensive plan for the college that also advances strategic goals and initiatives. He also will be responsible for increasing the visibility and enhancing the reputation of Tech and the colleges faculty, research and programmatic goals as well as its fundraising activities. Kaplan joins Virginia Tech having worked as a senior communication and marketing executive to enhance the reputation of several leading institutions including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia Universitys School of Nursing as well as the Rockefeller University. He also served as the senior communications officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and founded and led his own public relations firm in New York City. FINANCIAL Freedom First Credit Union has announced that Spencer Lowry will be vice president of retail banking in Blacksburg. Lowry, who most recently served as Freedom Firsts vice president of commercial lending in the New River Valley, brings more than seven years of banking experience to the team. He will also be working to assist members in the branches at 1204 South Main Street and 2701 Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg. LEGAL Phoebe Brannock, Jessica Otiono and Kate Pollard have joined the Virginia law firm Gentry Locke as associates. Brannock is a member of the firms general commercial practice group in the Roanoke office. She will concentrate her practice on commercial transactions, real estate and land use, and mergers and acquisitions. Brannock served as a 2022 summer associate with Gentry Locke. She earned her juris doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law and received her bachelors degree, summa cum laude, from the College of William and Mary. Otiono has also joined the Roanoke office as a member of the commercial litigation, civil defense litigation and employment practice groups. She will focus on providing strategic counsel to clients and handling the complexities of commercial litigation. Otiono worked as a 2022 summer associate for the firm and received her juris doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond School of Law. She is also licensed in Nigeria, having earned degrees from Nigerian Law School and Lagos State University. Pollard joins the firms Richmond office as a member of the commercial litigation and civil defense practice groups. She worked as a summer associate for Gentry Locke in 2022 before earning her juris doctor degree from William and Mary Law School. Pollard received her bachelors degree from the University of Virginia. While attending law school, she served as a judicial intern for the Arlington County Circuit Court and as an intern at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia. Pollard also worked as a research assistant for the Virginia Coastal Policy Center and as a legislative aide at a boutique lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. MEDICAL Roger Ramirez-Barrios, clinical associate professor of veterinary parasitology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been awarded the 2023 Zoetis Research Award, which acknowledges researchers whose studies advance the scientific standing of veterinary medicine. His recent work has focused on two parasites that pose health risks to humans and animals: Echinococcus multilocularis and Trypanosoma cruzi. He has also explored Chagas disease, caused by T. cruzi, a condition personal to him because of its impact on his family. Ramirez-Barrios emphasizes his students role in his research and appreciates the supportive environment at the college, particularly the Collaborative Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory. REAL ESTATE The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors installed its 2024 board and announced two key honors for 2023 at a Dec. 8 event. Phyllis Johnson, of RE/MAX Lakefront, has been named 2023 Realtor of the Year. Sara Lovern, of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, received the 2023 Good Neighbor Award. Lovern was recognized for her dedicated volunteer efforts with the Local Office on Aging. The association made a $1,000 contribution to the Local Office on Aging in honor of Lovern. Board members include: Jay Kilby, RE/MAX All Stars Realty, president; Julie Kingery, Mountain to Lake Realty, president-elect; Todd Wampler, Century 21 Wampler Realty, vice president. Directors are Carla Evans, Wainwright & Co., Glenda Morris, Long & Foster and Mac Westland, Wainwright & Co. SALTVILLE The scene seemed to convey ideal small town life. Todd Young and his wife had decided to take a walk in the town. Young was pushing their son in a stroller and their dog accompanied them on a leash. That perfect moment ended when another dog came at the young family, overturning the stroller and attacking their dog. What happened next put Young on a path that today has him representing Saltville and Southwest Virginia on a statewide board, he said. After the attack, Young went to the towns police chief and was told he should have shot the aggressive dog. Young didnt like that response. Acknowledging the two dogs that are part of his family today, Young said, I wouldnt have shot a dog for anything. He wanted a better and stronger ordinance to control dogs and he took his concerns to the town council, the first time hed appeared before the local governing body. He stayed and listened to the leaders tackling town business. In relatively short order, Long got involved. He accepted an appointment to serve on the towns Industrial Development Authority. Over time, he got encouragement to run for a council seat and he eventually agreed. Next July, Young will mark his 20th year on the council, serving first as a councilman for eight years and since as mayor. The years have flown, Young said in a recent interview. Giving a nod to Councilman Ryan Comer, Young noted that he also served with his father and grandfather. Asked what keeps him motivated to continue serving in this divisive time, Young answered simply, The community. He described Saltville as a beautiful community with amazing people and his desire to help find the best direction for the town. Young was clear on another point. I want to leave a better place for the next generation. Hes adamant that years of hard work by the council and town staff are paying off. Young pointed to the towns unique saltwater wave pool, the growth taking place in the downtown, and the towns strong relationship with United Salt, an industry that is growing and giving back to the community. In 2022, United Salt sent 227,000 tons of salt out of the town and, this spring, it celebrated an expansion that was expected to increase production capacity by 15% about 30,000 tons. Young is also proud of the fantastic partnership Saltville now has with Smyth County and the towns of Chilhowie and Marion. He strives to build those relationships, he said, noting that he remembers a time when it seemed like it was Saltville against the world. Recently, Young undertook an initiative to build similar connections throughout Southwest Virginia. With the help of the Virginia Municipal League, he took the reins of establishing quarterly Southwest Virginia mayors meetings. The mayors met earlier this month in Wise for their third gathering. Their agendas include matters that impact all citizens lives, including discussions regarding the regions homeless population, addressing the critical housing shortage, and speed cameras in school zones among other topics. Its better when we all come together, Young said. The joint sessions, he said, allow them to put faces with names, to share their similar struggles, and to talk about solutions. At the August mayors meeting in Wytheville, Lebanons mayor, Nelson A. Tony Dodi, expressed his gratitude to Young for launching the quarterly sessions. For his 23 years in local government, Dodi said he welcomed the networking and information sharing. Also in August, Leighann Lloyd, Glade Springs mayor, echoed Dodis comments and expressed the hope that the endeavor would help show the Commonwealth how special the region is. In part, those quarterly meetings inspired Young to serve more. He put his name in contention for an at-large seat on the Virginia Municipal League Board of Directors. The VML is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that unites and works for its member cities, towns and counties to improve the quality of life in communities across Virginia. Its membership includes 38 cities, 170 towns and eight counties. The VMLs Board of Directors oversees the Leagues activities. In seeking the post, Young garnered the support of the town of Chilhowie, the mayors of Damascus, Lebanon, and St. Paul, and area legislators. Chilhowies endorsement letter, signed by Mayor Gary Heninger and Town Manager John Clark, said, Mayor Young has been a leader in the revitalization of Downtown Saltville. The letter noted new businesses opening and an emphasis on tourism and recreation that have brought new visitors to the town. Better lines of communication have been established to existing industries that have brought solid benefits to the Town. The letter continued, Mayor Young has been a leader in intergovernmental cooperation and communication on both a County and Regional basis. On Oct. 9, Young was elected to the post at the leagues annual conference held in Norfolk. His election to the VML board is believed to be a first for Saltville. Local officials can remember no one else serving in that capacity. Yet, Young declared, Its not about me. I want to represent the town of Saltville and all of Southwest Virginia. Im all in for Southwest Virginia, he continued. Young joins Randy Eads, Bristols city manager, as Southwest Virginia representatives on the VML board. Young believes in the region. He cited the Southwests resilience as it overcomes losses like those of the revenue generating coal mining and tobacco farming. From his work in Saltville to the mayors forums to the VML board, Young imagines the regions population stopping its decline and growing. Theres so much hidden beauty and ways to advance Southwest Virginia, he declared. The region has so much to offer. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. A Vatican tribunal has convicted a cardinal of embezzlement and sentenced him to 5 years in prison in one of several verdicts handed down in a complicated financial trial that aired the city states dirty laundry and tested its justice system J. Mark Powell is a novelist, former TV journalist and diehard history buff. Have a historical mystery that needs solving? A forgotten moment worth remembering? Please send it to HolyCow@insidesources.com. A captivating 25-minute film produced by Walt Disney Enterprises remains the best window into Walt's vision. In it, Disney speaking kindly and slowly, as if to a group of children detailed what would become of the 27,400 acres, or 43 square miles, of central Florida that he had acquired. Advertisement Echoing the rhetoric of American pioneers, he noted how the abundance of land was the key. Here he would achieve all that could not be done at Disneyland, his first theme park in Anaheim, California, that opened in 1955 and had since been encroached upon by rapid suburban development. He proudly pointed out that the land on which Disney World would be built was twice the size of the island of Manhattan and five times larger than Disneyland's Magic Kingdom. Among the remarkable components of Disney's EPCOT would be a community of 20,000 residents living in neighborhoods that would double as a showcase of industrial and civic ingenuity a running experiment in planning, building design, management and governance. There would be a 1,000-acre office park for developing new technologies, and when, say, an innovation in refrigerator design would be developed, every household in EPCOT would be the first to receive and test the product before it was released for the rest of the world. An airport would enable anyone to fly directly to Disney World, while a "vacation land" would provide resort accommodations for visitors. A central arrival complex included a 30-story hotel and convention center, with the downtown featuring a weather-protected zone of themed shops. EPCOT's more modest wage-earners would be able to live nearby in a ring of high-rise apartment buildings. And there would be a park belt and recreational zone surrounding this downtown area, separating the low-density, cul-de-sac neighborhoods beyond that would house the majority of residents. There would be no unemployment, and it was not to be a retirement community. "I don't believe there is a challenge anywhere in the world that's more important to people everywhere than finding solutions to the problems of our cities," Disney said. SIOUX CITY -- A long-awaited waterpark may be coming to Sioux City. The Sioux City Council on Monday will vote on a resolution inviting proposals for the sale of a roughly 10-acre parcel along Highway 75. The resolution also announces the Council's intent to accept the proposal of an investor consortium planning to build a waterpark on the property, and sets a date for proposals and a public hearing. City staff have been working on the land deal with the developer, Frontline Development, LLC, a group of local investors that intends to build a waterpark called Siouxland Splash. The developer is ready to move ahead on acquiring the land, located at 3820 Highway 75 N, and building the waterpark, according to Council agenda documents. Siouxland Splash is slated to be open for business by the summer of 2025 and "is under design by a team of experienced and specialized waterpark consultants," according to the agenda item. Sioux City at present has several public pools and splash pads, but no waterparks. Siouxland Splash will be "a dynamic waterpark featuring an array of attractions such as body slides, tube slides, a multi-featured kid zone, and diverse pools for all ages," according to the agenda, as well as "a culinary hub with a variety of food and drink options." The waterpark will have an initial $7 million minimum tax valuation. The land would be sold to the developer at a price of $22,946 per acre, for a total of $229,460. The developer would make a $100,000 payment at the close of the deal and pay the remainder of the balance over 10 years. The city approved the purchase of 42.13 acres at 3820 Highway 75 N in late February in hopes of attracting commercial developers to the northside. As part of the deal, the city would agree to construct street improvements for an entrance to the site (at an estimated cost of $1 million, half of which would be eligible for Iowa DOT RISE grant funding) and build a regional storm water pond to serve the site (estimated cost of $367,000). The city would also provide a partial 75 percent property tax rebate of the new incremental taxes created by the value added to the property; this would amount to a total tax rebate assistance estimated at $1.7 million over the 10-year period. The developer has also requested an option to purchase/right of first refusal agreement on the remainder of the 42-acre site for a period of 10 years, for potential future expansion of the waterpark or related developments, like a hotel. A public hearing for any qualified proposals and for the acceptance of the Siouxland Splash proposal will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Council Chambers. Any additional proposals should be submitted to the City Economic and Community Development Department, Room 308, City Hall, by 1 p.m. Jan. 22. In other business The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve a change order to its contract with Rock Solid Trail Contracting, LLC, for additional trail work at Cone Park. The city's original contract with Copper Harbor, Michigan-based Rock Solid Trail Contracting was for a little more than $1 million, to build the Natural Surface Trail Project at Cone Park, 3800 Line Dr., once known primarily for its winter snow-tubing hill and now designated an all-seasons park. The 10.5 miles of sustainably constructed mountain bike trails are expected to be completed next spring. The change order, for $206,348.80, will add two trail segments, progressive lines and will fund additional dirt work. The revised contract in total will come to $1,236,366.16. Mobile fare pay system The Council will will be asked Monday to authorize city staff to proceed with negotiations with the Atlanta firm of Passio Technologies for a mobile fare pay system for the Sioux City Transit System. A request for proposals for an electronic transit fare pay system was sent to 11 potential vendors and posted on the city's website June 16. Four proposals were received, and interviews and demonstrations with the four bidders were held in October. Mayor's Youth Commission The Council will also be asked Monday to appoint 49 Sioux City students to the Mayor's Youth Commission for terms beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31 of each student's senior year. Of that total, 35 are students at Bishop Heelan; one is a student at East High School; four are students at North High School; four are students at Siouxland Christian; five are students at West High School. Last week, the Supreme Court made two big moves in hot-button cases with major consequences for civil liberties in the United States. On Monday, the court refused to take up Tingley v. Ferguson, a First Amendment challenge to Washington states ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy for minors. Then, on Wednesday, the court agreed to hear a case that seeks to ban mifepristone, the abortion pill, in all 50 statesmaking the most common method of abortion inaccessible throughout the country. On Saturdays Slate Plus segment of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the courts flurry of activity as the year draws to a close. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: The courts decision not to take this case means Washington states restrictions on conversion therapy can stay in place. And I think the move was a bit of a surprise, right? Mark Joseph Stern: Yes, absolutely. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of a ban on conversion therapy for minors. And while the court turned away these challenges in the past, the conservative majority has been dropping hints in recent years that it might be ready to abridge or abolish these laws. So when Tingley hit the docket, a lot of us thought it was time for a showdown. But that didnt happen. Three justicesClarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaughwouldve taken up the case. And since it takes four votes to hear an appeal, that means John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett voted against taking it up. Thats quite surprising, again, because those three justices are pretty far right when it comes to these First Amendment protections for religious speech and for laws that allegedly target conservative Christians. This case seemed to serve up those issues on a silver platter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That, of course, leads to the question of why. Before I get into my theory, whats yours? Im just going to keep saying, till the cows come home, that I just do not believe at any given moment that there are five, much less six, votes on the current Supreme Court to be justices in 2027 sitting on the smoldering dumpster fire of whats left of all constitutional theory and history. I think theyre exercising caution. Thats my working theory. Its a decent one! But I have another. So, the first thing I want to flag is that this plaintiff, Brian Tingley, was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom. And our dear friends at ADF have concocted a number of other high-profile cases that turned out to be fakeincluding last years 303 Creative v. Elenis, where ADF falsely claimed that a same-sex couple asked this graphic designer to make a wedding website. It was all a lie. The court ruled for her anyway, but it drew a lot of ridicule and scorn in the process. Advertisement This case seems equally fake. Brian Tingley, the plaintiff challenging Washington states law, refuses to say whether he wants to perform conversion therapy and whether he intends to perform it. Yet, in their filings, ADF scrupulously avoids ever saying that Tingley actually wants to counsel a gay or transgender youth to change their orientation or gender identity. Instead, the complaint is all framed in these abstractionsthat he just wants to be able to participate in the debate and speak about the realities of this ongoing controversy, yada, yada, yada. Well, none of that stuff is prohibited under this law. The only thing thats prohibited is using your time and resources as a professional counselor to try to convert a child in exchange for money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This particular issue was spotted by Jenner and Blocks Adam Unikowsky, who represented Equal Rights Washington, a group that intervened to defend the law. Adam pointed out the plaintiff, Tingley, does not have standing because he hasnt said that he intends, or even wants, to violate this law. Its still completely hypothetical. Adam also made the related point that the case isnt ripe yet: Theres not an actual dispute here, since Tingley hasnt said he wants to do a thing that Washington state prohibits. And on top of everything else, theres no factual record. This was a problem that plagued 303 Creative, one that I think did come back to bite the justices: There was no factual record in that case, and the few facts that ADF put forward turned out to be lies or exaggerations. Advertisement Adam said, Look, these laws are in almost half the states. Why dont you just wait until a real conflict comes up, and then you can hear the case with a real factual record that shows how the state applied the law? There will be a genuine controversy for you to resolve then. But there isnt one here, so just deny this case. And on Monday, thats what the court did. I think Adams argument was powerful for some of the justices who maybe felt like they had been taken in by ADF and decided, You know, were not going to play the suckers in this case. Even though Roberts and Gorsuch and Barrett probably want to tackle these conversion therapy bans, maybe they realized this was not the right case to do so because it would look to the public like they were reaching out and grabbing a controversy that does not actually exist for resolution in the courts yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a flawless segue into another case where the totality of the injury is I might have feelings someday: The abortion pill case that SCOTUS took up on Wednesday, where the complete theory of standing is that a bunch of doctors might someday have sadness over the possibility of future abortion. Related From Slate Oops! The Supreme Court Heard Another Case Built on Shameless Lies. Read More Right. The plaintiffs challenging mifepristone, the first drug in a medication abortion, are just doctors who hate abortion. Their theory of standing is as follows: Some woman somewhere is going to be prescribed mifepristone by a different doctor. She is going to have complications. She is going to come to our emergency room. We will have to treat her by completing her abortion. And doing that will make us extraordinarily sad. Advertisement Well have feelings. Well have standing because of our future feelings. Exactly. Treating this hypothetical future patient will hurt our hearts too badly. The vibes will be off for the rest of the week, if not the month. The office Christmas party will be ruined. And that, they say, gives us standing to sue. I dont think thats what this Supreme Court wants. I think this court is going to rule against the plaintiffs solely on standing grounds and by a lopsided vote. And if it does, I think thats a point in favor of my theory about Tingley, right? Because guess who represents these anti-abortion doctors? Alliance Defending Freedom. The same lawyers who represent Tingley. ADF fabricated this case too. It seems like maybe ADFs history of telling shameless lies to the courts, including SCOTUS, is starting to catch up to them. Maybe justices like Roberts and Barrett are getting a little pissed that ADF is creating so much extra work for them just to please donors and achieve victories that they couldnt through the normal democratic process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its worth saying here that if the Supreme Court does toss the mifepristone case on standing, itll get headlines that say Supreme Court Preserves the Right to Medication Abortion, and that will dampen an immense amount of political enthusiasm around reproductive rights. The conventional wisdom will be that the Supreme Court has taken itself out of the 2024 election, at least on this issue. Which wont be true, because the court could still invoke the Comstock Act later to make abortion illegal in all 50 states. But the larger point is that the Supreme Court could manage to deflate all the energy and enthusiasm among women and people whove been organizing after Dobbs. And that would be a really big indicator that the Supreme Court keeps gaming the press. It will make the court bottom of mind as we launch into a 2024 election where the court should be top of mind. The city has added just one name to a list of builders, engineers and contractors with code violations that of Rodrigo Santos, seen entering federal court in San Francisco even though several others appear to have qualified. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Regarding S.F. created a list of serial offender builders and engineers. It has one name on it (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 7): The fact that the enhanced scrutiny list has only Rodrigo Santos name on it despite other known serial malfeasance shows that despite a new culture of no tolerance for bad behavior, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection is still as corrupt as ever. It is shocking that the Board of Supervisors had to legislate what anywhere else in private industry or government would be considered a common-sense good governance process. Furthermore, to rely on the same individuals who either looked the other way, or worse were a part of past malfeasance, to submit their cronies to extra scrutiny is unfathomable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is time that the mayor and Board of Supervisors take more drastic action to right the wrongs of the past 25 years at the Department of Building Inspection because without it nothing will change. Dennis Richards, former commissioner, San Francisco Planning Commission Jenkins is right Regarding S.F. DA Brooke Jenkins faces blowback after saying homeless people should be made uncomfortable (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 13): I agree with San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. We as a city are bending over backward to the needs of homeless people, so much so that the needs and rights of businesses and residents are deemed of lesser importance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When my sidewalk is trashed, do I not have rights? We have been far too lenient to make homeless people comfortable. Thank you, District Attorney Jenkins, for expressing what many of us believe. Suzie Chang, San Francisco Protect mountain lions Sunday marks the anniversary of the death of P-22, a California mountain lion who became a worldwide celebrity and was photographically captured by National Geographic amid the starry night and the famous Hollywood sign. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His decade-long protection by Los Angeles residents provides much-needed inspiration for those of us fighting to protect P-22s extended family throughout the West. Utah lawmakers just allowed mountain lions to be trophy hunted any time of year. Idaho, South Dakota, Washington, Montana and Wyoming have plans to ramp up trophy hunting; most rely on dog packs to chase lions up a tree. Its little different from shooting an animal in a cage. There is great hope in Colorado, where signatures are being collected to put a measure on the 2024 ballot that would ban lion trophy hunting (See https://catsarenttrophies.org). We need this hope, because lions are a key to climate resiliency, stopping biodiversity losses and keeping deer herds healthy as they selectively prey on deer infected with chronic wasting disease. In the name of P-22, we must keep fighting to end the cruel and unnecessary persecution of sentient beings who are intrinsically and ecologically valuable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. Not all entrepreneurs need to start a business from scratch. Buying a business can give you a head start on things like brand recognition and operations. So where can you find a business for sale if youre interested in going this route? From California to North Carolina, there are plenty of places for potential business buyers to find a business for sale in the United States. Your choice depends on factors like price, business category, and location. So understand all the options before browsing for small businesses for sale. Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem ChatGPT Prompts for Business Advertise Your Business Here Best Ways to Find a Small Business for Sale From websites to personal contacts and beyond, there are many places an entrepreneur can find a business to buy. Here are a few of the best places to look for a business to buy both online and off. Business Brokers A business broker is an intermediary who helps buyers and sellers facilitate the sale of a business. Some business brokers work with businesses in a specific area or industry. So find one experienced in the category of business youre interested in purchasing. Contact the business broker of your choice directly to find out if theyre working with any sellers with businesses relevant to your chosen categories. If youre looking for a broker to help you find a business to buy, try the Find a Business Broker feature on BizBuySell. Other Small Business Owners Small Business Deals Business owners you know may refer you to someone in their circle looking to sell a business. Some may even be interested in selling their own businesses. A quick message to a contact on LinkedIn or a conversation with a business owner at a networking event may open up new opportunities you didnt even know existed. To connect with more business contacts in your area, consider joining a local chamber of commerce or finding online groups for businesses. Your Larger Network Your larger network of connections may also be a source of information on potential businesses for sale. This network may include business associates, co-workers, and even social media connections. Discuss your goals with these individuals or post about the type of business youre looking for. Some may have suggestions or contacts that could be helpful. Ads in Local Media or On Websites Your local newspaper, online publications, and even message boards can be perfect places to find hyper local business listings. Business owners looking to sell may place classified ads looking for a qualified buyer or broker. So browse these listings or search relevant local sites by keyword. You might even place your own ads to see if any local business owners are interested in selling but just havent taken the first step yet. Method Description Where to Start Business Brokers Intermediaries who connect buyers and sellers; some specialize in specific industries. Find a Business Broker feature on BizBuySell. Other Small Business Owners Potential referrals to sellers; some might even be selling their own businesses. Networking events, LinkedIn, local chamber of commerce, online groups. Your Larger Network Includes business associates, co-workers, social media connections. Discuss goals with network, post on social media about your interest. Ads in Local Media or On Websites Classified ads by business owners or brokers looking for buyers. Local newspapers, online publications, message boards, place your own ads. Online Business For Sale Listings Another place online to find businesses for sale is on a variety of sites specifically designed for this purpose. Here are some sites you may wish to visit while starting your entrepreneurial journey. 1. BizBuySell BizBuySell is the largest online marketplace for businesses for sale. You can find franchise opportunities, independent businesses, and brokers. And there are a huge number of options for all price ranges and industries. The marketplace has a Business for Sale feature to help you search for businesses to buy in your area. You can also download a free ebook called the BizBuySell Guide to Buying a Small Business. If youre a seller, you can also the BizBuySell Guide to Selling Your Small Business. 2. BusinessesForSale.com BusinessesForSale.com offers a marketplace of more than 58,000 businesses for sale. You can search by state, city, and keyword to find the most relevant opportunities. Popular categories on BusinessesForSale.com range from gas stations to coffee shops to pet grooming services, all with different price ranges and revenue potentials. And there are even international opportunities available around the world. 3. BusinessMart.com BusinessMart.com offers a place for buyers and sellers to connect. You can search businesses and franchise opportunities by industry, location, and amount youre willing to invest. The site also offers resources like a vendor search function and links to relevant brokers and funding options. So you can use the website as a hub for information as well as a place to find businesses for sale. 4. BizQuest.com BizQuest.com provides access to franchises and businesses for sale, along with information on local brokers. You can search businesses for sale by keyword or even browse by city, state, industry, or brand. The site also offers specific options for buying franchises, assets, startups, and real estate. Once you conduct a search to find a business for sale, you can review the list of results and even save the ones you are most interested in. Read the brief description and then click through for more details. BizQuest provides a simple form that then allows you to contact the seller directly. 5.BusinessBroker.net Though the name can be misleading, BusinessBroker.net allows you to search for much more than a business broker. You can search the website for a business for sale by customizing the type of business you are interested in as well as your minimum and maximum budget. You also get to choose the location by state. After completing your search, you can browse the results. Listings include asking price, cash flow and revenue numbers. You can read a brief description of each business before deciding whether or not to add it to your request info basket for more information. 6. Loopnet Loopnet stands out because it does not just provide the opportunity to buy a business but also the chance to buy or lease commercial property. Enter the type of property you are seeking. Categories include office, industrial, retail, restaurant, specialty, healthcare and more. There are also listings for multifamily units for sale so this offers a chance for those who are in the apartment rental business too. Once youve chosen the property type and location, you receive listings including a photo, square footage and pricing. There are even maps of the location of each property and demographics information about potential area customers including household income, absolute population and local consumer spending. 7. Exchange Exchange is a website specializing in helping buyers find an online business for sale. Exchange allows you to search existing business websites. Business listings include online businesses in gifts and collectibles, fashion and apparel, services and consulting, home and furniture, health and beauty and many other categories. Browse the business websites by category and then view the website listings you find most interesting. Listings include the URL, the asking price, average revenue, average profit and average sessions per month. Exploring International Business Opportunities In todays globalized economy, exploring international business opportunities can open doors to diversified markets and potential growth. Websites like BusinessesForSale.com and BizQuest.com offer international listings, providing a broader perspective on available businesses across the globe. Considering factors like international trade laws, cultural differences, and economic conditions can also guide your decision in choosing the right international business. Assessing the Financial Health of a Business Before finalizing a purchase, assessing the financial health of a business is crucial. Analyze the businesss financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Look for consistent profitability, manageable debt levels, and a solid customer base. Tools like BizBuySells Valuation Report can aid in understanding the financial standing of the business, ensuring you make an informed investment decision. Legal Considerations in Business Acquisition Understanding legal considerations is key in the business acquisition process. Its important to review any existing contracts, leases, and agreements the business is bound to. Also, be aware of any pending litigations or legal disputes. Consult with legal professionals to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and to help navigate the complexities of business transfer laws. Post-Purchase Transition and Management After purchasing a business, the transition and management phase begins. Establishing a solid transition plan is essential for seamless operations. This includes understanding the existing business model, retaining key employees, and building relationships with suppliers and customers. Consider training and support offered by the seller or external consultants to adapt to your new role effectively. Leveraging Technology in Business Management In the digital age, leveraging technology is vital for efficient business management. Tools like CRM systems, digital marketing platforms, and e-commerce solutions can streamline operations and enhance customer engagement. Platforms like Shopify, which offers comprehensive e-commerce solutions, can be particularly beneficial for businesses with an online presence. Networking and Community Involvement Networking and community involvement can play a significant role in the success of your newly acquired business. Joining local business associations, chambers of commerce, and attending industry events can provide valuable connections and insights. Engaging with the community through sponsorships and local events can also enhance your businesss visibility and reputation. Over the course of its existence, Bitcoin has steadily risen to become the unrivaled frontrunner in the crowded cryptocurrency market place, capturing global attention and reshaping our understanding of digital assets. As the undisputed vanguard of digital currency, Bitcoin has not only earned a place at the table, but it has also been widely recognized as a legitimate method of transaction by countless businesses. Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem ChatGPT Prompts for Business Advertise Your Business Here For instance, the possibility of topping up your Microsoft account using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies is now a well-established reality. But the embrace of Bitcoin extends beyond just Microsoft. Indeed, the acceptance of cryptocurrency as a viable method of payment has been proliferating at an unprecedented rate. A recent survey by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company revealed that approximately one-third of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States, or about 36%, now accept Bitcoin as a form of payment for their products and services. Small Business Deals In its ascendance, Bitcoin has radically transformed the landscape of digital transactions, providing an alternative means of transferring funds to those who lack access to traditional banking systems. The following sections will delve into the specifics of which companies accept Bitcoin as payment and which cryptocurrencies enjoy the most widespread popularity as of today. Expanding Cryptocurrency Acceptance The adoption of Bitcoin as a payment method continues to spread across various industries and markets. This includes not only major corporations but also smaller businesses, startups, and even non-profit organizations. This widespread acceptance reflects the growing trust and interest in Bitcoin as a viable payment option, offering both flexibility and security. Who Accepts Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies? As innovative and potentially transformative as blockchain technology is, it remains a complex and confusing concept for a significant portion of the population. Despite this, numerous large corporations in the United States are capitalizing on the possibilities it offers. Bitcoin has evolved from an obscure virtual coin, favored by a niche group, to a widely adopted mode of payment. Millions now view Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as the monetary systems of the future. Highlighted below are key players who are at the forefront of adopting cryptocurrency as a payment method: Microsoft Beyond merely enabling customers to top up their Microsoft accounts using Bitcoin, the multinational technology company has expanded the scope of their cryptocurrency acceptance. Bitcoin can now be utilized to purchase a wide array of Microsoft services, from Xbox Live memberships to Microsoft apps, games, and other digital content. Wikipedia Wikipedia, the worlds largest open-source encyclopedia, also supports the Bitcoin movement by accepting donations and financial contributions via this cryptocurrency. The non-profit organization that manages Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, utilizes BitPay as their payment platform to facilitate these transactions. Paypal Paypal, a renowned financial platform, offers a broad spectrum of services related to cryptocurrency. Beyond the buying and selling of cryptocurrency, Paypal customers residing in the United States can also use their digital currency holdings at various merchants who are open to accepting Paypal payments. The list of accepted cryptocurrencies includes Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Starbucks Starbucks, the international coffeehouse chain famous for its delectable selection of beverages, may not yet accept Bitcoin directly at the register, but it provides an alternative method. Through the coffee companys app, Bitcoin owners can deposit funds for future purchases. The implementation is made possible by Bakkt, a third-party digital wallet application, which can swiftly convert Bitcoin into dollars for use at its affiliated partners, including Starbucks, thereby integrating digital assets into daily caffeine routines. AT&T Heralded as a trendsetter in its field, AT&T, a leading telecommunications provider in the United States, has broken ground by offering a crypto payment option for its customers. Through BitPay, a trusted third-party payment gateway, AT&T provides an avenue for consumers eager to use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to settle their accounts. This digital leap allows customers to select BitPay as their preferred payment method when finalizing transactions. Overstock Long recognized as a well-established online retailer in the United States, Overstock marked a significant milestone by becoming the first major retailer to accept cryptocurrency. This leap into the digital future was made possible through a strategic partnership with Coinbase, a digital currency exchange. This bold move placed Overstock significantly ahead of the curve, even before industry heavyweights like Paypal and Microsoft began embracing cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment. Twitch With a foresight for future trends, Twitch, a leading game streaming platform owned by Amazon, introduced cryptocurrency to its payment options as early as 2014. Accepting Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, USD Coin, and a handful of lesser-known currencies such as PAX, BUSD, and GUSD, Twitch has broadened the payment landscape for its globally diverse user base. Amazon Amazon, the e-commerce behemoth, is yet to integrate cryptocurrency into its direct payment methods. However, if users are keen on spending their Bitcoin, they can turn to the services of Purse.io. This platform facilitates the use of Bitcoin for purchases on Amazon, thereby providing an innovative solution for cryptocurrency holders. Home Depot Home Depot, the leading home improvement retailer, integrates Bitcoin payments via the Flexa digital payment system. With this system, they can accept Bitcoin without necessitating the purchase of additional hardware or software. This move reflects Home Depots effort to embrace innovative technologies and cater to a wide range of customer payment preferences. Whole Foods Whole Foods, a renowned grocery chain, also utilizes the Flexa platform for its transactions. Flexa is designed to convert cryptocurrency into dollars instantly, which lets customers experience the ease of payments using Bitcoin. By embracing this cutting-edge technology, Whole Foods has demonstrated its commitment to consumer convenience, aligning with the ongoing shift towards digitalization and the acceptance of cryptocurrencies. CheapAir An online travel agency known as CheapAir made a significant move by initially accepting crypto payments via Coinbase. However, they later transitioned to using BTCPayServer, another reliable crypto payment gateway. They now accept an array of stablecoins and digital currencies as payment for their services. These currencies include BTC, ETH, USDC, GUSD, and DOGE, opening up new avenues for crypto enthusiasts who travel frequently. Newegg Newegg provides a remarkably simple method for customers to utilize their Bitcoin for purchases. Unlike some companies, they do not require a separate app to convert Bitcoin into cash. Instead, they offer an option to Pay With Bitcoin at checkout. This straightforward approach can be a game-changer for Bitcoin users looking for an easy way to spend their digital currency. Namecheap Ever since 2013, Namecheap has been a forerunner in accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment. Offering services such as web hosting and domain name registration, Namecheap has continued to embrace Bitcoin, evidencing their dedication to digital advancement and the diversification of payment methods. Rakuten Rakuten, with its versatile wallet, allows users to load Rakuten Cash using cryptocurrency. It also accepts other digital currencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash, broadening its reach among crypto users and making itself a more accessible platform for those immersed in the digital economy. Fast Food Restaurants Several fast-food chains around the world have joined the crypto bandwagon. Outlets like Pizza Hut and Burger King in Venezuela, KFC in Canada, Quiznos in the Denver airport, and various Subway branches accept cryptocurrency. By doing so, they cater to a broad customer base and set a precedent for other restaurants to follow. Beyond these companies, a slew of others including AMC, Travala, Norwegian Air, Virgin Galactic, JC Penney, GameStop, Gap, Shopify, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Dolphins, Gyft, Pirate Bay, The Internet Archive, and select Etsy vendors have also begun accepting cryptocurrencies, further endorsing its growing legitimacy in the marketplace. Global Adoption Trends Around the world, Bitcoins acceptance is not limited to the United States. Many countries in Europe, Asia, and other regions are increasingly incorporating Bitcoin into their payment systems. This global adoption underscores the borderless nature of digital currencies, making them an appealing option for international transactions. The Future of Bitcoin in E-commerce E-commerce platforms are particularly receptive to Bitcoin, with many integrating it into their payment gateways. This move is driven by the increasing demand from consumers who prefer the convenience and security of cryptocurrency transactions. As e-commerce continues to evolve, Bitcoins role is expected to grow even more significant. Impact on Consumer Behavior The availability of Bitcoin as a payment option is influencing consumer behavior. Shoppers are increasingly seeking out businesses that accept cryptocurrencies, indicating a shift in purchasing preferences and payment habits. This trend is encouraging more businesses to consider Bitcoin to meet customer demands and stay competitive. Bitcoin in Service Industries Beyond retail, the service industry is also beginning to embrace Bitcoin. From digital services to hospitality and travel, businesses in these sectors are recognizing the benefits of offering Bitcoin as a payment option, catering to a tech-savvy clientele that values innovation and convenience. Legal and Regulatory Aspects As Bitcoin becomes more mainstream, businesses must navigate the legal and regulatory aspects of accepting digital currencies. This includes understanding tax implications, complying with financial regulations, and ensuring secure transactions. Staying informed and compliant is crucial for businesses that choose to adopt Bitcoin. Most Popular Cryptocurrencies So what are the most popular cryptocurrencies today? According to CoinDesk, the crypto topping the charts right now are the following: Bitcoin (BTC): Originally designed as a digital payment system, BTC is still the most popular cryptocurrency highly valued despite periodic dips throughout its history. Ethereum (ETH): Ethers value has increased dramatically since its inception, but it still falls short compared to Bitcoins current value. Solana (SOL): By attracting users with its fast transaction speeds and low costs, Solana rapidly gained traction in selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs). XRP: The crypto of Ripples digital payment network, XRP is faster and more effective in powering global transactions. Tether (USDT): One of the first cryptocurrencies to link its value to a paper monetary system (US Dollar), Tether is todays most valuable stablecoin. Cardano (ADA): Cardano is a more scalable and secure method of maintaining decentralization that employs Ouroboros, a peer-reviewed blockchain framework. USD Coin (USDC): Tied to the US Dollar, USDC is more stable than other cryptocurrencies making it ideal for digital payments. Stellar (XLM): Created as an open network for moving and storing currency, XLM allows easy digital money trading. Polkadot (DOT): Polkadots mission is to enable various blockchains to swap data and complete transactions with each other. Polygon (MATIC): Its rebrand this year expanded its use case resulting in a significant gain in value , rising from its January 1 price of $0.01 to its present value of $2.16. Cryptocurrency Overview Bitcoin (BTC) Originally designed as a digital payment system, Bitcoin is currently the most popular cryptocurrency. Its value has remained high despite experiencing periodic dips throughout its history. Ethereum (ETH) Since its inception, Ethereum's value has seen a dramatic increase. However, when compared to Bitcoin's current value, it falls short. Solana (SOL) Solana has quickly gained traction in selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs) due to its fast transaction speeds and low costs. XRP As the cryptocurrency for Ripple's digital payment network, XRP stands out for its speed and effectiveness in powering global transactions. Tether (USDT) Tether, one of the earliest cryptocurrencies to link its value to a traditional currency (the US Dollar), is currently the most valuable stablecoin. Cardano (ADA) Cardano offers a more scalable and secure method of maintaining decentralization. It uses Ouroboros, a peer-reviewed blockchain framework. USD Coin (USDC) Tied to the US Dollar, USD Coin is more stable than other cryptocurrencies, making it a favorable choice for digital payments. Stellar (XLM) Stellar was created as an open network for moving and storing currency, making the trading of digital money easier. Polkadot (DOT) Polkadot's primary aim is to facilitate different blockchains in exchanging data and completing transactions with each other. Polygon (MATIC) Polygon saw a significant increase in value following its rebranding this year, with its price jumping from $0.01 on January 1 to its current value of $2.16. Start Using Cryptocurrency and Improve Your Business These notable brands have already initiated progress towards a superior digital payment system by embracing Bitcoin. While the universal direct acceptance of Bitcoin remains a distant goal, the trend of its escalating use is clear and unstoppable. For businesses aiming to stay ahead of the curve, adapting to accept cryptocurrency could bring significant benefits. Embracing the Digital Currency Revolution The increasing acceptance of Bitcoin by businesses worldwide is a testament to its potential as a mainstream payment method. As digital currencies continue to evolve, businesses that adapt and embrace this revolution will likely benefit from increased customer reach, enhanced transaction security, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231216/german-airlines-demand-compensation-of-800000-from-climate-activists---reports-1115632383.html German Airlines Demand Compensation of $800,000 From Climate Activists - Reports German Airlines Demand Compensation of $800,000 From Climate Activists - Reports German flag carrier Lufthansa and its subsidiaries demanded 740,000 euros ($807,000) in compensation from climate activists for cancellations, delays, and changes in flight routes due to their protests at German airports, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported on Saturday. 2023-12-16T23:14+0000 2023-12-16T23:14+0000 2023-12-16T23:13+0000 economy germany lufthansa climate change europe protests hamburg dusseldorf berlin airports /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/10/1115632522_0:274:2638:1758_1920x0_80_0_0_bcbd11d135fc9d0f46b720ae4474b761.jpg The damage from the activists' actions at the airports of Hamburg and Dusseldorf on July 13 was estimated at 400,000 euros and 220,000 euros, respectively, the report said, adding that the activists are asked to pay compensation out of court. Losses from the protest at Berlin airport in November 2022 were estimated at 120,000 euros, the newspaper reported. The report noted that five activists sought the help of lawyers and one filed a lawsuit. German Digital and Transport Minister Volker Wissing said that the government was already working to tighten penalties for "blocking airports in order to disrupt their operations." https://sputnikglobe.com/20221124/climate-activists-glue-themselves-to-tarmac-at-berlin-airport-1104665075.html germany hamburg dusseldorf berlin 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 climate activists, flight cancellations, flight delays, flight routes, german airports, block airports, climate insanity, disrupt airports, german airline https://sputnikglobe.com/20231216/ukraines-religious-persecution-continues-as-russian-church-leader-placed-on-wanted-list-1115631397.html Ukraines Religious Persecution Continues as Russian Church Leader Placed on 'Wanted' List Ukraines Religious Persecution Continues as Russian Church Leader Placed on 'Wanted' List Critics say the Ukrainian regime targets its detractors internationally via intimidation tactics. 2023-12-16T21:32+0000 2023-12-16T21:32+0000 2023-12-16T21:36+0000 world vladimir legoyda russian orthodox church ukrainian interior ministry ukraine russia volodymyr zelensky patriarch kirill ukraine crisis ukrainian crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/1c/1108863592_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_a7376099ddc325bde115412083f0e5ba.jpg The Ukrainian Interior Ministry angered parishioners Friday when it announced it was placing the head of the Russian Orthodox Church on a wanted list for his criticism of the Kiev regime.A post on the ministrys website described Patriarch Kirill as an individual in hiding from the bodies of pre-trial investigation and characterized him as missing since November 11. Criminal authorities in Ukraine have no jurisdiction over individuals in Russia or elsewhere outside the countrys borders, making the ministrys announcement symbolic.The move is an escalation from last month when Ukraine's security service accused Kirill of infringing Ukrainian sovereignty and called him part of the closest entourage of Russia's military and political leadership.Vladimir Legoyda, a senior official of the Russian Orthodox Church, called the development a step that is as ridiculous as it is predictable and accused the Ukrainian government of lawlessness and attempting to intimidate parishioners.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promoted an alternate Eastern Orthodox organization known as the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as the religious body for Orthodox Christians in the country.Ukrainian authorities have targeted prominent figures of the Russian Orthodox Church with dozens of criminal charges since Russia launched its special military operation in eastern Ukraine in 2022, which the church has defended. Some have been charged with treason. Kievs parliament has even considered banning the Ukrainian branch of the church entirely.Patriarch Kirill has previously denounced Ukrainian authorities moves against religious leaders and has encouraged clerical figures around the world to stand against the religious persecution.The addition of Kirill to the list represents a tactic that critics say is frequently employed to intimidate critics of Zelenskys regime worldwide. A separate online kill list is maintained by figures with links to Ukrainian parliamentarians and includes journalists, Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, and 13-year-old social activist Faina Savenkova. Figures on the list who have died are marked with the label eliminated. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230328/what-happened-to-the-orthodox-church-in-ukraine-1108821316.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/kiev-pressing-for-elimination-of-ukrainian-orthodox-church-1112184884.html 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 kiev regime, religious persecution, wanted list, terror tactics, russian church, orthodox church, russian orthodox church, religious hatred, religious devide https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/activists-warn-aiding-ukraine-will-bring-about-end-of-eu--1115636591.html Politicians Warn Aiding Ukraine Will Bring About End of EU Politicians Warn Aiding Ukraine Will Bring About End of EU It is necessary to stop the conflict in Ukraine before Europe is turned into an industrial and economic desert, warned Nicolas Dupont-Aignan in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 2023-12-17T07:02+0000 2023-12-17T07:02+0000 2023-12-17T07:13+0000 world european union (eu) ukraine russia ursula von der leyen nicolas dupont-aignan viktor orban volodymyr zelensky kim dotcom /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115636283_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_92a6d92266e0aed20fa463c7e4d4a90b.jpg It is necessary to stop the conflict in Ukraine before Europe is turned into an industrial and economic desert, warned Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, a member of the French parliament and leader of the right-wing political movement France Arise (Debout la France) in a post on X (formerly Twitter).According to the politician, the conflict is ruining Europeans. We give our money to Zelensky, we pay 4X more for our gas in the United States and poverty is exploding in our country! Dupont-Aignan fumed.Nicolas Dupont-Aignan reiterated the need for a peace plan, before it becomes too late.A similarly dire warning for Europe was offered on the social media platform by German-Finnish Internet entrepreneur and founder of the now-defunct Megaupload file-sharing service Kim Dotcom. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is bringing the destruction of the European Union closer with her statements about Ukraine - a non-EU state, Kim Dotcom wrote on X."Remember this moment," he said, "Nations agreed to join the EU on the promise of unanimity for all major decisions. This promise is now being broken. Its the end of the European Union." Kim Dotcom was referring to a statement by von der Leyen amid Hungary's veto about the need to develop potential alternatives for the bloc that would not require the approval of all 27 members states to resolve EU issues.On Thursday, the European Council decided to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant the EU candidate status to Georgia. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban' blocked the EU's 50 billion ($55 billion US) aid package to Ukraine. Orban reiterated that he did not believe that Ukraine was ready to join the EU, and called the decision completely meaningless, irrational and inappropriate. Hungary would walk away from the bad decision instead of vetoing Ukraines EU application outright. Later in the day, he assured that Hungary would have as many as 75 more chances to stop Ukraines accession in the coming years.In response, Ursula von der Leyen said, "It is now also necessary to work on potential alternatives to have an operational solution in case...unanimity is not possible."The X post by Kim Dotcom generated a thread of comments, with many users agreeing with his assessment of the EU's plight. Some pointed out that there was evident "resentment to the EU," displayed in how leaders were "getting trashed in their countries," in a reference to Ireland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, etc. On the other hand, leaders that were not afraid to "go against the EU," like those of Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovakia, were garnering approval at home.Users slammed the EU as a "failed project," stressing that the "whole purpose of a European Union was to prevent another war on the continent." Instead, "it promotes, finances and perpetrates wars," and "Ukraine is another European tragedy, at the behest of the US."Others on the Internet speculated that secretly, many European leaders were "happy of Orban's veto but are too coward to admit it and so publicly criticize him to placate the Russophobic bureaucrats." https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/huge-financial-burden-of-ukraine-support-driving-fatiguein-us-and-europe-1113962336.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko european union aid to ukraine, ukraine aid, supporting kiev regime, ukraine fatigue, threat of deindustrialization https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/despite-bloated-budget-us-entering-2024-with-tiniest-military-since-1941-1115644109.html Despite Bloated Budget, US Entering 2024 With Tiniest Military Since 1941 Despite Bloated Budget, US Entering 2024 With Tiniest Military Since 1941 Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2024 on Thursday, with the annual defense bill ballooning to a record $886 billion. But record outlays have not translated to capabilities, with a recent ranking listing Russia, which reportedly plans to spend about $140 billion on defense in 2024, as the worlds strongest military. 2023-12-17T13:34+0000 2023-12-17T13:34+0000 2023-12-17T13:44+0000 military russia generation z us military & intelligence americans washington senate stockholm international peace research institute (sipri) congress /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115644331_0:54:1024:630_1920x0_80_0_0_07c5fd69da278203f48d9dd9230f64a9.jpg The United States will ring in the new year with its smallest active duty footprint since 1941 the year Washington abandoned its non-interventionist foreign policy and joined the Second World War.Thats according to military strength levels outlined by the NDAA, which showed a drop in active duty personnel to 1,284,500 service members, from 1.39 million in the previous year, as recruiters face growing difficulty enticing young people to join.Observers blame a variety of factors for falling recruitment numbers, from declining confidence in the US military (from 70 percent in 2018 to about 46 percent now), to growing incidence of health problems among young people, to concerns among conservatives about the militarys increasingly woke culture, to falling morale in the wake of decades of illegal wars abroad.DoD acting undersecretary for personnel and readiness Ashish Vazirani told lawmakers this week that the military had recruited about 41,000 troops less than planned over the course of 2023. That number understates [sic] the challenge before us as the services lowered end-strength goals in recent years, in part because of the difficult recruiting environment, Vazirani said.Some officials have proposed novel solutions for resolving the drought in recruits, with Democratic Senator Dick Durban telling his Senate colleagues earlier this month that illegal immigrants flooding into the country could be conscripted to fight in the wars Americans dont want to.Yes, we need order at the border. Yes, we need to have changes in the laws that reflect the reality of the overwhelming numbers from all over the world who are coming to our shores and our border. But theres also an incredible demand for legal immigration into this country even now. The presiding officer, my colleague from the state of Illinois has legislation which addresses one aspect of that. Her billsays that if you are an undocumented person in this country, and you can pass the physical and the required background tests, you can serve in our military and if you do it honorably, we will make you citizens of the United States, Durban said on the Senate floor during a debate on immigration and border security.Vazirani assured that while the current recruiting environment is acutely difficult, the Defense Department and the military services are working together to resolve issues, improve processes, and expand awareness of the many opportunities military service offers. We must reach todays youth where they are with a message that resonates with them and motivates them to act, he said, calling on leaders and lawmakers alike to make a national call to service.The US militarys numbers have been dropping since 2020, with all branches of service facing cutbacks apart from the nascent Space Force.Dropping recruitment notwithstanding, the US has continued to ramp up defense spending, rising it from $778.4 billion in 2020, to $800.67 billion in 2021, $877 billion in 2022, and $858 billion in 2023 and $886 billion in the coming fiscal year. But the spending may not have translated into capabilities, with the US News & World Report recently ranking Russia the worlds number one strongest military, with the US ranked second. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute expects Russia to spend roughly $140 billion on defense in 2024, which SIPRI says signals Moscows determination to see the proxy war with NATO in Ukraine through to the end. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/german-defense-minister-says-europe-has-5-8-years-to-restore-its-defense-capability-1115633625.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/new-us-ballistic-missile-program-faces-cancellation-amid-budget-tightening-1115599043.html russia washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov why is us military shrinking, why is us military budget so high, military, united states, budget, troops, soldiers, morale https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/donbass-cowboy-in-moscow-1115642575.html Donbass Cowboy Goes to Moscow Donbass Cowboy Goes to Moscow A few weeks ago, my wife Lyudmila and I were invited to give a presentation at the International Exhibition and Forum "Russia", by the "Russian Knowledge Society" in Moscow. 2023-12-17T12:13+0000 2023-12-17T12:13+0000 2023-12-17T12:17+0000 russia russia donbass moscow /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105022/62/1050226217_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_928ab957d538cce93856558d557be461.jpg Well, the Russian Knowledge Society sounds quite intelligent and interesting, and going to Moscow is always an adventure, and so, as patriotic Russian citizens, we were glad to accept.I was asked to give a one hour interview about why I came to Donbass in 2014, about my experiences as a soldier, war correspondent and human aid volunteer, and why Donetsk is now my home. Within the framework of the educational program of the forum, special attention is paid to historical and patriotic subjects. Events devoted to this subject are in demand, by both live audiences and viewers of the Znaniye.TV channel. My presentation was a great pleasure and success, facilitated by the highly professional staff and crew, who made sure everything ran flawlessly, even down to my hair and make-up. And I don't usually wear make-up.Among many other excellent presenters at the Forum were Major Ivan Dodosov - legendary tank battalion Commander, and Hero of the Russian Federation. Ilya Vasyunin - military correspondent of RT, Dmitry Steshin - military correspondent of "Komsomolskaya Pravda" Publishing House, Egor Grigoriev - military correspondent of VGTRK, all of whom also spoke about patriotic education, values and the historic heritage of our country. It was a real honor for me to be counted in the company of such heroic soldiers in the military and information wars.The VDNKh cultural/educational complex in central Moscow is massive, high-tech, and absolutely amazing. There are pavilions devoted to almost every subject, from the cosmic expanses of space exploration to the microscopic details of atomic energy, and everything in between, including the biggest oceanarium in all of Russia (the 5th largest oceanarium in the world). It would take weeks to see everything offered here, but we did our best with the time we had, and hope to return again when we have more free time, to soak up all the history, culture and knowledge such a complex can impart.As for the rest of Moscow, it is beautiful, very well maintained, and impressive. Truly one of the great cities of the world. I have been to New York City, London, Chicago, Munich, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas and Houston, all huge metropolitan areas, rich in history, architecture and culture, and I can tell you from my own experience, Moscow beats them all, by the proverbial country mile. Beauty, cleanliness, safety and security, efficient transport and infrastructure, from the palatial metro subway that moves over 7.5 million people per day, to the shops that offer everything in the world, at reasonable prices that are better than anywhere in the USA or Europe, or even Donetsk.Personally, I have never been a big fan of mega-cities, and while I'm still not, Moscow is such a city where even I, a country boy from Texas and Donetsk, can feel safe, comfortable, and at home. If you have never been here, you don't know what you're missing. Donetsk is my home, and I will be glad to be back there in the next few days, even if under shelling, and with water running only every other day, but I look forward to my next trip to Moscow, and invite you to come and see it for yourself too. Tell 'em "Texas" sent you. You'll be glad you did. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231107/russia-expo-spectacular-exhibits-and-colorful-participants-1114780169.html russia donbass moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Russell Bentley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/1d/1094281697_332:0:1182:850_100x100_80_0_0_f4d7604e530b3861449b2db55c72f353.jpg Russell Bentley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/1d/1094281697_332:0:1182:850_100x100_80_0_0_f4d7604e530b3861449b2db55c72f353.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 Russell Bentley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/1d/1094281697_332:0:1182:850_100x100_80_0_0_f4d7604e530b3861449b2db55c72f353.jpg donbass cowboy, russel bentley, who is russel bentley, americans in moscow, what do americans say about moscow, american's review of moscow, americans about russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/elon-musk-encourages-italians-to-have-more-kids-at-brothers-of-italy-event-1115634532.html Elon Musk Encourages Italians to Have More Kids at Brothers of Italy Event Elon Musk Encourages Italians to Have More Kids at Brothers of Italy Event The event was organized by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her neo-fascist party the Brothers of Italy. The annual Christmas party was hosted in Rome and has been running since 1998. 2023-12-17T04:50+0000 2023-12-17T04:50+0000 2023-12-17T04:50+0000 world elon musk italy brothers of italy tesla brothers of italy (fratelli d'italia) giorgia meloni immigration, refugees and citizenship demography /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115634360_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_df5355bf5c92df1086d60119803eaf90.jpg Billionaire, businessman, and investor Elon Musk took to the stage at a conservative political festival in Rome on Saturday. The event was organized by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party the Brothers of Italy. The annual Christmas party was hosted in Rome and has been running since 1998.As the star guest of the event, Musk claimed to be a leading environmentalistas the founder of the electric car maker Teslabut added that oil and gas should not be demonized and that climate change is exaggerated in the short term. Throughout the interview he also cracked down on the woke mind virus as very divisive and no fun. He then encouraged strict laws for immigration, though he said he was very much in favor of legal migration. And, when asked about, artificial intelligence said it is an inevitable thing and will be a new "species".While addressing the crowd Musk also encouraged Italians to have more children. And it's no wonder. Despite Musk's interest in procreation, Italy does have one of the lowest birth rates in the world.Between January and June of 2023 there were 3,500 fewer births than in the same period of 2022, according to data from national statistics ISTAT. And in the year 2022, birth rates fell for a 14th consecutive drop by 1.7% to 1.18 for women of Italian nationality, and 1.24 to include new mothers who are immigrants. To address these unprecedented numbers, Meloni set aside around 1 billion euros to combat the declining birth rate in October.Surrogacy, which has given Musk two of his children, was not mentioned during the event, as it is criminalized in Italy. But despite their differing views on surrogacy, Meloni and Musk met each other for over an hour in June. According to reports, the two share concerns regarding the risks of artificial intelligence and Italys shrinking birth rate.Its important to have children and create the new generation. As simple as it sounds, if people do not have children there is no new generation.Musk was also asked about the health of his company X, formerly known as Twitter, following a mass exodus of advertisers. A report claimed that pro-Nazi content was appearing next to the company ad, and that, in combination with Musk seeming to support an antisemitic claim, outraged advertisers.Tesla appears to be in hot water as well, as earlier this week the company filed a recall report covering more than 2 million vehicles after it was determined by a US auto-safety regulator that the vehicles Autopilot does not do enough to prevent misuse.But Musk said, I think X will be fine, adding that he is already seeing advertisers return.Musk took one of his 11 children on stage with him and posed for photos before he spoke at the event. Some have criticized Musk's procreation ideology as a scheme to tighten the reigns on workers and women", as opposed to an effort to save humanity as he has sometimes argued. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/fcc-commissioner-biden-gave-federal-agencies-green-light-to-target-elon-musk-1115565308.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231130/elon-musks-power-as-geopolitical-arbiter-signals-decay-of-us-state-1115312074.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231130/elon-musk-to-companies-pulling-ads-from-x-go-f-yourself-1115293389.html italy 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 elon musk, italy, giorgia meloni, brothers of italy, demography, demographics, italian population, population decrease, population decline, italian people https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/ex-mississippi-house-candidate-destroys-satanic-display-at-iowa-capitol-1115639503.html Ex-Mississippi House Candidate Destroys 'Satanic' Display at Iowa Capitol Ex-Mississippi House Candidate Destroys 'Satanic' Display at Iowa Capitol Michael Cassidy, a former Republican Mississippi House candidate, has been charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief for destroying a Satanic statue set up inside the Iowa State Capitol. 2023-12-17T14:15+0000 2023-12-17T14:15+0000 2023-12-17T14:15+0000 us iowa baphomet mississippi satanic temple /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115641170_0:266:2400:1616_1920x0_80_0_0_741877a8c1bbbeef336cc587efed662b.jpg Michael Cassidy, a former Republican Mississippi House candidate and Navy veteran, has been charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief for destroying a statue set up inside the Iowa State Capitol. He faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $2,560 fine if convicted.The crimson robe-clad statue that got Cassidy, 35, so riled up was that of a mans body with a horned goats head. The altar had prayer candles surrounding it, and was erected by the Satanic Temple. This registered religious group, as others of the same ilk, are allowed to display their symbols in the Capitol at Christmas according to state rules. Michael Cassidy noticed the holiday display earlier, and reposted a message on X, attaching two photos. One of these showed the removal of a Thomas Jefferson statue from an unspecified location, and the other - of the Satanic Temple display. Cassidy later told media that after seeing the blasphemous statue of Baphomet, his outrage got the better of him.Cassidy beheaded the effigy and destroyed the display beyond repair, as per the Iowa Department of Public Safety.Florida's Republican governor rushed to the defense of the charged man, posting on X that, Satan has no place in our society."While Cassidy has since set up a donation to cover the costs of legal fees for his defense, people on the Internet were split in their assessment of his actions. Some argued Cassidy had no right to do what he did, and asked if he didn't "stand for the 1st amendment."Others gave a shoutout to someone who acted to remove the "abomination." https://sputnikglobe.com/20221209/after-school-satan-club-for-kids-in-virginia-upsets-locals-1105273751.html iowa mississippi Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko satanic display in iowa capitol, destruction of satanic holiday display at iowa state capitol, satanic temple church https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/failing-upwards-ukraine-likely-planning-new-counteroffensive-for-2024---expert-1115633803.html Failing Upwards: Ukraine Likely Planning New Counteroffensive for 2024 - Expert Failing Upwards: Ukraine Likely Planning New Counteroffensive for 2024 - Expert The news comes after the broad defeat of Kievs much-hyped 2023 counteroffensive which began in June of this year. 2023-12-17T02:54+0000 2023-12-17T02:54+0000 2023-12-17T02:54+0000 ukraine crisis volodymyr zelensky ukraine ukrainian crisis ukrainian counteroffensive attempt ukrainian conflict military aid us military aid foreign military aid financial aid /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/08/1114011490_0:0:2500:1407_1920x0_80_0_0_694d07c0282db0062a418a085886e939.jpg Hope springs eternal for beleaguered military planners in Kiev, who are likely plotting a new Ukrainian counteroffensive according to a report in German media Saturday.Nico Lange, a senior fellow at the Munich Security Conference and a former German official, speculated the new campaign would take place next year. Although Western support of Ukraine is in decline, the expert claimed Kiev still possesses large stockpiles of military equipment and will likely receive more in the months to come.The report noted the long list of military equipment Ukraine has requested from the United States, including attack helicopters, advanced fighter jets, long-range missile systems, and Abrams tanks. The report claimed the substantial wishlist suggested the country still has big plans.On Friday another German media outlet cited sources claiming Kiev is devising a new war plan. Having given up on reversing Russian territorial claims, the country will instead attempt to reduce public support for the military operation in Russia by inflicting large numbers of casualties.Public support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has eroded in recent months as the countrys military losses have mounted. Recently the country has been forced to move towards registering women, teenagers, and elderly men to be drafted to fight. Speculation has emerged that declining Western support for Kiev will result in Zelensky being replaced as president, perhaps by military leader Valery Zaluzhny.An unnamed former Western military official told German media what we are experiencing is basically a controlled rearguard action in Ukraine, suggesting the countrys military is on an essentially defensive footing.Political developments have suggested support for Ukraine is waning in the United States as well. A funding package has stalled in Congress as Republicans have insisted on incorporating funding for border security. The populist flank of the party has long questioned President Joe Bidens support for Kiev while polling shows a plurality of Americans believe the US is sending too much money to Ukraine.Zelenskys wife recently appeared on British state media to admonish American taxpayers against growing tired of sending money to Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/scott-ritter-ukrainian-military-to-crumble-by-mid-2024-1115603833.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231030/ukraine-lost-more-than-90000-servicemen-since-beginning-of-counteroffensive---shoigu-1114588707.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 troops, ukrainian losses, russian forces, russian troops, russia wins, ukraine loses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, new counteroffensive Former President Donald Trump speaks at the California Republican Party convention on Sept. 29 in Anaheim. There are legal efforts in 28 states to keep Trump off ballots. Kyle Grillot/Special to the Chronicle I thought we should keep Donald Trumps name on Californias presidential ballot. Until I went to Berlin this fall. At a conference on German election law, I met Gregor Hackmack, an entrepreneur so committed to democracy that he created a nonpartisan online platform for direct dialogue between everyday people and elected representatives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But now hes organizing a petition to ban Germanys second-most-popular political party the far-right Alternative for Democracy, or AfD from participation in politics. Hackmack is wrestling with one of democracys hardest questions: When, if ever, can a democracy exclude anti-democratic politicians and parties from democratic elections? The question is urgent because democracy worldwide is threatened by authoritarian leaders in Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia who won office through democratic elections. Blocking candidates from elections doesnt come naturally to democratically minded people. Nor should it its a despot move. Autocracies routinely maintain power by blocking opposition figures from standing for office. So why and how could we justify blocking candidates? One answer might be called the Democratic Self-Defense Exception: You should bar parties and politicians only when they threaten democracy itself. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The self-defense exception is the logic behind legal efforts by some Democrats and nonprofits to remove Trump from 2024 ballots. It is also why it makes sense to examine how Germany, where the Nazi party took power through elections, reckons with those who threaten its democracy. In Germany, AfD is the political party that poses a danger to democracy and society. AfD partisans threaten democratically elected officials. One party leader expressed pride in Germanys World War II accomplishments. The party embraces racist policies toward migrants, and it pledges mass deportation and cancelation of citizenship for minority groups. Yet since its founding in 2013, AfD has secured support from one-third of voters in the countrys economically marginalized east, and 21% of respondents in national polls, the second highest level of support of any party. Germans like Hackmack argue for banning the party because such racism and anti-migrant policies violate the human rights provisions of the German Basic Law, the countrys post-war governing document, which was developed with American assistance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They also point to the Basic Laws Article 21, which specifically provides for banning parties that do not conform to democratic principles, seek to undermine or abolish the free democratic basic order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany. Germanys federal constitutional court gets the final say on banning a party. To those who suggest that banning the party is a political question best left to voters in future elections, German Institute of Human Rights Director Beate Rudolf, a ban supporter, writes: German history in particular has shown that the free democratic basic order of a state can be destroyed if positions of contempt for humanity do not meet with energetic opposition in good time and are thus able to spread and gain acceptance. Ban supporters including members of the countrys center-right party, the CDU have gathered more than 400,000 signatures on a petition demanding the parties and national parliament ask the constitutional court to ban the party. Still, its unclear whether the petition will succeed; its been decades since the court banned a party. Here in the U.S., there has been no such popular organizing to keep Trump off the ballot despite the threat he poses to democracy. Instead, the campaign has been legal, with court challenges in 28 states designed to keep Trump off ballots. These cases are grounded in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which excludes from future office any person who has taken an oath to support the Constitution and then rebelled against it, either through insurrection or by giving aid and comfort to the Constitutions enemies. Trumps actions his efforts to overturn the election, the Jan. 6 insurrection and his promises to violate the Constitution if he returns to office all satisfy this criteria for ineligibility. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps conservative critics are pushing hardest to boot him from the ballot. A president who tried to use force and fraud to stay in power after losing an election should not be allowed to wield the power of office ever again, writes George Mason law professor Ilya Somin. And we need not and should not rely on the democratic process alone to combat such dangers. But the litigation hasnt gotten much traction in the courts, or political support, even from Trump critics. In California, state officials have taken no visible steps to block him from the March 2024 ballot before a Dec. 28 deadline. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/four-shipping-majors-halt-vessels-on-red-sea-after-attacks--1115633075.html Four Shipping Majors Halt Vessels on Red Sea After Attacks Four Shipping Majors Halt Vessels on Red Sea After Attacks Since conflict first broke out between Israel and Hamas in early October, Yemens rebel Ansar Allah movement have conducted multiple attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. 2023-12-17T01:15+0000 2023-12-17T01:15+0000 2023-12-17T01:15+0000 world red sea hamas palestine-israel conflict shipping shipping operators shipping companies shipping containers houthi houthi militants /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/17/1112823748_0:165:3027:1868_1920x0_80_0_0_c4327c85e8a06dafb510054149e93012.jpg Two global shipping majors suspended their vessels passage through the Red Sea on Friday: Denmarks Maersk and Germanys Hapag-Lloyd. Then on Saturday, the Italian-Swiss giant MSC and Frances CMA CGM also suspended the travel of their vessels through the Red Sea strait.Since conflict first broke out between Israel and Hamas in early October, Yemens rebel Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, have conducted multiple missile and drone attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.The Huthis recently announced that they were targeting vessels near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait as a way to put pressure on Israel. In response, shipping majors paused the passage of their vessels. On Thursday a Maersk Gibraltar vessel was attacked followed by a second attack on a container ship on Friday. The company has ordered all vessels to pause their passage for the time being.Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd said they would be suspending traffic until Monday. Their vessel, Al Jasrah, was attacked on Friday.MSC said one of its container vessels had been targeted in the Red Sea on Friday. While no injuries have been reported, the ship suffered fire damage.The Red Sea is an important trade route that extends southeastward from Suez, Egypt, to the Indian Ocean through the Bab el Mandeb sound and the Gulf of Aden. Linking Asia to Europe, it is responsible for the 10% to 12% of global trades that pass through it annually, including 30% of all global container shipments."Both of the cargo ships targeted by the Houthi in November and a few days ago were not Israeli-flagged ships, but they were owned by Israeli businessmen. That was the aim of the direct target of the pro-Iranian government.On Saturday, a US destroyer shot down more than a dozen drones in the Red Sea that were launched by Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, according to the US Central Command. The UK government also said it had taken out a suspected drone attack in the area using one of their destroyers.Thus far, eight ships have come under attack by the Houthis. On Friday, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said it deplores the actions of the Houthis and called for an immediate cessation of attacks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/us-working-with-allies-to-protect-ships-in-red-sea-from-houthis---pentagon-1115590034.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/us-to-announce-friday-deployment-of-coalition-force-against-houthis-in-red-sea---reports-1115597153.html red sea israel yemen 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 houthis, shipping, shipping containers, red sea, israel-hamas conflict, red sea attacks, houthis' attacks in the red sea, houthis attack ships in the red sea, commercial ships under attack in the red sea, us ships targeted by houthis, ansar allah, who are the houthis, yemeni ansar allah movement, us national security advisor, jake sullivan, biden administration, us deputy secretary of defense, kathleen hicks, drone attacks in the red sea, attacks in the gulf of aden https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/how-strategic-rocket-forces-saved-russia-from-being-erased-from-world-map-1115648163.html How Strategic Rocket Forces Saved Russia From Being Erased From World Map How Strategic Rocket Forces Saved Russia From Being Erased From World Map Sunday is Strategic Rocket Forces Day, the professional holiday of the branch of the military in charge of Russias ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. A lot has changed since their creation over 60 years ago, but the Strategic Rocket Forces mission remains the same: defending Russia and preventing a world-ending nuclear war. 2023-12-17T18:37+0000 2023-12-17T18:37+0000 2023-12-17T18:46+0000 military andrei koshkin konstantin sivkov military & intelligence russia ussr nato russian army sarmat icbms /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103891/74/1038917497_0:197:2943:1852_1920x0_80_0_0_56f350c0804d52880f4018d32f2216e9.jpg The Russian Defense Ministry released footage Sunday showing a Strategic Rocket Forces formation in Kaluga Region south of Moscow transporting a massive Yars intercontinental ballistic missile and loading it into its hardened, underground silo.The footage is a spectacle to behold, with the missile carriers gargantuan trailer, featuring four rows of giant off-roading-capable tires slowly raised 90 degrees skyward above the silo, with the 22.5 meter long missile carefully lowered in and made ready for combat duty.The Kozelsky SRF formation in Kaluga became the first in the country to receive Yars missiles, which can also be carried and fired aboard road-mobile launch platforms.As the older UR-100N and R-36M2 series missiles are retired, the Yars and the Sarmat will become the backbone of Russias ground-based nuclear deterrent for many decades going forward.Formed on December 17, 1959, as the USSR began to introduce its first ICBM weapons, the Strategic Rocket Forces spent over thirty years staring down their American counterparts during the Cold War. In early 1990s, during the politically, economically and strategically turbulent period following the USSRs demise, the modern Russian Strategic Rocket Forces were born.As with the rest of the armed forces, the 1990s proved to be an extremely difficult period for the Strategic Rocket Forces, with troops facing funding and resource cutbacks, plus humiliations and betrayals from the countrys political leadership, from political restrictions on missile deployments to the invitation of US officials to tour top-secret facilities, and the poaching of top military scientists.Today, with Russias conventional military recovering and the nations political leadership making clear in no uncertain terms that it sees NATO as a threat, rather than a partner, the Strategic Rocket Forces troops purpose remains much the same, but now with new capabilities amid the Western blocs attempts to ring Russia with missile defenses. But more on this below.A large-scale NATO attack is also deterred by our nuclear forcesThe Strategic Rocket Forces, together with our fleet, are the only reliable guarantor ensuring the prevention of a large-scale war between Russia and its potential adversaries, Sivkov said.Russias nuclear missile forces are the best in the world, Soviet and Russian Army veteran, reserve colonel and military expert Andrei Koshkin told Sputnik.In decades past going back to the dawning of the nuclear age, the observer explained, Russia played catchup against the United States, creating new weapons and delivery systems five years or so after the US did so.Russia began to dust off prospective hypersonic weapons concepts created during the 1970s and 80s by the legendary Mashinostroyenia and Raduga design bureaus in 2002, after Washington unilaterally scrapped the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and proceeded with efforts to create a nuclear shield defending against Russian ICBMs. This ultimately led to the creation of close to half-dozen advanced strategic weapons platforms, including the Avangard a hypersonic glider platform which can be deployed as a Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) payload in the Bulava, Yars, Topol M and Sarmat strategic missiles.With its blazing fast speed (up Mach 27, per reports) and the ability to maneuver during flight, the Avangard provides Russia with a guaranteed ability to respond to enemy aggression, with no air or missile defense system in the world capable of defeating the kinetic weapon. Paired with the Sarmat, the weapon turns into a unique strike system with no analogue anywhere in the world.Recalling the March 2018 speech at which President Putin unveiled Russias prospective new strategic weapons systems, Koshkin remembered that at first, Western observers didnt believe in their capabilities, ridiculing them as 3D animated cartoons and laughing about them for a whole year.Cooling Americas PassionsFurthermore, the expert believes that with President Biden apparently more passionate about spending Americas military resources fueling conflicts around the world from Ukraine to Israel, and possibly Taiwan next, than on modernizing the USs nuclear forces, Moscow has a chance to expand its lead in strategic weapons systems even further.Amid the USs continuing hybrid war against Russia, the Strategic Rocket Forces are one of the key tools preventing Washington from using its substantial strategic and other capabilities to destroy or break apart Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231026/russian-missiles-soar-as-strategic-nuclear-deterrence-forces-drill-takes-off-1114494041.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231204/details-and-numbers-what-is-russias-unbeatable-avangard-hypersonic-weapon-1115373323.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20200913/uk-chief-of-defence-intelligence-warns-of-capability-of-russias-burevestnik-missile-1080447339.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/new-us-ballistic-missile-program-faces-cancellation-amid-budget-tightening-1115599043.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231201/scott-ritter-us-pushing-nuclear-arms-race--can-only-have-tragic-ending-1115332523.html russia ussr Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Yars ICBM loading into a silo launcher Yars ICBM loading into a silo launcher 2023-12-17T18:37+0000 true PT0M58S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov what are russia's strategic rocket forces, are russia's nuclear forces powerful, how strong are russia's strategic missile forces https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/internal-opposition-to-netanyahu-explodes-after-idf-killing-of-israeli-captives-1115632781.html Internal Opposition to Netanyahu Explodes After IDF Killing of Israeli Captives Internal Opposition to Netanyahu Explodes After IDF Killing of Israeli Captives More than 18,700 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israels military campaign in Gaza as the United States has twice vetoed ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations. 2023-12-17T00:54+0000 2023-12-17T00:54+0000 2023-12-17T00:54+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israel israel defense forces (idf) idf killings of civilians benjamin netanyahu palestine hamas tel aviv /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/19/1115198896_0:122:2340:1438_1920x0_80_0_0_7c1df7b1c09fe959ff1d5ac2565b2dab.jpg Large demonstrations rocked the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv over the weekend as the countrys military admitted responsibility for the killing of three Israeli captives who were reportedly attempting to surrender.The demonstrations began Friday after news first emerged of the captives death. The Israeli civilians, all of them in their 20s, appeared outside of a building in the Shejaiya neighborhood in northern Gaza City, according to an IDF statement released Saturday. The young men held a white flag signifying their surrender and emerged shirtless to demonstrate they werent hiding weapons. One reportedly yelled help in Hebrew.All three were shot by Israeli service members in violation of international law dictating the rules of military conduct. An IDF spokesperson said the soldiers reacted in response to a feared threat from the group Hamas.Halevi said that he accepted responsibility for the killings and claimed we will do everything to prevent similar incidents in the future.A brief ceasefire earlier in December resulted in the exchange of captives held on both sides of the conflict. Hamas brought about 240 Israelis back to Gaza during their surprise October 7 operation in Israel, while Israel holds thousands of Palestinians in prison, including some 2,500 who are detained without charges. Among the captives held by Israel are at least 146 Palestinian minors.Protesters have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a new ceasefire and exchange of captives. US media has reported that the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency was scheduled to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister this weekend to discuss the matter.Meanwhile, family members of citizens held in Gaza have slammed the Israeli Prime Ministers prosecution of its proclaimed war on Hamas.Israeli society has been torn apart by massive protests for more than a year as controversial Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters his 17th year as the Middle Eastern countrys head of state.Previously Israeli opposition took to the streets to protest a legal reform package proposed by Netanyahu that critics said would have gutted the independence of the countrys judiciary. Elements of the sweeping proposal were placed on hold amidst the show of defiance, which saw Israeli military reservists threaten mass resignations from their posts.When a member of Israels opposition finally took power for just over a year in 2021, former Prime Minister Neftali Bennets governance showed just how far politics in the country had shifted away from the liberal Labour Zionism that characterized previous administrations. Bennett was criticized for a debate performance where he declared, I've killed lots of Arabs in my life and there's no problem with that.Recently, controversy erupted after video emerged of a 1986 interview with Netanyahu where he appeared to justify the bombing of hospitals. Israel has been sharply criticized for its handling of their military incursion into Gaza, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying, Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children.About 70% of the more than 18,700 Palestinians killed in the besieged enclave are thought to be women and children, according to Gaza health authorities that the UN has claimed have offered accurate numbers in the past. Israel disputes the death toll.Some observers have questioned the competence of the IDF, with critics claiming the military force is more focused on filming TikTok videos than engaging professionally on the battlefield. Historically the armys so-called Hannibal Directive has excused the killing of civilians even Israeli civilians in the name of pursuing greater combat objectives. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/us-vetoes-gaza-ceasefire-profits-from-arms-sale-on-same-day-1115505751.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/ex-cia-analyst-us-responsible-for-gaza-genocide-by-empowering-netanyahu--1115100230.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231123/pro-palestinian-protesters-shut-down-macys-thanksgiving-parade-1115176925.html israel palestine tel aviv 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/20231217/pentagon-mulls-strikes-against-houthis-amid-red-sea-chaos-1115640197.html Pentagon Mulls Strikes Against Houthis Amid Red Sea Chaos Pentagon Mulls Strikes Against Houthis Amid Red Sea Chaos At least four major global shipping companies have suspended operations through the Red Sea in the past 72 hours, citing the threat of attacks by Yemens Houthi militiamen. The Houthis began their campaign of ship hijackings, missile and drone attacks in response to Israels military operation in Gaza, and Western powers support for Tel Aviv. 2023-12-17T10:45+0000 2023-12-17T10:45+0000 2023-12-22T10:34+0000 world us red sea israel yemen houthi houthis israel defense forces (idf) suez canal mq-9 reaper /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115639046_109:0:1297:668_1920x0_80_0_0_d2d260fe4081d300dad076b831788628.png The United States military is considering strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Thats according to a report by a US news outlet citing Biden administration officials.Officials further said that Washington is holding back, for now, out of fears of potentially fueling a broader war against Iran and its proxies, citing (unsubstantiated) claims that the Yemeni militia group is one such proxy.A Pentagon spokesman stated publicly this week that the DoD will not hesitate to take action where necessary and appropriate, including to protect against actions in the maritime domain that could threaten our troops, but this has yet to include attacks on Houthi forces.US and British warships operating in the Red Sea targeted over a dozen suspected Houthi drones over the body of water on Saturday alone.With their proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait (lit. Gate of Tears) linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, the Houthis have the ability to restrict access to a key global strategic bottleneck accounting for up to 10 percent of the worlds oil trade, and up to 20 percent of global shipping.The Strait, which along with Egypts Suez Canal serves as a key gateway for maritime trade between Europe and Asia, threatens to turn into a genuine Gate of Tears for companies, businessmen and consumers worldwide amid the Houthis missile, drone and hijacking campaign.Oman stepped in to mediate talks between the Yemeni militia group and international parties over the weekend to try to put a halt to its Red Sea attacks.Houthi Politburo member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti warned that the militia will continue and expand its attacks including in the Red Sea and against targets inside Israel, some 2,000+ km away, unless Tel Aviv immediately halts its offensive operations against the Houthis steadfast Palestinian brethren in the Gaza Strip.The Houthis began a campaign of missile and drone attacks against Israel in the third week of October amid the IDFs bombing of Gaza, with the Israeli military and the US Navy deploying military equipment to counter the attacks. On November 8, the Houthis shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone flying off the Yemeni coast. On November 19, the militia mounted an operation to hijack an Israeli businessman-owned ro-ro transporter, the Galaxy leader. On November 24, they attacked another Israeli-owned ship, the SMA CGM Symi. A day later, the group reported seizing another unnamed Israeli-owned, Malta-flagged freighter transiting the Red Sea. A day after that, they attempted to hijack the M/V Central Park oil tanker, although a US warship in the area intervened and took five militants prisoner.On Tuesday, the Houthis launched a cruise missile strike on the Strinda, a Norwegian oil tanker suspected of carrying crude oil to Israel. On Wednesday, Houthi militants attempted to board the Ardmore Encounter commercial tanker carrying jet fuel. On Thursday, a Houthi missile was launched at the Maersk Gibraltar container ship, but missed. Finally, on Friday, three more ships the MSC Alanya, the MSC Palatium III and the Al-Jasrah (owned by Hapag Lloyd) were targeted in missile attacks, with the Houthis indicating that at least two of the ships were Israeli-tied.Houthi attacks threaten to dramatically increase commercial shipping costs, with the alternative to transiting through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal requiring vessels to sail around Africa, adding between eight and ten days, thousands of nautical miles and millions of dollars in fuel costs to the route.The missile, drone and hijack attacks have also cost shipping companies big on insurance, with Israeli media calculating that Israeli-owned commercial vessels operating through the Red Sea have seen insurance costs jump by up to 250 percent, while others have been denied coverage altogether. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/four-shipping-majors-halt-vessels-on-red-sea-after-attacks--1115633075.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/bulgarias-dry-cargo-ship-believed-to-be-seized-off-coast-of-yemen---reports-1115597011.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/yemens-houthis-say-ready-to-let-all-vessels-pass-via-red-sea-except-israel-related-ships-1115503225.html red sea israel yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov why are houthis seizing ships in red sea, why are houthis attacking ships, red sea, ships, houthi, ansar allah, yemen, israel, united states, shipping, ship, vessel https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/russia-plays-the-long-game-amid-ukraine-fatigue-1115637366.html Russia 'Plays the Long Game' Amid Ukraine Fatigue Russia 'Plays the Long Game' Amid Ukraine Fatigue The "harsh reality" that Ukraine cannot win is starting to sink in in the West, a retired Air Vice-Marshal told UK media. 2023-12-17T08:15+0000 2023-12-17T08:15+0000 2023-12-17T08:15+0000 world russia ukraine vladimir putin joe biden volodymyr zelensky /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/19/1115199454_0:112:3246:1938_1920x0_80_0_0_2bc8d1abb83b0b9a27327fef1d19147d.jpg The "harsh reality" that Ukraine cannot win is slowly but surely starting to sink in in the West, a retired air vice-marshal told UK media.Ukraine has failed to make any significant gains on the battlefront, despite its much-heralded summer counteroffensive, former British jet pilot Sean Bell acknowledged. "Russia is the Goliath to Ukraine's David, Sean Bell was quoted as saying, adding that the advantage of the Russian Armed Forces on the battlefield is evident."Russia has pretty extensive defensive lines: three layers of ditches, dragon's teeth and minefields, he pointed out, and Ukraines military has been unable to make any breakthrough.He continued:Furthermore, this bleak assessment comes as it is becoming increasingly challenging for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to wheedle more cash from the West. The Kiev regime is still being supplied with military assistance and funds by European patrons, but the "flow has slowed to a trickle," the UK outlet pointed out, citing Bell. Hungary was described as being a thorn in the country's side after it vetoed a 50 billion ($55 billion) European Union aid package for Ukraine. In the United States, President Joe Bidens proposed $61 billion package for Ukraine has also been put on ice, as Republicans voted against advancing the legislation. The GOP demanded the inclusion of border security measures in the bill. Even the arrival of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington in person to lobby lawmakers for more money to fuel NATO's proxy war against Russia failed to make an impression. With the US running out of funds to bankroll the Kiev regime, and "Ukraine fatigue" creeping across the European continent, all of this is playing directly into Russias hands, the retired air vice-marshal suggested.Looking ahead to a post-US 2024 presidential elections future, Bell speculated that, "If there is a change of administration in America, who knows what that will bring? But it doesn't look like it will be helpful for Ukraine. And, therefore, Putin will be playing the long game." https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/activists-warn-aiding-ukraine-will-bring-about-end-of-eu--1115636591.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko ukraine loses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, . If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules . You will be able to participate again through:. If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/to-the-last-ukrainian-fico-exposes-dark-reality-of-western-plan-for-kiev-1115646958.html To the Last Ukrainian: Fico Exposes Dark Reality of Western Plan for Kiev To the Last Ukrainian: Fico Exposes Dark Reality of Western Plan for Kiev Most European states are consumed by hatred for Russia and Western countries are ready to fight to the last Ukrainian soldier in order to weaken the Russian Federation, believes Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. 2023-12-17T18:42+0000 2023-12-17T18:42+0000 2023-12-17T18:42+0000 world robert fico vladimir putin sergey lavrov ukraine russia west european union (eu) nato russian foreign ministry /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115647162_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_887fc643585eba56addabe8e1b13f965.jpg Ukraine and its citizens have simply become a bargaining chip in the geopolitical squabble, says Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.The Slovak leader said that obsession was linked to unfounded scaremongering claims that Russia might attack a NATO member.The Slovak prime minister also viewed Ukraine's possible accession to the EU as nothing more than a political gesture to cover up inconvenient realities on the battlefield.He emphasized that it will take years before Ukraine can realistically join the EU as the country is not ready both in terms of democratic functioning and the fight against corruption putting the European Union in a hopeless situation.He believes that Ukraine is simply a 'golden goose' for Western companies involved in the arms trade regardless of the human cost. On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed as "complete nonsense" recent comments by US President Joe Biden about a possible Russian attack on NATO. Putin stressed that Russia has no interest in waging war against NATO countries, saying there was no political, economic or military reasons to do so.Moscow has previously argued that Kiev intends to continue fighting "to the last Ukrainian" in the interests of Western powers.Russia earlier warned NATO countries against further arms shipments to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry has previously accused NATO countries of "playing with fire" by supplying weapons to Ukraine.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that arming Ukraine with Western weapons would not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and would only have a negative impact. Lavrov charged that the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, "not only through arms supplies, but also by training personnel... on the territory of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and other countries." https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/hungarys-orban-has-at-least-3-good-reasons-to-reject-ukraines-geopolitical-eu-membership-drive-1115609468.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/lavrov-time-to-realize-deadlock-of-conflict-west-launched-using-ukraine-against-russia-1115602260.html ukraine russia west 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 fico ukraine, slovakia fico ukraine, russia nato, russia nato war, russia nato news, ukraine eu membership news https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/turkiyes-fidan-urges-uss-blinken-to-involve-israel-into-gaza-settlement-talks---source-1115649842.html Turkiye's Fidan Urges US's Blinken to Involve Israel Into Gaza Settlement Talks - Reports Turkiye's Fidan Urges US's Blinken to Involve Israel Into Gaza Settlement Talks - Reports Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for bringing Israel to the negotiation table on the settlement of the Palestine-Israel conflict in the Gaza Strip, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Sunday. 2023-12-17T19:40+0000 2023-12-17T19:40+0000 2023-12-17T19:41+0000 world palestine palestine-israel conflict hakan fidan antony blinken gaza strip turkiye hamas palestine israel /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115650165_0:0:1346:758_1920x0_80_0_0_158a191654234efd33513761b2d24ff5.jpg "Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has held a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken. During the conversation that took place tonight at the request of the other side, the Turkish-US bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed Fidan also stressed the need to bring Israel to the negotiation table to start a political process aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution after a complete ceasefire," the source said. Fidan and Blinken have also discussed the issues of "tensions" between Israel and Palestine, Sweden's NATO bid, the delivery of F-16 jets to Turkiye and the cooperation in the defense-industrial sector, the source also reported. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip across the border, killing over 1,200 people and abducting some 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 18,700 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of the conflict, according to local authorities. 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/us-vetoes-gaza-ceasefire-profits-from-arms-sale-on-same-day-1115505751.html palestine gaza strip turkiye 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 hakan fidan, antony blinken, fidan-blinken talks, ceasefire, peace talks, 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/20231217/vatican-court-sentences-cardinal-becciu-in-high-profile-corruption-case-1115639755.html Vatican Court Sentences Cardinal Becciu in High-Profile Corruption Case Vatican Court Sentences Cardinal Becciu in High-Profile Corruption Case The ex-chief of staff to the Pope, previously a key figure in handling church finances, has been found guilty along with nine co-defendants over a complex real estate transaction in London worth 350 million that resulted in significant financial losses. 2023-12-17T11:41+0000 2023-12-17T11:41+0000 2023-12-17T11:41+0000 world europe newsfeed pope john allen pope francis london roman catholic church vatican /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102450/27/1024502708_0:119:2000:1244_1920x0_80_0_0_7bcf37cc7e21b833df2940378a2a8bc9.jpg In a landmark trial on Saturday, the Vatican court imposed a 5.5-year prison sentence on Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, a once-powerful papal dignitary.This unprecedented sentencing is the first time a curial cardinal has faced imprisonment by a pontifical court. The case, initiated by Pope Francis amending Vatican law, represents a seismic shift in addressing internal corruption and accountability. It allowed for Cardinal Becciu's trial rather than by a court of his peers, breaking centuries of tradition with no recent precedent since the 16th century.Cardinal Becciu, previously Pope Francis' chief of staff and who was once considered a potential candidate for the papacy, was sentenced for his involvement in a complex 350 million London real estate deal, causing huge losses to the Holy See.This marks a stark fall for the cardinal, once central to the Vatican's financial operations. He and nine others faced charges of fraud, embezzlement, abuse of office, money laundering, and extortion. Maintaining his innocence, the cardinal's lawyer announced plans to appeal his sentence.The trial has sparked a robust debate within the Roman Catholic Church about the legitimacy and independence of the Vatican's judicial system.Cardinal Beccius lawyers told the press that Pope Francis' consolidation of power by appointing judges and four subsequent mid-investigation law changes undermines the trial's fairness and judicial independence. The pope accumulates in himself legislative power, judicial power, and executive power, and what is more, the pope changed the rules in this trial, Giovanni Maria Vian, ex-editor of LOsservatore Romano, expressed to news sources.Supporters, however, view the trial as indicative of Pope Francis' commitment to radical reforms, promoting accountability and transparency in the Vatican. For the papacys backers, the trial is about "Francis the great reformer, promoting a new culture of accountability and transparency in the Vatican, reports John Allen, editor of the Catholic news site Crux.Throughout the 85 hearings, the trial revealed Vatican infighting, scandals, and carelessness, drawing diverse reactions from historians, experts, church supporters, and critics.The trial is seen as a desolate panorama with fierce contrasts between different Vatican institutions, reflecting its complexity and potential impact on Pope Francis' papacy and the Vatican's inner workings.This trial follows a 2019 Vatican raid investigating a London property purchase and Pope Francis' 2020 action to strip the Secretariat of State of significant financial assets after dubious investments. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230110/vatican-opposition-embarks-on-secret-plan-to-topple-pope-francis-report-1106188467.html london Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.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 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg vatican court, cardinal giovanni angelo becciu, curial cardinal, pontifical court, pope francis, vatican law, london real estate deal, holy see, fraud, embezzlement, abuse of office, money laundering, extortion, roman catholic church, vatican's judicial system, vatican infighting, scandals, pope francis' papacy, vatican raid, secretariat of state, financial assets, dubious investments, church approach to governance. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/watch-first-night-version-of-russias-gastello-fpv-attack-drone-tested-in-special-op-zone-1115638032.html Watch: First Night Version of Russias Gastello FPV Attack Drone Tested in Special Op Zone Watch: First Night Version of Russias Gastello FPV Attack Drone Tested in Special Op Zone The first night version of the Russian attack FPV drone "Gastello" has been successfully tested in the special operation zone. 2023-12-17T09:00+0000 2023-12-17T09:00+0000 2023-12-17T09:00+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine video drone russia new uav uav /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/11/1115637841_90:0:1322:693_1920x0_80_0_0_9637637666f0a0055c4ffc576e007457.jpg The first night version of the Russia's Gastello attack FPV drone has been successfully tested in the special military operation zone."The first night FPV drone Gastello has been tested in the special operation zone. It was created based on the wishes of Russian FPV drone operators, who operate directly in various areas of the special operation zone. The drone is equipped with a highly sensitive night camera," a representative of the developer said.According to him, the new development will allow fighters to effectively work on targets in the dark, when conventional drones can't be used. The UAV is named in honor of Nikolai Gastello, Hero of the Soviet Union. In the early days of the Great Patriotic War, the crew of a DB-3F (Il-4) aircraft under his command carried out a combat mission in which they had to attack a cluster of German equipment. The Nazis shot down the plane, as a result of which it caught fire, and Gastello made a "fiery ram" by directing the aircraft at the enemy column.The Gastello FPV drone entered production in Russia in August 2023. 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 The first night version of Russias Gastello attack FPV drone has been successfully tested in the special op zone The first night version of Russias Gastello attack FPV drone has been successfully tested in the special op zone 2023-12-17T09:00+0000 true PT0M11S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International first night version, russian attack fpv drone, special operation zone After being pulled out from under the boulder, Kevin DePaolo was hoisted off the mountain by a U.S. Navy helicopter that came within 30 feet of the rocky terrain to retrieve him. Inyo County Search & Rescue Drilling a pair of steel bolts into the boulder pinning Kevin DePaolo allowed rescuers to haul it off of his legs. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue To help lift the boulder off of Kevin DePaolo, members of the Inyo County Search and Rescue Team anchored a static haul rope to a giant stone about 30 feet away. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue View of the mountains from Bishop, near the area where a man was rescued recently after getting pinned under a large boulder. Alexa Flower Waves of sickening pain had turned Kevin DePaolo almost rabid as he lay pinned, bloodied and broken, beneath a 5-ton granite boulder on the slope of a remote mountainside. What was supposed to be a relaxing day of mineral hunting with a friend in the rugged backcountry of the Inyo Mountains in eastern California earlier this month quickly became a nightmarish fight for survival. DePaolo had been digging in the dirt in the boulders shadow when the huge thing suddenly dislodged and toppled over, crushing the young mans legs before coming to an uncertain rest, teetering on his pelvis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pinned on his back, head downhill in the dirt, DePaolo faced up the mass of the rock and shrieked in agony as gravity threatened to pull the stone over onto his chest and skull. Thinking quickly, his friend, Joshua Nelson, dug the head of a pickaxe into the dirt and jammed its handle under the looming edge of the rock to brace it in place. Then he dialed 911. The weight of the boulder has split his groin wide open, Nelson said. If it had rolled any more it would have crushed him to death. At one point, through dizzying pain, DePaolo, a 26-year-old rock climber and mountaineer, stared up at the blue December sky and wondered whether hed make it out from under the rock alive. I thought, this is the most stupid tragedy to happen on such a beautiful day, he said later. Of all the dangerous stuff I do, Im going to get crushed by a boulder? Thats ridiculous. DePaolo couldnt have grasped in those early moments how first responders in the valley below would come up with one of the most creative rescues in the history of Inyo County involving more than 12 ground responders, a U.S. Navy extraction team, a daring nighttime helicopter hoist, and a 30-pound car jack humped into the backcountry by an eccentric Australian auto mechanic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad *** The high-desert outpost of Bishop rests in the dusty flats of Owens Valley, snug between the Southern Sierras sawtoothing spires and the crumbly ridges of the Inyo Mountains to the east. The area is a hot spot of geologic activity and outdoor recreation the gateway to Mount Whitney, the states highest point, as well as a launchpad for Eastern Sierra peak baggers and a popular stopover for Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers. A view of the mountains from Bishop, near the area where a man was rescued recently after getting pinned under a large boulder. Alexa Flower Noticeable to any visitor is the prevalence of huge boulders scattered about the valley floor. These house- and bus-size chunks of granite tumbled out of the slopes eons ago, and many serve as standalone play objects for rock climbers and off-roaders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DePaolo, a mountain lover from New York with long blond hair and a wide smile, arrived in town in early December to reconnect with Nelson, his climbing mentor and a Bishop local, and unwind in his favorite setting in the Lower 48. For the past three years, hes been road tripping across the American West and living out of his van, bagging peaks in Washington and Alaska before heading south to Bishop. Kevin DePaolo is an avid peak bagger who had been traveling to mountain ranges across the West before he was pinned under a boulder while rock hunting with a friend in Inyo County. Courtesy Kevin DePaolo Neither man was feeling up for a tough day when they met on the morning of Dec. 5. DePaolo had recently summited the 13,658-foot Mount Tom and Nelson was fighting off an illness and nursing back pain. So they opted for a casual backcountry outing to search for stones. The mountains there keep deposits of quartz, garnets, obsidian and other gemstones and were once favored by prospectors and mining interests. Nelson and other locals have made rock-hounding on public lands a hobby, and its one that can reward those willing to hike long distances into remote areas. The idea was to use the day as downtime to do something less dangerous, something super calm, DePaolo said. Its good for your mind and relaxing to go hunt for rocks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad *** The men settled on a spot 90 minutes southeast of town in the Inyo Mountains, a treeless landscape dotted with standing stones. Nelson scooped up DePaolo in his SUV with the tools theyd need: pickaxes, shovels, chisels, pry bars and rock hammers.The two drove a dirt road to the base of a high ridgeline, parked and loaded up about 70 pounds of gear between them. Each brought water, lunch, snacks and phones. Nelson brought extra food, spare headlamp batteries and warm layers. I dont walk a quarter of a mile into the mountains without bringing stuff to maybe spend the night, Nelson said. It could get windy, it could get cold, you could be there at night. You gotta be prepared out there because you never know. At 10:30 a.m., under a cloudless blue sky, they shouldered their packs and set out up a slope of loose scree, without a trail to guide them, scraping past sagebrush. It was quiet and cool, with little wind and no other humans or cars in sight. It was the most beautiful day ever, Nelson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ninety tough minutes later, theyd scrambled up a pair of gullies to a steep expanse pocked with refrigerator-size boulders. Across the valley was the Southern Sierras sawtooth skyline, dusted with snow. They dropped their packs and began scouring the dirt for minerals. Eventually they uncovered a seam of quartz and chased it to the base of two oblong boulders the size of washing machines dug into the slope. Pick in hand, DePaolo laid down on all fours and scratched excitedly at a mud hole below one boulder. As he sat up to take a break, the large rock did something strange it wobbled forward. Kev look out! Nelson yelled. But DePaolo couldnt clear the boulders path. The next thing I know I took the hit. It felt like a bus crashing into my left leg and my pelvis and it just pile-drived into my body and ripped me apart, DePaolo said. Nelson heard his friend scream and dashed down to help him. Both of DePaolos legs were pinned under the giant rock, its full weight crushing his groin. Nelson wedged an ax handle under the boulder to prevent it from toppling completely onto DePaolos chest. Then he squatted down, grabbed hold of its underside and strained to lift. Somehow, Nelson was able to pry the boulder up enough for DePaolos left leg to slide free. It came out blackened with bruising and split open at the groin. Nelson saw blood, bone, strands of muscle and tendon. DePaolos right leg remained trapped under the rock. Instantly, I knew we went from zero to one hundred and this was a serious situation, Nelson said. I didnt know the extent of his injuries but I knew we werent hiking out of there. Nelson tied a shirt around DePaolos exposed leg to stymie the bleeding then pulled out his phone and dialed. DePaolo screamed into the thin mountain air. *** The emergency call reached the Inyo County Sheriffs Office just after 3 p.m. An official there raised the local search-and-rescue team, a volunteer crew of about 60 members with an astonishing range of wilderness experience and technical skills. Among the crew are physicians and teachers; one is an Aussie mechanic who specializes in extracting off-road vehicles stuck on rock trails. Most members are hardened mountain climbers with expertise in wilderness medicine, rope access and high-angle rescue. Theyre one of the busiest SAR teams in the state, according to the Inyo County Sheriffs Cpl. Nate Girardin, the teams co-coordinator. Theyre deployed to between 60 and 100 missions per year, the bulk of which involve helping injured or lost climbers off of Mount Whitney. As searchers mobilized, sheriffs officials called the California Highway Patrol in Fresno for helicopter assistance. The plan was to airlift two SAR members with medical training to the mountain so they could triage DePaolos injuries as soon as possible. At the same time, two more searchers would drive to the backside of the mountain where DePaolo was trapped, with the intent to hike over to him and figure out a way to free him. A California Highway Patrol helicopter airlifted a pair of rescuers to the mountain where Kevin DePaolo was trapped under a boulder. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue By the time the helicopter touched down outside of town, the sun had dropped below the Sierra crest, sucking the heat out of the valley. Nelson had helped cut away DePaolos cargo pants and wrapped his exposed left leg in puffy jackets, but the temperature was plummeting and DePaolo had begun to shiver violently on the ground. Nelson built a small fire and fed it with sagebrush to keep his friend warm. DePaolo never drifted from wakefulness but would pendulum between periods of calm and outbursts of explosive panic. Nelson registered his friends extreme pain but had noticed that blood wasnt pooling in the dirt around DePaolos lower body, a sign he took that his friend wasnt at imminent risk of bleeding out. At one point, overcome with dread, DePaolo pleaded with his friend to call his mother in New York so he could tell her goodbye. Please call my mom, he told Nelson. I need to tell her Im going to die up here. Nelson thought for a moment then refused. As much as I definitely respected that, I felt at the time that calling his mom was going to stress Kev out and I didnt want to bring emotion into this, Nelson said. It was a survival situation and you need to be as calm as you can possibly be. I told him, 'You dont need to say your goodbyes because youre going to live. *** By the time Nelson saw the headlamp beam coming downslope toward him, DePaolo was in his fifth hour under the boulders crushing weight. It was just after 7 p.m. The first searchers to arrive were the two men whod hiked from the backside of the mountain, about 45 minutes in the dark: the Aussie, who goes by Tim K., and Matt, an engineer and ropes expert. (The Inyo SAR members requested that only their first names be used to spare themselves public attention.) They marched into camp shouldering an unlikely tool that would prove critical in extracting the wounded hiker: a Hi-Lift jack. The 2-foot-long steel ratchet lift weighs 30 pounds and looks like a machine gun barrel. A long hand lever angling up from its base activates an iron claw that climbs up notches on its main shaft. Its rated to lift, or winch, 5,000 pounds at about an inch per lever depression. Tim regularly uses it when called to dislodge Jeeps and rock crawlers that get stuck in the piles around Bishop. Hes even used it to move large boulders on 4x4 trails. I call it landscaping, as a joke, Tim said. When the search-and-rescue alert went out, Tim grabbed his jack and volunteered. We didnt know exactly what we were getting into but I figured it was something a jack could probably help with, he said. A critical piece of gear in the rescue of Kevin DePaolo was a Hi-Lift jack, used to lift the boulder on the hiker's legs, estimated to weigh between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue Tim and Matt were soon joined by two more SAR members airlifted via CHP helicopter to the top of a nearby ridge. One of them, Isaac, snapped on a pair of latex gloves and began triaging DePaolo. The other, a schoolteacher named Dan, unzipped a bag of gear hed brought along, which included a cordless hammer drill capable of piercing granite, a set of steel bolt-anchors, four pulleys and a length of 11mm static rope. Tim, Matt and Dan stood shoulder to shoulder and sized up the situation, roughing out some basic geometry on the spot. They estimated the boulder weighed between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds and was resting on a 35-degree slope. They resolved to build a simple rope apparatus that, aided by the jack, would create enough force to pull the boulder up and away from the injured hikers legs. We kinda looked at each others stuff and said, thisll probably work, Tim said. Dan grabbed the power drill and drove two bolts into the boulder: one on the underside near DePaolos torso, the other atop its crown. Tim positioned his jack in the dirt near DePaolo and carabiner-clipped it to the low bolt. Hed do the prying, one slow inch at a time. Inyo County Search and Rescue Team members drill bolts into a boulder that fell on Kevin DePaolo, before rigging a rope apparatus to haul it off of him. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue Dan and Matt then traversed the mountainside to an enormous granite stone 30 feet away and drilled another bolt. Then they rigged a rope from the top bolt on DePaolos boulder to the massive anchor stone and fashioned it with pulleys and a special knot designed to multiply their exertion and create mechanical advantage. The machine was set: When Tim cranked the jack, Dan and Matt would haul on the rope to pull the boulder sideways onto a makeshift foundation of melon-sized stones the men had placed on the ground next to DePaolo. At about 8:10, Nelson and Isaac crouched down on either side of DePaolo and each grabbed an armpit, ready to pull. You ready to load up? Tim called. Tension on the rope! Dan yelled back. Tim ratcheted the jack up a notch while the two rope haulers heaved, but DePaolo wouldnt budge. Two notches: his leg was still caught. On the jacks third click, the men ripped DePaolo clear of the rock and laid him in the dirt. He shrieked in pain. Isaac knelt down to triage the left leg and groin. All I wanted was to get out from under that boulder, DePaolo said. But then as soon as they got me out, I was in agony. Inyo County Search and Rescue Team members confab about what to do after extracting Kevin DePaolo (center) from under the boulder that had been crushing his legs. Joshua Nelson *** More SAR members hiked in bearing supplies sleeping bags, snacks, tea to keep DePaolo comfortable. They gauzed up his wounds, fed him Tylenol and packaged him on a field litter. But as he lay screaming on the ground, no one was sure when theyd be able to get him off the mountain. The CHP helicopter wasnt cleared to perform a night extraction, and the message coming from officials in the valley below was that DePaolo would likely have to tough it out until first light, a disheartening prospect given his condition. An urgent request from the sheriffs office broadcast through the state Office of Emergency Services reached the U.S. Navys air station in Lemoore, south of Fresno. At around 9:30, a four-man flight crew there loaded into a 65-foot tactical helicopter called a Sea Hawk and flew east over the Sierra. Though the crew specializes in nighttime hoists, this one would be tricky. The plan was to drop a crewman at the site, lift off while the man loaded DePaolo into a steel litter, then return to hoist them both up. Theyd have to bring the bird close within 30 feet of the rocky terrain so rotor blade clearance would be tight against the steep mountainside. And there was concern that loose soil and rocks stirred up by the rotors could limit visibility or, worse, blast DePaolo or the SAR members on the ground with shrapnel. We knew if we deviated, we could potentially push survivors or the rescue team off the steep surface, said Navy Lt. Shagore Paul, the SAR mission commander who piloted the helicopter. We had to be right on target, said Lt. William Zell, the co-pilot. Cruising over the dark, desolate valley, the pilots spotted the SAR teams headlamp beams on the mountainside from 5 miles away. As the helicopter approached, the SAR members doused the campfire, slid a pair of sunglasses onto DePaolo to shield his eyes, then retreated uphill to stay clear, and watched. About a dozen members of the Inyo County Search and Rescue Team responded to the site in the Inyo Mountains where Kevin DePaolo had become pinned under a boulder. Courtesy Inyo County Search and Rescue The aircraft arrived deafeningly loud and blindingly bright, whipping up the air and dirt as it hovered over DePaolo. A crewman from above appeared on the ground next to the wounded man and the helicopter lifted off. As he took DePaolos vitals and loaded him into a steel litter, DePaolo remembers thinking, This guy looks younger than me! The flight to the hospital in Fresno took 45 minutes. There, DePaolo was rushed from the helipad to the trauma unit and then into surgery to repair a ruptured femoral artery in his left leg. Thats when he finally called his mom and gave her the news that he was in a terrible accident but that hed be OK. His pelvis is fractured in two places. Hell need skin grafts on his blackened left leg, which took the brunt of the boulders impact before he and Nelson managed to pull it clear. But his right leg, which was trapped under the boulder, has nerve damage but is mostly fine, and DePaolo can sit upright. He will walk again but possibly not for at least a few months. *** A week after the incident, on a phone call from his hospital bed, DePaolos spirits were high. He said he was definitely reevaluating his tolerance for risk, but also that he couldnt wait to get into nature again. Hes got more peaks on his climbing list and plans to meet a buddy at the Grand Canyon maybe next year. Kevin DePaolo, recovering in Fresno's Community Regional Medical Center. Courtesy Kevin DePaolo He attributes his good fortune to Nelson, who cared for him through the ordeal, and of course the devotion and resourcefulness of the Inyo SAR team. They were so professional, so calm, he said. Those dudes are a bunch of badass angels. DePaolos day with Nelson was supposed to be an easy excursion where he could reflect on a few recent close calls hed had in the mountains. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/wolves-in-sheeps-clothing-military-recruiters-persuade-ukrainians-to-join-army-not-tell-risks-1115636461.html Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Military Recruiters Persuade Ukrainians to Join Army, Not Tell Risks Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Military Recruiters Persuade Ukrainians to Join Army, Not Tell Risks The Ukrainian authorities have intensified the recruitment of soldiers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 2023-12-17T06:11+0000 2023-12-17T06:11+0000 2023-12-17T06:11+0000 world ukraine kiev odessa armed forces of ukraine security service of ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102196/06/1021960684_0:183:2994:1867_1920x0_80_0_0_cb666aa0f13e843a717377c4d1d74aa5.jpg The Ukrainian authorities have intensified the recruitment of soldiers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In Lvov, "soft mobilization" has begun: employees of military commissions walk the streets and "catch" men of conscription age to tell them about the advantages of contractual service, Ukrainian media reported. Such "soft mobilization" began in western Ukraine in mid-December. In addition, in Kiev, Odessa, and Krivoy Rog there have been raids in which conscription notices were distributed in cafes and even gyms. It is noted that the agitators communicate only with men of conscription age. The press service of the Lvov Territorial Conscription Center confirmed that employees of the military recruitment office, as well as representatives of the airborne assault troops "are conducting a series of activities to inform citizens about the advantages of military service under contract."Raids by military commissars on public places have also become more frequent in Ukraine in recent weeks. Law enforcement officers in Security Service of Ukraine uniforms recently also went through restaurants in Kiev and Krivoy Rog, handing out summonses. Earlier, raids on fitness centers in Odessa were reported.On December 14, it was announced that Ukraine may begin the mobilization of women, but only for service in the rear units of the Ukrainian Army. Maryana Bezuglaya, a member of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament), said that the draft age for mobilization would be lowered from 27 to 25. According to her, the draft law on mobilization abolishes compulsory military service in the army and instead introduces basic general military training for all citizens between the ages of 18 and 25.According to a report cited by a Western analysis, based on Eurostat data, 650,000 men of military age have fled Ukraine. Avoiding military service is a criminal offense in Ukraine, punishable by three to five years in prison. In late August, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a complete review of all mobilization exemptions granted by military medical commissions (MMCs) as of February 24, 2022. Zelensky also fired the heads of regional recruitment commissions amid allegations of corruption. Total mobilization in Ukraine, the supply of Western weapons, and the introduction of reserves have not only failed to change the situation on the battlefield, but have also increased the number of casualties among Ukrainian troops.In early June 2023, Ukraine launched its much-touted counteroffensive. Kiev threw into battle brigades trained by NATO instructors and armed with Western equipment, including Leopard and Challenger tanks. However, just three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Kiev's push had failed, with Ukraine suffering huge casualties.The Russian Defense Ministry recently estimated the counteroffensive's cost to Ukraine at more than 125,000 troops and some 16,000 pieces of weaponry. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231217/failing-upwards-ukraine-likely-planning-new-counteroffensive-for-2024---expert-1115633803.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231207/us-ukraine-officials-in-meetings-agree-counteroffensive-against-russia-failed---reports-1115464250.html ukraine kiev odessa 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 soft mobilization, armed forces of ukraine, recruitment of soldiers Think Of Galaxies and driver Chris Lems worked out a perfect trip from post three to score a thrilling victory in the $18,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday, Dec. 16. Before her victory on Saturday, Think Of Galaxies had only competed in Northeast Ohio a handful of times, with only one victory, coming against Open Company. Think Of Galaxies left brazenly from post three, clearing inside rivals into the first turn; that lead, however, was short-lived as Treacherous Penny (Aaron Merriman) darted off the wings and was intent on the lead, clearing mid-way into the turn. Race favourite Alexa Skye (Billy Davis Jr.) had to work hard to make the lead, finally clearing after a blistering :27 first quarter. Alexa Skye got things her own way in the second quarter facing no pressure and getting a big :29.3 breather. A Girl That Twirls (Elliott Deaton) began a first-over bid and began to apply severe pressure into the backstretch for the final time. A Girl That Twirls began to tire around the far turn as Treacherous Penny was able to weave her way through traffic and make a three-wide bid for the lead. Through the stretch, horses were coming from everywhere, but Think Of Galaxies found another gear, using the passing lane to win by a half-length in 1:55. Treacherous Penny was second over Alexa Skye and Smothastenesewisky (Ryan Stahl). Think Of Galaxies, a five-year-old daughter of So Surreal, pushed her earnings to $361,792 with the victory for owner Thestable Thinkofgalaxies and trainer Jason McGinnis. So Wishfull Takes Amateur Trot For Ferrari So Wishfull and driver Larry Ferrari teamed up to win the evening's Great Lakes Amateur Driving Associations (GLADA) weekly feature. So Wishfull, the seven-year-old gelded son of Wishing Stone, led his seven foes at every call and had 2-1/2 lengths of daylight under the moonlight at the wire, stopping the timer in 1:57.1. Muscles For Life (Steve Oldford) was in the garden spot through the journey and finished second while Dontyousayit (Christina Johnson), nearly 10 lengths out of it halfway through, closed fastest of all to get third. Wild And Crazy Guy (Brandon Rhoades) was next with Fly Jesse Fly (Lauren Harmon) picking up the nickel. Leaving from mid-pack post five, Ferrari sent his charge flying off the wings and out-duelled the 10-year-old Muscles For Life to take command early, and had an open lead of close to two lengths at the opening station in :29.1. From there, a perfectly rated second panel brought So Wishful to a half in a leisurely :59.2. It was right there that Wild And Crazy Guy made his bid as he reached second on the outside but So Wishfull pricked his ears back and trotted his third panel in :28.1 to thwart that threat and actually widened his lead a bit turning for home and coasted to the line. One simulcast veteran in Florida described the drive saying, That was Stanley Dancer rating if I ever saw it! In a post-race interview, Ferrari said, You know, So Wishfull gives it all hes got every time he steps on the track and he had been drawing outside the last couple of starts and had too much to overcome with some bad racing luck. Tonight, he had a bit better post and a good spot to get in the game earlier. He did the work tonight and I enjoyed the ride! Owned by Kiesha Ferrari, So Wishfull won for the seventh time this season to vault his earnings to $47,501his best season ever. He also had his best lifetime mark this semester with a 1:54.2 mile over the half-mile oval. Sent off as the 8-5 toteboard favourite, So Wishfull paid $5.40 to his many faithfull. Live harness racing resumes at Northfield on Sunday, Dec. 17 with a first post of 6 p.m. (With files from Northfield Park & GLADA) In the months leading up to Nebraskas next legislative session, one issue has emerged as a key subject for lawmakers to focus on: workforce development. As the state continues to struggle with a labor shortage, lawmakers, business leaders and various other stakeholders from across the political spectrum have mentioned finding ways to recruit and retain more workers as a top priority for 2024. The issue is prevalent enough that Gov. Jim Pillen established a working group in August to brainstorm solutions the state can enact. Jennifer Creager, who participated in the group on behalf of the Greater Omaha Chamber, said the group has narrowed down four areas where improvements may aid in employee recruitment and retention: housing, child care, education and incentives. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, another member of the group, said legislation from the group hasnt been formalized yet, but the Governors Office is working on drafting an executive report from the groups discussions. Many businesses across Nebraska have struggled with staffing shortages for the last three to five years, Creager said, which has led companies to take more drastic measures like reducing their operating hours and overall services. This has, in part, been due to a large portion of Nebraskas baby boomers retiring from the workforce when there arent as many young people to take their place, Creager said. This was already a building trend several years ago, but she said it was exacerbated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Were living through some of those pain points right now, Creager said. State lawmakers have discussed workforce development issues and passed some measures on the topic in past sessions, particularly several bills appropriating funds aimed at addressing teacher shortages. Now, however, Creager said conversations are shifting into more creative solutions to the problem, rather than simply putting more dollars into it. One example Linehan gave was looking at ways to incentivize businesses to help employees with child care, as that was found to be an effective way to recruit young people with children. Nebraska Treasurer Tom Briese, who started on the committee as a lawmaker and remained there in a limited role after being appointed treasurer, said another issue that has remained a focus among lawmakers is tax reform. He said he expects multiple tax bills to be proposed in the 2024 session, some of which may stem from Pillens working group. Taxes are a deterrent for people considering living in Nebraska, Briese said, which makes it more difficult for businesses to recruit new employees. He advocated for the state to contribute excess revenue to support relief efforts. In 2023, Briese introduced LB16, which includes multiple proposals that could help ease the states workforce problems. Among other things, the bill would make it easier for the states licensing boards to issue licenses to experienced workers outside of Nebraska, and would clarify what criminal offenses would exclude someone from getting a license. With Briese now out of the Legislature, Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said shes looking to adopt the bill in 2024. She said licensing reform is a key way to remove existing barriers to employment for people looking for work in Nebraska. LB16 was voted out of its committee in 2023 and is currently waiting for its first round of floor debate. Conrad said given this and the fact that most other lawmakers appear to agree that workforce development should be a top focus of 2024, she is hoping the bill sees that debate early. Several people were indicted for possession and distribution of drugs during the Nov. 14 session of Tazewell County grand jury. Ashlee Jo Lester of Bluefield, Virginia, faces one count of possession of a schedule I or II and schedule III and IV narcotics and child endangerment. Lester is scheduled for court Jan. 3, 2024. Will Hunter was appointed as her attorney. Damaray James Patterson of Beckley, West Virginia, faces eluding police, driving without an operators license and speeding charges. Lisa Jane Rowe of Portsmouth is scheduled for court Jan. 8 on charges of possession of schedule I/II narcotics and inhaling drugs\glue. Timothy Harrison Stone Jr of Bluefield, West Virginia, was indicted on a felony charge of possessing schedule I/II narcotics and misdemeanor charge of possessing an improper title, driving suspended after a DWI conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lucinda Mae Cook of Davy, West Virginia, is facing possession of schedule I/II drugs and third offense concealment charges. Mike Letsen was appointed as her attorney. Her court date is Jan. 10, 2024. Joel Lee Baker of Tazewell is accused of driving after a DUI conviction and DUI third offense in 10 years. His case is set for Jan. 8, 2024, with Joey Stiltner as his attorney. Virginia Irene Huntly of North Tazewell was indicted on child endangerment and DUI with child in vehicle charges. Gregory Gerald Bullion Jr. of Richlands was charged with abduction by force or intimidation, statutory burglary while armed and violating a protective order. Ty DeWayne Bentley of Fairlawn was indicted on an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge. He is represented by Joey Stiltner. Court is set for Jan. 8, 2024. Danny Clifton Duty of Pounding Mill is charged as a nonviolent felon possessing a gun within 10 years, possession of a weapon and brandishing a firearm. Nicholas Elliott Cantrell was indicted on charges of possession of a schedule I/II drug and cruelty to animals. His court date is Jan. 10, 2024. Betty Joanne Gomez of Princeton, West Virginia, was charged with hit and run with personal injury, hit and run with property damage, eluding police and driving while intoxicated. Calvin Lee Hollenback of Raven is charged with three counts of possession of schedule I/II drugs, public intoxication and resisting lawful arrest. Terra Lynn Thompson of Bluefield, Virginia, is charged with two counts of manufacturing and distributing schedule I/II drugs, two counts of possession of schedule IV drugs and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon. Brian Robert Whitlow III of Princeton is charged with possession of schedule I/II drugs. Bobby Joe Witt Jr. of Dante is charged with possession of schedule I/II drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand larceny of an automobile and receiving stolen property. He is scheduled for a Jan. 18, 2024, court appearance. Christopher Malcolm Browning is charged with threatening by letter or other communication. Bryan Alexis Morales-Cruz of Boissevain is charged with threatening by letter, assault and battery of a family member and violating a protective order. Aaron Paul Morgan of Princeton is charged with strangulation. Steven James Church of Princeton was indicted on charges of felony shoplifting, concealment, using false identification to avoid arrest and falsely identifying self to law enforcement. Robert S. Cone of North Tazewell faces two counts of assault and battery of law enforcement, one count of assault and battery and one count of obstructing justice. His next court date is Jan. 4. Jeremy Blake Farmer of Richlands was indicted on eluding police, child endangerment, driving without a license, disregarding a stop sign and driving on wrong side of the road charges. Keith Delhart Moore is charged with two counts of possession of a schedule I/II drug, transporting a schedule I/II drug, and distributing methamphetamine 100 grams or more. Michael Trevor Newberry from Richlands is charged with assault and battery of law enforcement, two charges of call/summon or activate an alarm and obscene or threatening telephone calls. Steven Erion Remines was indicted on eight counts of possession of drugs. Terra Lynn Thompson of Bluefield, Virginia, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. William Thomas McKinley VanDyke of Raven is charged with four counts of possession of drugs and one count of obstruction of justice. Marshall Andrew Wimmer of Callaway is charged with possession drugs and possession of controlled paraphernalia. Jeffery Lee Coleman of War was indicted on grand larceny, statutory burglary, larceny of a firearm, possession of stolen property with intent to sell and receiving a stolen firearm charges. Jerry H. Dawson of Raysal is charged with statutory burglary, grand larceny, larceny of a firearm and receiving stolen property. Durfee H. Dennison of North Tazewell was indicted on grand larceny, destruction of property and possession of schedule I/II drugs charges. He is set for court Jan. 4, 2024. Thomas Randall Houk was charged with possession of schedule I/II drugs, possession of paraphernalia and concealment. Joshua Keith Smith of Pounding Mill is facing charges of strangulation, two counts of assault and battery of a family member and malicious wounding. Tyler Grose of Bandy was indicted on two counts of possession a firearm by a nonviolent felon, larceny with intent to sell stolen property and larceny of a firearm. Jessica Aretta Ruth Hurt of Cedar Bluff is charged with possession of drugs, possession with intent to distribute and transporting drugs. Allison Nicole Osborne of Bluefield is facing charges of possession of schedule I/II drugs, possession of controlled paraphernalia and concealment. Tracy Taylor of Princeton will face the court Jan. 3, 2024, for a count of conspiracy to commit grand larceny. Jackie Darrell Riggs Jr. of Princeton was indicted on possession of schedule I/II drugs, possession of paraphernalia, false identification and using false identification to avoid arrest charges. Brianna N. Perry of Bluefield, West Virginia, faces destruction of property and disorderly conduct charges. Dalton Tyler Blankenship of North Tazewell was arrested on a capias for charges of grand larceny and worthless check. Facebook-owner Meta and China's TikTok restricted a record number of social media posts and accounts in Malaysia in the first six months of 2023, data published by the firms showed, amid a jump in government requests to remove content. Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration, which came to power in November 2022 on a reformist platform, has faced accusations of backpedaling on its promises to protect freedom of speech amid increased scrutiny of online content in recent months. The government has denied allegations of stifling dissent online, saying it wanted to curb provocative posts that touch on race, religion and royalty. Between January and June this year, Meta restricted about 3,100 pages and posts on its Facebook and Instagram platforms from being viewed by users in Malaysia because they were reported to have allegedly violated local laws, according to data published in the firm's twice-yearly Transparency Report this month. The figure was six times higher than in the previous half-year period and the highest since the company began reporting content restrictions in Malaysia in 2017. Malaysia's communications regulator said in a statement late on Friday that its efforts to request the removal of content on social media platforms were aimed at protecting users from "the significant increase of online harms, and not about stifling diverse views". Meta said between July 2022 and June 2023, it restricted access to more than 3,500 items in response to reports by Malaysia's communications regulator and other government agencies. The content included criticism of the government and posts that allegedly violated laws on illegal gambling, hate speech, racially or religiously divisive content, bullying and financial scams, Meta's report said. Short video platform TikTok, in a similar report issued last month, said it had received 340 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content between January and June 2023, affecting 890 posts and accounts. TikTok removed or restricted 815 of those for violating local laws or the platform's community guidelines - the highest in a six-month period since it began reporting requests from Malaysia in 2019, the data showed. It was triple the number TikTok removed in the second half of 2022. Malaysia made more requests to restrict content on TikTok than any other government in Southeast Asia, the data showed. Meta did not publish the total number of government requests it received for content restrictions. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said on Friday its statistics showed a 24-fold increase in harmful content on social media platforms, rising to 25,642 in 2023 from 1,019 the previous year, and including scams, illegal sales, gambling, fake news and hate speech. The commission did not provide a breakdown on the allegedly harmful content found on each platform. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said this week the communications regulator often acted upon complaints from ordinary users, denying allegations that he had requested the agency to seek the removal of posts critical of him on social media. Race and religion are sensitive issues in Malaysia, which has a predominantly Muslim ethnic Malay population but significant ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. It also has laws prohibiting seditious remarks or insults against its monarchy. Fahmi said in October that TikTok had not done enough to curb defamatory or misleading content on its platform and accused it of failing to comply with some local laws. TikTok said it would take proactive measures to address the issues raised. The government also threatened to take legal action against Meta for failing to act against "undesirable" content but dropped the plan after meetings with the company. Free speech group Article 19 denounced the removal of posts critical of the government and expressed concerns over its increased requests to restrict content, warning that it could stifle legitimate free speech and expression. "It is never permissible to prohibit expression solely because it casts a critical view on social issues, public figures or government institutions," said Nalini Elumalai, its senior Malaysia programme officer. The founder of leading Chinese AI firm SenseTime and an influential computer scientist has suddenly passed away, the company said in a statement Saturday. "It is with an extremely heavy heart that we announce to everyone the sorrowful news: Our beloved founder... Tang Xiao'ou, due to illness that could not be treated, left us forever at 23:45 on December 15, 2023," SenseTime said in an online post. Tang, an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and former professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong who founded SenseTime in 2014, was in his mid-fifties. The specific cause of the renowned computer scientist's death was not stated. SenseTime was placed on a US trade blacklist in 2019, accused of being an arm of China's "military-industrial complex" over the use of its technology in mass surveillance in the western region of Xinjiang. In December 2021, the firm's initial public offering in Hong Kong was delayed after it came under new restrictions by the US for related accusations, although it successfully listed on the exchange before the year ended. SenseTime hailed Tang in its Saturday statement as "an outstanding representative in (China's) AI field", calling him "knowledgeable, rigorous in scholarship, truth-seeking and pragmatic". "The company mission he formulated, to 'insist on originality and let AI lead human progress' will inspire all SenseTime people," the firm said. Tang had extensive experience in American academia, earning a PhD from MIT in 1996 after completing an MSc at the University of Rochester in 1991. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Free Report) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 5,063 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $88,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 1st quarter valued at $229,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 871.2% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 203,910 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,244,000 after buying an additional 182,915 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 21.7% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,210,511 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $37,137,000 after buying an additional 394,870 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,804,203 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $466,157,000 after acquiring an additional 765,160 shares during the period. Finally, DNB Asset Management AS lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 19.2% during the 2nd quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 515,998 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $8,669,000 after acquiring an additional 83,199 shares during the period. 81.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently weighed in on HPE. Barclays cut their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Raymond James upped their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Bank of America upped their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $17.90. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Price Performance Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock opened at $16.72 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $21.45 billion, a PE ratio of 10.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 1.25. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 12 month low of $13.65 and a 12 month high of $18.14. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $16.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.66. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 28th. The technology company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $7.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.36 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 9.83% and a net margin of 6.95%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.23) earnings per share. Analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.58 EPS for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 13th will be given a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 12th. This is an increase from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.11%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.77%. Insider Buying and Selling at Hewlett Packard Enterprise In other news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 209,748 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.40, for a total value of $3,439,867.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 278,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,561,135.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 209,748 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.40, for a total value of $3,439,867.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 278,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,561,135.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Kirt P. Karros sold 26,127 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.07, for a total value of $419,860.89. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $419,909.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 251,374 shares of company stock worth $4,113,447. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 8,742 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $397,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Dominion Energy by 3.1% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 60,976,169 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,409,178,000 after buying an additional 1,826,440 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Dominion Energy by 0.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,339,919 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,503,524,000 after purchasing an additional 432,966 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Dominion Energy by 50.4% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,980,124 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,005,266,000 after purchasing an additional 6,028,220 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its stake in Dominion Energy by 18.9% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 17,241,957 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $963,998,000 after purchasing an additional 2,738,973 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Dominion Energy by 0.6% in the first quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 15,231,191 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $851,576,000 after purchasing an additional 95,055 shares in the last quarter. 70.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Insider Activity In other news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.51, for a total value of $284,437.50. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 88,126 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,010,614.26. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have commented on D. StockNews.com raised shares of Dominion Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $50.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $71.00 to $53.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. Ten 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.com, Dominion Energy currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.33. Read Our Latest Analysis on Dominion Energy Dominion Energy Stock Performance Shares of D stock opened at $48.48 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $40.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $44.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.99. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $39.18 and a one year high of $63.94. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.78 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $3.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.38 billion. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 9.66% and a return on equity of 10.94%. Dominion Energys revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.11 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 2.76 EPS for the current year. Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. Dominion Energys payout ratio is presently 136.23%. About Dominion Energy (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boxes of the drug mifepristone at the West Alabama Womens Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Supreme Court will decide whether to sharply limit womens access to the widely used abortion pill. Allen G. Breed/Associated Press This was the most consequential week for abortion rights since Roe v. Wade fell and it was a bad one for women. It showed that in this new era, there is no middle ground or nuance on abortion even when a pregnant persons health is in danger. Conservatives promised that the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that rescinded the constitutional right to obtain the procedure would leave regulation up to individual states, and ultimately, voters. But this week drove home how Dobbs works in practice: Who can get an abortion is really in the hands of judges and politicians. And they are siding against women. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The world saw that happen in real time when the Texas Supreme Court denied one residents request to terminate her pregnancy under the states medical emergency exception to its strict abortion laws. It is illegal to perform an abortion in Texas after fertilization. Days later, the Supreme Court agreed to review a case that could sharply curtail the availability of mifepristone, a medication which is used in more than half of abortions. More than 5 million people have used mifepristone since it was approved in 2000. Both moves showed how little power people with unwanted pregnancies have in this new era where half the states ban or sharply limit the procedure. What Republicans were saying was that the middle ground is people in tragic, exceptional circumstances get to have abortions, and other people dont, said Mary Ziegler, a professor of law at UC Davis and leading scholar on abortion rights. And I think that compromise isnt a real compromise. Its not clear that women and other pregnant people really are protected after all. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ziegler is talking about the case of Texas resident Kate Cox. Cox, who is 21 weeks pregnant, is carrying a fetus that has trisomy 18, a fatal genetic condition. In 95% of cases, the fetus doesnt survive full term, according to the Cleveland Clinic. She traveled to another state to get an abortion. Coxs case is an illustration of one of the problems that occurs when these laws are written using political terminology and by politicians and government actors, said Cathren Cohen, a staff attorney with the UCLA Law Center on Reproductive Health, Law and Policy. Theyre often not reflective of medical standards, medical terminology and understanding about how pregnancy works, Cohen said. And because of that, they end up chilling peoples health care in ways that people might not have originally thought when they read the language of the law. Judges and anti-abortion rights political leaders decided Coxs fate, not medical professionals. After a lower court said she could obtain an abortion, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to criminally prosecute any hospital or physician who helped Cox obtain an abortion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That highlighted the fear that doctors practicing in states with strict abortion bans are feeling. Many worry about being jailed for performing the procedure that is medically sound, even in cases like Coxs in which a court had initially signed off. Among OB/GYNs working in states where abortion is banned, 61% were concerned about their legal risk when making decisions about patient care and the necessity for abortion, according to a June survey by KFF, an independent health policy and research organization. The main takeaway here is that these exceptions are really meaningless in practice, especially when you have political actors who are dedicated to going after abortion, Cohen said. Jennifer Kerns, a practicing OB/GYN and professor of medicine at UC San Francisco, said, Were talking about a case of somebody with basically a lethal fetal anomaly whos being restricted now from termination of that pregnancy. Theres no benefit to extending the pregnancy and exposing the woman to all of the risks that pregnancy entails, which are manyfold, Kerns said. In the context of this lethal fetal anomaly, theres really no grounds for continuing to expose this person to risks. What happened to Cox, Kerns said, really underscores the point that there really is no demonstrable role for compromise on the part of people who are trying to restrict or ban abortion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many of the conservative politicians who praised the Dobbs decision are now fearful of talking about its real world impacts. Like Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. After the decision was announced, Cruz said, and while the left manically argues that the Dobbs decision makes abortion illegal throughout the country, that is false. What this decision does is leave abortion policy up to the states and returns power to the American people which is exactly how questions of abortion were handled before Roe. He called the Texas abortion ban a massive victory when talking to the conservative choir on Fox News. But Cruz, rarely one to hold his tongue, had little to say about how the Texas law affected one of his own constituents, dodging Capitol Hill reporters asking for his reaction. Call our press office, he told reporters trailing him. Donald Trump often boasts that as president, he nominated three conservative judges to the Supreme Court who delivered the Dobbs decision. But Trump, too, has had nothing to say on the Cox case. Of the other GOP presidential candidates, only former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that Texas judges got it wrong. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, look, Im pro-life and I believe that we should try to save every life that we can, because I believe every life is a precious gift from God, but there was no saving this life, Christie told an audience during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. The reason these anti-abortion-rights Republicans are staying quiet is that every time voters have had an abortion access question put before them since Dobbs, theyve supported abortion rights including red states like Ohio and Kansas and battleground Michigan. Abortion was already going to be a major factor in the 2024 elections. But the issues importance could be supercharged by the Supreme Courts announcement this week that it would hear a case that could affect the availability of mifepristone. The courts decision could land in late June, right in the middle of what promises to be an intense political campaign season. The court could decide to sharply curtail its availability via telemedicine, a practice that has grown substantially since the pandemic. If telehealth medication abortion got overturned by the court, it would be a real detriment, especially for people in banned states, which at this point is about half of the country, Cohen said. Limiting the availability of mifepristone or curbing telemedicine would also be felt in California, especially among low-income residents, people of color and those living in rural communities, experts said. Even though the state has the strongest abortion rights protections in the country, 40% of California counties have no clinics providing abortions. Ziegler said this is why next years elections will be so critical to abortion rights. The chances of a second Biden administration prioritizing going after people for mifepristone are, like, precisely zero, Ziegler said. Whereas if a Republican is in the White House, you would see a lot more energy and effort going into prosecuting people who arent following whatever comes out in the Supreme Court by the letter. The mifepristone case was the kicker to a week that Cohen said showed how the Dobbs decision did not get the courts out of the decision-making of abortion. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IJK Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $70,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IJK. Bank of New Hampshire grew its holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 13.4% during the third quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 1,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. grew its holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 10.7% during the third quarter. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. now owns 14,747 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,065,000 after purchasing an additional 1,421 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 4.4% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 17,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,255,000 after purchasing an additional 735 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 2.3% during the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 16,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,172,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McAlister Sweet & Associates Inc. grew its holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 14.5% during the third quarter. McAlister Sweet & Associates Inc. now owns 44,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,243,000 after purchasing an additional 5,683 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF alerts: iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Stock Down 0.9 % Shares of IJK stock opened at $78.48 on Friday. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $67.03 and a 12 month high of $79.47. The businesss 50 day moving average is $72.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.83. The company has a market cap of $8.31 billion, a PE ratio of 15.73 and a beta of 1.08. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Company Profile iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest growth characteristics. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IJK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:AEOJF Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,273,200 shares, a growth of 15.1% from the November 15th total of 1,106,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. AEON Financial Service Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS AEOJF opened at $8.39 on Friday. AEON Financial Service has a 52 week low of $8.39 and a 52 week high of $9.01. The stocks fifty day moving average is $8.40 and its 200 day moving average is $8.83. Get AEON Financial Service alerts: AEON Financial Service Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also AEON Financial Service Co, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Japan. The company operates through five segments: Retail, Solutions, China Area, Mekong Area, and Malay Area. It is involved in processing, banking, short-term insurance, bank agency, ATM, credit guarantee, acquiring, Internet, housing and other loans, property leases, installment sales, life and non-life insurance agency, life insurance sales, loan purchases, credit card purchase contracts, collection and payment agency, guarantee, credit card, and electronic money businesses, as well as bank and business management activities. Receive News & Ratings for AEON Financial Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AEON Financial Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agricultural Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:ACGBF Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 37,284,300 shares, a drop of 12.6% from the November 15th total of 42,645,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 15,535.1 days. Agricultural Bank of China Stock Performance OTCMKTS ACGBF opened at $0.36 on Friday. Agricultural Bank of China has a 12 month low of $0.31 and a 12 month high of $0.41. The companys 50 day moving average is $0.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.36. Get Agricultural Bank of China alerts: Agricultural Bank of China Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Agricultural Bank of China Limited provides banking products and services. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It offers demand, personal call, foreign currency call, time or demand optional, foreign exchange call, foreign exchange time, savings, agreed term, and negotiated deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and loans, including housing, consumer, business, fixed asset, working capital, real estate, and entrusted syndicated loans, as well as trade finances, guarantees and commitments, and loans with custody of export rebates accounts. Receive News & Ratings for Agricultural Bank of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agricultural Bank of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $72.50. A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BUD shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Get Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BUD Institutional Investors Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Price Performance A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BUD. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 98,375 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $5,909,000 after purchasing an additional 7,887 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 8.2% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 26,865 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $1,614,000 after acquiring an additional 2,028 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 13.2% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 57,729 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $3,468,000 after acquiring an additional 6,742 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 14.1% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 35,077 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $2,154,000 after acquiring an additional 4,342 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 11.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 356,048 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $21,384,000 after acquiring an additional 37,476 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 5.53% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE:BUD opened at $62.51 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $108.59 billion, a PE ratio of 20.04, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.20. The companys fifty day moving average is $58.88 and its 200 day moving average is $57.22. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 52 week low of $51.66 and a 52 week high of $67.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The consumer goods maker reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.86. The company had revenue of $15.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.72 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 10.56% and a return on equity of 14.94%. The firms revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.81 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.03 earnings per share for the current year. About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Get Free Report Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B2Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the four brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $5.92. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $4.25 target price on shares of B2Gold in a report on Friday, September 29th. Raymond James lowered their target price on B2Gold from $5.00 to $4.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of B2Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Get B2Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on BTG Institutional Trading of B2Gold B2Gold Stock Down 1.9 % Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTG. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in B2Gold by 9.0% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 155,923,072 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $450,601,000 after purchasing an additional 12,836,388 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in B2Gold by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 37,516,982 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $120,805,000 after acquiring an additional 1,588,566 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in B2Gold by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 30,960,563 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $110,529,000 after purchasing an additional 198,508 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in B2Gold by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,730,574 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $74,008,000 after purchasing an additional 84,428 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FIL Ltd boosted its stake in B2Gold by 4.7% in the first quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 14,368,645 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $56,773,000 after purchasing an additional 645,928 shares in the last quarter. 51.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Shares of B2Gold stock opened at $3.15 on Thursday. B2Gold has a 12-month low of $2.77 and a 12-month high of $4.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.12 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The stocks fifty day moving average is $3.60. B2Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.02). B2Gold had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 13.95%. The company had revenue of $477.89 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $474.00 million. Analysts expect that B2Gold will post 0.29 EPS for the current year. B2Gold Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th will be given a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 1st. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.08%. B2Golds dividend payout ratio is 61.54%. B2Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer with three operating mines in Mali, the Philippines, and Namibia. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 25% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bartlett & Co. LLC lessened its holdings in shares of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG Free Report) by 58.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,985 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 18,500 shares during the quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLCs holdings in NRG Energy were worth $500,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NRG. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 2.5% during the first quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 9,537 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $366,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 3.9% during the third quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 8,427 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $323,000 after purchasing an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 1.9% during the second quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 17,617 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $659,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 3.2% during the first quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 11,138 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $382,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 3.7% during the first quarter. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. now owns 11,216 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 396 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.72% of the companys stock. Get NRG Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group upgraded NRG Energy from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the company from $33.00 to $46.00 in a report on Monday, November 6th. Guggenheim upgraded shares of NRG Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $50.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. StockNews.com downgraded shares of NRG Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.40. NRG Energy Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of NRG stock opened at $48.76 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $11.01 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.32 and a beta of 1.01. NRG Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $30.25 and a one year high of $49.17. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $44.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $39.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.75, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.99. NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $7.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.43 billion. NRG Energy had a positive return on equity of 41.72% and a negative net margin of 5.96%. Analysts predict that NRG Energy, Inc. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year. NRG Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 1st were issued a dividend of $0.3775 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $1.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.10%. NRG Energys payout ratio is presently -19.56%. NRG Energy Profile (Free Report) NRG Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated power company in the United States. It operates through Texas, East, and West segments. The company is involved in producing and selling electricity and related products and services to approximately residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NRG Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NRG Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quent Capital LLC cut its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 10.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 5,432 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 649 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $315,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 86,002.1% in the second 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 buying an additional 658,377,716 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.7% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 175,584,734 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,169,778,000 after buying an additional 2,856,746 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,919,870,000 after buying an additional 858,922 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% in the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,431,517,000 after buying an additional 7,878,833 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after buying an additional 225,065 shares during the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of BMY opened at $50.89 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $103.55 billion, a PE ratio of 12.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.34. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $48.25 and a 1 year high of $75.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $52.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.57. Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.99 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared 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. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 60.91%. Insider Transactions at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $56.00 to $50.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 27th. William Blair lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $84.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price objective (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $63.59. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY 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 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. Shares of Bunzl plc (OTCMKTS:BZLFY Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on BZLFY shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Bunzl from GBX 2,550 ($32.01) to GBX 2,600 ($32.64) in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Barclays raised Bunzl from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Get Bunzl alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BZLFY Bunzl Stock Performance Bunzl Cuts Dividend OTCMKTS:BZLFY opened at $39.40 on Thursday. Bunzl has a 52 week low of $32.40 and a 52 week high of $41.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $36.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.215 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 16th. About Bunzl (Get Free Report Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and personal protection equipment to grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bunzl Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bunzl and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cherrydale Wealth Management LLC reduced its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 568 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 31 shares during the period. Cherrydale Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $286,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Maple Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Maple Capital Management Inc. now owns 57,649 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $29,066,000 after acquiring an additional 1,196 shares in the last quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 20.0% during the 3rd quarter. Provence Wealth Management Group now owns 1,854 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $935,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. FCF Advisors LLC grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 19.4% during the 3rd quarter. FCF Advisors LLC now owns 9,505 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $4,792,000 after acquiring an additional 1,545 shares in the last quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 25.8% during the 3rd quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO now owns 732 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $369,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sendero Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.1% in the third quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,464 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $1,242,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the period. 85.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $520.00 to $640.00 in a report on Monday, October 16th. HSBC began coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $540.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $596.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $585.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $578.05. UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $531.12 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $445.68 and a 52 week high of $554.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $491.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $537.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $506.72. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The business had revenue of $92.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.41 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.79 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were paid a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 32.64%. Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group In related news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 521,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $282,084,374.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 521,818 shares in the company, valued at $282,084,374.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total value of $36,370,321.59. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at $349,788,255.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders. 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. Featured Stories 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. Founders Capital Management lowered its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,867 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 2,144 shares during the quarter. Pfizer comprises 1.5% of Founders Capital Managements portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Founders Capital Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,986,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Pfizer during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Steward Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth about $43,000. VitalStone Financial LLC raised its stake in Pfizer by 179.3% during the 2nd quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 1,106 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 710 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer in the 1st quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. 68.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Trading Up 1.9 % PFE stock opened at $26.63 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $30.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.61. 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 twelve month low of $25.76 and a twelve month high of $53.14. Pfizer Increases Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.15. The company had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.77 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.31%. This is a boost from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 89.62%. Analyst Ratings Changes PFE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Pfizer from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 16th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.35. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pfizer Pfizer Company 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. Featured Stories 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. The study in the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author, seen on Dec. 7. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The bathroom in the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author, who died Nov. 19. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The kitchen in the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Corkboard in the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A typewriter in the study of the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Joanie Juster, a longtime friend of Milt Commons, a stage manager and dresser at various theaters in San Francisco for 70 years, displays a schedule in his Nob Hill apartment written by Commons. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle A door buzzer at Milt Commons Nob Hill apartment. Commons was an actor turned stage manager and dresser who worked at various theaters in San Francisco for 70 years. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle A view from the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle San Francisco has more than its share of renowned museums, like the de Young and the Museum of Modern Art. But many more unofficial museums exist all over the city in the form of rent-controlled apartments that have been occupied by the same tenants for decades. The apartments house history in a number of ways. The rents are unusually low in a city thats among the most expensive rental markets in the nation. Most of them feature old-fashioned fittings like steam radiators or claw-foot bathtubs. The paint is faded, dirty or peeling; the carpeting is matted and outdated, or the wooden floors are scuffed, scratched and worn. But the outmoded apartments are richest in their contents wall decorations and crowded bookshelves, worn furnishings, faded and outdated clothing and collectibles that fill the closets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chronicle, at the invitation of family or caregivers, visited the long-occupied, rent-controlled apartments of two recently deceased San Franciscans author Herbert Gold and actor-stage manager-dresser Milt Commons. A reading chair and table in the Russian Hill apartment of Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author who died on Nov. 19. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Both sit in scenic settings on hills atop San Francisco tunnels and are packed to the brim with collections of the mens lives and works. With small kitchens and bathrooms, small rusted sinks and peeling, dirty white walls and ceilings, theyre a window into what apartment living looked like in the 1960s and 1970s and what happens when little or no renovation takes place. Still, the apartments have a lived-in coziness. Gold, who was 99 when he died last month, had lived and written in a one-bedroom apartment on a steep Russian Hill street above the Broadway Tunnel for 63 years. The apartment looks out over Chinatown and has a panoramic view of the Bay Bridge from leaded glass windows in its snug living room. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The rent? Just $737 a month at the time of Golds death. Ann Gold Buscho of San Rafael, one of his daughters, said the initial rent was probably between $150 and $200. A typewriter and bookshelves in the study of the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The centerpiece of Golds apartment is his writing room, where he rapped out novels on a Royal typewriter, even long after computers became commonplace. The shelves above his writing desk are crowded with hundreds of books, magazines, newspapers and manuscripts. They include his work 23 or 24 novels, five collections of stories or essays, and eight nonfiction books and much more. The shelves are so packed that they droop and sag and threaten to collapse. Posters including a 1985 Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Co. ad with a tropical theme, a collection of press passes from Haiti and a proclamation from the state Assembly commemorating his work hang on the walls of his writing room. In lieu of drapes, the hallway windows are covered by clothing on hangers. This was his closet, said his daughter, Nina Gold. These were the shirts in heavy rotation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Buscho was 9 when her dad moved into the apartment. She said its changed relatively little over time. The front room in the Russian Hill apartment of recently deceased Herb Gold, a noted and prolific San Francisco author, as seen on Dec. 7. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Its just much more crowded and cluttered, she said. The only other living thing in the apartment, she said besides an occasional colony of mice is a more-than-50-year-old spider plant from his second wife. He nurtured the plant carefully, even talking to it every day, Buscho said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The family has barely begun the task of clearing out the apartment, and is hoping the landlord will give them a couple of months before they have to vacate the premises, she said. Its going to be like an excavation, she said. When somebody lives 63 years in the same place, its like an archaeological dig layers. Commons studio apartment, by contrast, is tidier and more organized and work to remove his lifes belongings has begun but its no less crowded with memorabilia. Joanie Juster, a longtime friend of Milt Commons, sorts through the late theater figures belongings in his Nob Hill apartment. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Commons was 96 when he died in early November, and had lived in his studio apartment across the street from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, above the Stockton Tunnel and next to the California cable car. His apartment has little furniture, just a couple of well-worn chairs and small tables but lots of memories. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I absolutely feel his presence, said longtime friend and caregiver Joanie Juster, whos handling much of the work of clearing out his apartment. He paid $800 a month in rent at the time of his death, she said. The original lease, which he saved along with most of the other paperwork and memorabilia of his life, was for $150 a month plus first and last month rent and a $30 deposit. A modernized studio across the hall from his recently rented for about $2,500, Juster said. A work contract in Milt Commons Nob Hill apartment. Commons, an actor turned stage manager and dresser at various theaters in San Francisco, died Nov. 6 at age 96 after a 70-year career in theater. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Commons saved every playbill or program from every production he was associated with, including Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, keeping them in a closet along with a collection of posters advertising many of the plays and notebooks filled with notes on plays and artwork, his other passion. There are bills from summer stock plays at tiny theaters on the East Coast, as well as big performances in New York City and in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Theyre stashed in a box in one of the studios two closets, which Juster calls the closet where he kept his career. Posters from his performances include one from the early 1950s from the Boothbay Playhouse in Maine, where Commons starred in colorfully exciting musical Anything Goes, along with some that he stage-managed: Dames at Sea at San Franciscos Marines Memorial, Billy Elliot at the Golden Gate and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. He also stage-managed theater in New York City on and off Broadway. He was particularly proud of working on The Norman Conquests, a trilogy of plays showcased at the now defunct Morosco Theater in Times Square. It was his pride, said Juster. Photographs of Milt Commons, an actor who became a stage manager and dresser at various theaters in San Francisco for 70 years before his death on Nov. 6 at age 96. Stephen Lam/the Chronicle Clearing out the apartments and disposing of the contents is a difficult task, Juster said. Commons had no children, so she and some of his nieces and nephews are managing the closing scene of his life. She said she feels the weight of the decisions of what to keep and what to throw out, and said its tough to find museums or archives or organizations willing or able to take even well-preserved and organized collections of theater memorabilia. You cant save everything, she said, noting that even as she throws things out, she sifts through the piles of posters, playbills and headshots as a way of honoring Commons. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $61,000. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 114,883.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 46,198,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,656,765,000 after acquiring an additional 46,157,887 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,764,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $386,885,000 after acquiring an additional 94,030 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,876,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,031,000 after acquiring an additional 78,301 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,358,865 shares of the companys stock valued at $145,575,000 after acquiring an additional 22,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 864,862 shares of the companys stock valued at $92,653,000 after acquiring an additional 25,852 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF alerts: iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:IJJ opened at $112.69 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $7.51 billion, a PE ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 1.17. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has a 52 week low of $92.79 and a 52 week high of $116.78. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $101.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $104.18. About iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index (the Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in shares of Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 1,300 shares of the oilfield services companys stock, valued at approximately $53,000. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 47.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 114,407,642 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $3,774,308,000 after acquiring an additional 36,640,866 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 25,748,754 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $853,795,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120,274 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,079,068 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $627,759,000 after acquiring an additional 387,735 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 17,217,776 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $677,520,000 after acquiring an additional 6,815,373 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 123.0% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 15,936,342 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $627,088,000 after acquiring an additional 8,791,319 shares during the last quarter. 82.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Halliburton alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 13,103 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.00, for a total transaction of $563,429.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,938,354. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 13,103 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.00, for a total transaction of $563,429.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,938,354. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.00, for a total value of $215,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 186,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,012,362. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 44,903 shares of company stock valued at $1,929,729. Insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Halliburton Price Performance Shares of NYSE:HAL opened at $35.82 on Friday. Halliburton has a fifty-two week low of $27.84 and a fifty-two week high of $43.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of $38.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 1.53. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The oilfield services company reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.02. Halliburton had a return on equity of 31.61% and a net margin of 11.52%. The company had revenue of $5.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.60 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Halliburton will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Halliburton Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 7th will be given a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.79%. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio is presently 21.99%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Halliburton from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Barclays lifted their price target on Halliburton from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Halliburton from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Halliburton from $42.00 to $46.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $49.00. Read Our Latest Report on HAL About Halliburton (Free Report) Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 2,800 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $77,000. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 75.9% in the second quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 920 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares during the period. Marquette Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 333.2% in the second 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 period. Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 45.7% in the second quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,036 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the first quarter worth about $34,000. 68.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have commented on BAC shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $34.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Bank of America from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and increased their price target for the company from $29.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.58. Bank of America Stock Performance BAC opened at $33.60 on Friday. Bank of America Co. has a 12-month low of $24.96 and a 12-month high of $37.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $265.90 billion, a PE ratio of 9.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.40. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $28.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.98. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.13 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 18.69% and a return on equity of 12.08%. Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year. Bank of America Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.86%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.89%. Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 17,769 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.94, for a total transaction of $176,623.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 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. Featured Articles 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. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 800 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $48,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Signaturefd LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the second quarter valued at about $64,000. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 6.1% in the second quarter. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,715 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the second quarter worth about $1,324,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the second quarter worth about $208,000. Finally, Channel Wealth LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 26.6% in the second quarter. Channel Wealth LLC now owns 25,202 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,560,000 after buying an additional 5,299 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance EWJ stock opened at $63.17 on Friday. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 1 year low of $53.27 and a 1 year high of $64.11. The company has a market cap of $13.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $60.98 and a 200 day moving average of $61.43. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Free Report) by 26.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,058 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,334 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $1,033,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 259.4% in the third quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 913 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 659 shares during the period. Parisi Gray Wealth Management lifted its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management now owns 17,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,157,000 after buying an additional 884 shares in the last quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 1,073,456 shares of the companys stock worth $69,077,000 after buying an additional 29,489 shares during the last quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $148,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Get iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Down 1.0 % Shares of BATS IEFA opened at $69.39 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.29 and a beta of 0.87. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52 week low of $56.55 and a 52 week high of $70.84. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $66.37. About iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE:MAN Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the nine brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $85.29. Several research firms have recently weighed in on MAN. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of ManpowerGroup from $88.00 to $79.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of ManpowerGroup from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of ManpowerGroup from $82.00 to $80.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of ManpowerGroup from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of ManpowerGroup from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Get ManpowerGroup alerts: View Our Latest Report on MAN Insider Transactions at ManpowerGroup Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, SVP Donald O. Mondano sold 1,600 shares of ManpowerGroup stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.96, for a total transaction of $116,736.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,840 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $134,246.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of ManpowerGroup in the first quarter worth approximately $907,000. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new stake in shares of ManpowerGroup in the first quarter worth approximately $267,000. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of ManpowerGroup by 104.8% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 21,293 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,143,000 after acquiring an additional 10,894 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of ManpowerGroup by 33.5% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 35,079 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,295,000 after acquiring an additional 8,794 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in shares of ManpowerGroup by 10.5% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 19,878 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,867,000 after acquiring an additional 1,895 shares during the period. 96.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. ManpowerGroup Stock Performance Shares of MAN stock opened at $79.23 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.21, a PEG ratio of 7.44 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The firms 50 day moving average is $73.64 and its 200 day moving average is $76.00. ManpowerGroup has a 12 month low of $67.35 and a 12 month high of $92.43. ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The business services provider reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.03. ManpowerGroup had a net margin of 1.16% and a return on equity of 13.80%. The company had revenue of $4.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.70 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.21 EPS. ManpowerGroups revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that ManpowerGroup will post 5.78 earnings per share for the current year. ManpowerGroup Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.1%. ManpowerGroups dividend payout ratio is 67.59%. About ManpowerGroup (Get Free Report ManpowerGroup Inc provides workforce solutions and services in the Americas, Southern Europe, Northern Europe, and the Asia Pacific Middle East region. The company offers recruitment services, including permanent, temporary, and contract recruitment of professionals, as well as administrative and industrial positions under the Manpower and Experis brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ManpowerGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ManpowerGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV purchased a new stake in Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (NYSEARCA:PVI Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 17,471 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $434,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $230,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,937,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $373,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $258,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF by 17.0% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 81,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,025,000 after acquiring an additional 11,839 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF alerts: Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:PVI opened at $24.83 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $24.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.85. Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF has a 1 year low of $24.73 and a 1 year high of $25.05. Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF Company Profile The Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (PVI) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of VRDOs issued by US municipalities. PVI was launched on Nov 15, 2007 and is managed by Invesco. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PVI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (NYSEARCA:PVI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC Free Report) from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Wolfe Research currently has $450.00 price target on the aerospace companys stock. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Northrop Grumman from $430.00 to $435.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. UBS Group began coverage on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $555.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $485.00 to $435.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 18th. StockNews.com upgraded Northrop Grumman from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $502.00 target price on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $495.25. Get Northrop Grumman alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Stock Down 0.6 % NOC opened at $461.05 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $69.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.13, a P/E/G ratio of 8.82 and a beta of 0.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $473.76 and a 200-day moving average of $452.88. Northrop Grumman has a fifty-two week low of $414.56 and a fifty-two week high of $547.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.28. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The aerospace company reported $6.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.81 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $9.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.58 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.24% and a net margin of 12.07%. Northrop Grummans revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Northrop Grumman will post 22.73 EPS for the current year. Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 13th. Investors of record on Monday, November 27th were issued a dividend of $1.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 24th. This represents a $7.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.62%. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.54%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 1,670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $472.62, for a total transaction of $789,275.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 12,900 shares in the company, valued at $6,096,798. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 1,670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $472.62, for a total value of $789,275.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,096,798. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Roshan S. Roeder sold 1,007 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $465.00, for a total value of $468,255.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 913 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $424,545. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 177,660 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $82,029,000 after acquiring an additional 819 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,754 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,255,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Independent Advisor Alliance bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter worth $3,023,000. Comerica Bank bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 2nd quarter worth $59,403,000. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 22.2% during the 2nd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,228 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $559,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.40% of the companys stock. Northrop Grumman Company Profile (Get Free Report) Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems in the United States and internationally. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG Free Report) by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 32,009 shares of the shipping companys stock after buying an additional 1,655 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC owned 0.08% of Dorian LPG worth $920,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,263,675 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $71,427,000 after purchasing an additional 400,804 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 11.8% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,240,874 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $64,622,000 after buying an additional 341,453 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of Dorian LPG by 364.5% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 367,400 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $7,326,000 after acquiring an additional 288,300 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 549.5% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 319,025 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $4,849,000 after acquiring an additional 269,906 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Dorian LPG in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,435,000. 64.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Dorian LPG alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have issued reports on LPG shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $37.00 to $50.00 in a report on Monday, November 20th. Pareto Securities raised Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $27.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dorian LPG presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.58. Dorian LPG Stock Performance LPG opened at $42.78 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $36.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.95. Dorian LPG Ltd. has a 52-week low of $15.81 and a 52-week high of $45.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 2.61 and a current ratio of 2.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, a PE ratio of 6.76 and a beta of 1.22. Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The shipping company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.12. Dorian LPG had a return on equity of 28.85% and a net margin of 51.81%. The company had revenue of $144.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $135.02 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 7.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dorian LPG Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 20th were given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. Dorian LPGs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.39%. Insider Transactions at Dorian LPG In related news, insider Tim Truels Hansen sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.61, for a total value of $940,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 186,866 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,028,030.26. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Tim Truels Hansen sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.61, for a total transaction of $940,250.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 186,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,028,030.26. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Theodore B. Young sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.40, for a total value of $182,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 98,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,593,408. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 63,500 shares of company stock worth $2,434,645 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 15.90% of the companys stock. About Dorian LPG (Free Report) Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Dorian LPG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dorian LPG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC boosted its position in American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG Free Report) by 107.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,270 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,899 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in American International Group were worth $925,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund lifted its stake in American International Group by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 27,251 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,294,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in American International Group by 20.9% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,110 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in American International Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 30,355 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Annandale Capital LLC grew its position in American International Group by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Annandale Capital LLC now owns 4,101 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Concord Wealth Partners lifted its holdings in shares of American International Group by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 1,546 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $89,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.57% of the companys stock. Get American International Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AIG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on American International Group from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Argus upgraded shares of American International Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $74.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American International Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of American International Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. They set a buy rating and a $79.00 price objective for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on American International Group from $69.00 to $68.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $69.07. Insider Activity at American International Group In other American International Group news, major shareholder International Group American sold 50,000,000 shares of American International Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.50, for a total value of $1,025,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 365,413,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,490,984,786. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.49% of the stock is owned by insiders. American International Group Stock Down 0.7 % NYSE AIG opened at $66.01 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. American International Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $45.66 and a 12 month high of $67.69. The stocks 50 day moving average is $63.52 and its 200 day moving average is $60.44. The stock has a market cap of $46.34 billion, a PE ratio of 12.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.02. American International Group (NYSE:AIG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The insurance provider reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.06. American International Group had a return on equity of 10.66% and a net margin of 7.87%. The firm had revenue of $12.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.62 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.66 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. American International Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 14th will be given a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 13th. American International Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 27.59%. American International Group Company Profile (Free Report) American International Group, Inc offers insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers in North America and internationally. It operates through General Insurance, and Life and Retirement segments. The General Insurance segment provides commercial and industrial property insurance, including business interruption and package insurance that cover exposure to made and natural disasters; general liability, environmental, commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, excess casualty, and crisis management insurance products; and professional liability insurance. 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